12 june 2023

Nagaland Post

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Hundreds affected by flood in Dimapur

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 11

(NPN): Hundreds of families were affected as unprecedented heavy downpour early on Sunday inundated several colonies in and around Dimapur.

The worst affected areas were Zeliangrongram colony, Master colony, Netaji colony, Medical colony, Vilhume colony, Lake View colony, Lengrijan, Ao Yimsen, Borlengri, Nepali Kashiram, Burma Camp (Rainbow colony), Walford colony, Police colony, Island colony, low lying areas of Indisen village and Duncan Basti, Super Market area etc. However, no loss of life was reported from anywhere.

In some areas vehicles were also submerged while most of the areas remain inundated in waist-deep water.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, deputy commissioner Dimapur Sachin Jaiswal, who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), said that the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority team, along with district administration and DMC visited the affected areas to assess the situation.

Though they were yet to get more data of those affected, Jaiswal said that around 150 individuals from Police colony were being sheltered at Salt Christian College since their houses were damaged or submerged underwater. NSDMA team were also seen carrying out rescue operations in several areas.

Further, a team of 43 Assam

Sec 144 clamped in Zunheboto town

DIMAPUR, JUN 11

(NPN): Zunheboto district administration has imposed prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC with effect from 12 midnight of Sunday in entire Zunheboto town till further notice.

In an order issued by DC Zunheboto RB Mali, has restricted assembly of five or more persons around DC office complex area and 100 meters in its vicinity till further orders.

District administration, security personnel, magistrates on duty, medical and emergency, media, telecom services, movement of commercial vehicles (goods/passengers) and essential services have been exempted.

Prohibitory order was clamped as tension prevailed following June 8 sexual assault on a minor girl.

Donald Trump blasts federal indictment as ‘baseless’

Dr. Shürho not to seek reelection as NPF president

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 11

(NPN): Veteran Naga regional politician and onetime chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu is on the verge of stepping down as the longest serving president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) at the party’s general convention at Kohima slated on October 21, 2023.

The convention was supposed to have been held on November 24, 2024 but has been preponed.

Party sources confirmed that Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu has decided to not stand for re-election at the October convention so as to pave way for a new party chief.

for the 2023 assembly election of which only two won.

This defeat weighed heavily on the party which led to the thinking that it was time for the veteran president to call it a day.

Rifle personnel provided food to the affected people at Vilhume and SM colony.

ADC Dimapur Mhalo Humtsoe said that the district administration and NSDMA were putting in their best efforts to help the affected people.

The incident has once again exposed the city’s poor drainage system due to lack of any scientific planning.

Several affected households from Medical and Vilhume colonies blamed the authorities concerned for waterlogging.

They alleged negligence on the part of the State government over the years to resolve the issue in their area and requested immediate relief since hundreds of houses had been

inundated, affecting thousands of people.

Some affected residents were however forthright in their opinion that the residents too ought to share a part of the blame for the problem of waterlogging. They stressed that residents ought to be more responsible while disposing of their waste by ensuring that these are not dumped into drains.

Some GBs and officebearers of colony/village councils maintained that waterlogging was taking place because residents often threw their garbage into the drain.

They maintained that residents should not blame the district administration or Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) alone, emphasis-

ing that every resident as a responsible citizen should take the responsibility of keeping their surrounding areas clean.

Zeliangrong GB Namsin thanked the DMC for clearing the clogged drain in the colony, but pointed out that the municipal council should regularly check

drains of low-lying colonies to avoid floods.

He also urged student bodies, civil society organisations (CSOs) and stakeholders to come together to sensitise citizens on sanitation management and called for collective efforts to tackle flash flood and waterlogging.

IMD issues weather alert

India Meteorological Department on Sunday warned of widespread heavy rainfall, thunder, lightning and gusty winds likely to occur in the North Eastern states during the next five days.

IMD said that due to strong low-level Southerly and South Westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India is very likely during the next few days.

“Under its influence, fairly widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall/thunderstorm with lightning is very likely to occur,” it said.

This warning comes at a time when some parts of Northeast India are reeling under heavy rainfall.

LSU flags granting contract to child abuse accused

DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN):

Longwa Students’ Union (LSU) has expressed deep pain and disappointment at the allotment of contract work to Ronika and Amos Ezung – the two accused in the ongoing child abuse case registered in October 2022 at Dimapur – by the Development Authority of Nagaland (DAN).

LSU president Jeilei

Konyak and assistant general secretary Manom Taiwangshu in a press communiqué alleged that the duo had physically assaulted three innocent minors for months, causing them physical and mental harm. It was only when the parents and relatives of the minors had forcibly intervened that the dark story of the duo came

to light.

In this regard, a case was registered against them and they were kept in police custody, before the district court released them on bail in December 2022. However, the case against them was still in the court and the next hearing was scheduled in July this year.

Despite this criminal charge against them, the LSU leaders lamented that the accused were allotted contract works for beautification of Dimapur city and build Acupressure Park in Super Market area.

“How can we the Naga people expect such people with cruel intentions to do something good for the community even if it is in the form of a development initia-

India’s active Covid cases dip to 2450

tive? This is morally unacceptable,” the duo declared.

They demanded that the two accused should be under the close watch of the law enforcing authority and should not be entitled to such contract works until justice was delivered to the victims. They said the heinous act they meted out to the children could never be forgotten and demanded justice at all cost.

They appealed to DAN to withdraw the contract work allotted to the accused duo at the earliest.

They also appealed to the Naga people to continue rendering their support towards any move against the culprits, so that justice was served to the innocent victims at the earliest possible.

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (PTI): India has recorded 140 new Covid-19 infections, while the active cases dipped to 2,450, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The death toll climbed to 5,31,891 with three deaths which includes one reconciled by Kerala. The Covid-19 case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,92,788).

The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,58,447 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent.

Manipur: Over 50k displaced people living in relief camps

IMPHAL, JUN 11 (IANS):

Over 50,650 men, women and children, displaced in Manipur’s ethnic violence were sheltered in 350 camps, Information and Public Relations and Health Minister S. Ranjan said here on Sunday.

The Minister said that district and cluster nodal officers have been deputed to take care and look after the relief centers set up in more than 10 districts in Manipur, which witnessed devastating ethnic violence since May 3 killing 105 people and injuring over 320.

He said that relief centers have also been opened specially for pregnant women and special care has also

been taken up for lactating mothers, aged persons and children.

Ranjan stated that goods and essential commodities are being brought through Imphal-Jiribam National Highway via southern Assam and so far 2,376 trucks loaded with 35,000 metric tons of construction materials, fuels, essential commodities have been brought into the state.

Various Kuki tribal organisations continue to block the Imphal-Dimapur NH-2 in Manipur, creating a serious problem of transporting essentials, foodgrains, transport fuel, and life-saving drugs.

990armssurrendered

Ranjan, who is also the spokesman of the government, said that so far a total of 990 arms and 13,526 ammunition have been surrendered to the government.

“Combing operations have been continued by the Army and other central and state forces in all districts, particularly in vulnerable areas, to nab the militants and miscreants,” said the minister.

Biren’sinclusionin peacepanelopposed

A day after the Centre constituted a peace committee in Manipur, most Kuki

Dr. Shürhozelie who is 86 has presided over the party since 2002 and was also the 11th chief minister from February to July 2017.

The failure of the NPF to form a government despite winning 26 seats to NDPP’s 18 in the 2018 election started the downslide.

NPF joined the PDA to form the second oppositionless government (UDA) in 2021 much against Dr. Shürhozelie’s wish. This signalled the virtual break up when 21 NPF legislators with its legislature party leader T.R. Zeliang merged with NDPP in April 2022. This proved to be a lethal blow for NPF as it could only set up 22 candidates

Sources further said that the entire party organizational set up would be changed including Arunachal Pradesh State unit and Manipur unit.

Accordingly, the party has appointed search committees for election/ selection of the new office bearers of divisions, area unitsvillage/town/ward units (parent, frontals and cells) for the tenure 20242028.

The committees have been directed to complete the process of selection/ election and submit reports to the Central Headquarters latest by July 31, 2023 without fail for approval.

DoSE clarifies to CWS statement

DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Department of School Education (DoSE) has issued a clarification to the statement by Chang Students’ Conference after it pointed out that admission process for Class 11 in two government Hr. Secondary Schools in Tuensang were put on halt due to lack of classrooms and shortage of teachers.

In a statement, principal director School Education Thavaseelan K said the construction of four new classrooms and major repair of eight classrooms at GHSS Thangjam would commence

as work orders were issued in May in this regard.

On the issue of shortage of seats for Class 11 students, Thavaseelan said that GHSS, Tuensang had been chosen as the lighthouse school for Tuensang district under World Bank-funded NECTAR Project and that multiple infrastructure and other interventions would be taken up at the GHSS.

Further, proposal for upgrade of GHS, Hakushang to GHSS would be put up for approval of the State Level Education Committee (SLEC) in the next meeting. Once approved, DoSE said it

would then need clearance/ approval/concurrence of the P&AR and Finance departments for post creation/conversion and cabinet approval.

Subsequently, recruitment of PGTs would be done by NPSC and processes would take more than a year. To address the issue of requirement of more PGTs at GHSS Tuensang and GHSS Thangjam, DoSE had recently posted requisite number of PGTs at both the schools. Further, rationalisation of PGTs would be undertaken once the ongoing recruitment process was completed.

representatives said they will boycott the panel as it included chief minister N. Biren Singh and his supporters, reports The Hindu.

Pointing out that their consent was not taken before including these members on the panel, they demanded that the Centre make the situation conducive for talks.

Several people who were made members of the panel revealed that they had been added without their consent. One such member, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) president Ajang Khongsai said he would not be able to sit with the Manipur government for peace talks.

(More photos on p-3)

(From top clockwise) A vehicle submerged under water in Khermahal area; a person wade through flood waters in Medical colony; an excavator seen clearing a clogged drain at Dhobinala area and houses surrounded by flood waters in Zeliangrongram colony. (NP)

Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu (File)

CEDOK, NASU fete rank holders, subject toppers

ed all the successful students especially the toppers and achievers for bringing laurels to the community.

He advised the students to keep themselves focused and strive towards their goals with sheer determination and hard work, and follow their passion by always putting God first in their works and studies.

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, JUN 11

(NPN): Commission for Education

Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK) felicitated

NBSE Rank holders and Subject Toppers from Catholic Schools, and also Catholic Schools that secured 100 % pass result at the programme held at Holy Cross, Dimapur on June 10.

40 Rank holders (29 HSLC & 11 HSSLC) and 106 Subject Toppers (93 HSLC & 13 HSSLC) were felicitated besides 16 Schools (12 HSLC & 4 HSSLC) on the occasion.

According to CEDOK secretary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Charalel, the rank holders were felicitated with a certificate, memento and cash award and the subject toppers were felicitated with certificate and cash award.

The felicitation programme was graced by minister of Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse as special guest. She appreciated the catholic schools for the educational growth of the state and said that their contribution was not only for the academic excellence but also for moulding the lives of students.

Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima in his presidential address highlighted the contribution of Catholic schools to the educational progress of the state.

Joint Chief Executive Officer, NSDMA and president Catholic Association of Nagaland, Johnny Ruangmei also exhorted the students. Along with the special guests, chairman NBSE Asano

Sekhose; Nagaland Information Commissioner, Charles Nozasol; president Naga club, Dimapur, Thomas Kikon and advisor, NCWA, Rita Kikon gave away certificates of appreciation and cash awards to the toppers.

17 receive NASU’s excellence award

A total of 17 toppers and subject toppers of the HSLC and HSSLC examinations 2023 were awarded by the Northern Angami Students’ Union (NASU) at the excellence award ceremony held at Kohima village council hall, on June 10.

Speaking at the event as guest speaker, director, Youth Resources and Sports, Kethosituo Sekhose, congratulat-

Trainings, demonstrations & awareness for farmers

DIMAPUR: Various government departments and agencies organised different programmes to equip farmers with knowledge, insights, technology, and products so as to increase their productivity.

Dhansiripar block: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Dhansiripar block organised “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” awareness programme and conducted within district farmers’ training to promote millets on the topic, “Rediscovering Millets: The good old Nutritional Powerhouse” at Community Hall, Bade Village on June 3.

During the programme, BTM, Moainla sensitised the participants on the concept of “LiFE”, introduced by the Prime Minister of India.

She said “LiFE” aims to promote sustainable living by encouraging individuals to make changes in their lifestyles and em-

phasise responsible and conscious use of resources to safeguard and conserve the environment that can contribute significantly to climate change.

Environmental awareness was created through screening of short video on “lifestyle for environment” and green talks were delivered regarding water conservation and importance of millets to the participants.

The participants were also encouraged to adopt “pro planet” activities as part of mass mobilization of mission “LiFE”.

Resource person, Scientist, Agronomy, AICRP, SASRD, NU: Medziphema, Dr. Lowrence Kithan presented a detailed power point presentation and explained on importance of millets in human health, package of practices of millets and preparation of value-added products. He also briefed the participants about the strategies to enhance the improved millets

production and motivated them to revive millets cultivation. The programme was attended by 22 farmers. Tening Block: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Tening Block conducted demonstration programme on insect-pest management of vegetables on June 9 at old Tesen village, under Peren district.

During the programme, resource person, BTM Tening Block, Lily Tungoe highlighted the farmers on indigenous insect-pest control practices from using locally easily available materials, to protect the seeds, vegetative parts, and plants of vegetable crops.

In a separate event, the block conducted demonstration on post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables on June 9 at Old Tesen Village. Resource person, ATM, Rokozhalie Namdau gave a detailed presentation on the management of inter-cultural opera-

tion of vegetables and fruits to produce quality fruits and vegetables; to practice the right harvesting time and to handle the harvested fruits and vegetables with care during transportation, and to practice good packaging and store the harvested fruits and vegetables in dry gunny bags for longer preservation. Altogether, 15 farmers attended the demonstration programme Agri Deptt: One day state level training on Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) in Oil Palm Farms was conducted by the department of agriculture in collaboration with Godrej Agrovet Limited on June 9 with extension headNE of Godrej Agrovet, Lalruakima as the resource person. The programme was chaired by SMS, Ronchamo Kikon; keynote address was delivered by joint director of Agriculture, Z Hukhato Sema, and vote of thanks was proposed by deputy director of agriculture, Dr. Beremjungla.

Sekhose said hard work always pays off and told the toppers that they were witnessing the reward of their hard labour. He urged them to continue working hard in order to excel in life and be able to shoulder the responsibilities and to achieve their dreams.

He also advised the entire students to work towards bringing honour and pride to the society. Earlier, the programme was chaired by NASU education secretary, Keneitsituo Kense, while pastor, CRC Pezielietsie, Letuolie Pienyü, offered the invocation.

Exhortation was delivered by NASU advisor and P.A to chief minister, Rükravolie Rülho and president, Angami Students’ Union, Khriesamhalie David Mere. A special number was presented by Thejasenuo Kire while NASU auditor general, Viketoulie Khrodi proposed the vote of thanks.

neWs in Brief

NSF convenes emergency federal assembly: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has convened an extraordinary emergency federal assembly for the tenure 2021-2023 on June 13 at 12 noon at NSF Conference Hall, to discuss on pertaining issues. In this connection, all the Units and concerned senior leaders of NSF have been requested to make themselves convenient and attend the assembly.

PKKK change of guard: Piphema Khenu Krüta Krotho (PKKK), the apex body of the three village councils of Piphema Village, Piphema A, Piphema Bawe and Piphema Basa, and its frontals Piphema Youth Organisation (PYO), Piphema Students’ Union (PSU) and Piphema Women Organisation (PWO) held its change of guard. The new team of PKKK would be led by Pelezeto Kuotsu as president for the second time, and Diezelhouto Nakhro as the general secretary. PYO would be led by Kevisezo Kimho as the president and Vitsileto Keyho as the general secretary. PSU would be led by Seyievizo Kimho as the president and Neikhriehuno Kuotsu as the general secretary, while PWO would be led by Neikhozole Keyho as president and Pelevino Keyho as the general secretary.

Bishop Pastoral visits Kidima Parish: Most Reverend Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima on June 10 began a three-day pastoral visit, during which he visited Kidima Parish of Catholic Church namely St Francis Xavier, Kidima; St Joseph, Kezo Basa; St Mary, Kezoma; Good Shepherd, Kezoma Urban Station.

ANHTU Niuland unit new team: All Nagaland Hindi Teachers’ Union (ANHTU) Niuland unit at its general meeting held on June 10 has elected a new team of office bearers under the banner of All Nagaland Hindi Teachers’ Union (ANHTU). The new team will be headed by H Abovi Sumi as president, Shahilo Tep as general secretary and Wangman Atsaham as finance secretary.

Conference on ‘emergency management’

Asserting the need to invest in resilience and preparedness for natural calamities and disaster, he said it was not a matter of “if” but “when” disaster would strike.

Speaking on the topic, “community-based adaptation for climate change and disaster risk reduction”, assistant manager (training and education), Khrolou Koza Lohe deliberated on environment impact, water and soil conservation etc., and the need to construct “earthquake proof house”.

DIMAPUR: A conference on “emergency management and disaster preparedness” was organised by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department in collaboration with the Kigwema Students’ Union (KSU) on June 7 at Kigwema Village Council Hall.

A press release by KSU former president, Teisovi Thorie stated that the conference sought to

Educational institutions organise ‘Janbhagidari’ & other events

tion of “Entrepreneurship Development Programme” at Sao Chang College, session on “Skilling and Entrepreneurship” for EDC registered students was held on June 8-9. Business skills such as “effective communication and innovation protection”, factors involved in the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in academics and the various schemes and support for students was highlighted in the workshop.

provide a platform to share knowledge, experience and discuss strategic and operational level issues to reduce the disaster risks, mitigate climate change, and adapt to its impacts.

Speaking at the conference, advisor, NSDMA, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe challenged the students that they must change their outlook towards disaster and must be equipped with indepth knowledge on how to overcome the obstacle;

DIMAPUR: Dimapur police has informed that an unidentified “highly decomposed” dead body of a female, suspected to be a non-local, was recovered hanging with nylon rope in a jungle at Lotovi Village, Niuland, on June 10.

the way of life in relation to its impact on the environment; social and economic values and how to exploit it for one’s benefit keeping in mind its disastrous effect.

NDSMA joint chief executive officer, Johnny Ruangmei spoke on the topic, “Investing in Resilience and Preparedness” and asserted that the colleges and schools should and must have a subject on emergency management and disaster preparedness.

In a press release, Dimapur police PRO informed that the deceased was wearing blue blouse, pink sari with white print.

On completion of all legal formalities, PRO said the dead body was shifted to Dimapur Dis -

Around 500 students from Loyola Higher Secondary school, Jakhamal and Japfü Christian College, Kigwema attended the conference, which was chaired by KSU former president, Teisovi Thorie. Invocation was said by Kigwema Baptist Church Pastor Zhavi Kere, welcome address by Kigwema Village Council, vice chairman Khrievisa Chale, and words of gratitude by KSU president, Mezhüvi Thorie.

trict Hospital Morgue for post-mortem examination/ identification. PRO has requested claimant/ relatives/ friends of the deceased to contact the Officer-in-Charge, Women Police Station, Dimapur at 7085055027.

DIMAPUR: To encourage active participation of people as the central focus of India’s G20 Presidency and following Union Ministry of Education guidance, educational institutions across Nagaland have been organising a series of activities and programmes aiming at promoting and endorsing the theme of “Ensuring Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)”.

The activities are in line with the Ministry’s objective to create awareness and generate a sense of pride among various stakeholders like students, teachers, parents and community as a whole, about G-20, National Education Policy (NEP) and FLN.

The “Janbhagidari events” would lead up to the main event, the “4th Education Working Group (4th EdWG) discussion at Pune, Maharashtra” between June 19 to June 21, and culminate with the Education Ministerial meeting on June 22.

Educational institutions and other organisations in Nagaland also organised various other programmes as activities as part of academic and extracurricular activities.

GHSS Chozuba:

As part of “Janbhagidari

events”, Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Chozuba conducted several programmes from June 2-8. The school organised a School Management and Developments Committee (SMDC) meeting, plogging, screening of Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), essay writing competition on the theme, One Earth, One Family, One Future”, and singing of National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat state theme song.

GPS NNML: Government Primary School (GPS) Naga New Model Lotha organised an orientation programme on “G20 people’s participation, Janbhagidari, Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020” under the theme, One Earth, One Family, One Future” on June 5 for the School Management and Developments Committee (SMDC), parents, teachers, and students. During the programme, teacher-in-charge, Gracy Kithan gave a brief introduction to the G20. The importance of the G20 and the activities under its banner was highlighted by

Ronbeni Kikon. She said participation of the community, parents, and the school as a whole was anticipated for the success of the G20.

The programme ended with a walkathon and plogging around the school area/colony, which was participated by the community along with the teachers and students.

KV Tuli: Kendriya Vidyalaya Tuli is organising various “Janbhagidari” activities to create awareness on G-20, NEP 2020, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.

KV Tuli said the students, teachers and other stakeholders are actively participating in the various activities like storytelling, drawing on G-20, online quizzes, poem recitation, rangoli making, art & craft etc. focusing on the importance of the FLN, awareness on G-20 and NEP 2020 in the Vidyalaya. It said oneday district level virtual workshop on “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” would be conducted in the Vidyalaya on June 13.

SJBS: Students of St. John Bosco School, Khonoma participated in the “Yoga Shivir” organised by Ghaspan Battalion of Assam Rifles on June 8 at the

School Basket Ball Court.

AR: Kohima battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North) conducted a visit to Kohima War Cemetery for seven students and three professors from Shiv College of Education, Faridabad Haryana, who reached Kohima on June 4 as part of the National Integration Tour from Delhi to Nagaland.

PGC: One day workshop on “Critical Thinking” was organised by the Research Committee in collaboration with Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Pfutsero Government College (PGC) on June 7 at PGC with assistant professor, Dr. Venusa Tinyi from department of Philosophy, University of Hyderabad, as the resource person.

During the technical sessions, “Critical Thinking I” and “Critical Thinking II: Logical fallacies in reasoning”, the resource person discussed on the importance of language, types of questions and disagreement on critical analysis. Dr. Tinyi also highlighted the participants on the formal and informal reasoning and the three types of logical fallacies.

SCC: The continua -

Inspector from district industries and commerce, Khumchopi Sangtam and Sucheli Sangtam, who is the resource person for PMFME scheme, highlighted about the PMEGP, PMFME and CMMFI and its avenues in context to present market, the scopes associated with skilling in different sector and departmental support given to entrepreneurs. On the second day, resource person, Alemla Chang, owner of Vintage Alem Pvt. Ltd and recipient of Governor award for skill development, highlighted the opportunities that are aviation, challenges and encouraged students to think beyond.

Earlier, in a separate event, planning committee of SCC organised a webinar programme on the topic, “NEP-2020: guideline, Implementation and Q&A session” with director IQAC, Nagaland University and nodal officer- NEP 2020, Professor Dipak Sinha, on June 7. During the webinar, Professor Sinha highlighted the guidelines of NEP-2020 and its implementation.

SXHSS: St. Xavier Higher Secondary School, Shamator conducted its first alumni day cum fresher’s meet on June 10.

(L) Salhoutuonuo Kruse and others at the programme. (R) NASU members with the toppers and subject toppers.

Conference in progress at Kigwema Village Council Hall.

(L) Students of St. John Bosco School, Khonoma participate in ‘Yoga Shivir’. (R) Students of GHSS Chozuba.

‘Highly decomposed’ body recovered

No malaria case in Longleng since 2019

Combined annual training for NCC in Wokha

DIMAPUR: More than 520 National Cadet Corps (NCC) Cadets from schools and colleges affiliated to 25 Naga Battalion NCC attended a combined annual training camp which commenced on June 8 at Assam Rifles (AR) Campus, Wokha.

NEXT POLL

Q: Is there possibility of improving the state’s perennial power shortage?

DIMAPUR: Longleng District Vector Borne Officer (DVBO) Dr. L.Tia Imchen said that Longleng district has not witnessed even a single case of malaria since 2019, and the district was activity working to maintain the negative status.

A press release by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng office informed that DVBO said the Longleng district has “no malaria cases since 2019 and the district was actively aiming to maintain the negative status”.

CMO office said awareness activities were

being carried out in all the blocks under Longleng district by a team led by DVBO, Dr. L.Tia Imchen, district consultant, Malaria Inspector (MI), Malaria Technical Supervisor (MTS), Surveillance Worker (SW),Surveillance Inspector (SI) ,and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs) as part of the “Anti-Malaria Month”, which is being observed in the month of June.

The “Anti-Malaria Month” was being observed by CMO Longleng office, National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under

the theme, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.

During the “Anti-Malaria Month”, health care officials interact with stake holders, villagers and give community sensitization and awareness about signs and symptoms, preventive measures, correct and daily usage of Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), availability of free testing and free treatment in all health facilities and also collection of blood samples. Dissemination of IEC and BCC materials were part of the Anti-malaria month.

A press release by Commanding Officer (CO) 25 Naga Bn NCC informed that the Cadets from the districts of Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Shamator, Noklak, Wokha, Phek, Peren, Chumukedima, and Kiphire are participating in the mega camp. The cadets on arrival were screened for Covid-19 before being allowed into the camp. A team of paramedics from the District Hospital, Wokha carried out a health checkup of the cadets.

The day started with a “Mass Yoga Demonstration” by yoga teachers from Vivekanand Kendra Vidyalaya lead by Capt. Irshad Hussain of 40 Assam Rifles. More than 500 cadets, associate NCC officers, permanent instructors and Assam Rifles jawans took part in the Yoga practice. The event was organized as a curtain raiser to the “International

Day of Yoga 2023”. Delivering the opening address of the camp, Camp Commandant and Commanding Officer, 25 Naga Bn NCC, Col. CST Swamy highlighted the basic tenets of discipline and the importance of various training activities planned for the cadets.

Col. Swamy informed that, apart from the regular NCC training, personality development of the cadets would be the main focus area. He said manners and etiquettes, public speaking, awareness about blood do-

Areas affected by flood in Dimapur

nation, prevention of HIV and AIDS, career counselling etc. would be part of the initiative.

Col. Swamy informed that the NCC was coordinating with industry leaders in providing training at subsidized costs and placement of NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders in airline, hospitality and security industries. He called upon the cadets to avail the golden opportunity to get into a successful, wellpaid career. The camp commandant also informed the

gathering that Career Guidance for National Defence Academy, Combined Defence Services Exam and NCC Special entry scheme would also be provided in the camp. At the health awareness capsule, Dr Nzanthung Nguillie, pathologist from District Hospital, Wokha delivered an audio-visual presentation on benefits of voluntary blood donation. He urged the young cadets to come forward and save at least four lives every time they donate blood.

ABAM conducts ‘Lead Like Jesus’ programme

DIMAPUR: Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) conducted the “Lead Like Jesus” programme for Zone 8 and 9 at Impur from June 9-11. ABAM executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener, informed that 82 professional youths from ten churches attended the programme. This year, leadership programme was designated for the youth, so that in return they will contribute significantly towards identical furtherance of the gospel in the local churches by taking the servant leader-

ship, Rev. Dr. Mar said. The programme was the last of the four phases of Lead Like Jesus program in the ABAM Youth Ministry calendar. Meanwhile, ABAM extended appreciation to all the professional Youths for attending the programme and expected contribution towards bringing a change in all corners of the society. The facilitators during the programme were: DABA asso.pastor, Imnatoshi, ABAM YM secretary, Toshi Sanglir and ABAM YM coordinator, Teka Imchen.

KLBC celebrates ‘Youth Foundation cum Pastor Day’

DIMAPUR: Kohima Liangmai Baptist Church (KLBC) D. Block celebrated “Youth Foundation Day-cumLiangmai Pastor Day of Prayer” Sunday at the Church premises. A press release by KLBC stated that resource person of the “youth foundation day”, Sunday School superintendent, Phungben Kaurinta stated that the “incarnation of Jesus Christ is the foundation of youth ministry”. As Christian youth, she encouraged the young people to make Christ their foundation, follow His teachings, and set on example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Phungben further stated that youth ministry must be rooted in Biblical foundation and effectively communicate with one another. Youth Foundation Day programme was presided by Youth Pastor, Kungkam. The successful students of HSLC and HSSLC were also felicitated.

NCVBDC Longleng at Sakshi Village under Longleng district as part of the “AntiMalaria Month” on June 9.

Vilhume Colony

Netaji Colony

Zeliangrongram Dhobinala

Rainbow Colony, Burma Camp

Lakeview Colony

Riverbelt Colony

Lengrijan Colony

Be ready to tackle floods: Sarma tells officials

GUWAHATI, JUNE 11

(PTI): With the onset of monsoon and the possibility of floods across the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday directed the government machinery to be ready to meet any flood-related eventuality.

Monsoon arrived in the northeast, including Assam, on Saturday and the state has been experiencing rainfall over the past couple of days.

In a video conference with deputy co mmissioners (DCs) and other senior officials, Sarma said all government departments, including NHAI, NHIDC, NDRF and SDRF, should remain alert to reach out to the affected people during the natural calamity.

The chief minister asked the Principal Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, to take steps for pre-positioning of NDRF and SDRF personnel in vulnerable districts, especially in Dima Hasao.

He also asked the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) to activate an early warning system to warn people

about potential threats of flood. In the event of flood water submerging low-lying areas, Sarma asked the DCs to set up relief camps and streamline relief distribution in these centres.

He asked the deputy commissioners to visit the embankments breached during floods in 2022 and take precautionary measures.

The chief minister also directed the DCs to assess the available stock of food materials and fodder in their respective districts.

Referring to the damage caused to an embankment in Cachar district

Manipur violence: IAS officer assigned as Secy to commission

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 11: Manipur government on Sunday concurred utilization of Devesh Deval (IAS) as secretary to the Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Union ministry of home affairs.

The three-member Commission of inquiry headed by Gauhati High Court’s former Chief Justice Ajai Lamba to probe the recent series of ethnic violence in Manipur that so far claimed 105 lives and injured over 320 people, is currently stationed in Imphal, the headquarters of the commission.

The commission with former IAS officer Himanshu Shekhar Das and retired IPS officer Aloka Prabhakar as members arrived in Imphal on Friday.

An order of the department of personnel and administrative reforms (personnel division) issued today said that Devesh Deval (IAS) was concurred

utilization as secretary to the commission under section 3 of the commission of Inquiry Act. 1952.

He will discharge his duty as secretary of the commission in addition to his normal duty.

On such concurrence, the service of Devesh Deval is placed at the disposal of the commission for such utilization under commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 as the commission may deem fit for the purpose of the inquiry.

The order further directed the IAS officer to report to the chairperson of the commission.

It may be mentioned that the Union ministry of home affairs formed the Commission to probe the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence, whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty.

last year which caused a catastrophic flood in Silchar town and its adjoining areas, Sarma asked the DCs to keep vigil and, if required, ensure area domination to avert unscrupulous elements from causing harm to embankments.

The CM also reviewed the preparedness of medical teams, including the availability of medicine stock, to meet any emergency.

He asked the DC, Kamrup Metropolitan, to have constant surveillance on 382 landslide-prone areas of the district and take remedial steps in case of heavy and incessant rain.

4 out on bail re-arrested by NIA in Assam

GOALPARA, JUN 11

(PTI): Four suspected ‘jihadis’ out on bail have been re-arrested by the NIA in Assam, police said on Sunday.

While Abdus Sobahan, Jalaluddin Sheikh and Abdus Soban were picked up from Goalpara, Hafizur Rahman was nabbed from Kabaitari in Bongaigaon, police added.

They were arrested in August last year, but granted bail on May 2, the official said.

Goalpara superintendent of police VV Rakesh Reddy said Sobahan was the imam of Tokunia Shantipur mosque in Mornai while Jalaluddin was the imam of a mosque at Tilapara, both in Goalpara district.

Both are cousins and involved in fundamentalist activities, he said.

Soban and Rahman were also involved in antinational activities, the SP said.

Heavyrainfallforecast forAssaminnext5days

The India Meteorological Department on Sunday said widespread heavy rainfall is very likely in Assam in the next five days.

In a ‘Special Weather Bulletin’, IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati has issued ‘Yellow Alert’ for Sunday and Monday, followed by ‘Orange Alerts’ from Tuesday to Thursday.

‘Yellow Alert’ stands for watch and be updated, while ‘Orange Alerts’ implies to be prepared for action.

“Moisture incursion due to strong low-level Southerly/Southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India is very likely during the next five days.

“Under its influence, fairly widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall/thunderstorm with lightning is very likely to occur over Assam during the next five days,” RMC said in the bulletin.

This weather condition is likely to occur in other Northeastern states also such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, it added.

It further said temporary disruption of traffic due to water logging in roads, uprooting of trees as well as breaking of tree branches is likely to happen. Uprooting of trees may cause damage to the power sector.

“Heavy rainfall may damage the standing crops and vegetables in the maturity stage. Lightning may injure people and cattle in open place,” the report said, adding flash floods and landslides are also likely to occur in many places

Candlelight vigil in Delhi for those killed in Manipur violence

NEW

DELHI, JUN 11

(PTI): A group of women from Manipur’s Kuki community staged a candlelight vigil here on Saturday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Manipur violence. Scores of women from the Kuki community gathered at Jantar Mantar with candles. In a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they have sought his intervention to

bring back normalcy in the state.

The demands include immediate imposition of President’s rule in Manipur, permanent solution through separate administration, more deployment of central forces and neutral officers at conflict zones, security at mortuary and hospitals.

It also includes provision of security, food and medical aid.

“Since May 3, there’s unrest in Manipur. It’s been

more than a month. In spite of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state and his appeal to maintain normalcy, violence is still continuing. A mother and her son were burnt alive a few days ago. We don’t know whom to trust now,” one of the members of Kuki Women’s Forum told PTI. “Our appeal to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister is to ensure the situation doesn’t escalate further,” she added.

Ex-ULFA‘lieutenant’runswaste-collectionventureinAssam

SIVASAGAR (ASSAM), JUN 11 (PTI): As a teenager, Bipul Kalita, a former self-styled lieutenant of the banned ULFA, had once tried to cleanse ills of society with guns but after coming back to the mainstream, he is trying to clean up his hometown Sivasagar as an entrepreneur dealing with garbage.

In his mid-fifties now, Kalita had once chased the dream of the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for around 12 years to establish a ‘sovereign Assam’.

He gave up arms in 2000 and has since settled into family life with his wife and two daughters at his native place Sivasagar in the eastern part of the state.

After doing some jobs for the first few years, Kalita chose to be an entrepreneur in 2016 and started a doorto-door waste collection venture with seven-eight partners.

“We started the garbage collection work in the 14 wards of Sivasagar town. We also undertook

an awareness drive about proper waste disposal in Dibrugarh.

“Though we were a group of seven-eight people in the beginning, most left the venture as they didn’t consider it as an appropriate job. I continued with it alone with my NGO ‘Rupantar’ and soon received help from six other civil society organisations,” Kalita told PTI. In Assam, NGOs are engaged in door-to-door waste collection in urban areas. He now has seven vehicles and several employees, including the drivers and other associates, with the task of garbage collection and disposal. “We also

Body decry inclusion of Meitei churches as Kuki churches attacked

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 11: The Meitei Christian Churches Council (MCCC) has warned the Manipur Tribal Forum against inclusion of Meitei Churches in the list of worship places burnt down during the violent conflict in Manipur.

A release of the MCCC signed by its gen-

eral secretary Senjam Kankanti said that the council has received a draft copy of the IA (Interlocutory Application) of the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi’s Writ Petition no. 540/2023 in the Supreme Court of India.

“It has come to our attention that the Kukis have included some of the 251 Meitei Churches that were

burned and dismantled during the current communal violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the list of Kuki Churches.”

The MCCC strongly condemned this attempt to align the Meitei churches with the Kukis in the writ petition, it stated.

The Meitei Christian Churches Council Manipur

ITLFaccusesBirenofengineeringviolence

DIMAPUR,

JUN 11

(NPN): The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has accused Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and the machinery under him of being directly responsible for engineering and escalation of violence in the State, and strongly condemned his inclusion in the Peace Committee constituted by the Central government.

In a statement through ILTF media & publicity in-charge Ginza Vualzong, the front alleged that Singh’s constant rhetoric and hate speech against the Kuki-Zo community and the wholesale tagging of the community as drug peddlers, terrorists and illegal immigrants shadow the open declaration of genocide by Meitei Leepun’s chief Pramot Singh in national media and the declaration of proxy

war on “Chin-Kuki Narcoterrorism” by fringe Meitei groups like the COCOMI and other radical groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun.

Calling for peace, the ITLF condemned Singh’s inclusion, whom it termed as the perpetrator of the current violence, in the Peace Committee formed by the Centre.

It insisted that the creation of such a committee by the Central government must be made only after conditions of normalcy and security of Kuki-tribal villages had been secured for a certain period of time.

The front emphasised the need for normalcy to prevail before the constitution of any Peace Committee, pointing out that no normalcy could be maintained as long as the Manipur Police and Meitei militant

groups were given free rein to terrorize Kuki-Zo tribal villages in the foothills and the armed forces prevented from taking control of the situation.

“This necessitates the immediate imposition of President’s Rule in order to curb the incursions made by Meitei militants and State police on Kuki-Zo tribal lands, as well as the Meiteis’ allegations of Kuki-Zo village volunteers (termed by State media as ‘Kuki militants’) attacking Meitei villages,” the statement stressed.

Reiterating that it stood firmly for peace in the region, the ITLF stated that it could not be overlooked the fact that Kuki-Zo villages across the foothills in Kangchup, Sugnu, Kangvai and other areas had faced constant attacks by Meitei militants in the last few days.

appealed to the petitioner of the writ petition (Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi) to remove the names of the Meitei Churches from the petition. If not, the petitioner should be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from the inclusion of Meitei churches without the consent of the individual churches,

it added. The MCCC, Manipur is a unified body representing Meitei churches and denominations.

“We are dedicated to upholding peace, unity and harmony among all communities and are committed to safeguarding the integrity of the state,” the MCCC stated in the release.

Tripura starts production of canned pineapple

AGARTALA, JUN 11:

After proving its supremacy in the market of raw pineapple, Tripura is all set to touch new heights in production and marketing of processed pineapple in canned form, reports The Assam Tribune. This year, the first production unit established in Unakoti district of the state has set a target of five to ten lakhs pieces of processed pineapple in canned format for the national market.

Superintendent of Kumarghat agriculture subdivision Samiran Das said, “The farmers are largely benefitted by this initiative of the private group as they are getting better prices compared to the open market with an added advantage being the crop is procured much before it is ripe enough for

have 20-25 women working with us. Besides garbage collection, we have two machines for turning waste into manure. These were given by the Sivsagar Municipal Board,” he said. The suppliers of the machine had come from New Delhi and trained Kalita and his team to convert waste into manure, but a chemical needed for the process has to be sourced from the national capital, which has been a problem for them.

“Financial crunch remains the biggest challenge” for the militant-turned-entrepreneur as his venture is dependent only on the nominal monthly charges collected from households and commercial buildings.

“We get Rs 60 per month per household, of which we pay Rs 10 to the municipal board. Commercial buildings pay a little more in terms of monthly charges but we have to give 50 per cent of it to the board.

“Our appeal to the municipal board is to waive the tax so that we can get some more margin,” he said.

Kalita is not one to be dissuaded from hardships and hurdles, having spent several years, as a member of the outlawed ULFA, in tough terrain and constantly on the run.

“I was influenced by a neighbour to join the ULFA in 1986. I was about 17-18 years of age then. The ideology propagated by the outfit seemed correct then,” he said, recalling the immense difficulties endured by the cadres as they trained and camped in the Kachin province of Myanmar.

“Many boys died even before reaching the training camps. Unknown diseases afflicted us and there were no medicines. Yet, we sustained and returned to Assam after three-four years. Counter-insurgency operations were intense then, but the popularity of the group was also high.

“People from different sections of society helped us in many ways. But later, the ‘secret killings’ proved to be a big blow for the organisation,” Kalita claimed. Secret killings in As -

sam referred to the killing of relatives, friends and sympathisers of ULFA militants by unidentified assailants in the late 1990s. When Kalita left ULFA in 2000, it still had some “popularity, but once most members of its ‘central committee’ came overground between 2008 and 2010, people’s confidence eroded and popularity decreased”, he claimed.

“Time has changed now. When we took up arms, it was a different age. We have been now following the peace talks between the organisation and the government, but except for a few visits to New Delhi, nothing has happened,” Kalita rued.

The negotiations are going on between the government and the pro-talks factions of the banned outfit but the hardliner group led by Paresh Barua is yet to come for peace parleys. The Barua-led faction was named ULFA (Independent), following the split as the majority of the top leaders of the outfit came forward for talks.

Drugs worth Rs 14.16 cr seized in Tripura from Mizoram man coming from Doha

AGARTALA, JUNE 11 (IANS): Custom officials in the Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the IndiaBangladesh border here arrested a Mizoram native and recovered 2023 grams of heroin worth Rs 14.16 crore from his possession, officials said on Sunday.

Assistant Commis -

1 die in Guwahati

Refinery accident

GUWAHATI, JUN 11

sioner of Custom Abhyudoy Guha said that drug peddler P. Thomas came from Doha (Qatar) by a flight to Bangladesh capital Dhaka and then he came to Agartala-Akhaura ICP on Saturday afternoon to go to his home in Mizoram’s Serchhip district.

“During a thorough

search of his luggage, we found two packets containing 2023 grams of heroin wrapped in X-ray blocking paper board,” Guha told the media. He said that the seized heroin was concealed in such a manner that even X-ray machines could not detect them.

Junmoni Rabha murder case: GP Singh to meet CBI DG in Delhi

GUWAHATI, JUNE 11:

the market”.

He said a large number of Pineapple growers of Dhalai and Unakoti districts are able to sell their crops directly to the manufacturer.

“A processing unit was established here in the Kumarghat industrial estate three years back. The production of canned pineapple had started from then but this year the production is expected to be upscaled to a decent level”, Das added.

Speaking to this reporter, a spokesman of the unit owned by Shree Ganesh Frozen Foods Private Limited has said, “The production and marketing from Tripura is not a challenge. It is a good place where manpower and raw resources are found in abundance. When we started the unit, the pandemic struck a major blow”.

(PTI): One labourer died and another was critically injured in an accident at Guwahati Refinery, an official said on Sunday. The accident took place at a project site of the refinery in Noonmati area of the city on Saturday, the official added. Both were engaged in shoring when land heaps came falling on them and they were buried under it. “The duo was taken to a multi-specialty hospital in the city,” the refinery said in a statement. “While Abdul Karim succumbed to his injuries, Abdul Malik is undergoing treatment,” the statement said. “Guwahati

Refinery management has constituted a high-powered committee for investigating the incident. Meanwhile, action has been initiated by the refinery.

Assam DGP GP Singh is slated to meet Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood in Delhi on Monday, reports The Assam Tribune.

Following Assam

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s order, Singh will fly to Delhi to discuss regarding the controversial Junmoni Rabha murder case.

It is to be mentioned that earlier, GP Singh announced that the investigation of the alleged murder case will be handed over to the CBI but they are yet to take over the case officially.

Junmoni Rabha was allegedly killed in an accident after her private car collided with a truck in Nagaon District of Assam on May 16.

Three days after the death of ‘Dabaang Cop’, post-mortem reports hinted that the accident could be a pre-planned murder. According to the post-mortem report, several injuries and wounds have been found in most of the body parts. It has also revealed that the body had multiple ribs fracture on both sides. The report has also hinted at the possibility of rape.

File photo of Assam floods.

Candle light vigil in New Delhi.

Bipul Kalita

Junmoni Rabha

Punjab hikes petrol, diesel prices

CHANDIGARH, JUN 11 (IANS): Cash-strapped

Punjab government on Sunday increased petrol price by 92 paisa per litre and diesel price by 88 paisa. This is the second time this year that the prices have been increased. The cost of one litre of petrol in the state will now be Rs 98.65 while diesel prices will be Rs 88.95 per litre.

With the hike in price, the state aims to generate Rs 600 crore per annum as revenue, said officials.

Woman complains to police of ‘love jihad’

BENGALURU, JUNE 11 (IANS): A woman has approached Bengaluru police, seeking protection from a Muslim youth who allegedly concealed his identity to strike up a relationship but began threatening her and her family when she found out and broke up with him, officials said on Sunday. According to police, the young woman, who hails from Maharashtra and works at an MNC in Electronics City, alleged that the accused has given life threats to her and her family.

Army’s wife claims molested by 40 people

VELLORE, JUN 11

(AGENCIES): An Army jawan’s wife on Sunday alleged that she was attacked and molested by more than 40 people and also verbally abused, reports ANI. “More than 40 people attacked me. They verbally abused me, using obscene language. They also touched me inappropriately. They are not letting our family live in peace. They are threatening me,” the jawan’s wife said in Vellore. Earlier in the day, the jawan had alleged that his wife was stripped half-naked and beaten very badly.

Bengal native held with drugs in Goa

PANAJI, JUN 11

(IANS): Goa Police on Sunday arrested one person for allegedly possessing ganja worth Rs 1.8 lakh. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jiva Dalvi said that the raid was conducted by Anjuna Police Inspector Prashal Dessai and others at Baga, Bardez Goa. “The accused person is identified as Sukumar Amal Mahanta, 27, from Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal. Ganja worth Rs 1,80,000 has been found in his possession,” police said.

Missing teen’s mutilated body found

FIROZABAD, JUN 11

(IANS): The body of a 15-year-old girl, who had gone missing, has been found in mutilated condition in a field in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad district, police said. The police suspect that the minor might have been sexually assaulted and strangled to death as her “dupatta” (stole) was tied around the neck. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and three teams have been set up to investigate the matter, a police officer said.

3 get life term for gangrape of minor in UP

LUCKNOW, JUN 11

(IANS): The court of special judge (POCSO Act), Ayodhya, has sentenced a van driver and two of his accomplices to life imprisonment for the gangrape of an eight-year-old girl in Ayodhya district in November 2017. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 each on them. The girl was a Class 2 student of a prominent local school at the time of the incident.

Kejriwal warns states of similar ordinance at AAP’s ‘Maha rally’

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (PTI): Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday hit out at the Centre over its ordinance on control of services in the national capital, saying Delhi is the first to be “attacked” and similar ordinances will be brought for other states also.

Addressing the Aam Aadmi Party’s “Maha Rally” at Ramlila Maidan, Kejriwal, who is also the party’s national convener, claimed the Centre’s ordinance was an insult to the people of Delhi.

“The BJP can abuse me and I don’t mind that. But I won’t tolerate the insult of the people of Delhi,” he said.

Braving scorching heat, thousands of people gathered at Ramlila Maidan to participate in the “Maha Rally” that was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as well as senior AAP leaders and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal.

Addressing the rally, Kejriwal accused the BJPled Centre of not believing in the Constitution.

“When Prime Min -

ister Narendra Modi says he does not accept the Supreme Court’s decision, it is ‘Hitler shahi’ (dictatorship). This black ordinance of Modiji says ‘I don’t accept democracy’. Now there will be a tyrannical rule in Delhi. Now the people of Delhi are not supreme, but the LG is’,” he alleged. The Centre on May 19 had promulgated the ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, which the AAP government had called a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services. Transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the top court’s May 11 verdict.0

Following the ordinance, Kejriwal has been reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties to garner their support against the ordinance so that the Centre’s bid to replace it through a bill is defeated when it is brought in Parliament.

“I have been travelling across the country and meeting leaders from other political parties. Please don’t think you are alone.

You have the support of 140 crore people of India,” the Delhi chief minister told the rally.

“Delhi is the first city to be attacked. This is Modiji’s first strike. If this ordinance that snatches the rights of people of Delhi is not opposed, similar ordinances will be brought for other states such as Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra,” he claimed.

On the arrests of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, Kejriwal claimed that their arrest was aimed at stopping the work being done in Delhi.

“But we have 100 Sisodias and 100 Jains. They will continue the good work,” he said.

Cong doesn’t want to get involved in polarisation issue, leave it to BJP: DK

INDORE, JUN 11 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said the Congress does not want to get involved in polarisation and leaves that issue to the Bhartiya Janata Party.

“Let us not discuss issues on emotions, let us only discuss issues of development. Emotional issues do not have any value and we must remember that India is a land of diversity. We don’t want to go to any polarization issue and we leave that chapter to BJP, ” he told reporters here on his way to Ujjain.

On the issue of whether chapters related to the first RSS chief Keshav Baliram Hedgewar are being removed in Karnataka, he said India is a land of diversity.

Queried on whether the land given to RSS and its affiliated organisations by the previous BJP government in Karnataka would be

All faith prayer for Odisha train accident victims

BALASORE, JUN 11

DK Shivakumar

taken back, he said, “Such issues are looked into by the minister of the concerned department. Who all are eligible, who all are doing good charitable works will be looked into”.

Responding to a query on the poll promise by Karnataka on banning Bajrang Dal-like organisations, he said, “Any organisation which tries to bring unrest, destroy the peace of the state...we are looking into them and we will set an example. No moral policing will be allowed and no one should unnecessarily create confusion in the minds of

Statue erected before Hockey World Cup collapses in Odisha

the people. Karnataka is a developing state and we would restore peace”.

He didn’t respond to the query on a statement by a BJP leader who said that by keeping a beard like Osama Bin Laden, Rahul Gandhi wants to become like prime minister Narendra Modi. The Karnataka deputy CM said he didn’t understand the question in Hindi.

BJP’s Bihar chief Samrat Choudhary has stoked a controversy by comparing Rahul Gandhi’s appearance to slain terrorist Osama Bin Laden.

On the issue of upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh, Shivakumar said, “People have decided for change. They have understood the present government has failed. People have also seen the role of the opposition. Congress will have a mandate with an absolute and clear majority (in MP)”.

MRM

BHOPAL, JUNE 11 (PTI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-linked Muslim Rashtriya Manch has resolved that its members will donate and serve cows on Eid Ul Zuha, a senior leader said on Sunday.

They have also resolved to participate in Yoga Day programmes, RSS leader Indresh Kumar told reporters on the concluding day of the Manch’s ‘Abhyas Varg’ or brainstorming session held in Bhopal. Kumar said all Hindustanis have common roots and DNA.

“The people in the country dream in Hindustani and not in foreign languages,” he added.

He said confusion prevails among people over Eid Ul Zuha, which some people call Bakra Eid.

Sisodia, who was then the deputy chief minister of Delhi, was arrested in February over alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22, while Jain was arrested in May last year in a money-laundering case.

“Modiji has been in power as Gujarat’s chief minister and then as prime minister for a total of 21 years. Kejriwal has been in power for eight years. Who has done more work for the people? Despite having complete power, he has not done the kind of work I have done in the face of so many hurdles,” Kejriwal claimed.

He accused the BJPled government at the Centre of wanting to stop the “good work” being done by the Delhi government.

“I construct schools and hospitals, Modiji says he won’t let it happen. He stopped free yoga classes in Delhi, free medical tests in the national capital,” Kejriwal alleged, adding that the country was grappling with unemployment and inflation.

(PTI): People from all walks of life congregated at Bahanaga in Odisha’s Balasore district on Sunday, the 10th day of the train accident, to pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and ‘Mukti’ (salvation) of 288 who lost their lives in the June 2 crash. Apart from villagers, people who retrieved the bodies and rescued the injured from the ill-fated Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah trains performed “mundan” (head tonsuring) as per Hindu death rituals.

Social and cultural activists and members of spiritual organisations also participated in the memorial service being held for three days near the premises of Bahanaga High School, where bodies were kept before being shifted to Bhubaneswar.

‘Biswa Shanti Maha Yajna’, ‘Astaprahari Nama Sankirtan’, ‘Akhanda Gayatri Mantra’ will be performed on the 11th day on Monday and a ‘Satsang’ and candle light march are scheduled on Tuesday, Jaykrushna Sarandi, a member of the organising committee, said.

ROURKELA (ODISHA), JUN 11 (PTI): A 40-feethigh statue depicting an Indian hockey player erected in Rourkela city in Odisha’s Sundargarh district ahead of this year’s Men’s Hockey World Cup collapsed due to a thunderstorm on Sunday, officials said.

The iron statue was installed near Rourkela Airport adjacent to Bisra Munda International Hockey Stadium in January ahead of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023. Both legs of the statue broke due to strong winds

and it fell sideways, they said.

The statue was built by a Bhubaneswar-based firm at a cost of Rs 30.68 lakh.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had unveiled the statue ahead of the World Cup.

Rourkela Municipal Corporation Commissioner Subhankar Mohapatra said a committee has been formed to look into the reasons behind the collapse of the statue, which was erected barely five months ago.

“Bakra, which some people understand as goat but in the Arabic world, Bakra stands for cows. The Manch has approved a proposal that its members will serve and donate cows and not sacrifice them. The Manch will appeal not to sacrifice cows,” he said.

Kumar said 2,500 units of the Manch will celebrate Yoga Day as yoga is a way to heal body, mind, and soul and has nothing to do with religion or caste.

He said Manch members have also resolved to celebrate Raksha Bandhan,

AAP

rally Kejriwal’s

attempt to cover up his corruption: BJP

NEW DELHI, JUN 11

(PTI): The BJP on Sunday accused AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of trying to cover up his government’s corruption with his rally at Ramleela ground.

In a press conference at BJP headquarters, Delhi state president Virendra Sachdeva and MPs Manoj Tiwari and Ramesh Bidhuri said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under Kejriwal has transformed into a “Khas Admi Party.”

Tiwari said the Ramleela ground needs to be purified with Ganga Jal after Kejriwal’s rally there.

“I recall Kejriwal sharing dias with Anna Hazare during India Against Corruption days at Ramleela ground and claiming to be against corruption. He was again heard screaming from Ramleela ground, this time to cover up his corruption,” Tiwari said.

The northeast Delhi MP also accused Kejriwal of being a “political tourist” visiting different cities of the country while turning blind eye to such problems of Delhi as dirty water supply and pollution in Yamuna.

Sachdeva said AAP was no longer working for the common man and its

Sachdeva

Virendra

only aim now is to “rob” the people of Delhi.

“Kejriwal has ashamed Delhi people with low standard of his speech at the rally and asserting there were hundreds of Sisodias and Jains in his party. Did he mean to say the entire AAP is corrupt?” Sachdeva said. Bidhuri alleged that Kejriwal’s claim that his rally will be attended by one lakh people was belied by a person who set up tents there and who told him that payment was made for 10,000 chairs only.

The BJP had put up posters and hoardings at various vantage points outside Ramleela ground where AAP’s rally against recent ordinance by the Centre was held.

In the rally, Kejriwal said Centre’s ordinance was an insult to the people of Delhi.

Sachin Pilot vows not to back down from his demands

DAUSA, JUN 11 (PTI): Dissident Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday said people’s trust is the “biggest asset” for him and asserted that he will keep fighting to get them justice and not back down on his demands.

He has been attacking the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan over alleged inaction into charges of corruption levelled by him against the previous Vasundhara Rajeled BJP dispensation. The state’s former deputy chief minister has also demanded disbanding of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission and its reconstitution, and a compensation for those affected by government job exam paper leak cases.

Addressing a programme after unveiling a statue of his father and former Union minister Rajesh Pilot on his death anniversary at the Gurjar hostel here, Sachin Pilot said,

“For me, credibility among the public is the first priority. People’s trust, promises made to them and credibility are the biggest assets in politics. In the last 20-22 years, since I have been in politics, I have not done any such thing which has led to decrease in trust.”

“In the coming times

also, your trust is the biggest asset for me, I will never let it decrease, I promise,” he said and added that no matter what situation, it is his promise to fight for the people and get them justice.

Sachin Pilot also said as Rajasthan Congress chief, he had taken on the BJP when it was in power in the state.

Earlier, there was intense speculation over him announcing his plans about his political future at this programme to commemorate his father’s death anniversary. However, the Congress has exuded confidence that a “positive solution” would be found to the intra-party discord in

Rajasthan and rubbished reports that Sachin Pilot will float a new party. Gehlot and Sachin Pilot have been engaged in a power tussle since the Congress formed government in the state in 2018. In 2020, Sachin Pilot led a revolt against the Gehlot government after which he was removed from the posts of the party’s state unit president and deputy chief minister. Last year, an attempt by the high command to effect a leadership change in Rajasthan had failed after Gehlot loyalists dug their heels in and did not allow a legislature party meeting to take place.

which is not a religious festival.

“Raksha Bandhan is a festival of women’s respect and security and a large number of Muslim women observe it,” Kumar claimed.

He said the Manch will hold big programmes at 100 places on Raksha Bandhan to remove discrimination based on religion and caste to make the world free of riots. A public contact campaign will be organised between August 20 to September 30 this year during which Manch members will reach out to 15 lakh families with a resolve to make the country free of strife, discrimination, and pollution and to spread brotherhood, Kumar added.

He said more than 100 new workers of the Manch have been given the responsibility at the national, zonal and state levels to hold the upcoming programme.

During the four-day session, the Manch passed 11 resolutions including upholding the idea of “one nation, one law” by celebrating diversity.

“Resolutions on population control, love jihad, Uniform Civil Code were also passed,” a release said.

Muslim intellectuals including former vice-chancellors, professors, lawyers, and doctors put their views at the session, it said.

Arvind Kejriwal

Sachin Pilot

A 40-feet statue of a hockey player statue crashes down due to Norwester winds and rains, in Rourkela. (PTI)

resolves to donate and serve cows on Eid ul Zuha

Disunity for unity

Assembly elections will be held in December 2023 in five states-Chhattisgarh (90 seats), Madhya Pradesh (230 seats), Mizoram (40 seats), Rajasthan(200 seats) and Telangana (119 seats) and will be the last before the Lok Sabha polls in May 2024. Of the five states, BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh (127/230) while Congress is in power in Chhattisgarh (68/90) and Rajasthan(108/200); Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in power in Telangana (71/119) and Mizo National Front (MNF) in power in Mizoram (26/40).The Congress and the BJP will be the main contenders in three big states –Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while the BRS has sway in Telangana and MNF in Mizoram. Against the backdrop of urgent calls for national opposition unity for 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the opposition parties are yet to let that sink in as each get ready to fight each other including the BJP in the five states. The five states have a total f 83 Lok Sabha constituencies of which BJP has 9 and Congress two out of 11seats in Chhattishgarh; BJP 29 and Congress 1 of 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh; BJP has 24 and RLP one out of 25 in Rajasthan; BRS has 9, BJP 4, Congress 3 and AIMM 1 in Telangana while MNF holds the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state.After its spectacular win in Karnataka recently, Congress which stormed back to power winning 136 of the 224 seats. The Karnataka Assembly elections can be termed as the quarter-finals and the elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana later this year as the semi-finals ahead of the all-important Lok Sabha battle next year. The Congress win in Karnataka over BJP comes after the December 2022 win over BJP in Himachal Pradesh where Congress won 40 out of 68 seats. The Congress has a herculean task ahead of the December polls in Rajasthan where its beleaguered chief minister Ashok Gehlot is facing open revolt from Congress leader Sachin Pilot. In a significant political development, the Congress in Madhya Pradesh has gone ‘Hinduvta’ after the merger of the Bajrang Sena with the party which happened on June 6, in presence of M.P. Congress president Kamal Nath. Amid chants of Jai Shri Ram and a declaration of support for the Assembly poll due later this year in Madhya Pradesh, the Bajrang Sena has committed to work for the Congress in the December polls. It remains to be seen whether the Bajrang Sena will be able to tilt the balance in favour of the Congress. At the national level, there is no hard evidence of all opposition parties coming together to fight the BJP together. There appears to be competition among the opposition ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls and both AAP and Trinamool Congress are keen to be seen as the prime challengers of BJP, a role that Congress has been espousing so far. AAP and TMC are disinclined to play second fiddle to Congress. TMC considers Congress as a rival in West Bengal and similarly the AAP in Punjab and Delhi. However things might change if Congress can retain Rajasthan and retake Madhya Pradesh but that will still not change the problem of the opposition being unable to come together for lack of a viable leader.

DailyDevotion

Getting There (1)

Come to Me… —Matthew 11:28

Where sin and sorrow stops, and the song of the saint starts. Do I really want to get there? I can right now. The questions that truly matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by these words— “Come to Me.” Our Lord’s words are not, “Do this, or don’t do that,” but— “Come to me.” If I will simply come to Jesus, my real life will be brought into harmony with my real desires. I will actually cease from sin, and will find the song of the Lord beginning in my life.

Have you ever come to Jesus? Look at the stubbornness of your heart. You would rather do anything than this one simple childlike thing— “Come to Me.” If you really want to experience ceasing from sin, you must come to Jesus.

Jesus Christ makes Himself the test to determine your genuineness. Look how He used the word come. At the most unexpected moments in your life there is this whisper of the Lord— “Come to Me,” and you are immediately drawn to Him. Personal contact with Jesus changes everything. Be “foolish” enough to come and commit yourself to what He says. The attitude necessary for you to come to Him is one where your will has made the determination to let go of everything and deliberately commit it all to Him.

“…and I will give you rest”— that is, “I will sustain you, causing you to stand firm.” He is not saying, “I will put you to bed, hold your hand, and sing you to sleep.” But, in essence, He is saying, “I will get you out of bed— out of your listlessness and exhaustion, and out of your condition of being half dead while you are still alive. I will penetrate you with the spirit of life, and you will be sustained by the perfection of vital activity.” Yet we become so weak and pitiful and talk about “suffering” the will of the Lord! Where is the majestic vitality and the power of the Son of God in that?

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

“There is no substitute for hard work.”

~ Thomas

India grows 3.3 p.c. 2020-23:RBI N-E’s GDP share 2 percent

The Reserve Bank of India monetary policy is only a small part of the India’s economy. A tighter rate regime only corrects the loan portfolio and helps the industry that has strange manner to have the maximum benefits out of government’s policies, in any regime. They pressurise governments to listen to them and believe that they alone can add shine to the economy. They did it with UPA and are repeating with NDA.

Once again RBI paused the rate button even realising that inflation despite low rate is a greater malaise preventing growth acceleration. The RBI being in Mumbai gets a magnified view of the industry. By the same token it can be said that it may not have a full view of the economy of the North-East.

Agriculture still provides livelihood to 70 percent people of the N-E. In Sikkim the figure is 89 percent and Mizoram 51 percent. It is as uneven as the region is. It should also be realised that except tea, bamboo and some oild there is hardly a major industry there. Conflicts inter-state and intra-state are high.. The burning Manipur highlight-

ed it. It remains a quagmire how it impinges on India growth story. The NDA-I under Atal Behari Vajpayee had laid special emphasis on the region resolving major part of the Naga issue. But a tribally divided society is complex.

Nobody is sure whether RBI takes a holistic approach in assessing India. The monetary policy pegs its eyes on 4 percent inflation, its prime target that it believes would correct many ailing issues. The figure is certainly away from reality as the base of inflation had been high. Till August 16, 2022, India had a galloping wholesale inflation of over 10 percent for 16 months touching a high of 16.63 percent in May 2022, in June 15.18 percent and July 13.93 percent in July. The WPI started rising since 2018. Retail inflation added to the fire. In 2022 fuel and power inflation resurged from 40.38 percent in June to 43.75 percent in July.

The high base effect has kept the prices abnormally high and RBI even hoping it to come down at even 4 percent means an uncomfortable price regime. The concern is legitimate as it affects

overall cost of living and consequently growth. The RBI Annual Report released on May 30, suggests Indian economy is poised to touch greater heights. But perusal of RBI tables does not support what it professes. RBI Governor Shaktikant Das says, “Let me emphasise headline still remains above the target and being within the tolerance limit, 2-6 percent, is not enough”. He adds, “Geopolitical tensions, uncertain monsoon, and international commodity prices like sugar, rice, crude oil and volatility in global financial markets pose upside risks to inflation”. It means he foresees consumer inflation to cross the latest target of 5.1 percent. There are contradictions and implications that the RBI report does not even dwell on. It does not highlight the declining share of industry in the economy, the fall in FDI, the dangers of poor focus on education, and the consequences of spending too much on subsidies.

7.2 percent in 2022-23 looks good but disappoints as in 2020-21 growth was -5.8 percent, one of the world’s lowest, causing the baseline from where India’s growth is computed to drop. It notes that India’s annual growth over 2020-23 is 3.28 percent – too low for a nation with so much of talent.

Shivaji Sarkar

It also observes the fall in export growth, despite the import of components for assembly and export. The RBI finds worrisome the slippage in gross capital formation. It is concerned about investment not happening, leading to continued and worsening unemployment. The figures RBI refers to are from the NSO.

The RBI has also tightened the norms for loan guarantees. It has to have cash components. It is an indication that in the prevailing circumstances slippages could be high. Thus its optimism on real estate recovery is guarded.

most indebted ones -- Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Kerala and West Bengal -- need to take corrective measures by cutting down expenditure on non-merit goods. State finances are vulnerable to a variety of unexpected shocks that might alter their fiscal outcomes, causing slippages relative to their budgets and expectations, said the RBI article prepared by a team of economists led by deputy governor Michael Patra. It noted that the state finances are exacerbated implying severe caution.

Largely the approach is to have higher growth through building, demolitions, road, rail and other infrastructure spendings mostly in the mainland. The RBI wants a moderation in it as it hints that high debt cycle may not be in the interest of growth.

tribes. The recent Manipur situation speaks volumes in the sensitive region that is planned to be the gateway to South East Asia. Despite political will to integrate the region as per the Vajpayee doctrine many states remain isolated. The Kuki-Meitei violent conflicts now for over a month is having its effect on the other states as well. It is shearing the delicate socioreligious fibre.

The RBI also says that the GDP growth can be misleading. As Kaushik Basu points out, India’s growth at

On a previous occasion RBI has obliquely called for caution on high infra spendings and burgeoning debt portfolio. It said states are showing warning signs of building stress, and the 5

Post-mortem

There are regional variations. The Northeast contributes to only 2.8 percent of India’s GDP, which is scratching the surface of its immense potential. The region’s strengths are also its unique culture, reverence for nature, and pristine beauty.

Conflicts are not uncommon among states and

Lack of sufficient jobs is one of the key issue bothering minds of ordinary people. Conventional method of GDP -the sum of goods and services produced- as measure of success of economy does not provide the succour. The key issue is the well- being of the people. For India growth more inclusive policies needed. People want job, civic facilities and peaceful coexistence. Niti Aayog has to chart out the path and help RBI come out of its own pessimism. Where required all-party mediation with imaginative gestures are possible for the ruling establishment. Once this is corrected, the growth path would be smooth in tune with the vision 2047.

Dimapur’s flood crisis leaves residents vulnerable and frustrated

Dimapur, a commercial city of Nagaland, has been grappling with a persistent flood problem that has plagued its residents for years.

The city, with its population of around 379,769, is vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall leads to the swelling of the nallahs and subsequent inundation of low-lying areas. The consequences of these floods have been devastating for the people, resulting in damage to properties, severe economic setbacks, and paralyzing of normal life.

Despite the recurring nature of this issue and the hardships faced by the residents, there has been a concerning lack of effort and interest by the government in resolving the flood problem. Over the years, the government’s response to the issue

has been inadequate, with limited measures taken to mitigate the impact of flooding or to implement long-term solutions.

The insufficient allocation of funds, poor planning, and lack of coordination among government agencies have further compounded the problem. The absence of proper drainage systems, ineffective flood management, and encroachment of water bodies exacerbate the situation, leaving the citizens vulnerable to the devastating consequences year after year. The residents of Dimapur have long been demanding attention and action from the government to address the flood problem and provide relief. They have voiced their concerns about the inadequate response, expressing frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress in finding a lasting

solution. The failure to address the issue has not only affected the lives and livelihoods of the people but has also hindered the city’s overall development and growth.

While there have been sporadic efforts by non-governmental organizations and community initiatives to alleviate the suffering caused by floods, a sustained and comprehensive approach from the government is crucial.

The need of the hour is a proactive and committed response from the authorities, involving proper infrastructure development, effective flood control measures, and disaster management systems.

The government is responsible for formulating policies and plans related to flood control and management, while district administration is responsible for enforcing regulations

Eradicating child labour as career

Like any human being every child has the right to health, education and protection, and every society has a stake in expanding children’s opportunities in life. In spite of many progress and changes in society the tragedy is that today, throughout the world, around 218 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care. They are denied the chance to be children. More than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

Not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination. Children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling is generally regarded as being something positive. Observed on June 12th, World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour. Emphasizing the link between social justice and child labour, the slogan for the World Day in 2023 is ‘Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!’.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the WDACL in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls on the global community to: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”

Since 2000, for nearly two decades, the world had been making steady progress in reducing child labour. But over the past few years, conflicts, crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, have plunged more families into poverty –and forced millions more children into child labour. Economic growth has not been sufficient, nor inclusive enough, to relieve the pressure that too many

families and communities feel and that makes them resort to child labour. Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour. That is almost one in ten children worldwide.

Africa ranks highest among regions both in the percentage of children in child labour — one-fifth — and the absolute number of children in child labour — 72 million. Asia and the Pacific ranks second highest in both these measures — 7% of all children and 62 million in absolute terms are in child labour in this region. The Africa and the Asia and the Pacific regions together account for almost nine out of every ten children in child labour worldwide. The remaining child labour population is divided among the Americas (11 million), Europe and Central Asia (6 million), and the Arab States (1 million). In terms of incidence, 5% of children are in child labour in the Americas, 4% in Europe and Central Asia, and 3% in the Arab States. While the percentage of children in child labour is highest in low-income countries, their numbers are actually greater in middleincome countries.

This statistics and the issue bring opportunities for individuals who would like to work for elimination of child labour. One may choose to study courses like Social Work, Development Studies, etc. There are jobs in government departments as well as NGOs and also Corporate and Corporate also conducts activities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the rights of the children. Working against child labour means a more just society with human rights for all. United Nations agencies like the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) are focused on the development of all children.

In India, we are yet to be free from child labour which means we have more challenges as well as opportunity in this field. One must have passion and patience apart from qualification to be successful in this field. Let us choose a career against child labour and make our world free from child labour.

Ranjan K Baruah

related to land use and construction in flood-prone areas. Negligence in enforcing these regulations can result in unauthorized construction and encroachments on natural drainage channels.

The indiscriminate dumping of garbage in nallas (drainage channels) and low-lying areas significantly contributes to the flood problem. When garbage, such as plastic bags, bottles, and other debris, is dumped in nallas and low-lying areas, it obstructs the natural flow of water. This impedes the drainage system’s capacity to carry excess water away, leading to water accumulation and increased flood risks during heavy rainfall in residential and commercial spaces.

To address this problem, it is essential to take certain measures.

Conduct awareness campaigns

to educate the public about the adverse effects of dumping garbage in nallas and low-lying areas.

Impose fines and penalties on individuals or businesses found guilty of improper waste disposal practices.

Regularly maintain and clean drainage systems to prevent blockages caused by garbage accumulation.

The plight of the people of Dimapur serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for the government to prioritize and invest in addressing the flood problem. The residents deserve a safe and secure environment to live in, and it is imperative that the government takes the necessary steps to ensure their well-being and protect them from the recurring ravages of floods.

Mathew Rongmei

The What Series: What We Wear

(From previous issue...) Each of the renowned fashion houses existing today in France has its own spellbinding and awe-inspiring history. Names that were founded by those who did not have the means but the grit, audacity and vision to seize the moment. Francesca Cartier Brickell, the greatgranddaughter of the founder, in her book The Cartiers: The Untold Story, traces her family history and documents the birth, growth and emergence of the brand. She writes that the founder, Louis-Francois Cartier, longed to have a formal education. However, after a basic level of schooling, pressed by circumstances, he had to start as an apprentice at an early age in the jewellery trade. At the age of twenty-eight, he took the daring step of buying the workshop belonging to his employer, who wanted to move his business to a more fashionable part of Paris. Hence, in 1848, the brand Cartier was officially born, going on to witness the Russian Revolution and survive two World Wars and the Great Depression, before seeing further expansion by Louis-Francois’s three grandsons across five continents. This expansion included catering to the whims and fancies of the Maharaja of Patiala, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Kapurthala in pre-independent India. In 1926 the Maharaja of Kapurthala is said to have commissioned Cartier, Paris, to make an emerald turban ornament comprising fifteen large emeralds from his own collection, which he wore to his golden jubilee the following year.

Louis Cartier, the eldest grandson of the founder, wanted to shake up the creative process and did not believe in hiring only trained jewellery designers. Instead, he populated his atelier with artistic experts from a host of fields. This team of inventors, as he called them, included

lace makers, bronze sculptors, tapestry designers, architects, ironworkers and interior designers. Within a couple of years of Louis joining the family business, Cartier was starting to be known for its unique jewels. In 1914, with the declaration of World War I, a general mobilization was ordered amid a wave of patriotic fervour. Louis turned up at the Paris war office with his medical records, which showed that his right leg had been fractured in an accident six years earlier. He was, therefore, rendered incapable of fighting and was given a desk job in Bordeaux. Though his family thought that he was wasting his time in Bordeaux when he should have been looking after business interests that were expanding, it was during his stint in the military that the idea of Tank, one of the most iconic creations of the Cartier house was born. So, to me, to own a Tank is to own a piece of history and art.

This, even if I am to completely disregard and rubbish what Cartier’s advertisement agency or social media platforms tell me about the watch and what it can do. How wearing one will uplift anybody is bewildering. The question is whether a thing or a rock can define, refine, elevate, or dilute any human being when each one of us has been stamped by the Creator in His resemblance the ultimate and only definition of our intrinsic worth.

The disquiet, however, lies in the incidental emergence of a new class consciousness in Naga society, where the standard to qualify the wearer comes from doing what is wrong and disgraceful. Brandishing, and wearing unimaginable riches after having created an inequitable society through sheer abuse.

The catastrophic consequence is that this class is breeding a new hunger, awe and greed unknown to our ancestors. This craving in-

spiring the new generation reeks of something that is rotten when juxtaposed with the destiny of the Nagas, who were chosen and called to be an aroma. I distinctly remember feeling embarrassed as a college student for being picked up in a worn-down, soft-roofed government-owned white Gypsy at the Dimapur airport while fancy cars swarmed to receive others. And then, later, reprimanding myself by questioning where my worth lies. If I truly regarded my father and what he did, I ought to have proudly walked up to that Gypsy without shame. Something within me and beyond me underwent a tectonic shift that day, both in my heart and in my mind. This is an on-going reminder for me: that our Provider, Validator and Judge is not from this planet.

What, then, will be the implication if the Nagas are called to apply the standards of our ancestors in modernday society? Not everything from the past needs duplication. However, not everything needs to be discarded. What if there is a revival of the authentic Nagami pride by building on the foundation of a newfound identity as followers of the Light of the world? Where the old society order, of ridiculing the wrong and honouring the right, is restored. Cultivating a society where respect and development are earned and demanded and not sold or compromised respectively. Where both the seller and the buyer of self-respect are ex-communicated, and such a transaction publicly declared a nullity. I wonder if then there will be a day when a limited-edition jewel-encrusted Chopard worn by a wearer not worthy of it will start to look cheap and dirty.

K. Enatoli

Train derails in Chennai

CHENNAI, JUN 11

(IANS): A suburban train from Chennai’s Moor

Market to Tiruvallur derailed at Tamil Nadu’s Vyasarpadi railway station on Sunday, officials said, adding that no one was injured in the incident. The derailment occurred when the train was passing through the Basin Bridge and Vyasarpadi railway station. Southern Railway sources told IANS that the second coach of the electrical multiple unit derailed. Staff of Chennai central station rushed to the spot and engaged in restoration of the track and the coach. Several people alighted from the train and walked out of the station to the nearest bus station.

11-year-old girl raped at residential school

TIKAMGARH (MP), JUN 11 (PTI): A 11-yearold girl was allegedly raped by the owner of a residential school and his brother in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district, police said on Sunday. The incident came to light when a cousin of the Class 4 student allegedly saw her being raped by the accused, the official said. The victim’s parents were working as labourers in another city and the girl was living in the school hostel, he said, adding that her cousin also lived and studied in the institution.

3 dead in Maharashtra road accident

PALGHAR, JUN 11

(PTI): Three persons in the 19-22 age group were killed in a road accident on Mumbai -Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, a police official said on Sunday. The deceased were travelling on a motorcycle when it was hit by a container truck near Sativali on Saturday night, Palghar police PRO Sachin Navadkar said.

1 held with smack worth Rs 75 lakh

BAHRAICH (UP), JUN 11 (PTI): A Nepali national was arrested and smack worth Rs 75 lakh was recovered from his possession in an operation conducted on the IndiaNepal border under the Rupaidiha police station area here, a police official said on Sunday. The arrested person has been identified as Rajesh Giri, a resident of Banke district of Nepal.

Minor raped inside cargo 3-wheeler

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (PTI): A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped inside a three-wheeler loading vehicle at an isolated place in north Delhi’s Burari area, police said on Sunday. The accused, who is a school dropout and drives a tempo has been nabbed, police said, adding his age is being verified. According to police, the incident took place on June 8 around 7.30 pm, when the victim was on a walk with her friend in the area close to her home.

Van hits & drags motorcycle; 2 killed

NOIDA, JUN 11

(IANS): Two persons were killed here on Sunday after the bike they were riding on was hit by a speeding pickup van that also went on to drag it for some distance, the police said. The accident took place on the 4.8 km elevated road that connects Sector 27 and Sector 61. The deceased have been identified as Manoj Kumar and Gaurav. According to police, both used to work at a media organisation in Noida.

VELLORE (TN), JUN 11 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday took a swipe at the Congress and DMK over dynasty politics and alleged corruption, calling them “2G, 3G, 4G” parties and said the time has come in Tamil Nadu to throw away these and give the power to a “son of the soil”.

Responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin’s demand that Shah list out the Centre’s special schemes for Tamil Nadu in the past nine years, the senior BJP leader detailed the various initiatives of the Narendra Modi-led Union government for the state in sectors including aviation, railways and roads.

Addressing a public meeting here to highlight the nine years of the BJPled NDA government’s achievements, he also lashed out at the two oppo-

Congress govt rolls out first poll guarantee in Karnataka India vulnerable to climate change due to heavy population

BENGALURU, JUN 11 (PTI):

Amit Shah

sition parties at the Centre for opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “uniting Kashmir” with India with a stroke of the pen.

“Congress and DMK are 2G, 3G, 4G parties. I am not talking about the 2G (spectrum allocation scam).

2G means two generations,

3G means three generations and 4G means four generations,” he said. “The Maran family (of the DMK) is doing corruption for two gen-

erations. The Karunanidhi family is doing corruption for three generations. The Gandhi family is 4G. Rahul Gandhi is fourth generation and for four generations they are enjoying power,” Shah said attacking the two parties. He said the time has come to “throw out 2G, 3G, 4G and give the power in Tamil Nadu to a son of the soil.”

Asking the crowd if Article 370 should have been removed or not and “if Kashmir is ours or not,” he said both Congress and DMK opposed the abrogation of the Article which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status. “Both these parties -- Congress and DMK -- were against its abrogation. With one stroke of the pen on August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra modi ended Article 370 and united Kashmir with India,” Shah added.

Women in Karnataka can travel for free in government buses in the state from Sunday with the rollout of the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress -- the ‘Shakti’ scheme. This free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers everyday and would cost the state exchequer Rs 4,051.56 crore annually, officials said. The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for the journey within the state limits from 1 pm today.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the scheme, which will provide free rides for women and girl students of the state in government buses, from the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka legislature and secretariat here. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were among others present at the event, where the logo of the

PM underlines importance of capacity building at NTC

NEW DELHI, JUN 11

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said it is the responsibility of all government employees to boost the faith of people in the government system as he stressed the importance of capacity building, ending working in silos and enhancing service delivery.

He made the remarks after inaugurating the firstever National Training Conclave (NTC) at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan here.

The prime minister emphasised the importance of service orientation of government work, ownership in realising the aspirations of common people, the need to break the hierarchy and using the experience of every person in an organisation, the importance of people’s participation (“Jan Bhagidari”), and the zeal to improve and innovate the system, among other things.

Training modules should be oriented and de-

Narendra Modi

veloped in such a way that these aspects are inculcated in government officials, he said, adding that training should also inculcate a whole-of-government approach and all efforts must be made to nurture the potential of officials.

While referring to his experience as Gujarat’s chief minister and later as prime minister, Modi underlined that the government has never lacked talented, dedicated and committed officials. Just as the Army has built impeccable credibility for itself in the eyes of the people, it is the responsibility of all government employees to further boost

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the faith of people in the government system, he said.

Modi’s address was replete with many anecdotes and stories emanating from his rich political and administrative experience, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

He also said the old approach of seeing posting in training institutions as punishment was changing. Training institutes are one of the most important places as they nurture employees working for the government for decades, the prime minister said. According to the statement, Prime Minister

Modi, in his address, talked about vertical and horizontal silos as well as the shackles of hierarchy, and exhorted officials to overcome them to seek out those with experience, regardless of hierarchy.

He also emphasised that training should inculcate the importance of the ‘Jan Bhagidari’ spirit in every government employee. He credited the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Aspirational Districts Programme, Amrit Sarovar and the substantial share of India in digital payments in the world, to people’s participation.

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Shakti scheme was unveiled, while Shakti Smart Cards were symbolically issued to five women. Women can apply for the Shakti Smart Card by registering on the ‘Seva Sindhu’ government portal to avail the benefit of the scheme. As per the Chief Minister’s directions, district incharge ministers launched the scheme in their respective districts across the state.

The government noted that this scheme would reduce the travel expenses of working women from poor and lower middle class, and as the savings can be used for household expenses, the initiative has brought smiles on women’s faces.

“We have implemented the Shakti scheme today, at a time across the state, as promised...,” Siddaramaiah said as he hit out at the opposition for criticising his government with respect to implementation of guarantees and accused them of trying to create “confusion” among people.

11

(AGENCIES):

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim has said that India is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its heavy population, reports ANI.

“You see the effects of climate change everywhere in the world. But of course, India is particularly vulnerable to climate change because it has a heavy population and the kind of nature of India makes it more vulnerable than most other places,” Solheim said during a Youth 20 (Y20) talk on climate action. Y20 is an official consultation forum for youth from all G20 member countries to be able to dialogue with each other.

The UNEP Executive Director said that India is facing the same environmental issues as the planet at large. “There is massive pollution, in particular in northern Indian cities like Delhi that are very polluted. India is

Erik Solheim

facing climate change and is more vulnerable to climate change than the United States. America and India have been facing the loss of nature, destruction of forest, wiping out of a number of animals,” he said. Solheim said the world has “been much warmer than normal for this time of the year, and that’s affecting everyone. But if you take a more global perspective, also, you had the huge flooding last year in Pakistan and huge wildfires in America and Europe. Southern Europe was on fire last summer. China had massive flooding the year before last, and last year they had a drought.”

NCP believes in democracy: Supriya Sule on dynastic politics charge against party

PUNE, JUN 11 (PTI):

Amid Opposition’s allegation that the NCP was indulging in dynastic politics, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, who was appointed the party’s working president a day ago, on Sunday said she was proud of being the daughter of Sharad Pawar, and maintained that the party believed in democracy.

Sule dismissed as “gossip” the reports of her cousin and senior party leader Ajit Pawar being upset with her elevation in the party.

Sharad Pawar on Sat-

urday declared Praful Patel and Supriya Sule as the working presidents of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), marking a generational shift in the organisation and virtually sidelining nephew Ajit Pawar, who is known to display rebellious streaks. Pawar made the announcement on the 24th anniversary of the foundation of the party.

Sule, who was in Pune on Sunday, was asked about the allegation that her party was indulging in dynastic politics.

Replying to it, she said, “Yes, there is dynastic politics and I am extremely proud that I am a daughter of Sharad Pawar and Pratibha Pawar. I received the Sansad Ratna award not because I am the daughter of Sharad Pawar, but because of the work I am doing in Parliament.”

Those who point their finger at me, they should understand that the rest of the fingers are pointing back at them. Therefore, let some people talk about such things, she added.

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RBI averse to crypto but set to float CBDC

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (IANS): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made no bones about it being averse to crypto currency, ever since it emerged on the horizon in the country a few years ago.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has, in fact, sought an outright ban on it, while making his views clear on it at several platforms in the last two years.

“Crypto should be banned, given its no underlying value in the market. Just like every asset, every financial product comes with some underlying value, hence the value of crypto is totally based on the makebelieve factor,” he had said in January this year during a media event.

“Crypto is a form of gambling without any underlying value and is nothing but a 100 per cent speculation world,” he had said in the same event, while seeking a ban on it. If crypto is allowed in India, the RBI may likely fail in monitoring the transactions, Das has said. The RBI governor has gone on to say that crypto masquerading as

a financial asset is a completely misplaced argument. Calling crypto as a form of gambling, Das has said that gambling is not promoted in India and if people still want to indulge in it, then there is a need to draw proper rules for it, while calling for an outright ban on it. He has said that crypto products need to be looked at and, going forward, the effort is to develop an international framework, an international architecture to deal with this problem.

What’shappening to the CBDC?

Although the RBI has vehemently opposed cryptocurrency, its own Cen -

tral Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which had been launched as a pilot project on December 1, 2022, for retail use, is ready to target one million users by the end of this month.

This was informed by the RBI on Thursday during the post repo rate announcement press conference. While it has no specific date in mind for a full-fledged launch of the CBDC, the central bank will take a measured approach, it said.

The RBI also has plans to make the united payments interface (UPI) platform fully interoperable with the CBDC.

“We are not targetting

Biren’s inclusion in peace panel opposed

(from p-1)

“The panel includes COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a civil society group in Imphal) that has declared war against the Kukis. We want peace but at this critical junction, when violence continues, we cannot hold talks with the Manipur government,” Khongsai told The Hindu.

A retired Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), J. Lhungdim too said his name was included on the panel without his consent. “In 2016, I was sent to Russia to finalise an arms deal. After serving the government for 37 years, we are being referred to as foreigners by the Chief Minister. The panel should be led by Central government officials, else it is not going to be fruitful. It is a shame this issue has lingered on for more than a month,” Lhungdim, who retired in 2020, said. The panel included former Manipur Director General of Police P. Doungel, who was transferred as Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Home — a post created overnight on June 1. Doungel, a Kuki set to retire this month, has been sidelined since the ethnic violence erupted

in the State on May 3. Nemcha Kipgen, a tribal Minister in Manipur, is also a member of the panel. She could not be reached for comments. All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) president Nando Luwang, who was based in Imphal, said he was unaware of his name being included in the panel but saw it as a positive step. “Will take a final decision on attending the meeting after discussing it with other members of the group,” he said. Eminent theatre artiste Ratan Thiyam, who staged a protest in Imphal on June 10 questioning the Centre’s initiatives, was another name on the peace panel. At the protest organised by Coordinating Committee on Cultural Fraternity, Thiyam questioned why the Prime Minister was silent when there was complete disorder in the State. Meanwhile, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) said it strongly reiterated the need for normalcy to prevail before the constitution of any such peace committee in the region. “Reiterating the urgent need for peace, ITLF strongly condemns the inclusion of CM N. Biren Singh, the very perpetrator of the current violence in the Peace Committee,” it said.

a specific date, it will be a calibrated approach,” T. Rabi Sankar, deputy governor, RBI had said on June 8.

“We want to assess the impact and learn as we go. By the end of June, we are targeting 1 million CBDC users. We are also planning to make UPI QR code interoperable with CBDC,” he added.

The matter of banningCrypto

As far as completely banning cryptocurrencies, back in July 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that a stand could be taken only after considerable international collaboration on the risks, benefits, evolution of a common taxonomy and standards.

“Cryptocurrencies are by definition borderless and require international collaboration to prevent regulatory arbitrage. Therefore, any legislation for regulation or for banning can be effective only after significant international collaboration on evaluation of the risks and benefits and evolution of common taxonomy and

UAE emerges as fourth largest investor in India in FY23

standards,” Sitharaman had told Parliament in a reply.

Earlier this year, though, during the meeting of the G20 finance ministers central bank governors (FMCBG) held in Bengaluru in February, it was decided that once the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) formulate a technical paper in a bid to attain a coordinated global approach for the regulation of crypto assets as proposed by the Indian presidency of the G20, it will form the basis for future discussions to develop an international architecture.

Sitharaman had said after the FMCBG meeting that cryptocurrency regulation was discussed by a panel on February 23, 2023 and would again come up during the meeting scheduled in July 2023.

A synthesis of the two studies -- by IMF and FSB -- would be considered in September this year, which will lead towards creation of a global policy approach on this matter (regulation of cryptocurrency), she had informed.

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (PTI): The United Arab Emirates (UAE), with which India implemented a comprehensive free trade agreement in May last year, has emerged as the fourth largest investor in India during 2022-23, according to government data.

In the last fiscal, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UAE to India jumped over three-fold to USD 3.35 billion from USD 1.03 billion in 2021-22, the data of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) showed. The UAE was the fourth largest investor in India in 2022-23 compared to the seventh in 2021-22.

Singapore was the largest investor in India with USD 17.2 billion investment in FY23, followed by Mauritius (USD 6.1 billion) and the US (USD 6 billion).

“The rapidly strengthening of bilateral ties and investment cooperation between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be chiefly attributed to the strong bilateral relations

between India and UAE, growth in investment commitments from UAE, and the policy reforms to further ease of doing businesses between the two countries,” Rudra Kumar Pandey, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, said.

UAE’s investments in India are mainly in sectors like services, sea transport, power and construction activities.

One of the crucial factors for the increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) from UAE is the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and UAE on February 18, 2022 (effective from May 1, 2022), Pandey added.

“Apart from CEPA, another growth engine of FDI from UAE in India is the investment commitment from UAE. UAE has committed to invest USD 75 billion in the Indian infrastructure sector over a period of time. It has also committed to partner with India in the renewable energy sector,” Pandey noted.

India and the UAE have operationalised a comprehensive free trade agreement since May 1 last year. Under the pact, a number of goods from both countries are getting zero-duty access to each other’s markets, besides eased norms for promoting investments.

The country accounts for about 2.5 per cent of the total FDI India received between April 2000 and March 2023. During this period, India has attracted USD 15.6 billion worth of overseas inflows from the UAE, the data showed. According to experts, the trade agreement has helped significantly increase the import and export between the countries and consequently increased the investments from UAE in Indian companies. “India’s constant liberalisation of the FDI policy also boosted such investments. Similarly, we are also seeing that several Indian startups are exploring expansion in the UAE,” Anindya Ghosh, Partner, IndusLaw, said.

Moody’s sees India’s GDP expanding 6%-6.3% in Q1FY24

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): Moody’s on Sunday said the Indian economy is expected to clock a 6-6.3 per cent growth in June quarter, and flagged risks of fiscal slippage arising from weaker-than-expected government revenues in FY24.

Moody’s growth estimate is lower than the 8 per cent projection for the first quarter made by the Reserve Bank of India last week, Business Today reported.

In an interview with PTI, Moody’s Investors Service Associate Managing Director Gene Fang said India has a relatively high level of general government debt at around 81.8 per cent of GDP for 2022-23, and low debt affordability.

India, he said, has a high growth potential and

its credit strengths include a stable domestic financing base for government debt, as well as a sound external position.

‘’We expect India’s growth to come in around 6-6.3 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, which remains relatively flat from the 6.1 per cent recorded in the final quarter of fiscal 2022-23,’’ Fang said. While household demand is likely to see an improvement given the moderation in both headline and core inflation readings, lagged effects of higher interest rates pose some risks on gross fixed capital formation, in particular, Fang added.

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is an indicator of investment in the economy. Fang said as

a ‘Baa3’ rated sovereign, India’s strengths lie in its large and diversified economy with a high growth potential, which is evident in the relatively strong growth forecast this year despite the weaker global economic outlook. The government has largely met its fiscal objectives over the past two years, assuaging concerns on fiscal policy, he said.

The fiscal deficit, which is the difference between government expenditure and revenue, narrowed to 6.4 per cent of GDP in 2022-23 from 6.7 per cent in 2021-22. In the current fiscal, the deficit is budgeted to come in lower at 5.9 per cent of GDP.

‘’As the government balances the commitment to longer-term fiscal sustainability against its more

immediate priority of supporting the economy amid high inflation and weak global demand, and ahead of general elections due by May 2024, we expect some risks of fiscal slippage arising from possibly weakerthan-expected government revenues,’’ Fang said. For the full 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscals, Moody’s projects economic growth at 6.1 per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively.

On a calendar year basis, Moody’s expects growth to be 5.5 per cent in 2023, which could improve to 6.5 per cent in 2024.

In its monetary policy last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projected India’s GDP to expand by 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal, on the back of supportive domestic demand condi -

tions. The RBI projected June quarter (Q1) growth at 8 per cent, Q2 at 6.5 per cent, Q3 at 6 per cent, and Q4 at 5.7 per cent.

Moody’s has a ‘Baa3’ sovereign credit rating on India, with a stable outlook. Baa3 is the lowest investment grade rating.

All three global rating agencies -- Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s -- have the lowest investment grade rating on India, with a stable outlook. The ratings are looked at by investors as a barometer of the country’s creditworthiness and impact borrowing cost. Fang said India has a relatively high level of general government debt, estimated at around 81.8 per cent of GDP for fiscal 2022-23, compared with the Baa-rated median of around 56 per cent.

BOI to raise up to Rs 3,000 cr via tier II bonds to support business growth

MUMBAI, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): Public sector lender Bank of India plans to raise upto Rs 3,000 crore in capital through tier II bonds in the current financial year to support business growth.

The Mumbai-based lender has board’s approval in place to raise up to Rs 6,500 crore in FY24, of which Rs 4,500 crore would be through additional tier-I bonds/equity and balance via tier II bonds. The tier II bond issuance

would be subject to market conditions, bond market sources said.

According to Business Standard, its total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 16.28 per cent, with tier I of 14.41 per cent and tier II of 1.87 per cent at the end of March 2023.

The capital requirement is linked to risk-weighted assets (RWA). Its RWA grew by 12.05 per cent YoY to Rs 3.54 trillion at end of March 2023.

Rating agency CARE

has assigned “AA+” rating to the proposed offering of Basel III-compliant tier II bonds. BOI had issued tier II bonds for Rs 1,800 crore in FY22. It redeemed tier II bonds worth Rs 2,500 crore in FY22.

sniPPets

27 killed in Pak due to heavy rain, strong winds

PESHAWAR, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): Heavy rains followed by strong winds killed at least 27 people, including eight children, in northwest Pakistan, officials said Sunday. “At least 12 people were buried alive after the roofs and walls of their houses collapsed,” Taimur

Ali Khan, a spokesman for the provincial disaster management authority told AFP. The storms hit four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late Saturday, with 15 people killed in Bannu district, including five siblings aged between two and 11. More than 140 people were injured and more than 200 livestock died, he said.

China renews blue alert for rainstorms

BEIJING, JUN 11 (IANS): China’s meteorological authorities on Sunday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in various regions across the country.

From 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, heavy rains or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Henan and Hubei, with up to 120 millimeters of rain expected in northern Hainan, according to the National Meteorological Centre.

One dead in Stockholm shooting

STOCKHOLM, JUN 11

(IANS): One person was shot dead and three were injured in a shooting near Farsta Centrum in southern Stockholm, Swedish Police said. Two arrests were later made in connection with the incident, Swedish Police said in a press statement on Saturday. Saturday’s incident brings the total of killed and wounded in connection with shootings in the Stockholm area to seven in less than 24 hours, Xinhua news agency reported.

Strong earthquake rattles northern Japan

TOKYO, JUN 11 (AP): A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. No tsunami warning was issued. There were no reports of problems at the nuclear plants in the area, or of disruptions to power supply or bullet trains running in northern Japan.

The quake, which hit at 6:54 p.m, was 136 kilometers (85 miles) deep and struck the southwestern part of Hokkaido, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency.

South Africa’s Johannesburg hit by powerful earthquake

JOHANNESBURG, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): A

5.0-magnitude earthquake on Sunday struck near Johannesburg, shaking buildings across South Africa’s most populous province, the Unites States Geological Survey reported, reports AFP. The tremor struck at 2:38 am (0038 GMT) around 10 kilometres (six miles) below the surface, the USGS said. Buildings shook across the province of Gauteng, where Johannesburg, the country’s largest city and commercial hub, is located.

Canada wildfires intensify, could last ‘all summer’

MONTREAL, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): New and intensifying fires are forcing the evacuation of thousands across Canada as the country battled out-of-control blazes that a provincial minister warned on Saturday could last “all summer.”

Donald Trump blasts federal indictment as ‘baseless’

GREENSBORO, JUN 11

(AP): Former President Donald Trump blasted his historic federal indictment as “ridiculous” and “baseless” on Saturday during his first public appearances since the charges were unsealed, painting the 37 felony counts as an attack on his supporters as he tried to turn dire legal peril to political advantage and project a sense of normalcy.

Speaking at Republican state conventions in Georgia and North Carolina, Trump cast his indictment by the Department of Justice as an attempt to damage his chances of returning to the White House as he campaigns for a second term.

“They’ve launched one witch hunt after another to try and stop our movement, to thwart the will of the American people,” Trump alleged in Georgia, later telling the crowd that, “In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you.”

The strategy is a wellworn one for Trump, who remains the front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination despite his mounting legal woes, which also include criminal charges filed against him in March in

New York. Again and again, in the face of investigation, Trump has tried to delegitimise law enforcement officials and portray himself — and his supporters — as victims, even when he is accused of serious crimes.

Trump also vowed Saturday to remain in the race, even if he is convicted in the case. “I’ll never leave,” he told Politico in an interview aboard his plane after his speech in Georgia. He further predicted that he wouldn’t be convicted and sidestepped questions about whether he would pardon himself if he wins a second term. “I don’t think I’ll ever have to,” Trump said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

The indictment unsealed Friday charges Trump with willfully defying Justice Department demands that he return classified documents, enlisting

aides in his efforts to hide the records and even telling his lawyers that he wanted to defy a subpoena for the materials stored at his residence. The indictment includes allegations that he stored documents in a ballroom and bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort, among other places.

Trump is due to make his first federal court appearance Tuesday in Miami. He was charged alongside valet Walt Nauta, a personal aide whom prosecutors say moved boxes from a storage room to Trump’s residence for him to review and later lied to investigators about the movement. Nauta traveled with Trump on Saturday, appearing by his side at a Georgia Waffle House stop where the former president signed autographs, posed for photos and told supporters, “We did absolutely nothing wrong.”

Earlier Saturday, Trump was given a hero’s welcome at the party convention in Georgia, where he drew loud applause as he slammed the investigation as “a political hit job” and accused his political enemies of launching “one hoax and witch hunt after another” to prevent his reelection. “The ridiculous

Taiwan sends up fighters as Chinese warplanes cross strait

said 10 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides and had previously served as an unofficial barrier. China says it does not recognise that and has been routinely crossing it since last year.

Four Chinese naval ships were also engaged in “joint combat readiness patrols”, the ministry added, without giving details.

Fighting resumes in Sudan’s capital after 24-hour truce expires

and baseless indictment by the Biden administration’s weaponized Department of Injustice will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country,” he said.

He also used his remarks to rail against President Joe Biden and his 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, accusing them of mishandling classified information and insisting he was treated unfairly because he is a Republican.

But Trump overlooked a critical difference: Only he has been accused of intentionally trying to impede investigators by not returning the documents in question.

In the Clinton probe, for instance, FBI investigators concluded that although she was extremely careless in her handling of classified emails on a private server, there was no evidence that she intended to break the law. And though the Biden investigation is still ongoing, no evidence has emerged to suggest that he intentionally held onto the records or even knew that they were there, with his representatives turning over records after they were discovered and voluntarily consenting to FBI searches.

TAIPEI, JUN 11 (AGENCIES): Taiwan’s air force scrambled into action on Sunday after spotting 10 Chinese warplanes crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, as the island’s defence ministry said four Chinese warships also carried out combat patrols. This is the second time in less than a week that Taiwan has reported renewed Chinese military activity, after 37 Chinese military aircraft on Thursday flew into the island’s air defence zone, some of which then flew into the

western Pacific. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has over the past three years regularly flown its air force into the skies near the island, though not into Taiwan’s territorial air space. In a short statement, Taiwan’s defence ministry said that as of 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Sunday it had detected 24 Chinese air force planes, including J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers. It did not specify where the aircraft flew but

US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since 2019

WASHINGTON, JUN 11

(AP): China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, part of a global effort by Beijing to upgrade its intelligencegathering capabilities, according to a Biden administration official.

The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the US intelligence community has been aware of China’s spying from Cuba and a larger effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe for some time.

The Biden administration has stepped up efforts to thwart the Chinese push to expand its spying operations and believes it has made some progress through diplomacy and other unspecified action, according to the official, who was familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.

The existence of the Chinese spy base was confirmed after The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China and Cuba

had reached an agreement in principle to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island. The Journal reported China planned to pay a cash-strapped Cuba billions of dollars as part of the negotiations.

The White House called the report inaccurate.

“I’ve seen that press report, it’s not accurate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in an MSNBC interview Thursday. “What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China’s influence activities around the world; certainly in this hemisphere and in this region, we’re watching this very, very closely.”

The US intelligence community had determined Chinese spying from Cuba has been an “ongoing” matter and is “not a new development,” the administration official said. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío also refuted the report in a Twitter post Saturday.

Taiwan sent up its own fighters and deployed ships and land-based missile systems to keep watch, it said, using typical wording for how it responds to such Chinese activities.

China’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It has not commented on Thursday’s flights. China has previously said such missions are to protect the country’s sovereignty and aimed at “collusion” between Taiwan and the United States, the island’s most important international backer and arms seller.

JUN 11 (AGENCIES):

KHARTOUM,

Sustained clashes and artillery fire were reported in parts of Sudan’s capital Khartoum early on Sunday soon after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire that had brought a brief lull to eight weeks of fighting between rival military factions, reports Reuters.

Witnesses said fighting resumed after the ceasefire expired at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) in the north of Omdurman, one of three adjoining cities, along with Khartoum and Bahri, that make up the capital around the confluence of the River Nile.

Residents said there had been artillery fire in the Sharq el-Nil area on the eastern outskirts of the capital, and around a bridge linking Omdurman and Bahri. Blasts and clashes were also reported in Khartoum. War between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on April 15 over tensions linked to an internationally backed plan for a transition towards civilian rule. The conflict has displaced more than 1.9 million people, triggering a major humanitarian crisis that threatens to spill across a volatile region.

A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, in Khartoum. (Reuters)

Fighting has been concentrated in the capital, much of which has become a war zone plagued by looting and clashes.

Unrest has also flared elsewhere including the western region of Darfur, already suffering from a conflict that peaked in the early 2000s.

Residents and activists have reported a further deterioration in recent days in El Geneina, near the border with Chad, and new waves of attacks by Arab nomadic tribes with ties to the RSF.

The city has been largely cut off from telephone networks for several weeks.

Another affected city is El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan State southwest of Khartoum and on a major route to Darfur. Residents say it is effectively under a state of siege due to the conflict, with supplies of food

and medicine cut off.

The wider Kordofan region is an important agricultural area and source of livestock, oilseeds and gum arabic.

“The situation is difficult. The RSF are spread out on the roads between the villages and they are looting, and there are gangs looting everywhere. Moving from place to place became dangerous,” North Kordofan resident Mohamed Salman told Reuters by phone.

“We don’t know how we’ll plant or how we’ll live in this situation.”

The RSF has said it is trying to counter looting, and has denied responsibility for the violence in Darfur. Some 400,000 of those who have fled their homes have crossed into neighbouring countries, about half of them heading north to Egypt.

Ukraine’s dam collapse is slow-moving ecological disaster

KHERSON, JUN 11 (AP):

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam was a fastmoving disaster that is swiftly evolving into a longterm environmental catastrophe affecting drinking water, food supplies and ecosystems reaching into the Black Sea. The short-term dangers can be seen from outer space — tens of thousands of parcels of land flooded, and more to come. Experts say the long-term consequences will be generational.

For every flooded home and farm, there are fields upon fields of newly planted grains, fruits and vegetables whose irrigation canals are drying up. Thousands of fish were left gasping on mud flats. Fledgling water birds lost their nests and their food sources. Countless trees and plants were drowned.

If water is life, then the draining of the Kakhovka reservoir creates an uncertain future for the region of southern Ukraine that was an arid plain until the damming of the Dnieper River 70 years ago. The Kakhovka Dam was the last in a system

Houses are seen underwater in the flooded town of Oleshky, Ukraine, Saturday. (AP)

of six Soviet-era dams on the river, which flows from Belarus to the Black Sea.

Then the Dnieper became part of the front line after Russia’s invasion last year.

“All this territory formed its own particular ecosystem, with the reservoir included,” said Kateryna Filiuta, an expert in protected habitats for the Ukraine Nature Conservation Group.

Ihor Medunov is very much part of that ecosystem. His work as a hunting and fishing guide effectively

Honduras opens embassy in China after breaking off ties with Taiwan

BEIJING, JUN 11 (AP): Honduras opened an embassy in Beijing on Sunday, Chinese state media reported, months after the Central American nation broke off relations with Taiwan to form diplomatic ties with China. China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Honduran counterpart Enrique Reina took part in the inauguration of the embassy on Sunday morning, China’s official CCTV said. The report said Honduras still needed to determine the embassy’s permanent location and would increase its number of staff.

Qin pledged that China would establish a new model with Honduras of “friendly cooperation” between countries with different sizes and systems, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.

The symbol of the two sides’ strengthening diplomatic ties came during Honduran President Xiomara Castro’s six-day visit to China. Honduras established formal relations with

China’s FM Qin

Honduran counterpart Enrique Reina unveil the Honduras Embassy plate, in Beijing, Sunday. (AP) China in March, becoming the latest in a string of countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary, and prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei. Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since the establishment of relations.

During her stay in Shanghai, she visited the headquarters of the New Development Bank, a bank established by the BRICS nations, which includes

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Honduras requested admission to the bank, Castro’s office tweeted Saturday.

The president also visited a research center for technology giant Huawei before arriving in Beijing on Saturday night, China’s official Global Times newspaper reported. The ties formed in March were a diplomatic victory for China amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the United States, including over China’s increasing assertiveness toward selfruled Taiwan.

ended with the start of the war, but he stayed on his little island compound with his four dogs because it seemed safer than the alternative. Still, for months the knowledge that Russian forces controlled the dam downstream worried him.

The six dams along the Dnieper were designed to operate in tandem, adjusting to each other as water levels rose and fell from one season to the next. When Russian forces seized the Kakhovka Dam, the whole system fell into neglect.

Whether deliberately

or simply carelessly, the Russian forces allowed water levels to fluctuate uncontrollably. They dropped dangerously low in winter and then rose to historic peaks when snowmelt and spring rains pooled in the reservoir. Until Monday, the waters were lapping into Medunov’s living room.

Now, with the destruction of the dam, he is watching his livelihood literally ebb away. The waves that stood at his doorstep a week ago are now a muddy walk away.

“The water is leaving before our eyes,” he told The Associated Press. “Everything that was in my house, what we worked for all our lives, it’s all gone. First it drowned, then, when the water left, it rotted.”

Since the dam’s collapse Tuesday, the rushing waters have uprooted landmines, torn through caches of weapons and ammunition, and carried 150 tons of machine oil to the Black Sea. Entire towns were submerged to the rooflines, and thousands of animals died in a large national park now under Russian occupation.

Imran Khan upset over losing powerful army’s backing: Pak FM

ISLAMABAD, JUN 11

(PTI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari has said that deposed prime minister Imran Khan is not against the army’s interference in politics but is upset with the powerful establishment only because it is no longer supporting him, according to a media report. “Khan’s problem with the Pakistan Army began in April of last year when it declared that it would not get involved in politics and would not take sides,” Bilawal told Qatarbased Al Jazeera news channel on Saturday.

The Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf chairman’s issue with the army is not that they’re involved in politics; his problem with the army is they’re not getting involved to support him, he said.

Bilawal said that the role of the army in Pakistan’s politics cannot be denied. “More than half of our history has been covered by military rule. My party, the Pakistan Peoples Party, has challenged each

and every single dictatorship in Pakistan’s history.”

He said Khan, however, supported every dictatorship in Pakistan, including the last dictatorship of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

“Khan’s political history is that he has supported every dictator and he supported every autocrat in Pakistan’s history,” he said.

The foreign minister said that former-cricketerturned politician’s rise to power in 2018 is well-documented.

“It is an established fact that he was brought into power through a rigged election in collaboration with some former officers of the Pakistan Army.”

File photo of Taiwanese F-5 fighter jets are seen after taking off from Chihhang Air Base.

Gang, left,

Donald Trump

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

Kivika Achumi releases official music video ‘Daisy’

based on a true love story of a young soldier who fell in love with his senior officer’s daughter, Daisy. In the midst of their craziness for each other, they had to part ways following the Officer’s (Daisy’s father) post transfer.

Lady Gaga seeks to dismiss dog theft reward lawsuit

Attorneys for Gaga said McBride claimed to have been a good Samaritan who found the dogs on the street by change and had “no idea” they belonged to the ‘Star is Born’ actress, but they argued she was in fact a “direct and knowing participant in the criminal enterprise”. As per ‘Female First

UK’, in December, McBride was sentenced to two years probation after pleading no contest to knowingly receiving stolen property. She has maintained she performed her obligation under the terms of the reward contract but Gaga had no intention of paying it, so she is suing for breach of contract, fraud

by false promise and fraud by misrepresentation. She is also seeking legal fees and compensation for financial damages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life but Gaga’s team argued she has not suffered any damages in returning the dogs.

(IANS)

Kivika Achumi, released an official music video titled ‘Daisy’ featuring Miss Sumi 1st runners-up Linovi P. Kiba, Miss Niuland Atunali Chophi and Limeka Aye on June 10 at Barcode Restro 5th Mile, Chumoukedima.

President Women Organization State of Naga-

land, Vikali A. Zhiomimi was the special guest, who released the music video.

Speaking at the releasing of music video event, Vikali A. Zhimomi called upon the people present to keep supporting the artist and encouraged the singer to come up with original songs. The song ‘Daisy’ is

The soldier through this song expressed his heartfelt grief over their sudden departure. He also expressed how much he longed for his lover to be with him and asked her not to leave.

The programme was chaired by Miss Sumi 2nd runners-up, Niloli Wotsa, greetings was delivered by president Eastern Sumi Students’ Union, Ghuvika Yepthomi and invocation was offered by pastor UMC, Nikato Achumi.

TaFMA open house season 2.0 art competition in Longleng

thralled by a singer-song writer Longham Phom and the art competition was judged by a renowned artist Elung P Phom.

Singer-songwriteractress Lady Gaga is refusing to pay a $500,000 reward for the return of her French bulldogs, insisting the woman was aware of them being stolen.

The ‘Bad Romance’ singer was sued in February by Jennifer McBride - who handed over the pop star’s dogs in February 2021, two days after they were taken from her dog walker - after she refused to hand over the “no ques-

tions” sum in exchange for the safe return of her pooches and the 37-yearold star has now filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, insisting the woman was part of a conspiracy to steal the animals, reports ‘Female First UK’. Documents obtained by CBS News stated: “Plaintiff Jennifer McBride seeks to profit from her participation in a crime. The law does not allow a person to commit a crime and then profit from it.

Team Anghya Resto and its media partner

“Abode of Clouds” held the TaFMA Open House Season 2.0 Art Competition under the theme, “Mt. Yingyiushang” on June 10 at Anghya Restaurant, Longleng. Altogether, eight students from different schools of Longleng town partici-

pated in the competition. Ngalong of Phom Lempong School emerged as the winner, while the first runners-up was bagged by Paulang and Chuong from Christian School was adjudged as the second runners-up with a cash prize and certificates to all the participants. The event was en -

Fonda announces break from acting in run-up to prez poll

Jane Fonda is taking an 18-month break from acting due to the 2024 presidential election.

The 85-year-old actress is known for her political activism and she plans to make that her focus for the foreseeable future, concentrating specifically on trying to get people who support taking action against climate change into office, reports Female First UK.

Jane made the admission during a 30-minute on-stage interview with Robin Roberts at the Tribeca Film Festival after being honoured with the Harry Belafonte Voices For Social Justice Award.

She said: “Let’s get rid of the Joe Manchins. We need to try to light a fire under Biden and look, we have to vote for him, ok? We have got to get really mad at him and we have to try to demand that he earn our votes. But I mean, let’s be real because the alternative is the end of everything.”

As per Female First UK, the ‘Grace and Frankie’ star insisted that she had never been interested in running for office herself.

She said: “One thing about getting old is that you start to get a little smart about what your strong suits are. And that’s not one of them. I’m a cheerleader.”

She jokingly added: “I don’t have any original ideas. I’m the one who takes your ideas and then I get credit for it.”

The Oscar-winning star insisted that it is “up to us” to make changes to tackle the climate crisis because it will be “too late” for the next generation.

She said: “We are animals, let us not forget. We depend on the ocean and the forests for oxygen, for food. I mean, even dogs don’t s*** in their own kennel. And we’re in our kennel and taking a lot down with us in the process. We have to stop it. It’s all connected.”

“Those of us who are alive right now in this decade, it’s up to us (to make a change) because when we go it’ll be too late. We’re the ones who can make the difference. Let’s not, when history is written, be the ones that were staying at home and rearranging the china,” she added. (IANS)

Kivika Achumi with Vikali A. Zhimomi and others.

Participants with the organisers after the competition.

India clinch maiden title in Women’s Jr Asia Cup

NEW DELHI, JUN 11 (IANS): India defeated Korea 2-1 in a riveting final match on Sunday to claim their maiden title in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 held in Kakamigahara, Japan.

Annu (22’) and Neelam (41’) scored a goal each for India while Seoyeon Park (25’) struck the lone goal for Korea in the captivating final match played on Sunday.

It was a collective team effort from the Indian junior women’s team that ultimately led to their triumph in this crucial encounter. This is the first time that India have won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup.

India started the game on an attacking note by winning a penalty corner in the opening minute of the game, but they failed to capitalise on it. However, Korea shifted the momentum in their favour by counter-attacking and controlling possession. They also won an early penalty corner but Neelam made a goal-line clearance to deny Korea. Despite both teams

playing an attacking game, the first quarter ended goalless.

Korea stuck to their attacking approach in the second quarter as well thus pushing India on backfoot.

Korea were also awarded quite a few penalty corners, however, India not only stood strong in defence to keep the opposition’s attackers at bay, but also put Korea under pressure by taking the lead through Annu (22’) who calmly converted a penalty

stroke. However, India’s lead didn’t last long as Seoyeon Park (25’) scored an equaliser for Korea through a well-placed shot from inside the D. The second quarter didn’t witness any more goals as both teams went into the half-time break with the score level at 1-1.

The second half of the match started with Korea focused on keeping the possession, while the Indian team switched to

Andy Murray reaches Surbiton Challenger final

SURBITON (ENGLAND), JUN 11 (IANS):

Andy Murray advanced to the Surbiton Challenger final after he ousted defending champion Jordan Thompson 7-6(5), 6-3 in the last four, here. The Scot found rhythm from the start, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. The Australian fought back to force a tie-break but Murray’s consistency and all-court coverage helped him move past Thompson in straight sets on Saturday. Despite serving for the match at 5-2, Murray was

broken before closing out the semi-final in the following game to set a clash against Austrian Jurij Rodionov. Second seed Murray is aiming for his second Challenger title of the year after he triumphed at last month’s

ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Aix-en-Provence, France, where he defeated Tommy Paul in the final. Should the 36-year-old Murray be crowned champion, he would become the oldest grass-court winner in Challenger history (since 1978). He is bidding to become just the sixth player to win Challenger titles on both clay and grass in the same season. World No. 134 Rodionov defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-4 after winning 25 of 30 first-serve points.

NFCA informs licensed coaches

DIMAPUR, JUN 11 (NPN): Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has informed all licensed football coaches in all the districts of Nagaland to form their respective football coach associations and get it registered with NFCA.

In a press release, NFCA president, Roko Angami and general secretary, Ayeto Ayemi informed that this move was to rope in and unify all the licensed football coaches of AIFF/AFC under one platform.

Asia

NEW DELHI, JUN

11

(IANS): The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is likely to approve Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023, which includes Sri Lanka as the neutral venue where India can play their games.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the PCB’s model sees four -- and possibly five -- of the tournament’s 13 games being played in Pakistan. All the India-Pakistan games will be played in Sri Lanka, as will the final if India is involved. The window reserved for the tournament currently is between September 1-17. For the Pakistan leg, the games are likely to be played in Lahore. The Asia Cup 2023 was scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the ACC, last year had made it clear that the Indian team

The release informed that in order to form respective district football coach associations a particular district should mandatorily have at least 12 licensed football coaches and only thereafter could be affiliated to NFCA. This concerted effort has been initiated to upgrade and look into the welfare of all licensed football coaches across the state and to develop a sound and technically adept coaches, the released stated. For any queries, one may contact at 87873 70290.

counter-attacking and it paid off as Neelam (41’) brilliantly converted a penalty corner to put India in front as the third quarter ended with the score 2-1 in the favour of the Indian team.

To protect their lead, India shifted their focus on defending and controlling the tempo of the game by keeping possession in the fourth quarter. Korea, on the other hand, made some forced errors and misdirected

passes in their desperation to find an equaliser. Ultimately, India stood strong and stuck to their strategy to win the summit clash 2-1.

Speaking about the Final, India junior women’s team captain Preeti said, “Following a 1-1 draw in the round-robin stage, we were acutely aware of the specific areas we needed to excel to overcome Korea. The final match brought about a considerable amount of nerves. However, we knew that as a team we have to play our best game to achieve something special and that’s exactly what we did. We are elated to make our nation proud.”

HI announces cash rewards Hockey India has declared a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for each player while the support staff will receive Rs 1 lakh for their splendid show. India finished unbeaten in the tournament and also secured a spot in the Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 slated in Chile later this year.

Odisha women win Senior National Rugby 7s Championship

PUNE,

JUN 11 (IANS):

Odisha women saw off Maharashtra in the finals of the 10th Senior National Rugby 7s Championship by a huge margin of 31-7, at Balewadi Stadium, here. This Championship acts as a platform for players to showcase their talent as they look for a spot in the Indian team.

Odisha were hard to catch up with, even though Maharashtra showed a spirited effort during Saturday’s final. The semifinals leading up to the finale saw Odisha beat West Bengal 26-5 and Maharashtra beat Kerala 14-5 in their respective matches.

“We are happy to have won the championship, we played very well against Maharashtra and have worked very hard for the last 2 months at the state camp. I am very happy with the performance of my teammates,” said Mama Naik, Odisha’s Forward Prop.

Earlier, in the Junior Nationals, Odisha dominated Maharashtra girls by 52-0 in the finals.

Odisha beat their close competitors Bihar 22-17 in the semifinals whilst the other finalist Maharashtra beat West Bengal 29-5.

“Whether it’s gold, silver or bronze, all the junior girls and women have played extremely well and displayed some formidable talent. Congratulations to all the players. This is a big year for Indian Rugby -- we have the upcoming Asian Games that we hope to participate in, the Asian Tro-

phy as well as the Olympic Qualifiers in November. And these Nationals are one of the events from which we will be selecting our national camp invitees for those three international tournaments. Well played to all and see a few of you at the National Camps!” said Rahul Bose, President, Indian Rugby Football Union. The junior boys and men’s event will start from June 14 and will culminate on 18.

CONGRATULATION

With immense pride and joy, we the family members extends our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Avothung Ezung, S/o Lt. Zubemo Ezung and Mrs. Rahel Ezung on being conferred to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Philosophy from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong on the thesis “Friedrich Nietzcshe on Moral Relativism: A Critical Evaluation,” under the supervision of Prof. Xavier P. Mao

Your perseverance has paid off and you have reached the pinnacle of your academic career. Best wishes for the future.

DP-2690/23

Loving Mom & Sisters

will not travel to Pakistan for the continental championship and demanded that the event be moved to a neutral venue.

Reacting to BCCI’s decision to not travel Pakistan for Asia Cup, PCB threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup, which will be played in India in October-November. In light of India and Pakistan’s reluctance to travel to each other’s countries because of ongoing political tensions between the governments of the two countries, the proposal of a hybrid model emerged as a viable solution.

The move will also ensure that PCB can retain the hosting rights for the continental event. The report further said the PCB head Najam Sethi had presented details of the hybrid model to Pankaj Khimji, head of Oman Cricket and the ACC’s vice-president, in a meeting in Dubai a couple of weeks ago.

K-1361/23(B)

Indian women hockey players pose for a group photo after winning the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023, in Kakamigahara, Japan, Sunday. (PTI)

Odisha women Rugby team celebrate with the trophy.

Andy Murray

Australia thrash India to lift WTC title

LONDON, JUNE 11

(IANS): Two years after Australia missed out on reaching the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, due to being penalised two points for a slow overrate, the Pat Cummins-led side won the marquee event with a comprehensive 209run win over India in the 2023 finale at The Oval on Sunday.

With the resounding victory giving them their ninth ICC title, also their first-ever WTC crown, Australia has become the first team in men’s international cricket to win all major trophies. Their victory was set up on Day One of the five-day match by a 285-run partnership between ‘Player of the Match’ Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) after Australia were sent into bat first by India.

India commenced the fifth day’s play from 164/3 in 40 overs, with hopes brimming of conjuring the highest-ever successful chase in fourth innings of a Test match. That hope increased when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looked purposeful in their fourthwicket partnership of 86 during an improbable chase of 444. But once Scott Boland took out Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the space of three balls of the 47th over, it

was effectively the knockout punch that Australia was waiting for. Despite some resistance from Rahane and K.S. Bharat, India were all out for 234 in 63.3 overs in the extended first session, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs.

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with 4-41, followed by Boland (3/46), Mitchell Starc (2-77) and captain Pat Cummins (1-55) and was instrumental in Australia lifting the coveted Mace, which was the only silverware missing from their vast cupboard of trophies, coming ahead of the Ashes. The defeat means India’s agonising wait to win an ICC title, which has

been going on for almost ten years, continues. It is also their second straight loss in the WTC Finals after New Zealand defeated them by eight wickets in the inaugural edition of the one-off title clash at Southampton in 2021. Australia began Day Five with discipline in line and length from Boland and Cummins, who seemed to hit the deck hard. Kohli and Rahane were content in rotating the strike, apart from the latter getting a four off a lucky edge. In a desperate bid to get Kohli out, Australia burnt a review for a caught-behind dismissal off Boland. But a ball later, Boland enticed Kohli to go after a full and wide deliv-

Ashmita Chaliha, Ravi lift titles at Maldives International Challenge

ery, which he couldn’t resist chasing. The thick edge on the big drive from Kohli was caught by Steve Smith at second slip with both hands after diving to his right, as scores of Indian fans fell silent.

After Jadeja left his first ball off Boland, the pacer immediately bowled tighter and got some late away movement to draw the batter into defending and take the thick edge behind to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, sending him back for a twoball duck. Boland could have got Bharat out if the extra bounce didn’t take the shoulder edge of the bat and go over slip cordon for four.

Bharat was then pinned on the helmet by a bouncer

from Cummins and after he passed a concussion test, Rahane survived an lbw appeal off Boland as Australia burnt another review.

Bharat found himself being troubled by Green before driving him through point for four. Rahane produced exquisite timing in his two straight drives past mid-off against Starc and followed it up with a punch past the backward point off Lyon. But Starc took him out with a good length delivery on sixth stump which took a thick edge off an expansive drive on the up to Carey. India continued to sink further when Lyon trapped Shardul Thakur plumb lbw for a five-ball duck, followed by Umesh Yadav gloving a brute of a bouncer to Carey, who timed his jump well to take a stunning one-handed catch off Starc.

Mohammed Shami tried to delay the inevitable with back-to-back boundaries off Starc, but Lyon finished off the match as Mohammed Siraj was caught at backward point on reversesweep, giving Australia their first-ever WTC title.

Brief scores: Australia 469 and 270/8d beat India 296 and 234 all out in 63.3 overs (Virat Kohli 49, Ajinkya Rahane 46; Nathan Lyon 4-41, Scott Boland 3-41) by 209 runs

Waiting for court verdict on wrestlers’ row, will fight next polls: WFI chief

GONDA (UP), JUN 11 (PTI): BJP MP and WFI

chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, Sunday said he will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Kaisarganj again and was awaiting the court’s verdict to speak on the grapplers’ stir.

He was replying to queries from media persons after addressing a rally in the district’s Balpur area where he skipped any direct reference to the wrestlers’ protest for his arrest and chose to target the Congress over the Emergency, Ram temple, the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots and other issues.

Asked by the reporters why he was not commenting on the wrestlers’ protest and what was he waiting for, the BJP MP said, “Court ke faisle ka (court’s verdict).”

On whether he will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Gonda or Ayodhya, Singh said, “Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat se chunav ladunga, ladunga, ladunga (I will definitely contest from Kaiserganj).”

Brij Bhushan Singh has represented the Kaisarganj Lok Sabha constituency thrice -- once as an SP MP (from 2009 to 2014). He won the 2004

general elections from the Balrampur Lok Sabha seat, and the 1991 and 1999 Lok Sabha polls from the Gonda seat on BJP tickets. Currently, he is serving a sixth term as Lok Sabha MP.

At the rally, he began his 23-minute speech with an Urdu couplet, “Kabhi ask, kabhi gumh, to kabhi zeher piya jata hai... tab ja kar zamane mein jiya jata hai. Yeh mila mujhko muhabbat ka silla, bewafa kehke mera naam liya jata hai. Isko ruswai kahen ki shohrat apni, dabe hontho se mera naam liya jata hai (Sometimes one has to take a lot of grief and poison to live in this world... This is the reward I got for my love, they call me unfaithful. Should I call it notoriety or fame, they take my name with pursed lips).”

The rally was organised to celebrate the completion of nine years of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. So far, Singh has remained defiant

despite facing possible action from the Delhi Police, which has recorded statements of over 200 people in connection with the case against him and will file a chargesheet by June 15.

On Saturday, the protesting wrestlers alleged he was using his influence to put sexual harassment victims under pressure and forcing them to change their statements. They also threatened to resume their stir if decisive action was not taken against the MP by June 15.

Singh has denied the allegations against him and claimed that some Congress leaders from Haryana hatched a conspiracy to defame him because of the reforms he brought as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. During his address on Sunday, the MP also said that no force in the world could stop the BJP from coming to power again in 2024.

In his attack on the Congress, Singh said, “In 1947, the country got divided when the Congress was in power. The wounds of the Partition had not even healed when Pakistan attacked and grabbed 78,000 square kilometres of our land while the Congress was in power.”

Djokovic wins his 23rd Grand Slam title in French Open final

PARIS, JUN 11 (AP):

Novak Djokovic won his men’s-record 23rd Grand Slam title on Sunday with a 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud in the French Open final.

Djokovic, a 36-yearold from Serbia, broke a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most major singles trophies in the history of men’s tennis, which dates to the 1800s.

Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, missed this year’s tournament because he is

MUMBAI, JUN 11

(IANS): Indian shuttlers

Ashmita Chaliha and Ravi won the women’s and men’s singles titles respectively in the Maldives International Challenge 2023, registering contrasting wins in the finals played in Male, Maldives. The Indian women’s singles star Ashmita, currently ranked 46 in the

world defeated compatriot Tasnim Mir 19-21, 21-17, 21-11 in an all-Indian final played at the Indoor Hall of the Male Sports Complex here on Saturday. This is Ashmita’s third BWF International Challenge title so far this season, having previously won the titles at Tata Open India International and Dubai International. The title spree

continued with Ravi clinching the men’s singles title with a straight games win over Malaysia’s Soong Joo Ven, 21-19, 21-18, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) informed in a release on Sunday. The women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam finished runner’s up after going down 22-24,15-21 in the final.

injured.

This victory goes alongside the French Open titles earned by Djokovic in 2016 and 2021, making him the only man with at least three from each major event. Since collecting his very first Slam trophy at the 2008 Australian Open, he has accumulated totals of 10 there, seven at Wimbledon and three at the U.S. Open.

Also worth noting:

Djokovic is again halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam — winning all four

majors in one season — something no man has achieved since Rod Laver in 1969.

Djokovic came close to pulling off that feat in 2021, when he won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon and made it all the way to the title match at the U.S. Open before losing to Daniil Medvedev.

Djokovic will resume that monumental pursuit at Wimbledon, which begins on the grass of the All England Club on July 3.

Hsieh, Wang pair beats Townsend/Fernandez to win women’s doubles title

Hsieh Su-Wei and Wang Xinyu rallied from a set down to defeat No.10 Taylor Townsend and Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to win the French Open women’s doubles title at Roland Garros, here on Sunday.

Playing in just their second tournament after teaming up in Strasbourg, Hsieh and Wang capped off a stunning fortnight that saw them upset five

seeded teams to win their first doubles title of the season. Making her 60th Grand Slam doubles main draw appearance, the 37-year-old Hsieh picked up a fifth Grand Slam trophy in women’s doubles and second at Roland-Garros She has also won three Wimbledon doubles titles in 2013, 2019 and 2021. For the 21-year-old Wang it was a maiden triumph at a major in just

Manchester City win Champions League final in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, JUN 10

(AGENCIES): Manches-

ter City ended a sensational season by beating Inter Milan 1-0 to win the Champions League for the first time and complete the treble on a Saturday evening of frayed nerves.

Spanish midfielder Rodri’s 68th-minute goal settled a cagey game which a far-from-fluent City dominated without ever looking comfortable against the three-times winners from Italy at the Ataturk Stadium.

Inter almost levelled at the death when a pointblank header by substitute Romelu Lukaku was saved by Ederson.

But City, who lost in the final two years ago against Chelsea, would not be denied.

In being crowned champions of Europe, they matched the treble achieved by Manchester United in 1999 of lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League crowns. City manager Pep Guardiola h as now won the Champions League

three times and took his trophy count with City to 12. It was far from a fluent City performance, however, against a tireless Inter side who looked capable of causing a shock.

City were stifled in the first half and their fans were reduced to near silence at times as the nerves became frayed. With Kevin de Bruyne off injured, City

struggled to create chances and were wobbly at the back but in the end the ever-reliable Rodri came to the rescue.

For once Inter could not close down the spaces and Bernardo Silva’s cutback was swept home by the Spaniard. Even then, City were forced to go to the wire at the end of long season with Lautaro Marti-

nez hitting the bar for Inter and Lukaku denied by s superb Ederson save at the death.

NEAR-MISSES

In finally guiding Manchester City to the European crown they so cherished after a few gutwrenching near misses since Sheikh Mansour bought the club in 2008, Guardiola became the first

manager to achieve two trebles in European football, having done the Spanish equivalent with Barcelona in 2009.

He has won 12 trophies with City since taking charge in 2016 and with the Champions League jinx broken, any sense of inferiority City may have suffered to the established European royalty of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool has gone.

City still must defend themselves against more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations dating back to 2009, but that is for another day.

On Saturday alongside the Bosphorous, that was the last thing City’s joyous fans cared about as they celebrated the club’s first European trophy since the now defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969–70.

Guardiola’s side fluffed their lines in Porto two years ago when losing to Chelsea in the Champions League final -- a defeat partially blamed on Guardiola’s tactics.

This time he and his players delivered, although it was far from straightforward against the wily Italian side.

her third Grand Slam doubles appearance. After dominating the opening set with their aggressive play, Townsend and Fernandez quickly found themselves down a break early in the second set. Hsieh and Wang protected their lead to build a 5-3 lead and had triple set point on Townsend’s serve at 5-3. Townsend and Fernandez roared back to hold and then broke Wang in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Australia cricket team members celebrate with the trophy after winning WTC title.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Ashmita Chaliha and Ravi

Manchester City team celebrating after winning the Champions League title.

Novak Djokovic

Hsieh Su-Wei and Wang Xinyu