21 April 2023

El Nino may spur deadly heat waves in India

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(IANS): Climate models have predicted that El Nino is on the horizon, which can lead to severe heat waves and droughts, in many countries, including India.

El Nino is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off the Pacific coast of South America. During El Nino, winds blowing west along the equator slow down, and warm water is pushed east, creating warmer surface ocean temperatures.

Last month, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned of a likely spike in temperatures globally this year, due to the warming El Nino event.

El Nino will mean extreme weather around the globe and making it “very likely” the world will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. The hottest year in

Nagaland logs 1 fresh Covid case

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported one fresh Covid-19 case taking the total caseload to 35,996. The fresh case was reported from Dimapur. With this the State currently has four active cases, three in Dimapur and one in Wokha, all under home isolation. The death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including 5 non-Covid deaths but with positivity). India logs 12,591 new Covid cases: India recorded 12,591 new Covid cases in a day, the highest in around eight months, while the active case burden increased to 65,286, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,230 with 40 fatalities, which includes 11 reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

Wet spell likely over Northeast

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted wet spell over North East region with possibility of isolated heavy rainfall during next threefour days.

IMD stated that light/ moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning/ gusty winds was very likely over the region during next four days.

IMD also stated that heavy rainfall was very likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam & Meghalaya during April 21 & 22.

recorded history, 2016, was driven by a major El Nino. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted a 70 per cent chance of El Nino in India. While the agency has predicted a normal monsoon, it said El Nino can affect the monsoon. The impact of El Nino may be felt during the second half of monsoon season.

Latest climate models also suggest the phenomenon could develop as early as May 2023. This can possibly weaken the southwest monsoon season, which brings around 70 per cent of the total rainfall India receives and on which most of its farmers still depend.

On one hand, the El Nino event will lead to heatwaves and droughts in India,

South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands. On the other hand, it will mean heavy rainfall and flooding in regions like California in the US and could also cause bleaching and death of coral reefs.

Heatwaves in India are already increasing in frequency, intensity and lethality, burdening public health, agriculture, and

Centre directs states to set up 100 food streets; to grant Rs 1 cr as aid per street

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI/AGENCIES): Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has written to the states and Union Territories to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country. The initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for other such streets to come up across the country to ensure safe and hygienic food practices. According to reports, 11 food streets have been proposed in the North East. Four in Assam and

one each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

The project aims to encourage safe and healthy practices among food businesses and community members, thus reducing foodborne illnesses and improving overall health outcomes, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.

In a letter to the states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi highlighted that “easy access to safe and hygienic

food is vital for the good health of citizens”.

“Safe food practices not only promote the ‘eat right campaign’ and food safety but will improve hygiene credibility of local food businesses, boost local employment, tourism and, in turn, the economy. It also leads to a cleaner and greener environment,” the letters stated. Street foods have traditionally been an integral part of Indian society and are present all across the country. They represent the rich local tradition of cuisine, the statement said.

Rev Sunep bags national award for

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 20 (NPN):

Rev Imkong Sunep Lungkumer bagged the National Grassroot Innovation Award, 2023 for his pineapple peeling machine and shredding-cum-peeling to ease the task of peeling the horticultural crop at the 11th National Innovation Foundation, New Delhi.

Hailing from Yaongyimsen, Mokokchung, Sunep informed Nagaland Post that he had designed the peeling machine formed with a welding machine, a motor of 1/2 HP and some parts from a Maruti car in 2017-18. He said the

pineapple peeling machine would cost up to Rs 24,000 while the tapioca shredding machine would be around Rs 12,000 in the market, However after inventing the

other socio-economic and cultural systems. According to an alarming study led by Indian-origin researchers at University of Cambridge about 90% of India and almost all of Delhi is in danger zone from heat wave impact.

The study, published in PLOS Climate, suggests that heatwaves made more likely by climate change may impede India’s progress toward its sustainable development goals. It showed that heatwaves in India and the Indian subcontinent become recurrent and long-lasting, it is high time that climate experts and policymakers reevaluate the metrics for assessing the country’s climate vulnerability.

“This is a critical policy measure from an urban sustainability viewpoint that can promote resilient methods of mitigation and adaptation in cities like Delhi that are particularly vulnerable to heatwaves,” they said.

NDPP Tseminyu region flays attack on general secy

DIMAPUR, APR 20

(NPN): Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Tseminyu region has vehemently condemned the “physical assault and life attempt” on its general secretary Yhuntilo Kent at Tseminyu new town on April 18 night. In a press release, NDPP Tseminyu region flays president Daniel Tep expressed anguish over the incident and said that “some savage minded lunatics” armed with iron bars, hammers and bricks attacked

H&FW minister assures to activate blood storage facilities

churches, student bodies, partner NGOs and the media. He encouraged all district health offices led by chief medical officers (CMOs) to remain committed to this noble cause by ensuring that all services reached the remote villages of the State.

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 20 (NPN):

Admitting that blood storage facilities in 13 districts of the State were non-functional, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) minister P Paiwang Konyak has assured that all these would be activated as soon as possible to ensure that no mother died of excessive bleeding or for want of blood during delivery.

Speaking at the launch of the “First 1000 Days, foundation for a brighter future” here at de Oriental Grand Hotel on Thursday, he stressed that the blood banks at Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung must have blood available at all times.

Towards this end, he said an intensive blood donation awareness campaign would be taken up and urged the citizens to come forward and donate blood to save lives.

He explained that the first 1,000 days referred to a child’s life from the moment he or she was conceived until reaching two years of age. Noting that this was a

pineapple-peeling machine

interested in blacksmith works and electrification though he did not get any formal training. He said he was always inspired to innovate and make new machines and had invented a tapioca shredding machine in 2011-12, adding that the idea of a pineapple peeling machine came to him after speaking to an officer in the Department of Horticulture.

period of opportunity for a child’s physical, mental and intellectual development, he emphasised that a proper intervention during these 1,000 days starting from pregnancy would have a major impact on overall survival and quality of a child’s life.

Paiwang mentioned that it was the responsibility of every individual to ensure that critical health services reached all children and mothers of Nagaland to survive and thrive by laying a strong foundation for them.

He claimed that critical intervention or services like antenatal care, hospital delivery, timely vaccination, etc, were available at State government health centres and also during the village health and nutrition days. He said parents must avail the services of the facilities for the healthy growth of their children.

He urged health service providers to ensure that children received their services for their overall growth and development. He remarked that this could be achieved with the active support of civil society organisations,

Further, the minister disclosed that Nagaland’s immunisation percentage was 58%, though it ought to be 75%, due to hilly terrain. He appreciated accredited health service activists (ASHAs) for reaching every nook and corner of the State despite various challenges, including no road connectivity. He appealed to all stakeholders to assist the ASHAs by ensuring that the targeted beneficiaries were reached on time.

Birth Waiting Home: He divulged that H&FW department was implementing a pilot project “Birth Waiting Home” in Mon and Kiphire districts that aimed to encourage institutional delivery under the care of skilled health providers for the safety of mother and child, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. He thanked funding partner UNICEF for the continued support and encouragement towards mother and child and hoped that the funding would continue in the future too.

Paiwang encouraged the gathering to make an honest commitment to ensure that children got all possible support, especially in the first 1,000 days for their brighter future and assured to remain committed to the health of all children in Nagaland.

machines, these were kept unused as he was not aware how to show to the people. Inspired by his father since childhood days, he mentioned that was always

After months of hard work and toiling, he invented the award-winning machine and shared its video with some government officials. Though he received appreciation for his work, he said there was no response beyond that.

Colony wages war on illicit drugs and alcohol

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): As part of its fight against alcohol and drugs abuse, Nui colony council members Thursday destroyed drugs, alcohol and other items seized from January-April. Nui colony GB

Hozka Awomi informed that the seized items included-sunflower drugs, around 200 spasmo-proxyvon tablets, over 100 bottles of rum/ whisky and other items. He said that these items were being smuggled from nearby Lahorijan area under Karbi Anglong district, and to Dimapur. It was also revealed that after demolition of Dudu colony, near Nagaland check gate, hordes

have fled to nearby Dimapur. Hozak pointed out that colony is located near the unmanned porous border area where such items are easily available with drug and alcohol networks. In view of rising num-

ber of youth being ensnared by these contraband, he said the colony has been proactive in carrying out regular checking. Hozka also lamented that there were many students including large number of girls

who have become victims of substance abuse. He warned that, henceforth, the colony would expose anyone caught with such items in the public domain with details of the individual, name of parents and also village etc.

While cautioning drug and alcohol users from doing so in the colony jurisdiction, Hozka also appealed to the parents to strictly monitor the activities of their children in order to ensure they do not fall prey to the growing cult of illicit drugs and other substances. Colony leaders led by council chairman S Vitoshe Swu, GBs and others witnessed the destruction of the seized items.

With a zeal to innovate and invent such machines relevant for the people, Sunep disclosed that he had been approached by several companies from places like Bangalore for tie-ups with them and commercialise his inventions. However, he stated that he had declined such offers, while the process to patent his pineapple peeling machine was in process. Sunep has been serving in the ministry for 18 years and is currently an ordained minister at Chakpa. He said he had received permission from the church to work on the award-winning invention.

Bihu song row: CPO lauds AASNC response

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO) has appreciated the stand taken by the All Assam Sema Naga Council (AASNC) against the lyrics of the Bihu song used for the Guinness World Record attempt at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on April 14.

AASNC stated that the lyrics used in the song were insulting the Naga community residing in Assam.

The Council condemned the song for using words like “Okora Naga”, and “Nagini”.

In a letter of apprecia-

tion addressed to the AASNC president, CPO president Zhato Kimho conveyed “sincerest appreciation” on the council’s “vigilant and timely response” to the lyrics of the Bihu song.

CPO said the song has hurt the sentiment of all Nagas across the country. CPO, however, said the song would have gone unnoticed if AASNC office did not point out and react in time. “We are sure that this will promote a better understanding between the Assamese and the Nagas of Assam in future,” CPO stated.

NSCN (R) reacts to use of its nomenclature

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): NSCN (R) has strongly reacted to use of its nomenclature “NSCN/ GPRN-(R)” while referring to Akato-led NSCN in a section of media “despite repeated appeals”.

NSCN (R) through its kilo affairs secretary stated that Akato Chophy was an expelled member and was “not anymore connected with NSCN/GPRN-(R) in any matter.”

The group said NSCN (R) was formed by Y Wangtin Naga and P Tikhak on May 18, 2015 and Akato joined in the later part of 2017 and had served for three years. However, he was later

expelled “for his anti-party activities”, it stated. The group said the nomenclature NSCN (R) was “adopted by the august house after long debate and deliberation in the Tatar Hoho.” It said that the founding members “felt the importance of reforming the deeply fragmented Naga society, Culturally and religiously”.

Therefore, it said the suffix “Reformation” was adopted as a beginning towards the end to reform Naga society. “Thus, the nomenclature NSCN- (R) is not in any way meant for the defectors and corrupts,” secretary said. The group described as “unfortunate”

that “tagging Akato Chophy as NSCN/GPRN- (R) is being done purposefully and deliberately with an intention to give legitimacy to an expelled person which is completely unacceptable and is also tantamount to undermine the authority of NSCN- (R).” This was creating confusion among “national workers” and the public besides “encouraging factional enmity by acknowledging an expelled person as NSCN- (R).” It, therefore, urged the responsible media organisations not to tag Akato as NSCN (R) anymore in the interest of peace and to avoid any further misunderstanding/confrontation.

Nui colony members with the seized items.(NP)

Rev Sunep with the pineapple peeling machine. (NP)

Paiwang with Health department officials at the launch of ‘first 1,000 days’ campaign. (NP)

(AFP Graphics)

Various programmes organised for students

DIMAPUR, APR 20 (NPN): With an objective to deliver holistic education to students, educational institutions and other organisations have been organising various programmes as part of academic and extra-curricular activities.

GOVERNOR LA GANESAN GRACES PGC’S CULTURAL DAY

cultural diversity and showcase of the young and talented artistes was a reflection of the shared pride in the college history and traditions. He also extended his gratitude to all students, staffs and guests for making the event a reality.

DISCIPLESHIP BIBLE COLLEGE HOLDS CONVOCATION

Governor of Nagaland, La Ganesan graced the one-day “Cultural Day” of the Phek Government College (PGC) on April 20 at the college premises. The cultural day was observed under the theme, “Our Culture, Our Heritage”.

The Governor was accompanied by minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along. There were two sessions – inaugural session followed by competition of cultural events.

Speaking at the programme, the Governor advised the students to become graduates who

AWARENESS CUM MOTIVATIONAL LECTURE AT BENREU

An awareness cum motivational lecture for youth to join Indian Army/ Assam Rifles was organised by Assam Rifles battalion under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) on April 19 at Benreu Government School, Peren.

PRO informed that the lecture covered various aspects like defence forces as a career choice for men and women, different types of entries, career progression in defence forces, advantages of a career in security forces over other career opportunities, eligibility conditions for various entries and upcoming recruitment schemes. Students were also briefed about various assistance, guidance and training facilities provided by Assam Rifles in enabling them to join security forces. A total of 25 students attended the lecture.

Q.: Do people in Nagaland feel that the absence of an opposition is a nonissue ?

think not for themselves but for their country.

He implored each one to think of the sacrifices of their leaders and reflected on Subhas Chandra Bose’s entry to the Naga Hills during the liberation march and pointed how this region remained as the only liberated territory in Naga Hills under the administration of ‘Azad Hind Dal.’ He also exhorted the college fraternity to be custodians of culture and encouraged more cultural events as it fosters a sense of belongingness and pride to one’s identity.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Temjen

Imna Along lauded PGC’s effort in catering to the educational needs of the young people of the community in Phek district. He said that the institution’s success has always been doted upon. He encouraged and challenged the fraternity to continue striving for excellence.

Delivering the welcome address, principal PGC, Dr. T. Tiakaba Jamir stated that it was a historic day for the institution having the Governor as its chief guest and beseeched his esteemed office for support even in the days to come. The principal said that this celebration of

The inaugural session was chaired by assistant prof department of Political Science, Dr. Levinu Sakhrie; invocation by assistant professor department of Education, Vevolu Khamo; folk song presentation by the BA 6th semester students; cultural dance by PGC cultural troupe and vote of thanks was delivered by assistant professor department of History, Dr. Nutazo Lohe.

The second session was compered by Kuveduvo Vero and Vebulu Thira, while the judges for the various cultural competitions were librarian PGC, Akhrienuo and assistant professors, Lidemo B. Kithan and Keneisenuo Mepfhüo. Various cultural performances during the second session included Tati presentation and folk song. Competition between the four groups - BA 6th, BA 4th, BA 2nd and B.Sc were storytelling (folk tale), drama (folklore), choir, traditional fire making, snail eating competition, traditional games like Chechhi (top spinning), Chülu (beans striking), pole stick walking and pole climbing.

Discipleship Bible College (DBC) held its 40th convocation programme on April 19 at the College Campus, with Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) pastor Rev. I. Wati, as the guest speaker. Addressing the students, Rev. Wati dwelled on three questions, “Who are we serving?”, “Who are we following”” and “Who are we seeking on earth?”.

Before starting a ministry, the speaker said one should be clear of whom they are serving otherwise it would not be fruitful and not fulfil the purpose of God’s calling. He said, “The calling on each of our life is to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rev. Wati also asserted that it was impossible to

SJU ORGANISES ‘HUMAN SECURITY TALK’, STUDY TOUR & WORLD BOOK DAY

In sepa rate events, the Cultural Club of St. Joseph University (SJU) on April 17 undertook a study trip to Kisama based on the theme: “Rediscovering our culture”. A total of 39 students participated in the study tour under the supervision of associate professors, Dr. Elonbeni Ngullie and Narsen Ngully.

With an objective of promoting and spreading awareness on reading, copyright issues and publishing, SJU, Nagaland observed “World Book Day” on April 20 at the University Library, under the theme “Retelling Traditions Through Books”.

serve God without following Him and His teachings.

Congratulating the 75 graduating students, Rev. Wati said they have accomplished “great things” academically, and were trained “very well” to now venture out and become the “servants of God”.

He hoped that God would use them for the ministry of His kingdom.

Encouraging the graduates to begin a new journey with the Lord, he said they would face many difficult situations, receive many instructions that might confuse them.

However, Rev. Wati reminded them that they would be serv-

ing God, who would never leave their side.

“The ultimate honour is to be honoured by God, who has created us and loves us so much,” said Rev. Wati.

The convocation programme was chaired by DBC assistant professor, Narola Walling; invocation by assistant professor, Dr Alem Sangtam; welcome note by DBC principal, Rev S Wati; response from the graduating students by Sungjemongla Pongen; scripture passage was read by assistant professor Esther Jamir and assistant professor Imliakum Aier and benediction offered by assistant professor, Dr Perong. (Staff Reporter)

ITCS GRADUATION DAY

Political Science Department, St. Joseph University (SJU) Chumoukedima organised its first edition of the “Human Security Talk” on April 19 with the intention of emphasising and thereby enhancing the seven dimensions of human security in Nagaland. While giving the introductory note, Dr. Shonreiphy Longvah emphasised that the idea of human security represents a paradigm shift because it aims to ensure the seven dimensions of security listed by UNDP. He shared

NEXT POLL

Q: Will a women-market in Dimapur promote local products and uplift the economy?

that in the context of Nagaland, health security appears to be one of the most neglected facets of human security.

Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), director, Dr. Sedevi Angami emphasised the significance of “mind-mapping” health, which involves prioritising numerous factors like sleep, stress, food, and exercise.

Speaking on the resilience capacity of the Nagas, he claimed that the Naga society lacks the capacity to deal with challenging circumstances

as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic catastrophe. “The most important thing Naga lacks right now is resilience,” said Dr. Sedevi, and therefore, implored that Nagas must pay special attention on the issue of how to become a more resilient society. During the interactive session, several issues such as the state of one’s mental health, the communitisation of health in societies with strong social capital, the level of resilience of Nagaland in the event of a stronger corona wave, etc. were thoroughly discussed.

LECTURE SERIES ON GEOSCIENCES AT PCC

Speaking at the occasion as special invitee, associate editor, The Morung Express, Dr Moalemba Jamir, highlighted the importance of oral memory harvesting, especially in the context of Naga society, and underscored the importance of research.

During the programme, a book titled “Sustainable Environment, Manifestation and Augmentation” was jointly released by Dr. Moalemba Jamir and SJU Professor Fr. Sunny Joseph.

In the second session, around 25 students took part in the costume and art-work competitions.

Immanuel Theological College and Seminary, Chumoukedima held its first graduation programme on Thursday at the college chapel hall, under the theme “God with us” (Mathew 1:23).

20 students graduated this year. There were also two students in Diploma Theology, two Bachelor in Theology, 11 Master of Divinity and five Master of Theology who completed their respective courses.

During the event, proficiency awards in different departments (M. Div/ M. Th), best preach-

DVYSO condemns forest fire; appeals for ‘special attention’

DIMAPUR: Dihoma Village Youth and Sports Organization (DVYSO) while condemning the recent fire incidents that razed thousands of hectares of the Dihoma Village Forest, stated that massive loss of the natural resources, cultivation and projects through April 8 and April 17 fire incidents needed “special attention” from the authority concerned.

In a press release, Dihoma Village Youth and Sports Organization said some unknown persons on April 8 set fire at Keyake area which burned for over three days and destroyed a vast area (Nyaphe, Sikhrizou range) of the village virgin forest, cultivated land, sites of various projects.

ing award in three categories, academic excellence award, life ministry award and attendance award were conferred.

KABA mission and evangelism, associate pastor Imna Zulu, who was guest speaker while congratulating the graduating students, encouraged them on few principles - to get one’s priority right with God, to be ready to face the challenges, get their perspective right, upgrade and update oneself, to let their life be driven with vision and dreams and to be authentic beyond integrity.

At the event, Newsletters was released by NPRH Chumoukedima, additional director and ITCS board member, Dr. N. Adaho.

Earlier, invocation prayer was offered by lecturer Dr. Lawrence Yanthan, conferring of degree certificates and awards by academic dean, Nokchatoshi Aier, scripture reading by lecturer Tsutsuthong Y Tikhir.

Later, vote of thanks was delivered by vice principal Dr. Samuel Venuh and benediction by lecturer Litho Thonger. (Staff Reporter)

DC Kohima issues directives to medical/pharmacy shops

One-day lecture series on geosciences was organised by department of Geology, Patkai Christian College on April 19 with Professor Dr. G T Thong from department of Geology Nagaland University and Rita Thurr and D Vincent Whuorie, senior geologists of the Geological Survey of India, Dimapur as resource persons.

Speaking on “Landslide Susceptibility and Risk Assessment of Noklak Town, Nagaland,” Dr GT

Thong highlighted the issues of landslide faced in Noklak areas usually situated on top of the mountain.

Rita Thurr emphasized on heavy metal contamination studies, and heavy metal poisoning due to exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic.

D Vincent Whuorei talked about the mapping technique in sedimentary terrain and reading on contour map informing that

the V shaped contour line indicates valleys, ravines and gullies and concentic circular or oval contour lines represent hills. In the interaction session moderated by Dr Ajano Khalo, the speakers answered queries regarding landslide in Noklak; most Arsenic contaminated zone in Nagaland and what is its source; and what will be the solution to alarming landslide in Noklak Town due to Neotectonic activity etc.

DVYSO said another fire incident was reported on April 14 at Dzüü area, engulfing Vierü, Tsiecha, Teiheikha and covering some parts of the village inhabited area. The organisation said the fire destroyed many orange orchards, banana plantation, cash crops, tree plantation, virgin forest, firewood, timber, huts, coffee plantation and many more.

Despite community effort from the villagers, DVYSO said the fire could not be brought under control and was still blazing across surrounding areas after burning down over 2000 hectares.

The organisation said the village has banned forest fire for over a decade and strongly condemned the act of those individual/group whose act has affected the livelihood of the people.

Further, Dihoma Village Youth and Sports Organization cautioned any person from practicing such activity within the village jurisdiction and warned that strict actions as per the law of the land would be taken against defaulters.

DIMAPUR: In compliance with the rules concerning sale of certain drugs selling which are restrictive in nature, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima Shanavas C has issued directives to be followed by the medical/ pharmacy shops under Kohima district selling schedule X or H drugs, as per Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, and Drugs & Cosmetic Rules 1945.

According to a DIPR report, DC Kohima has directed all medical/pharmacy shops to strictly strictly adhere to the following directives: Drugs mentioned under Schedule ‘X’ & ‘H’ should be sold only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner and only the amount specified in the prescription.

The sale of such drugs should be recorded in a separate register mentioning the name and address

of the prescriber, patient and the quantity of the drug sold. All pharmacies/ medical stores selling Schedule ‘X’ and ‘H’ to install CCTV cameras inside and outside the premises of their respective shops within one month period from the date of issue of the order along with proper footage recording and storage of minimum two months data.

Further, DC Kohima informed that regular checking of the CCTV cameras as well as registers maintained by the pharmacies/ medical stores shall be carried out by the District Drug Controller Authority/ District Enforcement Force, Kohima and a monthly report would be submitted to DC Kohima. The DC cautioned that non-compliance of the directives by any pharmacies/ medical stores would invite legal action under penal provisions of the law.

Graduating students, faculty members and resource persons during the convocation programme. (NP)

Governor La Ganesan being felicitated during the cultral day of PGC on Thursday.

Special invitee Dr Moalemba with students and teaching faculties at the ‘World Book Day’.

Graduating students, faculty members and resource persons during the graduation day. (NP)

Students, teaching faculties and students during the lecture on Geoscience at PCC.

Assam-Arunachal sign border pact ending disputes

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): Ending their over 50-year-old border dispute, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday signed an agreement in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here which will bring settlement to 123 villages located along areas the two northeastern states share.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-kmlong border which has been in dispute since the latter was made a union territory in 1972.

Shah said the dispute over 123 villages on both sides of the inter-state border has been resolved once and for all at a time when the country is celebrating its 75th year of Independence.

He said it was a historic event for both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh resolving their long boundary dispute amicably.

Shah exuded optimism that the boundary settlement would usher in all-round development and peace in the Northeast as the agreement ended the border dispute which has been lingering since 1972.

“It is a big moment for the entire northeastern region which has been witnessing all round development ever since the Naren-

dra Modi government came to power in 2014,” he said. The home minister said Modi has been actively promoting the growth of languages, literature and culture of the Northeast and the recent record-breaking performance of Bihu dance was a shining example.

He said that the report of the Local Commission on the border dispute kept circling around for decades, which has now been accepted by both the states. Shah said today’s agreement will prove to be a milestone in the direction of realising Modi’s dream of a developed, peaceful and conflictfree Northeast.

Shah said that since 2018, the central government has signed several accords including with Bru

tribals, insurgent groups NLFT and some belonging to Assam’s Karbi Anglong and established peace and ended violence in the Northeast.

He said as compared to 2014, there has been a 67 per cent reduction in incidents of violence, 60 per cent reduction in the number of deaths of security forces and 83 per cent reduction in the number of civilian deaths in the Northeast, which is a big achievement.

The home minister said the Modi government has withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from most of places in Assam, 15 police stations in 6 districts in Manipur, all but 3 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, 7 districts in Nagaland, and entire Tripura and

Mizoram is the happiest state in India, says study

AIZAWL, APR 20 (AGENCIES): Mizoram has been declared the happiest state in India, as per a study. The research, conducted by Rajesh K Pillania, a professor of strategy at the Management Development Institute in Gurugram, shared several factors that makes the state situated in the North Eastern part of India the happiest in the country.

Mizoram, which is the second state in India to achieve 100 per cent literacy, offers students opportunities for growth even in the most difficult of circumstances, according to a report by the news agency ANI.

The study suggested that Mizoram’s happiness index is based on six parameters including family relationships, work-related issues, social issues and philanthropy, religion, Covid-19’s effect on happiness and physical and mental health.

“A study of the Government Mizo High School (GMHS) in Aizwal, Mizoram, has had to face many difficulties since his father abandoned his family when he was young. Despite this, he remains optimistic

Political talks between ZUF and GoI held in Delhi

Meghalaya.

Assam chief minister

Sarma termed the signing of the MoU as historic and said the deal would be a harbinger of peace and prosperity.

He said after 51 years, one of India’s longest running inter-state disputes comes to a decisive end and this breakthrough has been possible due to the prime minister’s blessings, guidance of the union home minister and unstinted support from Arunachal Pradesh chief minister.

“Today’s agreement with Arunachal Pradesh is in line with similar efforts made with Meghalaya in last two years. This will boost the spirit of bonhomie in the Northeast and strengthen our federal structure as it brings a new paradigm to resolve differences between states,” he said.

Arunachal Pradesh

chief minister Khandu termed the settlement of boundary dispute as “momentous and historic” and exuded confidence that it would bring about a sea change on the peace and development of both the states.

He said the agreement has been possible due to the initiative and political will of the prime minister and the union home minister

NSA team meets Amritpal’s aides at Dibrugarh jail

GUWAHATI, APRIL 20

(IANS): A five-member National Security Agency (NSA) team has met nine associates of fugitive Sikh radical preacher Amritpal Singh at Dibrugarh Central jail, where they have been lodged since last month.

Also, family members of an inmate, Daljit Singh Khalsi, a cadre of Amritpal’s Waris Punjab De (WPD) outfit, have also come to Dibrugarh central jail.

and active cooperation of the Assam government led by Sarma.

Out of the 123 villages claimed by Arunachal Pradesh before the Local Commission in 2007, 71 have been amicable resolved so far.

This includes 27 villages resolved through the Namsai Declaration on July 15, 2022 and 34 villages through this MoU.

Out of the 71 villages, one village will be included in Assam from Arunachal Pradesh, 10 villages will continue in Assam and 60 villages will be included in Arunachal Pradesh from Assam.

Out of the remaining 52 villages, the village boundary of 49 villages is to be finalised by the regional committees in next six months while three villages situation inside the IAF bombing range will require rehabilitation.

Officials said the agreement will end the dispute relating to 123 villages along the border keeping in view the historical perspective, demographic profile, administrative convenience, proximity to the border and the aspirations of the residents.

Under the pact, both the state governments have

agreed that it will be final with regards to these 123 disputed villages and neither of the states will make any new claim related to any area or village in future.

After the agreement, a detailed survey will be carried out by the Survey of India in the presence of representatives of both the state governments to determine the boundaries of both the states, officials said.

Sarma said as a goodwill gesture, the Arunachal Pradesh government will hand over a large tract of land under in possession in Assam’s Jorhat to the Assam government. Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a union territory in 1972, has been maintaining that several forested tracts in the plains traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities and these were “unilaterally” transferred to Assam earlier. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed, which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. Assam contested this and the matter was in the Supreme Court for a long time.

DIMAPUR, APR 20

(NPN): After the signing of the CoO agreement between Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and Government of India on December 27, 2022, the first round of official and political between the two parties was held on the April 19 at New Delhi.

A press release by ZUF deputy secretary, ministry of Information & publicity Alur Seikho stated that the charter of political demand with relevance documents for references was submitted as the basis for discussion in a cordial manner.

The release stated that both sides have understood each other positions and agreed to continue the dialogue on the dynamics of the Homeland demand at the earliest. The discussion

has affirmed to address the long drawn Zeliangrong political issues that was left unaddressed for decades with the passing away of Rani Gaidinliu, the then President of Zeliangrong People Convention and freedom fighter of India. The release further stated that the legacy of Haipou Jadonang and Ranima for homeland Is now picked up by Zeliangrong United Front and processed for resolving the Zeliangrong political Aspiration. The first round of official and political talk has paved the way forward to define an ultimate political solution in fulfilment of the long cherish dream of the Zeliangrong kindred people, the release added.

3rd BJP MLA quits administrative post in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 20: Amid speculations of rift within the ruling Manipur BJP, one more party legislator tendered his resignation from the administrative post of the Biren-led government.

MLA Paonam Brojen tendered his resignation from the post of chairmanship of the Manipur Development Society (MDS) on Thursday on “personal grounds”.

Paonam Brojen

He was among the four MLAs who recently met Union minister of state for DoNER BL Verma. Other MLAs were Th Radheshyam, Karam Shyam and K Raghumani Singh. The fourth MLA, Khwairakpam Raghumani, has filed a complaint with the Manipur police against the BJP state Minority Morcha president for ‘threatening’ him through a Facebook post.

and excels in his studies. He hopes to become a chartered accountant or appear for civil services exams if his first choice does not work out,” the report said.

Researchers stated that Mizoram’s social structure also contributes to the happiness of its youth. It has been observed that every child in the Mizo community, regardless of gender, starts earning early.

The report added, “No task is considered too small and youths typically find employment around the age of 16 or 17. This is encouraged, and there is no

discrimination between girls and boys.” At the high school level, teachers in state regularly meet with students and their parents to address any problems they may be facing. Children feel that they can speak about their problems with their teachers and parents. As per the report, Mizoram has a hugh number of “broken families” but having peers who are facing similar situations like working mothers, financial independence from an early age means children are not left bereft.

Meghalaya TMC legislators holding parleys with BJP

Correspondent

SHILLONG, APR 20:

Four Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators in Meghalaya are holding parleys with senior BJP leaders to join the party, a party official said on Thursday.

Former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma together with his daughter Miani D Shira, Dr. Mizanur Rahman Kazi and Rupa M Marak are likely to join the BJP with discussions being held with top BJP leaders.

“Talks of the merger of the TMC legislators with the BJP are at a preliminary stage and more details would emerge in the days ahead,” a senior BJP leader who wished not to be quoted said.

When contacted, State BJP president Ernest Mawrie feigned ignorance over the matter and said : “I have no information of TMC legislators readiness to join the BJP.”

On the other hand, TMC state President,

Charles Pyngrope said he is unaware of the move of the four legislators.

“I really have no idea about them joining BJP . Whether Dr. Mukul Sangma and others are joining the BJP that I don’t know because nothing has been discussed within the party,” Pyngrope said.

Sangma left the grandold Congress party together with 12 Congress legislators before the assembly elections and joined the Bengalbased TMC.

MP Gupta takes charge as IG of BSF’s Tripura Frontier

AGARTALA, APR 20 (PTI):

Senior IPS officer MP Gupta took charge as the Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force’s (BSF) Tripura Frontier, an official said on Thursday.

Gupta was given a guard of honour after he took charge on Wednesday. Later, he called on the state’s Chief Secretary

JK Sinha. Gupta, an Indian Police Service officer of the 1995 batch of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was posted as joint director of Border Security Force Academy at Takenpur in Madhya Pradesh in his last assignment. The Northeastern states of Tripura has an 856 km border with Bangladesh.

MP Gupta

However, they were not accompanied by the NSA team, according to police sources.

A source close to the Dibrugarh central jail authority said that Khalsi’s wife is also in the jail to meet him.

The NSA team was headed by retired justice Shabihul Hasnain, Suveer Sheokand, Divanshu Jain, Rakesh Agarwal, the IGP of Punjab, and Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, the SP of Punjab Police.

As per jail sources, they went to the Dibrugarh Central Jail on Wednesday evening and were in the jail compound for a few hours.

He is the third legislator of the ruling BJP in Manipur to have resigned from their respective administrative posts within a fortnight.

“I tender my resignation from the post of chairman of Manipur Development Society Imphal due to some personal grounds. This may be kindly accepted,’ Brojen wrote to chief minister N Biren Singh.

Earlier, two legislators of the ruling party tendered their resignation from the government administrative posts citing disappointment over the way the chief minister dealt with them.

Thokchom Radheshyam, the cop-turned politician elected from Heirok AC of Thoubal AC on BJP ticket quit as the advisor to the chief minister citing

that he was not given any responsibility.

It was followed by MLA Karam Shyam who tendered his resignation as a chairman of Tourism Corporation Manipur Limited complaining that he had “not been assigned any responsibility”, almost similar ground with the former MLA.

Even though, he gave a different reason for his resignation, Brojen who was elected from Wangjing-Tentha AC of Thoubal district also expressed his resentment under the leadership of chief minister N Biren, in a video released to the media houses and social media platforms after submitting the resignation letter. He stated that he could do nothing as a chairman

HPC approves reconstruction of new dome of Meghalaya assembly

Correspondent

SHILLONG, APR 20: A High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Thursday gave its financial approval to the “new design” of the dome for the reconstruction of the collapsed dome of the new assembly building at Mawdiangdiang.

The HPC was chaired by Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker, Thomas Sangma and was also attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira and legislators Charles Pyngrope (Trinamool Congress,) Lahkmen Rymbui (United Democratic Party) and Banteidor Lyngdoh (People’s Democratic Front).

Chief Secretary, Donald Philips Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary, Meghalaya Assembly, Andrew Simons and other government officials also attended the meeting.

“The HPC sat to give

administrative approval to the new dome design and also there was some financial approval required. The scope of work has also increased,” the Speaker said.

The new design for the reconstruction of the dome has been vetted by IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati. Earlier, the design for the collapsed dome was vetted by IIT Roorkee, however, it collapsed on May 22 last year.

The collapse of the dome led to a huge controversy with the opposition political parties demanding a probe into it.

The ruling National People’s Party was accused of nepotism and corruption for the dome collapse and questions were raised on the construction company as well as IIT Roorkee which had vetted the design.

Meanwhile, the Speaker said that after the administrative approval was given by the HPC, the work on the reconstruction of the assembly building would begin soon.

Sangma also informed that the HPC has appointed a Programme Monitoring Committee as per the observations made by IIT Guwahati in the report on the collapse of the dome. This committee would constantly conduct quality control and technical checks during the work progress. Most of the work to construct the new assembly building has been completed and it’s likely that the assembly building would be inaugurated during this year, officials said.

of the MDS as no adequate fund was allocated to the society despite his repeated proposal directly to the chief minister.

Besides, he has been out of the state for the last one month as he could not clear the bills for the development works taken up in his constituency on the advice of the chief minister. He alleged non- releasing of funds for bills for the road development works to the tune of Rs five crore taken up in his constituency before 2022 despite repeated assurance from the chief minister.

Interestingly, Brojen was among four MLAs of the ruling party currently in Delhi reportedly to meet the party’s Central leadership and voice their grievances.

Their moves created speculation of dissent as brewing in the Biren Singhled BJP government.

Since their meeting with the Union minister, speculations were rife that some BJP MLAs were camping at the national capital to raise their grievances under the leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh.

On the other hand, to take stock of the latest development within the party, BJP Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra is likely to arrive in Imphal tomorrow.

The state unit of the party is also convening a meeting tomorrow and Sambit Patra is likely to attend the meeting in which all the ministers and MLAs of the ruling BJP are likely to attend.

REJOINDER TO AFFIDAVIT OF DECLARATION PUBLISHED BY SMTI. SUBENI MURRY ON NAGALAND POST, DATED. 20/04/2023.

I Shri. James Murry, S/o. Lt. Ravungo Murry, R/o. Longsa Village, declare through an Affidavit No. 332/2022, Dated. 15/07/2022, that I have sold the land/premises situated at Duncan Basti, Dimapur, Dimapur ; Nagaland, measuring an area 50x50 Sq.ft to Shri. Y. Chumdemo Murry, R/o. Wokha Village. And that he shall have full right to use the said property.

I Shri. James Murry, eldest son of Lt. Ravungo Murry, do hereby declare in sound mind and good/ robust health that, I inherited the property from my father, Lt. Ravungo Murry, and that any claim from my family members shall be invalid and against our customary law/culture. And that any person dealing with them (My family members) shall be doing it at his/her own risk.

James Murry dC-86/23

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

NAGALAND : KOHIMA

TENDER NOTICE

GENERAL

(AUDIT)

This office requires a building having a minimum of 5 (Five) rooms for use as a Guest House at Dimapur, Nagaland. Building owners who are interested to rent out their building may contact this office at the following phone numbers:

1. 9436070506 - Sr. Audit Officer (Administration)

2. 9318907782 - Sr. Deputy Accountant General (Audit)

Alternatively, they may contact through e-mail at agaunagaland@cag.gov.in.

Interested owner may download the Terms & Conditions from this office website http://cag.gov.in/ag/nagaland/en/tenders or may be obtained from this office on all working days during office hours. This tender is valid upto 15th May 2023 till 4:30 PM.

Amit Shah with Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Thursday.

Delegates of ZUF with GoI representative.

The study suggested that Mizoram’s happiness index is based on six parameters including family relationships, etc.

SNIPPETS

Boy thrashed, paraded naked in Jodhpur market

JODHPUR (RAJ), APR 20 (PTI) : A boy was beaten up, stripped and paraded naked by some traders in a vegetable market here, police said on Thursday.

SHO (Mahamandir)

Harish Solanki said Bhuvnesh (23), a vendor, had reached the market in his vehicle loaded with vegetables on Wednesday and asked Aslam (24) to move aside his loading taxi that he had parked in front of his shop. This led to an argument during which Aslam slapped Bhuvnesh and fled the scene. However, people from near the spot caught hold of a minor who was accompanying Aslam, the Station House Officer said. The people beat up the boy and abused him. The crowd stripped him and paraded him naked in the market in full view of the shopkeepers and visitors, Solanki said.

21 injured in Kolkata gas cylinder blast

KOLKATA, APR 20 (PTI): Altogether 21 people, including two minors, were injured in an LPG cylinder blast at a residential house in Kolkata’s Garden Reach area on Thursday evening, police said. The blast happened at around 6 pm when the occupants were preparing food, a senior officer of Kolkata Police said. “A fire broke out inside a room on the ground floor of a house on Bichalighat Road following a gas cylinder blast. Twenty-one people, including two minors, were injured in the explosion,” he told PTI. All 21 people suffered burn injuries and were hospitalised.

8 held for duping bank customers

MUMBAI, APR 20 (PTI): An inter-state gang allegedly involved in duping people by sending them links to get their bank account KYC updated has been busted, leading to arrests of people from some of Maharashtra as well as Jharkhand and West Bengal, an official said on Thursday. The arrests of eight persons came about after a probe was carried out by four teams of the Mumbai Crime Branch’s cyber police station, he said. “As part of the probe, a call centre where data of various bank customers was being supplied to cyber criminals was raided, leading to the seizure of 15 mobile phones, four laptops, eight CPUs, one router and three debit cards,” he said. “The accused used to send links to the victims asking them to get their account KYCs updated. Once they clicked on the link, the accused could access their mobile phones to carry out transactions,” he said.

Woman thrashed for using public hand pump

ETAH (UP), APR 20 (PTI): A 40-year-old woman, who was allegedly thrashed by three men for using a public hand pump in this Uttar Pradesh district, succumbed to her injuries in a hospital on Thursday, said police. The incident took place in Lalpur Dehamafi village of the Marhara police station area on Saturday. An FIR has been lodged in this connection against three persons on the complaint of the woman’s husband Rinku and action is being taken, police said, adding that both the deceased and the accused belong to the same caste.

Modi bashes ‘rich countries’ on climate crisis

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the world is passing through challenges such as war, economic instability, terrorism, religious extremism and climate change and asserted that Lord Buddha’s ideas offer a solution to these problems.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Global Buddhist Summit here, Modi took a swipe at rich countries, saying the world is facing a climate change crisis now because in the last century, “some countries stopped thinking about others and the coming generations”.

“For decades they kept thinking that meddling with nature will not impact them. They kept putting it on others,” he said.

Emphasising that the path shown by Lord Buddha is the “path of the future and sustainability”, the prime minister also said that “had the world followed His teachings, it would not have faced the climate change crisis”.

In his address, Modi quoted ancient texts on Lord Buddha’s teachings and said the need of the hour is that people and nations prioritise global interests along with that of their own by drawing inspiration from the Buddha’s philosophy.

This is the road to a happy and stable world. This is necessary to move from self to the wider world, from narrowness to integral (approach), the prime minister said, adding that the world will have to think about the poor and countries lacking resources.

Inspired by the teachings of Lord Buddha, India is taking new initiatives for global welfare, he said.

Modi asserted that India has been following the path shown by the Buddha and cited the country extending help to others, including Turkiye after it was hit by an earthquake, to say that it has treated every human being’s pain as its own.

“Challenges to solutions is the journey of the Buddha (‘samasya se samadhan’). The Buddha didn’t leave his palace because He was in discomfort, He left because he saw and felt the pain of others,” he said.

It is universally accepted that today’s time is the “most challenging time of the century, Modi said.

“Two countries have been at war, the world is going through economic instability, terrorism and religious extremism are assaulting the soul of humanity, climate change crisis is hovering over humanity, glaciers are melting, ecology getting destroyed, species getting extinct. Yet there are crores of people, like those sitting here, who have faith in the Buddha. This faith gives strength,” he said. Among the audience were delegates from 30 countries apart from India. Eminent Buddhist monks, scholars, ambassadors and diplomats are taking part in the summit being hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on April 20 and 21 at The Ashok Hotel here. The theme of the twoday summit is “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”.

Modi, in his address, recalled his speech at the United Nations a few years ago and said, “India didn’t give war to the world, it gave the Buddha.”

In his opening remarks, the prime minister said that this “land of Buddha has the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo

Atiq-Ashraf case: SIT arrests three more

Bhava’ and the presence of so many venerable Buddhist monks from various parts of the world who follow his teachings make “us feel the presence of Lord Buddha”.

Lord Buddha is a consciousness beyond a person, a thinking beyond form, and the Buddha’s consciousness is eternal and perennial, Modi said. He said the summit will provide an “effective platform” for putting together efforts of all countries in the direction of achieving a peaceful and prosperous world while fostering sustainability.

Platforms like IBC are giving the opportunity to “like-minded and like-hearted countries” to spread Buddha Dhamma and peace, Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi noted that his government has constantly endeavoured to propagate the Buddha’s ideas and highlighted the deep links Buddhism has with Gujarat’s Vadnagar, his birthplace where archaeological artefacts have been found and his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi which is close to Sarnath.

He said the summit was taking place at a time when India has completed 75 years of Independence and celebrating “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”. The world is watching this coun-

All accused acquitted in Gujarat riots case

AHMEDABAD, APR 20

(AGENCIES): Former Gujarat minister and BJP leader Maya Kodnani and the Bajrang Dal’s Babu Bajrangi are among over 60 accused who have been acquitted in the Naroda Gam case during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A special court in Ahmedabad gave its judgment today in the communal riots case in which 11 Muslims were killed when their homes were set on fire in Ahmedabad’s Naroda Gam.

Samshad Pathan, the lawyer of the victims, told NDTV they will challenge the acquittal in the Gujarat High Court.

“This verdict is not just against the victims, but against the SIT (special investigation team) which did its work properly and charged 86 accused. This verdict is against the Supreme Court. The victims will get justice even if over 20 years have passed,” Mr Pathan told NDTV, refer-

ring to the SIT formed by the Supreme Court.

The lawyer said they don’t know on what basis the special court acquitted all the accused, adding they are waiting for a copy of the order. “We had all the evidence against the accused. From FSL (foreign science laboratory) reports to cell tower location to eyewitnesses,” Mr Pathan said. Home Minister Amit Shah appeared in court as a defence witness for Ms Kodnani in 2017. She was

a minister in the Gujarat government headed by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2002, when the riots broke out following the burning of a coach of the Sabarmati Express in which Hindu pilgrims were travelling in Gujarat’s Godhra.

“All the accused have been acquitted. We are waiting for a copy of the judgement,” the lawyer of those who have been acquitted told reporters outside the special court of SK Baxi today. Kodnani was also

Same-sexmarriage:Peoplemovingaway fromnotionofhavingmalechild,saysSC

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): The Supreme Court bench, which is hearing arguments on a batch of pleas seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriage, observed on Thursday people are moving away from the notion that one must have a male child and this is due to the spread and impact of education.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, who is heading the five-judge constitution bench which is hearing the matter, also touched upon the notion that only the very highly educated or elitist want fewer children.

“Just as in the case of heterosexual couples now, with the spread of education, the pressures of the modern age, increasingly, couples are either childless or single child couples and therefore you see even populist countries like China now really losing out in demographic dividends as populations are increasingly becoming elderly,” said the CJI.

“Why? Because the young who are highly educated do not want to have more children. That’s a matter of choice,” Justice Chandrachud observed

while hearing the matter for the third straight day.

Regarding the notion that it is only the very highly educated or elitist who want fewer children, the CJI said one needs to only talk to the people who work in cities like Delhi.

“You talk to people who are close to you and you find that most of them will say we want to have one child,” he said, adding, “My chauffeur has one daughter.”

“There is certain degree of awareness, also a feeling that well, you know people are moving away from the notion that you must have a boy. That is the spread of education, the impact of education that you may just have a single child,” the CJI observed.

convicted in the Naroda Patiya riots case in which 97 people were massacred and was sentenced to 28 years. She was later discharged by the Gujarat High Court.

The massacre at Naroda Gam was one of the nine major 2002 communal riots cases investigated by the SIT appointed by the Supreme Court and heard by special courts.

Over 80 people were named as accused in the Naroda Gam case; 18 died during trial.

The acquittal comes as a setback for the families of those who died in the Naroda Gam massacre.

The latest acquittal is likely to raise a big political storm, especially after 11 men convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case were given remission just before the Gujarat election last year in November. Seven members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter, were also murdered in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

try of 140 crore people, understanding it and also accepting it, Modi said.

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “This Global Buddhist Summit will also help in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties with other countries.”

During the course of the summit, discussions will be held on peace, environment, morality, health, and sustainability, among others, he said. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “India is the birthplace of Buddhism. By hosting this summit, India is not only doing its duty, but it is also showing the way forward”.

Modi, in his address, emphasised on sustainability and said that every action of man, from the choice of clothing, eating and vehicles used for travelling, impacts the environment.

“If we work together, we can also tackle this issue as is being envisioned through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). If we have to move forward in the right direction, we will have to move beyond our self-interest and the Buddha should not just be a ‘pratik’ but ‘pratibimb’ too,” he said.

Before his address, the prime minister visited a photo exhibition and offered flowers to a statue of Lord Buddha.

LUCKNOW, APR 20

(IANS): T he three assailants, who shot dead gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf, were trained to behave like real journalists before they joined a group of media persons at the hospital where the brothers were shot dead.

Three men, who helped the main accused in the murder of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother, in pretending to be a reporter have been detained by the Special Investigation Team, the police said on Thursday.

Three men, who work for a local news website, showed the ropes of reporting to Tiwari and helped him buy a camera, the police said. They have been detained from the railway station in Banda by the Special Investigation Team probing the case. The killers, Lovelesh Tiwari, Arun Maurya and Sunny Singh, had

trailed the arrested gangster as journalists for an entire day before shooting him in front of television cameras and dozens of policemen on April 15, said the police. Meanwhile, search for Shaista Parveen continued on Thursday also. “Raids were conducted in search of Shaista Parveen, wife of gangster Atiq Ahmed. A search operation was conducted after receiving information about some criminals hiding. The operation lasted for about two hours. A drone camera was also used in the operation. However, the operation did not prove successful today,” senior police officer Samar Bahadur said.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, as well as in the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP leader’s murder, in February this year.

Excise Policy case: Sisodia kingpin of conspiracy, CBI tells HC

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): The CBI Thursday claimed before the Delhi High Court that former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, arrested in connection with the excise policy scam case, is involved in commission of grave economic offences and is key to unravelling the modus operandi of the crime.

The submissions were made by the CBI in a short written reply while opposing the senior AAP leader’s bail plea, which it said was devoid of any merit and was an attempt to misuse the intricacies of law to thwart the progress of investigation in the case.

While the CBI contended that Sisodia is the “kingpin and architect of the conspiracy” and his influence and clout disentitle him to any parity with the co-accused enlarged on bail, the AAP leader urged the high court to grant him

bail claiming no money trail linking him to the proceeds of alleged crime has been found.

His lawyers had sought parity for him with other accused who have got the relief and said Sisodia is not in a position to influence the witnesses in the case or tamper with evidence.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, after hearing the arguments of Sisodia’s lawyers, fixed April 26 for submissions by CBI counsel.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested Sisodia for alleged

corruption in formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 on February 26 following several rounds of questioning.

On March 31, the trial court here had dismissed Sisodia’s bail plea in the matter, saying he was “prima facie the architect” of the “scam” and had played the “most important and vital role” in the criminal conspiracy related to alleged payment of advance kickbacks of Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government. Challenging the trial court’s order denying bail, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Sisodia, said the lower court has not considered the medical condition of the AAP leader’s wife who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. He said the condition of Sisodia’s wife was deteriorating.

India working on possible evacuation in ‘tense’ Sudan

Indians.

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): As fighting between two rival forces rages in Sudan, India on Thursday said the situation in that country is “very tense” and it is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation.

or a ceasefire; where it is happening, what is available in terms of locations where we can safely take people away,” he said.

He was responding to a question on whether India is looking to evacuate its citizens from Sudan.

The observations by the bench, which also comprises Justices S K Kaul, S R Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha, came when senior advocate K V Viswanathan, appearing for one of the petitioners, was advancing his submissions.

The arguments in the matter remained inconclusive and will resume on April 24.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the apex court had said the state cannot discriminate against an individual on the basis of sexual characteristic over which the person has no control.

It had asserted that the Centre has no data to back up its claim that the concept of same-sex marriage is “elitist” or “urban”.

New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan besides being in touch with relevant countries, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing and added that any evacuation plan will depend on the ground situation. “We are in readiness of taking multiple options. There are contingency plans. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground. But it will all depend on how long there is a pause in the fighting

Bagchi also said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on the situation in Sudan.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country’s army and a paramilitary group for the last seven days that has reportedly left around 200 people dead. Jaishankar has already spoken to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on the ground situation in violence-hit Sudan with a focus on ensuring the safety of the

In a tweet, Jaishankar said he discussed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry the “concerning” situation in Sudan and deeply valued his “assessments and insights, as also his very helpful attitude.” Asked about reports suggesting attacks on the Indian embassy in Khartoum, Bagchi said it is located just opposite the airport in the city and that zone has seen a lot of fighting.

“There has been some shelling as well. I would not be able to specifically comment on whether it has happened specifically outside the embassy but yes there are reports that in that zone where there are many embassies, attacks are going on,” he said. On possible evacuation, Bagchi said they will depend on the ground situation.

Fugitive Amritpal’s wife detained at Amritsar airport

AMRITSAR, APR 20 (PTI): Fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped from boarding a flight to London at the Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport here, sources said on Thursday. She was questioned by the immigration authorities and some other officials for more than three hours and thereafter, asked to return along with some relatives who had come to see her off at the airport.

Singh married Kaur,

a UK-based Non-Resident

Indian, on February 10.

Kaur, who is a British citizen, reached the airport at around 12 noon to board the flight to London but was

stopped by the immigration staff and later, the Punjab Police was informed.

According to reports, she was stopped at the airport as there was a lookout circular (LoC) issued against her, however, there was no official word on it. Punjab Police officials too refused to share any information about the incident. The Air India flight for London took off at its scheduled time of 1.20 pm. Kaur was going to the UK for the first time after her marriage. More than a month after a police crack-

down against Singh and his aides, the radical preacher continues to remain elusive even as a manhunt to nab him is underway. Police launched the crackdown against Singh and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ on March 18. He and his associates were booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

Ex-MLA Maya Kodnani along with advocates comes out of the Sessions Court after the verdict. (PTI)

Kirandeep Kaur

Manish Sisodia

Narendra Modi

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf before being killed.

ILP- easier said than done

Afireincident in dimapur on April 9 has cascaded into a series of events and ultimately resulted in the district administration of dimapur to implement the ILp in the district with November 21,1979 as cut off date. That would also mean shifting ILp check gates to dimapur-Karbi Anglong border from Chümoukedima when it was under dimapur distrct . Today, the newly created Chümoukedima and Niuland districts will also have to take the call on ILp otherwise the entire exercise would be in vain. What has nudged the district authorities into action, was a report carried in this newspaper on April 17, citing video clips on social media, of show scores of suspected illegal immigrants blatantly and forcibly grabbing and pulling hose pipes from fire tenders which went to contain the blaze. The report in the newspaper and video clips on social media, had also drawn the attention of the district authorities and police who held a joint meeting with other stakeholders on April 17. The meeting decided to constitute a Joint Task Force(JTF) comprising of district administration and police to implement the ILp in dimapur. It may be noted that the erstwhile dimapur sub-division was excluded from the ILp regime since it was not a tribal area. It was only on November 21,1979 that dimapur was declared a tribal area but still, the ILp was not notified for the next 40 years.As pressures gained to check illegal immigrants, the demand for ILp in dimapur became vociferous. In order to implement the ILp, the state cabinet on February 15,2019 approved the proposal to bring dimapur district under the ambit of the ILp (the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873). The cabinet reaffirmed the decision and ILp was made applicable to dimapur through a notification dated december 11,2019. The state government also decided the cut-off date as November 21,1979 to determine who is and who is not an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland since it was on that date and year that dimapur was made a tribal area under the state. In 2019, the cut-off date was not accepted by the state’s apex tribal organisations including indigenous non-Naga communities. Fixing November 21,1979 as a cut-off date raised several problems .One of which was that indigenous inhabitant certificates meant for recognised scheduled tribes of the state were wrongly issued to many ineligible persons. This led to many ineligible persons enjoying the privileges that were meant for indigenous inhabitants, such as availing job opportunities based on 100% reservation of all non-technical and 80% reservation of all other posts, availing scholarships, seats for professional and technical studies, loans etc. The complexity of the exercise also led the government to formulate the Register of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland(RIIN) as notified on June 29,2019. After a series of consultations, the government eventually constituted the Banuo Z.Jamir Commission on RIIN on July 27,2019 and given three months’ time to bring out recommendations . The Commission submitted its recommendation at the end of 2019 and also reiterated the cut-off date as december 1,1963. However, the state government is keeping the report on cold storage and has not made it public. Even the assembly has not debated on the Commission report. Thus, when the dC dimapur decided to implement ILp in dimapur with November 21,1979 as cut-off date; it is clearly going to set the cat among the pigeons.

DailyDevotion

Can a Saint Falsely Accuse God?

All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen… —2 Corinthians 1:20 Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.

The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.”

Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.”

A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way. Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.

Oswald Chambers

Quotes

Creativity and innovation in problem-solving

21ST APRIL IS THE WORLD CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY

Problems are everywhere though positive people call it a challenge still it’s everywhere. From mere personnel issues to global issues like climate change, we could see challenges or problems everywhere around the world. If we cannot solve problems, it means we are increasing more problems for us and others. We need to be creative and innovative to solve problems which can be individual problems or global problems. We should know that there may be no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development.

Therefore, the United Nations designated 21st April as World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) to raise the awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. The creative economy too has no single definition. It is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge and technology. Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based. Creative industries –which include audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and visual arts– are a highly transformative sector of the world economy

in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and community. At the same time, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development, to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic areas in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy. On this day , the world is invited to embrace the idea that innovation is

essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. Innovation, creativity and mass entrepreneurship can provide new momentum towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can harness economic growth and job creation, while expanding opportunities for everyone, including women and youth. It can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems such as poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger. Human creativity and innovation, at both the individual and group levels, have become the true wealth of nations in the twenty-first century. Bringing UN stories to film and television The UN Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI)

is the first point of entry to the United Nations for film and television producers, writers, directors and other content creators. The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) supports innovation projects led by humanitarian organisations where the expertise and technical know-how from the private sector has a role in solving humanitarian challenges.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) seeks to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Almost 300 cities around the world work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart

of their development plans. There is no doubt that creativity and innovation is a must to solve problems and achieve SDGs within the time frame. Together we can bring change when we innovate and think creatively. It has been seen that people who are creative get jobs easily or become successful entrepreneurs and encourage many others. Creative thinking is also one of the core life skills which is essential to become successful in life. Let us try to be creative and innovative and bring changes in our lives and also transform our world in a sustainable way.

(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

Ranjan K Baruah, Ganeshguri,Guwahati.

Weak Government

In the context of formation of government to govern the Naga tribal population, we should say we are very lucky as the Constitution of India and its statute like the Representation of The People’s Act 1950 clearly laid down the mechanism for the election and formation of government every five years. Imagine, by the virtue of the past political struggle, the Nagas could establish a fully independent Nagaland State outside Indian Union, I can confidently say Nagaland would be no different like nation state of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar or of African Nation like Sudan, where political or military coups dominate the countries just mentioned. Nagaland history would be full of coups orchestrated by different political party or by a military; even the term of the first government of the newly created Nagaland State could not complete its term due to political instability not to mention of other episodes where government had to dissolve as politicians and parties struggle for power. Here I shall briefly discuss why we have weak Government:

1. History and Civilizations: if we look at our history, the Tribal Nagas unlike the Ahoms or the Meiteis never had a uniform central authority governing over the entire populations. While the Ahoms and Meeiteis had their Kings and ministers passing out orders and decrees to govern the general populations thereby establishing a sort of rule of law, Nagas were living freely in their own way at their villages with their own set of conducts or in other words how to behave in a society. Even the period from the establishment of the Naga Hills District by the colonial British in 1866 at Samaguting (Chümoukedima)to Nagaland Statehood in 1963, the administrative authority have not done the part of educating the general population to accede to centralized authority without protest

for the customs and our habits made us a highly decentralized society. Even in a village no men bow down to other men except for clan elders to adjudicate and settle disputes, we never had a uniform central authority. And at present, though we have all the paraphernalia of a state, we still live in a highly decentralized manner with our rigid tribal set up and with this attitude, whatever new or alien practice or development are introduced, majority are bound to oppose it. In such reality, the elected representatives who themselves are member of a highly decentralized society and elected to ran government often hesitate to deal with iron hand in implementing new laws and its practices at the face of strong opposition. Where the situation at last leads to a weak government after government running the state for decades.

2. Politics and politicians without ideology: naturally politicians in India and around the world have and follow their own set of political ideologies. Politicians are known worldwide for their political beliefs and their struggles to achieve their political goals for example Vladimir Lenin, Fidal Castro, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Abraham Lincoln to name a few. In Nagaland context, we have politicians without any political ideologies and which can be clearly seen whenever tribal pressure groups or church organizations starts to oppose the government on any issues, our elected representatives consciously or unconsciously would turn into anarchist. The ruling government will stop ruling, bowing to pressures and starts to initiates consultations with CSOs often with no positive results. Once elected, our legislators need to push forward any development or new reformative laws without succumbing to pressure groups demands and tantrums. With the habit of being overruled by tribal organizations, our state will never have a strong government even in the days to come. And all this happen at the first place because we have politi-

With the formation of new government with so many enthusiastically potential candidates, some of the long standing issues have been resurfacing in the recent papers written by some credible writers. Salute to all! Issues, like ULB vs Article 371 A, NLTP, illegal migrants or rather possibly immigrants, G20, climate change, AI etc. with my simple writing as this, I would like to share this few thought of concern which is just another way of speaking for the same.

Who are you? I am a Christian and a Naga. What are you? I am a doctor, engineer, teacher, politician, contractor, director, farmer so on and so forth. Who and what of a person are two inseperably separable words that needed to be clearly and distinctly understood. The setting and making of the system and the person respectively at this juncture is such that we are deeply entrenched, compelled to pursue for the later as it has higher survival chance and is the demand of today. With “what” you

cians without a political ideology for a natural politician with an ideology would do everything in his power to implement his ideologies and policies for the growth of the state. Whereas in Nagaland, a politician is a man of his family, clan village and tribe, there is no room for any political ideology in his mind, even if there is, he or she won’t do anything to about it. As such Nagaland politicians are recognized by his village, tribe identity and wealth, not by his political ideology and a government run by a politicians without a political ideology will always be weak government.

Tribe and its Tribal Organizations

For the sake of a constructive discussion it is high time, the people starts to critically study and review the roles played by our tribal organizations. In Naga context, apex tribe body is sine qua non for the existence of a tribe, like majority of Hindus cannot do away with caste system, Nagas cannot do away with their tribes and apex tribal organization. Like caste, our tribal organizations gets involved in everything be political or social issues as the situations demands, which in many ways act as an official agent of tribalism. As long as tribal organizations remain powerful, tribalism will stay, tribe and its tribal organization are like two side of the same coin and as long the Scheduled Tribe Order 1950 is repealed or replaced by other Order, we Nagas will remain a scheduled tribe, but still, we shall strived to reshaped our tribal organizations to be more of a cultural organization engrossed in preserving our cultural heritage than to poke its nose in every burning issues.

Our Honorable Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has time and again spoken on Tribalism at different platforms, the most notable was on 18.03.2018 at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly during the conclusion of discussion on the Budget Speech where he states that “we all talk about Naga political issue but

can be anybody, anything and anywhere. A saying goes “the only thing which is constant is change “no doubt we are witnessing that. Wait a second! by the way, is it true? I guess it is true to the later but not so for the former. As a kid I was striving hard to become what I am today and was quite content with it for some time but lately and haltingly this “what” is becoming less and less meaningful whereas “who” started to thwart me when challenges comes from these issues. We are to be mindful enough to the fact that this “what” only make us a person of senseless, selfish, a brief glory. It is the root of all kinds of destruction and corruption. The war in Ukraine for instance, I would say, the Russians are fighting for what they are whereas the Ukrainians are fighting for who they are. The divisions among friend circle, family, society etc are all nothing but the consequences of “what”. At this moment, overshadowing the former by the later is overwhelmingly increased, we are fraternizing with more and more

we harbor our isms from individualism to clanism, village and tribalism and not coming up to the level of Nagaism”. Having said it, no formal program was initiated so far to eradicate or reduce tribalism by our Hon’ble Chief Minister who is the most powerful person in the state and is still the head of the state. Here our honorable CM has not pointed the root cause of tribalism and ways to eradicate tribalism, for which I shall briefly discuss how to reduce tribalism in a Naga society:

1. New curriculum in school:- a special course need to be introduced in all our schools whether government run or private establishment, where selected teacher with no tribe leaning should be given the task of educating the students on the evils of tribalism and how to be a good tribal.

2. Doing away with tribe students union in colleges and universities: in colleges and universities, tribe’s students union exists to look after the welfare of its respective members and organizes activities. However, the presence of such respective tribal student unions in colleges and universities do takes tribalism to higher level; tribalism is now institutionalized and deeply rooted in the psyche of the students and once they become somebody, they are bound to be tribe centric. Even student union elections are contested on tribal lines and tribal grouping. Therefore colleges and universities should provide common platform where inclusiveness is given priority.

3. Government role: as far as possible, government as model employer should be fair in recruiting government employees which is another vital step to reduce tribalism.

Women Reservations and Article 371A:

For those who oppose women reservation, no amount of argument will convince them to change their minds and will oppose with all their might. In fact, the current showdown be-

human without humanity. “WHO” On the other hand, defines the core values and true nature of the individual. It is not easily perceivable but acknowledge forever. It protects and preserves the identity, age-old culture and tradition including honesty, rights and languages. “What” make every professional the same profession but “who” makes them different from one another.

It is of utmost relevance and the need of the day to understand and execute in our dealings with the issues that are lying there for years. It gives us reasons to fight with fairness, true strength and courage, it is the one worth dying for and it bears our testimony that will linger on even for the generation to come.

Why are we so helpless, at times hopeless for this long towards these issues? Can’t we do anything? Where is the problem? How do we go about it? I presume some already knows but why? The more I think the more I perceive that the problem is more from within rather than without so

tween the Tribal Organizations, Nagaland Government and the Supreme Court, resembles to the showdown of the extremist Naga nationalists, moderate Naga Nationalists and the Government of India just prior to the Nagaland state was created after the Nagas learned their lesson in a hard way. The topic of women reservation is unavoidable and as long as Nagaland remained under the Indian Union, we cannot escape from the long arm of the laws and the present situation tells that women reservation will be implemented at a heavy price. Nagas never had written laws but now time has changed and even for the custom to be valid, the customary practice has to be reasonable and for argument sake, opposing women reservation which is a part of women rights and empowerment seems to be unreasonable at today’s standard.

In regard to the interpretation of the women reservation infringing Article 371A, it is to be noted that opponents of women reservation seems to be fighting a lost battle and that no law is permanent therefore even women reservation will one day be done away with as our country continues to develop at all front. Therefore the Naga tribal leaders of today ought to show to the world that Nagas are generous even in power sharing with our women folks and let us be a symbol of hope for all the tribal and indigenous community in the world by being liberal and accommodative in our political outlook. For I believe our Naga ancestors won’t be turning in their grave by seeing our present status of women getting involve in political decision making body. “Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking about”.

Gilbert K. Chesterton Pakinrichapbo, Advocate Samziuram Village Peren

Weak Govt, Tribe and its Tribal Orgs, Women Reservations and Art 371A Perceiving from within

also the importance of who I am. I cannot comprehend everything but I realized that all these are pointing towards to the just one word WHO. We can still be who we are whatever we may be. It’s time we put an end to”what” and embraced ourselves with “who”. A friend of mine once jokingly said that, maximum people dash to Nagaland from Babylon (Iraq) when God bring into existence multiple languages in the story of the Tower of Babel. There will be both merits and demerits of having maximum languages; it’s up to us which one to choose, who or what, unity or division. With this identity as Christian and as nagas we can stand and participate with content and courage and contribute with our limited capacity towards our people and our nation, the legacy of which I believe is the greatest of all. May we all conceive the notion and act upon discerningly lest we lost everything forever.

Dr. Vitseilie Phewhuo CMO, NU, SASRD.

“Being happy never goes out of style.”

SNIPPETS

2 tribal girls’ gangraped in Odisha

BHAWANIPATNA, APR

20 (PTI): Two teenage tribal girls were allegedly gang-raped in Odisha’s Kalahandi district when they were returning home after watching jatra, police said on Thursday.

The incident happened on the night of April 16, but a complaint was filed at the Bijepur police station on Wednesday evening after tribal leaders decided to report the matter to the police as the accused are from a different community.

Police said that initially, it was alleged that three girls, in the age group of 14 to 17, were gangraped by five men who stopped them when they were returning home after watching a jatra or folk theatre.

Man posing as Army

Major arrested in UP

MEERUT (UP), APR 20 (PTI): A man was arrested for allegedly posing as an Army Major and duping youths on the false promise of recruiting them into the armed forces as Agniveers, officials said on Thursday.

Identified as Ganesh Bhatt, a resident of Panchkula in Haryana, the accused introduced himself to the people here as Major Dinesh Dahiya, Lalkurti police station in-charge Naresh Kumar said.

Bhatt led a group of 3 to 4 people who used to conduct meetings with defence aspirants and charge them around 5 lakhs. He even wore an Army uniform to give a false impression to the youths, he added.

Surat court rejects Rahul’s plea

CONG SAYS WILL MOVE HC; BJP HAILS VERDICT AS ‘VICTORY’ OF PEOPLE

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): A Surat sessions court order rejecting Rahul Gandhi’s appeal for a stay on his conviction in a defamation case is “devoid of valid, sustainable legal reasoning” and seems to have been “overshadowed” by the high office of the Prime Minister, Congress alleged on Thursday, while the BJP termed the order as a “slap on the Gandhi family’s arrogance” and “victory” of the people.

The Congress also said it will “very shortly” move the High Court against the verdict, which it claimed was “fallacious” and contrary to the basic elementary principles of law. The Surat Court of additional sessions judge R P Mogera on Thursday rejected Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction. If allowed, the stay could have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament (MP).

“A most unfortunate and unsustainable legal decision of the magistrate has been upheld in an even more unsustainable and erroneous judgement of the Sessions court given today. The con-

viction has been upheld contrary to all basic elementary principles of law,” Congress senior spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters at a press conference.

The judge has said “the appellate has insulted and humiliated Mr Modi, the Prime Minister”, and then he mentioned “other 13 crore members of the Modi community”, Singhvi noted.

“It is clear that his entire decision is overshadowed and negatively influenced that Modi has been defamed but he has forgotten that Modi ji is not a complainant...So clearly unfortunately he is influenced by the high office of the prime minister, forgetting that the PM is not the complainant,” Singhvi said. He said he will

India signs deals with EU for cooperation in aviation safety

otiraditya Scindia said India and EU share historical relations and invited industry players from EU to become a part of the fastest growing aviation market in the world.

be moving the High Court to challenge the order.

Hailing the court verdict against Rahul Gandhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the judgement is a “victory” of the judiciary and the people. Hitting out at the Congress, he said the court’s decision is “a blow” to the arrogance of the Gandhi family, “especially Rahul Gandhi.”

“It’s a slap on the Gandhi family’s arrogance... Gandhi family had thought that they could get away after abusing backward classes. But that did not happen,” Patra claimed. The court’s decision proves that the law is equal for everyone, he said at a press conference here.

“This is the victory of the common people of India and the backward classes. This is also a huge victory of the judiciary,” the BJP spokesperson said, adding, “There is a festive atmosphere in the country.”

Patra alleged that the Congress was “mobilising its ecosystem” after Gandhi’s conviction in the case last month “to carry out a movement against the judiciary

Two held in Punjab on charges of human sacrifice

and even got statements issued against India”.

“The Congress ecosystem created an atmosphere that there was bias against Gandhi in the trial court judgment,” the BJP spokesperson alleged.

Slamming the Congress for raising questions on Gandhi’s conviction, Patra said, “Judiciary today said no matter how much pressure politics you resort to, we won’t buckle.” “Today, two entities have been defeated. One is the arrogance of the Gandhi family and the entire ecosystem which comes out on the streets in defence of the Gandhi family. This ecosystem includes some very big people in the country and abroad who swiftly come out in defence of the Gandhi family’s arrogance,” Patra said.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur said Rahul Gandhi still has time to seek an apology from the nation. His conviction in the case proves that the Congress dynast intentionally insulted the OBC community of India in the name of abusing and attacking PM Modi, he alleged.

5 Army soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Poonch

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 20 (IANS): Punjab Police on Thursday solved a case of human sacrifice involving a middle-aged woman with the arrest of two persons, who attempted to kill the woman as part of sorcery to get wealthy.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gurpreet Singh

Bhullar said the arrested persons, identified as Kuldeep Singh and Jasvir Singh, are both residents of Fatehgarh Sahib. Balvir Kaur (50) was found injured in the fields near a canal in Ferozepur village on Wednesday morning. She is presently undergoing treatment at PGIMER in Chandigarh.

Bhullar said the accused were circus performers and used to perform cycle shows in villages. They met the victim through her son Dharampreet, who became friends with them eight months ago. Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal said that both the accused, who aspired to become rich, came in contact with a ‘tantrik’ (sorcerer), who asked them to perform ‘human sacrifice’ of a woman.

Gautam Adani meets Sharad Pawar

gressive on the Adani issue, claimed that the business tycoon tried to contact her and a few others through his “friends/ wheeler-dealers” but “couldn’t find the door”.

JAMMU/NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, officials said.

The deceased Army soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counterterror operations, the Army said in a statement.

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident.

The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified ter-

rorists and it caught fire because of likely use of grenades.

“Today, at approximately 1500 hours, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajauri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area,” the Army said.

“The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists,” it said. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for counterterrorist operations, in this area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident, it said.

SC asks states to provide ration cards to migrant labourers

godown

4 killed in blaze at firecracker

ARVALLI, APR 20 (PTI): At least four workers were charred to death after a blaze broke out in a firecracker godown near Modasa town in Gujarat’s Aravalli district on Thursday evening, officials said.

Charred bodies of four workers were recovered from the scene, Arvalli Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kharat said.

A local fire department official said that efforts are underway to control the blaze.

He said a major fire call was declared and a rescue operation was going on with the help of teams from the Gandhinagar and Himmatnagar municipalities.

Three children drown in pond in Chhattisgarh.

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for cooperation in aviation safety.

The agreement was signed on the first day of the EU-India Aviation Summit here where the Airport Authority of India also signed a declaration of intent with Eurocontrol, a pan-European, civil-military organisation dedicated to supporting European aviation.

While the MoU between DGCA and EASA will focus on collaboration at regulatory level and safety level, the declaration of intent between AAI and Eurocontrol will be focused on the area of air traffic control.

Aviation Minister Jy-

CUET-PG to be held from June 5-12: NTA

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): The Common University Entrance Test-PG for admission to postgraduate programmes in universities across the country will be conducted from June 5-12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Thursday. Candidates can apply for the exam till May 5. The application deadline earlier was April 19. “Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-PG will be conducted on June 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the NTA website for the latest updates regarding the examination,” a senior official said. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated all central universities to use CUET for undergraduate admission, it has been kept optional for postgraduate admissions.

A total of 180 universities, including Central, state and private ones, have come on board to conduct their postgraduate admissions through CUET-PG.

Unlike CUET-UG, the PG test will be conducted in two shifts per day. The UGC has decided to conduct the undergraduate exam in

three shifts from this year.

“For appearing in the CUET-PG, 2023, there is no age limit for the candidates. The candidates who have passed the bachelor degree and equivalent examination or appearing in 2023 irrespective of their age can appear in CUET-PG 2023 examination. However, the candidates will be required to fulfill the age criteria of the university in which they are desirous of taking admission,” the official added.

“India and the EU have shared strong historical relations which continue to grow today on the back of robust physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity, aided by the aviation industry,” he said.

Scindia made these comments in his virtual address at the two-day summit. He could not attend the event in person after testing Covid positive.

Adina Valean, European Union Commissioner for Transport, also addressed the summit through virtual mode.

“From commercial opportunities to aviation safety and security, sustainablility, air traffic management, or consumer protection, our shared experiences, as well as our shared objectives, make us natural partners. We already have a successful history of partnership and cooperation in many areas. I truly hope aviation will become one of our most successful partnerships,” she said.

MUMBAI, APR 20 (PTI): Industrialist Gautam Adani met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence here on Thursday amid the Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue. The meeting, held at Pawar’s residence Silver Oak in south Mumbai this morning, lasted for nearly two hours, sources said.

Earlier this month, Pawar had come out in support of the Adani group and criticised the narrative around the US short seller Hindenburg Research’s report on the conglomerate.

Taking a position at variance from senior ally Congress, Pawar had said he favoured a Supreme Court committee to probe allegations against the Adani group since the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

TEACHERS WANTED

1. Montessori Trained 1 Post

2. Hindi Teacher for Primary Section 1 Post Location : 5th Mile, Chumoukedima

would have a majority in the JPC based on numerical strength in Parliament and this would lead to doubts on such a probe.

The NCP supremo had later said although his outfit does not agree with the demand of anti-BJP parties for a JPC probe into allegations against the Adani group, it will not go against their stand for the sake of Opposition unity.

Mahua Moitra’s sharp attack on Pawar for meeting Adani

Amid reports of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar meeting Gautam Adani at his residence in Mumbai, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday said no politician should engage with the industrialist. Mahua Moitra, who has been ag-

Post: Computer Technician

Vacancy : 3 No’s

Requirements:

The TMC MP said she has nothing to discuss with Adani on a one-onone basis, adding that “no politician should engage” with him until the government takes action, apparently on the damaging allegations made by US short seller Hindenburg Research against the conglomerate. She also launched a sharp attack on Sharad Pawar with a famous Hindi proverb, and said she has “no fear in taking on Great Marathas.”

“Can only hope they have good sense to put country before old relationships,” she wrote. “And no, my tweet is not anti-opposition unity. Rather it is pro-public interest.”

Mahua Moitra’s tweet came hours after Adani reportedly met Pawar at the latter’s Silver Oak residence in south Mumbai amid the Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue. The meeting lasted for nearly two hours, reported PTI citing people familiar with the matter.

• Preferred experience in computer repairing, configuration, printer repair, CCTV installation, networking& cabling, router/switch configuration.

• Knowledge of tech support, desktop support, or a similar role.

• Proficiency in Windows/Linux/Mac OS.

• Attention to detail and good problem-solving skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Salary: Starting 8K onwards (Negotiable for more experienced candidates)

Interested Candidates may kindly forward their resumes to recruitment@excellogics.co.in K-854/23

MOUNT SINAI HR. SEC. SCHOOL

Old Ministers’ Hill, Kohima

WANTED

Teacher to teach Botany in the Higher Secondary Science Stream

Qualification: M Sc. (Bot)

Interested persons may send in the application along with the photo copies of all the educational documents on or before 28th April 2023.

Preference will be given to those who have B.Ed

Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.

Phone: 7085191150

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday granted another three months time to all states and Union territories to provide rations cards to migrant labourers registered on the e-shram portal for availing benefits of “benevolent schemes” of the government.

The top court posted the matter for further hearing on October 3 and asked the Centre to file a status report.

A bench of justices

MR Shah and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said, “At present, we give further three months’ time to the concerned State/UT to undertake the exercise to issue ration cards to the left out registrants on e-Shram portal by giving wide publicity and the concerned State/UT to approach them through the office of the concerned Collector of the District, so that more and more registrants on eShram portal are issued the ration cards and so that they may get the benefit of the benevolent schemes floated by the UOI and the State Government including the benefit under the National Food Security Act.”

It said, “We appreci-

ate the exercise undertaken by the UOI with the assistance of the respective States/UTs for registration of the migrants/unorganized workers on e-Shram portal.”

It noted that 28.60 crores migrants/unorganized workers are registered on e-Shram portal which is a “commendable job” but added that out of 28.60 registrants on e-Shram portal, 20.63 crores are registered on ration card data.

“Meaning thereby, the rest of the registrants on e-Shram are still without ration cards. Without the ration card a migrant/unorganized labourer or his family members may be deprived of the benefit of the schemes and may be the benefit under the National Food Security Act,” it said. The bench said that being a welfare State, it is therefore the duty of the state/Union territory concerned to see that the remaining registrants on e-Shram, who are still not registered on ration card data and who are not issued the ration cards, they are issued ration cards and the exercise for issuance of ration cards is required to be expedited.

B.ED ADMISSION NOTIFICATION 2023

Admission open for B.Ed, M.Ed & B.PEd NCTE recognized and UGCapproved University. For further guidance, contact: 7005898583/9366199530

An army vehicle in flames after a terror attack in Mendhar in Poonch district, Thursday. (PTI)

Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani

Jyotiraditya Scindia

Rahul Gandhi

8 NAGALAND POST, dIMApUR FRIdAY, ApRIL 21, 2023 BUSINESS/STATE

121 airports to be made carbon neutral by 2025, says Scindia

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): Twenty-five airports in the country are using 100 per cent green energy while another 121 airports will be made carbon neutral by 2025, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday.

Scindia made these comments in his virtual address at the two-day EUIndia aviation summit. He could not attend the event in person after testing Covid positive.

Fresh layoffs begin at Meta globally

technologies and support the objective of tackling emissions from the aviation industry.

SAN FRANCISCO, APR 20 (IANS): Meta (formerly Facebook) has kicked off a fresh round of layoffs, handing over pink slips to employees with technical backgrounds globally.

Jyotiraditya Scindia

25 AAI airports are already using 100 per cent green energy. Our target is to make another 121 airports carbon neutral by 2025,” he added.

The summit, which began on Thursday, will focus on EU-India air transport relations and the mutually-shared challenges and opportunities of the two regions, such as the post-Covid recovery of air traffic, increasing sustainability, maintaining safety and the development of unmanned aircraft systems.

Several Meta employees went to LinkedIn to post their ordeal, saying they have been asked to go.

“I woke up this morning to the unfortunate news that I was one of the many laid-off from Meta today. If you have any career opportunities, please feel free to share with me! My focus for the past 3 years have been primarily on establish-

ing programs focused on increasing OpEx & headcount org efficiency,” posted Teresa Jimenez, business Programme manager at Facebook.

She said that several “product-centred Technical Program Managers unfortunately have been impacted today as well. Please reach out to me if you have any opportunities and I’ll introduce”. The job cuts have impacted people working in verticals like user experience, software engineering, graphics programming and other roles.

Apple opens first store in Delhi; CEO Tim Cook welcomes customers

NEW DELHI, APR 20

(PTI): Apple chief executive Tim Cook on Thursday welcomed customers at the company’s first store opened in the national capital.

Located at Select Citywalk Mall in Delhi, the barricade for Apple Saket features a unique design that takes inspiration from Delhi’s many gates. However, the Saket store is smaller than the Apple store opened in Jio World Drive at Bandra Kurla Complex on Tuesday.

Tim Cook

“The emission contribution of the aviation industry has been under immense scrutiny. We have taken several measures to minimise the carbon footprint and mitigate emissions from the aviation industry,” he said, asserting that India and the European Union have a common goal of tackling climate change.

“We are encouraging airports to use 100 per cent green energy by 2024, and achieve net zero by 2030.

The minister informed that the government has mandated the use of renewable energy as part of the bid documents for upcoming airports.

“We are also working towards encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuel. Indian airline operators have already conducted demonstration flights using bio-fuel blended with ATF,” he said. Scindia also invited EU players to partner India in developing adaptive

Gold jumps Rs 440; silver climbs Rs 850

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): Gold prices jumped Rs 440 to Rs 60,340 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid a rally in prices of precious metal internationally, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the yellow metal had closed at Rs 59,900 per 10 grams.

Silver also climbed Rs 850 to Rs 75,450 per kg.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 60,340 per 10 grams, up Rs 440 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

In the overseas markets, both gold and silver were traded higher at USD 1,996 per ounce and USD 25.16 per ounce, respectively.

Gold prices traded higher in Asian trading hours on Thursday.

Comex spot gold price is trading up by 0.11 per cent at USD 1,996 per ounce against its previous close, Gandhi said.

The summit will bring together top-level policy makers, industry executives and stakeholders from both the EU and India.

The aviation minister noted that India has reformed the regulatory mechanism to promote aircraft manufacturing in the country. “I would urge industry players from EU to tap these opportunities, and become a part of the fastest growing aviation market in the world,” he added.

NDPP Tseminyu region flays attack on general secy

(From p-1)

Kent with “an ill intention to cause grievous harm or to even commit murder of the first degree.”

NDPP Tseminyu region has appealed to the law enforcement agencies to take cognisance of the matter and expedite their task at the earliest and arrest “those unwanted elements who have no place to live in a civilized society.” The party affirmed that it would leave no stone unturned till justice was served and the accused were caught and put behind bars. The region also wished speedy recovery to Yhuntilo Kent.

Centre directs states to set up 100 food streets; to grant Rs 1 cr as aid per street

(From p-1)

These not only provide a daily diet at affordable prices to millions but also direct employment to a large number of people while supporting the tourism industry, it added. However, it noted that safety and hygiene remain a matter of concern at street food outlets and hubs.

With rapid urbanisation, while these hubs have led to easy access to food, it has aggravated food contamination and associated health issues due to unhygienic and unsafe practices.

This initiative will be implemented through the National Health Mission in collaboration with the Union Ministry

of Housing and Urban Affairs. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will lend technical support, the statement said. Financial assistance to the states and Union Territories in the form of Rs 1 crore per food street or district will be provided to fill the critical gaps, it added.

The assistance will be provided under the National Health Mission in the 60:40 or 90:10 ratio on the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done following FSSAI guidelines. Municipal corporations, development authorities and district collectors at the state level will take major initiatives to ensure

convergence in terms of financial resources and physical infrastructure.

Various other initiatives such as training of food handlers and independent third-party audits have been taken to enhance safety standards.

Schemes such as Support to Urban Street Vendors, a component of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission, have also been taken up. In addition, the states and Union Territories can also conduct training programmes for street vendors to orient them on food safety, hygiene maintenance and waste disposal.

The Apple Saket store in Delhi is half the size of the Mumbai store where the company will pay a portion of total sales from the store as rent or Rs 40 lakh per month, whichever is higher, according to sources.

The company has more than 70 highly skilled retail team members at Saket store, who has come from 18 states of India and collectively speak more than 15 languages.

Cook during his visit met Prime Minister Nar -

endra Modi as the iPhone manufacturer is looking to invest more in the world’s second-largest smartphone market. According to government sources, the iPhone maker is likely to double the employment base at its contract manufacturers in India to around 2 lakh soon.

Cook, on his first trip to India in seven years, opened Apple’s first official retail store in the country in Mumbai on Tuesday .

H&FW minister assures to activate blood storage facilities

(From p-1)

In his address, H&FW commissioner and secretary Kikheto Sema disclosed that Nagaland had the lowest coverage of Antenatal Care (ANC), institutional delivery in the country and emphasised creating a massive awareness on ANC and the importance of the first 1,000 Days.

He called for discouraging traditional system of home delivery as it often led to many complications for the mother and child, even causing death.

He appealed to the churches to spread the awareness that the church was the best platform for reaching out to the people. He also cautioned against any misuse of funds meant for mother and child and asserted that this would not be tolerated.

NHM State mission

director Dr Ritu Thurr delivered the welcome address, while Dr Longri Kichu from UNICEF spoke on the first 1,000 Days.

days; Breastfeeding: the complete nutrition and early childhood development by consultant Paediatrician NHAK Dr. Ruutuo-u Sorhie; importance of vaccination by Dr. Sheila Longkumer; SBCC through SHG institution by NSRLM-RD and Village Health sanitation and Nutrition day by Dr. Khelito Zhimomi state programme officer ECH.

Health department principal director Dr Vibeituonuo M Sachü proposed

the vote of thanks.

Earlier, the minister also released a book on the journey of the first 1,000 days “SUMAN-- Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan” standard operational guidelines. Officials from H&FW directorate, UNICEF, Social Welfare department, NSRLM-RD and district level officers, faith-based organisations, civil and student organisations and others attended the programme.

1.

LAND

giant was just beginning to scale up operations in the country. Looking to replicate what China did to Apple’s business in the last 15 years, the tech giant is eyeing India’s massive market with an expanding middle class to power sales growth, and potentially make it a home base for the production of millions of Apple devices. Cook during his visit met Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Crossword No. 10603 Yesterday’s solution No. 10602 Su doku No. 5222 Yesterday’s solution No. 5221 KAKURO No. 4248 Yesterday’s solution No. 4247

Messages on importance of ANC and institutional delivery was shared by gynaecologist District Hospital, Mokokchung Dr Supongmeren; official from department of Social Welfare spoke on Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and nutritional support during the first 1,000

SNIPPETS

Danes, Dutch to donate Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

COPENHAGEN, APR 20 (AP): Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Thursday that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 14 refurbished

German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks, to be supplied from early 2024.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called it “a significant donation” which came on top of a contribution by Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, announced in February, to supply at least 100 older Leopard 1 A5 tanks.

In a joint statement, the Danish and Dutch defence ministers said the estimated cost of 165 million euros “to jointly acquire, refurbish and donate” will be equally divided between the two NATO members.

Bilawal Bhutto to visit India for SCO FMs meeting

ISLAMABAD, APR 20 (IANS): In a crucial decision that may be the first step towards normalisation of ties between the two nuclear-powered neighbours, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has decided to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in India next month.

This was announced at the briefing of Foreign Office is Islamabad on Thursday, where the spokesperson of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Mumtaz Zahra Baloch formally announced that Bilawal will be travelling to Goa from May 4-5th to participate in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

She said Bilawal will be attending the meeting at the invitation of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

‘Extremely dangerous’

tornado kills 2 in US state

WASHINGTON, APR 20 (IANS): At least two people were killed and several others injured after a “large and extremely dangerous tornado” tore through Cole, a town in the US state of Oklahoma, authorities said.

The McClain County Sheriff’s Office late Wednesday night confirmed at least two deaths in Cole, located 30 miles south of Oklahoma City, the state capital, reports Xinhua news agency.

The office said on Facebook that it’s responding to “reported injuries & persons entrapped within their shelters.”

The town has been “hit significantly”, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Eric Foster.

Power lines were down and there were outages in the town on Wednesday night, according to an ABC News report.

Germany braces for fresh transport strikes

BER LIN, APR 20

(IANS): In the wake of fresh transport strikes in Germany, air traffic at three of the country’s major airports will be brought to a virtual standstill for two days from Thursday, while rail traffic will be restricted nationwide until at least midday on Friday.

As high inflation in Europe’s largest economy is reducing incomes, the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) and the United Services Trade Union (Verdi) have independently called for strike actions to push for higher wages, reports Xinhua news agency. Rail operator Deutsche Bahn expects “massive disruptions”, with all operations being affected on Friday.

Despite a gradual resumption of operations from 1 p.m., services could be delayed until the early evening hours.

NATO head defiantly says Ukraine belongs in alliance one day

KYIV, APR 20 (AP): NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared Thursday that Ukraine deserves to join the military alliance and pledged continuing support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion just over a year ago.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshalling support from NATO’s members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment.

The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war, but repeated Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO was a key goal behind its invasion, arguing that Kyiv’s membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia.

NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the course of the war — though the organisation has established no pathway or

Sudan army demands rivals’ surrender; threatens cease-fire

KHARTOUM, APR 20

timetable for membership.

“Let me be clear, Ukraine’s rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family,” Stoltenberg told a press conference. “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO.”

He said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program.

“This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance,” Stoltenberg said.

“NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”

Japan PM denounces attack; vows security review before G7

dation of democracy, should not succumb to violence. We must carry out the election until the end,” he said, explaining why he has continued to deliver speeches since the attack on Saturday.

TOKYO, APR 20 (AP):

Japanese Prime Minister

Fumio Kishida denounced a pipe bomb attack at a campaign event he attended last weekend and pledged to review security procedures to ensure safety for dignitaries visiting the country for the Group of Seven summit he will host in May.

“No matter what the reason is, the use of violence to shut down free speech should never be tolerated,” Kishida told selected media from G-7 countries on Thursday at the Prime Minister’s Office, as he stressed that the attack occurred during a nationwide local election campaign. “The election, which is the foun-

A man hurled a pipe bomb at Kishida at the fishing port of Saikazaki in the western prefecture of Wakayana just before he was to make a campaign speech for a local candidate from his governing party.

The moment the explosive fell near him, he was pushed away by special police and evacuated unhurt before the bomb exploded.

The alleged attacker, Ryuji Kimura, 24, was wrestled to the ground and arrested on the spot. The attack, which targeted the prime minister less than a year after former leader Shinzo Abe’s assassination, raised questions about whether any lessons had been learned from Abe’s case, especially as Japan navigates key events like the ongoing elections and G-7 meetings.

He noted Thursday’s announcement by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks from early 2024. He added that he expected countries to “make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine” at a meeting Germany on Friday.

The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum.

But Ukraine is expected to launch a counterof-

fensive in coming weeks, and it has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies.

NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only provides nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war.

A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so.

NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia, but as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its “special military operation.”

(AP): Sudan’s military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force on Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country, threatening to wreck the latest attempt at a cease-fire.

The military’s statement raised the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly week-long violence that has pushed Sudan’s population to the breaking point. Alarm has grown that the country’s medical system was on the verge of collapse, with many hospitals forced to shut down and others running out of supplies. The 24-hour ceasefire, declared Wednesday evening, had brought only marginal calm to parts of the capital of Khartoum, but many residents took advantage to flee the homes where they have been trapped for days. “Massive numbers” of people, mostly women and children, were leaving in search of safer

More peril for Trump in pending probes than NY: AP-NORC poll

WASHINGTON, APR 20 (AP): Former President Donald Trump has emerged largely unscathed politically from his New York indictment. But a new poll suggests that investigations in Georgia and Washington could prove more problematic.

Only 4 in 10 U.S. adults believe Trump acted illegally in New York, where he has been charged in connection with hush money payments made to women who alleged sexual encounters, according to the new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

More — about half — believe he broke the law in Georgia, where he is under investigation for interfering in the 2020 election vote count.

The poll finds about half feel similarly about his role in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and his handling of

SpaceX giant rocket explodes minutes after launch from Texas

near Hawaii. Throngs of spectators watched from South Padre Island, several miles away from the Boca Chica Beach launch site, which was off limits. As it lifted off, the crowd screamed: “Go, baby, go!” Musk, in a tweet, called it “an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months.”

In the weeks leading up to the flight, Musk gave 50-50 odds that the spacecraft would reach orbit.

The company plans to use Starship to send people and cargo to the moon and, eventually, Mars.

NASA has reserved a Starship for its next moonwalking team, and rich tourists are already booking lunar flybys.

SOU TH PADRE IS -

LAND, APR 20 (AP):

SpaceX’s giant new rocket exploded minutes after blasting off Thursday on it first test flight and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.

Elon Musk’s company was aiming to send the nearly 400-foot (120-meter) Starship rocket on a roundthe-world trip from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border. It carried no people or satellites.

Images showed multiple engines weren’t working on the 33-engine rock-

et as it climbed from the launch pad, reaching as high as 24 miles (39 kilometers.)

The flight plan had called for the booster to peel away from the spacecraft minutes after liftoff, but that didn’t happen.

The rocket began to tumble and then exploded four minutes into the flight, plummeting into the gulf.

After separating, the spacecraft was supposed to continue east and attempt to circle the world, before cr ashing into the Pacific

It was the second launch attempt. Monday’s try was scrapped by a frozen booster valve.

At 394 feet and nearly 17 million pounds of thrust, Starship easily surpasses NASA’s moon rockets — past, present and future.

The stainless steel rocket is designed to be fully reusable with fast turnaround, dramatically lowering costs, similar to what SpaceX’s smaller Falcon rockets have done soaring from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Nothing was to be saved from the test flight.

classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, which are both under investigation by the Justice Department. The findings suggest potential future charges in those cases against Trump may resonate more deeply with the American public than his alleged cover-up of payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels and other women at the height of the 2016 campaign — charges that nearly 6 in 10 adults believe were politically motivated.

While the case drew intense media coverage and made Trump the first former

Judiciary cannot rewrite Constitution

ISLAMABAD, APR 20

(IANS): Amid an ongoing Constitutional and political crisis in the country, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the judiciary to reassess its role and become the protector of Constitution, media reports said. “It does not happen anywhere in the world that a court issues a stay order against a legislation which is still in the making,” Sharif said while addressing the launch ceremony of the 1973 Constitution mobile application, Geo News reported.

He said that it is time for the state institutions to get united for upholding the Constitution in order to keep the national interest supreme, the report said. Sharif is of the view that Pakistan is currently at the crossroads of Constitutional challenges, which require demonstration by the state institutions. The Constitution has its roots in the Parliament and as per a globally recognised concept, the judiciary can only interpret the law, but cannot re-write it, the premier said, Geo News reported.

areas, said Atiya Abdulla Atiya, secretary of the Doctors’ Syndicate.

Hours before the truce was set to end, the military said in a statement that it would not negotiate with its rival, the Rapid Support Forces, over an end to the crisis and would only discuss terms of its surrender.

“There would be no armed forces outside (of) the military system,” it said.

A similar truce Tuesday, which came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with both generals, collapsed almost immediately.

Diplomatic efforts had been on to salvage to lat-

est attempt. On Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with the two generals as well, urging a return to dialogue. The leaders of Egypt, which is allied to Sudan’s military, and of the United Arab Emirates, which is linked to the RSF, also spoke Thursday on how to turn the cease-fire into negotiations.

At least 330 people have been killed and 3,300 wounded in the fighting since it began Saturday, the U.N.’s World Health Organization said, but the toll is likely higher because many bodies lie uncollected in the streets.

Hungary adds honey, other products to Ukraine import ban

BUDAPEST, APR 20 (AP):

president in U.S. history to be charged criminally, legal experts have long argued that the other investigations pose far more serious potential risk. The Georgia case, in particular, concerns even some longtime Trump supporters.

“I just feel like he kind of got himself involved in something that he shouldn’t have. I don’t know if it’s necessarily illegal, but just let the votes be the votes,” said Stephanie Trinidad, a Republican who lives in Dracut, Massachusetts, and voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020.

The poll offers further evidence that Trump has faced limited political fallout from the indictment, which instead proved a massive fundraising boon. His campaign has raised more than USD 15 million since news of the indictment broke — much from new donors — and he has rolled out a list of new endorsements.

Hungary will add honey and certain meat products to a list of food items it has temporarily banned from being imported from Ukraine in an effort to relieve market pressures on Hungarian farmers, a government minister said Thursday.

Along with honey and meat, Hungary’s government has banned the import of 25 Ukrainian products including grains, oil seeds, flour, and cooking oil until June 30, minister Gergely Gulyás told a news conference.

The government will also require shipments of those products coming from third countries to be monitored as

they enter Hungary to make sure they aren’t coming from Ukraine, he said. The import ban announced on Saturday came in response to what the government says is a glut of Ukrainian agricultural products on the Hungarian market which has made it impossible for Hungarian farmers to remain competitive.

Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria have taken similar steps in the last week, arguing that their agricultural sectors had been hurt after the European Union lifted duties on Ukrainian grain to ease exports when Russia’s war choked off shipments through traditional routes.

46 UBA SANGTAM UNION DIMAPUR SÜHDI YULÜMDA THÜPCHEH

Nyümong: 22nd April, 2023 Bekhyah: 10: 00 AM

Müdüm : SUD Kuhbüm Shri. S. T. Sangtam, IPS, Rtd. Addl. Director General of Police, Nagaland. Riverbelt Colony dp-1700/23

OFFICE OF THE CRAFT COUNCIL OF NAGALAND

Motto : "Our Craft our Culture Our Employments" Reg No. : GAB/RS/2631/2002

House No. 132, Lane-4 'C' Khel, Kuda Village, Dimapur - 797112, Nagaland

(Members of Craft Council of India Chennai, Affiliated to World Craft Council) Meeting Minutes of the General Meeting of Craft Council of Nagaland held on 21.02.2023 at President's Residence elected unanimously the following office bearers for the tenure 2023 to 2027.

SL NO DESIGNATION NAME CONTACT NO

1. President Buryapang 7005823391

2. Vice President Ruovilhoukho Chuzho 8787505871

3. General Secretary Khasulho Shijoh 9856398845

4. Joint Secretary Toshi Chang 9612957296

5. Treasurer Nungshirenba 9402697843

6. Finance Secretary Imrongkumba 9856447778

7.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyin Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP)

A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday.

Donald Trump

Fumio Kishida

Shehbaz Sharif

SpaceX’s Starship breaks up after its launch from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Thursday. (AP/PTI)

‘Main sasural nahi jaaongi’ singer Pamela, widow of Yash Chopra, passes away at 74

Noted playback singer Pamela Chopra - widow of the czar of romantic films, Yash Chopra - passed away in Mumbai, her family announced here on Thursday. She was 74.

“With heavy hearts, the Chopra family would like to inform that Pamela Chopra, 74, passed away this morning. Her cremation took place at 11 a.m. today in Mumbai,” said the family statement. The family also requested “for privacy in this moment of deep sadness and reflection” and expressed gratitude to all for their prayers. Pamela nee Singh, was ailing for a couple of weeks and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment where she breathed her last

this morning, a Bollywood source said. She is survived by her two sons - Aditya Chopra, film-maker who is married to actress Rani Mukherjee, and actor-producer Uday Chopra.

Pamela, a cousin of the renowned actress and now TV hostess Simi Garewal, was married in 1970 to Yash Chopra, the younger brother of the legendary

film-maker B.R.Chopra, a Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee.

Yash Chopra, also a Dadasaheb Phalke Award laureate, passed away in Mumbai in October 2012, aged 80, due to dengue fever.

Singing in Hindi and Punjabi after marriage, Pamela Chopra is remembered for several popular numbers like the

BTS’ Jungkook makes US$750,000 donation to a Seoul children’s hospital

vivacious ‘Main sasural nahin jaoongi’ (Chandni, 1989), folk song ‘Banno ki aayegi baraat’ (Aaina, 1993), ‘Ghar aaja pardesi’ (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, 1995), sad number ‘Surkh jode ki ye jagmagahat’ (Kabhie Kabhie, 1976), a courtesan song ‘Idhar aa sitamgar’ (Sawaal, 1982), a qawwali ‘Aashiq ho to aisa ho’ and the sombre ‘Uske khel nirale’ (both from Noorie, 1979), ‘Ja re behna ja’ (Trishul, 1978). She sang solo and duets, for several leading music composers like the late Mohammed Zahur Hashmi ‘Khayyam’, Rajesh Roshan, Shiv-Hari, JatinLalit, Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen and others, though mostly for films made by her family banner. Pamela had other roles

too, like co-writer for ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, producer for ‘Aaina’, Associate Producer for one of Bollywood’s biggest superhits ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’, and also for ‘Mohabbatein’, ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’, ‘Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’, ‘Veer Zara’, co-producer and writer of ‘Dil To Paagal Hai’, and the dress designer for ‘Silsila’ and ‘Sawaal’.

A trained dancer, along with her late husband, she once made a brief on-screen appearance in the song ‘Ek Duuje Ke Vaaste’ (Dil To Paagal Hai).

Bollywood reacted with shock and grief over Pamela’s demise and many actors, actresses, producers, directors, composers, and others posted condolence messages on social media. (IANS)

South Korean singer Jungkook of K-pop boyband BTS has made a donation to support a children’s hospital in Seoul.

To day (April 18), South Korean media outlets Yonhap News Agency and Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the South Korean musician artist donated ₩100billion (roughly US$750,000) to the Seoul National University Children’s Hospital.

According to hospital officials, Jungkook’s donation will be aid in the funding of medical expenses for kids who come from low-income households. It will also be put towards the hospital’s comprehensive care centre plan.

“I hope my donation can be a bit of a help to children in danger, and I hope children can smile happy,” Jungkook said in a press release. According

I-T searches continue at premises of Tollywood production house

K-pop star Moonbin of the boy band ASTRO was found dead at his home. He was 25 years old.

The Seoul Gangnam Police Station has confirmed that Moonbin was found dead at his home by his manager in the Gangnam district of Seoul and the manager immediately alerted the police.

The singer was slated to perform with his fellow ASTRO star Sanha, at the 2023 Moonbon & Sanha Fan Con Tour: Diffusion in Jakarta on May 13.

However, the event has been cancelled in light of Moonbin’s untimely demise, as per media reports.

Following the shocking news of his death, fans of ASTRO, who are popularly referred to as AROHA, paid their last respects to the singer and offered their condolences to his family including his sister Moonsua who is also a K-pop singer. She is a part of the girl group Billlie. (IANS)

Income Tax (I-T) officials continued searches at the offices of Telugu film production company, Mythri Movie Makers in Hyderabad for a second consecutive day on Thursday.

A team of I-T officials from New Delhi were also searching the residence of Sukumar, who directed movies like ‘Pushpa’, ‘Rangasthalam’ and ‘Arya’. The I-T officials continued to search residences of Mythri Movie Makers promoters, including Erneni Naveen, Cherukuri Mohan, and Yalamanchili Ravishankar in Jubilee Hills.

The officials were checking records of their financial transactions for allegedly breaking investment

regulations by bringing in funds from abroad for the second time in less than four months after December 2022.

The production house is suspected to have funnelled funds from abroad and invested in Tollywood to produce several films.

The I-T raids are happening at a time when the production house and Sukumar are engaged in the shooting of Allu Arjunstarrer ‘Pushap-2’.

Sukumar, who founded his own production business, Sukumar Writings, is working with Mythri Movie Makers to co-produce the much awaited ‘Pushpa: The Rule’, a sequel of blockbuster ‘Pushpa:The Rise’. Mythri Movie Makers

produced some big blockbusters like ‘Pushpa’, ‘Rangasthalam’, ‘Srimanthudu’, ‘Janatha Garage’, ‘Dear Comrade’, ‘Sarkar Vari Pata’, ‘Uppena’, ‘Waltair Veeraiah’ and ‘Veera Narasimha Reddy’.

It is also producing ‘Ustad Bhagat Singh’ starring actor-politician Pawan Kalyan. The production house allegedly allowed an investment of Rs 500 crore from abroad without fol -

We didn’t know ginger is so healthy

larly suffer from constipation? Then this might help you.

Menstrual pain: Are you in constant pain during this time of the month? Then eating ginger daily may help you. The spice is similar to taking pain

medications, which can help relieve acute abdominal pain.

Lowers cholesterol: Eating ginger every day for a month can help lower “bad” cholesterol in the body. The amount of triglycerides in the blood is

reduced by the substances in ginger. Boosts the Immune System: The antiinflammatory properties in ginger strengthens the immune system. Have you already been affected by a cold or virus? Then ginger can help you recover faster.

lowing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms.

The production house also allegedly failed to disclose total investments and income sources in their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filing.

This is the second time that offices and residences of Mythri Movie Makers were searched by the I-T officials. Previously searches were conducted in December 2022. (IANS)

to Korea JoongAng Daily, the hospital thanked the K-pop star for his charity, adding that its operations are hard to sustain without such donations.

In 2020, the members of BTS and their label Big Hit Entertainment (now known as HYBE) donated US$1millon to Black Lives Matter. “We are moved by the generosity of BTS and allies all over the world who stand in solidarity in the fight for Black lives,” said Black Lives Matter manag-

ing director Kailee Scales at the time.

In 2021, the boyband also donated a set of outfits worn in their ‘Life Goes On’ music video to the Grammy Week Auction. The total value of the clothing was estimated to be around US$30,000. In other Jungkook news, the singer was recently named Calvin Klein’s newest global ambassador. He has since starred in his first campaign for the brand in its Spring 2023 collection. (NME)

Spotify users can now share music, podcasts on BeReal

Music streaming platform Spotify has announced its integration with the French photo-sharing app BeReal, which will allow users to share music and podcasts in their BeReal posts.

“We’re proud of this integration within the BeReal platform. We’re constantly finding new ways to bring Spotify to more people, and helping fans, artists, and communities connect through audio around the world,” Spotify said in a blogpost. BeReal and Spotify users on Android and iOS in select markets (including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and the US) can access this experi-

ence as it rolls out -- with more markets to follow.

To get started, users can connect their Spotify and BeReal accounts by tapping on the music icon thata s shown before posting a BeReal, or, they can navigate to their settings in the BeReal app and tap on “music” and follow the prompts to connect the app to Spotify.

When customers capture a BeReal after connecting their accounts, the app will automatically bring in the song or podcast they are listening to on Spotify.

At the bottom of their camera lens, users will see the cover art of the audio they are listening to. (IANS)

We all know that fruit and vegetables are really good for us. It is known that we should eat colored food several times a day, but did you know that certain spices also have many health benefits? Take ginger, for example. When you eat ginger every day, a lot of good things happen to your body.

Ginger

Ginger is a spice with a very strong taste. Ginger is not only very tasty, but also has a lot of good qualities. Ginger contains gingerol, shogaol, zingiberene and a whole range of vitamins and minerals.

It is therefore not surprising that ginger has a long medicinal history. Centuries ago, ginger was used to cure all kinds of ailments.

In addition, eating ginger regularly also helps to keep your body healthy.

Good qualities

Ginger contains gingerol, a bio-active substance that helps to reduce symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. This substance also helps to reduce swollen joints. Ginger also contains shoagol, a substance with an analgesic effect that also helps against cancer and heart disease.

Zingiberene in ginger is particularly good for digestion. But not only this: ginger also has an anti-diabetic effect and improves brain function and the immune system. Wondering what hap-

pens to your body when you eat ginger every day for a month? Read more on the next page.

Ginger every day

Are you planning to eat ginger every day for a month? Then we will not stop you! Eating ginger daily has many health benefits. Side note: you do not have to nibble on a piece of ginger every day.

Cut a large piece – about 1.5 centimeters – into small pieces and mix it with your smoothie, tea or Asian dish. Wondering what this does to your body? We will explain it to you. It does this to your body:

Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation in the body is reduced faster. This is due to the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger.

Nausea disappears: are you often nauseous in the morning? We bet that eating ginger every day will help you! By eating ginger daily, the nausea will soon subside. Tip: Especially pregnant women and people undergoing chemotherapy can benefit from this.

Reduction of muscle pain: Do you have muscle pain or pain in the limbs? Eating ginger can have a good influence on this. Consuming ginger daily will gradually ease the pain. Promotes bowel movements: Eating ginger on a daily basis does a lot of good for your bowel movements. Do you regu-

Champions League: Man City advance into semis

MUNICH (GERMANY), APRIL 20 (IANS): Erling

Haaland’s second-half goal guided English club Manchester City into the next round, as Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw (4-1 on aggregate) on home turf fell short in the second leg of the quarterfinal.

The Bavarians started with determination on Wednesday and came close in 17 minutes when Jamal Musiala found Leroy Sane, who narrowly missed the target with his left-footed effort from inside the box.

Sane remained a focal point as he tested City goalkeeper Ederson with a free kick five minutes later before Leon Goretzka squandered a promising opportunity from the edge of the box in the 24th minute, reports Xinhua. Manchester City then had an unexpected chance to break the deadlock when Dayot Upamecano conceded a handball penalty at the half-hour mark. Haaland stepped up but fired the penalty over the target.

Bayern continued to press, but Ederson denied Kingsley Coman’s powerful shot in the 42nd minute, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s backheel attempt was blocked from

close range two minutes later. The German giants relentlessly attacked after the restart, but it was the visitors who clinically opened the scoring through Haaland after 57 minutes.

Bayern pushed forward, knowing they needed four goals to force extra time. The hosts eventually equalized as Joshua Kimmich converted a handball penalty in the 83rd minute.

The Bavarians pressed, but City’s defense held firm and kept the hosts

at bay for the remainder of the game. With the result, Bayern will have to focus on the Bundesliga, while Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the semifinals.

“We had our chances but were once again unlucky in the final third. We had absolutely no luck in both games,” said Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel.

“We saw two tight games. They were better and had more chances. In

Naga Rifles Association announces

guese club Benfica in an eventful quarterfinal second leg at San Siro.

Inter were held to a 3-3 draw by a fighting Benfica but they had done enough in the first leg to advance 5-3 on aggregate.

Inter led 2-0 from the first leg and extended that lead inside a quarter of an hour thanks to a fine strike from Nicolò Barella, who drove forward, exchanged passes with Lautaro Martínez and then curled in with his weaker left foot.

Martínez had a goal disallowed as Inter looked to press home their advantage, but Benfica drew level on the night when Fredrik Aursnes rose superbly to head in Rafa Silva’s right-wing cross.

14th Aries Shooting Championship

DIMAPUR, APR 20

(NPN): The 14th Aries Shooting Championship 2023 in Rifle/Pistol (NR) events will be held at Aries Sports Complex Shooting Range, BamunphukuriI, Dimapur from April 27 to 29 as per rules and regulations under National Rifle Association of India Match Book 2022 (amended). The championship will be conducted by Nagaland Rifle Association.

shooters, who have not received/ applied for their Shooter ID number to immediately visit National Rifle Association of India website www.thenrai.org to check status/apply for their Shooter ID number.

the second half, we made some adjustments as we had some problems with the left wing. The boys in the back defended very well. Reaching the semifinals three years in a row is a great achievement,” said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Benfica draw with Inter Italian giants Inter set up a Champions League semifinal against city rivals AC Milan as they saw off the challenge of Portu -

3rd Late G. Rio Memorial U-19 (boys) final on Apr 22

DIMAPUR, APR 20

(NPN): Two young districts viz, Chümoukedima and Niuland will be battling it out on April 22 to be crowned the champions of the 3rd Late G. Rio Memorial U-19 (boys) Interdistrict tournament.

A press release by Nagaland Cricket Association stated that both Districts have performed magic with the bat and the ball enroute to the finals and convincingly topped their own pools in the league matches with no losses and a perfect 8 points in 4 matches played.

At the 1st semi-final between Niuland and Mokokchung at Nagaland Cricket Stadium , Niuland managed to put up 145 runs on the board in 36.5 overs while Mokokchung could muster up only 80 runs from 41.5 overs, falling short of 65 runs losing all wickets for Niuland to book their berth in the finals. For Niuland, Vishal Sahani scored 49 runs in 55 balls, while Md Shahin

Nadal withdraws from Madrid Open

NEW DELHI, APRIL

20 (IANS): In what is a fresh blow to Rafael Nadal’s French Open preparations, the 22-time Grand Slam champion on Thursday announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to his ongoing injury concerns. The 36-year-old had also withdrawn from the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters as well as the ongoing Barcelona Open as he is still recovering from a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg and he continues to focus on returning to full fitness.

“As you know I suffered an important injury in Australia of the psoas muscle. Initially, it had to be a six-to-eight-week recovery period and we are now on fourteen. The reality is that the situation is not what we would have expected,” Nadal said in a video he released on social media on Thursday.

“The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros and for the moment I have missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona. I will not be able to be in Madrid unfortunately,” he said.

scored 46 runs in 78 balls.

Basant was the only pick of the bowlers for Mokokchung who scalped 3 wickets in 8.0 overs.

In reply, Mokokchung’s Salangdangba and Imnawapang Walling were the only notable with 21 and 16 runs respectively.

Jatin who was later named player of the match was the pick of the Niuland bowling attack as he picked 5 wickets in 10 overs, while Anil Gupta scalped 3 wickets in 7 over to help Niuland register a comfortable 65-run win.

In the 2nd Semi-final

between Chumukedima and Dimapur at Sovima Cricket Ground, it was the carnage of Mughavi Sumi who scored 75 runs in 64 balls and the notable contribution of Aloto Sumi with 29 runs who helped Chümoukedima post an imposing 141 runs as target for Dimapur . Kavito

Yeptho who took 5 wickets in 6.3 overs was the pick bowler for Dimapur.

In the run-chase, Dimapur suffered early hiccups and Anirudh Yadav (29 runs from 52 balls) was the only batsman who could manage to reach

double figures as the other batsman failed to rise to the occasion. Khrievitso Kense started the carnage with a 4 wicket haul in 6.3 overs and Aloto Sumi picked up 3 wickets in 5 overs to complete the win for Chümoukedima and book their place in the finals against Niuland.

The finals of the 3rd edition Late G Rio Memorial U-19 (boys) Interdistrict tournament between Chümoukedima and Niuland will be played on April 22 at 09:00 am at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima

David Neres was introduced at the break by the visitors and they started the second half brightly, but just before the midway point of the half, the home side got the crucial third goal of the evening when Martínez blasted in Federico Dimarco’s low pass across the box. Inter substitute Joaquín Correa then got in on the action when he collected Dimarco’s pass and cut inside before finishing well via the far post.

A press release by president of Naga Rifles Association, Merang Jamir stated that aspiring competitors are requested to go through the following instructions carefully for their own convenience and to ensure smooth and successful conduct of the competitions.

Shooters below 21 years and 19 years as on 31st December, 2022, will be considered under the Juniors category (2002 onwards) and Youth (2004 onwards) respectively for the Championship.

Shooters below the age of 12 years are not allowed to participate in fire arm matches during this championship. The release informed

The entries with normal fee will be accepted till 6 pm on April 25 2023.

Late entries with triple entry fee will be accepted till 6 pm on April 26, 2023.

The medals will be awarded in individual category as follows:

4 shooters 3 Medals

3 Shooters 2 Medals

2 shooters 1 Medal

1 shooter no Medal

The release further informed that the organizing committee reserves the

right to amend the rules at any time at its sole discretion for events/circumstances beyond its control and any decision made by the organizing committee in any such matter will be final. It stated that participants are expected to abide by the rules and regulations for the competitions. Discipline on and off the field is very essential and shooting practices in hotels are strictly prohibited. Shooting kit (clothing & equipment) of the competitors during the competition will be strictly according to International Shooting Sport Federation Rules. The Shooters may contact the following contact numbers -9436010820/8974732088 for any further information/details that may be required by them and might have not been covered in the information provided above.

We the Sumi Totimi Loka IV.LRC Colony with immense pride and honour extend our heartiest congratulations to Shri. Shikuto Yeptho GB IV.LRC Colony being elected as the p resident of Sumi Council d imapur. We firmly anticipate that under his able leadership, he shall discharge his responsibilities efficiently and responsibly.

Further the Union wishes him the best in all his future endeavours.

With immense pride and pleasure, the Darogapathar Youth Organization would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to the above citizens of Darogapathar Village. We wish them good health and grand success in the days to come.

SUMIKA K. MURUMI ALONG PONGEN (President) (General Secretary)

Shri. T. R. Zeliang Deputy Chief Minister (Planning and Transformation Department, National Highways) Govt. of Nagaland

Shri. Sharingain Longkumer Shri. A. Pangjung Jamir Honourable Speaker NLA Advisor Govt. of Nagaland Fishery and Aquatic Resources Govt. of Nagaland

Shri. Watizulu Jamir Shri. Myingthungo Ababe Ezung CHAIRMAN OSD (Transport) in the status of Addl. Secretary (Development Authority of Nagaland) Govt. of Nagaland Govt. of Nagaland

Mighty Real Madrid, who eliminated Pep Guardiola’s men in the last four last season, await in the semi-finals.

Faf, Siraj script 24-run win for RCB

MOHALI, APR 20 (PTI):

Faf du Plessis played a special knock despite a rib injury before Mohammed Siraj produced his best figures in the IPL to set up a 24-run win for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Punjab Kings here on Thursday.

Playing as an ‘Impact Player’ due to his injury, Du Plessis plundered 84 off 56 balls and shared a 137run opening wicket stand with stand-in captain Virat Kohli (59 off 47) to steer RCB to 174 for four after being put in to bat.

Though in-form skipper Shikhar Dhawan was unavailable for the second game in a row, Punjab had enough firepower to chase down 175 but lost too many wickets at the start of the chase.

Siraj delivered with wickets with the new ball as well as in the death overs to end up with 4/21 in four overs and secure a welcome victory for his team. Jitesh Sharma’s counter-attacking 41 off 27 for Punjab went in vain.

It was RCB’s third win in six games while Punjab suffered their third loss in six matches. Siraj was too hot to

handle in the powerplay as he removed left-hander Atharva Taide with a sharp inswinger off the second ball of the innings before removing the dangerous Liam Livingstone in the fourth over. Both lbw dismissals came after successful DRS reviews.

Wanindu Hasaranga then castled Matthew Short with a googly before run-outs of Sam Curran and Harpreet Bhatia made matters worse for the home team. At 97 for six, the game looked done and dusted but

KL Rahul fined Rs 12 lakhs for maintaining slow overrate

Jitesh Sharma kept Punjab in the game with some clean hitting, especially down the ground. He ran out of partners eventually.

Earlier, at 91 for no loss in 10 overs, RCB were on course for 200 plus total but Punjab bowled well in the middle and death overs to restrict the opposition.

Du Plessis hammered five sixes and as many fours in his belligerent knock. Like he often does, the former South Africa skipper was not afraid to show his stumps to the spinners to free his arms for the big

Warner, Ishant star in Delhi’s first win of IPL season

and Kohli with the new ball but it did not work.

The Indian star began with his trademark cover drive off spinner Harpreet Brar before pulling a short ball from Arshdeep over short fine leg for another four in the third over.

Du Plessis got going with a couple of sixes off Brar, who opened the bowling alongside Arshdeep.

The South African made room for a massive straight six over Brar’s head and followed it up with another one wide of long on. However, his best of the lot was the straight six off pacer Nathan Ellis as he stood sill to slap it over the bowler’s head.

shots.

Kohli made 59 off 47 balls though the first half of his innings was more fluent.

It was the fourth fifty plus score for the RCB openers this season, highlighting their consistency.

RCB would be a tad disappointment with the total they ended up with after a flying start from du Plessis and Kohli, who fired their team to 59 for no loss in the powerplay.

Arshdeep Singh and Curran employed the shortball tactic against du Plessis

RCB could only manage 83 runs off the last 60 balls. Rahul Chahar and Sam Curran could not take wickets but did not allow the batters to break free.

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 174/4 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 84, Virat Kohli 59; Harpreet Brar 3/31, Arshdeep Singh 1/34) beat Punjab Kings 150 in 18.2 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 46, Jitesh Sharma 41; Mohammed Siraj 4/21, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/39) by 24 runs.

NEW DELHI, APR 20 (PTI): Skipper David Warner found his perfect hitting arc after Ishant Sharma rolled back the years but even then Delhi Capitals stuttered badly in a modest chase before beating Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets on Thursday to stay afloat in this edition of the IPL.

With their backs to the wall after five defeats on the trot, the DC bowling line-up collectively came to the party as KKR managed only 127 on a spicy deck which aided both pacers and spinners alike.

Warner, DC’s best batter this season, was struggling with his strike-rate in earlier games but on Thursday, he smashed 57 off 41 with the target being reached with four balls to spare. The DC batting, save Warner looked wobbly once again but a below-par score perhaps saved the day for the home team as the ball started gripping in the second half of the chase making it difficult for strokeplay. Axar Patel (19 not out off 22 balls) despite a groin strain managed to take his team past the

finishing line. DC’s victory was about two veterans winning the Powerplay contest for their team.

The 34-year-old Ishant (2/19 in 4 overs), who is well past his prime, got his first opportunity and used his oodles of experience to peg back KKR inside the ‘Bowling Powerplay’.

The 36-year-old Warner then showed his destructive avatar hitting as many as 10 boundaries in the ‘Batting Powerplay’ to kill the contest and earn his team’s first win of the competition. The manner in which he swept, the two KKR spinners Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy

Indian men’s recurve team storm into World Cup final

ANTALYA, APR 20

(PTI): India stormed into the final of the men’s recurve team event for the first time in nine years after registering three wins in the ongoing Archery World Cup Stage 1, here on Thursday.

The trio of Atanu Das, B Dhiraj and Tarundeep Rai will face China in the gold medal clash on Sunday in pursuit of India’s first World Cup gold medal in the men’s recurve team event after 13 years.

JAIPUR, APR 20 (PTI): Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has been fined Rs 12 lakhs for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals here.

LSG defeated Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs on Wednesday night at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

“As it was the team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Mr. Rahul was fined Rs 12

lakhs,” IPL said in a statement. The IPL aims for matches to finish in three hours and 20 minutes, but slow over rate is proving to be an issue, with several games stretching past the four-hour mark.

Kyle Mayers topscored with 51 off 42 balls as LSG posted 154 for seven. In reply, RR were restricted to 144 for six in 20 overs, with Avesh Khan taking three wickets for LSG.

Lucknow will face Gujarat Titans on April 22.

India had more good news in store as premier compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam cruised into the individual semifinal.

Having topped the qualification with a world record-equalling score, the former World Championship silver medallist secured four wins in a row to set up a last-four clash against world number one Ella Gibson of England, slated on Saturday.

The men’s recurve team, which got a firstround bye after qualifying as the fourth seed, faced a stiff challenge to begin with

U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers: India to start against Kyrgyzstan

and Jordan are some of the top teams in action in the qualifiers in which 29 teams were allocated to five groups of four teams and three groups of three teams, with teams seeded according to their performance in the 2019 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship final tournament and qualification.

a win as it defeated 13th seed Japan 5-4 with a 29-28 win in the shoot-off.

The Indians shot two perfect 10 from three attempts (10, 10, 9) to seal the issue in the tie-breaker after both the teams were locked 4-4 (49-52, 57-52, 54-51, 52-57) following four sets of intense shooting.

Thereafter, it was an easy sailing for the Indian trio that got past 12th seed Chinese Taipei and ninth

seed Netherlands by identical 6-2 margins to set up a summit clash with second seed China. It was an easy outing against Chinese Taipei as the Indian men’s recurve team raced to 4-0 lead before sealing the issue 6-2 (55-54, 57-54, 51-53, 58-56) with four 10s including an X (closer to the centre). Next up, were the Netherlands who were on a high after eliminating top-seed and tournament

Schumacher planning to sue magazine over fake AI interview

BERLIN, APR 20

(AGENCIES): The family of Michael Schumacher is preparing to file a lawsuit against a German gossip publication for releasing a ‘exclusive’ interview with the Formula One legend that was created with the help of artificial intelligence.

hosts Turkey (6-0), a team that included the reigning Olympic champion Mete Gazoz. The Dutch raced to a 2-0 lead but the Indians came back strongly to win 6-2 (56-58, 57-53, 57-55, 56-54).

“We came here without any expectations. We wanted to do our best. But now we kind of expect gold,” Das said. Making a comeback after about two years, Das added: “It feels amazing. Last year was not my year, but this year I came with good performance.” “I felt some pressure. Every round is different. Every time I got to the shooting line I was calculating the wind, if it was changing. I directed my team partners that followed me. We did a proper team work.”

Jyothi’s day out

Bringing her A game to play, the world number 11 Jyothi reeled off 145 points out of a possible 150 thrice in a row to defeat Myriam Hasler of Switzerland (137), Danelle Lutz of USA (141) and Mexico’s Ana Sofia Hernandez Jeon (138) without breaking

sweat. In the quarterfinal, Jyothi stepped her game further, shooting 147 with 12 perfect 10s, including five Xs (closer to the centre), from 15 arrows to defeat Taja Gellenthien of Denmark 147-142.

Jyothi is the only Indian to remain in the medal hunt in individual section, as all her compound teammates in men’s and women’s section made early exits.

It was the same story in the compound team events as the women’s trio of Jyothi, Avneet Kaur and Aditi Swami could not live up to their top billing and were ousted by USA 225233 in their first round.

The sixth seeded compound men’s team, on the other hand, lost to Chinese Taipei 234-236 in their opening round.

The women’s recurve team of Bhajan Kaur, Ankita Bhakat and Simranjeet Kaur lost in the round of 16. The trio defeated Brazil 5-4 (56-53, 50-55, 52-54, 52-52, 24-19) in the shootoff. But lost to Spain 2-6 (45-47, 56-51, 50-52, 53-55) in the second round.

hardly had any answers. In all, he hit 11 boundaries. The win doesn’t alter DC’s standing in the points table as they remain last but the victory does give them hope for a turnaround.

Once Warner won a good toss and opted to field, Ishant, playing his first IPL match in over two seasons, was bang on target with 13 dot balls and hitting those immaculate three-quarter lengths, just like yesterday. In rhythm, he still hits 140 clicks but once he was done with his four overs, he literally collapsed in the dug-out chair as Prithvi Shaw came in as ‘Impact Player’.

BWF bans Russian, Belarusian players

KUALA LUMPUR, APRIL 20 (IANS): The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has maintained its ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials from participating in any BWF-sanctioned international tournaments, the world governing body for badminton said on Thursday.

The BWF said that the decision was made following a BWF Council Meeting on Tuesday.

Notably, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended last month that athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to return to competition as neutrals, provided they did not support the war or were not affiliated to the military.

However, BWF has decided to continue its decision from last year, when the badminton body banned the athletes and officials representing the two countries from participating in any of its international tournaments, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Spain football friendlies: India U-17 beat Atletico de Madrid 4-1

ALCALA DE HENARES, MADRID (SPAIN),

BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN), APRIL 20 (IANS): The Indian U-17 Girls’ team will start their campaign on April 26 with hosts Kyrgyzstan in a Group F clash in the Qualifiers for AFC U17 Womens Asian Cup tentatively scheduled to be held in Indonesia from April 7-20, 2024. India are in Group F with Myanmar as the other team in the preliminary group of the qualifiers. India will take on Myanmar in their second match in the group on April 28.

Group F will open at the historic 82-year-old Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek with a match between hosts Kyrgyz Republic and Myanmar, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) informed in a release on Thursday.

With just under a year to go for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, 24 teams across Asia will embark on their qualifying journey this Saturday (April 22).

Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Guam

To be played in a single round-robin league format at a centralised venue for each of the eight groups, Round 1 of the Qualifiers for the ninth AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup will run until April 30 with the group winners progressing to Round 2, which are scheduled for September 16 to 24.

They will be divided into two groups and the top two teams from each will join the three highestseeded sides from the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2019 - defending champions Japan, DPR Korea and China PR - and hosts Indonesia in the Finals.

Since suffering a head injury in a skiing accident in December 2013, seventime Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has not been spotted in public.

According to CNN, on April 15, Die Aktuelle, a weekly magazine in Germany, published a smiling picture of the 54-year-old on the front cover with the headline: “Michael Schumacher, the first interview.” Paired with the headline is a subheading that reads: “It sounded deceptively real.”

The fake interview appears on page eight of the magazine with the headline, “My life has changed completely,” and includes fictitious quotes attributed

to Schumacher, discussing his family life since the accident and his medical condition. Only toward the end of the article does it become apparent that the interview was produced by AI. A family spokeswoman confirmed to news agency AFP that they planned legal action without giving further details. The family has carefully guarded the 54-year-old’s privacy since the accident.

Schumacher has not been seen in public since the injury and little information has been given publicly on his condition. Reports suggest Schumacher has memory, movement and speech problems and is being cared for at home near Geneva.

APRIL 20 (IANS): The India U-17 team registered a comfortable 4-1 win over Atletico de Madrid U-17 in a friendly game, here on Wednesday. The game is the first of many, where they will play a series of such ames against top Spanish clubs.

Bibiano Fernandes’ team are on an exposure tour prior to their assignment at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Thailand and the well drilled side were in no mood to let any doubts about their quality and temperament remain.

The goals started coming in as early as the 6th minute, India starting the scoring having staved off a few Atletico attacks. Picking up a through ball on the right flank, Korou Singh Thingujam took a shot at goal, only to see it go in, giving India an early lead. Forced on the backfoot, Atletico started building up play and creating a few chances of their own only to be blocked by a stub-

born Indian defence. Leading the pack was captain Surajkumar Ngangbam, who was always at the right place to head away or clear an inbound cross.

Just after the half hour mark, India doubled their lead, Korou turning provider this time. The winger picked up Danny Meitei’s throw-in, before crossing the ball into the box for Lalpekhlua, who slotted it in perfectly. Jolted and shocked, for the hosts worse was to follow. Within two minutes, India had a third. For India’s front line this had become a game of scoring one and then helping another. This

time Lalpekhlua turned provider, crossing from the left to allow Shashwat Panwar to open his tally.

Atletico pulled one back in the 38th minute, Gabriel scoring from a rebound after Sahil’s save off the initial attempt to keep the hosts in the game as they headed to the break. India were content to play on the counter in the second period, the team more focussed on maintaining shape, concentration and discipline off the ball. In the 59th minute, Shashwat played Korou through, on goal. The latter’s pass was well saved by the goalkeeper though.

The U-17 team that beat Atletico de Madrid 4-1.

KL Rahul

Jyothi Surekha and Abhishek Verma with the gold medal.

A training session of Indian U-17 Girls’ team.

Michael Schumacher

RCB’s Virat Kohli with teammates G Maxwell and D Karthik celebrates the wicket of Punjab Kings batter Liam Livingstone. (PTI)

Delhi Capitals captain David Warner reacts during the match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders . (PTI)