22 May 2023

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Govt actions responsible for violence: Biren

IMPHAL, MAY 21

(AGENCIES/IANS): Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh has called for peace amid challenges to maintain law and order in the state following unrest earlier this month. The chief minister has appealed to the people to “blame the government and not communities”.

Speaking on the sidelines of a programme in Imphal on Anti-Terrorism

Day Sunday, Singh conveyed his thoughts to the media.

“My earnest appeal to the people of the state — it is not about the communities.

Please blame the government. Whatever we, the government, can rectify, we will do it. Please don’t go after communities (sic).”

Replying to a question on initiatives undertaken by the state government, including destruction of poppy cultivation and protection of forests, that resulted in events leading to unrest, the chief minis-

IMD predicts heavy rain in NE

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(AGENCIES): The Indian Metrological Department has predicted heavy rainfall for the next few days in the North Eastern region while parts of India, which include Rajasthan, south Haryana, southern parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Gangetic West Bengal will reel under severe heatwave.

As per the IMD’s bulletin, there is a likelihood of heavy rainfall at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya from May 22-25, and in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on May 24-25. IMD said that rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning, gusty winds very likely to continue over Assam and Meghalaya during next 3 days. It said that similar condition will prevail over Arunachal Pradesh and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura on May 24 and 25.

India’s active Covid cases dip to 8,115

NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (PTI): India has recorded 756 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 8,115 from 8,675, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,832 with eight deaths which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data stated. The active cases now comprise 0.02% of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80%, the ministry said.

te r said, “What’s gone is gone…Our mission now is to restore normalcy in the state. There was no fight between the communities in Manipur, and there should not be any fight.”

“Whenever the government tries to do something, resistance or acceptance is always there, all over the world. It is the duty of the government to expedite the issues,” he added.

Calling upon the 10 Chin-Kuki-Mizo-ZomiHmar legislators who wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding “separation from the state of

Manipur”, the chief minister said, “Manipur is a unique state. We are small, but we have 34-35 recognised tribes, including Kukis. We are all brothers and sisters.”

On efforts to reach out to the displaced people, he emphasised on sending “missionaries through government and civil societies” to talk to each other and bring people together.

Meanwhile, the state government Sunday extended the suspension of internet and data services by another five days – till 3pm, 26 May — in a bid “to maintain law and order.

Kuki legislators demanding separate state under militants’ pressure: Ranjan

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan

Singh told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that in complete dismay and frustration, Kuki leaders including their 10 MLAs have demanded a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals. Singh said the demand was made under tremendous pressure from various quarters including the militants.

Singh, in a letter to the Prime Minister, said that demanding a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) is a very dangerous proposition for a small state having 35 ethnic groups. “Peaceful co-existence should be the norm, Naga-Kuki conflict or Meitei-Pangan (Muslim) clash and now Meitei-Kuki

riot must be treated as aberrations. These should be curbed and controlled by a strong hand. No balkanization on ethnic lines should be encouraged at any cost,” the Union Minister said.

He said that since May 3, for a few days, there was complete chaos and trust vanished in thin air between the two communities -- Meiteis and Kukis.

Noting that the Manipur situation must be dealt with a humane touch without any ethnic bias, Singh said: “Let us not allow anyone to do fishing in the troubled water. It is not about how many Kukis or Meiteis have died or how many Meitei houses or Kuki houses were torched. It is a very unfortunate humanitarian crisis caused by immature minds.”

Manipur: Security forces ensuring movement of trucks

IMPHAL, MAY 21 (PTI): Trucks carrying essential commodities to violencehit Manipur are plying with special security cover to ensure that there is no shortage of goods in the North Eastern state, a defence spokesperson said on Sunday.

The Army and Assam Rifles along with the state government, Manipur Police and central armed police forces are working to provide protection to vehicles carrying such goods to and from Imphal via NH 37, the defence spokesperson said.

Prophylactic Area Domination Patrols of

Army and Assam Rifles, Quick Reaction Teams operating from Company Operating Bases located along NH 37, aerial surveillance by unmanned aerial vehicles and Cheetah helicopters, Companies of CRPF and Manipur Police

personnel along with persons from India Reserve Battalion have been tasked to ensure the security of civilian vehicles plying on NH 37, he said. To guarantee dedicated security, vehicles are also accompanied by Quick

Replacement of ILS could disrupt flights to Dimapur

formance Category-I Instrument Landing System (ILS) for various airports in the country. The new facility has an improved ILS Localizer Antenna System that will help in precision approach of all aircraft landing at the airport in all weather conditions.

Reaction Teams of the Manipur Police and CRPF, he added. Truck movement to the Imphal Valley had stopped due to roadblocks and fear among transporters as clashes broke out in Manipur.

“As a result, the stock of essential supplies in the state was dwindling and beginning to reach critical levels which resulted in planning movement through NH 37,” the Defence PRO, Imphal, said. Movement of trucks on NH 37 commenced on May 15 and security forces remain committed to restoring complete normalcy, the spokesperson said.

IPL: Mumbai Indians beat SRH by 8 wickets

Countries should respect each other’s territorial integrity: PM

NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a G7 working session on Sunday in Hiroshima, said that all countries must respect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of all nations.

“All countries must respect the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and call for raising voice together against unilateral attempts to change the status quo,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

PM Modi’s comments come amid India’s deteriorating bilateral relations with Beijing due to the latter’s unprovoked attempts to alter the status of the international borders unilaterally.

The Prime Minister also referred to the teachings of Buddha and said there was no problem in the modern age whose solution cannot be found in his teachings.

“In India, and here in Japan too, Lord Buddha has been followed for thousands of years. There is no problem in the modern age, whose solution we cannot find in the teachings of Buddha,” he said.

“India has always been of the opinion that any tension, any dispute should be resolved peacefully, through dialogue. And if a solution is found by law, it should be accepted. And in this spirit, India resolved its land and maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh,” he said.

Modi also recalled his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and assured India would do whatever possible to resolve the conflict.

“Today we heard from President Zelensky. I also met him yesterday. I do not consider the current situation as an issue of politics or economy. I believe it is an issue of humanity, an issue of human values,” the prime minister said.

“Global peace, stability and prosperity is a common objective of all of us. In to-

day’s interconnected world, tension in any one region affects all countries. And, developing countries, which have limited resources, are affected the most,” he said.

“Due to the current global situation, the maximum and most profound effects of the food, fuel and fertilizer crisis are being suffered by these countries,” he added.

Modi said he views the current situation in Ukraine as an issue of humanity and human values and not of politics or economy even as he called for respecting international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

Modi also strongly pitched for raising voice collectively against unilateral attempts to change the status quo, asserting that any tension and dispute should be

Nyamnei appointed as State NPP president

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (NPN): National People’s Party (NPP) on Sunday appointed A. Nyamnei Konyak, MLA as the new Nagaland State NPP president with immediate effect, replacing Andrew Ahoto Sema.

In an order, NPP president and

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma said that Nyamnei Konyak, has been appointed as State president of Nagaland until further orders with immediate effect. Meanwhile, party sources said that Andrew Ahoto would be given a bigger role at the national level. He would be elevated as one of the party functionaries of NPP at the national level, sources added.

No ID proof required for exchanges of Rs 2,000 notes

NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (PTI): No form or requisition slip is required for exchange of Rs 2,000 notes up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time as part of exercise to withdraw high-value currency notes from circulation.

(Representational image)

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAY 21

(NPN): Dimapur airport will be undergoing upgradation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) in the next few months. This was confirmed

to Nagaland Post by an official of the Airports Authority of India at Dimapur.

However, when that will take place was not known. The Airports Authority of India has recently commissioned Facility Per-

The replacement of ILS will mean that Dimapur airport may not have ILS till replacement is completed. This will also mean that aircraft landing at Dimapur will not be assisted with ILS. It could even lead to disruption of flights as some airlines may choose to not fly to Dimapur especially during the monsoon months.

RBI on Friday in a surprise move announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes from circulation but gave public time till September 30 to either deposit such notes in accounts or exchange them at banks.

Unlike the November 2016 shock of demonetisation, when old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were invalidated overnight, the Rs 2,000 notes will continue to

NE to get its Vande Bharat express soon

GUWAHATI, MAY 21

(IANS): The trial run of the maiden Vande Bharat express for the North Eastern region was successfully completed on Sunday, officials said.

According to a senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) railway official, the first Vande Bharat express of this region will run from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station to Guwahati on six days a week.

“It started its trial run on Sunday at 6.15 a.m. from NJP station and successfully completed its journey to the Guwahati station,” the officer added. As per the sources, the Vande Bharat express

will start its inaugural run between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri on May 25. The semi high-speed train will complete the 410-kilometre distance be-

tween Guwahati and NJP in 6 hours. Currently the Rajdhani Express, the fastest train on this route, takes 8 hours to traverse this distance.

380 special trains to enhance connectivity: In response to the increased demand for railway services and the surge in passengers, Indian railway authorities have launched 380 special trains, totalling 6,369 trips, across the country. The special trains, equipped with over 80,000 coaches, consist of 25,794 General Coaches and 55,243 Sleeper Coaches. General Coaches accommodate 100 passengers each, while Sleeper Coaches have a capacity of 72 passengers in ICF coaches and 78 passengers in LHB coaches (ICF - Integral Coach Factory; LHB - Linke Hofmann Busch).

be a legal tender. In a communication to chief general manager of all its local head offices, State Bank of India (SBI) informed that the facility of exchange of Rs 2,000 notes by public up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time will be allowed without obtaining any requisition slip.

With regard to deposit of such notes in own account, RBI has not specified any limit but it will be subject to compliance with extant Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other applicable statutory requirements.

“Further, no identity proof is required to be submitted by the tenderer at

the time of exchange,” the communication dated May 20 said. It has asked its local head offices to arrange and extend all cooperation to the public so that the exercise is conducted in a smooth and seamless manner without any inconvenience. According to sources, one can stand any number of times in queue for exchange of Rs 2,000 notes.

Although the facility for exchange is available from May 23, many customers were seen visiting their branches with the Rs 2,000 notes on Saturday. Bank officials returned such customers after advising them about the start date for exchange.

Some of the customers used cash deposit machines on Saturday to deposit Rs 2,000 notes in their accounts. Many have tried jewellery shops to buy gold and other precious metals. However, jewellers are also hesitant in accepting Rs 2,000 notes and asking for KYC beyond prescribed cash purchase in many parts of the country. According to Confederation of All India Traders, withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes by the Reserve Bank of India will not affect the trade of the small traders but will certainly hit the big and affluent class which might have stocked Rs 2,000 notes in large quantities.

Security forces escort vehicles carrying essential goods to Manipur. (PTI)

Biren Singh speaks at the ‘Anti-Terrorism Day’ event in Imphal (Twitter)

Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida and the leaders of the G7 nations and invited guest countries, during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

ESDE to skill individuals with invisible disabilities

NEWS IN BRIEF

COB NPF meeting: NPF president, Shürhozelie Liezietsu has convened a meeting of the Central Officer Bearers (COB) on May 24, 11 am, at Central Office HQ, Kohima. Liezietsu has invited all leaders, the frontal heads Central Leader of NPF Legislature Party (NLA), all frontal heads centralpresident youth/women/farmers’/minority wing, and all presidents divisional units, Nagaland.

Fountain Club Kohima new team: The handing and taking over ceremony of the office bearers of Fountain Club Kohima was held on May 20 in Kohima. The new team for the tenure 2023-2025 will be led by Rokovikho Chalie as chairman. Other office bearers included; vice chairman, Avilie Angami, secretary- Zekho Angami and three executive members. S. Kevi Hibo has been inducted as advisor.

UPHC Porterlane conducts health camp

DIMAPUR: Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (ESDE) has joined hands with Changeinkk Foundation, a non-profit organization that is devoted to mainstreaming persons with learning disabilities, to skill individuals who often go unnoticed due to their invisible disabilities.

A DIPR report stated that the partnership aimed to tap the natural entrepreneurial spirit of those individuals and leverage their skills to drive innovation and growth for the state.

Department of Employment, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship recognized individuals with invisible disabilities, especially those with Specific Learning Disabilities, as they were often the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations that have changed the world. With this in mind, the partnership with Changeinkk Foundation will focus on empowering these individuals by providing them with the necessary skills to become successful entrepreneurs and innovators, the report stated.

Changeinkk Foundation is committed to building equitable ecosystems that promote the inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities from cradle to career. Instead of creating alternative systems of inclusion, the partnership will build the capacities of all stakeholders, enabling them to create a sustainable culture of inclusion. Nagaland government and Changeinkk Foundation were committed to this partnership and believe that it will drive innovation, productivity, and growth for India.

LBA women’s department imparts handicraft training

DIMAPUR: Liangmai Baptist Association (LBA) Women’s Department organised a skill development training at Mission Centre Tening ADC headquarters on May 20.

A DIPR report stated that ideology of handicraft knowledge was imparted by Chandiliu Newmai. Meanwhile, LBA Women’s Department also held its executive meeting with representatives from churches under LBA on May 19 and 20.

EMRS celebrates tribal artisan mela

DIMAPUR: Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), celebrated Tribal Artisan Mela on May 20 at school campus.

To mark the day a short cultural programme was organised where students showcased different cultural dances and songs.

The celebration culminated with exhibition of cultural items, cultural art and sale different vocational products made by the students. Indigenous food stalls were also set up by the Alumni’s. Parents.

IN LOVING MEMORY

TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE WE LOST YOU MA’AM.

THOUGH TIME PASSED, THE PAIN OF YOUR LOSS REMAINS FRESH IN OUR HEARTS. YOUR ABSENCE HAS LEFT A VOID IN MANY LIVES.

AS WE REMEMBER AND HONOR YOU IN YOUR 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR PASSING, YOU ARE MISSED MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS. REST IN PEACE

LT. ANUNGLA T. IMSONG

(Longjang)

YOURS LOVING AVTC FAMILY

Died : 22nd May 2021 DP-2216/23

A child examined at the special outreach health camp on May 20. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Urban Primary Health Centre (UP HC) Porterlane conducted a special outreach health camp at New Minister’s Hill Colony Panchayat on May 20.

2nd DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LATE ATOHO V YEPTHO

A DIPR report stated that at the camp, services such as health camp, free consultation, free drug/ medicine distribution, free basic laboratory tests, immunization/vaccination, ic

1ST DEATH

22-05-2021

"Forever in our hearts until we meet again"

"The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a life spent is eternal" Miss you Dear, DAD Loving Wife, Children & Relatives

DC

Remembering Late Joshua Solo on his 1st Death Anniversary

activities and health talks, family planning, referral services, and counselling were carried out. At the special outreach health camp, the medical team was led by Dr. Azhanuo Khezhie.

ANNIVERSARY of Late Vikhozol Rhetso

22-05-2022

It’s been a year since you left us. Not a single day has passed by without you in our thoughts.

“In your life you touched us; in your death Our lives changed” May God grant eternal peace to your soul to live happily in his divine paradise.

DP-2219/23

Loving Wife & Children

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late MOAKUMZUK AO

Born: 16/10/1979 | Died:09/05/2023

We the bereaved family members of Late Moakumzuk Ao would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all individual, churches, neighbours, friends and all the well wishers who supported and stood by us morally, physically, financially and through prayers during his brief illness until his last breath.

We convey our sincere gratitude to.

1. Doctor and Nurses Naga Hospital Kohima

18/09/1982 – 22/05/2022

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear"

-Loving family members

K-1101/23

2. Changtongya Senso Telongjem Kohima

3. Changtongya Senso Telongjem Dimapur

4. Ao Baptist Church Naga United Village, Chumoukedima.

5. Mrs. R. Apokla Woman Pastor New Reserve

6. PHQ MTO, and M.T Branch Staff

7. S.P, D.E.F Tuensang and Staff

8. Police Union Baptist Church, Woman Department Kohima. We deeply regret and apologize for our inability to mention all names individually, but it is our prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly for your gracious deeds. Loving wife, children, family and relatives

K-1105/23

Officials of ESDE and Changeinkk Foundation at the signing of MoU. (DIPR)

NSS volunteers of Government Higher Secondary School Meluri engage in first social work on May 19 after affiliation to NSS Cell Nagaland.

International AIDS candlelight memorial observed at Dimapur

May every year by people living with HIV since 1983 to help mobilise community and break stigma surrounding the disease.

He stressed that it was time for all to remember scores of lives lost to HIV and AIDS, while honouring the people who dedicated their life to helping people living with and affected by HIV and continue to mobilise the community in solidarity.

LDMC meeting on ‘promotion of 10000 FPOs’

DIMAPUR: Longleng District Monitoring Committee (LDMC) meeting on “Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10000 FPOs”, was held on May 12 at Deputy Commissioner Office, Longleng.

According to DIPR report, Deputy Commissioner Longleng, Dharam Raj briefed the house on the objective of the meeting. Project Head, Bhaskar Parnt informed the house that M/s Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd has assigned one FPO each in Longleng Block, Tamlu Block, and Sakshi Block. Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd would provide Technical support to these FPOs.

consisting of ten members, including a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and an accountant. The FPOs shall be registered under the Producer Company Act. The committee acknowledged the importance of competent leadership and financial management for the success of FPO.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (NPN): The 40th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on the theme “Spread love and solidarity to build stronger communities” was observed at Chavara Home (CH) here on Sunday.

Speaking at the occasion, special guest and Dimapur deputy commissioner (DC) Sachin Jaiswal noted that the fight against HIV was going on for four decades. He observed that the level of support for people living with HIV from the community and family members had improved, but

stressed that more sensitisation was required.

Thanking the organiser for hosting the event, he said the gathering might be a small, but the message had reached far and wide about the need for creating more public awareness about HIV and AIDS.

He applauded District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) for holding campaigns at schools and raising awareness among students on HIV infection. He mentioned that such campaigns should be encouraged and all sections of the society should support these.

Jaiswal remarked that

people living with HIV who were cured and leading their normal lives and proudly earning their livelihoods were the real heroes, while encouraging the affected individuals to follow the advices of doctors. He called for maintaining healthy lifestyles. The DC appealed to the society to not discriminate the affected people, but rather encourage and support them. In his welcome and keynote address, Network of Naga People Living with HIV and AIDS (NNP+) Lanu Aier said the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was observed on third Sunday of

LTA Women department holds 31st meet

DIMAPUR: The 31st Liangmai Theological Association (LTA) meet was held at Mission Center Tening on May 20 and 21.

The programme was organised under LTA presidentship, Khiupumme. At the meeting, previous minutes were reviewed with the present context in mind.

They also resolved to bring out a book on Christian occasions to strengthen the churches in their association.

Youth pastor, Kungkam Newmai presented a paper on the topic, “the role of Women in the Christian Ministry”. Meanwhile, Kadidinbo led a bible study on the book of Philemon.

The members visited six different churches to strengthen fellowship within the believers and encouraged the churches in their faith.

nagalandpost.com

Q.: Will polls to ULBs in Nagaland be held by August 2023 ?

A Yes. 40% B No. 58% C Can’t Say. 12%

NEXT POLL

Q: Is having an oppositionless govt in the interest of public of Nagaland?  Yes.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Akhan Theyo, invocation by Chavara Home sister Florence, message from affected families by Emmanuel K Lawnok, special number by children of Chavara Home.

Solidarity messages were also delivered by DPO DAPCU Mecievinuo, DNSU speaker Michael Kath, SMO Art Plus Centre Dr. Hotoka Hesso and executive director, Bethesda youth welfare centre Chenithung while benediction was pronounced by Chavara Home sister Sereena.

Other highlights of the programme included lighting of the candle and holding one-minute silent prayer.

Considering the hilly nature of the areas, emphasized has been made that a minimum of 100 farmers should be enrolled as per FPO to ensure viability and effectiveness. He also told the house that each FPO shall have a Board of Directors

The committee discussed the primary and secondary crops to be emphasized by each FPO. It was agreed upon that Longleng Block will focus on ginger cultivation, Tamlu Block on Coffee production, and Sakshi Block on Maize/mustard Cultivation. Additionally, the committee recognized the potential of other secondary crops which could complement the primary crops.

Longleng Block - (Crops): Pineapple, Litchi, Orange, Coffee, Rubber. Tamlu Block - (Crops): Betel vine, Areca nut, lime, large cardamom. Sakhi Block - (Crops): Ginger, Colocassia, leafy vegetables.

Furthermore, the committee acknowledged the commendable ginger cultivation being carried out by a group of approximately 40 households in Hukphang and Lingtak. It was recommended that this group be converted into an FPO, recognizing their expertise and potential for further development.

The committee also deliberated on the challenges faced in the district, including lack of processing units, cold storage facilities, and logistical issues. However, there was optimism that Doric Multimedia Pvt.Ltd would play a vital role in addressing these challenges and bridging the existing gaps through their technical support. The committee agreed that the District Agriculture Office should collaborate with Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd to identify the primary and secondary crops for each FPO and the crops will be finalized in the upcoming meeting.

Webinar on implementation of NEP 2020

DIMAPUR: A webinar on implementation of “NEP2020: issues and challenges of Higher Education in Nagaland”, was held on May 20. The webinar was organized by Department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University Kohima Campus, under coordination of Dr Rashmi and Dr Neha Rawat. A press release by NU stated that VC, Nagaland University, Prof J K Patnaik graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Prof. Arbind Kumar Jha from IGNOU

and Prof. Dipak Sinha from Nagaland University were the resource persons of the webinar. The release added that Dr. Visakhonu Hibo, principal Japfu Christian

College, Kigwema; Dr Sentinaro from Baptist College, Kohima; Dr Temjenwabang principal, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma and Dr. Lanurenla, head, English

department of Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung were the panellist of the webinar. A short speech was also delivered by our Pro-VC, Prof. G.T. Thong.

Participants of LTA 31st meet at LBA Mission Center on May 21.

Citizens light candles at the memorial service held in Dimapur on Sunday. (NP)

Slingshot attack on loaded trucks on NH-37

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 21:

Imphal-bound loaded trucks moving with heavy security escorts came under heavy attacks with stones and slingshots while passing through Kuki dominated hill areas along ImphalJiribam section of NH-37 on Sunday.

Driver of an oil tanker was injured in the attacks that also shattered windshields of as many as 13 trucks, reports said.

The report said that as many as 243 loaded trucks, including 74 oil tankers and bullet tankers stranded along the NH-37 in Jiribam district, were escorted back to Imphal by a strong combined force of state police, CRPF and Central paramilitary forces.

The vehicles arrived in Imphal in the afternoon today.

However, on the day, the trucks came under heavy attacks with stones and slingshots at various places between Kotlien and Keithelmanbi area under

Kangpokpi district. In the attacks, the driver of an oil tanker sustained injuries after he was hit by a slingshot on his head.

Windshields of at least 13 vehicles - eight trucks carrying essential commodities and five bullet tankers - were also smashed after being hit by the stones and slingshots, the report said.

After failure to reopen Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-2 where residents of

Prohibitory orders imposed in Guwahati ahead of Shah’s visit

residents and also functioning of offices in above mentioned area,” the order stated. Assembly of more than five persons and procession or slogan shouting in the entire jurisdiction of the police commissionerate has been prohibited with immediate effect until further orders.

Kangpokpi district headquarters imposed a blockade, the authorities of the state government decided to use Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37, the second lifeline of Manipur to ferry essential commodities. With heavy security escorts provided by the state police, CRPF and Central paramilitary forces, movement of loaded trucks on the NH-37 started a few days ago.

A total of 216 empty trucks including oil tankers have left Imphal today for Jiribam and other places outside the state to fetch essential items on with heavy security arrangements, the source said. The arrival of the loaded trucks came barely a day after security advisor to Manipur chief minister N

Biren Singh Kuldiep Singh informed the media on Saturday that efforts were

put in place to re-open the national highways to ferry essential commodities into the state.

In his media briefing on law and order situation on Saturday, the security advisor told the media that loaded trucks stranded along NH-2 in Senapati district due to strong resistance from residents of Kangpokpi district were yet to be brought to Imphal.

Over one hundred goods-laden trucks were still stranded at various places in Senapati district along NH-2 as an attempt to bring back the vehicles by the security forces a few days ago failed after thousands of residents of Kangpokpi blocked the highway.

The security advisor had said that efforts were put in place to bring back the stranded vehicles while informing that he was planning to visit Kangpokpi soon to hold talks with the leaders of the civil society organizations there and reopen the road for safe passage of stranded vehicles.

Net ban affects life in strife-torn Manipur

IMPHAL, MAY 21 (PTI): Thongbam Inaotomba’s son in Delhi is likely to be thrown out of his lodgings in Delhi as she has not been able to send money to the young student as the internet has been switched off in Manipur for the last 19 days.

Bimola Thounaojam, the mother of an 18-yearold youth, has been trying frantically trying to work out how to get her son admitted to a college outside Manipur without having to go through the usual netbased admission procedure. The net was switched off in this picturesque state three weeks ago after it erupted in ethnic clashes in order to stop rumours and misinformation being spread using the net which could result in a spiral of retaliatory violence.

“My son cleared the CBSE Class 12 exam recently. We cannot get information related to online form submission, cut-off marks and last date for application in colleges in major cities of the country outside Manipur,” said Thounaojam, 52, a resident of Imphal. The academic career

Assam man gets 25 yrs in jail for forcefully marrying minor

GUWAHATI, MAY 21

(IANS): A 30-year-old youth was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by an Assam court for allegedly kidnapping and forcibly marrying a 13-year-old girl.

A special court in Assam’s Hailakandi district pronounced the verdict on Saturday.

GUWAHATI, MAY 21 (PTI): Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Guwahati on Sunday, ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the city.

Some specified persons or groups are likely to disturb the normal functioning of offices and obstruct the movement of the public and traffic in the coming days, according to the notification shared by Police Commissioner Diganta Barah.

It is also apprehended that these groups or persons may carry out agitation or demonstration in the city, thereby causing “breach of peace and public order”, it said.

“It is necessary to take preventive measures to ensure peaceful movement of public, traffic and also normal activities of local

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a meeting of cabinet ministers to discuss the upcoming trip of Shah, who is likely to reach Guwahati on Wednesday night on a two-day visit.

“Laying of foundation stone for the National Forensic Science University & distribution of appointment letters will be done during the visit of Hon’ble HM,” the Chief Minister’s Office tweeted.

After attending the meeting, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said Shah will grace the ceremonial distribution of appointment letters to approximately 45,000 candidates for various government jobs.

“We had an in-depth discussion on the smooth conduct of both events. Senior officials of all the departments were also present in the meeting,” he said.

The person identified as Bijoy Bin is a resident of Dholaisit village in the Hailakandi district. According to police, a case was filed against him on January 18 last year. According to the victim’s family, on January 16, 2022, she left for a religious gathering in a nearby village but never returned to

the home. According to family members, she was discovered in Bijoy Bin’s home two days later and the man claimed that he had married the minor. After the complaints of the family members, Bijoy Bin was taken into custody by the police. The minor was also rescued by police from his home. Bin was charged with kidnapping the minor and forcing her into marriage under section 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was also booked under section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. After being detained

for five months and 13 days, Bin was given bail, according to the public prosecutor in the case, Monika Deb. The court chose to hear the case in fast-track following the family’s appeal.

“The special court finished all hearings and delivered its judgement in one year and four months. This is one of the uncommon instances,” said advocate Deb.

According to her, Bijoy was given a POCSO Act sentence of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by special judge Sanjay Hazarika. He was sentenced to another 5 years in prison, under section 366 of the IPC.

In both cases, he must pay Rs 10,000, and if he

doesn’t, he will serve an additional year in jail.

“Five witnesses, including the investigating officer, gave testimony during the hearing, and a special team examined the girl,” Deb said. She further mentioned, “The victim’s medical examination revealed to the special team that the allegations were real. She confessed that Bin kidnapped her and forced her to marry him.”

The Assam government has taken a strong stand against child marriage in recent times, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared a zero-tolerance policy towards the child marriage offenders.

of many students is being threatened due to the internet suspension, she told PTI.

“I am unable to send money online to my son; he studies in Delhi. He has told me over the phone that his landlord has threatened to drive him out if he doesn’t pay his monthly rent,” said Inaotomba, 54, a businessman. Business activities have been affected as stakeholders are not able to send emails or transfer payments, he said.

Residents argue that instead of a blanket suspension of internet, the government should have curbed the use of social networking sites as only those are used in spreading misinformation, said some of the people of the state which witnessed death of over 70 people in the clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since the violence began.

Anand Singh Huidrom, 41, who works from home here as an associate manager of a major information technology company, said his office work has been jeopardised.

“It is extremely unfair for the government to

completely shut down the internet. If the authorities feel social networking sites might spread misinformation, they could have blocked those sites. Instead, they are paralysing all forms of connection,” Huidrom said. The authorities cannot take away the basic right of access to information just because they are unable to check the handiwork of a few miscreants, asserted a Manipur High Court lawyer.

“I am unable to share important case related documents with my colleagues and clients. The authorities seem to have forgotten that we are part of a democratic system that takes pride in digital India,” said the lawyer who does not want to be identified. The high court is also facing a hard time as it is unable to properly inform people of the dates and timings of cases, creating chaos and confusion, he said. Clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Tripura govt to refurbish old capital complex area

AGARTALA, MAY 21

(PTI): The Tripura government has decided to refurbish the old capital complex area near Agartala to boost tourism, officials said.

The old capital complex, which includes a palace, Chaturdasha Temple, a museum and other structures, in Puran Haveli area in Puratan Agartala, around 8 km from the state capital, will be renovated and the entire area beautified as part of the Rs 20-crore project, they said. Maharaja Krishna Manikya Debbarma had constructed the complex and the temple in 1760 af-

ter shifting his capital from Udaipur, around 60 km away, when it fell into the hands of invader Samser Gaji and his army. The Manikya kings shifted the capital from Puran Haveli to Agartala in 1838. “The temple draws devotees from across Tripura and neighbouring Assam and Bangladesh during the seven-day ‘Kharchi Mela’ held in the months of June and July. The state government will secure a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the renovation of the historical site,” state Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said.

Gujarat Bhavan launched at North Eastern Hill University campus

Correspondent SHILLONG, MAY 21:

A Gujarat Bhavan was ‘launched’ at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) campus here in Meghalaya on Sunday in presence of Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat for collaboration with the Gujarat University, followed by the launch of certificate course on “Natural Farming, Agri-preneurship and Cooperatives”.

“The beginning of this journey started on November 8, 2022 at Rajbhavan, Gujarat, when NEHU signed MoU with Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University,” an official statement said, adding that student and faculty exchange between the two universities is part of the MoU. Addressing the gathering, Governor Devvrat observed that this was the “true beginning of the Amrit Kaal ka Bharat” uniting the

country under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

“Although the green revolution has made us self-sufficient, the harmful effect of using pesticides, chemicals, urea, and fertilizers are being observed on daily basis with cancer cases rising and therefore it is high time that the use of these chemicals is replaced by natural farming which also involves using cow dung and urine as natural fertilizers. If we don’t stop the use of

Manipur observes Anti-terrorism Day

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 21: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh urged the people not to blame the causes of the recent violence erupted in the state upon one another’s communities while admitting that there was lapses in the intelligence and security, in his speech at the observance of the Anti-terrorism Day here on Sunday.

“Do not blame each other among the communities for the causes of the recent violence. The unfortunate incidents erupted as a form of resistance and grievances towards the state government activities,” Singh said.

The observance held at the main conference Hall of Manipur Secretariat (South Block) was also attended by most of the ministers, MLAs of the r uling parties, state chief secretary, senior civil and police officials among others.

The chief minister said that the state government had taken up certain activities to save the forest land and root out drug menace from the state and that it was not acting against any community.

Taking responsibility for the recent violence occurred in the state, Singh

urged everyone not to blame upon other’s community for the same and appealed to the public to put up their grievances, if any, to the government, so that it could be addressed.

As of now the main focus of the government is to restore peace and normalcy in the state. Every community residing in the state is like family members and it is a part of life that family members sometimes quarrel with one another, he said.

He stressed on the need to restore the love and brotherhood among different communities.

Expressing sadness over many people who fled their homes to different places outside the state, fearing violence, he stressed on

the need to bring them back to the state and make them stay in a safe place.

He assured that the state government would bear their ticket fare for their return to their home state and would ensure a safe place for them to reside.

The chief minister continued that all possible efforts had been taken up to restore peace and normalcy under the direct supervision of Union home minister Amit Shah.

He also spoke on the rescue of people of a particular community by people of another community and that people had started rendering humanity service as the situation was returning to normalcy, though there was tension and quarrel

earlier. He further appealed to the public not to organize any rally or protest or hold placards and banners which would hurt the sentiments of other communities.

Urging the public to have faith in the government, he informed that essential items necessary for relief camps had been looked into, with a team of ministers and MLAs visiting different relief camps. Books were being distributed to students staying at relief camps and pregnant women were shifted to safer places, he added.

Speaking on the core idea of observing the Antiterrorism Day, the chief minister maintained that the day was being observed across the country to con-

demn terror activities of every form and root it out.

He added that terror activities happening at different parts of the world had caused many serious impacts and hardships to mankind and stressed the need to stand together against terrorism.

In his speech on the occasion, state power minister Th Biswajit Singh stated that the day was being observed to remind the people of the destruction and impacts of the terror activities globally.

He said, “We all should stand together against terrorism. The significance of the observation is spreading the message for maintaining peace, harmony and unity among people.”

On the recent violence, he stated that vested interest and narrow mindedness had given rise to conflict and unrest.

He appealed to the public to forget and forgive what had already happened and to take part in restoring peace and tranquillity.

On the occasion, the chief minister administered Anti-terrorism Day pledge to all present at the venue.

One minute silence was also observed for all the losses incurred during the recent violence occurred in the state.

chemicals now, it is going to affect our future generations very badly,” Devvrat cautioned. NEHU vicechancellor Prabha Shankar said, “The Vedas, Puranas and Ramcharitas state that the five elements are responsible for the collection of life in nature and this has been proved by the modern scientific findings as well.

For example, the studies done in agriculture have proved that the earth supplies all necessary nutrients

and water to the trees and plants. It is also established that energy, carbon dioxide from air and water from soil are essential three basic elements for synthesis of light in plants, which are responsible for the growth of plants, which provide food to humans and all living beings”.

“It has been concluded that more and more dependency on natural farming should be put to good use for sustainable life on

earth,” he added. Director of Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University, Sudhanshu Jangir said the MoU signed focuses on mutual cooperation in some significant areas like climate change, cooperation, sustainability, agriculture value chain management and agro processing which could eventually help both the regions come together towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal, 2030.

Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Girl’s school reduced to ashes in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, MAY 21 (PTI); A major fire broke out at the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Girls Higher Secondary school here in the early hours of Sunday, reducing the heritage building to ashes, police said on Sunday. There was no report of any casualty in the fire, they said. The woodwork frame of the school building built in the late 1800s aided the fire to spread and initial reports indicated that the fire broke out at

around 2 am, the police said.

The boarders residing in the adjacent building were all safe and have been temporarily shifted to the community hall of Mission Compound locality, officials said.

Police said fire tenders were deployed from the headquarters here to fight the inferno and help save lives. Being the only school for girls in the Northeast over a century ago, the KJP Girls’ Higher Secondary

School celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017. The school was an offshoot of an erstwhile school established by the Welsh missionaries at Nongsawlia village in Sohra (erstwhile Cherrapunjee), where it was converted into a proper school in 1864. The school became an exclusive school for girls in 1892 when a missionary of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission Society took over the administration of the school.

CM Biren Singh addressing officials.

The school building built in the late 1800s was completely gutted.

Trucks loaded with good and headed towards Imphal stranded on NH-37 (Photo- IFP)

Amit Shah

Gold paste worth nearly Rs 2 cr seized at airport

MUMBAI, MAY 21

(PTI): The Customs department has seized 3.7 kg gold paste worth Rs 1.98 crore from six foreigners, including three women, at the Mumbai international airport, an official said on Sunday. The gold was found concealed in the body cavities of passengers who landed from Male. The investigation revealed that these six passengers hailed from Sri Lanka.

VP Dhankar arrives in Kerala on two-day visit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 21

(PTI): Vice President

Jagdeep Dhankar arrived in Kerala on Sunday on a two-day trip to the southern state and visited the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here in the evening. Dhankar was received at the technical area Air Force Station at Shangumugham here by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and State Transport Minister Antony Raju.

Man trampled to death by wild elephants

SERAIKELA, MAY 21 (PTI): A 68-year-old man was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharswan district on Sunday, police said. The victim, identified as Lilkant Mahato, went out to relieve himself when the incident happened in Khunti village in Chandil block, they said. He died on the spot, they added.

IPL gambling racket busted in Delhi

NEW DELHI, MAY 21 (IANS): A “high-profile” IPL gambling racket was busted in south Delhi on Sunday and two bookies arrested, police said. The two bookies were identified as Amit Choudhary and Sunil. Two laptops having betting assistance software, 15 mobile phones having call recordings of punters, a LED TV, and other electronics gadgets were recovered from them.

All UP villages to get 4G within a year

VARANASI (UP), MAY 21 (IANS): All the remaining villages of Uttar Pradesh will be covered with 4G network within a year.

According to the government spokesman, the Union Minister of State for Telecom Devusinh Chauhan gave this information during his visit to Varanasi on Saturday.

Ordinance row: Nitish extends ‘complete support’ to Kejriwal

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(PTI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at the latter’s residence here and extended “complete support” to him in the AAP government’s ongoing tussle with the Centre over the control of administrative services.

Kumar was accompanied by his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The Centre promulgated the ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of IAS and DANICS cadre officers and disciplinary proceedings against them.

This came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kejriwal said he will personally reach out to the chiefs of all opposition parties to seek their support in the matter so that any bill brought by the Cen-

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(IANS): With the inauguration of Parliament building just a week away, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that President Droupadi Murmu should inaugurate the new Parliament House instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The President should inaugurate the new Parliament House and not the Prime Minister,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

The New Parliament House inauguration event is scheduled on May 28.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on 28th May 2023, which is also the 140th birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the great son of India,” BJP IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya tweeted.

“Veer Savarkar was born on 28th May 1883 in Bhagur. The new Parliament is designed to last at least 150 years. The current premises has been in existence for 100 years now,” he said.

PM Modi will be inaugurating the new Parliament building -- a triangularshaped four-storey building with a built-up area of 64,500 square metres.

The Congress has called the new Parliament building as Modi’s vanity project.

Earlier, Congress Gen-

Kejriwal to meet Mamata, Pawar, Uddhav this week

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(PTI): Locked in a bitter tussle with the Centre over the control of administrative services, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will meet the chiefs of the TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP this week seeking their support.

Kejriwal on Sunday said he would meet his West Bengal counterpart and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Tuesday. And, according to AAP sources, he will meet former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on May 25.

Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav met Kejriwal at his residence here and assured their “complete support” to him on the issue.

tre to replace the ordinance is defeated in Rajya Sabha.

“Day after tomorrow (Tuesday), I have a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata at 3 pm. After that, I will meet every party’s president to seek their formal support for defeating the bill when it comes in Rajya Sabha,” Kejriwal said.

“I have also requested Nitish Kumar ji to talk to all the (opposition) parties in this regard,” he added.

An ordinance has to be ratified by Parliament

within six months.

Kejriwal said if the bill is defeated in Rajya Sabha, it will send out the message that the BJP will lose the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“It will be the semifinal of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” the AAP national convenor told reporters.

The National Capital Civil Service Authority will comprise the chief minister of the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi as its chairperson, along with chief secretary and principal secretary, home, who will be

the member secretary to the authority.

“Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, the National Capital Civil Service Authority shall have the responsibility to recommend the transfers and postings of all the Group ‘A’ officers and officers of DANICS serving in the affairs of the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi but not officers serving in connection with any subject matter,” the ordinance read.

Kumar criticised the Centre for promulgating the ordinance after the Supreme Court verdict in the matter.

“How can you take away an elected government’s power,” the Janata Dal (United) leader asked.

“Look at the Constitution and see what is right. Whatever he (Kejriwal) is saying is right. We are completely with him,” he said.

Kumar said Kejriwal is doing good work in Delhi and it’s surprising that his government is being stopped from doing its work.

Ordinance row: Whatever happened in Delhi is a wake-up call, says Mehbooba

BENGALURU, MAY 21

(PTI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who is visiting Karnataka, on Sunday appreciated the people for voting out a “fascist” BJP government in the state, but also cautioned people about the recent developments in Delhi, saying it was a wakeup call for everyone as it can happen anywhere in the country.

Mufti was referring to an ordinance passed by the President on Friday, May 20, giving overriding powers to the Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor -- a union government nominee -- to oversee the transfer, posting and disciplinary proceedings against civil servants in Delhi.

The ordinance was brought in just a week after a Supreme Court Constitution Bench had ruled that powers over the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the national capital lay with the Delhi government and not the Central government. The apex court had made it clear that the Central government cannot take over governance of elected state

Mehbooba Mufti

governments.

“Whatever happened in Delhi is a wake-up call for everyone. Whatever happened in Jammu and Kashmir is going to happen around the whole country,” Mufti said at a press conference here.

“BJP doesn’t want to have any opposition. The Delhi government has been disempowered. This is going to happen to everyone,” the PDP chief added.

Stating that the people of Karnataka had given a ray of hope to the entire country by defeating a “fascist, communal and divisive” BJP in the recentlyconcluded Assembly election, Mufti said, “Karnataka people have shown us the way, that the might of power agencies and institutions can be defeated with your vote in

a democracy.

“I also thank them for bringing most of the opposition parties who believe in the Constitution, democratic values and secular culture of this country and, above all, believe in the idea of India, together,” she added. She alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and everyone in the BJP had used religion to fight the Karnataka elections but still the people voted them out.

According to the former CM, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra had laid the foundation for Congress’s victory in the Karnataka Assembly election.

“Last five years a lot of hatred, communal and divisive politics was played in Karnataka, which must have caused a lot of wounds to the secular fabric of this place. So, I am sure that the Congress government along with Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar will be able to heal those wounds that have been inflicted in the last five years,” the PDP chief said. Speaking about her state, Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir was the first victim of the “fascist forces”.

Rahul Gandhi

eral secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a swipe at the government and said, “A complete insult to all our Founding Fathers and Mothers. A total rejection of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose, et al. A blatant repudiation of Dr. Ambedkar.”

Ramesh also slammed the Prime Minister two days ago and said, “The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th. The picture tells it all - personal vanity project.”

The triangular shaped building’s construction started on January 15, 2021 and was to be completed by August 2022.

Built in an area of 64,500 square metres, the new building will house 1,224 MPs and is a fourstorey structure.

It has a library, multiple committee rooms and dining rooms.

Tata Projects has constructed the building at an estimated cost of Rs 970 crore.

AHMEDABAD, MAY 21 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the opposition Congress of harassing and insulting the Other Backward Classes during its rule at the Centre, and asserted that it was the BJP that gave the first OBC prime minister to the country in the form of Narendra Modi.

Addressing a national convention of the Modi community here, Shah said PM Modi gave the OBCs their due respect and understood the pain of poor citizens because he himself was born in such a family.

Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark, he said if someone insults a person, it is not a big deal, but if someone insults an entire community and the prime minister, then it is an insult to the entire country.

size=”5”>”During its rule at the Centre, Congress only neglected, harassed and insulted the OBCs. As soon as BJP came to power, PM Modi gave OBC community its due respect. And it was BJP who gave the first OBC PM to the country in the form of Modi,” said Shah, who has been on a two-day visit to home state Gujarat since Saturday.

He informed the members of the Modi community that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also gave several OBC chief ministers and also accorded constitutional status to the OBC Commission.

Other initiatives taken by the Modi government for the backward classes include introducing reservations in Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalay schools, introducing reservation in National Eligibility-cumEntrance Test (NEET) and creating a venture capital fund for OBC entrepreneurs, the Union minister said.

“Congress ruled the country for nearly 56 years. But it never did anything for OBCs. On the other hand, Modiji did so many things in nine years for the OBCs. In addition, Modiji always remained concerned about the poor people. He understood the pain of the poor because he himself was born in such a family,” Shah added.

According to him, the BJP government at the Centre provided cooking gas connection to 13 crore households, built 10 crore toilets, provided electricity to three crore households and built three crore houses for the needy citizens.

Shah said the Modi government used technology to uproot corruption and middlemen from the system.

“You all should feel proud that Modiji belongs to your community. It is a matter of great happiness and pride for every Indian because even US President Joe Biden asked Modiji for his autograph saying he is very popular in the US,” he added.

Citing various data like India becoming the second largest smartphone maker in the world, Shah said the country achieved more in the last nine years under PM Modi than what it achieved in the previous 65 years.

PM Modi’s elder brother Somabhai Modi and BJP MLA from Surat, Purnesh Modi, among others, attended the convention.

HIROSHIMA, MAY 21 (AGENCIES): US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Sunday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima and discussed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America, reports ANI.

“I had a great discussion with Indian Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima. We look forward to hosting Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi in June, whose visit will celebrate the deep partnership between the

United States and India,” tweeted Blinken.

PM Modi will embark on an official state visit to the United States on June 22. During his visit, PM Modi will be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House, the Ministry of External Affairs informed through a press statement. The MEA statement further said the visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States, as the two nations are already collaborating across sectors.

FERNWOOD SCHOOL

Upper Agri, Kohima

Admission notice for class 11 (ARts) 2023

Registration Forms & Prospectus for Class 11 (ARTS) are available at the school office during school hours. (9.00 am to 2.00 pm)

K-1081/23

ALDERVILLE HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL PHEZHU, JOTSOMA

ADMISSION NOTICE FOR CLASS XI – ARTS, 2023

Intake capacity – 60 (Sixty) only Admissions on first come first

• Hostel facilities available for both boys and girls.

K-1086/23

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, JD(U) leader Kumar assured that he would urge other opposition parties also to come in support of Kejriwal in the matter.

The Centre promulgated an ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of IAS and DANICS cadre officers and disciplinary proceedings against them.

This came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi.

An ordinance has to be ratified by Parliament within six months. For which, the Centre will have to bring a bill for its passage in both Houses of Parliament.

Kejriwal said if the bill is defeated in Rajya Sabha, it will send out the message that the BJP will lose the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

• Admission will begin as soon as HSLC Results are declared. Forms can be collected from the School Office during School hours (9:00 am – 1:00 pm)

For further details, kindly contact: 8974028789/ 7005636705

Zakiesato MeMorial HigHer secondary scHool Zakiesato Colony, Golaghat Road, Dimapur – 797112 : Nagaland adMission notice ( arts streaM) class-11 (eleven) 2023

1. Admission forms and Prospectus for Class-11 (Eleven) can be obtained from the office on all the working days between 9:00 AM – 12 Noon.

2. Admission will be given on first come first serve basis. NB : Scholarship for Meritorious Students.

Limited SeatS

Contact No. : 9436060458/ 6009132832

Email : zmhss_72@yahoo.in

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Prez Murmu should inaugurate new Parliament, not PM: Rahul

Amit Shah

Cong insulted OBCs, BJP gave first PM from this community to country: Shah

S Jaishankar meets Blinken, discusses PM’s visit to US

Roads to nowhere

Roads in Dimapur are deteriorating at a fast pace since no effort has been made to take up even minor repairs when needed. This newspaper highlighted the deterioration in several roads during the recent past. The authorities have responded with repair works in some stretches but most remain untouched and as a result, there has been major deterioration. Take the case of the National Highway No 36 from Dillai gate at Karbi Anglong to - PWD Road – Midland – GS Road –Station Road – Tragopan junction. This newspaper had sometime in 2013 written that this particular road stretch had no pothole nor showed any sign of wear and tear and in near perfect condition since its construction in 2000 while all other roads constructed or re-laid, deteriorated within five years. However by 2019 small patches of this road showed signs of wear and tear and this newspaper in 2021 again highlighted the need for time repairs before the condition worsened especially from the Rangapahar tri-junction. However there was no action but only assurance from the department that repair works would begin. The deterioration spread and today driving along this stretch from Rangapahar tri-junction to Directorate supply and from Midland to Dhobinalla has turned into an ordeal. The condition of the other stretch of the NH 36, from Dhobinalla junction along GS road is also in deplorable condition and has been so for so many years but the department responsible is yet to take steps to repair and re-carpet it. During monsoon, some portions of the road are inundated when drains get clogged. This leads to further deterioration and if the past is any indication, it could continue for some more time. Even other stretches of the road from Clock Tower junction to Notun Bosti junction is gradually deteriorating and unless the small patches are repaired, the condition will only worsen in the coming days especially with the advent of monsoon rain. It is difficult to understand why road repair works are not being undertaken as soon as there are visible signs of wear and tear. In order to ensure that roads are able to last at least till ten years, the department should ensure that quality of materials and workmanship are of high standard. In contrast roads in nearby Karbi Anglong are not only of high quality but also are being widened to accommodate growing traffic. Due to lack of action from the department, residents of several colonies in Dimapur have taken it upon themselves, the responsibility to repair the roads since they have been left with no choice. Residents of three colonies under Burma camp including power house colony, Dr Haralu and Namgalong colony had repaired the road at power house colony near electrical department office since their letter to the department in 2018 fell on deaf ears. The situation has led to public outcry against band roads and this was even taken up as an issue when the Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC), along with Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) minority cell, organised a protest rally against bad roads in Marwaripatti area and Dhobinala junction in October 2021. The lesson is not only about a stitch in time but also that the local economy would suffer in the long run.

DailyDevotion

Having God’s “Unreasonable” Faith

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

—Matthew 6:33

When we look at these words of Jesus, we immediately find them to be the most revolutionary that human ears have ever heard. “…seek first the kingdom of God….” Even the most spiritually-minded of us argue the exact opposite, saying, “But I must live; I must make a certain amount of money; I must be clothed; I must be fed.” The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life.

“…do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25). Our Lord pointed out that from His standpoint it is absolutely unreasonable for us to be anxious, worrying about how we will live. Jesus did not say that the person who takes no thought for anything in his life is blessed— no, that person is a fool. But Jesus did teach that His disciple must make his relationship with God the dominating focus of his life, and to be cautiously carefree about everything else in comparison to that. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t make food and drink the controlling factor of your life, but be focused absolutely on God.” Some people are careless about what they eat and drink, and they suffer for it; they are careless about what they wear, having no business looking the way they do; they are careless with their earthly matters, and God holds them responsible. Jesus is saying that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first, and everything else second.

It is one of the most difficult, yet critical, disciplines of the Christian life to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into absolute harmony with the teaching of Jesus in these verses.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

India hit by Euro-US crises, Exports slump, deficit higher

European and the US crises are hitting Indian economy. What is touted as shrinking trade deficit is grim reality of fall in exports and imports remaining higher.

The prospective rise in the US debt ceiling beyond $ 31.4 trillion or the lack of it could cause turmoil in the world economy even as Europe is to come out of a tough low sale regime.

It hits the pattern of global demand and can lower Indian sales in the developed markets.

It might impact manufacturing and the overall growth.

Corresponding fall in wholesale and retail price indices though look positive have still to materialise in a low-price regime because of compounding effect of higher-than-normal inflation for a prolonged period. The silver line that industry expects is to have a pause again of interest rate hike by RBI. Conversely it affects interest accruals (not earnings) to bank depositors. That has a critical impact on the market owing to low purchasing capability. Artificial modes have practical problems. Banks have been in continuous problem for over a decade. If again

it is ignored the cascading effect may not be easy to correct.

Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Sarangi presenting the positive of the trade balance noted that it was at a 20-month low at $ 15.2 billion in April. It has less to cheer up. It is not due to fall in imports but fall in exports. It translated into higher inward goods movement and less external sales or exports.

The commerce minister revised the trade data of 2022-23. Exports, goods and services is estimated to have increased 14.7 percent t0 $ 775.9 billion, around $6 billion higher than the earlier estimates Imports were around $894.9 billion, 17.7 percent higher resulting in a trade deficit of $118.3 billion.

The government is drawing comfort from the services export numbers. During April, services exports were $ 30.4 billion, 26 percent rise. Imports at $16.5 billion rises by 17.7 percent. Sarangi does not give solace. His prognosis is a pointer to the impending crisis may be developing shortly. The WPI slipping to 0.9 percent year on year

gives less of hope. While agricultural input costs have not come down, the sales are drawing abysmal rates. It has hit the farmers as sale prices dipped by -18.7 percent for potato, -18,4 for onion, -15,5 percent for oilseeds and non food items by -6,6 percent. While this could be construed as relief for the consumers, though the consumer benefits are far less than the losses to the farmers, is virtually none. This extends to all other products like fruits and manufactured items. While statistically it brushes up presentations, in actuality the losses to rural economy is high and relief to consumers mere rhetoric.

records but it helps none except confusing assessments. There was a time when the Planning Commission used to come out with realistic presentations. It is passe now.

country. Similar systems lead to multiple taxation, which even GST being an assimilation of a few taxes is.

Shivaji Sarkar

Not surprising Saraangi strikes the right chord. He says, “For the next two-three months demand scenario does not look very optimistic, Things may change Spetmeber onwards. There is a possibility that the opening up of Chinese economy combined with some boost to demand in Europe and US form August-September might give a boost to global exports”. Statistical management of prices are fine for

The nation is too euphoric at telling how high the GST collections are, April collections are said to be record, as most of past few collections have been breaking their own records. India’s gross GST revenues hit a record high in April at Rs.1,87,035 crore, 12 percent higher than the same month last year which had clocked the previous highest tax tally of Rs.1.67 lakh crore. The GST irrational in many ways. The latest is the RBI directions on penal interest charges. The Finance Industry Development Council has reacted sharply. It says that this risks levying of GST on penal charges – that is tax-on-tax and convolute the basis tax principals. This could have deleterious effect on all transactions forcing a rise in unprecedented prices.

The GST itself needs to be redone and the states be given the charge to collect it. It has impacted the federal character of the

It is an important component in deciding prices. With the abolition of Monopolies Commission, fixing MRPs has virtually no basis. It does not represent the cost of the product. The MRPs often are fixed at 2030 percent higher than the actual leading a system of a built-in undercutting by the larger companies.

We have however not benefitted so much from the Make in India campaign for import substitution and exports promotion, notes Madan Sabnavis, chief economist of Bank of Baroda. a recession in the West would also mean that demand for Indian labour as well as computer related services would come down. These could affect our balance of payments. At the other end, external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and NRI deposits too will get impacted depending on the policy of interest rates, especially in the West. Rising rates in the US would make ECBs dearer and impact fund flow to India.

The ratio of exports to GDP has come down over

Mental blocks: The enemy within you

Modern day living is a multifaceted compendium of evolving technology and social media. However, in today’s busy and fast growing society, we often tend to struggle with these Mental Barriers in our daily life which is the so- called Self-Doubt! It comes with plenty of downsides, which are raising insecurities, a depressed mood, poor work and social performance and so much more. Nevertheless, in all spectrum it’s the overall fear that accompanies within oneself, preventing us from embracing our one true selves. It is the mental habit of questioning your own judgement or worth. Self-doubt is something that will never leave our side no matter how much we progressed. Selfdoubts play a critical part when it comes to building

a negative mindset. Furthermore, in later days it only ends up destroying our decision-making capability too. So now the question arises what we need to do to make the necessary changes that will help us to sustain our peace of mind and our growth. Just like there are many factors that cause and maintain the habit of self-doubt, there are quite a few strategies that can be effective in undoing it. Such are as follows:

1) Finding Validation Within. Since self-doubt thrives on a lack of validation, remembering/better understanding who you are as an individual (beliefs, values, strengths, etc.) and improving your relationship with yourself is a good way to overcome self-doubt.

2) Journal Writing. Writing down how you feel and what is happening to

you can be a good way to identify positive and negative patterns. It can also be therapeutic to journal about and reflect on our successes.

3) Grounding oneself. When you are dealing with self-doubt, it’s easy to go into a spiral of all the things you are struggling with or feel you cannot do. So It’s important to find ways to ground oneself, making sure you stimulate all the senses. Grounding yourself can be physical, mental, or a combination of both.

4) Taking time to practise gratitude while we are all imperfect and making mistakes, practising gratitude and believing that as humans we’re allowed to mess up can empower us to feel motivated to do better, grow, and learn from our mistakes.

5) Remembering one’s Achievements. Taking time

to take inventory of all your accomplishments is a great way to minimise feelings of self-doubt. It can be hard to remember all of our accolades when we’re highly self-critical, but remembering what we’ve gone through and achieved is powerful. It can give us the motivation and empowerment we need to keep moving.

6) Identifying Personal Opportunities For Growth. Self-doubt can serve as a mirror that shows us what to work on and opportunities for growth. It can be really helpful to use doubts as data to create action items to improve.

7) Limit Social Media. Social media is riddled with images that leave you feeling badly about oneself. Remember, social media is like a highlight reel of people’s lives. It isn’t repre-

sentative of everything they go through. When you are really struggling with selfdoubt, staying off social media will help you keep a clear head.

8) Don’t Compare Yourself with others. Selfdoubt often causes us to compare ourselves to others. The goal may be to make us feel better, but it usually just leads to feeling worse. It’s likely everyone has feelings of self-doubt, so keeping in mind that your observation isn’t necessarily a fact is important.

9) Positive Self-talk. We tend to be hard on ourselves and use negative self-talk. It may seem harmless, but if you’re speaking poorly to yourself, it sets up the space to allow that kind of criticism from others. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and loved, so take time to remind yourself

time. This is both good and bad news, says Sabnavis. The good part of this story is that it shows growth is primarily driven by domestic factors and hence decline in exports does not affect GDP growth significantly. So growth projections are high for next year, at 6-6.5 per cent. The concern Indian goods are less in demand.

The moot point is that the US sanctions on China and Russia in the wake of Ukraine war has not helped India capturing those spaces. The dream to be an economy with significant contributions from the exports, one important aspect to be a global power, has not been fulfilled. This means that exports if grow would support domestic economy but in itself India is not an export-led economy. This gives some resilience to the economy as also creates the issue of having robust foreign reserves. New strategisation through moderation of several domestic taxes, interest rates and low cost on transportation is a necessity. Exports cannot be increased with high domestic costs as prices would be prohibitive.

that you’re worthy. We all deal with feelings of self doubt from time to time; however, there are many ways to manage, cope, and heal from these feelings. Your specific feelings of self-doubt are unique to you, but you are certainly not alone. But equipping oneself with the knowledge available, can help you learn more about where selfdoubt comes from and how to overcome it. At the end of the day, self-doubt is a habit-nothing more, nothing less. And regardless of where it came from, you can work to free yourself from chronic self-doubt by building better habits. Bidding off with an old proverb which says- “Decide that you want it more, than you are afraid of it”.

Limatemjen

Longchar Immanuel College, Lengrijan Dimapur

Scrapping the Rs 2000-note: what it means Advantages of investing in gold in 2023

In a surprise and significant move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation that is Only 10.8% of India’s currency in circulation which raises many questions: Is there need to withdraw 2000-Rupee Notes?

What reasons to withdraw? What will be its impacts on economy, banks and bond markets? Why Now? And is Withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes a ‘nonevent’. These questions need to be answered. Being a student of Economics I would like to put some points before the readers and citizens.

Is it Demonetisation: People are trying to put it as a demonetisation. It is not a demonetisation

For legitimate transitions, Rs 2,000 was anyways not there in circulation. Whatever Rs 2,000 notes exist at this point in time, is probably in non-banking channels and that is what will get pushed out.” Is there Need of Rs 2000

Note: Now there is no need to have a high-denomination note keeping in view the spread of electronic transactions

Why Withdrawal: The Rs 2000 note was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of The RBI Act, 1934, primarily with the objective of meeting the currency requirement of the economy expeditiously after the legal tender status of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was withdrawn. With the fulfilment of that objective, and once notes of other denominations were available in

adequate quantities, the printing of Rs 2000 notes was stopped in 2018-19. The RBI issued the majority of the Rs 2000 denomination notes prior to March 2017; these notes are now at the end of their estimated lifespan of 4-5 years. This denomination is no longer commonly used for transactions; besides, there is adequate stock of banknotes in other denominations to meet currency requirements. In view of the above, and in pursuance of the ‘Clean Note Policy’ of the Reserve Bank of India, it has been decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation

Will it create big disruption: this withdrawal will not create any big disruption, as the notes of smaller quantity are available in sufficient quantity. Also in the past 6-7 years, the scope of digital transactions and e-commerce has expanded significantly Impacts: The withdrawal of Rs 2000 note will neither affect the operation of India’s economic and financial system nor affect total currency in circulation and therefore will have no monetary policy effect. There is going to be zero impact on GDP growth or public welfare due to the lower share of such notes in circulation as well as the wide window for depositing them.

Positive impacts

The economy might actually see an increase in transactions.

Since all the 2000-rupee notes will come back in the banking system, we will see a reduction in

cash in circulation and that will in turn help improve banking system liquidity. To the extent that people holding these notes chose to make purchases with them rather than deposit them in bank accounts, there could be some spurt in discretionary purchases such as gold. Scrapping Rs 2000-note will ease the pressure on deposit rate hikes and could also result in moderation in short-term interest rates. Economy will get higher demand because whoever was hoarding the Rs 2,000 notes would probably be spending it for these purposes. It will nullify the hoarding of Rs 2,000 note.

Minor negative Impacts

There could be some sentiment-related negative impact in the very near term till the modalities of exchange settle down, but that would not be big enough to dent the economy. The impact could be somewhat larger on cash-intensive sectors such as agriculture, construction, small traders, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Summing up, the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to phase out 2000-rupee notes supports the objectives of the ‘Clean Note Policy.’ While the economy may experience temporary effects, the availability of smaller denominations and the growing digital transactions landscape are expected to mitigate disruptions caused by the reduction in cash circulation

Prof Mithilesh Kumar Sinha Department of Economics Nagaland University, Lumami

The year 2023 gold may be a wise investment decision for a variety of reasons. People frequently look to gold for security in times of uncertainty, and a welldiversified portfolio is an excellent strategy to safeguard your financial future.

If you want to protect yourself against a changing economy, you should examine your finances and investment strategy. Given the inverse trend, it follows in comparison to the equities market, gold has historically been a preferred option for investors. Today, it can be purchased, sold, or invested in a variety of forms, including real gold, gold bonds, digital gold, etc.

Gold is regarded as an inflation hedge Gold and other precious metals have long been regarded as a prudent way to counteract inflation. This is because, despite variations in the value of the dollar, it tends to hold its worth and your purchasing power over time. Gold is regarded as a defensive commodity that protects your investments but does not provide growth potential, as do many other asset classes. It is preferred during recessions or periods of uncertainty since it is considered as a hedge when people claim that nothing is functioning. As long as inflation continues to be strong, now could be a favourable time to increase gold holdings.

Liquidity

In a downturn, liquidity - or the ability to quickly sell assets for cash - is critical. If you run into financial difficulties, you can sell those assets and still pay your payments and other obligations.

Gold is extremely liquid and

can be traded for cash rapidly, making it an excellent investment during downturns. Because of its price stability and great liquidity, gold is an excellent asset for portfolio diversification.

Strong Asset for Future Purchasing gold is a superb long-term investment that continues to be the best-performing asset of the twenty-first century. Central banks are buying gold to replenish reserves, and demand remains wellbalanced and on an upward trend over the long term.

Tax Benefit We all have to pay taxes on our earnings, including any profits from investments such as savings, shares, bonds, and real estate - but physical gold is an exception. Sovereign gold bonds have an 8-year maturity duration, the capital gains tax is not applicable. Also, no tax on the exchange of gold for gold jewelry which is not the case with equities. Gold price variations may continue throughout the year as the world confronts inflation and the impact of a banking system collapse as a result of a higher interest rate environment internationally. In such a case, hedging your assets by diversifying through safer havens such as gold may be a wise choice, as long as you don’t overexpose yourself to the commodity by expecting spectacular returns year after year.

Before investing, always do due diligence through financial advisors and rigorous research to understand the cyclical nature of various asset classes and how to make sensible decisions.

(Ankit Gala, is the MD at Antara Jewellery)

“Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.”

~ Jim Rohn

SNIPPETS

Brown sugar worth Rs 1 crore seized

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 21 (IANS): Brown sugar weighing 1 kg 107 grams worth more than Rs 1 crore was seized in Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar, police said on Sunday. On the basis of an intelligence input, a team of special task force (STF) of Odisha crime branch conducted a raid near Unit-8 area of Bhubaneswar on Saturday and seized the narcotic drugs from the possession of a drug peddler, the police said.

NIA detains wanted maoist

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(IANS): Wanted Maoist, affiliated with banned militant outfit People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), and carrying Rs 30 lakh reward, was detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), sources said on Sunday. The detained Maoist was identified as Dinesh Gop and he was carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakh by Jharkhand government and Rs five lakh by NIA on his head, sources in the probe agency said.

38 branches of

‘bogus’ bank found

BHADOHI MAY 21

(IANS): The Bhadohi police have busted a gang operating 38 branches of a bogus ‘bank’ across eight districts of the state. Three persons, including the mastermind, have been arrested. The gang members used to lure customers to open accounts with their ‘bank’ by offering lucrative returns, and have duped hundreds of gullible persons of over Rs 17 crore.

PM strongly calls for reform of UN

strongly pressing for reform of the UN. India has been eyeing a permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC).

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

HIROSHIMA, MAY 21 (PTI): The United Nations and the Security Council will remain just a “talk shop” if they do not reflect the realities of the present world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, strongly pitching for reform of the global body.

In an address at a G7 session in Hiroshima, PM Modi wondered why different forums have had to deliberate on issues relating to peace and stability when the UN was formed to deal with these challenges.

“It is a matter of analysis, why do we have to talk about peace and stability in different forums? Why is the UN, which was started with the idea of establishing peace, not successful in preventing conflicts today? PM

Japan’s

Modi asked. “Why, even the definition of terrorism has not been accepted in the UN? If one introspects, one thing is clear. The institutions created in the last century are not in line with the system of the twenty-first century,” he said. The prime minister said the UN now does not reflect the current realities of the world. “They do not reflect

the realities of the present. That is why it is necessary that reforms should be implemented in big institutions like the UN,” Modi said.

“They will also have to become the voice of the Global South. Otherwise, we will only keep talking about ending the conflicts. The UN and the Security Council will remain just a talk shop,” he said. New Delhi has been

Congress leaders pay tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and members of the Gandhi family on Sunday paid homage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among a large number of party leaders who paid their tributes at Veer Bhumi, the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi.

Sharing a video of his father on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, “Papa, you are with me, as an inspiration, in memories, always.”

At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a twoyear term by the General Assembly of the UN.

The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France and the United States and these countries can veto any substantive resolution. There has been growing demand to increase the number of permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality.

India, Brazil, South Africa, Germany and Japan are strong contenders for permanent membership of the UNSC which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

(PTI): After a stunning victory in Karnataka, the focus of Congress leadership has shifted to the next round of assembly elections where the party is locked in a direct contest with the BJP in some states. With assembly elections due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram in the next few months, the Congress is working on poll strategies in these states and has convened a meeting of state leaders on May 24. While Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are two states ruled by the Congress where it is hoping to offset the antiincumbency factor and factional fighting by replicating the ‘Karnataka strategy’, the party is also determined to make a comeback in Madhya Pradesh where it lost power after Jyotiraditya

Scindia and some of the MLAs switched loyalties, sources said.

They said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of its leaders from Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on May 24 to strategise on the upcoming assembly elections.

Kharge will hold separate meetings with the state leaders.

A senior leader said the idea is to chalk out an early strategy to reach out to the grassroots level.

“The Bharat Jodo

Yatra, which passed through states like Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, will benefit the party as the cadres are already activated and the party will get the benefit of the Yatra, as it did in Karnataka,” a senior leader involved with one of the states told PTI. Another leader said the good schemes and works initiated by the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh will be highlighted in a big way and the poll strategy adopted by the party leadership in Karnataka will be replicated in these poll-bound states. The Congress faces peculiar challenges in several of these states, especially due to infighting and factionalism. In Rajasthan, the Congress has to tackle the festering feud between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

‘Will not contest assembly polls till article 370 is restored’

BENGALURU, MAY 21 (PTI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday hailed the people of Karnataka for giving a ray of hope to the entire country by defeating a “fascist, communal and divisive” BJP in the recently-concluded Assembly election.

Mehbooba Mufti

just a week after a Supreme Court Constitution Bench had ruled that powers over

the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the national capital lay with the Delhi government and not the Central government. The apex court had made it clear that the Central government cannot take over governance of elected state governments.

Mufti also said she will not contest the Assembly

election till Article 370 is restored in her state. However, her party PDP will contest the election. “Karnataka has given a ray of hope to the entire country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and everyone in the BJP were using religion in the Karnataka elections but still people voted them out,” she said in a press conference here.

Sea Cucumber

Police seize 550 kg

CHENNAI, MAY 21

(IANS): The Tamil Nadu Marine Police on Saturday seized 550 kg Sea Cucumber from a person’s house in Rameswaram.

The marine police on a tip off raided the house of S. Lingam at Serankottai near Rameswaram and seized six cans of Sea Cucumber. The police personnel also seized a steel drum of boiled Sea Cucumber.

Woman killed for dowry in Jharkhand

MEDININAGAR, MAY 21 (PTI): A

23-year-old woman was strangulated to death allegedly by her in-laws in Jharkhand’s Palamu district over dowry, police said. The incident happened in Rehlakhurd village on Friday, hours after she completed the rituals for ‘But’ puja for the long life of her husband. After allegedly killing her, the family locked the house and fled, police said. The body was recovered on Saturday with the help of neighbours, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Bishrampur) Surjeet Kumar said.

Teen raped by tuition teacher

SAHARANPUR (UP), MAY 21 (PTI): A 15-yearold was allegedly raped by her tuition teacher, police here said on Sunday. The family members of the teen on Saturday evening filed a complaint against the accused teacher following which an investigation was taken up, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sagar Jain told PTI. The girl had gone for tuition on Thursday from where her teacher took her to Roorkee in Uttarakhand, where he raped the minor, Jain said. The teacher also threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident, he said.

Kharge, who was among the first ones to pay homage to Rajiv Gandhi at Veer Bhumi, also shared a video on the former prime minister’s life on Twitter.

“Rajiv Gandhi was a

Congress general sec-

retary Jairam Ramesh said one of the last major accomplishments of Rajiv Gandhi before his assassination on this day, 32 years ago, was the finalisation of the Congress party’s manifesto for the 1991 Lok Sabha elections. He spent many hours on it.

Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial ‘Veer Bhumi’, in New Delhi. (PTI) great son of India. Through multiple interventions such as lowering of voting age, strengthening Panchayati Raj, Telecom & IT revolution, and sustained peace accords, he transformed India, propelling it in 21st century. Our humble homage on his martyrdom day,” he said in a tweet.

She, however, cautioned people against the developments that happened in Delhi, saying that it was a wake-up call for everyone as it can happen anywhere in the country, reports . Mufti was referring to an ordinance passed by the President on Friday, May 20, giving overriding powers to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor -- a union government nominee -- to oversee the transfer, posting and disciplinary proceedings against civil servants in Delhi. The ordinance was brought in

K’taka won, Cong eyes other poll-bound states; Kharge calls crucial meet on May 24

Mallikarjun Kharge

Says it’ll remain ‘just a talk shop’ otherwise

PM Fumio Kishida, center, and leaders from guest countries in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. (AP/PTI)

Indian skies head for Air India-IndiGo duopoly

Vistara 8.8 per cent and Air Asia 7.3 per cent). Post merger and with fleet expansion and the Tata Group’s financial backing, Air India’s market share should increase if all things are on proper track.

The market leader has InterGlobe Aviation with 55.7 per cent market share and SpiceJet is left with 6.9 per cent, as per the figures released by India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation for the period January-March 2023.

Going by the situation on the ground, the Indian airline market may see two major players -InterGlobe and Air India -- enjoy sort of a duopoly, with the others -- if they continue -- having a small share in the pie.

CHENNAI, MAY 21

(IANS): After decades of turbulence in the sector with many private players shutting down, the Indian airlines sector seems to be moving towards stability and a sort of duopoly.

The Tata group which

acquired the government owned Air India will merge its two other airlines -- Vistara and AirAsia -- with the former.

As of now the combined market share of the three airlines is 25.1 per cent (Air India 9 per cent,

The smaller players may burn their figures if they try to play the pricing card to gain market share. They may be happy with the pricing of the two major players while trying to attract custom with differentiated service.

Apple releases first iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6 beta to developers

SAN FRANCISCO, MAY

21 (IANS): After the public release of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 on May 18, Apple has introduced the first iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 beta for developers.

According to AppleInsider, to access the latest builds, developers enrolled in the beta programme can either visit the Apple Developer Centre or update their devices running the beta versions. Although the exact features and changes in the betas are still unknown, more information will be revealed as developers interact with the operating systems.

Developers with a device enrolled in the beta

programme can download the latest beta version by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Moreover, iOS 16.6 is expected to mark one of the final updates to the aCEiOS 16aCE operating system as Apple shifts its focus to iOS 17. In the iOS 16.5 software update, the company introduced a new feature --

‘sports tab’ in its News app. The new tab serves as a hub for scores, match schedules, and articles on users’ favourite sports teams.

Apple also introduced a new pride celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen, bug fixes for Podcasts in CarPlay, unresponsive Spotlight, and screen time syncing.

Indian airline sector on to a smooth flight despite air pockets

CHENNAI, MAY

21

(IANS): Taking off with much fanfare and crash landing has been the regular feature one sees in the Indian aviation sector ever since it was opened up.

NEPC Airlines, Damania Airways, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Deccan Aviation, Paramount Airways, are some of the several ‘aya rams and gaya rams’ or those who came and went.

Not only did the airlines go down, they also took down the huge sums lent to them by the government owned banks as well as the investments made by public shareholders.

It is a different matter that State Bank of India (SBI) had lent thousands of crores to Kingfisher Airlines against trademarks/brand value.

For a long time Air India and Indian Airlines (later merged with Air India) were able to stay afloat as they were owned by the Indian government. Only recently the Tata group has acquired Air India.

Be that as it may, now two airlines are hitting the news pages for financial

problems are -- Go Airlines (India) Ltd and SpiceJet Limited.

Belonging to the Wadia group’s Go Airlines early this month voluntarily landed at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) with an insolvency petition which was later admitted an Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) got appointed.

The officials of Go Airlines said it was done to protect its fleet from being taken back by the lessors.

Go Airlines blamed the engine supplier Pratt & Whitney for its problems as nearly 50 per cent of its fleet of 54 aircraft is grounded due to engine faults and the latter refusing to supply spare engines.

On the other hand, the Ireland-based aircraft lessor Aircastle Ltd has moved the principal bench of NCLT to launch a bankruptcy process against the airline.

So, is the Indian aviation sector a story of ‘aya ram and gaya ram’ or is it set for a change?

It is said the growing middle class offers great opportunities for low cost carriers (LCC).

Govt to introduce amendment bill for offshore minerals

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(PTI): The government is likely to introduce an amendment bill, which seeks to provide auction of minerals mined offshore, in the next Parliament session, sources said.

‘’The hurdle is that the original Act for offshore mining does not provide for auctions of minerals.

The auction is the policy now. So the Act needs to be amended,’’ the sources said.

The objective behind the move is to use the national wealth in the sea for the use of people of the country, they pointed out.

The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act was enacted in 2002.

However, not even a single rock could be mined out from the sea-bed mainly due to pending litigations.

‘’The consultations to amend the act are over and a bill is likely to be introduced in the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament,’’ they said.

The amendments will help in realizing the natural wealth which lies with the country along its coast.

FPIs bring in Rs 30,945 cr in May on strong economic fundamentals

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(PTI): Foreign investors have put in Rs 30,945 crore in the Indian equities in May so far, driven by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, prospect of reducing interest rates, positive earnings outlook and falling valuations of stocks.

With this, net inflows by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) reached Rs 16,365 crore in 2023 so far, data available with the depositories showed.

Going forward, FPI investment in India is expected to continue since the prospects for the Indian economy and corporate earnings growth appear bright now, VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

According to data from the depositories, FPIs invested a net sum of Rs 30,945 crore in Indian equities during May 2 – May 19.

This came following a net infusion of Rs 11,630 crore in equities in April and Rs 7,936 crore in March.

The March investment was mainly driven by bulk investment in the Adani Group companies by the

US-based GQG Partners. However, if one adjusts for the investments of GQG in Adani Group, the net flow is negative.

Moreover, in the first two months of the year, FPIs pulled out over Rs 34,000 crore.

Divam SharmaFounder at Green Portfolio PMS, said the pause in rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was the primary trigger for inflows into Indian equities.

Further, India’s GDP growth is expected to be 7.5 per cent in 2023-24, higher than the global average, and coupled with low inflation and a current account surplus, this makes India an attractive investment destination, Sonam Srivastava – Founder of Wright Research, said.

In addition, a growth forecast for Indian corporate earnings and the recent fall in Indian equities, now trading at a lower price-toearnings ratio than the historical averages, have also contributed to the surge in FPI investment, she added. Apart from equities, FPIs have invested Rs 1,057 crore in the debt market so far in May.

Jewellers getting inquiries for gold after RBI withdraws Rs 2K notes

MUMBAI, MAY 21

(PTI): Jewellers in India, the world’s second largest gold consuming country after China, have started receiving more inquiries for purchase of gold or silver immediately after the Reserve Bank’s announcement to withdraw Rs 2,000 notes from circulation.

However, there is no panic buying of the precious metal unlike the situation witnessed in 2016 during demonetisation, jewellers body GJC said on Sunday.

In fact in the last two days, the actual gold purchase has been less in exchange of Rs 2,000 notes due to strict Know your Customer (KYC) norms although sources said some jewellers have started charg-

ing a 5-10 per cent premium, taking the gold prices to Rs 66,000 per 10 grams level.

Currently, gold prices have corrected to around Rs 60,200 per 10 grams level in the country.

“There have been a lot of inquiries about purchasing gold or silver with Rs 2,000 notes, hence the higher footfalls on Saturday. However, due to strict KYC norms actual purchase has been less,” apex industry body All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Chairman Saiyam Mehra told PTI.

There is “no such panic” and footfalls have also settled down as the RBI has kept a larger window of four months as the deadline for withdrawing the pink notes

from the market, he said.

On May 19, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes from circulation but gave public time till September 30, to either deposit such notes in accounts or exchange them at banks. It has asked banks to stop issuing Rs 2,000 notes with immediate effect.

Mehra further said implementation of goods and services tax (GST) and Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS)’ hallmarks has encouraged jewellery manufacturers to become organised and carry out formal business.

“Large-denomination currency notes are normally required to deal in cash, which has now become insignificant in India’s jewellery industry and consumers are more inclined towards digital formats. Therefore, the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 currency notes will not have a major impact on India’s gold and jewellery business,” he added.

However, according

to sources, many jewellery retailers did sell gold on Saturday against Rs 2,000 notes and that too at a premium rate.

PNG Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said, “The practice of taking Rs 2,000 notes in lieu of gold at a premium rate is something that may exist only in the unorganised sector. The organised jewellery players stay miles away from such things.”

Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons partner Bachhraj Bamalwa said, “There are some inquiries, but there is no rush for gold buying. It should increase from tomorrow.”

Jewellers are selling

gold complying with KYC norms as per the income tax as well as ant-money laundering laws, he said. Commtrendz Research co-founder and director Gnanasekar Thiagarajan said that in the demonetisation has always led people to gold. However, the difference this time is that there are a lot of compliances in place.

Unlike the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in 2016, the number of people holding Rs 2,000 notes are less as the RBI had stopped printing them in 2018-19 and they were rarely in circulation. Any purchase of gold, silver, jewellery, or precious gems and stones below Rs

SNIPPETS

3 dead in shooting at Kansas City bar in US

WASHINGTON, MAY 21 (IANS): Three people were killed in a shooting at a bar in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri early Sunday, local media reported, citing police sources. Two of the victims were killed at the scene, and a third vi ctim died later at a hospital, said Kansas City police, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the police, two other injured people have been taken to the hospital.

Lebanon arrests member of al-Qaeda

BEIRUT, MAY 21

(IANS): The Lebanese Army Intelligence Directorate has confirmed the arrest of a high-ranking al-Qaeda member in northern Lebanon. The statement, while withholding the suspect’s identity, revealed on Saturday that the apprehension took place in Deir Ammar, a town in the northern region, following an extensive security operation. The detained individual played a pivotal role in establishing the terrorist organisation known as Fatah al-Islam, which maintained ties with alQaeda and operated within Lebanon more than 10 years ago, Xinhua news agency reported.

2 killed in Afghan air force chopper crash

KABUL, MAY 21

(IANS): Two pilots died after a military helicopter of the Afghan Air Force crashed in Afghanistan’s northern Samangan province on Sunday, Afghan Defence Ministry has confirmed. “An MD-530 model chopper of the Air Force was on patrol mission when it struck a power transmission line in Khalm district of Samangan province at 09:00 a.m. local time today and crashed and resultantly two pilots were martyred,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement posted on its Twitter account.

3 soldiers killed in terror attack in Pak

ISLAMABAD, MAY 21

(IANS): Three Pakistani soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistani military said. A group of terrorists attacked security forces post in the Marget area of Balochistan early Saturday, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement, adding that the post has recently been established to help check extortions targeting coal mines in the area.

Europe’s most active volcano erupts

ROME, MAY 21 (AP): Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, was erupting on Sunday, spewing ash on Catania, eastern Sicily’s largest city, and forcing a suspension of flights at that city’s airport.

Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, or INGV, which closely monitors Etna with instrumentation on the slopes, noted that cloud cover on a rainy day was impeding views of the eruption, which often serves up a spectacular display of flaming lava during the volcano’s not infrequent eruptions.

6 border guards killed by ‘terrorists’ in Iran

TEHRAN, MAY 21 (IANS): Six Iranian border guards were killed in armed clashes with members of a “terrorist” group in Saravan County in southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

G7 ends with Ukraine in focus

ZELENSKYY DENIES UKRAINIAN CITY OF BAKHMUT OCCUPIED BY RUSSIAN FORCES

HIROSHIMA, MAY 21

JAPAN (AP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy huddled with some of his biggest backers as the Group of Seven summit closed in Hiroshima on Sunday, building momentum for his country’s war effort even as Russia claimed a battlefield victory that was quickly disputed by Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader’s in-person appearance in his trademark olive drab underscored the centrality of the war for the G7 bloc of rich democracies. It also stole much of the limelight from other priorities, including security challenges in Asia and outreach to the developing world, that the leaders focused on at the three-day gathering.

Hosting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the group was committed to “strong backing for Ukraine from every possible dimension.”

Zelenskyy held two major rounds of meetings

Pope urges Sudan’s warring sides to lay down arms as new cease-fire looms

pledge came after the U.S. agreed to allow training on American-made F-16 fighter jets, laying the groundwork for their eventual transfer to Ukraine.

“We have Ukraine’s back and we’re not going anywhere,” Biden said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, poses with G7 world leaders on the final day of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Sunday. (AP) Sunday, one with G7 leaders and a second with them and a host of invited guests including India and South Korea. He also spoke oneon-one with several leaders.

Zelenskyy denies Ukrainian city of Bakhmut occupied by Russian forces

Zelenskyy says

‘Bakhmut is only in our hearts’ after Russia claims control of Ukrainian city

Hanging over Sunday’s talks was the Russian claim that forces of the Wagner private army and Russian troops had seized the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. The eight-month battle for the eastern city

— seen by both sides as a major symbolic prize — has been the longest and likely bloodiest of the war.

Comments by Zelenskyy earlier in the day in English suggested that the Russians had finally taken the city.

But he and other Ukrainian officials later cast doubt on that assessment, with Zelenskyy telling reporters in Ukrainian that “Bakhmut is not occupied by the Russian Federation as of today.” U.S. President Joe Biden announced new military aid worth $375 million for Ukraine, saying the U.S. would provide ammunition and armored vehicles. That

G7 urges China to press Russia to end war in Ukraine; respect Taiwan’s status

HIROSHIMA, MAY 21

(AP): The Group of Seven wealthy democracies united in urging China to pressure its strategic partner Russia to end its war on Ukraine and resolve territorial disputes peacefully, and China lashed back.

In a joint statement, the G7 leaders emphasized they did not want to harm China and were seeking “constructive and stable relations” with Beijing, “recognizing the importance of engaging candidly with and expressing our concerns directly to China.” “We call on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from

Ukraine,” said the statement Saturday. “We encourage China to support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on territorial integrity and the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter,” including in direct talks with Ukraine.

Cooperation with China is needed given its global role and economic

size, the group said, in appealing for working together on challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, debts and financing needs of of vulnerable countries, global health concerns and economic stability.

But the leaders expressed “serious concern” about the situation in the East and South China seas, where Beijing has been expanding its military presence and threatening to use force to exert its control over self-governed Taiwan. They called for a “peaceful resolution” of China’s claim to Taiwan, which has remained unresolved since the communists gained power on the Chinese mainland in 1949.

Even before Zelenskyy landed Saturday, the G7 nations had unveiled a slew of new sanctions and other measures meant to punish Moscow over its invasion that began in February last year. While Ukraine dominated the summit, the leaders of Japan, the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Italy, as well as the European Union, also aimed to address global worries over climate change, poverty, economic instability and nuclear proliferation.

And Biden sought to reassure world leaders that the U.S. would not default because of the debt limit standoff that has cast a large shadow over his trip.

CAIRO, MAY 21 (AP): Pope Francis called on Sudan’s warring forces to lay down their arms on Sunday, expressing dismay about the ongoing fighting and worsening humanitarian situation in the African country. “It’s sad that a month after the explosion of violence in Sudan, the situation continues to be grave,’ he told the faithful who’d gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly appearance. For over a month, the Sudanese army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have been locked in a violent power struggle that has killed more than 800 civilians, the Sudan Doctor’s Union said. “Please, let’s not get used to conflicts and violence, and let’s not get used to war, please,” Pope Francis said during his appeal.

The Pope’s call comes a day after the Sudanese army and the RSF agreed to a seven-day ceasefire due to

take effect Monday evening.

Since the conflict began, there have been numerous shorter cease-fire deals, and all have foundered.

According to a joint statement issued by the US and Saudi Arabia — the brokers of Saturday’s deal — the upcoming truce hopes to facilitate the “delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services.”

The cease-fire could be extended if both sides agree.

Unlike the previous cease-fires, the week-long truce will be backed up by a “US-Saudi and international-supported cease-fire monitoring mechanism,” the

statement said. Few further details about the function or role of the mechanism were provided.

Over the past month, law and order and basic services have broken down across much of the country. In Khartoum, several districts are without electricity and running water. Looting is widespread.

The UN and rights organisations have accused both sides of human rights abuses, calling out the army for bombing residential areas and hospitals, and condemning RSF troops for attacking civilians and turning residential homes into operational bases.

The violence has been most acute in the capital, Khartoum, and the western region of Darfur. Ongoing fighting that flared up Thursday between the army and the RSF in South Darfur’s regional capital of Nyala has killed at least 25 civilians, the Darfur Bar Association said, a legal group focusing on human rights.

Those involved in May 9 violence won’t be spared: Pak PM

ISLAMABAD, MAY 21 (PTI): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that those involved in the May 9 violence and attacked military installations and state institutions would not be spared.

Addressing a meeting here on the law and order situation in the country after the violence that followed following the arrest of Imran Khan, the ousted prime minister and chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party on May 9, Sharif said that the “rioters” won’t be allowed to escape the law.

“It has been decided that everyone involved in the May 9 events … the planners, abusers or anyone … will be punished as per the law and the Constitution,” he said.

On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest

S.Korean, German leaders agree to cooperate on N. Korea

SEOUL, MAY 21 (AP):

The leaders of South Korea and Germany on Sunday pledged more cooperation in building stable industrial supply chains and addressing the challenges posed by nuclear-armed North Korea as they met in Seoul after flying in from the Group of Seven meetings in Japan.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, pointed to the similarities between the two major manufacturing nations that are dependent on foreign trade and said a stronger supply chain partnership would help them cope with “intensifying global economic instability

German Chancellor Olaf

Yoon

Yeol shake hands, in Seoul, S. Korea Sunday. (AP) and geopolitical conflicts.” He said the countries in particular will work to advance trade relations in high-tech industries and clean energy, including semiconductors and hydrogen projects, and pursue further opportunities in

defense cooperation. Yoon said they also discussed the growing threat posed by North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022 while accelerating its push to expand its nuclear arsenal.

He said Scholz agreed to help maintain a “consistent message to the international community that North Korea has nothing not gain from its illegal provocations,” and coordinate on diplomatic efforts to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear ambitions.

Before his meeting with Yoon, Scholz visited the southern side of the heavily armed border splitting the two Koreas and called for the North to halt its testing activity. “Germany, which was reunified 33 years ago, is a country that understands and emphasizes the issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula,” Yoon said.

It’s time to reform the Security Council: Guterres

UNITED NATIONS/HIROSHIMA, MAY 21

(PTI): The UN Security Council reflects the power relations of 1945 and there is a growing need to redistribute power with the realities of contemporary times, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, as he asserted that it was “time to reform” the global body.

Guterres, while speaking to reporters in Hiroshima at the G7 meeting, said the crushing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, unsustainable levels of debt, rising interest rates and spiralling inflation are devastating developing and emerging economies.

He stressed that among the reasons for problems being faced by developing countries are power-related

dimensions.

“The Bretton Woods system and the Security Council reflect the power relations of 1945. And many things have changed since then. The global financial architecture became outdated, dysfunctional and unfair,” Guterres said.

Bretton Woods is an international monetary system that was forged by delegates from 44 nations in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in July 1944 as the Second World War raged in Europe and the Pacific. Delegates to the confer-

ence agreed to establish the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and what became the World Bank Group.

The Bretton Woods was meant to be a system of economic order and international cooperation that would help countries recover from the devastation of the war and foster long-term global growth.

Guterres said in the face of the economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these systems and institutions in place have “failed to fulfil its core function as a global safety net.”

“It’s time to reform both the Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions. This is essentially a question of redistributing power in line with the realities of today’s world,”

Guterres said.

The UN chief’s latest remarks in Hiroshima come as a strong endorsement of the need to reform the 15-nation powerful UN organ.

India has been at the forefront of efforts calling for urgent reform of the Security Council, which has remained deeply divisive in dealing with current challenges. In an address at a G7 session in Hiroshima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wondered why different forums have had to deliberate on issues relating to peace and stability when the UN was formed to deal with these challenges.

The United Nations and the Security Council will remain just a “talk shop” if they do not reflect the realities of the present world, said on Sunday, as he strongly pitched for reform of the global body.

of Khan in a corruption case by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad.

The Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time.

Police put the death toll

in violent clashes to 10 while Khan’s party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel.

Thousands of Khan’s supporters were arrested following the violence that the powerful Army described as a “dark day” in the history of the country.

Prime Minister Sharif said that it was not a joke that terrorists attacked air force installations in Karachi and then scores of “Imran’s people set fire to the plane in Mianwali” that was used against the enemy.

“I had requested the Punjab chief minister about the anti-terrorism courts, prosecutors, FIRs […] and I told the interior minister and Director General Intelligence Bureau to fulfill their responsibilities as well,” he said. The prime minister likened the “PTI’s violence

on May 9” to the acts of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terror group.

TTP set fire to the Jinnah House in Ziarat (Balochistan) and the PTI set fire to Jinnah House in Lahore … which is now the Core Commander’s residence.

“TTP attacked the GHQ [General Headquarters] and these enemies of the state … the PTI … also attacked the GHQ,” Sharif, also the president of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party, said. He also said that rioters also vandalised state-run Radio Pakistan office in Peshawar. “These events will psychologically affect the nation for years to come,” he said. He also reiterated that people who attacked military installations would be tried under laws in the Constitution.

Greece votes in first election since intl bailout spending controls ended

ATHENS, MAY 21 (AP):

Greeks were voting Sunday in the first election since their country’s economy ceased to be subject to strict supervision and control by international lenders who had provided bailout funds during its nearly decadelong financial crisis.

Greek officials have pledged fast results — about 90% of the precincts should have reported by 10 pm local (1900 GMT), three hours after the voting ends, Dimitris Bakakos, general manager of IT services firm Singular Logic, which is tasked with presenting the results, said in a television interview, adding that, by

8:30 pm, there should be enough data to predict the result within half a percentage point. The vote pitches conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 55, a Harvard-educated former banking executive, against 48-year-old Alexis Tsipras, who heads the left-wing Syriza party and served as prime minister during some of the financial crisis’ most turbulent years, as the two main contenders.

Mitsotakis has repeatedly stressed that he needs a second term to build on what he says he accomplished during the first. He pressed the same

line when he talked to media after casting his vote. “Today, we vote for our future, for higher wages, for more and better jobs. We vote for a more effective public health system, for a fairer society, for a stronger country, which plays an important role in Europe, with protected borders.” Tsipras, unsurprisingly, painted a bleaker picture of the present government’s record and emphasized the need for change. The rising cost of living was at the forefront of many voters’ minds as they headed to polling centers set up in schools across the country.

OFFICE O F THE YEHEMI COMMUNITY DIMAPUR

Dimapur-797112 : Nagaland

Motto : Unity and Progress

F ELICITATI ON

The Yehemi Community Dimapur (YCD) extends heartiest congratulations to Miss. Vinika Chophy, Daughter of Mr/Mrs. Vikheshe & Vihoni Chophy on being conferred Ph. D in Education (Social Psychology) on the topic “teachers’ goal orientation: A study of secondary school students’ achievement motivation in Nagaland” from Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU (ZHCES/SSS). The Yehemi Community is elated at your exemplary achievement and we further believe that your success will continue to inspire the young and old to aspire for greater heights and wish the best in all your future endeavors.

Fumio Kishida

Pope Francis

Shehbaz Sharif

Antonio Guterres

(ER. AHOTO AYE) (V SHIKIHO AYEMI) Chairman Secretary Yehemi Community Dimapur Yehemi Community Dimapur

Scholz, left, and South Korea’s President

Suk

30-day theatre workshop concludes at Maple Tree School

ing that the main focus of the workshop was on the holistic learning process, using theatre as a means of fostering mental and physical flexibility.

Alobo Naga, expressed

admiration for the wellpolished play, commending the dedicated production team for their outstanding work in makeup, costume design and stage direction.

Director of Dreamz

Unlimited, Tiakumzuk Aier, also shared his insight on his experience, adding “The play is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the impact of coal mining on a community.”

WHAT IS THE BRAND VALUE OF NICSE?

The culmination of a 30-day productionoriented theatre workshop held in collaboration with the National School of Drama, New Delhi and Hill Theatre Nagaland was witnessed with a play, “The Case of Longti Village,” unfolded on the stage of Maple Tree School in Dimapur.

Directed by Bendang Walling, the adaptation of the novel by Sentilong Ozukum left the audience spellbound with its exceptional performances and profound storytelling.

The intimate setting of the venue welcomed approximately 200 passionate theatre enthusiasts who eagerly anticipated the performance by the 15 workshop participants. Under the adept guidance of Bendang Walling, an alumnus of the

National School of Drama, the play was meticulously designed by Victor Singh, alumnus of the London School of Performing Arts and Uto Chishi, alumnus of NSD New Delhi, with Kilangtemsu Imsong, alumnus of NSD, Tripura serving as the assistant director.

The evening was hosted by Limasenla Jamir while Alobo Naga graced the occasion and encouraged the young generation to embrace the journey of life through the art of theatre.

During his speech, director Bendang Walling expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Maple Tree School and its proprietor, Sanen, for their unwavering support in hosting the 30-day theatre workshop. He acknowledged their appreciation for the promotion of theatre arts in Nagaland, emphasiz-

Miley Cyrus has a weird feeling about her success. The 30-year-old ‘Wrecking Ball’ singer’s eighth album ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ contained the hit single ‘Flowers’, which set a string of streaming records and spent eight weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her second chart-topping song in the country, reports ‘Female First UK’.

But she told British Vogue about realising the moment will pass as soon as she was told in the Sunset Club at The West Hollywood Edition hotel that ‘Flowers’ was a chart-topper: “I’m sober. I don’t drink, I don’t, you know, but I celebrate.

“It’s like 1 o’clock in the morning and Lil Nas X walks into the club and he asks me the most interesting question. He said, “Are you so anxious about how successful “Flowers” is? I was like, ‘No. I might be No1 now, but No 2 is on its way.’ Everything is seasonal”.

She added about insisting on staying “honest” about her situation: “A lot of headlines (recently) have said, ‘This is Miley’s moment.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s exactly what it is. It’s a moment. And it will be over.”

She further mentioned, quoted by ‘Female First UK’, “That’s not pessimistic. That’s honest and that’s OK with me. I actually prefer it. I don’t like to stay big”.

Miley - who divorced actor Liam Hemsworth, 33, in 2020 - added when ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ was released she wasn’t even in LA and didn’t have her phone with her, and only knew about its success as her boyfriend Maxx Morando, 24, had his mobile.(IANS)

HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS SERVING THE STATE IS WHAT IS NICSE “EX-NICSE”

THIS TERM IS OFTEN USED BY ALMOST ALL OTHER COACHING CENTRES TO SHOWCASE THEIR QUALITY IN ADVERTISEMENTS AND DURING COUNSELLING FOR ADMISSIONS TO PROMOTE THEIR FACULTY, EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE, MANAGEMENT STAFF AND CONTENT IT IS A BIG COMPLIMENT FOR THE UNMATCHED QUALITY OF NICSE WHICH ALL OTHER CENTRES FIND IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE WE THANK THEM ALL !

TODAY, THERE ARE 1 OR MORE “EX-NICSE” FACULTY “EX-NICSE” MANAGEMENT STAFF “EX-NICSE” STUDENTS AS FACULTY IN ALMOST EVERY COACHING CENTRE IN SPITE OF THIS, EVERY COACHING CENTRE HAS NOT REACHED THE LEVEL OF NICSE THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE BRAND NICSE IN THE COACHING INDUSTRY OF NAGALAND FOR A DECADE

“EX-NICSE” MANPOWER ALONE CAN’T BUILD THE QUALITY & BRAND VALUE OF NICSE THERE IS MUCH BEYON D

ONCE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN COACHING HOW WOULD YOU CHOOSE WHICH INSTITUTE TO JOIN OUT OF 33+ OPTIONS IN NAGALAND?

YOU CAN SEGREGATE ALL CENTRES INTO SEVEN CATEGORIES

1. Any Coaching Centre VERY CLOSE to your Place of Stay irrespective of quality or track record.

2. The Coaching Centre with the CHEAPEST COURSE FEE even if they don’t provide study materials but somehow claim unrealistic high results.

3. Any Coaching Centre with SHORTER PRELIM ORIENTED COURSES.

4. Any Coaching Centre with 1 or 2 EX-NICSE FACULTY

5. Institutes claiming big with NEVER ENDING RESULTS OF FIRST BATCH & FIRST ATTEMPT Every Year, WITH NEGLIGIBLE FINAL NPSC RESULTS SINCE INCEPTION

6. FRANCHISE CENTRES claiming to have 28+ Years of Excellence In Civil Service but Shockingly Have Never Had Civil Service Courses Anywhere Outside Nagaland (as per their website & feedbacks from many of their franchise centres). They too have to depend on results of 3 Nicse Students, on their daily ads

7. CREDIBILITY OF NICSE, THE UNPARALLELED BEST: 10 YEARS OF HIGHEST

& UNINFLATED NPSC RESULTS EVER BY ANY INSTITUTE

1O YEARS OF TRUST OF ASPIRANTS & PARENTS

10 YEARS OF MOST HOLISTIC CIVIL SERVICE COURSES

10 YEARS OF BEST MATERIALS & CONTENT

10 YEARS OF BEST FACULTY

10 YEARS OF MOST PREDICTIVE MOCK TESTS THINK LIKE A CIVIL SERVANT, WITH LOGIC STOP, RETHINK , SCRUTINIZE, OPEN YOUR EYES

BE WELL INFORMED ON ALL SEVEN, NOT MISINFORMED NICSE IS NOW INTO ITS 11TH YEAR BRINGING THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL NPSC/UPSC ASPIRANTS TILL 25TH MAY

10 MONTHS NPSC COURSE: 49500/- 89500/-

11 MONTHS UPSC COURSE: 65500/- 105500/-

Nise Meruno with Russian Musicians, Arisha Arina and Nadya Balyan. Yamaha artiste Nise Meruno has recently conducted a concert series in Delhi along with the Capital City Minstrels at the Vatican Embassy, Kamani Auditorium and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.

Miley Cyrus says her success is ‘seasonal’

Participants present a drama during the Theatre workshop.

Real Sociedad spoil Barca’s title party

without a win at home to Celta Vigo.

Williams scored an early header, while Berenguer curled a 54th-minute shot into the corner of the Celta goal, just four minutes after Strand Larsen had nodded Celta level.

On Friday night, Theo Bongonda scored two second-half goals to give Cadiz three vital points in a relegation dogfight at home to Valladolid.

Valladolid have lost their last five matches and their night got worse in the 80th minute when Ivan Hongla was sent off 10 minutes from time.

MADRID, MAY 21

(IANS): Real Sociedad took a big step towards assuring a fourth place in La Liga when they beat this season’s champions FC Barcelona 2-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday night.

Real Sociedad formed a guard of honor for Barcelona’s title and then opened the scoring when Mikel Merino put them ahead after some careless defending from the home side. Martin Zubimendi, who Barca have made no secret of their interest in signing, had a big hand in the second goal when he set up

Alexander Sorloth to make it 2-0 with 20 minutes left to play.

With the fans in Camp Nou chanting “Messi”, Robert Lewandowski netted a last-minute consolation for Barca, a Xinhua report said.

Real Sociedad have now won four times in Camp Nou in their history, with three of those wins coming after they formed a guard of honor for Barca. The win keeps Real five points above Villarreal, who took another step towards assuring at least a Europa League place with a 2-1 win away to Girona.

Although Nicolas Jackson didn’t score, he was vital for Villarreal, helping Yeremy Pino open the scoring in the ninth minute with a race forward to leave the winger with an open goal.

David Garcia equalized in the first half for Girona, but another sprint from Jackson in the 93rd minute saw him cross for Gerard Moreno to volley the winning goal into an empty net. Goals from Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer moved Athletic Bilbao into seventh place above Girona, as the Basque side ended a run of five games

Jersey unveiling for senior men’s cricket inter-district tournament

DIMAPUR, MAY 21

(NPN): Jersey unveiling ceremony for Inter-District Senior Men’s Tournament was held on May 21 at Nagaland Cricket Stadium with the players, coaches and managers of district teams, tournament committee members and host of dignitaries from Nagaland Cricket Association.

The inter-district senior men’s tournament will com-

during jersey unveiling ceremony.

mence from May 22 till 29.

The tournament will be played at two different venues viz, Nagaland Cricket Stadium and Sovima Cricket Ground and will be telecasted live on Nagaland Cricket Association YouTube channel, also live score updates will be made available at CricHeroes App.

On the first opening day of the tournament, Dimapur will take on Zunhe-

boto at Nagaland Cricket Stadium while Niuland will take on Kiphire at Sovima Cricket ground at 8 am.

Later, Wokha will take on Kohima at Nagaland Cricket Stadium and Chumoukedima will take on Tuensang at Sovima Cricket Ground at 12:30 pm. The NCA has invited every cricket fans to come and witness the tournament and be a part of the game.

NTTA informs on presidential meeting

DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (NPN): Nagaland

Table Tennis Association (NTTA) has convened presidential meeting of all affiliated District Table Tennis Associationcum-election/selection of NTTA office bearers for the tenure 2023-25 on May 26,

3 pm at Hotel Japfii. This is to inform all the Executive members of Nagaland Table Tennis Association (NTTA), all the district presidents have been requested to attend the meeting.

ZesTA conducts colour belt promotion ceremony in Kohima

The result saw Valladolid drop into the bottom three on Saturday after Getafe drew 1-1 at home to the bottom of the table Elche.

Munir el Haddadi put Getafe ahead in the eighth minute, but Lucas Boye leveled in first-half injury time and the result will feel like two points dropped for Getafe against a rival that was relegated several weeks ago.

Lazaro Vinicius scored a hat-trick for Almeria as the side from the far southeast of Spain beat Mallorca 3-0 to take a huge step towards survival. As they climb four points above the bottom three with three games left to play.

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(AGENCIES): Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has given a positive response to the call that he undergo narco-analysis to settle the allegations of sexual harassment. But he has a condition.

“I am ready to get my narco test, polygraphy test or lie detector done but my condition is that along with me Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia should also undergo these tests. If both the wrestlers are ready to get their test done, then call the press and announce and I promise them that I am also ready for this,” he said in a Facebook post today. The wrestlers’ protest has grown in volume, with farmers from Haryana joining in to show support. Earlier today, a khap panchayat meet in Haryana’s Meham passed a resolution demanding that Mr Singh undergo a narco test and face legal action.

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY

Rybakina clinches Italian Open title with win over injured Kalinina

ROME, MAY 21 (IANS):

Elena Rybakina won her second WTA 1000 title of the year after an ailing Anhelina Kalinina retired during the second set of their Italian Open final on late Saturday night, here. Rybakina registered a 6-4, 1-0 win after Kalinina retired from the final due to a left thigh injury.

After rain backed up play for much of the day, No.7 seed Rybakina took the trophy when No.30 seed Kalinina was unable to continue after 65 minutes. Rybakina had lost to Kalinina in their only previous meeting, on the clay courts of Charleston last year.

After winning her fifth career singles title in Rome, reigning Wimbledon champion Rybakina is projected to rise to World No.4 after this fortnight, which will mark her Top 5 debut in the WTA Tour singles rankings. This year’s Australian Open runner-up Rybakina is the first player to capture two WTA 1000 titles this season, adding the Rome trophy to her Indian Wells title. Rybakina also reached a third WTA 1000 final this year in Miami, and she is 19-2 at WTA 1000 events so

far in 2023.

Only two other players in the Open Era have reached finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome in the same season: Monica Seles in 1991 and Maria Sharapova in 2012.

Rybakina has won 28 tour-level matches this year, tied for second place on tour with World No.1 Iga Swiatek. Only World No.2 and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has won more matches this year, with 29.

Hunter-Mertens win doubles title

No.4 seeds Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens captured their first team title at the Italian Open by defeating top seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-4 in the final, here. The title is Mertens’ 17th career doubles title and Hunter’s sixth. Hunter and Mertens’ straight-set win over Gauff and Pegula on Saturday capped off a dominant fortnight in Rome. The Australian-Belgian duo lost just one set during the tournament, with wins over Flipkens/Rosolska, Rosatello/Moratelli, Danilina/Babos, Bouzkova/ Mattek-Sands, and the No.1 Americans. Due to the threat of continuing rain, the doubles final, which was originally scheduled for after the singles final on Campo Centrale, was moved to Court Pietrangeli and played in front of an enthusiastic standing-room-only crowd.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

22.05.1933 to 22.05.2023

Dr. K Izheho Zhimomi Hd. G.B.

Wishing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY

You are a True Friend, a Rare Gem and a True Role Model. We are very fortunate to have you in our lives. May you continue to live your life to the fullest and in good health. May God bless and keep you. Loving Children, In-laws, Grandchildren, Great Grand Children.

DP-2215/23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization would like to proudly congratulate Lok Shri Jacob Zhimomi , Honourable Minister, PHED & Co-operation, G.O.N. on his success on being elected for the third consecutive term with a historic mandate which clearly indicates peoples’ choice. The KGPO wishes him all success in his endeavours and is hopeful that under his visionary and able leadership the populace under our constituencies (Ghaspani-1 and 2) will see many more positive developmental activities and the communities will be able to strive forward in all areas of our life. May the Almighty God continue to bless and guide him in leading our people.

DP-2211/23(C)

Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization (KGPO)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (NPN): The Zest Taekwondo Academy (ZesTA) has conducted its colour belt promotion ceremony on May 20 in Kohima. ZesTA is affiliated to Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA).

The belt binding ceremony was graced and conducted by Black Belt 6th DAN and International Taekwondo Referee, Thejasetuo Keretsü and Black Belt 3rd DAN and senior Taekwondo instructor, Sunil Rai.

Altogether, 24 students were given colour belt promotion in different grades. The visiting faculty also gave away prizes to the students for various categories. Shokentsinlo Semp,

Thejaneituo Kuotsu and Japisa Bio were adjudged the best group in the Poomsae category and Anmol was adjudged the Best Student Award.

On the occasion, the student displayed various taekwondo skills and sparing techniques.

The event was conducted by Black Belt 1st DAN and managing director, ZesTA Neitho-o Kuotsu. Earlier, the colour belt promotion test was conducted by Black Belt 5th DAN and International Taekwondo Referee, Moon Thapa and Black Belt 3rd DAN, Niky Khezhie under the rules and regulation of NTA and guided by World Taekwondo (Kukkiwon) at the same venue on May 1 last.

The Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization would like to proudly congratulate Shri Zhaleo Rio I.A.S. Retd. Honourable MLA Advisor, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs G.O.N. on his success on being elected for the third consecutive term with a huge mandate which clearly shows the peoples’ faith on his leadership. The KGPO wishes him success in all his plans and dreams and is hopeful that under his captainship the people under the constituencies of (Ghaspani-2 and 1) will see many positive developmental activities and the people at large will be able to move forward in all spheres of life. May the Almighty Lord continue to bless and guide him.

DP-2211/23(A)

Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization ( KGPO )

The Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization would like to heartily congratulate Shri Kabo G. Zhimomi, President Western Sumi Students’ Union ( WSSU ) and Shri P. Kiyekhu Yeputhomi, President Executive Council Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu ( WSBAK ) in bringing laurels to our area. The KGPO wishes them success in their programs and planning for the society at large. May the Almighty Lord continue to bless and guide them in achieving their dreams.

Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization ( KGPO )

DP-2211/23(B)

Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets lifts the championship trophy on the pitch at the end of a La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AP/PTI)

Senior men’s teams from various districts

Dignitaries with students of ZesTA during belt promotion ceremony in Kohima on May 20.

Elena Rybakina

‘Ready for Narco test but...’: WFI chief has a condition

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

IPL: Mumbai Indians beat SRH by 8 wickets

MUMBAI, MAY 21 (IANS):

Cameron Green struck a brilliant unfinished century and Rohit Sharma smashed a half-century as Mumbai Indians comprehensively chased down a stiff target in their must-win encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians needed to win the match to maintain their chances of reaching the Playoffs, and their progress will now depend on the result of the last preliminary league match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans at Bengaluru. If RCB win the match, they will go through with a better net run rate.

Mumbai Indians, however, fulfilled their part of the bargain by scoring a comprehensive victory which took them to 16 points.

Green completed his century off the final ball of the 18th over, taking 47 balls to reach the milestone. Rohit Sharma contributed 56 off 27 deliveries as Mumbai Indians raced to 201/2 off 18 overs, chasing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s score of 200/5 made possible by half-centuries by Vivrant Sharma (69) and Mayank Agarwal (83), who shared a 140-run stand

for the opening wicket. Going for a big win to shore up their Net Run Rate (NRR) as they are locked in a three-way battle for the lone Play-offs spot with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals and make things difficult for RCB who would be playing Gujarat Titans in the evening match, Mumbai Indians made a brisk start. They had to reach 201 within 12 overs to take their NRR past that of RCB.

After a quiet opening over by Bhuvneshwar Ku-

mar, Ishan Kishan exploded into action by hammering K. Nitish Kumar Reddy for a six and four off successive deliveries in the second. However, Kishan (14) was out in the next over, ballooning a pull off a shortish delivery by Bhuvneshwar and Harry Brook picked up a fine low catch diving to his left at midwicket.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Australian allrounder Cameron Green then raised 128 runs for the second wicket off 66 balls, with both players completing

At least 12 killed in stampede at soccer stadium in El Salvador

about 500 people had been given medical treatment, with many transferred to hospital.

Salvadoran Health Minister Francisco Alabi said on Twitter that all patients have been given medical care in the aftermath of the stampede.

NEW DELHI, MAY 21

(IANS): At least 12 people have been killed in an apparent stampede at Cuscatlan Stadium in El Salvador during a local tournament, National Civil Police (PNC) said on Twitter. The incident occurred during a match between local team Alianza and the Santa Ana-based team Fas on Saturday.

The match was later abandoned. The incident reportedly occurred when a large number of fans tried to enter the venue after the gates had been closed and

officials believed some fans had been sold fake tickets, with an investigation underway,” report stated.

Footage shared by local media appeared to show fans attempting to pull down barricades at the stadium’s entrance.

Country’s President Nayib Bukele described the event as unprecedented and said “will carry out an exhaustive investigation of the events that occurred at the Cuscatlan Stadium.”

Luis Alonso Amaya, from the Civil Protection of El Salvador, said that

Long jumper Shaili finishes 3rd in Golden Grand Prix in Japan

“Both female and male patients, including minors, have mostly been treated for multiple traumas. Most of them are stable and at the moment we do not report intrahospital deaths,” he added.

The Salvadoran Soccer Federation said that “all national level football matches on Sunday would be suspended. It also said it regretted what had happened and voiced support for the victims’ families.”

This is the second such tragedy that happened within a year. Last October, around 135 people, including more than 40 children, died in a stampede following a football match in Malang, Indonesia.

their half-centuries in the process. Rohit blasted 56 off 37 deliveries, hitting eight fours and one six in the process.

Starting with a four with a thick outside edge off Bhuvneshwar in the second ball of the innings, Rohit got a life in the sixth over when a back-paddling Sanvir Singh dropped a difficult chance at midwicket off Kartik Tyagi.

Rohit, who struck Umran Malik for a four in the 8th over and blasted a six off a no-ball by Vivrant in the 9th, smacked a hat-trick of boundaries off Umran Malik in the 10th over.

Dropped by Sanvir again in the 12th over, the MI skipper completed his half-century in 31 balls, playing his trademark pulls and drives to put Mumbai Indians on course in their chase of 201.

Green went ballistic from the start as he struck Bhuvneshwar for a four in the third over and then got the same result against Mayank Dagar. He danced down the track and lofted Reddy for a six and then top-edged Kartik Tyagi off a no-ball. Two back-to-back boundaries off Tyagi and a couple of sixes off Dagar in the seventh over brought up the fifty of their partner-

ship. Green continued in the same vein and brought up his fifty in 20 balls with a six off Vivran. He survived a stumping by Klassen off Reddy in the 13th over and blazed away to his century, reaching the milestone off 47 balls, hitting eight boundaries and as many sixes in a brilliant display of powerhitting that had the capacity crowd on its feet repeatedly.

Rohit Sharma was the other Mumbai Indians batter to get out, picked brilliantly mid-air by Nitish Reddy off Dagar.

However, SRH’s dream of further wickets was thwarted by Green and Suryakuamr Yadav as they shared an unfinished 55-run partnership for the third wicket to guide Mumbai Indians to a comprehensive victory. Yadav scored 25 off 16 deliveries, for once playing second fiddle to Green as the Australian batter chased his century. Brief scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 200/5 in 20 overs (Vivrant Sharma 69, Mayank Agarwal 83; Akash Madhwal 4-37) lost to Mumbai Indians 201/2 in 18 overs (Cameron Green 100 not out, Rohit Sharma 56, Suryakuamr Yadav 25 not out; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1-26).

Nagaland wins 14 medals at National Arm-Wrestling C’ships

Man City crowned EPL champions

LONDON, MAY 21 (IANS): Manchester City were confirmed as the 20222023 Premier League champions on Saturday night without having to kick a ball as Arsenal were beaten 1-0 away to Nottingham Forest.

Taiwo Awoniyi’s 19thminute goal gave Forest a 1-0 win over the side second in the Premier League, that not only assures his side’s survival on their return to the top-flight but means that Arsenal can’t catch Man City in the title race.

Man City entertain Chelsea on Sunday, five days after booking their place in the Champions League final by beating Real Madrid 4-0, and now have the chance of an impressive treble, given that they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3rd, a Xinhua report said.

Newcastle United can secure their place in the next season’s Champions League with a draw at home to Leicester City on Monday night, while Manchester United need just a point from their last two games to confirm a top-four finish after United claimed a scrappy 1-0 win away to Bournemouth and Liverpool were held at home by Aston Villa.

Casemiro’s impressive

Man City’s Erling Braut Haaland receives a guard of honour from teammates and manager Pep Guardiola.

early volley was enough to give Manchester United a narrow win away to Bournemouth, who had already assured their top-flight survival. The Brazilian volleyed the only goal of the game in the eighth minute and that was enough to give the visitors three vital points.

Roberto Firmino scored an 89th-minute equalizer to give Liverpool a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa in his last appearance at Anfield before leaving the club in the summer.

Aston Villa confirmed their good form in 2023 with Jacob Ramsey’s 27thminute opener, which came after Ollie Watkins had previously missed a penalty for the visitors.

A win for Villa in their

last game should assure them a place in next season’s Conference League for next season after Tottenham’s season ended in a downbeat manner as they lost 3-1 at home to Brentford.

Although Harry Kane put Spurs ahead in the eighth minute, Brentford, who were without the suspended Ivan Toney, fought back with two second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and one from Yoane Wissa to end a miserable season at White Hart Lane.

Yerry Mina scored a 99th-minute goal, stabbing the ball home from close range, to give Everton a vital point away to Wolverhampton, who had led through Hwang Hee-chan’s first-half opener.

YOKOHAMA (JAPAN), MAY 21 (IANS): India’s

Shaili Singh finished third in the women’s long jump event at the Golden Grand Prix 2023 athletics meet, a Continental Tour Gold event, here on Sunday.

Shaili registered a winning jump of 6.65m to finish third on the podium in her first international meet of 2023. Her other jumps measured 6.59m, 6.35m, 6.35m, 6.36m and 6.41m.

Germany’s Maryse Luzolo won the gold medal with an effort of 6.79m while Australia’s Brooke Buschkuehl bagged the

silver medal with a 6.77m leap.

Shaili’s performance here comes on the back of a solid start to the 2023 season. At the Indian Grand Prix 4, the 2021 U20 Worlds silver medallist registered a personal best jump of 6.76m, the second-best by an Indian woman after the legendary Anju Bobby George (6.83m).

During the Bengaluru meet, the 19-year-old also made the cut for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 by breaching the qualifying standard of 6.45m set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Team Nagaland with their medals and certificates.

DIMAPUR, MAY 21

(NPN): Team Nagaland comprising of eight athletes won 14 medals at the 3rd BCAI National ArmWrestling Championships held on May 18 to 21 at the Ramee Guestline Hotel, Bangalore, Karnataka.

In a press release, Arm Wrestling Association of Nagaland (AWAN), has provided the names of the athletes’ who won medals in various categories at the championship.

Vethozo Lohe - 4 gold medals (youth left & right hands) and 78 Kg senior

(left & right hands); Neli Dominic - 2 Gold medals (63 kg, senior) left and right hands; Avilie Zuyie - 1 gold medal (86 kg, youth) right hand, 1 silver medal (left hand); Zizi Mongzar - 2 silver medals (63kg, youth) left and right hands; Abhishek Pradhan - 1 gold medal (youth open weight category); Thangboilal Saum - 1 bronze medal (78 kg, junior) left hand; Kuvemuri Ringa - 1 bronze medal (70 kg, senior) left hand; and George Mero - 1 silver medal (63 kg, junior) left hand.

(Reuters)

People attend an injured after a stampede in El Salvador.

Shaili Singh

Mumbai Indians batter Cameron Green plays a shot during the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. (PTI)