25 April 2022

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 138

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Ukraine prez Zelenskyy pushes for more arms

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Rahul’s ton guide LSG to 36-run win over MI SPORTS, PAGE 12

Amid 4th wave threat, India From solution-mode to poll-mode reports over 2,500 new cases STATE POLITICAL PARTIES HOPE ON SOLUTION BUT PREPARE FOR ELECTION Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): With state assembly election scheduled by February 27, 2023 alliance partners in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are inching closer towards switching to poll-mode and weighing in the realpolitik vis-a-vis solution to the Naga political issue.

Early solution to the Naga political issue remained the prime focus of every government since 2003. Naga people thought they saw the light at the end of the tunnel especially after the then Interlocutor to the Naga political talks R.N. Ravi had declared that all official negotiations ended on October 31,2019. However, it appeared more easier said than done as the declaration proved otherwise.

Apparently, the government of India, which signed the Framework Agreement with the NSCN(I-M) on Au-

Neiphiu Rio

TR Zeliang

gust 3,2015 and the Agreed Position with the GPRN/ NSCN on November 17, 2017 would have to ‘unify’ a broad-based agreement based on the two.

Such a broad-based agreement is still under wraps with the government of India and that may be a factor for not setting a time frame-whether pre-election or post-election.

This has led the high decibel vocal pressure by political leaders for early solution to the Naga political issue, to gradually ease in the light of the government of India not setting up any

time-frame for solution.

With the 1998 fiasco, legislators have gotten wiser and since then have maintained that once elected, they won’t resign post-election .

The internal dynamics of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) the second all-party government formed in July 2021 when NPF formally joined the ruling PDA comprising of NDPP and BJP is on seat sharing.

In the 2018 assembly election, the nascent Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP formed a pre-poll alliance

with a seat sharing formula of 40:20. NDPP contested 40 seats and won 18 and BJP contested 20 seats and won 12. The NPF won 26 seats.

The NDPP and BJP formed the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) government with the support of two NPP, one JD(U) and one independent members.

The NDPP which won 18 seats in 2018 today has increased its tally to 21 while the NPF tally has reduced from 26 in 2018 today to 25.

The BJP remains at 12, the same number.

The all-party UDA government could face certain hurdles for the up coming election in 2023.

The NDPP and the BJP have agreed to continue with the same 40:20 seat sharing formula in 2023.

By this formula the NDPP will issue tickets to its 21 sitting MLAs including two supporting Independents to take the total to 23 candidates. It is learnt that NDPP

will also issue tickets to the seven rebel NPF MLAs and the total will rise to 30 candidates. Under the 40:20 formula NDPP will still have ten candidates to be nominated.

On the other hand, BJP which has 12 MLAs will get 20 seats to contest and this means the party will have 8 candidate to be set up.

The question is what does NPF get as it has 25-7 or 18 sitting MLAs if NDPP is to set up 10 more candidates and BJP 8 more candidate for the remaining seats?

The internal churning within the UDA is moving faster as election nears.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is already on campaignmode as recent political appointments raise speculations that he already has a game plan in mid and the question if whether UDA chairman T.R. Zeliang or BJP leader Y. Patton are included or whether one of the two is excluded.

Mishra to meet Muivah before returning to Delhi Indian Oil warns of action against tankers if involved in adulteration Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Government of India’s representative for Naga political talks, AK Mishra is scheduled to hold an “informal meeting” with NSCN (I-M) general secretary and Th. Muivah at Police complex, Chümoukedima before returning to Delhi on Monday.

During his week-long stay in Dimapur, Mishra held several rounds of hectic parleys with the Naga Political Groups and cross-section of the civil society organizations including Manipur based CSO. He also met chief minister Neiphiu Rio, legislators and senior officials during his stay.

AK Mishra (NP)

It was also for the first that the Centre’s representative held a meeting with the NSCN (I-M) at CHQ, Hebron.

NSCN (I-M) home kilonser M Daniel Lotha had told PTI that Mishra assured the group that the final solution to the vexed Naga political issue will be based on the Framework Agreement of 2015.

“The talks for a final solution will continue between NSCN (I-M) and the Government of India based on the Framework Agreement,” he added.

On the other hand, co-convener Working Committee (WC) of NNPGs, and NSCN/GPRN (K) ato kilonser Isak Sumi said that the Government of India was committed “to resolve the Naga political issue on the basis of the October 31, 2019 concurrence.”

In an interview to Nagaland Post, Isak disclosed that Mishra during their meeting, reiterated Centre’s stand that it was committed to resolve Naga political issue on the basis of October 31, 2019 concurrence.

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has warned that strict action would be taken against any oil tanker contracted with the company if found involved in fuel adulteration.

In a statement, the oil major also assured extending all necessary assistance and cooperation to the investigation of alleged fuel adulteration racked busted

by Rising People’s Party (RPP) recently.

Further, IOCL clarified that there was no 20kilo litre (KL) capacity tanker under contract with its Dimapur depot, adding

State’s first full-fledged pain & palliative care centre opened

(L) Pain & Palliative Care Centre at Chümoukedima (R) Neiphiu Rio speaking at the inaugural.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated St Joseph Pain & Palliative Care Centre at Chümoukedima here on Sunday.

The centre is an initiative of Catholic churches in Nagaland and managed by Congregation of Medical

This is it!

“Yes I was appointed as chief chemist in this factory. Now I learn it’s an adultertion unit.”

K Y M C

Sisters of St Joseph, Nirmala Province, Ernakulam Kerala.

Addressing the gathering, Rio acknowledged that Catholic churches in the State had been at forefront in imparting quality education and healthcare at affordable cost for people.

Citing the examples of educational centres like

St Joseph College (Autonomous), Jakhama and St Joseph University, Dimapur, he maintained that these institutions epitomised the continuing efforts of Catholic churches in the field of education. “The humanitarian services carried out by the Catholic churches should also be highly appreciated by one and all,” he added.

Speaking on palliative care (PC), he noted that with its primary objective to improve quality of life by taking care of physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional needs, it resonated with teachings of Jesus Christ on compassion and love. He said PC was not only to relieve suffering of patients, but also to comfort and support families through difficult times.

He expressed gratitude to the centre that aimed to provide palliative service free of cost, while he encouraged all Nagas to come forward and partake in charitable causes.

that only 9/11/12/14-KL capacity tankers were attached/contracted to the depot.

Claiming that it had a robust system like e-locking and vehicle tracking for monitoring tanker movements, the corporation however asserted that it could not be held accountable for siphoning/pilferage/malpractices by unscrupulous tanker crew/transporters enroute to the destination.

And in case of any reported complaint, IOCL assured of taking necessary action as per its norms/ guidelines.

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (AGENCIES/PTI): Amid growing concerns about a possible fourth wave of coronavirus, India reported more than 2,500 fresh COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day on Sunday.

A total of 2,593 people tested positive for COVID-19 in a day, pushing the total tally of cases to 4,30,57,54, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll has risen to 5,22,193 with 44 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded as 98.75 per cent, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease increased to 4,25,19,479, while the case fatality rate was 1.21 per cent. The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.59 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.54 per cent, according to the ministry.

So far, a total of 187.67 crore doses of COVID vaccines have been administered in the country under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting with chief ministers on

Former Nagaland governor K Sankaranarayanan passes away

T H I RU VA N A N T H A PURAM, APR 24 (IANS): Senior Congress leader and former Nagaland and Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan passed away in Kerala’s Palakkad on Sunday. He was 89.

The senior leader was (Cont’d on p-8) suffering from illness for the

past couple of years.

Sankaranarayanan was the convenor of the United Democratic Front (UDF) for 16 years and had maintained an excellent rapport with the coalition partners including the Muslim League and the Kerala Congress-Mani when UDF was in power and in opposition. He was also the finance minister in the A.K. Antony government.

S a n k a r a n a r aya n a n served as Governor in six states including Nagaland.

He was remembered for his humour and his excellent rapport with political leaders cutting across political lines.

7 groups acknowledge State govt’s move on Foothill Road DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Seven organisations have acknowledged the initiative of the State government under the leadership of chief minister Nephiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y Patton of taking up the issue of upgrading Foothill Road to a mega project and rechristening it as ‘Trans Nagaland Expressway’ with the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).

The bodies – Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC),

NFHRCC members with tribal and student organizations during their visit to Khelma.

Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA), Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’

Union (DENSU), Young Nagas Action Committee on Foothills Road (YNACFR), Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation (NZPO) and

Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur (ENPUD)– further impressed upon the State government to expedite the matter with the

W

ith several festivals coming up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to stay alert of the coronavirus and continue to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks and washing hands.

In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi said that in the coming days the festival of Eid, Akshaya Tritiya, birth anniversary of Bhagwan Parashuram and Vaishakh Budh Purnima will be celebrated.

“All these festivals are festivals of restraint, purity, charity and harmony. Advance greetings

to all of you on the occasion of these festivals. Celebrate these festivals with great gaiety and harmony,” Modi said.

“In the midst of all this, you also have to be alert of corona (virus).

Wearing a mask, washing hands at regular intervals, whatever are the necessary measures for prevention, keep following them,” Modi stressed.

the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country on Wednesday.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan will make a presentation on the matter, official sources said on Saturday, PTI reported.

India has been witnessing a spike in the number of coronavirus cases, triggering fears of a possible fourth wave of the pandemic. Several states, including Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana that recently dropped the mask

mandate have once again made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in public places.

Union Health Secretar y Rajesh Bhushan had also written to several states-- Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Mizoram and advised them to maintain strict watch and take pre-emptive action, if required, in areas of concern to control any emerging spread of COVID-19.

Narendra Modi

Nagaland becomes Covid-19 free state

KOHIMA, APR 24 (PTI): Nagaland became a coronavirus-free state on Sunday with the lone active COVID patient from Dimapur district recovering from the disease, a senior health department official said. The active case count hit zero for the first time in the state since the detection of three (Cont’d on p-8) COVID patients on May

Lt. K. Sankaranarayanan

Stay alert, keep following Covidappropriate behaviour: Modi

Centre for obtaining a formal approval on the matter at the earliest.

This was resolved at a meeting among members of the organisations during their visit to Khelma in Peren district, the last end point of the proposed Foothill Road and about 395 km from Tizit on April 22 and 23.

A meeting with the tribal leaders was held at Jalukie town, Athibung, Ikesingram village and Klelma townships respectively. The tour programme was hosted by (Cont’d on p-8) NZPO.

25, 2020, he said. The first three coronavirus patients in Nagaland were among returnees from Chennai.

The caseload remained at 35,488 as no fresh infection was reported in the last 24 hours, the official said.

Altogether, 33,244 people have so far recovered from the disease. The recovery rate was 93.68 per cent.

The death toll due to the infection stood at 760.

Altogether 1,484 patients have migrated to other states, the official said.

Nagaland has so far tested 4,71,479 samples for the infection. Over 16.16 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the state till Saturday.

Patton allocated Land Resources department DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): A day after divesting Roads & Bridges department from deputy chief minister Y. Patton, who also holds charge of the Home department, chief minister Neiphiu Rio has allocated the Land Resources department (LRD) to Patton.

In a notification, dated April 23, issued by the cabinet secretary J. Alam stated that the governor of Nagaland on the advice of the chief minister re-allocated the portfolios with immediate effect.

The Land Resources department was held by Patton’s party colleague and minister, P. Paiwang Konyak in addition to Transport, Railways & Civil Aviation.

Tribal Affairs minister to arrive today

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Union Tribal Affairs minister Arjun Munda will be arriving Nagaland on Monday on a three-day visit. According to officials, Muda is scheduled to inaugurate the Kuda Sports Complex in Dimapur.

Munda is also scheduled to visit Kohima where he will be meeting chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other leaders including State BJP party leaders.

PM to visit Diphu, Dibrugarh: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive Dimapur on April 28 enroute to Diphu where he is scheduled to attend a programme.

Modi will then depart for Dibrugarh on April 28 where he will lay the foundation stone of seven new cancer hospitals, worth Rs 4,000 crore-- a joint collaboration of the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts.

T.L. Angami passes away

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Former president of GBs Federation of Nagaland (GBFN) T.L. Angami passed away after a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Guwahati on Sunday.

According to NCRC president Rev. Dr. Neikedozo Paphino, late T.L. Angami suffered a stroke and was rushed to Guwahati where he passed away.

The body is expected to arrive Dimapur early Monday. Funeral service will be held at the residence of late TL Angami near DC’s office Dimapur on Monday at 2 p.m. (Staff Reporter) K Y M C

2

STATE

ACU trienniel convention concludes

(CKC), Kohima Village.

Sunday’s attendance of more than 3000 believers was the highest during the convention.

ACU elects new team of office bearers

Bishop of Kohima along with the outgoing and incoming ACU executives and priests at Kohima on Sunday. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 24 (NPN): The three-day 12th triennial convention of Angami Catholic Union (ACU) came to an end Sunday, here at Christ King Church following the celebration of the Holy Mass by the Bishop of Kohima, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil.

In his homily, the Bishop said the eighth day after Easter, also known as the Octave of Easter, was celebrated as the Divine Mercy Sunday across the world by the Catholics.

Making a reference to the three Bible passages, which were read ahead of the sermon, the Bishop said it was a reminder of God’s infinite love and mercy.

He said that the disciples of Christ, with the spirit of truth, were sent to continue the mission and to

further reveal the works of God to the world.

In this regard, he challenged the believers to live by the truth saying that there should be no compromise to live the faith—which is a gift of God. Like the Christ who showed his wounds and made the disciples touch it when they doubted His resurrection from the death, the Bishop said that one should not be ashamed of the wounds they carry.

Although wounds may symbolise fragility, he said that one should allow the touch of Christ in their lives to heal the brokenness within.

Without the Church and the community of believers, he said that Christ’s touch and healing will be invisible. Urging the believers to be missionary

disciples of Christ, the Bishop reminded that one’s integrity is a fundamental testimony to the others.

The ser vice was led by ACU president, Lhousarovi Paul, while Angami Catholic Women A s s o c i a t i o n ( A C WA ) president, Kikr usonuo Clara, inter preted the homily into Tenyidie.

Angami Catholic Youth Association (ACYA) president, Kelhouzasie Lawrence, ACU general secretar y Ruokuophreü Rose, and the Dean of Science at St. Joseph’s College Jakhama, Rev. Fr. Thejalhoulie Solo, performed the three readings respectively. ACWA general secretary Asatuoü Christina, administered the prayer of the faithful.

The three-day triennial convention was hosted by Christ the King Church

PDVCO conducts surprise raid DIMAPUR: Peren District Voluntar y Consumers’ Organization (PDVCO) along with Jalukie town administration conducted a surprise raid of shops on April 20-21 at Jalukie town.

A press release

by PDVCO stated that the team comprised of dobashis, Samram and Naiwang Kuame, security p e r s o n n e l D i r e u s a p, H a n g d a n g, N k u n g l a k Zeliang, and Limayanger Ao. During the raid, the team confiscated a huge number of expired consumer goods and commodities and defaulters were penalised.

Meanwhile, PDVCO has cautioned traders against selling consumer goods above Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and wilfully selling expired

PDVCO members, police personnel and others with the seized goods in Jalukie.

g o o d s t o c o n s u m e r s.

P DVC O a l s o wa r n e d that any traders wilfully defaulting would invite “legal sanction” and asked consumers to be watchful and to be aware of such dubious tactics.

For further information, PDVCO has informed the consumers to contact 9402809422, 9366732276, 9863716327 and 9863369538 to register or lodge any complaint against any defaulters.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

A new team of ACU office bearers for the tenure 2022-2025, led by Nosazol Charles as the president took charge of the office after being blessed by the Bishop.

The team consists of five members including vice president-Neirialie Carlus general secretary-Kenneth Punyü, joint secretar yRokoshüno Angela Zao and treasurer-Kekhriesenuo Christina.

The executive council members of the ACU are representatives from all the five ranges.

In his remark the newly appointed president Nosazol Charles exuded confidence in the new team and assured their best services towards the Union. He also sought the support of the people in the various activities of the Union which will be carried out for the greater glory of god.

Representatives from the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) also attended the service while ACU Adviser R Rocus Chasie, briefed the gathering on the initiative of the union in translating and bringing out a Bible in Tenyidie, which is in progress.

The service concluded with a note of gratitude proposed by ACU treasurer George Kire, and the final benediction by St. Peter and Paul Church Zhadima catechist, Pezachülie Philip.

ZLSUN holds executive meeting DIMAPUR: Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZLSUN) convened its third executive council meeting at Ngwalwa Village Council hall, Peren district on April 23. During the meeting, several pertinent issues and agendas were thoroughly discussed and deliberated including the forthcoming 61st anniversary celebration which is scheduled to be held on the May 27 in Peren town.

According to ZLSU media cell, as unanimously resolved by the council, the ZLSUN has informed all the federating units to get affiliated with the union by paying a membership fee of Rs. 500 as mentioned in Article 5 of the ZLSU constitution, before the anniversary celebration.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Live session on pets’ health organised Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Noah’s Ark Nagaland (NAN) on Sunday organized a live session on “Health & Wellbeing of your Pets” with owner of wagging tails, Dr. Ithika as guest.

Speaking at the live session, Dr. Ithika highlighted the dos and don’ts for pet owners/lovers. He stressed at length on not feeding pets whatever was available at home as most human foods were not compatible for pets.

Dr. Ithika pointed out that chocolate was one of the foods which should not be fed to dogs as even a point 25 mg of chocolate for large dogs was toxic. He informed

that chocolates had “theobromine content”, which dogs were unable to metabolise effectively.

The veterinary doctor also informed that raisins caused kidney problems in dogs and that human bread biscuits were also not advisable since they were high in sugar content.

In this regard, he said for new pet owners, general information could be answered on the internet such as the American Kennel Club, which was a trusted site.

He, however said that one should not only depend on the internet and if a pet was suffering from health problems that caused concerns, the pet owner should consult a doctor

immediately.

Dr. Ithika also spoke at length on the importance of vaccination and deworming of pets. He informed that a dog should be dewormed 10 days before the vaccination since vaccinations can have a number of side effects and the dog may feel under the weather for a few days after his/her shot.

The live session saw participation from over 100 pet lovers who clarified their doubts with the veterinary doctor. The programme was hosted

by Animal Activist and member of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Dimapur, Enyu Phom.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31 With profound gratitude, we, the family members our beloved Late SAIKHA ASSüMI who left for his heavenly abode on April 8, 2022 would like to thank each and everyone who stood by us through constant prayer, financial support and physical presence during his ailment and his demise. Words are inadequate to thank all but we fervently pray that God, the Almighty with His abounding grace will bless and enrich all of you. We are extremely sorry for our inability to mention each and every one of you here in this column nevertheless we wish to thank the following among others: 1. Doctors and Nurses, CIHSR 2. Rev. Vitoshe Swu, Sr. Pastor, DSBA 3. Rev. Dr. Joshua Rochill, Sr. Pastor, UMC 4. Rev. Mülato Chishi, ES Aizüto 5. Rev. Tokhezhe Kiba, Director, Urban Ministry 6. Er. Hutoshe Awomi, PEP, Chumoukedima 7. N. Hukiye Tissicca, MD, N/Construction 8. Deepika Hukato Naga, MD, HN Co. 9. Col. Rtd. Isak Sümi, Ato Kilonser 10. S. Kavito Awomi, ADS, Dimapur 11. Zheito Chophy, Ex. President, SKK 12. Kivikhe Phuleshe, Satami 13. All the GB's of Satami, Asüto Town, Tichipami, Aghulitomi, Nizhevi, M e l a h u m i , Ke l t o m i , L i z ü t o m i , Phuleshetomi & Shevishe 14. Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu, Sümi Christian Centre Aizüto 15. Sümi Baptist Akukuhou, Chumoukedima 16. Sümi Baptist Akukuhou, Kohima Born on : 29-09-1929 17. Ikishe Ghami Baptist Akukuhou Died on : 08-04-2022 18. Chekiye Ghami Baptist Akukuhou 19. Shoixe Baptist Akukuhou, SBAK Aizüto 20. Phulesheto Baptist Church 21. Urban Mission Church, Dimapur 22. Satami Küqhakulu Dimapur, Kohima and Zünheboto 23. Aghünato Area Union Kohima 24. Sümi Fellowship Police Complex, Chumoukedima 25. Satami Baptist Akukuhou, SBAK Aizüto 26. Satami Baptist Akukuhou, SBAK Nito Mount 27. Satami Students Union 28. Aghokivi Group Satami 29. Block-5 Welfare Fellowship Chekiye

db-327/22

Beloved Wife, Children, Grand Children, Great Grand Children & host of Relatives.

1st Death anniversary "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil- 1:21

The management of the Dayanand Vidya Niketan is sad to learn that three of our students staying in ABDSS ST boys hostel lost their precious lives on 23th April 2022 evening in Dhansiri River. Though we are unable to thank each and every one personally, we pray that our All Mighty God bless you abundantly. We also pray that may God comfort the bereaved families and provide strength during their hard times.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED LATE N. GHOKIYE CHOPHI RETD. ASSTT. CONTROLLER Who is no longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts forever.

"A life well lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter and better place."

You taught us what were real values and "Your life reflected them."

You taught us that, "No man was above himself."

You taught us that in "Great humility" there is "Great pride" and in "Extreme modesty" there is "Great fulfillment."

Days passed by and turned into a year,

Special thanks to : 1. Disaster Management Team 2. Police Personals 3. Ward and Colony People 4. Community and area GBs. 5. Local Rescue team.

K Y M C

Gone but never forgotten.

Imti Sangtam Head Master DVN

Fondly missed by Loving wife, children, in-laws, grand-children and great grand-children.

3rd March 1942 – 25th April 2021

dp-1812/22

Jogindar Khattar General Secretary ABDSS

We cherish your memories forever.

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Lila Borah Secretary DSS Bokajan

but we will always remember you with silent tears.

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.:Should govt promote p r i va t e h o s p i t a l s t o widen health care in urban areas?

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

A B C

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RD Department observes SAYO volunteers, army initiate MCstateKmalevelorganises intercleanliness drive at Dzükou college seminar National Panchayati Raj day

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C

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the Ukraine war based on it’s own interests, ethical ?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

Members of SAYO and army personnel at the end of cleanliness drive. of plastics and garbage that have accumulated along the scenic trail.

Station Commander, Zakhama Military Station, Brigadier Amit Sharma, S AYO p r e s i d e n t , M e tekhrielie Mejura, council members of SAYO and local youth were present to welcome the volunteers after the conclusion of the cleanliness drive.

Appreciating army personnel for rendering goodwill service for maintenance of Dzükou Valley, SAYO president, Metekhrielie Mejura said over the years with the increase in tourists, visitors every day,

waste management in valley and along trekking route has been challenging for the custodian, Southern Angamis.

However, he added that with new strategies and measures have been adopted to address the menace.

Meanwhile, SAYO has encouraged and welcomed people to organise cleanliness and self-conscious drives. SAYO informed that nine military officers and 23 personnel from Indian army and 17 volunteers from SAYO took part in the drive and brought down 52 bags of garbage from the valley.

ZRSU demands a stop to ‘attachment’ of teachers

‘Interactions series’ held at SJU Chümoukedima

WEATHER FORECAST APRIL 25

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly sunny and hot

38 26

Mostly sunny and hot

33 19

Aizawl

Guwahati Sunny and humid Imphal

Mostly sunny and very warm

Itanagar A heavy t-storm in the a.m

33 22 33 16 27 18

Shillong

Sunny and warm

27 16

Kohima

Sunshine and patchy clouds

28 17

Dimapur Mostly sunny and very warm

35 20

Mostly sunny

31 17

Tuensang Mostly sunny and pleasant

23 13

Mkg Wokha

Sunshine and nice

Zunheboto Sunny

26 19 27 15

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU) has demanded a stop to the unethical culture of “attachment” of some teachers with legislators, bureaucrats, officers and in some offices, which degraded the morale of other earnest and dedicated teachers.

Appealing to the State government and the department concerned to give emphasis on infrastructure of government schools, ZRSU president Gihuka K Zhimo also insisted that the department should stop random transfer of teachers on the basis of their social and political inclination as it was directly leading to degradation of government schools.

He further entreated the government to release the salary of teachers that were pending for quite a long time.

“The salaries of the teachers should be paid on time so as to allow the teachers to perform their duties effectively and to relieve them from further inconvenience,” he implored.

Mentioning that ZRSU had concluded its first phase of education tour within Zunheboto area and Zunheboto town in three weeks

3

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

DIMAPUR: Four by Four Brigade under the aegis of Red Shield Division of Spear Corps and volunteers from the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) carried out a joint cleanliness drive on Sunday along the Viswema route, Dzükou Valley.

A press release by SAYO stated that dedicated to the conservation of environment and assisting local population, personnel from Indian Army provided logistics support, manpower and refreshments during the drive and worked hand in hand with local youth volunteers to clean up the route

and covering 34 government schools, Zhimo explained that the tour was initiated as part of a mission to eradicate proxy teaching and examine overall growth and development of government schools.

He alleged that the schools were found to being in a very pathetic condition, adding that many factors were responsible for their degradation and decrease in the number of students, four of which were important – i) proxy teaching and irregularities of teacher, ii) random transfer of teachers in the middle of academic session, iii) lack of proper infrastructure and iv) lack of subject teachers. Adding to these, he said there were no proper classrooms, school kitchen, toilets and drinking water facilities, adding that some schools did not even have classroom partition, while the locations of a few were not feasible.

Strongly opposing the unethical and practice of proxy teaching, ZRSU said the union had sent out individual notices to all erring and irregular teachers to join their duty with immediate effect, failing which the union would be forced to take further course of action.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the DEOs and SDEOs, ZRSU appealed to both the offices to function more effectively and systematically and oversee the development of schools under their jurisdiction. He said the union was astonished and anguished over the irregularities and non-presence of officers in the offices.

Demanding that SDEOs and DEOs should be posted at least for a minimum period of two or more years for smooth functioning of the offices, ZRSU asked the department to ensure that funds and materials meant for schools were disbursed without any misappropriation. Any loophole and siphoning of funds for individual benefit would not be tolerated, it said.

ZRSU urged all GBs, school management committees, leaders and village elders to play an important role in shaping the education system at village level and oversee that the schools were functioning effectively and systematically. It also called upon all to be responsible and make a collective effort towards restructuring and reforming the society.

DIMAPUR: A two-day state level inter-college students’ seminar on the topic, “Revisiting history, culture and traditions of Nagas” was organised by Modern College (MC) department of History on April 21-22.

A press release by the college stated that at the inaugural session, guest speaker, managing director of MC, Pelee Hekha applauded the paper presenters for taking the bold step of grasping the valuable opportunity and wished them more accomplishments in future.

A total of 21 paper presenters drawn from Dimapur Government College, Shamator College, Japfu Christian College, Don Bosco College and the host College participated in the seminar.

All together 15 well researched papers which spread across three technical sessions were presented.

Earlier, the seminar commenced with an inaugural session chaired by head of department of History, Alito Swu while assistant professors, Visetonu Natso and Neichupeu Losou moderated the technical sessions.

Officials and employees at the observation of Panchayati Raj day. (NP) Correspondent KOHIMA, APR 24 (NPN): Department of Rural Development observed the National Panchayati Raj Day at its Conference Hall in Kohima on Sunday.

Commissioner and Secretary, Neposo Theluo, while delivering the speech emphasized on the origins of Panchayati Raj Act, and acknowledged the RD department for their initiative to implement the Act in Nagaland.

He said RD Department has been designated as the nodal department for the preparation of Gram Panchayat Development

Plans (GPDP).

Theluo also said that Centre has initiated various awards under the Panchayat such as DeenDayal Upadhyay Panchayat SashaktikaranPuraskar, Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar; Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award; Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat Award and E-plan Award. However, Theluo informed that due to communication gap among the villages, no recommendations from the state could be sent to the Ministry.

The event was also observed all across the nation, district, and block level

where Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the gram panchayats through video conferencing.

Theluo further, added that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj observed this day to honor the efforts and contributions of various panchayats at the grassroots level for their contribution for the socio-economic development of the village.

Earlier, the programme chaired by joint director, K.Neibou Sekhose began with an invocation by joint director (MNREGA) Neizovonuo Neikha while additional director, RD, Azenuo Penyu delivered the vote of thanks.

KWUK, ZAPOKU observe Tsükhenyie festival

DIMAPUR: Kami Welfare Union Kohima (KWUK) and Zuketsa Area Public Organisation, Kohima Unit (ZAPO, KU) celebrated their respective annual general sessionscum-Tsükhenyie festival in Kohima on April 23.

Minister, Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu attended the 39th annual general session of KWUK -cum-Tsükhenyie festival celebration at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama and also exhorted the gathering.

At the programme, Wr e s t l i n g Fe d e r a t i o n of India vice president, Neikhrolo Khalo and Kuzhalhu Zawe president, Neilo Khape exhor ted the people; greeting was delivered by senior pastor Kami Baptist Church, Dr. Zhapulhou Kronu and short speeches were delivered by Kami Village Council chairman Visatso Kronu and Kami VDB secretary ZupeloWetsa.

The session was led

by KWUK vice chairman Keziilhitso Kronu, KWUK chairman Kewekolo Khalo

delivered presidential address and vote of thanks was delivered by KWUK secretary Neipre Wetsa.

ZAPOKU: The 10th general session -cumTsukhenye festival of ZAPO, KU was held at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima.

Gracing the event as guest speaker, NPCC president, Kewekhape Therie encouraged the gathering to preserve and honour the practice of honest life.

He said people were respectful to each other in the past especially to elders.

He therefore called upon the younger generation to learn the good traditional values of their ancestors and pass them down to the younger generation.

Besides the festival feast, Tsukhenye beauty contest was also conducted for the bonafide members.

The programme was chaired by Kelhikha Kenye.

Meanwhile, the nomination committee headed

by Isaac Losou has nominated a new team of officebearers to be led by Er. Lhiwepe Khutsoh as president for the tenure 2022-2025.

DIMAPUR: With an objective to sharpen the literary skills of the students, department of English, St. Joseph University (SJU) Chümoukedima organised an “interactions series” on April 18 at the University Auditorium.

A press release by SJU stated that the first interactive session was chaired by Naga novelist, Dr. Easterine Kire, who spoke on constructive identities, stereotyping and marginalization of the northeast community.

She requested the student community not to believe the “existing stereotypes of the Naga people and not to feed the same stereotypes by acting the same”. Dr. Kire also shared how people outside the region make the mistake of presuming Naga literature as homogenous writing on the same theme of political unrest. She encouraged the view that everyone has a great role to play to change the existing perception.

The lecture was followed by active interaction IOCL walkathon as part of “SAKSHAM 2022”organised under Petroleum Research Conservation with the students, teachers Association (PCRA) was flagged off on April 24 by deputy director, FCS Nagaland, Anungba Sanglir in the presence of State Level Co-ordinator Nagaland (OMC). and research scholars.

Revival hour, crusade underway in Kohima, Dimapur Eco Club of FAC observes BLLBC ‘revival hour’

A section of the crowd at the crusade at Kohima.

Correspondent/Staff Reporter KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): The first phase of Revival Crusade (inter-denominational) under the initiative of Koinonia Baptist Church started on April 21 at PWD junction, Kohima as part of its yearlong silver jubilee celebrations under the theme ‘Proclaim the year of the Lord’.

In Dimapur, a “revival hour” organised by Bor Lengri Lotha Baptist Church K Y M C

(BLLBC) under the theme, “Born with the Holy Spirit” (John 3:5) got underway at BLLBC on Sunday.

Sharing the word of God at the crusade, Koinonia Baptist Church pastor, Medotseilieü Kiewhuo, said as human beings, “we tend to be weakened by sicknesses, family problems and various affairs of life”.

However, the Holy Spirit was sent to empower “us” to bear it all in faith and whoever receives the Holy Spirit will be strengthened and empowered to face

Evangelist choir leading the praise and worship at BLLBC. the ordeals in life. Healing prayers were also offered and the crusade was held with assistance from PWD youth wing and colony council volunteers.

The service was led

by Koinonia Prayer Centre, assistant pastor, H Rokopra Mekro, special praise was made by Rubies of Koinonia Baptist Church Youth, while praise and worship was led

by Koinonia Prayer Centre worship team.

Testimony was shared

by Bindhu Prasad, a convert and while sharing she chal-

lenged the people through her divine encounter with Jesus and stated that if people come to Nagaland only for business and did not accept Jesus Christ, it will be the greatest loss in their life’s business.

On April 22, the revival was held at Poterlane where the service was led

by Khriezovolie Suokhrie and testimony was given by Vizosul Sachü who shared about his recovery from alcohol addiction and healing of her daughter from cancer after his encounter

with Jesus.

The speaker for the revival was Rokopra Mekro, who shared the message from Luke 8:18.

He stated that with pride one cannot establish any relationship with God rather only through humility and one’s willingness.

Special praises were presented by Oasis of Koinonia Youth Department.

The crusades are open to all and will continue till July 2022 on Thursdays and Fridays in the evening from 5 p.m. onwards.

At the Sunday devotional service, theme speaker, LBCD home evangelist, Rev. RP Murry spoke about God being omnipresent and omniscient.

“God is everywhere and He knows all your secrets, nothing is hidden from God,” said Rev. Murry.

In moments of “darkness and pain”, Rev. Murry said one may feel the absence of God. However, he assured that God always watches over His children.

“When we fall into the darkness of sin, we feel distant from God. However, God is merciful and is present even in our darkest hour,” said Rev. Murry. The speaker also encouraged the congregation to be faithful and lead a truthful life.

Other speakers of the ongoing “revival hour” include BLLBC Pastor, Arhonthung Odyuo, Associate Pastor, P Mhonchümo Tungu, youth director, Thungchamo Ngullie and women leader Nzanbeni Patton. The “revival hour” will culminate on April 26.

World Earth Day 2022

Members of Eco Club at the peace walk.

DIMAPUR: To commemorate World Earth Day, 27 members of Eco Club of Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung conducted a variety of activities.

According to I&PR of FAC, the members undertook a peace walk across Chuchuyimpang village by pasting handmade posters to create awareness in the community. In adherence to this year’s theme “Invest in your Planet” the members also planted some

trees in the club’s Organic Garden, within the college vicinity.

Simultaneously, the club also listed 52 Ways in which one can invest in the planet and circulated in the college with the hashtag #WhatWillYouDo for your planet. The event also witnessed participation from faculty, students and alumni through various activities in their respective homes, as well as, in the college.

K Y M C

4

NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

sends Mevani to one day Militants trigger IED blast BJP-AGP combine sweeps Court custody; will hear bail today on JCB machine in Manipur GMC polls, Cong draws blank

GUWAHATI, APR 24 (PTI): The BJP-AGP alliance swept the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) polls on Sunday, bagging 58 out of the total 60 wards, while the main opposition party Congress drew a blank.

The other two wards were won one each by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), the Assam State Election Commission said in a release.

The BJP won in 52 wards, including three uncontested candidates, while its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) clinched six wards.

Altogether, 52.80 per cent voter turnout was registered with EVMs used for voting in all polling stations for the first time in GMC elections.

As many as 197 candidates were in fray.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded BJP workers for the resounding

Masuma Begum of AAP celebrates after winning a seat in the GMC Election 2022, in Guwahati, Sunday. (PTI) victory and thanked people of the state for the massive mandate.

“Thank you Guwahati! The people of this lovely city have given a resounding mandate to @ BJP4Assam to build on the agenda of development.

They have also blessed the hardwork of the state government under CM @himantabiswa. My gratitude to every BJP Karyakarta for the hardwork,” Modi tweeted. Sharing the PM’s tweet on his official handle

on the micro-blogging site, Sarma wrote: “We’re immensely grateful to you Adarniya Pradhan Mantri ji for your good wishes and blessings. This has been a result of your astounding vision and robust development initiatives in the North East.”

Guwahati is profusely in gratitude, he added.

Former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal also hailed the BJP and its ally for the triumph in the GMC polls.

KOKRAJHAR (ASSAM), APR 24 (PTI): A local court here on Sunday sent Gujarat Independent legislator Jignesh Mevani, arrested from the western state by Assam Police on Wednesday for a purported Tweet against the prime minister, to one day judicial custody, a police official said.

Hearing in his case, including his bail petition, will be taken up on Monday, he added. Additional superintendent of police of Kokrajhar Surjit Singh Panesar told reporters here that the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) decided to remand him to one day of judicial custody.

Mevani’s three day police custody had ended on Sunday, after which he was produced before the court late in the evening.

Panesar also said Mevani will be produced again at the court on Monday morning and his hearing will continue, including on his bail petition.

Mevani, seen with an Assamese gamocha (traditional towel) around his

Correspondent

Jignesh Mevani neck, was taken to the Kokrajhar jail from the residence of the CJM, where the hearing was held.

Mevani, an Independent MLA supported by the Congress, was apprehended from Palanpur town in Gujarat on Wednesday night after a First Information Report (FIR) under various sections of the IPC and the IT Act was filed in Kokrajhar Police Station over his purported tweet against the prime minister.

According to the FIR, he had purportedly posted a tweet, claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi “considered Godse as God”.

Mevani was flown to Guwahati from Gujarat on Thursday morning and then taken to Kokrajhar by road.

IMPHAL, APR 24: Suspected militants triggered a powerful IED blast which damaged two JCB machines and a tipper truck engaged in highway improvement works in Manipur’s Thoubal district.

A car (Maruti Swift) was also damaged by the impact of the blast but there was no human casualty reported.

The blast took place at Waithou Bazar under Lilong police station of Thoubal district around 11.20 pm, hours after state chief minister N Biren Singh inspected the ongoing highway expansion and improvement works.

Singh had inspected the progress work on his way back from Khongjom War Memorial in Thoubal district after taking part in the Khongjom Day observance to mark the last war of Manipur’s independence fought with the British in 1891.

The suspected militants triggered the blast reportedly

Police inspecting the site where suspected militants triggered a powerful IED at Waithou Bazar, Thoubal. after planting the IED in one of the JCB machines parked near the house of Mutum Ajitkumar Meitei of Waithou Bazar under Lilong police station of Thoubal district.

T h e d a m a ge d m a chines, tipper truck and the car belonged to Ajitkumar who is a retired soldier of Assam Rifles.

According to the owner, he bought the JCB machines with the monetary benefits he received after his retirement from service.

Even as police suspect militants for targeting the machines in connection with monetary demand, the owner said that he did not receive monetary demand from any armed groups.

Meanwhile, denounc-

Mnp media boycott govt over pending ad bills Won’t have any alliance with any

Correspondent IMPHAL, APR 24: Media houses in Manipur commenced their boycott of news related to the state government and the ruling BJP and NPF on Sunday over the non-clearance of advertisement bills running into nearly Rs 10 crores.

Scribe bodies also alleged that the ruling BJP was yet to clear bills pertaining to election advertisement for the recently concluded elections to the state Assembly running into lakhs of rupees.

With the commencement of the stir, electronic media houses have excluded broadcasting of news related to the state government, the ruling BJP and NPF from Sunday.

Newspapers will also stay away from publication of any news related to the government and the ruling parties from Monday’s editions.

News related to the state Governor, the Speaker of state Assembly, COVID-19 and pandemic related news including medical emergencies, crime related stories of law and order will be exempted from the boycott, as per the resolution of a joint meeting of the scribe bodies.

The decision for boycott was taken at a joint meeting of publishers, members of Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) and All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) held on

Saturday The bodies, had on April 15, served an ultimatum to the government, ruling BJP, as well as to the Manipur Congress to clear the dues by April 23.

There was however no positive response from the government as well as BJP till date.

Despite no response, the bodies decided to give some more time to the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in response to a request from its president.

The bodies of the scribes alleged bills pertaining to election advertisement of the BJP and Congress for the just concluded 12th Manipur state Assembly election remain unpaid.

Khandu bats for strengthening Arunachal Pradesh-Sikkim bond ITANAGAR, APR 24 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh C h i e f M i n i s t e r Pe m a Khandu on Sunday said his state can learn from the success stories of tourism, organic farming, education and health sectors of Sikkim.

Both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh hold promises in agriculture, horticulture, hydropower, and sports sectors, Khandu said.

“We believe that with common efforts, shared knowledge, and active cooperation between the two states, we can bring prosperity and happiness,” a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) quoted Khandu as saying.

Hosting the first cultural exchange programme between the two states in the presence of respective chief ministers at Dirang in West Kameng district, Khandu expressed hope that the Sikkim government will collaborate with Arunachal Pradesh for sustainable and mutual development.

He said Ladakh should be included in such programmes in the future citing cultural similarities between the people

Pema Khandu of Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh Welcoming his Sikkim counterpart Prem Singh Tamang, the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister said “… considering the long historical relationship between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh we should strengthen this bond by increasing the exchange of ideas and the rich culture and traditions that both our states share.”

As Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are treasure houses of folklore, folk songs, traditional medicine, spiritual healing systems, innate knowledge of mountains, rivers, topography, and medicinal plants, Khandu advocated holding such regular cultural exchange programmes.

Asserting that Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a sea change in the last few decades in terms of both material and human resource development, Khandu emphasised the need to strengthen the bond between Northeastern states on issues like preservation of the ecosystem, cultural trade, tourism, and harnessing of human capital. “ To b r i n g a b o u t ‘mountain perspective’ in the national and subnational planning and policymaking, we hope to collaborate with the government of Sikkim to address our common developmental issues and ensure mutual prosperity in our states,” the chief minister said.

On the occasion, Khandu dedicated the newly constructed Gyalchen Karma Thrinley Tenne Monastery in the picturesque Sangti Valley to the people.

Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju was also present.

The programme was marked by performances by various cultural troupes from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and neighbouring country Bhutan.

Bills running into lakhs of both the parties, mostly outsourced to external advertising agencies, remain unpaid even as the election process has ended and government installed.

Government bills running into nearly Rs 10 crores have been lying unpaid for several years. The issue was raised by the media fraternity on November 27, 2021 through a memorandum to the then IPR minister.

An assurance from the chief minister and strict instruction to his ministries led to suspension of any form of agitation and the media fraternity waited.

A meeting with the state chief secretary had also resulted in further assurance to clear all bills by March 31, 2022.

However, nearly five months since the issue was raised, except for around 10% of pending bills, no further payment has been forthcoming, the bodies alleged.

Media houses already reeling under the impact of COVID 19 pandemic and shrinking market have been accommodative to the government’s problems.

political party in M’laya: TMC leader

Tripura govt starts culling pigs in ASF hit Debipur farm

SHILLONG, APR 24: Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Dr. Mukul Manda Sangma on Sunday said the TMC will not have any alliance with any political party that is part and parcel of the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government led by the National People’s Party (NPP).

“70-75 per cent of the people in the State want this government to go. We must understand why people overall have this feeling. There must be a change and this government must go. Therefore, TMC will have nothing to do with any of the political parties who are in the ruling dispensation and this includes the Congress,” the Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly said.

“TMC will go alone.

We will field candidates but TMC will not have alliance with any political

AGARTALA, APR 24 (PTI): The Tripura Animal Resource Development (ARD) department has culled 165 pigs and piglets at the government-run Debipur farm and adjacent areas in Sepahijala district after African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected among pigs, an official said.

The culling operation started on Saturday after confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) among pigs at the Debipur farm and on instruction from the Centre.

“On Saturday 121 pigs and piglets were culled at Debipur farm while 44 pigs were disposed of in the localities falling under one km radius”, said Director of ARD, DK Chakma.

Two teams have been pressed into the task and the culling operation is expected to be completed by Sunday in presence of veterinary officers, he said.

At least 27 pigs have died at Debipur farm mysteriously since April 13 prompting the department to send blood samples for ASF test in Guwahati.

Correspondent

Meet held in Tura to curb revelry menace

TURA, APR 24 (AGENCIES): In the wake of recent incidents of drowning during Easter celebrations in different parts of the Garo Hills and with a view to prevent further loss of lives during such celebrations in the future, the West Garo Hills district administration, in collaboration with the Mothers’ Union, Tura, called a meeting recently at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner.

According o a press release, Government officials, church leaders, leaders of social organizations including the Council of Nokmas, teachers etc., attended the meeting, reports The Sentinel Assam.

Highlighting the need for calling the meeting, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh informed that the district administration had earlier too called a meeting with various groups, stressing on the need to discourage revelry and drinking at picnic and tourist spots.

Deliberating at length on the need to prevent the youth from unethical activities and behaviour, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on the need to have infrastructures like swimming pools where the children can learn swim-

ing the blast, womenfolk of Waithou Bazar area today staged a sit-in-protest, demanding booking of the culprit(s) behind triggering the blast in the populated area.

Pressing the police to arrest the culprit(s), the protesters also appealed to armed rebel groups, if any, behind the blast.

Womenfolk staged the protest under the aegis of Waithou Meira Paibi Lup and its president Bijaya Leima alleged that the blast caused panic to residents of the area.

She demanded the perpetrator(s) give the reason behind triggering the blast., adding that if they fail to do so, they will launch various forms of protest.

ming, football playgrounds where the youth can spend leisure times and urged the parents and the elders to take care of the youngsters in the society.

The president of the Mothers’ Union, during the meeting, raised a question: “Why so much of unrest among the youth?”, and stating that recent incidents of drowning in different parts of the Garo Hills were an eye-opener.

She sought cooperation from all concer ned to come together for a better future of the region and condemned the videos of revelry that went viral on social media. Lamenting the lack of infrastructure for the youth, she also said that the union is not satisfied with the facilities available for the youth in the Garo Hills.

During the meeting various suggestions like forming of committees for monitoring the schools and villages, etc., the need to check the mushrooming of liquor shops, the need to sensitize the Nokmas and village elders, the need to keep the children engaged, the need to change the mindset of the youth, etc., were made by various church leaders, Government officials and the leaders of social organizations.

Dr. Mukul Sangma parties who are part of this government. We are prepared for everything and there will be elements of surprises not only in Trinamool Congress but other political parties as well,” he reiterated.

On Saturday, Sangma along with TMC leaders held a meeting with TMC’s Meghalaya in-charge and West Bengal minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia on the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly elections.

Sangma refused to divulge details of the meeting, but said that they have planned out certain political strategies to ensure that the party organizations

are put in place across the state.

On the possibility of TMC legislators switching sides ahead of the assembly elections, the former Chief Minister said, “We are prepared for everything and that there will certainly be elements of surprises in both ways. You will see some members from other sides probably joining other political parties, nothing is yet visible for many of our friends from the media but we know exactly what is happening on ground zero.”

Recalling the political events unfolded ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections, Sangma said, “you saw suddenly many of our friends coming out with surprises deciding to join other political parties – so those kind of surprises I will not rule out for any political party, not only for Trinamool Congress but for any political party be it for BJP, be it for NPP, be it for UDP, for any political party – there will be certain element of surprises.”

Over 380 kg of ganja seized, 1 held in Mnp IMPHAL, APR 24 ( AGENCIES): The Manipur Police seized at least ten gunny bags containing ganja in Kangpokpi district on Friday, an official said.

As per the official report, based on reliable information that there are Ganja bags kept in a rented house at Govajang, Lhungtin, a team of Saikul police station immediately rushed to the spot and recovered the suspected contraband articles around 7:30 pm, reports East Mojo.

The house search was carried out under the supervision of the officerin-charge of Saikul PS, Inspector Suresh Anthony and the overall supervision of Kangpokpi SP Amrita Sinha, it said.

During the search, the team detected contraband

The accused with the seized ganja consignment. ganja in ten gunny bags which in turn were put in ten separate large transparent polythene bags having a total weight of about 380.44kgs from the spot, said district SP Sinha.

One person in connection with the case was also arrested, she said. The arrested person was identified as Shyam Basnet, 58, a resident of Kanglatombi.

After interrogation, another 44 grams of opium in two tobacco containers were also seized from his possession with the help of Sekmai police station, added the official.

A case under FIR number 14(4) 2022 SKlPS and section 20(b) (ii) ND&PS Act has been registered at Saikul PS, it added.

Arunachal Deputy CM Chowna Mein discusses crucial issues with Gov Mishra

ITANAGAR, APR 24 ( AGENCIES): Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday called on State Governor Brig (Retd) Dr BD Mishra at the Raj Bhawan here and discussed various issues pertaining to the State, reports East Mojo.

During the meeting, illegal opium cultivation in the State, starting of the State University at Pasighat in the East Siang district and finalization of all pending pension cases in various departments of State

Government were discussed.

The Governor emphasized that opium cultivation must be stopped and administration must take appropriate action to provide alternative cash crop cultivation to the people, including horticultural activities. Earlier, Mein briefed the Governor regarding his tour to the eastern part of the State, with a focus on opium cultivation and drug abuse as also the development of the State’s aspirational Namsai district, an official report informed here.

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

J-K presenting new example of democracy, says PM Modi

PALLI (JK), APR 24 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra M o d i o n S u n d ay s a i d Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example of “democracy and determination” as numerous development initiatives were undertaken in the last two to three years.

Visiting Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, he also said that Rs 38,000 crore of private investment has come to the union territory (UT) in the last two years, besides it witnessing a heavy flow of tourists.

Modi was speaking in Palli village in Samba district, around 17 km from Jammu, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day. The speech was relayed to all gram panchayats across the country.

The prime minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development initiatives worth Rs 20,000 c r o r e f o r Ja m mu a n d Kashmir.

Modi said that his gover nment has implemented as many as 175 central laws and the Panchayati Raj system for the UT’s people who were “deprived” of these benefits when Jammu and Kashmir had special status under

5

You won’t face troubles your On PM’s visit, KPs sit on dharna grandparents witnessed: PM Modi demanding panel to probe exodus

Narendra Modi during a rally on Panchayati Raj Day, at Palli in Samba district, Sunday. (PTI)

Article 370.

“Jammu and Kashmir is presenting a new example of democracy and determination as numerous development initiatives were undertaken in the last two to three years,” he said.

Modi also expressed happiness that it was for the first time that elections for the three-tier Panchayati Raj system were conducted peacefully sometime back in Jammu and Kashmir.

The last two to three years have seen a lot of development initiatives being undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir and about 175 central laws were implemented here that gave due rights to the people of the UT, he said.

“The Panchayati Raj system being a good scheme.. it was tom-tommed, people felt proud about it, which was not wrong. But people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived from the benefits of this system... until our government came to power in Delhi,” Modi said.

The prime minister said he was happy that when democracy has reached the grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir, he was talking to gram panchayats across the country from here.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has directly provided funds worth Rs 22,000 crore to panchayats of the union territory for

“strengthening grassroots democracy” as compared to the Rs 5,000 crore allocation made under this head earlier, he said.

The central g ove r n m e n t ’s p o l i c i e s and schemes are being “implemented rapidly” and this is benefiting the UT’s villages, Modi said and listed schemes like those that provided cooking gas connection, electricity, water and toilets.

“The private investment in Jammu and Kashmir for the last seven decades has been about Rs 17,000 crore but in the last two years, it is Rs 38,000 crore...private companies and investors are coming here now,” he said.

SAMBA (JK), APR 24 (PTI): Reaching out to the youth of the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spelled out initiatives for peace and development, and assured they will not inherit the problems faced by their parents and grandparents.

In his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several projects worth around Rs 20,000 crore for the union territory. These included the opening of the Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity between the two regions.

“The youth of the Valley, your father and mother, your dada and dadi, your nana and nani, had lived a life of trouble (museebat). My youth, you will not live such a life of trouble. I assure this,” Modi said in a message to the Kashmiri youth.

The prime minister, who was addressing the Panchayat Divas rally here, also said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir should trust his word, and highlighted the peace and development initiatives

taken by the government in the past few years.

“Projects worth Rs 20,000 crore related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated here today. In a bid to speed up the development in Jammu and Kashmir, many development initiatives are being taken up in the union territory,” he said.

Modi said that these initiatives will provide huge employment opportunities to the union territory’s youth.

“With the inauguration of a 500-KW solar power plant at Palli in Samba district, it is moving towards becoming the country’s first panchayat to become carbon neutral...The people of Palli have demonstrated what ‘Sabka Prayas’ can do,” he said. Praising Jammu and Kashmir for showing the way forward for Panchayati Raj, he said that it is a symbol of change that this year the Panchayati Raj Day is being celebrated in the union territory.

“It is (a matter of) great pride that I am addressing Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country from Jammu and Kashmir when democracy has reached the grass root,” Modi said.

J A M M U, A P R 2 4 (PTI): Demanding that a commission be setup to investigate the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, members of the community sat on dharnas on Sunday to draw the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the union territory.

K a s h m i r i Pa n d i t Volunteers (KPV), led by Sandeep Mawa, have been sitting on a fast-unto-death for the past four days in Srinagar pressing for their demand.

Amid tight security a r r a n g e m e n t s, M o d i inaugurated some and laid the foundation for other multiple development initiatives worth around Rs 20,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, including the opening of the BanihalQazigund road tunnel to establish an all-weather connectivity between the two regions.

Another group of KPV members, led by Vikram Kaul, sat on a dharna near the Press Club here, prompting the police to vacate them in wake of Modi’s visit to the region.

At least 200 more

members of the KPV sat on a dharna at Muthi Ghat here demanding a probe, also into the killings and destruction of temples during the emergence of terrorism in Kashmir in 1990s.

Mawa has threatened to set himself on fire if his demands are not fulfilled in the next few days.

He has also been demanding stern action against Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, who had allegedly admitted to have killed dozens of Pandits during the 90s.

The Kashmiri Pandits also said they wanted an administration devoid of “tainted, anti-national and corrupt” bureaucrats.

D i v i s i o n a l commissioner of Kashmir province Pandurang K Pole visited Mawa and asked him to end his fast.

“We, the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, have come in his (Mawa’s) support and demand that these three demands be conceded, and Dr Sandeep Mawa be saved from self immolation. We stand by him,” Kaul, who led the dharna in Jammu, said.

Make your voices heard: EU chief Bulldozer-enabled demolitions aimed at Muslims, poor: Chidambaram to youngsters on climate change NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday said youngsters are the advocates to fight climate change, save the planet and develop solutions.

On the first day of her two-day visit to India, Leyen took part in an interaction at The Energy and Resources Institute campus called TERI Gram, where she asserted the need to work together towards a green, sustainable and equitable future.

Climate change and biodiversity loss are at the top of the political agenda of the European Union (EU) and India. Observing that the young should raise their voice for climate action, Leyen said, “Youth are the advocates to fight climate change as well as to fight for the planet. But they are also the ones who develop solutions.”

The event – Youth for a Greener Future – was organised by TERI, in collaboration with the EU. “Young people have fully understood the urgency of the climate crisis. And they are doing something about it. From living more sustainable lifestyles to making their voices heard on the streets and advocating for greener policies, young people are at the heart of the solution. So make your voices heard,” the European Commission president added.

Highlighting the long-standing partnership between the EU and India,

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The recent bulldozerenabled demolitions reflect a “complete breakdown of law and order” and it is fair to assume that this “novel” method of removing encroachments is aimed at the Muslim community and the poor, senior Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday.

In an interview with PTI, Chidambaram came down hard on the Jahangirpuri demolitions a n d t h o s e i n M a d hya Pradesh’s Khargone earlier, saying the BJP leaders’ justification of the bulldozerPresident of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen enabled demolitions “flies in in New Delhi. (PTI) the face of the law” On criticism from Leyen commended India’s environment, and for that, ambitious renewable energy we need clean innovative goals announced at the technologies.”

COP26 held in Glasgow.

Observing that “There is a lot of w o m e n l e a d e r s h i p i s untapped potential between crucial for inclusive and t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n environmentally sensitive and India, we have a lot decision-making, Vibha LU C K N OW / U N NAO in common. And joining Dhawan, Director General, ( U P ) , A P R 2 4 ( P T I ) : forces, we can do so much TERI, said engaging with Controversial Bharatiya together for the benefit of young people on matters Janata Party MP Sakshi our people but also for the concerning security, climate Maharaj on Sunday asked benefit of our climate and change and public policy is Hindus to keep bows and our planet. important to promote youth arrows at their home, saying “We share the idea leadership along with global police will not come to their that we need to look into citizenship for our common rescue when a crowd arrives to carry out “jihad”. solar energy, wind energy, future.

He also posted a biomass, hydropower, green “We are extremely hydrogen, and geothermal. honoured and delighted picture of a crowd wearing These are the ingredients of that this intergenerational skull caps and holding sticks success for the economy, for dialogue is taking place on his Facebook page with the benefit of the people, and involving a prominent the comment.

“If this crowd suddenly the protection of our climate woman leader and our and environment,” she said. future generation,” Dhawan comes to your street or Protecting the climate and added. After the interaction house, then do you have the environment has a lot to session with the youngsters, any way to save yourself ? do with innovation, Leyen Leyen planted a sapling on If not then make some said. “With innovation, the TERI Gram campus and arrangement. Police will the world takes the right visited the TERI-Deakin not come to your rescue, d i r e c t i o n i n c u t t i n g N a n o - B i o t e c h n o l o g y they will hide somewhere to emissions and protecting the Centre. save themselves,” he said in

certain quarters that the Congress delegation was late by a day in visiting the Jahangirpuri demolition site with Opposition leaders such as Brinda Karat and Asaduddin Owaisi reaching there first, the former Union minister said, “I am not aware of who visited when.

I know that a Congress delegation visited the area shortly after the demolitions were carried out. If there was an unexplained delay, I regret it.”

“Why do you bring religion into the issue when my concern is the gross and blatant violation of the established legal procedure,” he said while responding to a question on whether the alleged delay

was due to the Congress fear of the BJP’s Muslim appeasement charge. Asked if the Congress should push for secularism more aggressively in the face of the soft Hindutva charge against the party, Chidambaram said secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution and it is a basic foundational value of the

o r p a n c h a y a t l a w, there are provisions for gathering information on encroachments/illegal constructions, issuing notice to the person concerned to remove the encroachment, giving an opportunity to submit objections, passing a reasoned order, a provision for an appeal and, if the appeal is dismissed, issuing another notice before the demolition squad is deployed, he said.

“Was any of these steps complied with in any of the recent demolitions?

That is why there is no law, no order and it is a complete breakdown of law and order.

Whose house or shop was demolished is not material,” he asserted.

Keep bows at home to deal KCR-PK discussion continues for 2nd day with ‘jihadis’: Sakshi Maharaj

Sakshi Maharaj

his Facebook post.

“Police will come only when these people return after carrying out jihad. The matter will go to an inquiry committee and it will end there after sometime. For such guests, keep a couple of boxes of cold drink and some original bows and arrows in every house. Jai Shri Ram,” he added.

Cong, Gandhis extortionists, were selling Padma Bhushan: BJP

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The Congress and the Gandhis are “extortionists” and were also selling the Padma Bhushan, the BJP alleged on Sunday, attacking its rival over Yes Bank cofounder Rana Kapoor’s allegation that he was forced to buy an M F Husain painting from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, refusing which would prevent him from getting the award.

Refer ring to the Congress election symbol ‘hand’, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “The Congress hand is with corruption...while common people were suffering, the Congress and the Gandhi family were enjoying.”

Kapoor has told the

P Chidambaram

Congress.

“It is not enough to remain secular. Everyone must speak the language of secularism and raise a protest when secularism is violated. I cannot accept any departure from secularism,” Chidambaram said.

There is nothing to be gained by straying from the straight path, he added.

On “bulldozer politics” becoming the buzzword in the political lexicon in light of the events in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri and Madhya P r a d e s h ’s K h a r g o n e, Chidambaram said the BJP leaders’ justification of bulldozer-enabled demolitions “flies in the face of the law”.

In every municipality

Gaurav Bhatia

Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he was “forced” to buy the M F Husain painting from Priyanka Gandhi and the sale proceeds were utilised by the Gandhi family for the medical treatment of

Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New York, according to the charge sheet filed by the federal anti-money laundering agency in a special court in Mumbai.

He also said that he was told by the then petroleum minister Murli Deora that refusal to buy the painting will not only prevent him from building a relationship with the Gandhi family but also prevent him from getting the ‘Padma Bhushan’ award, it stated.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Bhatia said that “...when the Congress was in power, members of the Gandhi family used to put pressure

on party leaders to ensure the painting is bought”.

“Priyanka Gandhi put pressure to ensure that the painting worth Rs 2 crore is bought by Kapoor,” he said.

Stating that he had paid a cheque of Rs 2 crore, Kapoor claimed that “Milind Deora (son of the late Murli Deora and former Congress MP) later conveyed to him confidentially that the sale proceeds were utilised by the Gandhi family for the medical treatment of Sonia Gandhi in New York”, according to the charge sheet.

BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya said it is quite clear from Kapoor’s confession to the ED that

the “Gandhis and Congress are not just extortionist but were also selling the country’s highest civilian honour to the highest bidder or durbaris, who did their bidding. It was an instrument to buy loyalty or silence”.

Bhatia claimed that Kapoor did not want to give Rs 2 crore for the painting, but the ministers of the Congress government put pressure on him that if he does not buy the painting from Priyanka Gandhi, then the Gandhi family will wreak havoc on him.

The allegations made

by Kapoor are par t of the ED charge sheet filed against him and others in a Mumbai special court.

HYDERABAD, APRIL 24 (IANS): The discussions between Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and election strategist Prashant Kishor continued here for a second consecutive day on Sunday.

Prashant Kishor, who airdashed to Hyderabad on Saturday, had a night halt at Pragati Bhavan, the official residence of the chief minister after daylong discussions.

KCR, as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief is popularly known, on Sunday resumed discussion with Prashant Kishor on the strategy for next year’s Assembly elections in Telangana and his plans of a national alternative at the Centre.

The discussions

Prashant Kishor and K Chandrashekar Rao

are likely to continue t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y.

KC R ’s s o n a n d T R S working president K.T. Rama Rao also discussed various issues with PK, as the political strategist is popularly called.

KCR’s discussions with PK assume significance in view of the latter’s recent series of meetings with

Congress leadership and his reported plans to join the grand old party.

Kishor is understood to have shared with KCR the result of the survey done by his team in 89 Assembly constituencies in Telangana. He had already given a report to the TRS president on the survey done in 30 constituencies.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL WELFARE NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO. S W/PwD/UDID-2/2017/

Dated Kohima, the 22nd April 2022.

NOTIFICATION The Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the Health and Family Welfare Department will be organising two (2) days Disability Assessment Camp for registration in the UDID Portal and to digitise the Disability Certificate on 27th & 28th April 2022 at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital Wokha under UDID Project.

It is therefore notified that Persons with Disability who have not yet obtained Disability Certificate should bring one passport size photo, Id and address proof (Adhaar Card, Ration Card, Residential Certificate etc) to register under UDID Portal for issue of Unique Disability Id Card. PwDs who have already obtained Disability Certificate from the District Hospital need not come for the camp but can submit their documents online at www. swavlamban.gov.in or at their respective District Welfare Offices.

For any further queries kindly contact UDID Cell No. 9863955891.

Sd/TOSHELI ZHIMOMI Director db-330/22

6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 138 DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Centre for Racketeers

A

huge racket involving adulteration of fuel was unearthed in Dimapur on the night of April 21,2022 by the Rising People’s Party (RPP) raising serious concerns not only over the racket but that despite the unearthing of another huge adulteration racket in 2016 by Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation(ACAUT) Nagaland, it’s business as usual. On the night of April 21, 2022 a team from RPP, acting on a tip-off, raided some locations in Dimapur and discovered that some persons had siphoned off around 4000 litres of kerosene from another stationary oil tanker of 18,000 litres capacity. According to the RPP, the kerosene siphoned off was to be mixed with some chemicals to remove the bluish colour and make it colourless in order to adulterated it with petrol.

Even in 2016 ACAUT Nagaland alleged that some persons within the Food & Civil Supplies department were involved in the diversion of huge quantities of SKO . Even on the night of April 21, a spokesperson of the RPP alleged that of around 4,80,000 litres of SKO received by the state’s Food & Civil Supplies department as monthly quota, a huge portion was diverted by the racketeers for adulteration of petrol.

The RPP spokesperson further claimed that all those involved in the racket unearthed on April 21 were the same accused persons who were involved in the 2016 racket.On its defence, an official of the IOC at Dimapur, clarified that the tankers found by the raiding party were parked in a workshop for some mechanical repair works. However, RPP countered that no sane person would drive in tankers fully loaded with oil where gas and electrical works are carried out. RPP also said the tankers found were also fully loaded with oil for shipment. RPP said the video recording taken during the raid also proved its allegations. In the 2016 raid across several mixing units, ACAUT Nagaland disclosed that the ingredients used to remove the bluish colour of the SKO were -“red-coloured chemical”, “red-coloured powder”, “acid/spirit.” If the claim that those involved in the 2016 adulteration racket were found to be still carrying out their nefarious business, is true then it raises serious questions about the entire system of policing. The alleged kingpin of adulterated oil being sold through some outlets is apparently at large after the 2016 racket was unearthed.

Oil adulteration is not only about mixing adulterants to ‘produce’ more petrol but also about sales. This alone leads to conclusion that perhaps there is huge demand somewhere as it provided a win-win situation for all. According to ACAUT sources, the margin of profit in selling adulterated fuel is very tempting. In the April 21 adulteration racket, RPP has accused not only the F&CS department but also some within the IOC of being accomplices. Besides fuel adulteration, there have also been reports in the media about sale of expired items and also harmful substances found in food items. These point to a large scale racket of various items. The state government should take such reports seriously. At times reports in the media need to be verified and suo moto action taken. Adulteration is a big business and transcends even to banned alcohol which poses a very serious health hazard. The state government is obligated to probe every allegation about adulteration, extortion and syndication in order to prevent criminalisation of commerce.

DailyDevotion The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success

Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you…

—Luke 10:20 Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20, Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.

Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.

Quotes

“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”

~ Andre Gide

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Ayush : Indian wellness perk up as global market expands to $430 bn

ndia is leading global Iformation healthcare radical transwith reimagining

critical unhindered access to everyone through an array of traditional medicines by setting up a WHO centre likely to generate billions of dollars of business.

It generates hope for a crisis ridden economy having over 14 percent wholesale inflation. Gujarat will not be known only for visit of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit, who is paving way for a large defencerelated deal, but also for establishing a new kind of medicinal, healthcare and yoga Ayush excellence business. The potential in the sector is immense, according to a US Global Industry Analysis on Herbal Medicines – Global Herbal Market Trajectory and Analytics. It estimates it to grow to $ 430.05 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 11.32 percent.

The healthcare may be different by 2030 as the World Health Organsiation and India to usher in a change for a people-centric system of traditional medicines or the grandma’s prescription. It may revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry and the way the world uses medicines. It can make India an international

competitor with a surge in its medicinal exports and healing concept. The hope has come as the country leads this initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and WHO directorgeneral Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus inaugurating the $ 250 million WHOfunded Global Centre for Traditional Medicine inauguration at Jamnagar, Gujarat.

They give it a further push with the simultaneous first Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It witnessed letter of intents (LoIs) worth more than Rs 9000 crore in major categories like FMCG, medical value travel (Heal in India), pharma, technology & diagnostic and farmers & agriculture. Five significant MoUs were signed with Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, The Philippines for research and new academia and one with Ministry of Defence for promoting Ayush in cantonments.

Modi presented Rosemary Odinga, daughter of former Kenyan prime minister Raola Odinga, for regaining her vision lost in 2017 as the grand success of ayurveda, which has created a $ 18 billion export

market during the last few years. The new Ayush visa introduced for Heal in India will create a concept of wellness that encompasses healing through not only just medicine. It gives a holistic approach of different foods and yogic practices to heal the body and mind as appropriate food prepares one for a preventive care through healthy lifestyle.

As healthy plant-based ‘meat’ products are to replace the animal products for a healthy lifestyle, the expansion of the sector can only be imagined now says WHO D-G adding , “India will go to the Shivaji world and the entire world will come to India”.

Start-ups, entrepreneurs, unicorns and industry and integrative medicine will increase investment for innovations in Ayush. This success can create 5.5 lakh jobs, Minister for Ayush Sarbanand Sonowal estimates and help farmers barge into a novel high-earning propositions.

It is a WHO concern which found that the traditionally used herbal plants or leaves like that of Giloi, Tulsi, haldi-turmeric, dalchini-cardamom or honey

could counter the severity of the pandemic in a number of places. The WHO during pandemic observed that the usage of various kinds of herbs met the global shortage of synthetic medicines.

The occurrence of such consumer preferences were seen more in the Asian region. Herbal tea, coriander, turmeric, cumin and garlic were extensively used to counter 100 to 700 percent of rise in medicine demands.

The WHO observes that the alternate medicine people used created a curative system beyond its imagination.

“For many millions of people around the Sarkar world, traditional medicine is the first port of call to treat many diseases,” says Dr Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Ensuring all people have access to safe and effective treatment is an essential part of WHO’s mission, and this new center will help to harness the power of science to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine. We look forward to making it a success.”

The world is now rediscovering the importance of India’s traditional medicinal systems in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowarigpa,

Homoeopathy and yoga.

The effort is to making this relevant, even fashionable use today. In the process, it is even gaining the confidence to project and export these around the world. As the GCTM is supposed to coordinate world activities in such medicines and therapy it may promote studies in Latin America, Africa, elsewhere in Asia and rest of the world. This facility is intended to be a global repository of traditional healthcare knowledge.

Ayush Minister Sonowal says that this will change not only the healthcare but also alter the approach to India’s role in world’s traditional medicine business.

Between 2019 and 20 exports surged 45 percent. The market for medical plants in India stood at Rs. 4.2 billion ($ 56.6 million) in 2019 and is expected to increase at a CAGR 38.5 percent to Rs. 14 billion (US$ 188.6 million) by 2030. The export value of ayurvedic and herbal products amounted to about $ 539 million from India in 2021.The total world herbal trade is currently assessed at $ 120 billion.

Overall Ayush exports have reached to $ 18 billion from $ 3 billion before 2014. The cultivation of the medici-

nal herbs such as shankhapushpi, atis, kuth, kutki, kapikachhu and karanja are changing the Indian agrarian ayurvedic scenes and would empower the farmers with high incomes.

There is a huge gap between the supply and demand of medicinal plants to manufacture Ayurvedic medicines in India. According to the ‘All India Trade Survey of Prioritised Medicinal Plants, 2019’, demand for high-value medicinal plants increased by 50 percent, while the availability declined by 26 percent. This led to increased habitat degradation and levels of over-exploitation by pharmaceutical industries.

The road developments and destruction of flora and fauna in the Himalayas and remote areas also decreasing availability of 65 species (10 percent of the total) falling into the critically endangered, vulnerable, and nearly threatened categories. The GCTM would study the ways to improve it; train farmers adopt technology and a possible new development protocol. The concerted effort is paving way for the growth of the sector and creates a sense for wellness of health and the Indian economy.

Post-mortem Gender Balanced Workforce Corruption: Permeated

T

into all facets of India

ransparency International ranked India at 85 among 180 countries in its corruption perception report released in 2021. Its ranking remained stagnant over the last decade, if not checked now and taken seriously it would go further up in due course of time It has caused serious concern over the country’s democratic status, fundamental freedom and institutional checks and balances’ decay as the report observed. India’s dubious distinction of being ranked as one of the top-most most corrupt countries in the world and the news we hear and read every day clearly shows that India is in the ascending graph.

A country which is corrupt shall never grow, develop and progress. Likewise, a society which is corrupt can never be transparent and accountable.

Corruption is systemic, therefore is cancerous. Corruption in India covertly and overtly operates and manifests in all facets of human activities and in the institutions of governance – polity, economy, education, religion and in all human endeavors – big or small. More importantly corruption per se instills confidence to the Indian psyche to any offence committed or any work is to be done.

The offenders or the ones who wants their jobs to be done, if caught in any offence or the work to be done (public or private) can escape and works can be done. With corrupt means and methods there are ample ways to get the job done. What one requires is money. Corruption operates in big and small ways. Corruption functions in multiple ways having a number of gradations. Corrupt dealings are well-knit and highly organized. The sum of money being negotiated and transacted depends on the gravity, urgency and volume of work.

The classic case that recently has happened in the State of Karnataka on an allegation that a civil contractor who had levelled bribery allegations against Karnataka minister for rural development and panchayat raj, KS Eashwarappa, was found dead in a private lodge in the coastal town of Udipi on the 12th April, 22 mornings.

The preliminary probe suggests that the 40-year-old died by suicide. Santhosh K. Patil, from Hindalga in Belagavi, had also purportedly sent out WhatsApp messages to media persons, police and close friends claiming that he was committing suicide and Eashwarappa was responsible for his death and be punished for it.

In his suicide note said:” I have made this decision after relegating all my dreams to a

corner. totMy wife and child should be supported b the Prime Minister, the chief minister, and our Lingayat leader, BS Yeddyurappa. My million thanks to media friends.” Eshwarappa denied his role in the suicide and said: “I don’t know who Santhosh Patil is …” Patil, a BJP party worker who was also part of Hindu Yuva Vahini, a Hindu youth religious group started by Yogi Adityanath, CM of UP in 2002, had earlier written to PM Narendra Modi and Union RDPR minister Giriraj Singh seeking help in getting Rs. 4 crore payment for road works in Badasa village. He also alleged that Eshwarappa had demanded a 40 percent commission from him for clearing his bill amount for roadwork completed in his village, Badasa in Belagavi district, amounting to rupees 4 crores.

In the Indian politics blame games are inevitable, but the truth of the matter is Eshwarappa is a staunch RSS man and a long-time member of BJP party. Therefore, he thought he could somehow pull-on. Even CM of Karnataka Bommai said that an inquiry to this issue be ordered and based on the findings actions would be taken. Nevertheless, contractor Patil who committed suicide had already written to the big wigs of BJP such as PM Modi on the modus operandi of huge corruption involved in contracts in the BJP-ruled government.

This is the bone of contention others are peripheral. Another serious flaw surfaced in this issue is huge contracts are given orally without tenders or work order by the concerned ministers and later somehow manage to set-right – violation and flouting of contractual rules and procedures.

Corruption has hit the rockbottom of the Indian society in all spheres of life. The State of Karnataka is certainly one of the top-notch corrupt states in India. Corruption thrives and blatantly visibly invisible in all transactions. For example, on the 28th of March, 22, TOI carried a report on Patil’s letter which accused Eshwarappa and his aids of demanding 40 percent commission to clear the bills. He also claimed that he met Eshwarappa 80 times, but in vain. As usual Union minister Pralhad Joshi said allegations by civil contractors’ association that they have to pay 40 percent commission to get bills cleared by the government were baseless.

The recent corruption scam and the suicide of civil contractor Patil who belongs to BJP rips open the gravity of corrupt dealings in the government departments in which

ministers, MLAs, bureaucrats and many others in the system are involved. The image of Modi’s BJP government and the BJP government in the State of Karnataka 40 percent corruption scandal punctured the claims of PM Modi’s vision of ‘Corruption-free India’ and the tall claims that he enjoys saying: “no zero tolerance” – to what – to corruption. BJP has leveraged corruption in all fronts of India. PM Modi said that “The work to eradicate corruption must begin from the top. It’s spread like termite in our country. We have to work at all levels to eradicate corruption.” He even said that “Based on my experience, I can say that India as country can be freed from corruption.”

Is corruption BJP’s norm or ‘new normal’? In an interview with one of the contractors as well as the President of Contractors’ Association in Karnataka to NDTV openly said that it is not just 40 percent it is more, which they call it ‘cut money’. Cut money does not end in 40%, more is given to the ministers, MLA and others in the pipeline. If this is the scenario, how much would the contractors get, quality of the work carried out and so? This is why the works carried out in India by the governments’ public works like laying of roads, flyover, buildings and other infrastructure facilities and development projects and many others hardly lasts.

Government of Karnataka is complicit towards corruption.

Corruption has gone to the peak by having a Bribe Rate Card that clearly elucidates right from working tender application to submission to finalization of bills to receiving of the cheques there is clear indication of the percentage of bribe to be given Corruption is not only permeated in Public Works Department but in all departments such as BBMP, Health, Education, Rural Development, RTO, police, judiciary, central and state departments, banking sectors and many others.

Patil’s suicide note has brought open the naked flow of corruption in all facets of life of the Indian society. BJP shall no more claim to be a clean party, but a party soaked and tainted with corruption. Instead of rooting out corruption, BJP both governments at the Centre and Karnataka and other BJPruled states deflect these crucial issues by indulging in polarization games such as hijab, halal, anti-conversion, loudspeakers and so on. Corruption is regressive taking India backwards and not to the levels of transparency and accountability.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

W

hy do you think genderdiversity is important in a workplace? How can gender-balanced teams help boost productivity? How can HR managers work towards addressing the misconceptions held strongly about women in certain technically-skilled job roles? What should you do about it? How can you create gender-diverse teams? How can you propagate the need for gender-balanced teams in every organization? This piece has some interesting trivia for you in store.

You will agree to the fact that certain fields have long been viewed as male-dominated industries such as IT, mining, mechanics, and surgeon to be represented by men in the workforce at large, leaving no opportunities for women to seek a breakthrough and prove their mettle. However, a recent study contradicts the past trends and showcases that the gap between men and women participation in technically skilled job roles will be closing soon. As organizations take small steps towards building genderdiverse teams syncing with the pace of change, recruiting more women into certain job roles should no longer be taboo or seen as a mere formality to fulfill the clauses of employment law; on the contrary it should be seen as a challenge to find the next great talents.

Talking about gender balanced recruitment in workplaces means to offer equal opportunity for every individual regardless of their gender background to contribute towards company’s development goals.

From entry level staffs to those in the managerial cadre strongly rely on decision-making capabilities of talent, and hence gender-diverse teams have a lot to offer in terms of advantages to the company. They help: 1. Boost performance Gender diversity encourages employees with different perspectives to engage proactively, such that they can see a particular thing as a whole, rather than viewing it partially.

Bringing together different perspectives, helps in better decision making towards particular issues and perform great efforts as well. A good cooperation between men and women could certainly make for a killer squad. 2.

Increase profits

Once the performance of an employee shows significant improvements, the company’s profits will also increase with time. Gender balance will provide the team with diverse set of skills, such that the company can perform better. A study shows that by shifting from all-male or all-female office to balanced one, can actually increase the company’s revenue up by 41 percent.

3. Improve reputation In an era where image and reputation plays a crucial role, gender balanced workforce could be a great strategy to drive the business.

According to a recent study, women tend to seek careers in companies that demonstrate significant gender diversity rather than those with none.

Thus, having reputation as a genderfriendly business will bring in more pluses than the opposite for your future talent pool.

4. Widen talent scope Gender cannot be used to define one’s excellence. Even for highlystereotyped jobs dominated by males such as IT workers, women can do a better job than men if given a chance to perform because of their keen eye for details. Men and women both have different traits and personalities.

However, instead of viewing the differences in a negative light and as an unfavourable condition, they should be viewed and recognized as powerful asset for your company.

Without including more women in the workforce, the company will likely end up eliminating half of the available strong talent in the market, while losing out on the unique qualities they can bring.

5. Support retention Allowing many workers to quit within short period of time is not good news for any company. Not only are you required to spend more money for hiring new talents, the company’s project schedule will be disrupted as well.

Nobody wants to stay long in a rigid workplace that does not allow flexibility. Thus, gender diversity in a workplace that allows for flexible working arrangements between men and women is a key to talent retention in the long run.

Kaustov Kashyap

Reader’s Post

NPGN/NNC (N/A) appreciates Mishra

Sir,

The NPGN/NNC(N/A) welcomes the assurance given by A. K Mishra the Interlocutor for the Naga peace talk to implement the Naga solution for the political settlement basing on Frame Work Agreement signed between GOI and Naga (NSCN IM) on 3rd August, 2015.

I appreciated Mr. A. K Mishra for his honest, justice and successful mission for the Nagas. Mr. A. K Mishra knows that Frame Work Agreement was main Agreement between GOI and Naga which was signed first for Naga solution, as he knows very well that Frame work agreement is exclusive, honest, honourable, lasting solution and acceptable to all Nagas for which Indian and Nagas can live in harmony in near future to come. I request Mr. A. K Mishra to implement the solution for Naga political settlement at the earliest as soon as possible.

I wish him all success in his endeavours.

T. Ovung, President, NPGN/NNC(N/A).

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

Congress leaders welcome PK’s reboot plan

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (IANS): The Congress’ much hyped meetings with political strategist Prashant Kishor went on the whole week with Congress workers wondering whether he will join the party or not. Some are over enthusiastic, some are suspicious about his sudden inclination for the Congress, more so after the poll loss in Goa where the TMC made a dent in Congress fortunes in the state.

Congress leaders and Kishor held meetings till Friday to deliberate on the roadmap for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, after he gave a powerpoint presentation of around 600 slides to senior party leaders, including its Chief Ministers. The committee formed by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has also submitted its report and most of the senior leaders are not averse to his joining the party.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said: “When any decision

7

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Prashant Kishor

will be taken it will be communicated.”

According to party sources, a majority of the Congress leaders are convinced by the plan mooted by PK, as Kishor is popularly known, but some are wary. However, sources say that PK is very much on board but whether he will be inducted into the party or will be only limited to a consultant’s role has yet to decided by Sonia Gandhi.

Pa r t y s o u r c e s s ay that PK is no guarantee of success though his success

rate is high. In 2017 he was working for the Congress and the Samajwadi Party combine but failed miserably. He was in Punjab in 2017 but made an exit before the 2022 elections.

However, he has been successful with the TMC, TRS, DMK and the YSRCP. Sources in the dissident group G-23 are not too impressed as they say the party leadership is overlooking and ignoring in-house talent and relying on somebody who is not loyal to the party and is a

professional consultant.

They say all that PK is telling the Congress leadership has been raised by the group in their letter to Sonia Gandhi and in subsequent meetings.

Kishor is suggesting a non-Gandhi as party president, revival of the parliamentary board, end of nepotism, and turning the party into an election machine -- all these issues have been raised by the group and this can happen only when the party goes for in-house elections from the grassroot level to the Congress Working Committee level, said a source.

The Congress leaders may disagree with the suggestions of some one outside the Gandhi family leading the party but sources indicate that Kishor has suggested a massive revamp of the party.

Congress leaders who have been assigned to make a report on the presentation have submitted the report to Sonia Gandhi.

Congress leaders have

met several times with the poll strategist who suggested a roadmap to contest the 2024 elections and the six Assembly polls that will come in the run-up.

Since last Saturday, Kishor presented a detailed roadmap for the 2024 elections before Sonia Gandhi and the party’s top leaders. Following this, Gandhi deputed a small group to look into it and report to her within a week. “A final decision will be taken after that,” Congress General Secretary, Organisation, Venugopal, had said.

According to sources, Kishor had said during the meeting that the Congress must target 370 to 400 seats and work on alliances wherever the party is weak.

Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Ashok Gehlot have not been averse to Kishor working for the party. Gehlot saying that he has become a brand is indicative of Congress leaders saying that PK will sooner or later be on board.

Union minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish surrenders to Lakhimpur court

LAKHIMPUR, APR 24 (PTI): Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra on Sunday surrendered at a local court here, days after the SC cancelled his bail in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.

“A s h i s h has surrendered in the court.

We were given a week’s time but as Monday was the last day, he surrendered a day ahead,” Ashish’s counsel Awadesh Singh told PTI. Jail Superintendent PP Singh said Ashish will be kept in a separate barrack in the jail due to security reasons.

The Supreme Court had on April 18 cancelled the bail granted to Ashish Mishra and asked him to surrender in a week.

Eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri during the violence that erupted when farmers were protesting against Uttar Pradesh De puty Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the area on

Ashish Mishra being taken to court in Lakhimpur Kheri.

October 3 last year.

The dead included four farmers and a journalist, who were mowed down allegedly by cars carrying BJP workers. According to the FIR lodged in the case, Ashish was sitting in one of the cars. Later, police arrested Ashish.

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad HC had granted regular bail to him and opined that the present case was one of “accident by hitting with the vehicle”.

Cancelling his bail, the Supreme Court said the victims were denied “a fair and effective hearing” in

Hanuman Chalisa tussle: MP Navneet Culture is binding thread across regions, says Shah Rana, husband sent to 14-day custody

MUMBAI, APR 24 (PTI): A Mumbai court on Sunday rejected the city police’s demand for the custody of independent MP Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana and remanded the couple in 14-day judicial custody, an official said.

Navneet Rana will be sent to the Byculla women’s jail, while her husband will be sent to the Arthur Road jail, the official said.

The Mumbai police on Saturday evening arrested Badnera MLA Ravi Rana and his wife Navneet Rana, the MP from Amravati in Maharashtra, for allegedly “creating enmity between different groups”.

The development came hours after the couple cancelled their plan to recite t h e H a nu m a n C h a l i s a outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav T h a c k e r ay ’s p r iva t e residence `Matoshree’ here.

The Ranas were booked under Sections 153 (A) (promoting enmity between

MLA Ravi Rana and his wife, MP Navneet Rana (unseen) leave Santacruz Station, Sunday. (PTI)

different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) , and Section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act (violation of prohibitory orders of police), officials earlier said.

Both of them were on Sunday produced before a court in Bandra which sent them to judicial custody for 14 days, public prosecutor Pradip Gharat said.

“Charges under IPC Section 124-A (sedition) are made out against them as they had challenged the gover nment machiner y and made remarks against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray,” the prosecutor said.

The court will hear their bail application on April 29, he added.

A dvo c a t e R i z wa n Merchant, representing Ranas, said “Two separate FIRs were registered against the couple at Khar police station. All the charges are baseless and we will apply for bail.”

PUDUCHERRY, APR 24 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said culture was the common thread binding the citizens of the country across different regions and once India is started to be seen as a “geocultural” country, all the problems will be solved automatically.

In his address at the 150th borth anniversary celebrations of Sri Aurobindo in this union territor y, Shah heaped praises on the latter for his contributions to the country and said to understand India, one has to read or listen to him.

“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari to Dwaraka to Bengal, there is one culture that binds--Constitution is important...country should run on this. But if there is a bonding, it is the culture.

The culture is its soul. This will be understood as soon as you read Sri Aurobindo,” he said.

Shah further said most countries came into existence due to a coalition o r a l l i a n c e a n d we r e

Amit Shah during his visit to Aurobindo Ashram memorial nearby Manakula Vinayagar temple in Puducherry, Sunday. (PTI)

therefore geopolitical in nature.

“There is one country in the world that is geocultural that is based on culture which has no boundaries and that is our India...and if one starts to look at India as a geocultural country, then all the problems will be automoatcially solved,” he claimed.

There is no concept of border in our culture and the Vedas, Upanishads and literature there is no mention of a country. “We work for the wlefare of all, the world,” he said.

Paying rich tributes to Sri Aurobindo, Shah also recalled his role in the country’s freedom struggle, including his incarceration in the Alipore bomb case and hailed his vision for the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to celebrate the 75th year of independence as “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” was driven by the consideration to honour even the unknown freedom fighters and take all those involved in the freedom struggle to the younger masses and reinvigorate a sense

patriotism among them.

It is also an effort to inspiring people to strive towards making India a top country in all aspects between the 75th and 100th years of independence, Shah added.

“We may have been born after independence and may not be part of the army and while we could not sacrifice ourself for the country, none can stop us from living for the country.

Today during 75th year of independence and 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo we all should resolve towards achieving this,” he said.

Shah also recalled Aurobindo’s close association with his native state Gujarat.

He further hailed the role of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the freedom movement thru the Ganesh Chathurthi festival.

The minister earlier visited the Aurobindo Ashram and paid homage at the memorials of Aurobindo and his spiritual collaborator, The Mother.

the Allahabad High Court, which adopted a “myopic view of the evidence”.

The top court had also noted that a victim has unbridled participatory rights from the stage of investigation till the culmination of the proceedings in an appeal or revision.

Holding that the High Cour t order cannot be sustained and deserved to be set aside, the SC termed the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, if true as per allegations, as “an awakening call” to the state authorities to reinforce adequate protection.

Puducherry CM asks Centre for statehood PUDUCHERRY, APR 24 (PTI): Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Sunday appealed to the Centre to grant full statehood to Puducherry, which has been a long-pending demand of the union territory. He was speaking at a function in which foundation stone for various developmental projects were laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Rangasamy, who is heading the AINRC-BJP coalition ministry also said he would be grateful to the central government if the demand for more funds for Puducherry were conceded.

The CM noted that Puducherry was making progress because of sustained cooperation extended by the Centre.

Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who spoke on the occasion, said as visualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Puducherry would soon emerge as ‘Best Union territory’ in all developmental activities.

As per police records, all the killed terrorists were part of groups involved in several terror cases, including attacks on police/ security forces and civilian

atrocities.

Hazar was a categorised terrorist, active since March 2021, and several cases were registered against him in Srinagar city.

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NEW DELHI, APRIL 24 (IANS): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met his Argentine counterpart Santiago Cafiero, who is in India to participate in the Raisina Dialogue.

According to MEA officials, both ministers, in their meeting at the Hyderabad House, talked about expanding b i l a t e r a l t r a d e, c o operation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, e l e c t r o n i c s, m o b i l i t y, defence and atomic energy.

Apart from Cafiero, Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, as well as a number of other leaders, will attend the Raisina Dialogue, beginning on Monday External Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted: “Pleased to welcome FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of Nigeria as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit. He will also be attending the

puts regarding the presence of terrorists in the Pahoo area of Pulwama in south Kashmir, a search operation was launched by the security forces there, a police spokesman said.

During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter, he said.

In the ensuing encounter, three terrorists linked with the proscribed terror outfit were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter, the spokesman said.

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EAM S. Jaishankar with Santiago Cafiero.

SRINAGAR, APR 24 (PTI): Three Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) militants, including a deputy commander of the banned outfit, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

The terrorists were identified as Arif Ahmad Hazar alias Rehan (deputy of LeT’s top commander Basit), Abu Huzaifa alias Haqqani (Pakistani terrorhis Argentine counterpart ist) and Natish Wani alias Haider, a resident of Khanyar, Srinagar. @raisinadialogue starting Based on specific intomorrow.”

P o l a n d ’s Fo r e i g n Minister Zbigniew Rau will also visit India from April 25-27, according to a statement released by the Polish Foreign Ministry.

This will be the first time in nine years that a Polish Foreign Minister is visiting India and Rau is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Jaishankar.

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Argentine Foreign Minister LeT deputy commander among 3 militants killed in J&K in India for Raisina Dialogue

8

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

BUSINESS/STATE

India’s oil import jumps two-fold to $119 billion State’s first full-fledged pain & palliative...

No. 10251 Yesterday’s solution No. 10250

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rising from Rs 1,70,000 crore to Rs 7,11,000 crore, accounting for 96 per cent of total assets. The rest of 4 per cent is contributed

by APY. Mohanty said India’s pension-sector (NPS plus APY), provides a flexible mode of old age incomesecurity not only for salaried employees but also to the common person.

“The future expansion in NPS is expected to emanate from the private sector - both the salaried and self-employed.

“Steps at enhanced pension-literacy, both of the subscribers and the intermediaries, coupled with a nudge from the regulator and the government along with encouragement to young-adults to join a pension scheme would accelerate our movement towards a pension-society,” he said.

The paper said these are early days for the pension sector in India and there is tremendous scope

for growth as our per capita income rises further and the country transitions to a high middle-income country.

“Our demographic structure, with a greater proportion of younger people, favors a phase of accumulation. Since longevity is inching up, so also the need for a steady stream of income is increasing to mitigate old-age poverty.

Further, as the traditional family support system changes with increasing urbanization there is even a greater necessity for an independent source of income in old-age.”

As per the study, given the fiscal-situation, the government may nudge people towards NPS as has already been done for government employees. Also, as the pension sector progresses, there will be a need for a sound regulatory architecture to ensure that pension funds are managed on prudent lines while safeguarding overall financial stability.

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In this direction, the PFRDA became a statutory pension sector regulator in February 2014.

“PFRDA has the oversight role over the pension sector; and has taken a number of steps to ensure that the intermediaries involved in the relevant pension architecture function seamlessly. On boarding and exit of pensioners have been made easy with greater usage of technology.

While there is a mechanism for quick redressal of pensioner grievances, it is being further strengthened,” the paper added further.

It also highlighted the importance of financial literacy for people to reap the benefit of the formal financial sector. Having reading or writing ability is not enough for financial literacy, it said.

Further, financial inclusion and empowerment will remain incomplete without each member in a family having got a pension account.

In this direction, given the nature of the pension product where the payoff is not immediate, it needs a nudge by all concerned - the employers, intermediaries, the government and the pension regulator - to induce people, particularly young adults to join a pension scheme.

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Crossword

made by its official, which published on April 23, was based on the observations at the site during joint inspection.

The registration numbers of both the tankers were found erased and comments that these were under maintenance were found at the garage adjacent to the spot during the joint site inspection, added the statement which was issued by IOCL Dimapur depot deputy general manager (operation) Huwuto Sema.

and for APY at 9.4 per cent have been very competitive vis-à-vis alternate saving instruments besides the primary benefit of steady income,” as per the paper.

Since the introduction of NPS in 2004, and more recently APY in June 2015, the pension sector has expanded in India.

Total number of subscribers have increased over three-fold from 1.5 crore in March 2017, to over 5.2 crore by March 2022, which is dominated by APY. Total number of APY subscribers has risen by over four-times from 93 lakh to 4.05 crore.

Of this, APY subscribers account for over 78 per cent of the pension subscriber base.

Looking at AUM, the pension assets under m a n a ge m e n t h ave i n creased over four-fold from Rs 1,75,000 crore to Rs 7,37,000 crore during this 5-year period.

In this, the majority of the assets is held by NPS,

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(From p-1) According to the statement, two 20-KL tankers were available at the site that were found to be partially filled with petroleum products during a joint site inspection with district administration and the police on April 22.

Fuel samples were also collected from both the tankers for further lab investigation, it added.

IOCL also said that the statement

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The private sector is expected to drive growth of the National Pension System (NPS), which has witnessed exponential rise over the last five years, in terms of number of subscribers as well as assets under management, a study paper of PFRDA said.

Led by the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), the number of subscribers between 2017-18 and 202122 have multiplied over three-fold, while the assets under management rose by over four-fold led by NPS, said the paper written by PFRDA member Deepak Mohanty.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) regulates the flagship Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and the National Pension System (NPS).

“The annual rates of return in various NPS schemes since inception in the range 9.0-12.7 per cent

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Indian Oil warns of action against tankers...

Private sector to drive PFRDA schemes: Study

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M e a n w h i l e , NFHRCC acknowledged NZPO and villagers in and around Khelma and Ikesingram for extending their warm hospitality to the visiting team and all frontier tribal bodies for their unflinching support in making the road a people’s movement.

This was stated in a press release by NFHRCC convener Supu Jamir, co-convener Hokiye Yepthomi, general secretary W Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe.

render PC at home, medical camps and conducting training and animations programmes.

Mentioning that the centre would provide the services free of cost, he commented that donations from people and associations were welcome.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by provincial superior Sister Miriam and chairperson’s address by superior general Sister Philomy, while testimonies were delivered by Khriesakeduolie Rame and Jethendra Rai. Short speeches were also delivered by Health & Family Welfare director Dr Neikhielie Khimiao, CIHSR director Sedevi Angami, Chümoukedima deputy commissioner Abhibav Shivam, NSDMA joint CEO Johnny Raungmei and Chümoukedima Town Committee chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu.

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nal and external forces to disturb the progress the momentum of works for the greater interest of the people.

The meeting appealed to the State government not to divert any leftover funds from the allocated amount of Rs 20 crore for the ongoing work on the Foothill Road till the project was successfully completed withing the stipulated timeframe, besides deploying all administrative and police personnel in Khelma administrative circle at the earliest.

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(From p-1) They also appealed to all Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) contractors to complete their work as scheduled to synchronise with the aligned Foothill Road in all districts without compromising on quality.

The seven organisations further urged respective village/tribal authorities to cooperate with the State gover nment and implementing agencies in accordance with the DPR of the works schemes and ensures that no inter-

of God was remembered, depicted through divine mercy.

He mentioned that the day was chosen to venture into a new field in healthcare – an exclusive and full-fledged PC with the vision “Compassionate and quality care, healing and wholeness for people with terminal illness” and with the mission to enable experience comfort and total care.

He informed the gathering that services like palliative care, pain management, physiotherapy and nursing and end-to-life care would be rendered in the centre.

The bishop said the centre would provide services through seven significant initiatives, viz, an outpatient clinic, about 20 inpatient admissions, giving home-based care and day care support, training and equipping people to

dp-1809/22

7 groups acknowledge State govt’s...

(From p-1) He mentioned that the State currently had three PC units that were functioning partially at CIHSR, Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, Mokokchung and Naga Hospital in Kohima, adding that another was recently opened at Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur for cancer patients.

Rio claimed that St Joseph Pain & Palliative Care Centre was the first full-fledged PC centre in the State, while assuring that the State government would extend all possible help so that the centre could carry out gratuitous service to people who needed it the most.

Delivering the message of blessings, bishop of Kohima Rev Dr James Thoppil said the Sunday after Easter was selected for the centre’s inauguration since it was observed as Mercy Sunday, a day when the great mercy

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is turned into value-added products like petrol and diesel at oil refineries, before being sold to automobiles and other users.

India, which is 85.5 per cent dependent on imports to meet crude oil needs, has a surplus refining capacity and it exports some petroleum products but is short on production of cooking gas LPG, which is imported from nations like Saudi Arabia.

The nation consumed

India had spent $62.2 billion on the import of 196.5 million tonnes of crude oil in the previous 2020-21 fiscal, when global oil prices remained subdued in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Higher crude oil import bill is expected to dent the macroeconomic parameters.

The country’s import dependence has increased owing to a steady decline in domestic output. The nation produced 32.2 million tonnes of crude oil in 2019-20, which fell to 30.5 million tonnes in the following year and to 29.7 million tonnes in FY22, the PPAC data showed.

According to PPAC, India’s oil import dependence was 85 per cent in 2019-20, which declined marginally to 84.4 per cent in the following year before climbing to 85.5 per cent in 2021-22.

dp-1702/22

USD 140 per barrel in early March. Prices have since receded and are now around USD 106 per barrel.

According to PPAC, India imported 212.2 million tonnes of crude oil in 2021-22, up from 196.5 million tonnes in the previous year. This was, however, lower than pre-pandemic imports of 227 million tonnes in 2019-20. The spending on oil imports in 2019-20 was $101.4 billion.

The imported crude oil

202.7 million tonnes of petroleum products in 202122, up from 194.3 million tonnes in the previous fiscal, but lower than prepandemic 214.1 million tonnes demand in 2019-20.

Import of petroleum products in 2021-22 fiscal was 40.2 million tonnes worth USD 24.2 billion.

On the other hand, 61.8 million tonnes of petroleum products were also exported for USD 42.3 billion.

Besides, India also spent $11.9 billion on import of 32 billion cubic meters of LNG in 202122. This compared to $7.9 billion spent on import of 33 bcm of gas in the previous fiscal and $9.5 billion on import of 33.9 bcm in 2019-20.

Net oil and gas import bill, after adjusting for exports, came to $113 billion, up from $63.5 billion in 2020-21 and $92.7 billion in 2019-20.

dp-1815/22

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (AGENCIES): India’s crude oil import bill nearly doubled to $119 billion in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, as energy prices soared globally following the return of demand and war in Ukraine.

India, the world’s third biggest oil consuming and importing nation, spent $119.2 billion in 2021-22 (April 2021 to March 2022), up from $62.2 billion in the previous fiscal year, according to data from the oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC).

It spent USD 13.7 billion in March alone, when oil prices surged to 14-year high. This compared with USD 8.4 billion spending in the same month last year.

Oil prices started to surge from January and rates crossed USD 100 per barrel in the following month before touching

9

INTERNATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Pak PM, Putin quietly exchange Ukraine prez Zelenskyy pushes for more arms letters to enhance bilateral ties

KYIV, APR 24 (AP): Ukraine’s leader petitioned for more powerful Western weapons as he prepared to meet with top US officials in the war-torn country’s capital Sunday and Russian forces concentrated their attacks on the east, including trying to dislodge the last Ukrainian troops holding out in the battered port city of Mariupol.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during a lengthy Saturday night news conference held in a Kyiv subway station.

The White House has not commented.

Zelenskyy said he was looking for the Americans to produce results, both in terms of arms and security guarantees. “You can’t come to us empty-handed today, and we are expecting not just presents or some kind of cakes, we are expecting specific things and specific weapons,” he said.

The visit would be the first by senior US officials since Russia invaded Ukraine 60 days ago.

Blinken stepped briefly onto Ukrainian soil in March to meet with the country’s foreign minister during a visit to Poland. Zelenskyy’s last face-to-face meeting with

Russian military vehicles move in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces in Mariupol, Ukraine, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP/PTI)

a US leader was Feb 19 in Munich with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The meeting was set to take place as Ukrainians and Russians observed Orthodox Easter, when the faithful celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, considered the most joyful holiday on the Christian calendar.

Speaking Sunday from the ancient St Sophia Cathedral, Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, highlighted the allegorical significance of the occasion to a nation wracked by nearly two months of war.

“The great holiday today gives us great hope and unwavering faith that light

will overcome darkness, good will overcome evil, life will overcome death, and therefore Ukraine will surely win!” he said.

Still, the war cast a shadow over celebrations.

Residents of rural villages battered by the war approached the day with some cautious defiance.

“How do I feel? Very nervous. Everyone is nervous,” Olena Koptyl said as she prepared her Easter bread in the northern village of Ivanivka, where Russian tanks still littered the roads. “The Easter holiday doesn’t bring any joy.

I’m crying a lot. We cannot forget how we lived.”

Earlier, during his nightly address to the nation, Zelenskyy claimed that intercepted communications recorded Russian troops discussing “how they conceal the traces of their crimes” in Mariupol. The president also highlighted the death of a 3-month old girl in a Russian missile strike Saturday on the Black Sea port of Odesa.

Zelenskyy said the military equipment received from Western supporters had been a big help so far, but he also has stressed that Ukraine needs more heavy weapons, including longrange air defense systems, as well as warplanes to fend

off the Russian attacks.

The Russian military reported that it hit 423 Ukrainian targets overnight, including fortified positions and troops concentrations, while Russian warplanes destroyed 26 Ukrainian military sites, including an explosives factory and several artillery depots.

Most of the fighting Sunday focused on the eastern Donbas region, where Ukrainian forces are concentrated and where Moscow-backed separatists controlled some territory before the war. Since failing to capture Kyiv, the Russians are aiming to gain full control over Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland.

Russian forces launched fresh airstrikes on a Mariupol steel plant where an estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters. The Azovstal steel mill where the defenders are holed up is the last corner of resistance in the city, which the Russians have otherwise occupied.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, called for a localised Easter truce. He urged Russia to allow civilians to leave the plant and suggested talks to negotiate an exit for the Ukrainian soldiers.

ISLAMABAD, APR 24 (PTI): Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin have quietly exchanged letters to strengthen bilateral relations, a media report said on Sunday, amidst allegations by Imran Khan that his maiden visit to Moscow, much against Washington’s wishes, led to his ouster. The letters were exchanged after the election of Shehbaz as prime minister but both the sides kept development away from the media glare in what seemed to be a move aimed at avoiding any public attention, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. A senior Pakistan foreign office official confirmed to the newspaper that President Putin wrote a letter to the prime minister, congratulating him on his election. The official, who requested not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Putin expressed his desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries. A day after his appointment as Pakistan Prime Minister, President Putin sent a congratulatory message to Sharif which was made public by the Kremlin Press Office.

“Our countries share friendly and constructive relations. I hope that as Prime

Shehbaz Sharif and Vladimir Putin (File)

Minister you will seek to further promote closer multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, as well as partnership in the Afghan settlement and countering international terrorism,” it quoted Putin as saying on April 12.

Shehbaz wrote back to Putin thanking him for his felicitation message and expressed similar sentiments on bilateral ties between the two countries as well as cooperation on Afghanistan, The Express Tribune reported. The exchange of letters took place as the former prime minister Khan is adamant he was ousted from power through an alleged US-backed vote of no-confidence since Americans did not like his visit to Moscow to meet President Putin on February 24, the day the Russian president ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Khan has repeatedly said that the US did not want him to visit Russia and the National Security Advisor of President Joe Biden called his National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf, urging him to call of the prime minister’s visit to Moscow.

On Saturday, Khan again alleged that Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan held a meeting with senior American diplomat Donald Lu, where the latter used undiplomatic language.

“I will go a step forward and say that he (Donald Lu) was arrogant… the Joe Biden administration official told our ambassador that Imran Khan will have to be removed through a no-confidence motion,” he said, adding that the meeting took place before the no-trust motion was filed by the Opposition parties.

Joe Biden marks ‘Armenian genocide’

10 of 26 people from sunken Beijing goes on high alert to curb COVID clusters Japan tour boat confirmed dead

WILMINGTON, APR 24 (AP): President Joe Biden on Sunday commemorated the 107th anniversary of the start of the “Armenian genocide”, issuing a statement in memory of the 1.5 million Armenians “who were deported, massacred or marched to their deaths in a campaign of extermination”.

The statement did not reference the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Biden has called a genocide.

Yet Biden used the anniversary to lay down a set of principles for foreign policy as the US and its allies arm Ukrainians and impose sanctions on Russia.

“We renew our pledge to remain vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms,” the president said. “We recommit ourselves to speaking out and stopping atrocities that leave lasting scars on the world.” In 1915, Ottoman officials arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, now Istanbul.

TOKYO, APR 24 (AP): Rescuers said that 10 people who were retrieved Sunday from the frigid sea and the rocky coast of a northern Japanese national park had died, a day after a tour boat with 26 aboard apparently sank in rough waters, triggering questions why it was allowed to sail.

The search for the others is still ongoing after the boat sent a distress call on Saturday afternoon saying it was sinking. The location, near the Kashuni Waterfall, is known as a difficult place to maneuver boats because of its rocky coastline and strong tide.

There were two crew and 24 passengers, including two children, on the the 19-ton Kazu 1 when it ran into troubles while traveling off the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. The coast guard said the 10 victims — seven men and three women — were adults.

The Transport Ministry launched an investigation into the boat’s operator, which had two accidents last year. The ministry said it was looking into safety

A diver and a rescue helicopter conduct a search operation in waters near Shiretoko Peninsula in Japan. (AP/PTI)

standards and the decision to conduct the tour despite rough weather on Saturday.

The operator, Shiretoko Pleasure Cruise, had been instructed to take steps to improve its safety following earlier accidents in which it ran aground in June without causing injuries, and another in May, when three passengers suffered minor injuries when the boat collided with an object.

“We will thoroughly investigate what caused this situation and what kind of safety oversight was in-

volved to allow the tour in order to prevent another accident,” Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito, who visited the area Sunday, told reporters.

Following an intensive search involving six patrol boats, several aircraft and divers that went through the night, rescuers on early Sunday found four people near the tip of Shiretoko Peninsula and later six more in the same area.

Some of them were plucked from the sea, while others were washed onto the rocky coast.

BEIJING, APR 24 (PTI): China’s capital Beijing has gone on high alert as the situation turned “grim” following the emergence of clusters of COVID-19, while the country’s financial hub Shanghai reported 39 more deaths due to the virus, the highest in a day so far during the current outbreak since last month.

The Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 21,796 cases, including 1,566 positive cases and the rest asymptomatic cases mostly in Shanghai, China’s National Health Commission reported on Sunday.

Beijing, the seat of China’s top leadership, went on high COVID-19 alert as the city braced to test some sections of the population after the city recorded 22 new community cases on Saturday.

The city went on high alert after 10 middle school students tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday following which city officials suspended classes in the school for a week.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said unde-

People register for Covid-19 tests at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing. (AP)

tected local transmissions started in the city about a week ago, and involved schools, tour groups and families.

“There were hidden transmissions for a week and the infected people came from different backgrounds and a wide range of activities,” Pang was quoted as saying by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

Mass testing will be conducted on senior citizens who had been on tour groups, construction workers and the people working at the school where the cluster was identified, Pang said.

On Friday, Beijing

Communist Party boss Cai Qi, mayor Chen Jining and other city leaders met twice to organise control efforts.

“The meeting pointed out that our city [Beijing] had suddenly recorded some cases and many transmission chains were involved. The risk of further hidden transmission is high. The situation is urgent and grim,” staterun Beijing Daily reported.

Following the emergence of new clusters, Beijing has taken swift and strict measures, including organising nucleic acid tests in key groups, and taking partial closed-off management and suspend-

ing classes in the areas and a school that spotted the cases, Global Times reported.

Wang Yuedan, a professor of the Department of Immunology at Peking University, said given the one-week-long transmission period, unknown origins of some confirmed cases and people’s activities in the past period, the risk of wider infections is still high.

But the epidemic situation may not become as severe as Shanghai, he told the daily.

He noted the upcoming May Day holidays, during which millions of Chinese may travel to avail one week holiday may pose a big challenge in preventing the virus as many people have made travel plan, which may increase the transmission risk.

Shanghai continued to be the epicentre of the Omicron variant of the virus.

Apart from Shanghai, 16 other provincial-level regions on the mainland saw new local COVID-19 cases, including 60 in Jilin, 26 in Heilongjiang, and 22 in Beijing, the report said.

Voting underway for IMF assures to support Sri Lanka’s Pak minister hits out at Prez, asks him to efforts to overcome the current eco crisis French presidential run-off unshackle himself from Imran’s ‘slavery’

WASHINGTON, APR 24 (PTI): The International Monetary Fund has assured support to debt-ridden Sri Lanka in its efforts to mitigate the current economic crisis and termed the initial discussions with the delegation led by the country’s Finance Minister Ali Sabry as “fruitful”.

Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very

high prices.

Sabry and his delegation, that included the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe are currently in Washington, where they held technical discussions for an IMFsupported programme.

“The Sri Lankan delegation and the IMF team had fruitful technical discussions on the authorities’ request for an IMF-supported programme. The discussions covered recent economic and financial developments in Sri Lanka, and the need for implementing a credible and coherent strategy to restore macroeconomic stability,” the IMF said in a

statement on Saturday.

Sri Lanka needs at least USD 4 billion to tide over its mounting economic woes, and Sabry has been holding talks with the World Bank and countries like China and Japan for financial assistance.

“Going forward, the IMF team will support Sri Lanka’s efforts to overcome the current economic crisis by working closely with the authorities on their economic programme, and by engaging with all other stakeholders in support of a timely resolution of the crisis,” the statement said.

The Washington-based international lender also welcomed the Sri Lankan government’s plans to hold negotiations with creditors.

On April 12, Sri Lanka suspended its debt servicing for the first time in its history.

“The IMF team welcomed the authorities’ plan to engage in a collaborative dialogue with their creditors,” it added.

Emmanuel Macron casts his ballot at a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

PARIS, APR 24 (IANS): Voting is underway on Sunday in the French presidential run-off in which people will make a choice between incumbent President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen as their new leader.

Voting began at 8 a.m. and m polling stations in Metropolitan France is set to close at 7 p.m. or one hour later in larger cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux, reports Xinhua news agency.

Eligible voters in French overseas territories already cast their ballots on Saturday.

After a televised debate on April 20, almost all opinion polls predicted that Macron would lead this presidential runoff.

But local media are worried that a low turnout rate, especially during this spring holiday period, could reverse the predictions, as the abstention rate of the first round of voting reached 26.31 per cent.

ISLAMABAD, APR 24 (PTI): Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday tore into Arif Alvi for showing reluctance in administering oaths to cabinet members and not falling in line with the new dispensation, saying the president should unshackle himself from ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s “slavery”.

The minister’s statement comes in response to the delay in administering the oath to the chief minister of Punjab by the governor of the province and also by the failure of President Alvi to appoint a representative for the purpose.

Sanaullah asserted that Alvi was bound by the Constitution to perform his duty as the president rather than act upon the dictates of Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, The Express Tribune reported.

He asked the president to stop using the pretext of

Arif Alvi

falling sick and to either discharge his duties or resign from his post.

Sanaullah said the president should discharge his constitutional responsibilities and unshackle himself from Khan’s “slavery”, the report said.

The minister stressed that the country would be run according to the Constitution and not at Khan’s whims. “The office of president is a constitutional post which is above politics. When it comes to performing constitutional obligations, the president along with the governors and other PTI associates fall sick,” he rued.

Alvi has been reluctant in administering oaths since the ouster of Khan as the prime minister of Pakistan. He first refused to administer the oath to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and later to his cabinet.

Prime Minister Sharif ’s 34-member Cabinet — a mix of experience and fresh blood — was sworn in on Tuesday after several days of delay, with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administering the oath to new ministers after President Alvi once again excused himself from the ceremony.

The ceremony was scheduled to be held on Monday, but President Alvi refused to administer the oath to the lawmakers, compelling the government to postpone it.

Alvi, a member of ousted premier Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, went on ‘sick’ leave ahead of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s inauguration.

STATE

F&SC deptt organises ‘Anna Yojana’ & PDS prog

DIMAPUR: Department of Food & Civil Supply (F&SC) organised celebratory programmes of “Anna Yojana” and Public Distribution System (PDS) covering Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ( P M - G K AY ) s c h e m e under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” across the state.

Zunheboto: F&SC department Zunheboto organised the programme on April 22 with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali as the special guest.

According to DIPR report, in his speech, DC Mali said the day was significant as it celebrates the most important scheme of the government and added that the scheme works as the best mechanism to aid, benefitting the poorest in the entire country at times of immense hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant director of Food & Civil supplies, Zunheboto, Kiyevi I. Swu gave a brief report on PMGKAY. Longleng: F&SC department Longleng celebrated the day on April 21 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner

Offifials and participants of the programme at Zunheboto.

beneficiaries covered under targeted public distribution system free of cost.

He said the scheme was pro-poor initiative and taken up as a part of the economic response to COVID-19 to ameliorate hardships faced by the poor.

In a keynote address, senior inspector of supplies Noklak, Metsisieto Zhasa said five phases of PMGKAY was successfully implemented in the district.

Kiphire: To mark the start of distribution of fortified rice in public distribution system (PDS), department of F&CS Kiphire in collaboration with Centre for Health Research & Innovation (CHRI) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) foundation organised a

launching programme on April 20 at Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kiphire.

A press release by the department stated that special guest, DC Kiphire, T. Wati Aier shared his views on rice fortification and gave a brief history about it and urged all stakeholders to promote the concept of fortified rice among the masses. He also launched the fortified rice under PDS in the district.

Assistant Director F&CS, Kiphire E. Pangjei Konyak shared the objectives of the launch event and deputy director and state nodal officer for rice fortification F&CS, D r. K a p e n l o T h o n g , highlighted the need for rice fortification in PDS.

‘Women gram sabha’ conducted in Zunheboto

Peren CAB discuss children related issues

DIMAPUR: Lizu Naghuto Village Council under Zunheboto block conducted “women only gram sabha” on April 19 at Lizu Naghuto Village Council Hall, Zunheboto.

According to a DIPR report, resource persons for the programme were women welfare officer, District level Centre for Women-MSK, Ikali Wokhami, district coordinator, Mahila Shakti Kendras, Kiyepu, UBSI, OC Women police station Zunheboto, Kengbame and central administrator, Sakhi-OSC Zunheboto Alovini Yeptho.

D u r i n g t h e programme, Ikali spoke on financial and political empowerment of women with special reference to

(DC) Longleng with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Longleng,D. Robin as the special guest.

According to DIPR r e p o r t , Ro b i n l a u d e d the officials and staffs of F&CS department for rendering their best services by reaching out to the beneficiaries during the most difficult situations.

A brief re por t on PMGKAY was presented

by ADS Longleng John KR. Zeliang.

Wo k h a : F & S C d e p a r t m e n t Wo k h a celebrated the occasion on April 21 at Tiyi hall, Wokha with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Wo k h a T. L a n k o n s e n Tsanglao as the special guest.

In his address, Tsanglao said the year-long celebration would continue till August 15, 2023 and added that the government was focusing on organising seminars and workshops by various departments across the country.

A brief re por t on PMGKAY was given by ADS, Wokha Mhonthung Tungoe.

Noklak: F&CS department Noklak organised a celebration programme on April 21 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Noklak on April 21.

According to a DIPR report, special guest, DC Noklak,Hiazu Meru said PMGKAY was an additional allocation of food g rains to all the

Officials and others at the ‘women only gram sabha’ in Zunheboto.

Zunheboto district and Kiyepu gave an introduction to various schemes and programmes for women welfare and empowerment.

Kengbame covered topics including women’s

safety, sexual harassment and gender stereotyping while Alovini spoke on services provided by Sakhi OSC. The gram sabha conducted a general

discussion on issues and challenges faced by women in the village. The discussion also led to the formation of “women grievance cell” to address women issues and help them get legal advice.

ATMA blocks conduct various activities D I M A P U R : Wi t h a n o b j e c t ive t o e n h a n c e the skills and economy of farmers, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) blocks c o n d u c t e d t r a i n i n g s, demonstrations, capacity building programmes and inaugurated farm schools for farmers across the state.

Changtongya block: Changtong ya block conducted demonstrations on “cultivation practices of ridge gourd” and “cultivation practices of bitter gourd” was conducted on April 20 at Yaongyimsen Village, Mokokchung.

A demonstration on “cultivation practices of cucumber” was conducted on April 21 at Liroyim village, Mokokchung.

Mangkolemba block: AT M A M o k o k c h u n g, M a n g k o l e m b a block, conducted a capacity building cum demonstration on “waste decomposer” and cultivation practices of bitter gourd” and on “cultivation practices of okra” on April 20 at Changki Village and M a n g k o l e m b a To w n respectively.

The block also conducted demonstration on “cultivation practices of water melon” and cultivation practices of okra” on April 21 at Mangkolemba town and Waromung village.

Dhansiripar block: ATMA Dimapur Dhansiripar block conducted demonstrations on “application of biopesticide against fall army worm (FAW) in a maize K Y M C

field”, “cultivation of king chilly in grow bags” on April 18 at Singrijan Village and Kiyeto Village respectively.

The block also organised programme on “mobilization of farmer’s group” and demonstration on “fish pond management and culture practices” for the fish farmers on April 22 at Integrated Farming System (IFS) farm, Doyapur.

Chuchuyimlang b l o c k : AT M A M o k o k c h u n g , Chuchuyimlang block conducted demonstration and capacity building programme on “cultivation practices of cowpea” and “post-harvest management of horticultural crops” on April 19 at Chakpa Village.

T h e b l o c k also conducted a capacity building cum demonstration programme on “oyster mushroom cultivation” and “cultivation practices of bitter gourd” on April 18 at Yaong yimti old village and demonstration on “cultivation practices of pole beans” and “cultivation practices of sponge gourd on April 20 at Yaongyimti new village.

Ongpangkong South block:Capacity building o n va l u e a d d i t i o n o f banana and ginger was conducted on April 19 at Longkhum village by ATMA, Ongpangkong South Block, Mokokchung.

Medziphema block: Wi t h a n o b j e c t ive t o promote farmer-to-farmer extension for effective and fast technology

transfer among the f a r m i n g c o m m u n i t y, AT M A D i m a p u r Medziphema block on April 20 inaugurated a ginger farm school at Piphema-A village. The inauguration was followed by a demonstration on “seed treatment of ginger rhizome with trichodermaa fungicide”.

The block conducted mobilisation of farmers g roup on April 22 at Seitheke Basa village which was followed by a demonstration on line sowing of sweetcorn.

Ko b u l o n g b l o c k : Kobulong block Mokokchung conducted a demonstration on intercropping of maize with cowpea and demonstration on land preparation, s ow i n g m e t h o d , a n d disease management on April 18 at Longpa village.

The block also conducted a capacity building program on cultivation technology of oyster mushroom for Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) /Commodity interest groups (CIGs) on April 18 at Longpa village.

Zunheboto block: ATMA Zunheboto block conducted demonstration on soil health card technology on April 20 at Yemishe village, Sukhalu v i l l a ge a n d L o c h o m i village.

Chessore block: AT M A Tu e n s a n g Chessore block conducted demonstration on “use of pheromone trap for Fall Army Worm (FAW)”, “management of FAW” and “control measures

of FAW through biopesticides” on April 19 at Shiponger village. The block also inaugurated fishery farm school on April 21 at Shiponger village.

Chümoukedima block: ATMA Dimapur Chümoukedima block organised farmers group mobilization and demonstration on “sowing method of Pearl millet Var. Dhanashakti” on April 22, at Bamunphukri 1 village.

Aghunaqa block: AT M A D i m a p u r Aghunaqa block conducted mobilisation of soybean farmers on April 23 at Aoyimchen village. The block also conducted demonstration on “preparation of nursery bed using bio-degradable and moisture rich banana stem” and “Farm mechanization- Functions a n d u s e s o f s p r aye r s (Hydraulic/Pneumatic)” at L. Vihoto village.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

NEWS IN BRIEF Lhisemia, Pfütseromi villages 100 years of friendship: Lhisemia of Kohima village and Pfütseromi village will be celebrating 100 years of friendship on April 27 at Pfütseromi village under the theme “Reviving and Reaffirming the age old century friendship”. Speakers of the event will be chairman Lhisemia Council Kohima village, former chief minister Dr.Shurhozelie Liezietsu, former minister Tseivilie Miachieo, chairman Pfütseromi village council Lhiwepelo Ritse, retd Commissioner and secretary, Wepretso Mero and inspector general of police, Zekotso Mero.

DDTMOA, NTTU, CTTU general meeting: Dimapur District Timber Mill Owners’ Association (DDTMOA), Nagaland Timber Traders Union (NTTU) and Chumukedima Timber Traders Association (CTTU) have convened a general meeting on April 26, 10 a.m. at DDTMOA office, Rural bank building, Naharbari, Dimapur. All timber related traders, mill/factory ownersand timber round log contractors have been asked to attend the meeting.

DSSU conducts seminar: Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) in collaboration with Achievers Academy Institute conducted a seminar on UPSC/NPSC/SSB/ SSC examinations on April 23 at DSSU Office, Supply Colony.

LFIC celebrates: Livingstone Foundation International College (LFIC) celebrated “World Book Day’” and “Shakespeare Day” on April 23. The event was organised

by LFIC English department based on William Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night”.

SJC excursion cum study tour: Department of History and Department of Education, St. John College, Dimapur organised an excursion-cum- study tour to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur from April 11-19.The week-long tour consisted of 37 students from both the departments accompanied by five faculty members.

GMS Tsungiki exposure trip: Staff and students of Government Middle School (GMS) Tsungiki A under Sr. Wokha, along with parents and representatives from Tsungiki Village Council, SMC Tsungiki, Tsungiki Baptist Church and Tsungiki Students’ Union went on an exposure trip to DHEP, Doyang on April 23.

SFXCC celebrates: St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (SFXCC) celebrated “Divine Mercy feast” on April 24, where Reverend Father Siby John, Parish Priest offered Holy Mass at Church premises. Reading the word of God, homily by main celebrant, hymns, Eucharist offertory and special arrangements of communion for sick people were the highlights of the devotional programme.

Er. Picto inaugurates: Er. Picto Shohe, MLA, inaugurated two bailey bridges over Kilki River connecting Sukomi Village and Ghukiye Village and over Mukoti River at Rotomi Village on April 22 in the presence of chief engineer, PWD (R&B) Er. Kahuli Sema.

MDN holds awareness campaign: Morom Dangor Nagaland (MDN) organised its first awareness campaign on theme, “Value Your Vote” on April 16-17 at NkialwaVillage, Peren district.

CHS, CHYN hold meeting: Chümoukedima Hindu Society (CHS) and Chümoukedima Hindu Yuva (CHYN) held its first executive meeting cum felicitation programme on April 18 at Chümoukedima.

LTBCWD organise prayer walk: Longleng Town Baptist Church Woman Department (LTBCWD)on April 21 organised “Clean Election Prayer Walk” from Lempong junction and culminated at Leinak ward, Longleng.

CGST Dimapur inaugurate library: A library-cum-study hall and convenience was inaugurated on April 22 at St. Gabriel School, Murise (SGSM) by Principal Commissioner Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Dimapur, K. Ashi Khieya who was accompanied by additional commissioner, Wapang Lanu and other dignitaries.

Corrigendum: Apropos the news item, “Kronu graces Tsukhenyie festival” published on April 24, the photo published was not of the event mentioned in the report. The inadvertent error is regretted.

DIMAPUR: Peren District CHILDLINE Advisory Board (CAB) deliberated on issues pertaining to children and their welfare in a meeting on April 18 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren.

According to DIPR report, the board discussed agenda which include translation of POCSO Act (2012) into local language— Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Kuki; to conduct special drives against underage driving and regular checks near schools and town areas; to organise a seminar on child rights and child protection with communitybased organisations and to conduct orientation and training for village child protection committee in collaboration with DCPU. Sub-Divisional officer (SDO Civil) Peren, Kemciyile, who chaired the meeting, requested CHILDLINE team to coordinate with departments and stakeholders for followup on the agendas discussed Minister, Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue, Neiba Kronu speaking at the and implementation of the Tsükhenyie-cum- 73rd youth day of Pfutseromi Youth Organization at Pfutseromi same. village on April 23. (NP)

WFD conducts workshop on hydroponics in Dmu

DIMAPUR: Wokha Forest Division (WFD) under the aegis of National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change with assistance from Eco Warriors Nagaland conducted a workshopcum-field visit on hydroponics on April 18at ML Grows Farm, Indisen, Dimapur.

In a press release, the forest division informed

NIZHEVI GHAMI BAPTIST AKUKUHOU Thanks Giving to

Highlander friend "The Class Mates"

that during the programme, resource person, proprietor of ML Grows, Marbong gave an introduction to hydroponics farming and talked about the various systems, crops and system selection, planning and dos and don’ts in hydroponic farming.

The resource person gave a demonstration on starting of seeds and transplantation; hydroponic system walkaround in his farm.

k-821/22

10

We the church members of Nizhevi Ghami Baptist Akukuhou in general and I (Pastor) in particular express our heartfelt gratitude to Highlanders friend "The Class Mates" for your generously constructing the Baptismal Pool in our church.

Words cannot express but we deeply regret our inability to mention each and everyone individually, but it is our humbly prayer. That Almighty God bless you abundantly.

In Christ Sukhato Achumi Pastor NGBA dp-1827/22 K Y M C

11

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Deepak Punia settles for silver again, PSG seal 10th French title but celebrations muted outsmarted in 86kg final by Dauletbekov PARIS, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Paris St Germain secured a record-equalling 10th French top flight title after stuttering to a 1-1 draw against 10-man RC Lens but the celebrations were rather muted as frustrated fans headed for the Parc des Princes exit immediately after Saturday’s final whistle.

Lionel Messi’s goal was cancelled out by Corentin Jean as PSG were left on 78 points, 16 ahead of second-placed Olympique de Marseille who will play their game in hand at Stade de Reims on Sunday.

PSG have now won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles, having only been denied by Monaco in 2017 and Lille last year.

PSG equalled the record set by St Etienne, who won 10 top flight titles between 1957 and 1981.

Sealing the Ligue 1 title, however, was not a cause for celebration for the fans who were still irritated by the club’s exit in the last-16 from the Champions League.

PSG were knocked out after squandering a 2-0 aggregate lead in 15 minutes against Real Madrid.

PSG’s Lionel Messi, center, shots on target during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (AP/PTI)

On Saturday, the stadium was empty 10 minutes after the game ended and the players skipped the traditional lap of honour.

Some ultra fans had already left the Parc des Princes 15 minutes before the final whistle.

“It’s something I don’t understand. In football, you win, you lose. We try with all our heart,” said Marco Verratti, the only player to have won eight top flight French titles.

Fans from the Boulogne and Auteuil stands did not show their support once again even though their team had won their four previous games, scoring 16 goals during that run. PSG were under pressure early on but came to life after 20 minutes when an exchange between Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar almost bore fruit as the Brazilian’s low shot from inside the box went just wide.

Achraf Hakimi was denied by Jean-Louis Leca and Mbappe missed two clear chances as the hosts upped the pace, but Lens also threatened through Seko Fofana and Jonathan Clauss.

PSG were booed by the crowd at halftime.

Kevin Danso picked up a second yellow card for a rough tackle on Neymar in the 57th minute.

On the resulting free kick, Leca had to fully

stretch to parry away Messi’s attempt.

The Argentine forward curled a perfect 25-metre shot into the top corner in the 68th minute after being set up by Neymar.

Par t of the crowd chanted Messi’s name but ultras from the Auteuil stands left the stadium seven minutes later and missed Lens’ equaliser when Jean latched onto a cross by Deiver Machado at the far post to give the visitors a deserved point.

Lens, who had won their three previous games and are still hoping to finish in the top three, are left in seventh place on 54 points, five behind Monaco who beat St Etienne 4-1 away earlier on Saturday.

The game at Geoffroy Guichard was interrupted for almost half an hour after fireworks were lit in the stands.

Olympique Lyonnais are eighth on 52 points after a spectacular 5-2 win against Montpellier. Lyon fans insulted club striker Karl Toko Emkambi, who eventually responded with expletives, leaving club president Jean-Michel Aulas dumbfounded.

ULAANBAATAR (MONGOLIA), APR 24 (PTI): Deepak Punia could do nothing against the solid defence of Kazakhstan’s Azmat Dauletbekov and settled for a silver medal while Viky Chahar grabbed a bronze in the 92kg competition on the concluding day of the Asian Championship, here on Sunday.

Eyeing his maiden gold medal at the continental event, Deepak reached the final without conceding a single point as he first blanked Iran’s Mohsen Miryousef Mostafavi Alanjagh (6-0) and then humbled Korea’s Gwanuk Kim (5-0).

However, Daulet bekov did not let the Indian play his aggressive game, foiling a few of his attacks with remarkable ease.

Deepak usually stuns his rivals with his speed and agility but Dauletbekov was up for the task and smartly foiled the Indian’s leg attacks by maintaining distance.

Dauletbekov grabbed his chances on counterattacks and kept building his lead to eventually win the final by a comfortable 6-1 margin.

Deepak Punia

It is Deepak’s fourth medal at the Asian Championship, having won a silver (2021) and two bronze (2019, 2020) before.

Adding to India’s medal tally was Viky, who won the bronze medal bout against Uzbekistan’s Ajiniyaz Saparniyazov 5-3.

India signed off with 17 medals from the Continental event but Ravi Dahiya was the lone gold medal winner in the men’s freestyle 57kg category.

While Greco Roman wrestlers’ five-medal winning show was encouraging, the fact that India

managed to win just one gold medal when the fields were depleted, is not a good sign.

Meanwhile, Mangal Kadyan could not earn a podium finish as he lost the 61kg bronze medal clash 4-6 to Kyrgyzstan’s Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov.

In 74kg, talented Yash Tunir bowed out after a close 10-11 defeat against Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov in the qualification round.

In 125kg, Anirudh Kumar had lost his quarterfinal 4-8 to Korea’s Yeihyun Jung.

F1: Verstappen wins Imola race Quartararo dominates Portuguese GP for first 2022 win IMOLA (ITALY), APR 24 (IANS): Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won a dramatic Imola race over teammate Sergio Perez as Ferrari drivers couldn’t deliver on home turf and retired from the race here on Sunday.

However, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc spun late on to finish sixth after his teammate Spain’s Carlos Sainz retired from the race.

Along with Sainz, compatriot Fernando Alonso was the other who could not finish the race.

The Dutchman Verstappen topped Saturday’s Sprint and led off the line on Sunday, teammate Perez joining him at the front while Leclerc momentarily dropped to fourth.

The Safety Car emerged on the opening lap as Daniel Ricciardo tipped Carlos Sainz into the gravel and out of the race for the second Grand Prix. With the track drying, drivers began to swap from interns to mediums on Lap 19 - Perez coming in before Verstappen, who led Leclerc into the pits one lap later. The Monegasque emerged just ahead of the Mexican, but Perez skated past for P2 with warmer tyres and then kept the Ferrari at bay.

A late gamble to pit for softs from P3 by Leclerc saw the Red Bull drivers

Max Verstappen

follow suit and retain the lead, but on Lap 54 - again in chase of Perez - the championship leader spun and hit the wall at Variante Alta. He dropped down to ninth having had to pit for a new nose and softs, and recovered only to P6 at the flag.

Lando Norris, therefore, took the final podium place, promoted twice with Sainz retiring and Leclerc going off track.

Mercedes’ George Russell enjoyed a brilliant start and was up seven places to P4 as the chequered flag loomed, holding off Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas by under a second despite a late duel with the driver he replaced at the Silver Arrows.

Yuki Tsunoda finished seventh for AlphaTauri, passing Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel (P8) late on - while Leclerc finished ahead of the pair with his late rescue effort.

Haas’s Kevin Magnussen ran as high as P5 thanks to another blistering start but fell back down the order to ninth. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll rounded out the top 10, a doublepoints haul for the team that entered Imola on zero.

Alex Albon’s solid showing put him 11th, ahead of AlphaTauri’s Pierr’ Gasly - who couldn’t pry his way past even with DRS (which was activated when the track was deemed dry enough on Lap 34).

Lewis Hamilton was next, the Mercedes driver having been unceremoniously lapped by Verstappen on Lap 40, to finish 13th - Esteban Ocon finishing 11th but dropping to 14th thanks to a five-second penalty for an unsafe release.

Zhou Guanyu started from the pit lane after his Sprint crash, the Alfa Romeo driver taking P15 ahead of Williams’ Nicholas Latifi.

PORTIMAO, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo roared to his first win of the season in a drama-filled Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday while Johann Zarco, who began in pole position, survived a late onslaught from Aleix Espargaro to come second.

France’s Quartararo leaped from fifth to third on the opening lap before overtaking early race leader Joan Mir on the fourth and gradually disappearing into the distance at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao.

With his and Yama-

Second placed Johann Zarco, winner Fabio Quartararo and third placed Aleix Espargaro on the podium, April. (AP/PTI)

ha’s first MotoGP victory since Silverstone last season, Quartararo moved level on points with Alex Rins

Boxer Rohit Tokas punches gold at All India Inter Rly C’ships NEW DELHI, APR 24 (IANS): Ace Indian boxer Rohit Tokas, who fights in the 71-75 kgs, has punched gold at the recently concluded All India Inter Railway championships.

Rohit defeated Ishmit Singh who represented Central Railway with the score line of 5-0 unanimous decision.

Talking about the same Rohit Tokas said, “I am very happy with this win, I have been training very hard and putting a lot of hours there practising and improving my moves and techniques. This victory ensures we are heading in the right direction.”

Adding further he said, “It is an important year for me as we have both Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and this victory will surely boost my morale and will make me more confident and push me to train harder.”

at the top of the championship standings and got his title defence back on track, while erstwhile leader Enea

Bastianini crashed out.

“I managed to win by pushing myself to the limit,” Quartararo, 23, said after meeting the flag over five seconds clear of countryman Zarco. “Today, I felt very good since the warm-up. I made an amazing start in the race.

“I had to be aggressive since the beginning because I knew we were going to have problems here if we stayed behind the Ducatis. I’m super happy to get my first win of the season. That’s the most important thing for me - to never give up.”

Pramac Ducati’s Zarco and Aprilia rider Es-

pargaro joined Quartararo on the podium after Jack Miller took down Joan Mir while attempting to pass the 2020 world champion in the battle for the podium with seven laps remaining.

Mir’s Suzuki team mate Rins started 23rd on the grid but made a stunning recovery to finish fourth while home hero Miguel Oliveira held off the Marquez brothers in the closing stages to take fifth place.

Honda’s six-times world champion Marc Marquez shook off a poor start and got the better of his younger brother Alex in a heated fight for sixth.

Antonio Rudiger to leave Chelsea in summer

LONDON, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to leave the club this summer after failing to agree a new deal.

Rudiger, 29, was offered a new contract worth more than £200,000 a week, which would have made him the best-paid defender in Chelsea’s history.

BBC Sport understands the signing-on and agent’s fees have proven the stumbling block.

The Germany international has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

The news will come as a blow to manager Thomas Tuchel, who had hoped to keep Rudiger at Chelsea and could also lose centre-back Andreas

Antonio Rudiger

Christensen this summer.

Like Rudiger, who joined the Blues for an initial £29m from Roma in 2017, the Denmark international’s contract is up at the end of the season and will be allowed to leave on a free transfer, with Barcelona agree-

ing a deal to sign the 26-yearold. Chelsea’s financial situation has been uncertain since owner Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale last month before being sanctioned by the UK government.

Three bidders are attempting to buy the club from the Russian billionaire for more than £2.5bn, with the hope that a preferred bidder can be selected this week. But it is understood that the contract offer to Rudiger was made weeks before the advent of the sanctions, which put player contract deals are on hold until the end of May when the government is expected to issue the club with a special licence.

Jazz edge Mavericks to tie playoff series in NBA Ronaldo dedicates goal to his late SALT LAKE CITY, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Rudy Gobert made a key rebound and an even bigger dunk with 11 seconds remaining to boost the Utah Jazz to a series-tying 100-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

Jordan Clarkson led Utah in scoring with 25 points, Donovan Mitchell added 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and Gobert finished with 17 points and 15 boards in a game that nearly slipped away. Luka Doncic, in his first action of the postseason, scored a game-high 30 points with 10 rebounds and gave Dallas a fourpoint lead with 39 seconds left. Mitchell cut the lead to one with a putback layup and a free throw with 31.2 seconds left after being fouled by Doncic.

T h e Ja z z f o u l e d Dwight Powell with 19.8 seconds remaining, and he missed both shots. Gobert K Y M C

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots the ball over Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during NBA playoffs.

then grabbed the rebound and put Utah up 100-99 with an alley-oop dunk off of a pass from Mitchell.

Game 5 will be Monday in Dallas.

Raptors 110, 76ers 102 Pascal Siakam scored a playoff-career-best 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Toronto de-

feated visiting Philadelphia in Game 4 of their firstround playoff series.

Philadelphia leads the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Gary Trent Jr. added 24 points for the Raptors, who extended the series to a fifth game, which will be Monday in Philadelphia.

Thaddeus Young had 13

points and OG Anunoby 11 for the Raptors.

Joel Embiid, playing with a thumb injury, had 21 points and eight rebounds for Philadelphia, James Harden had 22 points and nine assists, Tobias Harris had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Tyrese Maxey scored 11 points.

Celtics 109, Nets 103 Jayson Tatum scored 39 points as Boston led most of the way and beat Brooklyn in New York to open a commanding threegames-to-none lead in their Eastern Conference firstround series.

Tatum made 13 of 29 shots for his second 30-plus-point game of the series, putting the secondseeded Celtics on the verge of sweeping the seventhseeded Nets in Game 4 on Monday.

Bruce Brown led the Nets with 26 points, but superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were held to a combined 32 points as

the Nets shot 50.6 percent but also allowed 37 points off 21 turnovers.

Timberwolves 119, Grizzlies 118 Karl-Anthony Towns responded to one of the worst performances of his postseason career with 33 points and Minnesota evened its playoff series against visiting Memphis with a Game 4 victory in Minneapolis.

Towns, whose eightpoint effort in a home loss in Game 3 equaled the second-fewest of his playoff career, rebounded with a postseason career-high in helping the seventh-seeded Timberwolves square the series at 2-2. Game 5 will be Tuesday in Memphis.

Anthony Edwards added 24 points and Patrick Beverley 17 for the Wolves. Desmond Bane scored 34 points to lead Memphis, Dillon Brooks netted 24, and Ja Morant collected 11 points and 15 assists.

baby son with emotional celebration

LO N D O N, A P R 2 4 (IANS): Manchester United star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo paid a heartfelt tribute to his and Georgina Rodriguez’s late son after scoring his 100th goal in the Premier League against Arsenal. The Portuguese footballer dedicated the goal to his late son with a touching celebration on Saturday.

After scoring the 100th goal, he raised his left hand to the sky to mark his big achievement a few days after losing his newborn son.

Taking to Instagram, Ronaldo shared a picture in which he could be seen looking at the sky and pointing his finger towards it.

Ronaldo has endured a traumatic week after he and partner Georgina announced the tragic death of their son in a heartbreaking statement on Monday (April 19), while also confirming the arrival of their newborn daughter. The football star

Cristiano Ronaldo

was expecting twins with partner but revealed that while she had given birth to a girl, their son had died.

“It is with our deepest sadness that we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you,” Ronaldo wrote on social media on Monday. After missing the last game while grieving the death of his newborn son, the 37-year-old was

included in the Manchester United squad by manager Ralf Rangnick, who revealed prior to the match that Ronaldo had insisted he was in the right frame of mind to play against Arsenal.

“We spoke on the day he returned. He said to me that everything is well so he can train again and play again. It’s good to have him back in the squad,” Rangnick told BT Sport.

K Y M C

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Archery World Cup: India’s Tarundeep Rahul’s ton guide LSG to 36-run win over MI Rai-Ridhi clinch recurve mixed team gold

MUMBAI, APR 24 (PTI): KL R a hul onc e a g a in proved to be Mumbai Indians’ nemesis as his magnificent second hundred set up a comfortable 36-run win for Lucknow Super Giants’ and in turn knocked the five-time champions out of this edition of IPL. Rahul continued his fairytale run against MI, slamming an unbeaten 103 off 62 balls with the help of 12 fours and four maximums as LSG posted 168 for 6 after being invited to bat at the Wankhade stadium.

In reply, Rohit Sharma looked good during his 31ball 39 but MI suffered a collapse once again to slump to 67 for four. Tilak Varma hit a gritty 27-ball 38 to give MI some hope before Lucknow restricted them to 132 for 8 for their fifth win in 8 matches to grab the fourth position in the overall points standing.

For MI, it was another collective failure as they slumped to their eighth successive loss on the trot, the only team in the history of the tournament to achieve the dubious record as they remain at the bottom.

For LSG, all the bowlers chipped in with Krunal Pandya taking 3 for 19 and Dushmantha Chameera conceded only 14 runs in 4

KL Rahul, captain of Lucknow Super Giants plays a shot during the IPL match in Mumbai, Sunday. (PTI) overs.

Rahul, who had scored a century against MI a few days back, looked in imperious form but he didn’t get enough help from the other batters. Manish Pandey had a 58-run stand with Rahul but he lacked intent during his run-a-ball 22, while Marcus Stoinis (0), Krunal Pandya (1) and Deepak Hooda (10) paraded back to the hut in quick succession.

Later, Rahul added another 47 off 25 balls with young Ayush Badoni (14) to take LSG to a competitive score. For MI, Australian

Daniel Sams had a forgettable evening as he conceded 40 runs in his four overs.

Kieron Pollard pulled things back a bit as he snapped two wickets in two overs, while Riley Meredith accounted for two but conceded 40, with Jasprit Bumrah once again displaying his brilliance as an allformat great. Chasing 169, Ishan Kishan looked low in confidence but with Rohit in full flow, MI reached 43 for no loss in the first six overs.

The MI skipper smashed five boundaries and a six during the pow-

erplay to raise hopes of a successful chase.

Ravi Bishnoi, however, put Kishan out of his misery in the 8th over, while Mohsin Khan, who replaced an injured Avesh Khan in the XI, got rid off Dewald Brevis (3) for his maiden IPL wicket.

Rohit then ended up playing across the line as Krunal foxed his former MI skipper, leaving Mumbai at 58 for 3. Suryakumar Yadav (7) then walked back after playing an aweful shot to hand Ayush Badoni his first IPL wicket. Tilak smashed two fours and as many sixes but once he was sent back by Jason Holder it was all over for MI. Earlier, the MI bowlers were on the money at the start with Bumrah dealing the first blow, removing Quinton de Kock (10) with Rohit Sharma taking a low dipping catch. MI used four bowlers in the powerplay with LSG managing only 32 for one in the first six overs.

Rahul and Pandey struggled to up the ante as pressure was maintained from both ends. Rahul then sprung into action with a maximum over deep midwicket off Unadkat, while Pandey deposited Meredith into the sightscreen.

THe LSG skipper then pulled one across the deep

mid-wicket, before cutting the next ball over point for successive boundaries as the Lucknow team racked up 17 runs to reach 72 for one at the half way stage.

Bumrah was brought back into the attack but Rahul send him across deep square leg and then picked up a single to complete another fifty. Pandey’s (22) struggle ended with a topedge off a short ball from Pollard to Meredith.

Rahul clobbered Sams over long-on to leave the bowler shaken, who ended up bowling three successive wide balls. The next legitimate delivery was sent over deep backward point by Rahul but the bowler somewhat redeemed himself in the fifth ball with Marcus Stoinis holing out to Tilak varma at deep mid-wicket.

After Pollard and Meredith removed Pandya and Hooda quickly, Ayush Badoni joined Rahul, who continued to get the boundaries for LSG. Rahul slammed Bumrah for a couple of fours, before smashing Unadkat for three more in the next over.

He reached three figures with a six off Meredith.

MONDAY’S MATCH Punjab Kings Vs Chennai Super Kings Time: 7:30 pm

Ridhi and Tarundeep Rai with the coach.

ANTALYA (TURKEY), APR 24 (IANS): India’s Tarundeep Rai and Ridhi clinched the recurve mixed team gold medal at the 2022 Archery World Cup Stage 1 after a tense final against Great Britain, here on Sunday.

The Indian pair had to come from behind twice before beating Britons Bryony Pitman and Alex Wise through a shootoff.

The 17-year-old Ridhi and 38-year-old Olympian Tarundeep Rai made a slow start to the match after going down 35-37 in the first set. Down 2-0, though, Ridhi and Rai bounced back by a 36-33 scoreline in the second set to level up the affair.

The third set saw the Indians shoot well with

39 but there was little they could do as the English archers raked up a perfect 40. Needing yet another comeback to stay in the match, Rai and Ridhi delivered with a 38-37 win in the fourth set to tie up the match at 4-4 and force the shootoff.

The Indians then closed the close affair, winning the shootoff 1817. It was India’s second medal at the meet in Turkey. Earlier, the compound men’s team, comprising Abhishek Verma, Aman Saini and Rajat Chauhan clinched gold after beating France in the final on Saturday.

Meanwhile, India’s mixed compound team of Abhishek Verma and Muskan Kirar made it to

the bronze medal match but fell short on Sunday, an olympics.com report said.

These three were the only medal matches India could manage at the meet, which, despite the two gold medals, was a disappointing outing for the Indian archers in the stage 1 Archery World Cup. In the men’s individual recurve, only London 2012 Olympian Jayanta Talukdar could make the top eight. Tarundeep Rai lost in the round of 32, Sachin Gupta crashed out in the round of 64, while Neeraj Chauhan was eliminated in the opening contest.

On the other hand, the women’s individual recurve saw Ridhi reaching the round of 16. Komalika Bari lost in the round of 32 while Anikta Bhakat and Simranjeet Kaur could not go past the first round.The compound archers also struggled, with only Rajat Chauhan and Priya Gurjar making the top eight in the men’s and women’s individual events, respectively.

Asian Games gold medallist Abhishek Verma was ousted in the round of 32.

The recurve teams (men and women) and women’s compound team could also not reach the medal rounds.

Senior Women’s T20 Trophy: Swiatek beats Sabalenka Andrey Rublev defeats Novak Nagaland qualifies for knock-out to win Stuttgart title Djokovic to clinch Serbia Open title

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Playing their last match of the league stages, Nagaland beat Sikkim by 79 runs and progressed into knock-outs round at the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2021-2022 on Sunday at Amingaon Cricket Ground, Guwahati.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Nagaland managed to put up a big total of 181 runs losing only 2 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

It was a good start for Nagaland as the openers KP Navgire and Alemienla stitched up a partnership of 86 runs in just 72 runs which is also the highest opening partnership for Nagaland so far in the tournament.

Navgire who has been in terrific form scored her third half century in the tournament before she was bowled by Purni for 57 runs.

Shortly Alemienla was sent back to the pavilion by Pranita for 31 runs. Brilliant knocks from Khemnar (43 not out) and Gautami (35

Nagaland senior women cricket team. not out) took Nagaland’s total to a huge margin of 181 runs. Sikkim chasing a huge target had a horrific start as their opener Manizha was sent back to the pavilion

by Navgire in the very first delivery as she was adjudged LBW. Only Rinki Rajak (captain) showed some resilience as she scored 41 runs before she was caught by Navgire while she tried to hit some big shot on Talirenla’s delivery. Disciplined bowling attack by Nagaland saw Sikkim wickets trembling

down at regular intervals and fell short of 79 runs at the end of the final overs losing 8 wickets.

For Nagaland, Navgire scalped 4 wickets while Talirenla, Elina Muru and Gautami registered a wicket in their names. Nagaland having won all their 6 (six) matches in the plate group and thereby the topper of the group qualified for the knock-outs which will be played on April 28 against the Top 2 of Elite-A group in Surat, Gujarat.

STUTTGART, APR 24 (AGENCIES): World number one Iga Swiatek captured her fourth straight title of the 2022 season by beating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-2 in the Stuttgart Open final on Sunday, extending her winning streak to 23 matches.

Swiatek, a for mer French Open champion, had breezed through the opening rounds of the WTA 500 claycourt tournament before facing her biggest test in the semi-finals, where she battled back from a set down to overcome Ludmilla Samsonova on Saturday.

The Polish 20-year-old showed little signs of fatigue from that marathon clash as she saved an early breakpoint and raced to a 3-0 lead before holding firm and taking the opening set when third-seeded Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up, doublefaulted. The pair had split their previous meetings - in last year’s WTA Finals and the Qatar Open in February - but it was the in-form Swiatek who excelled in

Iga Swiatek their first claycourt match, dealing effortlessly with her opponent’s big hitting.

The error-prone Sabalenka looked to mount a comeback after a crucial hold of serve at the start of the second set but Swiatek switched gears to break for a 4-2 lead and completed the victory when the Belarusian sent a shot long.

Debutant Swiatek’s success in Stuttgart follows her triumphs in Doha, Indian Wells and Miami, and makes her a firm favourite for Roland Garros starting on May 22.

BELGRADE (SERBIA), APR 24 (IANS): World No 8 Andrey Rublev clinched the Serbia Open title after beating World No 1 Novak Djokovic in the final, here on Sunday.

In a hard-fought summit clash, Rublev dug deep against Djokovic as he hit with relentless power and intensity to outlast the home favourite 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-0 at the ATP 250 clay-court event. The 24-year-old saved five set points in the second set to force a tie-break and while he was unable to prevent Djokovic from levelling the match, Rublev regrouped in the decider as he looked the fitter of the two to triumph after two hours and 29 minutes.

After this loss, Djokovic now holds a 37-6 record in Serbia, having lifted the trophy at the Serbia Open in 2009 and 2011 and at the Belgrade Open last season.

“It is big to play against you and share the court for the second time,” Rublev said to Djokovic during the

Andrey Rublev trophy ceremony. “I hope we have more battles. I feel so great here, it is a very nice city. It feels really special. I want to say a big thanks to all the spectators for supporting all the players all week. To see full crowds again is special for all of us,” he added.

It was Rublev’s third tour-level title of the season and he has now equalled Spaniard Rafael Nadal for the most tour-level titles in 2022, having also clinched crowns in Marseille and

Dubai in February. With his maiden victory over a World No 1, the World No 8 has levelled his ATP Head2Head series against Serbian Djokovic at 1-1, gaining revenge for his defeat at the ATP Finals last season.

Rublev arrived in Belgrade off the back of disappointing ATP Masters 1000 performances in Miami and Monte Carlo, where he lost in the second round and third round, respectively.

However, he found his top form this week, dropping just one set en route to the title as he also eliminated Czech Jiri Lehecka, Japan’s Taro Daniel and Italian Fabio Fognini with heavyhitting performances.

On the other hand, the 34-year-old Djokovic, who lost in the quarter-finals in Dubai and suffered a shock second-round defeat against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo, was competing in his third event of the season as he aimed to clinch his maiden title of the year against Rublev.

Bayern see off Dortmund to lift 10th successive Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich players celebrate after winning the Bundesliga title.

BERLIN, APR 24 (IANS): With three rounds to spare, Bayern Munich made it 10 titles in a row in Germany’s top-flight after beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 thanks to the goals from Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski and Jamal Musiala in the 31st round of matches.

The German record champions caught a perfect start on home soil on Satur-

day night and shocked courageous Borussia Dortmund with just 15 minutes into the “Klassiker” as Leon Goretzka’s lay-up by header, following a Joshua Kimmich corner, allowed Gnabry to break the deadlock with a volley from the edge of the box.

The BVB needed time to recover but showed a sign of life in the 27th minute when unmarked Erling Haa-

land missed the target just wide from ten meters.

The Bavarians were a menace in front of the target and thought they had doubled their advantage at the half-hour mark, Gnabry’s goal was ruled offside by the video assistant referee.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men eventually made it two four minutes later through Bundesliga top striker Lewandowski, who ben-

efitted on Thomas Muller’s through ball to net his 33rd goal of the season.

T h e Po l e h a d t h e chance to triple Bayern’s lead, but his low effort missed the right post just before the break.

D o r t mu n d s t a r t e d brightly into the second half and pressed Bayern onto the back foot.

The visitors got rewarded for their efforts as

Kimmich felled Marco Reus inside the box to cause a foul play penalty in the 52nd minute. Emre Can stepped up and made no mistake to halve the deficit from the spot.

Dor tmund had a golden chance to level the scores, but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was equal to Reus’ attempt from close range.

Marco Rose’s men pressed but had to be careful as Lewandowski tested Dortmund custodian Marwin Hitz with 69 minutes gone.

Haaland kept Bayern’s defence busy in the closing stages but the Norway international lacked in accuracy twice while Bayern clinically sealed the deal after substitute Musiala made it 3-1 on the scoreboards in the 83rd minute.

With the result, Nagelsmann clinched his first Bundesliga title in his debut season with Bayern Munich.

“We played well, and we deserved to be the German champions. I am really delighted. We should have sealed the deal earlier though,” said Bayern coach Nagelsmann.

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