27 june by Nagaland Post

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 201

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

WHO pleads as poor countries lack doses

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international, Page 9

State’s weekly positivity rate rises to 9%

6 districts record surge in cases Superspreader event in Mon dist

DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): After witnessing a drop in the weekly Covid-19 positivity rate from 13 per cent to 8 per cent last week (June12-18), the State’s positivity rate rose to 9 per cent, an increase by one percent this current week (June 19-25). It may be recalled that the state Health minister S Pangnyu Phom on June 19 disclosed that as per the directives of the Centre, the ongoing lockdown would continue in the state till the Covid-19 positivity rate dropped below 5 percent. Six districts-- Tuensang, Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto, Peren and Mon have reported an increase in Covid19 positive cases from the past week with the highest increase in Peren district. Despite a sharp decline in positive cases the previous week (631 cases between

Weekly data of confirmed cases & deaths Covid 2nd wave WEEKLY DATA OF CONFIRMED CASES AND DEATHS

2500

84 CASES

2000

2062

DEATHS

1951 67

1604

1622

1500

1172 1079

1087

1000

500

385 40 20-26 MAR

132 0

631

662

116

27-2 3-9 10-16 APR APR APR

17-23 APR

June 12-18), the state recorded an increase in the number of cases this week (662 cases between June 19-25), Health (H&FW) department’s weekly bulletin released on Saturday stated. While informing that one superspreader event was reported from Mon, the department said that a total of 37 cases, with a positivity rate of 40%, was reported from a prison in Mon. It further said that three districts-- Kohima (13%), Mokokchung (13%) and Peren (12%) have recorded a weekly sample positivity rate of more than 10%. Dimapur,

10 0

24-30 APR

1-7 8-14 15-21 22-28 MAY MAY MAY MAY

29 MAY- 5-11 4 JUN JUN

which the most affected district during the second wave of Covid-19, recorded the lowest weekly positivity rate in the state at 7% (including Kiphire district). Decline in deaths: Meanwhile, Nagaland saw a marked decline in Covid19 deaths this week. As compared to the previous week (22 deaths between June12-18), only 14 deaths were registered this week, the lowest weekly deaths in eight weeks. H&FW further noted that the 7-day moving average of new cases have reduced to 84 from 305 cases at the peak of the wave.

12-18 JUN

19-25 JUN

State logs 91 fresh cases, 6 deaths: Nagaland on Saturday registered 91 fresh Covid-19 positive cases and six deaths. Of the fresh cases, 48 were reported from Kohima, Dimapur-20, nine in Mokokchung, six in Tuensang, four in Zunheboto, three in Peren and one in Phek, taking the total caseload to24,850. Further, four deaths were reported in Dimapur and one each in Mokokchung and Phek, pushing the death toll to 487 (including 14 non-Covid deaths but with Covid positivity).

Need to ramp up Covid testing, vaccination: CS

not yet over, warns Centre

NEW DELHI, JUN 26 ( AG E N C I E S ) : C e n t r e warned that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over in India, with 75 districts of the country still having more than 10% prevalence of Covid-19 cases, while 92 districts have a 5 to 10% prevalence. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Dr Balram Bhargava underlined the need for district level monitoring of test positivity rate to ensure any outbreak is contained locally and a major third wave is averted. Currently, 565 districts have weekly test positivity at less than 5%. However, 75 districts still have over 10% positivity, whereas 92 districts have positivity rate between 5-10%. Researchers said scaling up vaccinations could play an important role in mitigating any eventuality and future waves of the disease.

Petrol price nears Rs.100 in 6 districts

strictly check the attendance of district head of offices and ensure that the responsible officer was in the staPetrol Diesel tion for any eventuality. He price per price per District also lauded the DTFs and litre litre encouraged them to work Rs.99.87 Rs.93.53 harder in order to contain Tsg the virus. Kiphire Rs.99.79 Rs.93.50 DGP Nagaland, TJ Noklak Rs.99.64 Rs.93.44 J. Alam with senior officials during the video conferencing with DTFs, Saturday. (DIPR) Longkumer, asked all the Rs.99.43 Rs.93.17 SPs to be more vigilant and Mon D I M A P U R , J U N 2 6 and vaccination to put a During the video con- make sure that anti-social Zbto Rs.99.17 Rs.92.85 (NPN): State chief sec- concerted effort in ramping ference, DCs put forth sug- activities were not carried Rs.99.18 Rs.92.89 retary, J Alam, Saturday up the testing as well as vac- gestions and recommenda- out around the vicinity of Phek emphasised the urgent need cination in their respective tions besides highlighting the hospitals. “Security of Llng Rs.98.94 Rs.92.79 to carry out more testing districts. the problems and difficulties the medical staff and pa- Mkg Rs.98.90 Rs.92.65 and intensifying vaccination According to an of- faced in the districts in the tients is very important,” Wka Rs.98.34 Rs.92.13 drive across the State. ficial bulletin, the chief sec- fight against the virus. DGP said. Interacting with the retary also took stock of the In this regard, the Rs.97.70 Rs.91.53 Declaring that DEF Kma District Task Forces (DTFs) status on COVID situation chief secretary assured to Longleng has achieved Peren Rs.97.08 Rs.91.09 through video conferencing in all the districts particu- take their issues up to the 100% vaccination, the state Rs.96.75 Rs.90.77 at COVID War Room, chief larly on testing, vaccination, higher authority for consid- police chief gave away cita- Dmu secretary’s conference hall, rural surveillance and their eration. tion along with cash prize of DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): Kohima, Alam urged the recommendations about the Further, the chief sec- Rs. 50,000 in appreciation Petrol price in Nagaland’s six districts lagging in testing extension of lockdown. retary asked all the DCs to of their good work. districts was close to touching Rs.100-mark on Saturday after the state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) increased the prices of petrol and diesel after a DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): Follow- godown of the narco distributors.” Further, DGP of Assam Bhaskar day’s pause. ing the seizure of 2486 kg of poppy In one of the steepstraw worth around Rs. 2.5 crore by a Jyoti Mahanta in a tweet said that the team of Karbi Anglong police on June joint operation was a follow up of an est hike in recent times, 25, a joint operation comprising of operation carried out at Kabri Ang- OMCs Saturday increased Nagaland police narcotic cell and As- long district wherein 24.86 quintals the prices of petrol and sam police busted a storage facility at of poppy straw priced at Rs. 2.5 crore diesel by 35 paise per litre 7th Mile area Dimapur on June 26 and (market price) was seized. Two persons pushing the prices of the two recovered 459 kg (17 bags) of poppy were arrested in this connection. auto fuels to historic highs “17 bags of Poppy Straw weigh- across the country. Accordstraw from the godown. In a tweet, Nagaland police on ing 459 kg were recovered from the ing to IOCL website, price Saturday said: “Nagaland narcotic cell godown of the Narco distributors. Well of xtrapremium petrol in sleuths and Assam police jointly busted done DIG, SP and team of @karbiang- Tuensang and Mon has ala storage facility in 7th mile area, Di- longpol, Thanks #NagalandPolice for ready increased to Rs.103.43 Items seized by Assam & Nagaland police mapur. 17 bags of poppy straw weigh- this first of its kind coordinated suc- per litre and Rs.102.99 per and (inset) Poppy straws. (Via twitter) ing 459 kg were recovered from the cessful operation,” the DGP tweeted. litre respectively.

Euro 2020: Denmark beat Wales 4-0; enter QFs sports, Page 12

Solution on the basis of AP & spirit of 1951 Naga Plebiscite, says WC DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) reiterated that the Naga political movement sparked after the return of Naga Labour Corps from Europe aroused Naga nationalism leading to formation of the Naga Club in 1918 and culminating to the submission of the historic Memorandum to the British Statutory Commission in 1929. WC added that by 1947, it was clear that the political struggle for Naga self determination had begun. In a joint statement, convenor WC/NNPGs N. Kitovi Zhimomi (gen. secy GPRN/NSCN) along with the co-convenors WC / N N P G s ; Z h o p r a Vero,(Kedallo NNC/FGN), Y. Wangtin Naga(president NSCN-R); Z. Hozheto Chophy (gen. secy NNC/ NPGN); Kiumukam Yimchunger (president NNC/ GDRN); Toshi Walling (gen. secy NNC-parent body) and Isak Sumi (gen. secy NSCN/ GPRN-K) pointed out that whereas the Framework Agreement (FA) signed on

August 3, 2015 maintained that the Naga political struggle was six decades old. It said by this the FA had put a “damp blanket upon the four eventful decades of Naga political struggle”. Further, WC said history will not blame the NSCN (I-M) “for this debacle, because it was orchestrated by a group within the leadership.” According to WC, the attribution of six-decades from 1955, was “roughly the year when few Manipuri Nagas joined the political movement”. WC said they were also not part of the Naga Club and neither signatories to the Simon Commission nor engaged in the events in 1947. WC also said they “did not take part in 1951 plebiscite” and therefore, for them six decades or less was from 1955 till 2015 (the year the FA was signed). Therefore, WC said the FA is- “haphazard and historically inaccurate. It collapses on its own weight of distortion and contradictions. It cannot stand the test of history”. However, WC said “thankfully, Naga

history neither resides in one paper nor owned by a group of people.” WC said the 1951 Naga Plebiscite was an unwritten agreement among all tribes and villagers that voluntary donation towards the political movement would be sought and granted. However, it said “today Naga Plebiscite is cited like a license, a bus ticket for many to travel to Nagaland and threaten, intimidate, blackmail and take advantage of the generosity of the tribes.” While reaffirming its aspiration on Naga integration, WC said at present, this has been ruled out by the Centre. It also mentioned that this was also admitted by Th. Muivah on February 29, 2012 at the Agri-Expo ground Dimapur. WC reiterated that the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017 with the government of India, “corrected the political blunder and vacuum created by FA” and to work on finalising an honourable and acceptable political solution under the spirit of 1951 Naga Plebiscite. (Full text on p-6)

NPF backs legislature wing’s demand for probe DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): NPF has backed the party legislature wing’s representation to the Governor seeking an independent probe by a central investigating agency into the alleged misappropriation and embezzling of public funds by NDPP-led PDA government. Endorsing the points raised by its legislature wing,

the NPF through its press bureau also highlighted some of the points including sanctioning of Rs. 30 crore to a private hospital and Kohima Smart City project. On the subject of sanctioning of Rs. 30 crore to a private hospital for developing a makeshift Covid hospital, the NPF said that pumping an additional amount

to develop the hospital was appalling while there needed thorough probe into 30 years lease of the land and buildings given to private entity free of cost. NPF stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between three parties (CMC Vellore, Government of Nagaland (Cont’d on p-8)

459 kg poppy straw seized from 7th Mile area

This is it!

“Daddy’s so strict with lockdown, that he refuses to allow anyone to come in or go out.” K Y M C

Kohima Smart City makes it to top 10 cities in DMAF DIMAPUR, JUN 26 (NPN): Kohima Smart City (KSC) has been ranked 10th out of the 100 Smart Cities, and certified as “Enabled”, in the Data Maturity Assessment Framework (DMAF) 2.0. KSC Development Ltd. joint CEO Avelu Ruho informed that this was announced by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs during the sixth anniversary celebration of Smart City Mission, AMRUT and PMAY (Urban), on June 25. It stated that Kohima was the only Smart City in North

Top Cities 1st Surat

2nd Pimpri Chinchwad

4th Pune 5th Nagpur

9th Chennai 

10th Kohima

6th Ahmedabad

10th Raipur

7th Jabalpur

10th Thane

8th New Town Kolkata

3rd Bhopal

East to make it to the top ten and shares the 10th position with two other cities. The Smart Cities Mission launched the Data

Smart Cities Strategy in February 2019, as a roadmap for harnessing the potential of data to address complex urban challenges

across 100 Cities. To successfully implement this initiative, the DMAF was also launched to encourage cities to strengthen their data infrastructure and facilitate them in assessing their readiness and maturity on data. On the occasion, another assessment of cities regarding climate change preparedness was also released, in which Kohima was rated 2 Stars out of maximum 5 Stars in the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0. K Y M C

state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

DP-2934(B)

DP-2934(A)

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Reports on ‘Int’l Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking’

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Saturday observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) under 2021 theme, “Share Drug Facts, Save Lives”. The day is observed across the globe with an objective to create awareness on issues related to drugs and illicit trafficking. This year United Nation’s theme stresses on the importance of awareness on the facts on drugs and their dangers and of evidence based-prevention, treatment and care. Kohima: A virtual panel discussion was jointly organised by Social Welfare Department, Nagaland, State Level Coordinating Agency-KRIPA Foundation and Federation of India NGOs for Drug Abuse Prevention (Nagaland Chapter) Saturday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The panellists included assistant director, Social Welfare department, Wango Langsym; joint director, Health & Family Welfare department (Targeted Intervention) NSACS, Dr Bernice; principal, Loyola Higher Secondary School, Kiphire, Fr Dr Joe Mariadhas (PhD Psy); chairman, KRIPA foundation,

Participants of IDADAIT at IRCA Prodigals’ Home, Saturday.

Dr P Ngully; general secretary, Nagaland User’s Network, Neiba Kesiezie with coordinator, SLCA-Bendang Imsong as the moderator. A report from the office of Superintendent of Police (Narcotics), Nagaland Police stated that the main drug trafficking routes as - Manipur to Dimapur via Khuzama and Kohima; Tadubi (Manipur) to Dimapur via Peren and Jalukie; Myanmar to Assam via Noklak, Tuensang and Mokokchung; Myanmar to Assam via Longwa, Mon and Tizit; New field check gate (Dillai gate) to Dimapur; Tsutapela check post (Marani Assam) to Mokokchung; Wameken check post (Amguri Assam) to Mokokchung and also through Tizit and Naganimora into Mon. In his presentation, panellist Wangso Langsym expressed concern that drug use which in

the past was prevalent mostly in urban areas have not penetrated to rural areas of the state. Expressing concern over drug use in Nagaland, he said some years ago drugs were mostly used by people from economically sound background, however, these days those from economically weaker sections were indulging in drugs. Panellist, Fr Dr Joe said predictive risk factors such as behaviour, affect and temperament, peer group, genetics, sex, family ecology, community environment and mental health are some factors which may drive a person into drug use. He said 90 percent with addiction problem start using it in their teens or young adult years. Fr Dr Joe said general factors such as - too little parental supervision and monitoring, lack of communication and interaction between parents and

AR jawans, youths carrying out awareness campaign at Shamator. (DIPR)

children, poorly defined or communicated family/home rules about drug use, family conflicts like inconsistent or excessively severe discipline and parental permissiveness towards adolescent alcohol and drug use or parental alcoholism or drug use - may place a teen a risk. Fr Dr Joe said teenagers with following mental or emotional tendencies may be at increased risk – diagnosis of ADHD, medical history of anxiety or disruptive disorder, depression or bipolar disorder which may appear after substance abuse begins, poor academic achievement, abnormal socialization between the ages of 7 and 9, which means parents or peers who behave in ways not acceptable to most people for instance, having parents who abuse drugs, high need for sensation seeking or engaging in physically risky or dangerous behaviours, impul-

siveness, psychological distress and difficulty in maintaining emotional stability. Speaking on ways to prevent drug abuse, Fr. Dr Joe said certain conditions and circumstances make some people more vulnerable to addiction than others and therefore such situations should be identified and avoided. “Prevention and intervention programs that use research based, comprehensive, culturally relevant, social resistance skills training and normative education in an active schoolbased learning format is recommended”, said Fr Dr Joe. He further added that prevention programs should address all forms of drug abuse, alone or in combination, including underage use of legal drugs like tobacco, illegal drugs like alcohol, marijuana or heroin, and the appropriate use of legally obtained substances like inhal-

ADC Tseminyu notifies on traffic regulations

Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Dhansiripar block conducted training on “scientific management of fall army worm for maize production” on June 22 for the Self Help Groups at Selouphe village with ATMA Dimapur AO & BTT convener, Arenjungla as the resource person.

TSM reiterates appeal for SDO (C) post

national highway/main road between the LPG gas agency area (main road junction) and the Bank of Baroda of Tseminyu new town on all days; the wider roadside portion of the highway from LPG gas agency areas towards Tseminyu old Town may be utilized as alternative parking spots for the heavy vehicles; loading/unloading of goods/materials on/ from vehicles alongside the main Town shall not be permitted during the day such loading/unloading should be completed by 8 a.m.; other vehicles park haphazardly that obstructs/tends to obstruct the smooth flow of traffic. ADC has warned that any vehicles owner/driver found in contravention of the above regulations shall be liable to be fined/booked under appropriate provisions of the law.

nagalandpost.com Poll

COVID-19 vaccination, testing continues across state

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A B C

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

75% 24% 1%

Next poll Q: Amid pandemic, should

Govt slash fuel prices?

CMO Dimapur medical team collecting random samples at Notun Bosti, Saturday.

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 27

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Partly sunny, a stray t-storm

32 26

Aizawl

A morning t-storm in the area 27 21

Guwahati A t-storm around in the a.m. Imphal

Rain and drizzle in the p.m.

33 26 29 22

Itanagar Mostly cloudy with a t-storm 30 24 Shillong

A morning t-storm in spots

24 19

Kohima

A heavy t-storm in the p.m.

25 19

Dimapur A stray morning thunderstorm 33 25

Cloudy with a thunderstorm

26 20

Tuensang Cloudy with a thunderstorm

20 16

Mkg Wokha

A p.m. t-storm in spots

Zunheboto Cloudy with a thunderstorm

K Y M C

26 22 23 18

DIMAPUR: Department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) along with respective District Task Force (DTF) for COVID-19 have been organising awareness programme, vaccination drives and random sampling to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Despite efforts to sensitise people on the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccine, several districts raised concern over the public reluctance to get vaccinated. Vaccination drive at Pungro: Pungro administration and medical team conducted a vaccination drive Saturday at Pungro

town on 26th June 2021. According to DIPR report, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC)Pungro, Abhinav Shivam said due to rumours and misinformation on social media people are reluctant to avail vaccine. In order to clear the doubts and fears of the people’s mind, Shivam said the administration and medical team have been conducting aggressive sensitisation program and vaccination drive. He lauded the medical team and village leaders for the constant support and cooperation during the vac-

cination drive. Random sampling at Notun Basti: A medical team from the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dimapur carried out random sampling of COVID-19 Saturday at Notun Bosti Colony, bazar junction, Dimapur. In a press release, NotunBosti Council Dimapur (NBCD) informed that the team collected 63 samples from shopkeepers, vendors, pharmacies and other business outlets. House sealed at Pughoboto: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Pughoboto, Thungchanbemo

ants, prescription medications or over the counter drugs. After the panellists made their presentations a question hour was held with the participation of invitees and stakeholders. (Correspondent) Shamator Bn: On the occasion of International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Assam Rifles (AR), Shamator battalion and Regional Rural Development Agency in association with Yimchungrü Baptist Borü Amukhungto (YBBA) carried out awareness campaign against “drugs abuse” Saturday at Shamator, Tuensang. IRCA Prodigals’ Home: Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts/Alcoholics (IRCA) under Prodigals’ Home also commemorated the day by organising a programme Saturday at its premises, Murise Village, Dimapur

NSCN (I-M) nabs one with drugs

ANPSTA on alleged ‘backdoor appointment’ DIMAPUR: All Nagaland PreSer vice Teachers Association (ANPSTA) has expressed shock over what it described as “disarray” in the state department of school education regarding alleged “appointment made through backdoor” and said that the in sincerity of the school education department and the state government has “demoralized” the deserving trained teachers. In a press release, ANPSTA president Khriekuo Miario and general secretary Botika A Sumi expressed dismay that alleged “backdoor appointment” of about 1803 teacher posts, mostly untrained teachers, have been made. ANPSTA said backdoor appointment was the reason why education system in the state was lagging behind and jeopardizing the future of student community. It questioned on what grounds were the deserving candidates deprived of their rights while untrained backdoor appointees continue to enjoy the privilege they did not deserve. ANPSTA urged the department and the state government to take “equitable fair decision” and give credit where it was due. It also urged the state government and the department to advertise 166 primary teacher posts lying vacant as per RTI. The association also demanded appointment of B.Ed and D.EL.Ed trainees through fair means. ANPSTA cautioned that any attempt to “circumvent their rights” the association would take democratic action, which would be borne by the department.

News in Brief

Kohima DPDB meeting: Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting has been convened on June 29, 10 a.m. at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima. All members have been asked to attend the meeting. ZSUN new office bearers: Zeme Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has elected new office bearers for the tenure 2022-2023 led by Pauchilei Newme as president and Arei Pame as general secretary.

The apprehended person.

DIMAPUR: NSCN/GPRN (Union Territory) has nabbed one person identified as Sonu Kuma Chaudhary resident of Lahorijan, Assam and recovered 600 tablets of Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine drugs from his possession. In a press release, NSCN/GPRN UT secretary Ahuka T Yepthomi informed that on receiving information of illegal transaction of drugs, at Burma Camp area, Dimapur, UT staff under the directive of Tungoe has informed that CAO UT swung into action House No.20 at Shitulu- and nabbed Sonu. ghu Colony Pughoboto has been sealed with immediate effect. It has been informed that all movement of persons within the sealed area was strictly prohibited. Any persons violating this containment measures will be liable to prosecution, warned the ADC. Meeting on COVID19 in Peren: In view of the rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the district and the urgent need for taking necessary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren, Sentiwapang Aier, in partial modification of its earlier notice, has convened a meeting on June 28, 12 noon at the Conference Hall of DCPeren. According to DIPR report, All District Task Force on COVID-19 members; all district COVID19 vaccination committee members; all executive secretary/secretary/president/head of apex faithbased organisation under Peren district; all president/ general secretary of apex tribal organisations under Peren district; Zeliangrong Students Union, Nagaland and ZMO have been asked to send one representative to the meeting.

was not met. In a press release, TSM president, Moanuksung Hoki and secretary, Chuba Pongen said that an appeal was made to state government for the post as citizens have been facing lot of hardships on account

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

of this ongoing pandemic and border issues. However, TSM lamented that till date the “designated officer was not present at the posting place” due to which “civil and administrative works are paralysed”.

DIMAPUR: In an effort to facilitate smooth traffic movement and regulations in the town roads, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Tseminyu, W. ManpaiPhom has issued traffic regulations to be effective from June 28 onwards. According to DIPR report, the ADC has notified that parking of heavy vehicles in Tseminyu New Town alongside the national highway/arterial roads as well as loading/unloading of goods from/on vehicles along such roads during the day time causes avoidable traffic jams and space congestions, thereby hampering smooth traffic movement and regulation. Therefore, the following regulations are hereby laid down for strict compliance by all concerned:Heavy vehicles shall not be parked alongside the stretch of

DIMAPUR: Tzurangkong Senso Mungdang (TSM) while reiterating its appeal for a post of Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) at Merangmen Block, Tzurangkong cautioned that it would be compelled to take “alternative action” if the demand

Q . : Should Modi govt release more money to people to improve the economy?

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

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Over 90 pc Covid-19 cases in M’laya of ‘Delta variants’

Correspondent

SHILLONG, JUN 26: More than 90 percent Covid-19 cases detected in Meghalaya, as per genomesequencing samples are of “delta variants (variants of concern), which should in itself be reason for caution and extra precaution by everyone to safeguard themselves and their loved ones”, principal secretary Health and Family Welfare department, Sampath Kumar has cautioned. In a notification issued on Saturday, Kumar said the State has been putting in the best efforts to ramp up vaccination considering the surge in the cases. “With the anticipated ‘Third Wave’ of the pandemic, the welfare of the people should be considered of prime importance. It

is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that adequate care is exercised as per the health advisories which are validated by thorough research and scientific validation,” he said. “It is also inevitable that return to normalcy and the gradual easing of the lock-down measures are being considered in the interest of the livelihood of the people and the economy in general. It is of utmost importance that the individual or persons from each household who are venturing outside to work to earn their livelihoods be made to understand the importance of getting themselves vaccinated and maintain Covid protocols,” Kumar underscored. The top health official advised all State Government employees and all those working in various

establishments to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest, adding that they are “expected to led by example so as to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19”. This measure is also to help in the reduction of widespread infection amongst co-workers and their clients /reduce the severity of cases even if there is a case of vaccine breach, which is of minimal percentage as per data,” Kumar pointed out. “Even after vaccination, the cardinal principles of COVID protocols (wearing of mask; maintaining social distance and hand hygiene) are to be followed diligently till achievement of ‘herd immunity for COVID-19’ by vaccinating the entire eligible population of the State,” he emphasized.

northeast Tripura extends COVID curfew till July 2 AGARTALA, JUN 26 (PTI): The Tripura government has extended the COVID curfew from 2 pm to 5 am in Agartala and 10 other urban local bodies (ULBs) till July 2, a notification said. The restrictions, first imposed on May 16 and then repeatedly extended, were scheduled to end on June 25. “The COVID curfew will remain in force in the jurisdiction of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and 10 other ULBs from June 25 to July 2,” the notification issued by Chief Secretary Kumar Alok on Friday said. The restrictions have also been imposed in the municipal councils of Mohanpur, Ranirbazar, Udaipur, Bishalgarh, Kumarghat, Kailashahar, Panisagar, Khowai, Belonia and Jirania Nagar Panchayat.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

Assam home guard promoted for honesty GUWAHATI, JUN 26 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday handed over the letter of appointment to Borsing Bey as a constable in the Assam Police, days after he displayed exemplary honesty as a home guard by refusing a bribe from drug dealers. While posted at a check gate in Karbi Anglong district, Bey had declined to accept a huge bribe offered by drug dealers and helped the administration recover narcotics valued at Rs 12 crore from a bus on Jun 21. Subsequently, the state Cabinet decided to appoint him as a constable in the state police. “The state government will continue to recognise honesty, integrity and bravery. Bey has shown exemplary courage and this will continue to inspire the rank and file of the Assam Police,” the chief minister said on the occasion.

Assam CM Himata Biswa Sarma inducts Borsing Bey for constable’s position in Assam Police, in Guwahati. (PTI)

The role of Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police, while a constable is a regular employee in the police force. The authorities decided to ceremonially hand over the appointment letter to Bey at the state secretariat here with a view to sending a positive message to the society, he said on the International Day

Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The society has a moral duty to safeguard the younger generation from the menace of drug abuse and due to the “zero tolerance attitude” adopted by the government, narcotic drugs worth Rs 135 crore were seized from different parts of the state in the last 45 days, Sarma said. Assam was earlier

used as a transit route by drug dealers and a big market was gradually developing. The government has given top priority to weed out the menace of drug abuse from the state so that the new generation can be saved, he said. Sarma asked Principal Secretary (Home) Neeraj Verma and Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to explore the feasibility of promoting home guard personnel and police constables who show exemplary performance on duty to the rank of Inspector of Police following due procedure. The chief minister said that his government has intensified operation against cattle smuggling and crimes against women and children and successfully busted many rackets. He said that several initiatives for strengthening the state police force as well as improving facilities for them have been initiated.

Out on parole, Akhil leaves for Jorhat to meet ailing mother BJP Meghalaya minister urges Assam CM to talk on boundary dispute

GUWAHATI, JUN 26 (PTI): Jailed legislator Akhil Gogoi, granted parole for two days by an NIA court, left for Jorhat on Saturday to meet his ailing mother after spending a night with his wife and son. After being granted parole on Friday afternoon, Gogoi stepped out of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for various ailments, late in the night. He spent the night at his rented residence in Guwahati with his wife and son who has recently recovered from COVID- 19. “I could not sleep at all. My son is very sad and disturbed. I spent the entire night with him,” Gogoi told reporters outside his residence before leaving for Jorhat, over 300 kms from Guwahati. “I cannot take him

The court allowed Gogoi to visit only his ailing mother in Jorhat and his son in Guwahati. (Photo: Mehdi Alom)

with me as I am going in a police escort,” said the Independent MLA from Sivasagar who scripted history by becoming the first jailed leader in Assam to win an assembly election. NIA special judge Pranjal Das, after hearing

a petition filed by Gogoi’s lawyers requesting permission for him to visit his family members in Guwahati and Jorhat, and the people of Sivasagar, granted him parole for 48 hours, which he could take according to his convenience.

The court allowed Gogoi to visit only his ailing mother in Jorhat and his son in Guwahati, but forbade him from meeting the people of his constituency due to the prevailing pandemic situation Released after 19 months in jail, the Raijor Dal president said the economic hardships the people are facing due to lockdowns also played on his mind last night. “Everyone should stop indulging in gimmicks and work to revive our economy. Everyone should pinch themselves and ask how they and others are managing to survive in this difficult situation,” he said The government should provide monetary help to all families without a fixed salary for the next three-six months as the failure to provide financial succour now could spell disaster for the

economy later, he added. Gogoi said he will spend Saturday night with his mother at their village home in the Jorhat district. He said that though he had asked permission to also visit his constituency Sivasagar but the court did not allow it. “With folded hands, I thank the people of Sivasagar. You have elected me from behind bars and created history. I hope I can be free soon and serve you,” he said. Gogoi, who was allowed to attend the legislative assembly only for a day to take oath as an MLA during its three-day session in May, said that he would raise the problems of his constituency in the forthcoming Budget session and work to get Sivasagar, the capital of the erstwhile Ahom dynasty, declared a historic town.

Mnp CM cautions against people not Rescued red panda released getting vaccinated against COVID-19 into wild in Arunachal

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 26: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday warned of imposing certain restrictions on people yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the state. He said that the state would start opening up offices and shops very soon and only those people who hold vaccination certificates would be allowed to come out and carry out buying and selling activities. Pointing out that mass vaccination is the most vital measure to fight the pandemic successfully, many mobile teams had also been formed to vaccinate as many people as possible,

he added. On the other hand, the chief minister claimed that the recovery rate in the state had significantly improved with around 4,000 patients recovered the previous day. The active cases had almost come down to half of the earlier and the death rate had also come down to single digit, he said. The chief minister was talking to the media after handing over eight ambulances to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) as a part of the government’s fight against COVID-19. Accomplishing the state government’s objective to provide three ambulances each to six ADCs of the

state, Singh handed over remaining eight ambulances to the ADCs as 2nd phase. The ambulances provided today consisted of one Advanced Life Support (ALS) each for all the six ADCs and one Basic Life Support (BLS) each for Senapati and Tamenglong ADCs. In the 1st phase, the chief minister had earlier handed over 10 ambulances on 16th of this month including two BLS each to the ADCs for four districts - Churachandpur, Chandel, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul. One BLS each has also been handed over to the ADCs of Tamenglong and Senapati districts.

ITANAGAR, JUN 26 (PTI): A red panda, rescued recently from a river in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, was released back to its natural habitat by forest officials on Saturday. The rare species of the animal was rescued from the Yargyap-Chu river in Mechukha sub-division of the district by Tony Mosing and Takar Kotin Mosu of Mechukha town, who spotted it clinging to a log, forest department sources said. The duo then handed over the red panda to the Mechukha Range Forest Officer (RFO) Tanga Murtem. The exotic animal was successfully released into

File photo of a red panda.

the wild on Saturday morning, the sources said. As a token of appreciation, the forest department gave cash awards to the rescuers, they said. State Assembly Speaker Pasang D Sona has lauded the efforts of the department and the two men who came to the animal’s rescue.

Northeast Covid-19 update 49 children among 232 new Manipur logs 561 Arunachal reports 266 new Covid cases JUN 26 followed by West Kameng COVID-19 patients in Mizoram new COVID cases ITANAGAR, (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh (41) and Lohit (25).

AIZAWL, JUN 26 (PTI): Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally crossed the 19,000-mark on Saturday as 232 more people, including 49 children, tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said. The fresh infections have pushed the state’s caseload to 19,091, it said. As many as 238 more people were cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,554, the bulletin said, adding there are now 4,448 active cases in the northeastern state. Aizawl district registered the highest number of fresh cases at 135, followed by Kolasib (24) and Lawngtlai (19). Nine new patients have travel history, while 223 fresh infections were detected during contact tracing, it K Y M C

said. Seventeen people in every 1,000 population in the second least populated state of the country have been infected so far. As per the 2011 Census, Mizoram has a population of 10.91 lakh. Eighty-nine people have succumbed to the infection in Mizoram to date, which means eight people in every 1 lakh population have died due to the disease. The recover y rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stands at 76.23 per cent, while the mortality rate is at 0.46 per cent. The state has thus far tested over 4.72 lakh samples for COVID-19 so far, including 4,043 in the last 24 hours. The single-day positivity rate stands at 5.75 per cent.

IMPHAL, JUN 26: The COVID-19 infection caseload of Manipur has increased to 67,317 on Saturday with the detection of 561 more positive cases over the past 24 hours. With 15 more patients succumbing to the COVID19 complication over the same period, the cumulative number of deaths due to the viral infection rose to 1108. The state health department, in its daily update report, said that 534 persons were discharged upon recovery today, taking the total number of recovered cases in the state to 60,529. The recovery rate of the state stood at 89.91% Currently, the state has 5,680 active cases. (Correspondent).

reported 266 new COVID19 cases on Saturday, taking the tally to 34,480, a senior health official said. Three more people died in the state, following which the toll rose to 165, he said. The Capital Complex Region reported the highest number of new cases at 55,

Correspondent

SHILLONG, JUN 26: Senior BJP leader and Meghalaya heath and family welfare minister Alexander LalooHek on Saturday called on Assam Chief Minister Himanta BiswaSarma in Guwahati and urged him to resume chief ministerial level talks to resolve the longpending boundary dispute between the two neighbouring States. “I called on Assam CM @himantabiswa today. I requested him to re-start CM level talk to resolve interstate boundary dispute at the earliest. We discussed on the need to strengthen health infrastructure in NE states,” Hek tweeted, as he tagged the PMO, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the CMO¬, Meghalaya in his

BJP appoints new chiefs of its Assam, Mnp units NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (PTI): The BJP on Saturday named Bhabesh Kalita and Sharda Devi as presidents of its Assam and Manipur units respectively. The appointments were made by BJP national president JP Nadda and come into immediate effect, party general secretary Arun Singh said in a statement. Kalita, who is a sitting MLA in the Assam assembly, will replace Ranjeet Kumar Dass, who became a minister in the newlyformed government in the state led by Himanta Biswa Sarma. The BJP had won the recently held assembly polls in Assam. The party has also changed its state unit head for Manipur, which is going to polls next year. Sharda Devi will succeed Saikhom Tikendra Singh, who succumbed to Covid last month.

post. The meeting between Hek, one of the two BJP legislators in Meghalaya and Assam chief minister Sarma, especially to discuss the Assam-Meghalaya boundary issue assumes significance given the fact that the Union home minister Amit Shah is expected to visit Meghalaya during the second week of the next month. During his last visit to Shillong on January 23 to chair the 69th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shah had urged all the states in the region to solve their boundary disputes by August 15, 2022, when the country will be celebrating 75 years of its Independence. He had urged all the states to hold discussions, especially with Assam, with which most of the states had

boundary issues with. Shah had also assured that inter-state boundary issues between the Northeastern states would be resolved soon. Assam and Meghalaya have at least 12 areas where there are boundary disputes among themselves and both states have adopted a policy in which one state cannot carry out developmental activities without informing the other The dispute has been there since 1972 after Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as a separate state. Chief ministers of both Assam and Meghalaya have met in the past as also their chief secretaries and consultations were held by the district administrators concerned and the police forces of the two states to resolve the problem.

Plans to employ Bodo youths in army, paramilitary, police NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (PTI): Plans are afoot to ensure that 10,000 Bodo youths in Assam get job in army, paramilitary forces and police in the next four years, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Pramod Boro said. Boro also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to launch special recruitment drive in BTC areas through the army and paramilitary forces for recruitment of Bodo youths. In a memorandum submitted to Shah on Friday, Boro said he had discussed the matter of recruitment of Bodo youths with the Additional Director General (Special Branch) of the Assam Police and representatives of the Defence Ministry and paramilitary forces.

“The BTC plans to set up sub-division-wise training facilities for next four years so that at least 10,000 Bodos join armed and paramilitary forces,” he said in the memorandum. The BTC chief also conveyed to Shah that representation of Bodo youths should be increased in the army, paramilitary forces and police and training should be organised to facilitate the process.

Of the new cases, 250 were detected through rapid antigen tests, nine through RT-PCR and seven through TrueNat methods, he said. There are 2,523 active cases in the state at present, he said. In the last 24 hours, 305 patients recovered. So far, 31,792 have recovered in the frontier state.

Sikkim logs 130 new COVID-19 cases GANGTOK, JUN 26 (PTI): Sikkim on Saturday reported 130 new COVID-19 cases, which took the tally in the state to 19,941, a health department bulletin said. The death toll rose to 301 as two more patients succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, it said. Of the new cases, 62 were registered in East Sikkim, 30 in West Sikkim, 22 in South Sikkim and 16 in North Sikkim. The Himalayan state now has 2,170 active cases, while 17,218 people have recovered from the disease, the bulletin said. Altogether, 252 coronavirus-positive patients have migrated to other states.

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of BKU leader Tomar appeals to farmers to end stir; Cabinet reshuffle: 27 new ministers tipped News Rakesh Tikait’s NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): With the all-party meeting on J&K done and dusted, the impending Cabinet reshuffle has once again gathered pace. As many as 27 probables, including heavyweights Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sushil Modi, Sarbananda Sonowal, Narayan Rane and Bhupender Yadav could be part of the massive reshuffle of the Union Cabinet reportedly imminent. The new ministers in the Narendra Modi government, who are likely to be sworn in include former Congress heavyweight from Madhya Pradesh, Scindia, who is now in the BJP; former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi; senior BJP organisational heavyweights party general secretary, Bhupender Yadav from Rajasthan and Kailash Vijayvargiya, from Madhya Pradesh, who was in charge of the BJP campaign in West Bengal. BJP spokesperson and minority face Syed Zafar Islam is also tipped for a central government role. Also on the master list are former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and former Maharashtra CM

Narayan Rane, besides, Maharashtra Beed MP Pritam Munde and Gopinath Munde’s daughter is on the reshuffle candidates list. From Uttar Pradesh which is headed for ‘make or break’ elections for the BJP next year, BJP UP chief Swatantra Dev Singh, a certainty; Pankaj

Chaudhary, MP from Maharajganj, Varun Gandhi, and alliance partner, Anupriya Patel are among the probables. Rajya Sabha MP Anil Jain, Odisha MPs, Ashwini Vaishnaw and former Baijayant Panda; former Railway Minister from Bengal Dinesh Trivedi are

West Bengal fake vaccination: BJP leader demands probe Kolkata, Jun 26 (PTI): BJP MLA and leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has written to Union health ministry, demanding a probe by central agencies into a fake vaccination drive conducted in the city by a man who allegedly posed as an IAS officer. In a letter to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, the BJP leader alleged that the man, who was arrested after his drive was busted by the police, have “influence in the ruling party”. Adhikari claimed that Debanjan Deb, the main accused, held illegal vaccination camps in Kasba, Amherst Street and Sonarpur areas under the “watch of the local administration, including police and civic authorities”. “Hundreds of people have already been inoculated in these camps... While copies of Aadhaar cards were procured from the recipients in Kasba,

none of them received any certificate of vaccination. “The big question is - were these shots really Covishield vaccines as being claimed by the accused? If so, then this raises a big question on pilferage of COVID vaccines from the government stock and this cannot happen without complicity of top civic authorities. If these were not COVID vaccines, then immediate investigation needs to be done,” Adhikari said in the letter on Friday. The Kolkata Police arrested Deb (28) on Wednesday for allegedly posing as an IAS officer and organising a COVID-19 vaccination camp in Kasba area, and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the joint police commissioner (Crime). The SIT will investigate how the main accused organised COVID-19 vaccination camps where around 2000 people were suspected to have administered fake

India, Greece recognise threat of radicalisation, terrorism New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has held extensive talks with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias during which both sides recognised the threat posed by radicalisation, violent extremism as well as terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Greece that began on Friday. “Both sides had a comprehensive exchange of views on further consolidating the bilateral relations, which continue to deepen and expand rapidly,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in Delhi. It said the two sides noted with satisfaction the ongoing cooperation in several areas, such as, trade and investment, science and technology, culture, academics and people-topeople contact and agreed to work together to further enhance collaboration in these areas. The MEA said India and Greece agreed that the rule of law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are fundamental principles of international relations that must be observed by all. “Both countries recognised the threat posed

by radicalization, violent extremism, as well as terrorism, including cross border terrorism. They emphasized that there can be no justification for these in any form or manifestation,” it said.

doses, a senior officer had said. Actor and Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, who had taken her COVID-19 vaccine shot at one of the camps set up by Deb, was the first one to raise the alarm as she did not receive the customary SMS that is sent to people after they have taken the jab. “Public health frauds like this in the midst of a raging global pandemic are making common people skeptic... I sincerely urge you to order a thorough investigation by concerned central agencies into this vaccination fraud and punish the guilty. “An impartial investigation by central agencies, undaunted by any pressure from the state’s ruling party or the government, is the need of the hour to restore credibility of the entire COVID vaccination process in West Bengal,” Adhikari wrote to the Union health minister.

also on the list. Jain is also President of the All India Tennis Association. There is a sizeable contingent from Rajasthan, including former Union Minister in Modi government P.P. Choudhry, youngest MP from Rajasthan hailing from Churu, Rahul Kaswan and Sikar MP Sumedhanand Saraswati. The lone entrant from Delhi will be New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi. Amid the significant churn in Bihar, Pasupati Paras who rebelled against Chirag Paswan is likely getting a central berth from LJP, as are JDU nominations R.C.P. Singh and Santosh Kumar. Karnataka may well be represented by Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Gujarat BJP President C.R. Patil is moving to the government along with Ahmedabad West MP Kirit Solaki. From Haryana, Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal, a former Income Tax officer is also among the probables. Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal who impressed with his Parliament speech is also being considered.

arrest fake: DP

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): The Delhi Police said on Saturday that reports about the arrest of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait were fake. Police also said action will be taken against those spreading such fake news. “Fake news! News related to arrest of Rakesh Tikait is incorrect. Pl stay away from such fake news/tweets. Action will be taken for spreading such false news/tweets,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Priyanka Kashyap tweeted. BKU media in-charge Dharmendra Malik also said that Tikait was not arrested. “Tikait was not arrested by police. He’s still at the Ghazipur protest site where demonstration is underway against the farm laws. No conflict situation at the protest site,” Malik said. The Delhi Police on Saturday tightened security arrangements across the borders of the national capital in view of the anticipated protest march by the farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws.

farmers mark 7 months of agitations

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, JUN 26 (PTI): As their agitation against the new agri laws completed seven months, farmers tried to march to governors’ residence in several states on Saturday even as Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to them to end their stir and offered to resume talks on the provisions of the three legislations. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions protesting at various Delhi border points, claimed that farmers were detained in states like Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana during the protests. Terming Tomar’s recent statements as “perplexing and contradictory”, it asserted that farmer leaders are not seeking some “meaningless amendments” in the central farm laws which have “fundamental flaws” and urged the people “to punish the BJP”. Security was tightened in the national capital and other cities after the SKM said that representatives of

BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait rides a tractor at Ghazipur border in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

farmers will submit memoranda of their demands, addressed to the President, to governors in various states. Hundreds of farmers from interiors of Uttar Pradesh, many of them on tractors, reached Ghazipur on Delhi’s borders to mark the completion of seven months of the protest. Led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, a group of protesters submitted a memorandum of their demands at the office of DCP Northeast Delhi after a virtual meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. The far mers then

called off their march to Delhi, BKU media incharge Dharmendra Malik said. “The memorandum included our demands for the withdrawal of the three new farms laws and for enacting a new law to ensure guarantee for MSP,” he told PTI. Farmers from several parts of Haryana gathered at Gurdwara Nada Sahib in Haryana’s Panchkula and headed towards Haryana Raj Bhavan, forcing their way through a layer of barricades, but were stopped at the Chandigarh-Panchkula border where the state police had deployed water cannon and trucks.

NCB busts intl Delta Plus variant: Jammu’s CJI writes to law minister to resolve poor digital connectivity drug syndicate biggest grain market shut New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad seeking steps to resolve the poor digital connectivity in rural, tribal, remote and hilly areas that is “adversely impacting the pace of justice delivery”. The CJI referred to the digital divide and said that “a whole generation of lawyers is being pushed out of the system” due to the technological inequality. He was speaking during the release of a book, ‘Anomalies in Law and Justice’, authored by former Supreme Court Judge Justice R V Raveendran in a virtual function here. During the course of the panel discussion that followed the launch of the book, he informed that the matter of connectivity figured prominently in the two-day conference of chief justices of high courts that he had held recently. “The poor connectivity in rural, tribal, remote and hilly areas is

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NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday said that it has busted a drug trafficking syndicate operating over darknet. The syndicate was supplying drugs to international markets with the use of multi cryptocurrencies, said an NCB official, adding that they even used internet pharmacy as method. The official said that the syndicate were operating nine websites all registered in geographical space beyond India. He said that the syndicate is spread across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in India and having tentacles in US, UK, Canada and Philippines. The official pointed out that the destination of the consignments were primarily to US, UK, Europe and other countries. Highlighting the payment method, the official said that multi crypto currencies used and bitcoin had major share in the transactions.

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Jammu, Jun 26 (PTI): The biggest grain market in Jammu wore a deserted look on Saturday as the local traders’ body decided to continue the weekend lockdown amid the detection of the first case of COVID-19 Delta Plus variant in the province. The Jammu and Kashmir administration on June 20 announced the lifting of the weekend curfew from eight districts, including Jammu, owing to a significant improvement in Covid-19 situation. All shops and business establishments in the Nehru Market and adjoining areas including Asia Chowk and Vikram chowk remained closed in response to the call given by Traders Federation Ware House Nehru Market. “We have decided to continue the weekend lockdown for the next three weeks as a precautionary measure in view of the detection of the first Delta Plus variant case

and the apprehension of the third wave,” the federation president Deepak Gupta said. On June 23, the principal of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Shashi Sudhan Sharma said the first case of the Delta Plus variant, classified as variant of concern, was detected in Katra township of Reasi district. Gupta hailed the efforts of the Union Territory administration in bringing down the curve of daily case count and deaths but said “we all should take extra care and strictly follow the SOPs to win this war against COVID-19.” “Although administration has lifted the weekend lockdown and allowed us to open shops for the whole week, as a responsible trade organisation, we have decided to continue the weekend lockdown for the next three weeks,” he said.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 201 Dimapur, SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

Tragedy and humanity

t will take many months to gauge how devastating the Covid pandemic has been, to the world, in terms of loss of human lives, complicating health of people and wrecking the entire economies. Despite huge advancements in technology and discoveries in the fields of health and medicine, the 21st century world proved how unprepared it was to defeat the deadly virus-Covid-19 which originated from Wuhan, China. Scientists believe that the Wuhan virus did not originate naturally but was artificially ‘engineered’ at the Wuhan Institute of Virology by manipulating the RNA. The virus eventually turned out to be the Frankenstein of the century. And as it began to infect more and more people, it also began to mutate into various strains which became more and more deadly. Even as the second wave appears to decline, predictions of a third wave is certainly like a portent of bad things to come. If the pandemic has been all about tragedy, it has also been about people coming together at their time of tragedy. People realised that, generating an understanding that health is interlinked as all of us are vulnerable. This is perhaps unprecedented in a world where being self centred means survival. Because of the terrible crisis caused by the ever evolving or mutating virus for which, medical science was still trying to figure out the panacea for Covid-19; the sum of all the feelings of helplessness drove people to do whatever possible, to mitigate the suffering of those afflicted with the virus. Even amidst the global crisis caused by the pandemic, the situation triggered enormous displays of pro-social behaviour with people volunteering to support front-line workers, including doctors, nurses, and other health-care personnel, whose responsibilities expose them at risk of infection. Since last year and till presently, the media has been rightly giving space to highlight the bravery of medical teams, who worked long hours to treat Covid patients. In fact over 500 doctors lost their lives including noted specialists while on covid duty across India. Some 150 nurses and around 200 health workers have also lost their lives to covid in India. Many more doctors continue to suffer from long term effects of covid. The other aspect of the virus is that though it does not discriminate, yet the haves not were the worst sufferers in terms of not being able to afford treatment costs, dwindling incomes or loss of jobs. Those with resources, money, power, have better access to health care. Since the valiant efforts of medical teams, who are at the forefront of the war against covid are duly recognised including the second line of defence- the frontline workers- who have ensured that medical teams are provided with logistical support; it is also necessary to acknowledge the contributions of many individuals, churches and communities. In Nagaland such as in Dimapur, individuals, churches and communities have been doing a wonderful job of providing meals and materials to medical teams and frontline workers including medicines and cash to the covid patients in need. Such charitable works have made a big impact on the medical teams and covid patients. These are reminders that people realise that when they have compassion they can make the biggest difference. Healthy people and a healthy world are both strengthened immeasurably by having compassion at the heart of health.

DailyDevotion Drawing on the Grace of God— Now We…plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. —2 Corinthians 6:1 The grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today. Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed. “…in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses”— that is where our patience is tested (2 Corinthians 6:4). Are you failing to rely on the grace of God there? Are you saying to yourself, “Oh well, I won’t count this time”? It is not a question of praying and asking God to help you— it is taking the grace of God now. We tend to make prayer the preparation for our service, yet it is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the practice of drawing on the grace of God. Don’t say, “I will endure this until I can get away and pray.” Pray now — draw on the grace of God in your moment of need. Prayer is the most normal and useful thing; it is not simply a reflex action of your devotion to God. We are very slow to learn to draw on God’s grace through prayer. “…in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors…” (2 Corinthians 6:5)— in all these things, display in your life a drawing on the grace of God, which will show evidence to yourself and to others that you are a miracle of His. Draw on His grace now, not later. The primary word in the spiritual vocabulary is now. Let circumstances take you where they will, but keep drawing on the grace of God in whatever condition you may find yourself. One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on the grace of God is that you can be totally humiliated before others without displaying even the slightest trace of anything but His grace. “…having nothing….” Never hold anything in reserve. Pour yourself out, giving the best that you have, and always be poor. Never be diplomatic and careful with the treasure God gives you. “…and yet possessing all things”— this is poverty triumphant (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Quotes

Work is much more fun than fun. ~ Noel Coward

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

Post-mortem

MSMEs: Key to an inclusive Twitter and expression and sustainable recovery S T 27 June is Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

he recent pandemic has brought many challenges to small and medium industries around the world. We have seen that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have been contributing to the progress of many countries. Global data says that 600 million jobs will be needed by 2030 to absorb the growing global workforce, which makes SME development a high priority for many governments around the world. In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which create 7 out of 10 jobs. Increasing annual investments in small and medium-sized enterprises by $1 trillion would yield disproportionate dividends in terms of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Among the private sector, Micro-, Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women, youth, ethnic minorities and migrants, suffered the most due to the pandemic. An International Trade Centre survey on COVID-19 impact among businesses in 136 countries has shown that nearly 62% of women-led small businesses have been strongly affected by the crisis, compared to just over half of firms led by men, and women-owned are 27% more likely not to survive the pandemic. Formal and informal MSMEs make up over 90% of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP. As such, they are key actors in

achieving a green recovery. India has approximately 6.3 crore MSMEs. The number of registered MSMEs grew 18.5% Y-o-Y to reach 25.13 lakh (2.5 million) units in 2020 from 21.21 lakh (2.1 million) units in 2019. The Indian MSMEs sector contributes about 29% towards the GDP through its national and international trade. According to the ministry of MSME the definition of micro, small and medium is as follows: ⮚ Micro : Manufacturing Enterprises and Enterprises rendering Services Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment: Not more than Rs.1 crore and Annual Turnover not more than Rs. 5 crore ⮚ Small: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment: Not more than Rs.10 crore and Annual Turnover not more than Rs. 50 crore ⮚ Medium: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment: Not more than Rs.50 crore and Annual Turnover not more than Rs. 250 crore The General Assembly of the United Nations declared 27 June Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy. In 2021, the theme is “MSME 2021: key to an inclusive and sustainable recovery.” As micro, small and medium-sized enterprises emerge stronger from the aftermath of COVID-19, the United Nations and its partners

celebrate the pivotal role that these resilient entrepreneurs play in strengthening the global economy. Achieving the SDGs and an economy that is greener and fairer requires resilient and flourishing MSMEs everywhere. This sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades. MSMEs not only play a crucial role in providing large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost than large industries but also help in industrialization of rural & backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. MSMEs are complementary to large industries as ancillary units and this sector contributes enormously to the socio-economic development of the country. Pandemic has also brought opportunity for the MSME sector. It is the time to be more self-reliant and ‘Make in India’ more reality instead of getting things from outside. Entrepreneurs can take up an opportunity and explore support from government and other business houses to enter into MSME and make their dream come true. This day gives us an opportunity to focus on the same and MSME can truly help us in recovery as we have suffered due to the pandemic. Ranjan K Baruah (With direct input from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

ocial Media - a buzzword in millennial circles and often the recipient of government’s fury. The usefulness of platforms like Twitter and Facebook is undeniable and they have also contributed to the advancement of democracy and fundamental rights like freedom of expression, movement, trade and profession. However, a single platform cannot become the sole arbiter of these rights. As India cracks down on microblogging sites for their noncompliance with its newest pursuit to mitigate false information, Twitter finds itself caught in the crossfire. Twitter lost its status as an intermediary platform along with its coveted legal shield for third party content for failure to comply with new IT rules. India’s wrath has been specifically directed towards Twitter as it is the only platform that has not adhered to the new laws. It remains to be seen whether this development will leave a permanent scar or be lifted once Twitter adheres to the rules. The government and Twitter have been at loggerheads owing to the latter’s compliance issues with rules that mandate platforms to increase due diligence and vigilance with respect to objectionable content and be held accountable for the same. Pursuant to Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, any intermediary shall not be held legally or otherwise liable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted on its platform. Simply put, this means that a platform is safe from any legal prosecution brought upon due to the message being transmitted from point A to point B as long as a platform acts just as the messenger and without interfering with its content in any manner. In addition to this, Twitter collects data, influences public perception, and opinions through algorithms that decide what people will see and listen to. Thus, the platform is known to selectively push content on the basis of user activity, profile, demographic attributes, etc. This has been construed by many as a deliberate manipulation of information flow,

albeit under the guise of better user experience, and is considered nothing but colonisation of digital space. It is common knowledge that several social media platforms may have violated governing legislations under the guise of freedom of speech and expression, thus necessitating a dire need for laws that address the evolving problems pertaining to questionable third-party content on these platforms. The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021’ is a “soft-touch oversight” mechanism to deal with issues such as persistent spread of fake news, abuse of these platforms to share morphed images of women, and contents related to revenge porn or to settle corporate rivalries. Evidently, these Rules are neither full-proof in curbing the root cause of the problem nor keeping up with the changing shades of offences being committed thereon. The IT Act and Rules, although well-intentioned, do not bring adequate clarity on the responsibilities of intermediaries along with third parties and users. The policy guidelines were introduced to address content that goes directly against guidance on Covid-19 from authoritative sources of global and local public health information. Thus, Twitter was quite emphatically trying to curb misinformation that is so prevalent on the microblogging sites these days. But misinformation labeling is not the only topic that is the Achilles’ heel. The new rules dictate that a company like WhatsApp and Twitter should be able to track down the ‘first originator’ of any objectionable article that Indian government deems threatening to internal security. It goes without saying that striking a balance between freedom of speech and penalizing intermediaries for overlooking their responsibilities is the need of the hour. Sonam Chandwani (The writer is Managing Partner at KS Legal & Associates. The views expressed are personal.)

Solution on the basis of AP & spirit of 1951 Naga Plebiscite: WC

God bless Nagaland! 917 Naga Labour Corps (NLC): The fixed on destroying Nagaland economi- decades against neighbouring peoples and tribes of Nagaland numbering two cally, culturally and socially, criminalising nations. N. Kitovi Zhimomi The “Agreed Position” between GoI thousand men, all fit and strong, sailed the Naga cause after twenty four years of Convener, WC, NNPGs & and WC, NNPGs corrected the historical to European theatre of war to assist the chameleon-like narrative. Gen. Secy. GPRN/NSCN. Allies. A year later, the enlightened WWI After the formation of the NNC in and political blunder and vacuum created Zhopra Vero NLC returnees imagined the concept of 1946, it became the bounden duty of every by FA when GoI Interlocutor Mr. R.N Co-Convener, WC & Naga nationalism. The formation of Naga household to contribute voluntarily to the Ravi, who had earlier signed FA in 2015 KedalloNNC/FGN. Club in 1918aroused the spirit of political Naga movement. 1951 plebiscite was a with IM, recognised, “...the right of the Y Wangtin Naga activism and nationalism, which culminated clarion call to all Nagas to be aware of our Nagas to self determine their future in Co-Convener, WC & consonance with their distinct identity...” into submitting of memorandum to British historical rights in our respective domains. President NSCN (Reformation) Statutory Commission in 1929. By 1947, it It was an unwritten agreement among tribes while all matters would be resolved with Z Hozheto Chophy was crystal clear, the political struggle had and villagers that voluntary contribution due regard to contemporary political realiCo-Convener, WC & begun. Naga self determination issue was and donation towards the political move- ties. This has allowed the WC to meet our Gen. Secy., NNC/NPGN a vision and guiding light. ment would be sought and granted. Today neighbours like Meiteis, Kukis and Ahoms. In the light of the historical truth, Naga plebiscite is cited like a licence, a bus NNPGs have begun healing process in the Kiumukam Yimchunger the 3rdAugust 2015 Framework Agree- ticket for many to travel to Nagaland and neighbourhood. WC, NNPGs is the child of Co-Convener WC & ment (FA) says, “The Indo-Naga political threaten, intimidate, blackmail and take the Naga tribes and civil societies. It does President, NNC/GDRN struggle is about six decades...” this opening advantage of the generosity of the tribes. not believe in threats and intimidations. As Toshi Walling line of FA put a damp blanket upon four 1951 Plebiscite establishes Naga eth- long as WC, NNPGs and GoI work on to Co-Convener, WC & eventful decades of Naga political struggle. nicity in principle. It, however, cannot be finalise honourable and acceptable political Gen. Secy., NNC (Parent Body) solution for future Naga generations, the The GoI, of course, eagerly arranged TV misinterpreted to ignore current political Isak Sumi channels to record the moment wherein a and administrative boundaries, artificial or pledge and spirit of 1951 plebiscite will Co-Convener, WC & signatory accepted and put pen to paper otherwise, to destroy the livelihood of our guide our people to assist and sustain the Gen. Secy, NSCN/GPRN(K) movement. that the issue is “about six decades old” people through forceful taxation. and that he understands and appreciates Although our aspiration remains, at the “intricacies of the Indian system”. present the GoI has ruled out Naga IntegraHistory will not blame entire IM setup tion. This reality was admitted by Mr. Th. for this debacle because it was orchestrated Muivah on 29thFeb. 2012 at Agri Expo, by a group within the leadership. 1955 was Grounds Dimapur. ore than 30 per cent public health of a mental health condition was among roughly the year when few Manipuri Nagas Either he was lying to 50,000 Naga workers have reported symptoms young workers below 29 years (47.4 per joined the Naga political movement. During people in attendance or revealing the of depression, anxiety, post- cent) and transgender or nonbinary persons WWI many Manipuri Nagas joined Ma- truth! GoI and WC, NNPGs have agreed traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), because of all ages (65.5 per cent) and those being nipuri Labour Corps.They returned home that Naga integration would be pursued of the prolonged demand for responding unable to take time off from work. Most (92.6 per cent) respondents with bronze MLC medals on their chests. democratically post solution. For this to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a They were not part of the Naga Club, they each NNPG has reviewed and formulated study by the US Centers for Disease Control reported working directly on Covid-19 response activities; the majority (59.2 per were not signatory to Simon Commission, own no taxation policy outside Nagaland and Prevention (CDC). To evaluate mental health condi- cent) worked more 41 hours in a typical they were not engaged on 14th Aug.1947 state. Concerning Nagaland, it is the event. They did not take part in 1951 people’s general sense of responsibility and tions among the health care workers, the week since March 2020. Workers who plebiscite. This is a reality. Naturally, Naga understanding of issue at hand. After all agency conducted a nonprobability-based could not take time off had a two-fold political struggle, to them is six decades or “Agreed Position” (AP) is a reaffirmation online survey during March 29 to April greater risk of reporting at least one men16, 2021. Among 26,174 respondents, 53 tal health condition than those who could less, counting from 1955 to FA 2015. They and extension of 1951 plebiscite. knew their chronology well and did not go The tribes of Nagaland, NGBF, FNR, per cent reported symptoms of at least one take time off. “The prevalence of all four mental beyond sixty years. For Nagaland tribes, NTC, CNTC, NBCC, and all naga civil mental health condition in the preceding 2 the serious political strategy had begun in societies and intellectuals, demanded and weeks. About one in three each reported health outcomes and the severity of symp1918. It is obvious that NSCN IM decision assisted in bringing together seven NNPGs symptoms of depression (32.0 per cent), toms of depression or PTSD increased as anxiety (30.3 per cent), PTSD (36.8 per the percentage of work time spent directly makers had taken every measure to erase as Working Committee (WC). The political cent), while nearly 10 per cent reported of on Covid-19 response activities and number political events which their fathers did not talks with the GoIhas concluded. On the planning suicide. of work hours in a typical week increased,” participate in. Legitimacy over any matter, basis of the Agreed position signed with The highest prevalence of symptoms the CDC said. (IANS feature) let alone taxation, must have historical and GoI on 17thNov. 2017, after three years moral basis. of negotiations, a status paper is available The FA document is therefore hap- and all Naga tribes and civil societies have hazard and historically inaccurate. It col- been briefed on the political structure of lapses on its own weight of distortion and impending solution. contradictions. It cannot stand the test of WC, NNPGs will say this to those history. Thankfully Naga history neither claiming legitimacy of Naga cause. Never resides in one paper nor owned by a group teach the tribes of Nagaland the history of people. of their struggle. The political movement The British forcefully imposed and col- their fathers and grandfathers established. Sir, With the vaccination drives being carried out diligently, we think we are safe after lected tax on Nagas without any regret or Do not talk about historical events that remorse because they foresaw no future in you or your fathers did not take part in. being vaccinated. However, our lack of understanding the very connotations that vaccines the Indian subcontinent. Ironically today, a You have no moral right or authority. A do not guarantee the safety of one’s life has led to the detection of far more positive Naga group declaring they will enforce and branch cannot teach the root how to merge cases. Being vaccinated does not mean we are safe. Vaccines are just shields and if one does not practice adequate preventive measures, we are bound to get infected. continue imposing taxing on Naga people, with the soil. The need of the hour is to wear masks, sanitize, practice social distancing and if Today, Nagaland is threatened on all as a blunt response to GoI opinion on tax, is senseless, contemptuous and an insult sides by once friendly neighbours. They possible try as much as you can to avoid going outdoors. Therefore as sensible humans, to heavily burdened Nagas in Nagaland. have become sworn enemies due to the let us all try to be a little bit more cautious and alert. Noticeably there is a mindset and policy destructive acts and deeds committed in Akum Ao, Dimapur 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.

1 in 3 health workers have depression, PTSD: CDC

Reader’s Post Need of the hour

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

BJP demands Kejriwal’s apology PM Modi reviews Ayodhya development plan Delhiover ‘oxygen mismanagement’

PM Narendra Modi during a meeting on Ayodhya development plan, via video conferencing in New Delhi. (PTI)

aspects of Ayodhya’s development. The prime minister was informed about various upcoming and proposed infrastructure projects to improve connectivity with Ayodhya and various projects like airport, expansion of railway station, bus station, roads and highways were discussed, the PMO said. An upcoming greenfield township was discussed which includes lodging fa-

RBI bars MPs, MLAs from holding MD post in co-op banks NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): In a crackdown on political interference, the Reserve Bank of India has barred MPs, MLAs and members of municipal corporations or other local bodies from holding the office of managing director (MD) or whole-time director (WTD) in urban cooperative banks. These directions are applicable to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs). The RBI had exempted UCBs with a deposit size of less than Rs 100 crore from the requirement of seeking prior approval of the Reserve Bank for appointment / reappointment / termination of appointment of MDs or WTDs. Under the propriety criteria, the person to be nominated as MD or WTD shall not be engaged in any other business or vocation; shall not hold the position of a Member of Parliament or state legislature or municipal corporation or municipality or other local bodies; and shall not be a director of any company other than a company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. In addition, he shall not be a partner of any firm which carries on any trade, business or industry; should not have substantial interest in any company or

firm as defined in Section 5 (ne) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulations Act, 1949; and shall not be a director, manager, managing agent, partner or proprietor of any trading, commercial or industrial concern. In addition, the person should not be of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; should not be an undischarged insolvent; should not be convicted by a criminal court of an offence involving moral turpitude; and should not be a director of any other co-operative bank or a cooperative credit society. The person shall submit a self-declaration form on personal integrity. While the exempted UCBs are not required to obtain prior approval, they are required to formulate a board approved policy based on all the other provisions of these directions for appointment / re-appointment / termination of appointment of MD or WTD. These banks shall immediately report the appointment / re-appointment / termination of appointment of MD or WTD to the respective regional offices (Department of Supervision, Central Office, in case of UCBs under jurisdiction of Mumbai office) of the Reserve Bank.

cilities for devotees, space for ashrams, maths, hotels, bhavans of various states. A tourist facilitation centre and a world class museum will also be built, it said. “Ayodhya should manifest the finest of our traditions and the best of our developmental transformations,” the prime minister was quoted as saying at the meeting by the statement. Noting that Ayodhya is both spiritual and sublime,

Modi said. He called for the skills of talented youngsters to be leveraged in this development of the city, according to the PMO. The PMO also said special attention is being devoted to development of infrastructure aroun the Saryu river and its ghats. Cruise operations on the Saryu river will also be made a regular feature, it said. The city will be developed to ensure sustainability with adequate spaces for cyclists and pedestrians. Traffic management will also be done in a modern manner using Smart City infrastructure, according to the PMO. UP Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma and several other ministers of the UP government were present in the meeting. The prime minister had performed the ‘’bhoomi pujan’’ of a Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5 last year.

PUNE, JUN 26 (AGENCIES): Vaccine major Serum Institute of India (SII) is all set to start phase 2 and 3 paediatric trials of Covovax on 920 children — 460 each in the 12-17 and 2-11 age groups — from next month, reports Times of India. The recombinant nanoparticle protein-based vaccine —NVX-CoV2373 — developed by American biotechnology firm Novavax has been branded as Covovax in India. It will be the fourth Covid-19 vaccine to undergo clinical

trials for children in India. “We plan to begin the paediatric trials in 920 children across 10 sites next month after seeking permission from the DCGI (Drug Controller General of India),” SII’s owner and chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla told TOI. Bharati Hospital and KEM Hospital’s Vadu branch in Pune are among the10 sites where the children will undergo advanced trials. They would be followed up for six months after inoculating with two

doses of Covovax, given 21 days apart. According to the trial design, enrolment of children in the 12-17 age group would be done first, followed by the 2-11 age group, Poonawalla said. “We shall commence the trials in the reverse order of age. Children in the 12-17 age group will be given the shots first and later the 2-11 age group,” he said. SII will submit the interim trial findings on safety and immunogenicity after three months of the advanced clinical trial for

licensure. According to the latest guidelines of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the company can apply for a licence of the vaccine before the completion of the trials, based on the global test results. The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine among children. Healthy volunteers will receive two doses of Covovax 21 days apart. Seven days after the first dose for 25 participants (12-17 age group), safety

Goa-bound Rajdhani Express derails inside tunnel in Maha; no casualties

Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI): Goa-bound Rajdhani Express train from Hazrat Nizamuddin, with 309 passengers on board, derailed inside a tunnel in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra early on Saturday, but nobody was injured in the incident, officials said. The front wheel of the locomotive of the superfast special train - 02414 - that was going to Madgaon in Goa, derailed around 4.15 am in Karbude tunnel, approximately 325 kms from Mumbai, they said. The derailment led to disruption of railway traffic on the route, but it was restored within a few hours, the officials said.

A boulder had fallen on the tracks, which led to the derailment, a spokesperson of the Konkan Railway, which operates the route, said. “The front wheel of the locomotive of the Rajdhani superfast train derailed in Karbude tunnel located between Ukshi and Bhoke stations in Ratnagiri region of the Konkan Railway,” the official said. A rail maintenance vehicle (RMV) and an accident relief medical van (ARMV) with re-railing equipment were rushed to the spot for the restoration work, he said. “As many as 309 passengers were traveling in the train,” the Konkan Railway

said in a statement. The restoration work of the derailed train was completed and the track fit certificate was issued at 8.18 am, it said, adding that the express train began its journey towards Madgaon at 9.14 am. “Traffic on the Konkan Railway route was restored at 10.27 am,” the statement added. The Konkan Railway operates 756 km-long route between Roha near Mumbai and Thokur near Mangalore. This route, which is spread across three states - Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka - is one of the challenging terrains with many rivers, gorges and mountains.

FELICITATION

DP-2942

The Akuluto Area Union Dimapur (AAUD) conveys heartiest congratulations to Er. Hozheto Shikhu, on being promoted to Additional Chief Engineer, PWD (Road & Bridge), Govt. of Nagaland. The Union further wishes him the best in all his future endeavours. Y. Khenito Chishi Nihoyi Kinny President General Secretary OFFICE OF THE

Anil Deshmukh’s personal assistant Kundan Shinde being taken to a court by ED officials in Mumbai. (PTI)

ED office. Official sources said the agency may grant a fresh date to Deshmukh after going through the documents submitted by his lawyers. The central agency had arrested his personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde late last night after it carried out raids against them and Deshmukh in Mumbai and Nagpur. The aides were brought to the ED office for questioning following the searches and arrested subsequently. They will be produced before a special court for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Mumbai on

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta on Saturday demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s apology for “oxygen mismanagement” after a Supreme Court-appointed panel’s report said the city government “exaggerated” consumption of the life-saving gas during the second wave of the pandemic. The BJP has charged the Delhi government with “criminal negligence” after the report came into the public domain on Friday, while AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the “bogus” report was “cooked up” at BJP’s office. Citing the re por t, Gupta alleged that the Delhi government “asked for four times more supply of oxygen than required which led to short supply of the life-saving gas in other

Adesh Gupta

states”. “He (Kejriwal) came up with the excuse of oxygen shortage only to hide his own mismanagement. If Kejriwal did not apologise for his mistake and for trying to create an atmosphere of panic due to alleged oxygen crisis in the next 24 hours, the BJP would launch a mass movement against him,” the Delhi BJP chief said. The report of the Supreme Court constituted sub-group to audit oxygen consumption in hospitals in the national capital dur-

ing the second wave in April-May said the Delhi government “exaggerated” the consumption of oxygen and made a claim of 1,140 MT, four times higher than the formula for bed capacity requirement of 289 MT. The panel said the Delhi gover nment had made the claims for allocation of 700 MT oxygen on April 30 of medical grade oxygen using a “wrong formula”. However, AIIMS director Randeep Guleria said on Saturday the report, submitted by the Supreme Court-appointed panel headed by him, is an interim one and not the final word. Two members, B S Bhalla, the Delhi government’s principal home secretary, home, and Max Healthcare’s Clinical Director Sandeep Budhiraja, questioned the conclusions.

Serum Institute of India to start Covovax trials on 920 children in July

Money laundering case: Anil Deshmukh seeks fresh date for appearance

Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI): Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh has sought a fresh date for appearance before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) which had summoned him for questioning on Saturday in a money laundering case related to an alleged multicrore bribery-cum-extortion racket that led to his resignation in April, officials said. The 71-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader was asked to depose before the investigating officer at the agency office in Ballard Estate here by 11 am, they said. A team of Deshmukh’s lawyers visited the ED office and sought a fresh date for appearance. They also handed over a letter written by Deshmukh to the investigators. “He (Deshmukh) will not appear today. We have not been given documents related to this case and we have given a letter to ED demanding these documents and case details in which he is to be questioned. We will furnish our reply accordingly,” lawyer Jayvant Patil told reporters outside the

he said the human ethos of this city must be matched by futuristic infrastructure, which is beneficial for everyone including tourists and pilgrims. Modi said that the coming generations should feel the desire to visit Ayodhya at least once in their lifetime. The prime minister pointed out that developmental works in Ayodhya will continue in the foreseeable future and stressed that at the same time, the momentum towards heralding Ayodhya to this next leap of progress must begin now. “It is our collective endeavour to celebrate the identity of Ayodhya and keep its cultural vibrancy alive through innovative ways,” Modi said. The way Lord Ram had the ability to bring people together, the development works of Ayodhya should be guided by a spirit of healthy public participation, especially by the youth,

Saturday where the ED will seek their remand for custodial interrogation, officials said. The ED case against Deshmukh and others was made out after the CBI first carried out a preliminary inquiry followed by a regular case being filed on the orders of the Bombay High Court. The court had asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to look into the allegations of bribery made against Deshmukh by former Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh. Deshmukh, who had resigned from his post in April following the allegations, has denied any wrongdoing.

KHEKIYE VILLAGE COUNCIL EAC R.P.O. Hoshepu / Aghunato District - Zunheboto : Nagaland

GRATITUDE Amidst this immense crucial face of human survival. We the G.Bs, Village Councils, believers and the entire of Khekiye Village solicit our heart felt gratitude to Mr. Akashe Zhimo, DCCI President, Dimapur and his family for contributing the following materials in the name of his Late father Khuheto Zhimo of Hoshepu Village as basic needs at this period of granting halt of lockdown. Materials are as follows:1. Rice - 25 Kg x 70 household 2. Dal - 1 Kg x 70 household 3. M.Oil - ½ Litre x 70 household 4. Salt - 1 Kg x 70 household We earnestly pray to Almighty God that your generosity is accepted in the treasure of heaven and bless all the supplications answered at His time. Khekashe Zhimo Vikuto Chishi G.B Chairman

Ihoto Murru Secretary

data would be reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). Based on its recommendation, the study would progress by recruiting the remaining participants. The same process would be repeated for the 2-11 age group. Niti Aayog (health) member V K Paul said during the briefing of the health ministry on Friday, “We have to understand that the child cohort is not a small one. My rough guess is that if it is between 12 to 18 years, this itself is about 13 to 14 crore population, for which

we will need about 25-26 crore doses. We can’t have some getting the vaccine and others not. We will have to take this into account when we strategize and make a decision based on how many doses of which vaccines are available.” Covid-19 vaccine makers are conducting trials for children at a fast pace. An approved candidate vaccine for kids is likely by September-October. In the US, Pfizer’s Covid vaccine has been approved for use in children as young as 12 years.

Old Sewak Road, Dimapur: Nagaland 9077727777 / 9077747777 License No: NHCE/DMP/013/LIC/2009 Faith Hospital, Dimapur: Nagaland a 75 bedded Multi Speciality Hospital has been a pioneer among private Hospitals in Nagaland to treat Covid-19 patients. As of 26th of June 2021, a total of 323 Covid-19 positive cases were treated, out of which 144 patients were admitted as In-patients. Furthermore, under sponsorship by Dr Sukhato A. Sema, a total of 46 patients were treated in makeshift COVID tents free of cost. While rendering our best possible service to the society at such trying times, the administration of Faith Hospital would like to particularly highlight the following party/parties for their commendable contribution towards the fight against COVID-19. 1. DIMAPUR DISTRICT TASK FORCE 2. THE INDIAN ARMY, RANGAPAHAR 3. THE NEIPHIU RIO FOUNDATION 4. KEZEKEVI THEHOU BA 5. NI CHUKA RESTAURANT 6. DIMAPUR AO BAPTIST CHURCHES & AO CIVIL SOCIETIES 7. MR SHRAWAN JAIN 8. MRS NUNU CHASE & FRIENDS 9. MRS & MR DANIEL WOTSA 10. DIMAPUR BONGS 11. MR SURENDER AGGARWAL 12. DIMAPUR SUMI BAPTIST CHURCH 13. DIMAPUR BAPTIST PASTORS’ FELLOWSHIP 14. MRS & MR ATOMI (EX-MLA) 15. MRS EUNICE WOTSA 16. MUSICIANS GUILD, NAGALAND 17. MR INAKA AWOMI & FRIENDS 18. MRS AKALA AIER Administration Faith Hospital DP-2740

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Management and Staff of Zion Hospital and Research Centre would like to express our sincere gratitude to various organizations, churches, civil societies, individuals and well wishers who graciously donated financially & materially and extended moral support and prayers during this second wave of COVID-19 pandemic : 1. Government of Nagaland/ Directorate of Health & Family Welfare. 2. District Task Force Dimapur 3. The Neiphiu Rio Foundation 4. Mr. & Mrs. Jackson Patton 5. Ashu Kiviho Tilimi 6. Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) 7. Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Churches & Civil Societies. 8. Dimapur Baptist Pastors Fellowship 9. Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church (Near M.S.T) Dimapur

DP-2937

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reviewed the development plan for Ayodhya and asserted that the temple town in Uttar Pradesh should manifest the “the finest of our traditions and the best of our developmental transformations”. Speaking at a virtual meeting, which was also attended by Uttar Pradesh C h i e f M i n i s t e r Yo g i Adityanath, Modi described Ayodhya as a city that is etched in the cultural consciousness of every Indian and said the human ethos of this city must be matched by futuristic infrastructure. A Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement on the meeting said Ayodhya’s development is being envisaged as a spiritual centre, global tourism hub and a sustainable smart city. At the meeting, Uttar Pradesh government officials made a presentation which encompassed various

DC-522

Management Zion Hospital & Research Centre.

Interesting travel trends in post-Covid world: Survey

MUMBAI, JUN 26 (IANS): The Covid-19 related travel curbs in different parts of the country has had a lasting impact on the track and tourism industry. With mobility restricted, less Indians were travelling for non-essential work for most part of the last year. Now with the second wave of the pandemic subsiding and people are coming out, the most pertinent question in the travel industry is whether finally leisure travel will pick up pace? What will be the trend in the post-Covid world? A survey by Thomas Cook India and SOTC

Travel as part of their Third Holiday Readiness Report has found that people’s interest in travel has increased tremendously during the month with several expressing desire to start travel immediately to get over the period of relative immobility brought about by the pandemic. A significant 69 per cent of the respondents in the survey indicated keen interest to travel in 2021 post ease in restrictions -- with 18 per cent ready to travel immediately post unlock and 51 per cent within the next 3-6 months. What has changed from pre-Covid period to now is

that people are increasingly preferring travel choices that provide hygienic staying options coupled with best safety protocols. In the survey, 70 per cent respondents ranked health & safety as the key consideration while re-sanitation of rooms was selected by 52 per cent respondents as a key requirement. Majority or about 66 per cent of the respondents showed willingness to increase spends to ensure higher levels of health and safety on their holiday. Another interesting trend brought out by the survey is that a whopping 81 per cent respondents reiterated their need for refundable or zero cancellation products. With the uncertainty created by the virus, people want flexible products where cancellations would be allowed as a rule. The Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel surveyed over 4,000 customers across India’s Tier 1-3 cities to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the Covid era.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 business/state Tyre industry BFSI, goods expected to drive FY22 earnings: MOFSL seeks raw material NEW DELHI, JUN 26 FY21, with the Nifty end- second Covid wave on the “However, 1QFY22 (IANS): India’s banking, ing the year with a healthy back of strong liquidity has seen a familiar dispartners financial services and insur- (14 per cent) ear nings and robust participation ruption, with the second

NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): India’s tyre sector is seeking effective collaboration with raw material partners to harness its potential, industry body Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) said. According to ATMA Chairman Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director JK Tyre & Industries, India’s tyre industry has an immense growth potential in the emerging new world order. However, an effective collaboration between the industry and raw material partners is imperative to harness this potential, Singhania said at the ATMA Partners’ Summit held recently. “As a key sector of the economy, tyre industry has displayed resilience to bounce back after every challenging phase. Last year, the growth plummeted in the first quarter in view of the lockdown. However the industr y staged a strong recovery in the subsequent quarters and the supply side was under stress to meet the demand,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.

Surge in registration indicates resilience of MSMEs NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): On the eve of International MSME Day, the global not-for-profit Wadhwani Foundation has called for empowering MSMEs with capabilities to accelerate their growth, to the struggling MSME sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Foundation, over the past year, has positively impacted 550 SMEs and their 5,000 employees. MSMEs are a crucial part of the economic and social fabric of the country, and complete recovery will only be possible with a high-intensity and strategically structured support to this high-spirited sector.

Therefore, it is essential to stabilise the sector by meeting the immediate challenges of cash flows, wages, pressing creditors and perhaps more important challenges of finding where growth lies, in realising its true potential. In these difficult and challenging times and on the eve of International MSME Day 2021, Samir Sathe, Executive Vice President, Wadhwani Advantage, says: “As the pandemic continues to trouble the world, especially the developing economies, there is a renewed appreciation of the fact that MSMEs need attention, care, nurturing and rejuvenation, failing

Crossword

which, the world order of business, commerce, economics and livelihoods will crumble and wither, in no time. “The recent surge in MSME registration and incorporation of digital innovation into their businesses is an encouraging indicator of the resilience of MSMEs despite the pandemic. Wadhwani Advantage focuses on accelerating and strengthening their business fundamentals, stabilising their business in the medium-term and facilitating rapid growth in the long term. “We empower businesses with capabilities to maximize their growth potential with the help

of automated Business Discovery and Transformation Tools. We want entrepreneurs to be trained in becoming their own advisors.” The MSME sector is widely acknowledged as the growth engine of the country’s economy, contributing over 30 per cent of the economy both in GDP and employment generation. The Covid-19 pandemic had a severe untoward impact on the entire MSME sector in the country. Under the given situation, it is necessary that there should be revival measures to support them.

India’s forex reserves declines by over $4 bn

NPF backs legislature wing’s demand for probe

MUMBAI, JUN 26 (IANS): India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by $4.148 billion during the week ended June 18. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) weekly statistical supplement, the reserves decreased to $603.933 billion from $608.081 billion reported for the week ended June 11. India’s forex reserves comprise foreign currency assets (FCAs), gold reserves, special drawing rights (SDRs), and the country’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On a weekly basis, FCAs, the largest component of the forex reserves, edged lower by $1.918 billion to $561.540 billion. Similarly, the value of the country’s gold reserves plunged by $2.170 billion to $35.931 billion. Besides, the SDR value slipped by $14 million at $1.499 billion. In addition, the country’s reserve position with the IMF fell by $46 million to $4.965 billion.

No. 9959 Yesterday’s solution No. 9958

Across 1. Explosion (5) 9. Domestic fowls (7) 10. Viper (5) 11. Weird (5) 12. Multiplied by (5) 13. To lower (3,4) 15. Petty lie (3) 17. Cupid (4) 18. Colombian capital (6) 19. Long-handled brush (5) 20. Descend by rope (6) 22. Money reserve (4) 24. Auction item (3) 25. Confuses (7) 26. Girl’s name (5) 27. Ague (5) 28. Sucrose (5) 29. Farmer’s vehicle (7) 30. Sheriff ’s men (5)

No. 4579 Yesterday’s solution No. 4578

31. At no time (5) Down 2. Stocking run (6) 3. Drives too fast (6) 4. High hill (3) 5. Unadorned (5) 6. Liberty (7) 7. Yes votes (4) 8. Mettle (6) 12. Coil (5) 13. Lawful (5)

KAKURO

COVID wave engulfing India and several states imposing lockdowns in Apr’21 and May’21.” In addition, the trend of earnings revision has changed in favor of downgrades again in 4QFY21 after two consecutive quarters (2Q and 3QFY21) of upgrades. “ T h e d ow n g r a d e to-upgrade ratio stood at 1.6:1. The second COVID wave peaked in May’21 and active cases are currently 80 per cent below its peak.” “Daily cases are trending at a three-month low. With the pace of vaccinations picking up and states unlocking again, confidence is gradually returning in corporate commentaries as we exit 1QFY22.”

growth, which was unthinkable a year back,” the report said. “The second Covid wave in April-May, 2021 has soured sentiments and impacted economic activity. Since the restrictions this time were localized and less stringent versus the lockdown in CY20, we expect the impact in 1QFY22 to be contained.” According to the report, earnings momentum is expected to accelerate in FY22 as the pace of vaccinations picks up and the economy opens up further. “BFSI and commodities are expected to drive FY22E earnings. The market has been strong and largely looked through the

6. Untrue (5)

Su doku

from non-institutional investors.” “The recent commentary by the (US) Fed on earlier than anticipated tapering and India’s elevated CPI print have rattled some nerves, even as equity-bond yield dynamics are not showing any red flags.” As per statement, Nifty valuations at ‘21x FY22E EPS’ are rich and demand consistent earnings delivery ahead. “Corporate earnings in the last quarter of FY21 continued the momentum of the preceding two quarters and ended the year on a good note, aided by the deflated base in 4QFY20 and healthy demand recovery for a large part of 4QFY21.”

ance (BFSI) sector along with commodities are expected to drive FY22 earnings, said Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL) in a report. Accordingly, MOFSL has placed BFSI, IT, metals, and cement in the ‘OW’ (overweight) category in its model portfolio. Besides, it has placed consumer, auto, healthcare, and capital goods in ‘Neutral’ category and ‘UW’ (underweight) on O&G and infrastructure sectors. “Corporate earnings in 4QFY21 were led by cyclicals and a combination of low base and strong demand revival as economic activity improved. Corporate India displayed tremendous resilience in

14. Browned bread (5)

No. 3603 Yesterday’s solution No. 3602

15. Concentrate (5) 16. Groups (5) 18. Golf term (5) 1 9 . O d d o r ve r y strange (7) 21. Spanish dance (6) 22. Time to come (6) 23. Nullify (6) 25. Dark colour (5) 26. Hardens (4) 28. Male offspring (3)

(From p-1) and Emmanuel Hospital association) in the year 2005 when the incumbent chief minister was at the helm of affairs, did not speculate in any of the clauses that the Government of Nagaland was obligated to make any investment during the lease period. NPF said that the state government had “magnanimously” given away land and build-up structures to private party for free, but there were no visible profitable returns for the State and its people. When other hospitals in the districts of Nagaland were hardly running due to resource crunch, the NPF said the state government had the “audacity to willfully neglect them” and reward a private entity for whatever reasons was best known to the PDA government. “This sort of rampant misuse of public funds by chief minister, Neiphiu Rio headed government needs to be dealt appropriately by law enforcing agency,” NPF asserted. Further, opposition NPF said that when the state was reeling under health emergence, equal importance should be accorded to all the district hospitals, community health centres or primary health centres and sufficient funds and manpower should be prioritized. On Kohima Smart City project, the NPF expressed apprehensions that the present pace of work and situation, the iconic project would fail to meet the required targets and “ultimately may fail to implement the project entirety.” NPF maintained that Kohima city could not score the required marks to come under the Smart City Project as per the laid down guideline. However, it said that the

DAN-III government under the chief ministership of T.R. Zeliang took up the matter and met the prime minister and other union ministers making favourable cases to accept the State Capital under this project. After much works, NPF said Kohima was selected out of 100 smart cities across the country and subsequently an amount of Rs. 1000 crore was sanctioned and Rs.196 crore was released for the project during the year 2016-17. However, NPF claimed that more fund from the Centre was not released in time due to State’s inability to give its share and further, rampant diversion of funds from the Smart City Project to other projects against the guidelines without proper approval by the present Government. The opposition party said it was skeptical on the state government’s assertion that there was no resource to provide the State’s share for the mega ‘Smart City’ project as the state government, on the other hand, was spending crores of rupees acquiring land for Chiethu Green field Airport, which it said did not need immediate attention. “The hypocritical stand of the government will ultimately bring the affairs of the State to a standstill as paying out crores and crores of rupees to private entity in the name of fighting Covid-19 without following any protocol making payment for acquiring land when the state financial situation is reeling under darkness,” NPF said. The opposition party has, therefore, urged the governor to intervene and ensure that thorough probe into “all these misgovernance and misappropriation of public fund” was unearthed and an appropriate action be taken as per the relevant section of law.

CESL resumes distribution of LED bulbs in UP, Bihar NEW DELHI, JUN 26 (IANS): EESL’s wholly owned subsidiary Convergence Energy Services has resumed distribution of ‘LED’ bulbs as part of its Gram Ujala Scheme in villages of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Accordingly, under the ‘Gram Ujala’ programme, ‘7 watt and 12-Watt’ led bulbs with 3-years warranty are given to rural consumers against submission of working incandescent bulbs at an affordable cost of Rs 10 per bulb. “So far, CESL has distributed 2,52,069 LED bulbs in Arrah and Buxar districts of Bihar, whereas in UP, nearly 1,08,470 LED bulbs have been sold

in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh and Bhadohi areas.” The scheme was launched in March this year and has helped save costs of around Rs 17 crore per year alongwith 5,06,35,066.68 kWh energy per year. “Any consumer from a rural household with a valid electricity connection from ‘DISCOM’ can avail LED bulbs under the initiative.” “Operations under the programme had begun before the pandemic induced restrictions were imposed in the country in April. Now, with the unlock in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, distribution and awareness building about ‘Gram

RBI extends restrictions on PMC Bank till Dec 31 MUMBAI, JUN 26 (IANS): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the timeline for restrictions on Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank till December 31, 2021 after taking into account the prospective time required for the restructuring process of the bank. The decision came a week after the RBI granted an “in principle” approval to Centrum Financial Services for setting up a small finance bank (SFB), thereby clearing the decks for the takeover of th crisis-hit PMC Bank by Centrum and BharatPe as equal partners. In response to the Expression of Interest (EOI) dated November 3, 2020 floated by PMC Bank for its reconstruction, certain proposals were received. After careful consideration, the proposal from Centrum Financial Services Ltd (CFSL) along with Resilient Innovation Pvt Ltd (BharatPe) has been found to be prima facie feasible, said an RBI statement. It added that in specific pursuance to their offer dated February 1, 2021 in response to the EOI, the central bank has granted “in-principle” approval, valid for 120 days, to CFSL to set up a small finance bank under the general guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the Private Sector dated December 5, 2019.

Ujala’ has restarted.” The company uses carbon credits to offset the cost of these LED bulbs. “One consumer can exchange a maximum of 5 bulbs under this initiative. These bulbs consume 88 per cent less electricity as compared to their incandescent counterparts.” “They contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions, energy savings and monetary savings.” In addition, the company added that these lights come with a three-year free replacement warranty and better shelf life. “Switching to these affordable LED lights can help in saving up to 13 units per bulb per month.”

L AND FOR SALE

Padam Pukhuri, Block 5, Dimapur 1. 3350 sq. ft. 2. 5000 sq. ft. @` 300 per sq. ft. Contact : 7005249561

DP-2938

LAND FOR SALE With Assam Type House @ 4th Mile Diphupar, less than a minute from Highway. 60x72 ft. (4320 sq. ft.) Price 60 Lacs (Negotiable) Contact : 7005210654 7085983329 DP-2913

LAND FOR SALE Old Showuba Area

Four Lane touched 43,200 sq. ft. Per Sq. Ft. Rs. 370/Near four lane 5 Puras Per Sq. Ft. 90/Mobile No. : 9856603713 9612242850 DP-2885

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

WHO pleads as poor countries lack doses

Geneva, Jun 26 (Reuters): Rich countries are opening up societies and vaccinating young people who are not at great risk from COVID-19, while the poorest countries cruelly lack doses, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, condemning a global failure. The situation in Africa, where new infections and deaths jumped by nearly 40% last week compared to the previous week, is “so dangerous” as the Delta variant spreads globally, said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Our world is failing, as the global community we are failing,” he said at a news conference. Tedros, who is Ethiopian, chastised unnamed countries for reluctance to share doses with lowincome countries. He compared it to the HIV/AIDS crisis, when some argued that African nations were unable to use complicated treatments. “I mean that attitude has to be a thing of the past,” Tedros said. “The problem now is a supply

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

problem, just give us the vaccines.” “The difference is between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ which is now completely exposing the unfairness of our world – the injustice, the inequality, let’s face it,” he said. “Many developing countries are much better than industrialised countries in carrying out mass vaccination of their populations against infectious diseases from cholera to polio,” WHO‘s top emergency expert Mike Ryan said. “The level of paternalism, the level of colonial mindset that says ‘we can’t give you something because

we’re afraid you won’t use it’. I mean, seriously, in the middle of a pandemic?” COVAX, run jointly by the GAVI vaccine alliance and the WHO, has delivered 90 million COVID19 vaccine doses to 132 countries since February, but has faced major supply issues since India suspended vaccine exports. “We are through COVAX this month, zero doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, zero doses of SII (Serum Institute of India) vaccines and zero doses of J&J (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine,” said Bruce Aylward, WHO senior adviser. “The situation right now is dire.”

2 Kerala Ayurveda docs get UAE Golden Visa

3 killed, 5 seriously injured in Germany knife attack

monitoring”, as the Parisbased UN watchdog judged it deficient in prosecuting the top leadership of UN Security Council-designated terror groups. The list includes Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, Al Qaeda and the Taliban. As per the paper, results suggest that FATF greylisting, starting in 2008 and till 2019, may have resulted in cumulative real GDP losses of approximately $38 billion. Moreover, estimates indicate that a large proportion of this response (58 per cent) was driven by reduction in consumption expenditures (both household and government).

Exports and inward foreign direct investment are also partially responsible for this decline in GDP, with associated cumulative losses of $4.5 billion and $3.6 billion respectively. These results point to the significant negative consequences associated with FATF greylisting. The estimates from this paper point to the significant negative implications of FATF’s grey listing for Pakistan, thus emphasising the need for policymakers to comply with the FATF on the adoption of AML/CFT legislation to avoid future economic losses, it argued. With the FATF’s latest action, Pakistan, even after elargely completing’ 26 of

Colombian Prez unharmed after attack on helicopter

by police in hospital, Herrmann said. “His condition had been noticed in recent months, including violent tendencies, and a few days ago he was put into compulsory psychiatric treatment,” Herrmann said. Later, he told public television that, according to one witness, the suspect had called “Allahu akbar”, an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great” and often

24 Taliban militants killed in Afghan gun battles

Pressure builds on UK’s Boris Johnson to fire health secretary

Abu Dhabi, Jun 26 (IANS): Two Ayurveda doctors, who are originally from India’s Kerela state and now based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have received the Gulf nation’s coveted Golden Visa, according to a media report on Saturday. A Golden Visa enables foreigners to live, work and study in the country without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE mainland. They are issued for five or 10 years and are renewed automatically. Both Shyam Vishwanathan Pillai and Jasna Jamal were granted the Golden Visas by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Vishwanathan, CEO of Vaidyashala at the Burjeel Day Surgery Centre in Abu Dhabi, received it under the medical professionals and doctors category on June 17, the Khaleej Times report said. “My sincere gratitude to the rulers and policymakers of UAE for the kind support to Ayurveda and Ayurveda practitio- Kabul, Jun 26 (IANS): ners,” Shyam, from Kol- At least 24 Taliban militants were killed and 15 others lam, told the newspaper. injured in gun battles with Afghan security forces in Kunduz province, an official said on Saturday. Sixteen militants were the 27 targets, will remain killed and 10 others woundin the grey list for at least ed as Afghan Special Opanother year and deliver erations Forces conducted on seven new parallel ac- overnight operations in Seh tion points to address defi- Darak, Enayat and Zakhil ciencies in its Anti-Money localities in Kunduz city, Laundering/Combating 250 km north of Kabul, the the Financing of Terrorism official told Xinhua news (AML/CFT) regime, The agency. Kunduz city has Dawn said in a report. been the scene of sporadic The watchdog said in clashes in recent days as a statement that since June Taliban militants have tried 2018, when Pakistan made a to take control of city. high-level political commitClean-up operations, ment to work with the FATF including night raid operaand APG to strengthen its tions, will continue before AML/CFT regime and to the city is cleared of the address its strategic counter militants, the official said. terrorist financing-related Taliban militants fighting deficiencies, the country’s the government forces have continued political commit- not made any comments on ment has led to significant the incidents so far. progress across a comprehensive CFT action plan.

Bogota, Jun 26 (IANS): Colombian President Ivan Duque said that a helicopter carrying him and several other officials was struck by multiple bullets in the southern Catatumbo region. The incident took place on Friday while the President’s helicopter was flying through the Catatumbo region toward the city of Cucuta, capital of Norte de Santander province, reports Xinhua news agency. “The presidential helicopter was the target of an attack,” Duque said, adding that he was accompanied by Defense Minister Diego Molano, Interior Minister Daniel Palacios, and governor of Norte de Santander Silvano Serrano. No one was injured in

the attack, the President said in a statement. “The truth is that it is a cowardly attack, where the impact of the bullets can be seen on the presidential aircraft. “Once again, we reiterate that as a government we are not going to falter for a single moment, a single day, in the fight against drug trafficking, against terrorism and organised crime,” said Duque. He added that he would not allow himself to “be intimidated” by “acts of terrorism”. “I have also given very clear instructions to the entire security team to go after those who shot at the aircraft and put the lives of people at risk,” the President said.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

K Y M C

German police in action, before they arrested a suspect after a “major operation”. (REUTERS)

LONDON, Jun 26 (Reuters): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was under mounting pressure on Saturday to fire his health secretary after the admission that he broke COVID-19 guidelines by kissing an employee sparked accusations of blatant hypocrisy. Matt Hancock, 42, has been at the centre of the government’s fight against the pandemic, routinely telling people to follow strict rules and even welcoming the resignation last year of a senior scientist who broke restrictions in a similar manner. Hancock apologised on Friday after The Sun newspaper showed him kissing and embracing a senior aide in his office last month, at a time when it was against the rules for people to have intimate contact with a person outside their household. The opposition Labour Party also questioned

associated with acts of Islamist terrorism before starting his spree. “That suggests a possible Islamist motive, and that is also part of the investigation,” he added. Among the three dead was a young boy and one of his parents, Main Post newspaper said. As is standard practice in Germany, police did not release the name of the sus-

Matt Hancock

whether he had broken the ministerial code: the woman, a long-time friend of Hancock’s, was appointed as a non-executive director, on a taxpayer-funded salary,

to oversee and scrutinise the running of his department. “I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances,” Hancock said. “I have let people down and am very sorry.” Johnson said on Friday he considered the matter closed. But Britain’s leading newspapers, which all splashed the story on their front pages, said Hancock had lost any moral authority and must go. One lawmaker in his party, Duncan Baker, called on him to resign.

IN LOVING MEMORY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT *Jesus replied, ‘I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise’. Luke 23:43*

“NO LEGACY IS SO RICH AS HONESTY” HOVITO THAPRÜ ANGAMI

Remembering Dad on his 25th Death Anniversary DP-2930

(Born : 25/02/1955 – Died : 24/05/2021) We, the bereaved family members of Late Aremo Lotha of Humtso Village would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, families, friends, churches and well wishers who supported us physically, morally and financially during the illness and sad demise of our beloved father on 24th May 2021. It is regretted that we may not mentioned all the names but God bless you all abundantly. From: loving wife, son, daughters and relatives WC-123

B’desh to begin strict lockdown from Monday

27th June 1996–2021 FOREVER IN OUR THOUGHTS Loved Ones

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7

Late Watimongla Born : 13/03/2002 – Died : 20/06/2021

K-1098

Dhaka, Jun 26 (IANS): The Bangladesh government has announced its decision to impose a nationwide strict lockdown for a week from Monday in an effort help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country, asking people to avoid non-essential trips. The decision was announced on Friday night amid the ongoing resurgence of Covid-19 cases across the country, reports Xinhua news agency. Bangladesh’s Press Information Department (PID) made the announcement hours after the health authorities reported the country’s second highest daily deaths since the onset of the pandemic in March last year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 108 new fatalities and 5,869 new confirmed cases of on Friday, taking the overall tally to 878,804 with 13,976 deaths. The PID said: “The lockdown would be in place for seven days from June 28.” It said all offices including government, semi-government, and private offices will be closed from Monday. No one will be allowed to go outside except for trips for the absolute necessity, it noted.

pect. Police said there was no indication that there were any other attackers, and that the situation was now under control. Videos posted on social media showed a seemingly barefoot man holding a long knife being warded off by other men with chairs until police arrived. Another video appeared to show blood on the ground. The videos matched the reported location of the attacks on and around Wuerzburg’s central Barbarossaplatz, though it was not immediately possible to confirm when they had been made. Reuters footage from the scene showed dozens of police and emergency vehicles in attendance. Wuerzburg, an ancient city of 130,000 people some 100 km (62 miles) south-east of Frankfurt, was five years ago the scene of a knife attack on a train by a 17-yearold Pakistani asylum seeker in which five people were injured, two seriously.

BERLIN, Jun 25 (Reuters): Three people were killed and five seriously injured in a knife attack in southern Germany on Friday by a 24-year-old Somali immigrant, described by officials as having been placed under compulsory psychiatric treatment in recent days. Police stopped and arrested the attacker in the town of Wuerzburg by firing a bullet through his thigh. They said his injuries were not life-threatening. “Three are dead and five very seriously injured,” regional Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said after arriving on the scene. “With the most seriously injured we are not sure they will survive.” The man had lived in Wuerzburg since 2015, the year Germany opened its borders to more than a million migrants and refugees fleeing war and poverty. His life was not in danger and he was being questioned

Pakistan remains in FATF grey list, hit by $38bn loss New Delhi, Jun 26 (IANS): Pakistan has been hit with massive losses to its GDP worth $38 billion because of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) decision to retain the country on its grey list since 2008, according to a research paper published by the Islamabadbased independent thinktank, Tabadlab. The paper titled, “Bearing the cost of global politics -- the impact of FATF greylisting on Pakistan’s economy”, has been authored by Naafey Sardar. This comes against the backdrop of a fresh grey listing tag for Pakistan. Pakistan was retained on the grey list, or list of countries under “increased

international

Through this column, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all individual, neighbours and organisations who stood by us in prayers, in words and in deeds at the sudden demise of our beloved daughter. We are truly grateful to : 1. Hon’ble Advisor, Shri. Imnatiba 2. Shri. Ben Longkumer (NPS) Commandant NAPTC and all ranks in files 3. Delhi Police (North East Region) 4. Yaongyimsen Senso Telongjem, CMD 5. Yaongyimsen Students' Union, CMD 6. Yaongyimsen Fellowship, CMD 7. Asangma Senso Union, CMD 8. Seithekima Village Council 9. Seiuruzha Colony Council 10. Seiuruzha Colony Youth Society 11. Chumukedima Langpangkong Senso Telongjem 12. CABA 13. Principal and staff of NTHSS, CMD 14. Neighbours, friends and classmates Though we are unable to mention every individual, it is our humble prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly. DP-2920

Loving parents, siblings and relatives

Lived a life so innocent, so humble, so loving and caring, so long suffering, so forgiving, so quiet yet jolly, a life full of laughter and happiness. Lived a life so short yet lived a life full of good deeds and blessings. Left us so soon yet left us with full of love and fond memories. Fought the good fight and had completed the race gloriously for His Eternal Glorious Kingdom on 9th June, 2021. Lt. Seyievino Thorie With profound gratitude, Born on : 10-09-1979 we, the bereaved family Died on : 09-06-2021 members would like to express our utmost heartfelt gratitude to all our well wishers who stood by us in this hard time and supported us physically, financially, materially and spiritually at the sudden demise of our dear beloved Lt. Seyievino Thorie. We thank all the loved ones for the good deeds rendered upon her during her short blessed life span on earth. We convey our sincere thanks to The Kigwema Pentecostal Church, fellow beloved villagers (Kigwema Village), relatives, neighbours, friends, and dear ones from far and near. Your wondrous supports shouldering our burdens and heavy laden have helped us go through this saddest moments. We regret our inability to mention and thank every individual whose supports were equally valuable. The sacrifices, unceasing prayers, love and support you have bestowed upon us during these trying times are immeasurable and unrepayable. It is our humblest and sincerest prayers that may Almighty God bless you all abundantly. We exalt and praise Almighty God Jehovah for His wondrous love and mercy. K-1094

Loving family members K Y M C

Infotainment

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

‘Dragon man’ fossil may replace Neanderthals as our closest relative S

Stars took birth 250 to 350 mn years after Big Bang: Study

near-perfectly preserved ancient human fossil known as the Harbin cranium sits in the Geoscience Museum in Hebei GEO University. The largest of known Homo skulls, scientists now say this skull represents a newly discovered human species named Homo longi or “Dragon Man.” Their findings, appearing in three papers publishing June 25 in the journal The Innovation, suggest that the Homo longi lineage may be our closest relatives -- and has the potential to reshape our understanding of human evolution. “The Harbin fossil is one of the most complete human cranial fossils in the world,” says author Qiang Ji, a professor of paleontology of Hebei GEO University. “This fossil preserved many morphological details that are critical for understanding the evolution of the Homo genus and the origin of Homo sapiens.” The cranium was reportedly discovered in the 1930s in Harbin City of the Heilongjiang province of China. The massive skull could hold a brain comparable in size to modern humans’ but had larger, almost square eye sockets, thick brow ridges, a wide mouth, and oversized teeth. “While

it shows typical archaic human features, the Harbin cranium presents a mosaic combination of primitive and derived characters setting itself apart from all the other previously-named Homo species,” says Ji, leading to its new species designation of Homo longi. Scientists believe the cranium came from a male individual, approximately 50 years old, living in a forested, floodplain environment as part of a small community. “Like Homo sapiens, they hunted mammals and birds, and gathered fruits and vegetables, and perhaps even caught fish,” remarks author Xijun Ni,

a professor of primatology and paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hebei GEO University. Given that the Harbin individual was likely very large in size as well as the location where the skull was found, researchers suggest H. longi may have been adapted for harsh environments, allowing them to disperse throughout Asia. Using a series of geochemical analyses, Ji, Ni, and their team dated the Harbin fossil to at least 146,000 years, placing it in the Middle Pleistocene, a dynamic era of human species migration. They hypothesize that H. longi and H. sapiens

could have encountered each other during this era. “We see multiple evolutionary lineages of Homo species and populations coexisting in Asia, Africa, and Europe during that time. So, if Homo sapiens indeed got to East Asia that early, they could have a chance to interact with H. longi, and since we don’t know when the Harbin group disappeared, there could have been later encounters as well,” says author Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Nature History Museum in London. Looking farther back in time, the researchers also find that Homo longi is one of our closest hominin

relatives, even more closely related to us than Neanderthals. “It is widely believed that the Neanderthal belongs to an extinct lineage that is the closest relative of our own species. However, our discovery suggests that the new lineage we identified that includes Homo longi is the actual sister group of H. sapiens,” says Ni. Their reconstruction of the human tree of life also suggests that the common ancestor we share with Neanderthals existed even further back in time. “The divergence time between H. sapiens and the Neanderthals may be even deeper in evolutionary history than generally believed, over one million years,” says Ni. If true, we likely diverged from Neanderthals roughly 400,000 years earlier than scientists had thought. The researchers say that findings gathered from the Harbin cranium have the potential to rewrite major elements of human evolution. “Altogether, the Harbin cranium provides more evidence for us to understand Homo diversity and evolutionary relationships among these diverse Homo species and populations,” says Ni. “We found our longlost sister lineage.” (ScienceDaily)

tars formed for the first time 250 million to 350 million years after the beginning of the universe, according to a new study. Researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University Of Cambridge examined six of the most distant galaxies currently known, whose light has taken most of the universe’s lifetime to reach us. They found that the distance of these galaxies away from earth corresponded to a “look back” time of more than 13 billion years ago, when the universe was only 550 million years old. Analysing images from the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, the researchers calculated the age of these galaxies as ranging from 200 to 300 million years, allowing an estimate of when their stars first formed. “Theorists speculate that the universe was a dark place for the first few hundred million years, before the first stars and galaxies formed,” said lead author Nicolas Laporte from Cambridge. “Our observations indicate that cosmic dawn occurred between 250 and 350 million years after the beginning of the universe, and, at the time of their

Vin Diesel reveals he wants to do a Fast and Furious musical

ollywood star Vin Diesel recently revealed that he would love to do a musical version of Fast and Furious, saying that ‘I’m dying to do’ it. According to People magazine, while appearing The Kelly Clarkson Show, when asked by host Kelly Clarkson if he’d ever do a musical of the franchise, the F9 actor said, “I’m dy“I’ve been dying to do continued, revealing he was ing to do a musical, so yes, a musical my whole life,” he “this close to doing Guys and I would!”

Dolls with Steven Spielberg, but we ended up not doing that.” Vin Diesel further added, “For the longest time, I thought the Nathan Detroit role in Guys and Dolls would be a very interesting one to revamp, the one that Frank Sinatra played in Guys and Dolls.” Vin said he credits his family with his love for the arts, including musicals. He said, “My family is artistic, and I’m blessed to

Dean Winters cast as Jeff Lowe in ‘Joe Exotic’ series

rooklyn Nine-Nine regular Dean Winters has been cast as friend-turned-foe Jeff Lowe in Peacock’s Joe Exotic series. Winters joins Kate McKinnon, who plays Carole Baskin, and John Cameron Mitchell as Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel in the upcoming show, which comes off the back of the success of the docuseries Tiger King. Fans of the saga will recall that Lowe was initially Exotic’s business partner and ally in his mission to bring down rival Baskin. However Lowe would eventually turn on Exotic. The wider cast will in-

clude Dennis Quaid as Rick Kirkham and Nat Wolff as Travis Maldonado. Alongside Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Winters was also a series regular in 30 Rock opposite Tina Fey and on American Gods. Joe Exotic (working title) is based on the Wondery podcast of the same name, and is said to focus on the headline-making feud between Baskin and Exotic. In a recent interview with Metro, Baskin said that she had refused to sign her life rights away for the upcoming scripted series. “The people at Wondery came out to me and said they’re going to do a

have that and I’m blessed to be in a family that is supportive of these crazy dreams. I would encourage everyone to support the people who want to think outside the box and dream something impossible because there’s great beauty in that.” Vin’s dreams have come true in his career as an actor, with the ninth installment of Fast and Furious already making waves at the box office by raking in USD 66

formation, galaxies such as the ones we studied would have been sufficiently luminous,” Laporte said. The findings are detailed in the journal monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The researchers analysed starlight from the galaxies as recorded by the Hubble and Spitzer, examining a marker in their energy distribution indicative of the presence of atomic hydrogen in their stellar atmospheres. This provides an estimate of the age of the stars they contain. This hydrogen signature increases in strength as the stellar population ages but diminishes when the galaxy is older than a billion years. The agedependence arises because the more massive stars that contribute to this signal

burn their nuclear fuel more rapidly and therefore die first. The researchers noted that NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch in November, will be sensitive enough to observe the birth of galaxies directly. “ We n ow e a ge r ly await the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which we believe has the capability to directly witness cosmic dawn,” said Professor Richard Ellis from UCL’s Physics and Astronomy department. “The quest to see this important moment in the universe’s history has been a holy grail in astronomy for decades. Since we are made of material processed in stars, this is in some sense the search for our own origins,” he added. (IANS)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Romans 14:8 “ If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die,

it is for the Lord that we die.”

million so far, according to Deadline. F9 stars John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Helen Mirren, Sung Kang and Kurt Russell. As per People magazine, the ninth installment in the iconic film franchise was originally scheduled to drop in May 2020 but was pushed back by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Hindustantimes)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

scripted series with Kate McKinnon and they asked me if I’d sign over my life’s rights to it,” Baskin said. “I said, “No, my life isn’t done yet.” Meanwhile, Joe Exotic has started up his own brand of cannabis while serving time in federal prison. “I am pleased to announce my Entertainment Attorney Brad Small, from Beverly Hills, has signed an exclusive licensing deal with a THC Group and Cannabis,” the Netflix reality star confirmed via Twitter. “Ask your dispensary for a Joe Exotic and smoke a Joe.” (NME)

Dimapur Christ Church believers (SMC) express our deepest gratitude to our beloved Pastor Lt. Mr. Sentishilu Longkumer, Senior Pastor, who has gone to heavenly abode on 3rd June, 2021. All the sweet memories of by gone days and your loving toil in true comradeship with us in winning souls to the Kingdom of God will be forever cherished. The path you have shown to us will be a source of strength to move ahead. The seed of the Gospel that was entrusted to you by our Lord will be sincerely passed on to the coming generations till the day of the Lord’s coming. DIMAPUR CHRIST CHURCH DP-2933

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73:26

Dune release date delayed again

Josh Brolin and Timothée Chalamet in “Dune.” (Source: Warner Bros. Pictures)

he release of scifi epic “Dune” has been delayed until next October, according to Deadline. The film from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures has already had its release pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. K Y M C

It was originally slated to open in movie theaters next month. Deadline repor ted that the postponed date coincides with the release of Warner Bros.’ “The Batman,” which suggests that the comic book movie’s release could also have a

new date. “Dune” is the latest would-be blockbuster to see its release pushed back. On Friday, the producers behind “No Time to Die,” the latest James Bond movie, said that it would open in theaters in April 2021, a year after its original release date. Cineworld, which owns Regal Cinemas, said this weekend it would close all of its U.K. and U.S. theaters in response to lagging ticket sales and the delayed releases of blockbusters. A representative for Warner Bros. did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC. Denis Villeneuve is directing this latest adaptation of Frank Herbert’s influential 1960s sci-fi novel. The film stars Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac and Zendaya, among others. (CNBC)

Late N. Kathang Longchar (13 June, 2021) Words of thanks seem so inadequate for all of the kindness that has been bestowed upon our family. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and deepest appreciation to the many friends, relatives, well-wishers, churches and various organisations who have assisted us in any way and especially to the doctors and nurses for their immense support, interventional care and love during the time of brief illness and untimely demise of our beloved father Late N. Kathang Longchar. We are finding strength in knowing earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. May you all be likewise remembered in your hour of affliction. With prayers, The Loving Family DP-2923

Lt. Mrs MOANARO LONGKUMER (WAROMUNG) Born on 02/01/1967 – Died on 20/06/2021

The family of Lt. Mrs Moanaro Longkumer wishes to acknowledge the many expression of sympathy and gesture of kindness shown to us following our sad loss. We offer our heartfelt thanks to many friends, neighbors and well-wishers who provided emotional and practical supports for us at this difficult times. Sincere thanks to : 1) Olive Christian Hospital & Referral Hospital (Dimapur) management, doctors, staff and nurses for their tireless effort and kindness during our hardest times. 2) Naga United Village Council. 3) Naga United Village Youth Members. 4) Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur. 5) Naga United Village Ao Senso Telongjem. 6) Naga United Ao Baptist Arogo. 7) Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo. 8) Dimapur Area Waromung Senso 9) Waromung Senso Telongjem Diphupar Area. 10) Mr. Ali Family To those who helped in any ways, your contribution made our loss more bearable. DP-2936

Loving Husband, Children, Grand Children, In-laws, Relatives and Family

K Y M C

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

Jolt for India as Hima Das suffers Eng beat SL by 89 runs; win T20 series 3-0 hamstring at National Athletics Meet

Southampton, Jun 26 (Agencies): England cricket team clean-swept the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka after the Eoin Morgan-led team won the third T20I at The Rose Bowl in Southampton by 89 runs. After being asked to bat first by Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera, England saw a sensational batting performance from openers Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan who scored 105 runs for the first wicket. While Bairstow smashed 51 runs in 43 balls, Malan hammered 76 runs in 48 balls to help England’s total to 180/6. In reply, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals as David Willey picked up three wickets while left-arm seamer Sam Curran registered figures of 14/2 in his four overs. In the end, the target proved too much for Sri Lanka to chase down and they could were bundled out for 91 in 18.5 overs. “We know it was always going to be tough but the batting has not been

Dawid Malan celebrates reaching 50 runs during the third T20 international cricket match between England and Sri Lanka, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

upto the mark. We are not used to the pace and bounce and the execution was not great and we need to have good back-up plans facing a team like this. We

have to take responsibility and play to our strengths and that’s the best way to approach these kinds of situations,” Perera said at the post-match presenta-

tion ceremony. “Always nice to score runs and when you get a start like that, just keep it going. To get that partnership set us up nicely towards

the end and we always thought 180 was a good score. Opening is the place, breaking into this team is tough enough and I’m just happy to fill in the spot. We know how we want to play as a team and it is something that we talk about and there’s obviously criticism sometimes but Morgs (Morgan) backs us to play the way we do. When I do get criticism I do like to go out and show what I’ve got to people who got opinions. If people think I’m good enough (to play Test cricket) and be selected I’d be glad to do it,” Malan, who was named as the man of the match, added. The two teams will play three ODIs following this, the first of which will be played at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on June 29. Brief scores: England 180/6 (David Malan 76, Jonny Bairstow 51; Dushmantha Chameers 4-17) beat Sri Lanka 91 all out (Binura Fernando 20, Oshada Fernando 19; David Willey 3-27) by 89 runs

Hima Das (extreme left) with Dutee Chand (right) and Archana and Dhanalakshmi. (AFI)

New Delhi, Jun 26 (Agencies): Less than 24 hours after India’s 4x100m women’s relay squad raised hopes of Tokyo Olympics qualification, it received a jolt after ace runner Hima Das suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday morning while competing in the women’s 100m heats. The Indian foursome of Archana Suseentran, Hima Das, Dhanalakshmi S, and Dutee Chand had set a new meet record of 43.50 seconds on Friday on the opening day of the 60th National Inter-State Athletics

Championships at the floodlit Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala. The qualifying mark for the event is 43.05 seconds and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) was hopeful of achieving it in the final scheduled on the last and final day on Saturday. Hima completed the third heats with a time of 12.01 second, finishing third behind Amasha De Silva of Sri Lanka (11.64s) and Dhana Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu (11.67s). However, the Assamese athlete still qualified for the final which

is scheduled at 7.55 pm on Saturday. The AFI, the national governing body, even tweeted wishing Hima a speedy recovery. Hima was expected to qualify in the 200m (22.88s) after showing roaring form in the Indian Grand Prix-4 held at the same venue last week. Even though AFI tweeted, a source in the national camp said it’s early to confirm Hima’s injury status. “We can’t tell now … because medical investigations are still going on…,” the source told indianexpress.com on Saturday afternoon.

Jamieson will become one of the Antetokounmpo leads Bucks to series-levelling win against Atlanta leading all-rounders: Tendulkar New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): Kyle Jamieson has the ability to become one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket in days to come, reckons legendary Sachin Tendulkar after watching the giant New Zealander torment India’s best batsmen in the recently concluded World Test Championship Final. In New Zealand’s emphatic title triumph, Jamieson played a major role with match figures of 7 for 61 in 44 overs along with 21 valuable runs in his team’s

first essay. “Kyle Jamieson is a fantastic all-rounder. He is going to go on and become one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket,” Tendulkar said on his YouTube channel. “When I had seen him last year in NZ, he impressed me,” the maestro said. He then elaborated on why playing Jamieson in English conditions made him even more lethal. “If you see his bowling, he is very tall and more than swinging, he likes to

bowl seaming deliveries. He is a different bowler compared to Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner. Jamieson hits the deck hard and whatever he does, is off the seam. There were variations which he used where he angled his wrists and bowled big inswingers. There was reasonable variation in his bowling and what I liked was consistency,” Tendulkar said. Tendulkar also liked how Jamieson used his height to play the big shots.

L o nd o n, J u n 2 6 (Agencies): Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 25 points as the Milwaukee Bucks thrashed the Atlanta Hawks 125-91 to level the NBA Eastern Conference finals series. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, with 22 points, combined to make 20 of 32 shots from the floor before sitting out the fourth quarter, BBC reported. The Bucks hit 20 unanswered points late in the second quarter to take Giannis Antetokounmpo top scored for the Milwaukee Bucks. control.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late Sanglikhum Chang (05/10/1987 – 19/06/2021) Sanglikhum Chang, S/o Mr. & Mrs. Chano Chang from Tuensang was a special athlete with the Special Olympics Nagaland (SON) since the year 2010 and bought laurels for both Nagaland and India through his participation in National and International Special Olympics events for specially-abled persons. He took SON to new heights by representing Nagaland in their athlete meet at Indore, Chennai, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Bihar. He also represented India at the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games at Newcastle Australia.

To our dearest Angel, "Though the laughter and the smile that you have never failed to add through your presence now remains a longing memory among the innumerable lives that you have touched, and through the vast emptiness that has been created in our hearts isn’t even big enough to contemplate an absence so complete, we praise God for allowing us to have you in our lives, even though it has been for a short moment. We glorify God and find comfort in knowing that this is just a temporal separation and you are now made perfect in His presence, free from all the tears, pains and sorrow that exist in this fallen world. Until we unite again in the presence of our good Lord, fare thee well". Words are inadequate however, along with all the individuals and various organisations that came forward to bear our pain and sorrow, we, the bereaved family members of Sanglikhum also convey our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated medical team Tuensang Civil Hospital who selflessly looked after and gave him their best till his last breath. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Pastor Shri. Y. Yambe, Müpong Baptist Fellowship and the teams from the CMO, Tuensang Administration and the SDRF for leading the way in making our beloved’s last journey as smooth and heart-warming as we could have wished for amidst these precarious times. Loving parents, siblings, families, relatives, SON and all the near and dear ones left behind DP-2931

K Y M C

Trae Young led the Hawks scoring with just 15 points. Young had scored 48 points in Atalanta’s seriesopening win. Milwaukee shot 52% from the floor and took advantage of 20 turnovers by the Hawks. The Bucks also landed 15 of 41 attempts from three-point range, having managed just eight of 36 during a 116-113 loss in game one on Wednesday. The third-seeded Bucks and fifth-seeded Hawks meet in game three in Atlanta on Sunday.

We, the family of Late Kelenguzo Kuotsu are well blessed by the tremendous outpouring of love, sympathy and unfailing support shown to our family members at the sudden and sad demise of our beloved father. Being unable to reach individually to express our humble thanks and gratitude, we sincerely express our sincere thanks to all through this media. We express our humble thanks to : 1. Chümoukedima Town Council 2. G.B. Association, Chakhroma 3. G.B. Union, Chümoukedima Town 4. Naga Tribal Union, Chümoukedima Town 5. Chümoukedima Town Angamimia Mechü Krotho 6. Chümoukedima Thepfü Thepfü 7. Chümoukedima ‘A’ Village 8. Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association 9. Chümoukedima Town Students’ Union 10. Chümoukedima Village Youth Society 11. Chümoukedima Niepu Society 12. Naga Kuotsu Union Chümoukedima 13. Chümoukedima Butchers’ Union 14. Khonoma Kuotsu Union 15. Chümoukedima Meitei Apunba Lup 16. Sand Stockist & Supplier Union Chümoukedima 17. Yimchüngrü Students’ Union Chümoukedima 18. Zeliangrong Union Chümoukedima 19. Pochury Union Chümoukedima Town 20. Sumi Council Chümoukedima Town 21. Rengma Public Union Chümoukedima 22. Kuotsu Market Chümoukedima Town 23. Cosmopolitan School Chümoukedima Town 24. Fire Station Phek 25. Phom Union Chümoukedima 26. Chütsolie Colony Youth Ward 27. Tangkhul Community Chümoukedima 28. Ward 2 Youth Society 29. Councils of Ward 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11 & 9 Chümoukedima Town (Born on 16.04.1964 – Died on 20.06.2021) 30. Sabalie & Dieze Colonies of Ward 8 31. Chümoukedima Town Baptist Church 32. New Chümoukedima Village Baptist Church 33. Chümoukedima Town Christian Revival Church 34. Peren Fellowship Dimapur 35. Baptist Churches of Sumi Akukuhou, Rengma, Chakhesang, Zeliangrong, Yimchüngrü, Pochury, Phom & Nagamese, Chümoukedima Town 36. Chümoukedima Hindu Yuva (Youth Wing of Chümoukedima Hindu Society). 37. Mezoma Kuotsu Special thanks to: 1. Mr. Jacob Zhimomi, Hon’ble Minister PHE, Nagaland 2. Commandant & all ranks, NAPTC Chümoukedima 3. Doctors, nurses & attendants of Rev. Zhaviu Khro Memorial Hospital, Chümoukedima 4. Doctors, nurses & attendants of Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Dimapur 5. Shankar Debnath, Bipul Roy & Sunil Das (blood donors) 6. Tovi Swu, Kevizathi Secü, Joseph, Aliba & Imli Imchen (immense mannual works). May our Almighty God bless you all for your good deeds. DP-2939

Loving wife, children & relatives K Y M C

sports

Euro 2020: Denmark beat Wales 4-0; enter QFs

Denmark's Kasper Dolberg scored his second goal against Wales at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

AMSTERDAM, Jun 26 (AP): Still riding a wave of emotion, Denmark won again at the European Championship. And they won a big one at a stadium that means a lot to them. The Danes advanced to the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 by beating Wales 4-0 on Saturday, getting two goals from Kasper Dol-

berg exactly two weeks after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during the team’s opening match. Eriksen had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator and spent several days in the hospital before returning home last week. Both Eriksen and Dolberg played for Ajax, the team that plays its home matches at the Johan Cruyff

Arena. Much of the crowd of 16,000 was cheering on the Danes. Dolberg, who was given his first start of the tournament by Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, scored a goal in each half. Joakim Maehle scored the third in the 88th minute and Martin Braithwaite added the fourth in injury time. Dolberg took

a pass from Mikkel Damsgaard in the 27th minute and cut infield from the left before curling a right-foot shot into the far corner. He doubled the lead in the 48th minute when he scored with a low shot after Neco Williams’ attempted clearance went straight to him. Dolberg knows all about about scoring in Amsterdam. He

ISSF World Cup: Bhaker, Chaudhary settle for silver Osijek (Croatia), Jun 26 (PTI): Continuing their impressive run, the Indian duo of Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker clinched the silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ISSF Shooting World Cup here on Saturday. Already assured of a silver, the Indian duo was on par with Russia’s Vitalina Batsarashkina and Artem Chernousov at 1212 before losing the last two series to go down 12-16. Representing the other Indian team in the same event, Yashaswini Singh Deswal and Abhishek Verma missed out on a bronze medal. Deswal and Verma, who qualified in the third

Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker. (PTI)

place, were completely outplayed by Iran’s Golnoush Sebghatollahi and Javad Foroughi, losing 7-17 in the bronze play-off. It was a bad day in the office for the Indian rifle shooters, competing in the 10m air mixed event.

Mo Farah fails to qualify for Tokyo Olympics

Mo Farah (File)

Manchester, Jun 26 (IANS): Long-distance Olympic champion Mo Farah’s chances of competing at the Tokyo Olympics disappeared as one of the most successful British athletes failed once again to achieve the qualification

time of 27min 28sec at the specially-arranged race at the British Athletics Championships. The 38-year-old Farah, who won a grand double clinching the 5,000m and 10,000m gold at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, had on June 5 failed to clock the qualification time at the European Athletics 10,000m Cup in Birmingham, timing 27:50:54, which was his slowest since 2014 and good enough for eighth place.

Both teams failed to reach the final. The pairing of Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Singh Panwar managed to reach the second qualification round, finishing sixth with a total of 416.1. The duo of Anjum

Moudgil and Deepak Kumar failed to clear the first qualifying round. They finished a disappointing 15th with a total 624.6. Chaudhary and Bhaker’s silver takes India’s medal count to three. Both shooters have already won a bronze each. While Chaudhary had picked a bronze medal in men’s 10m air pistol on the opening day, Bhaker alongside Deswal and Rahi Sarnobat had won the bronze in the 10m air pistol women’s team event. Russia currently leads the medal tally with three golds as many silver and one bronze. The event is Indian shooting team’s final competitive outing before the Tokyo Olympics.

found the net 45 times in 119 matches for Ajax from 2016-19 before signing for French club Nice. S a t u r d ay ’s s t r i k e s brought his tally at the Johan Cruyff Arena to 31, with the other 29 coming for Ajax. Dolberg became the first Danish player to score at least twice in a match at a major tournament since Nicklas Bendtner against Portugal at Euro 2012. With Wales increasingly ragged, Maehle made it 3-0 with a powerful shot when he had time and space to control the ball and beat Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward. Braithwaite’s goal was initially ruled offside but allowed after a video review. Harry Wilson was sent off in the 90th minute for a foul on Maehle. The Danes will next play either the Netherlands or the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals in Baku on Saturday. Wales had an early chance to take the lead when captain Gareth Bale sent a swerving shot just wide in the 10th minute. He shot wide again two minutes later as he attempted to break an international goal drought that has now reached 15 matches. Bale was one of Wales’ key players when the team reached the semifinals at Euro 2016 in France.

Ostapenko wins Eastbourne title

Lo n do n, J u n 2 6 (Agencies): Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Estonian Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-3 in the final of the Eastbourne International to win her first WTA title for almost two years. Ostapenko, who is Latvia’s only Grand Slam singles title winner, took just 67 minutes to overcome the world number 27 for her first grass-court crown. She became only the third wildcard to win the Eastbourne title. “It’s great to win a title before Wimbledon,” the world number 43 said. “I’ve enjoyed this week so much. I’ve got some confidence and now it’s time I show some good tennis at Wimbledon.”

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021

Netherlands Vs Czech Republic round of 16 Sunday 9:30 PM Netherlands The Netherlands play their first knock-out match at UEFA Euro 2020 as they take on Czech Republic at Puskas Arena on Sunday. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since October 2015, when the Dutch were beaten 3-2 in a EURO 2016 qualifier. With OPTA/Stats Perform inputs, myKhel.com takes you to the past battles between the two countries.  The Netherlands have lost each of their last two games to the Czech Republic - both coming in qualifying for the previous European Championships in 2016.  Czech Republic

Czech Republic and the Netherlands will face each other at the European Championships for the third time, with both sides winning one game apiece previously.  Their last meeting in the competition was a thriller at EURO 2004, in which the Czechs came from two goals down to win 3-2, following an 88th minute winner from Vladimir Smicer.  Since winning the tournament in 1988, the Netherlands have progressed from just two of their seven knockout stage games in the European Championship.  Czech Republic have been eliminated in

three of their last four games in the knockout stages of the European Championships.  The Netherlands are looking to win their opening four games of a European Championship for only the second time, having last done so at EURO 2000.  Current manager Frank de Boer played in every minute of their four victories to open the tournament in 2000, with all of them being played on home soil.  Czech Republic have only won one of their last seven games at major tournaments, drawing two and losing four.

Belgium Vs Portugal round of 16 Monday 12:30 AM

Belgium Ahead of the first-ever major tournament meeting (World Cup/EUROs) between the two teams, with OPTA/Stats Perform inputs, myKhel.com gives you a statistical overview of the match.  Portugal are unbeaten in their last five matches against Belgium across all competitions (W3 D2) since a 3-0 defeat in World Cup qualifying in September 1989.  Belgium have only failed to score in two of their last 58 games under Roberto Martínez, averaging exactly three goals per game in this stretch of fixtures (174 in total).  Belgium have reached the knockout stages in each of their last five appearances at a major tour-

Portugal nament, progressing to the semifinal in their previous one at the 2018 World Cup. • Portugal have qualified for the knockout stages of the EUROs in third place for the second tournament in a row.  Belgium’s victory over Finland last time out marked their ninth win at the World Cup & Euros combined under Roberto Martínez, with the Spaniard now holding the outright managerial record for major tournament wins with the Red Devils.  Portugal have conceded six goals in three games at EURO 2020 so far, already one more than they did at EURO 2016  Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is now the topscoring European player at major tournaments (World

Cup & Euros), with his brace against France moving him beyond Miroslav Klose (19) to 21 goals.  Despite playing just 134 minutes of action so far, Kevin De Bruyne has had a direct hand in three of Belgium’s seven goals at EURO 2020, netting once and delivering two assists.  Since the end of the 2018 World Cup, Romelu Lukaku has scored 23 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for Belgium, while also providing four assists in this run.  Since (and including) the 2014 World Cup, Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne has created 71 chances in major tournaments (EUROs and World Cup), more than any other European player in that time.

Sreejesh, Deepika recommended for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna New Delhi, Jun 26 (IANS): Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and former women’s player Deepika were on Saturday nominated by Hockey India (HI) for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Men’s team player Harmanpreet Singh, Vandana Katariya and Navjot Kaur have been nominated PR Sreejesh (File) for the Ar juna Award, while former India play- Chand Award for Lifetime been nominated for the ers RP Singh and Sanggai Achievement. Dronacharya Award. Ibemhal have been recomCoaches BJ KariapSreejesh played a key mended for the Dhyan pa and CR Kumar have role in India’s silver medal-

Deepika (File)

winning performance at the 2018 Champions Trophy in Breda, the bronze-medal win at the Jakarta Asian

Games and the gold-medal win at the 2019 FIH Men’s Series Finals in Bhubaneswar. Sreejesh is also the recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Padma Shri Award in 2017. Deepika played a key role in the Indian women’s team’s silver medal-winning performance at the 2018 Asian Games and the Asian Champions Trophy. Drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh (100 international caps), Vandana Katariya (200 international

caps) and Navjot Kaur (150 international caps) have been nominated for the Arjuna for their consistent performances in the last few years. Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam, said, “It was a proud moment when Rani won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award last year and it is with great pride that we are recommending two of the finest hockey players the country has seen -- PR Sreejesh and Deepika -- for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this year.”

Prakash 1st Indian swimmer to get direct entry to Olympics Support Olympic-bound athletes like our cricketers: Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): Sajan Prakash on Saturday became the first-ever Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympic Games by breaching the 'A' standard time, clocking 1:56:38 seconds in the men's 200m butterfly event at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome, Italy. The Games 'A' standard was set at 1:56.48 seconds and the 27-year-old Prakash completed the run 0.10 seconds faster at the FINA-accredited Olympic qualifier. "I have worked very hard for this, and I was confident with the way I had trained," Prakash was quoted as saying in a press release. "This was my last chance, and I knew I had to do it here. I had come so close to the qualifying mark in the previous meets, but my Coach Pradeep Sir and I

Sajan Prakash (File)

planned my tapering in such a way that I would peak at these two events in Serbia and Rome." "I am grateful to all the support I have received from SFI, SAI and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). I believed in myself and my Coach Pradeep Kumar. Pradeep Sir was the

anchor and I owe this to him. I knew I had it in me, and I am glad I achieved it," added Sajan. Prakash also rewrote his own national record of 1:56.96s that he had set last week at the Belgrade Trophy swimming competition. This will be Prakash's second successive Olympics,

having represented India in the 2016 Rio Games. "Historic moment in Indian Swimming !!! Sajan Prakash breaks the glass ceiling clocks 1:56.38 an Olympic qualification time. CONGRATULATIONS," tweeted Swimming Federation of India. Prakash will take part in the Tokyo Games alongside Maana Patel, who has been nominated by the Swimming Federation of India for the Universality places. Prakash's direct qualification means Srihari Nataraj, who missed the 'A' the 100m men's backstroke by 0.05s in Rome on Friday, will not be competing in the Tokyo Games despite being nominated for the Universality places. The Universality quota allows one male and one female competitor

from a country to participate in the Olympics, provided no other swimmer from the same gender qualifies for the Games or receives a FINA invite based on his or her Olympic Selection time (B time). The Kerala swimmer had always been optimistic about breaching the elusive 'A' mark. "This is not my peak yet, when I peak after some skill sharpening, after that I think it (A mark) will happen. I have to be patient for that," he had told PTI in April after he clocked 1.57.85s in the Uzbekistan Open Championship. Since then he has constantly improved his time. Last week, in the Belgrade Trophy swimming competition he had clocked 1:56.96 seconds.

New Delhi, Jun 26 (IANS): Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that India’s Olympicbound athletes are national heroes and urged the people to extend support to them, the same way they back the country’s cricketers. “I want the Olympics movement and the importance of Olympics to be understood by everyone, spread across the length and breadth of India. Sports is the biggest soft power of a nation,” said Rijiju. Chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand spoke about how the athletes were more confident in their abilities than their compatriots in the past and underlined the role

Kiren Rijiju (File)

of the government in making this change possible. “Today I can confidently say that every member of the team is training to be in their best form and possibly win a medal and if they don’t have a medal or have good performances, I am sure they are going to be very disappointed,” said Gopichand during a virtual interaction organised

by CII-Sportscom Industry Confederation in association with the Sports Ministry. Former hockey international player M.M. Somaya was confident that both the men’s and women’s hockey teams would do well at the Olympics. “We have some of the world’s best coaches involved with hockey these days and our boys and girls are in good hands,” said Somaya, adding that he was hopeful that India could pose a challenge for a medal in Tokyo. The session was also attended by 2016 Rio Paralympic silver medallist Deepa Malik and 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist in shooting, Gagan Narang, among others.

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