29 Dec 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 24

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

China slams Musk over near satellite collision

FOLLOW US ON

nagalandpostofficial

Watch us on YouTube

@Nagaland_Post

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Role of state crucial in removal of AFSPA: Conrad

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Meghalaya chief minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma on Tuesday said that the government in Meghalaya played a vital role in the removal of AFSPA from the state.

Addressing a press conference at State NPP president Dr Andrew Ahoto’s residence here on Tuesday, Sangma explained that the role of the State government was crucial in improving the overall law and order situation, which ultimately would lead to removal of AFSPA. He pointed out that the Meghalaya government was steadfast in its stand that the “draconian” Act should be removed. “State governments play very important role because law and order is handled by them,” he added.

Referring to AFSPA in Nagaland, Sangma said he was optimistic that the

Wet spell likely over NE states DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that isolated thunderstorm, lightning and hailstorm was likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya on December 29 and 30 and over Nagaland on December 30, 2021.

IMD also predicted similar weather for Wednesday over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and large parts of Uttar Pradesh. It stated that wet spell for several states of northwest India would continue for next two days.

According to IMD, the minimum temperatures are 2-5°C above normal over many parts of Northwest, Central, East, Northeast and north peninsular India.

(R) Conrad K. Sangma with Andrew Ahoto addressing the media in Dimapur on Tuesday. (NP)

State and Central governments would take a call on this, noting that the Act had proved to be only counter-productive vis-à-vis insurgency in the State and across the Northeast.

Maintaining that removing AFSPA would increase public confidence, Sangma said NPP was firm on its stand for removal of the Act not only from Nagaland, but the entire region.

“While we are moving in the right direction in terms of economic development, AFPSA does not fit in the growth story of the Northeast,” he remarked, urging both the State and

Central governments to ensure that the Act was repealed. Asked whether Nagaland was prepared to handle law and order if AFSPA was repealed, Sangma commented that there could not be any solution at one go, but observed that the Act was definitely not helping the State.

He remarked that insurgency was a result of many socio-economic factors, pointing out that in Nagaland, it was a result of both socio-economic problems as well as use of force.

He acknowledged that security measures were required, but not in the man-

ner of AFSPA. He called for increasing socio economic activities to open more economic avenues for the people.

He emphasised building trust among all stakeholders, thereby rendering AFSPA inconsequential.

On replacing Assam Rifles posted at Mon, the chief minister noted that this was a superficial move, adding that this would not have impact at the grassroots.

He said the State government needed to do something with law and order, not just by replacing a battalion.

“In the long term, this will not be the solution. The State government will have to find another way, which is withdrawal of AFSPA. This is the only way to move forward and build confidence among the people,” he added.

Referring to the State government not allowing other political parties to enter Oting after the incident, Sangma remarked that the government might have

been concerned that multiple visits by parties would aggravate the situation.

Further asked whether leaders from Konyak civil society organisations (CSOs) should also have been present in the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently, he agreed that leaders from CSOs should have been called to the meeting pointing out that it was not possible to find an acceptable and long-lasting solution to the Oting incident without participation of stakeholders and community leaders.

He said the meeting was convened with the objective to form a committee to examine withdrawal of AFSPA. Sangma, who arrived from Manipur, had stopped over at Dimapur to interact with State party leaders.

Sangma had said that the demand to withdraw the controversial law-- AFSPA, would be the key agenda of their party in the upcoming Manipur assembly election.

1st Test: India 16/1 at stumps; lead SA by 146 runs SPORTS, PAGE 12

Year Ender 2021: Likely AFSPA repeal and impact on Naga solution Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Like other parts of the country, Nagaland limped towards normalcy in 2021 through Unlock (relaxations) after the one-year lockdown the previous year.

However, 2021 was also the worst period of the covid pandemic when the Delta variant went on a deadly spree across Nagaland.

However, the most shocking incident of the year was the Oting massacre on December 4 when 13 civilians were gunned down by a unit of the 21 Paras and next day another shot and killed by Assam Rifles in Mon as protestors tried to storm the camp.

The Oting massacre reopened old wounds and led to massive protest rallies across Nagaland and also other north eastern states for repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958.

The repeal of the draconian AFSPA may be a

Shamator distt demand: YTC serves ultimatum on state govt DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Claiming that the state chief minister had assured to upgrade Shamator ADC Hq to a full-fledged district unconditionally if NDPP candidate was elected unopposed in the last by-election to the 58 Shamator-Chessore assembly constituency, the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) has served an ultimatum on the state government to fulfil the assurance before December 31, 2021.

In an open letter to the chief minister, YTC president Throngso Yimkhiung, YAA president Achung Jangleh, YWO president Sholija Richard and YGBU president Lakiumong said the chief minister gave assurance to the YTC and all the intending candidates in the presence of his cabinet col-

leagues, senior party leaders.

In the event of the government’s failure, the signatories said YTC and its frontal organizations have directed all the NDPP party workers including the incumbent MLA from 58 ShamatorChessore assembly constituency to resign en mass latest

by January 5, 2022.

The signatories said YTC honouring a gentleman's assurance fulfilled the wish of the chief minister in letter and spirit and the Yimkhiungrüs have been waiting for declaration of Shamator district. However, to their amazement, they said the government has been procrastinating citing varied reasons, which did not seem to be applicable for creation of other districts except for upgradation of Shamator District. “Today,

the Yimkhiungrüs feel humiliated and expresses its utmost resentment for the betrayal meted towards the tribe,” the signatories said.

Intending candidates appeal for honouring assurance: Intending candidates of by-election to the 58 Shamator Chessore assembly constituency-- R Tohanba, K Ymso, W Akhum, H Mukam, L Thronghokiu, Dokiu Kecham and Rukkiumong— have also appealed the chief minister and the cabinet to honour the assurance and commitment.

In a joint letter addressed to the chief minister, the intending candidates welcomed the approval to upgrade ADC Shamator to a full-fledged district in principle. However, they expressed regret that the 'approval in principle' was sub-

ject to various conditions, which were “not as per the terms and conditions” that had been arrived between the state government and the intending candidates in presence of YTC. They urged the chief minister to “solemnly uphold the gentleman’s promise” by issuing the proper notification declaring upgradation of ADC Shamator to fullfledged district headquarters before December 31, 2021.

YAA affirms to back YTC: Expressing disappointment over the state government’s failure to uphold the commitment and assurance to upgrade Shamator ADC headquarters to full-fledged district headquarters, the Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA) has affirmed to continuously and fully support the direc-

tive of Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) in the event of state government’s failure to deliver its commitment on or before December 31, 2021.

In a statement, YAA vice president K.Thsantong Yimkhiung and general secretary Donan S Yimkhiung said that the state government “must fulfil gentlemen’s agreement” both in letter and spirit and declare Shamator to a full-fledged district unconditionally as agreed. YAA said that “continuous deceitful actions” against the Yimkhiung people by the government was highly objectionable, intolerable and needed highest condemnation.

Meanwhile, YAA has directed all its federating units to be prepared for any sort of democratic protest.

reality by the new year 2022 in the event the 5-member committee instituted by the union home ministry recommends revocation from Nagaland after around 63 years of being in force.

The 5-member committee, instituted on December 26, is to submit its report for repeal of AFSPA in Nagaland to the Centre within 45 days of its institution.

AFSPA in Nagaland (erstwhile Naga Hills) was preceded by the Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1947 on June 15,1948 in response to the declaration of Naga independence by the NNC on August 14,1947.

T h e r e we r e m a n y events that took place during the year such as the persistent pleas for imposing Inner Line Permit throughout Dimapur district. On December 9,2019 the government of Nagaland, in a notification issued by the chief secretary, extended the Inner Line Permit (ILP)

regulation to the entire Dimapur district some 40 years after a notification issued on November 21,1979, which made then Dimapur subdivision a tribal belt.

In order to identify who come under the ambit of ILP and those who don’t come under it, the government initiated the process of preparing the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) on July 10,2019. In order to prepare guidelines, the government then announced the constitution of a three-member commission on RIIN on July 28, 2019 headed by former chief secretary Banuo Z. Jamir.

The commission submitted its report to the government by end of 2019 but the cabinet has yet to take any decision even after one and half years. The JCPI and other organisations asked the government to table the RIIN commission report at assembly session in 2020 but that did not happen.

(Cont’d on p-8)

State govt expands SIT as deadline nears

GUWAHATI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Nagaland government has expanded the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the December 4 killings of civilians by the Army in a botched ambush at Oting in Mon district, reports The New Indian Express.

The state government on December 5 constituted the five-member SIT, headed by IGP (R) Limasunep Jamir. Sixteen to 17 others were co-opted in due course, taking its strength to 21-22, a senior police official told TNIE on Tuesday.

An undated order, issued by the additional DG (L&O) Sandeep M Tamgadge, said the officers co-opted would work under

a team. The SIT was given one month’s time to complete the investigation. The deadline expires on January 5 next.

Asked if the SIT can meet the deadline, the official virtually ruled out the possibility stating that the police get 90 days’ time to file a chargesheet in the court. He said the SIT had thus far examined 55-60 witnesses and would examine more people.

“We have taken the help of cyber, forensic and ballistics experts from all over the country,” the official said. “We are conducting the investigation in a very professional, serious and sincere manner,” he added.

Longshen public protest shifting of EAC Hq India may face intense but short outbreak 2 new vax for emergency use

Public of Longshen town during the protest on Tuesday.

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Public of Longshen town under Mon district on Tuesday took out peaceful protest rally against the shifting of Longshen EAC HQ at Longshen town. The protest rally was jointly initiated by

This is it!

"Looks like we'll have to cut our clothes according to our sizes. No sales means very little tax."

K Y M C

Longshen Town Students’ Union (LTSU), Longshen Town Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (LT-KNSK), Goan Buras Board and Longshen Town council.

In a statement, LTSU president M Mengan and

general secretary Manjen T stated that a reminder note was submitted to the deputy commissioner (DC) Mon through EAC Longshen HQ after the rally.

According to LTSU, the public were dismayed with the silence of the government despite repeated appeals by Goan Buras Board Longshen, Tangnyu village council and Sheanghah Chingnyu village council against the shifting EAC HQ. It alleged that the move to shift the town was “based on the vested interest of some (Cont’d on p-8) selfish

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): India may see a spurt in Covid-19 growth rate within days and head into an intense but short-lived virus wave as the highly-infectious omicron variant moves through the crowded nation of almost 1.4 billion, the Bloomberg report stated.

“It is likely that India will see a period of explosive growth in daily cases and that the intense growth phase will be relatively short,” Paul Kattuman, professor at the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge which has developed a Covid-19 India tracker, wrote in an email.

“New infections will begin to rise in a few days, possibly within this week,” he said, adding that it was hard

to predict how high the daily cases could go. Kattuman and his team of researchers, developers of the India Covid tracker, are seeing a sharp rise in infection rates across India.

The tracker spotlighted six states as a “significant concern” in a December 24 note, with adjusted growth rate of new cases exceeding 5%. This had expanded to 11 Indian states by December 26, according to the tracker, which corrects for “day of the week effects” and other variations.

India, which has confirmed 34.8 million infections and 480,290 deaths so far, is already gearing up to deal with another massive outbreak even though only 653 cases of the highly-mutated omicron have been identified so far.

No certificate required for those above 60 for ‘precautionary dose’

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Tuesday gave emergency use authorization approval to Covovax and Corbevax Covid-19 vaccines along with anti-viral drug Molnupiravir in a single day, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

No cer tificate required for those above

Centre to upskill State’s 4,000 cane & bamboo artisans DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics & IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar virtually launched a pilot project on Tuesday for upskilling cane and bamboo artisans of Nagaland under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

The objective of the initiative is to upskill local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL assessment and certification in traditional handicrafts and aims

(L) Rajeev Chandrasekhar during virtual launch of the project.

to target over 4,000 craftsmen and artisans.

The upskilling project under RPL is expected to improve competencies of unorganised workforce. The artisans and

weavers will be aligned with standardised National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). It will provide access to existing artisans and weavers to sustain their livelihoods and

enhance their skills and technical knowledge. The initiative will add value to the traditional handicrafts through Upskilling Bridge Module through Government of India certification.

Under the initiative, each batch shall run for 12 days with 12 hours orientation and 60 hours Bridge Module. Further, after the orientation programme along with the Bridge Module, the artisans and weavers shall be certified with RPL Type-1.

The training delivery partners for the upskilling initiative are Cane Concept and Handloom Naga.

Launching the initiative,

Chandrasekhar said traditional techniques of craft and artwork were a significant part of India’s rich heritage and there was an urgent need to preserve these skills.

He said that it was the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create the right synergies and build infrastructure for the country’s youth.

He said it was an article of faith for Modi that the future of India would be defined by the efforts, energy and success of the youth population, including the 4,100 artisans who would be trained in Dimapur.

60: The Health Ministry on Tuesday said that those above the age of 60, with co-morbidities, will not be required to produce a certificate from their doctors for a ‘precautionary dose’.

“Such persons are expected to obtain the advice of their doctor before deciding to avail of precaution dose...,” the ministry added.

The ministry also announced that Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will be the only vaccine that will be administered to eligible recipients in the age group of 15-18 years.

State logs 1 fresh Covid-19 case

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Nagaland on Tuesday recorded one fresh Covid-19 positive case while no death was reported during the day.

The fresh case was reported in Dimapur, taking the total caseload to 32185. The death toll remained unchanged at 702 (including 16 nonCovid deaths but with positivity).

India’s Omicron tally at 653: India has logged 653 cases of the Omicron variant across 21 states and UTs so far out of which 186 people have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry (Cont’d on p-8) data updated on Tuesday.

K Y M C

2

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Khehovi graces TSU Sumi Hoho organises Sumi Martyrs’ day programme platinum jubilee

DIMAPUR: The Tsaru Students’ Union (TSU) observed its 75th jubilee on Tuesday with advisor for tourism, art and culture, H Khehovi as special guest.

A press release from the advisor’s media cell informed that Khehovi in his speech said that Tsaru was one of the best villages with God-gifted climate, fertile land and an ideal location for a rapidly growing village.

Urging upon the people of Tsaru to continue counting their blessings, the advisor also questioned as to what they would give back to the very village that had brought them this far.

Khehovi while encouraging the students said that all human beings were born equal but success depended on how an individual utilised his/her best innate capabilities.

Stating that winners were not born differently but did things differently he exhorted the student community that the fear

DIMAPUR: Sumi Hoho (SH) organised “Sumi Martyrs’ day” and Sumi solidarity concert at “Sumi Martyrs’ Park” Sukhalu village on Tuesday.

Speaking at the prog ramme, SH president Nikheto Jimomi said that the Sumi community valued women and harassing them was not tolerated.

He said that while fighting for the rights of women, Ninoto, Ghukiye and Paketo were killed and to commemorate their bravery, the day was being observed.

He recalled the incident which occurred in 2013 and said that this was the 7th “Sumi Martyrs’ Day”.

Earlier the programme

Joint meeting of Razouve & Tewami landowners

H Khehovi exhorting the gathering at the TSU platinum DIMAPUR: Razouve & jubilee programme on Tuesday.

of the Lord was the best weapon of knowledge and success.

Earlier the advisor also inaugurated the village guest house constructed by his father-in-law, Tinglise Sangtam.

He was accompanied

by PS H. Akato Sema, state BJP general secretary Khevishe Achumi, ANTA Dimapur president Tohozhe Awomi, tourism department, Hutoka EE and PA Mughaka Achumi.

Tewami chairman has informed that a joint meeting of the landowners of Razouve & Tewami villages has been convened on December 31, 10 a.m., at CBC Kitsoubozou, Kohima. All concerned have been asked attend the meeting.

Members from various Sumi organisations at the programme on Tuesday.

was chaired by SH general secretary Dr. Vihuto Asumi, ZTSBC pastor Rev Dr. Daniel Chishi said a prayer while the concert was chaired by SH vice president Zhevihe Sumi and prayer was said

by SBCZ pastor Dr. Hutton

Sumi.

The concert featured Yeshika Asumi, Abel Tolivi Asumi, Kivika Achumi, Nity Awomi from Satakha, Vinoka Zhimo from Mokokchung and Mughato H. Achumi and Niphuka N.

Chishi from Zunheboto.

Various organisations including the Sumi Kukami Hoho (SKH), Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK), Sumi Totimi Hoho (STH), Zunheboto Chambers of Commerce & Industries (ZCCI),

Zunheboto Area Public Organisation (ZAPO), Zunheboto GB Association (ZGBA), Satakha GB Association (SGBA) and Sumi Totimi Hoho Zunheboto unit attended the programme.

MSU conducts 63rd annual session

DIMAPUR: Moilan Students Union (MSU) Wokha held its 63rd annual session on Tuesday at O point, Moilan on the theme “the foundation of every state is the education of its youth”.

Speaking at the programme as special guest, Lotha Youth Organization Dimapur (LYOD) president Nzanbemo Humtsoe who is also the proprietor of Humtsoe construction, extended Christmas and New Year’s greetings to all.

He encouraged the students by saying that education was essential for the youth in creating opportunities for themselves, staying away from illegal activities and providing for their families.

Fo c u s i n g o n t h e theme, Nzanbemo said

He also said that education of youth was important as growth, development and poverty reduction depended on the knowledge and skills that people acquired and not the number of years that they sat in the classroom.

A minute of silent prayer was observed in rememberance of the departed students and MSU pioneers.

Highlights of the event included special number by Mhajan Kikon, prayer for students by Moilan Baptist Church (MBC) pastor R Kikon and a short speech from the village council chairman.

The programme was LYOD president Nzanbemo Humtsoe speaking at the chaired by Nzanti Ovung programme on Tuesday. and vote of thanks was that the need for educating helped one think critically delivered by MSU genyounger generating was im- and enhanced their imagi- eral secretary Ajanthung N Ovung. portant because education nation.

5TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF Lt. NCHOMO KIKON Inspector of Excise

27 A/C Mokokchung town held a picnic at Tsujung Moalenden on December 27. The picnic was organised by the PS and PA to minister for rural development, Metsubo Jamir

DP-6149/21

LATE NUNGSANGMENLA AIER (LONGJANG) BORN ON:22.01.1983 – DIED ON:20.12.2021

A caring wife and mother. Her battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed her courage in facing life's challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, she stayed strong until the end. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities. Her Pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she meet. Above all, she earnestly loved her family and we find solace in the fact that you are now in the arms of our loving Father.

Until we meet again may you rest easy in grace and love.

Loving Husband, Alem,Ochilong & Kumzük

We, the family of Lt. Imtilepshi Ao would like to express our sincere gratitude to each and every individual, families, relatives, churches, unions, neighbours and wellwishers who stood by us physically, financially and morally and through prayers during his brief illness and sad demise on 21/12/2021.

Late IMTILEPSHI AO We pray that our Almighty (28/04/1936 – 21/12/2021) God Will bless each and everyone abundantly.

DP-6153/21

Loving Family Members

DP-6155/21

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IInd year has passed but our heart is still broken as we have all lost a gift which have been cut short by life cycle… But “To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die.”

Loving Children & Family Members

LATE ATULA PETER DP-6148/21

OBITUARY

“For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end” Psalms 48:14

Died : 29.12. 2016

It’s been five years since you left us for your heavenly home.

We feel empty and miss you deeply. We cherish the memories of your love and find strength in knowing that even though you are gone, you will still live on in our hearts forever.

Loving husband, children, grandchildren and relatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why, you are no longer by our side, but forever in our hearts”.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 26/01/1969 – Died on : 17/12/2021 “For none of us lives for ourselves and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the lord; and if we die, we die for the lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the lord.”

BORN 23RD FEB. 1976 – DIED 21ST DEC. 2021

Through this column, we the bereaved family members of Late Lipokla Aier would like to express our profound gratitude to each and every one who withstood us and help us financially, physically and through prayers at the sudden and untimed demise of our beloved on 21st Dec. 2021. We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every one personally, yet it is our silent and sincere prayer that our Almighty God bestow His blessings upon each one of you abundantly.

Loving Husband, Children, Grand Children and Relatives K Y M C

Died 21-12-2021

We the bereaved family members of Late Nonchalo Semy (Yayalo), would like to convey our deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude to 11 th NAP (IR) D.coy, friends, organisations, unions, church members, individuals and well-wishers who stood by us through prayers, physically, financially and morally.

We regret the inability to thank each and everyone individually, but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

K-2462/21

Loving family members

We, the bereaved family of our beloved father Late Orenthung Paul Yanthan Catechist Infant Jesus Church, would like to convey our deepest appreciation and profound gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who stood with us during the sudden illness and untimely demise of our beloved father.

We earnestly regret our inability to thank each and every individual who stood with us, physically, financially, morally and spiritually during our hour of grief. May the good Lord bless each and everyone abundantly Our special thanks goes to: 1. Infant Jesus Catholic Church and associated wings.

2. Our lady of Mt. Carmel Parish 3. All the Unit Churches 4. R.T. Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima 5. Dr. John Murry & Family.

6. C. Peter Yanthan (Addl. Director Dept. of Agriculture, Nagaland) 7. Jacob Yanthan ( Jt. Director Dept. of Agriculture, Nagaland) 8. Lotha Catholic Khumshum (Kohima) 9. Lotha Catechist Association.

10. Dimapur Yimpang Ekhung (DYE) 11. Lotha Catholic Union (Wokha) 12. Village Council 5th Mile Model Village.

13. Doctors and Nurses of Referral Hospital, Dimapur.

14. Neighbours, friends and well-wishers.

DP-6152/21

DP-6158/21

- Romans 14:7-8

Loving Wife, Children, Family Members & Relatives

LATE ATOLI Z. SWU Born on : 1924 Died on : 22/12/2021 We convey our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us, physically, spiritually and materially during long illness and demise of our beloved mother Late Atoli Z. Swu on 22nd December 2021. Your act of kindness shown to us shall never be forgotten. We regret our inability to thank each individual but pray that God Almighty bless you abundantly.

Special Thanks to 1. Ghokito Village Baptist Church, Women and Youth Department 2. NCRC Ghokito Village Women and Youth Department 3. Sumi Baptist Church Diphupar ‘B’ 4. Mr. & Mrs. Hojei K. Kiho Swu Khughovi Village 5. Mr. & Mrs. Niuto Awomi GB Model Colony Purana Bazar 6. Mr. & Mrs. Shikheto Aye Upper Naharbari 7. Mr. & Mrs. Shikavi Kinimi Ghokito Village Loving Sons, Daughters & In-laws

DP-6147/21

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will the election results in UP in 2022 impact the Lok Sabha elections in 2024?

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

A B C

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

B

C

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

88% 2% 10%

NEXT POLL

Q: Is the inaction against

those unleashing violence against minorities a tacit support?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST DECEMBER 29

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine

27 12

Aizawl

Partly sunny

23

Guwahati A p.m. shower in places

8

23 11

Imphal

Partly sunny and beautiful

23

Itanagar

Mostly cloudy

23 11

Shillong

Rain and drizzle in the p.m.

17

5

Kohima

Clouds giving way to some sun 19

6

Dimapur

Cloudy

Mkg

Some sun, then turning cloudy 21

7

23 10

Tuensang Some sun, then clouds; cool Wokha

7th edition of e-Naga summit held WSKH celebrates silver jubilee

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

14

7 4

Some sun, then turning cloudy 18 10

Zunheboto Mostly cloudy

18

6

3

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Resource persons, IT&C officials and others during the 7th e-Naga Summit on Tuesday. (NP)

Correspondent KO H I M A , D E C 2 8 (NPN): The seventh edition of e-Naga Summit on the theme “Towards promotion of International trade through Information Technology” organised by Information Technology & Communication (IT&C) Department was held here on Tuesday.

In this address, resource person and Indian Chamber of International Business (ICIB) president Manpreet Singh said international trade was not about how to do it but all about people-to-people contact and information

technology (IT) was the key.

“A s c h a m b e r, we tare facilitators and ICIB has been working with the State for more than a decade on promotion of varied local products and cultural items,” he claimed, pointing out that IT would be the key factor fuelling growth with the pandemic condition continuing.

Referring to the premium quality of honey available in Nagaland, he remarked that the State had better scopes in king chilly, pineapple and other organic products.

He appealed to the

producers of the State to utilise the technology available at their doorsteps, adding that online facilities created through IT had made it easy for producers to reach the market across the world.

Observing that Nagaland had huge opportunity that was not being utilised, Singh encouraged entrepreneurs to start small and grow big.

He said it was all about how the product was packaged and pitched.

Assuring all possible help in any field, he said with 200 countries around the globe, the opportunity was immense for Naga

youngsters.

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Public School pro vice chairman and Echahaba Tea Growers’ Cooperative Society Ltd chairman Dr Ao Toshi observed that Nagas felt inferior than others and so shied away from promoting their own products.

However, things have changed dramatically with the emergence of IT sector and the demand for local organic products have increased outside, he added.

He urged the young entrepreneurs to overcome their inferiority complex and not to forget the traditional crafts and food culture, instead of replicating products of other areas.

“IT should be used to do trade and not make it a trade,” he emphasised.

Ramietech CEO and local entrepreneur Kedo Nagi spoke on promoting e-commerce and entrepreneurship to boost the local economy.

In his address, IT&C additional director Sabou Yashü said trade and technology were both important to improve the economy of the State and Country.

A special number was presented on the occasion

by Mengu Suokhrie.

Jacob Zhimomi along with members of WSKH and others after unveiling the monolith.

D I M A P U R : We s t e r n S u m i Ku k a m i H o h o (WSKH) celebrated its silver jubilee on the theme “preserving ancestral values” at the Sumi cultural centre, Vihokhu village, Niuland on Tuesday.

Speaking at the programme as chief guest, minister of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Jacob Zhimomi said that the Sumi community should live according to God’s word.

Jacob said that devel-

opments would come as Niuland had now become a new district, however, it was the duty of the people to cooperate with the society, churches and the state government.

Earlier, jubilee monolith and memorial building was inaugurated by the chief guest while short speeches were delivered by Western Sumi Hoho presi-

dent, Shikaho Shimo and ex-presidents of Western Sumi Kukami Hoho.

Jubilee blessing was delivered executive secretary of Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu, Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema while silver jubilee souvenir was released by founder president of WSKH, Dr. P. Nihoto Chishi.

Jotsoma Students’ Union celebrates platinum jubilee Village Council chairman, Rüdolie Nagi conveyed greetings and welcome address was delivered by organising committee convenor, Zakiebilie Nakhro.

Special numbers were presented by Khwüma students and Jotsoma Catholic youths.

Organising commit-

tee secretary, Penyüsielie Suokhrie proposed vote of thanks and prayer centre, Jotsoma, assistant pastor, Thepfüzokho Nakhro.

A new team of office bearers led by Kekhrieneisa Nisa and Menovono Senotsu as general secretary was inducted during the programme.

Keneizhakho Nakhro speaking at programme on Tuesday. (NP)

Correspondent KO H I M A , D E C 2 8 (NPN): Jotsoma Students’ Union (JSU) celebrated its platinum jubilee at centennial compound, Jotsoma, here, on Tuesday with Keneizhakho Nakhro, MLA, as special guest.

In his speech Keneizhakho said that realising the need to seriously pursue education, pioneers of the union formed the student community which further propelled the whole community to educate their children.

He said that these days, parents extended their support to their children to get an education and likewise, he said that students should also pay attention.

Ke n e i z h a k h o o b served that not in order for a person to be successful, he/she also needs to take due care of their health and give equal importance to their emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

He pointed out that the final result of education should not be focused only on acquiring government jobs but should equip a person to be able to be independent and self-reliant.

Since gover nment jobs were oversaturated, he said that there were plans to implement certain measures to downsize it especially through multitasking where a person would be made to look after more than just one simple office work.

In this regard, he urged upon the parents to identify talents of their children and guide them to get skilled through joboriented courses apart from conventional courses.

He also urged upon the students to streamline their area of interest and not waste their time pursuing a course which may not be help them in the future.

In this regard, the legislator advised the union to help its members identify their individual talents and guide them into becoming assets of the society.

Observing that one of the main concerns of the present generation was climate change and global warming, Nakhro said it was the duty of upcoming gen-

erations to preserve virgin forests which were passed down by the forefathers.

“Our forefathers knew and told us to preserve our forests fearing devastation of such ecological wealth would result in catastrophe and drought,” Nakhro said.

Earlier exhortations were delivered by former JSU president, Kevilhulie Senotsu and department of agriculture economics, SASRD, NU, Prof. Rokoneituo Nakhro.

The programme was chaired by former JSU president, Kedolhulie Peseyie while Calvar y Baptist Church, Jotsoma pastor, Rev Kelhuseto Nagi said the invocation.

JSU president, Bode Peseyie delivered president’s address, Jotsoma

Assam Rifles organise various programmes

Ghaspani battalion DIMAPUR: Ghaspani battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organised lecture-cum-seminar on the importance of education and role of youth in K Y M C

the society on the theme “today’s youth, tomorrow’s future” on Tuesday.

According to PRO IGAR (N), around 120 students attended the seminar.

Kiphire battalion Kiphire battalion: Kiphire Battalion of Assam Rifles under conducted an interaction and coordination meet with Kiphire and Longmatra youth and student union

at Longmatra on Tuesday.

The programme was aimed at “reviewing the security situation in the region” to further develop cooperation among locals and security forces.

K Y M C

4

NORTHEAST

Twin strikes hit traffic on NH-37 in Manipur

Correspondent

IMPHAL, DEC 28: Normal vehicular traffic along NH-37, the second lifeline of the state, came to a grinding halt as two separate strikes partially hit normal life in Manipur on Tuesday.

An 18-hour total shutdown imposed by Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) ended peacefully at 6 pm, while a 48-hour bandh on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) by Village Authority Chairmen Council (VACC), Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district is continuing peacefully. Both strikes commenced at Monday midnight.

A large number of Imphal-bound vehicles, mostly goods-laden trucks, were stranded midway along NH-37 due to the twin strikes.

Many tr ucks were stranded beyond Jiribam gate on the Assam side as many civil society organizations based in Jiribam district extended their support to the total shutdown called for by STDCM. Also, vehicles that had already crossed Jiribam

STDCM supporters imposing disturbing traffic during 18-hour total shutdown on a road in Imphal on Tuesday. before the commencement of the strike were stranded at various places owing to the 48-hour highway bandh organized by VACC. VACC’s bandh was effective only on the stretch of the highway from Phaiton to Barak in Tamenglong district.

According to reports, vehicles were stranded beyond both sides.

VACC called for the bandh to protest failure of the concerned state authorities to fulfill their demands.

The council has been pressing the state government to release compensations for the land and properties affected by the expansion of the NH-37 for

the 12 affected villages immediately. While calling for the bandh, the council also threatened to impose a ban on ongoing construction of Barak Bridge and inauguration of the same indefinitely, if their demands are not addressed by the government.

Meanwhile, major markets across the valley districts, including in the capital city, suspended business transactions for the day owing to the 18-hour shutdown by STDCM. Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur went ahead with the total shutdown after the state government failed to furnishing the required ethnographic report of the latest socio-

economic survey report for the Meitei community to the Union ministry of tribal affairs within December 27, a deadline set by the committee.

Though commercial vehicles including long and short distance passenger service vehicles stayed off the road, private vehicles plied in large numbers.

Petrol pumps were shut even though ATMs were open as on normal days.

Strike supporters came out on the streets at various places in the capital city and its outskirts and imposed the shutdown by disturbing traffic. The state government in response deployed a large number of armed personnel

of state police and state security forces at various sensitive areas as precautionary measures.

At some places, protesters stretched bamboo and logs on the roads to block vehicular movement leading to police and state security forces having a tough time clearing road for traffic.

Government offices functioned normally even though there was a slight dip in attendances reported in some of the offices in the outskirts of the city and headquarters of other valley districts.

No untoward incident related to the total shutdown was reported from anywhere, the police said.

Many civil society organizations extended their support to the shutdown call that started from Midnight of December 27 till 6 pm on December 28.

The shutdown, however, had no impact in the hill districts where shops and business establishments were open as usual except for the non-arrival of the inter-district service commercial vehicles including passenger service vehicles.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Angry mob vandalize house of accused murderers in Manipur Correspondent IMPHAL, DEC 28: An angry mob on Tuesday vandalized a house after police arrested three of its members on the charge of murder of a 21-year-old girl in Manipur’s Thoubal district.

On Monday morning, police had recovered the dead body of Korimayum Nargish, daughter of Korimayum Ahamad Ali of Lillong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, from the bank of Imphal River, around 500 meters away from her home.

The deceased, a college student, went missing on December 22 night, was found tied to a tree with a cloth.

Police investigating the case arrested three members, including a woman, of a family from their house last night on the charge of murder of the girl.

The arrested family members were Chesam Sirajur Rahman (27) son of Sirah Ahmad, his younger sister Chesam Mastara (23) and his younger brother Chesam Musha (21) of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai

House of alleged girl murderers vandalised by a mob at Lilong in Thoubal district of Manipur on Tuesday.

Konjil under Lilong police station.

Following the arrest, local residents, along with relatives of the deceased, stormed the house and ransacked it.

They dragged out properties and belongings of the house and set it on fire before police arrived.

The police, however, prevented the mob from setting on fire the already ransacked house.

With tension running high in the area, armed police personnel have been detailed in and around the damaged house.

In the meantime, the police has named Sirajur as the main accused, claiming

that he called out the girl on her mobile phone on the fateful night.

Thoubal district SP Dr S Ibomcha Singh said that the trio admitted that they murdered the girl.

“They confessed to committing the crime and we have hard evidence to prove,” he said.

He said that all necessary legal procedures were being initiated to punish them as per law.

“I am sure police will be able to deliver justice to the victim girl and her family at the earliest,” he said, while appealing to the people to stay calm and not to further indulge in violence.

Go beyond reservation, Meghalaya Central team in Mizoram as state sees 10.27% Covid positivity rate CM urges Northeast tribal youth

Correspondent

MAKHEL (MANIPUR), DEC 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday urged tribal communities of the North East to ‘go beyond reservation’ and take to competition.

“The youth of the Northeast, especially the tribal should come out beyond the reservation mindset to compete with the rest of the world,” he asserted in the course of his speech after inaugurating the Mao Students Union (MSU) Makhel Heritage Conclav commemorating its 88th anniversary and conference under the theme, “Rekindling our Heritage” at Makhel in Manipur.

“My other message to our youth and this is a concept that my father used to always talk about is about competition. Late PA Sangma believed in competition. He used to say that the youth of the northeast, especially the tribal need to start coming out of this

reservation mindset and that we must go beyond reservation,” one of the youngest chief ministers in the country said.

“By saying this, he or I don’t mean that reservation should go away but it is the mindset that we must change and we must realize that we will need to compete with the rest of the world one day and we cannot go on thinking that we will get reservation,” Sangma underscored.

“We need to develop a competitive mindset. We need to realize that we are as good as others, if not better, and then we can compete with anybody not just in this country but in the whole world and so the mindset of the youth needs to change and we have to encourage them to start thinking big,” the Chief Minister iterated.

Dwelling at length on the importance of balancing politics and culture to safeguard people’s identity, heritage and to enable people to connect to their

roots, Sangma said, “We should balance our identity and heritage and work with the core philosophy to promote our identity vis-à-vis ensure economic growth of our people.”

Sangma said that India’s strength and challenge lies in its youth and it is imperative that the youth energy and potential is channelized in a constructive manner.

“Our youth is our greatest strength… it could also turn out to be destructive if their potential is not channelized into constructive work. Our nation will progress if our youth are involved in national building,” he added.

He informed the gathering on Meghalaya’s youth policy that focuses on engaging the youth in a productive manner.

“The Youth Policy in Meghalaya will focus on ‘One Skill One Talent’, making sure that every youth should get one skill and be allowed to hone their talent,” Sangma said.

AIZAWL, DEC 28 (IANS): A four-member central team now visiting Mizoram to assess the Covid-19 situation, amid the spurt in infections in the northeastern state, officials said on Tuesday.

Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Department officials said that the Covid positivity rate in the state stands at an alarming 10.27 per cent.

According to the Union Health Ministry data on Tuesday, the Covid active case ratio in Mizoram currently stands at 1.02 per cent, highest in the country.

Mizoram state nodal officer for the integrated disease control and surveillance programme Pachuau Lalmalsawma said that during its five-day-long visit, the multi- disciplinary Central team would visit Kolasib and other districts, different Covid Care Centres and the Zoram Medical College and Hospital besides holding a series of meetings with the state government officials.

Separate multi-disciplinary central teams have been deployed in 10 states -- Karnataka, Kerala, Maha-

COVID: Assam Govt aims to vaccinate 18 L teenagers GUWAHATI, DEC 28 ( AGENCIES): Assam has set a goal of immunising 18.25 lakh teens aged 15 to 18 years old as part of a children vaccination campaign that will commence early next month in the state, using Covaxin doses that are accessible in the state.

According to health department authorities, about 80% of the children in Assam who require vaccinations are enrolled in conveniently accessible schools and institutions, reports The Sentinel Assam.

The most challenging duty, on the other hand, will be bringing dropouts for immunisation because their data may not be available with educational institutions. School campuses, in addition to the existing Covid vaccination centres, may be chosen for the new immunisation push for children. On Tuesday, the state health department will hold a video conference with the Center to finalise the policy for vaccinating children under the age of 18.

According to a senior health department official, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is readily available for use among youngsters in the state and will likely be the sole choice in the early stages. “Covid vaccination will be administered to children using the same Covaxin

School campuses may be chosen for the new immunisation push for children. doses as adults. The ZyCoVD vaccine from Zydus Cadila has been licenced for use in children across the country, but it has not yet been made available in Assam. Health personnel in Assam, on the other hand, are equipped and trained to provide ZyCoV-D “accord-

ing to official sources.

As of Monday, 42 lakh doses of Covid vaccine were in stock throughout Assam districts, with an additional 24 lakh doses retained in the state vaccine depot in Guwahati for future usage.

As according health board officials, covaxin, which

is beneficial for vaccinating youngsters, accounts for 13.84 lakh of the total supply. “New vaccine consignments are unlikely to arrive in Assam in December,” the source added, “but fresh supplies will arrive in January to speed up the immunisation of the children.”

The most recent immunisation target for those over the age of 18 is 2.33 crore. From January 3, when individuals aged 15 and above are included, the objective has risen to 2.51 crore. “If vaccinations continue to be accessible on schedule,” he stated, “the 18-lakh objective for the 15-18 age range may be met in 15 days.”

Tripura ready to start vaccination for those aged between 15 & 18 yrs: Minister AGARTALA, DEC 28 ( AGENCIES): Tripura has 6,64,319 Covid-19 vaccines in stock and is ready to commence vaccination for individuals between 15-18 years of age from January 3 along with the rest of the country, Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said Tuesday, reports The New Indian Express.

Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat in Agartala, the minister said the overall Covid situation in Tripura is “under control” and satisfactory. “There is no case of Omicron in Tripura till now.

We have an overall presence of 0.37 per cent Covid in the state as of now. We are ready to administer Covid vaccine doses to those between 15-18 years of age from January 3,” Chowdhury said. He also said the state government has administered

46,81,817 vaccine doses to people above 18 years old till date. This includes the first and second doses of the vaccines. Among the present cases of Covid in the state, West Tripura district, which has the three apex state referral hospitals, has a positivity rate of 0.75 per cent, followed by 0.34 per cent in Dhalai district, 0.31 per cent in South Tripura, 0.29 per cent in Gomati district 0.15 per cent in Sepahijala district and 0.04 per cent in North Tripura districts.

Khowai and Unakoti districts of the state have zero fresh Covid positivity rate as of now. Tripura has tested 21,62,325 people for Covid-19 till date, out of which 85,028 were found positive since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Among them, 826 have succumbed to the pandemic so far while 84,074 have recovered apart from those currently recovering at the healthcare centres.

rashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Mizoram, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Punjab - which are reporting either increasing numbers of Omicron and Covid-19 cases or slow vaccination pace.

“Before leaving the state on Friday, the central team would suggest ways and means to contain the spread of the Covid-19,” Lalmalsawma, who is also the spokesperson of the Mizoram Health Department, told IANS. According to the Union Health Ministry data, against the national average of 1.38 per cent, Mizoram’s Covid fatality rate is 0.38 per cent, the lowest among all states in the country.

Health officials said that a total of 1,40,748 people have so far tested positive and 541 people succumbed to the disease. The recovery rate in the mountainous state is 98.71 per cent as against the national average of 98.40 per cent.

With only 11 lakh population, the state had 1,276 active cases on Tuesday, while 1,38,931 have been

NFR notifies cancellation of trains MALIGAON, DEC 28 (NPN): The Nor theast Frontier Railways (NFR) has notified that due to track renewal and maintenance work in Malda division of Eastern Railway and farmer agitation in Firozpur division of Northern Railway, it has been decided to cancel/ short originate the services of few trains. The cancellation of few trains will be effective upto January 21, 2022.

A press release by Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) Guneet Kaur stated that train number 12363 Kolkata- Haldibari Express will be cancelled on December 28 and, 2021 and on January 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, and 18 in 2022.

As a result of this, train no.

12364 Haldibari – Kolkata Express scheduled to leave from Haldibari will remain cancelled on December29 and 31, 2021, and on January 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21 in 2022.

Train number 04654 Amritsar – New Jalpaiguri Special will be cancelled on December 29 due to farmer agitation and as a consequence, train number 04653 New Jalpaiguri – Amritsar Special has been cancelled on December 31, 2021.

recovered of the infectious disease so far.

Mizoram health officials said the state for the past more than three months has been undertaking mass testing of people mainly through the Rapid Antigen method and might be due to this, the number of positive cases has gone alarmingly high. The mass testing is being done in each and every habitat and locality in collaboration with the local task force and health workers.

Of the state’s 11 districts, Aizawl has registered the highest number of cases at 84,561 besides recording 368 deaths, followed by Lunglei (12,011 cases, 30 deaths), and Kolasib (8,476 cases, 34 deaths).

cent from 10.45 the previous day, it said.

Khawzawl district reported the highest number of fresh cases at 44, followed by Aizawl (41) and Mamit (31).

The northeastern state now has 1,435 active COVID-19 cases, while 1,38,774 people have recovered from the infection so far, it said.

The COVID-19 recovery rate now is 98.57 per cent and the death rate is 0.38 per cent.

The COVID-19 death toll remained at 539 as no fresh fatality was reported in the last 24 hours.

Mizoram had reported 72 new COVID-19 cases on Monday.

The state has so far tested more than 14.99 lakh samples for COVID-19 including 1,792 samples on Monday.

Over 7.29 lakh people have been inoculated till date, of which 5.87 lakh have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, state immunisation officer Dr Lalzawmi said.

Meanwhile, another Health department official

said on Tuesday that the samples of two foreign returnees sent for genome sequencing have tested negative for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

State nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and official spokesperson on COVID-19 Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma said that the two foreign returnees had returned from Australia and Singapore recently.

They were diagnosed with COVID-19 on their arrival at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl and their samples were sent for genome sequencing to the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics in West Bengal’s Kalyani on December 22.

He said that the two samples came out as negative for Omicron variant on Monday.

Pachuau urged the people to strictly adhere to COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) especially during the festive season as new variants of COVID-19 like Delta and other variants are still prevalent in the state.

Indian agencies worried after explosives found near Tripura

Arunachal reports two new COVID-19 cases

Mizoram reports 184 new COVID-19 cases

Mizoram reported 184 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, 112 more than the previous day, pushing the tally to 1,40,748, according to the state Health department.

The single-day positivity rate dipped to 10.27 per

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (IANS): Indian security agencies are concerned after a recovery of huge quantity of military-grade explosives and arms in Bangladesh, abutting Tripura, and are in contact with their Bangladeshi counterparts to know where these explosives were planned to be used, sources said on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the Bangladesh Counter-Terrorism and Tr a n s n a t i o n a l C r i m e (CTTC) unit on Monday recovered the large cache of military-grade explosives and ammunition at Satchhari National Park in Habiganj, a spot four km away from India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.

“Around 15 rocketpropelled grenades (RPG), 510 rounds of machine gun ammunition and 25 boosters which is used as a propelling charge in RPG launchers, were found during the special drive at a place that is around 3-4 km off the border with Tripura,” a source in the Indian security grid said.

Indian intelligence agencies have recently already submitted a report to the government that terror outfits like Jamaatul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been planning to carry out terror attacks

not only in Bangladesh but also in India. They have also reported that on behest of Pakistan’s ISI, the JMB also planning to destabilise the Sheikh Hasina government which has also adopted zero tolerance to the terrorism.

The agencies also alerted the government that the ISI has been supplying terror outfits in Bangladesh with arms and ammunition, the sources in the security set up said, adding that all this was duly shared with Bangladesh intelligence on a regular basis.

The Bangladesh CTTC is also probing the target of these arms and explosives and sharing details with Indian agencies.

The security agencies in the neighbouring country have a close coordination with Indian agencies and they have always acted swiftly on the Indian inputs on terrorism, drug trafficking and smuggling of the counterfeit currency, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Indian security agencies have tightened the vigil on the border, especially the sections where the fence is yet to come up, as well as boosting the Border Security Force’s night patrol on the border areas in Tripura and other states.

ITANAGAR, DEC 28 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh reported two new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, one more than the previous day, pushing the tally to 55,334, a senior health department official said here.

The two new cases were reported from the Capital Complex Region.

The frontier state now has 18 active COVID-19 cases, while 55,036 people have recuperated from the disease so far, the official said.

The COVID-19 death toll remained at 280 as no fresh fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

The coronavirus recovery rate now is 99.46 per cent, while the activity ratio is 0.03 per cent.

The Capital Complex comprising – Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas, has the highest number of active cases at 11, followed by Namsai district (3), West Kameng (2), Tawang and Lohit with one case each.

As many as 12,04,344 samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far in the state, including 188 on Monday, Jampa said, adding that the positivity ratio stood at 0.10 per cent.

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

‘Work as usual to continue’: Missionaries of Charity

File photo of missionaries distributing food to beggar and children from poor families.

KO L K ATA , D E C 2 8 (PTI): A day after a controversy broke out over the Central government refusing to renew the Missionaries of Charity’s license to accept foreign donations, top officials of the organisation said work in its orphanages, hospices and shelters for the poor were “going on as usual.”

Officials from the Mission, founded by Mother Teresa here in 1950, said that talks were on with auditors and experts to try

and resolve the situation, indicating an appeal against the Centre’s decision to cancel the license under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act would be made.

“Work in all our orphanages, shelters, homes are going on as usual,” the official said, adding that “in India we have been sustaining all these years with love and support of people in this country. So we will continue to serve the poor, destitute, ailing, aged with the same gusto in the same way.”

Detestable efforts to weaken India’s heritage: Sonia

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): In a veiled attack on the BJP, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said divisive ideologies anchored in hate and prejudice were making every effort to weaken the strong foundation of India.

In a message to Congress workers on the party’s 137th Foundation Day, Gandhi said history was being falsified and detestable efforts were being made to erase the “GangaJamuni” heritage of the country.

“The common citizen of the country is feeling insecure and afraid. There is reign of dictatorship in the country, bypassing democracy and constitution,” the Congress president said in a video message in Hindi.

She vowed that the Congress will not remain a mute spectator and will not allow anybody to destroy

Sonia Gandhi

the rich heritage of the country.

“Electoral ups and downs are inevitable but what is enduring and lasting is our commitment to the service of all people of our diverse society,” Gandhi said.

Her remarks come at a time a section of fringe Hindu religious leaders have hurled abuses at Mahatma Gandhi and hailed his assassin Nathuram Godse as the symbol of truth and religion.

A large portion of the money spent in India comes from donations sourced locally, officials said while pleading ignorance of the exact amounts received as donation locally or through foreign donations. The MoC headquartered in Kolkata has over 250 bank accounts in the country for utilising foreign funds, another official of the organisation said.

“We are in talks with experts and auditors to resolve the situation,” the official said. MHA said in

a statement on Monday that renewal of the FCRA license was refused on December 25, Christmas day, for not meeting eligibility conditions, indicating that there issues with its audit report. The Ministry also said “no request has been received from Missionaries of Charity for review of this refusal of renewal.”

The cancellation order came within weeks after a police complaint was registered against the director of a children’s home run by the Missionaries of Charity in Gujarat for allegedly attempting to convert inmates.

The late Mother Teresa who was who was canonised a Saint in September 2016, and the Missionaries of Charity which she founded, shot into prominence after she won the Ramon Magsasay Peace Prize in 1962 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. The organisation today is spread over 139 countries and runs orphanages, homes for the dying and lepers besides looking after refugees, blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, poor and homeless and victims of floods, epidemics and famine.

Catholic priest, 2 others held under anticonversion law in MP BHOPAL, DEC 28 (IANS): Madhya Pradesh Police have claimed to have arrested three persons, including a Catholic Church priest and a Pastor allegedly for luring tribals to convert to Christianity.

As per the police, they were allegedly involved in luring the tribals in a village in Jhabua district, one of the key tribal populated areas in the state, for conversion.

Police said the action came on the basis of an FIR registered at a local police station in Jhabua district, which claimed that Father Jam Singh Dindore, Pastor Ansingh Ninama and a person named Mangu Mehtab Bhuriya lured tribal villagers to convert to Christianity by promising them free education and treatment in the missionaryrun school and hospitals.

Police said the person who filed the complaint was identified as Tetiya Bariya, a tribal. The complainant has mentioned that “On December 26, Father Jam Singh Dindore called me and Surti Bai (another villager) to his prayer room and made us sit in a weekly meeting called for conversion.

They sprinkled water on us and read the Bible.” All three of them have been charged under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, which is known as the anti-conversion law, police said.

The complainant further added that he was asked to convert to Christianity with an offer of free health and education for his children, which he declined and informed the police.

Acting on the complaint, a case was registered and a team of local police reached Dindore’s residence on Sunday afternoon and detained him. Later, the police arrested two more persons involved in the matter.

5 Farmers suspend ‘rail roko’ agitation CHANDIGARH, DEC 28 (PTI): Farmers on Tuesday lifted their blockades on rail tracks at several places in Punjab after representatives of the farm body spearheading the agitation held a meeting with Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here.

Farmers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) had started their ‘rail roko’ stir on December 20 at various places, affecting the movement of several trains and causing inconvenience to passengers. The protesting farmers had been demanding a complete farm loan waiver, compensation to the families of those who died during the year-long anti-farm laws stir and withdrawal of criminal cases slapped against them.

After a discussion with the KMSC, Chief Minister Channi decided to extend a relief of Rs 17,000 per acre to the Basmati growers whose crops have been substantially damaged due to hailstorm during the past Kharif season.

Following this assurance by the chief minister, the KMSC announced postponing its ‘rail roko’ agitation, according to an official release. KMSC state general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said they have decided to postpone their ‘rail roko’ agitation after the meeting with the chief minister.

The next round of meeting to discuss their demands with the chief minister will be held on January 4, said Pandher.

Farmers had been squatting on railway tracks at seven places in

Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Moga and Jalandhar Cantonment.

During the discussions with the delegation of the KMSC led by its state president Satnam Singh Pannu on a host of issues, Channi urged them to shun the path of agitation as his government was already responsive to their hardships and concerns.

Channi said the ‘rail roko’ has already adversely impacted the supply of urea and fertilizer across the state further accentuating their woes during the current Rabi season.

Several issues, including the demand for withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during their agitation, debt waiver, providing jobs and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during the agitation, compensation for crop damage and crop insurance, were deliberated at length, said the statement. Reiterating his government’s solidarity with the victim families of the farm agitation, Channi assured the delegation that the most of the names mentioned in their list of such farmers have already been considered for financial compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a government job to their family members.

Acceding to another demand of the delegation, Channi said to ensure farmers get remunerative price for their produce, the state government would soon come out with a policy for covering under state minimum support price all those crops which are currently not covered under MSP regime of the Centre

Under fire, Hindu seer stands by Dinesh Mongia, Fateh Bajwa his comments on Mahatma Gandhi join BJP ahead of Punjab polls

RAIPUR, DEC 28 (PTI): Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj, who is facing FIRs in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra for allegedly using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi, remained defiant and said he does not have any remorse for his utterances.

In a video message, the seer claimed his statements were correct and said he hates Mahatma Gandhi.

Raipur Senior Superintendent Police Prashant Agrawal said they have received information that Kalicharan Maharaj has released a video.

The police are conducting a probe into the case and efforts are on to arrest him, the official said.

In the video, the seer said, “An FIR has been registered against me for making derogatory remarks on

Kalicharan Maharaj

Gandhi, but I do not have any remorse for it.”

He also made several claims and allegations against Mahatma Gandhi and held him responsible for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel not becoming the country’s prime minister (after independence) and for “encouraging the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty”.

“Had Sardar Patel been the prime minister, the country would have been more powerful than America,” he claimed, and

said he does not consider Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation.

He also hailed Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.

On Sunday, an FIR was registered against Kalicharan Maharaj in Raipur for allegedly using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi.

A similar case was also registered against him at Akola in Maharashtra on Monday.

During the conclusion of the two-day ‘dharma sansad’ (religious parliament) at Ravan Bhata ground in Raipur on Sunday evening, the seer had allegedly used abusive words against Mahatma Gandhi, and asked people to elect a staunch Hindu leader as the head of the government in order to protect the religion.

Dinesh Mongia

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): Ahead of the Punjab Assembly election, former India cricketer Dinesh Mongia and sitting Congress MLA Fateh Singh Bajwa joined the BJP here on Tuesday in the presence of Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Bajwa, MLA from Qadian, is the brother of senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa.

Besides Bajwa, Balwinder Singh Laddi, sitting MLA of Congress from Punjab, also joined the BJP

Fateh Singh Bajwa

on Tuesday.

These joinings came a day after former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa met the BJP top brass after which an announcement for a formal alliance was made between the BJP and the parties of these two leaders.

Welcoming the leaders into his party fold, Shekhawat said leaders from other parties are joining the BJP as it is gaining ground in Punjab.

Privilege notice against Arnab, Kangana extended MUMBAI, DEC 28 (PTI): The Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday extended the period of submission of report by the privileges committee on the notice of Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik against television anchor Arnab Goswami and actor Kangana Ranaut till the last day of the legislature’s next session.

The proposal to this effect was moved in the Assembly by the chairman of the privileges committee Deepak Kesarkar and it was approved.

Sarnaik filed a privilege notice against Goswami, editor in chief of Republic Network, and actor Kangana Rananut on September 7 last year for breach of privilege and insult of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and others.

NEET PG counselling: Resident docs intensify stir PM Modi takes dig at SP over seizure of Doctors to take final cash from Kanpur-based businessman Police personnel call on protest after RDA’s meeting

deployed at Safdarjung

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI/ IANS): Intensifying their stir over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, a large number of resident doctors on Tuesday protested on the premises of Centrerun Safdarjung Hospital, even as police personnel were deployed to ensure maintenance of law and order.

The protest, a day earlier had taken a dramatic turn, as medics and police personnel had faced off in streets, with both sides claiming several persons suffered injury in the ensuing melee.

A senior police officer said security personnel have been deployed on the premises of Safdarjung Hospital to maintain law and order amid the ongoing strike by the doctors.

“Over 100 police personnel have been deployed. This is also to ensure the law and order situation at the hospital. The situation is normal and under control as of now. The resident doctors are peacefully protesting here,” a senior police official said.

Doctors chanted slogans like ‘We want justice’, and sought to bolster the morale of each other, after the face-off with the police on Monday went all the way to midnight as dramatic scenes were witnessed at the Sarojini Nagar Police Station. The Faculty Association of Safdarjung Hospital condemned the face-off, while the resident doctors’ association

Doctors during their protest over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI)

of AIIMS urged the government to reveal its plans for expediting NEET PG counselling, failing which it threatened to proceed with a token strike on December 29, including shutdown of all non-emergency services.

The stir, led by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association, entered its 12th day on Tuesday, even as patient care remained affected at three Centrerun facilities -- Safdarjung, RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals and some of the Delhi governmentrun hospitals.

FORDA on Monday had also said that several of its members were “detained” when they tried to hold a protest march from Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) to Supreme Court.

FORDA president Manish had claimed that resident doctors of a large number of major hospitals on Monday “returned their apron (lab coat) in a symbolic gesture of rejection of services”.

The Faculty Association of Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and SJH on Monday had written to the

Delhi police commissioner stating, it “strongly condemns and finds unacceptable, the cruel and inhuman manner, in which the protest of the resident doctors was mishandled by the Delhi police.

The resident doctors were brutally assaulted by the Delhi Police.”

In todays civilised world, it is a matter of shame that junior doctors who have been tirelessly working as the frontline Covid warriors for the last two years have been “treated so harshly”, it alleged.

“With the third wave of Covid almost knocking at our doors, everybody will again be begging the doctors to go beyond their call of duty so that lives can be saved.

It is the duty of the administration which includes the police to look after the physical well-being of doctors.

“Resident doctors are protesting for the last two weeks for a cause and there can be no earthly reason why they should be beaten up...Violence in any form on either side should be and is being condemned by our association,” the association wrote.

After meeting Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday over demands to expedite NEET-PG Counselling, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) said that they will take the final call on ongoing protest after consulting all RDAs. The representatives of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), FORDA and all RDAs are likely to hold a meeting at 8 p.m. on Tuesday to decide further course of action.

Dr Manish Nigam, FORDA President, said that the strike is still going on. We demand a written apology for police action.

“The further course of action will be decided in the meeting tonight,” he added.

Earlier, Mandaviya urged protesting resident doctors to call off their strike in the public interest. According to a doctor who was present in the meeting, Mandaviya assured to submit all documents before the court on January 6 when the matter will come up for hearing. He said that the matter is sub-judice before the Supreme Court. However, he said he was hopeful that the NEET-PG counselling will start soon.

The doctors also demanded an apology from police for action against them during the protest on Monday. Mandaviya expressed regret saying it is an unfortunate incident.

KANPUR (UP), DEC 28 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the SP on Tuesday over the seizure of crores of rupees in cash from a Kanpur-based perfume trader and said it was the “achievement and reality” of the opposition party.

“Boxes filled with notes that have come out, I was thinking they (Samajwadi Party) will say that this was also done by us. The people of Kanpur understand business and trade well. Before 2017, the perfume of corruption that they had sprinkled all over Uttar Pradesh is there for everyone to see,” the prime minister said after inaugurating a metro rail

Narendra Modi

project and the 356-km-long Bina-Panki multi-product pipeline project here, without taking any name.

“But now, they are sitting with their mouths shut. They are not coming forward to take credit for the mountain of currency notes seen by the entire

country. This is their achievement and their reality.

“The people of Uttar Pradesh are seeing and understanding everything and hence, they are with those who are working to take the state forward,” he said.

Modi said the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh used to think they had “won a lottery to loot the state for five years, but the double-engine government today is working with honesty and accountability”.

The prime minister also said before 2014, Uttar Pradesh had only nine km of metro rail track, which has gone up to more than 90 km now.

BJP got its own businessman raided by mistake: Akhilesh on perfume trader’s arrest UNNAO (UP), DEC 28 (PTI): Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday categorically denied any links between his party and Kanpurbased perfume trader Piyush Jain, and mockingly said the BJP got “its own businessman” raided “by mistake”.

He also said the CDR (call detail record) of the businessman’s phone would reveal the names of several BJP leaders who were in touch with him.

“By mistake, the BJP got its own businessman raided.

Instead of SP leader Pushpraj

Akhilesh Yadav

Jain, it got Piyush Jain raided,” Yadav told reporters before the start of the “Samajwadi Rath Yatra” here.

He also claimed that Samajwadi Attar (perfume)

was launched by SP MLC Pushpraj Jain and not Piyush Jain. Taking a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, “In a digital mistake, it got its own businessman raided.”

In multiple raids by the Income Tax department and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, around Rs 257 crore in cash, 25 kg of gold and 250 kg of silver were seized from the perfume trader’s house in Kanpur as well as from his house and factory in Kannauj.

6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 24 DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Hopeful end to AFSPA

N

agaland, as erstwhile Naga Hills and later Naga Hill Tuensang Area (NHTA) has brutalised for 73 years since 1948 through draconian laws with which it was governed. After Nagas then began their political movement since 1926 and under the NNC, being compelled to announce independence on August 14,1947 New Delhi imposed the Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1947 on June 15,1948. This Act was quite similar to the controversial Armed Forces(Special Powers)Act 1958 but while it only empowered police to act but not to the point of causing death, the latter provided unbridled powers to the armed forces to search, shoot and kill and at the same time insulated from being held accountable for crimes committed while operating under it(AFSPA).

The AFSPA was then imposed in Naga Hills Tuensang Area(Nagaland) since its inception in 1958 under which thousands of were killed, maimed and raped after the might of armed police battalions from other states and paramilitary forces were unleashed on the unarmed civilians. Most states where the AFSPA was imposed during 70s are either free of it or partially applicable. AFSPA was totally withdrawn from Mizoram in 1997, Tripura in 2015 and Meghalaya in 2018 respectively. AFSPA is partial in Arunachal Pradesh and in force only in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and some police stations under Namsai district bordering Assam. Manipur extended the ‘Disturbed Area’ status to the entire state, barring the Imphal municipal areas, for a period of one year from December 1,2020. AFSPA under the title Armed Forces(Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers Act 1990 was promulgated throughout the state in September 1990. Nagaland is therefore, the state having the longest duration of AFSPA. Ironically, it was the Oting massacre on December 4,2021 where 13 were massacred by the 21 Paras and another killed during violent protest in Mon the next day

by Assam Rifles, that has led to the AFSPA being put on the dock. After the one-session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on December 20 unanimously resolved to urge upon the government of India to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers)Act 1958 against the backdrop of the December 4 Oting massacre, the Centre responded by instituting a 5-member committee to look into repeal of AFSPA in Nagaland. The development came close on the heels of massive protests within Nagaland and other north eastern states against AFSPA and the unanimous resolution at the one-day session of the 13th NLA could not be ignored by the Centre. Responding to all the outrage as well as demands against the Oting massacre as well as the AFSPA, union home minister Amit Shah convened a meeting on December 23 with Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma including deputy chief minister Y.Patton and NPF legislature party leader T.R.Zeliang. The State government had always objected to the extension of AFSPA in Nagaland as and when the Union government sought the State’s opinion before declaring the entire state as a ‘disturbed area’, but the law is extended every year and now it has become a routine exercise. There are several states where law and order is worse than in the north east especially Naxal infested regions but the Centre never even thinks of using laws such as AFSPA. However, such laws have no place in a civilised democracy where the rule of law cannot be enforced through bayonets and bullets. It has taken 73 years and after 14 were martyred that Nagaland could see the back of AFSPA.

DailyDevotion Continuous Conversion

By Oswald Chambers

…unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:3 These words of our Lord refer to our initial conversion, but we should continue to turn to God as children, being continuously converted every day of our lives. If we trust in our own abilities, instead of God’s, we produce consequences for which God will hold us responsible.

When God through His sovereignty brings us into new situations, we should immediately make sure that our natural life submits to the spiritual, obeying the orders of the Spirit of God. Just because we have responded properly in the past is no guarantee that we will do so again.

The response of the natural to the spiritual should be continuous conversion, but this is where we so often refuse to be obedient. No matter what our situation is, the Spirit of God remains unchanged and His salvation unaltered.

But we must “put on the new man…” (Ephesians 4:24).

God holds us accountable every time we refuse to convert ourselves, and He sees our refusal as willful disobedience.

Our natural life must not rule— God must rule in us.

To refuse to be continuously converted puts a stumbling block in the growth of our spiritual life. There are areas of self-will in our lives where our pride pours contempt on the throne of God and says, “I won’t submit.” We deify our independence and self-will and call them by the wrong name. What God sees as stubborn weakness, we call strength. There are whole areas of our lives that have not yet been brought into submission, and this can only be done by this continuous conversion. Slowly but surely we can claim the whole territory for the Spirit of God.

Quotes

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes. ~ Washington Irving

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Post-mortem

Has Omicron reached its peak? Perhaps not — it might be the last Covid variant of concern I t i s c o n t r ove r s i a l whether viruses are alive, but – like all living things – they do evolve.

This fact has become abundantly clear during the pandemic, as new variants of concern have emerged every few months.

Some of these variants have been better at spreading from person to person, eventually becoming dominant as they outcompete slower versions of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This improved spreading ability has been ascribed to mutations in the spike protein – the mushroom-shaped projections on the surface of the virus – that allow it to bind more strongly to ACE2 receptors. ACE2 are receptors on the surface of our cells, such as those that line our airways, that the virus attaches to in order to gain entry and start replicating.

These mutations allowed the alpha variant, and then the delta variant, to become globally dominant. And scientists expect the same thing to happen with omicron.

The vir us cannot, however, improve indefinitely. The laws of biochemistry mean that the virus will eventually evolve a spike protein that binds to ACE2 as strongly as possible. By that point, the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to spread between people will not be limited by how well the virus can stick to the outside of cells.

Other factors will limit virus spread, such as how fast the genome can replicate, how quickly the virus can enter the cell via the protein TMPRSS2, and how much virus an infected human can shed.

In principle, all of these should eventually evolve to peak performance.

Has omicron reached this peak? There is no good reason to assume that it has. So-called “gain-offunction” studies, which look at what mutations SARS-CoV-2 needs to spread more efficiently, have identified plenty of mutations that improve the spike protein’s ability to bind to human cells that omicron doesn’t have. Besides this, improvements could be made to other

aspects of the virus life cycle, such as genome replication, as I mentioned above.

But let’s assume for a second that omicron is the variant with maximised spreading ability. Perhaps omicron won’t get any better because it is limited by genetic probability.

In the same way that zebras haven’t evolved eyes at the back of their heads to avoid predators, it’s plausible that SARSCoV-2 can’t pick up the mutations required to reach a theoretical maximum as those mutations need to occur all at once, and that is just too unlikely to emerge. Even in a scenario where omicron is the best variant at spreading between humans, new variants will emerge to handle the human immune system.

After infection with any virus, the immune system adapts by making antibodies that stick to the virus to neutralise it, and killer T-cells that destroy infected cells. Antibodies are pieces of protein that stick to the specific molecular shape of the virus,

and killer T-cells recognise infected cells via molecular shape as well.

S A R S - C o V- 2 c a n therefore evade the immune system by mutating sufficiently that its molecular shape changes beyond the immune system’s recognition.

This is why omicron is so apparently successful at infecting people with previous immunity, either from vaccines or infections with other variants – the mutations that allow the spike to bind to ACE2 more strongly also reduce the ability of antibodies to bind to the virus and neutralise it. Pfizer’s data suggests that T-cells should respond similarly to omicron as to previous variants, which aligns with the observation that omicron has a lower fatality rate in South Africa, where most people have immunity.

Importantly for humanity, past exposure still seems to protect against severe disease and death, leaving us with a “compromise” where the virus can replicate and reinfect, but we do not get as severely

sick as the first time.

Probable future Herein lies the most probable future for this virus.

Even if it behaves like a professional gamer and eventually maxes out all its stats, there is no reason to think that it won’t be controlled and cleared by the immune system.

The mutations that improve its spreading ability do not greatly increase deaths.

This maxed-out virus would then simply mutate randomly, changing enough over time to become unrecognisable to the immune system’s adapted defences, allowing waves of reinfection.

We might have COVID season each winter in the same way we have flu season now. Influenza viruses can also have a similar pattern of mutation over time, known as “antigenic drift”, leading to reinfections. Each year’s new flu viruses are not necessarily better than last year’s, just sufficiently different.

Perhaps the best evidence for this eventuality

for SARS-CoV-2 is that 229E, a coronavirus that causes the common cold, does this already.

Omicron will therefore not be the final variant, but it may be the final variant of concern.

If we are lucky, and the course of this pandemic is hard to predict, SARS-CoV-2 will probably become an endemic virus that slowly mutates over time. The disease might very likely be mild as some past exposure creates immunity that reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation and death. Most people will get infected the first time as a child, which could occur before or after a vaccine, and subsequent reinfections will barely be noticed.

Only a small group of scientists will track SARSCoV-2’s genetic changes over time, and the variants of concern will become a thing of the past – at least until the next virus jumps the species barrier.

Ben Krishna, Postdoctoral Researcher, Immunology and Virology, University of Cambridge.

(The Conversation)

Why it is time for India to get serious about diplomacy over the Antarctic

I

n 1981, science had eased India’s entry into the Antarctic. However, despite three stations (including one decommissioned) and 40-odd scientists and support staff visiting the cold continent each winter, blessed with an annual budget well over Rs 100 crore, India is yet to enter the formidable fortress’s geopolitical arena in earnest.

Atmospheric war ming, changing precipitation patterns, biodiversity losses and melting ice sheets have led to a new global narrative – climate change. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest in the world, accounting for over 62% of Earth’s freshwater.

With the greenhouse emissions continuing to rise, scientists working in the region point out that warming events over the Antarctic are projected to become more frequent and are likely to last longer. Of the many outcomes, one that is most definitive is the rising waters of the oceans.

Under an intermediate emission scenario, the sea level rise is likely to rise from 0.4 metre to 0.8 metre, in a non-uniform manner across the world.

The global interest in mitigating and adapting, to power humankind with the knowledge of what is in store, has grown manifold in the recent decades, with several multi-partite international agreements looking to lower emissions.

Diplomacy over Antarctic As the ramifications of climate change are intensely associated with the cryosphere, a concerted effort to build a scientific understanding of these regions – high mountains and the Arctic

and the Antarctic has been prioritised by many nations, including India. Antarctic science has been the key to the coming together of opposing nations amidst a fragmented and animosity-driven world order. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty System was ratified by 12 signatories that included the United States and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Today, with 54 signatories (29 consultative and 25 non-consultative parties) the scientific activities on the icy continent have grown in volume and value.

However, where science has made quick headway, the policy has been slow to follow. More immediate problems of livelihood, national security and elections (for democracies) keeps a stranglehold on countries. A recent virtual high-level Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly, organised by the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Groups on December 1, attempted to lend strength to the forum’s momentum.

The first Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly was one of its kind, an in-the-room event held in London in 2019, culminating in a signed declaration that pointed towards greater involvement of interested nations and stringent environmental protection. The platform, a brainchild of the Conservative member of parliament, James Gray, explicitly looks towards involving all legislators from nations that are signatories of the Antarctic Treaty System.

Dominated by scientists, this year’s meeting was attended by legislators from 24 nations, up by 12 from the previous one.

Governmental representatives

from various nations, including the head of China’s Environment Protection Committee, Cheng Lifeng, briefly reiterated its commitment to upholding the Antarctic as a universal common heritage of mankind.

But as the proverbial “actions speak louder than words” go, it may be noted that the legislators of China and Andrew Bayly of New Zealand (among many other scientists from the Indo-Pacific region) sat through the night and early morning (this being an online endeavour), participating keenly in the discussions, exhibiting dedication beyond the call of duty.

India lags behind Juxtaposed against this was the confirmed yet missing delegation of Indian parliamentarians.

Neither was there any scientific or diplomatic involvement, nor any statement from India presented to the offices of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups, which they could (as they have for other nations) host on their website. Such apathy towards polar diplomacy is confounding.

Scientists project that sealevel rise, as a result of cryospheric melting, is likely to displace a significant section of people, especially true for the heavily populated coastal areas of East and Southeast Asia. With differential sea-level rise, some areas in the region are likely to be worse off.

The process is already underway with Sunderban’s climate change refugees having been forced to abandon their lands and relocate elsewhere. What is more startling is that people crossing international borders due to climate

change falls outside the purview of almost all international legal frameworks. This is particularly worrisome for island regions, potentially fracturing entire communities and identities.

With “climate-resilient” building projects such as the Eko Atlantic in Lagos, Nigeria, gaining acceptance among the wealthy and the influential (US Consulate looking to be located there) at the cost of greater coastal erosion beyond, perhaps harkens the crumbling of the welfare state model, leaving the poor to scramble on stilts against the rising waters.

As policy perspectives continue to lag behind (the Indian Antarctic Bill – a legal mechanism and the Draft Arctic Policy are yet to be passed by the Parliament), climate change may become the singular force that the world and more importantly the Indian subcontinent may have to reckon with. Dutch authorities, on the other hand, in preparation for such future drought/flood and sea-level rise scenarios have already begun restructuring their coastal infrastructure.

Fighting climate change As a starting point to engage not only legislators but industries and businesses too, the emerging interest around the Indo-Pacific region can be perhaps be utilised.

This could help build a policy framework that includes a cryospheric component – modelling complex satellite assisted inundation scenarios along with the IndoPacific rim nations – suggesting more climate-resilient renewablesbased coastal infrastructures and financing for it.

Beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu lives on

W

ith the passing of beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu on 26th December 2021, solemn thoughts enter the minds of the Naga people. Along with the rest of the world, we feel how much has been taken from us.

Archbishop Tutu was a special person, someone whose history was written

by God. Born to give hope to the hopeless and peace in the midst of violence, he refused to be held down by a world stricken by hatred and injustice. Tutu traveled as one who belonged to all people, races, and creeds.

He was a grand testament to the world, and indeed to the Naga people.

In a December 2009 letter addressed to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Tutu addressed the ongoing Naga Reconciliation process by saying: “Choosing the path of reconciliation demonstrates maturity and respect of human dignity. It is when we dehumanize others that we invariably dehumanize ourselves…It is this recognition that gives me hope that as you embark on your journey, you will find healing and the courage to face the shadows that have stalked your people for a long time…I wish you success in your deliberations and pray that God grants you wisdom and protection during this important phase of your

struggle.”

And so, we Nagas, and particularly the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), remain grateful to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In this time of our history and all its happenings within and without us, let us steadfastly and sincerely “face the shadows” that continue to appear in front of us.

Accordingly, FNR calls for the practice of human understanding through God’s reconciliation. Let us preserve hope in the midst of false narratives, learnt reactions, and violence.

Nagas and the Government of India should consciously accept the pain and sorrow of this time and move towards authentic justice, heal-

ing and reconciliation. This is our existential and long-term hope for a misunderstood, divided, and forged history of humanity and nations.

FNR believes not in a misplaced reconciliation that stems from deceit and brokenness, but rather in the new and genuine humanity that is freed through reconciliation.

In remembrance of Archbishop Tutu, let us begin by acknowledging our weakness in order to give reconciliation a chance and by embracing Reinhold Niebuhr’s critical observation that, “It is always wise to seek the truth in our opponent’s error, and the error in our truth.”

Forum for Naga Reconciliation

A multi-season cruise along the coastal length of the IndoPacific and East Pacific region, not only for ground-truthing but also for global posturing – inviting top-level researchers from the global arena, would place the south and east Asia in the midst of it all.

There is a heightened need for India to be “seen”. Hosting international geopolitical meets in the cryospheric domain will perhaps not be easy. James Gray’s offhand remark to the author that hosting the All-Party Parliamentary Group in India would not sit well as it was not an original signatory of the Antarctic Treaty System brought to light that there is a long way for the nation to go.

Not only is India not an original signatory, but it also does not hold an “Indian Antarctic Territory”. The United Kingdom on the other hand, according to the official website of overseas territory names, holds records for a “British Antarctic Territory” for a continent that is supposedly a common heritage of mankind with no sovereign rights of signatories of the Antarctic Treaty System.

Considering that China and India made “phase down” acceptable in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the newfound camaraderie may help forge links in the polar realms as well – fighting together for what may be the biggest war ever: climate change.

Sulagna Chattopadhyay is President of Science and Geopolitics of Himalaya-ArcticAntarctic, a Delhi-based think tank. (Scroll.in)

Reader’s Post

Sir,

SOPs in public places

Since the festive season, many in public are seen without masks and very few seem to maintain social distancing.

Guidelines and protocols for COVID appropriate behaviour should be followed by all and controlling of the crowd in marketplaces should also be in place.

As it is the festive season and Dimapur is teeming now that the restrictions have been relaxed, strict compliance is required.

Flouting SOPs would only hasten the third wave and with the memory of second wave still so fresh, especially to those who have suffered and lost loved ones, I think we should all be more responsible.

Nochet, 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.

Mercedes-Maybach that can survive bullets, blast added to PM ’s cavalcade

The new vehicle is certified with VR10-level protection and the car windows are coated with polycarbonate which can withstand hardened steel core bullets.

President Vladimir Putin, who was on a two-day visit to India on December 6 this year and also it was spotted in the convoy in the rally recently.

According to reports, the new vehicle is certified with VR10-level protection providing the highest level of protection and the car windows are coated with polycarbonate which can withstand hardened steel core bullets. Laced with the

NITI Aayog’s Health Index: Ker CM lauds health workers

Pinarayi Vijayan T H I RU VA N A N T H A PURAM, DEC 28 (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the dedicated service of health workers and the government’s policy that focuses on strengthening the public health system have helped the state emerge as the best performing large state in the NITI Aayog’s Health Index for the fourth consecutive time.

“Kerala has emerged again as the best performing large state in @NITIAayog’s #HealthIndex. The core reasons of this achievement are the policy that focuses on strengthening the public health system & the dedication of our health workers to ensure its success,” he tweeted. The southern state

emerged top in the performance of the year 2019-20 by battling the adverse factors like floods and that increases the value of the achievement, he said.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said the Left Front’s policy of strengthening the public health sector has been resolutely implemented even during the times of crisis.

“The selfless service of the health workers has enabled Kerala to fulfil this great responsibility in the best possible way,” he said, adding that the following outbreak of COVID-19 also could be contained in an exemplary manner due to this cohesive approach. The Chief Minister also stressed the need for more vigilant intervention in the health sector in the wake of the Omicron variant of the pandemic. Kerala has again emerged as the top ranking state in terms of overall health performance among larger states, while Uttar Pradesh is the worst, according to the fourth Health Index launched by Niti Aayog.

The period 2019-20 (reference year) was taken into account in the fourth Health Index by the agency.

2010 Explosion Proof Vehicle rating, it is a specialised vehicle which offers protection of occupants from a 15 kg TNT explosion within the perimeter of only two meters. The S650 Guard has a 6.0 litre twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 516 bhp and a peak torque of approximately 900 Nm while the maximum speed has been capped to 160 kmph.

The vehicle’s lower part is heavily armoured to protect

the occupants from direct explosions while the cabin of the car has been designed in such a way that during a gas attack, the occupant will get air supply.

This armoured car is also equipped with special run-flat tyres that will continue to function in case of damage or puncture to ensure a quick escape from the danger areas. This car has been designed on the order and the cost of car is unknown but assumed that it is equipped with sophisticated gadgets and comfortable seating arrangements, the sources further said.

The decision to get a new armoured car was taken after the security review of the Prime Minister by the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) which decided to add this highly acclaimed Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard.

PM Modi used to travel in the Range Rover Vogue and the Toyota Land Cruiser since he assumed office of the Prime Minister while he used modified Mahindra Bolero when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The state BJP unit, during the day, held an organisational meeting here, which was addressed by the party’s national general secretary (organization) B L Santosh. The party’s state president, Sukanta Majumdar, its national vicepresident Dilip Ghosh and Leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari were among those present at the meeting.

“Santoshji clearly said that the party will not give up till Mamata Banerjee is defeated in Bengal. The BJP will not stop till the TMC

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): A yellow alert has been sounded in Delhi and some restrictions imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in view of rising number of Covid cases in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

The yellow alert entails restrictions like night curfew, closure of schools and colleges, opening of non essential shops based on an odd even basis, halved seating capacity in Metro trains and buses among others.

The chief minister, after reviewing the Covid situation at a high level meeting, said virus cases were rising fast in Delhi but there was no need to panic as most people have mild symptoms.

The yellow alert is imposed when the Covid positivity stays above 0.5 percent for two consecutive days.

The positivity rate in Delhi has been above 0.5 percent in past two days.

Kejriwal said it was unfortunate that people were visiting markets and malls without masks, and appealed to them to follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

Modi inaugurates Kanpur Metro with a ride

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on board the state of the art Kanpur Metro train, in Kanpur, Tuesday. (PTI) KANPUR (UP), DEC 28 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the completed section of Kanpur Metro Rail Project on Tuesday when he boarded the metro train at IIT Kanpur metro station and became the first passenger of the service.

He was accompanied

by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The Kanpur Metro Rail Project comprises two corridors and has a total length of 32.5 km.

The first corridor from IIT-Kanpur to Naubasta is 23.8 km long while the second corridor from Chan-

drashekar Azad Agriculture University to Barra-8 is 8.6 km long.

The daily metro services will be available from 6 a.m to 10.p.m. from Wednesday.

Initially, ticketing with QR code will be available and later on, smart cards will also be introduced for commuters.

The Kanpur Metro will run on the Priority Section from IIT-Kanpur to Motijheel with three coaches.

Due to its stringent compliance with the green building codes and parameters, it has been certified with the ISO-14001

CHANDIGARH, DEC 28 (PTI): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar expanded his cabinet on Tuesday, inducting an MLA each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

In the second expansion carried out in two years, BJP’s Hisar MLA Kamal Gupta and JJP MLA Devender Singh Babli, who represents Tohana in the Assembly, were

inducted into the Khattar cabinet.

They were administered the oath by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya at a ceremony held at the Haryana Raj Bhavan here.

Gupta took oath in Sanskrit while Babli took oath in Hindi.

Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala were present Devender Singh Babli Kamal Gupta on the occasion, among others. of the two MLAs, the council of ministers has With the induction strength of the Haryana gone up to 14, including

the chief minister, which is the upper limit.

Earlier, 10 MLAs were inducted into the cabinet in November 2019, days after the chief minister and his deputy were sworn in on October 27, 2019.

After Tuesday’s cabinet expansion, the BJP has 10 ministers, including the chief minister, and the JJP has three ministers, including the deputy chief minister, while Ranjit Singh

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): The possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out in today’s uncertain environment, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday as he listed the development of border infrastructure as part of efforts to boost India’s preparedness to confront any security challenge.

After unveiling 27 roads and bridges projects implemented by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), he said India would not have been able to respond strongly to the adversary in the northern sector if there was no infrastructure in the region.

The 24 roads inaugurated at a virtual ceremony included one

built at an altitude of more than 19,000 feet on the Umling-La pass in southern Ladakh, Singh said, adding it has now become the world’s highest motorable road.

“The situation we faced in the northern sector recently, and the manner in which we were able to respond strongly to the adversary, would not have been possible without appropriate infrastructure development,” Singh said in a reference to the eastern Ladakh row.

“In today’s uncertain environment, the possibility of any kind of conflict cannot be ruled out. Such situations motivate us even more for the development of these areas. It is a matter of pride that we have the BRO for coopera-

gets politically defeated in the state. This message was much needed to mobilise cadres and leaders, as the assembly poll defeat and claims of tacit understanding between BJP and TMC were taking a toll on the organisation,” a senior officebearer noted.

The grand old party and the CPI (M) have several times in the past accused the TMC of being a “trojan horse of the BJP”.

The BJP, despite its high-pitched poll campaign, won 77 seats in the last as-

sembly polls, whereas the TMC bagged 213 out of the 294 seats to return to power for the third consecutive time. Amid rumblings in the state BJP unit after several old guards were axed from the new office bearers’ committee, Santosh said everybody has to abide by the party discipline.

“Santosh Ji has promised that no one will be left out, and everybody will be given responsibilities. The motto should that we speak less and listen to people,” the BJP leader stated.

tion in the development of these areas,” Singh added.

The defence minister also rued that adequate attention was not given to developing border infrastructure after Independence, but asserted that there was a major change in the approach in the last few years.

“After Independence, our policies were such that the internal areas of the country developed, but the border areas remained relatively deprived of development.

This situation continued for a long time,” he said.

“As we used to move away from Delhi, the graph of development also kept falling down in the same proportion. Earlier it was

said that people from border areas may be far from Delhi, but they are not far from our heart. But as the transport sector witnessed major expansion, it became an old saying,” Singh said.

The defence minister said the roads in border areas are not only for strategic needs but they also ensure equal participation of remote areas in the development of the nation.

“In this way, these bridges, roads and tunnels play an important role in our security, and in empowering the entire nation,” he said. The defence ministers said that there was a need to strengthen India’s surveillance system the way the country is strengthening

0.22 per cent of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.40 per cent, the highest since March 2020, the ministry said. A decrease of 385 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

its border infrastructure.

In this context, he cited problems like infiltration, skirmishes, illegal trade and smuggling in the border areas.

“In view of all this, the government has sometime back started the CIBMS, that is Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System,” he said.

Referring to the construction of the road in southern Ladakh, Singh said the BRO achieved the “historic feat” despite facing numerous challenges including that of extreme altitude and sub-zero temperature.

“It is a matter of pride not only for BRO but also for the nation,” he said.

Centre targeting Christians to push majoritarian agenda: Cong NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday slammed the Modi government over its refusal to renew the FCRA registration of the Missionaries of Charity, accusing it of targeting Christians to advance its majoritarian agenda. “Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity are the latest victims of Modi Government’s vicious, vengeful and hate driven agenda against minorities,” Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC General Secretary and in-charge of Communications, said on Twitter. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said as the year 2021 ends, it was clear that the Modi government “has found another target - Christians - to advance its majoritarian agenda”.

Chidambaram asked the Union Home Ministry to “put to use its Sherlock Holmes-like skills to quell communal violence and terrorist activity, not to suppress Christian charity and humanitarian work”.

k-2459/21

ing positive for coronavirus infections in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,47,99,691.

The active cases have declined to 75,456, according to the data updated at 8 am. The death toll has climbed to 4,80,290 with 293 fresh fatalities, the data stated. The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been recorded below 15,000 for the last 61 days now.

The active cases have declined to 75,456 comprising

Chautala is the lone Independent MLA inducted as a minister.

The BJP fell short of a simple majority in the October, 2019 Haryana Assembly polls, winning 40 of the 90 seats, and subsequently, it forged an alliance with the JJP, which has 10 MLAs. The BJP formed the government in the state with the support of the JJP lawmakers and Independent MLAs.

Govt unveils 27 border infrastructure projects to meet challenges

Omicron: Maharashtra records maximum number of cases, India’s total tally at 653

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): India has logged 653 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 21 states and UTs so far out of which 186 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 167 cases followed by Delhi at 165, Kerala 57, Telangana 55, Gujarat 49 and Rajasthan 46.

With 6,358 people test-

certification for environment management and ISO-45001 certification for safety management.

The entire stretch has been developed in accordance with the green building codes, which makes it safe for the environment.

All the nine stations of the Priority Corridor have been certified with platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

It was on November 15, 2019 that Yogi Adityanath had inaugurated the civil construction work of Kanpur Metro.

A trial run of the metro was held on November 10 this year.

BJP’s Kamal Gupta, JJP’s Devender Singh sworn in as ministers in Haryana

Will not give up till Mamata is defeated in Bengal: BJP

KO L K ATA , D E C 2 8 (PTI): Amid claims that the TMC and the BJP have entered into a “tacit understanding” to undermine and divide the opposition camp, the saffron party on Monday said it would not give up until TMC boss and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is defeated in West Bengal.

The saffron camp also announced that its national president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would visit the state next month and address party programmes.

Yellow alert in Delhi amid rising Covid cases

dc-1375/21

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (IANS): In a massive security upgrade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a highly sophisticated car Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard has been included in his cavalcade that can survive bullets and explosive blast, the sources in the security set up said.

PM Modi was first spotted with the new car at Hyderabad House in Delhi while welcoming Russian

7

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

DP-6150/21

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

BUSINESS/STATE

2020-21 crop year that ended in June at 308.65 million tonnes. The production could reach 310 million tonnes in the current crop year.

The gover nment procured huge quantities of wheat, rice, pulses, cotton and oilseeds at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the benefit of farmers.

During 2020-21, paddy and wheat procurement reached a record 894.18 lakh tonnes and 433.44 lakh tonnes, respectively.

Procurement of pulses

touched 21.91 lakh tonnes, coarse grains 11.87 lakh tonnes and oilseeds 11 lakh tonnes, as per official data.

As production and procurement continued smoothly, the farmers’ agitation, which started in November 2020, finally ended this month after Parliament passed a Bill on the first day of Winter S e s s i o n o n N ove m b e r 29, to repeal the three contentious farm laws. The Supreme Court had stayed implementation of these laws in January itself.

Farmers unions are

Layam seeks to provide jobs to unemployed youths

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 8 ( N P N ) : L aya m i s a group of 4 companies rendering staffing, job and manufacturing contract, recruitment, learning and development services, has announced that anyone seeking a job can reach out to Layam in a quick way. All they need do is visit their website or their social media pages and attach their resume from the link provided. The other way is to email their CV to connectus@layamweb. com .The entire application process is fast and effortless.

Once your CV is sent, candidates will get a call from the recruitment team of Layam, upon which an interview date is fixed right away.

In its press release, Layam stated that it follows

the hire, train and deploy model where the company hires recent g raduates that are not given direct placements from their colleges. This model was exclusively for mulated to benefit ITI, diploma, and other professional graduates as well. Through this model the company has played a major role as a career launcher for freshers especially from rural backgrounds. Layam’s success story started when they recr uited various freshers from small towns and villages. They trained and de ployed them at various automobile, FMCG, IT, engineering, retail industries.

Layam further stated that although interviews can be stressful for freshers, Layam team makes sure that

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

the candidate is comfortable.

This is one of the many steps in which the candidate becomes aware of the great set of values displayed by the staff at Layam. At Layam, new joiners are given the best foundation to tackle everything. The management deploys multiple instr uctors to upskill their knowledge to work under a broad range of sectors. The company also plays a very important role in shaping the communication and interpersonal skills of the candidates.

Slowly, the new joiners begin to recognize their inherent capabilities and untapped potential and eventually they begin to let go of their fears and outshine in their jobs. This obviously helps them to diversify their area of work.

claiming victor y after they forced the Centre to accede to their demands.

In contrast, economists and government officials see it as a setback in ushering in reforms in the agricultural marketing system.

The jury is still out on the merit of these three laws.

“We were expecting one-fifth of the country’s farmers to benefit from the implementation of the three farm reforms.

We completely lost that opportunity. However, I feel the setback is only temporary,” Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chand told PTI. Had farm laws been implemented, the Niti Aayog member said, “it would have helped achieve the target of doubling farmers income to a large extent. We had put nearly 20 per cent increase in income on implementation of the farm laws”.

The three laws, passed

by Parliament in September 2020, were aimed at giving marketing freedom to

farmers beyond notified m a n d i s. A f r a m ewo r k for contract farming and regulating supply of essential commodities only under extraordinary circumstances were the other main objectives.

Chand said, the overall performance of the agricultural sector has been robust this year. “The agrigrowth rate is intact. This year, we expect 3.5 per cent growth rate in agriculture by the end of March 2022, same as last year’s level,” he said.

Record production of foodgrains helped the agriculture sector to maintain its growth rate.

A g r i c u l t u r e Commissioner S K Malhotra said the country’s foodg rains production could touch 310 million tonnes in the 2021-22 crop year (July-June). Good monsoon rains, adoption of new technologies and successful implementation of government schemes like PM-KISAN have aided the rise in production.

Year Ender 2021: Likely AFSPA repeal and impact on Naga solution (From p-1) Another major development that took place was the transfer of incumbent gover nor of Nagaland R.N. Ravi to Tamil Nadu following discord with the ruling PDA government in the state and the NSCN(I-M) over the latter’s demand for flag and constitution as part solution.

Ravi also resigned as Interlocutor and the G ove r n m e n t o f I n d i a appointed retired IB Director A.K. Mishra as the Representative for talks with the NSCN(I-M) before finalising solution.

The formation of an all-party government on September 18, comprising of the ruling PDA (NDPP, BJP and Ind.) with the opposition NPF under the nomenclature United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

was the second political low down in Nagaland’s political history. The first was when eight opposition Congress MLAs joined the DAN-III comprising of NPF and BJP. Both all-par ty and opposition-less governments were formed for the same objective- unity for the cause of early solution to the Naga political issue. Four more new districts were createdNoklak (January 20, 2021), Tseminyu, Chümoukedima and Niuland (all in December 21,2021)- taking the number of districts in Nagaland to 15.

These developments will certainly have an impact on the new year but most importantly, once the dust over AFSPA settles, it will be time to refocus back to the long pending solution to the Naga political issue that was expected in 2019.

No. 10137 Yesterday’s solution No. 10136

No. 4759

Yesterday’s solution No. 4758

No. 3783 Yesterday’s solution No. 3782

ACROSS 4. Broad street (6) 7. A cosmetic (8) 8. Ta r a n t u l a , f o r example (6) 10. Of or resembling a bird (5) 13. Plant part (4) 14. Minus (4) 15. Female relative (4) 16. Still (3) 17. Mountain lake (4) 19. Middle East port (4) 21. Sets free (9) 23. Indian dress (4) 24. Press clothes (4) 26. Marry (3) 27. Terrible fate (4) 29. Plant type (4) 32. Defeat (4) 33. Facial expression (5) 34. Strain, emphasis (6) 35. Liable to happen soon (8) 36. Fears greatly (6) DOWN 1. Iron, for example (5) 2. Boy’s name (5) 3. Big cat (4) 4. Illegal burning (5) 5. Egress (4) 6. Irregular (6) 9. Spud (6) 11. Animal doctor (3) 12. Afoot (5) 13. Behave without restraint (3,4) 15. Land measure (3) 16. Affirmative (3) 18. Tolerates (6) 20. Jeans fabric (5) 21. Stripling (3) 22. Limb (3) 23. Part, subdivision (6) 25. Nothing (3) 28. Deser t’s fer tile spot (5) 30. Jockey (5) 31. Chairs (5) 32. 2nd Greek letter (4) 33. Go by boat (4)

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): Gold price in the national capital on Tuesday gained Rs 80 to Rs 47,233 per 10 gram in line with recovery in international precious metal prices, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the yellow metal settled at Rs 47,153 per 10 gram.

Silver also jumped Rs 580 to Rs 61,266 per kg from Rs 60,686 per kg in the previous trade.

In the international market, gold was trading with gains at USD 1,814 per ounce and silver was flat at USD 23.07 per ounce.

“Gold prices traded firm with spot gold prices at COMEX trading at USD 1,814 per ounce on Tuesday.

Gold prices traded higher supported by weaker dollar and fall in US bond yields,” HDFC Securities, Senior Analyst (Commodities), Tapan Patel said.

The Indian rupee jumped 34 paise to close at 74.66 against the US dollar.

NAGPUR, DEC 28 (PTI): Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday asserted that use of drones in the farm sector can generate about 50 lakh jobs in the vast rural segment in one year alone.

Gadkari said he has discussed with his two cabinet colleagues the need to draft a policy on using the drone technology in the farm sector.

He was addressing farmers and others present at the closing ceremony of ‘Agrovision’ exhibition in Nagpur. The Lok Sabha MP from Nagpur is the chief patron of Agrovision, a n a n nu a l s u m m i t o n agriculture.

Union MSME minister Narayan Rane visited the exhibition on Monday, while Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar had attended the inaugural function of the four-day event on December 24. Gadkari, talking about various opportunities in the ag riculture sector, said, “I discussed with

Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union MSME minister Narayan Rane (the need) to work on preparing a policy on (use of) drones in the farm sector.”

“Drone is related with agro and MSME, and drones alone can generate about 50 lakh jobs in the rural sector in one year. Besides, it will benefit farmers too,” he maintained.

The minister, citing his own example of deploying drones in his farm, stressed on cutting down on mechanised spraying of pesticides.

Gadkari said a drone, powered by lithium-ion battery, would cost around Rs 6 lakh, while the same unmanned aerial vehicle with flex engine and run on ethanol fuel, would come at much cheaper price of around Rs 1.5 lakh.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister said spraying of pesticides from drones will need ‘pilots’ for operating them and this will open up huge job prospects.

Centre to upskill State’s 4,000 cane & bamboo artisans

(From p-1) He mentioned that he became aware of the region’s potential during his travel to Nagaland, which prompted the Skill Development & Entrepreneurship ministry to come up with this programme in a bid to meet the economic aspirations of local youth and take them on the path of development.

The project will be implemented in different phases, including selection of artisans and weavers, training of trainers (ToT) and upskilling of artisans a n d w e ave r s t h r o u g h RPL with Bridge Module.

The artisans and weavers will be selected from the traditional crafts clusters of Nagaland. The selection will be made on the basis of existing experience of candidates. The trainers

will be selected either from the existing database or a ToT programme will be conducted for the existing artisans and weavers from the proposed clusters.

The artisans and weavers will be trained in innovative and upgraded techniques of making handmade products. Post training, all the artisans and weavers will work in micro units that are set up in their respective clusters. During this time, the beneficiaries will be encouraged to par ticipate actively in external deliberation so that at the final stage they are able to manage market linkages on their own.

National Skill Development Corporation, the nodal implementation agency for the Ministry of Skill Development &

Entrepreneurship and supported by Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC), will monitor the day-to-day progress of the project. The project aims at achieving lear ning outcomes, including entrepreneurship development, digital literacy, communication skills at workplace and development of sales, and marketing skills. It will also be backed by industry participation, which is vital for the successful implementation of the project and the ongoing support. The industry will be supporting in areas like training of 150 trainers, infrastructure, providing raw material and promotion of crafts in domestic and international markets. This was stated in a press release.

Longshen public protest shifting of EAC Hq

(From p-1) individuals and not based on the consensus of the denizens of Longshen town and the original land owners (Tangnyu and Sheanghah Chingnyu Village).”

Further, LTSU pointed out that the Mon district administration did not give any prior information or public notification regarding the shifting of Longshen EAC. Describing as “totally absurd and irrational” the idea of shifting the town, the public affirmed that they would strongly oppose such move and warned that the government would solely be held responsible if any misunderstandings or untoward incidents arose.

Over 4.67 cr ITRs filed so far, 15.49 lakh alone in 1 day NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): Over 4.67 crore Income Tax Returns have been filed including over 15.49 lakh ITRs filed on December 27 alone, the I-T department said on Tuesday.

The last date for filing ITRs for 2020-21 fiscal ended March 31, 2021, by individual taxpayers is December 31, extended from the original date of July 31, 2021.

“A total of 4,67,45,249 #ITRs have been filed up to 27.12.2021 including 15,49,831 #ITRs filed on the day itself,” the department tweeted giving details of ITRs filed for Assessment Year 2021-22 (2020-21 fiscal year).

This includes over 2.50 crore ITR-1 and over 1.17 crore ITR-4.

ITR Form 1 (Sahaj) and ITR Form 4 (Sugam) are simpler forms that cater to a large number of small and medium taxpayers.

Sahaj can be filed by an individual having income up to Rs 50 lakh and who receives income from salary, one house property/other sources (interest etc).

ITR-4 can be filed by individuals, HUFs and firms with total income up to Rs 50 lakh and having income from business and profession.

Sensex surges 477 points, Nifty rose by 17,200 points

MUMBAI, DEC 28 (PTI): Equity benchmark Sensex rallied 477 points on Tuesday, tracking gains in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, Infosys and HDFC Bank amid a positive trend in global markets.

The 30-share index surged 477.24 points or 0.83 per cent to end at 57,897.48.

Similarly, the Nifty rose by 147.20 points or 0.86 per cent to 17,233.45.

Asian Paints was the

laNd For Sale 1. 14 Bighas Any type of Farming site Rs. 60 per sqft 2 mnts walk from 4 Lane 2. 8 Bighas Rubber plantation (7 years plantation) Rs. 185 per sqft 3. 9½ Bighas Paddy Field 3 mnts walks from 4 Lane Rs. 45 pers sqft Contact : 9362359493 8787702327

waNted 6(Six) Experienced Dumper Drivers for 6 & 10 wheels. (with genuine Driving License) Location: Dimapur only Handsome Salary & Free Accomodation Contact: 8974026229

top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising nearly 3 per cent, followed by Sun Pharma, M&M, NTPC, UltraTech Cement and Titan.

On the other hand, IndusInd Bank and Powe r G r i d we r e t h e laggards.

loSt & FouNd A Necklace was found near Ao Baptist Church Unity Village” Rightful owner may claim it on this number. : 8413886352DP-6160/21

For Sale

SwiFt VXi, 2011 alto lXi, 2009 & 2010 Mob. No.: 6009486441 8373939983 DP-6134/21

waNted

1 (One) Watchman 10 Persons for the post of Sales Representative (Must own two wheelers) Assured handsome salary & good incentives.

Interview date: 28th Dec to 29th Dec 2021.

Time: 10 am to 1 pm Location: Above Renault Showroom Building, Purana Bazar Contact: 8974026229

DP-6137/21

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): India achieved record foodgrains production this year but the withdrawal of three agri-reform laws and spike in cooking oil prices cast a shadow on the countr y’s resilient agriculture sector that is on course for better harvest in 2022 despite pandemic blues.

While soaring production of foodgrains that also helped the government provide free additional rations for COVID-hit poor families for many months together came as a relief, the passing year will be remembered for the long drawn farmers’ protest at Delhi borders against the three laws and subsequent repeal of the legislations.

The Indian agriculture sector, which was among the few segments that remained robust amid the pandemic gales, is expected to register a growth rate of 3.5 per cent in the current financial year ending March 2022.

Foodgrains production hit an all-time high in the

‘Use of drones in farm sector can generate 50 lakh jobs’

DP-6131/21

Record foodgrain production likely in 2022

Gold gains Rs 80; silver jumps Rs 580

DP-6136/21

8

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

China slams Musk over near satellite collision “The risks of Starlink are being gradually exposed, the whole human race will pay for their business activities,” a user posting under the name Chen Haiying said on Weibo.

U. S. s p a c e a g e n cy NASA was forced to abruptly call off a spacewalk at the end of November, citing risks posed by space debris. Musk tweeted in response that some Starlink satellite orbits had been adjusted to reduce the possibility of collisions.

China began constructing the space station in April with the launch of Tianhe, the largest of its three modules. The station is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 after four crewed missions.

Musk has become a well-known figure in China, though Tesla’s electricvehicle business has come under growing scrutiny from regulators, especially after a customer climbed on top of a Tesla car at the Shanghai auto show in April to protest against poor customer service.

9

INTERNATIONAL

China shuts down 2nd ‘Ashraf Ghani runner-up in most city due to Covid outbreak corrupt list headed by Belarus Prez’ BEIJ ING, D EC 28 (IANS): In the wake of a worsening outbreak of Covid-19, China on Tuesday shut down another city Yan’an, about 300 km from Xi’an - the first city to go under lock down, the media reported.

Authorities in Yan’an ordered the closure of businesses and told hundreds of thousands of people in one district to stay indoors, The Guardian reported.

China has followed a “zero-Covid” strategy as Beijing prepares to welcome thousands of overseas visitors to February’s Winter Olympics.

But authorities have faced a resurgent virus in recent weeks, reporting 209 infections on Tuesday -- the highest single-day tally since March last year, when the virus was only beginning to spread around the world from the city of Wuhan.

Among the 162 domestic cases, 150 were reported in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province, under a citywide lockdown since December 23, the Global Times reported. From December 9 to Monday, the

total number of confirmed cases in Xi’an was 635, Zhang Bo, deputy director of Xi’an health commission, told a press conference on Monday.

Xi’an, home to 13 million people, started a new round of nucleic acid testing on Monday, and tightened its lockdown by requiring all of its residents to stay at home to guarantee the accuracy of the test results, according to the Monday press conference.

“For Xi’an, intensified control and screening measures are urgent to block the virus as soon as possible. I estimate the transmission will be cut off in mid-January and the outbreak can be completely put under control in late January. It is very possible,” Zhang Boli, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

“The massive tests are conducive to early detection, quarantine, and interruption of the disease, and it minimizes the possibility of transmission,” added He Wenquan, a senior official with the Xi’an municipal

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (IANS): Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is runner-up for the annual Person of the Year award for Corruption in 2021.

Belarusian President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko has been named 2021’s Person of the Year by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in recognition of all he has done to advance organised criminal activity and corruption, a statement said.

“Ghani certainly deserves an award, too. He was breathtaking in both corruption and gross incompetence. He deserted his people, leaving them to misery and death so he could live among the corrupt former state officials in the moral cesspool that is the UAE,” said OCCRP. “It was a banner year for corruption, but Lukashenko stood out from the crowd,” said Drew Sullivan, a co-founder of OCCRP who served as a judge on the panel. The other finalists include Syrian dictator Bashar Hafez al-Assad, Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan, and Aus-

BEIJ ING, D EC 28 (AGENCIES): Chinese citizens lashed out online against billionaire Tesla (TSLA.O) founder Elon Musk’s space ambitions on Monday after China complained that its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid collision with satellites launched by Musk’s Starlink programme.

The satellites from Starlink Internet Services, a division of Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company, had two “close encounters” with the Chinese space station on July 1 and Oct. 21, according to a document submitted by China earlier this month to the U.N.’s space agency.

“For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control,” China said in a document published on the website of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The complaints have not been independently verified. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a

request for comment.

In a post on China’s Twitter-like Weibo microblogging platform on Monday, one user said Starlink’s satellites were “just a pile of space junk”, while another described them as “American space warfare weapons”.

With nearly 30,000 satellites and other debris believed to be orbiting the planet, scientists have urged governments to share data to reduce the risk of catastrophic space collisions. SpaceX alone has deployed nearly 1,900 satellites to serve its Starlink broadband network, and is planning more.

S.Korea to become 9th largest donor to 2022-24 UN budget

Russia orders top rights group No new COVID restrictions in England before 2022 shut, capping year of crackdowns

SEOUL, DEC 28 (IANS): South Korea will become the ninth-largest contributor to the UN’s regular and peacekeeping budgets starting next year, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The UN General Assembly on December 24 approved the budget obligations for 193 member states, setting South Korea’s share at 2.57 per cent of the total funding for the 2022-24 period, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The ratio was up from 2.27 per cent for the 2019-21 period, moving the country’s rank up two notches from the current 11th place. The Ministry said South Korea’s assessed contribution was set at a higher level in the upcoming three-year period in line with its economic growth in the previous years.

Assessments of the budget obligations for UN member states are based on a complex formula that factors in gross national income and population.

The US and China will remain the world body’s top two financial contributors in the next three years.

M O S C OW, D E C 2 8 (AGENCIES): Russia’s Supreme Court ordered the country’s best-known human rights group on Tuesday to be liquidated for breaking a law requiring groups to register as foreign agents, capping a year of crackdowns on Kremlin critics unseen since the Soviet days.

The shuttering of the group Memorial closes a year in which the top Kremlin critic was jailed, his political movement banned and many of his allies forced to flee. Moscow says it is simply enforcing laws to thwart extremism and shield the country from foreign influence.

“This is a bad signal showing that our society and our country are moving in the wrong direction,” the TASS news agency quoted Memorial Board Chairman Jan Raczynski as saying.

Closing the g roup would increase the risk of “total repression” in Russia, one of Memorial’s lawyers, Maria Eismont, said during the final hearings on Tuesday.

Memorial has called the lawsuit politically mo-

A judge of the Russian Supreme Court delivers the verdict during a hearing in Moscow, Russia December 28.

tivated. The Interfax news agency quoted a lawyer for the group as saying it would appeal, both in Russia and at the European Court of Human Rights.

Established in the “glasnost” era of Soviet liberalisation by prominent dissidents including the widow of Nobel Peace Prizewinner Andrei Sakharov, Memorial initially focused on documenting the crimes of the Stalinist era.

It served as Russia’s main rights group through two wars in Chechnya in the 1990s, and has more recently spoken out against repression of critics under President Vladimir Putin.

The authorities placed the group on an official list of “foreign agents” in 2015, a move that entailed numerous restrictions on its activities.

Last month, prosecutors accused the Moscowbased Memorial Human Rights Centre and Memorial International, its parent structure, of violating the foreign agent law.

Prosecutors said Memorial International breached the regulations by not marking all its publications, including social media posts, with the label. They accused the Moscow-based centre of condoning terrorism and extremism.

LONDON, DEC 28 (PTI): The UK government has decided not to impose further COVID-19 lockdown curbs before the New Year in England, even as the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continue with party and nightclub bans to contain the spread of the Omicron variant.

After meetings with experts to assess the latest coronavirus data on Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that no additional restrictions will be imposed on the current Plan B measures in place – which call for compulsory face coverings, working from home and COVID vaccine certificate checks for large venues.

“We will continue to monitor the data carefully, but there will be no new restrictions introduced in England before the New Year,” Johnson tweeted.

“However, I would urge everyone to continue to act cautiously given the rising number of Omicron cases. Most importantly I urge everyone to get their first, second or booster jab without delay to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” he said.

UK Health Secretary

Boris Johnson

Sajid Javid reiterated the message to reporters later, adding that further measures may be needed next month. He said: “Of course, people should remain cautious as we approach New Year’s celebrations, and you know, take a lateral flow test if that makes sense.

Celebrate outside if you can, have some ventilation indoors if you can, please remain cautious.

“And when we get into the New Year, of course, we will see then whether we do need to take any further measures – but nothing more until then at least.”

The announcement has been widely welcomed by the hospitality industry in England, hoping to make the most of the business generated by New Year’s eve parties. UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said the decision to not go beyond Plan B measures in England had

Fauci says US should consider domestic Israel open to ‘good’ nuclear deal with Iran flight vax mandate; more planes grounded

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, said a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel should be considered.

“That is just another one of the requirements that I think is reasonable to consider,” Fauci told MSNBC in an interview.

President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters on Monday, declined to say whether he endorsed a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel. The president has previously said he did not consider them necessary.

Fauci appeared to walk back his remarks in a second interview on MSNBC later on Monday, and told CNN in another inter-

view that he did not expect to see a vaccine mandate anytime soon.

“I did not say I support mandates on domestic flights. I said that is something on the table for consideration,” Fauci told MSNBC host Joy Reid.

In the CNN interview Monday evening, Fauci said he doubted the Biden administration would call for vaccine mandates for domestic flights “in the reasonable foreseeable future.”

CDC shortens quarantine time The average number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has risen 55% to over 205,000 per day over the last seven days, according to a Reuters tally.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday it was shortening the recommended isolation time for infected Americans to five days from 10 days previously, if they are asymptomatic.

The move could help airlines and other businesses mitigate staff shortages.

will defend itself by itself,” he said. Israel has watched with concern as European nations, Russia and China have restarted talks with Iran in recent weeks. Tehran has taken a hard stance in the negotiations, suggesting everything discussed in previous rounds of diplomacy could be renegotiated and demanding sanctions

relief even as it ramps up its nuclear programme.

Bennett has urged negotiators to tow a firmer line against Iran. Israel is not a party to the talks but has engaged in a blitz of diplomacy on the sidelines in an attempt to sway allies to put more pressure on Iran to rein in its nuclear programme.

Advertisement For Filling Up the vAcAncies oF Adhoc principAl And Teachers In assam rIfles PublIc school (hIgh), JalukIe, nagaland

1.

Applications are hereby invited from desirable candidates to fill up the vacancies of Principal and Teachers on ADHOC basis for Assam Rifles Public School (High), C/o 25 Assam Rifles, Jalukie (Nagaland).

trian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Assad led Syria into a destructive civil war and has stolen hundreds of millions of dollars while clinging to power, as per OCCRP. Erdogan has overseen a corrupt government that laundered Chinese funds for Iranian oil using stateowned banks, it said.

Kurz was the leader of Austrian People’s Party (OVP), who, along with nine other politicians and newspaper persons, was accused of embezzlement and bribery. OCCRP said Lukashenko enjoys unlimited power at home and sniffs at international opprobrium.

Indeed, it was EU sanctions against his country that prompted his retaliation via refugees, it said.

He seems equally un-

bothered by the suffering of his own citizens and desperate migrants, including children, shivering, hungry and barred from settling in Belarus, the statement said.

Over the past year, Lukashenko has generated headlines for channeling state money to a series of oligarchs close to the Lukashenko family, intercepting a Ryanair passenger plane carrying a Belarusian dissident and forcing it to land in Minsk, in violation of international laws on aviation, manufacturing a border crisis with the European Union by luring thousands of refugees to the borders of the bloc and promulgating misinformation and fake cures for Covid, OCCRP said.

been a “pragmatic and proportionate” decision by the government.

“This will give a real lifeline for many who have struggled with the loss of trade in the run-up to Christmas and the loss of new year on top of that would have been devastating for many,” she said.

It came as the UK recorded 98,515 coronavirus cases on Monday – slightly down from the highs of over 100,000 in previous days. Scientists have expressed cautious hope that infections are slowing down and that fewer people are requiring hospitalisation due to Omicron, which is believed to now make up 90 per cent of all COVID cases in England.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the BBC that in time people with COVID should be allowed to “go about their normal lives” as they would with a common cold. “If the self-isolation rules are what’s making the pain associated with COVID, then we need to do that perhaps sooner rather than later,” he said.

Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said he

thought the decision not to introduce new curbs in England before the New Year was “probably fine”, with data showing “very low” numbers of vaccinated people in intensive care.

“This is not the same disease as we were seeing a year ago,” he said.

The Opposition Labour Party has called on the government to publish the advice and data ministers used to decide not to impose further COVID restrictions before 2022.

“With infection rates so high, the government needs to come forward with a plan to enable schools and the NHS [National Health Service] to run effectively through this latest wave,” said shadow health secretary Wes Streeting. “ T h e g ove r n m e n t should publish, as a matter of urgency, the very latest data on hospitalisations and NHS staff absence rates, as well as up to date advice from SAGE [Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies], so that the public can be reassured that they are genuinely following the data and scientific advice and that Boris Johnson is not simply capitulating to his own opponents in the Tory party,” he said.

Office Of The

PhOm GazeTTed Officers’ assOciaTiOn h.Q: Longleng, nagaland

feLiciTaTiOn The Phom Gazetted Officers’ Association (PGOA) extend our heartiest congratulations to shri. Y. denngan avennoho Phom for being promoted to the post of Secretary, Government of Nagaland. You have indeed set a historical milestone by distinguishing yourself as the first amongst Phoms to attain this position. We pray that your success story never ceases to be an inspiration for all.

Further, the PGOA also congratulates all the Phom promote Officers under various departments for your welldeserved promotions. May the Almighty God guide and lead you all in your new assignments.

(W.manPai) President

(Y.TauhOnG) General Secretary

2. Details of vacancies are as under:ser no. (a)

Post Principal

reqmt

requisite Qualification

One

MA (B.Ed) with 05 yrs experience with B.Ed with (b) Math Teacher One BSc./MSc computer experience (c) Computer Teacher One BCA./MCA .A/ M.A. with (d) Pre-primary Teacher One B Montessori, D.EI ED note:Experienced hands with B.Ed will be preferred.

3. Candidates fulfilling the above criterion are required to submit their application along with copy of qualification certificates to the under mentioned address via Speed Post or though Email. ID: principalarms18@gmail.com by 15 January 2022. address:- The Principal, Assam Rifles Public School (High), Jalukie, Nagaland 25 Assam Rifles PIN 932025 C/o 99 APO contact number:- 03839-220046 (Office), 9424814385

DC-1372/21

S E AT T L E , D E C 2 8 (AGENCIES): Rising COVID-19 cases, along with bad weather, caused airlines to cancel more than 1,000 flights on Monday, and the spread of the Omicron variant prompted the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert to suggest the government consider mandating vaccines for domestic flights.

Monday’s travel woes marked a fourth day of flight cancellations, capping a glum Christmas weekend for thousands of passengers who were left waiting in airport queues and on customer service phone lines to re-book flights.

Airlines have struggled with staffing shortages as the spread of infections blamed on the Omicron variant forced many pilots, cabin crew and other workers to isolate at home.

Winter storms also took a toll on travel. On Monday, airlines canceled more than 1,300 commercial flights within or into and out of the United States. Travel-related stocks fell. read more

TEL AVIV, DEC 28 (AP): Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Tuesday he is not opposed to a “good” nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, but voiced scepticism that such an outcome would emerge from the current negotiations.

Bennett spoke a day after negotiators from Iran and five world powers resumed talks in Vienna on restoring Tehran’s tattered 2015 nuclear deal. He reiterated that Israel was not bound by any accord, leaving it room to maneuver militarily.

“At the end of the day, of course there can be a good deal,” Bennett told Israeli Army Radio. “Is that, at the moment, under the current dynamic, expected to happen? No, because a much harder stance is needed.”

Bennett also denied claims by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had agreed to a policy of “no surprises” with Washington, meaning that it would be frank about its military intentions regarding Iran with its prime ally and thus be potentially hobbled. “Israel will always maintain its right to act and

Aleksandr G. Lukashenko

dc-1373/21

DP-6151/21

Elon Musk

Ashraf Ghani

INFOTAINMENT

10

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Omicron may do good by replacing Delta from world: Experts J Balvin quick to admit he’s not Afro-Latino despite winning Afro-Latino Artist Of The Year award T S h e h i g h l y transmissible Omicron variant of Covid, which has so far been detected in more than 100 countries so far, may help the world get rid of the Delta strain that claimed so many lives across the globe, said health experts on Tuesday.

Omicron, first detected from southern Africa in late November, has become dominant in several countries including the US and the UK, outpacing the previously dominant Delta variant, which was considered to be the dominant strain in many countries until recently.

While Omicron is known to cause only mild disease, Delta has been more lethal leading to increased hospitalisation with drop in oxygen levels, pneumonia, and death.

“Omicron is a milder wave and will replace Delta, and may be good for the world,” Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, Covid task force member of Maharashtra government, told IANS. “Omicron is more transmissible, and it could also be immune-evasive

(cause breakthrough infections in previously infected or vaccinated).

But so far, there is no proof that it produces more severe infections,” added Nagvekar, who is also Consultant, Infectious Diseases at Global Hospital, Mumbai.

The early data from South Africa has shown that most patients are younger and the variant produces milder infections.

“For now the variant also appears to be stable, with high transmissibility but low virulence, which perhaps explains the lack of surge in hospitalisations and deaths where it was earlier reported,” Nagvekar said.

Meanwhile, what we need is vigilance, improving b o r d e r s u r v e i l l a n c e,

genomic sequencing, as well as vaccination cover, he noted.

“The best option for getting out of this phase of the pandemic is to ensure that people everywhere are fully vaccinated. As the virus continues to spread, there remain opportunities for new variants to emerge,” Brian Wahl, Assistant Scientist, Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, US, told IANS. “This is why it is so important to increase coverage of both doses in India and in countries where vaccine coverage is currently low, like in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa,” he added.

M e a n w h i l e, w i t h more than 30 mutations on

its spike protein, Omicron has the potential of evading vaccines as well as previous Covid infection induced immunity. Several studies have shown that two doses of existing Covid vaccines may not be effective against Omicron, while booster doses have shown promise.

India has also announced the roll out of booster doses, starting with healthcare workers from January next year.

“The protection provided by many vaccines can be reduced over time.

Booster doses can help bring protection back up.

However, the frequency with which boosters might be required is not known,” Wahl said.

However, Nagvekar stated that “a booster dose, even if it works, is just a temporary fix. “We can’t keep on taking boosters every six months and for every variant of concern that emerges. Equitable va c c i n e d i s t r i b u t i o n , especially a vaccine that covers the most recent variant of concern is a possible and practical solution in the long term.”

India will also start vaccinating children aged

15-18 from January.

While Covid as a whole has been mild for children, Omicron has raised concern with many kids being affected and hospitalised in the US, South Africa and the UK. “Vaccine for kids is necessar y. If Omicron cases rise, it’s going to be challenging due to its faster spread,” Nagvekar said.

Besides vaccines and booster doses, monoclonal antibodies and anti-Covid pills have been a great aid in the fight against Covid.

While India had already approved monoclonal antibodies therapy for treating severe Covid, the country on Tuesday also granted emergency approval for US-based pharma company Merck’s Covid pill molunapiravir.

The pill has shown efficacy in curbing hospitalisation and death by 30 per cent.

The antiviral dr ug will be manufactured in India by 13 companies for restricted use under e m e r ge n c y s i t u a t i o n s for treatment of adult patients with Covid-19 and who have a high risk of progression of the disease.

(IANS)

inger J Balvin has acknowledged that he is not Afro-Latino despite winning the AfroLatino Artist of the Year award at the 2021 African Entertainment Awards.

Following his controversial win, the socalled Prince of Reggaeton has clarified his race, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“I am not AfroLatino,” the 36-year-old Colombian singer/rapper posted on his Instagram Stor y in Spanish after winning the award on December 26.

“But thank you for giving me a place in the contribution to Afrobeat music and its movement.”

Meanwhile, the AE Awards has put out a statement explaining that the award is not exclusively given based on race, but an artiste’s contribution to “pushing the African culture on the world stage.”

The statement posted on the organisation’s official Instagram account read: “The Afro Latino category (AFRO-BEAT LATINO ARTIST) is for any artiste based in Latin America

that is contributing to the African culture especially the Afro-beats sound globally. It is not based on race but more importantly based on pushing African culture forward on the world stage.”

“Please remember the nominees in this category had no say in their nomination or influence on the awards show,” the organisation continued to implore fans. “Instead of voicing dissatisfaction, let us encourage these artistes to continue bridging the gap between Africa and Latin America. We are asking for your continued

support, assistance and guidance in the nomination process for 2022.”

Regardless the clarification from Balvin and the organisation’s explanation, many still took issue with the recipient of the award.

“Is this a joke?” wrote one user. Another said in Spanish, “He’s not AfroLatino.”

A third claimed: “I’m African. I have heard his music. There is nothing African about that guy.”

Someone else agreed as saying, “Take it back. Take it back. Take it back. This is so wrong.”

(IANS)

‘83’ gets thumbs up from Covid infects kidneys and leads to scarring: Study Rajinikanth, calls it ‘magnificent’ A

M

egastar Rajinikanth is the latest to join the list of people who have lavished praise on the recently released cricket epic ‘83’, which showcases the journey of India’s triumph at the 1983 World Cup. Rajinikanth, who took to Twitter to share his opinion about the film, said, “#83TheMovie wow what a movie… magnificent!!! Many congratulations to the producers.”

The actor also tagged director Kabir Khan, cricket icon Kapil Dev, actor Ranveer Singh and Tamil actor Jiiva, who plays cricketer Srikkanth in the film.

This apart, Rajinikanth also congratulated the entire cast and crew of the film. The movie is receiving positive feedback from both fans and critics.

Kamal Haasan’s Raajkamal Films International and Akkineni Nagarjuna’s Annapurna Studios have joined hands with Reliance Entertainment to present the film’s Tamil and Telugu versions, respectively.

Prithviraj’s production firm and Kichcha Sudeepa’s Shalini Arts have presented the film’s Malayalam and Kannada versions. (IANS)

team of international researchers have shown that SARSCoV-2, the virus causing C ov i d - 1 9 , i n f e c t s t h e kidneys and contributes to tissue scarring, possibly impacting kidney outcomes in the long term.

Kidney fibrosis, or scarring, is a serious longterm consequence that can occur virtually after any injury to the kidney and correlates with kidney function.

The fact that the coronavirus can result in severe damage in the human body is known, and also that the kidneys can get infected.

But what exactly happens in the kidney as a result of the infection, remains elusive until now.

Researchers from the RWTH Uniklinik Aachen, Germany, and the Radboud University Medical Center i n T h e N e t h e r l a n d s, investigated the kidney tissue of Covid-19 patients admitted to the intensive

‘Dallas Buyers Club’ director Jean-Marc Vallée dead at 58

Mr. VIKATO AWOMI & Mrs. HETOLI AWOMI

To the parents we are happy to call our own. Your togetherness in love and an exemplary life that you live, is what we strive for, and emulating in the journey of our lives. The love that you have for each other for the past 40 years showed us what and how loving each other and being together signifies.

We love you, and it is our ardent prayer that you celebrate uncountable years of being together in the years to come.

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom Loving Children, Grandchildren and Daughter-in-laws

K Y M C

OFFICE OF THE

YONGAM VILLAGE COUNCIL

FELICITATION

FELICITATION

neihutuo Pfüsenuo and Mezhütuoü Pfüsenuo

Sd/LAPHEN. A. PHOM General Secretary YSU

29-12-1971 May the celebration of this Golden Anniversary remind you both the faithfulness of God and the many wonderful blessings you have shared with people around you. May you both continue to inspire and share the manifold blessings that come about when two lives journey through life as one.

You are the parents every child wishes for, the strong pillar of support every family prays for. May the love and the bond you share continue to live on.

Wishing you both a happy 50th Anniversary Apfo-o and Azuo. k-2463/21

The Yongam Village Council extend our warm congratulations to Shri. B. Nyenghong Phom on being promoted to the post of Additional Director, Agriculture Department, Government of Nagaland.

The Yongam Village Council trust that your office will be very much effective under your leadership and skills. We wish you for your continued success.

Sd/Shri. Nyeiwang Phom Chairman Yongam Village Council

Sd/Shri. Yongnyu Phom Secretary Yongam Village Council

Loving children, in-laws and grandchildren.

FELICITATION

dp-6162/21

The Yongam Students’ Union with immense pride and joy would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Shri. B. Nyenghong Phom on being promoted to the post of Additional Director, Agriculture Department, Government of Nagaland.

The Union further wishes him the very best for his future endeavours.

Sd/PONGTANG. N President YSU

led by the University of Washington School of Medicine had shown that Covid virus can directly invade human kidney cells -- specifically the proximal tubules, which are major gatekeepers in the organs’ waste-filtering function.

(IANS)

50th Wedding AnniversAry

OFFICE OF THE

YONGAM STUDENTS’ UNION

dp-6163/21

J

“ O u r wo r k s h ow s kidney scarring in Covid-19 patients, which provides an explanation why the virus might cause kidney functional decline as demonstrated in other studies,” added Katharina Reimer from the RWTH. A previous study

29.12.1981 – 29.12.2021

k-2449/21

Leto.

The movie was based on the true story of homophobic drug addict Ron Woodroof, played

by McConaughey, who smuggles much-needed but unapproved medication into the United States to distribute to other AIDS patients.

Vallée’s recent win as a director came from HBO series “Big Little L i e s ” s t a r r i n g Re e s e Wi t h e r s p o o n , N i c o l e Kidman, Meryl Streep and Zoë Kravitz. The show won eight Emmy awards in 2017.

He directed “Demolition,” a 2015 d r a m a s t a r r i n g Ja k e Gyllenhaal, about a New York investment banker coming to grips with his wife’s sudden death.

Vallée had at the

the kidney organoids and accompanying signals that contribute to the scarring process.

“The infected kidney organoids show that the virus directly causes cell damage, independent of the immune system. With this work, we found a piece of the puzzle showing the deleterious effects the virus can have in the body,” said researcher Jitske Jansen from Radboud.

40 th Wedding AnniversAry

time called “Demolition” his most “rock and roll” film, both for its pulsing soundtrack in a film otherwise punctuated by silence, and its often provocative and offbeat portrayal of grief.

Vallée, who hailed from Montreal, forayed into the features film industry with his 1995 thriller “Black List” He is survived by two sons. (Reuters)

ean-Marc Vallée, a Canadian best known for directing the Oscarnominated film “Dallas Buyers Club” and Emmywinning HBO series “Big Little Lies,” died suddenly at his cabin outside Quebec City. He was 58.

Vallée’s demise was reported on Sunday by enter tainment website Deadline and confirmed on Twitter by his representative Bumble Ward.

“Still in shock over the news that Jean-Marc Vallée has died,” Ward said, adding that he was thoughtful and kind “while still being a creative genius.”

Vallée’s Hollywood breakthrough came with the 2013 AIDS drama “Dallas Buyers Club,” which won Oscars for actors Matthew McConaughey and Jared

care unit.

The findings, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, showed scarring of the tissue as compared to ICU patients with a nonCovid-19 lung infection and a control group.

Next, to explore the cause of the kidney damage and to understand whether it is a direct effect of the virus, independent of systemic inflammation, the team cultured mini kidneys in the lab, called organoids.

The kidney organoids are developed from stem cells and contain many different kidney cells, except immune cells.

The kidney organoids were infected with SARSCoV-2 and the researchers investigated the direct effect of the virus on the kidney cells, independent of potential secondary effects caused by immune cells or other systemic effects.

The researchers found, in line with the Covid-19 patient tissues, scarring of

The citizens of Niu Colony convey our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Vitoka Assumi S/o Hutoi Assumi for bringing laurels to our Colony by winning a prestigious title Mr. Sumi (Season-1) and 1st Runner-up Mr. Model Nagaland (Season-1) 2021.

We wish him the best in his future endeavours.

DP-6161/21

Sd/Niu Colony Council K Y M C

11

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Australia retains Ashes with win over England 32nd Meluri Range Sports Meet underway MELBOURNE, DEC 28 (AP): It was quite a Test debut for Australia fast bowler Scott Boland.

Player-of-the-match Boland claimed the remarkable bowling figures of six wickets for seven runs as Australia beat England by an innings and 14 runs before lunch on the third day of the third Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The massive victory means Australia retains the Ashes, with a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Resuming on Tuesday on 31-4, England was bowled out for 68. Ben Stokes, on 11, was bowled

by Mitchell Starc in the fifth over of the day.

The 32-year-old Boland removed Jonny Bairstow for 5 in his first over of the day, then world No. 2-ranked batter Joe Root for 28 in his second over, before dismissing Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson without scoring in his third over.

When James Ander-

Australia’s Scott Boland celebrates with teammates after winning the match and retaining the Ashes.

son was bowled by Cameron Green for 2, England’s resistance had lasted just 27.4 overs.

Boland, who claimed match figures of 7-55 and is only the second Indigenous player to represent Australia’s men’s test-cricket side, was awarded the Johnny Mullagh Medal for player

of the match. The award honors Australia’s Indigenous team which toured England in 1868.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said his side had been relentless and would now aim for a 5-0 sweep of the series.

“Any Ashes series is when you try to make a

mark on your test career, so a chance to start cementing our identity,” Cummins said.

England captain Joe Root tried to remain positive.

“We have to stay strong and look at the next two games to take something from the tour,” Root

said at the post-match ceremony. Play resumed as scheduled on Tuesday after players from both teams were tested for COVID-19 overnight.

“All results have come back negative,” Cricket Australia said.

The start of Monday’s second day of play was delayed by 30 minutes due to a COVID-19 scare involving two members of England’s support staff.

Australia was bowled out for 267 on Monday as the home side grabbed a first-innings advantage of 82 runs. England could not even reach that figure to make Australia bat a second time.

The four th test is scheduled to begin on Jan. 5 in Sydney, with the fifth from January 14 in Hobart.

Brief scores: England 185 and 68 all out in 27.4 overs (Mitchell Starc 3/29, Scott Boland 6/7) lost to Australia 267 (Marcus Harris 76, David Warner 38) by an innings and 14 runs.

Participating teams during the opening ceremony on Tuesday at Meluri local ground.

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): The 32nd Meluri Range Sports meet under the aegis of Meluri Range Sports Association (MRSA) got underway on Tuesday at Meluri local ground. The event will culminate on December 30.

A press release from MRSA president, Souvitho Nyusou stated that president, Dimapur District

Auto Rickshaw Union, Tito Yepthomi, graced the event as the special guest.

The special guest encouraged the MRSA to keep it up, set up such platforms and develop the raw talents for their future careers. He further encouraged the players to make sports as a career, to build an outlook to represent state and nation, not just another

wasted local talent.

The tournament kicked-off with a tug-ofwar played between the MRSA officials, special guest and his entourage versus team coaches and managers from the 6 teams.

Altogether, six teams are taking part in the sports meet where all the events were scheduled for both male and female.

Imperious Paris wins Bormio Lyon and Paris FC expelled from French Cup for fan disturbance downhill for record sixth time

Dominik Paris

BORMIO (ITALY), DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Home favourite Dominik Paris claimed a record sixth World Cup downhill victory at Bormio in his native Italy on Tuesday, continuing his domination of the challenging Stelvio piste.

Paris sped down in 1:54.63 to clinch his seventh Bormio victory over-

all, including one in super G, laying down a marker with little over a month to go until the Beijing Winter Olympics start on Feb. 4.

The victory came nine years on from the 32-yearold’s first triumph on the Stelvio, which will host all the men’s alpine ski races at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Overall World Cup

Need ‘impactful performance’ after injury, Covid, says Lukaku

points leader Marco Odermatt of Switzerland was 0.24 seconds off the pace as the giant slalom specialist took a surprise second, the first downhill podium finish of the 24-year-old’s career.

Swiss Niels Hintermann finished third, 0.80 seconds behind Paris, to claim his second successive podium finish after achieving the same result in Val Gardena 10 days ago.

Austria’s Matthias Mayer, one of the pre-race favourites, could only finish 12th and defending downhill champion Beat Feuz of Switzerland crashed out but was unhurt.

Paris moved up three places to the top of the downhill World Cup standings with 227 points, as Mayer dropped to second place on 217.

the next round, go straight through to the last-16.

Lyon would also not be allowed fans at away games in the Ligue 1 for the rest of the season and were fined 52,000 euros. The club themselves had already an-

nounced to temporarily ban all supporters from away games, Xinhua reports. For hosts Paris FC, the FFF fined them 10,000 euros and punished them to play five matches behind closed doors.

1st Death anniversary

Security personnel at the sight of the fan violence which broke out during the football match between Lyon and Paris FC.

PARIS, DEC 28 (IANS): Lyon and second-tier Paris FC were both thrown out of the French Cup for the fan violence that forced their December 17 match to be called off at half-time.

The disciplinary commission of the French Foot-

3rd DEATH ANNIVERSARY

ball Federation (FFF) announced the decision late on Monday after a meeting regarding the hooliganism in which the fans poured onto the pitch at Charlety Stadium, launching flares and fighting each other when the two sides tied 1-1 into

Loving Wife, daughter, son and relatives.

mKc-1487/21

1st Death anniversary of our Beloved Father

of our beloved

Lt. NITOKHU H. SUMI (ATO)

the break.

The FFF statement said, “it had decided that the two clubs are responsible for the incidents” and both the sides would be expelled from the tournament, which means Nice, drawn to face the winner of the tie in

A year has passed since you left us for your heavenly abode. But not a single moment goes by without you in our thoughts.

You will always Late Nengshimeren Ao remain in our hearts. 29.12.2020 – 29.12.2021

Late Kezhalezo Suohu

God is our refuge and strength, an our present help in trouble.

Romelu Lukaku

LO N D O N, D E C 2 8 (IANS): Romelu Lukaku has endured some difficult times this season but the Belgian forward came off the bench to score a goal and win a penalty that helped Chelsea win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Lukaku on Monday felt his decisive impact from the bench was exactly what he needed as he returned to action following a frustrating time out with injury and Covid-19. The 28-year-old forward has not started a Premier League game since the 1-0 win at Brentford in mid-October, as he missed more than a month with the ankle injury he suffered in the Champions League win over Malmo, and was then ruled out again following a positive Covid test, just as he was approaching full fitness.

So, on Sunday when he got the opportunity to come off the bench, the Belgian was determined to make an impact in the match at Aston Villa. Coming off the bench at half-time with the scores level, Lukaku showed the Chelsea fans what they have been missing by scorK Y M C

ing a goal to put the Blues in front for the first time in the game and then winning the penalty which made the three points safe late on.

“I think I needed a performance like this,” Lukaku told Chelsea’s official website after the match. “It’s been difficult getting back in. Every footballer wants to be on the pitch, but I kept working hard. It was good for us to win and, for myself personally, I’m happy with my performance and I have to push on.”

His two most eyecatching moments at Villa Park came as he outsmarted Tyrone Mings to make the space to head in his goal just over 10 minutes after being introduced, and then the powerful run which beat two defenders, and led to the penalty.

Lukaku admitted they showed two very different parts to his game - one the instinctive drive towards goal he has always enjoyed and the other the clever centre-forward play which he has worked hard to add to his skillset, said a report on Chelsea’s official website.

Died on 29-12-2018

Though three years have passed since you left us for your heavenly abode, our love for you remain unfettered. You stay in our hearts as you will forever till we meet again.

K-2457/21

Loving Wife, Daughters & Parents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 17/01/1981 – Died : 16/12/2021 Our family of Late Nitoi Katty extends our warmest thanks to everyone who stood with us during our brother's sickness and help us physically, mentally and financially in our recent bereavement.

Sincere thanks to : 1. Niu-Vety Fellowship 2. Mughavi Baptist Church 3. Western Lukhami Union 4. Shri. H. Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA and Advisor Power.

Govt. of Nagaland As it is impossible to thank you all individually, kindly accept this acknowledgement as our gratitude. May God bless you all.

His loving Brother, Sisters and Children dp-6156/21

Apfuo, the word you left us with will always be in our hearts and mind. You were our anchor at all times. Wish we still have your wisdom to guide us everyday.

You are much loved and deeply missed. Rest on God's bosom, till we meet again.

K-2461/21

dp-6165/21

Psalm 46:1.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Loving wife, children and family members

1st Death anniversary Late Mr. L. Meren Walling

1935 – 2021

28/11/1947 – 29/12/2020

A year has gone already but your memory lives on in our hearts. Abba, you are deeply missed. dp-6157/21

Your loving wife, children and family.

We the family members of Mrs. Nguloü, wife of Lt. Medikhru, acknowledge and express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who stood by us and shared our pain at the demise of our dearest mother on 24/12/21 at Dimapur.

Your kind gesture of supporting us physically, morally, financially and upholding us in your prayers gave us much courage and consolation.

We regret our inability to thank each and every one of you personally, but we humbly pray to the Almighty God to bless you all abundantly. dp-6159/21

Family Members.

K Y M C

12

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

1st Test: India 16/1 at stumps; lead SA by 146 runs Cavani salvages point for Man United

CENTURION, DEC 28 (PTI): Mohammed Shami’s sheer artistry with new and old ball fetched him another five-wicket haul as India seized control of the first Test against South Africa on the third day by extending their overall lead to 146 runs that could prove to be decisive.

Shami (16-5-44-5) and his pace bowling colleagues Jasprit Bumrah (7.2-2-16-2), Mohammed Siraj (15.3-145-1) and Shardul Thakur (11-1-51-2) further enhanced their reputation as world beaters by dismissing the Proteas for mere 197.

The quartet neutralised Lungi Ngidi’s lion-hearted morning spell which saw him finish on 6 for 71 from 24 overs as India lost seven wickets from 55 runs to be all-out on 327. The wily old Shami, manfully shouldered the duties of a pace spearhead for the better part of the 62.3 overs because of Japrit Bumrah’s twisted ankle. He also completed a satisfying personal milestone of 200 Test wickets.

With a first innings lead of 130, India at stumps

Recovering Thiem to skip Australian Open

MELBOURNE, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Dominic Thiem has pulled out of next month’s Australian Open to work towards regaining full fitness after a long-standing wrist injury, the former world number three said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Austrian, who has not played since suffering the injury at the Mallorca Open in June, was unable to defend his U.S. Open title this year.

He had earlier withdrawn from the team-based ATP Cup, which starts on Saturday in Sydney, and other warmup events ahead of the hardcourt major at Melbourne Park. read more “I am now feeling well again, my wrist is in optimal condition and I am practicing normally with a very good intensity,” Thiem said on Twitter.

Mohammed Shami, middle, celebrates with teammates after dismissing South Africa’s batsman Temba Bavuma. (AP/PTI)

reached 16 for 1 losing Mayank Agarwal’s wicket.

The Supersport Park strip after all the rain on the second day was at its spiciest best with all the underlying moisture aiding seam and swing bowling as 18 wickets fell on the day.

While Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada did well in the morning, Shami did way better in the afternoon in company of Bumrah, Siraj and Shardul. If the Proteas pacers relied on steep bounce off good length to trouble the Indian middle and lower-order which

caved in meekly, Shami used the angles of the crease very effectively and the movement off the pitch did the rest. The example was how he got Keegan Peterson and Aiden Markram with deliveries which were slightly different in execution.

In case of Peterson, Shami went slightly wide off the crease and unleashed an in-cutter that pitched on length and shaped in to take inside edge off his bat into the stumps.

In case of Markram, he came closer to the stumps and bowled one that looked

Rishabh Pant, who touched the milestone of 100 victims behind the wicket.

The morning belonged to Ngidi and Rabada as the Supersport Park track stayed true to its reputation of quickening up as time progressed. The bounce was more and the length that Rabada and Nigidi bowled consistently was a touch fuller compared to first day.

It was Rabada, who drew the first blood on the day with a well directed short ball aimed at Rahul’s rib-cage. The batter simply couldn’t manage the pullshot and the tickle landed in de Kock’s gloves.

In case of Rahane, Ngidi hadn’t provided enough length for the drive and the ball reared up from length to take his edge and into keeper’s gloves.

Brief scores: India 327 in 105.3 overs (KL Rahul 123, Mayank Agarwal 60; Lungi Ngidi 6-71, Kagiso Rabada 3-72) lead South Africa 197 all out (Temba Bavuma 52, Quinton de Kock 34; Mohammed Shami 5/44) by 130 runs

Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring their first goal with Alex Telles and Marcus Rashford.

De Gea with an off-balance shot as he weaved his way into the penalty area.

The visiting goalkeeper kept a lethargic Manchester United afloat with an array of good saves as Newcastle always looked dangerous on the break, with home striker Callum Wilson having a goal ruled out for offside in the 38th minute. Saint-Maximin spurned a sitter early in the second half with a scuffed shot from five metres and De Gea made two stops in quick succession, keeping out the Frenchman’s low drive before he blocked Jacob Murphy’s close-range

effort. The home side were punished for their misses as Cavani squeezed a snap shot past keeper Martin Dubravka at the second attempt after his initial shot was blocked following a Diogo Dalot cross from the right.

United barely survived a late Newcastle onslaught as Murphy hit the post and De Gea clawed Miguel Almiron’s shot on the rebound out of the top corner. Newcastle have now won only one of their eight games under manager Eddie Howe, although they did end a three-game losing streak.

Hyderabad demolishes Odisha 6-1 Ja Morant, Grizzlies nip Suns in last second BAMBOLIM, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Hyderabad FC returned to winning ways with a thumping 6-1 win over Odisha FC in Match 43 of the Indian Super League at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday.

Bar tholomew Ogbeche scored a double as the men in yellow-andblack climbed to second on the table, just one point short of leader Mumbai City FC after eight games.

The first two goals of the match were own goals -- coming from OFC defender Hector Rodas amid a penalty-box melee in the ninth minute, and off the chest of HFC’s Juanan in the 16th minute.

Garcia and Ogbeche combined again in the first half, with the latter heading the ball in from a corner kick to make it 2-1 for the Nizams.

The second half was an HFC show, with the match changing from a loss

Odisha FC players celebrate after scoring a goal during the ISL match at the GMC Stadium, in Goa, Tuesday. (PTI)

to thrashing and then an absolute delirium for Kiko Ramirez’s men.

Garcia started the scoring in the second half scored with a precise leftfoot finish in the 54th minute, while Ogbeche’s strike from outside the box gave HFC a three-goal cushion before the hour mark.

‘Super-sub’ Javier Siverio made it five withing four minutes of coming on to the pitch, while Joao Victor, the HFC captain, pro-

Ashwin, Root, Jamieson, and Karunaratne nominated for ICC Men’s Test Player award

Ravichandran Ashwin, Joe Root, Kylie Jamieson and Dimuth Karunaratne.

DUBAI, DEC 28 (IANS): One of India’s best matchwinners in the longest format Ravichandran Ashwin has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year 2021 award.

Along with Ashwin, England captain Joe Root, New Zealand’s all-rounder Kylie Jamieson and Sri Lanka’s Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne also have been nominated for the award.

Ashwin proved himself in 2021, taking 52 wickets in eight matches at an average of 16.23.

He was in full flight in the home series against England, scalping 32 wickets in four matches at 14.72.

Apart from his heroics with the ball, Ashwin also made invaluable contributions with the bat, scoring 337 runs at an average of 28.08

shaping in but once it pitched, it just shaped away to hit the top of off stump.

The difference was angles used and slight change in wrist positioning.

What worked for India wonderfully well was the fact that the freshness and juice in the track was there till the middle part of the second session.

Once the top half was blown off, India didn’t have problems even as the pitch eased out. Temba Bavuma (52) and Quinton de Kock (34) added 72 runs for the fifth wicket. If Shami didn’t get wickets, then Siraj did and when Siraj went through a dry spell, Shardul chipped in and by the time Bumrah got fit, he helped the team in wrapping up the opposition tail.

In between Ravichandran Ashwin despite not getting a wicket, kept things tight and over-rate in check.

If Shami bowled some of the best deliveries in the South African innings, Bumrah too bowled a beauty with tiniest of movement that forced rival skipper Dean Elgar forced edge one to

NEWCASTLE, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Substitute Edinson Cavani scored in the second half to help Manchester United salvage a 1-1 draw at struggling Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday.

The result stretched Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s unbeaten start to four games in all competitions but the German will hardly be pleased by a toothless performance with goalkeeper David De Gea rescuing the visitors.

C ava n i n e t t e d a n opportunist 71st-minute equaliser after Allan SaintMaximin gave the home side a seventh-minute lead with a fine individual effort, side-stepping two markers before he fired past De Gea. The result left United seventh in the standings on 28 points from 17 games, behind sixth-placed West Ham on goal difference.

Newcastle stayed 19th on 11 points from 19 matches.

Saint-Maximin, who tormented United’s shaky defence all evening, beat

with one century, 106 runs, against England in the Chennai Test.

England’s Test skipper Joe Root, who has scored 1,708 runs in 15 matches with six centuries in 2021, has also been nominated for the award.

Despite ‘is team’s poor performance in the ongoing Ashes series, Root’s sublime form continued in 2021 and he became the third player in history to aggregate over 1,700 runs in Test cricket in a calendar year. Only Mohammad Yousuf and Sir Vivian Richards stand ahead of him.

His knocks in Galle against Sri Lanka, against India in Chennai, and against India again at the Lord’s are some of the finest in the 2021. He has also taken 14 wickets with one

five-for in the Ahmedabad Test.

The ICC has also nominated New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson, who emerged as one of the most promising fast bowling prospects in world cricket in 2021. After taking 27 wickets in five matches at an average of 17.51, Jamieson was the key player for New Zealand in 2021. He was the star performer in World Test Championships final against India at Southampton, scalping seven wickets and contributing a handy 21 runs in the first innings, winning the Player of the Match award for his performance.

The last nominee is the Sri Lankan Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who scored 902 runs in seven matches at an average of 69.38 with four centuries.

vided the cherry on top as he scored from the spot in the 86th minute to make it 6-1 for HFC at full time.

With the win, Hyderabad extended its invincible run to seven games this season, while Odisha FC suffered its third loss in four games as the side remained seventh on the table, with ten points off eight games.

WEDNESDAY’S MATCH ATK Mohun Bagan Vs FC Goa Time: 7:30 pm

PHOENIX, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Ja Morant scored 33 points, including a layup with 0.5 seconds remaining, and Desmond Bane scored a career-high 32 points as the visiting Memphis Grizzlies withstood a fourth-quarter rally by the Phoenix Suns for a 114-113 win on Monday night. Steven Adams had 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 11 points for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 18 late in the third quarter before registering their second straight win.

Devin Booker scored 30 points and hit a 3-pointer to put the Suns ahead 113-112 with 5.1 seconds left. After Morant scored on a driving layup, Mikal Bridges missed a baseline jumper at the buzzer.

Cameron Johnson scored 19 points for the Suns, who were without starters Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, both in the league’s health and safety

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) defends Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half.

protocols.

Nets 124, Clippers 108 James Harden matched his season best of 39 points and added a season-high 15 assists to lead Brooklyn to a victory at Los Angeles.

Patty Mills scored 18

points on six 3-pointers as the Nets, who played without Kevin Durant (COVID protocols), won for the sixth time in seven games.

Nic Claxton also had 18 points as Brooklyn improved to 13-3 on the road.

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 24 points for the

Clippers after missing the previous four games, three of them because of COVID protocols. Eric Bledsoe and rookie Keon Johnson added 15 points apiece for Los Angeles, which has lost five of its past six contests.

Hornets 123, Rockets 99 Terry Rozier scored 27 points as part of a big outing for Charlotte’s backcourt in an easy win over visiting Houston.

Rozier made seven of 12 attempts from 3-point range and backcourt mate LaMelo Ball bagged four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points and seven assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. racked up 18 points despite 1-for-7 shooting on 3-point attempts. Trevelin Queen, who had never topped two points in his three previous NBA games, paced the Rockets with 17 points off the bench. Christian Wood and Eric Gordon tallied 16 points apiece.

Ganguly admitted to hospital after testing Covid +ve

KO L K ATA , D E C 2 8 (PTI): BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has been admitted to a city hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 but the former India captain is “stable”, the medical institution, where he is undergoing treatment, said on Tuesday.

Ganguly, who is double vaccinated, was rushed to Woodlands Hospital on Monday evening as a precautionary measure after his RT-PCR test returned positive.

The 49-year-old Ganguly had undergone an emergency angioplasty earlier this year and given the history, a panel of the doctors is keeping a close watch on his health status.

“He received Monoclonal Antibody Cocktail therapy on the same night and is currently haemodynamically stable,” Dr Rupali Basu, MD & CEO of Woodlands Hospital, said in a statement.

“A medical board comprising Dr Saroj Mondal, Dr Saptarshi Basu and Dr Soutik Panda in consultation with Dr Devi Shetty and Dr Aftab Khan is keeping a close watch on his health status,” Basu added.

Ganguly has been travelling extensively, taking part in all professional activities.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement  :248267 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

K Y M C