3 Dec 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 1

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

ISL: Jamshedpur, Hyderabad play out 1-1 draw

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SPORTS, PAGE 12

2 Omicron cases detected in K'taka 5 contacts test positive for Covid

Govt says don’t panic, asks public to not let guard down NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, DEC 2 (PTI/ AGENCIES): Two cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected in Karnataka, the Centre said on Thursday while asking people not to panic but follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated without delay.

Both the patients had mild symptoms. Severe symptoms have not been noted, said Lav Agarwal, the joint secretary in the Union Health Ministry.

Of the two cases, one was a 66-year-old South African man who came to Bengaluru on November 20 and left India after testing negative, officials said.

They said the other was a 46-year-old doctor-- an anaesthetist at a hospital in Bengaluru. He tested positive on November 22 and has no travel history to South Africa or any other country, the officials said.

Covid: State logs 3 fresh cases, 2 deaths DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday recorded three fresh Covid-19 positive cases while two more patients succumbed to the virus.

Of the fresh cases, two were from Dimapur and one in Kohima, taking the total caseload to 32128.

Further, two more patients succumbed to the infection in Dimapur, pushing the death toll to 698.

Meanwhile, a total of 12,93,315 persons have been inoculated against Covid-19 till December 2 (741690 first dose and 551625 second dose).

PTI: With 9,765 new Covid infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of cases rose to 3,46,06,541, while the death toll climbed to 4,69,724 with 477 fresh fatalities.

Parking space at CHSS ground

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Dimapur traffic police Thursday informed that Borlengri Ao Students’ Union has arranged a paid parking space at Christian Higher Secondary School (CHSS) ground from December 1024, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. In a public advisory, the police urged public to utilize allotted parking space for convenience and to avoid traffic congestion.

Travellers wait in a queue to enter Terminal-3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, Thursday. (PTI)

Both the persons were inoculated with two doses of Covid vaccine, they said.

At a press conference in Delhi, Agarwal said that following the detection of the two Omicron cases through the INSACOG network, all primary and secondary contacts were traced in time and were being tested.

According to the joint secretary, 37 flights landed in India from December 1 midnight till 8 a.m. on Thursday.

As many as 7,976 passengers arrived from 'at-risk' countries during the period and underwent RT-PCR tests at the airports. Of

them, 10 passengers were found Covid-19 positive and their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing, Agarwal said.

The 'at-risk' nations (as updated on November 30) are countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel. About the possibility of clamping a lockdown given the detection of the Omicron variant in India, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul said, "Under the current situation, there is no need for it."

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Five contacts of an Omicron patient– a doctor from Bengaluru-- have turned out to be Covid positive, Karnataka government said. The patients were isolated and their samples sent for genome testing, Karnataka officials.

The doctor tested positive and was admitted to hospital and his sample was sent for genome sequencing on the same day.

But three days later he was discharged.

After extensive contact tracing, the Karnataka government said he had 13 direct contacts and over 250 secondary contacts.

The other patient, from South Africa, came to India with a negative Covid report.

The man tested positive on arrival and was asymptomatic, following which he was told to self-isolate. A week later, receiving a negative Covid report from a private lab, he left for Dubai.

Samples from his 24 primary and 240 secondary contacts have returned negative test results.

Blinken urges Russia’s Lavrov to choose diplomacy on Ukraine or face high price INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Journos protest govt restricting access to Parl

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Journalists on Thursday held a protest against certain restrictions imposed on the entry of scribes and camera people into Parliament, alleging the move is a precursor to a "complete ban" on spot coverage of parliamentary sessions by the media in the coming days.

They demanded that all restrictions imposed on journalists' entry into Parliament premises and the Press Gallery must "immediately" be lifted, and media persons be allowed to perform their professional duty.

The Editors Guild of India, Press Association, Indian Women Press Corps, Press Club of India, Working News Cameraman Association and various other organisations of journalists extended their support to the protest.

(More on p-5)

(C) KT Sukhalu speaking at the launching programme. (Via Twitter)

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Advisor school education KT Sukhalu Thursday virtually launched the Nagaland Education Management and Information System (NEMIS) developed by the department of school education and the e-classroom programme under ICT and Digital Initiatives implemented by the Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland.

According to a DIPR report, the NEMIS portal has been developed for monitoring functioning of both government and private schools functioning in the state. The e-classroom programme would help the students understand their lesson/concepts better, develop more innovative ideas, queries and solutions to broaden their domain of

(Cont’d on p-8)

Rio in Delhi to meet Amit Shah, others Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (NPN): State chief minister Neiphiu Rio arrived Delhi on Thursday afternoon to meet Union home minister Amit Shah and others.

On arrival, Rio met his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma at Delhi airport where both the chief ministers held a brief meeting before Sarma left for Guwahati by the same chartered flight that flew Rio from Dimapur. It was not

known whether Sarma will return to Delhi, since Rio had earlier informed that the Amit Shah had asked both him and Sarma to come to Delhi, to discuss some issues with regard to the Naga political issue.

Meanwhile, Rio met secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal and chairman of the Airports Authority of India, Sanjeev Kumar on Thursday. Informing this in a tweet, Rio said that he had met the two officials on matters relating

to Ciethu airport in Kohima.

Muivah arrives in Dimapur: NSCN (I-M) ato kilonser Th. Muivah arrived Dimapur on Thursday morning, after being in Delhi for nearly two months to hold talks with Government of India officials.

The NSCN (I-M) leader arrived Dimapur by a chartered flight and later flew to Hebron CHQ by chopper. Sources said that most of the NSCN (I-M) leaders have also returned to Nagaland for Christmas.

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has stated that the business community in Dimapur has started facing harassment in the form of illegal taxation, demand letters and donation drives by various government agencies, Naga political groups and organizations.

In a press release, DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi and DCCI public grievances convenor Omega Yepthomi said that despite state government’s decision not to impose additional tax on GST goods, some government agencies were still imposing illegal taxation such as demanding money from transporters at check gates and intersections.

In this regard, DCCI has urged the state government to come out with clear

guidelines and instructions on what was ‘legal tax’ and what was ‘illegal tax’ in order to “check the rot within its agencies.”

Due to such rampant illegal taxation, DCCI said Dimapur was fast becoming “a taxation industry”.

It said that prices of goods and commodities even in interior districts were lower than in Dimapur.

DCCI has also urged the general public to be “firm and vocal” in their stance against all forms of illegal taxation and collections and not squarely put the blame on the business community for price rise.

DCCI reiterated its appeal to organizations and unions including the Naga political groups and government agencies to refrain themselves from any kind of taxation/extortion/

fund drive. Further, DCCI appealed to the responsible authority to deploy additional security for the safety of business community during festive season.

Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry also asked all shops and business houses to not entertain any form of illegal taxation.

It also informed business houses or shopkeepers receiving illegal taxation/ donation threats to immediately report to the police for necessary action.

Meanwhile, DCCI has requested all business houses and shopkeepers to clean and decorate their respective shops and premises in view of the festive season.

DCCI has reminded all shopkeepers, business houses, traders and citizens to strictly follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviors.

Railways to reach Kohima soon, says NFR GM

NEMIS, e-classroom programme launched knowledge and achieve academic excellence.

Speaking at the launching programme, Sukhalu congratulated the department for developing the NEMIS, which he said could play a major role in ensuring quality education to all children across the State particularly to those from the rural areas.

Advisor expressed happiness over the development of a mechanism for child tracking.

Further, Sukhalu stated that students, particularly those studying in government schools, have faced many challenges during the pandemic to access the online education classes due to various factors.

Businesses facing harassment in the form of illegal tax: DCCI

Anshul Gupta (NP) Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) general manager Anshul Gupta said the rail-

ways was working very hard to bring train services to the State Capital very soon.

Speaking as guest of honour on Day-2 of Hornbill festival at Kisama on Thursday, he said once trains start running from Kohima, tourist footfalls would increase, which would give a huge boost to tourism sector in the State.

He said economic activities would gather pace as inflow of tourists would create job opportunities.

Mentioning that the railway line would also lead to development of health infrastructure, Gupta mentioned that Indian Railways

would not only invest in railway tracks but in other facilities too as there would be eight rail stations.

Gupta claimed that NFR had requested the State government for support in making the architecture of each station reflect the rich culture and heritage of a particular tribe, adding that the railways was working closely with the State government in this regard.

The general manager said railways was taking up two more projects – developing Dimapur railway station and making Kohima a world class station.

It may be mentioned

that Dimapur-Kohima new line project was sanctioned in 2007-2008 with a revised length of 82.5 km.

It was declared a national project in May 2017 and runs through Assam (2.75 km) and Nagaland (79.75 km) covering East Karbi Anglong, Dimapur and Kohima. The stations will be at Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Mrengujuma and Zubza.

The 82.5-km-long line will connect existing Dhansiri station near Dimapur to Zubza near Kohima. The project has divided into three phases for ease of commissioning.

Exorbitant parking fee at Heritage Village Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Exorbitant parking fee at Heritage Village, Kisama has attracted attention of many as volunteers were seen charging Rs 100 for a vehicle parked at the area next to Gate-2.

When contacted, most officials were unresponsive, though one of them from Tourism department informed this correspondent that the matter would be taken up at appropriate level. Even media personnel with car passes and IDs were not spared from paying the fee.

Vehicles with passes issued by the departments concerned were also turned away, while the parking area was crowded with vehicles without passes. When the volunteers were asked about the issue, they claimed that the parking fees were fixed by the Tourism department.

This is it! Colourful performances mark Day-2 of Hornbill Festival Correspondent

"I'm happy to see so much development in Nagaland under one roof."

K Y M C

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Day-2 of Hornbill Festival at Kisama witnessed colourful folk dances, folk songs and indigenous games by cultural troupes belonging to Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Garo, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom Pochury, Kachari, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimkhiung, Kuki and Zeliang communities.

Special guest, MLA and adviser of Arunachal Pradesh tourism Laisam

He observed that the Northeastern States have a lot of potential and every State has a unique identity, adding that the beauty of Nagaland got reflected in Hornbill Festival.

Speaking in the second session, guest of honour and principal chief commissioner of income tax, North-eastern region (NER), Shyam Kumar delivered warm greetings on behalf of Income Tax Department NER. He said the hospitality Chang cultural troupe performing a folk dance. (NP) and warmth of people were Simai extended greetings (Arunachal Pradesh) to the beyond expectations. from the land of rising sun land of festivals (Nagaland).

(Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

2

STATE

CS inaugurates NFR stall at Kisama

KOHIMA: Chief secretary Nagaland, J. Alam inaugurated the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) exhibition stall at the Hornbill Festival at Kisama on Thursday. A press release from chief public relations officer NFR, Guneet Kaur informed that the North East Frontier Railway’s unique stall was inaugurated in the presence of general manager of NFR, Anshul Gupta who was also the chief guest of Thursday’s cultural programme at the Festival.

The NFR’s presentation depicts modernisation of Indian railways with ongoing rail connectivity works in the North Eastern region.

Many informative writeups and railway models are also being displayed in the exhibition which has gained a large number of visitors. A PRS counter is also opened at the exhibition to facili- Chief secretary, Nagaland J. Alam inaugurating the NFR exhibition tate railway passengers and the local populace. stall in the presence of general manager, NFR, Anshul Gupta.

Samarth scheme launched in Dimapur

Ranjit Ranjan Okandiar along with officials of the sericulture office and others during the launching programme. (DIPR)

that if those workable force were skilled any requirement could be fulfilled.

He was optimistic that with the launching of the scheme, the quality and productivity would be improved to strengthen the economy

of the state. Director, sericulture department, Nagaland, T. Sanny Pongener said that farmers of Nagaland had been practising sericulture in conventional and unscientific manner and progress of the industry was not much

2nd DEATH ANNIVERSARY Lt. Vikuho Zhimo

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measures.

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Trilochan Singh Suri, one of Dimapur’s business pioneers and the man who brought music to Nagaland by selling phonographs (record players), music records and transistor radios since Trilochan Singh Suri late 60s passed away at New Delhi on Thursday, after a prolonged ailment.

Late T.S. Suri is survived by his wife, one daughter and two sons including grandchildren. Late Suri was dealer for Singer (sewing machine), Philips, Murphy, HMV phonographs, transistors and radios including refrigerators under the household name M/s Gurbachan Radios, located at Eros Lane Junction and later shifted to its present location at N.L. Road. Late T.S. Suri used to personally greet customers for more than 50 years in his shop with his wife by his side. He unwillingly left Dimapur for New Delhi due to failing health.

Meanwhile Punjabi community in Dimapur through its president Harjinder Singh Ahluwalia, expressed deep grief at the passing away of late T.S.Suri who owned the oldest and biggest electronic showroom in Dimapur. Ahluwalia described late T.S.Suri, who settled in Dimapur since 1949, as a honest, soft spoken and hard working person.

He said the community in Dimapur have lost a “very kind hearted” and respected elderly member of the community.

According to information, the cremation took place at around 3 p.m. at Punjabi Bagh on Thursday.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

"Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, as they lie in death". ~ Isaiah 57:2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LATE TSUKTINUNGSANG JAMIR 06/05/1959 – 03/12/2020

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Loving Wife & Family Members

03/12/2019

"The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devote man are taken away, while no one understands, for the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness."

Isaiah 57:1-2 Loving Wife, Children, Grandchildren and In-laws

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K Y M C

Staff Reporter

A year has passed since you left this place, but the time you gave us will always remain a mark in our hearts. Your presence will always be felt and remembered.

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encouraging up to IX plan period. He however said this had drastically changed after implementation of catalytic development program under the technical guidance and supervision of central silk board.

In this regard, he expressed gratitude to the member secretary SCP and senior officers of SCP for their inspiration, cooperation and guidance towards successful implementation of the projects. Earlier, deputy director sericulture, Mhianizoto Meyase delivered vote of thanks. Grass cutters were also distributed to beneficiaries.

Tuensang DPDB meeting on Dec 7: Tuensang District Planning and Development Board monthly meeting would be held on December 7, 11 a.m., in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner, Tuensang. All the members have been requested to attend the meeting.

WSSU convenes emergency meeting: Western Sümi Students’ Union has convened an emergency presidential meeting on December 3, 2 p.m., at its office at Thahekhu village, block 5. All respective units/sub unit presidents and WSSU office bearers have been requested to attednt the meeting.

BJP Dimapur district executive meeting: Bhartiya Janata Party Dimapur district has informed that its 4th executive meeting would be held on December 4, 12 noon, Hotel Saramati. All concerned district office bearers, district executive members, district morchas and mandals have been informed to attend the meeting.

Healing ministry for handicapped people informs: Healing ministry for handicapped people has informed that the 30th pre-Christmas service would be held on December 5, 1 p.m., railway station front parking lot. All “former members, board members, registered members, other churches, pastors, evangelists and brothers & sisters in Christ” have been invited to join the occasion.

JBKK informs on platinum celebration: Japfüphiki Baptist Khriesarüü Krotho has informed that its 75th year celebration would be held from December 3-5 on the theme “Praise be to His Glorious name” (Psalms 72:19).

NSCN (I-M) tatar hoho winter session: NSCN (I-M) has informed that the “Tatar Hoho Winter Session” would be held on December 9 and 10, 9 a.m. at council headquarters, Hebron. The members have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

CPO convenes general body meeting: Chakhesang Public Organisation has convened a general body meeting on December 10 at Zapami Village, 10:30 a.m. CYF has requested executive council members (area/range presidents & general secretaries, frontal presidents & general secretaries of Chakhesang Mothers’ Association, Chakhesang Youth Front & Chakhesang Students’ Union), VCCs, head GBs, VDB secretaries, all town chairman, vice-chairman and town head GBs to attend the meeting. CPO also extended invitation to MP Rajya Sabha, all present & former legislators, former CPO presidents and present CPO constituted committees.

Proprietor M/s Gurbachan Radios passes away

Born : 7th Feb 1931 – Died : 26th Nov 2021 The family of Lt. Imtajemba Japu (Ex-Pastor) wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and well wishers who visited our home, attended the wake service and burial and who provided emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time.

We convey our special thanks to : 1. Zion Hospital Dimapur.

2. Shri Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Higher Education & Tribal Affairs, Govt. of Nagaland.

3. Dr. Longri, Advisor; National Highways, Treasuries & Accounts, Govt. of Nagaland .

4. Mr. & Mrs. Imkong L Imchen, MLA and relatives.

5. Dimapur Merangkong Fellowship/Union and Tetsur Telongjem.

6. Merangkong Baptist Church 7. Ao Baptist Church / Union of Padumpukhuri.

8. Ao Baptist Church Mangkolemba, Watiyim, Longjemdang & Longtho.

9. Mangkolemba Japu Union 10. Watiyim Village Council 11. Japu Baptist Church & Village Council.

12. Dimapur Japu Fellowship, Union & Tetsur Telongjem.

To those who helped us in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

The holy sacrifice of the mass will be offered for your intentions.

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DIMAPUR: Member secretary, central silk board, Ranjit Ranjan Okandiar launched the Samar th scheme for capacity building in textile sector at sericulture office, Dimapur on Tuesday.

According to a DIPR report, while addressing the gathering, Okandiar said that Nagaland could lead in the development of Eri silk which he said could become one of the strengths of the state. He encouraged the people to give proper attention to eri production and to enhance the quality development with the implementation of the scheme.

Delivering the keynote address, nodal officer, Samarth scheme, Dr. Siddique Ahmed said that the villages in Nagaland were united by a major occupation which was handloom, handicraft and sericulture.

He also said that development of a particular state or a country totally depended on two major factors such as skill and knowledge of its people which he said were the guiding force for economic growth and social development. Speaking on the importance of skill development, he said that the main reason behind the unemployment problem was lack of vocational trainings during formal education.

He said India had one of the youngest populations with 62% of 15-59 years and

NEWS IN BRIEF

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

04.03.1966 – 20.11.2021 We, the family members of Lt. Khresavoyi Swuro, S/o Lt. Poriyo Swuro and Zhodüprülü Swüro acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness towards us at the demise of our beloved brother, uncle, father and my husband.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to our friends, fellow villagers, neighboring villages, various organizations and well-wishers who travelled far and wide to pay their respects and render emotional and physical support to us during our time of deep grief and sorrow.

We specially thank the MO of PHC Ruzazho and team as well as SMO of CHC Chozuba and team for rendering their services to the best of their ability.

Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to each of you. We are ever grateful and remain indebted. May our Almighty God bless you and keep you.

In Gratitude, Loving wife, children and family members k-2316/21 K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Even after full dose taken against Covid-19, does the new virus Omicron render all vulnerable?

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

A B C

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

75% 8% 17%

NEXT POLL

Q: Has the state govt failed

to provide tapped water yet continues to spend so much money?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST DECEMBER 3

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Times of clouds and sun

30 16

Aizawl

Pleasant with clouds and sun

Guwahati Partly sunny and pleasant

25 11 28 15

Imphal

Pleasant with clouds and sun

25

Itanagar

Pleasant with clouds and sun

25 14

Shillong

Mostly sunny and pleasant

21

Kohima

Beautiful with clouds and sun

22 10

Dimapur

Mostly cloudy

27 14

Mkg

Mostly cloudy

24 11

Tuensang Mostly cloudy and cooler Wokha

17

9 7

7

Mostly cloudy and not as warm 22 14

Zunheboto Mostly cloudy

21

State can economically flourish with 4th Mykifest begins at Kisama village focus on agri, tourism industries: Kronu

Correspondent

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9

ICH holds 7th passing out ceremony

DIMAPUR: Impur Christian Hospital (ICH) general duty assistant held its 7th passing out ceremony on December 2, at Impur. Altogether, 32 students were awarded certificates upon the completion of the course.

A press release from principal school of nursing IMH, Imtinaro Imsong stated that presentation of certificates and the word of God was administered by the guest of honor, secretary ABAM YM, Toshi Sanglir.

He admonished “No one on earth would say that I don’t need healing, although everyone knows that there is a dead-end for all. And in such a context, you are going out with the responsibility to be the agent of the healing to the people. So, be a healer for both physical and spiritual and make a big difference in the lives of many”.

The dedicatory prayer was offered by chaplain ICH, Narola Walling.

3

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu said that Nagaland can economically flourish with focus on agriculture and tourism industries.

He was speaking at the inauguration of Pfutsero Experience at Glory Peak, Pfutsero on Thursday, which is an extended experience of the Hornbill Festival beyond Kisama in Kohima.

The festival was organised by Kalos Society and sponsored by the department of tourism will be held till December 10.

Having experienced the different parts of the world, Kronu said those areas are beautiful with rocky mountains, snow, skyscrapers and lakes but Nagaland has one of the richest biodiversity hotspot in the world adding that tourists wants to see rich biodiversity with open skies as in other places there are barely one species of tree up to long distance.

Asserting that Pfutsero Experience was just a beginning, Kronu said it should move steadily and the festival should be continued and not just during Hornbill Festival.

Highlighting some of the tourists attractions within Pfutsero sub-division, the minister said one can have clear view of Hima-

Neiba Kronu addressing at the inauguration of Hornbill Pfutsero Experience Thursday.

layan range, State’s highest mountain Saramati, rivers flowing to Brahmaputra and Chinwin in Myanmar, Pfutsero Town Baptist Church located in highest altitude, Japanese cave of World War-II, Bloodiest Battlefield against British in 1885 at Kikruma village, Trekking route from Glory Peak to Chida lake through the rocky portions and rivers, cave of Naga army, Rhododendron and place of echo at Kami, ancient beauty contest ramp at Leshemi, the hide out of Late A Z Phizo. To this, he said efforts are on to make this area as a tourist destination.

On shortage of accommodation, he suggested opening home stays in every village and appealed all to maintain cleanliness and hygiene to attract tourists.

The minister also encouraged the tour guides

to be thorough with Naga political history.

ADC Pfutsero Japheth Woch conveyed gratitude to the state government. He said that visitors will have a different experience with the nature at Pfutsero with a different story altogether.

Pfutsero is not only for scenic beauty but the unique cultural practices along with opportunity of adventure tourism and Khezhakeno People’s festival, frozen lake etc., he said.

The ADC while saying we are still not free from pandemic, appealed all not to let our guards down. He also said that the administration and civil societies are discussing the concept of Eco-friendly festival with initiatives towards plastic free Pfutsero experience.

Associate professor of Kohima Science College, Dr. Wenyitso Kapfo

presenting the concept on the festival said the natural beauty may not be sensitive to its charm any more for the people here but for outsiders it is worth an experience with people and their contemporary culture.

Pfutsero is more than what is seen at a glance as it has treasure of attraction for the tourists.

“The idea was conceptualized by Minister Kronu and this just a beginning towards making Pfutsero a tourism hub”, he said.

Some of the attractions are food festival, traditional games and sports.

MLA Kezhienyi Khalo also attended the inaugural programme chaired

by Kalos Director Kupelhi Losou while special number and folk tale by Surholu Tunyi and Chelisou Khutso respectively.

Later in the evening, Minister Kronu graced the evening carnival of the 4th People’s Festival, Khezhakeno. The festival organized by Khezhakeno Youth Organization in collaboration with Tourism Department is being held at Chida Resort Khezhakeno and will conclude on December 4 evening.

The three-day People’s Festival is being marked by indigenous games and sports competitions.

Traditional hut making competition was held on Thursday wherein Pfutseromi and Khezhakeno villages won the prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

NSCN (R) welcomes back 26 members

DIMAPUR: NSCN (R) has welcomed back into the fold 26 “comrades and friends with open heart who may have been misled for a while but turn in with the people’s call.”

NSCN (R) through its MIP affirmed that the group “follow the stand and the appeals of NNPGs on November 22, 2021.”

Asserting that the cause belongs to “each one of us,”, the NSCN (R) affirmed to work hand in hand for all days to come.

According to MIP, the following cadres from “civil setup and military wing” have reported to the respective regions so far: Katovi Chophy, tatar; Akahoto, joint secretary; Vinato, under secretary; Samuel, “major”; Hevito “captain”; Nikito “2nd lieutenant”; Hokikhe

“sergeant major”; Samuel. UT-1; Tokavi, Tatar UT-1; Kivika, Khapur UT-1; Bovito, Khapur UT-1; Kihito, Khapur UT-1; Akato Awomi, leacy UT-1; Rahul Basumatary, UT-1; Inashe Achumi, Khapur UT-1; Kakheto Swu, razou peyu; Hetoi, razou peyu; Tovikhu, razou peyu; Khevito, khapur; Ghoito, razou peyu; Hito, razou peyu; Katoshe, razou peyu; Yekato, razou peyu; Khekuto, leacy; Joseph, rajou peyu and Semato, leacy.

Meanwhile, NSCN (R) has appreciated the “concer n and initiatives from various end.” It acknowledged the “steadfast approach, the vision and the leaders of caliber who always stand for the just cause of the Nagas, our various civil society organization and leaders from the churches.”

The group stated that it “reassure ourself to stand together always with vigor.”

NSCN (R) also said that it would uphold “our principle with more enthusiasm for the cause, which is dear to us.”

Further, NSCN (R) pledged to walk side by side “towards reaching the much-awaited day and the dreams of every single Nagas, under the umbrella of NNPGs to any extent until our goals are achieved.”

Stating that NNPGs would be its guiding star, the NSCN (R) said it was strongly determined to stand along with the position and moves with NNPGs. “We will always work as a deterrence force against such elements that is anti-people and anti-Naga,” the group stated.

R Khing (middle row 3rd-L) with his wife and other departmental officials at Kisama on Thursday. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): The 4th Mykifest began at the Heritage Village, Kisama, organised by the department of women resources development.

Special guest during the inaugural programme, advisor for animal husbandry and women resource development, R Khing, said the department was working to empower women so that they could rise up and start working in strengthening the hands of their husband and children. He said women could also contribute in minimising the cost of the present lifestyle by sharing the financial burden of the family by generating an income. He pointed out that in the past women were limited only to child bearing and taking care of the kitchen, however with the change of time women were now outshining men in every field.

Khing expressed happiness at the progress of women who have strived and earned laurels in many areas including education and employment avenues.

Lamenting over the

lack of women in politics and governing bodies, Khing said it was time women come forward in these areas.

He said there was no women legislator and, on that note, he challenged the womenfolk to come and contest in elections and be members even in the State Assembly.

The advisor said in the present times, if the womenfolk move forward then the whole society would follow in their footpath.

In that regard he urged women to come to the frontline and lead the people to a higher level so that Nagaland could also compete with the rest of the country and the world.

Sharing the introductory note, commissioner & secretary, department of women resource development & horticulture, Anenla T Sato, IAS said as part of the Mykifest, the department would be displaying products at the fruit and vegetable processing centre at Meriema. She disclosed that the department was also displaying books and literary items authored by Naga women writers.

A special number was presented by Esther Dailiam

who later enthralled the audience during the musical extravaganza.

It may be mentioned here that Mykifest was launched in 2017-2018 in Kohima with an aim to promote upcoming women entrepreneurs, artisans, artistes, cultivators and social groups by providing a platform for them to showcase, sell their products and farm produces.

Mykifest also recognises women as equal partners in the overall development of the State, especially in the field of socio-economic development.

Since, then Mykifest has been celebrated as an annual event by the department and also is a part of the event calendar of the annual hornbill festival.

The word Myki is made up of the words “My” in from the English word mine and “Ki” meaning home or house in many major Naga dialects.

Put together, the word Myki means “My Home”, a place where women could come together to find common ground to take up meaningful and sustainable livelihood activities together.

State level orientation on Nipun Bharat

Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): A state level orientation programme on implementing Foundational Literacy & Baseline (FLB) under Nipun Bharat was conducted under SCERT, in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha in Kohima.

At the programme, SCERT director, N. Chumchanbeni Kikon emphasized on the importance of FLB and ensured that the initiative would benefit school, students and teachers across the state and at the same time track and monitor every student’s progress with focus on capacity building and language development at the same time involving participation of the local community.

SCERT reader, Lanukala Jamir informed that the baseline survey would be an initial step with a goal to make sure that every child in the state attains necessary foundational literacy by 2026-27 and plans to accomplish reading, writing and numeracy abilities by the end of third grade.

The survey would involve 1176 primary schools, 744 private school covering all the districts on subjects (Mathematics & language) with oral as well as written mode of assessments.

In the second session, a PowerPoint presentation was made by Veketulu Veyie followed by Roseline Richa and a discussion was held among the master trainers and DIET faculty members.

Phukayi launches e-Daakhil portal Sensitisation on NEP- The Lighthouse in Noklak

Phukayi Sumi (seated 3r from L) with officials and others at the launching programme. (NP)

Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): Advisor of legal metrology & consumer protection, food & civil supplies, Phukayi Sumi on Thursday launched the E-Daakhil portal at NIC Secretariat Kohima.

Speaking at the launching programme, Phukayi Sumi stated that the portal was a solution to end the dominance of traders on consumers. Asserting that it was a necessary step implemented to protect the K Y M C

citizens, Phukayi expressed gratitude to the NIC team, New Delhi for coming up with the portal which would give provision for e-filing of consumer complaints in the consumer commission and online payment of fees Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) president Kezhokhoto Savi said that people lacked awareness but the Consumer Protection Act 2019 has now paved a way by providing an alternate mechanism to resolve disputes and establish media-

tion cell that would connect the districts and state commission.

He said that currently the portal was active in over 400 locations and functioning across 15 states and UT’s.

An overall glimpse of the portal was presented by NIC HQ team, Ravindra Kumar. The programme was also attended by senior technical director of NIC through video conferencing along with DCF Mon and Zunheboto, NIC Dimapur and DCDRF Mokokchung.

DIMAPUR: District level awareness and sensitisation on Nagaland Education Project - the Lighthouse (NECTAR) was held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner (DC) Noklak on Thursday.

According to a DIPR report, deputy project director, Nagaland Education Project - The Lighthouse (NECTAR) Avelu Ruho stated that with the support from World Bank, the department of School Education (DoSE) launched the “Nagaland Education Project - The Lighthouse - Nagaland Enhancing Class Teaching and Resources (NECTAR)”, with the aim to improve and enhance quality and learning outcome of government schools in Nagaland.

The NEP - The Lighthouse is a project that will breathe new life into the education system of the state, providing greater opportunity for students and teachers to realise their potential, Avelu Ruho added.

Avelu Ruho said that through this initiative, the state government was committed to prioritise and focus its efforts on addressing three precisely targeted problems within

a fixed project duration: enhance governance of schools across the state, improvement in teaching practices and enhancing of overall learning environment.

She also elaborated the key components of Nagaland Education Project - the lighthouse as: improving system and school management, enhance teaching and lear ning environment and technical assistance.

Avelu Ruho urged upon the community to take ownership and take responsibility for successful implementation of the project in the district.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner (DC) Noklak, Hiazu Meru said Noklak district had many challenges in the education sector which needed to be apprised to the higher ups.

Knowing that education was the driving force for all development, Hiazu Meru stressed on the need to have science and commerce stream since due to economic problems many students could not study these subjects.

The programme was chaired by EAC Noklak, Kathyinla and vote of thanks was proposed by Puchai PM. K Y M C

4

NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

SC favours reviving TMC’s plea in HC

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday favoured reviving a plea of Trinamool Congress (TMC) party alleging irregularities and unabated violence during recently concluded Tripura civic polls before the High Court, saying it had intervened only to ensure peaceful elections.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and Vikram Nath said that now the election process is complete and the result has been declared, the allegations of irregularities and violence can be dealt with by the Tripura High Court.

“Since the electoral process is complete, we will revive your (TMC) writ petition before the High Court, which will consider your residuary prayers,” the bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Tripura government, pointed out that a writ petition was pending before the High Court, in which they had identical prayers.

“This court had taken up the plea of the party because at that time High Court was in recess but what was not told to this court was the fact that they themselves have sought adjournment of their petition

Says, it intervened to ensure peaceful Tripura civic polls

for listing after the recess.

The High Court was to open on November 11 but on November 9, they had moved the top court”, he said.

“They suppressed the facts and misled the court saying they were compelled to invoke Article 32 jurisdiction to approach this court as the High Court was in recess. Their writ petition was dismissed as not pressed after this court on November 11, passed a detailed order”, he said.

Mehta pointed out that a similar petition related to West Bengal poll violence came before the top court but then it had sent it back to the Calcutta High Court, which is looking into it.

The bench said, “The reason why this court intervened was because our concern was that the election process must take place peacefully. We intervened

only as the interest of free and fair elections in the democracy is of such overall importance that we felt that the Supreme Court should not have wasted any time.

The circumstances why we assumed jurisdiction was peculiar to the situation”.

It added that they might have withdrawn their writ petition before the High Court as they cannot have a “second bite of the cherry”.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing on behalf of TMC, said that despite the court passing detailed orders with directions to the state home secretary, DGP, and police, unfortunately, 112 seats went uncontested.

“This is situation is similar to West Bengal Panchayat elections, where your party is in power and seats went uncontested.

Identical allegations were

made against your party.

We remember our 2018 judgement, where then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar, and myself had passed orders certain sweeping directions of Calcutta High Court, where it has allowed filing of nomination papers through e-mails,” Justice Chandrachud said.

The bench observed that if the petitioner said 112 seats went uncontested as a result of coercion, or force, or whatever then the party has remedies available under law. “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If a candidate is prevented from filing his nomination papers, then he can still file an election petition after the results are declared”, it said.

Sankaranarayanan said that even if the writ petition is revived before the High Court, this court will still have to deal with the contempt petition filed by the party, which is filed for violation of orders.

The bench said that it agrees with the submission because the High Court cannot deal with the contempt arising out of violation of the Supreme Court’s order. He said that despite three orders of the court in which specific directions were issued to the DGP

and home secretary nothing was done on the ground and pointed out 16 instances of violence and their candidates not allowed to vote.

Mehta said that he can show all the orders of this court were scrupulously followed by the State government.

On November 25, the top court had directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide two additional companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to secure the polling booths during the Tripura municipal polls after the opposition TMC and CPI (M) alleged that their candidates and supporters were not allowed to cast their votes.

On November 23, the top court had refused the TMC plea for postponing of municipal elections in Tripura and said it is an “extreme recourse” and last resort to do in a democracy and passed a slew of directions to the state police to ensure free and fair elections. On November 28, Tripura’s ruling BJP pulverised Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and the Left, capturing with surprising ease the Agartala Municipal Corporation, 13 other civic bodies, besides six more where its candidates had won without a challenge.

NE accounts for about 10% of market share of direct selling industry of India

GUWAHATI, DEC 2 (PTI): The direct selling industry of North East region accounts for nearly 10 per cent of nationwide market share, with Assam commanding the major chunk in the region, as per a survey by Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA).

The industr y also provides huge employment opportunities for the youth, with over 3 lakh people engaged in total in the NE states, it said.

The direct selling industry of NE region touched Rs 1,621 crore in 2019-20, accounting for 9.66 per cent market share, a press release quoting the IDSA survey for 2019-20 said on Thursday.

Of this, Assam accounted for Rs 771.6 crore, which translates to 47.59 per cent of the total revenue of the NE market.

Assam is placed at number nine in the pecking o r d e r i n t h e c o u n t r y, accounting for 4.59 per cent of gross national direct selling revenue.

The release further said the direct selling industry in Assam has contributed in excess of Rs 100 crore in taxes to the state exchequer.

This industry provides livelihoods to 2,00,000 people in Assam, and another 1,60,000 direct sellers in the remaining states of NE, it added.

The overall Indian direct selling industry was valued at Rs 16,776 crore in 2019-20 as compared to Rs 13,080 crore in 2018-19, with the country registering the highest year-on-year growth rate of approximately 28 per cent, making it the fastest growing direct selling market amongst the top 20 direct selling countries globally.

To e x p l o r e t h e potential of the industry in NE region, a first-ofits-kind North East Direct Selling Expo, anchored by the IDSA was also held here on Thursday, which brought together Assam’s policy establishment, direct selling industry leaders, market experts and direct sellers, the release said.

The IDSA is an autonomous, selfregulatory body for the direct selling industr y in India and acts as an interface between the industry and policy-making bodies of the government, facilitating the cause of the direct selling industry in the country.

Speaking on occasion, IDSA chair man Rajat Baner ji said, “The NE states have been registering a steady growth in terms o f r e ve n u e s. We a r e grateful to the government establishment also for their interest in encouraging this industry.”

Chetan Bhardwaj, general manager, IDSA, thanked the Assam gover nment for its evaluation and unstinted support to the direct selling industr y while also being committed to protect legitimate rights and interest of direct sellers and consumers.

“We will continue to contribute and provide subject matter expertise, data or information to the Government of Assam so as to ensure the best possible prospect for the growth, care and protection of the industr y, while also addressing all valid concerns and risks that may affect our industry and the states that our companies operate in,” Bhardwaj added.

The Expo included a session dedicated to women direct sellers titled “Direct Selling – The Torch Bearer of Women’s Empowerment.”

BJP-led Mnp govt’s achievement limited Parl panel calls for addressing deforestation issue in NE states to lip service, ads, billboards: Congress

Correspondent

IMPHAL, DEC 2: Manipur Cong ress on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led government was only paying lip service to the people and its interest is only limited to adver tisements and billboards. The opposition also cautioned people that BJP was going to fight the elections with no agenda but with money and muscle power.

Addressing a press conference, MPCC general secretary L Tilotama Devi asked what had the BJPled coalition government done in the past four and a half years for the welfare of the people of the state, particularly for the poor sections of the society.

“The BJP-led gover nment is looting the poor in the name of i m p l e m e n t i n g we l f a r e schemes for them,” she said.

S h e wa s r e f e r r i n g to making of cards for various welfare schemes by collecting money from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

She said the poor are not getting the benefits of the welfare schemes.

They do not get proper free medical treatment under various Centre and state sponsored schemes.

Ratan Tata to be given ‘Assam Baibhav Award’ N E W D E L H I / GUWAHATI, DEC 2 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, on the occasion of ‘Asom D iva s ’ ( A s s a m D ay ) , announced to confer the ‘Assam Baibhav Award’ -- the state’s highest civilian award, upon industrialist Ratan Tata.

Sarma told the media persons in the national capital that Ratan Tata has made enormous contributions towards the cancer treatment in Assam.

“Delighted to announce that the Government of Assam has decided to confer its highest civilian award, Assam Baibhav, to Ratan Tata, Chairman TATA Trusts for his exceptional c o n t r i b u t i o n t owa r d s furthering cancer care in Assam,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

She further alleged that the poor have been cheated in the name of construction of houses under housing schemes while there were no houses constructed.

She also accused the state government of holding up funds for housing schemes after the state government failed to furnish the utilization certificates for the first phase of the scheme.

While asserting that the most popular schemes like MGNREGS, NFSA (National Food Security Act) and Right to Education were implemented during Congress rule, she boldly declared that BJP has not initiated a scheme comparable to these schemes so far. “Instead of introducing a better scheme, the BJP is taking the credits of these schemes,” she said.

The MPCC general secretary, while taking a dig at BJP’s claim of improving law and order in the state under its rule, asked if the gun violence incidents reported frequently in the state were signs of improving law and order.

“If the law and order is improved, why is the BJP-led government not repealing the AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Power) Act), ‘’ she asked.

Had the BJP-led

gover nment considered de-notifying disturbed area status from any part of the state, she further asked, adding that it was during Congress rule that the disturbed area status from the Imphal Municipal Corporation was lifted.

Alleging that the BJP is going to fight the election without any agenda, Tilotama cautioned that it showed the true face of the saffron party.

The BJP has its own secret agenda and if it was elected, then it will carry forward its secret agenda which will be harmful for a smaller state like Manipur, she said. She alleged that it was because of the secret agenda of the party (BJP) that there were divisions among different communities living in the state.

The division among the different communities in the state became distinct day by day under the BJP rule and if allowed to carry forward, Manipur will be extinct sooner or later, she warned.

She said BJP is never concerned about the indigenous people. If the party was serious then why did it not include a provision in the ILP system to punish the offenders of the regulation, she said.

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (AGENCIES): Expressing shock over the declining forest cover in Northeastern States, a Parliamentary panel has asked the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to take all necessary steps to ensure that the trend of decline in forest cover in these states is checked at the earliest, TNT report stated.

The panel in its 349th report submitted in the Parliament on December 1 stated that shifting cultivation and development activities have been the reasons for the decline in forest cover in the Northeastern States.

SHILLONG, DEC 2: Amid concern over the n ew C OV l D “ Va r i a n t of Concern - Omicron” detected in some parts of the world, the Meghalaya gover nment has made RT-PCR negative reports mandator y for people coming to the State, as “there is every likelihood for the threat of surge in new infections, through imported cases, even in Meghalaya”.

As per the revised entr y protocol, which has come into force, it is mandatory for all persons entering Meghalaya to register themselves prior to their travel at http.// meqhalayaonline.gov. in/ covid/testing.htm and to download the Arogya Setu App and the Behavioural Change Management App of Meghalaya from Google

play store or App Store.

Tourists are required to register on the Meghalaya portal at https://meghalaya. gov.in/ to generate the ‘e-invite for Tourists’ It is mandator y to fill up the self-declaration form and upload negative RT-PCR test report for all international travelers as per notification from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued on November 28, 2021.

“RT-PCR testing at entry is mandatory for all persons coming from countries at risk such as Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, H o n g K o n g , l s r a e l ,” P r i n c i p a l S e c r e t a r y, Health and Family Welfare department, P.Sampath Ku m a r s p e c i f i e d i n a notification.

“The panel is concerned about the decline in the forest cover in the Northeastern states, which is 65.34 per cent of its geographical area in comparison to the national forest cover of 21.54%,” it said.

As per India State of

Forest Report (ISFR)-2017, a decline of 630 sqkm of forest area has been observed in the Northeastern states.

Expressing concern over the findings, the panel recommends that the concerned state governments and the Union Ministry

Manipur media orgs threaten to boycott govt if advt bills not paid IMPHAL, DEC 2 (IANS): The media organisations in Manipur on Thursday asked the state government to clear the pending advertisement bills of various media houses

by December 10, failing which, they will boycott the government.

Leaders of Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) a nd the M anipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU) said that they recently urged Information and Public Relations Minister Th. Bishwajit Singh and

RT-PCR reports mandatory for those entering Meghalaya

Correspondent

(Representational image)

“lf tested negative, the traveler shall be at home quarantine for seven days.

Retesting shall be done by the concerned officials of District Surveillance Unit on the 8th day and if negative, self-health monitoring by the traveler shall be maintained for the next seven days. lf tested positive on a repeat testing, sample shall be sent for genomic testing,” the notification stated.

For travelers from countries excluding those enlisted as countries at risk, a random sample of 5 per cent travelers will be undertaken on arrival at the entry point, The entry protocol remains the same for the rest of the domestic travelers as per notification issued by department of health and family welfare, Government of Meghalaya September 6, 2021.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, to pay all pending government advertisement bills by December 10.

“In case of nonpayment of the pending amounts, the print and electronic media would resort to unwanted steps, including media censure of the government policies and activities and even boycott government news, excluding the law and order issues,” the joint letter of the EGM and MHJU said.

EGM president

Khogendra Khomdram and MHJU president Peter Adani said that the bill amounts running into several lakhs of rupees each to print and electronic media remained unpaid for a long time. “The Covid-19 has taken its toll on the government and other establishments, including the media industry. But the media is an essential tool in fighting the pandemic.

The media continues its work despite risk to the employees,” Khomdram added.

IN THE COURT OF

PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND

NOTICE

must look into the factors responsible for the decline in the forest cover and take all necessary steps to check it.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry has informed that it has implemented National Afforestation Programme (NAP) since 2000-02, for regeneration of degraded forest area and due weightage is given for NE states in allocating the funds under the scheme. “An amount of Rs 828 crores have been released to NE states, since the inception of the scheme in 2000-02 till 2018-19. The percentage released to NE States has been steadily increasing over 11th, 12th and

beyond 12th Plan Periods as 21%, 24% and 28% respectively,” it said.

Green India Mission (GIM) activities were started in the Financial Year 201516. So far and a sum of Rs 237.067 crore has been released under GIM to twelve States for carrying out GIM activities, the ministry added. The Environment ministry further informed that a sum of Rs 79.723 crore has been released for three Northeastern states namely Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim, and proposals of other states will be considered based on fund availability and project norms.

DECLARATION

I, Shri Vikuho Sema, S/o khutovi Sema resident of Litta Old, dist. Zunheboto, Nagaland through the Affidavit No. 2948/21 dated 23.11.2021 hereby declare that the names Vikuho Sema and k. Vikuho refers to the same person i.e. myself. Hence, the name Vikuho Sema shall be used in all official and other purposes. dP-5798/21

NOTICE Shareholders of Ex-Serviceman Society Building Kohima and Dimapur are hereby notified to come along with their Share Cards and attend meetings positively on the dates and venues specified below at 10:00 AM. 1. Kohima, Phek, Tseminyu, Pughoboto on the 8th & 9th December 2021 at Union Building Kohima.

2. Dimapur and Peren on 10th December 2021 at MPCS Building Dimapur.

General Secretary MPCS, Dimapur k-2313/21

S/C NO. 229/2021

NOTICE INVITING CLAIM/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT (S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/ pension benefit of Late Lienmang Kuki has been applied by Smti. Vungnu, W/o Lt. Lienmang Kuki, R/o H.No. 156, Aokum Village, Mokokchung, Nagaland for possession of: 1. GPF, GIS, Gratuity, 2. Leave Encashment 3. Closing of A/C & Pension etc.

Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/he so desire appear in this Court on or before the said day of 26.12.2021.

Given under the hand and seal of the Court on this the 26.11.2021.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Mokokchung : Nagaland dB-409/21

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 120/2021

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late.

Yananyimo Lotha has been applied by Smti. Sanrhulo Ovung, W/o Lt. Yananyimo Lotha, R/o, Wokha, Nagaland for possession of: 1. SBI A/c Mo. 11766536914 2. PPO No. NL/6395 Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/he so desire appear in this Court on or before the said day of 18/11/2021.

Given under the hand and seal of the Court on this day, the 17/11/2021.

District & Sessions Judge WC-299/21 Wokha : Nagaland

No. NU/ENGG-261/LUM/2020-1584

Dated: 02nd December 2021

NOTICE INVITING TENDER Sealed tender(s) in F-2 Form of Public Works Department are invited from appropriate Class of Nagaland University empanelled/enlisted contractors(Civil) for the under mentioned work(s)..

Sl. No.

Particulars

Tender Value i/c tax [`]

EMD [`]

Tender Fee Completion time [`]

Extension in the administrative building for accommodation or before 1. of Ladies 14,10,637.00 28,215.00 1,000.00 On 28.03.2022 Common room at Nagaland University, Hqrs.

Lumami.

Tender documents can be obtained from the office of Executive Engineer, N.U., Hqrs. Lumami on all working days upto 16.12.2021 on payment of tender fee through University challan. The tender papers alongwith EMD through any nationalized bank and IPO worth `10/(Rupees Ten) only in a sealed envelope addressed to the Registrar, N.U., Hqrs. Lumami should reach the undersigned on or before 17.12.2021 (Upto 2:00 P.M.).

Nagaland University reserves the right to accept or reject any or all tender(s) without assigning any reason(s), whatsoever.

(Dr. ABEMO) dC-1291/21

Registrar

5

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

protest against restrictions PK says Cong leadership not divine right onJournalists entry of media persons into Parliament

Prashant Kishor he cannot set the agenda of our politics,” he said.

“This bogey of Congress assuming a ‘Divine Right To Rule’ needs to be busted.

Rahul Gandhi is carrying forward our rich legacy of a ‘Divine Duty To Struggle’,” the Congress leader said.

Khera also hit out at Banerjee saying that a regional leader who is not a part of the UPA claiming UPA does not exist is a bizarre claim. “Just because I’m not a citizen of the USA doesn’t mean USA doesn’t exist,” he said.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal, a prominent member of the ‘group of 23’ that wrote to Sonia Gandhi seeking large scale organ-

Air pollution: SC asks Centre, Delhi to devise plan

expect serious action if you can’t take, then we will take, We are giving you 24 hours,” the bench said. The apex court said that governments cannot fire from the Court’s shoulders but should instead take effective measures to solve the problem.

“You cannot fire bullets from our shoulders, you have to take steps. We cannot enforce or infuse creativity in your bureaucracy, you have to come up with some steps,” the bench said.

The apex court expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken to control pollution and asked about the powers of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas to enforce compliance with its directions. “We are not able to control the pollution in spite of taking measures.

You tell us how many members in this Commission,” the bench asked. Mehta told the bench that there are 16 members in the commission. He then sought time to take instructions. “Please let me speak with the Minister.

The highest functionaries are equally worried. There needs to be a reworking of power structure. Let me come back,” Mehta said.

Air pollution: Delhi schools closed till further orders NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): The Delhi government on Thursday announced the closure of all schools in the national capital till further orders because of an increase in the air pollution levels.

However, board exams will continue as scheduled and teaching-learning activities will be conducted online.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said physical classes in Delhi schools will be suspended from Friday till further orders.

The decision came after the Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Delhi government for resuming physical classes in schools amid a rise in the air pollution levels in the city.

“We had reopened schools considering the forecast that air quality would improve. However, the air pollution levels have increased again and we have decided to shut schools from Friday till further orders,” Rai said.

Education Minister Manish Sisodia said, “All board exams will be conducted as per schedule”.

for the Trinamool Congress since the assembly poll in West Bengal and are working on devising strategies in expanding the party nationally.

His remarks come at a time the TMC has made a conscious effort to not follow Congress’ leadership of the opposition in Parliament and questioned the party’s ability to take on the BJP. A few months ago, Kishor had held talks with the Congress leadership over his possible induction into the party. He had also met former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and there was serious talk over his entry into the grand old party but it did not materialise.

Kishor had taken potshots at the Congress two months ago as well, saying those looking for a quick revival of the opposition led by the grand old party following the Lakhimpur Kheri incident are in for a big disappointment as there are no quick-fix solutions to its “deep-rooted problems”.

On Wednesday, TMC

chief Banerjee met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai and called for fighting the BJP unitedly while taking barely veiled swipes at the Congress leadership. While Banerjee made remarks like “there is no UPA now” and one can not achieve anything by staying abroad “most of the time”, Pawar said leadership was not an issue at present and all like-minded parties were welcome to join the fight against the BJP. Interacting with members of civil society, Banerjee claimed she had suggested to the Congress that an advisory council of prominent personalities from civil society be set up to give a direction to the opposition but it was “in vain”.

If all “regional parties come together”, it would be easy to defeat the BJP, she said. The TMC has inducted several Congress leaders in its fold. Recently, 12 out of 17 Congress MLAs in Meghalaya defected to the party.

with the print and electronic media are being allowed to enter Parliament premises during sessions since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“This (restriction on the entry of media persons into Parliament) was started in the name of Covid in 2020 but now it has gone too far. I think if it is not protested now, it will become a tradition. Media is going to be kept out in the name of Covid,” senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai said, addressing a protest meet of the journalists organised on the premises of the PCI. He said that a lottery system being followed at present to issue passes to journalists for entry into Parliament is giving “no access” to the scribes working with smaller newspapers.

“Covid times require certain norms and rules, but it cannot reach a state where journalists are being denied access,” Sardesai added.

Press Association president Jaishankar Gupta said the issue needs to be

seen from “a larger perspective” as it is not just about restrictions on the number of journalists entering the Parliament premises during the sessions.

While entry passes are being issued through a lottery system and journalists who have permanent passes being denied entry into Parliament, the process for accreditation of journalists by the Press Information Bureau, required to enter ministries and other departments of the government for the purpose of reporting, has been kept on hold for long by the government, he said.

“They do lottery for issuing Parliament passes in which a journalist’s turn for the getting an entry pass comes once in a week.

Journalists who have a permanent pass cannot enter Parliament. Entry of journalists to the Central Hall of Parliament has already been banned. The intention behind all these restrictions is to not let journalists access information,” he alleged.

Disapproval of undemocratic conduct No govt jobs, sense of frustration can’t be decried as undemocratic: Naidu seeping into youngsters: Varun NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Amid continued disruption in the Rajya Sabha over the suspension of 12 MPs, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said “disapproval of undemocratic conduct in the House cannot be decried as undemocratic”, and urged the ruling and opposition benches to resolve the impasse.

Twelve opposition MPs were suspended from the Rajya Sabha on Monday for the Winter Session of Parliament for their “unruly” conduct in the previous session. The Opposition has described the suspension as “undemocratic and in violation of all the Rules of Procedure” of the Upper House.

The House proceedings have been disrupted since then.

On Thursday, which was the fourth sitting of the Winter Session, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for about 50 minutes soon after listed papers were tabled in the morning.

“The House could not transact any business during the last three days,” Naidu rued.

He said some of the leaders and Rajya Sabha members “in their wisdom, chose to describe the suspension of 12 members as undemocratic”. “I have struggled to understand if there was any justification in that kind of a narrative being propagated but could not.”

The Rajya Sabha chairman said this was not the first time that such a suspension has happened. Starting in 1962 till 2010, members were suspended on 11 occasions in furtherance to motions moved by the governments of the day.

“Were all of them undemocratic? If so, why was it resorted to so many times?” Naidu asked.

While terming the suspension “undemocratic”, both within and outside the House, “not even a word is being said about the reasons given for the suspension, the disdainful conduct of some members during the last session, which I have categorically called as ‘acts

of sacrilege’ on the last day of the last session”, he said.

As opposition members, including from Congress, kept protesting, Naidu said the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) clearly provide for the suspension of members for disrupting the proceedings of the House and for misconduct lowering its dignity, under Rules 255 and 256.

The suspended MPs include six from the Congress, two each from the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena, and one each from the CPI and CPI(M). This is the first time that 12 MPs have been suspended in one go in the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the session for unruly behaviour.

The reasons for the latest suspensions were in the public domain and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi gave the reasons while moving the Motion for suspension on the first day of this session, he said.

Varun Gandhi NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Thursday highlighted lack of government employment opportunities for the young and wondered how long should they keep patience, saying a sense of frustration is seeping into them.

Gandhi said avenues of employment for the average young person in rural India are largely restricted to seeking government jobs but the government is employing less than before in every sector be it defence, police, railways or education.

“First, there are no government jobs. Still, if some opportunity comes

along then paper is leaked, if exam is taken then there is no result for years, or it is cancelled due to some scam.

Over 1.25 crore youngsters are waiting for the railway group D job result for two years. Same is the case with Army recruitment. Until when should the youth of India keep patience?” he tweeted. Seventeen papers have been cancelled just in Uttar Pradesh in the last two years as the exam papers have been leaked with no large syndicate being identified till date, he said. There is no system where people are linked to private employment, and therefore, public employment guidelines and employment schedules must be adhered to, Gandhi said.

The Pilibhit Lok Sabha MP has been critical of the government’s handling of economic and employment issues without directly targeting the central dispensation. He had also been vocal in his support to the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws. Parliament recently passed a bill to annul the three laws.

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LALITPUR (UP), DEC 2 (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday attacked the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that it left people to die and stopped them from entering the state while they were walking back home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The pictures seen during the Covid pandemic “were not even seen during the Partition”, he alleged during a rally at Ginaut Bagh of Lalitpur district.

“Who can forget the pictures when a lockdown was imposed and our labourer brothers had to come from other places,” Yadav said. “The BJP government put up barricades and did not allow them to enter the state,” he alleged.

“The government left people like orphans to die.

Labourer brothers put their lives at risk and had to walk hundreds of kilometers to reach their home on foot,” the former CM added.

Yadav claimed had there been his party’s government, they would have arranged vehicles for them for their journey. “Had there been our government in the state, not a single labourer would have been allowed to walk on foot. They would have

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Journalists on Thursday held a protest against certain restrictions imposed on the entry of scribes and camera people into Parliament, alleging the move is a precursor to a “complete ban” on spot coverage of parliamentary sessions by the media in the coming days.

They demanded that all restrictions imposed on journalists’ entry into Parliament premises and the Press Gallery must “immediately” be lifted, and media persons be allowed to perform their professional duty.

Several senior editors, journalists and camera persons working with various media organisations joined the protest. The Editors Guild of India (EGI), Press Association, Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC), Press Club of India (PCI), Working News Cameraman Association and various other organisations of journalists extended their support to the protest. A limited number of scribes, photojournalists and camera people working

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NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Nothing is happening on ground to control the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court said on Thursday and directed the Centre and Delhi government to come out with suggestions to control the pollution within 24 hours, observing, “you cannot fire bullets from our shoulders”.

Stating that “we cannot...infuse creativity in your bureaucracy”, the apex court warned it will have to do something extraordinary if the authorities failed to control pollution. A special bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said it expected serious action on the ground to bring down pollution levels. “We think that nothing is happening as the pollution level is increasing.

We think that we are wasting our time... We are giving you 24 hours. We want you to take a hard look at this and come up with a solution with seriousness,” said the bench, also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta requested the bench for one more day to respond to the concerns expressed by the court. “Mr Mehta, we

isational overhaul in the party also called for opposition unity and said the UPA without the Congress will be a body without a soul.

His party colleague Anand Sharma, another ‘G-23’ member, said the Congress was the main national opposition party and remains a central pillar for a collective national effort.

He favoured a broadbased understanding and cooperation among secular, progressive and democratic political parties on people’s issues to defeat the BJP. “That is the need of hour.

That will connect with people’s expectation.”

“The IDEA and SPACE that Congress represents is vital for a strong opposition. But Congress’ leadership is not the DIVINE RIGHT of an individual especially, when the party has lost more than 90% elections in last 10 years,” Kishor had tweeted.

“Let opposition leadership be decided Democratically,” he added.

Kishor and his I-PAC team have been working

STATION HEADQUARTER, DIMAPUR Akhilesh Yadav been given a vehicle to reach their destination. The BJP government kept the labourers in cowshed in the name of isolation during the pandemic,” he alleged.

Yadav said people have understood the BJP after its rule and the party’s “tricks” won’t work now.

“Now, there will be a change in Uttar Pradesh,” he said, apparently referring to the state Assembly elections next year. Akhilesh also targeted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, “A yogi is the one who understands the pain of others as his own. You tell whether he considers the pain of others as his own. These ‘chillumjivi’ cannot take the state forward.” Akhilesh said farmers are facing problems in procuring fertiliser. “The farmers will make a queue again to oust the BJP in elections,” he said.

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NEW DELHI/KOLKATA, DEC 2 (PTI): The space represented by the Congress is vital but its leadership is not the “divine right of an individual” particularly when it has lost 90 per cent elections in the last 10 years, poll strategist Prashant Kishor said on Thursday in an apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi.

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comment that there was no UPA anymore, Kishor, who has earlier been political advisor to various parties, also called for democratically electing the opposition leadership.

His remark sparked a shar p response from the Congress with party spokesperson Pawan Khera saying on Twitter, “The individual being discussed here is pursuing his Divine Duty to struggle and save Indian democracy from the RSS. “A professional without ideological commitment is free to advice parties/individuals on how to contest elections but

6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 1 DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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Eventful journey

agaland Post, the first newspaper of the state achieved another milestone on its journey, when it attained 31 years on December 3,2021.

A deep sense of commitment to provide a platform to the state and its people was the prime driver for launching the newspaper. A daily newspaper today must have enough funds, latest technology and trained human resources without which it is unthinkable to start a newspaper. However, when Nagaland Post was launched, it had hardly money beyond three months working capital, an outdated 15th Century- letterpress machine using hand composed lead alphabets and no trained or experienced staff. It was not difficult to understand why people predicted that the project was doomed to failure and cannot last beyond three to six months. What made the difference, was a deep belief in one’s ability and acknowledging God as the ultimate arbiter in overcoming obstacles and dangers along the journey. During the disturbed 90s, staff of Nagaland Post often faced perilous situations from armed forces on one side and armed factions on the other side. It was a period when explosions, ambushes, assassinations and operations were the order of the day. The newspaper gave a spot account about the attempted assassination on Speaker of the NLA Thenucho who miraculously survived a deadly ambush near Lahorijan on August 14,1991. Some eight Nagaland Police personnel were killed and many injured. As Nagaland Post used outdated letter press, it could only publish photos of the ambush using zinc plate. Nagaland Post also widely covered the “Bloody Christmas” in Mokokchung town on December 27,1994 when personnel of Assam Rifles and 16th Maratha Light Infantry went on rampage after the CO of 16th Maratha Light Infantry was killed in an ambush. This newspaper, reported accounts of eyewitnesses and police pointing to security forces torching shops and buildings. However, news agencies and national media however claimed that fires were caused by electrical cables which were snapped during the firing. The accounts included alleged rapes by security forces as documented by local organisations. Another incident which Nagaland Post factually reported as against inaccurate accounts by national news agencies and uncertain stand by other local media, was the “Black Sunday” in Kohima on March 5,1995. This incident happened when a convoy of 16th Rashtriya Rifles(RR), returning from Imphal enroute Dimapur, resorted to panic firing after loud explosion caused by a tyre burst from one truck, led to panic firing by the 16th RR and other security forces.

One person died and several others were injured in the incident. The newspaper also carried reports from the site where armed persons ambushed a motorcade of then PWD Minister Neiphiu Rio near Dimapur on May 30,1995. Again, on November 29,1999 then chief minister S.C.Jamir miraculously escaped the third assassination attempt on his life, when 14 high explosive(RDX) were planted along the road near Piphema as his convoy was passing. Barely a year after its launch, Nagaland Post faced off serious challenge from a web offset broadsheet newspaper launched in 1992. Nagaland Post finally switched to offset in 1999 and in 2002 became the first newspaper in Nagaland to come out in colour. By 2004 Nagaland Post became the first newspaper in the north east to have multi-page in color. Today, on completion of 31 years, Nagaland Post looks back with satisfaction of playing a vital role in moulding opinions among the thinkers while also looking ahead with renewed commitment to continue serving society as a catalyst for transformational change.

DailyDevotion Christian Perfection

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect… —Philippians 3:12 It is a trap to presume that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do— God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements tends to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum. If you accept this concept of personal holiness, your life’s determined purpose will not be for God, but for what you call the evidence of God in your life. How can we say, “It could never be God’s will for me to be sick”? If it was God’s will to bruise His own Son (Isaiah 53:10), why shouldn’t He bruise you? What shines forth and reveals God in your life is not your relative consistency to an idea of what a saint should be, but your genuine, living relationship with Jesus Christ, and your unrestrained devotion to Him whether you are well or sick.

Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows itself to be true even amid the seemingly unimportant aspects of human life. When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that hits you is the pointlessness of the things you have to do. The next thought that strikes you is that other people seem to be living perfectly consistent lives. Such lives may leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary— that through your own human effort and devotion you can attain God’s standard for your life. In a fallen world this can never be done. I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God’s purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants.

Quotes

Conflict cannot survive without your participation. ~ Wayne Dyer

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Farmers upbeat as Yogi admin ‘welcomes’ rallyists I t is now more than mere repealing of the three farm laws. The farmers are upbeat and possibly provoking the government.

On the other hand government believes that its action to repeal the laws would keep of the ill effects of its adamancy of the last over a year.

Farmers are certainly upbeat. After a year the Yogi Adityantah government spreads the red carpet to welcome them in the state capital, Lucknow, on Monday instead of unleashing the water canon or batons.

The pitch is set for a confrontation.. The kisans, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and having tacit and sometimes vocal support of all the opposition, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Left now want three more immediate actions – guarantee of MSP, repealing of the what they say draconian Electricity Amendment Bill, and scrapping provisions of fines for stubble burning in the Commission for Air Quality Management Law. The kisans have also started talking about why any car or tractor should be scrapped after ten years for silly pollution rules favouring the car makers. They want cars to ply for 40 years.

They are also demanding that toll be scrapped as it devastates the rural market, blocks the development and is inflationary. The government now has its hands full.

The move to withdraw bill has virtually made Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and BKU leader Rakesh Tikait shine. Both of them had said the bill would have to be withdrawn not so long ago. In democracy, no one is more powerful than the voices of the people and their perception. No reform could be imposed against the will of the people.

A new discussion is rocking the wings of the Lucknow Mahapanchayat.

Who do the central agencies help?

Largely the discussions among the participants and leaders debated that the central agencies help new leadership emerge. They drew many parallels in seeking to find that whosoever central agencies harass they become the new rulers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Do central agencies help politically? The answer is clear, they discussed. Who should know it best? Who else but PM Narendra Modi.

When he won over India, he faced various investigations and probes from the central

agencies under control of the UPA government.

So it is a surprise that despite suffering himself, under his government the agencies have not changed and the opposition parties continue to allege their partisan behaviour. Or perhaps, it is no surprise. It happened before and it will happen always. During Emergency state agencies were let loose against the opposition. Yet they did not help Mrs Indira Gandhi win.

The Janata government did not learn any lesson.

Possibly the temptation Shivaji of making Mrs Gandhi taste her own medicine was too strong.

And Mrs Gandhi returned after the premature end of the Janata experiment. But History goes on repeating itself. In UP, Mulayam Singh used the forces against KarSevaks in 1990 and two years later BJP emerged winner.

The Lucknow Mahapanchayat is strong on its demand for removal of the Union Minister Ajay Mishra, whose son is an accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri crushing of some rallyist allegedly by his car.

They are also demanding withdrawal of all cases against kisan leaders lodged

during the past one year. The rally is harping on - kisans are right, agitation is for a just cause against corporatization of agriculture and “the truth always prevails”.

Each of the draconian moves has perturbed and harassed farmers in UP, Haryana and Punjab and awaits similar actions possibly elsewhere. The apology of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being seen as succumbing to the pressures of the year-long agitation blocking key Delhi roads. Even fraternal ruling party organSarkar isations are taking tough stance wondering why a popular government should have such strong views and not listen to the people’s voices.

Various groups across Delhi have come out with a new kind of demonstration of packed cauliflower with FSSAI marks and authorization to sell it at Rs 600 a kg. Farmers allege that when they went to sell cartloads of cauliflower, the corporate groups purchased it for pittance at Rs 2 to 10 a kg. Now the big sellers are raking in huge profit “at the cost of farmers and the consumers”.

The onslaught is direct on the corporate, for whom

the farmers allege, the government has designed the three farms laws. As the elections get closer every day in UP and Punjab, the posturing is becoming tougher. Each day they are trying to put up shows portraying the government as anti-people. The large Lucknow rally on Monday is beginning as the first march towards polls. Today, the UP government has not much to do but ensure that the rally is held peacefully.

Possibly a few days back, the same government and its administration could have fought a pitched battle.

The politics has changed to that extend. But it all may be the beginning of a prolonged tactical fight.

Some leaders of the state government are still firing salvos that they would ensure that bill is back after polls. It does or not it only steels the grit of agitators and sharpen their attack.

Would the BJP remain quiet? Absolutely not. Its IT and other propaganda cell are actively demonstrating how PM and the leadership are concerned and willing to listen to the people. The campaigners are ridiculing Navjot Singh Siddhu for his open call to be with Pakistan Prime Minister

Imran Khan as the road to Kartarpur opens up.

The mood in Punjab as of now is with Sidhu. But BJP campaigners are keeping their ammunitions ready as the elections get closer.

It may once again try to pitch on pro-Pakistan or Pak sponsored support, deshdrohi and similar other epithets. But there are soberer elements in the party who are pitching in for a different plank and all agree that he drubbing at the recent bypolls, and rout in Himachal Pradesh, was an apt lesson for course correction.

The western UP is listening to the rumbles at Lucknow. The Eastern UP is also showing signs of the concern. The state of UP though looks quite is actually seething and may burst out anytime. The BJP, its IT cell and other propaganda wings are trying to remain in saddle though various kind of machinations.

The kisans are strategising to unseat the rulers hoping that popular wave will move away from the BJP. Both are preparing for new grounds, tactics and may be the next few months in UP, northern India and elsewhere become more toxic and some skirmishes may become the norm.

Post-mortem How bad will Omicron be? Scientists won’t really know for months

I

n a virus that has already killed 5.2 million people across the globe, 50 or so new mutations sound like a nightmare for humanity. But in the age-old battle between microbes and mankind, that many genetic changes can turn the tide in any direction.

The next chapter of the pandemic could feature an Omicron variant that spreads more readily than Delta, blows past the defenses of a fully vaccinated immune system, and, like its coronavirus cousin that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome, kills more than one-third of those who get it. That worst-case scenario would be an unfathomable disaster, said Dr. Bruce Walker, an immunologist and founding director of the Ragon Institute in Cambridge, Mass.

At the other end of a wide spectrum of possibilities, humanity could catch a break. Omicron could turn out to be a benign variant that spreads as fast as Delta, is easily tamed by vaccine, and barely sickens its victims while leaving them with some immunity and little risk of developing “long COVID.” In that case, “nature may have created a natural vaccine,” Walker said.

But it will take weeks and months — and the work of a legion of scientists across the globe — to begin to know whether the Omicron variant will change the course of the pandemic, and how.

In the waning days of 2021, microbiologists, immunologists and genetic scientists will offer key early insights into the variant’s penchant for spread and its ability to thwart treatments and vaccines in the confines of a lab.

It will take until early 2022 for contacttracing teams and epidemiologists to flesh out the emerging picture with real-world data on whom Omicron sickens, and the extent of their illnesses. Then mathematical modelers will plug in what’s known, fill in what’s not, and forecast a range of outcomes. Until those bits and pieces of evidence begin to congeal, all we have are anecdotes, said infectious-disease specialist Dr. Joshua Schiffer of the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle, “and the anecdotes are not helpful.”

D

The impact of the Omicron variant “really needs to be assessed in a systematic way, looking at very large numbers of people,” Schiffer said. “This is going to take a bit of time to parse.”

Once again, the coming months will provide the public a lesson in both the science of uncertainty and the uncertainty of science. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the complete picture of Omicron’s impact will emerge only in pieces. Almost two years into a pandemic, scientists need to take the measure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus yet again. This time, they have a variant changed by an unprecedented number of mutations with worrisome histories. And they are assessing its strengths and weaknesses in a diverse population of potential hosts that ranges from uninfected-and-entirely-susceptible to vaccinated-and-boosted.

“There are so many moving parts,” said Dr. Jonathan Li, a Harvard infectiousdisease specialist who directs the virology laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

It’s possible that Omicron’s detection just happened to coincide with an isolated outbreak or superspreader event that prompted South African scientists to step up their collection of viral coronavirus specimens.

If Omicron fails to gain more footholds as it lands in a wider range of places, its apparent role in driving South Africa’s latest outbreak may prove to have been a case of misattribution, Schiffer said.

Now that the Omicron variant has been detected in several countries, its powers of transmission will be tested. If it’s found to be gaining ground, the next challenge will be for scientists to determine whether its increased spread is a function of some innate biological advantage that helps it spread from person to person and whether it’s specially equipped to evade the defenses of people who gained immunity from a vaccine or past infection.

A cursory check of Omicron’s constellation of mutations raises deep concerns on both fronts. “This variant seems to have some of the greatest hits when it comes to mutations,” Li said.

A good many of them are heavily concentrated along a string of genetic code that governs the shape and behavior of the spike protein, which the virus uses to latch onto human cells. Two mutations are at a site the virus uses to pry its way into those cells and hijack them for its own replication.

And several more have been seen in other variants that are capable of evading antibodies made by the immune system in response to vaccines and previous infections.

That’s just the beginning.

“It’s not only the sheer number of mutations” that’s concerning, Li said. It’s how broadly across the virus’ genome they are scattered, and the range of functions they have the potential to change: “It just has a lot of mutations, all over the place.”

If Omicron does establish itself outside southern Africa, scientists will need to gauge the relative contributions of the variant’s increased transmissibility and its ability to overpower a prepared immune system. Those findings will help guide the next steps, including a potential renewal of public health measures and the reformulation of mRNA vaccines and boosters specifically tailored to thwart the new variant. Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna have said they could ready such vaccines in just a few months’ time.

With lab studies to guide their hunches, scientists should find the task of separating increased transmissibility from so-called immune escape simple enough. If new infections linked to Omicron occur primarily in unvaccinated people, heightened transmissibility would seem to be at work. If new infections are just as likely to occur in people who’ve been vaccinated as in those who haven’t, scientists might conclude the variant has found its way around antibodies meant to block it.

But that seemingly straightforward analysis will be complicated by several factors. The COVID-19 vaccines available across the world have ranged widely in their ability to block reinfection.

The waning of vaccine-induced immunity has thrown another wild card into the mix. If a vaccinated person has a breakthrough case involving Omicron,

it won’t necessarily be clear whether the variant busted through the vaccine’s defenses or those defenses had already fallen on their own.

If it turns out that Omicron isn’t readily stopped by vaccines, the world would find itself back at square one, said Dr. Charles Chiu, an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco.

But it may take more than that for the variant to wreak havoc, he added.

The Beta variant first seen in South Africa and the Gamma variant in Brazil both demonstrated the ability to evade vaccine defenses, Chiu said. But when they competed head-to-head against the highly transmissible Delta variant in the United States and elsewhere, they didn’t gain much traction, Chiu said.

The lesson: Even if Omicron is adept at overcoming vaccines, its impact will be blunted if it can’t unseat Delta.

The final test of Omicron’s powers to worsen the pandemic will be to understand whether it can make people sicker and cause more deaths than the variants that have come before. If it is both more transmissible and more virulent, the result would be disastrous, Walker said.

“That is the question that’s most important to answer,” he said.

But scientists will have to be patient.

It typically takes at least a couple of weeks of illness for an infected person to become sick enough to be placed under intensive care or to die, Walker said. And scientists will have to meld clinical data with genetic sequencing to know whether Omicron’s mutations are responsible.

Tulio de Oliveira, the South African geneticist who led the team that identified the Omicron variant, said scientists across Africa will be working feverishly to collect that data over the next several weeks. He said he suspects that greater powers of both transmission and of immune escape have pushed Omicron into the global spotlight.

But he’s reluctant to make predictions about the variant’s ability to sicken. “The next weeks are so crucial,” he said.

Melissa Healy

IT jobs in plenty, but not many qualified hands

ue to the increasing use of digital technology, the demand for IT professionals is increasing in the Indian markets. Employment opportunities are being created in technology, healthcare, e-commerce and manufacturing sectors. The job opportunities in the field of Information Technology (IT) are much more than one can imagine. The way experienced and qualified professionals are in demand in the IT sector, qualified candidates are not much in supply. Since the desired candidates are not available in sufficient numbers,

IT companies intend to increase the salaries of the existing staff to retain their qualified employees. Companies do not want to lose their existing employees.

For example, HCL Technologies has made a plan to give stake to its 3000 senior workers in the company as part of the strategy to retain the talent.

In the last few months, the recruitment process in Information Technology (IT) companies has registered a spurt. The country’s top four IT companies hired over 48,000 new employees in the first quarter i.e. April to June, 2021. During the

second quarter, between July to September 2021, the number of new recruits increased to more than 54,000. In this way more than one lakh candidates got IT jobs of their choice.

The four top companies of India intend to provide at least one lakh new jobs in the coming months.

A report by HR company TeamLease states that the attrition rate in the IT industry is increasing steadily.

The average attrition rate in the IT sector is 8.67 per cent, while the attrition rate in India is two and a half times higher than the average. As per the July to September

quarter results, Wipro has the highest attrition rate at 20.5 percent. Infosys is second with 20.1 percent, while IT major TCS is third with 11.9 percent. With the increasing attrition, the job opportunities in IT companies are continuously increasing. TCS recruited 43 thousand new employees in the first quarter and about 20,000 new employees in the second quarter even after attrition. The company intends to recruite 35 thousand new freshers in the next few months. There has also been rapid recruitment in Wipro and Infosys.

After June 2021, as

the economy started getting back on track, the employment situation showed improvement. It is estimated that more than 10 million people lost their jobs in India during the second wave of the pandemic. Everything in the world is temporary, it has become a universally accepted fact.

Employment opportunities have increased in companies that are ready to change quickly according to the time, while the situation is not good in companies waiting for the right time.

During the pandemic, when factories and offices remained closed for a long

time, the culture of work from home was born. The need for flexi work was felt for a long time, but no one was ready to take the initiative. Access to offices located at a distance has been an insurmountable problem due to the long traffic jams on the roads, the pressure on the means of transport and the ill effects of pollution on health. Work from home has also benefited the youth of remote and small towns. Women have benefited the most.

Narvijay Yadav Writer is a columnist. Twitter @NarvijayYadav

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.

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Congress livid as Didi writes UPA’s epitaph

MUMBAI, DEC 2 (IANS): Relegated to the political pavement as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stormed Mumbai in her 2-day-long high-profile trip which ended on Thursday, the Maharashtra Congress unitedly slammed her for her ‘RIP’ping comments spelling doom for the UPA. Banerjee met leaders of two of the 3 ruling allies - Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena’s MP Sanjay Raut and Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray, met civil society members, some industrialists, film personalities, but obviously she had no love lost for the state Congress.

The visiting leader’s shocker came during her brief media interaction, when she virtually blurted out - “What UPA? There’s no UPA now...” stunning the Congress and momentarily even the NCP supre-

Recent photo of WB CM Mamata Banerjee with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai.

mo Pawar seemed dazed but kept his legendary cool.

An enraged Congress top brass hit back, though diplomatically - to avoid antagonising the Sena-NCP leaders or even remotely appear siding with the BJP - and harked on the grand old party’s contributions, the Gandhis’ leadership while blaming Banerjee’s “personal ambitions and ego” and painting the BJP as the real villain.

“The BJP is a threat to the Constitution and De-

mocracy. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are constantly challenging the dictatorial attitude of the BJP,” said State Congress President Nana Patole.

The Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat dismissively said, “no individual party can fight the BJP if that party only thinks of its own political gains and personal ambitions” and the Congress remains the sole viable option before

the country.

AICC Secretary Sanjay Dutt said, “if there is one party which has been fighting fascist forces and standing up for the people of India, it’s the Congress”, and others are now posturing only to grab the ‘chair’ (power).

“If any other party leader makes any baseless, sarcastic or malafide comments about Rahul Gandhi, we will give a befitting reply and show them the mirror of their past stance and statements,” hissed Dutt.

State PWD Minister Ashok Chavan hit back at Banerjee saying the “Congress and its leadership needs no certification for its commitment to Democracy and Constitution, or its tireless struggle against the BJP’s policies”.

“Since before Independence, Congress has been fighting for the commoners, the rights of the

people... The (BJP) central government is using the ‘divide-and-rule’ policy on the opposition parties. In such a scenario, it becomes the responsibility of all nonBJP parties not to indulge in politics that supports this policy of the Centre,” said Chavan sharply.

Patole pointed out how Rahul Gandhi has stood firm against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP, on the land acquisition law and the three black agriculture laws, the BJP’s divisive policies, inflation, unemployment, etc.

“The country is more important than personal ambitions or egos... A political party restricted to one state cannot provide an alternative to the BJP. Given the gravity of the situation, all like-minded parties must come together in the national interest,” urge Patole, adding only Congress is the viable option to the BJP.

7 Army to introduce TMC slams restriction on media new combat uniform next year access to Parl proceedings

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): The Army is set to introduce a light and more climate-friendly combat uniform for its personnel from next year, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The new camouflage uniform will be based on a “digital disruptive” pattern and they are expected to be showcased at the Army Day parade on January 15, they said.

It is learnt that the new combat uniform has been finalised after wide-ranging discussions and analysis of military uniforms of several countries, the people said.

They said the new uniform will be much more durable as well as comfortable in both summers and winters.

The uniforms, which will feature a mix of colours including olive and earthen, have been designed taking into considerations aspects like areas of deployment and climatic conditions.

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): The TMC on Thursday expressed solidarity with the journalist fraternity on the issue of restricted access to Parliament and called for immediate restoration of all facilities to the media to cover the proceedings.

In a statement, the party condemned the move stating that such restriction was against the spirit of democracy.

“The Chief Minister of Bengal and the Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, Ms Mamata Banerjee, along with the entire Trinamool Congress parliamentary party wish to express our complete solidarity with the journalist fraternity on the issue of restricted access to parliament.

“Parliament is the heart of our democracy and reporting on it is a cherished democratic tradition. A free

and robust media is the soul of a parliamentary democracy. Right to free speech, freedom of expression and thought are the foundations of a vibrant democracy,” it said.

The party called for immediate restoration of all facilities to the journalists to cover Parliament so that the institution is strengthened.

“India ranks 142 in the World Press Freedom Index out of 180 countries. This is going further down. Even a couple of years ago, we were at 136, now at 142.

Targeting victims such as physical abuse against journalists and prejudice is one of the other reasons for the decline in the world ranking index.

Let’s work together to ensure that in this the 75th year of our independence, the free spirit of an independent media is not controlled in any manner,” the party said in a statement.

Omicron: Mandaviya meets airport, PM Modi chairs meeting India hits out at OHCHR for baseless port health officials over screening on cyclone situation comments on Jammu and Kashmir for genome sequencing to INSACOG labs (mapped with states) promptly and that the states should undertake contact tracing of positive individuals and follow up for 14 days.

The new potentially more contagious B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, and has been designated as a “Variant of Concern” by the global body, which named it “Omicron”.

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting on the cyclonerelated situation in the country, sources said on Thursday.

Modi was being briefed by top officials on the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal that could affect north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

With the IMD forecast of a cyclonic storm reaching Odisha coast on December 4, the state government on Wednesday had asked

collectors of 13 districts to prepare for evacuation of the people and has chalked out a disaster management strategy by requisitioning NDRF, ODRAF and fire department personnel for rescue and relief operation.

The forecast said that the low pressure area in south Andaman Sea will intensify into a depression and move towards the coast as a cyclonic storm on December 4 and the Coast Guard has initiated extensive pre-emptive measures in the eastern coast keeping it in view.

Only bullets can’t solve Naxalism, need 360-degree strategy: Baghel NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Asserting that unemployment gave rise to Naxalism in Chhattisgarh’s worst-affected Bastar region, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said only guns and bullets cannot solve this decades-old problem and development is the only way out.

He said the government has reopened many schools, including some english-medium schools, for children in areas affected by left-wing extremism.

“I think the root cause of the problem (Naxalism) has been either misunder-

Bhupesh Baghel

stood or ignored earlier. After we took over, we realised that only guns and bullets cannot solve the problem.

“We need to have a 360-degree strategy to solve this decades-old problem.

Central Vista has achieved 60 percent physical progress NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Redevelopment of the Central Vista Avenue, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and has a deadline of December 2021, has achieved 60 per cent of physical progress, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The government, however, has planned to hold the 2022 Republic Day parade on the newly-developed Rajpath that comes under the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project.

In a written reply to a question by Congress MP Manish Tewari, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore said the new Parliament building project, which is scheduled to be completed by October 2022, has achieved 35 per cent of physical progress.

At the inaugural ceremony of two office complexes for the employees of the Defence Ministry and the armed forces here on September 16, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said the Winter Session of Parliament next year would take place in the new Parliament building.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the event, he had said, “I would like to assure you that the

redevelopment work of Central Vista Avenue will be completed in two-and-a-half months, where the Republic Day parade will be held.”

The redevelopment project of the Central Vista -- the nation’s power corridor -- envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping of the three-kilometre-long Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, a new prime minister’s residence and prime minister’s office, and a new Vice President’s enclave.

In his written reply to Tewari, Kishore said Rs 1,289 crore has been allocated for the development/ redevelopment works of Central Vista in the ongoing financial year.

The minister said these works have provided direct livelihood opportunities to more than 10,000 skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers on site and off site and generated more than 24.12 lakh man days of employment.

In addition, substantial employment in manufacturing and transportation of cement, steel and other building materials have been provided, Kishore said, adding these works will also contribute to the economy and help realize our resolve for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

I am happy to tell you that we are slowly succeeding in our endeavour,” he told PTI. He said the government has started working closely with the people of Bastar. “We started consultations with the local communities and asked them what is their prescription for the problem and what they need to make life better. Then we started addressing the problems they face in their day-to-day life,” the CM said.

Baghel said unemployment has been a reason behind the rise of Naxal problems in Bastar. Efforts are being made to provide

jobs to locals. We are making sure that youths get jobs in their own district or in the region,” he said. The CM said police personnel were being given high-level training and special task force hubs have been set up for effective action.

“Our police and paramilitary forces are combative as never before. We have also asked the Centre to assist in development here and have also given suggestions, which if implemented, will aid in the elimination of Naxalism from this hotbed of red terror within the next few years,” Baghel said.

Baghel accused the opposition parties of creating misunderstandings among the forest dwellers about the coal mining projects. The misunderstandings have been cleared now, he said.

“We always stand with the forest dwellers for all the difficulties they face due to the wrong policies of the Central government. When the tribals were on a foot march to Raipur for handing over a memorandum to the governor and me about their demands from the Central government, our government took care of them too,” Baghel said.

CHARIS HIGH ACADEMY CBSE AFFILIATION NO. :1430017

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): India on Thursday hit out at the UN human rights body for its “baseless” allegations against it over the arrest of an activist in Jammu and Kashmir, and asserted that the comments “betray” a complete lack of understanding of the security challenges in the region in view of cross-border terrorism.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights.

Bagchi’s comments came in response to a statement made by the Spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the arrest of Kashmiri rights activist Khurram Parvez.

“We have seen the statement made by the spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on specific incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. The statement makes

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passengers coming to the country through various airports. Testing of samples of international travellers coming from ‘at risk’ countries on the first day and of specified category of passengers on the eighth day needs to be scrupulously done, it had stressed.

International passengers from at-risk countries are being advised to wait at airports till the report of the RT-PCR test is available.

States/UTs have been asked to send all positive samples

N.H. 29, WARD-3, CHÜMOUKEDIMA, DIMAPUR, Nagaland

RECRUITMENT

• Vice Principal: Post Graduate with B.Ed. and 3-5 years teaching experience. Previous experience in desired job role is preferred.

• Teachers for primary, middle and secondary school : Science, Social Science, English, Math: Graduate / Post Graduate in relevant subject with D.El.Ed./B.Ed. and at least 1-3 years of teaching experience in a reputed school.

• Girls Warden: Graduate, age between 35-40 years, previous experience as warden in a school preferred • ALL candidates must be fluent in English and conversant with use of technology.

• Freshers with good subject knowledge and a desire to teach are welcome to apply.

Interested candidates may upload their detailed résumé along with copies of certificates and passport photo via email at charishighacademy@gmail.com or submit their application at the school office between 9:00 a.m–2:00 p.m (Mon. to Fri.) Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. Contact details: +91-87940 81327 NEW ADMISSION for Academic Session 2022-23 is OPEN for NURSERY to CLASS IX. Forms are available in the school office. dp-5752/21

JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA CHUKITONG, WOKHA, NAGALAND Ministry of Education, Govt. of India

Invites Online Application for the Session 2022-23

JNV, Chukitong ,Wokha, Nagaland invites online application for admission to Class VI for the session 2022-23. Online submission of application have started from 24th Sept 2021.

Application can be submitted free of cost by accessing the following website. Last date to submit Application form is 15th december 2021.

For Class VI https://cbseitms.nic.in/Index/OpenRegistrationpage General features of Vidyalaya • Free Quality Education (CBSE Curriculum) , • Boarding & Lodging, • Co Educational Residential School, • Separate Hostels for Boys & Girls , • Promotion of Sports & Games,

• NCC, NSS, Scouts & Guides, • Free Uniform, Textbooks, Notebooks, Toilet items etc.

Candidates studying in Class V in academic session 2021-22 in Govt./Govt.

Recognized schools in Wokha district are eligible to apply for Class VI. A candidate seeking admission in class VI must be born between May 1, 2009, and April 30, 2013 (both days are inclusive) For more details, visit NVS website www.navodaya.gov.in or may contact principal, JNV, Chukitong Wokha, Nagaland. Helpline numbers : 8840520032, 7005863719, 9366542996 Sd/Principal dC-1290/21

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NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday held a meeting with airport and port health officers as well as other authorities over screening and surveillance at all points of entries amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant ‘Omicron’, official sources said.

The health ministry has been advising states and Union territories to keep a strict vigil and undertake surveillance of international

Arindam Bagchi

baseless and unfounded allegations against law enforcement authorities and security forces of India,” he said. On Wednesday, OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville expressed deep concern over the arrest of Parvez and even called for “prompt, thorough, transparent” investigations” into the recent incidents of killings of civilians in J and K. “We are deeply concerned at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under Indian counter-terrorism legislation, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA),” Colville said in a statement.

Rejecting the comments by the UN official, Bagchi said as a democratic

country, with an abiding commitment to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens, India takes all necessary steps to counter cross-border terrorism.

“It also betrays a complete lack of understanding on the part of the OHCHR of the security challenges faced by India from crossborder terrorism and its impact on the most fundamental human right, ‘the right to life’ of our citizens including in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

“Refer ring to proscribed terrorist organisations as ‘armed groups’ demonstrates a clear bias on the part of OHCHR,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Bagchi said national security legislations, like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) were enacted by Parliament to protect the sovereignty of India and ensure the security of its citizens. “The arrest and subsequent detention of the individual referred to in the statement was done entirely as per provisions of law,” he said.

8

CM invites industries SP transfer shows Amazon toGujarat relocate businesses to state influence on MP govt: CAIT

KAKURO

No. 4736

Yesterday’s solution No. 4735

No. 3760 Yesterday’s solution No. 3759

ACROSS 3. Tree type (5) 8. Roofing slabs (5) 10. Helicopter blade (5) 11. Lair (3) 12. Parrot type (5) 13. Floatage (7) 15. Broom of twigs (5) 18. Decompose (3) 19. Corsair (6) 21. Diabolic (7) 22. Genuine (4) 23. Defeat (4) 24. Pistol case (7) 26. Weather line (6) 29. Nothing (3) 31. Passenger ship (5) 32. Down payment (7) 34. Afterwards (5) 35. Vigour (3) 36. Spanish man (5) 37. Lukewarm (5) 38. Sheds tears (5) DOWN 1. Edge along (5) 2. Middle (7) 4. Dutch cheese (4) 5. Foreign language (6) 6. Oarsman (5) 7. Automaton (5) 9. Star sign (3) 12. P r i n c i p a l bullfighter (7) 14. Chronic drunkard (3) 16. O n e w h o p u t s money away (5) 17. Thaws (5) 19. A pale beer (7) 20. Fragile, delicate (5) 21. Hairdresser’s shop (5) 23. Dear (7) 24. Z i m b a b w e ’ s capital (6) 25. Gratuity (3) 27. Warning device (5) 28. Under (5) 30. Restrict (5) 32. Far down (4) 33. Drink delicately (3)

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No. 10114 Yesterday’s solution No. 10113

Colourful performances mark ...

(From p-1) He encouraged people from other States of India to come and enjoy the scenic beauty, people’s hospitality and all the great things the State has to offer.

7191 visitors: A total of 7191 visitors attended the second day of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama. According to the Tourism department, those who attended the festival on Thursday include—14 foreign tourists, 1956 domestic tourists and 5221 local tourists.

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to the customers and these promissory notes are destroyed after registration of the flat.”

“Incriminating evidence regarding unaccounted cash payments made not only to the original tenants of the slums for vacating the dwelling unit but also to some other persons for facilitating vacation of the properties by slum dwellers has been seized,” it said.

Evidences suggesting irregularities and violation of guidelines of slum rehabilitation authority (SRA) have also been detected, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said.

lockdown. The e-contents of each lesson class-wise have been developed according to the SCERT and NBSC curriculum.

The pre-loaded video lessons are embedded in pen drives and would be transacted through SMART TVs. The e-content modules have also been incorporated with 2D, 3D animations, videos and illustrations to make lessons easier, engaging and more interactive. The lessons could be updated according to changes in the curriculum.

Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland has partnered with the Bright Tutee for e-content development.

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tax evasion adopted by the group have been unearthed and several documentary and digital evidences have been seized demonstrating receipt of cash to the tune of Rs 100 crore, as part of consideration on sale of flats, which is not accounted for in the regular books of account,” the statement said.

“The fact of receipt of on-money (cash) on such transactions is also corroborated in the statements recorded during the searches,” the statement said. The statement said the unidentified group issued “promissory notes e q u iva l e n t t o t h e o n money (cash) component

NEMIS has been made in such a way that it could be modified and more features could be added in future as per the needs of the department. With regard to e-classroom programme, the concept has been introduced in the state before the onset of the pandemic.

During 2020-21, the Ministr y of Education and Literacy, approved the use of e-classroom for 191 elementary schools (Classes VI-VIII) and 282 secondary schools (Classes IX-XII) in the State. One of the main purposes for providing e-classroom is to enable the students to cope up with their interrupted learning due to

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Su doku

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (PTI): The Income Tax Department has detected alleged tax evasion worth crores of r upees after it recently raided a real estate group engaged in d e ve l o p m e n t o f s l u m rehabilitation projects in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region.

The CBDT said in a statement on Thursday that the searches on the group, that undertakes construction of both residential and commercial projects, were launched on November 25 and about 30 premises were covered.

Over Rs 6 crore cash was also seized, it said.

“Various methods of

(From p-1) He thanked the ministry of education for sanctioning the e-classroom programme which could help the students, teachers and the depar tment in addressing the challenges related to the accessibility of Online Education.

He asked the teachers and department officials to make best use of the f a c i l i t i e s p r ov i d e d s o students studying in government schools could update themselves with the help of the latest technical developments.

Principal director school education, Shanavas C, chaired the programme and gave brief description of the NEMIS and the e-classroom programme.

The programme was a t t e n d e d b y Kev i l e n o Angami, Special Secretary, School Education; Temsunaro Aier, Mission Director, Samagra Shiksha; Asano Sekhose, Chairman, NBSE and officials from the department.

NEMIS por tal has several functions including infor mation of school ownership and management; information of teaching and non-teaching staff; online admission register; class wise students’ information; results; health record; transfer certificate and child tracking.

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Crossword

cent in the first half of this fiscal, but should moderate to 3-5 per cent in the second half, primarily because of a high-base effect, translating to 11-13 per cent growth for this fiscal, it said.

At the regional level, South India witnessed the steepest hike of Rs 54 per bag in October over the previous month, followed by the central region with Rs 20 per bag. The north saw a hike of Rs 12 riding on healthy demand, while in the west the price increased

by Rs 10 per bag. The east saw a moderate increase of Rs 5 per bag.

IT dept detects tax evasion worth crores NEMIS, e-classroom programme launched after raids on Mumbai real estate group

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M e a n w h i l e, B r e n t crude futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 2.99 per cent to USD 70.45 per barrel. On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex ended 776.50 points or 1.35 per cent higher at 58,461.29, while the broader NSE Nifty jumped 234.75 points or 1.37% to 17,401.65.

Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market on We d n e s d a y, a s t h e y offloaded shares worth Rs 2,765.84 crore, as per exchange data. On the macro-economic front, India’s merchandise exports rose 26.49 per cent year-onyear to USD 29.88 billion in November.

is expected to rise 11-13 per cent this fiscal, albeit on a low base. This will largely offset the impact of cost pressure on cash accruals and keep credit profiles stable, the agency said, analysing 17 cement companies, which have a volume market share of 75 per cent in India.

Cement volume growth will be driven by demand revival across segments ? infrastructure, housing and industrial ? as the impact of COVID-19 wanes.

Cement demand saw a robust growth of over 20 per

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MUMBAI, DEC 2 (PTI): The rupee on Thursday slipped 8 paise to close a t 7 4 . 9 9 ( p r ov i s i o n a l ) against the US dollar as investor concer ns grew over the impact of the new coronavirus variant on the economy.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local currency opened at 75.06 and witnessed an intra-day high of 74.90 and a low of 75.07 against the US dollar. The local unit finally settled at 74.99, down 8 paise over its previous close of 74.91.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.01 per cent up at 96.03.

KO L K AT A , D E C 2 (PTI): Retail prices of cement is likely to rise again by another Rs 15-20 over the next few months and touch an all-time high of around Rs 400 per bag this fiscal, rating agency Crisil said on Thursday in a sector note.

The rise in price has been attributed to inputs commodity cost pressure such as coal and diesel supported by rising demand.

Crisil in its report said amid rise in price the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITA) of cement makers will decline

by Rs 100-150 per tonne this fiscal because of high input costs.

The recent rally in prices of imported coal (up more than 120 per cent on-year in the first half) and petcoke (up 80 per cent) is likely to increase power and fuel costs by Rs 350400 per tonne (up around 40 per cent on-year) this fiscal as a large part of the cost inflation is yet to be absorbed, the note stated.

Cement sales volume

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Rupee slips 8p against USD to 74.99 on Omicron worries

Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MP Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra on this most condemnable act of transfer”, CAIT said.

Bhartia and Khandelwal said that for the first time in the Country section 38 of NDPS Act and also for the first time Amazon has been named as accused and it was apparent that as the other accused were taken into custody why Amazon officials were not arrested. It requires a thorough investigation. S.P. Singh joined Bhind SP only a year before and therefore it can’t be termed as a routine transfer.

The SP has been transferred to PHQ Bhopal and Shailendra Chauhan will be new SP of Bhind who was working in PHQ.

consulates and delegates.

Patel added that p o l i t i c a l s t a b i l i t y, commitment towards allround holistic development and conducive environment since the last two-and-a-half decades have played a major role in Gujarat becoming the role model for global development.

He emphasised on the dominance of the state as the country’s most-preferred investment destination across the globe.

Patel said the state government is aiming to attract more investments in sectors such as nextgeneration infrastructure, energy, digital network, fintech, start-up, e-vehicles, research and development, and tourism, among others.

He invited financial institutions, fintech companies and start-ups to invest and do business in the state’s GIFT City.

The state’s Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Rajiv Gupta said that with a growth rate of more than 10 per cent, having 17% of India’s industrial output, Gujarat contributes to 37.5 per cent in GDP as against the national average of 17%.

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Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal while alleging pressure & influence of Amazon behind the transfer said that sudden transfer speaks the fact that S.P. Singh was about to take some big action against Amazon and instead of supporting him, the system transferred him.

They recall the earlier statements of MP Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra who war ned Amazon either to cooperate with the investigation else Amazon officials would be brought by force to face the investigation.

“It is surprising that the said transfer strongly contradicts the said statement of MP Home Minister.

We seek a categorical statement from MP CM

MUMBAI, DEC 2 (PTI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday invited global and domestic industries, which are seeking to relocate their businesses in the postpandemic times, to the state saying it offers a conducive investment climate and opportunities.

Patel was speaking at a road show organised in the city ahead of the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

The three-day bi-annual summit is scheduled to begin on January 10 next year. The theme for this year’s summit is ‘Aatmanirbhar Gujarat to Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

As a precursor to the summit, Patel met various industry leaders, including Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran; Kotak Mahindra Bank Managing Director and CEO and CII past president Udak Kotak; Reliance Industries Executive Director Nikhil Meswani; Bank of America President and Country Head Kaku Nakhate and Ceat Tyres Managing Director Anant Goenka.

He also held interactive meetings with foreign

Cement price likely to rise

by Rs 15-20 per bag: Crisil

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NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (IANS): The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has said that once again the clout of foreign funded e-commerce companies particularly Amazon on the Government became v i s i b l e o n We d n e s d ay when the Madhya Pradesh Government transferred Bhind SP Manoj Kumar Singh within 18 days of busting of sale of marijuana (Ganja) racket which was conducted through Amazon e-commerce portal and the Bhind SP dared to made Amazon officials as accused.

“It speaks as to how foreign funded companies like Amazon are controlling the administrative system of various State Governments which is giving them full liberty in violating the laws & rules and still they are continuing their malpractices in e-commerce”, said CAIT in a statement while expressing dee p anguish and resentment of traders on transfer of the said police official.

CAIT national president B.C. Bhartia &

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS/STATE

Blinken urges Russia’s Lavrov to choose diplomacy on Ukraine or face high price STOCKHOLM, DEC 2 (AGENCIES): U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Russian counterpart on Thursday to warn him face-to-face of the “serious consequences” Russia would suffer if it invaded Ukraine and to urge him to seek a diplomatic exit from the crisis.

Blinken delivered the warning to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting in Stockholm, a day after declaring that Washington was ready to respond resolutely, including with hard-hitting sanctions, in the event of a Russian attack.

“The best way to avert the crisis is through diplomacy,” Blinken told reporters before going into talks with Lavrov at a moment of acute East-West tensions over Ukraine.

He said Moscow and Kyiv should each fulfil their obligations under the 2014 Minsk peace process, which was designed to end a war between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces in the east of

Antony Blinken meets Sergei Lavrov during a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation. (Reuters)

the former Soviet republic.

Washington was willing to facilitate this, Blinken said, but “if Russia decides to pursue confrontation, there will be serious consequences”. Lavrov told reporters Moscow was ready for dialogue with Kyiv. “We, as President (Vladimir) Putin has stated, do not want any conflicts,” he said.

The two men talked for about 30 minutes on the fringes of a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Stockholm, in the highest-level contact between the two sides since a summit between Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden in

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June.

“Should Moscow choose the path of military escalation, the Secretary (Blinken) made clear that the United States and our allies are prepared to impose significant costs,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

A senior State Department official said Blinken and Lavrov had a “serious, sober and business-like” meeting.

The official said there had been a constructive exchange on implementing the existing Minsk peace agreements for eastern Ukraine as a possible pathway out of the crisis, and further intense

diplomacy was likely in coming days.

FLASHPOINT Ukraine says Russia has amassed more than 90,000 troops near their long shared border, while Moscow accuses Kyiv of pursuing its own military build-up. It has dismissed as inflammatory suggestions it is preparing for an attack on Ukraine and has defended its right to deploy troops on its own territory as it sees fit.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that the probability of a new conflict in eastern Ukraine remained high and that Moscow was concerned by “aggressive” rhetoric from Kyiv and an increase in what it called provocative actions along the line of contact between government forces and the pro-Russian separatists.

Kyiv has denied any intention of trying to take back the rebel regions by force, accusing Russia of spouting “propaganda nonsense” in order to provide cover for its own aggressive intentions.

Japan retracts new flight bookings ban

Pfizer working on updated jab in response to Omicron variant: CEO

TOKYO, DEC 2 (AP): Japan says it has retracted a ban on new incoming international flight bookings to defend against the new variant of the coronavirus only a day after the policy was announced.

The transport ministry on Wednesday issued a request to international airlines to stop taking new reservations for flights coming into Japan until the end of December as an emergency precaution to defend against the new omicron variant.

The ministry said Thursday it has retracted the request after receiving criticisms from inside and outside the country that the ban was too strict. The request had aimed to reduce Japan’s daily international arrivals to 3,500 from an earlier level of 5,000 to tighten border controls as the new variant spread around the world, officials said.

“The request, issued as an emergency precaution, triggered confusions,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters Thursday.

LONDON, DEC 2 (PTI): Pfizer is working on an updated jab in response to the Omicron variant that could be ready in 100 days, according to the head of American multinational pharmaceutical giant, who said that people may need to have annual Covid-19 vaccinations for many years to come.

Pfizer’s chief executive Dr Albert Bourla told the BBC that he is of the view that annual vaccinations would be needed to maintain a “very high level of protection” against the deadly disease that has claimed over five million lives across the world.

Bourla was speaking to the BBC before the emergence of the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa and also before the announcement that the UK government had signed contracts to buy the 54 million additional Pfizer-BioNTech and 60 million Moderna doses for 2022 and 2023.

These deals include access to modified vaccines

Dr Albert Bourla

if needed to combat Omicron and future variants of concern, the Department of Health has said.

Dr Bourla said Pfizer had already made updated vaccines in response to the Beta, also first identified in South Africa, and Delta, first identified in India, variants but that they had not been needed.

The company is now working on an updated jab in response to the Omicron variant that could be ready in 100 days, the report added.

He said vaccines had helped save millions of lives during the pandemic, and without them, the “fundamental structure of our society would be

threatened”.

By the end of the year, Pfizer expects to have supplied three billion doses of its messenger ribonucleicacid (mRNA) vaccine with four billion planned for next year.

There had been a global race to protect people, Dr Bourla said, but in 2022, countries would have “as many doses as they need”.

Having to be stored at -70C, the Pfizer vaccine has been tricky to deploy in countries with limited health services.

But within a month or so, Pfizer says it will roll out a new formulation of the vaccine that can be stored for three months in a fridge, which Dr Bourla said, would make a “huge difference” for sub-Saharan African countries.

He also talked about vaccine hesitancy.

“For those that are just afraid, the only emotion of human beings stronger than fear is love,” he said.

“So take the courage to overcome your fears and do the right thing.”

UK approves new treatment, B’deshi court Bomb threat on Dhaka-bound Tel Aviv is priciest city, sentences 13 to may work against Omicron death over lynching Malaysia Airlines plane a hoax outranking Paris in new report

families trying to live in the bustling city.

“It’s really hard to live here. You pay the rent and you pay for something small and you live, like, from paycheck to paycheck so it’s really hard,” said Ziv Toledano, a transplant from northern Israel. He said his expenses have nearly doubled in Tel Aviv.

Israeli news outlets constantly compare the prices of basic goods in Israel to other Western nations, hammering in to audiences what has been clear to their wallets for years: that the country is far more expensive than others.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s financial and cultural epicenter. It boasts a thriving high-tech scene, world-class restaurants and a stretch of Mediterranean beach lined by gleaming new hotels and condominiums.

The shekel is one of the world’s strongest currencies, with its value

Pak summons Indian diplomat

ISLAMABAD, DEC 2 (PTI): Pakistan on Thursday summoned a senior diplomat from the Indian High Commission here to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey its view that a model’s “bareheaded” photoshoot at the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was an “isolated incident”.

On Tuesday, India had summoned the Charge d’Affaires at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and conveyed its deep concern over Pakistani model Sauleha’s photoshoot at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, describing it as a “desecration” of the sanctity of the holy place.

Sauleha’s “bareheaded” photoshoot for a Pakistani clothing brand at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib set the social media abuzz on Monday as many people accused her of hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.

The model later deleted her photos from her Instagram page and posted an apology.

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, located in Pakistan’s Narowal district, is the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, who had spent the last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that a senior diplomat from the Indian High Commission was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told that it was “an isolated incident involving an individual at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.”

“It was conveyed to the Indian diplomat that the incident was swiftly addressed and clarified,” it said.

It said that Pakistan accords highest primacy to the rights of the minorities and sanctity of religious places and revered sites of every community is ensured in Pakistan.

Indian authorities must focus on ensuring effective protection of their own minorities and places of worship from instances of desecration, hate crimes and mob lynching, the FO said.

LONDON, DEC 2 (PTI): The UK’s medicines regulator on Thursday approved a new antibody treatment against COVID-19, which it believes will also be effective against new variants such as Omicron. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said Xevudy or sotrovimab is for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe disease.

Developed by GSK and Vir Biotechnology, sotrovimab is a single monoclonal antibody and the drug works by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the COVID-19 virus. This in turn prevents the virus from attaching to and entering human cells, so that it cannot replicate in the body.

“I am pleased to say that we now have another safe and effective COVID-19 treatment, Xevudy (sotrovimab), for those at risk of developing severe illness,” said Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive.

“This is yet another therapeutic that has been shown to be effective at protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19, and signals another significant step forward in our fight against this devastating disease. With no compromises on quality, safety and effectiveness, the public can trust that the MHRA have conducted a robust and thorough assessment of all

the available data,” she said.

Sotrovimab is administered by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes and is approved for individuals aged 12 and above who weigh more than 40 kg. The MHRA said “it is too early to know” whether the Omicron variant has any impact on sotrovimab’s effectiveness, but they plan to work with the manufacturers to establish this. But based on preliminary lab studies, researchers say the drug targets a part of the spike protein of the virus that has not yet undergone big changes or mutations, meaning it should work well against all variants.

In a clinical trial, a single dose of the monoclonal antibody was found to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by 79 per cent in high-risk adults with symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Based on the clinical trial data, sotrovimab is most effective when taken during the early stages of infection and so the MHRA recommends its use as soon as possible and within five days of symptom onset.

Like molnupiravir, which is an antiviral pill treatment in use, the new therapy has been authorised for use in people who have mild to moderate COVID infection and at least 1 risk factor for developing severe illness.

Such risk factors include obesity, older age groups of 60 and above, diabetes mellitus, or heart disease.

Hands –on Training on “Small Household Enterprise: Detergent, Liquid soap, Liquid disinfectant and Soap making”

A one day hands-on training on “Small Household Enterprise: Detergent, Liquid soap, Liquid disinfectant and Soap making” was organized by STINER-TFC, SASRD: NU, Medziphema campus, Nagaland centre on 2nd December 2021 at the technology demonstration unit under the initiative of Prof. Akali Sema, Dean SASRD and Project Incharge, STINER-TFC. ‘Creating entrepreneurial mindset and encouraging skill development’ being the major mandate of the centre, the hands on training programme was aimed at creating an atmosphere of self sustainance through various Small Household Enterprise. While addressing the concept of the training, Prof. Akali Sema emphasized the importance of developing new skills and turning them into self sustaining business. She further encouraged the participants to come out of their comfort zones and venture into avenue generating activities in every possible field. Moving forward, the first technical session on Detergent and Liquid soap making was conducted by Mr. Bikram Ghimere, Project Assistant, STINER-TFC. While the second session on Soap making was conducted by Ms. Rokosieno Zao, Project Assistant, STINER-TFC. During the practical sessions each participant could get a hands-on experience on the various activities and have personal interaction on how to go about and venture into this sector. The overall programme was very interactive and practical oriented.

A total of 19 participants which comprised of Ph.D, M.sc and B.sc scholars, house wives, entrepreneurs and unemployed youths attended the training programme. The discussion and closing programme was conducted by Dr. Sentirenla Changkiri, Project Assistant, STINER-TFC.

DHAKA, DEC 2 (PTI): A Bangladeshi court on Thursday sentenced 13 people to death and 19 others to life imprisonment for lynching six students suspecting them of being robbers on the outskirts of the capital ten years ago.

“They will be hanged by neck until they are dead,” Dhaka 2nd Additional District and Session Judge Ismat Jahan ruled. The judge said that those given the death penalty would have to pay Taka 20,000 each.

Nineteen others were given life in prison. They were also slapped with a fine of Tk10,000 each.

A total of 60 people had been accused of the killings. Names of three people were dropped from the charge sheet as they died during the trial.

Prosecution lawyers said 40 out of the 57 defendants were in jail and one was on bail while the rest were tried as fugitives.

The judge acquitted 25 of them. Seven friends, who were studying at different schools and colleges of Dhaka, took a trip to Amin Bazar Bridge under Savar police station on the outskirts of Dhaka on July 18, 2011, the night of Shabe-Barat festival.

DHAKA, DEC 2 (PTI): A bomb threat, which forced a Malaysia Airlines flight with 135 passengers on board to made an emergency landing at the Dhaka airport, turned out to be a hoax, a senior airport official said on Thursday.

The Dhaka-bound MH-196 flight from Kuala Lumpur landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:38 pm local time on Wednesday amid tight security at the airport and the runway, HSIA Executive Director Group Captain AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan told reporters.

Following the threat call, commandos and security agencies were positioned at the airport along with firefighters and ambulances.

On landing, the plane was marshalled to the taxiway where the Air Force’s bomb squad conducted a thorough search of the aircraft after evacuating

its passengers. However, no explosive or bomb-like object was found inside the aircraft or in any passenger’s luggage.

“The information we received over a phone call from Malaysia appeared unfounded...Nothing was found,” Ahsan said.

The top HSIA official declined to identify the caller source but said the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police, received the call.

Subsequent exchanges with the Malaysian authorities and intelligence reports suggested the aircraft faced no such threat, but the Bangladesh authorities did not take it lightly, Ahsan said.

An intensive scanning of the aircraft cabin, passengers and their luggage were carried out as it was a security concern for all, he said.

2-12-2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The AO SENDEN would like to acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude the following organizations, groups and individuals for their generous contribution of cash, kind and voluntary services during the reconstruction of the Ao Morung at Kisama which has been razed to the ground during an unfortunate fire incident on the 11th of Nov. 2021.

20. Phesama Village Council 1. Shri Metsubo Jamir, Hon’ble Minister 2. Shri Tongpang Ozukum, Hon’ble Minister 21. Kigwema Village Council 3. Shri Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble 22. Phom Union Kohima Minister 23. Kuki Union Kohima 4. Shri Imnatiba, Hon’ble MLA & Advisor 24. Konyak Students' Union Kohima 5. Chungtia Village Council 25. Kohima Japukong Senso Telongjem 6. Longsa Union Kohima 26. Kohima Chuchuyimpang Union 7. SP Mokokchung 27. Kohima Unger Senso Telongjem 8. Commandant 2nd NAP Alichen 28. Mopungchuket Senso Telongjem 9. Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Nagaland Kohima 10. Angami Public Organisation 29. Longkhum Union Kohima 11. Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo 30. Nagaland Motor Cycle Club, Kohima 12. Kohima Ao Officers Telongjem Chapter 13. Kohima Watsu Telen 31. Shri Rüsemdong PRO to C M 14. Kohima Konyak Union 32. Shri Pele Khezhie, Govt. Contractor 15. Kohima Lotha Union 33. Shri Talisenep (Nokpu) NPS Addl. S.P 16. Lotha Legislatures 34. Smti Imtimenla, Jt.Secy & Mission 17. Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur Director NRLM 18. Southern Angami Youth Organisation 35. Shri Yanger Phom 19. Kohima Village Youth 36. Shri Tinuwati (Japu) This acknowledgement would be incomplete without making mention of the patronage and tireless support of the KOHIMA AOR TELONGJEM who, even before the Ao Senden Officials could arrive, took stock of the situation and arranged remedial action from the beginning to end of the reconstruction.

May our God Almighty bestow His blessings upon each and everyone of you.

Sd/ Sd/ Wb. CHUBAWATI LONGCHAR Wb. IMTIPOKYIM President Gen. Secretary

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TEL AVIV, DEC 2 (AP): Residents of Israel’s seaside metropolis Tel Aviv have for years complained of how expensive it is, with living costs taking a chunk out of their paychecks.

Now a new report affirms their quibbles. Tel Aviv has emerged as the most expensive city to live in, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research group linked to the Economist magazine.

The city, which was previously ranked 5th most expensive, has now surpassed other pricy places like Paris and Singapore.

Economists attribute the jump to a strong appreciation of the shekel against the dollar. In its report Wednesday, the Economist Intelligence Unit also pointed to a rise in grocery and transport costs.

The report did not include housing prices — another common complaint among young professionals and

buoyed in large part by heavy foreign investment in the local high tech scene.

Dan Ben-David, head of the Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research and an economist at Tel Aviv University, said goods and services in Israel in general are more expensive than in other countries.

Tel Aviv is more expensive because it is the country’s economic hub, with high paying tech jobs drawing talent from across the country who are driving up prices of food and rent.

“Israel is expensive, and in that regard, Tel Aviv is more expensive than other places in Israel’s because that’s where the good jobs are,” he said.

The city draws even more Israelis wishing to live close to its vibrant cultural and social scene.

Compounding the issue, Ben-David said, is major congestion leading into the city and inadequate transit to its suburbs and surrounding cities, sending even more people wanting to reside in the city.

That, along with foreign buyers, has sent real estate prices skyrocketing, making purchasing an apartment in Tel Aviv almost unattainable for the average Israeli. Even modest apartments in desirable areas can cost 4 million shekels, or over USD 1.2 million.

INFOTAINMENT

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Naga Chef Season 8 cooking competition begins

Naga Chef Season 8 participants with judges and organisers. (DIPR)

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he much-awaited Naga Chef Season 8 cooking competition “Let’s get cooking” began on Thursday at Naga Chef Arena, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

10 contestants were shortlisted from the screening round to compete for the coveted title “Naga Chef Season 8”. Professional chefs but talented amateur cooks are partici-

pating in the competition.

For the first round of the competition, the contestants had to showcase their Culinary Skills by preparing a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian Naga dish.

The competition will have several rounds that will identify different skills required to be a successful chef and entrepreneur.

Contestants will be assessed on specific cooking

skills, creativity and innovation, experience and knowledge of local cuisine, passion for food and the art of cooking, ability to work under pressure, attitude and teamwork skills.

This year’s Naga Chef winner will walk away with a prize money of Rs. 3 lakhs and gift hampers worth over Rs. 2 lakhs. The competition will conclude on December 9 while the winner will be announced on December 10.

Naga Chef is a first of its kind culinary skills competition in Nagaland organized by Synergy Group Enterprise in partnership with the department of Tourism, government of Nagaland.

The objective of the competition is to increase the appreciation of Nagaland’s unique indigenous cuisine and to provide a platform to entrepreneurial Naga chefs to showcase the delectable range of Naga food to the world.

Longso Yimkhiung’s photography wins Hip-Fest photography 2021 contest

Judges and others of the Hip-Fest photography competition 2021 at Kisama village on December 2. (DIPR)

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hoto-37c from the exhibition gallery, shot by Longso Yimkhiung won the Hip-Fest photography 2021 contest, which was declared December 2 (second day of the Hornbill Festival) at Kisama. Inakavi Kasho and Parvej Akhtar were placed as the second and third position respectively.

The winner of the

competition will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, the second and the third will receive a cash award of Rs 20,000 and 15,000 respectively. Nine consolation prize winners were also declared with cash prize of Rs. 5000 each and in addition a “Viewer Choice” will be selected from the spectator which will be declared on the 7th

day of the festival.

Photographer Kekhriezhazo Machieo, Freelance Merimvu Doulo and media officer to the chief minister, Ayieno Kechü, judged the Hip-Fest 2021 photography contest.

The Hip-Fest is organised by the department of Information & Public Relations (IPR) in collaboration with Eastern Art Council.

ENWO clarifies on withdrawal from Miss Nagaland

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he Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) has issued a statement in the wake of the recent statements arising out of the withdrawal of Eastern participants from Miss Nagaland.

A press release issued by ENWO general secretary, Lemtila Anar stated that in response to the statement made by the esteemed present president of

BASN, ENWO clarified that its officials met BASN officials and had a cordial discussion in the year 2018, wherein it was informed to BASN about ENWO’s decision not to participate in Miss Nagaland. ENWO pointed out that the condescending interpretation of the said meeting was unbecoming of an esteemed organization.

“ENWO would appreciate BASN to honour the decision of the

organization though it is only a community organization and not a powerful organization like BASN with the support of state machineries as it has mentioned”, the release added.

The release stated that ENWO is the apex body representing the six tribes of Eastern Nagaland.

ENWO maintained that the decision to not participate in Miss Nagaland was taken in 2018 after

much deliberation and discussion due to various issues and past precedents brought forward by frontal units and individuals through the years. “The choice to participate or disassociate from any platform is a decision taken in the interest of the community it represents”, it added.

ENWO has put the matter to rest and wished the BASN, the best in its endeavours.

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First night carnival as part of Hornbill fest held in Zunheboto

DC Zunheboto Peter Lichamo speaking at the programme.

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he Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) Zunheboto in collaboration with Green Club, Zunheboto and district administration, Zunheboto organised the first ever night carnival as part Hornbill festival, sponsored by Department of Tourism Nagaland on December 1.

Speaking at the event, de puty commissioner Zunheboto, Peter Lichamo lauded the organisers of the event for giving a platform to youths where art and culture are promoted as part of the Hornbill Festival. He also talked about the importance of preservations of Naga culture. He further called

on the youths to join hands in conservation activities.

The event featured Sumi love songs, folk songs, food, horti and agriculture mart, handloom and handicraft.

The officials informed that the main objective of the event was to give platforms to local musicians and entrepreneurs where they can exhibit the music, art and cultures and also to promote local tourism for unemployed youths.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by Tavinto Chishi and Atuonuo Yhome, the event featured artists like Khekivi Yeptho stage name Naga Kheks, Leviaa Music Centre, Fame Steppers crew, District Band and Jazz band 32 AR.

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3rd Hornbill Shooting Competition commences

T John Longkumer speaking at the opening of the 3rd Hornbill Shooting competition on Thursday. (NP) Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): The third Hornbill shooting competition, organised by Nagaland Shooting Sports Association (NSSA), in association with Nagaland Police and Tourism department commenced on December 2, at Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, Dimapur, with special guest as Director General of Police, Nagaland, T John Longkumer.

Addressing the gathering, Longkumer, who is also the honorary president of NSSA, extended his appreciation and gratitude to the state government, tourism department and NSSA, for holding the shooting competition, adding that being a part of the Hornbill festival which was a mega event both nationally and internationally, added much importance to the competition.

He maintained that

Nagas love for gun had been misunderstood by many, asserting that it is not the love for destruction that the weapon was capable of, but a respectful love for acquiring the skillset required to wield the weapon.

He however lamented that in our effort to gain mastery over the weapon, he admitted that many have caused serious harm to the ecosystem. In this, he maintained that Nagas have realised the importance of preserving the flora and fauna and therefore hunting has been banned by many village councils, where Forest department along with police have been proactive in the wildlife.

Asserting that shooting was one of the much respected discipline, where Abhinav Bindra was the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in Olympics, Longkumer said the state government was also mak-

ing all-out effort to harness the skills and talent of the youth in the state.

Longkumer also urged NSSA to contemplate on how to utilize, sustain, maintain and most importantly, nurture young talents under Central government’s guiding motto “Catch them young”. He further opined that the interest of NSSA would be further extended with close partnership with police department, and requested NSSA to mull over having a memorandum of understanding with the police department, adding that it would be a “win-win” situation. In his welcome address, NSSA working president J.I Yaden gave a brief history of how the first rifle club was formed under the banner of Kohima Rifle Club, affiliated to the National Rifle Association.

He also acknowledged the pioneers for their relentless contribution towards developing talent and encouraging the youth to take up shooting as a sport.

Earlier, the ribbon-cutting of the shooting range was done by pastor Ikishe Baptist Church Rev. Ahoto Chophy and also offered the dedicatory prayer. The programme was chaired by NSSA honorary secretary general Neilasa Sopfü.

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Sr. Men’s cricket team list for Vijay Hazare One Day Trophy

DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) has declared the Senior Men’s Cricket team list for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22.

All the matches will be played from Jaipur. The following are the list of the team declared by the Nagaland Cricket Association.

Team list: Jonathan Rongsen (Captain), Hokaito Zhimomi (Vice-Captain), Sedezhalie Rupreo, Hem Bahadur Chetri, Joshua Ben Ozukum, Imliwati Lemtur, Nagaho Chishi, Hopongkyu Sangtam, Khrievitso Kense, Tahmeed Rahman, Imomenba Walling, Oren Ngullie, Mungkham Phom, Vijay Rai, Ahon Konyak, Zha-

lietuo Keditsu and Akamu G Sumi.

Professional Guest Players: Shrikant Mundhe, Abu Nechim Ahmed and Chetan Bisht.

Support staffs: Kawaljeet Singh (Team Coach); Nehal Ahmad (Team Manager & Asst.

Coach); Arzoo Raj (Team Fielding & S&C Coach) and Krishna Prabhu (Team Physio).

MATCH FIXTURES: 08-12-2021: Nagaland Vs Manipur 09-12-2021: Nagaland Vs Arunachal Pradesh 11-12-2021: Nagaland Vs Bihar 12-12-2021: Nagaland Vs Tripura 14-12-2021: Nagaland Vs Mizoram

Yanlung Unity wins Night Volleyball tournament in Tizit DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Yanlung Unity from Assam emerged as the champion of the second edition of Night Volleyball tournament held from November 25 to 29 at Jahwao ground, Lapa Lampong, Tizit, Mon. the tournament wad held under the motto, “one life, one chance, avoid drugs”.

A total of 16 teams participated in the tournament including one team from Arunachal Pradesh and two from Assam.

In the final match, Yanlung Unity from Assam defeated Empire Spikers Black also from Assam to lift the championship title.

The champions Yanlung Unity received a cash prize of Rs 30,000 along

Players of the Yanlung Unity and Empire Spikers Black after receiving the award on November 29.

with citations, while the runners-up Spikers Black received Rs. 20,000.

For individual awards, best setter was awarded to Akash Pnotim Deori from Empire Spikers Black and best spiker to Prabitra Deori from Yanlung Unity

The five-day long tournament was organised by Naoshelim with an aim to promote against the use of drug/substance. It was reported that certain donation boxes and the amount received was handed over to the Rehabilitation centre.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

PEACE RALLY 7 2021

Most Original Vehicle Best Maintained Vehicle Best Weaponry Best Uniformed Squad Best Ladies Squad Best Tourism Promotion Team

TROPHIES WITH CASH PRIZE

IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF

HORNBILL FESTIVAL

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Born: 10.04.1973 – Died: 20.11.2021 The bereaved family and relatives of Late Yanuto Kath (Tesophenyu Village) would like to express our deepest gratitude to every individual, organizations, neighbors and well wishers who stood by us with your presence, prayers and sympathy during the illness and sad demise of our beloved, who passed away on 20/11/2021.

We are unable to repay for your noble deeds however, it is our earnest prayer that our Almighty God shower His blessing upon you all.

From loving family members k-2317/21

06/05/1981 – 29/11/2021 We, the family members of our duly beloved Late Razouneio Zhale, express our profound gratitude to one and all who stood by us and supported us physically, spiritually and financially during his brief illness till his untimely demise on 29th Nov 2021.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. 9th IR NAP E-Coy and his colleagues.

2. Police Baptist Church 9th NAP Battalion (IR) Saijong, Peren 3. Doctors and nurses of Naga Hospital and Bethel Hospital Kohima 4. Pentecostal Church Dihoma and Dihoma villagers.

We regret on inability to thank each and every individual personally, but it is our humble prayer that God bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, children and relatives k-2320/21

FOR INQUIRIES CONTACT:

R U G U O K E S IE Z I E D E S M O +9 1 813 29 57 7 00/+9 1 9 7 7 4 4 17 9 3 6 www.namsa.co.in hornbill.motoventure@gmail.com

3RD DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved father

Late Zakitso Kikhi (Stany)

Dec 3, 2018

“Though unseen and unheard, you are always near and deeply missed.”

Loving Wife & Children

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late PULOTO SUMI (L/NK, A-COY, DEF KOHIMA) (28.07.1981 – 26.11.2021) We the family members express our profound gratitude to each and every individual, churches and organizations for supporting us morally, physically, financially and through prayers at the sudden demise of our beloved Late PULOTO SUMI, husband of Zhano Sumi on 26 November, 2021.

We also convey our special thanks to: 1. doctors and staff (IcU) of Bethel Hospital, kohima.

2. Police Baptist church, New Reserve, Phesama.

3. christian Baptist Revival church, New Reserve, Phesama.

4. Zunheboto Town Sumi Baptist church 5. Baptist church, Zungti Village.

6. All ranks and staff of A-cOY, dEF, kOHIMA. 7. New Reserve colony.

8. Zungti village, Zunheboto.

9. Phesama village, kohima.

Loving Wife and Family Members k-2315/21

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SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Sports Ministry adds Bhutia, Anju ISL: Jamshedpur, Hyderabad play out 1-1 draw Bobby George to Mission Olympics Cell

BAMBOLIM, DEC 2 (AGENCIES): In a gripping game of two halves, Jamshedpur FC were held by Hyderabad FC in a 1-1 draw in the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Thursday.

Greg Stewart (41’) scored a goal of the highest order for the Red Miners while Bartholomew Ogbeche (56’) equalised in the second half. Both sides failed to enter into the top four spots as Jamshedpur with 5 points are placed 5th as Hyderabad follow with 4 points.

Eli Sabia was handed t h e Ja m s h e d p u r F C armband for the first time as regular captain Peter Hartley started from the bench. Manolo Marquez fielded the same XI that won against Mumbai City over the weekend.

The first half could almost be dubbed as the Greg Stewart show. While he would have just the single goal to show for it, the Scot kept Hyderabad defenders guessing every

Greg Alexander James Stewart (L) of Jamshedpur FC attempts to score a goal during match 15 of season 8 of ISL football tournament at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Goa. (PTI)

time he went near the box.

In the 20th minute, had the ball gone in, it could have easily been a contender for the goal of

the tournament. Stewart picked up the ball from midfield off Hitesh Sharma, sprinted all the way into the box and left

Juanan for dead, only to be denied by the upright.

Earlier, Juanan had a chance himself when his header went astray. Valskis

too had a sniff but played second fiddle to Stewart, who found his first ISL goal a few minutes before the break.

A quick throw-in from the left saw Stewart receive the ball and cut past four defenders into the box. The former Rangers man aweinspiringly then spewed in a curer that nestled into the top far corner of the goal.

Change of ends, it took only ten-odd minutes for the Nizams to draw level. Smart build-up play at the edge of the box and Ogbeche finished it off towards the bottom-right corner after a brilliant one-two with captain Joao Victor.

There was some gritty football on display as both teams pressed hard for the lead. Valskis, in the few chances he got remained profligate while Rehenesh’s steely resolve under the post kept Hyderabad frustrated.

WEDNESDAY’S MATCH Chennayin FC Vs SC East Bengal Time: 7:30 pm

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (IANS): Eyeing a splendid performance at 2024 Paris Olympics, the Sports Ministr y on Thursday doubled the number of former athletes as core members in the revamped Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), making the body more athlete-centric. MOC drives India’s Olympics preparation through Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), an initiative of the ministry.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the decision was driven by the experience gained in the last Olympic cycle.

“The inputs by former athletes in the incumbent MOC played a significant role in supporting the training and competition of the athletes who competed in Tokyo 2020 and won 7 medals & 19 in Para Olympic Games,” he said.

The new MOC will now include former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, World Athletics Championships long

Bhaichung Bhutia and Anju Bobby George.

jump medallist Anju Bobby George, former India hockey captain Sardara Singh, rifle shooting legend Anjali Bhagwat, former hockey captain and CEO Olympic Gold Quest Viren Rasquinha, table tennis star Monalisa Mehta and badminton ace Trupti Murgunde.

Meanwhile, Olympian sailor and sports science specialist Malav Shroff will continue to be in the MOC. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adile Sumeriwala and CEO TOPS Cmde Pushpendra Garg are other former players in the MOC.

Union minister Arjun Munda, Ajay Singh, and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by virtue of president of Archery Association of India, Boxing Federation of India, and Wrestling Federation of India, respectively will be part of the MOC. MOC is a body set up by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to select athletes for financial assistance under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The MOC also focusses on the selection, exclusion, and retention of athletes, coaches, training institutes that can receive TOPS assistance.

821 sportspersons India women football team WF World Tour Finals: PV Sindhu Hornbill indigenous games are getting lifelong lose 1-2 against Venezuela begins at Tuophe-Phezou joins Lakshya Sen into knockouts pension: Anurag

P V Sindhu

Lakshya Sen

BALI, DEC 2 (PTI): Double Olympic medallist P V Sindhu on Thursday joined compatriot Lakshya Sen into the knockout stage of the BWF World Tour Finals, while Kidambi Srikanth’s fate hung in balance after suffering defeat in his second group match, here.

The 26-year-old Sindhu, the only Indian to win the prestigious title in 2018 and a finalist a year before, outplayed Germany’s world number 23 Yvonne Li 21-10 21-13 in 31 minutes in her second group A match to ensure a place in the top two.

The reigning world champion will square off against top seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand next in her last group match. Lakshya, who was guaranteed a place in the

semifinal after two of his opponents in group A -Japan’s Kento Momota and Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke -- pulled out due to injuries, lost 15-21 14-21 to Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. Following the loss, the 20-year-old from Almora finished at the second spot in the group.

Earlier, world number 14 Kidambi Srikanth, who had reached the knockout stage in the 2014 edition of the year-ending event, jeopardised his chances of making it to the next stage after going down 18-21 7-21 to three-time junior world champion Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in his second men’s singles group B match.

Indian women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy too suffered a defeat, going

down fighting 19-21 2022 to Bulgaria’s Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva to bow out of contention.

The Indian duo will face England’s Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith in their last Group B match.

The top men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty handed a walkover to top seeded Indonesian pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo after the former complained of knee pain.

The duo will not take further participation in the tournament.

In Group B, Malaysian second seed Lee Zii Jia is at the top with two points, while Srikanth and Vitidsarn shared a point each after registering one victory and one loss.

While Srikanth will face Lee Zii Jia in his third match, Vitidsarn will meet France’s Toma Junior Popov. The winner will finish in the top 2 and qualify for the knockout stage, and if both win their respective matches, it will boil down to the number of games won and lost.

Participants of snail eating competition.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 2 (NPN): As an extension of the Hornbill Festival, threed ay N a g a i n d i ge n o u s competitions organised

by Tati Group Enterprise began at Phezou Resort, Tuophe-Phezou, Thursday.

The competitions include snail eating, muzzle gun loading, shooting competition, indigenous bamboo stilt walking, traditional wooden cart and other traditional games.

A l t o g e t h e r, 2 1 participants competed in snail eating. Dziesebeizo was declared the winner by eating 44 snails in two minutes.

There were 15 participants in bamboo

s t i l t wa l k i n g w h e r e i n Ketholetuo Kense and Keneivinuo Seyie emerged as winners.

B e a t i n g 2 4 competitors, Kevi-o Zumu was declared as winner of the catapult competition, while Neisa Kense beating 18 competitors emerged as the winner of the muzzle gun loading.

Among 31 participants in the traditional wooden cart competition, Avile-o and Akhotuo Kense and Keletsinuo Kense and Kekhrietseinuo Zumu were declared as winners in the category of men and women respectively.

Organisers informed that tourist visiting the village may try the Naga indigenous games.

NEW DELHI, DEC 2 (IANS): Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that his ministry is providing assistance for livelihood to 821 sportspersons after their retirement in the form of monthly pension under the scheme of ‘Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons’.

“Under the scheme, sportspersons who are Indian citizens and have won medals in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cup/World Championship (in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines) and Paralympic Games, are given lifelong monthly pension ranging from Rs.12,000/- to 20,000/-, after they attain the age of 30 years or retire from active sports, whichever is later,” Anurag Thakur’s written reply in the Rajya Sabha read.

He said that the pension payments are made through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, for which “Ministry purchases annuities for individual pensioners by making one-time lump sum payment to LIC”.

Indian women football team.

M A NAU S ( B R A Z I L ) , DEC 2 (IANS): The Indian women’s football team suffered a 1-2 loss against Venezuela in their final game of the Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino at the Arena da Amazônia, here on Thursday.

Fo r wa r d D a n g m e i Grace put India in front with a first-half header but Venezuela came out all guns blazing in the second session and goals from Mariana Speckmaier and Barbara Olivieri helped them claim victory. Venezuela started the brighter of the two sides and tested India goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan from distance a number of times in the opening 15 minutes through shots from Kimberlyn Campos and Barbara Olivieri. But it was India who got the break-

through in the 18th minute through a seemingly harmless situation. A free-kick just inside the Venezuela half was sent into the box

by Ritu Rani and Dangmei snuck in between two opposition defenders to head past the onrushing goalkeeper to give her side the lead.

After conceding, Venezuela put pressure on India and started getting closer to the equaliser. Five minutes past the half-hour mark, Gabriela Garcia had a shot from the edge of the box but it was tipped over the bar by Chauhan. The South American side picked up from where it had left off in the second half and equalised in the 50th minute. Substitute Speckmaier was on hand to slot in a corner kick that had evaded everybody.

Chelsea beat Watford, Man City, Liverpool win away in EPL

Chelsea players celebrate after scoring against Watford Mohamed Salah, center, celebrates with teammates after during the Premier League match. scoring his side goal during the EPL match. (AP/PTI)

LO N D O N, D E C 2 (IANS): Champions League winner Chelsea squeezed past Watford 2-1 to maintain their slender lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday night. Close rivals Manchester City, the defending champions, and Liverpool too won their respective matches to remain on the heels of the Blues after the mid-week fixtures.

Mason Mount was decisive for the league leaders, scoring the 29th-minute opener and then setting

up Hakim Ziyech for the winner after Watford had equalised from Bonaventure’ deflected 43rd-minute shot.

The game was halted for half an hour in the first half for a medical emergency and Watford later confirmed a fan was in a stable condition after suffering a cardiac arrest while in the stands.

According to reports, the players agreed to resume play only once they were sure the situation had taken a positive turn. The

supporter was stabilised before being taken to the hospital, with medics from both clubs contributing to his treatment.

Meanwhile, things went smoothly for defending champions Manchester City. Ruben Dias scored a goal with a left-foot shot to open the scoring for City away to Aston Villa in the 27th minute and Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 shortly before halftime.

Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back for Aston Villa early in the second half, but

Manchester City inflicted Steven Gerrard’s first defeat as Villa coach on the day City midfielder Jack Grealish was booed as he faced his former club for the first time since leaving this summer.

At Goodison Park, Liverpool got off to a flying start in their 4-1 derby win away to Everton with Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah putting them 2-0 up within 19 minutes, with Henderson netting a first-time finish and Salah curing the ball

past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

Demarai Gray pulled a goal back for Everton in the 38th minute after a pass from Richarlison, but Salah’s second of the game in the 69th minute again put Liverpool two goals clear and Diogo Jota netted the Reds’ fourth in the 79th minute to pile the pressure on former coach Rafael Benitez.

With the latest win, Chelsea moved to 33 points from 14 matches with City at 32 and Liverpool a further point behind.

Neal Maupay’s 89thminute goal saved a point for Brighton on their visit to West Ham, who had taken a fifthminute lead through Tomas Soucek.

Bur nley continue to collect points and extended their unbeaten run to five games with another solid defensive display to earn a 0-0 draw away to Wolves, although they remain in the bottom three.

Southampton and Leicester City shared four goals with Southampton twice taking the lead through Ja n B e d n a r e k a n d C h e Adams only to be pegged back by Jony Evans and James Maddison.

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