December 13, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 11

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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Farmers threaten bigger stir from today Centre says trying for early meeting; PM again bats for reforms

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, DEC 12 (PTI): Agitating farmers picketed highway toll plazas in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Saturday and claimed thousands more will soon arrive on Delhi’s borders to intensify their stir against the Centre’s new agri laws, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi again asserted that these reforms will help increase the income of cultivators.

Hundreds of security personnel were deployed at border points on highways linking Delhi following an announcement by the farmer unions to block the JaipurDelhi and the Delhi-Agra Expressways on Saturday.

The roads functioned by and large normally though the protesters did block some stretches briefly and did not allow the collection of toll at many places.

Farmer leaders said major highways linking the national capital will be blocked from Sunday and they will sit on a hunger strike on December 14, when they have called for a nationwide protest.

EC seeks views on expenditure limit NEW DELHI, DEC 12 (PTI): Election Commission has sought views of recognised national and state parties on what should be the limit of expenditure for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

In its December 7 letter, the commission asked parties to send their “views and suggestions” on what should be the ceiling limit of election expenditure for candidates for Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the future.

While there is a limit on candidates to spend on their election campaign, there is no such cap on political parties. The committee was tasked to examine revising the expenditure limit for candidates because of the increase in the number of electors and rise in the Cost Inflation Index.

“In the last six years, the limit was not increased despite an increase in the electorate from 834 million to 910 million in 2019 to 921 million now. Further, the Cost Inflation Index during this period has increased from 220 to 280 in 2019 to 301 now,” the commission had said in October while announcing the constitution of the panel.

The committee is likely to submit its report early next year to the poll panel.

This is it!

“What I miss most on Sunday is looking at people to see what they’re doing during sermons.”

K Y M C

BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait addresses farmers during their protest at Ghazipur border in Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

While both the Centre and farmer unions have said that they are open to talks after the cancellation of the meeting on December 9, there were voices of mutual recrimination as the farmers’ protest continued on the 17th day with no sign of end to the deadlock.

Union Minister Som Prakash, who is negotiating with protesting farmers, said efforts are being made to call an early meeting with farmer leaders.

The two sides have had five rounds of talks. The farmers have rejected a government offer to amend the farm laws and give a “writ-

ten assurance” on continuing the MSP system.

“We are trying to call a meeting early. ...We are discussing. The date has not been finalized,” the minister told PTI, adding “ultimately, we have to resolve this issue through dialogue.

There is no other way out.

They (farmers) also know it, we also know.” Sticking to their demand for the repeal of the three agri laws, the farmer leaders accused the government of trying to divide them.

Addressing a press conference at Singhu Border, farmer leader Kanwalpreet Singh Pannu said that thou-

sands of farmers will start their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march with their tractors from Rajasthan’s Shahjahanpur through the Jaipur-Delhi Highway at 11 AM on Sunday. Farmer leaders said more protesters were on their way from Punjab and Harayana too.

Spelling out their strategy to make the agitation even “bigger”, the farmer leader announced that their “mothers, sisters and daughters will also join them soon”, and that arrangements for their stay are being made at the protest sites. Farmer union leaders will also sit on a hunger strike between 8 AM and 5 PM at the Singhu Border during the nationwide protest on December 14 against the new agriculture laws, he said.

“The government tried to weaken our agitation by dividing us (various farmer unions). I want to say that the ongoing agitation is fully under the control of 32 farmer unions. We will fail every government attempt to divide us,” Pannu also said.

Centre releases `100 cr for Nagaland DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Centre on Saturday released Rs. 100 crore, out of Rs. 200 crore that has been approved, for Nagaland under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure’ scheme.

The scheme was announced by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on October 12 as part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat package.

The Finance Ministry had approved Rs 9,879.61 crore worth capital expenditure proposals of 27 states.

Of this, Rs 4,939.81 crore was released as the first instalment.

The ministry said that all states, except Tamil Nadu, have availed benefits of the newly announced scheme, Finance ministry stated in a release.

The Scheme has three parts-- part–I of the scheme covers the North Eastern region. Under this part, Rs.200 crores is allocated to

seven North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura).

In view of higher population and geographical area, Assam has been allocated Rs.450 crores under the scheme.

Part-II of the scheme is, for all other States not included in Part-I, where an amount of Rs.7500 crore has been earmarked for this part.

Part-III of the scheme is aimed at pushing various citizen-centric reforms in the States. Under this Part, an amount of Rs. 2000 crores has been earmarked and the amount will be available only to those States who carry out at least 3 out of the 4 reforms specified by the Ministry of Finance in its letter dated May 17, 2020 regarding reform linked additional borrowing permissions. The four reforms are- One Nation One Ration

Card, Ease of doing Business Reform, Urban Local Body/ Utility Reform and Power Sector Reform.

The capital expenditure projects have been approved in diverse sectors like, health, rural development, water supply, irrigation, power, transport, education, urban development. As part of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package, the government had announced that the Centre will offer Rs 12,000 crore special interest-free 50-year loan to states, exclusively for capital expenditure.

Capital expenditure has a higher multiplier effect, enhancing the future productive capacity of the economy, and results in a higher rate of economy growth.

Therefore, the Centre, despite its adverse financial position, decided to extend a special assistance to the state governments in respect of capital expenditure in financial year 2020-21.

PM assures farmers on Agri reforms

As farmers vowed to expand their protests over new farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday assured them that his government was committed to their welfare and that the legislations were aimed at giving them alternate markets to boost income.

Without directly referring to the farmers’ agitation, Modi said agriculture reforms as part of government efforts are aimed at removing roadblocks, and the new laws will also bring in technology and investment in the sector.

The government, he said, is committed to protecting the interest and welfare of farmers through its policies and actions.

“Reforms will help draw investment in the agriculture sector and benefit farmers,” he said at the annual meeting of industry body FICCI here.

“The aim of all government reforms is to make farmers prosperous.”

Odd-even traffic rule not extended DIMAPUR, DEC12 (NPN): Dimapur Police has not issued any notification regarding extension of the ‘Odd-Even’ traffic rule for the month of December.

When contacted, police sources said that the odd-even rule within Dimapur town and NH-29 till Chümoukedima town has not been extended for December. However, sources said that implementation of the odd-even rule would depend on the authorities-- District Task Force in consultation with the commissioner of police, Dimapur.

Meanwhile, Kohima district authorities have also not notified the extension of the traffic regulation for the month of December.

It may be mentioned that the odd-even rule was effective till November 30 where restrictions were put in place for movement of non-essential vehicles.

State legislators celebrate Advent Christmas

Legislators along with their wives present special number on Saturday. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Nagaland legislators celebrated Advent Christmas at State Banquet Hall (New), CMRC, Kohima on December 12, 2020.

According to an official bulletin, Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi, who also participated in the Nagaland Legislators Christian Fellowship (NLCF) pre- Christmas celebrations along with his wife, wished a very merry Christmas to the people of Nagaland.

Hailing Mahatma

Gandhi as one of the greatest disciples of Jesus, the governor recalled how the Sermons on the Mount touched Gandhi’s heart and awakened in him the purity and power of Truth and Non-violence which became the cardinal principles of his personal and public life and liberated India from the colonial rule.

Reminding the legislators that they were the chosen people, Ravi urged them to be conscious of their responsibility of bringing

enduring peace to the suffering people of Nagaland in true Christian spirit of truth and non-violence and be the blessed peacemaker.

He emphasised on the eventual invincibility of truth which could be temporarily eclipsed by the lies of vested interests but never extinguished.

Kethoser Kevichüsa, who was the speaker, said that peace was one thing that everyone was longing for at this juncture. “Peace will never come to us unless

we first forgive and make ourselves peace with the Lord Saviour Jesus Christ,” Kevichüsa said. He urged the gathering to forgive others “in the name of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ and let peace be in our midst taking the advantage of forthcoming Christmas.”

On the occasion, minister higher education, technical education and tribal affairs, Temjen Imna Along delivered Christmas greetings while advisor urban development & municipal affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire presented a special number.

Legislators along with their wives also presented special number. Harmonic Voices and MAK also presented special numbers during the service.

State Chaplain, Rev. T.W. Yamyap Konyak was the leader while Khyochano TCK was the pianist during the service.

US approves Pfizer vaccine international, Page 9

H&FW warns of undetected COVID-19 cases in community DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): State Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has expressed serious concern as the State’s sample positivity rate continued to remain one of the highest in the country at 10%, signifying undetected cases in the community.

H&FW in its weekly report stated that Dimapur (13.4%) and Kohima (10.6) has the highest sample positivity rate in the state, with the weekly positivity rate at 15%. The department said that the high positivity rate especially in Dimapur and Kohima could mean many undetected cases roaming unaware in the society.

With the onset of festive season, the department also urged the citizens to strictly follow all COVID-19 safety protocols, asserting that it will be vital to control the pandemic in the state during the festive season.

While cautioning that more social events and gatherings always follow later with cases from the community, the department said that organizers of social events, sports events or any gatherings should take re-

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON december 12, 2020 ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU District tomMod- Se- With- With On atic Mild erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator Dimapur 155 18 5 2 0 0 2 Kiphire 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima 342 8 4 0 0 0 0 Longleng 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mokokchung 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 Mon 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peren 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 Phek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tuensang 11 0 0 0 0 0 0

Death MiRecovunder Total Death gratered InvestiCases ed gation 6032 24 3208 9 116 579 473 44 226

41 1 21 0 1 2 0 0 1

3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wokha

7

0

0

0

0

0

0

28

1

0

Zunheboto Total

2 565

0 28

0 9

0 3

0 0

0 0

0 2

137 10876

0 68

0 3

72 0 22 9 4 9 0 0 0

6331 39 3604 18 127 600 494 44 238

3

39

3 142 122 11676

*7 deaths not due to Covid-19 *3 deaths under investigation

sponsibility of the danger such activities pose to the society.

Transmission from such events will manifest only days to weeks later when the infection reaches the high-risk groups in the form of severe cases or deaths, it added.

It said that household contacts and workplaces (both high risk settings) continue to be the commonest place of infection. The department also expressed concern that the positivity among symptomatic/ preop screening/ travel pur-

poses coming to Flu clinics increased to 12% in the past two weeks.

COVID tally 11676

Sate COVID-19 tally rose to 11676 cases after 42 new cases were reported on Saturday-- 19 in Dimapur, 10 in Kohima, 7 in Kiphire, 4 in Mokokchung and 2 in Peren.

Further, the distribution across various categories include 4635 cases from the armed forces/police, 1816 returnees, 4667 traced contacts and 558 frontline workers.

Tamil man missing for 10 yrs found in Peren DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): A person from Tamil Nadu’s Pudukkottai district, who was reported missing for the past 10 years, was found in Peren district and reunited with his family on December 11.

According to additional SP Peren, Lima Jamir, the person around 50 years-- identified as one Kumaravel, went missing from his home town since 2010 and was found by Bongkolong villagers in November 5.

Kumaravel reportedly went missing after embarking on a pilgrimage and may have reached Nagaland after travelling across several states, police said.

Bongkolong villagers after seeing the person wondering around the village, reported the matter to Athibung police station. The person may have had some mental health issues and was unable to communicate with the villagers. The

(2nd from L) Kumaravel before leaving for Chennai.

police personnel later took Kumaravel and lodged him at the station for nearly two days. He was later shifted to ‘House of Friendship an old age home in Dimapur and was lodged for one month.

Police launched an investigation to trace his origin and with the help of Tamil Sangam Dimapur, they were able to connect

with Tamil Nadu police and find his family.

The flight ticket sponsored by Tamil Sangam Dimapur, Kumaravel was flown to Chennai on December 11, accompanied by a member of the Sangam, Kannan.

He was received at the airport by Pudukkottai district police officials.

India’s virus tally NCD president demise: Shops crosses 98 lakh down shutters; funeral today NEW DELHI, DEC 12 (PTI): India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 98.26 lakh with 30,006 new cases in a day, while 93,24,328 people have recuperated so far pushing the national recovery rate to 94.88 per cent on Saturday, according to the Union health ministry data.

The total coronavirus cases mounted to 98,26,775 and the death toll climbed to 1,42,628 with the virus claiming 442 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate further declined to 1.45 per cent.

There are 3,59,819 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 3.66 per cent of the total caseload, the data showed.

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): As a mark of respect to Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president, K Ghokheto Chophy, who passed away in New Delhi on December 11 after prolonged illness, shops in Dimapur town remained partially closed for three hours on Saturday.

Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) president Akashe K Zhimomi told Nagaland Post that shops were asked to remain closed for a period of three hours starting from 1-4 p.m. He also informed that shops would remain close even on Sunday to show respect and solidarity.

Naga Council Dimapur vice president GK Rengma told Nagaland Post that the body of late

Ghokheto was flown from Delhi to Guwahati and arrived Dimapur by road at around 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Members of various civil society organisations assembled at Dillai gate to receive the body. After holding a brief prayer ceremony, the body was then taken to Naga Council Dimapur office for a short programme.

Funeral service today

Funeral service for NCD president K Ghokheto Chophy will held at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Ground, Riverbelt colony here on December 13, 2020.

The funeral service, being organised by Dimapur Sümi Baptist Church, would be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

K Y M C

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Official visit to various project sites under Sungro range

state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

Fire destroys government quarter in Kohima Correspondent KOHIMA, DEC 12 (NPN): In yet another fire tragedy, a government quarter belonging to Home department, was burned down here at Middle PWD (MPWD) Colony, Saturday, taking the cases of fire incidents in the state capital to three in just the month of December.

Although no casualties were reported in today’s incident, the fire which broke out from a suspected short circuit, destroyed properties worth close to Rs 18 lakhs while rendering the occupants homeless.

According to the officer in-charge (OC) of Fire

averting the spread of fire to the neighbouring houses.

Voicing concerns over the sudden spike in fire incidents, the OC said he was keeping the station on alert as with the approaching festivities, people were decorating their houses with electrical lightings without the help of professional electricians.

He informed the general public to follow necesThe government quarter which was completely gutted sary safety measures in orby fire on December 12 in Kohima. (NP) der to avoid such tragedies.

Station (South), Kohima, A total of 14 firemen He further informed the Lhouliebeizo Angami, the from Fire Station (South) station received the fire were pushed into action call at 11:23 a.m when the along with an addition of 6 station was busy preparing firemen from the Fire Stafor advent Christmas cel- tion (North), thus bringing ebration. the fire under control and

public to call 0370-2222952 or 762-897-8433 in case of any emergencies.

MPWD chairman along with colony elders who were present at the site of the incident lauded the fire tenders for their quick response and timely intervention in subduing the fire.

He further acknowledged neighbours and representatives from the other two colonies of PWD for coming and helping out the distressed family.

news in Brief Mhathung Yanthan along with his wife, departmental officials and villagers on December 11. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Advisor of Horticulture & Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan visited Aree Old and New villages on December 10, along with head of offices from various government departments in the district.

According to DIPR report, at Aree Old, Mhathung held series of meetings with villagers to take stock of the status of implementation of various developmental programmes. He also visited various project sites in the village before leaving for Aree New to have a similar meeting.

The team led by the advisor visited Okotso

village and inaugurated horticultural link road, rural market and the village community hall on December 11.

Addressing the gathering, Mhathung reminded the villagers to make best use of the rich natural resources with the support extended by the government through various departments’ programmes and policies.

Advisor appreciated the villagers for successful implementation of the projects and hoped that the facilities developed would be utilized purposefully.

Later, he also attended

the inaugural programme of the 30th edition of Sungro Range Youth Sports Association meet 2020 as the special guest and declared the meet open. The team also visited Hayili area under Pangti village and visited the old abandoned irrigation project.

Village elders present at the site made fervent appeal to help them revive cultivation by providing necessary facilities, to which the visiting team assured them of all possible support for reclamation of the abandoned fields and for productive utilization of the entire area.

H&TE Task Force meeting on NEP: Department of Higher & Technical Education (H&TE) has convened Task Force meeting on National Education Policy (NEP) on December 17, 11 a.m at directorate H&TE conference hall, Kohima. The 36 concerned Task Force members listed in the meeting circular vide no. HTE/NEP/1-146/2019/840, dated Kohima, December 11 have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

DCCI informs business community and traders: Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in view of the funeral service of late Ghokheto Chophy scheduled on December 13, has requested all business community and traders to down their shutters on Sunday as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

NSCN (I-M) UT informs: NSCN (I-M) UT office has informed all concerned that it does not endorse any kinds of donation during this Christmas and New Year season.

UT authority also cautioned any individuals/cadres indulging in seeking donations, demanding ransoms etc for their own self benefit without the concern of the authority shall be liable for disciplinary action as per the ahza of the NSCN/GPRN. For any query, one may contact at 7005536090/9436007240.

DP-5510

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IN REMEMBRANCE

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY LATE VIPHREZO XAVIER SUOHU

We, the family members of Lt. Yangerienla would like to thank each and all who generously helped and contributed physically as well as financially through out her prolonged illness and demise. Words can't suffice how much it meant to us. May Almighty God bless you all for all that you've done for us during our hardship.

20-06-1959 to 13-12-2018

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

Romans 14:8 Two years have passed since you left us for heaven abode. We still miss you and love you the same, we hold you close within our hearts and there you’ll remain forever, to walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

Beloved wife & children K-2030

DP-5515

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RAZOULHOUÜ VIZOL Died on : 13-12-2019 To our mother, grandmother and great grandmother, it has been a year without you but 2020 has given us the most unique blessing. As a family, your absence has made us remember the strong foundation you were for each of us. The love that radiated from you is truly missed but we believe that the seeds you have planted will carry on within the legacy that you built.

While we miss you on this side of eternity, we rejoice knowing that you are in your reward of God’s eternal presence.

We love and miss you.

Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and in-laws K-2031

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OBITUARY

Dearest Ipu, your passing away has deeply broken us yet knitted us more closer homeward.

Like a tree you have gone down, died in the earth, sowing seeds of love, wisdom, and your blessings for us to emerge like a tree. Thank You Ipu. Our journey ahead without you is hard to imagine, but amidst the emptiness we celebrate your blessed life, an embodiment of Christ. What a joy it is to awaken to the wisdom of how you were a gift to us from God. Your goodness and the way you loved life is what will keep us going.

It was such an honour to have walked you home Ipu. You will forever be inscribed in our lives. Until we meet again, Rest In Peace Ipu. We love you.

And with much appreciation and gratitude in our hearts, We, the bereaved family, would like to extend our utmost gratitude and respect to each one of you for being a part of our family, standing by us and uplifting us by your outpouring of love and support upon the demise of my beloved husband and our father, Late K. Inaghi Kiho, on 4th December, 2020. All of your kindness and prayers for us will be forever appreciated. We send you all abundance of blessings and love from God.

“This was a life that hardly begun No time to find your place in the sun No time to do all you could have done But we loved you enough for a lifetime We will miss you so very much But, a beautiful soul lives on forever And memories of you we will always treasure.”

The family of Zhavilie C. Born : 2nd December, 1997 Khroitsu wishes to acknowledge Died : 4th December, 2020 the gestures of kindness and sympathy, and express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood by us in our time of deep grief and sorrow.

Our heartfelt thank you to our extended families, friends, neighbours and well-wishers who supported us through their presence at this difficult time. Our gratitude to those who called, came from long distances, paid floral tributes, gave support in prayer and gave charitable contributions.

A special word of thank you to all those who stood by him spiritually, guiding and moulding him. Thank you to all those who helped and made our loss more bearable.

Although we are unable to thank everyone individually, we pray that the Almighty God bless you abundantly.

Forever and always, Loving Wife, Children, Son-in-laws, Grandchildren and Extended Family.

Beloved, Dad, Mom, Sister & Brothers

LATE K. INAGHI KIHO

5th APRIL 1951 – 4th DECEMBER 2020 “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”----- Philippians 1:21 The hands that laid on us to invoke God’s blessings into our lives, The lips that loved saying heartfelt prayers for us constantly, The heart that connected us to our Creator is now gone.

Everything seems really heavy now.

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K Y M C

Loving sons, daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law & relatives

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We, the family of Late Phyochamo Patton of Old Riphyim deeply appreciate and acknowledge the churches, unions, organizations, friends and relatives for the physical, moral, financial and spiritual support during the illness and untimely demise of our beloved on 2nd December 2020.

Though we are unable to mention each and every individual particularly for the kindness and compassion you extended to our family at this hour of grief but it is our earnest prayer that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly. Your good deeds will be remembered and cherished in our hearts forever.

Loving Dad, Mom and Family Members DP-5526

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7

Born : 05-10-1956 – Died : 10-12-2020

The family members of Late CHUBALEMLA express our profound gratitude to all well wishers, individuals, churches, various unions, relatives, neighbors and friends for your moral, physical, financial and unceasing prayer support throughout her sickness till the time of her demise.

We regret our inability to thank each and everyone personally, but it is our humble prayer that God bless each and everyone abundantly.

Mr. J Mayang Longchar, Children, Grand Children & In-laws.

DP-5520

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is COVID-19 vaccine b e c o m i n g m o re o f commercial than medical interest?

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

A B C

25th anniversary of LCU in Wokha

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

93% 2% 5%

Next poll

Q: Is it Rahul Gandhi’s

fault that Congress is on downslide today?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST

Patton with others after unveiling the LCU silver jubilee monolith on December 12.

The jubilee monolith was unveiled by Patton and dedicated by bishop of Kohima diocese, Most Rev. Dr.James Thoppil.

Y. Patton congratulated LCU especially to the pioneers who had done yeoman job and reaching thus far for celebrating the silver jubilee. He also welcomed all the participants including those who have come from different villages to be a part of the celebration. He remarked that it was a blessing and honour for him to attend and be a part of the only jubilee

celebration while in power, adding that jubilee celebration was the handiwork and a vision of some pioneers, so it was befitting to honour their hard work.

Patton maintained that out of the 60 MLAs in the NLA, he was the only Catholic legislator.

Pointing out that even in the past, there were only a handful to represent the Catholic Association, Patton thanked God for electing him for four terms with a special purpose to make him as their representative.

In this regard, he appealed

CAGBF 31st general session in Tsg

NEAN conducts workshop on hepatitis

December 13

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun

26 15

Hazy sun

23 10

Guwahati Hazy sun

26 15

Hazy sun

24 10

Aizawl Imphal

Itanagar Rain and drizzle in the p.m.

23 13

Shillong Hazy sun

18 8

Kohima

Sunny

Dimapur Hazy sun Mkg

Mostly sunny and beautiful

21 9 26 13 22 10

Tuensang Mostly sunny and cooler

17 7

Mostly sunny

20 12

Wokha

Zunheboto Sunny

20 9

DIMAPUR: Home minister and of Road & Bridges (R&B), Y. Patton called upon the youngsters to focus more on their academic persuasion, instead of hooking up on the modern gadgets which were addictive and had many negative impacts.

Patton was speaking on the second day as guest of honour at the 25th anniversary of Lotha Catholic Union (LCU) held from December 11 to 12 at Wokha, on the theme, “Go forth and proclaim the good news to all nations”.

Toshi Wungtung speaking as special guest during the programme held on December 11 at Kiphire village.

DIMAPUR: Chessore Area GB’s Federation (CAGBF) held its 31st general session on December 11, at Kiphire village under Chessore block of Shamator sub-division, Tuensang, with advisor of IPR, SCERT & VG Toshi Wungtung as special guest.

A press release by the PS to advisor stated that, Toshi exhorted on the origins and role of the village elders (Gaon-Buras/GBs) since the time of British rule, which was based in the roots of the federal system of the indigenous Naga political system and self governance since ancient times in the context

of the Nagas.

He emphasised on the main role of the GBs along with the DBs (Dobashas) as agents for the interpretation and implementation of the modern system of administration which came during the British rule and post independent republic of India. Toshi said that political and administrative autonomy in regard to customary laws, norms and tradition, rights of landed properties and its resources were constitutionally enshrined and recognised under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution, which speaks in monumental volumes for

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

the rights of the Naga people and the state of Nagaland.

He further encouraged on the discipline and sincerity of the village elders as guardians of the village councils in terms of progress and development and a better future.

T h e a dv i s o r a l s o mentioned that the present PDA government under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy CM, Y. Patton were primarily focused in giving priority on equal growth and participation of both urban and rural areas covering every corner of the state.

DIMAPUR: North East Artist Network (NEAN) drop-in-center in collaboration with private pharmaceutical company conducted a workshop on hepatitis with alcoholic anonymous (AA) members from Diphupar Ao Church and Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (ADU) Supermarket on December 9.

A press release by NEAN programme manager, Bokatoli Kinimi Z stated that, resource person from private pharmaceutical company emphasized on genotyping where there were 1-6 genotyping for HCV. The representative also highlighted the roots of transmission and clinical test such as HBV DNA quantitative, HCV RNA quantitative and genotyping. Hepatitis B is incurable but has a vaccine whereas hepatitis C was curable but it does not have a vaccine. Representative further highlighted on how to access subsidized hepatitis medicines.

Resource person also assured every possible way to support the alcoholic community. The worship video will be available in YouTube channel “North East Artist Network”. NEAN also extended Christmas and New Year greetings to all the alcoholics.

for prayer support from the gathering so that he may have good health and wisdom from God to lead them as an able leader.

Patton said that most of the Lotha educated leaders were from convent background and encouraged them to continue the good work the Catholic Association had contributed to the Lotha community.

As sign of encouragement to the Lotha students community from Catholic faith, Patton declared that those who pass/clear UPSC and NPSC he would award cash prize of rupees 10 (ten) lakhs and 5 (five) lakhs respectively. Patton also reminded that jubilee was a time to forgive past mistakes for an era of peace and prosperity for the community in general.

While extending greeting on behalf of the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) Johnny Ruangmei said twenty five years was a very significant year in the Bible, so also the Lotha Catholic Union celebrating its 25 year was very significant.

Recollecting that in 1995 five young enlightened men from Catholic faith had established the union which has bore fruit, he hoped that this union would continue to lead the Lotha community with wisdom. Earlier, welcome speech was delivered by president LCU, Peter Lichamo.

Golden jubilee celebrated at PLS

Correspondent

Lo n g l e n g, D e c 12 (NPN): Advisor of School Education, K. Tokugha Sukhalu said one should not compromise with the foundation of education if the goal in life of an individual has to become a reality.

He said this while addressing the golden jubilee celebration of Phom Lempong School (PLS) at PBCA convention hall Longleng as guest of honour on Saturday. While congratulating the school for reaching a milestone, the advisor said vision of an individual can be seen through the achievement of quality education that he acquired from the institutions. He also said that by acquiring proper and quality education, one can have a better living and all round development which benefits not only an individual but the society at large.

He also said that every individual has an aim and objective in life where one has to pursue according to his inner decision to make vibrant living for the rest of his life. He also pointed out that today’s generation were the blessed one, where every child is given utmost care and guidance by the parents for a bright

K. Tokugha Sukhalu addressing the Phom Lempong School golden jubilee at Longleng, Saturday. (NP)

future.

While focusing on the human development and infrastructure of the school, he said PLS was second to none and it was the church and community participation towards the successful journey of the school which has shown a positive impact and was commendable. He also assured to intervene into the need of the school especially for the upgradation of school to higher secondary and other requirement of the school.

Advisor also said that present government has been focusing on development of the state especially the ENPO areas under various project. He therefore, appealed to the people to extend cooperation to both the legislators for more development in the district.

In the morning the

guest of honour unveiled the jubilee monolith which was erected in front of the school, while dedicatory prayer was said by Rev. L. Paushen Phom, former executive secretary PBCA. Earlier, programme was chaired by M. Lamjan Phom, scripture reading & prayer by Rev. M. Mongmei Phom, former PLS teacher, salutation by Y. Tauhong Phom, planning convenor. Jubilee song was presented by PLS students.

Wisdom from pioneers was shared by Rev. Very Ingli, former headmistress and S. Bukchem Phom, former principal. Special appearance was presented by students of Christian School Longleng while jubilee message and prayer was brought by Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung, former executive secretary PBCA.

ERO visits polling station in Longleng

DIMAPUR: Electoral roll observer (ERO) for Longleng and Mon, Kikheto Sema, agricultural production commissioner (APC) Nagaland visited Longleng on December 12, and held meeting at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall, Longleng in connection with summary revision of electoral roll for the year 2020.

According to DIPR report, in the meeting chaired

by DC & DEO Longleng, M Shayung Phom, the ERO briefly highlighted the importance of democracy and that the revision process was based on equality and does not discriminate any person. He appealed the political parties to have clean e/roll for clean election and asserted that when it comes to clean election Nagaland must learn a lot from the neighbouring Christian states like Mizoram and Meghalaya.

He also appreciated the improvement of gender ratio in the district and appealed the political parties and district administration to discourage duplicate voters and emphasise on “one man, one vote” for a clean electoral roll. Observer also urged the churches to include clean election campaign and spread the message of clean election through church platforms and that it should be

ERO with DC & ADC Longleng inspecting one of the polling station at Longleng on December 12. (DIPR)

included in the elementary education.

L a t e r, t h e E RO along with the district administration led by

the deputy commissioner visited some polling stations in Longleng town and neighbouring villages. The meeting was

attended by AROs, district administrative officers and political parties of the district.

NLA sitting held at ‘Beyond the line’ book released district court Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Nine motor accident claims cases were disposed off today during a national lok adalat (NLA) sitting held at Dimapur district court premises on December 12.

A press release by NSLSA public relations assistant, Ketholeno Niehu stated that, NLA held today under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) was being organised after a gap in view of the pandemic.

All the nine cases taken up were disposed off with a settlement amount of Rs.38, 90, 000 (thirty eight lakh ninety thousand) only.

CJM & secretary Dimapur DLSA, Somet C Chang gave a brief introduction about the meaning of lok adalat and the role played by it.

K Y M C

During the last NLA held on February 8, 159 cases mostly at pre-litigative stage were disposed with a total settlement amount of Rs. 69,44,947 (rupees sixty nine lakhs forty four thousand nine hundred forty seven) only.

Altogether, 10 lok adalat sitting benches were constituted in ten districts for settlement of various disputes presided over by one or two sitting judicial officer(s). All the disposed cases were Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) cases which were pending before the court.

National lok adalat is organized on a quarterly basis with a view to provide platform for the people on the principle of serving justice on equal opportunity basis, compromise, conciliation and fair play.

DIMAPUR: A book titled, “Beyond the line, the voice of hope and change” authored by Awoto Awomi was released by director Soil & Water Conservation, K. Zhekheto Awomi on December 12 at Made in Nagaland building, Kohima.

A press release by the organisers stated that, Awoto Awomi said that the release of his book was a fulfilment of his childhood prophetic dream. He added that the book was inscribed by the wisdom and power of God through him and thereby dedicated unto Him. Zhekheto in his speech expressed that the book was a mixture of inspiration from God and venturing into the service of His people, where he hoped that the book would reach people and touch them for the better.

Earlier, event was chaired by Vitoka Yeptho,

K. Zhekheto Awomi with the author of the book, Awoto Awomi at the book release on December 12.

invocation by youth pastor benediction by asst. pastor SBCK, Kito Shohe and SBCK, Kashito Aye. K Y M C

4

northeast

Manipur observes Nupi Lan

Manipur CM Biren Singh paying tribute at the Nup Lan complex. CourtesyNortheast Affairs.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Dec 12: Manipur on Saturday paid rich homage to the brave women of the state who fought for justice against the British colonial rulers and monopolistic trade interests in the Nupilals (women wars) of 1904 and 1939.

Remembering the epic struggles of the Manipuri women, the state has been observing December 12 every year as ‘Nupilan Day’.

Unlike previous years, the observance functions of the 81st Nupi Lan Day were organised at low key in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apart from state level functions hosted by the state government, the day was observed by various NGOs, CSOs and women based organisations across the state. Manipuris settling outside the state also observed the day.

Chief minister N Biren Singh led the people in paying floral tribute to the memorial statue of the brave women who had fought bravely for justice against the then British colonial rulers in Imphal’s Nupi Lal Memorial Complex.

After paying floral tribute to the brave women of yesteryears, the chief minister told reporters that the sacrifices made by the

brave women of yesteryears was the strength of today’s generation.

“Nupi Lan continues to be a motivation for the people of the state and it reminds us that we have the courage and boldness to stand together and fight against evil,” Singh said.

The state had been observing Nupi Lan Numit every year as a remembrance of the courage and spirit shown by the women of the state challenging the then mightiest world power, he added.

Ministers, MLAs, state chief secretary, DGP, high ranking officials of civil and police attended in the observance.

The Nupilal Ningsh-

was held in two phases on December 7 and 10.

BR Ferenga

GUWAHATI/CHIRANG, DEC 12 (AGENCIES): With counting of votes underway for the recently held the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election, UPPL president Pramod Boro won both Koklabari and Goibari seats while former BTC chief and Bodoland People’s Front president Hagrama Mahilary lost Kachugaon seat.

Mahilary lost the Kachugaon by a margin of 365 votes while he is leading in Debargaon seat.

According to the latest update of the BTC election results, BPF won 8 seats and leading in 9 seats while the UPPL won 8 seats and leading in 3 seats and BJP won 7 seats and leading in 3 seats.

While Congress is leading in one seat, Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania-led Gana Suraksha Party (GSP) is leading in 1 seat.

The counting which started at 8 a.m. on Saturday will decide the fates of 241 candidates who contested the polls. Polling for 40 seats of the BTC

United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) candidate Ranjit Basumatary aka BR Ferenga has defeated incumbent Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) candidate and former Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary in Chirang Duars constituency of Assam’s Chirang district in the BTC elections, the results of which are being declared on Saturday, reports the Sentinel. Speaking to the media after the results were declared, Ferenga said that people have understood how the BPF was ruling with corruption and how they were being deprived of all the facilities and their rights. “I am thankful to the people who voted for me and I am willing to sacrifice my five years for them,” he added.

Ferenga was one of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) leaders who surrendered earlier this year. The UPPL candidate also claimed that his opponents tried to influence the people by distributing money and liquor. However, the people understood that to decide elections, money is not the main factor. They would not be cowed down ever again, he added.

Ferenga then said that it was easier to transform society through ballots instead of bullets.

Tripura hostages may be taken to B’desh: Police AGARTALA, DEC 12 (AGENCIES): Even as security forces continued their combing operations to rescue three workers kidnapped on the IndiaBangladesh border, police and BSF officials suspect the abductees might have been taken by terrorists to the neighbouring country as the crime spot was just on the border, reports The Sentinel.

Tripura Police Additional Director General (Law and Order) Rajiv Singh said on Friday: “We are making all efforts to rescue the three workers who were engaged in fencing along the international border, apart from a small trader abducted earlier. We have requested the Assam and Mizoram authorities to search their areas to find out any terrorist hideout or any captive.”

A senior Border Security Force official said that they have approached Border Guards Bangladesh to search in their areas to locate the kidnapped workers.

Supervisor Subhash Bhowmik, JCB driver Subal Debnath and worker Ganapati Tripura were kidnapped at gunpoint by suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants from Ganganagar in eastern Tripura’s Dhalai district on December 7.

No carol procession in run-up to Christmas in Meghalaya Correspondent Shillong, Dec 12: Although Meghalaya is known for its carol singing processions in the run-up to Christmas, the State will not have any such gaiety this time due to the ongoing pandemic. The State health authorities issued a standard operating protocol (SOP) in this regard which specified that "caroling may be done within the church premises/designated hall and in a localized manner as per the social distancing norms".

The protocol, signed by chief secretary MS Rao outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted during Christmas and New Year celebrations to prevent spread of COVID-19 and has been prepared after due consultative meetings with various stakeholders.

"Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home. The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce risk of COVID. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 5 feet in public places as far as feasible. Use of face-masks is mandatory. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are

Truck driver arrested for rape of five-year-old girl in Manipur

Counting of votes for BTC polls underway BR Ferenga defeats Kampa Borgoyary in Chirang Duars

ing Lamjel (Nupilal Memorial Run) which was has been held for the last 28 years was cancelled for the first time this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organising committee of the event however observed the day nominally with a function in Imphal’s Singjamei Super Market.

The day was also observed at different levels at different parts of the state.

Nupi Lal, which means women’s war in Manipuri, is one of the important movements in the history of Manipuri women. The movement sowed the seeds of economic and political reforms for a new Manipur in the early 40’s.

It started in 1939 as an agitation by Manipuri women against the oppressive economic and administrative policies ruled by the Manipur Maharaja and the Political Agent –Mr Gimson- of the British Government (1933-45) in Manipur, and later on, evolved into a movement for the constitutional and administrative reform in Manipur.

The event was related with women uprising against excessive export of rice to its neighbouring states.

Womenfolk blocked over export of rice which resulted in regulation of export of rice by the then government.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

Correspondent IMPHAL, Dec 12: People of Sugnu area of Manipur’s Kakching district protested on Saturday, demanding befitting punishment to an alleged rapist for sexually assaulting a fiveyear-old girl.

Locals of Sungu area, on December 4 last, caught a 29-year-old truck driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl and handed him over to the local police station.

The alleged accused identified as Oinam Nanao Meitei of Tronglaobi Mamang Leikai in Bishnupur district was in the police custody currently as police were investigating the incident after registering a case under POCSO Act. Local reports said that

the truck driver came to repair his vehicle at the workshop of the father of the victim on December 4 last.

While waiting for the completion of the repair of his vehicle, the driver left the workshop with the minor girl on the pretext of buying sweets for her from a nearby shop.

He allegedly took the girl to a secluded place nearby where he allegedly sexually assaulted the girl.

Some locals who rushed to the place on hearing the cry of the minor girl caught the driver and detained at the office of a local youth club. The locals later handed him over to the police who arrived instantly on being informed.

The locals today protested and demanded befitting punish-

ment to the alleged child rapist during a public meeting held at the local public ground.

In the meeting, it was resolved to press the pertinent authorities of the state government to award befitting punishment and formed a joint action committee (JAC) to convert the resolutions into work.

The meeting further resolved to press for awarding of befitting punishment to the accused under POCSO Act and adequate compensation to rehabilitate the rape victim.

While resolving to press the authorities to bring the accused to justice in a speedy manner, the meeting decided to urge local MLA and Kakching district police SP to assist the JAC in delivering justice to the family of the victim .

Mizoram reports 16 new COVID-19 cases

Aizawl, Dec 12 (PTI): Mizoram on Saturday reported sixteen new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 4,024, an official said. Of the new cases, six each were reported from Aizawl and Lawngtlai districts, and four from the Kolasib district, he said. Eight of the patients have travel history, the official said.

Two patients have developed symptoms, while the rest are asymptomatic, he said.

The state at present has 197 active cases.

With 20 people recovering on Friday, the number of cured patients has increased to 3,820.

High risk contacts of Meghalaya Itanagar Zoo gets guests under CM Conrad Sangma traced animal exchange programme Correspondent Shillong, Dec 12: An octogenarian man died due to COVID-19 related complications in Meghalaya, taking the number of fatalities due to the viral infection to 125, even 98 new COVID-19 cases were detected while 50 more recoveries were recorded as on Saturday, health officials said.

Meanwhile, Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War, said at least 28 persons who had come in contact with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma have been traced as high risk contact.

Sangma has tested positive for COVID 19 and is under isolation. He has asked people who have come in contact over the past week to be cautious and possibly get themselves tested.

The health of the Chief Minister’s family members are also being monitored by

the health officials Of the 98 new COVID19 cases, War said 61 were reported from East Khasi Hills district, 25 in West Jaintia Hills district, six in Ri-Bhoi district, two each in East Garo Hills district and West Garo Hills district, one each in North Garo Hills district and South Garo Hills district, while two cases have migrated.

As on Saturday, Meghalaya has 641 active cases with East Khasi Hills the most affected district with 394 active cases followed by 81 in West Jaintia Hills and 73 in West Garo Hills.

The senior medical official also informed that 50 more recoveries from the viral disease were recorded today, which included 23 in East Khasi Hills district, 16 in West Garo Hills district, four each in South West Garo Hills district and West Jaintia Hills and three in Ri-Bhoi district.

The total number of re-

covered persons in the state is 11,977 as on date.

“Of the 2, 65057 persons tested for Covid-19 in the State till today, 2, 52314 were tested negative,” War said.

Meanwhile, medical specialists warned the public not to let their guards down as there is a possibility of a second wave of COVID-19. Some of the doctors said that the virus is most virulent during the cold seasons studies have shown.

The medical specialists have cautioned that during the festive season, people should take extra precaution and follow the standard SOPs of the health department and continue to wear masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain physical distancing.

“We must follow three Cs and avoid closed spaces and crowded spaces and close contacts,” War advised.

File photo of Christmas carol in Shillong

not visibly dirty or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds), whichever feasible," the SOP outlined.

"Respiratory etiquette to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to State or district helpline," it added.

"Greetings through hugs and kisses is discouraged. Spitting should be strictly prohibited. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App may be advised to all," the SOP laid down.

The government notification also underscored that Christmas/New Year including midnight services may be conducted subject to compliance to the SOP in religious places.

"Staggered services are

recommended at churches.

Outdoor services within the compound of the church may be held, but should not exceed one-third the capacity of the venue, or a maximum of 200 persons, whichever is less," the SOP read. As per the SOP, traditional community feasting is also not recommended.

The notification said that night curfew will be lifted throughout the State on Christmas Eve on December 24 and Christmas Day on December 25 and also on December 31 to enable persons to attend midnight services, adding that the respective Deputy Commissioners will issue orders for relaxation of curfew accordingly.

"For all other Christmas and New Year related events/gatherings, permission should be sought from the respective Deputy Commissioners as per the existing guidelines issued by the Home (Political) Department," the SOP directed.

Health and frontline workers to get vaccine first in Meghalaya Correspondent Shillong, Dec 12: Meghalaya government has decided to inoculate the first group of 25,000 health and frontline workers once the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out in the country, an official said on Saturday.

"All the health workers have an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh," Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War informed at a joint press conference with several medical specialists.

However, the medical specialists emphasized on the fact that a vaccine was not a cure but only a preventive measure against the viral disease and underscored the need for maintaining all the safety protocols issued by the health department.

“We have to be clear that the vaccine is not a cure because as of now there is no cure. There is no definite anti-Covid medication, drug or vaccine. If we maintain strict protocols, we can prevent spread of the virus to a large extent,” Dr. Vijay Nongpiur, pulmonologist at North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) iter-

ated.

Allaying fear over the risk to get inoculated with the new vaccine, War said, "Such fears are natural, but the vaccine which would be made available would be safe."

War also said there have been no discussions over the price of the vaccine.

He, however, added that the government would take a decision once the vaccine is available whether it could be provided to the people of the State under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme.

Asked whether the people have the option to say “no” to take vaccine, War said, "When people see the beneficial effect of this vaccine, naturally they will be convinced. For anything which is introduced in the market, even for a new drug we have our reservation, but here because of this pandemic, we have already spread the awareness, we have already activated through the district administration on the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine.

When it comes voluntarily they will come forward if it is beneficial then I think it will be acceptable and we will go by that for now no forcing."

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

NOTICE

S/C No. 110/20

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 benefit of Late Chenithung Odyuo has been applied by Smti. Mhalo Odyuo, Legal guardian of Miss Renchumi Odyuo (Minor) W/o. Lt. Chenithung Odyuo, H/No. 70, Supply Colony, West P/S, Dimapur, Nagaland for possession of; 1. PPO No. 111919009 2. SI Saving A/C No. 35194855954 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 10/01/2021.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 10/12/2020.

Sd/- District & Sessions Judge, Wokha : Nagaland WC-283

IN THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND NOTICE

File photo of a Sangai deer ITANAGAR, DEC 12 (AGENCIES): The biological park in Itanagar received two pairs of spotted deer and two pairs of Sangai deer from Assam State Zoological Garden in Guwahati, under animal exchange programme, reports The Sentinel.

The animals were brought to the zoo on Wednesday after obtaining permission from the Central Zoo Authority of India, sources informed. Zoo veterinarian Dr SorangTadap and curator Raya Flago, along with staffers received the animals

and put them into the newly constructed enclosures safely.

The animals will be quarantined for a month, Curator Flag informed. The Sangai deer is an endemic and endangered subspecies of the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur. It is also the state animal of Manipur.

The common English names for it are Manipur Brow-antlered deer or Eld’s deer or dancing deer. The spotted deer, also known as chital deer and Axis deer, is native to the Indian subcontinent.

S/C NO. 138/2020

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

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Imshingangba has been applied by Smti Lanuinla, W/o Lt. Imshingangba, R/o H.No. 150, Tulikong Ward, Mkg, Nagaland for possession of: 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 05.11.2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this the 22.09.2020.

DP-5507

Principal District & Sessions Judge Mokokchung, Nagaland

‘Farmer stir infiltrated by Leftist, Maoist’

New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI): As the farmers’ protest against new farm laws entered its 17th day, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the agitation no longer remains a farmers’ movement as it has been “infiltrated by Leftist and Maoist elements” demanding the release of those put behind bars for “anti-national activities”.

This, he said, was clearly to derail agriculture reforms brought by the government.

Goyal, however, did not say if the government had or is planning to take any action against any person belonging to banned outfits seen at the protests.

“We now realise that the so-called farmer agitation hardly remains a farmers’ agitation. It has almost got infiltrated by Leftist and Maoist elements, a flavour of which we saw over the last two days when there were extraneous demands to release people who have been put behind bars for anti-national (and) who have been put behind bars for illegal activities,” Goyal, the Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industry and Food and Consumers Affairs, said at FICCI’s annual meeting.

The demands being raised on a farmers’ platform to release so-called in-

5

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

Piyush Goyal

tellectuals and poets clearly demonstrate that the effort to derail farm law improvements is probably in the hands of certain elements who are not good for India, he said.

“I would urge all wellmeaning business leaders and all well-meaning intellectuals who are involved with Ficci, who are on this webcast, to talk about the benefits of these farm laws, to understand the law.

Should you have any apprehension, please talk to us,” Goyal said.

The minister assured that these laws are for the benefit of nearly 100 million farmers across the country.

He said this is a government that has been committed to farmer welfare, which has almost doubled procurement under minimum support price or MSP, which is “wrongly sought to be portrayed as being under danger”.

“This is a government that has ensured that farm-

ers get 50 per cent over their cost of production.

“This is a government that has increased the agricultural budget nearly six times, never before increased to today nearly USD 20 billion, Rs 1.34 lakh crore invested in the agricultural sector,” said the minister.

Goyal urged industry leaders to educate the farmers in their sphere of influence.

He urged them to “explain the benefits, explain how these laws without...in any way touching the past systems, open up new opportunities to do trade and commerce and business for our farmers so that they can go in for more investment”.

Explain them how these reforms will spur investment in rural India, there will be R&D, more opportunities for value addition and, therefore, farmers can increase their income, Goyal urged industry leaders.

Responding to Goyal’s comments, Former Ficci president and Vice-Chairman of Bharti Enterprises Rajan Bharti Mittal said, “Clearly, you can see when you do the tough reforms like the farm bills, please don’t step back. The industry will back you up.”

Besides, talking about reducing compliance burdens, Goyal said efforts were

on to create the first genuine single-window system in terms of compliances, ease of approval process.

“We intend to come up with a much easier process to meet with compliances, while simultaneously working across ministries to see if we can reduce the burden of compliances,” he added.

Speaking about the proposed Brand India initiative, the minister said it is an idea where the government and the industry will partner with each other and develop both on the Make in India side and overall Brand India side.

“We are also looking at branding India. It is time now that India demonstrates to the world its leadership position and commitment of quality,” said the minister.

He observed that under the Brand India initiative, consumers both in India and internationally will be educated about products which are made in India.

“We are pushing all industries to certify the Make in India products,” Goyal added.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly and inspired the nation with his vision, simplicity and courage to think beyond the past limitations and willingness to embrace change.

K’taka Cong dares BJP to ban cow slaughter across country

Ghanshyam Tiwari returns to BJP after two years

Ghanshyam Tiwari

Jaipur, Dec 12 (PTI): Senior Rajasthan leader Ghanshyam Tiwari joined the BJP on Saturday, two years after he quit the party due to growing differences with the state and central leadership.

He joined the BJP at an event held at the party headquarters here. State party president Satish Poonia was also present at the event.

“After a long time, I am getting a chance to speak from this platform. I thank the party leadership which considered my letter to join the party,” Tiwari told reporters.

He said he is completely committed to the BJP’s ideology and though he had shared the stage with the Congress once, he never accepted its membership.

He added that earlier, he was with the BJP with his heart and soul but formed a new party due to certain circumstances.

B e ngaluru, D e c 11 (IANS): Karnataka Congress leaders on Friday dared the ruling BJP leaders to prove their “real commitment” of protecting cows by taking steps to ban beef export completely in the country, instead of adopting dual stands about cow slaughter ban in select states.

Addressing a joint press conference here, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP should have single standard when it comes to matters like cow slaughter ban.

“The BJP’s stand on caw slaughter ban is diametrically opposite in Goa state to what the party has taken here. In both the states it is the ruling party,” he pointed out.

He said that the Congress party will sure have no problem if the BJP adopts same stand across the nation and who is stopping them from banning beef export completely?

He alleged that it is the BJP supporters who are among the leading beef exporters in the country, therefore, the BJP do not take a firm stand on such issues. “The very premise of moving the contentious Bill two days

ago is clear, they want to play emotional card in the ongoing two-phase gram panchayat polls slated for this month,” he said.

Quoting a prominent Hindu seer Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, Siddaramaiah said the beef exports have risen after Prime Minister Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014.

“So I demand, ban beef exports, bring uniform policy across the country,” he said and wondered as to why the BJP was bringing in such laws in select states. “In Goa, their own party is in power but do not talk a word about banning it, while in Karnataka, they have brought most adraconian and unscientific’ Bill, why is this duplicity,” he questioned.

He added that in 2012-13 beef exports stood at 10.76 lakh tonnes and rose to 14.75 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 while it hovered over 13 lakh tonnes in the subsequent three years.

“Why the BJP has failed to control it? On one hand you give permits for exports and encourage making money from it, on the other hand you bring in such laws without proper thinking,” he said

adding if the ill effects were not addressed it will lead to economic problems, unemployment and farmer distress.

It may be recalled that the ruling BJP hurriedly tabled the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill - 2020 and was passed by the assembly on Wednesday, amid melee and stiff opposition from Congress, which eventually boycotted the remaining Legislature session.

The contentious Bill is yet to be tabled in the Legislative Council, which has been adjourned sine die, the state government is now mulling to give shape of law by bringing it through ordinance route.

Terming the Bill as “draconian, unscientific and anti-farmer”, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D. K. Shivakumar demanded that Karnataka government to purchase and protect all unproductive cattle from farmers to ease pressure of nurturing these cattle instead burdening the farmer community.

Both Congress leaders also felt that if the Bill was implemented, it may legalise lynching.

STATE

Condolence messages by various organisations DIMAPUR: Various organisations have condoled the demise of late Ghokheto Chophy, president of Naga Council Dimapur on Decemeber 11 at New Delhi.

Naga Hoho: Naga Hoho (NH) in a condolence note by general secretary, K. Elu Ndang described late Chophy as resolute and sincere for upliftment and welfare of the people and that his passing away was a great loss for the Naga people. NY conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in the eternal home of Heavenly Father.

WSH: Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has expressed dee pest sympathy and pained by the passing away of K. Ghokheto Chophy, president Naga Council Dimapur(NCD).

In a condolence message, WSH president Dr. Kakheto Zhimomi and general secretary H. Kisheto Chishi said that his demise has come as a rude shock, which cannot be expressed in just mere words. WSH described late Ghokheto as a true dedicated social worker who tirelessly served from the grassroots and selflessly worked wholeheartedly and sacrificed everything to bring change in our beleaguered society. His demise is not only a great loss for the Sumi community but for the Nagas and the non-Nagas as well, WSH said, adding, that his demise has made a void in our society which will be difficult to fill. Further, WSH said it was greatly hurt by the actions of some few people who went to the extent of dragging the case of his NCD presidentship and the newly elected councillors to the court who were elected accordingly as per the NCD constitution, even though the ailing leader was struggling for his life in the hospital. WSH said it was unfortunate that this was the reward these few people had to offer the deceased leader whose sole priority was always to fully serve the society.

“We pray that these persons also harbor more love and kindness towards their fellow people,” WSH stated.

CNTC: Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) in a condolence by president Lanu Imchen and general secretary, Tsungro Kithan stated that, late Chophy was courageous leader of rare dynamic qual-

ities with full of humility who could mingle with the masses. While stating that the vacuum created would be hard to fill, the CNTC conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God give them solace.

PAC: Public Action Committee (PAC) in a condolence message, described late Ghokheto Chophy as a brave, outspoken, frank, honest , humble and simple public leader. PAC mentioned that it would be hard to replace him with the qualities he possessed inspite of his few shortcomings, as human. PAC further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Ao Senden: Ao Senden (AS) president Chubawati Longchar in a condolence note, described late Chophy as a man of principle, bold, straight-forward and who had worked for the welfare of the people. AS stated that the vacuum created by his demise would be hard to fill in and on behalf of the Ao Senden, the president further conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and that the departed soul rest in peace.

DUCCF: Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) in a condolence note by president Tsenthungo Nyamo and general secretary, Zasivikho Zakiesato described late K. Ghokheto Chophy as a man of integrity, inspiring and friendly and a straight forward person who worked tirelessly for the people of Dimapur. Stating that in his death “we have lost a truly devoted and a capable leader”, the DUCCF conveyed heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the bereaved family members.

JCPI: Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) in a condolence note stated that late Chophy’s legacy of courage, dynamism, dedication, foresightedness, honesty, magnanimity and selfless sacrifice for the cause of the people will be etched in “our hearts and we will continue to carry forward the objectives of the committee.” JCPI conveyed deepest condolence to the bereaved family and pray that the Almighty God grant them courage and that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

NWHD: Naga Women

Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) expressed that in his passing away, the society has lost a good and eminent leader, who had served the society with utmost sincerity towards the betterment of the society. NWHD stated that his valuable contribution will always be cherished and the void created would always be felt. NHWD conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and for the departed soul to rest in peace.

DCCI: Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) described late Chophy as an active and committed social worker, a trustworthy leader and someone who was always ready to lend a helping hand to others.

The citizens of Dimapur and especially DCCI have lost a down to earth leader and the vacuum created would be difficult to fill in, stated the condolence note. DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi on his own and on behalf of DCCI conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

DDGBA: Dimapur District GBs Association (DDGBA) in a condolence note stated that the association was deeply saddened by the untimely demise of a leader who always stood upright and firm to what was right. Describing late Chophy as a man of dignified personality, strong character, the DDGBA stated that it was a matter of great loss not only for the people of Dimapur but for Nagas in general. DDGBA conveyed condolence to the bereaved family and prayed that God Almighty grant comfort and solace at this time of grief.

GBUD: GB’s Union Dimapur (GBUD) in a condolence note stated that his demise has created a huge vacuum not only for the citizens of Dimapur but also the Nagas as a whole and he would always be remembered for his contributions to the Naga society. GBUD convenyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

ZPOD: Zeliang People’s Organisation Dimapur (ZPOD) in a condolence note stated that ZPOD had worked with late Chophy and his associates on numerous occasions and found him to be always open-minded

with a positive vision for the Naga people. It also stated that his contributions in transforming the society will always be remembered and inspire many upcoming leaders. ZPOD conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

TUD: Tangkhul Union Dimapur (TUD) stated that a person like him, though departed from this earth never truly leaves, for he is still alive in “our” hearts but he will be truly missed.

While no one and nothing can fill the void created by the loss, the TUD conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and that the departed soul rest in peace.

SCND: Sumi Community Notun Bosti (SCND) in a condolence note grieved at the loss of a committed and efficient leader with utmost integrity for the people of Dimapur in particular and whole Naga society in general. It stated that the vacuum created by his demise would be difficult to fill in years to come. SCND conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

PHD: Poumai Hoho Dimapur (PHD) in a condolence note stated that “we” have lost a nobleman of courage and determination who contributed all his service for the cause of people standing against all evil in the society. While it would be difficult to fill the vacuum created by him, the PHD prayed that almighty God give solace to the bereaved family and may his soul rest in peace.

AHD: Anal Hoho Dimapur (AHD) in a condolence described late Gokheto Chophy as an upright gentleman endowed with leadership qualities. AHD further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

DDGIF: Dimapur District Gorkha Indigenous Forum (DDGIF) in a condolence message, stated that with his demise DDGIF has lost a committed leader and a true friend of the Gorkhas.

Forum further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

DDVCCA: Dimapur District Village Council Chairmen's Association

(DDVCCA) in a condolence note stated that, as a leader, late Chophy was instrumental in many frontal organisations and his demise was a great loss for the public of Dimapur in particular and Nagas in general. DDVCCA pray that God grant solace and peace to his wife, children, relatives and all near and dear and that the departed soul rest in peace.

YUD: Yimchungr ü Union Dimapur (YUD) in a condolence note described late Chophy as a man of dedication and courage who had wholeheartedly rendered his service in different capacities for the common welfare of society. Union further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

LYOD: Lotha Youth Organization Dimapur (LYOD) in a condolence message, described late Chophy as a visionary leader who had contributed much towards the welfare of the society. LYOD further conveyed condolenced to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

NBCD: Notun Bosti Council Dimapur (NBCD) in a condolence note stated that, “we have lost a committed and efficient leader with utmost integrity” for the people of Dimapur in particular and whole Naga society in general. It also stated that the vacuum created by his demise would be difficult to fill in years to come. NBCD conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace NPF minority wing: Naga Peoples Front (NPF) minority wing central president Bishnu Bhattacharjee described late Ghokheto as a visionary leader who delivered contributions in social activities in different capacities. NPF minoirity wing extended condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

W M C N S U : Wo r l d Meetei Convention Nagaland State Unit (WMCNSU) in a condolence note stated that, late Chophy was a man who extended his fullest helping hand without any distinction of caste and creed, black and white.

While grieving the loss of a great good capable leader

who always stood for the right and welfare of Dimapur in particular and the whole society in general, the WMCNSU also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

DMC: Dimapur Meetei Council (DMC) in a condolence note stated that late Chophy was a man who always remained ready to assist the Dimapur citizens round the clock as and when needed. DMC conveyed condolences and sincere sympathy to the bereaved family on the terrible loss of a great leader and that God let his soul rest in peace.

HYS: Hindu Yuva Sanga (HYS) offered deepest condolences to the family of late Ghokheto Chopy on such a loss and that the departed soul find peace and comfort.

ASTD: Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) in a condolence note stated that in the demise of late

Chophy, the Nagas of Dimapur have lost a dynamic leader whose absence would be greatly felt.

WSTH: Western Sümi Totimi Hoho (WSTH) in a condolence note described late Ghokheto as an active, down to earth leader who had always stood for the rights of the society, includ-

ing people at grassroot level.

While stating that Nagas in general and the Sümi tribe in particular have lost a trustworthy leader and it would be difficult to fill his absence, the WSTH conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 11 Dimapur, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

I

Didigiri under siege

ncidents of violence in West Bengal which have worsened since the past few months is indication that the forthcoming general election in 2021 is going to be not only a fight for the ballot but also a fight for the turf between the BJP and the TMC. Political muscle-flexing has always been a great weapon for the ruling regime - for the CPM, incumbent Trinamool Congress or the Congress in early 70s under the leadership of Siddhartha Shankar Roy. West Bengal elections have always been dominated by street goons who hijack democracy through booth capturing or scaring away genuine voters likely to vote for the rivals. Mamata Banerjee with her Trinamool Congress rode on a landslide of revulsion against the goondagiri and absolute economic chaos under 34 years of Marxist rule in the 2011 assembly election. It was said then that people were so fed up with the goondagiri and mafia-like control of Marxist cadres over all spheres of economic and normal activities in the state, that people vowed that they would never vote for Marxists even if they were offered gold.

Mamata promised to flush out the Marxist goondas and revive Bengal’s once eminent status as an manufacturing and producing centre. After her resounding win in 2011, Mamata again led her party AITC to victory in the 2016 elections and retained majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Marxists after being toppled, struggled to fight the Mamata onslaught along with the Congress but Mamata prevailed mainly since there was no opposition worth the name; besides by then, all former Marxist goons joined the TMC and did what they used to do. However by then the BJP gradually took on the role as the main voice against Mamata while the Congress high command dithered about opposing her. Despite having won only three seats in 2016, the BJP did not wallow in self pity. By 2019 the BJP had already spread its cadres in West Bengal and this showed when it won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, compared to AITC’s 22 seats. It bagged 40 percent of the vote share, an increase from the previous time and in by-elections from 2016 to 2021 BJP has also increased their seats in the legislative assembly by 15 as of 2020.The voter mood reflected in the 2019 Lok Sabha election indicated that the BJP’s political strategy is gaining ground. BJP has been painting Mamata as being pro-Muslim and antiHindu. Though Bengalis are not as susceptible to communalism yet the kind of goonda politics unleashed by TMC cadres have greatly disturbed the Bengalis. If CPM is to be blamed for the rise of local dadas, then Trinamool should be held responsible for perpetuating the legacy. Bengal’s bhadralok are afraid to even talk about the dadagiri which is destroying Tagore’s Bengal. BJP’s other card is a governor who has become the fulcrum of anti-Mamata forces, mainly the BJP. Another effective strategy of the BJP is to use ED or CBI against opponents unless they switch sides. This way many have joined BJP in Bengal as well as other states. In 2021 if BJP fails to come to power, it can be assumed that it will do everything to engineer a split like in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh. Truly, TMC has a tough fight ahead not only against a party but a party that functions like the government.

Post-mortem

2020 Nobel Peace Prize for WFP: Exposes the world we live-in

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orld Food Programme (WFP) established in 1961 by the United Nations primarily to alleviate world hunger has been awarded the Nobel peace prize for the year 2020 for its efforts combatting hunger, for facilitating better conditions for peace, and for helping to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war. WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies initiating food assistance to build ways and means for peace, stability and prosperity for those in the midst of conflicts; those caught up in disasters and have become the victims of climate change. Its headquarters is in Rome, having regional offices in about 80 countries.

Apart from the above, WFP focusses on food security and food-based social safety nets in the countries where poverty and hunger are recurring phenomenon.

Wherever there are conflicts of varied nature and natural disasters, WFP provides tech-

Personality

…that they may be one just as We are one…

—John 17:22 Personality is the unique, limitless part of our life that makes us distinct from everyone else. It is too vast for us even to comprehend. An island in the sea may be just the top of a large mountain, and our personality is like that island. We don’t know the great depths of our being, therefore we cannot measure ourselves. We start out thinking we can, but soon realize that there is really only one Being who fully understands us, and that is our Creator.

Personality is the characteristic mark of the inner, spiritual man, just as individuality is the characteristic of the outer, natural man. Our Lord can never be described in terms of individuality and independence, but only in terms of His total Person— “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Personality merges, and you only reach your true identity once you are merged with another person. When love or the Spirit of God come upon a person, he is transformed.

He will then no longer insist on maintaining his individuality. Our Lord never referred to a person’s individuality or his isolated position, but spoke in terms of the total person— “…that they may be one just as We are one….” Once your rights to yourself are surrendered to God, your true personal nature begins responding to God immediately. Jesus Christ brings freedom to your total person, and even your individuality is transformed. The transformation is brought about by love— personal devotion to Jesus.

Love is the overflowing result of one person in true fellowship with another.

Quotes

Syllables govern the world. ~ George Bernard Shaw

nical assistance and engages itself in the food distribution.

2020 is the most crucial and challenging year for WFP as millions of people across the world have been gravely and intensely hit by the deadly pandemic losing their jobs and livelihood. Those, in particular, living in poorer regions and continents have been facing multiple impact of COVID-19.

Coronavirus has by and large adversely affected the vulnerable sections by deepening the poverty-hunger syndromes and in the process leveraging these to unprecedented levels, wherein millions of families and communities across the world are undergoing all kinds of suffering. Further, there have been alsotriggering of the communal and other forms of conflicts; movement of refugees within and between borders triggered by climate, economic, political, religio-cultural and social facets. As against the backdrop, it is certainly a befitting gesture on the part of Nobel Award Committee

for having recognized the services of WFP particularly in times of deadly global pandemic.

Feeding the hungry and those living in abject poverty and responding to de-stabilization and migration have been the major pre-occupations of WFP. Year 2020 has been the worst year for WFP as challenges started to mount on WFP. Challenges of hunger and poverty continue to rise as weeks, months and year pass-by. From 2016 to 2019 hunger and poverty were under control, but in 2020 there has been significant rise to whopping 270 million. This segment does not know from where would they get the next meal. Further, 2021 is going to be catastrophic.

Now the global humanity is caught up with twin challenges: Covid pandemic and hunger pandemic. WFP is expected to muster at least 15 billion dollars for the destabilization program, migration and challenges posed by poverty and hunger. Usually WFP approaches bil-

lionaires, nation-states and funding-agencies for money to meet the emergent challenges. At leastin the coming year WFP needs 12-15 billion dollars to meet both the ends. There are 30,000 workers actively involved in responding to war-zone conflicts and host of others.

It is the innocent masses who undergo all sorts of suffering. It’s almost with a begging bowl, WFP approaches all these people.

There is a tendency that people are turning in-wards who do not want to give primarily pointing to covid.

Poverty and hunger should not all the time be theorized, but be looked at as existential and physical. Poverty and hunger should not be viewed as charity-centric, but structural. We nowadays keep looking at poverty and hunger as humanitarian issues, but deeply embedded in the global systems and structures. Nations of the world, if wanted could have removed poverty and hunger from the very face of the earth.“Politics of

poverty and hunger” drives the comity of nations not to act so. They want masses should live under poverty and hunger/ Take for example, for the procurement of arms and ammunitions USA, UAE, India and many other poorer countries spend major percentage of GDP, but poverty and hunger alleviation leave alone the eradication program hardly the nation-states allocate funds.

They want the poor should be in their midst. It is their huge vote bank. For military exercises and economic groupings there are regional co-operation, but when it comes to poverty and hunger there are hardly any.

In such a context multilateralism has miserably failed.

The UN has conveniently shelved millennial goals as countries of the world came together to alleviate poverty and hunger at the beginning of the century. Coca Cola and Pepsi are the largest polluters and were yet given the right to organize environmental summit. Those

big corporations continue to exploit the human and natural resources for profitmaximization. What then is the rationale as WFP receive funds from them?

The rich and super-rich are given the right to manage poverty and hunger. They are just perpetuating hunger and poverty and there’s no intent of alleviating or eradicating.

About 2200 billionaires accrued about 2.7 trillion in the last four months during covid. They all belong to social media and technology tycoons. We have lost the moral fibre to raise to the occasion. Comity of nations has lost its collective conscience. When coronavirus hit all the countries, they all have put together about 19.7 trillion dollars as economic stimulus. For poverty and hunger there are no stimulus packages. There should be political will and collective conscience to erase poverty and hunger from the face of the earth. Making poverty and hunger as history should be our pre-occupation.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

What does FDA advisory panel’s approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine mean?

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n advisory panel of the US’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday recommended that the regulator provide emergency use approval for Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, which the makers started developing over 11 months ago. The move comes after a 90-year-old British woman became the first person in the world to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 outside of a trial setting on Tuesday. The UK has procured over 800,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and is expected to receive a total of 20 million doses of the vaccine called BNT162b2, which will be supplied through 2021 and will be enough to immunise nearly a third of the UK’s population.

T DailyDevotion

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

So what has happened?

On Thursday, the FDA’s advisory panel called Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), which has independent scientific and public health experts as members, met to discuss the request for a EUA from Pfizer/BioNTech, the first such request received by the regulator for a COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer submitted the approval request to the FDA in partnership with BioNTech in November and has initiated rolling submissions in Australia, Canada, Europe and Japan. Both companies are expected to produce over 50 million doses of the vaccine in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.

What does this mean for the US? The panel’s nod

to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine means that the FDA is likely to authorise its EUA after which it can begin immunizing people in the US, possibly in the coming few weeks. This is significant considering that the US is the worst-hit country due to the pandemic and on Wednesday recorded a grim statistic of over 3,000 deaths due to the infection According to The New York Times, FDA is likely to provide an EUA for this vaccine on Saturday.

What does emergency use approval mean? Under the FDA, Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) is a mechanism to facilitate the easy availability and use of medical countermeasures, which includes vaccines during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19

pandemic. Therefore, under an EUA, the FDA may allow the use of unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency situation to diagnose, treat or prevent serious or lifethreatening diseases.

How is the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine administered? The mRNA vaccine called BNT162b2 is meant for individuals who are 16 years or older and is administered in two doses of 30 μg each, given 21 days apart.

The vaccine is injected into the person’s upper arm and takes a few weeks after the completion of the second dose to work.

How does the vaccine work? One of the essential ingredients of this vaccine is the messenger RNA or mRNA, which carries

How the agriculture reforms finally liberate farmers

he agitation is led by a section of the farmers, misled by false propaganda. On the other hand, the majority of the tilling class, Dalits and the poor, are conspicuous by their absence.

In early April 2019, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) released a Farmers Manifesto for Freedom. It was a progressive document, and said, “Seven decades after India won independence from British colonial rule, the largest section of our population, the farmers, have remained bound by the chain of laws and regulations”.

The manifesto sought “freedom to trade” and bemoaned that existing laws were restricting farmers from “where, how and at what price they can sell their produce”, and underlined that Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) have only helped in creating “legal monopolies” of a few “licensed traders”, who now have a “stranglehold on farmers”. It called for removal of restriction on land use including “contract farming”, and abolition of “such laws as the APMC and the Essential Commodities Act”. It even sought facilitation of “future trading” in all agricultural commodities.

APMCs were started in central India during British rule to force cotton farmers to sell their produce only to State-run markets so that cotton mills in England could have cheap raw material from India. After Independence, the powerful rural lobby ensured that this legacy continued. It helped farmers in the initial years when Indian agriculture was in dire straits

until the Green Revolution.

But today, as the BKU manifesto highlights, APMCs have become dens of “middlemen” from whom the farmers have to be “saved”.

This is what the three recent agriculture reform acts intend to do. Strangely, the same BKU is on the streets leading the so-called farmers’ agitation against the reforms. They argued earlier that the farmers were “bound by the chains” of British-era laws. Now, they argue that the same chains should be restored because the farmers may, in future, be bound by the chains of private agrientrepreneurs.

Incidentally, through a tweet on April 4, 2019, the BKU leadership had expressed happiness about the Congress and Rahul Gandhi adopting “some parts” and said, “Let us see what the BJP and Narendra Modi adopt”. The Congress is now supporting BKU leadership’s duplicity, while the Modi government is working for the implementation of its manifesto. The acts are the most historic and boldest reforms in agriculture since Independence. The farmer is the only private producer in India who didn’t have freedom to sell until now.

“Farmers of India! You are henceforth the masters of the harvest”, said Ram Manohar Lohia in 1963 articulating his vision for agricultural reforms. Modi has transformed that vision into a reality.

The APMC regime was an anomaly, with farmers forced to sell their produce only to APMCs. For political reasons, government after government, in states as well as at the Centre, went

on extending the Minimum Support Price regime leading not only to a distorted pricing regime but also the production pattern. The new laws end that anomaly. They essentially extend three benefits to farmers. They are now free to sell their produce wherever they get better prices — in mandis or to private procurers anywhere. They can now price their produce as per the demand. They can now enter into agreements with corporate and private agribusinesses and engage even in future trading.

Opposition to such historic reforms is suicidal for the farming community. Yet, some sections of the farmers are on the streets blockading Delhi arteries. There could be some genuine apprehensions, such as the need for an MSP protection in case private businesses try to exploit farmers. The government has been open to discussion on such concerns. But the propaganda that the new acts make the farmers slaves to private businesses is far-fetched. The acts protect the land of the farmer from any kind of exploitation even if the farmer defaults.

The agitation is led by a section of the farmers, misled by false propaganda. On the other hand, the majority of the tilling class, Dalits and the poor, are conspicuous by their absence. The government must engage with the farmers directly and explain the benefits. A couple of amendments could be considered, but anything beyond that would be detrimental to the future of agriculture.

Ram Madhav (Senior BJP leader and director of the India Foundation) (The views expressed are personal) Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not

instructions to create the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s socalled spike protein, which makes it easy for the virus to bind to cells in the body.

Once the mRNA vaccine is injected into the body, it instructs the body’s cells to create copies of this spike protein. The idea is to trigger the body’s immune system response similar to if the individual had actually been infected by the virus.

Therefore, once the vaccine is able to trigger this response, the immune system should be able to produce the antibodies necessary to fight the infection, thereby potentially protecting the individual. Research published in the journal Nature in 2018 noted that mRNA vaccines “represent a promising alternative to conventional vaccine approaches because

of their high potency, capacity for rapid development and potential for low-cost manufacture and safe administration.”

How effective is the vaccine? Data from clinical trials suggest that the vaccine is over 94 per cent effective in adults over 65 years of age, which means that in a trial if 1,000 people are given the vaccine, about 60 are likely to be infected despite the vaccine compared to those in the placebo group. Significantly, vaccinated individuals still have a small chance of getting infected. Therefore, immunised individuals will still need to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks since scientists are not yet sure if they can still transmit the virus to others or not.

(The Indian Express)

To Argue on a Christmas Star

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his is no field of mine and I may not look into it a second time also but it does put one in a tricky funny situation! It’s Christmas time and everybody is happily, busily putting up Christmas stars. This piece is not on how this tradition came about, we will not go into its history. What I have here is a point we have witnessed a lot over time. Who could have imagined that putting up a Christmas star could generate such fuss!

No sooner had I put it up there, looking at it admiringly and prayerfully, giving it the finishing touches… then a barrage of views far and near flooded in – that my star looks like and only represents goat horns, cow horns, buffalo horns, mithun horns…all the horns in the world! My star, I thought will bring in blessing but suddenly it has turned into a curse. I looked up at the night sky and tried to figure out the exact shape and position of the stars up there – it did not help. Do we have a photo of the star that came to the Magi?

I checked; it did not help.

Is it important to position your Christmas star in so and so shape and so and so position when you put it up?

What is the right position? My neighbour has the answer. He pointed to his star and beamed that his is the right position: the horns should not point up and look like

a goat, you know! Horns? Goats? I said my star is no goat, it has no horns, it’s just the way it ends, the pointed edges! He persevered, so I told him his star is also a goat looking sideways, now leaning right, now leaning left! Ha, his star is a moving, restless goat!

He stuck to his point. I told the world my star is a star and there is no goat, no horns, no hidden meaning, no symbolism to turn blessing into curse.

Forces big and small took our argument to the very beginning, the Creation! The star was created first; the goat, the horns came later – so by Pythagoras theorem, it is the goat imitating the star, not the star imitating the goat. The goat must change its position, not my star!

Why do people make such a fuss of such a thing? Were we only putting up goats and horns all these years? I think not. I am proof that we are blessed irrespective of the star’s position! So tarry not with the positioning and crazy opinions of your Christmas stars. Go out, feel free, and put up your Christmas stars as only you can put up best – it is your star! And may God bless you abundantly with the peace of His Son as He is born! Merry Christmas!

Rain Vakha, Seitheke Basa, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Street food junctions & social distancing

Sir,

I write this with genuine concern for Naga youngsters during this Corona era.

We nagas are known for our love for food especially, street foods. After all, who wouldn’t love cheap, delicious, pocket-friendly foods? Be it a simple chana mix or biryanis or barbecued chickens or momos or chows and the latest entry into Dimapur street food section- Korean snacks, everyone adores and relishes tasty foods.

I understand the fact that on some days, you just want easy food. Food made by others, food easily available at our disposal. However, maintaining social distancing is also very necessary. You might wear masks and carry sanitizers, you might just drive to pick up foods but you also have to either stand in queue or wait to pick up your food. This is where the concern lies. Food junctions around City tower, Notun Basti, Signal Bazaar etc these are places you’ll find the tastiest food. In addition, these places would also be the first to cause a community outbreak if social distancing isn’t maintained. Therefore, it is my humble request to the vendors and dedicated food lovers to maintain social distancing and not crowd the area.

Odinuksung, Nagarjan reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Not accountable to HM: TMC

KOLKATA/New Delhi, DEC 12 (PTI): Senior Trinamool Congress lawmaker Kalyan Banerjee wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Saturday, saying that West Bengal’s chief secretary and director-general of police were summoned to Delhi over the attack on BJP chief JP Nadda’s convoy with “political motive”, asserting that law and order is a state subject. Banerjee, the chief whip of the Trinamool Congress in Lok Sabha, alleged that the Centre was resorting to coercive means to intimidate the state administration, and the top officials were summoned at the instance of the Union Home Minister.

“We want to inform you that law and order is within the domain of the state under 7th Schedule of the State list...How in respect of the law and order situation you can call both the officers for any sorts of discussion?” he asked.

“It appears that with a political motive and at the instance of your minister, who is a political person belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party, you have issued the said letter. You are trying to coerce the officers of West

MHA calls 3 WB IPS officers to serve in central deputation

A vehicle of BJP National President JP Nadda’s convoy damaged by alleged TMC activists(PTI)

Bengal with political vindictiveness. It appears you are interfering with the federal structure,” Banerjee added.

He also claimed that a person, who is a convict in a case and named in 59 other criminal cases, was in the convoy of Nadda on December 10 and “made provocative gestures” to the TMC supporters standing on the roadside.

He said that in respect of law and order, the state government is accountable to the legislative assembly “but not to you or to your home minister”. “ L aw s h ave b e e n thrown out in river by your action at the instance of Shri Amit Shah, BJP leader and Union Home Minister,” the lawmaker said, adding that indirect attempts were being made to impose emergency in West Bengal.

Banerjee said that with Parliament not in session, he was voicing strong opposition to the move by the Centre through the letter on behalf of his party.

The MHA had on Friday summoned Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay and DGP Virendra asking them to present themselves on December 14 for an explanation on the law and order situation in the state, following Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar’s report on the attack on Nadda’s convoy by alleged supporters of the ruling TMC in South 24 Parganas district on December 10. The chief secretary wrote to the Union home secretary, saying that he has been directed to request to “dispense with the presence of the state officials” in the meeting convened on December

Pawar couldn’t become PM in 1990s due to Cong coterie: Patel

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar arrives for his 80th birthday celebration in Mumbai, Saturday. (PTI)

Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI): Senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Saturday claimed veteran politician and the party chief Sharad Pawar couldn’t become prime minister on two occasions in 1990s when he was with Congress due to a “darbar coterie” in that party acting against him.

Speaking on the occasion of Pawar’s 80th birthday, Patel said this “unfinished dream can be fulfilled”.

“Pawar strengthened his position as a front-rung leader in the Congress in a very little time. He was surely cut off for a prime ministerial role in 1991 and 1996, but the ‘darbar’ (nepotism) politics of Delhi put a

spanner. This was definitely a personal loss to him, but moreover for the party and the country,” Patel wrote in a newspaper article.

He stated a “scheming coterie” of the Congress ‘darbar’ in Delhi used to engineer revolts in state units to weaken strong leaders.

When asked about the article, Patel told reporters in Mumbai that “Pawar missed the opportunity to become a Prime Minister on two occasions...’Bante, Bante rah gaye’...Now, if the entire Maharashtra stands by him, our unfinished dream can be fulfilled”. He was speaking after attending an event organised by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to mark Pawar’s birthday.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

“What I said (in the write-up) was we had seen when we (leaders) were with the Congress,” the NCP General Secretary said.

When contacted, a senior Congress leader said Pawar had rejoined the Congress in the year 1986, “and in Delhi his image was that he wasn’t a loyal Congressman. In 1978 too, he had revolted against the party”.

The leader, however, refused comment on Patel’s article.

Patel wrote that after Rajiv Gandhi’s death (in assassination in 1991), there was a strong thinking among Congress workers and leaders that Pawar should be made president of the Congress.

“However, the ‘darbar’ coterie opposed the idea of a strong leader and hatched a plan to make PV Narasimha Rao as the party chief. Rao was ailingand had not even contested the Lok Sabha polls. He was planning to shift to Hyderabad and retire. However, he was convinced and was made the president of Congress only to oppose Pawar’s candidature,” Patel stated.

He further wrote that Congress was very close to achieve a majority after the Lok Sabha polls held after Rajiv Gandhi’s death.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Saturday unilaterally summoned three IPS officers of West Bengal to serve in central deputation, days after the alleged security lapses during BJP chief J P Nadda’s visit to the state, officials said. The three officers were responsible for the security of the BJP chief. The move is likely to further escalate the ongoing tussle between the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal and the BJP-led central government following the attack on the convoy of Nadda two days ago.

Three IPS officers belonging to the West Bengal cadre have been called to serve in central deputation in view of the lapses that allegedly led to the attack on Nadda’s convoy in West Bengal, an MHA official said. The decision has been taken under the rules governing the all India service officers, the official said. Usually, the state government’s consent is taken before any all India service officer is called to serve in central deputation.

Workers go on rampage at iPhone plant in Karnataka Bengaluru, Dec 12 (PTI): The workers of Taiwan headquartered Wistron Corporation, which manufactures iPhone near here went on a rampage on Saturday in the facility over issues related to ‘salary’, police said. Quoting preliminary inputs, police said employees at the facility in the Narasapura Industrial Area of Kolar district, about 51 kilometers from here, rampaged through the plant premises overturning cars and damaging furniture besides other things.

A police officer told PTI that workers pelted stones, smashed glass windows, damaged vehicles, furniture, computers and laptops in connection with ‘salary related issues.’

According to sources in the company, many workers were involved in the violent incident. When contacted, there was no immediate reaction from the company over the incident and claims on ‘salary issues.’ A trade union leader, claiming information from the plant alleged most employees -on contract- were not paid ‘on time’ besides concerns over ‘many deductions’ from their salary.

Delhi BJP members protest against Kejriwal govt, demand payment of dues

BJP workers hold placards and shout slogans during a protest outside AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha’s residence, at Burari in New Delhi, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (PTI)

New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI): Delhi BJP leaders and workers staged protests against the Kejriwal government across the city on Saturday, demanding payment of funds due of the party-ruled municipal corporations.

Participating in the protest in the Burari Assembly constituency, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said the party will not pull back till Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

“gives dues of Rs 13,000 crore to the three civic bodies”.

The mayors and leaders of the three BJP-ruled municipal corporations are sitting outside the chief minister’s residence on an indefinite dharna for the past nearly one week.

Gupta said the dem a n d o f p ay m e n t o f dues was raised by the BJP leaders and workers through protests in all the 70 Assembly constituen-

cies in Delhi.

Former Delhi BJP president and north east Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari participated in a protest at Khajuri Chowk.

The AAP has maintained that all due funds were paid to the municipal corporations by the Delhi government and alleged that “corruption and inefficiency” by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders was responsible for the “financial mess” there.

Jammu-Srinagar NH closed after Farmers held for Underweight children increased overnight snowfall, landslides trying to make in 7 of 10 major states: Survey toll plazas free

People walk on a snow covered bridge after the town received fresh snowfall, in Srinagar, Saturday. (PTI)

Jammu, Dec 12 (PTI): The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed due to overnight snowfall and eight families were moved to safer locations after heavy rains triggered landslides in Gurmul village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, officials said on Saturday.

Nine inches of snow has accumulated on the ground at the Jawahar Tunnel of the highway and the road is blocked at several points due to landslides following rains in Marog, Magerkote and Panthiyal, they said.

Efforts are afoot to ensure early restoration of traffic on the strategic road that links the Kashmir region to the rest of the country, the officials said.

In Doda district of the Union Territory’s Jammu region, the officials said, eight families were moved to safer locations after heavy rains triggered shooting stones and landslides at Gurmul village in Kastigarh.

The families have been provided accommodation and relief material, including bedding, by the district administration, they said.

On the situation of the national highway, the officials said that a landslide hit the highway at Marog, a rockslide at Magerkote and there is continuous shooting stones from hillocks at Panthiyal.

They said that agencies concerned have pressed men and machine to clear the vital road.

Aligarh, Dec 12 (PTI): Dozens of farmers were detained in different parts of this district on Saturday for trying to make toll plazas on highways toll-free as part of their stir against the Central agri laws, police said.

A large number of protestors at Kurana village under Tappal police station have been taken into police custody and would be kept under detention till 11 pm, officials said.

District Magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh said that heavy police deployment and patrolling was on in sensitive areas, including at the toll plazas in Gabhana on the GT Road and in Madrak on the Aligarh-Agra state highway.

At the district mandi samiti complex, a large number of Samajwadi Party members and former MLA Rakesh Singh were held while holding a protest, police said.

Police also said that Samajwadi Party leader and former MP Chaudary Brijendra Singh and his supporters were put under house arrest to prevent them from joining the protesting farmers at the mandi samiti complex.

NEW DELHI/DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (AGENCIES/NPN): The number of underweight children in India has increased in seven of 10 major states in the past four years, while the number of kids with stunted growth has gone up in six of these states, according to the National Family Health Survey for 2019-20.

The survey, released

by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday, was conducted by the Health ministry and is considered one of the pillars of health planning and policy making in the country. This is the fifth edition of the survey, while the fourth round was conducted in 2015-16.

Thirteen states out of the 22 including Nagaland, surveyed recorded a rise in the percentage of children under five years who are stunted in comparison to 2015-16, survey data showed. According to NFHS-5, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu recorded a rise in the percentage of children under five years who are stunted in comparison to NFHS-4 (2015-16).

Further, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep showed a rise in the percentage of children under five years who are wasted, while Maharashtra and West Bengal had the same percentage, according to the data.

The data also showed a rise in the percentage of children under five years who are severely wasted and underweight in comparison to NFHS-4. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep showed a rise in the percentage of under-five children who are severely wasted.

The NFHS-5 further showed that 20 states recorded a rise in the percentage of children under 5 years who are overweight.

The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) (per 1,000 live births) dropped in 15 states and UTs in comparison to NFHS-4 (2015-16), while the infant mortality rate (IMR) and the under-five mortality rate (UMR) fell in 18 states and UTs, the NFHS-5 showed.

Gopal Italia, who threw shoe at Col P.S. Gill who served in all military services turns 100 Guj minister, now AAP convener

Ahmedabad, Dec 12 (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday said it will contest all seats in elections to local bodies in Gujarat, due early next year.

The AAP has also appointed Gopal Italia, who had hurled a shoe at Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja in 2017 alleging corruption in the state government, as its state convener, the party tweeted.

“A A P G u j a r a t i s emerging as a strong alternative in Gujarat. AAP is going to contest on all seats in upcoming local

Gill’s son Ajay Pal Singh Gill is a doctor and grandson a lawyer. Colonel Gill’s wife Preminder Kaur is 93 years old and later this month the couple will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

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decades, his daughter-in-law Harpreet Kaur told PTI over phone on Saturday.

In view of the COVID19 pandemic, his birthday celebrations here were limited to close family members and some friends, she said.

Prithipal Singh Gill

CHANDIGARH, DEC 12 (PTI): Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retired), a World War 2 veteran who holds the unique distinction of having served in all three defence services, turned 100 with wishes pouring in from several quarters.

During his service with the Indian Army, Colonel Gill was posted with 34 Medium Regiment and later went on to raise and command the 71 Medium Regiment.

The 71 Medium Regiment sent an officer from Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to Gill’s residence here with a cake, a trophy, track-suit and a T-shirt to celebrate his birthday on Friday. He was

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Gopal Italia (File)

elections. Youth leader Gopal Italia has been announced as state convener of AAP Gujarat,” the AAP Gujarat tweeted.

The Arvind Kejriwalled party also announced the names of presidents of various districts and municipal corporations.

Italia, a state government clerk posted at the office of Dhandhuka taluka Sub-Divisional Magistrate under Ahmedabad collectorate, had hurled a shoe at Jadeja on March 2, 2017 when the latter was preparing to address the media. The shoe had missed its target.

He was appointed as AAP’s vice president for Gujarat early this year.

Earlier, Italia had been arrested by the Ahmedabad crime branch for allegedly impersonating a police constable to call up deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and circulating audio clips of the conversation on social media.

also the commanding officer of the Regiment during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Gill has the distinction of serving in the Royal Indian Air Force, Royal Indian Navy and the Indian Army in a career spanning nearly three

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Eco indicators show encouraging signs: PM New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI): Economic indicators have shown encouraging signs of recovery of the Indian economy post-pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday as he vowed to keep government controls to a bare minimum and encourage private capital.

In this time of pandemic, he said, the government has accorded highest priority to saving lives of Indians and the way India has handled the crisis through concerted effort has surprised the world.

Compared to February when the pandemic started, things have changed in December, he said, adding, there is a road map to deal with this now.

“Even the economic indicators are encouraging,” he added.

Various measures taken by the government in the last six years has instilled confidence among global investors, he said.

As a result, he said, “India has seen record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Portfolio

Narendra Modi

Investment inflows during the pandemic.”

Addressing the FICCI Annual Convention, he said, a decisive government always strives to remove obstacles for others and always tries to contribute towards the society and the nation.

Recalling the time when government was in all the sectors, he said, a visionary and decisive government, on the other hand, encourages all the stakeholders to realise their potential.

Modi pointed out that in the last six years, the government has encouraged stakeholders in all sectors and this is reflected in the all-round reforms in sectors ranging from manufacturing to MSME; agriculture to infrastructure; from tech

industry to taxation and from real estate to regulatory easing.

Talking about various reforms undertaken by the government in the last six years, he said changes have been brought in manufacturing, MSMEs, agriculture, infrastructure and regulatory easing.

As a result of taxation reform, he said, India has got competitive advantage in corporate tax rate and initiated faceless assessment and faceless appeal leaving behind the scar of tax terrorism and Inspector Raj. Pointing out that the old polices protected inefficiencies while ‘’Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’’ is guided to promote efficiency in all the sectors, he said the government has introduced Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to promote sunrise sectors and technology based industries.

This scheme is for those industries which are on path to make India a global champion and those who would perform would be entitled to incentive, he added.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 business HPBWC demands 2020s belong to India: Tata Group Chairman replacement of New Delhi, Dec 12 should enable this partner(IANS): Tata Group Chairship and make India ready ATM machine man N. Chandrasekaran to participate in this new

D IMA P UR , D EC 1 2 (NPN): Hazi Park Business Welfare Committee (HPBWC) has urged the SBI authorities to replace the old ATM machine installed at Hongkong Market/Hazi park market as it was not functioning properly since its installation in 2018.

In a statement, Hazi Park Business Welfare Committee president, Hukato V Achumi stated that several complaints and reminders to replace the ATM machine with a new one had gone in vain.

Hazi Park and Hongkong market areas, being one of the busiest markets in Dimapur as hundreds of people come to these markets for purchasing as it needed proper and functional ATM so that people can withdraw money without much difficulty.

During this festive season, the number of people coming to these markets has increased and many have already expressed resentment over non-functional ATM, Achumi said.

It therefore, urged the SBI authorities to take the matter with utmost urgency and replace the old ATM machines at the earliest.

said that impact of Covid on innovation has been ‘allpervasive’ and the models of working from home are making all companies rethink the future of work.

Addressing a session on “Inspired India: A Business Leader’s Perspective”, during Ficci’s 93rd Annual General Meeting, Chandrasekaran said: “My roots that are embedded in technology make me see the Covid pandemic and its impact on India in a very positive frame of mind. The 2020s belong to India.”

Elaborating further, Chandrasekaran said that self-evident trends like advancement of digital data and decoupling of China on the United States, fortify this belief.

“In all these trends I see tremendous, limitless

N. Chandrasekaran

opportunities in India. We have often struggled to grow manufacturing as a percentage of our GDP,” he said.

“We usually highlight issues like power, logistics, and labour. We have pointed out high-interest rates and have also understood regulatory overreach and interference.” However, in the future, he said if we put this behind us and as an industry start acting by visionary

scale, we will become a pivot to the new world order.

Chandrasekaran further called for focus on talent, enable data and bandwidth and the need to be a part of the new regulatory standards.

“I see a collaborative role between the industry and the government. The industry should be bold and start visioning all projects at scale and the government

world,” said Chandrasekaran. Besides, he cited the need to reimagine the whole technology blueprint nationwide.

To do this, he pointed out that it is vital that technologies like ‘Robotics and AI’ become part of the mainstay of manufacturing.

Furthermore, Chandrasekaran stated that if India’s first plank for the 21st century’s growth is digital; the second plank is the new approach to global poly-chains.

The third plank for India, he said is environmental resilience. In addition, Chandrasekaran said that energy, efficiency in mobility, solar manufacturing, and rethinking our food supply chain are areas to focus on as we emerge from the pandemic.

ZCCI bans donations

DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (NPN): Zunheboto Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) imposed total restriction on any kind of donations and collections in any forms during this festive season by any individual or organisations.

The decision was taken at the emergency meeting held on December

11, stated ZCCI president, Kikheto Muru and media affairs, Holoka T Sumi. ZCCI has also directed the shopkeepers to adhere to the directives issued by the district administration on the ban of fire crackers.

With the COVID pandemic still prevailing, the shopkeepers were also reminded to wear mask in their shops

and wash their hands continuously.

Meanwhile, ZCCI has informed that there will be mass social work on December 15. Shopkeepers have been directed to clean their own establishment and surroundings, with a warning that any businessmen failing to adhere with the above will be penalised.

Piaggio opens pre-booking for Aprilia SXR 160 Pandemic increased momentum Over 1.63 lakh GST registrations cancelled

No. 3417 Yesterday’s solution No. 3416

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AT DIMAPUR D.C. COURT JUNCTION LAND WITH BUILDING AT ORIENTAL COLONY KUSHIABILL AREA AVAILABLE FOR ANY BUDGET

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I, K. Veli Achumi am applying for duplicate copy of BA Pass Certificate as I have lost it.

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STOLEN TVS Apache RTR 160 ABS Disc Black has been stolen from Duda Guest House, Kohima on 09.12.2020 Regd. No. : NL-07EA9406 Eng. No. : AE8BL2300404 Chassis No. : MD634AE88L2B00485 Owner's Name : Hamli M Contact No. : 8974620777

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LAND FOR SALE IN DIMAPUR 1. Land with Building at Imkonglenden (near Super Market) 2. Model Colony, Purana Bazar (2 Bighas) 3. Kushiabill (Imkongsenden) (2 Bighas) 4. Mon Bosti – 5 Bighas Contact No. 7005424879

LAND FOR SALE All size of land available at Naga United Village Rate : 200 per sq. ft.

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DP-5508

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LAND FOR SALE IN DIMAPUR

DP-5509

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DP-5497(A)

CHEF

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CONTACT NO. : +918730055174

LAND FOR SALE at NIHOTO VILLAGE bordering Naga United Village Any size of plot available at Rs. 140 per sq. ft.

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Slightly Negotiable Contact : 9856619322 DP-5462(B) 9436053227

LAND FOR SALE at Old Showuba 2000 ft. away from four lane and 400 ft. from main road at Rs. 140 per sq. ft.

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No. 4393 Yesterday’s solution No. 4392

Across 8. Health check (7) 9. Turf accountant (9) 13. Narcotic drug (5) 14. Thick (5) 15. Gift (7) 16. Mythical beast (7) 17. Worth (5) 18. Lariat (5) 20. Male singer (5) 22. Gaudy (6) 23. Smokestack (6) 25. Hoodlum (7) 27. Hidden away (7) 30. Tight undergarment (6) 31. Road (6) 32. Thighbone (5) 35. Manservant (5) 36. Vigour, informally (5) 37. Trucks (7) 39. Jotter (7) 41. Deepness (5) 42. Sample (5) 43. Variety (9) 44. Sports officials (7) Down 1. Zodiac sign (6) 2. Movie style (4,4) 3. Aircraft’s undercarriage (7,4) 4. Impotent (9) 5. Captain (7) 6. Drunken hooligans (5,5) 7. In this place (4) 10. Sturdy (6) 11. Dishonest conduct (7) 12. Saunter (6) 19. Ray of light (7) 21. Impartial (7) 24. Large country residence (7,4) 26. Writing implement (4-3,3) 28. House purchase tax (5,4) 29. Maybe (7) 30. Generous (6) 32. Emergency medical treatment (5,3) 33. Slice of bacon (6) 34. Deity (7) 38. Foot part (6) 40. Excursion (4)

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No. 9774 Yesterday’s solution No. 9773

months.

Revenue department sources said all these GSTIN entities which had not filed their GSTR-3B returns for more than six months were first issued the cancellation notices and then their registrations were cancelled as per the standard operating procedure.

Further, 28,635 taxpayers who have not filed their GSTR-3B returns for more than six months as on December 1, 2020 have been identified and all the GST Commissionerates have been directed to initiate suo-moto cancellation

process in these cases.

Meanwhile, within one month of its nationwide drive launched in the second week of November against fake invoice frauds, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) and Central GST Commissionerates have so far arrested 132 persons, including four chartered accountants and a woman for availing or passing on ineligible input tax credit (ITC) fraudulently.

Also, 1,430 cases have been booked against more than 4,586 fake GSTIN entities across the country.

Sources said a chartered accountant was arrested from Visakhapatnam for allegedly issuing fake ITC to the tune of Rs 20.97 crore by creating 14 fake firms without supply of goods.

URGENT SALE 2 Bighas Land @ Rs. 220 per sq. ft.

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Contact : 8787606826, 7005170715

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KAKURO

aspect of life and onboarding has risen substantially.

There has been gradual migration from cash to digital payments both offline and online”, Rai said.

She said now people, consumers and merchants are preferring to go digital, adding that there also has been a big growth in UPI driven by acceptance of QR. According to her, there has been rise in digital engagements by giving reward programmes to customers.

Rai also said resolution issues have been successfully handled using artificial intelligence and chatbots.

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Su doku

Kolkata, Dec 12 (PTI): National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella body for retail payments and settlement, said on Saturday that the pandemic has increased the momentum of digitisation in the country.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NPCI Praveena Rai said that pace of digitisation has also increased due to the regulatory framework and policies of the government and RBI. Speaking at a seminar organised by XLRI, Rai said digitisation has cut across all sections of the society. “Digitisation has revolutionized every single

New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI): Tax officers have cancelled GST registrations of over 1.63 lakh entities in October and November for non-filing of returns, sources said.

A l s o, o u t o f 7 2 0 deemed registrations granted between August 21, 2020 to November 16, 2020 where Aadhaar authentication was not done, 55 have been identified for discrepancies and the process of cancellation has been initiated in these cases, they added.

Sources said to handle the menace of fake firms, fly-by-night operators and circular trading entities, the GST field formations have cancelled 1,63,042 registrations in October and November this year due to non-filing of GSTR-3B returns for more than six

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of digitisation: NPCI COO

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performance 160 CC BSVI, three valve Fuel Injection clean emission engine technology, that produces high

power and torque to provide a great riding experience.

Designed in Italy for India, the SXR 160 brings the first of its kind combination of style, performance and extraordinary comfort riding experience coupled with great ergonomics.

Commenting on the occasion, chairman and managing director, Piaggio India, Diego Graffi said, “it is a great feeling as our premium scooter, the Aprilia SXR 160 has started rolling out of the production lines.” Aprilia SXR 160 will be available in very attractive Glossy Red, Matt Blue, Glossy White and Matt Black colours.

DC-XXXX

Dimapur, Dec 12 (NPN): Piaggio India has announced the opening of pre-bookings of the soon to be launched premium scooter from the stable of Aprilia, the SXR 160.The much-awaited premium scooter, the SXR 160, is under production at the Baramati plant, and is available for pre-bookingat a booking amount of Rs.5000 through the Ecommerce site www. shop.apriliaindia.com or by visiting any Aprilia dealership closer to home.

The much-awaited premium scooter, Aprilia SXR 160, incorporates Aprilia’s latest global design language and is equipped with a high

US approves Pfizer vaccine

While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study, it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration, which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday. The move sets off what will be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history -- but it also has global ramifications because it’s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision.

The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around, and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous

scientific testing to emerge from that worldwide race -- a record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process.

I don’t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA. The U.S. is considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week.

In early January, Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing.

Europe is set to make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month,

Iran executes journalist who backed 2017 protests

Ruhollah Zam (file/AP)

T e h r a n, D e c 1 2 (IANS): An Iranian journalist, accused of fanning unrest during the 2017-18 nationwide protests, was executed on Saturday after the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence against him.

According to a BBC report, Ruhollah Zam, who ran the anti-government Amadnews website, was hanged on Saturday morning.

The Iranian government has accused the news portal of inciting the 2017-

18 unrest after it shared videos of protests and damaging information about officials.

The BBC said the journalist, who had been living in exile in France, was reportedly detained while travelling to Iraq last year.

Details of his arrest however remains unclear.

But a news report on the Amadnews’ website quoted the journalist’s wife as saying that Zam was lured to Iraq in September 2019 and was kidnapped

and transferred to Iran by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and convicted to death.

The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s judiciary announced four days ago that the supreme court had approved Zam’s sentence, the Amadnews report added.

According to Amadnews, Zam’s closed-door trial began in February 2020 and ended in May. “The proceedings were secret and Zam was not allowed to choose a defence attorney,” it said.

The court charged Zam with “assembly and conspiracy with intent to commit crimes against national and international security”, encouraging people “to wage war and riot, effective persuasion of devoted members of the armed forces to mutiny, desert, or refuse to perform their military duties”.

United Nations, Dec 12 (AP): The global chemical weapons watchdog criticised Syria for failing to declare a chemical weapons production facility and respond to 18 other issues, while Russia accused the watchdog of conducting a “political crusade” against its close ally, the Syrian government.

The clash Friday came at the UN Security Council’s monthly meeting on Syria’s chemical weapons, where the director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Fernando Arias, briefed members for the first time since May and was pummeled with questions from Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

Arias said seven years after Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, its initial chemical declaration has unresolved “gaps, inconsistencies, and discrepancies” and “still cannot be considered accurate and complete.”

Copies of letters sent to the San Francisco Chronicle by a man who called himself Zodiac are displayed in San Francisco. (AP)

working on the cipher since 2006, said: “It was incredible. It was a big shock, I never really thought we’d find anything because I had grown so used to failure.

“When I first started, I used to get excited when I would see some words come through -- they were like false positives, phantoms. I had grown used to that. It was a long shot...

We didn’t even really know if there was a message.”

In its announcement, the FBI said that the ‘Zodiac Killer’ case “remains an ongoing investigation for the bureau’s San Francisco office and its local law enforcement partners”.

“The Zodiac Killer terrorised multiple communities across Northern California and even though decades have gone by, we continue to seek justice for the victims of these brutal

L o n d o n, D e c 1 2 (Agencies): The UN secretary general has called on all countries to declare a climate emergency.

António Guterres was speaking at a virtual summit on the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate agreement. He criticised rich countries for spending 50% more of their pandemic recovery cash on fossil fuels compared to low-carbon energy.

Over 70 world leaders are due to speak at the meeting organised by the UK, UN and France.

Mr Guterres said that 38 countries had already declared a climate emergency and he called on leaders worldwide to now do the same. He said the emergency would only end when carbon neutrality was reached.

On the Covid recovery spending, he said that this is money being borrowed from future generations.

“We cannot use these resources to lock in policies that burden future generations with a mountain of debt on a broken planet,” he said.

The secretary general praised those countries who

He told the virtual meeting that one of the 19 outstanding issues is a chemical weapons production facility that President Bashar Assad’s government said was never used to produce weapons, but where the OPCW gathered material and samples indicating “that production and/or weaponisation of chemical warfare nerve agents took place.”

Arias said the OPCW had requested Syria to declare the exact types and quantities of chemical agents at the site, but got no response.

Britain’s new UN ambassador, Barbara Woodward, said another unresolved issue in Syria’s declaration is the thousands of munitions and hundreds of tons of chemical agents that Syria has not accounted for.

A joint UN-OPCW investigative mechanism accused Syria of using chlorine and the nerve agent sarin during its civil war,

while the Islamic State group was accused of using mustard gas twice in 2015 and 2016.

In April this year, an OPCW investigation blamed the Syrian air force for a series of chemical attacks using sarin and chlorine in late March 2017 on the central town of Latamneh. Arias said in late October that Syria failed to meet a 90-day deadline set in July to declare the weapons used in the attacks on Latamneh and to disclose its chemical stocks.

France, backed by over 40 countries, has proposed that the OPCW suspend Syria’s “rights and privileges,” which would include its voting rights in the OPCW, for failing to meet the July deadline. The OPCW’s 193 member states are expected to take up the proposal at their spring 2021 meeting.

Russia’s Nebenzia accused the OPCW of backing Western nations who tried “in vain” to topple Assad’s government with the

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

crimes.

“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, and out of respect for the victims and their families, we will not be providing further comment at this time,” it added.

The ‘Zodiac Killer’ remains one of the most famous unsolved cases in American history.

The deciphered message reads as: “I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me. That wasn’t me on the TV show which brings up a point about me. I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to paradice (paradise misspelled) all the sooner.

“Because I now have enough slaves to work for me where everyone else has nothing when they reach paradice so they are afraid of death.

“I am not afraid because I know that my new life will be an easy one in paradice death.”

The TV show mentioned is the “The Jim Dunbar Show”, which a person claiming to be the killer had called two weeks before the cipher was sent.

Speaking to CNN, Oranchak, who had been

Islamabad, Dec 12 (IANS): At least 138 journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 1990, according to the International Federation of Journalists (ICJ).

On Friday, the ICJ issued the ‘White Paper on Global Journalism’ which listed five nations -- Iraq, Mexico, the Philippines, Pakistan, and India -- as the “most dangerous countries for practice of journalism in the world”, Dawn news reported.

According to the White Paper, in the Indian sub-continent, murders of journalists in Pakistan (138) and in India (116) have featured almost every year in the killed list since 1990, making up 40 per cent of the total deaths in the Asia Pacific region.

In 2020, the IFJ has recorded 42 killings of journalists (49 in 2019) and media staff so far in targeted attacks, bomb blasts and cross-fire incidents in 15 countries since the start of the year.

This year, four Pakistani journalists -- Aziz Menon, Javedullah Khan, Anwar Jan, Shaheena Shaheen -- lost their lives.

António Guterres

have come to today’s meeting with new targets and plans.

A number of big emitters, including Australia, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Mexico, are not taking part, as their climate actions were not deemed ambitious enough. The UK has announced an end to support for overseas fossil fuel projects, and has today deposited a new climate plan with the UN. It’s the first time that Britain has had to do this, as it was previously covered by the European Union’s climate commitments.

Today’s virtual gathering is taking place after the pandemic caused the postponement of the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting, which had

been due to take place in Glasgow this year.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the year was coming to an end with “a certain amount of scientific optimism” because “barely 12 months after the start of the pandemic, we’re seeing the vaccine going into the arms of the elderly”.

The UK says that today’s short, action-oriented summit will put a premium on new commitments from countries. Around 70 leaders from all over the world will take part, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, and President Macron of France.

Pope Francis will also address the meeting.

The UK will point to its new commitment on overseas fossil fuel projects as well as a new carbon cutting target of 68% by 2030, announced last week by the prime minister.

The EU will also present a new 2030 target of a 55% cut in emissions, agreed after all-night negotiations this week.

China and India will also be taking part, though the extent of their new commitments is not clear.

Chemical weapons watchdog criticises Syria over 19 issues

Letter from Zodiac killer decoded after 50 years Washington, Dec 12 (IANS): The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced that 51 years after the self-proclaimed ‘Zodiac Killer’ randomly killed five people in Northern California’s Bay Area, a team of amateur codebreakers have solved a cryptic cipher sent to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper in 1969, according to media reports.

According to an archived FBI statement, the ‘Zodiac Killer’ sent local newspapers a three-part coded message explaining his motive for the killings in 1969 and in a separate letter to the editor suggested his identity was buried within an elaborate cipher message.

The decoded message revealed the killer’s twisted motive, but his identity remains a mystery.

In its announcement on Friday, the FBI said that the “340 cipher” was solved by three codebreakers -- David Oranchak, a software developer in Virginia; Jarl Van Eycke, a Belgian computer programmer; and Sam Blake, an Australian mathematician, CNN reported.

After the decoding, it was revealed that the the cipher was sent in all capital letters with no punctuation marks.

World needs to declare ‘climate emergency’, says UN chief

Chakhroma Angami Kuda Union (CAKU) expresses shock over the demise of Ghokheto Chophy. Nagas have lost a good and capable leader.

Ghokheto Chophy's contribution and service for good cause for the citizens of Dimapur in particular and whole society of the Nagas in general will be remembered.

We have lost a committed leader for Dimapur people. The Chakhroma Angami Kuda Union (CAKU) conveys condolences to the bereaved family and prays that the departed soul rest in peace.

ZHATO KIMHO President DP-5516

LETTER OF APPRECIATION The citizens of Salangtem, Aongza, Kumlong, Kichutip & Mongsenbai wards under the 27th Mokokchung Town Assembly Constituency express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development Shri. Metsubo Jamir for his philanthropic gesture by provision and installation of 50 Solar Street Lights each in all the 5 wards.

The lights not just illuminate the dark streets and lanes in the wards, but also coincidently brightened the spirit of each individual in welcoming the joyous season .

Sir, on behalf of all the citizens, the Local Ward Authorities of the five wards once again thank you for your generous contribution towards the public welfare and service.

MKC-286

Sd/Salangtem, Aongza, Kumlong, Kichutip & Mongsenbai Ward Yimden.

help of opposition groups.

“And they maintain this anti-Syrian narrative despite all the discrepancies or counter evidence presented

by Syria, Russia and independent experts and exploit these allegations in their political crusade against Assad government,” he said.

Nebenzia posed eight detailed questions to Arias, alleging the OPCW used double standards, didn’t

maintain the “chain of custody” of evidence, and attempted “to turn a blind eye” to 200 tons of chemical weapons precursors missing in Libya “while in parallel pressuring Syria to explain the `disappearance’ of even tiny amounts o chemical substances.”

He also questioned why concerns by inspectors allegedly weren’t considered by the OPCW.

OFFICE OF THE

SANKITON VILLAGE STUDENTS’ UNION P.O. WOZHURO-797111, WOKHA:NAGALAND “For a brighter tomorrow.”

Contact info.- svsu.1961@gmail.com

With immense pride and joy, the Sankiton Village Students’ Union convey our heartfelt congratulations and honour to the following individuals: 1. Shri. K. Etssorhomo Lotha, Deputy Director on being promoted to the post of Joint Director under the Directorate of Evaluation, Govt. of Nagaland.

2. Er. Erenbeni Tsanglae, for achieving Scientist D, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team(ICERT), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information and Technology.

The Union further wishes them success in their future endeavors.

Mr. Chonchithung Lotha Ms. Tsenbeni Tsanglao President, SVSU General Secretary, SVSU

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A vial of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. (Victoria Jones/AFP/Getty Images)

an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks. Friday, Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn’t work well enough in older adults. And China and Russia didn’t wait for finalstage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots.

About 3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country, according to officials with Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients’ second dose.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is poised to recommend who’s first in line. Expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers, older adults and people at high risk because of other health problems.

U.S. authorities don’t expect enough for the general population before spring, and that’s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches.

138 journalists killed in Pak since 1990

OFFICE OF THE

LONGSACHUNG EKHUNG WOKHA TOWN DISTRICT WOKHA-797111 : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

W i t h i m m e n s e p r i d e a n d h o n o u r, t h e Longsachung Ekhung Wokha Town (LEWT) would like to congratulate Dr. Loyingbeni N. Ezung, D/o. Dr & Mrs. W. Nchumbemo Ezung for qualifying the post of Medical Officer (MO) in the recently declared departmental result 2020.

The Ekhung wishes all success in her future endeavour. God bless.

Sd/Z. Benthungo Yathan Chairman, LEWT

Sd/Mhonyimo Kikon Finance Secy, LEWT

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Trump says it will be free for all Americans

Washington, Dec 12 (AP): The US gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans, according to a person familiar with the decision but not authorised to discuss it publicly.

Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorised an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.

Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of a long, grim winter. It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

OFFICE OF THE NOKLAK VILLAGE COUNCIL P.O Noklak-798626, Dist. Noklak, Nagaland

FELICITATION

The Noklak Village Council is honour with immense pride and joy for which we extend our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals.

1. Shri.B.Lamnya promoted from Account Officer to Sr. Accounts Officer, Directorate of School Education, Nagaland, Kohima.

2. Shri.H.Shou Khiamniungan promoted from DSO to Deputy Director, Sericulture Department.

We further wishes them success in their future endeavors.

(S. PANPAN) Chairman Noklak Village Council K-2034

OFFICE OF THE

ROTOMI STUDENTS' UNION FELICITATION

With immense pride and honour, we the Rotomi Students' Union convey our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Lika K. Yeptho, D/o Shri. Kikheto Y. Yeptho, IAS, on her appointment to the post of Medical Officer, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.

We thank God for your achievement and wish you the best in your future endeavours.

(ANILTO A. SHOHE) President

(TONIKA SHOHE) Secretary DP-5524

Infotainment

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

‘Rudraksh’ convention Thai fisherman finds ‘world’s biggest’ whale vomit World-class centre to be set up in Varanasi

A

struggling fisherman in Thailand working for $670 a month has stumbled across what could possibly be the world’s biggest blob of Ambergis worth $ 3.2 million.

Naris Suwannasang, 60, saw several pale rocklike pale lumps washed up on a beach when he was walking by the sea in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand.

He called his cousins to help him take the items home, where they started examining the unusual discovery. To their surprise, the large rocks appeared to resemble ambergris, a rare secretion from whales which is used as an expensive ingredient in perfume production - such as Chanel No. 5 - to make its scent last for longer.

The family tested the surface by burning it with a lighter, causing it to melt instantly while giving off a musky smell, giving them further confirmation of their find.

Suwannasang said that the possible Ambergris weighed 220 lbs (100kg), potentially making it one of the largest deposit of the whale secretion that has ever been found.

The fisherman even

claimed he had been contacted by a businessman offering him 960,000 Thai baht - or $321.95 per kilogram if the ambergris is proven to be of a high enough quality. In total, that would land Naris 96,000,000 Thai baht around $3.2million.

'The businessman told me that he will come to check the quality of the ambergris later and the price shocked me,' he said.

Naris is now waiting

for specialists to confirm that the material found is ambergris.

He said, 'I want to know more about this ambergris and want the specialist to inspect them.'

Even a fraction of the sum would obliterate his meager earnings from fishing of around $670 a month.

He added that he intends to go to the police to make a record of his discovery so there is some record of it being

in his possession, in case someone tries to steal the potentially incredibly valuable substance.

An odorless alcohol called ambrein is extracted from ambergris and used by perfume makers to make a perfume's scent last longer - particularly by the producers of more expensive perfumes.

Ambergris comes from sperm whales, which eat large volumes of cephalopods - marine animals such as squid, octopus and

F

'R

udraksh', a worldclass convention centre, would come up soon in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is slowing gaining centrestage. Soon tourists from abroad would be able to enjoy programmes such as music, drama and exhibitions held at this convention centre.

Municipal Commissioner Gaurang Rathi said the friendship between Japan and India in Varanasi would further blossom with this wonderful gift which would be remembered by people all over the world. During 2015, Modi had visited Varanasi with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and laid the foundation of this grand convention centre. This convention centre named 'Rudraksh' would show a glimpse of the wonderful and ancient city of Kashi. In this convention centre, 108 grains of Rudraksha have been installed making it even taller.

The cost of this convention centre coming up in Varanasi spread over three acres is estimated at Rs 186 crore. The centre would comprise a ground floor and a large hall starting

right from the first floor accommodating 1,200 people while enjoying the programme seated together on the word-class chairs brought from Vietnam. 120 cars could be parked in the basement area.

Special arrangements have also been made here for the differently-abled under which six wheelchairs each are available near both the entry and exit doors.

A modern green room has also been built, including two conference halls and galleries, with a capacity of seating 150 people with the latest technological equipment.

Japenese firm Fujita Corporation is undertaking all the work to set up 'Rudraksha' which is being funded by the Japanese company International Corporation Agency. This magnificent building has been

designed by Japan-based Oriental Consultant Global.

'Rudraksh' would comprise a Japanese garden and a solar power plant installed with 110 KW. There are separate entrance door for receiving VIPs. Modi would give a new gift to Varanasi in the coming year. The construction work for 'Rudraksha' had started during 2018 which would be completed by 2021.

In order to keep 'Rudraksh' air-conditioned, Italian appliances have been installed. It has received a third grading from the 'Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment' keeping in view its construction and use. 'Rudraksh' will have a strong security network, including cameras as well as special attention has been given to fire safety equipment.

(IANS)

Worship and concert night held at FHC

a t h e r ’s H o u s e Church (FHC), Chümoukedima held their annual worship and concert night “Before the King Yeshua” as a special pre-Christmas event on December 11.

Senior pastor of Father’s House Church, Rev. Robert Kikon asked all to be true warriors for Jesus during such times regardless of how they felt about it, or how difficult the battle appears to be.

He stressed that, “We live in a difficult time, fellow warriors. Don't give up. Don't stop. Don't lie Dance workshop of around 40 participants was organised by Leo Club of Dimapur down. Press on for the (LCD) & Castle Academy (CA) at the club premises. Renowned freestyle dancer, upward call in Christ”.

Special musical piecAbhibhav Sharma from Delhi also known as Bedroc was the trainer at the workshop. es, songs and dances were The project was done under the leadership of Leo Vishal Patni. (LCD PRO)

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cuttlefish.

Scientists have theorized that the substance is produced to ease the passing of the tougher elements through a whale's digestive system.

Some believe that whales then vomit up the substance, earning its nickname, but Richard Sabin, a curator of marine animals at the Natural Museum, believes otherwise.

He said: 'ambergris forms in the intestines and passes along with faecal matter, forming an obstruction in the rectum', according to The Sun. Freshly produced ambergris is said to have a marine, fecal-like odor likened to the smell of farm manure mixed with that of the ocean.

As it ages, however, it acquires a sweet, earth smell - likened to the fragrance of running alcohol without the chemical scent.

In April 2016, a 1.57 kilogram ambergris ball found in Lancashire sold for £50,000 while in November of the same year; three Omani fishermen found 80 kilograms of ambergris and sold it for £2.3million.

(DailyMail)

presented on the occasion.

Special award for lifetime achievement in selfless contribution, dedication and commitment to God was presented to Rev Reiliebeiü (Beilieü) Shuya, 92 years.

Power worship was led by New Wine, worship band of Father’s House.

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Artificial football turf in Imphal

Manipur chief minister, N. Biren Singh inaugurating the artificial football turf in Imphal on Saturday. (NP) Correspondent

IMPHAL, Dec 12: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday inaugurated an artificial football turf in Imphal’s Langjing Achouba and handed over the same to the department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

The Rs. 10 crore football turf was constructed by the department of Water Resources.

Addressing the inauguration function, Singh said development in the field of sports and games will make the youths of the state healthy and disciplined.

He said motivating youths to play games and sports by providing proper playgrounds would be helpful in making the society free from drug addiction and stressed on the needs of preserving playgrounds.

Singh also said cash incentives of Rs 50 lakh

each had been awarded to NEROCA and TRAU earlier for participating in I-League and added that the government was planning to hand over cash incentives of the same amount to KRYPHSA Football Club.

The chief minister further said that the state government had identified places in 16 districts of the state to construct hockey grounds. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Water Resources, Latpao Haokip informed the gathering that the state government has made a proposal to the Centre for construction of mini stadiums in 32 subdivisions of the state.

Of which four each at valley districts and hill districts have been selected and foundation stones for the same would be laid soon, he added.

He lauded the players of the state for acquiring a place in the map of games and sports. Education minister Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh also spoke on the occasion.

Pant, Vihari hit centuries against Aus A on Day 2

WADA to monitor composition of COVID-19 vaccines LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters): The World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) said on Friday that it will monitor the compositions of various Covid-19 vaccines and alert anti-doping authorities if an ingredient is found to be on the list of prohibited substances. The anti-doping body said that making definitive statements concerning the composition of vaccines was premature but added there was no reason to believe that they would contravene anti-doping rules. “... Athletes can be confident WADA will continue to monitor all available information and advise them and other members of the anti-doping community in the event an ingredient of a vaccine might be problematic,” WADA said in a statement. WADA said athlete health was their primary concern during the pandemic and that it was in contact with the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations to ascertain the exact composition of various vaccines.

Adelaide, Dec 12 (IANS): Indian batsmen piled runs in the second innings of the day-night warm-up game against Australia A at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari scoring hundreds and Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal hitting half-centuries during the second day’s play.

India closed the day at 386 for four with a lead of 472 runs as the Aussie attack, that included Test legspinner Mitchell Swepson, came under the cosh.

Pant smashed 103 off 73 balls with six sixes and nine fours while Vihari made 104 off 194 deliveries with 13 fours. Pant scored 22 runs off the last five balls of the day to race to his hundred. He was on 81 when the final over began.

India were bowled out for 194 in the first innings but responded well to dismiss the Aussie A side for 108 as 20 wickets fell on the

Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant (Twitter/@BCCI)

first day on Friday. Prithvi Shaw was dismissed early off the bowling Mark Steketee in the second innings on Saturday. Shaw drove uppishly and was caught at cover-point with the team score on four.

However, both Agarwal and no.3 Shubman Gill then added 104 for the second wicket to grab the

early initiative. Gill (65) was quietened towards the end of his innings before Swepson snared him with a leg-break that got the edge of his bat and was caught well by Sean Abbott, who bowled just seven overs in the day as the Aussie team management sought to rest him ahead of the Test series.

Nothing scary, says Raikkonen Coe hopeful of events taking place next season after car goes up in flames Abu Dhabi, Dec 12 (IANS): Just two weeks after Haas’s Romain Grosjean’s horrific accident which saw the driver miraculously escaping after his car burst into flames, veteran driver Kimi Raikkonen had to escape his Formula 1 car during the second free practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after it got engulfed in flames.

Raikkonen, 41, had to pull over his Alfa Romeo after its rear got engulfed in flames. The situation only became worse after he stopped the car. Raikkonen was his typical calm self as he got out of the car and then went on to direct the marshals where to spray the fire extinguisher before taking control of an extinguisher himself. “You have a big fire -- get the hell out of there quick,” was the call

Raikkonen had to pull over his Alfa Romeo after its rear got engulfed in flames.

from Raikkonen’s engineer as the Finn parked up.

Raikkonen seemed to have been encumbered climbing out of the car by his radio wire. However, when asked if the experience had been scary, the 2008 world champion said: “No, there was nothing scary about it. It was just a shame it catches on fire and then obviously it gets all messy afterwards with trying to put

the fire out. It’s one of those things.”

Raikkonen said he won’t speculate about the cause of the fire. “I don’t speculate and we will see.

For sure there is some damage, hopefully it is mainly bodywork, but we’ll see.

Obviously it’s a different engine and gearbox than we run tomorrow, but yeah, it’s just a bit more work for the guys obviously,” he said.

Lon d on, D e c 1 2 (IANS): World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said on Friday that he is hopeful that most athletics events will take place next season, including the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Sitting in the headquarters of World Athletics in Monaco, Coe made the remarks during an online interview, Xinhua news reports.

“I’ve become much more familiar with technology,” said the 64-year-old former Olympic champion.

“I feel a lot more competent using that. I appreciated that technology does allow us to be much more connected, in a funny way.

I don’t want it that connected always to be on the screen, but at the moment it’s the best way we can focus.”

Despite the COVID19 pandemic still seriously

Coe visited Tokyo in October, becoming the first high-profile leader of international sporting organisations to visit Japan since the COVID-19 outbreak.

During his visit, Coe said that Tokyo would host a fantastic Olympic Games despite the uncertainties

Williamson, Boult return to New Zealand T20I squad

amid the pandemic. Now, he keeps faith that the athletes will be ready for a Games that may take place under unusual circumstanc-

es. “We hope there will be spectators in the stadium, but we don’t know. There may only be a partially full stadium. The athletes are going to get used to living in a village where social distancing is probably still going to be important, where masks may still need to be worn.”

“They will be ready for that, because they are by nature adaptable. They are there to compete and they are going to do everything they can to compete well.”

Earlier this week, the Nanjing World Athletics Indoor Championships was postponed for the second time.

CONGRATULATIONS

FELICITATION

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DI M A P U R , DEC 1 2 (NPN): Tribal United FC emerged as the champions of the Aphuyemi football penalty shoot-out.

Kachari Ground FC and Figo FC finished as runners-up and third place.

The championship was graced by businessman, Medo Metha, where he exhorted the participants.

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Coe visited Tokyo in October, becoming the first highprofile leader of international sporting organisations to visit Japan since the COVID-19 outbreak. (PTI)

T h e Ts i e p a P h e t s u Yo u t h Forum takes immense pride and joy to congratulate Dr. Rokozeno Chalieu, D/o Rokolhoutuo Chalieu and Amile Chalieu on being conferred the Ph.D in Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya Jabalpur, MP on the thesis “Influence of carbon and nitrogen sources on enzyme activities and population dynamics of Trichoderma Viride and its performance or impact on chickpea” under the supervision of Dr. NG Mitra.

The Forum wishes her good health and success in all her future endeavours.

Aphuyemi penalty shoot-out

Auckland, Dec 12 (IANS): Batsman and skipper Kane Williamson and pace bowler Trent Boult have returned to the New Zealand T20 International squad for the series against Pakistan that begins on December 18 but the two will be available only for the last two games, in Hamilton on December 20 and in Napier on December 22. Ross Taylor, was, however left out as Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway, the two South Africa-born players, were included. Mitchell Santner will captain the side in the first T20 International. “With the T20 series scheduled to start just three days after the current Test in Wellington, Williamson and Boult along with Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Daryl Mitchell will only be available for the second and third games of the series: in Hamilton on Sunday December 20 and in Napier, Tuesday December 22, respectively,” said a statement from New Zealand Cricket.

affecting life in many regions of the world, Coe is looking forward to a comparatively normal season next year.

“Yes, I’m hopeful. I’m not sure ‘optimistic’ is the right word, but at last there are elements that give me more comfort,” said Coe, who was encouraged both by the delivery of a vaccine and medical experts’ greater knowledge about the virus.

“But I’m not a scientist and a scientist has warned me to be cautious. Because the virus’s pattern changes, sometimes it’s complicated and difficult to be interpreted, but I hope we are in a position to deliver as much of the season as we possibly can, and of course the centrepiece of the season will be the Olympic Games in Tokyo.”

Vilasato Chalieu President

Rovilezo Chalieu Information & Publicity Secretary

With pride and joy, we congratulate Dr. I Yimjenjang Longkumer, S/o Mr. Imkongsanen Longkumer of Kinunger Village and Mrs. Merangmenla Imchen of Nokpu Village for successfully completing your Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture Entomology on the thesis entitled "Population dynamics and management of major Insect pests of rice in relation to prevailing climatic factors" from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa, Bihar under the advisement of Dr. Ashok Kumar Misra, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology.

May God continue to bless and guide you in all your future endeavours.

With love from family and relatives DP-5518

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CBSE Affiliation No: 1430015 Website: mapletreeschool.netschools.in Tel: 03862248323

THE MAPLE TREE SCHOOL would like to wish our heartiest Congratulations to our students who have successfully cleared the JEE/ NEET Competitive Exams and got their placements.

13th Dec 1995

13th Dec 2020

HAPPY 25 WEDDING ANNIVERSARY th

Vikuto Aye & Nivili Zhimomi Today as both of you look back with happiness and pride, the twenty five years that you’ve spent side by side is not just celebrating of your long marriage but the anniversary of all hopes and dreams that you saw together. Wishing many more milestones and tears of happiness together. We Love You. DP-5522

Loving Sons & Daughters

Nokzendi Aier State Topper JEE B.Tech IIT,Gandhinagar

Tovika Shikhu

MBBS RNT Medical College Udaipur

Chaten Kichu

MBBS Gandhi Medical College Bhopal

Sentilong Longchari BDS Regional Dental College Guwahati

We would also like to extend our best wishes to our students who have chosen career paths in diverse fields and have got admitted into various prestigious colleges and institutions in different parts of India.

Be the Change, Make a Difference…!!

DP-5514

K Y M C

12

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020

FC Goa beat Odhisa FC 1-0 in ISL Temjenlemba wins Winter

FC Goa players defend a corner kick against Odisha FC at the GMC Stadium Bambolim, in Goa, Saturday. (PTI)

New Delhi, Dec 12 (Agencies): FC Goa beat Odisha FC 1-0 in their fifth match of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season on Saturday at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim.

Igor Angulo’s first half strike (45+2’) was enough to seal a comfortable win

for the Gaurs over the Juggernauts.

Stuart Baxter made four changes to the Odisha lineup which lost to Mumbai City in their last game.

Arshdeep Singh, Hendry Antonay, Vinit Rai and Manuel Ownu replaced Kamaljit, Goerge D’Souza, Nandhakumar Sekar and

Daniel Lalhimpuia.

Juan Ferrando made just one change to the winning combination from their game against Kerala Blasters. Alberto Noguera returned to the lineup replacing Edu Bedia.

Goa controlled the game right from the off and had more than 65 per

cent of ball possession in the first half. Odisha, on the other hand, were not up to the mark and failed to pose any threat in their attacking third.

Ferrando’s men exploited both flanks and created numerous scoring opportunities but were not able to convert those until

the very end of the half when Igor Angulo found the back of the net from Alexander Romario’s pass.

The winger beat Shubham Sarangi on the left edge of the box and found the Spanish forward who beat Steven Tayor with his first touch and struck past Arshdeep Singh to hand his team the lead.

The Gaurs continued to dominate proceedings in the second half as well as Odisha no real urgency to score an equaliser.

Juan Ferrando’s side could have easily increased their tally if not for Arshdeep Singh’s brilliant performance under the bar.

Jorge Ortiz came close to score twice but on both occassions the Odisha goalkeepers pulled of quality saves.

Baxter introduced Marelinho in the final few minutes of the game. The Brazilian’s absence was felt throughout the match as there was clearly a lack of creativity in the midfield.

FC Goa moved up to the fourth position on the league table while Odisha languished at the bottom half after today’s result.

SUNDAY’S MATCHES NorthEast United Vs Chennaiyin FC 5 pm Bengaluru FC Vs Kerala Blasters 7:30 pm

Open Snooker Challenge

Guest of honour Kezhalelie Keretsu with CAN officials and winners on December 12.

D i m ap u r , D e c 1 2 ( N P N ) : Te m j e n l e m b a Longchar on Saturday emerged as the champion of the 1st Winter Open Snooker Challenge organized by Cue Association Nagaland (CAN) at Club Area 51, Jail Colony, Kohima.

He defeated Kezhavituo Vizo in the final and received Rs 60,000 with certificate. He also bagged the highest break point award of Rs 10,000.

Ru n n e r s - u p, Vi z o pocketed Rs 30,000 with citation while semi-finalists Tonpangkokba Longchar and Ruokuopielie Rutsa received Rs 15,000 each with certificates.

Former Naga wrestling champion and sports enthusiast Kezhalelie Keretsu, who graced the event as guest of honour gave away the awards to the winners.

In his address, Keretsu said Snooker/Billiard came late in Nagaland but has gained much popularity in a short time.

Snooker is an intricate game which is not about brute physical strength but involves ideas, vision, precision, control and skillsareas where Nagas are no less than the sportsmen from the rest of the world, he said.

The only thing that was keeping us from reach-

ing the national and international platform was the lack of a well laid professional approach, he said, while lamenting that Nagas were very casual in their approach towards almost everything.

“Give your 100% and not give up at 99% because the one single 1% will make the biggest difference,” Keretsu said.

CAN president, Yangertemjen informed, that 42 players competed in the three-day event. Lauding the participants, he asserted that CAN was making efforts to bring coaches from the mainland in order to improve the quality of players in the state.

Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski NZ vs WI, 2nd Test: Jamieson picks 5 wkts as NZ take control nominated for FIFA best player

Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi

Lo n d o n, D e c 1 2 (Agencies): Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski has been nominated for FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year for 2020, alongside Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.

The women’s award will be contested between Manchester City defender Lucy Bronze, Chelsea forward Pernille Harder and Lyon defender Wendie Renard. The FIFA The Best award is the rebirth of the

FIFA World Player of the Year award, which ran parallel to the Ballon d’Or award from 1991 to 2009.

The two awards then merged to create the FIFA Ballon d’Or from 2010 to 2015 before FIFA The Best was reintroduced in 2016.

The winners will be announced via a virtual ceremony on December 17.

Lewandowski, whose 55 goals helped Bayern win the Treble in 2019-20, said he was disappointed the Ballon d’Or award had been

cancelled due to COVID19. But he has the chance to add his first FIFA The Best award as he goes up against winners Ronaldo, who has won it twice, and Messi, who won in 2019.

Ronaldo scored 31 goals in Serie A last term as Juventus won the title, while Messi hit 25 in La Liga. Lewandowski scored 34 in the Bundesliga to finish second in the European Golden Shoe list.

On the women’s side, Bronze and Renard were part of the Lyon side that won the Champions League last term. Harder was at Wolfsburg n the previous campaign and a runnerup in Europe’s main competition before moving to Chelsea. The men’s top three goalkeepers were Liverpool’s Alisson, Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Bayern’s Manuel Neuer.

Wellington, Dec 12 (AFP): Kyle Jamieson bagged five wickets in a masterclass of swing bowling as New Zealand struck hard and fast to have the West Indies on the ropes on day two of the second Test in Wellington on Saturday. The tourists ended the day on the brink of another follow on as they struggled to 124 for eight, still 336 behind New Zealand’s 460.

Only Jermaine Blackwood provided any serious resistance but he fell late in the day for 69 as Jamieson and Tim Southee ran through the West Indies batting line-up.

The Basin Reserve strip continued to provide all the ingredients on a fast bowler’s wish list -- pace, bounce and movement -and New Zealand exploited this perfectly.

T h e We s t I n d i e s, though had problems allowing Henry Nicholls and Neil Wagner to plunder

Aston Villa sinks Wolves with late penalty

Anwar El Ghazi entered the fray as a late sub and stepped up to convert an injurytime penalty.

L o n d o n, D e c 1 2 (Reuters): Aston Villa snatched a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday after substitute Anwar El Ghazi drilled in a stoppage-time penalty as both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the 85th minute and Wolves mid-

fielder Joao Moutinho was dismissed shortly after the visitors scored against the run of play to register their fourth away win of the season.

The result lifted Villa up to eighth on 18 points from 10 games while Wolves, again sorely missing injured striker Raul Jimenez, stayed 11th on 17 points from 12 games.

El Ghazi said he felt relaxed about taking the penalty.

“I practise penalties a lot, even if I am not playing,” the Dutch midfielder told the BBC. “I did not feel a lot of pressure to be honest. I appreciate Jack Grealish gave it to me, but he knows my capabilities.”

The home side looked

more likely to grab the winner in a dour clash, with their 18-year old striker Fabio Silva hitting the post midway through the second half as he made his first start for the club.

Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez pulled off several fine saves, taming a stinging low shot from Daniel Podence before he somehow kept out a fierce Leander Dendoncker volley 10 minutes from time.

When the match seemed to be heading for a draw, Nelson Semedo hauled down John McGinn in the penalty area and El Ghazi made no mistake with the spot-kick as he blasted the ball past keeper Rui Patricio.

Wo l v e s m a n a g e r Nuno Espirito Santo said he wanted his team to be more ruthless.

“In the first half it was an intense game and both teams were tight,” he said.

“In the second we controlled the game and had clear chances. We try to keep growing on these aspects and be more clinical. Silva worked hard. The idea to make a player grow is to help him and give him competition.”

Kyle Jamieson, left, celebrates the wicket of Jason Holder, right, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

Wagner finished unbeaten on 66. The New Zealand quick quartet -- Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Jamieson -- immediately extracted life from the wicket. They moved the ball in and away and it took the tourists four overs to get their first runs on the board, by which stage Southee had already dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite caught at first slip by Ross Taylor.

After Southee caught and bowled Darren Bravo for seven, Jamieson stepped up with the back-to-back wickets of John Campbell 14 and Roston Chase to have the West Indies at four for 29.

It was familiar territory for Blackwood whose century in the second innings of the first Test started with the West Indies at four for 27.

He survived Jamieson’s hat-trick ball, and the one after, which slammed both into the pads but vociferous appeals were turned down

and replays showed the deliveries swinging away down the leg side.

When Jamieson boasted figures of three overs, two maidens and two for four, Blackwood mounted a counter attack with three boundaries in the tall rightarmer’s next over.

As the pair engaged in a private battle, Jamieson readjusted his line and bowled two consecutive maidens to Blackwood although the one opportunity to claim the wicket became a spilled caught-and-bowled chance.

Southee tied up Shamarh Brooks at the other end and the West Indies faced 27 dot balls before Blackwood broke the drought with a single. The pair put on 68 for the fifth wicket before falling in quick succession.

Brooks faced 92 deliveries for a stubborn 14 before he shouldered arms to a good length Jamieson ball that jagged back into the stumps.

runs when the New Zealand innings resumed on Saturday morning. Both scored personal bests, untroubled

whether the West Indies bowled full or short, as Nicholls advanced from his overnight 117 to 174 while

Verstappen snatches pole for Abu Dhabi GP

Mary Kom a big source of inspiration for me: Bala Devi

Abu Dhabi , Dec 12 (Reuters): Red Bull’s Max Verstappen snatched the final pole position of the year, denying rivals Mercedes a front-row lock out in Saturday’s qualifying for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, who had led a one-two for Red Bull ahead of team mate Alexander Albon in final practice, produced a stunning one minute, 35.246second lap under the floodlights at the Yas Marina track.

Verstappen’s time was 0.025 seconds quicker than Valtteri Bottas, who urged on by team boss Toto Wolff over the team radio, still put his Mercedes on the front row.

Wo r l d c h a m p i o n Lewis Hamilton, back in the car after his COVID19-enforced absence in Sakhir, was third and 0.086 seconds off the pace.

Verstappen’s display around the 5.5km long lap earned him only the third pole of his career and his first since last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

NEW DELHI, Dec 12 (PTI): Star Indian woman footballer Bala Devi says she took inspiration from boxing legend Mary Kom, who achieved unprecedented success as a sportsperson despite having humble roots.

Bala, the first Indian woman to play professional football in a top-flight league in Europe, talked about an interaction with six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom during the 2014 Asian Games.

“Mary Kom is a big source of inspiration for me. She came from such humble beginnings and through her hard work, she broke so many records.

Even after becoming a mother, she continues to break records and win laurels for the country,” Bala said.

“We interacted at the Asian Games in 2014 and watched her train. She is a very friendly person and also supported us during our games,” Bala told AIFF TV. Bala recently scored

Bala Devi

her first goal for the Rangers FC in the Scottish Women’s Premier League in a 9-0 decimation of Motherwell FC. She signed an 18-month contract with Rangers in January.

“After the goal, a lot of people wished me and many were talking and writing about it, which made me feel very proud.

After that, I was nominated for the AFC Player of the Week and seeing my name on the list alongside such icons made me happy,” she said.

“I just want everyone to continue supporting us so we can keep achieving bigger things for the country in the future,” the

30-year-old said.

Bala was named as a nominee for the AFC International Player of the Week alongside star players such as Iran’s Sardar Azmoun, Korea Republic’s Son Heung-min and Japanese icon Saki Kumagai.

“Ever since I gave my trials at this club (Rangers), I wanted to inspire every Indian player back home.

I have wanted to be an inspiration for all the girls and young players in India who want to play internationally.

“It is something that has always been on my mind and I take it into account every time I step on to the pitch,” she said.

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