December 29, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 24

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

India in sight of series-levelling win

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GoI to decide status of Niki group for talks

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): Even as leader of the breakaway faction of NSCN (K) Niki Sumi had met Home ministry officials in Delhi recently to deliberate on the group joining the peace parleys, the Government of India (GoI) was yet to formally announce the signing of the cease fire as pre-condition for official talks.

Sources said that communication with the splinter group had been going on for some time for inclusion at the negotiating table.

This was disclosed by Niki himself when he issued a statement on December 23, announcing that his group had decided to revive the cease-fire with the Centre which it had unitarily abrogated in 2015.

Niki had said that his group was aware of the sincere and genuine efforts made by the government of India in the recent past, towards finding a final and lasting solution to the Naga issue with involvement of all the stakeholders. Niki said in the light of the above, NSCN/GPRN resolved to strengthen and support the

peace process at the present critical juncture. In order to facilitate the peace process, Niki said his group decided to revive the cease fire. He also expressed the hope that Centre would respond positively and honour their decision as a confidence building measure in the larger interest of peace in Nagaland and Nagas in general.

As per reports, over 50 NSCN cadres were received at the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district earlier this week. Before the cadres were brought to Nagaland, it was learnt that Niki had reportedly met Home min-

istry officials in Delhi.

There has also been no formal communication from both the Centre or Niki’s group on whether they will sit for talks as a separate group or join with their former comrades led by Khango Konyak and Isak Sumi, who are now part of the Working Committee of NNPGs. The Centre is to take a call on this aspect, sources said. There is also no indication from Niki on whether he will be part of the peace process along with the NNPGs. A senior NNPG leader, speaking on condition of

anonymity told The Print that, Niki’s group was yet to approach the NNPGs. He explained that “the government of India is unlikely to hold talks again with a new group. He said “if at all the Niki Sumi faction wants to be part of the peace process, they will have to be part of NNPGs”. He cited the case of Khango faction of NSCN-K which has already joined NNPGs. “And since they are a breakaway faction of the NSCN-K, the ceasefire process has to be renewed with GoI-- it will have to be a new process of ceasefire,” he added.

Compulsory testing for all who India’s virus tally 1,02,07,871 entered Nagaland after Dec 20 DIMAPUR, DEC 28 (NPN): In view of the emergence of a new variant strain of COVID-19 from United Kingdom, all persons– both Indians and foreign nationals who reached Nagaland after December 20 have been asked to report to respective District Task Forces (DTF) on COVID-19 for compulsory testing.

In a circular issued in this regard, Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) principal director Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie also asked those arriving after the issue of the circular to self declare at the point of entry, inform the DTF and self-isolate for necessary standard testing protocols.

Further, as per the directives of National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 and in the light of the emergence of the new variant strain of virus, the principal director announced a slew of strategies to be put into place with immediate effect to detect and contain the mutant virus.

He ordered that IDSP State Surveillance Units (SSUs) and District Surveillance Units (DSUs) should track all passengers who had arrived from UK after December 20 and test them as per ICMR guidelines.

Vizolie directed that samples of all positive cases, if found, should be sent for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), even as enhanced contact tracing of positive cases should be undertaken and all these contacts put in

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON december 28, 2020 ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU District tomMod- Se- With- With On Mild atic erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator Dimapur 83 9 1 0 0 0 4 Kiphire 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima 79 1 1 0 0 0 0 Longleng 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mokokchung 38 5 1 1 0 0 0 Mon 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peren 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 Phek 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tuensang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wokha

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Zunheboto Total

0 220

0 15

0 3

0 1

0 0

0 0

0 4

Death MiRecovunder Total Death gratered InvestiCases ed gation 6169 34 3579 9 124 589 493 44 243

51 1 21 0 2 2 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

72 0 29 9 6 9 1 0 0

6389 41 3709 18 177 603 502 47 244

35

1

0

2

39

139 0 11458 79

0 0

3 142 131 11911

*10 deaths not due to Covid-19 *0 deaths under investigation

facility quarantine.

Ordering that positive cases should be discharged only after ensuring that two

samples tested negative after 14 days, he said 5% of all positive cases from the State would be sent for WGS.

State COVID-19 tally nears 12,000-mark; death toll 79 Nagaland’s COVID-19 tally inched towards the 12000-mark on Monday after the caseload rose to 11911 as 14 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported-- 5 in Mokokchung, 3 in Peren and 2 each in Dimapur, Kiphire and Kohima.

One more COVID-19 related death was reported in Mokokchung, taking the death toll to 79. Out of 79 cases, 69 deaths were COVID related and 10 not COVID related, Health & Family Welfare department official stated.

Further, the distribution across various categories include 4649 cases from the armed forces/police, 1835 returnees, 4861 traced contacts and 566 frontline workers.

Altogether 11,458 COVID-19 infected patients have recovered from the disease till date, while the number of active COVID-19 cases is 243. A total of 131 patients have migrated to other states, the department said.

So far, 1,19,858 suspected COVID-19 samples have been tested in Nagaland, including 72,362 through RTPCR, 36,685 on TrueNat and 10,811 Rapid Antigen Tests

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): India’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,02,07,871 with 20,021 infections being reported in a day, while recoveries have surged to 97.82 lakh, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

The death toll increased to 1,47,901 with 279 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated

Fuel prices remain static NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (IANS): With 2020 drawing to a close, fuel consumers have something to cheer about as the petrol and diesel prices have not burnt a bigger hole in people’s pocket.

On Monday, the last week of the year, the oil marketing companies kept the primp prices of petrol and diesel unchanged, maintaining the trend started in the second week of December despite firm global oil prices. Accordingly, the pump price of petrol remained at Rs 83.71 a litre and diesel Rs 73.87 a litre in Delhi on Monday.

Across the country as well the price of the two petroleum products remained unchanged.

OMCs have gone on a pause mode at a time when the news of successful coronavirus and expectations of big pick up in demand had kept crude on the boil with prices breaching $ 50 a barrel mark.

from the disease surged to 97,82,669, pushing the national recovery rate to 95.83 per cent, while the COVID19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.

The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 3 lakh for the seventh consecutive day.

There are 2,77,301 active coronavirus infections in the country, which comprise 2.72 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

Properly handle differences, China tells Oli & Prachanda international, Page 7

Farmer unions agree to Centre’s proposal for talks on December 30 But firm on demand for repealing three Agricultural laws NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): Protesting farmer unions Monday agreed “inprinciple” to a government proposal for holding the next round of talks on the new agricultural laws on December 30, but insisted the agenda of the meeting should include discussing modalities for repealing the three legislations.

The farmers’ acceptance of the proposal came hours after the Centre sent them a letter suggesting December 30 as the date for the dialogue, against December 29 the protesting unions wanted.

Abhimanyu Kohar, a member of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha -- an umbrella body of 40 unions protesting against the contentious legislations -- said the farmers have agreed to go for the meeting on the date proposed by the Centre.

“In our letter sent to the government on December

Farmers during their ongoing agitation against the new farm laws, at Ghazipur border in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

26, we had clearly mentioned that repeal of three farm laws and legal guarantee for MSP should be part of the agenda for fresh talks, but despite this, the government in letter today has not mentioned any specific agenda,” Kohar told PTI. “But, we have agreed in-principle to hold talks with the government,” he said. The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) in a statement said the protesting farmers want the meeting to include four specific agendas including “modalities to be adopted for the repeal of the three Central farm Acts”.

However, the government has used “vague and unspecific language”, indicating its willingness to discuss the full agenda items proposed by farmers, it alleged. The government’s latest invite followed a proposal made by unions last week to hold the talks on Tuesday, December 29, on agenda including modalities for the repeal of the three laws enacted in September.

Kohar said the government proposing to hold the talks on December 30, instead of agreeing to farmers’ suggestion of December 29, exhibits the Centre wants show who is in command.

New Covid surveillance guidelines over UK virus strain Centre tells States to keep strict vigil NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): The Centre on Monday maintained the COVID19 restrictions on various activities, noting that while there has been a continuous decline in active cases in India, there is a need for surveillance, containment and caution due to a surge globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to COVID-19 that will remain in force till January 31, as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter

season. It also asked the states and UTs to actively support Central authorities in the preparations for an expected vaccination drive.

“While there has been a continuous decline in the active and new COVID19 cases, there is a need to maintain surveillance, containment and caution, keeping in view the surge in cases globally, and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK. “Accordingly, containment zones continue to be demarcated carefully; prescribed containment measures strictly followed within these zones; COVIDappropriate behaviour promoted and strictly enforced, and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed in respect of various permitted activities followed scrupulously,” the MHA said.

The ministry said a focussed approach on surveillance and containment

and a strict observance of the guidelines and SOPs issued by it and the health ministry, as envisaged in the guidelines issued last month, need to be enforced by the states and union territories.

Last month, the Union Home ministry had said the states and UTs can impose local restrictions like night curfew to check the spread of COVID-19 but made it clear that they will have to consult the Centre before imposing a lockdown outside the containment zones.

“Strict vigil is also needed to be maintained to prevent any fresh surge in cases in wake of upcoming New Year celebrations and ongoing winter season which are favourable for the spread of the virus. In this regard, appropriate measures may be taken by the state and UT governments,” it said on Monday.

The guidelines is-

sued last month had said all activities were allowed outside the containment zones except for the following, which were permitted with certain restrictions: international air travel of passengers as permitted by the MHA, cinema halls and theatres with up to 50 percent capacity, swimming pools, only for the training of sportspersons, exhibition halls, only for business-tobusiness (B2B) purposes.

Social, religious, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural, religious gatherings with a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity and with a ceiling of 200 people in closed spaces were allowed by keeping the size of the ground and space in view, in open spaces.

However, based on their assessment of the situation, the state governments may reduce the ceiling to 100 people or less in closed spaces, it had said.

(Cont’d on p-5)

ARPS Laitkor to be converted into NE’s first sports school Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine should be effective against new variant: Report

Correspondent

SHILLONG, DEC 28: The Assam Rifles Public School (ARPS) at Laitkor Meghalaya, established in 1980, would be converted

This is it!

“Fortunately or unfortunately, COVID-19 has reduced wedding expenses only for 100 guests.”

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into a sports school – one of the few such schools around the country and first in the North Eastern States.

Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the world with its headquarters in the Meghalaya capital, runs 42 ARPSs across the region. These schools provide education to children of its soldiers and also the local population. Over the years all ARPSs have made substantial contribution in providing quality education for upliftment of the region.

The ‘Sports School’, which will be inaugurated on January 4, 2021, will be known as ARPS (Sports), Laitkor having 50 boys and 50 girls students selected and trained by Sports Authority of India (SAI). It will have facilities for training in three streams of athletics, archery and fencing.

“The Assam Rifles and

Main school block of Assam Rifles Public School Laitkor.

SAI are signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for initially inducting 100 students with proven/ potential talent in athletics, archery and fencing. All expenditure on academics and training of the students will be sponsored by SAI under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme of the Government of India,” a Assam Rifles official informed.

DG Assam Rifles, Lt. Gen. Sukhdeep Sangwan has been instrumental in conversion of ARPS Laitkor to a Sports School on the line

of Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai Sonipat, Haryana,” the official added.

Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Kiren Rijiju was involved in this initiative of Assam Rifles since beginning and will be inaugurating the ARPS (Sports), Laitkor, the official said.

The school was founded by the then ‘philanthropist and visionary’ Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt. Gen. Sushil Kumar in 1980 in order to give quality education to the deserving

children of Assam Rifles personnel besides civilian students and those from BPL categories.

This CBSE affiliated school, run by the Assam Rifles Public School Society, in 2016 decided to close down the school citing reasons like inability of the management to pay salaries of staff etc.

It may be recalled that the school alumni, including those from Nagaland and others, in 2016 petitioned to the Centre to save the school from being shut down.

LONDON, DEC 28 (PTI): The coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca should be effective against the highly transmissible new strain of the virus, a UK media report said.

The Oxford vaccine, which also has a tie-up with the Serum Institute of India (SII), is expected to win approval in the UK before Thursday, speeding up the provision of the jab to the most vulnerable groups.

The first priority is to vaccinate the 12 to 15 million people who would need hospitalisation if they caught COVID. Approval for the AstraZeneca vaccine would mean we are well on course to do that by the spring, a senior government official was quoted by The Sunday Times as saying.

The source warned that the new strain of COVID-19 had overtaken the old and was running rampant in the UK. The latest figures are not good, but the guidance is the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency will give the Oxford vaccine the go-ahead by midweek, the source said. AstraZeneca’s chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said that new data will show the vaccine is as effective as the Pfizer and Moderna jabs that have already been approved, protecting 95% of patients, and is 100% effective in preventing severe illness requiring hospital treatment.

4-5 crore doses of vaccine stockpiled: SII, which is manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, has already stockpiled

40-50 million dosages of the Covid-19 vaccine ahead of the inoculation drive in India, the company’s CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Monday, adding that the firm will be able to produce around 300 million doses by July next year.

The emergency use authorisation for OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine is expected within days and four states - Punjab, Gujarat, Assam and Andhra Pradesh on Monday began a trial run of vaccine delivery systems, checking everything from their technology platforms to the storage infrastructure that will be required to inoculate millions. The country’s drug regulator is also considering similar approvals for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and another developed by Bharat Biotech.

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2

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.:Did COVID-19 pandemic affected Christmas celebrations badly?

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

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

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

44% 49% 7%

Next poll

Q: Will protesting farmers

drop demand for repeal of the three laws

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST december 29

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine

26 11

Sunny and pleasant

Aizawl

Guwahati Hazy sunshine

Plenty of sun

Imphal

24 7 25 11 25 7

Itanagar Sunny and delightful

24 11

Shillong Hazy sunshine

18 5

Plenty of sun

Kohima

Dimapur Nice with plenty of sunshine

Sunny and pleasant

Mkg

21 6 25 10 22 7

Tuensang Cooler with plenty of sunshine 17 5

Hazy sunshine

Wokha

Zunheboto Plenty of sunshine

20 10 20 6

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

CUAT morung inaugurated at Aboi town ‘7th Sumi Martyr’s Day’ observed in Zbto DIMAPUR: C. L. John, MLA, encouraged people to make use of morung in today’s generation for training and decision making in the field of peace and prosperity.

A press release by Chen Union Aboi Town (CUAT) stated that, John said this in his address as chief guest during the inauguration of CUAT Paan (morung) on December 28 at Aboi town. John recalled how the pioneers had sacrificed and faced hardships and under their guidance, one could come so far. John reminded that in the olden days, the forefathers built morung for training and also for any kind of decision making for society or village.

He expressed gratitude to CUAT for their hard work and successful completion

CL. John inaugurating the monolith of Chen Union Aboi morung on December 28 at Aboi town.

of the morung. John also expressed his appreciation to the surrounding villages, area leaders for rendering support and cooperation to CUAT in this milestone achievement. He also said that Aboi town was in the middle of Konyak land,

which was very fertile and thus urged the people to work hard. Morung was dedicated by Rev. Yeangphong, pastor ATBC. Eshak, MLA, who was also present congratulated the union as such a morung was the first in

Aboi town, thereby setting good example of unity to the people. Yemwang Ahng, Chenmoho urged the people to cooperate with neighbours, fear God and live a peaceful life. Short speeches were also delivered by Pangao KU president Aboi, TP Pongyao president KU Chen, Wangshok president KVCU Chen block, Shakwang Ahng, Langmeing.

C. L. John also released the morung booklet, which was dedicated by Rev. Yeangphong, pastor ATBC. Welcome address was delivered by M. Tahkei Walim, president Chen Union Aboi, special song

by Lemwang & Shaboh, log drum beating by Ngangching, cultural dance by Chaoha Union Aboi town and cultural song by Chen Yikyalan.

DIMAPUR: The “7th Sumi Martyr’s Day” was observed at the Martyr’s Park, Sukhalu by a group of likeminded citizens of Zunheboto along with members of Sumi Hoho, STH, SKK, ZSTH, GBs Association Zunheboto Town, NGOs and well wishers on December 28.

A press release by the organising committee stated that, former president of Sumi Hoho, Dr. Huskha Yepthomi while delivering a short speech reminded that, Sumis should never fail to observe two important events, the 4th of August (Sumi Patriots’ Day) and December 28 (Sumi Martyr’s Day). He also lauded the endeavour of the likeminded citizens of Zunheboto for organizing the Sumi Martyr’s Day. He further stressed that the three brave souls beneath the grave at the park stood as an epitome that Sumi menfolk

Organising committee with Sumi apex tribal representatives, NGOs and well wishers on December 28.

will never fail to defend the honour and dignity of their womenfolk to the extent of sacrificing their lives. Their deeds shall not go in vain and it would endure the sands of time, he added.

Quoting from the book of John 11:50 that “Nor consider that is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish

not”, ZTSBC pastor Rev. Dr. Daniel Chishi said that, if it concerns a whole lot of people it was better for a single man to die. He offered prayers for the martyrs and their families, which was followed by laying down of wreaths by different Sumi organisations. The day concluded with candle light memorial service at Centre Point Zunheboto.

Kigwema Baptist Church attains 100 years of Christianity news in Brief

DIMAPUR: Kigwema Baptist Church (KBC) observed 100 years of Christianity (1920-2020) under the theme, “Declare his Glory- Psalms 96:3” on December 26 and 27at Kigwema.

A press release by the organisers stated that, speaker and trainer RZIM Life Focus Society, Dr. Kethoser Kevichüsa as theme speaker stressed on the need to ponder on what glory one has been called. He added that glory was not of popularity or luminosity but one that was of substance and being of weight. Pointing out that true glory is seen in all of God’s creation, he called “our land as a city on a hill” even when surrounded by major non-Christian nations.

He called on people to receive Christ if “we consider ourselves born-Christians” and to declare His glory in worship and sharing about God to glorify the father in heaven.

Pastor of Chakhesang BC, Dimapur, Rev. Bonny Resu during the inaugural session expounded the importance of using workplaces as a place of mission and ministry to glorify His name. Therefore, he said that the celebration of 100 years is to “think and talk about missions” and not just about sending people to the ends of the world but to conduct well in “our” workplaces. He also called to progress in spiritual living, be fearful and unquestioning of God’s appointed leadership and demonstrate missionary

zeal by leading exemplary lives.

Pastor, Khuzama Baptist Fellowship, Kohima, Rev. Kethozeho Sale expressed that a jubilee was the greatest time to exalt His name and renew one’s faith. Sale said, “If we fail to live in the likeness of Christ, then we have failed as Christians”, whereby he reminded the congregation that salvation belongs to the ones who obey and believe.

Earlier, centenary monolith was solemnized by pastor, Jakhama BC, Rev. Zapovil Sophie on December 26. KBC executive chairman, Dr. AkhoYhokha, gave a brief history of the Church. Established in 1920, American Baptist Missionary, Reverend Supplee and local evangelists

Sieliezhü Sorhie and Kruneizhü Ciesotsu from Kohima village, Neisier Meru from Khonoma village and Saho Sophie from Jakhama village were pioneers of Christianity in Kigwema village. The first converts from the village were Lhourya Yano and Pfüngulie Kiso. The first church site was at Lheki Zütso Tsiese, the present site of the Kigwema village council hall. From 1930s, evangelists from Kigwema were sent to the Southern Angami villages to spread the word of Christ Honorary pastor, Khedi BC, Rev. Viwelie Khezhie, and advisor, Technical Education & Election, Medo Yhokha also gave short messages.

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Lost and found: GPRN (NSCN-IM) UT has r e c ove r e d o n e t w o wheeler Apache RTR 160 bearing the chassis number MD634NE63E2D62371 and engine number AE6DF2005336. Rightful owner has been informed to claim it by producing the original documents within 7 days from date of this publication.

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved

Lt. NITOKHU H. SUMI (TOSHIKA)

LATE RENPHANO It's been a year that you have left us for heavenly abode but there's not a day we don't remember you. Your memories still lingers in our hearts. You are always remembered Ayo. Loving Children

DP-5747

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Died on 29-12-2018 Though two years have passed since you left us for your heavenly abode, our love for you remain unfettered. You stay in our hearts as you will forever till we meet again.

Loving Wife, Daughters, Parents and Family Members K-2113

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the family of Lt. Mr. Theyiesheyi Vero (T. Vero) would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the people who stood by us through your invaluable physical presence, financial assistance and prayers at his sudden demise on 27th Dec, 2020.

We regret our inability to thank you personally, but it is our prayer to God Almighty to bless you abundantly.

K-2119

“And God will raise us from the dead by His power, just as He raised our Lord from the dead.”

I Corinthians 6:14

DP-5765

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. That they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them."

-Revelation 14:13

DP-5752

We, the family of Late Mr. M. Kihoto Swu would like to express our deep gratitude to all those who supported and sympathised with us on our sad loss.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbours, relatives and well-wishers from far and near for the emotional, practical, and above all spiritual support at this difficult time. We are thankful also for all the floral tributes and messages of condolences received.

To all those who helped us in anyways, your contribution immensely comforted us and so we offer our acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

We convey our special gratitude to: i. Shri. Vikheho Swu, MLA 13 A/C Pughoboto. ii. Dr. Ikheto Sema, Olive Christian Hospital and Research Centre, DMP. iii. CIHSR Doctors, nurses and staff, DMP. iv. Sumi Baptist Church, CMD. v. Sumi Council Chumukedima. vi. Ghathashi Welfare Dimapur. vii. Shesulimi Welfare Dimapur. viii. DIG Sports Team and all Ranks, Chumukedima. ix. Sabalie Colony, Ward-8, Chumukedima.

We deeply regret our inability to name and thank everyone individually, but it is our sincere and humble prayer that our good Lord bless each and everyone of you.

Late Mr. M. Kihoto Swu RTD. Dy SP Born on: 25-08-1963 – Died on: 20-12-2020

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- Loving Wife, Daughters and Son

Born: 27.10.1984 – Died: 25.12.2020 We, the family members of Late Jacob Aye would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to each and every individuals, DSBC, ministries, colony people, Alaphumi Union, prayer groups, friends, neighbours, relatives and well wishers who grieved with us, comforted us and supported us through physically, financially and through prayer at the sudden demise and sad loss of our beloved son and brother on 25.12.2020. Your presence and kindness shown to us has been a source of strength and peace as we mourn our loss.

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

Loving Parents, Brother, Sister & Family Members DP-5755 K Y M C

Assam govt tables Bill to abolish all Madrassas

Guwahati, Dec 28 (PTI): The Assam government on Monday tabled a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to abolish all state-run Madrassas by converting them into general schools from April 1 next year.

Despite an united opposition raising objections on tabling of the Bill, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introducted The Assam Repealing Bill, 2020 on the first day of the three-day winter session.

The legislation proposes to abolish the two existing Acts -- The Assam Madrassa Education (Provincialisation) Act, 1995 and The Assam Madrassa Education (Provincialisation of Services of Employees and Re-Organisation of Madrassa Educational Institutions) Act, 2018.

“This bill is not to control and repeal the private Madrassas,” Sarma said, adding inclusion of the word “private” in the ‘statement of objects and reasons’ of the bill was a mistake.

The Assam cabinet had on December 13 approved a proposal to close down all Madrassas and Sanskrit Tols (schools) however, the legislation brought in the assembly during the day did not contain anything related to the Sanskrit tols and the education minister also did not mention anything about

Assam cabinet had on December 13 approved a proposal to close down all Madrassas.

it. The minister said in the bill that all Madrassa institutes will be converted into upper primary, high and higher secondary schools with no change of status, pay, allowances and service conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

There are 610 state-run Madrassas across Assam with the government spending Rs 260 crore annually, Sarma had said earlier.

In April 2018, the Education minister had brought many private Madrassas under the government ambit by introducing The Assam Madrassa Education (Provincialisation of Services of Employees and ReOrganisation of Madrassa Educational Institutions) Act, 2018.

The BJP-led alliancecontrolled Assam assembly

12 UK returnees to M’laya test negative for COVID-19 Correspondent

Shillong, Dec 28: Altogether 12 persons from the United Kingdom, who recently returned to Meghalaya, have all tested negative for COVID-19, health officials said on Monday.

The Meghalaya government has already placed restrictions on the entry of returnees from the United Kingdom, where a new virulent strain of the Corona virus has been detected.

“Though the returnees from the UK have tested negative and show no symptom for the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus, all of them have been asked to isolate themselves and the health workers are keeping a close watch on their health status,” Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said.

Meanwhile, three more persons tested positive for COVID-19, adding up to 199 active cases and 30 new recoveries from the viral infection took the recovery tally up to 13,042 across the State on Monday War informed the new COVID-19 cases recorded included two in the East Khasi Hills district and

one in East Garo Hills district.

East Khasi Hills, including Shillong is the most affected district in the State with 140 active Covid-19 cases, including 11 from among armed/paramilitary forces and 112 fatalities due to the pandemic.

Of the new recoveries registered as on Monday, War said 26 in the East Khasi Hills district, three in East Garo Hills district and one in South West Garo Hills district.

On the other hand, 2,75,713 of the 2,89,092 persons tested for COVID19 have come out negative, even as 76,926 persons have entered the State till date.

War said 73 persons are in institutional quarantine and 108 are in home isolation across the state, which had 15 containment zones where COVID-19 positive cases have been detected.

So far, Meghalaya has registered a total of 13,379confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 138 deaths with 1.03 per cent case fatality rate, 199 active cases and 13,042 cases of recovery from the viral disease.

had enacted the law unanimously in 2018.

Regarding Sanskrit tols, Sarma had said in October last that they would be handed over to Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University and its infrastructure would be converted into centres of learning and research, where Indian culture, civilisation and nationalism would be studied.

As soon as Sar ma sought permission to introduce The Assam Repealing Bill Monday, Congress and AIUDF members objected to tabling of the proposed law and questioned the intention of the government.

Congress MLA Nurul Huda said Madrassas teach Arabic language apart from other general subjects and

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and urban affairs in a letter to Tripura chief minister, Biplab Kumar Deb announced the award.

The chief minister uploaded the particular letter on his social media page on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually present the award to Biplab Deb in a programme on January 1.

Modi along with Biplab Deb will also lay the foundation stone for the Light House Project on the occasion.

Under the light House Project, 1000 ready to live

learning a language cannot be termed communal.

Because of learning Arabic, many youths have got lucrative jobs in Arab countries and they are contributing to Indian economy by sending foreign exchanges,” he added.

His party colleague Sherman Ali Ahmed said learning of Arabic will open job opportunities in 52 countries and already many Hindus from other states like Kerala are earning lakhs of rupees by working in such places.

Another Cong ress member Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested modernisation of Madrassas and not abolishing them.

“I don’t know why this bill is brought. It will change

the atmosphere of Assam.

This bill is aimed at polarisation of votes on religious lines,” he alleged.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam said Sarma himself had provincialised these Madrassas in 2018 and now “he is killing his own baby”.

“Even Modi ji has said there should be computer in one hand and Quran on the other. Yogi (Adityanath) is doing the same in UP and allotted hundreds of crores for Madrassas,” he added.

Senior AIUDF member Hafiz Bashir Ahmed said winding up all government Madrassas is a big decision and it should be sent to the select committee of the house for discussion with all the stakeholders.

Countering all objections, the Education minister said he also believes in spiritual education like learning of Quran, Gita and Bible, but the proposed bill is not related to stopping such education.

“Madrassas teach theology as a subject. If only Arabic is taught, no issue would have been there. But, as a government we cannot allow teaching of the Quran on public funding.

“Then tomorrow, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and other people will also come seeking support to teach their religious books,” he said.

Victor Lyngdoh appointed new Archbishop of Shillong Correspondent Shillong, Dec 28: Pope Francis on Monday appointed Most Reverend Victor Lyngdoh, currently Bishop of Jowai, as the new Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese here in Meghalaya.

“This provision was made public in Rome on Monday, December 28, 2020, at noon, corresponding to 4:30 pm, Indian Standard Time,” a press communiqué issued by the Archdiocese of Shillong from the Archbishop’s House, here on Monday. The Shillong Archdiocese has been without Archbishop ever since the demise of Archbishop Most Rev Dominic Jala (SDB) in October 2019.

Archbishop Jala died in a road accident in California in the United States.

A press communiqué issued by Diocesan Administrator of Shillong Archdiocese, Fr John Madur, congratulated Bishop Victor for having appointed as the new Archbishop.

“With great joy, we announce that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed Most Reverend Victor Lyngdoh as the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese,” Fr John said.

“We send our prayerful greetings and best wishes

2-day dry run for COVID vaccination programme begins in Assam

Assam lawmaker Pabindra resigns from assembly

sible adverse events after vaccination and checks on cold storage and transportation arrangements are parts of the dry run, Nalbari Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Nalini Barman said.

A mock exercise for the COVID-19 vaccination programme will begin from Tuesday morning in the five designated hospitals, Barman said.

District Immunisation Officer Dr Hemanta Kumar Das said that the dry run programme will provide insights into gaps or bottlenecks which could be checked out before the commencement of the actual vaccination drive.

In Nalbari district,

Guwahati, Dec 28 (PTI): MLA Pabindra Deka, who recently quit the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and joined the newly-floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), on Monday resigned from the state legislative assembly.

Deka told PTI inside the assembly complex that he resigned from the House because he did not want anyone to make an issue out of this.

The three-day winter session began on Monday and 11 bills were tabled on the first day.

Deka has represented the Patacharkuchi constituency thrice -- 1985, 2001 and 2016. He is one of the founding members of AGP and served as a cabinet minister during 1985- 1990 in the first AGP government, led by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

The senior politician had resigned from the party on December 15 and joined the AJP the next day. On December 17, he was elected as the working president of the AJP. With his resignation, the number of AGP members in the House has come down to 11.

Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami said Congress MLA Ajanta Neog had resigned from the assembly on December 25 and it was accepted on the same day.

Nalbari/Tezpur, Dec 28 (PTI): A two-day dry run for the COVID-19 vaccination programme began in Nalbari and Sonitpur, two select districts of Assam, on Monday, health department officials said.

Assam is one of the four states in the country where the dry run is being carried out to check the preparedness of the authorities before launching the actual vaccination programme. The other three states are Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat.

Five hospitals in each of Nalbari and Sonitpur districts have been chosen for the exercise, officials said.

Management of pos-

five sessions of vaccination mock drill will be held at identified locations with 25 pre- identified beneficiaries for each session on Tuesday, he said.

The state surveillance medical officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday visited Nalbari district and held discussions on the exercise with health department officials and the Deputy Commissioner Purabi Konwar.

Altogether 25 frontline medical staff will give a demonstration on the vaccination programme in Sonitpur district on Tuesday, Dr Kishur Gurung of Tezpur Urban Health Centre said.

2 new COVID-19 cases in Arunachal

Itanagar, Dec 28 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh reported two new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24-hours, taking the state’s tally to 16,689, a senior health department official said on Monday.

One case each was reported from the Capital Complex Region and Tawang district respectively and both the cases were detected through rapid antigen tests, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

Tripura adjudged best in implementation of PMAY-U

Agartala, Dec 28 (Agencies): Tripura has been declared the bestperforming state in regards to the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme in the Northeast and hilly states category.

According to NE Now, the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has bagged the award in the “best performing municipal corporation” category and Belonia has been declared as the “best performing municipal council”.

Hardeep Singh Puri, Union minister of housing

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Northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

in flats will be delivered to people in lower-income groups.

The ministry of housing and urban affairs has introduced a technology innovation grant of Rs. 4 lakhs per house, which is over and above the existing grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh per house under the PMAY-U scheme.

Globally proven six innovative technologies have been selected for constructing six Light House Projects (LHPs) with allied infrastructure in Agartala in Tripura, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Rajkot in Gujarat, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Ranchi in Jharkhand and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

The Mission has been designed to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘housing for all by 2022’ when the country would celebrate its 75th year of independence.

Twenty-six more patients recovered from COVID-19 on Sunday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,503.

The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state is 98.88 per cent, the SSO said.

Arunachal Pradesh now has 130 active coronavirus cases, while 56 people have succumbed to the infection so far, he said, adding that the fatality ratio is 0.33 per cent,

ATRPFM serves deadline demanding ADC election

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Dec 28: All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) on Monday served a deadline to the state government demanding that the notification for conducting elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) be announced by January 5, 2021.

In the ultimatum, the tribal body has also threatened to impose 48-hour bandh on the national highways from January 6 in the event of government failing to heed their demand.

The terms of the six ADCs that cover all hill districts of the state expired in May 2020. But the state government had extended the terms for six months that too expired on November 30 last.

However, citing various reasons, the state government was yet to take

up steps for conduct of the elections even as various tribal based bodies were demanding conduct of the due elections without any delay.

The state government had also superseded the ADCs while handing over DCs to discharge the function of the ADCs. It also stated that the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) recommended for conducting the election on time and not to extend the term further.

However, the state government issued a supersession order without taking into consideration the views and recommendation of HAC. In a memorandum, the All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur has appealed to the governor to interfere and take prompt necessary action and direct the state government to conduct the due elections.

Victor Lyngdoh

to Archbishop-elect Victor Lyngdoh. We entrust the Archbishop’s new ministry to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” the communiqué, signed by Fr. Jimmy Mamgar, pro-tem chancellor, Archdiocese of Shillong read.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took to Twitter to congratulate Bishop Victor on being elevated to Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese.

“Congratulations Your Grace, Most Reverend Bishop Victor Lyngdoh for being appointed as the new Archbishop of #Shillong Archdiocese. I believe that His Grace will continue to serve the Lord and share his wisdom & knowledge for the greater good of mankind.@ Pontifex @VaticanNews,” Sangma tweeted.

Bishop Victor Lyngdoh was born on January 14,

1956, at Wahlang Village in the Khasi Hills in the then composite State of Assam.

He entered St. Paul’s Seminary in Shillong pursuing his studies at St. Gabriel’s Higher Secondary School and then went on to study philosophy at Christ King College in Shillong and subsequently spent his Regency at St. Francis Xavier Church, Mawsynram.

He then entered Sacred Heart Theological College in Mawlai, Shillong and was ordained priest on January 25, 1987. Bishop Victor has served the Church in several ministries over the years.

On October 15, 2016, Bishop Victor was also appointed as the Bishop of Jowai Diocese and installed on November 20, 2016. He is also the Chairman of the Bible Commission in North East Bishops Council of India.

Mnp drug traffickers sentenced to 15 yrs rigorous imprisonment

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Dec 28: A special ND&PS court in Manipur on Monday sentenced two convicted drug traffickers of the infamous multi-crore drug seizure of 2018 to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a slapped a fine of Rs. 1 lakh each.

Special judge W Tonen awarded 15 years rigorous imprisonment to the two drug traffickers -Thangminlun Zou alias Mung Zou alias Aric and Tung Khan Mung – after hearing arguments of prosecution and counsels of the convicts.

They were sentenced for the offence under section 21(C)/22(C) and section 29 of NDPS Act, 1985. A fine of Rs. one lakh each was also imposed to them while directing them to pay the same within one year.

The duration which they stayed in judicial custody after arrest will be set off against their sentence of imprisonment under section 428 CrPC as per the order.

The court further directed all the contraband drugs and psychotropic substances related with the case to dispose off according to law after the expiry of the appeal period.

On the intervening night of June 19 and 20, 2018, a team of Narcotic Affairs of Border (NAB) of Manipur police led by the then additional SP (NAB), Th Brinda Devi raided the official quarter of the then

Chandel ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou based on specific information.

The team arrested Zou along with some of his associates following recovery of 4.6 kilograms of heroin powder and 2,80,200 numbers of “World is Yours” tablets estimated to be worth around Rs. 27 crore in the international market during the raid.

The special NDPS court took up the case against 13 individuals including the former chairman of Chandel ADC. However, four of them were discharged from the case during the initial stage of the trial. The court took cognizance against the remaining nine individuals.

The prosecution produced 17 witnesses.

While pronouncing the verdict of the case on December 17 last, the judge acquitted Zou and six others from the case after the prosecution failed to prove the charges levelled against them and ordered them to release them from judicial custody.

After the prosecution failed to prove the charges levelled against them and taking moral responsibility despite her removal as IO of the case in the midst of the trial, Th Brinda Devi, the then additional SP of NAB, who led the team that arrested Zou along with the contraband drugs, returned the gallantry award conferred by state chief minister.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 24 Dimapur, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

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A time to heal

ith the NSCN (K) led by Niki Sumi all set to revive the cease fire which the former had unilaterally abrogated on March 27, 2015 and ready to hold negotiations to finalise solution along with other Naga political groups such as– NSCN (I-M) and Working Committee of the 7-member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), the deck is now clear for a broad-based solution. If the Niki Sumi-led NSCN signs the cease fire and then hold negotiations with the government of India, it will brighten prospects of a broad-based solution along with other groups. The government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (K) on April 28, 2001; NSCN-(NK) on April 27, 2012, and with NSCN (R) on April 27, 2015. It may be recalled that on July 20, 2019 when government of India’s interlocutor R.N. Ravi was appointed governor of Nagaland, he had stated that there will be only one solution for the Naga issue. The development comes at a time when the much expected solution to the Naga political issue suffered a hiccup when the NSCN (I-M) said that solution will only be under the Framework Agreement its collective leadership (Th. Muivah and late Isak Chishi Swu) signed with the government of India’s Interlocutor R. N. Ravi on August 3,2015. Though the Framework Agreement did not specifically mention Naga flag and constitution, the NSCN (I-M) maintained that by acknowledging the uniqueness of Naga political history, the government of India also accepted Naga flag and constitution as part and parcel of the FA. The Interlocutor has made it clear that while there will only be one solution for one Naga issue and not several solutions with several groups; the time table for one solution will be followed. This also implied that the government of India won’t wait forever to get everybody on board, if some choose to not sign the agreement. The NSCN (K) remained under late S.S. Khaplang ever after many cadre members (mostly from Nagaland) forged unity with several cadre members of NSCN (I-M) on November 23, 2007. NSCN(K) under Yung Aung split after Nyemlang Konyak was elected as chairman of one faction. Niki Sumi who was with NSCN-led by Yung Aung was later expelled and formed another faction which is in contact with the government of India’s officials to negotiate an agreement. Solution to the Naga political issue now hinges with the government of India and what it has to offer within the ambit of the Indian constitution to ensure that peace will be permanent.

If solution is arrived at, it will have a big impact on insurgency in the North East and possibly end the security problems in the region. India is also actively pursuing another strategy with Myanmar to evict all North East insurgent groups back to India.

That strategy is also meant to prevent North East insurgents from coming under one umbrella. The Naga political issue has been traced by some to as early as 1929 with the submission of a memorandum to the British Simon Commission. However, even then Naga tribes were scattered within India and Myanmar and perhaps it would be a choice to remain in peace and unity than on factionalism and rivalry. In this, perhaps Ecclesiastes 3:1 reflects the need of the hour.

DailyDevotion Continuous Conversion …unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:3 These words of our Lord refer to our initial conversion, but we should continue to turn to God as children, being continuously converted every day of our lives. If we trust in our own abilities, instead of God’s, we produce consequences for which God will hold us responsible. When God through His sovereignty brings us into new situations, we should immediately make sure that our natural life submits to the spiritual, obeying the orders of the Spirit of God. Just because we have responded properly in the past is no guarantee that we will do so again.

The response of the natural to the spiritual should be continuous conversion, but this is where we so often refuse to be obedient. No matter what our situation is, the Spirit of God remains unchanged and His salvation unaltered. But we must “put on the new man…” (Ephesians 4:24). God holds us accountable every time we refuse to convert ourselves, and He sees our refusal as willful disobedience. Our natural life must not rule— God must rule in us.

To refuse to be continuously converted puts a stumbling block in the growth of our spiritual life.

There are areas of self-will in our lives where our pride pours contempt on the throne of God and says, “I won’t submit.” We deify our independence and self-will and call them by the wrong name. What God sees as stubborn weakness, we call strength.

There are whole areas of our lives that have not yet been brought into submission, and this can only be done by this continuous conversion. Slowly but surely we can claim the whole territory for the Spirit of God.

Quotes

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

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n the book/film ‘Sophie’s Choice’, the protagonist is forced to choose between the lives of her two children.

How would you decide?

Many meat eaters try to justify killing animals by claiming they can neither feel nor think. They place intelligence as the primary criterion that warrants continuation on the planet. Here is proof that all creatures great and small are both wise and wonderful.

L e t ’s s t a r t s m a l l .

Look how social insects, like bumblebees, can solve complex non-natural tasks.

A research team trained bumblebees to pull on a string in order to access a sugar water treat. The bees that acquired the stringpulling skill were labelled ‘innovators’. 25 untrained bees watched the innovator bees solve the puzzle.

About 60% of these ‘naïve’ bees learned just by watching the trained bees.

The team then introduced a single innovator bee to three separate colonies of untrained bees. The skill spread quickly and half of the untrained bees gained the ability by learning from the original innovator bee.

Even after the original innovator bee died, the skill continued to be passed on to future generations. So, apart from the enormous intelligence required to design and operate intricate hives and social systems, bees have the ‘smarts’ to learn, teach, internalise and pass on new skills.

Cambridge University tested western scrub jays to see what they re-

membered about foods they had salted away. The birds were given different items to hide, some perishable (worms), others durable (peanuts). Four hours later, the jays looked for the worms—their favourite food—before they looked for the nuts, but five days later their response was reversed. They didn’t bother to look for the worms, which by then would have rotted, but they still remembered the peanut locations. So, not only were the birds clever enough to remember their hiding places, but also to judge what should be eaten now and what saved for later.

Never be mean to a crow. Studies show how these birds can accurately identify tormentors. Like us, crows seldom forget or forgive and take revenge whenever their target is least expecting it. Plus, they call in reinforcements, in the form of their mates, who happily join in the surprise attack. The intelligence at work here seems comparable to our military strategists executing surgical strikes.

Chickens have a sense of numbers and can actually count. In one study, young chicks were able to track the changes of two quantities of objects hidden behind screens.

They could consistently point out where the larger quantity was hidden, even when the puzzle required addition or subtraction.

But when it comes to maths, elephants may just be one of the cleverest creatures. A 2018

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

Children of the same God study shows how Asian elephants are able to process numbers in a more complex manner, similar to humans. Researchers trained a 14-year-old Asian elephant, named Authai, to use a computer touch screen panel. She had to indicate with the tip of her trunk, which one of two figures, shown to her at a time, contained more items. These ranged from 0 to 10 items. Authai was rewarded whenever she chose the figures featuring the larger number of items. This she did correctly 181 out of 271 times -- a success rate of 66.8 per cent. Not just a pretty good score but evidence that nonhuman animals have cognitive characteristics, partially identical to human counting.

Rats are so small that the terror they evoke seems like an overreaction. Rats display a remarkable ability to reason. The fact that they avoid certain toxic foods, even if they don’t become nauseated until hours later, cannot be explained by simple association. It seems that they are able to think back to previous food encounters to determine which one was likely to have made them sick. This kind of memory, known as epi-

sodic memory, is different from associative learning, as, when a dog learns he will earn a cookie by responding to the command ‘sit’. Episodic memory is the capacity to think back to a specific event, sometimes long ago— something that rats are able to do just like humans.

Fish are often mistaken to have no intelligence, no memory, and no ability to feel pain. Completely false. A new, well researched, book shows how fish have many abilities not that different from our own. Archerfish and damselfish are able to recognise human faces, even when the faces are partly obscured. This demonstrates that the machinery, for the visual analysis and processing of objects, is present in fish.

Of course we know that dogs can tell humans apart, but they can also identify human expressions. Studies show how dogs are able to consistently recognise the difference between happy and angry human faces. Even better, dogs can manifest emotional expressions on their own faces to evoke a desired human response.

In a 2017 study, psychologists concluded that dogs display certain facial ex-

pressions in order to win human sympathy and attention. These particular facial expressions are not a reaction to food or any other stimuli, and nor are they something that dogs do when they interact with each other. In other words, dogs make these ‘faces’ only in the presence of humans to get their attention!

Goats are as clever as dogs. They too read emotions and can tell the difference between happy and sad humans.

They gaze at humans in the same way as dogs do when asking for a treat that is out of reach. They are, in fact, just as capable of building emotional relationships with humans as any dog or cat. Sheep too are good with faces.

They can distinguish between different expressions in humans, as well as detect changes in the faces of anxious sheep.

Researchers found that sheep recognize the faces of at least 50 other sheep and can remember 50 different images.

Perhaps the greatest sign of intelligence, even in humans, is knowing what you previously do not know. In one study, a dolphin named Natua was asked to identify a high tone and a low tone. He swam at different speeds toward the response, depending on how easy or hard the answer was.

When the tones were quite distinct, Natua swam confidently at full speed. If the tones were sort of similar, though, Natua slowed down, waggled

his head, and wavered.

Instead of touching one of the paddles to make his choice, he selected the opt-out paddle (asking for a new trial), which meant he knew that he’d probably flunk the task.

So clever.

No surprises at how bright are our closest animal relatives, chimps.

When heading out to a specific fig tree, where they have recently eaten, they can figure out how much sooner they would need to set out for trees far away from their nest, as for those nearby, to arrive at about the same early hour at both, in order to beat the rush by other animals. This suggests calculation of travel time based on distance, as well as the ability to plan ahead based upon past experience. Equally impressive is their power of inferential reasoning. In a test, apes were presented with two covered cups after they had learned that only one would contain grapes.

Both cups were covered and shaken. As expected, the apes preferred the cup in which they could hear the grapes.

When mice are in pain, they grimace. Just like us. When chimps are tickled, they laugh. If we cannot see how amazingly bright animals are, it is our own lack of intelligence, not theirs. And if you can still bring yourself to eat an animal, you are clearly not using your head. Or your heart. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www. peopleforanimalsindia.org

Post-mortem

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COVID-19 vaccine: To get it or not to get it

s Nagaland Sate anxiously waits for the Covid -19 Vaccines, I am fascinated to see the silence maintained by the department of health and family Welfare.

Do the 19,654 people who have been identified by the H&FW for receiving the Covid -19 Vaccines made aware of the serious side effects of the doubtful Covid-19 vaccine. The departments silence on if the vaccine is going to be compulsory or voluntary is of another concern. Just because the Central Government gives the vaccine does not mean Nagaland Government must push it down the Nagaland public throat.

Many people think vaccines are completely safe. No vaccine is completely safe. In fact vaccines are dangerous virus which are reengineered and injected into the body. Polio Vaccine used for preventing polio contains reengineered polio virus.

Measles and Rubella vaccine contains reengineered Measles and Rubella viruses. Hepatitis B Vaccine contains one of the proteins from the surface of the Hepatitis B virus. The Rota virus vaccine contains GIP(8) Human rotavirus strain.

Not only do vaccines use virus but also dangerous adjuvant. Adjuvants are added to make the vaccine more effective. Many Vaccines use aluminums as adjuvant. Experimental clearly shows that aluminum adjuvant can cause serious immunological disorders in humans such as long-term brain inflammation, neurological complications.

Vaccines also contain Preservatives to keep the vaccine from going bad. Mercury is one of the most widely used preservatives in vaccines. Even a small amount of mercury can cause brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system disease in the child as well as adult. The so called “Mercury free” vaccines contain 0.05mcg of mercury which is enough to cause permanent brain damage in an infant.

All Vaccines have cellular waste which remains in the vaccine which is neither being identified nor filter from the vaccine. who know what kind cellular waste is being injected along with the vaccine. Are they good or bad?

Though vaccines are designed to protect, they have and can cause serious side effects resulting in death. Many cases have been filled against many vaccine manufacturing companies.

The much talked about vaccine for covid-19 would have engineered corona Virus. Which means the same engineered corona virus will be injected into humans to prevent them from corona. How crazy is that. It would be like swallowing the pill that made us ill. But many will be made to think it’s ok because some “top scientist” or some “top Pharmaceutical company” certified that it is safe.

The Covid-19 Vaccine which has been manufactured in less than a year is just plain doubtful and rises lots of questions. Developing, testing and approving a vaccine is a very difficult, complicated and time consuming process. Sometimes it takes up to 15 Years to develop a vaccine. The fastest vaccine developed was the mumps vaccine which was developed in four years time. Just think, the Covid-19 vaccine has been developed faster that the word “Covid” could be installed in the English dictionary in the computer. Just type the word Covid and hit space you will see a red line appear. Even the computer doesn’t know the word “Covid” yet and we already have a vaccine for it.

Another important thing we have to consider is the Indian government allowing the Indian vaccines and drug developing companies to use the EUA (Emergency Use Authorization). The EUA (Emergency use Authorization) is practiced in USA to allow vaccine and other drug companies to use previously unapproved drugs and virus for developing vaccines in emergency situations because there is no time for testing on humans. In simple words it’s like the Government giving permission to the pharmacy companies to use humans as experiment animals.

In India the Serum Institute of India has been approved under the EUA to make the Cocid19 vaccine. In America Drug companies Moderma and Pfizer have received the Emergency use Authorization. The PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is

“not approved” or “licensed” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but has “been authorized” for emergency use

by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). It can be used in individuals of 16 years and above. So the covid -19 Vaccines in India be “unapproved but authorized” vaccine.

I don’t like the sound of it.

The Serum Institute of India chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla wants makers of covid-19 vaccines in India to be protected by the Government of India from being sued by the public in case there are any serious side effects caused by the covid-19 Vaccine. Good luck to all those19,654 individuals from Nagaland who have given their name to avail for the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Nagaland State Government must make sure that the rights of the people are no violated while going for mass vaccination.

1. Covid-19 Vaccination should not be compulsory but voluntary in Nagaland.

Ever yone has the right to choose. These are the fundamental rights of a citizen.

This must be applicable for all the frontline health workers in Nagaland. They should be given the right to choose. Vaccination is not compulsory in many countries including USA and Australia. When India is using the American system of EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) for making Covid-19 vaccine. Which allows the vaccine companies in India to use unapproved drugs, virus for making vaccine. It becomes the inherit right of the people to refuse the Covid-19 Vaccine.

2. Vaccination exemption based on Religious, Philosophical and Medical Grounds.

In united Sates all 50 states allow vaccination exemptions in some form or other. 46 States allow vaccine exemption on religious objection grounds. 15 Sates allow exemptions for philosophical and moral reasons.

All 50 States allow exemption on medical reasons.

Nagaland is a Christian majority State. The Religious belief of the Christian that God has created in us a wonderful immune system and that God is powerful enough to save anyone to survive the pandemic

without covid-19 vaccine must be respected. For many religious people using vaccine to reprogram the already created immune system by God is not acceptable. And when forced to vaccinate against ones religious belief and philosophy of life the fundamental right of religious and cultural expression will be violated.

Many people in Nagaland are under medication for cancer, diabetics, high blood pressure etc. There is no proper study on how Covid-19 vaccine reacts with such medications. Such patients must have the right to exemption.

3. Protection from discrimination of the unvaccinated.

It is inevitable for those who are vaccinated to have discriminatory felling against those unvaccinated. This may even result in not allowing the unvaccinated people to large gathering and even schools, college, offices etc. Such discrimination must face stick punishment from the law. In Australia unvaccinated kids are made to take online class when there is an epidemic situation.

4. Fast Track Vaccine injury board.

Nagaland Home Department along with Nagaland Department of health and Family must set up a vaccine injury board. This must be done before the vaccine arrives in Nagaland, This vaccine injury board must

set up so that people who suffer serious side effects including death, can apply for fast track compensation from the State or central Government.

5. Churches and Non Government Organization protectors of peoples Right.

The Churches and NGO’s in Nagaland must stand vigilant and be the proctors of people’s right in this current Covid-19 Situation. When State Government formulates rules for mass Covid-19 vaccination against the ones religious belief the Church must put a stop to it.

Too much time and energy has been invested by the Churches in Nagaland on how to raise funds for various projects and in doing so have considerably neglected its believers health and Rights. There is a urgent need for serious public health advocates/NGO’s in Nagaland.

To be the moral protector of the public health. To save the public from the savage pharmaceutical companies who push unapproved drugs/virus into the public blood. To save the public from heartless state/ Central Government who allow the vaccine companies to use their state/country citizens as experimental animals for new vaccines.

To save the minority people from the brink of extinction.

And thus fulfill the Nobel cause of live and let live. God bless Nagaland.

Imlisanen Phom, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Traffic Police should wear masks Sir,

The traffic police have been working day and night effortlessly to curb Dimapur’s traffic. However, what I have noticed is that, most of them do not wear masks. Even before the advent of COVID-19, Dimapur had always been plagued with what we call ‘dust pollution’ which gives them all the more many reasons to wear masks. However, what I don’t understand is why are some traffic personnel reluctant or adamant to wear masks when they are the ones more susceptible to all sorts of air borne diseases? Do they not value their lives? Do they not care about their families?

Therefore, with a vision to promote awareness, I request the traffic personnel to wear masks at all cost. Because, without the presence of traffic personnel, traffic in Dimapur would be a catastrophe.

Aosanen, Dimapur

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

PM inaugurates first-ever driverless train

adding his government has formulated metro policy as per the needs of a city and its working population.

The government formulated the metro policy for the first time and implemented it with an all-round strategy, he said.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Delhi and Meerut will reduce the distance between the two cities to less than an hour, he said, adding that for cities with fewer passenger numbers, work is being done on the MetroLite version.

M e t r o L i t e ve r s i o n would cost 40 percent less than the normal metro while Metro Neo is being developed in cities with less ridership.

This would be built at the cost of 25 percent of the

normal metro, he said, adding that water metro would be an out of the box thinking for cities with large water bodies.

This will provide last mile connectivity to the people near the islands.

Modi also emphasised on the importance of ‘Make in India’, a reference to domestic manufacturing, in laying out metro services, saying this reduces costs, saves foreign exchange and generates more employment to people.

He said standardization of rolling stock has reduced the cost of every coach from Rs 12 crore to Rs eight crore now.

Four big companies are now manufacturing metro coaches in the country and dozens of companies are engaged in the manufacture of

‘I have BJP’s file, 121 names’: Sena’s Sanjay Raut after summons to wife

Terror plot foiled in Jammu, 1 arrested

accusing the BJP of vendetta politics. Eknath Khadse, who changed camp from the BJP to NCP, has been summoned for questioning by the ED on December 30 in connection with a money laundering case.

The case dates back from October last year and investigations are on regarding alleged irregularities in certain loan accounts of the bank. A major one is the loan given to financially stressed real estate player Housing Development & Infrastructure or HDIL. Its promoters Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and his son Sarang Wadhawan, its former chairman Waryam Singh and ex-managing director Joy Thomas are being investigated by the agency.

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purpose.

Besides, testing shall be carried out as per the prescribed protocol, the listing of contacts shall be carried out in respect of everyone found COVID positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine and follow-up of contacts for 14 days.

Surveillance for Influenza-like infections (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases shall be carried out in health facilities or outreach mobile units or through fever clinics in buffer zones.

The guidelines said the state and UT governments shall take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and to ensure strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.

In order to enforce the core requirement of wearing of face masks, states and UTs may consider administrative actions, including the imposition of appropriate fines, on violators in public and workspaces.

Hazare threatens to launch his ‘last protest’ for farmers PUNE, DEC 28 (PTI): Social activist Anna Hazare has threatened to go on a hunger strike if his demands on issues concerning farmers are not met by the Union government by the end of January next year, and said it would be his “last protest”.

Speaking to reporters in his Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Sunday, Hazare said had had been holding protests for cultivators since the last three years, but the government has done nothing to resolve the issues.

“The government is just giving empty promises due to which I do not have any trust left (in the government)...Let’s see, what action the Centre takes on my demands. They have sought time for a month, so I have given them time till Januaryend. If my demands are not met, I will resume my huger strike protest. This would be my last protest,” the 83-year-old said. On December 14, Hazare wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh

and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. The three farm laws, enacted in September, have been projected by the government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.

However, the protesting tillers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandis, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

The Centre has repeatedly asserted that these mechanisms will remain.

Anna Hazare Tomar warning of a hunger protesting at borders of Delstrike if his demands like hi for over a month against the implementation of the the Farmers (Empowerment MS Swaminathan Commit- and Protection) Agreement tee’s recommendations and of Price Assurance and granting autonomy to the Farm Services Act, 2020, Commission for Agricultur- the Farmers Produce Trade al Costs and Prices (CACP), and Commerce (Promotion were not accepted.

Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra AsACHIEVERS ACADEMY sembly Speaker Haribhau heartily CONGRATULATES its family members Bagade recently met Hazare to explain him the details of who have successfully cleared the recently the three farm laws introdeclared NPSC Preliminary Examination 2019. duced by the Centre.

Hazare observed a fast Ayansu 20892 Thungchio 11720 Yaloi 23660 on December 8 in support Vila 13568 of the Bharat Bandh called Yimso 22447 Orenvungi 20925 by farmer organisations Nisa 10015 Rechalungle 21646 Neiseto 10228 demanding a repeal of the Kevisedeno 11636 Akai 23576 agri laws. Farmers have been Theja 20742

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and vaccination of beneficiaries,” it said.

According to the existing guidelines, the local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed containment measures are strictly followed.

The states and UTs will ensure a careful demarcation of containment zones by the district authorities at the micro level, taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the health ministry in this regard.

Within the demarcated containment zones, containment measures as prescribed by the health ministry shall be scrupulously followed.

Only essential activities shall be allowed, there shall be a strict perimeter control to ensure no movement of people into or out of these zones except for medical emergencies and maintaining the supply of essential goods and services, and there shall be intensive house-to-house surveillance by the surveillance teams formed for the

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FELICITATION

It is with immense pride and honour, the “Pughoboto Phughi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu” (PPKK) extends our heartiest congratulations to: 1. Smti. Kiyeshi Sema, Asstt. Headmistress on being promoted to Headmistress, Govt. High School, Pughoboto.

2. Shri. Vikishe Sema, Joint Commissioner on being promoted and inducted into IAS Cadre.

The Union further prays that our Almighty God continue to bless them in their future endeavors.

(MUGHASHE ACHUMI) President, PPKK

(HUKASHE CHISHI) General Secretary, PPKK

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Patna, Dec 28 (IANS): Two extortionists were lynched in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district on Monday.

Sitamarhi Superintendent of Police Sujeet Kumar confirmed the incident. He said the accused were local goons and they were lynched by villagers.

The incident took place in Mayorva village between 11 a.m. to 11.30 am on Monday.

“The accused identified as Sonu Paswan and Suraj Das belonged to Sonbarsa town,” Kumar said.

They came on motorcycle to the village and went to a shop belonging to Home Guard Upendra Yadav. The two pulled out guns and allegedly demanded protection money from Yadav who shouted for help and a large number of villagers assembled at the place upon hearing his cries. Yadav claimed that the duo was demanding protection money for the last one week.

Raut has to meet officials at the Mumbai office of the Enforcement Directorate on December 29. The agency is investigating alleged financial transactions between Varsha Raut and Pravin Raut, who is under arrest in the case, sources said.

Varsha Raut has been summoned for questioning in the case, which involves an alleged loan fraud in the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank. She had skipped the two earlier summons on health grounds -- the last time she was asked to join the probe on December 11.

The Shiv Sena -- which rules Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party -- has been

DP-5769

2 extortionists lynched by villagers in Bihar

Sanjay Raut and Varsha Raut (File)

JAMMU, DEC 28 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested one person linked to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT), who had been tasked by the handlers from across the border to carry out grenade blasts on the National Highway (NHW) bypass road, police said on Monday. The man has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of J&K’s Reasi district, but was presently living at Peerbagh colony in Jammu’s Sunjawan.

Ashraf was arrested on Sunday evening. Police said two hand grenades were recovered from his possession.

“Reports revealed that on 27/12/2020, a naka was laid

by Jammu police at NHW bypass road and routine checking of vehicles was done. Late in the evening at 1930 hrs, a man roaming suspiciously tried to flee from the naka on seeing police personnel, and was apprehended, from whom two hand grenades were recovered, concealed in a bag he was carrying. A case FIR No.95/2020 u/s2/5 explosive substance act, 18,38,39 UAPA is registered in PS Bagh-e-Bahu,” police said in a statement.

The police said the arrested person was linked to the LeT and was tasked by the handlers from across the border to carry out grenade blasts in the city.

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MUMBAI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): Agencies like Enforcement Directorate are not important as they are increasingly being used in a political power game, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said a day after his wife was summoned again for questioning in the PMC bank fraud case. Declaring that political battles should be “fought face to face”, he said, “I have spoken to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Shiv Sena will answer them in its own way. No need to panic”.

“The importance of ED, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) or the Income Tax Department is decreasing. Earlier, when this agency took any action, it seemed that there was something serious. But for the last few years, it seems action from this agency happens when a political party is taking out its anger,” Mr Raut told the media today.

The Sena leader said he has a file on BJP which contains 121 names and he would soon give it to the Enforcement Directorate.

“There are so many names that the ED will have to work for five years,” he added.

Raut’s wife Varsha

highlighted his government’s works towards this, saying the number of cities with metro rail has grown from five to 18 now.

By 2025, this is going to be extended to more than 25 cities.

“In 2014, only 248 km of metro lines were operational in the country and today it is about three times, more than 700 kilometers.

By the year 2025, we are working to expand it to 1,700 km,” he said.

The prime minister asserted these figures are a proof of ease of living in the lives of crores of Indians and an evidence of the fulfilment of the aspirations of the citizens.

Metro rail is a great way to reduce pollution and has taken thousands of vehicles off roads, he said,

(From p-1) There shall be no restriction on the inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods, including those for cross-land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission, approval, e-permit will be required for such movements.

Noting that the Centre has started preparations for administration and roll-out of vaccine for COVID- 19, the MHA said on Monday that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has recommended prioritization of this vaccine during the initial phases to health care workers, frontline workers, persons aged 50 years and above and those below 50 years of age with comorbidities.

“States/UTs may instruct the concerned authorities for their active support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in identification, preparation of database, vaccine delivery, storage, security, shipment

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Narendra Modi inaugurates the India’s first-ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, through video conference, in New Delhi, Dec. 28. (PIB/PTI)

metro components, he said, adding that this is helping the campaign for self-reliant India.

With the launch of driverless metro train, India has now joined a select group of countries of the world where the facility is available, Modi said.

Touching on the National Common Mobility Card, he said this will give integrated access to commuters wherever they travel and whichever public transport they take.

His government has been working to offer integrated services to citizens in different fields so as to save their time and simplify complicated exercises, he said and referred to measures like FASTag cards, one nation one gas grid, seamless gas connectivity, GST and one nation one ration card.

The driverless trains will be fully automated, which will eliminate the possibility of human error, the government has said, adding that after the start of driverless services on the Magenta Line (Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden), the Pink Line (Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar) of Delhi Metro is expected to have driverless operations by mid-2021.

New Covid surveillance guidelines over UK virus strain

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NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): Inaugurating India’s first-ever driverless train operations on the Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government unlike its predecessors has taken growing urbanisation as an opportunity and asserted that metro train services will be extended to 25 cities by 2025 from the current 18.

In his addresss via video-conferencing, he said the launch of the driverless train and start of the National Common Mobility Card, also inauguarated by him on Monday, at the Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro are an attempt to make urban development future ready.

He lamented that when urbanisation gathered pace a few decades ago, not much attention was given to the needs of the future with “half-hearted” efforts being made and confusion persisting while the gap between the existing infrastructure and needs grew.

Noting that urbanisation should not be seen as a challenge but used as an opportunity to build better infrastructure and enhance people’s ease of living, he

5

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

India’s first fully indigenous We want to make India a superpower: Rajnath pneumococcal vaccine launched

FINAL , GENERAL INFORMATION

Those who have purchased land at Jamir Property near New DC Complex, Chumukedima are hereby informed to clear jungle of own plot and demarcation with each other within 7 days.

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Crossword

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KAKURO

K Y M C

IMKONG JAMIR PH : 8974752839

WANTED We, the Kohima Lotha Eloe Ekhüng take immense pride and honour to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mrs Athel. O .

Lotha on being conferred to Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

The KLEE thank her for bringing laurels and honour to the Lotha community and to our Nagas at large.

We wish and pray that the Almighty God grant her guidance, wisdom and more success as she continue to render her service to the Government of Nagaland.

Nzanbeni Kithan President, KLEE

Mhabeni. C. Kikon Gen. Secy, KLEE

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LOST NOTICE A Dark Brown Handbag consisting of a wallet containing ATM cards. Aadhar Card, ID Card, PAN Card, with Keys, Mobile Phone and other articles was lost while travelling from City Tower Junction to Mao Colony via Khermahal, Burma Camp, Walford and Imkonglenden Road on the 22nd December 2020 at around 1:20 pm in an Auto Rickshaw.

Any person found the Handbag may kindly return it to this contact no. 7628947306, 9862695601 DP-5764

We, Mr. Poserüh & family have unfortunately lost all our personal documents, bank documents, vehicle documents and educational documents including our properties when our house burnt down due to electrical short circuit on 25 December 2020. We shall be applying for duplicate copies of the lost documents.

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Pneumosil, Serum Institute’s CEO Adar Poonawalla said: “Over the years, our constant endeavour has been to provide high quality vaccines with regular supplies which ensures excellent immunisation coverage to children and families worldwide. With that thought, we have developed this PCV with a unique composition based on the serotype prevalence in India.”

Pneumococcal disease is a significant contributor to the under-five mortality rate worldwide. Annually, India witnesses an estimated 71 per cent of pneumonia deaths and 57 per cent of severe pneumonia cases.

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made.

The note alleged Goswami paid Dasgupta and another senior BARC official- former COO Romil Ramgarhia, who is accused of “providing secret and confidential information to certain channels” - to manipulate the TRP of Republic TV’s English and Hindi channels.

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pneumococcal diseases. The vaccine makes the Serum Institute the world’s third supplier of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) under the pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment (AMC), and the first developing country vaccine manufacturer to access the global PCV market.

In his address on the occasion, Harsh Vardhan said: “It is a significant milestone for the country’s public health care which will ensure that children are protected better against pneumococcal disease with an affordable and highquality vaccine.”

About the launch of

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MUMBAI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES/PTI): Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami paid “lakhs” to senior officials of TV ratings agency--Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC)-- including former chief executive officer (CEO) Partho Dasgupta, to manipulate the channel’s TRP (television rating point), Mumbai Police alleged in a remand note submitted to a magistrate’s court on Monday.

The police also said Dasgupta- who was arrested last week - was the “mastermind” and fudged viewership numbers and data for financial gain.

The police made the claims while requesting further custody of the former chief executive officer in order to ascertain if more such payments were

FELICITATION

JOB VACANCY

DP-5746

Arnab Goswami accused of bribing to fudge ratings

ing students to play a key role in making of a ‘New India’, Singh said modern education should not deter them from taking inspiration from the country’s glorious history, adding it set new standards of knowledge and discovery for centuries in the fields of physics, social science, spiritual knowledge and economics.

“Modern education should not be a hurdle in taking inspiration from your glorious past. Just like studying science does not mean that you do not believe in

NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (IANS): Pune-based Serum Institute of India, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world by doses, on Monday announced the launch of India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine -- Pneumosil -- in the presence of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

Pneumosil has been developed through collaboration spanning over a decade among the Serum Institute, PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This significant milestone is aimed at improving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine affordability and enabling sustainable access for low-and middle-income countries.

The vaccine will provide effective and long-lasting protection for children against

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of education, health and industry, etc. The potential in these areas is within our country. It is not yet fully utilised,” Singh said.

“When we talk about making India a superpower, then we also have to take care of the development potential in all the states of the country,” he added.

The defence minister said the youth of the country has the ability to face any challenge and can turn them into opportunities with the help of “invention, innovation and ideas”. Encourag-

thagoras did. The defence minister said according to a famous Russian historian, India had mastered plastic surgery before Christ was born and that it was the first country to set up a hospital. Singh also mentioned a specific contribution to astronomy by 12th-century scientist Bhaskaracharya and suggested that he rehearsed one of the theories relating to orbital periods of the planets that was discovered by German scientist Kepler.

“Secondly, he gave birth to the theory of gravitation about 500 years before Isaac Newton who was born in the 17th century,” said Singh.

The defence minister said the list of India’s achievements in science is very long, at the same time added that the country was not behind in other fields like economics, history, political science and public administration.

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Rajnath Singh

God,” Singh said. He also mentioned mathematician Ramanujan and added: “He said ‘an equation is meaningless to me unless it expresses a thought of God’”. Urging students to work towards nation-building, the defence minister cited the contributions of renowned ancient Indian scientists and said “no success is final and no failure is fatal”.

“India has been a witness to a long tradition of scientists from Aryabhata, Varahamihir, Brahmagupta, Bodhayan, Charak, Sushruta, Nagarjuna to Sawai Jai Singh.,” said Singh.

“Before Isaac Newton, Brahmagupta had confirmed the law of gravitational force.

It is a different matter that Western scientists got credit for all these discoveries for some reason,” Singh said, adding he is talking about it as he himself was a student of physics. He said ancient Indian scientist Baudhayan discovered the ‘Pythagoras theorem’ years before Py-

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NEW DELHI, DEC 28 (PTI): India has the potential to become a superpower and it needs significant achievements in the fields of education, health and industry to make the cut, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday as he mentioned the country’s glorious history including major discoveries by ancient scientists like Aryabhata ahead of their western counterparts.

In an online address at the convocation of IIM Ranchi, Singh delved into India’s rich contribution in the field of scientific research in the classical age of Indian mathematics and astronomy and noted that “Aryabhata confirmed the round shape of the Earth and its rotation on its axis about 1,000 years before famous German astronomer Copernicus did”. “We want to make India a superpower.

To make the country a superpower, we need even bigger achievements in the fields

IN THE COURT OF

DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE ZUNHEBOTO: NAGALAND

NO. JUD/SUCC-34/19-20/100

DT. ZBTO. THE 17/12/2020

NOTICE CALLING OBJECTION FOR THE ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE Whereas application has received from Smti. Hotoni Kinimi U/s 372 of Indian Succession Act, resident of Lumami Village Zbto P. S Akuluto for Succession of SBI A/c No. 20198674190, Debts & Securities, Service and Pension Benefit of Late Hetovi Sema.

Notice is hereby issued for filing objections to who has interest in the said claim/s within thirty days from the date of this publication to notice.

Distict & Sessions Judge Zunheboto, Nagaland K-2123

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY of Mr & Mrs KIVIHE & VIHELI CHISHO

29/12/1970 – 29/12/2020

We thank God for bringing both of you this far and continue to live on.

May God bless you both with good health and happy long life.

With much love from children, in-laws and grand children

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HAPPY 50th GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY (29th December 1970 - 29th December 2020) Mrs. Moala Pongen & Mr. P. Yanger Ao (Longjang)

As you celebrate your 50 years of togetherness, may our Almighty God continue to bless you with long life and endless love.

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With Love and Prayers From Loved Ones K Y M C

international

7

China jails citizen-journo over Wuhan virus reporting

Trump signs Tibet policy to preempt Chinese move on Dalai’s succession

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

BEIJING, DEC 28 (PTI): China on Monday appealed to the warring factions of the Nepal Communist Party to properly handle their disputes and strive for political stability as a high-level delegation of the Chinese Communist Party made efforts to bring about a rapprochement between feuding leaders.

China rushed a team of officials headed by Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guo Yezhou to Kathmandu on Sunday after its high-profile Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi failed to sort out differences between Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

Nepal plunged into a political crisis last Sunday after Prime Minister Oli, known for his pro-Beijing leanings, in a surprise move, recommended dissolving the 275-member House.

Acting on the prime minister’s recommendation, Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House the same day and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10, sparking protests from

K P Sharma Oli and Prachanda (File)

a large section of the NCP led by Prachanda, also a cochair of the ruling party.

While China’s open meddling in Nepal’s politics raised eyebrows, Beijing on Monday sought to defend Guo’s visit, saying it was aimed at deepening exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and Nepal’s political parties.

Asked whether Guo’s visit was aimed at bringing about a political reconciliation between the two groups within the NCP, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that China has noted the “developments in Nepal’s political situation”.

“As a friend and close neighbour, we sincerely hope that all sides in Nepal

will bear in mind the nation’s interest and the overall picture and properly handle internal disputes and strive to achieve political stability and national development,” Zhao said.

“The CPC upholds the principle of inter-party relation featuring independence, complete equality, mutual respect and noninterference,” he said.

“The party will work together with all political parties in Nepal to promote China and Nepal’s strategic cooperation partnership, everlasting friendship and promote benefits to two people and two countries,” Zhao said.

He said China and Nepal are “good neighbours, friends and partners for a long period of time”.

Tropical cyclone destroys over 1,500 homes in Fiji

17 missing after Russian fishing boat sinks in Arctic

SUVA, DEC 28 (IANS): More than 1,500 homes were totally destroyed, while 6,000 others partially damaged in Vanua Levu, the second largest island in Fiji, due to tropical cyclone Yasa.

According to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), this was confirmed on Monday by Commissioner Northern Divison Uraia Rainima, who said that they completed their initial damage assessments on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, according to assessments by the Education Ministry, about 85 schools in tropical cyclone Yasa affected areas have sustained some level of damage.

Currently, 80 evacua-

tion centres were active in Vanua Levu in the northern part of Fiji and 68 of these are schools.

Some 22,000 ration packs have been distributed to the evacuation centres.

The agriculture sector in the northern part of the nation has also been severely affected by the cyclone and the Fijian government believed there was a need for a quick recovery plan to ensure the nutrition needs for people in the affected areas.

The tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific region runs between November and April every year and Fiji is expected to experience up to three tropical cyclones during the 2020/2021 cyclone season.

SHANGHAI, DEC 28 (AGENCIES): A Chinese court handed a four-year jail term on Monday to a citizen-journalist who reported from the central city of Wuhan at the peak of last year’s coronavirus outbreak, on grounds of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” her lawyer said.

Zhang Zhan, 37, the first such person known to have been tried, was among a handful of people whose firsthand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets painted a more dire picture of the pandemic epicentre than the official narrative.

“I don’t understand.

All she did was say a few true words, and for that she got four years,” said Shao Wenxia, Zhang’s mother, who attended the trial with her husband.

Zhang’s lawyer Ren Quanniu told Reuters: “We will probably appeal,” adding that the trial at a court in Pudong, a district of the business hub of Shanghai, ended at 12.30 p.m.

“Ms Zhang believes she is being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech,” he had said before the trial.

Critics say that China deliberately arranged for

Zhang’s trial to take place during the Western holiday season so as to minimize Wester n attention and scrutiny.

“Beijing’s selection of the sleepy period between Christmas and New Year’s suggests even it is embarrassed to sentence citizen-journalist Zhang Zhan to four years in prison for having chronicled the uncensored version of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan,” tweeted Kenneth Roth, the Geneva-based executive director of Human Rights Watch.

Criticism of China’s early handling of the crisis has been censored, and whistle-blowers such as doctors warned. State media have credited the country’s success in reining in the virus to the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

The virus has spread worldwide to infect more than 80 million people and kill over 1.76 million, paralysing air travel as nations threw up barriers against it that have disrupted industries and livelihoods.

In Shanghai, police enforced tight security outside the court where the trial opened seven months after Zhang’s detention, although some supporters were undeterred.

WASHINGTON, DEC 28 (PTI): US President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill which calls for establishing a US consulate in Tibet and building an international coalition to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community without China’s interference.

The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 modifies and re-authorises various programmes and provisions related to Tibet.

Trump signed the act on Sunday as part of the massive USD 2.3 trillion package for the year-end bill to provide long-delayed coronavirus relief and fund the federal government.

The US Senate last week unanimously passed the bill despite China’s protest.

It authorises assistance to non-governmental organisations in support of Tibetan communities in Tibet; places restrictions on new Chinese consulates in the United States until a US consulate has been established in Lhasa, Tibet.

The law now authorises the Office of the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and expands the office’s duties to include

of Late P. Zuheli

M O S C OW, D E C 2 8 (IANS): Seventeen people were missing and two others rescued after a Russian fishing boat sank in the Barents Sea, local media reported on Monday.

The fishing boat, Onega, sank near the Novoya Zemlya archipelago with 19 people on board, Xinhua news agency quoted the local media reports citing the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations as saying.

The ministry attributed the incident to the formation of too much ice on the vessel. A search and rescue operation is underway, but an aircraft is yet to be deployed in the wake of bad weather conditions.

DP-5756

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Died on 29/12/2019

"And He said unto them; It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power".

Acts 1:7

Your life was a blessing Your memories, a treasure Your love and sacrifices continue to inspire and guide us We love you always We miss you forever DP-5759

~ Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and In-laws~

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

LATE LIMHATHUNG ODYUO 11.10.1971 – 22.12.2020 The family of LATE LIMHATHUNG ODYUO wishes to express sincere thanks to all those who stood by us during the bereavement of our beloved father/husband.

We thank you for your support shown to us in any way before, during and after the funeral. Your comforting expressions of sympathy will always be remembered with deep gratitude.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.”

K Y M C

IMNABENLA

Born : April 13, 2008 – Died : December 25, 2020 Dear Aben, While we were here celebrating Christmas on Earth, you said you needed to wish Jesus Happy Birthday personally and so you left us for the heavenly abode.

Your kindness and innocence will always be remembered.

We would also like to thank each and every individual for your immense love and support towards our family during the time of our bereavement. It is our humble prayer that God Almighty bless you abundantly.

Loving, Mom, Dad, Siblings and Family Members DP-5762

SUPONGCHITEN LONGKUMER 06.01.1989 - 22.12.2020 We are grateful for the richness of his life, the kindness of his heart, and the love of his relatives and friends.

K-2125

Numbers 6:24-25

Loving family

additional tasks, such as pursuing international coalitions to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist faith community.

It also directs the Secretary of State not to open a new Chinese consulate in the US unless China allows the opening of an American consulate in Lhasa.

It is the policy of the US to take all appropriate measures to hold accountable senior officials of the Chinese Government or

1 st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-5753

Donald Trump

the Chinese Communist Party who directly interfere with the identification and installation of the future 15th Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism, the successor to the 14th Dalai Lama.

Beijing views the 14th Dalai Lama as a “separatist” working to split Tibet from China.

Some of the prominent measures approved by the US Congress include imposing sanctions on Chinese officials, including travel restrictions.

Noting that the 14th Dalai Lama advocates the Middle Way Approach, which seeks genuine autonomy for the six million Tibetans in Tibet, the new law says that the Dalai Lama has overseen a process of democratisation within the Tibetan polity and devolved his political responsibilities to the elected 23 representatives of the Tibetan people in exile in 2011.

The family and wife of Lt. Supongchiten Longkumer thank you for your prayers and support.

DP-5751

Properly handle differences, China tells Oli & Prachanda

K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

India in sight of series-levelling win

Melbourne, Dec 28 (PTI): India marched towards a dominant serieslevelling victory after their formidable bowlers scythed through the Australian batting, relentlessly pressing home the advantage of a sizeable first-innings lead on the third day of the second Test, here on Monday.

Australia were wobbling at 133 for six at stumps on the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Aiming to exorcise the ghosts of being bowled out for a lowest ever 36 in the series-opener, the visitors had put up 326 on the board for a 131-run lead in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 195 all out.

Australia were ahead by only two runs at close of play.

Seeking to wipe out the deficit, Australia began their second innings on a disastrous note as Joe Burns (4) not only got out for a poor score, but also wasted a review after pacer Umesh Yadav (1/5) opened him up with the one that swung away very late.

Ravichandran Ashwin, second left, celebrates with teammates after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne on Monday. (AP/PTI)

Introduced early into the attack, seasoned offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin (1/46) once again showed his class when he bamboozled Marnus Labuschagne (28 off 49 balls) with a slider that went straight with the angle.

Ashwin let one slide across and with the batsman looking to defend.

The ball went the other way and took an outside edge on its way to Rahane

at first slip.

More misery awaited Australia in the final session when they lost four wickets for the addition of 68 runs, taking India closer to an equaliser in the four-match series after the humiliating defeat in the opener at Adelaide Oval.

Steve Smith’s horror run in the series continued as he was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah (1/34) round his legs when the ball clipped

Jamshedpur beat Bengaluru 1-0 Margao, Dec 28 (PTI): Nigerian defender Stephen Eze’s 79th minute strike helped Jamshedpur FC notched up a 1-0 victory over former champions Bengaluru FC in an Indian Super League match, here on Monday.

With the win, the Men of Steel leapfrogged Bengaluru to third spot with 13 points from nine matches.

BFC stay fourth with 12 points from eight games.

Bengaluru took just three minutes to register their first shot on target.

Kristian Opseth’s free-

kick nearly curled into the bottom corner, only to be kept out by a diving TP Rehenesh. BFC continued to be on ascendancy but kept missing chances. Sunil Chhetri was set through on goal by a brilliant Suresh pass, but the skipper’s shot from a good position was deflected behind. Off the resultant corner, Dimas found Chhetri, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Jamshedpur had their first real chance in the 17th minute when Aniket Jadhav drilled in a low cross for an unmarked Nerijus Valskis,

only for the Lithuanian to blaze it over the bar.

Both the teams kept knocking on the door with Chhetri missing another attempt for BFC while Gurpreet Singh denied Jackichand Singh with a brilliant save to go into break goal-less. JFC finally broke the deadlock through Eze, who scored his third goal of the season. Lima played a weighted pass to Aniket on the right and the latter floated a cross in the box.

Eze got past his marker and dived low to score past Gurpreet.

the bails of the off-stump after the batsman had shuffled too much.

Matthew Wade, looking the best among Australian batsmen, was trapped in front of the wicket by Ravindra Jadeja (2/25) at 98 for four.

And while the score remained the same, Australia lost another wicket in Travis Head a couple of overs later.

There was no encore

I would like to play in the US: Messi

LON D ON, D EC 2 8 (AGENCIES): Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out in June.

The Argentina forward, 33, can begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.

Speculation over his future has been intense since he handed in a transfer request in August.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.

“I’m going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.

“Right now the most important thing is to focus on the team and finish the season well, to focus on Hamla Khanko boys, winners of the 1st Sepaktakraw tournament, organized by Turbo trying to win trophies and Boys Jaboka of Yansa, Mon district along with the runner-up Bongtik fighters. The not get distracted by other things.” tournament was held from December 21 to 22.

Arun Jaitley’s statue unveiled at DDCA premises New Delhi, Dec 28 (PTI): A controversial build-up notwithstanding, the Delhi and District Cricket Association ( D D C A ) o n M o n d ay unveiled the statue of its former president Arun Jaitley at its premises in the memory of the late administrator and former union minister.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled Jaitley’s life-size statue, prepared by 96-year-old renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, the man behind the making of the iconic Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

Jaitley, who held key portfolios of finance and defence in the central government, died last year due to multiple health issues.

Former India cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi had severely criticised the DDCA for choosing to install the statue of an administrator instead of an inspirational cricketer and even demanded that his name be removed from one of the stands at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground.

BCCI President and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, India opener Shikhar Dhawan, ex India opener Gautam Gambhir, who is also a BJP MP from

Amit Shah unveils the statue of late Arun Jaitley on his birth anniversary on Monday. (PTI)

Delhi, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla and Union Minister Hardeep Puri attended the unveiling ceremony along with a number of DDCA officials.

“Arun was like an elder brother to me. He was known for his sportsmanship spirit in the political

circle. He remained aggressive in his speeches but never lowered the dignity of the Parliament,” Shah said in his tribute to Jaitley, who remained DDCA President for 13 years.

“Arun always put his own interest at the back, never sought publicity and

rose during the Emergency days when he spent 19 months in jail. His political journey started then. He was multi-talented and fulfilled a range of responsibilities.”

Ganguly said Jaitley’s contribution was immense in the development of cricket in Delhi, though the DDCA has been in “turmoil” for some time.

“When we play and get 100, it gets recognition but lot of people work behind the scenes and help the cricketers. He was a cricketer’s person. That is the role of an administrator,” he said.

“I remember a phone call (he) made during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. We had lost the first game and the whole country went berserk but he (Jaitley) said that association supports you and you play well. These small things matter, he was a great human being,” said Ganguly.

“This is a remarkably talented state which has produced so many players, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant now and many in the past. A settled DDCA is good thing for Indian cricket and hopefully they can do it.”

of skipper Tim Paine’s battling knock in the first Test as he was caught behind off the bowling of Jadeja.

Australia could have been seven down had Pant held on to a Pat Cummins edge off Ashwin.

However, India too have a cause for concern as Umesh hobbled off the field after suffering a calf injury in the innings’ eighth over.

Bowling his fourth over, the pacer had complained of pain in his calf and had been taken for scans after being assessed by the BCCI medical team.

Earlier, riding captain Ajinkya Rahane’s classy hundred and Ravindra Jadeja’s 15th half-century, India managed enough runs on the board to put Australia under pressure despite losing their five remaining wickets for only 49 runs after resuming the day on 277 for five.

BRIEF SCORES: Australia 195 and 133/6 (M Wade 40, M Labuschagne 28, R Jadeja 2/25) vs India 326 (A Rahane 112, R Jadeja 57, S Gill 45, M Starc 3/78, P Cummins 2/80, N Lyon 3/72).

Ronaldo gives ‘Player of The Year’ award to Lewandowski Dubai, Dec 28 (Agencies): Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo – who won the ‘Player of the Century’ at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday – won hearts with an incredible move. According to reports, Ronaldo – who is a massive superstar in the world of football – also won the ‘Player of the Year’.

According to India. com, realising it would be ‘unfair’, the 35-year old instead of accepting the coveted honour, gave the award to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski – who has had a phenomenal year for his club.

Why did Ronaldo make such a move? Ronaldo and his team gave the honour to Lewandowski because the Juve striker only won it based on his own popularity.

Italian publication Tuttosport state that Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes believe he only won the award over Lewandowski in the public vote due to his popularity. Ronaldo – who won the ‘Player of the Century’ – said it is an ‘exceptional’ honour and is moti-

Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski (Photo Credits: Twitter)

vating moving forward.

“For 20 consecutive years I have played and scored as a professional, I didn’t know there was another record to beat. It’s a pleasure to hear about the records, I have achieved all this but without my teammates, without a great team, I would not have achieved these records. It is an exceptional achievement. It gives me the motivation to move forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski has had a season to remember where he scored 55 goals in all competitions for the German giants in 2020. Speculations are rife that the 35-year old is contemplating a move out of

Turin after his contract with Juventus expires at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, according to Givemesport report, an official statement from the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards reads: “Robert Lewandowski was named Player of the Year 2020 at last night’s Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, thanks to a combination of votes from fans all over the world and votes from the Dubai Globe Soccer Jury.

“Lewandowski has had an exceptional season, being a top scorer of the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup and stacking up victories for his club, Bayern Munich.”

TYO annual sports meet underway

Unity Club (blue) and Astute Brothers (yellow) along with the special guest Medovikho Nakhro and others before the match at Tsiepama village.

D im a p u r , D e c 2 8 (NPN): The 23rd annual sports meet of Tsiepama Youth Organization (TYO) under Dimapur district got underway at Tsiepama local

ground on December 28.

The event was hosted by Dream Team.

A press release by TYO stated that the inaugural session was graced by Sub-divi-

sional officer Soil and Water Conservation, Medovikho Nakhro as special guest.

In his address, he appreciated the youth organisation for taking up the

initiative in providing platform for the village youths to expose their talents despite hardship faced by the general public owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nakhro viewed that the coming together and showing unity was no less than winning a medal. He also reminded the youngsters to inherit the traditional games and sports of the forefathers.

Six clubs- Dream Team, United Friends Club, Wolf FC, Astute Brothers, Unity Club, TYO model village will compete in volleyball and football which will continue till January 2.

ABC, Forest FC register wins in WCC

D I M A P UR , D EC 2 8 (NPN): ABC and Forest FC won their respective matches in the ongoing 25th edition of Winter Cricket Challenge played at local ground, Wokha on Monday.

ABC trashed Rising Stars by 95 runs and in another encounter Forest CC

beat Atoms SC by 9 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, ABC set 142 runs target for Rising Stars.

Yanren of ABC scored 22 runs while batting and claimed three wickets in three overs was named man of the match.

In the second match of the day, put into bat, Forest

Federer out of Australian Open

Kohli named Cricketer of the Decade; Dhoni wins ‘Spirit of Cricket’ honour

Melbourne, Dec 28 (Agencies): Six-times champion Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Australian Open as he continues to work his way back to fitness from two knee operations earlier this year, his agent said.

The 39-year-old Swiss last played a competitive match at the season-opening Grand Slam in January before he had to undergo surgery on his knee. He later required a second operation.

The start of the 2021 Australian Open has been delayed for three weeks until Feb. 8 due to the country’s strict border rules to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Federer, who had been training at his off-season base in Dubai, had told organisers that the delayed start to the tournament could benefit him.

However, his agent Tony Godsick said Federer was not quite ready to return.

“Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open,” Godsick said in a statement. “He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness.

Dubai, Dec 28 (PTI): India captain Virat Kohli on Monday headlined the ICC top honours for the decade, winning the Sir Garfield Sobers award for the best male cricketer of the past 10 years.

Kohli was also picked for the ODI Cricketer of the Decade award.

Former India skipper M S Dhoni won the ‘ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade’, chosen by fans for his gesture of calling back England batsman Ian Bell after a bizarre run out in the Nottingham Test in 2011.

The ICC made the announcements via twitter, bestowing the top honours on Kohli, who scored 66 out of his 70 international hundreds, in the “ICC Awards” period.

Overall, the 32-yearold has amassed 12040 runs in ODIs, 7318 runs in Tests and 2928 runs in T20 Internationals, averaging more than 50 across formats. Kohli was also part of the World Cup-winning India squad in 2011, something he will cherish for life.

The other nominees of the ICC Male Crick-

CC set a target for 120 runs for Atoms SC. In reply, Atoms SC fell short of the target by nine runs. Nzanthung Odyuo of Forest CC made 19 runs while batting and took three wickets in four overs was named man of the match.

Man of the match award in the second match

Virat Kohli

was handed over by Khyolamo Humtsoe organizing secretary, Senior Nobel Klan (SNK) organizing members of WCC. Tuesday’s matches Stork CC Vs New Wokha Village Dynamic CC Vs KLSU

M S Dhoni

The award winners: * Virat Kohli (Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade) * Ellyse Perry (Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade) * Steve Smith (ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade) * Virat Kohli (ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade) * Ellyse Perry (ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade) * Rashid Khan (ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade) * Ellyse Perry (ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade) * Kyle Coetzer (ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Decade) * Kathryn Bryce (ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Decade) * MS Dhoni (ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade) eter of the Decade were R Ashwin, Joe Root, Kumar Sangakkara, Steve Smith, Ab de Villiers and Kane Williamson.

On Sunday, Kohli was the lone player to be named in teams of the decade across formats and was named captain of the Test

all-stars.

On being also named the ODI Cricketer of the Decade, Kohli added: “ODI cricket is something that I took to very early. I came to the ODI team first and then, I made my Test debut a couple of years later.

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