February 7, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 62

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Mohun Bagan thrash Odisha 4-1

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sports, Page 8

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Centre given time till Oct 2 to repeal agri laws

‘Chakka jam’ ends peacefully

‘We won’t return home unless our demands are met’

NEW DELHI, FEB 6 (PTI/ AGENCIES): Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday said that the farmers’ protest at the Ghazipur border (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) would extend till 2 October.

Addressing farmers gathered at the Ghazipur border, the BKU leader also said that the farmer leaders have given the Central government ‘time’ till October 2 to repeal the farm laws, failing which the farmer unions agitating against the three farm laws would plan further protests. “ We wo n’t r e t u r n home unless our demands are met,” Tikait said, adding, “We have given time to the government till October 2 to repeal the laws. After this, we will do further planning. We won’t hold discussions with the government under pressure.”

Speaking at the Ghazipur protest site, Tikait said, “We have given time to the government till October 2 to repeal the laws. After

Lt. Gen. JP Mathew next GOC 3 Corps

Securitymen stand near barricades as Rakesh Tikait gestures during the ‘chakka jam’ at Ghazipur border, Saturday. (PTI)

this, we will do further planning.”

The 51-year-old farm leader cautioned that they “won’t hold discussions with the government under pressure.” “ We wo n’t r e t u r n home unless our demands are met,” the Tikait reiterated, adding that a law be enforced on the minimum support price (MSP) of crop procurement.

In his interaction with reporters, Tikait claimed to have received a few inputs had been received regarding some “miscreants trying to disrupt peace” during the ‘chakka jam’ held today.

“Because of these inputs, we had decided to call

off the ‘chakka jam’ in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” the union leader cited.

Amid a stringent security set up installed around the Ghazipur protest site, Tikait interacted with the security personnel who were on the other side of the barricading. With a bowed head and folded hands, he said, “My pranaam (a respectful salutation) to you all. Now you all will protect my farms.”

Tikait, backed by an army of supporters, told Delhi police officials, “Nobody can touch the farmlands, the farmers will protect it. Both farmers and soldiers should come forward for it.”

Farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan blocked highways and key roads with tractor-trolleys and sit-in demonstrations on Saturday, while scattered protests were held in other states during a three-hour ‘chakka jam’ called by agitating farmer unions which are demanding the scrapping of the Centre’s new agri laws.

Scores of people were detained in several states, including nearly 60 at Shaheedi Park in the national capital which was brought under a thick security blanket, during the demonstrations held between 12 noon and 3 PM to oppose the internet ban and other restrictions at the protest sites on Delhi’s borders.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation, claimed the ‘chakka jam’ (road blockade) protest got huge nationwide support which once again “proved” that farmers across the country are united against the farm laws and demanded that the government come up with a fresh proposal for talks. No untoward incident was reported in any part of

DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Lt. Gen. JP Mathew will take over as the next General Officer Commanding of 3 (Spear) Corps Rangapahar (Dimapur) from outgoing GOC, Lt. Gen. RP Kalita.

Lt. Gen. Mathew, who is from the Punjab regiment, is currently posted at the Directorate of Discipline, Ceremonials and Welfare, Integrated Headquarter. Lt. Gen. Mathew also served as the GOC of Victor Force (Rashtriya Rifles) in Jammu & Kashmir.

Lt. Gen. Mathew is scheduled to arrive Nagaland on Sunday and the official handing and taking over will take place next week. Sources said that the present GOC 3 Corps Lt. Gen. RP Kalita is likely to take over as the Director General Manpower Planning and Personnel Services.

This is it!

“Though my wife is not afraid of COVID, for me, it’s- Stay Home, Stay Safe- on Sunday. “ K Y M C

the country during Saturday’s protests.

Protesters were detained by police as they stalled traffic in parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The Congress and Left parties too joined the protests in some states in support of the ‘chakka jam’ called by the agitating farmer unions.

While Delhi along with Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand was kept out of Saturday’s road blockade by agitating farmer unions, authorities again suspended internet at the protest sites of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri as well as adjoining areas for 24 hours till Saturday night and closed entry and exit facilities at 10 prominent Delhi Metro stations for few hours.

Singhu border looked crowded than before as more tractors and farmers made their way to the protest sites, while drone cameras, multilayered barricades, nailstudded roads and barbed wires were in place as part of precautionary measures by the police.

international, Page 7

Centre allocates `800 crore for Dimapur-Zubza Railway project GUWAHATI/AGARTALA, FEB 6 (IANS): A sum of Rs 8,060 crore has been allocated for the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) including Rs 800 crore for Dimapur-Zubza project in this year’s Budget, officials said on Friday.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer Subhanan Chanda said that of the Rs 8,060 crore, Rs 4,330 crore has been allocated for three new Lines and doubling of several railway line works.

A sum of Rs 3,470 crore has been allocated for safety and capacity enhancement works while passenger amenities received Rs 166 crore.

Rs 1,000 crore each has been allocated for the Jiribam-Imphal railway project in Manipur and Bairabi-Sairang project in Mizoram.

NFR, one among the 17 railway zones in India, operates fully and partially in six of the eight northeastern states, excluding Meghalaya and Sikkim, as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

Chanda said that this

Workers inside a tunnel for Dhansiri-Zubza rail line. (NP file)

year’s budget has allocated Rs 650 crore for doubling of the New BongaigaonAgthori (via Rangiya) and Rs 610 crore for the New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Guwahati section. Similarly, the Digaru-Hojai doubling work has been allocated Rs 100 crore and New Mainaguri-Gumanihat doubling work Rs 110 crore.

Among the new projects, Sivok-Rangpo project (44.96 km) has been allocated Rs 1,100 crore, Tetelia-Byrnihat project allocated Rs 101 crore and Rs 300 crore has been allocated for the Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) project to link Indian Railways with the Bangladesh railway network.

NPCC mourns passing away of VP States asked to step up COVID vax drive DIMAPUR, FEB Mrs Lanuienla Lemtur and children and prayed 6 (NPN): Nagaland that Almighty God grant Pradesh Congress Comthem strength and solace mittee (NPCC) has exin their hour of grief and pressed deep pain over for the departed soul to the untimely demise of rest in peace.

Jonathan Ao, NPCC vice According to fampresident on Saturday. ily sources, the funeral In a statement, NPCC communication depart- Late Jonathan Ao service will be held on February 7 at 2.30 p.m. ment said Jonathan was undergoing treatment at GNRC Guwahati after suffering serious head injury in a road accident five days ago at Dimapur.

Nagaland Medicine Dealers NPCC said his death has sent Association has informed that all deep shock waves among party pharmacies will remain closed on rank and file, as he was one among February 7 in Dimapur from 7 a.m. the few remaining diehard party to 5 p.m., as a mark of respect and loyalist who grew up from party’s to mourn the demise of its former youth wing and remained strongly president Jonathan Ao. rooted in the secular ideology and NMDA expressed shock and principles of the Congress till his mourned the sudden demise Jonalast breath. than Ao, who had made many NPCC said Jonathan was an contributions towards the medical excellent orator and an indispens- business fraternity. His commitable asset for the party, who was ment towards the association and loved by all irrespective of age, po- members will always be cherished, sition and beyond party affiliation. it said. NDMA conveyed heartfelt NPCC president K Therie along condolences to the bereaved family with all Congress men and women and prayed that God grant them the extended heartfelt condolences to strength to overcome the loss.

Pharmacies to remain closed today in Dimapur

Lt. Gen. JP Mathew

Myanmar junta blocks internet access

nagalandpostofficial

NEW DELHI, FEB 6 (AGENCIES): Union Health Ministry has urged state and union territory authorities to exponentially increase the pace of coronavirus vaccination.

According to the Ministry of Health, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed the status and progress of the COVID vaccination drive with officials of states and union territories via video conferencing, on Saturday.

“They were urged to exponentially increase the pace of vaccination. Beneficiaries of inaugural vaccination day to start getting a second dose on February 13,” the ministry said.

The Union Health ministry said that 12 states have vaccinated less than 40% of their total health workers. Those states are Assam 39.9%, Delhi 37.1%, Punjab 33.7%, Jammu and Kashmir 33.6%, Dadra and Nagar Haveli 31.9%, Ladakh

below 40% vax States

Percentage

Assam

39.9%

Delhi

37.1%

Punjab

33.7%

Jammu and Kashmir

33.6%

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

31.9%

Ladakh

31.7%

Tamil Nadu

28%

Chandigarh

27.7%

Meghalaya

21.7%

Nagaland

21%

Manipur

17.4%

Puducherry

13.6%

31.7%, Tamil Nadu 28%, Chandigarh 27.7%, Meghalaya 21.7%, Nagaland 21%, Manipur 17.4% and Puducherry 13.6%.

Meanwhile, additional

New AI tool to counter emergent mutations of Covid N E W YO R K , F E B 6 (IANS): Researchers have developed a new method using artificial intelligence (AI) to counter emergent mutations of the coronavirus and speed up vaccine development to stop the pathogen responsible for killing thousands of people worldwide.

The method developed by researchers at University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering in the US is easily adaptable to analyse potential mutations of the virus, ensuring the best possible vaccines are quickly identified -- solutions that give humans a big advantage over the evolving contagion.

Their machine-learning model can accomplish vaccine design cycles that once took months or years in a matter of seconds and minutes, said the study published

in the journal Scientific Reports. “This AI framework, applied to the specifics of this virus, can provide vaccine candidates within seconds and move them to clinical trials quickly to achieve preventive medical therapies without compromising safety,” said Paul Bogdan, Associate Professor at USC Viterbi and corresponding author of the study.

“Moreover, this can be adapted to help us stay ahead of the coronavirus as it mutates around the world.”

When applied to SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes Covid-19 -- the computer model quickly eliminated 95 per cent of the compounds that could have possibly treated the pathogen and pinpointed the best options, the study said.

The AI-assisted method predicted 26 potential vaccines

that would work against the coronavirus.

From those, the scientists identified the best 11 from which to construct a multi-epitope vaccine, which can attack the spike proteins that the coronavirus uses to bind and penetrate a host cell. Vaccines target the region -- or epitope -- of the contagion to disrupt the spike protein, neutralising the ability of the virus to replicate.

The method is especially useful during this stage of the pandemic as the coronavirus begins to mutate in populations around the world. Some scientists are concerned that the mutations may minimise the effectiveness of vaccines which are now being distributed. Recent variants of the virus that have emerged in the UK, South Africa and Brazil seem to spread more

easily, which scientists say will rapidly lead to many more cases, deaths and hospitalisations.

But Bogdan said that if SARS-CoV-2 becomes uncontrollable by current vaccines, or if new vaccines are needed to deal with other emerging viruses, then USC’s AI-assisted method can be used to design other preventive mechanisms quickly. “The proposed vaccine design framework can tackle the three most frequently observed mutations and be extended to deal with other potentially unknown mutations,” Bogdan said.

The raw data for the research comes from a giant bioinformatics database called the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) in which scientists around the world have been compiling data about the coronavirus, among other diseases.

secretary Health, Manohar Agnan, said, “As of 6 pm on Saturday, the total number of persons being vaccinated is 56,36,868, out of which 52,66,175 are healthcare workers. It is 54.7 % of the total cohort of healthcare workers who are registered on CoWIN.” “Since we started vaccinating frontline workers from February 2, a total of 3,70,693 frontline workers have also been covered — which is 4.5 % of the current database of frontline workers,” Agnani added.

According to Agnani, top 13 states that have vaccinated more than 60% of healthcare workers are Uttarakhand 71.5%, Bihar 76.6%, Madhya Pradesh 76.1%, Tripura 76%, Mizoram 69.7%, Uttar Pradesh 69%, Kerala 68.1%, Odisha 67.6%, Rajasthan 67.3%, Himachal Pradesh 66.8%, Lakshadweep 64.5%, Andaman 62.9%, and Chhattisgarh 60.5%.

22 new COVID-19 cases in Kohima

DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Nagaland on Saturday reported 22 new COVID-19 positive cases from Kohima, taking the tally to 12148.

With this, the state’s total active cases rose to 85 while 11826 patients have recovered from the infection till date.

P T I a d d s : I n d i a ’s COVID-19 infection tally climbed to 1,08,14,304 with 11,713 new cases in a day, while 1,05,10,796 people have recuperated from the infection on Saturday, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll also climbed to 1,54,918 with 95 deaths in a span of 24 hours in the country.

There are 1,48,590 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which accounts for 1.37 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

CPRO said that in this year’s budget has put the thrust mainly on infrastructure expansion, speed augmentation of trains, development of terminal facilities, improvement of amenities for passengers and other users, construction of road over bridges and road under bridges for the safety of road users, modernisation of the signaling system for enhancement of safety and speed.

NFR is also taking measures to optimise logistic services to boost economic growth in the region. Focus is also on international connectivity particularly with Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar as per “Act East Policy”.

JVC warns govt of shutting down LHEP DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Following the expiry of the seven-day deadline served on the Power department, the joint village council (JVC) of Moya and Salomi have warned of initiating legal action and shutting down of the 24 MW Likimro Hydro Electric Project (LHEP) power house for non-release of payment to NEC company.

In a joint statement, Moya village council chairman, K. Asang Yimchunger, Salomi village council chairman Korakmong Yimchunger and former Head GB of Moya village and former president YTC/advisor ENPO, M. Thsesong Yimchunger said the power department had ignored their plea to release the payment, which was already released by the Finance department in September 2020. The village councils warned that they should not be held responsible for any untoward incident.

They accused the Power department of resorting to an arm-twisting tactics by not releasing the dues to NEC Energy, which had successfully running the project successfully since 2006. They also reminded that LHEP was the only project running successfully in the State and earning revenue for the department, which needed day-to-day maintenance.

NH, UNC, ANSF and Z&RC slam Ravi’s R-Day speech DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Naga Hoho (NH), United Naga Council (UNC), Arunachal Naga Students’ Federation (ANSF) and Zeliangrong & Rengma Council (Assam) said they took strong exception on the Republic Day speech of Nagaland governor and Interlocutor R.N. Ravi as it not only undermined the Naga political struggle but raised questions about his (Ravi’s) integrity.

According to NH president, HK Zhimomi, general secy. K. Elu Ndang, ANSF president Gawang Hakhum, Z&RC Assam convenor Pouheu Newme, UNC president S. Kho John and UNC general secy S. Milan this was the stand at a coordination meeting held at Guwahati on January 28,2021. They maintained

that Ravi’s speech was “not independent form the larger political scheme of the government of India adding, “this must stop.” They also alleged that the “governor is being used, to create more problems than to resolve the Naga issue.”

The signatories also alleged that the “delaying tactics of the government of India will only backtrack what has been achieved this far”. They recalled the Framework Agreement as they did not see any reason for the talks to drag on for more than 24 years.

The five organisations said the government of India “must take a clear stand on the long pending Indo-Naga political issue” and prove its commitment with utmost sincerity as the world’s largest democracy.

K Y M C

2

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will pre-paid power system improve services?

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

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B

C

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

52% 36% 12%

Next poll

Q: Is there danger that

people are letting their guard down against COVID-19?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST february 7

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Partly sunny and pleasant

27 11

Sun mixing with clouds; nice

21 7

Guwahati Pleasant with clouds and sun

26 11

Aizawl Imphal

Pleasant with sunshine

Itanagar Partly sunny and pleasant

25 6 24 11

Shillong

Times of sun and clouds

16 4

Kohima

Cooler; a stray p.m. t-storm

18 6

Dimapur A t-storm around in the a.m.

25 10

Mkg

A stray afternoon t-storm

Tuensang A t-storm around in the p.m.

Wokha

Club Dimapur organises Quality education need of the hour: Azo Rotaryblood donation camp

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

20 6 13 4

Partly sunny and not as warm 19 10

Zunheboto Cooler with a stray t-storm

17 5

Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, MLA speaking at the inaugural function of Viphuho Foundation High School (VFHS) new school building Saturday. (NP)

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): NPF Legislator, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said that good quality education is the need of the hour in Nagaland, today.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of Viphuho Foundation High School (VFHS) new school building Saturday, at Mt view colony, Purana Bazar, Dimapur.

Inaugurating the building, MLA Azo in his speech congratulated the school and said that in order to impart good quality education, one needed to be disciplined, sincere and

dedicated.

Making a comparison between government and private schools, Azo said those private schools were doing far better than government schools because the management of government school had become weak.

The education system has become weak because of leaders like politicians, undergrounds and so called national workers, for everyone wants their share though they are not qualified and fail to select the best and capable ones, he opined.

Encouraging the gathering on being a good listener, Azo said that if one

wanted to be a reasonable leader, one should have the patience to listen and follow advises for greater purpose in life.

Po i n t i n g o u t t h a t VFHS had quality of discipline, Azo said that the strongest pillar of a vibrant society was fearing God, inculcating discipline and being a good human resource development.

While briefing about the school, VFHS administrator, V Phushika Aomi said that it was a red latter day for the school to give new hope to the generation and to create a space to mould the future generation.

He maintained that

the school comprised of different community of qualified teacher coming together to impart quality education to the students.

Aomi mentioned that the foundation stone of the new building was laid on February 7, 2020 and shifting of the school proposal was carried out in the year 2018, so as to provide better education with better infrastructure.

The school structure comprises of 16 rooms, 12 rooms to accommodate 35 to 40 students, four rooms to accommodate 25 to 35 students. The school also plans to provide science lab for higher classes, library and central conference hall.

Short speeches were delivered by Ratan Mech on behalf of the parent, Mt view colony council chairman Kughato S Aye, DNSU president Sedevilie Angami.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by AHM Richard Hart, welcome note by headmaster T K Ganguly, dedicatory prayer by EDSBA senior pastor reverend Dr ZK Rochill, vote of thanks by school management secretary Kughato Aomi and benediction by Thilixu Baptist church pastor Khetoi Shikhu.

NTC office & facilitation counter building inaugurated DIMAPUR: Deputy Commissioner, Noklak, Reny Wilfred inaugurated Noklak Town Council (NTC) office-cum-facilitation counter building at DC’s Office complex, an undertaking of municipal affairs and implemented by District Administration at Noklak on February 6.

According to DIPR report, while speaking on the occasion as special guest, DC stated that the concept of the building was to exhibit the potential to bring low cost housing in remote areas for officers, medical staff and teachers who suffered due to lack of proper accommodation.

He said that the district had scope to improve sectors in agri products marketing, aquaculture, tourism etc., and opined that

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

NTC members with DC Noklak, Reny Wilfred at the inaugurated office-cum-facilitation counter building.

two things would change the district, such as Education City & Tribal University where the district had an advantage of being in the international boundary and the other one was supermarket for plumbing & electronic goods.

He also suggested starting start taxi services in the district by Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam in

order to empower women in the district and welcomed all to visit, suggest and criticise without hesitation so that improvements could be made in the future projects.

SDO (Civil) Noklak & administrator Noklak Town Council, C Phuniang requested all to work extra mile so that the real meaning of pioneers would

come true.

He expressed gratitude to the DC for completing the project within 10 days and requested all to use the building in a productive way.

President, Khiamniungan Tribal Council M Thangou appreciated DC Noklak, Reny Wilfred, who was posted in August 6, 2020 and within six

months, the first fruit of development was seen.

He requested people of Noklak to cooperate with District Administration and the government for all round development in the district.

EAC, Yithachu Thur also highlighted on the achievements and works under process within six month’s time of Noklak being a district.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by EAC L Mongo Khiamniungan, folk song was presented by DBs of Noklak, executive secretary, Khiamniungan Baptist Church Association, Hempao pronounced dedicatory prayer and vote of thanks was delivered by district planning officer, Noklak, Imsumeren Jamir.

Donors partaking at the blood donation camp.

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR FEB 6 (NPN): To commemorate the its 50th year celebration, Rotary club Dimapur (RID 3240) in association with IndusInd bank and Dimapur District Hospital blood bank organised a voluntary blood donation camp Saturday at Durga Mandir,

Dimapur.

D u r i n g t h e d r ive, District Hospital Dimapur blood bank in-charge, Dr. Temsu said that due to pandemic and despite the lockdown, the blood bank continued to function and a few thousand of blood units were collected during that time.

Meanwhile, club presi-

State achieves 100% coverage of Polio Immunisation DIMAPUR: Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland informed that Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) which commenced on January 31 concluded successfully in all districts with 100% coverage of all estimated children between 0-5 years.

A press release by state immunization officer (UIP) Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Ritu Thurr stated that the booth day on January 31 was followed by intensified house to house immunisation of left out children. Altogether, 1,53,741 children were immunised in the state with the oral polio vaccine.

The district wise number of vaccinated children is as follows: Dimapur (45322), Mon (24309), Kohima (14901), Tuensang (13118), Wokha (10721), Phek (10429), Peren (9372), Zunheboto (8119), Mokokchung (7245), Kiphire (5828) and Longleng (4377).

dent, Kitoshi Zhimomi in her brief remark said that donating blood was equal to saving lives and that the lives of the donors would be saved tomorrow by others.

She was also optimistic that the club would take up such initiatives even in the days to come.

Altogether 50 units of blood banks were collected.

news in Brief DTHF convenes meet: Dimapur Tribal Hoho Forum (DTHF) has convened a meeting on February 10, 10 a.m. at tourist lodge, Dimapur. Crucial decision will be taken up during the meeting and the decision taken by the members present will be final and binding. All tribal Hoho presidents have been requested to attend the meeting.

Power supply disrupted in Zbto: Power department has informed that power supply to Zunheboto was disrupted following the snapping of conductor; 66KV Mokokchung-Zunheboto transmission line at Naghuto village on February 6. The department is making efforts to restore power supply at the earliest and affected consumers have been requested to bear with the inconvenience. During the disruption period Zunheboto district is being fed from 33Kv Akuloto line until restoration. The division has appealed to all to inform the Department before cutting down trees near transmission lines.

KPC condoles: Kohima Press Club (KPC) members have expressed grief over the demise of late Nukshilila, mother of KPC joint secretary Alem Jamir on February 6. KPC through general secretary, Atono Tsükrü Kense conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed to rest in eternal peace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The family members of the Late Chubanaro Aier wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to: 1) Longjang Baptist Church 2) Longjang Christian Education Ministry 3) 6th Buba Zunga 4) Aietsur Telongjem Late Chubanaro Aier 5) Wotsa Fine Art, Dimapur Born :31/12/1986 6) All family members, relatives Died : 29/01/2021 and friends.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude and we sincerely pray to Almighty God to bless you all abundantly.

DP-741

Loving Family Members & Relatives

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Late Toshiba Chang Died on 07/02/2020

"If we live, we live to the Lord. And if we die, we die to the Lord. So then whether we live or whether die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:4.

It have been a year since you left us but it feels like yesterday, you are always in our hearts, still loved and missed.

MKC-45

K Y M C

DP-733

Grand Children, Loving Wife, Son, Daughter and Family

DP-738

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We convey our deepest and heartfelt gratitude to all individuals, neighbors, friends, well wishers and churches who have grieved and comforted us at the sudden demise of our beloved sister Late Vemugulu Chizo on 3 February 2021 at Phek village. We are grateful for your esteemed prayer, financial and material support which you have rendered.

We sincerely convey our special thanks to: 1. Shri Kuzholuzo Nienu (Azo) MLA Nagaland 2. Phek Village Baptist Church 3. VCC Phek Village 4. Covid-19 Task Force Committee, Phek Village 5. O.T Khel Phek Village Born on 16-11-1990 6. Phek Sports Association Died on 03-02-2021 7. Special Branch, Phek 8. Hoshi Chizo Clan, Phek 9. Bethel Hospital Kohima 10. Bodukro & Unuve VLO group Phek Village We regret our inability to mention each and everyone individually but it is our earnest prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-739

Loving Dad, Mom, Brothers and Sisters K Y M C

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Protests in Assam and Tripura against farm laws

Protest against farm laws in Lakhimpur, Assam

Guwahati/Agartala, Feb 6 (IANS): Left parties and their front organisations on Saturday organised sit-in demonstrations instead of the ‘chakka jam’ against the three farm laws in Assam and Tripura.

In Assam, the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist Central Committee member Suprakash Talukdar said that the Left parties along with the front organisations have organised sit-in protests at around 12 places across the BJP-ruled state.

The protest demonstrations were held for several hours in every place ex-

pressing solidarity with the farmers and demanding immediate withdrawal of the three farm laws. “We would continue to organise different types of protests against the three farm legislations,” Talukdar told the media.

The Assam police subsequently arrested several hundred protesters who took part in the demonstrations. In another BJP-ruled state Tripura, the Left parties held similar protests in all 8 districts and in many sub-divisions against the the three farm laws and expressed solidarity with the farmers’ agitations in Delhi and other places in the country.

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Tripura state unit secretary Pabitra Kar said that the leaders and members of the Left parties in the next 15 days would go to farmers’ homes and apprise them about the harmful aspects of the three farm laws and the BJP government’s “motivated” intentions against the interests of the farmers and in favour of the corporates.

CPI-M central committee member and veteran tribal leader Aghore Debbarma, RSP leader Gopal Das, CPI leader Rashbihari Ghosh besides Kar addressed the protest demonstrations in Agartala.

3

northeast/State

Private doctors in Manipur protest against ‘mixopathy’

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Feb 6: “Mixopathy is fundamentally not good for patients, will compromise patient care,” a banner under which doctors of a private hospital in Imphal staged protest against surgeries by Ayurvedic doctors on Saturday read.

Doctors of the Shija hospital, a private premier hospital in Imphal staged a sit-in-protest at the hospital campus on Saturday under the aegis of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Manipur state branch.

“It is easy to take a vulnerable patient on a ride. Mixopathy is poorly thought through and can make things worse,” another banner read.

The protest was staged as a part of nationwide protest of the doctors against surgeries by Ayurvedic doctors.

The CCIM, in its notification, allowed AYUSH doctors to pursue 48 different surgeries like amputation, cataract, cholecystectomy, tonsillectomy and various complicated surgeries) after a two-year training and MS (Tantra Shalya).

Doctors across the country are demanding withdrawal of the CCIM notification alleging that it was a highly unethical step of the government of India.

Taking part in the protest ,IMAMainpur branch vice president Dr S Jugindro Singh observed that allowing AYUSH doctors to pursue surgeries will compromise the healthcare system of the country.

“It will put the health of the general public at great risk,” he said, while observing that a surgery or operation is normally performed by specialised or super specialised doctors in a specific field of medical,” he said.

They performoperation after more than eight years in a specific field that too after completion of MBBS course, he added.

The recent gazette notification allows AYUSH doctors to pursue the surgeries only after two years of preliminary training.

“This will compromise the healthcare system of the country, he said.

IMA Manipur branch has been staging a series of protests joining the nationwide protest of the doctors under the aegis of IMA. Members of IMA Manipur branch had staged a one-day hunger strike at IMA complex in Imphal on February 3 last.

IMA said it strongly feels that Ayurveda should be encouraged to develop its own way and stop mixing Ayurveda and allopathy which will spell disaster.

Sitharaman extends cash benefit to Assam tea workers

G uwahat i , F eb 6 (PTI): Ahead of the assembly polls in Assam, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday distributed Rs 3,000 each to 7.47 lakh tea garden workers in the state, totalling Rs 224 crore.

The Union finance minister was in the city to participate in the programme to offer financial assitance to tea workers under the third tranche of the Assam Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela Scheme.

Before 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Narendra Modi ji had wished to work for the upliftment of tea garden workers and accordingly several schemes were launched after the NDA came to power, the Union minister said.

As part of the third tranche of the flagship scheme, an additional amount of Rs 3,000 each will be credited to the bank accounts of 7,46,667 workers.

Each tea worker had earlier received Rs 5,000 in two phases.

The incentive was made through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode to 6,33,411 bank accounts of tea gardens in 2017-18 and 7,15,979 accounts in 2018-19 across 752 tea gardens.

Nirmala Sitharaman launches 'Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Scheme'. (PTI)

Sitharaman said, all middlemen have been eliminated with introduction of the DBT mode in various schemes and the Centre will continue to support tea gardens in Assam in future.

“PM Modi favoured using technology for the benefit of people while implementing the schemes and so the concept of DBT was introduced. Due to this, middlemen were totally eliminated and the benefits reached directly to the beneficiaries,” she said.

Sitharaman said that the Union budget for 202122 has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the welfare of women and children of tea gardens in Assam and West Bengal as per the request of the BJP-led government in the northeastern state.

“After bank accounts were opened for tea gar-

den labourers, some issues cropped up. But when I instructed the bankers in February last year to correct the anomalies they worked tirelessly, even during the COVID-19 crisis, and everything is on track now,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Rs 224 crore will be spent on transferring the third tranche of the scheme to the beneficiaries.

“We spent Rs 158 crore in the first year and it increased to Rs 202 crore during the second year. The scheme won’t stop here at Rs 3,000 each as we have already begun the process to send such an amount every month,” he added.

Elections to the 126member Assam Assembly are due in March-April this year.

STATE

DGCAA inaugurates Alumni centre cum waiting shed

Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA (third from left), along with Proncipal, DGC, teaching faculties of DGC and alumni members.

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR FEB 6 (NPN): Dimapur Government College Alumni Association (DGCAA) inaugurated its alumni centre cum students waiting shed at DGC on February 6.

Addressing the gathering as guest of honour, Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA, stated that the construction and inauguration of the waiting shed was the perfect example of giving back to the college and society for the knowledge gained from the college.

He was of the view of such kind of philanthropic activities should not be by choice, but should be a way of life. The act of philanthropy is the need of the hour in Nagaland, Longkumer said.

He further stated that Nagas wanted change, better roads, better infrastructure, state of the art hospitals, etc., yet they were seldom willing to come out of their comfort zones and were afraid of change.

He added that they had to go away from what was familiar to them rather than watching from a distance and

expecting others to bring the change they need. He concluded his speech by quoting John F Kennedy, “ask now what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”.

Meanwhile, administrator, DMC, Albert Ezung in his speech acknowledged DGCAA for the successful completion of the waiting shed and the alumni centre without delay.

He stated that a meaningful development required development in one’s mindset and inculcate a sense of responsibility.

Ezung later assured DMC’s collaboration with DGCAA for further projects.

Delivering welcome speech and project report, president, DGCAA, K Temjen Jamir, stated that the project was started in the year 2019, and completed with a total cost of around 17 lakhs collected through contribution from its members, DMC and college faculties.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by treasurer, DGCAA, Mahesh Agarwal while benediction was offered by asst. prof. DGC, Dr. Benjong.

Short speeches were also delivered by principal, DGC and chairman, Oriental Colony Council.

It may be noted that DGCAA started in 2016 and since its year of formation, the association has completed three projects: two gates, one canteen and the recently inaugurated alumni centre cum waiting shed.

Happy birthday Imtilong, Many happy returns of the day. May all your dreams come true. May you live long and prosper.

With Love, Family & Friends

BJP minority morcha holds installation prog Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Minority morcha BJP Nagaland installation programme for Dimapur district and mandals of minority morcha Nagaland was held Saturday, at hotel Saramati.

Speaking at the programme as special guest advisor, department of power, Government of Nagaland (GoN) H Tovihoto Ayemi congratulated the new elected officials of the minority morcha who have actively joined the party on their own will and determination to work for the party.

The advisor said that with different professions, different community from different caste, class and religion coming together to work for the party was a proud moment.

The advisor encouraged them by saying that they represented the people and that way they would bring communities together not only for political purpose but in all aspects.

The advisor also encouraged party workers to coordinate with one another and hoped that the party would grow strength to strength with dedication, sincerity and conviction.

Exhorting the gathering, BJP Nagaland, state general secretary and in charge of minority morcha, Khevishe Sema pointed out that minority were assets in the state for with their existence the party was able to move K Y M C

Advisor department of power, Nagaland H Tovihoto Ayemi speaking at the installation programme for Dmu district and mandals. (NP)

forward, he said.

With regards to Inner Line Permit (ILP) issue, he said that it was enforced to influx the flow of illegal immigrants and should be considered as a tool and not to be hindered about.

He encouraged mandals to come up with a leader and to understand the agendas, roles and responsibility of the party. Sema also encouraged them to organise seminars, workshops programme and to have data record and vote map in every mandals.

Highlights of the programme

included installation programme and short speeches were delivered by BJP Nagaland Dimapur district president L Bendang Ao, BJP Nagaland state executive member Promod Singh, state spokesperson and co-in-charge of minority morcha, BJP Nagaland, Pintu M Ghosh.

At the programme, presidential speech was also delivered by BJP Nagaland minority morcha state president Deep Kumar and welcome address by BJP Nagaland minority morcha state secretary Sanjay Dey. K Y M C

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 62 Dimapur, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Tweet- jerk reaction

T

wo tweets from teenage Swedish climate change activist, Greta Thunberg and Barbadian-American singer Rihanna, in support of the agitating Indian farmers has escalated into a full-blown war on social media across the globe when the government of India struck back with a vengeance and also roped in some sportspersons and Bollywood stars to back the government. The government pushback was swift, with hashtags #IndiaAgainstPropaganda and #IndiaTogether. “No propaganda can deter India’s unity!

No propaganda can stop India to attain new heights!

Propaganda can not decide India’s fate… only ‘Progress’ can. India stands united and together to achieve progress.” The ministry of external affairs also reacted.

Its official spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, issued a statement with two hashtags, #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda. “Before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken. The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” the spokesperson said in a statement. Similar or even identical tweets were shared by several celebrities, including Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, Bollywood’s Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and badminton player Saina Nehwal - leading to suggestions that the messages were co-ordinated by politically motivated social media managers. These personalities took to Twitter to urge people not to fall for false propaganda against India. However, it was Akshay and Saina’s posts that have created a buzz as these were word for word similar. The similarity was not missed by netizens, who minced no words while pointing it out on social media. Soon, #SpinelessCelebs was trending on Twitter. The cascading effect on twitter was sparked after Rihanna had posted a one-line post on Tuesday- “Why aren’t we talking about this?!.” Rihanna, an international popstar with a Twitter following of 101 million had written with the hashtag #FarmersProtest and a CNN report on the internet shutdown around Delhi. US vice-president Kamala Harris’s niece Meena Harris, US House foreign affairs committee member Jim Costa, YouTuber Lilly Singh, poet Rupi Kaur, rapper Russ, former adult filmstar Mia Khalifa, UK MP Claudia Webbe and a host of others poured out in support of the ongoing agitation after Rihanna’s one-line post. While the government’s knee jerk reaction was surprising, what followed was also another shocker when Delhi police lodged FIRs in connection with a ‘toolkit’ containing information on how to back the farmers protests. The cyber-crime cell of the Delhi Police has registered an FIR on charges of “sedition”, “criminal conspiracy” and “promoting hatred” against the creators of a ‘toolkit’ on farmer protests, which was shared by climate activist Greta Thunberg. The reaction was two-pronged, one against the toolkit for alleged links with anti-India elements and the other against the tweets. The attempt to paint the tweets as a global conspiracy against India appeared as a desperate defence of the government against the farmers. It may be recalled that when many across the globe castigated Indira Gandhi for the emergency, the same groups/parties did not deem it as interference or global conspiracy against India but as right to freedom of speech. Today, this same freedom has become anti-India and a conspiracy.

DailyDevotion Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering? (2)

I am already being poured out as a drink offering… —2 Timothy 4:6 Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way.

God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself.

“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents— burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose— the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But you don’t eliminate it, God does. You “bind the sacrifice…to the horns of the altar” and see to it that you don’t wallow in self-pity once the fire begins. After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. What fire lies ahead in your life?

Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be.

Quotes

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul. ~ Joseph Addison

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Post-mortem

Keepers of indigenous knowledge and insight A s the darkness of the night begins to set in, there is only one house in Pune’s bustling Budhwar Peth area which is lit by oil lamps. In this small house lives Hema Sane, a retired professor of botany. The 80-year-old Sane has authored over 25 books, many of which are course books for graduate students of botany studying at the city’s famed Savitribai Phule University. But this is not why she is pleased with her efforts. What makes her happy is that she was able to continue her habit of writing even at night despite not having electricity. Writing by candlelight was not new or strange to her. With no electricity in the house since birth, Sane became an expert in managing without it. Her doctorate (Ph.D) in botany was also completed with the help of oil lamps and candles. “I don’t have a refrigerator, television or oven because I don’t have electricity. My parents also didn’t have power. I have lived all my life without electricity and don’t see the need for it. I am happy living in harmony with nature,” she says.

Many are of the opinion that she is insane to live the way she does, surrounded by trees, plants, birds, cats, dogs and piles of books. “If you type my surname (Sane), the internet will tell you it means sensible. The opposite of sane is insane or mad.

This is what some people say about me (that I am mad)

when they hear I have chosen to live without electricity,” says Sane with a chuckle.

Living without power amid the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city is not the only factor that makes Sane’s life so fascinating. She is an institution in herself (her impressive academic record includes degrees in Indology as well) and inspired one of her botany students to name a new plant variety after her name.

It also motivated filmmaker Ramana Dumpala to make her the subject of his award-winning documentary film. Aptly named ‘Glow Worm in a Jungle,’ the film explores her life and work, and her steadfast refusal to give up her rundown house to a builder because it would mean leaving her best friends — the trees, plants, birds and animals —behind. Interestingly, the film-maker shot the entire film in the light that filtered in during the day and from the oil lamps and newly-acquired solar lamps in the night to honour her philosophy of using natural resources.

Sane’s abiding bond with nature, the courage to challenge existing values and practices and offer new perspectives about ways of living is also why this film was chosen as a part of the ongoing ‘Rising Gardens Film Festival.’ A part of the One Billion Rising (OBR) campaign in India, the online Festival showcases acclaimed documentary and animation films on women

and their cosmic connection with nature, agriculture and the environment. Held annually, the OBR focuses attention on the strength of women through various forms of creative expression. This 2021 campaign explores the influences that have shaped the world, its revival, restoration and transformation. Since OBR was launched in 2012 as a call for the world to rise against the widespread violence against women and girls, this year’s theme of ‘Rising Gardens’ has been so named to underline that communities must rise to respect and protect both women and mother Earth if life is to exist.

The exploitation of nature and the oppression of women are deeply linked, contends Kamla Bhasin, coordinator, OBR South Asia. “It is the larger, unjust systems that make this violence against nature and women acceptable and even necessary for its perpetuation. In response to this, the OBR campaign is pushing us to work towards healing the environment and our communities by growing gardens, directly challenging capitalist patriarchy which has increasingly pushed us away from Mother Nature.

We call to build gardens and communities where everyone can flourish,” says Bhasin. Curated by Reena Mohan, an award winning independent documentary film-maker, the festival has been organised by Sangat,

a feminist network. The aim of presenting 48 films of hope and resilience from 11 countries over the next four months is to show that communities can imagine a better way to live without destroying nature.

“These are stories of courage, compassion and hope, with women at the fore, engaged in either environmental or agricultural work or presenting a significant connection to nature.

These are works that challenge, inspire and expand our vision,” states Mohan.

One such film is about the Bhils, a large tribal community, primarily residing in Madhya Pradesh. While paintings made by the Bhil community are famous for the stories they narrate about their land, animals and deities, what is less known is the fact that painting for them is akin to offering a prayer.

‘Hum Chitra Banate Hain (We Make Images)’ is an animated interpretation of how Bhil art originated and why it is so closely connected to nature and the lives of the community. The film centres around an elderly woman from the community whose traditional wisdom about nature leads the community out of its long-standing problem of water scarcity. This turnaround in fortunes and the subsequent prosperity arising from good crops and good health is recorded by drawing pictures first on clay pots and then on walls of their huts. Since then, every painting is a story of the land

told through the depictions of people, animals, deities and their festivals.

What makes this collaboration between the indigenous Bhil artist Sher Singh and film-maker Nina Sabnani so engrossing is the beautiful way Bhil paintings have been animated to tell the little-known story and the engaging way a rooster has been used as the storyteller in the narrative. One of the reasons why Sabnani wanted to make this film was to tap the rich resource of oral histories of the Bhils which has remained unappreciated and unknown outside the community. “These narratives, which store the knowledge and wisdom of the Bhils, represent their unique ways of seeing and experiencing the world and are a part of their cultural identity. These stories and their indigenous knowledge may be lost with communities migrating for economic reasons. To create a film that drew upon their knowledge and their art so that we could learn from them became a reason for us to come together,” explains Sabnani.

Many times indigenous knowledge of the land is dismissed as unscientific. But when women in science use their knowledge to explain why conservation and protection is imperative, their work is not taken seriously enough. Sri Lankan ocean educator, Asha de Vos, faced this form of discrimination.

“I was told that I was too young or that I was too

female”, says de Vos, a pioneer of blue whale research.

Her journey to become a marine biologist, considered by many as a male domain and the challenges of being a South Asian woman in science presented in the form of an interesting animated interview by Sri Lankan director Irushi Tennekoon, strikes a familiar chord.

Even in India, women scientists become targets of prejudice and gender bias.

This is probably why only 15 per cent of the Indian research and development workforce in the country are women. Fortunately for de Vos, she was able to cross all such hurdles and now heads Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation, research and education organisation.

Women have traditionally been storehouses of indigenous knowledge and wisdom. They are at the forefront of struggles to protect the environment. Can the role of women in the Chipko movement to save the forests or their immense contribution during the Narmada Bachao Andolan ever be forgotten? Whenever they have risen, they have become agents of change, using their knowledge and expertise to mitigate adversity and offer adaptation strategies. Just as these films underscore, respecting women’s skills, resourcefulness and leadership can boost gender equality, address climate change and protect the planet.

Swapna Majumdar The writer is a senior journalist.

(The views expressed are personal.)

Child Marriages: Stigma for a civilized society Accelerator Physics in North East India

I

n most of the countries, quences of child marriage. The marriage before 18 years total marriages in childhood is is strictly prohibited as it nearly 12 million a year and violates the natural rights of the there has been decrease of 25 children. It is a malpractice, as million of child marriages in last it denies the children from at- decade. Obviously, globally the taining health, education and rate of child marriages is slowly other opportunities exploring declining, but its progress is not a dire consequence in their happening fast enough. If curlife. It exposes girls to violence rent trend on child marriages throughout their lives and trap continue, 150 million more girls them in a cycle of poverty. will be married in childhood by Child marriages is actually a 2030 with devastating conseglobal problem, that cuts across quences for the whole world. countries, culture & civilization, Globally around 21% of religions and ethnicities. young women were married The causes of child mar- before attaining age of 18years. riages are manifold. A sense of South Asia has the highest rate insecurity, poverty and marry- of child marriages in the world; ing expenses such as dowry, as nearly 45% of all women food insecurity, traditional and aged 20-24 years has been rereligious practices, joblessness ported being married before the are some well-known reasons age of 18 years. Almost one in for child marriages. five (17%) women are married Although the practice of before the age of 15 years. Banchild marriage affects both boys gladesh has the highest rate of and girls; statistics reveals that child marriages in Asia and the in majority cases usually girls fourth highest in the world. are forced into child marriage India has the highest absothan boys. Some parents think lute number of child brides in that girls’ education is wastage the world, which account for while boys’ education is an nearly one-third of global total. investment and such fogeythink- In India, there are 223 million ing accelerates discriminatory brides, who have been married attitudes causing negative im- in childhood i.e. before attainpacts on the lives of girls. ing 18 years. In other words, Conservative outlook of approximately one in every four the rural people and religious young women were married mystification usually contrib- or in a union before their 18th ute to worsening the situation. birthday.

Misconception still prevails in Child marriage explores a the present age of digitalization serious threat making girls more as many living in rural areas vulnerable. Early child birth think that if their daughter has the large impact on health gets older, it will be difficult to & nutrition of young mothers marry them. Still it is found that and their children. There is risk many parents are found to look for teen-age pregnancy. Girls for the younger brides for their under the age of 15 years are not sons.For some poor families, physically developed to sustain marrying off a young daughter a healthy pregnancy. They are means one less burden. Some five times more likely to die durreligious sects encourage girls ing delivery than mothers aged as young as ten years to marry 20-24 years. Risks of health much older men for spiritual related difficulties such as low guidance, while some families, to avoid shame, force girls to birth weight, pre-mature labor, mal-nutrition, anemia and premarry their boy-friends.

Child marriages directly eclampsia are connected to hinder the achievement of at biological age.

Child marriages contribleast six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), 2030. ute to higher total fertility and Its Goal-5 is concerned with population growth; as a girl “Gender Equality”, which is marrying at 13 years will have not only a fundamental human 26% more children and marryright, but a necessary founda- ing at 17 years will have 17% tion for a peaceful, prosperous more children over her lifetime and sustainable world. Target than if married at 18 years or 5.3 of the SDG aims to elimi- more.They also endure more nate all harmful practices, such violence in the families than as child, early or forced mar- other natural married women.

Domestic violence along with riages by 2030.

UNICEF report reveals sexual harassment, acid attacks, that more than 650 million and many more inequalities is women and above 150 million also found distressing them.

Child marriage is the mamen alive today in the world have already suffered the conse- jor factor of out of school and Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any

drop out girls. It reduces education prospectus of girls, and conversely better education and employment opportunities for girls may reduce the likelihood of marrying early.

The malady of child marriage is still unabated,even though we see a noticeable empowerment of girls and women over the years. It is unfortunate that despite being fully aware of itsill-effects, thechild marriages have not been tackled satisfactorily.

A bitter and distasteful medicine is often prescribed to cure a disease. Child marriage is an act of spoiling a child life andis equivalent to offence of attempt to end one’s life; thus competingfor same provision of punishment. Although, under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, there is provision of rigorous imprisonment of 2 years and fine of one lakh rupees for person marrying a child, the guardian and whoever performs child marriage. But it is not a hidden fact that the law has been put under the carpet by the authority.

With the advent of education and vigilance, there is strong demand from women to raise the upper age limit of marriages, which is 18 years for female and 21 years for male.

Central as well as State Governments have launched several schemes like Balika Samriddhi Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Yojana etc. for unmarried girls. Interventions to promote education including cash transfers, scholarship, free school uniforms, reductions in school fees, teacher training & life skill curricula are among most likely to reduce child marriages, or at least increase the age of first marriage.

In order to ensure women empowerment, child marriage must be root out. In India, the central government should take up this issue on priority basis and strictly enact effective law on the pattern of Bihar Government. Globally, a time-bound action plan from national to grass-root level needs to be developed in all the countries with the co-operation of civil society, UN agencies and girls themselves to achieve the SDG goals for nullifying this evil forever.

Er. Prabhat Kishore Additional SPO, Bihar Education Project Council, Patna (The author is a technocrat & academician)

W

hen it comes to Physics or Mathematics, Nagaland is lagging behind. Of course, this gap with the rest of the world is closing day by day. There are some young generations of Nagas who have taken up this path of physics and mathematics, which few dared to. And they are doing quite well. The main reason for the existing lacuna in this field of science can be attributed to lack of opportunity and priming.

However, new opportunities are unfolding gradually and one such project is the Cotton University Particle Accelerator Centre - North East Collaboration (CUPAC-NE). The CUPAC-NE collaboration is a proposed research facility that is going to occupy an earmarked five acre land in the Bhomora Campus of Cotton University, Guwahati. This project has been initiated this year by the Physics Department of Cotton University and should help in bringing cutting edge research to the hands of researchers of the entire North East. Estimated at a budget of more than Rupees Three Hundred crores, the construction of the main apparatus - the 5 Mega Volt Pelletron will be started in the year 2026, that is, after completion of civil works.

The entire project will be completed within 15 years. Within this time frame it is expected that 120 Junior Research Fellows, (40 JRFs for every five years) will be involved in research from subjects like Archeology, Anthropology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Life Sciences, Material Sciences, Nuclear Medicine and Physics.

The chief component of this facility is the pelletron accelerator - a physics “apparatus” that speeds up elementary particles like protons (a proton is one of the primary constituents of any atom) to high energies. These high energy protons can be used for investigating properties of matter and at the same time used to generate other types of particles like neutrons and muons after collision with specific targets. Such neutrons can be further used for other forms of investigative research and applications. There would also be a Positive Ion Mass Spectroscopy (PIMS) Facility for

radiocarbon dating with unprecedented sensitivity. The PIMS is expected to be commissioned by 2026.

Some of the specific research that is expected to be conducted in CUPAC-NE are 1. Studies in nuclear physics reactions, some of which will help in understanding processes in astrophysical events.

2. Nano and nuclear material studies using Swift Heavy Ions.

3. Trace Element Analysis / Neutron Activation Analysis as a tool for Geological, Archeological, Environmental and Life Science investigations.

4. A micro beam line for research in Life Sciences.

5. Radiocarbon Dating of objects of interest from archaeological and geological sciences to establish quantitative history.

One of the highlights of this project is the development of a facility for treatment of brain cancer with a method known as Accelerator Driven Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (ADBNCT).

The revolutionary ADBNCT is currently undergoing clinical trials in many developed Nations.

The vision of this facility is to nurture and generate young accelerator physicists and technologists from the North Eastern region and at the same time conduct world class research in fundamental and applied sciences, and technologies. Any student from Institutions located in the Seven Sister States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura) and Sikkim would get the opportunity to conduct research in this facility and interested institutions are always welcomed to become members of this Collaboration. From Nagaland, at present, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung is a collaborating institution, but it is expected that more institutions from the state will join too.

It should also be known that this discovery class accelerator of CUPACNE is going to be the first of its kind in the Nation and the second in the whole world.

Abhijit Borah

Reader’s Post Sir,

Traffic Regulation

Road safety is a state subject. We observe a number of accidents everyday because of irresponsible driving just to reach our destination at the earliest.

Without even caring for our lives, such irresponsibility should be look upon and need to change. Public should cooperate and follow the traffic rules, cctv should be fixed in every nooks and corners of the road to make investigation easier during accident case. It is important to design intersections, mark roads properly and provide them with suitable signs in order to prevent accidents.

Tsuknungsenla, Patkai Christian College, Chumukedima, Dimapur

of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

PM Modi hails country’s judiciary

Ahmedabad, Feb 6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the country’s judiciary, saying that it has performed its duty well in safeguarding people’s rights and upholding personal freedom, and added that it has also strengthened the Constitution.

He said the Supreme Court in India has conducted the highest number of hearings via video-conferencing from among the top courts of all the countries in the world during the coronavirus pandemic.

Modi also said that in order to make the country’s justice system future-ready, the possibility of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) was being explored. He was speaking after virtually releasing a commemorative postage stamp on the Gujarat High Court for sixty years of its establishment.

“Every countryman can say that our judiciary has worked with firmness to uphold our Constitution.

Our judiciary has strengthened the Constitution by its positive interpretation,” Modi said.

“The Supreme Court has conducted the highest number of hearings through video-conferencing in the world during the pandemic,” he said. Through constructive and creative interpretation of the Constitution, our

Narendra Modi

judiciary has strengthened the Constitution itself, he added.

“Whether it is to safeguard the rights of citizens, question of personal freedom, or a situation wherein the interest of the country is to be given top-most priority, the judiciary has both understood and fulfilled its responsibilities,” he said. He said the root of good governance is in law, as has been held in the ancient Indian scriptures, he said.

“This idea has been a part of our ‘sanskar’ since ancient times. This mantra gave moral strength to our freedom struggle, and the makers of our Constitution also gave it top priority,” he said.

This trust towards the judiciary has given confidence to the common man, given him the strength to stand for truth, Modi said.

The prime minister said that “the proud structure of justice stands on the pillar of Bar”.

RSS leader slams Tomar over farmers’ stir against agri laws

BHOPAL, FEB 6 (PTI): In an apparent attack on Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over the farmers’ protest against three farm laws, senior RSS leader RaghunandanSharma has said the arrogance of power has gone to his head.

Sharma, a former BJP Rajya Sabha member from MadhyaPradesh, in his Facebook post written two days back, also suggested to the minister that he should work towards strengthening nationalism. In his social media post that starts with the line,”Narendraji, you are part and parcel of the government”, Sharma said, “Your intention might be of helping the farmers, but if some people don’t want to be helped, what is the use of doing such good?,” “If someone wants to remain naked, what is the use offorcibly clothing him,” he said.

“If you are harbouring

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

a thought that you are reaping the fruits of your hard labour, it is your illusion,” the 73- year-old RSS leader said in the post. “...Today arrogance of power has gone to your head. Why are you losing the mandate? We are endorsing all rotten policies of the Congress which is not in our interest. Leakage in drops of water from a pitcher empties it. So is with the mandate,” he said.

“Employ all might to strengthen nationalism or else wehave to regret. I think you might have read the indication to preserve the ideology,” he added.

Sharma described how the (RSS’s) ideology developedwith toil, sacrifice and devotion over a century for expanding its footprints, propagating service to the motherland, putting nationalism first and leading to the installation of a nationalist government at the Centre.

“Since decades, bar and judiciary have together been fulfilling the basic purpose of justice in our country,” he said.

Modi also highlighted that the Gujarat High Court became the first court in India to start live streaming of proceedings during the pandemic.

“For us, it is a matter of satisfaction that the digital infrastructure created by the justice department under its e-court integrated mission mode has in such a short span of time helped our courts work in virtual mode,” he said.

“Digital India mission is rapidly modernizing the justice system. Today, more than 18,000 courts have been computerised in the country.

With video-conferencing and tele-conferencing getting legal sanctity from the Supreme Court, e-proceedings have gained pace across all courts.

“We feel proud to hear that our Supreme Court has become the top among the apex courts in terms of conducting hearings through video conferencing,” he said. Facilities like e-filing of cases, unique ID and QR codes to access case details, have given a new dimension to ease of justice, he said.

Talking about the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), Modi said that the system will help lawyers and

383 schools to be renamed after Netaji

New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS): In order to provide inclusive and quality education to all as envisaged in the National Education Policy, the Union Ministry of Education has decided to rename the 383 residential schools and 680 hostels, under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose residential schools.

Talking about the decision, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said, “The Education Ministry has funded schools in the sparsely populated areas, especially in tribal areas, where it is difficult to open schools, and for the urban children who are in special need of care. Funding is being provided to the states and for opening residential schools and hostels. All the schools will follow the rules followed by Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools.

litigants see cases and orders with a click of mouse.

“This ease of justice is not only improving the ease of living of our people, but has also helped in ease of doing business. This has given confidence among foreigners that their judicial rights will be safe in India.

In its 2018 ease of doing business report, the World Bank has also praised the NJDG,” he said.

The PM said that a Supreme Court committee and National Informatics Centre (NIC) are working together to further ease the justice system in India.

“To make our justice system future-ready, the possibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also being explored,” he said.

“With AI, the efficiency and speed of judiciary will increase. In these efforts, the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign is going to play a big role. Under it, the video conference platform is also being encouraged,” he said.

Modi said that e-sevakendras are also being opened in the high courts and district courts to bridge the digital divide. He said eAdalat has become “timely and convenient means of justice”.

During the pandemic, online e-Lok Adalat has become a new normal, he said.

SC judge hails PM as ‘popular, vibrant and visionary leader’

M R Shah

Ahmedabad, Feb 6 (PTI): Supreme Court justice M R Shah on Saturday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “our most popular, loved, vibrant and visionary leader”.

The praise for the prime minister by Justice Shah came during a function to celebrate diamond jubilee of the Gujarat High Court.

“I am proud and privileged to participate in the function to celebrate diamond jubilee of Gujarat High Court and that too in the presence of our most popular, loved, vibrant and visionary leader, prime minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said in his address.

“One of the essential features of the democratic republic established under the Indian Constitution is division of powers between Parliament, executive, and the judiciary,” the judge went on to say. He felt proud that the Gujarat High Court has never crossed the “Lakshman Rekha” (boundaries of power/code of conduct) and always delivered justice, he said. Last year, Justice Arun Mishra’s fulsome praise for prime minister Modi at an event had raised eyebrows. Justice Mishra, now a retired SC judge, had described Modi as “internationally acclaimed visionary”. In his address on Saturday, Justice Shah also said the Gujarat high court was his “karmbhoomi” where he practiced as a lawyer for 22 years and served as a judge for 14 years. Prime minister Modi released a commemorative stamp at the function.

Modi also hailed the country’s judiciary, saying it has performed its duty well in safeguarding people’s rights, upholding personal liberty, and also in the situations when national interests need to be prioritized.

Govt shouldn’t have put Lata, Sachin’s reputation at stake: Raj Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI): MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday said the Union government should not have exposed Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar to social media trolling by involving them in its campaign to counter tweets by foreign celebrities in support of ongoing farmers’ stir.

If American pop star Rihanna and others supporting the agitation against new agriculture laws was interference in India’s internal matters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan in support of Donald Trump too was problematic, he said.

Many celebrities including cricket icon Tendulkar andlegendary singer Mangeshkar rallied around the government on social media using hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda following tweets by Rihanna and climate activist Greta Thunberg backing farmers.

“The Centre should not have asked Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar to tweet in support of its stand and put their reputation at stake. Now they have to face the wrath of social media trolling,” Raj Thackeray told reporters.

The government should have limited its use of celebrities in its campaign to actors such as Akshay Kumar, he said.

“They (Tendulkar and Mangeshkar) are true legends in their fields, but otherwise very simple persons. They should not have been asked to tweet with the same hashtag. They tweeted what government asked them to tweet,

Raj Thackeray

and now they are at the receiving end,” he said.

The MNS chief also wondered how many Indians knew who Rihanna was until she tweeted about agitating farmers’ plight.

There was no need for the government to ask her to not get involved in the issue, Thackeray opined.

“By the same logic, there was no need to hold a rally in the United States saying `Agali Baar, Trump Sarkar (next time, Trump government). It was that country’s internal matter,” he said, referring to Modi’s rally in Houston when Donald Trump was US president.

Thackeray also said the laws against which farmers are agitating can have some flaws which can be rectified.

“If the government wishes to solve the issue, it can sit with farmers’ leaders, hold talks and make necessary changes in these laws,” he said.

The MNS chief also said that the new laws must not benefit only a handful of corporates.

First women team inducted into CRPF’s CoBRA commando unit

G u r gao n , F e b 6 (PTI):A maiden contingent of 34 CRPF women personnel was on Saturday inducted into its specialised jungle warfare commando force CoBRA, which will soon be deployed in the antiNaxal operations grid of the country.

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was raised under the CRPF in 2009 for undertaking intelligence-based jungle warfare operations. It has been an all-male affair for this unit till now.

The majority of CoBRA teams, whose commandos are expected to have tough mental and physical attributes, are deployed in various Maoist violence affected states while a few are based in the northeastern states for undertaking counter-insurgency operations.

A ceremonial event was held at the forces’ camp in Kadarpur village here with CRPF Director General A

A ceremonial event was held at the forces’ camp in Kadarpur village with CRPF Director General AP Maheshwari witnessing combat drills performed by the chosen women.

P Maheshwari witnessing combat drills performed by the chosen women as he underlined that it was important to defeat gender-based beliefs and stereotypes.

The personnel, earmarked for CoBRA, have been chosen from the existing six all-women battalions

of the force, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesperson said.

“These women will undergo a pre-induction training for three months and subsequently will be embedded with CoBRA units deployed in Naxal violence affected districts of

Chhattisgarh like Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur,” the spokesperson said.

An all-women brass band of the country’s largest paramilitary was also commissioned during the ceremony that was held to mark the 35th Raising Day anniversary of its first

women battalion. The first battalion, numbered 88, was raised this day in 1986 at a CRPF base in Delhi and the force now has six such units with just over 1,000 personnel in each.

They are deployed for rendering various kinds of law and order duties across the country.

The CRPF also has an all-women pipe band that was raised in 2012.

Maheshwari lauded the women, saying they are an inspiration for numerous young girls who aspire to do good for themselves and the country. He said these combatants have proved that power is not in the muscles but in the head.

“I consider it the failure of leadership if someone says that one cannot do a work that is being done by the other. It is our responsibility to ensure that every effort is made to bring all the personnel to the same level of efficiency.

holding the fort for over two months and will continue to do so. It is good that today farmers from across the country are demanding the repeal of three farm laws,” said ManmeetBajwa (34), who has been camping at Singhu for the past 20 days.

The SanyuktKisanMorcha, an umbrella body of the farmer unions protesting the three farm laws, on Friday called for roads and national highways to be blocked between 12 noon and 3 pm throughout the nation except in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Singhu border, which looked more crowded than before as more tractors and farmers made their way to the protest site, witnessed a heightened vigil by the secu-

rity forces on the occasion.

Drone cameras, multilayered barricades, nailstudded roads and barbed wires -- now put atop the many heavy-metal barricades as well -- were used as precautionary measures by the police to ensure that the kind of violence witnessed on Republic Day tractor parade is not repeated. The strength of security personnel, including the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), deployed at the site was also increased.

“I don’t know why they have to beef up the security to this level when we have said we won’t be observing the chakka-jam here. It only tells about the lack of trust between the administra-

PUBLIC NOTICE

CORRECTION Date: 5th February 2021 This is to inform all the concerned citizens and stakeholders, that the name of the village erstwhile termed as SOTOKUR was misspelled literally henceforth the correct name of the village will be THSOTOKU which will serve as correct village name for all the official correspondence and related matters.

In respect, any form of confusion and objection related thereof the concerned can intimate the office within 30 days (w.e.f 6th February 2021) from publication of this public notice.

(C Kheanjimong) (C Kanito) President Secretary Sotokur Village Citizens Union Sotokur Village Citizens Union

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New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI): It was business as usual at the Singhu border as national and state highways across the country barring Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand observed a three-hour ‘chakka jam’ on Saturday.

The protest site on the Delhi-Haryana highway, the epicentre of the ongoing farmers’ agitation, saw routine everyday activities like preparation and distribution of langar food, farmers making motivational speeches from stages, and tractors blaring rustic songs as the action shifted to the other national highways, albeit for a brief period in the day.

“We are happy to share the spotlight with other highways. We have been

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Farmers block a road during their ‘chakka jam’ protest as part of the ongoing agitation over new farm laws, in Bathinda, Saturday. (PTI)

tion and the farmers,” said Navjot Heer from Punjab’s Patiala district. “And in case they are doing this to simply scare us down, then they can try as hard as they can but they just won’t succeed,” said the 25-year-old.

The ‘chakka jam’ was observed to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues. Internet remains suspended at the three major protest sites of Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri borders and surrounding areas.

The MHA ordered the first suspension of internet connection amid the ongoing farmers’ protest on January 26, when farmers’ tractor march led to a violent standoff between protesters and the Delhi Police.

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Business as usual at Singhu border amid ‘chakka jam’

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POST VACANT

Applications are invited from qualified candidates for filling up the following posts 1. Science - 1 Post (B.Sc) 2. Computer Teacher - 1 Post (DCA/DIT/ PGDCA) 3. Office Assistant - 1 Post (Graduate with Computer Knowledge) Submit your resume in the given WhatsApp Number 8974326259/ 9612154129 Short listed candidates will be called for interview Place : Dimapur DP-734

national

Peaceful ‘satyagraha’ of farmers ‘Over 56L people inoculated in national interest: Rahul Gandhi with COVID-19 vaccine’ New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI): Ahead of the nationwide ‘chakka jam’ called by the farmer unions protesting the Centre’s new agri laws, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the peaceful ‘satyagraha’ of the ‘annadatas’ is in national interest as the farm laws are “harmful” for the country.

Farmer unions had on Monday announced a countrywide ‘chakka jam’ on February 6 during which they would block national and state highways between 12 noon and 3 pm to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites, harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, and other issues.

“The peaceful satyagraha of annadatas is in national interest -- these three

laws are not just harmful for farmers-labourers, but also for the people and the country. Full support!” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also slammed the government over the farmers issue by posting on Twitter a picture of the multi-layered barricading at one of the farmer protest sites.

“Why are you scaring us with the wall of fear?” she tweeted along with the picture. The Congress had on Friday extended support to the countrywide ‘chakka jam’ called by the farmer unions, saying party workers will stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers in their protest.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting

Crossword

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at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh demanding the rollback of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.

However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture.

New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI): Over 56 lakh people have been inoculated till now and there has been no case of serious or severe adverse event following vaccination or death attributable to the vaccination till date, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Of the 56,36,868 beneficiaries vaccinated, Additional Secretary in the Union health ministry Manohar Agnani said 52,66,175 are healthcare workers and 3,70,693 are frontline workers whose vaccination started on February 2.

He further said that 54.7 per cent of the healthcare workers registered on the Co-WIN app have been vaccinated.

On Saturday, Agnani said total 2,20,019 benefi-

ciaries were vaccinated. He said there was no case of serious or severe AEFI or death attributable to vaccination till date.

“No new case of hospitalization or death reported in the past 24 hours,” he added.

Agnani said 13 states and UTs, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, have vaccination coverage of 60 per cent among health care workers while 12 states and UTs, including Delhi, Punjab and Assam, have less than 40 per cent vaccination coverage among HCWs. He said Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Saturday reviewed the performance of vaccination drives with all states and UTs.

No. 9825 Yesterday’s solution No. 9824

No. 4444 Yesterday’s solution No. 4443

No. 3468 Yesterday’s solution No. 3467

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Phone No. 7085832340 Residential Plot of Land available for sale at Seithekima Basa, near Faith in Action Healing Prayer Centre.

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following farm protests at Delhi’s border points.

Nadda said the prime minister recently inaugurated the 100th Kisan Rail, an initiative that will help farmers transport their produce anywhere in the country with great ease. Lauding the Modi government for its pro-farmer policies, the BJP leader said, it ensured that they got 1.5 times more

some nations wanted it on par with the price that the Indian Government pays to the vaccine makers.

Some countries have directcontractswith the Indianvaccine producing companies and have negotiated commercially, he said.

The Centre has already given the nod for two COVID-19vaccines-- Covaxin of city-based Bharat Biotech and Covishieldof Oxford, being manufactured

by Serum Institute of India in Pune, which are being administered to frontline workers from January 16, under Emergency Use Authorisation. Drug maker Dr Reddys recently said it will approach the Drug Regulator for the EUA for Russian vaccine Sputnik V in March.

Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modis idea wasto establish the country as the “Pharmacy of the World”, taking advantage of the domestic capabilities and the way India emerged as IT leader during the Y2K issue.

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‘Krishak Suraksha Abhiyan’ and ‘EkMutthi Chawal’ campaign which he had flagged off in order to mobilise the farming community in the state in favour of the BJP. The programmes were also a part of BJP’s outreach to farmers to blunt the opposition’s charge that the ruling party and the Modi government were “anti-farmer”

AMARAVATI, FEB 6 (PTI): India has so far supplied COVID- 19 vaccine to 15 countries and another 25 nations are in the queue at different levels for the jab, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Saturday.

He said there are three categories of countries which are keen to get the vaccine from India- poor, price sensitivenations and other countries which directly deal withpharmaceutical companies that make the antidote.

“I think right now we have already supplied to about 15 countries (as per my recollection).

I would say there would be another about 25 countries which are at different stages in the pipeline.

But what it has done is today it has put India on the map of the world,” Jaishankar told reporters in a press conference. The minister said some poor countries are being supplied the vaccine on a grant basis while

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Scheme was an injustice.

Due to her whims and to satisfy her ego, Mamata Ji did not allow the scheme to be implemented. This has affected over 70 lakh farmers who for the last two years have been deprived of annual aid of Rs 6,000,” he said.

Nadda was addressing a rally of farmers during the last phase of the month-long

25 countries in queue for ‘Made in India’ COVID-19 vaccine

NEW DELHI, FEB 6 (IANS):Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he will be visiting Assam and West Bengal on Sunday to launch several infrastructure projects.

In a series of tweets, Modi shared details of his visits to the two poll-bound states. Assmebly polls in Assam and West Bengal will be held in April-May this year.

“I will be among the people of Assam tomorrow.

At a programme in Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur district, the ‘Asom Mala’ programme will be launched, which will boost the state’s road infrastructure. This initiative will contribute to Assam’s economic progress and improve connectivity,” he tweeted. The Prime Minister in another tweet said, “Foundation stones for medical colleges and hospitals in Biswanath and Charaideo will be laid. This will boost Assam’s health infrastructure.

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BJP NatIonal President J P Nadda with party leaders Dilip Ghosh, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Mukul Roy and others at Nawadwip in Nadia, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (PTI)

than the input cost for their produce.

“Today, when about 25 lakh farmers of Bengal sent applications for securing the benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to the central government, Mamata Ji is saying she will implement it. Mamata ji, elections are round the corner. Now, it’s too late,” he said, castigating the chief minister.

Nadda said the state’s people have made up their mind to bid “namaste and tata” to Banerjee and her party after the assembly polls.

Nadda taunted Banerjee for losing her cool after hearing “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.

“When I was coming here I was greeted with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. But I don’t understand why Mamata ji gets angry after hearing it. Had you served the farmers well, you wouldn’t have lost your cool,” he said, while referring to the January 23 incident at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.

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Malda (WB), Feb 6 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda ate the humble khichdi seated on the floor with farmers as he reached out to peasants on Saturday in election-bound West Bengal, and excoriated the Mamata Banerjee government for depriving them of the benefits of the PM Kisan Scheme to “satisfy her ego”.

On a day when farmer unions have called a ‘chakka jam’ against three contentious agricultural laws, Nadda reaffirmed the BJP and the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to the welfare of the farming community.

Mocking Banerjee for agreeing to implement the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana only after realising that her party is fast losing ground among the farmers in the state, Nadda vowed justice for them once the BJP is voted to power in West Bengal.

“What Mamatadi did to the farmers of Bengal by depriving them of PM Kisan

Visiting Assam, Bengal to launch infra projects: PM

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GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE ADDITIONAL DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

BHANDARI : NAGALAND No. GA-BDI/Judl-7/2020-21 Dt. Bhandari the 5th Feb, 2021

NOTICE

Whereas, Smti. Lochumi Mozhui, W/o. Lt. Shri. Chumchamo Lotha of Bhandari Town is applying for issue of Succession Certificate under provisions of the India Succession Act of 1925 for Drawal of Pension Benefits and for operating Bank Account No. 30587253438 belonging to her deceased husband Lt. Shri. Chumchamo Lotha, who expired on 17th January 2021.

Therefore, Public Notice is hereby issued for any person to file claims and objections, if any, against the above mentioned properties, benefits etc. within a period of 30 (Thirty) days from the date of issue of this Notice. In the absence of such claims and objections within the stipulated time, Succession Certificate will be issued.

Sd/- (Tiameren Chang) NCS WC-31 Addl. Deputy Commissioner Bhandari : Nagaland IN THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE KIPHIRE : NAGALAND NO.PD&SJ.KPE/Objection Notice-12/2021-2022/360/

Dated the 1st Feb, 2021

OBJECTION NOTICE Whereas TOSHENI, wife of Late I. TSOKHURANG SANGTAM of Ngoromi village has applied for issue of Succession Certificate under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 in order to draw/receive the payment of movable/immovable properties of her Husband Late I. TSOKHURANG SANGTAM, Pensioners RTD- Supervisor Sericulture Kiphire, Nagaland who expired on 30.11.2020.

DISCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY: 1. Pension Case from the Treasury Office 2. Any other dues etc Kiphire; Nagaland Public are hereby asked to file objection/claim If any within 30 (thirty) days from the date of issue of this order. if no objection/claim is received within the given time, Succession Certificate will be issued in favour of the applicant.

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(VICTO SEMA) IAS Principal District & Sessions Judge Kiphire : Nagaland

IN THE COURT OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DIMAPUR DISTRICT DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

NOTICE

Dt. Dimapur the 05/02/2021 NO.M-50/2021/11774-75 Notice is hereby given that Shri Phyophio Lotha Vrs Shri Wopenthung Odyuo, resident of Residency Colony in the District of Dimapur, Nagaland under Rule 50 & 51 of Assam Land Revenue Regulation 1886 have applied for Mutation of land described in the schedule below:The undersigned under Rule 52 of the said Rules do hereby invites Claims/Objections concerning to the said land if any & should there be any, should submit to this court on or before 1(one) month from the date of publication in local newspaper.

SCHEDULE OF LAND BOUNDARY Name of Patta Holder :- Shri Phyophio Lotha Block No. 9 (Nine) North : Road/Mhonyamo Odyuo Patta No. 285 South : Rembemo Odyuo Dag No. 374 East : Nkhyingo Patton Area. 00B-02K-6½Ls West : Alumba Jamir DP-735(B)

SD/- RAJESH SOUNDARARAJAN, IAS Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur

IN THE COURT OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DIMAPUR DISTRICT DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

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Nadda embarks on ‘Poriborton Yatra’ in WB

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

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LOST NOTICE I, Aswayigwangbe am applying for duplicate copy of NU Registration Card, Admit Card of M.Sc. 1st and 4th Semester as I have lost them.

Name : Aswayigwangbe F/Name : Hainlang M.Sc. Roll No. : ESM03-16 University : NU NU Regd. No. : 12260027 Year : 2012 Contact : 6009243161 7630920298 DP-740

NOTICE

Dt. Dimapur the 05/02/2021 NO.M-51/2021/11776-77 Notice is hereby given that Shri Phyophio Lotha Vrs Shri Rembemo Odyuo, resident of Residency Colony in the District of Dimapur, Nagaland under Rule 50 & 51 of Assam Land Revenue Regulation 1886 have applied for Mutation of land described in the schedule below:The undersigned under Rule 52 of the said Rules do hereby invites Claims/Objections concerning to the said land if any & should there be any, should submit to this court on or before 1(one) month from the date of publication in local newspaper.

SCHEDULE OF LAND BOUNDARY Name of Patta Holder :- Shri Phyophio Lotha Block No. 9 (Nine) North :Wopenthung Odyuo Patta No. 285 South : Khotsemo Patton Dag No. 374 East : Mhathung Tungoe Area. 00B-04K-15½Ls West : Watizulu Ao DP-735(A)

SD/- RAJESH SOUNDARARAJAN, IAS Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur K

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Myanmar junta blocks internet access YANGON, FEB 6 (AP): Myanmar’s new military authorities appeared to have cut most access to the Internet on Saturday as they faced a rising tide of protest over their coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected civilian government.

Numerous internet users noted a slow disappearance of services, especially from mobile service providers, that accelerated sharply late Saturday morning.

Broadband connection also later failed, while there were mixed reports on whether landline telephone service was still working.

Netblocks, a Londonbased service that tracks internet disruptions and shutdowns, said Saturday afternoon that “a near-total internet shutdown is now in effect” in Myanmar, with connectivity falling to just 16% of normal levels.

The broad outage followed Friday’s government order to block Twitter and Instagram that said some people were trying to use the platforms to spread what it deemed fake news. Facebook had already been blocked earlier in the week — though not completely effectively. The communication blockages are a stark reminder of the progress Myanmar is in danger of

Myanmar police block the road to prevent protesters from marching forward in Yangon on Saturday.

losing after Monday’s coup plunged the nation back under direct military rule after a nearly decade-long move toward greater openness and democracy. During Myanmar’s previous five decades of military rule, the country was internationally isolated and communication with the outside world strictly controlled.

Suu Kyi’s five years as leader since 2015 had been Myanmar’s most democratic period despite the military retaining broad powers over the government, the continued use of repressive colonial-era laws and the persecution of minority Rohingya Muslims.

The blockages are also adding greater urgency to efforts to resist the coup, with Saturday seeing some

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of the largest street protests against the takeover. In what appeared to be the main one, about 1,000 protesters — factory workers and students prominent among them — marched Saturday morning down a main street in Yangon, the country’s biggest city, and were met by more than 100 police in riot gear. Members of the crowd shouted “Military dictatorship should fall” and “Down with dictatorship.” They marched with their hands in the air, formed into threefingered salutes, a symbol of defiance adopted from protesters in neighbouring Thailand, who borrowed the gesture from the “Hunger Games” movie franchise.

The demonstration ended peacefully with no clashes reported. It dispersed

around the time communications were cut, and it was unclear if the marchers later regrouped.

Telenor Myanmar, a major mobile operator, confirmed it had received Friday’s order to block Twitter and Instagram. In a statement, Twitter said it was “deeply concerned” about the order and vowed to “advocate to end destructive government-led shutdowns.”

“It undermines the public conversation and the rights of people to make their voices heard,” its spokesperson said. Since the coup, social media platforms have been major sources of independent news as well as organising tools for protests.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged Friday that the United Nations will do everything it can to unite the international community and create conditions for the military coup in Myanmar to be reversed.

He told a news conference it is “absolutely essential” to carry out the Security Council’s calls for a return to democracy, respect for the results of the November elections, and release of all people detained by the military, “which means the reversal of the coup that took place.” Guterres said

Christine Schraner Burgener, the UN special envoy for Myanmar, had a first contact with the military since the coup and expressed the UN’s strong opposition to the takeover.

Suu Kyi in good health: Myanmar military

Former Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the military took control of the country earlier this week, is in good health, an army official said.

The development was confirmed by the official to the Xinhua news agency on Friday. Following their detention on Monday morning Suu Kyi and former President U Win Myint were remanded in custody for violating the National Disaster Management Law and Import-Export Law until February 15, the official added. Friday’s development came a day after U Win Htein, patron of the former ruling NLD party, was arrested.

U Win Htein is known to be one of the former de facto leader’s trusted confidants. “We are checking out under which section of laws U Win Htein was charged,” Kyi Toe, the party’s information committee member, said in an online post.

US revokes terrorist designation for Yemen’s Houthis

WASHINGTON, FEB 6 (AGENCIES): President Joe Biden’s administration is moving to revoke the designation of Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist group, citing the need to mitigate one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

President Donald Trump’s administration had branded the Iranian-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, a move that limited the provision of aid to the beleaguered Yemeni people, who have suffered under a years long civil war and famine.

A State Department official confirmed the move Friday after members of Congress were notified of the administration’s plans.

The official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the removal changed nothing about the Biden administration’s views of the Houthis, who have targeted civilians and kidnapped Americans.

“Our action is due entirely to the humanitarian consequences of this lastminute designation from the prior administration, which the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have since made clear would accelerate the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” the official said.

‘Erratic’ Trump shouldn’t get intel briefings: Biden WASHINGTON, FEB 6 (PTI): US President Joe Biden has said his predecessor Donald Trump should not be given access to classified intelligence briefings, as is tradition for past presidents, because of his “erratic behaviour”.

Former American presidents are frequently given routine intelligence briefings and access to classified materials after they leave office.

“I’d rather not speculate out loud. I just think that there is no need for him to have the intelligence briefings. What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?” Biden said in an interview on “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell”.

The interview is scheduled to be aired on Sunday.

Excerpts of the interview were released on Friday.

Early this week, the White House said it is reviewing if Trump should receive the intelligence briefings. Biden said that Trump should not have such briefings “because of his erratic behaviour unrelated to the insurrection.” He said that Trump represents an “existential threat” and “danger-

Joe Biden

ous.” In remarks following the January 6 insurrection in the US Capitol by proTrump supporters, Biden told reporters, “I’ve been saying for now, well, over a year, (Trump’s) not fit to serve. He’s one of the most incompetent presidents in the history of the United States of America.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday said that “the intelligence community supports requests for intelligence briefings by former presidents and will review any incoming requests, as they always have,” CNN reported.

During his presidency, Trump was not known to fully or regularly read the President’s Daily Brief, the highly classified summary of the nation’s secrets. Rather, he was orally briefed two or three times a week by his intelligence officials, the report said.

Separate blasts in Kabul kill 3, UN kicks off selection of next secy-gen wound 4, say Afghan officials

JERUSALEM, FEB 6 (AP): The International Criminal Court said Friday that its jurisdiction extends to territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, appearing to clear the way for its chief prosecutor to open a war crimes probe into Israeli military actions.

The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said in 2019 that there was a “reasonable basis” to open a war crimes probe into Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip as well as Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. But she asked the court determine whether she has territorial jurisdiction before proceeding with the case.

The Palestinians, who joined the court in 2015, have pushed for the case.

Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, has said the court has no jurisdiction because the Palestinians do not have statehood and because the borders of any future state are to be decided in peace talks. The Palestinians have asked the court to look into Israeli actions during its K Y M C

2014 war against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, as well as Israel’s construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem.

The international community widely considers the settlements to be illegal under international law but has done little to pressure Israel to freeze or reverse their growth.

The international tribunal is meant to serve as a court of last resort when countries’ own judicial systems are insufficient to investigate and prosecute war crimes.

Israel’s military has mechanisms to investigate alleged wrongdoing by its troops, and despite criticism that the system is insufficient, experts say it has a good chance of fending off the ICC investigation into its wartime practices.

When it comes to settlements, however, experts say Israel could have a difficult time defending its actions.

International law forbids the transfer of a civilian population into occupied territory.

LESHEMI STUDENTS’ UNION FELICITATION With great pride and honour, the Leshemi Students’ Union would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru on being promoted to the Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare Department, Nagaland.

The Union wishes and prays that the Almighty God continues to bless him with good health, wisdom and success in his future endeavour.

Sd/Sd/Wekhrotso Sara Lhiwe Lomi President, LSU General Secy, LSU OFFICE OF THE

acknowledging

80 Years of God’s grace

LESHEMI WELFARE UNION KOHIMA-797001, NAGALAND

FELICITATION

With immense happiness, the Union extends our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru for being promoted to the Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Department.

We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Sd/WELHILO KAZHIE Gen. Secy.

KEKHRONGULO LETRO President

OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION OF SAINIK SCHOOL IMPHAL (OBASSI) NAGALAND CHAPTER

FELICITATION

LUHEKHU CHISHI (Date of Birth : 7th February, 1941)

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OFFICE OF THE

DIST. PHEK 797107, NAGALAND

DC-112

ICC clears way for war crimes probe of Israeli actions

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group has targeted Sikhs and other minority communities in Afghanistan. A nationwide spike in bombings, targeted killings and violence on the battlefield comes as peace negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stalled.

Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said six people were wounded in the blast in the store and no one was killed. He said police were investigating what caused the explosion. The discrepancy between the two numbers could not immediately be accounted for.

In Saturday’s second

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 80TH BIRTHDAY !

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Prov. 22:4) – Loving wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren.

The Old Boys Association of Sainik School Imphal Nagaland Chapter with immense pride and joy congratulates Cadet Yanbemo Lotha, Adm No.146, on being promoted to the post of Chief Engineer (Housing), PWD, Govt. of Nagaland. It also conveys its best wishes and success in all his future endeavors.

The Association further expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Govt. of Nagaland under the dynamic leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland for the honour bestowed upon one of its members.

(Cadet C Lima Imsong) President

(Cadet Leyant. N) General Secretary

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KABUL, FEB 6 (AP): Two separate explosions rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Saturday, killing at least three people including members of the minority Sikh community and wounding four others, Afghan officials said.

The first explosion hit a store in the heart of the capital, causing it to collapse and kill at least two Sikhs, according to two Afghan police officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Islamic State

from a place of conviction, where standing for equal rights makes a difference in creating a fair and equitable organization, and opening opportunities for women all over the world,” Flores Flake said.

A 2015 General Assembly resolution, which was adopted by consensus, changed the previously largely secretive selection of the secretary-general to a more open and transparent process. It allowed the world body’s member states for the first time to see basic information about all candidates, including their resumes, and to meet and question them at open sessions.

Just before Christmas, a group of 25 nations from all regions called the Accountability Coherence and Transparency group wrote to the General Assembly and Security Council urging that the selection process for the next secretary-general meets “at a minimum” the 2015 standards of transparency and involvement of the 193 U.N. member nations.

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Afghan security personnel inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

explosion, Faramarz said a sticky bomb was attached to a police car and went off in northern Kabul, killing a police officer.

Tensions in Afghanistan are high amid a string of targeted killings. Some are claimed by the local Islamic State affiliate, but many go unclaimed, blamed by the government on the Taliban who have denied responsibility for most attacks.

With growing threats from IS, Afghanistan’s oncethriving community of Sikhs and Hindus has dwindled from as many as 250,000 members to fewer than 700.

IS claimed responsibility for an attack last March in which a gunman rampaged through a Sikh house of worship in the heart of Kabul, killing 25 worshippers and wounding eight.

IS claimed it carried out 82 attacks in Afghanistan in 2020, killing or wounding 821 people, including 21 assassinations. Most of the victims in its attacks were either security personnel or Shiite Muslims. However, the perpetrators of many targeted killings are unknown.

UNITED NATIONS, FEB 6 (AP): The United Nations kicked off the selection of its next secretary-general on Friday, asking the 193 UN member states to submit candidates to be the world organisation’s chief diplomat and operating officer.

The process officially began with a joint letter signed virtually by General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir and Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward, this month’s president of the Security Council opening the nomination of candidates. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose current term expires on Dec. 31, announced last month that he is seeking a second five-year term.

Honduras’ UN Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake also sent a letter to all UN member nations saying there has never been a female secretary-general and asking them to “present women candidates.”

“I am writing this communication

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8

sports

Mohun Bagan thrash Odisha 4-1

ATK Mohun Bagan teammates celebrate goal against Odisha FC on Saturday.

BAMBOLIM, FEB 6 (PTI): Dishing out a ruthless performance, ATK Mohun Bagan thumped Odisha FC 4-1 to narrow the gap on leaders Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League, here on Saturday.

The result meant the Mariners closed the gap with Mumbai to three points, while Odisha’s top-four chances are all but over.

The opening half proved to be a cagey contest but two fine goals from either side meant the score line was all square at the

break.

Cole Alexander’s equaliser for Odisha (45+1’) was sandwiched between two goals from Manvir Singh (11th, 54th) before a quickfire brace from Roy Krishna (83rd, 86th) led Bagan to their ninth win of the season.

Bagan showed intent early on and opened the scoring with their first shot on target.

Manvir, receiving the ball on the right flank from Krishna, cut inside on his weaker foot before curl-

ing his shot at the far post, which snuck in after kissing the woodwork.

ATKMB continued to attack after the opener but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. They fashioned another great chance to double their tally in the 40th minute but keeper Arshdeep Singh came to Odisha’s rescue.

Krishna held up the ball around the edge of the box and laid a pass for Marcelinho, who saw his first-time shot blocked by Arshdeep out for a corner.

After dominating their opponents for much of the session, the Mariners thought they would be heading into the break with the scoreline in their favour but Alexander had other plans, scoring a wonder goal in the dying minutes of the first half. Paul Ramfangzauva tried his luck from distance but his long-range effort came off the upright. Pritam Kotal cleared it away but gifted the ball to Alexander, who placed his shot towards the far corner, leaving ATKMB keeper Arindam Bhattacharja with no chance.

ATKMB began the second half with more intent, desperate to grab the lead again. And it was Manvir again who helped them do that after combining well with Krishna.

The Fijian shrugged Alexander off the ball and fed the Indian on the right.

Manvir drilled his shot hard and low, this time with his right foot as Arshdeep let the ball slip in despite getting his hands to it.

ATKMB were awarded a penalty late on when Alexander handled the ball in the box. Krishna made no mistake from the spot-kick to put the result beyond Odisha’s reach.

But the Fijian wasn’t done yet, adding another goal to his name. Manvir flicked the ball towards Krishna, who beat Shubham Sarangi and raced into the box before finding the net.

Hailu’s world under20 indoor 1,500m record ratified

Lemlem Hailu

MONACO, FEB 6 (IANS): Lemlem Hailu’s world under-20 indoor 1,500m record of 4:01.57 seconds, set last year, has been ratified, World Athletics announced on Saturday.

The Ethiopian middledistance runner clocked her record-breaking time at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Lievin on February 19 last year, setting her fourth personal best within three weeks.

The race was won by her compatriot, world bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay, but Hailu put up a good fight.

They were paced through 800m just inside 2:06 secs. The final pacemaker stepped aside with 400m to go and, with 2:55 secs on the clock, Tsegay took the lead. Hailu, however, responded 15 seconds later and hit the front, still looking comfortable with the pace while Tsegay was starting to grimace.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021

1st Test: Joe Root’s 218 propels England to 555/8 on Day 2 C h ennai , F E B 6 (IANS): Skipper Joe Root scored his fifth double century -- the first by a batsman playing his 100th Test -- to lead England to 555 for eight wickets at stumps on the second day of the first Test against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday.

Root (218, 19x4s, 2x6s), whose double ton was also the first by an overseas cricketer in India in over 10 years, was ably supported by Ben Stokes (82) as the two added 124 for the fourth wicket. At close, Dominic Bess was batting on 28 and Jack Leach was on six. The two tail-enders added an unbeaten 30 in 10.3 overs.

India picked four wickets in the last session, with pace bowler Ishant Sharma getting two wickets -- Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer -- off two balls, but Bess and Leach ensured that Virat Kohli’s boys will have to return on the third morning, something that Root wanted.

England did not lose a wicket in the first session as Root and Stokes added 92 in that session.

Stokes, who took guard at the start of the second day’s play after opener Dominic Sibley was dismissed in the last over of the first day, survived a couple of chances.

Indian cricket team during the 2nd day of the first cricket test match in Chennai, Saturday (BCCI/PTI)

Off-spinner R Ashwin dropped a tough chance off his own bowling and Cheteshwar Pujara dropped him at mid-wicket off the bowling of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.

India also wasted a chance early in the day to run out Root too as Washington Sundar’s throw was wide off the wicket-keeper.

Root built on his overnight unbeaten 128 to rack up his fifth double century and third 150-plus score in succession following his 228 and 186 in Sri Lanka.

While he added 28 to his overnight score in the first session with patience, it was Stokes who took on the Indian attack. Stokes was eventually caught by

Pujara off Nadeem at deep square-leg as he went for a big shot.

Root batted to get to his double and was also dismissed by Nadeem in the third session. Buttler (30) and Archer followed on successive balls but that was the only success for India as Bess and Leach held out.

The England skipper had on Thursday pointed out that his side would look to bat till the third day’s morning and score 600-700 runs.

Brief scores: England 555/8 wkts in 180 overs (J Root 218, D Sibley 87, B Stokes 82, O Pope 34, I Sharma 2/52, J Bumrah 2/81, R Ashwin 1/132, S Nadeem 2/167)

Kuda village youth conduct sports meet Watkins strikes early as Aston Villa sink Arsenal

Kuda C Khel and Kuda A Khel pate in tug of war finals during the Kuda Village Youth Sports meet on Saturday.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): The first edition of Kuda village youth sports meet was conducted at Vidhya Bhawan Higher Secondary School, here on Saturday.

In badminton men’s doubles finals, Vitusilie Sakhrie and Medo Linyü (B Khel) defeated Kevideme Liegise and Viketu-

sie Zevpr Vüprü to clinch the title. In the veteran category, V John Sakhrie and Vithoselie bagged the winning title.

In tug of war, Kuda C Khel emerged victorious after defeating Kuda A Khel. In women’s penalty shootout, Kuda B Khel emerged victorious against Kuda A Khel.

In the football finals, Kuda ‘B’ Khel beat Kuda

‘A’ Khel 2-0 to lift the trophy. The closing ceremony was graced by Nagaland Khadi and Village Industry chairman, Neiphrezo Keditsu as the special guest.

A special number was presented by Thejaser Khate while benediction was offered by associate pastor, Kuda Village Baptist Church, Dr. Rokonito Nakhro.

LO N D O N, F E B 6 (AGENCIES): Arsenal crashed to a second successive Premier League defeat as Ollie Watkins’ early goal fired Aston Villa to a 1-0 win on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side fell behind after just 74 seconds at Villa Park and were unable to muster a convincing response. Arsenal lost at Wolves on Tuesday and have now gone three league games without a victory.

The Gunners are languishing in 10th place, nine points adrift of the top four as their faint hopes of Champions League qualification look less realistic by the day. When Arsenal faced Villa in November, they suffered a lacklustre 3-0 defeat that sent them sliding towards the relegation zone. Although Arsenal had managed to claw their way back up the table, eighth-placed Villa once again showed the flaws that still plague Arteta’s men.

Arsenal, badly lacking a cutting edge, have scored just once in their last three

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (R) challenges for the ball during EPL soccer match between in Birmingham, England, Saturday (AP/PTI)

matches and retain a fatal inability to stay focused at the back. Villa took the lead with their earliest Premier League goal since 2014, aided by some woeful defending from the Gunners.

A r s e n a l ’s C e d r i c Soares gave the ball away a n d B e r t r a n d Tr a o r e crossed to the unmarked

CAGSA meet enters day six Nadal eases injury fears in Melbourne Park training session MELBOURNE, FEB 6 (AGENCIES): World number two Rafael Nadal eased fears that a back injury might prevent him from playing in next week’s Australian Open with a full-blooded training session on Saturday.

The 20-times Grand Slam champion took to the John Cain Arena court in the late afternoon and appeared unhampered as he hammered balls across the net with trademark ferocity.

Nadal pulled out of Spain’s ATP Cup tie against Australia on Tuesday with a lower back problem and said later in the week he was still far away from the level required to play at the year’s first Grand Slam.

The 34-year-old played no part in his country’s ATP Cup campaign, which ended in a 2-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Italy on Saturday. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told local media that he was in daily

Rafael Nadal

communication with Nadal and that the Spaniard had skipped the ATP Cup out of “extra caution”. “He’s out practising and he’s indicated he’ll be ready,” Tiley said on Saturday. “He’s protecting his opportunity to win a 21st grand slam.”

Nadal, who has suffered regularly from back injuries throughout his career, rarely plays competitive matches in the week before Grand Slams.

He said last weekend that during his 14 days of obligatory quarantine in Adelaide he had trained for only 2 1/2 of the five hours he was allowed under health protocols.

With Roger Federer deciding to skip the Australian Open this year as he recovers from knee surgeries, the door is open for Nadal to move out of a tie with his great rival on 20 career Grand Slam titles.

DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): Phüsachodü, Rukizu, Thenyizu and Thipuzu team won their respective quarterfinals match to enter the men’s football semifinals round on the sixth day of the ongoing 50th golden jubilee of Chokri Area Games and Sports Association (CAGSA) at Phüsachodü village under Phek district on Saturday. In men’s football, three times defending champions K Basa suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Thipuzu 2-1 in the encounter to end their saga. In the semifinal, Rikuzu will play against Phüsachodü, while Thenyizu clash against Thipuzu to make it through to the final round of the football trophy.

In women’s basketball semifinal matches, Kikruma defeated Thenyizu 1615 points to enter the finals.

Chetheba overcame defending champions Phüsachodü by 26-17 points.

With this win, Chetheba will play against Kikruma in the women’s basketball

final. In men’s basketball, Chetheba book the final berth by defeating Thipuzu 50-26 points. Chetheba will play against the winner of either Thenyizu or Rukizu in the final match.

In men’s archery, Muzikho Tetseo (Thipüzü) took the first position, while Ruyonu Theluo (Phüsachodü) and Kukhruveto Khamo (Thipüzü) in second and third respectively.

In women’s category, Lotsülü Sazo (Phusachodu) took the first position, followed by Tsülü Thira (Kikrüma) and Vekhosülü Thingo (Thipüzü) in second and third respectively.

In arm wrestling (men), Venuzo Dawhuo (Thinyizu) bagged the first place, with Vezhopo Chuzho (Phüsachodü) and Veniezo Cümu (Phüsachodü) in second and third.

In arm wrestling (women), Kuvelulu Keyho (K.basa) overpowered Vesusalu Vero ( Phusachodu) to take the gold. The bronze medal was bagged by Shovelu Thelu-o (Phüsachodü).

Watkins, whose shot went in via a deflection off Rob Holding. When Villa defender Ezri Konsa and Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette clashed heads, it looked as though the Premier League’s new concussion substitute rule might be used for the first time, but the pair were eventually

able to play on.

Former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez made a superb save to keep Villa ahead when he tipped over Granit Xhaka’s free-kick, with Holding headed just wide from the resulting corner. With Bernd Leno suspended, Mat Ryan was making his first appear-

ance in goal for Arsenal after joining on loan from Brighton. Ryan did well to keep out Traore’s closerange chip before Gabriel blocked Ross Barkley’s follow-up effort.

Villa had won 10 of the 11 league games in which they had scored the first goal this season.

They were back on top at the start of the second half and John McGinn’s blast was saved by Ryan.

Barkley fired just over after a fine run from Jack Grealish opened up the Arsenal defence.

Back in the squad for the second successive game after his mother’s illness, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench with 30 minutes left. The Gabon forward was unable to convert Nicolas Pepe’s cross as Martinez beat him to it with an out-stretched hand. Pepe was Arsenal’s lone bright spark and the Ivorian’s low strike forced Martinez to save with his feet.

Women’s football Open chess Championship 2021 FEB 6 (NPN): date of birth certificate league to be held DIMAPUR, Sumi Chess Association (Aadhar card/Pan/Class (SCAN) has in- 10 admit card if any) as before May: AIFF Nagaland formed that All Nagaland proof to WhatsApp num-

NEW DELHI, FEB 6 (IANS): The Indian Women’s League (IWL) will be held before May this year, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said after a virtual meeting of its league committee on Friday. “...the committee unanimously felt that despite the pandemic situation, the Indian Women’s League will remain an integral part of the AIFF competition calendar, and will be held prior to May 2021,” the federation said in a statement after the meeting.

“However, the committee also felt that owing to the pandemic situation, the rules for participation need to be relaxed for teams wishing to take part in the Indian Women’s League 2020-21. The league has already initiated talks with the state associations, which are interested to host the 202021 edition,” it added.

Open Chess Championship 2021 would be conducted from March 25-27, 2021 at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur. SCAN informed that the championship would held in three categories and the entry fee for open category would be Rs.1000 (U-16 category) and Rs. 500 (U-18 category).

Interested players of U-16 and U-18 have been asked to submit their valid

ber 8732883086.

Organisers informed that only indigenous Nagas would be allowed to participate in the Championship. The total prize money would be Rs.150,000. Any interested person could register one’s name at Hotel Tourist Lodge (Reception), Dimapur and for query one could contact 7005 268 269, 9862950257, 7005157622.

31st All Nagaland Tennis C’ship ends DIMAPUR, FEB 6 (NPN): 31st All Nagaland Tennis Championship, organised

by Nagaland Tennis Association (NLTA), concluded at Chavino Memorial Tennis Complex, Kuda Village, Dimapur on Saturday. A total of 26 players participated in the three-day tournament.

At the closing programme, NLTA president Apok Jamir and guest of

honour Col (Rtd) Mridul Barkakoti in their speeches congratulated all the players and the tennis fraternity in Nagaland for their efforts in promoting the sport in the region.

In men’s singles, Vilasier Khate defeated Thejaser Khate while in men’s doubles Vilasier Khate and Thejaser Khate defeated Vitsizolie Nagi and Zhaputso Khate to lift the trophy.

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