June 4

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 178

DIMAPUR, FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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NPF attacks PDA on diversion of funds Says, construction of 176-bed hospital ‘flawed and fishy’, demands NIA probe DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): In its unrelenting attack against the ruling PDA coalition in Nagaland, the NPF Legislature Party (NPF LP), has slammed the ruling government for throwing all norms and conventions to the wind to divert funds under the pretext of tackling the covid pandemic without taking concurrence to budgetary ethics and parliamentary provisions.

NPFLP spokesperson Imkong L. Imchen reminded that even though the NPF was given the mandate in the 2019 elections as the single largest party with 26 seats; it was not invited to form the government as per parliamentary conventions.

However, he said NPF did not make an issue of it but chose to play its role as a constructive opposition in the house.

Imkong said the NPF continued to play its role as a constructive opposition for three years but regretted

LPG pilferage case: Accused truck driver absconding Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 3 (NPN): The truck driver wanted in connection with LPG cylinders pilferage case was absconding after by proprietor of M/s Seyie Gas Service filed an FIR against him.

Talking to Nagaland Post, proprietor K Seyie suspected that the accused, one Dipanta Phukan, driver of truck no. AS 23CC 0522, has gone into hiding possibly at his native village.

He said that law enforcing agencies have assured him to arrest the accused and deliver justice at all costs.

While preliminary investigations have been conducted, the case is expected to be registered soon at South Police Station where the FIR was registered earlier.

On April 6, 2021, the accused had transported around 39 faulty cylinders to Seyie gas depot from Gopanari LPG bottling plant in neighbouring Assam, which were later distributed to customers residing in the vicinity of Officers’ Hill Colony here. The issue came to light on May 24 when videos of water oozing out from LPG cylinders went viral on social media platforms.

This is it!

"When your father says he'll cook, it means all of us will have to be engaged."

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that the ruling PDA coalition has taken the NPF’s humility as weakness by ignoring all established norms and procedures in governance of the state.

He said the NPF can no longer “tolerate the arbitrary and dictatorial functioning of the PDA government, led by the chief minister Neiphiu Rio.” Imchen pointed out that the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 was formed as per the home department’s June 1,2020 notification with the chief minister as chairman with six other members. Imchen accused the chief minister, who is chairman of HPC of “abusing its powers” since, as per the home department notification, the HPC was constituted only for policy matters related to Covid-19.

He pointed out that HPC was not mandated to encroach upon the state plan budgetary mechanism.

In this he said the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) was initiated in 1991 by then chief minister Vamuzo under ‘Compact Area Development’. Since the beginning the LADP fund was borne out of State Plan and placed under MLAs for develop-

ment of their respective constituencies.

Imchen said LADP is therefore a legislative mandate monitored by the Department of Planning and Coordination(State Planning Board) with chief minister as chairman.

He said guidelines for LADP were notified and approved by the legislative assembly and so it(LADP) was within the domain of the legislative jurisdiction with voted money under plan. Imchen therefore, said HPC has no legal authority to divert LADP fund to a different head ”without routing through the legislative assembly.”

He inferred that the vote of the house was bypassed in effecting a f 25% cut on LADP for covid-related matter by the HPC. He termed the cut as “unconstitutional and illegal action/ activity of the HPC” which was liable to be quashed or superseded by another notification.

He reminded that as per the constitution of India, there is no provision stating that the government of Nagaland “is an aristocratic oligarchy” but a “democratic government elected by the people” for a period of five years.

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Imchen lamented that the “incumbent government” was acting as an aristocratic government by negating all laid down norms and procedures. He said this was untenable as the HPC has no authority whatsoever, to encroach into the legislative domain to divert voted (plan fund/LADP) for covid-19 expenditure.

He also termed the allocation of Rs.30 crore for 176-bed for covid under CIHSR as “another oligarchic action of the PDA government. “Imchen cited recent remarks of PD of H&FW Dr. Neikhrielie Khimiao who said that the 176covid bed capacity under CIHSR would be a “makeshift covid hospital”.

Imchen said makeshift hospitals are usually tentages and so creating of a 176-bedded capacity for Covid patients costing Rs.30 crore happens only in Nagaland under the present ruling dispensation.

In this regard, Imchen said the NPFLP demands that the governor of Nagaland order NIA investigation into the whole process of the construction of 176bedded hospital as it was “flawed and fishy” since no tender in any form, was floated. (Cont’d on p-8)

You are in Nagaland, electricity goes off even in India: TV anchor’s faux pas NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): India Today journalist Rahul Kanwal while discussing fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s extradition from Dominica made quite an embarrassing faux pas. Kanwal was discussing the repatriation of Choksi from Dominica with Nagaland DG (border affairs) Rupin Sharma and author of the book ‘Extradition’, when Sharma briefly loss his connection.

After being reconnected to the live feed, Sharma apologized and said that there was a power cut. Kanwal responded saying: “Don’t worry, you are in Nagaland, electricity goes off even in India, please go on.” Netizens were quick to question Kanwal if he thought Nagaland was not a part of India. Some even asked him to issue a correction. Kanwal has since then apologised for the slip of tongue.

He said that he meant to say Delhi but by mistake said India.

BJP leader Mmhonlumo Kikon said that they’d need to invite Kanwal to Nagaland soon for a lesson in geography.

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Nagaland among worst performers in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (NPN): NITI Aayog on Thursday launched the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020-21. Kerala managed to retain the top spot this year in the SDG India Index. Nagaland was among the “The worst-performing states and UTs”.

The SDG India Index is tabulated annually by NITI Aayog in order to evaluate the progress of states and union territories on the basis of social, economic and environmental criteria. “Since its inaugural launch in 2018, the index has been comprehensively documenting and ranking the progress made by States and Union Territories towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” stated the think tank.

The progress is tracked on 115 indicators aligned to the ministry of statistics and programme implementation’s National Indicator Framework (NIF).

The 115 indicators consist of 16 of the 17 SDGs, with a qualitative

NITI Aayog officials releasing the Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2020-21, Thursday.

assessment on Goal 17 and cover 70 SDG targets. “This is an improvement over the 2018–19 and 2019–20 editions of the index, which had utilised 62 indicators across 39 targets and 13 Goals, and 100 indicators across 54 targets and 16 Goals, respectively,” the think tank said in a statement.

The 2020-21 index showed that the country’s overall SDG score improved by six points. It increased from 60 in 2019 to 66 in 2020.

The positive change is largely driven by exemplary nationwide performance in Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy),

in which the composite score reached 83 and 92, respectively.

Top-performing states and UTs: Kerala with a score of 75, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu with a score of 74, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka and Uttarakhand scored 72, Sikkim scored 71 and Maharashtra with a Goal score of 70.

Worst-perfor ming states and UTs: Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Odisha with a score of 61, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh at a score of 60, Assam scored 57, Jharkhand scored 56 and Bihar at the bottom with (Cont’d on p-7) 52.

Devise mechanism to help daily wage earners: CNTC to Govt NPCC asks H&FW to substantiate Finance DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has appealed to the State government to devise some mechanism and work out strategies to help those whose earnings have been badly hit by the State-wide complete lockdown and could not even afford two square meals a day.

Though lockdowns have become an important tool to check transmission of Covid-19, the council in a release also pointed out

that these have taken a very heavy toll on the economically weaker sections of the society, especially the daily wage earners.

Mentioning that numerous Central schemes available for the needy and the poor should be availed by those in need during this hour without delay, Central Nagaland Tribes Council stressed that it was the State government’s duty to look into the matter.

The council also appreciated the role of some

churches in looking after the daily wage earners.

CNTC also called on large private schools and colleges to set an example by deducting certain amount of fees as only online classes were going on while basic amenities and other maintenances were not utilized during this time.

It asked the State government to constitute a body to look into this matter at the earliest as many parents were having a hard

time paying their children’s school fees when all their earning avenues had been hit due to the pandemic.

On increasing the prices of essential commodities by traders at their whims, the council appealed to local grassroots organisations like GBs and chairmen of village and colony councils to monitor and control them at their respective jurisdictions so that the common people did not suffer more.

dept’s claim of spending `245.44 cr on Covid

DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): Contending that the finance department’s claim of having spent Rs 245.44 crore was a big money for a small State like Nagaland with only 12 districts, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has urged the Health & Family Welfare department to substantiate the claim and let the people know district-wise utilisation, indicating work and (Cont’d on p-8) supplies.

NPCC president K Therie in a press release insisted that data on how many hospitals were equipped with Covid beds, oxygen, ICU and ventilator facilities and how many hospitals were identified as non-Covid hospitals should also be made available.

Further, he said public should also know how many quarantine centres were there and whether Covid beds and treatment were

free or not, including at designated private hospitals and CIHSR. He also wanted to know whether NHAK Kohima was still charging for ICU beds.

Demanding that people should be safe with enough facilities and there should be delivery of 100% free vaccines urgently, free medication and rations for all, Therie stressed that public funds should be spent with (Cont’d on p-8)

State reports 168 new Covid cases; 5 deaths Patton calls for public cooperation to fight Covid-19

DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): Nagaland on Thursday reported 218 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while the death toll breached the 400mark after five more patients succumbed to the infection.

Of the fresh cases, 51 were reported from Dimapur, Kohima-43, Tuensang24, Phek-11, Wokha-10, nine from Mokokchung, eight from Zunheboto, five from Peren, four from Kiphire, two from Mon and one from Longleng, taking the

total caseload to 22,240.

Further, out of five fatalities-- four were from Dimapur and one from Phek, taking the death toll to 404 out of which 13 were non-Covid deaths but with Covid positivity.

PTI: With 1,34,154 fresh cases, India’s COVID19 tally has climbed to 2,84,41,986, while the death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 3,37,989 with 2,887 more people succumbing to it As on June 3, the num-

ber of active COVID-19 cases was recorded below 20 lakh for the third consecutive day, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 a.m. The number of active cases has reduced to 17,13,413, accounting for 6.02 per cent of the total number of cases, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 92.79 per cent. A net decline of 80,232 cases was recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours, the ministry said.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): State deputy chief minister Y Patton has called upon all to cooperate and work together to fight Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a dedication programme of an ambulance donated by his family at chief medical officer’s (CMO) office here on Thursday, he said Dimapur had a high Covid-19 positive rate compared to other districts in the State.

united fight is essential,” he stressed.

Pointing out how during this trying times many individuals and organisations were continuing to come forward and assist in the fight against the pandemic, which had fuelled much hope, Patton encouraged all to take inspiration from one another, support each other in whatever way Patton along with officials after handing over the ambulance at possible, follow protocols CMO office Dimapur, Thursday. (NP) and remind themselves that “And in order to tackle together. We are all affect- “this too shall pass”.

(Cont’d on p-8) this, we all need to work ed by the pandemic, so a

Guidelines issued to protect children affected by Covid-19 JCC Shamator reminds States asked to launch local helpline to provide psychosocial support to children in distress NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Centre has issued guidelines for the care and protection of children affected by Covid-19 and assigned responsibilities to the states, district magistrates, police, Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all the states, Women and Child Development Ministry Secretary Ram

Mohan Mishra said that in order to streamline and facilitate the actions being taken, the major responsibilities of the primary duty holders have been enlisted to ensure the best interest of children during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Guidelines for children

States need to identify the children in distress through outreach and surveys and prepare a database with a profile of each child, along with the details of their specific needs and requirements, and ensure that the data is uploaded on the Track Child portal.

The states and Union territories need to temporarily allocate child care institutions

(CCIs) to house those children whose parents have been unwell due to Covid-19 and provide necessary support to them, in case the extended family is not available to take care of them.

Women and Child Development Ministry has asked the states to issue directions to hospitals to collect the contact details of trustworthy persons known to the patients in the admission form, to be contacted for taking care of children in case of any eventuality.

States have been asked to make suitable arrangements for isolation facilities within CCIs to take care of children suffering from Covid-19 and

prepare a roaster of child psychologists or counsellors to visit the facilities and interact with the children.

States have been asked to launch a local helpline number manned by experts for giving psychosocial care or support to the children in distress.

DMs need to create a district-level multi-departmental task force to map the needs, monitor the progress and ensure that all benefits reach the affected children and all civil society organisations may be asked to positively inform the Child Welfare Committee or the District Child Protection Unit about any vulnerable child noticed by them.

District police teams must stay alert and vigilant to prevent trafficking of children, illegal adoption, child marriage, child labour or any other kind of abuse.

Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies must ensure that the child protection committees at the panchayat level identify and inform the district administration or the District Child Protection Unit about children in distress.

It must be ensured that all children orphaned during the Covid-19 pandemic are provided free education through government day schools or residential schools.

CM on 5-point demand

DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) of Shamator has reminded the state government about its May 26 memorandum regarding deployment of doctors, nurses and other medical equipment.

JCC and various organizations of Shamator made a five point public demand-- for immediate deployment of additional three doctors led by SMO, deployment of additional five staff nurse (GNM/ ANM), deployment of technician and pharmacists, provision for Covid-19 testing centre (Truenat) at Shamator and provision for ambulance with advance life support system.

In a representation to the chief minister, issued through ADC Shamator, JCC convenor S. Toji and member secretary Thsantong pointed out that the civil society organization of Shamator had written to principal director of Health department on May 12 seeking immediate intervention to address the plight (Cont’d on p-8) of CHC at Shamator.

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state

KT Sukhalu launches tablets for students in Aspirational Dist Kiphire Correspondent

DIMAPUR: Principal of Clark Theological College, Aolijen Mokokchung, Rev. Dr. A. Temjen Jamir launched the new official college website on May 26.

Meanwhile, with the aim to digitalise the library, the college also produced Wi-Fi and LAN connections for students and users.

Earlier, the launching ceremony was chaired by academic dean Rev. Dr. A. Tali Ao and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Dr. Nungshi Tzudir. One may visit the new website at www.ctcnagaland.org.in.

would help students during the pandemic.

Deputy mission director SSN Kelhika Kenye said the ministry had approved 1153 tablets with pre-loaded learning contents where the learning materials were examined and approved by the subject expert of NBSE. He said the contents included video lessons as per NBSE text book of five core subjects for every classes such as math, science, social science, English and alternative English for Classes VIII-X and history, political science, English, education and sociology for Classes XI and XII where students could easily access without sim card or internet.

Kenye said the tablet would be provided to all the students’ of VIII-XII enrolled in government schools during 2021-22 in Kiphire aspirational district adding that the tablets would be distributed in two phase, first for class VIII-X numbering to about 1097 and for Classes XI-XII, it would be provided in few weeks’ time as per enrolment of 2021-22.

He informed that prior to the distribution of the tablet, subject teachers would be oriented through virtual mode with the support of Bright Tutee officials, New Delhi on features of tablet and detailed preloaded learning contents in the tablet who will guide the students on use of tablets.

Further outcome of evaluation on the use of tablet will be conducted in the later part of the academic session 2021-22.

The programme was chaired by state mission director Samagra Siksha Nagaland Temsunaro Aier.

It may be mentioned that Kiphire district has student enrolment from Classes VIII-X of 1097 students in government high school and 88 students in Class XII. Samagra Sikhsha will work on expansion of providing tablets if the outcome of the tablet was proved fruitful.

Principal director SE Shanavas C, special secretary SE and SCERT Kevileno Angami, NBSE chairman Asano Sekhose, director SE Wonthungo Tsopoe, State coordinator MHRD in charge of Nagaland Suresh Balodi, DEO Kiphire, administrative officers Kiphire, officials from planning and coordination, school heads of Kiphire, SCERT officials and Samagra Sikhsa Nagaland officials attended the virtual launching programme.

Altogether, 1,097 tablets are ready to be dispatched at the earliest. The tablets do not require any internet connectivity as they are preloaded with all the required study materials in accordance with the syllabus with topic wise video lectures, MCQs, explanations and solved question and answers.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

DIMAPUR: Dimapur police updated various crime reports under Dimapur district leading to the arrest of various individuals.

Extortion: Dimapur police arrested one Kawoto Aye, (36) of “NNC N/A” on charges of extorting money from Murgipatti area on June 1. According to police PRO, in this connection two demand slips of NPGN (N/A), two mobile phones and one scooter was recovered from his possession and a case was registered with East PS. One held with arms: Dimapur Police apprehended one Inato Kiba (31) for illegal possession of one point 32 calibre pistol along with magazine (country-made) from Dimapur rail station area on June 2.

In this connection a case was registered with East PS. Two bikes recovered: With assistance of Jalukie police, Dimapur police recovered two royal enfield bikes stolen from Duncan Basti area on Thursday. In this connection three persons Mhabemo (27), Ephyothung Mozhui (30) and Longshibemo (30) were arrested and a case was registered with West PS.

WDCCI and WTC seize polythene bags DIMAPUR: The Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WDCCI) in collaboration with Wokha Tow n C o u n c i l ( W TC ) seized all single-use plastic polythene carrying bags on Thursday at Wokha town.

A press release by WDCCI media cell stated that the checking was done as per the government notification as well as the notification issued by the office of Wokha Town Council to ban single use of plastic products.

WDCCI informed that the checking on single-use plastic bags would continue on a weekly basis.

In this regard, it has appealed to all business establishments to stop the supply/demand chain on

Seized single use plastic products at Wokha town.

the banned single-use plastic the market demand to avoid polythene carry bags and any inconvenience in the find alternate means to fill future.

The Twitter storm: Students demand inclusion of NE history in NCERT DIMAPUR: Student bodies across the North East have come together to organise a “Twitter storm” using the hashtags #AchapterforNE and #NortheastMatters demanding that the history and culture of northeast be made a part of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum. The event is set to take place on June 4, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

NSUD: Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD), an apex body of Naga students in Delhi & NCR comprising of 20 different tribes has extended its support towards the initiative. In a press release, NSUD president Isaac Charenamei and general secretary Vitso Rio said that many aspiring

students from the North Eastern Region (NER) India aspired to land in metros cities with a hope of becoming a successful person.

However, NSUD said that it was “excruciating to experience” with the increasing number or cases of discrimination based on race, colour and creed against the people from the NER. While expressing concerns over the recent spike in racism, violence and hate against people from the North Eastern states, NSUD extended its solidarity to Ninong Ering, MLA from Arunachal Pradesh “who fell victim to racism”.

Condemning the “intolerable spate of abhorrent racist rants spewed

by the YouTuber against the MLA” the union demanded stringent action against the perpetrator. It affirmed its solidarity with communities that have been “hurt, threatened and discriminated just because they were born one colour” and said that “we must recognise that silence is complicity and that we must speak up to instigate the change”.

Demanding the inclusion of a section on the North East chapter in the NCERT curriculum, it also appealed to the government and the concerned authority “to frame rules, regulations and policies such as the anti-racial law to avert and put a stop to the infelicitous incidents”.

NSUD has therefore

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

called upon on the learned scholars, student friends and other organisations to take part in the Twitter Storm “to foster a sense of belonging, especially for our people who have been marginalised historically and continue to be”.

NUSU: Nagaland U n ive r s i t y S t u d e n t s ’ Union (NUSU) of all four campuses [NUSU (L), NUSU (KC), SU: SASRD and SETSU] have collectively joined hands with various student leaders from different universities all over North East India “to eradicate the plague of racism”.

In a press release, NUSU (L) president Hipito Achumi, NUSU (KC) president Aliamoa S Longkumer, SU:SASRD president Chumbenthung Pat-

ton and SETSU president Watitemjen Kichu stated that “racism is an evil that needs to be uprooted and the most pre-eminent approach to achieve this is through education”.

It stated that educating the masses, “especially the ignorant” about the significance of Northeast India through a mandatory chapter concerning the rich history of Northeast India in NCERT textbooks would uproot the evil of racism from its very root.

In this regard, NUSU has appealed to all likeminded citizens to join in the Twitter storm and has requested the government of India to add a mandatory chapter concerning Northeast India in the NCERT textbooks.

2 nd DEATH ANNIVERSARY Of Our Beloved Mother Lt. Wekhapeü Vero

I Have Fought The Good Fight, I Have Finished The Race, I Have Kept The Faith.

2nd Timothy 4:7

The Nunumi Village Council expresses our deepest condolence to the bereaved family of Lt. Hesheto Kappo, Rtd. Registrar, Dept. of Agriculture. He was a humble, God fearing soul who has been generously contributing and supporting our village in various ways. We are deeply saddened to loss one of our in-laws who has been a source of blessing to us. His good deeds cannot be forgotten and his untimely demise has left a great void. We earnestly pray that God grant strength, peace and comfort to the family.

Yeshito Zhimo Ihoshe Zhimo Chairman Secretary

The Nunumi Union Dimapur is deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Lt. Hesheto Kappo, Rtd. Registrar, Dept. of Agriculture. He has been closely associated with us and has done so much for the welfare of our village. His contribution towards our people is deeply acknowledged and appreciated. His demise has been a great loss for us. The Union expresses our heartfelt condolences and prays that the Almighty God grant solace to the bereaved family.

Shihoto Swu President

Nikishe Kappo Vice President

Two Years Have Passed Since You Left Us But Your Memories Are Still Very Much Alive In Our Hearts And Will Always Be. You Have Always Kept The Family Tied With Love, Care And Affection.

We Pray To Almighty That He Gives You Eternal Peace In Return.

We Love And Miss You Mummy.

DP-2635

CTC official college website launched

KT Sukhalu at the virtual launching of the tablets.

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KOHIMA, JUN 3 (NPN): With a core objective to improve better learning outcome, enrolment of students, retention rate and reduce dropouts, Samagra Siksha Nagaland (SSN) initiated a pilot project by providing tablets to students in aspirational district Kiphire through the ministry of human resource development, Government of India.

Advisor school education and SCERT K.T Sukhalu virtually launched tablets which would be distributed to government school students Classes X-XII in Kiphire, Thursday.

Speaking at the launching programme, Sukhalu admitted the last one year had been a challenge for students and teachers because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He said that although there were success stories, a lot of issues still needed to be addressed.

He said that the pandemic has disrupted the educational system where it was compelled to conduct classes online however, he said connectivity has become challenging not only in Kiphire but in many pockets in the state. In this regard, he said that the tablets would definitely help the students as they did not require any internet connection and were preloaded with all the required study materials.

He also urged the teachers to ensure that students are not deprived of education and to go extra miles if needed, stating that the effort of the teachers will not go in vain.

In his brief address, director MHRD GoI, P.P Gupta was confident that the tablets

CRIME BEAT

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

DP-2593

Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren, In-Laws & Family Members

Died On : 04-06-2019

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalms 23:4

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Dear Daddy, God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be so, He put His arms around you and whispered, come to me. With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you passed away and although we loved you dearly we would not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove us He only takes the best.

Through this column, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank every one of our friends, relatives and well-wishers for your immeasurable support financially, spiritually and physically during the illness and untimely demise of our beloved father Lt. Hocto Aye Leut. Col. GPRN/ NSCN. Words are not enough to express our heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving, but it’s our earnest prayer to God for His abundance love and blessings upon you all in your life’s endeavour.

We are deeply indebted to: 11. Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church 1. Gen. Samson Ayemi, CNC Naga Army GPRN/NSCN 12. Church Staff DSBC 2. Shri. Tovihoto Ayemi, 13. Thahekhu Baptist Church Hon’ble MLA & Advisor Power, 14. Sematilla Fellowship Govt. of Nagaland 15. Cultural Group Sematilla 3. Maj. Vihoto Sheqhi 16. Hotoshe Chophy GB Sematilla 4. Naga Army G.H.Q 17. Hukato Kiba, Council Chairman 5. Ladies Army G.H.Q Sematilla 6. G.H.Q Church 18. Sematilla Council 7. Col. Hotokhu Chophy SPO G.H.Q 19. Pimla Baptist Church 8. Mughapeto Yeptho 20. Church Staff PBC 9. Pekato Zhimo 21. GB’s Pimla Village 10. Doctors and nurses Faith Hospital 22. Pimla Village Council Dimapur 14/08/1967 – 23/05/2021 K Y M C

Lt. Mr. M Lakiumong

Born on 12/09/1975 – Died on 30/05/2021

We, the bereaved family of Lt. M. Lakiumong would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all the churches, organizations, friends, neighbours and well wishers who stood by us physically, prayerfully and financially at the sudden demise of our beloved on 30th May 2021.

We give our special gratitude to : 1. Pongrungrü Union, Dimapur Area.

2. Yimchungrü Baptist Borü, Dimapur.

3. Yimchungrü Arihako, Chumukedima.

4. Yimchungrü Baptist Borü, Chumukedima.

5. Yimchungrü Baptist Church Women Department, Dimapur.

6. Yimchungrü Baptist Fellowship, Shukhovi Village.

7. Yimchungrü Baptist Church New Showuba Village.

8. Sangtam Union, Chumukedima.

9. Kiphire Village Union, Dimapur.

10. Shekinah Glory Prayer Centre, Chumukedima.

11. Traffic Police Zone-2, Chumukedima.

12. Doctors, nurses & staff, CIHSR, Dimapur.

Though we are unable to thank each and every individual, we pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children, Sons-in-law & Grand Children DP-2628

Loving Wife, Children, Parents, Relatives, In-laws, Brothers & Sisters.

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

COVID-19: Information, advisories and activities

DIMAPUR: District administrations have issued information and directives to the general public in order to contain further community spread. Various activities are also being undertaken to encourage vaccination and to boost the morale of frontline workers.

ADC Pughoboto constitutes surveillance team: To effectively check and contain the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas, ADC & chairman, sub-divisional task force Pughoboto, Thungchanbe Tungoe has informed that COVID-19 community surveillance team in all villages under Pughoboto sub-division have been constituted/ formed with: VDB Secretary; anganwadi workers; anganwadi helpers and accredited social health activist (ASIIA).

The surveillance team would: create awareness in communities on personal hygiene and other measures of prevention; identify suspect case/s and report such case/s to SMO, CMC Pughoboto immediately; help communities in dealing with stigma and discrimination and assist the health workers in case of emergencies.

Kohima DTF sends out message: DC & chairman DTF Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie issued “message from Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on COVID19” on Thursday, conveying its appreciation to all the healthcare workers, frontline workers, village

Longleng DTF, district administration, police and medical department during their visit to the villages. (DIPR)

and ward functionaries, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, religious institutions, educational bodies, self help groups, political and voluntary groups and each individual for rendering altruistic services and cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. The DC said that every citizen of Kohima district was believed to be responsibly contributing to ensure that there was less spread of the contagion and resultantly less mortality due to the disease.

“We do not encourage or practice any form of stigmatization to any individual who is victimized because of the disease”, he stated.

He said that vaccination was the only way one can shorten the pandemic.

For any assistance during this pandemic, the Kohima DTF on COVID-19 can be reached at its 24x7 Helpline 6033833879/9362705742 or through warroomkohima@ gmail.com.

Meanwhile, the DC also informed all healthcare establishments within Kohima district that while conducting Rapid Antigen Test was advised, it was mandatory to register under ICMR portal for generation of SRF ID in order to maintain proper statistical record of the district and State.

DC has informed that the application may be submitted to the CMO Kohima along with all credentials of the data entry operator.

In this regard, DC & Chairman DTF has directed all healthcare establishments conducting RAT test to immediately get registered in order to avoid legal action.

DC Mkg orders on shop opening: DC and chairman DTF COVID-19 Mokokchung, Limawapang has issued an order with regard market regulations to be strictly enforced from June 4. The order stated that: only vegetables, fish/ meat vendors, bakeries and

grocery stores; hardware, electricals and electronic shops and shops that sell animal feeds; petrol pumps/ fuel depots would be opened.

The shops would be allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. with all the customers ensuring COVID-19 appropriate behavior. Public have been advised to shop their essential needs from within their colony.

Pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and other health clinics would be allowed to open 24/7; hotels for lodging shall be allowed to remain open with minimum staff. Further, restaurants shall remain closed for in-dining. They may however cater through home delivery services.

Food delivery, groceries delivery and other ecommerce providers would also allowed.

The order further stated that any person/group of persons acting in violation of this order shall be deemed to have committed

an offence punishable under IPC Section 188 & 177 and relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005 which will amount to punishment with imprisonment up to 2 years or fine or with both.

Ambulance services in Mokokchung: The district administration Mokokchung and Mokokchung police have initiated a free ambulance services for COVID-19 related uses in Mokokchung.

The ambulance service would provide free services to needy patients looking for emergency transportation from home to COVID-19 hospital Mokokchung. It would also cater to the needs of those who wishes to be transported from the COVID-19 hospital/CCC to home or those high risk contacts needing to travel to the testing centres. Nodal officer and SDO (C) Mokokchung Sentilong Ozukum stated that Mokokchung has been witnessing COVID-19 casualty because many patients often stayed at home with COVID-19 symptoms and some poor patients could not afford to hire vehicles to go the hospital and also because of fear and stigmatization many people were not willing to drive COVID-19 patients.

He urged upon the citizens of the district to contact COVID-19 helpline numbers or seek medical support if they are witnessing COVID-19 symptoms at home. The free ambulance service would be limited

to Mokokchung municipal and other adjoining areas at 9362561926.

Shops in Tseminyu to close for three days: In view of the mass COVID test samplings carried out on June 3 at Tseminyu town among the residents including shop keepers, all the persons who had given swap samples for testing have been directed to stay in isolation pending the outcome of the test results.

ADC and chairman SDTF for COVID-19 W. Manpai Phom has informed that as a matter of abundant caution and as a public safety measure, all the shops in the town without exception would remain closed with immediate effect for a period of three days, i.e. till June 6.

In order to facilitate access to medicines for emergency needs, the pharmacies/pharmacy owners, with the objective of assessing and proprietors in the town would make their contact number available or paste contact numbers outside their shops and would remain available for emergencies.

The ADC has also informed that all movement of persons to the town for shopping purpose would remain suspended during the closure period.

Any person group of persons found acting in violation of this order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under IPC Section 188 and under relevant provisions

of Disaster Management Act 2005 and the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID19) Regulations 2020.

Eshak Konyak visits CHC Aboi: Eshak Konyak MLA visited CHC Aboi on June 2 to assess the ongoing vaccination, community contributions and grievances. He was accompanied

by ADC Aboi, Chumlamo Humtsoe party workers and DBs. SMO, Dr. Neiphrezo Sorinuo highlighted on the shortage of medical staff at CHC Aboi and also briefed on various community contributions towards CHC Aboi. The health centre received a sum from the MLA for repair and upgrading of the old electrical wiring in the health centre.

Longleng DTF visits villages: Longleng District Task Force led by district administration, police and medical visited Pongo, Yongphang, Yangching, Sakshi and Auching village under EAC Sakshi Circle on Thursday and held a meeting with the villages with regard to constitution of village task force/ rapid response force and community care center.

3

ZDCA assists Zunheboto DTF: The Zunheboto District Cricket Association (ZDCA) through the initiative of Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) provided financial aid towards Zunheboto DTF which was received by DC and chairman DTF, Peter Lichamo from the president, Toika Tissica in the presence of vice president NCA Herato Sükhalu and other ZDCA members on Thursday at the DC’s residence.

According to DIPR report, Herato Sükhalu termed the gesture as a humble appreciation to the exemplary efforts of the DTF and all those workers who have been working tirelessly at these hard times.

He also thanked NCA president for initiating the noble act towards the district.

The DC while thanking ZDCA mentioned that the gesture would not only help DTF in fighting against the pandemic but would also encourage many to come forward with aids in all ways possible during the time of hardships where the tiniest of assistance proved to be a significant shoulder.

Orgs, leaders mourn demise of former DNSU president DIMAPUR: Various leaders and organisations have mourned over the demise of Müdovoyi M edeo, former president of the Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) and NDPP president 18 Chozuba A/C who passed away on Thursday.

DNSU: Dimapur Naga Students’ have expressed grief over the untimely demise of its former president Müdovoyi Medeo, who served the union as the president for the tenure 2009-2011.

In a condolence note, DNSU described him as a man of principle, a humble soul and a visionary leader who always rendered his selfless service for the wellbeing of the society and for the student community in

particular. “DNSU family and the Nagas in general have lost a precious soul and a good upcoming leader”, it said. While maintaining that he was gone from their sight, but never from their hearts, DNSU said that his footprints and the sacrifices would always be cherished.

Fur ther, the union conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that the Almighty God would be the source of comfort and strength in this moment of pain and sorrow.

Neiba Kronu: Minister, planning, parliamentary affairs & spokesperson, Nagaland, Neiba Kronu has expressed shock over the demise of Müdovoyi Medeo.

In a condolence note, the minister described late nagalandpost.com Poll Müdovoyi as a committed Q . : I s C h i n a a l o n e and dedicated leader, who responsible for creating had rendered his best serthe coronavirus? vices to the people as student and youth leader in various 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– capacities, 90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 80% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– He said that he was also 70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– a man of principle and in60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– tegrity who served the com50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– munity as president NDPP 40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– of 18 Chozuba constituency 30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– till his last breath.

20% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Further, Kronu con10% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– veyed his heartfelt condo0% lences to the bereaved family A B C members.

64% A Yes. NDPP: NDPP while 26% B No. expressing anguish to learn of the untimely demise of 10% C Can’t Say. Müdovoyi Medeo said that Next poll in his demise, the NDPP Q: Should hardware stores had lost a promising young remain open and others leader who was instrumental c l o s e d t o p ro m o t e in various social activities since his early associations construction? with various organisations.  Yes.

In a condolence note, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak said that his demise was an immeasurable loss not only for the NDPP party but the Nagas in general and people of Chozuba in particular. On behalf of all the rank and file of NDPP, Chingwang conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.

NDPP Phek region: NDPP Phek region in a condolence note through its president Mesonyi Domeh and general secretary Kelelo Mero said that all the ranks and file of NDPP Phek region were extremely saddened to learn about the demise of Müdovoyi Medeo.

It described late Müdovoyi as a dynamic, respectable and promising leader from K. Bawe village whose untimely passing was a huge loss for the party in particular and the community in general. The NDPP Phek region conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty would provide them comfort and solace as they mourn the loss of a loved one.

DCC: The Dimapur Chakhesang Council (DCC) said that in his demise, the people had lost a very gentle, humble and promising upcoming leader especially for the Dimapur Chakhesang community. In a condolence note, its president Wekhape Letro and general secretary Khrozote Kapfo conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family of its beloved former leader.

W C H : We s t e r n Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) described late Müdovoyi as a

young and promising Leader in whom the community had very high expectations.

In a condolence note, WCH president Dietho Rhakho and joint secretary Zasekhoyi Ringa said that late Müdovoyi who was also the general secretary of WCH was an active, intelligent, calculative and sociable leader, making him an asset of the Chakhesang community.

It said that his passing caused an irreparable loss to WCH in particular and the Chakhesang community as a whole.

Further, WCH conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members.

W C Y O : We s t e r n Chakhesang Youth Organisation (WCYO) while expressing grief over the demise of Müdovoyi said that his passing had not only created vacuum to the Chakhesang community but to the Nagas as a whole.

In a condolence note, its president Likalo Letro and general secretary Surhota Yhobu said that late Müdovoyi who was its general secretary (2005-2007) was actively involved in the student community and social organisation.

While sharing its gratefulness for his service and contribution towards the student fraternity and the society, WCYO prayed that God would grant solace and comfort to the bereaved family members.

DSSU: Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) while expressing its sadness over the demise said that late Müdovoyi was an enthusiastic and diligent leader who

in his capacity worked effortlessly for the student welfare in particular and society in general.

In a condolence

through its president Vitopu Ayemi, DSSU conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members.

 No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST June 4

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

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

34 26

A stray a.m. t-storm; cloudy

27 20

Aizawl

Guwahati Some rain and a thunderstorm 34 25 Imphal

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Itanagar Rain and a thunderstorm

31 20 29 22

Shillong

A morning t-storm in spots

Kohima

Clouds and sun with a t-storm 27 17

25 17

Dimapur Partly sunny; a stray t-storm

35 23

Periods of sun with a t-storm

28 19

Tuensang Clouds of sun with a t-storm

22 15

Mkg Wokha

A stray morning thunderstorm 27 21

Zunheboto Periods of sun with a t-storm

K Y M C

26 17

During the lockdown, site leveling and approach road of more than 45 houses was constructed for the underprivileged at Mangko town under Mangko EAC HQ, Chessore Block, Tuensang under the initiative of S Keoshu Yimchunger supported by the Mangko GB and well wishers.

K Y M C

4

northeast

Assam govt trying to implement Citizenship Act in roundabout way: Cong

No border talks between Assam and Nagaland now

Sonowal will be given new responsibility by Central leadership: Himanta Biswa Sarma

NSCN (K) cadre surrenders in Arunachal Pradesh

GUWAHATI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Leader of the Opposition in Assam Assembly and Congress MLA Debabrata Saikia has alleged that the BJP government in the state is trying to get the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) implemented in a “roundabout” way.

Saikia has cited a March 19 government letter that directed Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Foreigners Registration Officers etc to disseminate information regarding grant of citizenship to migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who hold Long Term Visas.

The letter was issued days before the Assembly polls after which BJP returned to power.

Sharing a copy of this letter with the media, Mr Saikia has demanded that the long-pending claims and objections process of the National Register of Citizens be completed urgently through Foreigners’ Tribunals, as per rules.

Sarbananda Sonowal New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI): Former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal will be given a new responsibility by

Saikia demanded that since only the names of genuine citizens of the pre-1971 period would be left after a fair claims and objections process, the government should issue National Identity Cards to these citizens in accordance with provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

He mentioned that any foreigner can apply for Indian citizenship under Sections 5 & 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and there is no need to invoke the CAA. He said that since CAA was introduced to grant citizenship to migrants from these three countries, there is reason to suspect that the state government’s directive is nothing but a ploy to implement the legislation in the state in a roundabout way.

Saikia said the result of the recently held Assembly elections cannot be interpreted as an endorsement of CAA because the BJP secured only 33.21 per cent of vote share. He demanded that if a section of foreign migrants

the central leadership of the BJP, taking into account his past experience both in the state and at the Centre, his successor Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday.

Sarma, however, said he is not aware of the party leadership’s p l a n s f o r S o n owa l .

“When Sonowal and I had our last meeting with Naddaji (BJP president J P Nadda), he told us that Himanta will be the chief minister for the next five years while Sonowal will be given a

are to be granted citizenship on the basis of Long Term Visas, then the Inner Line Permit system should be introduced in Assam as per provisions of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, to safeguard rights of the indigenous people.

Assam had seen widespread protests against the CAA. But while protesters in other parts of the country alleged that the Act is discriminatory on religious grounds, those in Assam were opposing the legislation for a different reason.

The Assam protesters wanted that the cut-off date for citizenship be fixed at 1971 as per the agreement in the 1986 Assam Accord. The CAA offers citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who arrived in India before the end of December 2014.

The Assamese people opposed the legislation, arguing that it would benefit illegal migrants from Bangladesh who have settled in the state.

new responsibility.

“I believe the central leadership will take a decision about Sonowal,” he said at a press conference here.

Sar ma, who rep l a c e d S o n owa l a s the chief minister last month, said this in reply to a question on the speculation that the latter may be inducted into the cabinet of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

He said Sonowal’s experience as a former chief minister and a for-

mer Union minister will definitely be used by the party. Sonowal was the Union sports minister in the Modi government from 2014 to 2016, before taking charge as the chief minister of Assam, a post he held from 2016 till last month.

“There are many ways to assign responsibilities,” Sarma said, adding that being the prime minister is a responsibility, so is being a chief minister or a central minister or a district president of the party.

Over 450 arrested in Assam following NDRF starts ops to crackdown on drug dealers: Police rescue trapped miners

GUWAHATI, JUN 3 (PTI): The police have registered 264 cases and arrested 441 people during the period May 10 to 31 while “the war against drugs” was continuing with daily arrests taking place in different districts of the state.

The police have registered 264 cases and arrested 441 people during the period May 10 to 31 while “the war against drugs” was continuing with daily arrests taking place in different districts of the state.

The chief minister had recently said that the state government’s goal is to create a substance-free society and Assam Police will take a stern stand against peddling of drugs.

The state police have launched a massive campaign since last month against the illegal drug trade and have substantially weakened the network of the peddlers, a police spokesperson said.

The seizures made so far include 6.57 kg of heroin, 5,785.85 kg of ganja, 92,366 numbers of Yaba and other tablets.

The police have also seized Rs 17,11,130 in cash along with 20 gm of morphine and 426 gm of opium so far.

The police will continue its relentless fight against the drug peddlers in the state and ensure that it becomes free from the menace of drugs, the spokesperson added.

Correspondent SHILLONG, JUN 3: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Thursday began their operation to rescue five miners trapped inside a flooded illegal coal pit for the past five days in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, but the fate of the miners remain unknown.

State chief minister Conrad Sangma assured “appropriate action” against people involved in illegal coal mining. He said that the government was doing whatever possible to bring out the miners safely.

“All steps and all measures will be taken to ensure we can get them alive and will do our best and hope that we are able to save them,” the Chief Minister told journalists.

At least, five migrant miners, including four from Assam and one from Tripura are trapped inside a 500-foot flooded coal mine since May 30. The miners got trapped inside as water gushed into the mine after a dynamite explosion.

Three held for murder of KRA chief

Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 3: Three alleged prime accused in the killing of self-styled army chief of the Manipur based armed outfit, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) and his bodyguard were arrested from neighbouring Nagaland state by troops of 36 Assam Rifles at Lilen-B village in Peren district of Nagaland on Wednesday and handed over to the Manipur police, an official source said on Thursday.

Janggin alias Jetlee Baite (40), the self-styled chief of the KRA was shot dead along with his bodyguard, Lamginlen Hangshing (22), by unknown miscreants at his residence at Saikul in Kangpokpi district on April 30 last.

A release of the state police said that the three prime accused were apprehended by the 36 Assam K Y M C

Three prime accused in cases in police custody.

Rifles in Peren district of Nagaland yesterday (June 2) and brought back to Kangpokpi by a special investigation team (SIT) of Kangpokpi district police.

The three persons accused in the double murder case were identified as Satminthang Hangshing (34), son of late Lalpao Hangshing of Lhungtin village; Lamginlal alias Lalcha Chongloi (38), son of Lunsat Chongloi of the same village with the former; and Lunginhao alias Rob-

KRA army chief murder ert Hangshing (33), son of Jiten of Phaikon village of Kangpokpi district The trio were produced before the Kangpokpi district chief judicial magistrate and taken to police custody for 10 days for further investigation, the police added.

The KRA is currently under suspension of operation truce with the Centre and state government and part of the tripartite talks under the umbrella of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO).

GUWAHATI , JUN 3 (AGENCIES): The border talks between Assam and Nagaland to defuse tension along Mokokchung-Jorhat will take place only after the Covid-19 situation in Nagaland is under control, The Telegraph report stated.

Official sources said the Nagaland home department has directed the Mokokchung DC, L. Jamir, to hold talks with his Jorhat counterpart, A. Barman, after the Covid situation normalises.

Assam’s Special DGP G.P. Singh, after visiting the border on Friday, had revealed about the proposed “DC/SP level meeting within 3 days followed immediately by IG Border level meeting”.

Talks have become inevitable to defuse tension triggered by the alleged firing from the Nagaland side on senior Assam Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, when he had visited the border area in the Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest-claimed by both states on Thursday afternoon. Both states have also accused each other of breaking the Supreme Court-imposed status quo.

Though the situation in Jorhat is getting back to normal, it is still clocking over 200 cases a day, an official said.

Itanagar, Jun 3 (PTI): A cadre of the NSCN (K) surrendered before officials and security forces in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The rebel, a self-styled private of the outfit, identified as Kimong Hassen, surrendered before Deputy Commissioner Taro Mize, police and security forces on Wednesday, official sources said here on Thursday.

Hassen, a native of Lazu village in the district had joined the outfit in 1999 on being influenced by the group, the DC said.

“Hassen officially surrendered before me and the security forces to live a normal life with his family members,” Mize said.

He has surrendered with a condition that he would be liable for legal action if he is found to be involved in any illegal or anti-national activities, the DC added.

Mizoram struggling with livestock sector due to outbreak of ASF

Aizawl, Jun 3 (PTI): Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said that the state is struggling with its livestock sector due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The African Swine Fever has claimed more than 4,751 pigs in over two months in Mizoram “The state of Mizoram is struggling with its livestock sector. Piggery farmers and their economic stances are at stake,” Zormthanga said in a tweet on Wednesday. According to officials of state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science department, the ASF has so far claimed 4,751 pigs and piglets since March 21 causing monetary losses to the tune of Rs 19 crore.

South Mizoram Lunglei district, which reported the first case on March 21, bore the brunt of the pig disease reporting as many as 2,252 pig deaths, followed

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

NE COVID-19 UPDATE

Mizoram logs 228 new COVID-19 cases, 1 more death

Aizawl, Jun 3 (PTI): Mizoram reported 228 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 12,859, officials said on Wednesday.

The COVID-19 death toll in the state rose to 45 as one more person succumbed to the disease.

A 92-year-old woman from Aizawl died of the infection at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on Wednesday night, the state information and public relations department said in its official Twitter handle.

More than 43 children were among the newly infected people, it said.

Three patients have travel history, while the rest were found to have locally contracted the infection, it said, adding that 151 patients have developed symptoms of COVID-19.

Mizoram now has 3,320 active COVID-19 cases, while 9,494 people have recovered from the infection.

At least 147 people were discharged from various Covid-19 Care Centres on Wednesday.

The recovery rate is 73.84 per cent and the death rate is 0.35 per cent. The state has so far tested 4,00,698 samples for COVID-19, including 3,267 on Wednesday.

According to state immunisation officer Dr Lalzawmi, as many as 2,60,105 people have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine of which 52,129 have received both doses till Wednesday.

Starting from April 20, the Mizoram government has imposed lockdown like restrictions, which was followed by a complete lockdown from May 10 in Aizawl and other district headquarters to break the chain of local transmission.

However, complete lockdown was lifted on Monday in other district headquarters barring Aizawl, where it will remain in force till June 7.

Shillong, Jun 3 (PTI): Meghalaya’s COVID-19 tally rose to 37,149 on Thursday as 552 more people tested positive for the infection, while nine new fatalities pushed the death toll to 625, a senior health department official said. Of the nine deaths, four were reported from East Khasi Hills district, two each from West Jaintia and West Garo Hills and one from South West Garo Hills, Health Services Director Aman War said.

Meghalaya now has 6,352 active COVID-19 cases, he said. At least 594 more people cured of the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 30,172. The state has so far tested over 5.98 lakh samples for COVID-19, he said.

Altogether, 4.59 lakh people have been inoculated in the state with over 83,000 of them receiving both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, War added.

376 new COVID-19 cases push Arunachal Pradesh s tally to 28,018

Itanagar, Jun 3 (PTI): The COVID-19 caseload in Arunachal Pradesh rose to 28,018 as 376 more people tested positive for the infection, a senior health department official said here on Thursday.

The COVID-19 death toll in the state increased to 118 with two more persons succumbing to the disease in the past two days, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

A 56-year-old woman from the Capital Complex region died at the Dedicated Covid Hospital (DCH) Chimpu near here, on Mon-

day due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Another woman aged 51-years from Lower Siang died at DCH Pasighat in East Siang district on Wednesday due to Covid Pneumonia, the official said. Arunachal Pradesh now has 3,817 active COVID-19 cases.

At least 329 more people were recovered from the disease on Wednesday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 24,083.

The COVID-19 recovery rate now is 85.95 per cent while the active percentage stands at 13.62 and

the positivity rate at 5.23 per cent, Jampa said.

Meanwhile, State Immunisation Officer Dr Dimong Padung said that a total of 3,51,155 people have been administered COVID-19 vaccine so far in the state since the inoculation drive began in January.

Dr Padung said that the state as on June 2 has a total of 1,56,580 doses of vaccines available, which includes 1,28,390 supplied by the Centre and 28,190 doses purchased by the state government from Serum Institute.

Law will take own course, says Sangma on alleged sexual offence by his advisor

Correspondent

Zoramthanga

by Aizawl district, which reported 1,565 pig deaths so far, they said.

At least 99 villages and localities have been declared as “infected areas”, including 56 in Aizawl district and 26 in Lunglei district, they said.

Of the 11 districts in the state, nine districts are currently affected by ASF, they said, adding that 98 more pigs and piglets died on Wednesday.

Officials also said that five unusual pig deaths were reported on Wednesday and the cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

Meghalaya reports 552 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths

SHILLONG, JUN 3: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said the law will take its own course on the allegations of sexual assault case with regards to the alleged sexual offence case filed against his adviser Thomas Sangma.

Stating that since the case was of a “very personal matter”, Sangma said, “It would not be appropriate for the government to respond as it is something that has happened at an individual level and investigation was underway.”

However, the government would ensure that the law of the land is upheld.

“As a government, the only thing that we can ensure and assure is that law will take its own course. We will ensure there is proper investigation that takes place,

Conrad K Sangma we will ensure that truth comes out with and that there is no influence or no pressure from anywhere in any way to affect the investigation process…that is the only thing that the government can say from its side,” the Chief Minister asserted An FIR was filed by a woman with the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police against Thomas Sangma, who is also general secretary of the ruling

National People’s Party (NPP) for allegedly sexually assaulting her since January last year. A case was registered and investigation has already started, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills district, Sylvester Nongtnger said.

Opposition Congress legislator leader and chairperson of the Assembly Committee for Empowerment of Women, Ampareen Lyngdoh had demanded the Assembly Speaker to remove Thomas Sangma as member of the different House committees.

On whether the government would take action by removing the rape accused legislator as adviser to the chief minister, Sangma, however, maintained that it would “not be fair to just jump to conclusion without any investigation being done”.

225 COVID-19 positive pregnant women gave Assamese litterateur birth to healthy babies at AGMC during pandemic Lakshminandan Bora dies at 89

Agartala, Jun 3 (PTI): At least 225 COVID-19 positive pregnant women have delivered healthy babies at the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) here during the two waves of the coronavirus and the newborns were not found to be infected with the virus post-delivery, an official said.

During the first wave, as many as 198 COVID-19 infected women gave birth to babies, of which 60 were caesarean cases. The figure stood at 27 during the second wave, said Dr Jayanta Ray, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of AGMC. “At least 225 corona infected pregnant women delivered healthy babies and the newborn babies were not infected by the virus due to

utmost care taken by the doctors and the healthcare staff. It was a big challenge to the doctors to bring smiles to the infected mothers”, said Dr Ray. “A pregnant mother needs the best care, which was quite a challenging task during the pandemic.

But, our doctors and other healthcare staff did their best to ensure the safety of both the mothers and the newborns with the highest standard of hygiene,” he said. Ray said that some doctors and healthcare staff handling such cases were infected by the virus, but they ensured the safety of the children from infection.

“Shortage of skilled manpower and lack of infrastructures are common issues in any small state.

But, the way the Paediatrics

and Gynaecology section of the AGMC managed the situation and conducted successful deliveries, even in case of critical cases, has set an example,” he said.

Dr Sanjib Debbarma, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, pointed out that the AGMC and GBP hospital was the only designated unit for the COVID-infected expectant mothers during the first wave.

“In the first wave, the workload on the AGMC and GBP hospital was high as compared to the second wave of the virus since it was the only designated unit for giving care to the Covidinfected expectant mothers. However, we managed things smoothly to ensure the safety of both the mother and the infants,” the Medical Superintendent said.

G u wahati , J un 3 (PTI): Eminent Assamese litterateur Lakshminandan Bora died on Thursday due to post-COVID complications at a private hospital in Guwahati, doctors said.

He was 89 and survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

Bora, a Padma Shri awardee, had tested COVIDpositive on May 20 and was admitted to the hospital. He had recovered from COVID19 but had comorbidities and was undergoing treatment. An author of more than 60 books, mostly novels and short story collections, Bora served as the faculty member of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. He retired in 1992 as the head of the Department of Physics and Agrometeorology.

His first novel ‘Gonga Silonir Pakhi’ was translated

into eleven languages and was made into a film by noted Assamese filmmaker Padum Barua in 1976.

Some of the wellknown books of the Sahitya Akademi- winning author are ‘Patal Bhairavi’, ‘Kayakalpa’, ‘Bishesh Eraati’, ‘Sehi Anurag’, ‘Kal Dingaare Pal’, ‘Matsya Kanya’ and Preyashi. Bora was a former President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha.

He also received the Saraswati Samman and the Assam Valley Literary Award for his works.

He was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Assam Publication Board.

Bora has also served as the editor of the Assamese literary magazine ‘Goriyoshi’ and also as the chairman of the Assam Pollution Control Board.

K Y M C

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national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

India under PM Modi successfully ‘Longevity of CF in LoC depends on Pak actions’ fought COVID-19 battle: Amit Shah SRINAGAR, JUN 3 (PTI): Army Chief General M MNaravane on Thursday said the longevity of the ceasefire (CF) along the Line of Control with Pakistan depends on the actions of the neighbouring country but asserted that there would be “no slackening” of preparedness as terror infrastructure across the border was intact.

“The ceasefire along the LoC is holding as of now. The onus of making sure that the ceasefire holds is squarely on Pakistan. We are willing to observe the ceasefire as long as they do so,” he told a select few journalists at the end of his two-day visit to Kashmir.

The Army chief said other activities like terror infrastructure including terrorist camps and presence of terrorists on the other side of the LoC were continuing in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

“Therefore, there can be no slackening of our level of preparedness,” he added.

Asked if Islamabad

General MM Naravane reviews security along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

can be trusted as the ceasefire has been holding for 100 days now, Gen Naravane said, “There have been decades of mistrust between India and Pakistan. So, the situation on that score cannot change overnight.”

He said if Pakistan observes ceasefire in letter and spirit, the small steps can lead to incremental gains.

“If Pakistan continues to desist from fomenting trouble in India, then the small steps can lead to that level of trust that you are talking about,” he added.

On the possibility of troops reduction in Kashmir, he said the deployment of the troops was a dynamic process and is reviewed from time to time depending on threat perception.

“We have a counter infiltration grid to prevent terrorists from coming in and we have a counter terrorism grid in the hinterland.

“The deployment is a dynamic process. If there is improvement in the situation, some troops are pulled from active duty so that they also get rest, but they are not

pulled out completely,” Gen Naravane said.

He said the entire country was working to bring peace and tranquillity not only in Jammu and Kashmir but across India. He said the job of the army was to bring down violence to the level where civil administration and local security forces can play their role for ensuring the developmental the region. The Army chief said Covid was another kind of a war which the entire country is fighting. And it was the responsibility of the armed forces to help the people to overcome the pandemic, he added.

“I don’t think there is any family which has not been affected by Covid.

Therefore it is our responsibility to help the people. We have not left any stone unturned in this hour of need.

Not only in metros we have helped local administration in other parts in setting up additional beds, repairing oxygen plants and in some cases pulled out our medical staff from less affected areas and deployed them to

more high pressure areas,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction that the number of Covid cases was coming down the country and India was on its way to beating down the second wave.

“As a result of the facilities we have set up in the past month and half, we are better prepared to tackle third wave which may or may not occur.”

On the situation in Kashmir, he said he was briefed by the local commanders along the LoC as well as in the hinterland that there has been improvement and fewer incidents initiated by the terrorists.

“All these are indicators of a return to a sense of normalcy and all these are indicators that Awaam (people) also want the same,” he said. Asked if the security situation was conducive for the annual AmarnathYatra, Gen Naravane said the army was ready for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage but a final decision on whether to hold the Yatra is to be taken by the local administration.

AHMEDABAD, JUN 3 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully fought the battle against COVID-19 and managed to bring disease curve down with the help of 135 crore citizens.

“Now, the cases are dipping, the number of patients is decreasing. The oxygen requirement has come down to 3,500 MT from 10,000 MT. This indicates that the COVID-19 curve is going down,” Shah said.

He also said the speed of India’s vaccination drive is the fastest in the world and it will further gain momentum in future to cover maximum number of people in the shortest possible time, as envisioned by the PM. Shah was speaking via video conference after virtually inaugurating nine medical oxygen plants set up at government- run hospitals in different parts of Gujarat. The plants have been set up by an NGO -

Amit Shah

Vallabh Youth Organisation - at government-run hospitals in Tilakvada, Sagbara, Ahmedabad (Sola civil), Daskroi in Ahmedabad district, Kalavad, Kapadvanj, Bhanwad, Mehsana and Porbandar. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani joined the virtual event from Gandhinagar.

Shah said the government succeeded in controlling the spread of the virus and bringing the curve down through collective efforts.

“As you might have seen in media (reports), even highly developed countries struggled to tackle the pandemic. On the other side, we fought the battle with

patience and planning,” he said. He said in other countries, only governments were fighting against the coronavirus.

“In India, along with the government, 135 crore citizens also fought this battle under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

This is the reason for our success,” said Shah. He paid tributes to all those who lost their lives due to the coronavirus.

The minister also thanked frontline workers, doctors, nurses, NGOs and volunteers for helping the people in theirhour of need. “Non-governmental organisations helped people in all possible ways. When migrants were going back home (last year), NGOs provided them food, water, shelter and helped them reach their destinations. The government could not have done it all alone,” he said.

As the new COVID-19 cases (per day) are coming down, Shah said the demand for medical oxygen is also decreasing.

WhatsApp forcing users to accept SII seeks DCGI’s nod to In U-turn, Maharashtra says no relaxation privacy policy: Centre to Delhi HC manufacture Sputnik V-vax of lockdown-like curbs anywhere yet NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): The Centre Thursday told the Delhi High Court that WhatsApp was indulging in anti-user practices by obtaining “trickconsent” from the users for its updated privacy policy to ensure that its entire existing user base is made to accept the terms and conditions before the Personal Data Protection Bill becomes law in India.

“It is submitted that millions of WhatsApp existing users, those who have not accepted the updated 2021 privacy policy, are being bombarded with notifications on an everyday basis,” it said in response to a petition challenging the Facebook-owned messaging app’s 2021 privacy policy.

The government also told the court that WhatsApp has “unleashed its digital prowess” to the “unsuspecting existing users” and would like to force them

to accept the privacy policy by flashing such notifications at regular intervals.

“The game plan is very clear, i.e, to transfer the entire existing user base committed to updated 2021 privacy policy before the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill becomes law,” reads the government reply.

Seeking directions from the court to stop WhatsApp from sending the notifications to the user, the government has also argued that WhatsApp’s actions are against “the very grain of prima facie opinion of the Competition Commission of India’s order” dated March 24.

The union government in March had told the court that the privacy policy vio-

lates the 2011 IT Rules on five counts and urged it to restrain the messaging app from implementing it pending adjudication of the case by it. In its written response to a petition challenging the privacy policy, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology had told the court that the policy fails to specify which type of sensitive personal data was being collected, notify the details of personal information collected to the user, provide an option to review or amend the information and withdraw consent retrospectively, and guarantee further non-disclosure by third parties including other Facebook companies.

The replies have been filed in response to a PIL seeking framing of guidelines to protect the privacy and data of users being collected by various social media sites and messaging apps.

New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI): The Serum Institute of India (SII) has applied to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking permission to manufacture the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility in Pune, official sources said on Thursday. The Punebased firm has collaborated with the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow for developing Sputnik V at its Hadapsar facility.

On May 18, the SII had also applied to the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Department of Biotechnology seeking clearance for the import of strains or seed lots and cell banks and for carrying out research and development, the sources said. TheGM has raised certain queries over the SII’s application and sought a copy of the material transfer agreement between the

Pune-based firm and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is currently being manufactured

by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories in India.

“The Serum Institute of India (SII) put up an application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Wednesday seeking permission to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility,” an official source said.

Once these approvals are received, the SII plans to seek restricted emergency use permission for the vaccine in India. The SII has already told the government that it will be able to manufacture and supply 10 crore Covishield doses in June, while it is also manufacturing the Novavax vaccine, the regulatory clearance for which is awaited from the United States.

No rift in Punjab Congress: Manish Tewari NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (IANS): Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari after meeting the Congress panel on Punjab, said that there is no rift in the state unit of the party. Tewari said, “There is no fighting in the Congress and the issues discussed with the panel are secret. I have Manish Tewari replied whatever they asked and there is no infighting in election going states to disthe Congress, this is routine cuss strategy. This is not the exercise in the party in the first and the last time it’s hap-

pening in the party”.

The panel for Punjab is trying to resolve issues in the state unit which have arisen after Navjot Singh Sidhu opened front against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Singh reached New Delhi on Thursday to meet the party high command. Disgruntled Congress leader Sidhu, who has targeted the Chief Minister on various issues including the 2015 Guru Granth

Validity of TET certificates extended from 7 years to lifetime: Pokhriyal

Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Union Government has extended the validity of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) certificate to a lifetime. It has revised the existing 7 years of the TET certificate validity period to life in view of benefiting candidates who are aspiring to make a career in the teaching field.

This will be positive news for teacher aspirants that increases employment opportunities.

Union Education Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has confirmed that the Teacher

Eligibility Test (TET) certificate or scorecard will now be valid for life.

Education Minister Dr Ramesh PokhriyalNishank tweeted, “Validity period of Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) qualifying certificate has been extended from 7 years to lifetime with retrospective effect from 2011. Respective State governments/UTs to take necessary action to re-validate/ issue fresh certificates to candidates whose period of 7 years elapsed already. This is a positive step in increasing employment opportunities in the teaching field.” “Government has decided to extend the validity period of Teachers Eligibility Test qualifying certificate from 7 years to lifetime with retrospective effect from 2011. The respective State Govts. /UTs will take necessary action to revalidate/issue fresh TET certificates to those candidates whose period of 7 years has already elapsed”, the official statement reads.

Sahib sacrilege case, on Tuesday met the Congress panel for Punjab and presented his version. Interacting with reporters after the meeting, he said: “I came here on the call of the party high command and I have presented people’s voices from grassroot level to the party... my stand on democratic power remains the same that the ‘power of the people’ must return to the people.”

NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA SAMITI An Autonomous Organization under Ministry of Education, B-15, Sector-62, Noida District G.B. Nagar, U.P. Pin-201309.

NOTIFICATION Jawahar Navodaya Selection Test 2021 for admission of students in JNVs to Class VI for the session 2021-22 which is scheduled on 19th June 2021 in the States of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland is postponed due to administrative reasons. The rescheduled date will be notified at least 15 days prior to the date of selection test.

Deputy Commissioner (Exam) DC-472

DP-2632

A view of Mumbai street during the lockdown.

MUMBAI, JUN 3 (PTI): The Maharashtra government on Thursday evening clarified that the existing restrictions on account of Covid-19 have not been lifted anywhere, contrary to the announcement made by minister Vijay Wadettiwar.

Relaxation of restrictions as per the situation in different areas is only under consideration and no decision has been taken, a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.

Wadettiwar, minister

for Disaster Management, later said only “in principle” approval to phasing out of restrictions was given, but no decision has been taken.

He had told reporters in the afternoon that restrictions would be lifted in 18 out of 36 districts in the state where the positivity rate is 5 per cent or less and the occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals is less than 25 per cent from Friday.

He had held a press conference after a meeting of the State Disaster Man-

agement Authority here.

The CMO statement that followed said the government has not lifted lockdown-like curbs as Covid19has not been controlled completely yet. “ T h e c o r o n av i r u s spread is serious in some rural areas....The curbs have not been completely lifted in the state,” the statement added.

Last week the government had announced that the restrictions, imposed in April this year, would continue till June 15.

The CMO statement said that the Disaster Management department has decided five levels of severity of the pandemic based on the positivity rate and availability of oxygen beds.

The degree of relaxation will be decided as per the level of severity and guidelines on whether to relax the curbs or further strengthen them will be announced soon, the CMO said.

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 178 Dimapur, FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

Getting away with anything

R

amdev or Ram Kisan Yadav the yoga guru and promoter of India’s fastest growing business empire- Patanjali- is a phenomenal story that top global corporates can only dream of.

It is all due to the ideological cord he shares with the BJP and its leader Narendra Modi, since 201314 that has paid huge dividends. One need only to look at how Patanjali’s turnover of Rs. 841 crore during 2012-13 shot up to Rs.1184 crore in 2014 then almost doubled to Rs.2006 crore in 2015. In the year 2019-20 Patanjali’s turnover sky rocketed to Rs.9,087.91 crore. In 2020, Patanjali reportedly, along with its subsidiary registered a joint turnover of up to Rs.25,000 crore. Ramdev has said Patanjali is expected to net a turnover of between Rs.35,000 crore to Rs.40,000 by the end of 2021. He has successfully marketed himself as a combination of yoga guru, promoter of ‘desi products’ and ayurvedic medicines. However, there is no record of Ramdev or his close aide Balakrishna, from Nepal, having any degree in any branch of Ayurveda. Ramdev is a very influential and one may even add, a very powerful yoga guru because of his very close links with those in high places. No one can touch Ramdev and he can get away with anything. At the launch of his controversial so-called drug-coronil- which he claimed was a cure for covid; the yogi called medical doctors as “murderers” for failing to save lakhs of lives ,in front of Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Not stopping there, he went further in terming allopathy as “stupid and worthless”. Although Ramdev retracted his remarks after Dr Vardhan wrote a strong note, yet the yoga guru didn’t seem apologetic. He reiterated that Ayurveda and alternative medicines were fare more effective than allopathy. The IMA had filed a defamation suit of Rs.1000 crore against Ramdev and also wrote to the prime minister to immediately book Ramdev under sedition charges for his alleged misinformation campaign on vaccination and challenging government protocols for treatment of Covid-19.

Till date, there has been no response from the PMO to the IMA demand. Dr. Vardhan wrote to Ramdev to retract and apologise. When Ramdev responded, he only retracted his remark but did not apologise and went further to claim that Ayurveda was more efficacious than allopathy. Dr. Harsh Vardhan was happy with the response and praised the guru. Till now nothing has happened or is expected to happen to the guru. It may be pertinent to note here that many journalists, liberal intellectuals and opposition politicians have been booked under sedition for criticising the prime minister and the government.

On the other hand leaders of the ruling party who spewed hateful communal speeches that incited hatred and violence have never been booked. It is not Ramdev alone but scores of union ministers and leaders and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states who have gone beyond the acceptable in deliberately inciting communal hatred and violencedetrimental national security. One can only imagine what would have been the fate if anyone dared to condemn Ramdev and denigrate his brand of desi products.

The only hope and expectation is that the apex court will correct the drift and uphold the sanctity of the rule of law, so as to reassure citizens of India that all are equal under the law.

DailyDevotion “The Secret of the Lord”

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him… —Psalm 25:14 What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself— to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer— “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)— that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us— He knows every detail of each of our individual lives.

“Him shall He teach in the way He chooses” (Psalm 25:12). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, “I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?” God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, “Now, Lord, what is Your will?”

Quotes

If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

Post-mortem

India’s Vaccination Strategy vs Vaccine Hesitancy

I

n early January, the Ministr y of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released the ‘Covid-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy’. This comprehensive document with action points was supposed to serve as a guide for national, state and district level authorities to fight vaccine hesitancy. Five months later, the country continues to witness spike in incidents related to vaccine hesitancy. In Uttar Pradesh, villagers reportedly jumped into the river due to rumours about the vaccines causing impotency. In Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Baramullah declared that “adding to vaccine hesitancy should be treated as abetting murder.”

In Madhya Pradesh, health officials were attacked over vaccine hesitancy. This puts a big question mark over implementation of Centre’s Covid-19 vaccine communication strategy.

How big is vaccine hesitancy? Ever since India started “the world’s largest vaccination programme” on January 16, major attention has been given to shortages of vaccines, the tussle between the Centre and states over prices, the overall slow pace of the drive and patent and production barriers. Vaccine hesitancy

has been ignored, with the underlying assumption that it will disappear with higher vaccine availability.

But vaccine hesitancy has remained and is building up to be a problem for the future, despite India having administering 21 crores vaccine doses as of May 2021.

The macro-picture of vaccine hesitancy does not look promising either. The trends from Facebook’s Covid-19 Symptom Survey (CSS) in India show troubling numbers on vaccine hesitancy. The analysis show India’s vaccine hesitancy rate is around 28.7 per cent with variations across states and union territories (UTs). Vaccine hesitancy rates are as high as 42 per cent in Tamil Nadu and 41 per cent in Punjab as per CSS. It is important to note that the Facebook survey is more likely to have participants from urban centres, from people with internet access. The current news reports indicate vaccine hesitancy is prevalent in remote areas and geographies with limited connectivity where vaccination teams are not able to achieve 100 per cent vaccination despite multiple visits, even if doses were available.

Highly-informed groups like medical students across

22 states have shown a 10.6 per cent vaccine hesitancy in a survey conducted by AIIMS Jodhpur.

What are the consequences of this? Tackling vaccine hesitancy is not only important for achieving universal vaccination but also to uphold human rights and medical ethics during the vaccination drive. Interestingly, incidents of vaccine hesitancy leading to confrontations with health authorities are not new in India. India intensified its efforts in 1973 to fight small pox through vaccination. Several drastic measures were used to contain the disease. The historian Paul R Greenough has noted records of military-style raids on the villages of north India and Bangladesh by the administration to implement vaccination using force during these times. Even back then such measures disproportionately affected marginalised groups, such as Muslims, women, tribal populations and other minority groups. While these measures might have appeared successful in the short term, they increased vaccine hesitancy for other immunisation programmes and a spike in community resentment towards health workers.

A few years later,the

Government of India successfully course corrected its strategies in fighting vaccine hesitancy during the polio eradication campaign. The government collaborated with community and religious leaders to fight misinformation and fear of the polio vaccine on ground. These collaborations also provided new allies to the health department to advance nutrition, child health and maternal health.

The strategy, then, should be to tackle vaccine hesitancy with community engagement and not with force. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced last month that India plans to vaccinate its entire population by December 2021. As vaccines doses become gradually available and shortages are addressed, it would be vaccine hesitancy which would risk derailing India’s vaccine efforts.

During these critical times, temptations to invoke extreme measures to fight vaccine hesitancy need to be avoided by both political and administrative leaders. There have been demands to invoke the stringent Compulsory Vaccination Act of 1892 and similar legislations to make vaccination compulsory by law. This will set a

dangerous precedent.

The central government should certainly focus on improving communications strategy for Covid-19 vaccination based on direct community engagement, trust building measures and compassion.

Several district officers and health workers across states are taking innovative measures to fight vaccine hesitancy with through offline means. As a first step, the government needs to create a platform which enables collaborative learning of district administration and health workers. This can include how Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district administration is using mobile teams to tackle vaccine hesitancy or how in rural Chhattisgarh folk songs are being used to spread the right information on vaccination.

Second, groups and geographies with the highest vaccine hesitancy need to be identified and targeted communication interventions need to be created to address their concerns.

Third, misinformation around vaccines even at the international level is creating havoc in rural areas as the false post attributed to a Nobel laureate showed us last week. The National Media Rapid Response Cell (NMRRC) set up under

the Covid-19 vaccine communication strategy needs to alert district collectors across India about vaccine fake news in real time.

Fourth, Governments need to rope in celebrities, community leaders and mass influencers to generate credible voices for vaccination, just like Amitabh Bachchan did for the Pulse Polio campaign. So far only the state of Punjab has appointed official ambassador Sonu Sood for vaccination.

Finally, a comprehensive review and evaluation of the Government of India’s Covid-19 vaccine communication strategy needs to be conducted considering the fast pace of infection and the everchanging scenarios in vaccine hesitancy. Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy cannot wait to be addressed till supply chain issues are fully sorted. Delay in intensive efforts means delaying the end of the pandemic and puts us at risk of ignoring several human rights concerns in the vaccination drive.

Akshay Tarfe The writer works as a media specialist at Oxfam India.

(This article was first published in Indian Express on June 3.

Views are personal.)

Strengthening India’s district hospitals Gasping for oxygen, choking on Choksi and yet vengeful on WB T

h e C ov i d - 1 9 p a n - tertiary medical facilities do design, improved infrastrucdemic, especially the not need to do so at all, as ture and long- lasting and vicious second wave, their ailments can easily be replenishable supply-chain he art of politics has never juggernaut of PM, FM, HM and all has created an unprecedented tackled at primary and sec- logistics without which disbeen thus curious, harmful and others combined made an assault on burden on an already creaky ondary healthcare centres. In pensing quality care is imunpredictable. Whether in India WB, it was one disabled woman with health system. India needs a cross-sectional study con- possible. or elsewhere, the manipulative politics grit and determination who defeated a responsive and resilient ducted by All India Institute Second, efforts must be have been artistic to say the least. Lead- them on their own tricks and traps. health infrastructure to cope of Medical Sciences in 2018 made to attract well-trained ers and rulers have been unanimous in Instead of cooperating with the WB with the challenges posed by and published in Seizure, it and dedicated staff to district this art with skill, brains and brawn in government to tackle the affairs of the virus. was found that many epilepsy hospitals by offering them this everywhere. the state, what with the pandemic and At present, India has patients seeking tertiary care opportunities for quality Missed priorities cyclones, the powers that be have been a three-level framework of could actually have been pro- clinical work with assured As it has been said, Nero was fidgoing overboard in trying to destabilize healthcare. This comprises vided the care they needed at career growth prospects. the village-or community-lev- district hospitals if a robust They should also be pro- dling when Rome was burning, when the state. But at what cost?

Unplanned el primary healthcare centres need-based referral system vided with proper housing the pandemic is raging, instead of building medical facilities hospitals, Instead of planning to counter (PHCs/CHCs), district-level had been in place. and educational facilities for secondary healthcare faciliMost of these hospitals their children, among other medical resources, oxygen plants etc., the corona surge, vaccination, and the powers that be have been guarding medical facilities, the powers that be ties in the form of district are centrally located in each incentives. hospitals, and tertiary care district and could be hubs for Third, technological its image at the cost of the common is smug and clueless about it, and has premier institutes and centres referral treatment, training of support must be provided in suffering people. Not only that, instead let the common suffering people down. of excellence with state-of- health workers, supervision the form of cloud comput- of building up medical facilities, the One can only derive consolation in the the-art facilities for special- of peripheral facilities, as ing, artificial intelligence for government is keen on building a new fruitless Mann Ki bath?

Easing Tension ised treatment. well as public health surveil- hospital information systems parliament building, razing the heritage Ah the planning without the The pandemic has re- lance. Most of them have and disease surveillance. buildings and uprooting thousands of vealed one of the weakest 100 to 500 beds that cater to These will contribute to ef- trees - all thee to refurbish its losing Planning Commission! Here is the irony. The writing was on the wall for links in the health system — anywhere between 100,000 ficient management and on- image.

Choked sometime. That in this situation, the the poor infrastructure in dis- to a million citizens a lakh going medical education and As politics is the last resort of Board Exams is impractical. If only trict hospitals and their insti- in each district. training. tutional neglect. The pressure Indian Public Health Fourth, laboratory ser- scoundrels, the government is pursu- the powers that be had appointed a on these hospitals has thrown Standard (IPHS) guidelines vices need to be upgraded ing a fruitless chase and extradition of select committee to plan ahead of this up many worrying facts. Just for district hospitals, first with the provision of the those who have defrauded the people - to find an alternative and the way to take one example. Many issued in 2007 by the director- latest equipment including of India - who had been earlier safely assess and evaluate students’ achievedistrict hospitals did not have ate of general health services molecular diagnostics and escorted out after defrauding banks to ments, things would have been over ventilators. It was also found and revised in 2012, focused pathological services and the tune of thousands of rupees. What probably six months ago, relieving the that hundreds of ventila- not only on physical infra- periodic quality improvement benefit will it be for the common man if students’ anxiety and tension. But no. they are brought back and jailed? They The PM had to decide as if he knows tors distributed through the structure, manpower require- audits.

PM Cares Fund to several ments, equipment norms and Finally, it is essential to have no money, and they will spill the best than all the educationists, teachers district hospitals across the laboratory services at district gain and sustain public con- beans on those beneficiaries - bank of- and psychologists. But then he has to country were either unused hospitals but also emphasised fidence in district hospitals. ficials, ministers and other rulers who retain his image.

It looks like a tale, fiction and or could not be operated as capacity-building, quality This can be accomplished will go scot free?

Dignity in Defeat made up. But it seems real where the the facilities lacked trained assurance, quality control by engaging professionals Some people cannot take defeat diesel price overtakes the petrol price?! critical care specialists and of processes, service delivery with passion and empathy in dignity.

They want to be on the Would that be real? technicians. and compliance. for their jobs, incentivising path of win-win trajectory. This is the But things were not alThe ministry of health them with appropriate reArun Kumar Wesley case with the WB elections. When the ways so dire. In 1970s and and family welfare followed wards and utilising emerging 1980s, many district hos- this up in 2017 with technical technologies.

We are, hopefully, witpitals in the country were and operational guidelines considered centres of excel- for strengthening district nessing a declining trend in lence in various surgical hospitals for multi-specialty the second wave of the panand medical specialties. But care and as sites for training. demic in many states. This is predictably, many deterio- These also mandated that the appropriate time to idenrated over the years as they each district hospital should tify and plug existing gaps were unable to keep pace also have a public health unit, in our health system. The with the advancement in an epidemiologist, an ento- focal point for this should technologies and owing to mologist, a microbiologist, be strengthening district hoslapses in timely upgradation a communications officer, a pitals as they can form the of infrastructure. district public health nursing foundation for a functioning Since the mid-1990s, the officer and a demographer for and effective health system. Sir, The electricity crisis in Dimapur has become another big issue for our focus in healthcare shifted handling health emergencies We must act now to shore up to the private sector and a and active disease surveil- our defences in healthcare, if people. We all know that Dimapur has become very humid these days and we are to save people today without electricity it becomes unbearable to live. There are students who have slew of profit-generating lance. corporate hospitals were This provides the frame- and protect them in health been appearing for their finals online and there are also people who work from home and the absence of electricity has been causing a lot of problems. The set up largely in big cities. work for the improvement crises in the future. minute the light goes off, so does the network too. In a recent issue in the loThis had a deleterious effect and strengthening of disRajinder K Dhamija cal dailies, the department stated that the state’s economy has been suffering on the public health system trict hospitals. What is now Head of neurology because of rampant electricity theft. But what about those people who pay and many government and required are five crucial indepartment, Lady charitable hospitals became terventions to shore up this Hardinge Medical College their electricity bills on time? We are suffering because of the ignorance and conniving mentality of a few miscreants. Therefore, it is my request to all unviable and had to shut system. and SSK Hospital, New our people to be truthful and practice honesty. I would also like to urge the down.

First, the buildings of Delhi. concerned authority to provide a solution as early as possible.

Many of those who seek existing hospitals should be (The views expressed are Aien Ao, Dimapur treatment at these high-end, upgraded, focusing on proper personal) Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

T

Reader’s Post

Electricity crisis in Dimapur

Major changes in IAF top brass Air Marshal VR Chaudhari appointed Vice Chief

Chaudhari at the Western Command in Delhi, while Air Marshal RJ Duckworth would be taking charge of the Central Air Command in Prayagraj.

Chaudhari will replace incumbent Air Marshal HS Arora, who will superannuate on June 30. Chaudhari has presently commanding the Western Air Command, which is also known as the sword arm of the force as it handles the sensitive borders with both Pakistan and

China in sensitive areas.

Chaudhari is taking over as Vice Chief when the IAF has been deployed for over a year in the eastern Ladakh region.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Chaudhari was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 29, 1982.

In a distinguished career spanning nearly 38 years, Chaudhari has flown a wide variety of fighter and trainer aircraft in the inventory of IAF. He has a flying experience of more than 3,800 hours, including operational flying on MiG-21, MiG-23 MF, MiG 29 and Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

Air Marshal Chaudhari held numerous important positions. He was the commanding officer of a frontline fighter squadron and has also commanded a frontline fighter base. As an Air Marshal, he held the position of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

Alapan Bandyopdhayay

KOLKATA, JUN 3 (PTI): Former chief secretary of West Bengal Alapan Bandyopdhayay on Thursday replied to the Centre’s showcause notice served to him under the Disaster Management Act to explain his absence from the cyclone review meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, an official said.

In his reply, Bandyopadhyay said that as per the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he left the meeting for a review of Cyclone Yaas ravaged Digha, a popular sea resort town in Purba Medinipur district, according to the highlyplaced official in the secretariat. The Union Home

Ministry had on May 31 served a show- cause notice to Bandyopadhyay under a stringent provision of the Disaster Management Act that entails imprisonment up to two years, amid a tugof-war between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government over him.

Bandyopadhyay was set to retire as the chief secretary on May 31, but the state recently sought and received permission for extension of his tenure for three months as he played a crucial role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He was, however, handed over a transfer directive by the Centre, shortly after a row broke out over the primeminister’s postcyclone review meeting at Kalaikunda airbase,which the CM and state chief secretary did not attend.

Banerjee, along with the chief secretary, met the prime minister for around 15 minutes and left after handing over a report on the devastation caused by the cyclone in the state.

NEW DELHI/BIKANER, JUN 3 (PTI): A seizure of more than 56 kg of heroin, the highest-ever quantity recovered along the IndiaPakistan border in Rajasthan, was effected by the BSF after it thwarted an alleged narcotics-smuggling bid by Pakistani operatives, officials said on Thursday.

“The incident took place on the intervening night of June 2-3 when troops sensed suspicious movement at the border. A BSF sentry opened fire, forcing the smugglers to run,” a spokesperson of the Border Security Force (BSF) said.

Officials said the incident was reported from the Bandli border post of Bikaner sector in the desert area of the border state.

During a search, 54 packets of suspected heroin, weighing 56.63 kg, were recovered, the BSF spokesperson said. This was the highest-ever recovery of drugs during an anti-smuggling operation in the Rajasthan sector, he added.

‘Gambhir’s foundation guilty of Delhi HC issues summons to Ramdev on plea illegally stocking Covid drug’

Gautam Gambhir

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Former Indian cricketer and current BJP MP Gautam Gambhir’s foundation has been found guilty of unauthorisedly stocking, procuring and distributing Fabiflu drug, used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, the Delhi government’s drug controller told Delhi High Court on Thursday.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the Drug Controller of the Delhi government told the High Court that action will be taken against Gautam Gambhir’s foundation, drug dealers as well as other such cases which would be brought to its notice. It also informed the court that AAP MLA Praveen Kumar has also been found guilty

of similar offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The court asked the drug controller to file status reports on further progress in these cases within six weeks and listed the matter for hearing on July 29.

The Drug controller was submitting a new report to the court after it was reprimanded for giving a clean chit to Gambhir’s foundation earlier.

Earlier during the hearings in the case related to the hoarding of essential drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the Drug Controller’s report which gave a clean chit to Gautam Gambhir Foundation and AAP MLA Praveen Kumar. The division bench of Justices VipinSanghi and Jasmeet Singh had ordered a fresh report and investigation in the matter on Monday.

Asking what legal provisions were followed in the case of Gambhir and Kumar, the court said, “It seems that the drug controller has not appreciated the legal aspects involved,” the bench said.

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (PTI): The Delhi High Court Thursday issued summons to yoga guru Ramdev on a plea accusing him of making statements against allopathic medicines and claiming Patanjali’sCoronil kit is a cure for COVID-19 but refused to restrain him at this stage saying the allopathic profession was not so fragile.

The high court however orally asked Ramdev’s counsel to tell him not to make any provocative statements.

“Mr Rajiv Nayar is a very respectable senior (advocate). I am sure his client will listen to him,” Justice C Hari Shankar said.

The high court issued summons to Ramdev on the suit filed by Delhi Medical Association (DMA) and asked him to file response in three weeks and listed the matter for hearing on July 13.

“Considerable time has passed since passing of allegedly injurious statements.

The counsel says defendant no. 1 (Ramdev) continues to

make statement. No injunctive order can be given without giving an opportunity to the plaint, especially in view of the objections. Issue summons on the suit,” Justice Shankar said.

The court also issued summons to social media platforms Twitter and Facebook and Astha channel, who are made parties to the petition.

DMA, on behalf of its doctor members, submitted before the court that Ramdev’’s statement affects as Coronil medicine does

not cure coronavirus and it is misleading. It has claimed a token damage of Rs 1 from him.

On being asked by the court as to how did this statement affect the association, senior advocate Rajiv Dutta, representing DMA, said it affects because this medicine does not cure coronavirus and this was a suit for civil rights of doctors.

The court said it cannot say as to whether Coronil is a cure or not and that it was something to be decided by medical experts.

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (PTI): In a surprise interaction with class-12 students and their parents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked them to utilise their time in a productive and creative manner following the cancellation of their exams and said they should never feel stressed about any examination.

Joining the online interaction organised by the Education Ministry, Modi asked them how they are feeling following the cancellation of the board exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and what are they planning to do

now. The prime minister asked the students whether they will watch IPL, Champion’s League, or wait for the Olympics. He also told students that they should always remember the mantra of ‘health is wealth’ and enquired what do they do to remain physically fit.

Several students shared their experiences with the prime minister about how the announcement brought relief for them and ended a long spell of uncertainty. Modi told the students that the decision to cancel exams was taken in their interest. Some parents Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the class 12th students and their also shared their thoughts parents, through video conferencing, in New Delhi, June 3, 2021. (PTI)

press briefing. He was replying to a batch of questions regarding Choksi, who had fled to Antigua but was recently found in Dominica. To another question regarding Palestine foreign minister Riad Malki writing to Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to protest against India’s decision to abstain from voting at UNHRC on Gaza violence, the MEA spokesperson said the position that India took was not new and the country has abstained on the previous occasions also.

achieving the following goals: Goal 1 (no poverty): Tamil Nadu and Delhi.

Goal 2 (zero hunger): Kerala and Chandigarh.

Goal 3 (good health and wellbeing): Gujarat and Delhi.

Goal 4 (quality education): Kerala and Chandigarh.

Goal 5 (gender equality): Chhattisgarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation): Goa and Lakshadweep.

Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy): Andhra Pradesh, Goa,

Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth): Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

Goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure): Gujarat and Delhi.

Goal 10 (reduced inequality): Meghalaya and Chandigarh.

Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities): Punjab and Chandigarh.

Goal 12 (responsible consump-

Why govt delayed emergency approval to Covid vax: PC

New Delhi, Jun 3 (IANS): Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday accused the central government of needlessly delaying approval to Coronavirus vaccines in the country for many months except in the case of Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V. “Our suspicion that the government had not approved any vaccine other than Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V, has been proved correct,” Chidambaram said.

“Why did government go through the charade of negotiating quantities with Pfizer and Moderna without first giving Emergency Use Approval (EUA) to their

P. Chidambaram

vaccines?

“Why has it taken 8-9 months for the government to decide to give approval when the US and other countries had granted approval?

“Remember, Dr Manmohan Singh had made this specific suggestion in his letter which got a rude re-

Centre from preclinical stage to phase-3 studies.

The Department of Biotechnology has not only provided financial assistance in terms of grant-in-aid of over Rs 100 crore but has also partnered with Biological-E to conduct all animal challenge and assay studies through its Research Institute Translational Health Science Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad.

This has been undertaken as part of the government’s ‘Mission COVID Suraksha, the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission,’ which was launched to reinforce and accelerate COVID-19 vaccine development efforts as part of the third stimulus package, Atmanirbhar 3.0, the statement said. The mission aims to bring to the citizens a safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible COVID-19 vaccine. The mission is supporting development of 5-6 COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Some of these are now closer to licensure and introduction in public health systems. It has not just accelerated COVID-19 vaccine development efforts, but also fostered a robust end-to-end vaccine development ecosystem in the country that will be available for other ongoing and future research and developmental activities for other vaccines.

PM interacts with Class-12 students, asks them to utilise time productively

India steadfast in resolve to bring Nagaland among worst performers in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index p-1) Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karna- tion and production): Tripura, Jamfugitive Choksi back to country: MEA (FromStates that performed best in taka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, mu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said India remains steadfast in its resolve that fugitives of the country are brought back and all efforts would continue to bring back Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in a major banking fraud here.

“He (Choksi) is currently in the custody of Dominica where some legal proceedings are underway. We will continue to ensure that he is brought back to India,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters here at an online

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): The Union Health Ministry has finalised arrangements with Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer Biological-E to reserve 30 crore COVID19 vaccine doses for which it will be making an advance payment of Rs 1500 crore.

These vaccine doses will be manufactured and stockpiled by Biological-E from August to December this year, a ministry statement said on Thursday.

The COVID-19 vaccine of Biological-E is currently undergoing phase-3 clinical trial after showing promising results in phase 1 and 2 trials.

The vaccine being developed

by Biological-E is a RBD protein sub-unit vaccine and is likely to be available in the next few months.

The proposal of Biological-E was examined and recommended for approval after due diligence by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), the statement said. The arrangement with Biological-E is part of the wider endeavour of the Centre to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in research and development and also financial support, it said.

The Biological-E COVID vaccine candidate has been supported by the

ply from the Union Health Minister!” he added. In mid-April, Singh’s letter to the Centre suggested ramping up the vaccination drive as key to battling the pandemic, asking the government to “resist the temptation to look at the absolute numbers being vaccinated, and focus instead on the percentage of the population vaccinated”.

The former Prime Minister had also added that India currently has vaccinated only a small fraction of its population, adding that with the right policy design, “We can do much better and very quickly.”

Experts from the National Institute of Malaria Research and the Indian

Council of Medical Research, on Wednesday, slammed the government for poor planning of the home-grown vaccine production and deployment, as a result of which “India doesn’t have enough vaccines to go around with”, they said.

While there are plans to significantly ramp up production of the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines, the target to vaccinate around one billion people may still not be reached in 2021, the experts said in a commentary published in the online journal BMJ Global Health.

Only around 3 per cent of the population has been inoculated till now.

Goal 13 (climate action): Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Goal 14 (life below water): Odisha Goal 15 (life on land): Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh and Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions): Uttarakhand and Puducherry.

Mizoram, Haryana, and Uttarakhand were the top gainers in 2020–21 index compared to 2019, with an increase of 12, 10 and 8 points, respectively. In 2019, 10 states and UTs belonged to the category of Front-Runners while this time 12 states and UTs made it to the category.

about how students can focus now on their college admissions.

The government on Tuesday decided to cancel the CBSE class 12 board exams amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic across the country with Modi asserting that the decision was taken in the interest of students and the anxiety among students, parents and teachers must be put to an end.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Modi in which it was decided that the CBSE will take steps to compile the results of Class 12 students according to a well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner.

OFFICE OF THE

EHUNNU & YIKHANU PUBLIC UNION DIMAPUR DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND

FELICITATION The Ehunnu & Yikhanu Public Union and Fellowship Dimapur, would like to congratulate Mrs. Senile Rengma, on being promoted to Hindi Education Officer (H.E.O) at Government Hindi Institute Dimapur.

The union also conveys gratitude to the concerned department authorities for recognizing her sincere service and promoting her to the post.

N. Thono President, EYPU

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

Wathang Kath In-Charge, EYF

DP-2634

Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari

NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): The Indian Air Force will see a number of changes in the top brass, as Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has been appointed the next Vice Chief of Air Staff at the Air headquarters.

Two new commanders-in-chief would also be moving for their new assignments as Director General Air Operations. Air Marshal Ballabha Radha Krishna would be succeeding

7 Ex-Bengal CS Alapan replies BSF seizes 56 Centre finalises advance deal kg heroin along with Biological E for 30 cr vax to Centre’s show-cause notice Indo-Pak border national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 12th NAP BN (INDIA RESERVE)

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 12th NAP BN (INDIA RESERVE)

NO.12BN(IR)/RO-10/2020-21/218 Dt. Chingtok, the 03rd Jan ’2021 To, Regt. No 145 Rank NCE Name : RAM LAKHAN Son of Shri. RADHESHYAM SINGH Village : MANIKPUR COTE P.O : KARANDA P.S : KARANDA Dist : GHAZIPUR State : UTTAR PRADESH Whereas, you have been found absent from bonafide Govt. duty with effect from 12-05-2021 without any leave or permission from the competent authority till date. And whereas, Calling Notices was issued to you through concern P.S vide order No.12BN(IR)/ RO-10/2021-22/107 Dt. 17/05/2021 and No.12BN(IR)/RO-10/202122/151 Dt. 27/05/2021 Regt. No 145 NCE RAM LAKHAN, is hereby directed to report to the undersigned within 7 (seven) days from the date of publication of this notice, failing which he will be declared as deserter without further notice.

Commandant, 12th NAP Bn (India Reserve) Chingtok, Longleng DC-471

NO.12BN(IR)/RO-10/2020-21/219 Dt. Chingtok, the 03rd Jan ’2021

CHINGTOK : LONGLENG

CHINGTOK : LONGLENG

SHOW CAUSE NOTICE To,

Regt. No 12761 Rank : C/N (GD) Name : H AYONG PHOM Son of Shri HENO PHOM Village :- TANGHA P.O. :- LONGLENG P.S.:- LONGLENG Dist: LONGLENG Whereas, you have been found absent from bonafide Govt. duty with effect from 10-05-2021 without any leave or permission from the competent authority till date. And whereas, Calling Notices was issued to you through concern P.S vide order No.12BN(IR)/ RO-10/2021-22/112 Dt. 17/05/2021 and No.12BN(IR)/RO-10/202122/133 Dt. 25/05/2021 Regt. No. 12761 C/N (GD) H AYONG PHOM, is hereby directed to report to the undersigned within 7 (seven) days from the date of publication of this notice, failing which he will be declared as deserter without further notice.

Commandant, 12th NAP Bn (India Reserve) Chingtok, Longleng DC-471

8

business/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

RAI seeks reopening of SpiceJet to offer up to 30% Economy to start recovering malls, shopping centres discount to health professionals from July: CEA Subramanian NEW DELHI, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Chief economic advisor (CEA) KV Subramanian on Thursday said that the second wave of Covid-19 has affected the momentum of economic recovery. However, he also pointed that he expects a recovery in the economy from July onwards, reports The Times of India.

“The second wave of Covid19 has affected the momentum of economic recovery. We expect a recovery in the economy from July. Now, several states have started removing many restrictions and if we speed up the vaccination drive in our country, our economy will start recovering,” Subramanian told ANI. Talking about the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive in the country, the CEA said, “India will be able to achieve vaccination for all by December. If we vaccinate people in three shifts each day, then, we can vaccinate 1 crore people in a day. This is definitely ambitious, but not impossible. I have taken both doses of vaccine and appeal to all to get themselves vaccinated

KV Subramanian

as soon as possible.”

Responding to a question on the predicted third wave of Covid-19, the CEA said that the ongoing vaccination drive can significantly ‘lower down’ the impact of the pandemic. “Thus, the more people are vaccinated, the more it will lower down the impact of the third wave and will not be as harmful as expected”, he pointed out.

Subramanian said that Covid-19 is not going to impact our fiscal deficit target and disinvestment target.

In this year’s Union budget, finance minister Nirmala

Sitharaman has announced a fiscal deficit target of 6.8 per cent for 2021-2022. The government has set Rs 1.75 lakh crore disinvestment target from stake sale in public sector companies and financial institutions, including 2 public sector undertaking (PSU) banks and one insurance company, in the next fiscal year.

Answering a question of whether the government is thinking of any new stimulus package like last year, he said, “There was not any provision of a pandemic in last year’s Union budget, because we have seen the pandemic after the last year Union budget. This year, the budget has a provision for the pandemic.

The budget has the provision of expenditure in the infrastructure and construction sector.”

“Amid this pandemic, India has not spent much on infrastructure and construction. As and when the situation improves, govt will start spending as per the provision of the budget. The government is also assessing the situation. If required, the Centre is ready to do so,” he said.

Devise mechanism to help daily wage earners: CNTC to Govt (From p-1) As the administration and municipal councils alone could not control price escalation everywhere due to manpower shortage, these local bodies should play their part responsibly in such times, the release added.

Acknowledging that Covid-19 pandemic had rudely awakened “all of us from our deep slumber”, CNTC said everyone – State government, every single legislator (past and present), every single civil society organisation and NGO and church – should take the blame equally for the dismal condition of health infrastructure across the State.

“We have only been after other glitzy materialistic things but the real issues that deal with our very health and life have not caught our attention and have been deliberately ignored.

We chose to remain silent at the things that matter the most. We have learnt our lesson in a very hard way,” the release stated.

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

CNTC appealed to the State government to strictly continue monitoring and insisting on negative certificate from every incoming traveller from outside the State.

Pointing out that delay in sealing State borders and entry points when thousands of migrant labourers were pouring in and out every day during the recent Assembly election in the neighbouring State was a grave mistake, which led to steep hike in cases and fatalities in the State, the council cautioned that the same mistake should not be repeated in the impending third wave.

CNTC also appealed to all to behave responsibly and follow Covid protocols, join hands and continue praying so that together “we can overcome this pandemic”.

The council appreciated the State government, district task forces and all frontline workers in the fight against the global pandemic on a war footing that has devastated the whole world.

New Delhi, Jun 3 (IANS): As several states begin to relax lockdown restrictions, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) has suggested state governments to reopen the formal retail sector including malls and shopping centres.

In a statement, the industry body noted that the opening up of the formal retail sector across states would ensure revival of the economy. Speaking on relaxations announced by various state governments, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI said: “We believe that formal retail spaces like malls have the ability to operate as controlled environment.”

Appreciating the Haryana government’s decision to open malls with restricted time, he said: “We hope other states will also follow the same method when opening up and support the economy.”

Formal retail spaces such as malls and shopping centres play an extremely important role to play in the economy due to their contribution to the exchequer in the form of taxes and the people they employ, as per the retailers’ body.

RAI in its statement observed that economic revival is intertwined with the revival of retail businesses especially large formal retail spaces, which are the drivers of consumption.

The only way of getting rid of the economic impact of pandemic and saving livelihoods is by everybody participating in sharing of the cost burden and acting to revive retail business activity, it said.

NPCC asks H&FW to substantiate Finance dept’s claim of spending...

(From p-1) transparency to secure lives, and not on expensive infrastructure to profit.

Pointing out that Rs 30 crore spent could even provide infrastructure for a medical college, he called for a humanitarian approach this time.

When frontline fighters were risking their lives with no salary for months together, he termed the health & family welfare department’s clarification that it was in pipeline as far from satisfactory.

“If one is drawing salary monthly, one cannot wait even till the second week. There is no moral right to withhold salary even for one day, particularly for frontline employees who are serving 24 hrs,” he emphasised.

Congratulating the brave frontline fighters, Therie said he was so happy to read a statement from a nurse who said, “If we do not fight, who will fight, I am here to fight”. He stressed that fear was not the answer to the pandemic and asked people to put their faith in Jesus. “May the Almighty God protect and bless you all,” he added.

An honest statement from Health & Family Welfare Department for each district is what I want in the interests of the people. Just financial figures do not prove any benefits to the people.

No. 9936 Yesterday’s solution No. 9935

No. 4556 Yesterday’s solution No. 4555

No. 3580 Yesterday’s solution No. 3579

New Delhi, Jun 3 (IANS): Budget airline SpiceJet will offer a discount of up to 30 per cent on its base fares to healthcare professionals who have been leading India’s fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, the discounted fares for doctors, nurses and paramedics will be available on SpiceJet’s entire domestic network.

The offer is applicable for bookings and travel until September 30.

“Passengers need to submit a valid ‘Healthcare professional ID or Regis-

tration number as issued by a Government body such as Medical Council of India (MCI), State Medical Council or Indian Nursing Council (INC)’ or government-approved healthcare organisation for which the healthcare professional works, while making the booking,” the airline said.

“Passengers are also required to provide the ID used for bookings along with government-issued photo ID at the time of check-in or boarding as a proof of their identity.”

Patton calls for public cooperation to fight Covid-19 (From p-1) He said his family was donating the ambulance to District Hospital, Dimapur (DHD) in response to a request by Dimapur District Task Force (DTF). He hoped that the ambulance would be utilised during health emergencies by all and many precious lives saved.

Lauding frontline workers in the fight against the pandemic, Patton expressed his gratefulness to doctors, nurses and all the frontline workers for their selfless sacrifice in the service to humanity in these trying and difficult times.

He also appreciated Dimapur district nodal officer Y Kikheto Sema for highlighting the needs of Dimapur District Task Force and Dis-

Across 4. Slander (6) 7. Large passenger plane (8) 8. Fruit (6) 10. Stupid (5) 13. Unlock (4) 14. Fish (4) 15. Only remaining (4) 16. Total (3) 17. Alcoholic drink (4) 19. Minute particle (4) 21. Garment (4,5) 23. Prohibition (4) 24. Lion’s long hair (4) 26. Mine (3) 27. A drama (4) 29. F ingertip cover (4) 32. Intend (4) 33. Confuse (5) 34. Strain, emphasis (6) 35. Gemstones (8) 36. Dealer or merchant (6) Down 1. Unit of purity of gold (5) 2. Coach (5) 3. Desire (4) 4. Lets fall (5) 5. Pastry case with a filling (4) 6. Bottle size (6) 9. Keep possession of (6) 11. Play on words (3) 12. Wooden shoe (5) 13. Rower (7) 15. Star sign (3) 16. Habitual drunkard (3) 18. Runs away to wed (6) 20. Fashion (5) 21. Favourite (3) 22. Horses eat this (3) 23. Winner (6) 25. Lubricate (3) 28. Intense beam of light (5) 30. Grown-up (5) 31. Dog lead (5) 32. Fix (4) 33. Land measure (4)

trict Hospital, Dimapur.

He handed over keys of the ambulance to CMO Dimapur, Dr I Moatemjen on the occasion.

On behalf of District Task Force and Team Dimapur, Kikheto acknowledged and appreciated the kind gesture of the deputy chief minister and said that the ambulance was the need of the hour for the people of Dimapur.

D e l ive r i n g vo t e o f thanks, the CMO remarked that the ambulance would be a big asset for the hospital and the people of Dimapur.

He hoped that with team spirit, the pandemic would be overcome.

The program was chaired by deputy CMO Dimapur, Dr Antoly Suu.

Sensex, Nifty settle at record closing highs Mumbai, Jun 3 (IANS): The key Indian equity indices surged to end at record closing highs on Thursday tracking a bullish trend in the global markets.

Decline in the daily cases of Covid-19 and strengthening of the Indian rupee supported the market sentiments.

Sensex closed 52,232.43, higher by 382.95 points or 0.74 per cent from its previous close of 51,849.48.

It had opened at 52,121.58 and touched an intra-day high of 52,273.23 and a low of 51,942.20 points.

The Nifty 50 which touched an all-time intraday high of 15,705.10 points also settled at its record closing level.

It closed at 15,690.35, higher by 114.15 points or 0.73 per cent from its previous close.

Healthy buying was witnessed in consumer durable and oil and gas stocks.

JCC Shamator reminds CM on 5-point demand (From p-1) JCC said it had also appraised the concerned authority on May 21. Since their plea was not considered, JCC said they were compelled to seek the chief minister’s intervention by submitting a memorandum on May 26.

However, JCC said the demand of the public has not been addressed by the competent authority till date.

In this regard, JCC once again urged the chief minister to immediately and address the public demand at the earliest to mitigate the situation from further escalation in the best interest of the public.

It cautioned that in the event of non-fulfillment of the demand, JCC shall be compelled to seek justice through various platforms and the state government shall be solely held responsible for any consequences.

Naga Tele-health providing quality healthcare services in State

DIMAPUR, JUN 3 (NPN): Launched on September 9, 2020 to ensure that people living even in the most remote corners of the State have access to healthcare services through tele-consultation with technical partner USAID-NISHTHA, Naga Tele-health has been assisting in providing quality healthcare services at 202 Ayushman Bharat - Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) across 12 districts of the State.

Ay u s h m a n B h a r a t HWCs are the first points of contact where people wishing to access tele-medicine services approach community health officers (CHOs) posted there. These CHOs collect medical history of the patient and schedule a live consultation with medical officers or specialist doctors. And once the live consultation is complete with the doctor, the patient gets a prescription from the doctor based on his or her medical condition. The patient can then get all the required medicines from the CHOs at the HWC using the

prescription.

Besides, if the doctor suggests further investigations, CHOs, who are trained to conduct basic laboratory tests, conduct the tests or refer to higher facilities. In this way, any person living in rural areas and unable to travel to meet the doctor are getting access to quality healthcare through this platform, which is not only closer to their homes but is also free of cost.

Currently, 19 GDMOs and eight specialist doctors are empanelled especially for this project. There is also a provision of referral and tele-consultation with specialist doctors with support from Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Dimapur. With the increased demand for tele-consultation, there are now plans to empanel more doctors in Naga Tele-health so that the community can make best use of the opportunity.

In fact, within a short time, more than 1,200 live consultations have already been completed.

USAID-NISHTHA/ Jhpiego is working closely with National Health Mission, Government of Nagaland, in developing and rolling out this platform.

With COVID-19 pandemic bringing unprecedented challenges to the healthcare system, leading to widespread disruption of essential healthcare services due to the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns and people are hesitant to visit health facilities even for routine health check-ups due to the fear of contracting the infection. In such a dire scenario, telemedicine has emerged as an innovative solution for service delivery to people in need.

This platform would also be beneficial for triaging Covid-19 patients, ensuring service delivery to non-critical Covid cases and in managing essential healthcare services at the primary level, which would reduce the burden at district hospitals and help deliver healthcare services effectively and efficiently, stated a press release.

NPF attacks PDA on diversion of funds

(From p-1) He also said though districts in the state have District Task Force on covid-19 established for covid-related purpose, yet so far there has been no fund allocation worth mentioning to these bodies. Imchen said all district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and SubCentres were “painfully neglected” despite these being the Nodal/Primary centres who were actually Frontline workers fighting covid pandemic. According to Imchen, there is no proper deployment of manpower in all these areas except “high sounding nomenclatures such as Expert Panel, High Powered Committee, State Disaster Man-

agement Authority, War-Room etc”.

He further said hospitals and offices are sealed while the state is under lockdown without proper and logical arrangement.

Imchen concluded that the government of the day was non functional for all practical purposes. That was why offices of finance department, treasury and accounts and banking institutions were not sealed adding the reasons being obvious for all to understand. In the light of the above, Imchen said NPFLP was duty bound to seek the intervention of the governor of Nagaland so that poor people of the stater did not succumb to Covid-19.

Opposition unites to oust Israel PM

Jerusalem, Jun 3 (PTI): Who could think barely two weeks ago when Israel struggled with its worst communal tensions internally, and not just the barrage of rockets fired from Gaza, that a historic combination of divergent ideologies - drawn from the Left, the Right and the Centre along with an Arab party could come together to form a national unity government that would oust Benjamin Netanyahu.

When fierce fighting raged, everybody thought it had lent Israel’s longestserving Prime Minister and shrewd politician Netanyahu’s efforts to hold on to power a new lease of life with disparate political formations taking a break from negotiations.

As fighting continued to intensify, the possibility of Opposition leader Yair Lapid, 57, tasked with putting a coalition government together by President Reuven Rivlin, succeeding in his efforts waned. However, in a strange way, the person

Benjamin Netanyahu

standing to benefit the most from these talks going disarray emerged as the single most cementing force.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that 71-yearold Netanyahu, seen by many as Israel’s “divider in chief ”, also in a strange way proved to be a unifier, bringing in together unthinkable bedfellows and creating a government of national unity never seen in Israel’s history.

“Whatever happens tonight and in the days left until the confidence vote if it ever takes place, this is a historic photo. A leader of an Arab-Israeli party and the

leaders of a Jewish-nationalist party signing an agreement to join a government together,” Anshel Pfeffer, a journalist for daily Ha’aretz, tweeted hours before Lapid informed President Rivlin that he had succeeded in putting a coalition together.

He posted a picture of Ra’am party chief, Mansour Abbas, signing the coalition agreement with right-wing Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett and Centrist Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid along with the tweet.

The picture became the talk of the nation on Thursday with all media outlets talking about the “historic moment” irrespective of what the coming days have in store.

The razor-thin majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120 member Knesset (Parliament) that Lapid has managed to put together still faces severe challenges amid hopes that it will still hold together because of the “unity of purpose” created by the agenda of ousting Netanyahu after an unin-

terrupted stint at the helm of affairs for 12 years since 2009.

Having served another term as Prime Minister between 2006 and 2009, Netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history, having surpassed the record set by founding father David BenGurion.

Interestingly, almost one-third of the people standing in unity to oust Netanyahu would be his “natural allies” ideologically and having also worked as his close associates in the past.

A n ove r w h e l m i n g majority of the prominent figures in the new coalition have been his “staunch supporters-turned-foes” because of personal issues more than anything else.

Israel went through an unprecedented four general elections within two years since April 2019, yielding inconclusive results, but the right-wing parties put together always had a firm majority in Parliament.

Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party could have easily mustered the support of the majority of the lawmakers if it had decided to put aside Netanyahu but chose to stand by him.

However, with power almost slipping out of their hands, a quiet discontent within the party is perceptible and gaining strength.

Many analysts believe that Netanyahu’s long-term “invincibility” led to an arrogance because of which he went on pushing his friends away from him each time there were differences of opinion, simultaneously also labelling them as Leftists as if it was a stigma.

They also accuse the Prime Minister of sharpening internal cleavages within the Israeli society by putting one section of the population against the other to suit his political interests.

It is still not all over for Netanyahu, but there is no denying the fact that the recent political developments have truly been historic for the Jewish state.

Taiwan says China exploiting vaccines for political gain

Oil refinery fire near Iran’s capital burns into 2nd day

Taipei, Jun 3 (AP): Tai- Club of Japan. In particuwan’s foreign minister on lar, China’s “vaccine diploThursday said China is seek- macy” is creating divisions ing political gains abroad among countries in Central in return for providing vac- and South America, giving cines and other pandemic Beijing an opportunity to exassistance, partly to increase ert its influence in the Westpressure on Taiwan, which ern Hemisphere, Wu said. it claims as its own territory. Beijing is providing access Beijing’s Communist Party to its domestically produced leaders “further exploited vaccines, other anti-coronaThe Oil Ministry’s SHANA news agency said the fire the pandemic to impose their virus resources and developbroke out over a leak in two waste tanks at the facility. political agenda on many ment funding to “those who others,” Joseph Wu said in are willing to accept political Tehran, Jun 3 (AP): A wouldn’t affect production, a video conference with the partnership with Beijing,” he massive fire at an oil refinery Iranians queued up for gaso- Foreign Correspondents’ said. “China then uses this near Iran’s capital burned line on Thursday morning, into a second day Thursday the start of the weekend in as firefighters struggled to the Islamic Republic. extinguish the flames.

SHANA also quoted The fire began at the refinery spokesman Shaker state-owned Tondgooyan Khafaei as saying authoriPetrochemical Co. to the ties hoped the fire would ex- Kabul, Jun 3 (AP): A bomb ripped through a minivan in south of Tehran on Wednes- tinguish itself after running the western part of the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday, day night, sending a huge out of fuel in the coming killing at least four people, police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said. No one took responsibility for the attack in the plume of black smoke into hours. the sky over the capital.

It wasn’t immediately neighbourhood, which is largely populated by the minority The Oil Ministr y’s clear what started the blaze. Hazara ethnic group who are mostly Shiite Muslims. The SHANA news agency said Temperatures in Tehran Islamic State however has carried out similar bombings in the fire broke out over a leak reached nearly 40 degrees the area, including an attack on two minivans on Tuesday in two waste tanks at the Celsius (104 degrees Fahr- that killed at least 10 people.

Shiites are a minority in mostly Sunni Afghanistan, facility. Authorities initially enheit) on Wednesday. Hot suggested the flames af- summer weather in Iran has and the Islamic State affiliate has declared war against them.

In a statement late on Wednesday, IS said they had also fected a liquified petroleum caused fires in the past. gas pipeline at the refinery.

The blaze came the bombed an electrical grid station on on Tuesday, leaving Iranian Oil Minister Bijan same day a fire struck the much of Kabul in darkness. Violence and chaos continues Zanganeh visited the scene largest warship in the Ira- to escalate in Afghanistan as the US and NATO continue overnight. While seeking nian navy, which later sank their final withdrawal of the remaining 2,500-3,500 Amerito assure the public the fire in the Gulf of Oman. can soldiers and 7,000 allied forces.

partnership to lure or pressure those allies of Taiwan and the US to lean toward Beijing. Through these maneuverings, China is trying to gain political influence in the region at the cost of Taiwan and the US.” China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, but has aggressively used its economic might in recent years to poach Taiwan’s few remaining allies and erode the influence of the US and other democracies.

Bomb rips through minivan in Afghan capital, at least 4 dead

Kathmandu, Jun 3 (PTI): Nepal has reported its first death from black fungus, while 10 others have been detected to be suffering from the deadly infection in various districts across the country, according to a media report on Thursday.

A 65-year-old man died of black fungus, which is also known as mucormycosis, in Seti Zonal hospital in Kailali district, The Himalayan Times reported.

He was admitted to the hospital on May 31 and was diagnosed with black fungus on Wednesday. He died on Thursday.

However, his COVID19 report was negative, Dilip Kumar Shrestha, Information Officer of the hospital, said.

The Ministry of Health and Population on Thursday confirmed 10 cases of black fungus from Nepalgunj, Birgunj and Kathmandu districts, the report said.

Out of the cases infected with black fungus, eight have contacted the authorities, while the rest are yet to approach, Dr Krishna Prasad Poudel, spokesperson in the ministry, was quoted as saying in the report.

K Y M C

OBITUARY God called your name so softly, That only you can hear;

Czech PM to face vote of no confidence

Andrej Babis

Prague, June 3 (IANS): The government of embattled Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis will face a vote of no confidence on Thursday after representatives of five opposition conservative and liberal parties announced earlier in the week that they planned to bring the motion.

Babis is accused of having a conflict of interest as a politician and founder of a business conglomerate, and he has been threatened with prosecution for fraud relating to EU subsidies, reports dpa news agency.

He is also accused of failure in the fight against the coronavirus.

A simple majority of all 200 members of parliament is required for a successful vote of no confidence.

The five parties together have 68 MPs, and additional votes are expected from right-wing MPs. There has only been one successful no-confidence vote in Czech history.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote, President Milos Zeman has announced that the Cabinet would remain in office until parliamentary elections in October.

According to a recent poll by the Median agency, Babis’ ANO party would only come second in an election, with 23 per cent of the vote.

OFFICE OF THE

CHUCHUYIMPANG STUDENTS’ UNION MOKOKCHUNG, NAGALAND

DEEPEST CONDOLENCES

L. TEMSUMENLA Mezungpula 1951

The Chuchuyimpang Students’ Union share our deepest condolences with the bereaved family of Late BENNY ALEMBA (L. TEMSUMENLA) who passed away on 02.06.2021. Late Benny Alemba (L. Temsumenla) matriculated in 1951 and she was the first lady matriculate from Chuchuyimpang Village, Mokokchung.

Her sudden demise has brought the villagers in grief and has brought a vacuum to the villagers and the students’ union as well. Her good deeds for the community and the students’ union will always be remembered.

We pray that the Lord Almighty bring solace to the bereaved family.

Odimar Lipoksunep Jamir President, CKT General secretary, CKT

MKC-151

Nepal reports first death from black fungus

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

and no heard the footsteps,

Myanmar military court sentences 2 journalists to jail Bangkok, Jun 3 (AP): A military court in Myanmar has sentenced two journalists to two years in prison for their reporting, a move that has been decried by rights groups as the latest assault on the free press since the country’s coup.

Aung Kyaw, 31, a reporter for the Democratic Voice of Burma, and Zaw Zaw, 38, a freelance reporter for the online news agency Mizzima, were convicted Wednesday by the court in Myeik, a city in southern Myanmar.

The two had been charged under a recently revised provision in the penal code with spreading misinformation that could incite unrest, a charge that critics say criminalises free speech.

The convictions are the latest moves against journalists since Myanmar’s military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a February coup.

According to Myanmar’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, about 90 journalists have been arrested since the takeover, with more than half still in detention, and 33 still in hiding.

The coup sparked massive civilian protests against military rule that have been met with a brutal crackdown that has left hundreds dead.

The Democratic Voice of Burma and Mizzima are among five local media outlets that were banned in March from broadcasting or publishing after their licenses were cancelled. Like many other banned media outlets, both have continued operating.

A statement issued by

the Democratic Voice of Burma said Aung Kyaw was arrested March 1 for reporting about anti-junta demonstrations in Myeik. The agency said Aung Kyaw defended himself in court after his lawyer was threatened by authorities.

A statement from Mizzima said Zaw Zaw was detained about two months ago at his home while covering events for them in Myeik and Dawei, also in southern Myanmar.

The news agency said it “categorically opposes the two-year prison sentence handed to Zaw Zaw and calls for the immediate release of all journalists unjustly detained by the ruling junta, including Zaw Zaw and another four detained Mizzima journalists”.

“Mizzima firmly believes that journalism and the right to freedom of expression is not a crime and that Mizzima and all independent Myanmar media outlets should be allowed to freely function in Myanmar,” the statement said.

Family members of both reporters were not allowed to attend their hearing at the military court, but were allowed to talk to them by phone for a few minutes after being sentenced. During their call, Aung Kyaw told his wife to tell the media that he would not appeal because he no longer believed in the law under military rule.

Aung Kyaw is the second Democratic Voice of Burma journalist to be convicted since the coup.

Reporter Min Nyo was sentenced on May 12 to three years in prison for violating the provision on spreading misinformation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

"We were always afraid of losing you, because we loved you so much, but we are happy to know that you have gone to heavenly abode".

Born on :- 01/05/1951 – Died on :- 29/05/2021 We, the bereaved family of our beloved father Lt. MHABEMO TUNGOE, Hav. (retd) 5th NAP Battalion, words are inadequate to express our heartfelt gratitude and indebtness to individuals, friends, well-wishers, neighbours, relatives, prayer warriors and various organisations for your unreserved support during his brief-illness and untimely demise. We are immensely comforted and strengthened by your physical presence, condolences, financially and materially.

We also express our special thanks to:(1) Victory Nagamese Church Dubagaon (2) Village Council Dubagaon (3) New-Changsu Union Dimapur We deeply regret our inability to mention each and everyone individually, but your considerate act of kindness extended in times of sorrow will always be remembered.

May Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, children and grandchildren DP-2630

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

of angels drawing near.

The golden gates stood open, God saw you needed rest; His garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

Late Sonuo Zashiimo

(18th December’ 1973 – 1st June’ 2021)

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

II Timothy 4:7 The family of Late Sonuo Zashiimo wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss. Heartfelt and sincere gratitude to all relatives, individuals, churches and well wishers who stood by us and supported us physically, financially, materially and in prayers in our time of mourning.

We regret on our part that we are unable to mention each individual for your immense contribution and sympathy but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all in abundance.

“No elegy or poem could pen down how much we lament and our hearts mourn your absence our dear beloved mother. We however will find peace in all the good things and good advice you taught us. Our beloved mother, we love you dearly.”

Loving husband, daughters and family members K-1005

Born : 15-08-1957 Died : 22-05-2021

We, the bereaved family members of ‘Late Mrs. C Yashimenla Tsopoe’ would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood by us at the sad demise of our beloved mother. Our sincere, profound and heartfelt thanks to LBC, CMD and all those who stood by us physically, spiritually and mentally.

May God bless you all unconditionally.

DP-2639

From LovingHusband, children, Grandchildren and Family Members

LATE MR. NOEL SANGTAM 9th Dec, 1999 – 2nd June, 2021 We, the bereaved family members of Lt. Noel, son of Tsario Sangtam would like to express our gratitude to all who stood by us physically, financially and through prayers support during the illness and sudden demise of our beloved son.

We also convey our special thanks to: 1. Sangtam Baptist Church, Kohima.

2. Sangtam Baptist Fellowship, Lerie Colony, Kohima.

3. President and colleagues of Sangtam Union, Kohima.

4. Lerie Panchayat.

5. NCRC Lerie Colony.

6. Amahator Area Union, Kohima.

7. Neighbours and friends.

We regret our inability to thank each and every individual personally yet it is our humble prayer that Our Almighty God bless you all in profusely.

Loving Parents, Siblings and Family Members K-1006 K Y M C

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

NASA to study ‘lost habitable’ world of Venus Regular Caffeine Consumption affects Brain Structure N N ASA has selected two new missions to Venus, Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor.

Part of NASA’s Discovery Program, the missions aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world when it has so many other characteristics similar to ours – and may have been the first habitable world in the solar system, complete with an ocean and Earthlike climate.

These investigations are the final selections from four mission concepts NASA picked in February 2020 as part of the agency’s Discovery 2019 competition. Following a competitive, peer-review process, the two missions were chosen based on their potential scientific value and the feasibility of their development plans. The project teams will now work to finalize their requirements, designs, and development plans.

NASA is awarding approximately $500 million per mission for development. Each is expected to launch in the 2028-2030 timeframe.

The selected missions are: DAVINCI+ (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) DAVINCI+ will measure the composition of Venus’ atmosphere to un-

Artist’s impression of Solar Orbiter making a flyby at Venus. (Credit: ESA/ATG medialab)

derstand how it formed and evolved, as well as determine whether the planet ever had an ocean. The mission consists of a descent sphere that will plunge through the planet’s thick atmosphere, making precise measurements of noble gases and other elements to understand why Venus’ atmosphere is a runaway hothouse compared the Earth’s.

In addition, DAVINCI+ will return the first high resolution pictures of the unique geological features on Venus known as “tesserae,” which may be comparable to Earth’s continents, suggesting that Venus has plate tectonics. This would be the first U.S.-led mission to Venus’ atmosphere since 1978, and the results from DAVINCI+ could reshape our understanding of ter-

restrial planet formation in our solar system and beyond. James Garvin of Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, is the principal investigator.

Goddard provides project management.

V E R I TA S ( Ve n u s Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy) VERITAS will map Venus’ surface to determine the planet’s geologic history and understand why it developed so differently than Earth. Orbiting Venus with a synthetic aperture radar, VERITAS will chart surface elevations over nearly the entire planet to create 3D reconstructions of topography and confirm whether processes such as plate tectonics and volcanism are still active on Venus.

VERITAS also will

map infrared emissions from Venus’ surface to map its rock type, which is largely unknown, and determine whether active volcanoes are releasing water vapor into the atmosphere. Suzanne Smrekar of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, is the principal investigator. JPL provides project management. The German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared mapper with the Italian Space Agency and France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales contributing to the radar and other parts of the mission.

“We’re revving up our planetary science program with intense exploration of a world that NASA hasn’t visited in over 30 years,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science. “Using cutting-edge technologies that NASA has developed and refined over many years of missions and technology programs, we’re ushering in a new decade of Venus to understand how an Earthlike planet can become a hothouse. Our goals are profound. It is not just understanding the evolution of planets and habitability in our own solar system, but extending beyond these boundaries to exoplanets, an exciting and emerging area of research for NASA.”

Zurbuchen added that he expects powerful synergies across NASA’s science programs, including the James Webb Space Telescope. He anticipates data from these missions will be used by the broadest possible cross section of the scientific community.

In addition to the two missions, NASA selected a pair of technology demonstrations to fly along with them. VERITAS will host the Deep Space Atomic Clock-2, built by JPL and funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

DAVINCI+ will host the Compact Ultraviolet to Visible Imaging Spectrometer (CUVIS) built by Goddard. CUVIS will make high resolution measurements of ultraviolet light using a new instrument based on freeform optics.

These observations will be used to determine the nature of the unknown ultraviolet absorber in Venus’ atmosphere that absorbs up to half the incoming solar energy.

Established in 1992, NASA’s Discovery Program has supported the development and implementation of over 20 missions and instruments. These selections are part of the ninth Discovery Program competition.

(Sci Tech Daily)

o question – caffeine helps most of us to feel more alert.

However, it can disrupt our sleep if consumed in the evening. Sleep deprivation can in turn affect the gray matter of the brain, as previous studies have shown.

So can regular caffeine consumption affect brain structure due to poor sleep?

A research team led by Dr. Carolin Reichert and Professor Christian Cajochen of the University of Basel and UPK (the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel) investigated this question in a study.

The result was surprising: the caffeine consumed as part of the study did not result in poor sleep. However, the researchers observed changes in the gray matter, as they report in the journal Cerebral Cortex. Gray matter refers to the parts of the central nervous system made up primarily of the cell bodies of nerve cells, while white matter mainly comprises the neural pathways, the long extensions of the nerve cells.

A group of 20 healthy young individuals, all of whom regularly drink coffee on a daily basis, took part in the study. They were given tablets to take over two 10-day periods, and were asked not to consume any

other caffeine during this time. During one study period, they received tablets with caffeine; in the other, tablets with no active ingredient (placebo). At the end of each 10-day period, the researchers examined the volume of the subjects’ gray matter by means of brain scans. They also investigated the participants’ sleep quality in the sleep laboratory by recording the electrical activity of the brain (EEG).

Sleep unaffected, but not gray matter Data comparison revealed that the participants’ depth of sleep was equal, regardless of whether they had taken the caffeine or the placebo capsules. But they saw a significant difference in the gray matter, depending on whether the subject had received caffeine or the placebo. After 10 days

of placebo – i.e. “caffeine abstinence” – the volume of gray matter was greater than following the same period of time with caffeine capsules.

The difference was particularly striking in the right medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is essential to memory consolidation. “Our results do not necessarily mean that caffeine consumption has a negative impact on the brain,” emphasizes Reichert. “But daily caffeine consumption evidently affects our cognitive hardware, which in itself should give rise to further studies.” She adds that in the past, the health effects of caffeine have been investigated primarily in patients, but there is also a need for research on healthy subjects.

(Source: Daily Mail)

Cannes readies glitzy return AI-driven ‘XraySetu’ to facilitate early COVID interventions with lockdown films in the mix X

Festival director Fremaux, and president Lescure at the selection of 74th International Cannes Film Festival, in Paris.

O

rganisers of the w o r l d ’s b i g g e s t film festival said on Thursday they were confident of being able to host dinners and beach screenings alongside the main competition as some COVID-19 measures are lifted in France.

Usually held in May, the extravaganza was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, and will run between July 6 and 17 this year. While there will be no “kissing at the top of the red carpet”, restrictions should not be too onerous, festival director Thierry Fremaux said. Travellers from some countries such as Britain are still facing quarantine measures in France for now, but there will no longer be evening curfews.

After a Hollywoodheavy edition of Cannes in 2019, the comeback line-up features fewer big-name U.S. stars.

The selection compet-

ing for the Palme d’Or features some films anchored in COVID-19 times, with characters wearing face masks.

“Cinema will also have been marked by this,” Fremaux told a news conference. French director Catherine Corsini’s La Fracture is set in a hospital in the present day.

OZON TO AUDIARD Highlights will include The French Dispatch by Wes Anderson, known for his quirky The Royal Tenenbaums and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Anderson’s latest film, about a fictional U.S. newspaper office in France starring Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, has been delayed since 2019.

Flag Day, a drama directed by Sean Penn, will also be among the 24 films competing, with a jury headed by U.S. filmmaker Spike Lee. Italy’s Nanni Moretti,

who won in 2001, returns with Tre Piani, while Paul Verhoeven will present Benedetta, about a love story in a convent.

Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star in Annette, a musical by Leos Carax that will premiere on the opening night.

French directors Francois Ozon and Jacques Audiard will also be presenting films, as will Iran’s Asghar Farhadi, Russia’s Kirill Serebrennikov and Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who won the Palme d’Or in 2010.

Outside the competition, Oliver Stone will screen a reworked version of his 1991 political thriller JFK, with new material.

Oscar-winner Jodie Foster, who first walked the red carpet at Cannes as a 13-year-old when she starred in Taxi Driver, will be presented with an honorary Palme d’Or. Cannes’ organisers have long been at loggerheads with streaming giant Netflix, which produces its own films and has shown them some at festivals, but has objected to strict French rules about giving films in competition a cinema release. Fremaux said two Netflix movies had been possible Cannes contenders, but no agreement had been reached on how to showcase them.

(Indian Express)

Elijah Wood rumoured to star in Toxic Avenger reboot

E

lijah Wood is rumoured to be joining the cast of ‘The Toxic Avenger’ reboot.

According to movie website The Illuminerdi, the ‘Lord of the Rings’ star will play the lead villain in the film. The site claims that Elijah will portray Bob Garbinger, the boss of Peter Dinklage’s lead character in the reimagining of the 1984 flick which was released by Troma Entertainment.

The site’s description of the character reads: “Evil head of the shady company Garb X. He has no regard for the wellbeing of anyone but himself and embarks on a murderous spree to become as powerful as Toxie.”

The movie will be written and directed

by Macon Blair, who previously collaborated with Wood on the 2017 flick ‘I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore’.

Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz K Y M C

– who created the original film – are on board as producers for Troma.

The Illuminerdi also provided an official description of the upcoming film, which said: “Based on the 1984 cult classic of the same name. Set in a fantasy world following Winston, a stereotypical weakling who works as a janitor at Garb-X health club and is diagnosed with a terminal illness that can only be cured by an expensive treatment that his greedy, power-hungry employer refuses to pay for.

“After deciding to take matters into his own hands and rob his company, Winston falls into a pit of toxic waste and is transformed into a deformed monster that sets out to do good and get back at all the people who have wronged him.”

Kaufman recently praised Blair for the quality of the script he has delivered for the reboot.

(Contactmusic)

raySetu, a new AIdriven platform has been developed that will help in early intervention over WhatsApp. This will be made possible through rapid screening of COVID-19 cases with the help of chest X-ray interpretation for doctors who have access to X-ray machines.

XraySetu can work with low resolution images sent via mobiles, it is quick and easy to use, and it can facilitate detection in rural areas.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across the rural heartlands of India, it has become critical to drive rapid testing, contact tracing, and create dedicated containment zones.

When tests take more than a week in some cities, rural areas face even serious challenges.

ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park), a not-for-profit foundation established by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, with support from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, in collaboration with Bengaluru-based Health-Tech start-up, Niramai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed XraySetu. It is specifically designed to identify COVID-positive patients even from low-resolution chest X-ray images sent over WhatsApp. It also has semantic annotations of affected areas for review and localized heatmap by doctors to help them verify it easily. It has already served close to over 1200 reports so far from the interior parts of the country.

To conduct the health

WhatsApp chat for a report

check, adoctor simply needs to visit www.xraysetu.com and click on the ‘Try the Free XraySetu Beta’ button.

The platform will then redirect the person to another page, wherein he or she can choose to engage with the WhatsApp-based chatbot via web or smartphone application.

The doctor can however simply send a WhatsApp message to the phone number +91 8046163838 to start the XraySetu service.

Then they just need to click the picture of the patient’s X-ray and obtain the 2-page automated diagnostics with annotated images in a few minutes. While extending the probability of the COVID-19 contraction, the report also highlights a localized heatmap for a quick perusal of the doctor.

Tested and validated with over 1,25 000 X-ray images from National Institute of Health, UK as well as over 1000 Indian COVID patients, XraySetu has shown excellent perfor-

Graphical representation of how XraySetu works.

mance with 98.86% sensitivity and 74.74%specificity.

Founder and CEO of ARTPARK Mr Umakant Soni said, “We need to scale technology for addressing the needs of 1.36 billion people, especially considering we have 1 radiologist for over 1 million people here.

Built with the collaboration of industry and academia, XraySetu paves the way for exponential technologies like AI to leapfrog and provide cutting-edge healthcare technology to rural India in an extremely cost-effective manner.”

“NIRAMAI has partnered with ARTPARK and IISc to provide a rapid COVID screening method for rural doctors who have access to X-ray machines.

XraySetu provides an automated interpretation of chest X-rays to predict if a patient has any lung abnormality that indicates COVID-19 infection,” said Dr Geetha

Manjunath, Founder and CEO of Niramai.

“In the absence of COVID-positive X-ray images, we developed a unique Transfer Learning framework that leverages easily available X-ray images of lungs, not necessarily COVID positive, to learn useful features which have high predictive power. We also developed a confidence score which is guided by the areas of lungs that are infected. The system outputs a prediction, localizes the infected parts, and creates a report which gives a confidence score, all within a few minutes,” said Prof.

Chiranjib Bhattacharyya, IISc. Besides COVID-19, the platform can also detect 14 additional lung-related ailments, including tuberculosis and pneumonia. It can further be used for both analogue and digital X-rays and has been successfully piloted by more than 300 doctors in rural areas over the last 10 months. Technologies like XraySetu can enable cuttingedge AI-driven systems powering mobile primary health centres (PHCs), which can make healthcare more accessible even across rural India at a fraction of the cost.

(India Science Wire)

OFFICE OF THE

UNGER IMSONGUNGER KIDONG TELONGJEM, DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

The Dimapur Unger Imsongunger Kidong Telongjem heartily congratulates Mr. C Lima Imsong for his promotion to Joint Commissioner of State Taxes.

May he continue to work with honesty, servitude and dedication and may God’s blessings be upon him in all his future undertakings.

K-1007

DP-2633

Sd/(SHILUMEREN IMSONG) Secretary K Y M C

India cricket teams reach Southampton

Southampton, Jun 3 (IANS): The Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams reached Hampshire Bowl, venue of World Test Championship (WTC) final, and checked into Hilton at The Ageas Bowl hotel where they will undergo quarantine.

India team wicketkeeper WriddhimanSaha posted a picture from the balcony of his hotel room.

The room overlooks the Ageas Bowl stadium. Some of the other rooms in the 171-room hotel overlook the golf course. “ T h a t ’s o u r v i ew from the room balcony..

Your thoughts? [emoticon: thought balloon],” tweeted Saha on arrival.

The men’s team will play the WTC final against New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl from June 18-22.

Two of the players of India men’s team at the stadiumcum-hotel in Southampton.

New Zealand are currently playing the first of two Test matches against England at Lord’s.

The Kiwis, who will return to Southampton on June 14, were in quarantine and training at the venue

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

before the Test series in England.

The women’s team will move to Bristol where they will play a one-off Test against England.

The Inter national Cricket Council had on

Saturday said that the Indian men’s team would be allowed gradual increase in activity during its period of isolation in Southampton.

“Regular tests will be conducted during the period of isolation. Players’ activity will be allowed in a gradually increasing manner after each round of negative testing, moving from exercise in isolation to small group and then larger squad activity, whilst always remaining within the bio-secure venue,” the statement added.

The players were tested on arrival at the hotel.

While it is not confirmed after how many days they would be allowed to train, it is understood that their training will begin after the third day, the same protocol provide to New Zealand last month.

PM reviews India’s preparations for Tokyo Olympics New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that every need of our sportspersons, from vaccination to training facilities, must be fulfilled as a top priority as he chaired a meeting to review India’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, which will start in 50 days.

Modi said sports is at the heart of our national character and that our youths are creating a strong and vibrant culture of sports, adding that he would be connecting with India’s Olympics contingent through a video conference in July to encourage them and wish them on behalf of all Indians, according to a statement. He said wishes of 135 crore Indians will be with our youngsters participating in the Olympics, noting that for every sportsper-

son shining on the global stage, a thousand more will be inspired to take up sports.

Modi was briefed that a total of 100 athletes have qualified for Tokyo Olympics across 11 sports disciplines and about 25 more athletes are likely to qualify, the PMO statement said.

While a total of 19 Indian athletes had participated at the last paralympics in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, 26 para athletes have qualified and 16 more are likely to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, it said. Officials said special attention will also be given towards motivating athletes and boosting their morale while they participate in the Olympics.

Therefore, regular

Caption

video conferences will be organised with their parents and family members back in India through the course of the competition, they said.

Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to begin from July 23. In the review meeting, a presentation was made by officials on various aspects of operational readiness for

the upcoming games.

Modi was apprised about various steps taken towards ensuring uninterrupted training for athletes amid the pandemic, participation in international competitions to win Olympic quota, vaccination of athletes, and customised support being provided to them.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Barca make Emerson Royal third summer signing

Madrid, Jun 3 (IANS): FC Barcelona have announced their third signing in three days of Brazilian right-back Emerson Royal from Betis on Wednesday.

Barcelona have paid Betis a reported nine million euros for the full rights to the defender, who had spent the past two seasons on loan at the Seville-based club, reports Xinhua. “FC Barcelona have informed Real Betis Balompie that they are exercising their right to bring back Emerson Royal

from 1 July after two seasons on loan at the Andalusian club,” said the Barca website on Wednesday, adding that Emerson has agreed to a contract until the end of June 2024. Emerson, who is currently on international duty, has made 79 appearances in his two seasons on loan with Betis and last season saw him play 3,186 minutes competitive football -- more than any other player at the club, as Betis finished sixth in La Liga to qualify for the Europa League.

LT. KEVISOKHO KHRO 23 Nov 1955 – 22 May 2021 We, the family of Lt. Kevisokho Khro, would like to acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude towards the love, prayers and kindness extended to us by all friends and well-wishers in our time of grief.

In-spite of the world events, you sacrificed yourselves to be with us, from far and near, we are humbled. We praise God for Apuo's life that was dedicated in the Lord's servitude.

1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

He lived in an example to his favourite verse, and we continue to be inspired by his generosity, honesty and humility and take comfort that he is now with our Lord. Our family, cannot thank you enough for your compassion, empathy and contributions, but our fervent prayer remain that God blesses you for standing by us.

Loving Wife, Children and Family DP-2641

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Romans 14:8

BORN ON : 13/09/1965 – DIED ON : 27/05/2021

DP-2642

WE, THE BEREAVED FAMILY MEMBERS OF LT. N LIMA PONGENER, WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS, CHURCH MEMBERS, INDIVIDUALS AND WELL WISHERS WHO STOOD BY US PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY, FINANCIALLY AND THROUGH SINCERE PRAYERS AT THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF OUR BELOVED ON 27TH MAY 2021.

WE DEEPLY REGRET OUR INABILITY TO MENTION AND THANK EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUALS, BUT IT IS OUR SINCERE PRAYER THAT OUR ALMIGHTY GOD SHOWER HIS BLESSINGS UPON EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU ABUNDANTLY.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the lord.

DP-2637

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT So sudden and silently move away to your Heavenly home.

Our hearts still ache in sadness, and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you.. no-one will ever know.

WITH PRAYERS LOVING WIFE, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

Late Ameka T. Yepthomi March 16th 1999 – May 25th 2021

Lt. Z. Ngolo Koza

Died on : 20-May-2021

Lt. Chachumo-u Koza Died on : 22-May-2021

“…naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away….”

Special Gratitude:1. Shri. Neiba Kronu, Minister, Planning & 10. Thekhebe Society.

Co-ordination, Land Revenue, 11. Kode Society.

Parliamentary Affairs, Nagaland, Kohima. 12. Ve-Allied Farming Co-operative Society 2. Shri. Pfükrulhou Koza, Dy. Director RD. 13. Khezhakeno Missionary Board.

3. Dr. Ngopelo Keviechu, Senior Specialist 14. Viede Society Dimapur.

4. Nikos’ Hospital-Doctors & nurses (ICU) 15. Arunachal Missionary Changlang District 5. CIHSR-Doctors & nurses (Surgical Ward) 16. Modern College (Batch 2009) 6. Sodzulhou Village Council & Youths 17. Patkai Christian College 7. Sodzulhou Christian Revival Church, 6th Mile (Batch 2019-Education Department) 8. CBC 7th Mile Village 18. Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (Batch-2013) 9. Khezhakeno Union Dimapur District.

And all the well-wishers, friends, loved & dear-ones who stood by us at the sudden demise of our beloved parents through your physical, financial, material, prayer & moral support. May Almighty God bless and keep you all safe.

DP-2643

K Y M C

DP-2631

Loving- children, in- laws and grand-children

We wish to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy, prayer, messages of condolences and benevolent gestures shown to us during the brief illness and untimely demise of our beloved Ameka T. Yepthomi at District Hospital Dimapur (DHD) on 25th of May 2021 .

As the memory of beloved Ameka overwhelmed our thoughts, our sadness grows like ripples in a pond. However, in your comforting words, we find that our hearts have a way of healing.

We are deeply indebted to: 1. Dr. Neilosakuo Linyu, Dr. Mulato Shikhu and the medical staff of District Hospital Dimapur (DHD) 2. Mrs & Mr. Kavito Awomi, Asst Director of Food and Civil Supplies, Dimapur.

3. Doctors and nurses at CIHSR, Dimapur.

4. Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church (DSBC) 5. IV LRC Fellowship.

6. Satoi Range Public Union Dimapur (SRPUD) 7. Tsutoho Ghami Kuqhakulu Dimapur (TGKD) 8. Faculties and staff members, Nagaland University SASRD, Medziphema 9. Students Union SASRD, Medziphema.

10. Old Boys Association, Sainik School Punglwa.

11. Tsutoho Ghami Kiphimi Kuqhakulu.

12. SPREADNE, Farm Learning Center, Sonapur Guwahati.

13. Tsutoho Baptist Church.

14. Sumi Students Welfare, SASRD Medziphema.

15. NCF, Dehradun.

16. The Light House Church, Sinai Ministry.

17. Faculties and staff members Sainik School, Punglwa.

18. Mercy Medical, Dimapur Although we are unable to thank everyone individually, we pray that your kindness and generosity return to you a hundredfold.

DP-2638

- Loving, dad, mom, sisters, brother and relatives K Y M C

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

French Open: Djokovic, Federer enter third round World number one Barty retires Medvedev into 3rd round; Williams survives

Roger Federer

PARIS, JUN 3 (IANS): Former world No.1 Roger Federer, the oldest player at 39 in the men’s draw, entered the third round of French Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Marin Cilic of Croatia. World No.1 Novak Djokovic, too, moved into the third round.

Swiss Federer, who is in Djokovic’s half of the draw and could possibly meet the world No.1 in the quarter-finals, will next clash with Dominik Koepfer. The German defeated 30th seed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to advance.

Djokovic also won on Thursday. The Serb defeated Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to move into the third round.

Djokovic hit 31 winners to

Novak Djokovic

win the match in two hours and nine minutes.

Elsewhere, ninth seed Italian Matteo Berrettini d e f e a t e d A r ge n t i n a ’s Federico Coria 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in just under two hours to enter the third round.

Berrettini will face Korean Kwoon Soon-Woo who beat Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. The Korean won 75 per cent of his first service points and converted four break points.

In another match, 1 0 t h s e e d e d D av i d Schwartzman of Argentina beat Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to enter third round while 14th seed Gael Monfils crashed out losing 0-6, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6 to Mikael Ymer of Sweden in the second round.

Jannik Sinner prevailed 6-1, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 over Gianluca Mager in a battle between Italians.

Federer was out of action for most of last year following two knee surgeries.

He is, however, getting into form at Roland Garros -- his third tournament of the season after defeating Denis Istomin in the first round.

Federer improved to 10-1 in his ATP head-tohead record against Cilic in their sixth meeting at a Grand Slam. These include the 2018 Australian Open final and 2017 Wimbledon final.

Federer won both.

Their Thursday’s battle also marked the fourth different Grand Slam meeting for Federer and Cilic.

Serena Williams

Daniil Medvedev

World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev overcame his past struggles on clay to reach the third round of RolandGarros, and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams advanced after a second-set scare, as a debate over the complicated relationship between athletes and the media spilled over into another day of competition. Players’ media mandate was yet again under scrutiny as competitors voiced their support for Naomi Osaka but stopped short of publicly backing her press boycott.

A reporter briefly lost his press credentials for stating he had logged on to a press conference with German Alexander Zverev from a supermarket.

Medvedev, who had a 0-4 record at RolandGarros before this latest attempt, kept his bid alive with relative ease to set up a fourth-round clash with American Reilly Opelka, as Williams, who is gunning for a record-equalling 24th

Grand Slam title, fired off five aces to down Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori managed to scrape through with a brutal, four-hour, five-set win over Russia’s Karen Khachanov, while Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas made light work of Spain’s Pedro Martinez in a straight-sets victory.

On the women’s side, two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka, 31, showed off her vast experience to take down Danish teenager Clara Tauson in straight sets, while thirdseed Aryna Sabalenka defeated her fellow Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich despite a bevy of unforced errors. World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev overcame a slow start to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-3 over unseeded American Tommy Paul and advance to the third round, his best showing at Roland-Garros after being knocked out in the first round of the tournament in the four previous years.

Won’t be easy to secure podium Inter appoints Simone Inzaghi as coach on 2-year contract finish at Olympics: PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu

Olympics in women’s singles event. Sindhu said the free time following cancellation of tournaments due to pandemic has provided her with an opportunity to learn new skills and technique.

“I’m focussed and all the hard work would enable me to tackle my opponents in Japan,” said the 2019 World champion.

The Hyderabad-based shuttler said the Japanese players wouldn’t enjoy home advantage since the pressure of Olympics is different from other global competitions.

“When it comes to Olympics, I don’t think the home team would have an edge over others. All top players have different styles of play and that makes the situation unpredictable. On a given day, anyone can spring a surprise,” she explained.

MILAN, JUN 3 (AP): Inter Milan appointed Simone Inzaghi as coach on Thursday, signing him to a two-year contract.

Inzaghi replaces Antonio Conte, who left Inter last month after leading the club to its first Serie A title in more than a decade.

The 45-year-old Inzaghi has been coaching Lazio and led the club to the Italian Cup title in 2019. He also won two Italian Super Cups in his five seasons. Inzaghi had been expected to extend his contract with Lazio last week but opted not to after Conte left Inter.

Inzaghi is the younger brother of former AC Milan player and coach Filippo Inzaghi.

Conte officially left In-

Simone Inzaghi

ter by mutual consent, but he was reportedly unhappy about the club’s decision to sell players in the upcoming transfer window because of financial constraints.

Inter’s finances were hit badly by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the club’s early elimination from European soccer. The club was forced to take out a loan from Oaktree Capital recently in a financing deal with the American investment fund.

from French Open with injury

PARIS, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Women’s world number one Ash Barty of Australia retired from her second round match against Poland’s Magda Linette at the French Open on Thursday with an injury.

The 2019 champion, who was trailing 6-1 2-2 against Linette, started the second-round match with taping on her left thigh, having said earlier that she suffered a flare-up through her left hip during the weekend.

The 25-year-old’s return to Roland Garros ended in disappointment after she opted to not defend her title last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barty had faced problems with her movement on court on Tuesday during the opening round against Bernarda Pera but her physical condition improved against the American after receiving medical attention before the decid-

Ash Barty

ing set.

The top-seeded Australian called the trainer on court once again on Thursday after the first set, which she lost in just 27 minutes, hoping to be able to play on

after receiving help.

Bar ty retur ned to Philippe Chatrier court after the medical timeout and played four more games before deciding she could no longer continue.

Bio-bubble life affecting me mentally, says Andre Russell

Abu Dhabi, Jun 3 (IANS): Kolkata Knight Riders’ West Indian allrounder Andre Russell has said life in bio-bubble is exhausting him.

The right-arm pace bowler and right-handed batsman, who is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Pakistan Super League, said that quarantine life is taking a toll on him mentally.

“I think it’s taking a toll on myself,” Russell told Geo News from Abu Dhabi.

“I cannot talk for any other player, or coaches or anyone that goes through this whole quarantine stuff.

But it has definitely taken a toll on me mentally because from bubble to bubble, in a room locked in, you cannot go out for a walk, you cannot go certain places, you cannot socialise. It is different,” he said.

Russell said he was keeping himself busy in the hotel room trying to keep himself fit by exercising, and was thankful that he was still playing cricket.

Andre Russell

“But at the end of the day, I am not being ungrateful. I am grateful that we are still playing; we are still doing our job. So, it is tough for us. But even though we prepared for it, it still takes a toll,” he said.

“So for me, I like to have a bike or something in my room so that I can get my heart rate up. I would utilise the space that I have, go on the floor, do some of some push-ups. For some exercise, I use stuff in the room to just get something done,” he said.

On Wednesday, India skipper Virat Kohli and

coach Ravi Shastri batted for different teams on different tours due to the exhaustion building up in players.

“With the kind of structure we are competing in, it is very difficult for the players to stay motivated and find the right kind of mental space for a long period. Being confined in one area, doing the [same] stuff day in and day out and dealing with high pressure situations,” Kohli said at press conference on Wednesday, on the eve of team’s departure to England.

New Delhi, Jun 3 (IANS): India’s star shuttler and Rio Olympic Games silver-medallist PV Sindhu said competition in Tokyo Olympics would be tough as top 10 players in women’s singles event are of the same calibre with anyone capable of springing surprise.

“I’m ready for the ele-

ment of surprise during Tokyo Olympics. It wouldn’t be easy to earn a podium finish as all the leading players in women’s singles event are of the same ability,” said the 25-year-old during an online media interaction on Thursday.

Sindhu is the only Indian to have qualified for

Oman beats India to become host of first Hockey5s WC 2024

Hamilton hails ‘brave’ Osaka, Maracanã to host Copa America final says young athletes need help

L AU S A N N E , J U N 3 (IANS): Oman has beaten India, Pakistan and Singapore to win the bid to host the first edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cups for men and women, to be played in January 2024.

Matches will take place in Omani capital Muscat, the FIH announced on Thursday. The Hockey5s flagship event is a brand-new FIH competition. Sixteen teams per gender – three per continent plus Oman as hosts -- will take part in the maiden edition. Continental Hockey5s qualifiers for the World Cup will be organised next year.

“We’re convinced that Hockey5s will play a key role in the growth of hockey worldwide. This is why this World Cup has been created, as well as a Hockey5s World Tour, which we are currently working on and which fans and athletes will have a glimpse of soon with the FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2021 event,” said FIH CEO Thierry Weil.

Upon recommendation from the task force events bidding -- comprising Executive Board members of all five continental federations), the Executive Board of the FIH -- has appointed Oman as the host country for the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cups, said the FIH statement.

Lewis Hamilton

PARIS, JUN 3 (AGENCIES): Seven times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called on Thursday for more support for young athletes and lauded tennis player Naomi Osaka for being ‘incredibly brave’ for her stance on mental health.

The Mercedes driver said he had not felt adequately prepared for what awaited him when he debuted with McLaren in 2007 at the age of 22.

Osaka pulled out of the French Open on Monday after refusing to attend the mandatory post-match news conferences. The Japanese player revealed she had been suffering from bouts of depression for three years.

“When you’re young,

you’re thrown into the limelight and the spotlight and it weighs heavily on you. And probably most of us are not prepared,” Hamilton told reporters at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

“I think she’s incredibly brave and I applaud her for her bravery because I think it’s now asking those in power, putting them in question and making them think about how they react.”

Osaka was fined $15,000 for skipping a news conference following her first-round win and also warned of possible expulsion.

“The way they reacted was not good, with the fine.

Someone talking about their personal mental health and then being fined for it, that

was not cool. I think they could have definitely handled it better,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton, who in 2016 refused to take questions from reporters during a Japanese Grand Prix news briefing, hoped organisers would find a better way to deal with such a situation in future.

“When they cry out for help, we should not be penalising them for those sorts of things. I know someone this year who has taken their life through mental health and it’s deeply saddening an issue for so many people,” he told Sky Sports television separately.

“We should be supporting people in those positions.” Recalling his early years, the 36-year-old told reporters he had “learnt the hard way” and made mistakes.

“When I was young, I was thrown into the pit and I wasn’t given any guidance or support,” he said.

“What I do know is that when youngsters are coming in, they are facing the same thing as I did and I don’t necessarily know if that’s the best for them. I think we need to be supporting them more.

SAO PAULO, JUN 3 (AP): South American soccer body CONMEBOL announced Wednesday that the historic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the final of Copa America on July 10. It also picked Brazil against Venezuela as the opener on June 13 at Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha stadium.

The decider of the South American championship will be the only match of the tournament at the Maracanã, which also hosted the final two years ago when Brazil beat Peru 3-1 to win its ninth title. CONMEBOL chose Brazil as a replacement host on Monday after Argentina was dropped because of the spread of COVID-19. Colombia was removed as a co-host on May 20 amid street protests against President Iván Duque.

Many health experts criticized the move to bring Copa America to Brazil, where the death toll is currently at more than 465,000.

The format of the tour nament, with two groups of five, was maintained. Group A includes Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguai, Chile and Paraguay.

Group B has Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. The four best

File photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

of each group advance to the knockout stage.

The semifinals will be at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio on July 5 and at the Mané Garrincha in Brasilia on the next day. Quarterfinals will take place on July 2 at the Nilton Santos and Goiania’s Olimpico stadium, and July 3 at the same Olimpico stadium and Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha.

Rio and Brasilia will host eight matches of the

tournament each. Goiânia will have seven games and Cuiabá, five, all in the group stage. Due to the pandemic, spectators will not be able to attend any Copa America matches.

Gover nors of the states of all host cities are allies of President Jair Bolsonaro, who is one of the main advocates for the event.

After the opener, Brazil will play against Peru and Colombia at the Nil-

ton Santos stadium and finish their group-stage campaign against Ecuador in Goiânia. If the hosts finish on the top in their group they could play all knockout stage matches in Rio. Lionel Messi and Argentina will play their first match in the tournament against Chile at the Nilton Santos, clash with Uruguay and Paraguay in Brasilia, and finally face Bolivia in Cuiabá.

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