27 Mar 2022

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 110

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Birbhum killings: Bogtui turns ghost town

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NATIONAL, PAGE 5

Biden calls for Putin’s removal Says ‘This man cannot remain in power’; calls Putin a ‘butcher’ WARSAW, MAR 26 (AP/ IANS): US President Joe Biden on Saturday called for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s removal, saying, “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.”

Biden also used a speech in Poland’s capital to make a vociferous defense of liberal democracy and the NATO military alliance, while also saying Europe must steel itself for a long fight against Russian aggression.

In what was billed by the White House as a major address, Biden spoke in front of the Royal Castle, one of Warsaw’s notable landmarks that was badly damaged during War II. H e b o r r owe d t h e words of Polish-born Pope John Paul II and cited anticommunist Polish dissident

Fuel prices hiked again by 80p/ltr DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) Saturday raised prices of petrol and diesel by 80 paise a litre each for the second consecutive day and the fourth increase in five days.

According to IOCL website, following today’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur breached Rs.100mark taking the price to Rs.100.28 per litre while diesel price increased to Rs.86.90 per litre.

In the state capital Kohima, petrol price has gone up from Rs.100.57 per litre to Rs 101.39 per litre and diesel price rose to Rs.87.79 per litre.

(L-R) US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

and former president, Lech Walesa, as he warned that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine threatens to bring “decades of war”.

“In this battle we need to be clear-eyed. This battle will not be won in days, or months, either,” Biden said. The crowd of about 1,000 included some of the Ukrainian refugees who have fled for Poland and elsewhere in the midst of the brutal invasion.

“We must commit now, to be this fight for the long haul,” Biden said.

U S P r e s i d e n t Jo e Biden on Saturday called Russian President Vladi-

mir Putin a “butcher” after meeting refugees in Warsaw, Poland, in an intense criticism of the Russian leader’s actions in Ukraine that have seen millions of refugees flee to the neighbouring countries, CNN reported.

During his visit, Biden was asked by reporters what seeing the Ukrainian refugees at Stadion Narodowy made him think of as he deals with Putin every day.

Biden responded: “He’s a butcher”, CNN reported. After initially looking to downplay a personal rivalry between himself and

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Putin, Biden has ramped up his rhetoric against Putin over the last 10 days.

Last week, Biden for the first time called Putin a “war criminal” and then later referred to him as a “murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine”.

He has also called the Russian invasion of Ukraine “inhumane”, CNN reported.

Biden’s new insults further narrow the window of opportunity for improving Russian-American relations. This was stated by the press secretary of Putin, Dmitry Peskov, RT reported.

“Of course, such personal insults narrow the window of opportunity for our bilateral relations under the current administration of the US. We must be aware of this,” he was quoted as saying.

Peskov noted that the leader of the state must remain sober.

UGC warns Indian students seeking admission in China NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (IANS): UGC and AICTE warned Indian students and their parents not to seek admission in professional courses in China. University Grant Commission (UGC) warning, a first of sorts in connection with Chinese educational institutions, invoked the extant rules that both UGC and AICTE “do not recognise such degree courses conducted only in online mode without prior approval”.

UGC said, “A few universities in China have started issuing notice for admission to various degree programmes for the current and upcoming academic years...”

Member secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said large number of Indian students have not been able to return to China to continue their studies due to these restrictions. Further, the Chinese authorities have conveyed earlier that courses will be conducted online.

SPORTS, PAGE 11

Will try to solve at Central level if we fail at state level: Mnp CM on SAPO bandh Correspondent/Agencies

IMPHAL, MAR 26: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that since the issue of the indefinite bandh imposed along NH-2 by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) was not a state border dispute issue with Nagaland, the Manipur government and Nagaland government will try to solve it at the state level.

“If it is not solved at the state level, then we will solve it at the central level with central government as mediator,” Biren said while responding to the calling attention motion moved by opposition MLA, K Ranjit Singh on the last day of the first session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Refuting the allegation that Manipur had constructed the police structure at disputed inter-state border, Singh said the structure was constructed around

N Biren Singh (File)

100 meters inside Manipur’s territory from the border. The area is purely within Manipur territory, he claimed and pointed out that it was clearly seen in the internationally recognized satellite map.

He claimed that as per internationally recognized boundary map, three/four of the entire area of Dzuko valley belonged to Manipur and the remaining part was in Nagaland. However, due to bad road connectivity, tourists from the state also used roads from Nagaland side to reach Dzuko valley, he said.

“It is because of this, some section of people from Nagaland took the opportu-

nity to claim that the entire Dzuko valley belongs to Nagaland,” he said.

He also said that the claim of the entire Dzuko Valley was not by the Nagaland government but by some organizations.

Stating that the police structure being constructed by at Kezoltsa area was meant for swift response to disasters like wildfire and for security of tourists visiting the valley, he said the state government was also planning to deploy State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force including fire brigade there.

Opposition Congress member K Ranjit Singh who brought up the issue suggested setting up of an interstate boundary commission where both the states could resolve the long pending inter-state boundary dispute.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the Nagaland government/cabinet was yet to discuss on the matter.

Nagaland will bid for national sporting events, says Rio LFI among 21 new Sainik schools approved by Govt

Neiphiu Rio speaking at the closing function, Saturday.

Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 6 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Saturday disclosed that the state government would bid for more national game events to be hosted in Nagaland in order to attract more infra-

structural developments in the sports sector.

Speaking at the Grand Finale of the South Asian Cross-Country Championships and 56th National Cross-Country Championships at IG Stadium here on Saturday, the chief minister said that the visiting of-

ficials during discussions suggested Nagaland should bid for hosting national games since Government of India and its agencies would help the State in infrastructural development if it was selected to host.

In this regard, Rio said the State government would also go consider and try to bid for more national events. He expressed hope that the political leaders and sportspersons in the State would support the stance of the government in that regard.

The chief minister expressed gratitude to the presidents of Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and South Asian Athlet-

ics Federation (SAAF) for choosing Nagaland to host this historic event. He said Nagaland was privileged to play host to the international event, which was a first-ofits-kind for the State.

Sharing his observations during the event, Rio said he was encouraged by the keen interest and enthusiasm in the eyes of the youth who had come to participate from all over the country and also from some South Asian countries.

While congratulating the winners, the chief minister thanked and appreciated all the participants many of whom had come to Nagaland for the first time.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved setting up of 21 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs/private schools/ state governments. Among 21 Sainik schools, MoD has approved opening of Sainik in Dimapur in partnership with Livingstone Foundation Stone International (LFI).

When contacted, chairman of LFI, Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema confirmed about the partnership. He was optimistic that the new venture would have a multidimensional approach to(Cont’d on p-8) wards education system vis-

à-vis the National Education Policy. As part of the government’s initiative, these new Sainik Schools will be set up in the initial round, which will be distinct from the existing Sainik Schools.

According to an official statement, the objectives behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools is to provide quality education to the students in tune with National Education Policy and give them better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces.

A total of 17 out of the 21 new Sainik Schools are Brownfield running schools, whereas the four

are Greenfield schools to be operational shortly.

T h e s e n ew S a i n i k Schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society and will follow the Rules and Regulations for new Sainik schools in partnership mode prescribed by the Society. In addition to their regular affiliated board curriculum, they will also impart education of Academic PLUS curriculum to the students of Sainik school pattern.

Details pertaining to the modalities of operation of these schools are available at www.sainikschool. ncog.gov.in.

LEH, NWHD condemn Ghy airport incident ‘Ring bells, drums on Mar 31’: Cong Akato-led NSCN refutes WC’s allegations DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Lotha Eloe Hoho (LEH), the apex women body of the Lotha Naga tribe, has unequivocally condemned the “barbaric ordeal” meted out to one of its elderly bonafide member Mrs. Mhalo Kikon and her young granddaughter by CISF personnel at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati during a security check on March 24, 2022.

In a condemnation note, by LEH president R. Zuchobeni Ezong and general secretary Loseno Ovung also appealed to both the chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland to

“immediately initiate appropriate action against the perpetrators of such heinous crimes against humanity.”

LEH further said it was “sheer inhumanity to force an octogenarian on a wheelchair with a hip implant to remove her clothes including her undergarments and diaper.” It added that this amounted to not only physical and mental harassment but was also a violation of an individual’s right to dignity guaranteed by the Constitution of India.”

LEH also urged all right-thinking citizens to condemn such inhuman and barbaric ordeal meted out to a senior citizen.

NWHD: Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) also condemned the harassment and misconduct committed on the 80-year-old Naga woman, Mhalo Kikon and her granddaughter at the Lopkpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati by the CISF personnel.

NWHD said such unpleasant behavior by security personnel was unacceptable and intolerable which clearly showed that the airport security personnel malicious intent and racist attitude towards Mhalo Kikon and her granddaughter in particular and to Nagas as a whole in general. (Cont’d on p-8)

protest against fuel price hike

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (AGENCIES): Announcing a nationwide protest on March 31, the Congress Saturday attacked the Centre over the hike in petrol and diesel prices and said that the “shameless fleecing” of the public must stop.

“On 31st March at 11 am, people will protest outside their homes and public places with garlanded gas cylinders and beat of drumsbells, other instruments to draw the attention of the deaf BJP government against the insurmountable increase in prices of gas, petrol, and diesel,” Congress spokes-

person Randeep Surjewala said. The party’s campaign appeared to draw inspiration from the one that BJP conducted during the nationwide Covid lockdown.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said: “Fuel prices were kept constant for 4 months before elections and now hiked four times in just a week.

This shameless fleecing of the public must stop!” she tweeted.

Congress accused the BJP government of earning Rs. 26 lakh crore in eight years by increasing excise duty on petrol and diesel.

DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Refuting the allegations by WC, NNPGs, Akato-led NSCN/GPRN through its MIP said it was constrained to clarify “against some irresponsible statements surprisingly emanating from some matured and responsible organisation like the WC/NNPGs, lest some good folks be misled by incongruous lies and misconstrue it as true.”

MIP said that the NSCN, as a responsible people’s government, has no desires to hold any grudge for the simple fact that they know “all too well as to who composes and who writes on behalf of the NNPG.”

MIP once again reminded all concerned that the split within the NSCN (R) was never because of power tussles, or positions or for monetary benefit.

It pointed out that the crack in the NSCN (R) first occurred after the NSCN, through its MIP, on May 25, 2021 issued a “clarion call” to all NSCN (R) members to refrain from collecting taxes, since everyone was still struggling and limping back to its feet, because of the lockdown.

However, without paying heed to the call, it said that some “brothers and comrades” rather chose to do otherwise, and for which

led to rifts within party and eventually led to a split.

Secondly, it said that the claims of WC that “they reserve the right to levy taxes and seek donations does appear paradoxical and confusing, hence we entreat the intellect of the WC to kindly do pray enlighten us as in “which part, or section or article or clause etc of the CFGR does it issue authorization to collect taxes?”

Besides, the MIP said that they also leave it to the wisdom and intelligence of the esteemed and benign CF’s office and CF mechanism to ponder upon.

(Cont’d on p-8)

envoy arrives Nagaland on 4-day visit This is it! H&FW felicitates 51 health units under Kayakalp scheme DVatican IMAPUR, MAR 26 Correspondent

“The state govt proposes tax-free budget. Very understanding but we’re being extorted like anything.”

K Y M C

KO H I M A , M A R 2 6 (NPN): State health and family welfare (H&FW) department felicitated 51 health units in Nagaland under Kayakalp scheme— a clean hospital initiative of the ministry of health and family welfare—during the Kayakalp award ceremony held at the directorate of H&FW here Saturday.

State H&FW minister, S Pangnyu Phom, who graced the occasion as special guest, said that Kay-

Pangnyu Phom giving away the award to a recipient.

akalp initiative award was accorded to hospitals across state for the promotion of cleanliness and hygiene and infection control practices.

Following the introduction of the Kayakalp initia-

tive in the State in the year 2015-16, Phom said that massive involvement of the community in the activities of the health units had been has witnessed in the form of timely social work and con-

tribution in cash and kind towards the improvement and upkeep of the health facilities.

Acknowledging the 51 health units for their commendable job, the health minister encouraged them to continue working relentlessly towards the betterment of the public health service.

Phom also urged upon the medical officers and health workers to put more effort for strengthening and promotion of Kayakalp initiative for more cleanliness,

(NPN): Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador to India), Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, arrived Nagaland Saturday on a four-day visit.

In a press release, Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) informed that the Catholic community accorded welcome to the Archbishop at Dimapur airport. From the airport, he was taken to Development Association of Nagaland (DAN), the Social Wing of the Diocese of Kohima.

The Vatican envoy (Cont’d on p-8) would visit various Catho-

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli in Kohima on Saturday.

lic institutions in Kohima and Dimapur, Kohima War Cemetery, Kisama Naga Heritage Village, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, followed by interaction with

Catholic leaders of Nagaland on March 27. He will also attend the attend the first Convocation of St. Joseph University on March 28.

K Y M C

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STATE

Mass social work conducted in Dimapur LOTHA COLONY COLLECTS MOST PLASTIC WASTES

DUCFF and GB union Sadar along with DMC Residents of Oriental Colony participating in the mass administrator, Albert Ezung. (NP) social work on Saturday. (NP)

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Colonies, shopkeepers, business establishments within Dimapur jurisdiction were seen actively participating during the district’s mass social work, here on Saturday.

The social work was mobilised by colony chairmen, GBs and sanitation

committees.

Appreciating the active participation from the public, Dimapur Municipal Council administrator, Albert Ezung said that it showed cooperation towards keeping the city clean, green and healthy.

Meanwhile, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) and GB union Sardar acknowl-

edged DMC administrator for giving them the responsibility to mobilise the mass social work.

They also lamented that they could not take all the assessments in all the respective colonies due to time limitations.

Earlier, Lotha Colony, ward No. 14 emerged winner of the “most collected plastic waste” while Niesa-

to colony, medical colony bagged the second prize and Xuvihe colony bagged the third prize.

Under the most collected plastic waste competition, only four out of 96 colonies participated under Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) where cash prizes for the colony with most collected waste was announced.

DC Kma informs tenants of super market complex DIMAPUR: Deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie has informed all person(s) who were previous tenants of Super Market Complex, Kohima that there would be a physical verification to ascertain authenticity of identity and previous allotment order on April 4, 5 and 6, 11 a.m., onwards in the conference hall of the DC office, Kohima.

In a notification, DC requested all concerned to come in person along with: any photo identity card such as Aadhaar, driving license, EPIC, PAN card; previous allotment order and any documents relating to their previous tenancy at Super market complex.

The concerned person(s) in possession of previous allotment order shall appear in person before the verification committee in original, DC informed.

The notification said no further claims would be entertained beyond the date.

Catholics hold prayer & fast for world peace

DIMAPUR: Heeding to the request of Pope Francis, the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Kohima observed March 25 as a day of prayer and fast for world peace.

In a press release, Diocese of Kohima informed that the prayer and fast was organised as the world was going through a very difficult and uncertain time, especially in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Bishop of Kohima Diocese, Nagaland Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil celebrated the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral along with priests, religious and lay faithful and carried out the act of consecration after the Holy Eucharist.

NHM Nagaland and NHAK in association with Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Imphal, The Diocese informed that priests in differManipur conducted a free “heart disease detection camp” for children (0-18 years) under ent Parishes of the Diocese of Kohima celebrated the RBSK programme at NHAK on Saturday. Altogether, 105 children were screened and the Holy Mass in their respective places.

23 cases were referred to Shija Hospitals for device closure procedure.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Dental camps held in various districts

Dentists attending to school children during the dental camp in Mon.

DIMAPUR: As part of “Oral Health Month 2022”, various dental health camps were conducted in Mon, Zunheboto and Kiphire on March 20 and 24.

Mon: In Mon, the dental camp was conducted at Government Primary School (GPS) Shantham Ward, Mon. In a press release, National Health Mission (NHM) Mon informed that the camp was conducted by junior dental specialist Dr. Neingutunuo and junior dental surgeon, Dr. Imtimenla.

During the camp, 185 students were screened and minor procedures such as extractions were done on 30 students. Tooth brushing techniques and maintenance of oral hygiene were also instructed to students and faculty members.

Zunheboto: A dental health camp was conducted under National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) at Ghukiye village on March 24.

The dental camp was led by Dr. Esther Chophy Ngullie, Dr. Ivikali Achumi, Dr. Bokaho Yeptho from District Hospital Zunheboto along with Dr. Achem Sangtam, CHC Aghunato.

Medicines, toothbrushes and toothpastes were distributed to all 70 beneficiaries at the camp.

Kiphire: An oral health awareness camp was conducted at Christian School, Pungro under Kiphire district on March 20.

A press release from district media office, CMO office, Haichikambe Pame informed the awareness camp was led by Community Health Centre (CHC),

Pungro led by dental surgeon Dr. Weri Mero conducted an.

During the awareness camp, 700 to 800 patients were screened where dental check-ups, tooth extraction, fluoride topical varnish application to prevent cavities in children were carried out.

During the programme, Mero briefed about the importance of oral hygiene for maintaining overall health benefits.

He also stressed on the ill effects of consuming tobacco products—smoking and chewing gutkha.

Later, medical team distributed toothbrushes and toothpastes.

It may be mentioned that the oral health camp was conducted to educate students and public on the importance of good oral health and dental hygiene.

LTC notifies on ODF+ DIMAPUR: Longleng Town Council (LTC) has informed that all wards/ establishments/ institutes under the jurisdiction of urban local body, Longleng have been declared open defection free (ODF+).

Additional deputy commissioner

(ADC) and LTC administrator has informed that all necessary mechanism has been put in place for imposing penalty on open defecators. Further, LTC has informed that claims and objections, if any, was to be raised within 15 days from the publication of the notice.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born : 25/12/1936 – Died : 01/03/2022 The family of Late Rev. R. Lotha wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness during his illness, death and burial of our beloved father.

We extend our warmest gratitude to the many friends, neighbours and well-wishers who provided emotional, spiritual, material, financial and practical support, for those who telephoned, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes and messages of condolence during these difficult times. Your love made our loss more bearable.

Our sincere gratitude to: Tsungiki Baptist Church CNBEEK/CNBEEK Youth Chukitong Baptist Church Sungro Town Baptist Church Wokha Village Baptist Church Purana Bazar East Dimapur Lotha B/Church A.G. Church Mungya Tiyichan Lotha Baptist Church Wokha NCRC Mungya LBCA Vankhosung Mission Centre Ordained Ministers LBCA Yikhum Baptist Church Samyan Baptist Church Wokha Church Ministry Nagaland (IEM) Lothatsu Prayer Centre Chukitong Nkonjan Baptist Eloe Khumshum Tsungiki Bible Ekhae Khumshum A.G Church Chukitong Nungying Baptist Church Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur/ CNY Dimapur Lotha Baptist Church Kohima Lakhuti Baptist Church LBCA Longjung Church Seluku Baptist Church Diphupar Baptist Church Senjum Baptist Church Dimapur Nungying NCRC Yanthan Yankho Tsungiki United Baptist Church Doyang Yimkha Baptist Church Pangti Baptist Church Okotso Baptist Church LBCD Eshanglang Okho Koio Baptist Church Fathers House Church Dimapur N. Longidang Baptist Church

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Doctors & nurses Penecia Nursing Home, Wokha Doctors & nurses Chukitong PHC Compounders & staff Tsungiki PHC Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Chukidong Tsungiki Khumshum Tsungiki Gazetted Officers Forum Tsungiki Village Council YARK Wopan Epoetso Dimapur Nzyu 60 na mhawoe khümshum Tsungiki Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Tsungiki Yimtongpoe Yanpia Eyi Okho Zenka Rentso Tsungiki Principal & staff GHSS Chukitong S.Y. Rui Wopan Tsungiki Chukitong Tsungiki Eloe Khumshum Pilgrim Higher Secondary School Dimapur Tsungiki Youth Organization Chumpo Sporting Club Arsenic F. C. Tsungiki A1 Club Tsungiki XI Brothers Chukitong Pretty Patel School Chukitong BMMU, DMMU Wokha Block & Chukitong block NSRLM Shri Y. Patton, Honorable Deputy Chief Minister Musik-A (Alobo Naga School of Music) Bravo School of Music staff Wokha Friends Male Voice Khungta Rentso (1988-90) Tsungiki President & colleagues of Wokha District Football Association RS Academia Nise Meruno and the Band AE Media Production Shofar Music Academy

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

God bless you all.

Loving Wife, Children, & Grandchildren

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Will Russian dictator Vladimir Putin soon c a l l o f f i n va s i o n o f Ukraine?

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

A B C

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Zunheboto becomes 8th district to get separate court complex

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

19% 62% 19%

NEXT POLL

Q: Should India review its

stand on abstaining from voting against Russia ?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST MARCH 27

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A few showers; hot humid

36 23

Aizawl

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Guwahati Hazy sunshine and very warm Imphal

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Itanagar Hazy sunshine

29 16 35 18 30 15 31 18

Shillong

A couple of afternoon showers 26 13

Kohima

Mostly sunny and nice

Dimapur Mostly sunny Mkg

Mostly sunny and nice

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

25 13 33 17 28 13 18 9

Mostly sunny and pleasant

26 16

Zunheboto Mostly sunny and pleasant

24 12

Wokha

Justice Songkhupchung Serto along with other dignitaries after the inaugural programme. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Gauhati High Court, judge, justice Songkhupchung Serto on Saturday inaugurated the new District Court Complex in Zunheboto district, in the presence of Gauhati high court judge, justice Kakheto Sema and commissioner and secretary, justice and law, Abhijit Sinha.

According to a DIPR report, justice Songkhupchung Serto in his inaugural address acknowledged the ministry of Justice and Law for financing the construction and the executing department,

CAWD. He also lauded the efforts put in by contractors in completing the building at the scheduled time.

Justice Serto said each and every dispute, whether high valued or small, needed to be resolved.

In this regard, he said the court was a device to act as mediator and to deliver justice which upholds peace and tranquillity if executed judicially.

While pointing out that laws keep on changing as per the need of the society, justice Serto said laws which were relevant

yesterday may no more be relevant today and for this one had to accept changes.

Asserting that Naga lawyers were no less than anyone in the country, he said such institution could equip them more.

With active role played by Lok Adalats, he said nearly four crore disputes had been resolved.

He called on the gathering to protect the district court and nurture the institution zealously so that the public would yield the benefits.

Meanwhile, justice Kakheto while deliver-

ing his speech appealed to the commissioner and secretary to apprise the government of the immediate requirement of Zunheboto district and the court to have the post of chief judicial magistrate.

While addressing the gathering, Abhijit Sinha hoped that with the inauguration of the court complex in Zunheboto district, it was now the eight district to have a separate court complex and the government was sincere in completing other ongoing processes and constructions.

Nagaland Bar Association president, Akito Zhimomi also spoke on need of the state to have a separate High Court.

Earlier, the inaugural programme was chaired by civil judge (Jr) division/ JMFC Zunheboto, Wokono Yhoshii,; welcome address by district and session judge Zunheboto, Ajongba Imchen and secretary (judicial) Justice & Law, Nino Iralu proposed vote of thanks.

Later, technical report was presented by EE, CAWD, Er Sungtiba Amer.

CFD AIDA conducts training for CRFs DIMAPUR: A three-day capacity building training for Child Rights Facilitators (CRFs) was conducted by Child Friendly Dimapur (CFD) ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) on March 18, March 19 and March 25 at AIDA Conference Hall, Don Bosco Campus, Dimapur.

In a press release, AIDA informed that the purpose of the training was to enhance capacities of CRFs to appreciate the uniqueness of children and deal with them effectively.

During the training, resource persons stressed on different topics such as – the art of negotiating with children, dream of child friendly Dimapur Chumukedima, roles and responsibilities of CRFs, facilitation skills, problem solving skills, basic rights of children, AIDA’s child protection policy, values of child protection work, etc.

CRFs from Zeliangrong, K. Sachu, Kashiram, Signal Angami, Veteneriary, Neisatuo and Chumukedima attended the programme.

Rising People’s Party walkathon campaign culminates Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Rising People’s Party (RPP)’s walkathon campaign, which got underway February 21, 2022 on the theme “A Walk to Save Nagaland”— culminated on Saturday after walking 980km in 34 days covering almost all the districts except three districts in Nagaland.

The 19-member team of RPP launched the walkathon to reach out to reach out to the grassroots and listen to their grievances and hear their “vision for a new Nagaland.”

On arriving Dimapur, at around 2 p.m. the team was welcomed by the family members and party workers.

Speaking at a short programme held on their arrival at The Garden, Supermarket, RPP president Joel Naga said that during the walkathon the team interacted with the villagers, student bodies, village councils and church members. He said that the team after seeing the reality came to conclusion that

Members of RPP after the programme on Saturday. (NP)

good governance was missing in other districts except Dimapur and Kohima.

Joel said that his comment should be seen not as a political rhetoric, but a reality.

RPP president claimed that since 2008, a certain political leader had been assuring the people of Tobu a separate district, if they vote for the candidate he recommended. Despite people voting the suggested candidate, he said the aspiration of becoming a district continued to lure the people.

He maintained that if Chumoukedima could be carved out of Dimapur, then Tobu and Aboi

deserved to be districts too.

Sharing his experience and details about the journey, RPP treasurer Vitho Zao said that the walkathon was carried out not to make a record but to find out and see where the people of the state were lagging behind.

Zao said the team observed that Kohima and Dimapur people were enjoying the luxury, but other districts were facing acute shortage of water, road infrastructure and many other facilities.

In some areas, he said there were schools with no teacher, administrative circles with no EAC, dispensaries with no nurses

etc. The Naga Rising convener Along Longkumer and RPP youth wing president Zhokhoi Chuzho also spoke at the programme.

Later, benediction prayer was proposed by DABA pastor Imnatoshi Longkumer.

Later, addressing press conference, RPP president reiterated that their intention was clearly to prioritize good governance, women empowerment, and self-reliance among other things.

Joel said that the state government needed to have a border area department to look after the development of the border areas as they were the most ne-

glected. RPP president said that the only development they could see during their tour was sawmills involved in logging, which, he said, was illegal, causing environmental damages.

During the tour, he said the team also witnessed areas where there were no schools, no health care facilities and no penetration of government schemes. Joel Naga said that there have been many broken promises over and over and for which people have become skeptical.

Describing Naga people as “good people”, RPP president, however, said that they have been cheated and lied with all false promises.

On the Foothill Road project, RPP team members were of the view that “the road was complete lie”, saying the road cannot even be compared to a footpath. They said that even if the UDA government was given 20 more years, it would not be able to complete the road.

Citing about a road in Shamator, Jeol said that a 500 metre stretch of highway that was damaged by

landslide in 2018 has not been repaired yet.

Sharing his opinion about the Tuli Paper Mill, RPP president said that the whole infrastructure and machinery was beyond repair. He said that trees and creepers have taken over the mill.

If the gover nment intended to start the mill again, Joel said it will have to start over by constructing new building and buying new machines.

H oweve r, h e s a i d that Tuli town was changing very fast and has the potential to become the next industrial hub in the state. He also opined that Aboi was emerging to be a fast-growing town with 11 schools, but no college.

Stating that the youth of Mon were very good at sports, he, therefore, appealed to the government to set up a college and a sports academy in the two places respectively.

On party’s next plan, Joel revealed that they would be identifying potential intending candidates to contest for the upcoming state assembly election.

3 DDADU to check driving licenses, uniforms

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU) has resolved to continue stern checking of driving licenses and uniforms of auto drivers.

Announcing this in a press conference at the union office on Saturday, DDADU president, Tito Yeptho said that the union held a meeting with the office staff and executive members and adopted a resolution where the union would continue to strictly check driver’s license and uniform.

He said that there were instances where auto drivers “from outside” had been coming to Dimapur and plying without proper driving licenses as “proxy drivers”.

Yeptho informed that in this regard, the union resolved to strictly check the driving licenses.

He also informed passengers to extend their cooperation by traveling in autos which had proper licenses and not to travel randomly.

The Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union president stated

that the office received complaints of lost baggage of passengers, however there were instances where the union could not trace them due to improper identification.

In this regard, the union decided that they would not allow any driver without proper licenses, identity cards and uniforms in and around Dimapur.

Yeptho said that the union would be writing a letter to the deputy commissioner (DC) to continue with the checking.

Encouraging the unemployed youth to come out of their comfort zones and earn their livelihood, he suggested them to be part of the union or learn how to drive an auto since the auto drivers earned at least two to three thousand in a day.

He also informed that if any lady auto drivers wanted to be a part of the union, the union would assure to take into account: assurance certificate; uniform and identity card.

He also said the union would approach the government to apply for pink hoods for lady drivers instead of the yellow hoods.

Orientation programme held at new Jalukie

Functionaries of Sakhi-OSC along with adolescent girls and others after the programme. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Orientation and sensitisation programme on “school dropouts for adolescent girls” was organised by the department of Social Welfare in collaboration with district administration under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) in the village council hall, New Jalukie under Peren district on March 23.

According to a DIPR report, case worker, SakhiOne Stop Centre (OSC), Peheilusile while leading the programme gave a brief introduction on the functioning of Sakhi-OSC, various services available and how to avail them.

Sakhi-OSC, centre administrator, Asuni facilitated on the session “child’s rights”.

She said that children

represented one-third of the world’s population.

Asuni highlighted various child rights including right to survival, right to protection, right to participation, right in decision making and also spoke on human trafficking.

Meanwhile, women welfare officer, Mahila Shakti Kendra Heiriateilei shared on “dropouts of adolescent girls” where she said that adolescent was a phase of life between childhood and adulthood from ages 10-19 years and it was a unique stage of human development. She also said that they experienced rapid physical, mental and psychological growth.

Earlier, sanitary napkins were also distributed to all the participants.

Refresher trainings on routine immunisation SASRD NU trains farmers in Wokha, Mokokchung

Mon DIMAPUR: Refresher trainings on Routine Immunisation (RI) was held for medical officers (MOs) of Mon and Peren districts on March 25 in their respective districts.

Mon: The refresher training on RI was held in the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO) Mon office with SIO, department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Dr Ritu Thurr; Dr Longri Kichu, RMNCHA, UNICEF; Dr Pangjung Pongen, SBCC, UNICEF; Awele Thurr, PHIC UNICEF and RPO, UNDP, Imli Longkumer as resource persons.

A press release by CMO Mon office stated that the training course was K Y M C

conducted on the overview of RI and strategies to improve RI, National Immunization Schedule (NIS) and FAQs, cold chain and logistic management, management of immunization session, Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), records, reports and using data for action ( M C T S / RC H / H M I S / supportive supervision/ NCCMIS), communication plan and strategy partnering with communities to increase coverage and injection safely and waste disposal.

Earlier, in a welcome address, CMO Mon Dr Kechongol Sophie thanked the external resource team from Kohima for train-

Peren ing the MOs. The training was chaired by DPO, UIP&RCH, Dr Shasinle Tep, who was also the internal resource person.

Peren: The refresher training on RI was held in the conference hall of CMO Peren office, where deputy director Dr. G. Razoukhrielie Rio briefed highlighted about national immunisation schedule, managing immunisation sessions, universal immunisation programme and responsibilities of medical officers.

An overview of RI and strategies to improve coverage, AEFI, safety and waste disposal was given by SMO, WHO Dr. Shiela; SPO, UNDP Kings-

ton Kamkara and RPO, UNDP Rajesh Monsang trained the participants on cold chain and logistics management, eVIN and CoWIN, recording and reporting and communication plan: strategies to improve routine immunization coverage.

Earlier, in a welcome address deputy CMO Peren Dr. Lanuakum urged the SMOs and MOs to take the opportunity to interact and address difficulties.

He envisioned that the training would strengthen and improve RI in the district. The resource persons were Dr. G. Razoukhrielie Rio, Dr.Sheila, Kingson Kamkara and Rajesh K Monsang.

DIMAPUR: With the aim of providing services for decent living to the farmers of Nagaland and to promote vegetable cultivation among the tribal farmers, one-day farmer’s training on “Scientific cultivation of vegetable crops” was held on March 23 at Renthan Village, Wokha district.

In a press release, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) Nagaland University (NU) informed that the training was conducted by AICRP on Vegetable Crops, Nagaland Centre, SASRD-NU under NEH Plan.

The training also aimed to highlight the farmers on the importance of package of practices and plant protection in vegetable production, to make them aware of the importance, benefits and advantage in growing vegetable crops in kitchen garden and also to make the farmers familiar of the common pests and diseases of vegetables which they might encounter during the cropping season and importantly to manage the pests and disease with eco-friendly tactics.

The technical session on “scientific cultivation of

SASRD NU officials along with participants and others.

vegetable crops” was delivered by SMS Horticulture, KVK, Wokha, Megokhono Meyase, where she emphasized on the methodology and various ideas on production of summer vegetable crops.

The technical session on “scientific protection of vegetable crops” was delivered by assistant professor, department of entomology, SASRD-NU, Dr. Waluniba, where he enlightened the farmers on the common insect pests that attack farmer’s field and showed them the various means of identifica-

tion and management.

Mokokchung: SASRDNU Medziphema campus organised a day long training programme on “low-chilling apple production technology” on March 19 at Alichen Community Hall, Alichen under Mokokchung district.

A press release by SASRD stated that the training was held for 23 beneficiaries under NEC funded project on “promotion of low-chilling apple plantation in NER of India”.

Project in-charge, professor Akali Sema highlighted about the project and

stated that NEC has taken the initiative to promote the plantation of low chilling apple in various parts of NER of India including Nagaland.

She also encouraged the farmers to put their effort to carry through the project since this was the ever first time to introduce low chilling apple in Nagaland.

Co-project in-charge, Dr. Graceli. I.Yepthomi gave lecture and demonstration on the production technology and package of practices of low chilling apple var.

HRMN-99.

K Y M C

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NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Integrated Check Post to be in place in Mnp CM chalks plan for 100 days of new govt Tripura’s Sabroom by year-end: Official

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 26: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced his government’s action plan –‘100 action points for first 100 Days.’

The action points will provide momentum to the new government to serve the people effectively throughout the five years, Singh told reporters, after announcing the action plan at his secretariat today afternoon.

He said that the new government, in recognition of the trust of the people, aimed to strengthen citizencentric governance, fill gaps in critical infrastructure, frame policies for rapid economic growth, promote revenue generation, and strive for inclusive development of the entire state.

Reading out some main points from the 100 action points, Singh disclosed that a sub-division development monitoring mission would be launched for which designated “Prabhari Officers” would be appointed for regular monitoring and competitive ranking of progress.

Health camps would

Manipur CM N Biren Singh announcing ‘100 Action Points For First 100 Days’ in Imphal on Saturday.

be organized in each Block during the first 100 days, he added.

He maintained that eoffice would be introduced in all government offices.

The other important points included inauguration of solar power system for government health facilities in Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur; inauguration of paid private ward with 18 rooms in Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Sciences Imphal; distribution of benefits to 16,000 beneficiaries under Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme; inauguration of 16 Model Anganwadi Centres; distribution of benefits to 10,000

beneficiaries under CM Widows Pension Scheme; formulation of Rani Gaidinliu Nupi Singi Scheme to give Rs 25,000 incentive to girls from economically weaker sections and other backward sections.

Other main action points announced on the day were- inauguration of new Manipur Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri; installation of 50,000 prepaid power meters in the next 100 days; inauguration of ISBT at Sekmai, amusement cum children park at Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Churachandpur and Chandel; water and amusement park at Then-

Coal mining resumes at Tikak Colliery GUWAHATI, MAR 26 (PTI): Coal mining at North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) resumed on Saturday after Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the operations at Tikak Colliery in Assam’s Tinsukia district.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present on the occasion.

Mining operations at NEC, a unit of Coal India Limited (CIL), were halted due to environmentrelated issues in 2020.

The resumption of mining operations at Tikak Colliery is a very important step towards the development of the region, Joshi said.

“The coal quality of NEC is superior to those found in other parts and is in much demand by several domestic industries of the country”, he said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the Union Minister for his proactive initiatives for resuming mining operations at Tikak Colliery at Margherita.

With the restart of mining

operations at Tikak Colliery, the state government has fulfilled yet another promise made to the people during the last assembly election, Sarma said.

Highlighting that the Assam Government is committed to maintaining a balance between development and the environment, the chief minister said “ While operationalising Tikak Colliery, we have ensured that mining activities continue in sync with nature.

“Our government has extended all co-operation to Coal India Limited in resolving environmental and all other issues that had stalled the functioning of the North Eastern Coalfields”.

NEC presently operates in Tikak Colliery with two opencast projects (OCPs) namely Tikak OCP and Tikak Extension OCP with a combined coal production capacity of 4 lakh tonne per annum.

NEC will also start producing coal from its Tirap Open Cast Mine from 2022-23 fiscal with a target to produce 10 lakh tonne of the mineral per annum.

guchingjin, Imphal East; launch of Manipur Start-Up 2.0 with Corpus Fund of Rs 100 crores; and an expanded Greater Imphal Master Plan 2041.

Elaborating on subdivision development monitoring mission, the chief minister said that to ensure development reaches every person and village, the government is starting the mission.

“It will focus on transparent delivery of public services to the poorest of poor in the area, inclusive growth, speedy implementation of government programmes in letter and spirit, accessibility of administration to the people, and regular functioning of government offices in the sub-division,” he said.

Ranking of sub-divisions for performance against specified targets will also be developed. ‘Prabhari Officers’ for each subdivision will be designated from among IAS, IFS and MCS officers.

A Corpus Fund will also be created in the planning department to meet special needs of a sub-divi-

Assam: 3 NEEPCO employees killed after power plant turbine explosion DIPHU (ASSAM), MAR 26 (PTI): Three employees of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) were killed following a turbine explosion at its Khandang hydropower project in Assam’s Dima Hasao district on Saturday, officials said. The turbine exploded at the project site in Khandang in Umrangshu town, following which the entire area was flooded. Several trees were uprooted with a large one falling on three employees present at the site.

The employees, identified as site engineer Anupam Saikia, manager Jayanta Hazarika and another staffer Dimraj Johri, were critically injured and died on their way to the hospital, they said. Extensive damages were reported but the magnitude was yet to be ascertained, a NEEPCO official said. The exact cause of the explosion was yet to be ascertained although a section of officials suspect that heavy rainfall in neighbouring Meghalaya could have led to the entry of large amounts of water into the turbine, leading to the explosion.

Experts have rushed to the site and further investigation was underway.

sion which were otherwise not covered in any existing programme or project, he added. Moreover, development of one product for every sub-division would be focussed on, he added Singh further stated that the state government, with an aim towards making Manipur ‘corruptionfree’, had reconstituted the ‘Anti-Corruption Cell’ in the office of the chief minister.

The officer-in-charge of the ‘Cell’ will be an officer not below the rank of an administrative secretary.

Two other officers will be assigned to this cell- one not below the rank of deputy secretary and the other not below the rank of an additional superintendent of police.

He further said that the ‘Anti-Corruption Cell’ would receive and act on complaints of corruption against public servants, received from the general public.

The public can submit their complaints through multiple means, including ‘CM da Haisi platform, phone call, messages, written complaint etc.

Maitri Setu in Tripura

AG A RTA L A , M A R 26(PTI): The Integrated Check Post (ICP), a strategic project aimed at facilitating seamless trade and people’s movement with Bangladesh, in South Tripura’s Sabroom would be put in place by end of this year, an official of Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) said on Saturday.

The Centre has already sanctioned Rs. 250 crore to build the ICP to pave the way for trade and immigration with Bangladesh through Maitri Setu.

An amount of Rs. 91 crore has also been paid to the landowners for the ac-

quisition of 50 acres of land near Maitri Setu and civil works are going on in full swing at present, he said.

“As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we have set a target of completing the ICP work as much as possible by the end of this year. And we are working in this direction, “ the LPAI official said.

The ICP is considered a key project to make Sabroom, a border town of South Tripura district, a logistic hub for the Northeast region by using Chittagong port in Bangladesh. At present Haldia port in West Bengal is the only option to

bring logistics from outside the region, which escalates freight expense.

Though Maitri Setu was inaugurated one and half years ago, trade has not yet begun because a Land Custom Station (LCS) was not set up on the other side of river Feni in Bangladesh.

At present two ICPs are functioning in Tripura, one at Akhaura (Agartala) and the other at Sonamura in Sepahijala district. One more ICP at Nischintapur, the corridor of the IndoBangla railway project in West Tripura district, is under consideration of the Centre, the official said.

SC restrains Tripura Police from acting against students NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI): The Supreme Court has restrained Tripura Police from taking any action against four students who had posted on social media against the alleged communal violence in the state last year.

A bench of justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant passed the order in four separate petitions filed by these people and tagged all of them with the pending petitions in the matter.

“Pending further orders, there shall be a stay of further proceedings in Case No…dated November 3, 2021, West Agartala Police Station, Tripura,” the bench ordered on Friday.

Advocate Shar ukh Alam, appearing for the petitioners, said that notices under section 41A of CrPC have been sent to these four people, who are

The Supreme Court of India

students for their tweets on Tripura riots.

She submitted that the court had earlier protected several people for their similar action.

The bench said, “We will issue notice and tag these petitions and restrain the police from proceeding further.” It asked whether there is a common FIR against these four students to which Alam replied in affirmative.

On February 7, the

top court had pulled up Tripura Police for sending notices to people for social media posts over alleged communal violence in the state despite its interim restraining order.

It had war ned the counsel for the state that if Tripura Police does not refrain from harassing people, it will summon the Home Secretary and the police officials concerned.

The top court was then hearing a plea filed by

journalist Samiullah Shabbir Khan against a notice issued by the Tripura Police seeking his appearance under Section 41A (Notice of appearance before police officer) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The top court on January 10 had restrained Tripura Police from acting on its notice to Twitter Inc with regard to a journalist’s tweet about alleged communal violence in the state.

On November 17 last year, the top court had directed Tripura Police not to take any coercive action against the three civil society members, including a journalist, in connection with an FIR lodged under the harsh UAPA provisions against them for allegedly bringing facts through social media posts about targeted violence against the minority community in the state.

Man kills 2 children, wife escapes Congress takes out march to Meghalaya HC seeks report on people postpone Guwahati civic polls denied medical help during pandemic

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 26: In a tragic event reported in Manipur on Saturday morning, a 42-year-old man attempted suicide after allegedly murdering his two minor children at their house at Changangei under Lamphel police station of Imphal West district today morning, around 7.30 am. His wife however escaped the attempt to murder.

The man, Chingakham Murphy, was found with allegedly self-inflicted wounds on his neck and was rushed to RIMS hospital, Imphal.

Police said his condition was critical but stable.

His wife, Abesana who sustained injuries on her hands and abdomen in the alleged knife attack, was

admitted at Raj Medicity hospital. She was stable and out of danger, the police said. Lamphel police have registered a case against Chingakham Murphy for murder. They also retrieved the lifeless bodies of his two children-a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son – and transferred them to RIMS morgue for necessary post-mortem.

Quoting family and local sources, police said that the incident came to light when the wife who escaped from her husband’s knife attack cried for help.

When they rushed to the bedroom, the family members and neighbours found the two children lying dead in a pool of blood on the bed while the man was lying on the ground

with severe neck injuries.

He might have attempted to cut his throat with the same knife he attacked his wife and children. Police suspected that the man killed his four-year-old daughter by hitting her on the head with a hammer and his son was stabbed on the stomach.

A bloodstain hammer and a knife were recovered from the room during police spot investigation. As narrated by family members, the man is a mechanic serving in the National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC) at Leimatak and a habitual drinker. They said he would harass his wife and children whenever he was drunk and had warned them not to go out of the room that day and told them that they would leave in the evening.

GUWAHATI, MAR 26 (PTI): The opposition Congress on Saturday took out a march to the election office here, demanding that the date of Guwahati Municipal Corporation polls, scheduled to be held on April 19, be postponed as it coincided with Rongali Bihu, the most important festival in the state.

The march that commenced from Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) was stopped at a distance from the office of the State Election Commission, which lay shut as officials were on weekend leave.

Led by the par ty’s state unit president Bhupen Borah, Congress activists

condemned the “irrational decision” to hold GMC elections amid the Bihu festival before handing over a memorandum to the police in this matter for submission to the state election commission. Leader of opposition in Assembly Debabrata Saikia and Congress working president Jakir Hussain Sikdar were among those who took part in the rally.

“Rongali Bihu reflects the cultural identity of every Assamese. For the last two years, people were not able to celebrate the festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is, therefore, very insensitive on the part of the authorities to hold elections during the festival,” Borah added.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, MAR 26: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to compile a “comprehensive report, backed by figures” on the number of people denied medical assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hearing a PIL filed by women’s rights activist Agnes Kharshiing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice, Wanlura Diengdoh, directed the State government time to submit the report before the court

by March 31.

In her petition, Kharshiing argued that several would-be mothers or

Northeast Frontier Railway holds meeting with Tripura officials MALIGAON, MAR 26 (AGENCIES): Senior officials from the Lumding division of Northeast Frontier Railway ( NFR) organised meetings with the Tripura government officials of the Gomati district and West Tripura district on March 24, 2022 to discuss cheaper transportation solution for produces of Tripura.

A press release by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer ( CPRO) (Sabyasachi De stated that the meeting in Gomati was held at the Conference Hall of the district headquarter, Udaipur. 14 people participated, including ADM(G), Gomati district Pankaj Chakraborty, of-

Members of NFR with Tripura state officials.

ficials from Rubber Board, forest department, fisheries department, horticulture department and merchants.

Area manager, Badarpur of NFR gave a presentation on various schemes of freight and parcel business

offered by Indian Railways for the benefit of various stakeholders. During the post presentation discussion, K.H. Nassar, Dy. Rubber Production Commissioner (I/C), Rubber Board, Udaipur informed

that 15,645 metric tons of rubber were produced in Gomati District of Tripura last year, and as per demand, some portion is being transported by roadways to places like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Delhi and Goa. The meeting in West Tripura district was held at Agartala on the same day. Officials from department of agriculture, fisheries, rubber board and merchants apart from the ADM of the district were present in the discussion.

After the presentation by the N.F. Railway officials, inputs were given by SArunabha Majumdar, GM, Manimalayar Rubber Pvt. Ltd., wherein he informed

that last year total rubber production in Tripura State was 90714 MT and is likely to cross 1 lakh MT this year.

Gopal Malla,Dy. director, horticulture, Government of Tripura informed that Tripura has a potential of transporting 10 metric tons of pineapple per week. And such items can be transported through refrigerated container because of lesser shelf life.

The NFR officials informed about various activities and facilities available for improvement of the local economy by providing cheaper mode of transportation through railways. Railway is also the most eco-friendly mode

of transportation. Handling of goods traffic, feasibility for transportation of automobile traffic and other commodities and their benefit were thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

NFR informed all present in the meeting that farmers can transport their agricultural produce directly to all parts of the country through Kisan Rail services and that 50% subsidy is being provided on transportation of fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail. It was also informed that Railways is providing various incentive and subsidy related schemes to make parcel business more customer-friendly.

mothers with infants-in-arms or neo-natals requiring urgent medical attention were turned away from Government hospitals or health-care centre’s during the pandemic. “It is submitted on behalf of the State that the figures relied upon by the petitioner have been obtained pursuant to information relayed by the State under the Right to Information Act, 2005,” the bench said.

However the figures may not be accurate, the state government said in its counter argument. The State government has suggested during the initial period of the pandemic between the end of March and July, 2020,” it was the fear of the

pandemic that may have prevented most people from stepping out and seeking medical assistance. “ However, the bench observed that no data has been provided by the state government to substantiate its claims on the availability of hospital beds for delivery cases and the like during the relevant period.

“The State should get back with a comprehensive report, backed by figures, when the matter appears next on March 31, 2022,” the order said, adding,”some form of package for those cases where lives may have been lost” due to want of medical facilities can also be considered.

BEFORE THE MEMBER

MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

MAC CASE No. 64/2007 Shri. Hotoshe Achumi & 5 Ors. ....Petitioner/ Claimant -VERSUSShri. Hekuto Sumi & 2 Ors. ....Opposite Parties

To, 1. Shri. Hobibur Rahman, (Driver of Auto Rickshaw B/R No. NL-07/F-1927) C/o Shri. Hekuto Sumi, Purana Bazar, Dimapur, Nagaland.

Whereas Shri. Hotoshe Achumi & 5 Ors. has instituted a compensation claim case against you for a sum of Rs. 6,18,000/(Rupees Six Lacs Eighteen Thousand) only.

You are hereby summoned to appear before this Court in person or through pleader duly instructed and able to answer all material questions relating to the claim case on 08th day of April' 2022 at 10:00 O' Clock without fail.

Take notice that in default of your appearance on the date mentioned, the claim will be heard and determined/taken up ex-parte in you absence.

Given under my hand and seal of the Court of this 25th day of Feb' 2022.

MEMBER, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Dimapur : Nagaland dp-1386/22

5

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Birbhum killings: Bogtui turns ghost town

BOGTUI (WB), MAR 26 (PTI): An eerie silence pervades Bogtui, where eight people were burnt alive earlier this week.

The village near Rampurhat town in West Bengal’s Birbhum has become a ghost town as many residents have fled to unknown locations fearing the cycle of violence which started with the killing of local TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh and led to the carnage which shocked the whole country.

Not only have most residents of Purbapara, where the killings took place in the early hours of Tuesday, left their houses in a hurry, even those of neighbouring Paschimpara and Mayerpara hamlets in the village have also followed suit. The only staterun school in the locality is also nearly empty while the Anganwadi lies vacant with unbolted doors.

Locked doors welcome the many journalists, officials and policemen, who have invaded the village. A peep into the

into our dwellings on hearing a mob approaching Sonu’s house and hurling bombs. After that, I don’t know anything,” he said.

His three sons have gone into hiding with their families and are still “unwilling to return home”.

Alam also welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s handing over the probe into the carnage to the Central

Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“This may help the investigation,” he said.

A huge police contingent is guarding at least 15 houses in the village, which has a population of around 7,000.

Mumtaz Begum, owner of the only stationery shop open in Purbapara, echoed Alam.

CBI reaches Bogtui, starts probe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers with CFSL team investigate near the house where eight people were burnt alive, at Bogtui village. (PTI)

charred houses, through broken window panes reveal the condition in which the escapees fled their dwellings occupied for generations.

Utensils lie hitherthither on the floor, clothing hang on ropes and uncooked vegetables lie scattered in the courtyard of Saddam Sheikh’s house.

This hastily left behind house is next door to that of Sonu Sheikh whose house was burnt down and

from where seven charred bodies were found.

Neighbouring houses of Rezaul Sheikh, Babar Alam, Pintu Sheikh, Nur Sheikh and Saddam Ali Mollah were found locked despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the village on March 24, assuring them of full security.

The only woman seen in the vicinity cooking food is the wife of Sahe Alam Sheikh, a maternal uncle of Sonu Sheikh.

“We have no idea where they have fled to.

They did not have any other option. Even my sons are not here. They are staying at my relative’s place outside the village,” Sahe Alam Sheikh told PTI. An eyewitness to the carnage, Alam, however, remained tight-lipped about the incident.

“I can only say that it was a revenge killing. We have seen everything from inside our houses. We ran

RAMPURHAT (WB), MAR 26 (PTI): A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reached Bogtui village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district on Saturday and started its investigation into the violence that claimed eight lives earlier this week.

Unidentified people had on March 21 set 10 houses on fire in the village, killing at least eight people, including women and children.

The CBI team, consisting of around 20 members, went inside the house where charred bodies of

seven people were found.

“We are starting the investigation today. We have to conduct the probe on a war-footing as we have a deadline to meet,” the CBI official told PTI. Sleuths of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL), a unit of the CBI, also visited the gutted houses and started collecting samples.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday handed over the investigation into the Birbhum killings to the CBI and set a deadline of April 7 to submit its progress report.

Uttar Pradesh extends free ration scheme by 3 months

LUCKNOW, MAR 26 (PTI): In the first major decision of the Yogi Adityanath government 2.0 in Uttar Pradesh, the state cabinet decided on Saturday to extend the free ration scheme initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic by three more months.

The programme was to expire in March. A total of 15 crore people are benefiting from the programme in the state, Adityanath said.

Under the scheme, people will continue to get pulses, salt, sugar etc., along with foodgrains, for the next three months.

The scheme of free ration distribution is believed to have had a tremendous impact in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. “During the COVID-19 period, the prime minister had started the Pradhan Mantri Anna Yojana for every citizen, benefitting 80 crore people of the country and 15 crore people of Uttar Pradesh,”

Adityanath told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

“The state government had also started a scheme on its own for the ‘antyodaya’ beneficiaries and the eligible households from April 2020,” he said.

Under the scheme, the “antyodaya” families were getting 35 kg of foodgrains and the eligible households were getting foodgrains at the rate of five kg per unit.

Along with this, the state government had also provided one kg of pulses, one kg of refined oil and one kg of iodised salt to each family, the chief minister said, adding that one kg of sugar was also being provided to the “antyodaya” families.

He said the scheme was only till March 2022 and the cabinet has decided to continue it for the next three months. The “doubleengine” government has always stood by the people, Adityanath said, adding that even during the Covid period, not only free treatment, but free vaccines were also made available to them.

Cong gen secretaries, state Only properties of those who wilfully harbour Kejriwal govt unveils five-year plan to in-charges meet in Delhi militants will be attached: JK Police clarifies create 20 lakh new job opportunities

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders at a meeting at the AICC headquarters, in New Delhi. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI): Congress general secretaries and party incharges of various states met on Saturday to discuss the party’s membership drive and the current political situation.

Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal chaired the meeting at the party headquarters here and discussed the progress of the ongoing membership drive and future agitational programmes.

Among prominent

leaders of the party who attended the meeting were Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Oomen Chandy, Mukul Wasnik, Tariq Anwar, Randeep Surjewala, Ajay Maken and treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The meeting comes in the wake of the party’s humiliating defeat in the recent Assembly elections held in five states.The agenda for the meeting was the party’s special membership drive and organisational elections, besides planning of agitational programmes.

SRINAGAR, MAR 26 (PTI): Days after warning that properties of people providing shelter to militants or their associates will be attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said action will be taken only if the house owner “wilfully harboured terrorists” and there was no duress.

However, the police said, the onus of proving duress is on the house owner.

In a statement, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Srinagar Rakesh Balwal said there has been misinformation, rumours floated by certain quarters about information provided by Srinagar Police on initiation of attachment of properties used for terrorism purpose.

It is clarified that Srinagar Police is well aware of the difference between wilful harbouring of terrorists and one done under

duress, he said.

“The attachments being done are for properties where it has been proved beyond doubt that the house owner/member had wilfully provided shelter/ harboured terrorists, in most cases for days together and that it was not done under any duress whatsoever,” the SSP said.

The attachment proceedings always come after investigation procedures in any case are at advanced stage, he said.

Balwal said some people, out of ignorance, were trying to portray it as some kind of forced enforcement, “but it is a fact that Sections 2(g) and 25 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 have been in vogue since decades and these are not some recent additions as claimed by some rumour mongers”.

The decision regarding enforcement of these sections of law is due to the fact that many supporters

of terrorism are wilfully providing harbour and safe havens to terrorists who conduct attacks on civilians and security forces in Srinagar city, he said.

The SSP, however, said that on the “issue of so called ‘forceful entry’ of terrorists into any house or other structure, the house owner or any other member claiming duress should timely inform the authorities about the same, as many provisions for hiding identity of such informant are available under law”.

“The onus always lies on the house owner/ member to prove duress by informing the authorities well in time that there is/ was forceful entry of terrorists into his/her house,” he added.

“We also request citizens not to provide shelter or harbour terrorists in their homes or immovable properties, failing which lawful procedures will take their own course in full letter and spirit,” Balwal said.

Uniform Civil Code DMK warns TN BJP chief with legal action for remarks against Stalin need of the hour: Giriraj

C H E N NA I , M A R 2 6 (PTI): The ruling DMK on Saturday demanded Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai to tender an unconditional public apology to Chief Minister M K Stalin immediately and also pay Rs 100 crore as damages to the chief minister’s relief fund for allegedly making “false, frivolous, vile and scandalous” remarks against Stalin.

The Dravidian major threatened to sue Annamalai if he failed to comply with the legal notice served on him by DMK’s organising secretary R S Bharathi through the senior advocate

K Annamalai

P Wilson.

The notice, a copy of which was made available to the media here, asked the BJP state president to “cease and desist from making defamatory statements against the DMK president and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.” In the notice,

Bharathi claimed the former IPS officer, who heads the BJP unit, had made “several vile, scandalous, malicious and false allegations” against the Chief Minister regarding his current trip to the United Arab Emirates to attend the Dubai Expo 2022 to attract foreign investment into the state.

Annamalai has been making constant attempts to defame, scandalise and tarnish the reputation of the DMK president, and other leaders and members of the party, as the BJP was unable to make a mark in the elections, Bharathi claimed.

PATNA, MAR 26 (PTI): Union minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday called for bringing in a uniform civil code. The Minister who pointed to moves by Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to bring in a uniform civil code, said it was a step in the right direction.

“Now Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has …taken a very good step. There should be a uniformity of law across the country,” Singh said referring to the setting up of a committee in the BJP-ruled hill

state based on the recommendations of which a uniform civil code may be introduced. Earlier too in February Singh had called for bringing in a common civil code soon after the hijab controversy had broken out, terming it as the need of the hour.

The Union minister who represents Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in Bihar also iterated allegations of “persecution of Hindus” in his constituency and expressed anguish over recent protests by JD(U), here, where his effigies were burnt.

Denial to non-Hindu traders on temple premises spreads in K’taka

BENGALURU, MAR 26 (PTI): The issue regarding denial of permission for non-Hindu traders and vendors to carry out business during annual temple fairs and religious events Karnataka has now spread to different parts of the state, after it originated from Udupi.

Initially, banners were placed during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival in Udupi district, stating that non-Hindu vendors and traders should not be allowed entry.

Thereafter similar banners were also displayed at Padubidri temple festival, and also at a couple of temples in Dakshina Kannada district.

Incidentally, the Maari

Banners at the annual Kaup Marigudi festival in Udupi district forbidding Muslims from carrying out business.

Gudi temple management had heeded the request of certain pro-Hindu organisations on the matter.

Some Hindu activists have submitted memoran-

da to officials in different parts of the state in this regard, citing rules framed in 2002 to Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments

act, 1997.

On Saturday, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) Mysuru unit submitted a memorandum to Muzrai (Endowment) department officials asking them not to permit non-Hindu traders for business during annual temple fairs and religious events, and to not allow them from participating in any tenders relating to the shrines.

It also requested the officials to look into shops given to Muslim traders near the famous Chamundashwari temple in Mysuru and take necessary action.

Hindu activists have said that the move is in retaliation to Muslims recently supporting a bandh

against the Kar nataka High Court verdict on the hijab issue. This showed their disregard for the law of the land and the judicial system in India, they said.

A three-member bench of the HC had dismissed petitions by some girls from Udupi who had demanded that hijab should be permitted inside the educational institutions where there is a uniform dress code.

Similar incidents of memorandum being submitted by Hindu activists or banners near temples regarding not allowing non Hindu traders have been reported from Mandya, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru and Hassan, among other places, sources said.

Manish Sisodia with Arvind Kejriwal before presenting the annual budget 2022-23 in Delhi Assembly, Saturday(PTI)

development of non-conforming industrial areas.

It aims to create 1.5 lakh employment opportunities by the redevelopment of retail markets, three lakh through virtual Delhi Bazar portal, one lakh through artificial intelligence-based app ‘Rozgar Bazar’, 60,000 by implementing ‘Food Truck’ policy, 42,000 through Cloud kitchen, one lakh through green initiatives, and 25,000 with the launch of smart urban farming, among other areas.

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 on Saturday, targets the (PTI): The Delhi govern- creation of six lakh job ment on Saturday unveiled opportunities through the its five-year plan to create 20 lakh new employment opportunities, identifying retail, food and beverages, logistic and supply chain, travel and tourism, enter- NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister tainment, construction, Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday attacked the BJP for “doreal estate and green en- ing politics” over Kashmiri Pandits’ exodus, asking ergy sectors as job creators. how many of them the party had been able to relocate It has been estimated to the valley. He also again suggested that the film, ‘The that Rs 4,500 crore will be Kashmir Files’, should be uploaded on YouTube and required for the implemen- proceeds so far earned from it should be spent on the tation of policies for creat- welfare of Kashmiri Pandits.

“Was a single Kashmiri Pandit family relocated ing the jobs in five years and allocated Rs 800 crore to valley by BJP in last 8 yrs?” Kejriwal asked the BJP. “BJP is doing politics over the issue. We demand for 2022-23.

The ‘Rozgar Budget’ ‘The Kashmir Files’ film to be uploaded on YouTube. for 2022-23 presented by The money earned from it should be spent on welfare the Arvind Kejriwal gov- of Kashmiri Pandits,” he said during the post budget ernment in the Assembly press conference.

‘How many Kashmiri Pandits relocated in 8 years’, Kejriwal asks BJP

No. IRCSN/Secy/Adm/11/1/22/38

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6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

VOL. XXXII NO. 110 DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

D

Valley of fire

zükou valley never fails to hog the headlines – be wildfires that have ravaged thousands of acres of pristine grasslands and unique flora and fauna or the perennial fiery problem between Manipur and Nagaland over claims and counterclaims of the world renowned nature trove. The valley borders a region of old-growth forest, and is home to several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the Dzüko Lily (Lilium mackliniae) and the Blyth’s tragopan, which is the state bird of Nagaland. A number of other rare species are also found here, including several rhododendron species, plants such as the aconita nagaram, and fauna including the Asian golden cat, the Hollock Gibbon, the Dzuko Valley horned toad (Megophrys dzukou), several species of leopard including the clouded leopard, the Asiatic black bear, the capped langur, the stump-tailed macaque, and the serow.

Recently the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) imposed a blockade in protest against the deployment of security personnel from Manipur inside. The blockade began on March 21 and later extended indefinitely from March 23 affecting vehicular movement along the highway between Nagaland and Manipur. According to SAPO, the bandh was precipitated by the action of the Manipur government in deploying its armed police personnel inside Nagaland. The Manipur government has refuted the charges by reasserting that its police forces were deployed in already existing structures within the state’s boundary. This is also not the first time that the issue had spilled over into a blockade. People of Southern Angami area under Nagaland and Mao and Maram people in Manipur are contesting claims over parts of Dzükou valley including Kezoltsa/Koziirii. In this regard, the contending parties are Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) of Nagaland, and Mao Council and Maram Khullen of Manipur. Blockades had also taken place in the past too. Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) imposed a total economic blockade on the Mao community within Southern Angami territory in 2010. The blockade was enforced in protest against alleged claim by the Maos over the ancestral Kezoltsa area in Dzükou valley.

The issue was also highlighted by the blockade in 2015. It may also be recalled that the Tenyimi Public Organisation (TPO) had reiterated that the issue involved two communities having traditional bonds and therefore, it ought to be discussed and resolved through customary practices. Manipur government insists that the matter ought to be discussed with the government of Nagaland. When the matter was reportedly under process of being pursued by the TPO as per its decision, it would be only right that none of the states or even tribes on both sides of the border, do anything to disturb the situation. The two state governments should instead, only play the role of catalysts for peace and promote better understanding on how to jointly utilise the nature trove to benefit the communities. If communities agree to develop the area to its fullest potential then there should be no time or inclination for conflicts. Like the TPO had stated, the nature trove belongs to the people and should remain that way for posterity to inherit.

DailyDevotion Spiritual Vision Through Personal Purity

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. —Matthew 5:8 Purity is not innocence— it is much more than that. Purity is the result of continued spiritual harmony with God. We have to grow in purity. Our life with God may be right and our inner purity unblemished, yet occasionally our outer life may become spotted and stained. God intentionally does not protect us from this possibility, because this is the way we recognize the necessity of maintaining our spiritual vision through personal purity. If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right. Remember that spiritual vision depends on our character— it is “the pure in heart” who “see God.” God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our “inner sanctuary” be kept right with God, but also the “outer courts” must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our “outer court” is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.

A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”

Quotes

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. ~ Albert Einstein

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

A day to raise the importance of theatre arts The theater has been one of the most popular forms of entertainment since the Greeks, and the acting industry today is a hard but potentially prosperous career. If you have ever been in theater or seen a live show, you know how fun theater can be. It may seem like a dying industry due to the movie industry taking its role, but for those who love the art of theater, then you should know about World Theater day! Let’s find out about this special holiday and celebrate it!

Learn about World Theater Day World Theater Day has been created to pay tribute to this incredible form of entertainment. People have enjoyed going to the theater for many years now. It is a great way to spend time with loved ones and to witness live entertainment. There is just something magical about the theater, isn’t there?

History of World Theater Day

March 27 is World Theater Day

Initiated in 1961 by the International theater Institute (ITI), each year theaters across the world celebrate the value and importance of theater, and this holiday acts as a wake-up call for governments, politicians, and institutions to see its value to society and for economic growth. ITI also host a yearly message, spoken by a chosen famous theater performer, to share their reflections on the art of theater and its future.

The first of those messages were spoken by Jean Cocteau in 1962.

This message is translated into over 50 languages, read for thousands of spectators, and printed in hundreds of newspapers.

It also spreads the message by broadcast to all corners of the world through their institutions. Because ITI has over 90 centers throughout the world, the institute also encourages colleges, schools, and theater professionals to celebrate this holiday as well.

The date of this holiday also corresponds with the opening of the Theater

of Nations season in Paris.

The goals of this holiday, according to ITI, is to promote theater in all corners of the world, bring awareness to the value of theater in all its forms, to help promote local theater communities on a broader scale, and to share the love of theater with others.

How to Celebrate World Theater Day While many of the celebrations happen at ITI locations, it doesn’t mean you can’t join them. You can contact and coordinate it with the ITI Centre or Cooperating Member in their country or region to participate. You can also read/ hear the message of their chosen speaker and spread it across social media using the hashtag #worldtheaterday.

If you want to do something of your own, visit your local theater and support them by donating to their affiliated organizations and maybe buy tickets to see some of their hosted concerts. You can even join a theater program and learn

music and acting in your local area. It’s lots of fun and you can even encourage your friends to join in on the action and make it a group activity.

One show that we recommend is Top Hat. If you can’t watch it at a theater near you, you can always watch the film! Irving Berlin is deemed one of the greatest ever songwriters in American history by a lot of people.

The composer and lyricist lived a long and colourful life and the world was lucky enough to be blessed by his phenomenal talent.

When he passed away in 1989, at the grand age of 101, his legacy certainly did not die. Many still celebrate his achievements today and there is no better example of this then Top Hat the Musical. Top Hat the Musical achieved massive success. A lot of this success has derived from the incorporation of Berlin’s music. After all, he did write the original songs that were incorporated in the 1935 original film featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger

Rodgers.

In fact, this is deemed to be one of his most notable and loved works. Two of the songs – ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and ‘Top Hat, White Tie and Tails’ – are now considered to be American classics. If you are looking for a great sing-a-long you are assured to love the musical version of Top Hat. It doesn’t matter whether you have seen the original or not. And don’t worry; the show is not merely about songs, the plot is fantastic and really funny too!

Or, what about We Will Rock You? One of the main reasons why this show created such a buzz is because of the fact that it incorporates an array of well-known and well-loved Queen songs.

This is what immediately draws people to go to see the musical in the first place.

Yet, once the reviews started pouring in people discovered that there was a lot more to this show than having a sing-a-long to the hits from the world-famous rock band.

And so those who are

not even a fan of Queen started to go and see the show and they were as equally as impressed as the biggest Queen admirers were. Belting out iconic tunes by Freddie Mercury and co is by no means an easy challenge. Yet the cast does it to perfection.

They have embodied the big anthem feel that Queen has with all of their songs and they manage to get the whole theaters and arenas rocking. When taking on such massive songs quite often it is easy to fall short, but it’s definitely not the case when it comes to this rocking musical.

And finally, for those of you who think talent shows are ruining the music industry, you will definitely love the plot of this show. It follows a world whereby rock has been killed and commercialized pop music runs riot.

Many would say that we are not far off from this happening in the current day. Yet, it’s unlikely that all humans will have ID cards rather than names anytime soon – as they do in the musical.

Indian banks found wanting on the climate change challenge and green transition

I

ndia’s energy transition is underway, but is India’s banking sector ready to address related challenges and tackle the financial impacts of climate change? A new report says major Indian banks are “unprepared” to address climate change even though the country’s banking sector has a critical role to play in responding to the climate crisis by “managing the risks that climate change poses to their operations” and “financing the energy transition”.

The report, Unprepared: India’s big banks score poorly on climate challenge released earlier this month by think tank Climate Risk Horizons (CRH), ranks the 34 biggest banks in the country (based on market capitalisation) and finds that barring a few, most Indian banks have not even begun to factor climate change into their business strategies even as the “rosiest projections indicate significant economic challenges for the Indian economy”.

It highlighted that so far “there has been little information in the public domain to gauge the way the sector is preparing itself ”.

The report said Indian banks need to “build their capabilities to undertake scenario analyses that test their resilience to climate-related changes, either due to physical risks caused by the climate crisis, or transition risks caused by economic changes in response to the climate crisis”.

According to the report, besides a “few notable exceptions”, the bulk of India’s banking sector “has not even started to put in place the most rudimentary mechanism to address the climate threat.”

“The fact that even large, media-savvy public and private sector institutions such as SBI (State Bank of India), Union Bank, ICICI Bank, etc., are performing so badly should be extremely worrying for investors, and something that the

regulators (the Reserve Bank of India and the SEBI) must address,” it noted.

The report said YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank are the top-ranking Indian banks overall and have started to consider the climate issue while noting that public sector giant SBI is in distant 6th place. In general, the ranking shows that public sector banks, despite their influence and dominance, are lagging behind private-sector financial institutions, the study says.

It highlighted that only seven Indian banks have policies that “exclude lending/services to entities credibly involved in deforestation, human rights violations, and biodiversity loss, etc.” and “only two banks have excluded new financing for coal mines and coal power plants”. The report, however, acknowledged that on the positive side, “27 banks have issued green loans/bonds/financing towards climate change mitigation/ adaptation”.

Ashish Fernandes, CEO of Climate Risk Horizons and one of the authors of the report, said the “main point is that the Indian financial system is so far lagging when it comes to adapting to the climate crisis” as a result of which “there is the risk of significant financial impacts to stakeholders (financial institutions, companies, investors and by extension the economy at large)”.

“And there is the other side of the coin, which is that the necessary transition to a low carbon economy will be delayed, again with both physical and financial impacts,” he told Mongabay-India.

Asked about the risk to the investments due to this, Fernandes said “any new fossil fuel investments going forward, especially coal, and in a short order new oil and gas as well, would pose a risk … but there are also other infra-

structure projects that are at risk – example, coastal roads, large dams, developments in floodplains”.

He emphasised that “banks need to have a transition plan for their investment portfolio that takes this reality on board” considering the reality that “India has to wean itself off all fossil fuels over the coming 2-3 decades.”

What the report talks about the transition is also in line with what a recent report by a committee of India’s parliament wanted when it suggested to the government of India to consider imposing a “Renewable Finance Obligation for banks and financial institutions” to ensure they invest a specific percentage of their investment in the renewable energy sector.

The CRH report observed that some international banks have taken a sector-based decarbonisation approach in assessing their climate-related risks, “by using climate transition scenarios to cover oil and gas, power generation/utilities, transportation and metals and mining sectors.”

“Examples of this approach are Caixa Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, Danske Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), KBC Group, UBS, Banco Bradesco, and ABN AMRO,” said the report.

India needs to set a clear target for phasing out fossil fuel investments The CRH report notes that India has adopted aggressive targets for renewable energy, rooftop and agricultural solar, electrification of transport and green hydrogen for the industry and thus meeting these targets will be essential to deliver India’s larger climate neutrality goals. “Banking institutions need to disclose the levels of financing for these and other climate mitigation and adaptation sectors,” said the report.

It said India’s current goal of carbon neutrality by 2070 implies

that ‘easier to transition’ sectors (electricity, transport, industrial power) must start moving now, and make rapid progress.

The report stressed that setting clear target dates to phase out fossil fuel investments and exposure to high carbon sectors is key to “managing longer-term financial impacts as the global economy decarbonises” because without a clear strategy in place “raising global capital will increasingly become more difficult (and probably more expensive)”.

In fact, in the March 2022 bulletin, the Reserve Bank of India, while talking about the “Green Transition risks to Indian banks”, says that “transition to a net-zero carbon emission target will entail adjustment in the production processes of industries that are directly or indirectly exposed to excessive use of fossil fuel” and “concomitantly, due to the exposure of Indian banks to these industries, there can be spillover effects on them.”

The central bank of India observes that three sectors with direct exposure to fossil fuels – electricity, chemicals, and automobiles – account for around 24 percent of credit to the overall industrial sector, but only 10 percent of total outstanding non-retail bank credit, which implies a limited spillover to the banking system. “Several other industries, however, indirectly use fossil fuels and therefore any transition to green energy can have implications for their income … therefore, the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of such industries may be sensitive to green energy transition, and their impact on overall banking system need to be monitored closely,” the RBI bulletin held.

On the role of India’s central bank, Fernandes said it seems that the “RBI is slowly waking up to this issue”.

Less corruption, more jobs, that’s the need of the hour

A

“It has signalled that it will be communicating with banks on this, but we are yet to see any concrete action or regulations. Obviously, the faster the RBI can move on this, the better,” he said.

The CRH report said the RBI has not yet issued any climaterelated guidelines on assessing or managing these risks for scheduled and commercial banks, though, according to the 2022 Economic Survey, the banking regulator is in the process of assessing banks’ progress in managing climate risks.

Meanwhile, Sonali Gokhale, a renewable energy sector finance specialist, who is with Pune-based Prayas, an organisation working on energy issues, explained that “currently, India’s banking sector is saddled with a legacy of nonperforming loans from various sectors, of which the power sector is a large contributor.”

“The resolution of the fundamental, often interconnected issues in the sector are rightfully the policy priority for the regulators. However, recently there have been steps taken by RBI & SEBI to initiate discourse on the greening of financial systems in the form of consultative papers and research,” she told Mongabay-India.

“RBI has also joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) as a Member on April 23, 2021, and is understood to be in the process of publishing a consultative discussion paper to assess climate risks for its regulated entities. We expect that in due course of time, appropriate frameworks for climate risk assessment will be developed by regulators in line with India’s financial markets’ maturity and future growth plans,” Gokhale said.

Mayank Aggarwal (As published in Mongabay India)

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s the spread of Corona TeamLease Digital, 12 million dealing posts. This step of proved to be effective for invirus is subsiding, eco- new jobs will be created in CM Bhagwant Mann is be- creasing recruitment are IT, nomic activities are the engineering, telecom and ing appreciated. Seeing this Software, Retail and Telecom. gaining momentum across healthcare sectors during this policy change, preparations Along with this, the growth India, which fuels hope for period. Employment oppor- are on to check corruption was 29 percent in the pharmaa better tomorrow. Slowly tunities in these sectors are in the neighboring Haryana ceutical industry, 10 percent but surely physical events expected to grow at the rate state as well. A high power in medicine and healthcare, and programs are being held of 27 percent per annum as committee was constituted at 8 percent in oil and gas, 8 and job opportunities have these sectors are undergoing the administrative level which percent in insurance, 7 percent Sir, On Friday, as I was travelling in an auto started showing up. Most transformation. At present, would investigate cases of in fast consumer goods and rickshaw, an ambulance was driving at speed 2 percent in manufacturing. of the people are now work- 42 million people have got corruption up to 10 millions ing from their offices. There employment in these sectors. rupees. Under this, arrange- The graph of new recruitment and usually in this scenario, anyone with comare very few people who are Meanwhile, the Aam ments are being made for in IT Jobs is continuously mon sense would give way to the ambulance, on work from home (WFH) Aadmi Party (AAP), which investigation up to the division increasing. In the first week however, even though the auto drivers cleared mode right now. As a result of came to power in Punjab by level. There is a need to take of January, major companies their way for the ambulance, some of the cars this, there has been a decline promising to eradicate cor- swift action in cases of corrup- like Accenture, Dell, Oracle, did not care to clear their way.

It’s disappointing to see how some of these in the quarterly earnings of ruption from the government tion, as it harms the economy IBM, Genpact, Salesforce offered more than 70 thou- vehicles do not understand the full implications Zoom , a video conferencing offices, has started taking and society like termites. company. Zoom’s business baby steps in this direction, Despite the third wave sand new recruitments. It is of an ambulance driving in emergency mode.

Its general code of ethics on road when grew only 21 percent between which is a welcome step. The of Covid, the first month of estimated that in the current you see a flashing light or hear a siren of any financial year, the number of November 2021 and January old records of IAS, IPS, PCS this year was good in terms of emergency vehicle and if they are behind you, new recruits in India’s top 2022, compared to 191 percent and PPS level officers of the employment and recruitment. growth in its business in the state government are being According to the Jobseek 10 IT companies like Info- you must slow down your vehicle and even better same period last year. It is checked. In the next two index, there was a 41 percent sys, Wipro, TCS, HCL, Tech to slowly pull over. Under Section 194(E) of the estimated that in the next five weeks, a list of such tainted year-on-year growth in recruit- Mahindra and Mind Tree will amended MV Act clearly states that any motorist failing to provide free passage to emergency years, the demand for techni- officers will be prepared, who ments in January. In January reach 5 lakh. services vehicles like fire brigade or ambulance Narvijay Yadav is a senior cally skilled employees will be have been involved in any kind last year, this index was at more in the job market. Ac- of corruption. The tainted of- 1925, which reached 2,716 journalist and columnist. He on the road can be fined Rs 10,000.

Amen Jamir, Rangapahar, Dimapur. cording to an HR firm called ficers will not be given public this year. The sectors which tweets at @NarvijayYadav Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Giving way for ambulances

Victory in polls shows people’s trust in PM: Shah GANDHINAGAR, MAR 26 (PTI): The BJP’s “massive” victory in four states is the testimony to the acceptance of policies and projects undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India safe, prosperous and powerful, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Saturday.

Shah also said Congress is virtually finished in these four states- UP, Goa, Manipur, and Uttarakhand.

The Union minister was addressing a gathering at Bhoyan Moti village where he launched and laid the foundation stones for Rs 22-crore worth projects for 34 villages in his Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat.

“The victory in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand showed the trust that people have in the leadership of the prime minister,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Shah inaugurated Gujarat’s first Audiology Speech Language Pathology College and a Diet Center at Ahmedabad’s Sola civil hospital, making Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets medical students at Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Saturday. (PTI)

the fifth state in the country to start such an institution.

Shah said he was visiting his Lok Sabha constituency after a long time as he was busy campaigning and managing elections in the five states of which BJP won and formed governments in four states.

“And in all these four states, Congress is finished, it is nowhere to be seen. The massive victory reflects the trust that the people of India have in the leadership of Narendrabhai (Modi),” he said.

“This massive win of BJP shows the acceptance of the policies and programmes of the government

under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The massive victory is the stamp of approval by the public on the campaign undertaken

by Narendrabhai to make India safe, prosperous and powerful,” Shah said.

He said Modi, as chief minister of Gujarat, had always worked tirelessly for “all-encompassing, allinclusive development that touched everyone and across all the regions”.

“Modi cared about the health of all sections including the poor, farmer, or the factory worker,” Shah said while launching a cancer awareness campaign.

Somaiya dares Uddhav to save resort ‘linked’ to minister Parab

Devp will be carried out without politics: Gadkari

MUMBAI, MAR 26 (PTI): BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Saturday challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to save an `illegally constructed’ resort in Dapoli town, allegedly linked to state minister Anil Parab, from getting demolished.

As Somaiya, a former MP, arrived at Dapoli in the coastal Ratnagiri district vowing to pull down the resort, district police issued a notice to him in a bid to prevent a law and order situation.

Parab, who holds the transport portfolio and is considered to be close to chief minister Thackeray, has already denied that he is in any way connected to the resort which is alleged to be constructed without necessary permissions.

“I challenge Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to save Anil Parab’s resort from getting pulled down, and I will ensure that it is pulled down... I am telling you that these people’s days are numbered,” Somaiya said, speaking at a public meeting.

BJP leader and former MP Nilesh Rane accompanied him. Somaiya was also seen carrying a replica of hammer.

“I have already managed to demolish a bun-

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Kirit Somaiya

galow of Shiv Sena leader Milind Narvekar. The same will happen to Parab’s resort here,” the BJP leader added.

Local NCP and Shiv Sena leaders opposed Somaiya’s visit to Dapoli, claiming that it would affect the tourism in the region.

“No matter who attacks us, we will not bend.

Somaiya has a malicious agenda and we will not give up easily. We will fight back fiercely,” said local Sena MP Vinayak Raut.

Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Shambhuraj Desai said that Somaiya should not create a law and order situation while exercising his right to protest.

“There will be consequences if he violates any law. He should trust police and cooperate with them,” Desai added.

Ratnagiri police issued a notice to Somaiya under section 149 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, an official said.

PUNE, MAR 26 (PTI): Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that development works, be it in Maharashtra or India, will be carried out without bringing in any kind of politics.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of two National Highway projects in Sangli, the Union transport minister said he considers himself an “ambassador of Maharashtra” and feels that the state should emerge on top in the country.

“In the last seven years of my tenure, I got an opportunity to execute development works worth Rs 5 lakh crore in Maharashtra. I was in port, shipping, water resources, MSME and road transport (as a minister), but I always considered myself an ambassador of Maharashtra and feel that the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should prosper and flourish,” Gadkari said.

If any state should emerge as number one, it should be Maharashtra, he said.

The minister further said that development works will be carried out without bringing in any politics and assured that the demands put forth before him will be fulfilled.

He said Ayushman Bharat Yojna has covered 100 crore people in the country.

“Along with health checkups for children and Jan Aushadhi Kendra for discounted medicines, these schemes aim at providing better healthcare to the people. I believe that the awareness created today will make India number one in the world in the area of healthcare,” Shah said.

The Union minister said Uttar Pradesh had 10 medical colleges in 2017 and this number went up to 40 in 2022. “Now, every district will have a medical college by 2024”.

Shah also said Modi provided electricity, drinking water, toilet, gas cylinder, health services, and also ensured that people received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which helped the country tide over the third wave, whose impact was limited.

“The Centre also provided extra 5-kg grain to everyone for two years to ensure that the people affected by unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic

continued to get food,” he said.

At the launch of Gujarat’s first Audiology Speech Language Pathology College and Diet Center at Ahmedabad’s Sola civil hospital, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also present.

This college will make rehabilitation as well as the treatment through computerised software simple and accurate for newborns with congenital deafness, hearing impairment, speech, comprehension and forgetfulness caused by nervous system disease, paralysis and cerebral stroke due to functioning of audiology speech-language pathology.

The college will enrol 20 students every year for the three-year course of Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, to be followed by a one-year internship.

A facility for free nutritious meals was also launched by Shah at the civil hospital. Meals will be available to relatives of the hospitalised patients from 9 AM till 1 PM.

AAP sends invite to Guj minister to visit govt school in Delhi A H M E DA BA D, M A R 26 (PTI): Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia has sent a formal invite to his Gujarat counterpart Jitu Vaghani asking him to visit a government school in Delhi, a day after challenging him to an open debate about the education system, a Gujarat AAP leader said here on Saturday.

A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members visited the state Secretariat during the day to meet Vaghani and hand over the invitation letter, but was told that the minister was not available in his office.

The party said it will make another attempt on Monday next week to meet the minister and hand over the invite.

Speaking to reporters here, Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia said Sisodia had invited Vaghani, other BJP leaders, ministers and MLAs to visit any school in any of the 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi with full protocol.

The Delhi minister had challenged Vaghani to a public debate on education, but the latter did not accept the challenge, Italia said.

“We took the BJP’s opposition regarding education positively, and Sisodia threw an open challenge

for a debate, so that people of the country could know what the two governments were doing in the field of education,” the AAP leader said.

Unfortunately, or rather expectedly, Vaghani did not accept the challenge, he said.

“We are still looking forward to the debate, and hence, Sisodiya has sent a formal invitation for Vaghani to visit government schools in Delhi with full honour and protocol,” he said.

The invitation comes a day after the two parties sparred on Twitter about the performance of the two states in the field of education.

Official Twitter handle of Gujarat BJP — BJP4Gujarat — came out with a series of tweets criticising the policies of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi.

Sisodia tweeted, challenging Vaghani for a debate on the education system in Gujarat and Delhi “at the place and time of his choice”.

I n h i s r e s p o n s e, Vaghani said that the BJP respects election results, and there are many open grounds (for debate) in a democracy.

Modi, Shah to visit K’taka in early April, no talks on cabinet rejig during this: CM HUBBALLI (K’TAKA), MAR 26 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are scheduled to make official visits to Karnataka during early April, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday, as he made it clear that there will be no discussions regarding the much awaited cabinet rejig, during these visits.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio said that a committee headed by the Chief Secretary is being constituted for the first time in the state, to supervise budget implementation.

“On April 1, Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah, who is working for reforms in the cooperative sector, will be visiting the state to attend a large meeting related to ‘Ksheerabhivruddi bank’ that we are planning to launch, aimed at giving a financial boost to the dairy sector that will increase farmers income and provide them financial support,”

Yoga uniting world in pursuit of good health: PM Modi

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said yoga is uniting the world in pursuit of good health and wellness as he lauded the Indian embassy’s “great effort” in Doha for holding a yoga session for people of 114 nationalities.

In his tweets, Modi also referred to the Ministry of Ayush signing the ‘host country agreement’ with the World Health Organization for establishing the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and said India is honoured to be home to such a state-of-the-art centre.

“This centre will contribute towards making a healthier planet and leveraging our rich traditional practices for global good,” he said.

Traditional medicines and wellness practices from India are very popular globally, he noted, adding that the WHO centre will go a long way in enhancing wellness in the society. The WHO had earlier tweeted that it and the Indian government have agreed to establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine to maximise the potential of traditional medicines through modern science and technology.

Basavaraj Bommai

Bommai said. Speaking to reporters here, Bommai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the state on April 5, it is still tentative and has not been fully finalised.

Asked whether the much awaited expansion of his cabinet will be discussed during the visits, he said, “they are visiting the state for government programmes, the cabinet will not be discussed in Bengaluru. Whenever the leadership calls me, I will go to Delhi and discuss it.”

There is pressure mounting on the Chief Minister to expand or rejig his cabinet soon, after the Assembly elections in

five states. Some legislators have even been advocating Gujarat-like overhaul of the Karnataka Cabinet soon, to make way for new faces, ahead of assembly election next year. There are currently 30 Ministers in the State Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, against the sanctioned strength of 34.

Stating that he has instructed departments concerned to initiate implementation of the budget, Bommai said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary is being constituted to look into implementation and issuing of orders in this regard.

“The committee that also consists of the Development Commissioner will coordinate with all the departments including the finance department, and supervise all the activities from issuing of the work order regarding budget announcements to its implementation,” he said, adding that this is for the first time such a special committee is being formed for budget implementation.

Army conducts airborne rapid exercise near Siliguri Corridor

It was the second such exercise in the last three weeks in the strategically important region.

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI) : The Indian Army has carried out a two-day airborne insertion and rapid response exercise near the Siliguri Corridor along the northern border with China, officials said on Saturday.

It was the second such exercise in the last three weeks in the strategically important region.

The exercise involving around 600 soldiers was conducted from March 24 to March 25. It involved advanced aerial insertion techniques or airdropping of soldiers, surveillance and target practice.

The Siliguri Corridor is a stretch of land border-

ing Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

It connects the northeastern region with the rest of India and is considered very important from the military perspective.

“Around 600 paratroopers of the Indian Army’s airborne rapid response teams carried out large-scale airdrops near the Siliguri Corridor after being airlifted from various airbases,” an official said.

“The exercise in volved advanced free-fall techniques, insertion, surveillance and target practice and seizing of key objectives by going behind enemy lines,” the official added.

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BUSINESS/STATE

PM-GKAY extended for 6 months

Akato-led NSCN...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that corporate tax reduction has helped the economy. Replying to the debate on the Finance Bill, the minister told the Lok Sabha that corporate tax collections stood at Rs 7.3 lakh crore so far this fiscal.

Besides, Sitharaman pointed out that the Central government did not increase taxes last year or this year. She cited that 32 countries like Germany, France, Canada, UK among others increased taxes. The Minister said that this budget has not burdened the public but yet put the money where the

multiplier would be maximum where infra creation of assets will happen.

To s u s t a i n h i g h growth rate, the Centre has earmarked a massive budgetary outlay of Rs 7.50 lakh crore for FY23.

Furthermore, she said that tax payers numbers have increased to 9.1 crore from 5 crore a few years ago.

The Lok Sabha on Friday approved the Finance Bill, thereby completing the budgetary exercise for fiscal year FY23. The Bill was approved in the lower Spl. Correspondent house by a voice vote, after 39 official amendments, NEW DELHI, MAR 26 moved by Sitharaman, (NPN): In keeping with were accepted. the concern and sensitivity towards poor and vulnerable sections of society, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Nartechnical expertise in the endra Modi, has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib construction.

Star athlete and senior Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMvice president, AFI and GKAY) scheme for another World Athletics Woman six months i.e., till Septemof the Year, Anju Bobby ber 2022 (Phase VI).

Under the extended George, in her brief remark, PM-GKAY, each benefisaid Nagaland was surely going through one of its ciary will get additional 5 happiest moments as it was kg free ration per person per hosting an international month in addition to his normal quota of foodgrains unevent.

Anju, the only Indian to have won a medal in the World Championships with a long jump bronze in 2003, observed that Nagaland had put a lot of effort into the D I M A P U R , M A R 2 6 smooth functioning of the (NPN): Nagaland’s weekly event, which she said was Covid-19 sample positivity evident throughout the day. rate remained unchanged S h e c o n g r a t u l a t e d for the second consecutive all the medal winners and week at 0.5%. hoped that the historic moHowever, despite steep mentum would be a lasting decline in Covid-19 cases one. Zonal head of Bank of across the State, Wokha Baroda, Debrabatta Das, also gave a short speech during the event.

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (AGENCIES): Prices of ACROSS around 800 essential medi9 Dejected (8) cines comprising antibiotics, anti-infective and pain10 Joke (3) killers are set to rise from 11 Choice (6) April, as the government 12 Long letter (6) has allowed an increase 13 Decline (7) of over 10 per cent for the scheduled drugs.

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Nagaland will bid for national sporting events, says Rio gratulated the Naga athletes who had participated in the national event for the first time and performed well.

He lauded the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and associate vice president AFI Abu Metha for organising the events in such a manner that was not seen elsewhere across the country or even abroad. He said the number of participants rising to over 700 athletes was remarkable as the event had earlier been postponed because of the pandemic.

Bhanot also thanked participants who had come all the way from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh to participate in the event although some other countries could not participate because of Covid protocols in their countries.

SAAF president said many athletes would draw encouragement through

high performance coach to train the Naga athletes.

Sumeriwala said talents exist in Nagaland, adding that with the right support, the athletes could reach national and international levels.

He disclosed that AFI had various programmes such as the national interdistricts junior championship, which was the largest grassroots level championship in the world.

AFI president said he wished to see every district in Nagaland take part in this event which is totally sponsored by AFI. He disclosed that the event was in its 17th year and had produced many star athletes in the country.

Urging the chief minister to open up high performance centres in all the districts of the State, AFI president assured to provide

Nagaland’s weekly Covid sample positivity at 0.5%

Su doku

KAKURO

No. 10223 Yesterday’s solution No. 10222

No. 4845 Yesterday’s solution No. 4844

No. 3869 Yesterday’s solution No. 3868

recorded a sudden spurt in the weekly positivity rate from 3.8% to 11.1% during the week (March 19-25).

Meanwhile, no Covid-19 deaths were reported from the week, while 11 new cases were detected during the week.

LEH, NWHD...

(From p-1) The hoho said it strongly stood by demand to disclose the details/identities of the security personnel and the validity of the proof of their suspension so that such unfortunate act will be avoided in the Price Index (WPI) for the future. calendar year 2021 over the same period in 2020, BusiSCHOOL POST ness Today reported.

1. CBSE/ICSE Teacher This implies that the 5+ years teaching exp./B.Ed. prices of around 800 drugs 2. Office Assistant Computer skills & exp/PGDCA under the National List of Essential Medicines, will All salaries negotiable/ Whatsapp- CV increase by 10.7 per cent Dimapur : 9366315813 beginning April 1.

The prices of medicines used to cure infections, fever, skin diseases, heart diseases, anaemia, and high blood pressure will increase.

Prices of essential meds to go up

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Crossword

this event and would go to higher levels in the days to come.

In his short speech, president of AFI, vice president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and council member of World Athletics, Adil Sumeriwala, said Nagaland hosting the event would surely encourage the athletes in the State and eventually nurture more youth to take interest in sports.

Sumeriwala said he was delighted to see so many young people filling up the stands during the event, which, he added, would generate enthusiasm.

AFI president also said he was pleased to see Nagaland win its first medal in the National Cross Country Championships. He said AFI was fully supportive of letting Nagaland host the event and had also sent a

(From p-1) Thirdly on WC claims that business communities appealed to them verbally and in written to take action, the MIP said it will would be grateful if those copies appealing for action could be produced or placed in public domain, in black and white as proof and evidence.

Lastly, MIP said that if they had a least interest in finger pointing and name picking game then they could easily bring up a very long marathon list of who is who and what is what. “But joining the personal attacking spree does not rouse any interest in us, and instead of wasting time levelling accusation to others, it is rather we do something for the common good,” it said.

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(From p-1) He also lauded the participants from Nagaland who took part in the national event. He said that winning a medal for the State was a huge accomplishment. He hoped that these achievements would further nurture the hope in the youth.

Rio assured the visiting officials that Nagaland would focus on building infrastructure needed in developing sports in the State.

He wished the visiting guests and participants would have a comfortable stay and also take back good memories of the State when they go back to their respective places.

Earlier, delivering a short speech, president of SAAF and chairman of Planning Committee, Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Lalit K Bhanot con-

der the NFSA. This means that every poor household would get nearly double the normal quantity of ration.

PM-GKAY has been under implementation since April 2020, as the largest food security program in the world. The government has spent approximately Rs. 2.60 lakh crore so far and another Rs. 80,000 crore will be spent over the next six months till September 2022 taking the total expenditure under PM-GKAY to nearly Rs. 3.40 lakh crore. This will cover nearly 80 crore beneficiaries across India and like before would be fully funded by the Government of India.

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Moreover, a 1% TDS (tax deducted at source) will also be levied on payments made on the transfer of digital assets. On the TDS issue, Sitharaman said the move is essentially for tracking the transactions; it is not a new tax.

“The person who is paying the TDS can always reconcile it with his other taxable income. That is the reason, in general, our tax base is widening and TDS is a legitimate way for tracking the transactions and widen the base.”

Amid criticism by the Opposition over issues ranging from burden on the common man to the latest

taxes during the pandemic. “(But) We have not done that last year, nor have we done it this year,” she said.

“Instead, we put more money where multiplier effect would be maximum,” she said, referring to the Budget’s critical focus on sharply raising capital expenditure.

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Nirmala Sitharaman

fuel price rise, Sitharaman stressed that the government has taken a conscious call not to fund the recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic through any additional taxes.

Citing an OECD report, Sitharaman pointed out that 32 countries have increased various

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common man.

She stressed that the Modi government believes in lowering taxes.

The sharp cut in the corporate tax in 2019 to as low as 15% for new manufacturing units, just before the pandemic hit the nation, has “helped the economy, government and companies, and we are seeing the progress”.

As much as Rs 7.3 lakh crore has been collected as corporate tax so far this fiscal,” she added.

The number of taxpayers, too, has risen to 9.1 crore from 5 crore a few years ago, she said. The government has stepped up efforts to widen the tax base and the faceless assessment has been received well by people, she added.

Oil marketing companies, having kept a freeze on price hikes for about five months in the build-up to the crucial state elections, has increased the rates of petrol and diesel by 80 paise per litre for a third time this week on Friday.

PHC Botsa, PHC Chunlikha, PHC Ruzazho, PHC Dzulhami, PHC Chukitong, PHC Nyrio, PHC Chare, PHC Chumukedima, PHC Suruhoto, PHC Tamlu with a cash of Rs. 50,000 each.

Best Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) was awarded to HWC Longmisa, HWC Samzuiram, HWC Thizama, HWC Phek Village, HWC Changsu, HWC Diphupar B with cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh each.

H WC c o m m e n d a tion was awarded to HWC Longkong, HWC Sungratsu, HWC Jaluki Zangdi, Jotsoma Science College, HWC Mesulumi, HWC Pongidong and HWC Naga United with a cash of Rs. 25,000 each.

Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur were awarded commendation prize award for UPHCs with cash prize of Rs. 50,000 each.

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NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (AGENCIES/IANS): Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the Russia-Ukraine conflict has adversely affected all countries in the form of elevated oil prices and caused a massive disruption in the global supply chains.

Replying to a discussion on the Finance Bill, which was approved by the Lok Sabha, the minister also justified the Budget proposal to tax any income from the transfer of virtual digital assets (VDA), such as cryptocurrencies, at 30%.

“We are very clear.

Until we decide whether to regulate or ban it (crypto), we are taxing it. There is definitely commonplace knowledge that lots of transactions are happening. So obviously the government made its position clear that we shall tax the money,” Sitharaman said.

She sought to blunt the Opposition’s criticism that the government has only added to the woes of

Rs. 25 lakh, Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh.

Commendation award was given to DH Mon, Kiphire and Mokokchung along with Rs. 30 lakh each while in CHC category, Bhandari CHC and CHC Changtongya were awarded Rs. 10 lakh each.

In PHC Category, PHC Kimipfüphe under Kohima district, Mongsenyimti under Mokokchung, Wozhuro under Wokha, Longpang under Tuensang, Thuvopisu under Phek, Dungki under Peren, Yongnyah Longleng, Changlangshu under Mon district, Satakha under Zunheboto district and Likhimro under Kiphire district were awarded Rs. 20 lakh each.

Commendation award was awarded to PHC Longkhum, PHC Chuchuyimlang district, PHC Sitimi, PHC Athibung, PHC Khonoma,

(From p-1) hygiene and infection control practices in all hospitals.

Principal secretar y H&FW department, Amardeep Bhatia, reminded that hospitals should be the epitome of caring.

Dimapur district hospital MS; SMO CHC Bhandari and MO, PHC, Mongsenyimti also shared their experiences under Kayakalp.

State program officer Dr. Mereninla Senlem chaired the felicitation ceremony, principal director Neikhrielie Khimiao delivered welcome address while director (health) Dr. Vikato K Kinimi, proposed the vote of thanks.

Phek District Hospital, Dimapur District Hospital and Tuensang District Hospital, which came first, second and third respectively, were awarded cash prize of

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Govt committed to lowering taxes: FM

H&FW felicitates 51 health units ...

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8

LOST NOTICE I, Tiasola am applying for duplicate copy of Marksheet of B.A. III year as I have lost it.

Name : Tiasola F/Name : Longkumtoshi DoB : 16.06.1992 Roll No : B12210343 Regd. No : 2012210149 Contact : 7005393255 9366590198

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9

INTERNATIONAL

‘Your freedom is ours’: Biden to Poland

WARSAW, MAR 26 (AP): On his final day in Europe, President Joe Biden on Saturday sought to reassure Poland that the United States would defend against any attacks by Russia and he acknowledged that the NATO ally bore the burden of the refugee crisis from the war in neighbouring Ukraine. “ Yo u r f r e e d o m i s ours,” Biden told Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, echoing one of Poland’s unofficial mottos.

At the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, the two leaders spoke of their mutual respect and shared goals to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Although times are very difficult, today Polish-American relations are flourishing,” Duda said.

More than 3.7 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began, and 2 million of them are in Poland. Earlier this week the US announced it would take in as many as 100,000 refugees, and Biden told Duda that he understood Poland was “taking on a big responsibility, but it should be all of NATO’s responsibility”.

Biden called the “collective defense” agreement of NATO a “sacred commitment,” and said the unity of the Western military alliance was of the utmost importance.

Putin can’t win his ‘unprovoked, illogical’ war, says NATO deputy B U C H A R E S T, M A R 26 (AP): NATO DeputyGeneral Secretary Mircea Geoana says that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s month-old “barbaric war” against Ukraine is a war he cannot win.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the former Romanian foreign minister and ambassador to the United States added that NATO would be “forced to take appropriate measures” in the event of a chemical or nuclear attack, which follows a string of ominous comments from Moscow officials who refuse to rule out their use. He declined to say what those measures would be.

“NATO is a defensive alliance, but also it’s a nuclear alliance,” he said. “If they will be using chemical weapons or other kinds of higher-end systems against Ukraine, this will be changing fundamentally the nature of the war that Mr. Putin has waged against Ukraine.”

“I can guarantee that NATO is ready to respond proportionately,” he added.

During a briefing on the refugee response, Biden said “the single most important thing that we can do from the outset” to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war “is keep the democracies united in our opposition”.

Biden praised the humanitarian effort as being of “such an enormous consequence” given the scope of the crisis, which adds up to the largest flow of refugees since World War II. He appeared to lament that security concerns “understandably” will keep him from visiting Ukraine on this trip.

Duda, who appeared with Biden on Friday, said the refugees are “guests.”

“We do not want to call them refugees. They are our guests, our brothers, our neighbours from Ukraine, who today are in a very difficult situation,” he said.

The US has been sending money and supplies to aid the refugee effort. This week, Biden announced $1 billion in additional aid in addition to accepting refugees.

The US and many of its allies have imposed multiple rounds of economic and other sanctions on Russian individuals, banks and other entities in hopes that the cumulative effect over time will force Putin to withdraw his troops.

DOHA, MAR 26 (AP): Ukraine’s president made a surprise video appearance Saturday at Qatar’s Doha Forum, calling on the energy-rich nation and others to boost their production to counteract the loss of Russian energy supplies.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the United Nations and world powers to come to his aid, as he has in a series of other addresses given around the world since the start of the war Feb. 24.

He compared Russia’s destruction of the port city of Mariupol to the Syrian and Russian destruction wrought on the city of Aleppo in the Syrian war.

“They are destroying our ports,” Zelenskyy said.

“The absence of exports from Ukraine will deal a blow to countries worldwide.”

The loss of Ukrainian wheat already has worried Mideast nations like Egypt, which rely on those exports.

Zelenskyy called on countries to increase their exports of energy — something particularly important as Qatar is a world leader in the export of natural gas.

Wester n sanctions have deeply cut into Russian exports, which are crucial for European nations.

Also on hand was Sau-

India calls for action on Pakistan, N.Korea nuke bomb-missile nexus

Taliban blocked unaccompanied women from flights

U.S. President Joe Biden, and Polish President Andrzej Duda shake hands during a military welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on Saturday. (AP)

“I’m confident that Vladimir Putin was counting on dividing NATO,” Biden said about the Russian president. “But he hasn’t been able to do it.

We’ve all stayed together.”

With the war entering its second month, European security is facing its most serious test since World War II. Western leaders have spent the past week consulting over contingency plans in case the conflict spreads. The invasion has shaken NATO out of any complacency it might have felt and cast a dark shadow over Europe.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said a speech that Biden was scheduled to give later Saturday in Poland’s capital would outline the “urgency

Mircea Geoana

Geoana said Russia’s attack on a theater in the besieged port city of Mariupol, which Ukrainian authorities said Friday killed about 300 civilians, is “another proof that Putin’s war is a war that is unprovoked, illogical, and also barbarian.”

“We hope that Mr. Putin will not go even further down the road of war crimes, and even more devastation against a sovereign nation,” he said.

But the brutal war that Russia has waged since Feb. 24, is having the opposite effect to what Putin hoped for, the NATO official said, and has only united the West and worked to bolster the 30-nation defensive alliance.

At Doha forum, Zelenskyy appeals United Nations, world powers for aid

of the challenge that lies ahead” and “what the conflict in Ukraine means for the world, and why it is so important that the free world stay in unity and resolve in the face of Russian aggression.”

Biden’s remarks will end a four-day trip that included a series of summits in Brussels. In addition to the meeting with Duda, he stopped by a meeting of American and Ukrainian diplomatic and defense officials for an update on Ukraine’s military, diplomatic and humanitarian situation.

Also on the schedule: a stop at stadium where Ukrainian refugees go to obtain a Polish identification number that gives them access to social services such

NEW YORK, MAR 26 (IANS): India has called for international action on the nuclear-missile nexus of Pakistan and North Korea, calling it a threat to the region’s security.

New Delhi “believes that there is a pressing need to address the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) in our region”, India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti told the Security Council on Friday.

“These linkages have an adverse impact on the peace and security in the region, including on India.”

While he referred to North Korea by its formal name, diplomatically he did not mention Pakistan, but it was clear he was speaking of the well-documented swap of Islamabad’s clandestine nuclear technology for North Korea’s missile technology.

This cooperation helped Pyongyang develop nuclear weapons and Islamabad build missiles.

as health care and schools.

The stadium was built in 2012, when Poland and Ukraine hosted the European soccer championship, and was meant as a symbol of how far the two countries had come since the Cold War. More recently, it served as a field hospital for COVID-19 patients.

Biden previewed his closing speech during appearances Friday in Rzeszow.

“You’re in the midst of a fight between democracies and oligarchs,” he told members of the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during a visit to their temporary headquarters. “Is democracy going to prevail and the values we share, or are autocracies going to prevail?”

Tirumurti spoke at the Council meeting convened at the request of the US to discuss North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday, which ended Pyongyang’s self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile testing that had been in place since November 2017 While the world is consumed by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, nuclear-armed North Korea sprang the ICBM test and its leader Kim Jong-un taunted the US. KCNA, the official North Korean news agency, quoted Kim as saying that his country should get ready for a”long-standing confrontation with the US” and that “the strategic forces of the DPRK are fully ready to thoroughly curb and contain any dangerous military attempts of the US imperialists”.

Tirumurti said: “India deplores the launch of an ICBM by the DPRK. This is a violation of the resolutions of the UN Se-

curity Council relating to the DPRK. It affects peace and security of the region and beyond.”

The launch contravenes Pyongyang’s own self-declared moratorium against the launch of ICBMs, he added.

Russia and China have proposed a Council resolution for loosening sanctions on North Korea citing their impact on its people. China’s Permanent Representative Zhang Jun said” “The China-Russia draft resolution on the DPRK serves one purpose and only one purpose and that is to ease the humanitarian and logistical plight”.

US Permanent Representative Linda ThomasGreenfield countered: “We have also heard recent calls for sanctions relief for the DPRK. But why should the Security Council reward bad behaviour?”

The US will be introducing its own “resolution to update and strengthen the sanctions regime”, she said.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 26 (AP): Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers refused to allow dozens of women to board several flights, including some overseas, because they were travelling without a male guardian, two Afghan airline officials said Saturday.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions from the Taliban, said dozens of women who arrived at Kabul’s international airport Friday to board domestic and international flights were told they couldn’t do so without a male guardian.

Some of the women were dual nationals returning to their homes overseas, including some from Canada, according to one of the officials. Women were denied boarding on flights to Islamabad, Dubai and Turkey on Kam Air and the state-owned Ariana Airline, said the officials.

The order came from the Taliban leadership, said one official.

SL newspapers run out of newsprint Global Covid caseload tops 478.6 mn due to crisis; suspend publication

All essentials are in short supply due to import restrictions forced by the forex crisis.

against the US dollar.

The Island newspaper, which has been in print since October 1981, will now function as an e-paper.

Sri Lanka is facing an acute economic and energy crisis triggered due to shortage of foreign exchange. A sudden rise in prices of key commodities and fuel shortage forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours outside petrol filling stations. People are also facing long hours of power cuts daily.

All essentials are in short supply due to import

restrictions forced by the forex crisis.

As part of its measures to tackle the crisis, the Sri Lankan government has sought India’s assistance.

After months of resistance, the government is preparing to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an economic bailout.

In a related development, the Indian Oil Corporation’s local entity LIOC effected another price hike of petrol with effect from midnight Friday. This was the LIOC’s fourth price hike since February.

cases and deaths at 79,936,775 and 976,499, according to the CSSE. India accounts for the second highest caseload at 43,016,372.

The other countries with over 10 million cases are Brazil (29,809,769) France (24,967,222), the UK (20,848,912), Germany (19,406,901), Russia (17,458,275), Turkey (14,775,634), Italy (14,229,495), South Korea (11,497,711) and Spain (11,451,676), the CSSE figures showed.

The nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are Brazil (658,855), India (516,755), Russia (359,307), Mexico (322,432), Peru (212,022), the UK (165,046).

OFFICE OF THE CHEkIyE VIllagE COunCIl DImapur : nagalanD

CVC/INFO-1/2021-2022/

Estd. - 1959

FELICITATION

26/03/2022

The Chekiye Village Council extends our heartiest congratulations to the following esteemed members for bringing laurels to our society: 1. Justice S. Hukato Swu (rtd) for being appointed as Chairman of the National Security Act, Advisory Board & President, State Consumer Commission, Government of Nagaland.

2. Ino y. Vizheto Shohe, Promoted to the post of Child Development Project Officer, Nagaland.

3. Ino y. Hokiye Shikhu, Promoted to the post of Headmaster, Department of School Education.

We sincerely wish the best in all your future endeavours.

Sd/Sd/(HukaVI ZHImOmI) (aHOkHu CHISHI) Chairman, Chekiye Village Council Secretary, Chekiye Village Council

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COLOMBO, MAR 26 (PTI): Sri Lanka’s two major newspapers on Saturday suspended their publication over newsprint shortage and price escalation caused by the country’s all-time worst foreign exchange crisis.

The Island, an English daily along with its sister Sinhala paper Divayina, ceased to print as the newsprint scarcities and price escalations hit the media organisation.

“We regret to inform our readers that we have been compelled to suspend the publication of The Island print edition on Saturday until further notice in view of the newsprint shortage,” Upali Newspapers Limited said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is facing its all-time worst foreign exchange crisis after the pandemic hit the nation’s earnings from tourism and remittances.

The import costs of newsprint also rose remarkably since the government’s decision early this month to float the Sri Lankan rupee

WASHINGTON, MAR 26 (IANS): The global coronavirus caseload has topped 478.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 6.11 million and vaccinations to over 10.86 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Saturday, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 478,619,889 and 6,113,687, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 10,860,311,810.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

di Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the top diplomat for the world’s biggest oil exporter.

Saudi Arabia so far has said it would stick with an OPEC+ production schedule the cartel struck with Russia and other producers.

The kingdom also said it wouldn’t be responsible for higher prices as it deals with attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels amid its yearslong war in the Arab world’s poorest country.

Zelenskyy criticised Russia for what he described as threatening the world with its nuclear weapons, raising the possibility of tactical nuclear weapons being used on the battlefield.

“Russia is deliberating bragging they can destroy with nuclear weapons, not

only a certain country but the entire planet,” Zelenskyy said.

He also noted that Muslims in Ukraine would have to fight during the upcoming holy fasting month of Ramadan.

“We have to ensure this sacred month of Ramadan is not overshadowed by the misery of people in Ukraine,” he said.

Qatar’s ruling emir meanwhile criticised Israel for its treatment of Palestinians over the last 70 years, urging the world to stand against a growing global militarisation that found its peak in Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sought to draw a line between antiSemitism and the ability to criticise Israel for occupying lands that Palestinians hope to have a state of their own.

Sheikh Tamim’s comments come as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in 2020 regularised diplomatic relations with Israel.

“It is noteworthy here that the accusation of anti-Semitism is now used wrongly against everyone who criticises Israel’s policies, and this impinges on the struggle against racism and actual anti-Semitism,” Sheikh Tamim said at the start of the forum.

Imran Khan likely to resign ISLAMABAD, MAR 26 (AGENCIES): Embattled Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to resign at the public rally in Islamabad on Sunday, according to sources, amid chances of his arrest in the foreign funding case on Monday.

According to Firstpost report, at the rally, he is likely to announce early elections and ask for a caretaker government, sources said.

CNN-News18 had earlier reported that Khan will not face a no-confidence motion. Sources said the Army too has lost trust in him because of his alleged attempts to divide the army through a social media campaign and deliberate delay in extension of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure in 2019.

Last Wednesday, Khan had said he will not resign at any cost and claimed to have a “surprise” up his sleeve for the Opposition, even as at least three allies of the ruling coalition had indicated to vote against his government during the notrust motion.

On March 8, around 100 lawmakers from the

Imran Khan

Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) submitted the no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf-government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.

In the 342-member National Assembly, Khan’s PTI needs at least 172 members on its side to remain in the government. Around two dozen dissident lawmakers of ruling PTI have come out in the open ahead of the voting against Khan, with the government accusing the opposition of horsetrading.

Felicitation

The Sakraba Students' Union with immense joy convey our heartiest congratulations to the following members for their achievements: 1. Dr. Kuzonyi Wideo, conferred to the post of ADC, Chumoukedima.

2. Shri. Rüyosüyi Wideo, Section Officer promoted to Under Secretary, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat.

3. Ms. nielu Ritse, D/o Mr. Vekhuyi Ritse recipient of Gold Medal Award in MA History and Archaeology, Nagaland University. (2020).

4. Mr. cüpa Dazo, S/o Mr. Neikote Dazo on being selected for MBBS course in NEET exam.

We are delighted and proud of the achievements you have made, and bringing laurels to the village and inspirations to the students community to emulate.

Sd/Sd/Vetho lohe Shehulu Vadeo President Union Editor Sakraba Students' Union Sakraba Students' Union

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

puBlIC InFOrmaTIOn

We , t h e i m m e d i a t e f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f ms. p Senepjungla ao (p Sunepjungla ao) daughter of Shri. S Purnungba do hereby state and declare as below.

Whereas ms. p Senepjungla ao, our daughter has been learnt to be encumbering our properties, hereby particularly a plot of land, with buildings and chattels, etc, situated at H/No-133, Nuton Basti Ao Khel, Dimapur, without our knowledge or consent. And whereas it is not alienable in any form. We do hereby state and declare that she has been excommunicated from our family and that the original land patta is parked at the bank on mortgage, hence any act done by her in connection with the said plot of land, we shall not be responsible and also anybody dealing with her pertaining to loan/mortgage/ pledge, with our properties and security, etc, shall be doing so at his/her own peril. dp-1390/22

(S. purnungba ao) (Parents & Family Members)

INFOTAINMENT

10

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Taylor Hawkins, Foo Microplastics discovered in Blind psychic’s old prediction human blood are ‘unsettling’ about Vladimir Putin goes viral Fighters drummer, dies at 50

A child drinks bottled water in Reynosa, Mexico, on June 9, 2021.

M

icroplastics — plastic fragments smaller than a fingernail that never fully break down — already seemed to be everywhere. They’ve been found in the Mariana Trench and at the top of Mount Everest, in dust and food and drinking water, in human placentas and baby bottles.

Now scientists have found them in human blood. Of 22 healthy adults in a Dutch study, published Thursday in the journal Environment International, 17 had plastic particles in their blood. That’s a small group of people, but the study is the first of its kind.

“This is really the first evidence of plastic polymers

making it into the bloodstream,” Rolf Halden, director of the Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering at Arizona State University, who was not

gests a credit card’s worth of plastic each week. Other research has discovered plastic in infant and adult poop, but that’s just particles that pass through the digestive system without getting absorbed.

Microplastics’ presence in human placentas suggested that they were traveling through the blood, but it wasn’t direct proof. This is the first definitive evidence of plastics absorbing into the human bloodstream, where they can travel all around the body, Halden said.

“That means that [microplastics] stick around longer than just going through the gastrointestinal tract,” Heather Leslie, a chemist and ecotoxicologist, who led the study while working at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, told I n s i d e r. I t ’s unclear what that means for human health.

But by proving the presence of plastics in human blood, Leslie and her colleagues hope to garner more funding for research into potential health impacts.

“I expect in the end, we are all exposed,” Marja Lamoree, a chemist at Vrije Universiteit who co-authored the study, told Insider. “It’s really too early to say whether it’s safe or not,” she added.

(Business Insider)

Scientists are trying to figure out whether they’re harmful

NASA, ESA assign astronauts to Space Station Mission

N

ASA and ESA (European Space Agency) have selected astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli and ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen to launch on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station.

Two mission specialists will be announced later, following review by NASA and its international partners.

The mission is expected to launch no earlier than 2023 on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Moghbeli, Mogensen and additional mission specialists will join an expedition crew aboard the station. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low-Earth orbit.

(Sci Tech Daily)

involved in the study, told Insider. “What that means is quite uncertain, but it is unsettling news.”

Because it’s in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, the average American ingests about 50,000 microplastic particles each year and inhales about the same amount, according to a 2019 analysis. Another study, from 2021, estimates that the average person in-

T

Baba Vanga’s followers believe she predicted 9/11 and the Kursk submarine distaster.

A

mid the rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, a Bulgarian national and clairvoyant mystic Baba Vanga’s old prediction about Russian President Vladimir Putin has been going viral.

Baba Vanga, who left the world 26 years back, is still well known for her conspiracy theories. The Bulgarian national is said to have predicted major events like the 9/11 terror attacks and Brexit.

According to several media reports, earlier Baba Vanga had told writer Valentin Sidorov that Russia would become the ‘lord of the world’ while Europe would become a ‘wasteland’. “All will thaw, as if ice, only one remain untouched – Vladimir’s glory, the glory of Russia,” Daily Mail had quoted Baba Vanga as saying. She had

further added, “Too much it is brought in a victim.

Nobody can stop Russia.”

The report also added that the psychic said, “All will be removed by her from the way and not only will be kept but also becomes lord of the world.”

Notably, the mystic named Vangelia Gushterova lost her vision at the age of 12 and at the same time claimed that she was bestowed by a gift from God to look into the future.

Her claims about the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the September 11 attack in 2001, the death of Princess Diana, and the Chernobyl disaster came true.

As Russia puts its nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the next 24 hours was a crucial period for Ukraine.

ECC celebrates cultural fiesta ‘United Colours’

Students of ECC presenting folk dance during the cultural fiesta.

E

astern Christian College (ECC) Nagaland observed a cultural fiesta ‘United Colours’ organised by department of history, education and economics on March 25. In a press release, ECC media cell informed the event was a celebration of the

vibrant and diverse cultures of India besides honouring unity in diversity and fostering respect and open mindedness towards the diverse cultures of India. At the programme, ECC principal, Dr. Keneisenuo Solo, spoke on the significance of observing such events and

encouraged students to imbibe qualities of hard work, honesty and confidence.

Students participated in various competitions including folk dance, folk songs, folklore narration, indigenous cuisine and cultural fusion display.

Kros College Kohima commemorates ‘World Theatre Day’

aylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer of the band Foo Fighters, has died. He was 50.

The rock band announced Hawkins’ death on Twitter Friday. No cause of death was provided.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our Taylor Hawkins,” read the band’s statement. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

A representative for Hawkins told USA TODAY Friday that no further details are currently available.

Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, taking over for original drummer William Goldsmith.

On Friday, the band was scheduled to play at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá, Colombia. Their next show was scheduled for Lollapalooza Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil on Sunday, and they were also set to play at the Grammy Awards on April 3.

In October 2021, Hawkins was inducted into

the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside his fellow Foo Fighters. The drummer used his speech to spotlight other musicians who he felt also deserved the honor, like George Michael and the bands Jane’s Addiction and Soundgarden.

“So I’ll share this with you guys, but when you guys get it, you’ve got to give me back your bit,” he said.

Recently, Hawkins appeared alongside his fellow Foo Fighters — frontman Dave Grohl, bassist Nate Mendel, guitarist Pat Smear, lead guitarist Chris Shiflett and keyboardist Rami Jaffee — in the horror-comedy film “Studio 666,” which came out in

February.

Born Oliver Taylor Hawkins in Fort Worth, Texas in 1972, Hawkins was raised in Laguna Beach, California. He played in the small Southern California band Sylvia before landing his first major gig as a drummer for Canadian singer Sass Jordan. He then spent the mid-1990s as the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette before Grohl asked him to join the Foo Fighters. It’s the second time Grohl has experienced the death of a close bandmate: Grohl was the drummer for Nirvana when Kurt Cobain died in 1994. Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.

Ngaland Cyber Sports to hold tournament

N

agaland Cyber Sports (NCS) is a recent start-up organization formed by a group of likeminded young enthusiasts.

Though every one of them is from different backgrounds and professions, they were brought together by one passion they shared in common— gaming and esports.

There are thousands of players of all age groups in Nagaland who actively participate in playing games in all platforms starting from mobile phones, personal computers and other consoles on a regular basis.

Since gaming and e-sports is an international phenomenon

which is here to stay, NCS hoped that Nagaland has the potential to produce world class players who can participate and take on challenges in the national and international arenas. However, seeing that there is a great lack in support

and guidance from anyone in this aspect till now, NCS has taken the initiative to promote Cyber Sports and provide a platform in the community for players to take one step closer towards achieving this reality.

Government middle School orphanaGe

FELICITATION

Seminar on Adolescent, Mental Health and Sexual Education, conducted on 23rd March 2022 at Government Middle School Orphanage, Seithogei under SDEO Kohima initiated by Kekuoneinuo Nyekha and Mary Megolhuseino. k-591/22

With immense joy and gratitude, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Cupa Dazo, S/o Mr. Neikote Dazo & Mrs. Kewele Dazo for clearing NEET UG 2021 Examination and securing MBBS seat. On this momentous occasion, we wish him success & pray that the Almighty God continue to guide & bless him as he starts his new endeavours.

With best wishes from: Grandparents, uncles, aunties and loved ones. k-600/22

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Seithogei, Kohima

FELICITATION

K Y M C

of love and unity through theatre. The department also organised the programme with a view to reduce stress and aid to the mental health of the students.

It was a day of fun and activities where the students could destress and have fun with their friends.

The department has thanked the college authority and the principal for their moral support and contribution.

(DPRO Kohima)

The Kangching Baptist Attoi and the Kangching Theological Union with immense pride and pleasure extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Chingmei Phonglüng, D/o P.T. Yanger Avennoho on being conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in theology from Manila, Philippines and for being the first person to achieve this feat in theological field from Kangching Village.

We are incredibly proud of your achievement and accomplishment. We further wish you success in all your future endeavours.

(Mr. W. Chailen) Pastor, KBA

(Mr. M. Longyaü) President, KTU

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K

ROS college Kohima, department of English, commemorated “World Theatre Day” at the college campus as part of department’s activity on March 26, 2022.

On the occasion, the students from the English department dressed up as movie and novel characters and displayed a group dance. The programme was conducted to showcase the variety of theatre and spread the message

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Students of KROS college Kohima during “World Theatre Day” celebration on March 26, 2022. (DPRO Kohima)

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Women’s WC: NZ beat Pak by 71 runs

CHRISTCHURCH, MAR 26 (IANS): A scintillating century from opener Suzie Bates followed by a maiden five-wicket haul from Hannah Rowe helped New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 71 runs in their final league match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at a packed Hagley Oval on Saturday.

Bates, while registering her 12th ODI century and fourth of the World Cup, also became the fourth women’s cricketer overall to reach 5,000 runs in the format as New Zealand made a challenging 265/8 in their 50 overs. In reply, Rowe’s career-best figures of 5/55 triggered a collapse of Pakistan’s batting order as they slumped from 155/3 to 194/9.

With the win, New Zealand ended their league stage on a high. To have a miraculous chance of qualifying for the semifinals, they would need South Africa to beat India and Bangladesh to beat England by huge margins and then sneak into the last four on the basis of net run

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SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Suzie Bates on her way to a century during New Zealand’s game against Pakistan at the Hagley Oval. (Getty Images)

rate. Meanwhile, Pakistan ended their World Cup campaign at the bottom of the points table with just a win over the West Indies to show.

New Zealand’s innings was all about Bates, who wowed the home crowd with a stunning display of leg-side excellence and kept the innings together. She

also stitched half-century partnerships with Amelia Kerr (24), Maddy Green (23) and Brooke Halliday (29). In between, Bates had to rebuild the New Zealand innings as Nida Dar took out Kerr and Amy Satterthwaite in quick succession.

She and Green had bided their time in a quiet yet important stand. But Nida

Dar came in again to take out Green.

After reaching her century, Bates fell followed by Halliday and twin run-outs of Rowe and Jess Kerr. But the experience of Katey Martin (30 not out) helped New Zealand cross the 250-mark.

In re ply, Pakistan started well with Sidra

Ameen and Muneeba Ali putting 39 runs in the first nine overs. But the duo got out in successive overs to leave Omaima Sohail and Bismah Maroof with the rebuilding job. When Sohail got out in the 20th over, Maroof (38) joined forces with Nida Dar (50) to build a stand of 82 runs for the fourth wicket.

Rowe’s reintroduction in the 35th over marked the start of her devastating spell. She had Maroof caught behind to end her partnership with Dar and then dismissed Aliya Riaz as well as Dar to send Pakistan into a meltdown from 155/3 to 158/6. From there, Pakistan’s resistance couldn’t stand up as the last few wickets fell tamely to give New Zealand a comfortable win.

BRIEF SCORES: New Zealand 265/8 in 50 overs (Suzie Bates 126, Katey Martin 30 not out; Nida Dar 3/39) beat Pakistan 194/9 in 50 overs (Nida Dar 50, Bismah Maroof 38; Hannah Rowe 5/55, Frankie Mackay 2/29) by 71 runs

India win SAFF U-18 Women’s C’ship

Indian players celebrate after winning the championship.

JAMSHEDPUR, MAR 26 (IANS): Despite losing 0-1 to Bangladesh, India emerged champions of the 2022 SAFF U-18 Women’s Championships because of a better goal difference, here on Friday. India enjoyed a better goal difference of +11 in comparison to +3 of Bangladesh.

The valuable player of the tournament and the highest goal scorer was Lynda Kom who scored five goals in total.

In the last match of the championship, Bangladesh scraped past India by

a solitary goal. India, however, had seized the initiative early as in the 5th minute when Shubhangi managed to find some space in the opposition box and went for a shot which went directly to Bangladesh custodian Rupna.

India were unlucky to be denied by the post in the 40th minute when Nitu, all in the clear, placed it past Rupna only to see the ball bouncing off the post, and straight into Rupna’s hands -- as both teams headed to the interval locked goalless.

Changing over, India

head coach Thomas Dennerby brought in Poonam in place of Shubhangi in the 46th minute.

In the 60th minute, India captain Shilky Devi went for a shot from a long-range but an agile Rupna was not to be beaten. A couple of substitutions followed as Martina and Sunita were replaced by Naketa, and Amisha respectively. With time running out for Bangladesh, they went all out in the attack and Aklima Khatun put them into the lead in the 74th minute with a shot from outside the box.

Iga clinches No 1 ranking; wins debut at Miami Open Satnam wins WBC India featherweight title MIAMI, MAR 26 (AP): Iga Swiatek started her week by deciding that she wanted to set her sights on becoming the No. 1 player in the world, without knowing how long that quest would take. A few days and one surprising retirement later, mission accomplished.

Women’s tennis has a new name atop its rankings, a 20-year-old who — now that Ashleigh Barty has retired and asked to vacate her No. 1 spot on the world list — becomes the first Polish player to hold that distinction. Swiatek’s ascension was clinched Friday night with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in the second round of the Miami Open. When the tournament ends and the rankings are updated, Barty will be removed and Swiatek officially will move into the top spot no matter what happens the rest of the way in Miami. Swiatek becomes the 28th different

Iga Swiatek

woman to hold the No. 1 ranking since the computerized system debuted in November 1975. Her rise has been steady and constant; she ended 2016 ranked No. 903, cracked the top 500 for the first time in 2018, ended 2020 ranked No. 17, then was No. 9 when last year ended.

Barty revealed her retirement decision on Wednesday, and as part of that said she wanted to be removed from the rankings. She’s held the top

spot for 113 consecutive weeks, tying Chris Evert for the fourth-longest such streak ever. And Barty, the two-time defending champion in Miami, would have kept the top spot after this tournament ended even if Swiatek won the title.

But her decision to retire and step out of the rankings opened the door for either Swiatek or Paula Badosa, the No. 5 seed in Miami and the only other person who had a mathematical chance of getting the top spot.

Badosa won her second-rounder in Miami on Friday, topping Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 7-5 in a match that ended shortly before Swiatek took the court.

Swiatek and Badosa bucked a wild trend in Miami — where seeded women’s players have had serious struggles. There were 32 seeds entering the tournament, and more than half of them are gone before the third round even gets started.

Coco Gauff is one of the few exceptions.

The 14th-seeded American, whose home is about a 45-minute drive north from where she’s playing this event, got past Wang Qiang of China 7-5, 6-4 on Friday — avenging a first-round loss to her in the Australian Open earlier this year.

“I feel like playing at a home crowd you either can get nervous playing in front of your family, friends, or embrace it,” Gauff said.

NEW DELHI, MAR 26 (PTI): Satnam Singh defeated Amey Nitin by a majority decision over 10 rounds to be crowned the WBC India featherweight champion.

Two judges scored the fight in favour of Satnam, while the third judge scored it as a draw after 10 rounds.

It was an epic battle between the two men, who stood toe-to-toe from the first bell and slugged it out for all 10 rounds. Delhi’s Satnam, dominated the early rounds, but Maharashtra’s Amey Nitin, fought back to take a couple of the middle rounds.

However, the 25-yearold Satnam, who has improved his record to 10 wins and one loss after this fight, was impressive from the onset as he closed the distance and controlled the ring, using superior boxing skills. “I really had to earn it. The last three rounds were tough, I was ahead, but I had to stay and remain calm,” said Satnam.

Gurgaon on Friday night. In the co-main event, Saurabh Kumar made a massive statement by defeating Adil Rajesh by an unanimous decision. In another bout, Rakesh Lohchab outworked Amarnath Yadav over six rounds to win an entertaining super bantam contest.

Middleweight Pawan Goyat displayed good form in his Satnam Singh defeated Amey Nitin by a majority four-round points victory decision over 10 rounds. (File) over Army boxer Sandeep “The battle for the season one of the ‘Fight- Nain to score his fifth win WBC India Title was clean club’ live boxing shows in in the paid ranks. and without dramatics.

These stories will be etched in history. Both boxers came here to win and make history,” said Brig PK Muralidharan Raja, supervisor for the WBC India title and president of the Indian Boxing Council.

“The ‘Fightclub by UPB’ has already proven to be a great platform for the sport. With these nights, Pro Boxing has just tested waters in India,” he added. With this event, United Professional Boxing culminated

Bale hits back at Spanish media

L O N D O N, M A R 2 6 (AGENCIES): Wales captain Gareth Bale has hit back at Spanish newspaper Marca for a column which described him as a “parasite”.

According to BBC, Bale has been criticised in Madrid for being perceived to be more committed to playing for Wales than Real Madrid. Bale, who scored twice against Austria on Thursday to take Wales Selection trial in progress for the forthcoming Dr. T. Ao Trophy at Astro Turf ground, to a World Cup play-off Jalukie town on March 25. The trial was organised by Peren District Football final, says he wants to use his profile to “change the Association .

Saudi Arabian GP to go ahead despite attack JEDDAH, MAR 26 (AP): Formula One said its race in Saudi Arabia will go ahead as scheduled this weekend despite attacks on the kingdom by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The announcement came a day after the rebels attacked an oil depot located about 11 kilometers (seven miles) from the F1 circuit. The 20 drivers on the grid met several times on Friday night in talks that stretched well past 2 a.m. to discuss safety concerns.

“Formula 1 and the (governing body) FIA can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled,” F1 said in a statement on Saturday.

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Acknowledgement

way we publicly talk and criticise people”. “The everyday pressure on athletes is immense,” Bale wrote on social media. The column in Spanish news publication Marca accused Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a world-record fee of £85m in 2013, of “sucking the club’s money”.

Bale has won 14 trophies with Real, including four Champions League titles, but he has been criticised, particularly in recent seasons, for his injury record.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“But God will redeem my life from grave; he will surely take me to himself.”

PSALM 49:15

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Lt. ALEMLA AMER Died on- 02/03/2022 We, the bereaved family members would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation to all individual, churches, neighbours, friends, relatives and well wishers who stood by us spiritually, materially, financially and physically during her illness and sudden demise.

We deeply regret our inability to thank everyone but it’s our prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving husband, children & family members k-589/22

Late Er. D. B. Thapa 08.10.1953 – 02.03.2022 The family members of Late Er. D. B. Thapa, Rtd. SDO PHED, wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad bereavement.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, prayer groups, friends, neighbors, and well-wishers who visited us during brief illness, attended the funeral service and burial, and who helped and supported us physically, financially, morally and spiritually at our most difficult time.

A special mention of gratitude to: • Doctors and staff of K.P. Bethesda Hospital, Kohima • Sangtam Baptist Lithro, Kohima • Gorkha Public Panchayat, Kohima • Upper Chandmari Panchayat, Kohima • Chimonger Union, Kohima • Chimonglarü Union, Kohima • Chandmari Gorkha Union, Kohima • Sangtam Baptist Lithro (Women Ministry), Kohima • Sangtam Baptist Lithro (Prayer Group), Kohima • Sangtam Baptist Lithro (Youth), Kohima • Sangtamlarü Tsingmüjang (Kohima Unit) • Satsang Centre, Kohima • Matri Satsang, Kohima • Upper Chandmari Youth Organisation, Kohima • Magar Society, Upper Chandmari, Kohima We deeply regret our inability to thank each and everyone but it is our earnest prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly and please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

Loving wife, son, daughters, in-laws, grandchildren and relatives k-598/22

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Darshan, Varsha win maiden SAAF, NCCC titles

KOHIMA, MAR 26 (PTI): Darshan Singh and Varsha Devi won the men’s and women’s 10km crowns of both the SAAF Cross Country Championships and National Cross Country Championships which were held simultaneously at the picturesque but tough course in Kohima on Saturday.

Both Darshan and Varsha tasted maiden international success with timings of 31:08.00 and 37:14.00 respectively at the SAAF event. The race was made more challenging due to 60 per cent humidity and gusts of wind at the Nagaland capital.

Sri Lankan RNS Pushpakumara (33:12.00) and Nepal’s Pal Mukesh Bahadur (34:08.00) took the men’s 10km silver and bronze respectively at the SAAF Cross Country Championships.

Nepal’s Pachchai Rajpura (38:48.00) and Sri Lanka’s MSP Madhumali Perera (39:38.00) finished second and third respectively in the women’s 10km event. In the National Cross Country Championships 10km event, the 25-yearold Darshan of Services was initially bunched in the front with his team-mates Rajendra Nath, Deepak Singh Rawat, Dipak Su-

Chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and dignitaries with the winners of Men (10km) SAAF and National event at ID Stadium, Kohima on Saturday. (DIRP)

haug, defending champion Parasappa Madevappa Hajilol and Railways Narendra Pratap Singh. He never lost rhythm or position.

Soon after, Rajendra Nath and Darshan pulled away from the rest. After the 5km mark, Darshan stepped up the pace to gain a handy lead. He was hardly challenged over the last two laps and won by a 24-second margin.

Having finished fourth and sixth in the last two years, the victory must have tasted sweet for Darshan.

In the women’s 10km r a c e, Re b i Pa l ( U t t a r Pradesh) opened briskly but the six Railways runners dominated the race.

The 27-year-old Varsha (of Railways), silver medallist in 2020, pulled away

from her team-mates on the final of the five loops of 2km to win by a small margin.

G u j a r a t ’s Re e n a Bachau Patel prevented a Railways sweep of six places by beating last year’s winner Sonika.

Uttarakhand’s Akash Patel and Jharkhand’s Ashakiran Barla won the men’s and women’s U-20 events while Ritik Sharma, who hails from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, and Aakancha Kerketta won the boys’ and girls’ U-18 crowns.

One of Aakancha’s training partners, Walter Kandulna, completed a hat-trick of medals in the National Cross Country Championships with a silver medal in the boys’ U-18 6km race to add to the U-16 gold in 2020 and silver last year.

Bordoloi Trophy: 10-man Nagaland Police hold CISF 2-2

Nagaland Police football team along with the coaches at Ghilakuri before the match on March 26.

DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): 10-man, Nagaland Police played a thrilling 2-2 draw against Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) in their first match of the 68th edition of Bharat Ratna Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy football tournament on matchday-3 at Ghilakuri in Sipajhar, Assam on Saturday. Despite reduced to 10 men after one of their defender was sent off in the last quarter of the match, Nagaland Police managed to keep the match in stalemate till the end of the final whistle. In the match, Bhola opened the scoring in the

7th minute but Nagaland fought back and Khwetelhi Thopi scored the equaliser in the 24th minute.

CISF went ahead again in the second half through Md Khaleed in the 57th minute. However, Limakumzuk Ao found the equaliser through a penalty in the 68th minute for Nagaland Police.

Nagaland Police has been clubbed in Group C with CISF, former champ Oil India FC, Bodousa SC. Winner of each Group will qualify for the semifinal round in the tournament.

Nagaland still has two more matches to play in the

group matches to qualify for the semifinal round.

In the second match, the team will play against Oil India FC on Sunday, 3 pm and the last group match on March 29 against Bodousa Sports Club.

It may be noted that Bordoloi Trophy is one of the oldest and most popular football championships in North Eastern India.

The trophy is an annual Indian football tournament organized by Guwahati Sports Association (GSA).

The winners will get Rs 2 lakh while the runners up will become richer by Rs 1 lakh.

The Results: SAAF Champion ships: Men 10km: 1. Darshan Singh (India) 31:08.00; 2.

RNS Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka) 33:12.00; 3. Pal Mukesh Bahadur (Nepal) 34:08.00.

Team: 1. India (Darshan Singh, Dipak Suhaug, Rajendra Nath); 2. Sri Lanka; 3. Nepal.

Women 10km: 1. Varsha Devi (India) 37:14.00; 2.

Pachchai Rajpura (Nepal) 38:48.00; 3. MSP Madhumali Perera (Sri Lanka) 39:38.00.

Team: 1. India (Varsha Devi, Manju Yadav, Preenu Yadav); 2. Sri Lanka; 3.

Nepal.

Men U-20 (8km): 1. Akash Patel (India) 25:58.00; 2. KMJD MAdu-

shan (Sri Lanka) 29:24.00; 3. Karki Badal (Nepal) 29:20.00; Team: 1. India (Akash Patel, Prashant Choudhary, Pankaj Kumar); 2. Sri Lanka; 3. Bangladesh.

Women U-20 (6km): 1. Asha Kiran Barla (India) 22:47.00; 2. Budha Ram Maya (Nepal) 23:36.00; 3.

Rinky Biswas (Bangladesh) 24:03.00.

Team: 1. India (Ashakiran Barla, Drashtiben Pravinbhai Chaudhri, Maya Kumari); 2. Sri Lanka; 3.

Nepal.

National Championships: Men (10km): 1. Darshan Singh (Services) 31:08.00; 2. Dipak Suhaug (Ser vices) 31:32.00; 3.

Rajendra Nath (Services) 31:36.00.

Team: 1. Ser vices (Darshan Singh, Dipak Suhaug, Rajendra Nath and Deepak Singh Rawat); 2.

Railways; 3. Uttarakhand.

Women (10km): 1.

Varsha Devi (Railways) 37:14.00; 2. Manju Yadav (Railways) 37:26.00; 3.

Preenu Yadav (Railways) 37:38.00.

Team: 1. Railways (Varsha Devi, Manju Yadav, Preenu Yadav, Munni Devi); 2. Himachal Pradesh; 3. Nagaland.

Men U20 (8km): 1.

Akash Patel (Uttarakhand)

25:58.00; 2. Prashant Choudhary (Delhi) 26:00.00; 3. Pankaj Kumar (Uttar Pradesh) 26:02.00.

Team: 1. Uttar Pradesh (Akash Patel, Pankaj Kumar, Love Chaudhary, Vinit Rathi); 2. Delhi; 3. Maharashtra.

Women U-20 (6km): 1. Ashakiran Barla (Jharkhand) 22:47.00; 2 . D r a s h t i b e n P r av i n bhai Chauhan (Gujarat) 22:53.00; 3. Maya Kumari (Jharkhand) 23:03.00.

Team: 1. Maharashtra (Vishakha Sanjay Salunkhe, Shivani Kulkarni, Pallavi Chandrakant Jagdale, Bhagyashree Bhaskar Bhandari); 2. Haryana; 3. Rajasthan.

Boys U-18 (6km): 1.

Ritik Sharma (Jammu and Kashmir) 19:50.00; 2. Walter Kandulna (Tamil Nadu) 19:54.00; 3. Sujit Tikode (Maharashtra) 19:54.00.

Girls U-18 (4km): 1.

Aakancha Kerketta (Tamil Nadu) 14:38.00; 2. Sonam (Delhi) 14:49.00; 3. Ruhi Bohra (Delhi) 14:52.00.

Boys U-16 (2km): 1.

Aman Kumar (Haryana) 6:00.00; 2. Priyanshu (Uttarakhand) 6:03.00; 3. Harish Mullu (Andhra Pradesh) 6:06.00.

Girls U-16 (2km): 1. Basanti Kumari (Tamil Nadu) 7:06.00; 2. Pranathi (Karnataka) 7:13.00; 3. Heena (Haryana) 7:14.00.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

Zhaleo kicks off Frolic Cup

Zhaleo Rio kicking off the Frolic Cup.

DIMAPUR, MAR 26 (NPN): The 7th edition of the Frolic Cup, a biennial event organized by Frolic Club Medziphema, got underway at local ground, Medziphema on Saturday.

The tournament was declared open by advisor Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, Zhaleo Rio as special guest.

In his speech, he encouraged the youth to come out of “ism” and work together for a prosperous Nagaland. He also highlighted the plan of the present government to set up a sport battalion where sports persons of different fields will be provided facilities and stage to explore their talent.

In the opening match, Patkai Christian College beat Shaktiman FC 4-2 via tie breaker after the match ended 1-1 in regulated time.

The first goal for Shaktiman FC was scored

by Nehgoulen in the 28th

minute. However, Patkain came back and levelled the score with a goal from Robin in the 51st minute.

In the other match, Tribal United Dimapur thrashed Rising Boys FC 5-0.

The goal scorers for Tribals United were Apu(7th & 45th minutes) M. Akum (67th & 69th minutes) and I. Wati (17th minute).

In the last match of the day, Paohao Memorial FC beat Falcon United 2-1. Ratobe scored both the goals for Paohao in 24 seconds and 23rd minute.

The lone goal for United Falcon Club came through the boots of Nourhielhoulie in the 24th minute.

MONDAY’S MATCHES Zillai FC Vs. United Falcon Jr. Sparkle FC Vs Amigo’s FC Ukigei FC Vs SechüZubza FC Academy Swat FC (Zhadima) Vs Fantasy FC.

KKR beat CSK by 6 wickets in IPL 2022 opener MUMBAI, MAR 26 (IANS): A brilliant bowling performance followed by an impactful batting effort helped Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the opening match of the IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium, here on Saturday.

KKR bowlers -Umesh Yadav (2/20) and Va r u n C h a k a r ava r t hy (1/23) bowled well and restricted Chennai Super Kings to 131-5 despite a fighting fifty by former captain MS Dhoni (50 off 38).

Ravindra Jadeja (26 off 28) who was leading the CSK for the very first time looked under pressure while batting but former skipper Dhoni scored a timely half-century and added 70 runs for the sixth wicket to take Chennai to a respectable total.

I n r e p l y, o p e n e r Ajinkya Rahane played a fine knock (44 off 34) while Sam Billings (25), Nitish Rana (20) and Shreyas Iyer (20 not out) also made valuable contributions with the bat as KKR chased down the target in 18.3

overs with six wickets in hand.

Dwayne Bravo was the most successful bowler for CSK with his figures of 3/20.

Earlier, unburdened by captaincy, Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed his first IPL fifty in nearly three years.

Put into bat, CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) perished cheaply after being caught by Nitish Rana in the slip cordon off pacer Umesh Yadav (2/20).

Devon Conway (3) and Robin Uthappa (28 off 21 balls) then tried to revive the CSK innings, but managed to add only 28 runs for the second wicket.

Conway, who was looking r usty, became Umesh Yadav’s second scalp.

Uthappa was brutal on Shivam Mavi, whom he hit for a boundary in the second over and followed it up by another boundary Umesh Yadav celebrates the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad and a maximum in the during the first T20 of the IPL 2022, Saturday. (IPL/PTI) fourth over. In between, But his stay was cut Jackson off Varun Chakrahe hammered Umesh for short, stumped by Shedlon varthy (1/23) in the eighth a six.

over as CSK found themselves in a spot of bother at 49/3.

They further slipped to 52/4, as a horrible mix-up between Ambati Rayadu (15 off 17 balls) and Jadeja led to the former’s dismissal. After 10 overs, CSK were tottering at 57/4.

CSK lost half of their side for 61 after Shivam Dube (3) gave a sitter to Sunil Narine at short-midwicket off pacer Andre Russell.

Then, Jadeja and Dhoni added 70 runs for the sixth wicket to take CSK to a respectable total.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings -- 131-5 in 20 Overs (MS Dhoni 50 not out, Robin Uthappa 28; Umesh Yadav 2/20) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders -- 133-4 in 18.3 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 44, Sam Billings 25; Dwayne Bravo 3/20) by 6 wickets SUNDAY’S MATCHES Delhi Capitals Vs Mumbai Indians: 3:30 pm Punjab Kings Vs Royal Challenger: 7:30 pm

WC qualifiers: Messi helps Argentina to 3-0 win over Venezuela Swiss Open: Prannoy, Sindhu in finals the 10-team South American zone standings with 38 points from 16 matches, four points behind leaders Brazil. Venezuela are last with 10 points.

Argentina will meet Ecuador in Quito in the last round of South America’s World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday while Venezuela will host Colombia.

Algeria secure vital victory over Cameroon

Messi scored Argentina’s third goal with a slightly mis-hit effort with eight minutes left.

BUENOS AIRES/ YAOUNDE (CAMEROON), MAR 26 (IANS): Lionel Messi scored his 81st international goal as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 home win over Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier here.

Nico Gonzalez opened the scoring on Friday in the 35th minute

at La Bombonera with a sliding first-time finish on Rodrigo de Paul’s cross.

Substitute Angel Di Maria made it 2-0 with a superb chipped effort from the edge of the box after spotting goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez off his line.

Di Maria then turned provider with a lofted cross that Messi controlled with

his chest before poking a shot past Farinez with his weaker right foot, reports Xinhua.

The 34-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward has now scored 81 times in 159 appearances for his country. Argentina, who have already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar later this year, remain second in

Algeria registered an important 1-0 road victory over Cameroon in the first leg of playoffs in FIFA World Cup African qualifiers on Friday.

Cameroon began the match with determination and showed promising signs in front of home fans at the Japoma stadium in Douala, where Algeria had lost two matches and drawn one in their disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign early this year.

Algeria put on a masterful display of defensive football, holding the Indomitable Lions at bay, reports Xinhua.

Striker Islam Slimani scored with a brilliant header in the 40th minute to move the Algerians ahead, and the North Africans held on to win the match.

Algeria have never beaten Cameroon in any competitive game since 1984.

Cameroon were playing their first game under new coach and former national captain Rigobert Song, who replaced Toni Conceicao in early March.

“Algeria barely had good chances. We had the ball possession and the best part of the game. We can only say nothing happened, get back to work, prepare for Algeria, and then move on to the World Cup,” Song told reporters after the match.

“It was not easy, but we made an effort because Cameroon is not an easy team. We worked so hard for this and we are happy we achieved our goal,” Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi said.

The two teams will face off again on Tuesday at Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida.

BASEL, MAR 26 (PTI): Continuing his impressive run, India’s H S Prannoy stormed into the men’s singles final at the Swiss Open Super 300 badminton tournament with a hard-fought win over Indonesia’s world number 5 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting here on Saturday.

The 29-year-old eked out a 21-19 19-21 21-18 win over Ginting in a thrilling semifinal that lasted an hour and 11 minutes. Shortly after, P.V. Sindhu stormed into the final of Super 300, defeating Supanida Katethong 21-18 15-21 21-19.

It was Prannoy’s first final in five years, having won the US Open in 2017.

He will take on either compatriot Kidambi Srikanth or Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the summit clash on Sunday. A former top 10 player, Prannoy came into the match with a 1-1 head-to-head count against Ginting, who is currently ranked 21 places higher than him at world no. 5. The Indian looked in good touch as he grabbed the initiative early and held a 6-3 lead which was quickly erased by Ginting to move to a 12-19

H S Prannoy

advantage at one stage. A five-point burst gave Prannoy a slender two-point lead and he maintained it till 18-16 before a net error and a service fault helped his rival to level par. Ginting, however, went to net twice himself to hand over Prannoy a game point and the Indian sealed it with a precise return on his rival’s front court.

After a tight battle in the second game, it was Ginting who grabbed a three-point lead at the interval following a couple of errors from the Indian at the net and front court. Prannoy tried to send his rival to the corners with his diagonal shots but Ginting responded with a body return. The duo tried to go close to the lines

and force errors on one another. The Indian fought his way back to 18-19 but a judgement error at the backline gave one game point to Ginting, who squandered one with a net error before Prannoy smashed out to allow his rival to make a comeback.

In the decider, Prannoy took a 8-5 lead and went into the break with a three-point advantage after Ginting’s backhand return went to net. The Indian increased his lead to 14-8 but he stumbled to a series of errors to allow Ginting make it 15-19.

Prannoy unleashed a smash to grab four match points. He squandered two before entering the finals with another precise return.

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