7 Mar 2022

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 90

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Limited Russian cease-fire revived in Ukraine

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Won’t stop until Kyiv lays down arms: Putin to start shooting and at whom,” Gerashchenko said on Telegram.

The news dashed hopes of progress in easing, much less ending, the war in Ukraine, which is now in its 11 day and has caused 1.5 million people to flee the country.

Russian troops have already taken control of the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, as well as Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated a request for foreign protectors to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which NATO so far has ruled out because of concerns such an action would draw the West into the war.

“The world is strong enough to close our skies,” Zelensky said in a video address on Sunday.

The strength of Ukrainian resistance continues to surprise Russian forces, and they have responded by targeting populated ar-

eas, including the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol, the UK Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence briefing.

Meanwhile, UN human rights office said at least 351 civilians have been confirmed killed, but the true number is probably much higher. Russian and Ukrainian defense officials have not provided information on their military causalities.

Ukraine’s military is vastly outmatched by Russia’s, but its professional and volunteer forces have fought back with fierce tenacity.

Servant of the People party.

The talks to be held on Monday mark the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, as the two sides try to negotiate a ceasefire as well as a safe passage corridor for civilians.

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday said that Russia is open to dialogue with Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

Putin expressed hope that Kyiv would take a “reasonable and constructive stance” during a third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a report published by Xinhua news agency.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy, said Saturday that talks with Russia are beginning to be “constructive,” according to media reports. He had participated in the first two rounds of talks held between Russia and Ukraine.

1st Test: India thrash SL by innings & 222 runs SPORTS, PAGE 12

Centre likely to hold talks with NPGs in Nagaland this month

MOSCOW/KYIV, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday his campaign in Ukraine was going according to plan and would not end until Kyiv stopped fighting, as efforts to evacuate the heavily bombarded city of Mariupol failed for the second day in a row.

He made the comments in a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who appealed for a ceasefire in the conflict that the United Nations says has created the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two. Putin “drew attention to the fact that Kyiv still does not fulfil agreements reached on this acute humanitarian issue,” according to a statement from the Kremlin, after two agreements to evacuate Mariupol fell though following allegations of ceasefire breaches.

He told Erdogan he was ready for dialogue with Ukraine and foreign partners but any attempt to draw

out negotiation would fail, a Kremlin statement said.

Putin earlier listed “demilitarisation” and “denazification” of Ukraine, recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, and recognition of the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent states as the Kremlin’s main demands.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko said the planned evacuations were halted because of an ongoing assault by Russian troops.

“There can be no ‘green corridors’ because only the sick brain of the Russians decides when

Fuel prices set to rise `15-22 a litre from next week

Plea in SC to accommodate med Convention of consultations as governance HC asks govt to make SMHA students from Ukraine in India functional within 3 months

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS/REUTERS): Hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, along with sustained demand, is expected to keep global crude oil prices in the range of $95-to-$125 per barrel in the short term.

Consequently, the geopolitical crisis-led global hike in crude oil prices is expected to push India’s domestic prices of petrol and diesel

by Rs 15-22 per litre. It is widely expected that OMCs will revise the current prices on or after March 7, which is the last day of voting in the ongoing state assembly elections.

“Oil companies would be free to raise prices in a phased manner once the election is over on March 7,” a senior government official with the knowledge of internal discussions on oil prices told Reuters. Lately, the crisis as well as fears of lower supplies have pushed Brent crude oil price to 10-yearhigh level of nearly $120 per barrel.

State logs 1 fresh Covid-19 case

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday recorded one fresh Covid-19 positive case from Kohima, taking the total caseload to 35420. With no deaths being reported in the past 24 hours, the death toll remained unchanged at 757 (including 4 non-Covid deaths but with positivity).

This is it!

“If they cannot enforce law against corruption and extortion, why only on prohibition?”

K Y M C

Vladimir Putin

3rd round of talks today

The next round of talks between Ukraine and Russia is expected to be held on Monday, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, Davyd Arakhamia, said Saturday, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Arakhamia is head of the parliamentary faction of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Centre and others to accommodate the medical students returning from Ukraine in Indian medical colleges with appropriate Indian or foreign degrees as a one-time measure.

The plea says in the alternative, the Centre and the states be asked to coordinate with the authorities in Ukraine and declare some seats in the central, state or private medical colleges as overseas campuses of Ukrainian institutes for the purpose of continuation of studies as a onetime emergency measure till normalcy returns in

the war-hit east European country.

The plea, filed by two advocates, highlights the plight of Indian students who are compelled to discontinue their studies in various courses, including medical courses, in several institutes of Ukraine. It says there is no clarity as to when will normalcy return to Ukraine and whether the students will be able to complete their courses.

“Petitioners are public-spirited persons and utterly disturbed by the plight of the medical students, compelled to return to India leaving their medical courses in various colleges and universities in Ukraine,” the plea said.

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): On March 9, the state government that includes all elected members under the new combination- United Democratic Alliance (UDA)will hold “consultations” with various tribe organisations and CSOs to deliberate on Naga Peace Process and 33% seat reservation for women in election to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

It may be recalled that the government has dropped two issues to be discussed— Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 and Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act- from the list.

The two were among the four listed for consultations as per the notification issued earlier on March 2.

Government sources however, explained that owing to time constraint, the two have been dropped for future consultations.

Several public leaders who spoke to Nagaland Post, expressed surprise at the inclusion of Naga Peace Process for consultations.

They said after the regional party came to power (NPF/ DAN) the Naga political issue had been deliberated, discussed and debated at length at various fora for several years.

The leaders said that the government should have come out with whatever specific issue it wanted to discuss with regard to the Naga political issue since a series of consultations were held both among the legislators, the assembly and wide

Spl. Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (NPN): Government of India’s representative for Naga peace talks, AK Mishra is likely to hold another round of talks with the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) in Nagaland soon.

Highly-placed sources informed Nagaland Post that Mishra is expected to arrive later this month to hold deliberations with the Naga groups. However, no date has been fixed for the meeting.

Talks were expected to resume soon after the culmination on Manipur Assembly elections, sources added.

The second and the final phase of Manipur Assembly poll ended on Saturday The development also holds significance as the State government has convened a consultative meeting with all stakeholders and elected representatives on March 9 to deliberate on the Naga peace process,

public consultations up to the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 and the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017 and even after that.

It may be also recalled that the most recent public consultation was on October 15, 2020 held at the CM’s banquet hall over the Naga political issue in the light of the rider on solution with flag and constitution.

The 33% women quota in election to Urban Local Bodies has been as controversial over the assertion that Article 371A insulated the state over the mandatory 74th Amendment (Clause IV) of the subject.

As in the past, it is likely that committees may be formed to take the matter for further deliberations.

There’s a third variant of Omicron ‘BA.3’, says WHO NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): Though the third wave of COVID is waning, the degree of risk stays the same as it was before.

On March 5, 2022, Maria Van Kerkhove, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and COVID-19 Technical Lead at the World Health Organisation (WHO), said that there is a similarity in terms of severity between BA.2 and BA.1 subvariants of Omicron and added that among all lineages of Omicron there is also BA.3 lineage.

While on one hand, this statement gives a ray

BA.3 combination of mutations in BA.1 and BA.2 spike proteins of hope that BA.2 sub variant of Omicron which was thought to be severe is mild as the BA.1 subvariant is, but on the other hand with the report of another subvariant it also gives out a message that nothing is over yet and the coronavirus is

still a dangerous virus lurking all around us.

“The most prominent ones that have been detected worldwide are BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2. There’s also a BA.3 and other sub lineages,” said Maria Van Kerkhove.

Omicron includes Pango lineage B.1.1.529 and descendent Pango lineages BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3, as per WHO information. A research study published on January 18, 2022 in the Journal of Medical Virology has also confirmed the presence of BA.3 sub lineage.

“Our study found that there were no specific mutations for the BA.3 lineage in spike protein. Instead, it is a combination of mutations in BA.1 and BA.2 spike proteins,” the study says. The study adds that BA.3 sub

lineage was first detected in north west South Africa. As per the study as on January 11, 2022 of the total genome sequences submitted to the GISAID database only 0.013% were of BA.3 Omicron subvariant and the highest were of BA.1. The study further found that there were fewer mutations in BA.3 than BA.1 and has speculated that loss of mutations might be a reason why BA.3 has less number of infections.

BA.3 has been called as the less-prevalent lineage of Omicron by many research studies. (Cont’d on p-8)

among other issues. With Nagaland Assembly elections scheduled early next year, there has been an urgency to resolve the vexed Naga political issue at the earliest.

This was the very reason why all the legislators had decided to form an opposition-less government under the banner of United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

UDA chairman and former chief minister, TR Zeliang had recently said that the UDA government was ready to give one “last push” for solution to the Naga imbroglio before next Christmas 2022.

Of late, chief minister Neiphiu Rio had been emphasising in his public speeches that the Centre was willing to give more seats in Parliament and in the State Assembly to resolve the decades-old Naga political issue.

He said the Central government and Naga na-

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has directed the State government to make the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) functional within three months.

Responding to a petition filed by one Tsipongse Thonger, Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Devashis Baruah noted that Sections 45 and 73 of the State Mental Health Authority Act, 2017 that came into effect on May 29, 2018 provided that every State Government should set up the authority State Mental Health Authority and the Mental Health Review Boards respectively within a period of nine months from the date on which the Act came into force.

However, since nothing tangible had been done for implementation of the provisions of the Act, the petitioner approached the court. In the course of hearing the matter on an earlier date, the court said they were informed that the SMHA was constituted on December 7, 2018 and a copy of the notification issued to this effect was placed before them, but nothing was mentioned about the constitution of the Boards under section 73 of the Act. The judges said it appeared that though the SMHA was constituted, it was non-functional because

tionalist groups were willing to give more seats to Nagaland in both Houses of Parliament and the State assembly.

It may also be recalled that then BJP national general secretary and in-charge of North East Ram Madhav, while drawing attention to the chorus of demands for “Solution Before Election” in 2018, had said that holding elections when due was a constitutional obligation and unavoidable and therefore opined that the slogan in Nagaland should be “Election For Solution” to help bring solution closer.

Explaining what he meant by “Election For Solution”, Ram Madhav had said when an agreement was arrived at between the Central government and various Naga groups, it had to be implemented in Nagaland, which could be done effectively only under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

the rules that were framed had not been finalised and the fund required had not been created. Therefore, we they directed the State government’s advocate to show instruction when the State Mental health Authority would start functioning.

Thereafter, on February 9, 2022, the government advocate submitted a copy of the resolutions passed in the meeting held on December 21, 2021 of State Mental Health Authority, chaired by Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) principal secretary.

It was mentioned that the State Mental Health Authority would be re-constituted, the Authority would recommend to the State government to appoint H&FW joint secretary and its exofficio member as its CEO, two Mental Health Review Boards would be constituted and headquartered at Kohima and Tuensang with jurisdiction over all the districts of the State, the notification for registration of State Mental Health Authority would be issued by second week of February 2022 and a bank account of State Mental Health Authority would be opened, for which a grant of Rs 10 lakh might be sought from the government.

Taking note of these resolutions/minutes, the court granted three weeks to the government to translate them into action.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Assembly poll results to have bearing on President’s election due later this year NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): The results of assembly polls this week will not only decide who the next chief minister will be in the five states but will also have a bearing on the election of the President of India expected later this year.

The term of President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24, and the outcome of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa on March 10 will decide which party or alliance will have a decisive say.

As things stand today, the BJP is comfortably placed to ensure the election of its nominee to the country’s top office, but an adverse result in Uttar Pradesh could alter the number game, bringing into play the fence sitters– Biju Janata Dal, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, YSR Congress Party which control a sizeable chunk of votes that could swing the election either way.

Among states, the value of an Uttar Pradesh MLA’s vote is the highest at 208, while that of Sikkim is lowest

at seven. Among the poll-going states– the value of votes of an MLA from Punjab is 116, Uttarakhand-64, Goa-2 and Manipur-18.

The results of UP elections will be important for the presidential election as the value of vote of each of the 403 MLAs of the state is the highest – 208 – given that it is the most populous state in the country. The total value of votes of the UP assembly is 83,824, Punjab13,572, Uttarakhand-4480, Goa-800 and Manipur-1080.

As per various calcula-

tions, the NDA’s strength is just short of the 50 per cent mark and will have to rely on support of non-aligned friendly parties to ensure a smooth passage of its candidate.

TRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has been meeting a section of opposition leaders, apparently with an eye on playing a key role in the presidential election.

The opposition camp too has tried to create a divide in the BJP-led NDA by floating the name of Bihar chief minis-

ter Nitish Kumar as a joint opposition candidate in the presidential election, should he part ways with the ruling coalition.

The electoral college for the presidential election comprises elected members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and elected members of state legislative assemblies and that of NCT Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry. Members of Legislative Councils and nominated members do not form part of the electoral college.

(Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

2

Pig farmers urged to opt for scientific rearing

Rescource persons and participants at the training programme.

D I M A P U R : Fa r m e r s of Noklak district were trained on pig rearing by experts at the training programme held at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema from March 2 to 4.

The far mers from 16 villages were also supplied with 100 piglets o f i m p r o ve d va r i e t y ‘Rani’ along with 6050 kg of grower pig feed and medicines at the end of the training, ICAR research complex for NEH region assistant administrative officer, Imlimenla stated in a press release.

SP Noklak, Dr.Pritpal Kaur Batra, who graced

the valedictory function urged the pig farmers to adopt scientific breeding as eastern region has the potentiality to become a pork hub of Nagaland.

The training was held on the theme, “promotion of scientific pig breeding: Improving economics and nutritional security of tribal farmers of Noklak district at Indo-Myanmar Border”.

D r. P r i t p a l a l s o applauded the efforts of ICAR Nagaland Centre for taking up the much needed project in Noklak district.

She briefed the house about the hardship faced by farmers of Noklak district.

E a r l i e r, we l c o m e address was delivered

by ICAR Nagaland c entre, joint direc tor Dr.D.J. Rajkhowa, who briefed about the various initiatives taken up by ICAR Nagaland centre to improve the economic and nutritional security of tribal farmers.

CAR Nagaland Centre and coordinator of the training, scientist Dr.Mahak Singh briefed the house about different modules of training imparted to farmers.

The project was funded by Tribal SubPlan of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya.

STATE HNS observes lamp lighting ceremony DIMAPUR: Health Nursing School (HNS), Singrijan, Dimapur obser ved its 9th lamp lighting and oath taking ceremony on March 5, at its multipurpose hall.

A press release by HNS stated that speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, CMO Dimapur, Dr. I Moatemjen Jamir, exhorted the students by sharing words of wisdom, and also encouraged them.

He also shared about the lamp lighting and capping day and urged the sstudents to keep the lamp burning brighter.

The release added that significance of the programme was highlighted b y N u r s i n g t u t o r, Mongsentola, and welcome address by principal, Kewekhate-u Dazo.

The programme was attended by managing team, parents, guardians, well wishers, students, teaching and non teaching staff.

AKM clarification DIMAPUR: Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has clarified that news item ‘AKM pay homage to Oting victims’, the stand of AKM on AFSPA should be read as “AKM is always vocal against the enforcement of AFSPA and will steadfastly stand for the removal of AFSPA from our land until the end” and not as rendered.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

DTF holds meeting on NVBDCP

Members of DTF Kohima after the meeting.

DIMAPUR: District Task Force (DTF) meeting f o r N a t i o n a l Ve c t o r Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) on Malaria Elimination in convergence with allied Department of Agriculture, Education, Fisheries and Social Welfare, was held at DC chamber, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Gregory Thejawelie, on March 1.

A press release by CMO office Kohima, stated that CMO, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo highlighted the main objectives of the meeting, while DVBO/ DSO, Dr. Kevi Meyase

gave a presentation on framework for Malaria Elimination from 20162030.

He added that under t h e p r o g r a m m e, t h e goal was to attain zero indigenous cases in the district by 2022, and 2030 through-out the country.

In the second session, the release added that DPO (UIP/RCH), Dr. Rupert Peseyie, delivered brief report of the last IPPI programme.

He maintained that Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization was launched across the State on February 27, adding

that two days house activity was still on.

He also highlighted on the upcoming programme of National De-Worming Day to be held from March 14 to 26.

In this regard, DC, Kohima said that administration h ave t o b e r e a d y s o that implementation of the activities would run smoothly. He added that at all level, administration in each block under district would coordinate during the on-going event.

Re l a t i n g t o t h i s, the DC appealed every concerned department to come forward.

FAC conducts mock peer team visit programme D I M A P U R : Wi t h t h e third cycle of National Assessment and Accreditation Council ( NA AC ) Pe e r t e a m visit to Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung less than a month away, FAC conducted a “mock peer team visit programme” on Saturday, as preparatory drill for faculty members, staff and students.

In a press release, FAC i n f o r m a t i o n a n d publicity cell informed that the mock assessment was conducted with Japfu Christian College principal, Kigwema Dr.Visakhonu Hibo as mock peer assessor along with three Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) members from JCC as members.

The meeting began with presentation from FAC principal, Dr.Temjenwabang on curriculum, students, va r i o u s d e p a r t m e n t s, infrastructure and other facilities available in the college.

In the second phase, I QA C c o o r d i n a t o r, Dr.Lanurenla presented an analysis of the previous second cycle of NAAC Team Report 2015 and pointed out student progression, infrastructure, extension activities, etc.

The HoDs of 16 departments also presented their reports of the last five years.

Participants and resource persons at the programme on scientific rearing of poultry at Goching village, Mon from February 28 to March 5.

NZPO opposes halting Tening-Lekie road project DIMAPUR: Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation (NZPO) said it was disturbed by the high-handedness of some student and youth o r g a n i s a t i o n s o f Pe r e n district in calling for halting the construction of TeningLekie road project without consulting the apex body of the district.

Cautioning individuals and groups to not hamper the long-felt developmental work that was taking place in the district, NZPO also warned that any individual or organisation doing so would be doing so at their own risk.

NZPO president Kevipele Iheilung in a press release however lauded all citizens and leaders of Peren district for their concern in speedy and timely construction of the road without any hindrances.

He said it was a wellknown fact that this stretch of road had been left unattended and ignored by the government for more than three decades

and the people of the area had suffered on all frontsdue to the pathetic condition of the forsaken road.

Mentioning that the sanction for construction of the road by NEC came as a huge relief to the people of the area, he regretted that construction of the road took a back seat in recent times due to a court case, which was very unfortunate and uncalled for.

It had caused a huge blow to the long-desired dream of the people of the area, he added.

Nevertheless, the NZPO president clarified that the letter of PWD (R&B) chief engineer of February 21, 2022 to PWD (R&B) Peren division executive engineer had clearly stated that there were “a number of court cases in connection with this instant project, however there is no stay order or interim direction from the hon’ble court not to proceed with the work”.

Also, the letter stated “In the absence of any interim

direction, the department cannot stop the construction work,” he claimed.

Hence, he asked all the civil society organisations a n d s t u d e n t a n d yo u t h bodies not to issue diktats to the construction firm to halt the construction of the road because, regardless of the court proceedings, the standing order of the government still stood until the matter was resolved in the court of law. As concerned citizens of the district, he stressed that the focus should not be on the ongoing court cases, but on the timely and successful construction of the road regardless of whichever construction firm stood its ground in the court case.

He urged individuals and organisations not to meddle and dirty themselves in petty politics and mudslinging, but rather shift their focus towards the welfare of “our people”by ensuring smooth and timely completion of the road.

30×20 delhi

DIMAPUR: Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) (Nagaland) president, Josiah Zeliang in a press statement clarified that the summon order issued by Jalukie Phumling Youth Organization (JPYO) was to settle differences arising out of RTI on National Highway 129 A. Josiah stated that after deliberate discussion, the issue was settled amicably without any eventualities, and both the parties agreed to co-operate for the betterment of the society.

He therefore said that every speculation of misunderstandings between the two organisations have been settled once and for all.

He further stated that the press statement which was earlier published should not be misconstrued as the statement was made/sent prior to the date of summoning.

K Y M C

db-164/22

ZYF (N) clarifies on summon

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : W i l l t h e We s t e r n powers call Putin’s bluff warning of nuclear war?

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

A B C

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Asukhomi Old village Mock drill exercise conducted in Kohima celebrates 200 yrs

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A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

50% 21% 29%

NEXT POLL

Q: Is it a foregone conclu-

sion that Manipur is going to have a hung assembly?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST MARCH 7

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Very hot with hazy sunshine

36 16

Aizawl

Sunny and very warm

Guwahati Very warm with hazy sun

32 13 35 14

Imphal

Hot with hazy sunshine

33

Itanagar

Plenty of sunshine

31 17

Shillong

Sunny, nice and warm

26 11

Kohima

Hazy sunshine

27 13

Dimapur

Hazy sunshine

33 16

Mkg

Plenty of sunshine

30 14

Tuensang Nice with plenty of sunshine

22

8

9

Sunny and pleasant

27 16

Zunheboto Sunny and delightful

27 11

Wokha

3

STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

KT Sukhalu and others after inaugurating the jubilee stone.

DIMAPUR: Asukhomi Old Village celebrated 200 years of its existence, bicentennial jubilee under the theme “Honouoring the past, envisioning the future” at its Church on Sunday.

Speaking at the celebration programme, advisor School Education, KT Sukhalu asserted that Sumi were labelled as warriors and that in this contemporary era they should also become warriors in education.

He said that though they were known as the forward tribe but lacked behind others in the field of education. He therefore urged the community to come forward

and compete with the rest of the community in education in good terms.

The advisor also lauded the Asukhomi village and said that among Zunheboto block, Asukho was ahead in the field of education.

He therefore called the villagers to be a torch bearer by creating opportunities for the educated unemployed.

He also urged the students to never forget its village no matter where they study.

On the occasion, Sukhali also said that there were only 92 language teachers in Nagaland and that to preserve the culture, cus-

toms and languages, the government was working on creating jobs for language teachers.

He further added that the department of School Education will be announcing advertisements to recruit teachers in Hindi, Maths and Physics for those candidates, who fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

Earlier, Sukhalu also inaugurated the jubilee stone after a dedicatory prayer by pastor SBC Dimapur, Vishiho Shohe.

Pastor Asukhomi Baptist Church, Benito Zhimo, spoke on the theme of the jubilee.

Assisi Centre celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

DIMAPUR: DDMA, Kohima in collaboration with Home Guards and Civil Defence & SDRF Kohima and 12 Bn. NDRF, Kohima team organised the district level mock exercise simulating an earthquake was conducted in Kohima district on March 3.

According to a DIPR report, during the mock drill exercise, a simulating earthquake scenario was created at senior treasury office building (North) Kohima, DESO building, LRSO office, DPRO office, ADC planning office, DEO (election), NSLSA office building, commissioner’s office and DB’s court presuming to be partially collapsed and affected by the fire.

The search and rescue team involving 24 personnel from SDRF and 31 personnel from NDRF along with personnel from fire and emergency services,

Kohima DDMA officials along with personnel from line departments and other stakeholders after the mock drill exercise. (DIPR) power and police conducted the rescue operation in which 23 casualties were reported and taken care of by the medical teams.

The main staging area was at Kohima local ground where NDRF, SDRF and other line departments and stakeholders reported at the area

after emergency siren was sounded at 11a.m., to respond to the disaster.

After the mock drill exercise, debriefing was held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner (DC) with DCG, Medozhalie Pienyü, joint commissioner, Jamithung and assistant commis-

sioner, Vineikho Tetso as observers. On the overall observation of the exercise, the observer pointed out room for improvement in the area of communication, traffic management, command system and time management in order to save energy and resources in the event of a disaster.

Interactive session with women journalists on skincare

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): With new products constantly hitting the shelves and the seemingly endless skincare advice on the Internet, Dr. Atoka Sumi, dermatologist at Eden Medical Centre, gave Dimapur-based women journalists basic beauty tips on skincare on account of International Women’s Day. During an interactive session at Hotel Lake Shilloi here on Sunday, Dr. Atoka highlighted on how one could take care and maintain a healthy skin.

Most importantly, he said 7-8 hours of sleep was crucial, as during this time the process of skin repair takes place, as skin makes new collagen during sleep

Dr. Atoka Sumi with Dimapur based women journalists at Hotel Lake Shilloi on Sunday. (NP) which also prevents sagging.

Besides getting enough sleep, he also advised drinking plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated.

Dr. Atoka also cautioned against buying random skincare products

without understanding one’s skin. Asserting that cleansing is the first step of all skincare routines and beneficial in a number of ways, he advised against using beauty bar soaps that has high ph and also perfumed

soaps, which would eventually damage the skin.

While urging all to eat healthy, he also advised applying sunscreen on a regular basis while outdoors to protect from any skin related problems. For this, he suggested using sunscreen which has sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or above. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the daily application of sunscreen reduces risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

It also decreases the sun’s effect on aging. Overall, Dr. Atoka said maintaining a hygienic lifestyle was Dr. Atoka spoke how women needed to take care of their cycle, menstrual habits etc. prevent measures to avoid complications.

Women participants and others at the programme on International Women’s Day on March 5.

DIMAPUR: Assisi centre for integrated developmentcum-national Domestic Workers Movement Nagaland Region celebrated International Women’s Day at Assisi Auditorium here on March 5.

Director (ACID)/ Coordinator (NDWM Nagaland Region), Sr. Pramila in her welcome address said that women are beautiful creation of God and that they should be at par with men in employment oppor-

tunities, decision making, payment.

District Tobacco Control Dimapur, Dr.Rayselu Lase Vizo, who graced the event as chief guest delivered his message based on the theme “Gender equality today for sustainable Tomorrow”.

Susen Lotha spoke on the topic women during and after pandemic and the coping strategies.

Around 500 women attended the programme.

ATMA conducts STRY in Kuthur village DIMAPUR: Agricultural Technology Managemenet Agency (ATMA) Tuensang conducted Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) programme in association with State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) Medziphema and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Hyderabad, from February 21 to 26, at Community hall Kuthur village, Chessore block Tuensang.

A press release by ATMA Tuensang, stated that resource person, Horticulture Officer, Limba Chang, took up various sessions on importance and scope of mushroom cultivation, varities of mushroom, sources of spawn, seasons for cultivation, mushroom bed preparation, commercial mushroom production, cultivation of shitake mushroom, harvesting and market linkage, etc. along with demonstrations.

The release added that the training covered topic on on “Mushroom Production Techniques”.

Deputy Project Director and course director, Yanglen Jami spoke on the importance and objective of training programme which aimed at imparting skill-based training to rural youth to promote employment in rural areas, while interaction and evaluation sessions were held at the end of the programme.

Altogether, 28 unemployed youths from Kuthur village under Chessore block participated in the training programme.

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NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Mnp polls: 6 NPF workers Cong candidate leads protest demanding re-poll in Mnp booked for vandalism Correspondent

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 6: As many as six workers of an NPF candidate were booked under various sections of IPC and Representation of People’s Act, 1951, an official source said on Sunday.

As per reports, the voting was in progress on Saturday, around 40 workers and supporters of NPF candidate D Korungthang from Tengnoupal AC ransacked a polling station opened at Leilam Centre of the AC. Tengnoupal AC is among the 22 Assembly constituencies spread across 10 districts of the state where voting was held in the second and final round of the twophase polls on Saturday (March 5).

Apart from ransacking polling materials, including the EVM, they also threatened polling officials

on duty.

A security team that was rushed to the polling station, intercepted the six persons said to be workers of and NPF candidate when they were leaving the polling station after committing vandalism.

A video showing security personnel detaining them has also gone viral in social media platforms.

An official source said that the security personnel handed over the six NPF workers to the Tengnoupal police station on Saturday.

The police conducted preliminary verification and took them into custody after registering a FIR case.

Sources said that as per the FIR, the six workers allegedly threatened people, obstructed government employees in discharging their duties, and damaging public properties by ransacking EVMs and other election related documents.

In the FIR, it was re-

portedly stated that the acts of the six persons amounted to committing crimes under various sections of IPC and violation of Representation of People’s Act, 1951.

The Tengnoupal police have initiated an investigation into the charges leveled against the six arrested NPF workers, the source said.

The second and final round of the two-phase polls for the Manipur Legislative Assembly was held on Saturday. Despite intensified security measures, sporadic incidents of violence marred voting at several polling stations across the 22 ACs. In a firing by security personnel on poll duty at a polling station in Senapati district where miscreants tried to capture EVM, a worker of the BJP candidate was killed and another sustained critical bullet injuries.

IMPHAL, MAR 6: Police in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Sunday foiled a protest led by a Congress candidate trying to storm the DC office after a brief struggle.Congress candidate from Wangjing-Tentha AC of Thoubal district and former MLA M Hemanta Singh along with a large number of his supporters today staged a protest rally targeting the Thoubal DC office today.

The security personnel guarding the DC office stopped the protesters, including the candidate, were stopped from entering the DC office complex.

Later, with additional police force, the protesters were pushed away from the area after a brief struggle.

Alleging mass proxy voting in at least nine polling stations during the voting on Saturday, the protesters demanded re-poll in the said polling stations.

“The counting of votes for the AC should be withheld until a proper verification to the voting processes

and re-polls are done in the nine polling stations,” the Congress candidate demanded. He alleged that BJP workers indulged in mass proxy voting in the nine polling stations by not allowing voters to cast votes.

One of the placards displayed during the protest read, “We demand re-poll in 35/9 to 35/17 polling stations”.

The Congress candidate challenged that his allegation can be verified if the footage of the CCTV cameras installed at the polling stations were verified.

Singh claimed that most of the people taking part in the protest were denied of using their franchise by the workers and polling agents of the BJP candidate.

He demanded that the EVMs for the AC (WangjingTentha AC) should not be taken up for counting on March 10 unless proper verification is done.

The Congress candidate claimed that the allegation of proxy voting in the said polling stations can also be easily verified from the thumb impression of the

Police stopping Congress candidate M Hemanta from entering Thoubal DC office where he came to lodge a compliant over proxy voting. jor from Khangabok AC also demanded re-poll in some polling stations in the constituency alleging that polling agents of JD(U) candidate indulged in mass proxy voting.

Talking to the media today, the BJP candidate alleged that in the home polling station of JD(U) candidate Th Jadumani, voters were not allowed to cast their votes.

Workers of the JD (U) candidate prevented the voters from entering the polling

stations campus and his polling agents cast the votes on behalf of the voters.

He said he witnessed the proxy voting and there were no agents of other candidates in these polling stations and immediately lodged complaints with the concerned RO, DEO and the concerned police station.

He added that he will also lodge a complaint with the CEO Manipur to conduct re-poll at home polling stations of the JD (U) candidate.

Cargo ship to Assam via B’desh completes pilot voyage Over 50 per cent polling till 2 pm in peaceful Assam civic elections

Bomb hoax sends Meghalaya police into tizzy

GUWAHATI, MAR 6 (PTI): The MV Lal Bahadur Shastri, an Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) vessel, on Sunday completed its pilot voyage from Bihar’s Patna to the Pandu Port here, ferrying food grains via Bangladesh.

The ship was received at the end of the voyage by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Guwahati Lok Sabha MP Queen Oja and IWAI Chairman Sanjay Bandopadhyay, among others.

A self-propelled vessel, MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carried 200 MT of food grains for Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma received MV Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The IWAI is planning to run a fixed-schedule sailing between National Waterway- 1 and National Waterway-2, heralding a new age of inland water transport for Assam and the northeast, an official release said.

The vessel had started its sail from Patna on NW-1

(river Ganga) on February 5 and covered a distance of 2,350 km.

Another vessel MV Ram Prasad Bismil, with two barges -- Kalpana Chawla and APJ Abdul Kalam – has started voyage from Haldia on February 17, and is on the way to Pandu, it said.

The vessel has already reached the Bangladesh border at Dhubri (Assam).

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “Today marks the beginning of a new age of inland water transport in Assam. This is going to provide the business community a viable, economic and ecological alternative.”

He said seamless cargo transportation is a journey of unfulfilled desires and aspirations of the people of Assam.

“The start of cargo movement through ships via the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBRP) marks the beginning of a new age of economic prosperity for the whole region of the northeast,” Sarma said.

One M’laya students stays back, 41 return from Ukraine Correspondent SHILLONG, MAR 6: Majority of the students from Meghalaya, who have been pursuing higher education in Ukraine have returned to India, while one of them has decided to stay back in that war-ravaged country, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Sunday.

However, it was not immediately known as to why one of the students decided to stay back in Ukraine, a fact, which has evoked concern, curiosity and speculation among the public, as was reflected through comments in the social

media in general.

Moreover, the identity of the student who desired to stay back in Ukraine is unknown with the government officials refusing to divulge his name.

“He doesn’t want to disclose his name. Even the ones who have arrived home want privacy,” a Meghalaya government official said, but requested anonymity.

Sangma, who is in constant touch with the Union ministry of external affairs, said the State government was making all efforts to ensure that all come back home safely.

“Out of 43 students, 41 safely reached India- 4 landed this morning; 1 currently in Budapest may be flown back by today; 1 decided to stay in Ukraine (in a safe location near the border) with relatives.

Thank and appreciate PMO India, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and GOI for their continuous support,” Chief Minister Sangma tweeted on Sunday.

The Meghalaya government had assigned all the deputy commissioners and the superintendents of police of the various districts to reach out to the parents of the students who were stranded in Ukraine.

Four women drug peddlers arrested in Karimganj, Assam

The four women with the drug consignment in Karimganj.

HAILAKANDI, MAR 6: Four women drug peddlers have been arrested from Churaibari of Karimganj in Assam-Tripura border on Saturday. 23 bags of marijuana have also been recovered from their possession, reports The Assam Tribune.

The officer in charge of Churaibari watch police post, Niranjan Das informed that they have

recovered 23 bags of marijuana during routine checkup from a Guwahati bound night super coming from Tripura bearing registration number AS 11 HC 9034. Das said that they have seized 32 kg and 300 grams of marijuana.

Das said that they have arrested four women after interrogating the passengers.

The arrested persons

are Payel Singh, 50, Mitapur area of Patna, Namita Devbarma, 31, Rujina Devbarma, 18 and Mangalakshi Devbarma, 35 of Radhapur police station of Tripura, police said.

The price of the seized items is worth 3.20 lakhs in the market, police said.

Later they were produced in Karimganj court and the arrested women were sent to jail.

Correspondent

Voters stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station for the municipal polls.

GUWAHATI, MAR 6 (PTI): Over 50 per cent voter turnout has been registered till 2 pm, as polling for 80 civic bodies in Assam progressed peacefully on Sunday, a State Election Commission official said.

Though the voting percentage was low at 20.73 per cent in the first three hours of polling, which commenced at 8 am, it has been on an increasing trend, he said.

Voting will end at 4 pm. “The voter turnout till 2 pm has been 50.23 per cent,” the official said.

Electronic Voting Machines are being used for the first time in the history of civic elections in the state.

Cachar DA announces reward for info on child-related crimes

GUWAHATI, MARCH 6: The Cachar district administration has launched an initiative in which any person who would provide information of tip-off about child-related problems and marriage in the district would receive an award, reports The Assam Sentinel.

Speaking on the occasion of 8th Child Protection Day at a programme organized by the District Child Protection Unit, Cachar in collaboration with State Child Protection Society Assam under the aegis of Cachar Administration at the auditorium of Cachar Zilla Parishad here on Friday, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said any person who will provide information regarding childrelated problems in the district will be given the award.

The Deputy Commissioner highlighted various vital aspects including illicit child trafficking, child labour, child abuse and the role of guardians, society, and government in protecting children from such menace. Urging the society to come forward

voters at the time of casting the votes. He went on to allege that except polling agents of BJP candidates, agents of no other candidates in the fray from the AC were not allowed to sit inside the polling stations.

The candidate then said that he will lodge a written complaint to the Thoubal DC who is also the district election officer (DEO) and demand re-polls in these polling stations.

On the other hand, BJP candidate Kh Men-

to create a crime-free environment where every child could enjoy their childhood without any hesitation and fear, Jalli mentioned fixed deposits and scholarships for the children so that they can utilise the amount for further education after they attain 18 years of age.

Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty who inaugurated the programme said, “On 4th of March, in the year 2014, child protection day was observed for the first time in our country and our state Assam was the first to observe this occasion to secure the future of children”. The MLA also promised to set up a shelter home for children during his tenure and announced onetime financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to the Nibedita Nari Sangstha on the occasion; in addition to that, he also promised to donate a vehicle as well.

Underscoring the importance of child protection, Chakraborty said, “We are hopeful that these activities will help in bringing a change in the lives of children.”

No report of any untoward incident has yet been received, the official said.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, state cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Jogen Mohan, and Rajya Sabha MP and former state Congress chief Ripun Bora were among those who cast their votes during the day.

“Municipal elections are an important step towards ensuring public participation in governance of urban areas. As polls to urban local bodies are being held across Assam today, I urge everyone to exercise their democratic right for determining their future,” Chief Minister Himanta

Biswa Sarma tweeted.

Polling is underway for 977 wards in 80 civic bodies across 24 districts of the state, amid tight security and strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the official said.

A total of 2,532 candidates are in the fray, with the ruling BJP having the maximum number of 825 nominees. At least 706 candidates are contesting on Congress tickets, while the Asom Gana Parishad nominated 243 hopefuls.

The number of eligible voters is 16,73,899, comprising 8,41,534 women and 17 transgenders.

The counting of votes will take place on March 9.

SHILLONG, MAR 6: A package with a “bomb inside” message placed behind an indoor stadium Shillong on Sunday triggered alarm bells for residents.

The bomb disposal squad team, however, found that it was a hoax.

“The package mentioning “bomb inside” was placed behind the indoor stadium of the Nongthymmai Sports and Cultural Club located at Jingkieng here. The package was first discovered by the caretaker of the indoor stadium who alerted the club authorities who in turn informed the police,” Sylvester Nongtnger, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said. “Package to Sherwin - Bomb inside - warning do not touch the wires” was written with a black marker pen.

However, the bomb disposal squad carried out a controlled explosion and found that a mobile phone and pencil was inside the package which was meant for “Sherwin.”

The incident assumes significance because the indoor stadium was next to the house of Prof. Sherwin Sungoh, who is a sister-inlaw of the Special Director General of Police, Idashisha Nongrang.

Stage set for Majuli byelection today

MAJULI, MAR 6 (PTI): The stage is set for the byelection to the Majuli assembly constituency in Assam on Monday which will decide the fate of three candidates in the fray.

An estimated electorate of 1,33,227 is eligible to exercise their franchise in the byelection.

The candidates in the fray are the ruling BJP candidate Bhuban Gam, the opposition’s joint nominee Chittaranjan Basumatary of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Bhaity Richong of the SUCI(C).

High pitched campaigning was witnessed with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visiting the world’s largest river island twice to seek votes for the party candidate while opposition leaders including Assam Congress President Bhupen Bora, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi and AJP President Lurinjyoti Gogoi canvassing for Basumatary.

The Congress had decided not to contest but to leave the seat for AJP in a bid to unite the anti-BJP forces.

The election to the

constituency was necessitated following the resignation of Union Minister for Shipping, Ports and Aysuh Sarbananda Sonowal who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on September 27.

The for mer Chief Minister was elected to the state legislative assembly from Majuli constituency for two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2021.

Meanwhile, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam has completed all arrangements for conducting polls in a free, fair, safe and peaceful manner and election observers have been appointed to keep a strict vigil on law and order, expenditure and to strictly enforce COVID protocols in the polling stations, an official said.

As a major push for conducting free and fair elections, live monitoring and webcasting have been arranged in all the 203 polling stations of the constituency, of which 164 are main and 39 are auxiliary polling stations while 812 polling personnel have been deployed for election

duty. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at each polling station for security measures and to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the smooth conduct of polls.

All possible precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that all polling stations follow COVID-19 safety protocols strictly for the safety of the voters and the election officials. Each polling station will be sanitized and facilities of thermal scanning, hand sanitizers, face masks are also made available at the polling stations.

Out of the total electorate of 1,33,227 in the constituency, 67,819 are male and 65,408 female.

Besides, there are also 400 service voters while 2,965 voters are between the age group of 18-19 years age, 1,340 above 80 years of age and 400 voters in the PwD category.

The option of postal ballot facility has been extended to senior citizens above the age of 80 years, PwDs, COVID-19 suspect or affected persons, in addition to the persons employed in essential services.

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NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Centre focusing on improving mass transportation: PM Modi a lot of oppor tunities, but at the same there are challenges too. Flyovers in cities can be made up to a certain limit. With the increasing population, how many flyovers can be made and how will we widen the roads?” the PM said.

“In such a situation, we have only one option, that is mass transportation, and that it why our government is giving impor tance to improving the mass transporation and metro rail connectivity,” he said.

Earlier, there were metro trains in Delhi and one or two other cities, but the metro network is now operational or being developed in over two dozens cities of the country, he said.

Before his address, the PM inaugurated the Pune metro rail project and also took a 10-minute ride in the train after himself buying a

ticket from a kiosk.

The inauguration of the 12-km stretch of the total 32.2-km long project took place at the Garware metro station, from where Modi flagged off the project and proceeded to take the metro ride to the Anandnagar station, located nearly five km away.

During the ride, the PM interacted with differentlyabled students, some of them visually impaired, present inside the metro coach.

Before taking the metro ride from the Garware station, Modi also inspected an exhibition of the project put up there.

The 12-km-long route inaugurated on Sunday i n c l u d e s t wo p r i o r i t y stretches-- Garware College to Vanaz (5 km) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Phugewadi (7 km) -- on two metro lines.

Final phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh today

Time to form ‘iron government’ of BSP in UP: Mayawati

PUNE, MAR 6 (PTI): The central government is focusing on improving mass transportation, including the metro rail connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday after inaugurating a metro project in Pune city of Maharashtra.

The total cost of the Pune metro project is over Rs 11,400 crore. The PM had laid the foundation stone for the project on December 24, 2016.

Modi was addressing a public meeting at the MIT College ground here after launching and laying the foundation stone of various development projects in the city. “...Today, I got the opportunity to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various projects.

I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to lay the foundation stone of the Pune metro and today,

L U C K N O W, M A R 6 (PTI): Voting for the seventh and final phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections covering 54 seats, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi, will be held on Monday to decide the phase of 613 candidates.

Polling will start at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm in Azamgarh, Mau, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, C h a n d a u l i , Va r a n a s i , Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Sonbhadra districts.

The campaigning for the final phase ended on Saturday with the BJP and its rival parties attacking each other on a range of issues from handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, law and order, economic and security situation to farmers’ stir.

Polling on these 54 seats will also mark the end of the almost monthlong voting process in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh that had began on February 10 after the announcement of elections in mid-January.

The counting of votes will be under taken on

Narendra Modi travels in a metro train and interacts with students in Pune, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (PTI)

you have invited me to inaugurate the project,” he said.

“Earlier (during past gover nments), the foundation laying used to take place, but it was n o t k n ow n w h e n t h e inauguration of the same project will take place,” said Modi.

The inauguration of the Pune metro project

March 10.

Of the 54 seats in this phase, 11 are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and two for the Scheduled Tribes. There are 2.06 crore eligible voters.

This final round will also be a test of the alliances carved out by both the BJP and Samajwadi Party with small caste-based parties.

BJP’s allies Apna Dal (Sonelal) and Nishad Party and Akhilesh Yadav’s new friends Apna Dal (K), Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) of Om Prakash Rajbhar and others have been trying to rally their supporters.

Once considered a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party, the region saw the BJP making inroads in 2017 by winning 29 seats along with its allies Apna Dal (4) and SBSP (3). The BSP got six seats and the Samajwadi Party 11 seats.

For the Samajwadi P a r t y, i t s p a t r i a r c h Mulayam Singh Yadav made a rare appearance in Jaunpur to drum up support for Lucky Yadav, son of his long-time associate late Parasnath Yadav in the fray from Malhani seat.

Differences between T’gana governor, state come to fore

Chandrashekhar Rao

Tamilisai Soundararajan

HYDERABAD, MAR 5 (PTI): Differences between the Telangana Governor and the TRS-led state government came to the fore on Saturday with Tamilisai Soundararajan appearing to be expressing disappointment over the customar y Gover nor’s address to the Budget session of legislature not being scheduled this year.

A statement to this effect issued by her was posted Saturday night on a Whatsapp group in which government press releases are shared daily by the state’s information department officials, but it was deleted soon after.

Re peated attempts to contact Raj Bhavan’s media relations officials to ascertain whether the statement was in force did not fructify. Messages sent were unanswered till late hours on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear whether Raj Bhavan media officials shared the statement with mediapersons in any manner.

“By not holding the Governor’s Address

in this Budget Session, the Members now stand to lose out on the opportunity to discuss the previous year performance o f t h e G ove r n m e n t ,” Soundararajan said in the statement.

The opposition BJP and Congress have earlier this week attacked the TRS government for not scheduling the customary Governor’s address to the Budget session of legislature which begins on Monday next.

Taking exception to comments of BJP leaders, state Legislative Affairs Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy has said the Governor’s address is not taking place as the Budget Session is a continuation of the previous session which has not been prorogued.

Citing constitutional provisions, he said the Governor is supposed to address the Legislature when a new session takes place in a calendar year.

T h e r e h av e b e e n instances in the past when the Governor’s address did not feature in the session, he had said.

shows and sends across the message that projects can be completed on time, the PM said, and appealed to people to travel by metro trains.

Noting that the urbanisation is taking place on a fast pace, he said by 2030, the country’s urban population will cross the 60-crore mark.

“The increasing population of cities brings

Mulayam Singh had earlier campaigned for his son and party president Akhilesh Yadav on Karhal seat in Mainpuri.

Besides UP Tourism Minister Neelkanth Tiwari (Varanasi south) other ministers in the fray in the last leg are Anil Rajbhar (ShivpurVa r a n a s i ) , R a v i n d r a Jaiswal (Varanasi north), Girish Yadav (Jaunpur)and Ramashankar Singh Patel (Marihan-Mirzapur).

Dara Singh Chauhan, who had resigned from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet and joined the Samajwadi Party, is contesting from Ghosi in Mau. SBSP president Om Prakash Rajbhar (Zahoorabad), Dhananjay Singh (Malhani-Jaunpur) as JD(U) candidate and Abbas Ansari, son of mafiaturned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, from Mau Sadar seat are contesting in this phase.

The campaigning in the last phase reached its crescendo with Prime Minister Modi leading the BJP’s poll blitzkrieg in Varanasi and its adjoining districts.

EC to host virtual election visitors’ programme NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): The Election Commission will organise an international election visitors programme (IEVP) for foreign poll management bodies in virtual mode on March 7 when Uttar Pradesh votes for the last phase of assembly polls.

The programme constitutes an important part of the EC’s international outreach and seeks to familiarise fellow election management bodies (EMBs) with the electoral system and processes adopted in the world’s largest democracy.

IEVP 2022 also provides an opportunity to the EC to share best practices and experience of the conduct of the poll process along with the steps taken to ensure compliance of COVID-19 protocols, an EC statement said.

W h i l e vo t i n g h a s been completed in Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur, the seventh and last phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held on Monday.

More than 135 delegates from over 26 countries across the world including Australia, Bahamas, Bhutan, Croatia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, M a u r i t i u s, M o l d ova , M o n g o l i a , M ya n m a r, Philippines, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Suriname, etc.

Besides addressing election rallies, he also held a roadshow for three assembly constituencies of Cantt, Varanasi North and Varanasi South.

This phase also saw Tr i n a m o o l C o n g r e s s leader Mamata Banerjee descending on the pilgrim city to hold a joint rally with SP president Akhilesh Yadav and his RLD ally Jayant Chaudhary.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had been camping in Varanasi for about four days and she along with her brother Rahul Gandhi addressed election meetings, whereas BSP supremo Mayawati also campaigned in the district and neighbouring areas.

Seeking to override anti-incumbency, the ruling party raised issues like forced migration and law and order problems during the previous Samajwadi Party government while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav targeted the BJP government on issue of inflation, unemployment, stray cattle menace and farmers’ agitation against agri laws.

LU C K N OW, M A R 6 (PTI): BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday said it is essential to form a strong government that takes cares of all sections of the society.

“Voting on 54 seats in nine districts of Uttar Pradesh will be held in the last phase of polling tomorrow. The neglected people facing poverty and unemployment can work to change their fate and that of the state with the power of their votes. It is necessary to form an ‘iron government’ of BSP to ensure the welfare and happiness of all,” she said in a tweet in Hindi.

“It is well known that all kinds of lucrative promises and assurances of opposition parties have not been met. Instead of taking care of the people of UP under their governments and bringing in ‘good days’ (achhe din) as promised, the condition (of people) is continuously deteriorating.

Now, it will be wise not to fall for their words,” she added.

Cong, NCP stage protests against PM Modi’s Pune visit

The Congress and the NCP stage protests in Pune on Sunday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maharashtra city to inaugurate and unveil various development projects.

Before the PM’s arrival here, local Congress and NCP leaders in the morning came out on roads carrying black flags and placards, with ‘Go Back Modi’ written on them, near the Alka Talkies chowk and in other city areas.

Pune city Congress unit president Ramesh Bagwe claimed Modi had in Parliament “insulted” Maharashtra by suggesting that the state had encouraged the spread of COVID-19 to other states.

“We demand an apology from PM Modi, or else he should go back,” he said.

Prashant Jagtap

He claimed that Modi was inaugurating “incomplete projects and cheating the people of Pune”.

Notably, NCP chief S h a r a d Pawa r h a d o n Saturday also said the work of the metro rail service to be inaugurated by the PM was incomplete, and underlined the need to focus more on rescuing Indian students stranded in war-hit Ukraine.

Pune NCP president Prashant Jagtap said that Modi was inaugurating the metro rail project which was incomplete.

“PM Modi was busy with the election campaign (in other poll-bound states), when Indian students needed to be rescued from war-torn Ukraine. Other countries rescued their citizens from Ukraine in a step-by-step manner over the last one-and-a-half months,” he said.

Jagtap also opposed Maharashtra Gover nor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s recent remark that Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The governor was also present with PM Modi here on Sunday during the inauguration of various projects.

Adhir questions Mamata’s silence on Anis Khan’s death

KO L K ATA , M A R 5 (PTI): Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan C h owd h u r y S a t u r d ay questioned the silence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the mysterious death of student activist Anis Khan and said that she has forgotten the Muslims who had reposed faith in her since her party’s win in the state election.

C h owd h u r y, w h o is also the WBPCC president, alleged that the state government is trying to hide the truth behind the incident and stop investigation into it.

Chowdhury, who met the the student activist’s family members at their house at Amta in Howrah district during the day, claimed that the special investigating team formed by the state government to probe the death “would yield nothing but rubbish”.

He raked up the death of Rizwanur Rahman, a graphics trainer, who according to the CBI probe was driven to commit

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

suicide in 2007. “Didi (Banerjee) had spearheaded the movement following Rizwanur’s death because she had no option then.

Now because the elections are over, the Muslims have been dumped by her.”

Rizwanur was found dead near the rail track in Kolkata in Sptember 2007, a month after his marriage to the daughter of industrialist Ashok Todi.

The Supreme Court had in March 2011 had asked CBI proceed with the case as suicide.

The death had rocked the state and Banerjee had spearheaded a movement against the then Left Front government of Buddhadeb

Bhattacharjee and demanded the CBI probe into it.

“Why is the chief minister silent in this case?

Why hasn’t she sent any of her ministers to meet Anis’ family members? The people of Bengal want to know the mystery behind his death. But it seems that the state government is trying to stop the investigation as the chief minister and the TMC gover nment are tr ying to hide the truth behind the death. We will not let them succeed in that,” Chowdhury told reporters.

“There will be no investigation done by the SIT ... Nobody will believe that a civic police man would kill somebody unless he was ordered”.

A civic police man wa s a m o n g t h e f o u r police personnel who had reportedly forced their way into Anis’ house on the night of February 18 and took him to its second floor.

His body was later found by his family members from outside the building.

6

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 90 DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Inescapable fact

M

uch had been written and commented in this column for several decades about Dimapur City in particular and how it was being systematically being undone socially, economically and physically. Dimapur, during the 80s was second fastest growing city in the north east and enjoyed an economic boom unrivalled except by Guwahati.

Since the past decades, this newspaper had been highlighting actions needed to enable Dimapur to meet the desired level for economic progress.

Among those regularly highlighted was on how Dimapur railway station was being short changed by the Northeastern Frontier Railways(NFR) in terms not placing even single of the 40 plus long distance trains at Dimapur which earns NFR the second highest revenue after Guwahati. All the long distance trains running beyond Guwahati, emanate at Tinsukia. Only the Nagaland Express and BG Express run from Dimapur to Guwahati. The state government since 2003 has only provided lip service for improvement of facilities for passengers.

The state government has fought shy of eviction of encroachers into railway land for whatever reasons and this, by default, has only strengthened the hands of anti-Nagaland/anti-Dimapur lobby at Maligaon/Lumding. The other was the Dimapur airport, among the oldest civilian airports in the north east.

Dimapur airport began handling civilian planes during the late 70s when most current civilian airports in the region were not in existence nor operating civilian aircraft. Even with Dimapur airport, the state government has done precious little since 2003 and despite having an alliance with the ruling party at the Centre, no effort has been made to expand, improve and upgrade Dimapur airport. Despite the state government’s apparent lack of interest, the civil aviation ministry had increased flight services to Dimapur including the much needed short haul aircraft connecting Dimapur-Guwahati-Imphal. A recent addition was the Shillong-Guwahati-Dimapur-Imphal service. Another aspect that became a glaring admission about the neglect of Dimapur was remark of the chief minister during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Cardiac care centre at Christian Institute of Health Science & Research (CIHSR). The chief minister had expressed the desire that CIHSR, a premier health institute having over 400 beds, could become a medical college. In fact, the government should have considered turning the CISHR into medical college years ago. CISHR not only has the compliment of beds and space but it is located in Dimapur, which is connected by land, rail and air with other cities. This means, that visiting faculty members from other states will be able to travel to and from Dimapur without problem. Also the technical back up as well as skilled manpower is available in Dimapur which is close to both Jorhat (where a medical college has been established) and Guwahati. Even with regard to installing BSL at the height of covid-19 pandemic, the government gave BSL-II at Dimapur and BSL-III at Kohima. The state government pursued a medical college in Kohima and did a post-haste inauguration in 2014. Despite having spent around Rs. 200 crore out of the estimate of Rs. 365 crore, the project has run aground.

Among the several issues that confronts the project, one is that the hospital(NHAK), Hospital Colony (above NH 29) is several kilometres away from the administrative complex at Phriebagei. All these should be a wake up call for right thinking people of Dimapur as they have to apply their minds on what is the best they can do.

DailyDevotion Taking the Next Step

…in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4 When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others.

And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17.

Quotes

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

US arms producers have $ 5.4 billion profits

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LOBBIES RIP SOUTH ASIA WITH FORCED WEAPONRY SALES

he Ukraine crisis has exposed India to many problems and increased sales of billions of dollar arms through an atmosphere of jingoism across the world and particularly in the subcontinent.

It is critical for India to have its support base wider and watchful over western sanctions against Russia and protect its economy plunging into a slowdown of 5.4 percent growth. It has been cautious in abstaining in the UN and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call at the Quadrilateral Security dialogue or Quad virtual summit for dialogue to resolve the issue is appropriate to end aggression through intense dialogues and heightened diplomacy particularly as the ‘mighty’ West is seen crumbling and remains a curious spectator. It also reflects that India despite NAM not being there adheres to its principles for peace in Indian Ocean and Pacific.

The present situation is apparently the creation of arms lobbies, which want to increase arms, counter-arm-cyber gadget sales post-pandemic. In the process the Indian subcontinent is emerging as

the US, Russia and China weapon deal hub.

India is hit by the Ukraine development not only for the rising fuel prices but also import of sunflower and other edible oils, tea exports and possible restrictions on shipping that could impact exports and its production. But the rising arms race despite a thaw in nuclear contest poses multi-pronged threat in the region.

The prolonged unsuccessful Afghanistan and West Asian war has drained the US economy posing problem for the world’s largest weapon industry.

The economic problems and suffering citizens pressurize the US President Joe Biden to remain subdued against blatant Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A generation of the US people saw miseries rising; arms lobby profits soaring, economy draining and consequently creating an unstable world costing it $ 8 trillion in wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan, according to Brown University. It also caused nine lakh deaths and 21 million displaced swarming European countries.

Since 2001, the US

army lost 2,442 troops, have 20,666 wounded in Afghanistan alone, according to the Defense Department. It is estimated that over 3,800 U.S. private security contractors have been killed.

The nuclear or chemical arsenals propaganda against Saddam Hussein and now Iran has continued with the uncertainties that affect the Indian subcontinent, euphemistically given the name of South Asia by Pentagon, the most.

T h e Shivaji arms lobby is keen that the situation in the subcontinent remains fluid so that they could increase their sales. It keeps Pakistan in a state of flux because of the US policy of not allowing it friendly relations with India and carefully working out the collapse of SAARC – South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation.

The perpetual situation of fear helps the US and its allies sell arms, fighter aircraft and other military arsenal to both India and Pakistan through morphed assessments of security situations and pressurized military build-up.

Interestingly enough the 20 largest US arms

producers and military services companies, including Lockheed and Boeing, report $ 5.436 billion profits for several trillion dollar arms sales since 2001. As sales to other countries dip, it increases in the Indian subcontinent. The region is becoming arms bazaar.

Pakistan finance ministry says since the 2001US onslaught on terror, it spent $ 5.4 billion on arms purchase from the US. Jang and Geo TV Group study shows that the US doled out $ 33 billion since 2001 for curbing Sarkar t e r r o r i s m , ‘health and education’. Since 1947, Pakistan received $ 70 billion from the US. Pakistan has Rs 11.8 trillion debts.

The US funding apparently takes care of its revenue.

The US arms sales to India increases to $ 3.4 billion in 2020 from $ 6.2 million at a time when sale of US weapons dip to $ 50.8 billion from $ 55.7 billion.

The major countries that cut arms purchases include Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Iraq, South Korea and Afghanistan.

But the US sales to strategic regions like Taiwan and Poland rises.

Poland gets arms worth $4.5 billion up from $

12.4 million and Taiwan $ 11.8 billion up from $ 8.76 million, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), to keep China and Russia at bay. The UAE surprisingly has increased its arms purchases to $ 3.6 billion from $ 1.1 billion Even Russia since 2014, has been increasing its ties with Pakistan and in 2021 pledges Mi-35 assault helicopters and anti-tank systems. It has also granted $ 1 billion arms loans to Bangladesh and agrees to supply arms to Sri Lanka.

Indian reliance on Russia is declining despite still its large imports. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) states that 49.4 percent of Indian arms imports between 2016 and 2020 were from Russia, 0.5 percent from Ukraine.

Between 1996 and 2016, Russia supplied 70 percent of arms.

Bangladesh has been buying more arms from the US with purchases touching $ 110 million since 2009, including plans to Apaches and missiles. It also buys military equipment, including naval armaments, worth $ 2.59 billion from China. The Chinese bid to increase in-

fluence in Nepal is concern for India.

Sri Lanka is also emerging as a hub with the US wooing it for a military cooperation deal and privileges for visiting US troops. China in April 2021 vowed to enhance “pragmatic cooperation” in the military and other sectors.

E ve n a s U k r a i n e situation intensifies, the concern of the Indian subcontinent seeing arms race should raise eyebrows.

Though no major conflict has been seen in the region since the Kargil conflict in 1998, and India has a 2003 ceasefire treaty with Pakistan, the larger arms acquisition in the region will hopefully not change the equilibrium.

During the past five years, the arms sellers are wooing all countries in the region to buy more sophisticated weaponries and security gadgets. India being sucked into the race itself can divert its resources.

The new diplomatic move

by Modi can put a check on it with a new ‘panchsheel’ to create amicable atmosphere in the region with an overall protective umbrella for ensuring growth and rise in the quality of life in the region and Pacific.

Post-mortem

Is The NLTP Act, 1989 a poor man scourge?

A

mong the current issues taking Nagaland Government and the people into serious consultations, debate and discussion at all platforms is the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 (NLTP in short) the final push given by the Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU). It is indeed a huge relief that at last State Government, Church Bodies and Civil Organizations has now taken cognizance of the failure of the NLTP Act and has now decided to do something about it. Now we await State Government decision on the issue post consultation in the Assembly.

Facts clearly shows that more than 30 years of enforcing the Act has not made Nagaland any dryer and on the contrary it appears percentages of people consuming alcohol are increasing. So what purpose does the Act serve now? We have also seen that just by destroying the seized IMFL and police registering case against seller and suppliers of IMFL has not contributed anything worthwhile in achieving the aim and objective of the NLTP Act except filling the pages of local newspapers, to be specific the aims of the Act are impossible to achieve.

Advocates of total ban on liquor sale and consumption have also appealed to the Government to save the future generation by implementing the Act effectively and to refrain from lifting the act either totally or partially at the same time those against the Act have opined its failure and the incapability to save the young and upcoming generations.

Pro NLTP Act has also largely taken the welfare of the common people (lower section of the people) into consideration as evident from the article published in Nagaland Post dated 24/02/2022 “NLTP Act 1989: Revisit to the past amidst lobbying” by Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary, NBCC. Such statement does sound nice and comforting, but it is far cry from reality, common people sell alcohol to make a living, to support their families not for show off. The statement also reminds me of a story once shared by our Kerelite teacher in High School, he told us a story of one family who sells alcohol from their own house and how their innocent daughter became a victim due to action of boozers who frequented their house. So here, who is responsible for the condition of poor girl child? Her parents? or the Government who impose total ban on sale and consumption or the Church who fail to intervene to provide alternative earning facilities for the families.

Such debate is endless yet some sellers using their own residence as booze joint do operate till today in spite of total liquor ban. What I want to convey is that though the law impose total ban on liquor sale and consumption, Government nor Church body or any pressure group would not succeed in stopping certain family or individuals from selling alcohol for livelihood, people will still find alternative ways as it is a matter of livelihood and their survival and govt. has to check on private residence being use as booze joint. Further, total absence of alcohol in any region does result in substance abuse, which is more harmful for the society in the long run.

Now as a legal practitioner by profession and observing our society I put forward my argument why the continuation of the NLTP Act will serve no purpose: 1. The heading of Section 3 of The NLTP Act reads: Total Prohibition of

Liquor and Nagaland a dry State, clause (3) of the Section 3 of the Act states that: No person shall consume liquor. I feel the provision of clause (3) section 3 of the Act is the least use and least enforced provision of the Act. Though the law empowered the law enforcing agency to prosecute anyone found consuming alcohol, so far I have not come across nor heard of the Courts in Nagaland convicting any citizen for consumption of alcohol, I may be wrong and wish to be corrected with proper records. Moreover, won’t it be hypocritical for police personnel who himself consume alcohol to go on arresting citizens for consuming alcohol or a Judge who consume alcohol to punish individual for consuming liquor. Whereas Section 44 (a) & (e) which prohibits import or exports of any liquor and prohibits sells or buy of liquor appears to be the most enforced provision of the Act. But enforcement of the provisions of the said section has failed to make Nagaland any dryer not achieved its desired results. So the best way forward is to revoke the existing Act and enact practical Act or regulations by seriously studying the models or Acts enforced in other states for instance The Uttar Pradesh Excise Act 1910 fix the legal age for drinking at 21 years with a penalty of Rs.1000 for violations, the Act also impose prohibition of sale on certain grounds such as an area where the Government operate, educational institutes, place of worships, Hill area, Industrial area etc. Whereas in our dry state wine house do exist and function with few meters apart from Churches in towns and villages. The Government and pressure groups have failed themselves too and pressure group putting all blame on the Government for the weak implementation does no justice at all. Say the Government could strictly implements the Act where import of liquor into the State was successfully prevented, people who drinks will still find ways to drink, be local or IMFL. Further the NLTP Act does not cover local brew which is equally harmful and its contents yet to be studied properly.

2. Other writers who supports repeal or amendment of the Act has brilliantly put their argument by giving the examples of other countries whose policy on total prohibition on liquor have failed. In fact out of 28 States and 8 union territories in India only 7 states namely Bihar, Gujarat, Tripura, Lakshadweep, Mizoram and Nagaland, whereas in Manipur its is banned partially. In mid 2020, 123 people in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district died after drinking illicit liquor, liquor is not totally ban in Punjab like in Nagaland but illicit liquor trade boom in Punjab same as in Nagaland though it’s a dry state. The point is whether the state impose total liquor ban or not, the liquor trade will continue so why not the State streamline and strive to give FSSAI approve alcohol to the citizens of the state. Liquor like many other human inventions is the invention of the mankind and it will always be a part of mankind. Humans cannot shun alcohol totally out of their civilizations whether we like it or not. And what the state and pressure groups should do is to teach the citizens to drink responsibly by organizing workshops and programs for people fully dependent on alcohol instead of putting blanket ban at the same time take strict legal action as per the law against anybody who create public nuisance under the influence of alcohol. A survey done in 2019 in Punjab

found more than half the male population consumed alcohol and survey done by India’s Social Justice Ministry along with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Nationals Drugs Dependence Treatment Centre suggested the state also had an alcohol dependence problem; such survey in Nagaland is need of the hour. What I notice from my student days in Guwahati is that city police on night patrol from 12 PM onwards will arrest anybody out in the street if found under the influence of alcohol whereas in our state I have often witness drunk people roaming the street, creating nuisance in locality freely for whole night with no police on sight to enforce the law.

This is the reality of our dry state and liquor prohibition is a joke upon itself.

3. The main line of argument hold by the Church body is that Nagaland being a Christian majority state, liquor has to be ban by any means not considering the fact liquor ban for the last 30 plus year has done irreparable damage both to the health of the people and the economy of the state and also the fact that whether ban or no ban, people will not stop drinking. The Church further condemns the liquor business and people who sell liquor. Here I want to ask the Church bodies what if the people who sell alcohol gives their tithe regularly or can the Church refuse tithe from such people? Post NLTP Act coming into effect, the Church has done little or say nothing for the welfare of their respective flock, just condemning the people who sells alcohol for living is not the solution, Church ought to have provided other alternative for earning livelihood if it really cares for the well being of its flocks as the govt. was forced to legislate the Act on the Church and pressure groups pressure.

If the Church and the pressure groups feel it has no such resources to help, it is best to leave the issue to the State alone to frame its policies to raise level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health as empowered by Article 47 of the Constitution. If not the Church is largely responsible for the economic well being of the citizens.

4. Here we less forget India is a secular state and religion is best kept inside our home in this issue but influencing state policy will put us in the same league with the UP government and its policy on cow slaughter.

Conclusion The influence of the Church is huge in Nagaland and the response and decision of the State on the liquor ban will show who is more powerful in Nagaland. I understand the Church primary duty as a moral and spiritual guide is to teach the society to stand against all evils not against liquor consumption alone but it is strange to see the Churches in Nagaland are silent on unjust actions of the state such as backdoor appointments and incompletion of sanction projects. Or does Church feel it has divine rights only to intervene on liquor issue.

Lastly I remind the Nagaland legislators that the power tussle between secular government and the Church is not a new issue as European history tells how the struggle for power between the Church and the State shaped the western world. And this time, it is best that the State stand firmly on its secular values and let future be the judge of today’s action.

Pakinrichapbo, Advocate Samziuram Village Peren Nagaland.

Taxing times: Some foolproof ways of saving tax under Section 80C

T

hese days information comes in gigabytes.

Advice is free. And everyone has an opinion but the ability to take a decision is almost nil. No, I am not describing a science fiction movie, nor am I talking about the 9 P.M. national television debate. Neither is my topic rocket science nor is it going to polarise you before the elections. This is the month of March and every tax payer is debating or reasoning the best ways to save on taxes. Therefore, I am going to talk about it in a simple way.

Yes, I am talking about the most popular tax-saving instrument, which is the Section 80C. Under this section, an individual can reduce his/ her tax burden by investing a maximum amount of 1.5 lakhs in a financial year. A host of products are eligible under this section and there is no universal best product for all. Each product has its own pros and cons and only those who have opted for the old system of paying income tax are eligible for it. Let us begin: Public Provident Fund: This15-year lock-in product can be opened in any bank or post office.

After 15 years, you can continue it indefinitely in the block of five years. The maximum amount one can invest is 1.5 lakhs. It is the only product which enjoys triple tax benefit. At the time of investments, during accrual and also the withdrawal, proceeds are tax-free.

Equity Link Savings Scheme (ELSS) from Mutual Funds: Mutual Funds offer special schemes to save income tax which are known as ELSS. It has a lock-in period of three years.

Although tax reduction cap is for 1.5 lakhs in a financial year, one can invest more in it. Investing through equity is often regarded as the best product for wealth creation in the long run.

Insurance: Insurance is a very popular product in our country and for many the first step into the world of investment. One can opt for a traditional product offering endowment benefits or go for a market linked ULIP. Here also, the maximum cap is 1.5 lakhs for tax deduction. but if you wish to invest more, there are no restrictions.

Fixed Deposits: Fixed Deposits in banks, non-banking financial institutes and post offices are also eligible for rebate under 80C. The investment process in them is easy and hassle-free. To be eligible, the product should have a five year lock-in period. A periodic investment in them can be used as a regular interest income after the first complete cycle. The interest earned is taxable, not tax-free like PPF. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: SSY is a government-sponsored scheme meant for a girl child for up to the age of ten. Any investment in them enjoys rebate under 80C and the upper limit is also 1.5 lakhs in a financial year.

There are a host of other products eligible under 80C of the Income Tax Act of 1961. I have covered them from time to time in this column. The idea that one is better than the other is a myopic way of looking at it. It is true that some products are better suited for some individuals, depending on a host of reasons. It is also true that one should refrain from exposing oneself to too many products, even if the need is to only save taxes. The fundamental rule of keeping a balance between debt and equity even in your tax-saving instrument is also true. Your age, risk appetite, stomach for sudden change, liabilities, all contribute towards choosing a product, whether for tax-saving purposes or otherwise.

-Dipankar Jakharia

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.

‘Operation Ganga’ due to India’s influence

PUNE, MAR 6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attributed the success of the ‘Operation Ganga’ to evacuate citizens stranded in war-torn Ukraine to India’s growing influence in the global arena.

“We are evacuating thousands of Indians safely from the war zone through the Operation Ganga,” Modi said after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebration of the Symbiosis University and its Arogyam Dham here.

“It is due to India’s growing influence that it has brought thousands of students from the war zone of Ukraine back to their motherland,” he said.

Many big countries are facing difficulties in doing so for their citizens, Modi said.

Amid the escalating crisis in Ukraine, the Indian government, under the ‘Operation Ganga’, has flown 13,700 citizens - who were stuck in war-hit Ukraine - back to safety by special flights that were started

last week, the government had said in a statement on Saturday.

On Sunday, addressing students in Pune, Modi said their generation is lucky that it does not have to bear the brunt of a “defensive and dependent psychology”. If the country has seen this change, then the credit goes to the youth of the country, he said.

He said sectors where the country would not have thought of standing on its feet, it is now becoming a global leader in those areas.

The PM also cited the example of mobile and electronic manufacturing and the defence sectors.

“In the area of defence, we had come to believe that we could do anything only on the basis of whatever others gave. But, today things have changed,” he said.

The PM said India is now becoming a defence exporter. Two defence corridors are underway where modern weapons will be manufactured and fulfill the country’s security needs, he

to space. These reforms have aspirations of the youth. brought opportunities for “Today’s India is innothe youth. vating, improving and influThe government in the encing the world,” he said. country trusts the capabiliModi cited the examties of the youth, which is ple of how India showed its why many sectors are liber- capability through a vaccine alised, he said. against COVID-19.

The world’s third largThe prime minister est start-up ecosystem is in exhorted the youth to start India, the PM said, adding their own start-ups to find that the ‘Start-up India’, solutions to the challenges Narendra Modi ‘Stand-up India’, ‘Make in faced by the country. He said India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar the solutions to the local added.

“India has emerged Bharat’ (initiatives of the challenge should come from second in the area of mobile government) represent the universities. manufacturing. Seven years 2,135 Indian nationals evacuated back, the country only had two mobile manufacturing on Sunday, taking total to 16K companies. Today, more Under ‘Operation Ganga’, 2,135 Indian citizens rethan 200 manufacturing turned back home on Sunday through 11 special civilian units are involved in this,” flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. he said.

Among the special civilian flights on Sunday, nine From the software in- landed in New Delhi while two in Mumbai. dustry to health sector, from There were six flights from Budapest, two from BuArtificial Intelligence to charest, two from Rzeszow and one from Kosice. automobiles and electric veWith Sunday’s evacuation, nearly 16,000 Indians hicles, from quantum com- have been evacuated since the special flights began on puting to machine learning, February 22. “The number of Indians airlifted by 66 spenew avenues are coming to cial civilian flights goes up to 13,852. Till date, the IAF the fore, he mentioned. has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2,056 passengers while Modi said reforms are taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries as part taking place in the areas of of Operation Ganga,” Union Ministry of Civil Aviation geo-spatial systems, from Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a statement on Sunday. drones and semi-conductors

India sends relief materials to Ukraine as humanitarian assistance

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6 (IANS): India kept sending relief materials to war torn Ukraine as part of humanitarian assistance by the Indian Air Force aircraft deployed for evacuation of stranded nationals through the neighbouring countries.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shared a video of the relief materials being loaded in IAF’s aircraft by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and these supplies are being sent to Poland from where it would be sent to Ukraine.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 3 said that two tranches of humanitarian assistance that included medicines, medical equipment, relief materials were dispatched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to Ukraine.

“One of the flights carried six tonnes of material to Romania while the other flight carried nine tonnes of material to

Visuals of IAF plane at Hindon carrying humanitarian assistance.

Slovakia. Besides, the four tranches of humanitarian aid were sent earlier,” the MEA further said.

The Ministr y also said that the humanitarian aid were sent via Poland and Romania. Earlier on March 2, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had sent relief material to Ukraine via neighbouring countries.

The supplies include blankets, sleeping mats, and solar study lamps ect, which were sent from IAF’s transport aircraft that left for Poland and another

7

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

consignment by a commercial airlines on March 2.

M e a n w h i l e, t h e MEA said that a total of 2,135 Indians have been brought back on Sunday by 11 special flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. With this, more than 15,900 Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on February 22. Till date, the IAF has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2,056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries under Operation Ganga.

Bengal Governor invites speaker for interaction

KOLKATA, MAR 6 (PTI): West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday that he has invited Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee to Raj Bhavan later in the day for a discussion on ensuring “sanctity” of House proceedings, while pointing out that “live coverage” of his address was “blacked out” on earlier occasions. The Assembly has been summoned by the governor at 2 pm on Monday on a proposal by the Mamata Banerjee cabinet after days of uncertainty over timing of the sitting of the House owing to a typographical error in an earlier communication that mentioned the time as 2 am on March 7.

“In view of unwholesome situations during the earlier such addresses to the Assembly, including ‘black out’ of ‘live coverages’ of the address, I find it expedient to have an interaction with the Hon’ble Speaker so that sanctity of the proceedings is maintained and dignity of the office of Governor is not compromised,” Dhankhar wrote to Biman Banerjee.

Indian embassy asks Indians still stranded in Ukraine to fill up online form NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): The Indian embassy in Ukraine on Sunday asked all Indians who are still stuck in the conflict-stricken country to fill up an online form on an urgent basis.

“All Indian nationals who still remain in Ukraine are requested to fill up the details contained in the attached Google Form on an URGENT BASIS. Be Safe Be Strong,” it said in a tweet.

The details sought in the Google form are name, e-mail, phone number, address of current stay, passport details, gender and age.

In the Google form, the embassy has also asked for indicating the current location of the Indians stranded in Ukraine.

A list of locations has been provided in the form and an option given to select the location from it.

The locations mentioned in the online form are Cherkassy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmel-

Indian students taking refuge in an underground metro station at Noukova in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

nytsky, Kirovograd, Kyiv, Luhansk, Lviv, Mykolaiv and Odessa.

The list also includes Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsya, Volyn, Zakarpattya, Zaporozhzhya and Zhytomyr.

The Indian embassy in Hungary also put out a tweet. “Important Announcement: Embassy of India begins its last leg of Operation Ganga flights today. All those students staying in their OWN accommodation (other than

arranged by Embassy) are requested to reach @Hungariacitycentre, Rakoczi Ut 90, Budapest between 10 am-12 pm,” it said.

India has been bringing back its nationals from Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova after they crossed over to these countries from Ukraine through land border transit points.

Ukraine closed its airspace for civilian aircraft after Russia began the military operation.

Romanian Mayor clarifies on verbal spat with Scindia NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): After a video of a supposed verbal spat between India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Mayor of Snagov, Mihai Anghel, went viral, questions were raised about what had really happened at the Romanian shelter.

In an exclusive interview with The Quint, Mayor Anghel explained that he wasn’t looking for a political scandal and that all he did was stand up for the Indian students, who wanted to know just one thing – when were they going home?

Speaking over a video call, Anghel says, “Our team received 157 Indian students. We received little help from the Embassy here and all the food and other necessities were provided by us. The citizens of the Snagov region provided all of it.

Then I saw this gentleman walk in the late evening, appearing full of himself with cameras, and addressing the students in a very arrogant tone. He was as if prepared to present a PR speech, and not comfort the students who had just fled war and

Mihai Anghel

Jyotiraditya Scindia

wanted to go home.”

The students had crossed the Siret border on 27 February and were given shelter inside a school gymnasium of Ghermanesti village at the Snagov commune. The mayor said that they had received instructions from the local Indian authorities that buses would come the next day.

However, with Scindia’s visit, he hoped that the students’ questions would be answered.

“They weren’t given details of their flights or any schedule during Scindia’s address. How long were they supposed to stay there?

The minister was talking about how they had rescued dogs and some other points about all that he’d done,” the mayor recounts, visibly

annoyed, and adds, “These kids weren’t treated with dignity at the borders and the speech was an addition to that. It really put me off.

He hadn’t provided any of the necessities for these students and came here and disrespected me when I asked him for details about their flight home.”

Union Minister Scindia talked to The Quint about the apprehensions raised by the mayor during his interview. On a phone call, he explains, “The students had just made a very arduous journey. There was going to be some apprehensions and some worries, which was what was expressed by the mayor... which is fine. I mean, I’m there to assuage those concerns. As a representative of India, we have

to stomach that – get to the solution and get them out.”

In the video, Scindia was seen asking Anghel to “stand back,” to which the latter responded in a firm tone that it was the Romanian team that had provided shelter, food, etc, to the students, and not “him”.

“I wasn’t angry like a lot of people think. I lost my cool because I was sad for those kids. I heard so much about what they went through at the border and they shouldn’t be used for some PR shoot. I didn’t know that he was the Aviation Minister. I would have done the same if I knew. I was compelled to call his behaviour out. You can’t come to my country, my home, and disrespect us,” the mayor said.

At the end of the video, the students were seen applauding the mayor for his response. Scindia confirmed to The Quint that the two shook hands afterwards, adding “that was the end of it”. With the video now having gone viral, Mayor Anghel has been at the receiving end of threats and abuses by Indian social media users.

CISF should develop hybrid security model: Shah Guj ATS seizes drugs worth Rs

Amit Shah

where both private and the CISF personnel can work, can be developed so that the paramilitary force can gradually come out and hand over these tasks to private security agencies, he added.

The force, at present, guards a total of 354 units in the government and private sectors, working in domains such as oil, power, information technology, civil airports, Delhi Metro, aerospace and nuclear, among others. Shah asked the force to “aggressively” enhance its approach in guarding private

sector entities, saying the present 11 being secured by it is less. The Infosys campuses in Mysuru, Bengaluru and Pune, the Patanjali Food and Herbal Park in Haridwar and the Reliance refinery in Gujarat’s Jamnagar are among the private sector establishments under the CISF cover at present. Shah also asked the force to prepare a 25year road map so that it can emerge as a “result-oriented” security agency by the time India enters the 100th year of its Independence.

Keeping in view the “increasing” drone threat to industrial units along sea ports and the land border, he asked the CISF to collaborate with agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Border Security Force (BSF) to prepare an effective counter-technology against this menace.

2,170 cr in 3 yrs; 73 arrested

AHMEDABAD, MAR 6 (PTI): The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad seized drugs estimated to be worth 2,170 crore in the last three years and arrested 73 people, including a number of Pakistani nationals, in this connection, the ATS said on Sunday. It claimed that Pakistani smugglers many times tried to use the Gujarat coast to smuggle drugs, but all such attempts were foiled.

The Gujarat ATS carried out joint operations with the Indian Coast Guard and local police to bust several such attempts, the anti-terror agency said in a release.

In 2021 alone, narcotics worth Rs 1,466.18 crore were seized, while drugs worth Rs 704.04 crore were confiscated in the previous two years, it said. Many of these seizures were made in

operations carried out in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast, close to the international maritime boundary with Pakistan, it said.

The figure does not include the drug seizure worth Rs 21,000-crore made by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from the Mundra port in Kutch district in September last year. That case is now being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Between 2019 and 2021, the state ATS seized 427.3 kg of heroin, 6.65 kg of MD (a synthetic stimulant) and 3.54 kg brown sugar, the release said.

In 2019, the ATS seized 100 kg of heroin worth Rs 500 crore in an operation carried out in the Arabian Sea, 178 nautical miles from the Gujarat coast.

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tions of the CISF here. “The work of private security agencies is rapidly increasing...we have brought out rules and regulations for their functioning. Can the CISF take the responsibility of training these private security agencies?” Shah asked. “Can we prepare some model for say, a private manufacturing unit, that employs between 1,000 and 5,000 staff ? We will have to enhance the efficiency of private security agencies as the CISF alone cannot render the task of securing the industrial and manufacturing units of the country,” he said. The home minister said he believes that it is part of the CISF’s work to ensure that all the agencies involved in industrial security are efficient like it in securing the sector. A hybrid model of security, where the CISF will prepare the strategy and

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GHAZIABAD (UP), MAR 6 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday pitched for a “hybrid” security model where the CISF could train and certify private security agencies so that the latter can take over the task of efficiently guarding various kinds of industrial and manufacturing units in the country.

He said the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), raised in 1969, worked like a silent “karmayogi” to ensure the country’s industrial development and secured the private manufacturing production units as India rode on to become a USD 2.5 trillion-strong economy. Without elaborating, Shah said the about 1.64-lakh-personnel-strong force could soon see an enhancement in its role.

He was speaking at the 53rd Raising Day celebra-

Khasa area of the district, about 12-13 km short of the Attari-Wagah border crossing along the India-Pakistan international front, an officer said. However, it was not immediately clear if the accused jawan shot himself or was fired upon by others.

“It could be a ricochet that killed the accused. It is unclear as of now,” a senior officer said. Officials

said the accused was apparently upset about his duty hours and even fired shots at the vehicle of the secondin-command-rank officer parked in the campus. Asif Jalal, who last week took over as the BSF Inspector General for Punjab, spoke to reporters and denied there was any enmity (between the accused and the victims) or a duty-related issue.

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AMRITSAR, MAR 6 (PTI): A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan allegedly opened fire at a force camp here on Sunday, leaving four of his colleagues dead and another injured.

The accused constable, Sateppa S K, was also killed in the fratricidal incident that took place between 9:30 and 9:45 am at the camp of the 144th battalion in the

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Fratricidal incident: Five BSF personnel killed in Amritsar camp

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There’s a third variant of Omicron ‘BA.3’, says WHO

(From p-1) “...it can be speculated that the reason for the BA.3 lineage spreading at very low speeds and causing fewer cases may have been due to the loss of six mutations (ins214EPE, S371L, G496S, T547K, N856K, and L981F) from BA.1 or obtaining two mutations from BA.2 (S371F and D405N),” says the January 2022 research study. So far the dominant subvariants of Omicron have been BA.1 and BA.2 and both of them have no difference in the severity they cause.

The severity that a variant of the virus has on the human body depends on how the host body reacts to the virus. Omicron is considered to be the milder variant of coronavirus among all other variants which have been detected so far. During the third wave which was primarily caused by its subvariant BA.1, there were less cases of hospitalization.

However, this variant has a

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severities caused by the three sub variants, except that they have similar severities which is obvious as they share the same parental variant, a January 2022 report on Forbes has said, “We reiterate that BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 differ from each other as much as the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants differ from one another. Several mutations differ between the three as well. We suspect that these differences will be reflected in the septic characteristics of each variant affecting growth rate, suppression of innate immunity, virulence, and vaccine evasion.”

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rapid rate of transmission.

To understand the severity of the Omicron variant, the WHO is looking at experimental data on whether this variant causes severe disease in hamsters.

Speaking about a Japanese study, Maria Van Kerkhove said, “And this is an experimental study, looking at hamsters in particular. And what they were looking at is whether or not, experimentally within hamsters, there was a signal of causing more severe disease under these experimental conditions.

We are also looking at severity in what we call the real world,” and added that in countries where both BA.1 and BA.2 were in circulation there has been no change in terms of hospitalization.

While nothing much has yet been said about the

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sunflower oils.

The sharp increase in the vegetable price index was principally driven by sustained global import demand, which coincided with a few supply-side factors, including reduced export availabilities of palm oil from Indonesia, the world’s leading exporter, lower soybean production prospects in South America, and concerns about lower sunflower oil exports due to disruptions in the Black Sea region.

The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 6.4% higher in February than January, underpinned by lower-thanexpected milk supplies in Western Europe and Oceania, as well as persistent import demand, especially from North Asia and the Middle East.

state assemblies across the country, followed

by Congress which has 766 legislators in various states assemblies. The non-BJP, nonCongress parties-- some of whom already have alliances with either of the national parties– together have 1,923 MLAs. NDA has 334 members in Lok Sabha and 115 in Rajya Sabha. Of the 115 members in Rajya Sabha, 9 BJP members belong to nominated category and ineligible to vote, which brings down the voting strength of NDA to 106.

The value of each MP’s vote is fixed at 708.

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NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS): The benchmark gauge for world food prices went up in February, reaching an all-time high, led by vegetable oils and dairy products, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 140.7 points in February, up 3.9% from January, 20.7% above its level a year earlier, and 3.1 points higher than reached in February 2011.

The Index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities. The FAO Vegetable Oils Price Index led the increase, rising 8.5% from the previous month to reach a new record high, mostly driven by increased quotations for palm, soy and

(From p-1) The presidential elections follow the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The value of each vote is pre-determined in proportion to the population of the respective state based on the 1971 census.

The total value of the electoral college, comprising 4,896 electors is 10,98,903 and the winning candidate has to get at least 50 per cent plus one vote to be declared as elected. The BJP alone has 1,431 MLAs in

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Russia,” Shulman says in the letter. “We are also doing all that we can to support our staff in the region during this deeply difficult time.”

Visa and Mastercard have also announced to suspend all operations in the country in the wake of Ukraine invasion.

Visa said that it will work with its clients and partners within Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days.

Once complete, all transactions initiated with Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country and any Visa card issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation, the company said late on Saturday.

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SAN FRANCISCO, MAR 6 (IANS): Payments company PayPal has announced that it is suspending its services in Russia in the wake of Ukraine invasion.

U k r a i n e ’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted a letter from PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, confirming the company’s decision to shut down its operations in Russia.

“We received a letter from Dan Schulman, CEO PayPal. So now it’s official: PayPal shuts down its services in Russia citing Ukraine aggression. Thank you PayPal for your supporting! Hope that soon you will open it in for Ukraine,” Fedorov said in a tweet.

“Under the current circumstances, we are suspending PayPal services in

World food prices in Feb at all-time high

passed since the Act came into force.

Therefore, Justice Serto and Justice Baruah stated that they did not have any alternative but to direct the State government to do everything that was necessary to make the State Mental Health Authority and the Boards under it functional within three months with effect from March 2. They also directed for listing the matter again after three months.

They also asked the respondents (State government) to file an affidavit stating that the authorities mentioned were functional effectively.

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for appointment and that the appointment of the H&FW joint secretary as CEO of State Mental Health Authority was also under consideration. So, setting up of two Mental Health Review Boards with headquarters at Kohima and Tuensang and issuance of notification for registration of Mental Health Establishment could only to be taken up after completion of the two process, the court was told.

The judges, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the State government thus far since four years had already

dP-1069/22

check evasion,” a source said. The GST Council over the years has often succumbed to the demands of the trade and industry and lowered tax rates. For example, the number of goods attracting the highest 28 per cent tax came down from 228 to less than 35.

The Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister and comprising state counterparts, had last year set up a panel of state ministers, headed by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, to suggest ways to augment revenue by rationalising tax rates and correcting anomalies in tax rates.

disinvestment mop-up. So far, the government has collected Rs.12,400 crore and was banking on LIC IPO to achieve the revised target of Rs.78,000 crore.

But for the financial year 2019-20, the government has invariably exceeded the Revised Estimates of the disinvestment proceeds.

In 2015-16, the actual mop-up was Rs.42,132 crore as against RE of Rs. 25,313 crore. Similarly, in the financial year 2017-18, the government had set a record of sorts by raising over Rs.1 lakh crore, which was nearly the same as was mentioned in the RE. As regard the current financial year, the government has raised Rs.12,434 crore so far, including Rs. 2,700 crore from Air India sale and Rs.3,994 crore from sale of SUUTI stake in Axis Bank.

The GST Council in its next meeting may look at raising the lowest tax slab to 8 per cent, from 5 per cent, and prune the exemption list in the Goods and Services Tax regime as it looks to increase revenues and do away with states’ dependence on Centre for compensation, sources said on Sunday.

(From p-1) When the matter came up before the court after three weeks on March 2, the government advocate placed before the two judges the instruction he had received from the H&FW deputy secretary through a letter of February 24, 2022.

The instruction stated that for re-constitution of the State Mental Health Authority, an advertisement was issued on December 23, 2021 inviting applications within 38 days and nine applications were received.

But the selection committee had to vet the applications

dP-1067/22

2017, the Centre had agreed to compensate states for 5 years till June 2022, and protect their revenue at 14 per cent per annum over the base year revenue of 2015-16.

However, over this 5-year period due to a reduction in GST on several items, the revenue-neutral rate has come down from 15.3 per cent to 11.6 per cent.

“As the revenue-neutral rate has come down and the states stare at a shortfall of about Rs 1 lakh crore, efforts have to be made to make GST revenue neutral and the only way to do it, is rationalise the tax slab and

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): India will miss its revised disinvestment target for the second time in the past eight years by a wide margin, as the government may not be able to raise an expected over Rs. 60,000 crore from the IPO of insurance behemoth LIC in 2021-22.

Since the Modi government came to power in 2014, it was only in the financial year 2019-20 that it failed to achieve the revised CPSE disinvestment target of Rs.65,000 crore. The mop-up during the year was only Rs.50,304 crore.

In the ongoing financial year 2021-22, the government was all set to go ahead with the share sale of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) this month and draft papers for the same were also filed with markets regulator Sebi.

However, the RussiaUkraine war has severely impacted the stock markets forcing the government to rethink about the timing of the IPO. If the IPO fails to hit the market by March 31, the government will stare at a huge shortfall in the

HC asks govt to make SMHA functional within 3 months

dP-1066/22

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): As part of rationalisation, the GoM is also looking at a 3-tier GST structure, with rates at 8, 18 and 28 per cent.

If the proposal comes through, all the goods and services which are currently taxed at 12 per cent, will move to an 18 per cent slab.

Besides, the GoM would also propose reducing the number of items that are exempted from GST. Currently, unpackaged and unbranded food and dairy items are exempted from GST. Sources said the GST Council is expected to meet later this month or early next month and discuss the report of the GoM and take a view on the revenue position of the states.

With the GST compensation regime coming to an end in June, it is imperative that states become selfsufficient and not depend on the Centre for bridging the revenue gap in GST collection.

At the time of GST implementation on July 1,

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dP-955/22a

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8

Limited Russian cease-fire revived in Ukraine

north of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.

Sunday’s evacuations were announced along with a third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Davyd Arakhamia, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, said the meeting would take place Monday. He gave no additional details, including the location of the talks.

Previous meetings held in Belarus had led to a ceasefire agreement to create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of children, women and older people from Ukrainian cities, where pharmacies have run bare, hundreds of thousands face food and water shortages, and the injured have been succumbing to their wounds.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said thousands of residents had

gathered for safe passage out of the city of 430,000 on Saturday when shelling began and the evacuation was stopped. Later in the day, he said the attack had escalated further.

“The city is in a very, very difficult state of siege,” Boychenko told Ukrainian TV. “Relentless shelling of residential blocks is ongoing, airplanes have been dropping bombs on residential areas. The Russian occupants are using heavy artillery, including Grad multiple rocket launchers.”

Plans for Sunday’s evacuation called for the route from Mariupol to extend to Zaporizhzhia, a city 227 kilometers (141 miles) away.

Russia has made significant advances in the south, seeking to cut off Ukraine’s access to the Sea of Avrov in the south. Capturing Mari-

Britain’s Queen picks Windsor Castle over Buckingham Palace as permanent home

14 killed in coal mine accident in China

LONDON, MAR 6 (PTI): Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is unlikely to live at Buckingham Palace in London again, choosing her Windsor Castle residence in Berkshire as her base, according to a media report on Sunday.

The 95-year-old monarch has been based at the Castle, traditionally only a weekend retreat, since she moved there for isolation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to ‘The Sunday Times’, she now prefers it as her permanent home and main official residence as opposed to the palace in central London – which was her home for most of her 70-year reign.

Buckingham Palace, which has been the official London residence of British monarchs since 1837, is midway through a 10-year, 369 million pounds refurbishment programme.

The Queen originally planned only to temporarily move out of her private apartments and relocate to another part of the palace while her quarters were renovated.

Men line up to join Ukrainian army KYIV, MAR 6 (AP): Hundreds of men have been lining up in Kyiv to join the Ukrainian army.

An order from Ukraine’s government prohibited men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country to keep them available for military conscription. But some like Volodymyr Onysko volunteered to fight.

“We know why we are here. We know why we defend our country. And our guys that are actually standing there and fighting Russian military forces,” he told Britain’s Sky News.

“We know what we are doing and that’s why we will win.” Others, like British Army veteran Mark Ayres, travelled to Ukraine to help.

Ayres said the Ukrainian people have been inspiring and “it’s galvanized everybody.” “I’ve got no illusions. I’ve got no romantic ideas of war or like I’m going to be some hero’ or make a difference … but it is what I do,” Ayres said.

“If they continue to do what they are doing, they are calling into question the future of Ukrainian statehood,” the Russian leader said Saturday. “And if this happens, it will be entirely on their conscience.” Putin also hit out at Western sanctions that have crippled Russia’s economy and sent the value of its currency tumbling. likening to “declaring war.”

With the Kremlin’s rhetoric growing fiercer and a reprieve from fighting dissolving, Russian troops continued to shell encircled cities and the number of Ukrainians forced from their country grew to 1.4 million.

By nighttime Saturday, Russian forces had intensified their shelling of Mariupol, while dropping powerful bombs on residential areas of Chernihiv, a city

Queen Elizabeth II

But as her 96th birthday approaches on April 21 and having got used to working remotely from Windsor Castle for two years, she is believed to be more keen on the idea of staying on more permanently. “The reservicing does not end until 2027. While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term,” the newspaper quoted a royal source as saying.

Senior royal sources also say the Queen, who recently recovered from COVID, will “predominantly” undertake future engagements at Windsor, to reduce her travel.

Windsor Castle was previously only the Queen’s getaway home and her residence for Easter and Royal

Ascot races in June.

But the newspaper says that it is understood the monarch has come to prefer life at the Castle, where she has spent much of the past two years since leaving London with her husband, the late Duke of Edinburgh.

It means her son and heir – Charles, Prince of Wales – and wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are set to be the next members of the royal family to take up residence at Buckingham Palace.

The 73-year-old royal is believed to prefer his current London home, Clarence House, but Buckingham Palace is likely to remain the monarchy headquarters once he takes charge as King. He also plans to give the public greater access to the palace and other official and private royal residences, the newspaper reports.

Buckingham Palace, a grand building made up of 775 rooms, has been the setting for some of the most memorable moments of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, including royal newly-weds kissing on its balcony.

BEIJING, MAR 6 (PTI): Fourteen people trapped in a coal mine that collapsed in southwest China’s Guizhou province last month have died, local officials said on Sunday. The workers were trapped after the roof of a shaft at Sanhe Shunxun coal mine in Zhenfeng County, Bouyei-Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Qianxinan, collapsed on February 25.

Rescue work finished on Sunday noon as the bodies of the trapped workers were retrieved.

Further investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, the staterun Xinhua news agency reported. Mining accidents are common in China. However, the number of deaths has reduced in recent years.

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal.

China’s mining industry has long been among the world’s deadliest with frequent mine accidents.

The safety crackdown was ordered in 2020 after two accidents in mountainous southwestern Chongqing killed 39 miners.

Ukraine crisis leads to ‘disturbing’ reports of racism against students: NMF

JOHANNESBURG, MAR 6 (PTI): The current Ukraine crisis triggered after the Russian military operation has given rise to “disturbing” reports of racism against students of several nations, including India, who have been attempting to flee the war-torn country, the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) here said on Saturday.

According to reports in the international media in the past few days, Indian, South African, Nigerian and students of other nationalities have been debarred from using transport to reach neighbouring Poland as thousands of Ukrainians fled the country.

Some complained of being beaten up as they tried to join the fleeing crowds, purely because of their skin colour.

“The conflict in Ukraine has foregrounded another global fault line: racism. There have been disturbing reports of Black

KYIV, MAR 6 (PTI): Ukraine has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that two out of the 6 reactors at the country’s largest Zaporizhhzhya Nuclear Power Station (NPP) are working and the radiation levels are normal, days after Russian forces took control of the site in the country’s southeast, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has said.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Grossi said the Ukrainian regulatory authority and the plant management told the Viennabased UN nuclear watchdog that the technical safety systems were intact, and one telephone communication line had been lost but another was still functioning, as was the mobile phone communication.

“The Ukrainian counterparts told the IAEA that the facility’s training centre – located separately from the reactor units – had suffered significant damage during the events early on March 4, when Ukraine says it was hit by a projectile and a localised fire broke out that was later extinguished,” the statement said.

“There had also been damage to the site’s laboratory building and to an administrative structure,” it said.

According to IAEA, the safety systems of

people and people of colour, being denied seats in buses evacuating refugees, and turned away from the Polish border,” the NMF said.

“This illustrates once more a common global phenomenon in which the sufferings of white people in conflict situations habitually receive more attention and care,” it said, adding that white lives are seen to matter far more than the lives of others. “Racism remains as insidious and ubiquitous as it has ever been,” it said in a statement said.

The Johannesburgbased Non-profit organisation said that achieving solidarity in the global community required recognition of shared humanity and defending equally all victims of war and prejudice.

“One of the ironies of the public discourses swirling around the Ukraine invasion has been the outrage expressed by the United States, a country which, for some time, has perfected the arts of invasion, occupation, and a contemptuous dismissal of international bodies,” it said.

Ukraine’s three other nuclear power plants were operating and the regulator continued to receive online monitoring data regarding radiation levels at the sites, which were also as usual.

Six of their combined total of nine reactors were currently operating, the regulator said.

Staff at the Chernobyl NPP – which has been under the control of Russian forces since last week – have been on site since February 23 without being able to rotate the shift of technical personnel and guards, the regulator said.

Grossi has repeatedly stressed the importance of staff operating Ukraine’s nuclear facilities being allowed to rest and rotate in order to be able to carry out their jobs safely and securely.

He has also said that a “tense” situation with Russian forces controlling the Zaporizhhzhya NPP site

Ukraine crisis: UK PM outlines 6-point plan LONDON, MAR 6 (PTI): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday outlined a six-point plan to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis, calling for renewed international efforts to bring an end to the conflict.

Writing in ‘The New York Times’ ahead of hosting world leaders at 10 Downing Street in London next week, Johnson reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin must fail in his attempt to rewrite the rules of international order “by military force”.

His six-point plan of how the international community should work towards resolving the crisis covers humanitarian and military support, economic sanctions, an attempt to find a diplomatic solution, and a renewed effort to strengthen security across Europe.

“Putin must fail and must be seen to fail in this

Boris Johnson

act of aggression. It is not enough to express our support for the rules-based international order – we must defend it against a sustained attempt to rewrite the rules by military force,” writes Johnson.

“The world is watching. It is not future historians but the people of Ukraine who will be our judge,” he said.

The six points covered in his strategy include: i. World leaders should mobilise an “international humanitarian coalition” for Ukraine ii. They should also

support Ukraine “in its efforts to provide for its own self-defence” iii. Economic pressure on Russia should be ratcheted up iv. The international community must resist Russia’s “creeping normalisation” of its actions in Ukraine v. Diplomatic resolutions to the war must be pursued, but only with the full participation of Ukraine’s legitimate government vi. There should be a “rapid campaign to strengthen security and resilience” among North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dutch PM Mark Rutte will visit him for talks on Monday, followed by leaders of the V4 group of central European nations – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – on Tuesday.

and Ukrainian staff operating it “certainly cannot last for too long”.

The head of the national operator Energoatom, Petro Kotin, informed the Director-General on Friday that the plant was now allowed to change work shifts.

All Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) are functioning in a regular mode, the radiation background is normal, including at the Zaporozhye NPP controlled by Russia’s Armed Forces, Energoatom, the operating company of Ukraine’s NPPs, said on Sunday.

“Ukraine’s functioning nuclear power plants continue to work stably. The current capacity of all four Ukrainian NPPs provides the necessary volumes of energy production for the country’s needs,” Russia’s state-run Tass news agency quoted the company as saying.

Elon Musk’s Starlink internet now in Ukraine

LVIV, MAR 6 (AP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk for giving Ukraine access to his company’s satellite-internet system, called Starlink.

“I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds” Zelenskyy said in a tweet.

“Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities.”

He joked that they discussed possible space projects, which he would talk about “after the war.”

Ky iv M ayo r Vi t a li Klitschko on Saturday showed off a shipment of the Starlink systems that had arrived in the capital city.

He said Starlink would help secure the work of critical infrastructure and the defense of the city.

Mastercard, Visa suspend operations in Russia after invasion NEW YORK, MAR 6 (AP): Mastercard and Visa are suspending their operations in Russia, the companies said Saturday, in the latest blow to the country’s financial system after its invasion of Ukraine. Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network and any Mastercard issued outside the country will not work at Russian stores or ATMs. “We don’t take

this decision lightly,” Mastercard said in a statement, adding that it made the move after discussions with customers, partners and governments.

Visa said it’s working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days. “We are compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have

APPRECIATION

Indian students who were stuck in Ukraine. (File)

Rafael Grossi

T h e O f f i c e o f t h e Pa t h s o R a n g e P u b l i c Organisation (PRPO), the apex body of Pathso area, overwhelmingly expresses our heartfelt appreciations to Shri Benie M Lamthiu, General Secretary, Nagaland Football Association (NFA) for undertaking the clearance of road voluntarily from Pathso to LengnyuTsuwao junction.

The narrow/jeep road which was constructed in 1974 was left unattended in pathetic condition for nearly 5 decades. The stretch of road is the lone road connecting the entire Pathso area to the administrative headquarters, Noklak. The PRPO spearheaded the clearance of the road and requested the concerned department and elected MLA of the Constituency, where the requests were not fulfilled.

The PRPO deliberated the issue in every possible ways and finally requested Shri Benie M Lamthiu for the same, where he accepted the request and undertook the clearance of the road voluntarily covering a distance of about 18 Kilometers from 17/12/2021 to 03/03/2022.

The PRPO on behalf of the entire area and well wishers extend our greatest joy and deepest appreciation for his good deeds towards the general public.

(L BUMING) (P THUNGEM) President General Secretary

witnessed,” Visa Chairman and CEO Al Kelly said in a statement. The twin suspensions were announced within 16 minutes of each other, and they followed a private video call earlier in the day between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and U.S. lawmakers. During that conversation, Zelenskyy “asked us to turn off MasterCard and Visa for Russia,” Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat

from California, tweeted.

“I agree,” he added, before Mastercard and Visa made their announcements.

Earlier, Visa and Mastercard had announced more limited moves to block financial institutions from the networks that serve as arteries for the payments system. Russian people have already been hit hard by heavy sanctions and financial penalties imposed by the U.S. government and others.

DELHI LOTHA BAPTIST CHURCH DELHI LOTHA ALUMNI MEETING In view of the forthcoming Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Delhi Lotha Baptist Church scheduled on October 23, 2022, the Delhi Alumni of Nagaland are requested to attend meeting as specified below : Date : MARCH 12, SATURDAY, 2022 Venue : LOTHA BAPTIST EKHUMKHO, PURANA BAZAAR, EAST DIMAPUR. Time : 10:00 A.M. Lunch will be provided by the Host Church.

You are requested to kindly make it convenient and positively attend the only Alumni Meeting in Nagaland for this important occasion.

(Emilo Ngully) Secretary, DLBC

(Rev. K. Chumben Kyong) Pastor, DLBC

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An elderly lady is assisted while crossing the Irpin river, under a bridge that was destroyed by a Russian airstrike, as civilians flee the town of Irpin, Ukraine, March 5. (AP)

upol could allow Russia to establish a land corridor to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians in cities taken over by the Russian forces to resist. “It is a special kind of heroism -- to protest when your city is occupied,” Zelenskyy said Saturday night in his latest video address to the nation. “Ukrainians in all of our cities that the enemy has entered, go on the offensive! You should take to the streets! You should fight!”

Thousands of Ukrainians accepted the president’s request and demonstrated on Saturday. Some climbed Russia’s military vehicles and waved Ukraine’s yellow and blue flag.

In the southern port city of Kherson, a city of 300,000 where Russian troops took control this week, the soldiers were reported to have fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, but the protesters were unfazed.

Russian forces also had encircled Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Sumy, as of Saturday, while Ukrainian forces had managed to keep control of key cities in central and southeastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy said.

The head of the Chernihiv region said Russia dropped powerful bombs on residential areas of the city, which has a population of 290,000.

Two nuclear reactors operational at Zaporizhhzhya NPP: Ukraine tells IAEA

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LVIV, MAR 6 (AP): Russian forces will observe a temporary cease-fire Sunday in two Ukrainian cities, an official in one of the country’s two pro-Russia separatist regions said after an agreement to allow civilians to evacuate collapsed a day earlier amid continued shelling.

Eduard Basurin, the head of the military in separatist-held Donetsk territory, said safe passage corridors for residents of the besieged port city of Mariupol and the city of Volnovakha would reopen Sunday. He did not say for how long nor whether a cease-fire would accompany the evacuation.

Ukrainian officials confirmed that evacuations from Mariupol would take place starting from 12 p.m. local time. Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk regional military administration, said a ceasefire would be in effect between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

A promised cease-fire in Mariupol failed amid scenes of terror Saturday.

Ukrainian officials said the evacuation was aborted because the city remained under attack.

Ru s s i a n P r e s i d e n t Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the failure and warned that the country’s ongoing resistance since Russia invaded its ex-Soviet neighbour on February 24 is putting the country’s future as a nation in jeopardy.

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INTERNATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

INFOTAINMENT

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Worst foods for your eyes Food and Your Eyes About 250 million people around the world have mild to serious vision loss. Did you know that the health of your eyes is directly connected to the health of your heart and blood vessels? What you eat and drink can have a lasting impact on both your cardiovascular health and your vision.

Bread and Pasta Re s e a r c h e r s h ave l i n k e d s i m p l e carbohydrates, like those found in white bread and pasta, with a higher chance of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss for older adults. The reason: Your body digests this type of carb quickly.

This causes a spike in blood sugar. To prevent this, health experts suggest that you swap white bread and pasta for whole-grain versions.

Processed Meats Hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats are loaded with sodium. This salt spike can eventually lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). In your eyes, this may cause: • Hyper tensive retinopathy, blood vessel damage that causes blurred vision or vision loss

• Choroidopathy, a buildup of fluid beneath the retina • N e u r o p a t hy, a blockage of blood flow that kills nerves and causes vision loss Tr y to limit your sodium to 2,300 milligrams or less a day.

Fried Foods Deep-fried foods cooked in trans fats raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and could lead to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

They also create molecules called free radicals that can damage and kill cells. This all connects to eye disease -- AMD and diabetic retinopathy. Fight back against free radicals by eating fruits and veggies full of vitamin C like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and red bell peppers.

Cooking Oils A landmark study 30 years ago linked too much linoleic acid, a type of unsaturated fat, with a higher chance of AMD. You can find it in these cooking oils: • Safflower • Sunflower • Corn • Soybean • Sesame Health experts suggest cooking oils with less than 4 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. Stay away from ones with hydrogenated oils and trans fats.

Margarine I t ’s m a d e w i t h vegetable oils, so it has unsaturated “good” fats.

All things considered, it may be better for you than butter. But some margarine also has trans

fat, which raises your cholesterol levels and the chance of heart disease and eye problems. The more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it has.

Instead of a stick, use the spread or liquid kind. You can also look for brands with 0 grams of trans fat on the label.

Ready-to-Eat Foods Prepackaged foods -- things like soup, tomato sauce, and canned goods -- often have high amounts of sodium, up to 75% of the suggested amount.

Eating less of these foods can lower your chance of high blood pressure and related eye problems.

When you shop, look for “low sodium” or “no salt added” versions of your favorite foods. Add your own spices and herbs for a natural flavor boost.

Sugary Drinks Soda, sports and energy drinks, lemonade, a n d o t h e r swe e t e n e d drinks are full of sugar -- sometimes 7 to 10 teaspoons. They’re also the number one source of calories and added sugar in the U.S. diet. All that sugar ups your odds of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This can lead to related eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and

AMD. Water is your best bet for a healthy drink.

Fish and Shellfish Most of us have no reason to worry about the mercury in fish and shellfish in moderation.

But at high levels and for certain groups of people, it can cause serious health problems, including eye damage. Health experts say pregnant women, those who are nursing or may become pregnant, and children should stick with 8-12 ounces of fish and shellfish each week.

Alcohol While not a food, alcohol is something you put into your body that experts link to eye disease.

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to cataracts at an earlier age, a common condition that causes a cloudy area in your eye lens.

Caffeine The caffeine in your morning cup of coffee o r t e a m ay r a i s e t h e pressure inside your eye, or intraocular pressure (IOP). Studies show this pressure goes up in people with glaucoma or ocular hyper tension (OHT) who’ve had caffeine. IOP that’s too high can cause vision loss and blindness.

Whitney Seltman, OD

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Bollywood film ‘Little Boy’ bags various international awards

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enowned film maker and social worker, Rebecca Changkija Sema, who has been recently selected for the “Olympus International Award” in the field of films and social work, has also bagged several International Film Festival awards for her movie “Little Boy”.

The movie “Little Boy”, produced by Changkija and Yumlam

Achung, co-produced

by Meena Yumlam, and directed by Shiraz Henry, has received laurels in s eve r a l I n t e r n a t i o n a l Film Festival Awards, by winning “Best Screenplay Dialogue Writer Award” at Marathwada International F i l m Fe s t i va l , “ B e s t Feature Film Award” at Kanchenjunga International Film Festival, and “Best Director Award”, at the Everest International

Film Festival.

It may be noted that Little Boy was shot in Arunachal Pradesh, with many actors from the North East region, and the movie was based on a true story.

It can be added that the movie was released on 2019, where Naga actors, Zhokhoi Chuzho and Rose Longchar, also featured in the movie.

(Staff Reporter)

‘The Batman’ lands on $128.5 mn Leonard Cohen song catalogue acquired for undisclosed sum weekend, second-best in pandemic era T

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obert Pattinson’s ‘ T h e B a t m a n’ collected a mighty $128.5 million in its box office debut in Nor th America, making it only the second pandemic-era movie to cross the $100-million mark in a single weekend.

The feat was first achieved by ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, which launched last December to a historic $260 million.

Pattinson’s moody take on the Caped Crusader is shaping up to be a commercial winner for

Warner Bros, which had shelled out $200 million to produce the film and spent many millions more in marketing and distribution costs. “Bringing ‘The Batman’ to the big screen doesn’t come cheap, and achieving profitability won’t be easy,” notes ‘Variety’.

‘The Batman’ may have also benefited because the comic book adaptation is playing exclusively in theatres. For Warner Bros, which opted to debut its entire 2021 theatrical film

slate simultaneously on HBO Max, ‘The Batman’ marks a deviation as the studio’s first movie in more than a year that’s only available to watch in cinemas.

The film might have also been helped by the fact that it had notched up a PG-13 rating. rather than R, and therefore was able to capture the key demographic of younger males, who have been fuelling the wobbly recovery of the North American box office.

(IANS)

he song catalogue of Leonard Cohen, poet, novelist, performer and one of the most influential songwriters of the past 50 years, has been acquired by Hipgnosis Song Management.

The Canadian-born artist, who died in 2016 at the age of 82, is an inductee of both the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, reports variety.com.

Hipgnosis has acquired rights in all 278 songs and deriva tives written by Leonard Cohen, including ‘Hallelujah’, which has been covered more than 300 times.

Within those rights, 127 songs are from Cohen’s Stranger Music catalogue, for which Hipgnosis has acquired the songwriter’s share of royalties. It covers the period from the inception of his career through to the year 2000 and includes all derivative works, making a total of 211 songs.

The company also has acquired the ownership of 100 per cent of the copyrights, publisher’s share and songwriter’s share of

royalties in the Old Ideas catalogue, which consists of all 67 songs plus derivative works written by Cohen from 2001 until his death in 2016.

Further terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition has been made on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Capital I C AV, a p a r t n e r s h i p between Hipgnosis Song Management and Blackstone LLP. The Cohen Estate was represented by long time Leonard Cohen manager, Robert Kory, KR Capital Par tners and Jonathan Fr i e d m a n a t S t u b b s, Alderton and Markiles LLP. Cohen was born in Montreal in 1934 and

released his first studio album, ‘Songs of Leonard Cohen’, in 1967 and his 15th and final one, ‘Thanks for the Dance’, posthumously in 2019.

He began his career as a poet and novelist but moved to New York in the mid-1960s to try his luck as a singer-songwriter. His work first attracted attention when Judy Collins began covering his classic composition ‘Suzanne’, which became a hit in 1967.A John Hammond, who’d also signed or worked closely with Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen, signed him to Columbia Records in 1967.

However, he did not issue ‘Hallelujah’, his most famous song, until 1984.

The song, like many of his compositions, did not become a hit until it was covered by others, most famously by Jeff Buckley and, later, John Cale, whose version was an unusual addition to the animated feature film ‘Shrek’.

Cohen took occasional hiatuses from performing

but played hours-long concerts up until 2013, and released two albums in the final years of his life.

“He is revered all over the globe because of the magnitude of his work and we are delighted that the Cohen family and Robert Kory have chosen Hipgnosis in this most important decision of who to entrust with Leonard’s legacy.”

(IANS)

HEALTH NURSING SCHOOL, SINGRIJAN

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Health Nursing School, Singrijan, Dimapur celebrated its 9th Lamp Lighting & Oath Taking Ceremony on 5th March 2022 at the Multipurpose Hall.

The programme significance was highlighted by Miss Mongsentola (Nursing Tutor) followed by a welcome speech from the principal Mrs. Kewekhate-u Dazo.

The students of Health Nursing School presented a special song after which lamp lighting ceremony was followed.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest Dr. I Moatemjen Jamir, CMO Dimapur, Nagaland exhorted the students to keep burning the lamp brighter as time goes by. He shared about the significance of lamp lighting and capping in nursing profession. He re-iterates the budding nurses not to exist in ego and never feel shy to approach for help. He opines practical implication by sharing his resourceful experiences and instills deep knowledge & wisdom and encouraged the students to be truthful to their calling. Mrs. Wangshikokla Jamir (Managing Director) proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was attended by managing team, parents, guardians, well wishers, students, teaching & non teaching staff.

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9TH LAMP LIGHTING & OATH TAKING CEREMONY

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Women’s WC: India beat Pak by 107-run

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, MAR 6 (IANS): A fighting batting effort by Pooja Vastrakar (67 off 59), Sneh Rana (53 not out off 48) and Smriti Mandhana (52 off 75) followed by a clinical bowling performance

by Rajeshwari Gayakwad (4/31) helped India thrash arch-rivals Pakistan by 107 runs in their opening match of the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup at the Bay Oval, here on Sunday.

The win extends India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan in Women’s ODIs, making it 11 wins out of 11.

The massive victory also gave a huge early boost to India’s net run rate, putting their first points on board in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup standings.

Chasing 245 for the win, Pakistan were off to a slow start, scoring just 26/0 at the end of the Powerplay as the Indian team did some tight bowling. The pressure got to the openers as Javeria Khan (11) departed in the 11th over, trying to take the aerial route.

The spinners continued to keep a lid on the scoring, with Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana picking up prized scalps of skipper Bismah Maroof (15) and Omaima Sohail (5) respectively. Brought back

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SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

India team members celebrate the wicket of Javeria Khan of Pakistan during the women’s world cup match. (AP/PTI)

into the attack, Jhulan Goswami got in on the action immediately, dismissing the set batter Sidra Ameen (30) caught behind. Pakistan lost half their side as the veteran pacer struck again in her next over to remove Nida Dar for 4.

Pakistan were in a precarious position at 78/5 at the halfway point in their innings and from there on there was no coming back for them. Gayakwad was on song and almost unplayable at times as she had the batters on strings. If there were any hopes of a comeback, she put them to rest

with the wickets of Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana and Sidra Nawaz in an incredible spell of spin bowling, finishing with figures of 4/31 in her 10 overs.

The final wicket partnership of 23 between Diana Baig (24 off 35) and Anam Amin only delayed the inevitable. Meghna returned to pick up the final wicket of Baig as Pakistan were rolled over for 137 in 43 overs. Apart from Gayakwad, the other Indian bowlers -- Jhulan Goswami (2/26), Sneh Rana (2/27), Meghna Singh (1/21) and Deepti Sharma (1/31) also

chipped in with wickets.

Earlier, India were off to a poor start as opener Shafali Verma (0) was dismissed by Pakistan seamer Diana Baig in the third over after India won the toss and opted to bat first. However, Smriti Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40 off 57) stitched a partnership of 92 runs for the second wicket and helped India build a strong foundation.

Things were looking good for India before Nashra Sandhu’s dismissal of Deepti in the 22nd overs opened the corridors for Pakistan to make a strong return. Deepti missed a sweep and was bowled by Sundhu and Mandhana followed suit 13 balls later, chipping a return catch to Anam Amin.

The next few batters couldn’t do much as Pakistan took quick wickets during the middle overs to destabilize the Indian innings.

Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed in the 29th over for a 14-ball 5, trapped in front by veteran all-rounder Nida Dar. Richa Ghosh was cleaned up by Dar two overs later, before captain Mithali Raj, who had been looking to anchor the innings, fell for a 36-ball 9 when attempting to release the pressure with a slog.

At 114/6 in 33.1 overs,

India were in deep trouble and had the risk of being bundled out for a small total.

However, Pooja Vastrakar (67) and Sneh Rana (53 not out) displayed immense grit to pull India out of trouble.

The duo batted through the pressure, ensuring quick singles were taken at every opportunity, and managed to release pressure with hits to the fence whenever a delivery missed the mark.

They dragged India back into the contest, each scoring half-centuries within a few deliveries of each other.

For Rana, it was her maiden ODI half-century while Vastrakar’s 67 was only her second ODI half-century. They put on a game-changing 122-run stand for the seventh wicket and propelled India to a competitive score of 244/7 in 50 overs. During the process, Vastrakar and Rana also shattered records. The duo now holds the record for the highest partnership for the seventh wicket in the women’s world cups.

Brief scores: India Women 244/7 in 50 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 67, Sneh Rana 53 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/36) beat Pakistan 137 in 43 overs (Sidra Ameen 30, Diana Baig 24; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 4/31) by 107 runs.

Asian Youth & Junior Boxing: Krrish, Ravi march into semis

Krrish Pal (L) after winning the quarterfinal bout at the ASBC Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Championships in Amman.

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS): Indian Junior boxers Krrish Pal (46kg) and Ravi Saini (48kg) advanced to the semi-finals with contrasting victories at the 2022 ASBC Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan on Sunday.

According to information received here, Krrish, who hails from Chandigarh, was up against Philippines’s Robert Jamero in the quarter-final bout.

The Indian boxer found the going tough in the first round and took

some time to gauge his opponent. In the last two rounds, he completely dominated the bout with his relentless and precise punches and won the bout 4-1.

Ravi Saini displayed brilliant courage and tactical prowess against Aphichit Chaemdi of Thailand in a bout that was very rough and aggressive from the beginning.

Both the boxers exchanged punches throughout and refused to back down but the Indian boxer landed more punches to

secure the favour of the judges and win the bout 3-2. Later on Sunday, four more Junior Indian men boxers - Lovepreet Singh (50kg), Jayant Dagar (54kg), Chetan (57kg) and Yashwardhan Singh (60kg), will play in the quarter-finals. Earlier on Saturday night, Renu (52kg), Prachi (57kg) and Ravina (63kg) progressed into the youth women semi-finals following comfortable wins in their respective last-8 matches.

Re nu a n d P r a c h i outclassed Jordan’s Abla Alsharairh and Iraq’s Minahemn Mohammed respectively as the referee stopped the contest in both the bouts. Meanwhile, Ravina defeated Aidazholdassova of Kazakhstan in a split verdict.

In the youth men category, Deepak (75kg) moved into the semi-finals after an easy 5-0 win over Khaled Alkurdy of UAE in the quarter-final.

H owe ve r, A s h i s h Hooda (71kg), Rockey Chaudhary (80kg) and Jaskaran Singh (92kg) ended their campaign after respective defeats in the last 8 matches.

BCCI announces Mithali becomes first woman to play in six World Cups Shriyanka, Akhil win bronze in shooting date for IPL, CSK to

Shriyanka Sadangi

CAIRO, MAR 6 (PTI): Indian shooters Shriyanka Sadangi and Akhil Sheoran bagged the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions mixed team event of the ISSF World Cup here on Sunday.

The Indian duo were fifth out of 34 teams, then third out of eight and then won the bronze convinc-

ingly, beating Austrians Rebecca Koeck and Gernot Rumpler.

India are currently placed second in the medals tally with four podium finishes, including two gold.

Late on Saturday night, the Indian women’s 25m pistol team of Rahi Sarnobat, Esha Singh and

La Liga: Struggling Granada sacks coach Moreno after defeat in Valencia

MADRID, MAR 6 (IANS): La Liga struggler Granada has sacked coach Robert Moreno in the wake of their 3-1 defeat to Valencia. Granada’s sixth defeat in their last seven games late on Saturday night leaves them fourth from the bottom of LaLiga, with 25 points from 27 games, and just five wins all season. Granada were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier Mancha Real in January.

The club announced the sacking with a communique which stated: “On Saturday

the club has decided to separate with the first-team coach. From Granada CF, we wish to thank Robert Moreno for his work and dedication in this period and we wish him luck in the future.” Former Spain and Monaco coach arrived at Granada at the start of the campaign but has never convinced the home supporters, who were calling for him to be sacked in October, while some bad-tempered press conferences also highlighted Moreno’s tense relationship with the local media, reports Xinhua.

face KKR in opener

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS): Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on fellow finalists of the last season, Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of IPL 2022 on March 26 at the Wankhede stadium, the BCCI confirmed on Sunday while announcing the schedule for the 15th season of the cash-rich league.

A total number of 70 league matches and four Playoff games will be played in 65 days in Mumbai and Pune.

In all, 20 matches each will be held at Wankhede Stadium & DY Patil Stadium, 15 matches each at Brabourne and MCA International Stadium, Pune, the league said in a statement.

The league will stage its first double-header on March 27, starting with a day game at Brabourne where the Delhi Capitals will square off against Mumbai Indians. The DY Patil Stadium will host the clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at night.

Mary Kom to skip World C’ships, Asian Games NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS): Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom has decided against participating in the trials for the upcoming IBA Elite Women’s World Boxing Championships and the 2022 Asian Games, scheduled to start on Monday.

However, the senior boxer added on Sunday that she will now focus on her preparations for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In a communication to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the London Olympics bronze medallist said, “I would like to withdraw to give opportunity to the younger generation to make a name for themselves on the international stage and get exposure and experience of major tournaments. I would like to focus on the preparation for the Commonwealth Games only.”

The selection trials for all 12 categories of the Women’s World Championships will start from Monday and will end on Wednesday (March 9).

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MC Mary Kom

The trials will also include the Asian Games weights divisions, which are the same as IBA. However, for the remaining two Asian Games weight categories, 51kg and 69kg, trials will be conducted separately on March 11 and 14, thereby giving more time to boxers of closest weight categories to also take a shot at the trials for the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

“Mar y Kom has been the torchbearer for Indian boxing since the last two decades and has inspired countless boxers and sportspersons across the world. We completely respect her decision and it

is a testimony of her champion character to make way for the other boxers.

“We are delighted that we have such a good bench strength and are looking forward to the younger generation to make the nation proud and I hope and wish Mary all the best with her preparations for the CWG,” said Ajay Singh, president of Boxing Federation of India.

National campers, including the participants of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, who didn’t compete in the national championships, will be eligible for the selection trials. The selection committee, comprising BFI

president or his nominee alongside an expert panel of reputed veteran boxers, will ensure a smooth conduct of the trials as all the bouts will be video recorded.

The Asian Games selection trials for men will be held in May, while, for the Commonwealth Games, trials for both men and women will be conducted in June. The IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships is scheduled from May 6 to 21 in Istanbul, Turkey while the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2022 Asian Games will begin on July 28 and September 10, respectively.

Weight categories: (Women- 12 weight categories) IBA World Championship: 48 kg, 50 kg, 52 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 66 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg, +81kg.

Asian Games: 51 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg.

(Total 5).

(Men) Asian Games: 52 kg, 57 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg, 91 kg, +91 kg (Total 8).

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, MAR 6 (PTI): One of the game’s finest servants, India captain Mithali Raj on Sunday became only the third cricketer and the first woman to appear in six World Cups, joining the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani great Javed Miandad.

She achieved the feat as India locked horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their much-anticipated opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup at the Bay Oval here.

Raj, a 39-year-old veteran of many memorable Mithali Raj matches, had made her maiden World Cup ap- 2009, 2013, 2017 and now surpassed former New pearance in 2000, before in 2022. In the women’s Zealand cricketer Debbie playing the event in 2005, game, the Indian batter Hockley and Charlotte

Edwards of England.

Fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, Raj’s India teammate for the longest time, stands second on the list with five World Cup appearance.

Tendulkar, the holder of innumerable batting records, is the only Indian cricketer apart from Raj to feature in six World Cups, starting from 1992 to the triumphant campaign in 2011.

Earlier in the day, India won the toss and opted to bat.

India have an unbeaten record against Pakistan in women’s ODIs, winning all their 10 matches, with three of those being in World Cups.

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Rhythm Sangwan reached the gold medal match in the year’s first World Cup. The trio topped the second qualification stage with a combined effort of 441 out of a possible 450 late on Saturday night, to set up the summit clash with Singapore, who also shot the same score, but with three lesser inner 10s than India.

Chinese Taipei and Japan will clash for the bronze medal.

In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol, India’s Anish Bhanwala was best placed after the first duelling round of qualification on Saturday.

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Warne’s room had blood stains 1st Test: India thrash SL by innings & 222 runs Shane on floor and bath towels, says report

MOHALI, MAR 6 (IANS): Ravindra Jadeja starred with bat and ball as India took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series after defeating Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium. After being bundled out for 174 in the first innings, Sri Lanka were made to follow-on and were all out for 178 in 60 overs to complete a meek surrender by the visitors in just three days.

Jadeja, after making 175 not out with the bat, took 5/41 in the first innings and 4/46 in the second innings. He and Ravichandran Ashwin, who took 2/49 and 4/47 apart from making 61 with the bat, made merry on a day on which 16 Sri Lanka wickets fell.

On the third ball of the session after tea, Ashwin got Charith Asalanka forward and extracted the outside edge which hit Rishabh Pant’s thigh and flew to Virat Kohli for a catch at first slip.

Asalanka’s dismissal meant Ashwin went past legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev to have 435 Test wickets and become the second-highest wicket-taker for India after

India’s Ravindra Jadeja celebrates after taking five wickets during the 3rd day of the 1st cricket test match. (PTI)

Anil Kumble’s 619 scalps.

The next over saw Jadeja trap Angelo Mathews lbw with a big turning in delivery which opened his front leg and rapped him low on the back pad. Mathews reviewed but couldn’t overturn the decision. Jadeja’s next victim in the same over was Suranga Lakmal, who repeated his first-innings dismissal of giving a catch to mid-off, this time to mid-on.

Niroshan Dickwella was in attacking mode, hitting Ashwin, Jayant Yadav and Mohammed Shami for

boundaries to be the lone ranger for Sri Lanka with the bat. Jadeja grabbed his ninth wicket as Lasith Embuldeniya tried to defend off backfoot and the thick outer edge was pouched by a very sharp Pant.

Dickwella continued to hit gorgeous shots, whipping through mid-wicket, square leg and driving down the ground. The wicketkeeperbatter reached his half-century. But in the next over, Ashwin ended the match with Lahiru Kumara holing out to mid-off.

Earlier, after a careerbest 175 with the bat, allrounder Jadeja bagged a five-wicket haul as India dismissed Sri Lanka for 174 in 65 overs in the first innings.

Resuming from 108/4 on day two, the start wasn’t rosy for India as Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka frustrated the hosts’ bowling attack. Moreover, Asalanka and Nissanka were given reprieves in different overs of Ashwin. While Asalanka’s catch was dropped by Rohit Sharma at short cover, Shreyas Iyer at deep midwicket couldn’t hold on to the chance given from Nissanka.

Nissanka was troubled

by Ashwin but outside of it, the batter fought his way to reach his fifth half-century in Test cricket. Asalanka, despite being bamboozled on several occasions, gave Nissanka good support with boundaries through leg-side off Ashwin. The 58-run partnership between Nissanka and Asalanka came to an end when Jasprit Bumrah’s slower ball from round the wicket deceived the latter, trapping him lbw. Captain Rohit Sharma reviewed the

original decision to reverse it in India’s favour as replays showed the ball hitting the top of the middle stump.

From there on, Sri Lanka’s batting went downhill as Jadeja took out Dickwella and Lakmal by luring them to play rash shots and hole out to square leg and midoff respectively.

After being made to follow-on, Sri Lanka were 10/1 at lunch and added 110 runs in the second session.

Though they lost three batters with Mathews still looking solid at the crease after playing 72 balls, the result was a foregone conclusion as Sri Lanka lost the match in a meek fashion.

Brief scores: India 574/8 dec in 129.2 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 175 not out; Lasith Embuldeniya 2/188) beat Sri Lanka 174 all out in 65 overs (Pathum Nissanka 61 not out, Charith Asalanka 29; Ravindra Jadeja 5/41, Jasprit Bumrah 2/36) and 178 all out in 60 overs (f/o) (Niroshan Dickwella 51 not out, Dhananjaya de Silva 30; Ravindra Jadeja 4/46, Ravichandran Ashwin 4/47) by an innings and 222 runs.

SYDNEY, MAR 6 (IANS): Thailand investigators have reportedly found “blood stains” on the floor of Shane Warne’s room and on bath towels while searching the villa where the legendary Australian cricketer was staying on the island of Koh Samui. Warne, 52, died of a suspected heart-attack on Friday despite his manager giving the cricketer CPR for 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

On Sunday, skynews. com.au reported that investigators had found blood on the floor and bath towels in the room Warne was staying. The report also said that Australian authorities have arrived in Thailand and are working to repatriate his body. “Warne is understood to have suffered chest pains before he left Australia and had a history of heart disease and asthma. Local media reports said investigators found blood stains on the floor of Warne’s room and on bath towels while searching the villa,” said the report. Meanwhile Warne’s body has been transported to

Shane Warne

the Thai mainland to undergo an autopsy, “despite his family’s request to expedite the return to Australia,” the report said.

A report in fox.com.au on Sunday quoting Weekend Today said that the spin wizard had “just finished two-week health kick” before heart attack. “Shane Warne had just finished a ridiculous diet before his death, the cricket legend’s manager has revealed,” said the report. “(Manager) James Erksine said Warne was essentially consuming only fluids for 14 days -- a diet he has undertaken before -- shortly before suffering a suspected heart attack in Thailand,” the report said.

“I didn’t know about

that (Warne’s heart issue).

I did know from Helen, his secretary, that he’d had a bit of a chest pain and also was sweating last week but I only found that later on after he’d died. I didn’t know that at the time,” Erskine said on Weekend Today.

“He did go on these ridiculous sorts of diets and he just finished one, where he basically only ate fluids for 14 days and he’d done this three or four times. It was a bit... all or nothing. It was either white buns with butter and lasagne stuffed in the middle or he would be having black and green juices. “I don’t know, he obviously smoked most of his life. I don’t know, I think it was just a massive heart attack. That’s what I think’s happened.”

Day before he passed away, Warne had posted a shirt-less picture of him on Instagram and wrote, “Operation shred has started (10 days in) & the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago! Let’s go. #heathy #fitness #feelgood.”

Ranji Trophy: Nagaland thrash Mizoram, Nagaland wins medals at National Blind & Deaf Judo C’ships set up knockout clash with Jharkhand

KOLKATA, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): Nagaland on Sunday thrashed Mizoram by 448 runs to top the Plate group and set up a Ranji Trophy pre-quarterfinal clash against Jharkhand.

Nagaland dismissed Mizoram for 261 with left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur claiming four wickets for 49 runs to seal their third win on the trot and top Plate group with 19 points. Resuming at 42 for one in their improbable chase of 710

runs, Mizoram were bundled out in 93.4 overs in their second innings.

Nagaland will take on Jharkhand in the pre-quarterfinal here from March 12.

The 18-year-old mediumpacer Raja Swarnkar, who made a memorable debut grabbing 5/17 to skittle out Mizoram for a paltry 95 in the first innings, was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Swarnkar took 1/42 in the second innings to finish with a

match haul of six wickets.

For Mizoram, skipper Taruwar Kohli waged a lone battle to remain unbeaten on 151 from 251 balls (26x4s), his 11th overall first class century and third from as many matches.

Brief Scores: Nagaland 509 and 295/5 declared versus Mizoram 95 and 261 in 93.4 overs (Taruwar Kohli 151 not out; Imliwati Lemtur 4/49). Nagaland won by 448 runs. Points: Nagaland 6, Mizoram 0.

Odimongba and others at the podium with their medals.

DIMAPUR, FEB (NPN): Nagaland Blind and Para Judo Association, which represented the state at the 10th National Blind and Deaf Judo Championships from March 5-9 at Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan has won two medals (gold and bronze).

Nagaland’s Odimongba won the gold medal in (-50 kg junior) category while Puilen won bronze medal in (-60 kg junior) category.

Four athletes from Nagaland participated at the championships. The other two competitors were Lesing in (-60 kg junior) and Kholang in (-60 kg J1 senior) category.

The team was led by team coach Somnath Chakraborty, who is also employed at Nagaland University as Judo coach and guide Rongsan Yanger.

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