May 10, 2020

Nagaland Post

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Vol XXX No. 153

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Mother’s Day in lockdown

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Thousands of stranded homeward bound Inter-district movement extended

Stranded citizens prepare to board the buses in Kohima, Saturday.

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, MAY 9 (NPN): Thousands of stranded people, mainly from Dimapur and Kohima left for their respective home districts on Saturday.

In Dimapur, 47 buses carrying over 1000 people left for their respective home towns from State Stadium on May 9. 2 buses left for Mokokchung, Wokha-2 buses, Kiphire-4 buses, Zunheboto- 5 buses, Phek- 4 buses, Mon-13 buses, Tuensang- 4 buses, Longleng- 3 buses, Kohima and Peren 2 buses each. From May 7 till May 9, 6477 stranded persons left for their homes after being screened by the medical department.

In Kohima, people in hundreds gathered at Kuochiezie (Local) Ground seeking assistance of the district administration to ferry them to their respective districts.

Hardware shops to open in Dmu D I M A P U R , M AY 9 (NPN): District Task Force (DTF) Dimapur has decided to allow all hardware shops in Dimapur district to open from 5am to 9am with effect from May 11, 2020.

According to a DIPR report, DTF Dimapur decided this at a meeting held in the conference Hall of DC Dimapur Saturday, which was convened by DC to discuss issues pertaining to COVID-19. The meeting also discussed strict implementation of odd and even system of traffic regulation, barricading of certain areas and issues with regard to border sealing. Reminding that lockdown was still in force, DC Dimapur has appealed to all the citizens to follow the lockdown rules and not to move unnecessarily unless urgently required.

He also expressed gratitude to the NGOs, civil society organisations and the citizens for extending cooperation thus far in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, assured that police would give their best with regard to traffic regulation in Dimapur. CP has, however, sought public participation for successful implementation of the new traffic system.

Altogether 29 buses carrying 774 stranded persons departed from Kohima to various districts in the State.

Out of the 29 buses 5 buses went to Zunheboto, 1 to Meluri, 6 buses to Dimapur, 1 bus to Jalukie, 2 buses to Mokokchung, 12 buses to Longleng, 1 bus to Pughoboto and 1 bus to Kiphire. Several hundred stranded Nagas from other districts were also ferried back home on May 9, by buses arranged by the state government.

Both Dimapur and Kohima district administrations have so far facilitated the relocation of almost over 10000 stranded people to their home districts and states during the three-day window period.

Meanwhile, as per reports, there are still thousands of poeple stranded across the state and unable to reach their homes.

Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner, who is also the convenor of the Empowered Committee, Sentiyanger Imchen has informed that the government has extended the inter-district movement of stranded persons from May 11 till May 13, 2020.

In a directive to all DCs, Imchen said persons who have already registered till May 8, 2020 at the facilitation Centres will be given preference.

Since most of the registered stranded persons were from Dimapur and Kohima, the government has directed the respective DCs to send buses to the destination districts equitably. Further, other DCs have been asked not to send any more passengers to Dimapur and Kohima in those buses that will be returning.

However, any stranded passengers / groups wishing to travel by making their own arrangement and cost will be allowed.

For this, the DCs may issue permits to such vehicles for the travel, Imchen stated.

DC Dimapur bans Inter-State movement Dimapur district administration has re-imposed the restriction on inter-state movement with immediate effect.

According to DIPR, deputy commissioner Anoop Kinchi in a notification has barred inter-state movement of individuals.

However, patients seeking treatment of non-COVID-19 illnesses at Dimapur from neighbouring states shall be required to produce movement permit from their respective district authorities mentioning that the case is a medical emergency.

COVID-19 nationwide tally crosses 62k 62,761

17,797

2028

registering an increase of 95 deaths and 3,320 cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 39,834 while 17,846 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said.

However, a PTI tally of numbers reported by different states and UTs, as of 10.45pm showed at least 62,761 confirmed cases across the country, nearly 19,000 recoveries and 2,028 deaths.

Nagaland COVID: Results of 62 samples awaited

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): Nationwide tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases crossed 62,700 on Saturday and the death toll topped the 2,000 mark after hundreds more tested positive

for deadly virus infection in several states.

In its daily update, the Union Health Ministry said the death toll has risen to 1,981 and the number of cases has climbed to 59,662,

DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): State principal secretary home, Abhijit Sinha on Saturday, in his daily briefing, informed that a total of 848 COVID-19 suspected samples had been sent for testing from the State so far, out of which 786 samples have tested negative, while the results for remaining 62 samples are awaited.

Shoppers throng market along the NL Road at Dimapur town on Saturday.

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Stranded people from outside the state at DDSC stadium. (NP)

Staff Reporter

D I M A P U R , M AY 9 (NPN): Over 2000 stranded people, mostly from neighbouring Assam, were allowed to leave Dimapur from May 3 till May 9, paving the way for them to be reunited with their families after being away from home for nearly 2 months in view of the nation-wide lockdown.

According to district officials, those stranded from outside the state were allowed to leave after obtaining medical certificate from the District hospital and movement permit from the district administration.

Ravi Zacharias battling cancer

From May 3 till May 9, 2050 persons were allowed to leave that includes-- 1216 from New Field check gate and 471 from Dillai gate.

On Saturday, men, women and children were seen waiting for their turn to get their documents verified by district administration at DDSC stadium, Dimapur.

At the Nagaland gate check point, a beeline of people awaited their turn to check out and move to the other side of the border on their way home. Fire service personnel sprayed disinfectants as vehicles made their way into the state.

D I M A P U R , M AY 9 (NPN): Naga People’s Front (NPF) has urged the state government to exercise utmost caution while bringing back citizens of Nagaland stranded in different parts of the country due to COVID19 lockdown, saying it “foresees a potentially disastrous situation if the process is conducted in a haphazard manner.”

NPF through its press bureau said the government should be cautious enough while differentiating stranded people returning to Nagaland. It stated that influx of illegal immigrants and new migrants was a “distinct possibility”, adding that the opportunists, considering Nagaland placed under ‘Green Zone’, could seek to take advantage.

Opposition party suggested that stringent and detailed verification of documents be carried out before entry into the state, particularly in the case non-Naga indigenous persons. It said there was “high possibility” that many illegal immigrants under the guise of residing in Nagaland could claim their right to return without proper and valid documents.

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, MAY 9 (NPN): Ignoring all lockdown norms, citizens of Dimapur and Kohima thronged markets on Saturday, particularly in a last minute shopping for Mother’s Day, which is to be celebrated on May 10.

The main shopping areas in Dimapur chock-ablock as shoppers in hundreds were seen all over the

market, rubbing shoulder to shoulder, in complete disregard of the mandatory social distancing guideline.

However, it was a huge sigh of relief for many shop owners as they could do brisk business after almost six week of loss due to the lockdown.

A shop owner told this Reporter that business was good after a long time.

Most of the items were for Mother’s Day gifts and hampers.

In Kohima too, people in hundreds were seen in market areas to buy essential items and, mainly to shop for Mother’s Day. DC Kohima on May 7 issued an order allowing all shops to open in Kohima in view of the Mother’s Day to be celebrated on May 10.

Further, NPF suggested that the “best remedy” would be not entertaining renewal of expired Inner Line Permit to non-indigenous people who were stranded outside the state and wanting to re-enter the state till such time the whole country was considered a “Green Zone” or a similar solution is arrived at.

It also stated that the whole process of screening and isolating each new entrant into the state, quarantining and testing of suspected persons etc. must not be compromised at any cost.

Meanwhile, NPF has urged the government to address the issue of price rise of essential commodities as the common people were suffering not only due to COVID-19, but for their daily survival.

Instead of paying more attention to the generation of revenue, NPF said the government’s priority should be for the welfare of its people. With relaxation on the public movement and activities, the NPF has called upon the citizens to continue complying with the WHO guidelines.

Pangnyu visits BSL-2 site at CIHSR

Ravi Zacharias (File)

D I M A P U R , M AY 9 (NPN): Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias has been battling a rare form of bone cancer since March and was recently informed by doctors that his cancer- an aggressive and rare form of cancer in his spine- has spread and there’s nothing more they can do medically.

His daughter Sarah Davis, CEO of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), offered a heartbreaking update on his condition. Despite recently undergoing back surgery and cancer treatment, Davis says their family is preparing for Zacharias’ final days.

(L) BSL-2 equipment at CIHSR and (R) S. Pangnyu Phom during the visit on Saturday. (NP)

D I M A P U R , M AY 9 (NPN): Health and Family Welfare minister S. Pangnyu Phom on May 9 visited the Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) Dimapur to inspect the BioSafety Lab level-2 preparedness.

“Visited the Referral Hospital, Dmp to oversee

the preparedness & installation process of BSL-2.

We are putting all efforts to ensure that we have our own lab to combat the Pandemic.” S. Pangnyu Phom tweeted on Saturday.

Later, Pangnyu, accompanied by Adviser Power Tovihoto Ayemi and advisor IPR, SCERT and

Shopping rush for Mother’s Day Domestic flight ops set to resume

This is it!

“On Mother’s Day, we present you this cookbook to treat us during lockdown period.”

Over 2000 stranded people leave state

NPF asks govt to be cautious on return of stranded citizens

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (AGENCIES): Domestic flight operations in the country are likely to resume within a week. Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in an exclusive conversation with Outlook Magazine, said that the government is planning to resume domestic flight operations before May 15.

“We are planning to start domestic flight operations even before May 15. My effort will be to try and move in the direction of starting it very soon. I can’t put a date on it because when you are planning evacuation operations, you need the co-operation of the state governments. In order to open up domestic civil aviation, I need the domestic infrastructure in place,” Puri told Outlook Magazine.

He said that there will be no ‘rescue’ of people as the ministry would resume the commercial operations. “Once we start domestic civil aviation, it cannot be called rescue. We are beginning commer-

cial operation, and everyone will be able to travel,” he said.

Speaking about operating flights between green zones, the minister further added, “We have to take a final decision on this.

If you look at the map of India, operating between green zones is easy. But if you look at all the metropolitans, they are in red zone.

We can’t leave them totally also.

A decision will be taken on this in the next few days.”

The government has already begun flight operations to bring back Indians stranded abroad.

Over 200 Indians will be traveling back to India from Sharjah

by May 9.

“We got off to a good start and it’s just the beginning of the process. This is not an arrangement where the final details are cast in iron, as the expression goes...We will review it as we go along,” the minister said.

Commercial flight operations in India have remained suspended since March 24.

Village Guards, Toshi Wungtung also inspected the surrounding areas of CIHSR where soil erosion often occurs threatening to wash away major portion the CIHSR land located along the Chathe River.

The entourage also inspected the Dimapur COVID-19 hospital.

DAABPF calls for prayer

DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastor Fellowship (DAABPF) has informed the members to hold prayer on May 11, 2020. In a press release, DAABPF president, N Lipok Jamir, and secretary, L Panger Jamir, informed that at 7pm Church bell would toll for three minutes in all the Ao Baptist Churches in Dimapur and surrounding localities during which members of the Churches are to come out of their houses.

When the bell gets over, the members have been requested to have a mass prayer on five points some of which include thanking the Lord for keeping Nagaland safe from COVID19 and pray for continued protection.

Empowered group to meet DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): Empowered group for COVID-19, Dimapur district would hold a meeting to discuss various issues relating to people returning to state post lockdown at commissioner’s rest house, Bank Colony, Dimapur on May 11, 2020 at 11am. In a circular, secretary F&CS and empowered group Member W. Honje Konyak has informed the district education officer Dimapur, three members from All Nagaland Private College Association, three members All Nagaland Private School Association and two members from Accommodation Committee to attend the meeting positively.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

DDMA verify hailstorm damages at Pungro DIMAPUR: Hailstorm caused damage to the community on April 21 at Pungro sub-division, Kiphire.

According to DIPR report, DDMA team led by ADC Pungro verified the damages caused by the hailstorm incident. Further detailed assessment was made on April 27.

As per the Disaster Situation Report (DSR) submitted to DDMA Kiphire on April 22, it was reported that 122 fully damaged, 112 severely damaged and 283 partially damaged properties and relief was sanctioned accordingly as per the norms of assistance under state Disaster Response Fund.

However, DDMA Kiphire

Patton, Along greet on Mother’s Day DIMAPUR: Dy. chief minister Y. Patton and minister of Higher & Technical Education, Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along have extended greetings on Mother’s Day. Patton paid respect to mothers stating that, a mother shapes a child’s future because mothers were role models. Patton on behalf of the state BJP legislators paid highest tribute to all the mothers and wished them a bundle of joy and happiness on their special day.

Imna Along: Minister, Temjen Imna Along, also greeted the Mothers on the occasion. “A noble mother stretches across generations, shaping the personality and life of a child and changing the world in ways others have chosen to ignore...,” he said. He said: “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. I salute all the priceless mothers on this auspicious Mother’s Day.”

GYCD condemns April 28 incident

DIMAPUR: Gorkha Youth Club Dimapur (GYCD) has condemned the alleged rape incident at Netaji Colony, Dimapur. GYCD stated that, the union will not tolerate “this sort of act that tarnishes the very modesty and endangers the safety of women in our society.” GYCD urged the law enforcing agencies to thoroughly probe the case and punish the culprits.

made on the spot assessment and submitted to NSDMA that affected 514 households were partially damaged only. Therefore government of Nagaland has constituted an InterDepartmental State Team (IDST) led by L. Jonjibemo Odyuo, SRRO, NSDMA along with representatives from PWD (Housing), Soil & Water Conservation and NSRLM (Rural Development).The IDST reached Pungro sub-division on May 7 and a short briefing was held with ADC & EAC Pungro on May 8 before the IDST and DDMA team moved out for on the spot assessment at Salomi village. A brief meeting was held between the team

and the Village Council Salomi before assessment was made. In this regard, the IDST has started to collect information from the affected families going house to house as per the proforma of on the spot assessment in view of the hailstorm incident at Salomi village on April 21.

The team is entrusted by government of Nagaland to assist further collateral damages due to the hailstorm incident. The team is in the process of assessment at Salomi village and will be covering Pinkim village, Khongsa town, Moya village, Kiuro village, Pungro town, Pungro village, New Vongti and Old Vongti.

Fire incidents contained in Kiphere and Chümoukedima

Disinfectant team of Fire Station Dimapur Central performing duty at New Field Check Gate Dimapur 24×7 from April 3 till date. (DIPR)

Police arrests two for rape incident DIMAPUR: Dimapur Police on May 1 arrested two persons namely Ashish Ghosh (30 years) and Samuel (31 years) in connection with a sexual assault case in Netaji Colony, Dimapur. According to Police/PRO, certain important samples have been collected by the investigation team for further forensic examination. The two arrested persons on completion of police remand have been forwarded to judicial custody.

Tuensang Bn interacts with village GBs

Fire at VVJ stone crusher, near Naga Cemetery Chümoukedima on May 8.

moukedima quick response team reached the VVJ stone crusher, near Naga Cemetery, Chümoukedima.

Fire tenders along with sufficient equipments and fire personnel contained the fire. Six kutcha houses used as labourers’ shed were completely razed

down during the inferno.

Property worth 6 lakhs approximately was lost and 3 lakhs property saved in the inferno. The cause of fire is due to short circuit but no casualty was reported.

Response team was led by duty commander SI Francis Singsit.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Romans 14:8 – “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die we die to the Lord.

So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”

We, the family of Late Vika Yeptho would like to convey our sincere gratitude to the doctors and staff of Eden Medical Centre, neighbours, friends, church members and relatives for your support physically, financially and spiritually at his sudden demise.

Assam Rifles personnel interacting with GBs at Chenloiso village.

DIMAPUR: Tuensang Battalion of Assam Rifles (North) interacted with village GBs and Angh at Chenloiso on May 8.

According to PRO HQ IGAR (N), during the interaction security situation

and COVID-19 in the AOR was discussed as well as issues pertaining to development, health, education and women empowerment.

Earlier, the meeting focused on bridging the gap between security forces and

‘World Red Cross Day’ in Tsg

DIMAPUR: World Red Cross Day was held at DC’s conference hall, Tuensang on May 8 under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant. According to DIPR report, addressing in the programme, DC Tuensang reiterated the aim of Red Cross and impressed on the serving of humanity without discrimination and respect for human dignity. He stated

that today the battle was against COVID-19 and the Red Cross had an important role to play. T. Y Sangtam honorary secretary Red Cross Tuensang, gave a brief highlight on the formation and history of the Red Cross organisation.

He also highlighted on the activities of Red Cross in the district and stated that their volunteers were trained and ready to assist in combating COVID-19.

village traditional bodies through mutual interaction and cooperation to maintain peace and harmony in the region. The battalion assured complete help to address the problems faced by villagers.

Our hearts are broken ever since you left us for your heavenly abode. Words cannot express how much we miss you every second of every day. We have only fond memories of you which we will cherish all throughout our days till we meet again in heaven. As you rest in God's loving arms may your soul be at peace. We love you.

DP-2301

Loving Wife and Family

K-873

Died on 25 March 2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The family of Lt. Impenlila Longchar (Alila Longchar, Mangmetong) wishes to express our deep gratitude to all the well wishers who stood with us as we bid farewell to our beloved. The kindness and concern shown to our family in general and to our loved one in particular at her sudden sickness and passing on the 5th of May, 2020 in Delhi, can never be reciprocated enough. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the extraordinary humane actions taken by everyone, those closer to home and those living miles away, during this ongoing pandemic.

We convey our gratitude to: 1) Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA).

2) Delhi Ao Baptist Church.

3) Delhi IB Staff.

We have nothing to show for our gratitude except our sincere words and prayers. We regret our inability to acknowledge everyone individually, but pray that our Lord bless everyone abundantly.

Loving family members.

DP-2298

DP-2297

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DIMAPUR: Kiphire Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) mobilised a quick response team on receiving information fire call on May 8 at Hydro Power Station.

A press release from F&ES Kohima, deputy SP T. Shilu Jamir stated that, timely intervention of fire personnel contained the fire and prevented from further spreading to adjoining areas. The cause of fire is unknown, while an area of approximately 150x150 sq mtrs was damaged in the inferno. No casualty was reported. Response team was led by 2nd OC Nungsangmeren Ao and duty commander ASI Neisiekuo.

In a similar incident on May 8, the F&ES Chü-

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise"

Luke 23-43

Born: 1930 – Died: 05/05/2020

01.03.1950 – 04.05.2020 We, the bereaved family to Lt. Joseph Odyuo, wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, churches, councils, relatives, Apo's old comrades, neighbours and friends who stood by us to lend us support and love in every possible way at the demise of our dear father who left for his heavenly abode.

We convey our special thanks to :1. Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima 2. Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dimapur 3. T & Y Odyuo, Tsoerui Votok 4. Dimapur Pangti Ekhung 5. Kohima Pangti Ekhung 6. Kohima Eloe Randan Khumshum 7. Lotha Catholic Khumshum, Kohima 8. Senthan Yanko Eloe Randan Khumshum 9. Bamunpukhuri Randan Khumshum 10. Sumi Baptist Church, Akukuhou, Bamunpukhuri 11. Bamunpukhuri Village Council 12. Lotha Union Bamunpukhuri I-II 13. Somdal Union, DPR 14. 46th NSS Batch.

We regret not being able to mention all of your names personally, but we thank you for your gesture of kindness and for words of encouragement. we pray that our Almighty God bless you all.

Loving wife & children DP-2296 K Y M C

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

Constant vigil on preventive measures against COVID-19

DIMAPUR: Preventive measures and preparedness in the eventuality of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the state is continuously being carried out by the government agencies and various civil organisations for the benefit of the citizens. Visits, meetings, special drive for farmers, helplines, advisories and orders are the routines being conducted across the state. Public are time and again reminded to adhere to government guidelines even if there are some relaxations as the world is not yet free from the pandemic. Meanwhile, volunteers in various districts are producing face masks for distribution to the citizens and frontline workers to combat the virus. Hospitals, pharmacies, shops and other public places are also fully equipped with hand wash stands and soap for hygiene purposes.

Mokokchung District

Mokokchung District

Additional secretary, Horticulture, Zarenthung Ezung speaking at the programme on Saturday. (NP)

Horticulture special drive: COVID 19 Horticulture special drive was held, Saturday, under the theme, “Grow More! Produce More! Earn More!”, at the Commissioner’s Rest House Mokokchung. While delivering his speech, additional secretary, directorate of Horticulture, Zarenthung Ezung stated that there was a looming threat to food security due to the COVID 19 pandemic, affecting crop cultivation and food supply chain.

Fortunately, he said that Nagaland is blessed with

natural resources, fertile land with abundant rain and favourable climate, suitable for any type of crop. Zarenthung called upon the farmers to grow more and produce more to make Nagaland a selfsufficient state in horticultural crops. The secretary stated that the main purpose of the special drive was to collect TADAs, first hand from the grassroot for further policy making in cultivation. Earlier, short speeches were delivered by deputy directors Bongti Konyak and Meyasashi

Self Help Group members stitching masks in Sungratsu village under Farmers being taught on management approaches by extension Kobulong block. functionaries at Khensa village.

while vote of thanks was proposed by the Dr. Imchalemla. Introductory note was delivered by DHO Mokokchung, Imotemjen.

(Correspondent) Mokokchung DTF COVID-19 mask project: Under the initiative of Mokokchung District Task Force (DTF) COVID-19 mask project, and funded by the citizens of Mokokchung district, washable cotton face masks were distributed to all the villages and Kobulong town under EAC Kobulong block after a small programme at

EAC office, Kobulong on May 9.

A press release from Mokokchung DTF stated that, the masks were stitched by volunteers and SHGs under NSRLM Kobulong block, wherein a total of 6077 masks were completed in two weeks under the project. Kubolung is now the first sub-division in the district to receive free washable cotton masks to all its citizens. Villages under Kobulong circle include Sungratsu, Mopungchuket, Chami, Longpa, Longjang, Khanimo, Yimchalu, Ko-

bulong town and Impur Mission Centre.

Sentilong Ozukum, EAC Hq Mokokchung and nodal officer for the masks project and EAC Kubolong, Kupeusing Mer u thanked all the SHGs, volunteers and managers, NRLM for coordinating with the SHGs and supporting the mask campaign in the circle. Sentilong further stated that a total of more than 30,000 washable cotton masks have been completed so far in the district and they would be further distributed circle

Tuensang District

movement of stranded locals due to COVID-19 lockdown, the Tuensang district administration has transported more than 318 passengers comprising of local indigenous students, daily wage earners and others from Tuensang to other districts and sub-divisions nagalandpost.com Poll from May 7 to 9. On May Q.: Is social distancing a 7, 30 stranded passengers were ferried from the distotal failure? trict of bus each to Dima100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– pur with 21 and Kohima 90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– with 7 and 2 passengers 80% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– to Mokokchung in the 70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– first batch. The buses and 60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– passengers received on the 50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– first day were, 4 buses from 40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dimapur to Tuensang, 2 30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20% 10% 0%

A B C

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

80% 0% 20%

Next poll

Q: Is there possibility that

arrival of stranded from outside can bring COVID-19?  Yes.  No.  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST May 10

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine and very warm 37 24 Aizawl

Hazy sunshine and very warm 32 17

Guwahati Hazy sun and unseasonable hot 37 19 Imphal

Hazy sunshine and very warm 34 14

Itanagar Hazy sunshine and very warm 33 19 Shillong

A stray afternoon t-shower

25 13

Kohima

Partly sunny with a t-storm

27 14

Dimapur Hazy sun and very warm

35 19

Hazy sunshine

30 15

Tuensang Hazy sunshine

21 12

Hazy sunshine

28 18

Mkg Wokha

Zunheboto A morning t-storm in the area

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26 13

DAO-KVK-ATMA team have been undertaking pest surveillance and monitoring round ups in the entire FAW incidence reported villages.

During the field monitoring visits, nature of damage, life stage of the pest and levels of damages are ascertained before recommending any remedial solutions. Meanwhile, inputs such as emmamectin benzoate and IPM kits were distributed to the affected maize growing farmers, while rodenticides (roban cake) were distributed to

cucumber growing farmers for rodent. So far, reports of FAW infestation was received from villages Yimchalu and Mopungchuket under Kobulong block, Khensa, Kinunger and Mangmetong under Ongpangkong South block, Ungma and Mokokchung village under Ongpangkong North block only.

Re s e a r c h e x p e r t s and extension functionaries have been working to further disseminate FAW awareness and management advisories to farmers through various media.

DimapuR District

Stranded indigenous people ready to proceed towards ADC Tuensang, Lankonsen along with committee respective districts from Tuensang on May 8 and 9. (DIPR) members of COVID-19. (DIPR)

318 stranded locals transported: 318 stranded locals have been transported to respective districts and sub-divisions from Tuensang.

According to DIPR report with the government allowing for inter districts

wise in phase. The mask project is aimed to produce a total number of 2 lakhs mask covering the entire district of Mokokchung with an estimated budget of Rs 25 lakhs.

Field monitoring of FAW: A triangulate team comprising of the district agriculture office, KVK and ATMA, Mokokchung have been visiting and monitoring fields in different villages under Mokokchung district.

A press release from district agriculture officer & PD ATMA stated that,

to Noklak, 1 to Shamator and 7 buses from Kohima to Tuensang have been received and monitored.

Sent out from the district are as follows: Noklak to Kohima 5 passengers; Noklak to Dimapur 13; Tuensang to Kohima 18; Tuensang to Dimapur 51; Tuensang to Mokokchung 3; Shamator to Dimapur 6; Tuensang to Wokha 4; Tuensang to Thronger village 5; Mangangkhi village 1; Noklak with 48 passengers were transported. On May 9, 5 buses with 35 passengers from Tuensang to Dimapur, 1 bus with 9 passengers from Tuensang

to Kohima, 1 bus with 39 passengers from Tuensang to Noklak and 1 bus with 13 passengers from Tuensang to Shamator have been transported. A dedicated facilitation cell which has been set up at DC office Tuensang with SDO (C) as nodal officer along with EAC HQ, Puhan and SS NST S. Meju as members has monitored the whole process.

Tuensang Task Force visits quarantine centres: Tuensang Task Force for COVID-19 Shamator led

by Lankonsen Tsanglao ADC, visited quarantine centres in Shamator HQ.

Visit of MD to CMO office Dimapur: Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, mission director (MD), NHM Nagaland visited CMO office Dimapur and held a meeting with officers and NHM staff on May 7.

A press release from DPMU Dimapur stated that, Dr. Kevichusa expressed that the main issue faced by the department was the influx of travelers, mainly Nagas stranded in other states. While stating that Dimapur being the first point of entry for most of them, Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru pointed out that Dimapur was the most vulnerable, not only for COVID-19 virus but also for various other diseases. In this regard, he urged all the health workers to strictly follow the SOP, whereby a cordial working environment must, therefore, be developed so as to work as a team and to work with understanding of each other’s need. He also enquired about the materials and other medical supplies sent to the district and that more medicines can be indented if required and also to return any sub-standard materials or drugs sent to district so as to return them to the suppliers. Dr. Kevichusa also emphazied on the importance of providing

Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru during the meeting with officials of CMO office and NHM staff.

essential health services to the public and urged the staff to continue with immunization, ANC checkups, institutional delivery, VHND, etc in villages.

He also urged the programme officers to continue providing their services to the public and urged all staffs to be at their place of posting. He also reiterated that the medical staff at the periphery will be called on duty to headquarter as and when the situation demanded.

Earlier, Dr. Kevichusa also visited COVID-19 Hospital and held interaction with the staff, whereupon he urged the hospital to increase isolation ward so as to ensure that other patients

besides COVID-19 were also cared for.

H&F welfare launch Tele health line: Department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) has launched toll free “Tele health line”, where citizens can speak to doctors directly for advice. A press release from H&FW, stated that COVID19 pandemic has created unprecedented situation, as a result of which many hospitals were converted to COVID hospitals, private hospitals and clinics, not running at full capacity, and also due to restriction imposed on movement because of lockdown, many people have been facing problems related to COVID or health issues. During

this crisis, ignorance and misinformation could lead to dangerous situation. In view of this, H&FW department has enrolled doctors working in the state, both in government and private set up and also Naga students, who were currently pursuing post graduate or working outside the state, as they have come forward to render their voluntary service. Implementation officer, Dr C Tetseo, encouraged citizens to make good use of the facility.

It stated that one can call at 18003450019 to speak with doctors directly or get call back from them, either in English or Nagamese, depending on IVR option chosen.

Orders, advisories, informations by district administrations and others DC Mokokchung promulgates 144 CRPC Deputy commissioner Mokokchung has promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CRPC in apprehension of grave danger to human lives, health and safety with regard to COVID-19 pandemic.

The order prohibits movement of individuals for all non-essential activities from 5 p.m to 6 a.m every day till the May 17 covering the whole of Mokokchung district.

Any person found violating the order shall be penalized under sec 188 of IPC and other relevant sections of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, and the disaster management act 2005.

DC Zunheboto notifies stranded migrant labourers Deputy commissioner has notified to all stranded migrant labourers in the district to compulsorily register their names and submit relevant document at DC’s office, Zunheboto latest by May 15.

According to DIPR report, a facilitation centre for the purpose has been set up at the office chamber of EAC (Sadar), DC’s office Zunheboto. Migrant labourers may contact for any queries at 7005574010.

DC Mon inform students Deputy commissioner, Mon Thavaseelan K informed that in view of the imposition of national lockdown and closure of schools, the district administration, Mon with due concern for the academic session of secondary school students will be uploading videos with weekly assignments on You Tube Channel (Deputy Commissioner Mon) from May onwards. DIPR reported that, the students should submit the assignment reports upon resumption of their academic session to their respective schools.

Parents and students are requested to make use of this opportunity.

DC Peren informs on activities to be adhered DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier in a circular has informed that with the extension of the lockdown period, the following activities will continue to remain prohibited across the district of Peren for 2 (two) weeks with immediate effect. According to DIPR report, the following are to be adhered: The general public shall continue to strictly maintain social distancing and wearing of face mask in all public places, even home-made will continue to be mandatory; All schools, colleges, education/training, coaching institutions etc. However, online learning shall

be permitted; All public places in the district like recreation centre, libraries etc and all religious places/places of worship shall be closed; Religious congregations are strictly prohibited; Funeral/last rites related gathering shall ensure social distancing and the maximum numbers allowed shall not be more than 20 (twenty); Marriage related gathering shall ensure social distancing, and the maximum allowed shall not be more than 50 (fifty); Shops selling pan, gutkha, tobacco etc will ensure minimum 6 (six) feet distance from each other and also ensure not more than 5 persons are present at one time at the shop and consumption of the same is in public places is strictly prohibited; Inter-district movement of commercial passenger vehicle shall remain barred except vehicle carrying goods. Taxis & auto rickshaws shall be permitted to ply with a condition that they carry not more than two and one passenger(s) respectively. Both the driver and passengers should wear masks compulsorily.

Further, the driver should make mandatory provision for hand sanitizer failing which permit shall be cancelled.

The fares to be charged shall be at the rate prescribed before the lockdown measures.

Movement of passenger buses, like city bus will continue to be prohibited.

Order dated April 30 shall continue Order dated Peren April 30 shall continue to be in force till future order. However, stand alone shops and outlets outside the purview of town councils may be permitted to open as per normal hours: There shall be restriction on gathering at public places of more than 5 people; Non essential movement of general public inter/ intra district is still restricted. However, there will not be requirement of any separate pass for the movement of any government servant from his/ her residence to office and back. Further, vehicle being used by the government servant for his/her movement including private vehicle if any, will also not require any passes/permit for movement.

The concerned government servant is advised to carry his/her official ID card and produce whatever required so as not to face any inconvenience; Movement of non-essential activities between 5 p.m to 6 a.m till May 17 shall be regulated.

LVC bans pork within its jurisdiction Lengrijan Village Council (LVC) has informed general public that it has banned the sale of imported and local pork from outside and within the jurisdiction of Lengrijan village from date of issue of this order till further notice. LVC informed that violation of ban by any individual or society shall invite a penalty of Rs. 10,000/-.

K Y M C

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Happy Mother’s Day 2020

Vol. XXx NO. 153 Dimapur, SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

Mothers and God’s love

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other’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May as a befitting tribute to mothers for what they are and the role they have been playing in every family since creation.

Though both fathers and mothers equally share the responsibility of making a home, mothers play a prominent role in the development of spiritual values in the family. What a mother is, has been described in so many words. The dictionary explains the word ‘mother’ as one who has given birth. This biological process results in a psychological bond between the mother and child. All the pains of childbirth that a mother undergoes is forgotten when she holds the child with immense joy. A mother will go to any length to feed and fend her child. A mother embodies selfless love and devotion to her husband and children. Though both fathers and mothers equally share the responsibility of making a home, mothers play a prominent role in the development of spiritual values in the family. Contemporary society throws new challenges on mothers as the home makers to fulfill God’s divine purpose.

The biblical command, to train up a child in the way he or she should go(Prov.22:6)is a call to create a strong foundation of God consciousness-personality that will stand in good stead in times of trouble. Mothers impact their children and in turn, children impact society. This is aptly described by the saying : “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” and “The mother’s heart is the child’s school-room”(Henry Ward Beecher). These describe a mother as the first and most important companion, guide and teacher of her children. As a teacher, a mother is considered as the first teacher of the child in the world. As a servant, she is the very embodiment of love, of sacrifice, or selfless service to her children and of forbearance. As a companion, she is a friend and companion. Mother hood is a quality which is inborn in every female species including animals as created by God for a purpose.

A virtuous woman is strong in spirit as she waits on God for wisdom and strength and by her spirit, she can influence her children and husband. A virtuous mother will bring up virtuous children who will later become virtuous parents and raise virtuous children.

Being virtuous also means being wise in being a good mother, wife, housekeeper and handling finances. It is true that a virtuous mother inspires her family to love and honour God. A good mother is closely associated with birth, nurturing, love, compassion, empathy and forgiveness. To do this, the bible also calls on mothers to be virtuous and to pattern their character after God’s design (Prov.31:1-10). A godly mother is virtuous, is strong in spirit as she waits on God for wisdom and strength and by her spirit, she can influence her children and husband.A godly mother will bring up godly children who will later become godly parents and raise a godly generation. Being virtuous also means being wise in being a godly mother, wife, housekeeper and handling finances. It is true that a virtuous mother inspires her family to love and honour God. Not honouring God has brought many ailments and so perhaps it is time for godly mothers to impact their family and society.

DailyDevotion Reaching Beyond Our Grasp

Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision], the people cast off restraint… —Proverbs 29:18 There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything. A person’s own idea of God and His attributes may actually be used to justify and rationalize his deliberate neglect of his duty. Jonah tried to excuse his disobedience by saying to God, “…I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm” (Jonah 4:2). I too may have the right idea of God and His attributes, but that may be the very reason why I do not do my duty. But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives me the moral incentive.

Our own idealistic principles may actually lull us into ruin. Examine yourself spiritually to see if you have vision, or only principles.

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?

“Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision]….” Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God’s vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path.

We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done before? Is there a freshness and a vitality in our spiritual outlook?

Quotes

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. ~ Harry S Truman

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

Loving the mothers is loving love A special day for the loved ones

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others’ Day, an event celebrated first in 1908 by Anna Jarvis as a memorial for her mother is now observed annually to honour the mothers in the family and the role of mothers in the society. In the North East, the contribution of the mothers in controlling drug abuses, which have drastically brought down the once alarming rate of youths with drug addictions, and their initiatives, through women societies and Mothers’ Associations, that heralded a paradigm shift of religious and social activities are well regarded and the mothers could be credited for the existence of peace and harmony in the Hills.

A few years ago, during one of my travels from Imphal to Kolkata, I’d happened to be seated next to an Army man, who claimed to have served in almost all the North-eastern states. He said, “One peculiar fact I observed among people of North-Eastern India, unlike in mainland India is that while all the mothers are not only busy with their household chores and the works in the field but also in selling the field produces, the majority of fathers are seen mostly at hotels engaging in useless but seemingly alluring topics or leisurely associating in groups most of the times.”

“Well, mothers are more empowered in this part of the land. They managed the house and works. These activities ensured that they are financially independent and the predominantly patriarchal societies of many tribes have now turned into a society where equality is not just preached but practiced,’ I said, trying my best to reasoned his doubt.

Though my attempt was

to avoid someone painting a bad picture of the fathers of the region, there is some truth in the Army man’s observation, which the fathers of the region can retrospect.

If mothers are expected to cook the food, clean the house, groom the kids and work for the family, - that surely is not the empowerment they would cherish.

The role of mothers in the family is of paramount importance, which needs no elaboration but worth remembering over and again.

Right from the moment in the womb to adulthood, the mother nurtures the child and even when the umbilical cord is cut; it gets replaced by irreplaceable cord of love and care towards the child.

It is such a strange phenomenon that it took one to get married to truly understand the love of mothers and appreciate their sacrifices.

Unlike as witnessed in movies, the labour room has restriction for male entry and I waited just next to the entry of the labour room even as my better half was moved in for the delivery of our Child. Minutes later, the scream and cries coming from the labour room were way beyond tolerance and I must admit with guilt, I walked to the waiting room, situated some 50 metres away, where families and well wishers were waiting in anticipation. ‘Oh! Such pain and agony they endure for their child,’ I said to myself.

Then the Good news came of the birth of our first son and we all joined the mother of my son with tears in all our eyes, but different tears.

Those tears of happiness won’t be possible without the tears of pains the mother had shed.

Since that day, I not only respect mothers but even young girls; the wouldbe-mothers-someday. Most

E

very year a day is set aside to honour all the mothers as Mother’s Day. It is usually celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of May. Therefore, this year the Mother’s day is on the 10th May 2020. I remember in the past few years when we had a programme on this special day, an individual stood up and raised a question, why mothers are so special to us? This is a simple question, however it took us more than an hour to discuss and share on this simple question.

A Mother is the Heart of the family; she is the mediator between the children and the father (the head of the family), said one of the attendants. It is often said that mothers are usually soft and kind and are easily approachable by children. The mother possesses special qualities which makes the family more meaningful. ‘A family without a mother is like a curry without salt’ said one of the students in one of the seminars on Mother’s day.

Thus, mother is so important in the family. Honestly, mother is compared to the heart of human body. Therefore, as the heart supplies blood to the whole body and keep the body warm, likewise, the mother keeps the family united and warm with her love and care. The love of the mother in the family is incomparable and cannot be expressed in words.

Hence, for this reason E.M Foster once said ‘You can replace a wife but not a mother’.

In the good book God said, ‘it is not right that the man should be alone’ (Genesis 2:18). Thus, God created a woman to be his helper. Moreover, the good book presents to us several instances on the speciality of the mother towards her children.

Hence, the mother at all circumstances prevents her children from harm and danger. When two mothers came to King Solomon for a judgement over the living child, the real mother did not allow the King’s judgement to harm the living child, instead she willingly gave the living child to the accuser (1King 3:26).

This incident in the good book speaks volumes on the personality of the mother. In this way, a mother brings lots of joy and happiness in the family.

Someone has rightly said ‘the perfection

To all lovely mothers

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ear most beautiful and loving mothers, the most cherished mom by young and old whose absence in the house feels so empty even for a moment. Your presence makes our home a sweet home and wholesome. Dear mothers you are like the glue in the family, your presence might be unseen but you still hold the family together. Your life lesson upon your children is beyond measured. You are the role model to your child.

Dear mothers your love is everything to thy child. Giving the best protection you can, sacrificing every bite of taste of your tongue for our safety, embracing us around your soft arms with love, singing a lullaby till we find the best rest on your lap.

Nurture with utmost care with sleepless night but you were still the first to be awake before the dawn and prepare a delicious breakfast for everyone in the family.

In the world the best time manager and all-round best manager are mothers who work from the dawn till late night. She is the one who never say I’m tired but she goes on to say let me do it. Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything. A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take. Only she alone can replace her.

A faithful mother is clothed with strength and dignity, with beautiful charming smile on her face, fills with

sweetest word on her tongue, her instructions are words of wisdom and kindness, her hearts is pure and full of love. Dear mothers you all are so amazing that you are beyond our words of expressions. No one else can describe you but only you can describe yourself to the world.

To all the beautiful mothers we wish you all a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. May this day bring you more joy with full of love and happiness, May you feels the love of your children and soul mate on this special day. We wish and pray for all the mothers for your long live and many blessings and may you always be the best mom ever.

Asemew Kipz and Kedi Pame

era of dynamism

possible times through initiate corrective and dis- honourable to both entities, effective participation, co- ciplinary measures. This is we can herald a new beginoperation with account- by no means solely due to ning, tap our potential, ability and transparency lack of vision by the politi- develop our own resources at all levels. cal leadership and the bu- and ensure growth and self Nagas have a habit reaucracy, rather, the long sustenance, ushering in an of shifting responsibilities standing unresolved Indo- era of peace, harmony and and blames, however, the Naga political issue could prosperity with common collective sins compounded also be another reason that slogan of “Transparency over the past many decades did not allow conducive and Accountability”. have today landed us with atmosphere for smooth Last but not the least, gross financial misman- functioning of the state ma- it is a sigh of relief to everyagement and utter indis- chinery, denying meaning- one that restrictions under cipline in every aspect of ful investment in our land lockdown is being relaxed, our existence. Otherwise by corporate houses. but will the CORONA how would one explain the Both GOI and Nagas Virus relax? We have to be state of affairs of state run must honestly admit that more careful and cautious. institutions? What is the it would be the end of the Everyone should be in status of our educational road if there is no ‘Hon- good health to play a role institutions, public Health ourable and Acceptable in the new era of peace, sector (Hospitals), Public Political Solution’ through partnering in the overall Transport, Roads & bridges, a ‘Political Will’, in the growth and development Power Supply, Sanitation, coming months. of Nagaland. Please stay Water supply, Agriculture I therefore call upon at home till the situation & Allied Departments etc. the sons of the soil to be completely rolls back to Even the priority CSS are ready and give fullest co- normalcy. not being implemented with operation as we prepare STAY SAFE AND the spirit with which they to step into a new era by L I V E LO N G. G O D were promoted, not forget- inking the final agreement ting the rampant backdoor with the Government of BLESS NAGALAND! (concluded) appointments for which India for an inclusive Naga government has no means Solution. Nagas must hope (N. Kitovi Zhimomi) to check or is reluctant to that with renewed terms Convener, WC, NNPGs Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this

(From previous issue) owa r d s t h i s e n d creating a space for everyone to be well disposed of with work and responsibility is of paramount importance. With renewed spirit and confidence, everyone has to apply their mind in building a new Nagaland. Taking out little time, all have to think of their participation and contribution towards laying a strong foundation to carve out space for coming generations to flourish.

Situations are changing, we have to utilise our own potentials to achieve the goals instead of relying on Government of India and international agencies to meet our expenditure budget throughout. Political decision will have fairly adequate components to overcome the lags and lapses and to set a new beginning. Let our orientation be for the goals to be achieved in the shortest

T

importantly, I remember my mother and how I wished I’d understand her love much earlier. I believe women too feel the same, perhaps even more, about the love for their mothers and the understanding of their mother’s love, after marriage and especially after childbirth, for they personally endure physically what mothers have gone through. Of late, with the requirements of having to stay far away from home to sustain a living, many people are robbed of the precious opportunity to spend time with their mothers. The situation is far more tragic when narrated the other way round; of aging mothers, who have spent their prime days in bringing up their children, now without their children when they are needed most.

Is it a natural phenomenon which we have to dealt with or can we, as children do something about it and steal some time, tendering the hands that once feed us?

If there is someone, who believes in us when the world doubt us; if there is someone who speaks to us with the same tone of love and affection no matter how badly we failed in life; if there is someone who cares little about anything in the world than our health; if there is someone who will constantly pray for our well being even when we are lost in our own busy world; if there is someone whose best days and times are spent for our development; if there is someone who bears scars, marks and wrinkles and endures the greatest pain on earth just for us to come into this world- it is God in the form of human; it is your mother and my mother. #HappyMothersDay to all the mothers.

T S Haokip

of a woman is to be mother’. However, it is so unfortunate that the speciality of the mother is often misunderstood and not realized by women in this present generation.

A friend of mine once said ‘these days many couples long for marriage, but are not ready to be parents’. Certainly, this saying speaks volume to our present generation. On the other hand, to be a parent and mother is a big responsibility in the family as well as in the society.

Parents are special to the children and vice versa. Thus, parents can give the children, what money cannot buy.

The role of a mother in the family is so special that we cannot express it in words. She is known for caring, loving, protecting, sacrificing, friendly, soft and kind etc. Hence, children find security, love and care within the arms of the mother. Psychologists said that, the first person whom the child recognises in the world is his/her own mother. In general, when the mother breastfeeds the baby child, the baby looks and familiarises himself/herself with the face of the mother.

In this way, the child gets familiar with the face of the mother and recognises her as the first person in the world.

Thus, is this not the speciality of the mother to be recognised by her own child as the first person in the world?

Are they not deserved to be respected and honoured in the family as well as in the society?

The mothers are known as the best doctors for their own children. It is often said that, the touch of the mother upon her sick child is better than the hands of any medical expert. In fact, breastfeeding of the mother is the best medicine for the child. In the poem by Maggie Pitmann’s ‘Her Hands’, the poet defines the Mother as the person of many hands.

As a result, the mother is always there to look after her own child. Hence, she carried for nine months in the womb, gave birth, held a child at first breath, guide the child at first step to walk, wipe the tears while crying, and caring at all circumstances. Therefore, is this not the speciality of the mother and do mothers deserved honour and respect in the society? I would absolutely say ‘Yes’.

AiborlangNongsiej, Mawlai Shillong

Pray for our mothers on daily basis

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other’s Day has always been a special day ever since its inception.Unfortunately, this year 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown has brought a pall over the celebration. Nonetheless, even with the pandemic enveloping the world, many will celebrate this special day with their loved ones at home. Those stranded outside would be remembering their mothers and wishing that they could just get one spoonful of meal from their beloved mothers. Do we ever take time to remember all that our mothers have sacrificed for us? We take it for granted that mothers will always be around but for those who no longer can

look upon the faces of their mothers, it would be a day of mixed feelings.

Let us remember our mothers in prayer every single day and not just on this one day because mothers pray for us ceaselessly.

During such a worldwide pandemic, many mothers are on their knees praying for healing to their families, community and the world at large. They forget to pray for themselves as they intercede with God. Let us join in prayer for all the mothers, which also include the unmarried aunts, single mothers and grandmothers. Have a blessed Mother’s Day. Temjensangla Chang, Dimapur

Reader’s Post

Blessed Mothers’ Day during a pandemic

Life may be difficult and times are hard but one thing remains constant, that mothers are nurturers and custodian of her kids and families. Motherhood is a colossal job, and it does not finish with just giving birth to the child but taking responsibilities of every aspect of the child. Moreover, the real task lies in nurturing and bringing them up.

Our longing and our emptiness can only be satisfied in loving human attachment, which is what the nurturing mother does. This year’s Mother’s Day is different from the rest and I can never thank mothers enough for all their sacrifices and for the way they help children, old or young feel protected.

Aben Tzudir, Kohima newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

‘Testing capacity for COVID19 scaled up to 95k per day’

testing capacity has increased in the country and it is 95,000 tests per day with 332 government laboratories and 121 private laboratories.

Cumulatively, 15,25,631 tests have been done so far for COVID-19.”

Tripura has reported 118 cases, Assam 59, Meghalaya 12 cases, Manipur two while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have reported a case each till Saturday morning 8 AM. Meghalaya and Assam have also reported one fatality each so far.

To maintain the positive status of COVID-19 management in the Northeast, the Union Minister advised them to ensure that the returning migrant labourers, students and those from abroad are screened and quarantined as per the guidelines and protocol laid down by the by ministries of Health and External Affairs, the statement said.

For the states that have international borders, the minister stated that they need to take adequate measures in the border areas to prevent exposure by conducting screening of all individuals at entry points and following quarantine protocol as per the guidelines, it said.

Centre assures SC of action against abuse on NE people NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (IANS): The Centre on Friday assured the Supreme Court that it will take action on incidents of racial discrimination meted out to people hailing from northeast region of the country, as they are often mistaken for those from China, where the coronavirus outbreak was reported.

Alana Golmei, an activist, had moved the top court citing allegedly racially-motivated attacks on the people of the northeast.

The petitioner cited various incidents -- spitting on the people, eviction from their rented accommodation, termination of jobs, isolation in the hospital and having to face racial slurs in various parts of the country. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves represented Golmei.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B.R. Gavai, taking up the matter through video conferencing, disposed it off after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Centre, said that appropriate measure will be taken by the government.

“Several materials brought on the record indicating that certain harassment has been meted out to the people belonging to the Northeast and they are fac-

ing several difficulties due to the fact that the people in general mistook them having some affinity with Chinese from where this coronavirus has emanated,” observed the top court.

It observed that the Solicitor General submitted that there is already a helpline for people from northeast, to which counsel for the petitioners submitted that the said helpline is not responding.

“Be that as it may, the learned Solicitor General has submitted that the material which has pointed out in the writ petition shall be attended to and appropriate measures be taken by the Government to dispel the apprehensions of the petitioners as raised in the writ petition on an urgent basis.

Taking note of above statement of learned Solicitor General, the petition is disposed of,” said the court The plea said: “When the lockdown was imposed on account of Covid-19, beatings of, spitting on, and a whole spectrum of acts of discrimination and violence on people of the Northeast took place. Across the country the public identified the people of the NE with China and automatically presumed that they were carriers of the virus and subjected them to merciless harassment.”

5

ED attaches part of AJL Mumbai building worth Rs 16.38 crore charges veteran Cong leader Moti Lal Vora

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): The testing capacity for COVID-19 has been scaled up to around 95,000 tests per day and a total of 15,25,631 tests have been conducted so far across 332 government and 121 private laboratories, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday.

The minister, who reviewed the status of COVID19 in the northeastern states along with the measures taken for its containment and management, also stressed on the need to take concrete action to check the use of non-smoking tobacco and prohibit spitting in public places which shall help in preventing the spread of the infection, according to a statement.

During the high-level meeting with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, Vardhan appreciated the dedication of all the states in combating COVID-19.

“It is a huge relief and very encouraging to see green zones in most northeastern states. As of date, only Assam and Tripura have active COVID-19 cases. Other states are all in the green zone. Let us focus and work together by converting

the orange zones to green zones and maintain the protective status across the states,” Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.

He flagged the large prevalence of non-smoking tobacco usage in some of the states and the problem of spitting in public places.

“Strong reforms are needed in this direction,” Vardhan said while appreciating the effort of states that have banned the use of chewing tobacco and ordered imposition of fine for spitting in public places.

During the detailed interaction, the states highlighted various issues related to testing facilities, health infrastructure, surveillance, contact tracing etc. and also shared their best practices, the statement stated.

Vardhan said, “The

Drug smuggler with Hizbul links arrested

2,177 under-trial Not suffering from any disease: Shah Tamil Nadu moves SC against HC prisoners interim order barring counter sale of alcohol bail extended

CHANDIGARH, MAY 9 (IANS): In a major catch, Punjab Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta on Saturday said Ranjeet Rana ‘Cheeta’, who was wanted in a 532-kg heroin haul from the Indo-Pakistan border in June last year, has been arrested from Haryana’s Sirsa town. He is one of the biggest drug smugglers of India and was linked to Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo who was killed by security forces in Kashmir two days ago.

“Following up further on arrests of Hizbul operatives in J&K and Punjab, Punjab Police juggernaut moved further to nab Ranjeet of Amritsar, one of the biggest drug smugglers of India from Sirsa today,” Gupta informed in a tweet.

The DGP said Ranjeet Rana and his brother Gagandeep were arrested from Begu village in Sirsa.

Ranjeet is suspected to have smuggled heroin and other drugs from Pakistan, camouflaged in six rock salt consignments through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border, some 30 km from Amritsar, he said.

In the biggest seizure of narcotics coming from Pakistan in recent years, the Customs Department on June 30, 2019, seized 532 kg heroin valued at nearly Rs 2,600 crore from the Attari border.

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order for closure of state-run liquor outlets on the ground that there was total violation of guidelines meant to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Madras High Court had on Friday ordered closure of liquor outlets noting that there were huge crowds and no social distancing was being maintained by tipplers. It, however, allowed doorstep delivery of booze through online mode.

The top court too had taken note of crowding at liquor shops and asked states on Friday to consider nondirect contact or online sales and home delivery of liquor during the lockdown period to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The appeal against the high court order has been filed by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), a government firm which sells alcoholic beverages in the state, seeking permission to sell liquor through vends also.

The high court order restraining counter-sale of liquor was passed on a miscellaneous petition filed by advocate G Rajesh, besides a plaint from the Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi

Supreme Court of India

Maiam (MNM).

The HC had said there was total violation of its interim order issued on Wednesday, when it declined to stay a government order allowing resumption of sale of liquor through outlets.

After a dry spell of 43 days due to the COVID-19 lockdown since late March, liquor sales resumed at TASMAC outlets in Tamil Nadu, except state capital Chennai, on Thursday.

Heavy rush was witnessed at most places with people standing in serpentine queues even as the move to allow sale of liquor came in for flak from opposition parties and others, who raised apprehensions that it would lead to further spread of the novel coronavirus, which as of Friday has affected over 6,000 people in the state.

Chidambaram welcomes Centre’s decision to borrow addl Rs. 4.2 lakh cr NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday welcomed the Centre’s decision to borrow additional 4.2 lakh crore and said it should be used to provide relief to the poor and re-start the economy.

“After resisting our appeals, especially through statements of the CEA, the government has finally decided to borrow an additional amount of Rs 4.2 lakh crore taking the projected fiscal deficit to 5.38 per cent.

We welcome the decision,” he said in a statement.

The senior Congress leader, however, said, “It is not enough to borrow more unless the amount is used to provide relief to the poor

P Chidambaram (File)

and to re-start the economy.

We look forward to the revised expenditure budget for 2020-21.”

Echoing similar sentiments put forth by several eminent economists, he had appealed to the central government to shed its reservations and borrow more in 2020-21.

“In our view, the budgeted fiscal deficit of 3.5 per cent should not be a constraint in these extraordinary times,” he said in the statement.

The government on Friday revised its gross market borrowing target from the estimated Rs 7.8 lakh crore to Rs 12 lakh crore in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The estimated gross market borrowing in the financial year 2020-21 will be Rs 12 lakh crore in place of Rs 7.80 lakh crore as per BE 2020-21. The above revision in borrowings has been necessitated on account of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Finance Ministry had said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the bench had directed the government to ensure strict implementation of all appropriate rules, as notified by the state, including maintenance of social distancing at liquor shops while allowing the resumption.

When the matter came up on Friday, petitioner Rajesh submitted that there was a total violation of the guidelines framed as per a May 5 government order and also the norms stipulated by TASMAC and the court.

Tamil Nadu had decided to open retail liquor outlets, citing relaxation of lockdown norms by the central government. Tipplers in border districts of the state were also making a beeline to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka where liquor sales resumed on May 4.

New Delhi, May 9 (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Saturday extended the interim bail of 2,177 under-trial prisoners by 45 days to de-congest jails in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh passed the order in view of a high-power committee’s recommendation that it would be dangerous to put the prisoners back in jail as the risk still remains high. The committee, headed by Justice Hima Kohli, on May 5 opined that since there was a paucity of space in jail premises to create sufficient number of isolation wards for the prisoners returning after expiry of their interim bail, the relief should be extended by another 45 days.

During the hearing, Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra and adv Chaitanya Gosain, appearing for prison authorities, said they have no objection to the extension of bail.

“Accordingly, it is ordered that the interim bails for a period of 45 days granted to 2,177 UTPs, in view of the recommendations of HPC...are hereby extended by another period of 45 days from the date of their respective expiry of interim bails on the same terms and conditions,” the bench said.

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD, MAY 9 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said he is “totally healthy” and not suffering from any ailment, dispelling rumours about his health on the social media.

In a signed statement, the home minister said in the last couple of days rumours have been spread by “some friends” about his health and that “some people even wished death for me” through tweets.

“I am totally healthy and I am not suffering from any disease,” he said in the statement in Hindi which was posted on his Twitter handle.

Shah said the country is currently battling the novel coronavirus pandemic and as the home minister of the country, he has been busy in his work till late in the night and hence he could not notice such rumours earlier.

“When I came to know about it, I thought let these rumour- mongers be happy in such unrealistic thoughts and hence I did not give any clarification,” he said.

But in the past two days, Shah said, lakhs of BJP workers and his wellwishers have expressed their concerns and he could not overlook their worry.

“That is why I want to make it clear today that I am totally healthy and I am not suffering from any disease,”

Moti Lal Vora (File)

“illegally” to AJL in Panchkula and pledged it to avail loan from the Syndicate Bank branch on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi to construct this building in Bandra. “Thus, the said asset at Mumbai that germinated out of the proceeds of crime has been attached to the extent of Rs16.38 crore.

Further investigation is going on,” the agency said.

The Panchkula plot has already been attached by the ED, and Hooda and Vora have been questioned by it in the case. The plot at C-17, Sector-6 was allotted to AJL first in 1982 by the Haryana government.

But the same was resumed back by the estate officer of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) by an order in October 1992 as AJL did

not comply with the conditions of allotment letter, ED had said. “However, Hooda blatantly misused his official position and dishonestly allotted the said plot afresh in the guise of reallotment to the AJL at original rates plus interest in violation of necessary conditions and policy of HUDA by an order of August 28, 2005 for Rs 59,39,200,” it had charged.

The actual value of the property is about Rs 64.93 crore, it said. ED has charged that Hooda, as the then CM, caused wrongful loss to HUDA and wrongful gain to AJL by ignoring legal opinion and recommendations of HUDA officers and financial commissioner and principal secretary, Town and Country Planning.

The agency also said its probe found that Hooda “granted undue extensions thrice to AJL for construction of the said plot and after acquisition projected it as untainted property and further acquired loans from the bank by way of mortgaging the same from time to time”. The CBI also filed a charge sheet before a Panchkula court on December 2018 and named Vora and Hooda in connection with the alleged irregularities in the case.

Amit Shah (File)

he said.

Shah said that according to Hindu beliefs, such rumours make a person healthier and that he would expect these rumour-mongers to mind their own work leaving aside all these and let him devote his time in his work.

“I express my gratitude to all party workers and well-wishers for expressing concern and inquiring about my health. I thank those who have spread the rumours and want to say that I have no ill-feeling for them,” he added.

4 held for spreading rumour about Shah’s health

Four persons were detained by Ahmedabad police on Saturday for allegedly spreading misinformation about Union Home

Minister Amit Shah’s health by creating a fake Twitter account in his name.

The local crime branch detained four persons for spreading misinformation about Shah’s health, special commissioner of police (crime) Ajay Tomar said.

A screenshot of a fake Twitter account in Shah’s name with his photo, claiming that he was suffering from a serious ailment, had gone viral on social media platforms, Tomar said.

The suspects were detained from Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar and they were being questioned, he said.

A case has been registered in this regard under sections 66(c) (punishment for identity theft) and 66(d) (cheating by personation using computer resource) of the Information Technology Act, the official said.

ASSAM RIFLES PUBLIC SCHOOL WOKHA (NAGALAND) 40 ASSAM RIFLES, C/O 99 APO AFFILIATED TO CBSE, NEW DELHI

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PRINCIPAL WANTED

VACANCY

Post : Radiographer - 1(One) Qualification : Degree or Diploma in Radiography.

Application with relevant documents may be submitted to the Human Resource Department on any working day.

1. Assam Rifles Public School, Wokha (Nagaland) hereby invites application for Principal post for the academic session 2020-21.

Ser No (a)

DC-412

Post

Qualification

PGT with at least 05 years Principal t e a c h i n g e x p e r i e n c e i n a recognized high school

2. Candidates having experience certificate will be given priority.

3. Salary negotiable.

DP-2255

Harsh Vardhan (File)

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): A portion of a ninestorey building in Mumbai’s tony Bandra area, valued Rs16.38 crore, has been attached by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with its money-laundering probe against the Congressparty promoted Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

The federal probe agency said it has issued a provisional order, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, to freeze “part” of the asset and has issued notices to AJL and its CMD and veteran Congress leader Moti Lal Vora. The AJL is controlled by senior Congress leaders, including members of the Gandhi family. The group runs the National Herald newspaper.

The nine-floor building has two basements and a total built-up area of 15,000 sq metres, it said, adding its total value is Rs120 crore.

The building is located at plot no 2, survey no 341, near Kala Nagar, EPF office, Bandra (East).

The agency alleged that the accused in this case, that includes former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Vora, “used the proceeds of crime” in the form of a plot allotted

4. Application with bio-data and a recent passport size photograph should reach this office on or before 24 May 2020. Interview will be conducted at Assam Rifles Public School, Wokha (Nagaland). The date of interview will be intimated later. All candidates are requested to bring original certificates at the time of interview.

5. For any queries contact. 8415917260/8838910805.

DP-2304

Sd/- xx xx xx xx (Vice Chairman) ARPS, Wokha

6

international COVID-19 deaths in Italy Recovery,” Biden said. exceed 30,000 He alleged that the

‘Trump failed to prepare for pandemic’

Washington, May 9 (PTI): Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee and former US vice president Joe Biden alleged on Friday that President Donald Trump utterly failed to prepare for the COVID19 pandemic and said his entire economic strategy is focussed on helping the wealthy and big corporations.

Referring to the record 2.05 crore jobs lost in April alone, resulting in an unprecedented unemployment rate of 14.7 per cent now -- the highest since the Great Depression -- Biden, in a major policy speech, said it is an economic disaster, worse than any in decades, and it was made all the more worse because it did not have to be this way.

“Donald Trump utterly failed to prepare for this pandemic and delayed in taking the necessary steps to safeguard our nation against the near-worst-case economic scenario we are now living in,” he said in his remarks on “Trump’s

Joe Biden

Disastrous Economy”.

COVID-19 caused a massive economic challenge, but the crisis hit the US harder and will last longer because Trump spent the last three years undermining the core pillars of the American economic strength, Biden alleged.

Many small businesses have closed because of the stay-at-home orders. But a lot of them will not open again as they do not have a cushion due to three years of Trump’s policies that reward the biggest companies, he rued.

“Trump’s economic agenda has three unmistakable failings, failings that have been present since day one, but are coming into sharp relief in the cur-

rent crisis: first, Trump’s main measure of economic progress is the state of the stock market, second, his entire economic strategy is focussed on helping the wealthy and big corporations.

“Third, Trump claimed he would fight for the forgotten middle class and as soon as he got into office, he forgot them,” the former vice president said.

According to Biden, this pandemic has laid bare exactly how much damage Trump has done in just over three years.

“Because Trump has gotten the virus response wrong. The jobs and unemployment numbers are just the beginning, his mistakes will also mean it takes more time to recover from this,” he said.

“We are already seeing the tell-tale hallmarks of Trump-o-nomics in the way he is implementing the crisis response efforts: no strings, no oversight, no accountability. I have started to think of it as the Corrupt

Treasury Department allowed corporations with connections to go right to the front of the line -- they got concierge service.

“Meanwhile, the mom and pop shops that needed help the most got shut out.

More than 40 per cent of the initial funding designed to support small businesses did not go to real small businesses at all. The single-largest recipient of small-business money was a hotel executive and a major Trump donor,” he said.

In the coming weeks, Biden said, he will be laying out a detailed plan for the right kind of economic recovery. The plan, he noted, starts with rebuilding the backbone of this country: a stronger, more inclusive, more resilient middle class -- a middle class that can withstand the next public health crisis or whatever else comes its way.

“It is time we make sure everyone gets a fair shot at success,” he said.

Rome, May 9 (AP): The number of people in Italy who’ve died with COVID19 infections has topped 30,000. The Health Ministry registered 243 deaths on Friday, bringing the total of those who died in the country to 30,201.

Italy was the first country in Europe with a major outbreak of the coronavirus. Authorities say many more likely died with the infection at home or in nursing homes without being diagnosed.

Wi t h 1 , 3 2 7 m o r e cases registered in the 24hour period ending Friday evening, Italy now tallies 217,185 confirmed coronavirus infections.

Some 11,000 more people have recovered from the illness than are currently positive for the infection.

Lombardy in the north continues to be the hardesthit region, accounting for nearly one-half of the latest cases registered on Friday.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

‘China continues to hide COVID-19 data’

Washington, May 9 (PTI): China continues to hide and obfuscate COVID-19 data from the world, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said, asserting that he has seen a significant amount of evidence suggesting that a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan was "underperforming" and the virus may well have emanated from there.

"I have seen a significant amount of evidence that suggests that the lab was underperforming, that there were security risks at the lab and that the virus could well have emanated from there," Pompeo told Ben Shapiro in an interview on Friday.

"But I am happy to suspend the decision about that. What we need are answers. There are still people dying," he said.

The American economy and that of the rest of the world have come to a standstill.

"We have got an economy now that is really struggling and it is all a direct result of the Chinese

Mike Pompeo

Communist Party covering up, hiding information, having doctors who wanted to tell the story about where this began, how patient zero was formed and how it emanated from that person, and yet we cannot get those answers," Pompeo said.

"Even now, 120-plus days on from the Chinese Communist Party knowing about this virus, they continue to hide and obfuscate the data from the American people and from the world's best scientists," he said.

It is pretty astounding, Pompeo said, when asked if the Chinese government is attempting to stymie

any sort of investigation into what happened in the country. "Whether it was the Australians who simply said, 'Boy, we need an investigation,' the ambassador there - the Chinese ambassador to Australia said, 'Well, we are going to threaten you economically.'

We have seen them do the same thing to the EU, when they were about to put out a statement, began to put economic pressure on them," he said.

"This is the worst of Chinese adventurism. We have seen this. We have seen the Chinese Communist Party do this before, threaten small countries, use economic power to exert their influence," Pompeo said.

"It is not how nations that want to truly be transparent, truly be part of the international system -- it is not how they behave. I regret that they have done it because we still have an ongoing crisis. We still do not know where this virus began other than to say we know it came out of Wuhan," he said.

Putin marks Victory Day in virus-reduced ceremony Request to publish Duterte’s Moscow, May 9 (AP): Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day, the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, in a ceremony shorn of its usual military parade and pomp by the coronavirus pandemic.

Putin on Saturday laid flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin walls and gave a short address honoring the valour and suffering of the Soviet army during the war.

Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and this year's observance had been expected to be especially large because it is the 75th anniversary, but the Red Square military parade and a mass procession called The Immortal Regiment were postponed as part of measures to stifle

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Tomb of an unknown Soldier.

the spread of the virus.

The only vestige of the conventional show of military might was a flyover of central Moscow by 75 warplanes and helicopters.

The ceremony was the first public appearance in about a month for Putin, who has worked remotely as the virus took hold.

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

K Y M C

In his speech, he did not mention the virus — Russia has nearly 200,000 confirmed cases — or how its spread had blocked the observances that were to be a prestige project for him.

But he promised that full commemorations would take place.

“We will, as usual,

widely and solemnly mark the anniversary date, do it with dignity, as our duty to those who have suffered, achieved and accomplished the victory tells us,” he said.

“There will be our main parade on Red Square, and the national march of the Immortal Regiment — the march of our grateful memory and inextricable, vital, living communication between generations.”

The sharply reduced observances this year left a hole in Russia's civic and emotional calendar. The war, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers, has become a fundamental piece of Russian national identity.

Beyond the stern formalities of the Red Square military parade and smaller

parades in other cities, Russians in recent years have turned out in huge numbers for the Immortal Regiment processions, when civilians crowd the streets displaying photographs of relatives who died in the war or endured it.

Russian officials routinely bristle at criticism of the Red Army's actions in the war, denouncing the comments as attempts to “rewrite history.”

An online substitute for the processions was taking place Saturday and many people are expected to display relatives' photos from their balconies and windows in the evening.

A full military parade was held Saturday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, which has not imposed restrictions to block the virus' spread despite sharply rising infection figures.

No. 9558 Yesterday’s solution No. 9557

No. 4177 Yesterday’s solution No. 4176

No. 3202 Yesterday’s solution No. 3201

Across 1. Cooker (5) 6. Synagogue minister (5) 9. Disregards (7) 10. Type of dance music (5) 11. Polite, courteous (5) 12. Hooded snake (5) 13. Skyline (7) 15. Weaken (3) 17. First man (4) 18. Small (6) 19. Beginning (5) 20. Sad or dull (6) 22. Girl's name (4) 24. Affirmative (3) 25. Burial ceremony (7) 26. Spanish man (5) 27. Tree (5) 28. Surrenders (5) 29. Greedy person (7) 30. Lure (5) 31. Stench (5) Down 2. Three-legged stand (6) 3. Casualty (6) 4. The self (3) 5. Punctuation mark (5) 6. Seek new members (7) 7. Continent (4) 8. Of a bride (6) 12. Trite or banal (5) 13. Robust (5) 14. Gardening tools (5) 15. Step (5) 16. Flower part (5) 18. Madagascan primate (5) 19. Shipshape (7) 21. Ebb (6) 22. Feel remorse (6) 23. Inn (6) 25. Strong point (5) 26. Pudding ingredient (4) 28. Lettuce (3)

medical reports dismissed

Manila, May 9 (IANS): The Philippine Supreme Court has dismissed a request to make public the medical reports, both physical and psychological, of the country’s President Rodrigo Duterte, whose health has been questioned numerous times during his tenure.

The petition was rejected on Friday by 13 votes with two in favour of the Supreme Court justices, in an online session, reports Efe news. Philippine lawyer Dino de Leon filed that petition with the high court on April 14, which said that “in the event of the President’s serious illness, the public will be informed of his health”.

According to De Leon, in his most recent interventions on the COVID-19 pandemic, the President made “unintelligible noises” in televised messages - all late at night - and even rambled on about the bubonic plague when asked about the availability of diagnostic kits.

“We believe that the petition had no legal or factual basis, that it was only seeking to distract the president from his work and erode the Filipinos’ confidence in his leadership,”

URGENT LAND FOR SALE (1) At Indisen Village, Dimapur Rs. 300 per sq. ft.

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(NEAR GILGAL SCHOOL) AREA : ANY SIZE AVAILABLE PRICE : Rs. 290 PER SQ. FT. NO FILLING REQUIRED CONTACT NO : 9862128679 DP-2257 8014690505

Duterte has acknowledged suffering from various ailments and speculations about his health have made numerous headlines in the past year, especially as a result of his late absences at events whose attendance had been confirmed.

The President informed citizens last OctoRodrigo Duterte ber that he had myasthenia presidential spokesman gravis, an autoimmune neuHarry Roque said in a state- romusular disease that he ment on Friday after the said he inherited from his grandfather. deliberation of the court.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Nov. 7th 1929 – 4th May 2020 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.

2nd Timothy 4:7 We, the bereaved family members of Late Tokhushumo Kikon would like to express our sincere gratitude to every individuals, friends, organizations and well wishers who stood by us physically, spiritually, materially and financially during the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved father on the 4th May 2020.

We would like to convey our special thanks to: 1. Woroku Baptist Church.

2. Woroku Village Council.

3. NSCN (IM).

4. Pyotchu Baptist Church.

5. New Ralan Baptist Church.

6. Chandalashung Old Baptist Church.

7. Rengma Baptist Church, Wokha Town.

8. Shri. Mmhonlumo Kikon, Hon’ble MLA & Advisor, Govt. of Nagaland.

9. SDO Civil, Ralan.

10. Ralan Police Station.

11. Ralan Area Lotha Hoho.

12. Chairman Union Ralan Area.

It is our humble prayer that Almighty God bless you all in return.

Loving Sons, Daughters, Grand Children, In-laws and Relatives.

DP-2294

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 'You have touched lives of all people around you and have always been a blessing for everyone. Wherever you are, we pray and hope that you will always smile upon and guide us.

We, the family members of Late Akoinla (Chuchuyimlang), W/o Lt N Likok Jamir would like to express our sincere and deepest gratitude to everyone who have helped and stood in solidarity with us during our grief period.

Words will never been enough to thank each and every one of you personally yet it will always be our prayer that the Almighty God continue to bless you abundantly.

With gratitude from her Sons, Born on : 01/05/1931 – Died on : 08/04/2020 Daughters and Grandchildren.

DP-2305 K Y M C

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

7

‘NE- a model of COVID-19 management’ RT-PCR test for all stranded

NEW DELHI, MAY 9 (PTI): The northeastern region, which has traditionally been disciplined, has emerged as the model of coronavirus management and the rest of the country should emulate it, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.

He said people in the eight northeastern states Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Assam - have been following the lockdown-related guidelines in letter and spirit.

“By tradition and by lifestyle, people of northeastern region are civilised and disciplined. That is why they could very easily follow the lockdown guidelines.

There has been no problem in ensuring implementation of the lockdown-related guidelines there,” Singh told PTI. He said within six years of the Modi government, the northeastern region has

Jitendra Singh

emerged as the model for development for the entire country.

“Similarly, during the lockdown due to COVID19, entire northeast has become model for the whole country to emulate it,” he said, adding that the way people are adhering to these guidelines is commendable.

Singh said five out of eight northeastern states are free from this deadly virus now and Sikkim never had a single case throughout.

“The spread of the

deadly virus in the northeastern region by far has been contained by the support of people and the administration. There has been day-to-day monitoring of the situation at the micro and macro level both by the state government and by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER),” the minister said.

Singh, who holds multiple portfolios, including the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and in DoNER, praised the work being done by women self-help groups in the northeastern region.

“There has been a rich tradition of women self-help groups in the northeastern region. These women help groups have been making masks for people. These masks are such creative and filled with colours that they can go with almost all kinds of clothes,” he said. Singh

said there is no shortage of essential commodities and medical equipment in the entire northeastern region.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scientific approach towards managing difficult situations guided us to ensure that there is no shortage of essential goods in the northeast, which is geographically important to the nation,” he said.

He said 350 tonnes of necessary goods have been delivered so far in the northeastern region via air cargo.

Singh said the first flight carrying such goods landed there as early as March 30 to ensure that people living in the remote corner of the country do not face any shortage of daily needs.

“I can say very confidently that the whole northeastern region is guiding the entire nation in the efficient ways to contain the pandemic,” he said. To a question

on reports that the Centre was considering reduction in pension, he said these were “manufactured news”.

“Why would the central government think to take such a step that too with pensioners? It is all manufactured news. People with vested interest are using it. There has been no thinking by the government on either stoppage or reduction of pension,” he clarified.

Singh said there also has been manufactured news about the Centre’s move to reduce the age of retirement of central government employees from the existing 60 years, which is “entirely incorrect”.

“There is no move to reduce the retirement age of the central government employees,” said the minister of state for personnel.

There are 48.34 lakh central government employees and 65.26 lakh pensioners.

Manipuris returning by train

Correspondent

IMPHAL, May 9: Manipur government on Saturday resolved that all returnees by train would be subjected to RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing as per ICMR protocol.

A meeting of the State Consultative Committee for COVID-19 convened under the chair of the chief minister N Biren Singh today discussed the arrival of stranded and distressed Manipuris from other parts of the country.

An official source said that the meeting further resolved to make every person arriving to the state by train to undergo compulsory quarantine for 14 days at government and community quarantine centres. Besides two medical screenings at

Jiribam railway station on their arrival, the returnees will be screened again at the destination in their respective home districts.

Manipuris stuck at various places in northeast states have already started arriving to the state in vehicles arranged by their own and also by MLAs on their own expenses after obtaining permission from the state home department. However, others stuck at various cities and towns in the mainland were expected arrive in the days to come by trains at Jiribam district which connects the state with other parts of the country through railway.As informed by the chief minister, in a recorded video message dispatched to the media houses late Friday, altogether 1200 state people stranded at Chennai would be arriving at Jiribam

on May 12 after the train left Chennai today (May 9).

T h e y we r e a m o n g around 45,000 Manipuris stuck at different stated across the country since March 25, the day the nationwide lockdown to check spread of COVID-19 in the country commenced.

As the state government selected Jiribam railway station as the only destination point for the stranded people, hectic preparations were being made to receive them on arrival at the station where there is no adequate facilities to accommodate large number of commuters arriving at a time.

Works were on war footing to put in place basic amenities like toilet, drinking waters at the station complex besides installation of thermal screening at the exit gates.

Dental college student tests positive New COVID-19 patient not from the same house of 1st patient in M’laya for COVID-19; Assam total at 59 patient has been shifted to the COVID-19 centre at the Shillong Civil Hospital and is in a “stable condition”.

Meghalaya has registered 13 COVID-19 positive cases, including one death, while ten others have recovered and two cases are active.

Correspondence

GUWAHATI, MAY 9 (PTI): A student of the Regional Dental College in Guwahati tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of positive cases in Assam to 59, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

The student’s test report came in on Friday night, following which the number of cases detected in Guwahati since Thursday rose to five. Only one person, a resident of a high- end apartment, was found to be COVID-19 positive in the city prior to that.

“These are difficult times. My duty is to give finest attention to all. Following social distancing guidelines of the government, met the girl who tested positive at Regional Dental College and assured her best care,” Sarma said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

He urged other students of the college not to panic and ensure social distance.

The girl was tested after she came in contact with a post-graduate student of the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) who had tested positive on Thursday, an official said.

A 16-year old girl was found COVID-19 positive after she died at the B Ba-

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

rooah Cancer Hospital here on Thursday.

Sarma had said that her sample was taken after her death and was found to be positive, which is “very unfortunate as she did not get the necessary treatment”.

“We will have to discuss with the Union Health Ministry whether we can declare her death due to COVID-19 as we did not treat her for the disease and she was found to be positive after her death,” he said.

A 55-year old housewife and another person with a travel history to West Bengal are among the others who tested positive in the city.

The GMCH and the cancer hospital have closed admissions for new patients and the dental college will also remain closed, the official said.

Shillong, May 9: The woman, who tested positive case of Novel Coronavirus on Saturday in Meghalaya, is not from the same house of the first COVID-19 patient, who passed away on April 15, the Sailo’s family clarified on Saturday.

“There was no contact between the latest case and any of the members of (L) Dr. J. L. Sailo Ryntathiang family since April 15,” the family said in a statement issued via WhatApp. “Therefore, the contacts whom she has been exposed to from April 15 onwards cannot be accounted for,” the statement added.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the latest patient, who is in her 30s, was one of the 181 primary contacts of the first COVID19 in Meghalaya.

“This newly infected

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to every individual who stood and supported us during the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved LT. MERANGTSUBA who passed away on 18th April, 2020.

We deeply regret being unable to thank each and every well-wishers but we pray that our Almighty Lord bless you abundantly.

Loving wife, sons and family members DP-2293

Born : 12.01.1970 Died : 18.04.2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Late Mr. Chujangkaba Imchen (1968 – 10th May 2019)

One year has passed without your presence; you are remembered every moment in our lives. Time flies away so soon but not a single day passes without you in our thoughts.

DP-2253

Loving Wife, Son & Relatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LATE TIAYANGER AO (Chuchuyimlang) 27.06.1954 – 03.06.2020 “God send us comfort in the form of friends, relatives and neighbors in our difficult times”

11/06/1972 – 01/05/2020 From the depth of our heart we convey our gratitude and appreciation to all who stood behind and condoled with us through prayers and supports at the sudden demise of Lt. Vikishe V. Jimo. Your faith gestures have immensely consoled us in our bereavement.

May Almighty God bless and repay you in abundance.

Special thanks to; 1. Dr. Ikheto Kiba & Staffs of Olive Christian Hospital & Research Centre Dimapur.

2. Church Staff, Deacon Board & Members of East Dimapur Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Purana Bazaar.

3. Zungti Ghami Kuposhukulu Dimapur.

4. Punheboqa AG Akukuhou 5. Zungti Ghami Baptist Akukuhou.

Loving Wife, Children & Family.

DP-2292 K Y M C

The family of the LATE TIAYANGER AO wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all of the family members, friends, neighbors and well-wishers who provided emotional and practical support and for all acts of kindness and sympathy in so many different ways for which we are truly grateful. And to the many others who helped with the service, flowers and donations.

Thank you to the medical staff, doctors, nurses who attended and treated my father with dignity.

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.

Words aren't enough but our prayers are with each individuals and families. God bless you all.

Loving wife, children, grand children & relatives DP-2299

Prestone Tynsong

person happens to be from the same source, that is, from the first patient who is now deceased. She happens to be a maid servant, and had undergone home quarantine since April 14,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters in his daily briefing.

He informed that the

M’laya rules out retesting of ten recovered COVID-19 patients

these ten patients since all the cases are fine. Even the protocols do not require for doing a re-test,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told journalists.

He added: “The new tests which were done on the ten patients who are recovered were accurate.”

Asked if the govern-

ment is planning to conduct random mass testing in view of the increase in the capacity of testing facilities in the State, Sangma said, “It may not be possible for us to do that. But this does not mean we will not take immediate steps whenever required.

We will do the test as per the needs and requirement.”

Mother’s Day hamper

The Meghalaya government on Saturday ruled out the possibility of any possibility of re-testing on the ten COVID-19 patients who had been declared recovered in the State.

“There is no question of doing a re-test on

@Rs. 2500/- with home delivery.

Contact #7005224622/6009491118 Items included: Homemade bread Homemade curd Mask Butter cake

Pork pickle Gift box Chocolate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the bereaved family members of Late Kheholi Swu Yhome (P. Elice Chishi), W/o Late Kekhriengulie Yhome would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to all those who upheld and supported us at her sudden demise on 10.04.2020. May God bless all those who have supported us morally, physically and spiritually during this time of mourning. We regret our inability to acknowledge each and every individual /Organization; still heartfelt gratitude to: 1. Shri H. Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA & Advisor Power, Govt of Nagaland 2. Shri K.L. Chishi, Ex C.M & family 3. Shri Tokavi Achumi, ADCP, (Adm) Dimapur 4. Shri. Vikato Chishi, ACP, Dimapur 5. Mrs & Mr Samson Aye & Family (Thahekhu Village) 6. Mrs & Mr Domel Achumi (Thahekhu Village) 7. Mrs & Lt. Col Hardish (Khehuli Kibami) Commandant 8. Rev. Vitoshe Swu, Sr. Pastor, DSBC 9. Mr Tohovi Chophy, Pastor, DSBC 10. Mr Simon Assumi, Asst. Pastor, DSBC 11. Dimapur Sumi Baptist Church 12. DSBC, Notun Basti/RBC Fellowship 13. DSBC, N.B/RBC (Lhothemi loka) 14. DSBC, I.V LRC Fellowship 15. DSBC, UNB-B Fellowship 16. Sughuna Baptist Akukuhou & Staff (Bor Lengri) 17. Sumi Community Sughuna 18. Pimla Ghami Baptist Akukuhou 19. Rev. Ahovi Achumi, Pastor, Pimla Baptist Church 20. Mrs & Rev. L. Hevuto Awomi 21. Kewhemia Union, Dimapur 22. Tholeshumo (Tsanuo) Yhome, L-Khel, Kohima Village 23. Yezami Kughuko Kuqhakulu, Dimapur 24. Hoishe Ghalimi Inalimi Kuposhukulu 25. Hoishe Village Lhothemiqo 26. Satakha Welfare Union Dimapur 27. I.V LRC & Notun Basti Youth 28. PHED Store Sub-Division Dimapur & Staff DP-2295

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NSWON, NSCN-IM BJP Dimapur-1 Mandal BJP Dimapur-1 Mahila Mandal District Mahila Mandal Dim-1 Lisana SHG Mercy Society SHG Mrs & Mr Shokiye Kibami, Khm Mrs & Mr Bokato Swu, PWD/Supply Mrs & Mr Daniel H Sumi, Kuhuboto Town Mrs & Mr Hokuto Jimo, G.B Vety Colony, Dmp Mrs & Mr Hukavi Jimo, UNB-B Mrs & Mr Khehoto Achumi, Sughuna Mr Sojul Das & Family (Bor Lengri) Mr Lutozhe Shohe & Family (Bor Lengri) Mughaputo Yeptho, Advocate Lashika Jimo, Advocate Vinato Wotsa, Advocate

From Loving Sons, Daughters, Sisters, Brother, Mother and In-Laws.

K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020

‘Tokyo Games could be greatest ever’ Pogba, Rashford available for Man Utd

S Y D N E Y, M a y 9 (Agencies): Senior international Olympics official John Coates said on Saturday the delayed Tokyo Olympics could end up being the greatest Games ever, coming next year as the world emerges from COVID-19 crisis.

Coates, Australia’s Olympic chief and head of the International Olympic Committee’s inspectorate for the Games, cited the examples of positive Summer Games that followed the two world wars of the 20th century.

The Tokyo Games were postponed for a year to 2021 in the aftermath of the new coronavirus outbreak.

Coates said he thought Tokyo could surpass even the reputation of the 2000 Sydney Games, which he helped organise and were described by then IOC chief Juan Antonio Samaranch as “the best Olympic Games ever”.

“Because we all must wait longer than the alreadylong wait for an Olympics, the Games of Tokyo will gently but perceptibly echo the sheer joy and relief of the other delayed Olympics

A woman poses next to the Olympic rings in front of the Japan National Stadium, the main venue for the now-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo.

of Antwerp in 1920 and London in 1948,” he told the annual general meeting of the Australian Olympic Committee.

“I believe the Tokyo Olympics may ultimately be amongst the greatest Games ever, if not the greatest. And putting the parochialism of a proud Sydney boy aside ... I certainly hope Tokyo will be.”

Turning to future “opportunity”, Coates told the meeting, which was held online, that the proposal for Australia to host the Summer Olympics for the third time in 2032 was gathering pace.

The bid, centred on South East Queensland around Brisbane, had been given the official backing of the AOC in January, he said, and was now in

the phase of “continuous dialogue” with the IOC’s Future Host Commission.

Planning for venues, mostly already existing or temporary, and the siting of athletes villages were progressing and the necessary buy-in of local, state and national government was largely in place.

Coates, who ran a failed bid to host the Games in Brisbane in 1992, said an

Olympics could provide an economic catalyst to help Queensland and Australia out of the expected postcoronavirus recession.

“I have always believed in making necessity a virtue. There is already a need for jobs and growth in the Queensland economy arising from the impact of COVID-19,” he told his online audience.

“Our (gover nment partners) recognise a potential 2032 ... Games as a critical part of the state and nation’s economic recovery in the short term, quite apart from all of the longterm health, well-being, economic and sporting legacies.”

A decision over which city or region would host the 2032 Olympics could be made as early as 2022, he added. Bids from India, Indonesia and a joint proposal from North and South Korea have also been mooted.

Coates, who has been president of the AOC since 1990, also said he was confident the body was financially in “good order” to come through “this time of some chaos” after a raft of cost-cutting measures.

Paul Pogba

L o nd o n , M a y 9 (Agencies): Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford would be available for selection whenever the English Premier League returns after surviving the suspension caused due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“For them two, this gives them a chance to start on a par with, or even ahead of, other players if or when we get going, Solskjaer told Sky Sports as quoted by PTI via AP. “Because they have been focused. Mentally it’s easier for them to train hard now because they can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Solskjaer added.

United’s highest scorer among current players and the most high profile player, Rashford and Pogba respectively, were sidelined

Marcus Rashford

before the footballing season was stopped amid the growing concerns of the situation caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Rashford had sustained a back injury in January but admitted in April that he was recovering well during the lockdown period.

“Yeah it’s good,” the 22-year-old had said, when asked how he’s getting on.

“Obviously, I need to step it up a little bit now, but it’s difficult to do with not being in the training ground,” Rashford said in the latest edition of United podcast as quoted on the official website of the club.

Had it not been a lockdown and normal time prevailed, Rashford believed he would have come back to the United first-team and possibly set his eye on

Euro 2020 at the end of the season.

However, he admitted that coming back to firstteam football at the end of the April would have been a push and the lockdown has provided him with the adequate time to regain his fitness completely.

“Yeah, you know, for me, I was probably going to go back with the team towards the middle or end of April,” he adds. “But that would have been a push, obviously, because I didn’t want to miss the summer.”

Pogba, on the other hand, was at his usual best in United’s Premier League opener against Chelsea before getting injured within the first 30 days. It took him nearly a month to be back against Rochdale in Carabao and Arsenal in Premier League.

India series behind closed doors Negative thoughts do come sometimes, says Sakshi might work for Oz: Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja

Sydney, May 9 (IANS): Australia batsman Usman Khawaja on Saturday said that playing India behind closed doors at the end of the year might end up working in favour of the hosts.

India are set to tour Australia for three ODIs and four Tests in December and January.

“It’s definitely an advantage,” he told Fox Sports News. “I remember the last time they came over for a one-day series, the roar for India was much bigger.”

India, under Virat Kohli in the 2018/19 se-

ries, became the first Asian side to beat Australia in a Test series in their own den.

The series featured stellar performances from batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant and Kohli and the fast bowling battery featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. The significant support that the Indian team garnered in each of the venues was also a feature of the series.

“Especially in Melbourne, the amount of expats they have over there, they flock in. And when India’s on top they really

let you know it,” said Khawaja.

“It’s a really weird feeling. When you’re in India, you expect to be outnumbered massively but you can be outnumbered in Melbourne, as well as Sydney to some extent also.”

Australia were without talismanic duo David Warner and Steve Smith in that series and were still in the process of recovering from the 2018 ball tampering scandal. Khawaja admitted that India were the better team in the series.

“They were clearly the better team last time, we hung in there but (Cheteshwar) Pujara was outstanding and Kohli led from the front as a captain,” he said.

“Their bowling unit was as good as I’ve ever seen an Indian bowling unit, they really went toe-to-toe with our bowlers.

“Our bowlers are still in great form, though, and this time Steve Smith and Davy Warner will be in the side too, so a little bit of difference in the batting line-up.”

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS): 2016 Olympics bronze medal winning wrestler Sakshi Malik’s qualification to the 2020 Games has been a story of an ever-narrowing window. After her defeat to 18-year-old Sonam Malik in the trials for the Asian Olympic qualifiers, Sakshi was left with a nervy wait for the results of the tournament, which would decide if she would be able to compete at the last gasp world qualifiers.

All of this however was before the coronavirus pandemic took truly global proportions. Eventually, the Asian qualifiers was shifted twice before being postponed altogether and eventually, the Olympics itself got postponed to July 2021.

India went into a lockdown on March 25 that has been extended twice. Sakshi has been at her home in Rohtak, Haryana all this while, where she fixed an old akhada in her backyard and, in the absence of a sparring partner, has been keeping her shoulders down and training individually.

Sakshi says that she had slacked off in the early days of the lockdown but

‘None more unbeatable than Djokovic’

Washington, May 9 (Agencies): There is no one more unbeatable in men’s tennis than Novak Djokovic when the Serb is at his best, former world number four American Todd Martin has said.

Reigning world number one Djokovic has already established himself as one of the best ever to play the game and the Serb’s Grand Slam haul of 17 is just three behind the 20 that Roger Federer has amassed. The Swiss player will be 39 in August.

While Federer is nearing the end of a glittering career, Spanish left-hander Rafa Nadal is just one behind with 19 majors and will be 34 next month.

Djokovic is the youngest of the so-called ‘Big Three’ and will be 33 later in May. The triumvirate have shared the last 13 Grand Slam titles, re-energising the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate.

“Roger is the most aesthetically pleasing I have ever seen,” Martin, who was part of Djokovic’s coaching team briefly in 2009 and 2010, told Tennis365.

Novak Djokovic

“He is pleasing with the serve, he is pleasing with the return, offence, defence ... everything he does really looks beautiful.”

“For me though, if Novak is right, if Novak is confident and comfortable with his physical status and is really focused, I’ve never seen anybody more unbeatable. This guy has played the game better than

anyone else ever has, in my opinion.”

Djokovic was in imperious form before the novel coronavirus pandemic brought the circuit to a halt in early March.

He lifted the ATP Cup with Serbia, won an eighth Australian Open title and then completed a fifth triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships, extending

his unbeaten run to 21.

“His athleticism is from another world,” said Martin, who reached two Grand Slam finals. “His return of serve is way better than any other returner of serve ever and I mean way better. Having worked with him, when he is focused he has that ‘I’m going through a brick wall mentality’. Now he is not always focused, but when he is and we have seen this for long stretches, he doesn’t have to play great.

He is that much of a fighter and thrives on it.”

The virus forced the cancellation of this year’s Wimbledon for the first time since World War Two while the French Open was pushed back from its May start to September, shortly after the scheduled end of the U.S. Open.

Federer, who is currently ranked fourth, last played at the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Djokovic, before undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee in February.

Martin said Federer was a “natural” and he still expected the Swiss to challenge for Grand Slam titles when the season is able to restart.

eventually realised that this could be a long haul. “Yes, in the beginning I took it easy thinking it’s just a 15day lockdown,” Sakshi told IANS. “I was thinking it’s fine if I have no partners for this amount of time because training is anyhow not going to take place properly.

“But then obviously it kept getting extended and I changed my mindset accordingly. We all have to try and adapt to our situations or else we will all have all sorts of mental problems. So I just changed my mindset according to the situation.”

Life for the 27-year-old has mostly revolved around travel for wrestling over the past 15 years, whether it be for competitions or training camps in the country and abroad. “This is the first time in my life I am experiencing anything like this -being quarantined at home.

Life is completely different,” said Sakshi.

“I rarely spent more than 15 days in one place.

Either I would be travelling to camps or abroad for training or for tournaments. So yes, negative thoughts do come sometimes. I wonder sometimes if I have gone too

Mbappe asks to share Ligue 1 golden boot Paris, May 9 (Agencies): Ligue 1 golden boot winner Kylian Mbappe believes he should share the award with Wissam Ben Yedder after the pair finished on 18 goals apiece.

Mbappe was named the French league’s top goalscorer on Thursday after the season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus.

The PSG striker finished with the same amount of goals as Monaco’s Ben Yedder, but claimed the prize outright having scored all of his efforts from open play.

Three of Ben Yedder’s goals were penalties, but Mbappe believes his France international team-mate deserves the same recognition.

“Thank you for all your messages. I think that Wissam also deserves a trophy, like the Premier League did last season, to reward his year,” Mbappe said in a tweet, which ended with the hashtag ‘A trophy for Wissam’.

In response, Ben Yedder said, “Thank you bro, congratulations to you... We can alternate if you want.”

Sakshi Malik

far away from wrestling. But then I remember that this situation is not something that only I am facing. Everyone around the world is going through this or worse.”

Sakshi says that she is maintaining her normal routine -- training in mornings and evenings and rest during the day. “As I said, there is no sparring partner so I do individual work on the mat.

I have an area where I can do strength-based exercises.

I have maintained my usual schedule that was there before and a good part of the day still goes in training,

there have been no changes on that front,” she said.

Sakshi also follows advice that women’s foreign coach Andrew Cook sends on Whatsapp. For now, she is not thinking about the risk of injuries whenever wrestling returns after the unusually long break.

“He keeps sending videos of what sort of training we can do on an individual basis. Right after the lockdown they plan to hold a camp with all the girls in one place. The risk of injury is there for everyone. So this situation is not something

that we are thinking too much about,” she said.

The United World Wrestling has announced the new tentative qualification schedule with the Asian qualifiers scheduled for March 2021 and the World Qualifiers for April 2021. Sakshi said that there hasn’t been any communication from the Wrestling Federation of India yet on camps or competitions post the lockdown. “There are no plans yet. With the federation the conversation is always about news on training,” she said.

Batra gets extension as FIH President Lausanne, May 9 (PTI): Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra’s tenure as the chief of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has been extended till May next year after its annual congress was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to postpone the Congress, which was earlier scheduled to begin in New Delhi on October 28, was taken at an online meeting of the FIH Executive Board on Friday.

“I’m looking forward to the numerous tournaments and competitions ahead of us, which we are preparing with full dedication and passion with all National Associations involved,” Batra said.

The exact date of the postponed congress will be confirmed as soon as possible, the FIH said in a statement.

“This decision, made due to the current uncertainties following the global COVID-19 pandemic, is based on Art. 12.1 of the FIH Statutes, covering cases of force majeure,” it added.

Narinder Batra

The postponement means the tenures of all the current FIH office-bearers get extension until next year’s Congress.

“Consequently, the current terms of the FIH President and of the EB members which were due to end in October 2020 have been prolonged until the upcoming Congress in May 2021 and the subsequent terms for these positions will be shortened accordingly (mid-2021 to 2024) on an exceptional basis,” the world body said.

Besides Batra, the tenures of women EB members -- Danae Andrada (URU), Hazel Kennedy (ZAM) -- and men EB members

-- Erik Cornelissen (NED) and Tayyab Ikram (MAC) -- have got extensions.

Batra, who was elected as FIH President in November 2016, is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

The FIH had informed all 137 National Associations in April about a potential change of dates for the Congress.

“I am also pleased with the success of online courses which FIH is delivering; this is great for the future of our sport.

“It is encouraging as well to see that hockey has resumed in some countries, of course with protective measures for participants’ welfare” Batra said.

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