20 March 2023

Nagaland Post

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New Covid-19 variant spikes cases

NEW DELHI, MAR 19 (AGENCIES): Three years after the Covid virus was first detected in India, the number of Covid cases is rising in the country yet again, most likely due to the newly detected Covid XBB 1.16 variant of the virus, which has the highest number of cases in India.

According to experts, the number of Covid XBB 1.16 variant cases detected in India is the highest, while the second highest number of cases have been detected in the United States. Many are speculating that this new subtype of coronavirus might lead to a fresh wave of the pandemic.

India saw a single-day rise of more than 1,000 fresh Covid-19 cases after 129 days, while the active cases increased to 5,915, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Sunday. It is likely that the spike in the cases is due to the Covid XBB 1.16 variant.

Centre exempts NE from CUET till 2024

SHILLONG, MAR 19

(AGENCIES): The central government has again exempted Central Universities in the Northeast from conducting the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admissions to undergraduate programmes for another year due to “operational difficulties”.

The ministry of education has written about it’s the decision to the University Grants Commission (UGC) on March 15, 2023. The exemption may be extended for one more year for 2023-2024, the ministry said.

“Considering the operational difficulties in conducting the exam of CUET i.e. the issue of geographical conditions, hilly terrain, far-flung location, limited digital connectivity, infrastructure etc, it has been decided that Central Universities of North Eastern Region…and HNB Garhwal University Uttarakhand was allowed to take admission in the affiliated colleges to the Central Universities as per the past practice instead of CUET for the year 2022-23 only,” the ministry said.

In Northeast, Sikkim University, Rajiv Gandhi University in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur University, Assam University, Tezpur University, Nagaland University, Tripura University, Mizoram University and North-Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya have been exempted from CUET.

Strong earthquake kills at least 14 in Ecuador, 1 in Peru

Revised guidelines for Covid-19

ANI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country.

MHA panel, ENPO team to hold meeting in Kohima on March 22

Staff Reporter

A total of 1,071 fresh cases were reported in the county in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll increased to 5,30,802 with three latest fatalities -- one each reported in Rajasthan and Maharashtra and one reconciled in Kerala. As per experts, the rise in Covid cases is happening most likely due to newlydetected Covid XBB 1.16 variant . The XBB 1.16 variant was first identified in January when two samples tested positive, and in February, a total of 59 samples were found. So far in March, 15 more samples of the vari-

ant have been detected. As per the initial research, the Covid XBB 1.16 variant is the fastest-spreading Covid subtype detected till now and can multiply at an alarming rate. However, not a single death has been reported due to Covid XBB across the globe.

As of now, there is little to no difference between the symptoms of Covid XBB 1.16 and XBB 1.15. The symptoms of this variant include fever, sore throat, cold, headache, body aches, and fatigue. It also might impact your digestive system and respiratory system.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered.

Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

It further urged all to maintain “Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with treating physician.

“Seek immediate medi-

cal attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.

The Ministry on Thursday noted that there were few States reporting higher number of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infection and there was a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic.

First session of the 14th Assembly from today

KOHIMA, MAR 19 (PTI/

NPN): The nine-day budget session of the new Nagaland Assembly (14th NLA) will commence its first session on Monday, officials said.

Pro-tem speaker Mhathung Yanthan will administer the oath to the newly elected members, which would be followed by the election of the new speaker.

Governor La Ganesan will deliver his maiden address to the House on Tuesday. Discussion on the motion of thanks on the governor’s address will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, minister in-charge of finance, will present the

Budget 2023-24 on March 27 while it would be taken up for passing the next day, a provisional programme approved by the Business Advisory Committee of the assembly.

Meanwhile, the assembly is likely to take up the discussion of the conduct of the elections to Urban Local Bodies after almost two decades.

Other businesses of the session include laying of annual administrative reports of various government departments, Comptroller Auditor General of India and passing of government bills.

SharingainsettobecomeNLASpeaker

NDPP legislator Sharingain Longkumer is all set to become the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker for the second term as he was the only candidate who had filed his nomination till the last date of filing the papers.

In a statement, NLA secretary in-charge Khruohituonuo Rio said that the Secretariat received only one nomination till the last date of filing of nomination papers for the post of speaker of the 14th NLA. Sharingain, who was the speaker in the previous house, filed his papers for on Saturday. His candidature was proposed by minister and BJP president Temjen Imna Along and seconded by adviser Kekhrielhoulie Yhome.

TovihotoappointedasBJPchiefwhip

State BJP president Temjen Imna Along has appointed H Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA as the chief whip of the BJP to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The decision was unanimously made by the BJP legislators on March 19 at the meeting held at the residence of deputy chief minister Y Patton.

DIMAPUR, MAR 19 (NPN): Three-member committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is scheduled to hold a meeting with officials of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) at Kohima on March 22.

Highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post said that the Home ministry committee headed by MHA adviser (North East) AK Mishra will be arriving Nagaland on March 22 and hold a review meeting with the ENPO officials on.

Besides Mishra, the other members include joint director of Intelligence Bureau, Dr Mandeep Singh Tuli and MHA director (NE division) AK Dhayani.

After meeting the MHA officials, ENPO will

be holding a joint consultative meeting to apprise the members on the outcome of the meeting.

It may be mentioned that the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland state was resolved after hectic parleys between ENPO and the government of India that led to agreement for a ‘Frontier Naga Territory’ for Eastern Nagaland areas.

Though the MHA committee had ruled out creation of a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state or Union Territory, both sides mutually agreed to form the ‘Frontier Naga Territory’, which was to implemented after completion of the State Assembly election.

As reported earlier, the new arrangement is expected to have financial autonomy, separate funding etc, for an initial period

of 10 years. It may also be noted that ENPO and all its frontal organizations, which had vociferously stood its ground to abstain from taking part in the Assembly elections as per the August 26, 2022 resolution, decided to relax its August 26,2022 resolution. ENPO had said that the decision to relax the August 26 resolution was done after due consultation with the constituent tribal bodies and frontal organizations and based on the assurance made by union home minister to ENPO officials on February 2, 2023.

According to ENPO, the assurance was that “a solution as mutually agreed will be reached after following the due process and will be implemented after completion of the election process.”

Rahul sends preliminary reply to Delhi Police notice on ‘sexual assault on women’ remark

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday sent a four-page preliminary reply to the Delhi Police’s notice about his “women still being sexually assaulted” remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra while questioning the process adopted by the authorities and a sudden urgency after a 45-day delay.

The Congress leader gave the 10-point reply hours after a Delhi Police team knocked on his doors for the third time in five days. He also sought eight to 10 days to give a detailed

response to the questions posed by Delhi police over his January 30 remarks, the sources said.

The police team headed by Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda

arrived at Rahul Gandhi’s 12, Tughlaq Lane, residence around 10 am and was able to meet the Congress leader after two hours, officials said, adding the team left around 1 pm.

Over 4300 contractors in Nagaland: Pele Khezhie

NEW

DELHI, MAR

19 (ANI): As the influenza H3N2 cases have started to rise rapidly in the country, experts are of the opinion that people need to be careful, but there is no need to panic if precautions are taken on time.

Talking about the symptoms of the virus, Dr Anupam Sibal, a senior doctor of Delhi’s Apollo Hospital, told ANI that the symptoms are similar to Covid but are staying for longer periods of time.

“From time to time, changes are seen in the virus. The symptoms of the influenza virus are appearing after corona, although

its symptoms are almost similar to corona. The common symptoms are cough, cold and fever. But in this virus, it is seen that patients are having the symptom for a long time due to which it is spreading rapidly,” he said. He added, “In such a situation, it is necessary that the precautions, we were following during Corona, the habits we started, should be followed. Wearing a mask, and keeping hands clean. Along with this, if symptoms like cough, cold, or fever are seen in a person, then it is very important to avoid coming in contact with that person”.

Pediatrician Dr Sibal,

Apollo Hospital has emphasised that children should be taken special care of against the virus.

“The parents should keep in mind that if they are sending children to school or for playing outside, they should make sure they are not suffering from cough and cold. There should be no symptoms like fever and if any child has such symptoms, then other children should not come in contact with him. Special focus should be laid towards cleanliness because, through cleanliness and good eating habits, you can stay away from this type of virus. Send children to school only

wearing masks, and keep their hands clean,” he said.

Neurologist Dr Aditya Bhati of Apollo Hospital believes that these types of viruses are also affecting people neurologically.

“Although the virus affects all organs of a human being, but more effects are being seen on the brain, in cases like brain stroke, and brain haemorrhage. The virus can vasculate anywhere in the whole body. Because of this, our nerves become thin and then the virus starts building in the brain as well. In the last few years, such cases have come to the fore, although their number is not high”.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 19 (NPN): Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union (NCSU) president Pele Khezhie on Sunday said that there were over 4,300 contractors in Nagaland, with Kohima having the highest number (600-700), while the newly-created districts had the lowest.

Seeing that some contractors were becoming successful with increase in the number of infrastructure development projects and building construction across the State, many individuals now wanted to become contractors, Pele said.

Gaurav Train’ for NE to operate from March 21

GUWAHATI, MAR 19

(ANI): Indian Railways is all set to run the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ deluxe AC tourist train, a specially designed tour for people who want to explore the North Eastern states. The train will commence its journey from New Delhi on March 21 and cover various cities in the region in 15 days. The tour will start from Delhi Safdarjung railway station and will cover Guwahati, Sivasagar, Furkating and Kaziranga in Assam, Unakoti, Agartala and Udaipur in Tripura, Dimapur and Kohima in Nagaland and Shillong and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya in 15 days tour.

Sabyasachi De, CPRO of NF Railway said, “The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist train no. 00412 will depart from Delhi Safdarjung station at 15:20 hours on March 21, 2023.” CPRO

said, “The modern Deluxe AC Tourist Train has two fine dining restaurants and a kitchen.”

“The fully air-conditioned train provides three types of accommodation

viz . AC I, AC IIand AC III. The train has enhanced security features like CCTV cameras, electronic safes and dedicated security guards appointed for each coach.

Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train launch is in line with the Government of India initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ and ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ to promote domestic tourism,” the CPRO added.

“Tourists can board and de-board at Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, Kanpur and Lucknow stations. Spanning over 14 nights and 15 days, the first halt of this train will beat Guwahati on March 23, 2023, where tourists will

visit Kamakhya Temple followed by Umananda Temple and a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra,” Sabyasachi De said.

“This train will further depart on an overnight journey to reach Naharlagun Railway Station on March 25, 2023, which is 30 km from the next destination Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. After that, the next city to explore is Sivasagar - the old capital of the Ahom Kingdom in the Eastern part of Assam on March 26, 2023. The famous Sivadol at Sivasagar is a part of the itinerary besides other heritage sites.

Speaking with Nagaland Post, he pointed out that there was a requirement for professional contractors, not seasonal ones, which could be found in abundance in the State. He further revealed that the youngest Class 1 contractor in Nagaland was 21 years and the oldest was 80 years.

He further said there were about 1,000 Class 1 contractors, with 20-25 female contractors. He claimed that the rest functioned as part-time contractors. Pele alleged that politicians and bureaucrats taking up contract works but assigning these to their kin

was a common practice in Nagaland and called for its eradication by initiating strict action against them.

He explained that to become a fully-fledged contractor, one needed to work very hard. He pointed out that a Class 1 contractor had to own 15 types of machinery like normal truck, dipper, water tanker, road roller, etc. He pointed out that contractors earned profits based on the work and contracts they bag, while the seasonal contractors jumped from one work to another in search of profits without properly focusing on quality work.

delegates

DIMAPUR, MAR 19

(NPN): About 110 delegates are expected to participate in the G20 events at Kohima on April 5, of which about 100 would be from 28 G20 countries and the remaining from international organisations that are part of the grouping, a DIPR report stated.

Nagaland chief secretary J Alam said that business delegates from big continental corporations, ambassadors and other senior representatives of G20 countries would be attending the meeting and would be arriving on spe-

cial flights on April 4.

He said that there would be business meetings and cultural programmes to showcase Nagaland’s strengths. Alam said the meetings would focus mostly on agriculture & allied sectors, food processing industry and tourism.

On April 4, a programme would be held at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima where the delegates would be accorded a formal welcome, followed by business meetings at the State Banquet Hall the next day.

‘Bharat

‘No need to panic but…’: Experts on rising H3N2 cases

Over 100

to take part in G20 event in April

Police personnel outside the residence of Rahul Gandhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Phek DPDB discusses ULB and CMHIS

registration of employees at the earliest.

He also informed the members on the scheduled meeting of the District Development Co-ordination & Monitoring Committee to be held under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Tokheho Yepthomi on April 11.

In regard to the meeting, he reminded the Department of Food & Civil Supplies, Road & Bridges, National Highways, Social Welfare, Power, Agriculture, Health and Family Welfare, Education, Public Health Engineering Department and Rural Development to give detailed presentations at the meeting.

NEWS IN BRIEF

NNC.GDRN (N/A)

R-Day: NNC.GDRN (N/A) has informed that it would be observing its “67th Republic Day” on March 22, 10 a.m. at Oking. All members from “civil and army” have been requested to attend the celebration.

NSCN (Niki) assigns: NSCN/GPRN (Niki) ministry of kilo affairs has informed that it has assigned Eyingo Lotha as chairman of Lotha region with effect from March 17 until further order. It therefore asked Lotha to assume office within seven days.

Assam Rifles conduct activities

DIMAPUR: Phek District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting was held on March 17 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek office, wherein the members deliberated on the ensuing Urban Local Body (ULB) elections,

and enrolment to Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS). According to a DIPR report, DC Phek, Kumar Ramnikant, who is also the vice chairman of DPDB Phek, acknowledged the members and the staff for their cooperation during

the recently concluded 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election. He also informed the members on the forthcoming ULB election. The house also discussed the CMHIS, in which Ramnikant encouraged the members for necessary action to ensure 100%

Condolence messages

DIMAPUR: Darogajan Village Council (DVC)

Dimapur has expressed deep pain at the demise of Kachari Tribal Council, Nagaland (KTCN) president, Ramesh Hasnu on March 18. The council has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

KWON: Kachari

Women Organisation Nagaland (KWON) has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members of late Ramesh Hasnu, KTCN president, who passed away on March 18. In a condolence mes-

sage, KWON said late Ramesh Hasnu was a humble, honest, soft spoken man of integrity who was always ready for any community service calls. In his demise, KWON said the Kachari community has lost a tall leader whose absence would be very hard to fill.

KWON has also thanked late Ramesh Hasnu for his invaluable services rendered for the community, and offered condolences to the bereaved family members in this time of grief and sorrow.

KNON prayed that the God Almighty would give them strength and solace, and also prayed that the

departed soul rest in eternal peace.

ENNWA: Eastern Naga National Workers Association (ENNWA) has expressed deep pain at the sudden demise of NSCN (R) ‘colonel’, Pongba Konyak. In a condolence message, ENNWA said late Pongba was a humble and brave leader who fought for the “Naga nation” during this lifetime. In his death, ENNWA said the “Naga nation” has lost a great leader. Further, ENNWA has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family, and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

The Department of Evaluation and Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection presented the departmental activities during the meeting, wherein responsibilities and functions were highlighted. The Department of School Education was entrusted to present a presentation in the next DPDB meeting.

Medical board for service confirmation

DIMAPUR: Chief Medical Officer, Peren has informed all the departments that the district medial board for service confirmation will be held on April 20, 2023 from 10 am onwards at the office chamber of CMO, Peren.

In this connection, all departments who have candidates for confirmation, invalidation and commutation of pension etc. for grade III and IV employees have been directed to submit the list on or before April 18 to CMO office, Peren.

Kma police recovers dead body: Kohima police has recovered an unidentified dead body of a male (approximate 40-50 years), 5.3 feet, wearing black trouser on March 18 below T Khel Model Village, Kohima. In a press release, Kohima police PRO informed the body has been kept at North Police Station morgue for identification. For more information, family members have been asked to contact North Police Station at 7005986018.

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR-North) conducted various programmes across the state.

Tuensang Bn: Tuensang battalion of Assam Rifles coordinated “education first initiative” for the unemployed youth on March 17 at Menchangle Village, Mon district. The battalion said the aim was

I N M e M o Ry of our Beloved Lt k h RI e LI e A L e M 6th De Ath A NNI ve RSARy

We remember your passing today and celebrate your life. You were truly a special man and one who left a void in our hearts that could never be filled. We miss you dearly.

Loving Mother, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sisters and Loved ones

to promote government occupational schemes amongst the unemployed youth and guide them about the process of application and examination. During the programme, the participants were also briefed about the “Agniveer” scheme.

In a separate event, the battalion also organised a friendly volleyball match with students of Kasturba

Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Girls Hostel, Bumei Village, under “Naari Shakti Initiative” on March 18 at Changlanshu COB, Mon district.

Chieswama Bn: Chieswama battalion of Assam Rifles organised medical clinic on occasion of “National Vaccination Day” on March 16 at Sumi Village, Phek district.

2nd NAP Battalion, Alichen, Mokokchung. Regd No. 10987

Born : 23-03-1990 --- Death : 16-03-2023

Through this column, we the bereaved family members of Late Mr. Watitoshi Jamir (Changtongya) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation to each and every individual who stood by us physically, financially, materially and above all, constant prayers at the time of illness and sad demise of our beloved.

We shall always hold your act of kindness and generosity in our hearts. It is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

AC k N o WL e D ge M e N t dp-1189/23

~ Loving Parents, Brother, Sisters, Wife and Daughter

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”

Matthew 5:8

(1931 – 2023)

We the bereaved family of Late DOLHOUKHO-U PESEYIE would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, families, friends, churches, village council, different organizations and well-wishers who stood by us and supported us physically, emotionally, financially and through prayers during the prolonged illness and the sad demise of our dear father on the 11th of March 2023.

Our special thanks to all the people of Jotsoma Village, Doctors, Nurses and Staff of KP BETHESDA Hospital, Kohima.

We remain deeply indebted to each and every one of you for the love and kindness shown to us. May the Almighty God shower His abundant blessings and grace upon you all.

Loving wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren

Mr. Watitoshi Jamir

DC Phek, Kumar Ramnikant addressing the members of DPDB in Phek on March 17. (DIPR)

An elderly woman examined at the medical clinic at Sumi village, Phek.

NEXT POLL

CS reminds AHoDs, HoDs to be sincere

NVA team calls on Kazheto Kinimi

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Veterinarian Association (NVA) led by its president, Dr. Zubemo Humtsoe called on the newly appointed advisor for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Kazheto Kinimi on Sunday at his official residence.

A press release by NVA informed that the team highlighted to the advisor about the activities of the association. The team informed that the association was formed to uphold the dignity and honour of the veterinary profession and safeguard its rights and interests.

Other Nagaland Veterinarian Association members, who accompa -

nied the president were vice president, Dr. Aoyimsen Jamir, general secretary,

Dr. Keduzol Ltu, assistant general secretary, Dr. Esther Krocha, treasurer,

Dr. Rebecca Khing, and information and publicity secretary, Dr. Auto Yeptho.

WEATHER FORECAST

MARCH 20

DIMAPUR: State chief secretary, J.Alam has reminded all Administrative Heads of Departments (AHoDs) and Heads of Departments (HoDs) to be sincere in discharging their duties and monitor the attendance of their respective staff.

According to a DIPR report, the chief secretary was addressing a meeting of the AHoDs and HoDs on March 18 at the Secretariat Conference Hall,

Nagaland police informs on cyber volunteers

Kohima.

Underscoring the importance of government employee’s office attendance for better deliverance of public service, Alam advised the AHoDs and HoDs to monitor staff attendance so that they could render better and smooth service to the public.

With regard to the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly scheduled to be held from March 20-28,

CCRH organises health camp

the chief secretary asked the AHoDs and HoDs to attend the Assembly sessions on all business days without fail. He asked them to be available in the officer’s gallery to assist the ministers and advisors in discharging their assembly works. During the meeting, the home commissioner also spoke on preparation for hosting the G20 meeting and to speed up in all identified venues.

TNBBC holds installation programme

DIMAPUR: Tening Namsan Baptist Branch Church (TNBBC) under Peren district organized an installation programme for Thunbuibo Newmai as pastor of the church on March 19.

The act of installation was conducted by Rev. Ramriwang, Pastor Tening Village Baptist Church.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland police has informed that Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has developed a “Cyber Crime Volunteer Framework” which enables the participation of citizens in tackling the cybercrime menace.

According to a DIPR report, Nagaland police said the framework was developed to tackle and mitigate the menace of cybercrime and to ensure a clean safe cyber space. It said the “Cyber Crime Volunteer Framework” aims to bring together

the citizens having passion to serve the society.

Informing that the “Cyber Crime Volunteer Framework” can be accessed through the “National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)” (www.cybercrime.gov.in), police said any Indian citizen can get associated by registering on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal as a “cyber volunteer” by clicking on the “register as a volunteer” tab and following the instructions given.

Police informed that the volunteers would serve as a bridge between

the law enforcement agencies of state and the citizens and help in spreading awareness amongst the people. In view of the rapid increase in cybercrime and use of emergent technologies by cybercriminals, police said it becomes imperative that the general public be made aware of the modus operandi of the cybercrimes. Police said the volunteers would serve as a means to spread awareness amongst the general public, to reach out to the public through various social media platforms or any other means of communication.

LBCK bids farewell; installs new pastor

DIMAPUR, MAR 19 (NPN): Lotha Baptist Church Kukidolong (LBCK), Chumoukedima bade farewell to senior pastor, Rev. K.N. Shitiri on Sunday, after ten years of service to the church, from March 17, 2013 to March 19, 2023.

DIMAPUR: An awareness health camp was organised by the Central council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India in collaboration with Integrated AYUSH Hospital (IAH), Dimapur on March 18 at Jain Bhavan,

Marwaripatti, Dimapur. A press release by CRU-(H), Dimapur informed that during the camp, the benefits of millets consumption was highlighted to all patients and attendants on account of the “International Year of Millet 2023”.

The camp was held under the guidance of officer in-charge, Dr. Eyingthung Odyuo, SRF (H) from CRU(H), Dr. L. Senup, MO (AYUSH) and Dr. Sendongyanger MO (Homoeopathy) from IAH along with supporting staff.

Rev. Ramriwang in his installation sermon encouraged the newly installed pastor Thunbuibo to nurture his members both spiritually and in moral guidance and to focus the emergence of his duties and responsibilities. Pastor Thunbuibo while taking charge promised to accept his responsibilities and carry forward his duties faithfully for the growth of the church.

Rev. Ramriwang also blessed the newly elected deacon Muatubo, treasurer, Kaidinglung, and care taker, Daungambo.

At the same service, the church also installed the new pastor, Yanpvuo Lotha. An act of prayer of blessing for the outgoing and incoming pastors was conducted by Lotha Baptist Churches Association, executive secretary, Rev. Dr. Ezamo Murry.

In his farewell speech, Rev. K. N. Shitiri, who have served the ministry of the Almighty God for more than 40 years under Lotha Baptist Churches Association, thanked the members of LBCK for their constant support and prayer through which he could carry out the Lord’s ministry entrusted upon him. He thanked the Almighty for bestowing good health and

NEISSR organises awareness on health

DIMAPUR: North East Institute of Social Science & Research (NEISSR), Dimapur organised awareness programme and carried out activities at St. Paul School, Akuhaito town and Government Middle School, Rotomi village under Zunheboto district on March 17.

In a press release, administrator of NEISSR informed that MSW 2nd semester students from the institute visited the schools as a part of their 10 -day Rural Camp at Rotomi Village, Zunheboto district.

During the visit, MSW

Students of NEISSR and St. Paul School, Akuhaito town at the awareness programme.

Centre has sanctioned Rs 2 k cr for Tripura under JJM: CM

AGARTALA, MAR 19

(PTI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said the Centre has approved Rs 2,000 crore for the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to supply piped drinking water to households.

Saha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh

Shekhawat for approving Rs 2,000 crore to implement piped water scheme. At present, 56 per cent

households of the northeastern state have piped water facility and the state has a plan for water supply to all households. “I am glad to share that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has approved Rs 2000 crore for Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission 2023-24 and the fund is more than total of Rs 1,930 crore Tripura received in the last 3 years”, he told reporters after attending a party programme at Rabindra Bhavan. “I wholeheartedly thanked PM Narendra

Modi ji and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ji for sanctioning the fund. This will ensure piped drinking water to more households”, Saha said. Earlier, the chief minister, BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee, former Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Verma joined a programme to facilitate party karyakartas for the BJP’s victory in the Assembly elections.

“The BJP’s victory in the 2023 Assembly election

was not easy and smooth as the opposition tried hard to prevent the party’s win. But it was the party karyakartas under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda who have made the party’s win possible”, said Bhattacharjee. He called upon party leaders and karyakartas to kick start organizational work to ensure the party’s victory in two Lok Sabha seats to be held next year.

students organised awareness programme on health and hygiene and various interactive activities based on learning sessions.

Abel Z Chophy MSW 2nd semester spoke on the importance of health and hygiene and Juli Zhimomi MSW 2nd semester took a session on career guidance.

Different types of activities and games were also carried out by the trainees with an aim to boost the confidence level of the students.

Altogether 142 students participated in the programme.

Heroin worth Rs 2.2 cr seized in Aizawl

AIZAWL, MAR 19 (PTI):

A person was arrested with heroin worth Rs 2.2 crore in Aizawl, an Assam Rifles official said on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Assam Rifles and state Excise and Narcotics Department seized 443 gram of heroin hidden in 35 soap cases on Saturday, she said. The person arrested is a resident of Aizawl, she added. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway, the official said.

Family members of Rev. K.N. Shitiri presenting special song at the farewell service on Sunday.

to his family during his active service in the ministry of the Almighty God.

As a mark of gratitude, the family members of Rev. Shitiri presented a special song thanking God and the members of the church.

The speaker of the programme was pastor Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur, Rev. Zanao Lotha.

Rev. Zanao recalled the contributions of Rev.

K.N. Shitiri and his family towards the church. He said the foundation of the church was laid by the God and therefore it was for the members of the church to use good materials so that it could withstand all kinds of temptations.

He recalled how a handful of believers kept their faith in time of adversity and continued to work

for the God’s ministry.

“Those who have received blessing under the Rev. Shitiri should be thankful to God”, Rev. Zanao said. He also appealed to the members of the church to continue to extend support and prayer to their new pastor. The programme concluded with benediction by Rev. R.P. Murry and the service was led by Rev. A.K. Jami.

‘Poshan Pakhwada’ celebration from today

DIMAPUR: As part of the “Poshan Abhiyaan”, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi’s overarching scheme for holistic development, Department of Social Welfare (DoSW) Kohima, Nagaland, office of the state project management unit under Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) government of India, would be celebrating the “5th Poshan Pakhwada” from March 20 to April 3 across the state.

A press release by the DoSW informed that the “Poshan Abhiyaan” endeavours to improve outcomes in pregnant women,

lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children under the age of six years, in a holistic manner.

In pursuance of this objective, the department said “Poshan Pakhwada” would be celebrated in convergence with all stakeholders for which the department has prepared an action plan.

During the celebration, the department would be organising key activities under various themes; communities would be sensitized on the nutritional benefits of millets, in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolu-

tion declaring 2023 as the “International Year of Millets”, as proposed by India to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. DoSW also informed that during the celebration, focus would also be on the growth monitoring through “Swasth Balak Spardha” that emphasises upon measuring height and weight of all the children in target age group and “Saksham Anganwadis”.

In this regard, the department has urged all convergent departments and people of the state to implement the action plan across all districts and blocks.

‘Bharat Gaurav Train’ for NE to operate from March 21

(From p-1)

Further, the tea gardens at Jorhat and an overnight stay at Kaziranga followed by an early morning jungle safari at Kaziranga National Park will be experienced by the tourists,” he further added.

He said, “The Deluxe AC Tourist Train next departs from the Furkating Railway Station on March 27, 2023, for the state of Tripura where the sightseeing of the famous heritage site of Unakoti and Agartala including the famous

Ujjayanta Palace will happen.”

“On the next day, the Neermahal palace and Tripura Sundari mandir at Udaipur will be covered in the itinerary. Post Tripura, on March 29, 2023, the train departs for Dimapur for visiting the state of Nagaland. From Dimapur station, tourists will be taken to Kohima by bus for visiting the local sites. The final halt for the tourist train will be at Guwahati on April 1, 2023. Tourists will be taken to Shillong, the capital city

of Meghalaya by road with a pit stop at the majestic Umium Lake enroute. The next day starts with an excursion to Cherrapunji nestled in the East Khasi Hills. Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Nawkhalikai falls and Mawsmai caves are a part of the day’s sightseeing. From Cherrapunji the tourists travel back to Guwahati Station to board the train for the return train journey on April 2, 2023, to reach Delhi Safdarjung station at 13:30 hours on April 4, 2023,” De said.

Chief secretary, J. Alam addressing the AHoDs and HoDs meeting. (DIPR)

Members of CCRH and others at the health camp on March 18.

Kazheto Kinimi with the members of NVA in Kohima on March 18.

4 members of Amritpal’s outfit moved to Assam

DIBRUGARH, MAR 19

(PTI): Four members of radical preacher Amritpal Singh’s outfit were brought to Assam from Punjab on Sunday, police said.

They were among the 78 people arrested on Saturday in the Punjab government’s major crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD), headed by Amritpal, who is wanted in several criminal cases.

“Four people who were arrested in Punjab have been brought here. They are being kept at the Dibrugarh Central Jail,” said Tejbir Singh Hundal, an officer of the Punjab Police.

The four accused who were brought here are Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Pradhanmantri Bajeka.

A 27-member team from AAP-ruled Punjab, including an inspector general-rank officer, accompanied the four accused to Dibrugarh, an Assam Police officer said.

However, no officer, including Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra, was willing to share why these

four accused were brought to BJP-ruled Assam, over 2,500 km away.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is at present in New Delhi, told reporters that his state will provide necessary security to the accused in the jail.

“Sometimes, such persons who are arrested in one state are sent to another state’s jail. As per my information, four people have been sent by Punjab Police. We will provide them all security in the jail,” he said.

Dubai-returned Amritpal, who is on the run, was anointed the head of WPD last year. The outfit was

7 students quizzed after Geography paper ‘leak’

GUWAHATI, MAR 19

(PTI): Seven students in Assam’s Sivsagar district are being questioned in connection with the alleged leak of Class 10 state board’s Geography paper, police said on Sunday. They are all ‘admins’ of a WhatsApp group through which the purported first page of the Geography question paper was circulated on Saturday, he said.

Negative emotions grew post-pandemic; 35 % unhappy

ARUNACHAL TOPS LIST WITH 60 PERCENT

GUWAHATI, MAR 19 (PTI): Negative emotions such as stress, anger, sadness and worry have increased among Indians post-COVID-19 pandemic with struggle and suffering increasing in recent times, a study has found.

founded by actor-activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident. WPD members are named in criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel, and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants, according to the Punjab Police.

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, demanding the release of a WPD member.

Sivsagar SP Subhrajyoti Borah told PTI that they had received a request from their Nagaon counterparts for calling these students for questioning.

Two students stayed overnight at the children’s room in the police station, while the rest returned home and have been called for further questioning on Sunday, Borah said. “Nagaon Police team has also reached here and are taking forward the investigation,” he added.

A matric examinee was arrested in Nagaon on Saturday on the basis of a case lodged at Nagaon Sadar police station on the complaint of the district’s Inspector of Schools, Assam Police spokesperson Prasanta Kumar Bhuyan had said.

Campaign on waste segregation held in Itanagar

“Waste management and disposal of waste is a serious issue that we are facing nowadays. If we are not aware of proper waste management, it leads to serious issues like air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution. By doing small practices in our daily life, we can make a huge difference. For that, we all have to practice the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in our daily life,” Mission Clean Yagamso coordinator Prem Taba said. Educating the public on source segregation is the way forward in waste management, he added.

According to ‘The State of Happiness 2023’ report by consulting firm HappyPlus, negative or unhappy experiences are on the rise with 35 per cent of the respondents stating that they have felt such emotions compared to 33 per cent in 2022. Arunachal Pradesh tops the list of negative emotions with 60 per cent of the respondents from the state claiming they were unhappy, followed by 58 per cent in Madhya Pradesh and 51 per cent each in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, it added. On the other hand, positive emotions among Indians have dropped to 67 per cent from 70 per cent in the year-ago period. The life evaluation score, which is subjective well-being, has also dropped to 6.08 points out of 10 in 2023 from 6.84 points in 2022. The survey inferred that many aspects of life make Indian people unhappy with the top five reasons

4 Assam Civil Service officers suspended

GUWAHATI, MAR 19

(PTI): Four Assam Civil Service (ACS) officers have been suspended for alleged financial irregularities in the execution of projects under the MP Local Area Development Fund, officials said.

The CM’s Special Vigilance Cell had carried out an inquiry into the allegations and detected “irregularities and anomalies” in the execution of works and utilisation of funds of Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan for 2021-22 and 2022-23, they said.

for negative emotions being financial issues, workplace pressure, societal norms, loneliness and isolation, and uncertainties after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report, which was prepared based on responses from 14,000 people from across 36 states and union territories, stated that the student population has seen the highest rise in negative experiences and was impacted the most in the overall outcome.

“People below 18 years and above 60 years are experiencing anger or sadness higher than any other age group in India. It also found 5 out of 10 reported as unhappy persons in comparison to 2 out of 10 in the previous year,” HappyPlus Senior Director and Research Head Shyamasree Chakrabarty said. Relationship issues and

work life have pulled down the scores along with the lack of social support in India, she said, adding “these points need to be addressed soon”.

The report said 20 per cent of Indian people are suffering in 2023 compared to 12 per cent in 2021, while 63 per cent of people are struggling as against 49 per cent in the previous year. On the other hand, only 17 per cent of Indians feel that they are thriving compared to 39 per cent last year.

Though people started coming back to normal life in 2022 after recovering from pandemic-induced restrictions, their struggle has increased as the rise in the number of job loss cases or continuous fear of ‘job losses’ added insecurities in life, the study opined.

“Global economic scenario and constant glooming

news of global recession have its share in the rise of stress and unhappiness. Indians are also struggling from a silent pandemic -- loneliness and isolation. Loneliness has been recognised as one of the major public health concerns across generations,” it added.

HappyPlus founder and CEO Ashish Ambasta said individual happiness has a direct influence on mental and physical health, which lead to distress and slow down economic, social and environmental growth.

Every year, the UN publishes the ‘World Happiness Report’ and helps examine the effects of happiness and life satisfaction in nations and communities. As per the 2022 report, India’s rank was 136 out of 146 countries. “Our happiness state rankings are based on life evaluation questions, social support, freedom to make life choices, corruption perception, positive and negative impacts and wellbeing index.

“Also, state-level parameters like per capita net state domestic product, CPI, literacy rate, healthy life expectancy at birth, MPI and health index are considered,” Ambasta said.

Mnp cops crackdown against banned

Chinese bikes; 28 Kenbo bikes seized

Correspondent IMPHAL, MAR 19: In a fresh crackdown, Manipur police impounded as many as 28 foreign bikes from different areas of Churachandpur and Kamjong, districts bordering Myanmar.

ITANAGAR, MAR 19

(NPN): Volunteers from the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society (AMMS) and Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) conducted a day-long door-todoor campaign on ‘Source Segregation of Waste’ among the local business community and residents of Kime Pakka colony, Abotanai colony, and Chandranagar here on Saturday

in an effort to increase awareness about efficient waste disposal.

A press release from Youth Mission from Clean River stated that along with Miss Arunachal Nabam Yate, volunteers from the Rajiv Gandhi University’s Social Work Department visited several houses and businesses throughout the day-long campaign and disseminated knowledge and

tactics for effective trash management with the aid of information booklets. Stickers displaying correct trash segregation were also distributed as part of the campaign.

The drive was a part of ‘Mission Clean Yagamso’, which is an effort by the NGOs to rejuvenate the Yagamso river with the support of the Itanagar Smart City Corporation Limited.

Meeting to speed up Indo-Bangla rly connect

AGARTALA, MAR 19

(PTI): The Indo-Bangla Project Screening Committee (PSC) will hold a meeting in Bangladesh’s Brahmanbaria next week to fast-track work of the Indo-Bangla railway link, said a senior official on Sunday.

The vital project which will link the two nation’s railwa network has been delayed for some time.

“An Indian delegation of around 11 officials from Delhi and Tripura will join the PSC meeting scheduled to be held in Rail Bhavan at Brahmanbaria in Bangladesh to review the 12.6 km railway project connecting two sides of the border, on Monday”, Tripura’s transport secretary U.K Chakma told PTI.

Representatives of the two countries, including special secretary of Min-

istry of External Affairs (MEA), Prabhat Kumar and IRCON ‘s Chief Engineer, VK Gupta (Indian side) and Addl Secretary of Bangladesh Railways, Md Yasin and Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Railway Shahidul Islam will join the meeting.

From Agartala, Chakma and Raman Singla, a senior executive of IRCON based at Agartala will also be present in the meeting.

He informed that the NGOs would be hosting a river cleaning campaign to commemorate World Forest Day on March 21 and a poster-making competition for school students in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre to celebrate World Water Day on March 22.

He urged all like-minded to participate in the upcoming events.

All the accused have been placed under immediate suspension, pending drawal of departmental proceedings, an official order said on Saturday.

The suspended officers include the deputy secretary in the Home and Political Department, and the additional deputy commissioner and the assistant commissioner of Kamrup Metropolitan.

The Manipur government has banned the use of foreign bikes, including the most popular China-made Kenbo bike, claiming it was used for cross border smuggling. The fresh drive commenced on Saturday and in the same day, the police in Churachandpur district seized as many as 26 Kenbo bikes from different areas of the district, an official source said. The seized Kenbo bikes were handed over to the customs department for legal action, the source added The police in Kamjong district, another district bordering Myanmar also seized two Kenbo bikes allegedly used by poppy planters and drug smugglers. One of the bikes

was seized from Kamjong town while the other from Kasom Khullen area, the police said. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, in a Facebook post, alleged that the Kenbo bikes were mainly used by drug smugglers and poppy planters. “No papers, nothing, all the bikes were brought from Myanmar,” Singh wrote. In Moreh, Manipur’s town at Indo-Myanmar border, where other foreign bikes from Myanmar, apart from Kenbo bikes were very popular, the police and district administration have

also commenced the drive. Though the exact number of bikes in not known, sources said many bikes were seized on the first day of the drive. The affordable Chinamade Kenbo bikes which have high demand are banned in the state by an order of the state home department issued on September 3, 2021. However, the bikes popular in Manipur, Kenbo, were said to be illegally sold in the black market and driven in the state without registration numbers.

Leopard hit by vehicle on NH-37; rescued by forest department

DOOMDOOMA, MAR 19 (AGENCIES): Forest department personnel rescued an injured adult leopard from Khobong Tea Estate near Talap Forest Range Office in the Tinsukia district on Sunday,reports East Mojo.

According to the officials, the leopard was found lying in the middle of a tea plantation after being hit by an unknown vehicle while crossing the NH-37 road

the previous night. “Tea garden workers discovered the injured leopard in the morning and informed the forest department,” an official said.

The forest personnel tranquillized the leopard and sent it to the Rescue Centre of Wildlife Trust of India, Guijan in Tinsukia for treatment, the official added.

Tinsukia district’s shrinking forests are a ma-

Tea garden workers discovered the injured leopard in the morning and informed the forest department.

jor cause for leopards and other wildlife animals to venture out into tea gardens or residential areas in search of food. It’s important for people to be aware of the impact of their actions on wildlife, and for authorities to take steps to protect these animals and their habitats.

In recent times, there have been several instances of leopard straying into human inhabitation across North India.

DaysafterpullingoutofKukitrucepact,ManipurCMmetAmitShahtodiscussgroundsituation

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(AGENCIES): The Manipur government’s decision to withdraw from a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with three KukiZomi insurgent groups on March 10 was based on its assessment that these outfits are supporting an influx of Myanmarese immigrants from across the border, encouraging poppy cultivation and the drug trade, and are behind protests against eviction drives in Kuki villages that exist on “encroached forest land”, sources in the state government have said.

An umbrella organisation of the Kuki outfits has dismissed the allegations, reports Indian Express.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister N Biren Singh met Union Home

Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and, according to sources, urged him to clarify the provisions of the SoO agreement and ensure the regulations are strictly followed on the ground. A delegation led by Manipur Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar also met Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and the Centre’s peace talks interlocutor A K Mishra. The Union government has so far not commented on the latest developments. The state government’s decision to withdraw from the pact with the Kuki National Army (KNA), the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) came on the heels of protests against the eviction drives. The

government believes the insurgents threw their weight behind the protests organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum.

Sources in the government said the issue was far more complex than land encroachment and the evictions were more about

the influx of immigrants from Myanmar. “Illegal immigration from Myanmar has jumped over the past year and a half. There has always been infiltration of illegal immigrants in smaller numbers and since they all belong to the Kuki-Zomi group of

tribes, it is difficult for the administration to tell the difference between Indian residents and illegal immigrants. There have been dozens of villages that have simply come up in the state overnight. We believe that if this influx continues, then there is a real possibility of the demography of Manipur being changed entirely,” said a source in the state government. Several student outfits that agree with the government’s position, including the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) and the Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), organised protests on Saturday at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and in Manipur to demand the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. To bol-

ster its claim, the government claims that many of the leaders and the cadre of the insurgent groups either are from Myanmar or of Myanmarese descent, among them ZRA president Phanznianpau Guite. The state government has also accused the insurgent groups of being involved in the drug trade by supporting the cultivation of poppy in areas they dominate. “Most of the poppy plantation is taking place in the Kukidominated areas and is being supported by many of these groups. This is giving a push to the cross-border drug trade. The forests are being cleared in favour of poppy cultivation and the villagers pay ‘taxes’ to the groups through this trade. There is just too much il-

legal activity taking place in these areas that need to be curtailed. We are waiting for the Centre to give us the go-ahead to withdraw.

The Centre also needs to clarify and re-establish the SoO ground rules,’’ said a state government official.

An official of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the umbrella group of armed Kuki organisations, dismissed the allegations as baseless. “The Manipur government has made its decision based on three allegations — that the groups support poppy cultivation and drug trade, that the Kukis are encroaching on forest land, and that many of the leaders of these groups are Burmese. These are baseless allegations. The international and state boundaries are

political and have divided the communities living here. Many families from Manipur and Mizoram are split between this side and Myanmar. With a porous border, there has always been back and forth between these families and community members. The international border is a British colonial construct. The president of KNO was born in a Kuki area of now-Nagaland, at a time when Nagaland did not exist. There was no Manipur-Nagaland at the time. To say that he does not belong to Manipur is egregious,” said the leader. The KNO official said more refugees were indeed coming from across the border but nowhere near what the government is projecting.

Volunteers of door-to-door campaign in Itanagar.

Central Jail Dibrugarh.

Foreign origin Kenbo bikes siezed by Manipur police in Churachandpur district

N Biren Singh met Amit Shah and urged him to clarify the provisions of the SoO agreement.

SNIPPETS

Four of a family found dead in WB

DURGAPUR (WB), MAR 19 (PTI): A 40-yearold man was found dead along with his wife and two children in West Bengal’s Durgapur city on Sunday morning, police said. The bodies were found in their house in Kuriliadanga in Durgapur police station area in Paschim Bardhaman district, they said. While the body of the man was hanging from the ceiling, the bodies of his 35-year-old wife and two children were found lying on the bed with the room locked from the inside, police said. His daughter was two years old and the son was 10.

The man was a real estate, his neighbours said, alleging that he was under pressure from his relatives over a property dispute.

Two killed in lightning strike in Chhattisgarh

KONDAGAON, MAR 19 (PTI): Two girls were killed after being struck by lightning in Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday in Chilputi village under Kondagaon police station limits when the victims, identified as Radha Markam and Monika Nag, both aged 10 years, had gone to collect tamarind fruits, a police official here said.

Man imprisoned for raping minor girl in UP

BHADOHI, MAR 19 (PTI): A Special POCSO court here has sentenced a 22-year-old man to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment for abducting and raping a minor girl, a court official said on Sunday.

Special Judge (POCSO)

Madhu Dogra in her order on Saturday also imposed a fine of Rs 33,000 on the convict, Rs 25,000 of which will go to the victim. Special public prosecutor (POCSO) Ashwani Kumar Mishra said that the matter pertains to a village under Gopiganj Police Station, where on April 29, 2022, a 16-yearold Class 8 student was abducted and raped by Ajay Kumar Yadav.

Elephant dies of electrocution in Odisha

KEONJHAR, MAR 19 (PTI): Carcass of an elephant was found in a forest in Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Sunday, Forest officials said. The sub-adult elephant died after coming in contact with 11 KV live wire, the forest officials said. On being informed by locals, forest officials rushed to the spot on Sunday morning. Post-mortem of the carcass will be conducted by vets.The pachyderm has a single tooth, they said. “Prima facie it is an electrocution death, the jumbo came in contact with stay wire, supporting the electric pole, which was charged causing the death of tusker,” Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Keonjhar Division H D Dhanraj told PTI.

1 held on charge of flesh trade

PALGHAR, MAR 19 (PTI): Police have arrested a 27-year-old man at Nalasopara in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on the charge of forcing women into prostitution, an official said on Sunday. The arrest was made by the officials of the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) of the Nalasopara unit of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate on March 15, he said. “Acting on a tip-off that a man was forcing women into sex racket, the police laid a trap at Range Naka in Nalasopara and arrested him,” senior inspector Santosh Chowdhary of the AHTC said.

Delhi cops question Rahul on Yatra remark

NEW

DELHI, MAR

19 (AGENCIES): A Delhi Police team on Sunday met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence as part of an inquiry initiated in the wake of his remark that “women are still being sexually assaulted” made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and asked him to provide information about the “victims” to take up their complaints, officials said.

An angry Congress condemned the Delhi Police action and attacked the central government, calling it the “worst case of harassment and political vendetta”, but the BJP rejected the charge and said the police was “only discharging its lawful duty”.

The police team headed by Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda arrived at Gandhi’s 12, Tughlaq Lane residence in the high security area at around 10 am and was able to meet the Congress leader after two hours, officials said, adding it left at around 1 pm.

Security had been stepped up around Gandhi’s residence. Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Jairam Ramesh and others arrived there while the police team was inside.

A group of party workers protested outside and raised slogans. Four-five Congress workers were detained, taken to a nearby police station and later re-

ALLEGES HARASSMENT, POLITICAL VENDETTA

political rivals.

Addressing a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh and national spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the move was a clear case of “vendetta, intimidation and harassment” to create an atmosphere against the former Congress chief.

BJP, like Congress, will be finished for misusing central agencies: Akhilesh

KOLKATA, MAR 19

(PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday asserted that the BJP would be politically finished in the days to come, “just like the Congress”, for allegedly misusing central agencies against opposition parties.

Akhilesh Yadav

leased, an official said. According to the police, Gandhi stated in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that ‘’I have heard that women are still being sexually assaulted’’, and since the Yatra had passed through Delhi also, they wanted to ascertain if any victim had approached the Congress leader here so that they can initiate a probe into the matter.

“The police had asked him to give details of these victims so that security could be provided to them,” an official said.

Terming it a serious matter, Special Commissioner of Police Hooda said after Gandhi made his remark, they conducted a local inquiry to collect details if any woman had approached Gandhi during the Yatra’s Delhi leg about their ordeal.

“But no such incident came to the notice of our officials also nor did we find any victim,” the officer said.

Hooda said that after he failed to collect any information in this regard, they decided to approach the Congress leader himself and accordingly, a notice with a questionnaire was also sent to him seeking details of victims who approached him about sexual harassment.

“We tried to contact him (Gandhi) but he was abroad then. So, today, I, along with my team, went to his residence and communicated to his staff about the same,” he said.

The officer said he met Gandhi and urged him to provide details.

This was the third time that Gandhi was approached in this regard, police said, adding they want to initiate a probe into the matter as soon as they get details about the victims.

The development comes amid allegations by the Congress and other opposition parties that the central government was misusing its agencies to target

Novendetta,Delhi copsonlydoing theirduty:BJP

The BJP on Sunday rejected the Congress’ vendetta charge against the government, saying the Delhi Police was only discharging its lawful duty by seeking to meet Rahul Gandhi as it wanted details about the women victims of different crimes whom he had mentioned.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra noted that Rahul Gandhi had spoken during his Bharat Jodo Yatra about women meeting him and telling him about being sexually assaulted.

Police should have information about such incidents, and that is why the Delhi Police has followed the legal procedure and has sought to meet the Congress leader for details, he said.

Patra took a swipe at the Congress, saying the party is now crying that “democracy is in danger” over the lawful action by the police.

Yadav also pressed for the caste census which, he said, would be a major issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“Earlier, the Congress used to misuse the central agencies, and now the BJP is doing the same. Congress is now finished. The BJP, too, will meet a similar fate. They are only sending agencies after those parties who are fighting the BJP,” he told a press conference here.

Asked whether the “misuse” of the central agencies will increase as the 2024 Lok Sabha election approaches, Yadav said, “It might be the case but it won’t help the saffron camp as preparations for the Lok Sabha polls would start in the next few months,”.

Speaking about the political resolution adopted in the two-day national executive held here from Saturday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the party would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the BJP is defeated in UP and the country in the election next year.

“Uttar Pradesh is the only state which can stop

Hunt for Amritpal: Police intensifies checking of vehicles along Punjab border

the BJP as it has the largest number of seats. We will defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The entire country is looking up to the Samajwadi Party. The BJP has told many lies, be it prices of diesel, petrol or LPG or price rise,” he said, adding that the saffron party is working for big corporate houses.

On Saturday, senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav said that the party has set a target of winning at least 50 of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 elections.

Asked what would be the plans of the proposed opposition front ahead of the general elections, Yadav said it won’t be disclosed.

“The goal is to defeat the BJP. Presently efforts are on to forge an opposition front. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao are making efforts (on their own),” he said.

When asked whether

the Congress would be kept out of such a proposed opposition front, Yadav said, “The Congress is a national party, so it has to decide its role,”

Speaking on the Delhi Police action against Rahul Gandhi, Yadav wondered whether the BJP did it to help the Congress.

“Nobody knows whom the BJP is trying to target. They might take action against someone, but their target might be someone else,” he said.

The Delhi Police on Sunday reached the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his “women are still being sexually assaulted” remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Yadav claimed that several political parties are keen on having a caste census in the country as it will help to reach out to various castes.

“Right now, the big issue is caste census. You can take along everyone only when you conduct a caste census. Social justice is never possible without a caste census. In 2014, the BJP’s slogan was Acche Din. In 2019, its slogan was Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas. So they must conduct it. All political parties from North to South favour the caste census. But the BJP is trying to avoid it,” he said.

NEW

DELHI, MAR

19 (AGENCIES): Obscenity, foul language will not be tolerated in the name of creativity by streaming platforms or OTT, underlined Information Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday, hinting that the government will not shy away from intervening if someone “crosses the limit”.

An over-the-top is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, reports NDTV.

“Abusing in the name of creativity will not be tolerated. Government is serious about complaints of increasing abusive and obscene content on OTT platforms. If there is a need to make any changes in the rules regarding this, the ministry will consider in that direction as well,” Mr Thakur told the press in Nagpur.

“These platforms were given freedom for creativity, not obscenity or abusing. And when someone crosses a limit, then abusing, rudeness in the name of creativ-

Anurag Thakur

ity cannot be accepted at all. Whatever necessary action needs to be taken on this, the government will not back down from it,” he added.

The Minister’s remarks come days after Delhi High Court’s scathing remarks against web series “College Romance”. The court, in strong remarks, said its sexually explicit language could corrupt impressionable minds as the content was widely available.

It said the series has “obscene, lascivious and profane content” and urged the government to take steps to check the language on such platforms.

The judge further said she found the language “so obscene and vulgar” that she had to use earphones to watch episodes.

CHANDIGARH, MAR 19 (PTI): With a manhunt underway for radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh in Punjab, Haryana has intensified checking of vehicles along the border with the neighbouring state.

Punjab Police on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and suspended internet and SMS services till Monday noon. It has arrested 78 members of ‘Punjab Waris De’, an outfit headed by him.

At the Shambhu border with Punjab, Ambala police have been put on high alert, officials said on Sunday.

Additional checkpoints have been set up and a large number of police personnel have been deployed there, they said.

In some other districts too, including Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Sirsa, which share borders with Punjab, police are maintaining strict vigil and have intensified checking of vehicles, they said.

CIA-1 incharge of Ambala police Harjinder

Singh, who was present at the Haryana-Punjab border near Shambhu, said the situation is normal and peaceful but police are maintaining a vigil. In Punjab, security forces conducted flag marches at several places in the state, including Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

Dubai-returned Amritpal was last year anointed the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’, which was founded by actor and activist Deep

Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year.

Last month, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city, and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides. Six policemen were injured in the incident. Punjab Police filed an FIR on February 23 in connection with the incident.

SRINAGAR, MAR 19 (PTI): The Jammu and Kashmir Police Sunday said action will be taken against everyone involved in providing perks and security cover to the conman who posed as a PMO official.

Kiran Bhai Patel from Gujarat has been arrested by police from a five-star hotel in Srinagar for posing as an ‘additional secretary’ in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and enjoying security cover besides other hospitality.

He had three cases registered against him in his home state.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, the additional director general of police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said a case has been registered in the matter and investigations are being conducted.

“When the Srinagar Police got the information on March 2, the hotel was raided and the man was caught red-handed. Fake visiting cards were seized from him and he was arrested the same day after

registration of a case,” Kumar said.

He said Patel was in police remand for 14 days during which “a rigorous interrogation was done, and investigations were conducted”.

The Kashmir Police chief said the force is also taking help from the Gujarat police.

“He (Patel) is now in judicial custody. Investigations are being conducted professionally. We are taking help from the Gujarat police also. No one will be spared,” Kumar added.

Asked how was the person provided security on verbal orders when there were directions from the MHA contrary to that, the ADGP said the police is investigating the lapse.

“Standard operating procedures are already in place and instructions are given regularly. But, the police should not provide security on verbal directions. We do not do it. We are checking the lapse in the present case and action will be taken against the officer involved in this,” Kumar said.

exclusive architect of Constitution: VP Dhankhar

MUMBAI, MAR 19 (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged that Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju’s remarks that a few retired judges are part of an “anti-India gang” are an attempt to pressure the judiciary and threaten judges.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave in the national capital on Saturday, Rijiju had claimed that a few retired judges and some activists who are “part of the anti-India gang” are trying to make the Indian judiciary play the role of the opposition party.

Reacting to the remarks while talking to reporters here, Raut said, “What kind of democracy is this? Does it suit a law minister to threaten the judiciary? It is a threat to judges who refuse to bow down to the government and it’s an attempt to pressure the judiciary.”

Criticising the government doesn’t mean being against the nation, Raut said.

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP also said that after Rahul Gandhi spoke about the threats to democracy in the country, there is now a move to get the Congress leader suspended from the Lok Sabha.

To a question on the demand that Gandhi should apologise for his comments, Raut said, “Rahul Gandhi will not apologise and why should he?”

“Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have in fact spoken against the country and its political leaders on foreign soil,” he charged.

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): The evolution of the Constitution has to take place in Parliament and no other “super body” or institution, including the judiciary and the executive, has any role in it, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday.

It is the primacy of the Constitution that determines the stability, harmony and productivity of democratic governance and Parliament, reflecting the mandate of the people, is the ultimate and exclusive architect of the Constitution, he said.

Dhankhar’s remarks, made at the release of a memoir of former Tamil Nadu governor P S Ramamohan Rao, came a day after Law Minister Kiren Rijiju invoked the constitutional “Lakshman Rekha” guiding different institu -

tions, including the executive and the judiciary. The vice president said, “A constitution has to evolve from the people through Parliament, not from the executive. The executive has no role in evolving the Constitution and no other institution, including judiciary.”

He further stressed, “The Constitution evolution has to take place in Parliament and there can be no super body to look into that...it has to end with Parliament.”

The vice president said he was making the statement “without fear of contradiction (and) having studied constituent assembly debates and examined constitutions of countries where democracy blossoms and flourishes”.

Addressing the event at the Parliament House Complex, he said that in democracy, dynamics of governance will always be challenging requiring “harmonious functioning of constitutional institutions”.

“The legislature, the executive and the judiciary

- there will always be issues and we shall never have a day when we can say henceforth, there will be no issues, because we are a dynamic society and it is bound to happen,” he said.

But there is no room for confrontation or those heading these institutions becoming complainants, he underlined.

“Those who are heading the executive, the legislature or the judiciary, they cannot be complacent, they cannot act in confrontation. They have to act in collaboration and find resolution together,” he added.

Dhankhar said there is a need for a “structured mechanism” amongst those

at the helm of the legislature, the judiciary and the executive, and underlined that those who head these institutions cannot use their platforms for a dialogue with the other institution.

“Such structured mechanism of interaction will go a long way,” he said.

The vice president said democratic values and public interests are “optimally served” when the legislature, the judiciary and the executive discharge their respective obligations “scrupulously confining to their domain and acting in harmony, togetherness and tandem.”

“This is quintessential. Any transgression of this will create a problem for democracy,” he said, adding, “It is not being possessive about power. It is being possessive about powers given to us by the Constitution. And that is a challenge we all have to collectively face and harmoniously discharge.”

Rijiju’s “Lakshman Rekha” remark on the roles

of the executive and the judiciary came in response to a question on the recent Supreme Court verdict on the selection of election commissioners and in reference to the collegium system of appointment of judges to higher courts.

Amid a tussle between the judiciary and the government over the appointment of judges of high courts and the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said not every system is perfect but the current collegium system is the “best” mechanism developed by the judiciary to maintain its independence.

Justice Chandrachud put up a stout defence of the collegium system of judges appointing judges to higher courts while speaking at the India Today Conclave, 2023, just hours after Law Minister Rijiju at the same forum again criticised the selection process, asserting that as per the Constitution the appointment of judges is the duty of the government.

Jairam Ramesh with Abhishek Singhvi and Ashok Gehlot addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Police personnel check a vehicle amid a crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides, in Jalandhar, Sunday. (PTI)

‘Freedom for creativity, not obscenity’: Minister to OTT

No one will be spared: J-K cop on conman posing as PMO official

Jagdeep Dhankar

Sanjay Raut

ULB poll: ball in state’s court

Ascontentious as it could be, the 74th amendment which provided 33% reservation of total number of seats in urban local bodies to women, is also as controversial with regard to the situation in Nagaland. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had, on various occasions passed contradictory resolutions to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The Act was later amended in September 2006 to insert the 33% of reservation of seats for women in accordance with the requirements of the 74th Amendment Act. Contentions cropped up when the state, with Article 371A safeguarding its cultural, traditional and religious practices, and land and its resources, was exempted from the 73rd Amendment vis-à-vis the Panchayati Raj institutions, but when Parliament passed the 74th Amendment for setting up of municipalities in the same year, Nagaland was not exempted as its town administrations were not part of customary practices. Elections could not be held in 2010 due to litigation in the courts. The matter was taken up to the Supreme Court by the NMA and the PUCL against the 2013 judgement of the principal bench of the Gauhati high court. Elections to municipal towns and councils, could not be held in 2010 on account of objections from tribal bodies and subsequently in September 2012, the state assembly passed a resolution to exempt Nagaland from Article 243T of the Constitution relating to women reservation. Another resolution was passed by the state assembly in November 2016 revoking the earlier resolution of September 2012 and general elections with 33% women reservation to constitute the civic bodies were notified in December 2016. The NMA had been spearheading the demand for inclusion of 33% women reservation. Unfortunately, women groups in mainland India including rights groups, attacked those against women quota as being purely out of gender bias but not understanding concerns of majority of Naga men and women over concerns that the 33% women reservation imperilled clauses under Article 371(A). Unfortunately, the NMA were blamed for worsening of situation due to their “stringent” demand for implementation of the 33% reservation. Various tribe organisations including the Naga women and mothers groups went as far as to ask NMA members to disband the association. The apex tribal bodies of each tribe also ordered women’s groups of their individual tribes to de-federate themselves from the organization, which since 1984 has been working untiringly to bring the warring factions of the Naga movement to the negotiating table and bring to the fore the impact of the violence on the women, youth and children. The apex Angami women’s organization, Angamimiapfu Mechu Krotho(AMK), the backbone of NMA also withdrew its membership and was followed by other tribes, such as the Watsu Mungdang of Ao women. The Ao Women, it may be recalled was ostracized by the apex Ao Senden for holding a procession in support of 33% reservation for women in 2006. Even the eastern Nagaland apex body the ENPO also followed suit in asking its women to de-federate from NMA. The flip-flop over NMA by the then DAN-III opposition-less government fuelled suspicions and resulted in agitations and violence in Dimapur and Kohima. This forced the government to declare the process to conduct election null and void in February 2017. The DAN-III on December 15,2017 passed a resolution unanimously revoking the provisions of 33 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies and effectively did a 360⁰ turn in revoking the earlier November 26, 2016 resolution that allowed reservation for women in the urban local bodies. Immediately after winning the 2018 election, the NDPP-BJP government announced the date of the ULB elections with 33% reservation for women even before the dust of the just concluded assembly election has settled. What happened in 2017 when the state was thrown up in turmoil over this issue could revisit and to prevent it, the government should take all on board.

DailyDevotion Abraham’s Life of Faith

He went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8

In the Old Testament, a person’s relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person’s life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26.

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason— a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.

The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles’ wings, but is a life of day-in and day-out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31). It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith— a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. “Abraham believed God…” (Romans 4:3).

Quotes

“Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”

Queer global moves, India on razor’s edge

It is a queer world. Politics and economics are contesting each other almost globally.

Parliament in the country remains paralysed this week. India engages with Taliban in training them on finances. Supreme Court expresses concerns over governors’ role in state politics. Export and import targets contract amid global headwinds. Market turmoil puts rupee to slide to Rs 82.61.

Reliance Oil shifts its oil trading centre to Dubai may be opening up conduit for its product processed of cheaper imported crude even as international oil prices, Brent crude, slump to $ 75 a barrel. Inflation in India continues to rage over RBI tolerance limit 6.4 percent.

And Rajya Sabha is told that metro rail companies in all eight cities, including Delhi, Kochi, Maharashtra and Noida are in losses.

Stocks plunge all over amid banking crisis leading Indian stocks to touch a five-month low. And India makes waves as it wins two Oscar awards, one for a song, Naatu Naatu, and the other for a documentary the Elephant Whisperers.

Global bank collapses lead to speculation of a rate cut. In a routine manner

banks are collapsing triggered by the SVB. Three regional US banks Silver Gate, Silicon Valley went down the count. A fourth, First Republic, explores possible sale. The Swiss Bank, Credit Suisse, woes spook volatile European market.

The US-Europe-NATO engagement with drone attacks on Russia increases even as Ukraine continues to be battered. Economic and political tension mounts the world over amid Chinese support to Russia. Parliament paralysis during the peak budget session has raised many questions. Has Rahul Gandhi become so significant that the BJP should take it to this high pitch whether he speaks here or Cambridge?

Parliament is for parleys even if one speaks anything unsavoury, they can depend on the short public memory amid too many high dramas.

On the reverse, is the ruling party promoting the opposition, a new in Indian dynamics? Not less interesting is politics amid economic challenges in the neighbouring Pakistan. Security forces sent to arrest its former PM Imran Khan, after a march against the government, were beaten back by his supporters. As

political drama reaches a pitch, Khan now playing the role of a political insurgent, is milking the maximum.

Pakis question whether it is Sharif government way to divert attention from the economic crisis as forex reserves fall to $ 2.9 billion and its bid to have $ 1.1 billion with IMF drags on. The G20 chain of events has drawn world attention. India is showcasing itself for exhibiting its march to $ 3 to 5 trillion economy.

Consensus language on Ukraine has fallen away at G20. India is focusing on to dehyphenate its relations with Russia from China’s belligerent support. The joint declaration after foreign ministers’ meet could not be signed. India is aiming at balancing. But the West, Russia, China conflict is leading the next level of their struggle to the global South, suffering from severe financial and humanitarian woes. India is harping on Africa and the deprived nation. May e be if India succeeds it can take the leadership of many erstwhile non-aligned nations. The deep concern is evident from India engaging with the Taliban through a workshop at the Indian

Shivaji Sarkar

Institute of Management, Kozhikode as India Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) on its culture, legislation and business climate. Reservations apart, strategically located Afghanistan cannot be ignored for India’s security and stability. Such programmes are virtually continuation of its pre-Taliban Afghanistan, when it was having series of such programmes. The present outreach may be a part of the overall Indian engagement in G20, West-RussiaUkraine developments. It is long-term approach in the overall gamut.

Coincidentally, the US has selected its ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, after 20 months. But the US may say it has nothing to link up with other events. President Joe Biden’s White House has not appointed envoys in 40 countries, including Saudi Arabia, during the last two years, and one year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war is intensifying!

May be. The Pentagon rel eases video of Russian planes harassing and eventually damaging a US military drone that crashed into the

Black Sea. Simultaneously, Poland announces sending MiG 29 also to Ukraine at this juncture. Poland is sending four vintage Sovietera fighters. Slovakia on Wednesday announced to dispatch MiGs. More countries may send aircraft to Ukraine.

The geographical gap between Ukraine and Taiwan is becoming geopolitically blurred. China’s 12-point peace proposal for Ukraine was heavily slanted.

It seemed more at pleasing Russia and Chinese takeover of Taiwan. The G 20 has yet to find the solution. Its escalation would impinge on India as closer home the international arms engagement increases. India itself is emerging as the biggest arms purchaser, strategic necessity, impacting its development as financing becomes expensive with high debt of over $ 172 billion.

The unstable Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal add to its burden.

But debt seems to run the world. Banks in the US borrowed heavily, says Bloomberg, over the last week from two federal facilities. Data published by the US central bank showed $152.85 billion in borrowing from the discount win-

WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY

Oral Health: a window to your overall health

Every year on 20th March, World Oral Health Day is commemorated by encouraging people around the world to make a promise to look after their oral health with proper oral hygiene practice. This global observance helps to reduce the burden of oral diseases which affects individuals, health systems and economies everywhere. The theme from 2021 till 2023 has been: “BE PROUD OF YOUR MOUTH”. In other words, value and take care of your oral health, it is precious.

In 2021, under the theme “Be proud of your mouth”, we encouraged action by focusing on the importance of oral health for overall health.

In 2022, under the same theme, we highlighted the fact that a healthy mouth is important for our happiness and well-being.

In 2023 under the theme “Be proud of your mouth” we are focussing on the importance of caring for your mouth at every stage of life. Because no matter

what age you are, caring for your mouth and looking after your oral health is important.

Why is Oral health important?

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. The health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health. Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your di gestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease. Normally the body’s natural defences and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and floss -

ing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Also, certain medications can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.

Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe. What conditions can be linked to oral health? Your oral health contributes to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis: This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium)

typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.

• Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke can be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.

• Pregnancy and birth complications: Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

• Pneumonia: Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Certain conditions also affect your oral health, including:

• Diabetes: By reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood

dow—the traditional liquidity backstop for banks—in the week ended March 15. It was a record high and a staggering increase from the $4.58 billion borrowed the previous week. It was $111 billion during the 2008 Lehman burst. Credit Suisse survives with $ 54 billion credit from the Swiss National Bank. The Swiss government is mulling breaking up the bank to takeover.

How long the world can subsist on debt and not properly managing the private sector that virtually now for decades living on subsisting itself with people’s bank deposits everywhere from the US to India. Interestingly, only the banks in Russia are apparently not hit. Is the western model of private economy failing? Wherever that model has been adopted siphoning of funds has been routine. No country is an exception. It triggers a new move whether banking itself should remain in private domain or not. It is too complex a world with war, diplomacy, banking, economy overlapping. India being the leader of the South has much to feel concerned as also care for its economy walking the razor’s edge.

sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.

• HIV/AIDS: Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.

• Osteoporosis: This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.

• Alzheimer’s disease: Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome).

How can I protect my oral health?

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene daily.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use

a s oft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.

• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.

• Floss daily.

• Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.

• Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.

• Avoid tobacco use.

• Schedule regular dental checkups and contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises.

• Taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

• No matter what age you are, caring for your mouth and looking after your oral health is very important. Great teeth, a great smile, a great life - altogether an asset.

Healthy living starts with healthier teeth & mouth in general Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Jt Director, Dept Of Health & Family Welfare, SPO, NOHP Kohima : Nagaland

Is your cough, fever due to H3N2 virus or Covid? The danger of Tobacco products and provisions of Tobacco control law

India is currently seeing a surge in respiratory illness commonly characterised by cough, body ache, fever, and sore throat. But how to know whether it is influenza, caused by H3N2 virus, or Covid, caused by Omicron sub-variants XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.5?

According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there has been a combination of respiratory viruses ranging from Covid-19 virus, swine flu (H1N1), H3N2, and the seasonal Victoria and Yamagata lineages of influenza B viruses in circulation.

H3N2 and H3N1 are both types of influenza A viruses, commonly known as the flu. Some of the most common symptoms include prolonged fever, cough, running nose, & body pain. But in severe cases, people may also experience breathlessness and/or wheezing. In addition, Covid is also on the rise. More than 700 Covid-19 cases were recorded in a day after a gap of over four months, taking the active caseload to 4,623, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

Health experts note that it is very difficult to differentiate between the clinical manifestations of the three, and the differentiation is generally based on a laboratory diagnosis from a nasopharyngeal swab sample.

“The only difference is that in the present clinical scenario, Covid symptoms barely last for 2-3 days and

the patient recovers soon without any hassles and any major treatment,” Dr. Samrat Shah, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital told IANS. “Whereas with H3N2 and H1N1 has more predilection for productive and wet coughs which lasts longer for a few weeks and has more chances of getting pneumonia or a secondary bacterial infection,” Shah added. As per Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Consultant & Head-Critical Care, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, there is “an increase in throat irritation and hoarseness of voice among people affected with H3N2, which goes on for two to three weeks”.

“Those diagnosed with Covid19 are generally manifesting a stuffy nose and a fever that lasts for three to four days,” he told IANS.

Influenza is not fatal. But irrespective of the virus if there is a major comorbid factor there are more chances of morbidity and mortality. The risk is also high for young children, infants, adults with comorbidities, elderly people over the age of 65 years, patients who are pregnant, patients who are immunocompromised, etc.

The total number of deaths due to H3N2 in the country has now reached nine, according to media reports.

The Health Ministry, however, is yet to release the official death toll. On the other hand, a total of 754

new Covid cases were reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll has increased to 5,30,790 with one fatality reported by Karnataka, as per the Health Ministry data updated at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

The doctors stated that coupled with the changing weather, pollution is also playing a pivotal role in multiplying the patient numbers impacted by viral infections.

“Some of the environmental factors contributing to the increase in cases are poor air quality and excessive construction pollution. The only way to prevent this influenza virus complication is by vaccinating once a year with the quadrivalent flu vaccine,” Shah said.

The health experts advised people to follow Covid appropriate behaviours such as using masks, maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places. They also stressed on the need for an annual flu shot.

“Annual flu shot of influenza would help in preventing the disease or at least the severity of the disease even if you do contact the disease. Unfortunately, the influenza vaccine nation coverage in India is not adequate which might actually explain the rising cases of this particular virus all across,” Dr. Umang Agrawal, Infectious Diseases Consultant from PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, said.

Rachel V Thomas, IANS

Tobacco epidemic has been taking a heavy toll on society as indicated by the rising trend of the incidence of diseases and economic burden related to tobacco use. The National tobacco control program has been carrying out various activities to create awareness about the danger of tobacco products through awareness programs in educational institutions, churches, and communities. Apart from that District Tobacco Control Cells in all the districts are carrying out enforcement activities to enforce the provisions of COTPA 2003 on a regular basis.

Some important sections of COTPA 2003 which the department is prioritising are Section-4 Which prohibits smoking in public places to protect non-smokers from the effect of second-hand smoke in public places, offices and workplaces. Section 6 (a) Ban on sale of Tobacco products to anybody below 18 years of age and Section 6 (b) Ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institutions. The department is also trying to invoke the provision of section 77 of Juvenile justice (Care and protection of

children Act 2015). In this if any person gives or cause to give to any child, any intoxicating liquor, narcotic drugs or tobacco products or psychotropic substance to except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner such person shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 7 years imprisonment or a fine which may extend up to Rupees One lac. Officer from the rank of sub inspector of police or equivalent rank in other departments are authorised to act on this.

The State Nodal Officer of National Tobacco Control Program(NTCP) Nagaland stated that our society should fight the tobacco menace before it is too late. And also stated that as Tobacco is a serious threat to the wellbeing of the younger generation.

The Department has been actively following the protocol laid down by the government of India under COTPA 2003 for tobacco control in the state.

Dr. Arenla Walling, State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland

~ John F. Kennedy

SNIPPETS

Illegal arms factory busted in UP

MATHURA, MAR 19

(PTI): An illegal arms factory was busted and three people were arrested after an encounter here, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off regarding the manufacturing of illegal weapons, police on Saturday started a search operation in a jungle area in Dhaurera village, Superintendent of Police (city)

Martand Prakash Singh said. The police saw a fire lit at some distance and moments later one of the accused started firing at the team, he said. In the retaliatory firing, a criminal got bullet injuries on his leg and he was arrested.

Subsequently, his two associates were also held after the encounter, he said.

Three electrocuted to death in K’tka

BENGALURU, MARCH

19 (IANS): A 45-year-old woman and her two sons died after they came in contact with a live power cable that had snapped and fallen to the ground due to high-speed winds. The incident occurred in Chincholi town in Karnataka on Sunday morning. The deceased have been identified as Jharanamma Ambanna Basagond (45), her sons Mahesh Ambanna Basagond (20) and Suresh Ambanna Basagond (18). Their bodies have been shifted for post-mortem to Chandapur taluk hospital.

Four killed in MP road mishap

JHABUA, MAR 19 (PTI):

Four persons, three of them minors, were killed when an unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district, police said on Sunday. The accident took place at around 11 pm on Saturday at Umra Falia area in Mundat village, around 25 km from the district headquarters, Kalyanpura police station in-charge Kaushalya Chauhan told PTI.

Four youths drown in Rajasthan pond

JAIPUR, MAR 19 (PTI): Four youths drowned in a pond in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Sunday, police said. The incident occurred in Ramsar village where the youths had gone to take bath and slipped into deep water, they said. The bodies were shifted to the mortuary of a local hospital for post-mortem. The bodies will be handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem on Monday, police said.

Corrupt protesting action against them: Modi digs at Oppn

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(AGNECIES): In a dig at the previous governments at the Centre, PM Modi on Saturday said news headlines prior to 2014 were mostly about scams worth crores unearthed across sectors and people hitting the streets in protest. “But the headlines today are majorly about the corrupt taking to the streets to protest action in corruption cases,” PM Modi said.

While the country is celebrating the ‘Amrit Kaal’ (golden era) and is on course to mark 100 years of its independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday focussed on the key takeaways of his government in the first 75 days of this year while address the India Today Conclave 2023. PM Modi said, “It’s been 75 days this year. I only want to talk about the past 75 days of this year.

In these 75 days, a historic green Budget was presented and a greenfield airport was inaugurated at Shivamogga, Karnataka. Also, in these 75 days, work on the next

phase of Mumbai’s Metro Rail project was started. It was also in the first 75 days of this year that the world’s longest river cruise was flagged off in the country and the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway was dedicated to the nation.”

He added that a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, facilitating a faster and hassle-free commute between the two cities, was also opened in these 75 days.

“A Vande Bharat train, connecting Mumbai to Visakhapatnam, was flagged off and the permanent campus of IIT Dharwad was also inaugurated in the first 75 days of this year. Also, 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar were named after recipients of the Param Vir Chakra. All these happened in these 75 days,” PM Modi added.

He said the country also witnessed the launch of E-20 fuel after achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, while Asia’s most advanced Helicopter manufacturing facility was inaugurated at Tumkuru in

No opposition front is possible without Congress: Jairam Ramesh

NEW

DELHI, MAR 19

Karnataka in these 75 days.

PM Modi also touched Air India placing bulk aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, marking arguably the biggest-ever aircraft deal in the world.

He added that over the last 75 days, the milestone of 10 crore teleconsultations was achieved through the e-Sanjeevani app, 8 crore new tap water connections were provided, 100 per cent electrification of rail networks was achieved, a new batch of 12 cheetahs arrived at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India’s Women Under-19 team won the inaugural U19 T20 World Cup, and the

Ahead of polls, Ashok Gehlot dismisses ‘small differences’ with Sachin Pilot

New Delhi, MAR 19 (AGENCIES): With months to go for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan later this year, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday dismissed the talks of having differences with Sachin Pilot while adding that “small differences” keep happening in Congress like “all parties”.

In an attempt to show unity in the party, Gehlot said that the leaders in Congress contest and win the elections together and will do so in the upcoming polls as well, reports ANI.

His remarks came

while speaking to the reporter after meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital. “There are no differences...Small differences

keep happening in our party, it happens with all parties in every state. But we’ll contest elections together, win and form the government,” Gehlot said.

country basked in the glory of ‘RRR’ and the ‘Elephant Whisperers’ winning at the Oscars this year.

PM Modi informed further that in the past 75 days, India hosted 28 crucial G20 meetings, the Energy Summit and the Global Millets Conference, adding that more than a hundred countries also took part in the Aero India Summit in Bengaluru, which showcased the country’s prowess in the skies.

Citing the twin Oscar wins, he noted further that Indian films and music were also drawing global attraction. He said India’s millets — Shree Anna — was reaching the far corners of the globe. He stated further that India’s ideas and potential to contribute to the “Global Good’ — be it the International Solar Alliance or the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure — was also being recognised by the world. “This is why the world is saying today that this is India’s moment,” PM Modi said.

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday accused Rahul Gandhi of overstepping all bounds of democracy and said he should be sent packing “lock, stock and barrel” in a democratic manner.

“Those who do not believe in democracy have no place in democracy,” Nadda said in his address after virtually inaugurating the ‘National Youth parliament’ of his party’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, being held in Chennai.

The Congress has become mentally bankrupt, the BJP chief said while alleging that Gandhi “insti-

(PTI): No Opposition front to take on the BJP is possible without the Congress and if a coalition is formed for the 2024 general elections, the party will have a central role in it, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has said.

In an interview with PTI, Ramesh, however, said it was too early to talk about all this right now as the Congress’ first priority was the upcoming elections in Karnataka and the string of state polls this year.

Ramesh’s remarks come after both Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Uttar Pradesh’s Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) saying the two parties would stay away from both the Congress and the BJP, and indicating possible talks with other regional players ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Asked whether the TMC and SP’s actions could jolt Opposition unity, Ramesh said, “The TMC, Samajwadi, people keep meeting, the Third Front, Fourth Front will continue to be formed, but it is neces-

gated” foreign powers like the US and European countries to interfere in India’s internal affairs by claiming that they were “oblivious” while democracy was under threat in India. “Rahul Gandhi has crossed all bounds of democracy,” he said. What kind of statements he makes, Nadda asked, saying people of India do not listen to him, but merely tolerate him.

“Rahul Gandhi not merely insulted the nation by his shameful remarks about the democratic values of India, but also invited the foreign nations to intervene in our country,” the BJP president said. He should be

Mamata scared of losing people’s support: BJP WB President

KOLKATA, MAR 19 (AGENCIES): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scared that she would lose people’s support.

“Three persons died, and the family that came to get a blanket suddenly got so rich. They’re hiring lawyers in the High Court and Supreme Court. This is a political conspiracy.

ED files caveat in SC on K Kavitha’s plea

place at her residence.

On March 15, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Kavitha’s plea challenging the summons of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 24.

ED has asked the MLC to appear again before it on March 16, but she did not appear citing that her plea is pending in SC.

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(AGENCIES): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a caveat application in the Supreme Court on the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha’s plea challenging the summons issued by the probe agency against her in connection to Delhi excise policy case.

A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against them without being heard.

Kavitha, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has approached the Supreme court saying that as per norms, a woman cannot be summoned for questioning before ED in office and her questioning should take

The court has agreed to hear her petition on March 24 in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy case.

The advocate for Kavitha said that a woman is now being summoned by ED for questioning and that it is “completely against the law”.

Kavitha’s lawyer mentioned the plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and sought an urgent hearing on her petitions. The court agreed to list it on March 24.

The court asked what was the urgency in the matter, and the lawyer replied that Kavitha has been asked to appear before ED tomorrow.

Mamata Banerjee is scared that she’s losing people’s support,” Majumdar while referring to a stampede, which claimed the lives of three persons during a blanket distribution program in December 2022, reports ANI. He also added that West Bengal police should visit Uttar Pradesh and learn how they work there.

“This is a political stunt, Mamata Banerjee’s police that sold teachers’

jobs and collected crores of rupees couldn’t arrest those accused in this scam. Bengal police should go to

Uttar Pradesh and see their state”, Majumdar said while speaking to ANI. His remarks come a day after West Bengal Police arrested BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari in connection to the stampede incident.

Tiwari, former mayor of Asansol, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Yamuna Expressway by officials of the Asansol Durgapur Commissionerate on Saturday.

sary to have the Congress in the Opposition.”

“If an Opposition coalition is formed, the Congress will play a central role in it. No front is possible without the Congress. But it is too early to talk about this,” he told PTI.

First there is an election in Karnataka, after that there are elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram, he noted.

“This year, we will be completely busy with state elections, we will see about 2024 elections later,” the former Union minister said.

“Right now meetings will continue, positioning will continue…’I will form a third front, I will form a fourth front, I will form a fifth front’, all this will

continue,” he added. Ramesh asserted that a strengthened Congress is necessary for any opposition alliance, but the party’s priority at the moment was the Karnataka elections, followed by the elections in other states.

“Our (party) president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders will work on whatever strategy has to be prepared and carry out talks with parties regarding the 2024 elections,” he said. Asked whether the TMC staying away from protests by the Opposition on the Adani issue and the NCP not coming all out in support has dented the Opposition unity, he said, “No, I do not think so. The TMC may have its own logic, I do not want to say anything more than that.” He said 16 political parties are united on the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) did not sign the letter to the director of the Enforcement Directorate, but they were with us in spirit if not in body, he said.

VACANCY

Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in History Candidate must be a post graduate in History with 55% marks and NET qualified.

Applications with all academic records from HSLC onwards and testimonials should reach the office of the Principal within 31st March, 2023. Applications with all documents can also be emailed at pccdimapur1985@gmail.com

Candidates who have applied earlier need not apply again. Only short listed candidates will be called for interview. No TA/DA will be admissible.

On December 14, a stampede had broken out in the Asansol district of West Bengal, during the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s blanket distribution ceremony.

According to the district police, the distribution program was arranged without seeking police permission, during which a stampede situation happened.

sent packing in a democratic manner, Nadda said.

The Congress, however, has rejected the BJP’s charge, with Gandhi seeking permission to speak in Parliament to answer the ruling party members’ criticism of his comments in Britain.

The Congress has

claimed that the BJP is “misrepresenting” his remarks to divert attention from the Adani issue. Parliament’s budget session has been a washout since the beginning of its second part on March 13, with the BJP demanding an apology from Gandhi. During his interactions in the UK, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the structures of Indian democracy were under attack and there was a “full-scale assault” on the country’s institutions. Gandhi’s remarks have triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP accusing him of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign interventions.

Jairam Ramesh

Narendra Modi

J P Nadda

Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot

Sukanta Majumdar

K Kavitha

‘No place in democracy for those who don’t believe in it’

Sebi takes stricter approach in IPO clearance

NEW

DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): After the Paytm’s IPO fiasco, Sebi has turned cautious while giving clearance to the initial share sales as it has returned the preliminary papers of half a dozen companies, including Oravel Stays, which operates hospitality chain OYO, in over two months.

These companies have been asked to re-file their draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with certain updates.

Apart from OYO, the firms whose draft papers have been returned by the regulator are -- Go Digit General Insurance Ltd, a firm backed by Canadabased Fairfax Group; homegrown mobile maker Lava International; B2B payments and services provider Paymate India; Fincare Small Finance Bank India and integrated services company BVG India, according to an analysis of data with Sebi.

The six companies had filed their preliminary initial public offering (IPO) papers with Sebi between September 2021 and May 2022 and their papers were returned

during January-March (till March 10).

Together, these companies were hoping to raise at least Rs 12,500 crore.

Sebi has become stricter in its approach while giving its go-ahead to IPOs after investors lost their money in some of the highprofile initial shares in 2021 and according to data compiled by Primedatabase. com, the average time taken by the markets regulator in approving an IPO in 2022 was 115 days.

“After the IPO fiasco following the listing of new age digital companies like Paytm, Zomato and Nykaa in which investors lost heavily, Sebi has tightened the approval norms for IPOs.

This is welcome and is in the interest of investors,”

VK Vijayakumar, Chief In-

vestment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said. However, ultimately investors have to apply their minds while applying for IPOs and avoid high-priced issues, he added.

One97 Communications, the parent entity of digital payments firm Paytm, made a disappointing debut on the bourses in November 2021. The company’s Rs 18,300-crore IPO was the biggest on Dalal Street after Coal India. The digital payment firm stock was still trading 72 per cent lower from its issue price.

Prakhar Pandey, Founder and CEO of Moolaah, believes that the recent move by Sebi gives a strong message to merchant bankers to fully comply with the set of information required to furnish the draft prospectus, and disclose all material information required well in advance, rather than a complete back and forth between the bankers, IPObound firms and regulators.

Earlier, Sebi continued to give grace periods to most firms, to file their full set of compliant documents, which used to lead to a high

Over 100 delegates to take part in G20 event...

(From p-1)

A cultural evening and dinner would be organised at Kisama Naga Heritage Village where the Hornbill Festival would be showcased for the guests.

Claiming that the State government was fully prepared and all set to host the G20 event at Kohima, he mentioned that India’s year-long presidency of G20, which began in December 2022, was a matter of

NEW DELHI, MAR

19 (AGENCIES): Nirav

Modi, a once-prominent billionaire diamond merchant, is currently facing his worst financial phase yet. Modi’s downfall began in 2019 after he was arrested by London police for his alleged involvement in major financial irregu -

great honour for the country. As per the G20 calendar, meetings would be held yearround in over 33 cities. Alam said preparations were underway for a grand welcome of the G20 delegates who would reach the State. He mentioned that the airport, roads and venues were being revamped for the grand event. He expressed the hope that the State would be able to attract investments through such events.

larities linked to the Punjab National Bank (PNB), which involved thousands of croresm, Business Today reported.

As per recent reports, Nirav Modi’s company Firestar Diamond International Pvt Ltd (FDIPL) has a meagre bank balance of Rs 236. One of the bank accounts

of Modi’s firm has only Rs 236 remaining, as Kotak Mahindra Bank transferred Rs 2.46 crore to SBI towards income tax dues, while two other banks, Union Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra, only transferred a portion of the total amount due, according to a Times of India report.

Over 4300 contractors in Nagaland

gestation period, as high as four months as of last year. This could lead to a big distortion in terms of the IPO price band, he added. So far this year, only nine companies have approached Sebi with their draft IPO papers amid extremely volatile market conditions and jittery investors’ sentiments. Moreover, only two companies -- Divgi Torqtransfer Systems and Global Surfaces -- have floated their initial share sales to raise Rs 730 crore since the beginning of the year, while Udayshivkumar’s Rs 66 crore-IPO is slated to open next week. This came after 38 companies collectively garnered close to Rs 59,000 crore through IPOs in 2022, which was much lower than Rs 1.2 lakh crore mopped up by 63 companies in 2021, which was the IPO year in a decade.

The overall collection in 2022 would have been much lower had it not been for the Rs 20,557 crore-LIC public offer, which constituted as much as 35 per cent of the total amount raised during the year.

Rahul sends preliminary reply to Delhi Police notice on ‘sexual assault on...

Investors remained jittery throughout 2022 on recessionary fears and rising interest rates amid soaring inflation.

Experts believe that some activity on the IPO front could only be seen in the second half of financial year 2023-24.

“A host of factors like rising interest rates, a global banking crisis, FPI outflows, slow economic growth, taming inflation, and certain governance issues across large corporations with low earnings and high valuation multiples, are driving factors for the correction in the market.

“These challenges, once fully tackled, is when we might see private companies hitting public markets, probably in the second half of FY24, and existing IPO applications at Sebi might want to wait out this period of lull, to derail these pessimistic market sentiments,” Pandey said.

Considering the turbulence in the market now, only attractively priced good companies will get a good response from investors, Geojit’s Vijayakumar said.

(From p-1) The NCSU president further stated that the profession would flourish in the State only if there were industries and asserted that the contractors in Nagaland had the capacity to take up big projects and compete with their counterparts outside. He stressed that the contractors of Nagaland needed to go out and grab tenders at the national and even international level. He noted that Naga ladies took risk in their business and travelled to countries like China and Thailand to bring their goods, while Naga men were content with their business in the State and did not venture out. Pele Khezhie opined that the contractors could generate employment too as projects often required huge manpower, but lamented that they had to depend on outsiders, mostly Bangladeshi immigrants, as locals were allergic to hard labour. He also lamented that the State government was not implementing the 2006 rules and regulations and was still using the 1965 Assam rules only.

(From p-1)

According to the police, Gandhi stated in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that “I have heard that women are still being sexually assaulted”, and since the Yatra had passed through Delhi also, they wanted to ascertain if any victim had approached the Congress leader here so that they can initiate a probe into the matter.

“The police had asked him to give details of these victims so that security could be provided to them,” an official said. Sending a preliminary reply a little before 4 pm, Gandhi termed the police action “unprecedented” and asked whether this had anything to do with his position taken both inside and outside Parliament

on the Adani issue, sources said. According to them, Gandhi also asked what was the urgency on the part of the Delhi Police in making two visits in as many days after an initial gap of 45 days after he made his speech in Srinagar. The former Congress chief, the sources said, asked whether any other political party, including the ruling party, has been subjected to such kind of scrutiny or questioning over their political campaigns.

An angry Congress has condemned the Delhi Police action and attacked the Central government, calling it the “worst case of harassment and political vendetta”, but the BJP rejected the charge and said the police was “only discharging its lawful duty”.

First session of the 14th Assembly from today

(From p-1)

It may be mentioned that the current House also has the highest number of political parties’ representatives in the state’s history. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has seven MLAs, the National People’s Party (NPP) five legislators, the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Lok Jan Shakti (Ram Vilas) and Republican Party of India (Athawale) two each, while the JD(U) has one member and four are Independent MLAs.

Adani Group suspends work on Rs 34,900 cr petchem project: Report

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): Adani Group has suspended work on a Rs 34,900 crore petrochemical project at Mundra in Gujarat as it focuses on resources to consolidate operations and address investor concerns following a damning report by a US-based short seller, sources said.

The group’s flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) had in 2021 incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Mundra Petrochem Ltd for setting up a greenfield coal-to-PVC plant at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) land in Kutch district of Gujarat. But after Hindenburg Research’s January 24 report alleging accounting fraud, stock manipulations and other corporate governance lapses chopped

off about USD 140 billion from the market value of Gautam Adani’s empire, the apples-to-airport group is hoping to claw back and calm jittery investors and lenders through a comeback strategy.

The comeback strategy is based on addressing investor concerns around debt by repaying some loans, consolidating operations, and fighting off allegations.

The group has denied all allegations levelled by Hindenburg. As part of this, projects are being reevaluated based on cashflow and finance available. And of the projects the group has decided not to pursue for the time being is the 1 million tonne per annum Green PVC project, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. The group has shot

off mails to vendors and suppliers to “suspend all activities” on immediate basis.

In the mails, seen by PTI, the group has asked them to “suspend all activities of the scope of work and performance of all obligations” for Mundra Petrochem Ltd’s Green PVC project “till further notice. This is the following “unforeseen scenario”. The management, it said, was “re-evaluating various project/s being implemented at group level in different business verticals. Based on future cash flow and finance, some of the project/s are being re-evaluated for its continuation and revision in the timeline.”

Reached for comments, a group spokesperson said AEL will be evaluating the status of growth projects in the primary industry verticals over the coming months. “The balance sheet of each of our independent portfolio companies is very strong. We have industryleading project development and execution capabilities, strong corporate governance, secure assets, and strong cash flows, and our business plan is fully funded. We remain focused on executing our previously outlined strategy to create value for our stakeholders,” the spokesperson said. “AEL will be evaluating the

status of growth projects in the primary industry vertical over the coming months”. The unit was to have a poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) production capacity of 2,000 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) requiring 3.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coal that was to be imported from Australia, Russia and other countries. PVC is the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic. It finds wide applications – from flooring to making sewage pipes and other pipe applications, in insulation on electrical wires, packaging and manufacture of aprons etc.

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Fugitive Nirav Modi’s company has only Rs 236 in bank account: Report

SNIPPETS

Palestinian militant group: commander assassinated in Syria

DAMASCUS, MAR 19

(AP): A commander in the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad was killed in Syria on Sunday in what it described as an assassination by Israeli agents. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, said in a statement that Ali Ramzi alAswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning in the Damascus countryside in a “cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the Zionist enemy,” referring to Israel.

There was no immediate statement from Israel on Sunday’s alleged assassination.

At least 5 killed in Ghana boat accident

ACCRA, MAR 19

(IANS): At least five people were killed After a boat capsized in southern Ghana’s Lake Volta, local authorities confirmed.

Daniel Adzakpa, an assembly member of Azizakpe Electoral Area, said the passenger boat carrying about 25 mourners from Azizanya to Azizakpe, near Ada in the Greater Accra Region, capsized following a strong storm, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the boat was overloaded, and all passengers on board were not wearing life jackets.

Ebenezer TeyeNartey Kisseh, Ada district coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, told news agency that the storm broke the boat in two, throwing all the passengers into the river. “Rescuers are still searching for survivors.”

Nepal PM confident of winning vote of confidence

KATHMANDU, MAR

19 (PTI): Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday exuded confidence that he will comfortably win a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Monday.

Prachanda requires to seek a vote of confidence as two parties in the seven-party allianceRastriya Prajatantra Party and CPN-UML - withdrew support to the government. They refused to endorse Prachanda’s proposal to back Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Paudel for the post of president.

Prachanda comfortably passed the floor test on January 10 with 268 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR), after all parties except the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and the Rastriya Janamorcha voted in favour of the government.

US warns about fake, dangerous pills being sold in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, MAR

19 (AP): The US State Department has issued a travel warning about dangerous counterfeit pills being sold at pharmacies in Mexico that often contain fentanyl.

The travel alert posted on Friday says Americans should “exercise caution when purchasing medication in Mexico.”

Small pharmacies in tourist areas and border regions sometimes sell medications advertised as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax and others without a prescription.

The State Department warned that such pills are often counterfeit and “may contain deadly doses of fentanyl.”

Strong earthquake kills at least 14 in Ecuador, 1 in Peru

QUITO

(ECUADOR),

MAR 19 (AP): A strong earthquake shook southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, trapping others under rubble, and sending rescue teams out into streets littered with debris and fallen power lines.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a magnitude of about 6.8 that was centered just off the Pacific Coast, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second-largest city. One of the victims died in Peru, while 14 others died in Ecuador, where authorities also reported that at least 126 people were injured.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso told reporters the earthquake had “without a doubt ... generated alarm in the population.” Lasso’s office in a statement said 12 of the victims died in the coastal state of El Oro and two in the highlands state of Azuay.

In Peru, the earthquake was felt from its northern border with Ecuador to the central Pacific

coast. Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola said a 4-year-old girl died from head trauma she suffered in the collapse of her home in the Tumbes region, on the border with Ecuador.

One of the victims in Azuay was a passenger in a vehicle crushed by rubble from a house in the Andean community of Cuenca, according to the Risk Management Secretariat, Ecuador’s emergency response agency.

In El Oro, the agency also reported that several people were trapped under rubble. In the community

Russian president Putin visits occupied city of Mariupol

Putin in his confrontation with the West.

of Machala, a two-story home collapsed before people could evacuate, a pier gave way and a building’s walls cracked, trapping an unknown number of people.

The agency said firefighters worked to rescue people while the National Police assessed damage, their work made more difficult by downed lines that interrupted telephone and electricity service.

Machala resident Fabricio Cruz said he was in his third-floor apartment when he felt a strong tremor and saw his television hit the ground. He immedi -

Serbian president criticises ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin

BELGRADE (SERBIA),

MAR 19 (AP): Issuing an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin will have negative consequences and will only prolong the war in Ukraine, Serbia’s president said on Sunday.

The International Criminal Court issued the warrant for the Russian leader on Friday, accusing him of war crimes. The ICC accused him of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine during Russia’s fullscale invasion of its neighbour that started almost 13 months ago.

But Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic, who had in the past boasted about his personal relation with the Russian leader, criticised the court’s decision.

“I think issuing an arrest warrant for Putin, not to go into legal matters, will have bad political consequences and it says that there is a great reluctance to

talk about peace (and) about truce” in Ukraine, Vucic told reporters in Belgrade.

“My question is now that you have accused him of the biggest war crimes, who are you going to talk to now?” Vucic said.

“Do you really think that it is possible to defeat Russia in a month, three months or a year?” he asked, adding: “There is no doubt that the goal of those who did this is to make it difficult for Putin to communicate, so that everyone who talks to him is aware that he is accused of war crimes.”

Asked if Putin would be arrested if he comes to

Serbia, Vucic said that it is “a pointless question, because it is clear that as long as the conflict (in Ukraine) continues, Putin has nowhere to go.”

Although Serbia is seeking European Union membership, it has maintained close ties to Russia and is the only European state that has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow.

Vucic, a strong opponent of international war crimes courts, was a ranking official of an ultranationalist party whose leader Vojislav Seselj and several other members ended up in the international war crimes court on trials for crimes they committed during the wars in the 1990s.

In the late 1990s, Vucic was information minister in the government of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic during the war in Kosovo where Serb troops were accused of various war crimes committed against Kosovo Albanian separatists.

Pakistan police register terrorism case against ex-PM Imran Khan

hicles and seven motorcycles were burned, and the official vehicle of the station house officer (SHO) was damaged,” it added.

Khan, 70, arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to appear before the court. He was accompanied by his supporters in a convoy.

ately headed out.

“I heard how my neighbors were shouting and there was a lot of noise,” said Cruz, a 34-year-old photographer. He added that when he looked around, he noticed the collapsed roofs of nearby houses.

Ecuador’s government also reported damages to health care centers and schools. Lasso said he would travel on Saturday to El Oro.

In Guayaquil, about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Quito, authorities reported cracks in buildings and homes, as well as some collapsed walls. Authorities ordered the closure of three vehicular tunnels in Guayaquil, which anchors a metro area of over 3 million people.

Videos shared on social media show people gathered on the streets of Guayaquil and nearby communities. People reported objects falling inside their homes. One video posted online showed three anchors of a show dart from their studio desk as the set shook.

KYIV, MAR 19 (AP): Rus-

sian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied port city of Mariupol, his first trip to Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September and a show of defiance after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges. Putin arrived in Mariupol late Saturday after visiting Crimea, southwest of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula’s annexation from Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday. He was shown chatting with Mariupol residents and visiting an art school and a children’s center in Sevastopol, Crimea. Mariupol became a

worldwide symbol of resistance after outgunned and outmanned Ukrainian forces held out in a steel mill there for nearly three months before Moscow finally took control of it in May. Much of the city was pounded to rubble by Russian shelling.

Putin has not commented on the arrest warrant, which deepened his international isolation despite the unlikelihood of him facing trial anytime soon. The Kremlin, which does not recognize the authority of the ICC, has rejected its move as “legally null and void.”

The surprise trip also came ahead of a planned visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, expected to provide a major diplomatic boost to

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told “Fox News Sunday” that any call for a cease-fire in Ukraine coming out of the Putin-Xi meeting would be unacceptable to the U.S. because it would only “ratify Russian’s conquest to date,” and give Moscow “time to refit, retrain, re-man and try to plan for a renewed offensive.”

Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the city’s “memorial sites,” concert hall and coastline, Russian news reports said. The state Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday showed Putin chatting with locals outside what looked like a newly built residential complex, and being shown around one of the apartments.

Following his trip to Mariupol, Putin met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city some 180 kilometers (about 112 miles) farther east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who is in charge of the Russian military operations in Ukraine. Peskov said.

19 killed, 30 injured in Bangladesh bus accident

DHAKA, MAR 19 (PTI): At least 19 people were killed and 30 others injured on Sunday when a speeding bus crashed into a ditch in Bangladesh, officials said.

The Dhaka-bound bus operated by Emad Paribahan veered out of control on the Bangabandhu Expressway at 7.45 am in Madaripur’s Shibchar, Police Superintendent Md Masud Alam said.

The bodies of 14 people have been recovered from the spot, according to Madaripur Deputy Commissioner Rahima Khatun.

She said that three others died on their way to hospitals.

The injured, many in critical condition, were shifted to Shibchar Upazila Health Complex and Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, she said.

The on-duty doctor at the DMCH declared two more dead.

Many of the victims were from Madaripur as the bus from Khulna took passengers aboard in Madaripur.

Expecting to be arrested: Trump calls for protest

“It is believed that the bus went out of control after one of its tyres was punctured. The front to mid portions of the bus sustained severe damage after the vehicle fell into the ditch,” said Shiplu Ahmed, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence in Faridpur. “The accident tumbled the bus some 30 feet into the ditch,” a local journalist told PTI from Shibchar, the scene of the accident which is nearly 80 kilimetres from Dhaka.

SP Md Masud Alam

i

said it was the gravest accident on the expressway since the launch of the Padma Bridge. “The bus accident is believed to have been caused by technical issues and speeding.”

The official said the process of handing over dead bodies was underway.

A committee has been formed to investigate the incident and it will submit its report within two days, Khatun said. The families of the dead will get Tk 25,000 each from the government to meet burial and other costs and the injured

i ST D

will receive Tk 5,000 each, she added.

According to a report in the Daily Star, the bus was operating without any clearance for three months.

The fitness clearance of the vehicle -- Dhaka Metro Ba-15-3348 -- expired in January this year, sources at Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) told the paper. The bus, however, had a valid route permit and tax token, the sources said. Meanwhile, the Highway Police suspected that speeding may have been one of the reasons behind the accident.

“We think the bus was speeding and the driver could not control the bus after one of its tyres leaked,” said Taimur Islam, officer-in-charge of Bhanga Highway Police Station, who rushed to the spot after the accident.

“Everything will be revealed after investigation,” he said, adding that speeding was rampant on this expressway, particularly in the area where the accident took place.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Wokha Region conveys it's heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and all ranks and files of NDPP Central leaders of Nagaland led by Mr. Chingwang Konyak, President NDPP Nagaland and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio under who's able leadership, Nagaland has come this far for all round development, peace, prosperity and towards excellence.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 19

(PTI): Pakistani police on Sunday registered a terrorism case against Imran Khan and over a dozen PTI leaders for indulging in vandalism, attacking security personnel and creating unrest outside the judicial complex here ahead of a court hearing in a graft case involving the ousted premier.

Clashes erupted outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex on Saturday when Khan arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to attend a much-awaited hearing in the Toshakhana case. During the confrontation between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police, over 25 security

personnel were injured, prompting Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal to defer the court hearing till March 30.

The case was registered against arrested PTI workers and wanted party leaders. About 17 PTI leaders were named in the FIR lodged by the Islamabad Police, Geo News reported. The FIR states that the workers damaged the police check post and the main gate of the judicial complex, it said.

As many as 18 people were arrested for arson, pelting stones and breaking the judicial complex’s building, said the FIR.

“About two police ve-

Soon after he departed for Islamabad to attend the hearing, over 10,000 armed Punjab police personnel stormed Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore and arrested dozens of his party workers. The police personnel, using a power shovel, removed the barricades and tents at the entrance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief’s residence and evicted hundreds of his supporters camping there to prevent Khan’s arrest in the Toshakhana case.

They conducted a search at the house after demolishing its main gate and walls. Punjab Police, whose action ended later, were reportedly met with resistance from PTI workers from inside, resulting in violence. About 10 workers were reportedly injured in the police operation in Lahore.

NEW YORK, MAR 19

(AP): Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that his arrest is imminent and issued an extraordinary call for his supporters to protest as a New York grand jury investigates hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president.

Even as Trump’s lawyer and spokesperson said there had been no communication from prosecutors, Trump declared in a post on his social media platform that he expects to be taken into custody on Tuesday. His message seemed designed to preempt a formal announcement from prosecutors and to galvanize outrage from his base of supporters in advance of widely anticipated charges. Within hours, his campaign was sending fundraising solicitations to his supporters, while influential Republicans in Congress.

While congratulating the Central leaders and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, the NDPP Wokha Region has honour to congratulate Mr.Mhathung Yanthan, the lone NDPP successful candidate from Wokha district/Region who has been elected to represent the people of 39 Sanis A/C for the second consecutive term basing on his capabilities and efficiencies with thumping victory by a margin of 9513 votes against the rival, Senkathung Jami, RJD Candidate.

The NDPP Wokha Region also extend their happiness and gratitude to all the supporters and well wishers towards the NDPP Nagaland for their supports and solidarity for the betterment and achievements for the Nagas in general.

Further, the NDPP Wokha Region express it's gratitude to all the NDPP Party workers of 39 Sanis A/C and supporters of Mr. Mhathung Yanthan, the elected NDPP Candidate from 39 Sanis A/C who is oriented for infrastructure developments and people's livelihood. May your expectations and aspirations for the development of the 39 Sanis A/C in particular and Nagaland in general be fulfilled through your co-operation and tolerance.

"FACTA NON VERBA"

Long Live NDPP

BJP Alliance In Nagaland.

Donald Trump

Aleksandar Vucic

Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan dance outside of the Khan house in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday. (AP)

A police officer looks up next to a car crushed by debris after an earthquake shook Cuenca, Ecuador, Saturday. (PTI)

People stand near the wreckage of a bus that fell into a roadside ditch in Shibchar area, Bangladesh, Sunday. (AP)

Putin talks with local residents during his visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Sunday. (AP)

Can HIV self-test help India end AIDS?

Testing is paramount to identify HIV cases, and making selftesting a national policy can certainly pave the way for ending AIDS in India, health experts contended on Sunday.

Globally almost half of the countries (98) have included HIV self-testing policies, and one-fourth nations globally (52) are routinely implementing it. However, India is among the countries that have not yet developed a national policy on HIV self-testing.

“People who have HIV should know their status. Self-testing is a right of everybody,” Dr Ishwar Gilada, President of President, AIDS Society of India (ASI), told IANS at its ongoing three-day 14th National Conference (ASICON) in the national capital.

Not implementing self-tests in India is just “a mindset issue”, Gilada said. “They (the government) unnecessarily thinks that somebody will commit suicide or counselling,” if people get to know their HIV status.

Citing the examples of “self-tests for Covid-19, pregnancy, diabetes,” he said, these “have not only

proven successful in increasing the uptake of tests but also how it links to care services”.

Gilada said that HIV self-test is one of the key cog-in-the-wheel to reaching out to the last mile for the first-95 target.

“There is no reason at all to delay full scale rollout of HIV self-testing in India as well as other countries which are missing leveraging upon this evidence-based intervention,” he noted.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS aims that 95 per cent of people living with HIV must know their status, 95 per cent of them should be on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95 per cent of these must be virally suppressed. ART is the treatment for HIV, and involves taking

a combination of medicines. While it cannot cure HIV, it can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

In India, as of March 2022, 77 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status, 84 per cent of them were on antiretroviral therapy, and 85 per cent of them had viral suppression. This translates into 55 per cent of total people living with HIV in India being virally suppressed in 2021-22 against the target of 86 per cent of them virally suppressed by 2025-26.

“On the other hand, the poorest of the poor countries, including in Africa about 90-95 per cent know their HIV status,” Gilada said.

According to the National AIDS Control Organisation 2022 report, between 2010 and 2021, new infec-

tions declined by 46 per cent whereas the goal was to reduce new HIV infections by 80 per cent by 2025.

“Testing is probably paramount. Every opportunity that we get to test everybody, that means in emergency situations, in family clinics and reproductive health clinics, only then you will be able to know what the magnitude of the infection is,” said Dr Jyoti Dhar, an HIV Physician and GUM (Genitourinary Medicine) Consultant at University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust, UK. It is because in most cases, the samples taken to understand the prevalence rate are usually biased, she told IANS.

But “with self-testing you are empowering people to identify that they have put themselves at risk. With self-testing we can help provide information and make people aware where to go and what to do after being exposed to the virus,” Dhar noted.

She said that in this day of modern technology, where everybody has a smartphone, people do not need to go anywhere anymore. “You can link the test with an online resource,

where patients can fill in a questionnaire, identify if they have put themselves at risk, and seek what they have to do next”.

“That is the type of education and knowledge that we need to instil into the common person,” Dhar said, adding that self-tests should be provided free of cost for people in the poorest sections of society.

It may also help fight the stigma that these patients, particularly the vulnerable populations like the hijra community, face while going for identifying their status, the health experts said.

The positivity rate of HIV in the country shows to be just 0.21 per cent of the whole population or adult population.

“But when you talk about the marginalised population, say men who have sex with men, the positivity rate is 15 to 16 times more, in the hijra community it is more than 15 times, among injection drug users it is 45 times more than the general population,” Gilada said.

“These people do not get tested because of stigma,” he said, and self-tests can help them identify their status. (IANS)

Sonali Kulkarni apologises over ‘Indian girls are lazy’ remark

Actress Sonali Kulkarni, who is known for her work in Marathi cinema and Hindi films like ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Taxi No. 9211, recently said at an event that “Indian girls are lazy.” She said that girls look for well-to-do boyfriends or husbands to fulfil their needs instead of being passionate about their own careers. Soon after the statement came out, the actress started receiving the flak on the Internet. The actress took to her Instagram and shared an apology note. She wrote in the caption: “But you were right! Women who haven’t understood the context probably are hurt but on an honest note, whatever you said was right. Also, it

wasn’t about every woman, it was about a few women who genuinely want it easy.”

The note started off as it read: “I’m overwhelmed with the feedback I’m receiving. I would like to thank all of you, especially the entire press and media for the extremely mature conduct of connecting with me. Being a woman myself,

my intention was not to hurt other women. In fact, I have extensively expressed myself time and again in support of us and what is it being a woman.”

The actress continued in her note: “I’m grateful to all of you for reaching out to me personally to appreciate or to criticise. Hope we will be able to have a more open exchange of thoughts. In my capacity, I am trying to think, support and share warmth not only with women, but with the entire mankind. It will be only strengthening if we women with our vulnerabilities and wisdom shine through as fair and able beings. If we are inclusive and empathetic, we will be able to create a healthier, happier place to be.”(IANS)

Harry Styles called crew members to check they were OK after the stage that he was performing on at the 2023 Grammy Awards spun in the wrong direction.

That’s according to Grammys set designer Julio Himede, who told the BBC’s Eurovisioncast podcast that Styles was courteous and didn’t criticise technicians for the mishap.

Styles “called the team in charge to make sure they were OK,” Himede said.

At the 65th Annual Awards in Los Angeles on February 5, Styles and his dancers were forced to “reverse” their routine live onstage after the revolving stage malfunctioned.

The pop star sang his 2022 hit single ‘As It Was’ and was due to mirror the song’s official video by presenting Styles on spinning turntable alongside a group of backing dancers.

The pop star sang his 2022 hit single ‘As It Was’ at the 65th Annual Awards

in Los Angeles, California last Sunday (February 5).

Himede added that the mishap “was heartbreaking”.

“In rehearsals his performance was so polished. I was sitting there admiring how amazing Harry and his dancers were to just run with it and cope with it. To continue the performance live and all of a sudden think, ‘I have to just go in reverse now’, is quite incredible.”

Himede added that incidents like that why multiple rehearsals are so important for live television, as he went on to discuss his next big project: the set design for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Meanwhile, in other Styles news, Shania Twain has released an official cover of his song ‘Fallen’.

The track, released as part of the singer’s Spotify Sings session on March 15, is also accompanied by Twain’s cover of the Howlin’ Wolf song ‘Spoonful’ and the title track of her recent album, ‘Queen Of Me’.

Twain said of her ‘Falling’ cover in a statement to Stereogum: “I just fell in love with ‘Falling’. I love Harry Styles anyway and his version of the song really moved me and I wanted to try it on. It came out more emotional than I thought it would and I was very pleased – I can kind of hear my pain in it.” (NME)

FELICITATION

The Chumoukedima Longjang Senso Telongjem (CLST) extends heartfelt congratulations to Shri T.N. Manen on his election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly under the 23rd Impur Assembly Constituency. We express our profound gratitude to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Neiphiu Rio for recognizing Shri T. N. Manen's capabilities and appointing him as the Minister of Law & Justice, Land Revenue.

The CLST also expresses gratitude to the people of the 23rd Impur A/C for their support and trust in T.N. Manen and we believe that his appointment will bring positive change in the lives of the people. We wish him all the best in his new role and we are confident that he will serve the people with utmost dedication.

Lastly, the CLST pray that God will bless the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Neiphiu Rio and all the ministers with good health and wisdom to lead the state towards progress and development. May their leadership guide the state towards a brighter future.

Sd/- Sd/-

K. Wati. Aier Imrong Pongen President Secretary

FELICITATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The c henwetnyu Village c ouncil and the c itizens convey hearty cONGRATULATIONS To SHRI. C. L. JOHN, Hon’ble Minister Forest, Environment & climate change, Village Guard for being successfully elected and inducted in the cabinet Minister Berth. Shri. c. L. John, first entered into Nagaland Politics in the year 2004 Bye-Election in NPF Ticket from 45 Tehok A/c. However, could not make it in his first attempt. In the next attempt in the year 2008 11th NLA Election he was elected where he served in the different capacities such as MLA, Minister, Advisor and chairman (MARcOFEd Rd&REPA, Land Resources & dPdB). during those periods, he had done numbers of good things for the welfare of the people of Tehok and State as well. The chenwetnyu, the native village of the Hon’ble Minister express hearty gratitude to all village leaders, Party leaders and general public of 45 Tehok A/c for your tireless work towards the success of this great venture. Above all, we praise our Almighty God for His love and bequeathing blessings for His people.

We also acknowledge Hon’ble chief Minister Shri. Neiphiu Rio and his team for inducting Shri. c. L. John in the cabinet Minister berth as Minister of Forest, Environment & climate change, Village Guard in the present Government. It is our humble prayer that, God will protect from all the dangers and give him and all the honorable incumbents good health and long life. I shall call upon all the leaders and citizens of 45 Tehok A/c to kindly cooperate with our elected member for the benefit of individuals and betterment of the society.

dB-361/23

(PM. NOCKPA KONYAK) chairman, Village council

Harry made check-up calls after Grammys performance went wrong

Indian Wells: Alcaraz set up final clash with Medvedev

INDIAN WELLS (USA), MAR 19 (IANS): Spain’s

Carlos Alcaraz edged Jannik Sinner to reach the finals of Indian Wells and move within one victory of a return to the top of the ATP Rankings.

After Saturday’s

7-6(4), 6-3 triumph -- in which he saved a set point in the opening set, the Spaniard will play his first Indian Wells final against Daniil Medvedev, knowing a win would secure his return to World No. 1. The blockbuster semifinal was the fifth ATP Head to Head meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, and the first since their marathon US Open quarter-final that set a record for the latest New York finish at 2:50 a.m. The Spaniard won their desert showdown in a brisk-by-comparison one hour, 52 minutes to improve to 3-2 in the bud-

ding rivalry. The bulk of the drama came in a back-and-forth opening set as Sinner took full advantage of a dip in level from his opponent to turn a 2-4 deficit into a 5-4 lead, winning 11 straight points in the process. Sinner kept the pressure on to create a set point at 6-5, but a uniquely Alcaraz combination -- big serve, drop shot, volley winner -- erased the chance and

Another hat-trick for Haaland as Man City cruise in FA Cup

ensured the set would be decided in a tie-break.

Encouraged by his escape, the Spaniard powered through the tie-break, a pair of backhand blasts on set point sealing the deal.

Alcaraz’s Sunday meeting with Medvedev will be the pair’s second ATP Head to Head matchup, with Medvedev winning their previous meeting in straight sets at Wimbledon in 2021. The fifth

Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden clinch men’s doubles title

India’s Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden won the Indian Wells Masters men’s doubles title, defeating World No.1 Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final, here on Sunday.

seed brings a 19-match and three-tournament winning streak into the title match. Sinner, who made history by becoming the first Italian man to reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals or semi-finals, moved up two places to No. 11 in the ATP Live Rankings behind his run to the last four. He was seeking the biggest win of his career by measure of the ATP Rankings against World No. 2 Alcaraz.

The victory marks Bopanna and Ebden’s first Masters 1000 title as a team, and their second in their first season as a pairing.

Indian veteran Bopanna, who turned 43 on March 4, became the oldest man to ever win a Masters 1000 doubles title, surpassing his former partner Daniel Nestor. He is also the first Indian man to claim the Indian Wells Masters doubles title since Leander Paes in 2007.

After splitting the first

two sets, Ebden and Bopanna lost the first point of the champion’s tiebreak to the comeback-minded World No.1s. They bounced back immediately, claiming the next two points, and never trailed from that point on, converting their second championship point after

ters. Their opening victory came in a Match Tie-break against Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez.

Bopanna was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final and now holds 24 tour-level trophies following the victory. A former World No. 3, Bopanna moved up four places to No. 11 in the ATP Live Doubles Rankings behind the trophy run.

LONDON, MAR 19

(IANS): Erling Haaland scored his second hat-trick of the week as Manchester City cruised into the semifinals of the FA Cup with a 6-0 home win over Burnley. There had been controversy when City coach Pep Guardiola substituted Haaland with half an hour left in their 7-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek, but the Norwegian showed the wisdom of Guardiola’s decision with goals in the 32nd and 35th minutes on Saturday night.

He completed his hattrick in the 59th minute, before his striker partner Julian Alvarez got in on the act with two goals and Cole Palmer also scored, a Xinhua report said.

In the Premier League, Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Everton, who took a valuable point after Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ellis Simms cancelled out Joao Felix’s goal and Kai Havertz’s 76th minute penalty. James Ward-Prowse’s injury-time penalty capped Southampton’s fightback from 3-1 down to save a valuable point at home in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Pedro Porro put Tottenham ahead at the end of the first half, only for Che Adams to level in the 46th minute.

Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic looked to have sealed a win for Spurs with goals in the 65th and 74th minute, but Theo Walcott gave Southampton hope with 13 minutes remaining and Ward-Prowse capped the comeback from the penalty spot.

Leeds United took a big step towards safety with a 4-2 win away to Wolves, thanks to goals from Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and Rodrigo Moreno, while a bad day for Wolves also saw Jonny Castro and Matheus Nunes sent off in the closing minutes.

Goals from Douglas Luis, Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendia gave Aston Villa a comfortable 3-0 win at home over Bournemouth, while Leicester City ended a four-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw away to Brentford.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION

WHICH INSTITUTE WILL YOU JOIN FOR NPSC 2023? OUT OF 30+ COACHING CENTRES, WHICH MAY SOON BE 50+

WHEN YOU VISIT ANY CENTRE

 ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

 SEEK FOR SPECIFIC ANSWERS

 CHECK ON CLAIMS MADE IN ADS (CLAIMS MAY BE OF ALL KINDS TRUE, FAKE, VAGUE, MISLEADING ETC.)

MAKE AN INFORMED AND WISE DECISION

ON TS

45% OFF FOR ALL ADMISSIONS

TILL 25TH MARCH

60+ CLEARED NPSC PRELIM 2022

with the

one hour and 25 minutes.

Earlier, the IndianAustralian pairing knocked off defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in Friday’s semi-finals and beat Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quar-

HUNDREDS OF SELECTIONS IN NPSC FOR A DECADE HIGHEST BY ANY INSTITUTE IN NAGALAND EVER

ASK THESE QUESTIONS AT ANY COACHING CENTRE

1. Date Of Inception

2. Number Of Batches who appeared in NPSC Prelim so far few Centres which Started in 2018-19, still claim Historic Results Of 1ST BATCH & 1ST ATTEMPT ) Did they TRULY have 1 batch in around 4 years? In 2022, such centres already published numbers like 9 out of 19 or 12 out of 32 from “FIRST BATCH” clearing NPSC PRELIM 2021, DIDN’T THEY? NICSE is the only institute which publishes genuine results, which are the highest every year, for a decade.

3. How many hours of classes in total do they deliver in a course? It’s only NICSE which specifically mentions & delivers most extensive NPSC/UPSC courses in Nagaland of 300 hrs, 500 hrs, 650 hrs, & 800 hrs of classes in 4 different courses. No other centre mentions with clarity.

4. How many hours in each subject do they deliver in a course? It’s only NICSE which specifically mentions & delivers each subject for NPSC/UPSC with same consistency over a decade. No other centre mentions with clarity.

5. How many full pattern NPSC PRE, NPSC MAINS, UPSC PRE MOCK TESTS do they take during a course & in what interval? It’s only NICSE which specifically mentions & takes the largest number of tests in Nagaland.

6. What is the total quantity & coverage of materials given by them? SEE SAMPLES or full set of materials. It’s only NICSE which specifically mentions and provides the most extensive & most exam relevant materials.

7. What Additionals do they provide with the course? It’s only NICSE which provides: FREE 2.5 GB/day data, THE HINDU E-paper, FREE reference books & many more. No other institute provides a single additional of this category.

8. SPECIFIC QUESTION FOR SOME FRANCHISE CENTRES: Do they have civil service courses outside Nagaland? If not, then 28+ years of excellence in Civil Service Exams, is FAKE, isn’t it? Ask for evidence, not alone testimonials, for 3 claimed selections in NPSC 2021-22, who were in reality NICSE regular students. Testimonials can be created by ANYONE with NICSE students or few NICSE ex-teachers but evidence can’t.

LIES & FAKE RESULTS PROMOTED EVERYDAY IN ADS, DON’T BECOME TRUTH. WHY LYING IF QUALITY IS GREAT?

On the other hand, Ebden, who won the 2022 Wimbledon title with fellow Aussie Max Purcell, won his ninth tour-level title and his first at the ATP Masters 1000 level. The 35-year-old moved up 19 places to No. 18 in the ATP Live Doubles Rankings this tournament, setting himself up for a new career high on Monday.

LATE IMSÜLILA JAMIR

7th March 1977 to 13th March 2023

“Life has to end, Love doesn’t”

The family members of Late Imsülila Jamir, W/o Marzulu Tzudir would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who sympathized with us in our time of grief on her death. We wish to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our relatives, friends, neighbours, wellwishers and those who have travelled long distances to share our grief and comfort us with your kind presence, floral tributes, messages and financial assistance. We regret our inability to thank each and every individual. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our gratefulness.

Carlos Alcaraz

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden

trophy.

Erling Haaland

2nd ODI: Aus thrash India by 10 wickets

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAR 19 (IANS): A tremendous display of spectacular hitting from Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head coupled with Mitchell Starc’s ninth five-wicket haul helped Australia power to a serieslevelling victory with a tenwicket thrashing of India in the second ODI at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy

ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

After Starc, who had picked a three-fer in the first ODI in Mumbai, produced yet another stunning exhibition of early swing bowling to scythe through the top order and then took out Mohammed Siraj to finish with 5-53 to bowl out India for 117, Marsh and Head thrashed Indian bowlers all around the park to chase down the total with 39 balls to spare. The result meant the series scoreline is now at 1-1, with the series decider to be held in Chennai on Wednesday. For India, who lost four wickets in Power-play for the first time since the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal

brace of fours in the second over, Marsh continued from where he left off in the first ODI at Mumbai.

deep mid-wicket and longon to reach his fifty in just 28 balls.

Head feasted on Axar’s deliveries with a cut through point and whipped past short fine leg to get back-to-back boundaries as the opening partnership raised its century in just 8.5 overs. Marsh welcomed Kuldeep Yadav by pulling him to the second tier over deep midwicket for six before Head went back to pull through the same region for four.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh run between the wickets during the second ODI in Visakhapatnam, Sunday. (PTI) loss to New Zealand, this was a highly disappointing outing in all departments of the game.

Four batters fell for ducks as India crashed to their fourth-lowest total at home. With the ball, they were just relentless -

ly thrashed by Marsh and Head as Australia completely outplayed them in every aspect.

In chasing 118, Head and Marsh were able to give a powerful start to Australia. While Head clipped and flayed off Siraj for a

He began by punching Mohammed Shami between cover and point for four, followed by lofting over mid-on in the third over. He welcomed Siraj by standing tall to flay past cover before Head pulled a short ball off him through square leg for the second four of the fourth over. Marsh continued his dominance by flicking, punching and pulling Shami for two fours and a six in the fifth over. Head took it to another level by pulling Siraj twice, apart from flicking and punching for four straight boundaries in the sixth over as Australia reached 66/0. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s introduction in the seventh over couldn’t stop Marsh as he creamed a drive through cover for four. He then welcomed Hardik Pandya in the next over by slamming a six down the ground, followed by clubbing back-to-back sixes over

After being dropped by Shami running in from long-on, Head got his fifty in 29 balls. Marsh finished off the chase in 11 overs with a square drive through point off Axar for four to complete Australia’s thrashing of India with 234 balls to spare.

Brief scores: India 117 all out in 26 overs (Virat Kohli 31, Axar Patel 29 not out; Mitchell Starc 5-53, Sean Abbott 3-23) lost to Australia 121 for no loss in 11 overs (Mitchell Marsh 66 not out, Travis Head 51 not out) by ten wickets

Nikhat, Manisha into pre-QFs of Women’s World Boxing C’ships

NEW DELHI, MAR 19

(PTI): Star Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen outpunched Algeria’s Boualam Roumaysa to secure a pre-quarterfinal berth in the Women’s World Championships here on Sunday.

Last edition’s bronze medallist Manisha Maun (57kg) too advanced to the round of 16 with a 5-0 win against Rahimi Tina of Australia.

Competing in the 50kg event, Nikhat beat the reigning African champion by a similar margin to

notch her second win in the tournament.

Both boxers held themselves back initially and maintained a safe distance. Nikhat, who won gold in the last edition, drew first blood. The Algerian followed suit as the two pugilists tried to get the better of each another.

If Nikhat landed a few combination punches, Roumaysa capitalised on the Indian boxer’s open stance to land several blows.

However, the first

round went in Nikhat’s favour and the Indian began the next round by going all out. Roumaysa too looked

set to come forward and attack. Both boxers played with aggression and resort-

ed to a lot of body clinching but, in the end, much to delight of the Indian fans at the KD Jadhav Stadium, Nikhat emerged victorious.

Manisha, on the hand, made an aggressive start. She danced around the ring, dominating the bout. She mixed offence and defence, fighting from a distance. With the crowd chanting her name, Manisha played with confidence as she patiently waited for the right time to punch her opponent.

ROME, MAR 19 (IANS): Zlatan Ibrahimovic chalked up another record on Saturday, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Serie A, but it was not enough as AC Milan capitulated to Udinese 3-1 away. The Rossoneri were in dire need of a boost after only snatching one point from the previous two rounds. Olivier Giroud sat out, so Ibrahimovic got his first start this season on late Saturday night.

The home side took a good start just nine minutes into the game, when Milan

defender Ismael Bennacer’s wayward pass sparked their counter-attack. Lazar Samardzic charged forward and assisted Roberto Pereyra to finish with a low strike, a Xinhua report said. The moment came in the 45th minute, when Ibrahimovic converted a retaken penalty, which made him the oldest goalscorer aged 41 years and 166 days. The previous record was set by another Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta who also scored against Udinese through a spotkick in 2007.

The long stoppage time before the break allowed Udinese to restore the lead as Isaac Success rolled across from the byline, before Beto turned it in from a close range. Udinese added another in the 69th minute when Kingsley Ehizibue tapped the ball in at the back post to seal the win, ruining Ibrahimovic’s milestone night. Milan still rank fourth with 48 points, but would drop to fifth should Roma beat or draw with Lazio on Sunday.

Nikhat Zareen & Manisha Maun