11 Feb 2023

Nagaland Post

1st Test, Day 2: India lead Aus by 144 runs

183 in fray for Feb 27 Assembly polls: CEO

BJP’s Kazheto elected unopposed

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 10 (NPN): Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland V. Shashank Shekhar informed a total 183 candidates out of 225 who filed nominations will be contesting in the February 27 assembly polls including four women candidates, while BJP candidate from Akuluto constituency Kazheto Kinimi was declared elected unopposed.

Addressing the media here on Friday evening, he said that out of 225 nominations, 25 were found invalid, while 16 candidates withdrew their candidatures till Friday evening. The 16 candidates who withdrew from

No ‘Cow Hug Day’ on Feb 14, Centre withdraws appeal

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): Amid widespread criticism on social media, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on Friday said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’ following directions from the government. February 14 is observed as Valentine’s Day across the world.

“As directed by the Competent Authority and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn,” board’s secretary SK Dutta said in a notice posted on its website. It was for the first time that the AWBI had appealed to cow lovers in the country to celebrate ‘Cow Hug Day’.

NEET-PG to be held on March 5

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(IANS): The National Eligibility cum Entrance TestPostgraduate (NEET PG 2023) will be conducted as per the schedule date on March 5, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Mandaviya said that the decision to not postpone NEET PG 2023 has been taken to streamline the process to avoid further delay in the exam and counselling process caused due to COVID-19.

This is it!

the race included-- P. Engo Konyak (RPI-A) 47 Aboi, H.B. Moba LJP (RV) 55Tobu; Kelhouneizo Yhome IND 10-Northern Angami-1; L. Shiakpong Konyak IND 55-Tobu; Y. Belong Chingmei IND 50-Longleng; R. Kilimong Yimchunger IND 60-Pungro-Kiphire; Kishan Lal Gupta IND 1-DimapurI; Supu Jamir IND 2-DImapur-II; Er. L. Tongpang Longkumer IND 24-Angetyongpang; N. Khekashe Sumi INC 31-Akuluto; Y.M. Yollow Konyak LJP (RV) 42-Wakching; Thongwang Konyak JD(U) 46-Mon Town; Kyupise Sangtam IND 59-Seyochung Sitimi; P. Mulang INC 56-Noklak; Kenyuseng Tep IND

12-Tseminyu and Gwalozu Kath IND 12-Tseminyu. He further informed that the assembly constituencies with highest number of candidates— six each, were in 6 Tenning AC, 39 Sanis AC and 45 Tehok. Out of 13,16,064 eligible voters, 7982 were service voters while 4 Ghaspani-I has highest number of voters (74,395) and Mokokchung Town the lowest (8,302).

CEO said 12 political parties were in the fray with NDPP fielding 40 candidates, BJP-20, INC-23, NPF -22, NCP-12, NPP-12, LJP(RV) 15, RPI (A) 9, JDU7, RJD-3 CPI and RPP one each and 19 Independent candidates.

In a major boost to the BJP ahead of the polls, party candidate Kazheto Kinimi was reelected unopposed from Akuluto assembly constituency after his lone opponent N Khekashe Sumi of the Congress withdrew his candidature on Friday, the last date of withdrawal before the February 27 assembly polls.

Moldovan prime minister resigns; govt collapses

This was informed by Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland V. Shashank Shekhar at the press conference held on Friday evening.

It may be mentioned that Kazheto won the 2018 election from Akuluto constituency, as BJP candidate, by a 735 margin against NPF’s Khekaho Assumi.

Naddatoreleasemanifestonextweek

IANS adds: BJP national president J.P. Nadda will release election manifestos for poll-bound Meghalaya and Nagaland next week. According to a party source, “The BJP President is supposed to travel to the two poll-bound states next week. He will release the poll manifestos for both the states on two different days next week.”

While he will launch the ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Nagaland on February 14, the manifesto for Meghalaya will be released on February 15, the source added.

“The manifestos will focus on the youths of the two states along with development of infrastructure and tourism. Security and women’s safety will also be key focus areas in both the states,” the source said.

DMC parking at New Market to be operational

DIMAPUR,

FEB

10

(NPN): Dimapur police have informed that the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) market cum parking facility at New Market has been completed and would be operational shortly.

Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Kevithuto

Polls: `1.14 cr worth seizure on February 9

Sophie, stated that to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, one-way traffic regulations would be put into place with effect from February 13.

All vehicles proceeding towards New Market from NL Road side would enter only through the market area and would exit towards GS

r oad. Parking for vehicles entering from NL Road is only permitted below the newly constructed parking area where specific parking locations for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Further, all vehicles proceeding towards New Market from Dhobinala side would enter only through the newly constructed parking facility and would exit towards NL Road. Parking for vehicles entering from Dhobinala side is only permitted on the newly constructed parking facility. Parking for four-wheelers would be strictly prohibited from army supply police point towards New Market entrance.

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): Chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland has informed that seizure made by various enforcement agencies both central and state on February 9 was worth Rs. 1,14,27,070. They included cash Rs.10477220, liquor 1180.02 litre worth Rs. 1262600 and drugs/narcotics seized worth Rs. 466600. The total seizure, from the date of announcement till February 9, is Rs.35.60 crore, which include cash Rs. 2.71 crore, IMLF Rs. 3.72 crore, drugs/ narcotics Rs. 25.70 crore and freebies/other items Rs. 3.46 crore.

Huge piece of Sun breaks off, scientists stunned

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): A huge part of the Sun broke off of its surface and created a tornado-like swirl around its North Pole. Even though researchers are working to understand how it happened, a purported video of the event has shocked the space community.

The extraordinary phenomenon was captured by NASA’s James Webb telescope and announced last week on Twitter by space weather forecaster Dr. Tamitha Skov.

Scientists are more concerned about the most recent development because the Sun continues to emit solar

flares (also known as prominences) that can occasionally interfere with communications on Earth.

“Discuss the polar vortex! Material from a northern prominence recently detached from the main filament and is now revolving around the star’s north pole in a huge polar vortex.

The implications for com -

prehending the dynamics of the Sun’s atmosphere above 55 degrees cannot be overstated!” Last week, Dr. Skov stated in a tweet.

The prominence, as defined by NASA, is a sizable bright feature extending from the Sun’s surface. Although there have been other instances of this kind, the scientific communi -

ty is baffled by this one.

“Additional observations of the #SolarPolarVortex show that material travelled around the pole at a latitude of about 60 degrees in about 8 hours. This means that 96 kilometres per second, or 60 miles per second, is the upper bound for the estimation of the horizontal wind speed in this event.” Dr. Skov stated in a later tweet.

A piece of the prominence broke off and was whipped into the solar atmosphere, according to solar physicist Scott McIntosh of the US National Centre for Atmospheric Research, who has been observing the Sun for decades.

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): NSCN/GPRN (Khango) said it was amused at the persistent media coverage and writeups in print media by few “misguided party workers” by colluding with impeached ato kilonser Isak Sumi to garner public sympathy and support through misleading and fabricated stories, now and then.

In a press note issued through its MIP, the organisation said usage of NSCN/GPRN-K nomenclature by a “group of selforganised gang” stationed at a private residence proclaiming to be mandated

‘Misconceived’: SC junks plea

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (IANS):

Supreme Court on Friday orally queried how can a documentary affect the country, as it junked a plea seeking a complete ban on BBC in India over its documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and allegations linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh termed the PIL -- filed by the president of Hindu Sena seeking a ban on the BBC for airing the documentary, ‘India: The Modi Question’ on the 2002 Gujarat riots -- as “completely misconceived”.

During the hearing, the bench queried as to how can a documentary affect the country, as it told the petitioner’s counsel, “Completely misconceived, how can this be argued also? You want us to put complete censorship? What is this?”

Senior advocate Pinky

to

ban BBC in India over Modi documentary

Anand, representing the petitioner, urged the bench to hear the petitioner and argued that the BBC was “deliberately maligning India’s image”.

The court also declined a request by Anand to tag the petition with a pending joint petition filed by journalist N. Ram, advocate Prashant Bhushan and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and another one filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma.

Earlier this month, the top court, acting on pleas of N.Ram and others, had asked the Centre to produce original records related to its decision to block the BBC documentary on PM Modi.

Anand urged the bench to examine the background in which India has become powerful with its rise as economic power and also a man of Indian origin has become UK Prime Minister.

However, the top court

asked how she could argue all these in support of her plea for a ban on the BBC.

The bench said: “Let us not waste any more time. The writ petition is entirely misconceived and has no merit. Thus, it is dismissed.”

The plea filed by Vishnu Gupta, Hindu Sena president, and others, contended that the petitioner had made a representation to the Centre in January to ban the media network, but no action has been taken till date.

The Centre has banned the documentary on social media and online channels though it has been screened in various colleges and universities across the country.

The plea contended that the documentary is a “result of deep conspiracy against the global rise of India and its Prime Minister”. The plea also sought an investigation into the “conspiracy” behind the documentary.

Officials misled Governor for cause of incomplete projects, claims Cong

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 10

(NPN): Congress has been holding almost daily press conferences either in Dimapur or Kohima, to attack the NDPP and BJP alliance on various alleged failure on various fronts.

On Friday, AICC media coordinator Mahima Singh focussed on the medical college and high court complex, both at Kohima which are running much behind schedule as noted by Nagaland governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi during his visit to the sites in July last

year. Mahima claimed that when queried by the governor about the cause of delay, government officials “lied to him (governor), that the construction works” were delayed since funds could not be released due to covid-19

pandemic. She maintained that the fact was that funds were released to the state in November 2019 itself before the pandemic. Further, Mahima cited the reply by H&FW Ministry to a question posed by Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi in 2019. She said the government informed the MP that the state government had been requested to expedite completion of the Kohima Medical College since the Centre had already paid the full amount of Rs.171.10 crore or 90% of its share of the project.

Miscreants torch farmhouse of Patton’s PA

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 10 (NPN):

In a suspected case of pollrelated violence, unknown miscreants torched a farmhouse belonging to Chiyingo Kikon, personal assistant to deputy chief minister Y Patton, on Friday morning.

Wokha police told Nagaland Post that on receiving an information about 3:30 am Friday, police personnel rushed to the spot, but found the house razed to the ground.

Police said the farmhouse was located at Koio village under Chukitong police station. Fortunately, at the time the incident no

one was present. However, police said that properties worth Rs. 16 lakh were destroyed. It was informed that FIR was lodged and inquiry was initiated.

Condemnations: State deputy chief minister Y Patton took to twitter to condemn the incident. He said that razing of his PA’s residence at Chukitong by unknown miscreants was “deeply disturbing.” Stating that the safety of citizens was of utmost importance, Patton urged Wokha police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Senchumo NSN Lotha, JDU Candidate from 37 Tyui A/C, and Y. Kikon, RJD candidate from RJD 37 Tyui A/C, have also condemned the arson incident at Koio village on February 9.

Khango-led NSCN (K) reacts to allegations ‘Prayer rally’ in Dimapur on Feb 19

by NSCN Yezhabo was making a mockery of themselves and were delusional, dwelling in a “parallel universe”.

MIP claimed that the nomenclature NSCN/ GPRN-K referred to the government under the leadership of Khango Konyak, adding that the clarification had been issued for general Naga public and necessary remedial measures and cooperation.

The Khango-led group reiterated the earlier statement that impeachment of the ato kilonser was endorsed by 2/3rd majority of the house and not by at

the president’s discretion alone, as alleged by few “misguided party workers” who were not even an active member of NSCN/GPRN (K) as they still did not take the oath of allegiance to the government.

The group also condemned the accusations “money mongers, power mongers and opportunist” levelled against certain of its senior party workers as the impeachment of Isak was a collective decision of the house and not undertaken at the behest of any individual with self-vested interest. The release asserted

that the maligning of president’s image by labelling him as “money monger” could be contradicted by comparing the standard of living of the president and the impeached ato kilonser. It claimed that while the president still dwelled in a thatched house, devoid of basic amenities, Isak had acquired a palatial house and assets worth crores of rupees. The group also termed the allegation that an attempt was made on the life of Isak as nothing but a political stunt to garner public sympathy.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Turkey, Syria quake death toll tops 23k

ISKENDERUN, FEB 10

(AP): Rescuers pulled several earthquake survivors from the shattered remnants of buildings Friday, including some who lasted more than 100 hours trapped under crushed concrete after the disaster slammed Turkey and Syria and killed more than 23,000 people.

Turkey’s disaster-management agency said more than 20,200 people had been confirmed killed so far. More than 3,500 have been confirmed killed in Syria, bringing the total number of dead to more than 23,000.

DIMAPUR, FEB 10

(NPN): Christian Forum

Dimapur (CFD) has decided to organise a “prayer rally” at Super Market, Dimapur on February 19 at 1 p.m.

The forum has requested all the churches in Dimapur and like-minded religious institutions and organizations to join and pray for various intentions-- pray for the persecuted minority religious groups particularly Christians in the mainland India and parts of Northeast; pray for the nation and its leaders, Constitutional heads and judiciary; clean, fair and free assembly election; all the political parties and candidates etc.

In a press release, CFD chairman Rev. Moses Murry and secretary Rev. Fr. CP Anto said that the decision was taken at CFD executive board meeting held on February 10, 2023 in Dimapur. At the meeting, the forum said the members also discussed to pray for the national workers and to create common platform for all the groups to come together to pray and seek God’s blessings. The members further proposed to help other districts of Nagaland to start autonomous Christian Forms to strengthen unity and spiritual growth of the various communities.

Shashank Shekhar with officials addressing the media at Kohima, Friday. (NP)

The huge solar flare as seen on the North Pole of the Sun

Kazheto Kinimi

The farm house burnt by miscreants on Friday.

Mahima Singh (NP)

A 2021 file photo of Mall-cum-parking complex in New Market area. (NP)

“He’s hoping to woo voters by making sure to be centre stage at this student’s union jubilee.”

NDD observed across state

Koinonia Baptist School dedicated in Kohima

DIMAPUR: A newly opened school in Kohima, Koinonia Baptist School (KBS) was on Friday dedicated by Rev Zotuo Kiewhuo, founder and senior pastor Koinonia Baptist Church and principal of Kohima Bible College. KBS

under the aegis of Koinonia Baptist Church (KBC) and located above Nagabazaar Road, Kieziekie aimed to provide quality education through holistic approach of developing the mental, social and emotional character into good Christian

valued life. In his address, Rev Kiewhuo dwelled on “the fear of the lord, is the beginning of knowledge” and also highlighted the significance of the bible verse “train up a child in a way he should go and when he is old, he will

no depart from it” (Proverb 22:6). The school will admit

students from nursery to class 3 starting from this academic session.

DIMAPUR: Along with the rest of the country, Nagaland too joined in observing National Deworming Day (NDD) on February 10.

Tuensang: District Health Society (DHS)

Tuensang observed the launching programme of the 1st round NDD at Bethesda School Tuensang Town.

In a press release, DMO, NHM Tuensang, Apheang said that at the launching programme, District Epidemiologist

Dr.John Shupao presented an overview of the programme. He also sensitised the students on physical hygiene and awareness on NDD. Albendazole tablets were administered to around 200 students.

The team for launching programme was led by DSU, IDSP Dr.John Shupao who was assisted by BPM Sadar block, Coordinator SHP, Technical Assistant SHP, GNM and ANM (RBSK).

Mon: Deputy Commissioner Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma launched the

National De-worming Day (NDD) at Konjong Higher Secondary School Mon. In his speech, DC highlighted the significance of the day and the importance of children. He encouraged everyone to maintain personal hygiene, and a clean environment, free from germs.

CMO, Mon Dr. Vezokholu Theyo said NDD was an initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India to make every child worm free in the country. CMO said that NDD was to de-worm all preschool and school-age children between the age of 1 to 19 years through the platform of schools and Anganwadi centers in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education, and quality of life.

Mokokchung: Mokokchung district also observed the day throughout Schools, AWCs and Health Units.

At the launching programme held at Hill View Higher Secondary School Mokokchung, Dr. Imsongi-

enla, MO (Ayush) spoke on the effects of parasitic worms to health, the importance of hygiene and its treatment to the students and teachers present at the programme. She cited that the objective of the day was to deworm children and adolescents to reduce the prevalence of parasitic worms in the intestine.

She also demonstrated hand hygiene steps to the students. RBSK team along with staff from the office of the Chief Medical Officer Mokokchung took part in administering the dose of Albendazole tablet to the children.

Phek: In Phek, at the launching programme, DPO (RCH/UIP), Phek, Dr. K. Pewezo Khalo said that all children between the age of 1 to 19 years will be dewormed by administering one tablet of albendazole 400mg in both schools and anganwadi centres throughout the district. He therefore appealed to the parents, teachers and health workers to facilitate the children to receive the medicine.

Students administered dose of Albendazole tablet at the National De-worming Day in Mokokchung on February 10.

Trainings, meetings & information for smooth conduct of assembly polls

DIMAPUR: As Nagaland gears up for the ensuing general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), various trainings, meetings have been conducted and information disseminated for smooth conduct of the election.

PHEK

Special phase training for polling personnel for the Phek district was conducted at GHSS Phek on February 10.

At the training, Dr. Levinu Sakhrie Asst Prof. spoke about the sincerity of all the polling officials irrespective of their appointments as presiding polling-1/polling-2 or 3rd Polling who were equally responsible. She therefore requested the polling officials to maintain all the important letters and items of machines received for polling day from the office of DC & DEO Phek.

KOHIMA

In pursuance of the provisions under Section 159 of the Representation of the People Act,1951, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Kohima Shanavas C has appointed the Attestation Officers, Assistant Videographers, Micro Observers for casting of Postal Ballots for absentee voters for

nel were deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission of India and shall be subjected to the control, superintendence and discipline of the Election Commission of India.

In this connection, training/ briefing for all the appointed Officials shall be held at DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima on February 16 at 11 am.

Jonathan Kikon Asst Prof. demonstrated handson training on EVM/ VVPAT (M3) machines at the training session. 44 polling personnel attended the training programme. SDO (C) Tsenthungo Ngullie and EAC, Omegali of Phek Hq. as supervisors, attended the training.

Meanwhile, hands-on training on EVM/VVPAT (M3) was held at DC’s Conference hall Phek on February 9, where General Observers, Police Observers, Expenditure Observers, and all Master Trainers attended the training session.

CHUMOUKEDIMA

Hands-on training for all central observers on the use of M-3, EVMs, and VVPATs was held on February 10 at DC’s Conference Hall, Chumoukedima. Master trainer, Bodevi Shuya imparted the training. At the training, he stressed full acquaintance with the handling and operation of the machines to the observers. General Observer, Jitendra Kumar Singh; Police Observer, Satish Kumar Gajbhiye; election Expenditure Observer, Sunil Kisan Agawane and EAC Chumoukedima, Dziesengunuo Mere attended the training.

8th Western Angami A/C, 9th Kohima Town A/C, 10th Northern Angami-1 A/C, 11 Northern Angami-II A/C, 14th Southern Angami-I A/C, and 15 Southern Angami-II A/C in the ensuing general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023. DC and DEO said that all the Polling Person-

Therefore, the DC and DEO directed all the officials appointed as polling personnel to attend the said training/ briefing without fail. The order further informed that failure to attend the training shall invite disciplinary action under relevant provision of the Act.

MON

General Observer for 41-Tizit A/C, Md. Sadique Alam held a meeting with RO, ARO, Sector Magistrate, Flying Squad Team, and Static Surveillance Team at Tizit ADC Office on February 9.

At the meeting, the General Observer briefed the gathering on the roles and responsibilities of each team for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming election.

Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Zunheboto in a notification informed all the arms license holders under Zunheboto district to deposit their firearms along with ammunitions and license to the concerned police station latest by February 18. All arms license holders whose licenses were about to expire have been informed to renew the same

TUENSANG

before depositing their firearms along with ammunition and license. Failure to comply with this directive will lead to cancellation of arms license(s) and other penal action as per relevant action of law.

Meanwhile, the officerin-charge of the police station have been entrusted to submit a daily report of such arms being deposited.

General Observer for 51 A/C Noksen, 52A/C Longkhim-Chare, 53 A/C Tuensang Sadar I, and 54 A/C Tuensang Sadar II, Mukesh Kumar Ahuja held a consultative meeting with MCMC members and election-related cell members at Tuensang DC’s chamber on February 10.

The members discussed MCC, the pre-certification process, and the second round of randomization. They further discussed sector magistrate meetings and also briefed about the daily updating to the general observer in regard to MCMC.

MOKOKCHUNG

A/C on February 10. (DPRO Dimapur)

DC and DEO, Longleng Dharam Raj has informed that the Observers appointed by the ECI have been stationed at DUDA Rest House, Longleng. In this regard, any political party representative/ election agent who has queries/complaints can approach the bservers on the mobile number mentioned below or in person between 3 pm to 4 pm. General Observer: Aditya Kumar Anand (9863739778); Expenditure Observer: Aditya Kamlakar Somkumar (8787323578) and Police Observer: Ajatshatru Bahadur Singh (9366960898).

DDHA holds review meet on health sector DoP ‘Electrical Safety Week’ culminates

DIMAPUR: Dimapur District Health Authority (DDHA) held a monthly district review meeting at CMO’s Conference Hall on February 10.

At the meeting, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dimapur, Dr. Moatemjen, re-sensitized the members on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, an Act of the Parliament which banned prenatal sex determination to stop female foeticides. He informed that as per the guidelines of Government of India, all Centers who have registered ultrasound machines before 2014 must undergo a Competency Test. The test will be

Q.: Is the earthquake over Turkey-Syria a strong signal that more are on the way?

only for generalist and not for specialist practitioners. While centers which have registered their ultrasound after 2014 must have a trained personnel to operate the machine and ensured that their personnel undergo six months of training and the designated training center in Nagaland will be at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, CMO said.

He also urged the medical staff to take note of the Village Health Nutrition Day held monthly in every village to promote health awareness and other health related activities such as non-communicable diseases, vector borne diseases, besides immunization and ante-natal check-up.

Dr. Moatemjen informed the members at the meeting that Dr. Kavito has been designated as the district nodal officer for medical department for the

NEXT POLL

Q: Is the message for clean election finally getting set in Nagaland?

upcoming assembly election 2023 and one medical officer from each block have been designated as sectoral nodal officers.

CMO further informed that Senior Specialist (OBG), DH Dimapur, Dr. A. Yanrenthung Jami, and DPM

(QA) Dimapur, Imlinoba Changkiri, will be visiting all CHCs and PHCs in the district on the 9th of every month as part of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) for monitoring and supervision. He therefore urged all to give their support and cooperation during their visits.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kavito informed that a whatsapp group of all private and public empanelled hospitals have been formed for quick transfers of information. He therefore requested all Sectoral Nodal Officers to be prepared with all necessary logistics and equipment.

DIMAPUR: The week-long “Electrical Safety Week” observed by the Department of Power culminated on February 10 where Dimapur electrical division conducted various activities. The safety week has been organised under the theme, “Safety by Choice not by Chance”. In a press statement, executive engineer Dimapur electrical division, said that division organised pamphlets carrying messages on causes of Electrical shocks, IE Act for mandatory clearance between live conductor from building and ground, Do’s & Don’ts with electrical appliances. The pamphlets were distributed to every consumers in all revenue cash counters. An official programme was held in the division, where the importance to follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

was explained to all Operation and Maintenance staff of the Division. SOP Booklets were also distributed to all employees and live demo on how to fix and utilize electrical safety gears were carried out.

Instruction/checklist for giving shutdown and recharging lines were installed in control rooms of all 66/33 kV and 33/11 kV Substations and fuse call rooms was also conducted. The team of officers also visited every Control Rooms where proper briefing and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) booklet were distributed to employees.

Meanwhile, the division appealed every responsible citizen and working staff of Dimapur district to follow laid down rules to avoid unwanted electrical accidents.

Stakeholders discuss plan to achieve GDPA

was responsible for preparing the master plan, said that the draft was a vision document for the proper use of land resources for the next 25 years.

The GDPA covers three urban local bodies (ULBs) - Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Chumoukedima Town Council (CTC) and East Dimapur Town Council (EDTC).

DMC covers 18.13 square kilometers, which was 12.61% of the total GDPA.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 10

(NPN): To evaluate the Greater Dimapur Planning Area (GDPA) 2041 master plan, a stakeholder’s consultation meeting was held on Friday at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur.

The meeting was convened by Urban Development Department and was attended by government departments, GBs, and representatives of different civil societies among others. At the meeting, the

members discussed on development objectives such as implementation of building regulations, identification of growth centers, improvement of transportation, heritage conservation, and the introduction of urban design guidelines. The need for decentralized development patterns and protection of water bodies was also emphasized.

Speaking to the media on the side line of the meeting, Director of Urban Development, A.

Chenithung Lotha, emphasized the importance of taking the opinions of the stakeholders into account before publishing the draft master plan.

Joint Director of Urban Development, Peteyilie Khatsy said the stakeholders for the plan include government departments such as PHED, Power, Land Resources, Tourism, as well as villages and ULBs at the meeting. Dr. M. Rama Rao, senior manager at RSI Softech, Hyderabad, who

It has 23 wards, 96 colonies, and a population of 1,22,834 (As per 2011 Census) and 27,165 households. CTC covers 15.10 square kilometers, which was 10.50% of the total GDPA. CTC has 12 wards, 50 colonies, and a population of 25,885 and 5,129 households and EDTC covers 3.96 square kilometers, which was 2.75% of the total GDPA, with 11 wards.

The GDPA also includes 45 villages within its planning area, covering 106.55 square kilometers, which was 74.12% of the total GDPA.

The second round of training for polling personnel under Mokokchung district for the forthcoming general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 was held at Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary Mokokchung on February 10.

General Election Observer Prashant Kumar Panda visited the training venue and interacted with the trainees and emphasized the need to get properly acquainted with the handbook on election procedures and handling of the EVM.

DIMAPUR: Miao battalion/ Zunheboto of 11th Assam Rifles as part of the Op Sadbhavna and Assam Rifles Civic Action week under the aegis of HQ 25 Sect AR/ IGAR(N) conducted series of pilot projects under Zunheboto district.

The battalion organised a free Gynecology medical camp at public ground Zunheboto where both male and female of nearby villages approached the camp

for treatment and also took medicines as prescribed by the doctors. AR also distributed IT equipments (computers) in Aghunato Village through Eastern Sumi Students. The battalion also organized free veterinary camp and distributed solar street lights in Suruhoto town. Further, the battalion distributed sports items in old Vekuho village.

DIMAPUR: Maj Gen Gagan Deep, ADG, NCC Directorate NER visited NCC Group Headquarters Kohima on February 8 and felicitated NCC cadets who have excelled in various activities.

During his visit, official matters were also discussed.

GCI Masaco Ningthoujam and GCI Kiyam Nonika Devi of 1 Nagaland Girls Bn NCC, who have excelled in the PRCN 109-cum- GCI 35 course at NCC OTA Gwalior in 2022 were felicitated for

commanding and piloting the passing out parade respectively.

SUO Kenlumle, and CPL Rekuyiheule of St Joseph’s College (A) Jakhama, JUO Mhasirienuo Phewhuo of Tetso College (SW) Chumukedima and CDT Teisozhanuo Gabriella Richa of Little Flower School, Kohima, all affiliated to 1 Nagaland Girls Bn NCC, Kohima and SGT Bokai K Zhimo of Tetso college (SD) Chumukedima affiliated to 24 Naga (I) Coy NCC, Kohima recently attended

the NCC Republic Day Camp 2023 at New Delhi were felicitated for their outstanding performances in the camp. JUO Vizhasieno Vikhrie of Kohima College, Kohima affiliated to 1 Naga Girls Bn NCC, Kohima who attended the Thal Sainik Camp 2022 at New Delhi and the Para Basic Course 2022 at AATS, Agra was also felicitated for her outstanding performance in the Para Basic Course 2022 where she was awarded the Best Cadet (SW).

ZUNHEBOTO

LONGLENG

Training of polling personnel at Longleng.

DC Sachin Jaiswal who is also the DEO Dimapur along with CP Dimapur, RO and sector magistrates visited vulnerable and critical Polling Stations and interacted with village council under Dimapur III

Election Observers at hands on training in Phek.

Training women polling personnel in Zunheboto Hands on training in Tuensang.

General Observer interacting with trainees.

Intending candidates from 5th Ghaspani II A/C- Zhaleo Rio, Z. Kasheto Yeptho and Kitoho Rotokha along with church leaders of New Socünoma, Medziphema at the common platform organised by the New Socünoma churches on February 10.

NCC cadest with Maj Gen Gagan Deep, ADG, NCC Directorate NER.

Consultation meeting in progress at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur on Friday. (NP)

DIMAPUR

Two Manipur BJYM leaders brutally assaulted

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 10: Days after members of the Manipur unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) engaged in a brawl, armed miscreants brutally assaulted two leaders of the state BJYM unit on Thursday night.

A police report said that state BJYM spokesperson Mayanglambam Suresh Kumar and BJYM office secretary Alex Ningombam were attacked at gunpoint by miscreants who came on a four-wheeler around 9.15 pm on Thursday at Langol area under Lamphel police station of Imphal West district.

Both are attending medical treatment at Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal’s North AOC where police escorted them to with injuries on their bodies.

The condition of spokesperson Suresh Kumar was stated to be critical as he sustained multiple injuries on his body while office secretary Alex sustained minor injuries.

Modi to address two election rallies in Tripura today

AGARTALA, FEB 10

(IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address two election rallies in the poll-bound state of Tripura on Saturday, a BJP leader said on Friday.

On February 13, the Prime Minister is likely to address another public meeting in Tripura. Modi would address an election rally in Udaipur in southern Tripura, and Ambassa in Dhalai district, on Saturday. He is likely to address an election rally in Agartala on Monday (February 13), a day before the end of the campaign for the February 16 assembly polls.

On December 18, a month before the announcement of the election schedule in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland by the Election Commission, the Prime Minister addressed a public gathering in Agartala. Besides the Prime Minister, BJP president J.P. Nadda, who had already addressed

child marriage

GUWAHATI,

FEB

10

(PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 2,789 people have been arrested so far during the ongoing crackdown on child marriage, which completed a week on Friday.

The government has also initiated a process to take measures for the rehabilitation of “victims” of child marriage.

“Now, total arrest – 2789. Crackdown continues,” Sarma wrote on Twitter. Though protests at various places by families of those arrested have been reported in the last few days, Assam Police spokesperson Prasanta Kumar Bhuyan had on Thursday said that no such incident took place anywhere in the state during the last 24 hours.

The Assam Police had launched the crackdown on child marriage on February 3, with over 2,000 people, including Hindu and Muslim priests who officiated these weddings, arrested within the first two days.

The arrests are being carried out on the basis of 4,135 FIRs registered across the state. The state government has formed a cabinet sub-committee on the rehabilitation of “victims” of child marriage, and Sarma’s cabinet colleagues Ranoj Pegu, Keshab Mahanta and Ajanta Neog have been named as members of the panel. Opposition parties have criticised the manner in which the drive is being carried out, terming the arrests of teenage husbands and family members as “abuse of law” for political gain, and equating the police action with “terrorising people”.

Reports said that around four miscreants armed with small guns waylaid the two BJYM leaders on near a church their way at Langol near Shija hospital and assaulted them brutally.

Reports said that the BJYM spokesperson Mayanglambam Suresh Kumar was going to drop Alex to his house in his car.

They dragged the spokesperson out of the car and beat him up blue and black. Alex was also physically assaulted when he tried to stop the miscreants.

On receiving the news, a team of Lamphel police rushed to the spot and evacuated them to Raj Medicity hospital for medical treatment. Suresh sustained injuries on his chest, ear, face, and knee. He has been admitted to the ICU ward of the hospital while Alex is stated to be out of danger.

Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren Singh took to social media in condemning the assault on the BJYM leaders strongly. Police teams were sent out to hunt down the armed attackers, he wrote in his Facebook page.

The police also initiated an investigation to establish the identities of the armed miscreants after registering a case against them, the source said.

BJYM president M Barish Sharma the incident was a fallout of the brawl on Wednesday night involving members of the BJYM and MPYCC at the main gate of Impact TV post-participation in the discussion programme on the local TV channel. Members of BJYM allegedly attacked MPYCC leaders who came out of the programme. Without directly pointing to the MPYCC, Barish said that as they started attacking their members, the BJYM would give a befitting reply. He said that the physical assault on the BJYM leaders was fallout of an unbearable defeat in a debate in the local TV channel.

BJP harmed Tripura more than CPI(M) did: TMC Gen Secy

AGARTALA, FEB 10 (PTI): TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday alleged that the BJP has caused more harm to Tripura in five years than what the CPI(M) did during its 25-year rule.

Addressing a public rally at Kamalpur in Dhalai district, Banerjee said the saffron party has let loose a reign of terror in the state by attacking opposition party workers, thwarting their attempts to organise meeting and programmes and suppressing freedom of speech.

“I came under a deadly attack perpetrated by BJPsheltered goons in 2021, and similar was the fate of many other TMC leaders and activists. We were denied necessary treatment in hospitals,” he said.

“The BJP, before coming to power, had made many poll promises, but not

Local level understanding with Tipra possible: Yechury

AGARTALA, FEB 10

(PTI): CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said though there is no pre-poll adjustment with the Tipra Motha, there can be local-level understanding with the tribal party, which has emerged as the third pole in the upcoming Tripura elections.

“A team will meet the Election Commission in Delhi to request it to take all possible measures to restore democracy and rule of law. In the past five years, the northeastern state has not only witnessed misrule but also a drastic fall in livelihood,” he alleged.

several election rallies in Tripura on February 3, January 12 and February 9, on Thursday released the party manifesto and addressed the gathering of party workers.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Sarbananda Sonowal, Smriti Irani, Arjun Munda, Kiren Rijiju, Chief Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), N. Biren Singh (Manipur), West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, MLA Agnimitra Paul, actor Mithun Chakraborty and many MPs and BJP leaders from outside the state have campaigned for the party.

GANGTOK, FEB 9 (PTI):

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday expressed gratitude to the Union government for making efforts to get the ‘foreigner’ tag on the Sikkimese Nepali community rescinded by the Supreme Court.

The apex court ordered the removal of reference to Sikkimese Nepalis as “people of foreign origin” from its January 13 verdict. The reference had sparked protests in the Himalayan state and a bandh was called on Wednesday.

“I sincerely express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other ministers and legal luminaries for their efforts to get the ‘foreigner’ tag on the aggrieved Sikkimese Nepali community removed by the SC,” he said.

The CM was speaking in the assembly during a special day-long session convened to discuss the is-

Yechury, however, exuded confidence that the Left-Congress alliance would win the February 16 elections on its own and there would be “no hung assembly”.

“At the local level, there can be some understanding, though there is no pre-poll adjustment with the Tipra Motha,” Yechury told reporters here.

Yechury rejected speculations that there could be a hung assembly in the northeastern state, saying that the people will give a “decisive mandate” in favour of secular-democratic forces.

Claiming that the peo-

sue. A resolution was passed on the matter. He said the state government took swift measures to file a review petition with the apex court on February 2, following which the SC passed an order removing the reference from its verdict.

Noting that the controversy has now ended, he cautioned people against falling prey to political propaganda unleashed by “some with vested interests”, and said a committee has been formed to check inflammatory contents on social media to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

He said a committee

ple’s mood is for a change in the government in the state, Yechury said “attack on democracy, a reign of terror, misrule and corruption” are bothering citizens of Tripura.

“With a few days to go for the elections, the ruling dispensation will desperately try to use money and muscle power. Threats and intimidations have already been unleashed,” he said.

Yechury also claimed that the armed police forces from other states, like Assam and Gujarat (both BJP-ruled), were deployed on the pretext that there was a shortage of central paramilitary forces.

has been formed to look into the ‘applicability’ of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state. The panel will make recommendations after studying the impact of ILP on other northeastern states by visiting Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland.

Former chief minister and lone opposition MLA Pawan Kumar Chamling also lauded the SC’s removal of the reference from its verdict. However, he left the House just before the CM was to address, annoying the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) members.

In the 60-member Assembly, the ruling BJP is contesting 55 seats alone while its ally- IPFT has fielded candidates in five seats. Of the Left parties, the CPI(M) is fighting in 43 seats, and the Forward Bloc, RSP and the CPI are contesting in one each, while the Congress has fielded nominees in 13 assembly segments. The Left Front is supporting an independent candidate in the Ramnagar constituency of West Tripura. The Tipra Motha has nominated candidates in 42 assembly segments.

On being asked about the Left-Congress’ chief ministerial candidate, Ye -

GUWAHATI, FEB 10 (IANS): With the Assembly elections in Meghalaya nearing, the former ally BJP has sharply criticised the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).

In an official statement, the BJP on Friday slammed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the coal mining issue.

Earlier, Sangma’s party claimed that it would control the illegal coal mining in the hill state, and after five years, the NPP failed to do so.

“The National People’s Party could not even fulfil half of the promises it made to the people before the 2018 Assembly

chury said the elected MLAs will choose their leader.

Lashing out at the BJP, CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Choudhury, who many expect will be the chief minister if the alliance wins the elections, also claimed that the “people’s mood is for restoration of democracy” which, he said, suffered due to the “BJP’s misrule”. “Assam chief minister has become a daily passenger to Tripura and comes late at night … Don’t know the mystery about this,” he said.

Choudhury, the CPI(M)’s tribal face for long, also claimed that “huge amounts of cash is flowing in … Rs 4 crore has been seized over the past few days. The CEO must take care of these things,” he said. Elections to the 60-member Tripura Assembly will be held on February 16, when some 28 lakh people are expected to exercise their franchise.

election.

This time, they will be certainly voted out of power in Meghalaya,” said BJP leaders.

Though the BJP and National People’s Party shared power in Meghalaya for the last five years, the two parties earlier decided to go solo in the election. Since then, former allies have been seen attacking each other on different issues.

The BJP’s criticism came against the backdrop of Conrad Sangma’s claim of getting an absolute majority in the upcoming election.

“We will form the government in Meghalaya

RESIGNATION

On this day the 9th Feb 2023, We the undersigned bJP booth level committee Murise Village office bearers hereby tender our resignation as active and primary membership from 3 dimapur-III A/C.

We further resolved to pledge our allegiance and support to Shri. Azheto Zhimomi LJP(RV) candidate for 3 dimapur-III A/C

Abhishek Banerjee

a single one was fulfilled. They had said job seekers can get opportunities by simply giving a missed call, but everything turned out to be false assurances,”

Banerjee stated.

He said that the BJP government failed to provide basic amenities to people like “supply of drinking water, medical aid and proper education”.

“There are hospitals with no doctors and universities with no teachers. The BJP has only harmed the state, more than what the

CPI(M) did in 25 years,” he maintained.

Banerjee said that TMC would fight the election with all its might to oust the BJP.

The Lok Sabha MP also claimed that Bengal Chief Minister and TMC boss Mamata Banerjee has fulfilled all promises made in the neighbouring state. “Schemes implemented in Bengal such as ‘Kanyasree’ and ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ will also be introduced in Tripura, if the TMC comes to power,” he asserted.

Banerjee also cautioned voters against that BJP’s attempts to woo them with money. “They will offer Rs 1,000 or more, do bargain for more. Why would you not take the money? It is your money, but do not vote for them,” he added.

Arunachal: BJP’s Tsering Lhamu wins Lumla bypoll

ITANAGAR, FEB 10 (PTI): BJP candidate Tsering Lhamu was on Friday declared elected the MLA of Lumla constituency in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district without a contest.

Tsering Lhamu, the wife of former MLA Jambey Tashi, was the only candidate who filed her nomination for the by-election to the seat. The by-election was necessitated due to the death of her husband in November last year.

Returning Officer Rinchin Dorjee Thungon declared the result at 3 pm after the deadline for the withdrawal of candidature was over, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Liken Koyu said.

Lhamu was handed the election certificate, he said.

Though People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) named former ‘gaon burha’ or village headman Leki Norbu as its candidate for the by-

on our own with a full majority,” he said at an election rally on Thursday.

While attending an election rally in the Songsak Assembly constituency, Sangma commented, “We don’t have to think much about the upcoming election. It is very clear that NPP is coming back with a thumping victory.”

He further claimed that in last five years, his government could do much more than what could not

election, he withdrew from the race.

Tashi, who represented the constituency for three consecutive terms since 2009, died at a hospital in Guwahati at the age of 48. Assembly elections in the northeastern state will be due next year, and are likely to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. With this win, the ruling BJP’s tally in the 60-member House remained at 49. The opposition Congress and National Peoples’ Party (NPP) have four MLAs each, while there are three Independent MLAs.

be achieved in 20-30 years.

“The NPP government has built a record number of roads across the state,” he added.

The Chief Minister further said that in the 45 years of statehood, only 4,500 households in rural areas of Meghalaya had piped water connections, but the NPP-led government has provided over 3 lakh households with piped water connections in the last three years.

On this day the 9th Feb 2023, We the undersigned bJP booth level committee of 18 doyapur Village and 51 doyapur town office bearers hereby tender our resignation as active and primary membership from 3 dimapur-III A/C. We further resolved to pledge our allegiance and support to Shri. Azheto Zhimomi LJP(RV) candidate for 3 dimapur-III A/C.

SPU

The two injured Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leaders at Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal

Narendra Modi

Sitaram Yechury

Tsering Lhamu

Former ally attacks ruling NPP over coal mining issue Sikkim CM thanks Centre for getting ‘foreigner’ tag on Sikkimese Nepalis rescinded by SC

2,789 held in crackdown on

SNIPPETS

3 killed in road accident in Bareilly

BAREILLY (UP), FEB

10 (PTI): Three people were killed and as many were injured when the car they were travelling in was hit by an unidentified vehicle here on Friday, police said. Police have sent the bodies for postmortem and an investigation has been initiated. “Efforts are underway to identify the vehicle which hit the car,” said the officer.

Adani issue: Oppn reiterates JPC demand in RS

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): The Opposition on Friday in the Parliament reiterated its demand for a probe into the Adani Group by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The group has been accused by a US firm in its report of stock manipulation and accounting fraud.

As soon as the proceedings began on Friday at the Upper House, the Opposition MPs started raising slogans.

SC seeks views of Centre, SEBI on Hindenburg report on Adani

bership (of the House) is cancelled. We are upset with the government... not you.”

Meanwhile, Kharge said that parts of his speech were removed despite the absence of any objectionable words.

Kharge also repeated his statement which had been removed from the proceedings of the House. On this, Dhankhar again asked for that statement to be removed from the proceedings

questions to the government on various issues, including the Adani controversy and expunging of some remarks of him and Rahul Gandhi in Parliament.

Alleging that the Adani issue was a “big scam” that involved public money and needed to be investigated properly, he asked why the government was reluctant to order a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into it.

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): Concerned over protecting the interests of Indian investors, the Supreme Court Friday favoured creating a robust mechanism to regulate the stock market and sought views of the Centre and market regulator SEBI on PILs alleging exploitation of innocent investors and “artificial crashing” of the Adani Group’s stock value.

tect the interests of investors in the market where capital flow is seamless in modern times.

4

men

killed after bus hits motorcycle

KHARGONE, FEB 10 (PTI): Four labourers were killed when their motorcycle was hit by a speeding bus near Sanavad in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district on Friday, an official said. The bus was trying to overtake the motorcycle when the accident happened, the official said.

Mentally unwell teen raped, impregnated

INDORE, FEB 10 (PTI):

A mentally unwell teen girl was raped in a facility for the speciallyabled in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, the crime coming to light after she got pregnant, police said on Friday. A rape case was filed late Thursday night on the complaint of the mother of the 17-year-old victim and efforts were on to nab the unidentified accused, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sampat Upadhyay told PTI.

Nadda to address twin rallies in WB on Sunday

KOLKATA, FEB 10

(IANS): With an eye on the upcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal scheduled this year and the Lok Sabha polls in 2024, BJP President J.P. Nadda will visit the state and and address two public rallies on Sunday (February 12). State BJP sources said that Nadda will arrive in Kolkata on Saturday evening and hold a meeting with the top party leaders from West Bengal.

Army to promote 108 women officers

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): The Army is in the process of posting 108 women officers in the rank of Colonel following a selection process, the government said in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The women officers, currently serving in the rank of Lt Colonel, were shortlisted for the promotion by a special selection board.

Both the Opposition and Treasury benches indulged in sloganeering during the Opposition MPs’ address in the House. Slogans such as “ModiModi” and “We want JPC” were raised. Dhankhar, who disapproved of the commotion, lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, saying his behaviour was “under the scanner”.

The MPs of the Opposition parties, including the

Congress, reached the Well of the House, and raised slogans when their demands were not met.

The Vice President also appealed to the MPs to return to their seats, while calling out several Congress parliamentarians, including K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala, Deepender Hooda, among others.

Naming the MPs, Dhankhar wanted them to be kept out of the proceedings of the House. However,

the Congress MPs eventually went back to their respective seats following the V-P’s appeal.

The Congress MPs who sought inclusion of excerpts of its national party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech in the proceedings walked out of the Upper House when their demand was not accepted.

Addressing Dhankhar, the Congress president said: “I will definitely speak my heart out even if my mem-

Paper leaks protest: Dhami says political organisations ‘instigating’ youths

Will keep raising Adani issue inside and outside Parliament, it’s a ‘big scam’: Kharge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the party will keep raising the Adani issue both inside and outside Parliament and added if the government is not ready to work democratically, “people will get rid of it”.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, he posed a set of 10

Kharge said he had not stated anything unparliamentary in his speech in the Rajya Sabha and had only asked some questions on the Adani issue.

“Why is the Modi government not conducting a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations against the Adani Group? What is the reason behind (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji and his government not even allowing (anyone) raise the word ‘Adani’ in Parliament?” he asked.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud allayed the apprehension and told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to convey to the officials of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that it was not “planning any witch hunt”. The bench, also comprising justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, sought inputs from the finance ministry and others on various issues, including on making the regulatory mechanism robust to pro-

“This is just an open dialogue. They have brought an issue before the court. What is of concern is how do we ensure the protection of Indian investors? What happened here was shortselling. Probably SEBI is also doing its investigation. Please tell your officers also this is no witch hunt that we are planning to do...,” it said.

“How do we ensure that going in future, we have robust mechanisms? Because today, capital is moving in and out of India seamlessly. How do we ensure in future that Indian investors are protected? Everybody is in the market now,” it said.

During the brief hearing, the court observed that the PILs say that the loss is of over Rs 10 lakh crore.

States not abiding MoU in utilisation of Ayushman Bharat

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (PTI): Several states have created healthcare facilities with the utilisation of Ayushman Bharat funds but given them different names, like ‘Mohalla Clinic’ in Punjab, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha on Friday. He termed the implementation of the scheme by the states in such a manner a “violation” of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that they signed with the Centre.

DEHRADUN, FEB 10

(PTI): A day after a protest against recruitment exam paper leaks here turned violent, Uttarakhand

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said some political organisations which have lost ground across the country are instigating the youth for their own interests.

He said the protest turned violent as “elements from outside” joined it and efforts are being made to identify them.

A protest by youths against recruitment examination paper leaks turned violent when the protestors clashed with police personnel and hurled stones at them on Thursday.

Some youths were injured as police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protestors.

“We have been saying all along that some political organisations which

have lost ground not just in Uttarakhand but all over the country are instigating the youth to serve their own interests. The protest turned violent as elements from outside joined it. It is being ascertained who they were,” Dhami told reporters here, without taking any names.

After the question papers for an exam were leaked, Dhami said, it was cancelled and fresh dates were announced. No examination fee was taken from the students and they were also allowed to travel to their exam centres in Uttarakhand Roadways buses free of cost.

“We did all this only because we wanted to protect the students’ interests. We want to tell our sons and daughters to focus on their preparations for the forthcoming examinations. All examinations will now be held with probity and transparency,” he

said. As promised to the youth, the promulgation of an ordinance to prevent the use of unfair means in recruitment examinations in the state, making it a cognisable and nonbailable offence, was approved on Thursday, the chief minister said.

The ordinance has a provision for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for those indulging in or facilitating the use of unfair means in recruitment examinations from printing question papers to publishing results. It also has a provision for the confiscation of property made by those found guilty. Dhami said all examinations will come under the ambit of this ordinance and students who are found cheating will be disqualified from appearing in any examination for 10 years.

Cong,someoppnMPsstagewalkoutfromRS

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(AGENCIES): The Congress and some other opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha staged a walkout on Friday after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak in the House.

Kharge wanted to raise the issue of some of his observations being expunged by the chair, but he was not allowed on the plea that he cannot read the same remarks which have already been expunged.

Opposition members protested in support of the Leader of Opposition who wanted to raise his point, but the chair did not accede to their demand.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he had allowed the Leader of Opposition earlier but he cannot be allowed to raise the same points which have already been expunged.

Kharge then said that Congress members and some opposition MPs, including those from the RJD, were staging a walkout in protest.

Earlier, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said

Kharge should first apologise on behalf of the entire opposition, which created uproar during the prime minister’s speech in reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Govtexertingundue pressureonpresiding officers:Kharge

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Friday alleged that the Centre is conspiring to hide the truth by exerting undue pressure on the presiding officers.

“The (Narendra) Modi government is conspiring to hide the truth by exerting undue pressure on the presiding officers of both the Houses of the Parliament, and is conspiring to suppress the JPC inquiry,” Kharge said.

His remarks came after parts of the speech of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge made in the House were expunged by the presiding officers.

He said questions will be asked both inside the Parliament as well as in the

‘people’s parliament’.

“Should there not be an inquiry into the Adani scam? Shoul dn’t the falling value of LIC’s money, invested in Adani’s companies, be questioned?

Shouldn’t questions be asked about the Rs 82,000 crore loan given to Adani by SBI and other banks,” he asked.

Kharge said the questions will be asked as to why Rs 525 crore of LIC and SBI were invested in Adani FPO despite more than 32 per cent fall in Adani’s shares. Why the value of LIC and SBI shares fell by more than Rs 1 lakh crore in the stock market, he asked.

“It must be asked to whom the thousands of crores of rupees pouring in from tax havens into Adani’s companies belong? Is it a fact that France’s ‘Total Gas’ has stopped the $50 billion investment in Adani’s company pending completion of the investigation against him,” Kharge asked.

Kharge said that the world’s largest equity investor, Norway Sovereign Fund, sold all Adani shares

ASA calls for road, rail blockades in 5 states on Feb 11

JAMSHEDPUR, FEB 10 (PTI): Tribal body Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA) on Friday called for a blockade in five eastern states of the country on February 11 over a host of issues, including asserting its rights over ‘Marang Buru’ or Parsnath Hills in Jharkhand’s Giridih and recognition of Sarna as a religion in the next census.

The dawn-to-dusk road and rail blockades will be held in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal, ASA president Salkhan Murmu said in Jamshedpur.

February 11 is the birth anniversary of Tilka Murmu who is first freedom fighter from the Santal community to take up arms against the British, he said.

“They won’t abide by the contract (MoU) and stop the health and wellness centre scheme, then the central government will not be left with any other option.

Considering that they have stopped implementing the scheme, the grant that we give from here…,” the minister said.

“We release schemebased grants. If they don’t utilise the scheme and follow its provisions, we are not left with any other option,” he added.

The minister was replying to a question asked by YSRCP member K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju.

“Several state governments are violating that (MoU), (they) have given

their own names (to the scheme)...,” he said. Citing one example, the minister said health infrastructure have been created in Punjab with utilisation of the funds provided by the central government under the Ayushman BharatHealth and Wellness Centre scheme but the state government named these facilities as ‘Mohalla Clinics’. “This should not be done,” Mandaviya said while replying to a question in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour.

worth $200 million.

“Has MSCI downgraded the ranking of Adani’s companies? Have Standard Chartered, City Group, Credit Suisse stopped lending against Adani’s dollar bonds? Has Dow Jones removed Adani’s company from ‘sustainability Indices’,” he asked.

The Congress President also said that what is the reason that RBI, SEBI, ED, SFIO, Corporate Affairs Ministry, Income Tax, CBI -- all have suffered paralysis, and have closed their eyes in the name of investigation against Adani?

A SA launched “Marang Buru Bachao Yatra” on January 17 in these five states to assert its rights over the hills, which is also one of the holiest sights of the Jain community. The tribals consider Parasnath Hill as the holiest ‘jeherthan’ (place of worship). The ASA is also demanding enlisting of Jharkhandi adivasis living in Andaman and Nicobar and Assam for decades in the Schedule Tribe category, and opposing inclusion of the Kurmi community in the ST category, Murmu, a former MP, said.

The “Marang Buru Bachao Yatra” will end on February 28, he said.

The Santal tribe has a sizeable population in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal and are nature worshippers.

Congress and other opposition MPs stage a walkout from the RS during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. (PTI)

Police lathi-charge people protesting over alleged rigging. (PTI)

Mansukh Mandaviya

Spark ignored

It took a request from the ministry of home affairs to Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation(ENPO) for the latter to ‘relax’ the total abstention of election and all related matters across eastern Nagaland. After maintain a public stance to stick with its avowed and steely determination to not relent under any circumstances, ENPO decided to ‘ relax’ in response to the MHA request. ENPO’s demand for the ‘Frontier Nagaland’ dates back to 2010, while public rallies and meetings have been on for even longer. ENPO represents the seven Naga tribes viz., Konyak, Sangtam, Chang, Phom, Khiamniungan, Yimchungru and Tikhir from six districts of Eastern Nagaland: Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Shamator, Longleng and Noklak. ENPO was formed around 1997 after it moved out of Naga Hoho. After having said much against participation in the assembly election to be held in February 27 this year in support of the demand for a Frontier Nagaland state, ENPO made it clear that there was no turning back. The main reason for wanting to be separate from Nagaland was due to being deprived, ignored or disregarded in terms of education, infrastructure and economic progress. In response the newly formed Democratic Alliance of Nagaland(DAN) government created the Department for Under Developed Areas(DUDA) in its first innings after the 2003 elections. Though promising perhaps much and as expectations remained high, it appears that there has been a vast difference between promises and delivery. A compilation of the total funds received by the four districts vis-à-vis other districts could also shed more light on whether there has been a conscious move to deprive the people of the four districts of their dues. K.Therie who was the first DAN finance minister, had blamed the DAN government for discrimination on the eastern Nagas in matters of government contract works. He alleged that the works were awarded only to some ‘favoured ones’ or those close to the leadership. That may or may not be true but the fact remains, that owing to a lot of gap in matters in education and development between the people of the erstwhile Naga Hills Tuensang Area, which was loosely administered under the North East Frontier Agency(NEFA) and Nagas(also known as ‘major’ or advanced tribes) in the erstwhile Naga Hills district under Kohima; terms such as ‘backward’ or ‘undeveloped’ areas reflected the inequality. To address this issue, the government of India, while creating the new state of Nagaland, had made a constitutional provision, wherein special fund allocation was provided for Tuensang area and placed under the state Governor and who in turn, released it directly to the minister of Tuensang affairs. Successive DAN governments including PDA and UDA have much to explain on why the issue has not been discussed on the floor of the house and allowed to be handled by the ministry of home affairs after bypassing them. It is ironic that while the state government has never failed to call for unity to resolve all issue, in practice it has done just the opposite. It is also ironic that while according top priority to political issue, the state government had relegated such issues to the background. If there is any failure of regional parties, it is over the issue of disintegration of Nagaland state whether by chance or design and this can be a very crucial issue which needs to be addressed during the current election campaign .

DailyDevotion

Is Your Ability to See God Blinded?

Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things… —Isaiah 40:26

The people of God in Isaiah’s time had blinded their minds’ ability to see God by looking on the face of idols. But Isaiah made them look up at the heavens; that is, he made them begin to use their power to think and to visualize correctly. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it.

The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking. Wake up and accept the ridicule that Isaiah gave to his people, and deliberately turn your thoughts and your eyes to God.

One of the reasons for our sense of futility in prayer is that we have lost our power to visualize. We can no longer even imagine putting ourselves deliberately before God. It is actually more important to be broken bread and poured-out wine in the area of intercession than in our personal contact with others. The power of visualization is what God gives a saint so that he can go beyond himself and be firmly placed into relationships he never before experienced.

Quotes

Retrofitting buildings in India for seismic resilience: Expert

Retrofitting buildings with concrete and polymer reinforced with fibre could make buildings in India more seismic resilient, thereby, enhancing their chances of surviving earthquakes, according to an expert. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, have previously investigated corroded reinforcement in beams and columns of buildings, both relatively new and old, in a laboratory settings. Aditya Singh Rajput, one of the reseachers of the study, IIT, Ropar put forth their observations and a few solutions in this regard in a webinar titled “Assessment and Upgradation of Deteriorating Reinforced Concrete Structures: A Researcher’s View”, conducted in association with Indian Concrete Institute, Chandigarh Centre on February 8, 2023. The study reporting the findings was published in 2019 in the journal Engineering Structures.

“Corrosion of reinforcement in otherwise code compliant reinforced concrete (RC) columns of buildings reduced their seismic performance significantly by

2

Mountains of rubble and twisted metal. Death on an unimaginable scale. Grief. Rage. Relief at having survived. What’s left behind after a natural disaster so powerful that it rends the foundations of a society? What lingers over a decade later, even as the rest of the world moves on?

Similarities between the calamity unfolding this week in Turkiye and Syria and the triple disaster that hit northern Japan in 2011 may offer a glimpse of what the region could face in the years ahead. They’re linked by the sheer enormity of the collective psychological trauma, of the loss of life and of the material destruction.

The combined toll of Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake rose past 20,000 deaths as regional governments announced the discovery of new bodies Thursday. That has already eclipsed the more than 18,400 who died in the disaster in Japan.

That magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck at 2:46

The ensuing Nagaland State Assembly election 2023 is the 5th Election in this 21st century, the first being held in 2003. Two decades of political life in the new century, we have not witnessed much change in the lives of the people except in the change of leadership, Parties, candidates, the ULB election inferno and the dubious or better said mischievous changpang oil issue. What was prominent in the 2018 regime was the Covid pandemic and the other was the flimsily acclaimed ‘Opposition-less’ Government. Our politicians and general public might have thought that opposition-less government was a major success but in point of fact it was the most denigrating of all that had happened. The only person or group that benefited from the opposition-less ministry was the Chief Minister and his ruling regime at the expense of the general public and dismembering of NPF party.

With no opposition members in the Assembly, there was no one to challenge or question the wrong intents or misadventures, if any, of the Ruling Bench. The NPF, with a sizable number in the Assembly should have remained firm as opposition for the sake of public welfare and the Party’s sake but failed miserably because of the majority members’ unsteady

severely affecting the ductility of the columns,” said Rajput. Rajput suggested enhancing the ductility of potential hinge, or joint, regions of RC columns by using concrete and polymer materials reinforced with fibre. “We replaced the concrete cover of the corroded columns with Ultra High Performance fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) and tested their seismic capacity by simulating earthquake conditions,” said seismic expert. “We found that UHPFRC is an effective material to restore seismic performance of code complaint RC columns,” said Rajput.

“Against more than 10 per cent of corrosion in the reinforcement of columns, a combination of UHPFRC and GFRP worked satisfactorily. GFRP stands for Glass fibre Reinforced Polymer and a layer of GFRP is placed jacketing the column,” said Rajput. “For columns degraded by more than 20 per cent reinforcement corrosion, UHPFRC and two layers of GFRP yielded good results. However, columns with severe corrosion, more than 30

p.m., March 11, 2011. Not long after, cameras along the Japanese coast captured the wall of water that hit the Tohoku region. The quake was one of the biggest on record, and the tsunami it caused washed away cars, homes, office buildings and thousands of people, and caused a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Huge boats were dropped miles away from the ocean in the towering jumbled debris of what had once been cities, cars toppled on their sides like playthings among the ruined streets and obliterated buildings.

Many wondered if the area would ever return to what it was before.

A big lesson from Japan is that a disaster of this size doesn’t ever really have a conclusion. Despite speeches about rebuilding, the Tohoku quake has left a deep gash in the national consciousness and the landscapes of people’s lives.

Take the death toll.

Deaths directly attributable to the quake in Turkiye will level off in coming

mentality and graze for power. NPF party members failed to understand that in a democratic system of government there has to be an opposition party in the Assembly for the sanctity of the Assembly or Parliament. Opposition party in the government is an essential feature of Democracy because the ruling members, whichever party it may be, are not angels but culpable human beings. There is no reason good enough to justify the opposition-less government except to fool the innocent public. Whoever in the opposition bench had mooted for merger or defection to form an opposition-less government has not come from a farsighted politician but from a shortsighted narrow, vested interest minded person. It was a cheap politics as it is far from interest of the people. The rank and file along with its party workers must denounce such foolish moves in future for a secure robust government and judicious channelization of public funds and at the same time understand that being in the opposition does not mean that his or her constituency will be deprived of development because central funds come for the whole State and not for the ruling party constituencies alone. In fact, in the present scenario of dishonesty and corruption, a soul search-

per cent, this amount of retrofitting did not suffice. This could be studied further,” said the expert.

“Additionally, we also found that retrofitting using these techniques enhanced the vertical load bearing capacity of the columns beyond their original ones, thereby, further advancing our retrofitting technique,” said Rajput.

Rajput quoted National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India data and data obtained through RTIs which showed deaths and injuries from building collapses under service loads. The deaths occuring due to building collapses amounted to 28,764 from the year 1995 to 2015, which was about 1450 deaths per year, said the expert. That is, this loss to life happened under normal or daily loading conditions of buildings in India. Rajput said that a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a cyclone would be unsustainable for such buildings and that India is home to one of the largest dilapidated housing stock in the world.

In the wake of immeasurable

devastation caused in Turkiye and Syria by the earthquakes and aftershocks, which the countries continue to receive, attention needs to be drawn to the seismic preparedness of buildings in India, the expert said. The cause for the immense destruction across Turkiye and Syria has been attributed to multiple factors. However, according to a research paper titled “Turkey’s grand challenge: Disaster-proof building inventory within 20 years”, buildings in Turkiye that warranted updation in accordance with their design codes and were constructed with poor materials and workmanship.

“The buildings in Turkiye were poor in seismic resilience,” said Rajput.

Poor construction workmanship, low quality of monitoring and maintenance, low quality of materials used in construction, over loading by carrying out additional construction, corrosion of reinforcement in beams and columns over time can cause the buildings to crumble under service loads, eventually collapse, leading to deaths, injuries and financial

damage. Such buildings under seismic vibrations are likely to collapse instantaneously, without much forewarning, possibly causing instant destruction to life and property, said the expert. Buildings can be prevented from failing in this way. They can be rehabilitated in a manner such that they are made to fail gradually, and people in the building can be evacuated in the meantime, the expert said. The rehabilitation can be done by increasing the energy dissipation feature of the building. This is referred to as enhancing the ductility of buildings, making them more seismic resilient and the process through which this is achieved is called retrofitting, the expert said. The retrofitting technique studied and explained by Rajput is one of the several ways available for achieving an enhanced ductility of buildings, thereby, slowing down the failure of a building under seismic conditions. This would give more time for the occupants to evacuate the building, minimising loss of lives and financial damage.

PTI feature

link Turkiye, Japan and Syria in suffering

weeks, but it’s unlikely to be the end. Japan, for instance, has recognised thousands of other people who died later from stress-related heart attacks, or because of poor living conditions.

And despite hundreds of billions of dollars spent in Japan on reconstruction, some things won’t ever come back — including a sense of place.

Before the quake, Tohoku was filled with small cities and villages, surrounded by farms, the ports filled with fleets of fishing boats. It’s one of the wildest, most beautiful coastlines in Japan. Today, while the wreckage of the quake and tsunami has largely been removed and many roads and buildings rebuilt, there are still large areas of empty space, places where buildings haven’t been erected, farms haven’t been replanted. Businesses have spent years trying to reconstruct decimated customer bases.

Just as workers once did in Japan, an army of rescuers in Turkiye and Syria are digging through obliterated buildings, picking through twisted metal,

ing upright tough opposition member can bring more development to his constituency and the State than a ruling member and also such MLA or MLAs can even unseat a government if need be.

Everyone in our society, beginning with the politicians, talks about the much needed change in Nagaland but it is not happening. The reason is change, like the idea of peace, is a value and an objective only. It cannot come about or happen by talking about it but has to be created. It can happen only by doing things and legislating policies that help bring about change.

If we truly want progress and change to happen in our society then the primary need is in addition to integrity and discipline of the politicians, they must have the vision as well as dare to adopt innovative good policies and the other is planning holistically for the State to effect change.

Lack of holistic planning and roadmap has resulted in wasteful piece meal exercises.

Without roadmap, no government is going to take the State anywhere except to social and economic disparity. Lack of common development roadmap results in disproportionate distribution of funds among the districts, neglect of priority infrastructures and misuse of developmental funds. So

pulverized concrete and exposed wires for survivors. What comes next won’t be easy.

In Japan, there was initially a palpable pride in the country’s ability to endure disaster. People stood calmly in long orderly lines for food and water. They posted notices on message boards in destroyed towns with descriptions of loved ones in the hopes that rescue workers would find them.

After what locals called the Great East Japan Earthquake, the dead in Tohoku were left by piles of rubble, neatly wrapped in taped-up blankets, waiting to be taken away by workers still combing through the detritus for anyone left alive.

The long haul of rebuilding has challenged this resolve. The work has been uneven and, at times, painfully slow, hampered by government incompetence, petty squabbling and bureaucratic wrangling. Nearly half a million people were displaced in Japan. Tens of thousands still haven’t returned home.

The issue has seeped into politics, especially as

far, no Chief Minister or ruling government in the State has ever come out with a roadmap as to how to develop the State. I hope the new House will take up this issue in right earnest if they are truly honest and interested in developing the State.

Amidst hopelessness, we all desire for progress and change; the question is how? To my mind, the way out is firstly, the general public must proactively be critical of the government’s functioning instead of remaining mute spectators. Be bold to correct the Chief Minister or Ministers, cutting across all tribal lines, for any wrong doings because they are allotted Ministerial or Advisory post to administer the whole State and not his or her District, Tribe or one’s constituency alone.

Secondly, as a long drawn measure, public need to be empowered politically, socially and economically which can be achieved by conducting marathon statewide seminars, awareness campaign on both central and State schemes, workshops etc., as part of human resource development which may be initiated by the respective Deputy Commissioners, Nagaland University, Tribal Hohos and the various Unions of villages formed by citizens residing in Kohima and Dimapur. Thirdly, to move the whole State towards

the debate continues about how to handle the aftermath of catastrophic meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Years later, a fear of radiation permeates, and some areas of northern Japan have placed radiation counters in parks and other public areas. Officials and experts are still undecided how to remove the highly radioactive melted fuel debris in the reactor.

There’s already been criticism that the Turkish government has failed to enforce modern construction codes for years, even as it allowed a real estate boom in earthquake-prone areas, and that it has been slow to respond to the disaster.

The years since 2011 have seen another failure, one officials in Japan have acknowledged: an inability to help those traumatized by what they experienced.

Some 2,500 people are unaccounted for across Tohoku, and people are still searching for their loved ones’ remains. One man got a diving license and has gone on weekly dives for years trying to find evidence of his wife. People still oc-

progress and change at a revolutionary mode we require one person. We all know that we can’t expect everybody to change immediately nor can we change everybody automatically; to change everyone in the society requires time.

The question is who can be that one person to embark on the road towards change and progress. For instance, the success of any team work depends mainly on the quality and character of its leader. Similarly, the strength or weakness of any office depends on the Head of office or Director. We notice here that a change, good or bad, does not come from many or group of employees but their leader/Director and at the Departmental level, it is the Secretary or the Commissioner Secretary.

At the State level, we have the Chief Minister, as the head, who is armed to the teeth with all legal and constitutional authority, the only person who is also elected twice in a row; first by the constituency and second by the elected party MLAs, who becomes the Leader of the House.

The one man who can bring this drastic change in the State has to be the Chief Minister and no one else. I am not saying this for the sake of saying. Look at the world map critically and analytically and you will notice that some of the countries that are rich

casionally unearth victims’ photo albums, clothes and other belongings. Perhaps the most telling connection, however, is the sharp empathy shared by those who have survived a cataclysmic disaster, and the gratitude at seeing strangers help ease their suffering.

A group of about 30 rescue workers from Turkiye were in the hard-hit town of Shichigahama for about six months in 2011 for search and rescue operations. Shichigahama locals have not forgotten. They have now started a donation campaign for Turkiye. One man said this week that he wept as he watched the scenes in Turkiye, remembering his town’s ordeal 12 years ago.

“They bravely walked through the debris to help find victims and return their bodies to their families,” Mayor Kaoru Terasawa told reporters of the Turkish aid workers who came to Japan. “We are still so thankful to them, and we want to do something to return the favour and show our gratitude.”

Foster Klug, (AP)

in resources are still underdeveloped and poverty stricken like the African countries and the only reason is because their leaders are selfish or inefficient baptized by factionalism and Tribalism. In contrast, countries that have less or no substantial resources are far better developed and the only reason for it is because of one factor called “good and vibrant leadership”. We say Nagaland is one of the oldest States in the Union of India but is still far behind our neighboring new born States in regard to infrastructure and development.

The reason is not because our neighbors have more resources than us but it can only point to one truth; the kind of leadership they have. Our poor infrastructure and impoverish rural areas with no water supply or roads even after sixty years of statehood invariably points to the kind of politicians and leaders that we had and have. Does Neiphiu Rio have the leadership caliber of the 21st century to bring the change and excellence he talks about or is there anyone among the contesting candidates with that fire of leadership who is beyond the confines of one’s tribal kitchen, beyond self-aggrandizement to actualize the change to usher in peace and progress of our people?

Jonas Yanthan

“When you cease to dream you cease to live.”

~ Malcolm Forbes

Only one person is required to change Nagaland

powerful quakes

SNIPPETS

1 held for flesh trade in Maharashtra

THANE, FEB 10 (PTI):

The police have arrested an autorickshaw driver and are on the lookout for two more persons who allegedly ran online flesh trade in Mira Road near Mumbai, an official said on Friday. The two absconding accused accepted money through mobile payment services and booked hotel rooms for clients. They would send women in an autorickshaw, said the official.

Goa float parades to be held on ground, air and water

PANAJI, FEB 10 (PTI):

The famous Goa Carnival will begin on February 18 and will witness float parades on the ground, water and air at the same time, state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Friday. The four-day event will be held in all major areas of the coastal state. For the first time, a helicopter will be a part of the carnival parade, while there will be floats in river Mandovi, he said.

Cong

MP suspended

for filming RS proceedings

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): In the first action against unruly MPs since Jagdeep Dhankhar took over as Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Congress MP

Rajani Ashokrao Patil was on Friday suspended for the remainder of the Budget session for filming proceedings of the House.

Two killed as truck hits bike in UP

KAUSHAMBI (UP), FEB 10 (PTI): Two people were killed when a speeding truck rammed into their bike in this district on Friday, police said. Both were seriously injured and were taken to the district hospital where they died during treatment, police said. The truck driver fled after the accident leaving the vehicle behind, Lal said, adding that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

11-year-old boy kills another in fight

BAREILLY (UP), FEB 10 (PTI): An 11-year-old boy died after being attacked with a glass bottle by another boy of the same age while dancing to DJ songs at a wedding function here, police said on Friday. An argument broke out between the two minors in Ratnanadpur village on Thursday night. One of them attacked the other with a sauce bottle, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhilesh Chaurasia said. The police reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem.

2 killed, 3 injured in road crash

SIKAR, FEB 10 (PTI):

Two youths were killed and three injured on Friday when a speeding car overturned after colliding with a road divider in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, police said. The accident occurred near Kalyan circle falling under Kotwali police station limits of the district. Car occupants Saurabh Saini and Narendra were killed while their two other friends were injured.

PM Modi links India’s wellbeing to world’s prosperity

LUCKNOW, FEB 10 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the guarantee to world prosperity lies with India, as he urged investors to bet on the country -- and on Uttar Pradesh where a large “aspirational society” waited for them.

He was inaugurating a three-day Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit, which the state government claimed has already attracted investment proposals worth about Rs 33 lakh crore.

At the summit, India’s leading conglomerates Reliance, Aditya Birla Group and Tata Sons committed themselves to an investment of over Rs 1 lakh crore in the state to expand their businesses.

Welcoming foreign delegates and Indian industry leaders to the summit, Modi linked the world’s economic well-being to that of India.

He pointed at the

state’s “double-engine” government – with the BJP in power both at the Centre and in Lucknow – and said UP is full of possibilities.

“There cannot be a better partnership than this.

Let’s not waste this time.

World’s prosperity lies in India’s prosperity. The bright future of the world is guaranteed in the bright future of India,” he said.

The prime minister referred to the impact of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the global economy and said India emerged quickly out

PM silent on issues raised by opposition, claims TN CM

ing the wedding of DMK functionary Paruthi Ilamsuruthi with Nandhini at Korattur here.

of the crisis, showing resilience.

“The biggest reason for this is the increasing self confidence of Indians,” Modi said, adding that the country is seeing a big change in the mindset of its youth and society’s aspirations.

Every Indian citizen now wants to see more development, as quickly as possible, he said.

“The aspirations of Indian society today are giving a push to the governments as well, and these aspirations are also adding

Finance Minister rejects

‘green Budget for Adani’ charge

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

SRINAGAR, FEB 10

(PTI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Friday said imposing the Hindi language in Jammu and Kashmir will amount to an assault on national integration and further deepen the divide in the Union Territory. The imposition of Hindi is an arbitrary decision

CHEN NAI, FEB 10

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on the issues raised by the DMK members in Parliament, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday and claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha election will herald a new beginning in the country just as the 2021 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu ensured a new “dawn” in the state.

Modi, the Chief Minister said, remained silent as he had no answers to the questions posed by the DMK Parliamentarians.

“The Prime Minister has no answers to the questions posed by the DMK MPs like T R Baalu or Kanimozhi on the Sethu Samudram Ship Canal project or Madurai AIIMS project. The 2024 Lok Sabha election will herald a new dawn in the country just as the 2021 Assembly election led to the rise of the DMK in Tamil Nadu,” Stalin said after solemnis-

Also, Stalin sought to know about the status of the BJP’s poll promises, especially bringing home black money stashed in foreign banks, creating two crore jobs for the youth per annum and crediting Rs 15 lakh in every person’s bank account. “Forget about Rs 15 lakh, did the BJP government credit at least Rs 15,000 or even Rs 15?” the Chief Minister asked.

Turning to DMK’s role in bringing prosperity to the state, he said February 10 flooded his mind with memories of his father M Karunanidhi becoming the Chief Minister on this day in 1969.

A five-time Chief Minister, Karunanidhi had contributed a lot to the development of Tamil Nadu and showed the way for India, Stalin added.

“Whenever Kalaignar (as late Karunanidhi was addressed) put his pen on paper, monuments like Valluvar Kottam and establishments like Tidel Park rose and so did the stature of Tamil Nadu. His signature led to the state’s prosperity and changed the destiny of the Tamils,” Stalin further said.

pace to development work,” the PM said.

“Like entire India, a very large aspirational society is waiting for you now in UP,” he told potential investors.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the summit launch. More Union ministers were slated to participate later in panel discussions.

The prime minister talked about India offering new physical and digital infrastructure, seamless markets and simplified bureaucratic procedures. He said reforms in India are being carried out not because of compulsion, but because of conviction.

“India today is truly on the path of pace and scale. We have fulfilled the basic needs of a large section –and that is why it is thinking of the next level, thinking of the future,” he said.

(PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday rejected Opposition charges of the Budget allocations for green and clean energy being made keeping the Adani Group in mind, saying it might be Congress culture to give benefits to ‘jijas’ and ‘bhatijas’ but not of the Modi government.

Sitharaman had in Budget 2023-24 provided Rs 35,000 crore for clean energy transition -- a space where the Adani Group has announced massive projects ranging from renewable energy capacity to green hydrogen production. Such allocation has been tagged ‘green growth’ budget and the Opposition punned it to imply it was meant for Adani Group firms such as Adani Green Energy Ltd.

“ ... kyun ki mera naam le kar ek vipaksh ke neta bole, kya Nirmala Sitharaman ne green mei itna amount allot kiya, kya itna amount kisiko mann mei rakhte hue allot kiya? (Because one Opposition leader took

Oppn attacks govt for not meeting expectations of commoners in Budget

AITC member Shan -

tanu Sen said when the Prime Minister was speaking on Thursday “not a single MP from AITC, or Congress, AAP or anyone was shown exercising their basic democratic right” nor was it covered by the Rajya Sabha TV.

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): Opposition parties on Friday criticised the government for not meeting the aspirations and expectations of the people in the general budget this year, with some even calling it so lacklustre as to not aim at India’s future development. Participating in the general discussion on budget, DMK member M Mohamed Abdulla said that the people expected an “amazing government” from NDA when it came to power in 2014, but instead, they got an “Amazon government.”

The Union government has given a lacklustre budget which does not aim at the growth or welfare of the people of this country, he said, as he highlighted the high rate of unemployment and inflation in the country.

“This budget shows that this government does

not have any road map to build India’s future, instead this government want to push the fortune of gift city Ahmedabad at the cost of other financial and commercial centres of the country,” Abdulla said, and called into question scant relief for poor people and ordinary taxpayers in the budget.

“Government sells public sector firms to their corporate masters and when corporate companies struggle, very recently like your friend Adani’s companies were struggling, your government takes common man’s money from government company like LIC or SBI to infuse funds into those and who uses the money to manipulate the stock market,” the leader said referring to a recent wipe out of Adani Group shares in the wake of the Hindenburg report.

He claimed that the Budget was opportunistic, rhetorical, and had “turned a blind eye to the plight of the common man” with its silence on inflation, unemployment, and other key issues.

He alleged that although the Union Finance Minister spoke of inclusive development, there was a “38 per cent budget cut for minority schemes.”

“Budget for madrasas and minorities education has been slashed to Rs 10 crore...,” he said, adding, there has been no significant increase in budget allocation for higher education and school education, he stated.

The unemployment rate in December 2022 was 8.3 per cent – the highest in the last 16 months – with four crore youths currently jobless, Sen said. He alos said that the outlay for healthcare seems to have increased but, adjusted to inflation, there is actually a decrease.

Stones pelted at Vande Bharat train in Telangana

tion Force (RPF) noticed it and an investigation is underway, they said. Asked if there was any damage or cracks to window panes, the officials told PTI: “It (damage) will be assessed after the train reaches Visakhapatnam”.

last month, unidentified persons had pelted stones at a coach of the train at the railway yard in Visakhapatnam breaking a glass window.

PM Narendra Modi had on January 15 virtually

my name and said, did Nirmala Sitharaman allocate so much amount to green sector keeping in mind a particular individual?)

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, any allocation is not made keeping anyone specific in mind, rather by keeping everyone in mind.

The government keeps country in mind. Such kind of remarks is absolutely wrong...,” the minister said without naming any company or individual. She was replying to the general discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.

Proceedings of Parliament have been disrupted by

Opposition parties demanding a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee or a Supreme Court monitored enquiry into allegations of financial fraud made by USbased Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group.

While participating in the debate, Congress’ Leader of the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought an explanation from the Finance Minister on how can investors have confidence when the market capitalisation of one of the richest persons in the world eroded by 47 per cent following allegations of accounting fraud and stock price manipulation. Without naming the Congress, Sitharaman said there were times when phone calls were made to banks for giving loans to benefit certain people.

“...if phone calls were made, if relations were given benefit, if jijajis and bhatijas (brothers-in law and nephews) were given benefit, it might be their culture,” she said in an apparent dig at the Gandhi family.

Here as family member, not as PM: Modi at Bohra community event

MUMBAI, FEB 10 (PTI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled the decades-old bond he shared with the Dawoodi Bohra community.

“l am here as a family member, not as prime minister,” Modi said after inaugurating the fourth campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, premier educational institute of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Modi said visiting the campus is like visiting his own family, and spoke about his bond with the community.

The Bohra community has stood the test of transforming with the times, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said in the last few years an atmosphere of unprecedented trust has been created in the country as he reached out to the influential Dawoodi Bohra community

and praised its members for changing themselves with the times.

Presenting himself as a family member of the community and not as Prime Minister at an event at Marol in suburban Andheri, Modi fondly recalled his decades-old close ties with the social group.

Inaugurating the fourth campus of Aljamea-tusSaifiyah Arabic Academy, a premier educational institute of the Dawoodi Bohra sect of the Muslim community, he said the country has put an end to 40,000 compliances and decriminalised hundreds of legal provisions. These laws adversely affected businesses of entrepreneurs, but the government is now standing firmly with job creators, said the PM on his second visit to Mumbai in less than a month.

JOB OPENING

HYDERABAD, FEB 10 (PTI): Unidentified persons pelted stones at a coach of the Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat

of the BJP government that has a singular purpose, to deepen the divide in a multilingual, multi-ethnic society of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

“The direction of Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT) to teach the Hindi language of classes Ist to 10th in all schools amounts

train while it was passing through Mahabubabad district of Telangana on Friday, railway officials said.

The Railway Protec -

to deepening the divide further,” Tarigami said in a statement. He said such recommendations are negating the legacy of the freedom struggle and the constitutional promises of nourishing unity and diversity.

“Favouring Hindi at the cost of other languages amounts to an attack on national integration,” he added.

It is suspected that some children may have pelted stones at the train, however, investigations were on, they said based on preliminary investigation. The probe is on and the railway police will file a case on its own, the official further said. Ahead of the launch of the Vande Bharat Express

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023, in Lucknow, Friday. (PTI)

Narendra Modi with spiritual leader Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin at Marol in Mumbai, Friday. (PTI)

flagged off the Vande Bharat train service between Secunderabad in Telangana and the port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Imposing Hindi in J-K assault on national integration, says CPI(M) leader Tarigami

M

K Stalin

Nirmala Sitharaman

Government to revoke ban on fintech firms LazyPay, Kissht

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(PTI): The government will revoke the ban imposed on fintech firms LazyPay and Kissht after representations were made by these companies, a senior official said on Friday. The government last week ordered the blocking of 232 apps operated by overseas entities, including Chinese, for being involved in betting, gambling and unauthorised loan service.

Sources said that the government will revoke the ban on LazyPay and Kissht that were in the list of banned websites and apps after representations were made by these companies.

A senior government official confirmed the development.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued blocking orders on Saturday, based on an emergency request issued by a nodal officer of the home ministry, against 138 betting and gam-

(From p-1)

bling websites and 94 loan apps that were engaging in illegal money laundering and posing a threat to financial security of the country.

Fintech firms LazyPay, IndiaBulls Home Loans and Kissht were among the list of blocked websites.

As per the list, MeitY issued orders to block lazypay.in, which is a subsidiary of Dutch investment firm Prosus. The website www.indiabullshomeloans. com is operated by housing finance company Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd, while Kissht.com is being operated by RBI-registered NBFC ONEMi Technology Solutions Private Limited.

The other websites in the blocked list include buddyloan.com, cashtm.in, kreditbee.en.aptoide.com, faircent.com, true-balance. en.uptodown.com, and mpokket.en.aptoide.com.

Fintech firms mPokket, True Balance and Kreditbee have denied any link with the banned platform. “The

reference of TrueBalance in the media story which mentions Meity’s target list of digital lenders is a clear case of impersonation. There is a proxy app present on the app store Uptodown with which we (TrueBalance) hold no direct or indirect connection.

“We hereby clarify that hitherto we have not received any official communication from the ministry,” Balancehero India- which operates True Balance, said. Similarly KreditBee said Aptoide is a third-party App Store, with which it has no formal or informal partnership.

“We are speculating that it’s a proxy app on Aptoide, and investigating this further. Blocking of the Aptoide link is a favourable outcome for us,” the company said. mPokket too has said that the app in the banned list is impersonating it and the firm has no link with the blocked platform.

(From p-1)

In a press release, NSN Lotha said that incidents of such nature created a disturbing atmosphere in the smooth conduct of free and fair elections. Condemning “such acts of vandalism”, the JDU candidate has called upon all sensible people to join him in condemning such acts “so as to create peaceful atmosphere in the Chukitong range.”

In a separate statement, Y Kikon, vehemently condemned burning down of house of PA to Dy CM, on February 9. He also condemned the “criminal threatening and manhandling” meted out to Orenimo Kikon, GB of Nunhying village and snatching away personal property of Loreni Kikon, on February 3.

The RJD candidate has urged upon the law enforcement agency to immediately take action and boo k the criminals/culprits under appropriate sections of the law in force.

GBsofKoiovillageflay randomhousesearchbySF

GBs of Koio village un-

der Chukitong circle, Wokha district have alleged that of late the security forces, on the pretext of the ensuing general election, were harassing the public of Koio village causing much anxiety.

In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioner (DC) and district election officer (DEO) Wokha, the GBs of Koio village—Ekhow Kikon Head GB, Nchumbemo Ezung GB, Yanbamo Kikon GB, Kangtsurao Ezung GB, Ramongo Kikon GB, Wokhango Ngullie GB and Rendemo Patton GB— have cautioned that such acts of security forces could cause social unrest in the days to come if the present exercise was not streamlined at the earliest. GBs alleged that the security forces have “unleashed terror” in the village by undertaking random house search and picking of innocent public at the simplest pretext, which they described as “unwarranted in a welfare democratic state.” GBs have, therefore, urged DC and DEO Wokha to intervene at the earliest, direct the security personnel to refrain from such unwarranted exercise.

Khango-led NSCN (K) reacts to allegations

The Khango faction claimed that on the night of his impeachment, Isak was disarmed to avoid any confrontation and was released unharmed with dignity along with his family, which could be corroborated with CCTV footage.

The group also described the pre-empt appointment of vice-president as acting president, about whom the incumbent and the government

had no knowledge, by the dissidents as ridiculous and stunt to confuse the “gullible Nagas”. It mentioned that nothing much could be said about the disgraced deputy C-in-C whose integrity was allegedly on sale.

The Khango-led NSCN (K) further questioned the credibility of the statement addressed to Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) by WC/ NNPGs convener that Isak Sumi would represent the

seven NNPGs in peace talks with the Central government despite holding no authority to represent NSCN/GPRN (K), as he had been impeached by the NSCN/GPRN (K) government for his unconstitutional activities and for breaching the party discipline.

It also wondered whether NNPGs co-conveners were taken into confidence by the convener while addressing the letter

to CFMG and whether the six NNPGs had consensually agreed to sever ties with NSCN/GPRN (K). And if this was so, the Khango-led NSCN/ GPRN (K) declared that it would not shy away from becoming a separate entity to hold peace talks with the Centre.

The group assured that the ceasefire signed with the Central government would be upheld in letter and spirit, claiming

that the internal matter would not fracture the relationship with New Delhi and nor would it encumber the ongoing peace talks.

NSCN/GPRN (K) declared that it was intact under the leadership of Khango and assured Nagas that it would be a beacon to their aspiration and was sincere in concluding talks with the Centre to achieve an honourable and permanent solution to the long vexed Naga political issue.

Officials misled Governor for cause of incomplete projects, claims Cong

(From p-1)

She recalled that the state chief minister had assured the people that admission to Kohima Medical College would start from 2022-23.

Mahima also said the Centre had disbursed Rs 242.5 crore out of the latter’s total share of Rs 292.5 crore for Mon Medical College.

Mahima accused the ruling NDPP-BJP coalition of not being able to complete even one medical college in Nagaland even after the Central government had released its total share of the fund.

She remarked that State H&FW minister S Pangnyu Phom of the BJP should speak out the

truth to the people and disclose that the Centre had released its entire share for Kohima Medical College and about 90% for Mon Medical College. The AICC coordinator claimed that most of the projects such as government hospitals, schools, colleges and other infrastructure were conceived and con-

structed during the time of Congress rule. In this regard, she assured the people that if Congress was elected to power, it would free Nagaland from the shackles of “politics of malice”, “politics of sloganeering”, “politics of skulduggery”, “politics of denigration” and “politics of ransom”.

(From p-1) Central and State government agencies had made seizures worth Rs 35.60 crore till February 9 from different places.

The CEO said most cash was recovered at the border with Manipur, though he refused to reveal political affiliations of the individuals from whom the cash was recovered.

4 poll-related violence: Shekhar said four poll-related violence were reported so far. While arrests had been made at Khar and an inquiry was on after reports of violence were received from the village, he confirmed that another clash was reported on February 6 and investigation was initiated.

The CEO mentioned that there was another report from Tobu subdivision that supporters of rival candidates had blocked each other’s road, whose details were still awaited. The fourth incident was reported from Wokha where one farmhouse was burnt down by unknown

miscreants on Friday. Shekhar said one police officer had been deputed to monitor the situation and the security forces sent to the area.

Asked whether any additional special security arrangement was made for Mokokchung and Wokha considering the clashes between supporters of rival political parties in the past, he replied that 75 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) battalions had already been deployed across the State and more security forces were expected to arrive on February 16 after the Tripura Assembly polls.

Shekhar stated that all electioneering machineries were put in place for smooth conduct of the election and that Election Commission of India (ECI) was closely monitoring the situation in the State.

Kazheto grateful:

Expressing gratitude to the people of 31 A/C Akuluto for their unflinching support, Kazheto Kinimi said that such achievements

would not have been not possible overnight, but due to the tireless effort of the BJP Karyakartas at the State and the Mandal.

Giving credit to the party workers, the 68-year old Kinimi also thanked the national and state level BJP leadership for reposing their faith in his abilities and for their valuable guidance.

While stating that the last tenure had seen tremendous growth and progress in his constituency, Kinimi further assured to continue to work with renewed vigor and give his best to uplift the people.

He also said that he would continue to campaign for the victory of the NDPP-BJP alliance and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power again with absolute majority.

“My victory is just a glimpse of the mood of the people in Nagaland towards the NDPP-BJP alliance,” he said and wished all the candidates of the alliance.

BJP’s Kazheto elected unopposed

(From p-1)

Kazheto grateful: Expressing gratitude to the people of 31 A/C Akuluto for their unflinching support, Kazheto Kinimi said that such achievements would not have been not possible overnight, but due to the tireless effort of the BJP Karyakartas at the State and the Mandal.

Giving credit to the party workers, the 68-year old Kinimi also thanked the national and state level BJP leadership for reposing their faith in his abilities and for their valuable guidance. While stating that

the last tenure had seen tremendous growth and progress in his constituency, Kinimi further assured to continue to work with renewed vigor and give his best to uplift the people. He also said that he would continue to campaign for the victory of the NDPPBJP alliance and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power again with absolute majority. “My victory is just a glimpse of the mood of the people in Nagaland towards the NDPP-BJP alliance,” he said and wished all the candidates of the alliance.

India needs 30 mn digitally skilled professionals by 2026

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (IANS): India will need 30 million digitally skilled professionals by 2026, and about 50 per cent of the current workforce would require to re-skill themselves in areas of emerging technologies, a new report said on Friday.

Currently, India has about 500 million people of working age, and industry data suggests that only 49 per cent of total youth (age group of 22-25 years) in the country is employable, according to employment services provider TeamLease.

“Our own survey have indicated that 75 per cent of companies face a skill gap in the industry. Even among people, who can stay in their curre nt jobs,

40 per cent of fundamental abilities are likely to change and thus re-aligning the skill strategy will be crucial for companies,” said Rituparna Chakraborty, Co-Founder & Executive Director, TeamLease Services.

Moreover, the report suggests that developing a skills matric, conducting skill audits to target specific learning journeys and intermingling upskilling within the company culture; a comprehensive skill development strategy will lead to a more sustainable future of work. The proposed suggestion also includes having an effective outcome-focused learning approach with structured impact evaluation metrics.

“Over 2 million jobs

in AI, Cyber Security, and blockchain are expected to remain unfilled in 2023. Additionally, the workplace is evolving so rapidly that 76 per cent of the global workforce is not equipped with the requisite skills to function in the new digitally focused workplaces,” mentioned Chakraborty. “The long-term goal of all skill development programs must focus on the creation of a future-ready and futureproof workforce for that is the only way we can tackle the fluctuations in the world of work and infuse a sense of greater stability.”

SNIPPETS

Pakistan reserves drop below $3 bn

KARACHI, FEB 10

(IANS): Pakistans foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank decreased by 5.5 per cent or $170 million to $2.91 billion in the week ending February 3, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Thursday, deepening the economic woes of the crisis-stricken country, media reports said. The country has $8.54 billion in reserves in total, including $5.62 billion held by commercial banks, The News reported.

UN humanitarian chief to visit Turkey, Syria

GENEVA, FEB 10

(IANS): UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is set to travel to Turkey and Syria where more than 21,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the countries earlier this week. Over the weekend, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator will visit Gaziantep, in southern Turkey, and Aleppo in northwestern Syria -- two of the worsthit regions, reports Xinhua news agency.

12 killed, 63 injured in road accident

DAR ES SALAAM, FEB

10 (IANS): At least 12 people were killed and 63 others injured in a road accident in Tanzania’s central district of Kongwa in Dodoma Region, an official said. Rosemary

Senyamule, Dodoma Regional Commissioner, on Thursday said the accident involved a bus and a truck that collided headon at midnight on Wednesday at Silwa village along the DodomaMorogoro highway.

“Eight men and four women travelling in the bus were killed on the spot,” said Senyamule, adding that 63 of the injured persons were rushed to Kongwa District government hospital.

Ex Russian governor gets 22 years in jail

MOSCOW, FEB 10

(AGENCIES): A former Russian governor, whose arrest sparked massive protests in the far-eastern city of Khabarovsk in 2020, was jailed on Friday for 22 years for allegedly organising two murders, reports AFP. A court in the Moscow region sentenced Sergei Furgal over the killing of two businessmen in the region nearly 20 years ago.

Laos begins to prepare for 2024 ASEAN summit

VIENTIANE, FEB 10

(IANS): Preparations are underway for Laos to host the next ASEAN summit in 2024, with a national-level meeting convened at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss the arrangements, local media reported on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Xinhua news agency quoted local daily Vientiane Times as saying. Accordingly, some 14 sub-committees have been appointed to supervise preparations for the summit.

Moldovan prime minister resigns; govt collapses

CHISINAU, FEB 10 (AP): Moldova’s government collapsed Friday as pro-Western Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned, adding to a series of crises that have gripped the small nation since Russia invaded its neighbor, Ukraine.

Gavrilita told a news conference that the “time has come for me to announce my resignation” and said no one expected her government, elected in the summer of 2021, “would have to manage so many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine.”

Gavrilita’s premiership was marked by a long string of problems. These include an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies to Moldova; skyrocketing inflation; and several troublesome incidents such as missiles from

West politicizing Syria’s crisis: Syrian Prez

Focus turns to quakeaidbut rescues continue

the war in neighboring Ukraine traversing its skies.

“I took over the government with an anti-corruption, pro-development and pro-European mandate at a time when corruption schemes had captured all the institutions and the oligarchs felt untouchable,” Gavrilita said. “We were immediately faced with energy blackmail, and those who did this hoped that we would give in.”

“The bet of the ene-

mies of our country was that we would act like previous governments, who gave up energy interests, who betrayed the national interest in exchange for short-term benefits,” she added.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu thanked Gavrilita on Friday for her “enormous sacrifice and efforts to lead the country in a time of so many crises.”

“Despite unprecedented challenges, the country was governed responsibly, with great care and dedicated work,” Sandu said. “We have stability, peace and development — where others wanted war and bankruptcy.” Sandu added that she will hold consultations with parliamentary factions and appoint a candidate for the leadership position, without stating when.

ALEPPO, FEB 10 (AP):

Syrian President Bashar Assad has accused western countries of politicizing Syria’s humanitarian crisis following the Feb. 6 earthquake. Assad spoke briefly to reporters Friday in the demolished Masharqa neighborhood of Aleppo during his first visit to the quake zone following the 7.8-magnitude temblor. He said: “The West has no humanitarianism, therefore politicizing the situation in Syria is something they would naturally do.”

The devastating damage to Aleppo, Syria’s second and largest city, compounds the woes of the war-scarred city that faced years of bombardment in the 12-year conflict, much of it by Assad’s forces and

Russia to cut oil production after Western caps

MOSCOW, FEB 10 (AP): Russia announced Friday that will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day next month after Western countries capped the price of its crude over its action in Ukraine.

“As of today, we fully sell all our crude output, but as we stated before, we will not sell oil to those who directly or indirectly adhere to the price ceiling,’” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. “In connection with that, Russia will voluntarily cut production by 500,000 barrels a day. It will help restore market-style relations,” he said.

Analysts have said one possible Russian response to the cap would be to slash production to try to raise oil prices, which could eventually flow through to higher gasoline prices at the pump as less oil makes it to the

global market. International benchmark Brent crude rose 2.2 per cent Friday, to USD 86.42 per barrel.

The Group of Seven major democracies have imposed a USD 60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil shipped to non-Western countries. The goal is to keep oil flowing to the world to prevent price spikes that were seen last year, while limiting Russia’s financial gains that can be used to pay for its campaign against Ukraine. The cap is enforced

UK modern slavery fears: Indian mission reaches out to students

LONDON, FEB 10 (PTI):

The Indian High Commission here on Friday appealed to students from India to contact the mission for help and counselling amid fears that over 50 of them may have become victims of modern slavery while working at care homes in North Wales run by five Indian-origin persons.

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), a UK government intelligence and investigative agency for labour exploitation, reported earlier this week that it had succeeded in getting a court order against five individuals for labour abuse.

The GLAA said it has identified “more than 50 Indian students as being potential victims of modern slavery and labour abuse over the last 14 months” in relation to the case.

“We were concerned to read this news. Indian students who have suffered this, please contact us at pol3.london@mea.gov.in, and we will provide help/ counselling. We assure you of confidentiality in our response,” the High Commission tweeted. Five peopleMathew Issac, 32, Jinu Che-

DECLARATION

rian, 30, Eldhose Cherian, 25, Eldhose Kuriachan, 25, and Jacob Liju, 47 - are suspected of recruiting and exploiting vulnerable Indian students working in care homes across North Wales and have been handed a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).

All five, originally from Kerala, were arrested by GLAA between December 2021 and May 2022 and while investigations remain ongoing, there have been no criminal charges brought against them at this stage.

They are said to have links to care homes in Abergele, Pwllheli, Llandudno, and Colwyn Bay across the region, either by working there themselves or having a direct family link to someone who works in them.

GLAA said Issac and his wife Jinu Cherian also supplied workers through Alexa Care Solutions, a recruitment agency registered in May 2021.

Reports to the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline three months later claimed that Indian workers employed by Alexa Care were not being paid correctly or were having their wages withheld.

I, Shri. PANGJUNG JAMIR intend to contest in the upcoming General Election to be held on 27.02.2023 from 21st Tuli A/C from the National Party named as Bharatiya Janata Party. My fellow Brothers and Sisters of Nagaland, I do hereby declare a fact that the National Investigation Agency has registered against me a case being case no. RC 1/16 and has filed a charge sheet against me under section 39 and 40 of Unlawful Activities Prevention ACT, 1967 before the learned Special Judge, NIA Dimapur since I am innocent and a victim of circumstances, I have challenged the entire case before the Hon’ble High Court at Kohima and the Hon’ble High Court after hearing me was pleased to stay the proceedings against me initiated by National Investigation Agency vide order dated 06.08.2018. db-182/23

by barring Western companies that largely control shipping and insurance services from moving oil priced above the limit.

Russia has said it will not sell oil to countries observing the cap, a moot point because Russian oil has been trading below the price ceiling recently. However, the cap, an accompanying European Union embargo on most Russian oil and lower demand for crude have meant that customers in India, Turkey and China have been able to push for substantial discounts on Russian oil.

The impact of a cut of 500,000 barrels per day is an open question as a slowing global economy reduces the thirst for oil. The OPEC+ alliance of oil producers, which includes Russia, tried to boost oil prices with an October announcement that it would cut production by 2 million barrels per day, only

to see prices fall below USD 80 per barrel by December.

Asked if Russia consulted OPEC+ members about Moscow’s new production cut, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “there had been conversations with some members of the OPEC+” before the move was announced. He didn’t offer any details.

But Novak insisted in a statement later that Moscow made the move without consulting anyone. “It’s a voluntary cut; there have been no consultations with anyone regarding it,” the deputy prime minister said, according to the Russian media.

The new reduction could be “an early sign that Russia might try to weaponise oil supplies after last year’s failed attempt to weaponize natural gas,” said Simone Tagliapietra, an energy policy expert at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels.

Russia hits targets across Ukraine with missiles, drones

those of his ally, Russia. During his visit to Aleppo on Friday, Assad visited Aleppo University Hospital and then met with rescuers in Masharqua, where paramedics on Thursday removed the bodies of 44 people and seven others alive from one building.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s head of emergencies, were also arriving in Aleppo on Friday to help coordinate and support the delivery of aid. A United Nations spokesperson says the first earthquake-related

aid convoy of 14 trucks has crossed from Turkey into northwestern Syria. The road to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing was obstructed for days following the earthquake due to road damage and debris from collapsed buildings. The U.N. spokesperson confirmed the convoy’s crossing into Syria to The Associated Press confirmed on Friday.

A convoy of six trucks containing shelter items crossed the border Thursday, though it was intended to enter the rebel-held Syrian enclave before the earthquake. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party has declared a cease-fire in its conflict with Turkey to facilitate rescue operations following the devastating earthquake.

According to a spokesperson for the group, Zagros Hiwa, the cease-fire comes on the orders of PKK leader Cemil Bayik “to allow rescue operations and reduce pain of affected people in disaster zone.” Hiwa added

Friday that it is an “open cease-fire” but “depends also on Turkey’s response,” meaning “if they attack us, we will respond.”

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984 with the aim of establishing a Kurdish state in southeast Turkey, which has since morphed into a campaign for autonomy. The conflict between militants and state forces has killed tens of thousands of people.

The Foreign Ministry of ethnically divided Cyprus says Turkey has “kindly declined” its offer for a rescue team to help with the search for people trapped in collapsed buildings following Monday’s devastating earthquake. The Foreign Ministry said in a tweet Friday that the offer, which had been initially accepted, “still stands” and expressed gratefulness for professional rescuers “ready to save lives everywhere.”

IMF, Pak fail to strike deal on bailout package

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, FEB 10 (PTI):

Cash-strapped Pakistan and the IMF have failed to reach a staff-level agreement on a much-needed USD 1.1 billion bailout package aimed at preventing the country from going bankrupt.

After 10 days of talks here, discussions between the two sides remained inclusive, with the Washing-

To, The President National People’s Party (NPP) Kohima, Nagaland

Date: 4-Feb-2023

ton-based global lender saying that discussions will continue virtually in the coming days.

Pakistan, whose foreign exchange has dropped below USD 3 billion, is in desperate need of financial assistance and a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund in order to avoid an economic collapse. The 9th review is

currently pending and its successful completion will bring USD 1.1 billion in the form of the next tranche.

An IMF mission led by Nathan Porter visited Islamabad from January 31 to February 9 to hold discussions under the ninth review of the authorities’ programme supported by the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.

Sub: Resignation from NPP Kohima AC 9 as well as Active and Primary Membership.

Sir,

We have been working loyally and tirelessly for the welfare of the party in the constituency for the past 16 months. But denying the Party Ticket had dashed all our hopes and aspirations and made us realize that our sacrificial work for the welfare of the National People’s Party (NPP) has all been in vain.

Having lost confidence in the functioning of the top leaderships of NPP and Kohima district, the following members hereby tender our resignation from active membership of National People’s Party (NPP) Kohima with immediate effect and join Indian National Congress (INC).

Further it is unfortunate and highly regrettable that the one-man party system without inner democracy.

KYIV, FEB 10(AP): Russia

unleashed strategic bombers, killer drones and rockets in a barrage of attacks across Ukraine early Friday, as a military push by Moscow that Kyiv says has been brewing for days appeared to pick up pace ahead of the one-year anniversary of its invasion.

The Kremlin’s forces focused their bombardments on Ukraine’s industrial east, especially the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region where fighting has recently been most in-

tense, the Ukrainian military said. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces there since 2014.

But the barrage went further, also taking aim at the capital, Kyiv, and Lviv, near Ukraine’s Western border with Poland. It also struck critical infrastructure in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the northeast. Seven people were wounded there, two of them seriously, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Air raid sirens went off across much of the country.

CORRIGENDUM

Declaration relating to the LJP members resigning from the party and joining NDPP in 34 A/C Aghunato published on the 10th February 2023, the name appeared in SL. NO. 17 may be read as Mr. Nitolho Katty and not Akheto Katty.

Error regretted.

Alexander Novak

Natalia Gavrilita

Bashar Assad

Residents take shelter in a metro station during an air strike alarm in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. (AP)

DiCaprio praises Assam govt for zero rhino poaching

One-Horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park following the killing of around 190 animals for their horns between 2000 and 2021.”

“In 2022, they met their goal and no rhinos were poached in the area for the first time since 1977.”

The actor called it “good news”.

Oscar winning Hollywood actor and environment activist Leonardo DiCaprio has lauded the Assam government for its efforts that has resulted in no poaching of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros in the Indian state in 2022.

The Assam govern -

CEO Nagaland informs on pre-certification of political party songs

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland, has informed the president of all recognized political party and registered unrecognised political party regarding uploading of political party songs in YouTube/Social Media without precertification.

Rihanna plans highly anticipated return to stage with Super Bowl halftime show

Nine-time Grammy Award winner Rihanna makes her highly anticipated return to live performance at Super Bowl 57 on Sunday, headlining a halftime show that will highlight her Caribbean culture.

Wakanda Forever” and the singer was nominated for an Academy Award. Rihanna waves to media ahead of her Super Bowl LVII Apple Music Halftime Show at the Phoenix Convention Center, in Phoenix

ment on January 1 announced that for the first time since 1977, there was no case of poaching of the animal in the state in 2022.

The actor took to Instagram, where he said: “In 2021, the government of the Indian state of Assam set out to end the poaching of the Endangered Greater

“Kaziranga National Park is home to 2,200 greater one-horned rhinos, which is about two-thirds of the world’s population. This triumph in India also comes with more good news, as @wwf (World Wildlife Fund) also reports that the world population of the rare rhino soared to around 3,700 from about 200 at the turn of the 20th century,” he added. (IANS)

The release stated that some political parties were uploading advertisement in the electronic media without obtaining prior certification which is against the Supreme Court order and standing instructions of Election Commission. In this regard, the office of the CEO Nagaland informed that any kind of advertisement in electronic media requires pre-certification from the committee before publication. Chairman Precertification Committee & Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Ruokuovituo Khezhie has requested those political parties who have uploaded their advertisement e.g. theme songs, campaigns songs etc., without pre-certification to immediately remove the contents from the platform and submit to the committee for certification. (CEO Office, Nagaland)

The Barbados-born singer has not released a solo album since January 2016 and fans will be clamouring to see the 34-yearold chart-topper when she takes the stage for a global audience of millions at State Farm Stadium, where the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The international superstar said she was inspired to take on the challenge after giving birth to her first child in May.

“When you become a mom there’s something that just happens (and) you feel like you can take on the world, you can do anything,” she told reporters in Phoenix on Thursday. “So as scary as that was

because I haven’t been on stage in seven years, there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. And it’s important for me to do this, this year. It’s important for representation, it’s important for my son to see that.”

Rihanna’s only solo music in the last seven years came in October when she released “Lift Me Up” in tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman for the Marvel film “Black Panther:

It is the second time Rihanna has been asked to perform at the Super Bowl after she reportedly turned down an offer in 2018 out of solidarity for quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice.

While the details of the annual halftime show are as closely guarded as the teams’ playbooks, Rihanna indicated that she would incorporate elements of her Caribbean culture in the performance.

“That’s a big part of why this is important for me to do this show: representation, representing for immigrants, representing for my country, Barbados, representing for Black women everywhere,” she said. (Reuters)

KL Pamei releases debut single IdrisElbasayshehasstoppeddescribinghimselfasablackactor

London-born star Idris

Elba explained why h e has stopped describing himself as a black actor. London-born star Idris Elba explained why he has stopped describing himself as a black actor.

KL Pamei has released his first single music video “Gailiangmei” from his upcoming debut album. The music video features Maniwood actress Soma Laishram (Manipur) and Imkong Chuba (Nagaland) from Dreamz Unlimited.

The video was di -

by KL Pamei, cinematography and editing by Kohdi Jings film and audio recorded, mixed and mastered at Element Indie Studio by Kevi Pucho. The video and audio is out on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes and all the major digital stores and streaming platforms.

The 50-year-old who has starred in a host of big-budget films and TV shows during his career, has revealed that he’s reluctant to be put “in a box”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The London-born star explained: “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really

Reasons to Love the Mediterranean Diet

1. Surprise! No Calorie

Counting

You won’t need a calculator for this meal plan. Instead of adding up numbers, you swap out bad fats for heart-healthy ones. Go for olive oil instead of butter. Try fish or poultry rather than red meat. Enjoy fresh fruit and skip sugary, fancy desserts.

Eat your fill of flavorful veggies and beans. Nuts are good, but stick to a handful a day. You can have wholegrain bread and wine, but in moderate amounts.

2. The Food Is Really Fresh

You won’t need to roam the frozen food aisle or hit a fast-food drive-thru. The focus is on seasonal food that’s made in simple, mouth-watering ways. Build a yummy salad from spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Add classic Greek ingredients like black olives and feta cheese with a Quick Light Greek Salad recipe. You can also whip up a colorful, veggie-filled batch of Grilled Tomato Gazpacho.

3. You Can Have Bread

Look for a loaf made with whole grains. It’s got more protein and minerals and is generally healthier than the white flour kind. Try whole-grain pita bread dipped in olive oil, hummus, or tahini (a protein-rich paste made from ground sesame seeds).

4. Fat Isn’t Forbidden

You just need to look for the good kind. You’ll find it in nuts, olives, and olive oil. These fats (not the saturated and trans fat hidden in processed foods) add flavor and help fight diseases from diabetes to cancer. Basic Basil Pesto is a tasty way to get some into your diet.

5. The Menu Is Huge

It’s more than just Greek and Italian cuisine. Look for recipes from Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and other countries. Choose foods that stick to the basics: light on red meat and whole-fat dairy, with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, olive oil, and whole grains. This Moroccan recipe with chickpeas, okra, and spices fits the healthy Mediterranean profile.

6. The Spices Are Delicious Bay leaves, cilantro, coriander, rosemary, garlic, pepper, and cinnamon add so much flavor you won’t need to reach for the salt shaker. Some have health benefits, too. Coriander and rosemary, for example, have disease-fighting antioxidants and nutrients. This recipe for Greek-Style Mushrooms uses cilantro and coriander and has a lemony kick.

7. It’s Easy to Make Greek meals are often small, easy to assemble plates called mezzes. For your own serve-it-cold casual meal, you

could put out plates of cheese, olives, and nuts. Also check out this recipe for Basil Quinoa With Red Bell Pepper. It has heart-friendly ingredients including olive oil, beans, whole grains, and spices.

8. You Can Have Wine

A glass with meals is common in many Mediterranean countries, where dining is often leisurely and social. Some studies suggest that for some people, up to one glass a day for women and two for men may be good for your heart. Talk to your doctor to see if it’s a good idea for you.

9. You Won’t Be Hungry

You’ll get a chance to eat rich-tasting foods like roasted sweet potatoes, hummus, and even this Lima Bean Spread. You digest them slowly so that you feel full longer. Hunger’s not a problem when you can munch on nuts, olives, or bites of low-fat cheese when a craving strikes. Feta and halloumi are lower in fat than cheddar but still rich and tasty.

10. You Can Lose Weight

You’d think it would take a miracle to drop some pounds if you eat nuts, cheese, and oils. But those Mediterranean basics (and the slower eating style) let you feel full and satisfied. And that helps you stick to a diet. Regular exercise is also an important part of the lifestyle.

11. Your Heart Will Thank You

Almost everything in this diet is good for your heart. Olive oil and nuts help lower “bad” cholesterol. Fruits, veggies, and beans help keep arteries clear. Fish helps lower triglycerides and blood pressure. Even a daily glass of wine may be good for your heart!

If you’ve never fallen in love with fish, try this Mediterranean-inspired recipe for Grilled Whole Trout With LemonTarragon Bean Salad.

12. You’ll Stay Sharper Longer

The same goodness that protects your heart is also good for your brain. You’re not eating bad fats and processed foods, which can cause inflammation. Instead, antioxidant-rich foods make this eating style a brain-friendly choice.

ReviewedbyKathleenM.Zelman,RD,LD,MPH

hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. “Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be. I stopped

describing myself as a black actor when I realised it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over.” He went to school in Canning Town in east Lon-

don, and the acclaimed actor admits he never really felt at home there.

He told Esquire UK magazine: “I didn’t like Canning Town, didn’t like it at all. I was like, ‘When can we go home to Hackney? Go Ridley Road Market’. It was a right-wing, white, working-class community.

“There weren’t that many black people, weren’t

that many Asians. In my school there was a lot of black and brown, but the neighbourhood, not so much.” Idris said that he’s “the same black” regardless of where he is in the world.

“I’m always curious why this is fascinating to people. It’s a question I get asked a lot. I don’t go to my black friends, in conversation, and ask them to tell

me about racism. Have I ever faced racism? Yeah. “I’m not any more black because I’m in a white area, or more black because I’m in a black area. I’m black. And that skin stays with me no matter where I go, every day, through black areas with white people in it, or white areas with black people in it. I’m the same black,” the actor added (IANS)

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Odisha FC beat Hyderabad FC; move to sixth Injured Lionel Messi to miss PSG clash with Monaco in Ligue 1

BHUBANESWAR, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): Odisha

FC maintained their stellar record at home this season after a 3-1 win over Hyerabad FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday. The win saw the Juggernauts replace Bengaluru FC in sixth place, which adds extra pressure on the Blues who play Kerala Blasters on Saturday. A loss for Hyderabad FC also means that if Mumbai City FC win against FC Goa on Saturday, the Islanders will be crowned ISL League Shield winners.

The hosts got off to a lively start and were the better side in the first half.

They dominated possession and had nine attempts on goal. Hyderabad FC could only muster three.

Five out of those attempts came via Diego Mauricio. On a couple of occasions, the striker could not keep his shot on target, while Gurmeet Singh dealt with the others. The Brazilian came closest in the 13th minute when his goal-bound shot

picked up a slight deflection off Odei Onaindia and nicked the outside of the post. Saul Crespo controlled the tempo from midfield and almost contributed with a goal when his close-range header from a corner went wide. Gurmeet was solid between the sticks, but it was not enough to keep Odisha FC quiet as they got their noses in front minutes af-

ter the half-hour mark.

Pedro Martin played the ball back to Isak Ralte, who unleashed a curling stunner from about 30 yards out to put the hosts in front. Just when it seemed that the Juggernauts were going into the break ahead, Hyderabad FC restored parity. Borja Herrera lofted the ball into the box from a free-kick which was cleared only as far as Nim Dorjee.

1st Mojabi Futsal kicks off in Mkg

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, FEB

10 (NPN): The 1st Mojabi Futsal Tournament, organized by Kubza Students’ Union, Mokokc -

hung kicked off on Friday by ADS Mokokchung, Jamong, at the Mojabi Futsal Turf, Salangtem Ward, Mokokchung.

Altogether, 32 teams are vying for the champion-

ship with cash prize of Rs. 30,000 for the winner and Rs.15,000 for the runnersup. Individual prizes for the golden boot and golden glove carry an amount of Rs. 2000 each.

The defender got his head on it to equalize Six minutes into the second half, after a clever give-and-go with Narzary, Joel Chianese glided into the box with the ball and tried to squeeze it in at the near post, but Amrinder Singh had it covered. This chance came moments after Narzary’s header was saved comfortably by Amrinder.

Hyderabad FC turned their game up a little in the second half, but it was Odisha FC who retook the lead in the final quarter of the game. Mauricio’s marauding run attracted three defenders on the left side of the box before a loose ball fell into the path of Nandhakumar Sekar. The winger flashed it across the face of goal and it picked up a deflection off Dorjee and went into the back of the net.

Mauricio’s persistence was ultimately rewarded in the final minute of stoppage time. Isaac Chhakchhuak lobbed the ball into the box as the Brazilian beat the offside trap before nestling the ball in at the far post from an acute angle, confirming all three points for the Juggernauts.

Odisha FC will travel to play NorthEast United FC in their next game on February 17. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC’s eightgame unbeaten streak came to an end and they will try to bounce back with against ATK Mohun Bagan on February 14.

India will go from strength to strength in next decade: Nasser

NEW DELHI, FEB 10

(IANS): With the Women’s T20 World Cup set to take place in South Africa from February 10-26, former England men’s captain Nasser Hussain believes India has the potential to go from strength to strength in the next decade, especially with the emergence of Women’s Premier League (WPL).

India, the runners-up of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup, will open their Group B campaign in the Women’s T20 WC against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 12 at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

MARSEIL LE, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): Paris St Germain’s injury crisis worsened after the club confirmed on Friday that Lionel Messi will miss this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco due to a hamstring injury.

Messi played the full 90 minutes of PSG’s 2-1 defeat by Olympique Marseille in the French Cup on Wednesday and the 35-year-old is in a race against time to be fit for their Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

PSG have already lost Kylian Mbappe to injury for two more weeks which means the French forward will play no part in the first leg against the German champions.

“Concerning Kylian, the communication has been made. We talked about an unavailability of three weeks. Kylian is being treated,” PSG boss Christophe Galtier told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Monaco.

Norman Putsure College sports meet comncludes

Apart from Pakistan, they will also face 2009 champions England, and 2016 winners West Indies, and Ireland in the group stage of the competition.

“India, meanwhile, are a force to be reckoned with and in the next decade or so they will go from strength to strength. The change happened once they got to that World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 and with the WPL coming up there is no going back. They used to be a sleeping giant but are no longer asleep. They are wide awake,” wrote Hussain for Sky Sports on Friday.

NBA: Bucks win ninth straight as Lakers rest LeBron James

NEW YORK, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 38 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished six assists and the Milwaukee Bucks matched their longest winning streak of the season with a ninth consecutive victory, beating the host Los Angeles Lakers 115-106 on Thursday.

Khris Middleton scored 22 points off the Milwaukee bench, and Jrue Holiday finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Playing without LeBron James -- sitting out to rest an ankle injury inflamed after he set the

Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) looks to drive past Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9).

NBA’s all-time scoring record on Tuesday -- the Lakers got a team-high 25 points from Dennis Schroder. Anthony Davis finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds. The Bucks overcame an eight-point halftime deficit, blitzing the short-handed Lakers in the third quarter with a 38-23 advantage. Antetokounmpo fueled the pivotal period with 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, leading to 15 points. Nets 116, Bulls 105 Spencer Dinwiddie made his return to the Nets a suc -

Ranji Trophy semis: Jackson, Arpit lead Saurashtra’s fightback vs K’taka; WB continue to dominate MP

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (IANS): Fantastic centuries by Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada led Saurashtra’s fightback against Karnataka while Bengal continued to dominate defending champions Madhya Pradesh on the third day of their respective 2022-23 Ranji Trophy semi-final matches on Friday.

At the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, Saurashtra were 364 for 4 at stumps, trailing by just 43 runs against Karnataka with Arpit Vasavada (112 not out) and Chirag Jani (19 not out) unbeaten at the crease.

Sheldon Jackson was the star performer for Saurashtra on Day 3 with a 245-ball 160. He also stitched a vital fourthwicket stand of 232 with Arpit Vasavada.

Earlier, Karnataka began the day on a positive note with Vidhwath Kaverappa dismissing Vishvaraj Jadeja for 22. However, Jackson and Vasavada led Saurashtra’s recovery and also gave them control in the game.

Krishnappa Gowtham was the only other Karna-

taka bowler to pick up a wicket during the course of the day as he got rid of Jackson by trapping him in front of the wicket.

first-class cricket, ripped through MP’s batting unit, taking the wickets of Saransh Jain, Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kartikeya, Yash Dubey and Avesh Khan. Apart from this, the likes of Shahbaz Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Ishan Porel also picked up wickets as Bengal were bowled out for 170 in 79 overs.

Jain with his knock of 65 was the top-scorer for MP while Shubham Sharma remained unbeaten on 44. Jain and Kartikeya then picked up a wicket each but MP have a lot of work to make a comeback in the game.

Brief scores:

Karnataka 407 (Mayank Agarwal 249; Chetan Sakariya 3-73) lead Saurashtra 364/4 (Sheldon Jackson 160, Arpit Vasavada 112 not out) by 43 runs.

cessful one, scoring 25 points as Brooklyn pulled away down the stretch against visiting Chicago in New York. Dinwiddie, acquired along with Dorian Finney-Smith from Dallas for Kyrie Irving on Monday, also handed out six assists and tied a career high with four steals. Cam Thomas added 20 points and Joe Harris scored 18 as the Nets won their first game without Kevin Durant, who was traded to Phoenix in a fourteam deal that was officially announced an hour before tipoff.

Kobe Bryant’s jersey from MVP season sold for $5.8 million

NEW YORK, FEB 10

(AGENCIES): A Los Angeles Lakers jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his only MVP season in 200708 fetched $5.8 million at an auction on Thursday, becoming the second-most expensive basketball jersey ever sold, auction house Sotheby’s said.

Michael Jordan’s jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals holds the record for the most expensive piece of game-worn sports memorabilia in history after it sold for over $10 million in September also via Sotheby’s.

Bryant, an 18-times All Star and five-times NBA champion, died in a January 2020 helicopter crash that also killed his daughter and seven others.

Sotheby’s website said the jersey was signed by Bryant and worn by him in 25 of his 82 games that season, including six playoff games.

“Leo felt muscle fatigue, he will resume training on Monday. He is not uncertain for Bayern. We know the importance of Leo in our game. In his absence, we’ll have to play in a different way with a more solid, more compact team structure.

“Obviously going to Monaco without Leo is always annoying. Injuries happen when there is a sequence of games with a World Cup in the middle of the season. It’s up to me to

have both a successful team while injecting freshness.”

The Argentine World Cup winner has 10 goals and 10 assists in Ligue 1 this season.

However, Galtier confirmed Achraf Hakimi has overcome a hamstring problem and would be available.

PSG are top of Ligue 1 with 54 points from 22 games, eight points ahead of second-placed Marseille. Monaco are fourth with 44 points.

Tennis: Top seed Schwarzman bundled out of Cordoba Open

DIMAPUR, FEB 10 (NPN): Norman Putsure College, Chumukedima, held its first sports week from February 7 to 10. The Inaugural session commenced with flag hoisting and torch lighting ceremonies on February 7.

The students were divided into four houses, namely- the Aqua house, the Ignis house, the Terra house and the Ventus house. The contest amongst the four houses was the flag competition and a total of about 20 indoor and outdoor games were played. To appraise and acquaint the younger generations, two indigenous gamesthe bamboo stilt race and the greased bamboo pole climbing were introduced.

The Ignis house emerged as the champion of the first sports week of the college. The programme culminated with prize distribution and closing ceremony.

It may be mentioned that the college sports week was part of the co- curricular activities of the college which is to induce and motivate the students to be physically active.

CORDOBA (ARGENTINA), FEB 10 (IANS): Top seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina was eliminated from the Cordoba Open with a straight sets loss to countryman Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the Round of 16.

World No. 28

Schwartzman won just 61 per cent of his first service points on Thursday and converted only one of four break point attempts on the outdoor clay of the Polo Deportivo Kempes com -

plex in Cordoba. Cerundolo sent down six aces and won 67 per cent of points on his first serve to take the match in one hour and 40 minutes, reports news agency Xinhua. He will face Hugo Dellien in the quarterfinals on Friday after the Bolivian overcame Argentina’s Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4. Others to progress in the ATP 250 event on Thursday were Alberto Ramos-Vinolas, Federico Coria and Joao Sousa.

in

Akash Deep continued his brilliant

form in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 with a five-for as Bengal continued to dominate Madhya Pradesh. At stumps, Bengal were 59 for 2, in front by 327 runs. Akash, who bagged his sixth five-wicket haul in

Bengal 438 (Anustup Majumdar 120, Sudip Gharami 112; Kumar Kartikeya 3/95) and 59/2 (Saranch Jain 1-13) lead Madhya Pradesh 170 (Saransh Jain 65; Akash Deep 5-42) by 327 runs.

“The image of Kobe wearing this particular jersey during the NBA playoffs has permeated in popular culture, reprinted on murals, books, newspapers,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectables, said in a statement.

Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi in action with Olympique de Marseille’s Samuel Gigot. (Reuters)

Organizers along with the players of Dibuia SU and Avengers.

Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada run between the wickets during the third day of Ranji Trophy semis. (PTI)

Diego Schwartzman

Odisha teammates celebrate after scoring against Hyderabad FC during the ISL match.

1st Test, Day 2: India lead Aus by 144 runs

NAGPUR, FEB 10

(IANS): India lost skipper Rohit Sharma in the first over after tea break but allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel completed superb half-centuries to help the hosts reach 321/7 at stumps on the second day of the first Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, here on Friday.

At the close of play, Jadeja was batting on 66 while Axar Patel was keeping him company with 52 runs as India took 144 runs lead with three wickets in hand and three days to play.

The duo added 81 runs for the unbeaten eighth-wicket partnership which has really put India in the driver’s seat in this match.

Todd Murphy claimed a maiden five-wicket haul on debut but Australia will rue five chances they dropped in the Indian innings, which could have

Ronaldo scores 4 to pass 500 in club career

RIYADH, FEB 10 (AGEN-

CIES): Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday to reach the career milestone of 500 club goals. The Portugal international, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Sunday, was unstoppable against hosts Al Wehda, netting four times in 30 minutes to lead his team to a 4-0 win.

Ronaldo has scored 503 league goals for five clubs in five different topflight leagues. He bagged 103 for Manchester United, 311 for Real Madrid, 81 for Juventus, three for Sporting Lisbon, and now has

five for Al Nassr. The fivetimes Ballon D’Or winner signed a 2-1/2 year deal with Al Nassr in December,

reported to be worth over 200 million euros ($216.54 million), and was appointed captain of the team.

Olympics row deepens as 35 countries demand ban for Russia and Belarus

80 overs, Australia promptly took the new ball and Pat Cummins started the proceedings and struck off the fourth ball. Rohit Sharma, who struck his ninth Test century and second at this ground to end a drought extending since September 2021, was the sixth Indian batsman to get out.

Sharma had survived a chance when Steve Smith put down a sharp but catchable chance at the second slip. But Cummins had the last laugh as he Sent Rohit’s off-stump cartwheeling with one that came in to avoid the edge and went through the gate.

That ended the Indian captain’s majestic innings, out for 120 off 212 balls. He struck 15 boundaries and two sixes, helping India gain an advantage by taking the first-innings lead.

However, India were down to 229/6 and had a small lead of 52 runs with Jadeja the lone recognised

batter in the middle. But Jadeja played sensibly and despite losing debutant K.S Bharat (8) with the score 240/7 in the 84th over, the all-allrounder from Saurashtra, who had claimed 5-47 in Australia’s first innings, found an able partner in Axar Patel as they extended India’s lead.

He and Rohit had raised 61 runs for the seventh wicket partnership, both playing cautiously and surviving a couple of close calls each.

Jadeja completed his half-century off 114 balls, hitting seven fours as he and Axar Patel took India’s lead past 100 runs, setting them up on course for a big lead.

BRIEF SCORES: At stumps, Day 2: Australia 177 v India 321/7 in 114 overs (Rohit Sharma 120, Ravindra Jadeja batting 66, Axar Patel batting 52; Todd Murphy 5-82). India lead by 144 runs.

VILNIUS, FEB 10 (AGENCIES): A group of 35 countries, including the United States, Germany and Australia, will demand that Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from the 2024 Olympics, the Lithuanian sports minister said on Friday, deepening the uncertainty over the Paris Games. The move cranks up the pressure on an International Olympic Committee (IOC) that is desperate to avoid what is arguably the worlds’ biggest sporting event being torn asunder by the bloody conflict unfolding in Ukraine. “We are going in the direction that we would not need a boycott because all countries are unanimous,” Jurgita Siugzdiniene said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took part in the online meeting attended by 35 ministers to discuss the call for the ban, a Lithuanian sports ministry spokesperson said earlier.

The spokesperson said Zelenskiy’s message to participants was that principles of neutrality cannot apply to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With war raging in Ukraine, the Baltic States, Nordic countries and Poland had called on international sports bodies to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the Olympics.

Russia launched a wave of attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure in the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia on Friday morning as Ukrainian officials said

a long-awaited Russian offensive was under way in the east.

BOYCOTT Ukraine has threatened to boycott the games if Russian and Belarusian athletes compete and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has said Russians will win “medals of blood, deaths and tears” if allowed to take part. Such threats have revived memories of boycotts in the 1970s and 1980s during the Cold War era that still haunt the global Olympic body today, and it has called on Ukraine to drop them.

2025 World Aquatics C’ships moved to Singapore from Russia

SINGAPORE, FEB 10

(IANS): The 2025 World Aquatics Championships will be held in Singapore, World Aquatics has announced.

Kazan had won the bid to host the 2025 World Championships, but owing to international sanctions against Russia, Singapore will instead host the premier international aquatics event.

“World Aquatics could not be happier to know that the hosting of our main event for 2025 is in such good hands, thanks to the team here in Singapore,” said World Aquatics president Husain Al-Mus-

allam on Thursday.

“Singapore has everything we hope to share with our athletes: world-class fa-

cilities, proven experience of hosting events of the highest quality and a comprehensive approach to aquatic sports

that runs from elite level to the community. “

With dates to be decided, over 2,500 athletes

are expected to participate in the showcase event in 2025, representing World Aquatics’ 209 member federations, reports news agency Xinhua.

Japan’s Fukuoka will host the 20th World Aquatics Championships this July. This tournament was originally scheduled to be staged in 2021, but was postponed twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions. The 21st World Championships, originally scheduled for summer 2023, was then rescheduled to take place in Doha in February 2024.

India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates his century during the 2nd day of the 1st test match against Australia. (PTI) made things quite different from what they are now. Resuming after the tea break with India 226/5 in

Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action. (Reuters)