12 Feb 2023

Nagaland Post

First test: India thump Aus by an innings and 132 runs

Multi-dimensional policing needed to combat threats: HM

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (AGENCIES): Union

Home Minister Amit Shah

Saturday called for multi-dimensional policing in place of a single-dimensional approach, as he stressed upon the changing threat patterns the country faces today.

He was speaking at the passing out parade of the 74th (regular recruit) batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, Telangana.

“The security scenario is changing and threat perceptions are dynamic today. In place of geographical threats, thematic threats such as cyber crimes, misuse of data, misinformation etc are emerging…” he said.

In tune with the Prime Minister’s vision for 2047, when the country would celebrate 100 years of independence, Shah wanted the officer trainees to keep

BJP Tsg apologizes for using Christian song for campaign

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): Expressing deep “regret, shame and remorse”, the 53 Tuensang Sadar-I assembly constituency BJP party functionaries issued a public apology for making use of a Christian song during a recent election campaign in Tuensang.

In a press note, Tuensang Sardar-I BJP media cell admitted that it had hurt the sentiments of the Christian community and also its far-reaching effect to the party and the candidates.

“It was never intended to blaspheme our savior Jesus or any religion. We have no right to de-fend or justify and do not encourage such content in any form,” the party said.

However, BJP said their faithful party workers, in whose attempt to express their willingness to support and favour, resulted in such misdemeanour.

“We earnestly pray that our forgiving Father forgive us of our erroneous and request all church-es and individuals to pray for God’s forgiveness to our party and our candidate,” BJP stated.

BJP said that this was a blessing in disguise and “an eye opener in edifying our faith and also make our Naga believers to be more careful and vigilant in future.”

Congress focused on allegations, BJP on achievements: counters State BJP

Staff Reporter

based investigation, unravelling of narcotic and terror links, cyber crimes and financial frauds are among the aspects that need to be focused more.

in mind t hat no country can become great without effective law enforcement and robust internal security.

Shah told the outgoing batch of officer trainees that the soul of the Constitution is in citizens and their rights and reminded them to remain “accessible, accountable and approachable” in performing their duties.

Elaborating on the new approach that is required, Shah said that the security of the country’s financial centres, protection of the citizen’s rights, evidencebased and forensic science-

He called for better preparedness against multidimensional challenges, like terror financing, narco terror, and fourth-generation information war-fare. He said the police technology mission (PTM) is launched by PM Modi to overcome these challenges that are expected to arise in the next 25 years.

He said that in the last years of the BJP-led government at the Centre, the three big hot spots of geographical threats in internal security ie; terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the red corridor districts, have been successfully tackled.

“In these three theatres, we have succeeded in

bringing the situation under control to a great ex-tent.

The acts of terrorism in J&K have come down to a great extent after the removal of Article 370. In the NorthEast, successful peace talks led to the mainstreaming of 8,000 cadres and paved the way for peace and development. In LWE corridors, the number of affected districts has come down from 96 in 2010 to 46 in 2021,” he said.

The recent ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and a nationwide crackdown in coordination with different police organisations, according to Shah, presented a successful example for the world to see.

“This shows our strong commitment towards democracy. Zero tolerance towards terrorism, strong framework for counterterror laws, strengthening of agencies and a strong political will has led to a reduction in terror-related incidents,” he said.

Turkey, Syria quake death toll tops 25,000

A few survivors are still being pulled from the rubble, however, more than 130 hours after the quake.

Rescue teams in Turkey on Saturday pulled to safety a family of five who survived inside their collapsed home for five days following the major earthquake.

ANTAKYA , FEB 11 (AP):

The death toll in Turkey and Syria from the earthquake that struck five days ago has surpassed 25,000. Turkey’s president Saturday raised the death toll in his country to 21,848, while in Syria,

the reported number of dead was 3,553 in government and rebel-held areas. Some 80,104 people have been injured in Turkey alone, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, speaking in the city of Sanliurfa.

JDU 37 Tuyi files FIR over violence

DIMAPUR, FEB 11 (NPN): Janata Dal (United) 37 Tuyi assembly constituency under Wokha district has alleged incidents of violence perpetrated on party supporters and urged the police to investigate the incitements and bring the perpetrators to book at the earliest.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) submitted to the officer in-charge police station Wokha, the JDU 37 Tyui assembly constituency president N Zumchio Lotha

stated that following the burning down of a farmhouse at Koio village in the wee hours of February 10, 2023, two JDU supporters from Koio village were “arbitrarily” taken into custody on “unfounded case of suspicion”.

In the afternoon of February 10, 2023, the JDU unit president alleged that four individuals and “their cohorts” threatened and vandalized the residence of two JDU supporters at Koio village.

The total death toll in Syria’s northwestern rebelheld region has reached 2166 many of them women and children. The total dead in Syria was 3533, while in Turkey, officials counted 21043 dead through Saturday.

Nagaland logs 1 fresh Covid case

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): Nagaland on Saturday recorded one fresh case of Covid-19 taking the total caseload to 35988. The fresh case was reported in Mokokchung. The state now has two active cases—one each on Kohima and Mokokchung. Currently both are under home isolation, the department informed.

The death toll remained unchanged at 782 (including 5 non-Covid deaths but with positivity).

Isak-led NSCN (K) reacts to allegations

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): MIP of NSCN/

GPRN (K) under ato kilonser ‘col.’ (Retd) Isak Sumi reiterated that “truth is bitter” but needs to be upheld so that Nagas were “enlightened on the sequence of events that unfolded in the organisation due to “the most heinous and reprehensible criminal act in the history of Naga struggle”.

Citing a list of allegations against Khango, MIP said he (Khango) had been impeached in 2018 less than a year after being made president for “embezzlement of government revenue to the tune of more than three crores”

However, it said Isak Sumi, rescued Khango from wilderness owing to his ser-

vices to the nation and in the hope that he (Khango) had learnt a lesson. However, it said true to his nature, Khango who claimed to be living in a thatched house had recently constructed an RCC at Yankao and owns another RCC house at Tobu town.

In addition, the MIP said during his president Khango was paid monthly allowances “higher than the president of India” while he has not contributed even a single penny. Thus, MIP said Khango does not understand any language or gesture except money.

Further it said less than five years after signing of cease fire with the government of India, Khango tried to impeach ato kilonser ‘col.’

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): Reacting to the series of allegations against the BJP-NDPP alliance by the Congress party, State BJP president, Temjen Imna Along maintained there was no need for the alliance to blow its trumpet but let development works do the talking.

The state BJP president said this while addressing the media at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima in the presence of BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli.

Along cited various popular Prime Minister’s programmes which have built a tryst towards development of infrastructures in the State and also building infrastructure for roads, railways, PHE, school etc. He said that all these speak for themselves and so there was no need for the BJP to blow its trumpet.

Along said the quantum of transformation taking place in Nagaland besides infrastructure, also involved allowing transparency in governance, adopting Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) for

providing jobs to genuine candidates and promoting every aspect in such a small state where the revenue was so meager and added all these deserve to be appreciated by one and all.

He said the people were the best judge to decide on whether the NDPP-BJP alliance has delivered as alleged by the Congress which, he said ruled the country for around 60 years and Nagaland for over 20 years. Along admitted that there could be some hiccups as in any alliance but NDPP-BJP alliance was true and strong.

He said the five years of a pre-poll alliance government was historic in Nagaland politics as it was the first pre-poll alliance and also one which has provided

a stable government to the people.

BJP focused on performance: National BJP spokesman and in-charge Nagaland Nalin Kohli while supplementing Along said there was a difference between the working system of the Congress and BJP and its coalition partners. He said the Congress model was based on power and criticism for the sake of criticizing but BJP’s model was based on serving and performance by ensuring that development and schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.

Slamming the Congress, Kohli said in Nagaland the Congress model of campaigning was based on press conferences and criticizing the alliance government but the BJP was

focused on reaching out till the booth level and interacting with the voters. He said the BJP-NDPP has one common agenda-- to serve the people and usher in more development.

Kohli said BJP has no problem with Congress if the latter only wants to resort to press conferences (to campaign) but for BJP, the Prime Minister Modi has shown the difference of what was in the party model for the past eight years and chief minister Rio with BJP in coalition has shown the same in Nagaland.

On the issue of 40(NDPP):20 (BJP) seat sharing agreement, Kohli said it was a political arrangement and it did not mean that one party is bigger or stronger than the other.

Exuding confidence that the pre-poll alliance will return power, Kohli expressed the hope that the people of the state would repose their faith on alliance given the affection work and developmental projects the Central and the State government had carried out in the state and to continue the good work of a “double engine sarkar”.

(retd) Isak Sumi in 2020, with kilonser Newel after allegedly receiving bribe and again in 2023 by Hokato Vusshe with the help of kilonser Shellen Konyak.

However, it said the “most amusing part” was that Hokato claimed he was not involved in disrupting or bribing impeached president Khango. On the other hand, it said Phuyeka had admitted in front of highly respected leaders and civil societies, that Hokato sponsored the failed coup.

It claimed that Hokato along with some of his lieutenants had camped at the Yangkao camp which the impeached president Khango was still forcefully occupying.

Aerial photo showing collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, Saturday.

Nalin Kohli and Temjen Imna Along addressing the press conference at Niathu Resort on Saturday. (NP)

Amit Shah (PTI)

Daeshin Academy completes 25 yrs

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): Daeshin Academy celebrated silver jubilee on February 10 at Diphupar B, Chumoukedima with pastor, Sammoon Church Miryang City, South Korea, Rev Choi Hanzu as the main speaker.

Addressing the gathering, Rev Choi said education was always a prime concern of Christendom, for the fate of the Kingdom of God relied on people, which was the object of education. He cited the example of Moses’ final word, who commanded the people of Israel to educate the next generation so that they may keep the law of God.

He observed that the final word of Jesus overlaps with the word of Moses, as both were about the next generation, the Kingdom of God, and education. He also added that multiple passages in the Bible edify the importance of education.

He thereby encouraged and challenged the younger generation to take over this work and

continue to expand the kingdom of God through Christian education.

“So let us be challenged by the word of God that educating our children is life and promise to the kingdom of God. Let’s continue with the excellent work and participate in the ministry of God to give hope and life to the next generation”, he said.

Narrating the story of how the school was established, he noted that he met Ding Kenye, and after that meeting, God shared with them the vision of Dashin Academy. He said that they worked with many leaders who passionately sacrificed their

time and energy to build this school, however none would claim that it was their work. “Everything was God’s work and His grace toward us. We just served as agents”, he stated.

He later thanked God for initiating the project (School) and for allowing him to join His excellent work, and also thanked Masan Jeil, Daeshindong, Seoul Shimin, and Purnsoop Church for their faithful support and prayers.

He also noted that without Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC), all local churches, and fellow leaders, the school couldn’t be built,

Awareness programme on HIV and AIDS

DIMAPUR: St Joseph University (SJU) Red Ribbon Club organised an awareness programme on HIV and AIDS under the theme “spread the awareness, end the stigma” on February 10.

A report from SJU stated that awareness programme was organized with an aim to create positive awareness on the minds of the youngsters.

and thereby expressed sincere gratitude to all. He also thanked all teachers, staffs, and students for their effort and hard work in building a legacy.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by convener, organizing committee, SK Kenye, prayer of adoration was offered by Rev Dr Dingu Kenye and release of souvenir initiated by elder, Jeong Jinseong. Tidings of joy was delivered by executive secretary, CBCC, Rev. Dr. C Cho-o, scripture reading by Ketholeno Nuvocho and thanksgiving prayer and blessings by Rev K Luruo.

LFI College activates Red Ribbon Club

DIMAPUR: Red Ribbon Club

of Livingstone Foundation

International College conducted a speech competition and awareness programme followed by a voluntary blood donation camp on February 10.

The event was graced by Dr. Nounechutuo Miachieo, MD, pathologist at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) as guest of honour. In his address, Dr. Miachieo highlighted the importance of blood donation and encouraged people to spread awareness in different ways. He said regular blood donation by

a sufficient number of healthy people was needed to ensure that blood will always be available whenever and wherever needed. He appreciated the college for taking the initiative.

Lucy, President of Positive Network of people living with HIV

attended the programme as special guest and shared her experience. After the programme, the students visited Civil Hospital, Dimapur for Voluntary Blood Donation and 11 donors opted for Voluntary Blood Donation which included the faculty members of the college.

District Program Officer under District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, Dimapur, Mecievinuo was the resource person. She spoke on many crucial areas in connection to HIV & AIDS such as the causes, status, consequences, stigma and the challenges ahead in dealing with the disease. She presented an informative PPT including facts and figures about the prevailing HIV & AIDS status in the state. Besides the Red Ribbon Club members of St Joseph University, the awareness programme was attended by many students of UG and PG students of the university.

DVC destroys seized IMFL

DIMAPUR: As per the July 25, 2022 public rally resolution, Diphupar Village Council on February 11, 2023 destroyed seized IMFL worth Rs. 50,000 in presence of all the Tribal Community, DNWO, DNYO, DNSU, VDB Diphupar and Pastor Union Diphupar, represented by pastor. Yureishang Phungshok. In pursuance to the Public Rally Resolution, the Diphupar Village Council has also sealed six shops, seized six vehicles and expelled 10 person and dismantled four houses for selling IMLF. This was stated in a press release issued by DVC chairman, Ghuzui Shohe and secretary, Tiatemsu Ao.

Correspondent KOHIMA, FEB 11 (NPN): The 47th Biennial Conference of Northern Angami Students’ Union (NASU) began at Zhadima village ground under the theme, “Pergere Progressus” on Saturday.

Hosted by Zhadima Students’ Union, the special guest of the inaugural program was, professor, deptt of English, Nagaland University, Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü. She congratulated the union for coming a long way in looking after the members and also contributing in development of the student’s community. She said NASU members were fortunate as they were from an area which was slightly ahead in terms of infrastructure, education and other amenities as compared to some other parts of the state. She therefore urged them to reassess on how prepared they were when it came to their studies. Dr. Dzüvichü pointed out that in the recent past many students consider matriculation and

Prof. Rosemary (NP)

graduation as a benchmark and discontinue their studies after it.

However, she said, times had changed and now a better qualified person was more eligible and prospective in their positions even while looking for jobs. She observed that local apex bodies should look after the welfare of the students especially by providing scholarships, funds and loans for startups and business ventures. Dr Dzüvichü also suggested that rich people should invest in educational institutions and other recreational activities to help the youths.

The inaugural programme was chaired by Viketouzo Yashü and invocation by priest incharge, Sts Peter & Paul Church, Zhadima, Rev Fr

Joyal, VC.

NASU president Aneizo Keditsu delivered the president’s address while greetings were conveyed by Angami Students Union and Northern Angami Public Organization.

A special number was presented by Nerhema Students Union and the event was hosted by Medolenuo Ambrocia Loucü and Azha Mezhü.

Earlier on Friday, the introductory session began with State Programme officer, National AYUSH Mission, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo John Zhale as the special guest.

Addressing the gathering, he urged students to be humble and truthful in every little way, saying that it will go a long way. Zhale encouraged the students to be united irrespective of their backgrounds.

The session was chaired by Atouzo Kerhüo, invocation by Khriekesa Miario, Sr. Pastor CRC Zhadima, introduction by Viketoulie Khrodi, and welcome address by Kevingulie Soliezuo, president, ZSU.

Funeral service

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the demise of Mr. Temsu l ongchar on 11 th February 2023 Mr. Temsu Longchar was the first PH.D Sericulture from Nagaland and the first Director of Sericulture Department, Nagaland. He is survived by his wife Mrs Asenla Temsu Longchar, his three children with their spouses and 7 grandchildren. The funeral service will be at the residence of the departed in Lower Forest Colony, Kohima at 1:30 pm Sunday the 12th February, 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We the bereaved family members of Late Er. Sothungo P. Ngullie would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness to us following our sad loss.

We offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the many friends and well wishers who visited us, attended the funeral service and who provided emotional, physical, financial and spiritual support for us during this difficult time. For those who telephoned, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes, cards and messages of condolences, we are truly grateful.

Lt. Er. Sothungo P. Ngullie

We would like to extend our special thanks to:

1. Wokha Town Baptist Church.

2. Nrung Longidang Baptist Church.

3. GHS Colony Council.

4. GHS Colony Eloe Ekhung.

5. GHS Colony Randan Khumshum Okho.

6. GHS Colony Youth League.

7. GHS & Züvotong Youth Fellowship.

8. Nrung Longidang Union, Wokha Town.

9. Wokha Town Ngullie Ekhung.

10. Kohima Nrung Longidang Ekhung.

11. United Daring Rangers, Nrung Longidang Othyu Oren (1993-1995).

12. Angochang Rui, Wokha Town.

13. Angochangpvui, Wokha Town.

14. Wokha Village Council.

15. Like Minded Group, Wokha Village.

16. Manchester United Fans Club, Wokha Town.

17. GHS Wokha Village Staff.

18. SDEO Staff Bhandari.

19. GPS, Serika Staff.

20. Kohima Lotha Students’ Union.

21. Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union.

22. Wokha Circle Students’ Union.

23. Elumyo Students Union.

24. Friends from Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Guwahati, Shillong.

25. Don Bosco Higher Sec. School, Wokha (2010 batch).

26. Friends from Pranab Vidyapith, Dimapur.

27. A-Z Hostelmates, Pranab Vidyapith.

28. Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (2014-2018 Batch).

29. Friends from Regional Institute of Science and Technology.

30. Sothungo’s Friends Circle Group.

31. Retro 60’s Cafe, Wokha.

32. Libemo Memorial School, Wokha .

33. Shri. Y. Patton, Dy. CM, Govt. of Nagaland.

34. Shri. NSN Lotha.

35. Shri. Renponthung Ezung.

36. Dr. Renathung Kithan.

37. Dr. Kaketo Yepthomi.

38. Dr. PM Hippargekar, HOD, ENT Dept., SRTR GMC, Maharashtra.

39. Dr. Mahendra Dhanwe, SRTR Govt. Medical College, Maharashtra.

40. Dr. Pooja Patil, SRTR Govt. Medical College, Maharashtra.

18/09/1994 – 05/02/2023

“And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. We deeply regret our inability to thank each and every individual but may the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Parents, Siblings, Family Members and Loved Ones

Students presenting special number at the silver jubilee celebration. (NP)

Students and faculty at the blood donation camp.

Cong blames state govt for erratic power supply

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 11

(NPN): Continuing its attack on the NDPP-BJP, the Congress blamed the coalition government for the “dark era of erratic electricity supply” and perpetual load shedding in Nagaland.

The party assured to provide stable power supply to all districts of Nagaland if they voted to power.

Addressing press conference at Congress Bhavan here on Saturday, NPCC secretary and spokesperson

Temjenyanger Longkumer claimed that Nagaland has one of the highest power tariffs in the country with rates ranging from Rs.4.5 to Rs.7 per unit across different categories.

While the electricity tariff is increasing every year, he said the electricity supply in Nagaland was going from bad to worse.

NPCC secretary said that electricity was basic need, but the government was unable to provide even the basic necessity to its people. He said that the “highly erratic power supply” has not on-ly made the lives of the common people miserable, but also

Workshop, meetings for smooth conduct of assembly polls

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

WORKSHOP ON SVEEP

cannot be expected to take overnight, and urged the young people to be messengers in dissemination the proper meaning of democracy.

ZUNHEBOTO

KIPHIRE

affected the profitability and viabil-ity of business and industries.

Longkumer said that Dimapur the commercial hub of the state was facing the worst power sup-ply, adding that only the “empowered business establishments” could afford power back-ups. He said that many young Naga entrepreneurs had to shut down their livelihoods since they can-not afford the energy bill.

Questioning the state government for not providing sufficient and steady power supply, Longkumer asked “why a re they unable to set up power plants, thermal power plant, solar pow-er plants and more hydroelectric plants, or why are they unable to increase the capacity of pow-er generation and, why the state government cannot purchase sufficient power from

other states.”

NPCC communications department chairman, Wezote Kreo, stated that the state can grow when there was less power supply.

Stressing on the unemployment problem in Nagaland, he said that the since government cannot accommodate all the educated unemployed in government departments Nagaland needed pri-vate industries, multinational companies and investors. However, he said that the investors would never invest in Nagaland unless the state had proper infrastructure such as road and power supply. The Congress party has, therefore, urged the people of Nagaland to make the right decision and vote for the candidate who could fulfil his promises and provide basic necessities to its citizens.

CEO Nagaland, V Shashank Shekhar

Central Bureau of Communication, Field Office Kohima, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ministry in association with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland organized an Orientation Workshop on Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in Kohima on February 11. Addressing the workshop, DC and District Election Officer of Kohima, Shanavas C said that younger generation should be educated on the illegal activities during election so that they contribute for a free and fair election. He termed young population as a bridge between the elder and children and emphasized that change

On the Private Registered Troupe (PRTs), the DEO said they can play a big role in creating awareness on free and fair election among the masses in the form of street dramas and songs which will attract a lot of attention.

DEO also called on the people to be ambassadors of change in their neighborhoods as well as in their society and hoped that this election will be different.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland, Shashank Shekhar said with the final list of the candidatures, campaigning was likely to pick in the next few days.

He said the concerned Central and State enforcement agencies were working overtime to control the illegal election activities.

The technical session was attended by deputy secretary and OSD to the office of CEO, Kikumsungla Jamir as resources person. Jamir spoke on the goal, vision, strategies and motivation of SVEEP.

Dedicatory and thanksgiving for candidates

Declaration and dedicatory programme of Tovihoto Ayemi on Friday. (NP)

Staff Reporters

DIMAPUR, FEB 11 (NPN): Candidature declaration and dedicatory programme of BJP candidate for 1 Dimapur I A/C, H Tovihoto Ayemi and thanksgiving programme of Moatoshi NDPP candidate of 2 Dimapur II A/C was held on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering at Generis ground, Naga colony, Dimapur, Tovihoto highlighted in

brief the developmental projects and schemes brought by BJP regime in the centre over the past nine years.

He reminded the gathering on how the Modi government provided free Covid vaccines to over 193 crore Indian citizens and also to other neighboring countries, free rice distribution scheme, Ayushman Bharat schemes, etc, adding that this were just some of the schemes which benefited individuals directly.

He also spoke on the all-round development brought in by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rio and NDPP and BJP alliance in the state in the past five years.

Earlier, the propgramme was chaired by campaign director, Hokuto Zhimo, invocation by pas-

NEXT POLL

tor, Nagamese Church, Naga Colony, Nathan Khing and welcome address delivered by president, 1 Dmr 1 Mandal, LR Anthony.

Dedicatory prayer was offered by ES, WSBAK, Dr Rev Phughoto Sema, vote of thanks by chief agent, Zasivikho Zakiesato and benediction offered by Apostolic Church, Zakiesato Colony, Rev. Kevisezo Angami.

Thanksgiving pro -

gramme: 2 Dimapur II

A/C will witness a triangular contest after Independent candidate Supu Jamir withdrew his nomination. Sitting MLA, Moatoshi Longkumer of NDPP will be facing a challenge from LJP-RV party candidate, Y.

Vikheho Awomi and Congress candidate S. Amento

Chishi

giving programme was organised by Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) treasurer residence attended by Ungma Union Dimapur, Dimapur Watsu Telongjem, Ao Student’s Union Dimapur and Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation on Saturday.

Speaking to media, after the programme, Moatoshi said the withdrawal of Supu was not done on the basis of tribal line but was an “understanding” between the two candidates.

of his candidature was announced”, Jamir said and extended support to Moatoshi Longkumer.

Keneizhakho Nakhro release manifesto: Sitting MLA from 8-Western Angami Keneizhakho Nakhro, who will be contesting assembly election as Independent released his manifesto at Kohima on Saturday.

A meeting between candidates and representatives with the observers in Zunheboto.

A meeting between the candidates and representatives with the General and Expenditure Observers was held at the DCs Conference hall Zunheboto on February 11.

According to DEO Zunheboto, at the meeting, the political parties were informed of the poll related activities that needed permission before organised and travel permit for travelling during the poll day.

The DEO also informed about Suvidha portal and various ECI apps which will help the voters.

General Observer for 31,32 and 33 A/Cs, Amit Kumar said that the meeting was conducted to maintain transparent and peaceful process. He therefore sought cooperation and support from all the candidates.

General observer Raj Kumar 34,35 and 36 A/Cs also interacted with the candidates and their representatives. Harish Kumar Expenditure Observer explained about expenditure to be made and its procedure during the election.

SP Vishal Chauhan while interacting with the candidates said that sufficient forces with more than 5500 armed police forces and CAPFs have been deployed to conduct free and fair election. He informed that no illegal activities will be tolerated during the election period.

Lastly the representative of the candidates also interacted and presented their views with the observers, SP and DC and DEO Zunheboto.

An all-party meeting with General Observer, Police Observer and Expenditure Observer in the presence of DC Kiphire and SP Kiphire was held in the Conference Hall of DC and DEO, Kiphire on February 11. DC Kiphire T.Wati Aier, who chaired the meeting, called upon the party agents to abide by Model Code of Conduct. The Observers also impressed upon the party agents to cooperate with the election machinery and follow the Model Code of Conduct. They also informed that their mobile numbers and place of stay has been disseminated through the newspapers for public perusal and that any citizen can approach them for redressal of any election related issue in the district. Superintendent of Police Kiphire, K.Swarnambika, while appreciating the parties for the peaceful law and order situation in the district hitherto, encouraged the party agents to help the police to ensure that the election in the district was held in a peaceful manner. The meeting ended with a powerpoint presentation on MCC, C-Vigil and Encore Apps.

Students exchange prog at KROS College

DIMAPUR: As part of students exchange programme, KROS College hosted four students and a faculty from Sophia College, Mumbai from February 6 to 10.

The programme was initiated in a collaboration with Dr K&T Keditsu foundation, with an aim to explore the culture, ideas, and thoughts between the two Colleges. The delegates from Mumbai interacted with the students, faculty, and Society of KROS College.

A skill development session was also conducted where the delegates were taught how to make Naga ornaments like earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

It may be noted that the skill development programme was an initiative by KROS College where students were taught different skills like basket making, crafts, weaving, knitting, jewellery making and others to promote skill-based earning and encourage economic independence and

self-sufficiency. A host of cultural activities such as pole-climbing, top spinning, and cock-fight were also conducted. KROS students also exhibited a fashion show titled Naga Manu Fashion with an aim to incorporate Naga traditional attire into modern fashion.

On Friday, a thanks -

On his withdrawal, Supu Jamir claimed that “where there is understanding everything comes in”, and therefore with a “strong understanding” between him and Moatoshi, he withdrew his candidature. “There was a discussion, and having understood the opinion expressed, the withdrawal

Cleanliness drive in Mon’s Tapi river

Nakhro said that 20182022 was tough due to pandemic and series of elections but he gave his best to reach out the people by empowering youth and women by way of launching skill development training.

In his manifesto, the key priorities included infrastructure, education, health, gender equality/ women empowerment, economic development, inclusive growth, responsible tourism and agriculture.

PRPO for free and fair election

DIMAPUR: Pathso Range Public Organisation (PRPO) at the meeting held on February 10, reiterated to follow the Khiamniungan Tribal Council’s February 7, 2023 directive.

In this connection, PRPO resolved for strict compliance by all concerned for free, fair and peaceful conduct of election in true spirit of democracy within PRPO jurisdiction in the ensuing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election.

In a press statement, executive chairman, L Pusha and president of PRPO, L Buming warned that anyone violating the guidelines will be doing so at his/her own risk and any dispute arising out of misconduct will be punished.

Moatoshi Longkumer and Supu Jamir at the thanksgiving programme. Keneizhakho Nakhro releasing the manifesto

student union said that the main purpose of the cleanliness drive pro -

number of population, the Tapi River has become a dumping site. The union therefore, appealed to the people to keep Tapi river clean by restraining from throwing waste materials.

MVSU at the cleanliness drive at Tapi river.

Students and faculty at the exchange programme at KROS College.

NPCC spokespersons T Longkumer and W Kreo. (NP)

PM Modi attacks Cong-CPI(M) alliance in Tripura

RADHAKISHOREPUR/ AMBASSA (TRIPURA), FEB 11 (PTI): Lashing out at the Congress-CPI(M) alliance in Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the two parties fight ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala and have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in the northeastern state.

Making a veiled reference to Tipra Motha, Modi claimed that some other parties were also helping the opposition alliance from behind but any vote for them will take Tripura several years backward.

“Old players of misgovernance have joined hands for ‘chanda’ (donation). Those fighting ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in Tripura,” the PM said at an election rally in Radhakishorepur in Gomati district.

“The opposition wants to divide the votes. Some small ‘vote-cutter’ parties are waiting for the election results, hoping to get their price. Those out with dreams of horse-trading, lock them in their homes now itself,” he said. Addressing another election rally in Ambassa in

Dhalai district earlier in the day, he alleged that the Left and Congress governments created division among tribals, while the BJP worked to resolve their issues, including that of the Brus.

“The BJP is working for the upliftment of tribals across India. We have rehabilitated in Tripura over 37,000 Brus displaced from Mizoram. Our government has introduced tribal language Kokborok in higher education,” he said. In the Union budget, the BJP government at the Centre has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore for the development of tribal areas, Modi said.

Referring to the fight

against COVID-19, he said, “In a Left-ruled state, a lot of people suffered of coronavirus and died, but Tripura was safe as the BJP worked for protecting people’s lives.”

Appealing to the people to vote for the “double-engine” government to continue the streak of development in the northeastern state, he told the rally, “Beware of the double-edged sword of Congress and Left, they want to stop all schemes that benefit the people.”

The PM said the Congress and Left know only how to betray the poor, alleging that people have suffered due to years of their misgovernance.

Correspondent

“The two parties want the poor to remain poor. They have countless slogans for the poor but have never understood or addressed their pain,” Modi said. The PM said that houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were built for three lakh families, benefitting 12 lakh people, while five lakh poor people were made beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and toilets were constructed in four lakh houses in the state.

The first dental college in the state was also built under the BJP government, he said.

The PM said that in Gomati district alone, Rs 80 crore has been credited to the bank accounts of around 40,000 farmers, without any ‘cut’ or ‘donation’.

“Earlier, CPI(M) cadres used to control police stations, while the BJP established rule of law in the state,” he said. Modi asserted that the BJP has freed Tripura from the atmosphere of fear and a culture of ‘chanda’ (donations).

“Earlier, the condition of women in the state was

miserable. Now, they can come out of their homes with heads held high,” he said.

The PM said that as there is peace in Tripura, employment opportunities are also increasing, whereas the Left and the Congress had shattered the dreams of the youths, forcing many to migrate.

“Your votes will keep the Leftists away from power and ensure continuance of ‘double-engine’ government in Tripura,” he added.

Listing the initiatives taken by his government for the development of the state, Modi said that Tripura’s economy will massively benefit from the Act East policy of the Centre and it will soon become the gateway to Southeast Asia.

“Work on four-laning of road from Agartala to Churaibari is underway at a fast rate, while a new airport was inaugurated in the state capital, while optical fibres have been laid throughout the state for better internet services and waterways and railway connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh is being strengthened,” he said.

Three-way fight will help Left-Cong alliance in Tripura polls: Yechury

AGARTALA, FEB 11 (PTI): The three-cornered fight that is unfolding in the tiny but politically crucial state of Tripura will help the Left-Congress alliance in the upcoming assembly elections, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

The Communist leader told PTI that local-level leaders will make an assessment to see “who is best able to defeat the BJP”, while looking at possible adjustments with other parties (such as Tipra Motha) in the run up to the polls slated for February 16.

“The BJP (and its ally IPFT) had won 18 seats in the last elections out of 20 seats in the tribal areas,” pointed out Yechury. In the 60-member Tripura assembly, 20 seats are reserved for tribal areas. The BJP had won a total of 36 seats to form a government in 2018, with half of them coming from the tribal region. “This time the Tipra Motha is at the forefront in tribal areas. The IPFT is now just a rump and

BJP has given them only 5 seats. The advantage that BJP got last time won’t be repeated. That should help the Left-Congress alliance,” he explained.

Analysts here tend to agree with CPI(M)’s assessment that with the rise of the Tipra Motha, a party founded by Pradyut Kishore Manikya Debbarma, a scion of the former royal family of the state and a Tripuri, BJP’s vote and seat share in tribal areas will be drastically reduced.

In the last elections, BJP had a 43.59-per cent vote share compared to CPI(M)’s 42.22 per cent and Congress’s couple of percentage points. “We will gain from it,” asserted Yechury.

In 2018, the BJP had stormed to power, gobbling up most of the Congress vote that in 2013 was nearly 37 per cent and partially into the CPI(M)’s vote bank, which was 48 per cent in 2013.

Tipra Motha had won a majority in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council in 2021, trouncing the BJP-supported IPFT. Since then its demand for Greater Tipraland has consolidated its hold over tribals and seen largescale desertions from IPFT to its ranks.

With the expected reduction in tribal votes (which accounts for nearly a third of the state’s total) for the BJP, the Left believes the alliance led by it stands to gain an advantage in the forthcoming elections.

The elections to this tiny state’s assembly are considered important as political pundits see the possibility of a tough contest between the ruling party and the opposition, the first in a year of polls to elect state governments.

Miscreants set fire outside Manipur Congress office

manded booking of the perpetrators within 24 hours.

AGARTALA/KAILASHAHAR, FEB 11 (PTI):

A senior tribal leader of the CPI(M) would become the chief minister of Tripura if the Left-Congress combine is voted to power in the upcoming assembly elections, AICC general secretary Ajay Kumar said.

The CPI(M) and the Congress are jointly contesting the elections to the 60-member assembly, which will be held on February 16.

“A top CPI(M) tribal leader and son of the soil will be the chief minister

if we assume power after the polls,” he said without elaborating, at a joint election rally at Kailashahar in Unakoti district.

Jitendra Choudhury is among the top CPI(M) leaders from the tribal community, and is being seen as a leading contender for the chief ministerial post in case the Left-Congress alliance comes to power in Tripura.

The assertion came hours after CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday skipped a query on who will be the Left’s chief ministerial candidate.

“It will be decided by the MLAs’,” he had said at a press conference.

Kumar also claimed that the BJP will not be able to win even five seats in the assembly elections, and urged party workers to conduct ‘live streaming” of the polling on February 16.

IMPHAL, FEB 11: After miscreants set fire at the main entrance gate of Manipur Congress office in the heart of the capital city on Friday night, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has alleged attempt to torch the party office.

Sources said that miscreants set the fire right at the gate of the Congress Bhavan in Imphal’s BT Road last around 10 pm on Friday. Security guards at the party office who rushed on seeing smoke, doused the fire before it could cause any damage to the gate of the office.

A team of city police who rushed to the spot on being informed by the security guard recovered a bottle containing petrol nearby.

MPCC alleged that it was an attempt to torch the MPCC office and de-

NPP rattled, using money to manipulate Meghalaya polls: TMC

Correspondent

MOWKAIAW (MEGHALAYA), FEB 11: Reaffirming that Trinamool Congress (TMC) will sweep the assembly polls in Meghalaya, Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma on Saturday said the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is rattled and is using money to manipulate the assembly elections which is scheduled to be held on February 27.

“In Garo Hills, of 24 seats, we are already ahead in 18 seats. They are so afraid that they are spending money left, right, and centre. Similarly, in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, out of nervousness they are throwing money. All this money has not come from heaven. This is people’s money which they are using now,” Sangma said.

Urging the people of Mowkaiaw to extend their unanimous support, the former Chief Minister said, “Our fight is against the power and authority, who wants to take away our land, our freedom, and our faith. TMC is the only weapon in our democracy that can fight against the incumbent authorities while NPP, BJP, UDP (United Democratic Party) and all other parties are partners in their agenda.”

Drumming up support for his party candidate from Mowkaiaw Assembly constituency, Lasting Suchiang, the veteran Con-

gress leader-turned TMC leader said, “Our candidate is the son of the soil. When he expressed his desire to serve the people, I asked him the reason. He said that he wants to provide a better quality of education and improved access to healthcare. He wants to deliver sustainable development and livelihood to his brothers and sisters from the constituency. Our leader took the bold decision to leave his job and serve the people of the constituency.”

Launching a scathing attack at the Conrad Sangma led-MDA government for squashing the aspirations of the youth of the state, Sangma said, “In the last five years, we have witnessed a government that has surrendered our rights to Assam. They have systematically decimated the people-centric initiatives of the earlier government.”

“They have betrayed the youth who have been looking forward to the available vacancies. Small-scale entrepreneurs and business owners lament that all busi-

nesses are grabbed by the people in po wer. Let us restore our past glory. Let us prevent the greedy politicians from transforming Meghalaya into a gamblers’ den,” he asserted.

Ripping apart the ruling NPP-led government for being insensitive toward the struggles and issues of the citizens, the Leader of Opposition said, “In the last five years, this government has not only neglected but has constantly given agonies to senior citizens, single mothers, farmers, etc. They did not increase the daily allowance of the employees as they were reluctant to provide money to the people.”

Recalling that during his tenure as Chief Minister, Sangma said that he had revised the salary of the employees twice.

“For the old, infirm, and single mothers, a monthly pension of Rs. 500 was initiated. The incumbent government is insensitive and uncaring, yet they dare to come and ask for your votes,” he said.

Urging the people of Meghalaya to come together in the fight against the powers that heckle the voices of dissent, Sangma said, “Let us form a government that will defend the rights of our people including defending our freedom of religion as we see the incidents across the country including Assam. Our fight is not against any specific candidates.”

“It was an attempt to burn down the Congress office. We take the bid to torch the party office seriously. We strongly condemn the act” said MPCC spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei told reporters today.

He said that the act was a part of attempts to suppress the voices of the opposition parties, including the Congress, which the party in power has been indulging actively. Such act of uncivilized people should not be taken lightly by the government. The perpetrators should be booked within 24 hours, the spokesperson demanded.

He appealed to the chief minister who is also holding the home portfolio to take up action immediately to prevent repetition of such unfortunate incidents and avoid escalation of untoward incidents in future.

Assam workers demand wages, not honorarium

GUWAHATI, FEB 11 (PTI): Hundreds of labourers such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers and farmers from different parts of Assam gathered in Guwahati on Saturday, demanding ‘mazuri’ (wages) and not ‘manoni’ (honorarium) from the government and employers.

They also criticized the Narendra Modi-led dispensation at the Centre, alleging that his government has taken away the rights of the working class. They were participating in an open meeting on the first day of the 10th conference of Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) at the Sonaram School playground here.

Addressing the gathering, veteran CPI(M) leader Hemen Das alleged that the Modi government since 2014 has adopted more anti-worker steps than any other government in the country ever.

“That is why everyone, right from the ASHA and Anganwadi workers to the mid-day meal cooks, has now come out demanding their due. They want their jobs to be regularised so that they can get the associated benefits.

“They are asking for their mazuri and not manoni,” the former MLA asserted.

CPI(M) legislator Manoranjan Talukdar said people from all parts of the state attended the programme.

Meanwhile, Congress members and workers including leaders of the MPCC held a sit-in-protest staged today in front of the Congress Bhavan, denouncing the alleged attempt to torch the party office. Placards with slogans decrying the attempt to torch the Congress office and demanding booking of the culprits were displayed by the protesters.

“Democracy is under threat” one of the placards read. The protest also decried police attempt to arrest MPYCC president Ningthoujam Popilal in connection with an FIR case lodged at Lamphel police station of Imphal West district in connection with recent brutal assault on two BJYM leaders on the night of February 9.

The protesters said that the charges leveled against MPYCC president were unfounded and the police should immediately stop searching for him. The FIR against him should be withdrawn

The Congress leaders taking part in the protest suspected workers of BJP and BJYM in the attempt to torch the party office. MPCC general sec -

retary Noor Rahman asserted that the party office is located in a high security zone of the capital city and without the support of powerful people it would not be possible to indulge in such an act. Tension was prevailing between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in Manipur after a recent brawl between members of the youth wings of the two parties. After a panel discussion on a local TV channel, members of BJYM and MPYCC engaged in a brawl a few days ago. Days after the brawling, state BJYM spokesperson Mayanglambam Suresh Kumar and BJYM office secretary Alex Ningombam were brutally assaulted after they were waylaid at gunpoint by miscreants on Thursday night. Last night’s incident of setting of fire in front of the Congress Bhavan was after a series of incidents.

MoU for skilling of ex-servicemen soon: Lt Gen. Kalita

GUWA HATI, FEB 11 (PTI): An agreement between the Indian Army and the Assam government is expected soon for skill training of ex-servicemen, GoC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen. RP Kalita said here on Saturday. He inaugurated a twoday job rally at the Narangi Military Station in the city and was optimistic that 500600 former army personnel would find employment by the end of the programme.

“Skill development of ex-servicemen is very important. We are already in talks with the Assam government in this regard.

“An MoU with Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) could happen soon,” Lt Gen. Kalita said. He also said the state government has already announced that it would recruit retired army officers in the rank of deputy superintendents of police in its battalions for training Assam Police personnel.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (Int) NAGALAND :: KOHIMA NO.IGP/NT/1X-45(3)/22-23/ 714: Dated, Kohima the 10th Feb 2013

To, C/N (Dvr) - Gopal Sunar

S/o - Lok Bahadur Sunar

V/O - J.V.P 3rd Mile Diphupar, Chumoukedima

PO/PS - Diphupar P.S Chumoukedima

P/Address - Upper Chandmari Colony (Near Genesis School) Kohima

District - Chumoukedima

Sub: FINAL CALLING NOTICE

C/N(Dvr) Gopal Sunar, S/O Lok Bahadur Sunar, Village - J.V.P 3rd Mile, Diphupar, Chumoukedima, PO/PS - Diphupar P.S Chumoukedima, Nagaland of IGP(Int) Establishment has been remaining absent from duty w.e.f 21.01.2023 till date without any permission or authorized leave from the competent authority.

Accordingly 1 Calling notice No. IGP/INTIX-45(3)22-23/591

Dated 25.01.2023 and 2nd Calling Notice No. IGP/INT/IX-45(3))2223/621 Dated 01.02.2023 was issued with directions to report back for duty within 7(seven) days. However you have failed to do so till date.

Now therefore, the undersigned hereby issue this Final Calling Notice to you to report to the office of the IGP(Int) Establishment Nagaland Kohima, within 7(seven) days from the date of publication of this notice, failing which departmental proceedings shall be initiated against you, ex-parte.

(I. Limasanen Ao) NPS Superintendent of Police (SB) For Inspector General of Police (Int) Nagaland, Kohima dC-142/23

He said 1,500-2,000 ex-servicemen have participated in the job rally and around 30 corporate houses, from different sectors like telecom, infrastructure development and life insurance, are also present.

“We are hopeful that 500-600 ex-servicemen will get placement through this programme, which is open for all such former army

personnel from North East,” he said. Earlier addressing a meeting on the occasion, Lt Gen Kalita lauded the Assam government’s cooperation in helping ex-servicemen find employment. He also emphasised that along with physical health, the mental adaptability of former servicemen is also strong.

A FFIDAv IT

C HAN g E OF A DDRESS

I, Shri Satish Thatal, S/o Gajbir Thatal, earlier resident of Medziphema Town, P.O. & P.S. Medziphema, Ghaspani, Dist. Dimapur, Nagaland have changed my address through an Affidavit No. 28/24/1/23 dated 24.01.2023 to Village Chandbarjote, P.O. Kadamtala, P.S. Matigara, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, PIN No. 734011. dp-641/23

Date : 09/02/2023

Regd. No. 183/2023

DECLARATION

(Correction of Name/Names)

I, Aviji Singson, daughter of Shri S. Hemin Singson, permanent resident of Meluri Town, District Phek; Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath as follows:

1. That, I am a bonafide citizen of India hailing from the Pochury Naga tribe and permanent resident of the above-mentioned address.

2. That, in my Birth Certificate, my name has been inadvertently and by oversight entered and recorded as 'Aviji Dawman'

3. That, whereas in my Official Documents and Records, my Name and my Father's Name had been entered and recorded as 'Aviji Dawman' and 'Hemin S Dawman' or 'Hemin Dawman' (referring to the one and same person i.e. my Father - 'S Hemin Singson', and it is indistinguishable, interchangeable and synonymous), respectively, as per the Birth Certificate.

4. That, this affidavit shall stand as a piece of evidence for any rectification/clarification for any complications that may arise regarding the correction of my name and my Father's Name in all my official documents or records.

5. That, this affidavit is signed and sworn before the competent authority declaring that my correct official name is 'Aviji Singson' and my Father's Name is 'S Hemin Singson', and herein, it shall be used for all my Documents, Official Records, Future References and Future Correspondences. That the above statements made in Para 1-5 are true to the best of my knowledge and nothing material has been concealed herein and

affidavit before the Competent Authority on

Lt Gen. RP Kalita

PM Modi during a public rally for the upcoming Tripura assembly elections, in Agartala. (PTI)

MPCC leaders inspecting site where miscreant set fire at party office gate.

Dr. Mukul Sangma

Ajay Kumar

Sitaram Yechury

SNIPPETS

Man held for killing friend

THANE, FEB 11 (PTI):

The police in Maharashtra’s Thane city have arrested a 49-year-old man on the charge of killing his friend over money, an official said on Saturday.

The body of Bipin Visariya (42), who ran a carpentry business, was found at his home on February 8 following which the police launched a probe, said the official.

Delhi govt asks

DDA to stop antiencroachment drive

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (PTI): The Arvind Kejriwal government on Saturday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to stop its anti-encroachment drive in Mehrauli, officials said.

Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot has ordered a fresh demarcation exercise in the area, they said.

Nearly 1,200 square metres of government land was reclaimed during the anti-encroachment drive in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park area a day ago, DDA officials said on Saturday.

4-yr-old girl raped by neighbour in UP

MUZAFFARNAGAR, FEB 11 (PTI): A fouryear-old girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour in a village here, police said on Saturday.

Additional Superintendent of Police Atul Srivastava said the incident took place on Friday.

The accused, 21-yearold Ankur, is absconding. He has been booked and efforts are on to arrest him, the official said.

Cong and JD(S), who believe in Tipu Sultan, can’t do good for K’taka: Shah

Modi or a corrupt Congress, which used Karnataka as an ATM for the Gandhi family?” Shah asked the crowd. He also accused the previous Congress government in Karnataka of letting off 1,700 activists of the PFI, which was banned last year by the Centre. This Congress which appeases anti-national forces cannot protect Karnataka, Shah alleged.

MANGALURU, FEB 11 (AGENCIES): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday charged that the Congress and the JD(S) believed in 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan and that the two parties cannot do any good for Karnataka, while hailing the ruling BJP which was inspired by 16th century Tuluva queen of Ullal Rani Abbakka Chowta, for a prosperous rule in the state. Shah also alleged that the Congress was corrupt and the opposition party had used Karnataka as an “Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for the Gandhi fami-

AGRA, FEB 11 (PTI):

Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday said women have to be at the centre of any discourse and decision for a future-ready society.

ly”. “When I have come here, let me ask you (people). Should people vote for the JD(S) and Congress who believe in Tipu or the BJP which has faith in Rani Abbakka?” Shah asked people.

The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation was in Puttur to celebrate the golden jubilee celebration of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO) at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district.

“Who should form the next government in Karnataka -- the BJP, which is a team of patriots led by Prime Minister Narendra

“There is Kerala at your neighbourhood. I do not wish to speak more. Only BJP under the leadership of Modi can protect

Karnataka,” Shah said. He claimed that the Prime Minister has kept the country safe by eradicating terrorism and Naxalism in the country.

Citing the example of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said when he stood up to introduce the bill abrogating Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Congress and the JD(S) insisted that this article should not be abrogated as it would lead to a bloodbath in Kashmir.

EvenAmitShahfacinglaw,orderissuesin K’taka,whattosayofcommonman:Cong

Slamming the ruling BJP government in Karnataka, state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said if Union Home Minister Amit Shah is facing law and order issues in Mangaluru, what will be the plight of common man. He made the remark after the union home minister’s road show was cancelled due to security reasons.

Talking to reporters, Shivakumar said: “The Union Home Minister was sup-posed to take part in a road show but it has been cancelled. If Amit Shah is facing a challenge of law and order issue, one can imagine the plight of com-mon man? It is an insult to the state. Let the BJP answer this first.”

NIA arrests suspected terrorist from Bengaluru

inclusion fund in the National Education Policy, construction of toilets for every household and introduction of a menstrual hygiene protocol.

NEW DELHI, FEB 11

(PTI): Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday took a swipe over the Animal Welfare Board of India withdrawing its appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’, asking whether the government was “cow-ed” by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely “cow-ardice”.

Tharoor’s dig came a day after the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) said it has withdrawn the appeal to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’ following directions from the government amid widespread criticism on social media. Reacting to the development, Tharoor said on Twitter, “Was the Government cow-ed

‘Cow Hug Day’ to still be celebrated in MP on Feb 14

by the jokes made at its expense or was it merely cow-ardice?”

“My guess is the original appeal was an oral instruction: ‘Valentine’s Day: let them hug their guy’ & the last word was misheard by a Hindu Rashtravadi as gaay!’,” the former Union minister said. The withdrawal of the appeal came just a day after Union minister Parshottam Rupala said it will be good if people respond positively to the call given by the board to celebrate February 14 as ‘Cow Hug Day’. 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 I ndia for celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn,” the board’s secretary S K 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’.

JABALPUR, FEB 11 (AGENCIES): The Executive Chairman of Gopalan and Pashudhan Samvardhan Board of Madhya Pradesh, Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, on Saturday said that ‘Cow Hug Day’ will be celebrated across the state on February 14 even after the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has withdrawn the appeal.

The Executive Chairman of Gopalan and Pashudhan Samvardhan Board, Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri made the remark in Jabalpur on Saturday a day after AWBI withdrew its appeal urging people to celebrate the ‘Cow Hug Day’. In a statement, the AWBI said, “As directed by the Competent Authority and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the appeal issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the celebration of Cow Hug Day on 14th February, 2023 stands withdrawn.” Earlier, the board issued an appeal urging people to celebrate Cow Hug Day on Valentine’s Day (February 14).

Naxal incidents have increased in Chhattisgarh under Cong rule: Nadda

NEW DELHI, FEB 11

3

killed

in UP road mishap

MEERUT, FEB 11 (PTI):

Three people, including two brothers, were killed in a collision between a truck and a ‘bagghi’ (horse-driven cart), police said on Saturday.

According to police, the accident happened around 3:00 am on Saturday when five people were returning from a marriage party on a ‘bagghi’ which collided with a speeding truck.

Police said, the horse pulling the ‘bagghi’ also died in the accident.

The injured have been hospitalised while the bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem, the SHO said.

3 killed, 2 injured in truck-bike collision

ETAWAH, FEB 11 (PTI): Three people were killed and two others were injured when a motorcycle was hit by an oncoming truck on National Highway-2 here, police said on Saturday.

The accident took place near Budaila village under Civil Line police station area when four people were returning from a wedding ceremony on a motorcycle and a truck coming from the opposite direction hit them, Circle Officer Amit Kumar Singh said.

Teen sodomised by

5 boys in north Delhi

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was allegedly sodomised by five boys living in his neighbourhood in north Delhi’s Civil Lines area, police said on Saturday.

A senior police officer said the Civil Lines police station received information on Friday regarding sodomy by five people.

Further investigation is underway to nab the five accused, police added.

Speaking at the G-20 Empower Inception meeting, the women and child development minister said India is keen to play a key role in finding pragmatic global solutions for the wellbeing of all and, in doing so, manifest the true spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). Irani particularly emphasised the scale of India’s self-help group (SHG) story and highlighted the importance of women’s leadership at the grassroots levels and efforts towards ensuring the availability of banking and financial ser-

vices to every woman.

“If you want to get your future right, if you want to be future-ready, make sure that women are at the centre of the discourse and that women are at the centre of your decisions,” the minister said on the first day of the two-day meet.

Besides, she also cited the quest for gender justice in India through a gender

The summit aims to provide an opportunity to develop a roadmap, frame policies and for mobilising common strengths towards promoting equality and women-led development.

Irani also underlined that the three focus areas under India’s G20 presidency are -- “Women’s Entrepreneurship: A win-win for Equity and Economy”, “Partnership for promoting women’s leadership at all levels including at grassroots” and “Education, the key to women’s empowerment and equal workforce participation”.

Cong, BJP slam Kerala govt over suicide of ‘saksharatha preraks’

THIRUVANANTHA -

PURAM, FEB 11 (PTI):

The Congress and BJP on Saturday came down heavily on the Left governmment in Kerala over the recent suicide of a literacy worker in Kollam district allegedly due to financial constraints, and sought the dispensation’s urgent intervention to distribute the pending honorarium of ‘saksharatha preraks’ in the state.

Hailing from Pathanapuram in southern Kollam district, Bijumon, an awardwinning literacy worker who had been working as a

‘saksharatha prerak’ under the Kerala State Literacy Mission for many years, died by suicide on February

9. The shocking incident came at a time when his coliteracy workers’ agitation before the state Secretariat here, demanding disbursal of pending honorarium at the earliest, crossed 80 days. Bijumon’s family members and friends alleged that he had been under severe distress due to the nonpayment of honorarium for the last six months, and he was struggling to meet both ends. Terming the incident

Oppn parties should unite against communal forces: RJD’s Tejashwi

es. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also wants that all opposition parties should fight the elections jointly and uproot the BJPled government at the Centre,” Yadav said.

RANCHI, FEB 11 (PTI):

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday said opposition parties should unite against the communal forces in the country to topple the BJP-led government at the Centre.

He also met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his residence and discussed several issues.

“We have been advocating that regional parties wherever they are strong should unitedly fight against the communal forc-

After arriving here for a party programme during the day, the RJD leader was speaking to media persons at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport.

Taking to Twitter Soren said, “Met the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar State, brother @yadavtejashwi ji at residence. Various issues related to the country and the state were discussed during the meeting.”

Yadav reached Jharkhand to strengthen the RJD’s base in the state and would attend a party programme at Ranchi’s Harmu area.

as “painful”, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding speedy disbursal of the salary of the agitating workers. He also wanted the government to take steps to protect the family of the deceased literacy worker. In the letter, Satheesan said he had visited Bijumon’s mother and other family members on Friday and they were lamenting that the non-payment of the salary and the subsequent financial woes had forced him to take the extreme step.

(IANS): A suspected terrorist, who was planning to go to Syria via Iraq to join the ISIS, was held from Bengaluru in a joint operation conducted by the Internal Security Division (ISD) of Bengaluru and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The arrested person has been identified as Arif. An NIA source claimed that Arif was in touch with foreign-based terrorists. The source said that Arif was allegedly radicalising gullibe youth. The agencies have also found several suspected transactions involving his bank account. The NIA has recovered electronic gadgets from his possession along with data from his laptop, which are said to be highly objectionable and anti-India.

JAGDALPUR, FEB 11 (PTI): Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda on Saturday condemned the recent killings of BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh and claimed that Naxal incidents have increased in the state since the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government came to power. He was speaking at an event here, a day after suspected Naxalites shot dead BJP leader and village head Sagar Sahu in Narayanpur district. On February 6, the party’s Awapalli Mandal chief Neelkanth Kakem was killed by Naxalites. “Is it not a fact that Naxalite attacks have increased since Bhupesh Baghel’s government came to power? It exposes the administration here. When

Raman Singh (BJP) was in power, there was peace here and the problem of law and order did not exist,” said Nadda. Baghel took charge as the CM in December 2018. Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are expected to be held by the end of this year. “I want to tell the families of the fallen brave soldiers of BJP that your sons are not alone in this fight,

the entire 18 crore people of the party are with you,” said the national president of the saffron party. He called the Congress a synonym for “failure”. It is the policy of the Congress to stall, block and divert work, he said. “On the contrary, we are made for development. They (Congress) block development and their aim is to divide and rule,” he alleged.

About the tribal-dominated Bastar, Nadda said, “I remember late Rajiv Gandhi (of Congress) and his family used to come here (Bastar) for picnics. When it was very hot there, he used to come here to enjoy the coolness of the forest. When Raman Singh’s government came to power, development took place in Bastar.”

Secularism and tolerance are in India’s DNA: Naqvi

NEW DELHI,

FEB

11

(PTI): Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said religious and social harmony, secularism and tolerance are in India’s DNA and asserted that it is the only country where believers of almost all religions live peacefully.

Addressing the “Samajik Samrasta Sammelan” organised by Bharatiya Baudh Sangh to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas here, Naqvi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s honesty and hard work has proven that “truth can neither be troubled nor trounced”.

Guru Ravidas’ teachings, ideology and philosophy are the eternal essence of the commitment to “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.

Naqvi said the strong message, given by Sant Ravidas centuries ago, warning against the evil

India belongs to me as much as it does to PM Modi, Mohan Bhagwat: Jamiat chief

NEW DELHI, FEB 11

(PTI): Jamiat Ulema-eHind president Maulana Mahmood Madani has said it is wrong to suggest that Islam came from outside and asserted that India belongs to him as much as it does to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

In his speech at the annual general session of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Mahmood Madani faction) here at the Ramlila ground, Madani said this land is the first homeland of Muslims.

“To say and believe that Islam came from outside is wrong and is historically baseless. Islam is a religion of this country and is the oldest one,” he said Friday. “This is our country. As much as this country

belongs to Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, it belongs to Mahmood. Neither Mahmood is one inch ahead of them nor are they one inch ahead of Mahmood,” he said. The 34th ‘General Session’ of Jamiat, a prominent Muslim organisation, began here at the Ram Lila ground on Friday under the presidentship of Madani. The organisation passed several resolutions including one on the alleged

rise in hate campaign and Islamophobia in the country.

Jamiat demanded that a separate law be enacted to specifically punish those who incite violence against minorities.

“The rise in Islamophobia, besides cases of hatred and incitement against the Muslims community, has increased to an alarming level in our country, in the recent past,” the Jamiat alleged.

“The most regrettable point is that though the government is aware of these developments, it prefers to adopt an ostrich-like approach,” it alleged.

The Jamiat said it wants to draw the attention of the government on how to ensure integrity and build a positive image of the country.

effects of the caste system, was relevant even today.

Assimilating the teachings and message of Sant Ravidas, the Modi government has broken the barrier of caste, community, region and religion to ensure that every needy equally gets the benefits of development without any discrimination, Naqvi said.

Amid various global challenges and crisis, the former Union minister said, India is showing the path to the entire world just because of the strength of teachings and philosophy of the great Saints and Sufis.

Naqvi said religious and social harmony, secularism and tolerance are in the DNA of India.

India has become an ideal of harmony, tolerance and brotherhood for the entire world, he said.

“India is the only country where the believers of almost all religions of the world live peacefully,” he said.

“All of us have to work together to defeat those evil elements who are involved in conspiracy to disturb and harm the fabric of social harmony and unity in diversity in the country,” Naqvi said.

Shashi Tharoor

J P Nadda

Smriti Irani

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Maulana Mahmood Madani

Tejashwi Yadav

Women need to be at centre of decisions for future-ready society, says Smriti Irani

Amit Shah and other leaders at the Golden Jubilee celebrations CAMPCO, in Puttur, Saturday. (PTI)

Profane politics

Ifpeople in Nagaland find themselves in a perplexing situation, they need remind themselves of the famous saying, that people get the leaders (or government) they deserve. If leaders lead the wrong way, everything will go wrong. People elected those who will lead them and so whatever is done has been done by leaders who have obtained the mandate of the people. Even if it is all-party government or opposition-less government of assembly, people cannot distance themselves but admit they deserve their leaders they elected have been given that mandate. The all-party governments-one in 2015 under T.R.Zeliang and the second in 2021 under Neiphiu Rio were formed under the pretext of uniting for peaceful solution “in the larger interests of the Nagas” both within and beyond Nagaland. It was clear that the ‘all-party’ or ‘opposition-less government’ in 2015 was neither designed nor capable of uniting Nagas and least of all, the elected members themselves. This became clear in the subsequent months that led to the split within NPF during 2017 and leading to formation of NDPP in 2018 when election was held. Then again, the same leaders under different labels reconceptualised unity by forming the second unity government or opposition-less government in 2021 in the larger interest and greater goal of Nagas.

Like since 2003 then 2018 and presently, these exercises of forming opposition-less governments proved to be futile rhetoric that had no basis. Ironically all these political dramas only served to fulfill the agenda of “equi-closeness” as a policy during 2003. The question is whether such an undemocratic step is a pre-condition to peaceful solution? Also whether the political parties involved in the state, have been so advised and if so by who?

In the name of democracy, the majority decision is made by a few and not the majority. Democracy, as broadly defined is a system of rule by the people. People use freedom to choose the guidelines under which they will conduct their affairs. The conduct is through constitutional democracy and which Abraham Lincoln defined (democracy) as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” When people talk much about democracy, whether in the present day or as practiced by their forefathers; it is all about a free, frank and fearless discussion and debate where all the people are involved. Freedom without rationality only reduces democracy to demagoguery. As the state goes to the polls on February 27,2023 politics in Nagaland is increasingly pushing socio-economic into bedlam; where real issues so often get drowned out by the din of distraction and deprecation. This has thrown a challenge on the institution of the church, to meet this situation head-on. Though much has been expected of the church and though it has more often, disappointed; yet there is no denying that it can still play the role of mediator, provider of safe space for open dialogue, identifier of common ground, and promoter of truth-speaking. This is critical for the reform of the present and hope of the future generations. Every religion and faith, seek to make their followers enlightened about their god so as to make them better people. The way politics has been evolving in Nagaland, particularly after the 90s, has resulted in an abnormal mixture of priorities where politicians have cleverly submerged all priorities under the Naga political issue because they have nothing good to show but plenty to hide.

DailyDevotion

Is Your Mind Stayed on God?

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. —Isaiah 26:3

Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).

Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature— the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.

“We have sinned with our fathers…[and]…did not remember…” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.

Quotes

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

~ Albert Einstein

After months of speculation doing the rounds on whether or not elections to the 60 assembly seats in Nagaland will take place, the dust of confusion hovering on top of everybody’s mind has ultimately settled down. Now that even the last window of opportunity to withdraw nomination is also closed, the ground appears to be all set for the final showdown among various political parties. They say general election in India is a festival of democracy. Call it a festival or a battlefield, the outcome of this democratic exercises will invariably affect each citizen adversely or favourably. It is in this context that we ought to exercise our spirituality with utmost caution in sending our representatives to the

Election: An Exercise of Faith

temple of democracy, the assembly. In the wake of the growing intolerance and aggression against the minorities in India, particularly against the Christian community, in the form of inflicting physical harm, demolition of church buildings, and blatant deprivation of rights and entitlements, Christians are hard-pressed on all sides like never before. Regrettably, a country that was once looked up to for its religious tolerance and accommodative spirit has today lost its credence. The claim that India is a country of “unity in diversity” does not seem to hold water. All of this is being played out in the run up to the forthcoming assembly elections in those states

which are predominantly Christians. Cynics have to read the handwriting on the wall with a pinch of salt. Talking about the persecution of Christians in mainland India, one might seek false comfort in the thought that it can never happen in a state like Nagaland with a large Christian presence. However, the situation in our own state itself is even more alarming. The acid test of our faith during election indicates that all is not well with our state. A cursory diagnosis of our spiritual wellbeing will show that mercury is on the rise. Elections over the years have brought bad name to our state – a price so dear to pay for a Christian state. While an

image once tarnished is hard to varnish, it is not impossible to recreate a new and even a better version of our image. But how? Every electorate and candidate should take responsibility for the situation we are in. Again the million dollar question before us is “Who will be the first to walk the talk?” The story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody is actually our story. Thus goes the story: There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. How true! In two weeks time, Nagaland will go to the poll and we must take this time to do a serious and sincere soul searching exercises. Any political leader or party who seeks the mandate of the people and claims to represent their constituency should honestly present their aspiration and exasperation on the floor of the assembly once they have secured the trust of the people. A state like Nagaland, whose elected members explicitly profess themselves to be Christians, ought to lead others by the example of their action and their faith in Jesus Christ. How about the electorates? We should

sail together in the same boat of accountability. Election, for Christians, is not just an exercise of one’s franchise, a fundamental right guaranteed under the preamble of the constitution; it is also an exercise of one’s faith. Election time is that time of the year when we all must discharge our Christian social responsibility as citizens of the land like the salt and light of the world. As the day of election inches closer to us each passing day, may God grant us the wisdom to discern what is right and what is wrong, and the courage to do what we know is right.

Rev. Rümatho Nyusou Executive Secretary Pochury Baptist Church Council

The other side of Valentine – Handling teenage breakups

What a breakup really does is transform a relationship into something else entirely. It has the potential to make one feel worthless, alone, and unloved. If you are still in love with your ex, this may be a devastating blow to your mental health. A breakup may be very painful on an emotional level, and getting through it might seem like one of the most difficult things we’ve ever had to do. It might seem like your heart is being ripped out if you lose a significant someone, whether it a boyfriend or girlfriend or a husband or wife. When a relationship ends, it’s not uncommon for a teenager to talk about hurting themselves because it might seem like everything has stopped and the person can’t see any hopes or dreams anymore. Even when a relationship is not working properly, a breakup hurts since it’s like tossing away not just the partnership, but also the dreams and promises symbolized by the partners throughout the tenure. Most new romances start out with a lot of promise and enthusiasm. When a friendship or romantic partnership ends badly, it may cause us a great deal of heartache and worry. When a relationship ends, you enter new territory. Your daily routine and obligations, your house, your connections with extended family and friends, and even your basic sense of who you are may all be

Within hours of an Air Force F-22 downing a giant Chinese balloon that had crossed the United States, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reached out to his Chinese counterpart via a special crisis line, aiming for a quick general-to-general talk that could explain things and ease tensions.

But Austin’s effort Saturday fell flat, when Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe declined to get on the line, the Pentagon says.

China’s Defence Ministry says it refused the call from Austin after the balloon was shot down because the US had “not created the proper atmosphere” for dialogue and exchange. The US action had “seriously violated international norms and set a pernicious precedent,” a ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement issued late Thursday.

It’s been an experience that’s frustrated US commanders for decades, when it comes to getting their Chinese counterparts on a phone or video line as some flaring crisis is sending tensions between the two nations climbing.

From Americans’ perspective, the lack of the kind of reliable crisis communications that helped get the US and Soviet Union through the Cold War without an armed nuclear

shaken up by a move. In addition to the present sadness, a breakup may also cause anxiety about the future. You may wonder, “What would life be like without my partner?” Is there a chance you’ll date anybody else? Are you going to be alone yourself for rest of the life? Being in an unpleasant relationship may seem preferable at this point than to face these uncertainties. Our school system does not often include topics related to mental health, so most of us are unable to cope with the emotional turmoil that might accompany a relationship’s end. This guide is meant to provide you with helpful information on healing from a breakup in a healthy manner. Applying these principles won’t make the pain go away, but it will speed up the mourning process so you can move on to happier relationships in the future.

1. Accept your feelings - A breakup may cause grief, anger, perplexity, resentment, envy, anxiety, and regret. If you ignore or repress your emotions, you may delay or become trapped in the mourning process. Healthy coping requires recognizing and experiencing emotions by not resisting them to appear. You can’t escape the sorrow of loss, but realizing that they will decrease over time can help you to speed up your grieving process. Grief includes stages like Denial, Anger,

exchange is raising the dangers of the US-China relationship now, at a time when China’s military strength is growing and tensions with the US are on the rise.

Without that ability for generals in opposing capitals to clear things up in a hurry, Americans worry that misunderstandings, false reports or accidental collisions could cause a minor confrontation to spiral into greater hostilities. And it’s not about any technical shortfall with the communication equipment, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of Indo-Pacific studies at the German Marshall Fund think tank. The issue is a fundamental disparity in the way China and the US view the value and purpose of military-to-military hotlines.

US military leaders’ faith in Washington-toBeijing hotlines as a way to defuse flare-ups with China’s military has been butting up against a sharply different take — a Chinese political system that runs on slow deliberative consultation by political leaders and makes no room for individually directed, real-time talk between rival generals. And Chinese leaders are suspicious of the whole US notion of a hotline. They see it as an American channel for talking their way out of blowback for a US provocation.

“That’s really

Bargaining, and Depression and by identifying and recording our thoughts we can move into the final stage of Grief, that is Acceptance. (Kubler-Ross DABDA).

2. Talk about it- By sharing our experiences with others who care about us, we might gain fresh insights and find instant relief from our suffering. Try not to withdraw from the people who can help you or isolate yourself from the world, since doing so will only make your negative emotions worse. If you can’t locate a reliable person to confide in about how you feel, try putting pen to paper instead, write them. The whole point of this exercise is to let our actual feelings out in front of another person, either to ourselves or to a higher power, depending on our own beliefs.

3. Do not individualize the loss - Even though it’s normal to feel guilty after a breakup, one shouldn’t dwell on it too much. The anguish of a breakup is compounded when you blame yourself for the relationship’s collapse and regret the decisions you made when you were still together. If you fall in to the cycle of self-blame, it may carry on forever. It’s far more reassuring to see the breakup as the inevitable outcome of fundamental differences in values and personalities that neither party could change. Let us respect the decision.

dangerous,” Assistant Secretary for Defence Ely Ratner said Thursday of the difficulty of military-to-military crisis communications with China, when Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley pressed him about China’s latest rebuff on Beijing’s and Washington’s hotline setup. US generals are persisting in their efforts to open more lines of communication with Chinese counterparts, the defense official said, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “And unfortunately, to date, the PLA is not answering that call,” Ratner said, referring to China’s People’s Liberation Army. Ratner accused China of using vital channels of communication simply as a blunter messaging tool, shutting them down or opening them up again to underscore China’s displeasure or pleasure.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning referred questions about Wei’s refusal to take Austin’s call to the Defence Ministry, China’s resistance to military hotlines as tensions increase puts more urgency on efforts by President Joe Biden and his top civilian diplomats and security aides to build up their own communication channels with President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese political officials,

4. Get back to your routine with few add-ons - Shortly after the first blow, returning to your usual activities might help calm you down and restore your feeling of control. It would be better and more effective if you included some hours of physical activity, such as jogging, swimming, and gym work, to your post-breakup regimen.

5. Discontinue communication (Both direct and indirect) - This is the most important step to take for the benefit of your emotional and physical wellbeing. It’s a bad idea to keep tabs on your ex on social media and wonder what they’re up to now that you’re not a part of it. You need not worry about their whereabouts or the company they keep, it is not the time to worrying about your ex’s social life. Your own path is now more important, and they are no longer a part of it, you have to accept this. Reduce access and bring limitations in social online profiles. You also need to realize that you can’t continue to be casual acquaintances with them. One day, may be in future, when you’ve both matured and found what really brings you joy in life; you may be able to be friendly, but not now.

6. Memory - It’s natural to think back on the good moments you had after a split. The relationship’s memories will

for situations where military hotlines may go unanswered, US officials and China experts say.

Both US and Chinese militaries are building up for a possible confrontation over US-backed self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. The next flare-up seems only a matter of time. It could happen with an expected event, such as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s promised visit to Taiwan, or something unexpected, like the 2001 collision between a Chinese fighter and a US Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea. Without commanders talking in real-time, Americans and Chinese would have one less way of averting greater conflict..

“My worry is that the EP-3 type incident will happen again,” said Lyle Morris, a country director for China for the Office of the Secretary of Defence from 2019 to 2021, now a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “And we will be in much different political environments of hostility and mistrust, where that could go wrong in a hurry.”

Biden has emphasised building lines of communications with China to “responsibly manage” their differences.

A November meeting between Xi and Biden yielded an announcement the two governments

always be with us, but we need to minimize the things in our lives that might bring them flooding back. Objects that remind you of your Ex, such as presents and souvenirs, items they left behind with you, or photographs taken during happier times, may all trigger painful flashbacks and return you back to the Grieving Process you’ve only just emerged from. Bring them, collect them in one place all together and dispose them with care.

Most people in the world will have to deal with the emotional turmoil of ending a romantic relationship at some point in their lives. There is no “ideal” method to terminate a relationship since every breakup is different depending on things including the length of the relationship and the individual and combined history of each partner. Therefore, one must go into the question of relationships before beginning to comprehend how to get depart from a relationship or how to cope with the loneliness, misery, agony, and worry that characterize the human condition. Perhaps the key to finding the answers is in understanding the concept of “relationship”, and to ask ourselves “Are we at least related to ourselves yet?”

Rohan Joy Rana Mental Health Worker GHY-19 Ph- 9435192261

would resume a range of dialogues that China had shut down after an August Taiwan visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Last weekend, the US cancelled what would have been a relationship-building visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the transit of the Chinese balloon, which the US says was for espionage. China claims it was a civilian balloon used for meteorological research.

The same week that China’s balloon flew over the US, Austin was in the Philippines to announce an expanded US military footprint there, neighbouring China, noted Tiehlin Yen, director of the Taiwan Centre for Security Studies, a think tank. “America is also very nationalistic these days,” Yen said.

“From a regional security perspective, this dialogue is necessary,” Yen said. What passes for military and civilian hotlines between China and the US aren’t the classic red phones on a desk. Under a 2008 agreement, the China-US military hotline amounts to a multistep process by which one capital relays a request to the other for a joint call or videoconference between top officials on encrypted lines. The pact gives the other side 48 hours and up to respond, although nothing in the pact stops top officials from talking immediately.

Sometimes when the US calls, current and former

US officials say, Chinese officials don’t even pick up.

“No one answered. It just rang,” recounted Kristen Gunness, a senior policy analyst at the Rand Corporation. Gunness was speaking about a March 2009 incident when she was working as an adviser to the Pentagon’s chief of naval operations.

Chinese navy vessels at the time surrounded a US surveillance ship in the South China Sea and demanded the American leave. US and Chinese military officials eventually talked - but some 24 hours later. It took decades of Washington pushing to get Beijing to agree to the current system of military crisis communications, said David Sedney, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense who negotiated it.

“And then once we had it in place, it was clear that they were very reluctant to use it in any substantive purpose,” Sedney said.

Americans’ test calls on the hotline would get picked up, he said. And when Americans called to give congratulations on some Chinese holiday, Chinese officials would pick up and say thanks, he said. Anything more sensitive, Sedney said, the staffers answering the phone “would say, We’ll check. As soon as our leadership is ready to talk, we’ll get back to you.’ Nothing would happen.” AP feature

‘It just rang’: In crises, US-China hotline goes unanswered

SNIPPETS

Leopard kills toddler in Jaipur

JAIPUR, FEB 11 (PTI):

A one-and-a-half-yearold boy has been killed by a leopard in the Jamwaramgarh area of Jaipur district, a forest official said on Saturday.

The animal grabbed the child in Basna village of Jamwaramgarh tehsil on Friday evening when he was playing outside his home, forest ranger Ramkaran Meena said. The boy’s family members chased the leopard as it was dragging him away, following which it let go of him and fled into a forest area, Meena said. The boy was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to injuries, the official said.

6-year-old girl raped, murdered in MP

SHIVPURI, FEB 11 (PTI): A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place in Badora village under Karera police station limits on Friday night. Police station in-charge Satish Chouhan said the girl’s mother had taken her to a temple where a religious programme was underway.

The girl got separated and her mother thought she must have returned home. But when she was found to be missing, a police complaint was filed. Her body was found behind the village’s government school on Saturday morning with a piece of cloth stuffed into her mouth.

District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Chandel announced a reward of Rs. 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the culprit.

1 more arrested in patwari paper leak case in U’khand

HARIDWAR, FEB 11 (PTI): Another person was arrested here on Saturday in connection with the patwari exam paper leak case, police said. Twelve people have been arrested so far in the case, SSP Ajay Singh, who is heading the SIT in charge of the case, said. Suresh, the latest to be nabbed, is a maternal uncle of main accused Sanjiv Dubey, the SSP said.

Pvt hospitals, nursing homes suspend services in Rajasthan

JAIPUR, FEB 11 (PTI):

Private hospitals and nursing homes in Rajasthan suspended routine day services including emergency care on Saturday in a protest against the state government’s proposed Right to Health Bill. Demonstrations were held in cities across the state including the capital Jaipur to demand the withdrawal of the bill. They also protested against the state’s ambitious Cheeranjivi Health Scheme.

Private Hospital and Nursing Home Society Secretary Vijay Kapoor said the services were suspended on the call of Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is spearheading the protest.

He said JAC’s representatives had gone to discuss the bill with the select committee of the Rajasthan Assembly when the government’s non-negotiable stand to bring this bill became clear to them. But the JAC decided that “we do not accept this bill.” Kapoor said.

If the government does not withdraw the bill, the movement will be strengthened and sustained, he said. As part of the agitation, he said, private hospitals and nursing homes have also decided to boycott the government’s RGHS (Rajasthan Government Health Scheme) and Chiranjeevi Yojana from Saturday.

No freedom of speech inside or outside Parliament: Kharge

RANCHI, FEB 11 (PTI):

Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday alleged there was no freedom of speech in the country.

Addressing a rally in Jharkhand’s Sahebganj district, Kharge expressed anguish, claiming that parts of his speech in Parliament were expunged.

“There is neither freedom of speech inside Parliament, nor outside. If someone speaks the truth, writes about it, shows it then they (BJP) send him or her behind the bars,” he alleged while speaking at Gumani Ground in Pakur after launching the party’s 60-day ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ mass outreach programme in the state.

BJP state president Deepak Prakash, however, termed the Congress’ programme as “drama.”

Kharge said, “I did not use any unparliamentary word or language to describe the prime minister... Atal Bihari Vajpayee had used the

same expression for former PM PV Narasimha Rao and the BJP used it for former PM Manmohan Singh,” Kharge said. The Congress president also came down heavily on the BJP over the Adani issue.

“Adani, who is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s friend, has assets worth Rs 13 lakh crore now... His assets were worth Rs 1 lakh crore in 2019,” he claimed.

“The PM works for him (Adani) and not for the poor,” Kharge alleged, claiming that Rs 16,000 crore was given by LIC to the Adani Group, and Rs 82,000 crore was given

Indian man missing in Turkiye quake found dead

KOTDWAR (UTTARA -

KHAND), FEB 11 (PTI):

An Indian national missing in Turkiye since the massive earthquake on February 6 was found dead on Saturday in the rubble of a hotel where he was staying.

Vijay Kumar Gaud, who hailed from Uttarakhand’s Pauri district and was working for a Bengaluru-based company, had gone to Turkiye on an official assignment.

With his face crushed beyond recognition, Gaud was identified with a tattoo of the word “Om” on one of his hands, his family said here quoting Indian embassy officials. Gaud was a resident of Padampur area in Kotdwar in Pauri district. His clothes had been found on Friday.

“We inform with sorrow that the mortal remains of Shri Vijay Kumar, an Indian national missing in Turkiye since February 6 earthquake, have been found and identified among the debris of a hotel in Malatya,

Train services in parts of J’khand, WB affected due to tribal body’s stir

JAMSHE DPUR/JHARGRAM, FEB 11 (PTI)

He said the BJP came to power in 2014 with the promise to stem inflation, but the price of essential commodities and poverty are on the rise ever since it formed the government.

Kharge said that it was the Congress which developed the infrastructure of the country and fought for India’s freedom.

by the SBI. When Rahul Gandhi raised this issue in Parliament it was also expunged, he said.

“BJP inducts many MLAs who face ED, IT, CBI cases... Modi and Shah have bought a washing machine in which they wash the blemishes of such MLAs who then come out clean,” he said.

Alleging that PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were “experts” in toppling elected governments, Kharge said, “They then talk about democracy. Why don’t you govern according to the Constiution written by Baba Saheb Ambedkar?”

NIA carries out searches in case linked to Al-Qaeda

where he was on a business trip,” the Indian embassy in Turkiye tweeted. Gaud’s wife and son, who were hoping against hope for some positive news, were inconsolable as their worst fears had come true. Friends and relatives flocked to Gaud’s house to express their condolences to the bereaved family. His body will first be flown to Istanbul and then taken to Delhi. It may take three days for his body to reach Kotdwar, family sources said quoting Indian embassy officials.

“Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We are making arrangements for the earliest possible transportation of his mortal remains to his family,” the embassy said on Twitter. Gaud worked for Oxy Plant India Pvt Ltd and was on an official assignment, his elder brother Arun Kumar Gaud said.

“His phone rings but no one responds,” Arun had told PTI after his brother went missing.

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New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI):

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at two locations in Karnataka and Maharashtra on Saturday in a case related to activities of the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent aimed at radicalising and provoking the youth to indulge in acts of terrorism, an official said. After conducting the searches, the NIA is probing two suspects in the terror conspiracy case, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.

The official said searches were conducted at Thanisandra in Bengaluru and Palghar-Thane in Maharashtra, leading to the seizure of multiple digital devices.

“Inputs had revealed that these two suspects were in contact with foreign-based online handlers affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisations over encrypted communication platforms,” the spokesperson said.

He appealed to the people to vote for Bajrang Mahto, the UPA candidate for the Ramgarh bypoll that will be held on February 27.

During the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ programme, Congress workers will conduct door-to-door visits to make people aware of the Centre’s policies, which they claim are “anti-people”.

Congress general secretary Avinash Pandey, state Congress president Rajesh Thakur and state minister Alamgir Alam were among the leaders present at the rally.

Jharkhand BJP president Deepak Prakash claimed that the Congress’ ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ programme is “drama.”

Train services in parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal were affected on Saturday due to blockades by a tribal organisation over the Parasnath Hills fiasco, the South Eastern Railway (SER) said. The Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA) called for a dawn-to-dusk blockade of railway tracks and ‘chakka jam’ on roads in Assam, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, also seeking the inclusion of Sarna religious code in the Census. ASA activists blocked railway tracks in Kantadih station in Adra division, Khemasuli station in Kharagpur division and Mahadevsal and Posoita stations in Chakradharpur division.

As a result of the stir, several trains, including Howrah-Barbil Jan Shatabdi Express, Howrah-TitlagarhIspat Express, Kharagpur-Tatanagar passenger, Tatanagar-Howrah Steel Express, ChakradharpurGomoh MEMU, Tatanagar-Danapur Express and Tatanagar-Asansol passenger, were cancelled, an SER

Members of Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan block railway tracks during their protest in Malda, Saturday. (PTI) statement said.

Several other trains, including Hatia-Tatanagar Express, Dhanbad-Tatanagar Express, Jhargram-Purulia MEMU, Adra-Barabhum MEMU, Asansol-Barabhum MEMU and Asansol-Tatanagar passenger, were either short-terminated or shortoriginated, it said, adding some other trains were also diverted.

“The agitation was withdrawn from Khemasuli at noon, from Mahadevsal at 1 pm and from Kantadih at 3.55 pm. Normal train services were gradually restored,” the statement said.

Some activists also blocked National Highway

6 near Khemasuli for some time.

ASA president SalkhanMurmu said February 11 is the birth anniversary of TilkaMurmu who is first freedom fighter from the Santal community to take up arms against the British.

The outfit launched ‘Marang Buru Bachao Yatra’ on January 17 in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal to assert its rights over Parasnath Hills, which is also one of the holiest sites of the Jain community. The tribals also consider Parasnath Hills as the holiest ‘jeherthan’ (place of worship).

Will not allow non-locals to settle in J&K: Altaf Bukhari

JAMMU, FEB 11 (PTI):

Jammu and Kashmir

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Saturday said his party will not allow non-locals to settle in the Union Territory as he criticised the administration for its ongoing anti-encroachment drive to retrieve state land.

The former minister appealed to people to maintain peace and promised to reverse all “antipeople” decisions of the administration once his party comes to power.

“We will not allow the non-locals to settle in Jammu and Kashmir. The land in J&K belongs to the people of the erstwhile state of J&K,” Bukhari said at a function here.

The function was organised to welcome PDP youth leader from Samba SannySangral, who along with dozens of youth, joined Apni Party at its Gandhi Nagar headquarters.

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over the anti-encroachment drive, he said the government has no other option but to regularise unauthorised colonies.

“Even the government in Delhi has regularised such colonies from time to time, but it seems they do not understand the issues of the poor people,” he said, criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party for delaying assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Mallikarjun Kharge speaks during the launch of party’s ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo’ campaign, in Dumka, Saturday. (PTI)

Altaf Bukhari during a party’s joining programme, at party office in Jammu, Saturday. (PTI)

New tax regime to benefit middle class: FM

NEW DELHI, FEB 11

(PTI): Finance Minister

Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the new tax regime will benefit the middle class as it will leave more money in their hands.

Talking to reporters after the customary postBudget address to the central board of the RBI, she said it is not necessary to induce individuals to invest through government schemes but give them an opportunity to make a personal decision regarding investments.

“...the way we allowed for standard deduction and also the rates which have been fixed, tax rates which have been fixed for different slabs, it has actually left more money in the hands of the people, the taxpayer, the household,” she said.

Sitharaman in her latest Budget proposed to extend the Rs 50,000 standard deduction benefit to persons opting for the new tax regime.

“I don’t think it is necessary for the government to even induce any such measures. A person who earns

his money and who runs his household is wise enough to know where he has to put his money...So I’ve not discouraged him from doing it nor am I incentivizing them to do any-thing in particular. It’s for him to take a call,” she said.

Under the revamped concessional tax regime, which will be effective from the next fiscal, no tax would be levied on income up to Rs 3 lakh. Income between Rs 3-6 lakh would be taxed at 5 per cent; Rs 6-9 lakh at 10 per cent, Rs 9-12 lakh at 15 per cent, Rs 12-15 lakh at 20 per cent and income of Rs 15 lakh and above will be taxed at 30 per cent.

However, no tax would be levied on annual income of up to Rs 7 lakh.

This measure of the government was purely to reduce the tax burden on the middle class and is aligned to the promise which was made a couple of years ago of simplifying direct taxation, she said.

Answering a question on the Adani Group crisis, the minister said, “Indian

Nirmala Sitharaman

regulators are very, very experienced and they are experts in their domain. The regulators are seized of the matter and they are on their toes as always not just now.”

On regulating cypto assets, she said India is in discussion with G20 nations for designing a common framework.

Responding to a query on price rise, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said retail inflation is ex-pected to be around 5.3 per cent in 202324 and may fall further if crude prices remain be-nign.

Das said RBI has assumed USD 95 per barrel rate of crude for inflation projection for the next fiscal.

“So if the oil prices

Sebi proposes to enhance role, accountability of mutual fund trustees

go down significantly and if there is advantage of other commodity pric-es, it will work to (our) favour in terms of leading to lower inflation but if demand for oil due to the opening of countries (rises)... then the commodity prices may go up,” he said.

But having said that, he said, “I would like to add that the global economic outlook does not look as grim as it did about six months ago. The talk of a deep recession in many countries including advanced countries... that is behind us. Now the talk around the world is either the softer recession or just a global slowdown. So therefore the risks are evenly balanced. We have to wait and see how it plays out.”

On pricing of loans, Das said market competition will decide rates on lending and deposit sides as it has been a de-regulated segment.

The real interest rates have just moved into the positive territory, he said, adding the economy faced negative interest rates for the

Congress focused on allegations...

(From p-1) When asked about the silence of BJP on the demand of Janajati Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Manch (Assam) to remove Scheduled Tribe status of people who have embraced Christianity, Kohli claimed that BJP has no knowledge of such organization while reiterating that the Manch has nothing to do with BJP.

He alleged that the story could be a “conspiracy by the Congress party or somebody else to some-how damage BJP”.

Kohli also the question should be directed at the particular Manch since for BJP, it believes in the Constitution as contained under Article 19 which ensures freedom of speech and expression.

Along also said that any organization’s name that correlates itself with Hindi does not mean that BJP was involved or responsible all the time. “Just

because somebody’s name is Ram, Ramesh or Naidu etc. it doesn’t mean that it’s BJP party,” Along argued.

Along said such utterances was just propaganda of some vested interest political parties particularly at a time when elections are to be held in Christian dominated states like Nagaland and Meghalaya.

On Sarma’s urgent visit: To a query on the reasons behind Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent air dashing to Dimapur on February 9 night from Guwahati, purportedly to diffuse the strain on the NDPP-BJP alliance, Kohli said there should be no confusion on such speculations which were being “sold by political opponents”.

Kohli said Sarma, who is also the convenor of NEDA, enjoyed good working relationship with different leaders of the region including chief minister Rio. He said Sarma’s visit

to Nagaland was to discuss various issues related to election campaign and ideas about what the alliance could do.

“Contrary to what has been mentioned that there is a crisis or any kind of negativity, I would reject that completely. The alliance is strong and was always strong,” he said. When asked about the unfinished multi-disciplinary sports complex in Dimapur, Kohli assured that he would personally take up the issue.

State BJP president Temjen Imna Along also welcomed former legislator Khekhaho Assumi to the BJP whom he described as “an eminent leader”. Meanwhile, Kohli informed that a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda and others have been requested to campaign for the party and the candidates.

last three years.

“The continuation of negative interest rates for too long can create instability in the financial system. So the interest rates have just now moved into the positive territory. Negative interest for a long time has a lot of risks which have to be avoided,” he said.

Regarding the National Financial Information Registry (NFIR) announced in the Budget, Das said the idea is to quicken the process of credit sanction and credit flow to the borrowers.

“Lot of information is required by a bank before a loan is sanctioned. The idea is to create one registry where, to the extent possible, considering issues of privacy and other things... the idea is to provide the 360 degree kind of information system which will be readily available to the lending institutions to ensure that it quickens the process of credit flow,” he said. The Bill for setting up NFIR will have to be finalised and then introduced in Parliament.

NEW DELHI, FEB 11

(PTI): Amidst growing scale of the mutual fund industry, capital markets regulator Sebi has proposed to increase the role and accountability of the trustees in a bid to safeguard unitholders’ interest.

In addition, the regulator has suggested to enhance the accountability of board of asset man-agement company (AMC).

Also, Sebi has proposed a common platform for dissemination of public announcements by mutual funds. In order to have an independent review mechanism for the decisions of AMC from the per-spective of the unitholders’ interest across all products and services, Sebi has proposed to mandate that a “Unit Holder Protection Committee (UHPC) should be constituted by board of AMC”. In its consultation paper, Sebi has suggested that trustees of mutual funds should focus on market abuse by AMC, its employees and mis-selling by the

Isak-led NSCN (K) reacts to...

(From p-1)

In this regard, MIP said it was left to Nagas to judge, “whether Hokato Vusshe is a liar or a patriot as he claimed to be” and who was issuing the Naga issue for his position and agenda.

MIP also termed the allegation by Khango and “his outlawed gang” that Isak Sumi was impeached by 2/3rd majority was a “blatant lie” and a “mockery of the constitution of NSCN/GPRN(K)”

According to MIP the act was done “under ultra secrecy” from the kitchen of impeached president Khango at Yangkao village where the entire GPRN government was caught by surprise by the failed coup and attempt on the life of Isak Sumi. It claimed to have photographic evidence and witnessed by the disarmed guards.

MIP said there are only four Kilonsers and equal number of dy. Kilonsers with Khango Konyak and that the lone designated camp at Yangkao “is empty except for dozen boys who have defected from other organisations with Hokato Vusshe.”

MIP also said there are rumours that “only three attendants are with former C-N-C Moba Konyak and five cadres with Khango Konyak” while the rest have either deserted or joined Isak group and therefore those with Khango are “a collection of habitual defectors and criminals”

Stating it does not want to stoop down to low level as that of Khangoled NSCN, MIP said Khango’s faction claiming credit for signing ceasefire with the government of India as if it was his personal property, was “nothing short of ignorance” since the ceasefire was signed between the government of India with functionaries of NSCN/GPRN (K) and not with Khango.

MIP said the rebuttal was issued to reassure Nagas that the entire NSCN/GPRN was still intact and had unanimously expelled “Khango and his gang from NNPG” and that the group continues to stand in solidarity with the leadership of president Luyanba Yimkhiung, ato kilonser ‘col.’ (Retd.) Isak Sumi and chief of Naga army ‘maj. Gen.’ Pangging Konyak.

AMC to increase the asset base.

Also, trustees should be responsible for fairness of fees and expenses charged by the AMC, compare its performance with peers and ensure that AMC’s sponsor is not getting any undue advantage.

In addition to the core areas, the trustees should be responsible for periodically reviewing the steps taken by AMCs for the folios which do not contain all KYC attributes with bank de-tails.

Further, Sebi has suggested that trustees and their resource persons should independently evaluate the extent of compliance by AMC and not merely rely on AMC’s assurances.

To facilitate trustees’ supervision, AMCs should provide them with analytical information.

Presently, the trustees primarily rely on the AMCs for ensuring compliance with the applicable rules.

Under the rules, trustees hold the property of the mutual fund in trust for the

benefit of the unitholders.

The trustees appoint an AMC to float schemes for the mutual fund and manage the funds mobilised under various schemes, in accordance with the investment objectives.

“In view of the increasing scale and reach of the mutual fund industry, trustees’ role in respect of unitholders’ protection assumes even greater significance,” Sebi said on Friday.

Over the past decade there has been a five-fold increase in the size of the mutual fund indus-try. The assets under management (AUM) has surged from Rs 7.93 lakh crore in November 2012 to Rs 39.89 lakh crore in December 2022.

To ensure that trustees devote time and attention to their core responsibilities, Sebi has sug-gested that for fulfilling other responsibilities, trustees may rely on professional firms such as audit firms, legal firms, merchant bankers for carrying out due diligence on their behalf.

Direct tax collections up 24% to Rs 15.67L crore

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (IANS): The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections up to February 10, continue to register steady growth. Direct Tax collections up to February 10 showed that gross collections are at Rs 15.67 lakh crore which is 24.09% higher than the gross collections for the corresponding period of last year. According to the Ministry of Finance, Direct Tax collection, net of refunds, stands at Rs 12.98 lakh crore which is 18.40% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. This collection is 91.39% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for F.Y. 2022-23 and 78.65% of the Revised Estimates of Direct Taxes for FY 2022-23.

So far, as the growth rate for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in terms of gross revenue collections is concerned, the growth rate for CIT is 19.33%, while that for PIT (including STT) is 29.63%.

(From p-1)

Further, he alleged in the evening, a JDU supporter was hospitalised after he was “grievously injured”. JDU unit president maintained that the three incidents of violence have instilled fear psychosis amongst JDU supporters of 37 Tyui, which he said was “not only against the rule of law but also against the norm of democratic society”.

Alibaba sells remaining direct stake in Paytm for Rs 1,378 cr

NEW DELHI, FEB 10 (PTI): Chinese e-commerce major Alibaba on Friday divested its remain-ing 3.3 per cent direct stake in One97 Communications, which operates under the Paytm brand, for Rs 1,378 crore through an open market transaction.

However, the company’s group firm Ant Financial continues to hold around 25 per cent stake in Paytm and remains the biggest shareholder of the digital financial services firm.

The latest transaction marks Alibaba’s exit from direct shareholding in Indian entities.

As per bulk deal data

available with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Alibaba.com Sin-gapore E-Commerce offloaded 2,14,31,822 shares, amounting to 3.3 per cent stake in Paytm. The shares were sold at an average price of Rs 642.74 apiece, taking the aggregate value to Rs 1,377.50 crore.

“With this deal, Alibaba has sold its entire direct stake in Paytm. It no longer holds a direct stake in any of the Indian entities,” a source told PTI. During the day, Morgan Stanley Asia sold 5.23 lakh shares for Rs

667.66 apiece and bought 54.23 lakh shares for Rs 640 per scrip. Alibaba directly held 6.26 per cent stake in Paytm as of the December 2022 quarter. In January, Alibaba had sold around 3 per cent stake. Rest of the direct stake was offloaded in Friday’s trade. The development follows Alibaba’s stake sale in BigBasket and Zomato.

In 2021, Alibaba sold its entire stake in BigBasket. Later in November 2022, it offloaded its direct stake in online food delivery platform Zomato.

JDU 37 Tuyi files FIR over violence

SNIPPETS

East Germany’s last communist leader dies BERLIN,

FEB 11

US shoots down car-sized UFO above Alaska

WASHINGTON, FEB 11

India topples France as UK’s largest Scotch whisky market

Hans Modrow

(AP): Hans Modrow, who served as East Germany’s last communist leader during a turbulent tenure that ended in the country’s first and only free election, has died. He was 95. Modrow died early Saturday, the Left party parliamentary group tweeted.Modrow, a reform-minded communist, took over East Germany shortly after the Berlin Wall fell and later invited opposition forces into the government, but could not slow the gathering momentum for German reunification.

Mob lynches man inside Pak prison

NANKANA SAHIB, FEB 11 (IANS): A 35-year-old man, who was arrested on blasphemy charges, was lynched on Saturday in Pakistan Punjab’s Nankana Sahib district after a mob broke into the police station where the victim was being held, media reports said. According to reports, the victim was accused of desecrating the Holy Quran while the locals claimed he was involved in ‘witchcraft’, The Express Tribune reported.

SL donates Ceylon tea to quake-hit Turkey

COLOMBO, FEB 11 (IANS): Sri Lanka’s government has donated a consignment of Ceylon tea to earthquake-hit Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

The consignment was handed over to the Turkish ambassador in Colombo by the director general for emergency response of the ministry on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the ministry.

2.3-magnitude quake

hits central S.Korea

SEOUL, FEB 11 (IANS): A 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the central county of Boeun on Saturday, and no damage has been reported, authorities said. The quake struck 11 km east of the county in North Chungcheong Province, some 180 km south of Seoul, at around 8:22 a.m., Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Iran marks anniv of Islamic Revolution

DUBAI, FEB 11 (AP): Iran on Saturday celebrated the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution amid nationwide antigovernment protests and heightened tensions with the West. Thousands of Iranians marched through major streets and squares decorated with flags, balloons and placards with revolutionary and religious slogans. The military put on display its Emad and Sejjil ballistic missiles and cruise missiles as well as its Shahed-136 and Mohajer drones.

Somaliland agrees to

CF after days of fighting

BOSASO (SOMALIA), FEB 11 (AGENCIES):

The administration of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland said late on Friday it had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, following five days of clashes in the east of the territory that health workers say have killed dozens of people. Heavy fighting broke out between Somaliland forces and militiamen in and around the town of Las Anod, the administrative centre of the Sool region, on Monday after local leaders said they wanted to rejoin federal Somalia.

(PTI): A US fighter jet shot down an unknown object flying at the height of about 40,000 feet off the northern coast of Alaska on orders of President Joe Biden, officials said, less than a week after the military brought down a Chinese spy balloon that had flown across America.

According to Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the object, which was about the size of a small car, was first detected inside American airspace on Thursday. The object, whose origin is not known so far, posed a “reasonable threat to civilian air traffic”, he said.

“US Northern Command is beginning recovery operations now,” Ryder said, adding the F-22 fighter jet deployed an AIM9X missile to take down the object.

This came almost a week after the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean. It

hovered over continental America for several days after entering the US airspace on January 30 in Montana. China has acknowledged that the balloon was theirs but denied that it was for surveillance purposes rather than for weather monitoring and that it had drifted off course. About the unidentified object over Alaska, Ryder told reporters at a news conference, “At the direction of the President of the

United States, fighter aircraft assigned to US Northern Command successfully took down a high-altitude airborne object off the northern coast of Alaska at 1:45 pm Eastern Standard Time today (Friday) within US sovereign airspace over US territorial water.” “We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin.”

The object was not similar in size or shape

5 days in, survivors still found in

quake-hit Turkey, Syria

Can Agas, the teenager who was pulled out of the rubble in Kahramanmaras, asked his rescuers, according to NTV television.

Members of the mixed Turkish and Kyrgyz search teams embraced each other, as did the teenager’s cousins, with one of them calling out: “He is out, brother. He is out. He is here.”

ANTAKYA (TURKEY),

FEB 11 (AP): Rescue teams in Turkey on Saturday pulled to safety a family of five who survived inside their collapsed home for five days following a major earthquake in a sprawling border region of Turkey and Syria. The death toll, however, was approaching 25,000. They first extricated mother and daughter Havva and Fatmagul Aslan from among a mound of debris in the hard-hit town of Nurdag, in Gaziantep province, HaberTurk reported.

The teams later reached the father, Hasan Aslan, but he insisted that his other daughter, Zeynep, and son Saltik Bugra be saved first.

Then, as the father was brought out, rescuers cheered and chanted “God is Great!” The dramatic rescue after 129 hours brings to nine the number of people rescued Saturday, despite diminishing hopes amid freezing temperatures. They included a disoriented 16-year-old and a 70-yearold woman.

“What day is it?” Kamil

Office of the Kilomi (m) Village CounCil

Pughoboto- Zunheboto APPRECIATION

The Kilomi (M) Village Council would like to heartily express our immense gratitude to the Officers and troops of B. Coy 111 Bn BSF for their timely assistance during the recent fire outbreak at the residence of Shri. Nikhato Swu, of Kilomi Village on 07.02.2023. It was due to their technical support and manpower that the fire outbreak could be douzed off in time.

We appreciate the goodwill and social contribution of the 111 Bn BSF to our Society.

Secretary Council Chairman Tonivi Tuccu Daniel Wotsa K -304/23

Office of the 12 Tseminyu m andal

BharaT iya JanaTa Par T y

Headquarter: Tseminyu-797109

ParTy direCTiVe

For the interest and development of Tseminyu Constituency, all the BJP Karyakartas under Tseminyu District are hereby directed to adhere and honour NDPP-BJP pre-poll alliance by supporting Shri R. Khing NDPP Candidate for the upcoming State Assembly Election which is scheduled to be held on 27th Feb 2023.

Sd/Jonilo Thong

President

BJP 12 Tseminyu Mandal

to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4, he said. The news of the shooting down of the unidentified object was first announced by the White House.

“Out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of the Pentagon, President Biden ordered the military to down the object. They did, and it came inside our territorial waters.

“Those waters right now are frozen but inside territorial airspace and over territorial waters,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters at the White House.

Ryder said the recovery of the debris is taking place in a mix of ice and snow.

“The object was travelling northeasterly across Alaska. A two-ship flight of F-35s conducted identification of the object,” he said.

“An F-22 out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson -- assigned to US Northern Command -- shot down the object with an AIM-9X missile near Deadhorse, Alaska,” Ryder said.

According to him, since the unidentified object posed a threat to civilian air traffic, a decision was taken to shoot it down.

“In terms of the spy balloon (downed a week ago), we have learnt a lot about the Chinese surveillance high-altitude balloon programme,” he said.

“We gathered a lot of information over the last couple of years. Based on that, we were able to detect it at a very early stage as it approached US air space and we had a good understanding of what it was. We were able to monitor that closely while it went over the continental United States, learn a lot about it and take it down at the appropriate time,” the Pentagon Press Secretary said.

Joe Biden, Lula da Silva focus on democracy, climate

LONDON, FEB 11 (PTI): India has overtaken France to become the UK’s largest market of Scotch whisky in terms of volume with a 60 per cent hike in imports in 2022 over the previous year, according to the latest figures released by Scotland’s leading industry body. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) revealed on Friday that India imported 219 million 70cl bottles of Scotch compared to France’s 205 million last year – representing growth of the Indian Scotch market of more than 200 per cent in the past decade.

As one of the key sectors of focus for the UK in the free trade agreement talks with India, SWA pointed out that the hike in volume still makes up only a fraction of the Indian whisky market due to high tariffs. “Despite doubledigit growth, Scotch whisky still only comprises 2 per cent of the Indian whisky market,” the association said. “SWA analysis shows that a UK-India FTA deal which eases the 150 per cent tariff burden on Scotch whisky in India could boost market access for Scotland’s whisky companies, allowing for an additional GBP 1 billion of growth over the next five years,” it noted.

The rescues brought shimmers of joy amid overwhelming devastation days after Monday’s 7.8-magnitude quake collapsed thousands of buildings, killing more than 24,000 people, injuring another 80,000 and leaving millions homeless.

Another quake nearly equal in power and likely triggered by the first caused more destruction hours later. Even though experts say trapped people can live for a week or more, the odds of finding more survivors were quickly waning. Rescuers were shifting to thermal cameras to help identify life amid the rubble, a sign of the weakness of any remaining survivors.

WASHINGTON, FEB 11

(AP): President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Friday and reflected on how their nations were tested in their respective battles to preserve democracy, with the U.S. president declaring that democracy ultimately “prevailed” over the farright mobs that stormed their governments’ halls of power in an attempt to overturn election victories. Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in a fraught 2020 race, securing victory with thin margins in several battleground states. In Brazil’s recent election, its tightest since its return to democracy over three

decades ago, Lula, the leftist leader of the Workers’ Party, squeaked out a win against right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, who earned the nickname “Trump of the Tropics” and was an outspoken admirer of the former U.S. president. Both Trump and Bolsonaro sowed doubts about the vote, without presenting evidence, but their claims nevertheless resonated with their most die-hard supporters. In the U.S. Capitol, Trump supporters staged the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection seeking to prevent Biden’s win from being certified. Last month, thousands of rioters stormed the Brazilian capital aiming to oust the newly-inaugurated Lula.

OFFICE OF THE NATIONALIST DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY 52 A/C Longkhim, Chare Pin - 798616

DECLARATION

Looking on to the political scenario in the state as the NDPP ties pre-poll alliance with BJP in Nagaland, therefore we the NDPP 52 A/C Longkhim, Chare hereby extend our support to BJP 52 A/C Longkhim, Chare. Though some of the party workers resigned and merged with some other political party, still a good numbers of office bearers and party workers from many units and members from A/C are still intact with the party to support the BJP candidate of 52 A/C for the forth coming general election.

(HOLINGSING)

(THSALIBA SANGTAM) ADVISOR VICE-PRESIDENT DB-198/23

deClaraTiOn

In the interest of 57th Thonoknyu Assembly Constituency, the NPF party 57thThonoknyu Assembly Constituency have decided to resign from both active and primary membership as well as from various files and ranks, and resolved to support our abled leader Shri. S. Heno NDPP candidate of 57th Assembly Constituency.

Acknowledging the vision of NDPP under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri. Neiphiu Rio .the under mentioned leaders and members along with the supporters have pledged to support NDPP candidate Shri. S Heno of 57th Thonoknyu Assembly Constituency during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023.

The value of Indian market for Scotch exports comes in at fifth worth GBP 282 million, up 93 per cent in 2021 and behind France, Singapore and Taiwan. The 2022 trend also saw AsiaPacific region overtake EU as the industry’s largest regional market, with double-digit post-pandemic growth also seen in Taiwan, Singapore and China besides India.

“During a year of significant economic headwinds and global supply chain disruption, the Scotch

Whisky industry continued to be an anchor of growth, supporting investment and job creation across Scotland and the UK,” said SWA Chief Executive Mark Kent. “By reducing tariffs through the UK-India free trade agreement, continuing the duty freeze in the March budget, and ensuring the industry’s continued ability to advertise our worldclass product in our home market, the Scottish and UK governments can count on the Scotch Whisky industry to reinvest its success across the UK,” he said. Overall, the year 2022 saw solid growth in Scotch exports around the world, with the US holding on to its topmost position as the largest market by value at GBP 1,053 million. The total export value of Scotch whisky – one of the UK’s biggest exporters – was up 37 per cent by value to GBP 6.2 billion.

UK Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Scotch whisky is one of the UK’s great exporting success stories, contributing billions of pounds to the economy and supporting thousands of jobs, so I’m pleased to see these export figures showing a growing global demand.

K-305/23

office of the LAke VieW coLony counciL Dimapur – 797112 : nagaland Regd. No. Gen-4/Lake view/ Recog/2022-D/1948-55

Motto : “Unity for Progress”

AppreciAtion

Through this column, the Lake View Colony Council and the Lake View Colony Youth Organisation would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation and profound gratitude to Shri Moatoshi Longkumer, Honourable MLA Dimapur 2 Assembly Constituency as the success and outcome of blacktopping of the road from Khermahal Junction to Lake View Colony was possible due to his consistent effort and visionary leadership.

The Lake View Colony Council and the Lake View Colony Youth Organisation would like to thank the general public for extending their utmost support and cooperation during the construction period.

Sd/- Sd/(tonGZuk ponGen) (M. ShiLu JAMir) (chairman) (Goanbura) Lake View Colony Council Lake View Colony Council Dimapur Dimapur

Sd/- Sd/(SentiMenBA) (LiAthunG LothA) (youth president) (Secretary) Lake View Colony Council Lake View Colony Council Youth Organisation Dimapur Dimapur

Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington, Friday,

A rescuer with a sniffer dog searches in a destroyed building in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Friday. (AP/PTI)

Joe Biden meets with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday. (AP/PTI)

Antarctic sea ice falls to record low: Study

whether what we are seeing is the beginning of a rapid end to summer sea ice in the Antarctic, or if it is merely the beginning of a new phase characterised by low but still stable sea ice cover in the summer,” Haas added.

The crew of the research vessel Polarstern reports “almost ice-free conditions” in their current research area, the Bellingshausen Sea.

Pathaan touches Rs 900 cr mark at global box office

“Pathaan”, superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s return to the big screen after four years, has raised Rs 901 crore gross at the worldwide box office. According to Yash Raj Films (YRF), the Siddharth Anand directorial raised Rs 5.90 crore nett in India on its third Friday.

New York Fashion Week: Prabal Gurung explores impermanence

Does a butterfly know it was once a caterpillar? How do we fill those fleeting moments between beginning and end, joy and despair?

With moody luxury clothes, of course.

The sea ice in Antarctica has reached its lowest extent since satellites have been observing the changes in the ice cover in the past 40 years, the German Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) said.

The sea ice of the Southern Ocean had shrunk to a new record minimum of 2.2 million square km by early February, the study found on

Friday. This year, the ice is receding even more quickly than in the previous record year of 2022. According to the study, the sea ice in the Antarctic is expected to continue to melt during the second half of February, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The rapid decline in sea ice over the past six years is quite remarkable since the ice cover had hardly changed at all in the

35 years before,” Christian Haas, head of the Sea Ice Physics Section at AWI, said in a statement.

One possible reason for the strong melting of the ice cover was the aboveaverage warm air temperatures in the western and eastern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, which were around 1.5 degrees Celsius above the longterm average, according to AWI. “It is still unclear

Historical records also show “tremendous changes” in sea ice conditions, the AWI added. In 1899, the Belgian research vessel Belgica was stuck for more than a year in massive pack ice in exactly the same area where Polarstern can now operate completely free of ice.

“The photographs and diaries of the Belgica’s crew offer a unique chronicle of the ice conditions in the Bellingshausen Sea at the dawn of the industrial age, which climate researchers often use as a benchmark for comparison with today’s climate change,” the AWI said. (IANS)

“The total worldwide gross is an incredible Rs 901 crore (India gross : Rs 558.40 crore, overseas: Rs 342.60 crore)” the studio said in a press note. YRF said “Pathaan” has become the highest grossing Hindi film worldwide in the history of Hindi cinema. The stylish action thriller follows the titular spy (Shah Rukh) who comes out of exile to stop terrorist group Outfit X from launching a debilitating attack on India. The film also features John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana. “Pathaan” is the fourth movie in YRF’s ambitious spy universe, following Salman Khan’s “Ek Tha Tiger” (2012) and “Tiger Zinda Hai” (2017), and “War”, featuring Hrithik Roshan (2019). (PTI)

Prabal Gurung was thinking deep this season. He installed a mirrored square runway reflecting an opulent blue light display at the main branch of the New York Public Library for a fashion week show Friday exploring the Buddhist concept of “anichya,” or impermanence.

In butterfly motifs, wool jackets and hues of vermilion, saffron, burgundy and dusty pinks, Gurung was thinking of his homeland, Nepal, where he hasn’t been since before the pandemic. He was motivated by a 10-day meditative retreat he recently experienced to “silence everything.”

“In Nepal, we talk about it all the time, what is present and how soon it can go,” he told The Associated Press in a backstage

The Prabal Gurung collection modeled during Fashion Week on Friday, in New York. (AP) interview. “And there’s actually an optimism to that, especially during these challenging times.”

The idea, in part, was finding hope “in the dark places,” he said. “There’s light after darkness.”

His silhouettes were sharper and longer this time around. His asymmetry challenged the idea of harmony. He draped softly and provided sharp angles at the same time. There were fluid, gliding skirts, wool jackets and glitzy golds and crystals.

In short, Gurung explained, New York Fashion Week for him was a “magical, mystery journey. An inward spiritual journey” taken at night back home in Nepal.

Moody, yes, but hopeful in turquoise and emerald silk organza, a black leather cropped jacket with a pink shearling collar and his butterfly print in a high-low, high-neck dress of black and white, and another in sheer red and black with sexy cutouts at the hip. (AP)

Stone Age discovery fuels mystery of who made early tools

Archaeologists in Kenya have dug up some of the oldest stone tools ever found, but who used them is a mystery.

In the past, scientists assumed that our direct ancestors were the only toolmakers. But two big fossil teeth found along with the tools at the Kenyan site belong to an extinct human cousin known as Paranthropus, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science.

This adds to the evidence that our direct relatives in the Homo lineage may not have been the only tech-savvy creatures during the Stone Age, said study author Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program.

“Those teeth open up an amazing whodunit — a real question of, well, who were these earl iest tool -

Archaeologists in Kenya have dug up some of the oldest stone tools ever found, dating back to around 2.9 mn years. (AP) makers?” Potts said. The tools date back to around 2.9 million years ago, when early humans used them to butcher hippos for their meat, the researchers report.

Older stone tools have been found in Kenya, dating back to around 3.3 million years ago, long before

our own Homo ancestors appeared. Those tools were a bit simpler and so far have only been found in one spot, said Shannon McPherron, an archaeologist at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology who was not involved with the study.

The latest discovery matches up with a much bigger tradition known as the Oldowan toolkit. These same kinds of tools show up across Africa and beyond during more than a million years of prehistory, Potts said, showing they really caught on among early humans.

They held a rock in one hand and hit it with another stone, chipping off thin, razor-sharp flakes, explained anthropologist Kathy Schick of the Stone Age Institute in Indiana, who wasn’t involved in the research.

With the rocks and flakes, early humans could slice and crush a wide range of materials, said lead author Thomas Plummer, an anthropologist at Queens College of the City University of New York.

And the tools from the Kenya site — likely the most

ancient Oldowan tools found to date — suggest this gave them an advantage in a key area: eating.

The site, known as Nyayanga, is a lush, hilly landscape on the shores of Lake Victoria. Since starting excavations there in 2015, researchers have found a trove of artifacts and animal bones, along with the two Paranthropus teeth. Slice marks on several hippo bones show they were cut up for their meat, which would have been eaten raw as a hippo steak tartare, Plummer said. The early humans also likely used their tools to break open antelope bones for their fatty marrow inside, and to peel the outer rinds of tough plant roots, the authors concluded. “Stone tools are allowing them, even at this really early date, to extract a lot of resources from the

Emerging Trends in Health Technology

Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI), or machine learning, might sound like science fiction. But it’s among many high-tech tools that have already found their way into medical care. By analyzing medical images, computer algorithms can spot some cancers as well as expert radiologists. They can use your health history to predict your risk for health conditions. And they can hunt down treatments that are effective and affordable for you.

Chatbots

Chatbots are computer programs that communicate with people through text or voice. Powered by AI, they answer medical questions much like an automated nurse line. Chatbots can also tell you when it’s time to:

Take your medicine

Do your physical therapy

Schedule a doctor visit

If the chatbot “thinks” you need human help, it could send an alert to your doctor too.

Virtual Reality

You may think of virtual reality (VR) as something from video games. But doctors use VR simulations to learn to do surgeries and other procedures.

VR can also help them understand what life is like for patients with dementia, migraines, or other conditions. Doctors can

prescribe a VR device that uses behavioral therapy techniques to ease chronic back pain. They might also use VR to reduce stress during chemo or other treatments.

Augmented Reality

In augmented reality, virtual information is integrated into the real-world environment. Doctors use it for training. Surgeons have also started to use it to guide them through tough procedures. They can overlay an MRI or CT scan on top of your body to “see” what’s beneath the surface. This lets them reach the right spot while avoiding blood vessels and other areas they don’t want to hit.

Wearable Technology

Your smartwatch can motivate you to stay active. Other wearable devices help detect health problems early on by monitoring things like:

Heart rates and rhythms

Blood pressure and oxygen level

Problems in the way you walk

Some send the info to your doctor, usually through your phone. These

devices are part of what’s called the Internet of Things (IoT), the collection of connected digital devices that gather, share, and store data.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

Perhaps the bestknown type of medical wearable, these devices track blood sugar levels 24-7. If you have diabetes, that means you can check your glucose on your smartphone without a finger prick. They alert you to trouble around the clock and work together with your insulin pump, if you have one. You can also share real-time data with doctors and loved ones, and see how you’re doing over time with charts and graphs.

Smart Pills

“Smart” pills are tiny devices you swallow like a capsule. Some are actual medications and some are diagnostic devices. Digestible sensors, imaging, or microchips are packed inside to capture information. They can help diagnose gastrointestinal problems, take your temperature, or find out how much acid is in your

stomach. They also show whether you’re taking your meds as you should. In the future, experts say they’ll be mainstream.

“Smart” Beds

Another IoT technology is the electronic medical bed, which uses various technologies to help you stay comfortable, safe, and well cared for. These beds let someone know if you get up, fall, or get agitated. They figure out where pressure points are to keep you from getting sores if you have to stay in bed for a long time. They also keep tabs on vital signs, like your breathing, temperature, and heartbeat.

Robotic Surgery

With the help of robots, surgeons can operate with more accuracy and control. They use cameras to get a 3D view while they control the robot by computer. Surgeries can be less invasive, thanks to robot arms that can squeeze through tiny incisions.

Robotic surgery may mean:

Fewer complications

Less pain

Faster recovery Surgeons use robots for many common operations, like:

Gallbladder removal

Hernia repair

Hip replacement

Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

When your health records are available electronically, all your doctors have fast access to your

information. This helps them coordinate your care, avoid mistakes, and share updates with you and each other. Like paper health records, EHRs are subject to privacy protections and security safeguards. Applying artificial intelligence to EHR data from many patients could lead to better diagnoses and treatment.

Blockchain Technology

In blockchain technology, many computers record transactions. Each “block” of data is linked, or chained, to the one before it in ways that can’t be changed. This technology started in cryptocurrencies. In health care, it helps to securely record and send data in electronic health records. It protects information that comes in from wearables. And it can be used in tracking outbreaks of disease.

3D Printing 3D printers can make medical devices, such as dental crowns and replacement joints, that are perfectly matched to your body. They’ve been used to “print” medicines in specialized formulas and dosages. Down the road, they might be able to combine multiple meds into a single, personalized pill. Researchers hope that 3D “bioprinters” of the future could print living skin grafts and other replacement tissues or organs.

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD

environment,” Plummer said. “If you can butcher a hippo, you can butcher

pretty much anything.”

In the past, it was easy to assume that our direct

ancestors were the ones using these tools, Plummer sa id. (AP)

Valentine pop up outside world of Titan, church road

Gift hamper,fresh roses,metallic roses, handmade roses n many more Contact : +91 90771 85843

The BJP 48 Moka A/C has unanimously resolved to stand by the directive of Central Executive decisions of the Pre-Poll alliance with the NDPP and also the prior to the absence of consensus BJP Candidate, the BJP 18th Moka A/C has resolved to join hands together to support Shri E.E. Pangteang NDPP Candidate 48 Moka A/C for upcoming General Election 2023.

Therefore, the President of BJP 48 Moka A/C appeals all the BJP Office Bearers and Executive, active and Primary Members of the 48 Moka A/C to firmly support Shri E.E. Pangteang NDPP Candidate for the better future.

3rd Kewhimia open Sekrenyi badminton tournament concludes

Men Doubles (Open)

1st: Beizo Solo & Kezhalezo Solo

2nd: Teisovise Khruomo & Rüvuokhrielie Pienyü

Veteran

1st:.Beizo Solo & Kezhalezo Solo

2nd: Medolhou Solo & Rüvuokhrielie Pienyü

Under 18 Girls Singles

1st: Nguluonuo Miachieo

2nd: Neitseinuo Suokhrie

Open Women Doubles

ISL: Mumbai City FC clinch 5-3 win over FC Goa

GOA, FEB 11 (IANS): Mumbai City FC faced a brief challenge from FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, but fittingly overcame it with a goal-streak to sum up a remarkable season so far, sealing their second ISL League Shield with a 5-3 win, here.

In the process, Mumbai City FC also broke FC Goa’s record of 51 goals in an ISL season with at least four games left in the bank.

Participants of the 3rd Kewhimia open Sekrenyi badminton tournament.

KOHIMA, FEB 11: A two- day long 3rd Kewhimia Open Sekrenyi Badminton Tournament 2023 under the aegis of Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) concluded today at Kohima village. It was held in two locations- T. Khel Badminton Stadium and P. Khel Badminton Stadium for Open Men/Women, Un-

der 13 Boys & Girls, Under 18 Boys & Girls and Veteran. Earlier, KVYO president Vituonyü Khezhie delivered welcome address.

Kohima village council chairman Helievi-o Solo graced the valedictory function.

The tournament witnessed 60 participants

RESULTS

Men Singles (Open)

1st. Akhrietuo Suokhrie

2nd: Vikuozo Pienyü

Under 13 Boys Singles

1st: Khriemezo Linyü

2nd: Keneizotuo Tseikha

Under 18 Boys Singles

1st: Menguphrezo Solo

2nd: Rudivilie Suokhrie

Mixed Doubles

1st: Nguluonuo Miachieo & Teisovise Khruomo

2nd: Neitseinuo Suokhrie & Rüvuokhrielie Pienyü

1st : Nguluonuo Miachieo & Dzüziengunuo Linyü

2nd: Thepfungunuo Kire & Neitseinuo Suokhrie

Under 18 Girls Doubles

1st: Thepfungunuo Kire & Neitseinuo Suokhrie

2nd: Neilakienuo Kire & Keneizienguü Keretsü

Under 13 Boys Doubles

1st: Thejasevor Suokhrie & Keneizotuo Tseikha

2nd: Khriekeduozo Yiese & Kevisetuo Kire

BCCI ropes in female auctioneer for Women’s Premier League Player Auction: Report

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (IANS):

Ahead of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction set to be held on Monday in Mumbai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has roped in a female auctioneer to conduct the proceedings.

A report in Cricbuzz says Mallika Sagar, a Mumbai-based art collector consultant for Modern and Contemporary Indian art and partner in Art India Consultants firm, will oversee the auction. Incidentally, Mallika, an auctioneer at the Pundole’s in Mumbai, had conducted the auctions of the 2021 Pro Kabaddi League. The report added that the BCCI has also informed the five teams that they have to bring in a minimum of 15 players in the squad while the minimum squad spend should be INR 9 crore. They will be having a purse of INR 12 crore, with each side

allowed to buy only six foreign players. “The franchisees are reminded of the WPL squad rules with respect to a minimum (15) and maximum (18) squad size, minimum squad spend (INR 9 crore) and the maximum number of overseas players in the squad (6),” the BCCI communication to the five teams was quoted as saying in the report. In the WPL Player Auction, a total of 409 players will go under the hammer with 246 of them being Indian cricketers and 163 being overseas players, of which eight players are from the associate nations.

The players will be presented in sets based on their specialisation - marquee players, batters, allrounders, wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, spin bowlers and emerging players. Players are divided into five different slabs of base prices for the auction - INR 50

lakh, INR 40 lakh, INR 30 lakh, INR 20 lakh and INR 10 lakh.

India captain Harmanpreet

Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, U19 Women’s T20 World Cup winning captain Shafali Verma, Australia’s premier all-rounder Ellyse Perry, England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and former West Indies players Deandra Dottin are among the players with the highest base price.

The report also said that bids up to INR 1 crore will bring increments of INR 5 lakh, and bids from INR 1 crore to INR 2 crore will get increments of INR 10 lakh. Bids from INR 2 crore to INR 3 crore would fetch teams increments of INR 20 lakh and bids from INR 3 crore will bring increments at the auctioneer’s discretion, but not less than INR 20 lakh.

FC Goa were determined not to make Mumbai’s title charge easy, trying to beat them with their own attacking method. They found success with this approach as early as the 5th minute. A long free kick found its way to Noah Sadaoui, who danced past three defenders and composed himself to put the home team ahead.

But the league leaders weren’t quiet for long. In the 18th minute, they were gifted a free kick just outside the box in a central

misconduct

NEW DELHI, FEB 11 (PTI): A Delhi court has issued a warrant of arrest against Alex Mario Ambrose who was sacked as assistant coach of Indian women’s under-17 football team for alleged sexual misconduct.

An FIR was registered against Ambrose at the Dwarka Sector 23 police station under Section 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The assistant coach was called back from Norway for the alleged misconduct with a player during a training and exposure tour of Europe. The All India Football Federation sacked Ambrose in July last year. On Friday, the court issued warrant of arrest under Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The court also issued a notice to the surety on breach of a bond under Section 446 of the CrPC.

position. Greg Stewart stepped up and hit a powerful left-footed shot to Dheeraj Singh’s near post to beat his outstretched right hand. Both teams continued to push forward and looked shaky in defence, and in a four-minute span before the break, the game exploded into life. In the 40th minute, Diaz was found with a good low delivery from Lallianzuala

Chhangte on the right and hooked the ball from the floor to put the Islanders in front. Their joy was shortlived, as FC Goa caught them out with a long ball again. Sadaoui turned creator, finding Brandon Fernandes’ run with a lob over the defence to put him one-on-one with Phurba Lachenpa. Fernandes made no mistake with his first touch and the hosts

were level again. But Stewart was on hand again to put Mumbai City FC in front with his second freekick of the game, this one a more gentle curling effort that bounced off the post into the goal. In the second half, Mumbai City FC tightened up to nullify FC Goa, forcing the home side to take risks going forward, which helped Chhangte in particular to come into the game.

Messi, Mbappe and Benzema nominated for 2022 FIFA Best Men’s Player

GENEVA, FEB 11 (IANS): Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema have been named as the finalists for The FIFA Best Men’s Football Player Award in 2022, soccer’s world governing body FIFA announced on Friday. Messi captained Argentina to lift the FIFA World Cup

Vergne tops Hyderabad E-Prix, Mahindra complete homecoming with points finish

HYDERABAD, FEB 11

(PTI): The seasoned Jean Eric Vergne of DS Penske won an action-packed Hyderabad E-Prix here on Saturday, marking a successful return of a high-profile motorsport event in India.

The 33-lap electric race had thrills both on and off the track.

The organisers raced against time to get the Hyderadbad Street Circuit ready for Formula E’s debut in India but in the end, they pulled off the event amid a lot of fanfare.

Vergne held off a strong challenge from Envison Racing’s Nick Cassidy to cross the chequered flag in the first place despite having less than 0.5 percent energy left in the car.

Antonio Felix Da Costa of Porsche gained from a 17-second penalty handed out to Sebastian Buemi for ‘over power’ to

secure the final spot on the podium.

Mahindra Racing, in their first home race, recovered from an ordinary qualifying session earlier in the day to seal a points finish via Oliver RowlandRowland finished sixth from 10th on the grid while di Grassi came 14th from 17th on the grid. Loss of energy in the final

moments of the race cost Mahindra a double points finish.

Jake Hughes’ crash on lap on Lap 23 brought out the safety car, contributing to a thrilling finish.

Mitch Evans of Jaguar Racing bagged the pole position but a collision with his teammate Sam Bird on Lap 13 effectively endws the race for the Tata

Group-owned team.

“So happy for the team. It has been a very difficult three races and I could not be more proud of my team because we never gave up. We have a good car, may be not best at the moment but we never give up and keep working hard,” said race winner Vergne.

A sizeable crowd turned up to watch the electric cars vrooming around the heart of the city, covering Hussain Sagar Lake, NTR Gardens and NTR Park.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem made a statement by turning up for the first world championship status race in India in 10 years.

The other special guests included the great Sachin Tendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sports Minister

NBA: Giannis stars as Milwaukee beat LA Clippers

LOS ANGELES, FEB

11 ( AGENCIES): The Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to 10 matches with a Giannis Antetokounmpo-inspired 116-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, reports BBC Sports.

Antetokounmpo top scored with 35 points, including eight rebounds, to help the Bucks secure a 12th victory in 13 matches.

Brook Lopez added 22 points as the Bucks registered their first doublefigure run of victories in three years. “We’re all playing confidently together and clicking,” Lopez said.

It was a tight affair with barely five points in it by the third quarter until Antetokounmpo began to

trophy in Qatar last year, beating France in a dramatic final.

Messi won the tournament’s Golden Ball, while his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe secured the Golden Boot with eight goals. Mbappe’s compatriot Benzema won last year’s Ballon d’Or for winning

Anurag Thakur.

It was not a surprise to see Tendulkar in the pit-lane as he was also in attendance in the first ever Formula 1 race in India back in 2011. His love for motor racing is well documented.

Renewable energy major Greenko organised the event with the support of Telangana government. In the qualifying held before the race, Evans saw off Maximilian Guenther (Maserati MSG Racing) and Buemi (Envision Racing), and topped Group A to fire him into the Final.

Vergne made it through after thinking he was all done in the Quarters when Jaguar’s Sam Bird beat him on-track.

Track limits came into it in a big way, though, and the Brit had his time removed, much to his frustration, as did Rene Rast (McLaren) and Edo Mortara (Maserati MSG Racing) in the fourth Quarterfinal.

All that meant the Frenchman was promoted to the final, and ultimately second on the grid - beaten by the smallest deficit this season.

UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles with Real Madrid but missed the World Cup due to injury, reports news agency Xinhua. Spain’s Alexia Putellas, England forward Beth Mead and Alex Morgan of the United States were nominated for the Best Women’s Player Award.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our profound gratitude to all who stood by us with kindness and prayers at the sudden demise of our beloved Late Rishiren (Student of Edith Douglas Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung) on the 8th of February, 2023.

It is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly. Loving Family Members.

MKC-54/23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The family and relatives of Late Imkongmeren Aier would like to extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to all the well- wishers and friends who showed great gestures of kindness and support physically and financially during his prolonged illness and at the time of his demise on

4th February 2023

We are indebted to all the God fearing people for your sympathy, assistance words of empathy, sense of approach shown to our family and your memorable tribute to our Dad. Your expressions of sympathy and prayer to us have been a great source of comfort and will always be remembered with gratitude.

We would like to thank:

1. Shri Temjen Imna Along Minister of Higher Education and Tribal Affairs

2. Shri Azheto Zhimomi, MLA

3. Mrs. Hekani Jakhalu, Intending, NDPP Candidate 3 DIM III A/C

4. Imkongsenden Baptist Fellowship, Kushiabill

5. Little Star Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur

6. Star Kids, Dimapur

7. Universal Power Solution

8. Kushiabill Ao Union, Dimapur

9. Chang Baptist Fellowship Mhaikam, Peren

“I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith”. 2 Timothy 4:7 db-195/23

10. Bedrock Nursle School Mhaikam

11. Litem Baptist Church

for the Clippers with 20 and 19 point respectively.

Antetokounmpo has helped the Bucks top the Central standings. dominate, netting three straight baskets and assisting MarJon Beauchamp to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 76-68. Brandon Boston Jr and Paul George starred

Victory meant the Bucks completed the double over the LA sides after beating the Lakers a night

earlier, thanks to Antetokounmpo’s 38-point haul. Elsewhere on Friday, the Detroit Pistons beat the San Antonio Spurs 138-131 in double overtime.

12. Dimapur Sungratsu Senso Telongjem

13. Mepu Pongu Sungratsuiar Telongjem

14. Dimapur Achanger Semchir Telongjem

Though we are unable to mention each and everyone of you individually, we pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly. Loving Wife, Children, Mother, Brother, Sister, In-laws and Relatives

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.

Drivers participate in the race of Formula E World Championship, in Hyderabad, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. (PTI)

Former asst football coach accused of sexual

Alex Mario Ambrose

Mumbai FC players celebrate their goal against Goa FC.

First Test: India thump Aus by an innings and 132 runs

NAGPUR, FEB 11 (PTI):

A wily Ravichandran Ashwin blew away a panicstricken Australia with a fifer as India dismantled visitors’ second innings in a single session to win the opening Test by a comprehensive innings and 132 run-margin, here Saturday.

After taking a massive 223-run first innings lead, India decimated Australia for just 91 in 32.3 overs with the Test match finishing inside three days at VCA stadium in Jamtha.

It’s rare that an Australian innings folds inside one session.

After Axar Patel’s career-best 84 and Mohammed Shami’s entertaining 37 took India to a commanding first innings total of 400, Ashwin (5/37) literally mauled the Australians with the new ball, taking his 31st five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

The Australian batters once again made the cardinal mistake of playing the pitch rather than the bowler and looked utterly confused on whether to defend or attack. The Indian innings

showed that demons were in the minds of Australian batters and not in the 22yard strip.

The intent was to be positive but even with all the simulated training sessions, it was always going to be difficult to read Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (2/34), latter playing the second fiddle this time.

They didn’t have slightest clue which one was turning and which one was coming straight.

Usman Khawaja (5) after hitting a boundary

was lured with a tossed up off-break outside his offstump and his half slashhalf drive effort went into Virat Kohli’s hands in the slips.

Marnus Labuschagne (17) hit a few boundaries but when Jadeja flighted one which turned a shade after pitching, the right-hander premeditatedly rocked on to the back-foot rather than coming on the front-foot.

The result was an easy leg-before decision.

David Warner’s (10) stay was struggle and af -

1-day Gorkha Table Tennis Tourney held

ter he charged Ashwin to get two boundaries, Ashwin bowled a slider and he wasn’t half forward this time and got rapped on the pads. Matt Renshaw was then trapped on the backfoot and right-hander

Peter Handscomb got a classical off-break which would have disturbed the timber anyway. Alex Carey for the second time went for a non-existent sweep shot and perished.

Steve Smith could only helplessly watch as wickets fell like nine pins at the other end. He tried delaying the inevitable without much success.

Mohammed Shami (2/13), after a solid batting show put the final nail in the Australian coffin by trapping Scott Boland.

Earlier, Axar Patel’s resolute 84 and Shami’s entertaining 37 gave India a massive 223-run first innings lead. The hosts posted 400 by third day lunch session after resuming the day at 321 for seven.

They wouldn’t have envisaged that Australia had lost it in their minds even before they came out to bat

Jadeja fined for applying cream on swollen index finger

for the second time.

India had practically out-batted Australia on a track which the visiting media alleged was “doctored”.

Jadeja (70) and Patel began the proceedings but the former did not last long as he shouldered arms to a Murphy delivery that was fired in from an angle and crashed on to the stumps.

The pitch didn’t change its character much and it remained a slow turner where any batter, ready to grind, would get runs.

Lunch was taken when Indian innings ended. Shami, who was dropped on 6 by Boland at long-on off Nathan Lyon, decided to launch a swift counter-attack on opposition best bowler Todd Murphy (7/124).

He hit the bespectacled off-spinner for three sixes -- a slog sweep over midwicket, a flat six over longoff and monstrous hit over long-on -- apart from a couple of boundaries during his 47 ball stay.

Adding 50-plus runs in just over an hour (65 minutes) was laudable and Patel on his part gave Shami bulk

of the strike.

If Australia had any chance of wrapping it up, Boland’s goof up proved costly as Shami made them pay dearly.

While Murphy has been impressive on debut, Lyon’s (1/126) performance has been disappointing to say the least as his bowling lacked the bite.

Almost all the Indian batters found it easy to defend the veteran off-spinner off the back-foot.

Once Shami was dismissed going for his fourth maximum off Murphy, Patel decided to attack and lofted the debutant straight into the sightscreen for his first six.

His and India’s innings ended when he was bowled by rival skipper Pat Cummins.

Brief Scores:

Australia 1st innings: 177 and 2nd innings: 91 all out in 32.3 overs (Ravichandran Ashwin 5/37).

India 1st innings: 400 all out in 139.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 120, Axar Patel 84, Ravindra Jadeja 70; Todd Murphy 7/124). India win by an innings and 132 runs.

NAGPUR, FEB 11 (PTI):

India’s hero in the opening

Test victory over Australia here, Ravindra Jadeja was on Saturday fined 25 per cent of his match fee for applying cream on the swollen index finger of his bowling hand without taking permission from the on-field umpires on the first day of the match. Jadeja, who returned figures of 7/81 and contributed 70 runs in the match that India won by an innings and 132 runs, was seen in a video receiving something from pace bowler Mohammed Siraj and rubbing it on his left index finger.

The Indian all-rounder’s act had the Australian media and a former player “interested”, but the ICC said the cream was applied to the finger purely for medical purposes and it did not change the condition of the ball. Jadeja action was deemed to have breached “Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.

“India spin bowler Ra-

vindra Jadeja has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against Australia in Nagpur on Thursday,” the ICC said in a statement.

“In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Jadeja’s disciplinary record.”

The ICC said the incident occurred in the 46th over of Australia’s first innings, when Jadeja applied “a soothing cream to a swelling on the index finger of his bowling hand without asking for permission to do so from the on-field umpires”.

Women T20 World Cup: India take on Pakistan today

CAPE TOWN, FEB 11

(PTI): Searching for a long overdue ICC title, India will look to hit the straps in their Women’s T20 World Cup opener against archrivals Pakistan here on Sunday.

An Indo-Pak contest always creates excitement but with India being a much superior side, the quality of cricket might not meet the high expectations.

KOHIMA, FEB 11

(NPN): Sony Thapa and Anusha Thapa today emerged men’s and women’s champions of the Gorkha Table Tennis Tournament jointly organized by Gorkha Youth Organisation Kohima (GYAK) and Gorkha Students’ Union Kohima (GSUK).

A press release by GYAK president Narayan Bahadur stated that the the one-day event was initiated and sponsored by Gorkha

Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK) and played at GPPK Multi-utility Hall Chandmari.

In the final of the men’s category, Sony Thapa defeated Pradeep Lama in three straight sets while in women’s category, Anusha Thapa beat Bimla Limbu in straight sets. The winners and runners-up received cash prizes and citations from the chief guest Colonel Umesh Chandra Sati, Comman -

dant 1st Assam Rifles in the prize distribution ceremony.

Chandmari Gaon

Burah Kalam Chetri and GPPK president Santu Thapa gave away the participation certificate to the players of both the categories. GSUK vice president

Jenny Lamechane Chettri chaired the programme while GYAK president Narayan Bahadur tendered the vote of thanks.

Having said that, Pakistan had got the better of India their last meeting in the Asia Cup last year with the latter making too many experiments.

In the last five years, the gulf between the two teams has widened with India challenging the supremacy of Australia and England on a consistent basis. Women’s cricket in Pakistan, on the other hand, has stagnated. With the game scheduled a day ahead of the inaugural Women’s Premier League auction, there will be added motivation for the

Indian players. For some, it could be a distraction.

India are fretting over the fitness of their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (shoulder) and Smriti Mandhana (finger) ahead of the opening game.

A call will be taken on their participation after the practice session on Saturday.

“They both are senior players and very important for the team. Even there is a slight doubt over their readiness for the game, we will not risk playing them as it is only the first game of the tournament,” said a

BCCI source. India come into the World Cup having lost the recent tri-series final to South Africa, a match they should have won. They also lost the warm-up game to Australia before beating Bangladesh.

India are expected to reach the semifinals of the ICC event again but if they are to beat the mighty Australia, they will need to up their game in all departments.

Barring Renuka Singh, the bowling unit doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Veteran Shi -

kha Pandey is yet to pick a wicket since her comeback last month and will be fired up to provide early breakthroughs in the showpiece.

The performance of the spinners has also been below expectations of late.

In the batting department, Harmanpreet and Mandhana need all the support.

Shafali Verma, fresh from leading India to the inaugural U-19 World Cup title, will be keen to prove her doubters wrong with a consistent showing.

Pressure will be on Jemimah Rodrigues to perform as she has not been able to play an impactful knock since her comeback.

The role of pace bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will also be critical to India’s chances in the tournament.

Richa Ghosh is among the few players in the team with the X-factor and she would be relied upon heavily for big hitting in the death overs.

On Pakistan’s front, Nida Dar will be the player to watch out for.

Pakistan go into the competition having a played a series against Australia. They beat Bangladesh in their opening warmup match before losing to South Africa.

Teams(from):

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha Pandey.

Pakistan: Bismah Maroof (c), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Wadood, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan. Match starts 6.30 IST.

KL

Rahul in Test team based on ‘favouritism’, says Prasad

NAGPUR, FEB 11 ( PTI):

K L Rahul came in for harsh criticism from former India medium pacer Venkatesh Prasad who claimed the opener’s selection was based on “favouritism’ even as India demolished Australia by an innings and 132 runs inside three days in Nagpur on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was picked ahead of the inform Shubman Gill as he continued his woeful form scoring just 20 runs off 71 deliveries in India’s 400 all out in the first innings.

“Rahul’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism. Has been consistently inconsistent and for someone who has been around for 8 years not converted potential into performances,” Prasad said on Twitter, referring to Rahul

Citing the cricketer’s Test statistics -- a Test average of 34.07 in 46 games -- Prasad said someone like Ravichandran Ashwin, who has good cricket acumen, should be made Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the longest format of the game.

“A Test average of 34 after 46 Tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances.” “When there are so many waiting in the wings

Premier League in hands of the few, warns Tottenham chairman Levy

TOTTENHAM, FEB 11 ( AGENCIES): Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy claimed the Premier League is now “in the hands of a few” super-rich clubs as he defended his team’s level of spending in the transfer market, reports Starsports.

& in top form. Shubhman Gill is in sublime form, Sarfaraz (Khan) has been scoring tons in FC (first-class) cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Rahul.

“Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to,” said Prasad on Saturday. “I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par.”

Rahul is also the captain of IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and the former India bowling coach claimed that it had a role to play in his extended stay in the Test side despite a string of below-par performances.

“One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism is the chances of losing out on potential IPL gigs,” Prasad added further.

On Friday, Tottenham posted their accounts for the 2021/22 season, with revenues rising to £444 million ($538 million).

But the north London club still made a loss of £50 million due to spending on new players.

Levy and the club’s owners ENIC have been criticised by fans for failing

to match the spending of rival clubs at the top of the Premier League. Tottenham have not won a major trophy since

2008, but Levy claimed his club cannot compete with the likes of Abu Dhabibacked Manchester City or Chelsea, who smashed

transfer records in the first year since being taken over by Todd Boehly’s consortium.

“The landscape of the Premier League has changed significantly in the last decade,” Levy said in his chairman’s statement to the club accounts.

“It is understandable that some fans call for more spending, much of which is unsustainable for many clubs.

“We are competing in a league in which we have seen increased sovereign wealth ownership and consortia finance; and in a league where the spending power is now vested in the

hands of a few who dominate and have the ability to distort the market.”

Tottenham have spent heavily in the last three transfer windows to back manager Antonio Conte.

The signings of Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro have combined to cost over £200 million.

But Levy said Tottenham were still feeling the after-effects of failed big money signings such as Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, both of whom are now out on loan.

“Our spend levels

show we have invested in the team - however, we walk a fine line between long-term investment and short-termism,” Levy added.

“This is why our recruitment must be first class as mistakes at this level have a financial and sporting impact for future seasons.

“We have felt, and continue to feel, the financial impact of supporting player purchases which have not worked out as planned. “We have taken steps to improve this area of operations and we believe the recent transfer windows reflect this.”

Ranji trophy: Bengal take overall 547-run lead against MP

INDORE,

FEB 11 (PTI):

Bengal virtually assured their Ranji Trophy final berth for the second time in three seasons after stretching their overall lead to a massive 547 runs against defending champions Madhya Pradesh here on Saturday.

Bengal, who had a big first innings lead of 268 runs, decided against declaring their second essay and ended the penultimate day on 279 for nine.

Even if the semifinal match ends in a draw on the fifth day on Sunday, Bengal will make it to the final on the basis of first innings lead.

First innings centurion Anustup Majumdar, who was overnight 9, got out for 80 when he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya in a dubious LBW decision.

Majumdar, who slammed 120 in the first innings, was once again the top-scorer for Bengal. After Majumdar’s departure, Bengal left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik, coming out at No. 8, showed the team’s batting depth with an unbeaten 60 off 101 balls.

Pramanik has hit three fours and five sixes from 101 balls so far.

The duo of Pramanik and Ishan Porel (1 not out off 22 balls) kept the MP attack frustrated as Tiwary was in a mood to give his batters some much-needed practice ahead of the summit clash.

Resuming day four on 59 for 2, the first inning centurion duo of Majumdar and Sudip Gharami continued to pile on the runs.

Off-spinner Saransh Jain finally broke the partnership, trapping Gharami with a ball that did not turn much. The duo added 85 crucial runs for the third wicket.

Majumdar then paired

with skipper Manoj Tiwary (15) in another useful partnership that yielded 39 runs. Jain (6/103) and Kartikeya (3/63) toiled hard for MP, bowling 88 overs between them. But Bengal hung around as their tail wagged.

The final is scheduled from February 16.

Brief Scores Bengal 438 and 279 for 9 in 119 overs (Anustup Majumdar 80, Pradipta Pramanik 60 batting, Sudip Gharami 41; Saransh Jain 6/103, Kumar Kartikeya 3/63).

Madhya Pradesh 170. Bengal lead by 547 runs.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Bismah Maroof.

Indian bowler Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with teammates after the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. (PTI)

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is seen in the stands before the match.

Sudip Kumar Gharami brings up his hundred•Feb 08, 2023•MPCA.

Ravindra Jadeja

Officials and participants of the Gorkha Table Tennis Tournament.

Venkatesh Prasad