7 march 2023

4-lane package II works underway

DIMAPUR, MAR 6

(NPN): Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways

Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the Centre was undertaking a significant infrastructure development project in Nagaland—construction of a 14.71km fourlane highway from Dimapur to Kohima (Package-II). In a series of tweets, Gadkari said that the total cost of the project was estimated at Rs.339.55 crore. He said that the primary objective of the project was to improve the connectivity thereby enabling faster movement of people and goods for growth and prosperity.

Nagaland Post

Salah becomes Liverpool’s highest goal scorer in EPL SPORTS,

Rio to be sworn in as CM for 5th time

SWEARING-INTODAY:MODI,SHAH,NADDA,CMs OF4NESTATES&OTHERSTOATTEND

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 6 (NPN):

Veteran Naga politician and leader of the NDPP-BJP alliance Neiphiu Rio, will be sworn-in as the chief minister of Nagaland for a record fifth consecutive term on March 7 at the Captial Cultural Hall Kohima at 1.30 p.m. in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda a host of Central leaders, newly elected members, top civil and police officials.

The swearing-in ceremony will also be attended by chief ministers of Assam, Manipur,Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Union

minister of state and president of RPI (A) Ramdas Athawale and others.

Sources informed Nagaland Post that after receiving letter of support from pre-poll alliance partner the BJP, Neiphiu Rio called on Nagaland Governor La

Ukraine unyielding in Bakhmut as Russian troops close in INTERNATIONAL,

PAGE 13

Opposition-less govt imminent

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAR 6

the second opposition-less government (UDA in September 2021).

Ganesan at Raj Bhavan Monday evening and staked claim to form the next government.

It may be pointed out that both NDPP(25) and BJP(12) have absolute majority of 37 members in a house of 60.

Patton re-elected as BLP leader, to become Dy.CM

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Nagaland BJP legislators on Monday unanimously reelected Y Patton as the BJP Legislature Party leader. With this, Patton is set to retain the post of deputy CM for the second time.

Y Patton’s name was proposed by Temjen Imna

Along and seconded by P Paiwang Konyak and Jacob

Zhimomi in the presence of Ranjit Kumar Dass, Central party Observer and minister, Government of Assam and national BJP spokesperson and Nagaland in-charge Nalin Kohli.

Earlier, during the day, Dass also held one-on-one meeting with BJP legislators after which the party legislators unanimously elect Y.

After Y. Patton was reelected as the leader of BJP Legislature Party (BLP) with the status of deputy chief minister, legislators from both parties who are ministerial hopefuls were yet to receive the formal appointment letter from the Raj Bhavan to be inducted on Tuesday along with Rio and Patton.

It was learnt that the letter of appointment for ten ministers will be sent Tuesday morning. As per the 91st Amendment Act, Nagaland, like other small states having up to a maximum of 70 members can have 20% of the total membership of the house or 12 ministers.

Patton as BLP leader. Taking to Twitter, Patton: “Humbled and honored to have been elected as the BLP Leader! My profound gratitude to each of the state BJP legislators for placing their trust in me! I assure to work tirelessly to fulfill the expectations of our party and the people of Nagaland.”

(NPN): With all other parties such as-- NPP, LJP (RV), RPI (A), JD(U) and Independents-- offering to support the NDPP-BJP coalition government and with NCP having seven members and NPF with two members also likely to follow suit, Nagaland appears headed towards having its third opposition-less government, as reported earlier by Nagaland Post on March 4.

The first oppositionless government was formed when Congress joined the DAN-III in 2015 then followed by NPF joining the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government for

All these oppositionless governments were justified on the plea of bring all section together for Naga political solution.

Therefore, the most crucial question being raised is whether the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will use the occasion on Tuesday to finally make any announcement of a solution to the Naga political solution, which his government has been promising since 2015?

The other issue that also evinces interest is whether Modi will also announce the deal made with ENPO over a political package for Eastern Nagaland?

All political parties appear to be inclined to be part of the new government. State NPP president Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema informed Nagaland Post that the NPP had already submitted their letter of support to the NDPP-BJP alliance partners. Ahoto said, being part of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), NPP was bound to extend unconditional support to the alliance. Two legislators of Lok Janshakti Party (RV)-Dr. Sukhato A Sema and Naiba Konyak- on Monday called on NDPP-BJP alliance leader Neiphiu Rio in Kohima and handed over their letter of support.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Chungtia murder case: 9 arrested so far

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Mokokchung police, based on technical and other evidences, have so far arrested nine persons in connection with the murder of Imkongchiba Kichu from Chungtia village, who went missing on February 21 and whose dead body was found the next day in the isolated jungles between Satier and New Camp.

In a press note, Mokokchung police PRO disclosed the names of the

accused as-- Chubanichet (31), Gypsy driver; Meyalepden (49); Chepdakmayang (28); Tongpangtsuba (40); Lipoktemsu (28); Imtizachet (27); Supongsunep (35); Temsuakum (32) and Bendangsunep (29), from Chungtia village.

PRO said that the district level Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDPO Mokokchung had been conducting a thorough and professional investigation and various technical

evidences including CDR, CCTV footages were collected and analysed. SIT had also summoned and examined more than 30 people. Further, PRO stated that SIT had also conducted Crime Scene Construction and recovered various evidences from the crime scene including the suspect weapons (wooden stick about 3 ft.) with blood stains from the place of occurrence in the presence of witnesses and magistrate. Further investigation was still ongoing.

File Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Neiphiu Rio.

Review meeting on CMMFI held in Wokha

DC Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan addressing the members at the review meeting on March 6. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: District Level

Implementation-cum-Monitoring Committee (DLIMC) held its review meeting for the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) at the Deputy Commissioner Conference Hall, Wokha on March 6. Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan,

NCPCR organises live streaming session for students

DIMAPUR: Live streaming session for students on how to cope with examination stress and anxiety before examination results has been organised by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) as part of its campaign ‘Pariksha Parv’.

As notified vide Notification No.16/2023 dated February 10, NCPCR informed that Pariksha Parv 5.0 commenced from February 6, 2023 and will continue till March 31, 2023.

who chaired the meeting informed the members that 17 projects have been so far approved by the committee, and stated that after reviewing the status of the projects, new projects will be taken up for recommendation by the committee. Meanwhile, DC urged all the banks under the Wokha district to update

Felicitation

The Mopong Hongkong Students Union (MHSU) and Mopong Hongkong Youth Organisation (MHYO) congratulates Shri. A. Nyamnyei Konyak who is a veteran and well experienced politician for being elected as NPP MLA in the recently concluded 14th NLA election 2023. The MHSU and MHYO extend heartfelt gratitude to 48th Moka A/C leaders, electorates, well wishers and contributors. Recalling the economic hardship and infrastructural facilities deficiency in the Moka constituency for the last two decades, the recent victory is a ray of heartening hope to ameliorate economic disparity and uplift development setbacks in the area under the dynamic leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio. While appreciating Moka A/C public for mandating the rightful candidate, appeals all ranks and files of political parties, public and NGOs to support and cooperate in every sphere of life ahead so as to bring changes in the region.

L. Kholee M. Moba President. MHSU President, MHYO

the status of the applicants’ projects latest by this week. Deputy Commissioner also said, new projects will be recommended after the completion of the first phase, and urged the line departments to prepare projects that will be required and beneficial for the general public of the district.

Commuters oppose shifting of Kma taxis stand

keep in mind while studying, etc., and learn some tips that they can accommodate in their lives.

According to DIPR report, the live streaming sessions organized by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights can be beneficial for the children as they can learn from the experts, get a better understanding of their future goals, and can get tips on how to cope with examination stress/how to manage time/things to

Felicitation

The NPP Mon District and NPP 48 th Moka A/C express heartfelt gratitude to all the electorates of the constituency who have tirelessly worked hard and struggled in electing rightful representative Shri. A Nyamnyei Konyak to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. We are blessed as we begin new era which will endeavour to reflect the utmost compassion, honesty and integrity.

The NPP Mon District and 48th Moka A/C extends profound appreciation to all the NGOS and electorates for having placed the confidence on the winning candidates to which we are deeply humbled by pouring support and assurances that we can accomplish great things under the benign leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio.

M. Yongmei Hengom President NPP 48th Moka President NPP Mon District

Live streaming sessions can be watched from February 6, 2023 to March 31, 2023 on National Commission for Protection of Child Rights social media account- Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/NCPCR, and on YouTube/Channel/NCPCR or on YouTube/Doordarshan national (details are available on NCPCR website https://ncpcr.gov.in.)

In this connecton, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has informed all Heads of Institutions to motivate and encourage the students to attend the live sessions and ask questions to the experts during the line streaming.

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Decision of Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Kohima to shift Kohima regional taxis stand to ISBT, around 3km away from Kohima town, with a view to easing traffic congestion within Kohima town, has been opposed by the commuters.

Earlier, Kohima District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) said that the primary objective of shifting regional taxis to ISBT was to ease the traffic congestion within the Kohima town. The commuters claimed that shifting of taxi stand would lead to a lot of problems as they have to shell out extra bucks.

Earlier, passengers spent Rs. 250- Rs. 300 to reach Kohima, but now

FELICITATION

The Ecclesia Theological College & Seminary (ETCS), Darogajan, Dimapur, is delighted to acknowledge Dr. S. Katoshe Aye, son of Mr. Shiwoto Aye, on being conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology with an excellent Dissertation, "A comparative study of John Calvin and Jacob Arminius on the Doctrine of Free Will: Evangelical Rapport" from the ACTS University, South Korea.

The ACTS University came in terms with ETCS to approve five Students from ETCS for their higher studies and among them Dr. S. Katoshe Aye is one of our fruits who has successfully finished the degree and brought laurel both to ETCS and ACTS University South Korea. May the living God continue to use him in imparting the evangelical teachings to our Naga community and the world at large.

Rev. Dr. Vikheshe Chishi, Founder & Principal, Ecclesia Theological College & Seminary.

dp-898/23

have to pay more than Rs. 500 including hiring a taxi from ISBT to reach their destination.

When about the bus service from ISBT to Kohima, an elderly person, who is a regular commuter, said that buses were hardly available and have to wait for hours. “It becomes inconvenient for bus drivers to ferry one- two passengers, with a capacity of 20-30 passengers,” he said.

A female passenger, who spent Rs. 300 to reach Kohima, said that she now pays extra charge to reach Kohima.

“It is understandable that the administration have taken decision to ease traffic congestion, but at the same time they could have made an appropriate calculation of the expenditure, because it is the common public who are suffering”, she said.

One of the taxi drivers said that they did not have any problem as it was their job, adding that they were only following the guidelines of RTA. He expressed concern that the commuters were the one facing the problem by paying extra charge. He said earlier the taxi stand was at the centre of the town, which was easily assessable.

All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) president Dziesevituo Solo told Nagaland Post that there were more that 400-500 taxis at the station during week days and 200 taxis on weekends. At present, he said there was only one hotel near ISBT, adding that more hotels would soon be coming up. He al so claimed that taxi drivers had no problem with the change of the location.

FELICITATION

The office of the Kitami Students' Union with immense pride and glory would like to congratulate Dr. Sukhato A Sema, S/o Akhavi Wotsa of Kitami Village on his victory in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election 2023 from 13 Pughoboto AC The Union hopes and prays that under your able and dynamic leadership Pughoboto AC in particular and the Naga's in general will prosper towards a developed and brighter future.

The Union further wishes him the best in his future endeavours.

KSU KSU President General Secretary Nikito G Swu Hekato Achumi

58 newly elected M’laya MLAs sworn in

SHILLONG, MAR 6

(PTI): Fifty-eight newly elected members of the Meghalaya assembly took oath on Monday with protem speaker Timothy D Shira administering the oath of office and secrecy to them.

NPP head and outgoing chief minister Conrad K Sangma was present at the ceremony.

Meghalaya has 60 assembly seats but polling in the Sohiong constituency was adjourned after the demise of UDP nominee H D R Lyngdoh.

Shira, the MLA of Resubelpara, was sworn in, as the pro-tem speaker of the assembly, by Governor Phagu Chauhan at the Raj Bhavan on March 4.

Among senior MLAs who took oath as members of the House included Sangma and Prestone Tynsong of the NPP, TMC’s Mukul Sangma, and Metbah Lyngdoh of the UDP.

A special session of the assembly was convened for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected MLAs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the NPP-led government, scheduled on Wednesday.

The House will again meet on March 9 for the election of the speaker. The NPP-led alliance

with 32 MLAs has staked claim to form the next government in the northeastern state, under the leadership of Conrad K Sangma.

The NPP won 26 seats in the recently concluded elections, while its ally, the BJP, won only two assembly segments.

Two Hill State People’s Democratic Party MLAs, who have won the elections, have also pledged their support to the NPPBJP coalition, along with two other Independent legislators.

Two major regional parties – the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) – on March 5 extended their support to the NPP-led alliance, increasing the number of MLAs backing the Sangmaled coalition to 45.

Newcabinettohave8 NPPministers:Sangma

National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma on Monday said his party will have eight ministers in the next Meghalaya government headed by him, while its allies will get four ministerial berths.

The NPP’s ally UDP will have two ministers, while the BJP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) will get one each, Sangma who is the outgoing chief minister told reporters after a meeting with alliance partners.

According to the rule, Meghalaya with a 60-member assembly cannot have more than 12 ministers including the CM.

The NPP president, who is scheduled to take oath as the chief minister on Tuesday, has the

Monpa Tribe celebrates Losar festival in Tawang with fanfare

The Monpas have called Tawang their home since 500 BC and are devout followers of Himalayan Buddhism.

The Indian Army in Tawang which has been part and parcel of the local tribe was not left behind.

support of 45 legislators. Sangma staked claim to form the government in the northeastern state.

“During the meeting of allies of the NPP-led coalition, the first decision that was unanimously taken was to call it the Meghalaya Dem ocratic Alliance 2.0 since partners are the same. The chief minister will be the chairman of the alliance,” Sangma said.

The distribution of cabinet berths among the coalition partners was also finalised, he said.

“Of the 12-member cabinet, eight will be from the NPP, while two will go to the UDP and one each to the HSPDP and the BJP,” Sangma said.

He said the name of the ruling coalition’s Speaker candidate will be announced after further consultation with allies, he said.

The NPP became the single-largest party winning 26 seats in the recently held election. The UDP bagged 11 seats while the BJP, HSPDP, and the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) got two seats each. Besides them, two Independent members also extended support to Sangma.

The newly elected members of the Meghalaya assembly took oath on Monday with pro-tem speaker Timothy D Shira administering the oath of office and secrecy to them.

Manipur cops nab two women with poppy seeds

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 6: Amid the ongoing drive against illicit poppy cultivation, Manipur police nabbed two women following recovery of 22.770 kg of poppy seeds from their possessions.

The nabbed women were identified as JB Shangam (29) wife of Ashok Lamkang of Vitu village, currently residing in Khudei Khunou partII and Shangwar alias Thangsang Anal (29) daughter of Nungsring of Chakpikarong of Chandel district.

A team of Kakching police arrested them after a bag of 22.770kg poppy seeds were found during a raid on a shop at KhudeiKhunou part-II under Chandel district run by them on Sunday.

Apart from the poppy seeds, 38g of opium and 377 g of WY tablets were also recovered during the raid which was launched based on specific information, the police said.

The arrested women were handed over to Chandel police station of Chandel district along with the seized items for further investigation and legal action, the police added.

GUWAHATI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): The Assam government has ordered to demolish as many as 89 bridges built over a river in Guwahati, reports NE Now.

The government has undertaken the steps as part of its effort to mitigate water logging in Guwahati city.

Cops cane students demanding resignation of VC of DMU

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 6: A group of students who tried to lock down the administrative block of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) in Imphal during a protest were baton-charged on Monday.

The police batoncharged the agitating students as they tried to lock down the administrative block while demanding resignation of “unworthy” vice-chancellor of the crisisridden university.

Led by leaders of the DMU Post-graduate Students’ Union (MDUPGSU), hundreds of post-graduate students of five constituent colleges of the university carried out a protest rally inside the university campus in Imphal today, around half past noon. While carrying placards read as “Resolve the teacher classification issue”, “Allow students to study”, “DMU authority, maintain academic calendar properly”, “Save the careers of the students,” etc., the students stormed the administrative block of the university chanting “Resign unworthy VC”.

As they tried to lock down the administrative block with a padlock, the police on duty at the

university campus asked the student not to do the same and dispersed them.

As the students went out of control and tried to forcibly lock down the administrative block, the police launched batoncharge.

Students protested in the university campus alleging that the authorities of the university, particularly the VC failed to resolve the crisis that severely affected the academic atmosphere.

“Despite our repeated pleas to resolve the issue of classification of postgraduate and undergraduate teaching staff, the university authorities remained in deaf ear,” vice-president N Rikesh of DMU- PGSU alleged.

After the university was bifurcated from the state education (university) department recently, the issue of classification of UG and PG departments faculty remained unresolved.

bridges built over river

in Ghy

to the media on Monday by Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia.

The vice-president alleged that this unresolved issue had severely hit the academic atmosphere of the students as it has led to the delay in the commencement of the academic session for the current year.

Due to disagreements over this issue between the DMU authority and the teaching body of the university, academic activities, including classes, have been halted, he said. The student leader threatened that if the authority failed to address their demands at the earliest, they would launch intense forms of agitations.

The Dhanamanjuri University was established under The Dhanamanjuri University Act, 2017 that came into force on April 6, 2018 and functioned under the department of education (university) of the Manipur government until it was bifurcated in November last year.

GUWAHATI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES):

Continuing with close association with the local Monpa Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang, the Indian Army participated in the weeklong festivities of the Losar festival, reports NE Now.

The Monpa Tribe which has its distinct ritual and traditions in the area of Tawang and West Kameng celebrate the Losar festival with great enthusiasm.

Losar is one of its kind festival in which the complete locality of Monpa Villages come together to celebrate.

Losar celebrated

with much fanfare and enthusiasm signals the start of spring and begins on the first day of the Lunar calendar.

The festival commences a week before the dates with residents cleaning their houses and the community preparation of various delicacies most importantly the Khow Suey.

The Metho ceremony during the festivities is very conspicuous to Tawang.

During this ritual sacred chants along with the burning of sacred fire torch to cleanse the evil spirit and paving way for the holy spirit in the area.

The Army personnel were hosted by the various village community to participate in the religious rituals, and witness various competitions especially the indigenous sport of Archery and traditional extravagant feasts accompanied by locally prepared barley beer.

The locals made a warm gesture by reaching out to the Indian Army troops even at their duty locations in Zimithang, Kereteng and various other locations to celebrate with them.

This heart-warming gesture touched the troops with a ‘home away from home’ feeling.

The Indian Army in its secular fabric has adopted the rituals of the Monpa Tribe and assisted the various sho (villages) in arranging these events.

PM to attend Assam cabinet meet during two-day North East visit

GUWAHATI, MAR

6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to the North East from Tuesday, during which he will attend the oath taking ceremonies of new governments in three states of the region. He will also attend a cabinet meeting of the Assam government during his overnight stay in the state, Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said on Monday.

Coalitions backed by BJP have retained power in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, results of which were declared on March 2 and the new governments will take oath in two days beginning on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference after a Cabinet meeting, Mahanta said the prime minister will arrive at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here at 10 am on Tuesday and will fly to Meghalaya directly

Narendra Modi

from there. The NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance with 32 MLAs led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has staked claim to form the government for the second consecutive term in the state. BJP which is an ally of the MDA has been alloted a berth in the new ministry. NPP, which has won 26 out of the total 60 seats will take the lion’s share of eight cabinet berths and allies UDP will get two and HSPDP, like BJP will get a single berth in the ministry, Sangma said. After attending the swearing-in ceremony in Shillong, he will leave for Kohima and

will be present at the oathtaking programme of the new Nagaland government, Mahanta said.

In Nagaland the pre-poll alliance of the NDPP-BJP has 37 of the 60 seats and the state appears to be heading for an oppositionless government as all other elected parties have supported it unconditionally.

Mahanta said the prime minister will return to Guwahati airport at 5 pm tomorrow and meet the Assam cabinet at the State Guest House here at 6.45 p m,” he said.

The prime minister will fly out to Tripura capital Agartala at 9.40 AM on Wednesday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Manik Saha government and return to New Delhi from there, he said.

Saha, who was made chief minister in 2022 in a brand renewal exercise, was declared the BJP legislature Party leader.

As per reports, the order was passed by the government on Thursday but was not shared with the media.

Public interference or hindrance during the execution of the demolition will be considered as an

obstruction to public service and legal action may be initiated as per prevalent acts and norms, the order issued by the Kamrup metropolitan deputy commissioner and chairman of the district

management authority, Pallav Gopal Jha said. Though the directive was issued on Thursday, it was not shared with the media by the authorities. It was made available

The order said it was passed ex-parte due to the ‘emergent nature for mitigating the urban floods’. The bridges, some concrete and others iron structures, include those connecting the state zoo, the SBI Dispur branch and the local head office, the NABARD office, North Eastern Development Finance (NEDFi) Corporation House, several hospitals and thickly populated residential areas.

NPP leader Conrad Sangma takes oath as a member of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, in Shillong, Monday. (PTI)

Police manhandling agitating students of DMU Imphal on Monday.

Representational image.

Cultural group performing at the event.

Govt to demolish 89

Naga women trailblazers

Out of four Naga women who contested the February 27, 2023 assembly election, two were successful on NDPP tickets and thus wrote history as the first ‘two Naga women ‘to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in their maiden attempt. The two ‘firsts’ Hekani Jakhalu Kense (3 Dimapur –III) and Salhoutuonuou Kruse (8 Western Angami)- are also first-timers to election. Both are women of substance who have proved their mettle in social and public life. Salhoutuonuo Kruse(56) was president of the influential Angami Women Organisation(2011-14). She entered politics after the demise of her husband late Er. Kevisekho Kruse on June 4,2021. Kevisekho was the NDPP candidate in 2018 for the 8 Western Angami constituency and lost to NPF candidate Keneizhako Nakhro. Before the election, Nakhro crossed over to the NDPP but was not given the party ticket and contested as independent. In a hard fought contest Salhoutuonuo overcame her rival Keneizhako Nakhro and won by only seven votes. The other NDPP woman candidate Hekani Jakhalu Kense (47) also won her maiden election against a veteran politician by a margin of 1536. Hekani was educated at Bishop Cotton Girls’ School in Bengaluru and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi. She then studied for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Delhi and took a Master of Laws at the University of San Francisco. She later formed and NGO to empower women youths with needed skills for self employment. Her YouthNet opened a new chapter in expanding the skilling abilities of youths in various spheres of business activities. It may also be mentioned that even the two woman candidate who lost, put up a good fight and proved that women have the capability to pick up the challenge. It would also be worth noting that a Naga woman, late Rano Shaiza became the first Naga woman to win a parliamentary election as United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, when she won the Lok Sabha election in 1977 against a political heavyweight and against all odds. Also in 2022, another Naga woman-Phangnon Konyak was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland. However, Hekani Jakhalu Kense and Salhoutuonuo Kruse have written history by becoming the first Naga women to be elected to the assembly. The win by both woman who fought on NDPP tickets is also a tribute to the bold move made by the ruling party under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio. Two other women-Er Kahuli from BJP and Rosy Thompson from Congress make up the entire team of four. Their contest was not a litmus test on their winnability but on the immediate prospect of women contesting in politics. Since 2003 number of Naga women candidates contesting assembly election became a feature when three women candidates stood for election that year. Subsequently in 2008 there were four female candidates; two in 2013, five in 2018 and four in 2023.All other interested women who want to join politics will also be inspired to prove to the men that women always had the potential to win on their merit to achieve greater heights without succumbing to the call for 33% women reservation.

DailyDevotion Taking the Next Step

…in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses. —2 Corinthians 6:4

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

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ inJohn 13:1-17.

Quotes

Assume

The devastation of war and the G-20 summit

The last world war brought the world to the brink of destruction. At that time, the world leadership of the time came forward to return to the path of peace. Today, that responsibility has fallen on world leaders. Everyone has to play an active role in making the world peaceful, prosperous and safe. This is what is needed most at the moment. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, climate change and the global crisis of the Covid pandemic, supply systems around the world are on the brink of collapse. There are shortages of daily necessities around the world. All around moaning. The plight of the poor in every country is dire. Especially poor countries are under threat. Daily life has become difficult for them. Undoubtedly, multilateral institutions like the United Nations have failed to deal with this crisis.

All have failed in the necessary reforms. Because of that, the expectations of the world’s people towards the G20 leadership have increased. In the last conference, Indonesian President Joko Yudodo called for unity and said, we have no other way. Saving the world requires cooperation. The G20 should act as a catalyst for economic recovery. It is not right to divide the world into different parts. We cannot walk down the path of being embroiled in another ``age war’’. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, that everyone should find a way to end the war in Ukraine. That responsibility is on everyone today. This is not a time for war. Everyone should try to find ways to get back on the diplomatic track.

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 against the US-led imperialist war alliance NATO’s continued expansion into Eastern Europe and Ukraine’s complicity in that plot. And this is where the global recession began.

Developed Western countries including America, Britain, Germany, France have been helping Ukraine with weapons, technology and other necessary aspects since the beginning. According to Russia, the goal of the imperialist camp was to put Ukraine on the path to conflict and seize Russia’s vast natural resources. Just like in the past, the Americans recklessly attacked Arab countries like Iraq and Libya. During the discussion at the UN, India’s representative also pointed out the limitations of the proposal. He said, the proposal is not compatible with New Delhi’s desired solution to end the war that has been going on for more than a year and for a far-reaching peace. In fact, Russia also knows that occupying Ukraine is no longer possible. And antiRussian Western countries also need to understand that overthrowing Putin is not so simple. If Putin is cornered, the whole world, including Ukraine, may become more miserable in the future. China is on Putin’s side. This relationship between the President of China and Putin is not a personal matter. It should be seen from the perspective of international politics. Now in this situation the G-20 conference was held in India. In the first week of March, the meeting of the foreign ministers of

the G20 member countries was held. Bangladesh also got special importance there as a special invited country. The main reason for Bangladesh’s importance is its geo-strategic position. At the same time, financial and social progress of Bangladesh in this subcontinent and good relations with India. The heads of state of the Western countries, including US President Joe Biden, who have visited Kiev, now have only one goal to provide more weapons to Ukraine. Even European countries like Switzerland and Sweden, which were the pioneers of the peace process, have now joined the ranks of these arms suppliers. There is no disagreement that what Russia is doing under the leadership of Vladimir Putin is wrong. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Putin and publicly urged him to stop the war. He did not support this war. But does continuing to arm Ukraine and fuel the conflict bear a message of peace? A year has passed since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The destruction still continues. The damage is only increasing every moment. This Russian attack is not only destroying Ukraine’s economy, but also damaging the world’s prospects for recovery in the post-Covid era.

Protracted war can take dire shape at any moment. It is necessary for all countries to take initiative to stop the war immediately. But do we see that initiative as much as it needs? Meanwhile, India did not vote again on the resolution brought to the United Nations regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Out of the 193 member states of

without proper knowledgeA Virus to Peace & Harmony

No doubt information is a vital supplement in our daily life to keep updated and connected with this fast-growing society. Because of the easily available data one can easily get access to bulks of channels of information to keep oneself up-to-date. In fact if we take into consideration the digitalized platforms providing these Informations, it has been a greatest means of globalisation. Blending of different ethical ideas and Opinions is one of the prominent and numerous processes occurring today due to it. Information for individuals in today’s era has seen a huge flexibility and accessibility in it. In today’s global Village where everything is only a click away, the algorithm of productivity has been seen fading. Bombarded with tons of information and resources, it’s so easy to get manipulated and misguided with the data available, which is a concerning Factor and a malnourishment for a society’s progress. In midst of all these the talk is where an individual, like you and me, stands in between. Are we Randomly acting and applying on the basis of it or are we wise enough to differentiate between “FACT & FAKE”. Due to the Misinformation shared, many aspects of the society and lives of individuals have been altered. We have been witnessing the results of it since the time it has evolved. According to an estimate by Statica.com, in India nearly 88% of the population faces the issue of this fake news being circulated everyday . The Overwhelming majority of the population depends and have access to the news primarily from social media where Facts and validity rarely get validated, Leading to driving of misinformation in the social sphere. Due to the low literacy rate in India, there also looms a real threat to the country’s democratic fabric itself.

Today, the so-called daily updates or information from a bunch of folks available are also -”information without proper knowledge”and this has been a most lethal and brutal tool because it’s just a few clicks away and boom! It’s everywhere, and

~ William Shakespeare

there arises hatred and conflicts among one another because of the Misinformation delivered. While in the process, only those behind the curtains enjoy the pleasure and we as a general community are the ones suffering the outcome or results of it. However there are many dedicated channels of information which are doing awesome and magnificent tasks in upliftment of our community and society as a whole keeping the idea of Truth alive. My highest appreciation and Kudos to those folks. In this digital age one should know and must be aware of the information shared in the magical screen. Whenever we are served with any news or information on the plate, Stop! And do a fact-check before you share. Inculcate the habit of evaluating skills and foster a critical mindset. Ask yourself: Why was this data made available and what is its Objective or message behind?

Don’t just look at what it tells you, rather try to apply your knowledge in understanding the message beyond and it will help you determine the accuracy of the information. Being responsible is a first step towards ensuring the best service to oneself. In retrospect; the responsibility probably lies within us. Let’s be wise enough in this digital age. We should learn how to have a healthy relationship with the growing society. In the words of Ziad K. Abdelnour , it says - “Rumours are carried by haters, spread by Fools, and Accepted by Idiots.”

Let’s not be among these, rather Let’s take a positive stand and make our society a place where truth is a defining factor. Let not the fear of failure be a reason for hesitation among us. There is saying which goes like this, “Changing our face can change nothing. But facing our change can change everything”. Lastly , let’s not get hypnotised by all these unwanted elements available but let’s be sure of what we accept and defend. Bidding adieu with a quote- “Each one of us can make a Difference , but together we can make a Change”.

Mao T, BA 6th semester, Political

the General Assembly, 141 countries voted in favor of the resolution. Seven countries voted against. And a total of 32 countries including India, China, Bangladesh abstained from voting. Now abstaining from this vote does not mean that India and Bangladesh are supporting this Russian aggression. Whatever India is doing in terms of its foreign policy, it is doing it in dialogue with Bangladesh, in consultation with Bangladesh. In this regard, the anti-war foreign policy of India and Bangladesh seems to be quite compatible.

Another recent sign of this diplomacy is that the nuclear power equipment of Bangladesh, which has been delayed for a long time, was not arriving in Bangladesh, which was supposed to come to Bangladesh from Russia and was stopped midway, in opposition to NATO, openly opposed by the United States. Now it appears that it is reaching Bangladesh. And reaching through India. That is, India is also doing a diplomatic mission in this regard and India has made arrangements to deliver the equipment due to Bangladesh. Therefore, equipment for Rooppur nuclear power plant is coming from Russia via India. As previously discussed, it was later stalled for some time due to US pressure. But India managed to uncomplicate it through diplomatic missions. As a result, the relationship between India and Bangladesh is getting stronger. This situation has further progressed at the G-20 summit in Delhi. Recently National Security Advisor Ajit Doval went to Russia. He met with Putin and Russian representatives.

The most important fact is that despite being Russia’s friend, China has also taken a new initiative to stop this war. China has started a mission in this regard. China’s statement is that this time Russia should also follow the path of peace. A discussion should be started, so that different states go on the path of discussion like this. Why is China taking this initiative? This is because China also understands that if this war is not allowed to stop, the situation will worsen. The situation of China’s terrible conflict with America will become more complicated. And anyway, China is not ready for any war. Not for World War III. Narendra Modi has also started a track two dialogue with China. The discussion also suggested that Russia should stop the war in Ukraine and that Russia should not be targeted again by Ukraine. Modi has also created an environment for talks with China’s Xi Jinping to build that understanding with the western countries as well. There is a possibility that this peace message will be created around the summit of G-20. Discussions have even started in India’s diplomatic circles about the solution formula to stop the ModiXi Jinping war. However, the G20 is the forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. The forum is a platform for discussion on various global issues such as global economy as well as climate change mitigation and sustainable development. G20 countries control about 85 percent of global GDP. Members of this group also control more than 75 percent of global

trade. Besides, this alliance is also full of human resources. About two-thirds of the world’s total population are members of this group. The Group of Twenty or G-20 was formed in 1999 in the wake of the global economic crisis. It was basically a meeting of finance ministers of various states and central bank governors. The aim of the meeting was to formulate effective policies to solve the global economic and financial crisis. At present, the summits of this forum are attended by the heads of state, finance ministers, foreign ministers and senior government officials of each member country. Therefore, there has been a lot of discussion in this conference to establish world peace. Russia-Ukraine war, SinoUS tensions, rising inflation, threat of recession in global economy, nuclear threat from North Korea and the most alarming thing is rising global temperature. But the G-20 alliance must play an influential role in ending the war. The next generation cannot be pushed into another Cold War. A 16page conference resolution said most members strongly condemned the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. It also states that the war is causing immense human suffering and putting a strain on the global economy. Keeping these considerations in mind, all the leaders coming to the G-20 conference this year will be active in solving the crisis through discussion instead of war - this is the expectation of the people of the world.

Dr Arpita Hazarika, Gauhati University, Assam, India-based researcher

Women on the frontline of peace

More and more women are taking up combat roles on the front line, playing a key role a year on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But this hasn’t always been the case.

All military roles available to men were only opened to women last year, with a wave of new recruits joining after the February 2022 invasion.

Gender-inclusive reforms in 2018 gave women the same legal status as men in the armed forces and ended bans on women holding 450 different occupations in Ukraine including welding, firefighting and many defence roles in an attempt to abolish Soviet-era stereotypes maintaining that some work was damaging to reproductive health.

Women and girls in conflict environments, in combat roles or otherwise, may seem to face the same dangers as men. But in the lead up to International Woman’s Day this week, we’re reminded that females face specific and systematic gender-based issues like sexual violence, human trafficking and maternal deaths.

The UN special advisor to the secretary-general on gender issues estimates 70 percent of non-combatant casualties in recent conflicts are mostly females.

In 2000, the United Nations adopted the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, recognising the need for women’s participation in peace building processes and the importance of their role in global peace and stability. It also recognised that women are not just victims, but active participants as peacebuilders, negotiators and peacemakers. But more than a decade later the resolution has fallen short of expectations violence against women persists, and many barriers, both cultural or societal, remain for women to be fully involved in building and maintaining peace.

In Afghanistan, historical patriarchal norms and attitudes have posed significant challenges to the overall development of women and their participation in any constructive activity.

People in Afghanistan believe that a woman is born only to give birth and care for her children and husband. She should not be doing anything else, said Fatima (not her real name) an Afghani student from BRAC University, Bangladesh.

Many women work for peace, albeit secretly in most cases. I, too, worked as a teacher for the

UNHCR.

Between 2005 and 2020, nearly 80 percent of peace talks in Afghanistan have excluded women, with women participating in only 15 of 67 meetings and negotiations, according to Manzoor Hasan and Arafat Reza at the Centre for Peace and Justice at BRAC University, Bangladesh. With limited access to education and deliberate exclusion from decision-making processes exacerbated by [a] patriarchal mindset, it is unsurprising that the path before Afghan women to make any meaningful contribution to peace-building and conflict prevention is fraught with countless obstacles, they said.

Afghan women have played an important role in preventing violence and building peace with the help of some local and international organisations. They are involved, among other things, in raising public awareness about the importance of education and peace, women’s rights, and countering extremist beliefs.

But with the Taliban back in power, many women are likely to fear participating at all.

Research suggests that the presence of civil society organisations, including women’s organisations, reduces the possibility of peace agreements failing by 64 percent.

But there is still progress to be made even in the leading global peace organisations like the UN. Eleanor Gordon, senior lecturer at Monash University, said mothers can face a dilemma in continuing their career in the sector due to organisational, work culture issues and gendered assumptions about who does peace and who does care work. Gordon previously worked for the UN for a decade before leaving to have her son.

Women with children are often disinclined to raise issues about their caring responsibilities for fear they will be judged as unprofessional or not committed, she said.

Conversely, women with children may sometimes be judged as poor mothers when they choose to work in this sector, seemingly prioritising the needs of their work above their children.

These barriers to the engagement of parents in peacebuilding is a significant factor in the underrepresentation of women in the [peacekeeping] sector.

She said recommendations to improve the culture to be more supportive towards caregivers include more parental leave, re-

engagement support for returning employees, transfering spouses to the same mission and prioritisation of family duty station posts. Creches and safe spaces for nursing mothers, flexible work schedules and more part-time and job-sharing opportunities, work-life balance messaging and practice, and transparent disciplinary procedures to guard against discrimination would also help, she added.

On a national basis, women’s full and equal participation in public life is critical to building and sustaining strong democracies. Yet in conflict-affected or post conflict countries, their representation in parliament is lower than 21 percent, according to the UN. Even in partriarchal societies like Malaysia and Thailand, some women are bucking the trend, with their involvement crucial to advancing gender equality.

For decades, Thailand’s southernmost regions have been plagued by armed conflict and insurgency. Despite numerous failed attempts at resolution, women have been absent from formal peace negotiations, but the appointment of the first female Muslim governor in Pattani province, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu, may change that.

Her leadership style is about bridging divides between communities; she embraces both Muslim and Buddhist communities, youth and seniors, political and non-political agendas, said Anna Christi Suwardi, lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University.

Southern Thai Muslims whose ethnicity, culture and language differ from the Buddhist majority believe they are treated as second-class citizens.

Since the escalation of violence in 2004, women’s groups in the three Thailand border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat have been trying to engage in peacebuilding initiatives.

Peace negotiators in Thailand’s deep south could learn from the peace process in Mindanao, the Philippines, that included women at decision-making level, Suwardi said.

Consolidating women’s groups can unify their voices to become a bridge between the security sector and their wider communities.

When women are part of the negotiations, they will ensure that the peace agreement is fair and takes into account the needs of both men and women, she said.

a virtue, if you have it not.

Information

Centre approves girls’ only

Sainik School in Manipur: Biren

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAR 6: The Centre has approved setting up a Sainik School for girls only in the state, Manipur N Biren Singh informed, in a speech at a Mega Ex-servicemen Rally held in Imphal’s Koirengei on Monday.

A girls’ only Sainik School will be opened soon in the state. The state government has also allocated the required land in Bishnupur district, Singh.

The Centre has approved the setting up of the school acknowledging Manipuri women’s power, sacrificing spirit, commitment and conviction, he added.

The Indian Army is the protector and they have put everything behind including their families to protect and serve the country, and it is the responsibility of the people to show them respect, honour and to support them, the chief minister said. Stressing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Nation First’ message,

he said that “Each citizen should understand that we are safe when the country is safe and so we must always think of the nation first.”

Further recounting the sacrifices and contribution of the Army personnel from the state including Major John’s sacrifice at Afghanistan and Major Bob Khathing’s contribution in nation building, the chief minister said that the state government has earmarked Rs three crore to set up a martyrs’ memorial at the exservicemen office complex in Imphal.

It was to be set up so as the people can show their respect and pay homage to

the martyrs every year.

Singh also thanked Union home minister Amit Shah and Defense minister Rajnath Singh for giving approval to the conduct of Agniveer recruitment rally in Manipur.

The state government has also approved to give priority during government job recruitment to Agniveers on their retirement.

The chief minister claimed that since the coming of the BJP government in the state, the relation between the people and security forces has improved tremendously and there was harmony. Brig Neil John, SM, deputy GOC, 57

Manik Saha to continue as Tripura CM

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, Union Minister of State Pratima Bhoumik, MP Rebati Tripura, NE BJP coordinator Sambit Patra and Minister of Transport, Excise & Fisheries of Assam, Parimal Suklabaidya.

The Chief Minister will meet the Governor of Tripura Satya Deo Narayan

Arya to stake a claim for the formation of the new government.

Mountain Division said that Manipur, a vibrant region with a rich culture of 2000 years, has historically been a land of valour and sacrifice.

The contribution of the brave sons and daughters of Manipur in nation-building and the Indian Army was un-parallel and second to none, he said. The event was also participated by Lt Gen LN Singh, VSM* (Retd), serving and retired senior officers, Veer Nari’s and ESM among others.

Meanwhile, as part of the event, the chief minister also felicitated the veer naris, veterans, widows and families.

ITANAGAR, MAR 6 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh

Governor Lt Gen Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik on Monday noted that the Pema Khandu government’s vision for the state is aligned with the seven priorities (Saptarishi) outlined in the Union Budget 2023-24 for building a prosperous, inclusive and developed society.

AR

seize illegal areca nuts worth over Rs. 57 lakh

MIZORAM, MAR 6 (AGENCIES):

Mizoram’s Champhai district witnessed another successful operation against the smuggling of illegal areca nuts by Assam Rifles. Acting on specific information, a joint team of Assam Rifles and the Customs Department conducted an operation and seized 103 bags of areca nuts worth over Rs 57 lakhs, reports India Today Ne. The seized consignment was later handed over to the Customs department in Champhai for further legal proceedings. No arrests were made in connection to the case. The ongoing smuggling of illegal areca nuts is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram. Assam Rifles, known as the ‘Sentinels of Northeast,’ have launched several successful operations against the smuggling activities in Mizoram. Last month, a joint operation by personnel of the Assam Rifles and the border customs department at Melbuk crossing in Mizoram led to the recovery of a huge cache of Burmese areca nuts worth crores.

NPP, BJP alliance in Meghalaya marriage of convenience: Cong

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6

(IANS): The Congress on Monday said that the alliance between the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya for the government formation is a “marriage of convenience”.

In the February 27 Assembly election held in Meghalaya, the result of which was declared on March 2, the NPP won 26 seats while the BJP got two. The Congress bagged five seats.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Meghalaya unit Congress president said:

“The BJP and its alliance with NPP and other parties is a marriage of convenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J.P. Nadda and other senior party leaders came to Meghalaya and criticised the NPP. However, they are now joining hands, which proves that everything in their manifesto was false.”

The Congress also criticised the BJP for calling NPP president Conrad

Sangma “corrupt” during the poll campaign but “now joining hands to form the government”.

In Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) -- that emerged the second-largest, has also extended its support to the NPP for the government formation.

Metbah Lyndoh, the president of UDP that bagged 11 seats to finish second behind the NPP, in a letter written on Sunday to Conrad Sangma mentioned: “Congratulations on your party’s performance, resulting in the

Arunachal govt’s vision aligned with Union Budget: Gov

has put in tremendous efforts, along with its own resources, to ensure that the capital city of Itanagar is on the national civil aviation map. We now have four functional airports with Itanagar having wide-body jet aircraft connectivity to major cities of the country,” he said.

Tali on Indo-Tibetan border -- this year,” he underlined.

“Pema Khandu’s leadership ensured that the unrealised dreams of the people were fulfilled 75 years after Independence. The increased connectivity has triggered reverse migration in the state,” he said.

resounding victory. In light of the people’s mandate, I on behalf of the parliamentary party of the United Democratic Party, do hereby extend support for government formation.”

The UDP was also an ally in the previous NPPled government in Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Front (PDF), which was earlier holding talks with Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma for an alternative formation, also joined the UDP to tender support to the NPP.

2 arrested with drugs worth Rs 9 crore in Nagaon

GUWAHATI, MAR 6

Manik

ITANAGAR, MAR 6 (AGENCIES):

Saha is set to continue as Tripura chief minister even as a section of the newly elected legislators were in favour of his replacement by Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Pratima Bhoumik, who has won as an MLA. The meeting of the BJP legislature party that

was held this evening has unanimously elected Dr Manik Saha as the leader of the house and to continue as the 11th Chief Minister of Tripura.

The announcement was made followed by the meeting of all the newly elected MLAs at the party’s election office.

The meeting was chaired by BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharya,

Dr Saha and his new cabinet will be sworn in on March 08 next during a grand event at Swami Vivekananda Maidan.

After a long meeting with the MLAs, Parimal Suklabaidya said, “In this BJP legislature party, Union Minister of State Pratima Bhoumik has proposed the name of Dr Manik Saha as the Chief Minister of state and all the elected MLAs have unanimously elected Dr Manik Saha as the Chief Minister”.

Addressing the first day of the Budget session in the assembly here, the governor said that ‘Team Arunachal’ had been striving towards excellence in all areas of governance, be it education and healthcare services, agriculture and horticulture, connectivity in road, rail, air and digital sectors and eco-friendly tourism.

“The government’s six pillars - ‘Governance Reforms and Prudent Financial Management’, ‘Synergy and Convergence’, ‘Investment in Health Sector’, ‘Investment in Human

Capital’, ‘Atma-Nirbhar Arunachal Pradesh’ and ‘Environment Protection and Climate Resilient Development’ - are very well aligned with the priorities adopted in the Union. Budget,” he noted.

Calling the inauguration of the Donyi Polo Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19 last year a “historic event”, Parnaik said the physical infrastructure of the state has progressed by leaps and bounds during the last seven years.

“The government

In the coming year, three more airstrips at Mechuka, Tuting and Vijoyanagar will be made operational. The central government is also considering state’s proposal to build three more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) -- at Dirang in West Kameng, Anini in Dibang Valley and in Upper Subansiri district, the governor stated.

“The commitment and proactive attitude of the government was reflected in the fact that road connectivity reached the state’s two remotest administrative circles – Vijoy Nagar on Indo-Myanmar border and

APPRECIATION TO DEPARTMENT OF SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION

The Gariphema Village Agri & Allied Committee of Gariphema Village Council would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Department of Soil & Water Conservation Department, Government of Nagaland for implementing various Projects under ICAT (2021-22) at Gariphema Village. Under the Project Check Dams, Contour Bunds and Contour Chains were constructed which has immensely benefitted the Farmers of the Village.

PUKHATO KIRE Chairman Agri & Allied Committee Gariphema K-435/23

Office of the NEW COLONY COUNCIL Wokha

: Nagaland C ONDEMNATION

We the colony council and general public of New colony condemn the incident happened to it’s bonafide member Mr. Orenyimo Kithan where he was threatened and his family members were assaulted at New colony on 28-02-2023 at around 9:30 pm by some unidentified persons numbering six to seven. We therefore, appeal the law enforcing agency to apprehend the culprit and deliver justice so that such incident do not repeat in the near future.

Sd/Chichanbemo Kikon chairman New colony council Wc-38/23

dc-246/23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We the Bethel Medical centre, Kohima would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who helped our Hospital and the affected colony residents during the fire in the Mao Market area on the 27th February 2023. Many from all walks of life, strangers and friends have reached out to help us. There are too many people and names to be mentioned which cannot be done in this small space. We truly appreciate your help and kindness. We would particularly like to thank the fire services, the police and the Assam rifles, the colony families and the youth. We would also like to thank the T- Khel council, the Sokhriezie market development committee, the Oking Hospital family and the different church groups for their help. Many have prayed for us during this fire and through those prayers and the grace of God we have been saved to continue serving the public through this small healthcare centre. We will always remain indebted to you.

Sd/Managing director

Felicitation

The NPF Dimapur Division, Frontals and all Party Rank and File under Dimapur Division heartily congratulates Shri. KUZHolUZo aZo nienU and Shri. acHUMBeMo KiKon, leader of NPFLP and Secretary General NPF respectively on their electoral victory to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

The Dimapur Division wishes them good health and every success in their future endeavours.

The government is committed to achieving the goal of ‘Drugs-free Arunachal’, Parnaik maintained.

“A special anti-narcotics task force has been formed and a 24x7helpline made functional at the crime branch of state police to generate intelligence for targeted action,” he said.

(PTI): Two persons were arrested with drugs worth over Rs 9 crore in Assam’s Nagaon district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday. The seizure was made from a vehicle in the Jakhalabandha area, he said. “In a huge catch, @nagaonpolice intercepted a vehicle near Jakhalabandha and seized 18.270 kg Morphine (approx market value Rs 9.13 cr) hidden in its secret chamber. Two accused have been apprehended,” Sarma tweeted.

NAGA PEOPLE'S FRONT DIVISIONAL OFFICE MOKOKCHUNG

Acknowledgement

The NPF Mokokchung Division would like to thank the Central Office for issuing the Party tickets to three dynamic candidates from the Division. Although they lost the elections, we are hopeful that they will come back stronger in the future.

We would also like to thank Dr. Shurhozelie Leizietsu, President NPF Central Kohima for promoting young leaders from Mokokchung district to represent the Party. May his vision come true in the years to come through these leaders.

The Division acknowledged the stewardship of Mr. Azo Neinu, Leader of NPF legislature for having put heart and soul during the election campaign. We pray that God will grant him a long political life to serve the people of the state.

Thank you for keeping the mantle of the NPF alive.

Sd/-

R. Limakumzuk Pongen (TANGIT

Vice President General Secretary (Administration)

Manipur CM N Biren Singh at the Mega Ex-servicemen rally in Imphal on Monday.

Vincent H. Pala with party’s Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate addresses a press conference in New Delhi, . (PTI)

Manik Saha meets Tripura Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya to stake claim to form the government in Tripura. (PTI)

Lt Gen Kaiwalya Parnaik

Adani’s Mundra power plant under scanner

NEW DELHI, MAR 6

(AGENCIES): Adani’s Mundra power plant has more liabilities than assets and has run up $1.8 billion of losses, as per a Bloomberg report which added that the conglomerate has deployed more than $1 billion of creative debt-financing to paper over the deficit and reassured investors and lenders that profits will come soon.

But Adani Power Ltd.’s auditor can’t fully make sense of the math underpinning this claim — and neither can accounting experts who spoke with Bloomberg News. “The Mundra Thermal Power Plant — and its debt, which experts say appears designed to shield Adani Power from extraordinary writeoffs, regardless of the unit’s losses — exemplifies this balancing act, where a single asset writedown could have cascading

Rupee gains 5 paise to close at 81.92 against US dollar

NEW

DELHI, MAR 6

SEBI asks mutual funds to get ads right

conglomerate lost as much as $153 billion in combined market value amid Hindenburg rout, though bounced back last week. Chairman Adani’s personal wealth has tumbled by more than half to $49.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

(PTI): The rupee appreciated by 5 paise to close at 81.92 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, as a positive trend in domestic equities and fresh foreign fund inflows boosted investor sentiments.

rally in the domestic markets and fresh foreign inflows. Positive Asian currencies also supported the domestic currency, said Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Gautam Adani

ramifications,” stated the Bloomberg report. Adani Group stocks took a beating on the exchanges after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research last month made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation, against it. The group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.

Listed companies’ shares of Gautam Adani-led

Adani group management, including group chief fina ncial officer Jugeshinder Singh, last month held roadshows in Singapore and Hong Kong to reassure investors that the company’s finances are under control. These are to be extended to Dubai, London and the US from March 7 to 15.

The group is not seeking to refinance debt or inject capital, group chief financial officer Jugeshinder Singh told Bloomberg News on the sidelines of an investor roadshow in Hong Kong last week.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 81.85 against the American currency and finally settled at 81.92 (provisional) against the greenback, registering a gain of 5 paise over its previous close of 81.97.

During the trading session, the rupee touched a high of 81.62 and a low of 81.95 against the dollar.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.06%to 104.58. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures declined 0.77%to USD 81.17 per barrel. The Indian rupee touched a fresh one-month high of 81.62 on extended

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias on the rise in risk appetite in global markets and a soft dollar. Overall weak tone in crude oil and FII inflows may also support rupee,” Choudhary said.

However, global economic slowdown may cushion the downside. Dollar can witness some volatility this week ahead of Fed Chair Powell’s testimony and labour market data from the US later this week, Choudhary added.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 415.49 points or 0.69%to end at 60,224.46, while the broader NSE Nifty rose 117.10 points or 0.67%to 17,711.45.

Rio to be sworn in as CM for 5th time NMA congratulates 2 women MLAs

(From p-1)

For state having over 70 members, the number is restricted to within 15% of the total membership of the house. It was learnt that BJP wants to retain six cabinet berths (including Dy.CM) as per the 2018 cabinet allocation. Sources said that finally, both sides have agreed on a 7 (NDPP):5(BJP) cabinet berth share.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be on a two-day visit to the North East from Tuesday, will also attend

the oath taking ceremonies of new governments in Meghalaya and Tripura.

Modi will arrive Kohima Tuesday afternoon after attending the swearing-in ceremony in Shillong. He will then return to Guwahati in the evening and halt for the night. Modi is also scheduled to attend the cabinet meeting of the Assam government during his stay and then go to Tripura on Wednesday morning to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Manik Saha government before returning to Delhi.

Advisory for PM’s visit today

(From p-1)

In an order, Commissioner of Police Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie said that flying of any remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) such as drones etc. have been banned from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 7 within Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts.

Further, conduct of any kind of firing practice by security forces/ civil police/ central police/ private firing range or any civilian holder of licensed fire arms and bursting of any kind of firecrackers has been banned during the mentioned period.

Kohima traffic: Meanwhile, in addition to the traffic advisory issued earlier, Kohima Police has informed that all vehicular traffic will be restricted at the following routes from 12.50 hrs--Razhü Point to TCP Gate via D block and TCP Gate to PHQ point via NH-2 (SKV petrol pump/Classic Island).

DIMAPUR, MAR 6 (NPN): Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has expressed its gratitude to political parties for taking cognizance of women representation in Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) by giving tickets to women candidates in the justconcluded election. The association in a press release also con-

gratulated Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu Kense for their victory and creating history by become the first women to enter NLA.

NMA said it believed that NDPP would honour these two strong women by including them in the ministry of the coalition government.

“We congratulate

Er Kahuli Sema and Rosy Thomson for overcoming the tough battle as candidates in the recent election in Nagaland,” the release stated.

The association also wished them in their political future and said it expected them to shine as fine examples for younger women to follow.

Airtel launches 5G Plus services in 125 cities

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (IANS):

Bharti Airtel on Monday announced the launch of its ultra-fast 5G services in 125 cities. Airtel 5G Plus service is now available to customers in over 265 cities in the country.

“At Airtel, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality of network and service to our customers as we roll out 125 more cities today,” Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel, said in a statement. “Our 5G rollout is on track to cover all towns and key rural areas by March 2024,” he added.

Powered by reliable Airtel net-

work infrastructure, the 5G Plus services will provide superfast access to high-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant photo uploading and more.

The company said that the 5G Plus service availability will continue to rapidly expand -- including service in all towns and villages in the country soon -- as the company is working towards offering nationwide coverage. Airtel is now offering its 5G services in every major city from the upper northern city of Jammu to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, the company said.

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (AGENCIES): The market regulator said illustrations provided in the advertisements/ presentations/ brochures/ pamphlets would lead investors to believe that they will receive fixed returns on their investments.

Securities and Exchange Board of India or Sebi has asked mutual funds to stop using misleading illustrations in advertisements, brochures, presentations, among others, The Economic Times reported.

“It has been noticed that some of the Asset Management Companies are indulging in practices relating to advertisements, which are not in letter and spirit compliance with the Advertisement Code prescribed in SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996,” Sebi said. The market regulator said illustrations provided in the advertisements/ presentations/ brochures/ pamphlets would lead investors to believe that they will receive fixed returns on their

Gold gains Rs 25;

Gold price rose by Rs 25 to Rs 55,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday amid gains in prices of precious metal in the overseas markets, according to HDFC Securities.

The yellow metal had settled at Rs 55,875 per 10 grams in the previous trade.

Silver also climbed by Rs 160 to Rs 65,000 per kg.

“Spot gold prices in the Delhi markets traded at Rs 55,900 per 10 grams, up Rs 25 per 10 grams,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said. In the overseas market, both gold and silver were quoting higher at USD 1,856 per ounce and USD 21.24 per ounce, respectively.

investments.

Mutual fund managers share their investment journey and how they dealt with bad phases in the market.

Sebi said these illustrations are shown depicting future returns on the basis of assumptions and projections. “Disclaimers and assumptions are in fine print that are likely to be missed out by the investors,” Sebi said. “Such disclosures/advertisements are ambiguous and likely to be misunderstood by the investors and are not in compliance with letter and spirit of the provisions of Sixth Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regu-

lations, 1996”, Sebi said.

It asked AMCs to refrain from such practices in future and remove such advertisements/presentations/ pamphlets and brochures from all the medium and to advise their distributors not to use such advertisements/ presentations/pamphlets and brochures. It asked AMCs to refrain from such practices in future and remove such advertisements/presentations/ pamphlets and brochures from all the medium and to advise their distributors not to use such advertisements/ presentations/pamphlets and brochures.

Opposition-less govt imminent

(From p-1)

Earlier addressing the media in Dimapur, Union minister of state and president of RPI(A) Ramdas Athawale announced that the two RPI(A) MLAs will support the BJP-led NDPP alliance.

The lone JD (U) MLA Jwenga Seb had also expressed his willingness to join the next government if given an opportunity

As all parties are inclined to be part of the government, the third opposition-less government is in the offing.

The plea or justification for having oppositionless government is to bring

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all together in order to exert pressure on NPGs on one side and government of India on the other, to secure early solution to the Naga political issue. However, both NDPP and BJP, with a clear majority of 37 seats in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NDPP25 and BJP-12), were yet to decide on whether or not they alliance partners are willing to accommodate the smaller parties in the government. As reported earlier both NDPP and BJP have their respective members who won under tickets of other parties.

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SNIPPETS

Woman gang-raped in Bastar; seven held

JAGDALPUR, MAR 6 (PTI): A 23-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by seven persons, one of them a minor, when she had gone to a local fair in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, police said on Monday. The police have apprehended all the accused involved in the crime that took place on Saturday night, an official said. The woman had gone to attend a fair in Maulipadar village under Darbha police station area, he said.

1 held for alleged attempt to convert

INDORE, MAR 6 (PTI):

A 51-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to convert some villagers in Indore in Madhya Pradesh to Christianity, a police official said on Monday. He was held under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act on the complaint of some residents of Dudhia village, Khudail police station sub-inspector Munnalal Dodiyar said. “As per the villagers, on Sunday evening, the accused tried to convert them to Christianity by offering jobs, free education to children and other inducements. He has told us he is a social worker who went there to celebrate someone’s birthday,” the official added. Further probe into the allegations are underway, Dodiyar said.

Dowry harassment claims life of woman cop

HYDERABAD, MAR 6

(IANS): A woman police constable, who used to counsel people in dowry harassment cases, herself fell victim to the menace in Telangana. Nampally Mounika (26) died under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Warangal district on Sunday but her parents alleged that she was murdered by her husband and in-laws who were harassing her for additional dowry.

Mounika was working as a police constable in Mahabubabad and was expecting a sub-inspector post.

India trying to ease health dependency: PM

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that life-savers like medicines, vaccines and medical devices were weaponised when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and asserted that his government has been consistently trying to minimise India’s dependence on foreign countries in the health sector.

Addressing a postbudget webinar on ‘Health and Medical Research’, Modi said India’s health sector was marred by a lack of integrated approach and long-term vision for decades after Independence but his government has not confined it to the health ministry alone and has dealt with it with the “whole of government” outlook.

Our entrepreneurs should ensure India doesn’t have to import any technology and becomes self-reliant, he said, highlighting various measures taken by his government to boost entrepreneurship in the field.

“Today the market size of the pharma sector is 4 lakh crore. It can be worth 10 lakh crore with proper coordination between the private sector and academia,” he said.

Noting that the pandemic tested even prosperous nations, he said as the pandemic focused global attention on health, India went a step further and focused on wellness.

“That is why we have put forward a vision before the world - ‘One Earth One Health’. This involves holistic healthcare for all creatures -humans, animals or plants,” he said.

The prime minister said “making treatment af-

fordable has been a top priority of our government” and through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, about Rs 80,000 crore of poor patients was saved.

Noting that March 7 is observed as Jan Aushadhi Diwas, the prime minister pointed out that affordable medicines through 9,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have saved about Rs 20,000 crore of the poor and middle class.

These two schemes have saved one lakh crore rupees of citizens, he observed. Underlining the importance of a strong health infrastructure for the treatment of serious ailments, he said more than 1.5 lakh health centres are being developed in close proximity of residential areas. Facilities for screening serious ailments like diabetes, cancer and heartrelated issues will also be available at these centres.

The prime minister said critical health infrastructure is being made accessible in small towns and villages under the PM-

Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission which is not only giving rise to new hospitals but it is also creating a new and complete health ecosystem.

As a result, Modi noted that many opportunities are being created for health entrepreneurs, investors and professionals.

On human resources in the sector, he said more than 260 new medical colleges have been opened in the last few years, doubling the medical seats in graduate and postgraduate medical courses as compared to 2014.

The prime minister also spoke about the emphasis on the nursing field in this year’s budget.

“Opening 157 nursing colleges in the vicinity of medical colleges is a huge step in the direction of medical human resources. This may be useful in fulfilling global demand, not just the domestic need”, he added.

Modi also highlighted the role of technology in constantly making medical

Delhi CM inaugurates Ashram flyover extension

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday inaugurated the Ashram flyover extension that would bring a huge relief for people commuting between Delhi and Noida.

PWD engineer-inchief Anant Kumar said that for now, light vehicles will be allowed on the extended flyover.

“Woes of people have ended, those coming from Noida can reach AIIMS (hospital) sooner after Ashram flyover extension open-

Conducting raids against opposition leaders and harassing them is not right, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday, asserting that the country will only progress when everyone works together. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Ashram flyover extension inauguration here, Kejriwal was responding to a question about a CBI team visiting

former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi’s residence in Patna for questioning her in connection with the landfor-jobs scam. The CBI team reached Rabri Devi’s 10, Circular Road residence at around 10:30 AM and spent five hours inside. “It is wrong. Conducting raid against all opposition leaders like this and harassing them is not right,” Kejriwal told reporters.

The CBI, however, said earlier in the day that no search or raid took place at Rabri Devi’s residence. Asked if the CBI team’s visit could be a fallout of a letter written by nine opposition leaders to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging “blatant misuse” of central agencies, Kejriwal said it could be related to that. “It is becoming a trend that in states where opposi-

Will oppose RSS till my last breath, asserts Siddaramaiah

services accessible and affordable and elaborated on the government’s focus on implementation of technology in the sector.

“We want to give timely healthcare to citizens through the facility of Digital Health ID. Ten crore people have already benefited by teleconsultation through schemes like e-Sanjivini”, he said, adding 5G is creating new opportunities in this sector for startups while drones are bringing revolutionary changes in medicine delivery and testing services.

“This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and will give a push to our efforts for universal healthcare”, he said, exhorting entrepreneurs to avoid import of technology. While giving details of new schemes in the medical device sector, he spoke about bulk drug parks, medical device parks, more than 30 thousand crore on PLI schemes and said the last few years have witnessed 12-14 per cent growth in medical devices sector.

ing,” Kejriwal said. He also criticised the tardy pace of work during previous years, saying 27 flyovers have been built under the rule of his Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi but only 84 flyovers were built in the last 65 years. Kejriwal said 15 more big projects are in the pipeline.

The AAP supremo also spoke on the CBI visit to former Bihar CM Rabri Devi’s residence on Monday. He said targetting and harassing of opposition leaders is wrong.

tion parties are in power, the government will either not be allowed to work or CBI and ED will be sent there to harass them, or LG or Governor will be used to obstruct work there. “The country and democracy will only progress when everyone works together. Be it those in power or those in opposition, whosoever gets votes and forms a government, should be allowed to work,” he said.

Stop quota benefits to Dalits converted to Islam, Christianity: RSS body

NEW DELHI, MAR 6

(PTI): A conclave, jointly organised by the RSS’ media wing and other outfits, has concluded that reservation benefits should not be extended to Dalits converted to Islam, Christianity or any other religion, Vishva Hindu Parishad working president Alok Kumar said on Monday.

Following the two-day conclave which concluded on Sunday, the Rashtriya

LONDON, MAR 6 (PTI):

Launching a fresh attack on the BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that the ruling party follows “an ideology of hatred and violence”, and at the heart of their ideology is “cowardice.”

Gandhi made the remarks during his interaction with the Indian diaspora organised by the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) UK chapter on Sunday while referring to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks on China during an interview. Referring to the BJP, the 52-year-old former Congress president said they have “an ideology of hatred and violence, a disrespectful ideology that attacks people because of their ideas. And you must have noticed one thing that this is in the nature of BJP and the RSS.”

“If you notice the statement of the Foreign Minister, he said China is much more powerful than us. To think China is more power-

Swayamsevak Sangh’s media wing Vishva Samvad Kendra (VSK) has decided to submit a memorandum before the Justice K G Balakrishnan Commission appointed by the Centre in October last year to examine the issue of extending reservation to converted members of the Scheduled Castes, he added.

VSK had organised the conclave in association with the Gautam Buddha Uni-

versity, Greater Noida and Hindu Vishva, a fortnightly magazine, to deliberate on the topic, ‘Conversion and Reservation’, against the backdrop of the Centre appointing the three-member committee to look into the issue.

The event was organised at the International Convention Centre of the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.

“The conclave unani-

Gandhi of maligning India on foreign soil while praising China. Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday hit out at Gandhi for his remarks and asked the Congress leader not to betray the nation.

ful than us, how can I pick a fight with them? At the heart of the ideology is cowardice,” he said, referring to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks during an interview.

Gandhi further said that V D Savarkar has written in his book that once he and his friends beat up a Muslim man and that day they felt great happiness.

“So if five people beat up a man and one person is experiencing happiness, then this is cowardice only. If you want to fight then go fight single-handedly,” he added. The BJP has accused

“Don’t betray India, Rahul Gandhi ji. The objections to India’s foreign policy is an evidence of your scant understanding of the issue. No one will believe the lies you spread about India from foreign soil,” Thakur told reporters in New Delhi.

Thakur said Gandhi has resorted to “maligning India” from foreign soil as part of a conspiracy to hide his failures.

“Rahul Gandhi has become a storm of controversies. Be it foreign agencies, foreign channels or be it foreign soil. He does not lose a single opportunity to malign India,” Thakur said.

“His language, his thoughts, his style of functioning. Everything is suspect. This is not the first

mously reiterated that the reservation for the scheduled castes is an article of faith and shall continue. The basis for selecting caste in the schedule was the social, educational and economic backwardness,” the VHP working president told reporters here.

The VSK will prepare a memorandum for submission before the K G Balakrishnan Commission and also request for a per-

time, he has done it time and again. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he raised questions on India’s vaccines,” Thakur said.

BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya said, “Rahul Gandhi is not just delusional but devious in a mutilated manner. His ideas are dangerous for India’s sovereignty.”

Gandhi’s earlier remarks at Cambridge University that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance, has triggered a political slugfest with the BJP accusing him of denigrating India and asking if Gandhi was working as an agent on the payroll of an agency to bring down the country.

He is set to conclude his UK tour this week with an event in the House of Commons complex hosted by UK Opposition Labour Party veteran Indian-origin MP Virendra Sharma and will also

sonal hearing in the matter, Kumar said.

“We will take all possible steps to place facts before the Commission for a logical and just conclusion,” the VHP leader said.

In the coming days, the VSK and Hindu Vishva magazine will organise such conclaves in various parts of the country “to generate more inputs and support for the cause”, he said.

MYSURU, MARCH 6

(IANS): Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that he would oppose the RSS till his last breath.

“Whether I am in power or otherwise, until I am alive, I will remain opposed to the RSS,” he said.

Addressing a meeting of Congress party workers at T. Narasipur in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah stated that the RSS is opposed to an equal society and he opposes it for this reason.

“As inequality existed, social reformer Basavanna built Anubhav Mantap”. “The Anubhav Mantap of those days is the Parliament,” he said.

He said that the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha have opposed the Constitution of India and the BJP also has an anti-constitutional stand.

“If the Constitution is opposed it is as good as opposing Dr B.R. Ambekar,” he said.

“Ambedkar had warned that, if elected governments did not strive to eradicate social and economical inequalities in the society, the socially and economically weaker sections will demolish the pillars of democracy one day,” he stated. Stressing that Hindu and Hindutva are different, he said: “I am Hindu. My parents are Hindus and I worship Hindu gods. BJP MLA and National General Secretary C.T. Ravi calls me Siddramullah Khan. Does he have any respect?”

Maha farmer lights bonfire of onions in protest against govt as prices tumble

NASHIK, MAR 6 (PTI):

Distressed by the crash in prices of onions, a farmer in Nashik district of Maharashtra lit a bonfire of the crop in protest against the government’s policies and to highlight the plight of growers. The protest was held on the day of the Holika festival which is marked by the burning of bonfires in Maharashtra.

Onion cultivators are battling a crisis as the prices of the kitchen staple have taken a hit at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Lasalgaon, the largest wholesale onion market in Asia, in Nashik.

The price per kilogram of onion came down to Rs 2 to Rs 4, which angered the growers, who had stopped the auction at the APMC last week for a day.

Krishna Dongre, a farmer from Mathulthan village in Yeola taluka who burnt the onion crop cultivated on one-and-half acres of land, had printed an invitation card announcing the agitation which had gone viral on social media.

“The Union and state governments have left the

farmers to their fate. In their power struggle, they do not pay attention to whether the farmer survives or dies. This is a black day not only for Maharashtra but also for the nation as a farmer has been forced to light the bonfire of onions,” he said and blamed the policies of the government.

Farmers from nearby villages were present at the protest. The drop in onion prices has angered farmers in Nashik district as well as

Regd. No. 165/2023

in the rest of the state and they are staging agitations.

Maharashtra Rajya Kanda Utpadak Sanghatana (MRKUS) had stopped the auction of onions at Lasalgaon APMC on February 27. Similar agitations were staged in Chandwad and other parts of the district and across the state in the last week. On Sunday, angry farmers gheraoed Union minister Bharati Pawar at Shirasgaon in Niphad taluka of Nashik district.

AFFIDAVIT

Date : 06/03/2023

(CORRECTION OF NAME)

I, Mr. H. Noknyei son of Shri. T. Hongying a permanent resident of Totok Chingnyu Village, Mon, Nagaland solemnly sworn in oath as follow :-

1. That, I am an Indian citizen belonging to Konyak Naga tribe.

2. That, in some of records and other documents my name has been erroneously/wrongly entered as H. Noknyei Konyak and Noknyei which actually should have been entered as Mr. H. Noknyei son of Shri. T. Hongying.

3. That, all these names H. Noknyei Konyak, Noknyei and H. Noknyei mean the same and one person i.e H. Noknyei.

4. That, henceforth I will use only the official and correct name H. Noknyei son of T. Hongying in all of my official documents and official works.

5. That, in some of my documents my Date of Birth has been erroneously/wrongly entered as 02/05/2004, which actually should have been entered as 02/07/2003.

6. That, henceforth I will use only the official and correct Date of Birth i.e 02/07/2003 in all of my documents and official works.

7. That, the statements made in Para 1 to Para 6 are true to the best of my conscience and knowledge.

DEPONENT

Solemnly sworn in before the Magistrate/Notary on 6th day of March 2023.

dp-887/23(a)

Magistrate/Public Notary

AFFIDAVIT (CORRECTION OF NAME)

I, Heihlem. H daughter of Shri. T. Hongying a permanent resident of Totok Chingnyu Village, Mon, Nagaland solemnly sworn in oath as follow :-

1. That, I am an Indian citizen belonging to Konyak Naga tribe.

2. That, in some of records and other documents my name has been erroneously/wrongly entered as H. Heihlem Konyak and Heihlem which actually should have been entered as Heihlem H daugher of Shri. T. Hongying.

3. That, all these names H. Heihlem Konyak, Heihlem and Heihlem. H mean the same and one person i.e Heihlem. H.

4. That, henceforth I will use only the official and correct name Heihlem. H daughter of T. Hongying in all of my official documents and official works.

5. That, the statements made in Para 1 to Para 4 are true to the best of my conscience and knowledge.

Siddaramaiah

Rahul Gandhi

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inaugurates the extension of Ashram flyover, in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

Harassingoppnleadersbyconductingraidsagainstthemnotright:Kejriwal

At the heart of BJP’s ideology is ‘cowardice’: Rahul

Farmers set fire to onion crop in Nashik.

SNIPPETS

Schoolgirl gangraped in UP

ALIGARH (UP), MAR 6 (PTI): A 15-yearold schoolgirl was allegedly raped by five men in Chandaus area here, police said. The incident happened on Friday when the girl was on her way home from school, they said. Senior Superintendent of Police, Kalanidhi Naithani said that the three people including the main accused who belongs to the same village as the victim have been arrested. In her complaint, the victim alleged that the incident took place on March 3 in a deserted spot when she was returning to her village from school, police said.

Shopkeeper offers free beer cans on purchase of smartphones in UP

BHADOHI (UP), MAR 6 (PTI): A shopkeeper was arrested here on Monday for disturbing public peace when a large crowd started gathering at his shop after he announced a scheme offering two beer cans free on the purchase of a smartphone, police said. The shop of the accused has been sealed, they said. Station House Officer, Kotwali police station, Ajay Kumar Seth said Rajesh Maurya, who runs a mobile phone shop at Chauri Road, publicised through posters, pamphlets and announcements that he will give two cans of beer free to anyone who buys an Android smartphone from his shop between March 3 and 7.

2.60 lakh imported cigarettes seized

AMRITSAR, MAR 6 (PTI): The customs department has seized 11 bags containing over 2.60 lakh pieces of super slim imported cigarettes worth around Rs 29.5 lakh at Shri Guru Ramdas International Airport here, officials said on Monday. The bag reached here on Sunday on a flight from Dubai, they said. According to an official statement, “The bags were with the airline’s staffers as ‘rush bags’ and on noticing some suspicious images on scanning, one bag was opened and it was found containing the imported cigarettes.” The airline staffers informed the customs department that two passengers travelled by the same flight the previous day from Dubai but these bags didn’t arrive with them.

2 held for stealing Rs

40L from Delhi man

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): Two people were arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 40 lakh from a man in north Delhi’s Kotwali area, police said on Monday. Akash (25) and Abhishek (28) were identified through CCTV camera footage and were nabbed while they were about to leave for Shimla, they said. Of the stolen amount, 38 lakhs have been recovered from their possession, police said.

The accused targeted motorcyclists carrying bags full of cash. They used to follow and steal them.

Man arrested for setting wife on fire

NOIDA, MAR 6 (PTI):

The Noida Police has arrested a 33-year-old man for allegedly setting his wife on fire in an inebriated condition following an argument, officials said on Monday. The accused, Yadvendra Yadav, who works as a gardener at a farmhouse near Wajidpurpur village had immolated his wife Vineeta at their home in Sector 135, under Expressway police station limits on March 2, they said.

Future conflicts unpredictable: Rajnath

ONBOARD INS

VIKRANT, MAR 6 (PTI):

In a projection of India’s growing maritime prowess, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday addressed the top naval commanders onboard the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea and witnessed a mega wargame, amid China’s increasing military posturing in the Indian Ocean region.

As the 43,000-tonne steel behemoth, accompanied by a fleet of over 20 frontline frigates, destroyers and submarines, sailed across the high seas, Singh, sitting inside the Main Briefing Room of the 262-metre-long and 59-metre-tall ship, said that maintaining a “constant vigil” on the northern and western borders as well as the coastline was of paramount importance.

In his address at the inaugural session of the naval commanders’ conference, the defence minister complimented the force for “standing firm” and protecting national interests with courage and dedication while noting that future conflicts will be

unpredictable and the armed forces must be ready to deal with emerging challenges.

Before addressing the commanders at the biannual naval conference, Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other naval commanders witnessed a mega wargame involving Vikrant, the accompanying ships and almost all attack aircraft including MiG-29K deck-

Migrant workers issue: Chirag Paswan demands probe

CHENNAI, MAR 6 (PTI): Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday demanded a thorough probe regarding the alleged attack on Bihar migrant workers and bring the culprits to book, and ensure a hospitable atmosphere for the workforce in Tamil Nadu.

The present crisis would not have occurred had Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar worked for the betterment and development of the state. People would not have gone out of Bihar in search of employment, he claimed.

Meanwhile, the four-member official delegation from Bihar that visited Tirupur on Sunday travelled to neighbouring Coimbatore, which too has a sizeable number of migrant worker population. D Balamurugan, Bihar Rural development Secretary, said the alleged fake videos of attack on migrant workers

Chirag Paswan

had created panic among the labourers. In Chennai, Paswan said, “I am not here to politicise the issue or blame anyone. If the videos on the attack on the Bihari guest workers are untrue, then who has spread the rumours and trying to divide the people and the country on lingual basis? Those responsible for the attacks, if they had happened, or those spreading the rumours should be put behind bars,” Paswan told reporters here. The Lok Sabha MP from Jamui said his visit to Tamil Nadu was specifically to express solidarity with the guest workers. He later submitted a memorandum on the issue to State Governor R N Ravi.

based jets. “It is a historic occasion,” Admiral Kumar told reporters.

In his remarks, Rajnath Singh said that the defence sector will transform the country’s economy. He exhorted the commanders to continue focussing on turistic capability development to effectively overcome the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain.

Australian PM to visit India

NEW DELHI, MAR 6

(PTI): India is likely to announce significant investments in the rare earth sector in Australia during the visit of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese here beginning Wednesday.

Albanese, who arrives in Ahmedabad on Wednesday when India celebrates Holi, is also expected to participate in the festival of colours, watch the India-Australia cricket test match with PM Narendra Modi before heading for Mumbai to engage with the business community and later to Delhi for bilateral talks.

“KABIL is set to make a significant investment in the rare earth sector in Australia, a move welcomed by the Australian government and Indian government, particularly by the business community,” Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell told reporters here.

“In the next 5-10 years, orders worth over USD 100 billion are expected to be placed through the defence sector and it will become a major partner in the economic development of the country,” he said.

“Today, our defence sector is on the runway, soon when it takes off, it will transform the country’s economy,” he added.

The Chief of Naval Staff said all policy decisions, acquisitionrelated matters and force planning are being discussed at the commanders’ conference. “The aim of the conference is to review what are the challenges, where we stand, what are the gaps and how we can take things forward,” he said.

The assets which were deployed during Monday’s drills included warships from the Eastern as well as Western fleets.

Officials said the wargame marked the end of the three-month-long Tropex exercise, billed as the largest ever such drill carried out by the Navy, that was launched in December to test the force’s overall operational capability in

Before British 70% Indians were educated: RSS chief

view of the evolving regional security matrix.

Two prototypes of the naval variant of indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft also demonstrated their swift landing on the deck of the sprawling aircraft carrier that was commissioned into the Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September last.

The decision to hold the first phase of the commanders’ conference onboard INS Vikrant is a “pretty significant move,” a top military official said, hinting that it is a power projection in the face of Chinese assertiveness. Built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore, INS Vikrant has a sophisticated air defence network and anti-ship missile systems and the capacity to hold 30 fighter jets and helicopters. At the commissioning ceremony of the vessel, Prime Minister Modi called it a “floating city” and said that it is a reflection of India becoming self-reliant in defence. The flight deck of the carrier is equal to almost two football grounds, said an official.

KARNAL (HARYANA),

MAR 6

(PTI):

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has accused the British rulers of ruining India’s education system and said “70 per cent” of the population was literate before they dominated the country.

Bhagwat addressed a gathering here on Sunday after inaugurating a multispecialty hospital at the Aatam Manohar Jain Aradhana Mandir complex.

“...Before British rulers dominated this country, 70 per cent of our population was literate, educated. And on the basis of that education, everyone used to find ways to earn their livelihood and unemployment was almost negligible,” he said.

“At that time, as per the education system prevalent in England, their literacy rate then was around 17 per cent. After the British came, they dumped our education model here but implemented it in their own country...,” the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader said.

He said the education system which existed in

Mohan Bhagwat

India when the British started to rule the country not only made people selfreliant and employable, but was also a medium of knowledge. But the British rulers ruined that system, Bhagwat said.

The RSS chief also stressed on the importance of health and education for all in society, underlining that these should reach everyone and be affordable.

He claimed that earlier, people used to take to these two sectors as a sense of duty but in the present time, these have become businesses.

Bhagwat also lauded the work done by Aatam Manohar Muni Ashram.

Youth key to India becoming 3rd largest economy: PM

AHMEDABAD, MAR

6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said skilling the youth holds the key to India becoming the third-largest economy in the world from the fifth now and asserted his government is committed to ensure benefits of skill development reach all sections of society, including Dalits and tribals.

The PM said the focus of his government is to create maximum employment opportunities through infrastructure and development projects and by giving fillip to manufacturing, while sectors neglected since the country’s independence, too, are getting covered under the Centre’s push for job creation.

Virtually addressing a “Rozgar Mela”, or employment fair, organised by the Gujarat government at the Mahatma Mandir convention centre in Gandhinagar, Modi said nearly 1.5 lakh youth were

Narendra Modi (PTI)

given government jobs in the state during the last five years and 25,000 more such positions will be made available in 2023.

The PM emphasised on the need to create a skilled workforce on a large scale to tap growing opportunities in various sectors.

“For the new opportunities being created in the country, we need to create skilled manpower on a large scale. India can achieve the target of becoming the third-largest economy only by skilling its youth,” he said.

India became the world’s fifth-largest

Dharmendra Pradhan launches online BSc offered by IIT-Madras

NEW DELHI, MAR 6 (PTI): Union Education Minister Dharmendra

Pradhan Monday launched a four-year online programme -- Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems -- which will be offered by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.

Students will be able to enrol for the course without taking the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). It will be done through an in-built fourweek qualifier process.

“In this era of innovation and research when we are coming up with initiatives like digital university, this new-age

course will give further impetus to enhancing the reach of quality and affordable education to the last mile as well as boosting employability,” Pradhan said at the launch.

He also suggested IITMadras to design a basic module for all those who aspire to equip themselves with relevant skills in the digital and electronics ecosystem.

“India should not just remain a consumer of technology but also build its own manpower. This online course by IIT-Madras will serve the dual purpose of improving the competencies

of our existing workforce and preparing the workforce of the future,” Pradhan added.

According to IITMadras officials, students who are in class 12 in 2023 can apply and secure admission to the programme after they successfully clear the board exams.

“Students pursuing any other academic program currently (as permitted under current UGC regulations) or working professionals can also apply and upskill themselves in this area. The programme comprises a mix of theory and laboratory courses that will be taught by IIT-Madras faculty and experts in the industry.

“As part of the courses, students will be provided with recorded video lectures, reading materials, weekly assessments, tutorials and interactive doubt-clearing sessions, all of which can be done online. The laboratory courses require the students

Govt to push bill to remove 65 obsolete laws in Parl: Rijiju

PANAJI, MAR 6 (PTI):

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government would push a bill in the Parliament session, which will resume on March 13, to repeal 65 more obsolete laws and other such provisions.

Addressing the 23rd Commonwealth Law Conference in Goa, the minister informed that more than 4.98 crore cases are pending in various courts in India and the pendency would be handled using technology, with a “paperless judiciary” being the ultimate aim of the government.

“Today, in every part of our country, every citizen is a beneficiary of the welfare steps taken by

Kiren Rijiju

the Government of India. As a welfare state, it is very important that we listen to every individual,” he said.

Rijiju said the Modi government has been at the forefront of taking various steps, especially in creating “ease of living” for common citizens. “Policies of the government regarding the ease of living are successful,” he said. The law minister said the government believes that laws are for the people

and if laws become obstacles and compliances become a burden on the lives of people, then such provisions must be done away with.

“In the last eightand-a-half years, we have removed 1,486 obsolete and redundant laws. In the ongoing budget session, which will resume on March 13, I am going to push a bill to remove another 65 bills (laws) and other provisions that are obsolete,” he added.

Rijiju said the government wants a reduction in the pendency of the cases. “More than 4 crore 98 lakh cases are pending in various courts of India. It is not easy to reduce the pendency simply because new cases are double the number of cases being

disposed of. Indian Judges are working extraordinarily hard but it is becoming more challenging,” he added.

The minister said, in normal circumstances, a judge handles 50-60 cases a day on average. “Some judges have disposed of 200 cases in a day but the pendency of cases is on the rise”.

Rijiju said the government is using technology to handle this situation. “We have started e-courts and special projects-phase III,.. our ultimate target is to make Indian Judiciary paperless,” he said, adding that the government is also exploring other dispute redressal mechanisms like arbitration and mediation.

economy last year. “We are trying to see that benefits of skill development reach each and every section of society, be it Dalits, tribals or women. We are focussing on how everyone gets equal opportunity to grow,” he said.

According to Modi, his government’s “holistic approach” of development is creating a large number of jobs in the country.

“Today, nearly 90,000 start-ups are functioning in the country, that too in tier-II and tier-III cities. Apart from creating new employment opportunities, these start-ups are inspiring lakhs of youths to take up self-employment. The government is providing them financial assistance without any bank guarantee,” the PM pointed out.

In his address to the gathering through video conference, Modi highlighted schemes like Pradhan Mantri MUDRA

to be mandatorily present in person at IIT Madras for about two weeks every semester,” a senior official said.

The programme also features multiple exits and the students can get a Foundational Level Certificate, Diploma or the Bachelor of Science degree.

“This is the second online BSc programme launched by IIT-Madras following the Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science and Applications, which is currently being pursued by 17,000 students,” the official said.

Yojana and Stand-Up India and said they have helped in promoting self-employment in the country.

The PM said the focus of this government is to create employment opportunities even in those sectors which have remained neglected after the country’s independence.

Turning his attention to his home state, Modi said nearly 18 lakh youths received jobs through employment exchanges during the last few years in Gujarat, ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“During the last five years, the Gujarat government gave jobs to 1.5 lakh youths. Moreover, nearly 18 lakh youths received jobs through employment exchanges during the last few years in Gujarat... I am told the Gujarat government has planned to give government jobs to 25,000 youths this year,” said the PM.

Rajnath Singh (PTI)

Dharmendra Pradhan

SNIPPETS

Fire at Rohingya camp in B’desh leaves refugees homeless

COX BAZAR, MAR 6

(AP): A massive fire at a crammed camp for Rohingya Muslims in southern Bangladesh has left thousands of the refugees homeless, a fire official and the United Nations said.

No casualties were reported at Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar district on Sunday, said Emdadul Haque, a fire service official.

The UNHCR in Bangladesh said in a tweet that Rohingya refugee volunteers responded to the fire with the agency and its partners providing support. It provided no further details.

More than 1 million

Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar over several decades, including about 740,000 who crossed the border starting in August 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown.

PPP says ‘too difficult’ to support Sharif-led govt if flood promises to Sindh not fulfilled

ISLAMABAD, MAR 6

(PTI): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said it will be “too difficult” for his party to remain part of the federal government if the Centre does not fulfil its promises of providing much-need relief to flood victims in Sindh province.

These reservations were expressed by the PPP chairman in his address after inaugurating

“Subsidy Progra mme: Reimbursement for Wheat Seed” on Sunday, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Under the programme, Bhutto-Zardari, whose party rules in Sindh province, transferred Rs 8.39 billion from the provincial budget to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for disbursement of Rs 5,000 per acre to each small grower holding up to 12 acres of agricultural land.

Fire danger rises in Aus state amid severe weather conditions

SYDNEY, MAR 6 (IANS): Hot, windy and mostly dry weather conditions over the eastern and northern parts of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have led to rising fire dangers from Monday through Wednesday.

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said that as of 6.30 p.m. on Monday, there were 38 bush and grass fires, reports Xinhua news agency.

Total fire bans are now in place for multiple regions across NSW, with three bushfires and one grass fire still yet to be contained, including two at emergency warning levels.

Danish defence ministry bans TikTok on employee work phones

COPENHAGEN, MAR 6 (AP): NATO-member

Denmark’s Defence Ministry on Monday banned its employees from having video-sharing app TikTok on their work phones as a cybersecurity measure.

It’s the latest government-related ban over security and data privacy for the app, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. In a statement, the ministry said the Scandinavian country’s Centre for Cyber Security had assessed there was a risk of espionage, and said that TikTok “asks for certain rights and access on the device”.

Residents say Myanmar army killed 17 people in 2 villages

BANGKOK, MAR 6 (AP): Soldiers in Myanmar rampaged through several villages, raping, beheading and killing at least 17 people, residents said, in the latest of what critics of the ruling military say are a series of war crimes since the army seized power two years ago.

The bodies of 17 people were recovered last week in the villages of Nyaung Yin and Tar Taing — also called Tatai — in Sagaing region in central Myanmar, according to members of the anti-government resistance and a resident who lost his wife. They said the victims had been detained by the military and in some cases appeared to have been tortured before being killed.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military’s February 2021 seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi prompted nationwide peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with deadly force.

The violence triggered widespread armed resistance, which has since turned into what some U.N. experts have characterised as a civil war. The army has

South African leader grapples with ever-worsening power cuts

JOHANNESBURG, MAR

dismembered, with his head cut off, they said.

The neighbouring villages are about 45 kilometers (28 miles) west of the major city of Mandalay.

Tar Taing resident Moe Kyaw, 42, survived the attack but said his 39-yearold wife, Pan Thwal, and 18-year-old nephew were among those killed.

Contacted by phone, he said Friday they were among 70 villagers detained in the middle of the night last Wednesday by soldiers who shot into the air as they herded their captives from their homes to the local Buddhist monastery.

6 (AP): South Africa’s everworsening power crisis — in which homes and businesses go without electricity for up to 10 hours per day — is strangling Africa’s most developed economy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes that by creating a new Cabinet post, electricity minister, his government will be able to curb the rampant corruption and mismanagement that have put the country in the dark.

Ramaphosa is to name the new minister in a reshuffle later Monday.

been conducting major offensives in the countryside, including burning villages and driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

It has faced some of its toughest resistance in Sagaing, in Myanmar’s historic heartland. The soldiers involved in last week’s attacks were in a group of more than 90 who were brought to the area by five

BERLIN, MAR 6 (AP):

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says there would be “consequences” if China sent weapons to Russia for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, but he is fairly optimistic that Beijing will refrain from doing so.

Scholz’s comments came in an interview with CNN that aired on Sunday, two days after he met US President Joe Biden in Washington. US officials have warned recently that China could step off the sidelines and begin providing arms and ammunition to Moscow. Ahead of his

trip, Scholz had urged Beijing to refrain from sending weapons and instead use its influence to press Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Asked by CNN if he could imagine sanctioning China if it did aid Russia, Scholz replied: “I think it would have consequences, but we are now in a stage

helicopters on Feb. 23, said local leaders of the prodemocracy People’s Defense Forces and independent Myanmar media. They said the bodies of 14 people, including three women, were found Thursday on a small island in a river in Nyaung Yin. Three more male victims were found in Tar Taing, including two members of the local resistance.

One of the two was

where we are making clear that this should not happen, and I am relatively optimistic that we will be successful with our request in this case, but we will have to look at (it) and we have to be very, very cautious.” He did not elaborate on the nature of the consequences. Germany has Europe’s biggest economy and China has been its single biggest trading partner in recent years. He did not address the sanctions question.

Von der Leyen said that “we have no evidence for this so far, but we must observe it every day”.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 6

(PTI): Hours after Pakistan’s media regulator banned broadcasts of ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s speeches, the private ARY TV news channel was taken off air on Monday for airing his address a day earlier.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Sunday night banned satellite television channels from broadcasting live and recorded speeches of the 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician after Islamabad police failed to arrest him.

ARY is not currently available and instead a message is benign shown on it

about ban by the regulator.

The ARY channel is considered sympathetic towards Khan and action had been taken against the broadcaster in the past as well.

“It has been observed that Mr Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-

COLOMBO, MAR 6

(PTI): Sri Lanka’s election commission on Monday said that the new date for the cash-strapped country’s local election will be announced after receiving a guarantee from the Treasury on the funds required to hold it.

The local body polls scheduled for March 9 were postponed due to a plethora of reasons linked to the country’s current economic crisis.

“We have asked to meet the Treasury Secretary, the inspector general of police and the government printer,” the chair of the independent Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa said on Monday. The new date will be announced with a guarantee from the Treasury on the

money required to hold it. The meeting follows last week’s order by the Supreme Court on the Secretary Treasury to release the budgetary allocation made for conducting of the poll for 340 local councils in the 2023 budget.

The election to appoint new administrations to 340 local councils for a four-year term has been postponed since March last year due to the ongoing economic crisis. The election scheduled for March 9 and the postal

Moe Kyaw said the soldiers stole beer and other items from his aunt’s small shop, and as they beat her, he fled for his life, escaping two soldiers who shot at him. He said his wife and other villagers were tortured at the monastery and then taken away from the village, apparently as hostages against any attack.

He said his wife and two other women were beaten, raped and shot dead on Thursday by the soldiers, who also took his spouse’s earrings.

The new minister will focus solely on dealing with the crippling power cuts, Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation address last month, when he declared a state of disaster to deal with the electricity shortages affecting the country’s 60 million people.

While Ramaphosa is expected to also announce the appointment of a new deputy president in the reshuffle and deal with Cabinet ministers who have openly challenged him, the naming of a minister to try to resolve the electricity shortage is what everyone is talking about.

South Africa’s state-

owned power utility Eskom has implemented rolling power cuts across the nation for years but 2022 was the worst and 2023 has started with even longer outages and no solution in sight.

As a result of the extensive power cuts, South Africa’s central bank now forecasts GDP growth to be just 0.3 per cent in 2023.

Eskom, which marks its 100th anniversary this month, is struggling with the frequent breakdowns of many of its aging coalfired power stations. The biggest problem is corruption in which at least four gangs are draining the company of USD 50 million per month, Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter said recently. His scathing indictment in a television interview of the government’s inability to curb the corruption

led to his immediate resignation. The power cuts are the biggest threat to South Africa’s economy, said Mark Swilling, co-director of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University.

South Africa’s economy is in decline due to the wide-ranging effects that the power crisis was having on businesses, he said.

“The combination of rising interest rates and loadshedding is simply making things worse, so our economy is indeed in decline,” Swilling told The Associated Press. The naming of a new electricity minister is a positive step, said Swilling. “It is encouraging that the president will now have someone to focus specifically on dealing with the crisis, and people will expect to see actual results,” he said.

India ready to help B’desh with its defence efforts: Envoy

DHAKA, MAR 6 (PTI): India is ready to help Bangladesh with its defence modernisation efforts and has identified defence industry cooperation with Dhaka as an emerging focus area of the bilateral partnership, including joint development and production, India’s envoy here has said.

The Indian High Commission here on Sunday organised a seminar here on Indian defence equipment to promote defence industry cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

Speaking at the event, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma identified defence industry cooperation be -

public peace and tranquillity,” read an order by Pemra.

It said airing of hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statements against state institutions is “in sheer violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and a judgment of the Supreme Court”.

Insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously...levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb

getting

voting scheduled for February 22, 23 and 24 did not take place as the government printer was not able to print the ballot papers for postal voting.

The main opposition SJB went to the Supreme Court seeking a court order on the officials to cooperate with the Election Commission to hold the poll. The Elections Commission said the new date for the poll would be announced this week after having the necessary consultations with the relevant officials.

The SJB alleged that President Ranil Wickremesinghe was bearing pressure as the minister of finance to block the money required for the poll as Wickremesinghe feared losing the poll.

It has been observed that such content was telecasted by TV channels without effective utilisation of time-delay mechanism in violation of provisions of PEMRA laws as well as judgments of the apex courts, the regulator added.

“Therefore, the competent authority i.e. Chairman PEMRA...hereby prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of speech(s)/

Japan to uphold key postwar apology: Kishida

TOKYO, MAR 6 (IANS): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday said that his government will uphold a key postwar apology, previously issued by the country following South Korea providing a solution to a protracted wartime labour row. Kishida said Japan will stand by an apology that was issued by then PM Tomiichi Murayama in a statement in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WW II. The statement has been mentioned by successive Japanese cabinets as the government’s basic stance, although the terminology, particularly with reference to the word “remorse”, has not always remained the same, which has drawn the ire of Japan’s neighbours who were victims of its wartime aggression.

tween the two countries as an emerging focus area of their defence partnership, a press release by the High Commission said.

Verma highlighted the accomplishments of Indian’s defence industry over the last decade driven by the “Make in India, Make for

press talks (recorded or live) of Mr Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect,” read the PEMRA order.

It also directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that impartial editorial boards be constituted, as required under Clause 17 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015, to ensure their platforms are not used for airing contemptuous remarks or hateful or prejudicial statement against state institutions or in the interest of public law and order.

Pemra warned the TV channels that their license would be suspended in case of non-compliance.

the World” vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The High Commissioner invited Bangladesh Armed Forces to benefit from India’s cost-effective, high-quality defence equipment and technology and proposed joint development and production.

He expressed Delhi’s readiness to partner with Dhaka in its defence modernisation through the USD 500 million Defence Line of Credit extended by the Indian government to the Bangladeshi government and urged the defence industry on both sides to take full advantage of this arrangement.

Chief of General Staff

(CGS) of the Bangladesh Army, Lt. Gen. Ata-ul Hakim Sarwar Hasan, attended the event and made keynote remarks along with Verma. Hasan also praised India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and proposed cooperation between the two sides for a closer defence industry partnership, the press release said. Several key Indian defence manufacturers, from the public and the private sectors, participated and presented their defence products and platforms. Representatives from Bangladesh Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, and law enforcement agencies also attended the seminar.

No.BB/2484/2023/2 Brahmaputra

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE

GENERAL MANAGER : DISTRICT INDUSTRIES CENTRE KOHIMA ::: NAGALAND

NO.DIC/K/ TRG-01/2004 Dated Kma, the 6th March 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

NO.DIC/K/TRG-01/2004: Applications in plain paper along with bio-data and the attested copies of requisite documents are hereby invited from the intending candidates having a minimum educational qualification of (a) for forward tribe Graduate and above (b) for backward tribe PU passed and above to undergo 12 (Twelve) months training course at District Industries Centre, Kohima for the session 2023-2024 in the following trade; STENOGRAPHY.

The last date for receive of application is 24-03-2023. Interview will be conducted on 29-03-2023 at 10:30 AM in the office chamber of General Manager, DIC, Kohima. Candidates should bring Educational/Testimonial Certificates in original at the time of interview.

Neither separate calling letter nor TA/DA will be given.

Selected candidates will be awarded a monthly stipend as admissible. The programme is purely for self-employment and no job guarantee assured on completion of the training.

The training period will commence effectively from 3rd April 2023.

(Kilenkala)

Functional Manager(Admn.) District Industries Centre, Kohima

Villagers transport dead body through a cart.

Pranay Verma

Scholz warns of ‘consequences’ if China sends arms to Russia

Olaf Scholz

Imran Khan

‘SL to hold local poll after

guarantee on funds from Treasury’

Nimal Punchihewa

SNIPPETS

China premier Li bows out as Xi loyalists take reins

BEIJING, MAR 6 (AP): After a decade in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s shadow, Li Keqiang is taking his final bow as the country’s premier, marking a shift away from the skilled technocrats who have helped steer the world’s second-biggest economy in favor of officials known mainly for their unquestioned loyalty to China’s most powerful leader in recent history.

Ukraine unyielding in Bakhmut as Russian troops close in

Li Keqiang

After exiting the ruling Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee in October — despite being below retirement age — Li’s last major task was delivering the state of the nation address to the rubber-stamp parliament on Monday.

9 policemen killed in Pak suicide attack

KARACHI, MAR 6 (PTI): At least nine policemen were killed and 13 others injured on Monday when a suicide bomber rammed his motorcycle into a police van in the restive Balochistan province, in the latest attack on the security personnel in Pakistan.

The van carrying soldiers of the Balochistan Constabulary was hit by the motorcyclist laden with explosives in the mountainous region of Kunbri in Bolan, police said.

KYIV, MAR 6 (AP): Ukrainian military leaders are determined to hold onto Bakhmut, Kyiv officials said Monday, even as Russian forces continued to encroach on the devastated eastern Ukrainian city that they have sought to capture for six months at the cost of thousands of lives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office said he chaired a meeting with military officials during which the country’s top brass advocated strengthening Ukrainian positions there.

Intense Russian shelling targeted the Donetsk region city and nearby villages as Moscow deployed more resources there in an apparent bid to finish off Bakhmut’s resistance, ac -

A Ukrainian tank drives towards frontline positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine on March 4, 2023. (AP) cording to local officials.

“Civilians are fleeing the region to escape Russian shelling continuing round the clock as additional Russian troops and weapons are being deployed there,” Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Russian forces that invaded Ukraine just over a

South Korean plan aims to heal forced labour feud with Japan

SEOUL, MAR 6 (AP):

year ago have been bearing down on Bakhmut for months, putting Kyiv’s troops on the defensive but unable to deliver a knockout blow. More broadly, Russia continues to experience difficulty generating battlefield momentum.

Moscow’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, soon stalled and then was pushed back by a Ukraine counteroffensive. Over the bitterly cold winter months, the fighting has largely been deadlocked.

Bakhmut doesn’t have any major strategic value, and analysts say its possible fall is unlikely to bring a turning point in the conflict. Its importance has become psychological — for Russian President Vladimir Putin, prevailing there will finally deliver some good news from the battlefield, while for Kyiv the display of grit and defiance reinforces a message that Ukraine was holding on after a year of brutal attacks to cement support among its Western allies.

South Korea took a step toward improving ties with its traditional rival Japan on Monday, announcing a plan to compensate Koreans who performed forced labour during Tokyo’s colonial rule that doesn’t require Japanese companies to contribute to the reparations.

The plan reflects conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol’s push to mend frayed ties with Japan and solidify security cooperation among Seoul, Tokyo and Washington to better cope with North Korea’s nuclear threats.

President Joe Biden quickly hailed it as “a groundbreaking new chapter” of cooperation between two of the United States’ closest allies.

Ties between Seoul and Tokyo have long been

A month after powerful quake, survivors need shelter, sanitation

ANKARA, MAR 6 (AP):

One month after a powerful quake devastated parts of Turkiye and Syria, hundreds of thousands of people still need shelter and sanitation, and an appeal for USD 1 billion to assist survivors is only 10 per cent funded, hampering efforts to tackle the humanitarian crisis, a United Nations official said Monday.

The February 6 earthquake and strong aftershocks have killed close to 47,000 people in Turkiye, destroyed or damaged around 214,000 buildings and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless

A boy sits while visiting the remains of his home in Nurdagi, Turkey on March 4, 2023.

— making it the worst disaster in Turkiye’s modern history. The UN estimates that the earthquake killed around

6,000 people in Syria, mainly in the rebel-held northwest. Close to 2 million sur-

vivors have been evacuated from the earthquake-devastated region, according to Turkish government figures. More than 1.4 million people have been settled in tents while another 46,000 have been moved to container houses. Others are living in dormitories and guesthouses, the government said.

“Given the number of people that have been relocated, given the number of people that have been injured and given the level of the devastation, we do have extensive humanitarian needs now,” Alvaro Rodriguez, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in

FELICITATION

We the Mekokla Youth Wokha Town take this privilege to congratulate Shri. Achumbemo Kikon, MLA, Elect 40 A/C Bhandari on his victory in recently concluded 14th NLA General Assembly Election 2023.

Your achievement not only brings pride and laurels to our village, but to Lothas in particular and the Nagas at large. It has been a long-awaited dream and aspiration of the people of 40 A/C.

While congratulating, the organization further wishes him good health and long life.

GRATITUDE

I am indeed grateful to the electorates of the 16th Pfütsero A/C for reposing faith in me to represent our constituency. This win is the people’s victory.

I also extend my heartiest gratitude to all my well wishers, Party workers, all ranks and files, who collectively worked tirelessly, which have accredited to the success.

As I venture into this new endeavour, let me assure you that my commitment to my constituency will be my top priority; together we will give our best for change and progress.

Above everything

I give all glory and honour to Almighty God.

complicated by grievances related to Japan’s brutal rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, when hundreds of thousands of Koreans were mobilised as forced labour-

ers for Japanese companies, or sex slaves at Tokyo’s military-run brothels during World War II. Many forced labourers are already dead and survivors are in their 90s.

Acknowledgement

Er. K Wati Independent Candidate 24 Angetyongpang A/C

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped me with my campaign. I especially want to thank the voters in 24 Angetyongpang AC who voted for me and placed their confidence in me to be their representative. I am humbled and honored.

Turkiye, told The Associated Press. “We have some provinces where up to 25 per cent of the population — we’re talking sometimes half a million people — have relocated. So the challenge we have is how do we provide food, shelter, water for these communities?” he said.

This would not have been possible without help from my family and my many friends. To the individual party workers who walked with me during the winter months when you could have been doing anything but, thank you also. In short, it was a great team effort and I am grateful for your positive outlook and support.

Though I have lost the election, I am very humbled by the support everyone has given me. Thank you all for making this possible. I look forward to serving the people of 24 Angetyongpang AC for many years to come.

mkc-81/23

CONGRATULATIONS

The office of the Tuophema Village Students' Union (TVSU) would like to heartily congratulate our elected candidates to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Sd/- Sd/Sentsudy B Yanthan Chenithung Odyuo President Gen. Secretary

APPRECIATION

With profound gratitude, I would like to thank Shri. Neiphiu Rio, the hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland and Shri. N. Chingwang Konyak the President NDPP Nagaland and all rank and files of NDPP for placing firm conviction in me and rendering the NDPP party ticket to me for the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election, 2023.

I also take the privilege to acknowledge and thank the NDPP party leaders and voters of 48th MOKA constituency for believing and supporting me through thick and thin and electing me for the fourth consecutive term to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly since 2003. I acknowledge and respect the mandate of the people for choosing its representative and take the pleasure in congratulating Shri. Nyamnyei Konyak, the MLA-Elect for getting to represent the people of 48th MOKA constituency and wish him best for the tenure.

It is my urge to my party members and supporters not to be stranded, but believing that we will continue our vision and come back stronger.

God bless us all.

The union further extend its prayer and wish that our Almighty God grant his wisdom and guidance as you pledge to serve our people.

S/d S/d Seyiekuolie Sanchu Medongunuo Seyie President (TVSU) General Secretary (TVSU)

INAUGURATION OF NEW BUILDING OF PRINTING & STATIONERY, BRANCH PRESS CHUMOUKEDIMA

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Newly constructed Office building of Printing & Stationery Branch Press Chumoukedima was inaugurated on the 4th March 2023 by Shri. Neituolie Phewhuo Director of Printing and Stationery. The programme was chaired by Shri.Vilekho Kechu, Dy. Director, Technical report by Shri. Jongpongtoshi, Jt. Director and speech on behalf of the Department was delivered by the Director. In his speech the Director thanked the Government and the former Advisor Shri. H. Haiying for supporting and upgrading the department. Lastly the programme was concluded through mass benediction.

Dr. Neisatuo Mero

Shri. Achumbemo Kikon

Smti Hekani Jakhalu Kense Shri Neiphiu Rio Shri Zhaleo Rio

John Legend says wife Chrissy jealous of his India trip; to return with family

Grammy Award winner John Legend who came to India for a music-concert on March 4 and 5 has performed with rapper Raja Kumari during the musical tour.

The duo wrote the song ‘Keep Walking’ together late last year but performed it for the first time in front of the Indian audiences.

John came to India on a brief trip for the gig but left his wife Chrissy Teigen jealous with the trip. He told IANS that she wants to come back to India with the family soon too.

“In the age of the Internet, while the craft of the music is more defined and categorical than ever, the soul in our music largely seems to be missing,” John said, adding: “It’s because

the songs which are made for the masses are designed keeping all aspects of social media in mind to make it commercially rewarding.”

John performed with Raja Kumari as a part of Walkers and Co Tour -- a platform that celebrates the bold boundary pushers through communities, cocreations, and collaborations driving the message

‘GOT’ star Peter Dinklage to lead cast of dark western ‘The Thicket’

find it,” he said. When asked how his touring schedule looks for this year, John said: “I’ll be playing solo for most of this year. Having just released my Solo Piano Version of ‘LEGEND’, I love playing the music in its simplest, most intimate form. It allows me to connect more deeply with my audience and I love sharing more of my life and my stories with them.”

of ‘Keep Walking’. “ ... I think there’s still so much beautiful, soulful music being made right now. But sometimes, songs need to ‘go viral’ on social media to succeed. And the things that make something go viral aren’t necessarily the same attributes that make them good music. But I still have faith that people want to hear great music and will

MESSAGE Of GrATiTuDE Dear supporters and voters

As for what keeps him walking, John said that it’s his music that fuels his passion. “I love making music. I love writing, producing, and performing it. I’m always striving for excellence and growth creatively. I always want my next project to be my best project. That will keep me motivated to ‘Keep Walking’,” he said. (IANS)

‘Game of Thrones’ star Peter Dinklage is to star in the dark western ‘The Thicket’. He will also produce the movie which has started production in Calgary, Canada.

Peter will be joined in the cast of the Tubi Films project by Juliette Lewis, Esme Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Leslie Grace, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Macon Blair, Ned Dennehy, Andrew Schulz, Arliss Howard

and Metallica rocker James Hetfield, reports ‘Female First UK’. ‘The Thicket’, based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name, follows a young man called

Jack (Levon), who goes on an epic quest to rescue his sister Lula (Creed-Miles) after she is kidnapped by the violent killer Cut Throat Bill (Juliette) and her gang.

To rescue her, Jack enlists the help of bounty hunter Reginald Jones (Peter), the alcoholic son of an ex-slave (Gbenga) and a street-smart prostitute (Leslie). They track down Cut Throat Bill to an area known as The Big Thicket -- where blood and chaos

reigns. As per ‘Female First UK’, the movie has been a long time passion project for Peter and he has been attached to the adaptation for a decade. The flick had been in pre-production back in 2020 but was ultimately delayed due to the Covid pandemic. Peter, 53, said: “I’m so very excited to bring Joe Lansdale’s riveting story to the screen. A journey into the heart of darkness to find love and return it to its rightful place.” (IANS)

Idris on being next James Bond: ‘It’s an honour but it’s not the truth’

Actor Idris Elba is putting the 007 rumours to rest once and for all. The 50-year-old Golden Globe winner admitted that he was “nowhere” near being cast as James Bond following Daniel Craig’s exit from the franchise.

The actor said that although he is very close to the producers of the franchise, they have not explored the possibility of him stepping into

the shoes of one of the most iconic characters in cinema, reports People magazine. He recently spoke to The Guardian about the speculation that he will take on the coveted role. “I love the Bond franchise, I’m very close to the producers,” said Elba. “We were all kind of laughing about the rumours because they are just that.”

He further said, quoted by People: “I can’t speak for [the producers],

fELiCiTATiON

I Shri. C. Kipili Sangtam extend my warmest appreciation and thankfulness to all the ranks and files of National People’s Party (NPP) and to all the supporters for the immense contributions morally, financially, physically and all possible means in this 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly General Election 2023. The love and support that I received from general public under 59 Seyochung – Sitimi A/C are immense and grateful. It is my hope with sincerity that I will do my best to serve my people to lead forward.

Looking forward to the Glory of NPP.

C. Kipili Sangtam 59 Seyochung – Sitimi A/C

Satakha Union Dimapur (SUD) convey our heartiest congratulations to Shri G. Kaito Aye 36 A/C Satakha on his victory to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023. May the Almighty god grant him good health, wisdom and may he continue to serve and lead our people to greater heights, towards peace and prosperity.

HuKATO Muru OBEKA V. ZHiMO President G/Secretary SUD SUD

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but from my perspective, there’s never been any sort of truth to any of it. It’s a compliment, and it’s an honour but it’s not the truth.” Elba’s name entered the mix long before Craig’s final bow as 007 in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’, when Sony Pictures executive Amy Pascal revealed in a leaked 2014 email that she felt “Idris should be the next Bond.” (IANS)

Felicitation

The NDPP 17th Chizami A/C Youth Wing congratulates Shri. K.G. KENYE NDPP Candidate from 17th Chizami A/C for coming out with flying colours in the concluded Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023 to the 14th Nagaland Legislative House. The Youth wing wish him to have more wisdom, good health and a long life.

R. P. Domeh Muleto Lohe President General Secretary NDPP 17th Chizami A/C NDPP 17th Chizami A/C Youth Wing Youth Wing k-433/23

All glory and honour to our Almighty God for His faithfulness and immeasurable blessings bestowed upon me.

I am extremely grateful to all my supporters and well-wishers of 49 Tamlu AC for electing me as their representative to the 14 th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Your trust and unflinching support through thick and thin have been the driving force behind our victory. I assure you that I will work tirelessly to fulfil my duties and responsibilities with utmost dedication and sincerity for the betterment of our State and my constituency in particular.

As I embark upon a new journey from now on, I humbly beseech the prayer supports and encouragement from my people in order to fruitfully serve our people.

God bless us all.

B. Bangtick Phom 49th Tamlu Assembly Constituency

La Liga: Barca move 9 pts clear after narrow win

Busquets’ pass in the 15th minute was enough to give Barca all three points for another belowpar performance, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ferran Torres hit a 54th-minute penalty against the woodwork against his former club, and Ansu Fati also hit the post as Barca looked to double their lead before Ronald Araujo was sent off for a direct red card in the 59th minute after bringing down Hugo Duro when he was clean through on goal.

Valencia were unlucky not to get a penalty five minutes from time when Franck Kessie looked to have fouled Fran Perez on the edge of the Barca area, only for the referee to give a corner. Barca’s win put the pressure on Real Madrid, who kicked off their visit to fifth-place Betis 10 points off the top of the table.

Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells amid visa row

NEW DELHI, MAR 6

(IANS): World no. 1 Novak

Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells tournament, the organisers said on Monday, which indicates that the Serbs’ application for special permission to enter the US might have been denied.

The Serbian great asked American authorities last month for special permission to enter the United States despite being unvaccinated against the coronavirus.

“World No 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. With his withdrawal, Nikoloz Basilashvili moves into the field,” organisers said in a statement. Unvaccinated air travellers are still prohibited from entering the States until the middle of May. The US vaccine requirement for foreign is not expected to be lifted before the main draw begins at Indian Wells and

Serie A: Roma end Juve’s unbeaten run

ROME, MAR 6 (IANS): Juventus saw their unbeaten run come to an end as they fell to Roma 1-0 in Serie A, with Moise Kean being sent off seconds after coming off the bench.

Roma were in dire need of a boost after a shock defeat against Cremonese last week, while Juventus were on an unbeaten run of seven games in all competitions, reports Xinhua news agency.

the Miami Open later in the month. The 22-time grand slam winner was hopeful of playing in Indian Wells, which starts on Monday, and the Miami Open. His bid to enter the US had even been backed by the US Open and the United States Tennis Association, who had implored the government to make an exception for the tennis great.

Djokovic’s vaccination status led to him missing both the Australian Open and US Open last year.

Office O f the

Juve dominated the game and hit the woodwork three times, but it was Roma that tipped the balance of the tie in the 53rd minute when Gianluca Mancini collected the ball outside the box and immediately unleashed a missile that flew beyond Wojciech Szczesny.

Mancini was involved in Juve being a player down in the dying minutes as Kean, who had just come off the bench, kicked out at the defender after a tussle. With the win, Roma climbed to fourth place with 47 points, leading AC Milan by virtue of a superior goal

thiLiXU ViLLAGe StUDeNtS' UNiON

3rd Mile, chumoukedima-797103 Nagaland feLicitAtiON

We the Thilixu Village Students' Union convey our heartiest congratulations to the following eminent personalities on being elected to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and bringing laurels to our Village.

Gianluca Mancini celebrates

difference, while Juve still rank seventh. Elsewhere, a pair of strikes from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lautaro Martinez gave Inter Milan a 2-0 victory over Lecce. Also on Sunday, Spezia tied with Hellas Verona 0-0, while Sampdoria also played out a goalless tie with Salernitana.

The Union further wishes them success in their future endeavours.

hUKAtO chOPhY ithitO h. KiBA President, TVSU Gen. Secy., TVSU

The Sumi Totimi Hoho is honoured to extend warmest congratulations to Mrs. Hekani Jakhalu elected candidate from dimapur III Constituency and Mrs. Salhoutuonuo Kruse 8 th Western Angami constituency Kohima, for making the historic achievement of becoming the first women representative to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Their unwavering commitment to the Nagas have earned them this well-deserved honor.

May they continue to be an inspiration and make a lasting difference in the lives of those they represent in the political arena.

CONGRATULATIONS

MS. HEKANI JAKHALU

On being elected to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly

TOLUVI VILLAGE COUNCIL Congratulatory Note

The Toluvi Village Council express heartiest congratulations to Madam Hekani Jakhalu, D/o Late Lt. Col Suhoi Jakhalu and Mrs Kakheli Jakhalu of Toluvi Village on being the first woman to create history in Nagaland to be elected MLA of 14 th Nagaland Legislative Assembly under 3 Dimapur III Assembly Constituency.

Creating new chapter begins for Nagaland political landscape, Madam, you have always dreamed of serving people and now you have the opportunity to be with them. We have full belief and confidence in you that you will continue to toil for the development and upliftment of our people.

May Almighty God grant her good health, wisdom and may she continue to serve and lead our people and society to greater heights, towards peace and development.

T. Tozhevi Chishi Bohoshe Awomi Hd. GB Chairman Toluvi Village Council

Kheholi. Assumi Viholi. Zhimomi President General Secretary db-275/23

er. Picto Shohe, Atoizu ikuto Zhimomi, Aghunato

N. Jacob Zhimomi, Ghaspani i Kt Sukhalu, Zunheboto

MADRID, MAR 6 (IANS):

FC Barcelona defeated Valencia 1-0 to move nine points clear at the top of La

Liga after Real Madrid drew 0-0 away to Betis. Raphinha’s flicked header from Sergio

Barcelona players celebrate after their side goal.

Novak Djokovic

Salah becomes Liverpool’s highest goal scorer in EPL

LIVERPOOL, MAR 6

(IANS): Mohamed Salah became Liverpool’s highest goal scorer in the Premier League after the Egypt international scored his 129th top-flight goal for the Reds against Manchester United, taking him to the summit as the club’s most prolific player in the division.

Salah’s outstanding achievement came in his 205th appearance as he scored twice in Liverpool’s sensational 7-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United in Sunday’s game.

The Egyptian moved ahead of Robbie Fowler, who plundered 128 Premier League goals across his two spells, with Steven Gerrard (120) in third place. Michael Owen remains in fourth position on the list having netted 118 times in the

Donna Vekic clinches Monterrey Open title

lie. This record was in my mind since I came here. I think after my first season I was always chasing that record. To beat it today against United with that result is unbelievable. I’m going home to celebrate with the family, have a camomile tea and sleep.”

Salah opened his Premier League account for Liverpool at Watford in August 2017 having completed a transfer to the club from AS Roma earlier that summer.

league, while Sadio Mane’s tally of 90 sits him fifth. On becoming Liverpool’s record Premier League goal scorer, Salah said: It’s very special, I can’t

He would go on to total 32 in the division during that debut 2017-18 campaign, winning the Golden Boot for the first of three occasions to date. Nineteen of his topflight haul were registered in the 2019-20 season to help Jurgen Klopp’s side clinch the Reds’ first championship success in 30 years.

Verstappen wins F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

BAHRAIN, MAR 6

(IANS):

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen started the 2023 Formula 1 season as he had finished 2022, scoring an ominously easy win in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Having dominated the 2022 season, Red Bull’s pre-season testing form had suggested that they would remain the team to beat in 2023, and that assertion was borne out when Verstappen and Sergio Perez locked out the front row in Saturday’s qualifying session, reports Xinhua news agency.

Leading the field away from pole position, Verstappen was never threatened as he eased to his first ever victory at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Behind Verstappen, Perez made it a Red Bull 1-2. The Mexican had lost second place to Charles Leclerc at the start, but

took the position back by passing the Ferrari on Lap 26. The final podium place went to a resurgent Fernando Alonso on his first outing for Aston Martin, after surviving contact on Lap 1 from teammate Lance Stroll. The 41-year-old rolled back the years with ambitious overtakes on Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz to underline the big step forward that Aston Martin appear to have made in 2023.

Behind the top three, Sainz took fourth, but Ferrari must be concerned at how far off Red Bull’s pace they already appear to be. The Scuderia’s woes were exacerbated by Leclerc’s failure to finish, after the Monegasque pulled off with a power unit issue while running third on Lap 41. The second round of the 2023 Formula 1 season is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 19.

MONTERREY (MEXICO), MAR 6 (IANS): Donna Vekic of Croatia captured her fourth career title after defeating top seed Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the final of the Monterrey Open.

Sunday’s win netted Vekic her first Top 10 win of the season and first title since 2021. The Croatian will rise to No.24 on Monday, continuing her surge up the rankings after being sidelined by injury this time last year. Her victory sealed a 14-2 start to the 2023 season, just one win shy of the tour’s leaders in match wins, with Garcia and Belinda Bencic setting the mark with 15 wins apiece.

Vekic finished the match with 33 winners to 26 unforced errors. Garcia hit 47 winners, including a personal seasonhigh 15 aces, to 34 unforced errors.

“It was a crazy match until the end, (Garcia) was playing so well, playing so deep,” Vekic said, after her win. “I was trying to win as many points as I could. It was not easy, but I’m really happy to win.

“It’s been a great start of the year for me. If the title didn’t come now, I believe that it would have come soon. So I’ve been playing good tennis, and I just need to keep working hard and hopefully stay healthy, and I’m sure I will keep having good results.”

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring against Man United

Donna Vekic

Max Verstappen