24 Sept 22

NNPGs to ‘prevent’ election, for solution

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, SEP 23

(NPN): In a major devel opment having far reaching political ramification, the Working Committee (WC) of the seven–member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has decided to “prevent the forthcoming election under any circum stances, to prevent election without solution”.

In an exclusive inter view to Nagaland Post over phone, after the meeting with the Core Commit tee on Naga Political Is sue (CCoNPI) at Police complex Chümoukedima on Friday, co-convenor of WC/NNPGs, Isak Sumi said this decision has been conveyed to CCoNPI. Sumi explained that the WC of NNPGs remain determined that the utmost desire of Nagas was for early solution and not election.

“During today’s meet ing, we have made it known

NBSE detects false student enrolment

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has detected some schools furnishing false/inflated stu dent enrolment particularly from Class-A to Class-VII to the board.

Informing that such act was a violation to the rules and regulations of managing a school, the NBSE has, therefore, cau tioned that any registered school giving wrong infor mation/figure to the board would be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplin ary action would be initi ated against the concerned school.

NCD to induct new team members

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) would be holding an oath taking ceremony to induct new members from the remain ing tribes on September 28, 2022 at NCD office conference hall, Dimapur at 11 a.m.

In a circular, Naga Council Dimapur vice president Holuto Aye has requested all the councillors, new members nominated by respective tribes, representa tives from DUCCF and GB union (sadar) Dimapur to attend the programme.

All the Dimapur-based tribal hoho/union presi dents have also been invited to the oath taking ceremony.

very clearly to the core committee that NNPGs has taken a consensus decision to prevent the forthcoming election under any circum stances to prevent election without solution,” said Isak, Isak said NNPGs also asked the incumbent leg islators and all the state political parties to appeal to the Government of India to “defer election without solution”.

In this connection, Isak said the CCoNPI in formed the WC, NNPGs that even the chief minister

and deputy chief minister have “issued a directive to the respective parties not to campaign for election, so as to not instil negative impres sion on the Naga people”.

Meanwhile, Isak also informed that a team of the WC, NNPGs are proceed ing to Delhi on September 26 to “fine tune the political process in order to facilitate an early solution”.

Sumi maintained that since all official talks have already concluded, WC delegation will be meeting Government of India rep

resentatives in Delhi to give a final touch for solution.

Talking to media per sons after the meeting, Isak Sumi claimed that NNPGs had been insisting and em phasising on an inclusive solution and that they did not have any apprehension regarding coming together in order to have an inclusive final solution.

He was responding to a question whether the seven NNPGs were ready to cooperate with NSCN (I-M) for inking a final solu tion. “It has always been the desire of all the revolution ary negotiating parties to come together, join hands and have a final inclusive solution,” he claimed.

About the meeting, Sumi said CCoNPI up dated WC, NNPGs on the meeting held recently with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He mentioned that the meeting discussed how to move forward together in

Manipur HC declares election of NPF Lok Sabha MP Lorho ‘null and void’

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): In major setback for the NPF party, Mani pur High Court (MHC) on Friday declared the 2019 election of Naga People’s Front member of parliament from 2-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constitu ency, Lorho S. Pfoze as “null and void”.

In this regard the court in its order dated Septem ber 23, 2022, declared the petitioner-- Houlim Shok hopao Mate of BJP, who secured the second position, as duly elected member from

2-Outer Manipur (ST) Par liamentary Constituency.

The single-judge bench of Justice M.V. Muralidaran was hearing the Election Pe tition no. 1 of 2019 filed by Houlim, who claimed that the affidavit filed by Lorho during the election process had several “defects”.

According to the peti tioner, there was no proper scrutiny as envisaged under Section 36(2) of the RP Act and that the Returning Officer had “abruptly and improperly accepted” the nomina-tion paper of the

respondent (Lorho).

It was pointed out that Lorho failed to disclose relevant details, furnished misleading and false par ticulars/information and provide vital information in his affidavit filed before the election

According to the peti tioner, the nomination paper filed by Lorho should have been rejected by the RO. However, it said that the RO improperly accepted the nomination, thereby al lowing Lorho to contest the election.

order to have inclusive so lution at the earliest. “On our part, all the substantive issues have been negotiated and the talks have conclud ed. So, we don’t have much to discuss about,” he added.

Meanwhile, Planning & Coordination, Land Rev enue minister Neiba Kronu, who is also member sec retary CCoNPI, said the meeting was held with the aim of bringing “friends” together (NSCN (I-M) and WC, NNPGs) so that one solution could be achieved.

He clarified that dis cussion were not like the previous ones, stressing that they understood each other better, and expressed appre ciation to WC for the recent signing of ‘September Joint Accordant’.

Asked if solution could be achieved before Christ mas, he replied, “We are all trying our best. For every problem there is a solution. Let us hope for the best.”

Nirbhaya Fund: NPCC alleges financial anomalies; demands clarification

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Public Grievances Department (PGD) of Na galand Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has al leged financial irregularities with regard to construction of one-stop centres Sakhi across districts under Cen tral government’s Nirbhaya Fund.

PGD co-chairman Ke dou Wetsah and member Imkongmeren Jamir point ed out that they detected a difference of over Rs 5 crore from the total sanctioned amount by Government of India and the amount men tioned by the Social Welfare department.

PGD said in response to its RTI application, So cial Welfare department stated that it had received Rs 2,48,69,372 for con struction of the one-stop centre for 10 districts and Rs 45,88,047 for Dimapur district and the amounts were debited directly to

deputy commissioners of all the 11 districts.

After three rounds of hearing, PGD said they received a compiled report on all the one-stop centres on September 1, 2022 from the Directorate of Social Welfare.

PDG mentioned that they had also gone for spot verification of the centres. However, PGD claimed that it found serious finan cial mismanagement and irregularities on the part of the department while crosschecking documents.

PGD recalled that chief minister and min ister in-charge of Social Welfare department had informed Nagaland Leg islative Assembly on Feb ruary 16, 2022 that the department had received Rs 11,36,20,880 from the Union Ministry of Woman & Child Development un der the Nirbhaya Fund from 2015-16 to date for

11 districts– Dimapur, Ko hima, Kiphire, Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon, Peren, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha and Zunheboto.

PGD alleged that the 11 district administrations were compelled to com plete the projects with Rs 5,86,81,767, which was half of the total amount sanctioned by the Union ministry.

It pointed out that as per the chief minister, the total amount received was 11,36,20,880, whereas the RTI reply by the Social Wel fare Department quoted Rs 5,86,81,767, which showed a clear difference of Rs 5,49,39,113.

While stating that the party would delve further into the matter, PGD also sought minister in-charge to clarify the difference in the total amount received from the Centre and the money made available to the 11 districts administrations.

Early solution needed to rescue Naga society: SC Jamir

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Veteran Naga poli tician and former gover nor and chief minister Dr SC Jamir said unless early political settlement was reached and peace restored, Naga society would face a dreadful catastrophe as it stood on the brink of a yawning precipice and warned that.

He said this while addressing an event-cumconcert organised by Life Concern ministries at Ur ban Haat, Supermarket area here Friday under the theme “Rebuilding Naga

that without the change in attitudes, mindsets, vision and adherence to Christian values, attempts to rebuild Nagaland might not be successful.

He stressed that in a democracy, people were sovereign and thus it was their responsibility and duty to contribute towards building a united, peaceful, progressive and prosperous Nagaland.

responsible for all the ills in Naga society.

“This is the paradox of a State supposed to be run by an elected government under the Constitution of India. Extra-constitutional authorities have become de facto authority. Money making and money sharing have become the culture in upper echelon of Naga society,” he lamented.

land in everyone’s hand”. Dwelling on the theme, Jamir lamented that the problem Nagaland faces to day was “fundamentally in trinsic and intrinsically fun damental”. He cautioned

GENEVA, SEP 23 (AGEN

CIES): If rich nations think the pandemic is over, they should help lower-income countries reach that point too, a senior World Health Organi zation has said.

In an interview with Re uters, WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward warned that richer nations must not step back from tackling Covid-19 as a global problem now, ahead of future potential waves of infection.

Aylward co-ordinates the ACT-Accelerator, a part nership between WHO and

other global health bodies to help poorer countries access COVID-19 tools. The effort, which includes the vaccinefocused COVAX, has reached billions of people worldwide but has faced criticism for not acting quickly enough.

Earlier on 15 September, as the number of weekly re ported deaths from Covid-19 plunged to its lowest since March 2020, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye sus said that the end of the pandemic is now in sight.

However, he also warned that if the world does not

take the opportunity now, there is still a risk of more variants, deaths, disruption, and uncertainty. Prior to that, in a interview, US President Joe Biden declared that “the pandemic is over.”

“When I hear them say, ‘Well, we’re so comfortable here,’ it’s like, ‘Great, now you can really help us get the rest of the world done’,” said Ayl ward. He said that the group he co-ordinates, which focuses on equitable access to CO VID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests worldwide, is not yet ready to

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Landowners Union Rangapahar Cross ing (LURC) Dimapur has termed as “provocative” the statement of North east Frontier Railways (NFR) general manager Anshul Gupta that NFR would enforce eviction as per Supreme Court’s December 2021 order.

LURC president Hetokhu Awomi stated that the land, allegedly measuring 134.503 acres stretching over 5km, was presently under railway occupation. However, the union said that the

legitimacy cannot be es tablished “owing to lack of adequate documents.”

Further, LURC said that Dimapur Railway land did not fall under general category as the State of Nagaland was created through political negotiation wherein Ar ticle 371 (A) was incorpo rated in the constitution so as to safeguard the Naga identity and properties.

The union said that even today the negotiation between the government of India and the Nagas was under process basing on ‘uniqueness of Naga

He remarked that Na galand has landed itself in a terrible political, social, economic and religious quagmire which were due to the nature or modus operandi of election and

history’. Questioning on what basis the Railways would enforce eviction, the LURC said that the NFR has once again dis played its lackadaisical attitude towards finding genuine and pragmatic so lution to the long pending problem facing Dimapur railways. It said that the NFR general manager’s statement “lacks empathy; rather provocative and suppressive in nature.”

However, in order to create conducive atmo sphere for the Railways to carry out further de velopment activities, the

Jamir said elections had become popular com mercial transactions where votes were auctioned, with the highest bidders being elected to Nagaland Legis lative Assembly.

union said it “steadfastly resolved” to extend its support on the condition that the Railways respect Art 371(A) in letter and spirit.

The union also urged the railways to facilitate the payment of land com pensation or relocation of the genuine and rightful landowners.

Failing which, the union cautioned that the Northeast Frontier Rail ways and its officials would be held solely re sponsible for the diversion of the development of Dimapur railway station.

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) has called for reconsidera tion of the regularisation process of contractual as sistant professors.

In a representation to Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along, the fo rum said -+-+a local channel had on September 21, aired a clip of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) discussion and reported that 154 contractual assistant professor posts were in the process of being regularised, which it claimed had caused disappointment and dismay among many eligible candi dates in Nagaland.

The forum said these aspirants comprised both

candidates whose opportu nities were lost over years of non-advertisement as well as those who were waiting for a chance again. In both cases, the right to equal op portunity and free and fair competition was deprived and violated.

NNQF contended that the decision to regularise the contractual assistant professors only depicted that the system rewarded those with the ability to get into the higher educa tion system without going through proper channel/ institution, i.e., Nagaland Public Service Commis sion’s (NPSC) Common Educational Service Exami nation (CESE) or through public advertisement, while

at the same time were able to retain themselves in that particular job over the years.

Though the office memorandum of June 6, 2016 had banned appoint ments on contractual basis, the representation alleged that contractual appoint ments continued to take place. It recalled that the August 3, 2018 order of Gauhati High Court Kohi ma Bench in the case filed by ACAUT and PSAN against the backdoor appointments had stated “any appoint ment without advertisement and the regularization of (such posts) is not only unconstitutional but null and void.”

Similarly, the forum pointed out that the Su

preme Court judgement in the Uma Devi case of 2006 clarified that regu larisation could not be a mode of appointment. It also mentioned that when a temporary/ad-hoc/con tractual post continued for long, it presumed the need and warrant for a regular post through procedures of direct recruitment.

In backdrop of all these orders, NNQF said regula risation of the contractual posts would only be a re flection of disrespect to the existing law and a further violation of the rights of aspirants and equality.

The forum also clari fied that its petition (The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum Vs the State of Na

galand-Case no.: WP(C) 12/2019) against the back door/irregular/contractual appointments in various departments of higher edu cation was not won or lost. It pointed out that the judgement clearly stated that the writ petition was dismissed not on merit but on the basis of technicali ties. The court dismissed the case on the grounds of maintainability where the forum was given the liberty to refile through appropriate writ petition accordingly. Thus, for respondents (il legal/contractual/irregular appointees) to claim that they had won the case was misleading and a misrepre sentation of the judgement, it added.

FCRA licence validity extended till Mar 2023

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): Centre has extended the validity of FCRA regis tration of NGOs, the renew al applications of which are pending, till March 31, 2023.

In an office memoran dum, Home Ministry also said the validity of those FCRA entities whose 5 years validity period is expiring during Oct 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, and which have applied for renewal before expiry of 5 years validity period, will stand extended up to March 31, 2023 or till the date of disposal of renewal application, which ever is earlier. The memo also said that the Centre has decided to extend the validity of FCRA registration certifi cates of certain categories of FCRA registered entities that include such entities whose validity was extended till Sept 30, 2022 and whose renewal application is pend ing will stand extended till March 31, 2023 or till the date of disposal of renewal application, whichever is earlier. All FCRA registered associations are therefore advised to take note that in case of refusal of the application for renewal of certificate of registration, the validity of the certifi cate shall be deemed to have expired on the date of refusal of the application of renewal, MHA said.

Blood on your hands, says WHO official if world steps back on tackling Covid now

Dr SC Jamir (NP)

Neiba Kronu Isak Sumi

PHED kicks off SHS campaign in Wokha

Police arrest 3 with opium

DIMAPUR: Nagaland po lice personnel of Narcotic Cell PS (PHQ) on Sep tember 22, arrested Ameer Khan (29), son of Saleem Mohammed of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, Iman Ali (49) son of Jinat Ali of Nagaon, Assam and Ram jan Ali (20) son of Enach Ali of Nagaon, Assam on charges of possessing nine kgs of suspected opium.

According to police PRO, the police personnel while conducting surprise MVCP at NH-2, intercept ed one Mahindra vehicle

Scorpio (AS02AA/2619) at National Highway-2 near Viswema Y Junc tion Pfütsero/Imphal road, which was proceeding from Imphal, Manipur via Ko hima to Nagaon, Assam.

On thorough check ing of the vehicle, PRO informed that ten packets containing around nine kgs of suspected opium were recovered. The illegal contraband along with the vehicle were seized and a case under NDPS Act was registered for further inves tigation.

BJP organises blood donation camp in Dimapur

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR: Public Health Engineering De partment (PHED) kicked off the “Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)” campaign at Etsutchukha Pump Site, Wokha, in concurrence with the state’s action plan of PHED with SDO (C) Wokha, Tsidi as distin guished guest on Friday.

According to a DIPR report, the SDO while administering the pledge, urged upon the people to stop using single-use plastics (SUPs) and to do their bit in keeping their land and water bodies free from litter. As part of the celebration, a massive cleanliness drive and tree plantation was carried out at the site followed by a

JWPU conducts emergency meeting at Kiphire

DIMAPUR: In an effort to curb the menace of sub stance abuse and the rise of “gang or groups involved in fighting and creating hav oc” within the locality, Jail Ward Public Union (JWPU) Kiphire on September 21 conducted an emergency meeting at Public Ground Kiphire and adopted resolu tions.

In a press release, JWPU executive chairman, Yanglitong and JWPU chairman, Thritsali Sang tam stated that JWPU en dorsed and reaffirmed a meeting resolution adopted by the Joint Coordination Committee on August 26, 2022 under the banner of Kiphire Town GB’s Union.

As per the direction from the joint coordination committee, JWPU said it has resolved to ban growing of marijuana (ganja) plant within its jurisdiction and to impose fine on defaulters. JWPU has also resolved to penalise anyone disturbing the peaceful environment of the ward under the influence of substances or intoxicated things. JWPU to immedi ately expelled/excommuni cate anyone found selling, buying or using illegal drugs and to strongly denounce youths/children forming a gang or group and creat ing unwanted situation in the town. The union said it would not allow more than five youths to loiter around the ward after 7 p.m. with out any valid reason. It has has further resolved to form Jail Ward Vigilant Team with 10 members from six zones under jail ward so as to check anti-social activities in the ward.

SCERT Nagaland informs

DIMAPUR: State Council of Educational Research and Training Nagaland has informed that “Inspire Manak” orientation for DEOs and teachers will be held on September 26, 10-11 am at SCERT.

Online orientation for school heads/representative (science or computer teach ers), both government and private schools on inspire manak award registration and nomination will be held on September 26, 1 pm. For inspire awards-manak, one may contact Daniel Thong Seb at 8810626588 and in spirenagaland@gmail.com.

pledge to stop littering and ban SUPs.

In the keynote ad dress, PHED Wokha Di vision, EE, Er. Imnazulu stressed that trees were planted to improve air quality, conserve water, preserve soil and climate amelioration.

He stated that public participation was critical in banning SUPs and the success of banning plastic would be possible only through effective engage ment and actions from all stakeholders. DIPR report informed that SHS cam paign is celebrated from September 15-October 2 every year. This year’s SHS is focused on managing the legacy waste at garbage

vulnerable sites at villages. For Wokha district, which consists of six blocks and covers 153 villages, activities including visu al cleanliness in villages, cleaning of garbage vulner able sites in the villages, community awareness for segregation of waste (dry and wet) at source, con struction of waste collec tion & segregation sheds/ centres, door to door col lection of non-biodegrad able waste like plastics, etc., would be undertaken during the campaign. The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign is being sponsored by Sanitation & WSSO, PHED, Nagaland and organised by PHED Wokha division.

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Dimapur 1 BJP mandal organised a blood donation drive under “Seva Pakhwara”, at District Hos pital, here, on Friday. Ad dressing the media, advisor, Power, H Tovihoto Ayemi described blood donation as a precious gift which saves lives. He stated that donating blood also gave a sense of relief and pride to the donor knowing the fact that his/her blood would be saving someone’s life. Tovi hoto informed that around 50 members from Dimapur 1 BJP mandal signed up for the blood donation and expressed hope that more would turn up. Meanwhile, blood bank in-charge, Dis

trict Hospital, Dr. T Temsu expressed gratitude to BJP for organising the “muchneeded” blood donation camp and that the blood bank felt “very rich” now.

He informed that BJP karyakartas have been con tinuously donating blood since September 17, and the blood bank had more than 100 units in stock.

Correspondent

SP Noklak Dr. Pritpal Kaur along with NDHHC functionaries and others. facturing products without harming the ecosystem.

NOKLAK, SEP 23 (NPN):

With an objective to pro mote the works of arti sans under Noklak District Handloom and Handi craft Council (NDHCC), NHDCC launched “Noklak Masterpieces” on Friday.

Launching “Noklak Masterpieces”, Superinten dent of Police (SP) Noklak, Dr. Pritpal Kaur congratu lated the team and high lighted the importance of entrepreneurship and manu

Lt. KhUshiLi aWOMi 24/09/2021 10:13

Loving

During the pro gramme, a prayer was of fered by LBCNT pastor A. Penglang.

Earlier, NDHCC presi dent Khumo chaired the event and delivered the wel come address.

Some of the products produced under the brand “Noklak Masterpieces” are - Khiamniungan traditional man’s headgear, bamboo, cane round, cap, tray, cup and kettle, bamboo and cane basket, decorative container, original wild rhea bag, cot ton bag, earthen pot, wood en spoon, bamboo straw and beer mugs, traditional iron tools, traditional shawl and waistcoat.

Those special memories of you, will always bring a smile....

If only we could have back just for a while.....

Then we could sit, talk & fight again just like we used to do...

You always meant so very much to us and you always will do too...

The fact that you are no longer here, will always cause us pain!

But you will always be in our hearts, deep, until we meet Again

Loving Wife, Children, In-laws and Relatives our Beloved Lt. Ghukhevi assumi 24/09/2021

Officers and staff of the department along with participants at the programme on Friday. (DIPR)

In Dimapur, “Ayush man Bharat Diwas” was celebrated at the Confer ence Hall of chief medical officer (CMO) Dimapur office, wherein deputy com missioner (DC) Dimapur Sachin Jaiswal described the scheme as “peoplefriendly” and urged the people to avail maximum

benefit out of it. He also highlighted the need to cre ate orientation programmes and awareness about the scheme.

In a press release, CMO office Dimapur stat ed that district coordinator, R. Nokchalemba in the key note address highlighted the features of the scheme and said that it provides free treatment for up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. He said the scheme covers up to three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses and that benefits of the scheme are portable across the country i.e. a beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or pri vate hospital in India to avail cashless treatment.

KOHIMA

Kohima: In commemoration of 4th year anniversary of “Ayushman Bharat Diwas” a programme was held by Kohima district under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) in the conference hall of the CMO office Kohima.

In a press release, CMO office Kohima stated that special guest, DC Kohima, Shanavas C said AB-PMJAY was a privilege for marginal group and added that the beneficiaries could avail the services from any empanelled government or private hospital across the country. The DC also asserted on the need to create more awareness on the benefits of the scheme adding that consistent follow up mechanism should be monitored.

Deputy CMO Kohima, Dr. Imchatoshi gave talk on health awareness and created awareness on “Ayushman Bharat Diwas”.

NPAD informs pensioners

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Pensioners’ Association Dimapur has informed all pensioners/family pension ers in Dimapur, Chümouke dima and Niuland districts that there is “no date line” for submission of form for Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme and that it can be submitted to the NPAD office on all work ing days. NPAD has also informed that fresh forms would be issued from Oc tober 3 onwards.

DDFPSU new team

DIMAPUR: Dimapur Dis trict Fair Price Shop Union (DDFPSU) has selected its new office bearers for the tenure 2022-2027 led by Shi hovi Sema and Hukali Sema as president and general secretary respectively along with three other members and three advisors.

DIMAPUR: Deputy com missioner (DC) Kohima, Shanavas C on September 22, has issued an order with regard to shifting of parking zone/areas for local taxis, regional taxis, and buses as per decision of the RTA meeting held on September 16.

In an order, DC in formed that ISBT Kohima is designated for taxis/ NST & private bus ser vices bound for Dimapur, Jalukie, Mon, Guwahati and Shillong; KMC Chaü Parking, Upper Agri for taxis and bus services bound for the western re gion; KMC Tata Parking at High school Colony below Govt Polytechnic Institute (Rüliezou) for Northern bound taxis and buses for Tseminyu, Wokha, Mo kokchung and Tuensang; Keyake Tri-Junction for Phek, Zunheboto, Kiphrie, and Meluri-bound taxis and buses and Below Police Project Office, New Re serve, Phesama for South

MOKOKCHUNG

ZUNHEBOTO

Mokokchung: The “Ayushman Bharat Diwas” and the first anniversary of “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” was celebrated in the conference hall of the CMO Mokokchung office.

In a press release, CMO office Mokokchung stated that deputy commis sioner and chairman DIU, Mokokchung, Shanshak Pratap Singh highlighted the benefits of AB-PMJAY and how it covers almost 50%

of the population of India. He also asserted the need to create awareness about the scheme.

In a key note address, nodal officer, AB-PMJAY IMDH Dr. Sentirenla R Jamir informed about key features, eligibility and criteria, requisite KYC documents for generating AB-PMJAY e-card, about ABDM, eligibility crite ria and benefits of ABHA health ID.

KIPHIRE

Kiphire: The “Ayushman Bharat Diwas” and one year anniversary of “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” was observed at the Conference Hall, District Hospital Kip hire, organized by District Implementation Unit, Kiphire.

In a press release, CMO office Kiphire stated that speaking at the event as the special guest, Deputy Com missioner (DC) Kiphire T Wati Aier lauded the medical personnel for their service and urged them to serve the community sincerely and wholeheartedly. He also conveyed appreciation and gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and staff for their tireless efforts rendered during the peak of the Covid pandemic.

In a keynote address, deputy CMO, Dr. Kolhitso Khalo highlighted about the AB-PMJAY and briefed about the process of availing the benefits.

DC Kma orders shifting of parking areas

ern bound taxis and buses.

To facilitate smooth transition, all city buses plying from High School Junction to BOC Junction will be permitted to ply from NPSC office Junction till Police Project Office, New Reserve, Phesama; Phoolbari Junction, Ko hima shall henceforth be designated as the Dedi cated Parking Area for Lo cal Taxis/ Kohima Smart City Buses plying to ISBT Kohima as feeder services; picking and dropping off passengers by regional taxis within Kohima Municipal Area will be strictly prohib ited; ANTA, Kohima Unit will be in charge of waste management and pay and use toilet at ISBT Kohima.

Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) will assist ANTA in collection and disposal of waste generated and senior SP Kohima will ensure smooth manage ment of traffic at ISBT Kohima.

As per decision of

KTC, USLP to abstain from election process

DIMAPUR: Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) has resolved to stand with the August 26, 2022 ENPO Resolution for separate state hood “Frontier Nagaland”.

In a press release, KTC president M Thangou and executive chairman Pakhiu Khiam informed that the resolution was adopted at a joint consultative meet ing with frontal organisa tions and village council at Noklak headquarters on September 22, 2022.

KTC decided that people of Khiamniungan would not participate in any election process of the state and central until and unless a separate statehood, “Fron tier Nagaland” was fulfilled.

Further, the house re solved to ban any electionrelated campaign by any political parties, candidature declaration programme by any individual(s), group or party under Khiamniungan jurisdiction.

The meeting also de clared its full support to the decision of ENSF to orga nize a mass public Walk athon on October 7, 2022 to press for the “Frontier Na galand” statehood demand.

Meanwhile, KTC has informed all the villages under its jurisdiction to orga nize village level joint meet ing, in one-week time, of the village council, public orga nization, student organiza tion, political party workers and indenting candidate/s, if any, to enforce the deci sion of ENPO.

USLP: While endors ing and supporting Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Orga nization (ENPO) August 26, 2022 resolution, United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) said it would abstain from participation in any election process of the state or central until demand for separate statehood for Fron tier Nagaland was fulfilled.

In a press release, USLP president, T. Seopi Sangtam and general secre tary, P. Achumse Sangtam said USLP fully endorse and support ENPO stand in totality.

As resolved by ENPO, USLP has banned all po litical parties to refrain and desist from any election related campaign/activities and candidate declaration program in any form within its jurisdiction.

RTA meeting on Septem ber 22, the following rates are fixed for local taxis/ regional taxis/ city buses according to the route with Rs.80 (base rate) + Rs. 42 per KM— Local taxi-full hire— Phoolbari to ISBT Kohima (Rs.160); High school junction to KMC Tata Parking (Rs.80); Razu Point to Keyake Tri-Junc tion (Rs.160) and PHQ junction to KMC Chaü Parking (Rs. 80). Regional taxis per head—ISBT Kohima to Dimapur (Rs.330); City bus per head—Lerie to Police Project Office, New Reserve Phesama (Rs. 10); High school junction to New Secretariat (Rs.10) and New Secretariat to NPSC junction (Rs.10). DC informed that the order will come into force from October 1, 2022 for strict compliance, and de faulters will be dealt with stern action as per relevant sections of the law.

Zunheboto: Ayush man Bharat Diwas 2022 was observed at CMO office Zunheboto, in the presence of DC Zunheboto Rahul Bhanudas Mali as special guest.

In a press release, DMO Zunheboto, Kenei khrietuo stated that during the programme an award for the highest E-cards gen

eration in the district during “Aap ke Dwar Ayushman” initiative was presented.

Felicitation of one best performing staff (at district level) who significantly con tributed in implementation of the scheme was also acknowledged.

Earlier, the DC also launched a COVID-19 vac cination poster campaign.

TUENSANG

Tuensang: District Health Society (DHS) Tuensang celebrated Ayushman Bharat Diwas in the conference hall of the CMO Tuensang with DC & chairman DIU Tuensang Kumar Ramnikant as special guest.

In a press release, NHM Tuensang DMO, Apheang stated that in his speech, the DC said people would live long only when they have good health.

The scheme mainly targets the below poverty line families but still some challenges are there, so effort needs to be done to achieve more targets by looking into the gaps, he stated. Kumar Ramnikant also suggested on reaching the information to the last mile in order to achieve more beneficiaries.

Earlier, keynote address on AB PM-JAY & ABAM was delivered by (MBBS, MD) District Hospital, Tuensang Dr. Senilo Magh while the best performing AB PM-JAY was received by PMAM, house of Hope PHC Longpang Nayang Shanglee.

Longleng: The “Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2022” was celebrated in the conference hall of the DC Longleng with DC and chairman, District Implementation Unit, Longleng, Dharam Raj as special guest.

According to a DIPR report, at the programme, the DC highlighted the benefits of the AB-PMJAY scheme and its importance to the gathering. Raj said the purpose of the scheme was to uplift the living standard of the people by providing free medical treatment and saving the hard-earned wages of the laborers and farmers, and securing their future.

He further informed that the government of Naga land would soon launch the Chief Minister’s Insurance Scheme (CMIS) covering government employees. Raj said the CMIS would also cover those left out beneficiaries by the “Ayushman Bharat” scheme.

PHEK

Phek: Phek district celebrated “Ayushman Bharat Diwas” and the first anniversary of “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” at Dr. Wethselo T. Mero Memorial Hall, DH Phek with SDO (Civil) Phek, Tsenthungo E. Nhullie as the special guest.

A press release by CMO Phek office stated that in his speech, . Ngullie encouraged the stake holder to cre ate awareness in their respective colonies on the benefits of AB-PMJAY scheme so that every eligible beneficiary could avail the scheme.

In a keynote address, CMO Phek, Dr. Khriezo tuo Paphino highlighted the features of AB-PMJAY scheme, status and E-card generation created till date and on CMIS.

Dimapur police release updated contact numbers

DIMAPUR: In the pub lic interest, Dimapur po lice have updated contact details of various police

officers under police Com missionerate, Dimapur. In a press release, com missioner of police (Crime)

Commissioner of Police 7085055001

Dy. Commissioner of Police (Crime) 7085055006

Dy. Commissioner of Police, Dimapur 7085055002

Dy. Commissioner of Police, Chumukedima 7085055003

Dy. Commissioner of Police (HQ) 7085065055

Dy. Commissioner of Police (Traffic) 7085055004

Dy. Commissioner of Police, Niuland 7085055005

Addl. DCP Chumukedima 7085055049

Addl. DCP Dimapur 7085055048

Addl. DCP (W&J) 7085065058

Addl. DCP Niuland 7085055047

Addl. DCP (Protocol/Traffic) 7085055007

Asstt. Commissioner of Police (HQ) 7085055008

Asstt. Commissioner of Police (SB/Crime) 7085055009

ACP East Dimapur 7085055010

ACP Chumukedima 7085055011

ACP Niuland 7085055012

ACP West Dimapur 7085055013

ACP Trf-Dimapur 7085055014

ACP Trf-Chumukedima 7085055015

OC East PS 7085055020

OC GRPS 7085055021

OC Diphupar PS 7085055022

OC Medziphema PS 7085055023

OC West PS 7085055024

CTYO conducts surprise checking

DIMA PUR: Chümoukedima Town Youth Organisa tion (CTYO) on September 20 conducted a surprise checking and recovered “huge quantity” of expired goods from the shops at Chümoukedima Town.

In a press release, CTYO said the checking was conducted based on “numerous complaints” received from residents following which “huge quantity of expired food items, dairy products, household items etc.” were seized and defaulters penalised.

Further, CTYO said it would continue to con duct such checking in future and urges all concerned shopkeepers to make sure their inventory was clear of expired goods at all times.

& PRO, Dimapur has in formed that the contact details of officers, police stations, check gates, police

assistance, booths, outposts under police commis sioner Dimapur has been updated as follows:

OC Niuland PS 7085055025

OC Sub-Urban PS 7085055026

OC Women PS 7085055027

OC Traffic Control – Dimapur 7085055028

OC Traffic Control – Chumukedima 7085055029

East PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055030

GRPS (Telephone Duty) 7085055031

Diphupar PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055032

Medziphema PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055033

West PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055034

Niuland PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055035

SBN PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055036

Women PS (Telephone Duty) 7085055037

Traffic Control Dimapur (Telephone Duty) 7085055038

Traffic Control Chumukedima (Telephone Duty) 7085055039

New Field Check Gate 7085055040

Chumukedima Check Gate 7085055041

Dellai Check Gate 7085055042

Khatkati Check gate 7085055044

Mobile Unit Commander 7085055046

PCR, Dimapur 7085055050

Piphema OP 7085065051

Kuhuboto OP 7085065052

Dhansiripar OP 7085065053

Marwaripatti OP 7085065054

THE NAGALAND STATE COOPERATIVE BANK LTD. (Sponsored and Financed by the Govt. of Nagaland)

Dated: 22.09. 2022

Ref: No.NStCB/HO/49/Pt VII/2018_______

NOTICE OF THE 53rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BANK

Notice is hereby given that the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd. Dimapur will be held on 21 October 2022 (Friday) at 11.A.M in its Registered Office at Dimapur, Nagaland to transact the following Agenda

1. To confirm the Proceedings of the 52nd A.G.M. held on 08 April 2022.

2. To consider and approve the Auditor’s Report and Audited Statements of Accounts for the year ended 31.3.2022 together with Audit Compliance.

3. To consider and approve the Annual Report of Directors for the year 2021-22.

4. To consider and approve the Revised Budget for 2021-22 and Estimated Budget for the years 2022-23 & 2023-24.

5. To Elect (5) five Members of the Board of Directors, one each from Agril. Cooperative Societies of Dimapur, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Peren and Longleng District.

6. To transact any other matters as may be notified by the members to the Managing Director at least one week ahead of the meeting or as the Chairman may allow. Sd/Abhijit Kumar Deb Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS Managing Director Chairman

N.B:a) Each affiliated Societies may be represented by a delegate duly sponsored in writing in the prescribed form to attend the meeting.

b) Nomination papers for Dimapur district will be available from H.O. Complex branch, Dimapur, for Zunheboto district from Zunheboto Branch and Kiphire district from Kiphire Branch of the bank. Nomination papers for Longleng district will be made available from Changtongya Branch and for Peren district will be made available from the Jalukie Branch of the bank .

c) Nomination Papers can be obtained on payment of requisite fee of Rs.1180/- (Rupees One thousand one hundred eighty) only (including GST) from 30 September 2022 onward till 03 October 2022 during working hour i.e up to 4.00 PM only. Defaulting Cooperative Societies & individuals defaulting to NStCB loan will NOT be eligible to file nomination. Nomination Papers in prescribed form will be accepted only by the Managing Director of the Bank at H.O. on or before 7 October 2022 during working hours (i.e within 5.00 PM) Election will be governed under the relevant provisions of Cooperative Societies Acts & Rules as applicable to the State of Nagaland and rules framed therein and the Bye-Laws of The Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd. 21.10.2022 NSCB, H.O. (Conference Hall) Dimapur 20.10.2022 from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM & 21.10.2022 From 7.00 AM to 10.45 AM Bharat Diwas’ celebrated across

DIMAPUR: Nagaland marked the 4th launching of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Friday by celebrating “Ayushman Bharat Diwas” across the state. AB-PMJAY, which was launched on September 23, 2018, was envisaged under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, with a focus to provide free access to health insurance to the low-income group in the country. The state also celebrated the first anniversary of the “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission”.

No

CSOs OPPOSE MANIPUR GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON PROHIBITION

Correspondent

IMPHAL, SEP 23: Mani pur chief minister N Biren Singh said there would be Nno roll back to the decision on lifting prohibi tion, said even as the voice against the government’s decision got louder on Fri day.

On September 20, the Cabinet of N Biren Singh government took a decision to lift partially the prohibi tion on liquor in the state.

Expressing strong de nouncement of the govern ment decision, many CSOs, mostly women based ones, warned of intense forms of agitation while pressing the government to revoke the decision. The protest gained momentum when protesters fought a pitched battle with the police on the street of the capital city today. Some women protesters fainted as the police confronted protesters who carried out a rally towards the chief minister’s secretariat.

They took out the ral ly after a sit-in-protest at Keishampat Junction under

the joint aegis of the Coali tion against Drugs and Al cohol (CADA) and various women based CSOs.

CADA, a CSO actively campaigning against li quor and other intoxicants, strongly opposed the gov ernment decision of lifting the prohibition.

The slogan chanting rally at the concluding part of the protest was prevented from marching further by the police. As they tried to continue the march despite

restriction, police snatched banners and placards pro testers carried, resulting in a brief confrontation.

The police, however, took control of the situation after a brief struggle and dispersed the protesters.

Earlier in the day, chief minister N Biren Singh clarified that there is no question of rolling back the decision, in a speech at the launch programme of the 1st Batch Train ees of the State Institute

of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition (SIHM), Manipur held at City Con vention Centre. He said that the Cabinet decision was taken after holding thorough discussion and taking recommendations from committees formed by the government to study the pros and cons of the prohibition on liquor.

He clarified that the state government had tak en the decision not only

to earn revenue but also considering the health of people.

The prohibition is to be lifted partially under a rule which the state govern ment was in the process of drafting. He also sought suggestions from the CSOs and public.

Elaborating on the matter, Singh said that the Manipur Liquor Prohibi tion Act, 1991 could not be enforced effectively as the Act gives relaxation to some communities produc ing local liquor as part of their custom.

As the government hadn’t been able to ban such production effectively, the state government en gaged an expert team from outside the state to check the production process in such places and raise it to a certain level of standard so that the liquors could be exported outside the state.

Singh said that the government was planning to establish a beer factory in the state using locally produced raw ingredients like pineapple and ginger.

TEZPUR, SEP 23 (PTI):

Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that the sec ond Kaliabhomora bridge over the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Sonitpur district will play an important role for the army in facilitat ing communication to the northeastern border.

The bridge will pro vide a lot of relief to the daily movement of the Indian Army and other se

curity agencies, the Union Minister said after visiting the construction site of the second Kaliabhomora bridge as part of his Lok sabha Pravas Yojna.

“This is a vital bridge in Assam leading to stra tegic areas and will play a very important role in the connectivity between the two banks of Brahmapu tra’”, he said on Friday.

It has been construct ed to ease the heavy traf

fic in the older bridge, he added.

The bridge will con nect Sonitpur on the North bank with Nagaon on the south bank and is around three km long.

The Union Minister also visited the historic Bh arali Namghar in Kaliabar and participated in various programmes at Nagaon Rijiju was accompa nied by Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, SEP 23: Rashtriya Swayamsevak

Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will arrive here on Saturday on a two-day visit to Meghalaya, an RSS official said on Friday.

This is Bhagwat’s maiden visit as the head of RSS to the hill state, which is a Christian majority state. According to RSS function aries in Shillong, the Sangh is not new in Shillong and it has started way back in 1946 with a small office at Umsohsun.

The RSS chief’s visit to Meghalaya also assumed significance as the state is

AGARTALA, SEP 23(PTI): Legislators of the opposition CPI(M) staged a walkout in the Tripura Assembly on Friday after Speaker Ratan Chakraborty rejected their adjournment motion to discuss police action on supporters of Left youth organisations earlier in the month.

At least four CPI(M) supporters suffered injuries when they clashed with security personnel during a protest near Circuit House on September 15. As soon as the ses sion began, CPI(M) MLA Tapan Chakraborty sought to know about the fate of the adjournment motion that had been placed before

going to fresh Assembly elections early next year be tween February and March in 2023.

RSS Vibhag Karyavah, Mani Mawpat said that Bhagwat’s visit to Megha laya is part of his routine visit as to other different states of Bharat (India).

“However, it is note worthy, he is coming after

the speaker. Chakraborty replied there was no need for the motion as opposition members would be allowed to raise the issue at an ap propriate time during the two-day session, of which Friday was the first day.

CPI(M) members, in protest, rushed to the well of the House, demanding that the motion be accepted.

As the speaker carried on with the Question Hour, the agitating legislators walked out of the House.

Later, Leader of Op position Manik Sarkar criticised the speaker for rejecting the adjournment motion.

“A healthy discussion could h ave been held on

a long gap to Meghalaya,” Mawpat said. Bhagwat will interact with the Megha laya’s RSS functionaries and well-wishers where he will discuss upon the pres ent development of the organisation.

“He will also deliver a lecture in Shillong to a gathering of important per sonalities from different walks of life and will touch upon important issues like environment protection, village upliftment and also, will stress upon the values of family, society as well as the nation,” Mawpat said.

Bhagwat will depart from Shillong on Septem ber 26.

the issue but the speaker conducted the session with a one-eyed approach.

He gives more atten tion to the treasury bench than the opposition mem bers,” Sarkar alleged.

GUWAHATI, SEPT 23 (PTI): The West Bengal president of Popular Front of India has been arrested by Assam Police from Delhi and brought here for production before the court, police said here on Friday.

The PFI leader, Mina rul Sheikh was arrested from the national capital at 12:30 a.m in the inter vening night of Thursday and Friday and brought to Guwahati.

He has been booked in a Special Operations Unit (SOU) case under various sections of the IPC relating to sedition, criminal con spiracy, promoting enmity and assault to deter public

servant from discharge of duty. Another PFI activist Bazrul Karim was arrested from Karimganj in Assam on Thursday and brought here late in the night.

Karim is the general secretary of PFI’s Barak valley district committee and a state executive com mittee member.

With Sheikh’s arrest 11 PFI members have been arrested by Assam police.

Nine of them were remanded to police custody for five days on Thurs day, which saw a massive

crackdown on the radical Islamic outfit by the Na tional Investigation Agency in 15 states simultaneously for allegedly supporting ter ror activities in the country.

Among the ten PFI members arrested from As sam, four are from Nagar bera in Kamrup (Rural) district, two from Guwa hati and one each from Karimganj, Barpeta, Baksa and Nagaon districts. They were brought to Guwahati and interrogated separately at the special branch head quarters, the police said.

OffICE Of ThE alIba KaKETshIr TElONgJEM P. O Mokokchung – 798601 Nagaland fElICITaTION

The Aliba Kaketshir Telongjem (Union) convey our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Moamenla l D/o lt. lolenkaba Jamir & Mrs. Yarmongla pongen for securing the post of assistant geologist (Class-I gazetted) under geology & Mining Department in the recently declared NPSC (CTSE) Examination 2021 The Union wishes you the best in all your future endeavors.

Media Cell aKTMKC-361/22

FELICITATION

The Dimapur Kangching Students’ Union wholeheartedly conveys our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals on their achievements:

1. Er. Manphe K. Phom, d/o dr. & Mrs. O. Kongyan Phom, for securing the post of J.E under Works and Housing dept.

2. Er. Shanyu S. Phom, S/o Mr. & Mrs. Shijang Phom, for securing the post of S d O under Works and Housing dept.

3. Er. L. Chingshak Paulong Phom, S/o Mr. & Mrs. T. Longshak Phom, for securing the post of SdO under Water Resources dept.

According to a state ment of the Assam Police in Guwahati on Thursday, leaders of the organisation were arrested as there is ‘reliable information’ that they were making efforts to foment communal strife in the north east state.

“They were indulging in whipping up communal passion and sentiment of the religious minority by criticising every policy of the government with communal overtones with a view to terming these actions as attacks on the

Muslim community,” the statement read.

The activists had been extensively using the cyber space to incite people by taking up issues and orders of courts outside the state, the statement claimed.

The activists were also allegedly involved in or ganising protests against the issues in “communally sensitive” areas of As sam’s Karimganj, Barpeta, Baksa, Kamrup (Rural), Goalpara and Kamrup (Metro) districts, according to the statement.

Felicitation

The Semchir Telongjem Dimapur extends our heartiest congratulations to Mr TOSHIZULU JAMIR, S/o Mr & Mrs Takoyanger Jamir for bringing laurels to our Clan and village by successfully clearing the Institute of banking and Personal Selection (IbbS) State bank of India as Probationary Officer (PO).

The SMST d wishes him the best in future endeavors.

Sd/- Sd/Tsuktiyapang Jamir Marchiden Jamir President Secretary SMSTd SMSTd

The Kushiabill Village Council, Dimapur expresses gratitude to the Honourable Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Nagaland shri. Jacob Zhimomi for understanding the problems faced by the public and taking the initiative for filling the potholes and levelling the road of Kushiabill Village. The road which had not been repaired for a decade and repairing of the road was the long felt need of the public.

Further the Kushiabill Village Council and the public in general express heartfelt gratitude towards him and wish him success in his endeavours. (subash Mech) (Khekuto Jakha) Head G.B. Chairman Kushiabill Village Kushiabill Village Council P-4620/22

4. Dr. L. Dauyan Lakpan , on being conferred the degree of doctorate in Ministry from the University of Jerusalem, Tamil Nadu. May our Almighty God continue to bless and guide you in all future endeavors.

B. Den-i Phom W. Henshing Phom President General Secretary d P -4626/22

OFFICE OF THE Dimapur NkoNjaN Yimkha EkhüNg

DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND FELICITATION

Through this column, we the Dimapur Nkonjan Yimkha Ekhüng (DNYE) would like to express and extend our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals for their great success and achievements in their respective fields.

1. Miss Lotsani T. Ezung , D/o Mr. Thüngchio Ezung and Mrs. Zanthünglo Ezung for securing the post of Agriculture Officer (AO) (Class-II Gazetted) under Department of Agriculture, Nagaland.

2. Mr. Lithüngbemo Ngullie, S/o Lt. Lümchamo Ngullie and Lt. Mhonlümi Ngullie on his promotion to Assistant Bank Manager (ABM) under State Bank of India.

3. Mr. Jonpanthüng Ngullie, S/o Lt. Remomo Ngullie and Mrs. Liyani Ngullie on his promotion to ABSI, under Nagaland Police.

The DNYE further takes immense pride and honour in their achievements and for bringing laurels to the Yimkha Village Community in particular and prays that Almighty God continue to shower His blessings upon them and guide them in all their future endeavours. Meanwhile, the DNYE also extends our profound gratitude to all successful candidates of NPSC (CTSE) Nagaland particularly from Nyiro Range and wishes them all a very bright future even in the days to come.

Sd/-

Rensathüng Ezung

Office of the KANGCHING STUDENTS’ UNION LONGLENG – 798618, NAGALAND Motto: “Unity & Progress”

FELICITATION

The Kangching Students’ Union is deeply honoured to convey our heartiest congratulations to the following persons for their success and achievements:

1. Miss. Chu-ong H. Phom, D/o Mr. & Mrs. Hamngan Phom, for securing State Highest Marks in Science, HSLC-2022.

2. Dr. Chingmei Phonglung D/o Mr. & Mrs. P.I. Yanger Avennoho, on being conferred the degree of Doctorate in Theology from Manila Theological College, Philippines.

3. Dr. L. Dauyan Lakpan , S/o Lt. Mr. & Mrs. Longphen Phom, on being conferred the degree of Doctorate in Ministry from the University of Jerusalem, Tamil Nadu.

4. Er. Kanshing Phom , J.E, Dept. of Power, Longleng, for being awarded the District Award based on the recommendation and fulfillment of the parameter laid down by the District Award Committee and Deputy Commissioner.

5. Mr. T. Imdong Phom, Advisor, Phom Literature Board, for being awarded the Governor’s Commendation Certificate in recognition of his service.

6. Er. Manphe K. Phom, D/o Dr. & Mrs. O. Kongyan Phom, for securing the post of J.E (Cl-II Gazetted) under Works and Housing Dept.

7. Er. Shanyu S. Phom, S/o Mr. & Mrs. Shijang Phom, for securing the post of SDO (Cl-I Gazetted) under Works and Housing Dept.

8. Er. L. Chingshak Paulong Phom , S/o Mr. & Mrs. T. Longshak Phom, for securing the post of SDO (Cl-I Gazetted) under Water Resources Dept. sincerely appreciate achievements and further pray that our Almighty God continue to bless and guide you in all future endeavors.

Rachio Ngullie Chairman, DNYE Secretary, DNYE d P-4621/22 P -4613/22

A sit-in-protest demanding revocation of government decision of lifting prohibition in Manipur staged in Imphal on Friday.

Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju with BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and others during his visit to the new Kaliabhomora bridge (PTI)

Mohan Bhagwat

Nitish tried to fulfil prime ministerial ambitions, backstabbed BJP: Shah

PURNEA, SEP 23 (PTI):

Union Home Minister

Amit Shah on Friday flayed former ally Nitish Kumar, accusing the Bihar chief minister of “backstabbing” the BJP and trying to fulfil prime ministerial ambitions while “sitting in the laps of Congress and RJD”.

At a rally held in this north Bihar town, Shah asserted that the “jodi” of Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad will be “wiped out” (‘soopda saaf’) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and, a year later, the BJP will win a majority on its own in the state assembly elections.

Widely regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, Shah arrived in Bihar on his first trip since the party was robbed of power in the upheaval last month.

He, however, refrained from joining issue with the contention of Kumar’s JD(U) that the BJP had tried to “break” the party.

“The number of seats won by Kumar’s party in 2020 assembly polls was nearly half of our tally. BJP showed magnanimity (‘badappan’) in backing him as the CM in keeping with its earlier promise. But, with the Lok Sabha polls nearing, his prime ministerial ambi tions got the better of him and he backstabbed us,” alleged Shah.

The JD(U) has been indirectly blaming the BJP for the fall in its tally in the last assembly polls when the Lok Janshakti Party, then headed by Chirag Paswan, fielded many saffron party rebels against candidates of the chief minister’s party. Shah mocked the sev en-party ruling ‘Mahagath bandhan’, which also in cludes three Left parties, for raising apprehensions that the BJP leader’s two-day trip of Seemanchal region could lead to communal po larisation in the area, which has a high concentration of Muslims. “The new regime has led to an atmosphere of fear in these border districts. But with (PM) Narendra Modi around, none of you need to be afraid. All of you

have been elated over scrap ping of Article 370, which wiped off a stigma from the forehead of Mother India. I challenge Lalu and Nitish to utter a word in apprecia tion of the move,” the home minister said.

The BJP leader also raked up Kumar’s unsteady relations with colleagues like George Fernandes and Sharad Yadav, blaming it on the CM’s “lack of ideo logical commitment” and “excessive attachment to his chair”. He also sought to drive a wedge between the JD(U) leader and the latter’s arch-rival Prasad, saying, “Tomorrow, Nitish Kumar might dump the RJD and form a new front with Congress and the Left or he may even seek rap

prochement with the BJP”. “He (Kumar) cut his po litical teeth taking part in the anti-Congress stir of 1970s. Now, he is sitting in the laps of Congress and RJD… He won the last mandate in the name of Narendra Modi but backstabbed the BJP like he had done eight years ago,” Shah alleged.

Kumar had been a BJP ally since the mid-1990s and served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee gov ernment before becoming the chief minister of Bihar.

He snapped ties with the BJP in 2013, following differences over elevation of Modi, then his Gujarat counterpart, on the national stage. Four years later, he was back in the NDA as the BJP readily came out with offer of support when his alliance with Prasad hit the rocks. Shah, who reached here in the afternoon, is scheduled to spend the night in adjoining Kishanganj, which is the only district in Bihar with a more than 50 per cent Muslim population.

Besides the rally, he is scheduled to hold meetings with the state BJP core com mittee, comprising about 20 top leaders, and office-bear ers of various district units.

On Saturday, Shah is slated to hold meetings with administrative officials be fore his departure.

Not interested in becoming Cong Prez: Digvijaya

JABALPUR, SEP 23 (PTI): Even as the race for the Congress president’s post is hotting up, its veteran leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh on Friday said he is not interested in becoming the party chief.

The Congress on Thursday set the ball roll ing for electing its chief by issuing a notification. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday made it clear he will fight for the party’s president post. A contest for the top party post appeared imminent after a gap of over two decades as party leader Shashi Tharoor looks set for an electoral face-off.

Names of former Union minister Manish Tewari, former Madhya Pradesh chief ministers Ka mal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik and Prithviraj Chavan, were also doing the rounds as possible contenders, but many of them have ruled out running for the top post.

Talking to reporters here, Singh said, “I have already said and I am reiter ating that I am not interested in becoming the party’s na tional president.”

He arrived here on his way to Jhoteshwar in Narsinghpur district to pay tributes to late Shankaracha rya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, who passed away recently, at his samadhi.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Urban Naxals stalled work of Sarovar dam

claiming it is bad for environment: Modi

AHMEDABAD, SEP 23 (PTI): Prime Minister Na rendra Modi on Friday alleged that “urban Nax als and anti-development elements” with political backing had stalled the con struction of Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat for many years by running a campaign that it would harm the environ ment.

Such “urban Naxals” are still active and getting support from various in stitutions to stall develop ment projects in the name of environment protection, Modi said while urging en vironment ministers from different states to ensure that projects aimed at bring ing ‘ease of doing business’ or ‘ease of life’ do not get stalled unnecessarily.

He also asked the state governments to adopt a bal anced approach in granting environment clearances “to counter the conspiracy of such people”.

The prime minister was addressing the environ ment ministers from states after virtually inaugurating the National Conference of Environment Ministers at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district of Gujarat via video conference.

“Urban Naxals and anti-development elements having political backing had stalled the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam by

running a campaign that the project will harm the environment. Huge amount of money was wasted due to this delay. Now, when the dam is complete, you can very well judge how dubious their claims were,” he said.

Modi added that con trary to the claims that the project would harm the environment, the area sur rounding the dam has now become a “teerth kshetra” or place of pilgrimage for environment lovers.

He was referring to the famous ‘Statue of Unity’ and many iconic tourist attractions, such as jungle safari, valley of flowers, and many gardens that came up near the 182-metre tall monument.

‘Urban Naxal’ term is often used by some seg ments of the political spec trum to describe sympathis ers of the Naxalism cause as well as certain social activists.

Last month, Gujarat

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had also alleged that “urban Naxals” had op posed the Sardar Sarovar dam to deprive the state and arid Kutch region of water and development. He had labelled activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar as an “urban Naxal”.

Cautioning the min isters, PM Modi said that urban Naxals are still ac tive and get support from various institutions as well as political parties to stall developmental projects in the name of environment protection.

“These people stall projects by influencing even the judiciary and the World Bank. I urge you to make sure that projects aimed at bringing ‘ease of doing business’ or ‘ease of life’ do not get unnecessarily stalled in the name of the environ ment,” he said.

“The states should adopt a balanced approach in granting environment clearance to counter the conspiracy of such people,” the prime minister added.

Expressing displeasure over the unnecessary delay in the issuance of environ mental clearances for vari ous projects, Modi said de velopment will pick up pace only when these clearances are given quickly, which should be done without any compromise.

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): Union Health Minis ter Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday underlined the need for de-politicising the discus sions on health policy and infrastructure and adopting a more holistic approach across the whole spectrum of the populace.

He also asserted that a new India is prepared to deal with any threat in the healthcare sector.

“A healthy India will be a wealthy India,” Man daviya said speaking at the Public Affairs Forum of India’s (PAFI) 9th Annual Forum 2022.

He said the new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an empowered na tion and is well prepared to face any crisis. The differ ence has been made by the

proactive planning of the prime minister, he said, add ing health infrastructure is being propagated across the country via the PPP model with a microcosm of pub lic hospitals mushrooming along with private medical colleges.

Mandaviya said 22 AI IMS have been planned across the country to im prove the tertiary level of health infrastructure.

Elaborating on the country’s management of COVID-19, he said the government had started efforts to understand the virus much before it came to India, and according ly planned and prepared beforehand to face the pandemic. Talking about why health infrastructure to GDP ratio is declining in India, Mandaviya said, “Every country has its own model specific to its people. In India, healthcare expen diture is lower as compared to other nations. Still, the Government is very much concerned about the health of its people and has as signed a budget of Rs 100 crore for each district to implement the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the next five years.”

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): India on Friday advised its nationals in Canada and those travelling to that country to exercise due caution and remain vigilant in view of the “sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian vio lence and anti-India activities” there.

In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs also said the High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to investigate these crimes and take appropriate action.

The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada, the MEA said.

“In view of the increasing incidents of crimes as described above, Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel or education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant”, the advisory said.

Indian nationals and students from India in Canada may also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MA DAD portal madad.gov.in, the ministry said.

The registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any requirement or emergency, it added.

The advisory comes a day after India reacted sharply to the “so-called Khalistan referendum” in Canada, saying it was “deeply objectionable” that such a “politically moti vated” activity by extremist elements was allowed to take place in a friendly country.

NO. DTE/ESTT-2/02/2021-22/

NOTIFICATION

Dated Kohima, the th Sept. 2022.

This is to inform the Nagaland State Entrance Examination (NSEE) 2022 appeared candidates whose merit falls within 1 to 150 that the fourth round of spot counselling will be held on 30th Sept, 2022, at 12:00 noon, in the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Technical Education, Nagaland, Kohima, below New Secretariat Building, Thizama Road, Kohima to fill up the reserved seats given in the table below. Selection will be purely based on NSEE-2022 merit list, options/preferences exercised by the candidates.

Sl. No Course College No. of Seats 1 B.V.SC & A.H College of Veterinary Sciences & AH, Jalukie, Nagaland 8

Note:

1. Candidates who were absent or have signed an undertaking during the first, second & third spot counselling held on 27th July 2022, 26th Aug. 2022 & 13th Sept. 2022 are eligible to attend the counselling.

2. Candidates who have been selected and nominated during the first, second & third round of counselling will not be eligible to participate in 4th round counselling.

Candidate failing to attend the said Counselling on the specified date and time shall forfeit their candidature for selection to the seats given above.

(Er. M. Nakro) Directordc-1120/22

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND NAGALAND STAFF SELECTION BOARD

NAGALAND : KOHIMA No. NSSB/EXAM-4/8/2022 /// Dated Kohima, the 23rd Sept’ 2022 NOTIFICATION

It has come to the notice of NSSB that several candidates applying for the post under NSSB Advertisement No. NSSB-1/2022 Dated 09-09-2022 are still confused while filling up Online Registration Form.

The following clarifications and instructions are hereby issued for compliance;

1. There shall be only one Registration Form per candidate. In a single Registration form, a candidate can opt for as many posts possible subject to fulfilment of requisite qualifications. The Registration Fee is ₹100/- only. PwD candidates are exempted from paying this Fee.

2. In view of the several reports of multiple submissions of registration forms by a single candidate; the Board have decided to provide an opportunity to such candidate to identify, select and confirm only one particular Registration form out of multiple forms submitted earlier thereby, making the rest of the forms as null and void by submitting an Undertaking. These candidates are instructed to download the prescribed UNDERTAKING Format-I from the official website www.nssb.nagaland.gov.in and submit on or before 10 th Oct 2022, 3.00 PM at designated Email: nssbonlineregd@gmail.com

3. Failure to submit the Undertaking as per the prescribed Format and dateline will result in disqualification of the candidature.

SD/- B. HENOK BUCHEM, NCS Secretary-cum-Controller of Exams Nagaland Staff Selection Board Nagaland: Kohima

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION NOTIFICATION

Dated Kohima, 23rd September 2022 No. DSE/MISC/U-DISE/12-119/2017: Pursuant to the directives of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, all States are required to implement the “Online Unified District Information System for Education Plus” (UDISE+). Data and information on schools (includes all Private Schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya, schools under CBSE, ICSE, all schools under Central and state Government) is required to be collected and furnished in the prescribed format developed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The Ministry of Education has modified the existing UDISE+ Data Capture Format (DCF) to include student-wise detail for Child Tracking System under the current UDISE+2022-23 where each students’ profile is required to be mandatorily uploaded by the schools/ school heads.

Under the current UDISE+, date and information of schools will be collected for the year 2022 and the exercise is scheduled to be completed by October 2022. The duly filled-in documents/format have to be uploaded online on https://udiseplus.gov.in. All schools will be provided with unique User Name and Password and the schools will furnish/maintain real-time data in the portal. An amount of Rs.2/- (Rupees Two) only per student will be provided to all schools for each student profile uploaded on the portal.

The data collected/ collated will reflect the status of education in the State and will enable deriving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Net Enrolment Ration (NER), Dropout Rates, Transition Rates and other educational indicators.

In accordance to the RTE (Right to Education) Act, accountability has been fixed at all levels of data collection to check data consistency and timely submission. All School authorities are therefore cautioned against submission of inauthentic, false and inaccurate information pertaining to their respective schools. In the event of failure to submit the duly filled-in formats by the Schools on time or detection of submission of misleading inaccurate data/ false information, the School Education Department, Government of Nagaland will be constraint to penalize the schools, invoke the noncooperation clause/de-recognition of the school/ declare non existence of the school in the State.

The printed/ softcopy of UDISE+2021-22 formats have been dispatched to all District Education Officers and Sensitization/ Orientation Training to all School Heads/Principals on filling-up the Data Capture Format (DCF) has already been conducted at State/District/Block level.

Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland will conduct training cum sensitization programme on the formalities/ procedures of filling up the formats for all School Heads for which dates will be communicated shortly.

Sd/- KEVILENO ANGAMI Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagalanddc-1124/22

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks during BJP’s ‘Jan Bhavna’ rally, in Purnea, Friday. (PTI)

‘New India prepared to deal with any threat in healthcare sector’

Narendra Modi

Mansukh Mandaviya

Aberration of economic vision

On many occasions, high level government functionaries have been lamenting over the fact that people in Nagaland want development but when it comes to giving land( under acquisition) for development, they refuse to part even with “an inch of land”. Unfortunately, the state government itself has not shown the political will to fulfil its consti tutional obligation with regard to ensuring that land is made available for development. The most popular plea being used to justify refusal to vacate encroached land or agree to provide land under acquisition are the protective clauses under Article 371A of the Indian constitution. While all other north eastern states, even including tribal hill states such as Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and to an extent hill districts of Tripura, have provided land needed for development of infrastructure such as four-lane highways, airports or railways; in Nagaland it is just the reverse. It may be noted that that Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh also have a similar Article regarding owner ship of land. These state governments have had no problem with acquisition of land and that is why many central projects have added to the pace of develop ment. In Nagaland, its only airport and railway station at Dimapur, the latter being among the oldest in the region are way behind airports and railway station of neighbouring states. Nagaland Post has been high lighting about why development of these two very vital links have almost come to a grinding halt. The reason is due to encroachment of and the main factors is be cause the local authorities have failed to nip trouble in the bud. Even officers at the airport and railway have to share the blame for allowing the matter to worsen. Recently the issue of encroachment of land at the air port figured in the 12th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The minister in-charge dis closed the names of 22 persons who had encroached airport land. Thirteen out of the 22 had approached the lower civil court and obtained a stay against the eviction issued on them by the district authorities at Dimapur in 2016. In response, the minister said the state petitioned the Gauhati High Court Kohima bench against the injection in 2022. The minister expressed the hope that the High Court would pass a favourable judgement and after which the state will issue eviction order. Since early 2000s, Nagaland Post has been highlighting the issue of stagnation of development of Dimapur airport, while newer airports have undergone drastic improvements. That some of the encroachers had obtained a stay from the civil court at Dimapur in 2016 while the state government finally woke up from slumber and filed a petition in the high court only in 2022, exposes lack of seriousness. The same is the case with Dimapur railway station where no develop ment can take place due to encroachment. On record, the highest revenue for NFR is from Guwahati with around 20,000 train passengers daily. On the other hand, the second highest revenue for NFR is from Di mapuir with a little over 4000 passengers daily. Lumd ing junction comes third with around 3000 passengers daily. The state government owes an explanation as to why it has been inactive with regard to land issues at the airport and railway station at Dimapur since these are vital for trade, travel and tourism- the 3 ‘Ts’ for economic development of the state.

DailyDevotion

The Missionary’s Goal

He…said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusa lem…” —Luke 18:31

In our natural life our ambitions change as we grow, but in the Christian life the goal is given at the very beginning, and the beginning and the end are exactly the same, namely, our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and we end with Him— “…till we all come…to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:13), not simply to our own idea of what the Christian life should be. The goal of the missionary is to do God’s will, not to be useful or to win the lost. A missionary is useful and he does win the lost, but that is not his goal. His goal is to do the will of his Lord.

In our Lord’s life, Jerusalem was the place where He reached the culmination of His Father’s will upon the cross, and unless we go there with Jesus we will have no friendship or fellowship with Him. Nothing ever diverted our Lord on His way to Jerusalem. He never hurried through certain villages where He was persecuted, or lingered in others where He was blessed. Neither gratitude nor ingratitude turned our Lord even the slightest degree away from His purpose to go “up to Jerusalem.”

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24). In other words, the same things that happened to our Lord will hap pen to us on our way to our “Jerusalem.” There will be works of God exhibited through us, people will get blessed, and one or two will show gratitude while the rest will show total ingratitude, but nothing must divert us from going “up to [our] Jerusalem.”

“…there they crucified Him…” (Luke 23:33). That is what happened when our Lord reached Jeru salem, and that event is the doorway to our salvation. The saints, however, do not end in crucifixion; by the Lord’s grace they end in glory. In the meantime our watchword should be summed up by each of us saying, “I too go ‘up to Jerusalem.’ ”

Quotes

Post-mortem

Floods will continue inundating unplanned city development

The recent floods in Bengaluru was a re sult of an unplanned infrastructure, developed by flouting the laws in city governance, and by disregarding the building capacity to tackle the chal lenges of urbanisation.

In recent years, the paucity in programming and the lack of planning and preparation have re sulted in floods in many Indian cities. Haphazard and non-inclusive devel opmental works that do not reflect the fundamental needs and realities of the cities have often led to unintended consequences such as waterlogging, and floods.

Most of the time, a town or city’s historic and geographic facets are ne glected, as they are not part of the ‘modernisa tion’ plans, and have often resulted in imposed ideas and borrowed concepts.

It is easy to point fingers and transfer the burden when a calamity has occurred, but the real question to be asked is: who should be held ac countable for this?

Even though the 74th

amendment has been a celebrated piece of leg islation, its implementa tion remains patchy on the ground. Though being a much-debated topic in the Indian context, there have not been any signifi cant improvements in the transfer of power to the local governments.

The local govern ments are necessarily the immediate point of contact in the neighbourhood, and the agents of last-mile de liveries of the government functions. But an inverted power structure has to be dealt with while planning and development, as they often come from the state or Union governments without taking into cogni sance what is required at the local level.

Over and above, many of these cities do not have a functional council and, most of the time, the elec tions to the municipal cor porations are either delayed or indefinitely postponed. This results in the lack of continuity and imagina tion at the local level in developing strategic plans to build a sustainable city. The administrative rule,

instead of a democratical ly-elected and empowered local government, in a city like Bengaluru, is a prime example of the weightage given to the local govern ment.

The lack of street designs and mapping is anathema to road develop ment and city planning. A good street design features footpaths, carriageways, stormwater drains, pedes trian crossing, street fur niture, and street vending. Among them, the storm water drainage is a key element, and it remains missing in most Indian cities. Inapt designs of stormwater drains cause major longitudinal storm water flows, followed by inundation within a few hours.

In some cases, drains are installed haphazardly, and are not on level with the surrounding road sur face which, worsens the situation. Furthermore, the lack of updating, poor en gineering conventions, and mismatched technological skills with the public work departments have caused immense damage to streets, and even neighbourhoods.

It is because principally the authorities focus on road widening over street design maps.

When an area is con verted from a field into a built-up land, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall.

Initially, water body protec tion was not the primary focus of urban planning; it was given its due attention only following frequent flooding in large cities which in turn led to mas sive financial losses. The imbalance between the city’s infrastructure and the rate of development con tributes to challenges such as inadequate drainage system, waterlogging, en croachment of water bod ies, Climate Change, and more. Many cities are being built up in low-lying areas, usually as encroachments over lakes, wetlands, and riverbeds. Many have not adopted disaster manage ment plans, and buildings with a resilience capacity. Both situations will lead to the inefficient use of the land and resources, and often incentivise il legal constructions, which will check the free flow of rainwater, and canals.

One of the central problems here is the inef ficiency of administration in most of the urban local bodies. Several indepen dent, overlapping organisa tions provide public goods and services. A governance system with multiple agen cies aims to promote ‘cre ative dissent’ to reduce co-ordination issues and improve outcomes, such as effective delivery of products and services.

However, the existence of such multiple agencies has failed to co-operate in areas where they are expected to.

The vertical growth and the high density is often challenged by the poor ca pabilities of the parastatal agencies. Even the spread of the city is often affected by the poor managerial ca pacities of these agencies.

The importance of developing a master plan has also been neglected in most Indian cities. The city of Bengaluru hasn’t had a master plan since 2015, but the most intriguing aspect is that the city has never had a master plan scheme created in the first place. Following an outdated master plan in a rapidly ur

banising metropolitan city like Bengaluru, contributes to the dysfunctioning and mismanagement of the city’s resources.

Despite different cities having distinct to pographies and climates, the causes of floods are just about the same, and are heavily influenced by where the cities are devel oped or extended, and in the methods employed to create roads, buildings, and other structures. Relying on the age-old plans ought to be shelved as they lead to further complexities in the sustenance of the city. Ad ditionally, ensuring proper utilisation of satellite tech nologies when approving the areas for development; building stormwater drain age systems, and; creating land use maps will help curb these urban challenges to an extent.

D Dhanuraj is Chair man, and Lizbeth Jibi God win is Research Associate, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. (As published in Moneycontrol)

India’s long infatuation with Russia must end

During a parliamentary debate in April, I ex pressed my concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. My words were met with grim-faced silence. But the events of the last five months have only strengthened my case.

The debate was on the Ukraine war. While deploring India’s reluctance to call a Rus sian shovel a spade, I acknowl edged that India has historically depended on the Kremlin for defense supplies and spare parts, and appreciated Russia’s longstanding support on vital issues like Kashmir and border tensions with China and Pakistan. But the Ukraine war and Western sanctions had weakened Russia considerably, I noted. The ban on semiconductor chips, for ex ample, had significantly eroded its ability to produce advanced electronics and defense goods that form the basis of India’s dependence.

Worse still, I argued, the war had highlighted and re inforced Russia’s reliance on China as its principal global part ner – a relationship that would intensify as Russia grew weaker. India could then scarcely depend on the Kremlin to counter Chi nese aggression, exemplified by the People’s Liberation Army’s territorial encroachments and killing of 20 Indian soldiers in June 2020.

My Russian (and Russo phile) friends pooh-poohed my fears privately, expressing confi dence that Russia was doing far better than the Western media had led the world to believe. India’s purchases of discounted oil and fertilizer have increased significantly since the war began – though a 30% discount on oil prices that have gone up 70% because of the war can hardly be considered a bargain. More important, China and Russia do indeed seem to be deepening their ties, which augurs ill for India’s relationships with both countries.

Russia invaded Ukraine just a few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced their “no limits” partnership. And since the war began, both countries have re peatedly affirmed their geopoliti cal concordance.

Last month, Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, de nounced the United States for permitting House Speaker Nan cy Pelosi to visit Taiwan. “This is not a line aimed at supporting freedom and democracy,” he declared. “This is pure provoca tion. It’s necessary to call such steps what they really are.”

A week later, China re turned the favor. In an interview with the Russian state news agency TASS, China’s ambas

Yes! The war is on, despite of the endless and reckless war talks and discussions about the repercus sions. These debates and talks by the socalled pacifists have only further ignited the situation and the outcome is, we all know, is catastrophic.

Many Battles and Wars in the past have been fought at odd places and for weird reasons, be it a defensive war, territorial, national, economic or revo lutionary. Apart from reinforcing your dominance and supremacy, mind games and war of words have led to many con flicts and warfare.

There is a saying that “War is Peace” and so many nations engage themselves in wars to keep peace and sanity of their nation intact, at least they claim so. War brings unity amongst the people of a nation and inculcates the feelings of patriotism in them, thus safeguarding their interests.

Well! It’s a paradoxical society where we live. As we can prevent wars by initiat ing them and expect the peace to prevail after the aftermath.

As everything goes into jeopardy and chaos , the scrutiny continues, which may prolong for years with the present dispensation, as the big brother continues to poke his nose in others matter and conveniently takes a back door exit and escapes from the moral responsibility and all it provides is moral support in the

sador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, called the US “the initiator and main instigator of the Ukrainian crisis.” Echoing another favorite Kremlin line, Zhang also stated that America’s “ultimate goal” is to “exhaust and crush Russia with a protracted war and the cudgel of sanctions.”

While this sort of reci procity points to a growing awareness of shared geopolitical interests, it cannot obscure the fundamental imbalance in the bilateral relationship. Straining under the weight of Western sanctions, Russia depends heav ily on China, not least as an export market and a source of vital supplies. Chinese imports from Russia have increased by more than 56% since the war began, and China is the only country that can provide Rus sians with consumer goods that once came from Europe and the US. Moreover, according to Al exander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Chinese renminbi could well become “the de facto reserve currency for Russia, even without being fully convertible.”

Xi, who will soon be con firmed as China’s paramount leader for an unprecedented third term, is well aware of this imbalance and is reaping mas sive rewards from it. In backing Russia diplomatically, he dem

name of help and comradeship.

And a jester once, now becomes the laughing stock of the world, forever.

Though it’s definitely not a laughing matter as many innocents become the slaves and scapegoats in the name of free dom. A War can never be justified, as all it leads to, is destruction and devastation, be it today, tomorrow or was yesterday. But then it’s a paradoxical society where we live in.

As I visit one of the famous war memorial cemeteries located in the quaint and serene hills of Kohima, Capital of Nagaland, the futility and irrelevance of war is projected. And the stark bitter reality we are confronted with.

As our country was still struggling and fighting the invaders of the Colo nial rule to achieve freedom. Kohima witnessed an invasion by the Japanese forces and the allied forces here were caught unaware.

Though the ‘intrusion’ was some thing we were already familiar with, as the British regime was doing the same to the Indians.

But the ‘Battle of Kohima’ has played a significant and poignant part in the history of British rule in India as this battle was not about achieving freedom but saving the selfish interests of a ruling party that had hijacked the freedom of the citizens of a country they were ruling in.

This battle did not take place in the

onstrates his refusal to be cowed by the West. At the same time, he is benefiting from China’s increasing dominance over Rus sian markets and the renminbi’s enhanced status. And it doesn’t hurt that Chinese companies –which have been reeling from regulatory crackdowns since late 2020 – can turn a tidy profit from their sales to Russia.

The Kremlin is in no posi tion to complain about Chinese price-gouging, let alone alienate China by failing to support its stance on key issues like Taiwan. As Gabuev put it, “Russia is turning into a giant Eurasian Iran: fairly isolated, with a smaller and more technologi cally backward economy thanks to its hostilities to the West.”

With few friends, Russia knows that it has little choice but to stick with China – a stance that will likely be on display when Putin meets with Xi at this month’s Shanghai Cooperation Organi zation summit.

Against this backdrop, India must urgently review its geopo litical options. It must recognize that it has never needed Russia less. Its dependence on Russian military supplies – for which it pays top dollar – has fallen from 75% in 2006-10 to below 50% in 2016-20 to an estimated 45% today. This reflects India’s efforts to diversify its defense purchases, with the US, France, and Israel

open grounds, fields, forests or tough mountain terrains but the entire battle was fought on a tennis court with two opposing forces on the opposite sides of the tennis court.

Well! Yes! The ‘Battle of Kohima’ is also known as the ‘Battle of the Tennis court’. Sports and playing grounds have always elevated the human race beyond caste, creed and greed.

The phrase ‘sportsman spirit’ has been long used to emphasise the impor tance of an activity pertaining to an act of courage signifying valour and bravery sans the malice and bias.

But here in Kohima an altogether a different ball game was played between the two armies representing the two na tions in the year 1944.

The tennis court adjoining the Deputy Collector’s bungalow on the garrison hill witnessed one of the most intense fighting and casualties across the trenches dug on the court.

But as I and many other visitors like me come here, to this cemetery to pay their obeisance and homage to the thousand fallen soldiers, all we hope for is peace and solace of these departed war riors, as many soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty on a foreign soil without any fault of theirs and were unable to make it to their homelands, even after death and were buried here.

During the Colonial rule, this im

becoming key suppliers. Further more, US support means that India no longer needs Russia’s veto power to keep Kashmir off the agenda at the United Nations Security Council.

India must also recognize the need to cooperate with others to constrain China’s overween ing ambitions. Given its gradual transformation into a satellite state of a rising Chinese impe rium, Russia is an increasingly implausible partner in any such effort. The need for India to establish and shore up its own partnerships is magnified by the risk of a hostile China-Pakistan axis on its borders. Russia will be ambivalent, at best, about such an axis; at worst, it will be com plicit. The Russia of the foresee able future, severely weakened by its Ukrainian misadventure, is not a Russia on which India can rely.

The war in Ukraine has created new geopolitical fault lines, forcing countries to make difficult strategic choices. India must do the same.

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN under-secretary-general and former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Human Resource Development, is an MP for Indian National Congress. (As published in Project Syndicate)

perial bungalow with a tennis court on an idyllic hillside must have witnessed many games of tennis, till it struck the doomsday resulting in the bloodshed and destruction and calling it ‘game over’.

As one visits the Kohima cemetery, the graves all around reminds us of the transience of life.

The tennis court is still in good condition with lines of the court still retained but no game of tennis takes place here, anymore, as the closing cer emony that took place long back, was all about the war games, hand combats and bloodshed.

And now it becomes the lonely rest ing permanent place of the fallen soldiers, though during the daytime it is altogether a different scene, a total contrast, as it is buzzing with life and many lively visitors, who come and go.

The Deputy Collector’s bungalow has been long converted into a heritage hotel and the tennis court at the war memorial cemetery is catering for many visitors for the photo-op sessions, indicat ing pretty well, that for peace to prevail, war is must.

Well as the opposites attract the oxy moron called the ‘war is peace’ is all about the paradoxical times we are living in.

Anjali Sharma

Hamirpur Himachal Pradesh anjalisharmapankajsharma @gmail.com

The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion.

‘The purpose of all wars is peace’

PFI hartal turns violent in parts of Kerala

THIRUVANANTHA

PURAM, SEP 23 (PTI):

Masked men and miscre ants went on a rampage in different parts of Kerala on Friday during the dawnto-dusk hartal called by the Popular Front of India (PFI), under the lens for alleged terror activities, damaging state-run buses and ambulance, injuring policemen and commoners and vandalising shops and threatening the public.

The Kerala High Court took cognizance on its own, the “illegal” hartal, and initiated a case saying the flash protest was prima facie a contempt of court as it violated a 2019 HC order

on such agitations.

The violent incidents affected normal life in many parts of the southern state, a day after the National Investigation Agency led

multi-agency pan-India raids against PFI, accused of being a radical islamist outfit, arresting over 100 persons.

The court, which

said holding hartals were banned by it earlier, also directed the state adminis tration to take stern action against those who violate the court order banning hartals.

Cutting across cities towns, the hartal support ers took out protest march es, burnt tyres on roads, blocked vehicles and force fully downed the shutters of shops in various places.

Face-covering gangs unleashed violence and at tacked shops in Kozhikode, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

Kerala State Road Transport buses, freight lorries and airport vehicles

were widely attacked and pelted with stones across the state. An ambulance was not spared from stonepelting in Thrissur district, causing concern.

At least 50 KSRTC buses were damaged with their windscreens smashed and seats damaged. Over 10 of its employees suffered injuries in the stone pelting and related incidents, of ficial sources said.

The KSRTC manage ment put out a facebook post against the attack on its buses, and the drivers could be seen plying the vehicles wearing helmets in many places to escape from the stone pelting.

Decided to contest for Cong prez: Gehlot

KOCHI, SEP 23 (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday made it clear he will fight for the party’s president post and said irrespective of the outcome, it is necessary to work in a united manner and ensure the party emerg es as a strong opposition.

Any call on his succes sor to head the Rajasthan government will be taken by party interim President So nia Gandhi and Congress’ Rajasthan in-charge, Ajay Maken, he told reporters here.

is unity and the need to strengthen the organisation at all levels.

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9 nEiKEtOU thEyO

With speculations rife that Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor is like ly to jump into the fray, Gehlot said other “Con gress friends” may also contest but what matters

“I will fix the date (to submit the nomination pa pers) after going (back to Ra jasthan), but I have decided that I will have to contest. It is a question of democracy and let us make a new start,” he said.

“There are Congress friends. Even if they con test, there is no issue. After the results, we should work together to strengthen the Congress at the block, vil lage, district levels and also move forward making our (Congress) thought pro cess as the base so that we emerge as a strong opposi tion,” he added.

Considering the pres ent situation in the country, there is a need for a strong opposition, the veteran Con gress leader said.

The Congress had on Thursday issued notification for the party president post.

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23 REnchUMthUnG tsAnGlAO Graduate or Postgraduate degree in business Administration

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25 RAjEsh KUMAR PAtEl Graduate or Postgraduate degree in commerce

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27 PRADiP sAhA Graduate or Postgraduate degree in commerce 131800000027GP1 hOUsE nO -102, WEstyARD cOlOny, DiMAPUR , DiMAPUR 797112 sahaaaman@gmail.com 9774051787

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the detail list of Gst Practitioners is also displayed in the Gst Portal www.gst.gov.in. issUED in thE intEREst Of PUblic AWAREnEss AnD infORMAtiOn

Ashok Gehlot

A damaged bus after stoned by protesters during Hartal call by PFI in protest against NIA raids, in Kozhikode. (PTI)

TKM launches T-TEP for skill development

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Friday launched Toyota Techni cal Education Program (T-TEP) at Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre, Dimapur.

The primary objective of T-TEP was to enhance the student’s skill sets with special focus on rural areas, thereby strengthening their employability through the company’s unique train ing and to reach out to 56 institutes all over India.

Commissioner and Secretary, department of Industries and Commerce, Kekhrievor Kevichusa graced the launching pro gramme as chief guest which was also attended by other dignitaries from Technical education and ITI education board in the presence of Vikheho Swu, dealer principal, Okusa Toyota; Varinder Kumar Wadhwa, general managerassociate and Ravi Prakash Sontakke deputy general manager, TKM.

Speaking on the oc casion, Kekhrievor Kevi chusa said that the initia tive will have a big impact towards developing highly skilled, employable and future ready youths.

He maintained that these efforts of collabora tion by industry partners like Toyota aligned with the Government of In dia’s Skill India Mission will support in bridging the existing skills gap and help develop world-class

workforce in state of Naga land. Expressing his views, Vikram Gulati, country head and executive vice president, TKM said that Toyota was known for its exceptional quality prod ucts and services globally, which stems from devel oping world-class people, processes, and necessary infrastructure.

Talking about the partnership, Vikheho said that with the advancements in technology in the auto

Early solution needed to rescue...

(From p-1)

He questioned what would these legislators dis cuss in the Assembly when they themselves were heavily indebted and insecure?.

He remarked that a total overhaul of the entire sys tem was required when its foundation has been shaken and eroded in order to build a strong, united, peaceful, progressive and prosperous Nagaland with new a design and genuine materials.

The veteran leader regret ted that since 2003, the State had been witnessing mush rooming growth of factions and groups under different nomenclatures and labels in the name of Naga cause. He observed that Nagaland has plunged into darkness due to ignorance where people treated each other as though they were enemies.

He noted that some nega tive features in Nagaland

today were blame-games, criticisms, rivalries, narrow mindedness, tribalism, etc.

He further observed that recognition, appreciation, applause, cherish, regard, respect, commendation, ac knowledgement for goods work were not found any more . He said pessimism had plagued the entire Naga soci ety, while the entire systems of governance had collapsed. He added that there were too many authorities without legal and constitutional responsi bilities.

“The positive quality of the younger generation of Na gas today is their quest, seek ing somethingwhich they have not defined yet. It is hoped that sooner or later this quest will take them to God,” he added.

The programme featured a host of singers from Na galand, including Machoni, Narola Jati, Lipok Longkum er, Longtet band and Incipit.

industry and unprecedent ed growth in motorization, there was a need to ensure that the consumers receive the best-in-class services, especially in rural areas.

Toyota Kirloskar Mo tor is associated with 56 ITIs/Polytechnic Institutes covering 22 states across the country. Currently, more than 10,000 students have been trained and 70% of the students are work ing in various automobile company dealerships in the

Rupee sinks to lifetime low

MUMBAI, SEP 23 (PTI):

The rupee slumped 30 paise to close at a fresh lifetime low of 81.09 against the US dollar on Friday, weighed down by the strong Ameri can currency overseas and risk-off sentiment among investors.

At the interbank for eign exchange market, the local currency breached the 81-mark for the first time ever and slumped to 81.23 against the American cur rency.

It finally ended at 81.09, down 30 paise over its previous close. On Thurs day, the rupee plunged by 83 paise -- its biggest single-day loss in nearly seven months -- to close at 80.79, its pre vious record low. This is the third straight session of loss for the Indian currency during which it has lost 124 paise against the US dollar.

country.

As a part of the initia tive, Toyota will support the institute with latest curriculum covering au tomobile fundamentals, safety, Toyota values and basic soft skills.

The company along with its dealer partner has invested over Rs 1.5 million towards infrastructure, elearning contents, engines, transmissions, practice kits and train the insti tute’s faculty through its unique Train-The-Trainer approach.

In addition, TKM’s dealer partner – Okusa Toyota will also support by providing on-job-training to these students. Naga land Tool Room & Train ing Centre will effectively adopt this program via T-TEP syllabus and enable the students to undergo the on-the-job training.

A total of 11 students were trained and were handed certificates at the launching programme, out of which two trainees were offered placement at Okusa Toyota, Dimapur.

Blood on your hands, says WHO official if world...

(From p-1) move out of the emer gency phase of tackling the pandemic and that countries need to be ready and have treatments in place for any further waves of infection.

“If you go to sleep right now and this wave hits us in three months... God - blood on your hands,” he said.

He also stressed that Biden had a point domesti cally as the United States has good access to all CO VID tools. It has also not cut its global commitment to fighting COVID, he added.

Virus intensely cir culating: Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s tech

nical lead on COVID-19, highlighted that the virus is still “intensely circulating” around the world and that the agency believes that case numbers being reported are an underestimate.

There had been some speculation that the effort may wind up the partner ship between WHO and other global health bod ies autumn, but Aylward said it was simply changing its focus as the pandemic changes.

Over the next six months, the partnership will aim particularly at deliver ing vaccines to the roughly one quarter of the world’s

health care workers and el derly who have still not had a shot, as well as on improv ing access to test-and-treat, particularly with Pfizer’s Paxlovid, he said.

It will also look to the future as COVID is “here to stay”, and unless systems are put in place, support will collapse once other indus trialised nations also think the pandemic is over, said Aylward.

The initiative already has an $11 billion gap in its budget, with most of its available $5.7 billion in funding pledged towards vaccines rather than tests or treatments.

Reconsider regularization of contractual assistant profs...

(From p-1)

Given the fact the writ petition was filed by NNQF, it would be for it to win or lose, and not the respondents, the represen tation stated. NNQF said if the respondents had won, it would be questionable on the part of the court to give it the liberty to refile the case. “Thus, this representation is an appeal that no appointments and regu larisation should take place on the pretext of the dismissal of the previous petition against backdoor/irregular appointments (NNQF vs the State of Nagaland judge ment and order dated 6th June, 2022),” the

NNPGs to ‘prevent’ election, for solution

(From p-1)

On the other hand, UDA co-convener Ku zholu zo (Azo) Nienu said there was nothing much to discuss with the seven NNPGs as they had agreed everything.

He stated that after signing of the Joint Ac cordant on September 14, NNPGs were now waiting for NSCN (I-M) to come and join the bandwagon and do the final inking.

“May be the out come will be very posi tive. Before Christmas we are expecting a solu tion definitely,” he re marked.

He claimed that NNPGs were requested to have better under standing with NSCN (IM) and approach them diplomatically for the final inking. On the out

come of the Friday meet ing, he replied that it was “very fruitful”.

Deputy chief minister Y Patton also appealed to the seven NNPGs to have mu tual understanding with NSCN (I-M).

Lok Sabha member Tokheho Yepthomi told media persons that WC, NNPGs were invited by the Government of India, and a delegation would head to Delhi soon to have talks with the Centre.

The 17-member CCoNPI delegation led by chief minister and convenor, Neiphiu Rio included co-convenors-deputy chief minister Y. Patton, UDA chair man TR Zeliang, NPF legislature party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu, member secretary and

minister Neiba Kronu, members & ministers-- G. Kaito Aye, S. Pangnyu Phom, P. Paiwang Konyak, Metsubu Jamir, Kashiho Sangtam, advisors-- H Hay ing, H. Chuba Chang and MLAs--Khriehu Liezietsu, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, Imkong L Imchen, Kezhienyi Khalo and MPs-- Tokheho Yep thomi (Lok Sabha) and S. Phangnon Konyak (Rajysa Sabha).

The seven-member WC, NNPGs team included co-convenors-- Isak Sumi, Kiumukam Yimkhiung, Toshi Walling; coordina tor Alezo Venuh, secretary Ghukiho T Jimo and mem ber Shitoho Chophy.

representation added. The forum appealed to the minister to reconsider and withdraw the process of regularisation of the contrac tual assistant professors, while declaring its support to the idea of age condonation/ relaxation for contractual employees (who by now had gained much more experience and knowledge in teaching as well as the subject matter) so that they could also take part in the right to equal opportunity and free and fair competition through direct recruitment – NPSC, CESE – along with all other aspirants who had been and were still waiting.

Equity investors poorer by Rs 4.90

L cr as Sensex tumbles nearly 2 pc

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): Investors’ wealth eroded by o ver Rs 4.90 lakh crore on Friday amid a sharp fall in equities. ]

The 30-share BSE Sensex tanked 1,020.80 points or 1.73 per cent to settle at 58,098.92. During the day, it tumbled 1,137.77 points or 1.92 per cent to 57,981.95.

The market capitali sation of the BSE-listed firms plummeted by Rs 4,90,162.55 crore to Rs 2,76,64,566.79 crore on Friday.

This is the third day of decline for the equity

market and the BSE bench mark has fallen by 1,620.82 points or 2.71 per cent dur ing this time. In three days, investors wealth has eroded by Rs 6,77,646.74 crore.

“With the latest round of interest rate tinkering by the US central bank, inves tors have turned risk averse and are dumping shares at will.”

Dignitaries along with the trainees at the T-TEP launch programme. (NP)

Anti-hijab protests continue in Iran; 26 dead

DUBAI, SEP 23 (AP):

Protesters across Iran con tinued to clash violently with security forces early on Friday following the death of a young woman in police custody, as Iranian state TV suggested the death toll from the unrest could be as high as 26, without offering details.

Although the scope of the protests across some dozen Iranian cities and towns remains unclear, the movement represents the widest unrest since 2019, when rights groups said hun dreds of people were killed in a violent crackdown. Iran has also disrupted internet access to the outside world, according to internet traffic monitor Netblocks, tighten ing restrictions on popular platforms used to organise rallies like Instagram and WhatsApp.

An anchor on state TV said late on Thursday that 26 protesters and policemen had been killed since the protests erupted last Satur

day after the funeral of the 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, without elaborating on how authorities reached that fig ure. He said official statistics would be released later, but in past times of turmoil the Iranian government has not offered official death tolls.

The unrest has killed at least 11 people according to a tally by The Associated Press, based on statements from state-run and semiof ficial media.

Most recently, the dep uty governor of Qazvin,

Abolhasan Kabiri, said that a citizen and paramilitary officer had been killed in the unrest that rocked two cities in the northwestern province.

The crisis unfolding in Iran began as an outpouring over the death of Amini, a young woman from a north western Kurdish town, who was arrested by the coun try’s morality police in Teh ran last week for allegedly violating its strictly-enforced dress code. Her death has sparked sharp condemna

Israeli PM endorses 2-state solution with Palestinians

UNITED NATIONS, SEP 23 (IANS): In his address to the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid pledged support for the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The establishment of a Palestinian state, alongside Israel, is the right solution to the years-long bloody con flict, Lapid said on Thurs day, marking the first time in years that an Israeli leader publicly expresses support for the two-state solution, re ports Xinhua news agency.

“An agreement with the Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for Israel’s se curity, for Israel’s economy

and for the future of our children,” the Prime Min ister noted, in his speech, which was broadcast on Israel’s main TV channels.

“We have only one condition that a future Pal estinian state will be a peace ful one. “ He stressed that he

would support such a move only if the future Palestinian state “will not become an other terror base from which to threaten the well-being and the very existence of Israel” and that the Jewish state will have the ability to protect itself.

He called on other countries to follow the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which agreed to normalise ties with Israel in 2020. “Israel seeks peace with our neighbours... We call upon every Muslim country -- from Saudi Ara bia to Indonesia -- to rec ognize that, and to come to talk to us. Our hand is outstretched for peace.”

tion from Western countries and the United Nations, and touched a national nerve.

Videos show Amini wearing a long black cover ing and state-mandated Is lamic headscarf at the time of her arrest. The police said she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated. But her family has cast doubt on that account, as have the many Iranians voicing pent-up anger over social and political repression on the streets.

Authorities have al leged that unnamed foreign countries and opposition groups are trying to foment unrest.

Videos on social media show protesters in Tehran torching a police car and confronting officers at close range. Elsewhere in the capital, videos show gunfire sounding out as protesters bolt from riot police shout ing, “They are shooting at people! Oh my God they’re killing people!”

In the northwest city

of Neyshabur, protesters cheered over an overturned police car.

Footage from Tehran and Mashhad shows women waving their obligatory hijab head coverings in the air like flags while chanting, “Free dom!” The chants have been scathing, with some calling for the downfall of the rul ing clerics.

The protesters cry, “Death to the dictator!” and “Mullahs must be gone!”

London-based watch dog Amnesty International has accused security forces of beating protesters with batons and firing metal pel lets at close range.

Videos show police and paramilitary officers using live fire, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the demonstrations.

Iran has grappled with waves of protests in the recent past, mainly over a long-running economic crisis exacerbated by Ameri can sanctions linked to its nuclear programme.

US heartened by Modi’s comments to Putin to end war in Ukraine: Pentagon

WASHINGTON, SEP 23 (PTI): The US is heart ened by the recent remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the time for war in Ukraine, a senior Pentagon official has said.

Prime Minister Modi met President Putin in Uz bek city of Samarkand on the sidelines of the Shang hai Cooperation Organisa tion summit on September 16 and during the meeting, Modi told Putin, “Today’s era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this.”

On his part, Putin told Modi that he was aware of India’s concerns over the Ukraine conflict and that Russia will do everything possible to end it as soon as possible.

The US has said that it is heartened by the com ments made by Prime Min ister Modi.

“We were heartened by Prime Minister Modi’s comments last weekend,” Dr Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Af fairs told a group of report ers on Thursday and thinktank experts during a virtual round table.

Recently, US National Security Advisor Jake Sul livan also told reporters at a White House news conference that what the prime minister said was “a statement of principle on behalf of what he believes

is right and just (and) it was very much welcomed by the US.”

Ratner said that the US shares India’s commit ment to seeing a swift and peaceful resolution of the conflict and continues to engage regularly on this issue.

“We obviously recog nise that India has a long and complicated history in terms of its security partner ship with Russia and has been in the process over the last many years of diversify ing its arms and imports as well as prioritising its own indigenous development, and we want to support them,” Ratner said.

“We want to support India on both fronts and are doing so. We think the trend lines are heading in the right direction. We are deeply engaged in conversations on exploring opportunities for co-development and coproduction”.

Home Secretary vows action against Leicester ‘thuggery’

LONDON, SEP 23 (PTI):

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has met with local police officers and Hindu and Muslim com munity leaders in Leices ter and assured them that thugs behind recent violent clashes would face the full force of the law.

During a visit to the eastern England city on Thursday, the Indian-ori gin Cabinet minister was briefed by the Leicester shire Police chief and also leaders from local temples and mosques on the “seri ous disorder” which has resulted in 47 arrests. The disorder came as tensions since an India-Pakistan cricket match at the end of last month continued to

UK Home Secy Suella Braverman with local police officers. spill over into this weekend.

“I met with Leices tershire Police officers, the Temporary Chief Consta ble for Leicestershire and local community leaders to discuss action being taken to protect local residents

UN rights experts present evidence of war crimes in Ukraine

GENEVA, SEP 23 (AP):

A team of experts commis sioned by the UN’s top hu man rights body to look into rights violations in Ukraine said Friday its initial inves tigation turned up evidence of war crimes in the country following Russia’s invasion nearly seven months ago.

The experts from the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, mandated by Human Rights Council ear lier this year, have so far fo cused on four regions – Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy. Presenting their most extensive findings so far, they cited testimonies by for mer detainees of beatings, electric shocks and forced nudity in Russian detention facilities, and expressed grave concerns about execu

tions in the four regions.

“We were struck by the large number of executions in the areas that we visited. The commission is currently investigating such deaths in 16 towns and settlements,” Erik Mose, the commission chairman, told the council. He didn’t specify who or which side in the war alleg edly committed the killings.

Mose said his team had received and was document ing “credible allegations regarding many more cases of executions.” During a 10day June trip to Ukraine, the team visited Bucha, a city outside Kyiv where Ukrai nian authorities found mass graves and bodies strewn in the streets after Russian forc es pulled out in late March.

India issues advisory over ‘hate crimes, anti-India activities’ in Canada

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): India on Friday advised its nationals in Canada and those travel ling to that country to exercise due caution and remain vigilant in view of the “sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and antiIndia activities” there.

In an advisory, the Ministry of External Af fairs also said the High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authori ties and requested them to investigate these crimes and take appropriate ac tion.

The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada, the MEA said.

“In view of the in creasing incidents of crimes as described above, Indian nationals and stu dents from India in Can ada and those proceeding

to Canada for travel or education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant”, the advi sory said.

Indian nationals and students from India in Canada may also register with the High Commis sion of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad. gov.in, the ministry said.

The registration would enable the High Commission and the Con sulates General to bet ter connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any requirement or emergency, it added.

The advisory comes a day after India reacted sharply to the “so-called Khalistan referendum” in Canada, saying it was “deeply objectionable” that such a “politically mo tivated” activity by extrem

ist elements was allowed to take place in a friendly country.

India has taken up the matter with Canadian au thorities through diplomat ic channels and would con tinue to press Canada in this regard, MEA spokes person Arindam Bagchi had said when asked about the referendum issue.

“You are all aware of the violence in this re gard,” Bagchi had said and described the “so-called Khalistan referendum” as a “farcical exercise”.

The government of Canada has reiterated they respect the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they will not recognise the so-called referendum that has taken place in that country, he added.

Canadian authorities’ scant efforts to stop the “so-called referendum” seeking Punjab as a sepa rate country had angered India.

The findings echo reports by news outlets and others of the destruc tion, death and despair in Ukraine since Russian Presi dent Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion on Feb. 24.

The commission’s work could ultimately con tribute to the work of In ternational Criminal Court prosecutors who could bring charges over war crimes in Ukraine, although it remains uncertain whether Russia or other alleged perpetrators will ever face justice. Anton Korynevych, ambassadorat-large for Ukraine’s For eign Ministry, joined envoys from a number of Western countries who spoke out against Moscow’s war in the wake of the commis sion’s presentation. Russia’s

delegation boycotted the council meeting.

Korynevych, speaking by video, called for the cre ation of a special tribunal that would have jurisdiction “over the crime of aggres sion against Ukraine” and investigate senior Russian political and military leaders who were allegedly responsi ble. He said said accountabil ity was crucial for rights vio lations and atrocities linked to Russia’s “aggression” but also highlighted how the ef fects of the war has ‘rippled through the world and “put numerous countries on the verge of hunger, exacerbated extreme poverty, created the threat of nuclear catastrophe unseen before” and harmed the livelihoods of millions worldwide.

and restore safety and har mony in Leicester,” Braver man tweeted after her visit.

“We’ll work together on this, and I will do every thing I can to support com munities and our police. Those who bring disorder

and thuggery to our streets will face the full force of the law and I thank all those brave police officers for keeping us safe,” she said.

With reference to re ports of a protest by masked men outside a temple in Birmingham earlier this week, the Home Secretary said she had also spoken to the local West Midlands Police chief and that the situation there continues to be monitored.

“I also spoke to Dave Thompson, Chief Con stable of West Midlands Police today. I continue to monitor the situation and thank the police for their expert handling,” she said.

Her intervention fol lows several appeals from

within the local community and parliamentarians to take action against extrem ist elements behind the clashes.

“These targeted at tacks were by Islamist ex tremists and have under standably generated a vast amount of fear, harm and disruption to the wider Hindu community across the UK,” said Bob Black man, Conservative Par ty MP Chair of the All Paty Parliamentary Group (APPG) of British Hindus, in his letter to Braverman.

Lord Dolar Popat, also from the APPG of British Hindus, called on the minister to engage with the group in order to deescalate matters.

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A private school centrally located in Kohima is looking for a passionate educator to fill the role of Math Teacher to teach Mathematics and BookKeeping at High School Level. The candidate should possess minimum academic qualifications of B. Com (or) B. Sc. (Candidates with B.Ed will be preferred.)

*Rewarding salary package will be commensurate with qualifications and experience* Interested candidates may email their Resumè /CV to info@ccsnagaland.com or call 7085438622 for more information.

Demonstrators scuffle with riot police, during a protest following the death of Mahsa Amini. (Reuters Photo)

Chair of the Human Rights Expert Members on Ukraine Erik Mose and members. (AFP)

Yair Lapid

Dr Ely Ratner

FIFA 23 soundtrack revealed with Bad Bunny, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more

Bad Bunny and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are on the official ‘FIFA 23’ soundtrack.

EA Sports has con firmed the soundtrack for this year’s game, with 57 new songs including the likes of MILKBLOOD, FKA Twigs, Sampa the Great and more.

Raphaella LimaGlobal Music Marketing Director at EA - said: “This year’s soundtrack demon strates the breadth of the world’s love for the game, capturing sounds from all sides of the globe.

“We wanted to em phasize the importance of our global football com munity through music and we’re excited to partner with this incredible group of artists to provide the songs and anthems for the most expansive FIFA ever.”

Rising stars Ibeyi,

Pheelz, Baby Tate and more are also getting spot lighted, while the ‘Volta Football’ soundtrack will include tunes by the likes of Nas, Quevedo, Remi Wolf, Denzel Curry and

Ed Sheeran is set to release a new song called ‘Celestial’ in collaboration with Pokémon. The track is due to land on major streaming platforms next Thursday (September 29).

“To celebrate the new song with Pokémon, ‘Celestial’, I’ve got a new tattoo,” Sheeran said in an announce ment video, which features a brief snippet of the forthcoming single. He then unveiled a fresh inking of Squirtle on his arm.

“I think it fits right in, yeah?” the star captioned the post.

Sheeran has also shared the of ficial cover artwork for ‘Celestial’, an animated image of himself with Pikachu on his shoulder.

In a statement on Instagram, Sheeran spoke about his longstand ing love for the Pokémon franchise. “I started off with Pokémon cards when the craze hit primary school

more.

In a press release, EA teased: “The carefully curated mixture of hip hop, alternative, electronic dance and pop music trans ports players directly into

when I was about 7,” he wrote. “Then the TV show was on TV so I used to try and record it over the same VHS every week.”

Sheeran continued: “After this me and my brother shared a Game Boy and Pokémon Blue. I got a Game Boy Colour with Pokémon Yellow for my 8th birthday, obsessed was an understatement. Flash forward to me at 31 I still have the same Game Boy Colour and still I play Pokémon Silver on long haul flights. I really really love it.”

The musician went on to say that the series gave him “a proper escape as a kid into a fantasy world”, adding: “In adult life it’s nostalgia that makes me feel like a kid again.”

Sheeran recalled: “I met the people from Pokémon when I was travelling in Japan, and we joked about me writing a song for them. But now here we are”. “‘Celestial’ comes

Adam Levine still set to perform with Maroon 5 amid cheating scandal

to her in which he asked, “Ok, serious question. I’m having another baby and if it’s [a] boy I really wanna name it Sumner. You OK with that? DEAD serious.”

Levine later issued a statement denying that he had “an affair,” but admitted to showing “poor judge ment” and that he “crossed the line.” However, more women have since come forward with similar stories.

Singer Adam Levine is set to perform with his band Maroon 5 for a show in Las Vegas next month as allegations abound that he flirted with multiple women.

Levine and his band are scheduled to perform at The Shaquille O’Neal Foun dation’s annual fundraising gala “The Event” that will take place on October 1 at the MGM Grand, reports aceshowbiz.com.

According to TMZ, the show will go on as planned regardless the negative head lines about the group’s front man. Sources say that there will be no red carpet at the event, so Adam won’t be grilled by reporters. He is additionally set to move forward with other profes sional commitments he’s already made, including the Maroon 5 world tour, with stops all over Asia through the end of the year, as well as one final New Year’s Eve show in Palm Springs.

The whole thing blew up after Sumner Stroh claimed in a TikTok video that she and Adam had a relationship for about a year, when he’s already married to Behati Prinsloo.

The Instagram mod el said that they have not talked for months now, but shared a screenshot of an al leged message sent by Adam

One of them was a co median named Maryka, who posted on her Instagram Story a screenshot of an alleged conversation with the ‘This Love’ hitmaker in which he told her, “Distract yourself by f**king with me!”

Maryka also shared a video Adam sent to her in which he said, “I’m stupid,” though the context in which he sent it is not clear. (IANS)

the game of street foot ball.” Music also plays a deeper role in the game, with artists such as Jack Harlow, ROSALIA, Pheelz and Central Cee all de signing their own FIFA Ultimate Team kits.

These customised kits - which are “designed to personify each artists’ personality - will be avail able for players to unluck through certain objectives from September 27, when early access for the game mode launches.

The ‘FIFA 23’ soundtrack is available to stream on Spotify, while EA has teased “exciting updates to the soundtrack later this fall”.

‘FIFA 23’ will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30.

A honey of a study: Well-fed bears give clues to human diabetes

Every year, hibernating bears are able to feast, pack on a huge amount of weight and then lie around for months -- all without suffering the health consequence of diabetes. Now researchers are closer to understanding their secret.

Scientists with the Washington State University Bear Center say they’ve zeroed in on eight proteins that appear key to keeping hibernating grizzlies diabetes-proof.

Those eight proteins also have human counter parts -- which means the findings could eventually lead to a better understanding of diabetes in people, and possibly new medications, experts said.

Type 2 diabetes, by far the most common form of the disease, occurs when the body can no longer use the hormone insulin properly. Insulin helps move the sugars from food into body cells to be used for energy. When people have diabetes, those sugars end up accumulating in the blood.

There is a precursor to type 2 diabetes called insulin resistance, where body cells gradually lose their sensitivity to insulin and can’t easily take up sugar from the bloodstream.

In humans, obesity and inactivity are major risk factors for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Then there are hibernating bears, who dedicate a large portion of their lives to overeating, packing on pounds and being almost completely sedentary.

“If you saw this in humans, it would be very medically concerning,” said Blair Perry, a researcher at Washington State who worked on the study.

It turns out that bears do develop insulin re sistance during hibernation. However, their blood sugar and insulin levels remain stable, and they do not progress to diabetes. And by the time spring rolls around, and bears are out and about again, their insulin sensitivity has been restored.

Understanding how, exactly, a bear’s body achieves that feat could have important implications for humans, Perry said.

For the new study, he and his colleagues ana lyzed blood serum and fat-cell samples taken from grizzly bears housed at the university’s Bear Center. Some samples were taken during active season, oth ers during hibernation. For a two-week period during hibernation, the researchers fed the bears honey water -- somewhat disrupting the animals’ normal routine. (Bears do actually spend some of their hibernation time awake and moving a bit, though they do not eat.)

cells showed changes in gene activity similar to that of cells from active season.

That allowed the researchers to hone in on eight proteins that appear key in the switch between insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity.

The findings, published Sept. 21 in the journal iScience, lay the groundwork for future studies. The next step, Perry said, is to figure out exactly how those the proteins work their magic in the bear body.

“The more we understand about how this is working in bears,” he said, “the better footing we’ll have for translating this to human studies.”

Eventually, Perry said, such work could lead to new medications for treating or preventing diabetes.

He also noted that research on hibernating bears could have broader implications: Despite months of couch potato-like living, bears also show no nega tive effects on muscle or bone mass -- another health consequence that sedentary humans face.

Dr. Emily Gallagher is an assistant professor of endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease at Mount Sinai in New York City. She was not part of the study, but reviewed the new findings.

Gallagher said that researchers do know a lot about insulin resistance in humans, but there is still much left to learn about its underlying mechanisms.

“While there are a lot of treatments for type 2 diabetes,” Gallagher said, “ideally we would like to reverse the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes -- which in many people is insulin resistance.”

out next Thursday, and the video is insanely amazing, animated by the incredible people at Pokémon. I love it, you’re gonna love it. And we all gotta catch ‘em all.”

Last November saw Sheeran per form a special live set within Pokémon Go shortly after the release of his fourth and most recent album. (NME)

Then, in the lab, the researchers combined dif ferent cell cultures and serum samples. They mixed, for example, fat cells from hibernation season with serum from active season, to analyze how that altered gene activity in the cells.

When the researchers put the serum from the disrupted-hibernation period onto cells taken from regularly hibernating bears, they found that those

Although bears and humans are clearly different, she said, studies like this can point to new genes and proteins involved in insulin resistance.

Like Perry, Gallagher said that researchers now need to better understand how the proteins identified in bears act on metabolism. Then they could look at whether blocking a particular protein or its actions -or, alternatively, enhancing them -- could help reverse insulin resistance.

(ByAmyNortonHealthDayReporter)

With immense pride, honour and thanksgiving to our Almighty God, we the SAKURENBA SEMCHIR UNGMA would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Tiakala Jamirtsür, D/o Mr. Imnangangshi Jamir & Mrs. Latongrepla Longkumtsür for achieving the Degree of the Doctor of Theology in the department of Missiology on the topic “Mission from the Margins; Reclaiming the Agency of Women in Mission in Nagaland under the supervision of Rev. Prof. Gudrun Löwner , United Theological College Bangalore under the Senate of Serampore University, India.

All Semchir wishes her success in all her future endeavors.

Sd/Limatongzük Jamir Tatar S. Sungkum Pongen Tatar

With immense pride and honour, the office of the New Yaongyimti Wedoshi Thangjam and the Village Council would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Ms. Ajungla Kundang daughter of Late I Ato Chang and Mrs. N. Lanuinla for securing Gold Medal in Rural Development and also receiving the Award of University Topper (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Best Post Graduate Award) from University of Science & Technology Meghalaya. We acknowledge her excellent performance and bringing laurels to the community.

The Union and the Council wish her success in all her future endeavours.

B. Alemba Leilangchipen Chairman President New Yaongyimti Village Council NYWT

OFFICE OF ThE NEw YAONGYIMTI wEDOshI ThANGJAM MOkOkChuNG : NAGALAND FELICITATION DC-360/22

With immense pride and honor, the Kandi Khasü Sadenmu Za Kemishü our heartiest congratulations to Ms. Siden Kath, D/o Late Rev. Tekiya Kath securing the post of Junior Engineer (Civil Engg.) Works & Housing Department, Govt. of Nagaland the recently declared CTSE result conducted by NPSC. The Kandi Khasü Sadenmu Kemishü wishes her the best for her future endeavors.

AHICHU

Ed Sheeran to release new single ‘Celestial’ in collaboration with ‘Pokémon’

Julius Erigaisi

The 19-year-old Erigai si and 15-year-old Yoo were locked 2-2 after the four rap id games. The Indian won the opening game before his opponent bounced back to level. The same pattern was repeated in the next two games. In the blitz tie-break, Erigiasi won the first to seize the advantage and drew the second to progress to the semifinals.

Praggnanandhaa suf fered a setback when he went down in the opening game. The next two games ended in draws. With the 17-year-old Indian needing a win to force a tie-break, the German scored a 42-move victory to seal a spot in the semifinals.

PUNE, SEP 23 (IANS): Punjab Tigers is the latest franchisee that has become part of the Tennis Premier League and is all set to com pete in the fourth season of India’s premier tennis tournament.

The TPL is returning for their fourth season this year and will run from De cember 7 to December 11 in Pune.

The Punjab Tigers will compete against the likes of the Pune Jaguars, coowned by Sonali Bendre, and Mumbai Leon Army, co-owned by Leander Paes, to name a couple of teams.

COIMBATORE, SEP 23 (PTI): Young opener Yas hasvi Jaiswal smashed his way to a double hundred in just about two-and-half sessions as West Zone took control of proceedings despite South’s 57-run first innings lead on the third day of the Duleep Trophy final here.

At the end of third day’s play, West Zone were 376 for 3, courtesy Jaisw al’s unbeaten 209 off 244 balls that had 23 boundar ies and three sixes.

NEW YORK, SEP 23 (PTI): Indian Grandmaster

Arjun Erigaisi edged out fellow teenager Christopher Yoo in the quarterfinals via tie-breaker to reach the last four round of the Julius Baer Generation Cup online rapid chess tournament on Friday. Erigiasi’s compatriot

R Praggnanandhaa, howev er, crashed out, losing 1-3 to Germany’s Vincent Keymer.

World champion Mag nus Carlsen, a winner over Levon Aronian of USA), will face 17-year old Keymer while the other semifinal will feature Vietnam’s Liem Quang Le and Erigaisi.

Carlsen ousted Aro nian 3-1 despite losing the opening game to continue his superb run. He lost only one game in the preliminary phase to Hans Niemann after just two moves.

Liem Quang Le, mean while, eliminated Niemann 2.5-1.5, closing out the match with a decisive win in the fourth game after they were level at 1.5 after three games.

All franchises will play a total of 4 matches to qual ify for the semi-finals. Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles will be played between each franchise.

There will be 80 points at stake in each tie between two franchises where each match would be worth 20 points. Each team will play a total of 320 points (80 points x 4 matches) at the league stage.

All games of the Ten nis Premier League will be played in the Balewadi Stadium in Pune.

West now have a lead of 319 runs and even if they declare at lunch on Day four, they will have five full sessions to force an outright victory although the track is getting easier for batting with no consid erable wear and tear.

For South, it will be about batting out in the fourth innings and winning the trophy by virtue of first innings lead.

Jaiswal had a 169-run third wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer (71) and an other 58 for the unbroken fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan (30 batting).

It was a day that will be best remembered for the duel between two power house performers in this

year’s domestic cricket -left-handed opener Jaiswal and left-arm spinner Ravis rinivasan Sai Kishore.

While Jaiswal had failed in the first innings, he came out with a lot more positive intent in the sec ond essay after South were dismissed for 327 with an addition of only nine runs to their overnight score of 318/7.

Once West came out, Jaiswal was severe on South pacers Basil Thampi (0/67 in 9 overs) and CV Stephen (0/27 in 6 overs) as he and Priyank Panchal (40) added 110 runs at

little under five per over for the opening stand.

South skipper Hanuma Vihari missed the trick when he introduced Sai Kishore (27-5-100-2) only as second change after the opening stand yielded 80 plus runs.

Panchal was caught off Sai Kishore’s bowling and Ajinkya Rahane was then trapped leg before by the off-spinner Gowtham (33-1-139-1).

But the joy of two wickets was short-lived once Jaiswal started using his feet to good effect with two spinners in their com

bined 60 overs went for 239 runs, which was nearly four runs per over.

He got good support from Iyer, who did make amends and hit four fours and two sixes before getting dismissed while going for a glory shot off Sai Kishore’s bowling. Iyer, thus missed a half-century in the first innings and didn’t show enough patience to score a hundred in the second.

Jaiswal hit off-spinner Gowtham with the turn for a six and didn’t let Sai Kishore settle to one line as he repeatedly came down the track to disturb his line. He also had a six off seamer Stephen’s bowling. There were many boundaries between cover and extra-cover re gion and one such shot off Gowtham brought up his double hundred.

It was like a release of emotions as he let out a war-cry as he got a stand ing ovation from the West dressing room.

Brief Scores: West 270 and 376/3 (Yashasvi Jaisw al 209 batting, Shreyas Iyer 71, R Sai Kishore 2/100, K Gowtham 1/139). South Zone 327 (Baba Indra jith 118, Jaydev Unadkat 4/52).

Denmark. Croatian mid fielder Lovro Majer sealed the victory with a goal on 79 minutes.

Belgium maintained their unbeaten record on home soil against Wales after a 2-1 win in Group 4. They have won five and drawn three of their eight clashes on home turf. Wales are now without a win in four games.

Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi scored in the first half for Belgium, while Kieffer Moore’s goal in the second half proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Wales.

In the same group, the Netherlands maintained their position at the head of the table after a 2-0 win in Poland, and now have 13 points.

Poland tried to take the initiative but Robert Lewandowski and his teammates couldn’t threat en the Netherlands, who continued their momen tum. In the 37th minute, Nicola Zalewski got the ball in the penalty area but his right-footed shot was saved by Remko Pasveer.

After the break, the favourites didn’t slow the pace as they kept pos session for more than 60 percent of the time.

In the 60th minute the Netherlands doubled the lead. Bergwijn received a stunning return pass from Vincent Janssen and then handled the pressure as his clinical finish left Wojciech Szczesny help less.

BERLIN, SEP 23 (IANS):

Kylian Mbappe added another fine solo goal in France’s 2-0 victory against Austria, while the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia all claimed wins in the UEFA Nations League late on Thursday. Mbappe and Olivier Giroud scored in the sec ond half in France’s con vincing victory. Mbappe

now has 28 goals in 58 games for France and is level with Youri Djorkaeff in 10th place on Les Bleus’ all-time scoring list.

Meanwhile, Giroud, who is about to turn 36, became France’s oldest goalscorer, and sits only two goals behind Thierry Henry’s all-time scoring record of 51 for Les Bleus, reports Xinhua. With the

win, world champions France move up to third place in Group 1, with Austria sitting bottom of the group.

World Cup runnersup Croatia took over the lead in Group 1 with a 2-1 win over Denmark.

Borna Sosa put Croa tia ahead in the second half, before Christian Er iksen levelled the score for

Cody Gakpo’s goal put the visiting team ahead after 13 minutes before Steven Bergwijn’s strike in the second half.

Louis van Gaal’s men controlled the game from the very beginning. The visitors needed just 13 minutes to break the dead lock as Denzel Dumfries sent a low ball beyond Po land’s defence to Gakpo, who tapped home from close range.

In the closing stages, the visitors had several chances to make it 3-0, but Janssen and Gakpo missed the target. The Nether lands showed great effi ciency, as only two shots on target allowed them to win 2-0 with a total of 11 attempts.

Van Gaal’s side are now in first position in Group 4 with 13 points. On Sunday, the Nether lands will face Belgium, while Wales host Poland.

Dominant Raducanu reaches Korea Open semifinals

SEOUL, SEP 23 (AGENCIES): Great won three matches in a row since her run to the US Open title in 2021, BBC reported.

The British number one is yet to drop a set at the WTA

She will face top seed Jelena Osta penko, who beat teenager Vic toria Jimenez Kasintseva 6-2 6-1, in order to reach the final.

Raducanu made a strong start, racing into a commanding 4-0 lead, and not dropping a point on her first serve as she easily won the open

However, Poland’s Linette had three break points on Raducanu’s first service game in the second set.

But the former world number 10 reasserted herself, winning five points in a row to hold serve before breaking Linette for a 2-1 lead.

Linette had to take a medical offcourt timeout, with Raducanu using the break to practice her serve, and the Briton continued to dominate to estab lish a 5-1 lead.

Raducanu then served out the match with ease, claiming victory in one hour 16 minutes and leaving the court with a smile and thumbs-up for

British number two Dan Evans won through to the quarter-finals of the San Diego Open with a 6-4 6-4 win over Japan’s Taro Daniel. He will play Con stant Lestienne from France on Friday.

NEW DELHI, SEP 23

(PTI): Not being able to win an ODI World Cup will be her “only regret” in an oth erwise sterling two decade career career, said India’s fast bowling great Jhulan Goswami on the eve of her final international game on Saturday.

Goswami will retire after the third ODI against England at the iconic Lord’s on Saturday.

An emotional Gos wami said she is grateful to the game for giving her name and fame but ending second best during the 2005 and 2017 editions of 50-over World Cup will remain an un-ticked box.

“I have played two World Cup finals but couldn’t win the trophy. That remains my only re gret because you prepare fa World Cup for four years.

There is a lot of hardwork. For every cricketer, it is a dream-come-true moment

to win a World Cup,” the 39-year-old right-arm pacer said on the eve of her final international match.

“When I started I never thought of playing for such a long time. It was great expe rience. I am fortunate to play the sport. Honestly, coming from a humble background and a small town like Chak dah (in West Bengal’s Na dia district) I didn’t know anything about women’s cricket,” said the legend.

“My best memory is when I got the India cap and bowled the first over because I never imagined (that I will play for India). The journey was difficult as I had to travel for two-andhalf hours by local train one way everyday for training.”

She recollected how the 1997 Women’s World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens, watched by close to 90,000 people, fuelled her ambitions.

France’s Kylian Mbappe, right, breaks through Austria’s defense with Christopher Trimmel, left, and Nicolas Seiwald, second left, Thursday. (AP/PTI)

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Arjun Erigaisi

India beat Aus by 6 wkts; level series 1-1

dia’s chase a flying start.

The India opener then deposited Pat Cummins’ (1/23 in 2 overs) slower de livery into the stands before lifting Adam Zampa (3/16 in 2 overs) over long-off for another maximum.

But the spinner came back to disturb the stumps of KL Rahul (10), who looked to go for a slogsweep.

Virat Kohli (11) then picked up a boundary off Daniel Sams, before smacking one over Zam pa’s head for another four.

However, the spinner won the battle of wits as his quicker delivery beat the Indian and disloged the stumps.

Zampa dealt a dou ble blow as he trapped Suryakumar Yadav (0) in the very next ball as India slipped to 55 for 3 in 4.3 overs.

NAGPUR, SEP 23 (PTI):

Rohit Sharma displayed his six-hitting prowess with an unbeaten 46 after Axar Patel snapped two wickets in a fiery spell as India notched up a series-level ling six-wicket win over Australia in a rain hit sec ond T20I here on Friday.

The India skipper smashed four sixes and as many fours as he sin

gle-handedly helped India chase down a target of 91 with four balls to spare in a match which was reduced to eight overs a side due to a wetfield.

Earlier, Matthew Wade smacked an unbeat en 20-ball 43 to fire Austra lia to a 90 for five.

Wade hit four bound aries and three towering sixes -- all in the final over

off Harshal Patel (0/32) -while skipper Aaron Finch hit 31 off 15 after Rohit invited Australia to bat in a match that was delayed by two-and-half hours.

Chasing the target, Rohit made his intention clear as he went on a sixhitting spree, unleashing three monstrous hits off Josh Hazlewood in the opening over to give a In

Futsal tourney in Mokokchung

Unfazed by the fall of wickets, Rohit continued to go strong as he chipped one over cover and then pulled one wide of short fine as Sean Abbott conceded 11 runs.

Hardik Pandya scored a four off Cummins but he couldn’t stay long as he holed out to Finch in the seventh over. Designated finisher Dinesh Karthik then played his part to per

fection, knocking off the remaining runs with a six and a four off Sams.

Earlier, Australia looked to put up a show for the capacity crowd at the VCA stadium but Axar Patel (2/13 in 2 overs) snapped two wickets in an impressive spell to leave them at 31 for 3.

Jasprit Bumrah (1/23 in 2 overs), who has been out of action since the end of England tour due to back injury, produced a sensational yorker to get rid of the dangerous Finch during his spell.

However, Wade en sured the visitors ended things in a flourish as he along with Steve Smith (8) added 44 runs in the final 18 balls.

Harshal had another forgettable evening as he conceded 32 without a wicket in his two overs.

The two teams will now move to Hyderabad for the series-deciding third T20I on Sunday.

BRIEF SCORES: Australia 90/5 in 8 overs (Aaron Finch 31, Matthew Wade 43 not out; Axar Pa tel 2/13, Jas-prit Bumrah 1/13) lost to India 92/4 in 7.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 46 not out, Dinesh Karthik 10 not out; Adam Zampa 3/16) by six wickets

PASA to organise Open Volleyball Tournament 2022

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Phek Area Sports Associa tion (PASA) will organize Open Volleyball Tournament 2022 on September 29 at Phek town local ground. The as sociation informed that fixture will be drawn on September 28 at 5 pm onwards and not as mentioned earlier. Team coach/team manager/representatives of all teams have been asked to be present. Further, the association informed that food stall will be made available. The champion will receive a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 sponsored by Nezosa Tetseo, president Phek District Sports Association. Run ner- up will get Rs. 20,000 sponsored by Diwang Nusory, Agriculture Census Officer, Directorate of Agriculture. Semi finalists will be awarded with Rs. 5000 each. The best spiker, best setter and most promising player will receive Rs. 1000 each. Entry fee has been set at Rs. 3000.

Nagaland Cycling Association ad-hoc committee formed

Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG, SEP 23 (NPN): MH-10 Kohima lifted the 15th Imchaba Master Memorial Nagaland Open Volleyball Trophy 2022 after defeat ing defending champions Changtongya Volleyball Association (CVA) 3-1 in the final match here on Friday.

Earlier, in the semifi nals MH-10 defeated Tu ensang District Volleyball Association 20-25, 25-21, 25-17 while Changtongya Volleyball Association beat Vision Volleyball Club Tu ensang 22-25, 15-25, 13-25.

Before, the final match, a brief closing program was held with minister, PWD

Legends League Cricket hits record viewership

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (IANS): The second edition of Legends League Cricket has recorded 16 million-plus unique viewers on the digital streaming platforms in India and its digital footprints have also crossed 600 mil lion fans across the world.

MOKOKCHUNG, SEP 23 (NPN): The 1st edition of Open Futsal Tourna ment (5-A-Side) was or ganised by Amigos Club of Chuchuyimpang village at the FAC ground on Friday. The tournament was held under the aegis of ‘Oja Sungo’- Lemtu su-it Tea Factory with the theme –‘Peace and Unity through sports’.

Delivering his speech as guest speaker, senior journalist, Aso Imsong said that the young genera tion should earnestly focus on games and sports for a career.

He said that Futsal was one sports where Na gas can immensely excel to become professionals. He cited the example of ‘Telungjem FC of Chun gtia, who successfully rep resented Nagaland at the

hero Futsal Club Cham pionship at Delhi in 2021.

The inaugural func tion was chaired by Yanger temjen Pongen and prayer for players was offered by Associate Pastor Youth, CBA, Tensayanger Su pong. Welcome note was delivered by Odibendang and special song was pre sented by Merenkumzuk.

Altogether, 24 teams are vying for the Champi onship title.

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Following Nagaland Olym pic Association guidelines, the Nagaland Mountain Bik ing Association and Nagaland Cycling Association held a meeting to form a common association to be named as Nagaland Cycling Association. At the meeting, held on September 22 at Nagaland Olympic Association, Office Complex, Kohima, the attendees resolved to form an Ad Hoc Committee with the following members: Kuputo Shohe as convenor, Ricky Ozukum as secretary, Neikesa Samuel as treasurer and three members including a rep resentative from Department of Youth Resources and Sports. The Ad Hoc Committee will take the responsibility of forming the official Nagaland Cycling Association and further conduct selection trials for the upcoming North East Olympic Games 2022 which is scheduled to be held from November 10- 16, 2022.

Federer bids farewell in last match before retirement

LONDON, SEP 23 (AP):

This day, this match, had to come, of course, for Roger Federer, and for tennis, just as it inevitably must for every athlete in every sport.

Federer was bidding farewell Friday night with one last contest before he heads into retirement at age 41 after an illustrious career that included 20 Grand Slam titles and a role as a statesman for tennis. He was scheduled to play a doubles match alongside his rival Rafael Nadal for Team Europe in the Laver Cup against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World.

“For me, just person ally, (it was) sad in the first moment, when I came to the conclusion it’s the best decision,” Federer said in an interview with The Associated Press this week about his emotions when realizing it was time to go.

“I kind of held it in at first, then fought it off. But I could feel the pain.”

When the players from both squads were introduced before the ini tial singles matchup of the three-day team event at the O2 Arena, Federer was the

last to emerge from a tun nel leading out to the black court. Fans who were loud enough for Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and others really let Fe derer hear their support and gratitude, rising for a lengthy standing ovation while lifting their phone cameras to capture the moment.

Spectators came from all over, no distance too far to travel, no expense too great.

“I have such mixed feelings about this,” said

Indrani Maitra, a 49-yearold from India.

“I’m really glad I’m being able to catch his last match. But I’m really sad this is his last match.”

She came with her daughter, Anushka Verma, a 19-year-old student at University of California, Berkeley, for what they said was their first time to watch tennis live. Both were wearing blue hats for the occasion, Maitra’s with Federer’s “RF” insignia, Verma’s with Nadal’s bull horns logo.

There were lines hun dreds of people deep at the “Game, Set, Merch” shops in and outside the O2 Arena. Jacob Benaion, a 61-year-old from Brazil, said he waited for more than an hour with his son, 32-year-old Moyses.

“I love tennis. My first favorite was Ivan Lendl. After that, Pete Sampras. And after that, Roger Fe derer. And Roger Federer is the best one of all,” Be naion said.

“He is a legend and he helped tennis grow around the world. He is an ambas sador of tennis.”

This goodbye follows that of Serena Williams, the owner of 23 major singles championships, at the U.S. Open three weeks ago after a third-round loss. It leaves questions about the future of a game he and she dominated, and transcended, for decades.

One key difference: While each time Williams took the court in New York, the looming ques tion was how long her stay would endure — a “win or this is it” prospect. Friday IS it for Federer, no matter the result.

This team event, which is in its fifth edition, was founded by Federer’s management company and uses a format quite different from a standard tournament.

So a victory for him and Nadal would not mean advancing to another round.

Instead, Federer made clear that his surgically re paired right knee — the last of three operations came shortly after a loss in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July 2021, which will go down as his final official singles match — is in no shape to allow him to con tinue, so he will not be par ticipating beyond Friday.

Just before the first match began, with twotime 2022 Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud of Team Europe playing Jack Sock of Team World, Fe derer rose from a black couch just off the sideline and walked over to where Ruud was, offering a pat on the shoulder.

Then Federer sat back down between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Ber rettini and began the wait for his turn on court.

According to the latest Broadcast Audience Re search Council TV ratings, the opening match of the season between India Ma harajas and World Giants, played at Eden Gardens with the world’s greatest players taking part in it, has garnered higher ratings than any other on-going cricket league in the country. It is also five times more than the ratings of the entire last season of the Legends league Cricket. The on-going season of Legends League Cricket has been witnessing the participation of many cricketing greats including, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Chris Gayle, Mitchell Johnson, Jacques Kallis and Muttiah Muralitharan among others.

(Housing & Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum as chief patron.

In his speech, Tong pang said volleyball was not a popular sports in India unlike cricket, foot ball and kabaddi but with the introduction of Khelo India, the government of India was giving impor tance to all sports.

He thanked the family members of late Imchaba for their efforts in the pro motion of this particular sport. He also called for strengthening Mokokc hung District Sports Coun cil and improvement of sports scenario in the dis trict so that the lost glory of Mokokchung could be revived. I. Imkong, son of

late Imchaba in whose me morial the trophy was or ganized was also present at the closing ceremony and gave a brief exhortation.

The champions walked with a cash prize of Rs. 80,000 besides tro phy and certificates while the runner up pocketed Rs. 50,000.

In individual’s prizesplayer of the tournament was awarded to Imliakum of CVA, best setter to Li matenzuk of Yimyu while Best Spiker was awarded to Imkongtenzuk of MH-10, Kohima. 18 teams from different districts partici pated at the trophy which was played after a gap of two years due to the Co vid-19 pandemic.

Dilip Tirkey elected new Hockey India president

after Uttar Pradesh Hockey chief Rakesh Katyal and Hockey Jharkhand’s Bhola Nath Singh, who were in the fray for the president’s post, withdrew their nomi nations on Friday.

Bhola Nath has been elected unopposed as sec retary general.

NEW DELHI, SEP 23 (PTI): Former India cap tain Dilip Tirkey, who was the front-runner for the post of Hockey India presi dent, was elected unop posed for the top job on Friday.

Hockey India elec tions were scheduled to be held on October 1 but the results were declared in advance as there were no contestants for any of the posts, paving the way for the incumbent candidates to be elected unopposed as per the federation’s Consti tution.

Tirkey was elected

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has approved Tirkey and his team’s appointments.

In a letter, the FIH said that when the number of contesting candidates for any post is equal to or less than the number of posts, they shall be deemed to have been elected unop posed as per election bylaws on the Hockey India website.

“Therefore, we are pleased to observe that the Executive Board of Hock ey India stands elected as has been put on the web site of Hockey India and that the posts election was unanimous for all posts,” it said. win volleyball title

SKC to & sprint challenge

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Street King’s Club (SKC), Dimapur will be organizing the third edition Autocross and Sprint Chal lenge on September 30 and October 1, 2022 at Vihokhu village.

Addressing a press con ference here on Friday, SKC president Vika H Chishi said that the challenge will comprises of three catego ries namely rookie, SUV and open.

He mentioned that the purpose of the event was to promote the sports in the region and to explore the talents as they did not get proper platform and recog nition from the government.

He said that the event will be an opportunity to the youngsters to expose their skill and talent instead of show casing their passion for speed on the roads and highways which only led to menace and accident.

The previous edition was held at Agri Expo and

Khehoi village, but they wanted to venture out more and as for which they have selected Vihokhu village. Club general secretary Tomito V Shohe mentioned that this year, the club was expecting atleast 60 partici pants from the NE states.

Registration fee for rookie and SUV has been fixed Rs. 6000 and Rs. 8000 for open category. The last date of registration will be September 29.

The total prize money has been set at Rs. 2.55 lakh.

Dilip Tirkey

Roger Federer

Correspondent

Winners MH-10 Kohima with Tongpang Ozukum and I. Imkong after the prize distribution.

The guest speaker being introduced to the players.

Members of SKC in Dimapur on Friday. (NP)

Indian captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the 2nd T20 cricket match between India and Australia, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Friday. (PTI)