7 Oct 22

Nagaland

Nagaland gets Rs. 377.50 cr PDRD grant

Sp. Correspondent

Will take steps for major electoral reforms: Rijiju Saysunionnever obstructedany developmentworks

SAHLOU slams misleading claims by NHIDCL

statements and even misled the High Court with false allegations against the land owners.

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (IANS): Union Law Min ister Kiren Rijiju has said the Central government will take steps after due consul tation for major electoral reforms which are required as per the new changing time and situation.

The development comes after the Election Commission noted that the declarations provided by the political parties about the financial ramifications of poll promises are quite routine and ambiguous. The poll panel proposed to mandate the political par ties to provide authentic information to the voters to assess the financial viability of their election promises.

The Law minister’s office tweeted earlier in the day in connection with the electoral reforms. “The Centre will take steps after due consultation for major electoral reforms which are required as per the new changing time and situa tion,” said the tweet, quot ing the minister.

The poll panel has pro posed to supplement the existing Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines and mandate political par ties to inform voters about financial ramifications of their promises in the mani festo against well-defined quantifiable parameters.

The existing guide lines under the MCC re quire the political parties and candidates to explain the rationale for promises made therein as well as the possible ways and means to finance such promises.

According to the poll panel, the declarations are quite

Govt bans vehicles beyond 3-axle on Dmu-Kma highway

DIMAPUR, OCT 6

(NPN): State government has notified prohibition of movement of any vehicles beyond three-axle along the National Highway stretch from Dimapur-KohimaKhuzama with effect from October 13, 2022 midnight to November 13, 2022.

In a notification, the Transport department stated that exception has, however, been made for the heavy vehicles carrying materi als meant for the ongoing capital connectivity project for Broad Gauge New Line from Dhansiri to Zubza by Northeast Frontier Railway, to play on the NH stretch from Dimapur up to Mol vom/Pherima.

is it!

routine, ambiguous and do not provide adequate information to the voters to exercise informed choice in an election.

The Election Commis sion of India in its meeting led by Chief Election Com missioner (CEC) Rajiv Ku mar and attended by Elec tion Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey decided that it cannot remain a mute spectator and overlook the undesirable impact of some of the promises and offers, on the conduct of free and fair elections and main taining level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

However, in August this year, the Election Com mission told the Supreme Court that being a consti tutional body, it should be kept away from the panel of experts -- representing a wide spectrum of govern mental and non-govern mental bodies -- proposed to deliberate on the issues with the validity of freebies announced by the political parties to induce voters dur ing polls.

In a previous hearing in the matter, the top court had orally expressed its dis content with the EC for not taking stand on the menace

of freebies offered by the political parties.

The EC, in an affida vit, said: “It may not be appropriate for the com mission being the constitu tional authority, to offer to be part of the expert com mittee especially if there are ministries or government bodies in the expert body.”

However, it welcomed the setting up of an expert body, having representa tion from a wide spectrum of the governmental and non-governmental bodies; concerned regulatory, plan ning, policy research insti tutions; political parties; domain experts crisscross ing relevant socio-economic sectors -- agriculture, fi nance, banking, social jus tice environment. etc.

The EC said, “There are continuous elections in the country and any opin ion/view/comment during deliberations in a multimember body might, in the event of being publicised, amount to pre-decide the issue and disturb the level playing field.”

The Election Com mission further added that it will be greatly benefitted by the recommendations of the expert body, which the top court may deem appropriate to set up and also committed to give the highest consideration to the same, while strengthen ing/ modifying its existing guidelines in the interest of purity of electoral process.

The poll panel filed its response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by advocate Ashwini Ku mar Upadhyay to regulate freebies.

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (NPN): The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Fi nance on Thursday released the 7th monthly instalment of Post Devolution Rev enue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs.7,183.42 crore to 14 States as per the recom mendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.

As per the state-wise details of the grant released, Nagaland has received Rs.377.50 crore in October 2022 as seventh instalment and total PDRD Grant re leased in 2022-23 is Rs. 2642.50 crore.

With the release of 7th instalment, the total Rev enue Deficit Grant released to States so far in current financial year has gone up to Rs. 50,283.92 crore. The 15th Finance Commission has recommended a total PDRD Grant of Rs. 86,201 crore to 14 States for the financial year 2022-23.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 6 (NPN):

Southern Angami High way Land Owners’ Union (SAHLOU) has accused the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) of falsely claiming that it (SAHLOU) restrained de velopmental activities with in its areas for the ongoing Phesama-Khuzama 2-lane project.

SAHLOU president Dr Atha Vizol said this while addressing a section of media on Thursday. He clarified that SAHLOU had never, at any point of time, obstructed any developmen tal activity within its areas, especially on the ongoing work of NH.

He said NHIDCL had been issuing numerous press

Dr.Atha also men tioned that SAHLOU had in fact, issued No-objection Certificate (NoC) from Phesama check gate to Khu zama village State bound ary inclusive of the entire stretch of two-lane road from Phesama to Khuzama.

Atha however accused NHIDCL of dishonouring and disregarding the NoC issued by village authori ties without any rhyme or reason by reducing 7 km – from Phesama check gate to Kigwema bypass junction – from the existing length of the project and further reduced the scope of the NH. He said this was in to tal violation of the contract agreement.

He challenged NHID CL and contractors to come forward and locate, identify the landowners on the spot and point out those who were hindering the ongoing work.

Dr Atha warned that in the event of failing to do so, NHIDCL and contractors would be held responsible for any eventuality.

He reminded NHID CL that the State govern ment had already approved the damage compensation liabilities for the landowners and accordingly forwarded a letter to the Centre for ap proval and sanction.

Until then, he declared that the landowners would not be able to freely part with their land for right of way (RoW) without com pensation for construction of the two-lane road.

He also thanked the high court for timely in tervention in the ongoing work programme. Dr Atha also expressed the hope that the court will continue to explore opportunities in restoring the principle of natural justice.

He cautioned NHID CL and the contractors against playing with safety and security of lives of the people. Dr.Atha disclosed

that NHIDCL had dug out illegal culverts at various points along the highway and caused huge damage to land in its vicinity, includ ing irrigation channels and cultivation.

It may be noted that Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) had on March 3 this year, writ ten a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio urging him to address their grievances visà-vis the road.

SAPO pointed out to the chief minister that NHIDCL had been spread ing rumours that it was not getting RoW. SAPO also claimed that no landowner had objected to providing land for development of NH. The organisation also clearly mentioned that the landowners had only de manded that they should not be discriminated against as their land were acquired for development of NH and associate purposes acquired under section-3 of National Highways Act 1955.

Ex-cop kills 36, mostly children, in Thai day care rampage

BANGKOK, OCT 6 (AP):

A former police officer fac ing a drug charge burst into a day care centre on Thurs day in Thailand, killing dozens of preschoolers and teachers and then shooting more people as he fled. At least 36 people were slain in the deadliest rampage in the nation’s history.

The assailant, who was fired earlier this year, took his own life after kill ing his wife and child at home.

Photos taken by first responders showed the school’s floor littered with the tiny bodies of chil

dren still on their blankets, where they had been taking an afternoon nap. The im

KSU, ANGTF back ANATG’s service regularisation demand

DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN): Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and All Na galand Graduate Teachers Forum (ANGTF) have ex tended support to agitating ANTAG over the demand for regularisation of service.

KSU president T Noklem Konyak and gen eral secretary A Pangnan, in a statement, expressed dismay over the plight of ad-hoc teachers and ap pealed the state government to resolve the matter with “utmost priority”.

While affirming its support and solidarity with ANATG, KSU said

the rights of the aggrieved teachers have been “denied without any justifiable ba sis.”

KSU maintained that while other states were striving to develop world class school infrastructure and quality education, the state government did not “shy away from torturing and harassing the teachers since inception.”

KSU also claimed that in Nagaland the “public service ethics” was no more ‘No Work, No pay’ but in stead it was “Only Work but no Pay and No Dignity.”

KU questioned how

would the state government strive to empower the stu dents without empowering the teachers?

KSU stated that there was “no legitimate ground” for denying and delaying the demands for regularisa tion any further when the department’s justification citing court order was in validated.

ANGTF: All Naga land Graduate Teachers Forum (ANGTF) also ex tended its “strong support” to ANATG-2015 batch’s demand for service regula risation.

In a press release, AN

GTF convener Kekuol houthie and secretary Temjenyapang expressed sympathy for the agitat ing teachers comprising of nursing and pregnant moth ers, who were on hunger strike.

The forum has ap pealed to the department to “exert all its possible effort” to resolve the pending issue before the situation goes out of control.

Further, the forum ap pealed to the state cabinet ministers to “apply their political will/wisdom” and break the stalemate between the two parties.

ages showed slashes to their faces and gunshots to their heads and pools of blood.

A teacher told ThaiPBS public broad caster that the assailant got out of a car and imme diately shot a man eating lunch outside, then fired more shots. When the at tacker paused to reload, the teacher had an opportunity to run inside.

“I ran to the back, the children were asleep,” said the young woman, who did not give her name, chok ing back her words. “The children were two or three years old.”

The attack took place in the rural town of Nong bua Lamphu in northeast

ern Thailand, in one of the country’s poorest regions.

Another witness said staff at the day care had locked the door, but the suspect shot his way in.

“The teacher who died, she had a child in her arms,” the witness, whose name wasn’t given, told Thailand’s Kom Chad Luek television. “I didn’t think he would kill chil dren, but he shot at the door and shot right through it.”

At least 10 people were wounded, including six critically, police spokes man Archayon Kraithong said.

ANATG-2015 batch protest enters 11th day

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 6 (NPN):

With no positive develop ment on the demand for regularisation of service, the All Nagaland Ad hoc Teachers Group (ANATG) protest entered the 11th day of agitation on Thursday.

The protest which be gan on September 26 was intensified after teachers began their hunger strike on September 30.

On Thursday, one more member was hospitalized.

Since there was no positive response from the government, ANATG mem

Cough syrup samples sent for checking: Haryana govt after WHO alert

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (PTI): The government on Thursday said samples of cough syrups manufactured by an Indian firm alleg edly linked to the deaths of children in Gambia have been sent for testing by drug regulator DCGI and its results will guide further course of action.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four “contaminated” and “substandard” cough syr ups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana’s Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

India’s drug regulator

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has al ready initiated a probe and sought further details from the WHO.

Haryana’s Health Min ister Anil Vij on Thursday said samples of four cough syrups manufactured by the firm have been sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata for examination.

“The samples have been collected by a team of the DCGI and Haryana’s Food and Drugs Admin istration Department and sent to the CDL, Kolkata for examination,” Vij told PTI.

Vij said the cough syr ups manufactured by the pharma company were ap proved for export. “It is not

available for sale or market ing in the country.”

“Whatever action has to be taken will be taken once the CDL report comes. Only after the report is in, we can arrive at any conclu sion,” Vij said.

Union Health Ministry said the exact “one-to-one causal relation of death” has neither been provided by the UN health agency nor details of labels and products been shared by it with Central Drugs Stan dard Control Organisa tion (CDSCO), enabling it to confirm the identity or source of the manufacturing of the products.

The ministry in a state ment said on September 29

that WHO informed DCGI that it is currently providing technical assistance and advice to Gambia, where children have died and where a contributing fac tor, is suspected to be the use of medicines which may have been contaminated with Diethylene glycol or Ethylene glycol (in some of the samples it was claimed to have been confirmed by further analysis conducted by WHO).

CDSCO took up the matter immediately with Haryana State Regulatory Authority, under whose ju risdiction the drug manufac turing unit of M/s Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited, Sonepat is located.

Further, a detailed in vestigation was launched to ascertain facts/details in the matter in collaboration with State Drugs Control ler, Haryana, the statement said.

As per tentative results received by WHO, out of 23 samples of the products under reference which were tested, four samples have been found to contain Di ethylene Glycol/ Ethylene Glycol.

It has also been in formed by WHO that cer tificate of analysis will be made available to WHO in near future and WHO will share it with the Indian Regulator which is yet to be done.

ber Bendangtemsu Ozuküm said the protesting teachers were firm on continuing the agitation till their demand was fulfilled.

Ozukum had disclosed that ANATG sought to re solve the issue by placing its three-point charter of demands with the state gov ernment represented by Ad viser school education K.T. Sukhalu on Tuesday. He said the three point charter included (i) Regularisation for ANATG-2015 batch to be effective from the date the agreement was signed between the two parties, (ii) Seniority to be back dated to

when ANATG-2015 batch members were eligible for the suitability test and (iii) State government to give written assurance for service regularisation.

Ozukum said the state government did not accept them and so, the ball now lies in the court of the chief minister on resolving the demand of ANATG. He added that nothing short of regularisation will be accept able to ANATG.

He also said that the teachers were planning to further intensify the agita tion in the days to come, if the stalemate continues.

New fish species discovered in Nagaland

DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN):

A fish new to science has been discovered from Dikhu river, Mokokchung, Naga land and has been named Pethia dikhuensis after the name of the river from where it was discovered.

The research team was led by Limaakum (Principal investigator) from Depart ment of Zoology, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung. The research was sponsored by Higher Education depart ment. The work has also been published in the inter national journal for taxo nomic studies—Zootaxa.

In a press note, Limaa kum said that the project

was ongoing and more fishes were being identified for which the results are awaited.

The research team thanked the department of Higher Education for sponsoring the project works and also Principal, Kohima Science college Dr. Tem jenwabang for his sincere encouragement and support in pursuing the research.

Kiren

Police officers stand guard as relatives of the victims gather at the childcare centre (Inset) Mug shot photo of the suspected assailant.

Chingwang Konyak, President

& Colleagues

Thenucho Tunyi, Working President

K. Therie, President NPCC & Colleagues

Atovi Shohe, Ex- MLA, ExParliamentarians’ Association of Nagaland & Colleagues

K.L. Chishi, Former CM, Nagaland

Hukavi Zhimo, Ex-MLA

Kipili Sangtam, Ex-Minister

Joshua Swunhetho, Ex-Deputy Speaker, NLA

R. Tohonba Yimchunger, Ex-MLA

Shetoyi Yepthomi, Ex-MLA

Q. Tuccu, Chairman, NSCN/GPRN

Kitovi Zhimomi, Convenor NNPGs

V. Tuccu, Steering Committee

NSCN/GPRN

V.S Atem, Retd. General, NSCN/GPRN

Azheto Chophi, Advisor to collective leader, GPRN/ NSCN

Isaac Chishi, Gen Secretary, CoConvenor NNPGs

Akaho Zhimo, Army Chief, NSCN (Nikki)

Yekhuvi

Hojei Swu,

Bohoto Kiba,

Kilonser,

Akato Chophy, President

Kikheto Yepthomi, IAS,

Secy,

& Shrimati Atokhe Aye,

Excise, Nagaland

Akheto Jakhalu, Wing Commander,

Hekani Jakhalu Kense, Founder & President, Youthnet, Nagaland

Joseph Hesso, IPS, DIG(HQ),

Kavito Aomi, Assistant Director,

& Civil

Tokavi Achumi, Deputy

NAP

H.K.Khulu, IAS Retd., Addl. Chief Secretary, Nagaland

Vitoshe Rochill, Retd, C.E.

Hoivi Awomi, President Sumi Awomi Kuposhukulu (SAK) & Colleagues

Kitoho S.Rotokha, Gen. Secy, JDU Nagaland (Unit)

Ahoto Andrew Yeptho, Chairman, LFI

Phushika Awomi, Former President

Lipok Pongen, Ex-Candidate,

A/C

Savi Leigise, Ex- Candidate,

A/C

Hukheto L.Yeptho, Hd GB, Lhomithi

Colleagues

Nagaland Bihari Samaj President & Colleagues

Sumi Kukuputsa, BoD, Editors & Staff

Dr. Khekugha Murru, President, CNCCI & Colleagues

New Market Business Welfare Committee President & Colleagues

New Market Business Owners’ Association, President & Colleagues

Dimapur Meetei Council, President & Colleagues

Khaghaboto Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu (KTKK) & Frontal Heads

Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organization (KGPO), President & Colleagues

Ino Ashito Awomi (Dedicatory Song)

Khetoi Union, Dimapur

Shri Vishiyi Ayemi, Founder of Vishiyi Village

Dr P. Nihoto Chishi, Founder Nihoto Village

Shri Thsithrongse Sangtam, Hd. GB, Thsithrongse Village

Shri Khetoshe Ayemi, Chairman Thahekhu Village Council, VCMs & Citizens

Shri Kuhoi Kevin Yeptho, VDB Secretary, Thahekhu Village & Members

Thahekhu Ghami Kiphimi Kuqhakulu

High School Ssa Kuposhukulu, Thahekhu

Yehokhu Village Baptist Church, Village Council & its Citizens

Mr. Aowati Longkhumer, Ex-President, 2DMR-II AC, NPF & Colleagues

Ex-Office Bearers, Party Workers & Colleagues of Late Y,Hewoto Awomi

Shri Mughavi Chishi, Former PA to Late Y. Hewoto Awomi

Shri Rokovilie, Former Press Secretary to Late Y. Hewoto Awomi

Shri Pilato Sumi, Former Press Secretary to Late Y. Hewoto Awomi

Shri Dipak Chakraborty, Former PS to Late Y. Hewoto Awomi

Shri Vitohe Chishi, Personal Secretary to Late Y. Hewoto Awomi

Hornbill TV Staff & Management

All Friends and Well-wishers.

WEATHER FORECAST

OCTOBER 7

DCO Peren organises tribal festival in Peren

DC Kohima declares areas as

ASF infected zones

DIMAPUR: Following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) at various lo cations under Kohima dis trict, deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima, Shanavas C has declared several areas as “infected zones and surveillance zones”.

Archbishop of Calcutta Diocese to visit Nagaland

St. Thomas Mission Society to sponsor 25 Naga students

DIMAPUR: District cultural office (DCO) Peren, under the department of Art & Culture (A&C) organised a tribal festival on the theme “igniting cultural traditions” on October 3, at Peren Town Stadium.

According to a DIPR report, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Peren Keyirangding Hegui in his speech, lauded Peren district cultural office for organising such a mega event to highlight the importance of culture and traditions.

He spoke on the unique ness of Nagas and the need for putting a price tag on one’s culture.

In this regard, the ADC encouraged the people to preserve and protect their traditions for prosperity.

He also advised the younger generation to be well acquainted with their respective cultural values and to safeguard the same as this was their identity.

Keyirangding Hegui also suggested that the people maintain proper documenta tion of their traditions and cultures.

Highlights of the pro gramme included folklore on “widow and sunlight” recited by Idwaheina and Iheigongbe while Peren Stu dents’ Union, Peren Village

Nagaland girls NCC launches ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’

Heruima, Jalukie (B) Heraka youth Dance troupe and Gov ernment Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Peren cultural troupe presented cultural songs and dances.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Dr. Baheun gausile and assistant research officer Moses Newmai deliv ered the welcome address.

Later, vote of thanks was proposed by district cul tural officer Peren, Y. Akila Quinker.

Other highlights of the programme included presen tation of traditional mufflers to special invitees and oth ers dignitaries present at the programme.

NJVC condemns raid by 25 Assam Rifles

DIMAPUR: New Jalukie Village Coun cil (NJVC) has strongly condemned the “unlawful activities” of 25th Assam Riffles, Jalukie, Athibung unit under Peren district on September 29, around 1:30 am, wherein, the search operation team along with one police personnel raided the residence of Village Developmental Board (VDB) secretary, Belief Gonmei “on the pretext of search operation for arms and ammunitions.”

In a press release, NJVC chairman, Liangkebo and secretary, Akungbo claimed that the operation team ransacked the household and public properties and left them scattered. NJVC claimed that “their futile exercise” did not find illegal possession at the residence of the public servant and made him sign a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in the presence of his neighbour as witness.

DIMAPUR: Cadets of 1 Nagaland Girls Battalion NCC, Kohima under various colleges and schools carried out the nationwide campaign “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan” to keep water bodies free from wastes across the country.

In a press release, PRO, Defence Kohima, Lt Col Amit Shukla stated that the cadets participated in clean ing up waste materials along the riverbanks.

They also created awareness on the campaign through rallies, inter action with shopkeepers and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) involved in waste management and recycling, street act play, plog run, poster making and essay writing.

PRO said the campaign is aimed at raising awareness among the public on the importance of a clean environ ment and waste management.

“It is a shameful act of the security personnel and also a harassment to the innocent family members” NJVC stated.

The village council also expressed dismay over the high-handedness of the Assam Rifles towards innocent individuals and for creating havoc among law-abiding people of the village. Further, NJVC warned AR personnel not to repeat such activities in the village without the consent of the village authority

Condolence messages on demise of Hewoto Awomi

DIMAPUR: Various organ isations and leaders have extended their condolences at the demise of former minis ter and head GB, Y Hewoto Awomi, who passed away on September 28.

Tokheho Yepthomi: Member of parliament (MP) Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yep thomi has expressed deep saddens at the demise of Hewoto Awomi.

In a condolence mes sage, Tokheho said he was fortunate to have worked with late Hewoto as members of Nagaland Legislative Assem bly and in the 10 years they worked, the MP said he found late Hewoto to be a dedicated person who was ready to help people from all walks of life.

He said such qualities came from his early days as a social worker before his foray in electoral politics, where he left a mark that will stand as testimony in times to come.

Tokheho stated that the Nagas and Sumis lost a dedi cated and selfless person who stood for the people and that his demise has left a void in the social and political sphere which will be hard to fill.

Azheto Zhimomi: Azheto Zhimomi, MLA, has expressed sorrow to learn that about the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

The MLA described late Hewoto as a leader with fas cinating personality who he had worked with on various

platforms and issues.

“I have big admiration for his dedication, courage and great sense of justice” Azheto stated.

He said that the Nagas lost an eminent leader and that his demise had left a void among the Western Sumi.

WSTH: Western Sumi Totimi Hoho has expressed sorrow at the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi. In a con dolence message, WSTH described late Hewoto as an upright man.

While mourning the loss of his life, WSTH said it also celebrated his life as a “father figure”, a “genuine man” and an “egalitarian”.

KGPO: Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organisa tion has expressed sadness to learn of the demise of Y. Hewoto Awomi.

KGPO described late Hewoto as a visionary who was a stout, judicious and a determined public leader, who served the Nagas, par ticularly the Sumi community with commitment. KGPO conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family members.

TGKK: Thahekhu Ghami Kiphimi Kuqhakulu has expressed deep saddeness to learn about the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

TGKK described late Hewoto as a man of principle and wisdom who served the people with sincere devotion.

“His immense contri

bution towards the society in different forms shall be remembered for years to come”, TGKK stated.

Further, Thahekhu Ghami Kiphimi Kuqhakulu conveyed heartfelt condo lences to the bereaved family members.

Dimapur Meetei Coun cil: Expressing shock to learn of the demise of Hewoto Awomi, Dimapur Meetei Council recollected the re lationship it had with him and stated that the council had lost its great leader who served all the communities in Dimapur.

Further, Dimapur Meetei Council extended its condolences to the bereaved family.

NBS: Nagaland Bihari Samaj has mourned over the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

NBS described late Hewoto as a man of gener ous and benevolent character who made innumerable con tributions to every society and stood by all the minorities.

The Bihari Samaj con veyed condolences to the bereaved family members.

NDPP Dimapur region: NDPP Dimapur region has expressed grief to learn of the sudden demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

NDPP Dimapur region has conveyed heartfelt condo lences to the bereaved family members.

DMC: Dimapur Mu

nicipal Council has expressed grief at the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

In a condolence mes sage, DMC office described late Hewoto as a dedicated leader who served the so ciety in various capacities particularly for the public of Dimapur.

NPF Dimapur divi sion: NPF Dimapur division has expressed deep pain to learn about the demise of Y Hewoto Awomi.

NPF Dimapur division described late Hewoto as a compassionate person with impeccable record who was a true friend to all sections of the society.

DDCF: Dimapur Dis trict Citizens’ Forum has expressed deep shock to learn about the sudden demise of Hewoto Awomi who was the founding advisor of DDCF.

DCCF said late Hewoto was a pillar to the office of DDCF in particular and Dimapur public in general.

“It is just not the family or Thahekhu or Yehokhu village that is at loss but the whole of Dimapur district for he stood as a strong pillar under the rain and the sun”, DCCF stated.

Describing him as a leader who walked an extra mile for the welfare of the people, DCCF said his depar ture has left a big vacuum in the society which will be next to impossible to find.

In an order, DC in formed that infected zones include—Botsa village (1km radius of infected premises); surveillance zone—10 km radius from the infected premises (9 km radius outside the in fected zone). The following restrictions have been laid for strict compliance in the aforementioned locations until further order—ban on slaughter of pigs; ban on import and export of pigs and piglets and ban on transportation of pigs and pork.

DIMAPUR: Archbishop of Calcutta Diocese, Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius under the Malankara Or thodox Syrian Church will undertake an “apostolic visit” to Nagaland from October 7-9. During the visit, Dr. Joseph will also preside over the second graduation day of MGM College, Dimapur.

In a press release, MGM College principal, Fr. Dr. P.S. Varghese stated that Dr. Joseph, who is also the president of St. Thomas Mission Society Dimapur, will sponsor 25 Naga Christian students to

pursue engineering (B.Tech and M.Tech) at Christian College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) Bhilai, Chattisgarh for the current session.

In this regard, aspi rants have been asked to

NEWS IN BRIEF

ADC Satakha informs on traffic movement: Additional deputy commissioner Satakha has informed that there will be total restriction of vehicular traffic movement 10 pm-5 am till October 10 along Ch.94+500 to Ch.95+000 between Satakha and Zunheboto Town and Ch.88.000 to Ch.88.500 between Kilo Old and Yezhimo stream (Chakabama-Zunheboto two-lane road construction). The restriction is necessitated to facilitate speedy comple tion of works and for safety of the public.

ADC Niuland notifies on draft E-roll: Administra tor & electoral roll registration officer, Niuland Town Council (NTC) T. Lemlila Sangtam has notified the public of NTC that the draft E-roll has been published and will be issued to all the nine wards for reference. The period for lodging of claims & objections will be opened from October 5-21 through form 3 (inclusion

contact Fr. Dr. P.S. Var ghese for more details. Interested students along with their parents may also meet Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysiyus on October 8 and 9 at MGM College for further information.

of name), form 4 (objection to the entry of name) or form 5 (objection to the particulars entered/correction) at the office of ERO/AERO NTC during office hours.

DC Chümou informed on CMHP: DC Chümoukedima Abhinav Shivam has informed that Prodigal’s Home in collaboration with various stakeholders is organising a mental health programme titled “Community Mental health Program” (CMHP) awareness-cum-sensitisation programme for stakeholders in Chümoukedima district on October 8, 10:30 am. DC has requested the participa tion of all stakeholders.

DNOSE meeting: Dimapur Nkonjan Okotsoe Shitiri Ekhung has convened a general meeting on October 8, 9 am, at the residence of Lawrence Shitiri (Rilan village). All households have been requested to attend the said meeting.

KU Mon unit urges Reliance Jio to stop work

DIMAPUR: Konyak Union (KU) Mon Unit has urged Reliance Jio to stop ongoing work from Friday.

Konyak Union Mon Unit president, Kaiyan Toalem and general secretary, Nokhreih Ünok SN in a statement said they had inspected the optical fibre cable

work along with T/Chingnyu Village Council and T/Chingnyu Students’ Union office-bearers in their jurisdiction following com plaint received from people from T/Chingnyu village.

They alleged that the work al located to the company was not as

per detailed project report (DPR). Hence, they requested the company to stop work from Friday.

They further asked the contrac tor – Trident Infra Project Pvt Ltd – to report to KU Mon Unit office on October 14, 2022 at 2 pm without fail along with the DPR.

Cultural troupes along with officers and staff of DCO Peren and others. (DIPR)

Nagaland Girls Bn NCC cadets during a cleanliness drive on the banks of Dhansiri River.

Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius

Meghalaya police lob tear gas on agitating teachers

Correspondent

SHILLONG, OCT 6: Meghalaya police on Thurs day lobbed tear gas shells and used force to disperse agitatin g lower primary contractual teachers and their family members who were marching towards the state secretariat to mount pressure on the government to be reinstated in their jobs.

The incident took place in the afternoon when the group of teachers under the banner of Meghalaya Gov ernment Lower Primary School Contractual Teach ers’ Association (MGLP SCTA) together with their family, including pregnant women and children, began their march from the Kiang Nangbah monument to the secretariat.

The teachers have been camping on the footpath in the area since September 7.

As they approached near the secretariat, police lobbed three tear gas shells at the agitating teachers.

It is not known wheth er any of the magistrates who were assigned to over see the protest had ordered the police to lob the tear gas shells on the unarmed school teachers.

“I don’t know. I have just arrived here,” a magis trate said when asked.

However, district po lice chief of East Khasi Hills, Sylvester Nongtnger said the police had to fire tear gas because they turned violent.

“The police were left with no option but to fire tear gas as the teachers sud denly turned violent,” he said.

Nobody was however injured in the incident.

The teachers didn’t re lent and they went up to the main gate of the secretariat shouting slogans against the NPP-led MDA Government and demanded that they be reinstated.

Till the filing of this re port, the teachers are camp ing in front of the main sec retariat, although the area around it has been placed under section 144 CrPC.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his council of ministers were not inside the secretariat.

“We have decided not to move from this main gate of secretariat till our demands are met and we are

reinstated in our former jobs as teachers in lower primary schools,” MGLPSTA presi dent, Birbor Riangtem said.

Riangtem said that he and his fellow contractual teachers were compelled to bring their families since they have been badly af fected after the government terminated their contract after they failed to clear the Meghalaya Teachers’ Eligi bility Test (MTET.)

The teachers claim that after several years of service, they got just one chance to clear the exam and now they are overaged to sit for the test as per the eligibil ity criteria to appear in the MTET. Most of the teachers who were terminated had just one attempt at MTET in 2021 as they are now overage.

Almost 900 teachers, out of the 1100, failed the

Officer killed in chopper crash given military honours

exam when it was first held in 2021. To apply for MTET, a candidate cannot be over the age of 32 years.

Riangtem claimed that over 149 contractual teach ers in Health Minister James Sangma’s Dadengre con stituency were reinstated.

“We are all overage. We can’t apply for the exam ination anymore although we fulfilled all the other cri teria like pass percentage in the 12 examinations. After years of service, we are lit erally on the streets without any income,” a teacher said.

The teachers have met the chief minister Conrad Sangma and education min ister Lahkmen Rymbui on several occasions with their demand and back disheart ened each time as the gov ernment refused to revoke its decision.

On the other hand,

Chief Secretary Donald Philips Wahlang had invited the agitating teachers for a meeting, but the agitating teachers have refused to meet the government offi cials and continue with their agitation till the government meets their demand.

VPP demands resignationofM’laya Home Minister

Condemning the used of tear gas shells on agitat ing schools teachers and their families, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Home Min ister Lahkmen Rymbui who is also the minister in-charge of Education portfolio.

“The minister incharge of Home and Edu cation should take moral responsibility and resign immediately and the police personnel involved in this inhuman be booked as this is an utter violation of hu man rights,” VPP general secretary Dr Ricky A J Syn gkon said.

“First of all the Gov ernment had taken a cat egorical decision not to entertain the case of the contractual teachers and depriving them of their live lihood overnight which is a an oppression against the nation builders. Secondly, the Government has miser ably failed in managing this issue by not coming out an alternative solution but to force the poor contractual teachers to the streets,” Syn

gkon said.

Stating that If Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and other ministers can undertake a junket tour abroad, the VPP asked, “why can’t they meet the agitating teachers?”

“Finally, this oppres sive government has cow ardly put a nail on the coffin by tear gassing the peaceful teachers as if they are hoo ligans..,” Syngkon further said.

“The violent act com mitted against the contratu al teachers on the October 6, 2022 by this insensitive and corruptible MDA (Megha laya Democratic Alliance) government is highly con demnable by one and all who are part and parcel of a civil society other than those in a barbaric world,” the VPP said.

Meanwhile, KAM Meghalaya, a political party has demanded for an inde pendent judicial enquiry into the incident.

“Anyone who is in volved in the excessive and high handedness should be punished as per law,” KAM leader Angela Rangad said, adding that it is also a mat ter of grave violation of hu man rights against women as there were no women police present and women were man handled by the police.

Rangad also demand ed that the State Women’s Commission to take cogni sance and inquire into this.

Amit Shah, JP Nadda on Assam visit from today

The other injured pilot in the incident was air evac uated to 151 Base Hospital Guwahati on October 5, where he is being treated by the best medical staff. The Officer is out of critical dan ger and is recovering well, the release added.

press release by PRO

SHILLONG, OCT 6 (PTI): Meghalaya minister and BJP leader Sanbor Shullai asserted that his party will continue to sup port the NPP-led govern ment in the state, amid speculations of the saffron camp withdrawing support to the coalition.

Shullai’s comments came almost a month after BJP’s Meghalaya in-charge M Chuba Ao said the party would soon take a call on whether to continue its support to the NPP-led government in the state, following allegations of cor ruption against the Conrad K Sangma dispensation.

“The BJP will not withdraw from the alliance, and will complete its stipu lated term in the coalition,” Shullai told PTI.

The state minister on Wednesday said withdraw ing support to the govern ment at this juncture would create a wrong perception among BJP supporters.

Shullai was seconded by the party’s Meghalaya president Ernest Mawrie, who claimed that Ao had made the remark with out consulting other state

leaders. “He (Ao) did not consult the state leaders. I have informed our central leadership about the mat ter,” Mawrie said.

BJP’s legislative party leader AL Hek could not be contacted for his com ments. The ruling Megha laya Democratic Alliance has 48 MLAs, including 23 of the NPP, in the 60-mem ber assembly. The BJP, with two MLAs, is an ally of the National People’s Party-led coalition government in the state. Referring to several corruption charges against the coalition government, Ao had said last month the saffron camp was examin ing the complaints.

Ao had accused the NPP of “running the MDA government at the cost of the BJP”.

The relation between the two parties has recently soured over various issues, including the arrest of BJP Meghalaya unit vice presi dent Bernard N Marak.

The police appre hended him for his alleged involvement in extorting money from traders leading to a rise in prices of certain food items.

GUWAHATI, OCT 6 (PTI): Union Home Minis ter Amit Shah, accompanied by BJP president JP Nadda, will be on a three-day tour to Assam from Friday where the two leaders will inaugu rate the new state office of the party, officials said.

Both the leaders will ar rive in Guwahati on Friday evening. Nadda will leave on Saturday evening after attending a couple of meet ings, while Shah will depart from the state on Sunday evening following several official engagements.

Addressing a press conference, BJP state presi dent Bhabesh Kalita said, “Nadda and Shah will reach here on Friday around 4 pm. After that, they will attend a meeting of the party’s core committee.”

On Saturday, the two leaders will inaugurate BJP’s new state office on National Highway-27 at Basistha Chariali area in presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Shipping, Ports and Water ways Minister Sarbananda

Sonowal, he added.

“After the function, the leaders will address a rally of BJP booth workers at Vet erinary College Playground in Khanapara. We expect around 40,000-45,000 booth workers to attend the rally,” Kalita said.

Though the BJP state unit chief did not mention their other programmes, of ficial sources told PTI that Nadda will leave Assam on Saturday evening.

Shah will stay back and attend a series of of ficial meetings on Saturday evening and Sunday morn ing, scheduled to take place at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati, a source said.

On Sunday afternoon, he will visit the Police Train ing College at Dergaon in Golaghat district to attend the conference of the su perintendents of police of the state, another source at Assam Police said.

The home minister will depart from Assam on Sun day evening from the Jorhat airport, he added.

Digitization will revolutionize agriculture: Manipur CM

Correspondent

IMPHAL, OCT 6: Integra tion of farming activities into digital technology will revolutionize agriculture in the country as well as in the state, said Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday.

In his speech at a video conference on “Natural Farming and Digital Agri culture” chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah, Singh also highlighted steps being initiated by the state and progress made regard ing natural farming and digital agriculture.

He said that the state had already initiated the process for digitization of agriculture and preparation for the agriculture census for 2021-22 has also completed and it will be initiated at the earliest.

“Door to door enquiry will be conducted using tab lets/smart phones to collect all relevant information of

farmers. We are aiming to complete this by December, 2022,” the chief minister said. The chief minister also said that natural farm ing in the state has improved much than before.

“Considering the ill ef fects of chemical fertilizers,

we are encouraging natural and organic farming,” he said.

Locations where cattle were utilized in farming were also identified in four districts to set up GOVARDHAN plants on pilot ba sis, he informed.

The chief minister also highlighted that earlier only around 5000 hectare of land was utilized for organic farming which has now increased to 37000 hectare.

With the support and assistance from the Central ministries, the state will

be able to encourage 100 percent natural and organic farming, the chief minister concluded.

After brief speeches from participating chief ministers and state agri culture minister, the video conference concluded with an address from the Union home minister Amit Shah.

The video conference was also attended by Union minister of agriculture & farmers welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, Union minis ter of chemicals and fertil izers Dr Mansukh Manda viya, chief ministers and agriculture ministers of different states.

Chief minister N Biren Singh was accompanied by agriculture minister Thon gam Biswajit Singh, horti culture & soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip and state chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, among others officials of the con cerned departments of the state government.

Increase tourism budget for NE by Rs 10,000 cr to create 3 lakh jobs: MSME EPC

GUWAHATI, OCT 6 (PTI): MSME Export Pro motion Council (MSME EPC) on Thursday urged the central government to increase the tourism budget of Northeast by Rs 10,000 crore, which will in return generate around three lakh new jobs in the region.

In a study, North east Paradise For Tour ism: Need For Developing Tourism Markets, the ex port promotion body has suggested that the Centre should consider enhanc ing its budget by Rs 10,000 crore for tourism promo tion in the region.

The study, prepared by the Northeastern Econom ic Development Division of the MSME EPC in associa tion with BillMart FinTech, also requested the Centre to develop two tourist centres in each of the eight states of the region in coordination with local governments and equip them with all infrastructure.

MSME EPC Chair man D S Rawat and BillMart Fintech Found er-CEO Jigish Sonagara jointly released the study and emphasised the need for further incentivising the private sector with an

attractive financial pack age for investing in tourism promotion in the NE.

“Once two tourist centres in each state are developed, 1.5 lakh new direct jobs and an equal number of indirect jobs will be generated, and this industry will be the largest job provider,” Rawat said.

Development of the tourism sector will solve the increasing unemployment problem in the Northeast, create consumer markets, encourage start-ups and generate revenues for the states, he added. The study has further suggested en

couragement to e-tourism and brand building for the entire tourism industry and also identification of prospective tourists.

“Innovation in tour ism, as elsewhere, is in deed a collaborative ac tion between governments, academia, corporations, micro, small and medium enterprises, start-ups, inves tors, supporting business partners and other stake holders,” it added.

The study has tabu lated and highlighted 20 facts about the region that together will help in devel oping Northeast as a ‘desti

N.F. Railway rescue 5 minors in last few days

MALIGAON, OCT 6

(NPN): The Railway Pro tection Force (RPF) of N. F.

Railway (NFR) rescued 05 minor boys from different stations in different drives and checks conducted from September 27 to 30 over N.

F. Railway. The rescued mi nors were later, handed over to the respective Childline for their safe custody and further course of action.

A press release by the Chief Public Relations Offi cer stated that on September

27, RPF of New Jalpaiguri conducted a routine check in Train no. 15903 (Dibrugarh – Chandigarh Express) at New Jalpaiguri railway sta tion where they rescued one run away minor boy from the train.

In a drive against hu man trafficking, unauthor ized hawking, begging etc. at Katihar railway station, RPF of Katihar (East) on September 29, NFR res cued 2 runaway minor boys.

On the same day, RPF of

Guwahati conducted drive against human trafficking at Guwahati railway station where they rescued one run away minor boy.

On September 30, RPF of Silchar conducted a rou tine check at Silchar railway station where they rescued one run away minor boy who was later handed over to Childline/Tarapur/Sil char.

The release further in formed that RPF train escort parties and staff deployed at

stations have been alerted and sensitized to be vigilant and on the lookout for sus pected persons involved in human trafficking as well as the movement of children in a suspicious manner, travelling alone, without proper guardian etc. It stated that ‘Meri Saheli’ has been formed over N. F. Railway and functioning round the clock to make aware wom en/child passengers about the safety/security and use of Helpline No. 139.

nation for tourists’. These include “sun can be seen first, largest & smallest river islands, avail ability of golden/muga silk, largest weaving village, safe haven for one-horned rhinos, unique mothers’run market, wettest place, largest electric guitar en semble, floating palace etc”.

Stressing the need for a ‘tourism market’, the study says that a marketing plan is truly the road map for attracting tourists. It needs budget allocation for promotional activities and at the end of each tourism

season, one can use market ing plans to set goals and make changes for the next season.

“Since the tourism marketing nationally and internationally is expen sive, therefore, the tourism promotional agencies set by the state governments should jointly undertake the responsibility,” the study by the MSME EPC said. The MSME EPC, a nonprofit organisation, works in close association with the Ministry of Cor porate Affairs to assist the MSME units in their export efforts.

In the Court of Deputy CommIssIoner DImapur : nagalanD Notice

Dated Dimapur, the 03rd Oct 2022

No. Rev-1/90-D/8601

Notice is hereby given that Shri I. Onen, a resident of Dimapur who has applied for issue of mortgage clearance concerning to Patta No. of 216, Dag No. 299 measuring an area 00-03-02 located at Block No/Village 08, Mouza No. 03 which has been mortgage with NIDC Bank/Society.

Claim/objection concerning to the said land if any & should there be any, should submit to this court on or before 7(seven) days from the date of publication in local newspaper.

J P Nadda and Amit Shah

DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN): The Assam Rifles paid obeisance with full military honours Lt Col Saurabh Yadav of Army Aviation who died in a heli copter crash at October 5 in a forward area.

Kohima Lt Col Amit Shukla stated that “wreath was laid on behalf of a grateful na tion for the untiring service to the nation by the officer” The release stated that the mortal remains have been dispatched to Delhi in a special military plane.

Soldiers saluting the mortal remains of Lt Col Saurabh Yadav.

N Biren Sigh along with others attending video conference chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah on Natural Farming and Digital Agriculture from Imphal on Thursday.

We will continue to support NPPled govt in M’laya: BJP leader

Contractual teachers in front of the state secretariat.

Sonia joins Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka

PANDAVAPURA (KTK),

Ghaziabad most polluted city last week

OCT 6 (PTI):

Making a public appearance after a long gap, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka with her pres ence at the march being viewed in party circles as a major morale booster.

Amid loud cheers and sloganeering by party workers, Sonia Gandhi, 75, walked besides her son Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders for a few kilometres in Mandya district of Karnataka on Thursday morning.

The top party brass of poll-bound Karnataka led by former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state unit chief D K Shivakumar were also part of the convoy that walked alongside the Gandhis.

The happy images of the mother and son walking together filled social media spaces.

“We have sailed through storms in the past and today too we will break the limits of all challenges and will together unite In dia,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted as the Yatra continued to traverse Karnataka, where he will stay for another 15 days before moving into Telangana.

“We have weathered many a storm and will overcome all challenges. Together we will unite In dia,” he said in another tweet in Hindi and posted a photograph of him walking with his mother, his arm around her.

The Congress also posted a picture of the two on Twitter, and said, “Those shielded by love fear nothing! On the road, marching ahead”.

Another post from the party simply said “Ma” with a heart and the pho tograph of Rahul Gandhi tying Sonia Gandhi’s shoe laces.

The picture prompted Congress leader Shashi

Tharoor to put out a post in Hindi, which said, “There are blessings even when she breathes, no one can replace a mother as mothers are mothers.”

“Adorable,” said sev eral Twitter users about the picture.

Sonia Gandhi’s pres ence appeared to galvanise those participating in the yatra and bystanders alike with security personnel hav ing a tough time taming the crowds that jostled to get a glimpse of the Congress president.

This is the first time that Sonia Gandhi has joined a public event after recovering from COVID-19 earlier this year. The Con

gress president had con tracted Covid twice and was also hospitalised.

As she tweaked her programme schedule to stay with the yatris for two hours as against the 30 min utes planned earlier, AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Congress President Sonia Gandhi walked with @RahulGandhi & paday atris between Jakkanahalli & Karadya in Mandya dis trict. Her programme was for only 30 mins. She stayed with #BharatJodoYatra for two hours, energised by support of people of Karna taka & in turn strengthening our resolve.”

The interim Congress president, who is about to hand over her chair to a non- Gandhi once elections for the post of party presi dent conclude on October 17, has not canvassed or participated in public events of the party for a long time due to health reasons.

Her daughter and Congress general secretary Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, “Congress president Sonia Gandhi joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra today.The whole country will be United and will move forward strong ly.”

Malegaon blast: Pragya Thakur appears before trial court 26 cyber criminals arrested by CBI

MUMBAI, OCT 6 (PTI):

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, a prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, on Thursday appeared before the trial court here.

The Bhopal MP re mained present before the special judge for NIA cases, A K Lahoti, as an official of the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad who had arrested her was deposing as a witness.

The ATS official was cross-examined by Thakur’s lawyer during the day’s pro ceedings. She arrived around 12 PM and sat on the wood en bench assigned for the ac cused. Later the court allowed her to sit on a chair after she complained of backache. The court also conducted the proceedings in Hindi (instead of Marathi and English) on Thakur’s request. Seven persons, including Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit,

Pragya Singh Thakur

are facing trial in the case. As many as 26 witnesses have turned hostile in the case until now. Six people were killed and over 100 injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon, a communally sensitive town in north Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008.

According to police, the motorcycle was registered in Thakur’s name which led to her arrest. The Bombay High Court granted her bail in 2017.

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (PTI):

Twenty-six alleged cyber crim inals have been arrested so far under ‘Operation Chakra’ of the CBI to dismantle cy ber crime gangs operating in the country, officials said on Thursday.

The operation has been launched in coordination with state police, Interpol and agencies of other countries, they said. The CBI said 16 persons were arrested by Kar nataka Police, seven by Delhi Police, two by Punjab Police and one by Andaman and Nicobar Police. The central probe agency, in coordination with state police, conducted searches under the operation at 115 locations across the country on inputs provided by Interpol, FBI, Royal Ca nadian Mounted Police and Australian Federal Police, the officials said. The CBI regis tered 11 cases against cyber criminals involved in financial fraud using the internet.

Flash flood deaths: TMC-BJP war ofwordsoversafetymeasures

have been no reports of miss ing persons so far. Search and rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF are still underway,” she said. Jalpaiguri district magistrate Moumita Godara said that more than 100 people had been rescued by Thursday afternoon.

The longest serving Congress chief, Sonia Gan dhi had last participated in a roadshow in Varanasi in August 2016 where she sus tained a shoulder injury and later underwent a surgery.

Though brief, the pres ence of Sonia Gandhi was seen in party circles as a major morale booster.

Besides the Congress lauding her spirit on its of ficial Twitter handle, the Karnataka Congress also hailed her and tweeted, “Unfazed, Undeterred & United. More power to our fight against tyrannical and divisive forces as Congress President Smt Sonia Gan dhi joins the march.”

Congress leaders fur ther took to the micro blog ging site to cheer Rahul Gandhi for his visible show of affection for Sonia Gan dhi. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate tweeted a video where Rahul is seen prodding his mother to return to the vehicle, even when the latter appears eager to continue walking.

“A concerned son, be fore anything else. That’s why I respect Rahul Gan dhi because a mother has to be loved and cared forsometimes despite her resis tance,” Shrinate captioned the video.

GHAZIABAD, OCT 6 (IANS): The Graded Re sponse Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi NCR from October 1 to save citizens from rising pollution, but its rules are followed least in Ghaziabad. Ghaziabad was categorised as the most polluted city in India last week, as per reports.

The largest city in west ern UP was the most pol luted one in the country on Wednesday when its AQI was 248. On Tuesday, the city’s AQI average stood at 162, with an escalation of 86 points. The condition in Loni was the worst in all the four stations of the city

with its AQI at 293. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the officials of Loni Municipal Council to strictly follow the rules of GRAP. The Board has concerns over the rising pollution in the capital after Ravan Dahan on Dussehra.

The AQI is expected to come down to normal level if it rains. Further in NCR, Gurugram’s AQI stood at 238, making it the second most polluted city in the country while Greater Noida was at the third position with its AQI measuring at 234.

“The spread of pollution is compounded by emission of black smoke from vehicles,” said the regional officer of

the CPCB. After Navratri, vehicular pollution spread rapidly in the atmosphere as many people used their own vehicles to travel, taking Del hi’s AQI to 211 - which was 37 points less than Ghazi abad. “Slow wind speed, not sprinkling water on roads and vehicular smoke are considered to be the main reasons for pollution,in the last 24 hours,” officials said.

The AQI of Ghaziabad in the the last five days was recorded as 210,207,138,162 and 248. The four stations of the district Indirapuram, Vasundhara, Loni and San jay Nagar had the AQI measured 258, 265, 293 and 175 respectively.

KOLKATA, OCT 6 (PTI):

The death of eight people in the flash flood in Mal river in Jalpaiguri during immer sion of Durga idols triggered a war of words on Thursday between the TMC and BJP, which accused the adminis tration of not taking adequate safety measures.

The ruling TMC discard ed the allegations as baseless and urged the saffron camp to stop its “vulture politics” of trying to politicise even accidents in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the incident. Each of them also announced Rs 50,000 to the injured. The in cident took place around 8.30 pm on Wednesday when hun dreds of people gathered on the banks of the Mal river to participate in the immersion

ceremony on Vijaya Dashami.

“Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased in the tragic mishap during Dur ga Puja festivities in Jalpaig uri, West Bengal. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a tweet. The chief min ister said about 70 people have been rescued and 13 people are undergoing treatment at the Mal super specialty hos pital after the flash flood on Wednesday night. “A tragic flash flood hit the Mal River in Jalpaiguri as Durga Visarjan was underway. Eight people lost their lives, I pray that their families find strength and solace in these difficult times,” Banerjee tweeted. An official said that five of the deceased were women and a 17-yearold boy. “Around 70 people were saved by the efforts of the police, civil defence volunteers and local youth. I commend their selfless service. There

“The flash flood struck all of a sudden and the people were swept away. Around 400500 people were standing on the banks when the incident happened. So far eight bod ies have been recovered and we have rescued around 100 people” Godara told PTI.

She refuted charges that the administration had not tak en enough security measures to avert such an incident. “Im mersion of Durga idols takes place at the spot every year and all safety measures had been taken. But what can be done if all of a sudden flash floods occur? Not a single moment was wasted after it and rescue operations were launched im mediately,” she said. Leader of the Opposition in the state As sembly and BJP leader Suven du Adhikari alleged that there were lacunae on the part of the state government in ensuring the safety and security of the devotees. “It is the responsibil ity of the state government to ensure the safety and security of the devotees. The adminis tration should have been more careful as such flash floods are normal in hilly areas. Also there is no clarity on the death figures,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi ties the shoelaces of his mother and party interim President Sonia Gandhi in Mandya district. (PTI)

The largest city in western UP was the most polluted one in the country on Wednesday when its AQI was 248.

Rescuers attempt to stop people from getting swept in flash floods in the Mal river, in Jalpaiguri district, Wednesday. (PTI)

Promise now repent later

Pesticides and children health: A modern-day disaster

as the name suggests are free offers or allurements made to voters by political parties during elections. Political parties offer freebies to woo voters so as to win elections. Every political party that comes to power after promis ing freebies has to deliver on the promises made. Some political parties deliver on their promises such as free electricity upto some units, free laptops, bicycles, cash for women, highly subsidised rice at Re.1 and many more etc. However all these come at a heavy price. If the freebies are to be provided, they don’t come free as someone has to pay. And the one who has to pay is the government under the political party that won the election. The issue of freebies was recently highlighted by Union Fi nance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who said that political parties making promises prior to elections should make budgetary provisions to take care of expenses and avoid burdening other entities. She said due to an absence of budgetary provision for free electricity, no payments are being made at the time or even no payments are being made at all. Initially, the Election Commission of India(ECI) told the Supreme Court which was hearing a petition against freebies. The Supreme Court’s proposal to set up an expert committee to examine the issue of freebies offered by governments or announced by political parties raises many questions. The decision was taken while hearing a PIL seeking a ban on parties offering freebies to woo voters. The central government has told the court to lay down guide lines to regulate freebies till legislative measures are put in place. A bench led by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has proposed the setting up of a com mittee with representatives of the central and state governments, political parties and bodies and insti tutions like the RBI and the Finance Commission to look into the issue. The Election Commission has refused to be a part of the committee on grounds of propriety. Interestingly, most of the states in the north east are still strangers to freebies unlike many states in other regions of the country. Some states like Telangana, Delhi, West Bengal etc which are ruled by non-BJP and non-NDA parties have been seeking additional funds from the Centre in order to fund the freebies the ruling parties had promised during election campaigns. The freebies are also usually mentioned in the election manifestos. That being so, the freebies are obviously something that are not necessarily meant for welfare but electoral interests. Whether or not freebies are legitimate is not as important as having them vet ted through legislative process or while preparing budgets where they are discussed and debated then passed. Political parties may promise the moon but they need to do so only after taking into consideration the financial costs. The Supreme Court will have to take a serious look at freebies in order to put a halt on political parties making tall promises that would turn out to be like promising in haste and repenting in leisure.

Freebies,

DailyDevotion

The Nature of Regeneration

When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me… —Ga latians 1:15-16

If Jesus Christ is going to regenerate me, what is the problem He faces? It is simply this— I have a heredity in which I had no say or decision; I am not holy, nor am I likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is tell me that I must be holy, His teaching only causes me to despair. But if Jesus Christ is truly a regenerator, someone who can put His own heredity of holiness into me, then I can begin to see what He means when He says that I have to be holy. Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into anyone the hereditary nature that was in Himself, and all the standards He gives us are based on that nature— His teaching is meant to be applied to the life which He puts within us. The proper action on my part is simply to agree with God’s verdict on sin as judged on the Cross of Christ.

The New Testament teaching about regeneration is that when a person is hit by his own sense of need, God will put the Holy Spirit into his spirit, and his personal spirit will be energized by the Spirit of the Son of God— “…until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). The moral miracle of redemption is that God can put a new nature into me through which I can live a totally new life. When I finally reach the edge of my need and know my own limitations, then Jesus says, “Blessed are you…” (Matthew 5:11). But I must get to that point. God cannot put into me, the responsible moral person that I am, the nature that was in Jesus Christ unless I am aware of my need for it.

Just as the nature of sin entered into the human race through one man, the Holy Spirit entered into the human race through another Man (see Romans 5:12-19). And re demption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin, and that through Jesus Christ I can receive a pure and spotless heredity, namely, the Holy Spirit.

Quotes

Our deeds determine

Pesticides are a broad cat egory of chemicals used in a range of applications, including agricultural, animal sanitation, home use, and vector control. They are also available in a variety of formulations and doses. Childhood exposure to harmful pesticides and the po tential for adverse health impacts grow due to ignorance, subpar agricultural methods, and im proper container disposal. Due to their hazardous qualities and unique vulnerability to exposure, which can happen at various times, from the prenatal stage to infancy, children’s exposure to pesticides is a matter of concern.

Diseases caused by pesti cides can appear in children, adolescents, or adults. Children may be exposed in many contexts and through a variety of means. In home settings, pesticides like insecticides and rodenticides are frequently kept within reach of children or transferred to nonoriginal containers, which might result in accidental acute inges tion. Exploratory conduct raises the possibility of coming into contact with pesticides that are on the ground. Pesticide residues may be present in parks and gar dens. Children may be in contact with domestic animals that have been treated\switch pesticides. Children in rural areas may come into contact with pesticide residues in areas where they play, as well as from contaminated work tools and parents’ cloth ing. Families involved in rural work are more exposed because they consume pesticide-treated

fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and water. Biomonitoring research supported the finding that chil dren were exposed to pesticides.

Children have been found to have higher concentrations of organo phosphate metabolites than adult populations. Pesticides’ harmful effects are influenced by their inherent toxicity as well as by the exposure’s dose, duration, and life span. High doses of exposure are linked to acute poisonings, whereas low levels or doses of exposure are frequently linked to chronic, subtle, and delayed consequences.

Chronic, low-level expo sures have been linked to cancer, abnormalities in growth and development (especially altered neurobehavioral development), and increased susceptibility to infections, according to epide miologic, animal, and clinical research. According to recent studies, a number of acute and chronic diseases are at increased risk because of certain pesticides. To stop and safeguard children from pesticide exposure, better procedures and public health regulations are required.

Means of pesticides intake by children:

Children are generally more susceptible to pesticide exposure for several reasons, including: 1. Dermal absorption is increased in children due to their higher body surface areato-weight ratio. Additionally, skin hydration and perfusion are improved in children which contributes more to pesticide absorption.

2. The higher chemical ab sorption by inhalation is ex plained by young children’s increased respiratory rate and minute ventilation.

3. Additionally, compared to adults, children often con sume more food and liquids per kilogram of body weight, meaning that at the same level of contamination, they take in bigger amounts. Fruits and veg etables are proportionately more abundant in children’s diets.

When the implicated pes ticide is converted to a less or harmless chemical, neonates and babies may be more susceptible to serious poisoning due to their undeveloped metabolic systems. Children may be more exposed than adults due to their behav iors and developmental phases. Children under the age of five exhibit exploratory tendencies and cannot identify danger or decipher warning signs. After crawling, younger children may gather earth remnants containing pesticides. Children may have experienced several exposures throughout their lives, some times simultaneously or sequen tially. The fetus may be exposed through the placenta. Because of breast milk contamination during nursing, newborns may consume pesticides. Older kids might consume food or drink residues or directly consume pesticides that have been left in their line of sight. When breathing particles or aerosols that are polluted by direct application or by lingering volatile pesticide vapors spread out into the air, toxicants can be

inhaled. Children handling pes ticide products or contaminated objects, surfaces, or clothing may come into touch with their skin.

Scabies and head lice are treated with pesticides that are sprayed directly on the skin.

Effects of pesticide expo sure:

Numerous studies found that children’s exposure to pes ticides has an impact on their overall health. Depending on the pesticide used, the exposure route, dose, and duration, differ ent clinical characteristics may be seen in acute exposures.

- Skin and eye irritation (or allergic response).

- Symptoms of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

- Asthma or allergic reac tions.

- Abdominal discomfort.

- The neurological effects and symptoms of serious poison ing (organophosphates).

Inhibitors of acetylcholines terase, such as organophosphates and carbamates, which cause cholinergic crisis, bleeding (based rodenticides warfarin and super warfarin), caustic injuries, pul monary fibrosis (paraquat), and methemoglobinemia are just a few of the specific syndromes that some pesticides or groups of pesticides can cause (propanil). The most lethal pesticides have the potential to result in respira tory distress, convulsions, coma, and even death. Acute poisoning is thought to cause 20,000 fatali ties globally each year. Although the number of children affected by acute pesticide poisonings

is unclear, it is likely to be sig nificant given the experience of many different countries.

According to Lekei and Ngowi (2017), in Asian and African nations, the yearly inci dence rate of pesticide poison ing ranged from 1.1 to 1.6 per 100,000 children. More recent studies have determined that the pattern of pesticides used by ru ral communities can be inferred from the acute pesticide poi soning epidemiology profile in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Chen and his team in 2015 re ported that malignant neoplasm and domestic pesticide exposure have been linked closely. A rising amount of research implies that pesticides raise the risk of child hood malignancies, although the evidence is currently sparse. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia were revived by meta-analysis. Child hood hematopoietic malignan cies would be more likely in children who were exposed to indoor pesticides.

The need to implement mea sures to promote better practices with any type of pesticides in all settings, and in particular to prevent and protect children from exposure, is raised by emerg ing scientific data correlating pesticides with child or adult disorders.

Uttam Nath is Asst. Professor in the Department of Botany, St John College, and a re search scholar in NIT Nagaland ttmnth424@gmail.com

Right to Public Services ‘need of the hour’

Public Service is a service which is provided by government to people.

Some key Public Services are Health Care, Education, Social service for the poor and marginalized. The IAS Associa tion, Nagaland in its recent general body meeting had also deliberated on the way forward to improve the public service de livery mechanism. Every Citizen is entitled to hassle-free public services and redresses of his grievances. Accordingly, the Right to Public Services Act represents the com mitment of the particular state towards standard, quality and time frame of service delivery, grievances redressal mechanism, transparency and accountability.

Right to Public Services legislation in India comprises statutory laws which guarantee time-bound delivery of various public services rendered to citizens and provides mechanism for punishing the er rant public servant if they are is deficient in providing the stipulated services. Earlier the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Or ganisation (NVCO) had launched Public Services Delivery campaign awareness here in the state capital Kohima during the 2016 Vigilance Awareness Week as the State Government is yet to enact this Act/law which is found to be very much applicable to the state and to clean up the system to ensure smooth delivery of services to the people and crack down on erring officials and since then every Vigilance Week NVCO go with its campaign and urged the state government to implement it.

Right to Service legislation ensures delivery of time bound services to the public. If the concerned officer fails to

provide the service in time, he will have to pay a fine. Thus, it is aimed to reduce corruption among the government officials and to increase transparency and public accountability.

Currently, public officials and civil ser vants are considered as one of the troubled sections of our society due to their slow and painful process in performing their du ties. As a result, the common man, who is entitled to avail hassle-free public services and information thereof, has to face a lot of problems and pay bribes to avail the needed public services.

Therefore, the buzz against corruption is now matched by Right to services related initiatives by several governments to clean up the system. The ‘Model Public Service Law’ was one of the items included in the President’s address to Parliament on the 4th June 2009.

The law is to cover functionaries providing important social services like education, health, rural development, etc., and commit them to their duties and for that purpose, legislative Department has attempted a tentative Bill titled the Public Services(Protection and regulation) Bill. Enacted by the Parliament, the Public Services(Protection and Regulation) Act, 2009 shall come into force on such date as the Central Government/State Government may, by notification, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provi sions of this Act.

This Act is to secure right to all citizens in the matter of public services provided by public authorities, facilitate transpar ency in the delivery of such services and to

protect their interests by specifying Public Service Performance Standards, establish a Central/ State Authority for effective management of such public services and for matters connected therewith or inci dental thereto.

The common framework of the state legislation includes, granting of “right to public services”, which are to be provided to the public by the designated official within the stipulated time frame.

The public services which are granted as a right are generally notified through Gazette notification. Some of the com monly provided public services, including issuing caste, birth, marriage and domicile certificates, electric connections, voter’s card, ration cards, copies of land records, etc. within the fixed time frame.

On failure to provide the service by the designated officer, the aggrieved person can approach the First Appellate Authority/ Second appellate Authority. It can order the public servant to provide the needed service to the applicant and can impose penalty on the designated officer for deficiency of service without any reasonable cause. The applicant may be compensated out of the penalty imposed on the officer.

Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to enact Right to Service Act on 18th August 2010. Several other states like Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Chhattis garh, J&K, Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa and more have introduced similar legislations for effectuating the right to service to their citizen.

In Bihar, services include police veri

fication report for passports (seven days); post-mortem report(three days); caste certificate (within a fortnight), education, road transport, driving license, banking services, kisan credit card, ration card, FIR enquiry, health, food and civil supplies, social welfare and power, etc.

The faults in electricity connection will be set right within four hours. Now, the people will no longer need to run around offices and grease the palms of employees to get their work done after this act. The Govt. also intends to constitute a state pub lic service delivery commission to achieve the objectives of the act.

Thus, this act makes government of ficials accountable and help the government weed out corruption from the grassroots level to the top.

The Rajasthan government has imple mented the Rajasthan Guarantee Delivery of Public Services Act, 2011 to ensure ef fective time-bound delivery of 108 services of 15 major government departments with a provision of cash penalty for the of fenders (Rs.250/- to Rs.500/- per day on undue delay).

The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) constantly make an appeal to the State Government to introduce similar legislation for effective public service delivery to its citizen in the state and would also curb corruption in the state government functionaries.

Advocate Kezhokhoto Savi Social Activist and National Award recipient Asst. Professor, Kohima Law College President NVCO

Response to Rh. Raising’s statement

1979.

Mr. Rh. Raising Tangkhul a leader of NSCN-IM in his speech on the Ag ony Day of NSCN-IM on 27th September, 2022 stated, “The pro Shillong Accord elements in connivance with the Burmese and Indian armed forces attacked the Naga Army operation camp at Langnok where more than 70 Naga national workers includ ing prominent revolutionary leaders Mr. Khasui Longvah, Chaplee Kilonser, Brig. Thun gbo, Commander-in-Chief, Col. Ningon, GSO Naga army, Maj. Shongshen, Maj. Shatnam were killed.”

This is absolutely fictitious and a complete lie. So I am hereby responding in the name of Almighty God to Rh. Raising Tangkhul with known facts of the incident which took place at Langlok Camp on 27th Septem ber, 1980. Langnok Village is in Khiamniungan Region located in the Eastern Sector of Nagaland.

In the last part of 1979, Th. Muivah, Isak Chisi Swu, S.S. Khaplang and their socialist com rades deviated from the NNC/ FGN by murdering the following NNC/FGN Authorities, Naga Army Officers and NCOs who were then working in the Eastern Sector of Nagaland:

1. Col. Yamtsethong Khi amniungan killed on 15th July, 1979 at Tsonkhao village.

2. T. Venuh Chakhesang, NNC Vice President killed on 27th November, 1979.

3. Venyi Rhakho, Chakhe sang, Tatar killed on 27th No vember, 1979.

4. Mayanger Ao, Kilonswer killed in December, 1979.

5. Lt. Col. Vesazo Chakhe sang killed in December, 1979.

6. Lt. Col. Süpong Ao killed in December, 1979.

7. Capt. Imsütoshi Ao killed in December, 1979.

8. Capt. Kumzak Ao killed at Paokingniu hill in December,

9. Capt. Keviletuo Angami killed at Lao Village in Decem ber, 1979.

10. Lt. Vejoyi Chakhesang killed in December, 1979.

11. Lt. Yanger Ao, killed at Hasik Village in December, 1979.

Sgt. Maj. Tinu Ao, killed at Hasik Village in December, 1979.

13. Sgt. Vetelo Chakhesang killed at Hasik Village in Decem ber, 1979.

14. Pinglang Khiamniun gan, Runa Peyu, Kingphu Village killed in 1980.

15. N. Lorho Mao, Tatar Hoho Speaker killed on 2nd January, 1980.

16. Ngathingkhui Ahum Tangkhul, Kilonser killed on 3rd January, 1980.

17. Lt. Jacob Ahum Tang khul killed on 3rd January, 1980.

18. Sgt. Maj. Gideon Ahum Tangkhul killed in January, 1980.

The above-mentioned ren

egades then formed the so-called National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) among them selves on 31st January, 1980 with out any knowledge of the Naga people. Then they began to kill Khiamniungan publics on 15th February, 1980 and continued till 26th September, 1980 in the name of Pro Shillong Accord led by Capt. Shangam Tangkhul whereas the Khiamniungan people knew nothing about it.

Besides the NSCN armed cadres killed 524 Khiamniungan pub lics including Pastor, Deacon, Women and Children within 7 months without any reason. Houses, Churches, Granaries, Wealths, traditional attires and all kinds of properties of 12 Khiamniungan Villages, viz;

1. Langkheng Village 2. Haikum Village 3. Asheiking Village 4. Chukie Village

5. Hiuphu Village 6. Tain gan Village 7. Thang Village 8. Thingniungan Village 9. Thon

Village 10. Tsemhok Village 11. Pang Village and 12. Kingjung Village were burned down into ashes. Mithuns, Buffallos, Cows, Pigs, Goats, Dogs, Chickens and other domestic livings were randomly killed and consumed. Even the remnants were shot dead and left.

Hence, after so much of patience, the Eastern Command, Naga Army led by one Major along with angry Khiamniun gan Volunteers in retaliation attacked the NSCN Operation Camp at Langnok on 27th Sep tember, 1980 morning and killed unknown numbers of NSCN cadres. Where the Burmese and Indian Armed Forces did not involve even in the dream and even a ghost of the enemy forces does not come on the spot. So, the question of attacking in collaboration with the enemy forces does not arise at all. God knows it.

Shillim Khiamniungan Senior national leader

Education poll agenda in Guj: Sisodia

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (PTI): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday accepted Gujarat BJP chief C R Paatil’s invita tion to visit the state and see the standard of government schools there, and hoped that the BJP leader would not take an about turn. Si sodia said he was glad that education has become an agenda for political discus sions in Gujarat ahead of the assembly polls, as he extended an invite to Paatil to visit Delhi government schools and see how they have become world-class in just five years under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Government schools across Gujarat are in “very bad shape” under the BJP’s reign, Sisodia said, claim ing that the people of the state want good schools and believe that the AAP can overhaul the school educa tion system there within five years after coming at the helm. Sisodia’s remarks came after Paatil accused AAP leaders of misleading

people in Gujarat and in vited them to visit the state government schools to see their standards.

“BJP Gujarat president C R Paatil has invited me to visit the state government schools and see the facilities there. I accept his invita tion and want him to fix a date for our visit soon. We will start with the assembly constituency of Gujarat Education Minister Jitubhai Vaghani and then proceed to see other government schools in the state,” Sisodia told a press conference here.

“I also want to invite him to visit Delhi and see our schools too,” he said.

Addressing a gathering in Surat earlier in the day, Paatil accused AAP lead ers of misleading people by falsely promising a very good education system.

“Some people come here and try to mislead citizens by promising to pro vide very good education. They are invited to come here once and see. They will come to know about their shortcomings and also get to see the standard of edu cation in Surat municipal corporation and Gujarat,” Paatil said.

Hitting back , Sisodia said he has seen how bad the condition of the government

schools in Gujarat is during his visits to various districts in the poll-bound state.

It will take at least 15,000 years to overhaul them in the pace the BJP government is working, he claimed.

“I am happy that edu cation is an agenda for po litical discussions in Gujarat now. I hope that he (Paatil) will not step back from his statement and fix a date soon to show me Gujarat government schools,” Siso dia added. He said people of Gujarat were pinning hopes on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the turnaround of the school education system in the state.

“The BJP could up grade just 73 government schools in Gujarat over the past 27 years. At this rate, it will take 15,000 years for the BJP to upgrade 40,800 government schools all across the state. Kejriwal has made the Delhi govern ment schools world-class in just five years and people of Gujarat now want his model in their state too,” he added.

Biggest ever customs haul as ` 27 cr watch seized

New Delhi, OCT 6 (AGENCIES):

Customs Department at Delhi Air port seized a diamond-studded white gold wristwatch worth ` 27 crores.

Apart from this seven high-end timepieces were seized by customs officials, on Thursday.

Officials said that the diamondstudded bracelet and an iPhone 14 Pro were seized from a passenger who arrived from Dubai.

Officials said that the passenger smuggled these items to avoid the duties and levies on such products. They said that it was “the biggest seizure” at the Indira Gandhi Inter national Airport of commercial or luxury goods.

Customs officials said, “One of the watches, made by American jeweler and watchmaker Jacob & Co, is an extraordinarily exorbitant, customized billionaire piece made of gold and studded with diamonds.”

The Swiss-made “Billionaire III Baguette White Diamonds 54 x 43 mm watch” is described as being crafted of 18-karat white gold and set with 76 white diamonds on the listing page for the wristwatch.

Its skeleton dial is covered with diamonds. It also has a manualwinding.

The officials stated that a search of the passenger’s baggage resulted in the recovery of six other wrist

watches, including a Piaget Lime light Stella and five Rolexes.

The Piaget costs nearly ` 31 lakh. Rolexes cost around `15 lakh each. The cost of seized items is over ` 28 crore.

Chief Commissioner, Delhi Customs Zone Surjit Bhujabal in a statement said that all this was pos sible only because of alert, on-duty customs officials. He said, “Alert customs officers at Delhi Airport have made this possible in spite of having such high passenger traffic.

Sena rallies: War of words between Uddhav, Shinde

MUMBAI, OCT 6 (AGEN

by not attending events at Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat.

Saxena had termed their absence “unaccept able” and “appalling”, saying such events call for “commemoration of much beyond the issuing of sym bolic advertisements in newspapers that your gov ernment very promptly did”.

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (PTI): With his government at loggerheads with Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena over multiple issues, Chief Minister Arvind Ke jriwal on Thursday said even his wife does not “scold” him as much as the LG.

“LG sahib, chill a bit!” Kejriwal said in his tweet in Hindi. “And ask your super boss also to chill a bit.”

Kejriwal’s remarks came days after Saxena in a letter accused the chief minister and his ministerial colleagues of showing “ut ter disregard” towards the commemoration of the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri

Last week, Saxena had written to Kejriwal to expe dite permissions for felling of trees, citing the delay in infrastructure projects.

“Even my wife does not scold me as much as the LG sahib. My wife has not writ ten me as many love letters in the entire life as LG sahib has in the past six months,” he said in the tweet in Hindi.

After Saxena took over as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in May, he has ordered probes into a host of initiatives of the Ke jri wal government including the now withdrawn excise policy, construction of class rooms, and hospitals.

He also recently or dered a probe in the Delhi’s power subsidy scheme.

CIES): While Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thac keray slammed the Bharati ya Janata Party (BJP) at his party’s Dussehra rally in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister and rebel Sena leader Eknath Shinde chose to attack Uddhav at his faction’s rally held on the occasion in a different part of the city, reports The Indian Express.

The two grand Mum bai rallies on Wednesday evening turned into a con test between Uddhav and Shinde to claim the legacy of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, with each one marked by a large gath ering of saffron-clad Sena activists, where speakers aggressively took on the rival faction while making their respective claims of be ing the “true flag-bearers of Hindutva”.

From a stage whose backdrop was framed by im ages of Bal Thackeray and Shinde’s political guru late Anand Dighe along with a slogan stating “Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain (Proudly say that we are Hindus)”,

the CM, whose camp has staked claim on the Sena’s election symbol, bow and arrow, before the Election Commission of India (ECI) while projecting itself as the “real” Sena, addressed his Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex’s MMRDA ground. A special empty chair was kept in the middle of the stage, symbolically honouring Bal Thackeray.

For Uddhav, his party’s annual Dussehra rally was a congregation of “eknishtha (loyal)” workers. At the packed rally venue in Shivaji Park, he called the Shinde camp “parasites” that grew

on trees’ branches. “Branch es may fall, but the tree survives on roots and you (workers) are Sena’s roots,” he told the rally, adding that he will again help the Sena clinch the CM post if backed by party workers.

Even as Uddhav re ferred to Shinde as a “con tractual CM” and raked up his “betrayal”, the former’s larger target remained the BJP. In his 40-minute-long speech, Uddhav countered the BJP’s charge against him of “ditching Hindutva” to align with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) by referring to

the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent visit to a madrasa in Delhi. He questioned if this attempt to initiate a conversation with the other side is accept able then what was wrong with his aligning with the Congress. He also raised the issue of remission granted to the Bilkis Bano case convicts who were also feted after their release from prison. “Is this the example of woman empowerment you are talk ing about?” he asked.

By going after the BJP, Uddhav also sent out a po litical message that he could be a part of a larger anti-BJP front that may take shape ahead of the 2024 Lok Sab ha polls.

The BJP is going to be the main opponent of the Uddhav Sena in the upcom ing Mumbai civic body polls. Uddhav’s bid to challenge Union Home minister Amit Shah and his attempt to make a distinction between the Hindutva propagated by both the parties is being seen as a clear sign that he is ready to lock horns with the BJP in the BMC polls.

School job scam: CBI court extends custody of Partha Chatterjee till Oct 19

KOLKATA, OCT 6 (PTI):

A special CBI court at Ali pore here on Wednesday extended the judicial cus tody of former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee till October 19 in connection with the central agency’s probe into the School Ser vice Commission (SSC) recruitment scam.

The court also sent former West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) president Kalyan moy Ganguly, ex-secretary of West Bengal School Ser vice Commission (SSC) Ashok Saha, and the former

adviser to SSC, S P Sinha, to judicial custody till October 19 on a prayer by the CBI, which is investigating the scam as per an order of the Calcutta High Court.

Chatterjee and his al leged close associate Arpita Mukherjee were on July 23 arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the money trail in

the SSC recruitment scam, following the seizure of Rs 49.80 crore in cash from the latter’s flats in the city, apart from bullion, jewellery and property deeds.

The ED has alleged that Chatterjee and Mukher jee laundered money by indulging in criminal con spiracy for illegally giv ing teaching post jobs, on recommendations by the School Service Commission

(SSC), in state-sponsored and –aided school, and gen erated huge proceeds of crime.

It also said in a chargesheet submitted be fore a PMLA court that the total worth of the seizures, including the cash, amount to more than Rs 100 crore.

The CBI had on Sep tember 16 obtained the cus tody of Chatterjee for ques tioning him, and thereafter

he was remanded in judicial custody from September 21. The former minister is also in judicial remand in connection with the ED case. Chatterjee was relieved of his ministerial duties by the Mamata Banerjee government shortly after his arrest, while the TMC, too, removed him from the posts he held in the party, includ ing that of the secretarygeneral.

Indian Customs have always ensured maximum facilitation with minimal disturbance to genuine passengers si multaneously ensuring the safeguard of economic frontiers by curbing smuggling.”

Commissioner Airport Delhi Customs Zubair Riaz Kamili said, “In commercial or luxury goods, it is the biggest seizure in value terms at the IGI Airport in one go. In value terms, it is equivalent to seizing around 60 kg of gold in one instance.”

Vande Bharat train suffers minor damage after hitting buffaloes

NEW DELHI/AHMED

ABAD, OCT 6 (PTI): The newly launched Mum bai Central-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat Express train suffered minor damages after hitting a herd of buf faloes in Gujarat on Thurs day, officials said.

No passenger was in jured in the incident that occurred between Gai ratpur and Vatva stations around 11.15 am, they said.

“Vande Bharat express running between Mumbai Central and Gandhinagar Capital stations had left Mumbai this morning.

The front portion of the train’s engine got damaged after it hit some buffaloes that came on track around 11.15 am. The incident took place between Vatva and Maninagar areas of Ahmedabad,” Western Railway spokesperson Ji tendra Kumar Jayant said.

“The damaged por tion was repaired and the train was sent to Gandhi nagar station. The train departed for Mumbai from

the Gandhinagar Capital station at its scheduled time. No passenger was injured in the incident,” he added.

Another railway spokesperson said the front portion of the engine was damaged, but no func tional part of the train was harmed.

“Three-four buffaloes suddenly came on the way of Mumbai-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat, damaging the nose made up of FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic). The train moved just after removing carcasses (within eight minutes) and reached Gandhinagar on time,” he said, adding that the rail way authorities were trying to counsel nearby villagers not to leave cattle near the track.

The semi-high speed train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 30 from Gandhinagar Capital station.

This is the third Vande Bharat express train in the country.

Vande Bharat Express train, running between Mumbai Central and Gandhinagar. (PTI)

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with Jaidev Thackeray at Dussehra Rally in BKC, Mumbai.

‘Even my wife doesn’t scold me as much as LG sahib’: Kejriwal

Kejriwal

File photo of Partha Chatterjee.

Manish Sisodia

Seven luxury wrist watches, including the one made of gold and studded with diamonds worth Rs 27.09 cr recovered by customs officials at Delhi airport. (PTI)

World Bank slashes India’s growth to 6.5 pc for FY23

WASHINGTON, OCT 6 (PTI):

The World Bank on Thursday projected a growth rate of 6.5 per cent for the Indian economy for the fiscal year 2022-23, a drop of one per cent from its previous June 2022 pro jections, citing deteriorating international environment.

In its latest South Asia Economic Focus released ahead of the annual meet ing of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the Bank, however, noted that India is recovering stronger than the rest of the world.

The Indian economy grew by 8.7 per cent in the previous year.

“The Indian economy has done well compared to the other countries in South Asia, with relatively strong growth performance... bounced back from the sharp contraction during the first phase of COVID,” Hans Timmer, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, told PTI in an inter view.

India, he said, has done relatively well with

the advantage that it doesn’t have a large external debt, there are no problems com ing from that side, and that there is prudent monetary policy, he observed.

The Indian economy has done especially well in the services sector and especially service exports.

“But we have down graded the forecast for the fiscal year that just started and that is largely because the international environ ment is deteriorating for India and for all countries. We see kind of an inflec tion point in the middle of this year, and first signs of slowing across the world,” he said.

The second half of the calendar year is weak in

many countries and will be relatively weak also in India, he said.

Timmer said that’s mainly because of two fac tors. One is the slowing of growth in the real

The other one is the global tightening of mon etary policy that tightens financial markets and not just that it leads to capital outflows in many develop ing countries, but it also increases interest rates and uncertainty in developing countries which has a nega tive impact on investment.

“So, it (India) has done relatively well. It is not as vulnerable as some of the other countries. But it’s still in tough weather. It (India) has to navigate the higher

SAHLOU slams misleading claims by NHIDCL

(From p-1)

SAPO said compensation was de termined in accordance with the 1st schedule of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCT LARR) Act 2013, similar to what had been done throughout the road length of the highway.

SAPO in its letter had also demanded that the schedule items and specifications should be the same from Police Reserve gate till 211.709 km.

The chief minister had also on March 15 this year written a letter to Union

Minister for Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari and raised the issues with regard to Kohima-Mao twolane road project with a total distance of 18.6 km.

Highlighting the importance of the inter-state road, which also connects till Myanmar, Rio stressed on the need to clear the damage compensation to the landowners for 15.35km, as per the assessment carried out by the district authorities.

Rio, however, said that damage es timate for the remaining 3.25 Km could not be completed due to technical reasons.

Govt bans vehicles beyond 3-axle on Dmu-Kma...

(From p-1)

As per the notification, the load being carried by every such vehicle should be within the limits as provided in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The motor vehicles department in coordination with district administration and the police department concerned have been directed to enforce strict implementation and cause appropriate signs to be placed or erected at suitable places under Section 116 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989.

commodity prices and there are more headwinds at the moment,” he said in re sponse to a question.

India is doing better than the rest of the world, he said, adding that there are more buffers in India, especially large reserves at the central bank. That’s very helpful. “Then the govern ment has very actively re acted to the COVID crisis,” he said.

The Indian govern ment has set an example for the rest of the world, like expanding social safety nets, using digital ideas.

“I think it’s almost up to a million people that they are reaching at the moment. It’s a good response also,” he said.

At the same time, he said that he does not agree with all the policies of the Indian government.

“Especially their reac tion to the high commodity prices might seem logical in the short run, but might backfire in the long run. For example, the export ban on wheat and the export ban or the very high tariffs on rice

Gold jumps Rs 497; silver slips Rs 80

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (PTI): Gold prices jumped by Rs 497 to Rs 52,220 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid a global rally in the metal and depreciation in the ru pee, according to HDFC Securities.

In the previous trade, the precious metal had set tled at Rs 51,723 per 10 grams.

Silver, however, slipped by Rs 80 to Rs 61,605 per kg from Rs 61,685 per kg.

The rupee depreciated 4 paise to 81.66 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday amid a high volatility as rising crude oil prices weighed on the local unit. In the international market, gold was trading in green at USD 1,722.6 per ounce while silver was flat at USD 20.68 per ounce.

exports,” he said.

They seem logical to create food security domes tically, but ultimately that creates more problems in the rest of the region and the rest of the world.

“So not all policies are optimal, but a strong reac tion to the crisis in terms of relief efforts, strong mon etary policies, and in general a trend towards a more busi ness friendly environment,” Timmer said.

Responding to a ques tion, he said since India needs to address some of the key concerning issues.

“Although we look at a relatively favorable growth rate, it is growth that is sup ported by only a small part of the economy. It sounds good, but if it is not coming from a much broader base, then that growth rate of a relatively small part of the economy doesn’t translate into significant growth of income for all the house holds,” he said.

Timmer pointed out that only 20 per cent of the women are participating in the labor market.

Airtel rolls out 5G Plus in 8 cities, no SIM change required

NEW DELHI, OCT 6 (IANS): Bharti Airtel on Thursday launched 5G Plus services in eight cities and users will not need to change the SIM card as the existing Airtel 4G SIM is now 5Genabled.

Customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ben galuru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur and Varanasi will start enjoying the Airtel 5G Plus services in a phased manner, said the company, as it continues to construct its network and complete the roll out.

The company prom ises between 20 to 30 times higher speeds than the cur rent speed, coupled with brilliant voice experience and super-fast call connect.

Customers who have 5G smartphones will enjoy the high-speed Airtel 5G Plus on their existing data plans until the roll-out is more widespread.

“Our solution will work on any 5G handset and the existing SIM that cus tomers have. Our obsession

on customer experience is now embellished with a 5G solution that is kinder to the environment,” said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and CEO, Bharti Airtel.

“Airtel 5G Plus is all set to redefine the way people communicate, live, work, connect and play for years to come,” Vittal added.

Airtel 5G Plus runs on a technology that has the widest acceptance in the world with the most devel oped ecosystem.

This will ensure that

all 5G smartphones in In dia seamlessly work on the Airtel network.

Airtel 5G Plus will al low superfast access to highdefinition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more. Bharti Airtel last week showcased a 5G-con nected ambulance to trans form primary health care in emergency situations, along with smart farming solutions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 5G of ficial launch in the country.

Stock markets rise for 2nd session

MUMBAI, OCT 6 (PTI):

Benchmark BSE Sensex rose by 156 points while the Nifty closed above the 17,300 level on Thursday after gains in metal, IT and capital goods shares amid foreign capital inflows.

Rising for the sec ond straight session, the 30-share BSE benchmark advanced 156.63 points or 0.27 per cent to settle at 58,222.10.

The index opened higher and later jumped 513.29 points or 0.88 per cent to a day’s high of 58,578.76 on gains in metal, FMCG, IT and oil stocks. However, profit booking in select banking and teck stocks in the closing session trimmed the gains.

The broader NSE Nif ty advanced 57.50 points or 0.33 per cent to end at 17,331.80 as 27 of its shares

ended in the green.

Among Sensex shares, Tata Steel, Larsen & Tou bro, ICICI Bank, HCL Technologies, Infosys and Axis Bank were among the winners.

However, Bharti Air tel, Hindustan Unilever, IndusInd Bank, HDFC and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Finan cial Services said, “The In dian market is maintaining its resilience despite mixed cues from global equities and surging oil prices. Both domestic and foreign in

Land For

vestors are supporting the rally.”

The market was also bolstered by expectations on Q2 results session, with improvement in sectors like metal, IT, and realty, Nair added.

“Weakness in Eu ropean indices and SGX Nifty slipping into the red prompted investors to cut their bullish bets. But key domestic benchmarks still ended in the green thanks to traders betting big on IT, metal and realty stocks.

“However, inflationary concerns worldwide and central banks hiking inter

Land

est rates persistently has spooked markets and kept investors on tenterhooks on worries of a global slow down,” Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research (Retail), Kotak Securities Ltd, said.

In the broader market, the BSE smallcap gauge jumped 1.30 per cent and midcap index climbed 1.13 per cent.

Among the BSE sec toral indices, metal jumped 3.89 per cent, capital goods (2.34 per cent), realty (2.15 per cent), industrials (1.96 per cent), commodities (1.67 per cent) and power (1.61 per cent).

FMCG and telecom munication were the lag gards.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets in Seoul and To kyo ended higher, while Shanghai and Hong Kong settled lower.

VacaNcy

VacaNcy

Kidnapped Indian-origin Sikh family found dead

LOS ANGELES, OCT 6 (PTI): Four members of an Indian-origin Sikh family, including an eight-monthold baby girl, who were kid napped by an armed man in California earlier this week have been found dead in a rural orchard, authorities said as they were working to determine the motive behind the “horribly sense less” killing.

“Our worst fears have been confirmed,” Merced County Sheriff Vern Warn ke said at a news conference on Wednesday night.

“A whole family wiped out, and we still don’t know why,” Warnke, who was visibly emotional and frus trated at what happened to the Indian-origin family in the US state of California.

The family, originally from Harsi Pind in Hoshiar pur, Punjab, was kidnapped from their newly-opened trucking business in Mer ced County, California, on Monday.

Sheriff Warnke said

the bodies of 36-year-old Jasdeep Singh, 27-year-old Jasleen Kaur, their eightmonth-old child Aroohi Dheri and the baby’s un cle, 39-year-old Aman deep Singh were found on Wednesday evening in an orchard in a remote area in Merced County.

Warnke said that a farm worker near the or chard found the bodies and immediately contacted au thorities.

All of the bodies were found close together, he

said.

“There are no words to describe the anger I feel,” Warnke said.

“There’s a special place in hell for this guy,” he said about Jesus Manuel Sal gado, the suspect, who at tempted to kill himself.

“It’s horribly, horribly senseless,” he said.

Warnke did not say how the family was killed, adding that it appears they were killed before they were reported missing on Mon day.

India, US, UK, France strongly condemn North Korea’s ballistic missile launch

Authorities believe the person they have in custody is the main suspect in the killings, though they indi cated other people may have been involved, according to Warnke, who did not elabo rate on the extent of that involvement.

“I fully believe that we will uncover and find out that there was more than just him involved,” Warnke was quoted as saying by CNN.

The suspect in custody has been providing informa tion to investigators, and officials are working with him to identify a motive, Warnke said.

Family members said nothing was stolen from the trucking company but that their relatives were all wear ing jewellery.

Warnke had said that after the kidnappings, an ATM card belonging to one of the victims was used in Atwater, about 14 kilome ters north of Merced.

He said the kidnapper made no ransom demands

Punjab CM condoles, seeks MEA’s intervention

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thurs day expressed grief over the killing of a Sikh family in California and urged the Centre to take up the mat ter with the US authorities to ensure a thorough probe into the matter. “Got the news of the killing of four Indians including an eight months old girl in Califor nia. I was saddened to hear this news... Also appeal to Union External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar that there should be a highlevel probe into the mat ter,” Mann said in a tweet in Punjabi.

Later in a statement here, he termed the killing of the family unfortunate.

The chief minister said this is a highly con demnable incident which has shocked everyone, es pecially Punjabis living across the globe.

French writer Annie Ernaux awarded Nobel Prize in literature

STOCKHOLM, OCT 6 (AP): French author Annie Ernaux was awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in lit erature for “the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, es trangements and collective restraints of personal mem ory,” the Swedish Academy said on Thursday.

Ernaux, 82, started out writing autobiographical novels, but quickly aban doned fiction in favour of memoirs. Her more than 20 books, most of them very short, chronicle events in her life and the lives of those around her. They present uncompromising portraits of sexual encounters, abor tion, illness and the deaths of her parents.

Anders Olsson, chair man, Nobel Committee for literature, said Ernaux’s work was often “uncompro mising and written in plain language, scraped clean”. “She has achieved something admirable and

enduring,” he told reporters after the announcement in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ernaux describes her style as “flat writing” (ecri ture plate), a very objective view of the events she is de scribing, unshaped by florid description or overwhelm ing emotions.

In the book that made her name, “La Place” (A Man’s Place), about her relationship with her father, she writes: “No lyrical remi niscences, no triumphant displays of irony. This neu tral writing style comes to

me naturally.”Her most critically acclaimed book was “The Years” (Les an nees), published in 2008 and describing herself and wider French society from the end of World War II to the pres ent day.

Unlike in previous books, in “The Years”, Er naux writes about herself in the third person, calling her character “she” rather than “I”. The book received numerous awards and hon ours.

Last year’s prize went to the Tanzanian-born, UKbased writer Abdulrazak Gurnah, whose novels ex plore the impact of mi gration on individuals and societies. Gurnah was only the sixth Nobel literature laureate born in Africa, and the prize has long faced criti cism that it is too focused on European and North American writers. It is also male-dominated, with just 16 women among its 118 laureates.

Europe holds 44-leader summit, leaves Russia in the cold

PRAGUE, OCT 6 (AP):

The leaders of 44 Euro pean countries stretching from Iceland all the way to Turkey met on Thursday in what many said was a united stand against Rus sia’s war on Ukraine, as an energy crisis and high inflation fuelled by the con flict wreak havoc on their economies.

ed, along with its neighbour and supporter in the war Belarus.

UNITED NATIONS,

A huge monitor shows a N Korean ballistic missile flied over Japan, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, northern Japan.(AP/PTI) South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States at the UN Security Council stakeout on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches.

OCT 6 (PTI): India, joining the US, UK and France, has strongly condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launch which overflew Ja pan, with New Delhi under lining that these launches affect the peace and security of the region and beyond.

The missile fired on Tuesday was the first from North Korea to fly over Japan in five years. The launch mark the 24th time this year that North Korea has conducted missile tests.

“We have noted with concern the reports of bal listic missile launches” by the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Ko rea), India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kam boj said at a UN Security Council meeting on DPRK on Wednesday.

“These follow the launch of the interconti nental ballistic missile by the DPRK in March this year, which was discussed in this Council, as well as other successive launches,” she said.

Later, US Ambassador to the UN Linda ThomasGreenfield delivered a joint statement on behalf of Al bania, Brazil, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Norway,

“ The United States,

Albania, Brazil, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Nor way, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, strongly condemn the DPRK’s long-range ballistic missile launch which over flew Japan” on October 4 and its seven other ballistic missile launches conducted since September 25, the joint statement said adding that North Korea has now launched over 35 ballistic missiles this year alone.

These launches violate multiple Security Coun cil resolutions and pose a threat to not only the region, but to the entire in ternational community, the joint statement said.

The inaugural summit of the European Political Community involves the 27 European Union member countries, aspiring partners in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, as well as neigh bours like Britain — the only country to have left the EU — and Turkey.

Russia is the one major European power not invit

“What you will see here is that Europe stands in solidarity against the Rus sian invasion in Ukraine,” Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir told re porters at Prague Castle in the Czech Republic, where the gathering was taking place.

Her Belgian counter part, Alexander De Croo, said “if you just look at the attendance here, you see the importance. The whole European continent is here, except two countries: Belar us and Russia. So it shows how isolated those two countries are.”

Latvian Prime Minis

ter Krisjanis Karins said the fallout from Russia’s war on Ukraine is something they all have in common.

“It’s affecting all of us in the security sense, and its affecting all of us through our economies, through the rising energy costs. So the only way that we can han dle this is working together,

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND PLANNING & CO-ORDINATION DEPARTMENT NAGALAND : KOHIMA

No. PLN /

Dated Kohima, 6th October 2022 ADVERTISEMENT

and not just the European Union. All the European countries need to work to gether,” he said.

The summit is the brainchild of French Presi dent Emmanuel Macron and is backed by German

Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They say it should aim to boost security and prosper ity across the continent, but the summit is overshad owed by the war and comes as pressure builds to allow Ukraine into the EU.

Applications are invited from candidates who have cleared the preliminary examination of the Union Public

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inhabitants of Nagaland.

financial assistance under the

enclose the calling letter of the Main UPSC exam

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Planning & Co-ordination

(T. Akyuba Sangtam)

Additional

I highly appreciate your recent drive of tracking the irregularities and practice of proxy among the Govt. Employees. Over the decade, the practice of proxy and irregularities has become very common which is hampering the future of our society but the move which you have initiated in Longleng District after taking charge as the District Commissioner is praiseworthy. It is interesting watching the comical scene of employees rushing to their posted zone for performing their duties with the fear of being highlighted. Hoping that your step in bringing forth the dereliction of duties by the Govt. Servants continue in all the department as well. Through this drive, I hope that the Govt. Employees engaging in those practices realized their selfresponsibility and civic duty.

I am thoroughly impressed by your work and the leadership qualities you showed in eradicating one of the most challenging issue in our society. I really look up to you for dedication and work ethics. I thank you once again for showing such impeccable leadership skills. K. Bashing Phom Mao Colony, Half Nagarjan, DimapurDP-4811/22

Gr AT i T u D e

Commissioner

The Shamator Town Baptist Church convey a word of gratitude to the Kuda Village Baptist Church Dimapur, for cheerfully and freely organizing a Youth Gospel Camp from October 1-5, 2022 with the theme, "Prepare to meet your God'' (Amos 4:12) at Shamator Town.

The Gospel Camp had life changing experiences for the youths where they learnt more about God and Salvation which led them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Personal Saviour.

Thank you for showing our Youth the value and the joy in being a part of the Body of Christ. We are thankful for your love for Jesus.

Annexure 1 AppreciAtion to Shri. DhArAm rA j, iAS, Dc LongLeng DiStrict Sir,

OFFICE OF

TAMLU VILLAGE STUDENTS' UNION TAMLU : LONGLENG

Phongtang

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke announces that the Indian-origin family have been found dead. (PTI)

Annie Ernaux

Leaders pose for a group photo during a meeting of the European Political Community at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday. (AP/PTI)

Hisole Magh crowned 1st Miss Tseminyu 2022 A

Musk’s SpaceX sends fresh batch of astronauts on ISS

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Dragon space craft was on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) with NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina onboard.

They will spend up to six months aboard the ISS. Wakata is the sole spaceflight veteran among the astronauts, having spent more than 11 months in space.

“Missions like Crew-5 are proof we are living through a golden era of commercial space exploration. It’s a new era pow ered by the spirit of partnership, fueled by scientific ingenuity, and inspired by the quest for new dis

coveries,” said NASA Administra tor Bill Nelson. During their stay,

Crew-5 will conduct more than 200 science experiments and tech nology demonstrations, including studies on printing human organs in space and better understanding heart disease. “While our eyes are focused upward on the heavens, let us never forget these missions will also better life here on Earth,” Nelsons said in a statement.

This is the sixth SpaceX flight with NASA astronauts -including the Demo-2 test flight in 2020 to the space station. Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has now sent 30 humans to space.

Mann, Cassada, Wakata, and Kikina will join the Expedi tion 68 crew of NASA astronauts Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren, Frank

Rubio, and Jessica Watkins, ESA (European Space Agency) astro naut Samantha Cristoforetti, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin.

For a short time, the number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 people until Crew-4 astronauts Hines Lind gren, Watkins, and Cristoforetti return to Earth a few days later.

Crew-5 will spend several months aboard the space station conducting new scientific research in areas, such as cardiovascular health, bioprinting, and fluid be havior in microgravity to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit life on Earth. (IANS)

Spice Girls ‘always working on’ getting Victoria Beckham back on stage

Melanie C says the Spice Girls are always “work ing on” getting Victoria Beckham back on stage.

A22-year-old Hi sole Magh was on Wednesday eve ning crowned as the first Miss Tseminyu 2022 dur ing the first edition of Miss Tseminyu 2022 held under the theme, “Beauty with Wit” organised by Rengma Mother’s Association at CRBC ground, Tseminyu.

The first runner-up title was bagged by Ethel

Kent (21) while the second runner-up was adjudged to Christine Tsela (17).

The panel of judges were Ketholeno Kense Vieheno, Gloria Tep Rengma and Mele Pu cho. The host of the show was Ruopfü Whiso while Opang jamir (Mr. Inter national India) was the grooming guru for the event.

The ‘Say You’ll Be There’ hitmakers - also comprising Mel B, Emma Bunton and Geri Horner - reunited in 2019 for a UK tour without Posh Spice, but they are still hopeful the fashion designer will reunite with them in the fu ture.

Speaking to Extra, Melanie - who is known as Sporty Spice in the girl group - said: “In my heart of hearts, I want to get back onstage. So me and Mel B are championing and we’re all talking and trying to make that happen. “It’s like … ‘No pressure. But the world wants it.’”

Although they don’t have any shows booked yet, they are always

talking about getting back out on the road and are determined to get Victoria back behind the microphone. She added: “We hope – I can’t give a time frame. It is something we want to do. We are trying to push through. At the moment, Victoria is in the wings. She is always involved creatively. We want her to be happy. It is our dream to get her back.”

Melanie recently delivered the news that, after much speculation, the Spice Girls have no shows booked to mark the 25th anniver sary of their ‘Spiceworld’ album. With the milestone for their 1997 LP fast approaching in November, the iconic group had been teas ing fans with a “Spiceworld25” graphic, but it turned out to just be teasing an expanded edition of the

record. Despite being eager to play some more shows with her band mates, Melanie insisted “nothing is arranged yet”. She said: “I wish I could say there were shows coming. But I can’t, sadly. We do want to do shows, they’re just not arranged yet. “We’re constantly talking trying to work it out and make it work for everybody. But that yeah, that’s my number one wish.” Melanie has been dropping regular hints that she would love for the ‘Viva Forever’ hitmakers to play Glastonbury, and she quipped she would go as far to “pick up litter” on site just to return to the world-famous festival after making her debut DJing and performing a duet of ‘Spice Up Your Life’ with Blossoms at Worthy Farm in June. (Contactmusic)

With PFAS in Packaging, How Safe Is Microwave Popcorn?

end up with blackened kernels that have burned?”

Heber said. “Well, that’s hot enough to also burn the paper, so this protects the paper from starting a fire in the kitchen.”

Mching handfuls of microwave popcorn might be perfect for movie night, but your snack could be loading your body with potentially harmful “for ever chemicals,” experts warn.

Many microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFAS (perfluoroal kyls and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and evidence has shown that these chemicals will leach into the snack during popping.

Studies have found “high levels of these com pounds in the blood of people who ate microwave popcorn regularly, so it does get into the blood stream,” said Dr. David Heber, founding director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.

PFAS compounds are called forever chemicals because they break down very slowly, accumulating both in the environment and within human bodies.

The chemicals are commonly found in drink ing water supplies through out the United States, and can be found in the blood of 97% of U.S. residents, the federal government es

been a lot of at ten tion on drinking water, but food is also a major source of exposure and studies have shown that consuming microwave popcorn and fast food is correlated with higher PFAS levels in the body,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist with the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.

PFAS chemicals orig inally were developed in the 1950s as part of the nonstick coating of pans, Heber said.

They’ve since been added to many consumer products, including clean ing solutions, waterproof makeup, firefighting foam and stain-resistant coat ings for carpets and up holstery.

Microwave popcorn manufacturers add PFAS to the lining of the bags to keep the oil that pops the corn from soaking out, Andrews said.

The PFAS also help keep the bag from burning, Heber said.

“You know some times if you leave the pop corn in a lot longer, you’ll

But during the pop ping process, PFAS leach into the popcorn, making the snack one of the most notorious means by which the chemicals enter human bodies, Andrews said.

“This is actually one of the first product types that the FDA did testing on” to check for the pres ence of PFAS, around 15 years ago, Andrews said.

A 2019 study found that people who regularly ate microwave popcorn tended to have signifi cantly higher blood PFAS levels, based on a decade of data about the eating habits of more than 10,500 people gathered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People who noshed popcorn daily had PFAS levels up to 63% higher than average, according to results published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Concern is mounting over the potential health ef fects of PFAS on humans. For example, PFAS chemi cals appear to impact the immune system, “so they reduce the effectiveness of vaccines,” Andrews said.

High levels of PFAS in the body have also been

tied to increased cholester ol levels, small decreases in infant birth weights, changes in liver enzymes, preeclampsia in pregnant women, and an increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

It is possible for mi crowave popcorn bags to be made without PFAS or other such chemicals, Andrews said.

Andrews pointed to Denmark as an example.

The nation’s largest gro cer, Coop Denmark, an nounced back in 2015 it would no longer sell mi crowave popcorn because of PFAS in the packaging.

But months later, microwave popcorn re turned to Denmark’s store shelves, thanks to new bags made from tougher paper.

“They just changed the way the actual paper was manufactured, to pro vide enough resistance to work as a microwave pop corn bag without chemical additives,” Andrews said.

The most recent pub lic testing found PFAS in most or all of the brands of microwave popcorn sold in the U.S., Andrews said.

The Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, did not respond to a request for comment.

Until companies an nounce updated packag ing, people worried about PFAS should either buy a hot air popper or pop their own popcorn on the stove, Heber and Andrews said.

“Just a pan or a pot

with a little bit of oil on the stove will work,” Andrews said. “That’s how I do it all the time. It’s an easy

way to avoid the potential PFAS exposure.”

ByDennisThompson HealthDayReporter

The

Konyak

Ango Konyak Smt. Sharon Longchari Konyak

Champions League: Haaland stars for Man City

PARIS, OCT 6 (IANS):

Erling Haaland continued his remarkable start to life at Manchester City with a brace of goals, helping the English side to a third win from three Group G match es in the UEFA Champions League.

Haaland scored with his first touch as City cruised to another thumping home win, beating FC Copen hagen 5-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday night.

Haaland buried a Joao Cancelo pass in the 7th minute before tapping in a second in the 32nd min to move to 28 goals in just 22 Champions League appear ances. He is now level with Ryan Giggs on 28 UEFA Champions League goals.

David Khocholava turned in an own goal, Riyad Mahrez scored a penalty after Haaland was withdrawn at the break and Julian Alvarez tapped in a fifth after a great run from Jack Grealish. Manchester City manager Pep Guar

diola was elated with the way his team played and praised Alvarez for step ping in when Haaland was withdrawn.

Though Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara excelled throughout, mak ing 12 saves, his side was just outclassed.

Chelsea win 3-0 It was a good night for the English sides as Chelsea romped to a 3-0 win against Italian club AC Milan. Chel

sea cruised to their first Champions League win of the season to move off the foot of Group E.

The visitors from It aly started brightly but lax marking at defensive set pieces proved their downfall as Wesley Fofana capital ised. Rade Krunic spurned a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time, but that was as good as it got for Mi lan as Pierre-Emerick Au bameyang steered in Reece

James’ cross for the second, before James smashed in the third after Milan were caught playing out from the back.

Chelsea thus moved to the second spot in the stand ings tied on four points with AC Milan but ahead on goal difference. FC Salzburg, who have five from three games, lead the Group after they defeated Dinamo Za greb 1-0 at home.

Meanwhile, in Group

Turkey to send troops to Qatar for WC security

ANKARA, OCT 6 (IANS): The Turkish par liament has approved a motion on sending troops to Qatar to provide security assistance during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

IBA lifts ban on Russian, Belarusian boxers

LONDON, OCT 6 (AGENCIES): Amateur boxing’s world governing body has lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian ath letes. Boxers from the two nations were banned from competition in March fol lowing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The International Boxing Association’s presi dent is Russian Umar Krem lev and it counts Russian state-backed energy giant Gazprom among its chief sponsors. In a statement, it said it “strongly believes that politics shouldn’t have any influence on sports”.

Adding it remained “politically neutral and in dependent”, IBA - formerly known as the AIBA - added: “IBA calls for peace and remains a peacemaker in any conflicts. Moreover, the IBA has obligation to ensure equal treatment towards the athletes and competition officials, regardless of their nationality and residence.

Japan Open: Kyrgios storms into quarterfinals

TOKYO, OCT 6 (IANS): Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios registered a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory against Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak to reach the quarterfinals of the Japan Open Tennis Championships, here on Thursday. After a shaky start to his second-round match, the Aussie grew frustrated as he played a loose open ing service game in falling behind 0-3. The 27-year old could not create a break chance in the set.

But after saving a break point in the opening game of set two, Kyrgios did not face another as he expertly turned the match around to advance to the quarterfinals. The fifth seed finished with 22 aces and won 84 per cent (36/43) of his firstserve points. The Australian was pleased with his “really high level” in the final two sets, and will seek to con tinue that form in the quar terfinals against either third seed Taylor Fritz or Japan’s Hiroki Moriya. The pair are set to square off in Thurs day’s final evening match.

“Both Russian and Be larus teams will be able to perform under their flags, and the national anthems will be played in case they win a gold medal.

“According to the deci sion, the technical officials of Russia and Belarus will also be back in the competi tions.” On Friday, the IBA suspended the Ukrainian boxing federation after it had written to IBA mem bers calling for Kremlev to resign or be voted out of of fice. IBA does not recognise Kyrylo Shevchenko as the Ukrainian federation’s presi dent, insisting it is Volody myr Prodyvus, an ally of Kremlev who left Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Two days later, IBA delegates voted to reject a proposal to hold new presidential elections, with the International Olympic Committee saying it was “extremely concerned” by the result. IBA was stripped

of involvement in last year’s Tokyo Olympics because of governance, finance, referee ing and ethical issues, while it will also not be involved in the running of qualification events or competitions at the Paris 2024 Games.

“Upon request from Qatar, a motion was sub mitted to parliament on Saturday to deploy sol diers in the country for six months to provide security during the football tourna ment in November,” the parliament said in a state ment on Wednesday.

The operation aims to “take necessary measures against various threats, especially terrorism, which may affect the security of the event,” it added.

H, Angel Di Maria was in sparkling form, providing all three assists, as Juventus earned their first Group H win, beating Maccabi Haifa 3-1 at home.

The Argentinian’s bril liantly disguised pass teed up Adrien Rabiot for the opener in the 35th minute, and he released Dusan Vla hovic to beat Joshua Cohen early in the second half. Din David pulled one back for the visitors in the closing stages but Rabiot headed in a Di Maria corner to quash any hopes of a comeback.

In the other match in the group, Portuguese cham pions Benfica held French stalwarts Paris Saint Ger main (PSG) 1-1 at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

Benfica held on to keep pace with Paris at the top of Group H after Danilo’s own goal cancelled out some Lio nel Messi magic.

The visitors were in debted to Gianluigi Don narumma in the opening exchanges before Messi hit a sumptuous curling finish from the edge of the box.

Peren District Football League: Prime FC stun Benreu FC; NASA hold NZSA

the 12th minute of the game. The first half ended in 1-0.

Five minutes after the breather, Haidingbe of Prime FC doubled their lead in the 50th and 90th minutes. Another two goals were scored by Puiheilung in the 53rd and 56th min utes. While a solitary goal for Benreu FC was scored by Digumpeung in the 65th minute. In another match played between Nsong Area Sports Association (NASA) and Nothern Zeme Sports Association, early into the game, Lungdetheing of NZSA scored the opening goal in the 4th minute which was equalised by Deihimrai of NASA in the 39th minute. Both the teams failed to con vert the opportunities into goal and shared a point each.

FRIDAY’S MATCHES

DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN):

Prime FC stunned Benreu

FC 5-1 while Nsong Area Sports Association (NASA) was held by Nothern Zeme Sports Association 1-1 on day-2 of the ongoing first Peren District Football

DSO Tseminyu informs on sepaktakraw selection trial

DIMAPUR, OCT 6

(NPN): District Sports Officer (DSO) Tseminyu, Zhopovi Zecho has in formed that the selection trial for Sepaktakraw (Regu event) for both boys and girls under 14 will be held on October 8, 11 am at Tseminyu Indoor Stadium. It also informed that those below 14 years, who are born on or after October 12, 2008 are eligible for the selection trial. Interested players under Tseminyu

district have been requested to bring a photocopy of their Aadhaar, birth cer tificate and two passport photos for spot registration.

The DSO further informed that selected players will represent Tseminyu dis trict in the upcoming 14th State Level Catch Them Young Tournament 2022 scheduled to start from October 13-14 at IG Sta dium, Kohima. For any inquiry, one may contact at 7005645485.

Prime FC opened its account when Tingsenggai found the back of the net in

Barak FA Vs Native Feathers –

In

Late

League (PDFL) 2022 organ ised by Peren District Foot ball Association (PDFA) at Jalukie ‘B’ village ground on Wednesday.

Match in action between Prime FC and Benreu FC.

The 1st edition of the Legacy Futsal tournament was held on October 4 and 5 at Etsutchukha Wokha. In the finals, Bakchod FC defeated Vungojü United and lifted the trophy. The player of the tournament, best goalkeeper and highest scorer were awarded to Zuben Kithan of Bakchod FC, Nzanthung Tungoe of 7 Elders and Sachumo Yanthan of Bakchod FC respectively.

Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

1st ODI: India lose to South Africa by nine runs

LUCKNOW, OCT 6 (IANS): Sanju Samson dis played valiant effort in his unbeaten knock of 86 not out while Shreyas Iyer hit a counter-attacking fifty. But the duo’s splendid efforts went in vain as India lost to South Africa by nine runs in a rain-hit first ODI which has been reduced to 40-over per side at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.

After David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen hit un beaten fifties to power South Africa to 249/4, India’s pursuit of chasing 250 were dealt with huge blows in the first six overs when Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell got rid of Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan respec tively through thick inner edges disturbing the stumps.

Debutant Ruturaj Gai kwad put up a 42-ball re sistance, but made just 19 runs and was stumped off Tabraiz Shamsi. In the next over, Ishan Kishan’s 37-ball stay at the crease came to an end as leg-slip took his catch on the inner edge off Keshav

Maharaj. At 51/4 in 17.4 overs, the match looked to be as good as over for India. But Iyer injected much-needed momentum into the chase, taking the attack to the bowl ers by using his feet and timing his shots well. His onslaught on Tabraiz Sham

si was a surreal one - sweep ing, lofting and punching to get a hat-trick of fours.

Iyer’s counterattacking knock continued with him smacking Lungi Ngidi for a brace of fours, before play ing a late cut off Maharaj to reach his fifty in 33 balls. But in the very next over,

NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy

2022 to kick off today in Kohima

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 6 (NPN): NSF Martyr’s Trophy 2022, organised by Angami Students’ Union (ASU) will begin on Friday with 35 teams, including two from Manipur and one from Meghalaya, at the Indira Gandhi stadium, Kohima.

Earlier during a press conference, convenor of the tourney, Zekusetuo Natso, said the annual football tournament was organised in honour of two of its comrades Kekuo jalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü who were victims of indiscriminate firing of the armed police on March 22, 1986 when the students fraternity were on a peace ful protest against the ex tension of Disturbed Area Belt from 5Km to 20Km along the Indo Myanmar border and against the induction of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres into the state of Nagaland.

Natso Angami said ASU had been organising the tourney to honour and keep alive the supreme

sacrifices made by the two comrades and that this year marks the 22nd edi tion.

The inaugural match of the NSF Martyrs Me morial Trophy 2022 would begin at 4: 30 p.m. with MLA & Leader of NPF Legislature Party & Cochairman UDA Kuzholu zo Nienu as the special guest. The tournament will open with a match between defending cham pions Head Hunters and Tholevi FC.

ASU sports secretary, Thomas Khawakhrie in formed that the famed Shillong Lajong FC from Meghalaya would also compete alongside 34 oth er teams, 2 from Manipur and 32 from Nagaland,

26 from Kohima, 4 from Chümoukedima and 2 from Phek. The winner will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs, while the runners-up team will receive Rs. 1.2 lakhs.

Losing semi-final ists will each receive Rs. 30,000, while losing quar ter finalists will each re ceive Rs. 15,000.

Individual prizes of Rs. 10,000 along with cita tions would be awarded to the Best Goalkeeper Defender, Midfielder and Highest Scorer.

While player of the tournament will receive a two-wheeler along with citation. There will be an award for the player of the match for every match who will be awarded with a special souvenir spe cifically designed for the category.

Chakhroma Students’ Union (CSU) has been assigned for the ground management while for football lovers, a special photo booth displaying a list of former champions would be made available at the event site.

Iyer was deceived by extra bounce on short ball and pulled straight to mid-on.

With the required run rate going past ten, Shardul Thakur had a pacy start with two quick fours and survived two lbw shouts off Shamsi, on which South Africa burnt their full quota of reviews.

Samson then stepped upto be the aggressor, lofting and pulling sweetly for boundaries before reaching his second ODI fifty.

Post reaching his fifty, Samson took consecutive fours off Shamsi while Thakur used Rabada’s pace to hit a hat-trick of fours in a 14-run 37th over. But in the next over, Thakur danced down the pitch to heave but was caught at mid-off, ending a crucial 93-run stand off 65 balls.

With Kuldeep Yadav and Avesh Khan falling quickly, Samson tried to get an improbable win for India by hitting three fours and a six in the final over off Shamsi yielding 20 runs. But it was not enough for India to avoid a narrow loss.

Brief Scores: South Africa 249/4 in 40 overs (David Miller 75 not out, Heinrich Klaasen 74 not out; Shardul Thakur 2/35, Kuldeep Yadav 1/39) beat India 240/8 in 40 overs (Sanju Samson 86 not out, Shreyas Iyer 50; Lungi Ngidi 3/52, Kagiso Rabada 2/36) by nine runs

Subroto Cup U-17: Nagaland to take on Meghalaya in quarters

DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN): Nagaland will be playing against Meghalaya for a spot in the semi-finals at the ongoing Subroto Cup International Football Tournament in the U-17 juniors boys category on October 9.

In their first match, Nagaland defeated Bihar 3-1. In the second match, Nagaland blanked Guja rat 16-0 while in the third match, they beat Assam 2-0 to qualify for the quarter finals as group winners.

The team is represent

National Games: Praneeth, Aakarshi clinch singles titles

SURAT, OCT 6 (PTI):

Top seed B Sai Praneeth of Telangana and Chhat tisgarh’s Aakarshi Kashyap produced superlative per formances to claim the men’s and women’s singles badminton gold medals respectively in the National Games here on Thursday.

While Praneeth, a for mer world championships bronze medallist, had to work hard for his 21-11 12-21 21-16 victory over Karnataka’s Mithun Man junath in the men’s singles final, Aakarshi saw off top seed Malvika Bansod of Maharashtra 21-8 22-20 in the women’s singles sum mit clash. Thirty-year-old Praneeth’s success meant that Telangana grabbed three gold medals in bad minton. They had won the mixed team and women’s doubles titles earlier.

Praneeth dominated the opening game, jumping to an 8-2 lead and never looking back. However, Mithun came back stron ger in the second game but eventually could do noth ing but acknowledge that he was outplayed.

Mithun kept pace with Praneeth for the most of the third game but the

Nagaland State Futsal Championship to begin today

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 6 (NPN):

The second Nagaland State Futsal Championship is set to begin on Friday at Reiphi nyü Badze, Vürie, Kohima organised by Kohima Dis trict Football Association (KDFA), under the aegis of Nagaland Football Associa tion (NFA).

Announcing this dur ing a press conference at 2K hotel, here on Thursday, NFA president, K Neibou Sekhose said a total of 8 teams representing 8 dis tricts would be participating in the championship.

He informed that the winner of the championship would walk away with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh while the runner-up will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

The winner would also be representing the State in the upcoming National Fut sal Championship to be held in the month of November.

He disclosed that the winner would directly qual ify for the National Champi onship without any further qualification round unlike football where there would be another qualifying round at the zonal level.

He informed players of the championship would un dergo Central Registration System (CRS) which would

experienced campaigner did enough to quell the challenge of his young op ponent.

Earlier, second seed Aakarshi dominated the opening game of the wom en’s singles final against an erratic Malvika, who needed time to find her rhythm.

The top seeded Malvi ka began the second game well, opening up an 8-4 lead. Aakarshi fought back by keeping the shuttle in play longer and closed the gap at 9-9.

However, Malvika wasn’t willing to drop her guard and fold this time around. She kept the pres sure on her opponent and again moved up to an 18-14 lead and at that stage it felt

World Team TT Finals: India men crash out in pre-QF

CHENGDU (CHINA),

OCT 6 (IANS): The In dian men’s table tennis team crashed out of the ITTF World Team Cham pionships Finals 2022 in the round of 16 after a 0-3 loss to top seeds and hosts China, here on Thursday.

like the match could go into a decider. But Aakarshi changed the tempo of the rallies, pushed Malvika on the backhand corner and bagged six consecutive points to set up two match points.

Malvika did well to save two, but Aakarshi cre ated a third with a downthe-line smash and then wrapped up the crown with a crosscourt drop to clinch the first gold medal for her state.

The Telangana duo of N Sikki Reddy and Gayatri Gopichand clinched the women’s doubles gold by beating national champi ons Ashwini Bhat and Shi kha Gautam of Karnataka 21-14 21-11 in a lopsided final.

Ashwini Ponnappa embarks on new Mixed Doubles journey with gold

Ever since she broke into the big league, lissom Ashwini Ponnappa is used to being in the spotlight. But when she stepped into the badminton court earlier this week at the PDDU Indoor Stadium, she knew that the attention from the Indian badminton community would be even more intense. After all, the Women’s Doubles’ special ist was embarking on a new journey as a Mixed Doubles player. Her first partner: her own Karnataka statemate K Sai Prateek in the 36th National Games here.

On Thursday, she took a successful first step, beat ing Delhi’s Rohan Kapoor and Kanika Kanwal in straight games to win the gold. Ashwini has with out doubt been one of the finest doubles players in India, having successfully partnered with left-handers Jwala Gutta and N Sikki Reddy in her distinguished career. In the semifinals against Tamil Nadu’s VR Nardhana and Hariharan Amsakarunan, Ashwini Ponnappa and Sai Prateek were more at ease in the

final with a 21-15, 21-13 victory.

Archer Atanu wins gold For over two months after his failure to win a medal at the Tokyo Olym pics, Atanu Das went on vacations, talked to his wife Deepika Kumari about starting a family to ensure that there was more to life for them than just archery and only picked up the bow and arrow when he made his peace with his disap pointment.

Atanu then changed his approach in training and even travelled to different locations to get back into his groove. Late on Thursday evening, the West Bengal archer’s tribulations came to an end as he won the Men’s Individual Recurve gold, beating Gurcharan Besra of Services in the gold medal match.

India record 3-0 win over Kuwait in AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

AL KHOBAR (SAUDI ARABIA), OCT 6 (PTI):

Thanglalsoun Gangte scored a brace to guide In dia to a crucial 3-0 win over Kuwait in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers here on Thursday.

NFA president K Neibou Sekhose (2nd-R) with other officials at Kohima on Thursday. (NP) ensure a better system and more clarity as any player registered under this system would be able to participate in any State and National recognised event(s).

He said NFA was more focused on Futsal as the as sociation noticed that Naga players were more physically suited to the game and also the selection process to par ticipate at the national level was simpler and that the State players could perform better.

Sekhose disclosed that NFA was also focusing on nurturing young players in the age range of 6 to 8 years so as to help build more players in the long run.

Technical committee convenor of the champion ship and senior vice presi dent of NFA, Kiyeka Sumi informed that NFA was holding the event under

Competition Management System (CMS) for the first time. He said although NFA had communicated about CRS process and its manda tory requirement to all the district units well ahead of time, only 8 teams were able to complete the process and qualify for the champion ship.

He said the CRS reg istration was in the hands of All India Football Asso ciation (AIFA) and although NFA wanted more districts to participate, it was not in their hands as without CRS no player would progress further to the national level.

Kiyeka said some teams had also approached NFA for participation even in the past few days, how ever, since CRS takes at least 30 days to process it was too late. He further informed that Sports Cast would be

live broadcasting the cham pionship.

KDFA president Mha simhalie Matthew Yhome said the championship would be played on a new turf with DC Kohima, Shanavas C, who is also the chairman of Kohima District Sports Council, as the special guest in the inaugural. Final match of the championship would be held on October 9 at 5:30 p.m.

The eight teams were di vided into two groups:

Group-A

Aphuyemi FC (Zunheboto)

Proper FC (Mon) Kesko FC (Dimapur) G-Sports FC (Chümouke dima)

Group-B Nimok Power FC (Phek) Vanguard FC (Tseminyü) Zasivi FC (Kohima) Lengreng FC (Peren)

National Games 2022 winner Harmeet Desai lost the first game to the world No 1 Fan Zhendong 0-3 (2-11, 9-11, 5-11) despite looking good in the second game. India’s top-ranked men’s player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran tried pull ing back the momentum against world No 2 Ma Long in the second match. However, after losing the opening game closely, he couldn’t recover and lost 0-3 (12-14, 5-11, 0-11).

Later, playing his first match in the tournament, Manush Shah was up against world No. 11 Wang Chuqin in the third rubber. He too lost his match 0-3 (4-11, 5-11, 6-11) in straight games.

The Indian men’s table tennis team had advanced to the round of 16 winning three of their four matches in the group stages, includ ing a memorable win over second seeds Germany.

India had registered a commanding 5-0 win against the Maldives in their previous match. Two goals from Gangte gave the Indian side three points.

Goalkeeper Sahil also shone through with a no table display, making a num ber of crucial saves, ensuring a hard-earned clean sheet.

The first half began with the Indian side in the ascendancy right from kickoff. The first big chance came in the ninth minute as Gangte headed the ball into the net from a corner-kick opportunity. However, the referee had blown for a foul in the build-up.

Three minutes later, skipper Vanlalpeka Guite stung the palms of the Ku wait custodian with a low, fizzing shot that was saved. The pressure continued to build and the reward came in the 16th minute as Bibi ano Fernandes’ side took the lead.

India U-17 players celebrate during their match with Kuwait. from centreback Manjot Singh Dhami found Korou in space down the right flank. The winger charged and played a pinpoint cross for the onrushing Gangte, who provided a clinical firsttime finish.

India custodian Sahil was called into action on a couple of occasions and produced some fine saves towards the end of the first half to ensure a clean sheet.

After the half-time in terval, the game continued from where it left off as both sides continued to push for advantage.

Two minutes after the hour mark, Korou headed narrowly over the bar from a corner-kick chance. Howev er, four minutes later, he was on hand to double India’s

advantage as the Blue Colts raced forward on a counterattack. Guite fired in an inviting low cross from the left and the winger slammed it home with aplomb. Sahil was called into action yet again in the 69th minute, producing a flying save to deny Khaled once again. The stop proved to be crucial as the Indian team struck another blow just two minutes later as Gangte scored his second.

India poured forward on the break again and Lalpekhlua delivered a fine cross from the left flank as Gangte slid home a clinical finish.

In the next match, the Indian side will take on Myanmar at the same venue.

ing Pilgrim Higher Sec ondary School, Dimapur, sponsored by the Depart ment of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland and is being led by Akihito Zhimo as team manager and Mughato Aye as team coach.

Nagaland boys for U-17 Subroto Cup International Football Tournament with their coach and manager.

Aakarshi Kashyap and B Sai Praneeth

Ashwini Ponnappa

South African players celebrate the wicket of Indian batter Shubman Gill during the 1st ODI cricket match between India and South Africa, in Lucknow, Thursday. (PTI)