12 May 2021

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Statewide 7-day total lockdown from May 14

Consolidated revised SOP

INDIA’S

LCKDOWNMAP Ladakh

Jammu&Kashmir

ArunachalPradesh HimachalPradesh

Punjab

Meghalaya

Uttarakhand Jharkhand

Haryana

Delhi

Bihar Rajasthan

Nagaland

Assam

Sikkim

UttarPradesh Manipur Madhya Pradesh

Gujarat

WestBengal Chhattisgarh

Maharashtra

Mizoram Tripura

Odisha

Goa

Source:TheIndianExpress

D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): Giving in to calls for immediate lockdown in Nagaland from various organisations including NPF Legislature Party and Sumi, the state’s High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 has decided to impose total lockdown throughout Nagaland with effect from 6 p.m. on May 14 till May 21 even as existing restrictions over containment areas will continue till lockdown is in place.

The decision was made at a meeting of the HPC chaired by chief minister Neiphiu Rio at the CM’s residential complex Tuesday, government spokespersons- minister of planning & coordination, land revenue, parliamentary affairs Neiba Kronu, and adviser IT, Science & Technology, NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon stated in a press note.

They said during the lockdown, the health and family welfare will undertake aggressive testing utilising full testing capacities in Covid-19 testing laboratories.

Almost all the states across India have imposed lockdown the latest being Nagaland and Telengana.

In the North Eastern states,

Telangana

Karnataka

Andhra Pradesh

37LAKH +active cases Lockdown

Kerala

Tamil Nadu

Mizoram and Meghalaya have imposed total lockdown till May 17. Despite witnessing massive surge in daily Covid-19 cases in Assam, the state government on Tuesday cleared the ‘COVID Action Plan’, to be announced on Wednesday.

PartialLockdown *as on May 11 *Nagaland willgo into full lockdown from May 14 *Telangana willgo into full lockdown from May 12

After a cabinet meeting, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said that there was still no decision about a total lockdown. Certain stringent measures are expected to be announced as part of the COVID Action Plan, he said.

Meanwhile, chief secretary J. Alam on Tuesday issued a revised SOP following the announcement of the state-wide lockdown.

Under the revised order, all activities and movement of person(s) individual shall be suspended during the lockdown period except those permitted/exempted.

Following have been permitted-- movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities/food items and medical supplies including oxygen/ oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment.

All healthcare facilities, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, movement of healthcare workers including those for animal healthcare, COVID19 vaccination, COVID testing and medical emergencies.

DTF shall evolve a mechanism to facilitate opening of vegetable, fish/ meat vendors, milk booths, bakeries, local grocery stores, hardware, electrical and electronics shops including those that sell animal feed shops for public purchase

Nagaland records 269 fresh Covid cases; 6 deaths D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 COVID-19 STATUS AS ON MAY 11, 2021 (NPN): Nagaland on TuesACTIVE CASES day repor ted 269 fresh Symptomatic Non Covid deaths MiCovid-19 positive cases Asevere ModRecov- Covid Total District ymperate ICU ICU ered deaths with grat- Cases from across the State while Covid-19 ed tom- Mild On On (without (On six more deaths were also positivity atic Oxy- Oxy- ventila- ventigen gen tor) lator recoded. Of the fresh cases, Dimapur 1817 104 84 17 0 9 6731 104 10 414 9290 207 were reported from Kiphire 13 0 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 0 54 Dimapur, 40 in Kohima, Kohima 773 12 8 6 4 1 4184 26 0 80 5094 eight in Tuensang, four each Longleng 11 5 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 9 42 in Mokokchung and Mon, 0 0 199 6 0 15 275 three in Phek, one each in Mokokchung 43 10 2 0 Mon 64 10 0 0 0 0 599 2 1 10 686 Longleng, Zunheboto and Peren 13 1 0 0 0 0 509 0 0 1 524 Peren, taking the total casePhek 13 0 0 0 0 0 61 1 0 0 75 load to 16552.

0 0 261 2 0 2 308 According to Health de- Tuensang 38 4 0 1 Wokha 1 0 0 0 0 0 39 1 0 2 43 partment, out of six deaths 0 0 139 2 0 3 161 recorded on Tuesday, five Zunheboto 17 0 0 0 Total 2803 146 94 24 4 10 12779 145 11 536 16552 patients succumbed to virus.

The death of the sixth per- *11 deaths not due to Covid-19 *0 deaths under investigation son, though Covid positive, Meanwhile, a total against Covid-19 till May 11 was not Covid related, the of 2,33,093 eligible per- (181443 first does and 51650 department stated. sons have been inoculated second dose).

Fuel prices hiked D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): Petrol and diesel prices were hiked on Tuesday again, for the second consecutive day, by at least 27 paise a litre and 30 paise a litre respectively.

After Tuesday’s rate revision, prices of petrol and diesel in Dimapur rose to Rs. 90.64 and Rs. 84.45 a litre respectively.

In the state capital Kohima, a litre of petrol will cost Rs.91.59 while diesel will cost Rs. 85.21 a litre.

This is it!

“Prices are going up because of scarcity. It will continue like that for sometime”.

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3.29L fresh cases, 3876 deaths in India

PTI: New cases of coronavirus in India fell to 3.29 lakh after 14 days taking the total tally of Covid-19 infections to 2,29,92,517, according to Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

A total of 3,29,942 infections were reported in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll climbed to 2,49,992 with 3,876 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,90,27,304, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09%, the data stated.

‘Covid antibodies last 8 months after infection’ ROME, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): Antibodies against coronavirus remained in the blood of patients with Covid-19 for at least eight months after they were infected, Italian researchers said Tuesday, NDTV report stated.

They were present “regardless of the severity of the illness, the age of the

Total lockdown triggers panic buying in Kohima, Dimapur

patients or the presence of other pathologies,” according to a statement from the San Raffaele hospital in Milan.

The researchers, working with Italy’s ISS national health institute, studied 162 patients with symptomatic coronavirus who turned up at the emergency room during the country’s first

wave of infections last year.

Blood samples were taken in March and April and again at the end of November from those who survived.

Some 29 patients died.

“The presence of neutralising antibodies, while reducing over time, was very persistent -- eight months after diagnosis, there were only (Cont’d on p-5) three

from 6 a.m. to 12 noon in consultation with the respective colony/ward authorities ensuring COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Public may be advised to shop their essential needs from within their colony only.

Petrol pumps shall remain open, while ensuring there is no crowding.

All establishments and personnel relating to electronic and print media, telecom/ internet service providers.

Dimapur Airport to remain open and movement of staff and passengers (with proof of ticket) will be permitted subject to adherence of Covid-19 appropriate behaviours.

Hotels for lodging shall be allowed to remain open with minimum staff.

Further, restaurants shall remain closed for in-house dining. They may however cater through home delivery services. Food delivery, groceries delivery and other e-Commerce Service providers are allowed.

Funeral services limited to not more than 20 persons. (Cont’d on p-5)

One of the busiest intersections at old MLA junction, Kohima wears a deserted look. (NP)

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 11 (NPN): News about total lockdown in Nagaland (from 6 p.m.

May 14 to May 21) spread like wildfire, and triggering thousands of people to rush off to stock essential items both in the state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur.

Many commodities especially varieties of vegetables including cereals were immediately sold. The panic buying has also pushed up prices of many items. The current panic buying potentially leads artificial scarcity and profiteering, if the past serve as any lesson.

In a sellers market the buyer has hardly any choice

as prices of some scarce items soared.

Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing went for a toss when people made a mad scramble to pick up their requirements. There were reports of some shops selling out their entire stock, especially fresh vegetables, meat and other essential commodities.

Meanwhile, appealing to the people not to panic, Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president Zhatuo Rutsa assured that supply chain for essential commodities was still intact and that there was enough stock of food supplies in the city.

He also urged the peo-

ple to avoid panic buying as the upcoming lockdown would last only a week.

He also explained that the suddenness of the lockdown announcement had led people to make a beeline for vegetable stalls.

There was brief shortage but Rutsa said as the market was supplied with commodities based on the daily stock clearance, the supply would not be interrupted.

Earlier, due to ongoing partial lockdown still in effect, Kohima wore a deserted look. Most of the major intersections were empty and, barring a few pharmacies, all the shops were closed. This led to a sharp drop in pedestrian and vehicular movements.

AYO urges HPC to devise additional modalities DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (NPN): Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has appealed to HPC on Covid-19, to devise additional modalities to be effected during or immediately after the lockdown, with regard to providing effective vaccination to the public, apart from contact tracing and testing in the face of recent surge of Covid cases.

AYO through its president Kekhrie Pfukha maintained that the suggestions were necessary because lockdown

for the sake of lockdown, might not necessarily serve its purpose, if these core issues were not addressed.

AYO also urged public to extend full cooperation to frontline health workers, since empowering the overburdened and overstretched frontliners working under perilous conditions as it only helps people be equipped with a shield of protection. It reminded that in the first wave no one was aware about how to respond except to follow SOPs.

However in the changed situation, it called upon evolving responses according to situational realities. AYO said the only possible shield was vaccinations and adherence to SOP protocols.

It said the lockdown could impact the state’s fragile economy especially the poor but expressed the hope that the government would assist in mitigating their problems. AYO also urged to business houses, especially those dealing in essential items not to hike up prices.

GHC extends all interim orders in 4 NE states till June 1 GUWAHATI, MAY 11 (PTI): Gauhati High Court has extended all interim orders by various courts of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh till June 1 in view of the spike in Covid-19 cases.

The full court of Gauhati High Court in its meeting on May 8 informally discussed issues arising out of restricted working due to the pandemic and decided to deal with the matter on its judicial side.

Accordingly, the full bench of GHC, comprising Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justices N Kotiswar Singh and Manash Ranjan Pathak, filed a suo motu PIL on Sunday and issued the orders on Monday.

13 states have over 1 lakh active cases: Health Ministry Nagaland, 15 states showing continuous spike in daily cases NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): Health ministry Tuesday informed that there are over 1 lakh active Covid-19 cases in 13 states and less than 50,000 active cases in 17 states across the country, ANI report stated.

Addressing the press meet, Health ministry officials said: “More than 1 lakh active cases in 13 states, while 50,000 to 1 lakh active cases are in 6 states and less than 50,000 active cases are

in 17 states.” “Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh showing continued increasing trend in daily new cases,” the ministry said.

The 13 states with more than 1 lakh active cases are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said, “On April 30th, 2021, 19,45,299 tests

were conducted, the highest ever in the world.”

“The national positivity rate is around 21 percent as of now”, informed Bhargava in the press meet. He further informed, “Rapid Antigen Tests to be allowed at all government and private health facilities, no accreditation required. Home-based testing solutions are being explored.”

He said, “Multiple 24X7 RAT booths to be set up in cities, towns and villages. RATS to be allowed at all government and private health care facilities. No accreditation required. RAT booths to be set up with the community in schools, col-

leges, community centers, RWA offices etc.”

“Public-private partnership models encouraged to establish innovative and convenient testing centers.

RATs must be conducted in accordance with RAT algorithm defined by ICMR. All RTPCR and RAT test results should be uploaded on ICMR portal. Social distancing norms to be ensured at all RAT and RTPCR testing centers”, ICMR DG informed.

Meanwhile, states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar etc. were showing continuous decrease in daily Covid, the ministry said.

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2

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should the state govt provide free covid tests especially for daily wage earners?

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

93% 5% 2%

Next Poll

Q: Is extreme covid fatigue

among general public a dangerous trend?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST MAy 12

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala A strong morning thunderstorm 33 22 Aizawl

Strong afternoon t-storms

24 19

Guwahati Cloudy, a strong thunderstorm 29 21 Imphal

A strong morning thunderstorm 27 17

Itanagar Cloudy with a thunderstorm

24 20

Shillong

A thunderstorm in spots

20 14

Kohima

A couple of thunderstorms

21 15

Dimapur A strong morning thunderstorm 28 20 Mkg

A morning thunderstorm

Tuensang A stray a.m. t-storm; cloudy

23 15 15 12

A strong t-storm in spots

22 17

Zunheboto A thunderstorm in spots

20 13

Wokha

KVK Mokokchung conducts STRY DIMAPUR: Six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) on value addition of fruits and vegetables was organised by KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK) Mokokchung from May 4-10 at AlempangMokokchung.

A press release by KVK Mokokchung stated that the programme was conducted in association with State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE).

At the programme, delivering the keynote address senior scientist &head, KVK Mokokchung Dr. Keviletsu Khate emphasised on postharvest loses of fruits and vegetables. He encouraged the participants to work hard and sincerely in order to achieve sustainability through value addition.

The weeklong hands on training was aimed at developing skills of rural youths in processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables and engage them with income generating activities. During the training, lectures on different methods of preservation and value addition of fruits and vegetables were covered and practical sessions was also conducted. Altogether 15 youths participated in the training programme.

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

COVID-19 pandemic: Meetings, advisories and orders

DIMAPUR: In order to prevent and combat the surge of COVID-19 in the state, Nagaland government and its agencies have been issuing guidelines for the safety of the public. The Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department along with respective District Task Force (DTF) has been conducting meetings, issuing advisories and creating awareness to mitigate the virus.

Insurance scheme for health workers renewed Government of India has renewed the Insurance scheme for the Health Workersfighting COVID-19 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package with effect from May 24, 2021 for a period of 180 days.

The insurance scheme provides for a comprehensive insurance coverage for health workers fighting COVID-19 in government hospitals, health care centres as well as private hospitals, whereby any health care worker who,while treating COVID-19 patients meets with some accident, will be compensated with anamount of Rs. 50 lakh.

The gover nment of Nagaland has also decided to provide an additional amount of Rs. 10 lakhas a compensation for all such workers covered under the said scheme.

Augmenting HR resources In view of the need for increasing the availability of trained human resources to tackle the Covid- 19 pandemic situation, guidelines have been issued to mobilize trained human resources for effective management of Covid-19 pandemic: According to DIPR

report, following are the guidelines: 1. Students of GNM or B.Sc. (Nursing) and Allied Health Care professionals courses who are undergoing internship or are in Final Year awaiting Final Exam, may be given full time NonCovid essential services duties at Government/ Private facilities under the supervision of Senior Faculty. The existing medical staff, wherever thus relieved of NonCOVID essential services duties, should be deployed for COVID-19 duties.

2. Students of ANM courses who are undergoing Intern or are in Final Year awaiting Final Exam may be given full time Covid Vaccination Nursing duties at Government/Private facilities under the supervision of Senior Faculty. The existing medical staff, wherever thus relieved of NonCOVID essential services duties, should be deployed for COVID-19 duties.

3. Students of GNM or B.Sc. (Nursing), ANM and Allied Health Care professionals courses who are in 2nd year may be utilize in clinical documentation and other ancillary service but should not be given the responsibility of any clinical care and services.

4. Further, if any Interns or Final Year Student of Medical Professions undergoing studies elsewhere but are presently in the State may also apply for engagement.

5. The above mentioned Health professionals thus engaged shall be suitably remunerated at the rate approved by the State Government.

6. The above men-

Random testing for shopkeepers was conducted at traffic police point, Kiphire on Tuesday. (DIPR)

tioned Health professionals thus engaged will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government for health workers fighting Covid 19.

7. All such professionals who sign up for minimum 100 days of Covid duty and complete it successfully will be eligible for the Prime Minister’s Distinguished Covid National Service Samman from Government of India as well as the incentives sanctioned by the State Government from time to time.

8. The respective Hospital administrations are to ensure that the medical professionals sought to be engaged in Covid related work are suitably vaccinated.

Kohima: Kohima District Task Force (DTF) held a meeting on May 10 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kohima headed by the DC Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie along with minister-incharge for Kohima, minister, PWD housing & mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum, advisor for urban development and municipal affair, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and advisor for technical education and

election, Medo Yhokha.

According to DIPR report, taking stock of the situation on various activities undertaken during the containment period, chief medical officer (CMO) Kohima, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo informed that results of the ongoing random Covid test carrying out at various locations under Kohima Municipal Area has resulted an increase of positive cases with more than 50% of positive rate in last few days.

She informed that a total of 872 active cases have been recorded so far where more of symptomatic cases have been reported in the second wave.

Taking note of the concerns on alarming increase rate of positive cases and various reasons, issues and challenges faced by concerned line departments and officials on preparedness level, ongoing exercises and implementation of the guidelines at this juncture, the DTF decided to propose and highlight the issue to the High Power Committee for further decision to be implemented in the district.

Representatives from

All Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayats (AKMWP), Angami Youth Organisation (AYO), Kohima Village Youth Organisation besides other members attended the meeting.

Tuensang: In view of the recent surge of COVID19 cases in the district and in pursuance to the decision taken at the meeting of the District Task Force for COVID-19 on May 10, Deputy Commissioner and chairman, DTF for COVID19, Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant, has issued the following directives for strict compliance with immediate effect until further orders.

The DC has directed that all social/political/ religious/cultural/sports gathering and any other gathering shall be restricted within the district, subject to the permission of the DTF Tuensang; gathering of any nature shall be strictly prohibited in all the Public grounds/Playgrounds, including sports activities, within the District.

Pughoboto: Pughoboto Sub-Divisional Task Force held a meeting Tuesday under the chairmanship of ADC Pughoboto, Thungchanbemo Tungoe at the DC’s chamber. According to DIPR report, at the meeting the ADC informed that persons entering Pughoboto

Sub-Division from other states need to undergo home isolation for 10 days. He also called upon the people to strictly follow the SOPs issued by government. The ADC warned that violation of SOPs would be liable for prosecutions as per section 51 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, section 188 of the IPC.SMO, CHC Pughoboto, Easter Kath highlighted on the status of Pughoboto division.

Kiphire: Due to the rise of Covid positive cases in the district, the District Task Force Kiphire has decided to conduct random sample test to all the shopkeepers for three days.

On Tuesday, out of 151 samples, four tested positive increasing the total positive cases to 17 cases in the district. The random test was conducted in the presence of administration, medical team, police and chamber of commerce, Kiphire.

Mon: In order to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, DC Mon Thavaseelan K IAS on May 10 ordered the sealing of House No.94, Techahan Ward, Mon Town and House No. 55, Thamnan Ward near SBI Office, Mon Town till further order.

Naginimora:In order to take effective measures to prevent the spread of

COVID-19, ADC Naginimora Vineet Kumar on May 10 has ordered the sealing of House No.138, Chingjang Colony, Ward No. 04, Naginimora, till further orders.

Dimapur: In order to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, DC and Chairman DDMA, Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan has ordered the sealing of Mahindra Truck & Bus Division office Chabou & Co at 6th mile, near Sovima Village gate Chumukedima, State Bank of India (SBI) Main Branch (72), Dimapur for 48 hours during which time necessary sanitization of the premises shall be done by the management.

Lotovi village: Lotovi Village GBs and council has resolved to totally restrict entry of commercial vehicles, both heavy and LMV from Assam and parts of Nagaland, till the area is contained or further government relaxation order. It warned that defaulting may lead to seizure of vehicle and handed over to district task force or concerned government authority.

COVID-19 HELPLINE Pughoboto: 8014331597 Mon: 9862944517- (For Health & Family Welfare related queries)/ 9362818945( For any other query)

AC K N O W L E D G E M E N T Lt. P. Tongpang Aier (Waromung)

Born on 14/05/1944

Died on 01/05/2021

Nothing is more difficult than saying goodbye to our beloved father Lt. P. Tongpang Aier (Waromung) We, the bereaved family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, churches, unions, Panchayats and youths of P.W.D (Upper, Middle & Lower) Waromung Senso Telongjem, (Kohima, Diphupar and Waromung village), Ayursundra Super Speciality Hospital Guwahati, Zion Hospital Dimapur, neighbours, friends and well-wishers who supported us financially, materially, spiritually and physically from the time of his illness till his last day.

We cannot repay you individually for your selfless and kind deeds but we pray that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-2383

Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws, Grandchildren & Relatives

Longleng DPDB meeting held DIMAPUR:Longleng District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting was held on May 6 at the lobby of Deputy Commissioner (DC) office complex, under the chairmanship of DC & vice chairmen DPDB, Longleng.

According to DIPR report, at the meeting DPO, LRD Longleng, Kughalu Chishi, briefed the members about the coffee product of Longleng district.

Longleng DPDB & DTF chairmen appreciated the outgoing Medical Superintendent Longleng, Dr. L. Belho for his tirelessly effort in the fight against Covid-19 and wished him well for his new assignment/ posting.

The chairman informed about the action taken report of the previous month minutes and he personally pursued and met the two elected members for the funding of DPDB hall Longleng.

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DP-2381

DC-434

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parts of NE states Over Rs 2 cr collected as fines for 2 NE states among top 4 Assam, to witness heavy shower violation of Covid curbs in Mnp with highest vax wastage

SHILLONG, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that Haryana, Assam, Rajasthan and Meghalaya are among the top four states that reported the highest percentage of COVID-19 vaccine wastage, a TNT report stated.

The startling report comes amid the huge shortage of vaccine being reported in India and it portrays the grim reality of medical negligence on the part of the government.

As per the Union Health Ministry, Meghalaya reported 5.67 per cent of vaccine wastage, which

puts it just behind few other larger states like Haryana (6.49), Assam (5.92) and Rajasthan (5.68).

Another state from the Northeast, Assam has been ranked second in terms of vaccine wastage with 5.92 per cent going to waste without being utilised.

Meghalaya being ranked fourth doesn’t come as a surprise, as the vaccination drive in the state has not witnessed a mass turnaround from the public.

Two reasons may be mentioned when it comes to the high percentage of vaccine wastage reported from Meghalaya. Firstly,

the administration and the authorities have not been able to mobilise the drive to its full capacity; and secondly, the public are still apprehensive about taking the vaccine, the report stated.

The efforts by the government and community leaders to increase the vaccination rate has had limited success which has resulted in the low turnout.

The data from www. cowin.gov.in shows a decline in the number of vaccine doses given to the state from about 15 thousand a day in April 26-May 1 to 4004 vaccine doses administered on May 8, 2021.

Mnp records highest 20 Covid deaths in a day

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 11: Manipur on Tuesday recorded an all-time high of 20 coronavirus deaths in a day, pushing the state-wide Covid-19 fatality tally to 509.

It also recorded the second highest daily infections of 592 persons in the State pushing the overall infection caseload to 36,370.

This was the second highest daily spike after 600 cases recorded on May 7 last since the first COVID-19 infection in the state was reported on March 24, 2020.

The number of active cases in the state also rose to 4,981 as only 195 patients were discharged upon recovery on Tuesday.

Adding the 195 recoveries, a total of 30,880 persons have recovered from the viral

3

northeast/state

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

disease so far in the state. The recovery rate of the state stood at 84.90%.

A maximum of eight deaths reported in Imphal East district where 176 fresh cases reported during the past 24 hours while in Imphal West district, four people succumbed and 216 fresh cases to the viral infection reported during the same period.

In Thoubal district three persons succumbed to the viral infection as the district reported 37 new cases. Two deaths were reported in Kakching districts where 26 fresh infections were recorded in the past 24 hours.

One fatality each reported from Churachandpur, Jiribam and Kamjong where 34, five and one fresh cases were reported respectively.

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): Parts of East and Northeast India are set to get drenched by yet another rain spell, as heavy showers have been forecast across the region for the next five days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an east-west trough from Punjab to Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and a trough in westerlies in lower tropospheric levels will both combine to cause scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms over East and Northeast India during the next 4-5 days.

Isolated heavy showers are particularly likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. As for the adjoining Eastern India, isolated heavy rainfall is on the cards over Sikkim and West Bengal from Tuesday to Thursday, and over Odisha on Tuesday and Thursday.

In view of these predictions, the IMD has issued a yellow watch over the aforementioned northeastern states on Tuesday and Wednesday, and across the eastern states from Tuesday to Friday. The advisory urges residents to ‘be aware’ of the local weather situation.

3-day rain forecast over East and Northeast India from Tuesday to Thursday, May 11-13.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 11: Manipur police has collected fines to the tune of over Rs. 2 crore from citizens who violated Covid-19 guidelines/SOPs since 2020.

After strict Covid measures were put in place since March 24, 2020 till date, the state police have collected Rs 2,01,42,860 as fines from the violators, according to the data compiled by the police department.

Among others, the police have been strictly vigilant against those not wearing face masks at public places and not maintaining and spitting at public places and imposing fines as penalty.

During the period, the police across 16 districts of the state penalised 1,39,625 violators apart from detention of 51,850 vehicles, the compiled data showed.

On May 11, the police said that altogether 312 persons were detained and released later after warning and slapping fines to the tune of Rs 1,32,760.

Analysis of the data showed that the maximum amount of fine was collected in the seven districts where complete curfew has been in place since May 8 last.

Apart from the twin capital districts –Imphal West and Imphal East – curfew was in place in Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Ukhrul districts. It will continue till May 17 as per an order of the state government.

The curfew in these seven districts was imposed considering the rapid surge in the infection in the last couple of weeks that has become even steeper and have spread to other parts of the state.

450 fresh Covid-19 cases in Meghalaya Correspondent SHILLONG, MAY 11: Meghalaya recorded 450 new Coronavirus infections, the highest single-day surge in positive cases, pushing the number of active cases to 3,297, while the death toll mounted to 242 with nine more deaths in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Tuesday.

The positivity rate stands at 16.02 per cent, while the fatality is 1.176 per cent as on Tuesday, the official said.

Meanwhile, the recover y rate stands at 82.80 per cent, with 206 more patients recovered from the contagious infection, taking the number of recoveries up to 17, 040 in Meghalaya as on Tuesday.

Meghalaya ranked 9th amongst all the state in India in terms of recovering rate, a health official said, adding that “recovery inching upwards.”

Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said the nine COVID19-related deaths recorded on Tuesday included six in the East Khasi Hills district, two in West Jaintia Hills district and one in Ri-Bhoi district.

There are 111 containment zones across the State where COVID-19 positive cases have been detected.

Security forces apprehend NSCN cadres, OGWs

DIMAPUR: Assam Rifles personnel along with local police have arrested several NSCN cadres from various locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

In a joint operation, security forces and police apprehended one NSCN (I-M) cadres and an over ground worker (OGW) from

Therimkan ,Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh on May 9.

One 9mm pistol, three rounds of 9mm pistol, three rounds of AK ammunition, one Chinese hand grenade and incriminating documents were recovered, PRO IGAR (N) stated.

The apprehended indi-

vidual along with the recovered items were handed over to Nampong Police Station for further investigation.

In another joint operation with police, three OGWs of NSCN (K-YA) were arrested in Maihwa Village, Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh on May 10, PRO said.

They also recovered three extortion slips, three mobile phones and Rs 20,580 in cash.

The apprehended individuals and the seized items were handed over to Longding police station.

Fur ther, two more OGWs of NSCN (K-YA) were arrested from New

Shallang village area under Changlang district on May 10 in another operation, PRO stated.

The team recovered one mobile phone and Rs. 40,450 in cash at. The seized along with the apprehended individuals were handed over to Changlang police station.

state

Various organisations condemn May 6 incident at Chumou DIMAPUR: Various organisations have condemned the assault incident that took place on May 6 in Chumoukedima area.

ENSUC: Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union Chumukedima (ENSUC) has strongly condemned the ferocious act of Chumukedima Village Youth Society (CVYS) and termed the act as extremely unacceptable and preposterous.

ENSUC said any assault on any citizen of the state irrespective of tribe and non-locals would not be tolerated. The union termed the assault on a minor as barbaric and cowardly.

Further, ENSUC has demanded the government to arrest the culprits at the earliest and deliver justice.

ENWOD: Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation Dimapur (ENWOD) has condemned the incident where a minor was beaten up by some youths of Chumukedima. ENWOD said that no individual or person has the right to take law

into his or her own hands.

It also expressed displeasure over such discrimination to Eastern people.

Further, ENWOD has appealed the higher authority to take the matter seriously and punish the culprit.

SASU: Seyochung Area Student’s Union (SASU) has expressed dismay over the assault incident adding that the act was an “attempt to murder”. SASU expressed dismay that the Chumukedima village authorities failed to promptly intervene and investigate on the matter thus allowing the incident to happen. SASU said it would not accept an apology of organization or society on behalf of those perpetrators after inflicting huge pain and agony upon the innocent victim unless justice was delivered.

AST: Akehta Sangtamlarü Thsingmujang (AST) has strongly condemned the recent incident and added that it was deeply disturbed by the unacceptable and

egoistic behaviours of Chumoukedima Village Youth Organisation.

Further, AST has urged upon the higher authority to thoroughly investigate and set a precedent so that in the near future such inhumanly act would never repeat in the society or to any section of people.

DKSSU:DimapurKohima Sangtam Students’ Union (DKSSU) has vehemently condemned the uncivilized, cowardly acts and high handedness of the CVYS and has also appealed the concerned authority to book the culprits/ perpetrators at the earliest.

CVYS said it thoroughly went through the statements issued by both the parties.

However, it said no matter degree/frequency of the nature of the crime be (as alleged by CVYS), assaulting an individual to an unconscious and dying state was an act of sheer cowardice.

DKSSU also said that it does not acknowledge any of the undertakings/agree-

PRA & workshop on SLWM in Tuensang

Participants and officials after the training at Shamator.

DIMAPUR: PHED Tuensang division conducted Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) on Sujal and Swachh Gaon under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and workshop on Solid, Liquid and Plastic waste management (SLWM) under Swachh Bharat Mission (G) on May 6-7 at Noklak headquarters and Shamator headquarters.

A press release from K Y M C

PHED Tuensang division stated that the programme was sponsored by Sanitation and WSSO, PHED. At the programme, PHED Tuensang division IEC consultant, Fairyson spoke on grey water management and solid, liquid and plastic waste management and sanitation while hygiene consultant, Tsikingmong spoke on good sanitary practices.

Junior Engineer (JE), Khaoshai Lam, spoke on safe drinking water and sources of water pollution.

PRA exercise was conducted with the attendees from the villages. The programme was attended by nearby villages and a representative of each ward from the headquarters.

Altogether 22 wards and five villages attended the programme.

ments whatsoever done on that fateful night between CVYS and John Tsulise Sangtam.

STD: Sangtamlar ü Thsingmüjang Dimapur (STD) has condemned the manhandling of two brothers by members of the CVYS. STD said the incident furthermore exposes the lack of inculcation of Naga culture of respect, particularly towards the elderly. STD said no vigilante groups have any rights to use force on any member of the public for any reason whatsoever.

Further, STD has demanded that culprits be immediately arrested and put behind the bars in the interest of equity and justice.

LASU: Longmatra Area Students Union (LASU) has condemned the unwarranted assault on two brothers by CVYS. The union said it was transfixed and horrified by the senseless act of violence while the entire Naga society has been longing for peaceful

coexistence.

Further, the union has urged the concerned authority to exercise the right law of action against the perpetrators and deliver justice to the victims.

LDSU: Longkhim Division Students’ Union (LDSU) said it was appalled, pensive and exasperated at the incident whereby members of CVYS thrashed two brothers. LDSU has condemned the reprobate behaviour of CVYS members adding that such act has no place in the modern society.

Further, the union has urged the law enforcing agencies to deliver justice by booking the culprits at the earliest.

USSC: United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) said it was distressed by the alleged attack by some members of CVYS. USSC also condemned the CVYS for taking law in their will and turning their office into “Kangaroo Court” inflicting severe in-

jury from their office in this modern world.

USSU further stated that peace would never prevail in the civilised society if such organisations/society meant to protect and provide justice to its people behaves like a “gang of hooligans”.

CASU: Chare Area Students Union (CASU) said it was appalled to learn the ghastly incident and has condemned the vicious attack on two brothers without cogent ground. CASU condemned the inhuman treatment towards the fellow Nagas by members of CVYDS and has sought justice for the family.

ARSU: Amahator Range Students Union (ARSU) has vehemently condemned the barbaric act of members of CVYS and said that it was pained by such act of “hooliganism and attempt to murder”.

Further, the union has asked the competent authority and law enforcing agency to book the culprit at the earliest.

ENPUD: Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Union Dimapur (ENPUD) has strongly condemned the physical assault on two sons and reiterated that there was no place for such a crime in a civilized society. ENPUD said it was dismayed that CVYS has very belatedly sought an “unconditional apology” with utmost regret to the aggrieved family. The fact that this apology letter has come after the lapse of so many days after the incident, ENPUD said it only adds

insult to injury rather than trigger the will to forgive and forget the “unconditional apology” sought. ENPUD said seeking unconditional apology without giving befitting punishment to the culprit was simply a mockery of the unconditional apology sought.

While tolerance has gone beyond its limits, ENPUD said it could only hope that in future better sense of civility prevail for the greater good and well being of all Nagas.

Wild elephants destroyed rubber tapping machine and house at a plantation farm in Okotso village, Wokha.

(Photo by: Rubber farmers of Okotso village)

SCC Tuensang organises webinar on CBCS DIMAPUR: A webinar on “CBCS: Guideline and Implementation” was organised by planning committee of Sao Chang College (SCC) Tuensang Tuesday with professor Dipak Sinha, department of chemistry and director, IQAC Nagaland University, Lumami.

A press release by the college stated that the online seminar was organised for the faculty of Sao Chang College with an objective to explain in detail the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) that was to be implemented in higher education.

While talking about the various aspects of the new system, Prof. Sinha also explained the reasons why shifting from marks system to credit system was more beneficial to students.

The seminar started with a welcome address by associate professor, Dr. Iris Odyuo, department of history and concluded with a vote of thanks by assistant professor Dr. Shokip Tumtin, department of chemistry.

K Y M C

4

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXXI No. 155 DImapur, WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

H

Long due reward

aving worked his way up in assam politics and winning his maiden election in 2001 on Congress ticket, no one can deny that Himanta Biswa Sarma deserved to be crowned as the 15th chief minister of assam on may 10.

Himanta was ambitious and this became the driving force behind his meteoric rise under then chief minister and veteran assam Congressman late Tarun Gogoi. a workaholic both administratively and politically, Sarma successfully managed the 2011 election campaign for Gogoi and helped Congress win an unprecedented 79 seats in the 126-member assembly. Because of his hard work Sarma became indispensible to Gogoi. He became the undisputed number 2 under Gogoi. ahead of the 2016 assembly election, Sarma made his move in 2015 to take over from his ailing mentor.

What reportedly prompted Sarma to stake claim was the move by Gogoi to make his son Gaurav Gogoi, a green horn in politics, to be the likely Congress chief minister. What late Tarun Gogoi did was only to follow the Congress culture of dynastic rule which has become the DNa of the party. Both political giants of assam- octogenarian and the tallest leader in assam, Tarun Gogoi and his former close aide Himata Biswa Sarma-faced each other in the battle royale in 2016. Himanta worked hard and brought BJp to power in assam by decimating his former party but had to settle for second place under then chief minister Sarabananda Sonowal.

What had probably tipped the scales in favour of Sarma over the popular Sonowal in becoming the chief minister, was his excellent and crafty management of picking and choosing candidates and alliances. These paid dividends and showed that Sarma knew assam politics like the back of his hand. He also exploited public relations exercise while handling of COViD as the health minister( he also held other major portfolios such as finance, education) . While Sarma’s political and administrative acumen have their place, it was another thing for him to claim “success” over controlling the covid which he made during recent election campaigns in april. He practically gave a clean chit on the state government by claiming that “There is no COViD in assam… there is no need to wear a face mask now in assam… if there is a need i will inform the people.” However, on may 10 after taking over as chief minister, Sarma took a 360⁰ turn, when just hardly a month later after become chief minister, he said the COViD situation in assam was alarming. The fact is thousands were infected during the mass election rallies but the safety protocols and threat on people’s health were ignored. Be that as it may, the COVOD situation in assam is indeed worrisome as worsening of the situation could plunge the entire north east into an economic crisis. Having achieved his life’s ambition through hard work, Sarma will have to create an economic imprint in his state and is expected to be supplemented by generous dose from the central party. However, the current focus on covid pandemic needs to be addressed effectively.

dailydevotion “Love One Another”

…add to your…brotherly kindness love. —2 Peter 1:5, 7 Love is an indefinite thing to most of us; we don’t know what we mean when we talk about love.

Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself (see Luke 14:26).

Initially, when “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), it is easy to put Jesus first. But then we must practice the things mentioned in 2 Peter 1 to see them worked out in our lives.

The first thing God does is forcibly remove any insincerity, pride, and vanity from my life. And the Holy Spirit reveals to me that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, “…love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). He is saying, “I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you.” This kind of love is not a patronizing love for the unlovable— it is His love, and it will not be evidenced in us overnight. Some of us may have tried to force it, but we were soon tired and frustrated.

“The Lord…is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9). I should look within and remember how wonderfully He has dealt with me. The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through Me? Neither natural love nor God’s divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured. Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline.

Quotes

The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

Post-mortem

International Nurses Day, May 12, 2021 I nternational Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on 12th May, the anniversar y of Florence Nightingale’s birth. ICN commemorates this important day each year by choosing a theme and producing IND resources and evidence.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) announces International Nurses Day theme for 2021.

Nurses: A Voice to Lead A Vision for Future Healthcare.

“This global COVID19 pandemic has shown the world the important role that nurses play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan,” said Annette Kennedy, ICN President. “While there has been significant disruption to healthcare, there has also been significant innovation that has improved access to care. The year 2021, focuses on the changes to and innovations in nursing and how this will ultimately shape the future of healthcare.”

Howard Catton, ICN Chief Executive Officer, added, “The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in our health systems and the enormous pressures our nurses are working under, as well as shining a light on their incredible commitment and courage. The pandemic has given the nurses an opportunity to call for a reset to explore new models of care where Nurses are at the centre of our health systems.

We can only achieve this vi-

sion of future healthcare by generating new policies that pave the way for this seachange and that is another key area IND 2021 will seek to focus.”

The IND 2021 theme reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on the health system and the nursing profession and how these might be affected into the future.

Nurses, as the largest healthcare profession, must play an integral part in planning the future of healthcare.

Fact Sheet 1: International Council of Nurses (ICN) Data set ranged 6 to 10% Health Care Workers (HCW) infection rate up to 30% of all infection. Death among nurses and health care workers due to Corona virus-19 (COVID19) infections updated: Death nurses in 59 countries was 2,710 till date of 31st January, 2021 Mexico Nurses respond 41 % of confirmed Healthcare Workers (HCW) Infections.

More than 1.6 million Health Workers in 34 countries have been infected by COVID-19 till date of 31st December, 2020.

Fact Sheet 2: Stress and burnout in the nursing profession: Close to 80% Mental Health Distress from Nurses working COVID-19 response by International Council of Nurses (ICN) and National Nursing Association (NNA) and National Nursing As-

sociation (NNA) Reports Highlight that causes of Mental Health Distress are Complex Inadequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) The fear of spreading COVID-19 Virus High Workload Increased Violence High workload Discrimination against Nurses Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms and etc.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimated the coronavirus effect would lead to potential short fall up to 13 million Nurses by 2030. In the US 64% of nurses felt overwhelmed and 67% reported difficult in sleeping.

The longer term impact of Covid-19 include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could be extremely significant. About 20% of Nurses in Japan reported they had experienced Discrimination or Prejudice amid the spread of the virus.

Fact Sheet 3: Nurses shortages and Retention: Global Nursing workforce is estimated at 27.8 millions. World was already facing 5.9 million of nurses shortage before COVID-19 pandemic.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) reported close to 90% of this Nursing shortage concentrated in low middle-income countries.

One out of 6 (1/6) of

World Nurses are expected to retire in the next 10 yearsit means 4.7 million Nurse i.e. New Nurse will have to be educated. International Council of Nurses (ICN)/ National Nurses Association (NNA) (one year into COVID- 19 pandemic a recent survey reported) 20% Nurses leaving the profession. International Council of Nurses (ICN) reported due to COVID-19 significantly increased the rate of Nurses intention to leave the profession. It is estimated about 13 million nurses could be needed to fill the Global shortage and replace the nurses who leave in the next few years.

National Nursing Association (NNA) Reported 90% of nurses increase report rate of intention to leave this field due to Overdue payment Heavy Workloads Insufficiency resourcing Burnout and stress Due to COVID-19 effect, this world understands who a Nurse is and what importance is a nurse to the world. In the coming future, the Nurses will determine this world so be Proud to be a Nurse.

On behalf of the Nagaland Nursing Council, wishing all the Nurses of Nagaland a Happy Nurses Day. Dr. (mrs.) Sentinaro ao registrar Nagaland Nursing Council Nagaland, Kohima

Nurses – A voice to lead, a vision for future health care Today, on May 12, we celebrate the “International Nurses Day” worldwide to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern Nursing. She wrote in her personal notes that “it would take 100 to150 years to see the kind of nursing she envisioned”.

Her vision becomes true today as the nurses have become an integral part of the system in lifting the healthcare outcomes globally.

We nurses take a lead role and prove our efficiency in healthcare delivery, hospital administration, medical education and healthcare research. The entry of specialized nurses and nurse practitioners are remarkably widening the scope of practice and their contributions to the society.

The matchless contributions of the nurses are dedicated to the community even during this COVID-19 pandemic, striving amidst hardships and multiple challenges that are make Nursing more visible to the society. The Indian nurses are known for their commitment and competency, and the global demand for our nurses is very high.

Like other professions, gender balance is vital in Nursing, with the entry of male nurses into our work, it is promising in healthcare contribution and professional development.

India has 1.7 nurses per 1,000 populations, 43% less than the World Health Organisation’s norm (3 per 1,000).

This includes nurses, midwives, women health visitors, and auxiliary nurse midwives.

The migration of nurses due to low salary and working conditions in our country results in brain drain and is of great concern.

Creating a better system for career development for nurses is vital to retain our empowered nurses in India. So that our country can be benefited from its own competent and dedicated nurses who are integral in preventive and promotive healthcare activities to build a better India.

Dr. l. Gopichandran, ph.D., FCrmEBm (aIImS) president, TNaI Delhi branch

Saving lives should be collective focus, need for solidarity to fight pandemic

A

much needed appeal has been made by a concer ned citizen to the churches in Nagaland through print and social media pointing to the need for the Christian church to play a more proactive role in the present crisis arising out of the surge and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Naga Rising supports such an appeal for the Church to step-in to this call of duty beyond the pulpit. We would even suggest that the churches in Nagaland should think

E

of setting aside 10% of this year’s annual budget towards Covid health care and in saving lives. This is the best opportunity for our churches to be witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ by helping the sick and the needy.

The government of Nagaland on its part should provide policy direction and framework on how best to rope in aid and assistance by bringing all stakeholders in order to tackle the worsening situation with forecast of a deadlier third wave expected. There

is a dire need to involve private hospitals/medical practitioners, church, civil society, NGOs and well meaning benefactors.

Let us quickly learn from the sudden rise in cases and deaths in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and how the health system was overwhelmed due to unpreparedness. As we prepare for a worst case scenario where we run out of beds in places like Dimapur and Kohima, The Naga Rising encourages the government and community institu-

tions to come forward to help put together resources and make collaborative effort. A good example to cite is Delhi’s 100 oxygen beds covid care centre that has been set up under the aegis of Mount Carmel School Society for patients requiring oxygen support and medical care.

Some urgent formulation should be worked out by the government to enable a collective respond to the present health crisis.

To begin with, a state level special purpose committee or working group may be

formed to consult and engage all key stakeholders so as to come out with a modality for cooperation and collective functioning.

The main aim is to expand bed and health care facilities for the sick so that we can save lives.

The current Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), who was in-charge of all Covidrelated activities in Dimapur district, has done a commendable job last time by involving church and civil society organizations in managing the large scale

returnees and opening up m a n y c o m mu n i t y - r u n quarantine centers. With this first-hand experience, the government should utilize such people to work on possible plan/s of action.

It is better to be prepared than to be sorry.

The government on its part should also consider a separate ‘Covid-Care Saving Lives Contingency Fund’ under the Chief Secretary and this should be operated with outmost transparency without political interference.

The Naga rising

Placebo vs. Nocebo and the pandemic

ver since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the world and the country wished for a cure. A cure, a vaccine that can fight the virus. But tables turned after the vaccines were available. People started questioning the effectiveness of the vaccine and what it would do to the body.

Some started believing the WhatsApp University feeds, while some created their own fear with negative thoughts regarding the vaccines. Very few people boldly go for their shots to fight the virus and save others.

This is where the concept of Placebo comes in, which means a cure or a medicine works because a patient believes that it will work. This phenomenon is called the placebo effect. Whereas the nacebo phenomenon means that a patient is harmed because the patient believes that the medicine or a cure will harm them rather heal them.

Earlier when the Government of India in collaboration with UNICEF started the vaccination drive for measles –rubella (MR) there have been many rumours circulated against the vaccine.

The social media plat-

forms, especially WhatsApp started the circulation of messages which claimed that the MR vaccine causes autism, causes infertility and many more.

As a result of which the population hesitated to take the vaccine which is actually effective in fighting the measles-rubella virus.

No matter what the studies conducted claimed about the vaccine being 99% effective in curing the virus but still many people had the fear in them and believed the rumours more than science.

Things have not much changed during the current pandemic situation.

No matter how much the WHO or the medical practitioners along with the government are requesting the masses in India to get their jabs, a very strong percentage of the Indian population are still not ready to get vaccinated.

Reasons remain similar, social media fake news about vaccines doing harm to the body or maybe it’s something that might slowly kill one.

Online misinformation regarding the COVID19 vaccines has been a major reason of getting hold of the pandemic.

A few days back while having a conversation with

a friend of mine, a doctor practicing at a government hospital, sayid, “most people are eager to get vaccinated to fight the pandemic while maximum people are still in fear of getting killed by the vaccine.” Similarly the Asha worker lady in my locality says “it is very hard to convince people to get vaccinated, they don’t trust the drive claiming it to be a misleading plan to kill people.”

A few days back the inter net came up with a message claiming that C OV I D - 1 9 v a c c i n e s should not be taken by women during periods and in no time WhatsApp was flooded with that message.

After the government announced vaccination for every adult, fake news regarding harmful effects of vaccines started doing rounds.

Social media has been the hub of fake news circulation all the time, and the basic need of news cross checking and media literacy remains the prime reason for these messages reaching and targeting the population in no time.

The situation in India today is, covid taking over lives of many and lakhs of people being affected each day, is mainly because of the lack of scientific temperament.

Our country is worst affected yet its population still cannot overcome rumours and be scientifically smart. The only side effect of the vaccine can be sore arm, fever and body ache.

Factors which fuel these rumours apart from the lack of scientific temperament are the lack of trust in the government and also the health care workers.

In the Indian Express interview with Dr Anthony S Fauci, who is the medical advisor to the Biden Administration and who have also worked with seven US presidents earlier mentioned, “to have a country like India where two percent of people are vaccinated, is a very serious situation.

You absolutely have to get more people vaccinated.” He also further suggested in his interview, “you have got to get supplies. You’ve got to make contractual arrangements with the various companies that are out there in the world.

There are many companies that now have vaccines. I think you have to negotiate with them to try and get a commitment.

India is what, 1.4 billion people? You have a lot of vaccines that you need to

get and I would go to multiple different companies and try to get contractual arrangements so that you can get vaccines as quickly as you possibly can.”

Anti-vaccine rumours do nothing except for the fact that it fuels for deaths and the pandemic gets worse. The lack of scientific temperament and a population who believes

that kumb mela can take away the virus, it may be a task to convince but misinfodemic is claiming lives faster and its time we all take a stand and get our vaccine shots.

Let the phenomenon of placebo take over Nacebo at this time when we are going through the worst crisis. priyanka rajkhowa

Reader’s Post

Cooperate and do your bit Sir,

Just when we thought the COVID-19 disease was slowly tailing off, it returned again much deadlier.

Cooperation is of the essence in such ominous situations and states are doing their best to protect citizens.

However, if the citizens do not cooperate, everything is down the tubes. The general public should not wait for the worst case scenario and must start doing the best they can, which includes wearing of masks properly (making sure its covering our nose), maintaining distance, getting vaxxed when the time comes and washing hands/ sanitising constantly.

I fail to understand why following the SOPs are so difficult, because as far as I know, it doesn’t require your physical strength and it doesn’t tire you so much you would need rest for days in the bed.

Please do your bit and cooperate with people who are doing their best to make sure you stay protected.

Sama Nochet, Duncan

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Vista project. I would like to remind you that the need for a new Parliament was raised as early as the UPA times.”

He wrote that former Lok Sabha Speaker, Meira Kumar had underscored the need for a new Parliament building. “The Union Urban Development Minister has addressed a large number of other queries regarding the project. Yet, the Congress does not believe in facts. People are also contrasting the Congress’ stand on Central Vista with the Chhattisgarh Government going ahead to build a new assembly complex,” he wrote.

He further wrote, “I could go on about such follies but as said, our focus is solely on the pandemic and not on politics. My letter to you is not only as the President of another political party. I have also had the honour of serving of as India’s Health Minister. I have seen at close quarters the sacrifices our medical staff make so that others are healthy.

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): The Ministry of Women and Child Development is engaging with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) with a view to provide expert care to children staying at the government Child Care Institutions (CCI) across the country. Thousands of children across more than 2,000 CCIs are expected to benefit through this service.

Caretakers or child protection officers even from the remotest corners of the country will be able to avail this telemedicine service by expert pediatricians every afternoon, six days a week.

“This will be in addition to the medical care provided to the children under the scheme for Child Protection Services,” Union Minister of Women and Child Development, SmritiIrani, said in a series of tweets. Currently, teams of experts from a strong network of 30,000 IAP members are being constituted at the central, zonal, state and city levels to offer services to vulnerable children, Irani said.

O

Image only for representational purposes.

of 230 million. Each monitoring team had two members, who visited homes in villages and remote hamlets to test everyone with symptoms of COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)

kits.

Those who tested positive were quickly isolated and given a medicine kit with advice on disease management. All the contacts of those who tested positive

were quarantined and tested using an RT-PCR at home by a rapid response team.

Two mobile vans have been allocated to each Block within a District in the state to test people with symp-

UZYF serves 30-day ultimatum on State govt D I M A P U R , M AY 1 1 (NPN): United Zeliangrong Youth Federation (UZYF) has served a 30-day ultimatum to the State government to “evict all villages established illegally in Zeliang land without the knowledge and consent of original landowners.” The federation warned that failure to act on its demand would indicate incapability and paralysis of governance and it would be forced to take measures to protect “our land by any means”, adding that the government would be held solely responsible for any untoward incident resulting as a result of its action.

Seeking the government’s attention and reiterating its various demands already placed before it for justice by apex organisations vis-à-vis “land encroachment and violence” in Zeliang land, UZYF insisted taking remedial measures at the earliest lest it aggravates the already volatile atmo-

sphere and in the backdrop of the March 22 incident.

However, having witnessed slow progress of the investigation into the killing of three innocent souls on that fateful day, UZYF demanded immediate eviction of all “unrecognised and illegally established villages” in the land of the Zeliangs in Peren district. It said this was the only logical and practical step to end all animosity and violence prevailing in “our land” by unscrupulous persons.

Mentioning that pioneers of present Nagaland State had meticulously inserted clause no. 7 in the 16th Point Agreement, which was later enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Indian constitution, UZYF pointed out that this Article gave Nagas the right to practise their own customary laws and procedures and ownership and transfer of land and its resources.

Hence, the youth body said this was the practice and

2021’s first cyclone likely to form in the Arabian Sea this week

PUNE, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tuesday issued a forecast indicating the possible development of a cyclone in the Arabian Sea around May 16. If realised, this will be the first cyclonic storm of 2021 to form in the North Indian Ocean region and will acquire the name Cyclone Tauktae, given by Myanmar.

May ocean conditions are rife for cyclogenesis in this region.

The Met department has issued a warning of light to moderate rainfall over Lakshadweep, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from Thursday onward last-

ing till May 16. The rainfall will mainly be associated with the likely formation of a low pressure system and its intensification. The current location of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is in favour of causing enhanced rainfall over the Arabian Sea, expected to last for a week.” A low pressure area is very likely to form over the southeast Arabian Sea on the morning of May 14. It is likely to move north-northwestwards across this region adjoining Lakshadweep.

It may intensify into a cyclonic storm around May 16,” the latest press statement issued by the IMD on Tuesday, stated.

toms, even as routine sample collection and testing continues in Community Health Centres.

“The state government has deployed 141,610 teams and 21,242 supervisors from the state health department for this activity to ensure all rural areas are covered.

WHO, which supported Uttar Pradesh government in training and micro planning for the activity, now has field officers on the ground to monitor and share real-time feedback with the government for immediate corrective action to ensure quality,” the WHO said.

WHO field officers have monitored over 2,000 government teams and visited at least 10,000 households. WHO said it will also support the Uttar Pradesh government on the compilation of the final reports.

‘Covid antibodies last 8 months after infection’

From p-1

patients who no longer showed positivity to the test,” said the statement, issued jointly with the ISS. The study, published in the Nature Communications scientific journal, also emphasised the importance of the development of antibodies in recovering from coronavirus.

“Those who failed to produce them within the first 15 days of infection are at greater risk of developing severe forms of Covid-19,” it said.

Two thirds of the patients surveyed were men, and the average age was 63.

Some 57 percent of them had a pre-existing pathology, notably hypertension and diabetes.

FELICITATION

procedure of Nagas to seek permission of original land owners to set up a village as there was no tract of land which was “no man’s land” or a land without owner.

UZYF claimed that indigenous inhabitants of Peren district had always placed their faith on the government to deliver justice and also to put a stop to alleged rampant encroachment and destruction of forests to set up illegal villages.

However, due to inaction by the State machineries, UZYF claimed that numerous illegal villages had been setup.

With profound pride, we the grandchildren of Lt. Sakumar Ozukum (Waromung)take immense joy in congratulating Mr. Bisalee Thonger (Alemyanger), S/o Lt. Khumjungzi and Mrs. Imsukumla for clearing NPSC Exam for the post of Assistant Research Officer (Cl-II Gazetted) under Art and Culture Department.

You have made all of us proud, well done. May this achievement prompt many prominent accomplishments in the years to come. Congrats for present and up & coming success.

K-951

CBSE Affiliated

ED books ex-Maha HM Anil Deshmukh under PMLA M U M B A I , M AY 1 1 (IANS): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case of money laundering against former Maharashtra Home Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Anil Deshmukh in connection with alleged corruption and misuse of office case.

A senior ED official related to probe told IANS, “A case of money laundering has been registered under PMLA against Deshmukh.”

The ED action comes almost a fortnight after

Admission to sports school ARPS, Laitkor (Shillong) through ARPS (H) Dimapur

FELICITATION

(L. Tinu Imchen) President, DNST

SCIENCE LAB • Physics • Chemistry • Biology COMPUTER LAB LIBRARY

KINDER GARTEN WING Art & Crafts Room TRAMPOLINE CCTV MONITORED CAMPUS

OFFICE OF THE

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Imkongsungit President, ASUD

Limasunep Gen/Secy., ASUD

OFFICE OF THE

KOHIMA DIBUIA SENSO TELONGJEM KOHIMA – 797001, NAGALAND

INDOOR GAMES • BADMINTON • CARROM, ETC • TABLE-TENNIS

FELICITATION With great joy and honour, the Kohima Dibuia Senso Telongjem extends its heartiest congratulations to Shri. Sanny Pongen on being promoted to the post of Director, Sericulture Department, Govt. of Nagaland.

May the God Almighty grant him success, good health, and continue to bless and guide him in all his future endeavors.

OUTDOOR GAMES • FOOTBALL • BASKETBALL • VOLLEY BALL COURT

Apply online at: artcschool@gmail.com

Or call :03862-243147/ 09927426396 / 9402027060 3rd Mile, Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, Dimapur (Nagaland)

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the CBI booked the NCP leader into the allegations of misuse of office and corruption on April 24.

The CBI registered a preliminary enquiry on April 6 after the Bombay High Court asked the agency to probe the allegations of bribery and misuse of office.

Soon after the ruling, Deshmukh stepped down from his post.

The CBI has carried out searches at premises linked to Deshmukh and also recorded his statement earlier.

The Dimapur Nokpu Senso Telongjem (DNST) with immense pride and honor would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to the following individuals for bringing laurels to the villagers and the community as a whole: • Dr. K. Limatula Ao, W/o Er. Kimaba Longkumer, on her promotion to the post of Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Peren.

• Mr. Noksangmeren on his promotion to the post of Manager, Nagaland State Co-operative Bank, Ltd. • Mr. Benjongakum Longchar, on being elected to the post of Secretary, Social and Culture, Naga Students Federation, in the recent NSF General Conference, 2021.

The Union wishes and expresses our profound happiness for their success and achievement and further wishes them the best on their future endeavours.

ADMISSION OPEN FOR Nursery, LKG, UKG & Classes 1st to 10th SMART CLASSES • LED Interactive Smart Class • Smart Boards

ments exempted shall be allowed subject to production of valid ID cards on demand.

The movement of inter-state transit passengers shall continue to be allowed as per provisions of the Revised Standard Procedure (SOP) for returnees and travellers entering Nagaland issued on April 29, 2021.

The AHoDs, HoDs, heads of offices and core group of officers/staff in their respective departments will attend to urgent and essential matters including court cases. All other government employees should be available on call.

Strict enforcement of these restrictions shall be ensured by the respective District Task Forces and strict checking shall be done at the district entry points to prevent non-essential movement of people.

Any person/ group of persons acting in violation of this order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005.

The Anaki Students' Union, Dimapur would like to express its heartiest congratulations to Mr. Limatemjen Lemtur, S/o Late M. Lepzuk Lemtur for achieving the post of Secretariat Assistant (SA) in the recently declared NPSC result 2021.

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

ASSAM RIFLES PUBLIC SCHOOL (HIGH), DIMAPUR Newly introduced affiliation with National Cadet Corps (NCC) Air sqn

construction works will be allowed subject to the contractor/owner ensuring adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviours. The concerned District Task Force (DTF) shall ensure that labourers already at site are engaged and no new labourers are brought from outside. Further transportation to and from the camp to the work site shall be arranged by the concerned contractor/ owner.

Restricted: All places of mass gathering shall be closed and all social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations barred, except for solemnization of weddings with prior permission of the District Task Force limited to a maximum of 20 (Twenty) persons.

Movement of all private and public transport vehicles shall be suspended except for medical emergencies with an occupancy of 50% and COVID appropriate behaviour. All other cases shall require special permission from the DTF. However, government vehicles whose movement are required for the depart-

K-952

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): The World Health Organisation on Tuesday quoted the Uttar Pradesh model of door-todoor Covid surveillance on its website and Twitter pages saying India’s most populous state was going the last mile to stop COVID. “The Uttar Pradesh state government has initiated house-to-house active case finding of COVID-19 in rural areas to contain transmission by testing people with symptoms for rapid isolation, disease management and contact tracing,” said WHO which is helping the state with containment.

The WHO said UP Government teams moved across 97,941 villages in 75 districts over five days for this activity, which began on May 5 in India’s most populous state with a population

All officers and staff working in the governor’s secretariat, chief minister’s office, chief secretary’s office, Guwahati High Court Kohima Bench and district courts, district administration, police, security forces, fire & emergency services, Home department, medical, postal services, NIC, NSDMA, home guards & civil defence, SDRF, power, PHED, food & civil supplies, finance, taxes, treasury and accounts, banks/ ATMs, IT & C, IPR, AIR and Doordarshan, social welfare department including functioning of Sakhi One Stop Centre, women help Line, child protection services, Anganwadi services, LPG services including delivery, distribution and transportation, private water tanker/carriers, prison and related services, courier services, municipal services like cleaning and sanitation, food corporation of India (FCI), directorate of state lotteries, power grid corporation of India Ltd. and administrative training institute (ATI). Agriculture and allied activities and ongoing

DC-

Jagat Prakash Nadda

Covid and then saying they did not get any information, holding massive election rallies in Kerala causing a spike in Covid cases while grandstanding about election rallies elsewhere, supporting protests but speaking about following Covid guidelines,” Nadda said.

The BJP chief pointed that even when the second wave was on the rise, Congress party leaders were happier being seen in super spreader political events in North India, where there was no regard for masks or social distancing. This is not the era when such information can be erased from public memory. Lashing out at Rahul, Nadda

said conduct of Rahul and other top leaders will be remembered for duplicity and pettiness. Nadda told Sonia that Congress is not doing any favours to itself by demanding lockdowns and then opposing the same, holding massive rallies in Kerala and grandstanding about rallies elsehwhere.

Na dda a dded tha t some states failed to track the rising cases. “Why are mortality rates so high in Punjab? These are questions you must ask your own Chief Ministers,” Nadda said pointing fingers at Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

He mentioned that there are other aspects that also need greater thought for instance, the data from February and March would reveal which states failed to track the rising cases.

Pointing to the Union Government criticism for the Central Vista project

by Congress, Nadda wrote, “Now, there is a new trend in the Congress party to put all the blame on the Central

Consolidated revised SOP

DP-2379

attacks top cong leaders for ‘duplicity, pettiness’ amid covid

From p-1

Sd/(IMSUMEREN WALLING) President, KDST

Sd/(MOATEMJEN) Gen. Secretary, KDST

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plans expert Nadda slams Rahul Gandhi’s conduct Centre care for children at govt institutions NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda in a letter to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi lashed out at her party and said that in the fight against the pandemic the conduct of topmost Congress leaders, including their former President Rahul Gandhi will be remembered for its “duplicity and pettiness”.

He also urged that the top echelons of the Congress would stop misleading people, creating false panic and even contradicting their stands just based on political considerations.

In a four page letter, Nadda wrote, “In this fight against the pandemic, the conduct of the topmost Congress leaders including former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be remembered for duplicity and pettiness.” “Your party, under your leadership, is doing no favours to itself by opposing lockdowns and then demanding for the same, ignoring the Centre’s advisories on the second wave of

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national/State

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

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national

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

asks Centre, states to set More bodies in Bihar, dumped by ambulances NHRC up universal Covid dashboards

PATNA, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): As more “bodies in the river” surfaced today in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, corpses were seen floating under a bridge near the border between the two states in an escalating human tragedy amid Covid. Officials in Bihar said the number of corpses that had washed up on the Ganga banks at Buxar yesterday was a staggering 71 and they blame Uttar Pradesh for them.

Visuals of bodies allegedly thrown over a bridge by ambulance drivers were widely shared today on social media, where posts expressed shock at the insensitivity towards Covid victims and their families.

A B i h a r B J P M P, Janardhan Singh Sigriwal, alleged that bodies of Covid victims were being dumped into the river from ambulances driving on the bridge known as Jaiprabha Setu, located in Bihar’s Saran near the border with Ballia in UP. Mr Sigriwal said he had urged the district administration of Saran to ensure

‘Floating corpses’ count 71

Representational image

ambulance drivers didn’t dump bodies there.

However, locals claim both states are guilty. “Bodies are thrown over by ambulance drivers from both UP and Bihar,” said a resident, Arvind Singh.

Yesterday, bloated and decomposing bodies, said to be of Covid victims, were seen floating in the river before they washed up at the banks at Buxar’s Chausa village, near a cremation site.

“All night the bodies

were taken out and post mortems were carried out.

Because they were decomposed, the cause of death has not been established yet,” said a press statement from the Buxar administration. “We have saved DNA traces to help identify the corpses,” it said.

Officials emphatically dismissed reports that the bodies were thrown into the river by local people because of the exorbitant prices charged for firewood

to cremate them. “There is enough firewood at the cremation grounds and six to eight bodies have been burnt each day on average,” the press statement said.

“We have told all officials to be alert about such incidents in future and have also asked them to make locals aware about not throwing bodies into the river.”

The District Magistrate of Buxar, Aman Samir, said a “narrative was being made” that due to the

lack of logs for cremation or financial issues, families were immersing their dead in the Ganga. “This is not true,” Mr Samir said.

The floating corpses in the Ganga have fueled a dispute between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Bihar Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was “pained” after the incident. “The bodies have floated into Bihar from UP. Upon postmortem, our doctors have confirmed that these are four-five days old bodies. Nitish Kumar is pained at both the tragedy as well as harm to the river Ganges. A net has been placed in Ganges in Ranighat, bordering UP and Bihar,” the Minister said.

“We’ve advised the UP administration to be vigilant; our district administration is keeping vigil too. We advise all to respect the dead and Ma Ganga,” he added.

Today, dead bodies were seen in the river near Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.

The spot is around 55 km upriver from Buxar.

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday emphasized that the Centre and States need to put their acts together in order to meet the urgent response needed amid the second wave of the pandemic raging through the country by setting up universally functional Covid-19 dashboards.

The dashboard will help in providing real time information in public domain on the availability of hospital beds, oxygen, critical care medicines and devices.

The commission also asked for setting up 24X7 functional toll-free help lines and fixing the prices of Covid treatment resources.

The Commission has recommended to the Centre and states, through its 2.0 Covid Advisory issued on May 4, that they need to take immediate action against those hoarding and

black-marketing essential medicines, oxygen cylinders and critical care devices.

It has also asked them to ramp up the production, transportation and distribution of essential resources.

The Commission later sought action taken report within four weeks on the recommendations contained in its Advisory 2.0, already sent to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories by the Secretary General.

Among some important recommendations in the 2.0 advisory include the free of cost treatment of any Covid-19 patient who approaches any public health facility: and establishment of effective helpdesks in all public and private hospitals for preliminary check-up.

There should be universal coverage and nondiscriminatory pricing of

Covid vaccines in all health facilities of the country, and if feasible, vaccination should be made free for everyone irrespective of private or public health establishment along with adequate testing facilities for Covid-19 and timely reports, the advisory mentions.

“Management of crematoriums and burial grounds should be improved, using electric crematorium and App based interventions to be promoted among stakeholders.

“The protection of Rights of Covid warriors engaged should be ensured and the body of a deceased Covid patient should be treated with dignity and handed over to the family ensuring all Covid protocols,” the commission said.

The commission has also suggested to impose practical time restrictions for buying essential commodities during lockdowns.

Chidambaram slams BJP for 26 die of oxygen shortage at Goa hospital ‘Varsities must ensure safety justifying Central Vista project before holding online exams’ cM sawant blaMes dearth oF oxygen truck drivers

Su doku

No. 9914 Yesterday’s solution No. 9913

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ders arrive here, they does not reach (the wards). This was a priority issue,” Sawant said. “Four expert drivers and tractors (to ferry oxygen cylinders) will be brought tomorrow, after that the pressure will not drop,” the CM said.

Sawant also said that 200 additional oxygen cylinders would be provided to the 400 already being supplied to GMC everyday and said that a 20 ton liquid oxygen tank would also be made available within “eight to ten days” to tide over the crisis.

The Chief Minister also said that the hospital’s main oxygen provider, Scoop Industries private limited, should take responsibility for not being able to tackle the supply crisis at the top government health facility and warned that the government would not hesitate taking over the oxygen manufacturing unit, using pandemic related laws.

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): Amid the current coronavirus crisis across the country, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has said universities must take care of the on-ground situation before deciding on holding online examinations.

According to the UGC, before conducting online examinations, the Covid-19 guidelines set by the state and Central governments should be strictly adhered to. The safety of students and teachers must be given primary importance during the pandemic.

The statutory body has urged universities across the country to keep their campus premises safe from the pandemic. The University Grants Commission has said universities should encourage students and other staff to get vaccinated.

UGC Chairman D.P. Singh has written a letter to universities across the country over tackling Covid-19.

The letter said universities should remain united in the fight against the coronovirus pandemic.

In the letter addressed to all vice-chancellors of universities and principals of colleges, the University Grants Commission Chairman has said to overcome the Covid-19 crisis, higher educational institutions should be remain in touch with students, teachers, education staff, officials and their family members.

There is a need to work collectively for the physical, mental health and safety of all people, he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has written a letter to Singh. “We request the University Grants Commission to review its decision for the terminal semester year students. We request that the deadline be extended for MPhil, PhD submissions similar to that during the previous year,” DUTA said.

INFORMATION

ACHIEVERS ACADEMY

Registration started for NPSC PRELIMS ONLINE Test Series Registration ends: 14th May For DETAILS, contact 9378129625/ 9366942624

DP-2364

Pramod Sawant

at the hospital, had died between 2 am and 6 am on Tuesday morning.

“I request the High Court to check if there is mismanagement or shortage and bring out a white paper using experts... High Court should take over Covid management of GMC,” Rane said, adding that the key issue was not mismanagement, but shortage of oxygen which led to the deaths.

“We need 1,200 (jumbo) cylinders, but yesterday we got only 400,” Rane also said.

Sawant on Tuesday morning visited the Covid ward, which witnessed the more than two dozen fatalities, insisted that it was not oxygen shortage which led to the deaths. The cause of deaths Sawant claimed was because oxygen tanks could not reach the patients in time. Sawant also met patients and relatives of admitted patients at the Covid ward, who complained about regular drop in oxygen supply through nights.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening, after a meeting with GMC officials, Sawant said that lack of expert drivers had led to irregular oxygen flow to the health facility.

“Once oxygen cylin-

MODERN DRIVING CENTRE

GOVT. RECOGNISED NEAR SECRETARIAT OFFICE (KOHIMA) AFFORDABLE FEES

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K-841

P. Chidambaram

reports of shortages, deny more vigorously. 2. Test less people, report less new infections. 3. Bury numbers reported from cremation and burial grounds, report less Covid related deaths, report lower TFR.” Congress has been at forefront of criticising the Central Vista project in Lutyens Zone and has alleged that the BJP has lost its priorities and Congress is of view that same money should be spent for vaccination process and Covid management.

PANAJI, MAY 11 (IANS): Lack of expert drivers manning trucks ferrying oxygen has led to the oxygen shortage crisis in Goa’s top hospital, Goa Medical College, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday, even as Health Minister Vishwajit Rane claimed that 26 persons died within four hours due to shortage of oxygen at the apex health facility.

Rane, who has been at loggerheads with Sawant over control of the state’s Covid management apparatus, has now urged the Bombay High Court to probe the oxygen shortage issue at the Goa Medical College and take over the Covid management system at the health facility.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rane said that 26 patients admitted to a Covid ward

Owing to the prevailing situation, we deeply regret to inform that the wedding solemnisation on 14th may, 2021 at Kohima Lotha Baptist Church will take place in the presence of the family members only. The wedding reception which was to be held at NBCC Convention Hall has been postponed due to safety concerns. sd/- Yilobemoa INTER COLONY LOTTERY DRAW RESULTS

NEIPHROLIE COLONY COUNCIL, CHUMOUKEDIMA 1st Prize Sl. No 680, 2nd Prize Sl. No 548, 3rd Prize Sl. No 975 Consolation prizes : 1. Sl. No 0121 5. Sl. No 0636 9. Sl. No 0132 2. Sl. No 0344 6. Sl. No 0452 10.Sl. No 0214 3. Sl. No 0744 7. Sl. No 0312 4. Sl. No 0357 8. Sl. No 0955 Winners may claim the prize money within 7 days of this publication.

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Gen. Secy., NCC Contact 7005129276

TAMLU VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH DISTRICT : LONGLENG

WANTED 1. Cook 2. Driver (preferably married) Both non-local, for a private residence in Dimapur with free accommodation.

Contact : 9612951356

FELICITATION

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NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday countered the BJP raising the issue of Central Vista project. In a series of tweets, he said: “BJP spokesperson charges Delhi government with spending crores of rupees on advertisements without using the money for improving health infrastructure. Criticism justified.”

“BJP government spending a small amount of Rs 20,000 crore for the Central Vista including a modest new house for the PM. Criticism unjustified,” he said in another tweet.

Mounting an attack on the government on Covid management, in another tweet, he said, “The three governing principles of pandemic management -- 1.

Deny shortages of anything.

If there are multiple media

LAND FOR SALE

OLD SHOWUBA AREA Near Foothill Road/4 Lane 5 Puras i) Per sq. ft. ` 170/ii) Per sq. ft. ` 90/iii) 4 Lane touched - ` 370/Price Negotiable Contact No. : (+91) 9856603713 9612242850 DP-2361

LAND FOR SALE Residential Plot at Seithekima Basa, near Faith in Action Healing and Prayer Center. Road provided to each plot. Price as below: 1. 460X425 sq. ft. (13.50 bighas) Bulk purchase, negotiable.

Any size not below 100X100 sq. ft. - Rs. 150/ sq. ft. (Slightly Negotiable) 2. 100 X 70 sq. ft. - Rs. 150/ sq. ft.

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K-948

The Tamlu Village Baptist Church extends its joy in congratulating Dr. Wungtei Buchem, son of Lt. Mokan Buchem and Mrs. Enung Phom for his conferment of PhD from The University of Sheffield, UK for the thesis: The Deuteronomistic History Since 1943 (Martin Noth): A Post-Colonial Hermeneutics from the Margins of NEI. As a Church, we glorify the Lord Jesus for the success as we pray that many young citizens will continue to endeavour toward achieving such heights in their academic pursuit.

What you do be for the glory and extension of the Kingdom of God. All best wishes.

On behalf of Church Board and Members of the Church Rev. P. Peushing Phom Pastor Tamlu Village Baptist Church DP-2380

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international

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

attorneys urge Facebook CEO Mark 11 killed in Russia school shooting 44Zuckerberg to drop ‘Insta for kids’ M O S C OW, M AY 1 1 (IANS): At least 11 people were killed and 32 others injured on Tuesday in a shooting incident at a school in the Russian city of Kazan, authorities said, adding that a suspect has been arrested.

The incident took place at the school No. 175 in Kazan located in the country’s Tatarstan Region.

A source in the emergencies confirmed to the TASS News Agency that the victims comprised 10 children and a teacher.

Two children fell to their death after jumping out of a window on the third floor, according to the news agency.

The sources said that the first signal from a panic button at the school came in at 9.25 a.m. (local time), after the shooting had started five minutes earlier.

eighth grade students and a teacher.

T h e TA S S N e w s Agency said he told the the police that he had placed a bomb at his home.

L aw e n f o r c e m e n t agencies are working at the scene, and security measures have been strengthened at all educational institutions in Kazan.

An eyewitness told the news agency that the attacker had carried out an explosion and then went on a shooting spree.

The school, founded in 2006, has 1,049 students and 57 teachers.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov described the shooting as a “tragedy”, the BBC reported.

Russian police special unit near the scene at a school after a shooting in Kazan, Responding to the atRussia on May 11. tack, Russian President There were 714 chil- 52 teachers, present at the there were more shooters Vladimir Putin said he dren and about 70 employ- time of the incident. but the 17-year-old attacker would review Russia’s gun ees at the school, including It was not clear if who was arrested had shot control laws.

SAN FRANCISCO, MAY 11 (IANS): A coalition of 44 US attorneys general signed a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging Facebook not to launch “Instagram for Kids”, citing mental health and privacy concerns.

The “Instagram for Kids” app will allow children under the age of 13 to begin using the popular photo-sharing app.

However, the attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform.

The letter lists reasons and cites research to show that Facebook should not go forth with its plans to develop and market a kid-friendly version of the Instagram app, reports GSMArena.

Among the reasons

listed in the letter are -Facebook’s poor history of protecting childrena’s privacy and data on the platform, research showing that social media can be

harmful to children on physical and psychological levels, children do not have a fully-developed understanding of privacy and can easily be targeted

by anonymous predators.

In the release published by the coalition head Attorney General Maura Healey, she cited Zuckerberg’s dismissal of the idea that social media is harmful to children.

The release points out there is m u c h strong evidence and research that contradicts Zuckerberg’s denial.

Currently, children under 13 are not allowed to have an Instagram account unless it is explicitly written in the profile description that the account is being managed by a parent or guardian.

UN ‘deeply concerned’ by Israeli-Palestinian violence EU suing AstraZeneca to get 90mn vax doses

G E N E VA , M AY 1 1 (AGENCIES): The United Nations rights office said Tuesday it was “deeply concerned” over the escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, east Jerusalem and Israel.

“We condemn all violence and all incitement to violence and ethnic division and provocations,” spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva.

He said Israeli security forces must allow the freedom of expression, association and assembly.

“No force should be used against those exercising their rights peacefully,” said the spokesman from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

When use of force is necessary, it should comply fully with international hu-

man rights standards, he added.

Colville said the office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet was particularly concerned about the impact of the violence on children.

“Detained children should be released,” he said. “Things need to calm down,” Colville added.

Israel and Hamas exchanged heavy fire on Tuesday, with 22 Palestinians

killed in Gaza, in a dramatic escalation between the bitter rivals sparked by unrest at Jerusalem’s flashpoint AlAqsa Mosque compound.

Tensions in Jerusalem have flared into the city’s worst disturbances since 2017 since Israeli riot police clashed with large crowds of Palestinian worshippers on the last Friday of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Twitter donates USD 15 mn for Covid-19 Relief in India

N Korea again claims no Covid infections

non-profit service organisation. This grant will support the procurement of lifesaving equipment such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines as part of Sewa International’s ‘Help India Defeat COVID-19’ campaign, the San Francisco-based company said in a statement.

Equipment will be distributed to government hospitals and Covid-19 care centers and hospitals, it said.

Reacting to the announcement, Sewa International’s vice president for Marketing

SEOUL, MAY 11 (PTI): North Korea has told the World Health Organization that it has tested 25,986 people for the coronavirus through April but still has yet to find a single infection.

The WHO said in a weekly monitoring report that North Korea’s testing figures include 751 people who were tested during April 23-29, of which 139 had influenza-like illnesses or severe respiratory infections.

E x p e r t s h ave e x pressed skepticism about North Korea’s claim of a perfect record in keeping out Covid-19, given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border it shares with China. North Korea has described its anti-virus efforts as a matter of national existence.

It has barred tourists, flown out diplomats and severely restricted crossborder traffic and trade.

AC K N OW L E D G E M E N T

AstraZeneca has responded that it is bound only by a “best reasonable efforts” to meet that target.

After citing production problems in its EU manufacture, and refusing to divert doses from British factories listed as suppliers in the EU contract, the company offered revised deliveries.

ered per month fell even short of that diminished schedule.

De Keersmaecker said the aim of the lawsuits was not to punish AstraZeneca with a fine or seek compensation but “to make sure that the doses are delivered”.

If a fine would spur the company to meet its

argument in demanding what we’re demanding before the courts.”

The legal action piles further pressure on AstraZeneca after a link was made between its vaccine and very rare but often fatal blood clots coupled with low platelet levels.

After the European Medicines Agency said

Instead of 120 million doses originally promised for the first three months of this year, it delivered 30 million. For the second quarter, when it was to have supplied 180 million doses, it vowed it would instead deliver 70 million.

An EU official with knowledge of vaccine deliveries told AFP that AstraZeneca’s current rhythm of 10 million doses deliv-

obligations “we could ask them to pay a fine”. He said the Commission would only lay its arguments out in the court room, not in a media conference, but added: “We are convinced that we have a very sound

that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweighed the risk for all adults, the European Commission maintained AstraZeneca as one of the four vaccines it offers to member states.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY

OF LATE Z. CHUMCHAMO HUMTSOE

12th May 2019

WC-100

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. If love alone could have saved, you would have never gone.

Grief is just love with no place to go. Missing you each and every moment.

Loving wife, children and family members.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LT. PONEN LONGKUMER

Born : 27/09/1981 – Died : 07/05/2021

We, the family of Late Ponen Longkumer, would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who shared in our bereavement on his sudden death. We thank each and every person who supported us physically, emotionally and spiritually during our darkest hour. We are truly indebted to you and even though we cannot thank each one of you personally, it is our prayer that God’s richest blessings rest upon each one of you.

MKC-138

K Y M C

- Loving wife, mother and family members

MR. IMTISUNGIT LEMTUR MERANGKONG

AFFIDAVIT

Regd. No. 48/2021 Date: 04/05/2021 I, Smti Nuvelu Rhakho, D/o Late Zashenyi Rhakho, aged about 27 years, permanent resident of Khuza Village, Phek, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declared as follow; 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That my correct name is Nuvelu Rhakho. However in all my academic records and some official documents my name has been advertently recorded as Nuvelu Lohe.

3. That the above mentioned name Nuvelu Rhakho and Nuvelu Lohe are one and the same person.

4. That this affidavit is to declare that I shall be called Nuvelu Rhakho and this declaration of my name shall be use for all official communication and records.

5. That this affidavit shall be used as a piece of evidence in reference to the above paragraphs in all official correspondences and records.

6. That I verify that the contents of this affidavit are true to my knowledge and nothing has been concealed and verified at Phek this 4th May 2021.

Nuvelu Rhakho Mamang Singsong Deponent Notary Public

K-953

WASHINGTON, MAY 11 (PTI): Microblogging giant Twitter has donated USD 15 million to help address the Covid-19 crisis in India which is battling the unprecedented second wave of the deadly pandemic. Twitter CEO Jack Patrick Dorsey tweeted that the amount has been donated to three nongovernmental organisations Care, Aid India and Sewa International USA. While CARE has been given USD 10 million, Aid India and Sewa International USA have received USD 2.5 million each. Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based, humanitarian,

and Fund Development Sandeep Khadkekar thanked Dorsey for his generous donation, saying it is gratifying that Sewa’s work has been recognised. “We are a volunteer-driven non-profit organisation, and we believe in serving all, following the sacred Hindu benediction, ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’-‘May all be happy’, Khadkekar told PTI. Twitter said the grant of USD 10 million will support CARE’s urgent action to help address the deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections devastating India.

Funds will be used to supplement government efforts by setting up temporar y COVID-19 care centers; providing oxygen, PPE kits and other critically needed emergency supplies for frontline health workers; and addressing vaccine hesitancy and helping ensure that people get vaccinated, particularly in remote, marginalised communities in India, it said.

BRUSSELS, MAY 11 (AFP): The EU executive is suing British-Swedish pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca to force it to deliver 90 million more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine before July, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

“We want the court to order the company to deliver 90 million additional doses, in addition to the 30 million already delivered in the first quarter,” European Commission spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker told a media conference.

The demand stems from a row between Brussels and AstraZeneca over a shortfall of tens of millions of vaccine doses the company was meant to have delivered to the EU since the beginning of the year.

The commission has launched two emergency legal actions against the company in a Belgian court, first to have the urgency of the issue recognised, and then to have a judge rule on whether the EU’s case is well-founded.

The European Commission, backed by the 27 EU member states, argues that AstraZeneca has breached a contract stipulating it would deliver 300 million vaccine doses to the EU in the first half of this year.

Born : 20/11/1927 – Died : 09/05/2021 We, the family members would like to express our immense gratitude to all those who stood by us during the hour of grief.

We would also like to thank : 1. DABA Church Dimapur 2. Merangkong Union Dimapur 3. Signal Naga Goan Dimapur Family Members COM

23.12.1945 – 05.05.2021 We, the bereaved family members of Late R. Sashi Aier, Süngratsü would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who stood with us through your physical presence, prayers and financial support during his brief illness and death . Your presence and support has been a great source of strength during our grief and sorrow. Though we are unable to thank every individual personally yet your good deeds will always be remembered by us.

And it is our sincere prayer to the Almighty God to bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, children, grandchildren, in-laws and family members DP-2378

Regd. No. 7106/2021 Date 10/05/2021 AFFIDAVIT I, Shri Sudip Biswas, S/o Sourendra Nath Biswas, H/o. Smti. Anamika Biswas, presently residing at Sewak HQ CE (P) 'c' Coy 121 Inf Bn (TA) Garh Rif, Dimapur : Nagaland, Pin-797112 and permanent residence of Village: Gopal Nagar, Bagchijamsherpur, P.S: Hogalbaria, Dist- Nadia, West Bengal, Pin-741122, do hereby solemnly affirm on oath as follows: 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India and residing at the above mentioned address.

2. That Smti. Anamika Biswas is my legally wedded wife.

3. That in some of my official document my wife's date of birth has been inadverantly entered/mentioned as "22/11/1990".

4. That the actual and correct date of birth of my wife, Smti. Anamika Biswas is 02/11/1992.

5. That "02/11/1992" and "02/11/1990" is the date of birth of same and one person i.e., my wife, Smti. Anamika Biswas.

6. That I am swearing this affidavit to declare my wife's correct date of birth and to declare that " 02/11/1992" and "02/11/1990" is the date of birth of same and one person i.e., my wife, Smti. Anamika Biswas.

7. That the statements made in paragraphs 1 to 6 are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing materials are concealed therein.

DEPONENT Sworn before me on 10th day of May, 2021.

DP-2377 NOTARY PUBLIC

AFFIDAVIT REGD NO. 06/2017 Dated: 03/03/2017 I, SHRI SIMON, S/o, TONGPANG AO, aged about 28 years, permanent resident of Taxes Colony, Lengrijan, Dimapur, Nagaland, PIN-797112, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:1. That, I am a law abiding citizen of India, belonging to Naga (Ao) tribe.

2. That I am presently serving in 10th Assam Rifles bearing No. Rifleman. 5015547P. 3. That, my mother’s maiden name was ANJU DEVI and the same name has been used in all my official documents, including my service records. However, several years after her marriage with my father Shri. TONGPANG AO, her name was christened as SENTILA AO and embraced Shri MARTIBA LKR as her adoptive father as per the Ao-Naga customary practice and tradition. Thenceforth, in all her official documents, her name is used as SENTILA AO, D/o MARTIBA LKR, including her AADHAAR Card bearing No. 9987 0136 0079.

4. That, Smti. SENTILA AO, D/o MARTIBA LKR bearing AADHAAR NO. 9987 0136 0079 is my mother, who was known in her maiden name as ANJU DEVI. 5. That, the names SENTILA AO and ANJU DEVI is the same person, who is my mother.

6. That this affidavit is sworn in for the purpose of declaring that SENTILA AO and ANJU DEVI are the names of one and the same person i.e. my mother, hence this affidavit enables me to produce before the concerned authority as a mark of proof thereof and for other intents and purposes.

7. That the statements made herein above are true to the best of my knowledge, belief and information and I sign this Affidavit on this 1st day of March, 2017 at Dimapur.

DEPONENT Solemnly affirmed and declared before me by the Deponent on this 1st day of March, 2017 REPENTSUNG Notary Public Dimapur : Nagaland DP-2384 K Y M C

8

sports

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur WEDNESDaY, maY 12, 2021

tests India pistol coach Smirnov Portugal could host ‘IPL can’t be completed in India’ Hussey positive for grounded without visa Covid-19 again Champions League final

L O N D O N , M AY 1 1 (AGENCIES): Portugal is a strong candidate to host the Champions League final after UEFA did not gain guarantees of exemptions it wants to move the game to Wembley. UEFA, UK government officials and the Football Association met on Monday to discuss moving the game between Chelsea and Manchester City from Istanbul.

UEFA has decided it will be moved after Turkey was put on England’s red travel list meaning fans cannot travel. Portugal is on the green list so fans would be allowed to attend on 29 May. The match could still

be played at Wembley but it would require a major shift from the government, who have so far failed to reach an agreement with UEFA. European football’s governing body feels in Portugal it is going to be easier to gain access for sponsors and broadcasters, who would need to be compensated if they were unable to attend the game.

Porto has been mentioned as a potential venue but it is understood Lisbon, which hosted last year’s final, is also a possibility.

Travellers from England to green-list countries must follows rules before departure but do not have to

quarantine on their return.

UK citizens returning from red-list countries are required to quarantine at a government-approved hotel for 10 days.

Such a quarantine would have an impact on players involved in Euro 2020, which starts on 11 June.

On Friday, transport secretary Grant Shapps said Covid-19 red-list countries “should not be visited except in the most extreme circumstances”. UEFA had hoped to give both clubs a minimum of 4,000 tickets each for the game at Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Shapps said that the FA was in talks with UEFA about switching the game, but that it is “ultimately a decision for UEFA”.

Chelsea Supporters Trust has said it will meet UEFAand will request that the final is moved to the UK, while Manchester City fan groups said they will be renewing their calls to move the game from Istanbul.

Sourav Ganguly

NEW DELHI, MAY 10 (AGENCIES): Indian cricket board (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly has said that this year’s suspended IPL tournament can’t be completed in India while the country battles the coronavirus crisis. He added that the tournament could also struggle to find a time slot elsewhere. The tournament was suspended indefinitely early this month after a few players or team staff tested positive for Covid-19 inside the bio-secure bubble. As the Covid-19 case spiralled in India, more than 10 players and support staff in the IPL teams tested positive.

Ganguly said there is no way the tournament could resume before India play the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against New Zealand in

England, from June 18.

Asked if the tournament could be resumed in England after the WTC final, Ganguly, speaking to a sports magazine, said: “No. India is supposed to go to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and five T20Is. There are lots of organisational hazards like 14-day quarantine. It can’t happen in India. This quarantine is tough to handle.

Too early to say how we can find a slot to complete the IPL.” Was it right to continue?

Asked whether the IPL should have been called off earlier, Ganguly said: “You can say that now in hindsight that the IPL should have been called off earlier.

Mumbai and Chennai (legs) did not have cases. Only when the IPL reached Delhi and Ahmedabad did the cases rise. People will say a lot of things in any case. The English Premier League had so many people affected. But they could reschedule the matches. But you can’t do that with IPL. You stop it for seven days and it is done.

Players go back home and then the process of quarantine starts from scratch.”

C H E N NA I , M AY 1 1 (IANS): Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has tested positive for Covid-19 again.

The former Australia batsman, who was with the CSK in the postponed 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) and was possibly infected during his stay in New Delhi, had earlier got a negative result in his second test but tested positive in the third round, according to The Australian.

H e i s n ow s e t t o undergo another test on Thursday.

Hussey had tested positive the first time three days after it was revealed that three other staff members of CSK had tested positive. He is getting treated at a hospital here in Chennai.

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert, who too tested positive, is also receiving treatment at the same hospital. Seifert was in Ahmedabad with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Our fast bowlers enjoy Murray & Liam Broady to play doubles at Italian Open each other’s success: Shami

Pavel Smirnov

NEW DELHI, MAY 11 (IANS): India’s pistol coach Pavel Smirnov will not accompany the 28member national shooting squad to Croatia on Tuesday due to delay in visa process.

“He hasn’t got a visa for Croatia [yet] so can’t go with the team. But he will go next week when he gets the necessary travel documents,” a national level coach told IANS. As many as 13 shooters in the squad will attend an Olympic camp in the European country.

Due to the pandemic, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has arranged a charter flight to Europe to minimise risk of contracting coronavirus.

I n S m i r n ov ’s a b sence, assistant coach Ved Prakash will oversee training of the Tokyo Olympicbound pistol team.

Both Samresh Jung, the high performance national pistol coach, and Jaspal Rana, junior national pistol coach, had earlier expressed their inability to accompany the team due to family problems.

RahiSarnobat, the

EDINBURGH, MAY 11 British number one the clay-court Grand Slam, (AGENCIES): Andy Mur- Johanna Konta gets her which starts on 30 May. NEW DELHI, MAY 11 are happy when the other ray was a late addition into campaign under way later Murray said the French (IANS): Mohammed Sha- one is happy,” Shami told the doubles draw at the Ital- on Tuesday against Latvian Tennis Federation wants to mi says that the camarade- Cricbuzz. ian Open as he and fellow JelenaOstapenka. see him competing before rie that exists beIndia’s fast bowling Briton Liam Broady were Doubles gives Murray making a decision. He has tween him and the unit has earned praise entered as alternates. Mur- earlier return found himself with a chance rest of the fast from commentators ray was not competing in the Murray has not played of some earlier-than-expectbowlers is key and experts over the singles but was in Rome to since early March, having ed match practice after he to the sucpast three years and practise against top players, withdrawn from the Miami and Broady made it into cess of Inhave been crucial including Novak Djokovic. Open with a groin injury. the doubles draw in Rome Scot Murray, 33, and The former world num- following the withdrawal of dia’s pace to their consecuunit. tive series wins Broady, 27, will take on ber one is hoping to receive Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz Australians Max Purcell a wildcard to play a tourna- and Canada’s Felix AugerShain Australia. mi, Ishant “ E v e n and Luke Saville in the first ment in Geneva or Lyon Aliassime. next week. He has entered Sharma and if someone’s round.

In the singles, Britain’s French Open qualifying the JaspritBumdown and out, we rah are the make sure that Cameron Norrie beat Spain’s following week as he does leading figures we lift his spirits. Roberto CarballesBaena 6-4 not know whether he will be offered a wildcard for in India’s pace We try to make 6-4 to reach round two. batter in Test them forget all cricket and it has the stresses and also featured the try to lighten likes of Bhuvneshthe mood. war Kumar, Umesh I t h i n k a l l LONDON, MAY 11 (IANS): The sist solely of wood, so for bamboo topic for MCC and indeed cricket, Yadav and more bonds should Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) (which is a grass) to be considered and this angle of willow alternarecently Shardul be like that has rejected the idea of bats made as a realistic alternative to willow tives should also be considered.

Thakur, Mohamb e c a u s e t o from bamboo being used in profes- would require a Law change,” With the researchers stating that mad Siraj and T play for your sional cricket for now but said that said the MCC in a statement on the most suitable types of bamboo Natarajan. country is in- it will discuss the topic at the next Monday. grow abundantly across China and “Our fast deed a matter Laws sub-committee meeting.

“Importantly, the Law would that low-cost production could bowling unit is of pride. In The MCC, who are the need to be altered to allow bamboo make bamboo bats a viable and a great packthis unit that guardians of the laws of cricket, specifically, as even if it were to be ethical alternative to willow, this age where evwe have built said that alternatives to the use of recognised as a wood, this would could provide a pertinent angle for eryone works since 2013-14, English willow for bats should be still be illegal under the current further research and the possibility really hard w h i l e you’ll find that considered to make the game more Law, which bans lamination of of reducing the cost of producing also understanding the the guys enjoy sustainable but use of bamboo the blade, except in junior bats,” bats in different areas of the world. other counterparts really each other’s for making bats would require an it said. It further said that the The Club will discuss the topic well. The bonding and the success a alteration in the current laws of fact that using bamboo bats is an at the next Laws sub-committee fun you saw that day was l o t , ” cricket. ethical and cheaper alternative meeting,” it said. British scientists because we enjoy each added “Currently, Law 5.3.2 states provides a pertinent angle.

Bamboo bats may drive cricket in have come up with a research other’s success a lot. We Shami. that the blade of the bat must con“Sustainability is a relevant future. saying that cricket bats made of

2018 Asian Games champion in women’s 25 metre pistol, said she is mature enough to work without a coach during Zagreb camp.

“I have reached a stage where I don’t need a coach on a regular basis.

But in case there is an issue in Zagreb, I would have a video conference with Jung who has been guiding me for the past two years,” she said.

All five rifle coaches including foreign expert Oleg Mikhailov are going with the team, confirmed a rifle coach.

The national team will also compete in the European Shooting Championships scheduled to be held in Osijek from May 21 and Zagreb World Cup in June.

Deepak Kumar, Divyansh Singh Panwar, Sanjeev Rajput, AishwaryPratapTomar, Apur viChandela, AnjumMoudgil, ElavenilValarivan and TejaswiniSawant have qualified for Olympics in rifle shooting events.

The pistol shooting team consists of Abhishek Verma, Saurabh Chaudhary, Manu Bhaker, RahiSarnobat and Yashaswini Singh.

Marylebone Cricket Club rejects bamboo bats, says will ponder further bamboo are a viable option given that they don’t compromise on the ‘sweet spot’ of traditional willow.

“Willow has been the principal material for cricket bats for centuries,” said Darshil Shah from the University of Cambridge, who is the co-author of the study.

“Despite a good innings, there are problems with the supply of English willow. It takes about 15 years before a tree can be harvested, after which new trees must be planted. Between 15 and 30 per cent of the wood is also wasted during bat production,” Shah told The Guardian newspaper in London.

Change is coming to the rankings, it’s inevitable: Djokovic Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight set in Saudi Arabia, says Eddie Hearn

BELGRADE, MAY 11 (AGEN- and Roger Federer.

“Medvedev as well, of CIES): The recent success of Russian Daniil Medvedev, course, and challenging for the younger players on the men’s tour 25, won the ATP Finals and the top spots. Dominic Thiem has points to an “inevitable” shift Paris Masters titles last year and been there for many years. at the top of the ATP rankings, has already displaced “It’s inevitable that it’s going said world number one Novak S p a n i a r d N a d a l to happen. The change on the Djokovic. from second spot. men’s rankings, top of the rankThe last four ATP MasH u b e r t ings is coming. Whether it’s going ters 1000 events -- the most H u r k a c z , S t e - to happen in a month or a year or prestigious tournaments f a n o s Ts i t s i p a s whatever, I don’t know.” outside the Grand Slams and Alexander For Nadal, the success of the -- have been won by playZverev have won younger players was normal but ers outside the ‘Big the three Masters the Spaniard was not ready yet to Three’ of events this year with write off his chances at Roland Djokovic, Greek Tsitsipas the Garros, where he has won 13 Rafael youngest of them at major titles.

Na22.

“I don’t like to hide the dal Djokovic, 33, tr uth,” Natold reporters at the dal said on Rome Masters on Tuesday.

Monday that the “ W e results showed are not there was a playing generaas many tour naments as we did before. It’s normal that after almost 20 years on the tour there is another generation t i o n a l that is winning tournaments. shift under“We have been achieving way. almost every single important “There are guys like Tsitsi- event for the last 19 years. Nothpas, Zverev, (Matteo) Berrettini, ing strange. 100% ready to accept (Andrey) Rublev that are win- that. But I’m going to keep fightning against all of us and playing ing for the things. a lot and building their ranking “That means that in three points,” he added. weeks, two weeks-and-a-half,

there is another Grand Slam that I like to play. I’m going to fight to try to play well there.”

While the 39-year-old Federer missed most of the last 14 months due to knee problems, Djokovic passed his record for the most weeks as world number one in March.

But the Serbian, who has won 18 Grand Slam titles, is more focused on chasing down the 20 major wins of Federer and the 34-year-old Nadal.

“I’m not personally paying too much attention anymore to the rankings as much as I am to my game for the Grand Slams,” he said. “Those are the biggest focus tournaments right now at this stage of my career.”

Djokovic has made changes to his schedule to spend more time with his family and since his Melbourne win has only played the Monte Carlo Masters and an event at home in Belgrade.

He will wind up his preparations for the French Open with this week’s Rome Masters and another ATP event in Belgrade.

“Four tournaments before French is I think enough in terms of the match play,” he said. “So I’m building my fitness and I’m building just my game slowly step by step in order to peak in Paris.

That’s definitely where I want to play my best.”

TEXAS, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight title fight will take place in Saudi Arabia, says Eddie Hearn.

A specific venue and date is yet to be confirmed for the allBritish bout, which will see the winner become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, suggested it could take place on either 7 August or 14 August.

“It’s a very bad secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

He added they were working with the “same people” as they did for Joshua’s rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua, 31, won back the WBA, WBO and IBF belts by beating Ruiz in Diriyah, on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh, in December 2019.

He had lost the titles in a shock defeat in June that year.

“We’re very comfortable.

Anthony’s comfortable, he knows those people,” added Hearn.

“They delivered on every one of their promises last time.

We’re ready to go.”

his year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics are set to finish on 8 August, so Hearn said 14 August made more sense but that he hoped to secure the date and venue in the next few days.

Hearn announced that a two-fight deal between Joshua and Fury, 32, had been agreed in March after months of negotiations.

Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum subsequently said the fight was “dead in the water”, which Hearn denied.

The fight will see all four belts contested in a heavyweight bout for the first time.

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