13 Feb 2023

Nagaland Post

Barla calls on Christians to unite for a common purpose

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN):

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla said as a Christian and a member of the Modi ministry, he is willing to act as the bridge for Christians as well as minorities with the government at the Centre.

Speaking as chief guest and in Hindi, at a programme organised by National Christian Council (NCC)Nagaland Chapter here at the Youth Oasis Centre, Eralibil here Sunday, Barla reminded Christians that the community had contributed immensely towards creating a generation of educated and empowered leaders before and after Indian independence.

He however lamented that the community’s works had not been recognised by

others as Christians themselves did not share the information about their charitable activities.

He said, after being appointed as a Union Minister, he had collected data from Jharkhand to show Modi the work carried out by the community and how those had provided jobs to many and how almost 98% of students in Christian schools were non-Christian

La Ganesan appointed as Nagaland Gov

children. “We have not been able properly tell others about our contribution to the nation. This is the reason why many people are ignorant about our work,” he commented.

Barla said it was time for all Christians, irrespective of denominations, to unite and show the whole country the works carried out by the community. The minister shared how catholic bishops, fathers, sisters, etc, had dedicated their lives for the well-being of others, especially in interior areas of the country, including Nagaland. He said even during the worst time of the covid-19 pandemic, they provided healthcare facilities to the poorest of the poor.

Barla urged leaders of all Christian denominations to come together and put forward their suggestions and

NDPP-BJP

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN):

queries so that these could be raised in Parliament.

He also pointed out that many prominent doctors, engineers and scientists studied in Christian missionary educational institutes. BJP political leaders like Arun Jaitley, Smriti Irani, Lal krishna Advani, Vasundhara Raje and Piyush Goyal were all products of Christian educational institutions.

John Barla lamented that despite huge contributions made by Christians organisations to India, the community has ignored the need to raise up political leaders as they considered politics to be dirty. Barla said he was tasked with minority affairs ministry by prime minister Narendra Modi and has since, been engaged in helping provide central funded projects for minorities.

Four BJP leaders, former SC judge among 6 new Govs

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

(PTI): The President also appointed six new faces as governors, including retired Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer, who was part of the historic 2019 Ayodhya verdict, and four BJP leaders, besides carrying out a rejig of the gubernatorial posts in seven states.

According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson, President Murmu accepted the resignations of Bhagat Singh Koshyari and R K Mathur as the governor of Maharashtra and the lieutenant governor of Ladakh respectively. Ramesh Bais, who was the governor of Jharkhand, has

NJCF flays ‘threat, intimidation’ against Christians

DIMAPUR, FEB 12

(NPN): Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) has come out strongly against the alleged intimidation and threat meted out to Christian minorities across the nation and in the Northeast of late, especially in Assam.

NJCF vice-president

Rev Dr N Paphino in a statement said it was unfortunate to see that there was now no respect for each other when it came to religious practices of citizens, accusing the majority religious group of trying to force its agenda, which had become more obvious this time around.

He claimed that there was now no sense of respect for others and the barbaric

been appointed governor of Maharashtra, the official said. It was not immediately known what reasons prompted Mathur’s resignation. Mathur has been facing stiff opposition led by noted education reformist Sonam Wangchuk in the three-yearold Union territory.

The President appointed Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig BD Mishra (retd) in his place, the spokesperson said.

Justice Nazeer, a former Supreme court judge, according to the spokesperson, was appointed as the new governor of Andhra Pradesh. The incumbent, Biswa Bhusan Harichandan,

has been shifted to Chhattisgarh. Justice Nazeer, who retired on January 4, has been part of several pathbreaking verdicts, including those on the politically sensitive Ayodhya land dispute, instant ‘triple talaq’ and the one that declared ‘right to privacy’ a fundamental right.

Elevated as an apex court judge on February 17, 2017, Justice Nazeer was part of several Constitution benches which delivered judgements on issues ranging from the demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations in 2016 to the reservation for Marathas in admission and government jobs and the fun-

damental right of freedom of speech and expression of high public functionaries.

He was part of a fivejudge Constitution bench which had in November 2019 cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya and directed the Centre to allot a fiveacre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for a mosque. The Justice Nazeerled five-judge Constitution benches delivered two separate verdicts this year, including the one which by a majority of 4:1 validated the legality of the Centre’s 2016 decision to demonetise the

Similarities between 2018 and 2023

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 12

(NPN): There are similarities between the election in 2018 and present 2023 election as polling will be held on the same date- February 27. As in 2018, this time too, election will be held only in 59 out of 60 constituencies of the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland.

In 2018 there was no election in Northern Angami II constituency as only incumbent MLA Neiphiu Rio was nominated and was

therefore declared elected unopposed. This time, sitting BJP legislator Kazheto Kinimi has been declared elected unopposed from Akuluto constituency, after his only opponent from the Congress N. Khekashe Sumi withdrew his candidature on the last day of withdrawal of nominations on February 10.

After one candidate was declared elected uncontested, a total of 13,07,651 voters will elect 59 out of a total of 183 candidates in fray including four women

candidates spread over 16 districts. There are 13,17,632 electorate in the state, out of which 6,61,489 are males and 6,56,143 females.

In 2018 there were 196 candidates in 59 assembly seats while this time there are 183 candidates in 59 assembly seats.

Earlier, 200 nominations, out of 225, were found valid after scrutiny on February 8, 2023. However, 16 candidates withdrew their nominations on the last day of withdrawal on February 10, 2023.

Pre-poll violence reported in Wokha

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Barely two weeks ahead of the Assembly elections in Nagaland, President of India Draupadi Murmu on Sunday appointed Manipur Governor La Ganesan as the next Governor of Nagaland.

Ganesan was appointed as the 17th Governor of Manipur in August 2021. He will be replaced by Sushri Anusuiya Uikye, the incumbent Governor of Chhattisgarh, a Raj Bhavan press communique stated.

Ganesan also served as Governor of West Bengal (additional charge) from July 18 to November 17, 2022. It may be mentioned that Prof Jagdish Mukhi, besides being the Governor of Assam, was given additional charge of Nagaland.

The President also appointed new Governors for Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim.

Nagaland chief minister

Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y Patton have asserted that the BJP-NDPP alliance was “rock solid”.

They stated this in a video message after holding a closed-door meeting along with BJP North East co-convenor Rituraj Sinha and NDPP secretary general Abu Metha.

Rio also appealed to voters to cast their votes in favour of the alliance. He exuded the confidence to form the next government once again. Rio said that the ground situation indicated that both NDPP-BJP alliance would be getting a thumping majority.

Meanwhile, taking to twitter, Rituraj said that the chief minister also urged the people to ignore rebel candidates, who were mis-

guiding and claimed both BJP and NDPP were fully cooperating and supporting each other’s candidates.

Patton also expressed the confidence the alliance partners would get a thumping victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. He also pledged to usher in a new era of peace and fast-track development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rio.

It may be mentioned that the joint declaration

comes days after reports of the alliance coming under strain following the recent ticket distribution, where most of the aspirants who were denied NDPP and BJP tickets had joined other parties like the NCP and LJP (RV).

BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland incharge Nalin Kohli on Saturday categorically dismissed of a crisis, and asserted that “the alliance is strong and was always strong.”

Rs. 10 lakh seized at Dimapur airport

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): A female passenger travelling from Delhi to Dimapur was intercepted by CISF personnel at Dimapur airport on Sunday carrying cash amounting to Rs. 10 lakhs. With Nagaland going to polls on February 27, such seizures and action have come since the model code

of conduct for the polls were in force. According to official reports, the seizure was made acting on a tip-off. The cash was found in the hand bag of the lady. The cash was seized since the passenger could not provide any supporting document of withdrawal of the money, it said.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN):

Situation in Wokha Town 38 Assembly constituency (AC) was reportedly becoming tense following frequent incidents of pre-poll violence.

At least four such incidents were reported from the area on Saturday and Sunday. Security forces in Wokha were reportedly under pressure to bring the

situation under control by patrolling sensitive areas.

When contacted, Wokha Police informed Nagaland Post that JD (U) youth wing president sustained injuries after a clash erupted between supporters of various candidates at Church Colony around 4-4:30 pm on February 11. In the same evening, unknown miscreants torched one vehicle (Ma -

hindra Bolero) at PWD Colony. The police said the vehicle was parked inside compound with concrete walls adjacent to national highway.

The police said IRB jawans were patrolling the area when they saw the fire and immediately alerted the people around to douse it. The gate was reportedly left open when the situation occurred.

coalition ‘rock solid’; to win polls with thumping majority: Rio, Patton

La Ganesan

(L-R) Windshield of a gypsy damaged, Bolero burnt and windowpane damaged during poll-related violence.

John Barla (NP)

Rio, Patton along with Abu and Sinha after the meeting.

Lok Adalat settles 168 cases in Nagaland

EVC adopts resolution for assembly polls

DIMAPUR: Ekranipathar Village Council (EVC) at its emergency meeting held on February 10 has passed several resolutions for strict compliance in the ensuing assembly election 2023.

In a press release, EVC chairman Yezheto Yepthomi and secretary, Gokul Bardewa stated that the council has prohibited interference from outsiders in the village activities during the election times and on

the polling day.

EVC warned that any political parties/other elements found loitering/ campaigning within the village vicinity will be penalised as per the council resolution. In this regard, EVC has authorised the Ekranipathar Village Youth Organisation to monitor all the above activities within the village jurisdiction and to take strict action with further consultation with

DIMAPUR: A total of 168 cases were settled and Rs. 5,39,97,434 total settlement amount involved in the cases were disposed at the National Lok Adalat observed in all the district headquarters. The settlement amount included fine money, Bank recovery money, Motor Accident Claim compensation money, etc. among the disposed cases.

The sittings were headed by the District judges,

Chief Judicial Magistrate and Civil Judges acting as presiding officers and were assisted by the Panel Lawyers serving as conciliators along with the Para legal Volunteers who acted as members and facilitators.

Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats has been deemed to be a decree of a civil court and

Media workshop on election reporting

DIMAPUR: One-day media workshop on election reporting will be held on February 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

Additional Director & HoD IPR, Dzüvinuo Theünuo will deliver the introduction to the workshop, followed by an address by CEO Nagaland, Shashank Shekhar.

In the training sessions, senior journalist, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum will speak on the topic of challenges and opportunities in election coverage. Editor-in-chief, East Mojo Karma Paljor will address elections and media in digital times and joint director IPR, Asangla Imsong will conduct the interactive session followed by lunch.

was final and binding on all parties and no further appeal against such an award lies before any court of law.

Lok Adalat resolved and settled disputes by methods of direct talks between the litigants or Parties amicably. The system of Lok Adalat was affordable and justice delivery was quick and effective. Nagaland State Legal Services Authority is the implementing Nodal Agency vested with the jurisdiction to

Payment of pension under NSAP schemes

DIMAPUR: District Welfare Officer (DWO) Peren I.Tsungrosongla Ao has informed that the payment of pension under NSAP Schemes for six month for those beneficiaries under non- DBT list will disbursed through cash payment. In this regard, all the beneficiaries under NSAP Scheme have been asked to produce their photocopy of Aadhaar and Bank Account, without which payment will not be entertained.

DWO also informed that all widow pensioners to compulsorily produce a letter from the local priest or pastor declaring that the beneficiary as a widow without which no payment will be entertain.

Workshop on ‘data science and analytics’

organise and conduct National Lok Adalat (Peoples’ Court) under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

It may be noted that National Lok Adalat has been held at regular intervals throughout the country and the State Legal Services Authorities act as the implementing agency which were statutory bodies constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.

The next National

Lok Adalat has been scheduled on May 13, 2023 and citizens have been informed that for listing matters/ dispute in the next National Lok Adalat, they can contact the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (or) approach the respective District Legal Services Authority which were attached to the District Court Building in every Districts or contact the concerned Court for referring the case to the National Lok Adalat.

the village council. The members of EVC has been asked to maintain neutrality on the polling day and in case of any disputes with its jurisdiction during the election times/polling day, the decision of the council will be final and binding. Further, EVC made it clear that the resolution has been made to conduct free and fair election and for the security of the village in particular.

PAGBU asks political parties to adhere to MCC

DIMAPUR: Pathso Area GB’s Union (PAGBU) has directed all the political parties to adhere to the election model code of conduct (MCC) and KTC’s directive for peaceful conduct of election under its jurisdiction in the ensuing assembly election 2023. In a press release, the union president Lushia and finance secretary,

GB Sunie asked all political parties or agents to refrain from making hate speech; ensure free and fair movement of all political parties and to restrain from incitement of violence and physical abuse. The union further warned that any political parties violating these guidelines under Pathso range shall be called for explanation.

Chishilimi village extends support to CEM

DIMAPUR: Chishilimi village under Pughoboto sub-division in Zunheboto has resolved to extend support the Clean Election Movement (CEM). Therefore, the village has resolved that it not accept cash for votes from any candidates.

VCC Jekuto Chishi in a press release informed that the resolution was adopted by a general consensus and “not through any diktat”. Further, the village also resolved to undertake a peaceful election process.

Youth trained on vermi-composing; demo on millets, potato cultivation

DIMAPUR: A two-day workshop on “Data Science and Analytics in Agricultural Research” under the banner of Ph.D. Forum in collaboration with Research & Extension Cell (REC), NU: SASRD was conducted from February 9- 10.

The inaugural session was graced by Prof. L. Daiho, Dean and chairperson, REC, NU: SASRD. He highlighted the importance of data science in agricultural research and enlightened the gathering with his vast experience and knowledge

regarding data analysis.

Altogether, 132 participants comprising of AICRP scientist, Ph. D. Scholars, M. Sc. and B. Sc. students participated in the programme. Two resource persons expertise in Data Analytics; Shagolsem

Herojit Singh, guest faculty, Dept. of Agricultural Economics and Limasunep Ozukum, Ph. D. Scholar, Dept. of Agricultural Economics conducted the workshop.

The two day training programme included orientation and introduction

to statistics covering both experimental research and social research followed by hands on training using excel and SPSS software beneficial in agricultural research. Participants were handed with certificate of participation by Saya D, general secretary, PhD Forum.

Earlier, the workshop began with a welcome address by Imkongsunep Walling, Convenor, Ph. D. Forum and concluded with vote of thanks by Pem Thinley, Co-Convenor, PhD Forum.

DIMAPUR: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Mokokchung in association with State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema & MANAGE, Hyderabad conducted a six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) programme at Chuchuyimlang village under Chuchuyimlang block, Mokokchung from February 6 -11. In another programme, ATMA also carried out demonstrations on cultivation practices of millets and potato.

The training was held on the topic “VermiComposting”. Dy. Project Director, ATMA, Mokokchung, Sentinaro Longchar highlighted on the aims and objective of the training.

The resource persons for the technical session were Toshinenla Pongen,

Security coordination meet at Pungro

DIMAPUR: In an effort to bolster ties and improve the security aspects, Kiphire battalion of Assam Rifles under the ageis of HQ IGAR (North) conducted a security coordination meeting by reaching out to the CAPFs deployed for election duties- BSF, NAP, NP, Village Guards and stakeholders CSOs at Pungro COB, Kiphire district on February 9.

PRO defence in a press release informed that the aim of the drive was to discuss coordination issues with regards to prevailing security situation and to improve the existing mechanism for timely information sharing. Keeping in view of the ongoing situation across the border and upcoming Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections the planning for remedial measures for various contingencies that may arise were dis -

cussed at the event. The meeting was conducted in Pungro COB

JSCO, department of Soil & Water Conservation, Mokokchung; Sentinaro Longchar, Dy. Project Director; Shilunokdang, Assistant Technology Manager, Mangkolemba Block, along with the Block Technology Manager and Assistant Technology Managers of Chuchuyimlang block, Mokokchung. They spoke on various topics. The training ended with valedictory programme where certificates were distributed to the participants. Altogether, 15 unemployed youths from Chuchuyimlang village attended the skill training programme. Inputs such as portable Vermicompost beds, watering can and Earthworms (Eiseniafetida) were distributed to the participants.

Cultivation practicesofmillets

ATMA Tseminyu

Block conducted a demonstration on cultivation practices of millets at Phenda village on February 9. The need based topic from the farmers with the international year of millets was demonstrated by resource person, Sharon Kent, ATM Tseminyu block. The cultivation practices were briefed on certain criteria’s such as the spacing, types of millets, preparation of soil, climate and seeds.

Demonstrationson ‘packagesandpractices’

ATMA Bhandari

Block conducted demonstrations on “Packages and Practices” of “cucumber” and “chilli” and another demonstration on the “Usage of Biofertiliser” at Roni New village under Bhandari Block, Wokha district on January 24, 2023.

Resource person BTM

Wolithung Kikon demonstrated on the “packages

and practices” of cucumber. The resource person emphasized on its health benefits, transplanting, irrigation, weeding and cultivation of cucumber. In the technical session, BTM Wolithung gave a hands- on demonstration on nursery seed bed preparations for cucumber cultivation. Meanwhile resource person ATM Tracy Mozhui demonstrated on the “Packages and Practices” of chilli. The resource person emphasized on its health benefits, transplanting, irrigation, weeding and cultivation of chilli. In the technical session, ATM Tracy Mozhui gave a hands on demonstration on nursery seed bed preparations for chili cultivation.

In another demonstration, resource person ATM Jonjibeni Mozhui

gave a demonstration on the “Usage of Biofertilisers” wherein she stressed on the benefits of using biofertilisers and also the various applications and methods of using biofertilisers. After the session, seeds and biofertilisers were distributed to the attending farmers. Altogether 10 farmers attended the demonstration programme.

Potato cultivation

A demonstration on land preparation for potato cultivation, dehaulming in potato and collection of soil sample was conducted by ATMA Noksen Block, Tuensang at Yonyu village on February 7. The demonstration was carried out by ATM Wetosangla Chang and a total of 15 farmers and ATMA functionaries attended the programme.

1st Death a nniver S ary

Late K. tokheho achumi

taLinOKtSÜnG (Aliba Village)

(Born: 26th April 1951 – Died: 4th February 2023)

Late taLinOKtSÜnG - a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and a friend of many breathed his last on 4th February 2023. We, the bereaved families would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to every individual, churches, organizations, relatives, friends and well wishers who stood by us during his prolonged illness and demise by rendering physical, financial, material, prayer support and emotional comfort with condolence messages in our time of grief. We have nothing to give you back in return but it is our sincere wish and prayer to our Almighty that He will bless each one of you abundantly. Loving wife, children, in-laws, grandchildren and relatives

Died : 13/02/2022

It’s hard to accept the fact that you are not here with us anymore. Not a day goes by that you don’t cross our mind, “May your soul forever be in peace.” You are deeply missed.

Loving Wife, Sons, Daughters and Daughters-in-law

(L) Lok Adalat sitting in Zunheboto. (R) Members of Legal services authority in Wokha at the Lok Adalat.

(L-R) Demonstrations on cultivation practices of millets at Phenda village and potato cultivation at Yonyu village.

wherein the members of CAPFs, CSOs and village elders, participated and dis-

cussed on an array of issues pertaining to the overall security of the region.

The workshop in progress at NU:SASRD.

NEXT POLL

Digital awareness for women entrepreneurs

Facilitation centre at Mokokchung

EO Dmu to inspect account register of candidates

WEATHER FORECAST

FEBRUARY 13

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 12 (NPN): Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) organised a workshop on Digital Awareness for women entrepreneurs in Nagaland at Educentre office, Dimapur on February 11.

The workshop was conducted in collaboration with MMB cyber-school and was supported by Educentre school of business, with the objective to help women entrepreneurs understand the importance

of Branding, Digital Marketing, Product Packaging and Labelling while building their own businesses.

The programme was chaired by WENN chairwoman Alemjungla Jamir.

She briefly outlined the function of Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland as a network and platform for sharing of entrepreneurial information & experience, upskilling through training, women empowerment and most importantly giving a voice to women entrepreneurs of Nagaland.

She stressed that as a network, WENN’s goal was to create a more enabling environment for women entrepreneurs in Nagaland.

On that note, she encouraged everyone to actively participate in the workshop and make it a success.

Resource person, CEO, MMB Cyber School, Namang T. Chang, addressed the key points of Branding, Cyber Safety & Security and Digital Marketing.

Resource person, proj-

ect director, MMB Cyber School, Imtisenla Jamir, expounded on Product packaging and Labeling.

It may be noted that MMB Cyber School is a non-profit Institute for Digital & Technology Education under the parent company Modern Myriad Branding Pvt Ltd.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Finance head-WENN, Kewengule Therie and the program ended with vote of thanks by Operations head-WENN, Vekuthulo Vero.

DC holds coordination meeting with leaders of Chukitong Range

at EAC Office Chukitong with Village Council Chairman’s, VCMs, GBs, Senior citizens, Youth organisation and various civil societies of Chukitong Range to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming election on February 12.

DC and DEO Wokha with leaders of Chukitong area at the coordination meeting held on February 12 at EAC Chukitong Office. (DIPR)

According to DIPR report, at the meeting, the DC and DEO appealed to the leaders of Chukitong area to extend co-operation to the law enforcement agencies and government departments and urged all the citizens to abide by the law to ensure that the forthcoming election can be conducted in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere.

DC also called upon all the citizens of the district to create an atmosphere such that all

Pre-poll violence reported in Wokha

(From p-1)

They mentioned that the case was under investigation and things could not be ascertained till the time of filing the report. The vehicle reportedly belonged to a relative of one intending candidate.

Police said supporters of the candidate gathered at the police station demanding immediate arrest of those involved in burning the vehicle the previous night, even as JD (U) supporters from 37 AC staged a dharna at the site demanding release of one of their arrested members.

Othe other hand, supporters of two rival parties

of Wokha Town constituency clashed, leading to injuries on both the sides, while one Maruti Gypsy parked near the BJP candidate’s residence was damaged and also smashed some windowpanes of the BJP candidate.

The police said that they had been tirelessly putting all efforts to maintain peace and appealed to the citizens to shun violence.

BJP Wokha reacts: Meanwhile, reacting to a report of a local TV channel, BJP media cell of 38 Wokha AC has clarified that there was no evidence to the allegation that a government

registered vehicle (Mahindra Bolero) was burned down by supporters of the opponent candidate. It alleged that the vehicle’s registration number was deliberately omitted in the video dip shown in a local TV channel and its report was purely one-sided without any substantial inputs from law enforcing agency.

BJP said the fourth pillar of democracy was expected to deliver factual reports without any bias or favouritism by ensuring that the reports were not misleading and did not ignite hatred and violence, especially during such crucial period.

The party claimed that the vehicle that was reportedly burned within the wellmaintained security wall of the compound was at the centre of the town.

It pointed out that as the incident occurred after the security personnel had arrived in the area, there was no chance for the mob to vandalise any property, let alone burn down the vehicle, in the presence of the security forces. Condemning the unfounded statement, the media cell further cautioned media groups to verify the news before publishing/telecasting such sensitive news.

No answers to questions on minorities, misgovernance, etc: AICC

DIMAPUR, FEB 12 (NPN): Congress has accused BJP at the Centre and the ruling coalition in the State of providing no answers to the questions it had raised regarding minorities, misgovernance, corruption and lack of development.

In a press release, All India Congress Committee (AICC) media coordinator Sujata Paul said BJP’s doublespeak on minorities was out in the open. She said the party simply stating that it had no connection with Janjati Dharm Sanskriti Suraksha Manch was not enough.

She asked why BJP had not taken any action against the organisation operating from Assam where it was in power and when the organisation was deliberately trying to polarise and create bad blood in the run-up to the election.

According to her, BJP had steered clear from giving answers on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that it supported and had committees formed for its implementation in BJP-ruled Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

She asserted that UCC could not be implemented in Nagaland as it enjoyed a special status under Article 371 (A) and asked whether BJP intended to

abrogate the Article for implementing UCC, or whether it did not consider Nagaland as part of India.

She insisted BJP must clear its stand on the issue. But, by not making its stand clear, she said the party was only showing its double face.

Reiterating her questions, the AICC media coordinator pointed out that BJP had not answered on why the high court building had not been completed till date along with a colosseumlike State Stadium at Dimapur, whose construction started in 2006.

She asked why the government medical colleges were not complete till date and why a mall constructed in forest department land with Central fund was not being used. She said this was a testament to the State government’s corruption and criminal wasteful expenditure.

Paul questioned why people faced water shortage and why there was no water supply to houses across the State, why people of Nagaland bore the brunt of power cuts and load shedding, why there were no proper roads barring the four-lane highway being built for Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa

Sarma for his travels from Assam to Nagaland and back, and why Eastern Nagaland had been ignored.

Referring to BJP’s 2018 slogan “Election for Solution”, she wanted to know why the people of Nagaland had not been given any solution even after five years. She alleged that chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s assets were now worth Rs 46.95 crore, an increase of Rs 10.54 crore in past five years. And with allegations of corruption against him, she demanded to know why there had been no investigation by Enforcement Directorate, CBI or Income Tax.

Paul stated that BJP might stay in election mode 24X7, 365 days a year, but it was only to occupy the seat of power by hook or by crook. She mention that there was no evidence of governance or development in Nagaland.

“BJP likes to check the inside of every booth while Congress respects the Election Commission and lets them do their job. Our workers stand with the people of Nagaland so that we can solve their problems when we come to power,” the release stated.

DIMAPUR: Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh has informed that for the smooth conduct to the upcoming general election of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023, a facilitation Centre has been set up at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner’s Office for all the Polling Personnel and Sector Magistrate stride for Doubt clearance, hands on training of EVM and VVPAT and any other quires. The centre will remain open from 10 am to 3 pm on the following dates- February 13, DLMT’s Nukshimoa and DR. Bendangtemjen; February 16 DLMT’s Aosanen and Lipoktoshi; February 20 DLMT’s P.P Wabang Mollier and Imkongsashi; February 21 DLMT’s Temsukaba and Nungsangtemsu; February 22 DLMT’s Tialiba and Rejuba Pongen; February 23 DLMT’s Temsuwabang, Nukshiba and Nokyinkaba and February 24 DLMT’s Kevezai Tureng and Rongsentemsu.

DIMAPUR: Election Observer for Dimapur deputed by ECI, Suboth Singh, along with the Returning officers (ROs) s of 1-Dimapur I, 2-Dimapur II and 3- Dimapur III assembly constituencies will be undertaking inspection of election accounts register on February 14, 20 and 24 at 11 a.m. DC office, Dimapur.

In this connection, all the candidates under 1-Dimapur I, 2- Dimapur II and 3- Dimapur III Assembly Constituencies have been informed to furnish day to day accounts of expenditure by the contesting candidates (Annexure- E 1) for inspection by EO and Returning Officers.

According to DIPR report, the candidate will be required to produce the register either in person or through his election agent or any other person duly authorized by the candidate before the expenditure observer/ designated officer for inspection at least three times during the campaign period. If a candidate or his

agent does not produce his election expenditure register for inspection on the day fixed for this purpose, a notice shall be issued to the candidate by the RO in writing, that repeated failure to produce the register for inspection on the specified day in the notice, it shall be presumed that the candidate has failed to maintain a day to day account of election expenditure as required under Section 77 of RP Act 1955. If the candidate does not produce the register after three days of serving of the notice, the permission given to the candidate for use of vehicle during election shall be withdrawn and the withdrawal of permission for the use of vehicle shall be intimated to all the Surveillance teams and Flying Squads and displayed on the notice board. Despite of the notice, if the candidate failed to produce the register of election expenditure for inspection, a complaint under Section 171-1 of IPC shall be filed in the competent court.

voters can freely come out on the polling day and exercise their franchise in a democratic manner. The village leaders and civil society organisation reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful, free and fair elections and expressed their full support in this endeavour.

Hands on demonstration on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to Election Observers for Kohima district by the Master Trainers at DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima on February 8.

WENN members with the participants at the workshop on Saturday. (NP)

DIMAPUR: Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer (DC & DEO),

Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan accompanied by Superintendent of Police Aotula

T. Imchen and Returning Officer for 37th Tyui A/C held a coordination meeting

(DIPR)

Bullets fired at Congress leader’s residence in Mnp

IMPHAL, FEB 12 ( AGENCIES): T he residence of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice president Hareshwar Goshwami came under attack late Saturday night when unidentified persons fired several rounds of bullets. However, no one was harmed in the shooting.

An FIR was also lodged at Porompat police station in this regard, reports The Indian Express. The incident comes two days after two BJP youth leaders were assaulted by armed miscreants.

Condemning the attack, former Chief Minister of Manipur and CLP leader O Ibobi Singh on Sunday said that the Congress party will not be deterred by such threats. The incident will

Modi’s speeches based on falsehood: Ex-Tripura CM Manik Sarkar

AGARTALA, FEB 12

(IANS): Former Tripura Chief Minister and opposition leader Manik Sarkar while reacting strongly to the statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two election rallies in Tripura, said the PM gave speeches based on “falsehood” and tried to hide the “misrule” of the BJP government in the state.

Sarkar, a CPI(M) politburo member, said that a Prime Minister should not make statements on the basis of falsehood and he should not misguide the people.

only strengthen the party’s courage, he said, adding that police will nab the perpetrators soon.

Claiming that the public’s faith in democracy is at risk, the CLP leader said that “dictatorship” will not last long in a sensitive zone like Manipur.

“There will be a certain limit where the public would

not be able to tolerate such a system anymore. Let the arrest of those perpetrators who attack Congress be a turning point for reviving democracy in Manipur,” Ibobi added.

Decrying the attack, locals of Meihoubam Lampak staged a sit-in protest at the community hall in Imphal East.

He said that when he was the Chief Minister (1998-2018), he approached the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to supply electricity to Bangladesh and after that so many meetings were held in 2013-14 during the Left Front government rule while Modi claimed that electricity supply to the neighbouring

country started after the BJP government cam in Tripura in 2018.

Sarkar said that the decades-old insurgency was tamed during the Left Front rule and Tripura was the first state in the country to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) on May 27, 2015.

“Modi once called a meeting of Chief Ministers and asked me how the Left government tamed the insurgency in Tripura. On his request I gave him a detailed report about the Left government’s initiative to tame the militancy.

“Over 350 party members, supporters, Left leaders and workers, including a minister were killed by the militants in Tripura. When the entire country knows about the performance of the Left government to curb the militancy, Modi alleges that there was no peace in the Left regime,” the former Chief Minister said.

TMC ‘playing game’ to help BJP in Tripura: Congress

NEW DELHI/AGARTALA, FEB 12 (PTI):

The Trinamool Congress is “playing a game” to support the BJP in Tripura but will not be able to hamper the Congress-Left alliance’s chances in the assembly polls, the state’s AICC in-charge Ajoy Kumar said on Sunday.

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at the LeftCongress alliance, Kumar asserted that the tie-up was on a strong footing in the state as there was “political commonness” between the Congress and the CPI(M) in Tripura.

“You see the crowds (for Left-Congress alliance), see on the ground. The leaders may have small issues but the cadre people are all together. I have been travelling all over Tripura, it is quite heartening to see that,” he told PTI in a telephonic interview from Agartala.

Asked about the Tip-

ra Motha party gaining ground in the tribal belt and if that will affect the LeftCongress, Kumar pointed to the head of CPI(M) in Tripura, Jitendra Chowdhury, being a tribal leader.

“He (Chaudhary) is actually a leader who speaks their (tribals’) language. He is the son of the soil. So I think the tribals are also understanding that Jitendra Chowdhury represents the actual tribal aspirations,” Kumar asserted. The tribals are shifting towards Chowdhury and the Congress leadership, he claimed.

In the 60-member Tripura assembly, 20 seats are reserved for tribal areas.

On the TMC making a fray in Tripura and if it will damage the LeftCongress’ chances, Kumar said, “I don’t think so (it will hamper Left-Congress chances). I think the TMC is playing a game to support the BJP, that’s my analysis.”

Pressed further on it, he claimed that “something is going on between the TMC and the BJP because all the Enforcement Directorate cases have been closed (against TMC leaders)”.

Kumar exuded confidence that the Left-Congress will form the next government in Tripura,

He said the main issue is of the BJP’s “false promises” and the “highest unemployment” being in Tripura.

Kumar also alleged that nothing was done for farmers, teachers and

MDA government worked overtime to ensure peace: Meghalaya CM

Correspondent

TURA (MEGHALAYA),

FEB 12: Chief Minister

Conrad K Sangma on Sunday said the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has been proactive and worked overtime to ensure peace prevails in the State.

“Many might have thought that the State is prone to insurgency and will remain the same, however, we were committed to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevails in the State. Our intelligence is always on alert to extortion and other anti-social activities, and we have been able to bust such cases to ensure that such activities do not occur,” he said, addressing an election meeting at Thakurbari area in South Tura Constituency.

Referring to the pressure groups-sponsored violence in Meghalaya’s state capital, Shillong, the NPP chief said people fear to walk in the streets of Shillong after certain instances.

There are many instances of law and order problems, but it doesn’t mean that the Govt has been silent. Our police have

worked overtime to overcome the situation to ensure that peace could be restored during such a situation,” he assured.

Talking about his government’s vision to have Meghalaya among the top 10 states in the country, he said, “Many ridiculed our vision. We have endured that we have made Meghalaya proud in various sectors.”

The Chief Minister said Meghalaya was ranked best in start-up ecosystem in the country, improved its rank from 27 to 2nd today in Immunisation, through the JJM scheme it connected 2.5 lakh plus households with water pipe connections from 4000 in 2018.

“Our government has worked on a mission mode

GUWAHATI, FEB 12 (PTI): An earthquake of 4 magnitude hit the central part of Assam on Sunday, an official bulletin said.

There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, it said.

The earthquake was recorded at 4:18 pm, and the epicentre was in Nagaon district on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river, the National Center for Seismology said in a report. It also said

with set targets to ensure that Meghalaya is put on a fast track mode. People have changed their mindset to achieve the desired targets,” he said.

Talking about the development in his constituency of South Tura in 5 years, Sangma said people have been demanding Street lights, community hall, access to water, approach road to the locality in South Tura, once these were completed in many localities, there was one particular locality that even demanded for a swimming pool.

“People’s expectations in Tura have raised, people of Tura were deprived for years, but today we have managed to ensure that people’s aspirations were fulfilled. We have managed to ensure visible development in Tura through the Smart Town project, Town beautification,” he said.

The Chief Minister further informed that over 250 internal locality roads are undergoing construction in Tura, and 70-80 percent of the population in Tura has access to piped water connection.

the depth of the quake was 10 km.

The epicentre was around 160 km east of Guwahati, near Hojai in central Assam.

People in the neighbouring West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat and Morigaon districts also felt the tremor, besides those in Sonitpur on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river. The northeastern states fall in the high seismic zone, and earthquakes frequently hit the region.

children by the BJP government.

He claimed that political violence is the highest in Tripura and “jungle raj” was prevailing there.

“People are disgusted, I got attacked. One can imagine if somebody like me got attacked, what would be the situation of the common people. Girls are raped, body is found 50 metres from a police station, they burn offices, attack people, law and order has collapsed,” the Congress leader said, slamming the BJP.

He said Congress has promised a return to the Old Pension Scheme, will support children’s education, provide Rs 12,000 a year to the women of BPL families and give free electricity of 150 units.

Asked about Prime Minister Modi’s remarks that the Congress and Left have strangely chosen dosti’ (friendship) in the northeastern state as against their

normal kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala, Kumar said there is “political commonness” that the Congress has with the CPI(M) in Tripura. “We are fighting an evil force and we need to fight together. We need to save democracy and we need to save the people,” he said.

The CPI(M) will contest 43 seats, the Congress 13, while other constituents of the alliance — the Forward Bloc, RSP and the CPI — will be contesting in one seat each. The alliance is supporting an independent candidate in the Ramnagar constituency in West Tripura.

The voting for the 60-member assembly will be held on February 16 and counting of votes will take place on March 2.

In 2018, the BJP had stormed to power, gobbling up most of the Congress vote and partially cutting into the CPI(M)’s vote bank.

Modi said there was no democracy in Tripura during the Left regime and if it is true how the BJP government came to power when the CPI(M)-led Left government was in power in 2018, Sarkar asked. “After the BJP government came to power, a jungle raj has been started. There is some discipline in the jungle (forest) but there is no rule of law in Tripura now under the saffron party governance.”

Referring to Modi’s criticism against the LeftCongress seat adjustment

deal, the CPI(M) leader said that the strategy was taken only to defeat the BJP and to restore democracy and rule of law in Tripura.

“A fear of defeat gripped the minds of Modi and that was reflected in his speeches. The BJP gave 299 commitments before the 2018 Assembly polls and he (PM) did not refer to the failure of BJP in fulfilling these pre-poll promises,” said Sarkar.

He said that after 2018, all the elections conducted in the state were totally rigged by the miscreants of ruling party and made these into a total farce, he said adding that after the BJP came to power, all the political, democratic and constitutional rights of the opposition parties were suppressed and hundreds of party offices were vandalized or set fire in broad daylight.

The former Chief Minister said that the BJP gov-

ernment made the police a “wooden doll” and whenever any attacks and atrocities took place by the BJP members and their goons, police remained silent.

He also said that whatever PM tried to convince the people of the state, nothing would happen as people of the state were determined to oust the BJP government in the February 16 elections. He also raised questions over the deployment of security forces from the BJP ruled Gujarat and Assam in the election duties in Tripura instead of the central forces. Congress leader and former BJP government Minister Sudip Roy Barman also said that the Prime Minister’s speeches were full of falsehood and misinformation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed two election rallies in southern Tripura’s Udaipur and in Dhalai district headquarters Ambassa.

CHANDIPUR (AGARTALA), FEB 12 (PTI): Tripura is faced with “triple trouble” from the Congress, CPI(M) and Tipra Motha in the ensuing assembly elections, and only a double-engine BJP government can protect the state from it, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday. Shah also said that the Left, which betrayed tribals for long in Tripura, is now projecting a tribal leader as the chief ministerial face to “dupe” people.

“If you want to be rescued from this ‘triple trouble’, vote for the double-engine BJP government,” Shah told a tally here in Unakoti district.

Jitendra Choudhury is among the top CPI(M) leaders from the tribal community, and is being seen as a leading contender for the chief ministerial post

in case the Left-Congress alliance comes to power in Tripura.

Shah also claimed that Communists earlier launched several attacks on Congress workers, but now the two have stitched an alliance ahead of the polls. He said the coming together of the Congress and the Left was an indication they have conceded defeat to the BJP in the polls.

The CPI(M) and the Congress are jointly contesting the elections to

the 60-member assembly, which will be held on February 16.

Shah alleged that people in Tripura had to turn to “CPI(M) cadres” for availing government services before, but the situation changed after the BJP came to power.

“BJP took initiatives to construct roads, provide facilities for clean drinking water and bring electrification in remote places, aiming at the holistic development of the poor, the middle-class and tribals,” he said.

The Union minister said that crime rate has reduced 30 per cent after the BJP assumed power in Tripura, where it also took measures to restore peace by bringing the NLFT insurgents into the mainstream, besides rehabilitating thousands of Brus in the state from Mizoram.

Assam: AAP demands JPC probe into Adani-Hindenburg issue

GUWAHATI, FEB 12

(PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday staged a protest here, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the allegations of malpractices against the Adani group in the Hindenburg Research report.

Workers of the party tried to march towards the Assam BJP headquarters on National Highway-27 in the Basistha area but were stopped by the police around 50 metres away from

Correspondent

GUWAHATI, FEB 12 (PTI): The recent arrests of over 3,000 people allegedly involved in child marriages in Assam has created a divide in the civil society, with a section asserting that mere law enforcement cannot be the solution while some arguing that at least the law is being discussed and may prove to be a deterrent.

More than 3,000 people allegedly associated with child marriages have been apprehended so far across Assam, and lodged in temporary jails, sparking protests by women who decried the arrest of sole breadwinners of their families.

Human rights lawyer

Debasmita Ghosh said that once a marriage is consummated, the law considers it to be valid and children born out of such unions enjoy all legal rights. “The law states that a child marriage is voidable only if a petition is filed before a district court by the person who was a child at the time of the marriage and

the place.

“We picked up many protesters and took them in a bus to the designated dharna site at Chachal. They were released there,” a senior police officer said.

“We demand a JPC probe into the latest allegations of malpractices in Adani stocks,” an AAP member said.

The protesters also raised slogans against the ruling BJP and billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani.

Adani Group stocks

if the petitioner is a minor, it can be filed through his or her guardian,” she told PTI.

If the petition is being filed by the person who was married as a child, it must be done so within two years of the person attaining adulthood, Ghosh said.

“In most of the arrests made, the couples may be adults now and if they have not filed petitions for annulling their marriages, the state has no business to interfere in their personal lives,” Ghosh added. Besides, the law was enacted in 2006 and the name itself suggests marriages should be ‘prohibited’ but why was it not done so by agencies responsible for it? she questioned. Eminent academician Manorama Sarma said child marriages must end but this is a social evil, not a law and order problem. “Taking care of women’s education, health facilities and access to livelihood is the way to end it and not by implementing a law retrospectively. It should be strictly implemented pro-

ing fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation. The Gautam Adani-led group has dismissed the allegations.

The opposition parties have alleged that the meltdown in Adani Group shares is a scam that involves common people’s money as “LIC and SBI have invested in them”.

These parties have also been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the issue. had taken a beating on the bourses after the US-based Hindenburg Research made several allegations, includ-

causes

spectively,” the retired professor said.

Women rights activist Anurita Pathak Hazarika said a sociological analysis of child marriages must be looked into from the “gender lens and how inequality has an impact on these practices”. Awareness on such issues, including sexual reproductive health rights, must be institutionalised by including it in the school curricula, she added.

Child rights activist Miguel Das Queah said, “The state government definitely wanted to send out a strong message that child marriages must stop but it should have taken into consideration the protests that would take place following such action.” “Police face stiff resistance when they try to prevent a child marriage. In this case, so many people have been arrested, there were bound to be protests. The campaign should have been better planned,” Queah, the founder of Universal Team for Social Action and Help (UTSAH) said.

Sikkim top official chairs preparatory meeting for G20

GANGTOK, FEB 11

(PTI): Sikkim’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) A. Sudhakar Rao on Saturday presided over a preparatory meeting for G20 related events at Pakyong Airport.

The meeting was called to review the reception arrangements to be made by 21 communities of Sikkim for the visiting delegates from G20 countries.

The officials also discussed preparation, beautification, transportation as well as medical assistance

for the G20 events. The ACS (Home Department) along with other senior officials inspected the arrangements at the airport for the G20 Delegates. Sikkim will host two G20 events, Business (B20) and Startup 20, on March 16 and March 18 respectively, and will showcase to the world the culture and tradition of the Himalayan state and its progress since its merger with India in 1975, the Information and Public Relations Department said in an oficial release.

Affid Avit I, Shri Alemyapang, S/o Watimongba, resident of Khensa Village, Mokokchung, Nagaland declare through an Affidavit No-D(E) 23 dated 11.02.2023 that my name inadvertently appeared as “ALEMYAPANG AO” in my service book/ sheet. Both the names ‘ALEMYAPANG’ and ‘ALEMYAPANG AO’ refers to the same person i.e. me. Henceforth I will use my name as ALEMYAPANG for all official and other purposes.

Only double-engine BJP govt can protect Tripura from ‘triple trouble’, says Shah

Earthquake of 4 magnitude hits parts of Assam; epicentre near Hojai

Child marriage: Assam CSO says arrests not only solution, need to address

Hareshwar Goshwami

Manik Sarkar

Conrad K Sangma

Amit Shah

Ajoy Kumar

AAP Protest against BJP in Guwahati.

SNIPPETS

Tigress found dead in Corbett reserve

RISHIKESH, FEB 12

(PTI): A tigress was found dead in the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve on Sunday, an official said. The carcass was found in an area close to the Badangarh canal in Almora forest division from where the half eaten body of a woman was recovered on Thursday, Chief Conservator of Forests (Kumaon) Prasanna Kumar Patra said. The area falls in the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve, he said.

Vax of girls against cervical cancer to begin

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

(PTI): The government is likely to begin administering anti-cervical cancer vaccine in girls aged nine to 14 years in six states in June, official sources said on Sunday. In the first phase of the vaccination campaign, 2.55 crore girls are targeted to be administered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, an official source told PTI.

Pak-based handlers pushing drugs into J&K

SRINAGAR, FEB 12 (IANS): Pakistan-based handlers are pushing drugs into Jammu and Kashmir to spread drug addiction among youth, police said on Sunday after arresting drug peddlers from Baramulla district. Police said in a major breakthrough, four drug peddlers were arrested in Baramulla and a huge consignment of contraband, along with cash, was recovered from their possession.

First meeting of G-20’s AWG in Indore

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (IANS): Under India’s G-20 chairmanship, the first meeting of the Agriculture Working Group will be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore from February 13 to 15 with around 100 delegates from G-20 member states, guest countries and international organizations expected to participate. Under the direction of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, preparations for the meeting have been completed in collaboration with the local administration and the state government.

Cong ignored dev in border areas: PM

DAUSA, FEB 12 (PTI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of underestimating the valour of the armed forces and said its governments did not carry out development work in border areas, fearing the enemy could exploit the new roads to advance into the country.

He was addressing a BJP rally here, soon after a ceremony around a kilometre away to inaugurate the first phase of the DelhiMumbai Expressway, which he said would accelerate the development of Rajasthan as well.

Modi also accused the Congress government in Rajasthan, where assembly polls are due this year-end, of lacking vision and hindering the state’s development, and said its plans and announcements remained just on paper.

Modi said Rajasthan would have progressed better if it had the double-engine government of the BJP, referring to the possibility of his party being in power both at the Centre and in

the state.

He alleged previous Congress governments did not carry out development work in border villages and areas “because they were scared, and they have said in parliament that what will happen if the enemy comes on the roads made by us.”

“The Congress has always underestimated the valour and bravery of our soldiers. Our forces know how to stop the enemy at the border and give them a befitting reply,” he said.

The prime minister said his government has cre-

ated a network of roads and rail in border areas in the last nine years.

Targeting Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for reading excerpts from previous year’s Budget while presenting the state’s 2023-24 Budget on Friday, Modi said, “Anybody can make a mistake, but this shows the Congress has neither vision nor gravitas (wajan) and its plans and announcements remained just on paper.”

The PM’s rally in Dausa in the politically significant eastern Rajasthan is

being seen as a BJP move to strengthen the party’s prospects in the region dominated by the Meena and Gurjar communities.

The BJP mobilised its supporters and workers from eastern Rajasthan for this rally. State BJP chief Satish Poonia visited Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur districts before the rally to ensure the event is well-attended.

In the 2018 assembly elections, most seats in eastern Rajasthan were won by the Congress. The BJP is looking to strengthen its base in the region.

Before addressing the rally, Modi inaugurated the first phase of the DelhiMumbai Expressway. The PM pressed the button of a remote to mark the foundation laying/inauguration of four projects worth more than Rs 18,000 crore. He said the 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section will reduce the travel time between Jaipur and Delhi sharply, and will bring new tourism and employment opportunities to the youths in Rajasthan.

UP ‘capable and ready’ to become India’s growth engine: Prez Murmu

LUCKNOW, FEB 12

(PTI): Hailing the Uttar Pradesh government for successfully holding the Global Investors Summit, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said the state is “capable and ready” to become India’s growth engine. She said that through the summit the state got investment proposals worth Rs 35.5 lakh crore.

Addressing the valedictory session of the Global Investors Summit here, President Murmu said she was glad to note that many countries showed their interest in the growth and development of Uttar Pradesh.

“Uttar Pradesh, which is at the top population wise, is also the first in the country in economic contributions. I appreciate farmers and entrepreneurs of the state for this. To play the role of India’s growth engine, Uttar Pradesh is ‘saksham’ (capable) and ‘taiyar’ (ready),” Murmu said.

The president said the state ranks first in India in many areas in terms of

contribution to the country’s economy.

“Uttar Pradesh ranks first in India in total production of food grains, including wheat. It also ranks first in the country in the production of sugarcane and potato. In the production of mango and peas also, this state contributes the most,” she said. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh is the leader in milk production, she said, adding

BJP’s view on Guv appointments: Elections, unity were chief factors

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

(AGENCIES): The appointment of some of the new Governors on Sunday may be an indicator of the BJP’s attempts to set its house in order in some states while, according to insiders, a couple of decisions may have been taken with coming Assembly elections in mind, reports Indian Express. New Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly and was being viewed as one of the chief ministerial aspirants in the state, where elections will be held later this year.

With Meghalaya and Nagaland set to vote in the Assembly elections on February 27, sources in the BJP said the party wanted ex -

perienced hands in the Raj Bhavan of the two states. Both states have a history of political instability and frequent political re-alignments and governors can play a key role in the post-poll scenario. While Phagu Chouhan, currently the Governor of Bihar, has been sent to Meghalaya, La Ganesan, who was the governor of Manipur and served in an interim capacity in West Bengal, has been appointed the Governor of Nagaland.

Former LS MP and senior BJP leader C P Radhakrishnan’s exit from the Tamil Nadu unit could consolidate the position of state president K Annamalai.

According to party sources, Radhakrishnan had “differences” with the state president and had “reser -

vations” about his style of functioning.

“The BJP leadership is quite happy with the way Annamalai functions and leads the state unit. The leadership’s move to appoint Annamalai as the co-incharge for the Karnataka election is an indication of it. Radhakrishnan, a loyal and committed party worker has now been placated,” said a party leader familiar with the developments. Radhakrishnan won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat twice – 1998 and 1999 – and played a key role in building the party organisation in the state. He was also the state unit president and was in charge of Kerala for the BJP.

There has been speculation in party circles that

the BJP leadership may field Annamalai from Coimbatore.

Former Union Minister and the BJP’s current chief whip in Rajya Sabha Shiv Pratap Shukla’s appointment as the governor of Himachal Pradesh was along expected lines, said party sources. “It could be a reward for his commitment and dedication to the party and its ideology,” said a leader from Uttar Pradesh. Shukla has a strong background in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Another big announcement was moving Ramesh Bais from the Raj Bhavan in Jharkhand to Maharashtra. Bais, who had a spectacular record in electoral politics, won the Raipur constituency in Chhattisgarh seven

Cong slams govt over ex-SC judge’s appointment as Gov

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

(PTI): The Congress on Sunday attacked the government over the appointment of retired Supreme Court judge S Abdul Nazeer as a governor by citing the late BJP leader Arun Jaitley’s remarks against such appointments, and called the

move a “great threat” to the independence of the judiciary.

The government on Sunday appointed six new

faces as governors, including Nazeer, who was part of the historic 2019 Ayodhya verdict, and four BJP leaders, besides carrying out a rejig of the gubernatorial posts in seven states. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tagged a video on Twitter of former Union minister Arun Jaitley saying in 2012 that “pre-retirement judgements are influenced by post-retirement jobs”.

“Adequate proof of

times. He was at the centre of the political drama that unfolded in Jharkhand last year after the Election Commission (EC) sent its opinion in an office-of-profit case involving Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Considered to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bais drew flak from Opposition parties for his conflicts with the Soren government. When he sat over the EC recommendations, he was criticised for “buying time “ for the BJP to break away MLAs from both the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) led by Soren and the Congress.

Meanwhile, Anusuya Uikey has been moved from Chhattisgarh to Manipur. Sources said there had been “complaints” from the state

this in the past 3-4 years for sure,” Ramesh tweeted along with the video. Asked about Nazeer’s appointment, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said at a press conference, “One of your (BJP) tall leaders sadly no more with us, Arun Jaitley, on September 5, 2013 in the House and several times outside stated that ‘the desire of a postretirement job influences pre-retirement judgements”.

BJP against the Raj Bhavan. Uikey, who is from an Adivasi community, had been the Governor of Chhattisgarh since 2019 and last year, in the run-up to the presidential elections, she was seen as a possible candidate for Rashtrapati Bhavan. Despite speculation about former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh being appointed Governor, his name was not there on the list. BJP sources had earlier said that Singh, whose Punjab Lok Congress merged with the BJP to “fight for Punjab”, would be offered a constitutional post or a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Although there were reports that he would replace Koshiyari as the Governor of Maharashtra, Singh dismissed them.

that being rich in agricultural products, the state has a lot of potential for agrobased enterprises. Murmu, during her address, said she was happy to note that sessions such as ‘Leveraging Food Basket of India: Opportunity for Food Processing’ and ‘Unlocking Opportunities in Dairy and Animal Husbandry Sector’ were organised during the summit.

NIA arrests two terror suspects

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday said two terror suspects who were planning to leave for Afghanistan were arrested in a case related to activities of the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) aimed at radicalising and provoking the youth to indulge in acts of terrorism in the country. Mohd Arif, a resident of Bengaluru, and Hamraz Worshid Shaikh of Maharashtra were in online contact with foreign-based handlers affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisations, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The duo were picked up for questioning on Saturday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB 12 (IANS):

Lashing out against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala is a safe place to reside for people of all castes, creed and religions.

He was responding to a speech of Amit Shah at Puthur in Mangalore on Saturday in which the Union Minister had warned the people that if the BJP didnot return back to power, the state would be like Kerala.

Vijayan, while speaking at a public function in Kottayam, said that the Union Home Minister had said that he does not want to speak further on Kerala and asked the Union minister what was there to speak.

He said that Kerala was

a place where there was no demarcation among anyone and people were living in close amity in the state.

The Kerala Chief Minister also said that unemployment and poverty were at their zenith in the country and added that the administration must be for the poor and not for the well-to-do people. He also said that those who cannot properly administer the country were trying to create a wedge between people in a communal manner and added that Kerala was an exception to such matters.

The Kerala Chief Minister also said that the people of the state will not allow the state to change from the present situation of people living in harmony and amity.

Modi being welcomed by party leaders in Dausa, Sunday. (PTI)

President Murmu felicitated by Adityanath at the closing ceremony of UP Global Investors Summit, Sunday. (PTI)

Vijayan slams Shah, says Kerala is a safe place to live in

Pinarayi Vijayan and Amit Shah

Jairam Ramesh

Cleaning the backyard

Appeals to village and colony members to uphold clean election in the current campaigning, appears to be slowly making sense on people. However the number is too few and may not make much impact. Nevertheless a beginning has been made after the issue was taken up by the NBCC in 2012. Elections in Nagaland have been linked with unethical and rampant malpractices which led Nagaland to be socially corrupted, morally bankrupt, and politically visionless. Achieving clean election is not only curbing the use of money power, muscle power and diktats issued by villages and communities favouring a particular candidate. As it is being made out to be, clean election is understood mainly in the context of not using money or other means such as threat or force with the help of gangs. Diktats issued in favour or any particular candidate by village or colony residents is also a common feature of election in Nagaland which is also a violation of election laws. The other important objective of clean election is also about weeding out corrupt and criminal elements. Some candidates could be convicted of offenses but who may have not served prison sentences. The most unfortunate aspect of violation of the core principle of election is how erstwhile government employees who are known to be corrupt are never brought to book. These former government employees who have looted several crores of rupees then contest elections and win by buying votes. The victory of corrupt elements is a defeat for people and their efforts to achieve clean election. The practise of ‘note for vote’ comes at a very high price-loss of accountability- since it is responsible for the serious problem which has totally eroded public value and esteem of a sacrosanct forum or the assembly. It also true that electoral malpractices in the form of bogus voters list, proxy voting, booth capturing, intimidation of voters through display of deadly arsenal, use of armed miscreants to abduct agents and workers, diktats , bribes etc have plagued elections since the mid-70s and spread across the state. Like in 2018, campaigning this time, has been low key as the months ahead of the ECI announcement for polls, were dominated by the uncertainty that there might be no election and especially when all tribal hohos including civil society groups with the full backing of Naga national political groups(NNPGs) demanded that the Centre defer election so as to focus only on solution to the Naga political issue. The candidates who use money to buy votes and muscle power are those who know they have to win by hook and by crook, more so through the latter. People know what are electoral malpractices but unfortunately, since such malpractices are today no longer seen as evil because they have been practised for several decades. These malpractices been tolerated and turned into acceptable practices and therefore, considered as “necessary evils” to win election. Of course, the sum total of a clean election rests on the premise that it will facilitate the entry and electoral success of people with impeccable integrity into the system. Aside from the desire for clean election, the people need to work out and prepare the ground at various levels to ensure that corruption in any form is considered an arch enemy of society.

DailyDevotion

Are You Listening to God?

They said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

—Exodus 20:19

We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God— we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them— not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Once we realize we have constantly been showing disrespect to God, we will be filled with shame and humiliation for ignoring Him.

“You speak with us,…but let not God speak with us….” We show how little love we have for God by preferring to listen to His servants rather than to Him. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don’t want God Himself to speak to us. Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey. But if it is simply one of God’s servants speaking to us, we feel obedience is optional, not imperative. We respond by saying, “Well, that’s only your own idea, even though I don’t deny that what you said is probably God’s truth.”

Am I constantly humiliating God by ignoring Him, while He lovingly continues to treat me as His child?

Once I finally do hear Him, the humiliation I have heaped on Him returns to me. My response then becomes, “Lord, why was I so insensitive and obstinate?”

This is always the result once we hear God. But our real delight in finally hearing Him is tempered with the shame we feel for having taken so long to do so.

Quotes

Pvt trillions drop in ocean poor, jobless drain up

Investment is pouring in the largest state of Uttar Pradesh. The figures are mind boggling. In run up to the Global Investors Summit, begins on Feb 10, the state claims receiving Rs 1.68 lakh crore through Nivesh Sarathi portal. This is in addition to Rs 1.88 lakh supposed to have poured in between 2018 and 2021. MoUs worth Rs Rs 1.25 lakh crore more are reported to have been signed by the Yogi Adityanath government bid to mop up Rs 10 lakh crore. Yes, Yogi is helping Prime Minister Narendra Modi in building up a $5 trillion economy by making UP itself a $ 1 trillion one. It will create 5.5 lakh jobs, UP claims.

But kharif losses and high poverty cause drain on state finances. The Yogi government is on a spree to show case its efforts. The political show Bharat Jodo Yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been harping that jobs are fewer and the country must have more avenues for youth’s progress.

Most top industries have reportedly made a beeline but no detail of

investment is available from the Adani group. The group after rally in its shares for two days has again been losing at the bourse. Last year, Adani pledged over Rs 700 billion. Not known if it is done. The mega shows have a pattern in UP since mid 1990s. Lots are promised. Even at the summit inauguration, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani promise Rs 75000 crore as part of his ongoing investments in the state. So did Kumar Mangalam Birla, who said the Birla Group had invested Rs 40,000 crore in the state and may put in Rs 25,000 crore more. Actual figures may vary. In 2022-23, UP claims to have emerged as the third largest state with nominal GDP of Rs 20.48 lakh crore. How much is the actual money pouring in remains unclear. In 1990s, as chief minister then Mulayam Singh Yadav announced figures of Rs 54000 to Rs 57000 crore a number of times being invested through the MoUs. The real figures were always far less.

On the job scenario, UP has been lagging. Unemployment moved up from

2.1percent in July 2017 to 21.5 percent in April 2020, at the peak of covid19 pandemonium, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). Now it has come down to 4.33 percent after fluctuating during January- December 2022. The figures show a gradual rise despite state government steps. It has come out with a new MSME policy after a large number suffered heavily since 2019. Small businesses have been hit disproportionately hard by the continuing power crisis, with several having to shut operations during outages, causing production losses, and others with power backup forced to bear increased costs during the second half of April, when cuts were more frequent and prolonged, say industry executives.“Power outages lead to loss of production opportunities and the usage of power backups nearly doubles the cost of power,” says Anil Bhardwaj, secretary general of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small and Medium En-

terprises (FISME). He says the cost of power soars to Rs12–13 per unit in case of power backups from the Rs 8 per unit generally charged by distribution companies is one of the highest. The GST also hit them.

Shivaji Sarkar

The high fuel and power rates have adverse impact on the sustenance of the smaller units. As cost of production rises, they have to work on thin margins. It also affects employment potential as there is cut on manpower. Job creation might remain a problem.

For this purpose the state is trying to boost the real estate sector. Chief Minister Yogi Ayadityanth says that to promote the real estate sector, it has charted out plans to buy 43000 acres of land for Rs 7.3 trillion –robbing Peter to pay Paul. It deprives farmers of land and create new job seekers. The state is planning to build about 6.4 million new housing units. The state government, however, claims that 4.5 lakh jobs have been provided to youth in the last five years in the government sector, and many more in

the private sector. It refutes the CMIE figures.

In UP, the number of unemployed persons – those without jobs but willing to work – has risen from about 40 lakh in January-April

2017 to nearly 56 lakh in May-August 2021, as per CMIE. There is also pressure on the rural and agriculture sector as the post-covid19 situation has hit them hard.

Kharif production has also suffered. The government is keen on bridging the gap and is showcasing projects like rapid rail and metro though in most UP cities metro is running at loss with poor ridership. Now a section in the government admits that instead of high-investment metro they could have gone for trams.

The Jewar international airport project being built by the Tatas is yet another blockbuster. The massive takeover of land all over the state for toll roads, metro, airports is expected to yield political dividends in run up to the 2024 elections. Infra is draining state’s finances

The state has acute poverty. Its 37.79 percent of the population is extremely poor. Another 44.47 percent

is malnourished. It is the highest in the country after Bihar and Jharkhand. This is being reflected in growing demand of the people for MNREGA jobs. Due to lack of recovery in other states, they could not migrate. In many districts like Jhansi, Lalitpur in the arid Banda region, the demand has quadrupled and more are flocking with job. The district officials say that till a few months back there were about 8000 job seekers and now it has swelled to around 31000. It is as per the countrywide trend of rise by 20.9 percent. The demand has increased with the fall in farm and construction sector demand. This indicates a difficult economic scenario. Despite private sector investment promises it may not be easy for the most populous state to maintain its finances. The state has public debt of 32.5 percent. With not much state enterprises left, depending on the private sector is its compulsion. Its police force lags in investigations due to lack of funds. Private investments may look good but can hardly support the functioning of the state.

National Christian Council memo to MoS John Barla

Thank you very much for taking your precious time to attend the inaugural program of National Christian Council on Wholistic Peace &Progress dated 12 February 2023 which shows your love and concern for minorities in India which is a great source of encouragement to help us to support the ministry of minority affairs Your openness to help the minorities will be recorded in National Christian Council history and will be remembered with much prayer, love and gratitude.

Please allow us to bring to your kind notice the following is-

sues for the ministry of minority affairs to look into urgently. Your prompt action will be a great help to the minorities in India which will help in maintaining very good reputation for ministry of minority affairs and government of India ministry as whole.

1.Protection for minorities Since many minorities are mistreated and harmed in many places, we request the Ministry of Minority Affairs to provide in every village, towns and cities in India much needed 24x7 emergency helpline for minorities with special security force to come to their immediate help.

2.Medical treatment for injured minorities. Many minorities are getting seriously injured by humans, animals and natural calamities. We request the ministry of minority affairs toprovide free and full medical treatment to such injured minorities.

3. Compensation for minorities’lost of properties.

Many minorities’ properties are damaged by humans, animals and natural calamities. We request the ministry of minority affaire to give sufficient compensation for the property lost.

4. Improve budget fund allotment for minorities. Many

of the minorities are poor and needy people and are greatly in need help Therefore, we request the ministry of minority affairs to increase the budget funds for minority instead of decreasing it.

5. Increase financial assistance for minority business community. We request the ministry of minority affairs to increase financing schemes for the minority business community to help them contribute significantly in developing the Indian economy.

6. Protect Schedule Tribe status. We request the ministry of minority affairs to protect the Schedule Tribe status for all

Schedule Tribes regardless of religion.

7. To make fund available for historical writing and other literary works for minorities in northeast India so that it will be incorporated in the local and national academic curriculum. Kindly be assured of our prayer and support. God bless you and precious family and ministry. With respect and gratitude.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Sam Paul, Founder President, Rev. N.K. Gurung, President North East India, Rev. Dr. Thungdemo, President Nagaland

Bharat Ratna Khan a man of unity and integrity

It is a matter of those days, only a few years had passed since Mahatma Gandhi had returned from South Africa. Soon the discussion of non-violent Satyagraha being run by him started happening all around.

This word also reached the Pashtun Pathan tribe on the border of Afghanistan, hundreds of miles away.

An educated young man from the same clan liked Gandhi’s philosophy based on truth, non-violence so much that he has now made public service the goal of his life. Seeing the sacrifice and sacrifice of this Pathan, people went ahead and gave him the title of ‘Border Gandhi’.

The full name of this young man was ‘Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’. People also fondly called him as Bacha Khan or Badshah Khan.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar was born on 6 February 1890 in the Frontier Province (present day Pakistan).

Father ‘Behram Khan’ was a person of efficacy and prestige. He was sent to study in a missionary school. After this he came to Aligarh for higher education. Badshah Khan, who had a tall stature, actually wanted to become an officer in the army.

Once saw an Indian officer being insulted by an English officer. Losing his self-respect, why would it be wasteful to give him a job in the British Army? At the same time, he renounced the idea of British army job from his heart forever.

Badshah Khan was born in the Pashtun Pathan tribe of the Frontier Province. There was lack of education and modern values of life. People were divided

among themselves in the name of tribes. Weapons and violence used to go hand in hand.

Maintaining family enmity, taking revenge on each other was also common. The condition of women was even more pathetic. In these difficult circumstances, Badshah Khan decided to bring public awareness among these Pathans.

Now his age was only 20 years. First of all, he opened a school in 1910 for the education of girls. After this, an organization named ‘Afghan Reform Society’ was formed. Slowly the local people started joining them.

He felt very sad to see the plight of his people. He knew that once he was successful in winning the hearts of these Pathans, then no one could stop him from making a change. He used to go from village to village in a group and gather people.

In his speeches, he often emphasized that “we should spend the rest of our life, time and money for the betterment of our nation.

Try to remove social evils. This is the only difference between human and Evil, who lives only for himself. One’s effort to improve its’ own life is animal instincts”. With his effective speeches, he used to inspire people to live for the sake of others.

In 1929, he formed an organization named Khudai Khidmatgar. Khudai Khidmatgar means one who serves God, but why does God need anyone’s service? To serve the servants of God is to serve God. The two important goals of this organization were service work and

freedom from the slavery of the British government. The conditions for joining the Khudai Khidmatgars were to follow the path of non-violence throughout life and stay away from violence, to work for two hours a day whether rich or poor, to follow simplicity and truthfulness in life, not to have any discrimination among themselves and Wearing red kurti as an identity.

Badshah Khan used to go from village to village and make the Pathans realize the slavery of the British. At the same time, he used to introduce them to education and modern life values.

Hard from outside but very soft from inside, the charismatic effect of Badshah Khan’s words started appearing on the hearts of the Pathans.

Till yesterday, the Pathans used to wave their weapons in the air on this matter. Today, the same people would have remained steadfast on the front peacefully despite the oppression and oppression of the British.

Within a few years, hundreds of Khudai Khidmatgars started gathering against the British rule. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such an army of Khudai Khidmatgars got ready. Such an army which would be ready to lay down its life by following the path of truth and non-violence.

Seeing the spirit of these Satyagrahi activists, the British used to say, “Pathans who are inclined to violence can be stopped but it is more difficult to deal with these satyagrahis.”

To crush Badshah Khan’s movement, the British government chose the path of

repression.

Now again and again he would be arrested and sent to jail. In the cold winter nights, he used to sleep on the floor. In whichever jail Badshah Khan used to go as a prisoner, it would have been difficult to get clothes of his size. They often served long sentences in the same tight clothes. In the freedom movement, Badshah Khan was such a freedom fighter who spent the most of valuable years and part of his life in prison. Governments used to get scared just because of the presence of Badshah Khan in processions or marches. The British government would constantly keep an eye on his movement.

That’s why the British government kept him in jail for the whole 15 years. He did not get relief even after independence.

After partition, the Pakistan government did not like the independence of this Gandhian leader.

The governments here also made him suffer severe torture in jails for 15 years, his companions were also tortured a lot.

Despite this, Badshah Khan and his companions never adopted the path of violence. After a few years, Badshah Khan’s organization Khudai Khidmatgar and Congress merged.

Here too, due to their sense of service and nonviolence, the Khudai Khidmatgars had created a separate identity for themselves. Even after joining Congress, he remained like a soldier.

In the Wardha session of 1934, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was also offered the presidency of

the Congress. But Badshah Khan politely declined the offer saying “I am a soldier and want to remain a soldier”.

Once while talking to Gandhi ji, the topic of non-violence started being discussed. Badshah Khan asked Gandhiji “It is only a few years since we Pathans learned the lesson of nonviolence.

While you have been teaching the people here to adopt non-violence for many years. Despite this, during the ‘Quit India Movement’ in the area Violent incidents took place at many places.

On the other hand, in comparison, the Pathans of the border continued to bear the oppression of the British, but they did not take up arms in any case, even though they too had easily available weapons.”

Hearing the question, Gandhi smiled in his heart and said, “Badshah Khan……! To follow the path of non-violence is the work of the brave, not of the cowardly, Pathans are a braver community than others, this is the proof of this.”

Like Mahatma Gandhi, Badshah Khan did not want the country to be divided in the name of religion. He kept trying till the end that India remained united and one. But finally, the Congress and the Muslim League accepted the proposal of partition. As much as Gandhi was hurt by the partition of the country in the name of religion, border Gandhi was equally distraught and sad. With a faint heart, he would often say, “Nobody thought about us Pathans while taking the decision to partition India. We were

left to God’s mercy.”

If Badshah Khan wanted, he could have lived proudly in India after partition, but he was concerned about his Pathan brothers. Even after the formation of Pakistan, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan continued his struggle.

He continued to fight with the governments there for the rights of Pashtun Pathans. Even the Government of Pakistan termed him as an agent of India. He was tortured in jail for years. After being in prison for 30 years, his health was now beginning to deteriorated. Badshah Khan got a long life. As long as he remained active, he kept working for the country and the society.

In 1987, the Government of India honored him with the highest civilian award- Bharat Ratna Award.

A year after this, on January 20, 1988, at the age of 98, Badshah Khan left this world after living a struggle.

To be aware of a great personality like Sarhadi Gandhi means to remember the shared culture and history. The life of Sarhadi Gandhi, who died for Hindu-Muslim unity and integrity o f the country, instills a belief in us.

We can proudly say that Badshah Khan was like a shining star of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. Badshah Khan’s human friendship and love will be remembered on both sides of the border. Mukhtar Khan, Janwadi Lekhak Sangh, Maharashtra (Reference: From the autobiography of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan)

“This life’s hard, but it’s harder if you’re stupid.”

~ George V. Higgins

SNIPPETS

die in explosion

in firecracker godown

CHENNAI, FEB 12

(IANS): Three people died and seven people were injured in an explosion at a firecracker godown in Vaniyambadi, Tirupatthur district of Tamil Nadu. Police said that the explosion took place in the firecracker godown and investigation is on regarding the cause of the explosion.

Man wanted in cop’s suicide case arrested

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

(IANS): A man, who was carrying a reward of Rs 20,000 on his head in connection with the suicide case of a woman Delhi Police Constable, was arrested by the Crime Branch from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, official said on Sunday. A senior police official said that the accused was identified as Sonu Bhalotiya (27). The official said that the accused was declared proclaimed offender and a cash reward of Rs 20,000 was declared on his arrest.

Rs 86 lakh looted from four ATMs in TN

CHENNAI, FEB 12

(IANS): In a major crime spree, a gang of robbers looted four ATM machines, located around 20 km from each other at various places on the Cuddalore-Chitoor road (NH 38) in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district early on Sunday, police said. The beat police personnel, who were on routine rounds, found the damaged ATMs and informed the police station. The burglary had taken place after 2 am on Sunday.

Two killed in truckcar collision

VIJAYAWADA, FEB

12 (IANS): Two persons were killed and one injured in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district on Sunday. A speeding truck rammed into a car coming from the opposite direction near Adduroadu village in Visannapeta mandal, police said.Two of the three persons travelling in the car died on the spot. The third was injured.

TMC stands for ‘terror, mafia, corruption’: J P Nadda

PURBASTHALI/ RAMNAGAR, FEB 12 (PTI):

Launching a frontal attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led regime in Bengal, BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday said that the time has come to bid farewell to the jungle raj of the TMC, which stands for ‘Terror, Mafia, Corruption’.

Claiming that the state has been brought to a “standstill” under the TMC rule, with no development in sight, Nadda, who was in Bengal on a two-day visit, said that the BJP would do what it takes to oust the TMC from power.

Referring to recent allegations of massive irregularities in implementing the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) in West Bengal, Nadda said houses meant for the poor were looted by TMC leaders. “During audit, it was found that people who have two-three storey buildings received houses under the

J P Nadda

scheme. This is the situation in West Bengal,” he said. Nadda also said that West Bengal, despite having a woman chief minister, “tops the chart when it came to crime against women”.

“The TMC stands for ‘Terror and Tolabaji’, ‘Mafia and Money laundering’ and ‘Corruption’. Be it school recruitment or any other hiring, jobs are up for sale,” the BJP chief stated. Nadda, during the day, addressed back-to-back rallies in Purbasthali area of Purba Bardhaman and Ramnagar area in Purba Medinipur, as part of the BJP’s mass outreach drive ahead of the crucial

panchayat polls scheduled in May. Lauding party cadres for “putting up a brave fight against the terror tactics” of the TMC, Nadda said the mass gatherings at his rallies reflect that people are “yearning for a change”.

“It is time to bid adieu to the jungle raj of Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee has to be sent on a long leave. We have to remove this party from power democratically,” he said.

Mocking the feisty TMC boss, he said “despite her name being Mamata (compassion), she lacks empathy”. Nadda also slammed the TMC government for being “neck-deep in corruption”.

Rebuffing the allegations of non-disbursal of funds against the Centre, and said, “Modi ji sends money, and as soon as it reaches here, it is siphoned off, and it turns into a scam. Modi’s government is hon-

PM’s USD 5 trillion economy target a joke, should aim higher: T’gana CM

HYDERABAD, FEB 12

est, while the state government is corrupt.”

Speaking about the party’s defeat in the 2021 assembly polls, notwithstanding a high-octane campaign launched by the BJP top brass, he said a single failure is not the end of the road.

“Yes, we couldn’t win the assembly polls, but that doesn’t mean everything is finished. We will fight again to end the misrule of the TMC in West Bengal,” he said. The TMC steamrolled its opponents to grab power for the third consecutive term in Bengal in 2021, winning 213 assembly seats, while the BJP had bagged 77 seats.

Lauding the Narendra Modi government for maintaining the momentum of India’s economic growth, Nadda said, “Regardless of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has overtaken a nation (the UK) that ruled us for about two centuries.

(PTI): Dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious goal of India achieving USD 5 trillion economy as a “joke” and “silly”, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said the target should have been much bigger.

Replying to the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the State Assembly, Rao also known as KCR hit out at Modi saying that the whole country expected that the Prime Minister would speak something on the Adani issue in the Parliament and was disappointed. CM referring to an article in an international magazine, said there was “License Raj” during the Congress rule while it was “Silence Raj” in the present government.

“By 2023-24, Modi said India will become a USD 5 trillion economy. That 5 trillion (economy) itself is a joke. Really silly. At least our aim should be big. We should dare to dream. That 5 trillion (economy

LUCKNOW, FEB 12

(PTI): Amid the Global Investors Summit in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, alleging it has failed to come up with any new project in its sixyear rule.

In a statement, he alleged that the BJP dispensation is showcasing projects implemented by the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government during the summit.

“The state government has restarted fountains and lights in Old Lucknow. Janeshwar Mishra Park is being opened round the clock. The river front is being decorated...,” he said.

Janeshwar Mishra Park and the Gomti river front were developed during the Samajwadi Party government.

The statement further alleged that a solar plant inaugurated by then president has been shut due to a lack of budget.

“JP International Centre in Lucknow is being

damaged in the absence of care. The facilities could have been used to hold sessions of the investors summit,” read the statement. The Samajwadi Party president alleged that the

government spent crores of rupees to garner praise and that it is planning to recover the money from the public.

“The BJP government has increased bus fare by 24 per cent to recover the expenditure of the investors summit from people’s pockets,” he alleged.

“The BJP is the friend of the rich and is working to put the burden of its corruption on the common people,” he alleged.

The three-day Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit-2023 concludes on Sunday.

K Chandrasekhar Rao

aim) itself is very very less, out of which only USD 3.5 trillion was achieved,” KCR slammed.Comparing the governments of UPA and NDA, Rao said the country lost miserably in every sector and Telangana in particular lost about Rs three lakh crore in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

“Indian banks and also LIC have invested in that company (Adanis). The whole world was looking at Modi as to what he would say (on Adani’s issues). He did not even utter a word on that subject. He was beating around the bush,” KCR tore into the NDA government.

Ridiculing the argument that India has become the fifth largest economy in

the world, Rao said it is per capita that has to be taken into consideration to assess any country’s performance.

He said when it comes to per capita income, countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan are ahead of India.

Rao found fault with some people approaching the Supreme Court seeking a ban on BBC which recently aired a controversial programme on 2002 Gujarat riots. Alleging that the NDA government is engaged in “endless privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises,” KCR said the Central Government’s policy appears to be “Socialisation of losses and privatisation of profits.”

“Modi says the government has no business to do business. I say the government has every right to do business wherever it is required. Government has no business means it is escaping from the responsibility entrusted by the people of India. We should share the responsibility. You cannot shrug off,” he said.

Expunction from speeches show BJP’s ‘dictatorial face’: Cong

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI): The Congress on Sunday said “blatant partisanship” was witnessed in the expunction of remarks of its leaders and suspension of its Rajya Sabha MP, and alleged the BJPled government wanted to establish an “authoritarian dominance” in Parliament by “terrorising” the Opposition.

Senior Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed the BJP does not want Parliament to run through consensus, collaboration and concordance, but through “clash, chaos, and conflict”.

The “autocratic and dictatorial face” of the BJP and the ruling dispensation

was in full show in each House of Parliament in the “undemocratic and unparliamentary” expunction of several remarks of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, and in the suspension of Rajani Patil from the Rajya Sabha, he said.

The BJP government, he alleged, is moving towards establishing an “authoritarian dominance in Parliament by terrifying,

terrorising, tormenting, and tyrannizing the Opposition”.

Alluding to the expunction of words from Gandhi and Kharge’s speeches in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address last week, Singhvi said not a word stated therein justifies the use of the power of expunction.

BJP govt in UP has failed to come up with new projects in 6 years: Akhilesh

Akhilesh Yadav

Abhishek Manu Singhvi

PSBs profit jumps 65% to Rs 29,175 crore in Q3

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI): Public sector banks (PSBs) have logged a robust profit growth of 65 per cent to Rs 29,175 crore during the third quarter ended December 2022, with Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) emerging as the top performer in terms of percentage growth in profit.

The Pune-headquartered lender recorded a 139 per cent jump in profit to Rs 775 crore at t he end of December 2022, according to quarterly results declared by the PSBs.

BoM was followed by Kolkata-based UCO Bank which posted a profit of Rs 653 crore, 110 per cent higher than its earning in the third quarter of the previous fiscal.

Two other lenders whose profit growth was higher than 100 per cent were Union Bank of India and Indian Bank.

The Mumbai-based Union Bank of India witnessed a 107 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 2,245

crore, while Chennai-based Indian Bank reported a 102 per cent increase at Rs 1,396 crore for the OctoberDecember period of 2022. All 12 PSBs cumulatively earned a profit of Rs 29,175 crore in the third quarter of the current financial year, as against Rs 17,729 crore in the same period a year ago, recording a jump of 65 per cent.

For the first nine months of the current financial year, PSBs have earned a cumulative profit of Rs 70,166 crore as compared to Rs 48,983 crore in the yearago period, an increase of 43 per cent. The PSBs had earned a cumulative profit of about Rs 15,306 crore in the first quarter, which increased to Rs 25,685 crore

Hyundai aims to tap rising demand in rural areas

NEW DELHI, FEB 12

Barla calls on Christians to unite for ...

in the September quarter and Rs 29,175 crore in the three months to December.

In percentage terms, the first quarter growth was 9 per cent over the same period of the previous financial year, which climbed to 50 per cent in the second quarter and 65 per cent in Q3.

With regard to the Capital Adequacy Ratio, BoM at 17.53 per cent was the highest among PSBs, followed by Canara Bank at 16.72 per cent and Indian Bank at 15.74 per cent as on December 31, 2022. BoM and State Bank of India (SBI) were in the lowest quartile as far as gross non-performing assets (NPAs) and net NPAs were concerned.

The gross NPAs reported by BoM and SBI were at 2.94 per cent and 3.14 per cent of their total advances, respectively, as on December 31, 2022. The net NPAs for these lenders came down to 0.47 per cent and 0.77 per cent.

Four BJP leaders, former SC judge among 6 new Govs

(From p-1)

Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination currency notes, saying the decision-making process was neither flawed nor hasty.

The President also appointed Lt Gen Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik (retd) as governor of Arunachal Pradesh.

Lt Gen Parnaik (retd) served as commander of the Army’s prestigious Northern Command, and it was during his tenure that bodies of two soldiers were mutilated by the Pakistani forces in Poonch sector in 2013.

Four BJP leaders, including two from Uttar Pradesh, were also appointed as new governors.

Lakshman Prasad Acharya, CP Radhakrishnan, Shiv Pratap Shukla and Gulab Chand Kataria have been appointed as governors of Sikkim, Jharkhand,

Himachal Pradesh and Assam respectively.

While Acharya is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, Radhakrishnan is a two-time Lok Sabha member of the BJP from Coimbatore. He was the man behind forging the BJP-led NDA alliance in 1999.

Former minister of state for finance Shukla was the BJP’s candidate in Rajya Sabha and retired in 2022, whereas Kataria is the sitting Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly. Kataria had served as the home minister in the previous Vasundhara Raje government. Other than Bais, Mishra and Harichandan, the other transfers included the shifting Phagu Chauhan from Bihar to Meghalaya and Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar from Himachal Pradesh to Bihar.

(PTI): Hyundai Motor India is looking to tap growth opportunities in the rural areas with rise in demand for aspirational products like sports utility vehicles and feature-rich models, according to company’s Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg. The country’s second largest carmaker is looking to enhance presence in the smaller towns and rural areas with more sales outlets and also initiatives like deployment of mobile service vans.

The automaker’s sales outlets in the rural areas have crossed the 600-mark already and it has also increased its manpower to over 5,000 people in such places. Hyundai’s sales in the rural areas has crossed the one lakh-mark last year.

“Almost 18 per cent of our sales are now coming from rural areas. It used to be about 16.5 per cent. So, we have improved on that front. We touched one lakh retails for the first time last year. We now also have 100 mobile service vans in the rural areas,” Garg told PTI in an interaction. With information about various products readily available

now via cell phones and improvement in the road infrastructure, the demand for products that are up in the value chain has gone up in the hinterlands, he said. “The divide between urban and rural is actually reducing, because so many people are now using data and mobile phones, which means that access to information is also very high,” Garg said. The other thing which has happened is that earlier rural markets preferred smaller cars but now there is a huge demand for products like Creta, Venue as well, he noted. The expectation of most of the rural customers is now the same as that of the urban customers, he said. Going forward, this line between urban and rural will keep on diminishing, he added. When asked if the company is planning to enhance its presence in the rural markets with additional sales outlets, Garg said: “Absolutely”. He further said: “We have a very robust plan in place and we will keep it fine-tuning as we progress.” The company currently has around 1,400 showrooms across the country with around 600 outlets in the rural areas.

(From p-1) He also assured to organise a meeting between a group of leaders to represent the community with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah when they visit the state.

He proposed that some time should be made available in churches to make people aware of the schemes and policies available for the benefit of the community.

He assured to work to protect the rights of Christians, while urging everyone to believe in “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas” slogan of Modi. He also shared details of both ongoing and completed development projects carried out by the Centre in the Northeast.

Meanwhile, a memorandum was submitted to the Union Minister that called for protection of minorities, medical treatment for injured minorities, compensation for minorities’ loss of properties, improved budget fund allocation for minorities, increased financial assistance for minority business community, protection of ST status and to make funds available for historical writings and other

literary works for minorities in the Northeast so as to incorporate these in local and national academic curriculum. (Read Memo in p-6)

In his speech, representative from World Mission Centre, USA said he felt honoured to provide educational training to people of Nagaland and rest of India. He proposed partnership between the Central government and local Christian leaders in identifying a common shared vision.

He encouraged leaders and people to unite and have one vision to have better outcomes for nation building.

President NCC A ustralia Dr. Charles Nallimelli made special software App for NCC and shared some of the features. Dr. Charles is a successful business entrepreneur using business profits for helping out various ministries. His wife, Grace gave a moving testimony of how she gave up a very lucrative university job for full time ministry for the under privileged.

Short speeches were delivered by Editor-in-chief Nagaland Post Geoffrey Yaden; YMCA president Nagaland Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema; Naga Stu -

dent’s Federation president Kegwayhun Tep; Secretary & director commission for health, Diocese of Kohima Fr. Chacko Karinthayil.

The programme was chaired by NCC Nagaland general secretary Rev Dr Vangpong Phom, praise and worship by Khyojano and team, invocation by NCC national president Rev Dr Alamanda Chittibabu, scripture reading by NCC Nagaland youth wing president Rev D James Lotha and NCC Northeast India president Rev NK Gurung welcomed the gathering.

The vote of thanks was delivered by NCC Nagaland president Rev. Dr. T.N. Lotha Jr and exhortation &benediction by founder and president NCC Rev. Dr. Sam Paul.

The programme highlights included launching of NCC app by the chief guest, presentation of certificates & ID cards by the chief guest, songs by Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Naga United Village and Nursing College North East Christian University, special cultural presentation by Eastern Bible College and a special item by Seed of Hope Higher Secondary School.

NJCF flays ‘threat, intimidation’ against Christians

(From p-1)

designs were openly let loose to hurt and create hatred among different groups.

He questioned why the majority had become so insecure that it wanted to eliminate the rights of the minority, alleging that the Northeast had been experiencing unprecedented hate crimes and hate speeches, but the authority was silent. He said the assurance given by Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma had gone down the drain when minority religious groups in his State were made to suffer under his regime.

Paphino called for staying alert as the threat was coming closer to home this time round, pointing out that communalism and hatred were becoming stronger. He said politics was played on religious line and force conversion was defined conve-

niently to harass and intimidate.

He stressed not allowing external communal force to play with emotion during this critical period of history. “As we vouch for clean election movement, we should guard ourselves from the outside forces trying to take advantage of our situation. Those who call us corrupt are playing behind the screen. They want to break our bones so that we become spineless. They will go to any extend and later on put the blame on us,” he cautioned.

He appealed to people to guard themselves from the politics of trying to degrade their faith, stressing that politics and religion should be kept away from each other, as one dealt with governance and the other was a matter of belief and practice. He called for not allow the politics of disintegration to divide the people and

condemned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat alleged statement “…. all people living in India are Hindus”, which he termed as communal and unacceptable to religious minorities. He pointed out that the supremacy of one religion over the other was disrespectful and unbecoming of a religious leader, adding that this had led to the attempt to try and eliminate political, social and religious rights of minorities in the secular country. The NJCF vice-president asserted that if communal forces were of the view that India was a Hindu nation and their agenda was to Hinduise the nation with the power of politics, they had no right to come to the region during election time.

He stressed that politics should work to unite the nation and not divide it. If a political party was emboldened by a

communal force behind it to govern the nation with such an ideology, it had no right to advocate political manifestos in the guise of trying to develop the nation otherwise. He mentioned that Nagaland was a Christian majority State adding flavour to the unity in diversity, declaring that political parties and communal forces had no right to demean matters relating to faith.

He declared that Nagaland as a Christian majority State had never insulted the majority on matter of faith and hence those coming from outside must first learn to respect. Paphino stated that the world had no place for communal forces working hard though politicians and politics.

He mentioned that Nagaland might be a Christian majority State, but it was still a minority.

He however assured that NJCF would continue to stand

defending the minority communities in the nation and continue to be their voice. He said it would still hold on to the ideals of a secular India, stressing faith and practice was an individual choice and could not be forced upon any citizen. He declared that if people in the realm of power could not give protection to the minorities in the country, they were not fit to call themselves leaders.

He said if fundamental rights of the minorities were violated and threatened in every corner, threatening them to take away their right to vote, they were against humanity. If they were deaf and blind to the sufferings of the minorities and conniving with communal forces, he insisted that they should stay away from politics and allow India to flourish as a secular nation.

Macro data, global cues to guide markets this week, say analysts

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI): Trading activity in the domestic equity markets this week will be largely driven by inflation data, trend in global markets and foreign fund movement, analysts said.

Participants will also monitor developments related to the Adani Group crisis, which has been a major overhang recently, they added.

“...the movement of crude oil, the dollar index, and US bond yields will be other important factors. The institutional flow will be important as FIIs’ selling has come down after relentless selling in January,” Santosh Meena, Head of Research at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth a net Rs 144.73 crore last week.

This week, the market will be awaiting key inflation data from the US and India for clues on the rate hike trajectory of central banks. Retail inflation data for both the US and India is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday.

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiked the key benchmark policy rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent, citing sticky core inflation.

“The RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting delivered a smaller rate hike in line with market expectations, which was

Work From Home

Urgent Land For Sa L e Singrijan,

positively welcomed by investors.

“They have taken a more optimistic view on domestic growth by increasing the GDP forecast while cautiously keeping CPI inflation at 5.3 per cent for FY24,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services. During such shaky times, investors need to adopt value buying as a strategy. Due to a decrease in valuation near long-term averages, small cap companies are looking appealing over the long term, Nair added.

Land

1. B.ed & M.ed (Available in Govt. University for both attending & Non-attending mode) Recognized & approved by UGC & NCTE.

2. dIStanCe CoUrSeS : BA, MA, B.Sc, M.Sc, B.Com, M.Com, BBA, MBA, Ph.d & others. (We provide all the studies materials for both B.Ed, M.Ed & other courses).

SNIPPETS

Iranian President

Raisi to visit China

BEIJING, FEB 12 (AP):

Iranian President Ebrahim

Raisi will visit China for a three-day trip starting Tuesday at the invitation of his counterpart, Xi Jinping. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the announcement on Sunday. She did not elaborate on Raisi’s itinerary. The two leaders met last September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, when Xi underscored China’s support for Iran.

Shahabuddin Chuppu to be next B’desh prez

DHAKA, FEB 12 (PTI)

Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu, a former judge, is set to become Bangladesh’s next president after the ruling Awami League, which holds an absolute majority in Parliament, nominated him for the top post. Chuppu, 74, will replace President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, whose tenure ends on April 24.

Thousands of Israelis join anti-govt protests

TEL AVIV (ISRAEL),

FEB 12 (AP): Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the street in several cities across the country on Saturday, protesting judicial overhaul plans by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Critics say measures introduced by the new hard-line government would weaken the Supreme Court, limit judicial oversight and grant more power to politicians. Protesters say that would undermine democracy. For the sixth week, protesters pressed on with large rallies, with the main one in the central city of Tel Aviv and several smaller gatherings in other cities.

Lebanon receives 1st wheat shipment by WB

BEIRUT, FEB 12 (IANS):

Lebanon has started to receive the first shipment of 33,000 ton of wheat financed by the World Bank through a $150 million loan. The shipment, being unloaded at the Beirut port, is sufficient for about one month-worth of Arabic bread consumption in the country, the World Bank said in a statement on Saturday. Additional shipments of varying sizes would come over the following months to maintain access to affordable bread throughout the lifespan of the World Bank loan, Xinhua news agency reported.

Endangered tortoises seized in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, FEB 12 (PTI): Sri Lankan customs officers have seized 206 live star tortoises, which are listed as an endangered species, that were being smuggled to Malaysia in boxes labelled as “dried seafood”, the largest such capture since 2015. The Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division of Sri Lanka customs seized the live tortoises at the Air Cargo Exports Terminal of Colombo international airport on Saturday, a customs release said. The live tortoises, stuffed inside cloth sacks and packed in six boxes labelled as “dried seafood”, were being smuggled out to Kuala Lumpur, it said.

Two killed in house

fire in Japan

TOKYO, FEB 12 (IANS): Two men were found dead after a fire on Sunday morning burnt down three houses in Tochigi city in Japan, local media reported. Local police said the house fire at a two-story wooden house in the city of Oyama was reported after 2:00 a.m. local time, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported Sunday.

Trudeau: US fighter shot down object over northern Canada

VANCOUVER, FEB 12

(AP): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday that on his order a U.S. fighter jet shot down an “unidentified object” that was flying high over the Yukon, acting a day after the U.S. took similar action over Alaska.

North American Aerospace Defense Command, the combined U.S.-Canada organization that provides shared defense of airspace over the two nations, detected the object flying at a high altitude Friday evening over Alaska, U.S. officials said. It crossed into Canadian airspace on Saturday.

Trudeau spoke with President Joe Biden, who also ordered the object to be shot down. Canadian and U.S. jets operating as part of NORAD were scrambled and it was a U.S. jet that shot down the object.

Canadian Defense

Minister Anita Anand told a news conference in Ottawa that the object, flying at around 40,000 feet, had been shot down at 3:41 p.m. EST, approximately 100 miles from the Canada-U.S. border in the central Yukon. A recovery operation was underway involving the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP.

Hours later, in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration said Saturday night it had closed some airspace in Montana to sup-

port Defense Department activities. NORAD later said the closure, which lasted a little more than an hour, came after it had detected “a radar anomaly” and sent fighter aircraft to investigate. The aircraft did not identify any object to correlate to the radar hits, NORAD said. F-22 fighter jets have now taken out three objects in the airspace above the U.S. and Canada over seven days, a stunning development that is raising questions on just what, exactly, is hovering overhead and who has sent them.

At least one of the objects downed was believed to be a spy balloon from China, but the other two had not yet been publicly identified.

While Trudeau described the object Saturday as “unidentified,” Anand said it appeared to be “a small cylindrical object,

Arctic chill descends upon US- China relations after spy balloon affair

ing a meeting with the Chinese President.

Blinken called off the visit -- postponed, US officials have insisted -- after the US declared the balloon an “unacceptable” violation of America’s sovereignty and international law and the US military shot down the balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4, over a week after it was first sighted over Alaska.

Arab leaders condemn Israeli actions in Jerusalem, West Bank

smaller than the one that was downed off the coast of North Carolina.” A NORAD spokesman, Maj. Olivier Gallant, said the military had determined what it was but would not reveal details.

Anand refused to speculate whether the object shot down over Canada came from China.

“We are continuing to do the analysis on the object and we will make sure that analysis is thorough,” she said. “It would not be prudent for me to speculate on the origins of the object at this time.” Anand said to her knowledge this was the first time NORAD had downed an object in Canadian airspace. “The importance of this moment should not be underestimated,” she said. “We detected this object together and we defeated this object together.”

CAIRO, FEB 12 (AP):

Dozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries Sunday condemned recent Israeli measures in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, where violence has surged between Israel and the Palestinians.

The meeting in Cairo was hosted by the Arab League and attended by President Abdel Fattah elSissi of Egypt, Jordan’s King

Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas along with many foreign ministers and senior officials.

Speakers at the meeting condemned Israel’s “unilateral measures” in Jerusalem and the West Bank in statements, including home demolitions and expanding settlements. They also condemned visits by Israeli officials to the city’s contested holy site, which is sacred to

both Jews and Muslims and has often been the epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian unrest. There was no immediate comment from Israel’s government. The officials also voiced support for Jordan’s role as custodian of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. The mosque is built on a hilltop in Jerusalem’s Old City that is the most sacred site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount because it was the site of the Jewish temples in antiquity.

Since Israel captured the site in 1967, Jews have been allowed to visit but not pray there. Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. El-Sissi warned of dire repercussions of any Israeli measures to change the status quo of the site, saying they would “negatively impact” future negotiations to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Turkiye detains building contractors

ANTAKYA, FEB 12 (AP):

Turkish justice officials targeted more than 130 people allegedly involved in shoddy and illegal construction methods as rescuers extricated more survivors, including a pregnant woman and two small children, six days after a pair of earthquakes collapsed thousands of buildings.

WASHINGTON, FEB 12

(IANS): As the spy balloon wafted across continental America over the past days, relations between the United States and China went from moderately cold to freezing.

Tentative first steps taken towards normalisation of ties from the stormy

phase of Trump-triggered trade war and the Covid-19 pandemic, had led to the first in-person summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in Bali, which, in turn, was to be built upon with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s first visit to Beijing, for wide-ranging talks, includ-

Russia continues to shell Ukraine amid grinding push in east

KYIV (UKRAINE), FEB

12 (AP): Russian forces over the weekend continued to shell Ukrainian cities amid a grinding push to seize more land in the east of the country, with Ukrainian officials saying that Moscow is having trouble launching its much-anticipated large-scale offensive there.

One person was killed and one more was wounded on Sunday morning by the

shelling of Nikopol, a city in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Gov. Serhii Lysak reported. The shelling damaged four residential buildings, a vocational school and a water treatment facility. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, one person was wounded after three Russian S-300 missiles hit infrastructure facilities overnight, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said.

SKorea, US hold counter-drone drills amid NKorean UAV threats

SEOUL, FEB 12 (IANS): South Korea and the US staged combined counterdrone drills at a US air base in a southwestern city last week, US military photos showed Sunday, as Seoul seeks to reinforce readiness following North Korea’s drone incursions late last year. Posted on the Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on Friday, photos showed the drills taking place at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, 275 kilometers south of Seoul, on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

One photo depicted a US Air Force officer aiming

a “dronebuster” at a small simulated enemy drone. The dronebuster is a radio frequency jammer that can neutralize enemy drones, according to the US military.

Another photo showed a member of a South Korean Air Force explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team checking the drone while wearing a “bomb suit” designed to protect personnel from possible explosives carried by the drone. The North’s drone infiltrations in December have laid bare the South Korean military’s lack of readiness against such small crafts that could potentially carry lethal weapons.

“As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did,” Biden said in the State of the Union speech on Tuesday, referring to the downing of the balloon on his orders, which he had also made clear in remarks on Saturday.

The death toll from Monday’s quakes that hit southeastern Turkiye and northern Syria stood at 33,179 on Sunday and was certain to rise as search teams locate more bodies in the rubble. Authorities said more than 92,600 other people were injured in the disaster. As despair also bred rage at the agonizingly slow rescue efforts, the focus turned to who was to blame for not better preparing

OFFICE OF THE NAGA PEOPLE'S FRONT

4 Ghaspani-1, Assembly Constituency Dimapur : Nagaland

In the interest of the Party Workers NPF

4-Ghaspani-1 Mr. Khakato Awomi of Aghunagha Primary Unit is removed from NPF Presidentship along with Gen Secretary and some of his supporters on anti party activities. Thanking you in anticipation

(Avito Aye) (Zuben Lotha) President Gen Secretary NPF 4-Ghaspani-1 NPF 4-Ghaspani-1

Office O f the Signal a ngami Village cO uncil Dimapur : n agalan D

Ref. No. SAVC/PB/04/2020-25/02 Date 10th Feb ‘2023

This is to inform all the general public of Signal angami Village that, the village council executive during its meeting held on 21st Jan ’23 at 8:00 am at Village Panchayat Hall had resolved the following points for clean & peaceful election within its jurisdiction and also in accordance with the guidelines of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) for Clean Election are noted herein below :-

1. That no parties camp shall be set up within the village jurisdiction.

2. That no posters/banners/ flags etc. shall be put up in any individual house(s) within the village/

3. That no campaign/ canvassing shall be entertained by any public of the village.

4. That no declaration in support of any particular candidate by any group / society/ union or organization shall be made.

5. That no individual or group shall use the name of the village council nor village sectors and approach any candidate.

Besides the above mentioned resolution, if any form of unwanted activities which is detrimental to the general public and the village and also if any outside force found disrupting the election process on polling day, the village council shall view the matter seriously and appropriate action shall be taken against the perpetrator(s).

peo ple in the earthquakeprone region that includes an area of Syria that was already suffering from years of civil war.

Even though Turkiye has, on paper, construction codes that meet current earthquake-engineering standards, they are too rarely enforced, explaining why

thousands of buildings slumped onto their side or pancaked downward onto residents. Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Sunday that 134 people were being investigated for their alleged responsibility in the construction of buildings that failed to withstand the quakes, according to Tur -

key’s state-run Anadolu news agency. He said that three had been arrested pending trial, seven people were detained and seven other were barred from leaving the country.

Bozdag has vowed to punish anyone responsible, and prosecutors have begun gathering samples of buildings for evidence on materials used in constructions.

The quakes were powerful, but victims, experts and people across Turkiye are blaming bad construction for multiplying the devastation. Authorities at Istanbul Airport on Sunday detained two contractors held responsible for the destruction of several buildings in Adiyaman, the private DHA news agency and other media reported.

To, Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer NDPP Candidate, 2 Dimapur-11 A/C i nf O rmati O n

Respected Sir Keeping the spirit of BJP-NDPP alliance in the state, the Office of BJYM Dimapur District would like to keep the following list of person in your attachment for proper coordination and communication between the candidate and the party during the election.

1. niuto murumi- general Secy. (7005612212)

2. Surendra rathore- Social media convenor

3. among - executive member

4. gaurav Deb - Social media member

5. Bishwajeet - it, cell member

(Shiyeto Wotsa) president BJYm Dimapur District

Justin Trudeau

Egyptian President (R), greets Palestinian President (C), and King Abdullah II of Jordan in Cairo, Sunday. (AP)

A destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (AP)

Soldiers rest in a blindage after night fight near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. (AP)

Death toll passes 33K

Harry Styles wins big at Brit Awards 2023

to his “privilege” on Saturday came after he prompted mockery with his Grammy acceptance speech by saying “this doesn’t happen to people like me very often”.

British singer Harry Styles won the top awards on Saturday at the UK’s biggest popular music prizes, the Brit Awards, while acknowledging his “privilege” for triumphing in a supposedly gender-neutral category that featured no female artists.

Harry Styles made multiple appearances on stage, winning awards for artist of the year, album of the year, song of the year for As It Was and best pop/R&B act.

“This night has been really, really special to me and I will never forget it,” Harry Styles said. The awards ceremony for the second year running handed out a gender-neutral main prize for British artist of the year.

This title was introduced last year to increase inclusivity after non-binary singer Sam Smith was automatically excluded from previously gendered categories in 2021.

Yet, controversially, the category had an all-male shortlist this year, and Styles

What Is Salt?

Salt is a seasoning that can flavor food and act as a preservative. It’s about 60% chloride and about 40% sodium. Nearly all unprocessed foods -think veggies, fruits, nuts, meats, whole grains, and dairy foods -- are low in sodium. The salt that we do eat helps relax and contract muscles, lends a hand with nerve impulses, and balances the minerals and water we take in.

How Much Salt Do You Need?

Our body needs only a small amount of sodium.

We should get about 1,500 milligrams of it every day. But the average American takes in about 3,400. Too much salt can lead to a stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. But how do you know if you take in too much salt?

You’re Bloated

Bloating -- when your stomach feels swollen or tight -- is one of the most common short-term effects of having too much salt. It helps your body retain water, so extra fluid builds up. Foods don’t have to taste salty for them to be high in sodium. Sandwiches, pizza, bagels, and canned soup can be sneaky sources for salt.

Your Blood Pressure Is High

in his acceptance speech named women artists who were originally shortlisted for the category but did not make the final list.

“I’m really really grateful for this and I’m very aware of my privilege up here tonight so this award is for Rina, Charli, Florence, Mabel and Becky”, he said, referring to Rina Sawayama, Charli XCX, Florence Welch, Mabel and Becky Hill.

The Brit Awards chairman Damian Christian told Music Week this month that it was “disappointing to see the lack of female representation”, blaming a lack of eligible 2022 releases by big female stars.

Harry Styles’ clutch of awards came as little surprise after the former One Direction bandmember earlier this month won the coveted Grammy award for album of the year for Harry’s House, which was the UK’s biggest-selling album last year.

Harry Styles’ reference

It was also a big night for several young acts making their recording debuts last year. Wet Leg, an indie rock band from the Isle of Wight off England’s south coast, won the group of the year category and also best new artist after releasing their catchy debut single Chaise Longue- which they performed at the ceremonyand their eponymous debut album. The Brit Awards were first held in 1977. The event is run by British Phonographic Industry, a trade association that represents the UK music industry.

List of winners

Album of the Year - Harry

Styles - Harry’s House

Artist of the Year - Harry

Styles

Best group - Wet Leg

Song of the Year - Harry Styles - “As It Was”

Best international artist - Beyoncé

Best international group

- Fontaines DC

International song of the Year - Beyoncé - “Break

My Soul”

Best new artist - Wet Leg

Rising Star - Flo

Best alternative / rock -

The 1975

Best dance - Becky Hill

Best hip-hop / rap / grime

- Aitch

Pop / R&B - Harry Styles

Johar calls ‘My Name Is Khan’ a ‘super special film’

Karan

Elton John’s fee for private gig rockets to 4 mn pounds

Sir Elton John has reportedly increased his private gig fee amid the cost of living crisis, with the ‘Rocket Man’ singer believed to now be pocketing 4 million pounds ($4,825,602.72) for an intimate performance.

John’s private gig fee has been reported - marking a 300 per cent fee increase for the star, reports mirror.co.uk.

The iconic singer is believed to be worth around 450 million pounds (USD 542,880,305) thanks to a career that has seen him top the album charts 10 times and bagged 10 No1 singles, reports mirror. co.uk.

As Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s film

‘My Name Is Khan’ turned 13 on Sunday, filmmaker Karan Johar penned a heartwarming note for the movie, calling it “a super special film.”

Karan took to Instagram Story, where he shared a poster of the film and wrote: “A super special film, A super special team, A spectacular time #13YearsOfMNIK.”

‘My Name Is Khan’, is a 2010 social drama film directed by Karan Johar. The film stars Shah Rukh as Rizwan Khan, an autistic Muslim, and Kajol as Mandira, his Hindu wife with a son from her previous marriage. Set in the United States, the plot revolves around Rizwan,

who faces Islamophobic discrimination after the September 11 attacks.

The discrimination leads to the murder of his stepson, killed in a racist fight against fellow collegians. His wife, Mandira, Sameer’s mother, blames Rizwan, and he consequently sets out on a journey to meet the president of the country and absolve himself.

Karan’s Dharma Productions shared a note too on Insatgram.

It read: “A film that tugs at heartstrings with lessons of faith, love, loss & family. Celebrating #13YearsOfMNIK. #13YearsOfMyNameIsKhan #MyNameIsKhan @karanjohar@ apoorva1972 @iamsrk @ kajol.” (IANS)

Signs you’re eating too much salt

to more trips to the bathroom. This could be because salt can make you very thirsty, which might encourage you to drink more water. Later on, you might have to go to the bathroom more than usual.

You Aren’t Sleeping Well

If you eat too much salt before bed, it can lead to disturbances in your sleep. Signs can range from restless sleep, to waking up often at night, to not feeling rested in the morning.

You Feel Weak

will feel it. You might feel nauseated, or you might have diarrhea. If your stomach is upset or you have cramps, take a look at what you’ve been eating during the past few days and figure out how to cut back on the salt. Drinking plenty of water can help rehydrate your cells and get you feeling better.

Long-Term Effects of Too Much Salt

Elton, 75, has previously been raking in an eyewatering 1 million pound for every hour of his time for a private performance.

But during the current cost of living crisis, the performer has been said to have added on an extra 3 million pounds for a wedding booking - and was understandably turned down by the spouses-to-be.

A source told The Sun: “It seems he’s raised his fee in line with the cost of living soaring and now it’s 3 million pounds more. The 4 million pounds fee was quoted earlier this year when Elton was approached to play at a wedding.

“Naturally the price changes depending on what is requested but it appears to have been hiked up. The couple turned it

Salt

Since 9 out of 10 Americans get too much sodium, chances are, you might take in too much as well.

To help keep your levels in check:

Choose fresh meats instead of packaged ones.

down because they couldn’t afford it. There are superrich fans around the world who can, though.”

But one couple, billionaire Robert Kraft and his partner Dana Blumberg, who are long-time friends with Sir Elton, didn’t have to pay a penny for the star to perform at their ceremony in New York last October.

In January this year, it was announced that the British legend’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was already the highestgrossing run of performances of all time, whilst

the singer is also set to feature in a TV advert during the Super Bowl tomorrow night. He became the biggest earner ever taking home a staggering USD 817.9 million (663.44 million pounds) with his latest Oceania leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. With at least 50 European dates to come in 2023, including 10 nights at London’s O2 Arena and a headline set Glastonbury Festival, his estimated earnings are as much as 1 billion USD. (IANS)

Congratulation

There are lots of reasons you might have high blood pressure, but one could be too much sodium. The change in blood pressure happens through your kidneys. Too much salt makes it harder for them to get rid of fluid that you don’t need. As a result, your blood pressure goes up.

You’re Puffy

Swelling can be a sign of too much sodium in your body. Body parts like your face, hands, feet, and ankles are most likely to swell. If you’re more puffy than usual, take a look at how much salt you’re eating.

You’re Really Thirsty

If you’ve been really thirsty lately, it could be a sign that you’re eating

too much salt. When that happens, you become dehydrated. Your body pulls water from your cells, and you might start to feel very thirsty. Drinking water can help neutralize that salt and can freshen up your cells.

You’ve Gained Weight

When you retain water, you might gain weight. If you’ve put on pounds quickly over a week or even a few days, it could be because you’re having too much salt. If you gain more than 2 pounds in a day or 4 pounds in a week, think back to the foods you ate during the past few days and try to make changes to cut down on the salt.

You Use the Restroom a Lot

More salt could lead

When there’s too much salt in your blood, water gushes out of your cells to thin out the salt. The result? You might start to feel weaker than usual.

Your Stomach Bothers You

If too much salt in your diet makes you dehydrated, your stomach

Although there are lots of short-term effects to watch out for, there are also long-term effects of eating too much salt. It might raise your chances of things like enlarged heart muscle, headaches, heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, kidney stones, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and stroke.

How to Cut Down on

When you buy frozen vegetables, choose ones that are “fresh frozen” and stay away from ones with seasoning or sauces already added.

Read labels and check the sodium content in the foods you buy.

When choosing spices and seasonings, go for ones that do not list sodium on their labels.

If you eat out, you can ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.

Reviewed

by

Shri Kazheto Kinimi Akuluto-VK Area Union Kohima , convey our heartiest congratulations to Shri Kazheto Kinimi, BJP Candidate from 31st Akuluto A/C on being re-elected Unopposed to the 14th NLA, the 1st ever candidate to be declared as winner. Your hard work, dedication, humbleness & love towards the upliftment of our constituency is worth appreciated. On behalf of Akuluto-VK Area Union Kohima, convey our best wishes for your future endeavours. May you continue your good work for the upliftment and development of our constituency as well as Nagaland in general with equal commitment and dedication.

(H. Khekiye Yeptho) (Gideon Chishi) President General Secretary Akuluto-VK Area Union Kohima Akuluto-VK Area Union Kohima db-204/23

Michael W. Smith, MD

Man Utd beat Leeds 2-0 in EPL

as Leeds started well.

Summerville should have done better from an early opening in the penalty area, before being denied by a smart save from De Gea in the United goal just before the break.

Moments after Summerville had been denied, Fernandes found himself clean through on goal after an error from Max Wober, but Illan Meslier stuck out a leg to deny the Portuguese.

The second half remained tight. Leeds had a flurry of half chances just after the break, while Diogo Dalot thundered a strike against the crossbar for the visitors.

Canada women’s team to resume training amid threat of legal action

BHUBANESWAR, FEB 12 (PTI): Karnataka shocked holders Kerala 1-0 while Odisha beat Goa 4-1 in the final round matches of the 76th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here on Sunday.

Karnataka dominated the match, pressing high and shifting flanks with ease as they put pressure on Kerala, who missed simple passes and made uncharacteristic errors in the midfield.

LEEDS, FEB 12 (AGENCIES): Late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho earned Manchester United a hardfought 2-0 Premier League victory at Leeds United on Sunday.

Chances were few and far between in a feisty first half between the Roses rivals, with Crysencio Summerville twice going close for Leeds and Bruno Fernandes wasting the visitors’ best opportunity.

Erik ten Hag’s team continued to struggle to break down the dogged hosts until the in-form Rashford headed home his 21st goal of the season in all

competitions to finally break the Leeds resistance in the 80th minute.

Gaps started to appear with the deadlock broken and substitute Garnacho took advantage to put the game to bed five minutes from time, racing clear before firing home.

With champions Manchester City in action later on Sunday, United leapfrogged their rivals into second place having played two games more. Leeds stayed 17th, one point above the relegation zone.

“You saw how much it meant at the end of the game,” Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea

told Sky Sports.

“The fans, the players. We deserved to win at home but today we did. Great game, we knew if we could keep a clean sheet we would win the game so we did it. We fought until the end like a team.”

The two teams were familiar with each other having only played out a thrilling 2-2 draw four days ago at Old Trafford, and the intensity levels did not drop off for the return at Elland Road.

The major difference between the matches was the final pass, with Ten Hag’s team struggling to create any openings of note

La Liga: Athletic deepen Valencia crisis; Sevilla pull clear from danger

MADRID, FEB 12 (IANS):

Athletic Club Bilbao moved up to sixth in La Liga after coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Valencia.

The Basque side claimed their third away win of the season after falling behind to Samu Castillejo’s 17th-minute goal, reports Xinhua news agency.

The visitors leveled the score after half an hour when Nico Williams beat the Valencia defense with speed and poked the ball home.

Oihan Sancet, who scored a hat-trick against Cadiz last week, netted the winning goal in the 72nd minute when he side-footed home after good work from Inaki Williams.

Valencia worked hard for an equalizer, but Athletic’s Spain international keeper Unai Simon kept them at bay with a string of fine saves. The result leaves Va -

lencia in the relegation zone and with fans protesting before and after the match against owner Peter Lim, the club is in a difficult situation on and off the pitch.

Sevilla’s recovery continued at the expense of Mallorca, as Jorge Sampaoli’s side won 2-0 at home thanks to first-half goals from in-form striker Youssef

En-Nesyri and winger Bryan Gil, who netted his first goal since returning to the club

on loan from Tottenham.

Betis won a thrilling match 3-2 away to Almeria after Andres Guardado scored the winning goal in the 70th minute.

Betis twice took the lead through Rodri in the sixth minute and Sergio Canales three minutes before the break, but Almeria twice fought back though Luis Suarez and Samuel Costa, before Guardado netted the winner for the visitors.

But not for the first time this season, it was left to one man to drag his team out of a hole. The cross from Luke Shaw was inch perfect onto the head of Rashford and the England international made no mistake with a bullet header. Garnacho’s pace created the game-clinching second and the Argentine teenager produced a clinical finish. Leeds are now winless in nine Premier League matches, their longest run without a victory in the competition since 10 games 1997.

“I am really proud of the group,” Leeds caretaker coach Michael Skubala said. “We haven’t got anything out of the game, but we did a good performance.

title

LONDON, FEB 12 (AGENCIES): Islam Makhachev beat home favourite and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision to retain his lightweight title in an engaging contest at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.

In a close contest, Russian Makhachev’s counter striking and offensive wrestling gave him the edge over a gallant Volkanovski.

In victory, Makhachev 31, could replace Volkanovski, 34, who was attempting to become a double champion, as the UFC’s pound-for-pound number one.

The bout was billed by the UFC as the first ever meeting between their current pound-for-pound number one in Volkanovski, and the number tworanked fighter in Makhachev.

RanjiTrophy:WBbeatMP;faceSaurashtrainfinal

Earlier, Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Gharami scored hundreds in the first innings to lay the foundation for Bengal’s win. Akash then ripped through MP’s batting order to bag a five-for as Bengal gained the crucial first innings lead of 268.

In their second innings, Bengal scored 279, leaving MP with an improbable target to chase on the last day.

INDORE, FEB 12

(IANS): Left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik’s brilliant fifer (5/51) led Bengal to the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final with a massive 306-run win over defending champions Madhya Pradesh in the second semi-final at Holkar Cricket Stadium, here on Sunday.

In the earlier match, after his brilliant doublecentury in the first innings, Arpit Vasavada followed up his with a vital unbeaten 47 to guide Saurashtra to

the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final with a four-wicket win over Karnataka in the semifinal at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Chasing a mammoth target of 548, Madhya Pradesh could only score 241 in their second innings.

With this, Bengal also avenged last season’s semifinal loss to MP. They will now face Saurashtra in the summit clash on February 16 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Since MP was chasing a big total, most of their

batters looked to play with positive intent on the final day. However, in the process, they ended up losing wickets at regular intervals.

Rajat Patidar was the top-scorer for the side with a 58-ball 52 while no other MP batter passed the 50run mark. The likes of Yash Dubey and Anubhav Agarwal scored 30 each. On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Akash Deep provided support to Pramanik by chipping in with crucial wickets.

In the 20th minute, Karnataka made them pay for their slow start, with Abhishekh Shankar Powar slamming in from close range after some fine buildup play had set him free.

Karnataka never eased up the pressure following the goal. Midhun V was called into action thrice in the first half, making crucial saves to deny Karnataka any more goals.

“It was vital for us to win today,” Karnataka coach Ravi Babu Raju said after the game. “This is a tight group, and we know that it will be won and lost by a mere point or two. These three points separate us from the pack now.”

If there were any lingering doubts about Odisha’s competence, they were quickly laid to rest with the hosts running riot, defeating Goa 4-1.

OTTAWA,

FEB

12

Brief scores: Bengal 438 (Anustup Majumdar 120, Sudip Gharami 112; Kumar Kartikeya 3/95) & 279 (Anustup Majumdar 80; Saransh Jain 6-103) beat Madhya Pradesh 170 (Saransh Jain 65; Akash Deep 5-42) & 241 (Rajat Patidar 52; Pradipta Pramanik 5-51) by 306 runs.

Karnataka 407 (Mayank Agarwal 249; Chetan Sakariya 3-73) and 234 (Nikin Jose 109, Mayank Agarwal 55; Chetan Sakariya 4-45) lost to Saurashtra 527 (Arpit Vasavada 202, Sheldon Jackson 160; Vidwath Kaverappa 5-82) and 117/6 (Arpit Vasavada 47 not out; V Koushik 3-32, K Gowtham 3-38) by four wickets.

(AGENCIES):

The Canada women’s soccer team will return to training from Sunday and play at next week’s SheBelieves Cup because of the threat of facing legal action from governing body Canada Soccer, they said.

Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, are due to face the United States in their first game of the SheBelieves Cup, which begins on Feb. 16, with Brazil and Japan also participating.

Captain Christine Sinclair said on Friday the team would go on strike with immediate effect because of pay equity concerns and budget cuts by Canada Soccer.

But the team said on Saturday that Canada Soccer considered their job action to be “an unlawful strike” and would take legal action if the players did not return to training and commit to playing in Thursday’s game against the U.S.

In a statement, Canada Soccer said “the players, while having taken job action, were not and are not in a legal strike position under Ontario labour law.”

The team statement read: “... They would not only take legal action to force us back to the pitch, but would consider taking steps to collect what could be millions of dollars in damages from our Players’ Association and from each

of the individual players currently in camp.

“As individual players who have received no compensation yet for any of our work for Canada Soccer in 2022, we cannot afford the risks that personal action against us by Canada Soccer will create.

“Because of this, we have advised Canada Soccer that we will return to training (Sunday) and will play in the SheBelieves Cup as scheduled.”

The statement added that the team believes the budget cuts by Canada Soccer before they prepare for the July 20-Aug. 20 World Cup are “unacceptable” and urged the governing body to do more to support the team.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their first goal with Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)

Karnataka shock Kerala in Santosh Trophy

Makhachev retains UFC lightweight

Canada women’s team. (FILE)

Saurashtra team coach Sitanshu Kotak, captain Arpit Vasavada with players celebrate after the team wins the 2nd semi final of Ranji Trophy match. (PTI)

Athletic Club Bilbao players celebrate their goal.

Women’s T20 WC: India beat Pak by 7 wkts

CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA), FEB 12 (IANS): India produced an impressive performance to beat arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets in their opening match of Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 at Newlands Cricket Ground, here on Sunday.

Riding on brilliant performances by Bismah Maroof (68 not out off 55) and Ayesha Naseem (43 not out off 25), Pakistan posted a competitive total of 149-4 in stipulated 20 overs.

Chasing 150, Shafali Verma was partnered by Yastika Bhatia for India at the top with Smriti Mandhana out injured.

The duo put on 38 for the opening wicket before Yastike was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal in the final over of the Powerplay. Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues rebuilt, but Pakistan struck in the 10th over when Sidra Amin pulled off a stunning catch close to the ropes to send back Verma.

While Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah fought back for a bit, Nashra Sand-

hu sent back Kaur in the 14th over to give Pakistan a massive boost. But, Jemimah Rodrigues led India’s fight in the run chase by smashing a fine unbeaten fifty (53 not out off 38) and along with Richa Ghosh (31 not out off 20), took India over the victory line in 19 overs with seven wickets in hand.

Earlier, Pakistan, who

won the toss and opted to bat first, lost opener Javeria Khan to Deepti Sharma in the second over.

Bismah Maroof and Muneeba Ali took the attack to Deepti to help Pakistan to 39/1 at the end of the Powerplay, their highest against India in the first six overs in women’s T20Is.

However, Radha Yadav struck soon after with

Real Madrid beat Al Hilal to win FIFA Club WC

the wicket of Muneeba and Pooja Vastrakar sent back Nida Dar for a duck to put India back on top. The in-form Sidra Amin joined Maroof in the middle and the duo put on 25 for the fourth wicket before a freak dismissal saw Amin dismissed by Radha.

Ayesha Naseem’s entry added impetus to Pakistan’s innings as she

raced off the blocks with some lusty blows. Maroof held one end up as Ayesha charged from the other to lift Pakistan past the 100run mark in the 16th over. Maroof completed her fifty soon after as the duo put on a partnership that pushed India onto the back foot. The unbeaten 81-run stand helped Pakistan to 149/4 at the end of 20 overs. The last five overs yielded 58 runs as Pakistan gave India a stiff target. In the earlier match, Alyssa Healy smashed 55 on her return from injury while Ashleigh Gardner picked a five-wicket haul as Australia thrashed New Zealand by 97 runs to kickstart their defence of the Women’s T20 World Cup on a high.

Brief scores: Pakistan

Women 149-4 in 20 Overs (Bismah Maroof 68 not out, Ayesha Naseem 43 not out; Radha Yadav 2/21) lost to India Women 151-3 in 19 Overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 53 not out, Richa Ghosh 31 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/15) by 7 wickets.

India lose to Pak in Asian Junior squash team c’ship men’s final

CHENNAI, FEB 12 (PTI): The Indian team went down 0-2 to Pakistan in the men’s final of the HCL 21st Asian Junior Team Squash Championship 2023 here on Sunday. In the clash between the top-seeded Pakistan and the second-seeded home team, the former came out on top with Noor Zaman and Muhammad Hamza Khan securing the wins.

While Zaman had to work hard to beat Krishna Mishra in four games, Khan overpowered Paarth Ambani in straight games. Zaman was extended by Mishra in the first game before he won it 12-10. He lost the second 9-11 before taking the next two 13-11, 11-9 to secure a 1-0 lead for Pakistan. In the second tie, Khan had no trouble beating Ambani 11-7, 11-5, 11-4. In the women’s final, Malaysia beat Hong Kong China 2-0 to claim the title. India finished with bronze in the women’s section along with Japan.

Tarundeep, Ankita win NRAT titles

ISL: Chennayin FC ends winning drought with a 2-0 win over East Bengal

CHENNAI, FEB 12 (AGENCIES): Chennai -

yin FC finally managed to end its two-month-long win drought when it beat East Bengal FC 2-0 to get its fifth win of the season here at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

The home side came out of the blocks aggressively and dominated possession but, at the same time, squandered many chances early on, in the match.

Early in the second half, moments after Rahim Ali missed a sitter in front of the goal, Chennaiyin FC went ahead, thanks to an own goal from Lalchungnunga in the 49th minute.

CFC’s Julius Duker set it up when he took a quick free kick to release Anirudh Thapa on the left side. Thapa then sent an accurate cross into the box, where Lalchungnunga tried to clear it from a charging Kwame Karikari but slotted it in, much to the delight of the home

Rahim Ali of Chennaiyin FC scoring the insurance goal against East Bengal in the ISL on Sunday. (The Hindu) fans. The home team then doubled the lead in the 87th minute after Edwin Vanspaul beat two defenders to assist Rahim Ali, who went past the East Bengal ‘keeper, Kamaljit Singh, and tapped it in to help Chennaiyin post a win after eight matches.

Earlier, the men in blue had a chance to go ahead as early as the third minute when Fallou Diagne headed a corner from

Aakash Sangwan only to find the crossbar. Towards the closing stages of the first half, Mahesh Singh created a couple of chances for East Bengal, but his teammates let him down with the finishing touches. In the 31st minute, Mahesh sent an inch-perfect pass to Suhair Vadakkepeedika, who shot it wide with an open net in front of him.

RABAT, FEB 12 (IANS):

Real Madrid were crowned the FIFA Club World Cup champions in the Moroccan city of Rabat after beating Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal 5-3. Vinicius Jr and Fede Valverde both scored twice, while Karim Benzema, who was back in the side after injury, also hit the target for Real Madrid, reports Xinhua news agency.

Vinicius opened the scoring in the 13th minute, sliding the ball home when put clean through on goal, and Valverde doubled Madrid’s lead in the 18th minute with a volley that took a slight deflection off a defender. It started to look

as if the game would be a stroll for the Spanish side, but Moussa Marega gave Al Hilal a lifeline as he found a gap in the heart of the Madrid defense to slip the ball past the helpless Andriy Lunin. Real Madrid looked to slow the ball down after the goal, but Benzema and Luka Modric both went close before halftime, with the Spaniards, who beat Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the semifinal, on top. Benzema scored in the 54th minute, taking advantage of an excellent cross from Vinicius, who was enjoying some defending that was less rigorous than he usually receives in Spain.

More gaps in the Al Hilal backline allowed Valverde to score a fourth for Madrid in the 58th minute as he was able to run onto a measured pass from Dani Carvajal. It looked once again that the game was over, but Luciano Vietto took advantage of some generous defending from Madrid to net Al Hilal’s second in the 63rd minute.

Vinicius made it 5-2 in the 69th minute when Dani Ceballos was unable to control and the ball ran kindly for him to score. Although Vietto scored his second of the night soon afterwards, there was no way back for his side.

NEW DELHI, FEB 12 (PTI): Veteran Tarundeep Rai claimed the top honours, winning the men’s recurve title in the final leg of the National Ranking Archery Tournament at the Yamuna Sports Complex here on Sunday.

Th e 2010 Asian Games silver medallist defeated former national champion Parth Salunkhe 6-2 in the final. Sukhchain Singh came third edging out India number one Atanu Das in a shoot-off.

Ankita Bhakat won the senior women’s recurve title with a 6-4 win over Madhu Vedwan, while Bhajan Kaur took the third place on the podium. Bhajan defeated Ridhi Phor 6-2.

Champions League back with Messi, no Mbappe

It adds up to plenty of drama even before soccer’s most prized club competition resumes with a stellar game between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

A rematch of the 2020 final won by Bayern pairs two powers that helped stop the Super League in 2021 by refusing to join it. What it won’t have at Parc des Princes are the goalscorer and goalkeeper with the best records from the group stage.

Mbappé, who scored seven goals across five different Champions League games in the fall, is out most of February with a thigh injury.

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s season is over because he broke a leg skiing on a vacation taken after Germany’s quick exit from the World Cup.

PARIS, FEB 12 (PTI): The Champions League returns on Tuesday to a very different European soccer scene than it was before a threemonth mid-season break.

In the interim, Lionel Messi won his first World Cup title. Kylian Mbappé almost won his second, then got injured. Early-

season favorites for the European title fell into slumps at home.

Meanwhile, one standout team before the World Cup, Napoli, has marched on and aims for its first quarterfinals place in the competition’s 68-year history.

Off the field, the Su-

per League project that tried to effectively kill the Champions League met a serious legal setback, and English title holder Manchester City faces Premier League charges of financial wrongdoing that can one day stop the club entering future Champions Leagues.

The other game Tuesday pairs AC Milan and Tottenham, two of the seven round of 16 teams that are currently outside the Champions League qualifying places in their domestic leagues.

Chelsea is another and visits Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, when Club Brugge hosts Benfica.

Four more first-leg games are scheduled February 21-22.

Nagaland beat Uttar Pradesh 4-1 to enter semifinals in the 5th National Masters Games (Football) at Varanasi, UP on Sunday. The team is led by Shiyito Achumi as team manager.

Indian woman player Radha Yadav with Richa Ghosh and teammates celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Sidra Ameen during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. (PTI)

File photo of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.