May 23rd, 2016

C M Y K

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monDAY • mAY 23 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 140 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

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T R u T H

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well — Voltaire Public notice

C M Y K

8:00 PM Deadline for submission of Press releases to the Morung express. effective from May 20, 2016

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• The Morung Express wants to make the newspaper available in the early morning hours to readers in the districts of Nagaland, as well as, in towns and cities in the North East. In order

to make this happen, the newspaper seeks the understanding, cooperation and support of our readers, this includes the Government, Civil Society organizations and the public.

• Effective May 20, 2016, The Morung Express will have a new publication deadline of 8:00 p.m., for all documents including press releases, articles and other news items. Any documents received after the new 8:00 p.m., deadline will be published in a later issue.

• This new deadline will make it possible for us to go to the printing press early and open opportunities for districts outside Dimapur and Kohima to receive the paper in the early morning.

• We appreciate your continued support for making it possible for the news to be distributed more fully throughout Nagaland.

Editor, The Morung Express

PAGE 12

commercialisation eroding naga textiles 6 Ar troopers killed

Unfair pricing, mass production, quality degradation, plagiarism plague loin loom weavers Morung Express Feature Dimapur | May 22

BH (all names abbreviated), a Naga weaver and seller, has been aware of this for a while, but one day, she and her friend decided to probe further. They visited nine shops at Marwari Patti selling “fake” and simplistic (Naga) shawls. The quality was poor, the price was cheap and the designs an absurd “cultureless” shock.

“They are like bosta (sack) material!” said an appalled and agitated BH at a meeting of loin loom (back-strap) weavers who have become alarmed by the trend of, what they call, the “cheap commercialisation” of Naga culture. The community loses ownership over the design and the produce all at once.

SK, who works with a body of weavers, observed that Naga textiles have “remarkable heritage” enmeshed in a system of hand spin, dyeing, warping, weaving, beads work and designs. Loin loom weaving was once fundamental to the artistic labour of Naga women, but “due to Christianity and modernisation the younger generation is not aware of our textile heritage,” said SK. Most of the shawls at Marwari Patti sell for Rs. 500-600 and are supplied from various parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. The designs, the weavers say, are mostly Ao, Lotha and Chakhesang, though not completely so; only certain motifs like spears are put on the shawls. The Sumi and An-

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

This used to be our village.

OKING HOSPITAL, KOHIMA

Ambulance service: 24x7 Advance life support with trained paramedics; Equipped for transportation of critical and trauma patients.

naga weavers are seen here working on the loin loom, traditional to every naga household. (Photos courtesy Sonnie Kath)

that weavers in Nagaland face. At handloom emporiums in New Delhi, weavers are consistently reprimanded, notably by Indian army personnel who have served in the North East, for the “high pricing” of Naga weaves.

“We get these shawls for free in Nagaland. Even if not, we can get good shawls for Rs. 200-500 in exchange for a bottle of rum. Why do you have to charge so much,” one weaver was told by an officer at an emporium. She promptly shooed them off from her store.

The trend of gifting intricately etched Naga weaves and crafts to ‘Very Important Persons’ has “degraded” the value and worth of both the culture and the labour involved.

“On several occasions I have seen the shawls being used as carpets and bedcovers,” laments BH. Each shawl is carefully designed and woven with bent backs over the loom for hours on end, with careVIP: Loom’s labour lost However, this is not the ful stitching together of the only effect of globalisation woven pieces at the end. gami weaves have escaped mass duplication through community intervention.

“Someone who knows nothing about Naga culture has designed these shawls,” maintained BH. Traditional Naga shawls entail a pattern of story-telling and form the literature of any given age/gender/ clan/village/tribe. Haphazard plagiarism leads to the loss of this cultural heritage and the narratives that extrapolate culture.

The women making these shawls are known to be from poor backgrounds, working hard on their only market skill—the loin loom—passed on through generations; they get a minimal part of the profit.

Some of the shop owners at Marwari Patti told BH that some women forcibly bring their produce to the shops. This could not be ascertained by BH as women who support such economies are generally faceless.

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today asked the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to take cognizance of the demand for 24% salary deduction of employees under the Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung.

A press note from the ACAUT media cell said that the CMO had this month “deducted the salaries of his employees for payment as per the demand letter of one Town Commander, Mokokchung Town, NSCN (IM)”.

The alleged “demand letter” dated March 11, 2016, was also made available to

the media by the ACAUT. However, the employees under the CMO establishment including the 70 Primary Health Centres/ Sub Centres in the district took out a signature campaign resolving that their salaries cannot be deducted for payment to any group.

The ACAUT alleged that “despite the emotion of the situation, the CMO was adamant that payment should be made. Left with no option, the employees resolved that the matter would be brought before the DC and FIR filed against the CMO. Facing the prospect of FIR being filed against him, the CMO finally released the deduct-

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

During 2014-15, the number of power consumers in Nagaland State rose to consuming 2, 32, 211 people.

Of these, domestic consumers account for 90.01 per cent, commercial consumers account for 8.3 per cent and the rest include industrial consumption, public lighting, bulk, public water works and irrigation and agriculture.

The per capita consumption of electricity was 2279.56 units during 2014-2015 as against 1594.19 units in 2013-14 and 1740.36 units in 201213, according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2015-16 bought out by the Economics & Statistics Department, Government of Nagaland. The installed capacity for power generation in the state was 26.84 MW in 201415 comprising of hydro - 26.34 MW

Yes

no

others

Fighting voter corruption is as important as fighting politician corruption to ensure Clean Election in Nagaland?

Yes

61%

no

14%

others

25%

Details on page 7

ed amount to the harassed employees on 20th May.” It demanded that the DC and SP of Mokokchung should take suo moto cognizance of the case and “probe why the CMO was so adamant that the 24% deducted amount should be paid to the so-called Town Commander?”

The ACAUT stated that the DC Mokokchung “cannot treat this matter lightly, because there is every chance of retribution from the armed cadres upon the employees; after all the CMO has washed off his hands from the matter.”

In the event this happens without the DC and SP, Mokokchung, having taken se-

rious note of the issue, the ACAUT cautioned that the district administration and police shall be held solely responsible for any untoward incident.

The ACAUT further stressed on the issue of 24% salary deduction as demanded by the Naga Political Groups. It said that “any DDOs/HoDs deducting staff salaries would be doing so at their own risk” and that ACAUT would be forced to file FIRs against the “irresponsible officers.” It appealed to all the responsible bodies especially the youth organisations in the districts to “straightway file FIRs against any factions indulging in taxation/extortion.”

2, 32, 211 electricity consumers in nagaland our Correspondent

Should Companies, Contractors and NGOs receiving work-contracts and financial aid from the State Govt be transparent and held accountableto public scrutiny?

Intervention It is not just the safeguarding of culture the weavers are concerned by. It is the specification that worries them—quality, pricing, livelihood and wages, stolen identities are some among them. And, that not many Naga people are ready to weave anymore.

“Very few Naga women and young girls want to learn weaving these days. There is some part laziness, but also some part ease of going for the culture of second hand easy-wash-and-wear clothing,” noted GS who has been in the business of weaves for many years now.

To cater to demand, particularly from outside Nagaland, she has no op-

ACAUT asks Mkg DC & SP to look into 24% salary deduction issue

Contact: - 0370-2290080 0370-2290146

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165

“Each of our weaves has significance—our ancestors earned them. Why are we giving these away en masse to dignitaries?” wondered SK. Head hunters’ and feast givers’ textiles were coveted fabric that symbolised prestige and showed their power among the tribes.

tion but to hire non Naga indigenous women who are ‘more efficient’ in producing myriad designs.

“We Naga people are dying with the art, struggling even with our traditional loin loom, forget about working on the shuttle (semi-mechanised) loom,” she stated.

This, however, need not be the case. Interestingly, GS suggested that the very institutions that may be responsible for the disappearance of the art be asked to revive it. “The church and schools should take active part in encouraging young people to take up loin loom weaving,” she noted.

Naga people already have the upper edge on design.Throughintroductionof loinloomweavinginschools, students, who are unable to catch up with the current education system, can have a viable employment opportunity in the future, and generational knowledge can be passed on.

Besides, if more Naga people weave and supply larger quantities of better quality Naga weaves, the same can be made available in affordable prices to Naga people who do not weave at all anymore.

This is possible when the Government of Nagaland begins to take interest in supporting and promoting the cause of small weavers. “This is what Article 371-A is for. Without government support, our rich heritage will be co-opted by market forces (unfair pricing, mass production, quality degradation, plagiarism) for commercial gains and we will lose our identity as well as rights,” said SK in conclusion, hoping that the issues of patenting and copyright will soon be addressed. The weaver’s meet was a starting point in the journey.

Kohima | May 22

and diesel - 0.0005 MW. Aggregate generation of power during the year 2014-15 was 705.83 MKWH, of 88.07 per cent was purchased and the rest came from hydro sources.

The report stated that by strengthening the existing infrastructure as well as by commissioning new projects, the state anticipates generation of more power. During 2014-15, power generation increased by 16.57 per cent over the preceding year.

Meanwhile, in 2014-15, the revenue collection from sale of power increased to Rs. 9867.241 lakhs from Rs. 8222.79 lakhs in 2013-14. This indicates a growth of 19.10 per cent over the previous years. However, taking into account the expenditure of Rs. 36665.68 lakhs incurred for power generation, purchase and distribution in 2014-15, the revenue collection was only for 26.91 per cent of the expenditure.

The report revealed that the operating deficit corresponding to the revenue receipts is due to three factors: The first one is low Revenue Return. Extensive rural electrification for low density load with long transmission network accounts for high transmission losses leading to loss of revenue. In terms of commercial losses- pilferage, non-billing, under billing, inefficiency in collection led to revenue loss. These issues demand immediate attention.

The second is that increase in rate of power purchased without improving the operating efficiency widened the gap between revenue expenditure and receipt. Finally, being a welfare state, tariff is structured according to affordability of the consumer.

Therefore, despite increase in expenditure, because of low tariff for certain sections of the population, revenue collection is negated.

in chandel ambush

IMPhAl, MAY 22 (IANS/PTI): A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and five jawans of the paramilitary force Assam Rifles were killed on Sunday in an ambush by militants in Chandel district of Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar border.

An Assam Rifles convoy was attacked by heavilyarmed militants around 1pm in Joupi Hengshi area of Chandel when the soldiers were returning after inspecting a landslide in the interior tribal district, people familiar with the matter said.

The slain personnel belonged to the 29th Assam Rifles.

Officials said that the ambush was carried out by

insurgents of the Corcom, the apex body of six proscribed underground organisations.

The attackers also snatched four AK-47 assault rifles, an INSAS rifle, a light machine gun and ammunition, before fleeing the spot.

While intelligence sources said six personnel including a junior commissioned officer were killed, Assam Rifles and police, while confirming the incident, declined to disclose the exact casualty figures.

The convoy of 29 Assam Rifles was approaching Holenjang village from the main camp at Joupi in Chandel district bordering Myanmar at 1 p.m. when the insurgents detonated

remote-controlled bombs and opened fire from several sides.

The exchange of fire lasted about one hour.

As news of the incident was received, reinforcements were rushed to the spot and operations launched to apprehend the perpetrators, who are believed to have escaped to no man’s land between Manipur’s border with Myanmar.

On June 4 last year, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and some other underground groups, had ambushed an army convoy in this district, killing 18 personnel of the Dogra Regiment on the spot and injuring 14 others.

Related story on Page 3

break in at HM’s son’s residence Morung Express news Dimapur | May 22

A break in at the residence of the Nagaland Home Minister’s son had the police puzzled as regards the nature of the intrusion. The incident occurred on the night of May 21 at the Sovima residence of Jackson Patton, the son of Nagaland Home Minister, Y Patton.

According to the house owner, an unidentified armed man in black combat fatigues intruded into his house around midnight Saturday and escaped after firing shots in the air. According to him, the intruder did not take any household item except two personal licensed guns kept in the house.

Briefing the media at his residence today, Jackson said he reached home at around 11:30 pm. “I was getting ready to sleep when I was startled by the sound of someone fiddling with the door lever,” he said. Thinking it could be someone from within the house he called out but there was no response.

The resident helper was asked to

check, who went downstairs to see an armed man, who was also holding a knife calmly walking out through the backdoor.

Alarm was raised but by the time other helpers of the residence gathered the intruder escaped, Jackson said. The intruder reportedly walked out through the main gate, fired three shots and disappeared.

A room downstairs earlier used as the family master bedroom was found dishevelled. Footprints were also found just beyond a section of the perimeter wall.

The intruder took the guns from that room, he added. Stating he has no idea how the intrusion took place, he said that the intruder had most likely taken his time. Alongwith with him, his wife and two daughters and a helper were all in the room when the intrusion happened unbeknownst to them, he said.

Perplexed and puzzled, he said that a formal police complaint was lodged at the Diphupar Police Station. Asked about any possible motive, he replied he cannot point to any, while adding it could have been a life bid too.

2

MonDAY 23•05•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

NSLSA holds state level training for PLVs

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) two day training programme for the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) was held on May 21 and 22 at the State Institute.

Speaking at the valedictory session, Y Longkumer, NJS Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench urged the PLVs to inculcate whatever has been learnt and dispense various activities for the weaker sections of the society in their respective districts. She also stated that to be an effective PLV, the only quality one needs to possess is empathy, and a heart to serve people.

Master Trainer, Alemwapang Ao proposed the vote of thanks. The participants were PLVs from all the 11 Districts of Nagaland.

Resource Persons for the two days training programme were Limasenla Longkumer, Project Coordinator; Esther Aye, Legal Aid Counsel; Cheliam Khiamniungan, Master Trainer; Asungbe Nhau, Legal

Aid Counsel; N.K Kenny, Zonal & National Best PLV (2015); Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate & President NVCO, A Zho, Advocate, Gauhati High Court; Alemwapang Ao, Master Trainer; Neiteo Koza, Panel Lawyer; Akumla Longchari, Master Trainer; and Joshua Sheqi, Retainer Lawyer, who spoke on different relevant topics.

Meanwhile Mezivolu T Therieh, Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary, Kohima DLSA; V Ashu Theyo, Retainer Lawyer; Visevonuo, Principal Kohima Law College; and Zhekheli Zhimomi, Retainer Lawyer Gauhati High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima spoke on the role of Legal Services Authority, expectation on PLV, PLV Code of Conduct, and the Vision of PLVs respectively.

Earlier Justice Nishitendu Chaudhury, Judge, Gauhati High Court &Executive Chairman, Nagaland State Legal Service Autbority inaugurated the training programme.

MEx File Fingerprint Design & Events continues awareness campaign

Kohima District

Peren District

9 AR observe Anti-Terrorism Day

Mokokchung District

Dimapur District

Deplorable condition of roads and bridges in the various districts of the state.

ATMA Dimapur conducts demonstration PFPS against transfer of SDO (E)

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The ATMA Dimapur, Kuhuboto Block conducted a demonstration on “Preparation of Fish pickle” and “Preparation of Fish Finger” on May 17 at Kiyelho Village, with Sentinaro, from Fishery department as the Resource person.

A brief introduction on the different fish flavours was illustrated by Sentinaro, which is also a good nutrient provider for the body.

She further illustrated the process of how to make fish finger and fish pickle to the participants.

She then elaborated that pickling is one of the safest means of easy preservation of fish. She also encouraged the participants to take up this kind of activities for the economy of their self help groups’ as

Resource Person, Sentinaro, along with ATMA officials and Participants during the demonstration on “Preparation of Fish Pickle” and “Preparation of Fish Finger” held on May 17 at Kiyelho Village.

preparation of fish pickle and fish finger is a low investment small scale business as it does not require any costly equipments.

However, strict hygiene and sanitary conditions are to be maintained.

She concluded by showing the participants a live

demonstration on the step wise method. Earlier the programme was chaired by Akavi Holo, BTM (ATMA) Kuhuboto Block.

KIPhIRE, MAY 22 (MExN): The Public Forum Pungro Sub-division (PFPS) has expressed dismay over the transfer of SDO (E) Pungro from the office of EE Kiphire to the office of EE Wokha vide No.PWR/ESTT32/2010 dated Kohima, the 17th May 2016 without any alternate arrangement or reliever.

A press note from the PFPS said that the office of JE (E) Pungro was recently up-graded to SDO (E) after much persuasion to the competent authority.

However, to the consternation of the public of Pungro sub-division, the transfer order came as a rude shock as the transfer and posting has been done without proper analysis, it said.

The PFPS stated that the sub-station at Pungro,

being located strategically comprises vast consumers of over 50 villages. Besides, it administers Likimro Hydro Electricity Project and the on-going Ponglifo mini hydro project at Salomi. “As such, it is imperative that an officer i.e., S.D.O. (E) should be posted and stationed at sub-station, Pungro to manned the office.”

To this end, the PFPS urged the concerned authority to revoke the transfer order or immediately deploy an officer against the existing vacancy in the larger interest of the public. The PFPS, on behalf of Pungro Sub-Division public, assured unflinching support and cooperation towards the concerned department if its genuine grievance is properly addressed.

RSUD, TYOD condemn May 22 shooting Block Farmers Advisory Committee meeting held

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The Rengma Students’ Union Dimapur (RSUD) has condemned Saturday’s firing in which an autorickshaw driver was injured.

Last evening, one Kihuto Yeptho, a Sergeant Major of the GPRN/NSCN, had fired on Police personnel which resulted in the injury of Gwahilo Rengma, an autorickshaw driver. The culprit was subsequently arrested.

The RSUD demanded that the “most appropriate punishment” be given to the rogue cadre considering the fact that his mindless action could have resulted in the death of an innocent person. “While anyone could have been victim of this shootout, the very fact that the cadre was illegally carrying arms in populated areas is a cause for concern for which higher authorities in the various factional setups are requested to look into,” the union stated.

The union meanwhile urged the State Government to compensate the

innocent victim.

RSUD applauded the Dimapur Police for their quick response in apprehending the culprit and also expressed appreciation at the Tenyimi Youth Organisation Dimapur (TYOD) for their timely assistance to the victim.

The Tenyimi Youth Organisation Dimapur (TYOD) has also condemned the incident. A press note from the TYOD informed that it would be monitoring as to how the case would proceed. It informed that in an emergency meeting, the TYOD demanded the GPRN/NSCN immediately terminate the said official within ten days.

“Further the same copy of termination order along with his photo in details be published,” it demanded.

Failing which, the TYOD cautioned that it would not remain a silent spectator against “such crimes against the innocent public.” The TYOD also appealed to the state law enforcing agencies to book the accused.

BFAC members meeting under Kuhuboto Block, ATMA-Dimapur.

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC) meeting was held on May 21 at Khughovi Village organised by ATMADimapur, Kuhuboto Block.

The meeting started off with a prayer from Henito Aye followed by getting to know one another through

self introduction. Welcome address was given

by Wochamo Patton, AO & BTT Convenor (ATMA), Kuhuboto Block. In his address he welcomed the members and thanked them for their valuable time and presence. He encouraged the members that their presence in the

meeting will bring a positive development in the extension service to the farmers under Kuhuboto Block.

Akavi V Holo, BTM (ATMA) and Secretary of BFAC, Kuhuboto Block highlighted the meeting minutes to the members and also asked the members any points to be dis-

cussed during the meeting. He also gave a brief highlight on the activities of ATMA and its functioning in the block level. He further illustrated on the various trainings and demonstrations undertaken in the block so far. He also illustrated on the different farm schools opened under Kuhuboto block.

The members actively participated in the meeting by sharing their views and opinion and they also shared how the farmers are benefitted in the farming sector through the service and knowledge provided by the extension service like ATMA. Ameto Yeptho, ATM (ATMA), Kuhuboto Block pronounced the vote of thanks. The meeting concluded with a fruitful interaction among the members on various topics related to agricultural extension and its allied sectors. Altogether 25 BFAC members attended the meeting.

Cathedral feast along with Sisterhood day celebrated in Kohima KohIMA, MAY 22 (MExN): The feast of Mary Help of Christians, the patroness of the Cathedral Church and the diocese of Kohima cum Sisterhood Day was celebrated on Sunday, May 22 with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant.

Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General, Fr. George Punnolil, Finance Administrator, Fr. Johny, Principal of St. Mary’s Cathedral school and Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, the Secretary to the bishop concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. Ninety sisters participated the celebration. 51 children received the sacrament of the first Holy Communion.

The Parish Priest, Fr.

Carolus accorded the words of welcome to Sisters, parents of the first communicants, President and colloquies of the Catholic Association of Nagaland, Nagaland Catholic Women Association and Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement and all the invited guests.

Bishop’s homily was based on the feast of the day, the Holy Trinity. “The feast reminds us that we are in relationship with each other and we are to love and help each other.

Our unity must not disintegrate the diversity and wise our diversity should not be a hindrance to unity,” he stated.

The Bishop thanked all the Sisters all over the diocese for their dedicated

DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): Fingerprint-Design & Events continued its awareness campaign (Conservation of Wildlife, Environment and Climate change in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) of visiting 175 colleges and schools in Nagaland. The campaign visited Chekiye Village Baptist Church Dimapur on May 22.

The campaign cautioned that any delayed action for conservation is likely to make it more difficult to address climate change. “The climate is changing faster than we can adapt. In addition to sea levels rising and major floods, rapid Climate change is affecting the weather as it becoming more extreme with intense major storms, more rain followed by longer and drier droughts (a challenge for growing crops).”

and devoted services, even in the most remote areas.

He assured them of the prayerful support to them.

There was special songs presented by Catechism children, FMA Novitiate, Cathedral Catholic Youth Association The actual celebration was preceded by one day seminar on Year of Mercy animated by Rev. Dr. Graviour Augustine, Professor of Oriens Theological,College, Shillong on Saturday May 21. On the same evening there was also the blessing and inauguration of the new statue of Mary Help of Christian, presented to the Church by the NCYM, after which a solemn prayerful candle lit procession was held.

KohIMA, MAY 22 (MExN): 9 Assam Rifles observed Anti Terrorism Day on May 21. The day was observed with an objective to bring awareness among the local populace and inform them regarding the dangers of terrorism, violence and its aftermath, said a press release from PRO (Def), Kohima, Col C Konwer. Various events – lectures, pledge ceremonies and motivational talks – were organized to demonstrate the negative effects of terrorism and violence. To make the day popular, officers of 9 AR met various dignitaries and students of various schools of Pfutsero and Chizami, the release said. The officers explained how terrorism is impacting their normal lives and the society. In addition, troops of 9 AR also participated in Anti-Terrorism Day and took pledge for the same at Tseisiema.

ANSTA Dimapur supports ultimatum DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) Dimapur unit has resolved to support the Central ANSTA on the ultimatum served to the Government for total bifurcation of higher secondary and secondary school. At its general body meeting held at Green Park conference hall here, ANSTA Dimapur unit also selected the following as members of the nominating committee to select the unit office bearers for the tenure 2016-19: Vihepu T Sema – convenor, Akum – Member, Neizevotuo – Member.

ANSTA, NSSFOF reminds members on mass casual leave DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The central body of the All Nagaland State Teachers Association (ANSTA) and the Nagaland Secondary Schools Field Officers Forum (NSSFOF) has reminded all its concerned members throughout the state to strictly adhere to and avail the proposed 3 days mass casual leave protest with effect from May 24 to 26. This is the first phase of their agitation against the State Government’s failure to fulfill their demands. The members are therefore directed to comply to this reminder strictly, a press note from the two organizations informed.

BJP officials appointed DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The State BJP President, Visasolie Lhoungu has appointed the following office bearers for the term 2016-18 with immediate effect: State Treasurer –Mahesh Kotecha; Mon District President – Nyeiwang Konyak; Tuensang District President – L. Thangse Sangtam. This was informed in a release issued by Jaangsillung Gonmei, General Secretary (Media), BJP Nagaland.

KTC serves ultimatum to BSNL DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The Khiamiungan Tribal Council (KTC) has served an ultimatum to the General Manager, BSNL regarding non function of BSNL service at Noklak sub division. A press note from the KTC stated: “it has been noticed that the department concerned intentionally neglected and isolated the grievances of our area.” The KTC informed that since its installation in 2002, network problems remain the same in the area. “Mere installation of tower without function is not required,” the KTC said. It appealed the department to either address the problem immediately or vacate the tower within one month from the issue of the ultimatum.

“Failing to comply within the mentioned period, the council shall not be held responsible if any eventualities/unwanted situation arises out of public anger,” it further cautioned.

Mass social work on June 4 KohIMA, MAY 22 (DIPR): Nagaland Government has decided to observe the World Environment Day on June 4 (Saturday). To mark the day, there will be a mass social work from 6:00 am to 8:00 am (2 hours) throughout the state. In pursuance of the State Government’s decision, Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel has requested all the ward authorities to inform the public in their respective wards to participate in the said social work on the occasion. He also informed Government Departments/ Educational Institutions to give cooperation and participate in the said social work. Besides, all district offices have been requested to maintain a dumping pit within their office complex.

Social work conducted at PHQ

A song being presented during the cathedral feast cum sisterhood day held in Kohima on May 22.

Elias, the President of CAN, and commissioner of Transport; Regina, President NCYM and Profes-

sor at St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, thanked the Sisters working in the diocese for their committed life

and service. A memento each was presented to the sisters by the diocese and by the CAN.

KohIMA, MAY 22 (DIPR): As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, all the staff and officers based at Police Headquarters (PHQ), Kohima conducted social work at the headquarters at PR Hill on May 21 despite the bad weather. In a brief meeting following the social work, the ADGP (Law and Order) Rupin Sharma (IPS) thanked all the participants and also exhorted them to adopt a responsible behaviour and bring about change in attitude in line with the spirit of the Mission.

According to the PRO, PHQ, M. Tungoe (IPS), it was also agreed that all must endeavour to make such an initiative a regular affair.

MonDAY 23•05•2016 18

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Sonowal unanimously elected as BJP Legislature Party leader

Guwahati, May 22 (Pti): Sarbananda Sonowal was today unanimously elected as BJP Legislature Party leader in Assam, paving the way for his becoming next chief minister of the state.

In the first meeting of the BJP legislators after the Assembly polls, party MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma proposed Sonowal's name as their leader in the House.

MLAs P Phukan, Atul Bora, Angoorlata Dela, Bhabesh Kalita and AC Jain supported Sonowal's name.

Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, who attended the meeting as an Observer from the BJP central unit, declared Sonowal elected unanimously as the Legislature Party leader.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support, Sonowal said, "We have the spirit of unity and we have to live up to the people's expectations."

Talking about his meet-

ing with Modi yesterday, Sonowal said the Prime Minister has asked everyone to work honestly for development of all sections of the society.

"He (Modi) said we have got a scope to work for all. He is there for us in our every need. We have to complete the unfinished work," Sonowal said.

He said the BJP winning 60 seats in Assam on its own was "completely unexpected for him".

"People wholeheartedly gave their mandate in our favour.

Nothing can be better than this. We have a big responsibility now," he added.

After the meeting, when asked by media about his priorities, Sonowal said implementation of 'Assam Accord' is topmost for him.

He also said there is no discomfort in working with his former senior and AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and he will seek guidance from him.

Sonowal resigns as Union Minister

New Delhi, May 22 (Pti): Assam's Chief Minister designate Sarbananda Sonowal today resigned from the Union Council of Ministers.

The resignation letter of 53-yearold Sonowal was forwarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the President, who accepted it.

"The President, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (Indepen-

dent Charge) of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, from the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect.

"Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, shall be assigned the Independent charge of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in addition to his existing portfolios," a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said.

Assam government will work to tackle illegal immigration: Sonowal New Delhi, May 22 (iaNS): The new BJP-led government in Assam will give top priority to finding a permanent solution to the problem of infiltration of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into the north-eastern state, BJP leader Sarbanand Sonowal has said. "The sealing of borders with Bangladesh will get top priority," Sonowal, who was elected BJP legislature party leader on Sunday, said in an interview to ETV. He said the issue of "identity crisis" in Assam vis-a-vis bona fide citizens of India and infiltrators from Bangladesh

was a matter of concern. However, infiltration had come down "after an agreement with Bangladesh", said a communique from ETV citing Sonowal. The focus of the new government will also be on maintaining law and order in the state and creation of employment opportunities for the youth.

The former union minister said his government will strive to "transform Assam" and insisted that the opposition Congress too will be involved in the developmental process. "There is need for transformation in Assam and we

will need the support from everyone in this endeavour," he said. Sonowal, who has resigned as union youth affairs and sports minister, said the new state government will work "as per the wishes of Assam people". "We want to win the hearts of Assam people," Sonowal said.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sonowal said: "We won due to his focussed approach towards the northeast. Modi's commitment and good governance model have strengthened the BharatiyaJanataPartyinAssamandrooted out the Congress's bad governance."

Rain, landslides disrupt life in North East

aGartala/Silchar, May 22 (iaNS): Road and rail traffic was disrupted in southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and western Manipur by incessant rain and landslides, officials said here on Saturday.

Tripura has been cut off from the rest of the country since Friday as its lifeline -- NH-8 -- was badly damaged in adjoining southern Assam.

A Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official said in Silchar: “Due to torrential rain during the past several days, coupled with heavy landslides, rail services have been disrupted in southern Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and western Manipur.”

He said that railway workers were working round-the-clock to clear the rubble in many places in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. “Huge mudslides together with boulders covering a large portion of the

tracks at Fidhing and other places are being cleared.”

NFR chief public relations officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said four major trains running between Guwahati and Silchar, including Silchar-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express and the Silchar-New Delhi via Guwahati Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express, were cancelled till the tracks were cleared.

The railway lines and the national highways from Guwahati pass through southern Assam to connect landlocked Tripura’s capital Agartala, Mizoram and western Manipur with the rest of India. These States are heavily dependent on the Railways for the supply of food grain, fertilisers, petroleum products, construction material and other commodities. The 585-km NH-8 is the only road link between Tripura and the rest of the country via Assam and Meghalaya.

Incessant rainfall hit Mizoram, 2 killed in building collapse

aizawl, May 22 (NNN): The incessant rainfall that continued from last Tuesday has hit several part of Mizoram causing damage to lands, road and buildings. Some paddy fields and fisheries at Saihaipui and Phainuam villages in Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district were submerged by flood due heavy rains,

sources said.

The heavy rainfalls also caused landslide at several places across the state.

The National Highway 54 between Saihai and Lawngtlai was blocked on Friday due to landslide and no vehicles could pass along this road till Sunday when this report is filed. Apart from this, there were occurrences of mudslide

at several places between Aizawl and Kawnpui on the national highway 54 via Sairang road. A bridge over Tlawng river at Bairabi was also collapsed on Sunday due to heavy rainfall, sources said. In another tragic incident caused by continuous rainfall, a women and her daughter were died when a building collapsed at Zonuam locality on Saturday evening.

Rains cause landslides, river flooding in Manipur iMPhal May 22 (iaNS): Torrential rains in the past few days triggered landslides, flooding of rivers and inundated low lying areas in Manipur's hill districts.

Tamenglong district has been cut off since road communication has been disrupted, officials told IANS on Sunday.

Many residence are facing scarcity of rice and other consumer items.

Vehicles are stranded as multiple landslides have blocked the roads.

The Border Road Organisation and Public Works Department are yet to clear the debris in the national and state highways.

Officials warned of more landslides as heavy rains continued. Various items cannot be transported from Assam as the NH

37 is blocked.

Legalised border trade at Moreh is suspended as the Trans Asian highway is breached and depressed at many places following heavy rains in Tengnoupal sub division. The tract was damaged in earthquake and heavy downpour in January.

Flash floods have overflowed a number of fish farms in Bishunupur district incurring heavy losses to farmers.

The rivers in Thoubal district overflowed and flooded several residential areas. The Thoubal river is also running above the warning level.

Schools, market places and other low lying areas in and around Imphal are flooded.

17 killed, several others Mizo woman climbs Mt. Everest summit injured in Arunachal accident aizawl, May 22 (NNN): A 20 year old Class 12 student Lalrintluangi on Saturday became the first Mizo woman to reach the top of Mt. Everest. She was the second person from Mizoram to reach the summit after David Zohmangaiha who scaled the top of the highest peak in the world in 2013.

Lalrintluangi had been selected as part of a 10-member All India NCC Girls Expedition team and was the only member from the Northeast states in the Mt Everest team.

She along with her friend has set for camp 2 on May 18 and stayed there for one night. On May 19, they set out for camp three and on May 20 towards camp 4. After a brief rest at camp 4, they moved out for summit and finally reach the top of Mt. Everest on 21 May around 11 am.

Born to Lalbiaknipuia and B. Zirthangi, the 20 year old Lalrintluangi is a Class 12 student in Govt KM Higher Secondary School in Aizawl and she is the member of All India NCC Girls Expedition team.

Meanwhile, State Sport Minister Zodintluanga has congratulated Lalrintluangi on her successful summit saying her achievement was one of the milestone achievements for the state of Mizoram and the Mizo people. David Zohmangaiha, first among Mizo who summit Mt. Everest also extended heartiest congratulation to Lalrintluangi.

itaNaGar, May 22 (Pti): At least 17 people were killed and several injured when the vehicle in which they were travelling skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.

The mishap occurred at around 12.30 pm on Rupa Kalaktang road when the pick-up vehicle was on its way to Betchelling village, Power Minister T N Thongdok, who represents the area, said over phone.

Thongdok has rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. “I am in touch with administration and have apprised Chief Minister Kalikho Pul who has

NE districts record highest cancer incidence rate in India Guwahati, May 22 (tNN): A new report published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under its National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), recorded Aizawl in Mizoram and Papumpare in Arunachal Pradesh as districts with the highest age adjusted cancer incidence rate in the country.

A Nandakumar, principal coordinator of NCRP, on Saturday said unhealthy lifestyle choices and increased consumption of smoked meat and tobacco are to be blamed.

Age adjusted cancer incidence rate is a scientific

method to compare aged patients and the young adults attacked by the disease. It also takes into consideration the number of old and young people affected comprising a particular local population.

While Aizawl was found to have the highest cancer incidence rate in men with 271 affected in a population of 100,000, Papaumpare was found to have the highest cancer incidence rate in women with 249 affected in a population of 100,000.

This is not the only issue to be worried about in the report from the northeast.

The report said cervical

cancer was a leading form of the disease in Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland.

The report also states that the Kamrup (Metro) district has the fourth highest cancer incidence rate among men in the country with 206 affected in a population of 100,000. The rate is the same among women in the district and was found to be third highest in the country. The district has also recorded the highest cases of gall bladder cancer in both men and women in the country. Assam ranks third in the number of cases of oesophagal cancer in women.

assured all possible relief. ... Let us pray for peace of all departed souls. Condolence to families of the

victims,” Thongdok said.

Senior police and administration officials in the district could not be contacted.

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Post-ambush, minister reviews law and order in Manipur New Delhi, May 22 (iaNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday met top officials, including of intelligence agencies, and directed security forces to take all necessary action against militants involved in the killing of six Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur, official sources here said.

The minister also directed union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to conduct a review at his level in the security establishment, the sources said.

Six troopers of 29 Assam Rifles were killed when their convoy was ambushed on Sunday in Manipur's Chandel district by insurgents of Corcom, an apex body of six proscribed underground organisations (Coordination Committee), officials said.

The attackers also snatched four AK-47 assault rifles, an INSAS rifle

and a light machine gun, besides ammunition, before fleeing the spot. The incident happened in an area bordering Myanmar.

Singh expressed "pain" over the killing of the Assam Rifles personnel and said the government was monitoring the situation.

"Extremely pained to learn of the killing of Assam Rifles JCO and jawans in Manipur. My condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

He said in another tweet: "Spoke to DG Assam Rifles who apprised me of the situation in Manipur. MHA is closely monitoring and reviewing the situation in the state."

On June 4, 2015, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and other underground groups ambushed an army convoy in Chandel district, killing 18 personnel of the Dogra Regiment and injuring 14 others.

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BUSINESS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

So, was it all only about Apple Apps & Maps?

New Delhi, May 22 (iaNS): He came. He saw. But Apple CEO Tim Cook is yet to get the biggest bite into the huge consumer base in the country, of which every tech player -- from China to Korea to Taiwan -- is trying to get a bigger share. If we look at why, in the first place, Cook came to India in this sweltering heat, it would not be wrong to interprete his first visit to the country as an exploratory mission rather than as one with a clear-cut investment agenda.

First, during his fourday “encrypted” trip Cook did not specify the amount the $233 billion-rich Apple would invest in India, unlike in China where it announced to invest $1 billion in Chinese ridehailing service Didi Chuxing -- a rival to Uber.

its iOS mobile platform.

Both announcements were grand but came without any investment figures.

In his much-awaited meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 55-yearold Apple head stressed the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing Apple devices in the country.

Again, nothing concrete was given out except “sharing Apple’s future plans for India” and appreciation for “the breadth of young talent in the country”.

While Apple iPhones’ sales grew nearly 56 percent in India in the second quarter of this year from the year ago period, data compiled by market research firm CounterPoint Technology revealed that south Korean smartphone maker Samsung sold in India more phones than Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks about the Apple TV during an event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. (REUTERS File Photo)

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant announced its first development centre in Hyderabad to work on Apple Maps. Ear-

lier, Cook revealed an app design and development centre in Bengaluru that will support the Indian developers creating mobile apps for

in the premium category (Rs.30,000 and above) in 2015-16.

According to the report, Samsung’s share in the premium smartphone segment was 47 percent while Apple came second at 45 percent. Looking pretty aware of these facts, Cook played his future cards as he met some key telecom players like Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecommunication companies which was the first to launch 4G in India and is set to offer the service countrywide.

Bullish on India’s upcoming 4G revolution, Cook told an Indian TV channel that 4G is critical for India’s progress -- thus setting up the roadmap for a possible alliance with some big players to help

Apple open more retail stores in the country. He also revealed his plans to soon bring to India Apple Pay -- a mobile payment and digital wallet service that lets users make payments through Apple devices, a convenient way to make cashless payments.

Amid all the media hype, Apple’s long-standing query to allow it to import and sell refurbished iPhones at a cheaper price in India was almost left unanswered at the highest levels. Rather, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly asked Cook to come and manufacture iPhones here.

So, apart from seeking blessings from Ganesha at Mumbai’s famous Siddhivinayak temple, meeting Bollywood biggies at the dinner superstar Shah

Vijay Mallya’s India woes EPFO to consider housing now troubling his US beer firm scheme for members New yORK/lONDON, May 22 (PTi): Legal proceedings in India against beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya have now come to haunt his US-based brewery firm, which is banking on $1 million bridge loan promised by his holding firm for survival.

“Vijay Mallya, the company’s chairman and indirect majority shareholder, is presently subject to certain legal proceedings in India, which may impair the company’s ability to obtain financing from UBHL (United Breweries Holding Ltd) and other potential funding sources,” California-based Mendocino Brewing Company Inc said in a regulatory filing.

Mallya, who is at the centre of a major controversy for the huge loan defaults by his group in India, controls over 68 per cent shareholding held through UBHL in Mendocino. This is probably the first admission by the US-listed firm, which is struggling for funds and has been served ‘default’ notices by lenders in the past, about the potential impact of Mallya’s legal woes in India on its own fortune. As of March 31, 2016, MBC had cash and cash equivalents of $52,900, an accumulated deficit of over $18 million, and a working capital deficit of over $12 million due to losses incurred, and debts.

If it fails to secure funds, Mendocino said, the lenders may take “recourse against the applicable pledged collateral which includes the company’s real

and personal property in the US and the UK”. In its latest quarterly filing with the US markets regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mendocino further said, “The board of directors of UBHL during this quarter has approved debt financing to the company in the form of $1,000,000 of bridge loans.

“If UBHL does not consummate such debt financing, it would have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and the company’s ability to continue to operate.”

The company disclosed that its total assets declined to $16 million as on March 31, 2016 -- lower than the total liabilities worth more than $18 million.

In the quarter ended March 31, it recorded total sales of about $6.9 million, but suffered a net loss of $637,100.

Mallya got a pay package of over Rs 1.7 crore in 2015 from this US-based company, more than half of which was paid by Mendocino to him for “promoting” the company’s beer brands.

Mallya serves as Chairman of the board of directors of the company, which has an exclusive licence to brew and distribute Kingfisher Premium Lager in various countries. Besides, it produces and sells a number of craft beer brands. United Breweries Holdings Ltd (UBHL), the holding firm of Mallya-led UB Group, is the “indirect majority shareholder” of Mendocino Brewing Company (MBC).

Toyota says 90% of Camry demand for hybrid model now MUMBai, May 22 (PTi): As much as 90% of the demand for premium sedan Camry in India is for its hybrid model, carmaker Toyota said.

Over the years, the Japanese auto major has been witnessing a steady rise in sales of Camry Hybrid. While in 2013, the share of hybrid in Camry sales was only 15%, within a year it soared to 73% and in 2015 it jumped further to 86%.

Toyota is the only company that assembles and sells pure hybrid models in the country. It began local assembly of the Camry Hybrid way back in August, 2013.

While it assembles the Camry Hybrid at its Bengaluru plant, it also sells another such model, the imported Prius Hybrid, in the country.

Globally, Toyota sold 9 million hybrids in 2015, most of which were Camrys followed by Prius, Toyota Kirloskar Motors Vice Chairman Shekhar Vishwanathan said, adding that with the government incentive of Rs 70,000 cash discount on each unit, the company expects the demand for hybrids to only go up.

Currently, Camry Hybrid has a price tag of Rs 33 lakh in New Delhi, which is its largest market, while the Prius Hybrid comes at Rs 38 lakh.

He refused to answer whether the company will look at local assembly of the Prius Hybrid also.

New Delhi, May 22 (PTi): Retirement fund body EPFO is working on a proposal to provide low cost housing to its over five crore subscribers. “The EPFO is working on the proposal to provide low cost housing to its subscribers, which will come up for discussion in the meeting of its trustees expected sometime next month,” a source said.

Earlier this month, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya had said in the Lok Sabha that the government is exploring the possibility for providing a suitable low-cost housing scheme for subscribers of Employees’ Pension Fund.

He was replying to a question whether the government or the EPFO has introduced/proposes to introduce a scheme to allow its subscribers to pledge their future PF contribution to buy low-cost houses. Last year, the proposal was also on the agenda of EPFO’s trustees meeting held on September 16. A report of an

leisure

expert committee on housing facility for the subscribers was also presented to the trustees for their perusal.

The committee had unanimously recommended a scheme to facilitate subscribers to buy houses where they will get an advance from their PF accumulation and will be allowed to pledge their future PF contribution as EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) payment.

Under the proposed scheme, there will be a tripartite agreement with member, bank/housing agency and EPFO for pledging future PF contributions as EMI payment.

The panel had suggested that the subscribers will

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Sony starts pre-registration for Xperia X & XA smart phones New Delhi, May 22 (aGeNCieS): Sony India has started pre-registrations for its yet to launch, Xperia X and XA smartphones in India. Sony had showcased X series range which includes X and XA smartphones at Mobile World Congress back in February. According to an official press statement, Sony is not bringing X Performance smartphone to India anytime soon. It will be interesting to see how Sony prices these devices.

Sony Xperia X features a 5-inch Full HD display with Triluminous display technology. Sony Xperia X features 23MP primary camera seen on more premium Xperia X lineup while the front camera is a 13MP one. Sony Xperia X is powered by Snapdragon 650 chipset and features fingerprint scanner.

Sony Xperia X has a 7.7mm thick profile and weighs 152 grams. The smartphone was launched in white, black, gold and rose gold colour variants. Sony Xperia XA can be called lite version of Xperia X. The XA is powered

by MediaTek Helio P10 processor coupled with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The dual SIM smartphone features a 5-inch 720p HD display and supports 4G LTE bands.

Sony Xperia XA comes with 2300mAh battery and Sony’s superior battery-saving technology. Sony Xperia sports a 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. Both Sony Xperia X and Xperia XA run Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The devices are expected to launch on May 30.

purchase a dwelling unit with loans from bank or housing finance companies and hypothecation of property in favour of the latter. However, the panel had suggested this scheme for those EPFO subscribers who are low income formal workers and could not buy a house during their entire service period.

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According to Faisal Kawoosa, lead analyst with CyberMedia Research (CMR), a nod to import and sell refurbished iPhones at a cheaper price would have had put Apple in a very advantageous position in the country.

“At a time when its revenues have taken a hit globally, selling its products in mid- and low-price segment would give the company an upper hand,” he told IANS. So, a fullfledged Apple manufacturing unit in India appears quite far off at the moment. “As of now, we understand it [the visit] was more of bringing research and development into the country,” Kawoosa added.

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Rukh Khan hosted at his residence ‘Mannat’, and watching an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match at Kanpur, what did Cook finally garner in these four days?

“I will call it a great exploration effort, and do not see any immediate results.

Yes, I find Cook’s meeting with the Reliance Jio team the most significant one as they are the biggest 4G player in the country at the moment,” says Vishal Tripathi, research director at global market consultancy firm Gartner.

“I won’t call his visit a ‘wow factor’ at this moment. Even for the Maps facility, Apple has outsourced it to a Noida-based firm,” Tripathi told IANS. For the Maps development centre, Apple has partnered with Noida-

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MondAY 23•05•2016

NAGALAND

NPF clarifies on disciplinary actions Kohima, may 22 (mExN): Responding to several reactions on the suspension of Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio in the local media recently, the Naga People’s Front has stated that the reactions accusing and condemning the NPF President, Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu for the action so taken are deemed by the party as “unbecoming, or acts of ignorant, deliberate partiality”.

A press release from the NPF Press Bureau stated that the “cause or causes behind the inevitable disciplinary actions” so taken by the party are not in the interest of any individual or group, “but as warranted by the respective Articles as envisaged in the NPF Constitution.”

“Neither the NPF President, Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu, nor any other person, for that matter, can comment on any case

NPF Phek endorses decision to suspend Rio PhEK, may 22 (mExN): The Phek Division of the Naga People’s Front has endorsed the decision to suspend Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio While acknowledging Rio's contribution to the State, the NPF Phek in a press release suggested that the decision “came about due to unavoidable reasons” and insisted that the “vicissitudes of politics has created certain situations as of now.”

Extending its full endorsement to the decision, the unit maintained that NPF President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu had indeed taken “the right decision all things considered in order to save the Government”.

“The NPF had to introspect deeply before finalising its decision regarding the suspension.”

Also lauding the efforts of TR Zeliang, the NPF Phek Division insisted that the Chief Minister “in spite of political rumbles within the party has weathered it with flying colours”. “As such, NPF-led DAN III Government is definitely headed for better times,” it concluded. that is subjudice,” it further noted.

Reasoning that Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu is accepted as one of the most

respected torch bearers of regionalism and regional ideology in the entire region, the NPF Press Bureau stated, “The elderly

statesmanship of the NPF President Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu, who has effectively played the role of being the bridge between the Government and the party, has greatly contributed resulting in a performing Government.”

Stating that Nagas are at a juncture which calls for understanding one another, the NPF Press Bureau urged “solidarity through acceptance and trust in each other”.

Contending that the legacy of our distinct identity, culture, tradition, customs, honesty, courage and hospitality that we claim to have inherited from our fore fathers are on the wane, the NPF press bureau questioned if there was anyone to be blamed.

“Or, can there be any one to volunteer accepting responsibility for the state of confusion and mess that we are in?” it asked.

Dimapur Govt School decides to self-finance a substitute teacher GMS United Colony without Science Teacher DimaPur, may 22 (mExN): Government Town Middle School at United colony, Dimapur has been functioning without a Science teacher, thus affecting the 258 students enrolled from class 6 to 8.

In such a situation, the

School Management Committee (SMC) has decided to self-finance a substitute Science Graduate Teacher.

A press release from I Temjenmeren Jamir, Chairman, SMC Government Town Middle School, said that for the welfare of the school children, the SMC after a thorough discussion with the teachers of

provide the required substitute teacher for the sake of the school children at the earliest.

The release mentioned that the school, which was established in 1942 as Govt.

Town Primary School, was upgraded to Government Town Middle School in 2011. It currently has an enrolment of 919 students from class A to 8.

ARWWA HQ 5 Sector campaign for Bachao Beti Padhao Our Correspondent Kohima | May 22

The Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association (ARWWA) HQ 5 Sector based at Tsiesema in Kohima district today campaign for “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save Girl Child Educate Girl Child) here at Tsiese Basa.

Interacting with the women folk of Tsiese Basa, ARWWA HQ 5 Sector president Amardeep Bains stressed on the importance of women education for all round development of the society.

She asked the women folk to

come forward as Assam Rifles is always there to extend help to them.

She asked them to send their children to Assam Rifles schools where Assam Rifles will sponsor their education.

She also said that it will also offer professional and skill development courses to the interested students and at the same time support those who wish to take further studies. The women folk have also been asked to avail medical facilities and short term computer course.

Tsiese Basa Village Council chairman Kruzo Mere expressed gratitude to HQ 5th Sector and 9 Assam Rifles

Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou Memorial School (RDNUMS) charity home during a visit to Old Aged Home and Bright Morning Star Children Members of social networking group ‘The Nagas’ organized a cleanliness drive at Naga Hospital, Kohima on May 14.

Home, Kohima on May 20.

A community meeting on TB was held at Watiyim and Moayimti villages to create awareness on TB among the community.

the school has concluded that there is no option, but to self-finance a substitute Science Graduate Teacher.

The SMC agreed to collect a sum of Rs.1000 each from all its members to pay the teacher, the release said.

In this light, the School Management Committee has urged upon the Department of School Education to

Hindi Baptist Church, Haralu Colony Dimapur ‘Fathers’ Camp 2016’ held at GCYM from May 13 to 15 was attended by 43 fathers from the church. The resource persons were Rev Dr Hukashe Zhimomi, executive secretary, Nagaland Police Baptist Churches Association; Mongzeung Mpom, pastor, Jalukie Town Baptist Church; Manen, pastor, 1st NAP church Chumukedima; and Rev Dr Rabi Pame, principal, Unity College of Theology & Mission.

for coming forward to help propagate the importance of “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” to the villagers.

He expressed the hope that today’s interaction will go a long way in enhancing women education in the village. He informed that Tsiese Basa was established in 1975 and presently it has 135 households with 1735 population as per 2011 census.

Meenakshi Tyagi, wife of CO 9th Assam Rifles accompanied Amardeep Bains while 9th Assam Rifles 2nd-in-Command Shyamal Paul was also present on the occasion.

Seen in this image is the newly constructed road at Lengrijan colony. An area of 28,700 sq. feet was black topped at Lemjem Mepu (Sector-6) with an amount of Rs. 11.8 lakhs generated through contributions by the residents of the colony. Rev. Maong Lemtur, Associate Pastor, DABA offered the dedicatory prayer on Saturday.

New Market Area Panchayat and New Market Youth Organization on May 17 organized a tree plantation program within the colony. NMAP chairman Kuotsu, along with NMYO president Vizo Nakhro, members of NMAP panchayat and youths volunteered during the tree plantation program at New Market colony.

Public SPace

T

Rejoinder to 'For Those Who Whine'

he MIP/GPRN, in Local Dailies of Nagaland 20 May 2016 replied to the Public Reaction on the 4-Point Indo-NSCN (IM) Settlement and said: "The NSCN Collective leadership ...........on many occasions in the form of Consultative Meetings to the Naga People had sufficiently laid bare the nature of the talk and its prospect".

This is partly true; the Organization did arrange quite a few public Consultative Meetings, but never in any had they remotely brought out the 4 Points in any form.

The Nagas heard of the 4-Point Indo-IM Settlement from one Indian Reporter Bharat Bhushan in Morung Express of 20 April 2016, not from the IM who only maintained Silence till Individuals and groups of concerned Nagas began to question the wisdom of the 4 points in the Settlement.

Thuingaleng Muivah made the Indo-NSCN general Accord with Prime Minister Modi for a Negotiated Settlement of the Indo-Naga Problem while Isaac Swu, the Chairman of the Organization was in Coma.

Isaac was admitted to the Hospital and had just regained consciousness in the supper Hospital Fortes at Delhi when the 3rd August 2016 Accord was made.

Twenty two days after the Accord, on 25th August 2015, in the 8thConsultative Meeting at Niathu Resort Chümukedima, the first since the August Accord, the NSCN (IM) Supremo Thuingaleng Muivah himself Chaired the Meeting; this Writer was also cordially Invited in a special blue colored Invitation Card of the Organization, but

did not attend.

The next day, the Report of the exalted Consultative Meeting appeared in all the local Papers. Indeed the Supremo is reported to have talked and talked for long hours on end about "the nature and the prospect of the Accord" but did not lay anything bare in details.

Dr. Tuisem Shishak of Patkai College seemed to have some hopeful nice words for the undefined Accord and Social Scientist Mr. Niketu Iralu has expressed the need to the IM to include all other Naga Groups transparently in the ongoing Accord.

Except for the significant few words of these two, other beautiful words from alwaysagreeable Elites; Religious, Secular and the Fence-sitter in-betweens, were all blah...... blahs and there appeared to have made no consultations in the Consultative Meeting.

The Government of Nagaland did not know anything about the details of the Accord but has herded all the NGOs and all agreeable persons in support of the unclear Accord on payment for the attendance.

Such a System of secret purchases and lack of moral Ethics are being very unfortunately started to practice in the Naga Society. Today Favors, Awards, Supports, Oppositions, Degrees, Attendance, Criticisms, Praises -all venal practices- are being employed in the Naga Society: these are all vile immoral practices every Individual, Organization and the Government in particular need never initiate.

At least, to the great relieved of the People, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland

(IM) daubed 'the most violent and fearful armed Group in the Northeast', no longer use its 'Power from Barrel of the Gun' influence to compel attendance to its Consultative Meetings.

The IM MIP claimed (News Media, Nagaland: 20 May 2016) "The NSCN Collective leadership ...........on many occasions in the form of Consultative Meetings to the Naga People had sufficiently laid bare the nature of the talk and its prospect".

It was only a Reporter from India, Bharat Bhushan, Morung Express of 20 April 2016, based on sources from the IM, who published the 4-Point Indo-IM Settlement, not the IM. Whenever public voices are raised on them, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, now morphed Nagalim, habitually place itself on a holier than thou political stance and deride others and describe themselves as the only politics of the Nagas.

It is more honorable to receive praise from others than self praise.

On 11 November 2015, the IM arranged a Consultative Meeting with the Angamis in the APO Hall Kohima.

This Writer also attended the Meeting on invitation from the APO and thought he will have a chance to hear the words of the IM leaders closely in person for the first time. I wanted to see the perception of the Organization on various Indo-Naga Issues and took my seat in a Front-ish position of the hall well ahead of time.

Mr. Raising, a well known name in the Organization, began to speak about the historic achievement of their Organization and the Indian Govern-

ment accepting the Unique History of the Nagas.

I expected him to speak Item by Item of their negotiation with the Government of India on various Issues, the winning points, the difficulties, the concession India may give, the Points in which Nagas are strong and India weak or vice versa, the position IM took in each of various Issues, the achievements IM could make so far, their failures, their Assessment of the Indian Stand, and the support of Naga Public they would require in this and that coming discussions; and on many other specific Matters.

Most of all, I was interested to gather something of what the IM took in the Talk on sensitive Issues of Integration, of Naga Independence and on Sovereignty of the Nagas.

Mr. Raising did not touch any of these Issues in the consultation Meeting. He harped on and on, in description of their Organization only. I left the Meeting to attend a colleague daughter's wedding while he was speaking.

The IM do not discuss specific Issues; they talk only of General Issues in General Terms, not on deep realistic or specific political matters.

To be brutally frank: I hesitate to share my Mind with the IM because I feel they are not, -Open, -Honest, -Sincere, –Humane or Gracious and assume an abrasives holier than thou attitude in everything Naga Politics.

Nagas have every right to hear the India-IM Talk, Issue

by Issue, at least the principal ones, than time wasting grey generalities?

Thepfulhouvi Solo

T

Jerusalem temple in Nagaland and rational anger of Jesus

he Gospel of Matthew 21: 12-13 says “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13. It is written” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” According to the instruction and authority of Jesus, “my house” refers to a house predominantly reserved for prayer. It symbolizes the meaning of communication skill between God and His believers and in the context of modern Christianity “my house” refers to Church both as a building and worship place. A church comprises of leader, disciples, members, followers, helpers, spiritually weak and strong children of God. In Judaism, no fundamental disrespect is shown to the temple (Sam Han. 2002). The fundamental aspect of the church is to keep it clean within and outside the church in speech, deed, thought and personal commitment. The church repudiates money making, injustice, discrimination, captivation, robbery, lie, tragedy, frustration, depression, ego, fame, judgmental, legitimization and opportunists. The church as building and worship place in the Naga society remains obscurity like the Jerusalem temple with many money changers, traders and priest who mortified the sacredness of the temple. Jesus had no option than to drive out for they have polluted sacred house. Jesus, with his brother and mother went to Capernaum and attended the Jews Passover day,

that commemorates Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Egypt (The Study Bible.

2015), but found many business people and exploiters in the temple. Similarly, travellers, visitors, permanent members and many others attend Naga Churches but churches are found defamed. For this people, the house of the Lord is the sources of nourishing spiritual food that would be interpreted into their way of life. However, this center of spiritual nourishing center is found polluted by church leaders with greed, fame, corruption, hierarchy, money making, forced contribution and injustice. Whatever phenomenon emanates within the church effects everything outside the church. Jesus repudiated the idea of those who polluted the house of prayer; similarly, it is the responsible of the Church leaders in the Naga society to repudiate any dirty business emerges among the members both within and outside the church. Pope Frances harshly denounced people who exploit and donate the church. He said that “their dirty money isn’t wanted or the church does not want dirty money of exploiters” and asked these people to take back their money or burn it for the church does not take any dirty money (CAN. 2016). Such discipline would direct members’ way of life to maintain society with justice and discipline both before God and fellow human beings.

A Jamaican Church leader rejected an offer of a gift amounting to £500,000 (J$90 million) for he did could not ascertain the source of income of the contributor and he cautioned other clergy against ac-

cepting any “blood-stained” money (TC. 2016).Naga Churches (not all) need religious leaders like Pope Francis and righteous angry Jesus to reject any dirty contribution in the church, not to reject them but to bring them to a righteous path. Naga churches may rigorously introspect that contributions from many political leaders and officers to churches belong to the innocent villagers who are cheated, betrayed and left unknown of their share which the central government sends in the form of packages and schemes.

In many churches, the symbol of God’s presence had vanished. Church has become exploiting place, degenerated to routinized visit under the corrupt rule of many Religious leaders in association with political leaders and officers (not all) like the temple of God becomes a “robbers’ den” (Matthew. 21:13). Jesus angry confrontation with money changer and guards at the temple cleanses the worship place.

Jesus scolded the wrong doers and passed them good messages. Most significantly, Jesus was not against the profit of the traders but the traders in the wrong place. The righteous anger of Jesus was upon the defamation of the sacred place. Naga churches need angry priest, pastors and other religious leaders with righteous anger to confront fellow church leaders and members who pollute churches. A righteous anger religious leader is worth than silent corrupter, money changer and trader in the church.

Lemwang Chuhwanglim Researcher & Activist

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for diverse opinions to be expressed and heard. The opinions in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper nor the editor.

6

Monday 23•05•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express

C O M M E N T A R Y

Mark Perryman openDemocracy

THE ENGLAND EURO 2016 TEAM: An The 'Game of Thrones' imagined community of 11 named people volume Xi issue 140

By moa Jamir

continues in Nagaland

A

nybody vaguely interested in politics or international relations would be familiar with the term, “In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.” Observers as well as laypersons in Nagaland recollected this with amusement when the suspension of the three times Chief Minister and the lone Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from the State, Neiphiu Rio, hit the news last week.

He was suspended from the primary and active membership of the party for alleged “anti-party activities” in an order signed by the Naga People's Front (NPF) President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu on May 17.

People, however, were not shocked. They had long suspected such a move when he was issued two show cause notices last month. The rest was a matter of when.

The NPF Party, after years of infighting, started cracking its whip last month when the former Home Minister of the State, Imkong L Imchen, was suspended under similar circumstances. Media reports informed that show cause notices were also issued, among others, to three sitting MLAs - Noke Wangnao, Neiphrezo Keditsu, Namri Nchang.

Rio was charged with trying to ‘dislodge’ the current Chief Minister TR Zeliang for which he allegedly engineered a noconfidence motion in the floor of Nagaland State Assembly last year and his continued “anti-party” activities thereby “disrupting unity and the peaceful atmosphere within the party.”

The unfolding political drama then had kept the State riveted in the early part of 2015, which culminated into a so-called “opposition-less” government with Zeliang emerging as the winner.

While the suspension remains questionable, its timing is a political masterstroke. Rumor has it that the former chief minister was bidding his next move on the outcome of the Assam Assembly election result.

With the exit polls clearly indicating a historic win for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, the suspension is seen as a pre-emptive action by the NPF high command to thwart any attempt by Rio to gain a berth in Modi's cabinet thereby improving his political standing. Many had considered Rio’s move from state to union politics in 2014 as political ambitions to get a ministerial berth at the centre for which he backed the Narendra Modi-led BJP campaign unequivocally. In hindsight, this miscalculation has led him to attempt to re-enter state politics.

Interestingly, his Suspension Order stated that, “he shall however continue to be bound by the whip of the Naga People's Front on the floor of Lok Sabha as per judicial decisions of the Apex Court,” basically binding him into the anti-defection law.

So, has the tussle for the political throne in Nagaland culminated? Not necessarily. As another popular saying goes, there no permanent failures in politics, only temporary setbacks. Therefore, this could be a curtain raiser to the next season of ‘Game of Thrones’ in Nagaland.

Party hopping and defection over the years had been a favorite hobby of Naga politicians. Incidentally, the scope and various aspects of law were examined in great detail by a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court in a case involving Naga politicians.

Here, the apex court observed, “The object is to curb the evil of political defections motivated by lure of office or other similar considerations which endanger the foundations of our democracy.” (See Kihoto Hollohan v Zachillhu & Others, 1992). Therefore, it is not surprising that friends-turn-bête noire Rio and Zeliang were both members of erstwhile Congress government led by SC Jamir. And before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Zeliang was considered Rio’s right hand man and became the 16th chief minister of Nagaland May 24, 2014 after overcoming on internal power struggle.

As the present DAN Government, under the leadership of Zeliang, prepares to celebrate its second anniversary, there is nothing to write home about, but at least it can confidently assert that the present dispensation survived two big internal tussles, and an award that fetes the same.

Rio’s next move is awaited with bated breath by the public.

Will he swing enough MLAs to come under his fold to either form a government or dissolve this one for early elections? Will he ally directly or indirectly with the BJP for his next move? Will he form a new political party? How does the looming ‘political/national’ question fit into this spectrum? Speculations remain high.

So far he has not reacted to the suspension, but his response to the show cause notice by NPF on April 13 where he requested the NPF’s Disciplinary Action Committee to withdraw the notice for the “greater interest of understanding and unity of the NPF” could be taken as an indicator. His tentative return to the State on May 24, when he is expected to outline his next move, could open up another season of ‘Game of Thrones’ in Nagaland.

For any comments drop a line to moajamir@live.com

lEfT wiNg |

Hoda Baraka 350.Org

As global temperatures continue to rise, so will people

F

or a total of 12 days, tens of thousands of people, in 13 countries took part in an unprecedented world-wide action against fossil fuels, clearly demonstrating the climate movement’s unwavering resolve to keep all coal, oil and gas is in the ground. Amassing under the banner of ‘Break Free’ the aim was to peacefully challenge the current global energy system, urging for a rapid and just transition to renewable energy. Such an upsurge of diverse demonstrations had never previously been attempted.

Participants ranged from lifelong activists to people joining for the first time; collectively they pushed the boundaries of conventional protest in finding new ways to demand action against climate change. Driving these actions is the sudden and dramatic acceleration in the warming of the planet, so far every single month of 2016 is shattering heat records -- on the last day of mobilisation, a key monitoring site on Tasmania recorded atmospheric carbondioxide exceeding 400 parts per million for the first time ever.

Over the course of 12 days, activists stopped coal from entering or exiting the world’s largest coal port in Australia. Others stood up to South Africa’s most powerful family and left coal at their front door, while others still occupied train tracks overnight on both coasts of the United States to stop oil-filled ‘bomb trains’ from rolling. Over 3000 people shut down one of Europe’s biggest coal mines in Germany. 10,000 marched against a coal plant in Batangas, the Philippines, while 3,000 more sent an ear-splitting message to Indonesia’s president with a whistle demonstration against coal in Jakarta. In Aliaga, Turkey 2000 people marched to the gates of the Izmir region’s largest coal dump, and surrounded it with a giant red line. While people in Umuarama, Brazil were cheering their city council’s newly announced ban on fracking, hundreds of people on land and water blockaded the Kinder Morgan tar sands facility in Metro-Vancouver, in Canada. Ecuadorian youth fighting to defend the Yasuni national forest from oil exploration confronted a refinery just hours after Nigerians marched along the coast Exxon wants to drill to say that it’s time to put food and people ahead of fossil fuels and profits.

In short, tens of thousands of activists took to the streets, occupied mines, blocked rail lines, linked arms, paddled in kayaks and held community meetings. It has been an unprecedented moment for local and international groups undertaking bold mobilizations; demonstrating their resolve to transition off fossil fuels and build the new kind of economy that we know is possible –centered on 100% renewable energy systems.

What does the newly announced Euro 2016 team tell us about the state of multicultural England?

T

he backpages will be full of hopeful optimism after the announcement of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2016. A squad full to bursting with youthful promise, it is the England fan’s lot to believe for 50 years it can never be as bad as the last time, but never as good as the first and only time either.

I was six at the time of England winning the World Cup in ’66. Despite it remaining somewhat of an obsession of mine – to declare an interest I’ve just edited the collection 1966 and Not All That to mark the 50th anniversary – I have no significant memories.

Well apart from one: being Daddy’s little helper collecting tickets on the gate at the Tadworth, Walton and Kingswood summer flower show. It rained and nobody came. Years later I realised why, after checking the date, clashing with the England vs Argentina quarter-final was never going to attract any but the most dedicated of horticulturalists.

Four years later and I was a tad more conscious of the appeal of World Cup consumption for adolescent boys. This is how a particular version of masculinity is formed. Ahead of Mexico ’70, garage forecourts had become a battleground for collectables, not that we called them that at the time. Fill up with enough petrol and all manner of goodies to complete collections.

The Esso offer was ‘The 1970 World Cup Coin Collection’. I’ve still got mine, the greats from ’66, Banks, the Charlton brothers, Moore, Hurst and Peters alongside the thrusting new stars with Leeds United to the fore – Allan Clarke, Terry Cooper and Norman Hunter.

Leeds were in their pomp, Division One Champions the previous season 1968-69, runners-up to Everton 1969-70. They lost the FA Cup Final too that year, the first I can properly remember, to Chelsea and an historic Cup Final too because it was the first to be settled by a replay. The World Cup? My memories are only slightly better, the Final watched live in colour on the TV, a first, round a friend, Grant Ashworth’s, house.

Fragments of childhood memories, a mix of history, family, changes in consumption, technological developments affecting how we enjoyed our leisure time, a sense of some kind of north-south divide played out on a football pitch. Flash Chelsea, most of whose first team seemed to live in the leafy suburbs just like me, versus a Leeds of grainy, hard-faced northern-ness. Then the whole lot of them coming together for the common cause, fighting the heat and the altitude of Mexico in England’s name. The was squad made heroically wholesome and real via my much-treasured and, by the time of the tournament, complete coin collection.

Monday’s England squad announcement for the Euros performs more or less the same function.

Never mind the case for Kane and Vardy leading the line versus old campaigner but underperforming Rooney, or taking a risk on the injured pair Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshire. There’s the odd surprise: Man Utd starlet Marcus Rashford and the welldeserved return of Andros Townsend too.

Fabian Delph? Well, that one got me stumped I must admit, the clamour for Mark Noble was welldeserved making Delph’s inclusion all the more perplexing. No, never mind all that. Rather, the squad with name and number on the back will all perform historian Eric Hobsbawm’s much-quoted dictum “an imagined community of millions seems more real as a team of eleven named people.”

My 1970s meant secondary school and England’s failure. The dismal World Cup Qualifier ’73 game against Poland the beginnings of my proper football memories, or should that be nightmares? A youngish and incredibly cocksure Brian Clough in the studio with others of this verbally pugnacious sort, Malcolm Allison, Derek Dougan, Paddy Crerand, giving it their

all. I seem to remember a year or so later a BBC Play for Today telling the story of watching the game from the point of view of a Pole living in England. The first mutterings, post-Powellism, of a multicultural conversation. Not on the pitch mind, another of my adolescent collectables is ‘The 1973 Esso Top Teams’, the four home nations’ squads united to form one Top 22. Not one of the players from the England, Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish line-ups pictured is black.

It would be facile to suggest that the exclusion was anything to do with racism, there simply weren’t the top black players to pick in those days.

However it would be equally facile to pretend that the nostalgia so many of us share for an earlier, pre Premier League big business football isn’t framed also by the racialisation of Englishness. The vocabulary is important here. The Parekh Report The Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain, published in 2000, attempted to carefully navigate the differences between racism and racialisation: “Britishness, as much as Englishness, has systematic, largely unspoken, racial connotations. Whiteness nowhere features as an explicit condition of being British, but it is widely understood that Englishness, and therefore by extension Britishness, is racially coded…

Race is deeply entwined with political culture and with the idea of nation, and underpinned by a distinctively British kind of reticence – to take race and racism seriously, or even to talk about them at all, is bad form, something not done in polite company. This disavowal… has proved a lethal combination. Unless these deep-rooted antagonisms to racial and cultural difference can be defeated in practice, as well as symbolically written out of the national story, the idea of a multicultural post-nation remains an empty promise.”

Ramsey chose an all-white 1966 World Cup-winning squad not because he was racist but because these were the best players at his disposal. And the same was true of most club sides well into the 1970s.

Likewise when Roy Hodgson announced his squad selection he was hardly indulging in the proverbial ‘political correctness gone mad’ when a majority of his players are Afro-Caribbean and mixed race. The fans? In almost all cases couldn’t give a damn, a winning performance is all that matters.

The issues perhaps get a tad more complex, not to mention fraught, when as a result of globalisation and migration players increasingly are qualified to play for more than one national team. The loudest booing of a black player I’ve ever witnessed at Wembley? When England played Ghana and Danny Welbeck, now injured so won’t be making it to Euro 2016, whose parentage meant he could have played for either team, came on as an England substitute.

The moment he crossed that touchline in a senior international the chance of him ever representing Ghana was gone and the away fans let him know the

depth of their disappointment.

Satnam Virdee describes the essence of a very particular version of English racism, Powellism as: “A powerful re-imagining of the English nation after empire, reminding his audience it was a nation for whites only. In that historical moment the confident racism that had accompanied the high imperial moment mutated into a defensive racism, a racism of the vanquished who no longer wanted to dominate but to physically expel the racialised other from the shared space they occupied, and thereby erase them and the Empire from its collective memory.”

It is to football’s credit that the England team has been such a powerfully symbolic barrier to these inclinations towards exclusion and expulsion. Of course racism persists, football can only achieve so much, contradictions and contestations remain in and out of the game, but to dismiss the achievement only nurtures the pessimism about the human condition that allows racist attitudes to flourish and grow.

To this extent England’s ‘years of hurt’ could legitimately be reconstructed instead as decades of healing.

Not enough to shape a winning football team out of a rapidly changing society, mind. Though with the greatest respect to Wales, given a relatively easy Euro draw and a squad of youthful promise, not to mention the goal-scoring sensation this season Jamie Vardy has become, well let’s just say an England fan’s hope springs eternal. And given the scale of these changes, the multicultural team remains scarcely representative. There remains no players from an Asian background within sight of selection, Danny Welbeck would have been one of the few players of an African heritage selected, if Jack Grealish hadn’t had such a dismal season at Aston Villa and made it into the team he would have been the lone representative of one of England largest migrant communities, the Irish (though many others obviously choose to represent Ireland, perhaps the question should be asked: why?) another significant migrant community, the Chinese, remains unrepresented, as do the Turkish. And apart from Phil Jagielka, who failed to squeeze his way in, there are no other contenders with Polish or other former East European nations’ family connections either. And unlike the ’66 squad, which included full back George Cohen, no players of the Jewish faith either.

None of this is to advocate that much misunderstood practice, positive discrimination. But it does reveal the narrowness of the particular version of multiculturalism the England team has come to symbolise.

And at an elite level the narrowness of the communities from which football recruits, a weakness that Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski in their essay Why England Lose contrast with the much wider recruitment base of modern German football, not that they’re anything to worry about mind, what have the losing side in ’66 ever won? Answers on a big postcard please.

Switched On

Only connect Many refugees experience the painful scattering of families – often with no means of being able to track New internationalist down family members. Now REFUNITE, an online platform that mainly works through mobile texts, is offering help. Those searching can register their details for free, which are added to a database of 400,000 individuals.

Available in Amharic, English, French, Somali, Sudanese, Arabic and Swahili, and easy to use, it is bringing about some joyful reunions. pendent on seasonal monsoon rains out. Their pride in teaching themselves for water – if the rains fail, things get is matched only by their new-found Fruits of the forest Plucking coffee, protecting the for- desperate. That is why Indian orga- skills. est. Peruvian farmers use agroforestry nizations, chief among them Tarun New life for ancient tech practices by integrating cash crops – Bharat Sangh, are reviving ancient Large parts of India are entirely desuch as banana, coffee and yucca – rainwater harvesting structures, which pendent on seasonal monsoon rains with local trees, which help protect the unite communities in their construc- for water – if the rains fail, things get plants and prevent soil erosion. A far tion. The principle is usually to build desperate. That is why Indian orgacry from the slash-and-burn farming reservoirs on higher ground which nizations, chief among them Tarun previously practised for coffee which collect rain when it falls and then let it Bharat Sangh, are reviving ancient led to mountainside destruction here. percolate slowly into the water table, so rainwater harvesting structures, which Using organic manure and pest man- that wells don’t run dry. Other struc- unite communities in their construcagement, farmers increased produc- tures just store rainwater (as in our im- tion. The principle is usually to build age) but with reservoirs on higher tion by 33 per cent within a year. a covered top ground which colHole in the wall to prevent lect rain when it falls Minimally Invasive Education, that’s evaporation. and then let it perthe driving idea behind an Indian orgacolate slowly into nization which installs computer ter- To market – the water table, so minals with internet access in a hole using gravity that wells don’t run Minimalin a specially constructed wall in areas dry. Other structures just store rainwawhere disadvantaged children live. The ly Invasive Education, that’s the driv- ter (as in our image) but with a covered kids (who have little formal education) ing idea behind an Indian organiza- top to prevent evaporation. discover through trial and error how to tion which installs computer terminals use the thing, and help each other out. with internet access in a hole in a spe- To market – using gravity The monsoon season used to pose Their pride in teaching themselves is cially constructed wall in areas where disadvantaged children live. The kids a challenge to hillside farmers in Nematched only by their new-found skills. (who have little formal education) pal. The slopes would get treacherousNew life for ancient tech discover through trial and error how ly slippery – carrying goods to market Large parts of India are entirely de- to use the thing, and help each other meant risking their lives, or watching

Technology, whether low or high, needs to be appropriate and within reach to make a difference

wRiTE-wiNg

the excess produce go to waste. However an ingenious trolley system on steel wires has made all the difference.

As the full trolley goes down, pulled by the weight of its load, the empty one is pulled up ready for loading. It’s purely mechanical, requiring no electricity.

Citizen monitors South Africa, which is suffering the worst drought in 23 years, has embarked on a citizen science project to monitor the quality of its water resources. The miniSASS (South African Scoring System) relies on citizens, ranging from schoolchildren to pensioners, to measure indicators of river health, including sediments and pollutants. No science background is required.

Solar for water In northern Kenya solar-powered pumps mean access to clean water at last. Previously, families were forced to get dirty water from deep holes dug into dry river beds; now they can tap huge underground reservoirs. Clean water dramatically reduces child sickness and mortality, saves women time, enables old farm land to be reused and animals to be easily watered.

Growing power Off-grid renewable energy in action.

In Himalaya, a rural village in the Zimbabwean Highlands, an 80-kilowatt microhydro generator provides electricity for 100 homes and two energy centres. At the centres, lanterns and mobile phones can be recharged. In addition, the plant powers the local health clinic so it can store vaccines and have reliable light at night, waterpumps to irrigate farmland, cold storage for crops, a saw mill and a grinding mill.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

Monday 23•05•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Budget and Agricultural Market Reform The Morung Express POLL rESuLTS

Agricultural Growth and Overall growth- Swim and sink together Growth rate of agriculture and allied sectors in India has historically tracked the movement of the overall income growth in the country quite closely.This is partly because governmental presence in the sector-via- procurement operations, subsidised fertilisers and farm loans, impact the value-added and hence income in the sector.

Where growth sags the agricultural sector also suffers.

-.1

-.05

0

.05

.1

.15

Agricultural Value Added and Overall Value-Added

-.05

0 .05 Growth Rate of Gross Value Added at Factor Cost Gr_AGRI +ALL

.1

Fitted values

Source: Economic Survey 2015-16

The Gross Value Added at factor cost in the agricultural and allied sector, which is a first approximation to the income generated in the sectorhas shown a growth rate in excess of 10% only for 4 years between (1950-51 and 2011-12) measured in constant 2004-05 prices.

All these supra-10 pa growth rates came on the back of negative growth rates ranging from -1.1% (1987-88) to -11.1% (1979-80) pa. Without attributing causality to the overall income growth in the economy and recognising the problem of endogeneity of the components of growth we see in the above figure that the growth rate of the total factor cost and the growth rate of agriculture and allied sectors have a high correlation (0.83). Of all the subsectors in the economy between the above years the correlation between value-added in the agri and allied sectors and the overall income is the highest (Trade, Hotels and communications come a close second at 0.72). This strong correlation also translates into a near-perfect linear fit with a high R2 , showing that nearly 68% of the variation in agricultural and allied income growth rates can be explained by the variations in growth rates in gross value added at factor cost. The task of improving growth rates in the agricultural sector in a growing economy is easier than in a stagnant one. It seems that the dictum of swimming and sinking together is as much applicable to the economy as to the polity.

14 13.5

gricultural and allied sector in India grew at an annual average rate of 1.7% pa between 2012-13 and 2015-16 (at 2011-12 prices). In this context the Union Budget’s target to double farmers’ incomes by 100% in 6 years will require multi-faceted reforms impacting the sector. To double agriculture incomes by 2022, income will have to grow at an annual average rate of just over 12%. This imperative for an unprecedented rate growth rates will require reforms covering all facets of the agricultural sector.

Agriculture+ Allied Value-Added Over the Years

13

A

By Vyasan R

25%

14% 1940

1960

1980 Year

2000

2020

Source: Economic Survey 2015-16

Reforming agricultural markets Reforming agricultural markets in the country is a project that requires serious effort and concerted action. As the Economic Survey 2014-15 pointed out India has 2477 principal regulated primary agricultural markets in the country. These markets governed by APMC Acts create segmentation and lead to inefficiencies in price discovery. There are often complaints of vested interests of commission agents (arhatiyas) and other middle-men posing causing a wedge between the farmers and the traders (who are the buyers of the crops). Government of India launched the National Agricultural Market Scheme in July 2015 in 585 markets and plans to start e-trading on the platform on 14th April 2016.

A similar experiment, the Rashtriya electronic Market Scheme (ReMS) was launched in Karnataka in February 2014. By December 2015, 100 principal markets were unified by the above e-platform. The reforms in the state have succeeded to the extent that an autonomous body, the ReMS is in charge of the entire process of unification and is proceeding according to a definite plan. Since marketing of agricultural produce affects farmers, commission agents, traders, APMCs and the government any reform will have to address all these stakeholders.For example, the commission agents (‘dalals’) in these markets fear that unification will throw them out of business. This creates a very potent backstop against the forward movement of reforms. Commission agents (arhatiyas or dalals) are the pet whipping boys for agricultural economists searching for efficiency and unified prices. However, these ‘middle-men’ provide real and substantive services like credit facilities, crop loans to farmers in a timely manner. The dependence is mutually beneficial to a degree but may not be without elements of rent extraction. Like all things in life we hit a grey area even in agricultural marketing.

The experience of Karnataka has shown the need for taking all stakeholders along for deepening of reforms. Reforms that rely only on technical solutions may not give the desired effect. If implementing unification within a state is a slow affair with frequent stoppages, one can only imagine the difficulties that unification can cause for an inter-state reform measure.

NAM and Nagaland This is also a great time for our state to tap the opportunities presented by the new market integration policy of the Government of India. Integrating agricultural markets will provide increased returns to farmers and their incomes and provide a firm basis to our state’s efforts at effecting transformation. Farmers in our state can gain substantially improving the overall profitability of the farm sector. The face of agricultural sector in our state is already changing with the commercial crops gaining in importance. The latter accounts for only 9% of area but they represent about 39% of total agricultural production. This will help farmers who cultivate fruits, vegetables and spices. Increased Silver Lining efficiency because of better marketing can increase the contribution of agriculture to The silver lining in the cloud is the steady trajectory that agri and allied income has our state GSDP and make our villages more sustainable. shown in the economy. The agricultural and allied sector has shown a steady increase (The above article is a longer version of a piece that appeared in income as seen in the graph below. in the Indian Express. The author is an IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.)

A quiet revolution to educate more girls

J

Julia Gillard

uliana, an 11-year-old, fifth grade student in Mamakoffikro, a small village in south-central Côte d’Ivoire, is the first girl in her family to go to school. Neither of her parents, both cocoa farmers, got a formal education themselves but they are part of a growing number of Ivoirians who understand that education is essential to their children’s and their country’s future.

In fact, starting last September, Côte d’Ivoire for the first time made education compulsory for all children from ages 6 to 16 and is now investing heavily (boosting its education budget, for example, by 25% between 2015 and 2016) to strengthen its national education system.

Notably, those children will include all of Côte d’Ivoire’s girls – including Juliana – whose enrollment in primary schools lags behind that of boys. Côte d’Ivoire is breaking down some of the long-standing barriers that for too long kept girls like Juliana from getting a formal education.

It’s no overstatement to call this a quiet revolution for Côte d’Ivoire, a revolution that will steadily pay off as the next generation of students acquires the skills and knowledge to transform their lives and the lives of everyone around them.

Côte d’Ivoire’s example raises a question for many other countries, where large numbers of girls still have no access to even a primary education: when will the global community be ready for such a revolution? Put another way, knowing that some countries lose more than US$1 billion a year by failing to educate girls to the same level as boys, how long can we afford not to choose the path of equity and inclusion?

Eliminating Barriers We will only succeed in educating every girl if we engage in the difficult, patient work of eliminating stubborn cultural and social factors that keep girls out of school – such as putting them to work at home or on family farms at an early age to support their families, arranging for them to be married off in their early teens or limiting them to roles as mothers or wives.

It means ensuring schools are equipped with drinking water, separate sanitary facilities for girls and even provide sanitary napkins so girls can continue to go to school during their menstruation. Currently, about one in ten African girls miss about 20% of their school days due to menstruation.

There is also a need for more women teachers who the girls trust and with whom they can discuss difficult issues such as sexual harassment and violence that happens in too many schools or on the way to and from school in too many countries. And it means removing the numerous costs linked to sending daughters to school --

61%

12.5

Growth Rate of Agri+allied

papers

Fighting voter corruption is as important as fighting politician corruption to ensure Clean Election in Nagaland?

12

policy

The near straight line graph implies that the growth rate of agriculture over the years has been roughly constant (y-axis in logs). As the Budget rightly points out achieving this growth requires action on multiple fronts including irrigation, soil, traditional farming, fertilisers, extension activities and marketing. I focus on the agricultural marketing sector in the section below to give a flavour of the variegated nature of the challenge.

African little girl is learning English language

such as payments for uniforms, books, materials – that keep poor girls out of school. Evidence shows if costs are prohibitive then families will keep the girls at home and only send the boys to school.

Between 2011 and 2015, Côte d’Ivoire began executing an ambitious plan to build a school system that would put the country and its people on a path to prosperity. With the help of a US$41.4 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education, Côte d’Ivoire built 15,000 primary school classrooms and 170 junior high schools, particularly in relatively remote areas like Mamakoffikro that had no such facilities nearby. The Ivorian government also recruited and trained 38,000 new teachers and purchased and distributed more than a million up-to-date textbooks.

Because the three-room school building in Mamakoffikro is close to Juliana’s home, she and her classmates can now continue their schooling. Before the construction she and her girlfriends may not have continued their education, because the school was simply too far away. Now, they are spared from making long treks to and from classes. That will make her and other girls there safer. It will also give them the time and energy to study and continue to help their parents at home and during the harvest seasons when most families earn much needed cash income. Moreover, well-trained, qualified teachers – particularly women – will help Mamakoffikro’s girls grapple with the unique challenges they face at home and in the community.

Realising the Revolution I won’t pretend that this kind of quiet revolution is easy for any country, particularly those that struggle with small budgets to build new schools, train teachers, buy quality curricular materials and gather and analyse data that will guide their decision making. Nor am I suggesting that the responsibility to make such groundbreaking changes should lie solely on the shoulders of low- or even middle-income countries. GPE and other education partners support these countries in their education planning based on evidence of what works – particularly for girls. But ultimately, the larger international community has a stake in helping them by filling an annual external financing gap of US$39 billion to support investments that will lead to quality pre-primary, primary and secondary education to all children by 2030.

Together developing countries and their external partners can bring about the kind of change that allows more children – especially girls – to get the education they and their societies need and deserve. If we do, we enable girls like Juliana, who says she wants to be a teacher someday, to play their own part in a continuing revolution for years to come.

Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, is Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education, which supports 61 developing countries to ensure that every child receives a quality basic education, prioritising the poorest and most vulnerable and those living in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

YES

NO

OTHER

Some of those who voted YES had this to say • Yes. As long as the voters allow themselves to be purchased by politicians, we cannot have Clean Elections in Nagaland. This is the main cause for corruption. Once you take money from politicians, you cannot accuse them of taking away public money.

• Yes. This is how a corrupt government is installed. People should know that by their own choice our state is where it is today.

• Yes. Corruption cannot be compartmentalized in Naga society. It has permeated to every level.

• Yes. It all depends on the public. If the public decide not to take any money and decide to vote according to integrity of the candidate and their vision, there will be no room for the candidate to manipulate the electoral process.

• Yes. voters took money to the tune of 50,0005/- per vote in the last election. even the church leaders have multiple name in kohima district and dimapur district. these voters have got a lot of money. wooh!

• A BIG yes. Something is terribly wrong with our mentality. A corrupt voter trying to fight politician corruption...What an irony! The fight is indeed gigantic, both within and without.

• Yes. The giver and the taker are equally guilty. That is why we remain so low while the rest of the world and India are surging ahead. Indian party system is not suitable for the Nagas.

• Yes. Clean vote means clean election. If votes are not being sold or bought then we can check corrupt politicians which gives right for the citizens to question on development.

Some of those who voted NO had this to say • NO, you cannot blame voters for corruption.

They are only trying to survive and make the best out of the situation. They are pawns in a political game being played by politicians.

• No. Why waste time. To get quick result we need to attack the source of corruption.

This means the bureaucrats and the politicians. They are the minority but have all the power and money resources. The majority are under the thumb of the minority.

• No, To fight corruption we must demand accountability from the political system. Let us not divert the attention. Once politicians are held accountable for wrong doings, the voter will automatically become more responsible.

• No, voter taking money is not corruption in Nagaland. They are only taking back what is due to them. Election is the only time the politician is distributing money, so the people should take it. We have a corrupt system in our state. This should be changed first.

• Fighting voters corruption has no meaning. As long as corrupt politicians exist, voters will be corrupted by them. Movement for clean elections can only succeed if only we can checkmate the corrupt politicians. Election system is corrupted by politicians, therefore only if we can clean the politicians, Elections will become clean. To clean the politicians we need to strengthen law to check on theirs and their family assets. Election should stop being money gambling game. Stop the winning politician from acquiring corrupted wealth then Elections will automatically become clean.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say • Only clean voters can ensure clean election. If we wish and act rightly, we can have a clean election and clean government by 2018. Choice is always ours, the common people, and not the so called politicians. I believe we can!

• If we burn tyres we will only get black smoke... Lol...

• Approx 70% of electorate are from rural areas. They have the largest voice and decides who forms the govt. So the best way to fight voter corruption is to impart rigourous awareness enough to convenience this critical section of electorate not to sell off their franchise.

• Most politicians are good, intelligent and wise human beings. We cant blame them for corruptions. Its we, the shameless electorates and the party workers who are more corrupted. For our mistakes & inactions why blame others?

• There is no guarantee that honest electorate ensures honest politician. But the connection between the two is generally interwoven. honest electorate will have more moral authority to stand against a corrupt politician. hence gets an edge over a politician who otherwise may consider a dishonest electorate a joke.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

MondAY 23•05•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Modi in Iran, welcomes lifting of sanctions

THERAN, MAY 22 (PTI): Lifting of international sanctions on Iran has opened up immense opportunities and India is looking to expand cooperation with the Persian Gulf nation in sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure and energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

“India and Iran have always focused to add strength to our relations, even during the difficult times. In the current context, both countries can look to expand our cooperation in the fields of trade, technology, investment and infrastructure and energy security,” he told Iran’s IRNA news agency ahead of his arrival here on a twoday visit.

Stating that Indian public and private sector firms were keen on investing in Iran, he said the signing of agreement on development of Chabahar port will provide wider connectivity.

“Lifting of the international sanctions against Iran has opened up immense opportunities for both the countries, especially in the economic sphere,” Modi said, adding India is keen to enhance its investment in the Persian Gulf nation and also welcomes flow of capital and

Modi's visit to boost Indian-Iranian cultural ties too NEw DElHI, MAY 22 (IANS): Centuries-old cultural ties between India and Iran are set to get a boost when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the "Cultural Festival of India in Iran" on Monday in Tehran.

Modi, who left on a two-day visit to Iran on Sunday, will also inaugurate a two-day conference titled "India-Iran Two Great Civilisations: Retrospect-Prospects" on Monday as part of the festival being organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with the Indian embassy in Tehran, Bonyad-e-Sadi, and Farhangistan-e-Zaban-o-Adab-e-Farsi.

The conference would review India's age-old association with Iran, the tradition of cultural exchanges encompassing art, architecture, language, literature and investments from the oilrich nation.

Modi, who will meet President Hassan Rouhani tomorrow for formal talks, said he had during their last meeting at Ufa last year indicated possibilities of cooperation in ports, fertiliser and petrochemical sector.

“Energy is one of the most important dimensions of our bilateral economic cooperation. With Farzad-B, we have gone

59 'tiffin bombs' recovered in Jharkhand RANcHI, MAY 22 (IANS): A total of 59 "tiffin bombs" planted by Maoist guerrillas were recovered on Sunday during a search operation in Jharkhand's Latehar district, police said.

The bombs were found buried underground in Bikra forest by a joint search team of the state police and paramilitary forces, said the police.

A bomb disposal squad was called from Ranchi to defuse the bombs.

In the last one month, four bunkers of the Maoists have been destroyed and 200 bombs have been recovered in Latehar district.

Police also seized enough explosive material to make another 2,000 bombs as well as 3,500 live cartridges and Maoist literature.

Maoist guerrillas are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state.

Kiran Bedi appointed as Puducherry LG NEw DElHI, MAY 22 (IANS): BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was on Sunday appointed Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique here said. "The President of India is pleased to appoint Kiran Bedi to be the Lt. Governor of Puducherry with effect from the date she assumes charge," it said. The Congress-DMK alliance returned to power in the union territory after the May 16 elections to the 30-member assembly.

The first woman to join the elite Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1972, Bedi held key positions in her career, including Inspector General (Prisons) at Delhi's highsecurity Tihar jail. Known for her administrative experience and integrity, her work in one of Asia's largest jails won her the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1994.

Bihar tipplers pay fines, spend nights in Nepal lockups KATHMANDu, MAY 22 (IANS): Tipplers from Bihar have been crossing into adjoining Nepal in thousands for their daily liquor quota ever since the Indian state went dry on April 1. However, scores end up spending the night in Nepal Police lockups and pay hefty fines.

Police in Rautahat district of Nepal said at least 70 Indian nationals have been fined Rs.1,000 each for drinking in dozens of shacks that have mushroomed in Nepal territory along Bihar's border with the Himalayan nation. These makeshift but illegal huts were set up specially to cater to the needs of the Bacchus-worshipers from India.

"In the last week, we have fined 70 Indians who came here to consume liquor," said Ganesh Regmi, the superintendent of police in Rautahat. These Indian nationals were also kept in custody for a night and let off the following day, the SP said.

On Saturday, police rounded up nine Indians, kept them in custody for a night and set them free only after getting written undertakings that they will not show up again in Nepal territory to consume alcohol, Regmi added. Nepal Police have began taking action against the makeshift shops due to apprehensions of a surge in crime due to short visits by tipplers from India to satisfy their liquor craving.

Police routinely raid liquor shops set up in hutments after 6 p.m. everyday to look for boozing Indians. Police on the Indian side too have sought coordination with their Nepali counterparts and local authorities to keep a tab on the influx of Indian nationals into the Himalayan nation since it could impact crime on the open IndiaNepal border.

Since the international border between India and Nepal is open, free flow of people from either side is allowed after routine security checks.

Now, to avoid any brush with the Nepal Police, many Bacchus-worshipers from India visit nearby Nepali towns, consume alcohol, spend a night there and return to their homes the next day.

music among others and will also explore synergies for a mutually beneficial and closer partnership ahead, the ICCR said in a statement.

A major highlight of the festival's inauguration will be the release by Modi of a Persian manuscript called "Kalila va Dimna" which is a translation of tales from the Panchatantra and the Jataka.

"The facsimile edition of the Kalila va Dimna is a tribute to the cultural interflow between India and Iran over millennia, attested by the nexus of the Rig Vedic hymns and Gathas of Zarathushtra, coming down to the reign of Akbar who introduced Persian as the language of administration in India which continued till the middle of the 19th century under the East India Company," said ICCR president Lokesh Chandra.

beyond the buyer-seller relationship to being genuine partners in the field of energy,” he said.

State-owned ONGC is in talks to secure development rights for the gas field it had discovered in 2008. It has already invested about USD 100 million in the gas field.

Expressing satisfaction over the progress made so far on the participation of India in development of the

"The Pahlavi adaptation of the Panchatantra was the prime mirror for princes and commoners," he said.

ICCR director-general C. Rajasekhar credited Persian with giving "us a new language, Urdu" while "Persian literature influenced our literary and religious movements of the Medieval period".

"The Persian style of presentation influenced our stage and drama. Persian terms and style of writing are part of every modern Indian language, from Hindi, Punjabi to Bengali," he said.

Rajasekhar, who is already in Tehran preparing for the event, said that the influence of Persian culture permeated India's food habits to performing arts and languages to religious thoughts.

"In turn, Indian literature, po-

Iranian port of Chabahar, he said: “I am happy that a progress has been made on Chabahar Port and also on wider connectivity initiative involving Chabahar.

“Our public and private sectors are keen to invest in Iran. At the same time, we would also welcome the flow of capital and investments from Iran.”

Elaborating on the agenda for his meetings with top Iranian leader-

ets and authors considerably enriched Persian literature. India has given poets like Amir Khusrau, Faizi, Bedil and Ghalib and 'Sabak-e-Hindi' or the 'Indian style' in Persian poetry," he said.

There will be a sample of over 100 books in Persian which are publications of those rare manuscripts.

"Persian is regarded in India, not as a foreign language, but as a classical Indian language," the ICCR statement said.

Besides the conference, there will be an evening of poetry recital and a "jugalbandi" in which India's Nishat Khan will pay the sitar and an Iranian artiste will play the tar, an Iranian stringed instrument.

There will also be a display of rare Persian manuscripts and miniatures.

ship, Modi said: “Iran is part of our extended neighbourhood, an important country in the region and one of the India’s valuable partners. We are connected with each other by the shared history and civilisational ties.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said enhancing connectivity, trade, investment and energy partnership will be his priority with the post-sanction Persian Gulf nation.

Modi, who arrives here this evening, will hold talks with Iran's supreme leader ‘Aim will be to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei boost trAde, and its President Hassan energy pArtnership’ Rouhani to boost bilateral Ahead of his maiden trade, energy and strategic visit to energy-rich Iran, ties.

"Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority," he said in a series of tweets.

After arrival here, he is scheduled to visit a local gurudwara.

Modi said that his meetings with Rouhani and the supreme leader of Iran would provide an opportunity to advance "our strategic partnership".

Rouhani will be hosting a lunch for him.

"My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon'ble supreme leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership," he said.

Noting that he looked forward to the conclusion of the Chahbahar Agreement during his visit, the Prime Minister said, "India and Iran enjoy civilisational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region."

Chabahar is a port in South-East Iran that will enable India to bypass Pakistan and open up a route to land-locked Afghanistan with which New Delhi has close security ties and economic interests.

From Chabahar, the existing Iranian road net-

work can link up to Zaranj in Afghanistan, about 883 kms from the port. The Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 can give access to Afghanistan's Garland Highway, setting up road access to four major cities in Afghanistan Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-eSharif.

Besides visiting the gurudwara, Modi will also inaugurate an International Conference on 'Retrospect and Prospect' of India-Iran relations.

"I am looking forward to my visit to Iran today & tomorrow, at the invitation of President Rouhani," he added.

Besides signing a deal on development of Chabahar port, India is looking at doubling oil imports from Iran which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as getting rights to develop a giant gas field.

Post-sanctions Iran has seen a flurry of diplomatic and business activity with leaders from China and Russia courting Tehran.

Earlier, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Tehran.

No let-up in heat; Hisar sizzles at 47.5 degree Celsius NEw DElHI, MAY 22 (PTI): There was no letup in the heat wave conditions that have gripped large parts of the country with mercury rising to 47ºC in Hisar in Haryana and Churu in Rajasthan today. Hisar sizzled at 47.5ºC while Churu recorded a maximum temperature of 47ºC, the MeT Department said.

In the national capital, the maximum temperature settled at 42.7ºC, three notches above the season's average. "The Safdarjung observatory, the reading of which is considered as the official figure for the city, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.7ºC, three notches above the season's average.

"The Palam observatory registered a maximum temperature of 45.6ºC," said the Met official. In what may come as a relief, the Met office has predicted rain and thunder storm towards tomorrow evening and night in Delhi.

The temperatures hovered around 45ºC in many places in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, making lives

PM pitches for saving 'every drop' of water

A woman gets a drink of water from an earthenware pot at a public water station in Ahmedabad on May 20. (REUTERS Photo)

miserable for people.

The temperatures hovered between 42-46ºC in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rohtak and Bhiwani in Haryana. Heat wave conditions also persisted in Punjab with Amritsar recording a high of 41.5ºC, two degrees above normal.

Union Territory Chandigarh registered a maximum of 39.6ºC. Sriganganagar, Pilani and Kota in Rajasthan recorded a maximum of 46,

45.5 and 45ºC respectively whereas the day temperature in Bikaner, Jaipur and Jodhpur was 44.8, 44.2 and 40.9ºC, according to MeT department here.

Light to moderate rain and thundershowers occurred at isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh while weather was dry in western parts of the state.

Highest temperature in the state was recorded in Jhansi at 45.5ºC. The heat wave condi-

tion continued to grip the western region of Odisha with mercury level touching 45.5ºC at Titlagarh even as the people in coastal districts experienced uneasiness due to high rate of humidity.

Atleast nine places in the state recorded a high of above 40ºC. Meanwhile, the IMD predicted thundersquall and rainfall at some places in the next 24 hours and heat wave condition till May 26th.

NEw DElHI, MAY 22 (PTI): Linking the intense heatwave and drought to environmental degradation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made a strong pitch for a mass movement to save forests and conserve "every drop" of water during the upcoming Monsoon season.

Modi, who has been reviewing drought situation with Chief Ministers recently, said a number of states have taken some good initiatives towards water conservation and that he had asked Niti Aayog to study the best practices for their replication all over the country.

In his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', he also talked about some other issues, like the need for moving towards cashless society for transparency and curbing blackmoney.

Referring to the intense heatwave being witnessed in the country, he said concerns increased few days back when news came in that Monsoon could be delayed by a week beyond June 1. "Most parts of the country are experiencing intense heatwave. Be it humans, birds or animals, all are troubled...

It is only because of environment that such problems continue to increase. Depletion of forests has been going on, trees continue to be cut. In a way, the humankind itself destroyed the environment and put itself on the path of destruction," he said. "That is why, saving forests and conserving water becomes everybody's responsibility," Modi said while underlining the need for saving "every drop" of water, which he described as "God's 'prasad'".

"I urge you. Do not let this (Monsoon) season go. In the coming four months, a mass movement in the form of 'Save Water Abhiyan' is needed to save every drop of water. And this task is not only of the governments or politicians but that of the common masses," he said, seeking contribution from the media too in this endeavour.

BJP delegation meets Prez over Kerala violence JP Nadda to meet Prez Mukhejee NEw DElHI, MAY 22 on Monday over NEET ordinance (IANS): A delegation of BJP-RSS national leadership

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders led by union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday met President Pranab Mukherjee here and gave him a memorandum over violence against party workers in Kerala.

The delegation lodged a formal protest with the President over the violence which took place in Kerala on May 19-20 while the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI-M, was celebrating its victory in the assembly elections.

During a victory procession at Edavilangu Kunneni in Thrissur district, some CPI-M workers allegedly attacked BJP worker V.R. Pramod, 38, seriously injuring him. He later died.

"While this incident in particular is one of the few cases of post-election violence unleashed by the LDF in Kerala, there has been a history of over 100 activists and workers of BJP and RSS having been brutally killed or injured for pursuing their nationalist ideological commitment," the memorandum read.

"Now with the Left Front assuming power, there are visible signs of large-scale violence being escalated against the BJP workers," it said.

behind Kerala violence: CPI-M

THIRuvANANTHAPuRAM, MAY 22 (IANS): The BJP-RSS' national leadership is behind the organised violence unleashed against the CPI-M in Kerala, said top party leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday.

Addressing reporters here after a party meeting, Balakrishnan, who is state secretary of the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M), claimed that this organised attack against the party here and in Delhi was a planned one.

"The BJP-RSS was expecting to win about a dozen seats in the assembly polls here, but they won just one seat," he said, adding that to vent their frustration, the BJP-RSS "has unleashed violence here and in Delhi".

"This planned violence was based on a call given by union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and the RSS leadership," he alleged.

Balakrishnan said that so far the BJP has unleashed violence at 41 places in eight districts of the state, in which 62 CPI-M workers had been attacked and two have been killed.

He said 25 houses and 12 party offices were also attacked.

"The Congress party is maintaining silence against this attack and also even when Prasad made a strong statement that they would deal the CPI-M on the streets, the Congress did not utter a word and they are lying low.

"We however have asked our workers to remain calm. We have decided to start a state-wide campaign against this attack," said Balakrishnan.

The delegation expressed fear that Kerala may witness a "large scale organised crusade by the Left Front government" against the BJP workers and implored the President to initiate action to restrain any further attacks on the party workers.

Besides Gadkari, the BJP delegation included union ministers J.P. Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, party MPs Meenakshi Lekhi, Arjun Meghwal and M.J. Akbar and Kerala unit president Kummanam Rajasekharan.

NEw DElHI, MAY 22 (HT): Union health minister JP Nadda is expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday afternoon, to explain the rationale behind taking the ordinance route to defer participation of state boards in the common entrance test- National eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for a year.

The President has sought an explanation for the reasons behind bringing in the ordinance against the Supreme Court decision on making participation mandatory for all medical colleges— state, deemed universities and private colleges, to admit students from the academic year 2016-17.

The ordinance, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Friday, is aimed at partially overturning the Supreme Court’s April 11 order that had paved the way for the Medical Council of India (MCI) to conduct NEET this year.

The court ordered a single medical test, benefiting aspirants who juggle clashing exam schedules and differing admission norms by private colleges.

The test was allowed to be held in two phases; the first phase of the test was conducted on May 1 and the second phase is scheduled for July 24.

In the first phase, 6,50,000 students took the exam mostly for

central government-run medical colleges.

The President has reportedly also sought the opinion of inhouse and legal experts on the ordinance.

If the ordinance is passed, States will be allowed to continue with their medical entrance tests this year.

Health ministry sources said private college seats earmarked by the state government will also be exempted. Different states set aside anything between 12 to 15% seats under the state quota.

The States were allowed exemption for a year, following concerns that a common national examination hurts rural students because of no vernacular language options and widely varying syllabi of different boards.

Representatives from 18 states had met Nadda last Monday and informed that non-CBSE candidates would be disadvantaged by NEET as there was too little time left for students to bridge the difference between state board syllabi and the central curriculum.

Moreover, the absence of regional language options meant non-English or Hindi-speaking students would find it difficult to score well in NEET, the Centre was told.

MondAY 23•05•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Driven back, Boko Haram heaps misery on Niger D I F FA , M AY 22 (ThoMson ReuTeRs FounDATIon): When Boko Haram attacked Falmaya Baba Gama’s village last year in northeast Nigeria, executing a dozen men and burning down the market, thousands of people fled across the border into Niger, with some forced to leave behind their children amid the chaos.

The 30-year-old and her seven children arrived safely in the region of Diffa, but almost one year on, they are hungry, scared of further violence and haunted by the bloodshed they witnessed.

“Even now, the children dream about Boko Haram and cry,” she said outside a thatched hut, held together with sticks and plastic sheets, in Assaga - a ramshackle site for the displaced located just a few miles from Niger’s border with Nigeria.

Gama is one of some 240,000 uprooted people living in Diffa, a sweeping tract of desert in southeast Niger sparsely populated with isolated villages and dotted with shrubs and trees.

Many of the displaced live in makeshift huts alongside the country’s main highway, having been driven from their homes in northeast Nigeria and

Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki, a Nigerian schoolgirl rescued after over two years of captivity with Boko Haram militants, looks on while visiting President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Nigeria May 19, 2016. REUTERS

southeast Niger by Boko Haramviolence.

The militant group has killed more than 15,000 people and displaced some 2 million in the West African states of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria during a seven-year campaign to carve out an Islamist caliphate.

Military offensives mounted by a regional taskforce and Nigerian and Cameroonian troops have pushed Boko Haram further back into the northeast corner of Nigeria, prompting the militants to scatter and ramp up attacks across

Afghan Taliban leader killed in U.S. drone strike, Afghans say KABuL, MAY 22 (ReuTeRs): The United States has killed the leader of the Afghan Taliban in an air strike in a remote border area just inside Pakistan, Afghanistan said on Sunday, in an attack likely to dash any immediate prospect for peace talks. The death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour could trigger a battle for succession and deepen fractures that emerged in the insurgent movement after the death of its founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar, was confirmed last year, more than two years after he died.

Saturday’s strike, which U.S. officials said was authorised by President Barack Obama and included multiple drones, showed the United States was prepared to go after the Taliban leadership in Pakistan, which the Westernbacked government in Kabul has repeatedly accused of sheltering the insurgents. It also underscored the belief among U.S. commanders that under Mansour’s leadership, the Taliban have grown increasing close to militant groups like al Qaeda, posing a direct threat to U.S. security.

The United States has not confirmed Mansour’s death but Afghan government chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and the country’s top intelligence agency, said he had been killed. “Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour was killed in a drone strike ... His car was attacked in Dahl Bandin,” Abdullah said in a post on Twitter, referring to a district in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province just over the border with Afghanistan.

the border in Diffa.

The violence has traumatised many of the Nigerian refugees and displaced Nigeriens residing in Diffa, and left them with scarce food or water, little opportunity to work or trade, and vulnerable to disease and malnutrition, aid agencies say.

Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou said Boko Haram had not only caused significant upheaval in Diffa and destroyed schools and health clinics, but also paralysed the region’s economy.

Niger, one of the world’s

least developed counties, has also been hit by plummeting global oil prices and a soaring number of migrants passing through the vast, landlocked nation, crossing the Sahara Desert on their way to the Mediterranean coast.

“We are facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation,” Issoufou told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in Niger’s capital, Niamey, before preparing to attend a panel on the Lake Chad Basin at this week’s World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.

NOTHING TO DO In Assaga, teenage boys slouch against tree trunks, seeking shade from the dry, midday sun as they play on their phones, while their fathers and grandfathers roam back and forth across Niger’s east-west highway, swapping gossip and sharing stories.

While the road divides the site into Assaga Niger and Assaga Nigeria, there is little tension between the two communities, said Nigerian refugee and fatherof-six Kyani Buaki.

Assaga is one of 135 informal camps in Diffa, a region hosting 160,000 uprooted Nigeriens and 80,000 Nigerian refugees.

“We are the same people, us, our uncles, our grandparents - here, we are together,” said Bukai, formerly a headmaster.

The road running through Assaga has afforded aid agencies easy access to the camp, allowing them to provide food aid, and build health clinics, schools and sanitation facilities.

Yet many people fear this makes the camp an easy target for Boko Haram, following a recent spike in violence in Diffa.

There have been some 30 attacks by Boko Haram in the region this year, with half of them since April, according to the U.N. Of-

fice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The militants have carried out raids, suicide bombings and looted a health centre, according to several aid agencies, and the government last month extended Diffa’s state of emergency, which was first declared in February 2015, by three months.

“When cars drive by, you sometimes see many people running away because they are afraid of bombings,” said Mustapha, a Nigerien farmer who fled his village in Diffa and sought refuge in Assaga when he heard that Boko Haram were nearing the border.

Many of Diffa’s markets, and several in Nigeria, have been destroyed by Boko Haram or closed due to insecurity, leaving the young men in Assaga with little opportunity to work or trade.

Some men said they had resorted to picking grass or chopping wood in the hope of selling it in order to feed their families.

“Living here, we have fallen through the cracks, there is no market or business ... we have nothing to do,” said 25-year-old Adam Alhagi Bukai, who used to work as a farmer in Nigeria.

FEARS FOR THE FUTURE While the security situation worries many of the displaced, a lack of food aid is the most pressing concern ahead of the upcoming lean season and holy fasting month of Ramadan.

“When we arrived in Assaga (last year), we received maize, millet, oil and tomatoes ... now we haven’t received any food for five months,” said 18-year-old Ataha Balai, a mother of two.

Some 450,000 people in Diffa, more than half of the region’s population, lack enough to eat, and a humanitarian funding shortfall is hindering efforts to ensure food aid reaches those who need it the most, said the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP).

“This is worrying when you consider the threat that more people may be displaced in the coming months by the insecurity,” said Fodé Ndiaye, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Niger.

There could also be pockets of displaced people in Diffa who have not yet been found, as the insecurity restricts the reach and access of aid agencies, said Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

U.N. aid chief Stephen O’Brien said Diffa posed a unique humanitarian challenge, where a com-

bination of various factors could drive more displacement and make it harder to deliver aid.

“These vulnerable communities are facing climate related challenges such as desertification, booming population growth, poverty, a lack of food and of course, Boko Haram violence.”

O’Brien will speak at the World Humanitarian Summit, hoping to raise awareness and funds for Niger’s U.N. aid plan, which has only received a quarter of its $316 million target for 2016.

A world away from dignitaries and diplomats, girls on the Nigerian side of the Assaga camp giggle as they swing up and down on a water pump like a seesaw, singing and making fun of each other as they fill up bright yellow and orange jerrycans.

For Assaga’s older residents, such joy and positivity is unfathomable as they ponder the future for their families.

“We don’t know when we’ll be able to return home, but not until things are right, the situation is normal, and there are no problems left,” said 50-year-old Bukai, choking back tears.

“There are still many Boko Harams ... we can’t go back.”

Obama, bound for Vietnam, seeks As humanitarian needs grow, to turn old foe into new partner USAID chief says the world must act

ABoARD AIR FoRCe but the Obama administration United States, with textiles and WAshIngTon, MAY 22 (Re- less drumbeat of very large, most one/hAnoI, MAY 22 (Re- appears increasingly swayed electronics the largest volumes. uTeRs): More complex human- often complex crises, the majority But the trip will be punctu- itarian disasters such as the war of which are chronic.” uTeRs): U.S. President Barack toward giving Hanoi some Smith cited a familiar list of criObama on Sunday headed for leeway to build its deterrent ated by reminders of the past. in Syria and the Ebola epidemic Obama will be accompanied threaten to overwhelm the inter- ses and disasters that are testing his first visit to Vietnam, a trip against Beijing.

Vietnam’s government ear- by Secretary of State John Kerry, national community’s ability to humanitarian relief efforts: Syria’s aimed at sealing the transformation of an old enemy into lier this month said lifting the who after a tour in Vietnam as a respond, the head of the leading refugee crisis, the largest since World War II; the conflicts in South a new partner to help counter embargo would show mutual young Navy officer became an U.S. aid agency told Reuters in an Sudan, Yemen and Iraq; the effects interview.

China’s growing assertiveness trust and that buying arms from antiwar protester.

Gayle Smith, the administrator of the El Niño climate phenomeits partners was “normal” .

Obama will in Hanoi meet in the region. of the U.S. Agency for International non in Africa; the Ebola epidemic; There has been much ex- Vietnam’s triumvirate of lead- Development (USAID), described and increasingly destructive natuFour decades after a war with Vietnam that deeply divid- citement about Obama’s ar- ers, President Tran Dai Quang, a global humanitarian system ral disasters such as Nepal’s earthed opinion in America, Obama rival in a country with a young Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan stretched to the limit by the number quake last year. aims to boost defense and population enthusiastic about Phuc and party chief, Nguyen of disasters and a growing funding She said the meeting also must economic ties with the coun- closer U.S. ties, and resentful Phu Trong. Phuc and Quang gap compounded by emergency address the increasingly hostile try’s communist rulers while of Vietnam’s economic depen- took office only last month. responses that cost more than tra- work environments relief agencies Those meetings are almost ditional relief methods. also prodding them on human dence on its unpopular neighare facing; make disaster response bour China. certain to have the backdrop of rights, aides say.

“This is not the time to cut re- more efficient; develop new fund“Obama visit to Vietnam is busts of the late revolutionary Ho sources,” Smith said. “Everybody ing sources, and strengthen develHis visit has been preceded by a debate in Washington over closure of the past,” said Ha- Chi Minh, revered by Vietnamese is facing financial trade-offs, but opment programs so poorer counwhether Obama should use the noi cyclo driver Vu Van Manh. but widely reviled by Americans the world has got to ante up at a tries can respond more quickly to three-day visit starting Monday “What’s important is the pres- during a war that killed hundreds much higher level than is the case crises. With the number of disasto roll back an arms embargo on ent. The two countries can bond of thousands of Vietnamese and right now.” ters growing, the gap between doHanoi, one of the last vestiges of more to develop both econo- 58,000 U.S. troops.

Frustrations with humanitari- nor funding and estimated needs mies.”

While Vietnam wants warm- an crises in countries such as Syria is also growing, she said. wartime animosity.

As a sign of the capitalism er ties, some among the party’s and Afghanistan, where hospitals That would anger Beijing, According to the Financial which resents U.S. efforts to that now thrives in Vietnam, old guard remain suspicious have been bombed, have bubbled Tracking Service, which follows forge stronger military bonds some opportunistic businesses that the U.S. end-game is to un- into the open, with international global humanitarian aid flows, with its neighbours amid rising are using pictures of a smiling dermine their one-party rule. relief agency Médecins Sans Fron- only 20 percent of the $18.2 billion Obama arrives just hours after tières announcing it will boycott needed for disasters has been covtensions in the disputed South Obama to sell their products.

Bilateral trade has swelled 10 what is Vietnam’s five-yearly day the gathering. “The humanitar- ered. In January, a U.N. panel estiChina Sea. But there was no immediate word of a final U.S. deci- times over since ties were nor- of democracy, a parliamentary ian system is both stressed and mated the world is spending some JAKARTA, MAY 22 (ReuTeRs): Seven people sion on the issue. malised in 1995 to around $45 election in which nearly all the stretched to the limits … by the $25 billion a year to provide aid to have died and two are in critical condition after Mount Vietnam’s poor human billion now. Vietnam is South- candidates were Communist number and complexity of crises,” 125 million people, more than 12 Sinabung on Sumatra island erupted on Saturday, said an rights record is a sticking point, east Asia’s biggest exporter to the Party members.

Smith said. “It has been a relent- times the $2 billion spent in 2000.

Indonesian disaster agency official, adding that the army and police are still searching for survivors in the area.

The 2,460-metre (8,070 foot) tall volcano is among the country’s most active. When Sinabung erupted in 2014, more than a dozen people were killed and thousands were evacuated. Before recent times, its last known eruption was four centuries ago. ers. She risks losing support hurdles” for the country nAYPYITAW, MAY 22 Since a few years ago, the government has imposed (ReuTeRs): Myanmar’s by taking up the cause of the to overcome in its transiseveral red zones near Sinabung’s crater, including the Aung San Suu Kyi asked to beleaguered minority. tion to full democracy from village of Gamber where the nine people were found, be given “enough space” The Rohingya, most of military rule.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman to address the plight of her whom live in apartheidHe said he would disSutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement. like conditions, are seen by cuss further political recountry’s Rohingya Mus“It is not immediately clear how many people were in lim population, as visiting many Myanmar Buddhists forms in a meeting later Gamber because when the mountain spewed clouds of U.S. Secretary of State John as illegal immigrants from with the commander in hot ash, there was not supposed to be any activity in the Kerry pressed the Nobel Bangladesh and referred to chief of the armed forces, area,” Nugroho said on Sunday. by many as Bengalis.

Senior General Min Aung laureate to promote respect The volcano, about 1,900 km (1,180 miles) northwest for human rights.

Ambassador Marciel Hlaing. of Jakarta, is still spewing hot ashes as of Sunday, making has said he would keep Last week, the Obama Some 125,000 Rohingit dangerous for search and rescue, according to BNPB. ya in Myanmar remain using the term Rohingya administration further Indonesia, located on the Pacific Rim of Fire, has more displaced and face severe because it is Washington’s eased economic and fithan 120 active volcanoes. policy to do so. nancial sanctions against travel restrictions in camps “What we want to do is Myanmar, removing some since fighting erupted in avoid any terms that just state-owned banks and enRakhine State between the add fuel to the fire,” Suu terprises from a blacklist. It country’s Buddhists and Kyi said in response to a also lifted some restrictions Muslims in 2012. Thouquestion on her comments on trade to ease concerns sands have fled persecuabout the Rohingya. of U.S. firms about doing tion and poverty.

“I wasn’t talking about business in Myanmar.

The United States has BeIJIng, MAY 22 (PTI): An extremely rare round of one particular term, I was More than 100 indiheavy torrential rainfall stated to be once in more than long supported Suu Kyi’s 200 years has lashed a Chinese city in Guangdong prov- role in championing dem- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Aung talking about all the terms viduals and groups remain that are incendiary and on Washington’s sanctions ince in which eight people were killed and four others ocratic change in Myan- San Suu Kyi during a meeting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on May 22. (REUTERS Photo) which create greater divi- blacklist for Myanmar, listed missing. Xinyi, a small, county-level city in Maom- mar, but was surprised this “All that we are ask- on is solving the problem... the embassy. ing received 429.5 millimetres of rainfall in just six hours, month when she suggested ing is that people should which is improving the Speaking out for the sions in the Rakhine and of making them radioactive to the international commuaccording to the provincial flood control and drought re- to the new U.S. ambassador be aware of the difficulties situation on the ground, group would carry a po- course elsewhere too.”

Kerry was on a brief nity and barring U.S. banks Scot Marciel to refrain from we are facing and to give us to promote development, litical cost for Suu Kyi, who lief headquarters.

Eight people died and four others were reportedly using the term Rohingya enough space to solve all promote respect for hu- took on the newly created stop in the capital Naypy- or companies from making missing in Xinyi. The provincial civil affairs department for the persecuted Muslim our problems.” Kerry said man rights and benefit all role of state counsellor in itaw before he joins Presi- deals with them.

Kerry said the easing of has declared the second highest state of emergency and minority. he had discussed the Ro- of those that live in Rakhine April following the first- dent Barack Obama in Vietthe sanctions was tied to “Emotive terms make it hingya issue with Suu Kyi and throughout Myanmar.” democratically elected nam on Monday. dispatched working teams to Xinyi. progress made in the demRelief supplies including 200 tents and 10 tonnes of very difficult for us to find a during their meeting, deLast month hundreds government in some five IMPORTANT HURDLES ocratic process and further rice have been sent to the disaster-hit areas, state run Xi- peaceful and sensible reso- scribing it as “very sensi- of demonstrators protested decades.

Kerry offered U.S. sup- easing would not occur lution to our problems,” Suu tive” and “divisive.” in front of the U.S. Embassy The Rohingya are widenhua news agency reported.

“I know it arises strong in Yangon in objection to ly disliked in Myanmar, in- port for Myanmar’s new under the current constiThe rainstorm abated yesterday afternoon and Kyi told reporters at a joint stopped in the evening. But local authorities still warned news conference with Kerry passions here,” Kerry said. the use of the term Rohing- cluding by some within Suu government, but said tution, which bars Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw on Sunday.

“What is critical to focus ya in a statement issued by Kyi’s party and its support- there were still “important from becoming president. of geological disasters in mountainous area.

Indonesia volcano spews hot clouds of ash, kills at least 7

Suu Kyi calls for “space” as Kerry presses her on Myanmar’s Rohingya

Chinese city hit by heaviest rain in two centuries

10

monDAY 23•05•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

bids KKR beat Sunrisers, march into playoffs James Anderson rips through Ibrahimovic farewell to PSG with Bravo fined for breaching IPL Code of Conduct

Sunil Narine celebrates the wicket of David Warner, Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016, Kolkata, May 22. (Photo by BCCI)

KoLKata, May 22 (Ians): Sunil Narine’s outstanding bowling figures of 3/26 helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) seal a 22-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) here on Sunday and march into the play-offs of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Sunrisers only managed 149/8 chasing a target of 172 runs. Shikhar Dhawan top scored for the visitors with a 30-ball 51 at the Eden Gardens. Besides Narine, Kuldeep Yadav picked up two crucial wickets for the home team.

In pursuit of KKR’s 171/6, the Sunrisers had a strong start with David Warner and Dhawan smacking a few to the advertising boards. But just when it looked like it would be Warner’s (18) day, offspinner Narine disturbed his stumps. After the first six overs SRH were 48/1.

Dhawan and Naman

Ojha then had a brisk partnership of 58 runs. The duo pounced upon anything loose and ran hard between the wickets.

But Dhawan got out in the 12th over shortly after getting to his fifty. Ojha (15) too threw away his wicket soon after.

Yuvraj Singh (19) too did not last long but before departing he lofted Kuldeep Yadav twice into the stands for two massive sixes. Wickets fell in quick succession thereafter as SRH were reduced to 120/6 after 16 overs. They never recovered from the setback and eventually fell short by 22 runs.

Earlier, a 34-ball 52 not out from Yusuf Pathan propelled KKR to a challenging total. Yusuf and Manish Pandey (48 off 30) forged a 87-run stand in just 8.1 overs to help Kolkata get to the score.

For Hyderabad, me-

dium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Deepak Hooda picked up two wickets each, while medium pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Barinder Sran took a wicket apiece.

Asked to bat, KKR got off to a flying start with Robin Uthappa playing some of his trademark cover drives. He first smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for three boundaries in the very first over and then smacked Barinder Sran for another. The men in purple were moving ahead at a steady pace but suddenly Uthappa tried to chip down the track and hit Sran.

He only managed to top edge the delivery which landed safely in the palms of Kane Williamson.

With 48 on board after powerplay, Gambhir, who had slowly crawled his way to 16, tried to up the scoring rate with a chip over the top but failed to clear the

KanpuR, May 22 (ptI): Gujarat Lions allrounder Dwayne Bravo has been penalised 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during his team's match against Mumbai Indians at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur last evening.

Bravo admitted to the Level 2 offence (Article 2.2.7) for inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player in the course of play during a match. For Level 2 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct, the match referee's decision is final and binding. man at long off. Just when it looked like KKR would again struggle, Yusuf joined hands with Pandey.

The latter started off by sweeping leg-spinner Karn Sharma for two consecutive sixes and then Yusuf got into the act as well, imitating the same. The 14th over yielded 19 runs.

The onslaught continued for a little longer as KKR managed to amass 144 runs by the 16th but then Pandey fell.

Jason Holder (3) followed Pandey to the dug out and the wickets put a brake on the scoring rate. In the 18th and 19th over KKR only managed nine runs.

Brief ScoreS: KKr - 171/6 [Yusuf Pathan 52, Manish Pandey 48; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/31, Deepak Hooda 2/16] Sunrisers - 149/8 [Shikhar Dhawan 51; Sunil Narine 3/26]

Sri Lanka to seal big England win

England's James Anderson (L) celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka for 4 runs on the third day of the first Test at Headingley in Leeds, northern England on May 21. (AFP Photo)

Leeds, May 22 (ReuteRs): England fast bowler James Anderson took five wickets to inspire the hosts to a crushing victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 88 runs in the first test in Leeds on Saturday.

Anderson claimed 10 victims in the match as Sri Lanka crumbled to 119 all out in their second innings on the third day after being asked to follow-on at Headingley.

"Sometimes you take it for granted, but watching Stuart (Broad) and Jimmy go about their business was a pleasure to captain," England skipper Alastair Cook told reporters.

Anderson had Dimuth Karunaratne (seven) and Kaushal Silva (14) caught by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow in another probing spell in the morning before rain forced the players

off for an early lunch with Sri Lanka on 77 for two.

Spinner Moeen Ali forced Dinesh Chandimal, on eight, to chop the ball on to his stumps before Kusal Mendis, dropped twice, became the first Sri Lankan batsman to pass fifty in the match. Broad forced Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to nick another catch through to Bairstow and Mendis, on 53, was bowled by Anderson off the inside edge.

Dasun Shanaka's unhappy stay at the crease ended when he edged Anderson to Bairstow, the ninth catch of the match for the flame-haired keeper who scored a brilliant 140 in England's innings to lead them to a total of 298 after an early collapse.

"Jonny Bairstow was batting on a different wicket to the other 21 players in

Juventus beat Milan to win Thakur takes over as Indian board president Italian Cup, complete double

Juventus' goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon holds the cup at the end of the match against AC Milan. (REUTERS)

RoMe, May 22 (ReuteRs): Juventus won a second consecutive double when substitute Alvaro Morata's extra-time goal secured a 1-0 Italian Cup final win over AC Milan who missed out on Europe for a third successive season on Saturday. Juve's triumph also meant tiny Sassuolo, who have completed only three seasons in the top flight since making their Serie A debut in 2013-14, qualified for Europe for the first time.

Milan, who finished seventh in the league after another dismal season, surprisingly looked the more dangerous team at Rome's Stadio Olimpico but failed to take their chances. Juventus, Serie A champions for the last five seasons, snatched the win 10 minutes from the end of extra time when Morata swept the ball home after a counter-attack from deep in their own half.

Meanwhile, several thousand fans gathered in the main square of Sassuolo which, with a population of about 40,000 is the smallest town ever represented in Serie A. Sassuolo finished sixth in the league, the highest-placed team outside the automatic European berths, and took Juve's place in the Europa League.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said his team had found the last few weeks heavy going, having

wrapped up the Serie A title with three games to spare.

“It wasn’t easy for the players because they’d basically been without much motivation for the last few weeks and needed to get their minds back in the right place to win,” he told Rai sport.

Cristian Brocchi, Milan's fifth coach in the last three seasons and whose future is uncertain, praised his side's performance, a sharp contrast to his fierce criticism after they lost 3-1 at home to AS Roma in their final league game. "Tonight, I saw for the first time a bit of my influence in this team," he said. "I saw the right mindset and right attitude. We were punished by an episode. They have great players, that's football."

"We didn't deserve to lose and are left with a sense of regret." Milan created all the best chances in the first half but failed to take any, with Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli the main culprits.

Both teams were more dangerous in the second half although Juventus had the best opportunity when Gianluigi Donnarumma, Milan's 17-year-old keeper, parried a deflected Paul Pogba shot.

Morata made an instant impact after replacing Hernanes in the 108th minute and Milan never looked like clawing back the deficit once they had fallen behind.

MuMBaI, May 22 (aFp): Lawmaker Anurag Thakur was elected on Sunday as the youngest-ever head of India's embattled cricket board, charged with reforming one of the most powerful organisations in world sport. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted pictures on Twitter of its members congratulating the 41-year-old Thakur after electing him to the presidency at a meeting in Mumbai.

"Congratulations Mr. President," the BCCI said in a tweet, posting a picture of Thakur shaking hands with members at the meeting. A BCCI spokesman also confirmed the appointment. Thakur, who is a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, succeeds Shashank Manohar.

Manohar stepped down earlier this month to become the first independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Thakur, who was secretary of the cash-rich BCCI, was the sole nomination on Sunday for the top post, seen by many as the most powerful in global cricket.

The board benefits from huge TV deals that allow it effectively to run the world governing body -- the ICC -- along with its allies, Australia and

England. However under reforms that Manohar had himself supported, it is no longer possible to be both ICC chairman and to head the national board of a member country.

Manohar had been serving as head of the ICC in his role as president of the BCCI in line with the organisation's previous system of rotating chairmanships.

But under the reforms, the ICC has amended its constitution to bring in direct elections for the position. It will now be officially an independent post, a move designed to ensure the incumbent no longer feels obliged to

promote his own country's interests.

Thakur will have his hands full as the BCCI is under enormous pressure to introduce reforms after being tarnished by scandals including accusations of corruption and matchfixing in the glitzy Indian Premier League. In the wake of those scandals, the Supreme Court ordered a retired judge to draw up a report on the BCCI's governance to try to avoid future conflicts of interest.

Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha's report recommended the BCCI introduce age limits for its office-bearers and a ban on television adverts between overs during live broadcasts.

Manohar quit the BCCI presidency, saying the reforms were not in the BCCI's best interests and he felt he could no longer carry on in his role.

On Saturday he told reporters that the recommendations on no adverts between overs "would destroy the financial structure" of the BCCI. "The board revenue would come down drastically to about 15 percent of what it is getting today," he told Indian media. Thakur, a three-time MP in Himachal Pradesh state, has been involved with the BCCI since he was elected president of his state association aged just 25. Last year he pipped the incumbent to the secretary's post by a single vote.

this match," Cook said.

"The first time I saw him I thought he would play for England and he'll go from strength to strength."

Rangana Herath chipped Steven Finn to Broad at short extra cover and the touring side limped to tea on 116 for seven.

England wrapped up the last three wickets in 10 minutes. Dushmantha Chameera was caught by Nick Compton at short leg off Finn for a duck, Lahiru Thiramanne edged Finn to Joe Root at second slip for 16 and Anderson bowled Nuwan Pradeep to complete figures of 5-29.

The 33-year-old rightarmer, who overtook India's Kapil Dev during the first innings to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in tests, claimed 10 victims in a five-day match for the third time in his career.

French Cup win

paRIs, May 22 (ReuteRs): Zlatan Ibrahimovic bid farewell to Paris St Germain in style by scoring twice and setting up another as the French champions completed a second successive domestic treble by beating Olympique de Marseille 4-2 in the French Cup final on Saturday.

Marseille's Florian Thauvin cancelled out Blaise Matuidi’s early opener in the first half, but Ibrahimovic, playing his final game for the club, took the game away from PSG's bitter rivals after the break.

The Sweden striker scored from the spot before teeing up Edinson Cavani and then adding another late goal to wrap up PSG's 10th French Cup title. They had already won the Ligue 1 and League Cup trophies.

Marseille, who scored a second goal through Michy Batshuayi, were looking to salvage a mediocre season after finishing 13th in Ligue 1, but PSG were simply a cut above. PSG went ahead after just two minutes when Matuidi latched onto Angel Di Maria’s cross.

Marseille hit back 10 minutes later when Thauvin fired a low shot past Salvatore Sirigu to equalise. PSG upped the pace in the second half and after just two minutes, Nicolas N’Koulou brought down Matuidi in the box and Ibrahimovic converted the resulting penalty.

In the 57th minute, Cavani wrapped it up with a powerful shot after being perfectly set up by Ibrahimovic and the Sweden forward completed the rout after collecting Matuidi’s throughball to slot past keeper Steve Mandanda. Batshuayi reduced the arrears three minutes from time.

15th Nagaland State Chess Challenger from today dIMapuR, May 22 (Mexn): The 15th Nagaland State Chess Challenger 2016 will get underway on May 23 at the Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima. Minister, Rural Development & REPA, C.L. John, will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural function which is scheduled at 11am. A press release informing this has requested all participants to reach the venue latest by 9:3am.

Real's Varane to miss Champions League final MadRId, May 22 (ReuteRs): Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane will miss the Champions League final after suffering a hamstring injury in training, Spanish media reported on Sunday. The centre back could be out of action for three weeks, making him doubtful for France's first game at Euro 2016, against Romania on June 10. Varane was unlikely to start against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28 in Milan with Sergio Ramos and Pepe coach Zinedine Zidane's usual first-choice defensive pairing. Real have not specified the time he will be out for but have confirmed the player is injured. "After tests carried out today on player Raphael Varane he was diagnosed with a grade two injury in the left hamstring," the club said in a statement.

"His recovery will continue to be assessed."

Bayern win shootout to land Cup in Guardiola farewell

BeRLIn, May 22 (ReuteRs): Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on penalties to win the German Cup for the 18th time on Saturday, handing coach Pep Guardiola another domestic double in his final game in charge.

Bayern, who also won the Bundesliga for a record fourth straight time, kept their cool in the shootout after a goalless 120 minutes with Douglas Costa beating keeper Roman Buerki with Bayern's last penalty after two Dortmund players had missed. It was Bayern's second Cup win after they lifted the trophy in 2015 when they also beat Dortmund while the Ruhr valley club have now lost in the final for the third straight year.

Guardiola, who has won three league titles and two German Cups in his three seasons in charge, hugged and kissed his play-

Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola celebrates after winning the German Cup final on penalties against Borussia Dortmund. (EPA Photo)

ers, with tears streaming down his face after his final match in charge before joining Manchester City next season.

"It is amazing to end these great years here with such a game," he told re-

porters. "I don't look at titles or trophies. These are numbers. My track record is what I experience."

The win in front of a roaring 74,000 crowd at the Olympic stadium also softened the disappoint-

ment of Bayern's third consecutive Champions League semi-final exit under Guardiola earlier this month when they went out to Atletico Madrid.

"I had to win, win, win from the start and had

the support of many great people. I am satisfied to be leaving with such a game," the Spaniard said.

It was also a farewell for Dortmund captain Mats Hummels, who will join Bayern next season, having now lost his third successive German Cup final.

"It is obviously bitter to come that close every time and fail," Hummels said.

"We fought a good battle and we are very disappointed. For me, my time at Dortmund was unforgettable and I will miss them all."

The encounter between Germany's top two sides lived up to the hype in terms of the intensity in the first half but chances were few and far between.

A drilled header that sailed narrowly wide from Mueller was Bayern's best opportunity while Dortmund had to wait 42 minutes for their first shot on

target. Bayern upped the tempo after the break, using the speed of Franck Ribery and Costa on the wings to try to pierce the Dortmund defence.

Thiago Alcantara and Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski twice went close.

It was Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who missed the biggest chance, however, when he fired over the bar in the 85th minute with only keeper Manuel Neuer to beat. After players from both sides ran out of steam and struggled with cramp in extra time, the Bavarians stayed focused in the shootout. Sven Bender and Sokratis Papastathopoulos failed to score for Dortmund and Bayern youngster Joshua Kimmich had his penalty saved, but Brazilian Costa sealed the win with the final kick.

monday 23•05•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Salman Khan-Iulia Eva and Jose Baston tie the knot Vantur wedding I was never married and I am in no hurry to wear my wedding dress, says Iulia Vantur

American actress Eva Longoria has reportedly married Jose Baston in front of friends and family in Mexico.

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ccording to reports, Salman Khan’s rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur was earlier married to Romanian star Marius Moga.

But Iulia has finally broken her silence and has refuted all the rumours of her being married before and has also said that she is no hurry to wear her wedding dress. Salman Khan and rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur have always been been tight-lipped about their relationship status. Salman’s entry with Iulia at Preity Zinta’s reception has become the talk of the town. And after news of Salman’s wedding broke on the internet, the gossip mills started churning out stories about Salman and Iulia’s relationship.

A few days ago, the pictures of Iulia and Romanian star Marius Moga went viral. And according to reports, Iulia was earlier married to Marius. A report in Missmalini.com stated that the two were in a four-year long steady relation-

ship before they broke up when Marius got involved with another woman.

Iulia has finally broken her silence and has refuted all the rumours of her being married before this and has also said that she is no hurry to wear her wedding dress. She took to Instagram and wrote, Dear friends, I didn’t feel the need to react to any rumors... But now I think I should state clearly that I was never married and I am in no hurry to wear my wedding dress. God bless us all! (sic)” Just yesterday, Salman was asked about his marriage plans at the pre-event for IIFA 2016. The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor was not in the best of moods and said, “Why should I tell you about my marriage? I don’t even know your name. I will tweet about it.

Understand? I would keep my marriage thing between me and my fans.” There were reports that the couple will be tying the knot on December 27, 2016 which also happens to be Salman Khan’s 51st birthday. But there is no official confirmation on it yet.

Source:Indiatoday

va Longoria has married Jose Baston in Mexico. The 41-yearold actress reportedly tied the knot in front of her friends and family in Valle de Bravo, which is just south-west of Mexico City.

A source shared: “They married on an altar under lots of little lights. “It was very romantic. Eva wore her hair down and smiled during the whole ceremony. He was in a grey suit.”

A host of big-name celebrity guests are reported to have attended the ceremony, including the likes of Penelope Cruz, Ricky Martin and Katy Perry, as well as Eva’s close friend

Victoria Beckham and her husband David.

An insider said Eva relished her big day and did not appear to experience any last-minute stresses as she tied the knot for the

third time, having previously married actor Tyler Christopher and basketball star Tony Parker.

The source told Us Weekly: “Eva just looked so happy. She didn’t seem

Former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza dies after collapsing on stage

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he former drummer with the US thrash metal band Megadeth, Nick Menza, is reported to have died after collapsing on stage at a gig in California.

Menza, who was 51, is said to have suffered a heart attack during one of his regular sessions with his band OHM at a small Los Angeles jazz club, the Baked Potato. The club posted “RIP Nick Menza” on its Facebook page in the early hours of Sunday. Dave Mustaine, cofounder of Megadeth, said on Twitter

that he awoke at 4am to the news. “Tell me this isn’t true,” he wrote.

Marty Friendman, the former Megadeth guitarist, wrote on Facebook: “We all know the great and unique drummer that Nick Menza was, but he was also a trustworthy friend, a hilarious bandmate, as well as a very loving dad. I’m beyond sad, did not see this coming at all. RIP Brother.”

Shocked fans posted tributes on Menza’s Facebook page and that of the venue. Menza, son of a jazz musician, played with Megadeth on several of its most successful albums in the early 1990s, including Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction and Youthanasia. He left the band when he had to have knee surgery during a tour for the 1997 album Cryptic Writings.

He had been playing regular sessions at the Baked Potato club with OHM, founded in 2002 by another Megadeth veteran, the guitarist Chris Poland.

the least stressed about her wedding. You could tell that she very much she enjoyed celebrating her special day with friends.”

The couple first began dating in 2013, and they

announced their engagement two years later after Jose proposed in Dubai.

The former ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress previously confessed she will never forget the effort Jose made when it came to asking her to be his wife.

She said: “We were in Dubai - didn’t expect it there... One hundred percent surprised me. He’s very romantic and sweet and kind, and so he put a lot of effort into it and it was very memorable.

“There were camels present, a bird, a bird was present as well... A lot of animals were involved in our engagement... It was beautiful, it was romantic, it was awesome.”

The American also admitted she was likely to have a “big fat Mexican wedding” but she would have preferred to tie the knot in secret.

She said: “We haven’t even discussed it. I mean, I would like to elope. Free of guests and guest lists and things like that!”

Source: femalefirst.co.uk

Elton John hints at retirement

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egendary British singer Elton John has hinted that he may soon step down from touring as he doesn’t want to miss out on his children growing up. John shared his views when he appeared on The Graham Norton Show on Thursday, reports dailymail.co.uk. Revealing that he aims to put his close knit family first, the 69-year-old married musician said that he would not globe trot forever because he wanted to see his two young sons grow up.

John is due to go on tour with close friend Rod Thomas, the musician who goes by the stage name Bright Light Bright Light.

Asked if the forthcoming tour is a ‘farewell tour’, John said not necessarily. I like playing and I’m a working musician and I love to do it. If you’re feeling fresh and energetic do it while you can. I’m not going to do it forever because I want to see my boys grow up. He has sons Zachary and Elijah with husband David Furnish, to whom he proposed 11 years ago. They celebrated a civil partnership on 21 December 2005 and, following the legalisation of gay marriage, the couple wed at their home at Old Windsor in December 2014.

Source: IANS

Sara Ramirez leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ after 10 Years

S C M Y K

ara Ramirez has confirmed that she is leaving Grey’s Anatomy after 10 years on the show. The 40-year-old, who portrayed Dr. Callie Torres, announced the sad news just after the season 12 finale aired on the East Coast on Thursday evening. ‘I’m deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Grey’s Anatomy & ABC but for now I’m taking some welcome time off,’ Sara shared on Instagram.

However the actress assured fans that this doesn’t

mean she is closing the door on the hit medical drama and its creator Shonda Rhimes entirely. ‘Shonda’s been so incredible to work for and we will definitely continue our conversations!’ she went on, before mentioning Ellen Pompeo, who portrays Meredith Grey. Sara added: ‘I send my Love to Ellen, the rest of the cast & crew, and I look forward to always being a part of the Shondaland family!’ The star sparked rumours she was exiting the series last month after posting a cryptic tweet.

Source: MailOnline

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The Naga Talents Promo season 4 district audition will kick start from May 26 at Dimapur, May 27 in kohima, and May 28 in Wokha. The organizers held its press Conference at PMA office. This year the system will be in two categories: individual and group. The ultimate prize money for the group will be of Rs 2 Lacs & individual prize amount is 1 Lakh along with gift hampers with certificates for the winners. Every elimination rounds will include a best performer award. There will a combined elimination after all the districts auditions.

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Whitney Houston hologram performance axed

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n artificial version of the late singer Whitney Houston was supposed to make its debut during the finale of “The Voice”. However, it seems like those behind the hologram had second thoughts after footage of its duet with singer Christina Aguilera leaked online. The video featured Aguilera and Houston singing a medley of hits, including “I have nothing” and “I’m every woman”. Pat Houston has confirmed that the performance will not be broadcast, reports mirror.co.uk. He explained that it had nothing to do with Aguilera’s performance and was instead because the hologram ‘must be perfect’ first. “We were looking to deliver a ground breaking duet performance for the fans of both artists,” a statement read.

“Holograms are new technology that take time to perfect, and we believe with artists of this iconic caliber, it must be perfect.”Whitney’s legacy and her devoted fans deserve perfection. After closely viewing the performance, we decided the hologram was not ready to air. “We have much respect and appreciation for Christina, and she was absolutely flawless.” Houston passed away when she drowned after suffering from a heart attack while in the bath in February 2012.

Source: IANS

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2:00 Pm | 08:00 pm

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MonDAY 23•05•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Sublime Lingard volley seals Manchester United FA Cup win

striker Anthony Martial.

Rooney was an influential captain in his deeper midfield role and 18 yearold Marcus Rashford made several of their best opportunities, but had to go off injured in the 72nd minute.

Van Gaal could not say how serious the injury was or whether it would prevent Rashford joining the England squad next week.

Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Amenba Yaden flagging off the IndiaMyanmar-Thailand Friendship car rally following a brief stopover at the NAPTC, Chumukedima, Dimapur on May 22. The expedition, which will cover an approximate distance of 7000 km, started from the Arunachal Pradesh state capital, Itanagar on Sunday morning enroute Bangkok, Thailand via Myanmar and end in Guwahati. it is being organised by North East Federation of International Trade in association with Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Federation of Thai Industries, Bangkok.

Mourinho set for United, Van Gaal won't discuss leaving Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lift the trophy as they celebrate winning the FA Cup. (Reuters)

C M Y K

LONDON, May 22 (ReuteRs): Manchester United substitute Jesse Lingard's superb volley in extra time secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday for their first major trophy in three years.

However, their Dutch manager Louis van Gaal was left wondering whether it would be enough to preserve his job two seasons into a three-year contract amid British media reports that Jose Mourinho would be offered the job next week. The game was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Jason Puncheon coming off the bench to put London side Palace ahead 12 minutes from time before Juan Mata equalised three minutes later.

United central defender Chris Smalling was sent off in the extra period for a second yellow card but

Lingard's moment of class gave them the Cup for the first time since 2004.

"It's fantastic to win this title for the club, the fans and also for me," Van Gaal said. "Now I have won a Cup in four countries. Not many managers can say that so I am very happy.

"I don't want to talk about leaving the club."

Underdogs Palace took the lead when Puncheon, who had only come on six minutes earlier, deftly controlled a long ball into the area and fired past United goalkeeper David de Gea. But within three minutes Wayne Rooney went on a brilliant run across the edge of the Palace area and crossed for Marouane Fellaini to set up the equaliser for Spaniard Mata.

Despite playing the second period of extra time with 10 men after Smalling's dismissal, United poured forward and Lin-

gard's goal secured a 12th FA Cup triumph, equalling Arsenal's record.

"I saw it come across and it landed nicely for me, all I had to do was hit it sweet and luckily I did that.

As a sub you always have to be ready. Thankfully I was," Lingard said.

Van Gaal, who arrived for his news conference carrying the trophy, added: "It was a super goal when we needed it.

"It was unbelievable that we had injuries again but in spite of going down to 10 players we showed the spirit we have shown on the road to the final."

Palace manager Alan Pardew, who played when the London club lost the replayed 1990 final against United, was frustrated by two refereeing decisions from Mark Clattenburg, who will be in charge of next weekend's Champions League final.

He felt Wilfried Zaha should have had a penalty when tackled by Rooney and that play should have been waved on as Connor Wickham recovered from Smalling's challenge and scored.

"It was a great cup final and could have gone either way," Pardew told reporters.

Palace did not get quite enough from speedy winger Zaha, who United once bought for 15 million pounds ($21.76 million) before selling him back to their opponents, and Yannick Bolasie.

The London side threatened mainly from set pieces, although the tall Fellaini was a valuable asset in defending them.

United made the more dangerous chances throughout the game, hitting the post twice early in the second half through Fellaini and young French

LONDON, May 22 (ReuteRs): Jose Mourinho will be appointed Manchester United manager next week to replace Louis van Gaal despite Saturday's FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace, British media have reported.

Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea in December after his second spell in charge of the west London club, has also managed Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. The Daily Telegraph reported on its website that the deal to bring Mourinho to Old Trafford was reached at the end of last week with an official announcement due in the next few days. Asked about his future at a news conference after the final, the Dutchman pointed at the FA Cup in front of him.

"I show you the Cup," he said. "And I don't discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months. Which manager can do what I have done? I don't want to talk about leaving the club." Van Gaal preferred to dwell on the positives from a season in which United won their first trophy since 2013 and brought in some promising young players but came one place lower in the Premier League, finishing fifth behind Manchester City on goal difference and missing out on the Champions League. There has also been regular criticism from the club's supporters about a style of play that brought only 49 goals in the Premier League -- their lowest total since 1989-90. The defiant Dutchman suggested he was already planning new signings for next season. "Every year we want to improve. It is not so easy when United come for a player. When United come the price is double or much more." Whether he is given the chance to do so remains in serious doubt.

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