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FriDAY 04•11•2016
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THE MORUNG EXPRESS
england, scotland will wear Windies end test drought, pak win series poppies despite FiFa ban LoNdoN, November 3 (AFP): England and Scotland's players will wear black armbands bearing the red poppy when they meet in a World Cup qualifier on Armstice Day, despite the threat of sanctions from FIFA. The English and Scottish football associations had been negotiating with the world governing body, which bans political, commercial and religious symbols on team outfits during matches. But the FA insisted Wednesday that the wearing of a poppy represents an "appropriate tribute" to Britain's war dead. "The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event," said an FA statement. "The FA intend to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day." England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on November 11, the day when Britain traditionally remembers its war dead. Many Britons wear red poppies as a tribute to those who have died in conflicts which have involved the country. The Scottish FA issued a similar statement to their English counterparts saying the wearing of a poppy was "an appropriate tribute". "The Scotland national team (will) wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture against England on Armistice Day," said the Scottish body. Earlier Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May branded as "outrageous" FIFA's opposition to the gesture. "It is utterly outrageous," May said when asked about the matter in parliament. "Our football players want to recognise those who gave their lives for our security. "It is absolutely right that they should be able to do so. A clear message is going from this house before they (FIFA) start telling us what to do they jolly well
ought to sort their own house out." FIFA was linked with scandal that led to its president Sepp Blatter being ousted in December. A new regime is now in place. But a FIFA statement issued Wednesday reiterated their stance. "FIFA fully respects the significance of commemorating Remembrance Day on November 11 each year," it said. "The laws of the game are overseen by the International Football Association Board (composed of the four British FAs and FIFA) and applicable to all 211 member associations. "The relevant Law 4, para. 4, clearly states that the players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages. "The laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events." However, FA chairman Greg Clarke said it was inconceivable poppies would not be worn. "My personal opinion and actually the same opinion I hold as Chair of the FA is of course we should wear poppies," he told ITV. "We are commemorating millions of people who gave their lives in wars over the last hundred years and they deserve that. "The people who lost relatives deserve that. That's our plan. We'll be wearing poppies at Wembley." In 2011, FIFA agreed to let England wear a poppy symbol on black armbands when they played Spain in a friendly on November 11. The strength of feeling against FIFA was reflected when nearly 200,000 people had signed a petition urging a rethink. The petition was launched by former RAF navigator John Nichol -- who was shot down with pilot John Peters and taken prisoner during the first Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. "The poppy is not a political statement at all. It could not be further from a political statement," said Nichol, who along with Peters was tortured while being held prisoner.
ShArjAh, November 3 (AFP): West Indies secured their first Test victory since May 2015 as opener Kraigg Brathwaite capped a brilliant match with an unbeaten halfcentury in the third and final match of the series against Pakistan at Sharjah Thursday. Brathwaite, who carried his bat in the first innings with 142 not out, was again unbeaten on 60 as the West Indies passed their 153-run target without further loss after beginning the fifth day on 114 for 5. Shane Dowrich, who also finished with 60 not out, edged Mohammad Amir towards third man for a boundary as West Indies reached 154-5. Pakistan won the threematch series 2-1 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs and the second by 133 runs in Abu Dhabi. Brathwaite and Dowrich needed just 7.5 overs to score the 39 runs required. Opener Brathwaite signalled his intent by driving fast bowler Wahab Riaz's first ball of the day through the covers for four. Dowrich soon got in on the act when he pulled leg-spinner Yasir Shah to the boundary to reduce the target to 29. Brathwaite pushed Riaz for two to reach his 12th Test fifty, finishing with six boundaries during his second unbeaten knock of the match, during which he faced 109 balls.
Wahab Riaz of Pakistan takes the wicket of Jermaine Blackwood of West Indies on day four of the third test between Pakistan and West Indies at at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Getty Images)
Dowrich drove Riaz through the covers for his fifth boundary to complete his fourth Test half-century. Two boundaries off Amir saw his side home. "We showed character and fight," said West Indies skipper Jason Holder. "This has been a long time coming, We are a young side in transition. We've done a lot of things good this series." Holder praised man-ofthe-match Brathwaite. "Credit must go to Kraigg. He played an out-
standing innings in the first innings and took responsibility in the second and helped us cross the line," said Holder. The result meant Misbah-ul-Haq could not celebrate his record 49th Test as Pakistan skipper with a win. He surpassed the previous mark of 48 in charge set by the legendary allrounder Imran Khan. "It's always disappointing to lose a Test," said Misbah. "Credit to West Indies.
They kept improving and we kept losing momentum. We were well below our standards, especially in the batting department." It was Holder's first victory in 12 Tests in charge and a personal milestone as he collected his first Test five-wicket haul with 5 for 30 on Wednesday. It was also the West Indies first win in 14 Tests since beating England at Barbados on May 3, 2015. The 2-1 series win keeps intact Pakistan's unbeaten
record in their adopted home of the United Arab Emirates since the 2009 attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore forced them to play abroad. Pakistan have won five and drawn four of the Test series they have played in the UAE. West Indies' win did however prevent Pakistan from achieving a rare 9-0 clean sweep after winning both the Twenty20 and one-day International series 3-0.
Australia's Starc leaves South Africa reeling 'Human decision' to end Schweinsteiger exile: Mourinho Perth, November 3 (AFP): Fast bowler Mitchell Starc returned in style as Australia dismissed South Africa for 242 on day one of the first Test in Perth on Thursday. Returning from a gruesome leg injury suffered in training, Starc struck with the fourth ball of the match and bowled with sustained pace to finish with four wickets as the tourists struggled after winning the toss and electing to bat. The Australian pace attack, led by Starc (4-71) and Josh Hazlewood (3-70), struck early as the Proteas slumped to 32 for 4. Middle order batsmen Temba Bavuma (51) and Quinton de Kock, who topscored with an aggressive 84, rallied with a 71-run stand for the sixth wicket. But the visitors again stumbled when Bavuma and Vernon Philander fell just before tea as Australia regained control. De Kock survived two decision reviews and should have been run out on 61, only to be the ninth wicket to fall when he chased quick
Australia's Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates after dismissing South Africa's Faf du Plessis on day one of the first Test in Perth on November 3, 2016. (AFP Photo)
runs with the tail. Bavuma made a composed 51 but he fell to a brilliant catch by Shaun Marsh -- whose brother Mitchell had also taken a screamer to dismiss opener Stephen Cook. The South African number six was superbly caught down low by Shaun Marsh at short leg from the bowling of Nathan Lyon to end a valuable 71-run
sixth-wicket stand. Philander (10) fell to the last ball before tea, dragging an attempted pull shot back onto his stumps to give Starc his third wicket. Starc, returning to action after suffering deep cuts when he collided with equipment in training, was the pick of the bowlers with 3-42. The day also started with an outstanding Marsh
catch, with Shaun's younger brother Mitchell leaping high at gully to remove Cook for a duck in the first over. The South Africans were soon in worse trouble, with Hashim Amla also falling without score when he pushed a Josh Hazlewood delivery and to Australian skipper Steve Smith at second slip. A tough chance from Dean Elgar was grassed on 10, but he made just two more before being caught behind by Peter Nevill from the bowling of Hazlewood (2-47) with the score on just 20. JP Duminy never looked comfortable and also benefited from a life when he was on 8, but like Elgar he could not capitalise and was caught behind for 11 off Peter Siddle. Duminy called for a review and it took quite some time before umpire Nigel Llong's decision was upheld by third umpire Richard Kettleborough. South Africa, who beat Australia 5-0 in their recent one-day series, left out paceman Morne Morkel and handed a Test debut to spinner Keshav Maharaj.
IStANbuL, November 3 (AFP): Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Wednesday said it was a "human decision" to end German star Bastian Schweinsteiger's exile from the first team squad. The 32-year-old Schweinsteiger has not featured since Mourinho's pre-season arrival and was written off as an asset in the club's financial results for the year ending June 30, 2016. The World Cup winner was also omitted from United's Europa League squad meaning he is inelgible for Thursday's match against Fenerbahce. But Mourinho said Thursday that the player's experience could be key if the squad is hit by injuries. "It's a decision based on the fact that we are in a period of the season where it's really difficult to train with everyone together," Mourinho told the club's official website in Istanbul. "Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally with the fitness coach, we think that it's a human decision, a professional decision, to
Mourinho gets one-match touchline ban, fine
In this image release by Manchester United on Monday, manager Jose Mourinho watches Bastian Scweinsteiger and Joe Riley during a training session at the AON Training Complex.
bring him back to the team. "He'll be much better prepared and in much better condition in case his future decision is to leave the club; he'll be much better prepared for competition if he stays with us. "It becomes one more option. At the moment, we have no problems in midfield like we have in defence but, if we have problems in mid-
field, it's another option for us. It's a human decision based on the training numbers and methods, but also a decision that can be positive for the group. It's positive for us and for him." Schweinsteiger joined United from Bayern Munich before the start of last season when former manager Louis van Gaal was still in charge at Old Trafford.
LoNdoN, November 3 (AFP): Embattled Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will serve a one match touchline ban and pay a £50,000 ($60,000) fine after being punished by the Football Association over two separate incidents on Wednesday. The 53-year-old Portuguese received the ban for being sent to the stands during the 0-0 draw with Burnley last weekend and the fine for remarks he made ahead of the Premier League game with Liverpool. He also receives a mandatory £8,000 fine for being sent to the stands. Mourinho has come under pressure as United's form has faded with no wins in their last four league games and trail leading trio Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool by eight points.
public discourse
Foothill road – Key to employment
Mapu Jamir I.A.S. (Retd.)
A
Dimapur, Nagaland
time has come not to question what government of India has done for Nagaland but a time has come to question what government of Nagaland has done for Nagaland. It is said that an idle state travels very slowly and poverty soon overtakes it. There is enough for everyone’s need in the state but does not have enough for everyone’s greed, bribery and extortion. This is the apathy that eats into the very vital chord of our life. State of Nagaland believes that all crucial issues of public importance belong to rulers in Delhi and they have no responsibility to solve them. They are not used to taking decision on their own. They look to somebody else to take decision for them. Unfortunately, there is nobody to look up to and this is our tragedy. Bible says, “The stone which the builders rejected or neglected has become the head of the corner.” The Vedas say, “Man can live individually but can survive only collectively.” These are holy words and have universal truth. But who is listening. Every Naga is a leader and every Naga is a general. A leader without followers or a general without soldiers cannot progress and cannot go to war. This foothill road which has been neglected for long has great potential for growth and economic development for the present generation as well as for all generations to come. Naga society has put loyalty more to the individual or family than loyalty to society. In Nagaland the more important you are the less answerable you are. There is no accountabil-
ity. In the western world people care more for society than we do. They generally sacrifice more for society. The result is better quality of public and community life. There is respect for the community. Here we don’t even think once to destroy public interest. That is why everything public is sub-standard here. If we have to make progress this attitude has to change. We see many serious problems around us but do not try to solve them because everybody wants to be the thinker and not the doer. All of us are aware of the deplorable roads and electricity in the state. But we behave as if the problem does not exist or as if they belong to someone else even though they are within our reach and capabilities. Let me cite an example. Most of us know the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Inspite of 81 Lok Sabha MPs and several Prime Ministers from the state, Uttar Pradesh is still a backward state in India. Several years ago an Expressway was constructed between Delhi and Agra with green corridor along the road. It not only acts as a safe guard against the rising pollution but also boosts economic advancements to the poor farmers in western UP. Today the city of Delhi depends on the agricultural produce from this region. This inclusive growth has provided thousands of alternative jobs to the youth. Another ambitious Expressway is under way now from Agra to Lucknow. This 302 km. long Expressway will cover the entire western UP. The expected travel time between Agra and Lucknow is about four hours and is designed for a speed of 120 kmph. This Expressway will provide fast and convenient transportation with significant savings in fuel and time.
It has provision for green belt, road maintenance service station, under passes for pedestrians and animals, rest houses, restaurants, multi service stations and petrol pumps. This is going to transform the economic scenario of western UP by creating immense job opportunities. Infrastructure is the key to economic growth and employment. Development project in transportation sectors like highways and railways will be the area of mega economic activities. The foothill road bordering the state of Assam will boast the economic advancement of the entire state of Nagaland. This foothill road when ready will connect all the state highways and the national highways within the state. This road can be extended to Jalukie in Peren district. The foothill road offers a more stable soil and not subject to land sliding and other vagaries of nature. The length and breadth of this road will serve the entire rural belt of Nagaland and give them a fresh breath of a better economic advancement. The produce from this region will feed the needs of entire Nagaland and accordingly Nagaland need not depend on supply of most of the essential commodities from outside the state. The ownership of cultivable land rests predominantly with the non productive farmers. The scope for development in rural sector is yet to open up. This is not an exaggeration. The term development does not mean financial well being of the few only. It is the ability of an individual to decide upon matters relating to education, health, standard of living and social affiliation and this dictates the term development. Removal of struc-
tural barriers to production and distribution of benefits among those engaged in production will strengthen the tillers and the toiling hands of the rural poor. This can be facilitated through the foothill road. The entire geo-physical area of the foothill road is agricultural. The aim should be to obtain self sufficiency in rice production and to bring about crop pattern diversification to make up for deficiencies in production of certain crops in the state. With good road connectivity agro-based production will increase and this will encourage bringing bio-diversity technology and modernized techniques for crop preservation and its marketing benefitting farmers on permanent basis. Nagaland need not look out for help in food grains. Side by side one can put stress on planned culture of fruits, flowers and varieties of vegetable production including coconut, betel nut and leaves. Animal resources can be developed along the entire road. This is a very important sector for the state and will act as a tool for the growth of rural economy. There is considerable gap between demand and supply of products of animal origin. There is huge deficit in piggery farming, dairy products, poultry, etc in the state. One can combat the challenge of poor quality, low productive non descript livestock and poultry breeds by constant veterinary care and genetic upgradation. Fishery sector can be developed along the foothill road. Initiative through exploitation of all the available water resources and also by motivating rural and urban people to take up pisiculture will yield encouraging results. Fishery sector has a significant role in
employment generation and socio-economic upliftment of the rural areas in the state, besides, supplying nutritional needs of the people. Foothill road can be a green corridor for the state. Forestry can be developed in the upper ridges. Herbal plantation too can be boost up along with agro-forest based research centre. Later on, this will beef up forest tourism by setting up of eco-tourism spots based on respective ambience and surroundings. This road will attract huge road transportation. Buses, taxis, goods laden trucks will ply 24x7 and even auto-rickshaws will ply for short distance transportation. There will be whole sale markets along the road and will help industries to procure raw materials. Farmers’ colony, and Small Township can crop up along the road. Rest houses, restaurants, service centre, petrol pumps, etc will grow along the road generating immense opportunities for the local people. The above projects rest entirely on the engagement of the people for its success and not just the initiative but also devolution of benefits to the people. Government can frame policies but its success depends entirely on strong monitoring. This is not possible without active community participation and community ownership. However, all developmental initiatives will come to a meaningless exercise unless people themselves are determined and willing to take care of the place they live in and enrich their minds and souls by relentless desire to pursue healthy economic growth. This foothill road will put the state on the Highway of Economic Revolution.
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.