September 2nd, 2015

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wednesdAY • september 02 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 239 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Why India ignores a $16 bn smoking-led health crisis pAGe 8

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

‘Every citizen needs to open savings bank account’

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T R u T H

— Matthew 25:40

India end 22-year away series win drought against SL

pAGe 2

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Kohima protest against rape culture

KVC demand installation of CCTVs in all strategic locations in Kohima Our Correspondent Kohima | September 1

Sovereign Socialist Republic village...Sound nice...no?

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Banking ops to be hit in Wednesday strike

ChENNAI/AgARTAlA/BENgAlURU/ KolKATA, SEPEMBER 1 (IANS): Banking and insurance operations in India will come to a grinding halt on Wednesday with around half a million employees going on strike in protest against the centre’s economic and labour policies, said union leaders.

“Across the country around 500,000 bankers - workers and officers - would be participating in the strike.

Around 75,000 branches will not work tomorrow (Wednesday),” All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIEBA) general secretary C.H.Venkatachalam told IANS. Employees of public sector/old private sector/cooperative and regional rural banks will be taking part, he added.

However, employees of State Bank of India (SBI) and Indian Overseas Bank are not participating. Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) national general secretary Pradip Biswas exuded confidence that the strike will be “total” and paralyse all banking operations, saying they had “campaigned hard to make the strike a success”. The banking operations will be hit as cheques will not be sent for clearance. Even though scanned images of cheques are now sent for clearing instead of physical instrument, there will be one day delay in clearance, Venkatachalam said.

Venkatachalam said refilling of currency notes at automatic teller machines (ATM) by bank employees will also be affected. “In those ATMs where refilling of currency note operation have been outsourced, the strike will impact them as well as the ATMs may go dry fast,” he added.

Braving heavy downpour, thousands of people joined a protest rally against an alleged rape of an elderly woman here today.

The rally, organized by Kohima Village Council (KVC), registered a strong protest against the August 22 incident where an elderly woman of Kohima village was allegedly raped and assaulted by one Thanwalo Magh hailing from Tesophenyu village.

Carrying banners which read; “Rapist - we curse you,” “Know your society, know your culture, respect yourself,” “Zero tolerance for rapist,” “Rapist no better than beast,” “Make our society safe for women,” etc, the procession started from High School junction and marched towards the Chief Minister’s official residence where a memorandum was submitted.

The memorandum was received by Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Rovilatuo Mor in the presence of Minister for Forest and Environment and Ecology Dr Neikesalie Kire; Parliamentary Secretary for Sports and Youth Re-

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People participate at the rally held on Tuesday in Kohima to protest against the August 22 alleged rape of an elderly woman. (Photos: DIPR/Morung)

source, Khriehu Liezietsu and SP Kohima. A separate Memorandum was also submitted to the District and Session Judge, Kohima at the DC’s Office.

As a mark of solidarity, commercial establishments remained closed while vehicles stayed off the road during the rally.

Some schools were also closed.

In the memorandum addressed to Chief Minister, the KVC demanded that the crime commit-

ted by Thanwalo Magh be “treated as most serious and the person should not be released on bail.” “That it the event of failure to comply with the above demand, Kohima village will take extremely serious considerations,” the memorandum cautioned.

The village council demanded the Nagaland State government to ensure safety of all the citizens by deploying the police machinery to its fullest potential and with efficiency. It

demanded installation of CCTVs in all strategic locations in Kohima town and establishment of a forensic laboratory in Nagaland at the earliest.

Later, addressing the rally at Kohima local ground, KVC chairman Neivor Rutsa asserted that the prime objective of KVC is “Peace and Security.” He, however, maintained that such incident was beyond description and explanation and therefore cannot be tolerated.

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday sought urgent intervention from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to direct the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to assist the State in dealing with the emergency situation faced in and around Kohima due to natural calamities caused by landslides.

MP Rio, who had personally visited the affected areas and interacted with the local population and officials a day before, informed the Union Home Minister that the National Highway 39 between Nagaland and Manipur was completely cut off as a result of a landslide at Phesama, a few kilometres away from Kohima. He said it was unlikely to be restored for several weeks.

Our Correspondent Imphal | September 1

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pressing shock and pain on the act of Thanwalo Magh, has appealed to the government to award the severest exemplary action.

Justice should not be delayed, he added.

Angami Public Organization (APO) and Kewhimia Mechii Krotho (KMK) also condemned the incident in the strongest term.

The Vice Chairman of T. Khel, Kohima Village, Neibu Sekhose while narrating the incident of August 22 further thanked all the

organisations from various communities for sharing their grief and sorrow at this juncture.

The Deputy Commissioner Kohima expressed appreciation to KVC for maintaining strict discipline, law and order and also for maintaining high sense of cleanliness during the rally. He assured that the district administration would take up with the matter with all concerned agencies to see that justice is delivered.

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Phesama Landslide: N. Rio NPMHR resents ‘total disregard for lives’ seeks Centre’s intervention Apart from the National Highway being cut off, Rio said a large part of the village has also been affected by the landslide. Huge tracts of agricultural land and crops have also been lost and damaged. Scores of houses have been damaged and the citizens of the village have been evacuating and dismantling their houses since the last two weeks.

Likewise, the State capital Kohima has been affected by several landslides where the main connectivity road to the Nagaland Civil Secretariat has been cut off, the MP stated while adding that other residential areas in the State capital have also been adversely affected due to landslides.

In this connection, Rio said the role and involvement of the NDMA is urgently required for relief, rehabilitation

and restoration. He said people who have lost their homes and belongings need to be assisted on all fronts including rebuilding of their homes and adequate compensation must be sanctioned.

Rio pointed out that the situation on the ground was very challenging and the State government was not adequately equipped to handle the situation due to lack of resources, poor equipment and lack of technical expertise. In the meantime, thousands of people, interstate travellers and rural agricultural population are suffering, he informed.

The MP said there are still no signs of active involvement of the NDMA in the ground situation. He also said that experts in the area of landslides and its control and prevention were also required.

Manipur Violence: three more killed; death toll rises to seven

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Former president of Angami gazetted officers union, Vipralhou Kesiezie said the people of Kohima village have enough room for peaceful conscious people but it has no room for rapist or those who indulge in anti-social activities.

“We cannot tolerate this kind of crime anymore,” he said while demanding that befitting justice and punishment should be served to the rapist.

Representative from Rengma Hoho while ex-

Three more people were killed and a police station was set afire on Tuesday, as the toll in the violence that started on Monday in Manipur’s Churchandpur district over three bills passed in the assembly rose to seven.

Violating an indefinite curfew in place in the town, a mob went on a rampage in the streets and set ablaze a police station in Churchandpur town, as police opened fire in self-defense to disperse the mob-killing three protesters on the spot around 3 pm.

Violence erupted on Monday evening following the Manipur government’s adoption of three landmark bills - Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015.

The bills were unanimously passed in the assembly on Monday after the ruling Congress signed an agreement with the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on August 25 to enact three laws to protect the interest of

the indigenous people.

The mob on Monday evening attacked the residence of five Congress lawmakers, including that of state Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha member Thangsoi Baite. However, none of the lawmakers were at their residences.

Three bodies were found in Churachandpur town and a charred body was recovered from the debris at the residence of Congress legislator Manga Vaiphei of Henglep assembly constituency on Tuesday, a police official said.

The mob on Monday evening also set afire the vehicle of Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Lunminthang Haokip and prevented fire engines from dousing the flames, even as police were forced to resort to a baton charge.

The violence took place during a 12-hour hill areas bandh called by Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ANSAM) to register protest against the three Bills. Churachandpur based Zomi Council extended support to the strike.

The tribal student bodies insisted that the contents of the three Bills overlapped with Article 371 C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947.

The student organizations on Tuesday announced a fresh indefinite total shutdown in the hill districts to protest against the passing of the three Bills. Life was totally paralysed in the hills due to the stir.

The authorities clamped an indefinite curfew in Moreh town of Chandel district from 1 pm following the announcement of the general strike, official sources said.

The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders in violence-hit Churachandpur since Monday.

Centre monitoring Manipur situation

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to take stock of the situation in the state. “Spoke to Manipur CM Ibobi Singh regarding the incidents of violence in Churachandpur area. Centre is closely monitoring the situation,” the minister tweeted.

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), while condemning the August 28 ambush by the Assam Rifles at Pangsha, has expressed deep resentments against the “total disregard for human lives by the Indian Armed Forces.” It said that “these acts of crimes against the Naga civilians committed by the Government of India through its armed personnel are crimes against humanity.”

A press note from NPMHR lamented that since the abrogation of the Ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (K), there has been continuous

military engagements in various forms of “attacks and counterattacks, ambushes, raids, roadblocks, frisking, and many other forms of psychological warfare and harassments which are carried out in the name of peace.”

“Many precious lives from both the occupational forces and the resistance groups are lost or put to peril. We equally mourn for all the death and pray for their souls to rest in peace,” the NPMHR stated.

It said that the experiences of the unarmed and non-combatant civilians in all these decades of violence have “continued and compounded sufferings,” and lamented that Naga civilians have been

Abstain from violence: Lotha Hoho urges NPG DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho has urged Naga political groups (NPG) to abstain from violence and to “eschew any kind of activity that may provoke violence.” A press note from the Lotha Hoho cautioned that any group “which incites or brings violence to Wokha district will lose the co-operation and support of the people of the Wokha district, in general and the Lotha community in particular.” This was stated in a meeting of the Lotha Hoho on the issue of the August 23 firing at Doyang.

The Lotha Hoho stated that incidents such as these “affect public harmony and peaceful existence of the people. The Nagas, in general and the Lothas in particular, are tired up with violence and killings, in the name of national movement.” While affirming that the “Lotha people basically support the National Movement of the Nagas,” it stated that the “people do not approve of violence anymore.”

It urged that the national movement be “carried out with peaceful means, such as negotiations and with people’s support; but not with violence or bloodshed.” It further asked the public to co operate with law enforcing agencies and to exercise utmost restraint so as to maintain peaceful atmosphere and harmonious co existence within Lotha area and Wokha district.

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bearing the brunt of the “scourges of war with absolutely no respite or remedies from the atrocities of Indian armed forces that are protected with full immunity by the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.” On August 30, the NPMHR visited two of the injured victims. It revealed that as per the injured victims, the “civilians who were not killed or injured were beaten mercilessly by the AR.” “No one is secure from their mindless acts and their random assaults upon any and all Nagas are direct affronts to democratic principles and gross violations of universal human rights,” the NPMHR stated.

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No option but to retaliate: AR

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): The Assam Rifles (AR) today termed the August 28 ambush in Pangsha, where nine people were killed, as “unfortunate.” A press note from the AR however questioned: “should civilian lives be lost because NSCN (K) continues to operate from safe havens in Myanmar and vitiate the atmosphere in Nagaland, where people are yearning for peace?”

Listing out the attacks carried out by the NSCN (K) on Assam Rifles personnel since March 26, the AR stated that it has “no option but to retaliate to ensure safety of the civilians and their property and also protect their own bases and vehicles from attacks by NSCN (K).” The incident at Pangsha, it said, “highlights the manner in which NSCN (K) is living inside Myanmar cuddled up with ULFA, Bodo Kamtipura and Manipur insurgents yet they expect the Nagas from Nagaland to provide them food and other luxury items for their leaders.”

It lamented that the NSCN (K) has “carried out number of attacks against Assam Rifles to shatter the peace prevailing in the State of Nagaland.”

“Why are they roaming in uniform and with weapons in the Indian side of the border? Why are they not restricting themselves to their camps on the Myanmar side where

they are living comfortably after signing the ceasefire agreement with Myanmar government?” the AR asked.

It further questioned why the NSCN are “risking the lives of their families by travelling with them in uniforms?” and “why did they fire on the Assam Rifles troops at Pangsha when they knew that retaliation will be instantaneous and effective?”

The AR claimed that after the firing incident on August 28, the NSCN (K) fired again when AR personnel were “providing first aid and evacuating the civilians who had been injured.” This, it informed, led to the injury sustained by one AR personnel.

The AR meanwhile affirmed its commitment to the restoration of the peace process in Nagaland and said that it will support any organisation of the state which wants to have a dialogue and work towards restoring peace. “In the past also, delegations of ENPO have been escorted to the border and provided a safe passage for the meeting with NSCN (K) in Myanmar,” the AR said.

Stating that another delegation is likely to visit Myanmar for talks with the NSCN (K), the AR questioned whether the NSCN (K) would “accept the peace proposal or, continue to vitiate the atmosphere in Nagaland.”

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wednesdAY 02•09•2015

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‘Every citizen needs to open savings bank account’

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Financial Literacy Camp held at Shangnyu village

Mon, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): A Financial Literacy Camp (FLC) was organized at Shangnyu village

by Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NSCB), Mon Branch on August 31. The programme was supported under FIF and managed by NABARD. N. Tapha Konyak, Chairman of Shangnyu Village Council, shared on the importance of getting oneself insured, as well as other opportunities offered by insurance companies. On the ownership of bank, he said that every account holder having savings in the bank holds equal ownership with any other stakeholder and therefore has responsibility in caring too. Narrating his past experience of saving money inside a bamboo for a motorcycle project, he said the bamboo got burnt in the kitchen and his plan was never achieved. He advised the villagers to save their money in the bank and maintained that mon-

Tapha Konyak, Chairman, Village Council, addressing the FLC at Shangnyu village in Mon district on August 31.

ey kept with self has every chance of melting away when there is no plan.

He further appealed to the Self Help Groups (SHGs) to keep a clear plan and see the group is moving towards that direction. He also emphasized on the need to work out a mechanism to sell products from the village

itself through some retailers and save the time and money of the other members.

W. Chemkai Konyak, Branch Manager, NSCB Mon Branch as resource person spoke on savings, different kinds of deposits and other products available with NSCB like KCC loan, Service loan, Car loan,

besides offer to JLGs, Farmers Clubs, SHGs, Church etc. He also dwelt on the variety of rate of interest offered on deposits and interest charged on credits.

Meanwhile, he reiterated that every citizen needs to open savings bank account and avail welfare schemes provided by the Govern-

ment of India. He also explained about PMJJY, PMSBY and APY and expressed happiness to the villagers for having a good reputation on credit, with minimum NPAs. Rajuselie Lhousa, District Program Coordinator, NSRLM DMMU Mon, also shared on the role and responsibilities of the public to win the minds of the bankers. He exhorted that all shortfalls in the present age can be removed by maintaining honesty, sincerity and commitment within the public.

The meeting was chaired

by Lemtong Konyak, program coordinator, HADO, invocation prayer by H. Wopa Konyak, pastor, Shangnyu Baptist Church, and benediction pronounced by T Ahat Konyak, Fellowship Pastor, KBCM. The programme was attended by 84 members representing VC, VDB, GB, Church and NSRLM SHGs. The village is 20 km away from Mon town.

A new gym called "Fitness Gym", owned by Along Walling was inaugurated at Landmark Colony, opposite NPF Office today. The gym will open from 5:00AM to 8:30AM and 4:00PM9:00 PM. It will open exclusively for ladies from 7:00AM to 8:30AM. ‘Fitness Gym’ offers an air conditioned environment with shower facilities and a table tennis board as well. Registration fee is set at Rs. 500, with a monthly fee of Rs 500.

Orchid Petal- First Naga Silk Emporium launched

ETC Principal Rev. Dr. Akheto AKM apprehends 4 for Sema conferred with Professorship selling expired goods

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Jorhat, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam - faculty, staff, students and community members felicitated Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema, Principal of Eastern Theological College, on being conferred with Professorship in the department of Christian Education on August 28.

A press note issued by ETC Assoc Prof Rev. Dr. Woba James stated that Dr. AKheto Sema is the first to receive the Doctorate in Theology under the Senate of Serampore College (University), and the first to be conferred Professorship from among the

Sumi Community. Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema presented his Professorial lecture on the topic, “Towards Developing a Holistic Educational Ministry of the Church from Freire's Educational Perspectives.”

Rev. Dr. Narola Imchen, Prof. of History of Christianity, chaired the programme. Rev. Dr. Razouselie Lasetso, Prof. of New Testament, moderated the Professorial Lecture.

(Dr) Phanenmo Kath, Lecturer in Christian Ministry (Counseling dept.), gave the official response to the paper. Dr. Hukashe Zhimomi, Chairman ETC Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary of Nagaland

Police Baptist Churches Association (NPBCA), administered the Act of Conferring and gave the prayer of blessing upon Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema. Rev. Tarun Singha, Assoc. Prof. of Christian Ministry, said the invocation and Rev. Dr. Zhodi Angami, Assoc. Prof. of New Testament, prayed and pronounced the benediction.

The programme was attended by the faculty, staff, students and members of the community of ETC along with Ansheli Zhimomi, wife of Dr. Hukashe Zhimomi and Kuholi Chishi, Principal Dimapur Govt College and wife of Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema.

MoKoKchung, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) on September 1 handed over four people to Mokokchung Police Station II for selling expired goods around Mokokchung.

A press note from the AKM informed that the four people were caught by the Kongrokong Youth on August 31 evening while they were selling expired goods around their area.

The leaders of the Kongrokong Youth handed them over to AKM for further enquiry.

During the enquiry, the AKM found out that the apprehended persons were engaged in selling expired

goods for a “long period.” It further revealed that two of the apprehended persons did not possess Inner Line Permits. They reportedly revealed to AKM that “they import the expired goods from Guwahati at cheaper rate then sell those goods to the local businessmen and also to the public.” The four, along with the seized goods were handed over to the police for necessary action.

The AKM has urged the police to book a case against the apprehended persons immediately as per the law. It further informed the business community of Mokokchung to be cautious of dealers who dupe the businessmen and the public through illegal means.

Chandan Basera Director of Sericulture with others during the launching of Orchid Petal, the First Naga Silk Emporium on August 31 at the state capital Kohima APO building.

Morung Express News Kohima | September 1

Orchid Petal, the first Naga Silk Emporium was launched on August 31 at the state capital Kohima APO building. The silk, marketed under the brand name of ‘Orchid Petal’ is 100% pure Naga Silk produced end to end indigenously from Nagaland. The designs will portray the rich & diverse colourful cultural patterns of ethnic Nagas

using Natural indigenous Dyes.

The chief guest, Chandan Basera Director of Sericulture, Government of Nagaland exhorted that it was a huge task to start any new venture at the initial stages, but encouraged the initiative which is a first of its kind entrepreneurial breakthrough. Basera said that Nagas were blessed with Rich Natural resources favorable for a variety of natural silk production and this

venture can provide new avenues of employment involved in the various stages of silk production.

Rev Kenilevi Khate pronounced the Dedicatory prayer. ZK Dolie thanked the chief guest for his kind support, which enabled this kind of initiative for a one of a Kind Naga silk Emporium in Nagaland.

She further appealed to the department to extend any available support and assistance in the future.

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MEx File NUNTSA Lumami strike today C

LuMaMi, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): In response to the call by ‘All India University Employees Confederation (AIUEC)’ to observe a strike on September 2 to press for its main demands, viz UGC Pay-Scales and representation in Senate, Syndicate, EC Court, etc Nagaland University Non-Teaching Staff Association will be observing a strike in the form of one-day mass casual leave on September 2 as a solidarity with AIUEC. This was informed in a press release issued by NUNTSA Lumami General Secretary Niyalo Apon.

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Our beloved sister M. Imtila Jamir (Imtizungla Jamir), Rtd. Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Nagaland was called by the Lord on the evening of 24th August 2015 while on a mission that was closest to her heart in her native village.

To all friends and acquaintances of M. Imtila Jamir, the family members remain eternally grateful for your unflinching support and believe in her, and for making her short stay in the World meaningful, memorable and beautiful.

The outpouring of love, generosity and care extended towards our family by hosts of well-wishers during the period of bereavement is overwhelming and unprecedented. It will not be possible to repay your kindness in our life time.

The family of M. Imtila Jamir pray that only our Eternal Father keep record and recompense your goodness in equal measure in His own time.

Amidst the multitude, specific mention is made of a few without which our thankfulness is felt incomplete:-

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Mongsenyimti Baptist Arogo & all Departments Mongsenyimti Village Council Mongsenyimti Compound Baptist Arogo & all Departments Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo Mongsenyimti Baptist Arogo Centennial Planning Committee Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) City Church Kohima Haggai Alumni Aoyimkum Baptist Arogo & all Departments Aoyimkum Village Council Tongpang Mepu Aoyimkum Mongsenyimti Senso Telongjem Mokokchung, Dimapur, Kohima Langpangkong Senso Telongjem Kohima Watsu Mongdang Longsa Metsubu Mokokchung Unit Mongsenyimti Metsubu Semchir Telongjem Mokokchung Unit Dimapur Lemtur Kimong Telongjem Kohima Changkilari Telongjem M /S Ait Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Metsubular Kohima & Mokokchung AHODs & HODs concerned Officers & Staff of Registrar of Cooperative Societies Nagaland State Cooperative Bank, Dimapur Department of Horticulture Dr. Nicky Kire, Hon’ble Minister Shri. Kejong Chang, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Shri. Merentoshi R. Jamir, Advisor Shri. Neiba Kronu, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Shri. Amenba Yaden, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Shri. S. Chuba Longkumer, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Dr. Benjongliba Aier, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Shri. C Apok Jamir, Hon’ble Parl. Secretary Dr. & Mrs. Longrineken, Chairman, DAN Former Chief Secretaries, Shri. Alemtemshi Jamir & Shrimati Banuo Z. Jamir Last but not the least, Dr. Takosunep Ao & his team

cines ready for convenient of the livestock and poultry farmers in the state.

BJP Dimapur III A/C meeting DiMapur, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The BJP Dimapur III A/C has conveyed a joint meeting on September 5, 2:00 pm at the resident of President Dimapur III A/C New Colony, Purana Bazar, East Dimapur. Dimapur III A/C BJP President Hokheto Kiba in a press release has requested all the Mandal, BJMM and BJYM to attend the meeting without fail.

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Travel advisory

CMA condemns child trafficking

KohiMa, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): All passenger vehicle operators and travelers, especially buses and taxis, has been informed that it is not safe to walk through the steep footpath in the jungle for two kilometers which takes more than one Hour above the landslide at Phesama at night. A press note issued by Vimedo Chuse, Chairman, Phesama Village Council has requested and advised passenger's vehicle operators and travelers not to cross the landslide area by footpath from 5 pm to 5 am.

DiMapur, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The Chakhesang Mothers’ Association (CMA) has expressed concern at the incident in Phek where 4 minors were rescued from the hands of an alleged child trafficker. “As mothers, we are anguished and deeply concerned about the increasing violence against women and children in our society,” the CMA stated. It further appealed for the authorities to award befitting punishment to the culprit.

2nd Phase of IPM held at Wokha DiMapur, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): All altogether 30 farmers under FFS (Farmer Field School) participle at the 2nd phase of IPM conducted by Department of Agriculture, Wokha at Meriyan Village on August 27. During the programme the resource person Longuba (AI) explained about AESA (Agro Ecosystem Analysis) and Mhathung (AO) demonstrated on defoliation and distilling of paddy, a press note informed. Rodenticide and IPM kits were also distributed to the participants. The programme was chaired by Area incharge Nzanbemo T Erui(AFA) who also spoke on the life cycle and management of Gundhi Bug. It began with an invocation prayer by pastor Chonbenthung Khuvung while VCM Meriyan Vilage, Arhomo Tsanglao pronounced the vote of thanks.,

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CSU Union Assembly on Sept 12 DiMapur, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): All the the units and sub-ordinate bodies of the Chakhesang Students’ Union are informed that the 4th Union Assembly for the tenure 2014-16 will be held on September 12, 11 AM at Community Hall Leshemi village. The Assembly is being hosted by the Leshemi Students’ Union. CSU speaker Dode Nakro and secretary, Rite Khutso further requested all the aforementioned entities to positively send their official representatives to Union Assembly without failure.

IGNOU Modern College Kohima centre informs

KohiMa, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The study centre-2001 IGNOU Modern College Kohima will be organizing counseling session for its learners on project work under Master of Arts in public administration and Bachelors Degree Programme on 4th September 2015 (Friday) at 2:30 p.m in Modern College. All the learners registered KohiMa, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The directorate for MPAP-02 & AHE-01 are requested to attend the counof veterinary & animal husbandry informed all the live- seling session necessarily. For more details, consult Study stock and poultry farmers in the state to approach the Centre-2001. nearest veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, health centres and veterinary farms to get their animals vaccinated for prevention of poultry and animal diseases like Foot & Mouth Disease, Block Quarter, Haemorrhegic Sepl- DiMapur, SepteMber 1 (Mexn): The Postal Emiceamic, Entrotexaemia, Classical Swine Fever, Canine ployee Union, Nagaland Division along with the rest of the rabies and poultry diseases like Ranikhet and Fowl Pox country will be participating in the one-day nationwide etc. as vaccines are sufficiently procured under the cen- strike called by the All (India) Central Trade Union and intrally sponsored schemes- Assistance to State for Con- dependent federations on September 2 in support of the trol of Animal Diseases for the year 2014-15 and ready for 24 Points Charter of Demands. All Post Offices in Nagaland implementation in the state. Stating this in a circular, Dr. will remain close on this day. The public are requested to Thungchamo Ezung, director veterinary & animal hus- bear with the striking employees. This was informed in a bandry, has directed all the concerned officer in-charge press release issued by Postal Employee Union Nagaland of the veterinary health centres and farms to keep vac- Division Assistant Divisional Secretary Daniel Domeh.

Assistance to state for control of animal diseases

Postal Employee Union Nagaland on strike

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WednesdAY 02•09•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mizoram farming scheme attracts international support and funding AizAwl, September 1 (iANS): The Mizoram government's flagship farming scheme that aims to benefit over 125,000 tribal families in the state has attracted international funding and global agencies' support, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said here.

"A tri-partite agreement was signed between Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the union agriculture ministry and the Mizoram government for technical co-operation for the flagship programme the New Land Use Policy (NLUP)," Lal Thanhawla

said here in a meeting.

An official quoting the chief minister told IANS here on Tuesday that under this agreement, $496,000 have been received from FAO, an organisation of the United Nations.

"Under the NLUP, over 125,000 families would be given financial assistance and training for permanent settled farming instead of 'jhum' cultivation," Lal Thanhawla said while addressing a gathering of stakeholders.

Tribals in the northeastern states practice 'jhum' or slash-and-burn cultivation.

This shifting form of farm-

ing usually involves cutting down of entire forests in the hills and allowing the slashed vegetation to dry on mountain slopes prior to burning. Rice is grown along with vegetables, maize, cotton and mustard, among others.

Tribals constitute 27 percent of northeast India's 45.58 million people.

"Under the NLUP, 90,139 beneficiaries (families) have so far been helped and assistance for another 44,861 families would be started soon," the official quoted the chief minister as saying.

The chief minister said

that a memorandum of understanding was recently signed between the Mizoram government and the Tata Trust wherein the latter would contribute Rs.18 crore for promoting livelihood activities to supplement the NLUP programme.

An additional Rs.2.30 crore has already been provided by Tata Trust for supportive dairy intervention programme (SDIP) in Mizoram.

The Mizoram government launched the Rs.2,873-crore NLUP in 2010 to solve food scarcity by moving away from jhum

cultivation to stable and sustainable farming.

A major aim of NLUP is to develop and give all farmers in the state suitable, permanent and stable trades. It also aims to make all farmers self-sufficient in rice, vegetables and extend monetary help.

"Packages of activities targeting commercial farming, primary processing, promotion of livestock, pisciculture, sericulture, plantation of cash crops and similar activities have already contributed to the economic welfare of the beneficiaries," the chief minister said.

Flood situation grim in Arunachal itANAgAr, September 1 (pti): Flood situation continued to remain grim in Arunachal Pradesh with rising water of major rivers in several districts inundating fresh areas forcing the administration to evacuate people to safer places.

The affected districts include Lohit, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Lower Dibang Valley and East Siang while Anjaw was cut off from the rest of the country due to rain-triggered landslides.

At least 34 houses were washed away by Dibang river at two villages in Dambuk sub-division of Lower Dibang Valley district, Additional Deputy Commissioner Atul Tayeng said.

Two persons are believed to have been washed away by Bete river Chambang in Kurung Kumey district on August 29.

Five circles of KurungKumey including district headquarters Koloriang, remained cut off from the rest of the country following a landslide between Sangram and Leel on Joram-Koloriang BRTF road.

Several landslides were reported between Parsuram Kund and Tezu in Lohit district. Anjaw remained cut off due to heavy mudslides at Tiding point, an official said, adding, restoration work was affected due to bad weather.

Flood water has breached dyke in two villages while the villagers

Joint frontal orgs flay Manipur government Hari Kumar new Eastern Air Command chief SeNApAti, September 1 (mexN): Alleging that the Monday passing of three “infamous bills” in the Manipur Legislative Assembly were “targeted against the tribal’s of Manipur by the Communal Govt”, a joint consultation meeting of NPO, SDWA, SDSA and other organisations of the district has vehemently condemned the same.

Eminent personalities, ex-officials of frontal organisations also attended the meeting held here today at District Head Quarters to deliberate in the matter relating Manipur Legislative Assembly Special Session of August 31.

Three bills - The Protection of Manipur People bill, 2015; The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) bill; 2015; and the Manipur shops and establishment (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 were passed during the special session.

“Henceforth, any eventuality (ies) or consequences arising out of these three Bills the tribal’s sitting Ministers and MLAs shall held sole responsibilities,” stated a press note from NPO

Centre closely monitoring situation: Rajnath New Delhi, September 1 (iANS): Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to take stock of the situation in the state after violence in Churachandpur district left at least six people dead. "Spoke to Manipur CM Ibobi Singh regarding the incidents of violence in Churachandpur area. Centre is closely monitoring the situation," the minister tweeted.

In Manipur, violence erupted on Monday evening following the government's adoption of three landmark bills. The bills were unanimously passed in the assembly on Monday after the ruling Congress signed an agreement with the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System on August 25 to enact three laws to protect the interest of the indigenous people.At least six people have died in clashes with police in the district. While two people were killed in police firing on Tuesday, four bodies were found on Monday. issued through its general secretary, D Dailord Pao. The meeting also condemned K Ranjit, an MLA, for his statement in the August house that “there is no Nagas in Manipur” and demanded him to withdraw his statement publicly and tender apology to the Naga People of Manipur through media.

“It is very unfortunate for the stature of People representative to give

such unbecoming statement in the August house,” it added.

It further condemned, in strongest possible term, the State Arm Forces for “murdering the people in Churachandpur” on August 31 and becoming “literally become the terrorist to the tribal’s people of Manipur.”

The NPO Senapati also extended solidarity and condolence to the bereaved families.

ShilloNg, September 1 (iANS): Air Marshal C Hari Kumar on Tuesday took over as the chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command here. Air Warriors presented Air Marshal Kumar, who succeeded Air Marshal S.B.Deo, with a ceremonial guard of honour on assuming command. Deo has taken over as chief of the IAF's frontline Western Air Command. A fighter combat leader and a qualified flying instructor, Air Marshal Kumar was commissioned in the

fighter stream on December 14, 1979.

Prior to this, he was senior air staff officer at the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command. Headquartered in Shillong, the Eastern Air Command's covers 11 eastern and NE states and it has permanent airbases at Chabua, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Hasimara, Jorhat, Kalaikunda and Tezpur with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Panagarh and Shillong.

AR apprehends one KYKL cadre imphAl, September 1 (mexN): Based on specific intelligence, troops of the 22 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) launched an operation in the general area Sekmaijin and apprehended one KYKL cadre on August 31.

According to press note, he was identified as No 305,

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SS Pvt. Wahengbam Boboy (alias Nanao alias Lukhon alias Handsomeboy), a resident of Wabagai Tera Pishak Khongnang Makhong, Thoubal district. He was later handed over to the Kakching Police Station.

Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) organised a medical camp at Sita Village today. Medical Officer gave a lecture covering Health and Hygiene ans conducted free health check up and distribution of medicines to the affected individuals free AR Medical camp of cost were carried out for Meanwhile, the 24 Assam 125 people by Medical OffiRifles of 26 Sector Assam cer and his team.

were evacuated to two relief camps. A report from Lower Dibang Valley informed that the flood situation at Paglam circle was grim with water level rising everyday due to continuous heavy rainfall. Rubber boats were being used to evacuate people to safer places at Paglam, officials said, adding, road connectivity was snapped at several places.

According to report from East Siang, heavy rains resulted in flood as the gushing water destroyed standing crops in hundreds of acres of cultivated land in Mer, Gadum, Namsing in Mebo Subdivision and Berung and several locations in the district headquarters.

Two killed in landslide rANgiA, September 1 (pti): A mother and her child were killed in a landslide at Amingaon area of Kamrup (Rural) district of Assam this morning, police said.

NDRF personnel from the nearby Changsari camp rushed to the spot and recovered their bodies from under a stone.

The woman has been identified as Sumita Khaklary and the child as Rashmi Khaklary.

The landslide occurred following heavy rainfall for the past few days.

A district official said that construction was banned in Kalipahar area but encroachment was continuing.

The matter would be investigated, he said.

Is Arunachal second Bermuda Triangle of world? Tada court acquits Ulfa leader of murder

Security forces conduct search operation to trace a missing Pawan Hans helicopter at Thinsa in Arunachal Pradesh. (PTI Photo)

Pradesh was used by American aircraft to ferry supplies to Chinese forces battling the invading Japanese during the World War II and it was nicknamed “the Hump” by the Allied Forces.

The last crash in this mysterious flying zone was of a Pawan Hans helicopter with three persons on board, including young deputy commissioner Kamlesh Kumar Joshi, on August 4. All three on board died in the crash.

Prior to it on April 29, 2011, a Pawan Hans AS 350 B-3 helicopter, carrying the then chief minister Dorjee Khandu and four others, went missing. It was traced four

days later near Luguthang in Tawang district. All five people on board died in the crash. Two months later in June, at least 13 passengers were perished when an IAF AN-32 aircraft crashed en route to Jorhat in Assam after taking off from the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground.

Earlier in May 2001, a Pawan Hans helicopter had crashed near Bomdila causing the death of five persons, including former education minister of Arunachal Pradesh Dera Natung. In the same chopper crash, IAS officer Shangey Lhaden, senior media executive Nandita Judge and two crew members were killed near Sessa in West

Kameng district.

On April 19, 2010, at least 17 people were killed and six others injured when an Mi-17 helicopter belonging to Pawan Hans crashed near the Tawang monastery.

In November 2010, 11 IAF officers and one Army officer were killed when another Mi-17 crashed at the Bomdila Pass bordering China soon after taking-off from Tawang.

On August 6, 2010, a Pawan Hans crew member fell 10,000 feet to his death in Namsai district while trying to close a door that had opened during a flight. A Pawan Hans Mi17 flight from Guwahati to Tawang, trying to land at Tawang helipad, crashed in a gorge and caught fire on April 19, 2011. Of the 23 people on board, 17 were killed. Two more succumbed to burn injuries later.

Union minister of state for defence N.V.N. Somu, major-general Ramesh Nagpal and two others had died when their Cheetah helicopter hit a 1,300 foot peak, 40 km from Tawang in November 1997.

The aviation experts have now started to equate the flying zone of the frontier state with the Bermuda Triangle, which is a large area of ocean between Florida, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. Over the last few centuries, dozens of ships and planes have disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the area, earning it the nickname “The Devil’s Triangle.

Social & communal harmony: The Sikkim example P.D. Rai IANS

The recent riots in parts of Gujarat have taken most of the elite in the state and the country by surprise. These events need a thorough examination. Could we have foreseen them? Hardik Patel's fiery persona has triggered a mass movement of Patidars (or Patels) coming forward to claim something they believe to be their right.

They want to be included into the other backward class (OBC) fold like the Yadavs of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

This communal upsurge has left Gujarat limping and has opened up another wound which will take many years to heal.

While Gujarat slowly returns to normal, social and political scientists will seek many explanations.

In this backdrop, let me present what Sikkim has done over the years. Sikkim is known as the most peaceful state in northeastern India and perhaps within India as

well. However, communal fault lines are embedded in Sikkim's society as well. So how has this communal harmony been sustained even though we have a rather curious history of a Himalayan kingdom becoming the 22nd state of India?

Two decades ago, after the Mandal Commission's recommendations, Sikkim was facing a social challenge similar to what Gujarat is now facing. Of course, there was no such massive mobilisation, but the context is comparable. The newly-elected Pawan Chamling-led Sikkim Democratic Front had pre-empted reactions from traditional upper castes and manoeuvred the delicate social balance through what may be called universal affirmative action - something worth examining today.

The first SDF government, immediately after coming to power in 1994, had recommended to the union government to include seven communities - the Sikkimese of

Nepali ethnicity - as socially and educationally backward classes (OBCs).

Consequently, the Bhujel, Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Rai, Sunuwar and Tamang communities were declared OBCs on June 2, 1994.

This empowered these communities, except for the 'creamy layer', by making them eligible for reservation within Sikkim and India in higher education and government services.

In December 2002, Limbus and Tamangs were accorded the status of the scheduled tribes in Sikkim and West Bengal. Following this, the Sikkim government declared the Bhujel, Dewan, Gurung, Jogi, Kirat Rai, Magar, Sunuwar, and Thami communities as most backward classes (MBCs). Similar steps to categorise original OBCs as MBCs were taken by the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar around the same time.

This created space for recognising that even within the Newar, Bahun and Chettri communities,

there were disadvantaged and poorer sections. The Sikkim government, under Chamling, proactively recognised these communities as OBCs within the state, though they continue to be in the general category as far as the centre is concerned. This move fulfilled Chamling's promise made in 1996 that all Sikkimese of Nepali origin will be accorded OBC benefits.

This is just one example of how Sikkim's inclusive framework and social engineering have helped maintain communal harmony within the Sikkimese social fabric, an allimportant aspect of governance especially in a geo-strategic state that shares borders with three countries.

Politicians and leaders must remain sensitive to issues related to inclusion and exclusion of sections of society into reserved categories, which is also affirmative action.

(P.D. Rai of the Sikkim Democratic Front represents Sikkim in the Lok Sabha. The views expressed are personal)

guwAhAti, September 1 (tNN): The Tada court here acquitted pro-talks Ulfa leader Raju Baruah, alias Hitesh Kalita, of the charge of killing three persons on October 1989.

The court found no evidence to connect Baruah, the outfit's former deputy commander-in-chief, with the killings.

Senior advocate Bijon Mahajan represented Baruah in court. On the evening of October 8, 1989, Baruah and Ulfa rebel Rajen Sarma, then publicity secretary of the outfit, had allegedly entered a shop in Nalbari town and begun firing indiscriminately. Three persons — Champak Jain,

5 suspected NDFB (S) cadre held rANgiA, September 1 (pti): Five suspected NDFB(S) militants have been caught by security forces in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district. Acting on a tip-off, a team of police and army personnel launched a joint search operation in Mairachara area and caught the five militants last night, a defence spokesman said here today. The security forces recovered five hand grenades from their possession, the spokesman said.

Satish Tamuli and Raj Kumar Sarma — had been killed on the spot and two others were injured. Locals had caught the two and beat them before handing them over to police. Sarma had succumbed to his injuries.

The Tada court had registered a case in 1991 after Baruah was chargesheeted under various IPC sections, including murder. Several witnesses had been examined but adequate evidence could not be gathered. The court found no evidence to connect Baruah, the outfit's former deputy commander-in-chief, with the killings

NOTICE Whereas Smti. Sekhumla Sangtam Wife of Late.Thsapongse Primary Teacher, of Seyochung village has applied for issue of succession certificate under the Indian Succession Act,1925 in order to draw/receive the payment of movable/immovable properties of her husband Late.Thsapongse Primary Teacher serving under the establishment of Sub-Divisional Educational Officer (SDEO) Kiphire, who was expired on 11/07/2015.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY 1. G.P.F 2. G.I.S

From the Office of the Sub-Divisional Educational Officer (SDEO) Kiphire

3. F. B.F 4. Pension case 5. Any other dues etc.

Public are hereby asked to file objection/claim if any within 30 (Thirty) days from the date of issue of this order. If no objection /claim is received within the given time, Succession Certificate will be issued in favour of the applicant.

(DR.TINOJONGSHI CHANG) Additional Deputy Commissioner Kiphire::Nagaland

BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION NOTICE INVITING TENDER (NATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING) The Commander 15 BRTF, PIN-930 015, C/0 99 APO on behalf of President of India invites tender(s) from the eligible contractors for the following work(s):Particular of work Cost &Time of work Details of tender documents Tender No.05 of 2015-16 (a) Cost : `13.45 lakh (a) Cost of tender : `500/Supply and stacking of Stone Boulder, Stone (b) Period of comple- (b) Availability : On or after 03 metal 40 mm, Stone chips 20 mm and Coarse tion :180 days Sep 2015 Sand between km 40.00 to km 146,70 on Ko- (c) Earnest money : (c) Submission : Up to 1200 hima Jessami Road and Km 0.120 to Km 0.360 `25,900/hrs on 28 Sep 2015 on Road Chizami-Chizami Post for Execution of Special Repair Damages (2014-15) under 98 RCC/15 BRTF/ Project Sewak in Nagaland State Tender No.06 of 2015-16 (a) Cost : `26.37 lakh (a) Cost of tender `500/Supply and stacking of Stone Boulder , Stone (b) Period of comple- (b) Availability :On or after 03 Metal 40 mm, Stone Chips 20 mm, Stone tion :180 days Sep 2015 Chips 12.5 mm and Sand for Permanent works (c) Earnest money : (c) Submission: Up to 1200 and Stone Metal 63 mm, Stone Chips 45 Mm, `45,000/hrs on 28 Sep 2015 Stone Chips 26.5 mm, Stone chips 22.4 mm, S one Chips 13.20 mm, Stone Chips 11.20 mm, Stone Clips 6.7mm and Sand for Surfacing works under Special Repair for Monsoon Damages (2014-15) between Km 106.800 to Km 212.325 on Dimapur- Kohima-,Mao (NH-29 & 02) Road under 89 RCC/15 BRTF in Project Sewak in Nagaland State Note: Full notice of tender, any change in above details, tender document (including Eligibility criteria) and other details may be obtained from BRO Website www.bro.nic.in (link: Tender) or Central public procurement portal www.eprocure.gov.in for any queries, please contract on telephone 0370-2260542.

EE (CIV) SW For Commander

Davp: 37102/11/0278/1516

itANAgAr, September 1 (the ASiAN Age): The flying zone over the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh is turning out to be the devil’s triangle, one that has engulfed at least 10 helicopters since 2001. But this has failed to draw attention to the need for a scientific study of the mystery that has taken the toll of at least one serving chief minister, defence minister, a major general and two IAS officers, apart from dozens of precious lives in the past five-six years.

In what has also been called the second Bermuda Triangle of the world, the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh are said to have a bad reputation — unpredictable weather within minutes, zero visibility within seconds, endemic sudden gusts of cyclonic winds, many a times the speedy winds move west to east, or a whirlpool in mid-air tosses the helicopter like a kite in a windy sky, leading to a loss of control on many occasions.

A study of the flying zone has become more significant in the backdrop of Arunachal Pradesh’s history of witnessing a large number of air crashes since World War II.The US defence department estimates that about 400 Allied airmen were killed in crashes, caused mainly due to sudden poor visibility along the route.

The flight path over Arunachal

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BUSINESS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Indian consumers offer a ray of hope after glum economic data mUmbAI, SEptEmbEr 1 (rEUtErS): The rescue of India’s economy may come down to the spending power of people like 26-year-old Avni Rambhiya.

A financial analyst, she recently received a pay rise, is eating out more often and has stopped bringing home-cooked meals to the office in a tiffin, the traditional Indian lunchbox.

“Our salary increases have been on an average 10 to 12 percent...,” the 26-year-old said. “I am left with some additional money in my hand even after saving, so I spend it in eating out more frequently, travelling, buying dresses.”

“Now four days a week I eat out either by ordering food or go out for dinner with friends. Even six

months back I used to carry a tiffin to the office and eat out once in a quarter.”

People like Rambhiya offer a glimmer of hope for the Indian economy, which grew at a slower-than-expected annual rate of 7 percent in the June quarter.

The economic data, released on Monday, showed a weakening services sector, consistent with a pattern of subdued consumption over the past two years, but some leading indicators have already begun to tell a different story.

From rising retail loans to a pick-up in movie ticket sales, there are early signs of a recovery in spending in Asia’s third-largest economy.

“The headwinds of 2013 that pushed down consumer spending have

turned positive now,” said Siddhartha Sanyal, India economist at Barclays in Mumbai.

“Prices of commodities, interest rates, inflation are easing, growth sentiment which affects consumer behaviour is better, and the rupee is also relatively stable.”

Consumers have a strong influence on the Indian economy, but their confidence has been undermined by two straight years of sub-5 percent economic growth - far too slow to generate enough jobs for an ever-expanding workforce.

Economists say consumption is finally picking up, thanks to a plunge in oil prices, record low inflation and interest rate cuts totalling three quarters of a per-

centage point this year.

Now with India’s festive season starting this month, with the first of a series of religious holidays, economists say the time is ripe for Indians to spend more freely.

India has no reliable indicator on retail sales because a lot of transactions are carried out in the black economy and are never reported to authorities, but retail loans - a proxy indicator - grew 15.3 percent in June from a year earlier, outpacing overall credit growth of 12.8 percent.

Production of consumer goods grew 6.6 percent in the same month, the strongest growth since October 2012, according to official industrial production data.

A survey by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

showed more than 87 percent of consumers spent more in the June quarter than in the previous quarter and 86 percent expected to spend more in the year ahead.

Adding to the optimism, the government is expected to announce this year salary hikes for more than 10 million state employees and pensioners.

Still, the early signs of a pick-up in consumption are restricted to the small, impulse purchases of daily life, from movie tickets and eating out to travelling and hair salons.

Indian households are still cautious about bigger purchases, such as expensive large home appliances and cars.

Makers of autos or refrigerators saw June quar-

ter earnings fall 30.3 percent from a year earlier, according to consumer discretionary data by Thomson Reuters.

By contrast, cinema operator PVR Ltd enjoyed its best-ever month in July with 7.5 million spectators. And to take advantage of increasing concession stands, it has for the first time hired corporate chefs to expand its menu offerings to items such as pasta, grilled chicken, and gourmet coffee.

“People are opening up their pocketbooks and enjoying more films and eating more,” said PVR Cinemas chief executive Gautam Dutta.

“We’re seeing a huge amount of hope when we measure people’s sentiment.”

CCI accuses Google of Maruti Suzuki launches hybrid Ciaz abusing search dominance NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 1 mUmbAI, SEptEmbEr 1 (rEUtErS): The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has accused Google Incof abusing its dominant position in online search, people with knowledge of the matter said, which if proven could force the U.S. company to alter its practices in a key market or even pay a big fine. A preliminary report from the quasi-judicial regulatory body found fault with Google’s handling of its online advertising services and search results, said the people. Google, which just last month appointed India-born Sundar Pichai as its new CEO, is already facing a billion-euro fine from the European Union after accusations the company cheated competitors by distorting Internet search results in favour of its shopping service. Google has rejected those charges.

The regulator first began investigating Google in 2012, and a preliminary report was submitted to the top CCI officials about six months ago. The findings of that report have been mentioned in the local media in the last few days. The CCI is expected to make a final ruling after a hearing on Sept. 17, where Google will present itself before a seven-person CCI panel, the people said.

CCI Chairperson Ashok Chawla was not immediately reachable over the phone for comments. “We’re currently reviewing this report from the CCI’s ongoing investigation,” a Google spokesman said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with the CCI and remain confident that we comply fully with India’s competition laws.”

The initial complaints of Google abusing its position in online search in India were filed by matchmaking website Bharat Matrimony and a not-for-profit organisation, Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS). Udai Mehta, assistant director at CUTS, said if the final ruling too finds Google guilty, the CCI can either order the company to halt what it deems unfair practices or fine it even as much as 10% of its revenues. If found guilty, Google could challenge the decision in court, he said.

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 3333

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By virtue of being in the hybrid category, the Ciaz SHVS will get reduced excise benefit of 12.5 per cent instead of 24 per cent on the normal version.

Moreover, it will also get Rs 13,000 benefit under the FAME scheme.

“By offering support through the FAME programme, the government has ensured that hybrid technology, being clean and customer friendly, also becomes more attractive and accessible,” Ayukawa added.

At present, Toyota’s Prius and Camry Hybrid priced at a range of Rs 31.92 lakh and Rs 39.80 lakh (exshowroom Delhi) are full range hybrids available in the Indian market.

MSI and its vendors invested Rs 620 crore on development of the original Ciaz. The company has been able to achieve localisation content of 98 per cent for Ciaz.

DAILY CROSS WORD

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In October, the company had launched Ciaz in both petrol and diesel options. The latter variant has been discontinued to be replaced by the hybrid version.

The company will continue to sell the petrol version. At present the petrol variant is available in a range of Rs 7.23 lakh to Rs 9.64 lakh.

The company’s move to launch Ciaz SHVS comes in the wake of the government launching FAME India scheme in April to promote ecofriendly vehicles that envisages to provide Rs 795 crore support till 2020 for the manufacturing and sale of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The scheme offers incentives to electric and hybrid vehicles -- from two-wheeler to buses -- in the range of Rs 1,800 to Rs 66 lakh. In four-wheelers, incentives range from Rs 13,000 to Rs 1.38 lakh.

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LEISURE

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(ptI): Marking its foray into the new eco-friendly technology segment, country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Tuesday launched the mild hybrid version of mid-sized sedan Ciaz priced between Rs 8.23 lakh and Rs 10.17 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The model, Ciaz SHVS will be available only in the diesel version that is powered by a 1.3 litre engine.

It uses a starter generator and an advanced high capacity battery that stores energy generated while decelerating or braking and uses it to power an electric motor during acceleration thereby helping in enhanced fuel efficiency.

“Through Ciaz Smart Hybrid, we are deploying technology to benefit customers and the environment. The vehicle is also special because it helps us participate in India’s vision of promoting hybrid and electric vehicles,” MSI managing director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa told reporters here.

As per the company, the car would offer a fuel efficiency of 28.09 km/litre. “With smart hybrid, Ciaz has gained the top slot in fuel efficiency... of 28.09 km per litre, and is now the country’s most fuel efficient car,” Ayukawa said.

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CHENNAI, SEptEmbEr 1 (IANS): Employees of public sector banks and government-owned non-life insurance companies would go on strike on Wednesday to protest against the anti-trade union and worker policies of the central government, union leaders said on Tuesday.

“The strike is against the anti-labour and anti-trade union policies of the central government,” K. Govindan, joint secretary, General Insurance Employees’ All India Association (GIEAIA), told IANS. According to him, the unions in the non-life insurance sector are demanding early conclusion of wage negotiations, finalisation of the promotion policy and scrapping of outsourcing etc.

“There are increasing attacks on the rights and privileges of workers and concessions are being extended to the employers in our country,” C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIEBA), said.

“There are open attempts to amend labour laws in favour of the employers and to the detriment of the workers. The neo-liberal economic policies are only aggravating the problems of the workers and common masses,” he added.

He said 14 unions in the banking sector have given a call for the September 2 strike.

Venkatachalam said in the banking sector, there are continuous attempts to push through the reforms agenda aimed at privatisation of banks, consolidation and merger of banks and others.

“More and more private capital and foreign direct investments are being encouraged. Private sector companies are being given licences to begin banking business,” he said.

According to him, Regional Rural Banks are sought to be privatised and a bill has been passed in parliament despite protests from employee unions.

Total telephone subscriber base rises to 100.69 crore NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 1 (ptI): The wireless teledensity increased to 77.90% from 77.58 at the end of May, according to TRAI. The total telephone subscriber base in the country rose marginally to reach 100.69 crore at the end of June, sectoral regulator TRAI said today. The subscriber base stood at 100.20 crore at the end of May, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said.

The wireless base (GSM and CDMA) rose 0.51 per cent to 98.08 crore at the end of June from 97.57 crore in May, while the fixed line base declined to 2.61 crore from 2.62 crore. “As on June 30, 2015, the private access service providers held 91.75% market share of the wireless subscribers whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two PSUs access service providers, held only 8.25% market share,” TRAI said.

The wireless tele-density increased to 77.90% from 77.58 at the end of May. Wireless subscription in urban areas increased to 56.29 crore at the end of June from 55.88 crore last month and wireless subscription in rural areas increased from 41.69 crore to 41.78 crore during the same period.

West Bengal service area recorded the highest growth rate in wireless subscribers during the reported period whereas UP (E), J&K and Tamil Nadu (including Chennai) service areas showed decline in subscriber base during the month. In June, a total of 36.8 lakh subscribers submitted their requests for mobile number portability (MNP).

At the end of June, the wireless base of Airtel stood at 23.06 crore, Vodafone at 18.53 crore, Idea at 16.20 crore, Reliance at 10.99 crore, Tata at 6.15 crore, Aircel at 8.30 crore, Uninor at 4.81 crore, Sistema Shyam Teleservices at 86.96 lakh and Videocon at 76.10 lakh. The wireless subscriber base of BSNL and MTNL stood at 7.73 crore and 35.47 lakh respectively.

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

N E S O L U L L E C V P L A C T O S E A

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

1. Relating to urine 5. Shame 10. Use a beeper 14. Start over 15. Papal court 16. Region 17. Appear 18. Sin 20. A connector between devices 22. Streaked 23. Arrive (abbrev.)

24. Donkeys 25. Hostilities 32. Stream 33. Santa’s helpers 34. 52 in Roman numerals 37. Gentle 38. Fool 39. What we eat 40. N N N N 41. Tycoon 42. Grimy 43. Impassive 45. Awry 49. Altitude (abbrev.)

50. Daft 53. Hard rubber 57. Inadvertent

59. Poems 60. Boom 61. Hangman’s knot 62. A large amount 63. Hearing organs 64. Sound from a nest 65. If not

DOWN

1. Constellation bear 2. Marsh plant 3. Notion 4. Likened 5. They play roles 6. Prickle 7. Genus of macaws 8. Transgressions 9. Where the sun rises 10. City in France 11. Districts 12. “Beau ___” 13. Relieves 19. Lawn cover 21. Journey 25. Highest point 26. Smile 27. Mousses 28. Marsh plant 29. Site of the Trojan War 30. Convex molding 31. Mesh

34. Diving bird 35. Greek letter 36. Bucolic 38. Charged particle 39. Explanatory note 41. Pondered 42. Storage cylinder 44. Pill 45. Decrease 46. Chocolate-flavored coffee 47. Bring upon oneself 48. Slides 51. Lease 52. Winter precipitation 53. Convenience 54. False god 55. 10 10 10 10 56. Being 58. Foot digit Ans to CrossWord 3345

KOHIMA: 0370 2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)

CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC) WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC)

KOHIMA

ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519 MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

ACROSS

FIRE STATIONS

Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

H

V S A C E A I M E C Y L G O P Y H X L S

Banks, insurance unions to strike work on September 2

Toll free No. 1098 childline

KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

MOKOKCHUNG: Police Station 1:

STD CODE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

64.87 99.31 8.1 45.86 45.96 49.02 53.87

67.80 104.13 9.02 48.13 48.23 51.43 56.91

Euro

73.12

76.66

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.76

1.96

0.0534

0.0595

41.29

43.35

9.78

10.90

WednesdAY 02•09•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

5

We have never seen peace & a normal life: adinno Shantanu Nandan Sharma Source: ET Bureau

"Father of the Nation. Here rests the man who gave his all for his people" That's the inscription on a huge memorial alongside the state secretariat in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. And it's not in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi — far from it — but of Angami Zapu Phizo, a hardliner among leaders of the Naga National Council (NNC), the first political organisation of the Nagas. Phizo went underground in 1955, waged guerrilla warfare against Indian armed forces and then fled, first to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), then Switzerland before reaching London in 1960 to mobilise international support for an independent Nagaland.

Earlier, this month, when prime minister Narendra Modi witnessed what's been dubbed as a "historic" pact signed in New Delhi between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) — the primary nationalist military group in the state — there was a glimmer of hope that the six-decades-long insurgency in Nagaland would come to an end. But as far as Adinno Phizo, the 83-yearold daughter of the man who many considered "the father of the Nagas" and the present NNC president, is concerned, that glimmer isn't visible all over the state. "It's not a pact of the Nagas," Adinno said in an exclusive interview to ET Magazine's Shantanu Nandan Sharma in Kohima last week.

Both Isak and Muivah — the I and M of NSCN (I-M) — earned their spurs under Zapu Phizo in NNC before breaking away from the parent group to form the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in 1980. Eight years later, SS Khaplang, a Naga from Myanmar with sizeable followers on the Indian side too, engineered a split in NSCN to form his own group, NSCN (K). Khaplang is not a party to the Centre's current peace pact, something that may emerge as a stumbling block in the Modi government's effort to bring permanent peace to troubletorn Nagaland.

On Friday, the Indian Army killed five NSCN (K) militants along with an overground woman activist, indicating that New Delhi is taking the fight to the recalcitrant faction.

Today, the Adinno-led NNC, which carries Phizo's legacy, is a small group in comparison to those of the I-M and NSCN (K) factions.

But as this writer sensed after talking to her for about two hours, her group expects the peace talks to collapse. "Every Naga is an NNC member.

The government of India has been talking only with its offshoot (NSCN I-M), not with the parent body.

We are not opposing the peace talks as such, but are just waiting to see their outcome. It could turn out to be another Shillong Accord," she says. The Shillong Accord of 1975 was signed between the Indian government and the Naga rebels, under which

An exclusive interview with Adinno Phizo, the 83-year-old daughter of Angami Zapu Phizo

the latter would now unconditionally accept the Indian Constitution, and surrender their arms. Five years later, however, Isak and Muivah rejected the agreement, terming it as a betrayal by the NNC; this led to the breakup of the NNC and the formation of the NSCN. Many in Nagaland deride NNC as "accordists", although Adinno repeatedly says Phizo was never consulted before the accord was signed in Shillong, in which NNC members, including Phizo's own (younger) brother Kevi Yalie, was a signatory (Phizo was in exile in London at the time).

In 1963, Adinno joined her father in the UK and spent 50 years on foreign soil before returning to Nagaland in 2013. When she returned, she accompanied her brother Kevilevor's mortal remains. Kevilevor also stayed in the UK but, unlike Phizo and his daughter Adinno, Kevilevor could not manage a British passport and remained there as a stateless citizen.

Adinno is now staying in Nagaland "legally", as the government of India in 2013 gave her a 10-year-long visa on her British pass-

port. But she is guarded by the 'Naga Army' may lead to another Shillong Accord.

(NNC armed cadres) and she still nurtures a hope that Nagas will one day become "inde- But what's your cadre strength vis-a-vis pendent". Edited excerpts from the interview: NSCN (I-M) or NSCN (Khaplang)?

I can't disclose our cadre strength. Our What is your reaction to the pact entered strength is in the villages. If the need arises, into by the government of India and NSCN the entire Naga nation will rise up again. The (I-M), which has been hailed as historic?

NNC is the parent body. Whether it's I-M or Whatever is going on is between the gov- Khaplang group, ultimately everyone has to ernment of India and NSCN (I-M). We have come back to the NNC (fold). nothing to do with it. It is not a pact of the Nagas.

Now, let's talk about your father AZ Phizo But after talking to a cross-section of peo- who went underground and then began ple of Nagaland, it appears that most want controlling the Naga movement from Lona peaceful settlement to this decades-long don. How would you describe your father? problem...

My father loved the Naga nation from his That's because we have never seen peace heart and he sacrificed everything for it. He and normal life in our lifetime. That's why all was not seeking a name for himself. Once the Nagas are longing for peace.

British left, he started mobilising the Naga people in every village. He gave speeches What is the view of the NNC? Will you be on in one village after another, making people board once there is a settlement? aware of the need to form our own demoDoes India believe that a settlement cratic government. emerged out of the Shillong Accord? This accord was inked when most of our members As someone in your 20s, did you also join were in jail. Can this be called an accord? In your father's underground movement in that so-called accord, there was no mention 1950s? of the word Nagas or Nagaland. The NNC is As a daughter and as a Naga I used to asnot anyway connected to that settlement. sist him in every possible way. My father was Mr Phizo was never consulted before that then hiding in caves and jungles (Phizo went pact. So far as the NNC is concerned, we don't underground in 1955). I was with him all the consider the Shillong Accord as a settlement. time. I remember I used to cook food for him All that we have been asking from India is to in the caves. As the Indian government and withdraw its occupational troops from Naga- Army were constantly searching for my faland. If India can't recognise our sovereignty, ther, we could not hide in the villages. We had it is not our problem. From the inception of to take refuge in the caves in thick jungles. history, Nagas had no connection with India.

We were never a part of India.

What triggered Phizo's decision to leave Nagaland? And how did he manage to Will your organisation be on board if the reach Britain without a passport?

Centre extends some form of autonomy to When the Indian Army moved into NagaNagaland in its pact with NSCN (I-M)? land, there was a lot of destruction in the vilEven the 16-point agreement (a 1960 pact lages. The Naga leaders held a meeting where between the government of India and the it was decided that Phizo had to flee Nagaland Naga People's Convention) gave some au- and take up the Naga cause from a foreign tonomy to Nagaland. nation so that the world could intervene and If any additional autonomy or fund is giv- come to our rescue. He did not run away from en, it will benefit only a few individuals. NNC the trouble. He was instead sent out. He left won't be a party to any such arrangement. It's Nagaland in December of 1956 and went first not an economic issue, it's a political issue. to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

He was detained in East Pakistan for four Both Isak and Muivah worked under your years. father, the former NNC president AZ Phizo.

The East Pakistani government then arBut your father died way back in 1990. Peo- ranged an El Salvadorian passport for him. ple in Nagaland don't seem to identify any First, he reached Geneva. His intention was more with your organisation. to go straight to the United Nations in the US NNC is a political institution that has but he did not get a visa. members at the grassroots level. Every Naga He was held up in Geneva and the passis an NNC member. The government of India port was taken away. At that point (British achas been talking only with its offshoot (NSCN tivist) Michael Scot arranged his trip to BritI-M), not with the parent body. We are not ain. When my father landed in Britain, he did opposing the peace talks as such, but are just not carry any passport. waiting to see its outcome. The present talks He was detained at Heathrow airport.

Nagaland BJP organizational election Dimapur, September 1 (mexN): The BJP Nagaland unit has informed that the party organisational election has been announced by the central office. Therefore, it directed all the district presidents to send three names for the District Returning Officer latest by September 10 to the State Returning Officer Nagaland at state office.

Schedule for the elections: Primary units will start on September 20; Mandal – October 10 onward; District

– October 30 onward; State – November 20. A press release from BJP office secretary Lachit Kachari asked all the district presidents to submit active membership application latest by September 10.

State Election Officer appointed In another press release, Nagaland BJP president informed that Mmhonlumo Kikon, parliamentary secretary for Labour and Employment

Skill Development and Border Affairs has been appointed as BJP State Election Officer of Nagaland on August 25 by the Central Election Officer Avinash Rai Khanna, MP, Rajya Sabha and National VP BJP for the State BJP organisation election. The press release further informed that on September 4, there will be state office bearers’ meeting at party office at 3:00 pm to discuss on the upcoming election with the state election officer.

Then he famously said: "When you came to my land, Nagaland, you did not carry any passport. Why can't I visit your land without a passport?" Phizo reached London on June 12, 1960 (he was eventually given British citizenship).

But how did you land up in Britain?

I was imprisoned till 1958. As soon as I and other members of the family were released, we were deported to Shillong. During the 1962 Chinese aggression, Assam was literally abandoned. (The then Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru thought Assam was lost. (Bimala Prasad) Chaliha was the chief minister of Assam at that time.

He and other Assam leaders felt abandoned and betrayed by Nehru. Realising that there was no future for Assam, Chaliha himself asked me to visit my father in London. He said, you must go and tell your father that he must speak not just for the Nagas but for Assam, too.

Chaliha facilitated all my travel documents to England. It was not me who looked for an appointment with him. He asked us, me and my brother, to come and meet him.

Phizo was no stranger to Assam leaders, whether it was Bordoloi (the first chief minister of Assam Gopinath Bordoloi) or Chaliha.

Politically, Phizo was a competent person at that point of history.

I was told, my father was offered the post of chief minister of undivided Assam (as a way to resolve the Naga issue).

How did Phizo lead the movement from the UK? He addressed many international gatherings and told the story of the Nagas to the world. In July 1960, he addressed the world press in London. He then went to America several times.

As Phizo took up this issue with America, Nehru was forced to ink the 1964 ceasefire (with NNC). Had Phizo not gone abroad and told the Naga story to the global audience, Nehru would have continued the armed operations here.

Did Phizo wear the Naga dress in Britain?

And how did you manage Naga food there?

In England, we had Naga food all the time.

But my father was not fussy about food. We used to grow our own vegetables — beans, mustard and the like in our garden there. We used to get the seeds from Nagaland. My father was always well dressed. He wore suits and ties. In some special occasions, he used to wear the Angami shawl.

You never got married...

Yes, I remained single. My father deeply regretted that I could not even visit Nagaland. He regretted that I was missing a normal family life and was denied a natural life.

But as we were away from our homeland, he never suggested that I should get married there (in Britain).

brief Amicable solution to AR raid Kohima, September 1 (mexN): An amicable understanding has been reached between Assam Rifles and Kiruphema villagers regarding the raid of two government servants’ houses by the former on August 18 at Kiruphema (Peducha) village. The settlement was made after a discussion and deliberation between the Assam Rifles and KYO/SAK/elders of the village following the condemnation of the raid by the Kiruphema Youth Organization (KYO) and Service Association Kiruphema (SAK). “The Kiruphema village once again reiterates its desire for peaceful co-existence with one and all in the near future,” stated a press note from SAK president, Rokovikho Hesielie and KYO general secretary, Thegosevi Shosahie.

PTWWS condemns

Kohima, September 1 (mexN): The Phek Town Women Welfare Society (PTWWS) has condemned the sexual assault on four minor girls at Phek town by Shaand prayer,” NSCN (IM) Following are the details jan Majumdar from Silchar, Assam recently. The Society also appreciated the PTYS, administration and police said in a press release. of the new members: department for their timely action against the accused Name Rank From and foiling his (accused) plan to traffic the girls to DiKahaolung Lieut.

ZUF mapur. Further, the Society warned that anyone found Solomon 2nd Lieut ZUF practicing or dealing with any form of evils against the Lucky Sergt. Major ZUF women and minors in particular will be severely punAthuan Sergeant ZUF ished.

Khangkhang Sergeant ZUF Gaigongam Sergeant ZUF Landmark Colony Council Silas Kamei NSCN (K)

NSCN (IM) welcomes new members One among the many State Bank of India ATM booths in Dimapur lying in shambles.

Calling attention of authority concerned as well as the public to take the issue seriously. Photo taken at Riverbelt Colony. (Courtesy: Vikato Zhimo/Citizen Journalist)

Public SPace Home Commissioner on facilities provided to Rani Gaidinliu

T

his Press Note is being issued to dispel doubts as to what status late Rani Gaidinliu was accorded by the Government of Nagaland during her lifetime.

The following facilities were provided to her by the Government of Nagaland from 1966 till her death on February 17, 1993.

1. After she agreed to come over-ground in January 1966, the Government of Nagaland allotted her a Type V Quarter complete with facilities for body guards and attendants at Forest Colony.

2. Monthly relief and rehabilitation grant sanctioned by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland.

3. Monthly ration by the Deputy Commission-

er, Kohima.

4. Monthly vehicle maintenance & petrol reimbursement by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

5. Travelling expenditure sanctioned by the Home department, Government of Nagaland.

6. A Personal Secretary in the rank of UDA attached to her for her official work whose salary was paid by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

7. Two lady attendants (on contingency basis) whose salaries were paid by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

8. One Grade IV (Peon) for her residential office duty whose salary was paid by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

9. One driver whose sal-

ary was paid by the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima.

10. House Guards provided by Nagaland Police.

11. One vehicle (Jeep).

12. The following persons served as Personal Assistants to Rani Gaidinliu: Q. Newmai, Helper cum Assistant (1966); Keiziang Pamei, Helper cum Assistant (1967-68); Gangluwang, Regular PA (19681973); DP Panmei, Regular PA (1973-75); Achun Kamei, Regular PA (1975-77); Ramkuiwangbe, Regular PA (1977-80); Abuan Kamei, Regular PA (1980-93).

All travel expenses related to her visits to the National Capital i.e. New Delhi were borne by the State Government.

Neihu C Thur, IAS Home Commissioner, Nagaland

Dimapur, September 1 (mexN): NSCN (IM) has extended warm welcome to those who joined its fold on August 21. “We laud their decision to join the main course and believe that they will now serve the Naga nation with truth

informs to chain dogs

YAN denounces Pangsha killing Dimapur, September 1 (mexN): Terming the action “barbaric,” the Youth Association of Nagaland has condemned the “heinous crime” perpetuated by the Assam Rifles on August 28 at Pangsha.

“It was also an act of cowardice given the fact that the groups travelling in the vehicles on that fateful day were unarmed and accompanied by number of females,” stated YAN president V Hetoi Chishi and spokesperson, Alise Sangtam in a condemnation note.

“The security could have arrested and interrogated them instead of blatant firing resulting in killing and injury of innocent civilians.”

YAN further maintained that when both the Indian and Nagas know that a “Framework Agreement” has been signed and mass based organisation are trying to bring all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) into political discussion, both the Indian security forces and NPGs should avoid direct confrontation and employ “maximum restraint.”

The Nagas have every right to safeguard its people and land, YAN noted.

“Thus the governments of India must in the first place ascertain every Indian security personnel deployed in the Naga Inhabited areas to respect the sentiments of the Naga.” YAN further

opined that keeping in mind “the lost opportunities and mistakes” from the beginning of the Naga political struggle till date and recently highlighted by TN Mannen, IAS (Rtd), in a recent article titled, “Framework Agreement and its Mystic Package…,” it is pertinent even for the NSCN (K) “to reconsider its rigid stance from abrogating ceasefire with GoI”.

“Emulate all means for peaceful and reasonable political dialogue through the initiative from mass based Naga NGOs,” it appealed.

YAN also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Dimapur, September 1 (mexN): Landmark Colony Council had informed the residents of the colony that dogs should be chained or kept inside the kennels in their respective compounds latest by August 31 “as many stray dogs are still present in and around the colony inspite of earlier request (information).” The council will initiate to eliminate stray dogs in the colony with effect from September 5, warned a release issued

by Landmark Colony Council chairman L Temjen Imsong and secretary Khehoshe Shohe.

Dimapur district ministerial staffs’ meeting Dimapur, September 1 (mexN): All the Dimapur district ministerial staffs have been informed that there will a meeting on September 5, 11:00 am at Hotel Acacia’s conference hall, Dimapur (Opp. East Police station).

All the district ministerial employees of every department have been requested to attend the meeting without fail. The meeting will deliberate on important issues pertaining to employees’ welfare and its representation, informed a press release from All Nagaland District Ministerial Service, Dimapur unit. Further, the unit requested the department concerned to bring the Welfare Fund of Rs 300 per employee as notified by the central office.

The Morung Express states that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

wednesdAY 02•09•2015

IN FOCUS

6

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 239X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By dr. asangba Tzüdir

Peace under siege

Cry for Peace from a ‘Ghettoised Killing Zone’

W

hen human security is under constant threat and where even the ‘right to life’ is trampled upon there can be no peace and Nagas are paying the price in ‘exchange for life’ in the pursuit of peace. The current Naga experience can be re-imagined with the once Nazi ruled Auschwitz where the inmates ghettoised within the camp were hopelessly waiting their death.

While Nagas cry for peace, the signing of the ‘Framework agreement’ or ‘peace accord’ has not brought peace and instead the road to peace has been marred by killings including even civilians. It seems to be ‘peace’ assured between GoI and NSCN (IM) but what is happening to the rest is comically tragic. Rather than trying to engage in democratic policies of inclusiveness, the centre has wholesomely engaged in killing. ‘Celebrating’ the killings, the Assam Rifles claims to have ‘displayed a very high order of restraint in their act of neutralisation.’ Its ‘operation flush out’ approach has deeply entrenched the path to peace. The mere sight of Armies patrolling is not a pleasant one and it rather creates a disturbing fear psychosis that one’s ‘threat to life’ looms large instantaneously seeing the armed ‘friends of the hills people’ who are in actuality supposed to give security especially during unwarranted situations.

Was it coincidental that the bloody Friday in Pangsha had to happen at a time when Naga Mothers Association were going to meet the NSCN(K) leaders to have a peace meeting? It clearly gives a credence that GoI do not want peace negotiations done with the ‘enemy of the state’ through civil bodies. Or, the timing was rather seen as an opportune time.

Today, every killing is followed by condemnations recounting painful tales from different civil organisations which have become a routine affair. But it has starkly fallen to deaf ears.

Will the cries be ever heard? As the cry for peace grows louder, whatever arrangements for ‘peace’ is being done by the centre, the people are only feeling more insecure in the prevailing situation that only accentuates a life that can be simply killed.

The brute side of the Indian machinery have only resulted in negating human security and a dignified existence.

For peace to prevail there has to be democracy. There cannot be peace sans democracy but tragically, democracy is currently ‘battling’ between reason and unreason while the victims of gross human rights violations are dealt with the blow of outright execution without any legal cover and ironically, the truth of the incident will only remain ‘hazy.’ Today the land ‘inhabiting the Nagas’ have in reality become a killing zone and the peace we so long is under siege.

(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is an Editor with Heritage Publishing House. He contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Feedback and comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)

lEfT wiNg |

Kathryn Doyle Reuters Health

Long working hours related to stroke risk

P

eople who work at least 55 hours a week are significantly more likely to eventually suffer a stroke than people who work 35 to 40 hours a week, a recent study suggests.

Previously, the same research team had linked longer working hours with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but only for those in lower socioeconomic groups.

“This was not the case for stroke: the association between long working hours and stroke was similar” at all socioeconomic levels, said lead author Mika Kivimaki of University College London, in an email.

The researchers pooled the data from 25 studies in Europe, the U.S. and Australia that tracked more than 600,000 workers for seven to eight years on average. Participants had no history of stroke or coronary heart disease when they enrolled in the studies.

Over time, they had 4,768 heart attacks or heart disease events and 1,722 strokes. As working hours got longer, stoke risk increased, the researchers found. Working at least 55 hours per week increased stroke risk by 33 percent compared to working a standard full-time job 40 hours per week, even when age, sex and socioeconomic status were accounted for.

In real terms, however, stroke is rare in working populations, Kivimaki point out. In this analysis, there were 4.5 strokes per 1,000 employees – and among those working long hours, the rate rose to 6 strokes per 1,000 employees.

There was also an increase in heart disease risk, but the association was weaker and the risk was smaller, the authors wrote in The Lancet. “Coronary heart disease and stroke share several risk factors,” but some, like cardiac arrhythmia, are more strongly related to stroke, Kivimaki said.

Jobs requiring long working hours can range from low to high-paying, he said. “Stroke is a multifactorial disease and therefore a person’s risk of stroke is almost always the result of multiple interacting risk factors,” Kivimaki said.

Keeping blood pressure, lipid levels and blood glucose within the normal range, getting enough exercise, eating and drinking healthfully, avoiding excess weight and excessive stress can all reduce stroke risk, he said.

“Even if an increased risk of 30 percent is rather low for an individual, people should think of it,” said Urban Janlert of Umea University in Sweden, who wrote an editorial about the new results.

“But the main problem is the public health aspect – even if the individual risk is not alarming, the high number of people working long hours means that in the whole population a huge number of strokes will occur,” Janlert told Reuters Health by email.

If you have long working hours, recovery periods are important, he said. Working long hours for two to three weeks is likely more harmful than shorter periods.

“I hope that people become aware that long working hours are associated with an increased risk of stroke,” Kivimaki said. “Those who work long hours should be extra careful that they still maintain a healthy lifestyle and ensure their blood pressure and lipid levels are within the normal range.”

C O M M E N T A R Y

Paul Vallely The Atlantic

Where Pope Francis Learned Humility

For the pontiff, being humble is less a character trait than a calculated choice

“W

here’s my briefcase?” asked Pope Francis. The papal entourage had arrived at Fiumicino Airport in Rome for the pontiff’s first trip abroad. Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been pope for just four months and was now bound for Rio de Janeiro, where 3.5 million young people from 178 countries were waiting to greet him at World Youth Day in Brazil. And he could not find his briefcase.

“It’s been taken on board the plane,” an aide explained. “But I want to carry it on,” said the pontiff. “No need, it’s on already,” the assistant replied. “You don’t understand,” said Francis. “Go to the plane. Get the bag. And bring it back here please.”

Members of the press, who were already waiting on the plane, soon saw from their windows that Pope Francis was moving purposefully through a crowd of functionaries to the aircraft, carrying a black briefcase in his left hand. This was a story: Popes had never before carried their own luggage.

During an impromptu press conference on the plane an hour and a half later, after the pope had talked at length about young people who had no jobs and who felt discarded by a society in which old people had long been treated as similarly disposable, one reporter asked what was in the briefcase.

“The keys to the atomic bomb aren’t in it,” Francis joked. So what did it contain? “My razor, my breviary, my diary, a book to read—on St Therese of Lisieux to whom I am devoted. ... I always take this bag when I travel. It’s normal.

We have to get used to this being normal,” he added.

It’s a new normal: Francis has presented himself to the world as an icon of simplicity and humility, eschewing papal limousines and the grand Apostolic Palace, and instead being driven in a Ford Focus and living in the Vatican guesthouse. But being simple can be a complex business if you are the leader of one of the world’s largest religious denominations and also a head of state. And Francis’s life story shows that humility is not an innate quality of his, but a calculated religious, and sometimes political, choice.

Bergoglio’s progress through the ranks of the Society of Jesus, a religious order within the Catholic Church also known as the Jesuits, was remarkably speedy. In April 1973, at the age of just 36, he was made provincial superior, the head of all Jesuits in his home country of Argentina as well as neighboring Uruguay. But tensions produced bergogliano and anti-bergogliano factions that divided the province in two and ultimately resulted in the Jesuit headquarters in Rome exiling Bergoglio to Cordoba, Argentina’s second-largest city, some 400 miles from the capital.

There were two main, and intertwined, areas of conflict. One was religious, the other political. The religious division was over the Second Vatican Council, which shook the Catholic Church to its foundations between 1962 and 1965. Vatican II famously threw open the windows of a Church seeking greater interaction with, and influence on, secular society. As different sections of the Church began to explore how to apply the Council’s insights, a polarization occurred, and then deepened, between conservative and progressive factions within the Argentine Jesuits. The conservatives wanted to remain focused on their inner religious life and continue in their traditional social role of educating the next generation of the nation’s rich elite. The progressives wanted a more outward-facing spirituality and a shift to working with the uneducated poor in the shantytowns. The political division centered on Liberation Theology, a new approach to Catholic teaching that declared a need to liberate the poor not just spiritually but also from unjust economic, political, or social conditions. Progressives were enthused. Conservatives rejected the theology as Marxist, and a way of allowing communism into Latin America through the back door.

By his own admission Bergoglio was a political animal. As a teenager he had been interested in the relationship between faith and communism.

But his central political formation occurred in the context of Peronism, a peculiarly Argentine amalgam of forces not elsewhere associated with one another: the military, the trade unions, and the Church. Named after General

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, washes the feet of patients in a shelter for drug users in March, 2008.

Juan Domingo Peron, who was president of Argentina for a decade from 1946 onwards, Peronism had its roots in Catholic social teachings and involved a new industrialization to boost the economy and a substantial redistribution of wealth to ensure that the working class benefited from it. Peronists thought of themselves as socialists, but many of their policies were closer to the fascism of Mussolini’s Italy or Franco’s Spain. What was distinctive about Peronism was the way it brought together the physical might of the military and the moral authority of the Church to enforce authoritarian policies, which included suppression of the opposition and the press.

This lack of ideological consistency led the Peronist movement to split into dissenting factions. Some extreme leftists developed anti-clerical, anti-Catholic positions. Right-wing Peronists saw themselves as defenders of the nation, private property, and Catholicism against the atheist, communist hordes.

These Peronist factions did not just disagree; eventually they set up death squads that roamed the streets targeting opponents in killing sprees targeting opponents. Between 1973 and 1976, a virtual civil war reigned on the streets of Buenos Aires. Some historians have suggested that as many people died in those three years as were killed by the military dictatorship in the so-called Dirty War that followed a 1976 military coup and lasted until 1983. The Jesuits were similarly divided. Progressives sided with grassroots political movements working with the poor. Others, like Bergoglio, were more inclined to see Peronism and the state as the vehicle for solutions.

As polarization grew between an atheist, anti-Church Left and a right wing that claimed to be acting in defense of the Church and its values, Bergoglio found that it was impossible to hold to a middle way. He cracked down on Liberation Theology inside the Jesuits. Progressives within the order accused him of de-facto collusion with the worldview of the Right, if not with its tactics. Looking back he admitted, in his first interview as pope: “I had to deal with difficult situations, and I made my decisions abruptly and by myself. My authoritarian and quick manner of making decisions led me to have serious problems and to be accused of being ultra-conservative.”

A titanic struggle for the soul of Catholicism ensued. Bergoglio had strong support within the Jesuits when he became provincial superior in 1973.

But by the time he ended his leadership role as rector of Buenos Aires’s Jesuit seminary in 1986, those who loathed him had begun to outnumber those who loved him. By 1990, his support within the order had been eroded by his authoritarian style and his incorrigible inability, in the words of the Jesuit, Father Frank Brennan, “to let go the reins of office once a [Jesuit] provincial of a different hue was in the saddle.” Another senior Jesuit told me: “He drove people really crazy with his insistence that only he knew the right way to do things. Finally the other Jesuits said: ‘Enough.’”

By the time he was sent into exile, according to one senior Jesuit in Rome, around two-thirds of Argentina’s Jesuits had lost patience with him. In his first interview after becoming pope, Francis attributed this dynamic to his own “style of government as a Jesuit at the beginning. ... I found myself provincial when I was still very young. I was only 36 years old. That was crazy.”

As a young priest in powerful leadership positions, Bergoglio did not have the maturity he needed to cope with the competing pressures of Jesuit factions, the Vatican, and a ruthless military dictatorship.

In response to these cleavages within the Argentine Jesuit community, Jesuit leaders in Rome eventually decided to strip Bergoglio, then 50, of all responsibility. In 1990, he was sent to Cordoba to live in the Jesuit residence, pray, and work on his doctoral thesis.

But he was not permitted to say Mass in public in the Jesuit church. He could only go there to hear confessions. He was not allowed to make phone calls without permission. His letters were controlled. His supporters were told not to contact him. The ostracism from his peers was to be complete.

In Cordoba, Bergoglio turned inward. His main public spiritual engagement was hearing confessions. He spent a lot of time looking out the window and walking the streets, from the Jesuit residence to the church along a road that passed through many different areas of the city. People from all walks of life—academics, students, lawyers, and ordinary folk—visited the church for the penitential sacrament.

He found his interactions with the poor particularly moving.

“Cordoba was, for Bergoglio, a place of humility and humiliation,” said Father Guillermo Marco, who was later Bergoglio’s right-hand man on public affairs in the diocese of Buenos Aires. There seems to have been more to this than learning from experience.

Francis later admitted to having made “hundreds of errors” in his time as leader of Argentina’s Jesuits. Cordoba was, he revealed in his first interview as pope, “a time of great interior crisis.”

In 1992, when Bergoglio returned to Buenos Aires as auxiliary bishop, he had totally remodeled his approach to being a leader. His style became delegatory and participative. And his manner was distinctly different. He developed what became one of his bestknown habits: ending all encounters by asking the other person to pray for him.

For the new Bergoglio, humility was more like an intellectual stance than a personal temperament—a tool he developed in his struggle against what he had learned were the weaknesses in his own personality, with its rigid, authoritarian, and egotistical streaks. In Cordoba, Bergoglio had had two long years to reflect on his divisive leadership of the Jesuits in Argentina, and on what he had done wrong or inadequately during the Dirty War. But the change came from more than that: History was also a major factor. The world has shifted around him.

Bergoglio’s early politics were formed in the era of the Cold War, amid the fear that atheistic, Soviet-style communism would supplant both capitalism and Catholicism in Latin America, with Cuba as its toehold. But then the Berlin Wall came down. The Soviet Union and its empire collapsed. Mainstream Catholic teaching absorbed key insights from Liberation Theology— like the idea that sin does not just reside in the bad acts of individuals but can also become embedded in unbalanced economic structures. Globalization only internationalized that injustice. And this truth was brought home to Bergoglio most forcefully during the seismic economic crisis that seized Argentina in 2001, when half the population was plunged below the poverty line. Macroeconomic solutions engi-

neered in Washington by the International Monetary Fund ratcheted up austerity policies that made life harder for the poorest. Bergoglio began to be highly critical of the economic formulas of modern capitalism; he was particularly critical of speculative financial markets for their ability to damage the real economy. To criticize the exploitation of the poor was no longer to risk being seen to side with anti-religious Marxism. Bergoglio began to think differently about extreme poverty. He began to talk like a liberation theologian.

Bergoglio is a pragmatist rather than an ideologue. In his more conservative younger years, he adopted preVatican II styles of worship, discipline, and theology because he thought they worked better, said his 1975 student Miguel Yanez. But as a bishop and archbishop he embraced many of the central doctrines of Liberation Theology—on poverty, inequality, and economic justice—because they fit his changed priorities.

As Francis settled into the early months of his papacy, big gestures like moving to live in two rooms in a Vatican hostel surprised and even shocked people. But it has since become clear that the gestures are not spontaneous or random responses to situations in which he happens to find himself. They are being planned to set out what is in effect the program of his papacy. Some are directed to the world and draw the attention of the media, but others are aimed at the clerical establishment and at the ordinary faithful.

On the papal plane as Pope Francis flew back to Rome from World Youth Day in Brazil, another incident drew the world’s attention to the new pontiff’s embrace of those whom the Church and society had marginalized or excluded. During his in-flight press conference, Francis was asked if it was true that there were coteries of gay priests in the Vatican, as had been widely reported since leaked Vatican documents had referred to these groups as “the gay lobby.” The pope replied: “We must make the distinction between the fact of a person being gay and the fact of a lobby, because lobbies are not good. They are bad. If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge that person?”

Those five words “who am I to judge?” reverberated around the globe. They did not change Catholic doctrine but, along with several of the other answers he gave journalists on that flight, sent signals of changed attitudes in many areas. Yet it was the remark about not judging gays that grabbed the attention of the media.

The New Yorker headlined its account: “Francis Redefines the Papacy.” What was so subtle about the response, said the American Catholic commentator Michael Sean Winters, was that it was not just a message about homosexuality. “That was incidental,” Winters said. “Pope Francis was really telling us something about what he thinks it means to be a Christian, and especially a Christian leader.”

In fact, it was more than that. As became clear a few months ago, when the pope published his major encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, he is not just addressing Catholics or Christians but, in the words of that document, “all people of good will.” Having changed himself, it appears he wants all the world to undergo a similar conversion.

This article has been adapted from Paul Vallely’s book, Pope Francis: The Struggle for the Soul of Catholicism.

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.

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wednesdAY 02•09•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Myanmar Democracy Icon Finds Herself Assailed as Authoritarian

7

The Newspaper with an Opinion The Morung Express

Thomas Fuller

F

New York Times

ramed photographs of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate, cover the walls of his small living room, but U Myo Khin, a longtime democracy activist, has harsh words for the woman he idolized for years as a crusader against dictatorship.

“The goal is still democracy, but her behavior is authoritarian,” said Mr. Myo Khin, whose credentials in the democracy movement include 12 years as a political prisoner. “She is losing people like us who have been strong supporters for a very long time.”

It was taboo for many years among democracy activists in Myanmar to speak ill of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, who became a global icon of democracy and a symbol of resistance against oppression when Myanmar was ruled by a brutal military junta. Any criticism of The Lady, as she is known here, was seen as strengthening the hand of the generals.

But as landmark elections approach — a contest described by some as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for democratic forces — Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is being openly criticized by activists, commentators and intellectuals.

They accuse her of a my-way-or-thehighway approach to managing her party. They question her decision to ally herself with a now marginalized former general. And they say she is missing an opportunity to build a grand coalition of democratic forces, including minority ethnic groups whose support may be crucial after the election.

“She has made enemies with the people she needs,” said U Sithu Aung Myint, a widely read columnist with a reputation for nonpartisan commentary. “She lacks strategic thinking, and she is not a clever politician.”

For a woman who sacrificed the better part of two decades fighting dictatorship, much of that time under house arrest, it is deeply paradoxical that a word increasingly used to describe her is authoritarian, even among her closest allies in her party, the National League for Democracy.

Asked what he thought of the term, U Nyan Win, the party’s spokesman, did not hesitate.

“I agree,” he said. But he insisted that her top-down handling of party affairs did not diminish her legacy and leadership in pushing for democratic change.

Burmese political culture has long featured hierarchical decision-making, he said, and her party is no exception.

He painted a picture of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, who turned 70 in June, as overworked, struggling to delegate power and not always getting accurate information about the day-to-day decisions within the party.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi declined requests to be interviewed for this article.

Her party came under its heaviest criticism in recent months during the selection process of candidates for the Nov. 8 election. Some of the leading lights of the democracy movement, former political prisoners known as the 88 Generation, were largely passed over. The party’s leadership also overruled the recommendations and nominations of many local chapters, putting in place their own candidates for the election. Those decisions spawned a rare public display of anger and defections. A number of defiant members

5thSeptember is a day of appreciation and celebration for all teachers. It’s Teacher’s Day! Teaching is a noble profession they say, but how is this profession perceived and what is its significance in our society? Anyone can be a mere teacher but what does it take to become a genuine, excelling teacher?

This week’s writer reflects upon the role of a teacher in a student’s life, their own share of pressure and fears as well as their strengths.

Love Thy Teachers Pakinzinliu, Assistant professor, Department of English

T

of the party were expelled.

As the controversy grew, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s response came across to some as imperious and condescending.

“The responsibility of the people is simply to vote for the party, not the name of the candidate,” she was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia.

“The N.L.D. is a political party, and we have rules,” she said. “If you can’t follow these rules, you can’t work for the N.L.D.” The party also ordered candidates not to speak with the media, saying it could jeopardize their chances during the vetting process by the election commission. Critics saw it as a gag order.

At a time when the party needs unity more than ever, stalwarts like Mr. Myo Khin, the longtime democracy activist, are angry. His involvement in the movement began 27 years ago when a fellow proponent of democracy was shot by the military and died in his arms.

When the party leadership passed him over as the candidate in his home district in Yangon, he quit the party and signed up to run as an independent.

Another longtime party activist in an adjoining district, Daw Khin Phone Wai, 44, also left the party and is running as an independent. She still admires Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi but says she worries that she is increasingly seen as detached from the people.

“She has knowledge about international things, and she speaks foreign languages,” Ms. Khin Phone Wai said. “But she cannot relate to ordinary people. People are facing hardship every day, and she can’t feel their needs.

She’s not in touch with the people at the bottom.”

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s supporters overseas have been dismayed by her silence and inaction over the plight of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority who are being excluded from voting. But in Myanmar, in a measure of the difficulties of pleasing her admirers, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi faces the opposite prob-

lem: She is portrayed by her enemies as too friendly to Muslims, a major political liability in a country with strong anti-Muslim sentiment.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, Aung San, still has what is probably the most recognizable name and face in the country, and the mention of her often elicits automatic admiration. A key question debated among political analysts is whether complaints about her management style have trickled down to voters.

Analysts believe that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi will continue to benefit from the popular hatred of the military, which built up over decades of misrule.

But gauging her popularity has proved difficult. In a recent opinion poll, half of respondents refused to disclose whom they would vote for.

U Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst, said that the democracy movement has strong support in cities and towns but that winning in rural areas, which make up 70 percent of the elected seats in Parliament, will be more challenging.

The freedoms introduced by the military-backed government of President Thein Sein, including the ending of direct media censorship, have lifted a once palpable sense of fear in the cities.

But in rural areas the military and their proxies still retain significant control.

“The level of fear for the authorities is very high in the village areas,” Mr. Yan Myo Thein said.

Under the current system the deck is stacked against the democracy movement: The country’s Constitution, written by the military junta before it handed over power to a quasicivilian government in 2011, allocates one quarter of the seats in Parliament to the military. This means democratic forces, if they do not ally themselves with the army, must gain two-thirds of the elected seats to have a simple majority. Around 40 percent of the seats are in minority ethnic areas, which

tend to back their own parties, and democracy activists lament that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi has not formed closer alliances with the groups.

The military’s top general chooses the ministers of home affairs, defense and border security, no matter who wins the election.

Moreover, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency by a clause in the Constitution that disallows anyone with a foreign spouse or children from becoming president, a rule that some say was written with her in mind.

Her husband, who died in 1999, was a British citizen, and so are their two sons.

Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s critics acknowledge the uneven playing field but say she has made a bad situation worse by antagonizing the military. Her alliance with Thura Shwe Mann, a former general in the junta who leads one faction of the military establishment but is widely disliked by other factions, rattled the military’s top brass. Earlier this month Mr. Shwe Mann was purged as the head of the Union Solidarity and Development Party by the president and his backers in the military.

Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, an independent member of the Yangon regional Parliament, does not trust the military, but says Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi should be courting them because the military brass has veto power over major changes to the Constitution that democratic forces desire.

“She must get on well with the military,” Ms. Nyo Nyo Thin said. “Without the military in agreement we can never amend the Constitution.”

Ms. Nyo Nyo Thin predicts a messy election followed by months of horse trading among ethnic groups, democratic forces and the military.

She says she has been “confused”

by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi’s decisions in recent months.

Is the Nobel laureate authoritarian?

“We have many stories,” Ms. Nyo Nyo Thin said. “But this is not the time to speak out.”

Home Loan keep two copies of the entire set.

Salary slip: Before giving a loan, lenders look at your repayment capacity and your eligibility. For this, they usually ask for the last three months’ salary slips as a proof of income and employment. In case of selfemployed individuals, banks ask for the profit and loss statement of the business.

Account statement: Lenders also ask for the last six months’ bank account statement. This not only gives an idea about your income but also expenses as well. It also gives an idea about how you handle your finances.

Form 16: Usually banks ask for a copy of Form 16 documents that you get from your employer for the last three years. In the case of a self-employed individual they ask for last three years’ copies of incometax returns filed.

Basically your ability to repay is based on your ome sweet home”, nicely cross- income and expenditure pattern. It is assumed that stitched and framed, hanging on the you need certain amount of your income as living exwall of the common room. penses. The following table will explain the pattern “Achi made that”, said my child- followed by most Nationalized Banks. hood friend Aren.

Aren and her husband Moa have recently moved Net Annual Income Maximum Ratio of EMI into their new RCC house, along with their two from Income daughters Achi and Naro. To have a nice strong Pacca Up to Rs. 60,000 20% home is a nice feeling, confessed Aren. And indeed it Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 25% is, looking at the happy family, I said to myself.

Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 2 Lac 30% The average new RCC home owner’s age has de- Rs. 2 Lac to Rs. 5 Lac 50% creased drastically in last one decade. A major cause Rs. 5 Lac to Rs. 10 Lac 55% is the ready availability of finance to built property for Above Rs. 10 Lac 65% a middle class family. I remember helping a nervous Moa, a school teacher by profession, before applying “The ratio is calculated as the sub total of all the EMI his home loan, as loan applications usually require a the customer is paying” said Sujeet Kumar, Assistant lot of paperwork.

Manager, UCO Bank, Chumukedima Branch. “If the Here is a list of documents that you need to get in customer has an existing loan, than it affects the loan place when applying for a home loan. I suggest you amount approved by us” said Kumar again. Normally a

“H

bank provides up-to 80% of the cost of the property.

Address and identity proof (KYC) Documents such as your ration card and passport card helps lenders verify your place of residence. To ascertain that you are the same person who has applied for the loan, lenders ask for an identify proof; documents such as voter’s identity card and driving licence are required here. The verification process basically helps curtail frauds in the system. Remember to keep atleast three passport-size photographs as well.

Equitable Mortgage Registration Since Nagaland enjoys special land laws, banks helps its customer to go for Equitable Mortgage Registration. You need to keep the land as a collateral security with the bank for the loan which you have applied. In case if you fail to repay your loan, Bank will be in a position to recover it auctioning your property.

To expedite the process of registration, most banks keep their own legal staff, for the registration in District Magistrates office. One more aspect bank looks is marketable title clarity. Without marketable title clarity you may face rejection easily.

Credit report Banks will never ask you for your credit report, but they check it on their own. I approve that before you begin the loan process, ensure that you have a copy of your credit report with you. If you know you have a higher credit score, you can negotiate a better interest rate with the bank. To know your credit score visit www.cibil.com As the interest rates dropping and ever increasing eager lenders happily giving loans to prospective home owners, we can expect to see many more happy families as proud home owners. And it indeed is a nice feeling!

eaching is a noble profession and the tragedy of it is that not everybody gets into this job because they chose to be a teacher. The fact is that majority of the teachers are there by chance and not by choice. Why is teaching a last option for many of the dynamic and intelligent class of job seekers? Is it because teaching is a lowly paid job, or is teaching a less challenging job? On top of that with every school clamoring for 100% result, teachers have a daunting task at hand. Teaching is something that you can do only if you have a passion for it. It has its own challenges and the thrill of going through these challenges is really very satisfying. Your relationship with the students determines your survival as a teacher. Your good rapport with them can bring the best out of you. But it is still your attachment to teaching and your intense passion for it that will see you as a good teacher.

The place of a teacher in an evolving society has been debated over the years by intellectuals of the society. Teachers are indispensable and without them no society can grow.

But with the emergence of mass media like internet, the role of the teacher has to a certain extent lost its importance. If the idea of teaching is to simply impart information, then the emergence of internet surely can diminish theimportance of a teacher. Students can access information from internet and can rely less on teachers. If this is the real case, then teachers who teach non technical subjects can end up feeling less important. Sometimes ready answers given by a student because he has accessed the internet can be a little uncomfortable for a teacher even though the teacher is not supposed to feel so. But the fact is that the internet is easily accessible and there are students who are out there to test a teacher’s skill. For many of the teachers this can be a nightmarish experience, and thereforeit becomes necessary for him to update himself in a very consistent manner.

This might be a challenging task for a teacher. So what is the real role of a teacher, if the information that he is supposed to impart is already available and easily accessible to any student with one click of a mouse? A teacher always likes to teach something that is not known to the class. But if the information is already available with the students then he/she becomes like one who is only repeating what they already know. It can also happen that many of the school campus can become wifi zone in the nearfuture where the students can freely use internet to get all the information they wants.

So what exactly is the role of a teacher?Let’s contemplate about it and come up with an appropriate solution or answer. The answers can be different and solution varied.

These are very subjective and the opinion given by one need not be accepted by another. Let us leave aside that standard role of a teacher that is given in every book. There are many articles on role of a teacher and all the articles are more or less the same. You have read them enough and these are readymade answers that anyone can easily give. Let us leave those aside and find out something new that makes a teacher a real teacher. There are teachers who can really inspire simply by their presence. I should call them the born teachers. That is not to undermine all those other teachers who picked up the skill of teaching in due course of their life like me. There are teachers who are very unassuming and short of lengthy speeches, yet they blend well with the students.

They are charismatic in the sense that they are able to inspire and bring out the best in them. Being a shrewd observer he /she can identify the talent that is unique in a child. Without a teacher this uniqueness in a child will end up being locked inside for ever without even the child getting to know about it. The greatest obstacle a child faces is his lack of self confidence and his ignorance about what he/she can do the best. A teacher can be readily available for this task of igniting that fire from within the child that can awake him/her to a totally different world where he/she is face to face with his/her uniqueness. The fear disappears and out comes a completely new avatar. I don’t think any internet or mass media can help a child rediscover himself or herself without a teacher. In spite of all the information that a student gets from the internet, the presence of a teacher in the classroom makes all the difference. His towering presence and his movement within the classroom trying to reach out to all the students like a savior is just like life giving nectar to all the students present. It is just like he is there for them to turn to and seek enlightment. More than how much a teacher knows, it is very important how he delivers to the students about what he knows. Having said this, a real teacher is a teacher who makes his students comfortable and confident both in his presence and absence.

Above all, the role of a teacher is not only to impart bookish knowledge but also to help them develop ethical values;to be a good human being which is the need of the hour in our society, inflicted with untold anti social elements. I believe there is a rapid rise in anti social element in the society because we are emphasizing more on materialistic possession and statusand leaving aside the true essence of education which should help a person to become better human beings. At this present juncture, parents and teachers have an equal role to play in shaping and molding the younger generation with ethical values. Parents being the first teacher of a child cannot be ignored completely.

“Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College.

For feedback or comments please email: admin@tetsocollege.org”.

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

WednesdAY 02•09•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Oust communal, caste leaders, says PM Modi, Nitish hits back bhAgAlpur, September 1 (iANS) Attacking Bihar's ruling JD-U and its ally RJD, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the people of Bihar to defeat those who "spread the poison of communalism and casteism" Addressing his fourth rally ahead of assembly elections, the prime minister also took credit for making Chief Minister Nitish Kumar speak on the development agenda.

"The politics of casteism and communalism has failed Bihar," he told a huge rally. "Won't you prefer to get rid of those who spread the poison of communalism and casteism?"

Both before and after Modi's 50-minute speech, Nitish Kumar took on the prime minister, asking him to end his rhetoric and deliver the promises he made during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.

"Development should be the main issue (in Bihar)," Modi said in Bhagalpur, about 200 km from Patna.

He reminded people that he had announced a Rs.1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar's devel-

opment last month.

And he said he had forced the alliance of the Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress to talk about development.

"I am happy that development has become an issue for them also."

But Modi targeted the alliance leaders by saying they were silent at their Patna rally on Sunday on how to develop Bihar.

"All of them only chanted Modi, Modi, nothing else, to target me."

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader urged the people to ask the "grand alliance" to provide a balance sheet of their 25 years of rule in Bihar.

Modi said the people of Bihar were happy with his central government, and nothing could stop the "victory march" of the BJP and its allies in the

upcoming elections.

Modi spinning data from thin air: Nitish Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on Modi, accusing him of churning out data from "thin air".

After Modi ended his election rally in Bhagalpur town, the JD-U leader tweeted: "I increasingly wonder if he (Modi) would ever be able to improve his understanding and use of

facts and figures."

The chief minister said that Rs.2.7 lakh crore would be available to implement the seven programmes he (Nitish Kumar) had announced in case he won the election. "Modiji should relax!

"Modi's talk of health infrastructure is ironical because it’s his government that has reduced health budget and stopped universal health plan.

"Modi must have whipped up his figures and data today from the same place he whipped up his special package - thin air," Nitish Kumar added.

Nitish Kumar reiterated his resolve to provide Rs.1,000 a month as unemployment allowance to youths in the age group of 20-25 years and loans of up to Rs.4 lakh through student credit cards.

He said he was also committed to setting up a Rs.500 crore venture capital fund, and providing free internet in colleges and universities.

And 35 percent of all government jobs would be reserved for women, he added.

Earlier, before Modi's

arrival in Bihar, Nitish Kumar asked the prime minister to "stop rhetoric (and) chest thumping", and deliver the promises he made ahead of the Lok Sabha battle.

"Show moral courage.

Accept insufficiencies in delivering on old promises," he said in a series of tweets.

"Respect the sentiments of the people of Bihar who have been troubled by your unkept promises and unsavoury comments," he said.

Asking Modi to take back "your derogatory words", he said: "Deliver your promise of special status to Bihar. Don’t mislead with so-called package where 86 percent is repackaged old schemes.

"Live up to your 2014 election promise of decriminalization and announce (that) no ticket (will be given) to candidates with criminal background."

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies will be pitted in the coming assembly elections against the ruling Janata Dal-United and its allies the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress.

'Centre to permit states to make changes to land act' New Delhi, September 1 (iANS): The NDA government will permit states to make amendments to the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday.

In an article on the Bharatiya Janata Party's website, Jaitely said he was of the opinion that the 2013 Act "is a badly drafted legislation" with a "lot of ambiguities and obvious errors" which need to be corrected.

He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had made changes to the 2013 Act on the suggestion of state governments but Congress changed its position and opposed the ordinance first issued in December last year for "political reasons".

He said the ordinance brought by the NDA government lapsed on Monday and questions were being raised about the nature and future of land acquisition in India.

Referring to the prime minster's meeting with chief ministers in Niti Aayog on the land bill, Jaitley said the state governments could decide on exemptions from consent and social impact assessment in any of the five areas including projects for national security, rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridors and infrastructure projects where land ownership is with government.

The Modi government in its new land bill had provided for these exemptions but the BJP subsequently changed its position in the joint parliamentary committee which is examining the bill.

Congress chief ministers had boycotted the Niti Aayog meeting on land bill with the party making it clear that it was opposed to changes to the 2013 Act which was passed during the rule of United Progressive Alliance government.

Jaitley said that objective of 2015 ordinance was to give certain flexibility to the states.

"That flexibility is made available to the states even now under the decision taken in chief minister's meeting," he said. Jaitley said that the present position was that "the 2013 Act occupies the field".

"The bill remains for consideration of the standing committee and if some consensus suggestions are made, the same would be implemented. If any state wishes to make some amendments in the central law, the same would be permitted by the central government," Jaitley said.

Srinagar, Mumbai among top five cities 18 killed in bus crash in Himachal Twin blasts in Pune, 1 dead, 3 wounded September 1 (iANS): Eighteen people were puNe, September 1 (iANS) One in the scrapyard which has been sent surfing net to track ISIS-related activity ShimlA, killed and 15 others injured on Tuesday when a private bus person was killed and three were in- for analysis. In the second and bizarre New Delhi, September 1 (tNN): The government may claim a "very limited" influence of Islamic State (ISIS) among Indian Muslims, but that has not kept the curious young from closely following its activities and outreach on social media.

If findings of a national survey by an intelligence agency are any indication, the largest volume of internet traffic related to ISIS is being generated not from urban, IT-savvy centres like Bengaluru and Hyderabad but mofussil towns like Chinchwad and Unnao, besides smaller cities such as Srinagar and Guwahati.

Mumbai is the only metropolis among the top six Indian cities/towns reporting online interest in ISIS, ranking fifth after Srinagar, Guwahati, Chinchwad (a suburb of Pune) and Howrah. Unnao near Kanpur in central UP occupies the sixth position, according to results of the "top-secret" survey accessed exclusively by the TOI. The study - findings of which were placed before a meeting of chief secretaries and DGPs of 12 states convened by the home minis-

try earlier this month to discuss the growing appeal of ISIS - concluded that Jammu and Kashmir showed the highest social media activity related to ISIS, followed by Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. UP had more towns/cities than any other state attracting the young to explore ISIS propaganda online.

The discreet study of social media activity and internet searches on ISIS - covering Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Google - across Indian states and towns found that the global terror outfit was generating most interest among those in the age-group of 16-30 years. Not only do the curious belong to both the genders, but they also come from all walks of life, educational and social backgrounds.

The spread of ISIS social media outreach, the recent study found, is largely attributable to the internet which provides a very wide and no-holds barred access to raw material over a very large footprint comprising net-savvy young population in a developing region like South Asia. In

fact, Pakistan took the lead here in providing the largest population of ISIS subscribers, with the spread mostly anchored in its urban centres.

A glance at global social media data indicates that West Asia, Iraq, Syria, Emirates region and North East Africa generate the highest volume of ISIS-related traffic from the young. These are followed by anxious populations in certain West European countries that have reported exit of some youth to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS. While India lags far behind Pakistan and others in access to social mediabased ISIS content, certain parts of the country have shown high interest triggered by the media coverage of four youth from Kalyan, Mumbai, who left the country to join ISIS last year. News reports of one of them having returned home frustrated and another getting killed furthered the interest.

Social media-based material has been a prime mobilizer in J&K, prompting a section of its young to wave ISIS flags during protests.

rolled down 200 metres into a gorge in Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, police said. The bus was on way from Rekong Peo to Rampur town when the accident occurred near Nathpa, some 180 km from Shimla. Kinnaur Superintendent of Police Rahul Nath told IANS over telephone that the bus skidded off the road. He said 15 people died on the spot and three on the way to hospital. The injured have been admitted to Bhavanagar and Rampur hospitals. Most of the dead and the injured were from Kinnaur and Shimla districts.

Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Naresh Lath said help was sought from the army and the state disaster management authority, besides police and Home Guards for relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Transport Minister G.S. Bali expressed grief over the accident. The chief minister ordered a magisterial inquiry into the mishap.

jured in two blasts here in Maharashtra on Tuesday, but there was no terror angle to the incidents, police said. In the first incident in Maralnagar in Kondhwa, some old ammunition suddenly exploded when labourers in a scrapyard were weighing it. The blast created a seven-inch-deep crater in the premises and one labourer took the impact on his chest, killing him instantly.

He was identified as Aslam N. Choudhary, 20, originally from Uttar Pradesh, and the two injured as Asim M. Choudhary, 60 and Ismail M. Choudhary, 18.

Police found another live explosive

incident, a man allegedly attempted to kill another by planting a low-intensity explosive device on the latter's motorcycle, said Assistant Sub-Inspector Gautam Makhre of Pune rural control room.

"The accused Panduran A. Jadhav had some dispute with Devidas B. Kale, and planted a gelatin explosive with a detonator on Kale's motorcycle. When Kale started his bike, it exploded, injuring him grievously. He has been admitted to a hospital," Makhre said. Police found remnants of gelatin and detonators from the bike, which was destroyed in the blast. Jadhav has been arrested for the murder attempt.

‘Tibetans say homeland under Chinese occupation’ DhArAmSAlA, September 1 (reuterS): Tibet's leadership in exile said on Tuesday its mountain homeland was occupied by China and called for more autonomy, days after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed an unceasing fight against "separatism" by the Dalai Lama and his followers.

As Beijing marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Indiabased government-in-exile also said it was not for China to decide who should succeed Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on his death.

"Tibet is under occupation today," said Lobsang Sangay, who took charge of the government four years ago, leaving the Dalai Lama, an octogenarian Buddhist

monk, to dedicate himself to his spiritual mission.

Sangay, speaking at a news conference in the Himalayan retreat of Dharamsala, objected to a statement last week by President Xi Jinping that China would never accept proposals for autonomy by the "Dalai group".

He refused to accept China's assertion of full sovereignty over Tibet, but reiterated a long-standing call for a "Middle Way" of autonomy that falls short of full independence. The decades-old dispute centres on whether Tibet, a vast plateau with a population of just over 3 million people, is an integral part of China.

Beijing says it has historically been part of China. Sangay dis-

agreed: "Tibet was an independent country and historians don't dispute that," he told reporters.

Agreeing to tread a middle way of Tibetan autonomy would benefit China, he added, because it would build trust with its neighbours. "If you find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue, China's soft power will increase because the international community has increasing scepticism and anxiousness towards the Chinese government," he said.

China calls the Middle Way as "a splittist demand", showing little appetite for negotiations and calculating that it may be able to cement control over Tibet by handpicking a successor to the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace laureate.

That runs counter to the conviction of his followers that the reincarnation of their leader, the most recent in a monastic line dating from the 14th century, should be chosen according to his own instructions.

"As far as the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama is concerned, it is the sole prerogative of His Holiness," said Sangay.

This year marks several sensitive anniversaries for the remote region that China has ruled with an iron fist since 1950, when Communist troops marched in and took control. It also marked the 80th birthday of the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 following an abortive uprising.

Why India ignores a $16 billion smoking-led health crisis New Delhi, September 1 (iANS/iNDiASpeND): In January, the government asked for public opinion on tougher new laws to curb smoking: To raise the minimum smoking age to 21 from 18, and to ban the sale of single cigarettes, which account for 70 percent of nationwide cigarette sales.

People responded enthusiastically; 45,000 emails and 100,000 letters poured in to the health ministry, as Reuters reported earlier this month. What they said, however, is not known because the government hasn't yet read the messages, according to a health ministry representative quoted in the story.

Like those messages, the World Health Organisation's Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2015 is largely ignored in India.

Its single-line message: Raising tobacco taxes can help curb smoking.

Curbing smoking is very important to India for two reasons: * About one million Indians die from smoking-related causes every year, which are among the top three ways to die. * Smoking also saps Indians of money; more money, it emerges, than it earns for the government.

Indians aged 35 to 69 spent Rs.104,500 crore ($15.9 billion) in 2011 on diseases associated with tobacco-including cancer, respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and cardiovascular diseases. This figure is almost six times as much as central excise tax collections from all tobacco products that year, according to the Indian government, WHO and the Public

Health Foundation of India.

To put the health cost of tobacco in further perspective, it exceeded the combined annual state and central government expenditure on health care by 12% in 2011.

Taxes on cigarettes rise - not enough - but they do. Bidis are the problem A 10% price increase on tobacco products could cut consumption between 2-8% in developing nations, according to the WHO. Tax hikes increase prices, which in turn lower demand and protect people from the ill-effects of tobacco.

"Raising taxes is a win-win situation," said Arun Thapa, acting WHO representative to India. "It's good for human health and for the country's fiscal health."

Over the last 19 years, taxes on cigarettes in India have risen 1,606 percent. That isn't quite enough and the six-tier tax structure is so complex - based on stick lengths and filters - that companies manipulate it with relative ease to keep demand intact.

The biggest problem in curbing tobacco use lies with the influence wielded by those who make the humbler - but more damaging - cousin of cigarettes, the bidi.

Taxes on a pack of bidis are seven percent of the retail price, less than a tenth of the WHO's suggested level of 75 percent. A 20-stick pack of best-selling cigarettes is taxed around 60 percent of the retail price.

Bidi smokers make up 61 percent of the nation's 120 million smokers, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2010. This is a conservative estimate. Some

studies peg the numbers of bidi smokers higher, at 73 percent and even 85 percent.

Bidi smokers face a higher risk of developing potentially-fatal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other illnesses, because tobacco is packed more loosely in bidis, requiring smokers to inhale more strongly.

But the bidi industry has consistently squeezed concessions from the government.

Millions of jobs and livelihoods at stake, so taxes must stay low, argue bidi barons Here are some concessions the government gives the bidi industry: Handmade bidi units (98 percent of bidis are handmade) producing less than two million sticks in a year are exempt from excise duty.

Bigger bidi makers pay a duty of 1.6 paise per handmade stick and 2.8 paise per machine-made bidi. The duty on cigarettes varies between Rs.1.28 and Rs.3.37 per stick.

Some eight million people work as bidi rollers nationwide, said a representative of the All India Bidi Industry Federation.

"Imposing taxes on bidis and introducing pictorial warnings on bidi packs would lower demand," said Sudhir Sable, secretary, All India Bidi Industry Federation. "Any fall in production would jeopardise the jobs of bidi rollers. It would also adversely impact tobacco farmers, as well as the thousands of corner shops selling the product."

Increasing taxes on bidis would invariably increase the illicit trade in bidis, leading to the proliferation of fake bidis, Sable argued.

It would also deprive states and the central government of tax revenue.

These arguments do not wash, say experts.

No socio-economic case for low bidi taxes, contend experts In 2013, the bidi industry contributed less than three percent to the government’s central excise collection from tobacco products, not surprising, given the low excise duty it pays.

A Public Health Foundation of India study says there is indeed scope for taxes on bidis to be increased.

“Doubling bidi excise would help cut consumption by 40% and increase tax revenue by 22%,” said Monika Arora, director, Health Promotion and Tobacco Control Initiatives, Public Health Foundation of India.

Essentially, the argument goes, higher tax rates would offset any loss of excise from fall in consumption. In the bargain, spending on “useful” goods and services will grow.

“Money not spent on bidis or cigarettes will not disappear from the economy,” said Prabhat Jha, founding director of the Centre for Global Health Research, University of Toronto. “It will be spent on other products which generate employment.”

Additional revenue could help the government meet the cost of transitioning bidi workers to other means of employment. The government has previously considered a cess on

cigarettes to encourage farmers to switch from tobacco to other crops. So, why not tax all segments of the tobacco-products industry, experts suggest, to fund a gradual transition?

Bidi workers, among some of India’s most disadvantaged people, can only benefit.

WednesdAY 02•09•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Radical Buddhist group going mainstream YANGON, September 1 (reuterS): Swathed in crimson robes, 77-year-old Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa shuffles through a crowded conference room with the help of an aide, his supporters standing in respect as he takes a seat at the head of a table under a portrait of his own image.

It is from here, at an unremarkable roadside monastery just outside the city of Yangon, that the abbot is propelling the radical Buddhist group he co-founded into the mainstream of Myanmar’s politics.

Four bills drafted by his Committee for the Protection of Race and Religion, better known as Ma Ba Tha, have been passed by parliament and signed into law.

Critics say the new laws effectively legalise discrimination against women and the country’s minority Muslims.

Along with political clout, Ma Ba Tha is also ratcheting up its public image ahead of elections in November that will be the first free vote in Myanmar in the last 25 years. The radical Buddhist group has regular programming on one of the country’s most popular satellite TV channels and has launched a magazine.

“There should be law-

for his legal skills.

Aye Paing and a team of Ma Ba Tha-linked lawyers drafted the protection of race and religion bills, the last of which was signed

by President Thein Sein on Monday.

Lawyers, economists, IT experts and other professionals had made Ma Ba Tha “very efficient, systematic and legal” said Aye Paing, 52, who wears a black “taik pone”, a short collarless jacket worn over a shirt that is common among Myanmar’s legal professionals. “We discuss, give advice and share our visions,” he said.

Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa (top), 77, Ma Ba Tha’s founder and chairman, talks during a meeting at Ma Ba Tha’s head office in Yangon August 26, 2015. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

makers in parliament who are reliable for the country,” Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa said in an interview. “There might be some people, especially Muslims, who are working on weakening Buddhism, so we need strong people for our religion.”

Ma Ba Tha has shown no signs of contesting elections itself but says it will “remind” the public of

candidates who opposed its four laws. These include Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which is going head to head with conservatives and military figures in the polls.

Established two years ago, Ma Ba Tha sprang from the “969” movement, a loose collection of monks linked to a wave of violence

against the country’s Muslim minority in 2012 and 2013.

Senior Ma Ba Tha officials said the 969 movement had raised awareness about threats to Buddhism from a burgeoning Muslim population, but was disorganised and lacked leadership. “It was (concerned with) only the symbols of Buddhism,” said Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa.

Now, a growing number of professionals are offering their expertise on everything from media relations to legislation, helping to shape Ma Ba Tha into a slick organisation with popular support and real political clout. One such expert is Aye Paing, who spent two decades toiling as a lawyer in Myanmar’s musty courtrooms before finding a dramatic new use

International Visitors In another sign of its growing influence, foreign diplomats regularly visit the group’s monastery headquarters.

One was U.S. ambassador Derek Mitchell, who went there twice in May to discuss “the need for increased interfaith dialogue” and “the importance of keeping religion out of politics”, according to a statement from the U.S. embassy in Yangon.

Myanmar’s revered and influential monks led many pro-democracy protests during nearly half a century of military rule in the Buddhist-majority na-

tion. But after a quasi-civilian, reformist government took power in 2011, some outspoken monks claimed Islam was eclipsing Buddhism and weakening the country.

Now, Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa says Ma Ba Tha has 250 offices nationwide. He couldn’t estimate how many supporters it has, but in June more than 1,500 people attended the group’s annual conference in Yangon.

Ma Ba Tha recently struck a deal with Myanmar’s popular satellite television provider, SkyNet, to broadcast its sermons. The broadcasts would help the public “know the truth” about Ma Ba Tha, said Khine Khine Tun, 25, an articulate former teacher and interpreter who heads the group’s international relations department.

Through media training courses, she said, she has learnt to speak to visitors with a smile, confounding expectations of the abrasive and sometimes confrontational style for which the group is known.

The television deal bolsters an information campaign that already includes a bi-monthly magazine with a circulation of 50,000 that contains sermons delivered by Ma Ba Tha

monks nationwide.

Race And Religion In contrast to long-delayed legislation on banking, mining and property, the Ma Ba Tha-backed “race and religion” bills moved swiftly through parliament.

One bill requires some women to wait at least three years between pregnancies. Another requires Buddhist women to seek official permission before marrying a non-Buddhist man. This will stop Muslim men “torturing and forcing (Buddhist women) to change religion,” Ashin Tilawkar Biwonsa said.

Suu Kyi and her NLD opposed the laws. But government officials and politicians rarely criticise Ma Ba Tha, because they either sympathise with the group’s views or fear upsetting its many supporters during an election year.

“They are afraid of Ma Ba Tha,” said May Sabi Phyu, the director of the Gender Equality Network, a women’s empowerment group that opposed the bills. Any plans to sway voters would be “violating the law,” said NLD spokesman Nyan Win, adding: “It’s the government’s responsibility to control and stop them.”

Thailand arrests second foreign Fukushima-related child cancers unlikely to rise suspect in Bangkok bomb probe bANGKOK, September 1 (reuterS): Police hunting those responsible for Thailand’s deadliest bombing arrested a second foreign suspect on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said.

The Aug. 17 attack on a Bangkok Hindu shrine killed 20 people and injured more than 100. Fourteen foreigners were among those killed in a blast the military government said was aimed at dealing a blow to an already ailing economy.

The man was arrested in Sa Kaeo province, on the border with Cambodia east of Bangkok. The suspect was being transferred to Bangkok for questioning.

“We have arrested one more, he is not a Thai,” Prayuth told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting. He did not elaborate.

Television footage of the suspect showed a thin man in a baseball cap, sunglasses and with a short moustache.

The arrest came after security forces detained a first foreign suspect in weekend raids on the outskirts of Bangkok, in which they also found explosives.

Police said they had transferred 22 officers from their posts for negligence. The transfers came just a day after the police chief promised a reward to investigators for making the first arrest.

Six of the 22 were immigration officers from Sa Kaeo, while the others worked in the Bangkok districts where the security forces conducted the weekend raids.

Thai police chief Somyot Pum-

panmuang said he transferred the immigration officers because foreigners had been able to enter Thailand illegally in Sa Kaeo.

“That was my decision,” he said.

“I think that when a foreigner is able to illegally enter Thailand without proper scrutiny... I think those officers should be transferred.”

Police have been criticised for an erratic investigation, which had made little progress until the weekend. Police issued arrest warrants for a Thai woman and a foreign man on Monday. [ID:nL4N11626E] The woman, Wanna Suansuant, has contacted authorities and would meet police, Somyot said on Tuesday. He gave no details.

Her family told police on Monday she travelled to Turkey to work with her partner and child two to three months ago.

Police have been looking into a possible Turkish connection. Fake Turkish passports were seized and police requested a Turkish translator to assist in questioning the 28-year-old man they arrested on Saturday.

The authorities have not confirmed his identity or nationality.

He is charged with possessing illegal explosives.

Speculation has centred on sympathisers of Uighur Muslims, opponents of the government, southern ethnic Malay rebels and foreign extremists, among other groups.

Thailand drew international outrage in July when it forcibly repatriated more than 100 Uighurs to China.

uNIteD NAtIONS, September 1 (reuterS): An increase in thyroid cancer among children is unlikely after the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant four years ago, but it remains unclear exactly how much radiation children in the vicinity of the plant were exposed to, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said in a report released on Monday.

Increased thyroid cancer is generally the leading health concern after exposure to nuclear radiation, but that may not be the case after the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co’s Fukushima Daiichi plant

in March 2011, the Viennabased International Atomic Energy Agency said.

“Because the reported thyroid doses attributable to the accident were generally low, an increase in childhood thyroid cancer attributable to the accident is unlikely,” the report said.

“However, uncertainties remained concerning the thyroid equivalent doses incurred by children immediately after the accident,” it added.

Those uncertainties are largely due to a lack of reliable personal radiation monitor-

ing data immediately after the accident, which released radioiodine and other radioactive materials into the environment, the report said.

In the case of Fukushima, the earthquake and following tsunami cut off power to the plant and made emergency response measures difficult, if not impossible, to implement.

Adding to the uncertainty was the fact that the administration of “stable iodine” to protect children’s thyroid glands was not done uniformly at the time, “primarily due to the lack of detailed arrangements,” the report said.

Detailed screening of children’s thyroid glands is being undertaken now in Japan as part of a survey aimed at the early detection and treatment of diseases.

The report highlighted areas where improvements were needed in the wake of the Fukushima accident. The IAEA said more sustainable solutions were needed for the management of highly radioactive water and radioactive waste being collected at the plant, “including the possible resumption of controlled discharge into the sea.”

It added that countries should prepare detailed sce-

narios and train workers for coping with worst-case natural disasters, including situations where more than one disaster is combined with a nuclear accident. They should also plan for cleanup operations in the wake of such incidents.

The report also called for strengthened international cooperation in the event of such accidents.

Japan began encouraging residents to return to homes 12 miles (19 km) from the plant last year, but many residents have mixed feelings about returning to abandoned towns.

Short sleepers more likely to catch cold Over 850,000 people face acute WAShINGtON, September 1 (IANS): People who sleep six food insecurity in Somalia: UN hours a night or less are more likely to catch cold, says a study. The findings published in the US journal Sleep, added to growing evidence of the importance of sleep for health, reported Xinhua news agency. “It goes beyond feeling groggy or irritable,” lead author Aric Prather, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, said. “Not getting enough sleep affects your physical health.”

For the study, 164 adults underwent two months of health screenings and interviews to establish baselines for factors like stress, temperament, and alcohol and cigarette use. The researchers tracked their sleep patterns for seven days using a watch-like sensor that measured the duration and quality of sleep throughout the night.

Then, the participants were sequestered in a hotel, administered the cold virus via nasal drops and monitored for a week, collecting daily mucus samples to see if the virus had taken hold. They found that subjects who slept less than six hours a night were 4.2 times more likely to catch the cold compared to those who got more than seven hours of sleep. Those who slept less than five hours were 4.5 times more likely to catch the cold.

uNIteD NAtIONS, September 1 (IANS): Somalia’s humanitarian situation remains “alarming” four years after a devastating famine with the number of people requiring emergency aid rising 17% to more than 850,000, according to the latest UN-managed food assessment study.

“The levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are critical,” said Peter de Clercq, UN humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, adding “Humanitarian actors and donors have prevented the situation being a lot worse than it is, but we all need to do more.”

“The situation among internally displaced people is particularly worrying,” Xinhua quoted Clercq as saying on Monday.

In 2011, Somalia experienced a devastating famine, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(OCHA). Things have since improved, but humanitarian needs remain vast and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance continues to fluctuate around 3 million. According to the Food Security and Nutrition Assessment for Somalia managed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), “widespread acute malnutrition persists across Somalia and large numbers of people will be acutely food insecure through December 2015.”

The results of assessment presented on Monday in the Somali capital of Mogadishu “indicate that the country’s humanitarian situation remains alarming,” OCHA said.

The latest findings from the joint countrywide seasonal assessment reveal that some 855,000 people across Somalia will be in “crisis and emergency” through December 2015.

Migrants protest as Hungary shutters Budapest train station buDApeSt/berLIN, September 1 (reuterS): Hundreds of angry migrants demonstrated outside Budapest’s Eastern Railway Terminus on Tuesday demanding they be allowed to travel on to Germany, as European Union asylum rules came close to collapse under the strain of unprecedented migration.

Around 1,000 people waved tickets, clapping, booing and hissing, and shouting “Germany! Germany!” outside the station. Later they sat down, staring at a police blockade erected at the entrance.

Hungarian authorities closed the train station altogether, then reopened it but barred entry to the migrants.

About 100 police in helmets and wielding batons guarded the station. Dozens of migrants who were inside were forced out.

The decision to bar the migrants from westbound trains was a reversal from the previous day, when Hungary and Austria let trainloads of undocumented

migrants leave for Germany, a violation of EU rules they now have little power to enforce.

The arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants has confounded Europe, which has eliminated border controls for travel between 26 countries of its Schengen area but requires those seeking asylum to remain in the country where they first arrive until their applications are processed.

The vast majority of refugees fleeing violence and other migrants escaping poverty first arrive on Europe’s southern and eastern edges but are determined to press on and seek asylum in richer and more generous countries further north and west.

Hungary is on a major overland transit route from the Middle East and Africa through Greece and the Balkans to Germany. More than 140,000 people have crossed into Hungary from Serbia this year alone.

European leaders want the EU to do more to organise the unprecedented influx, help

separate those deserving asylum from those who can be safely sent home and share the burden of accepting them across the 28-nation bloc.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said refugees with valid asylum claims should be distributed among EU countries according to their capacity to host them.

“For those refugees who are being persecuted or have fled war, there should be a fair distribution in Europe based on the economic strength, productivity and size of each country,” she told a joint news conference in Berlin with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

For now, however, there is no mechanism in place to distribute refugees or to enforce the so-called “Dublin rules”, which require asylum seekers to apply in the first EU country where they arrive.

Berlin said the Dublin rules must still be enforced.

“Whoever comes to Hungary must get registered there and go through the asylum proce-

Migrants gesture as they stand in the main Eastern Railway station in Budapest, Hungary, September 1, 2015. (REUTERS Photo)

dure there,” a German Interior Ministry spokesman said.

German Labour Minister Andrea Nahles said the influx of refugees and migrants would mean an additional 240,000-460,000 people would be entitled to German social benefits next year,

costing the government 3.3 bil- the government to reinforce the border with a razor wire fence lion euros ($3.7 billion). and deploy thousands of extra WHERE SHOULD WE GO? police.

Faced with the enormous For Hungary, the main entry point for those arriving in pressure of thousands upon the EU over land across the Bal- thousands of migrants arrivkans, the crisis has prompted ing in Budapest, Hungary let

them board westbound trains on Monday before unexpectedly shuttering the train station again on Tuesday morning.

Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, when asked why the railway terminus was closed, said Hungary was trying to enforce EU law, which requires anyone who wishes to travel within Europe to hold a valid passport and a Schengen visa.

Marah, a 20 year-old woman from Aleppo, Syria, said her family had bought six tickets for a RailJet train that was scheduled to leave for Vienna at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

“They should find a solution,” she told Reuters. “We are thousands here, where should we go?”

The crisis has polarised Europe, which, on the one hand, is committed to the principle of providing refuge for those in danger, but on the other hand has a growing sector of public opinion that believes too much immigration drives down wages and dilutes national cultures.

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wednesdAY 02•09•2015

public discourse

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

A Technical Elaboration of Shared Sovereignty: The way Nagas understand it Athong Makury

W

hile Mr. RN Ravi, India's Interlocutor to Indo-Naga political dialogue was meeting with the different Naga CSOs in Nagaland for the political solution based on Framework Agreement signed on August 3rd, 2015, he mentioned two interesting points:

1. Indians and Nagas will live through sharing of sovereign power (shared sovereignty between Indians and Nagas) and 2. The two entities (India and Nagaland/lim) will have peaceful co-existence in the spirit of equality and respect for each other based on Uniqueness of Naga History and Situation.

Among all the points he made, undoubtedly these two lines stand tall and yet sometimes seemingly misleading to the people as the mainland media house is spreading its own version of interpretation like a wildfire.

So it is necessary on the part of Nagas to stress on the agreement, the way how it is understood by the Nagas in general.

First: What is sharing of sovereign power?

That would be the question I'd like to ask Mr. Ravi because it could mean Nagas sharing the sovereign power with India and therefore the Indian Constitution is applicable or did Mr. Ravi mean that India desires to share Naga sovereignty. Could it mean for Mr. Ravi that India and Nagaland (lim) in a federation of nations share power but still are sovereign nations and share several articles of their constitutions?

Then: based on his succint highlight I would like to throw light on how Nagas understand "Shared Sovereignty", a much speculated term now among Nagas and Indians alike.

In Naga understanding shared sovereignty simply means an international political status

fered the loss of thousands of lives and much bloodshed means that such a decision will be completely illogical. Knowing that it will be blamed for murdering the Naga Nation the NSCN-IM cannot afford repeating the same mistake sensibly. Therefore, having learned the precise background of the situation for Nagas it is a must to have a separate constitution. However, the Naga constitution will contain certain articles or schedules which overlap the Indian constitution and vice versa. Hence, the relationship between India and Nagaland will be a kind of confederate federal status that guarantees Nagas Shared Sovereignty in the eyes of Nagas: as a separate nation. This reflects the idea of a) Naga Constitution Before we jump into the topic of talking "peaceful co-existence between the two entiabout a Naga constitution, in retrospect we ties" divulged in Mr. Ravi's revelation on the should briefly glance at history. It was in 1929 framework agreement. the Naga Club submitted a Naga memorandum to John Simon of Great Britain, stating b) Separate Flag and Passport As and when Nagas have their own conthat Nagas wanted to be left alone like they were before the British partly colonized stitution to run their own affairs, to have a them. It means that Nagas were independent separate flag and passport for Nagas is beand wanted to be left independent when the yond doubt. This is unquestionably imporBritish colonial government would leave tant and reflects the idea of the Uniqueness the Naga homeland. Based on this memo- of Naga History and Situation. This is quintrandum Nagas declared independence on essential part of maintaining unique Naga August 14th, 1947 but had to continue their identity that shows a separate entity which struggle because Jawaharlal Nehru, the first justifies the idea of "two entities" mentioned Prime Minister of India and the United Na- in Mr. Ravi's commitment. tions did not acknowledge it.

Nagas were never been in favor of being c) Joint Foreign Affairs The overlapping constitutional status menwithin the constitution of India. The bloody aftermath of the infamous Shillong Accord tioned above can be vividly seen here. When 1975 is a clear proof of that. Until date Na- there is any deal to be made between Nagaland/gas were not ready to bow down before India lim and other independent nation state, India anyway. Though NNC treated SA-1975 as in- will maintain a guardian status without interfervalid it caused bloodshed and resulted in a ing into the matter unless it affects the security horrible split. The formation of NSCN itself interest of India. In case of foreign invasion, India happened five years later due to the fact that and Nagaland will execute joint defense mission the accord mentions "Nagas will accept the to protect each other's sovereignty. However, Nagas shall exercise their power in the matters of constitution of India unconditionally."

The bottom line: if Nagas are going to ac- economic and social welfare of their own people cept the constitution of India after 60 years and this aspect should not besuspected by India of fighting for their universal right and suf- from security point of view. lower than their century old and traditional status – complete sovereignty. This guarantees Nagas they can maintain their unique identity and exercise their political right. If India is genuinely committed to solve the Indo-Naga political conflict, one of the longest running conflicts in the world and create a peaceful environment in the region, then it should acknowledge the rights of the Nagas and thus want and live up to their level of expectations.

Following are the fundamental components of shared sovereignty Nagas have in mind.

d) Permanent UN representation and right to run Naga embassies across the globe.

Naga ambassador to UN will represent the Nagas in the UN assembly without depending on India. As a UN member state, Nagas will have the right to run their embassies in all countries to promote welfare of the Nagas and cooperate with other nations in the world.

e) Pan Naga Hoho Pan Naga Hoho is the governing body for all the Nagas. Pan Naga Government shall have complete power to govern and manage internal affairs of Nagaland/-lim without interference of India. This government will have the right to establish its own army to protect citizens of Nagaland/-lim and interest of the people, and civil institutions to maintain law and order for the welfare of the people of Nagaland/-lim. This includes monetary system and communication system as well. f) Reunification of Naga inhabited areas (popularly known as integration) At present, Nagas are seen divided into two countries – India and Myanmar. In India, Naga territory is divided into four states namely Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal. Historically, it is understood that the Naga homeland was divided into different countries and states without the consent of the Nagas. Therefore, this demand is not a new one and not to be treated strange because the 16-Point Agreement of 1960, which gave birth to Nagaland state within the constitution of India, also agreed that contiguous areas inhabited by the Nagas since time immemorial would be integrated as Naga territory under one administrative umbrella. Since India divided Naga homeland without the consent of Nagas, India has both moral and political responsibility to bring all Naga territories under one umbrella. Mentioning that Naga's territorial fate would be determined based on neighboring states shows that India

lacks accountability as Naga homeland was sliced into pieces without the knowledge of the owners. Hence, India has every responsibility to bring the Naga territories under one unit under any circustance.Concerning the Nagas in Myanmar, India may find difficult to directly take them on board. But there must be a certain policy that can effectively address the issues of the Nagas in Myanmar and take them into the fold of their fellow Nagas. For higher negotiation with the government of Myanmar on the matters concerned with the Nagas in living in Myanmar, India may take the role of facilitation between the Myanmar Government and the Naga Government. g) Use of currency Though Nagas will have the right to create its own currency, Nagas will use Rupee (Indian Currency) for a time being before Nagas can or want to create their own currency - Raka. h) Right to land and natural resources Naga Government will act as the custodian and protector of land and natural resources of the Naga people and maintain that people are the sole owner of land and its natural resources.

The above mentioned points are of what Nagas expect out of the Framework Agreement and it's true that its detail has to be worked out. As said, if India claims to be serious in word about peace in the region and fidning an honorable solution to Indo-Naga conflict, these fundamental components can not be exempted. As the Nagas have come down from their traditional claim, India also needs to reach to the level where Nagas have stepped down so that the two nations can peacefully co-exist and be mutually contributing partners by respecting each other's political right.

The writer is observer to Myanmar-Naga Politics and also serves as Vice President to Council of Naga Affairs, Myanmar

REJOINDER TO THE MISGIVINGS ON RANI GAIDINLIU

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n the last few weeks a lot of misgivings have been generated regarding Rani Gaidinliu through the press statements issued by various organizations and individuals alike. As a responsible people, the Zeliangrong social organizations have been restraining from issuing rejoinder/clarification thinking that good sense will prevail among the Naga people. We also do not wish to drag the name of Rani Gaidinliu unnecessarily which may bring undue damage to her reputation and honor. However, there is a limit to everything and hence we are compelled to issue this rejoinder for necessary clarifications about Rani Gaidinliu, her mission, struggle and the unique place she occupies in the history of the North East peoples’ struggle against the British colonialism in the region. It is further clarified that no matter how much an individual or organizations try to tarnish the image of Rani Gaidinliu, her space in history cannot and will not be altered because history cannot be re-made or reconstructed. However, for the consumption of the general public and those organizations in question, the following points are hereby stated for clarifications once and for all.

1. Rani Gaidinliu Library cum Museum in Kohima There have been voices of dissent regarding the construction of Rani Gaidinliu Library cum Museum in Kohima by some organizations and individuals based in Nagaland. Allegations have also been leveled against the present State Government and the Central Government of trying to impose this Library cum Museum against the wishes of the locals. It is to clarify that this project was sanctioned and began to be executed during the time when Neiphiu Rio was the Chief Minister of Nagaland. If the Angami People Organization, Kohima Village Council, Naga National Council, Nagaland Tribal Council, Lotha Hoho, Nagaland Baptist Churches Council, Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang etc. have any objection why not raise the objection when the project was initially launched. It is very surprising and ridiculous to observe that these organizations are raising the issue when it is almost completed. Further, some argued that no memorial of any kind should be constructed in the name of Rani Gaidinliu because she be-

longs to Manipur and does not have her ancestral land in Nagaland. This sounds absurd and ridiculous. Has Indira Gandhi got her ancestral land in Nagaland for having Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima? What about other institutions being named after non Nagas (including Indians & foreigners) which are existing in Nagaland?

They have no problem with the installation of statues, memorials and institutions of those non Nagas but they seem to have a problem when an institution is being planned in the name of a fellow Naga. It is left to the general public to judge the immaturity and bias attitude of these people. It may be pointed that Rani Gaidinliu was not only a Naga but her Zeliangrong people have a large chunk of ancestral land in Peren District of Nagaland.

She deserves a place in Nagaland very much than those non Nagas.

Further, it may be remembered that when Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu were fighting against the British colonial forces in the late 1920s and early 1930s there was no State of Nagaland yet. Naga Hills was then part of Assam and these two patriots were raising the battle cry against the mighty British Empire. After the death of Haipou Jadonang, Rani Gaidinliu continued the fight and her army fought against the British army in N.C. Hills of Assam and she established her bastion at Poilwa, Peren District of Nagaland now to defend the Naga country from total subjugation by the British. Sadly she was arrested by the British and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1933.

Again by 1955-56 the Zeliangrong Nagas too joined the Nagas struggle for independence in large scale under the banner of NNC. Full scale war broke out between the Naga army and the Indian security forces until 1964 when ceasefire was declared between the two sides.

During this period the Zeliangrong Nagas who had been highly motivated by Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu with the spirit for freedom since the late 1920s came out in full strength to fight for Naga independence. Many precious lives were sacrificed at the altar of Naga freedom. Thousands of people were brutally assaulted, many women were raped or molested, villages burnt down, churches were turned into army camps etc. In the meanwhile, the 16th Point Agreement was signed in 1960 between the Government of India and

Naga People Convention (NPC) much against the wishes of NNC. Apprehension arose among the Zeliangrong leaders about the proposed new State, fearing that Zeliangrong areas of Manipur and N.C. Hills would be left out.

Therefore, they decided to demand a separate State for the Zeliangrong people. In this regard, the high power NNC team led by a Kilonser held a meeting with Zeliangrong leaders on 2nd May, 1961 and appealed to them to suspend the demand for separate Zeliangrong State assuring that the NCC would not allow the formation of Nagaland State at any cost. Heeding the appeal of the NNC leaders the Zeliangrong leaders suspended the movement for separate Zeliangrong Statehood in the larger interest of the Naga movement for sovereignty with a condition that they will be free to take any further course of action if Nagaland State was formed by leaving out other Nagas. True to the fear of many Zeliangrongs when the State of Nagaland came into being in 1963, two third of Zeliangrong territory and more than three fourth of its people were left out from the purview of the new State despite all the sacrifices they had made.

However, one thing must be made very clear here. Even though the NNC opposed the formation of Nagaland State nobody can deny the fact that this State of Nagaland was created because of the Naga Movement in which all the Naga tribes including Zeliangrong people actively participated. In other words this State was gifted to the Nagas to douse the Naga Movement. Therefore, Nagaland State was born out of the tears and blood of all the Naga tribes irrespective of the places where they reside now. Hence, every Naga has a stake in this State and more so, a person like Rani Gaidinliu has more legitimate and moral rights as she was one of the pioneers of Naga resistance movement against the British.

2. The Title ‘Rani’ Affixed to Gaidinliu It is observed that some people seem to be having serious problem with the title ‘Rani’ affixed to Gaidinliu arguing that the Nagas do not have kings or queens. It is to clarify that this title, ‘Rani’ was lovingly given to Gaidinliu by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1937 when he saw her locked up in the Prison Cell by the British colonial rulers for raising her voice against them. Nehru was moved when he learned about the struggle

Friendly soccer between Nagaland and Sikkim boys was played on August 23 at DCPE Amravati, Maharashtra.

of the young little girl to liberate her people and preserve her indigenous culture. However, it is pertinent to mention that Nehru had never meant to declare/impose the rule of Gaidinliu nor was he in the wildest scheme of things had ever asked the Nagas to make Gaidinliu their queen to rule over them. Nehru only gave the title, ‘Rani’ out of love and respect for the cause she stood for. Nothing more nothing less should be read beyond this. However, in the course of time the affix, ‘Rani’ became popular with Gaidinliu in public discourse. Nevertheless, no one is being forced to use this title nor did she at any point of time impose the people to use this title. If anyone has a problem with this title, they are requested to stop using it and call her Gaidinliu only. However, it is very surprising to note that the Nagas have no compunction to use other alien names and titles such as Mathew, James, Peter, David etc.

3. Rani Gaidinliu Portrayed as Anti-Naga and Anti-Christian by Some People The NNC and other Christian Missionaries had been projecting her as anti-Naga and anti-Christian. In this regard, it is clarified that Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu were the pioneers of Naga freedom fighters who revolted against the British colonial forces when they tried to impose their rule over the Naga Country. No doubt there had been sporadic resistances against the British by the Nagas at village levels but the first organized form of resistance against the British was started by Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu with a regular standing army. Earlier the Naga Club was formed in 1918 but it remained in dormant state. The Naga Club came to the limelight only in 1929 again when they submitted Memorandum to the Simon Commission. However, Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu resistance movement started in 192627 which has been rightly described by the British as ‘Naga Raj’ movement.

So, when Rani Gaidinliu herself was one of the founders of Naga movement, the question of portraying her as anti-Naga is simply not convincing.

It may be mentioned that the fight between the NNC and the Rani Gaidinliu Army was on complete different context. The NNC was formed only in 1946 with the slogan, ‘Nagaland for Christ’.

Under this slogan the NNC along with Christian missionaries vigorously pursued against those who were not willing to adopt Christianity. Rani Gaidinliu was one person who vehemently stood out against forcing foreign religion on the Naga people. She always propounded ‘secularism’ where every religion including the Naga indigenous religion and culture should have a rightful place. She was neither antiNaga nor anti-Christian. Instead, the early Naga Christians were against the indigenous religion and culture of the Nagas. This was mostly because of the instigation of the foreign missionaries and the half educated new converts.

So, who is anti-Naga? Those who tried

to destroy Naga culture and religion were anti-Naga or Rani Gaidinliu who tried to preserve Naga culture and religion was anti-Naga? It is left to the public to judge.

It may be pertinent to mention that when the NNC workers under the influence of the missionaries pursued against her to physically eliminate her, she raised her own army, went underground again in the 1960s to defend herself and her religion. In any case ‘Nagaland for Christ’ should not and cannot be a license to wipe out Naga religion and culture.

4. The Issue of Indian Freedom Fighter Awards to Rani Gaidinliu In the last few years it has been observed that some Nagas are questioning the rationale of awarding Indian Freedom Fighter Awards to Rani Gaidinliu.

Some also raised the question as to why being a Naga, Rani Gaidinliu should be accepting Indian Freedom Fighter Awards. If some Nagas are questioning why Rani Gaidinliu should accept freedom fighter awards, they must also answer why they are not raising their voice against other Nagas who are accepting Indian awards and other posts such as Governors, Chief Ministers, Ambassadors, Judges etc. Moreover, they should answer why they accepted the ‘Indian State of Nagaland’ and is enjoying everything under the Indian system. If those ‘Naga protagonists’ are true to their words, they must also raise their voices to surrender/dissolve the present State of Nagaland and its functionaries, stop using anything that is Indian including currency, Indian Passport etc. Unless they are able to do that, they do not have any moral authority nor the raison d’être to question Rani Gaidinliu for accepting the Indian Freedom Fighter Awards. Rani Gaidinliu was one person who never sought personal comfort, honour or glory.

Recognizing her contributions to the cause of freedom struggle against the British, Indian Government had given those prestigious awards to her even though she never asked for them.

culture. When the British colonial rulers and the missionaries tried to penetrate into Naga country and started interfering in the socio-economic and political life of the Naga people, Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu revolted against the systemic intrusion of the alien forces. The missionaries tried their best to destroy the Naga traditional religion and culture with the help of the new converts and the British authorities covertly and overtly. Seeing these situations Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu began to earnestly reform the Zeliangrong Nagas’ traditional religion and culture to thwart the onslaught of these political and cultural invasions.

Some Nagas also argued that Heraka is not a common Naga religion.

Rani Gaidinliu nor Heraka followers ever claimed that Heraka is the only and the common Naga indigenous religion. However, nobody can deny that Heraka is not one of the Naga traditional religions because a sizable chunk of Zeliangrong Nagas are practicing this reformed religion even today. Heraka followers might be having associations with various other religious organizations of the world but they retain their distinct identity and ethos as an indigenous Zeliangrong Naga religion.

If the Nagas wished to have freedom of religion in a secular and democratic country like India and their sentiment are deeply hurt when some churches are vandalized by some goons and fanatics, they should also prove to the world that they are ready to respect other religions and cultures which may not be necessarily Christianity. If they argued that churches should not be destroyed or vandalized, the places of worship of the Heraka followers or for that matter any place of worship should not be destroyed or vandalized also as was the case in some parts of Nagaland recently. As per the teaching of Christianity, one must win the hearts of people through good deeds and not by passing judgments and venoms against the followers of other religions. Some ‘good Christians’ are doing just the opposite to what Christ has taught them. Secularism or freedom of religion means every religion big or small must have equal space and freedom to be as they are. No state machineries, organizations or individuals should interfere in the religious life of the citizens.

It is sincerely hoped that good sense will prevail among the Naga people and clear all the doubts and confusions with the above clarifications.

RAITU CHAWANG, President, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN)

5. The Issue of Heraka as Cult Vis-àVis Freedom of Religion Some Naga organizations and individuals have portrayed Heraka as ‘cult’ and argue that it has nothing with Naga society. They even went to the extent of saying that such ‘cult’ has no place in a Christian majority state like Nagaland. Such statements are absurd and are not based on reality. If some Nagas of Nagaland are arguing in this manner, they must remember that Nagaland is just one of the states of Hindu majority country. Going by their logic the Christian Nagas should not exist or have no place in a Hindu NCHAHEING KOMPOING, President, majority country. If such undemocrat- All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AMN) ic statements are to be made by some Nagas they should expect the same AMONBO, President, Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland treatment from other Hindu fundamentalists.

It is clarified that Heraka is not a MATHIUPUANG GONMEI, Chairman, Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary cult as some would like to portray it.

Cum Indigenous Cultural It is a reformed religion based on ZeFestival Organizing Committee liangrong Naga indigenous belief and

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.

Wednesday 02•09•2015

Mandy Moore to visit Enters The Guinness Book Of World Records

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merican singer and actress Mandy Moore is counting the days for a visit to India. The global health advocate will be coming to the country early September to support NGO PSI India’s Gender Based Violence (GBV) Programme Project Wajood.

Moore, along with Indrani Goradia, philanthropist, women's health and empowerment advocate and founder of Indrani's Light Mission, are special guests of NGO Population Services International (PSI), India. They will put the spotlight on the fundamental human right of all individuals to live a life free from violence, sources told IANS. Known for roles in movies such as "Saved", "Tangled", "A Walk to Remember" and "The Princess Dairies", Moore joined PSI in 2008 as an ambassador for its child survival programmes. These are aimed at providing children and their families with the education, products, services and care needed to improve their health and save lives in more than 30 countries around the world. The 31-year-old has attended Clinton Global Initiative University and became a Young Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum.

‘Game of Thrones’

has just entered the Guinness Book Of World Records for ‘Largest TV drama simulcast.’ Maisie Williams, who stars as Arya Stark in the HBO drama, picked up the award on behalf of the series on Monday, saying she was ‘pleased’ to see the show enter the record books.

The series broke the record earlier this year, when the second episode of season five was broadcast simultaneously in 173 countries. Previously the simulcast record for a drama had been held by 'CSI' who only managed to broadcast in two countries.

The massive simulcast was an attempt to stop fans pirating the show, something which had earned the series their previous world record. Earlier in the year the drama had been named the most-pirated TV show in the world, with over 100,000 illegal downloads per day .

The show is broadcast on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK and has found a massive fanbase all over the world. It first aired in 2011 and is currently filming its sixth season, due to air next year.

Picking up the official world record certificate on behalf of the show, actress Maisie Williams said, “I'm so pleased for 'Game of Thrones' to be a part of Guinness World Records, I'm going to tell my step brother as he gets the book every year for Christmas. I can't wait to see the look on his face!”

Ram Gopal VaRma fined 10 Lakhs for 'Distorting and Mutilating' Sholay

T

he Delhi High Court on Monday slapped Rs 10 lakh fine on noted film maker Ram Gopal Varma and his production house for "intentionally and deliberately" coming out with the remake of 1975 blockbuster 'Sholay', violating the exclusive copyright vested with its director Ramesh Sippy. The judgement was delivered on a lawsuit filed

by Sascha Sippy, son and grandson of original Sholay's producers Vijay Sippy and G P Sippy, in which he had alleged that the remake film 'Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay' was violative of exclusive copyright held by the Sholay Me-

dia and Entertainment Pvt Ltd. It held that Varma's film gave an overall impression that it was a remake of 'Sholay' as the characters Gabbar and Gabbar Singh were misused, along with music, lyrics, dialogues and background score of the blockbuster featuring Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini and Amjad Khan among others.

Further, the high court said the makers of 'Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay' had "distorted and mutilated the original copyright work" of the maker of original Sholay.

"On the relevant date, they were aware about the rights of the plain-

Jacqueline Fernandez

tiffs, their ownership and authorship as well as use of unauthorized copyright. It is not the case of the said defendants that the same is not created by the plaintiffs and they are not the owners and authors," the order said. Such use by Varma and others was unauthorised and it was their deliberate act "in order to gain profits", the judge said, adding that "they are also guilty of infringement under Section 14(a) read with Section 55 of Copyright Act, 1957." "The movie was produced and released without authorisation from the owner and author i.e. plaintiffs," the high court held.

T

he filmmakers of Katti Batti had come up with a unique promotional strategy for the film. Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut were to judge a kissing contest, which was supposed to take place in Mumbai. Apparently, the police authorities have denied the team the permission to host such an event.

According to a Mid-Day report, a source close to the project said, "The contest required real-life couples to come out in the open and kiss in front of the judges. While the contest was not restricted to students of that particular college, the authorities decided to seek police permission."

However, the police au-

thorities were not in favour of the lip-lock contest in an educational institute. "We believe that kissing is not a crime and when 50-odd couples were willing to take part, why should we shy away from hosting it? But, the police did not agree. The college then intimated the film's team that they won't be able to organise the event. The makers then decided to host it in Bandra Bandstand but the police shot down that idea too," added the source.

Director Nikhil Advani also added, "We have been denied permission by every possible institution for the kissing contest. What's very interesting is the response

C M Y K

that we have generated."

Earlier, Imran and Kangana have also kissed for about 24 hours for their song Lip To Lip De Kissi-

yan. Katti Batti is touted to be an unuaual contemporary love story. The film is slated to release on September 18 this year.

JakE GyllEnhaal suffered depression

J

ake Gyllenhaal, who is known to play intense characters in his movies, was in severe depression while shooting for film 'Everest', which is based on a true story of 1996 Mt. Everest disaster.

all set to make her big debut as a writer!

R

oy actress Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to take her love for fitness to a new level. As we all know, the actress is psyched about fitness and maintaining a good lifestyle. She loves experimenting with new organic methods to remain fit and ageless.

She thought of sharing her secrets with her fans and spread the message of health and fitness.

As told to a tabloid, Jacky will not advocate weight loss or being skinny instead, she will focus on the importance of balanced diet. Buzz is that Jacky is penning the details of her new-age skin diet that she has been religiously following for the past two months.

Commenting about what the book will exactly be, she said to a tabloid, “It’s called a skin diet but it’s not about getting skinny. This is about maintaining the PH levels in your skin through a balanced diet of acidic and alkaline food.”

The actress will be seen next in Rohit Dhawan’s action adventure drama, Dishoom, with Varun Dhawan and John Abraham. She is also filming for Remo D’souza’s fictional fantasy adventure, A Flying Jatt with Tiger Shroff.

Police says 'no' to 'Katti Batti' kissing contest

while filming 'Everest'

According to Universal Pictures India, to prepare for their roles, the 34-year-old actor and his co-star Josh Brolin had jumped into an altitude simulator, after which they went into a severe depression when they came out after three days.

Talking about his experience, The Southpaw actor said that they had stayed in altitude simulator for too long because they were enjoying there, adding that they

were between 26,000 and 36,000 feet.

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur, the movie depicts the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind.

The movie, which was shot in Nepal, will hit the Indian theaters in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on September 18, 2015.

News in Brief Rani Mukerji to become mum soon!

about my craft with the world. Coaching in this capacity not only gives me a chance to connect with my fans but lets me explore one of my true passions.”

Officials reveal the courses will also include “video lessons, interactive exercises, learning materials, and workbooks”, and those interested have been invited to sign up to join the MasterClass.com waiting list. Aguilera isn’t the only new addition to the MasterClass line-up - fellow musician Usher will teach students the art of performance, while celebrated snapper Annie Leibovitz will teach photography.

Actress Rani Mukerji, who is currently on a family sabbatical, is about to become a mother soon! According to reports, the 37-year-old actress is pregnant and currently in her second trimester. The ‘Mardaani’ actress tied the knot with film-maker Aditya Chopra in an extremely private ceremony on April 21, 2014. The actress herself did not confirm her pregnancy news. However, Rani’s sister Jyoti Mukerji revealed the news, saying, “Yes, Rani is pregnant”. It is learnt that the baby is due in January next year.

Currently, the Chopra bahu is travelling with her husband and is out of the country. The couple took off to London at the end of July this year. A source privy to the matter said, “They returned to India last week after travelling in the UK Actor Daniel Craig says he doesn’t want to be as sexfor over a month but have taken off again, no one knows ist and misogynistic as the character James Bond he has where”. He further asserted that the delivery will take place been portraying since 2005. Craig, who is married to acin Mumbai only. tress Rachel Weisz, shared that he does not want to be “as sexist and misogynistic” as the fictional spy, reports mirror.co.uk. “The world has changed. I am certainly not that person. But he is… so what does that mean? It means you Former WWE superstar Hulk Hogan, who was termi- cast great actresses and make the parts as good as you can nated by the sports-entertainment company for his us- for the women in the movies,” Esquire magazine quoted ing N-word said he is not a racist. The 62-year-old, pro- Craig as saying. fessional wrestler asked people to forgive him when he The 47-year-old, who has featured in a series of ’007′ recently appeared on “Good Morning America.” “I’m not films such as “Casino Royale”, “Skyfall” and “Quantum a racist, I never should have said what I said; it was wrong, of Solace”, said that he cannot be a womaniser at his age.

I’m embarrassed by it.” Hogan said. The wrestling legend “There’s a great sadness. He’s got these beautiful women also added that he grew up in an environment where the but then they leave. It’s sad. And as a man gets older, it’s not N-word was used casually. a good look. It might be a nice fantasy, that’s debatable,” he Hogan cleared that the tape of him using racial slurs added. The new Bond movie Spectre is due for release in about his daughter’s boyfriend occurred during a rough November. patch. “I was at the lowest point of my life to the point where I wanted to kill myself.” “Oh, my gosh. Please forgive me. Please forgive me. I think if you look at the whole picture of who Hulk Hogan is, you can see over all the years that there’s not a racist bone in my body,” he added.

Touted as India’s first historical stereoscopic 3D film – Rudhramadevi – will be released globally by Reliance Entertainment and Abhishek Pictures on October 9. Directed

by Gunasekhar, the Epic drama features Anushka Shetty, Allu Arjun, Rana Daggubati, Vikramjeet Virk, Prakash Raj, The Beautiful hitmaker has joined the likes of author Krishnam Raju, Nithya Menon, Baba Sehgal, Catherine James Patterson, tennis champ Serena Williams, and ac- Tresa and other character artists. Based on third century tor Dustin Hoffman to offer up tutorials for online educa- queen of the Kakatiya dynasty – Rudrama Devi, the film tion firm MasterClass, where she will share the secrets to will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam her singing success for just $90 (£56). A statement issued besides Telugu. Legendary music director Ilaiyaraja has

by The Voice mentor reads: “I’m excited MasterClass has composed the soundtrack and background score while given me the opportunity to truly share all I have learned the costumes are by Neeta Lulla.

Daniel Craig calls his James Bond character ‘sexist and misogynistic’!

I am not a racist: Hulk Hogan

After ‘Baahubali’, ‘Rudhramadevi’ to enthral moviegoers!

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

YOU WRECKED IT! Real blame

DEADLINE DAY DEALS

United for failed De Gea transfer

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MADRID, SEPTEMBER 1 (REuTERS): Real Madrid have blamed Manchester United for their failure to sign Spaingoalkeeper David De Gea before Monday's midnight transfer deadline and said they did everything needed to complete the transaction.

De Gea faces an uncertain future after the deal to join Real, which included Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas moving to the English club, was scuppered when the paperwork did not arrive at the Spanish league in time and the data was not entered into FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS) as required.

Real said in a statement on their website (www.realmadrid.com) on Tuesday the bureaucratic snafu, which prompted widespread ridicule on social media, was not their fault and detailed exhaustively how and why the necessary documents were not ready until it was too late.

United had not initiated talks on a possible De Gea transfer until Monday morning, the statement said.

After initial agreement was reached, Real said they sent the contracts to United at 1:39 p.m. Spanish time (1139 GMT).

Eight hours later they were sent back with "small modifications", which Real said they immediately accepted.

Real then sent the contracts signed by De Gea and Navas back to United for their signature at 2132 GMT, 28 minutes before the deadline.

United entered the details of De Gea's transfer into TMS at exactly midnight Spanish time but did not register the Navas deal and by then it was too late for Real to access the system.

TMS gave them a last chance to register the deal around half an hour later and Real also sent the documents

David de Gea will not be making a £29m move to Real Madrid this summer

to the Spanish league even though they knew the deadline had passed.

"Real Madrid did everything necessary, and at all times, to complete these two

transfers," Real's statement to a request for comment. A concluded. spokesman for United said they had no immediate reTRANSFER SAGA sponse to Real's statement.

The Spanish league did FIFA rules state that playnot immediately respond ers can be registered only

during one of two annual transfer periods -- the other is in January -- with the exception being if their contract has expired before the end of a registration period.

For a player to transfer to another country, their new club and his previous club have to submit certain information and documentation to the TMS. The system then generates an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which allows the player's registration to be switched from one country to another.

Asked on Tuesday about the failed transfer, a FIFA spokesperson said: "Up until now, we do not appear to have been contacted by either of the parties in this matter.

"Please understand that as a result we cannot comment on a hypothetical scenario."

As things stand, De Gea, whose deal with United expires at the end of the season when he can leave for free, could find himself out in the cold, at least until the end of the year when the market opens again.

As the transfer saga rumbled on, United coach Louis van Gaal left the 24-year-old former Atletico Madridkeeper out of the squad for the Premier League club's opening games of the season, with Argentinainternational Sergio Romero playing instead.

Real want De Gea as a long-term replacement for his Spain team mate Iker Casillas, the former club captain who joined Porto in July.

De Gea was selected last week for Spain's forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia andMacedonia although coach Vicente del Bosque hinted that he could lose his place in the squad if his club situation remained unresolved.

Jelavic leaves Hull City

West Ham have announced the signing of striker Nikica Jelavic from Hull for a feee believed to be £3million as the Premier League club take their number of deadline-day signings to three. The 30-year-old has signed an initial twoyear deal at Upton Park, where he will link up again with manager Slaven Bilic after playing for the West Ham boss during his time in charge of Croatia.

Song back at West Ham

West Ham have signed Barcelona midfielder Alex Song and Chelsea winger Victor Moses on season-long loan deals, with Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic also arriving for about £3m.Cameroon World Cup player Song, 27, made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers last season.

Ramiro Funes Mori arrives at Everton

Everton have announced the signing of the defender Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate. The 24-yearold Argentinian has joined the Premier League club for a fee of £9.5m, committing until 2020.

Southampton sign Virgil van Dijk

Southampton have completed a £11.5m move for Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from Scottish champions Celtic. The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club after passing a medical.

Chelsea sign Reading's Hector Sami Mokbel and Simon Jones: Chelsea are closing in on a shock £4.5million deal for Reading centreback Michael Hector after gazumping Crystal Palace to his signature. Crystal Palace had registered an interest in the Jamaica international this morning; but the Barclays Premier League champions have launched a late move for the 24-year-old.

the team has shown over the last two years has really impressed me and gives me confidence for the future," said Hulkenberg.

The 28-year-old joined Force India in 2011 from Williams before leaving for Sauber for a year in 2013. He returned to the team in 2014 and has now extended his contract for two more years.

"He has spent almost four years with us already and in that time we've seen him develop into one of the best racing drivers in the

world. Nico has the speed, the technical knowledge and the maturity to help us achieve some great results in the years ahead. We will do everything we can to continue delivering a car to match his talent," team principal Vijay Mallya said.

Hulkenberg is currently 12th in the drivers' championship standings with 24 points, just a place behind Mexican teammate Sergio Perez. His best finish this year was sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix in June.

NEW YoRK, SEPTEMBER 1 (REuTERS): World number ones Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic launched their U.S. Open title bids in ruthless style on Monday, while Kei Nishikori's hopes of making another magical run to the final came to a shuddering halt.

Opening day at Flushing Meadows produced plenty of shock and awe as Djokovic delivered a jawdropping performance, speeding past Joao Souza

of Brazil 6-1 6-1 6-1 as if the Serb had a taxi meter running outside the National Tennis Center.

Williams also played as if she had an appointment to keep as she began her final push towards a calendar year Grand Slam by pounding Vitalia Diatchenko 6-0 2-0 before the ailing Russian waved the white flag and retired injured.

Eighth seed Rafa Nadal, a two-time U.S. Open champion, needed a bit

more time to get the job done, the Spaniard taking nearly three hours to fight off a challenge from 18-year-old Croatian prospect Borna Coric 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4.

Following a Broadway-style opening ceremony complete with orchestra and choir, Williams stepped onto centre court under a spotlight to loud applause from an adoring New York crowd just seven matches from her quest to sweep this

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No takers for Charlie Austin

Charlie Austin looks set to stay at Queens Park Rangers in this transfer window. Austin had look set to leave Loftus Road this summer with Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Bournemouth all interested in the striker – but none of them were prepared to meet QPR’s £15million valuation for the striker in the final year of his contract.

Hulkenberg to stay at Force India till 2017 Top seeds in a hurry on day of US Open upsets MoNzA, SEPTEMBER 1 (IANS): Just days before the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, Force India on Tuesday extended the contract of Nico Hulkenberg for another two years which will keep the German at the Silverstone-based outfit till the end of 2017.

"I'm very pleased to finalise and announce my plans for the future. I know this team inside out and I feel at home here so it made perfect sense to make a long-term commitment. The progress

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season's slams.

The six-time champion would exit Arthur Ashe Stadium just 30 minutes later to more applause and her target reduced to six more wins to join the exclusive club of calendar Grand Slam winners Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court and Steffi Graf.

"It's been really amazing, I can feel the support and the love on my journey for this milestone," said Williams, who won the first of her 21 majors

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at Flushing Meadows 16 years ago.

"I'm so ready. Whatever happens I'm here, I'm at home where it all began in 1999, so this is incredible for me to still be here and playing well.

"It's kind of awesome that this is the last grand slam of the year, because if it were in a different country, I think I would still love it but it's not the same as being an American playing in New York, playing for that ultimate goal."

India end 22-year away series win drought against SL

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ColoMBo, SEPTEMBER 1 (IANS): India on Tuesday claimed an away Test series win against Sri Lanka after 22 years as they clinched the decisive third match by 117 runs for a 2-1 triumph on the fifth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground here.

In pursuit of 386 runs for victory on the final day, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in their second innings despite strong resistance from captain Angelo Mathews (110) and Kusal Perera (70). Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up figures of 4-69 and was ably supported by pacer Ishant Sharma (3-32).

The win marked India's first away Test series victory since 2011 when they defeated the West Indies. It was also Virat Kohli's first series triumph as captain of the Test team. And it was the third time that India have won a Test series after losing the first match.

Ashwin took 21 wickets to be declared the Manof-the-Series. Ishant also became only the fourth Indian pacer after stalwarts Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan to bag 200 Test wickets.

Cheteshwar Pujara was declared the Man-of-theMatch for his unbeaten 145

India's captain Virat Kohli (R) celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera during the final day of their third and final test cricket match in Colombo, September 1. (REUTERS)

that propelled India to 312 in the first innings.

Resuming the day at 67/3, the islanders were put under relentless pressure from the very beginning, especially with Ishant bowling his heart out.

At the other end, Umesh Yadav reaped the reward as he got right-hander Kaushal Silva caught while trying to pull a bouncer. He only succeeded to hand it to Pujara at short midwicket. Lahiru Thirimanne

was peppered with short balls and swinging deliveries that jumped off good length but the left-hander weathered the early storm and supported his skipper well. Their 33-run partnership was ended by Ashwin, who succeeded in foxing Thirimanne by a looping delivery. The left-hander closed the face of the bat but the ball managed to fly off the leading edge.

Lokesh Rahul grabbed it brilliantly at silly point.

Mathews was joined by Perera. They were defiant at times, but the two wickets gave India the upper hand as the hosts went into lunch at 134/5. At the postlunch session, the partnership between Mathews and Perera flourished, igniting hopes of a possible draw for the hosts.

Sri Lanka were in attacking mode as Perera latched onto any loose ball that came his way. Perera went after leg-spinner Amit

Mishra, hitting him to the boundary twice in an over.

All-rounder Stuart Binny also suffered considerable punishment. Mathews was perhaps lucky to survive a googly from Mishra when he appeared to be trapped in front of the stumps. But the umpire turned down Mishra's strong appeal.

The 28-year-old continued his good work and registered his seventh Test century, his second in the series, while Perera scored his second career 50.

The tourists finally broke the 135-run partnership as a rush of blood prompted Perera to reverse-sweep Ashwin but the miscued shot found Rohit Sharma at point.

Mathews and Rangana Herath remained unconquered at 110 and 3 respectively to take Sri Lanka to 249/6 at tea.

But in the final session, the Indian bowlers came out all guns blazing as the resilient Mathews fell prey to Ishant. He made the mistake of playing the wrong line to a full-length delivery. After the Sri Lankan captain got out, India took just five overs to wrap up the innings. Herath, Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep were the last three batsmen to get out, adding just 11 runs.

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