23 April 2023

Nagaland Post

Rahul vacates official bungalow, says paying the price for speaking truth

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was paying the price for speaking the truth and vowed to continue to raise people’s issues as he vacated his official bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi and shifted to his mother Sonia Gandhi’s residence on Saturday.

Gandhi, who was disqualified from Lok Sabha last month following his conviction in a defamation case, was asked to vacate the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow by April 22.

“I have paid the price for speaking the truth, I am ready to pay any price,” he said, adding he would continue to raise issues of price rise and corruption with double the force.

Saturday morning, Gandhi moved out all his belongings from the bungalow where he had been staying for almost two decades.

Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the bungalow in the morning. He handed over keys of the vacated house to officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

He also shook hands with CPWD officials and thanked them.

Talking to reporters while leaving the bungalow, he said, “I have no problem even if it has been snatched away from me. This house was given to me by the people of India. I will stay with the former Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) at 10, Janpath for some time and then find some other way.”

India logs over 12k fresh Covid cases

NEW DELHI, APR 22 (AGENCIES): India recorded 12,193 fresh Covid cases on Saturday, with the number of active cases going up to 67,556, the health ministry said on Saturday. The death toll due to the viral infection has climbed to 5,31,300 with 42 more fatalities, including 10 reconciled by Kerala, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.

Clarification

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): Apropos “APO proposes temporary legislation of NM Act” published on April 22, it is to clarify that due to miscommunication, the statement of APO issued in 2016 and sent to the office for reference, was inadvertently published as news item. The error is regretted.

Centre focused on developing NE: Dr Murugan

Says2-laneroad worktillAvangkhu tobeginsoon

that such episodes won’t deter you from raising the voice of the people and speaking truth to power.”

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said Rahul Gandhi is neither worried about the post nor about the government house. “He did not compromise on his principles even after risking everything,” he said.

He also took a swipe at former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who continues to be at his official residence allotted to him as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, saying Rahul Gandhi is not a “Ghulam”.

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan Saturday said that the Central government’s vision was to develop the Northeast with railways and highway connectivity, communication network and DTH connectivity, which are being currently undertaken in the State.

nounced that the two-lane road upto Avangkhu border has already been sanctioned and work will start soon. He said this will pave the way for the development of border regions. He expressed the hope that the International Trade Centre at Avangkhu will also witness increased business activities due to increase in trade volume and better connectivity.

tion with the villagers of the border village Avangkhu, the minister expressed happiness to see development activities taking place in the North East region.

Asked that he could have requested for more time to vacate the bungalow, Gandhi said, “I do not want to stay in this house.” Before his disqualification, Gandhi represented Wayanad in Kerala in Parliament.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said her brother was very courageous and “not scared of anyone and he will continue his struggle”.

All this is happening because he spoke the truth about this government, she said.

In a tweet in Hindi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “We are the Congress party. The entire country is our home and India lives in our homes. A dictatorial government is happy to snatch his home under a conspiracy. Rahul Gandhi’s official residence has gone but not the urge in his heart to fight for the truth. That urge can never be erased or vacated.”

The Congress said the government may “evict”

NEW

Gandhi from a house but he occupies a place in the hearts and homes of crores of Indians.

The party also launched a “MeraGharAapkaGhar” campaign on social media with party leaders offering their homes to Gandhi.

The Congress said on its official Twitter handle in Hindi that “this country is the home of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul who resides in the hearts of people.”

“Rahul’s relation with the public is unbreakable. Some see in him their son, some brother, some their leader.... Rahul belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to Rahul. This is the reason why today the country is saying- Rahul ji, my house-your house,” the Congress said, using the hashtag “#MeraGharAapkaGhar”.

AICC general secretary

K C Venugopal said, “They may evict you from a house, but you will always have a place in all our homes and hearts, Rahul ji. We know

Another Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate, said, “A house is not made of four walls and a cement roof. Home is a feeling - of peace, of love. And when crores of people open the doors of their hearts and homes for you, then it is even better.”

“Rahul ji vacated his official residence today - his goal and destination is much higher than a house, much higher. No one can scare or silence this satyagrahi of truth because he is ready to pay any cost. #MeraGharAapkaGhar A small proof of this country’s love for you Rahul ji,” Shrinate said on Twitter.

“Today Rahul Gandhi vacates his home at Tughlaq Lane in response to the LokSabha Secretariat’s order. The Court gave him 30 days to appeal and the HC or SC could still reinstate him, but his exemplary gesture to move out shows his respect for the rules,” said party MP Shashi Tharoor in a tweet.

According to PIB report, Dr Murugan, who flew to the remote village of Avangkhu, became the first union minister to visit India’s first village on the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district of Nagaland.

He was given a rousing traditional welcome by the villagers, leaders and

womenfolk.

Speaking at the public interaction programme held at the International Trade Centre in Avangkhu, Dr L Murugan recalled about Modi government’s commitment towards developing the North East including the border areas of the region.

He again reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that the last village is India’s first village.

Highlighting India’s seriousness towards the Act East Policy, the minister an-

Dwelling on the piggery development in the state, Dr Murugan said National Livestock Mission (NLM) has been supporting entrepreneurs of the state and strengthening farm infrastructure and technology. He informed that in the last nine years, around Rs 1,770 lakhs have been provided to the state government as assistance under the NLM in the piggery sector.

The minister along with other officials also visited the India-Myanmar border to take stock of the exact situation prevailing there. During his interac -

During his three-day tour, he also visited Chesezu village in Phek district where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had reportedly camped in the village during World War II. The minister also paid a visit to Vezo Swuro who was associated with Netaji during the reported stay in the village.

He later interacted with officials of DIPR, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and units of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting based in Kohima. The minister also announced that a grant of Rs 14.99 lakh had been allocated to Phek district for exhibition of children’s films in the district. Murugan was accompanied by advisor Civil Administrative Work department & Taxes Kudecho Khamo.

NSSB CSRE viva-voce to commence from April 24

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): The Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) has rescheduled the vivavoce for the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination, 2022 to April 24. This follows a directive from the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms.

The revised schedule for the viva-voce will be available on the official website of the board at https:// nssb.nagaland.gov.in.

The candidates have been asked to check the website and strictly comply with the instructions accordingly.

Meanwhile, chief secretary (CS) has requested Naga Students’ Federation

AAP MP Sanjay sends legal notice to ED

DELHI, APR 22

(PTI): AAP MP Sanjay Singh sent a legal notice to the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday asking it to issue an apology or else face civil and criminal proceedings for allegedly making false and derogatory claims about him in the Delhi excise policy case.

According to a statement issued by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the legal notice stated that the agency’s associates, agents and employees have attempted to tarnish and mutilate the leader’s public image by popularising “a perverse, false, motivated, wild, malicious and base -

less campaign” against his alleged involvement in Delhi excise policy case.

The officials have “knowingly and intentionally” made certain “untrue, defamatory, and incriminating

statements” against Singh in the Delhi excise policy prosecution complaint, the legal notice, addressed to ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra and Additional Director Jogender, charged.

“In the conspiracy to defame...Sanjay Singh, the ED has deliberately and maliciously defamed him by imputing his involvement in some liquor policy on the basis of an alleged statement of Dinesh Arora recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on October 1, 2022,” the legal notice stated.

The notice called upon the ED to “immediately” issue an open and public apol-

ogy within 48 hours of its receipt for “the mental agony and harassment” faced by the Rajya Sabha member.

“Please note that ED is severely liable for such misdeed done with malicious intent. If you fail to comply with the above within 48 hours of the date of receipt of this notice, I have instructions to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you before the competent court, and in that event, you shall be fully responsible for the same and related cost and consequences,” the AAP statement quoted Singh’s lawyer Maninderjit Singh Bedi as stating in the legal notice.

(NSF) to let the viva-voce by NSSB proceed as scheduled and provide support for its smooth conduct.

In a letter, the CS conveyed that the federation’s demand had been looked into with utmost seriousness and assured that after completion of the present cycle of recruitment by NSSB, the State government would hold detailed consultation with them to examine the entire matter pertaining to the proportion of the total marks to be kept for the vivavoce component in the next cycle of recruitments to be conducted by the board and arrive at an agreed suitable solution to the matter.

It may be noted that NSF had been demanding reduction of personal interview marks to 5% against the current 12.5% of the total marks in the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination.

NSFcancelsprotest

On the other hand, the Naga Students’ Federation cancelled the proposed democratic agitation in connection with the current cycle of CSRE exam 2022 to be conducted by the NSSB.

Acknowledging the chief secretary’s letter, the NSF appreciated the State government under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio for exercising

the political will to ensure a free and fair recruitment process in the government job by making the NSSB functional in the State and also for the assurance to address the lacunas within the Nagaland Staff Selection Board Regulation, 2020 before the next cycle of examination. NSF president Kegwayhun Tep and education secretary Medovi Rhi also expressed their sincere gratitude to the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies, aspirants, parents and the general public for their continued support towards their movement to uphold the aspirations of the student and youth and for posterity.

ENSSU flags proxy teachers issue

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): The Eastern Nagaland Sumi Students’ Union (ENSSU) have flagged the issue of proxy teachers and warned of stern action against those involved.

ENSSU president

Isukha Sumi and general secretary Tonika G Aye in a press release reiterated their strict warning against the illegal practice of proxy teaching, besides directing all heads of departments and ministerial staff posted at Kiphire, Seyochung and Sitimi towns to be stationed at their places of posting and discharge their duties and assignments properly. With problems like

XBB.1.16 is now a Covid ‘variant of interest’: WHO

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(IANS): The World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 to a Covid-19 “variant of interest” (VOI) due to its “sustained increase” and “growth advantage” reported from several countries.

XBB.1.16 is a descendent lineage of XBB, a recombinant of two BA.2 descendent lineages. XBB.1.16 was first reported on January 9, this year and designated a variant under monitoring (VUM) on March 22.

So far, 3,648 sequences of the Omicron XBB.1.16 variant have been reported from 33 countries, including India, on open research

platform Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, the global health body, said.

“Following a sustained increase in the prevalence of XBB.1.16 and growth advantage reported from several countries, WHO classifies XBB.1.16 as a VOI,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, technical

lead for Covid-19 response at WHO on Friday.

Van Kerkhove noted that XBB.1.16 has shown “growth advantage and immune escape”.

While “no changes in severity have been reported, it can cause full range of disease”, she said, adding for the

need to “be vigilant”. The World Health Organization noted that although there has been a “slight increase” in XBB.1.16-related hospitalisation in India and Indonesia, the levels are “much lower than seen in previous variant waves”.

Further, “available information does not suggest that XBB.1.16 has additional public health risk relative to XBB.1.5 and the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages,a the WHO said.

“However, XBB.1.16 may become dominant in some countries and cause a rise in case incidence due to its growth advantage and

proxy teachers, lack of teachers, lack of proper infrastructure and non-performance by some teachers, they lamented the poor performance of government schools under ENSSU jurisdiction.

They directed all teachers to refrain from any form of proxy teaching and warned that violation of the directive would lead to the union charting its own course of action.

They also declared their unwavering support to the School Education Department for elimination of proxy teachers and expressed the hope that collective work could turn

immune escape characteristics,” it added. A ‘variant of interest’ or VOI simply means that it may be more difficult to treat, be at risk for more severe symptoms and the rate of transmission could be more than previous variants.

Meanwhile, some experts nicknamed XBB.1.16 as Arcturus, after the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. However, the WHO has not named it yet. WHO assigns Greek labels only for variants of concern (VOC), and not for VOIs.

“We are not using nicknames for these sub variants, and I would kindly encourage you not to. Please,” Van Kerkhove said.

things around for the better. The duo cautioned that they would be keeping a close watch on the functioning of all government establishments within their jurisdiction to curb malpractice and underperformance. To check proper functioning, they disclosed that ENSSU executives would initiate surprise visits to government offices and educational institutions. They said strict action would be taken against teaching staff and government officials found absent from their duty, as per the Government Service Regulation Act.

Cyclist run over by truck at Dimapur; driver held

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): In a horrific incident, a cyclist, aged around 48 years, died on the sport after he was hit and run over by a truck near Hotel Tragopan here at around 5:30 am on Saturday.

Commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur Kevithuto Sophie informed that the cyclist had been identified as one Chandrika Rai from Garopatti area, Dimpaur.

CP said the truck (NL07AA 1565), was driven by one Jhunna Kumar who had since been arrested and was now in police custody.

After observing all legal formalities, the body of the deceased was shifted to the District Hospital, Dimapur morgue and later handed over to family members. CP said a case had been registered at East Police Station and the incident was now under investigation.

Rahul Gandhi hands over the keys of 12, Tughlak Lane bungalow to a CPWD official after vacating the bungalow, Saturday. (PTI)

-SanjaySingh-

XBB.1.16 now VOI due to its ‘sustained increase’ and ‘growth advantage’

Dr Murugan addressing a gathering at ITC, Avakhung village. (Twitter)

Plantation drive, various activities mark ‘Earth Day’

nEWS In BRIEF

CoGA meeting: Chairman of Committee on Government Assurance (2023-2024), Kuzholuzo Nienu has convened the Committee’s Introductory Meeting for the year 2023-2024 on April 27 at 11 am in the committee room of the Assembly Secretariat. In this connection, all the members of the committee on Government Assurances have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

DC Niuland informs: Deputy commissioner of Niuland has informed that the phase-2 Aadhaar/updation/ correction drive under Niuland district will be conducted from April 24 to October 31, 2023. The scheduled for the camp mode (Area & village wise) has been pasted outside DC office Niuland.

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA,

APR 22 (NPN): Education institutions across the state observed the “Earth Day” where students actively participated in various programmes organized to mark the day.

It may be noted that Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. The day is celebrated on April 22 in the United States and on either April 22 or the day the spring equinox occurs throughout the rest of the world.

NU Lumami: Nagaland University and all campuses observed “Earth Day” at Nagaland University Headquarter Lumami.

To mark the day, painting competition and plantation drive was conducted on the theme.

At Rajiv Gandhi Park Nagaland University Lumami, vice-chancellor, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik graced the day as the chief

patron. The vice chancellor also led the plantation drive where tree saplings of various varieties such as Golden Trumpet, Spanish Cherry, Pine, Rain Tree, Burmese grape and Hog Plum were planted. Some of the tree saplings were provided to the University for the plantation drive by Forest department, Mokokchung.

NU Kohima campus: Nagaland University, Kohima campus, Merima in partnership with department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change observed the “Earth Day 2023” under the theme, “Invest in our planet” by organising plantation drive across the campus.

Deputy Conservator of Forest, department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Enyiwekha Wezah spoke on the theme and encouraged the gathering to reduce waste and use of plastic items.

Forest Ranger, Kohima, Keneikrul Noswe encouraged the gathering

to carry out the plantation drive and informed that 4000 saplings of silver Oak, Bottle brush, wild apple etc were to be planted.

(Correspondent)

KSC: Department of Geography, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma too joined others to celebrate the World Earth Day 2023

On the occasion, Head of Department Geography, Rongdensungla Longkumer in her keynote address emphasized the need to address urgent environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and waste reduction in order to secure a better future for the planet.

She also urged the students to make an effort to reduce carbon footprint, be environmentally aware and make conscious decision for a sustainable, resilient future.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by assistant professor, Shevito Theyo, and assistant professor, Dr. Sakhoveyi Lohe in his introductory remark briefed on World Earth Day celebration and its

Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr

importance. A total of 120 students participated by turning off non-essential lights and appliances towards investing in planet and reducing the carbon footprint. To bring awareness amongst the students, group activities like Cleanliness drive, energy conservation and plantation drive were carried out at the college premises.

MHBHSS: Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School (MHBHSS), Kohima celebrated “Earth Day” on April 20 at the school premises.

In a press release, MHBHSS principal Jongshijiba Ozukum informed that various activities were conducted for different classes to raise awareness on environment.

To mark the day, cleanliness drive was initiated and a “Clean your classroom” initiative was carried out by the students. Activities such as paining competition on the theme, “Save the earth”, seminar on the topic- Pollution and Deforestation” were also conducted. Students also

took the pledge to keep the environment clean.

SCC: Science Stream of Sao Chang College (SCC) observed the day where the principal of the college, Dr. Vitsosie Vupru highlighted on the significant of the day.

To mark the day, 20 numbers of fruit saplings (Nectarine and Apple) were distributed to students and Green Initiative Committee of the college also planted six saplings of Nectarine and Apples in the college campus.

MITE: Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE), Kohima observed World Earth Day on April 21 in collaboration with State Silviculturist, Silviculture division, Kohima. The theme for “World Earth Day” 2023 was ‘Invest in our Planet’ organized by the Ecological Club and Current Event Club. To mark the day, faculty, teachers and students planted tree saplings provided by Silviculture, in the college. After the plantation, a cleanliness drive was also conducted from

1st D EATH Ann I v ERSARY

MITE to Poterlane Colony and AG Colony areas.

AIDA-SBI Gram

Seva: ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) - Don Bosco, implementing SBI Foundation Gram Seva programme in Dimapur, celebrated Earth Day by distributing varieties of fruit tree and shady tree saplings to the five adopted villages - Khriezephe, Diezephe, Urra, Bade and Tsithrongse.

SJU: To commemorate “Earth Day”, Department of History, in collaboration with Institution’s Innovation Council, St. Joseph University (SJU), organized a poster competition on the theme, “Invest in our Planet” held at room no 1419.

The programme was hosted by Dr. Lanuchila Changkiri, IIC member, followed by invocation by Veyoyi Soho, UG IV SEM.

Dr. Lanuchila Changkiri emphasized the significance of day and the reasons why it was observed worldwide.

NJOA appoints new team: Nagaland Judicial Service Association (NJOA) has appointed new team of office bearers at its 19th Conference held on April 22 at Saramati Hotel. The new office bearers will be headed by Victo Sema as president, Tucuno Vamuzo as vice president along with three executive members. GB Thilixu installed: K. Kikheto Kiba has been installed as GB of Thilixu village at a brief installation programme held at Thilixu village on April 22. Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi prayed for the new GB.

GSUC holds career guidance programme: Gorkha Students’ Union Chümoukedima (GSUC) organised a career guidance programme on the theme “Gearing up towards a better tomorrow” at Singrijan village council hall on April 22. Resource persons of the programme were EAC Seithekema, Seyiekhrietuo Solo, and entrepreneur, Neisal Theyo. 11 units under GSUC who have appeared HSLC and HSSLC exams, attended the seminar.

Talk on ‘Political Participation of Women in North East’

DIMAPUR: Department of Political Science, ICFAI University Nagaland organized online talk on “Political Participation of Women in the Northeast India with Special Reference to Nagaland” on April 20, at the University auditorium.

A press release by ICFAI university, stated that resource person, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, Dr. Lianboi Vaiphei, highlighted

on the importance of women’s political participation in Northeast India in general and Nagaland in particular. She stressed on the need for giving more space to women in elected/decision-making bodies and called for a change in overall societal attitude towards women representation in Nagaland.

Dr. Vaiphei also appreciated and congratulated the two newly elected MLAs in recently held Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections.

ACKn OWLEDGEMEn T

We, the bereaved family members acknowledge and offer our deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the individuals, families, friends, neighbors and well-wishers for the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us during the prolonged sickness and following the demise of our beloved Late Shri. n n ganlang Phom, Head GB, Yaongyimchen: Longleng.

We would like to extend our profound gratitude to-

1. Dr. Tali Longkumer, City Medical Centre, Dimapur

2. Doctors & Nurses of Zion Hospital, Dimapur

3. United Phom Baptist Attoi, Naga United, Chumukedima

4. Phom Baptist Attoi, Chumukedima

5. Yaongyimchen Baptist Attoi

6. Alayong Baptist Attoi

7. Dimapur Yaongyimchen Bühü Union

8. Dimapur Yaongyimchen Luli

9. PHED, Longleng

Staff Reporter/Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 22(NPN): Along with the rest of the world, the Muslim community in Nagaland also observed Eid-ul-Fitr.

In Dimapur, over 6,000 thousand Muslims gathered here at Iddgah ground Saturday morning to offer ‘namaz’ (mass prayers) on the occasion of Eid.

Members of the Muslim community also exchanged greetings and offered sweets to neighbours and friends from other communities. In Kohima, the Muslim community celebrated Eid at the Masjid, Naga bazaar.

“It is a time to relish traditional delicacies, exchanging gifts and offering charity and also put on your best accessories,” general secretary of Kohima

Masjid Committee, Sayef Uddin said. The festival of breaking the fast signifies the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramazan.

The committee also wished Eid Mubarak to all and expressed their heartfull gratitude to all people of Nagaland for always cooperating with them not only during the Eid but whenever necessary never we needed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the bereaved family of our Dearest Mother Lt. MARIA WOTSA would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to each and everyone who stood by us physically, financially and spiritually during the brief illness and sad demise of our beloved mother on 7th of April, 2023.

We convey our special thanks to :

1. Lazami Village Baptist Church

2. Thilixu Village Baptist Church

3. Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Church, Kohima

4. Miqlat Ministry NBCC Women Deptt.

5. SABAK Mission Centre Staff, Pughoboto

6. Co-ordinator Urban Ministry, SABAK

7. Churches in Lazami Village

8. Mishikito Baptist Church

9. Thilixu Block-IV Welfare

10. Lazami Social Welfare & Fellowship Dimapur Area.

11. Lazami Social Welfare, Kohima

12. Ghokimi Kuqhakulu, Dimapur

13. Ghokimi Inalimi Kuposhukulu, Dimapur

14. Ighanumi Welfare, Dimapur

15. Dr. Sukhato Hon'ble MLA & Family

Born : 18/11/1942 – Died : 07/04/2023

16. Dr. Kitaka Sukhato Wotsa MO, Govt of Nagaland.

17. Doctors & Nurses of Faith Hospital, Dimapur.

We regret our inability to thank each and everyone individually but we pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Children, Grand Children and In-laws

In loving memory of Lt. Er. Hewoto L. Yepthomi 15.05.1974 : 23.04.2022

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 Today marks a year since you left us for heavenly abode and the hollow of your death becomes even more unbearable with each passing day. Remembering and honouring you on this day, your kindness and honesty will continue to live in our hearts forever. We pray that you have found eternal peace in Heaven.

DP-1723/23

Loving Wife, Mother and Family Members

10. WATSAN Committee, Yaongyimchen

11. EAC Hq. Construction Committee, Yachem

12. Yaongyimchen Village Council

13. Okpang Lijo, Yaongyimchen Village

14. Asoli

15. Ex-Minister, Shri. S Pangnyu Phom

16. Shri. Takutemjen Phom, BDO, Noklak

17. Dr. James Phom, Yachem CHC, Longleng

Late Shri. n n ganlang Phom Head GB

Born on : 05-08-1967

Died on : 19-04-2023

We regret our inability to mention all the names individually however, it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DB-508/23

Loving Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Family Members

Most gentle and wise guiding star in these perilous times Dependable, strong and loving backbone Humble, your unforced words of advice unmasked truths and kind directions ending our differences. Unconditional love shone in ways uncountable, like stars in the sky.

You housed us well in your heart; You reigned, managed, prayed in secret through all struggles to keep us afloat.

You held us well with utter care in all ways you knew, Our calm in an ocean of turmoil.

Our refuge

Our tower of strength

Our pillar

Our provider

Our sunshine

Thank you for giving us your best.

Forever loved, deeply missed.

John 3: 16,

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Sincerest gratitude to all for the overwhelming love, support and generosity shown in various ways to us during this time. May the Good Father bless all in abundance.

DB-512/23

Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik leads the plantation drive. Plantation drive organised by AIDA-SBI Gram Seva. Students of KSC and faculty members.

Muslims offer prayer at Iddgah ground, Dimapur.

NEXT POLL

DIMAPUR: Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L. Murugan held a brief departmental business meeting with departments of IPR and Soil Water Conservation, AH & VS and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources at Dzukou House, Raj Bhavan, Kohima on April 22. A report by PRO Raj Bhavan said that the meeting was attended by advi-

sors and Commissioner and secretaries, and directors of the three departments.

Advisors -IPR and Soil Water Conservation Imkong Imchen, AH & VS Kazheto Kinimi and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, A. Pangjung Jamir, apprised on their respective departmental activities at the meeting. The department’s officials appraised the departmental business to the union minister. Commis-

Training on rabies control programme

DIMAPUR: A one-day training on rabies control was conducted by Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) Phek under CMO office at CMO conference hall, Phek on April 20.

The training was conducted with an objective to prevent and control deaths

due to rabies in humans and progressively and to achieve the Global target for “Rabies-Zero by 2030”.

It may be noted that IDSP has conducted training for all the Block Medical Officers of Phek district with Dr. Seyiekhrietuo Rutsa Paediatrician DH, Phek as

the resource person.

Dr. Seyie said that rabies was an infection viral disease which spread to human through bites and scratches usually via saliva of rabid animal.

He said that the symptoms of rabies include pain at the site of the bite or scratch, fear of water (hydrophobia), restlessness, excessive salivation, convulsion and finally death.

The Do’s and Dont’s after Post exposure prophylaxis, pre-exposure rabies vaccination, vaccinations of dog etc were also shared to the participants of the training.

sioners and secretary, V. Maria Yanthan, Vikeyie Kenya and Sotsula and director IPR Dzuvinuo Thenuo, director AH & VS, Dr. Nzanthung Ezung and director F & AR, Rongsenungba also attended the meeting. Earlier, the union minister was received by advisor of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Kazheto Kinimi and other officers on his arrival at Lerie Helipad Kohima after visiting Phek district.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR APR 22 (NPN): Advisor, Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum on Saturday said that state needed to adopt investment friendly environment in order to solve the unemployment issue.

He said this while addressing media on the sidelines of a thanksgiving programme held at Cornerstone Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, organised by Dimapur residents from 24 Angetyongpang A/C. The advisor said that unemployment issue could be solved by creating jobs but it can happen only when state becomes an “investment friendly environment”.

He also said that state government should try to open more industries and factories, and urged the youths to venture out reminding them that Nagas were second to none.

Ozukum also admitted on the lack of development in the state pointing out that around 65% to 70 % of central funds were spent for payment of salaries and the remaining 30% to 35% were left for development works.

On his opinion on the revision of reservation on the ULB and NSSB, he said that as far as NSSB was concerned, the objective of the state government was very

clear, and that it wanted to maintain meritocracy.

He said Chief Minister, in his previous term, was also convinced and determined to implement NSSB, and with good intention, the cabinet had approved. He also said that he had personal discussions with the NSF leaders and requested them to allow the exam to continue by assuring of correction or review the guidelines in case of any loopholes detected in the exam.

On the ULB elections, he said it was a constitutionally based directive to conduct the election, however pointed out that since it somehow infringes the special provision (Article 371 A) given to the Nagas, the stakeholders have been protesting for certain changes, and in line with that the cabinet on March 28 resolved to repeal the act. He later opined that the state government would

frame another ULB Act in the right time. “We are not going against anybody. We are just trying to maintain and protect our right”, he stated.

Asked on the steps taken on the Naga issue and the seriousness of the members of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Ozukum replied that the elected members, though people’s representative, were not part of the negotiating team, but can only act as the facilitators.

He however reiterated that Naga Political Issue was the most important issue for all Nagas, and as facilitators, the legislators would continue to bridge the gap between the Naga Political groups and government of India.

When ask on how to tackle scarcity of water in the state, he said it was not only the department of water resources but also the PHED, department of Soil

and Water conservation, and other departments had been dealing with water related centrally sponsored schemes and projects.

MoS Dr. Murugan holds meeting with 3 deptts Tongpang calls for investment friendly environment

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Ozukum thanked all his supporters, Churches and prayer warriors for their hard work, dedication and prayers for electing him for the second time. He also thanked Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, president, NDPP, Chingwang Konyak and all ranks and files of NDPP for reposing faith in him and giving him the NDPP ticket.

He later requested all to continue to support and pray for him, noting that he would need their wisdom and knowledge to execute his aims and visions.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Anenla Ozukum, invocation by Asst Prof., Discipleship Bible College, Dr Imsenperong Jamir, special number by Amongla Lemtur and benediction offered by Repatozung Longkumer.

Short speeches were also delivered by CI Meren, Chubaonen Jamir, Temjen Imsong, T Chingmak, general secretary, NDPP (Central), Imliyanger Jamir, vice president, Dimapur Mongsenyimti Senso Telongjem, Opangkumzuk Pongen, and, while vote of thanks by Masatoshi.

Workshop on coffee brewing held at Medziphema

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 22

(NPN): A two-day workshop on manual coffee brewing was organised by Farmer’s Square Coffee Shop, Medziphema, with the owner Zakietsonuo Jamir as the resource person.

At the workshop hobbyists and aspirants were taught on how to better understand coffee and its wide influence on the drinkers.

One of the key highlights of the workshop was to help strengthen the knowledge and skills for the participants by giving

them the chance on hands on practice on the brewing tools.

Other key features included teaching the networking opportunities and platform for team building activities too.

The two-day workshop saw participants of five members each day getting the chance to learn the basic knowledge of speciality coffee and the variety of techniques on manual brewing.

Participants at the workshop included scholars, entrepreneurs, NGOs and institution-based workers, who wanted to upscale

H&FW organises activities for better healthcare

health talks on maternal and child health issues.

The activities were conducted by Azenuo Mere DCM, Mezunuo Khesoh DPM QA and ASHA of Khomi village, which was supervised by Sede Rupreo, DPM NHM.

Wokha: A three-day district level training on Home Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) conducted by department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Wokha at the Conference Hall of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha office concluded on Thursday.

their business or to learn how to make better coffee in general.

Farmer’s Square has been organising workshops

even in the past and has informed that it plans to continue even in the future for the benefit of the increasing coffee lovers.

Meanwhile the organisers introduced a new product called Mgic Coffee to the participants on completion of the workshop.

DIMAPUR: In an effort to improvise health sector and deliver better healthcare services to the people, Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has been organising various programmes and activities across the state.

Phek: A training on “Climate Change and Human Health” was organised by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) under Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Phek office on April 20 at the Conference Hall of CMO Phek office.

The training was conducted for all the Medical Officers (MOs) so that health facilities would be prepared and managed any heat-related illnesses in the district.

In their presentations, resource persons, DSO, Dr. Shevo Hiese and epide-

miologist, Dr. Limatoshi talked about the management of climate change, heat waves and heat alert among the vulnerable areas and groups.

They emphasised on management of heat-related stress, clinical symptoms and treatment, and also briefed the gathering on management of heat illness in vulnerable groups and emergency preparedness for health facilities.

The resource persons also gave a presentation on the monitoring, surveillance and reporting on heat related illnesses data on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, which needed to be reported on daily basis.

In a separate event, a Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) outreach camp was also conducted

on April 19 at Khomi Village by a medical team from District Hospital Phek (DHP).

During the camp, a total of 158 patients were examined out of which nine pregnant women were given Ante- Natal Check Up (ANC), 22 women were examined and 41 children were treated.

The camp was conducted by Dr. Pangertemsu (Obs & Gynaecologist), Dr. Seyiekhrietuo Rutsa (paediatrician); nurses and various categories of staff from DH, CMO office and HWC-SC Khomi led by DPO RCH/UIP Phek, Dr. Pewezo Khalo under the supervision of CMO Phek, Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino.

The team also carried out Interpersonal Education and Communication (IEC) activities with the target group and delivered

A press release from CMO Wokha office stated that at the inaugural session, District Programme Officer (UIP/RCH) Wokha, Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton explained the concept of HBYC and said the training was crucial for the health workers in order to train the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) at block level and give them a proper hand holding. Patton said the main objective of HBYC training was to assist the mother and child during the crucial 3-15 months.

CMO Wokha, Dr. Zubenthung Kikon also welcomed the resource persons and trainees to the programme.

At the three-day training, sessions on introduction and rationale of home-based care for young child programme, roles and responsibilities of ASHAs in HBYC, planning for home visits, exclusive breastfeeding, complimentary feeding, iron folic acid supplementation, family planning, immunization for children, growth monitoring, group discussions etc. were taken by the resource persons.

The resource persons were programme manager (child health) department of H&FW, Benjong; state programme manager (community process), Chubala; consultant, Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Mokokchung, Sentila and GNM, UPHC Mokochung, Chubakatila. The trainees were district community mobilizer, community health officers and block ASHA coordinators from Wokha district.

Tongpang Ozukum speaking at the programme. (NP)

Dr. L Murugan and advisor, Imkong Imchen and department officials at Raj Bhavan on April 22. (PRO Raj Bhavan)

Trainees with the trainer (in black) at the workshop. (NP)

Dr.Seyiekhrietuo Rutsa attending patients at the camp.

Resource person conducting the training.

Assam youth Cong chief expelled from party

GUWAHATI, APR 22

(IANS): Assam youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta was, on Saturday, expelled from the party for six years for her “anti-party” activities. An official statement of the All India Congress Committed mentioned, “Hon’ble Congress President has expelled Angkita Dutta, President of Assam Pradesh Youth Congress, from the primary membership of the party, for six years, for her anti-party activities, with immediate effect.”

Two days ago, Dutta had alleged in a series of Tweets that national president of youth Congress, Srinivas B.V. has been causing harassment and heckling her on more than one occasion based on her gender.

She also claimed that she apprised Rahul Gandhi about Srinivas’ “wrongdoings” and sought his intervention in the matter.

She wrote, “I had a lot of faith in Rahul Gandhi and went to Jammu during Bharat Jodo to apprise him

of Srinivas’ harassment and demeaning use of language towards me. It’s April now and still no inquiry against him.”

Dutta claimed that she kept quiet for months waiting for the party top brass to take action against Srinivas. However, no inquiry committee was set up despite her complaints.

In her tweets, the Assam Congress leader asked Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, “I am a woman leader. If I undergo such harassment, how am I supposed to encourage other women to join the Congress party?”

Replying to her allegation, the Indian Youth Congress legal cell has sent a defamation notice to Dutta.

Assam Pradesh Congress also issued a show-cause notice to her.

Angkita Dutta also lodged a police complaint in Guwahati’s Dispur police station against Srinivas B.V. accusing him of mental harassment and further recorded her statement before the court on Friday.

Assam Police team leaves for K’taka to apprehend Srinivas B.V.

A team of Assam Police on Saturday left for Karnataka to apprehend the national president of Indian Youth Congress Srinivas B.V. based on the harassment complaint lodged against him by the suspended Assam unit youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta, an official said.

A case has been registered against Srinivas B.V. in Dispur police station under Sections 509, 294, 341, 352, 354, 354A, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

According to sources, a four-member team of Assam Police has been sent to Karnataka to apprehend Srinivas.

Assam DGP G.P. Singh has confirmed the development. However, he refused to divulge any further details.

2 PLA cadres including woman held in Mnp

April 20.

A team of Imphal East police commandos nabbed him from Palace Compound near MFDC on the night of April 20, around 11.35 pm.

‘Law will take its own course’:

Assam CM on Angkita Dutta episode

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday voiced his displeasure at the way the Congress handled the entire episode related to Assam unit youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta, who has accused national president of the Indian Youth Congress Srinivas B.V. of harassment.

“The way Assam Congress has handled this matter is sad. They ought to have established an inquiry committee and worked things out among themselves. I had believed that the Congress should be dealing with this internally,” he told reporters in the national capital.

He said the Congress’ handling of the situation was dismal, adding since a case has now been filed, the law will follow its own course of action.

According to him, if the party had taken care of Dutta’s complaint, the police or CID would not have been required to get involved.

However, the Chief Minister turned down the possibility of Angkita Dutta joining the BJP anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Bhupen Borah claimed that Sarma has ‘influenced’ Dutta to lodge a police complaint.

“I met her (Dutta) and assured her full support. I asked her to tell me about what had happened and she narrated the entire saga at length. I requested her to keep quiet for sometime and not to issue any public statement. I would look into the matter and would find out a good way to solve it.

“But Dutta acted differently the next morning due to the Assam Chief Minister’s provocation,” Borah said.

Manipur Zeliangrong students endorse ATSUM’s 12-hr bandh

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 22: Zeliangrong Students’ Union (ZSUM) on Saturday endorsed the proposed 12hour bandh call given by All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) in all the hill districts of Manipur.

The ATSUM, on April 18, announced imposition of the 12-hour bandh (to be commenced from 6am) on April 24 while alleging that authority of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal failed to implement its earlier assurance to ‘correct’ the reservation norms for recruitment of LDCs (Lower Division Clerks) in the Centre-run institute.

The ATSUM had signed a tripartite agreement with RIMS authority and the state government on April 3 in this regard which led to the suspension of all forms of agitations earlier announced by the apex body of tribal student bodies in the state.

While endorsing the

proposed bandh, ZSUM, in a press release on Saturday, appealed to all the Zeliangrong people living across the state of Manipur especially, Tamenglong and Noney districts to comply with the bandh called by the ATSUM on April 24.

The release alleged that RIMS authority has failed to materialize the agreed terms of the tripartite agreement.

As per the agreement, it said, fresh declaration of LDC appointment results should be done with reservation as SC (3%), ST(34%) and OBC (13%) within one week time.

Cancellation of the RIMS notice dated 03-032023 for declaration of result for appointment to the post of LDC and to follow the existing rule and DoPT guidelines in matters of all recruitment to Group C and D posts etc. were the other points agreed upon.

The unconstitutional backdoor appointment of 15 posts of LDC in the RIMS without proper res-

ervation norms was also strongly condemned, the ZSUM alleged.

The alarming situation has developed for the existence of the tribal people in Manipur, the ZSUM asserted.

“Our Forest Rights are threatened, ADC election is not held, DoPT norms of Reservation for government jobs are denied. All the demands made by the tribal people are not successful,” ZSUM alleged.

The whelm of the governance was not favoring the marginal population of the state, the release alleged.

The ZSUM then urged the Zeliangrong people, churches, well-wishers, village chiefs and village authorities various organizations functioning etc. within the jurisdiction of Zeliangrong to cooperate and take part in the stringent agitation. All the emergency services shall be exempted from the preview of the bandh, the student body added.

336 Arunachal border villages to get 4g mobile network

Correspondent

IMPHAL, APR 22: Two active cadres of rebel outfit Revolutionary People Front (RPF)/People Liberation Army (PLA) including a woman were arrested in an counter insurgency operations by the police commandos attached with Imphal East district police, an official source said on Saturday.

The woman cadre was identified as Chingakham Sunibala Devi alias Abe (40)

wife of Ksh Somorendro Singh of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai while the other cadre identified as Johnson Ashem alias John (40) son of late A Ashok Singh of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi, presently residing at Mongshangei Maning Leikai, both in Imphal West district. The police said that the woman cadre was apprehended in a follow up operation to the disclosure made by the male cadre (Johnson) on the night of

The woman cadre (Sunibala Devi) was arrested by the same police commandos from her house where they raided early on Friday morning, around 5.40 am based on the disclosure made by the earlier nabbed cadre, the source said.

The police alleged the two active cadres working under the command of self-styled brigadier Chinglen alias Tomba of RPF/ PLA. They are involved in extortion/collection of extortion money from the general public, government officials, contractors etc. as a part of fund raising drive of the rebel outfit, the police alleged.

ITANAGAR, APR (PTI): Around 336 villages in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh will be provided with 4G mobile telephony connectivity with the government launching 254 network towers on Saturday.

The government has approved the construction of 2,605 4G mobile towers for providing connectivity to more than 3,721 villages in Arunachal Pradesh with a total outlay of ₹ 2,675 crore.

“Today’s launch has happened mostly in border areas. By and large, most of the villages will be in border areas. Our district headquarters like Itanagar are already connected. The target is to reach out to unconnected and unreached locations,”

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said after a ceremony to dedicate the initial set of 254 mobile towers.

Union Telecom and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present on the occasion.

Rijiju said the security forces and people in the border area used to depend on mobile SIMs of a Nepalese company for communication but things changed after he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation.

The minister said that thinning of the population because of the non-availability of basic infrastructure had become a major concern. He said that now facilities like drinking water, electricity, and roads are reaching remote and border areas.

The 4G towers have been installed by BSNL in the border area, Rijiu said. Under the project, the

Modi govt brought development in Arunachal: CM Khandu

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(AGENCIES): The Modi government has brought development and changed the scenario of Arunachal Pradesh which has been suffering from communication bottleneck for decades, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said here.

Speaking on Friday night at the launch of the book titled “A Resurgent Northeast: Narratives of Change”, authored by senior bureaucrat Ashish Kun-

dra, Khandu said 20,000 km road network has been built in the last nine years equal to what it was built till 2014 since Independence. “Communication has been a major bottleneck in Arunachal Pradesh. The scenario has changed after 2014, when the Narendra Modi government came to power,” he said.

Khandu said the highways of Arunachal Pradesh are top class now while more railway tracks are being built

along the foothills of Assam.

“The railways will change the scenario of Arunachal Pradesh as well as the entire Northeast.

Currently, three airports are

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Meghalaya

government has connected remote areas of Tawang district where there have been frequent incursions of Chinese troops.

Rijiju said that the 254 4G mobile towers will benefit 70,000 people which is a big thing for the scarcely populated state of

Arunachal Pradesh.

Rijiju said that USO Fund has identified locations for setting up 1,156 more 4G towers and under the Vibrant Village programme even if there are 2-3 homes left in the border area then they will also be provided with a 4G network.

Under the 4G saturation project, out of 2,424 sites for 4G services in North East, 270 sites will be connected through optical fibre, 1,237 through microwave and 917 sites will be connected through VSAT. The minister said that satellite communication will be used for connectivity.

Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the project involved difficult terrain, and represented the success of combined efforts and coordination. “Communication is important not only for connectivity but because it opens many avenues and opportunities,” Vaishnaw said.

Vaishnaw said new rail projects are lined up for Arunachal Pradesh, and promised that the work on these will be taken forward promptly.

Correspondent

SHILLONG, APR 22: Eidul-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was on Saturday celebrated across Meghalaya with prayers.

Thousands of men and children clad in new clothes offered prayers in Eidgahs and mosques in Shillong, Dawki, Nongpoh, Lad Rymbai, Byrnihat and

in the Garo Hills region. The biggest congregation was at the Eidgah of India’s first glass mosque, the Madina Masjid in Shillong, where over 10,000 people offered prayers.

Every Muslim family donated to charity so that the poor can also celebrate the festival.

After prayers, Muslims visited the houses of relatives and friends to greet

them. Guests were treated to “sheer khorma” (sweet made of vermicelli, milk and dry fruits) and other delicacies.

Governor Phagu Chauhan and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also greeted the people on the occasion. Muslims constitute 4.40 per cent of Meghalaya’s nearly three million people, predominantly Christians

operational in Arunachal Pradesh, including a new one near capital Itanagar,” he said. The chief minister said since Independence till 2014, there were 20,000 km of road network, but in the last nine years, an additional 20,000 km have been built, taking the road network to a total of 40,000 km.

Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, who also hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said national integration is not only

Saha vows to ‘gift’ two Tripura seats to PM in LS polls

AGARTALA, APR 22

(PTI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday asserted that the state BJP is determined to “gift two lotuses” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

The northeastern state has two Lok Sabha constituencies - West and East Tripura constituencies - which are being held by the ruling party. “On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, I have addressed party leaders and workers of various levels in a workshop on the booth empowerment campaign in the presence of BJP national secretary Asha Lakra,” Saha said in a Facebook post.

“We are determined to gift two lotuses from Tripura to honourable PM Shri Modi ji by strengthening the organisation up to the booth level in the next LS elections,” the chief minister said. He expressed hope that the party workers will play a big role in strengthening the organisation in order to achieve the goal of winning both the LS seats.

about connecting through physical infrastructure, but it is also an issue of emotional connect.

The Union minister said before 2014, as an MP he used to tell everyone of the then government to improve basic infrastructure of the Northeast but received little attention. “At that time, those who were in the government used to say that there is a security concern to carry out development up to the border area”.

Collegium issue is all about mindgame, won’t comment: Law Minister Rijiju

ITANAGAR, APR 22 (PTI): Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday described the collegium issue as a “mindgame”, saying he will not talk about it. He made the remarks here when asked about the various recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium pending before the government, including those related to appointment of high court chief justices.

Tribal body claims Rs 27.51 cr scam in airport rehab scheme

ITANAGAR, APR 22

(IANS): A tribal organisation on Saturday alleged that the anti-corruption bureau of Arunachal Pradesh Police, the Special Investigation Cell (SIC), is not taking any action against the accused who reportedly siphoned off Rs 27.51 crore allocated for the Hollongi airport rehabilitation scheme.

The Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance (CHRA), an organisation of Chakma and Hajongs tribes, alleged in a statement that no arrest has been made in this case so far despite the registration of an FIR by the SIC

on September 6 last year against many officials.

The funds were sanctioned for 156 Chakma families displaced due to the construction of the Hollongi airport under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

CHRA spokesperson Krishna Chakma said that the Act is absolutely clear that the rehabilitation and resettlement funds have to be deposited into the bank accounts of each displaced person linked with Aadhaar card.

Heroin worth Rs 8 cr seized in Assam

DIPHU, APR 22 (AGENCIES): A huge consignment of heroin, estimated to be worth nearly Rs eight crore has been seized and two persons were arrested in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Saturday, police said, reports Eastmojo.

Acting on a tip-off, security forces comprising state police and CRPF launched an operation in the Lahorijan area of the district on Friday night. A truck coming from Manipur was intercepted early on Saturday and following a search operation, 116 soap boxes containing 1.3 kg of heroin were seized. The contraband was hidden in the tarpaulin covering the truck.

“The Collegium issue is all about mindgame. I am not going to talk about it,” he said.

Rijiju was speaking on the sidelines of an event to dedicate 254 mobile towers for 4G services to Arunachal Pradesh. He said the lack of infrastructure facilities in border areas which have tough terrain was a major issue for the locals.

In THE COURT OF DISTRICT AnD SESSIOnS JUDGE MOn : nAGALAnD SUCCESSIOn CASE no. 19/2023 nOTICE InvITInG CLAIMS/OBJECTIOnS

Whereas an application under the Indian Succession Act 1925 has been filed by Smti. Lithrongla, W/o. Late W. Neangba Konyak for grant of Succession Certificate for Family Pension. The deceased expired on 04/04/2023 at Mokokchung. The deceased was an Ex- Constable 12th NAP (IR) under the Department of Nagaland Police. Smti Lithrongla is the legal wife of Late W. Neangba. Konyak and she is a holder of State Bank of India, Mokokchung Bazaar Branch bearing Account no. 36050661953. The deceased Late W. Neangba. Konyak State Bank of India Mokokchung Branch Sangtemla ward bearing Account no. 20066298104 A notice is hereby issued that any person having an interest in the administration or operation of the family pension may file claims/objections or appear in the court of the undersigned in person within a period of 30 (Thirty) days from the date of publication of this notice.

-SdDISTRICT & SESSIOnS JUDGE MOn : nAGALAnD. PESHKAR TO DISTRICT & SESSIOn JUDGE MOn : nAGALAnD K-869/23 A FFIDAvIT

Date 21/04/2023

Regd. No. 43/2023

I, Smti. T. ANUNGLA, aged about 58 years, resident of Police Complex, Chumoukedima, District-Chumoukedima, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:-

1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India and presently residing at the above mentioned address.

2. That I am a retired government servant (Khalasi) under the Police Engineering Project Division, Chumukedima, Nagaland.

made by me herein above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing concealed therein.

sworn and declared before me on this the 21 day of April,

Chumoukedima.

Muslims throng the Madina Masjid in Laban on occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr on April 22.

Pema Khandu

Kiren Rijiju

Angkita Dutta

Two PLA cadres nabbed by Imphal East police.

Representational image

SnIPPETS

Half-burnt torso of woman found

GURUGRAM, APR 22

(PTI): A half-burnt torso of a woman was found in a village in Manesar on Friday, with police suspecting she was murdered somewhere else. According to police, Kukdola village resident Umed Singh informed them that he found the mutilated body in a room built on his farm along the road leading from the Pachgaon Chowk to Kasan village. The woman was murdered somewhere else and an attempt was made to burn the body in the room, Inspector Satyender Singh, SHO of Manesar police station, said.

7 killed, 40 injured in bus-truck collision

AYODHYA (UP), APR 22 (PTI): Seven passengers were killed and more than 40 injured as a bus toppled sideways after colliding with a truck and came under the loaded goods carrier on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur Highway, officials said. The accident took place late in the evening, when the private bus coming from Ayodhya was negotiating a turn on the highway to move towards Ambedkarnagar, they said. The bus collided with the truck coming from the opposite side, the officials said, adding the impact was so intense that the truck got overturned and the bus got buried under it.

Mephedrone worth

Rs 37 lakh seized

MUMBAI, APR 22

(PTI): The Anti-Narcotics

Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two drug peddlers in separate operations and seized Mephedrone worth Rs 37 lakh, an official said on Friday. The Ghatkopar unit of the ANC apprehended a 39-year-old man on Thursday and seized 72 grams of Mephedrone valued at Rs 14.40 lakh, he said.

2 rob pvt firm employee of Rs 8.5 lakh cash

NAGPUR, APR 22

(PTI): Two men robbed a 47-year-old employee of a firm of Rs 8.5 lakh cash at gunpoint in Nagpur city of Maharashtra on Saturday evening, police said. The incident occurred under the limits of Ambazari police station when the employee was headed to the company’s office in a car.

The car was intercepted by two men who tried to smash its windshield with a stone and threatened the employee and his driver with a gun, a police officer said. As the employee tried to run with the cash bag, the duo chased him on a motorcycle, snatched the bag, and sped away.

Man killed following altercation with youths

PILIBHIT (UP), APR 22 (PTI): A 40-year-old man died after being hit on the head with a sharpedged weapon at a country-made liquor shop here following a dispute with a group of people on Saturday evening, police said. Additional Superintendent of Police (Pilibhit) Anil Kumar Yadav said a probe into the matter was underway and a case will be registered based on the complaint lodged by the family members of the deceased. Gaurishankar (40), a daily-wage labourer, had gone to the country-made liquor shop where he had an altercation with a group of youths who hit him on the head with a sharpedged weapon. He was rushed to the district hospital where doctors declared him dead, the police officer said.

Rahul should not play ‘victim’ after disrespecting OBCs: Shah

BENGALURU, APR 22

(PTI): Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence on Saturday that the BJP will win 15-20 seats more than the halfway mark in Karnataka assembly polls and asserted that its support base remains intact despite defection by some party leaders, noting that historically its rebels have not won and “this will prove true this time also”.

With the Congress targeting the central government over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a defamation case, Shah told India Today in an interview that “no family is above the law in India and the law is above all”. Gandhi vacated his government bungalow on Saturday after he was served a notice for eviction and claimed that he is paying the price for speaking the truth.

Replying to a question on Gandhi playing “vic -

tim”, he said, “We never asked Rahul Gandhi to disrespect the OBC community. He himself decided not to apologise.

“The law under which he was convicted was made by the Congress government. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh tried to withdraw that law but Rahul Gandhi himself tore down the ordinance. Now he should not play the victim. No one should think that any family is above the law.”

The ordinance, if passed by Parliament, would have spared any con-

Some people are pursuing politics of hate: Mamata

KOLKATA, APR 22

(PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that some people are trying to divide the nation by pursuing politics of hate and said that she is ready to give her life but “will not allow a division of the country”.

Banerjee, speaking at a congregation for Eid namaz at the city’s Red Road, also urged people to unite and ensure that the right-wing BJP is defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“Some people are trying to divide the country and practise politics of hate ... I am ready to give my life but will not allow any division of the country,” she said, without naming anyone. Accusing the

saffron camp of trying to change the constitution of the country, the Trinamool Congress supremo said she will not allow implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal.

It has been the TMC’s stand that the NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which confers citizenship rights on minorities from neighbouring countries were not needed and existing acts are sufficient.

“I am ready to fight the money power (of her political opponents) and (central) agencies (which her party alleges has been unleashed on TMC with a political motive), but I will not bow my head,” Banerjee said.

victed MP from immediate disqualification.

To a question about the allegation that the CBI summoning former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik is linked to his recent criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, the home minister said such a charge is not true as he was called by the probe agency earlier too.

“I can say with complete conviction that the BJP has done nothing that needs to be covered up. If someone is levelling allegations after parting ways with us, then it should be evaluated accordingly by the media and people,” he said.

On Karnataka assembly polls scheduled for May 10, he said the BJP will get 15-20 seats more than the halfway mark of 112 seats in the 224-member legislature. He rejected the Congress’ allegations of corruption against the BJP government in Karnataka

Ex-JK gov Satya Pal Malik, Khap leaders protest at Delhi police station

NEW DELHI, APR 22

as “baseless”.

They are not substantiated by any court and have been fabricated by the Congress to cover up corruption during its own regime, Shah claimed, accusing the opposition party of using Karnataka as its “ATM” when it was in power.

The Congress has no answers to its apathy towards Karnataka during its regime, he said, adding that when the Congress-led UPA was in power during 2009-14, the Centre released Rs 94,224 crores to the state.

Prime Minister Modi increased the amount to over Rs 2.26 lakh crore during 2014-19. The tax devolution and grant-in aid was Rs 22,000 crore but has been increased to Rs 75,000 crore, he added.

Attacking the Congress, he said its government violated the Constitution by providing four per cent reservation for Muslims in the state.

(PTI): Former governor Satya Pal Malik, who has been called by the CBI over an alleged insurance ‘scam’ in Jammu and Kashmir, and some Khap leaders staged a protest at a police station here on Saturday after not being allowed to hold a meeting at a south Delhi park as they lacked requisite permission, officials said, but rejected reports he was detained or arrested.

Sagar Preet Hooda, Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order-Zone II), however, said 24 people who refused to leave the park were detained, but released around 3 pm.

Questioning the police action, Malik said he and his supporters had gone to the R K Puram Police Station to protest as he was stopped from giving food to Khap leaders at the park. According to police, they all left the police station around 2.30 pm.

Senior Haryana-based farmer leader Gurnam

BJP govt ensured transparency in recruitment process: UP CM

LUCKNOW, APR 22

(PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that his government has ensured transparency in the recruitment process which was earlier plagued by nepotism and casteism. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 24th national conference of chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions here, he said one-anda-half-lakh posts had been lying vacant under previous state governments as the Supreme Court stayed recruitment over complaints regarding lack of transparency.

“When we took charge of the state in 2017, there were a lot of complaints regarding Uttar Pradesh

Sena (UBT) bashes BJP-ruled Centre on Poonch terror attack

MUMBAI, APR 22 (PTI): Slamming the BJP-ruled Centre over the recent terror attack on an Army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were busy in political work and terrorists took advantage of it.

The party in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said even after the revocation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, violence continues in the Kashmir Valley and there is still no peace there.

“The prime minister, home minister and defence minister are busy in their political work (a reference to Karnataka polls) and terrorists have taken advantage of this and flung a bomb at an Army vehicle in Jammu-Kashmir,” the editorial said. Assembly polls in BJP-ruled Karnataka will be held on May 10.

Five Army personnel were killed on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch.

The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-

terror operations. The PM speaks the language of war with Pakistan and he remembers Gautam Buddha’s teachings of peace when it comes to China, the editorial said.

Taking a dig at the PM and home minister, the editorial said that terrorists dare to attack when there is a “strong prime minister and a firm home minister” in the country. So there is definitely something wrong with it, it said.

The central agencies are the weapons of ModiShah and terrorists do not seem to be scared of them, it added.

Public Service Commission, Subordinate Services Selection Commission, Higher Education Selection Commission and Secondary Education Selection Commission examinations,” he said.

“So much so that the court’s intervention was sought to stop many recruitment exams. In some cases, the court had also made serious comments. I told officials to remove what -

JAIPUR, APR 22 (PTI): Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara on Friday downplayed the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying “we are all united”.

He also said if a leader is not found popular in his constituency in the party’s pre-poll survey, he should not get a ticket even if it is him. “I am a man of the organisation and will take all people of the organisation along. Today, I can say that we are all united and are strengthening the Congress,” he told reporters here.

“Pilot has already said that he has conveyed his point to the high command

ever deficiencies were there. Earlier the recruitment process was not transparent. Nepotism and casteism dominated the recruitment process and injustice was done to meritorious and talented candidates,” he said.

The chief minister said the government formed a team of honest officials to ensure transparency in the recruitment process. In an ideal society recruitment agencies, be it the Union Public Service Commission or State Public Service Commissions, have a big role to play. In the last six years, the government has made five-and-a-halflakh appointments without a single question being raised on any appointment, he said.

Ex-J&K governor Satya Pal Malik with his supporters at RK Puram police station, in New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI) Singh Chaduni said the meeting was called by Malik and a group of khap leaders, but nobody was scheduled to speak at the venue. “Where is violation of rules in this?” he asked.

Hooda, the Special Commissioner of Police, said the local police received information about 10 am that an “unknown tent” has been installed at the MCD Public Park, Sector 12, R K Puram.

“SHO, RK Puram, along with staff reached the spot and enquired, wherein it was revealed that a gath-

ering/ protest under the leadership of Sh. Satya Pal Malik, former Governor, was likely to be held,” he said in a statement. He said this was a public park in a residential area near the DPS R K Puram. “This is not a place for protests and they were further advised to organise such protest at Jantar Mantar, which is the designated site for such activities,” Hooda said. They had not given any application or intimation to the local police or the land-owning agency in this regard, he said.

Police probe threat letter ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Kerala

KOCHI, APR 22 (PTI):

Kerala police and central agencies have launched an investigation into a letter threatening a suicide bomb attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be visiting the state on April 24 and 25 to take part in various programmes. The letter in Malayalam, purportedly written by a Kochi resident, was received at the office of BJP state president K Surendran who in turn had handed it over to the police last week. The news of the threat letter came out today after a report by ADGP (Intelligence) was telecast in the media. As the news was out, Surendran met the media and said he had handed over the threat letter a week ago to the state police chief.

“Last week, President, BJP state committee, Kerala had received a letter written in Malayalam threatening the life of Hon. Prime Minister of India by using suicide bomber,” the intelligence report read. The report also said the veracity of the letter and the person behind it were under investigation. Surendran alleged that the “leak of the intelligence report” from the police was a grave mistake and it should be probed. The 49-page report gives details of the names of the officials on duty, their roles, the detailed programme chart of the Prime Minister among other matters. Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan also slammed the alleged leak of the ADGP (Intelligence) report and said it was a serious matter.

chief on Gehlot-Pilot issue

minister, but there are always possibilities.”

On the allotment of tickets in elections, he said the party would give chances to those who are popular among the public. “Those who go among them and serve them will get the ticket.”

However, no action was taken in over four years of the Congress government, he added. On this issue, he held a day long dharna at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur last week.

PATNA,

APR 22 (IANS):

Former Union minister and BJP veteran Subramanian Swamy said on Saturday that the Centre should take whatever former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik had said in connection with the Pulwama terror attack seriously.

Malik had recently claimed that after the February 14, 2019 terrorist attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he, as the J&K Governor at that time, had flagged certain lapses but was asked to stay silent.

“I know Satya Pal Malik since 1977, and he is a very senior leader. He was a former MP, Union minister and Governor as well. His political status is very high. I never heard him telling lies. Hence, the Centre should

take what he said about the Pulwama attack seriously,” Swamy said on the sidelines of a conclave of law students here. “The probe agencies agency can ask him respectfully about the evidence he has to support his claims so that they could take action in the matter. There should be no threat to him or raids at his house. The Pulwama attack was a very painful incident and if it happened due to some lapses on our part, action should be taken in the matter. So whatever he said needs to be looked into,” Swamy said. Swamy also backed the liquor ban in the state, saying that just cigarette smoking causes cancer, the mind gets disturbed after consuming liquor, terming those who sell liquor as traitors.

MYSURU, APR 22

(IANS): Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah stated on Saturday that RSS and BJP are indulged in hatred politics against him and want to defeat him at any cost. “BJP is carrying politics of hatred in Varuna constituency,” he charged.

Speaking to reporters during his campaigning in Varuna constituency, Siddaramaiah stated that he does not have any personal enmity with BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh. “I have been contesting from the region since 1978. Before the Varuna constituency was carved out, I represented this region. People are telling me everyday to remain confident. BJP is carrying out politics of hatred in Varuna. RSS and BJP bent

on defeating me. However, the voters here are going to ensure my victory,” he said. Reacting to BJP Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha’s comment that uncertainty is haunting Siddaramaiah on his chances of victory, he asked how is he connected to Varuna constituency? He further reacted to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s similar observation that Bommai should be more bothered about his victory.

and at the same time, the AICC in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has also conveyed his point to the high command,” the PCC chief said.

“Then a third person should not comment on this.”

On the chances of a Cabinet reshuffle before elections, he said, “This is the prerogative of the chief

The state assembly elections are due later this year. Last week, Pilot opened a front against chief minister Gehlot.

Pilot said the Congress raised the issue of corruption when the party was in opposition during the BJP rule -- from 2013 to 2018 -- and promised in the 2018 assembly polls that action would be taken in the matter if the party forms the government in Rajasthan.

AICC in charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa called it an act against the party discipline. He also said that Pilot, who is an MLA, should have raised his demand for action in corruption cases in the Rajasthan Assembly, instead of holding the fast. With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the party held a oneon-one dialogue with MLAs and those who are supporting it and held a one-day workshop this week. Pilot skipped these programmes.

Amit Shah

Yogi Adityanath

Govind Singh Dotasara

Siddaramaiah

‘We are all united’: Raj Cong

Centre should take points made by Satya Pal Malik: Subramanian RSS, BJP carrying hatred politics to defeat me: Siddaramaiah

Diktats of law makers

Recent incidents involving police directly or indirectly in Uttar Pradesh, highlight how the police force in the state has come to symbolise politicisation of the force. That does not augur well for the impartiality that is expected of the police. The police is responsible for the enforcement of the law of the land and is described as the long arm of the law. Without an efficient and reliable police, the law cannot be enforced. In India, the police chiefs of different states and the police commissioners of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, report to the ministers in charge of the Home Department of those states. In Delhi, the commissioner reports to the Lieutenant Governor, who in turn reports to the Union Home Minister. Over the years, any ruling party’s dependency on not just the police, but also the entire bureaucracy, to govern in general, corner the opposition, and suppress dissent has basically emboldened law enforcers. The ruling political class has come to increasingly rely on our law enforcers, rather than on their own strength that stems from public support and political currency. The need to ensure that the police is insulated from political pressure has been identified many decades back and for which there has been several committees on police reforms. The first ever police reform in India was the Police Act, 1861, legislated by the British in the aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857 or the First War of Independence. The British, naturally at that time wanted to establish a police force that would suit the purpose of crushing dissent and any movement for self government. Thus, despite various recommendations for police reform, the fact is that when it comes to allowing the police force to act with strict compliance of the rule of law where there is no consideration for those in power, the situation in India over the years how various governments assumed power and used the police for their own interests. The situation has reached a point where it has become difficult to find a government that used the police primarily in the interest of public service, instead of to serve the interests of the ruling government and the ruling party. Politicisation of police is detrimental to democracy and damages the basic structure of governance. Former DGP of Punjab and also Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Ribiero had observed that the Delhi Police were extremely tolerant of the antics of the right-wing Hindutva students and very hard on the left-wing unions. That is not how a police force should approach law and order situations. This, in spite of the views of the Allahabad High Court and assorted High Courts outside UP. Political parties especially in UP have discovered a key element to power. In this, the politicians realise that they have become alienated from voters but have discovered easier ways to win elections – using the administration and law enforcement agencies. Law enforcers know how the lawmakers have been elected, and how strong they are. But the ruling government, perhaps in order to ensure the subservience and obedience of the law enforcement agencies and bureaucracy, has been on a spree to politicise them, sometimes enthusiastically recruiting party cadres and sympathisers. This is why the criminal justice system has failed and resulted in the politicisation of police.

DailyDevotion

The Light That Never Fails

We all, with unveiled face, beholding…the glory of the Lord… —2 Corinthians 3:18

A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, “…no one stood with me, but all forsook me….But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When “important” individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do— to look into the face of God for ourselves.

Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware— “…Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him” (Exodus 34:29). We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.

By Oswald Chambers

Lotha Baptist Churches Association rigmarole

The most unfortunate ongoing Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) tussle as it started off a year ago for a silly reason that could have been prevented had it resolved it amicably within the churches themselves through Christian spirit of forgive and forget wherein to restart afresh with more robust and inclusively has instead chosen to take a backseat further lengthening it the controversy even more tedious. With the endless blame game debate going on within the churches shows no sign of abating to settle the issue anytime soon. While it was expected from the most revered as-

sociation such as LBCA to take matured approach conscientiously so as to sit down together to find out the missing link with the best possible solution, the unpleasant situations that we are witnessing today at Wokha Mission Centre Vankhosung is utterly an eyesore and painful. Such coercive attitude from both the conflicting sides will only add fuel to the fire. This is the most unfortunate misfortune that the Lothas has ever created by none but themselves that will surely go down in the annals of history to be remembered for all generation to come for all wrong reasons. What actually began

as a small spark has now reached the point of no returned as the conflicting parties stoutly hold on to their egotism and intransigence not willing to compromise anything for anyone from both the end. What is even worse is that, when the two contending parties are fighting against eachother in the name of God, some are even willing to sacrifice everything for what they believed is their God given right not knowing how much it has to cause enormous damage not only in the sight of God but in the eyes of all its people. Imagined, what sort of thinking will it be going on in the minds

Does India overtaking China in population call for a party?

There were mixed feelings when news came that India had gone past China’s population of 1,425 million. Of late, there has been creeping self-doubt, even in official policy circles, whether the much-vaunted “demographic dividend” would play out the way one had imagined.

In an ideal scenario, a growing young and educated working population should be a big advantage for any economy. A growing middle-class consuming market also becomes attractive for the rest of the world in terms of trade and investment interaction. After all, two-thirds of India‘s population is under 35 years of age. And this advantage for India should continue for at least a decade after China’s population starts shrinking.

But this advantage can be leveraged only if certain conditions are fulfilled. One unfulfilled condition, which policymakers unanimously lament, is the grossly inadequate education and healthcare infrastructure to help create a workforce which reaps the so-called demographic dividend. There is enough literature analysing threadbare why India has not been able to fix its education and healthcare infrastructure, especially in the populous Hindi heartland states, which are decades behind even their south Indian counterparts – not to talk of any other country – in providing quality healthcare and education.

Remember, much of the so-called “demographic dividend” is supposed to

accrue from these populous Hindi-speaking north and central Indian states. The southern states have begun mirroring the developed world in demographics, according to World Bank studies. So the notion of demographic dividend is rather complex in the Indian situation and presents huge challenges. In this context, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin echoed what many Indian policymakers have been saying for some time – an educated workforce is the key. Speaking about China, Wang said: “When assessing a country’s demographic dividend, we need to look at not just its size but also its quality. Size matters, but what matters more is talent resources. Nearly 900 million of the 1.4 billion Chinese are of working age and on average have received 10.9 years of education.”

China has managed to create a much larger educated and healthy work force than India. This clearly reflects in the sheer size of the consuming middle class in China compared with India.

The US-based Pew Survey puts the Chinese middle and upper middleincome population living on $10 to $50 a day at nearly 800 million in 2021. China achieved this in 40 years after the Deng Xiaoping reforms began.

In sharp contrast, Pew puts India’s middle and upper middle-income population at merely 121 million.

So, China’s middle and upper middle consuming class is over seven times

that of India’s. This ratio is directly reflected in the number of passenger cars sold in China and India in 2022. India sold 3.7 million passenger cars and China 26 million in the same year – over seven times. China’s GDP at nearly $18 trillion is six times that of India’s.

China’s economically empowered middle class is way bigger than India’s. India, too, has experienced rapid growth over 30 years of economic reforms, launched in 1991, but remains at the bottom 25% of economies in terms of per capita income.

In fact, the biggest bulge shown by the Pew Survey is in India’s low-income population living on $2 to $10 a day. About 1.19 billion people live on $2 to $10 in India. This is the relatively low-income trap, mainly a result of 55% of the population remaining engaged in agriculture-related activities.

The last nine years have actually seen a backsliding as large numbers of people have moved back from urban employment to agriculturerelated work, especially after the pandemic. This shows up in the permanently higher demand for the guaranteed rural employment programme. Moreover, reputed development economist Jean Dreze recently wrote in the Indian Express showing evidence gleaned from official labour surveys that rural wages have stagnated for many years. It is in this context that India crossing China’s population causes a sense of unease.

M. K. Venu The Wire

of all the believers at this given juncture when the so called God anointed leaders are constantly engaged in rigmorale with no assurance of resolving the issue anytime soon.

It is indeed very unfortunate to say the least that, in spite of trying by all the intellectuals such as elders, Lotha Hoho, including NBCC inter alia, it seems all the existing options available to find a common ground to settle the issue has exhausted. Thus, it started resorting to coercive actions from both the sides will only complicates the situation day by day rather than arriving at agreeable point. Both the warring

parties involved seems to be in vengeance mood against each other now. This is very embarrassing and unfortunate on the part of both the conflicting parties.

The moot point is therefore, for how long shall it continue to keep going on in this manner with no positive outcome from both sides other than bringing in only profanity and damages to the hard earn reputation of the Lothas. Are not both the parties committing a sacrilege in its highest degree in front of God and His followers.

At this juncture, who on earth would want to severed the relationship amongst the same commu-

nity. However, if the situation so demands than perhaps the only way forward as of now could be to part ways peacefully from each other and let them function independently so as to circumvent from further damages and ignominy. Until such time arrived when we will have general consensus to come together again as one family, maybe to seek an amicable parting of the ways could be the last resort to salvage from more wrath of God.

Y. Mhonchumo

Could Apple’s ride into India be smooth as Suzuki’s?

Could Apple’s belated focus on India, as a market and as a manufacturing base, become in the fullness of time as significant an event as the entry of Suzuki (Maruti) into the Indian car market exactly 40 years ago? The answer has to be “yes” and “no”, though the differences in the two cases outweigh the similarities.

Suzuki entered a tiny car market whose outdated models had poor product standards, and hoped to expand the market dramatically with its low-priced entry.

Apple is entering a market that is already one of the largest for mobile phones, and, unlike Suzuki, is focused on the market’s top end — which is why its market share in units, at about 5 per cent, converts into 18 per cent by share of value (next only to Samsung’s 22 per cent).

Suzuki entered in partnership with the government, and enjoyed special benefits and protection from competition for an extended period, whereas benefits offered to Apple and its suppliers are also available to competitors. Suzuki introduced contemporary cars to Indians (alongside Japanese companies that entered the motorcycle and commercial vehicle markets at about the same time), and has enjoyed dominance in the small-car market ever since. Apple is entering a bitterly competitive market that is already used to the best as well as the cheapest products on offer.

Importantly, Suzuki brought with it a slew of Japanese vendors to set up shop in India and become suppliers for its Maruti cars. The result is India’s internationally competitive auto component industry. Since a car factory is largely an assembly unit, it is the vendor ecosystem created by Suzuki that has proved to be crucial. Part of that ecosystem is the steel industry itself, which had to start making special grades like deep-drawing steel.

Apple could end up playing the same role of catalyst if India can show that it is indeed a good base for the mass manufacture of phone components and sub-assemblies. But two policy crutches (production-linked incentives and the tariff protection, which has just been frowned on by the World Trade Organization) will have to go at some point. Will today’s booming mobile phone exports from India remain

viable then?

The second important thing is that other car manufacturers around the world were watching. As India’s car market expanded, they eventually followed in Suzuki’s footsteps — with varying results. For good measure, a couple of homegrown ventures also became significant players in the passenger vehicle market, as did three others in the motorcycle segment. Will the same happen in mobile phones? Samsung initially found India not friendly enough and focused on Vietnam, but it has a production centre near Delhi. The question is whether it can be persuaded to expand that production base, especially since it also has a large presence in the markets for TV sets and consumer durables.

The full measure of Apple’s success in India will depend on its becoming more than a phone company, and on its achieving a Samsung-style broadening of consumer appeal to its full product profile, so that it can also sell many millions of laptops, tablets, and watches — which too could then be assembled/produced in India. Could Tata (for instance) then become an Indian Foxconn, or, better still, a Wistron? Or India acquire a new reputation for flexible labour policies and efficient manufacturing? The short answer is that it is early days yet.

Two qualifications are in order. First, when a car and its parts are made in India, the country captures the bulk of the value chain. It is very different with mobile phones, for which the production cost is a small part of the retail price; the bulk of the Apple value chain remains in the US.

And second, although the Apple chief executive officer has talked of doubling and trebling his Indian workforce from the current 100,000, it is hard at this stage to see electronics manufacturing/assembly becoming quite as employment- and valuegenerating as the automobile industry with its extensive forward and backward linkages. Still, it is sufficient for the moment that the promising start of electronics assembly and exports could be the beginning of something much bigger.

TN Ninan The Print

Five reasons why an opposition alliance is a ‘no-go’

Although the 2024 Lok Sabha election is almost one year away, opposition parties have started confabulations, exploring the possibility of a united front to take on the BJP. While there is absolutely nothing surprising about these efforts, the feasibility of disparate opposition parties - most of them confined to just one state - coming together merits deeper and dispassionate analysis. This is needed not just for the sake of analysis but also for the larger cause of voter education, to facilitate their enlightened decision.

Such analysis brings to the fore at least five key reasons why a pre-election alliance of opposition parties seems both impossible and inadvisable.

These five reasons are as follows:

Quotes

They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm. -- Dorothy Parker

It starts with leadership. For the opposition to put up a united fight in a direct contest with the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they need a face. After the Bharat Jodo Yatra, apparently Rahul Gandhi and his associates

believe that his time has finally come. However, the ground reality is different. His yatra has failed to give any concrete political message. Besides, even within the Congress, the Grand Old Party of India, there is no unanimity on projecting RaGa as PM candidate.

More importantly, an inconsistent Rahul Gandhi has so far not displayed any honest political will to take on the BJP resolutely. Besides, a man technically younger to PM Modi seems happy with peddling older agenda points bereft of any imagination and spark.

Like RaGa, the Congress too has its own limitations. Many within the Congress doubt his ability to lead such an alliance. An indecisive Congress believes that it can neither abandon Rahul Gandhi, nor embrace him completely.

A near total lack of enthusiasm in the party for politically exploiting RaGa’s disqualification vividly reflected this ambivalence. Add to this the obvious reservations about Rahul Gandhi among lead-

ers like Mamata Banerjee, K Chandrasekhar Rao and, to some extent even Uddhav Thackeray, the process remains stuck.

Second, even if this hypothetical anti-BJP alliance decides to fight without projecting anybody as their leader, the question of their common agenda can’t be ignored. Except for “Modi hatao”, the anti-BJP front has no substantial agenda. There is no evidence to suggest that the opposition’s everyday noise about “Democracy in Danger” resonates with the people.

Besides, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee and KCR have not exactly covered themselves in glory while championing the cause of democracy. How can people forget that Bal Thackeray and Sharad Pawar had either defended or meekly accepted the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, or Mrs Gandhi-the-First.

Opposition parties must understand that PM Modi has in fact strengthened popular confidence in democracy. Pre-2014,

people had almost concluded that multi-party democracy in India is a failure, with democratic governance failing to bring about any change in their lives. A 2020 Pew Research survey on Satisfaction with Democracy revealed that while in most other democracies the level of satisfaction about governance is on the decline, in India 70% people are satisfied with democracy here. Internal contradictions are the third important reason the idea of a united opposition is just a chimaera.

From Mamata Banerjee to Sharad Pawar and KCR, most are in fact breakaway groups of the Congress. Their acceptance of the Congress as Big Brother at the national level demands that they sacrifice some seats. Would this really work on the ground? Also, the Congress today is more of a union of regional satraps like Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath, Bhupesh Baghel and Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Will the Congress disturb its own internal equations to accommodate

new partners?

In Tripura recently, the Congress tried to mend fences with the Left Front. Even this coming together of the two archrivals couldn’t convince the electorate and bring about the BJP’s defeat. Such opportunist alliances taking shape at the eleventh hour do not work - that is an important lesson to learn.

Alliances work on giveand-take. But given the inertia in the Congress organisation today, the party has precious little to give. It is undeniable that in many non-BJP-ruled states, the Congress has become more of a liability.

The bankruptcy of vision is the fourth reason for the failure of any anti-Modi plank. For most opposition parties, ideology is a thing of the past. They must at least have a vision for the India of the future. For any joint front of parties with diverse ideologies, evolving a common policy approach and a set of alternative development programmes is a must. Sadly, the opposition seems oblivious to this basic requirement.

Nobody knows what fault the opposition has found in PM Gati Shakti? Or Kisan Samman? Or the new National Education Policy? Or Nal-se-Jal? New development programmes to make India a developed country was an agenda long overdue. Opposition parties can’t oppose these just for the sake of it.

The policy leadership that PM Modi has given in the last nine years is unparalleled. Even one dozen chief ministers can’t help these intellectual Lilliputians compete with a towering Narendra Modi.

The abysmal trackrecord of governance of opposition parties is the fifth important reason why “Project Defeat Modi/BJP” is bound to fail. The BJP is the only party that has the courage to seek votes on the basis of its performance in governance.

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is former MP, Rajya Sabha and columnist, besides being President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)

Humtsoe. Post Graduate Student. (International Relations Program) North East Christian University; Dimapur.

SnIPPETS

2 killed in Rajasthan road accident

JAISALMER, APR 22

(PTI): Two persons sleeping underneath a truck were killed on Saturday morning when the driver was reversing the vehicle in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, police said. The incident occurred on the Jaisalmer-Khuhri road.

Birma Ram (17) and Kana

Ram (19) went to sleep underneath the truck on Friday night after attending a religious ceremony, police said. Police said the bodies were handed over to family members after post mortem and an investigation into the matter was underway.

Man held for raping minor daughter, her friend

SAHARANPUR (UP), APR 22 (PTI): A man has been arrested here for allegedly raping his minor daughter and her friend, police said on Saturday. The former head of a village in Gagalhedi police station area was arrested on Friday evening in connection with the rape case, SP City Abhimanyu Manglik told PTI. The minor girl, in her complaint, alleged that her father used to rape her and her friend from Sabhal district. They remained silent due to social pressure but later moved to police, he said.

A case has been registered against the accused and the victims have been sent for medical examination, SP Manglik said.

Man trampled to death by wild elephant

JAMSHEDPUR, APR 22 (PTI): A 58-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, police said on Saturday. Bibhuti Sahis went to the forest near Gobarghusi village in Patamda police station area along with one Shatrughan Singh, 60, to collect firewood on Friday afternoon, they said. The elephant attacked Bibhuti, who has a hearing problem, and trampled him to death, police said.

Three of family killed in roof collapse in UP

JALAUN (UP), APR 22

(PTI): Three members of a family were killed and one was injured when the thatched roof of a house here collapsed on them in the early hours of Saturday, police said.

The incident took place in Lahariya Pura locality under Orai Kotwali police station area when the family was asleep, they said. The family members of the deceased buried them without informing the police.

2 women held for running flesh trade

THANE, APR 22 (PTI):

Police have arrested two female agents at Kalyan in Maharashtra’s Thane district for allegedly pushing women into flesh trade, an official said on Saturday. The arrest was made following a raid conducted at a local lodge on April 20, said Mahesh Patil, senior inspector at the AntiHuman Trafficking Cell of the city police. “The police raided the lodge based on a tip-off and arrested the two women agents.

Transgender kills minor in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD, APR 21

(PTI): An eight-year-old was allegedly killed by a transgender here over financial issues with the boy’s father, police said Friday. Police received a complaint about the boy missing and they examined CCTV footage during investigation. The CCTV footage revealed that the boy went to the residence of the accused for playing but there was no evidence of him coming out, police said.

Poonch terror attack: Search operation intensified

TOP SECURITY OFFICIALS VISIT SITE; SOLDIERS CREMATED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS

RAJ OURI/JAMMU/ CHANDIGARH, APR 22

(PTI): Top security officials on Saturday visited the site of the April 20 terrorist attack on an army truck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and reviewed the major search and cordon operation launched in the area as any breakthrough eluded the forces for the second day.

Thousands of mourners including local MPs and MLAs gathered as the five jawans, who were killed when their truck was ambushed while carrying fruits and other items to a forward village for Iftar to be hosted by the Rashtriya Rifles unit on Thursday evening, were cremated with full military honours in their native villages.

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, BSF Director General S L Thaosen and ADGP Mukesh Singh, besides an NSG team visited the attack site

No heatwave conditions over most of India for 5 days: IMD

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(PTI): The India Meteorological Department on Saturday said most parts of India will heave a sigh of relief for the next five days from the searing heatwave conditions that had rattled people this week.

It said a cyclonic circulation lies over northwest Madhya Pradesh and another over interior Tamil Nadu. A trough of relatively low pressure runs from northwest Madhya Pradesh to south Tamil Nadu across Telangana. Private forecaster Skymet Weather added another trough extends from northeast Bihar to Odisha via Jharkhand.

Weather experts say a trough usually brings cloudy conditions and rain, leading to a drop in temperatures.

According to the IMD, several parts of India had been experiencing heatwave conditions for the past few days. High temperatures in the northern and central plains had

India celebrates Eid with prayers

at Bhata Dhurian, an area that has remain ed a preferred infiltration route for terrorists from across the Line of Control because of its topography, dense forest cover and natural caves.

Dwivedi reviewed the security in the border area and the ongoing combing operation to track down the terrorists.

The Northern Command said in a tweet that he was briefed on the actions undertaken so far and exhorted the troops to be steadfast in their resolve.

Officials said that around 15-16 people have been detained for questioning.

A high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and traffic has been suspended on the Rajouri-Poonch Highway, they said.

NEW DELHI, APR 22 (PTI): India celebrated Eidul-Fitr on Saturday with people, dressed in traditional finery, offering prayers at mosques and Eidgahs, and families coming together for feasts. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan.

In Delhi, a large number of people congregated at the historical Jama Masjid around 6:30 am to offer namaz. The special Eid prayers at Fatehpuri Masjid, Eidgah and Sunehri Masjid also drew large crowds. People greeted each other after the prayers and took part in the festivities. Shops in the city’s main markets, especially those around Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, did brisk business as people shopped for the festival.

While the festive spirit was palpable elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir, residents of Sangiote village skipped the pomp and show as they grieved the death of five Army soldiers in a terrorist attack in Poonch.

The soldiers were killed

on Thursday after unidentified terrorists attacked their truck and it caught fire. The truck was carrying vegetables, fruits and other items for an iftar gathering scheduled to be held in Sangiote on Thursday evening.

Sangiote has a population of more than 3,500 and over 60 per cent of the men are ex-servicemen.

“We just offered prayers. People are saddened by the death of jawans who were bringing material for our iftar on Thursday evening,” Sangiote village head Mukhtiar Khan told PTI over phone from his home.

In Kashmir, the largest congregation of devotees

was witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal lake where former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was among the notable persons to offer prayers. However, authorities did not allow Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in the old city, a day after allowing Friday congregational prayers. The biggest congregation in Jammu took place at Eidgah and Macca Masjid where hundreds of devotees performed Namaz-e-Eid and prayed for peace, development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the country.

PSLV-C55 launches 2 Singapore satellites into orbit

forced the local administrations to either change the timings or shut the schools until the weather improves. Even in the eastern hills, tea growers complained of relatively high temperatures and prolonged dry spell resulting in crop loss during the ongoing flush season.

In Delhi and its neighbouring areas, people were seen using scarves and taking shelter under trees on Saturday. The maximum temperature hovered around 37 degrees Celsius.

In Maharashtra, the government has shut down all schools affiliated with the state board till June 15. For Vidarbha region, the summer vacation extends till June 30.

Earlier this month, the IMD predicted abovenormal maximum temperatures in most parts of the country from April to June, barring parts of the northwest and the peninsular regions.

The central, east, and northwest parts of the

‘Conspiracy’ to reject Congress’ nominations: Shivakumar

BENGALURU, APRIL 22 (IANS):

Karnataka Congress President D. K. Shivakumar on Saturday accused the BJP, Chief Minister’s office and BJP legal cell of “conspiring” to reject the nomination papers of the candidates of the grand-old party, a charge denied by the BJP.

Addressing a press conference here, Shivakumar said that his nomination paper saw maximum downloads.

“There is a legal team stationed at Kanakapura. Why downloads in such large numbers? This implies that their objective is to get my nomination rejected,” he said.

“BJP, Chief Minister’s Office and legal cell have conspired. Congress candidates’ nominations have been downloaded. The Election Commission should focus on this development. BJP candidates’ nomination papers in Savadatti constituency have problems, many BJP candidates’ nominations have problems. But nothing has been done,” he alleged.

“They attempted to reject my nomination. If they can do this to me, what would be the fate of common candidates? The Election Commission should not bog down to any influence. The Chief Minister’s office is downloading nominations. The call details of the Chief Minister’s office must

D. K. Shivakumar

be gathered. I am making a direct allegation, please investigate the matter,” Shivakumar demanded.

Shivakumar also alleged that Union Minister for State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje is “conspiring to finish off” former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa by joining hands with her other party leaders. “I can reveal details of how she is making plans to finish off Yediyurappa,” he said.

Shivakumar claimed that the Lingayat vote bank of the BJP is not with the saffron party anymore.

“The dam of Lingayat vote bank has burst. It is flowing towards Congress,” he said.

Reacting to Shivakumar’s charges, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: “No nomination is rejected. Shivakumar is making allegations as he does not have anything to say.”

On Lingayat vote bank tilting towards Congress, Chief Minister Bommai said, “Lingayat voters are mature.”

country are expected to experience above-normal heatwave days during this period.

While a few regions have begun getting respite from the heatwave conditions since Friday, the maximum temperature in some others — such northwest, central and east India, including interior Gujarat and Maharashtra, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala — still hovered around 40 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, the maximum temperature was around 35 degrees Celsius in the rest of the country, except the western Himalayan region, where the day temperature was recorded in the range of 16-25 degrees Celsius.

The IMD said Saturday that heatwave conditions abated from Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

“No heatwave conditions over most parts of India during the next 5 days,” it added.

SRIHARIKO TA, (AP), APR 22 (PTI): ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on Saturday successfully placed two Singapore satellites into the intended orbit, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

The satellites are part of the order secured by NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO.

At the end of a 22.5 hour countdown, the 44.4 metre tall rocket lifted off majestically from the first launch pad at the pre-fixed 2.19 pm at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, located about 135 km from Chennai.

ISRO Chief S Somanath said PSLV placed both satellites into the intended orbit.

“The PSLV in its 57th mission has once again demonstrated its high reliablity and its suitability for commercial missions of such class,” a beaming Somanath said from the Mission Control Center.

“In this mission, we had a core alone configuration of the PSLV which has many specialities and improvements that we made

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to bring down the cost of the rocket as well as its integration time. And this is the goal--to have increased production and launches of PSLV in the times to come...,” Somanath, also Secretary, Department of Space, added Mission Director S R Biju said the “totally dedicated commercial mission” was carried out with “utmost precision.”

The primary satellite TeLEOS-2 is a synthetic aperture radar satellite de-

veloped under partnership between Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) representing the Government of Singapore and ST Engineering. It would be used to support the satellite image requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. TeLEOS-2 carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload. It would be used to provide all-weather day and night coverage and is capable of imaging at one metre full

polarimetric resolution for Singapore. The co-passenger satellite is Lumelite-4, codeveloped by the Institute for Infocomm Research and Satellite TEchnology and Research Centre of the National University of Singapore.

It is an advanced 12U satellite developed for the technological demonstration of the High-Performance Space-borne VHF data Exchange System (VDES).

The objective of the satellite is to augment Singapore’s e-navigation maritime safety and benefit the global shipping community, ISRO said.

PSLV C55 mission has been adopted with the ‘integrate, transfer and launch’ concept using the PSLV integration facility at Sriharikota. It is also the 16th mission for ISRO using the PSLV Core Alone configuration.

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Mother of Sepoy Harkrishan Singh stands near his mortal remains, in Batala, Saturday. (PTI)

Muslim Devotees offer Eid-al-Fitr Prayers at Jama Masjid, New Delhi, Saturday. (PTI)

ISRO’s PSLV-C55 carrying two Singapore satellites lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Station, Saturday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(ANI): The government has launched the fifth round of the Regional Connectivity Scheme — UDAN — to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.

With this, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on April 21 initiated the proces s of inviting bids from airlines for various routes under this fifth round of bidding for its regional connectivity scheme UDAN by releasing a bid document.

According to a tweet from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on April 21, only aircraft operations of Category 2 (20-80 seats) and

Elon Musk’s wealth nosedives $12.6 bn

offered.

Category 3 (>80 seats) will fall in this round with no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination, with stage length cap of 600 km waived.

According to a statement from the Ministry released on April 21 evening, some of the key features were the earlier stage length cap of 600 km is waived off and there is no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination of the flight; viability gap funding (VGF) to be provided will be capped at 600 km stage length for both Priority and Non-Priority areas which were earlier capped at 500 km and no predetermined routes would be

Only Network and Individual Route Proposal proposed by airlines will be considered and the airlines would be required to submit an action/business plan after two months from the issuance of Letter of Authorisation (LoA) wherein they submit their aircraft acquisition plan/availability of aircraft, crew, slots, etc. at the time of the technical proposal.

The statement mentioned the same route would not be awarded to a single airline more than once, whether in different networks or in the same network and added, “Exclusivity will be withdrawn if the average quarterly passenger load factor [PLF] is higher than 75% for four continuous quarters, to prevent exploitation of the monopoly on a route.”

According to the statement, 25% of the Performance Guarantee to be encashed for each month of delay up to four months, to further incentivise quick operationalization.

Sundar Pichai took home $226 mn in 2022 amid layoffs at Google

SAN FRANCISCO, APR

22 (IANS): Amid job cuts at Google’s parent company Alphabet, its CEO Sundar Pichai took home a whopping compensation of nearly $226 million in 2022.

According to the tech giant’s filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Pichaia’s compensation included stock awards of about $218 million. Pichai’s salary, however, has remained steady at $2 million for the past three years, according to reports.

On January 20, Google CEO confirmed in a letter to employees that about 12,000 people will be laid off glob-

ally, accounting for more than 6 per cent of the total workforce.

Amid layoffs, tech giant Google is also creating several cost-cutting mea -

sures such as cutting down on free snacks and workout classes for its existing employees, the media reported.

The company’s micro kitchen that provides free snacks like cereal, espresso, and seltzer water have been closed on days that typically have a significantly lower volume.

The company also discontinued spending on personal equipment like laptops, according to an internal memo.

Tech giant Google also informed its employees via an email that fewer of them will be promoted to more senior levels this year as compared to the past.

SAN FRANCISCO, APR

22 (IANS): Elon Musk saw his wealth plummet by more than $12 billion in just a day as he faced chaos and disappointing news from across his companies -- SpaceX, Twitter and Tesla.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, this was the biggest drop in Musk’s wealth so far this year. Tesla’s share price fell by 9.8 per cent after disappointing first quarter results.

Tesla’s operating income decreased 24 per cent to $2.7 billion in Q1 2023 as the Elon Musk-run EV maker continues to cut prices of its vehicles.

On the same day, SpaceX’s integrated Starship spacecraft experienced

a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” four minutes into its first test flight.

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket exploded after its launch from the US state of Texas on Thursday.

The rocket got off the launch pad in SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas but exploded minutes later. The spacecraft failed to reach orbit.

Twitter also went into chaos after Musk removed legacy Blue check marks, leaving hundreds of celebrities in the doldrum.

Musk still remains the world’s second-richest person despite this latest tumble in net worth, behind French tycoon Bernard Arnault, reports The Verge.

NEW DELHI, APR 22 (AGENCIES): Days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the current financial year (FY24) to 5.9 per cent from 6.1 per cent earlier, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report said on Friday that the multilateral body might “encounter forecast error” as there could be positive surprises on the growth front.

A report by Business Standard said that the State of the Economy report for April, authored by RBI staffers, including Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy Michael Debabrata Patra, also said India Inc’s profits had moderated after a robust 2021-

22, but remained healthy despite multiple challenges.

“This might provide a fillip for the much-awaited revival in the corporate capex cycle in 2023-24. Signs of upturn are becoming evident in industries such as cement, steel, oil and gas, textiles and data centres, to name a few early birds,” it said.

The article said multilateral institutions downgraded their earlier forecasts citing “slower consumption growth and challenging external conditions” besides upward revisions of GDP data of past years. “Although too early to tell, most recent data arrivals suggest that multilateral institutions – the IMF, in particular – might encounter forecast errors,

with actual outcomes surprising them positively,” it said.

Civil Aviation Ministry launches UDAN 5.0 IMF growth forecast may have errors: RBI

The report noted that the downcasting of growth for India was in line with the lowering of global growth projections as well as those for emerging market and developing economies.

“Yet, India is expected to be among the fastest growing major economies of the world, accounting for 15 per cent of global growth — the second-largest contribution, and higher than that of the US and the EU put together”, the RBI report said. The RBI maintained that the views expressed in the article were those of the authors and did not represent the views of the central bank.

ENSSU flags proxy teachers issue

(From p-1)

They further alleged that the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sitimi town in Kiphire district was functioning without a medical officer (MO) since November 2022 after the resignation of the former MO who was deployed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Further, they said the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Seyochung town was also functioning without MO

PNB cautions customers about fake message circulating on digital platforms

NEW DELHI, APR 22

(IANS): The Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Saturday issued an advisory to its customers related to fraudulent messages being circulated in PNB’s name.

The bank said that a fraudulent message stating “PNB’s 130th Anniversary Government Financial Subsidy” is being circulated across digital platforms.

“These are fake messages and PNB brand name is being used to perpetuate different forms of fraud. In some cases, these frauds are attempts at identity theft and financial scams,” the bank said in a statement.

PNB advised its customers and the general public to be

careful and vigilant while receiving such fake messages, especially those circulated through social media and other channels like WhatsApp. “As a precautionary step, we also urge our customers not to divulge any confidential/personal/ financial information via phone calls or emails and not to click/download any suspicious links, even if they appear legitimate,” the bank cautioned. As digital banking surges in India, scammers are targeting people to rob them of their hardearned money via a wave of fraudulent messages. The messages such as “Dear customer, your bank account will be suspended today.

after the earlier official was transferred by the department without any replacement. Considering public health, Covid-19 cases that were on the rise in the country and to ease the difficulties faced by the people of Sitimi and Seyochung areas, the ENSSU leaders urged the Department of Health & Family Welfare to look into the matter at the earliest and immediately fill the vacant posts.

Elon Musk

Sundar Pichai

SnIPPETS

US reports 19k deaths from flu this season

LOS ANGELES, APR

22 (IANS): There have been at least 26 million flu illnesses, 290,000 hospitalisations, and 19,000 deaths from flu so far this season in the US, according to the latest data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 143 pediatric flu deaths have been reported in the country so far this season, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the CDC data. Nearly 2,000 people were hospitalised with flu in the latest week ending April 15, CDC data showed.

Aus citizenship made easier

for NZ

CANBERRA, APR 22

(IANS): Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living in Australia will be able to claim citizenship under a policy shift, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday.

He announced that from July, hurdles to citizenship will be removed, allowing New Zealanders on Special Category Visa to apply directly for Australian citizenship without becoming permanent residents first, as long as they meet a four-year residence and other eligibility requirements, reports Xinhua news agency.

7 killed, 4 injured in Pakistan road accident

LAHORE, APR 22 (PTI): At least seven people, including four children, were killed on Saturday when an overspeeding trailer crashed into roadside huts in Pakistan’s Punjab province, a media report said. The accident, which also injured four others, occurred when the speeding trailer skidded off the road and rammed into huts located along the road in Dunyapur city of Lodhran district, ARY news channel reported.

6.4-magnitude

quake hits Indonesia

JAKARTA, APR 22 (IANS): A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Southeast Sulawesi province in Indonesia on Saturday, but did not trigger a tsunami, Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency BMKG said. The agency reported the quake hit at 15.23 p.m. Jakarta time (0823 GMT) with its epicentre situated at 227 km northeast of the Wakatobi Regency and a depth of 32 km under the sea, Xinhua News Agency reported quoting BMKG.

Finland’s birth rate drops to lowest since 1776

HELSINKI, APR 22

(IANS): Finland’s registered 1.32 births per woman in 2022, the lowest level since record keeping started in 1776, according to official data. Statistics Finland said the figure in 2021 was 1.46, reports Xinhua news agency. In 2022, 44,951 children were born in Finland. Statistics Finland said the main reason for the drop was that families chose not to have a second or third child.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia expected to sign deal

ISLAMABAD, APR 22

(PTI): Cash-starved Pakistan is likely to ink a deal for additional deposits of USD 2 billion from Saudi Arabia after Eid, authorities said on Saturday, a move that will help the country secure the muchrequired bailout from the IMF. In March, Pakistan sought Saudi Arabia’s confirmation for funds to ink an IMF deal. Earlier this month Pakistan got Riyadh’s nod for additional funding.

Rescue of foreign citizens and diplomats expected: Sudan army

KHARTOUM, APR 22

(AP): The Sudanese army said Saturday it was coordinating efforts to evacuate American, British, Chinese and French citizens and diplomats from Sudan on military aircraft, as the bloody fighting that has engulfed the vast African nation entered its second week.

The military said that its chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, had spoken to leaders of several countries who have requested safe evacuations of their citizens and diplomats from Sudan.

The prospect has vexed officials as most major airports have become battlegrounds and movement out of the capital, Khartoum, has proven intensely dangerous. Burhan “agreed to provide the necessary assistance to secure such evacuations for various countries,” the military said.

Questions have swirled over how the mass rescues of foreign citizens would unfold, with Sudan’s main international airport closed and millions of people sheltering indoors.

As battles between

the Sudanese army led by Burhan and a rival powerful paramilitary group rage in and around Khartoum, including in residential areas, foreign countries have struggled to repatriate their citizens — some of whom are running short on food and basic supplies while hunkered down.

Burhan said that some diplomats from Saudi Arabia had already been evacuated from Port Sudan, the country’s main seaport on the Red Sea, and airlifted back to the kingdom. He said that Jordan’s diplomats would soon be evacuated in the same way.

The port is in Sudan’s

Lawmakers war-game conflict with China, hoping to deter one

WASHINGTON, APR 22

far east, some 840 kilometers (520 miles) from Khartoum. The Pentagon said earlier this week it was moving additional troops and equipment to a Naval base in the tiny Gulf of Aden nation of Djibouti to prepare for the evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel.

But the White House said Friday it had no plans for a government-coordinated evacuation of an estimated 16,000 American citizens trapped in Sudan.

Burhan told Saudi-owned TV station AlHadath on Saturday that Khartoum’s airport would not handle any evacuations because of the ongoing

China’s FM holds talks in Philippines amid strained ties

MANILA, APR 22 (AP):

China’s foreign minister said Saturday his country is willing to work with the Philippines to resolve their differences, as tensions rise over Beijing’s behaviour in the disputed South China Sea and Manila’s deeping military cooperation with the US.

Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks in Manila with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, and was scheduled to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just days before he travels to Washington for a meeting with President Joe Biden.

China has warned that a deepening security alliance between the United States and the Philippines should not harm its security and territorial interests and interfere in long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Beijing has criticised a recent agreement by the

Philippines and the US to grant US forces access to additional local military camps. The deal allows American forces to establish military staging grounds and surveillance outposts in the northern Philippines across the sea from Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, and in provinces facing the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety.

“We are willing to

Japan gets ready to shoot down N. Korea spy satellite debris

TOKYO, APR 22 (AP): Japan’s defense chief on Saturday ordered troops to activate missile interceptors and get ready to shoot down fragments from a North Korean satellite that may fall on the Japanese territory.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un said earlier this week that its first military spy satellite that will be launched at an unspecified date.

North Korea has testfired about 100 missiles since early last year, saying it was responding to joint

U.S.-South Korean military drills that it calls an invasion rehearsal.

Several of the missiles flew over Japan or landed off the northern Japanese coast.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Saturday instructed troops to ready PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles in southwestern Japan, including Okinawa and nearby islands, in an area believed to be under a flight path of a North Korean rocket that will carry the satellite.

fighting. He claimed that the military had regained control over all the other airports in the country, except for one in the southwestern city of Nyala.

“We share the international community’s concern about foreign nationals,” he said. “Living conditions are deteriorating.”

Even as the warring sides said Friday they’d agreed to a cease-fire for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, explosions and gunfire rang out across Khartoum on Saturday.

Two cease-fire attempts earlier this week also rapidly collapsed.

The turmoil has dealt a perhaps fatal blow to hopes for the country’s transition to a civilian-led democracy and raised concerns the chaos could draw in its neighbours, including Chad, Egypt and Libya.

“People need to realise that the war has been continuous since day one. It has not stopped for one moment,” said Atiya Abdalla Atiya, secretary of the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate, which monitors casualties.

(AP): It’s April 22, 2027, and 72 hours into a firststrike Chinese attack on Taiwan and the US military response. Already, the toll on all sides is staggering. It was a war game, but one with a serious purpose and high-profile players: members of the House select committee on China.

The conflict unfolded on Risk board game-style tabletop maps and markers under a giant gold chandelier in the House Ways and Means Committee room. The exercise explored American diplomatic, economic and military options if the United States and China were to reach the brink of war over Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.

The exercise played out one night last week and was observed by The Associated Press. It was part of the committee’s in-depth review of US policies toward China as lawmakers, especially in the Republicanled House, focus on tensions with President Xi Jinping’s government.

In the war game, Beijing’s missiles and rockets

cascade down on Taiwan and on US forces as far away as Japan and Guam. Initial casualties include hundreds, possibly thousands, of US troops. Taiwan’s and China’s losses are even higher.

Discouragingly for Washington, alarmed and alienated allies in the war game leave Americans to fight almost entirely alone in support of Taiwan.

And forget about a US hotline call to Xi or one of his top generals to calm things down — not happening, at least not under this role-playing scenario.

The war game wasn’t about planning a war, law-

makers said. It was about figuring out how to strengthen US deterrence, to keep a war involving the US, China and Taiwan from ever starting. Ideally, the members of Congress would walk out of the war game with two convictions, the committee chairman, Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., told colleagues at the outset: “One is a sense of urgency.”

The second: “A sense ... that there are meaningful things we can do in this Congress through legislative action to improve the prospect of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Gallagher said.

Russia bombs own city; explosive found at same site

MOSCOW, APR 22 (AP):

work together with Philippines to implement the consensus of both leaders, keep China-Philippine ties in the right direction, safeguard the overall situation of our bilateral relationship, work together to continue our tradition of friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and properly resolve our differences in the spirit of credibility, consultation, and dialogue,” Qin told reporters.

Seventeen apartment buildings were evacuated on Saturday in a Russian city near the Ukrainian border after an explosive device was found at the site where a bomb accidentally dropped by a Russian warplane caused a powerful blast this week, authorities said. The bomb blast late on Thursday rocked part of Belgorod, leaving a large crater and three people injured. The Russian Defense Ministry quickly acknowledged that a weapon accidentally released by one of its own Su-34 bombers caused the explosion.

The ministry said an investigation was underway but did not elaborate on the details of the weapon, which military experts said likely was a powerful 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) bomb.

The governor of Belgorod province, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported on Saturday that sappers examin-

ing the site of Thursday’s blast found and decided to detonate what he called an “explosive object” that was “in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings.”

The precautionary evacuations ended later in the day, according to Belgorod Mayor Valentin Demidov.

“The bomb was removed from the residential area. Residents are being delivered back to their homes,” Demidov wrote on Telegram.

Russian authorities did not say if the detonated device was dropped by ac-

cident on Thursday and if so, if it was a remnant of or separate from the bomb that exploded in the city.

Belgorod, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the RussiaUkraine border, has faced regular drone attacks since Russia sent troops into Ukraine last year. Russian authorities have blamed those strikes on the Ukrainian military, which refrained from directly claiming responsibility for the attacks.

Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine has sent relations with the West into deep

freeze, with frequent expulsions of diplomats on both sides.

On Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that German authorities had “decided on another mass expulsion of employees of Russian diplomatic missions in Germany.” It said that Moscow would expel German diplomats in response.

A ministry statement said that “as a reaction to the hostile actions of Berlin,” Russia decided to “mirror” the expulsions by Germany and “significantly limit” the maximum number of staff at German diplomatic missions in Russia. Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it took note of the comments. It said that the German government and Russia had been in contact in recent weeks on “questions regarding the staffing of the respective diplomatic missions” and that a flight on Saturday took place in that context. It didn’t elaborate.

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday with feasts, prayers

BEIRUT, APR 22 (AP):

The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future.

After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts

of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day.

A deadly conflict in the

China gearing up for mass confiscation, reallocation of farmland

NEW DELHI, APR 22 (IANS): New rules governing the transfer of rural land in China have sparked concerns that the ruling Communist Party may be gearing up for the mass confiscation and reallocation of farmland in the name of “stabilising the grain supply”, a media report said. The Ministry of Agriculture announced this week that it will roll out a pilot scheme to “standardise” the transfer of rural property rights, as well as “strengthening supervision and management” over the use of rural land in China, which is typically leased to farmers on 30-year “household responsibility” contracts, with the ownership remaining

with the government, Radio Free Asia reported.

The move comes after the administration of supreme party leader Xi Jinping made it easier in 2016 for farmers to be bought out

of household responsibility leases, to encourage farmers to relocate to urban areas to reduce rural poverty. Under the new land rules, officials are expected to “give full play to gov -

ernment leadership” via controversial agricultural management enforcement officials, who critics fear will send the country back to Mao-era collective farming and micromanagement of people’s daily lives, RFA reported.

Analysts and farmers said that the main point of the additional controls is the tightening of state control over the supply of grain and to facilitate the transfer of rural land away from farmers if needed, RFA reported.

The move comes amid an ongoing government campaign to “stabilize the grain supply” and other moves to ensure food security, including revamping moribund Mao-era food

coops and ordering the construction of state-run canteens. The rules insist on “disciplined transactions” including supervision of contract-signing and “certification,” and could pave the way for the mass reallocation of farmland in future, analysts said, RFA reported.

Financial commentator Cai Shenkun said the scope of the pilot scheme is unprecedented.

“Given the involvement of the agricultural management officials who are now empowered to enforce the law, I think it has something to do with the next step, which will be the confiscation and reallocation of land,” he said, RFA reported.

vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low.

In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islam’s third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month.

The compound also hosts Judaism’s holiest site.

Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with

the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals of Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshippers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones.

At least 21 killed as Somalia battles jihadis in remote area

MOGADISHU, APR 22 (AP): Somalia’s military repulsed an attack by jihadi fighters in a remote region of the country early Saturday, killing at least 18 of the al-Shabab militants, according to a top army official.

At least three civilians described as “traditional elders” were killed in the fighting near Masagaway town, Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Taredisho said by phone.

Masagaway is located in the central region of Galgadud and home to a military base. Resident Yusuf Sheikh told The Associated Press that militants overran the base, confiscated

weapons and burned battle wagons during the attack.

“It was early in the morning, and (al-Shabab) completely took over the whole town, including the military base, forcing the government forces out of the town,” he said.

Sheikh said several people were killed in the attack and others were missing. Al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida, opposes the Somali federal government in Mogadishu, the capital. The group intensified attacks on military bases in recent months after it lost control of territories in rural areas to government forces.

Smoke fills the sky in Khartoum, Sudan, near Doha International Hospital on April 21, 2023.

US Lawmakers gather for a tabletop war game exercise in Washington on April 19, 2023.

The site of the crater after an explosion in Belgorod, Russia on Friday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, right, and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo

Shiites attend Eid al-Fitr prayer at Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq April 22, 2023.. (AP/PTI)

FILE—A Chinese farmer plants rice seedlings in a field in China’s Fujian Province.

Super Cup: Odisha FC beat NE United; storm into final

NEW DELHI, APR 22

LSU holds open futsal tournament, road run, extravaganza night

BHUBANESWAR,

APR 22 (AGENCIES): Odisha FC defeated NorthEast United by a 3-1 margin in the second semi-final of the Hero Super Cup 2023 on Saturday, April 22. A brace from Nandhakumar Sekar and a late goal by Diego Mauricio sealed an emphatic victory for Clifford Miranda’s men.

The two sides have had a reputation for scoring goals at will in the Hero Super Cup and it took just a minute for the Highlanders to find the net. Rochharzela’s early pass found Wilmar Jordan Gil and the striker made no mistake in converting the chance.

However, Odisha equalized just nine minutes after the opening goal. Following a patient build-up, Victor Rodriguez threaded an inch-perfect through ball to Jerry on the right flank. The winger delivered a flat cross to Nandhakumar, who scored with a bullet header.

The Juggernauts began controlling the game after the equalizer, with the likes of Nandhakumar, Diego

Players of Odisha FC and NorthEast United in action during semi-final of the Hero Super Cup 2023 on Saturday.

Mauricio, and Rodriguez linking up well in the attacking third. Despite carving open NorthEast United’s defense on a few occasions, the chances were few and far between.

Towards the end of the first half, Odisha knicked the ball away from NorthEast United in a dangerous area.

Rodriguez was once again in the thick of the action and teed up Mauricio, but the striker’s powerful effort was blocked by Mashoor Thangalakath.

The first half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides showing flashes of their brilliance, but it ended on level terms.

The Highlanders once again started the half brightly. Jordan Gil pounced on a mistake and muscled his way past Osama Malik, but slipped at the vital moment and dragged his shot wide. Odisha, however, looked dangerous with Nandhakumar pulling the strings from the left side. Around the hour mark, he brilliantly set up Mauricio, but the Brazilian’s shot was once again blocked by Mashoor. They were soon rewarded for their efforts as they took the lead in the 63rd minute. Nandhakumar’s deft pass found Rodriguez in the box, whose audacious backheel left NorthEast United scrambling. Nandhakumar was in the right place at the right time to finish off a stunning move and score his second goal of the night. Clifford Miranda’s side were certainly in the mood, with Nandhakumar having two more opportunities to complete his hat trick. However, he fluffed his chances by taking too many touches in the penalty box.

KLBC evangelism sports meet concludes

tential talent. Subenthung

Odyuo chaired the closing programme while Rev.Dr

K. Benry Lotha Sr. Pastor, Kohima Lotha Baptist Church gave away trophies and certificates to the winning team. A. Libonthung Yanthan Pastor Kohima Lotha Baptist Church proposed benediction prayer.

(IANS): The All India Football Federation has decided to introduce a series of amendments in its Regulations on Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) that will benefit and add value to the welfare of state associations, clubs, academies and players till the grassroots level, the country’s football governing body said on Saturday. The development comes after the meeting of the Executive Committee of the AIFF on April 14.

Under the new RSTP amendment, “the people/ academies who are involved in training of players at grassroots level but cannot participate in AIFF youth leagues” will now be eligible for compensation when a player switches to another academy/club from his parent academy/club. Previously, to be eligible for Training Compensation, an academy or club had to be a part of at least one AIFF Youth League competition. Now that the new Training Compensation has come into effect (from June 1, 2023), the eligibility of triggering the Compensation will not be linked with playing in AIFF Youth Leagues.

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): As part of its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, the Lhisemia Students Union (LSU) organised an open futsal tournament, road run and extravaganza night on April 21 and 22.

The inaugural session of the open futsal tournament held at Niathu Sports Club, Khikha was graced by Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) president Mhasimhalie Yhome as special guest on April 21.

On April 22 in the Amateur category, Dapfhütsumia Students Union (DSU) Team A won the first prize and received Rs.7000 along with a cita-

tion and trophy while Tsütuonomia Students Union (TSU) Team A finished runner-up with a Cash Prize of Rs.5,000 along with citation and Trophy.

In the Open Category, Khel United won first position and took home the Champion Trophy with a Cash Prize of Rs.15,000 and citation while the Iconic FC settle for runner-up trophy with a cash prize of Rs.10,000 and Citation. All the trophies were sponsored by Atou Yhome.

Meanwhile, a Road run event was held on Saturday in three categories— sub-juniors (boys and girls), juniors (boys and girls) and open category (men and women). Thepfulhouzo

Chielie, Khriezetuonuo Suokhrie, Neikezelhou Dzüvichü, Vilesienuo Mepfhüo, Mhasiletuo Yhome and Pelekhonuo Mepfhüo secured first position in their respective categories. At the valedictory programme, sports committee convenor Viliebeizo Liezietsu proposed the vote of thanks and led the prize distribution ceremony. Prizes were given away by KVSU president Avio Sorhie; organizing committee convenor Dzüvinguzo Mepfhüo and LSU president Dziesekhrietuo Khruomo.

On April 22 evening, an extravaganza night was held at Kohima Village Council (KVC Hall), Kohima village.

Proper V wins Kohima open penalty shootout

DIMAPUR, APR 22

Tug of War for both Men & Women).

P layers lined up at the closing ceremony, Saturday, Kohima (NP)

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 22 (NPN): A two-day evangelism sports, which was organised by Kohima Lotha Baptist Church Men’s fellowship and women’s department, concluded Saturday eve -

ning. The event was held at 4NAP Bn Thizama Kohima on the theme “Goal On”. The event was organized with an aim to strengthen the unity of the congregation, know each other and exhibit one’s po-

Pankaj Advani makes magnificent debut in Mumbai Billiards League

du Gymkhana ‘B’ team youngster Aditya Shandilya (+60) by a clear 200-4 margin to set the tone for the team’s facile 587-240 win in a Group-B home fixture.

All seven sectors, church staff and men’s initiaters participated in the four events (Volleyball, Basketball, Penalty shootout and

Winners included: Men’s volleyball (Agri Sector), Basketball (DBS Sector), Penalty shootout (Town Sector), Tug of War (Agri Sector), Women’s volleyball (Main Church), Women Basketball (Bayavü Sector), Penalty shootout (DBS Sector), women Tug of War (Bayavü Sector); Overall Champions (Main Church) and Best Discipline (Town Sector).

(NPN): Proper V from Chumoukedima district emerged as the champion of the 1st Open Penalty Shootout Tournament organised by Impact Club played at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on Saturday. The Chumou team defeated Tribal United 4-3 in the final shootout to take the title. Proper V, the champion team was awarded with Rs 60,000, one of the highest prize money for a Penalty Shootout Tour nament

MUMBAI, APR 22 (IANS): India’s ace billiards player Pankaj Advani made a magnificent debut in the Billiards & Snooker Association of Maharashtraorganised annual Mumbai Billiards League 2023 with an unfinished break of 200 in his first outing. The cue sports maestro Advani (-100 handicap) representing Cricket Club of India (CCI) started in whirlwind fashion and rolled in an unfinished 200-point break and defeated P.J. Hin-

Advani, who had in grand fashion clinched the prestigious CCI Classic Billiards crown by defeating England’s Rob Hall by a distance in the final on Thursday, exhibited the same kind of form and comfortably constructed the big run to provide his team with the perfect start by pocketing the first match.

Later, Giriraj Gaglani (+70), inspired by Advani’s performance, played confidently well and overcame Hindu Gymkhana’s Variksh Mehta (+70) by a 200-123 point difference.

Konyak of Proper V and received a cash prize of Rs. 5000.

Organising Committee along with the champ Proper V after the prize distribution at Kohima on Saturday. that has been organized in the state. While runner-up Tribal United received Rs 30,000. A total of 40 teams

from different district participated in the tournament vying for the coveted title. The best goal keeper was given to Khoazang

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In a statement, Impact Club said that the tournament was organised to encourage youngsters to participate in positive and productive events where they could also sharpen their skills and develop competitive spirit of sportsmanship. The Club informed that more tournaments will be organised in the future with the motive to bring about small changes in the society.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalms 116:15)

Our special thanks to:

 The Pentecostal Mission, Sechü Zubza

 The Pentecostal Mission, New Market Kohima

 Sechü Zubza Baptist Church

 Baptist Church, Tsüüma

 Doctors and Nurses, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima

 Mrs. Salhoutuonuo Kruse, Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture

 Sechü Zubza Students’ Union

 NDPP Kohima Region

 NDPP 8th Western Angami AC

 NDPP 8th Western Angami Women Organization

LATE VIRIETUONUO KUOTSU

Born : 18/12/1945 – Died : 14/04/2023

We, the bereaved Family of Late VIRIETUONUO KUOTSU , Wife of Late VIKOLAZO KUOTSU, would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all those who sympathised with us and extended their support physically, financially, materially and spiritually through your unceasing prayers.

We regret our inability to thank each individual who shared our grief until her last moment with us but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you abundantly.

 Sechü Zubza Day Keseko

 Kherthi “A” Colony, Sechü Zubza

 Thevo Kuotsu Kikhwüno, Sechü Zubza

 Mezomia Mechü Kehou, Sechü Zubza

 Dzülekie Village Council

 Kuda Tech Skill Centre, Dimapur

 Dr. Kedo Punyü, NHAK

 Dr. Zuchamo Patton, NHAK















Dr. Wathsutho Nyuthe, NHAK

Dr. Albert T. Pochury, NHAK

Mr. I. Meyionen Jamir, Chief Information Commissioner

Mr. Asu Keyho, Ex MLA & President, AAP Nagaland Unit

Er. Azo Khamo & Family

Er. Petehetuo Miasalhou & Family

Mr. Mukamchim Lims & Family

Participants of Road Run organised in commemoration of yearlong 75th Anniversary of Lhisemia Students Union (LSU) on Saturday.

Pankaj Advani

AIFF amends regulations on transfer of players

IPL: Punjab Kings beat MI by 13 runs

Gujarat stuns Lucknow with 7-run victory

Veteran pacer Mohit Sharma bowled a splendid final over in Gujarat Titans’ seven-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

3rd late G. Rio memorial U-19 (boys) inter-district tournament

MUMBAI/LUCKNOW, APR 22 (PTI/AP): Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by 13 runs in their Indian Premier League match here on Saturday.

Invited to bat, Punjab Kings piled up 214 for 8 with Sam Curran, the highest paid overseas recruit, smashing 55 off 29 balls and adding 92 for the fifth wicket in just eight overs with Harpreet Bhatia (41 off 28 balls). National T20 team contender Jitesh Sharma (25 off 7 balls) also upped the ante towards the end.

For MI, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (2/15 in 3 overs) was the best bowler with all the pacers getting

more or less hammered.

Chasing a big target of 215, MI could score only 201 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Cameron Green topscored for MI with 67 whie Suryakumar Yadav and captain Rohit Sharma chipped in with 57 and 44 respectively. For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of 4/29.

Brief Scores

Punjab Kings: 214 for 8 in 20 overs (Sam Curran 55, Harpreet Bhatia 41; Piyush Chawla 2/15). Mumbai Indians: 201 for 6 in 20 overs (Cameron Green 67, Suryakumar Yadav 57, Rohit Sharma 44; Arshdeep Singh 4/29).

With the hosts needing 12 off the last six balls, Sharma dismissed Lokesh Rahul on 68 and Marcus Stoinis for a first-ball duck before helping out with two run-outs as Lucknow crashed from 126-3 to 128-7 (20 overs) and fell short of Gujarat’s 135-6 (20 overs) in a stunning manner. Opting to bat on a slow, low surface, Gujarat got off to a poor start and lost Shubman Gill for a two-ball duck.

Skipper Hardik Pandya batted at number three and put on 68 runs with Wriddhiman Saha. Saha scored 47 off 37 balls, hitting six fours, and provided the early impetus to the Titans’ innings even as Pandya held one end together. The spinners didn’t allow them to score freely with left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya, Hardik’s elder brother, picking 2-16 in four overs.

Wrist spinner Amit

Mishra also picked 1-9 in two overs, but didn’t get to finish his spell.

After Saha fell to Krunal Pandya, Hardik took charge of the innings but didn’t find much support from the other Gujarat batsmen as they found the going tough on a slowpaced wicket.

The Gujarat skipper, who reached 50 off 44 balls, then unleashed four sixes at the death to take his team to a competitive total.

Bodybuilding, fitness championship held in Dimapur

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN): National Physique Committee (NPC) Nagaland and Nagaland Physique Alliance (NPA) organised its 2nd NPC bodybuilding and fitness championship at Holy Cross auditorium here on Saturday.

This year, the competition also witnessed the first Nagaland powerlifting (RAW).

Livingstone foundation society chairman Dr. Andrew Ahoto, who graced the event as chief guest, spoke on having a sound body and mind and the importance of staying fit both physically and spiritually.

Results: Men’s bodybuilding winner (Dabinder Singh); men’s classic physique winner (Dabinder

Singh); Men’s Physique winner (Nukshimanen Jamir); Women’s Bikini winner (Ngullie Etsibeni); Women’s figure winner (Suzie Basan); Men’s powerlifting 93 kg and

above category (Tsuknungakum from Nagaland); Weight category 83-93 kg winner (Kekhriesetuo Mechiilho from Nagaland); Weight category 74 – 83

In reply, Lucknow got off to a quick start as Rahul put on 55 runs off 39 balls with Kyle Mayers (24).

Rahul reached his half-century off 38 balls, including eight fours, and despite losing Mayers put on another 51 runs with Krunal Pandya (23).

Lucknow was in pole position at that time, as Gujarat’s spinners didn’t have the same impact. Rashid Khan proved expensive with 1-33 in four overs.

kg winner (Vizobelie Punyii from Nagaland); Women’s 52-57 kg weight category winner (Neha Bordoloi) and weight category 57-63 kg winner (Gangutri Borah, Assam).

Swiatek faces Sabalenka for Stuttgart title after Jabeur retires

STUTTGART, APR 22 (AGENCIES):

World number one Iga Swiatek moved into the Stuttgart Open final on Saturday after her opponent Ons Jabeur retired injured three games into the first set. The Pole on Sunday will face Aryna Sabalenka in a repeat of last year’s final, following the Belarusian’s comfortable straight sets victory over Anastasia Potapova.

Tunisian Jabeur, on a seven-match winning run after recovering from injury and surgery earlier this year, looked to have hurt herself during the last point of the first game.

The world number four, fresh from her title win in Charleston earlier in the month, took a medical timeout but

despite playing on with her left calf bandaged for two more games she decided to stop with Swiatek 3-0 up.

“I really tried but at that point I don’t know what happened,” a tearful Jabeur said. “I was excited to play Iga and seeing that the stadium is full. I am sorry about it.”

Australian Open winner Sabalenka needed just 58 minutes to storm into her third straight Stuttgart final with a 6-1 6-2 demolition of Potapova. Sabalenka, who last year lost to Swiatek, raced to a 4-0 lead, breaking her opponent twice.

Salah grabs winner as Liverpool beats Forest 3-2

LIVERPOOL, APR 22

(AP): Liverpool twice relinquished a lead before scoring a winner through Mohamed Salah as a 3-2 result over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest preserved hopes of a top-four finish in the English Premier League on Saturday. Diogo

Jota put Liverpool 1-0 and 2-1 ahead at Anfield only for goals by Neco Williams — a former Liverpool player — and Morgan Gibbs-White to pull Forest level. The last of five goals in a wild spell of 23 second-half minutes was converted by Salah, who side-footed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick in the 70th minute for his 16th of the league campaign.

Liverpool jumped to seventh in the standings, six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle and three behind Tottenham in fifth. Newcastle hosts Tottenham on Sunday. Forest, which is in next-to-last place, remained

without a win since Feb. 5 and has lost six of its last seven games, leaving manager Steve Cooper under lots of pressure after he was told results had to improve by owner Evangelos Marinakis this month.

Leeds in danger after loss at Fulham: Leeds remained in relegation danger in the Premier League after losing 2-1 at Fulham on the back of two mistakes from goalkeeper Illan Meslier on

Saturday. Both of Fulham’s goals came in the second half after Meslier failed to deal with the crosses from the left, with Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira benefitting from the goalkeeper only parrying the ball out into the middle of the area. An own-goal by Joao Palhinha in the 79th gave some late hope for Leeds, which started the game two points above the relegation zone and fell to a fourth

loss in its last five games. The win could have been bigger for Fulham, with free-kick shots from Pereira and Willian hitting the goal frame in a chaotic second half. Instead, the hosts settled for the goals of Wilson, who smashed a fierce shot in off the underside of the crossbar in the 58th following Willian’s cross, and Pereira, who couldn’t miss inside the six-yard box after Meslier’s flap directed the ball straight at the Brazilian midfielder in the 72nd. Leeds fans voiced their displeasure, chanting “We want Orta out” — in reference to Victor Orta, the director of football — as well as the name of former manager Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds was coming off heavy defeats to Crystal Palace (5-1) and Liverpool (6-1).

DIMAPUR, APR 22 (NPN):

batsman settle for any big scores.

Chumoukedima

defeated Niuland by 6 wickets in the finals to be crowned the champions of the 3rd edition of Late G. Rio Memorial U-19 (boys)

Inter-district tournament played at Nagaland Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Having won the toss, Niuland opted to bat first and everything seemed to be going by the plan with both the Niuland opening batsman Lal Kishan (12 runs) and Vishal Sahani (12 runs) spending a good amount of time at the crease. But the wicket of Vishal Sahani in the 8th over with only 23 runs on the board for Niuland opened up the flood gates as the disciplined bowling unit of Chumoukedima kept getting wickets at intervals and didn’t let the

Neizekho Rupreo and Aloto Sumi claimed 3 wickets each, while Khrievitso Kense scalped 2 wickets and Kezengulie Sogotsu took 1 wicket for Chumoukedima.

For Niuland Md Shahin top scored with 14 runs in 27 deliveries to help compose a target of 85 runs for Niuland to defend.

Requiring just 85 runs for the win the opening stand of Chumoukedima in the form of Yugandhar Singh and Mughavi Sumi had the luxury of balls advantage to start it slow and get well settled and both the batsman faced 24 balls each before getting out after scoring 14 and 11 runs respectively.

Jatin made a solo effort for Niuland by clean bowl-

ing out 4 crucial wickets with 3 maidens in 10 overs but could not find due support from the other end. To worsen it for Niuland the team gave away 23 extras with only 84 runs on the board.

Niuland struggling to find momentum with their bowling it was easy sailing for the Chumoukedima team as Aloto Sumi 22* runs (not out) and Neizekho Rupreo 12* runs (not out) took it home for Chumoukedima to win it comfortably by 6 wickets.

List of Individual awards: Best BatsmanVishal Shani (Niuland); Best Bowler - Aloto Sumi (Chumoukedima); Best Wicket Keeper- Shyerinlo Thong (Niuland); Player of the Tournament - Aloto Sumi (Chumoukedima).

Djokovic to miss Madrid Open along with Nadal

MADRID, APR 22 (AP): Topranked Novak Djokovic will miss the Madrid Open, apparently due to a fitness issue, the Spanish event said Saturday.

The Madrid Open said on Twitter: “Wishing you a speedy recovery, we hope to see you back on court as soon as possible, Nole.”

While no specific reason was given for Djokovic’s withdrawal, he did discuss issues with his elbow recently, mostly downplaying the extent of the problem.

Rafael Nadal, who shares the

Novak Djokovic

record of 22 Grand Slam titles with Djokovic, said this week that he would miss the Madrid tournament due to a nagging hip injury that has

sidelined him since the Australian Open in January.

The next major is the French Open starting on May 28.

The 35-year-old Djokovic has had back-to-back early exits from tournaments. He lost in the round of 16 at Monte Carlo to Lorenzo Musetti. Then, on Friday, Dusan Lajovic beat Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Srpska Open, dealing him his first loss to a Serb countryman in 11 years.

The Madrid Open starts on Monday. Djokovic has won the tournament three times.

Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh with teamates celebrates the wicket of Mumbai Indians on Saturday . (PTI)

Gujarat Titans bowler Mohit Sharma celebrates with teammates after the wicket on Saturday. (PTI)

Champions along with organisers at Nagaland Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Champions and runners-up with trophy and certificates at Holy Cross auditorium.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (R) controls the ball during the PL soccer match in Liverpool April 22, 2023.

Iga Swiatek