28 june

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 202

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

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Shed vaccine hesitancy, do not Lockdown may continue with more curbs eased believe in rumours: PM to citizens

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 27 (NPN): With the ongoing lockdown scheduled to end on June 30, the State government is likely to extend the period but with more curbs being eased in a phased manner as the covid positivity rate was still above 5% threshold set by the Centre. According to health & family welfare (H&FW) department, the positivity rate in Nagaland as on June 27 dropped to 8.26% from 9% on June 25. The final call on the lockdown will be taken by High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19, which was likely to meet on Monday. It may be recalled that on June 1, the Centre had prescribed ‘Unlock’ criteria for districts after positivity rate was below 5% for a week, 70% of the vulnerable population vaccinated and community maintaining Covid-appropriate behaviour and care. World Health Organisation (WHO) had also recommended that the positivity rate should remain below 5% for at least two

Police personnel in Dimapur enforcing lockdown restrictions. (NP file)

weeks before an outbreak could be considered to be under control. “In terms of preventing the third wave, it is very simple that districts with less than 5% positivity should open up a little bit … they should open very gradually. They should ensure that the vulnerable population should achieve at least 70 per cent vaccination… if that has not been achieved, they should vaccinate them and then open up,” Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Prof Balram Bhargava had said.

It was learnt that as the number of patients with severe cases in Covid hospitals have declined, along with the number of deaths, the process to ease more curbs may take place in phased manner. A senior H&FW official pointed out that, considering the decline of active and severe cases including deaths in the State, lockdown could be gradually lifted partially or further tightened. The official said the final decision will be taken only after assessing the situationeven though

the positivity rate was below 9%. Sources said the government was of the view that the State could not go on with the lockdown forever as it has had a big negative psychologically impact, especially on the youth while people in general were facing various difficulties. Asenior health official remarked that since the overall situation was improving and surveillance, IEC activities and vaccination had been ramped up, more sectors could be allowed to function provided Covid protocols and SOPs

were strictly adhered to. The official said if majority of the population were vaccinated in the next couple of months, then herd immunity would be achieved and could also impact in preventing the third wave of Covid-19. He also pointed out that public were presently more aware and understood how to handle the pandemic and therefore, easing of more curbs should be announced. At an interaction with media persons last week, chief secretary J Alam had stated that the peak of the second Covid wave had already passed. He however cautioned against the existing potential threat from the virus. Alam cautioned against complacency and strongly emphasised on vaccination. He claimed that out of the 13 lakh target set for Nagaland, more than 4 lakh individuals have been vaccinated. He said the positive public response to vaccination has led to confidence that the target for vaccination in Nagaland would be achieved in the next three to four months.

State records 111 new Covid cases Delta Plus has more affinity COVID-19 STATUS AS ON June 27, 2021 for lung tissues: NTAGI chief

DIMAPUR, JUN 27 (NPN): Nagaland’s Covid-19 total ACTIVE CASES caseload rose to 24961 after Symptomatic Non Covid Deaths 111 more persons tested posiSevere AsModRecovwith District Death ymperate ICU ICU tive for the contagion on Sunered Covid 19 tom- Mild On On (without (On day, while no Covid-induced Positivity atic Oxy- Oxy- ventila- ventigen gen deaths were reported. tor) lator 5 11071 305 10 Of the fresh cases, 33 Dimapur 335 45 5 0 7 2 Kiphire 15 0 0 0 0 134 7 0 were reported from Kohima, Kohima 341 80 13 7 0 2 6882 82 0 Tuensang-25, Dimapur-21, 0 122 0 2 Mokokchung-16, eight in Longleng 6 7 2 0 0 262 7 6 4 0 0 972 29 0 Zunheboto, five in Mon, two Mokokchung Mon 65 0 3 0 0 0 902 7 2 in Peren and one in Wokha. Peren 72 0 0 0 0 0 594 0 0 PTI: A single-day rise of Phek 34 0 4 0 0 0 318 17 0 50,040 fresh infections took Tuensang 108 4 0 0 0 0 695 7 0 India’s tally to 3,02,33,183, Wokha 19 3 0 0 0 0 179 6 0 while the death toll climbed Zunheboto 54 6 0 0 0 0 382 13 0 Total 1311 154 33 11 7 7 22251 743 14 to 3,95,751 after 1,258 succumbed to the infection. *14 deaths not due to Covid-19 *0 deaths under investigation

Mystery over deaths of two in Gurugram Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, JUN 27 (NPN): A family from Dimapur suffered double-tragedy when two members- reportedly sister and brother died within a few days from each other in Haryana. According to reports, the female who was admitted to the ICU of a hospital in Gurugram died allegedly after some staff gave “ice cream”. A viral video on social media claimed that the youth was assaulted when he took video shots while questioning the hospital authorities. The female died soon after and next day, the male was found dead in his room. Further details were awaited.

This is it!

“I didn’t want to spend money for buying these hand bags. But I would feel guilty if I didn’t.” K Y M C

MiTotal gratCases ed

500 12281 1 158 112 7518 11 150 39 1319 15 995 4 671 2 376 3 816 5 213 8 464 700 24961

NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): The Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 has greater affinity to lung tissues as compared with other strains, but that does not mean it will cause severe disease or is more transmissible, head of coronavirus working group NTAGI Dr N K Arora said. Till now, 51 cases of Delta Plus have been detected across 12 states, with Maharashtra reporting the maximum cases of this variant. On Friday, Maharash-

tra recorded its first death from the Delta plus variant. Talking about Delta Plus, chairman of Covid-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) said it has been found that the variant has greater affinity to lung tissues as compared to other strains of Covid but clarified that it does not mean the Delta Plus variant will cause more severe disease or is more transmissible. (Cont’d on p-6)

2 drones drop explosives at IAF station in Jammu airport JAMMU, JUN 27 (PTI): In what is the first time Pakistan-based terrorists have used drones to strike vital installations, two bombs were dropped at the IAF station in Jammu airport in the early hours of Sunday, officials said. Two Indian Air Force personnel were injured in the explosions that took place around 1.40 a.m. within six minutes of each other. The first blast ripped off the roof of a single-storey building at the high security technical area of the airport manned

by the IAF in Satwari area on the outskirts of the city. The second one was on the ground, the officials said. “The attack at the IAF station in Jammu is a terror attack,” Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbag Singh told PTI. A team from anti-terror probe agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also at the spot. It was not immediately clear from where the drones had taken off and investigations were on to ascertain their flight path, officials said. Investi-

gators scanned CCTV footage, including from cameras installed on the boundary walls of the airport, in an effort to determine from where the drones came. However, all the CCTV cameras focused on the roadside, officials said. Drones cannot be detected by radars deployed at border areas to monitor enemy activity, they said, suggesting that a different radar system that can detect drones as small as a bird be installed. The drones dropped the explosive material and were

cinated so far, he noted. With the National Doctors Day falling on July 1, Modi lauded the contribution of doctors in the corona period and said the day has become all the more special this time. He also paid tributes to Guru Prasad Mohapatra, secretary in his government who died due to Covid recently, saying that the officer worked overtime to make arrangements to ramp up oxygen production and supply during the recent wave even as he was battling the disease himself. “Corona has snatched him away from us. There are countless people who have never been discussed. Our tribute to every such person would be that we follow the Covid protocol fully, get our vaccinations done,” the Prime Minister said. With the Monsoon season gathering pace, the prime minister also stressed on water conservation and likened it to serving the nation.

NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): Cautioning people that the threat of COVID19 remains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged them to shed vaccine hesitancy and get themselves inoculated soon. In his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast, Modi sought to tackle vaccine hesitancy, which has been seen in a section of the population, and spoke to some residents of Dulariya village, a tribal area in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, as they shared fears and doubts being spread about the jabs. The prime minister noted that both he and his nearly 100-year-old mother have taken both doses of the vaccine and asked people to trust science and scientists, and to work to dispel rumours. If someone says corona is gone, do not be under this mistaken notion, Modi said, adding that the virus ailment is a “master of disguise” which surfaces in myriad new forms, a reference to its mutants.

“And to protect ourselves from it, we have two ways. One is adhering to the protocol for corona; wearing a mask, frequently washing hands with soap, maintaining social distancing. The other way is, along with all this, getting vaccinated. This too is a good safety shield,” he said. Modi hailed the feat of administering over 86 lakh vaccine doses in a single day on June 21 at the start of the new phase of inoculation under which all adults are being given free jabs by the Union government. Over 31 crore people have got themselves vac-

Petrol price breaches `100 in Tuensang, Kiphire

State govt evicts two staff for Gov’s bungalow in Delhi

Petrol price per litre

Diesel price per litre

Tsg

Rs.100.21

Rs.93.78

Kiphire

Rs.100.13

Rs.93.74

District

Noklak

Rs.99.98

Rs.93.68

Mon

Rs.99.77

Rs.93.41

Zbto

Rs.99.51

Rs.93.10

Phek

Rs.99.52

Rs.93.14

Llng

Rs.99.28

Rs.93.04

Mkg

Rs.99.24

Rs.92.90

Wka

Rs.98.68

Rs.92.38

Kma

Rs.98.04

Rs.91.78

Peren

Rs.97.42

Rs.91.32

Dmu

Rs.97.09

Rs.91.01

DIMAPUR, JUN 27 (NPN): Petrol price breached the Rs 100 per litre mark in Tuensang and Kiphire after stateowned oil marketing companies (OMCs) increased the prices of petrol and diesel for the second consecutive day on Sunday. The price of petrol was hiked by 35 paise per litre and diesel by 25 paise per litre. According to IOCL website, price of xtrapremium petrol in Tuensang and Mon has increased to Rs.103.77 per litre and Rs.103.33 per litre respec(Read more on p-5) tively.

either flown back across the border or to some other destination during the night, the officials said. The aerial distance from the Jammu airport to the international border is 14 km. While officials were investigating the drone attack, another major strike was averted when a person, probably owing allegiance to the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, was arrested along with an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing around six kg, the police chief said.

Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (AGENCIES): Nagaland government had reportedly asked two of its women employees posted in Delhi, both widows, to vacate their official quarters so that governor RN Ravi is allowed to retain his bungalow here that was allotted to him in his capacity as the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, reports The New Indian Express. According to the report, the two widows were allegedly “evicted” as the Nagaland government had to surrender two flats from its quota of property in Delhi in lieu of Ravi being allowed to retain the bungalow. When contacted, T Mhabemo Yanthan, the governor’s commissioner and secretary, did not deny the incident and said if there was any resentment over the action, it was up to the state government to deal with it, the report stated. Ravi was allotted the flat in tony New Moti Bagh in March 2015 following his appointment to the JIC earlier in 2014. He was simultaneously made the interlocutor for the talks between the Government and NSCN.

But although even he retired from the intelligence panel in August 2018, he continues to occupy the premises to date. Sources said the ground on which he made a case for retaining the bungalow was that he continues to be the interlocutor for the Naga talks even after his appointment as the governor in August 2019. Even the state government has argued that as Ravi has to often travel to Delhi in his role as the interlocutor, he should be allowed to keep the flat from the state’s quota. Interestingly, Ravi is yet to pay nearly Rs. 64 lakh towards rent for the bungalow for which he has been issued a notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, the report said. According to a “provisional rent report” sent to Ravi, a copy which has been accessed by this newspaper, he has been asked to appear before the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, for a “personal hearing” on July 15 “or through a duly authorized representative” to hear the dispute over the dues. (Cont’d on p-6)

10 villages achieve 100% Covid vaccination; finds mention in PM’s Mann Ki Baat Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUN 27 (NPN): Ten villages in Tuensang, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Dimapur and Kiphire have achieved 100% vaccination against Covid-19, amidst general hesitation caused by misapprehension, fear and ignorance . Disclosing this to Nagaland Post Sunday, State immunisation officer Dr Ritu Thurr informed that the record was achieved in the following villages- Yali in Tuensang district; Moalenden and Longsemdang in Mokokchung district; Lhuvishe, Phuye old village, Sapotami, Ghukiye, Tichi-

pami villages in Zunheboto district; Aoyimkum village in Dimapur district and Nutsü village in Kiphire district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast on Sunday made a mention of the first three villages in Nagaland achieving 100% vaccination. “I would like to urge you and all my brothers and sisters in the village to dispel fear, if any,” and mentioned Weyan village in Bandipora district of Kashmir, and three Nagaland villages that have achieved 100% vaccination for people above 18 years of age. Dr. Thurr congratulated

Village elders and officials after fully vaccinating all the eligible beneficiaries in Tichipami village. (CMO office Zbto)

the ten villages, Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) staff, health workers, SHGs, village councils and all involved in making the vaccination campaign successful in these villages.

He also said that vaccines were the only preventive tool against the pandemic at this juncture and urged upon public to trust the vaccine, come forward and take the jab without any hesitation.

He also appealed to the people not to believe in rumours against the vaccines, especially those on social media. Dr. Thurr said the health and family welfare department in collaboration with WHO launched a community survey on Covid vaccination, which was going on for the last 15 days in all districts. He said for the state, a monitoring group in each district monitored the survey, while for WHO, monitoring survey was done by Rapid Response Team. Dr. Thurr said community survey was done on four parameters– whether there was lack of awareness, operational gap, adverse event

following immunisation (AEFI) and vaccine resistance– which was conducted on 1,565 households so far. Out of these, he said it was found that as per the check list, there was 44% vaccine resistance, 20% AEFI (apprehension about post vaccination side effect), 4% lack of awareness and 16% operational gap where some health workers could not reach the site for vaccination. He reminded everyone that vaccination reduced mortality and therefore there was no reason why people should remain unvaccinated just because of the wrong messages in social media. So far, he said Kiphire

and Tuensang recorded the lowest vaccination rate, while Kohima and Dimapur showed a better response as per the population. Meanwhile, chief secretary J Alam congratulated the people of ten villages that recorded 100% vaccination and those authorities involved, workers and volunteers who carried out the vaccination drive successfully. Speaking to this correspondent, Alam termed it as a very encouraging sign which gave hope that the vaccination target would be met soon. He stressed that vaccination was the only way to fight Covid-19 and help the State ward off the pandemic and death. K Y M C

2

state

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.:Amid pandemic, should Govt slash fuel prices? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SASU team visits children’s home at Khuzama village

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

94% 6% 0%

Next poll Q: Who is responsible for

the low vaccination rate in Nagaland?

 Govt.  Public hesitancy.  Can’t Say.

SASU team with Fr. Raymond D’ Souza at EGCH premises, Sunday. (NP)

Correspondent

WEATHER FORECAST

KOHIMA, JUN 27 (NPN): As a gesture of solidarity during pandemic, outgoing executives of Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) Sunday visited Eden Garden Children’s Home (EGCH) at Khuzama Village. Interacting with the visiting team, EGCH director, Fr Rajesh Lobo disclosed that at present 263 children (139 boys and 124 girls) were being cared for at the home.He said the home runs through the help

June 28

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Some sun with a thunderstorm 32 26 Aizawl

A brief shower or two

Guwahati A t-storm around in the p.m. Imphal

A thunderstorm in spots

Itanagar Cloudy with a thunderstorm

26 21 31 26 27 22 29 24

Shillong

A p.m. t-storm in spots

23 19

Kohima

Cloudy with a stray t-storm

24 19

Dimapur Cloudy with a passing shower 31 24

Cloudy with a stray t-storm

24 20

Tuensang Cloudy with a thunderstorm

19 16

Mkg Wokha

Not as warm

25 21

Zunheboto Cloudy with a stray t-storm

22 18

benefactors Established in the year 1975 by Fr StanyCeolho, Fr. Lobo said the children home initially had five children as the first boarders and the numbers gradually increased. Ever since its inception,EGCH has been a home to children who are in need, orphaned, children from single parent families, economically weaker sections of the society, underprivileged and children from remote villages all over the state including some even from neighbouring states.

While ensuring support to children till matriculation, EGCH also extends help to those whopursue higher education with special focus onfemale children. Taking note of the understandable plight the home might be facing considering the unprecedented pandemic situation, the visiting SASU team extended help to the home. Meanwhile, SASU has also appealed individuals, organisations and NGOs to come forward to help support the home especially during this troubled times.

CTYO cautions against anti-social activities DIMAPUR: Chümoukedima Town Youth Organisation (CTYO) has cautioned against anti-social activities within its jurisdiction and has also appealed the business community to refrain from hoarding essential commodities. In a press release, CTYO president, HoviseNaleo and general secretary, AviMakritsu said CTYO office has received multiple complaints and concerns from the public with regard to the activities of antisocial elements in the general area of Chümoukedima town. In this regard, CTYO has reminded all concerned that activities like drinking in public places, drug peddling/abusers, thievery or any such activities that disrupts the peace and tranquillity of Chümoukedima area, while all being punishable offences under the law, would not be tolerated. CTYO informed that it would be deploying volunteers to conduct surprise checks regularly and cautioned that strict action

would be taken against defaulters. Keeping in mind the impact of the pandemic on the economy, CTYO has appealed the business community/shopkeepers to refrain from hoarding of goods, especially essential

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

COVID-19 sensitisation and vaccination DIMAPUR: With an aim to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, sensitisation and vaccination was organised in Zunheboto and Phek districts. Sensitisation & vaccination at Ghukiye Village: Medical team from Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office Zunheboto organised several sensitisation sessions and door to door vaccination at Ghukiye village under Satakha Block, Zunheboto wherein 128 eligible beneficiaries were vaccinated. Va c c i n a t i o n - c u m awareness at Phek town: Phek battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Headquarters of Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR-North) in collaboration with District Task Force (DTF) Phek organised a COVID vaccination-cumawareness driveon June 27 at Phek Town. According to Assam Rifles, the vaccination drive was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek, Razouvolie Dozo and medical team of Phek Battalion. During the drive, a total of 229 eligible beneficiaries were vaccinated.

Round the clock service available: CHILDLINE Kohima

CHILDLINE Kohima members and others disseminating information on CHILDLINE services.

DIMAPUR: CHILDLINE Kohima has informed that CHILDLINE 1098 service was available round the clock and asked people to utilise the same, in case a child was in distress. In a press release, CHILDLINE Kohima said mass awareness programme was being organised through the “medium of miking” (announcement) to disseminate information regarding CHILDLINE resources and services. It said regular com-

munity outreach awareness programme involving large group was not possible due to lockdown, however, CHILDLINE being an emergency service has been disseminating information and creating awareness. CHILDLINE Kohimasaid a weeklong mass awareness was held in in collaboration with District Administration, District Public Relation Office (DPRO) Kohima and Panchayat Women High School Ward-1 with an aim to sensitise the public.

Nagaland BJP felicitates new national secretary DIMAPUR: Nagaland State BJP Sunday felicitated its former member of state BJP disciplinary action committee, core committee member, and co-inchargeof Phekdistrict, Aienla Jamir on being inducted as the national secretary of mahilamorcha. In a press release, Na-

galand State BJP Media Cell informed that Jamir is the first female from Nagaland to be inducted in the national level and the only female from the entire north eastern states to be inducted in the national mahilamorcha dur-

ing the present tenure. Minister TemjenImna Along, who is also Nagaland State BJP president, and state office bearers paid a courtesy visit to Aienla Jamir at her residence in Dimapur to felicitate her.

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF

commodities. CTYO said such practices give rise to price rise/shortage of goods, and have a domino effect on price of other goods as well. Further, CTYO said that it would take action against those selling expired goods.

LATE KEVISATUO YHOME

REMEMBERING OUR DEAREST FATHER

ON HIS 25TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY

DP-2914

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR BELOVED FATHER

LT. MEZIKHO RHETSO

LT. LANUTEMSU LONGKUMER JUNE 8 1959 – JUNE 28 1996 Your stay was too short that I know so well. If life had a rewind button I would press them again, and if only some memories were like radios, I would play it loud, but now I understand why God gave us memories; to cherish the beautiful past and live with the blessings. Loving Wife, children, grandchildren and relatives. DP-2945

K-1097

28-06-2020 No words can tell the loss we had one year today. We are learning to live with the love you have left behind, You are never far away from our thoughts. You are always loved, missed and forever dear. – Loving Wife, Children, Daughter-In-Law & Family members

2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

02.08.1975 – 28.06.2021 A year has passed since you left us, yet we miss you deeply everyday without you have been hard, but on this day especially we can’t help but think how much we wish you were here with us. Loving wife, children & relatives K-1090

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY

OF LT. MR.KEVISELHOU (VISEO) SOLO

LATE N. HILLO KENT

(Born on: 10.11.1956 — Died on: 22.06.2021)

Romans 14:8 “If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” We the family of Late N Hillo Kent, wishes to acknowledge the sympathy and gesture of kindness shown to us during our loss. Words of Thanks and Appreciation seems inadequate, however we extend our sincere gratitude to all the individuals and various organisations, who stood by us during the time of brief illness and untimely demise of our beloved father. We also offer our deepest gratitude to the management, Doctors and nurses for their immense support and interventional care. And a special Thanks to Churches for constant and continuous support and Prayers.

Loving Wife, Children, In-laws, Grandchildren and Families K Y M C

DP-2946

To those who helped us, your contributions made our loss more bearable. We regret our inability to mention and thank every individual whose support were equally valuable. It is our humblest and sincere prayers that may our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

04-03-1950 to 28-06-2019 The day you left us was full of heartaches and sorrow. Emptiness filled us but dad, your absence has taught many things. Even though you are not with us, we will still hold your presence. Your love, your teachings, and humility guides us. We face each day with hope and pleasant memories of you. We see your influential life near us, comforting and giving us the strength to go on without you. We are blessed because you are always in our thoughts and living in our hearts. Fondly remembered, Loving Wife, Children & Family members. DP-2889

NARO (YEVILI) ROCHILL

Born : 01/07/1976 – Died : 28/06/2020

A year has passed since you left us seeking your Heavenly home. It’s hard to accept that you’re no longer with us and everyday seems to be harsh but knowing that you’re with the Almighty Lord comforts us. Your Memories always brings us a smile and you’re forever in our hearts until we meet again. Your loving Husband, children, mother, sisters, friends & relatives DP-2916 K Y M C

‘Delta variant predominant in Assam’ GUWAHATI, JUN 27 (PTI): An alert has been raised on Delta Plus variant of coronavirus in the country but it is yet to detected in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. Of the two variantsDelta and Delta Plus- a “red flag has been raised in the country for the latter”, the chief minister told PTI. “We are doing genomic sequencing but as of now we have not found the Delta Plus variant in Assam”, he said. However, the Delta variant is predominant in the state and “We are dealing with it”, Sarma added. The Union health ministry on Friday said, it has been intimated by INSACOG, a consortium of laboratories for whole genome sequencing in the context of the COVID19 pandemic, that the Delta Plus variant, which is a Variant of Concern

Himanta Biswa Sarma (File)

(VOC), has the following characteristics increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response. State Health minister Keshab Mahanta had said on the same day that one COVID-19 positive patient died of the Delta variant in the state and the strain was found in 77 per cent of the samples tested in April and May at the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics at Kalyani in West Bengal. The chief minister

said that though there was initial “hesitancy among the people to get vaccinated but I am now confident that we can administer five lakh vaccines per day”. The initial hesitancy was primarily due to the “general mindset prevailing till April 10 that COVID-19 was almost over in Assam but from May, the demand for vaccines has gone up in the state. “We tried to match the demand for vaccines but there was a constraint on the supply side”, he said. Recently the state was asked by the Union health ministry to vaccinate 2.6 lakh people daily as “They wanted to see our performance and for three days from June 21, we have inoculated 10.5 lakh people. This shows our strength”, the chief minister said. State ministers were on the ground to oversee the vaccination drive for three days and they are hopeful that about five lakh people can be vaccinated

Northeast COVID-19 UPDATE

Mizoram reports Manipur registers 669 fresh Covid cases IMPHAL, JUN 27: MaWith these new num233 new Covid cases nipur on Sunday reported bers, the number of active AIZAWL, JUN 27 (PTI): Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally rose to 19,324 on Sunday as 233 more people, including 62 children, tested positive for the infection, while two fresh fatalities pushed the state’s coronavirus death toll to 91, a health official said. Aizawl district registered the highest number of new cases at 127, followed by Kolasib (41) and Lunglei (15), he said. Only five new patients have travel history, while 228 fresh infections were detected during contact tracing, the official said. Mizoram now has 4,370 active cases, while 14,863 people have recovered from the infection thus far, including 309 on Saturday.

669 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths, pushing the overall infection caseload to 67,986 and death toll to 1,134. According to the data released by the state health department, the state logged 509 recoveries on the same day.

3 Staggered arrangement for COVID-19: Assam government shops and cabs in M’laya to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to widows Correspondent

Northeast/State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

cases in the state stood at 5,824 as the number of recoveries rose to 61,038. The recovery rate was 89.78%. As per the data, the 669 new cases were detected upon testing of 5,185 samples, taking the overall number of samples tested so far in the state to 8,88,118.

Sikkim reports 170 new COVID-19 cases

GANGTOK, JUN 27 (PTI): Sikkim on Sunday reported 170 new COVID-19 cases, which took the caseload to 20,111, a health department bulletin said. Of the fresh cases, 65 were registered in East Sikkim, followed by 55 in West Sikkim and 50 in South Sikkim. The Himalayan state now has 2,137 active cases, while 252 people have migrated to other states and 17,421 patients have recovered from the disease, the bulletin said. The coronavirus death toll stands at 301 as no fatality was recorded in the past 24 hours. The state has so far tested 1,61,755 samples for COVID-19, including 817 samples in the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 positivity rate of the state stands at 20.8 per cent, while the recovery rate has increased to 86.6 per cent.

per day, he said. Model vaccination centres have been created, ANMs (village-level female health workers) are working overtime and computer operators have been stationed at the vaccination centres so that digital illiteracy does not come in the way of inoculation, he said. The health care workers are being incentivised to motivate and encourage people to get themselves vaccinated. Various social organisations and even a few political parties are taking steps for generating awareness for the vaccination drive. “In Assam, I am confident that till we reach the saturation, we can do five lakh vaccination per day”, the Chief Minister added. As many as 56,52,309 persons have received their first dose and 11,81,678 beneficiaries have taken both first and second doses.

Shillong, Jun 27: With COVID-19 cases high and positivity rate at 10 percent, the East Khasi Hills district administration in Meghalaya has issued orders to regulate the opening of commercial establishments and plying of public vehicles from Monday under strict containment measures. As per the arrangement made for the week starting from June 28 to July 3 in Shillong Urban Agglomeration and rural areas of East Khasi Hills District, identified shops dealing in essential and non-essential commodities are permitted to open, each up to thrice a week only from 9 am to 3 pm. “All shops will place a prominent sign/poster indicating vaccination status of the shopkeepers and staff at the shop premises,” Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo noted in her order. Hawkers and vendors will be regulated and sit only in spaces earmarked by the Incident Commander, the order said, adding, “They shall clearly indicate their vaccination status”. Local taxis and auto rickshaws will be permitted at 20 percent for urban and 30 percent for rural areas from 6 am to 6 pm with vaccination status of the driver clearly indicated on the vehicle. “Any inter-district movement and movement outside Shillong Urban Agglomeration and its adjoining areas will be only through passes duly obtained from the authority concerned,” the order said, adding that the vehicles will ply as per arrangement made based on the last digit of the registration number.

There’s total, misgovernance in BJP-ruled Tripura: Manik Sarkar AGARTALA, JUN 27 (IANS): Despite assurance from the Governor and Chief Minister, a total lawlessness, anarchy and misgovernance have been prevailing in Tripura since the BJP came into power in March 2018 and kept the police as “wooden doll”, former Chief Minister and CPI-M leader Manik Sarkar said on Sunday. Sarkar, a politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), said that during the past two years (since June 2019) at least 10 people were killed in nine incidents of lynching and several people escaped from the mob attacks while five people died in police custody. “BJP government’s indifferent attitude and the puppet role of police led to the happening and

rising of the attacks and atrocities on the opposition party workers, supporters and party offices,” the Left leader told the media. He said that the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb during the Assembly session in the third week of March had assured to stop political violence against the Opposition parties. “But since the CM’s statement in the house, over 200 incidents of physical attacks on the opposition party men, mostly on the CPI-M workers and supporters occurred. Besides, 152 attacks on shops and houses belonging to the Opposition parties took place and attacks on 17 party offices registered during this period,” said Sarkar, who is now the Opposition Leader of the State Assembly.

GUWAHATI, JUN 27 (PTI): The Assam government on Sunday announced that it will give Rs 2.5 lakh each to all widows, whose husbands died of COVID19, if their family income is less than Rs 5 lakh. Under the new ‘Chief Minister’s COVID-19 Widows Support Scheme’, the beneficiaries of ‘Orunodoi’ and ‘Widow Pension’ schemes are also eligible for the one-time financial assistance. “Many precious lives were lost due to #COVID19, leaving a number of families in distress. In our sincere effort to provide some relief to women whose husbands died of the disease, Rs 2.5 lakh will be given to such eligible widows as one time grant,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted. As per the scheme, the beneficiary’s husband should have been a COVID-positive patient at the time of the death and it should be certified by the State-Level COVID Death Audit Board. “The beneficiary must belong to a low-income family having an annual income up to Rs 5 lakh,” the scheme details

mentioned. It, however, stated that widows of government servants will not be covered under this scheme as they get the family pension as per usual norms. “The Deputy Commissioner shall compile the list of eligible beneficiaries from the NHM database of COVID victims. The list will be verified keeping in mind the eligibility criteria. On verification, the money will be disbursed to the beneficiaries’ accounts,” the scheme document said. Any person, who meets the eligibility criteria and is not a part of the final list, can submit representation with supporting documents to the DC concerned, it added. According to the National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin, a total of 4,403 persons have died in Assam due to COVID-19. The NHM also said that 1,347 more COVID-19 patients have died, but the government’s Death Audit Board has not included them in the tally of deaths caused by the virus as they had other ailments too.

Hundreds of fish dead in Guwahati pond Guwahati, Jun 27 (PTI): Environmental degradation leading to depletion of dissolved oxygen level in a pond has claimed the lives of hundreds of fish in Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, Assam Fisheries Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said on Sunday. A large number of dead fish were found floating in the waterbody since Saturday night following which the minister had directed officials of his department to visit the site and ascertain the exact reason. After examination of samples of the dead fish and the Dighalipukhuri or long pond in Assamese, the officials found that depletion of dissolved oxygen in the waterbody coupled with high organic load were the causes behind the mass fish deaths. “Fish mortality was due to sudden dip in oxygen level and high organic load

Dead fish floating at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati

in the tank. Departmental officers after examination found that the deaths were not due to poisoning, but because of environmental degradation,” Suklabaidya said. As a short-term measure, the oxygen level of water has been increased by showering water through pumps and boating, he added. The dead fish, numbering hundreds, were retrieved since morning and buried at a nearby spot. The Dighalipukhuri, more than 500 metres long, is located in the Ambari area of the states largest city.

The origin of this dugout pond is not clear, with some accounts claiming that it dates from the Mahabharata era, while others maintain that it was dug by Ahom rulers. It was originally connected to the Brahmaputra River, which flows along the length of Guwahati, and had served as a naval yard during the Ahom rule. The canal was later filled up during British rule. Dighalipukhuri, which has boating facilities, is a popular tourist spot in the city.

State

Webinar on ‘scope& challenges of More organisations condemn sexual assault on minor in Mon social work practice in 21st century’ DIMAPUR: A webinar on the theme, “scope and challenges of social work practice in 21stcentury” was organised by North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) 2nd semester students on June 26. A press release by NEISSR informed that the resource persons were co- founder and steering committee member Global Civil Society Network for Malaria Elimination (CS4ME), Dr. Shampa Nag; president Nagaland Professional Social Workers Association (NPSWA), Itulungbe Ndang and Programme Officer for North East West (NEW)

of CBR Forum, Bangalore, Namghaklung Christopher. Principal NEISSR, founder and director of Peace Channel, Rev. Dr. Fr C.P Antospoke about the need to contextualize the primary and secondar y methods of social work. Emphasising on the principles and scope of social work, Itulungbe Ndang said that social work organisations and NGOs would need to work on new projects to tackle postCOVID challenges. Dr. Shampa said in order to be a social worker, one needs to be very passionate and be grounded.

In times of this pandemic when social workers are not able reach out to community people effectively, he said one should look out for ways and means to reach out to people either through various virtual platforms or physically with proper precautionary measures. Namghaklung highlighted the approaches of Community Based Rehabilitation (CRR) to work for persons with disability. He said that CBR approach could be used in tackling various community related issues and problem and need not be restricted to working for persons with disability alone.

DIMAPUR: Several organisations have condemned the June 20 sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl by a group of six youngsters in Mon district. KBBB: Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjü, an apex body of all Konyak Baptist Churches, has vehemently condemned the gang rape of a minor which took place a few distance away from Aboi Town under Mon district. In a condemnation note, KBBB Mon executive secretary, Rev. M Chemyuh Konyak said the church was disheartened to learn such despicable incident had occurred in its land, saying that it was not only shameful but an alien to traditional tribal society. KBBB has also appealed every believer to abstain from committing

such obnoxious act, which was not only unacceptable in human society but also in the sight of God. Further, KBBB has prayed for God’s comfort upon the survivor and the family. KBBB prayed that God would give the survivor the strength to overcome the physical and mental trauma. HWY Aboi Town: Hahnyan Ward Youth of Aboi Town said it was extremely shocked and anguished over the recent incident of gang rape on minor girl by six youths. In a condemnation note, HWY president, Chenwang Konyak and general secretary, Hongnao Konyak said it was utterly unimaginable to accept the existence of barbarian in

this contemporary world of civilization. Strongly condemning the inhumane act perpetrated to an innocent girl, HWY urged the law enforcing agents to award befitting punishment to all the accused as per the statutory rights conferred under IPC. HWY also raised objection to booking all the culprits under juvenile and demanded thorough examination of their actual age and disclosure of their identities. LSU: Langmeing Students Union while expressing dismay over the gang rape and attempted murder of the minor girl has vehemently condemned the inhumane and barbaric act of the culprits. In a condemnation note, LSU president Tan I

Konyak and general secretary, Lemkai Konyak said the incident was the first gang rape in the land of Konyak and that such heinous crime must not be given “light punishment”. The union said the act was a “a gang-rape and not sexual assault”. Further, the union has demanded that the law enforcing authority strictly investigate the case, expedite the case proceeding so that the justice was not delayed and the culprits punished. The union has also asked the competent authority to disclose the identities of all the six accused saying that they must not be booked under Juvenile Justice Act. KNSK: Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong, Langrne-

ing unit while strongly condemning the gang rape and attempted murder said such heinous crime and inhuman act cannot be tolerated in the Naga society. In a condemnation note, KNSK president, Mannon Konyak and general secretary, Hengam Konyak said such act violating women rights in particular and human rights in general must be condemned by all. KNSK has also urged the law enforcing agencies to strictly investigate the case and book the perpetrators under relevant section of the provision of law and award befitting punishment without delay. Further, KNSK has extended sympathy and solidarity to the survivor and her family.

Dimapur district Excise seize 741 cases of IMFL

The two arrested persons with the seized assorted IMFL.

DIMAPUR: Dimapur District Excise duty party manning Chumukedima check-gate seized a total of 741 cases of assorted Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) on separate occasions and arrested two persons in this connection. In a press release, Superintendent of excise K Y M C

and prohibition, Dimapur T Arilong Longkumer informed that on June 26, the duty party acting on specific information intercepted a truck (AS 01EC 1716) bound for Imphal, Manipur and recovered 306 cases of assorted IMFL which was concealed under several bags of salt.

In this connection, one person identified as Abdul Alim (26) son of Kalamuddin of Hajo, Kamrup, Assam was arrested under the relevant section of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) Act 1989. Earlier on June 22, the duty party based on specific information intercepted a

truck (NL 01 AE 7463) bound for Imphal, Manipur and recovered 435 cases of assorted IMFL which was concealed under essential commodities. A person identified as one Bikash Budha (30) son of Bharat Budha of Kanglatombi Shantipur, Senapati, Manipur was arrested under the relevant section of the NLTP Act 1989 and the case is currently under investigation. The superintendent informed that the duty party was led by AIE, Allen; lady head constable, T K Medom; head constable, T. KhekaviAssumi; constables - Akahoto, Khalenthong, Thejong, Thrilise, Tsatongli, Mathna and lady constable Sorila.

Mon forest division on June 26 received a stray bear cub from BJP Mon district president, Nyawang Konyak and handed over the cub to wildlife wing of the forest department so that the animal may be transferred safely to the Zoological Park. K Y M C

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 202 Dimapur, MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Political amnesia

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aga People’s Front (NPF)- earlier Nagaland People’s Front; preceded by Nagaland People’s Council (NPC), preceded by Naga Nationalist Democratic Party (NNDP- merger of United Democratic Front and Naga National Party), United Democratic Front (UDF), United Front of Nagaland (UFN) and National Democratic Party (NDP)- has undergone a series of re-labelling. Though the regional party has changed its nomenclature on several occasions since 1964 till now; yet it has retained its historic ‘Cock’ symbol. Till 1987, there were several regional political parties that came and fought for the state legislative assembly election. There were some regional political parties which changed their nomenclature in the subsequent elections while some other got merged with another political party. In 2003 the NPC which was re-named or re-labelled as NPF, signalled the start of its era of political dominance. This was mainly due to the huge leverage it received from a friendly BJP/NDA government at the Centre. Of late, the NPF has come out with press statements with a list of alleged irregularities and scams by the present ruling Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) formed between the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and BJP. The NPF ruled Nagaland for three consecutive terms with its other coalition partners such as BJP, JDU etc under DAN-I(2003-08), DAN-II (2008-13) and DAN-III(201318). The alleged scams and irregularities which were extensively cited by the NPF, happened mostly under DAN-I and DAN-II when present chief minister Neiphiu Rio was chief minister. Rio left office after winning the Lok Sabha election in 2014 after which T.R.Zeliang took over. It was also the beginning of the NPF’s resort politics when MLAs were herded to the Kaziranga resort in May 2014 to prevent poaching. Also, all eight Congress MLAs merged with the NPF in 2015, to back Zeliang against his senior colleague and MP Neiphiu Rio and created an opposition-less assembly. However, resort and hotel politics continued under NPF with the last being in February 2017, again at Kaziranga, when both Rio and T.R.Zeliang joined hands against Party president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu. The opposition NPF has now turned its guns at the ruling PDA by alleging serious irregularities. Ironically among the list of irregularities or scams also included those that took place during the NPF -led DAN -II government. The NPF has every right to demand accountability from the present ruling PDA government. As the only opposition, the NPF which had ruled the state from 2003 to 2018 for three consecutive terms, has enough experience on state affairs. There have been so many monumental corruptions in Nagaland even in the past decades under various party governments but most unfortunately, no one has ever been held accountable. While the big fishes- ministers, politicians and bureaucrats- are untouched by probe agencies, only the small fries are named but ultimately left free. Corruption in Nagaland is like the coronavirus which has infected all strata of society and left its trail of devastation. However, on hindsight, it may also be recalled that in 2013, the Congress (NPCC) had released a book “10 years of NPF misrule in Nagaland”- A decade of scandals and corruptions against the NPF. It was well documented and comprehensive. At that time, NPF said the booklet contained only allegations which were far from truth. Not being in power does not absolve anyone for past wrongdoings. It would do well to remember that when we point one finger at somebody, three fingers point back at us.

DailyDevotion The Overshadowing of God’s Personal Deliverance

“…I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. —Jeremiah 1:8 God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally— “…your life shall be as a prize to you…” (Jeremiah 39:18). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic, heartache, and distress. Having the proper outlook is evidence of the deeply rooted belief in the overshadowing of God’s personal deliverance. The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on a mission for Jesus Christ, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, “Don’t worry about whether or not you are being treated justly.” Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?” If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust. In essence, Jesus says, “Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance.” Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard— we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God’s name to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

Quotes

We aim above the mark to hit the mark. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Economy on roller coaster; China gains at India’s cost

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he roller coaster Indian economic journey is likely to continue. It is recovering at 11.5 percent in April-June quarter, says NCAER but SBI says second wave has hit the economy. The NCAER – National Council for Applied Economic Research – is a think tank. The SBI – State Bank of India – being practitioner has the pulse on its tips. None is wrong. The NCAER has taken the negative base of 202021 to measure activities and SBI knows the reality. The results are definitely mixed. In this debate, people have overlooked the fact that amid clashes with China, the country is ceding its economic interests in the neighbouring Talibaninfested Afghanistan and a long-time trusted friend -Afghanistan, to the rival, who is also trying to make ingress into Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Indian Ocean region. Iran is a critical example of how years of good work and relations could be lost under western sanctions to China. Iran has been critical for India in petroleum imports at rupee-rial terms and was mutually beneficial. It has

come down to zero. India initiated the Chabahar – meaning “four seasons” port – in the middle of a storm over the fate Indian investments. The port project is the creation of Atal Behari Vajpayee’s NDA-I in 2003. India has virtually lost most of it, due to inability in countering sanctions, including the 1000 km rail project to Turkmenistan, free trade zone and more importantly developed as a trade link to Afghanistan and central Asia. PM Narendra Modi revived it with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in 2016. It was supposed to create jobs in India, Iran and Afghanistan. It reminds of non-aligned movement (NAM) and how the country withstood many super power machinations. External relations decide domestic economic health. It has to be strengthened else the country might lose in other areas as well. Disagreements with Russia are rising as Russia-WestUS confrontation makes it lean more on China. This has impact on relations in and around the subcontinent. Post-pandemic criticality has even otherwise impacted external

trade. Increasing exports increasing since end-March to Bangladesh may be a 2019. It rose to 37.9 percent silver line but much of it in December 2020 from is “re-exported” to North- 37.1 percent in September East for ages. India’s $ 500 2020, according to RBI. This could hold back billion forex kitty overflow is linked to it. The RBI expenditure on consumphas to spend on managing tion as the economy rethis kitty and rupee rates. opens because of concern If trade and international of households to rebuild relations grow that expense their savings in a country where social security is at is reduced. The country is active its lowest and job-losses on increasing relations but continuous. The second phase lockit is not easy in choppy Shivaji Sarkar downs reduced mointernational waters. The direct impact is bility by 60 percent and disbeing seen in higher crude rupted the services the most oil import costs, tried to be though manufacturing and managed with the highest exports were less hit. The doses of taxation, leading problem is manifested in to a severe inflationary reduced consumption, including vehicle sales. The situation. Amid these comes an S&P says a gradual revival assessment by S&P Global is underway and economy ratings. It says that India’s may grow at 9.5 percent, economic recovery is ex- as RBI predicts. The revival may not be pected to be “less steep” than the bounce back in that easy perhaps. The Con2020 and early 2021. The federation of Indian Indusreason is households are try’s (CII) latest Business having a tough time with Outlook Survey finds 79 erosion of their savings. percent of the respondents The rate of household expect production, supply bank deposits to GDP de- and sales to be adversely clined to 3 percent in the affected and consumption third quarter of FY 20-21 demands depressed in the from 7.7 percent in second coming period. It is conquarter, when economic cerned about people losing activity resumed a bit. In jobs and livelihood. This addition, the household could bring down overall debt-to-GDP ratio has been demand and growth. It

says the GDP will grow but depends on factors such as fresh stimulus, new reforms and the state of the global economy. It has called upon the government to inject Rs 3 lakh crore spending through printing of currency notes and direct cash transfers, rural job schemes and reducing GST rates. In other words, CII has suggested higher money circulation and cash flow to speed up the economy. It is an indirect criticism of the post-demonetisation fad for electronic transaction that keeps most money blocked in banks and increases hunger and cash flow. The CII view is contrary to its previous opinion that said supporting the poor with doles increases crowding of cities and raises costs of the industry and creates “irresponsible” governance through severe deficits. Its support for printing money is to keep the lending rates low as government’s extra borrowing from the market would increase competition between the government and private sector will drive up interest rates. The flip side is that more money circulation would further increase prices and hit the poor

more. Interest rates would also rise. The CII prescription is not easy is proven by a statement of Oberoi group CEO Vikram Vohra that he has been approached by many hotel owners who want to sell their properties in the post-covid19 scenario. The combined debt in the hotel sector is estimated at Rs 50,000 crore and many owners and investors are in severe stress. Mergers and amalgamations are to be reality but that do not indicate that the sector would be back in health in the near future. The NCAER is not hopeful as it says though there could be some moderation in inflation for a month or so it will rebound beyond August with rise in farm wages, crude oil prices and other factors adding to rise in prices. The NCAER, like the CII, calls for an expansionary policy. The situation remains difficult despite the government spending Rs 67,000 crore on free food policy. The revival has to be there but the prescription would be complex and time-consuming. The roller coaster journey would continue and may take two to three years to return to the 2019 level.

Post-mortem

Words of Encouragement for Pastors and Churches in Nagaland

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oday, we are compelled towards an unprecedented COVID context and the demands for the service of pastors and clergies have exponentially increased. We deeply appreciate those of you who have stepped up to provide indispensable leadership in your communities, risking your own safety and that of your families. On many occasions, you are the unsung heroes, unrecognized and unprotected frontline workers. Be that as it may, what a privilege it is to serve our living God and the community placed within our care during a time such as this. Now is the time for showing and living out what we have been teaching and preaching. As we understand, our struggle against COVID virus is more than physical, it encompasses mental and spiritual battle, and because of this, our members are looking up to the leadership of the church. What the pastor say and what the church does have a direct impact on the spiritual and mental health of the community. M ay we l e a d t h e church and guide the people with extraordinary courage and scriptural clarity, and without being swayed by any forces of fear and misinformation. May the church stand tall as a beacon of hope and comfort for those who are deeply perplexed, and may we root ourselves in a biblical faith that will never fail us. Our God is good and trustworthy. He tells us as we go through this dark time: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you… For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you” (Is. 41:10 & 13). Being deeply rooted in the biblical faith may we lead the people with a unified pastoral voice among the clergies to well up hope for a new life and a healed community under the power of God. As we go through the second wave of the COVID

pandemic, may we engage our experiences and new learnings to prepare our congregation for what may come! On a concluding note, we pray that may in the sharing of wise counsel and listening and learning from one another empower us towards new possibilities and shared vision. The present situation, the church can attend to three important concerns: opportunity for the church, threat for church members, and future ministry of the church. First, more so than other times, believers today are yearning for spiritual feeding. This presents a tremendous opportunity for church ministry. The preaching of pastors on themes of love, healing and hope, is making big spiritual and mental impact in the lives of the church members. At the same time, continue to address and give importance to topics such as anxiety, depression, fear, suffering, and stigma. Yes, for Christians, fear can imply a lack of faith in God. However, human fear of COVID is REAL and it is not just a spiritual problem. Depression caused by unresolved grief of family members’ deaths, fear of life, anxiety about economic survival, stigma from the community – these are all real human problems in the context of COVID. In addition, when matters of human anxiety is addressed in the right way, it makes believers more ready and receptive to the word of God. Therefore, as many pastors are already doing, and where ever it is possible, we urge the churches to make use of resources and experts from different fields who can educate the congregation in understanding the medical, psychological and social conditions resulting from the present COVID crisis. Second, what kind of threats do we see in the present situation? One of the biggest threats is the social media information on COVID. Definitely, social media information on COVID is so quick and

they come to us without any cost. Any many of the information are priceless and so useful. However, equally, many information on COVID are also being carelessly circulated and they become a dangerous virus, going around infecting fear and confusion among church members. When we think carefully, many social media messages are neither reliable as they come from various unauthorised/unverified sources nor directly relevant to our local context. Prophet Hosea laments about how the people of Israel “are destroyed for lack of information.” (Hosea 4:6). Hence, as part of ministry in the present situation, we should continue to fight the virus of fear that is circulated on the social media. So, what should we do? The pastors are already doing it. Continue to educate your congregation through different ways and ideas on the responsible use of social media information related to the COVID. In addition, we encourage clergies to remind themselves that it is very crucial for them to stay updated, well-informed, and engage in careful personal study about the medical condition of the Virus. This discipline would keep the clergy above confusion. And, it will also continue to provide you the foundation for guiding the congregation with right information and knowledge. Third, what can churches learn from the current situation for future COVID-related ministries? Our ongoing experience of COVID poses both a challenge as well as an opportunity for re-examination of the mission and ministry of the church and her place in a post COVID world. In practical terms, for example, local churches and associations can allot a bigger annual budget for conducting relief, physical and mental health-related ministries. In fact, many clergy and Christians have felt and expressed the need for presence of professionally trained counsellors and social workers during this-

pandemic. Based on this collective learning, we urge abled churches to send their clergy and church members for short-term trainings in order to strengthen these ministries. In addition, abled churches can generate resources for employing and co-partnering with professional counsellors and social workers who can strengthen the ministry of the church. Self-care is something we talk about but difficult to practice in ministry. Self-care means the ability to maintain healthy boundaries. Then, what are boundaries? Boundaries are invisible lines we draw around ourselves to identify acceptable actions concerning our level of comfort and discomfort around others. Without healthy boundaries, it will be challenging to practice self-care in a communal society like ours where social obligations are neverending. We empathize with the pastors that none of the theological institutions have trained the pastors to do pastoral ministry during a pandemic crisis like this one. Seeing the sufferings and pain of the people, pastors may easily but unknowingly slide into the trap of spiritual pride of thinking that it is “better to burn out than to rust out.” But neither burn-out nor rust-out is a healthy way of serving God. We can agree with one of the famous Baptist preachers that, “To burn out handicaps us from fulfilling the

will of God for our lives.” Therefore, self-care is not selfish (1 Corinthians 3:16). How do we do self-care? Here are some practical suggestions: Continue to recharge spiritually from the Bible, meditate, and pray for God’s strength no matter how busy you are. Jesus often disengaged himself from the crowd to recover from the fatigues of carrying out preaching and healing activities (Luke 5:16). Nurture good habits of self-discipline. Eating well, physical exercise, and sleeping right will help us keep calm and grounded emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to care for others. Cultivate the habit of proper study before disseminating information. The Bible mandates us not to spread false reports (Exodus 23:1). Reviewing and filtering older information and updating new ones will enable you to effectively and confidently guide the members. The Scripture affirms the importance of collaboration (1 Corinthians 12: 20-28; Ephesians 4:11-12). Delegating and facilitating teamwork overcomes the tendency of the superhero approach. Create or join a team where you can gather reliable skills and fall back or lean into the pastoral company for support to extent compassionate listening to each other. Expressing shared experiences of struggles,

joys, and challenges in a trusted circle, not only unburdens our heavy load but acts as a self-mentoring space through mutual peer edification. Consider partnership with neighboring pastors for creative worship and common ministry interests. Acknowledge the spiritual journey of wilderness, emptiness, and feeling disconnected from your beloved congregation. In those moments of feeling helpless and inadequate, may you find comfort in the knowledge that God is at work in people’s lives through your ministries because God’s creativity has no bounds though you and I are limited (Isaiah 55:9; 2 Kings 4:1-7). Nobody is perfect (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Learning to accept criticisms with grace is godly, for you cannot please or fulfill everybody’s expectations (Colossians 3:12-14). Such mindfulness creates an opportunity to forgive others and yourself. Do what you can to the best of your abilities and leave the rest in God’s hands. Also, learn to let others fill in in areas you cannot. It is a humble acceptance of our human limitedness and our testament to trusting in God. For the Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Amen. Dr. Panger Kichu Oriental Theological Seminary, Bade, Dimapur, Nagaland

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Monitor the prices of commodities in the market

The recent trend of rates of commodities in markets of Dimapur exhibits the absence of any agencies to regulate prices.Most of the shopkeepers charge price exhorbitantly and prices differ from one market to the other.The Municipal council and other agencies which have been tasked with powers to regulate prices of commodities should monitor the markets regularly so that unscrupulous traders do not take undue advantage of consumers. Kalivi Awomi, Dimapur Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Never imagined a village boy like me would occupy India’s highest post: Prez

In a rare emotional gesture, after landing at the helipad near his village, Paraunkh of UP, Ram Nath Kovind bowed and touched the soil to pay obeisance to the land of his birth. (PTI)

LUCKNOW/KANPUR DEHAT, JUN 27 (PTI): President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said he had never imagined that an ordinary village boy like him would have the honour of occupying the highest post in the country, and thanked the people of his birth place for this. He was addressing a gathering at the Paraunkh village, which is his birthplace, in Kanpur Dehat

district. “I had never imagined even in my dreams that an ordinary village boy like me would have the honour of occupying the highest post in the country. But, our democratic system made this possible,” Kovind said. “ W h e r eve r I h ave reached today, the credit goes to the soil of this village, this region, and to your love and blessings,” he said and also paid tributes to

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freedom fighters and makers of the Constitution. “According to my family’s ‘sanskaar’ (values), the oldest woman in the village is given the status of mother and the oldest man is given the status of father, irrespective of caste or community. Today, I feel happy that this tradition of giving respect to the elders in our family is still continuing,” Kovind said. He said that the scent

of soil of the village and the memories of its residents always remain etched in his heart. “For me Paraunkh is not only a village, it is my ‘maatribhoomi’ (motherland) from where I get inspiration to serve the country,” Kovind said. “This inspiration has made me reach from high court to the Supreme Court to the Rajya Sabha. From the Rajya Sabha, I moved to the Raj Bhavan and from there to the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” the president said. Kovind also recited a Sanskrit phrase to highlight the pride of ‘janmabhoomi’ (place of birth), and said, “The pride of a mother who gives birth (to a child) and the ‘janmabhoomi’ is greater than heaven.” Kovind on Sunday morning reached Paraunkh village where he was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, said Vikas Rai, the PRO to SP Kanpur Dehat. He took a round of the village along with Patel and Adityanath. Kovind, along with his wife and daughter, also visited the Pathri Devi temple where they offered prayers.

BSP to contest UP, U’khand polls alone: Mayawati

BJP men helped people amid Covid-19 surge, some active only on Twitter: Nadda

LU C K N OW, J U N 2 7 (PTI): The BSP will not enter into any alliance for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly polls, party chief Mayawati said on Sunday. In a series of tweets in Hindi, the former chief minister categorically denied any tie-up with the AIMIM for the assembly election in Uttar Pradesh due next year. “A news channel is broadcasting news since yesterday that in the upcoming UP Assembly elections, BSP will contest along with (Asaduddin) Owaisi’s party AIMIM. This news is completely wrong, misleading and devoid of any fact. There is not even an iota of truth in this. The BSP vociferously denies this. “The party wants to clarify that barring Punjab, the BSP will be contesting the Assembly elections to be held in UP and Uttarakhand alone, and will not be entering into any alliance with anyone,” Mayawati said in another tweet. The BSP has recently joined hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. Mayawati said that BSP general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Satish Chandra Misra has been made the national co-ordinator of the party’s media cell.

PATNA, JUN 27 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday took a veiled dig at opposition leaders such as RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, saying that “our workers” were out on the streets helping people distressed by the recent COVID-19 surge, unlike “many others who remained active only on Twitter”. Nadda, who attended the BJP’s state executive meeting in Bihar over a video conference, also said that the saffron party members live by the motto ‘seva hi sangathan hai’ (service being equivalent to organisation) Yadav often takes to Twitter to criticise the Nitish Kumar government. The 31-year-old opposition leader, who keeps facing accusations of absenteeism, returned to the state last week after spending close to a month in the national capital, where, he claimed, he was looking after his ailing father Lalu Prasad, the RJD national president. “We live by the motto of service being equivalent to organization. Our workers helped the needy during the second wave without any trepidation. Many others chose to remain active

J P Nadda only on Twitter, quarantining themselves at safe places,” said Nadda. The BJP leader who relishes his connections with the Bihar capital, where he was born and spent his early years, also reiterated the need for reminding the younger generation of excesses committed during the Emergency imposed by the Congress government and the lawlessness that kept Bihar in news when Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi ruled the state for 15 years together. “During Emergency, a mere visit to Jayaprakash Narayan’s house in Kadam Kuan could invite arrest. Our comrades like Ashwini Kumar Choubey (Union minister) faced untold brutalities while in jail. Youngsters of today do not know all this. They should be told about these things, about

the sacrifices our generation made for preserving democracy,” said Nadda, who was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the 1970s. “They must also be reminded of the days under Lalu, when people feared to venture out after sunset and medical practitioners and professionals had begun to migrate out of Bihar fearing the rampant extortion rackets and kidnappings for ransom,” he said. Notably, the RJD and the Congress are old allies and have shared power in the state as well as at the Centre. Mocking the agitations against the new farm laws, the BJP president said, “Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar had shared an anecdote that when asked to point out which provisions they find objectionable, the protesters could lay their fingers on none. But they have launched a movement.” He also urged party leaders to apprise the common public of the work done by the Narendra Modi government for the betterment of farmers, small- and medium-scale industries and every section of the society.

Azad optimistic Centre won’t reject Crude bomb found in Jammu after drone attack: J&K police chief demand for restoration of J&K statehood NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday expressed optimism that the Centre would not reject the demand of the mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of statehood before the polls, adding the union territory status of the erstwhile state was “not acceptable” to anyone. Azad, who was part of a 14-member delegation from J and K that had a key meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Thursday, said the dialogue process “was only a beginning” and now it was up to the Centre to build trust and confidence in the erstwhile state. “One thing was there that everybody was asked to speak frankly. I think all the leaders spoke very frankly and the important thing is there was no ill will towards anyone,” Azad, a

former chief minister, told PTI in an interview. Azad, 72, said he had made it clear at the meeting that the union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not acceptable for which every political leader extended support. Besides Azad, three other former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were also part of the multi-party delegation. “So, we have made our point clear. The only thing that we wanted was that first statehood should be restored and then elections should be held. Of course, they (Centre) have not responded but a joint stand of all the political parties was that first statehood should be granted, full-fledged statehood, and then it should be followed by elections,” Azad said. Asked what are the chances that the Centre would agree to the state-

hood first demand, Azad, who was leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said he was optimistic, asserting “at least they have not said no”. “And I think things have changed now. The amount of time the prime minister gave, the words he used that forget the past now. And the meeting gave a great opportunity to understand concerns and issues,” he added. The meeting had lasted for nearly three-and-a-half hours. “I think the way the prime minister spoke saying that forget the past and we have to bring peace and build new bridges of confidence between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir is important.” Azad said the prime minister made it clear that he would like the politics to be run by all those political parties who were present and that he would extend cooperation.

NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (AGENCIES): A crude bomb was found in Jammu soon after a drone attack on the Air Force base in the city, Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbagh Singh told NDTV on Sunday, widening the investigation into what authorities said was a terror strike. “Drones with payload were used in both the blasts at Jammu airfield. Another crude bomb was found by the Jammu police. This IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was received by LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) operative and was to be planted at some crowded place,” Singh said. The IED with 4 kg explosives was found in the Narwal area of Jammu from Nadeem Ul Haq, a 22year-old resident of Banihal, who has been arrested, he said. The arrest is not linked to the airport attack, Dilbagh Singh said. Two explosions rocked an Indian Air Force Station in Jammu in the early hours of Sunday, injuring two

Agency has taken over the probe. Teams from the IAF, the National Bomb Data Centre, forensic experts and the Jammu and Kashmir police are also investigating the attack. Senior security officials said that the use of drones in the attack would present a major challenge

for security forces in the area. The blasts took place hours before Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General MM Naravane began a three-day visit to Ladakh to review India’s operational readiness and to interact with troops in the backdrop of a drawnout standoff with China.

High alert at Pathankot airbase after Jammu Air Force Station blasts Security personnel patrol after two low intensity explosions reported in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station in the early hours of Sunday. (PTI)

people and causing minor damage to a building, officials said. They added that the blasts have caused concern in security circles as they could mark the first time that drones have been used in an attack in India. “Investigations are in progress along with civil agencies,” the Indian Air Force tweeted on Sunday,

adding one blast caused minor damage to the roof of a building at the station, while the other exploded in an open area. An FIR has been registered under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act that allows the arrest of suspects and their detention for up to six months without evidence. The National Investigation

Security agencies were put on high alert in border areas of Punjab, mainly the Pathankot airbase, on Sunday after two explosions occurred at the Air Force Station in Jammu. Security was stepped up, particularly in border districts of Pathankot and Gurdaspur, including near Indian Air Force base in Pathankot that saw the terror attack on January 2, 2016, as well as nearby Mamoon Cantonment of the Indian Army, officials told IANS. India’s international border with Pakistan falls in both the districts adjoining Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from Punjab Police, personnel of the Border Security Force and other security agencies have been put on alert following intelligence inputs. There were two bomb blasts at the station on Sunday morning which security agencies suspect were carried out by using drones.

Puducherry Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and CM N. Rangaswamy with newly inducted ministers. (PTI)

gasamy, among others, was present on the occasion. The portfolios of the ministers were not revealed. Lakshminarayanan, Djeacoumar and Priyanga represent lead partner AIN-

RC, while Namassivayam and Saravana Kumar are from its ally BJP. This is the first time the saffron party is part of a Ministry in the Union Territory. The exercise also saw a

Availability of Covid vax for kids will pave way for school reopening: AIIMS chief

NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): Making COVID-19 vaccine available for children will be a milestone achievement and pave the way for reopening of schools and resumption of outdoor activities for them, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria has said. He said the data of phase two and three trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin on two to 18 years age group is expected by September. The vaccine can be available for

children in India around that time following approval from the drug regulator, he said. “If the Pfizer vaccine gets approval before that, then it can also be an option for children,” Dr Guleria told PTI on Saturday. According to a senior government official, pharmaceutical major Zydus Cadila is also likely to soon apply to the Drugs Controller General of India for emergency use autho-

risation for its COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D, which it claims can be given to both adults and children. “So, if the Zydus vaccine gets approval, it will be another option,” Dr Guleria said. He stressed that though children mostly have mild infections of COVID-19 and some even are asymptomatic, they can be carriers of the infection. Vaccination is the way out from the pandemic, he said.

woman member become a minister after a 41 year gap, with Chandira Priyanga being sworn in. Late Congress leader Renuka Appadurai was the last woman minister from the UT during 1980-83 and handled the Education portfolio in the M D R Ramachandran (DMK)-led coalition ministry. Ending more than a month’s suspense over cabinet formation, Chief Minister N Rangasamy on June 23 submitted the list of members to be included in his ministry, to Soundararajan, which was subsequently approved by the President.

Though the AINRCled NDA had swept the April 6 Assembly polls in this union territory, cabinet formation dragged on for long as the saffron party initially insisted for a deputy CM post, but later settled for the post of the Assembly Speaker. Soon after leading his alliance to a win, AINRC founder Rangasamy was sworn-in as Chief Minister on May 7 but no other cabinet member was sworn-in. Later, BJP’s ‘Embalam’ R Selvam was elected unopposed as Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly on June 16.

IN THE COURT OF PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND NOTICE S/C NO. 87/2021 NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMENT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-I OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925 Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Imlimongba Amri has been applied by Smti. Moanaro Longchar, W/o Lt. Imlimongba Amri, R/o H.No. 207 Salangem Ward, Mkg, Nagaland for possession of: 1. GPF, 2. GIS 3. Gratuity 4. Leave Encashment 5. Pension etc. 6. Closing of A/c Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/he so desire appear in this court on or before the said day of 24.07.2021. Given under the hand and seal of the court on this the 24.06.2021. Principal District & Sessions Judge MKC-175 Mokokchung, Nagaland

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PUDUCHERRY, JUN 27 (PTI): Ending the more than a month long suspense over cabinet formation, five ministers, including two from the BJP, were inducted in the Chief Minister N Rangasamy-led NDA cabinet on Sunday. A Namassivayam, K Lakshminarayanan, C Djeacoumar, Chandira Priyanga and A K Sai J Saravana Kumar were sworn in as Ministers by Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan in front of the Raj Nivas. All the Ministers took oath in the name of God. Chief Minister Ran-

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Five ministers inducted in NDA cabinet in Puducherry

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Rajnath reviews ground situation in Ladakh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacting with the veterans in Leh, Sunday. (PTI) country is an “exemplary example”. In Leh, Singh held talks with Lt Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur and met senior elected representatives of Kargil, Leh and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council with a focus on the overall development of the regions, officials said. His visit to the sensitive region comes two days after India and China held a fresh round of diplomatic talks to resolve the prolonged military standoff that began in early May last year. “The #RakshaMantri was briefed on the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness by GOC Fire and Fury Corps,” the Army tweeted.

The defence minister is scheduled to visit various key formations and high-altitude bases in the region to assess the ground realities as well as to boost the morale of the troops guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in a hostile environment. “The dedication of our soldiers and veterans towards the country is an exemplary example. I express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart to all,” Singh said during the interaction with the ex-servicemen. “Our aim is that all of you should be taken care of in the same way you had taken care of the country’s security. Despite this, if you have any problems somewhere, then a helpline has

Haryana extends lockdown till July 5, relaxations allowed earlier to continue

CHANDIGARH, JUN 27 (PTI): The Haryana government Sunday extended the coronavirus lockdown by another week till July 5, while allowing university campuses to open for research scholars and practical classes in laboratories. “The Mahamari AlertSurakshit Haryana is extended for another week that is from June 28 (5 am onwards) to July 5 (till 5 am) in the state of Haryana,” Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan said in an order issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The state government has termed the coronavi-

rus lockdown “Mahamari Alert-Surakshit Haryana (Epidemic Alert-Safe Haryana)”. University campuses are allowed to open for research scholars, laboratory practicals, remedial and doubt classes by adopting requisite social distancing norms, regular sanitisation and Covid-appropriate behaviour, according to the order. Anganwadi centres and crèches under Women and Child Development Department shall continue to remain closed. These places will remain shut till July 31 in the state. The state’s Department

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of Women and Child Welfare will release the methodology for implementation of various women and child welfare programmes in the state, the order said. The relaxations on reopening of shops, malls, restaurants, religious places, corporate offices, gatherings in weddings, funerals, open spaces etc will continue as currently in place. According to earlier relaxations all shops are allowed to open from 9 am to 8 pm, malls from 10 am to 8 pm, restaurants and bars, including in hotels and malls, from 10 am to 10 pm with 50 per cent seating capacity.

been arranged for to address them,” he said. It is also Singh’s first visit to eastern Ladakh after the Indian and Chinese militaries pulled back troops, tanks, infantry and other equipment from the Pangong lake areas in February as part of an agreement. The disengagement process in the remaining friction points including Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang is deadlocked as China is reluctant to withdraw its troops from these areas. At a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs on Friday, India and China agreed to hold the next round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points. Singh’s visit to the region also comes amid fresh sparring between India and China over the standoff. India on Thursday blamed China for the standoff saying its amassing of a large number of troops close to the border and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC last year were responsible for seriously disturbing peace and

tranquillity in the region. India’s response came after China said its military deployment in the region is a normal defence arrangement aimed at “preventing and responding” to “encroachment and threat” on Chinese territory by India. India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. However, they completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks. The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points. India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector. There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach at the 11th round of military talks.

Indo-Japan friendship gets deeper during Covid: PM Modi NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pointed towards the strengthening of special strategic and global partnership with Japan. Informing about the Japan plus mechanism in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Prime Minister elaborated on his common understanding with the current Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugathat in this period of Covid pandemic when India-Japan friendship has become even more important for global stability and prosperity. “Current challenges demand that our friendship and partnership gets even deeper,” stressed the Prime Minister while inaugurating a Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at AMA, Ahmedabad via video conference. Modi also called for further spread of Kaizen and Japanese work culture in India and asked for more focus on business interaction between India and Japan. Terming the dedication of the Zen Garden

Narendra Modi and Kaizen Academy, as a symbol of ease and modernity of India-Japan relationship, the Prime Minister thanked leaders of Hyogo Prefecture specially the Governor Toshizo Ido and Hyogo International association for their contribution in the establishment of the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy. He also praised IndoJapan Friendship Association of Gujarat for giving new energy to India-Japan relations. Pointing to the similarities between ‘Zen’ and Indian ‘Dhyan’, the Prime Minister dwelled on the emphasis on inner peace along with outer progress and growth in the two cultures. Indians will find the

glimpse of the same peace, poise and simplicity in this Zen garden, which they experienced in Yoga through the ages. B u d d h a g ave t h i s ‘Dhyan’ this enlightenment to the world, said the Prime Minister. Similarly, he highlighted both external and internal meanings of Kaizen which not only emphasizes ‘improvement’ but ‘continuous improvement’. The Prime Minister, recalled that, as Chief Minister, he implemented Kaizen in Gujarat administration. “It was introduced in administrative training in Gujarat in 2004 and a special training camp was organized for the top civil servants in 2005. Continuous improvement was reflected in refinement of processes, leading to positive impact on governance.” Continuing with the importance of governance in national progress, the Prime Minister informed that, after becoming Prime Minister, he brought Kaizen related experience of Gujarat to PMO and other Central government departments.

Delta Plus has more affinity for State govt evicts two staff for Gov’s bungalow... lung tissues: NTAGI chief (From p-1) government subsequently pressed the wid(From p-1) He said the impact of the Delta Plus strain will become clear only as more cases are identified but it appears that the disease is generally mild in all those who have got either single or double dose of the vaccine. “We need to keep a very close watch and look at its spread so that it will give us transmission efficiency,” he said. Arora said the number of cases identified of Delta Plus variant may be more as there may be many asymptomatic individuals also — those who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms but they are carrying the virus and spreading it. “But the important point is that our genomic surveillance component has picked it up rightly and early enough. Now what will happen is that states have already been told that it is a variant of concern and it requires action which means that several states have already started making micro plans for the districts where the virus is identified so that their spread can be contained. Obviously vaccination will have to be increased in these districts,” he said. Responding to a question if the Delta Plus variant can trigger the third wave of coronavirus, Arora said it is difficult to assess that as of now.

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Every state government is allotted property under the General Pool Residential Accommodation to house its employees posted in Delhi. They are mostly located in central Delhi and managed by the Directorate of Estates. Under the GPRA rules, Nagaland is entitled to six quarters, which have been allotted to the chief minister and additional chief secretary among others. The governor is not in the list of beneficiaries as he has a separate suite reserved at the Nagaland House for his stay in the capital. But as Ravi and the Nagaland government pressed for retaining the bungalow, the matter was referred to the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation headed by the Prime Minister. The CCA in December 2018 allowed Ravi to retain the flat but on two conditions. First, the allotment had to be made from the state quota and second, the Nagaland government would have to surrender two flats in lieu of Ravi’s bungalow. The state

ows to vacate their official quarters. As per a complaint filed by one of them, they were served several showcause notices and even allegedly threatened by officials close to the governor. The complaint said they were told that if they don’t surrender their Type-2 flats as an “adjustment” for Ravi’s bungalow, they would either be suspended or transferred home. The other woman officer in a letter written to deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton on March 31 this year pleaded that she be excluded “from being the next target for eviction of my entitled quarter in which I have been staying for the last 25 years.” “I am a widow with two children who are solely dependent on me. If I am evicted from the government accommodation allotted to me, I will not be in a position to stay in (a) rented house as I belong to a low salaried income group of employees,” she wrote. But their pleas apparently fell on deaf ears and they vacated their houses.

‘Chirag can take forward father’s legacy by joining fight against Golwalkar’s ideas’ NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): Amid signs of chill in LJP leader Chirag Paswan’s ties with the BJPled NDA, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday reached out to him for aligning with the Opposition, saying he can carry forward his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy only by joining the “existential fight” against RSS ideologue M S Golwalkar’s thoughts. With Chirag going public with his disappointment with the BJP’s silence over his bitter feud with his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras for control of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the BJP has “disposed of ” and “abandoned” most of its old allies after coming to power and gaining maximum from them. In an interview with PTI, Yadav said his party has always stood by Ram Vilas Paswan and recounted that when the LJP did not even have a single MLA and Paswan lost the election in 2009, it was Lalu Prasad Yadav who sent him to Rajya Sabha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal quota. Has anybody done or sacrificed so much for any other leader or party in the country, he asked. “Our party has decided to celebrate Dalit messiah, Ram Vilas Ji’s birth anniversary to commemorate his contribution to the state, I think this itself is self-explanatory,” Yadav said. Significantly, Chirag

has also announced an “aashirvaad yatra” from July 5, the birth anniversary of his father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan, from Hajipur in Bihar. Asked about his call last week urging Chirag to quit the NDA, Yadav said the country is at a juncture where pro-Constitution, pro-democracy, pro-farmers and pro-people forces are on one side and those antithetical to this ideology are on the other side. “Late Ram Vilas Paswan Ji was a socialist and a firm believer in the idea

of social justice throughout his life. He fought caste supremacy, poverty and inequality during his political journey,” the 31year-old leader said. “The real tribute to him would be carrying forward his values and legacy and that is possible only when Chirag ji joins this existential fight against Golwalkar’s ‘bunch of thoughts’,” the former Bihar deputy chief minister said, in a play on the title of one of RSS ideologue Golwalkar’s books. On Chirag’s remarks in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it was not right for ‘Ram’ to remain silent when ‘Hanuman’ is being killed, Yadav alleged that the BJP “lures” parties and leaders by promising them “the moon but the moment their ‘system’ realises they are no longer of utility, they are dumped in a similar manner as a fly is thrown out of milk”.

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NEW DELHI, JUN 27 (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday carried out a comprehensive review of India’s military preparedness in eastern Ladakh on the first day of his three-day visit to the region amid a deadlock with China over the next stage of disengagement at several friction points. The defence minister, accompanied by Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, was given a detailed briefing about the prevailing situation as well as India’s combat readiness in the region by top commanders of the Army at the Lehbased headquarters of the 14 Corps, officials said. Singh was also apprised about various aspects relating to the deployment of troops as well as measures taken to bolster operational readiness to deal with any misadventure by the adversary, they said. In an interaction with a group of around 300 armed forces veterans including Ashok Chakra awardee Naib ChheringMutup (Retd) and MahaVir Chakra winner Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), Singh said the dedication of Indian soldiers and ex-servicemen towards the

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Pak PM under fire for his remark on women’s clothes

Protesters asking Pakistan PM Imran Khan to resign.

New Delhi, Jun 27 (IANS): Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing protests and calls for a public apology after suggesting that there would be fewer sexual assaults if women dressed more modestly, Washington Post reported. In an interview with Axios earlier this week, Imran Khan was asked about whether there was a “rape epidemic” in Pakistan, where advocates believe that a large number of assaults go unreported. “If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on the man unless they are robots. I mean, it’s a common sense,” he said. Women in Pakistan responded by sharing photographs of the “modest” clothing that they were wearing when they were sexually harassed, as well as anecdotes about inap-

propriate behaviour they have encountered - such as unwanted touching even when conservatively dressed in traditional headscarves and shalwar kameez, the report said. At a protest on Saturday in Karachi, women were encouraged to bring a piece of clothing that they or an acquaintance had been wearing when they were subjected to sexual violence. “This is dangerously simplistic and only reinforces the common public perception that women are ‘knowing’ victims and men ‘helpless’ aggressors,” the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and more than a dozen other civil society groups said. “For the the head of government - a government that claims to defend the rights of women and vulnerable groups - to in-

sist on this view is simply inexcusable.” The report said it’s the second time in recent months that Khan - who was one of Pakistan’s top cricket players and a national celebrity before he entered politics - has come under fire for his comments about rape. During a live television broadcast in April, he replied to a question about a perceived rise in sexual assaults by saying that the traditional custom of “purdah,” or modesty, was intended to “stop temptation.” “Not every man has willpower. If you keep on increasing vulgarity, it will have consequences,” Khan said. Khan’s latest remarks have led some men in Pakistan to proudly declare themselves to be robots, a joking reference to the Prime Minister’s claim that seeing a woman who is not modestly dressed “will have an impact on the man unless they are robots.” The report said Sherry Rehman, a senator from the opposition Pakistan People’s Party, questioned whether Khan meant to apply the term to “all the men who are civilized in their behavior and interactions with women.” She added sarcastically that she didn’t realize Pakistan “had such a large AI population.”

7 Delta variant behind 3rd Palestine calls North Koreans worry over int’l sanctions ‘emaciated’ Kim Jong Un Covid wave in S.Africa foragainst Israel SEOUL, Jun 27 (AGENinternational

In the last 24 hours, there were 18,762 new cases which represent a 25.5 per cent positivity testing rate (AP image).

Johannesburg, Jun 27 (IANS): The Delta variant has been the major contributor to South Africa’s third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a senior scientist said. Addressing reporters here on Saturday, Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), said the Delta variant appeared to be dominating the new infections recorded in the country, reports Xinhua news agency. “This is the variant that caused, initially, a massive epidemic in India and seems to increase very fast in frequency and dominating the infections in South Africa,” he said. “In the more recent data that we did in the community transmission in KZN, it completely took over.” Oliveira said the Delta variant was more transmissible even than the

Classified UK defence ministry documents found at bus stop: Report

LO N D O N, J U N 2 7 (Agencies): Classified documents from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) containing secret information about a warship and the British military was discovered at a bus stop in southeastern England, according to a media report on Sunday The MoD said an employee reported the loss of the documents last week, which were discovered by a member of the public in a soggy heap behind a bus stop in Kent early on Tuesday morning, the BBC report said. One set of documents reportedly discusses the likely Russian reaction to HMS Defender’s passage through Ukrainian waters off the Crimea coast on Wednesday and another

lays out plans for a possible UK military presence in Afghanistan after the USled NATO operation there ends this year. “It would be inappropriate to comment further,” an MoD spokesperson said, as it was confirmed an investigation has been launched into the incident. A member of the public, who wishes to remain anonymous, found the 50odd pages of documents and contacted the BBC when he realised the sensitive nature of the contents. The BBC believes the documents, which include emails and PowerPoint presentations, originated in the office of a senior official at the MoD. The documents relat-

ing to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer, HMS Defender, show that a mission described by the MoD as an “innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters”, with guns covered and the ship’s helicopter stowed in its hangar, was conducted in the expectation that Russia might respond aggressively. On Wednesday, more than 20 Russian aircraft and two coastguard ships shadowed the warship as it sailed about 19-km off Crimea’s coast. Moscow’s defence ministry said a patrol ship fired warning shots and a jet dropped bombs in the destroyer’s path but the UK government rejected this account, denying any warning shots had been fired.

Beta strain. “We are in the third wave. We continue to see the numbers repeatedly rising and the number of these infections continue to rise and Gauteng continues to be the epicentre of these new infections,” said Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi at the press briefing. In the last 24 hours, there were 18,762 new cases which represent a 25.5 per cent positivity testing rate. Of this, Gauteng accounts for 11,777 new cases. Kubayi believed that it was now likely that the peak of the third wave would surpass that of the second wave in January when more than 21,000 new daily cases were recorded. “We remain very worried about the rise in hospitalisation which is putting a lot of strain on the health facilities in Gauteng,” she added.

Ramallah, Jun 27 (IANS): Palestine has called for imposing international sanctions against Israel to stop its policies against the Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday that it supports an Amnesty International report issued on June 24 saying Israeli security forces committed violations against the Palestinians, reports Xinhua news agency. “Israel doesn’t care about reports issued by credible international organizations like Amnesty International, which considers Israeli practices the most heinous forms of racial discrimination against the Palestinians,” the Ministry statement said. The statement also slammed the US and the European Union for not exerting serious pressure on the Israeli government to stop its practices against the Palestinians. On June 24, the Amnesty International report said that Israeli police carried out “a catalogue of violations against Palestinians across Israel and occupied East Jerusalem”. The report said the violations included “unlawful force against peaceful protesters, sweeping mass arrest and subjecting detainees to torture and other ill-treatment”.

CIES) : Everyone in North Korea is heartbroken over leader Kim Jong Un’s apparent weight loss, said an unidentified resident of Pyongyang quoted on the country’s tightly controlled state media, after watching recent video footage of Kim, reports Reuters. The rare public comment on Kim’s health come after foreign analysts noted in early June that the autocratic leader, who is believed to be 37, appeared to have lost a noticeable amount of weight. “Seeing respected general secretary (Kim Jong Un) looking emaciated breaks our people’s heart so much,” the man said in an interview aired by state broadcaster KRT on Friday. “Everyone is saying that their tears welled up,” he said. In the clip, which Reuters could not independently verify, Pyongyang residents were seen watching a big

Kim Jong Un

screen on the street showing a concert attended by Kim and party officials after a plenary meeting of their Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK). The broadcast did not provide any details on what had led to the weight loss. When Kim reappeared in state media in June after not being seen in public for almost a month, analysts at NK News, a Seoul-based website that monitors North Korea, noted that his watch appeared to be fastened more tightly than before around an apparently slimmer wrist.

5TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY K. OBANG JAMIR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” Job 1:21

“say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was” Its been five years since you left us but your memories are still fresh in our mind. Not a day pass without the thoughts of you and the love you have shown towards us. You are forever alive in our hearts. Your legacy will always be there to light the way for us. You are loved and missed immensely. Loving wife, children, grandchildren & relatives DP-2935

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. Visole Tetso wife of Lt. Hosuhe Tetso lived a glorious 95 years and passed away peacefully on 17th June 2021. We the bereaved family would like to convey our appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss. Our heartfelt gratitude to: 1. Jakhama Christian Revival Church 8. Mr. Koleto Richa (Catechist) 2. Nagaland Christian Revival Church, 9. Dr. Keneipfenuo Rüpre-o (Asst. Pastor) 10. Mr. Thinu Tase (Asst. Pastor) P.R. Hill 11. Nouzhie Krotho 3. All Peoples Prayer Church, Daklane 12. Upper Chandmari Women’s Society 4. Rev. Razouvizo Tetso 13. Tsonole Women’s Society 5. Rev. Neitho-o Yimsung 14. Tetso Clan 6. Mr. John Zao (Pastor) 15. Friends, neighbours, and well-wishers 7. Mr. Neisale Keretsü (Pastor) Your immense love and support; spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially and your presence meant a lot to us. We regret our inability to acknowledge everyone individually, but may the Good Lord bless all abundantly. Loving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives K-1095

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. KHWETSOHIU (ATSOLIE) MEKRISUH BORN ON 1st OCTOBER 1944, DEAD ON 19th JUNE 2021 We, the bereaved family of Lt. Mrs. Khwetsohiu (Atsolie) Mekrisuh of Losami village, express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who stood with us during her prolonged illness and supported through morally, physically, financially and unconditional prayer support at the time she left for her heavenly abode on 19th June 2021. We convey our special thanks to: 1. Chakhesang Baptist Church, East Dimapur (CBCED). 2. CBCED, Women Dept. & Youth Dept. 3. Losami Welfare Union Dimapur. 4. Losami Women Welfare Society Dimapur. 5. Rev. Pastor Nüvocho. 6. Dr & Nurses CIHSR (Referal Hospital Dimapur) We deeply regret our inability thank each and every individual. However, it is our humble and sincere prayers that hold our Almighty bless you all abundantly. Loving, Sons, Daughters, Grand Children and Relatives DP-2944

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DC-523

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Late NOKSANGKYÜ. L Born: 09.10.1998 Died: 14.06.2021 We the bereaved family of Late NOKSANGKYÜ. L wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy, prayers and gestures of kindness shown to us at the sudden demise of our beloved. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbours and well-wishers who provided emotional and practical support for us at this difficult time. For those who telephoned, travelled long distances as well as those who made charitable donations, we are truly grateful. We convey our special thanks to: 1. Trongar Village Council 8. Sangtam Baptist Lithro Kohima Women 2. Trongar Baptist Lithro Ministry 3. Trongar Akhihrüh Amüjang 9. Sangtam Union, Kohima 4. North Police Station, Kohima 10. Sangtamlarü Thsingmüjang, Kohima Unit 5. South Police Station, Kohima 11. Trongar Union, Kohima 6. Sangtam Baptist Lithro Kohima 12. Shri. T. Yangseo Sangtam, MLA 60 A/C 7. Sangtam Baptist Lithro Kohima Youth 13. Smt. Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, Director, Ministry DUDA To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. Loving Parents, Siblings and Relatives K-1096

K Y M C

LATE AJUNGLA LISEN

Born : 13/04/1967

Died: 23/06/2021

Through this column, we would like to express our immense gratitude to all our friends, neighbours, relatives and well wishers who comforted and supported us during the time of her illness and sad demise of our beloved sister Miss Ajungla Lisen. Your kind expression of sympathy, prayers and assistance during our time of bereavement is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated. Nothing we do or say can ever repay you but it is our prayer that our Lord will bless you abundantly. MKC-176

Brothers, Sisters, In-laws, Nephews and Nieces. K Y M C

8

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

EURO 2020: Czech Republic stun 10-man Netherlands; enter QFs

Budapest/London, Jun 27 (AP/IANS): The Czech Republic reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals Sunday after shocking 10man Netherlands 2-0 in their last-16 tie in Budapest thanks to second-half strikes by Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick. A header by Holes and clinical finish by Schick came after Matthijs de Ligt was sent off in the 55th minute, securing the efficient Czechs a deserved berth in the last eight against Denmark in Baku on July 3. Having emerged as Group C winners with a 100 percent record after playing all three of their games in Amsterdam, Frank de Boer’s fancied Netherlands were on the road for the first time in the tournament. Roared on by boisterous ranks of orange-

Czech Republic players celebrate their victory over Netherlands. (Getty)

clad fans in a packed Puskas Arena, the only Euro 2020 venue not to limit stadium capacity as an anticoronavirus precaution, it was the livelier Dutch who dominated the opening exchanges. On eight minutes a

floated cross by Danny Blind evaded Tomas Vaclik in the Czech goal but De Ligt’s header across the goalmouth was sliced well wide by Memphis Depay. Then Denzel Dumfries, raiding on both wings, was released on the left soon

after but, with Vaclik again flailing, couldn’t direct his header into the open goal. But after soaking up the early pressure Jaroslav Silhavy’s well-organised side, who qualified as one of the four best third-placed sides, began posing threats

of their own with a series of dangerous counter-attacks. Tomas Soucek, who took over the captain’s armband from the injured Vladimir Darida, glanced a dangerous header just wide at full stretch midway through the period. Then Antonin Barak, fed by Lukas Masopust, blasted a left-footed effort high and wide when through on goal approaching the break. Early in the second period the advantage swung decisively the Czechs way when De Ligt was sent off by the Russian referee Sergei Karasev after a VAR review. Bayer Leverkusen striker Schick, scorer of all three Czech goals in the group stage, put De Ligt under pressure, prompting the Juventus defender to blatantly knock the ball away with his hand to deny

India win 3 gold medals at Archery World Cup Paris, Jun 27 (PTI): The seasoned and in-form Deepika Kumari was a constant in India’s remarkable haul of three gold medals at the World Cup Stage 3 in Paris on Sunday, an unprecedented sweep for the country at the mega-event ahead of next month’s Tokyo Olympics. Deepika blanked Russia’s Elena Osipova 6-0 in the final of the women’s individual recurve event to complete a hat-trick of gold medals in one day. She had earlier been a part of the mixed and women’s gold-winning Indian teams. In the mixed final, Deepika and husband Atanu Das, who are Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari won India’s best medal hope in gold medal in archery with a comfortable win. (PTI)

archery in the Olympics, bounced back from a 0-2 deficit to down the Netherland’s Sjef van den Berg and Gabriela Schloesser 5-3. This was after the women’s recurve team of Deepika, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari notched up the gold medal with a comfortable win over Mexico, shrugging off the disappointment of missing Olympic qualification last week. “It feels amazing. First time we won the final together, it feels so happy,” Atanu said after their win. The two got married after a two-year courtship and would be celebrating their first wedding an-

niversary on June 30. “It feels we are made for each other. But in the ground we are not couple but like just other competitors, we motivate, support and back each other,” Atanu said. Incidentally, this was also a first mixed pair gold medal for the former world number one Deepika who has five silver and three bronze medals in the event. Her last mixed pair final appearance was also with Atanu in Antalya World Cup 2016. The duo had lost to Korea. Deepika, who had earlier spearheaded the women’s team to a second successive World Cup gold medal this year, said: “It feels happy.”

a goalscoring opportunity. Midway through the half, with the Czechs scenting blood, Pavel Kaderabek should have got the opener while in space in the area but saw his shot blocked. Then 68 minutes in a curled free-kick from the right by Barak was headed across goal by Tomas Kalas to the unmarked Holes who had time to place his header and spark bedlam among the Czech fans. Ten minutes from the end Schick sealed the win with his fourth goal of Euro 2020, slotting home with his left foot at the near post after the rampant Holes pounced on a loose ball and laid on a clever cut-back.

MONDAY’S MATCH Croatia Vs Spain: 9:30 pm France Vs Switzerland: 12:30 am (tuesday)

Italy beat Austria 2-1 in extra time to reach quarterfinals

Italy needed to fight until the extra time to see off their last-16 opponents Austria 2-1 at the European Championship in London. Italy won all three group matches to advance into the last-16 round comfortably without conceding a goal. Since the start of the match on Saturday, the Azzurri launched attacks one after another. They could easily push to the front especially from the left flank with an active left defender Leonardo Spinazzola, but failed to score when facing the tough Austrian defence. Their best chance in the first half came in the 32nd minute when Ciro Immobile’s curved long shot hit the left top corner of the woodwork. After the interval, Austria threatened more often in the box while the Italian players showed signs of impatience. In the 65th minute, Bayern Munich’s David Alaba headed the ball across the box and Marko Arnautovic nodded it in from close range. But a lengthy VAR check ruled out the goal for offside. A scoreless tie in the regular time saw the game at Wembley go into extra time. Italy made the breakthrough soon as late substitute Federico Chiesa swept home an acute-angled shot near the post in the 95th minute. Ten minutes later, Matteo Pessina added a second for Italy while Austria pulled one back with Sasa Kalajdzic’s header in the closing stages.

PM modi hails struggles of India’s Olympic-bound athletes New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday applauded India’s Olympicbound athletes, saying that they have all endured “years of toil” and the country should back them without putting them under pressure during the Tokyo Games next month. More than 100 Indian sportspersons have qualified for the mega-event, which was postponed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be held under strict health safety protocols from July 23 to August 8 in the Japanese capital. “Every player going to Tokyo has had one’s own

Narendra Modi (File)

share of struggle, and years of toil. They are going not only for themselves but for the country,” Modi said in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address to the nation. “These players also have to enhance the glory of India and win the hearts of the people and that is why my countrymen I want

to advise you too, that we should not pressurize these players knowingly or unknowingly. “...but support them with an open mind and bolster the enthusiasm of every player,” he added. India’s best Olympic performance came in the 2012 London edition when the country snared six medals, including two silver. In the 2016 Games, the performance dipped considerably and India could fetch just two medals. In his address on Sunday, the PM also recalled his last conversation with sprint legend Milkha Singh, who died earlier this month after a battle with COVID-19.

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