April 19, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 132

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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India breaks pandemic record with over 2.6L cases ‘India is running out of oxygen, New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): A record single-day rise of 2,61,500 coronavirus infections has taken India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,47,88,109, while active cases have surpassed the 18-lakh mark, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll increased to 1,77,150 with a record 1,501 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Registering a steady increase for the 39th day in a row, the active cases stand at 18,01,316, comprising 12.18 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 86.62 per cent, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,28,09,643, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.20 per cent, the data stated.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed 20 lakh on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on

Situation in Assam ‘complicated’ but under control: Sarma GUWAHATI, APR 18 (AGENCIES): Assam’s health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Sunday sounded a warning over the discovery of the UK COVID-19 variant in Assam that is reportedly 70% more transmissible than existing strains and was first detected in the United Kingdom (UK).

Sarma admitted that the situation has turned “complicated” in the state during the last few days.

“As of now we are prepared and the situation is under control”.

Talking to the media here, Sarma said, “Most of the infected people are the ones who’ve come from other States. COVID positive cases are detected only in places where there are railway stations, airports and commercial hubs like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat etc. No positive cases have been detected among the local people in remote areas.” “...This virus is a UK variant. It’s very light. It remains floated in the air for a long time. There’s is no detection of the double mutant variant virus in Assam.”

Further, Sarma said that COVID negative certificates from other states would not be accepted and all air and train passengers on reaching will have to undergo both Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR tests.

This is it!

“As mandatory I wear this mask. But as necessity, I don’t cover my mouth for customers.”

K Y M C

urday. The 1,501 new fatalities include 419 from Maharashtra, 167 from Delhi, 158 from Chhattisgarh, 120 from Uttar Pradesh, 97 from Gujarat, 80 from Karnataka, 66 from Madhya Pradesh, 62 from Punjab and 39 from Tamil Nadu. These

fresh fatalities also include 37 each from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, 34 each from Bihar and West Bengal, 32 from Haryana, 30 from Jharkhand, 27 from Kerala, 15 each from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and 12 from Himachal Pradesh.

Nagaland registers 19 new cases

September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 26,65,38,416 samples have been tested up to April 17 with 15,66,394 samples being tested on Sat-

DIMAPUR, APR 18 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday registered 19 new Covid-19 positive cases from across the State-- 14 in Dimapur, 4 in Kohima and 1 in Longleng, taking the total caseload to 12555.

With this the active cases also rose to 176 even as eight patients recovered from the dreaded disease.

Meanwhile, Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom in a tweet reminded and cautioned all that the Covid19 was not yet over.

While stating that the government and the department was doing its best can to tackle the pandemic effectively like last year, he said that the present surge

in cases was a warning to all of us. In order to defeat this disease, he said the support and cooperation of citizens was required since government alone cannot win the battle. “Please get vaccinated if you are eligible and follow COVID19 SOPs strictly,” he added.

Over 1.4L inoculated

A total of 147862 beneficiaries have been inoculated in the State till April 18.

According to state immunization officer, Dr. Ritu Thurr, out of 147862 persons-- 115392 availed the first dose while 32470 received the second dose of Covid vaccine.

Covid-19 patients are dying’

NEW DELHI, APR 18 (AGENCIES): As oxygen suppliers refuse to take calls or respond to requests for cylinders, many people are being forced to go to hospitals to be able to get access to the gas for their patients.

In such a situation, philanthropic organisations are stepping in to provide respite with free oxygen cylinders.

It took eight months to invite bids for over 150 oxygen generation plants costing just Rs 200 crore.

Six months later, most still aren’t up and running, Scroll.in investigation report stated.

Vinay Srivastava’s oxygen saturation level was dangerously low when he tweeted around 8 p.m. on April 16 to say that no hospital in Lucknow was responding to his phone calls.

Oxygen saturation in the blood below the level of 94 is considered a matter of concern for people suffering from Covid-19. Srivastava said his level was 52.

As the 65-year-old free-

lance journalist’s complaint went viral on Twitter, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s media advisor responded to him next afternoon, asking for more details. By then, Srivastava’s oxygen levels had fallen to 31.

At 4.20 pm on Saturday, his son, Harshit Srivastava, tweeted to say his father had died – waiting for an ambulance. “We did not get anything,” he told Scroll.in on the phone. “I called every number for an oxygen cylinder but no one picked up.”

About 7 km from their home, the government-run Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital has been waiting for an oxygen generation plant. It is one of 150 district hospitals across India for which the Central government floated tenders in October, eight months into the coronavirus pandemic, to create units that can produce medical oxygen on site.

But six months later, the oxygen plant is yet to be installed. Had it been in

place, breathless Lucknow residents like Srivastava would have stood a better chance of surviving Covid19. The city of three million people currently has 44,485 confirmed coronavirus cases.

About 1,200 km away, in Navsari, Gujarat, another district hospital due to get an oxygen generation plant has had to refuse admission in the last few days to several Covid-19 patients who required oxygen.

“There is a full shortage of oxygen,” said Avnish Dube, the chief medical officer of the district’s 175bedded MGG General Hospital. Last week, five Covid19 patients died in a private hospital reportedly due to lack of oxygen – despite the district’s official case load being barely over 500.

Had the oxygen plant been in place, Navsari could have even catered to patients from Surat, one of the worst affected cities in Gujarat, less than an hour away.

(Cont’d on p-8)

No sanitizing, screening at Less than 100 ICU beds vacant in Delhi, situation worsening Dimapur Railway station Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 18 (NPN): Despite Nagaland’s only railway station at Dimapur being brought under the ambit of COVID protocols, no sanitation or proper maintenance is being undertaken.

Nagaland Post visited the railway station and discovered that besides the premises not being sanitised as per COVID protocols, the station also lacked facilities to screen incoming passengers from other states-- like thermal screening etc.

Authorities elsewhere in the country are carrying out sanitation of public places like bus stands, railway stations, airports, etc, in view of the devastating second wave of COVID19 pandemic, little efforts seem to have gone in keeping the State’s only railway station neat and clean, forget proper sanitisation in view of the raging pandemic.

The fact that it is Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) second most revenue-generating station hasn’t stopped its management from turning a blind eye to the station’s overall

NEW DELHI, APR 18 (PTI): Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said around 25,500 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Delhi and the positivity rate has increased to nearly 30 per cent in the last 24 hours.

He also said that the Delhi gover nment has sought the Centre’s help in ensuring adequate beds and supply of oxygen for COVID-19 patients.

Less than 100 ICU beds are vacant in Delhi hospitals, and the situation A view of Dimapur railway station on Sunday. (NP) is worsening every moment, upkeep. There’s no proper He, however, claimed Kejriwal said, adding that cleaning of the railway that the station superin- he spoke to Union Home platforms unlike previous tendent had been given years, following the expiry the charge of maintaining of the contract for mainte- cleanliness of the station nance of the station, which premises by engaging manwere being done using ma- ual labourers, for which a chineries. sum of Rs 30,000 was being NEW DELHI, APR 18 Admitting lack of provided every month.

(AGENCIES): Engineermaintenance of the railway When asked why the ing entrance exam JEEstation, NFR senior divi- contract was not renewed, Mains scheduled to be sional commercial manager Dey said the Lumding divi- held from April 27-30 has (DCM) Ashok Kumar Dey sion authorities had tempo- been postponed in view of told Nagaland Post over rarily stopped the contract the COVID-19 situation, telephone from Lumding system due to acute short- Union Education Minthat the three-year contract age of fund. However, the ister Ramesh Pokhriyal with an agency for cleaning contract will be renewed/ ‘Nishank’ announced on the station got expired in put for tender once there Sunday.

July 2020, which was yet is enough fund, he added.

According to an ofto be renewed nor any new Further, besides Dimapur, ficial order issued by the tender had been floated for he said contracts for clean- National Testing Agency awarding new contract. ing Diphu, Badarpur, Gu- (NTA), the revised dates of This, according to him, has wahati and Silchar railway will be announced later on resulted in poor mainte- stations too were yet to be re- and at least 15 days before nance of the station.

(Cont’d on p-8) the examination. newed.

IIT-JEE (M) entrance exam postponed

State IAP urges govt to fulfill long pending demands DIMAPUR, APR 18 (NPN): State chapter of Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) affiliated to World confederation for physical Therapy (WCPT) has welcomed the passing of The National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act, 2021 by both Houses of Parliament and urged the State government to fulfil its longpending demands.

While highlighting the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act, 2021 passed in the Parliament, it said the definition of Physiotherapy under the Act has given physiotherapists the rights

to practise independently, diagnose, investigate and examine cases related to ailments under the scope of practice. Mentioning that physiotherapists would henceforth be considered healthcare professionals as a separate stream as per the Act, IAP stressed that they should not be confused with paramedics.

Meanwhile, IAP State unit demanded fulfilment of its long-pending demand by the State government as early possible. These include recruitment of qualified and adequate number of physiotherapists under the directorate of health services for different State hospitals up to

primary healthcare centres, recruitment of qualified and adequate number of physiotherapists in Cancer Hospital, medical colleges and different State sport boards and recruitment on regular basis and permanent.

Further, IAP unit demanded modification of physiotherapist recruitment rules by upgraded the posts of physiotherapists from Group B Gazetted to Group A Gazetted, as per qualification and experience.

Insisting that mode of recruitment or selection must be through written examination or through Nagaland Public Service Commission as done in previous

recruitments, the association demanded that the State physiotherapy selection/ interview board must include qualified and eligible physiotherapist, besides modification in pay scale and classification of employees as per ‘ Government of India norms and regulations.

IAP also called for upgrading the pay scale and classification of existing physiotherapists under the State government as per Central rules on the basis of educational-cum-professional qualification and experience, besides establishing at least one pure physiotherapy college under the State government.

A health worker inspects patients undergoing treatment at a Banquet Hall, converted into an isolation centre in Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Minister Amit Shah this “We are constantly morning and stressed on in touch with the Centre the need for making more and getting help from it,” beds available. he said. The chief minister

said due to the fast pace of increasing COVID-19 infections, hospital beds and oxygen for patients are depleting fast in the city.

The Centre should reserve at least 7,000 of 10,000 beds in hospitals run by it in Delhi as COVID beds and ensure immediate supply of oxygen, the chief minister said.

The Delhi government in next 2-3 days will come up with 6,000 beds at Yamuna Sports Complex, Radha Swami Satsang Beas premises and schools. It is also arranging high flow oxygen beds for the patients, Kejriwal added.

Former Chief Secy Gohkale passes away DMAPUR, APR 18 (NPN): Former Nagaland chief secretary, Padma Shri Achyut Madhav Gokhale passed away on Sunday due to Covid-19 in Pune. He was 75 years old.

Born on January 3, 1946, late Gokhale joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service in 1973 with the seniority of 1968 batch of Nagaland Cadre after serving the Indian Navy as a Short Service Commissioned officer.

Gokhale was responsible for establishment of the Village Development Boards (VDBs) and NEPED in Nagaland, including community based organisations.

He was awarded Padma Shri in 1990 for his work on Village Development Boards and role in forming the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana.

He also served as Secretary to the Government of India at the Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources and also as chairman of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

During his tenure in Nagaland, Gokhale launched a people’s programme, Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED), which had reported success in getting the involvement of the people of Nagaland.

Late AM Gokhale (File)

CM leads condolence

State chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressed grief at the passing away of former State chief secretary and Padma Shri AM Gokhale and termed it as a loss “not limited to his immediate family members but to all of us in Nagaland”.

In a condolence message, the chief minister termed Gokhale as an exceptional officer, an optimist, a true leader and a thinker par excellence, who, during his more than three decades of service in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), brought about revolutionary changes. He said the former chief secretary developed the concept of village development boards in Nagaland that decentralised development to the village level, much before the panchayati raj institutions were brought in rest of the country.

Rio said people of the entire State would continue to fondly remember the passionate manner with which

Gokhale had executed and put in place the necessary foundation to ensure its success and sustainability, adding he was awarded Padma Shri for this path-breaking work.

Building on the strengths and traditions of the people of Nagaland and merging it with his passion for conserving environment, he had established Nagaland Environment Protection and Economic Development through People’s Act (NEPED), building a motivated and dedicated team from scratch, which for the first time also brought in financing from external agencies to Nagaland. Its success also motivated the State government to set up a number of other gamechanging missions such as the Bamboo Mission, Honey Mission, etc, the message recalled.

According to Rio, Gokhale always did what was in the best of interests for the people of the State, and he would always remain in the hearts of people of Nagaland, and his death due to COVID-19 was a great loss to the people of Nagaland. Rio extended his deepest condolences to the family— Ms. Savita Gokhale and children – and prayed to God Almighty to grant them the strength to bear with (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

2

state

RSZ observes 6th anniversary

Dimapur: Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) 6th anniversary celebration-cum-general assembly was held on April 17 at Khonibinzun village hosted by Kasha Daho Youth Organization.

The event was held under the theme, “Embrace, engage, empower” and was attended by youths from all Rengma village and leaders from all Rengma organisations and associations.

Angami Youth Organization (AYO) and Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH) were the special guests of the event while youth secretary Council of Rengma Baptist Churches (CRBC), Jonathan Mesen was the keynote speaker.

Speaking on the theme, Jonathan Mesen stressed on the need to raise a new generation of leaders to lead the masses.

He said that these new “breed of leaders” must have vision for the common welfare reminding them that “we need leaders who stands for truth... ...and have conviction, commitment and vision for our people, and one who will put his career at stake for community welfare.”

He further encouraged the members and the leaders present to stand for the truth.

Members of RSZ and others at the anniversary programme.

Angami Youth Organization (AYO) president, Kekhrie Pfukha in his solidarity speech stressed on the need to strengthen the bond of brotherhood among the Tenyimia family while stating that “Tenyimia” was not a political body but a fraternal family based on ancestral root. He said that Tenyimia community must strive towards unity and flourish together in the spirit of brotherhood.

Also extending solidarity to RSZ, president Lotha Youth Hoho, N. Yanpothung Ezung appreciated the various activities undertaken

by RSZ for the welfare of its members citing few developmental works carried out

in the Rengma area and the selfless service rendered by the organisation during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic times.

Meanwhile, the organization in its general assembly approved the new executive council of RSZ for the tenure 2021-23 and also adopted a three-point resolution during the general assembly. Greetings was shared by president Rengma Hoho, Pollem Tep while Hechulo Semy introduced the new RSZ executive council for the tenure 2021-23, which would be led by Kenneth Kath and Sokenye Kent as president and general secretary.

The advisory team con-

sists of Prof. G.T. Thong, Er. J. G. Lorin and Zukeya Woch.

Following the anniversary feast, a symposium on contemporary Rengma issues was also held with Prof. GT Thong (Professor, department of Geology, Nagaland University) and Awa Lorin (Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and president Rengma Officers’ Forum) as symposium speakers and Dr. Lilongchem Thyüg as the moderator.

The event culminated with the “Faces of Rengma Youths” session anchored

by Shatilo Kent wherein Rengma youth icons in different fields of work were acknowledged.

Workshop on ‘Intellectual Property Rights’

Ongpangkong Students Conference (OKM) team led by president, Limatongzuk visited the Care and Support Children’s Home on April 16 and donated rice, dal and packets of sweets towards the welfare of the children. The team further encouraged the children to be diligent in their studies, lead a prayerful and honest life and continue to work on their self-improvement and growth.

Participants with Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) administrator, Kovi Meyase at the KMC initiated awareness programme on National Clean Air Programme, Swacch Bharat Mission, solid waste management and Covid-19 related SOPs at KMC Office on April 17, 2021. The programme was attended by all ward panchayats.

DIMAPUR: IQAC, Kohima College Kohima (KCK) in collaboration with Patent Information Centre, Nagaland state science & technology council, department of science & technology, Nagaland organised a workshop on “intellectual property rights” on April 17. A press release by KCK mass media cell stated that the workshop was held on three technical sessions- “IPR and its component: overview of IPR”, “copyright and trademark”, and on “geographical indications - opportunities and challenges”.

Resource persons for the technical sessions were Scientist-D, Dr. Nesatalu Hiese; Scientist-B, Kekuniel Ltu and technical assistant, Ghukali Chishi from PIC, Nagaland science & technology council, department of science & technology, Nagaland. Earlier, assistant prof. Sungjeminla chaired the inaugural function and a welcome address was presented by KCK principal Dr. Ralimongla.

AR conduct various activities across Nagaland DIMAPUR: Various battalions of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) have been conducting programmes across Nagaland for the welfare of the public.

Kiphire battalion: With an aim to promote organic mushroom cultivation as an alternate means of self sustenance for people of Pungro village, Kiphire battalion established a mushroom cultivation centre at Pungro, Kiphire, on March 30.

The centre was inaugurated by Nuhuta Tumki, NEC, EAC Pungro in the presence of members of Pungro GB Union and Yimchunger tribal council.

Meanwhile, another medical camp was organised at Pungro town, Kiphire district on April 9, 2021 in conjunction with Mobile Field Veterinary hospital, Rangapahar; veterinary doctor and medical staff from Pungro PHC wherein medicines for 1073 poultry and 252 domestic animals were distributed and 15 dogs and 190 poultry were treated for diseases. A regular medical checkup and medicines was also conducted whereby 37 villagers from the border town of K Y M C

Pungro and the surrounding Villages under Kiphire district were treated.

Kohima battalion: Kohima battalion organised a drawing and painting competition for students of Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary School, Kohima, on March 30 where 45 students participated.

Ghaspani battalion: Ghaspani battalion conducted an anti-drug campaign at different places of Dimapur district, Nagaland on March 26 and 27 where awareness programme on drug, alcohol abuse and rehabilitation facilities was deliberated to general public and youths.

An interactive session was also conducted with students undergoing rehab at Dimapur rehab centre, Sovima near 6th Mile.

Students were educated on the prospects in security force and on free courses available at different institutions funded by state/central government schemes.

In another event, a seminar on drug abuse was conducted at Kukidolong village community hall for villagers of Kukidolong and Jharnapani where Imkong, a trained psychologist from

Prodigal’s Home Rehab centre spoke on drug abuse and role of a psychologist.

Around 20 people undergoing rehab at Prodigals Home participated in the programme and shared their testimonies.

Mon battalion: Mon Battalion of Assam Rifles organised a silver zone International Olympiad 2021 for students of ARPS Naginimora, Mon, on March 25.

According to HQ IGAR (N), test for Mathematics and Science olympiad was conducted on January 25 and 25, 2021 under the supervision of the battalion. A total of 13 students were selected.

The selected students were then registered and coached for the olympiad where Sneha Sana achieved 100% marks and secured rank 1 at NE zone in her category.

The students won a total of 11 medals including seven golds, two silver and two bronze medals.

Tuensang battalion: Tuensang battalion conducted a medical camp at Kudeh village, Tuensang, on April 3.

The main aim of the camp was to provide medi-

cal support and assistance to the villagers especially the old, handicapped, orphaned and women who were unable to visit the hospitals at far distances.

Free medicines and medical assistance were also provided to the affected people.

The villagers were also educated on the importance of timely vaccination, personal hygiene and sanitation. Altogether, 70 males, 25 females and 12 children benefitted from the camp.

DP-2027

Workshop on fire prevention and protection in Mon DIMAPUR: As part of nationwide Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20, the department of Fire and Emergency Services, Mon, on April 17, also organised a workshop on fire prevention and protection at conference room, DC, Mon, under the theme, “Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment is key to Mitigate Fire Hazards”.

According to DIPR report, OC Fire Station Mon, L Yohan Konyak, stated that the week was observed not only to showcase fire safety measures but to pay homage to the lives lost by fire hazards. SI Tsarose S Sangtam spoke on concept of fire and highlighted the classifications of fire and extinguishing methods and appealed to the public to extend support and cooperation in times of emergency.

2nd OC Fire Station Mon, Soyhunla Kent highlighted the objectives of fire service. The programme was chaired by ASI Dennis Singson and vote of thanks

by ASI Razoukuolie Kiewhuo. Later a demonstration on fire safety methods was conducted, attended by administrative officers, various HoDs, Staffs of DC Office and G.Bs.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

DHS Zunheboto holds review meeting

Members of DHS Zunheboto and others after the programme.

DIMAPUR: District Health Society (DHS) Zunheboto held its monthly review meeting-cum-transition to fever- rash measles rubella surveillance workshop on April 16 at Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office, Zunheboto.

A press release by CMO office Zunheboto stated that in a short speech, CMO Zunheboto Dr. Akaho Sema encouraged the members to put more effort to ensure smooth implementation of the different activities carried out in the district and to improve the performance in the district.

Dr. Akaho also asserted the importance of

quality implementation of the programmes. He also requested the participants to submit timely submission of SOEs. In view of the emergence of second wave of COVID-19 in the country, Dr. Akaho asked all health workers to be in their place of posting.

In a presentation, SMO WHO, Dr. Shiela shared about the strategic objectives to achieve measles rubella elimination, strengthen outbreak response, ensuring coordination- district weekly review meeting and strategic objectives to achieve measles rubella elimination.

S M O, P u g h o b o t o CHC, Dr. J. Hokugha briefed the members on the new COVID-19 SOP and testing strategy while DTO, NTEP, Dr. Aron Murru briefed the participants on national TB elimination programme and DPO (RCH & UIP), Dr. Nukshisangla Jamir emphasised on the current COVID-19 vaccination status of the district.

The review meeting cum workshop was attended by CMO, DTO, DPO (RCH&UIP), SMOs, MOs, programme officers of different vertical programmes and BACs. The vote of thanks was delivered by DPM Rosemary, Vitoli.

ATMA functionaries trained on management of horti

DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organised a twoday training programme on “integrated management practices for horticulture crops” for ATMA functionaries at SAMETI, Medziphema on April 13 and 14.

A press release by SAMETI Medziphema stated that resource persons were Central Institute of Horti-

culture (CIH) Medziphema, horticulture specialist AK Singh, scientist ICAR research complex for NEH Region, Nagaland centre, Dr. Azeze Seyie.

Participatory lectures on advanced production technology of Khasi mandarin, advance production technology of banana, improved package of practices in Naga king chilly, preparation of Naga king chilly

pickle were covered during the training programme.

Practical session on post harvest management & processing of Naga king chilli was also conducted at ICAR Jharnapani.

In his valedictory address, SAMETI director, K.

Remphamo Lotha encouraged the participants to take the practical knowledge gained during the training programme to the farmers’ doorstep.

Meanwhile, the participants went for a field visit to CIH Medziphema.

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LT. NISHEVI K ACHUMI

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born on : 09/09/1943 – Died on : 03/04/2021 We, the family members would like to extend our sincere gratitude to each and every individual who mourned with us empathized our grief in the unfortunate demise of our beloved Late Hetozu Zhimomi, GB. The immense kindness, contributions, support and your valuable time and affection poured upon our family will be reckoned for life. Appreciation and prayers is the lease we can do to express our humble gratification.

May God mark each one of you and bless you all incessantly: 1. Sukhato Village Baptist Church 2. Women Ministry, Nihekhu Village Baptist Church 3. Nikhekhu Baptist Church 4. Nikhekhu Village Council 5. Hozukhe Village Baptist Church 6. S. Hetoyi Baptist Akukuhou 7. Ato Area Students Union 8. Ato Area GB's 9. Hozukhe GB's 10. Ato Area Church Leaders Fellowship 11. Ghokuto Ghami Baptist Church 12. Fellowship Block, Nikhekhu 13. Sukhato Village Council 14. GPRN, NSCN 15. Ato Area STH Loving wife, children & relatives DP-2024

1940 - 19/04/2020 Dearest loving Mom, We deeply miss you.... so Especially on this special Day....

And we just want you to know....

You are always in our hearts....

And will be till the end....

When we see you once again....

We love you Mom. DP-2017

Family.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Family of LATE N. EYINGO KIKON would like to express our immense gratitude to all our friends, neighbours and well-wishers who have supported us during his brief illness and sad demise on 14th April 2021.

The love, prayers and sympathy shown to us in our moment of bereavement has comforted us and made our loss bearable.

We pray that the Lord bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws & Grand-Children.

DP-2031 K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should the ECI club the remaining three phases in Bengal into one phase poll?

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

A B C

LRD inspects PMKSY-WDC projects

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

A

B

C

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

50% 33% 17%

Next poll

Q: Is the state govt likely

t o a n n o u n c e m o re restrictions against the second covid wave?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST april 19

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Mostly sunny and very warm

36 25

Aizawl

Partial sunny

Guwahati Decreasing clouds Imphal

Partly sunny and nice

30 17 30 19 31 13

Itanagar A morning thunderstorm or two 26 17 Shillong

Partly sunny and beautiful

24 15

Kohima

A t-storm around in the a.m

25 14

Dimapur Partly sunny

33 18

A t-storm around in the a.m

27 14

Tuensang A t-storm around in the a.m

18 11

Mkg Wokha

A strong morning thunderstorm 25 17

Zunheboto A t-storm around in the a.m

24 12

T. Renben Lotha inspecting the community farm pond-cum- earthen check dam at AAK Industrial Village under PMKSY-WDC 10, Batch VI.

DIMAPUR: As part of its state-wide tour to execute an impact assessment of all the activities implemented under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana-Watershed Development Component(PMKSY-WDC), senior officials of the directorate of Land Resources Department (LRD), Kohima toured Dimapur district on

April 16.

A press release by LRD Dimapur office informed that the officials led by director LRD T. Renben Lotha visited AAK Industrial (PMKSY-WDC 10, Batch VI) and Lhothavi village (PMKSY-WDC 4, Batch II) under Dhansiripar Block of Dimapur district. In his address, Lotha acknowledged

SBAK mission conference ends

Pukhayi Sumi DIMAPUR: Advisor of Food & Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection & Taxes, Pukhayi Sumi reminded the missionaries that they represent God to others and therefore should shift

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

their focus on their commitments and work towards bringing the people closer to God. The advisor made this statement while addressing the two-day mission conference of Sumi Bap-

tist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK Nito Mount) held from April 16-18 hosted by Keltomi village.

He also encouraged the congregation to continue to work with honesty and put more effort to bring the lost sheep towards God reminding them that praying and working sincerely for God will never go in vain.

The advisor also lauded, Keltomi village, the first model village under Aghunato Area, for hosting the mission conference, which he said would be a blessing for everyone.

Rev. Toshika Chophy was the overall incharge of the conference.

The mission conference held under the chairmanship of mission secretary, Vihoto Awomi.

During the conference, special song was performed

by Siliguri Baptist Church and Ethnic Notes.

the efforts and cooperation shown by the village watershed committees during the entire project tenure.

He urged the village members to continue displaying the same level of faith shown towards the department and carry forward with such exemplary performance in the future.

Though PMKSY-WDC

programme had officially come to a close, Lotha said the villages should not consider this as the end but rather view it as a fresh start for establishing more fruitful ventures together.

The release informed that department would soon be implementing its new generation of PMKSY project by this year.

District Project Officer (DPO) Dimapur, I. Acato Chishi acknowledged the officers for their continuous support which contributed to the overall success of the project implementation in the district.

A feedback on the overall district performance was given by state project coordinator, LRD, Inatoli Chishi and vote of thanks by deputy director, LRD and supervisory officer for Dimapur district, Puvil Kikhi.

He was accompanied by C. Vanchamo Ngullie (Joint Director, LRD),Hekato N. (Dy. director, LRD), Puvil Kikhi (Dy. Director LRD & Supervisory Officer for Dimapur district), Inatoli Chishi (State Project Coordinator, LRD), staff from LRD State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), I. Acato Chishi (DPO LRD Dimapur) and staff.

Minister of PHED, N. Jacob Zhimomi inaugurating a rostrum at Aoyimti Village, Dimapur on April 17. The rostrum was constructed through contribution of various organisations, individuals and well wishers from the village.

Keep Our City Clean (KOCC) team with Kohima Chakhesang Churches Women Fellowship carried out cleanliness drive in Kohima from Classic Island to PHQ junction on April 17. The next will be with Chakhesang Baptist Church, Minister’s Hill from PHQ junction to Mohonkhola.

Latakhrü Whemi constructs park at Krayo

DIMAPUR: Latakhr ü Park constructed by Latakhr ü Whemi, an age group of Viswema village under Kohima district at Krayo was inaugurated on April 17 by Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) mission director, Rev. Atha Neikha.

A press release by secretary, Latakhrü Whemi, R Khel Viswema, Vichosel Rhütso, stated that the park located at the tri-junction connecting Viswema, Kidima and Khuzama, was constructed by Latakhrü Whemi in an effort to give back to the society at the land donated by Medongonü Kin, wife of late Puzon Kin and their children.

In his address, Rev Neikha lauded the initiatives of Latakhrü Whemi in constructing the park, which he said would provide resting shed to the travellers and also to the

Rev. Atha Neikha and members of Latahrü Whemi at the newly inaugurated Latakhrü Park.

farmers. He said that Latakhrü group has shown exemplary deed by placing society’s benefit above their personal interest.

He stated that the good gesture will reflect not only Latakhrü’s image but also R. Khel and Viswema

village as a whole.

He fur ther hoped that travellers and farmers would make proper utilization of the park and keeping it clean.

Member of Latakhrü Whemi, Vitsorel Lcho said the group was formed in

Sensitisation on ‘substance use- prevention and treatment’ DIMAPUR: Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Access to Rights and Knowledge (ARK) Foundation and DAPCU, Kiphire, organised a “stakeholders sensitization workshop on substance use- prevention and treatment” at the conference hall of Kiphire district Hospital on April 16.

In a press statement ARK Foundation president, Ketho Angami stated

that around 40 stakeholders from various associations ranging from apex tribal Hohos, churches, students, NGO partners, drug users, police and civil society organisations of the district attended the programme.

In the opening remark, USLP vice president, L.Kipitong Sangtam encouraged the NGOs and CSOs to shift their focus towards addressing the issue of addiction in the

district.

He also emphasized on the OST programme and its importance.

Ketho Angami, in his PowerPoint presentation, shared an overview of drug addiction in the state of Nagaland way back four decades, and how it has vastly effected the health and the lives of the drug users, and the society at large.

He also lauded the Social Welfare Department

for the initiatives in conducting such programmes across the state and called for a concerted effort from all sections of the society.

Litingse, a recovering drug user from Kiphire shared his experience with drug abuse.

Tsiatsiivi, informed about the various drug related services available in the district such as targeted intervention which implements the approach of harm reduction. Un-

der this, services such as needles and syringes, condoms, counselling, and referrals for drug treatment and HIV related services.

She encouraged all to avail the available services without fear of stigma and discrimination.

During the open discussion session, various queries and concerns relating to OST, management and treatment of chemical dependency and usage of condoms were deliber-

Sample testing being carried out in Phek town.

DIMAPUR: District Task Force Phek has started random sample Covid testing drive in Phek and six positive cases were detected in Phek town within a week time.

The random sample Covid testing drive was carried out on April 17 in K Y M C

and around the Phek town on high risk people.

According to district media officer NHM Phek, the sample test was done on the people involved in various commercial activities, bank staffs and regional taxi drivers.

The drive was carried

out by team of personnel from Health department comprised of Lab-Techs, Data Manager IDSP, Malaria Consultant, District Tuberculosis Officer & District Epidemologist, police personnel and DBs. The activities would be continued till April 19.

portunities etc. were raised during the programme.

On higher education options, Nirmali advised the students to take up professional courses after graduation which would focus on enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Responding to the question on challenges faced by north east students and individuals living outside the region, Kendiliu said the vast cultural difference was“ one common challenge” which results in students and individuals opting to come back to their own hometown.

She then urged the students to make room for adjustments and not let these “small differences” come in the way of fulfilling their dreams.

On the duration of clearing a competitive

also attended by advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Zale Neikha while Vithel Pusa pronounced vote of thanks.

Special numbers were presented by Seshe and Sanei and Latakhrü Whemi members.

Teachers sensitized on ‘life skills’

ated.

Asst director and Nodal Officer- Drugs, Wango Langsym in his closing remarks highlighted on the various different roles played by the various department and the NGOs towards supply, demand and harm reduction.

He emphasized on the importance of primary prevention among the upcoming generations in the schools, colleges and churches.

Random Covid testing in Phek Yi Nagaland, SC hold career guidance DIMAPUR: A career guidance programme on the topic, career choices after graduation” was organised by Young Indians (Yi) Nagaland Chapter in collaboration with Sazolie College (SC) Phezhu, Jotsoma on April 14 at the college.

A press release by SC media cell stated that the career guidance was organised for the BA VI semester students of the college with Faculty Core Institute, Kezieke Kohima, Imsong Meren; North East MRIIRS Faridabad, Nirmali, director, India Trail, Rohan Abraham and Northeast GNI Hyderabad, Kendiliu R. Buragohain as resource persons.

The release informed that queries relating to higher education, competitive exams, business op-

1984 with 12 each male and female members, and lived as a family. He said the park was constructed with the vision to serve the public.

Latakhrü secretary Vichosel Rhütso chaired the programme, which was

exam, Imsong Meren said one needs to imbibe qualities such as patience, persistence and perseverance.

Meren said these exams are like marathon hence these qualities were crucial to clearing these exams.

On the issue of unemployment in the state, Rohan Abraham said that individuals could also seek job opportunities in the private sector as the scope of job opportunities in the private sector has increased and there was a great need for employees in various private fields.

The programme was chaired by Imtijungshi (BA VI semester), welcome address was delivered by principal, Sazolie College, Dr. Kangzangding Thou and vote of thanks

by Sürhonülü (BA VI semester).

Teachers participating in group activity.

D I M A P U R : O n e d ay workshop for the teachers was held on the topic “Role of Teachers in Facilitating Life Skill in Class” at CAN Youth Office, Dimapur on April 17.

Faculty of The Global Open University, Nagaland and Training Consultant, YouthNet, Yaimi Jagoi was the resource person.

The workshop was organized for the target intervention- two Government School Sarbura and Darogapathar under Project SPATIAL (Students, Parents, Teachers Involvement for authentic learning) by AIDA in collaboration with Can Youth and Supported by Childaid Network.

Chief functionary, CAN Youth, Jenpu Rongmi delivered the keynote address where he pointed out that community participation was important

in enhancing quality education.

He added that theoretical education alone cannot bring about quality education but life skill and practical education should be added in the course of education. He also requested the teachers to implement life skill teaching methods in the schools to cope with certain issues in life for the students.

In her speech, Yaimi shared the meaning of life skill and its methods to be used in daily life activity.

She also highlighted different types of learning such as visual learning where the students learn fast by seeing rather than listening.

The teachers were asked to list down various characteristics of visual, audio and kinaesthetic learners.

Later the session ended with a closing remark by Jenpu Rongmei.

K Y M C

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Mnp issues advisory as Covid cases surge Ex-Assam CM Bhumidhar Barman dies at 91

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Apr 18: In the backdrop of sudden rise in the COVID-19 caseload in the state, Manipur government on Sunday issued an advisory to its ministers, legislators and government functionaries to refrain from attending events which will create or attract public gathering of any size.

The present situation arising out of the COVID19 pandemic has been a cause for alarm in recent days, the chief minister’s office (CMO) observed, in an advisory issued late tonight after a review meeting.

The CMO issued the advisory after chief minister N Biren Singh reviewed the COVID-19 situation of the state in a meeting of the State Consultative Committee for COVID-19 today evening.

With the state witnessing a gradual surge in the daily caseload of COVID19 in the last few days, the second-highest single-day

Meeting of State Consultative Committee for COVID-19 at CM Secretariat chaired

by CM on Sunday. infection spike of the year was reported on Sunday.

85 cases in a span of 24 hours on January 5 last was the biggest singleday spike of COVID-19 in 2021. Since then, the state has recorded gradual downward trend in the daily spike.

Not a single fresh

Fearing poaching, Assam Cong candidates to stay at a hotel

Assembly elections were declared on May 2,” a party leader said.

AICC General Secretary and the party’s Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh claimed that the “Mahajot (grand alliance) would secure a big majority in the 126-member assembly”.

Congress leaders held a closed door meeting in Guwahati on Saturday.

Congress Legislator Party leader Debabrata Saikia said Saturday’s meeting is “almost a normal meeting after the election and some strategies were taken in the meeting”.

After a week’s stay in the Congress-ruled Rajasthan, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) candidates returned to Assam on Friday after the Covid-19 cases were rising in the west Indian state.

positive case was reported on March 4. However, a gradual upward trend in the daily spike started in the last fortnight with above 10-mark since April 7 and above 20 mark since April 13 last.

Sudden jump in the daily spike was reported with 39 fresh cases on Sat-

urday and 72 on Sunday.

The 72 fresh cases on Sunday which included 21 personnel of Central security forces took the infection tally of the state to 29,721, according to the daily update report of the state health department.

The sudden jump in the new cases led to the in-

crease of active cases in the state to 255 as recovery of seven patients on Sunday pushed the recovery tally to 29,090.

The recovery rate also declined to 97.87% against 98.09 % the previous day (Saturday).

Among the districts, the twin capital districts recorded the highest number of fresh positive cases with 19 from Imphal West and seven from Imphal East district.

Bishnupur district recorded seven fresh cases while six in Chandel district and five in Kakching district. Three cases each were reported in Thoubal and Churachandpur district, and one in Noney district, as per the state health department report.

COVID-19 death toll in the state remained at 376 as no COVID-19 related death was reported in the last 24 hours. The cumulative number of people who have been vaccinated in the state rose to1,062,84 as per the latest update of the health department.

File photo of Bhumidhar Barman in hospital.

Guwahati, Apr 18 (PTI): Former Assam chief minister Bhumidhar Barman died on Sunday evening at a private hospital in Guwahati after a prolonged illness, his family said. He was 91.

Barman, a veteran Congress leader, was a two-time chief minister of the state.

The Assam government declared three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Barman.

In a statement, the government said that his body will be cremated with full state honour. Barman’s first

term as the chief minister lasted from April 22 to May 14, 1996 when his predecessor Hiteswar Saikia died.

He was again made the chief minister in 2010 when then CM Tarun Gogoi had gone to Mumbai for his heart surgery.

Barman was a minister in both Hiteswar Saikia and Tarun Gogoi governments, holding important portfolios like Health, Education and Revenue, among others. The seven-term MLA was first elected to the Assam Assembly in 1967, as per the offi-

cial records. He represented Borkhetry in the Nalbari district for four terms. His son Diganta Barman contested from the seat in 2016 and lost. He was also the Congress candidate from the seat this time. Barman was also the two-time MLA of Nalbari West, and once won the election from Dharmapur. A doctor by profession, Barman had graduated from Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh in 1958. He is survived by a son and three daughters. His wife predeceased him.

COVID cases surge in Meghalaya, one dies Case lodged over fake Twitter Correspondent

the entry point.

“However, this shall not be applicable to persons coming from Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Any person coming from these five states shall be required to produce a negative RTPCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report tested at a recognized laboratory within 72 hours of their arrival at the entry point,” the revised protocol specified.

Meanwhile, Director Health Services (MI), Dr. Aman War said then new COVID-19 cases detected today included 36 in East Khasi Hills district, 12 each in Ri-Bhoi district and West Jaintia Hills district, five in West Garo Hills district, three in West Khasi Hills district, two in East Jaintia Hills district and one in East Garo Hills district.

He said the deceased was identified as Mebilda Bareh, (74) in East Khasi Hills Mawlai.

With 470 active COVID-19 cases, the East Khasi Hills, which includes state capital Shillong is the most affected district, followed by West Jaintia Hills district with 109 active cases and Ri-Bhoi district with 45 active cases.

Dr. War said the State also recorded 41 more recoveries from the viral infection, surging the number of recovered cases up to 14, 038.

“The new recoveries from Covid-19 recorded today included 40 in East Khasi Hills and one in East Jaintia Hills,” the health official said.

So far Meghalaya has registered 14, 871 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

On the other hand, 1,

05, 833 persons from outside have entered Meghalaya since the onset of the pandemic till date, official data revealed, even as there were 19 micro containment zones across State, where Covid-19 positive cases have been detected.

Meanwhile, as per data released by the directorate of health services, as on Sunday evening, 22, 845 health care workers received the first dose of the Covishield vaccine, 16, 705 received the second dose, 34, 958 frontline workers got the first shot of the vaccine, 22, 498 completed the vaccination course with the second shot, while 68, 748 from among the general public were inoculated with the first dose and 6, 443 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the second dose across the State.

accounts of Meghalaya Guv

S h i llo n g, A p r 1 8 (PTI): A case was registered and investigation started after several fake Twitter accounts of Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik were detected, officials said on Sunday.

The case was lodged after Raj Bhavan took up the matter with the DirectorGeneral of Police on Friday, they said. Raj Bhavan secretary Pravin Bakshi submitted a list of the fake Twitter accounts created in the name of Malik.

“The imposters posted derogatory and offensive materials which are prejudicial to the high office of the Governor of Meghalaya and which in no way reflect his views,” Bakshi said.

The Twitter accounts were made with the intentions of cheating, committing fraud, harming and

maligning the reputation of the governor in violation of the Information Technology Act, he added.

Malik had on March 24 created a Twitter account, having the username of @ SatyapalMalik6, and that is his official Twitter handle, the official said.

At least eight fake Twitter accounts using Malik’s name and photos were reported to the police, Bakshi said.

Tripura CM recovers from COVID- First session of GHADC today, councillors to be sworn-in 19, wife also tests negative

Mizoram reports 50 new COVID-19 cases, tally - 4,859

Debabrata Saikia Guwahati, April 18 (IANS): Apprehending poaching by the rival party, the main opposition Congress in Assam on Saturday assembled its candidates at a hotel here, party sources said, adding they would stay there till the results of the recently held Assembly election are declared on May 2.

“Congress candidates would remain together at a hotel till the results of the

Agartala, Apr 18 (PTI): Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has recovered from the coronavirus infection that he contracted on April 7, and will join office after consulting with doctors, a minister said.

The chief minister’s wife Niti Deb, who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 for the second time within eight months, also tested negative for the disease, Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said.

“The chief minister and his wife have recovered from the COVID-19 infection as they tested negative on Saturday. They are well. The CM will join

office after consulting with doctors,” he said. Nath ruled out any possibility of imposition of lockdown or night curfew in the state in view of spiralling COVID19 cases in other parts of the country.

“We do not think that we have to impose lockdown or night curfew in the near future. The overall situation is better than any other state in the country.

We are keeping a close vigil and reviewing the preparedness to fight against the pandemic,” he said.

The minister said the administration has been strict to enforce the COVID protocols and urged people of the northeastern state to

Shillong, April 18: Meghalaya on Sunday recorded one more COVID-19 related death in the East Khasi Hills district taking the fatality count due to the viral disease to 153 in the State, even as 73 new positive cases took the number of active cases in the State to 680.

With the number of COVID-19 cases across Meghalaya increasing, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar has informed that the State government has amended the protocols for entry points.

As per the revised protocols, persons entering Meghalaya from any State or Union Territory, possessing a valid final certificate of vaccination shall be exempted from testing at

wear masks and maintain social distancing norms in public places.

“The Tripura government is ready to deal with any situation. We have adequate hospital beds, ICU and ventilators, while the availability of oxygen is satisfactory,” Nath, who is also the spokesperson of the state Cabinet, said.

Tripura’s COVID tally rose to 34,002 on Sunday as 69 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said.

The state now has 376 active cases, and 33,137 people have recovered from the disease and 391 patients died, he added.

Assam CM reviews preparedness Assam logs 876 to tackle COVID threat in Tinsukia new COVID cases, Tinsukia, Apr 18 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Sunday visited Tinsukia district to review the measures taken by the district administration and health department to combat resurgence of the pandemic.

Stressing on the need to create awareness on maintaining COVID-19 protocols, Sonowal said, panchayat members, block development officials, village heads, and NGOs should be involved in the task, a press release issued by the state government said. He instructed the Tinsukia deputy commissioner to take steps to circulate the COVID-19 protocols, issued

by the health department, through miking.

The chef minister also highlighted the importance of carrying out COVID-19 tests on truck drivers besides organising awareness drives in market areas.

Sonowal urged the district administration to motivate people to get vaccinated.

He also directed the authorities concerned to keep adequate beds and oxygen cylinders in hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Later talking to newspersons, the chief minister said, tests are being conducted on air and train passengers coming to Assam.

2 fresh deaths

Guwahati, Apr 17 (PTI): Assam on Saturday reported 876 new COVID19 cases taking the tally to 2,23,816, the National Health Mission said in a bulletin. Two fresh fatalities registered in Kamrup Metro and Kamrup Rural districts also took the death toll to 1129, it said. The bulletin said that 1,347 coronavirus positive patients have died of other reasons. The number of active cases in the state is currently 4,794. Altogether149 patients recovered from the disease during the day, taking the total number of cured people to 2,16,397, the bulletin said.

Tura, Apr 18 (PTI): The first session of the newly- elected Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya will be held on Monday, officials said.

The session would begin at 11 am at the District Council Hall in Tura, they said.

The newly-elected councillors will be administered the oath during the session, they added.

On Wednesday, the council would meet once again for the election to the office of the chairman.

Eleven NPP councillors along with three Independents and a GNC councillor have staked claim to form the new Executive Committee, beating the Congress that emerged as the single-largest party with 12 seats in the 29-member House.

NPP’s Benedic Marak has been named the Chief

Chief Minister and NPP chief Conrad K Sangma, along with 15 elected members of the district council (MDCs) of GHADC. Executive Member candiNPP’s Rakesh Sangma date of the coalition, while is the chairman candidate.

GNC’s Nikman Marak is The NPP went ahead the deputy CEM nomi- with the Executive Comnee. mittee formation with help

of Independents and the GNC councillor, even as its ally BJP demanded the CEM’s post for one of its two councillors.

Satya Pal Malik

Aizawl, Apr 18 (PTI): Mizorams COVID-19 tally on Sunday increased to 4,859 as 50 more people tested positive for the infection, an official said.

Of the 50 new cases, 46 were reported from Aizawl district and one each from Champhai, Mamit, Kolasib, and Serchhip districts.

Twenty patients have travel history, while 21 were diagnosed with COVID-19 during contact tracing.

It is yet to be ascertained how the remaining nine patients contracted the virus, the official said.

Four children aged between six and 15 years were among the newly infected.

Mizoram now has 364 active cases, while 4,483 people have already recovered from the disease.

CorCom rubbishes report of attacking Myanmar refugees Correspondent IMPHAL, APR 18: Co-ordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella group of seven Manipur’s valley based armed factions, Sunday rubbished the report about Myanmar military using North East rebels to attack refugees.

The report by IANS, widely published by media houses, quoted senior Indian intelligence officials that the local Tatmadaw (military) commanders have struck a deal with Manipuri rebel groups, UNLF and PLA, to attack refugees

fleeing Myanmar into India following the February 1 coup. In turn, the report stated that Tatmadaw assured the rebels that they would not attack their bases inside Sagaing.

Terming it as a move to defame them, CorCom in a statement said it was not a new thing on the part of India to use news agencies in “spreading false propagandas against WESEA based groups struggling for regaining lost sovereignty of the region.”

It fur ther accused Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) of playing a role

in spreading the false propagandas. “IANS has a history of spreading fake news on its platform and several instances of fake news has been documented

by AltNews,” it alleged.

CorCom further alleged that, despite strong protest from various sections of the society, the Assam Rifles had prevented persecuted Myanmar nationals from entering Manipur at the Indo-Myanmar border.

It also pointed out that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and

United Nations for Human Rights have, in separate statements, urged the neighbouring countries to provide food and shelters to the persecuted men, women and children of the country, it said.

International laws are also mandated to protect the international refugees by all countries by giving them food and shelters until the crisis in the country ends.

But, despite being aware of these, CorCom alleged that India, by breaking UN’s provisions and international refugee pro-

tocols, forcibly pushed back the Myanmarese nationals seeking asylum.

On the contrary, CorCom said they were trying to blame the Manipur groups and defame them with false propagandas.

The CorCom asserted that the present crisis in Myanmar is an internal issue of the country, and there was no reason for them and people of Manipur to interfere, adding that the groups struggling for regaining the lost freedom of Manipur were not mercenaries that can be bought or hired with money.

Manmohan suggests 5-pt Covid remedy to Modi New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting five measures to battle the COVID-19 crisis, including ramping up vaccination and boosting the supply of medicines.

In a letter to the prime minister, the veteran Congress leader said one must not look at absolute numbers but the total percentage of the population that has been vaccinated.

Invoking compulsory licensing provisions for drug manufacturers and giving some flexibility to states to define categories of frontline workers who can be vaccinated even if they are below 45 years are some of the steps mooted by him.

“The key to our fight against COVID-19 must be ramping up the vaccination effort. We must resist the temptation to look at the absolute numbers being vaccinated, and focus instead on the percentage of the population vaccinated,” he said in his letter.

Noting that India currently has vaccinated only a small fraction of its population, Singh said he is certain that with the right policy

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Manmohan Singh

Narendra Modi

design, “we can do much better and very quickly”.

“There are many things we must do to fight the epidemic but a big part of this effort must be ramping up the vaccination programme,” he said while making several suggestions.

Cur rently, people above 45 years of age are eligible for vaccination.

He said some states may want to designate school teachers, bus, threewheeler and taxi drivers, municipal and panchayat staff, and possibly lawyers who have to attend courts as frontline workers, and they can then be vaccinated even if they are below 45 years.

The suggestions come a day after the Congress Working Committee met and discussed the efforts required to fight the COVID

pandemic.

Singh said the Centre should publicise vaccine dose orders placed and accepted for delivery over the next six months. He said the government should indicate how vaccine supplies are to be distributed to states.

“If we want to vaccinate a target number in this period, we should place enough orders in advance so that producers can adhere to an agreed schedule of supply,” he noted.

The former PM said the government should indicate how this expected vaccine supply will be distributed across states based on a transparent formula.

He suggested that the central government could retain 10 percent for distribution based on emergency needs, and states should

have a clear signal of likely availability so that they can plan their rollout.

Noting that India has emerged as the largest vaccine producer in the world, he said at this time of a public health emergency, the government must proactively support vaccine producers to expand their manufacturing facilities quickly by providing funds and other concessions.

“I believe this is the time to invoke the compulsory licensing provisions in the law so that a number of companies are able to produce the vaccines under a licence. This, I recall, had happened earlier in the case of medicines to deal with the HIV/AIDS disease,” he said.

Citing Israel’s example, which has already invoked the compulsory licensing provision, he said there is an overwhelming case for India to do so as well quickly. With domestic supplies being limited, Singh said any vaccine that has been cleared for use by credible authorities such as the European Medical Agency or the USFDA, should be allowed to be imported without insisting on domestic bridging trials.

“We are facing an un-

precedented emergency and, I understand, experts are of the view that this relaxation is justified in an emergency.

The relaxation could be for a limited period during which the bridging trials could be completed in India,” he said. A warning to all consumers of such vaccines be given that these vaccines are being allowed for use based on the approval granted by the relevant authority abroad, he said.

Singh said he is forwarding his suggestions for consideration in a spirit of constructive cooperation in which he has always believed and acted upon.

“I hope the government will accept these suggestions immediately and act on them promptly,” he said. Singh recalled how over the year, the world and India have been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic with many parents not seeing their children in over a year. Many have lost their source of livelihood, and several millions have been pushed back into poverty, he said, noting that with the second surge being currently witnessed, “people are beginning to wonder when their lives will get back to normal”.

COVID-19 surge: Rahul announces cancellation of poll rallies in WB

New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday cancelled all his public rallies in poll-bound West Bengal following a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.

He also advised all other politicians to think about the consequences of holding large public rallies.

“In view of the COVID situation, I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal. I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies under the current circumstances,” he said on Twitter.

“One has seen such a crowd of the sick and the dead for the first time,” he said in another tweet in Hindi, apparently referring to the large crowds at Bengal rallies of BJP leaders.

The Congress has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for holding political rallies amid the rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has accused the prime minister

Rahul Gandhi

of shocking callousness for holding big political rallies in poll-bound Bengal amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

He said the prime minister should be at his job, sitting at his desk and coordinating with chief ministers in handling the COVID pandemic.

Prime Minister Modi has been addressing public rallies in West Bengal for the eight-phase assembly elections in the state.

Lauding Gandhi for cancelling his public rallies, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said BJP must shed arrogance and follow Rahul Gandhi’s steps in public health and safety.

“Leaders lead by example, Rahul Gandhi has set one by suspending election rallies in public interest - BJP leaders must follow Mr Gandhi’s footsteps to end this naked dance of death being witnessed due to Covid19 explosion,” he said in a tweet.

Shergill said Rahul Gandhi is leading by example by cancelling poll rallies in public health, public interest and public safety.

He said the BJP must realise that tending to people’s pain is more important than election campaign.

India has been witnessing a massive surge in coronavirus cases.

50 isolation coaches placed at COVID: UP records highest single-day rise of 30,596 cases Delhi’s Shakur Basti rail station

LU C K N OW, A PR 1 8 (PTI): Uttar Pradesh registered the highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases as well as fatality count, with the disease claiming 129 more lives, while 30,596 fresh cases pushed its tally to 8,51,620.

Briefing reporters here, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said in the last 24 hours, 30,596 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported from the state, while 9,041 patients recovered from the disease.

A total of 6,50,333 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered from the disease in the state, he added.

With the 129 fresh faThese coaches modified for coronavirus patients have been divided into eight bays or talities, the death toll due to the viral disease rose to ‘cabins’ with each having 16 beds. arrange it. However, since these coaches are for mild cases, we do not expect huge demand for oxygen,” Gangal said. He also said that the coaches in both these areas will be placed under a cover or a temporary cover will be provided to bring down the temperature inside.

On being asked if the national transporter will charge the states for the isolation coaches, Gangal said there is no provision of levying such charge in the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Minister Suresh Khanna to monitor the current situation of oxygen supply and its projected use in the next 15 days. Adityanath, who

Delhi govt files cases against 4 airlines New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): Cases have been filed against four airlines for failing to check the RTPCR test reports of passengers arriving from Maharashtra, Delhi government sources said on Sunday. These cases have been filed under the Disaster Management Act, they said. Delhi government had last week announced that anyone travelling to

Delhi from Maharashtra must to carry a negative RTPCR report dated 72 hours prior to arrival. Travellers without a negative report will be placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days, it had said. “The cases have been registered for not checking RTPCR test reports of passengers coming to Delhi from Maharshtra,” said a Delhi government source.

Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research Dimapur, Nagaland

(In partnership with the NEC, Govt. of Nagaland, CMC Vellore and EHA Delhi)

WANTED

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b. Allied Health Sciences Courses: Eligibility: 10+2 Science stream (PCB and English) 1. B.SC. in Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) 2. B.SC. in Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology (BAOTT) Eligibility: 10+2 Science stream (PCB/ PCM and English) 3. B.SC. in Health Information Management (BHIM) II. Diploma Courses a. Nursing Courses: 1. GNM - Eligibility: 10+2 Science or Arts streams

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lakh in the last 24 hours.

An official statement issued here said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked Medical Education

DC-363

ern and two Indian style -- and a bathroom with hand showers, buckets, mugs and seating arrangement.

Mosquito nets, biotoilets, power sockets and oxygen cylinders are available at the coaches. Also, space has been created to hold IV-fluid bottles. Extra bottle holders and clamps have been provided to hang them.

“We have 463 such coaches across our network.

Fifty beds have been placed at Shakur Basti and 25 will be placed at Anand Vihar

by Monday. We have purchased oxygen cylinders and two such cylinders will be placed in each coach.

“If more is needed, the state government has to

The count of active COVID-19 patients in the state stands at 1,91,457.

is in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, undertook a review meeting with senior officials on Sunday to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the state, amid a massive surge in its demand for critical COVID-19 patients.

“Uninterrupted supply of oxygen should be ensured in all the hospitals for the next 36 hours and oxygen cylinders should be regularly replaced in all districts,” he said.

The capacity of ICU and isolation beds in the 12 most affected districts of the state, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Moradabad, Jhansi and Kanpur, will be doubled with immediate effect, he said.

b. Allied Health Sciences Courses: Eligibility: 10+2 Science stream (PCB & Eng) 1. Diploma in Radio Diagnosis Technology (DRT) Prospectus & Application form will be available from 19th April 2021 onwards at the CIHSR Front Desk between 8 AM to 4 PM Tel: 03862-242555 Or on our website www.cihsr.in DC-365

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New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): The Northern Railways has deployed 50 isolation coaches, each having two oxygen cylinders, at Delhi’s Shakur Basti railway station and 25 such facilities will be placed at Anand Vihar by Monday, General Manager Ashutosh Gangal said on Sunday.

The move came after the Delhi government requested the national transporter to arrange up to 5,000 beds in view of the rising coronavirus cases in the national capital.

These coaches modified for coronavirus patients have been divided into eight bays or ‘cabins’ with each having 16 beds. Every coach has three toilets -- one west-

9,830, the official said.

Of the 129 fresh COVID-19 deaths, 22 fatalities were reported from Lucknow, followed by 15 from Prayagraj, 10 from Varanasi, eight from Kanpur, six from Etawah, five from Mathura and four each from Bareilly, Moradabad, Rae Bareli and Gonda.

Of the fresh cases, Lucknow reported 5,551 cases followed by 2,011 from Varanasi, 1,839 from Kanpur and 1,711 from Prayagraj. The count of active COVID-19 patients in the state stands at 1,91,457, he added.

Prasad also informed that over 3.82 crore samples have so far been tested in the state, including over 2.36

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXxI NO. 132 Dimapur, MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Prolonged processes

A

fter over one and half years of deliberations on putting in place a mechanism to identify indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland since July 2019, the state government appears to have put itself on a sticky wicket on implementing the Register of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN). JCPI had been demanding inclusion of Dimapur district under the ambit of Inner Line Permit (ILP). Implementing ILP in Dimapur first required identification of who can or cannot be brought under its ambit. This needed RIIN and so the government, after deliberations with the Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) formed by Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) at a meeting with various apex tribal hohos of Nagaland, initiated the process of preparing the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) on July 10,2019.

The government pursued it with formation of a threemember Commission for RIIN on July 27,2019 headed by retired chief secretary Banuo Z.Jamir. The other members included -T.Kiheto Sema and S Shingwang Konyak as members and Justice (Retd) Zelre Angami as the legal advisor. The Commission was to have submitted the recommendation within three months.

Besides criteria and documents required for RIIN, the cut-off date as eligibility is December 1,1963 when Nagaland became the 16th state under the Indian Union.

According to reports, the Commission had submitted its report to the government sometime during end of 2019. Then JCPI served an ultimatum on the chief minister with March 15, 2020 as the deadline to fulfil the demand for passing legislation on RIIN and enforcement of ILP with December 1, 1963 as effective cut-off date. However, the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, provided a breather for the government. Then before the recently concluded budget session in February 2021, JCPI demanded that RIIN be tabled in the house for approval. Again this did not happen and later when asked by media persons, chief minister Neiphiu Rio skirted the reason for the not tabling the report but admitted that the RIIN Committee had already submitted its report and the Cabinet had also approved it. The chief minister however said implementation was going to take time and that there should be no deadline set on the matter. That implementing RIIN was not going to be as easy is understood but delaying the process is unexplainable. When the government did not find any reason to delay notification of ILP for Dimapur district on September 11,2019; it has developed cold feet on RIIN. JCPI launched protest rallies in Dimapur and Kohima on March 19,2021 demanding implementation of RIIN since the report of the Commission has already been accepted by the state cabinet. In response, the state government took the favourite route of convening another ‘consultative meeting’, on April 16 when it held a consultative meeting with Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) , Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) and Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO), to deliberate on the issue. At the meeting the government only provided a gist of the RIIN commission report to the tribal bodies. So specifics were absent. The outcome of the meeting was to constitute the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) at the state level and Sub Committee at the district levels which would prolong the process. It may be noted that more than enough deliberations have been done during the past one and half years including written submissions from the JCPI. It is now a matter of speculation as to when RIIN would ever see the light of day.

DailyDevotion Readiness God called to him….And he said, “Here I am.”

—Exodus 3:4 When God speaks, many of us are like people in a fog, and we give no answer. Moses’ reply to God revealed that he knew where he was and that he was ready. Readiness means having a right relationship to God and having the knowledge of where we are.

We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. Yet the man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who receives the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea that some great opportunity or something sensational will be coming our way, and when it does come we are quick to cry out, “Here I am.” Whenever we sense that Jesus Christ is rising up to take authority over some great task, we are there, but we are not ready for some obscure duty.

Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Whenever any duty presents itself, we hear God’s voice as our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with the total readiness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).

Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready.

Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the person who is ready, and it is on fire with the presence of God Himself.

Quotes

Better remain silent, better not even think, if you are not prepared to act. ~ Annie Besant

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Post-mortem

Castes and Tribes: Ambedkar’s Thoughts on Social Division

A

mbedkar’s role in the upliftment of the Dalit community has had a profound impact on the colour of the Indian Democracy. His thoughts and philosophy far surpass that of most contemporary Indian thinkers, including Gandhi. And his instrumental role in the framing of the Indian Constitution secured stability for a country characterized by inherent social divisions based on caste, creed, culture, and religion.

There is indeed no limit to what can be said of his contribution to India and Indian society in general through his thoughts and with his actions; but, most importantly, staying faithful to what he believed, epitomized by his words and deeds.

It is interesting to relate Ambedkar’s thoughts on the caste system and perhaps relate it to the societal context of Nagaland, so as to illustrate the degree of prescient insights he gained from his experiential observations of the society. He considered caste (or division of people into separate and incommensurable groups) to be one of the principal factors contributing to the division of society that propagates hate, bigotry, injustice, inequality, bondage, indignation, discrimination, and humiliation to one’s own sense of self-respect and humanity. For him, “There cannot be more degrading system of social organization than the caste system.”

This is quite remarkable seeing that Nagaland is itself structured along this similar line of division, not necessarily caste system as such, but along tribal lines.

D

The question, as always has been for Ambedkar, is: Can Indian society, in general, and Nagaland, specifically, place their respective castes and tribes above the interest of their society? The answer certainly is elusive.

To give a sincere response, it would require the Indian society as well as people in Nagaland to question the very essence of who they are and how they have structured their society: their identity. Seldom do people, let alone societies, welcome such disconcerting introspection. Rather, most of us take every effort to avoid such soul-searching analysis that unsettles our minds.

This clearly is illustrated in Gandhi’s (who did not favour ending the caste system, which he essentially thought saved Hinduism from disintegration) opposition to Ambedkar’s struggle to end and emancipate the Dalit (i.e. untouchables) community. To appreciate the deep intense passion with which Ambedkar put upon himself to emancipate the Dalit community, a few contextual sketches will suffice to give a background as to why Ambedkar’s struggles were incomprehensible to Gandhi. As Ambedkar writes that the untouchables, “...are illiterate ill-treated and untouchables for ages...

All public service...were closed to them...Thus, being deprived of social, religious, and civil rights, they had no chance of bettering their conditions... In short, they were born in debt and perished in debt. They were born untouchables, they lived untouchables and they die as untouchables.” This

by no means undermines the magnitude of humiliation, indignation, discrimination, and insults meted out to Ambedkar because of his caste throughout his life from his schooling days to his experiences in the Indian parliament (even when he was framing the Constitution of India). This is an experiential reality that bewilders the experiences of Gandhi, who belonged to an upper-caste Hindu family. It is little wonder that history has been too kind (to the point of being excessive) to Gandhi, and inconsiderate to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contributions, relegating him to the framing of our Constitution and as a prominent figure in the struggle for the Dalit community’s emancipation.

Many may wonder why the issue of caste is elevated and treated to be a major social issue requiring to be addressed. The answer lies in the destructive nature of division that caste (or, for that matter, tribes) inevitably promulgates. Ambedkar saw caste or any sort of social division to undermine the very essence of the Indian society that in his last speech to the Constituent Assembly, he made a powerful assertion saying, “The castes are anti-national. In the first place, because they bring about separation in social life. They are anti-national also because they generate jealousy and antipathy between caste and caste. But we must overcome all these difficulties if we wish to become a nation in reality.”

What Ambedkar is stating is that the caste system (a division of people in a

Digitally Inequal

igital technology and the Internet has been a major contributor to the continuation of various activities in lockdown. Now, restrictions are being lifted in many places in our country and in the world and efforts are being made to normalize everyday life, but it may take time for the education institutions to open up and run smoothly. In our country, online medium is being used for the education of children in schools during lockdown.

Teachers and school administrators have been advice to continue communication with students through virtual lectures or portals like Massive Open Online Courses. However, in the absence of physical classrooms and proper digital infrastructure, both teachers and students are facing unprecedented challenges.

Although online classes have been introduced in the education sector, we should not forget that a large section of our country does not have the necessary things like computers, television, smart phones and laptops and also internet facilities. Due to lack of such facilities, a large number of rural students have committed suicide in the recent scenario after they failed to attend online classes and examinations.

While a computer would be preferable for online classes, a smartphone could also serve the purpose. However, the phone might be convenient for apps, but not for carrying out lengthy assignments or research. While 24% Indians own a smartphone, only 11% of households possess any type of computer, which could include desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, netbooks or tablets.

Even the penetration of digital technologies in India has been haphazard and exclusionary.

A report of the National Sample Survey on Education (2017-18) states that only 24 percent of the households in the country have internet access.

While 66% of India’s population lives in villages, only a little over 15% of rural households have access to internet services. For urban households, the proportion is 42%.. Only 8% of the households that have people between 5 and 24 years of age have computer and internet facilities. . It is also useful to note that as per the National Sample Survey definition, a household with a device or internet facility does not necessarily imply that the connection and devices owned by the household. Among the poorest 20%households, only 2.7% have access to a computer and 8.9% to internet facilities. In case of the top 20% of the households, these figures are 27.6%and 50.5% respectively. This means that even in the middle income families, not everyone has such facility that their chil-

dren can study properly through online mode. Further, mobile availability in the country have been estimated at 78%, but there is a huge difference between urban and rural areas.

According to one survey, 59% of our youth have no knowledge of computers and about 64% of the youth have never used the internet. There is a huge difference in the facilities of private and government schools in the country. Private schools charge hefty fees and have no shortages of resources and so students in these schools will get the facility of virtual classes easily. But government schools who are still struggling to get the basic facilities, how will they get the facility of online classes.

The digital divide is evident across class, gender, region or place of residence. Merely moving classrooms online would not mean effective remote learning. One to one interaction among peers and teachers are very important for learning. On a digital platform, how students learn and communicate with others is largely dependent on the readiness of both teachers and students to accept digital learning. In the case of distance education, the onus of learning is more on students, which requires discipline. There are challenges for teachers too. Not only are many of them digitally inept, a large number of teachers have never used an online environment to teach. Teaching a course online ideally requires preparation, such as designing a lesson plan and preparing teaching materials such as audio and video contents. This has posed new challenges for many teachers.

Access to electricity is also crucial for digital education, both for powering devices as well as for connecting to the internet. While the government’s Saubhagya scheme to provide electricity to households shows that almost 99.9% of homes in India have a power connection, the number of hours for which it is available every day is far less than the requirement.

No doubt, corona has now brought a new challenge to the education system of the country, which has been grossly ignored over the last 70 years, but at the same time we should not forget that everyone has equal rights over education and it should be made universal. The central and state governments should come up with a well-planned and a well-defined policy of providing proper and adequate digital education to the students of the country. Otherwise, the digital gap, which is already wide, will get wider even as we struggle to adjust to a new life with coronavirus.

Kaustov Kashyap

society) creates an environment ripe for discrimination, prejudice, exploitation of the weaker section of the society, disempowerment, self-aggrandizement, selfish group-interests, fight and control over resources to dominate the weaker group/ caste, etc. Small wonder, such societal conditions can hardly unite people. What we get instead is a society that is in conflict with itself.

Or, as Lincoln once said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” This is why Ambedkar asks, “Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country?”

If we observe India’s current trajectory in general, we seem to be placing our creed, castes, tribes above all else.

Now, how do all of these issues relate to Nagaland? Just as the caste system, the tribal system has been a disease appendage to Nagaland. Structured along the tribal lines, Nagaland is held hostage by a system of discrimination, prejudice, selfish tribe-interests, disempowerment, and exploitation of the weaker tribes, and toxic tribal competition to secure and amass the state’s government resources and land, further generating jealousy, hostility, and animosity between tribes. In such an environment, it is seldom possible to cultivate unity, let alone to speak of “Nation,” or “unique culture” different from the rest of India. ‘Nation’ is a far cry, a fantasy, an illusion so long as people place their tribe above and beyond the interest of the society. The sooner people in Nagaland realize this, the

better. Nagaland is no different from the rest of India in that we too, like elsewhere in this country, are prisoners to our tribes, which is the ultimate source of communalism, narrow-mindedness, prejudice, localism, and a den of ignorance.

If castes are anti-national, then tribes are equally anti-national for they are a divisive and dividing force.

If castes are anti-national because they generate jealousy and hatred, then tribes are equally anti-national forces as they generate hostility and animosity between tribes.

Ambedkar’s warning in his final speech at the Constituent Assembly will perhaps bring lucidity to what has been mentioned so far, he states: “What perturbs me greatly is the fact that not only India has once before lost her independence, but she lost it by the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people. In the invasion of Sindh by MahommedBin-Qasim, the military commanders of King Dahar accepted bribes from the agents of Mahommed-BinQasim and refused to fight on the side of their King. It was Jai Chand who invited Mahommed Ghori to invade India and fight against Prithvi Raj and promised him the help of himself and the Solanki Kings. When Shivaji was fighting for the liberation of Hindus, the other Maratha noblemen and the Rajput Kings were fighting the battle on the side of Moghul Emperors. When the British were trying to destroy the Sikh Rulers, Gulab Singh, their principal commander sat silent and did not help to

save the Sikh Kingdom. In 1857, when a large part of India had declared a war of independence against the British, the Sikhs stood and watched the event as silent spectators.”

Suffice to say that such treachery and infidelity not only contributed to the loss of India’s independence but, within the context of Nagaland, it has also contributed to many lost and squandered chances to unite and achieve a common cause by failing to prudently utilize the freedom and privileges accorded to us by the Constitution. In Nagaland, where each person’s ultimate allegiance is to each own tribe, treachery, deceit, and infidelities are part and parcel of this tribal state, unable to rise beyond the vicinity of one’s mere local interests. We can draw numerous parallels between Ambedkar’s warning and Nagaland’s quest for self-fulfilment. Indeed, Nagaland’s political history is filled with characters similar to the military commanders of King Dahar, Jai Chand, Maratha noblemen and the Rajput Kings who fought on the side of Moghul Emperors against their own kin, and Gulab Singh.

Social divisions of whatever kinds or forms erode and cripple societies. Injustice, exploitation, prejudice becomes a fact of daily life, making people foster antagonism against one another. In Nagaland, it already has. So, the question we must all ask ourselves is: Will we place our society above our tribe or will we place our tribe above our society?

Dr. Salikyu, Dimapur

Career option with Customers

W

e are still worried about COVID 19 and the pandemic.

The cases have increased in many parts of the country.

Exams are either postponed or cancelled by a few boards and we are uncertain about other exams. Students are still worried and it is a serious concern. In spite of all that, we have to move ahead and keep planning for our career options. Log down may be strict or partial but we have to take precaution and protect ourselves and others from the pandemic.

Let us talk about an option which will continue even if there is lock down. For any business the most important word is customer or client.

Whatever business we do, we need to have good customers to make more profit and increase the business. To become successful in business or in any commercial activities we need to have people who can manage customers and at the same time increase customers. One of the career options related to this field is customer relationship management. Customer relationship management (CRM) is a model for managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers. It involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support.

It entails all aspects of interaction that a company has with its customer, whether it is

sales or service-related. Apart from working with existing customers it also deals with future potential customers.

CRM is most commonly used to describe a business-customer relationship; CRM systems are used in the same way to manage business contacts, clients, contract wins and sales leads. Many organizations now use CRM software, a technology that makes the customer - company interaction swift and graceful.

The key elements to a successful Customer Relationship Management plan are people, process and technology. Customer Relationship Managers are very much essential in an organization to manage relationships with customers systematically, efficiently and profitably. These people may be technical who can manage the system and at the same time sales professionals who can deal with the people directly. CRM involves many designations and avenues like project engineer, consultants, technical consultant, functional consultant, manager, project leaders, sales professional, solutions developers etc. The responsibility of these professionals varies according to their position.

Graduates in any discipline can make a career in customer relationship management.

Though there is no specific course for this but graduates with computer background or knowledge of computers are always preferable. There are

courses like MBA in CRM. Some institutes offer Certificate, Advance Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma programs in CRM through their regular and distance learning programs.

Like other professions, aspirants must have good communication skills if they want to choose this profession.

Apart from good communication skills, a positive attitude and effective interpersonal qualities are must for success in this area. They must have leadership qualities and also good personalities as they need to meet and face different kinds of customers or other clients. We should not confuse the term with customer care executives or customer care directly. There are links to all these but all are different and have different roles and responsibilities. There are growing demands in this field as business is enhancing everywhere. Big companies and corporations are looking for trained and qualified people for CRM. Even during lock down we saw few businesses could make profit though most had challenges. Customers are important for any company or even anyone who is into business. New startups also need good relationships with customers to excel in the field.

Though the scope is not tremendous in North East at present but in future there would be demand for the same.

Ranjan K Baruah

Reader’s Post

Why are autofares more expensive on Sundays?

Sir,

It has come to my notice that the auto drivers have been charging fares randomly and on their own accord especially on weekends. Weekdays are no different either, however, the hike on fares during weekends are extreme. In this regard, I would like to seek clarification from the concerned authorities regarding the rate charges as this had caused a lot of turmoil.

DC Dimapur in an order had redirected the autorickshaws and taxis to charge as per the earlier existing rates issued on August 23, 2017 but a lot of autodrivers had been charging exceedingly high rates. Therefore, to clear the confusion and to ease the pain of the daily commuters, the authorities should intervene and do the needful.

Meribeni, 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.

Remdesivir stock: Police to quiz Pharma director Mumbai, Apr 18 (PTI): Mumbai police are likely to call the director a pharma company for one more round of questioning for allegedly stocking thousands of Remdesivir medicine vials, an official said on Sunday.

Rajesh Dokania, director of Bruck Pharma, a Daman-based pharmaceutical company that manufactures Remdesivir vials, was questioned on Saturday night, the police official said.

Police have said that they had information that the Remdesivir stock was going to be flown abroad by air cargo, despite a ban on the export of the drug.

“Dokania was questioned at the BKC police station,” the official said, adding that the cops later allowed him to go, but asked him to remain present for inquiry whenever

Fadnavis said the stock of Remdesevir vials was for donation to the Maharashtra government.

he is called.

“While the director of the pharma company was brought for questioning at the police station, a team of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) was also present there,” Mumbai police spokesperson S Chaitanya said in a state-

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

ment on Sunday.

The commissioner and the joint commissioner of the FDAwere also aware of the questioning, the statement said.

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis had visited the police station on Saturday

night along with other BJP leaders.

Fadnavis had enquired why the director of the pharmaceutical company was called to the police station, he said in the statement.

Fadnavis had also said that permission was taken from the FDA commissioner to donate the stock of Remdesevir vials to the Maharashtra government, as Remdesevir stocked for export cannot be diverted to the domestic market without the nod of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) or the FDA. The communication from the FDA to the pharmaceutical company was not shared with the BKC police station, which was acting independently on the information available with them, said the Mumbai police spokesperson.

“Mumbai police acted in good faith,” the statement said, adding that the pharma company director was called for inquiry in order to trace and seize a large quantity of 60,000 vials of Remdesevir based on specific verified inputs.

This inquiry was necessary in light of complaints of rampant hoarding and black marketing of Remdesevir and shortage being faced by citizens, it added.

These facts were explained to the Leaders of Opposition. They were informed that necessary legal action will be taken against those illegally hoarding Remdesevir. Senior officers of Mumbai Police were also present, the statement added.

Meanwhile, another senior police official said the stock of 60,000 vials has not been seized yet.

After CBSE, now JEE exams postponed due to COVID surge

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS): After postponing the CBSE board examinations, the Union Education Ministry has decided to postpone the Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) in India and abroad. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) not to conduct the JEE Mains examination in view of the rising Covid cases. The JEE Mains examination was scheduled to be held on April 27, 28 and 30 this year.

According to the Education Ministry, the students will be informed about the next date of examinations 15 days in advance.

On the entrance test, Nishank said, “JEE (Main) 2021 April session date will be announced later. It will be announced at least 15 days before the exam and all students will be informed about

it.” The Union Education Minister said, “In view of the Covid surge, I have advised the NTA to postpone the examination for the JEE (Main) April 2021 session. I would like to reiterate that the safety of our students and their academic career is my major concern right now.”

The results of the JEE Main Exam Season 2, which was held in March this year, have been declared. The entrance exams were also conducted for the first time in foreign cities like Kuala Lumpur and Lagos. These exams were conducted in 12 foreign cities and 334 Indian cities in collaboration with the Government of India.

In this examinations held by the NTA, 13 students topped the exam by scoring 100 per cent marks.

The JEE Main examination was conducted by the NTA from March 16 to 18,

Stalin asks Modi for 20 lakh COVID vaccine doses Chennai, Apr 18 (PTI): DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct officials to send 20 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses ‘requisitioned’ by the Tamil Nadu government immediately and ensure supplies commensurate with the state’s population.

In view of rapid increase in the number of people getting infected by COVID-19, ‘universal vaccination’ is the need of the hour to protect lives, the DMK chief said in a letter to the Prime Minister and appealed to him to ‘take a policy decision swiftly,’ over it.

Tamil Nadu would need more vaccine doses than allotted now to accomplish effective vaccinations, break the cycle of infection and flatten the curve, he said.

Modi should resign owning responsibility Shah says Mamata demoralised More deaths during Covid than Kargil War: Exfor COVID-19 surge: Mamata Banerjee as BJP ahead after 5 phases Army chief slams poll rallies, farmers’ protest NEW DELHI, APR 18 (AGENCIES): For mer A r my c h i e f G e n . Ve d Prakash Malik has raised concern over the frightening rise in the daily Covid-19 cases in India while slamming the ongoing election rallies, farmers’ agitation and other events despite India witnessing a second wave of the pandemic, reports India today. General Ved Malik tweeted on Sunday to say that more people are dying in India every day than the casualties the country recorded during the Kargil War which went on for over two months. He said, “Our nation is at war. 1338 Indians died due to pandemic yesterday (1182 day before):

Former Army chief Gen. Ved Prakash Malik

more than 2.5 times TOTAL killed in action in Kargil war.

Is the nation focused on this war?” Coronavirus in India LIVE updates Referring to the political rallies in poll-bound West Bengal and the agitation by the farmers who have been camping at Delhi borders for the past several months protesting against the farm laws, General Ved Malik

said, “Election rallies, Faith events, Farmer agitation, infighting over resources going on...Wake up India!”

Gen Ved Malik was the Indian Army chief during the Kargil War. India on Sunday saw the biggest single-day spike of over 2.61 lakh Covid-19 cases, pushing the country’s tally to 1.47 crore, according to the Union health ministry.

The death toll in India has climbed to 1,77,150 as 1,501 fatalities were registered in the past 24 hours.

This is the fourth day India has registered a spike of over two lakh Covid-19 cases. On Saturday, India had seen a surge of 2.34 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases.

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Should have handled responsibility in leadership position, well versed with 10 yrs a processes and systems, dynamic and energetic individual, high integrity Eye for detail, multi-tasking, team player, 5 yrs ability to handle pressure, put in long hours, well travelled Good communication and convincing 2 yrs ability, travel and network with people, good proficiency in MS Office

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For a skill development project at Dimapur, we require result oriented and dedicated individuals who are self driven and can commit adequate time and hard work to the project. Previous work experience in a similar project would be an advantage. Candidates should preferably have their own mobility i.e. 2 wheeler/4 wheeler.

Suitable candidates may please apply immediately with their CV and a brief write up about what / how they can contribute to the project, at globalpeers.gpsdi@gmail.com Training Centre located at Sovima Village, Dimapur near ICFAI University. Boarding & Lodging available at site.

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to boost his image in the international arena while there was a scarcity in his own nation. “For the rise in COVID-19 cases PM Modi has to resign. He is the man responsible for the present situation. He did not make any administrative planning for 2021. And look at the situation in Gujarat.

“The BJP cannot tackle the COVID-19 spike even in Gujarat, and has brought the entire country, including West Bengal, to such a pass,” the TMC supremo said. Highlighting that the West Bengal government had asked for 5.4 crore doses of vaccine from the prime minister for vaccinating ev-

Amit Shah

one that “befits her stature”.

He hoped that the CM’s injured leg gets healed soon so that “she is able to walk when she submits her resignation to the governor after May 2.”

Pointing to a purported audio tape, in which the TMC boss is apparently heard proposing a rally with the bodies of Cooch Behar firing victims, Shah said he has so far never come across any person who “plays politics over the dead”.

Insisting that infiltrators are taking away the benefits meant for the country’s citizens, he said, “People like you and I are second-grade citizens for Didi as we do not add heft to her vote bank.”

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Barrackpore (WB), Apr 18 (PTI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modis resignation for mishandling of the COVID-19 second wave and alleged that the prime minister failed in planning to contain the rise in the number of infections.

Asser ting that PM Modi did little to address the possible crisis in the supply of medical oxygen and vaccines in the five-six months when the virus had lost its sting before its resurgence this year, Banerjee accused Modi of exporting vaccines to other countries

Purbasthali/Swarupnagar (WB), Apr 18 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the BJP will bag more than 122 of the 180 seats that went to elections in West Bengal in five phases.

Shah, who addressed two rallies during the day, claimed that Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee will have to surely make an exit after losing the Nandigram seat to the BJP. “Didi is demoralised after five phases of elections as it has been established that the BJP, with more than 122 seats, is much ahead of her. Take it from me, Suvendu Adhikari (BJP nominee) is winning the polls from Nandigram,” he said at a public meeting in Purbasthali.

The home minister also said that the TMC boss has just one agenda -“abusing him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central armed police force (CAPF)”.

He further stated that people should bid Banerjee farewell after ensuring a huge defeat for her party

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Mamata Banerjee during a roadshow in support of her party candidates in Kolkata, Sunday. (PTI)

ery citizen of the state free of cost, the chief minister said, we are yet to get any response from him.

West Bengal would have borne the entire cost of the COVID-19 vaccines, the chief minister had said.

“I will send a strong letter to the PM today on this issue. There is shortage of oxygen and anti-viral drug Remdesivir in the entire country. Who is responsible for this? Had they given us the consent, we would have been able to vaccinate every resident of the state,” she said.

“The crisis of life saving materials has also been flagged by the Maharashtra government.But without attending this issue you (Modi) are attending election rallies in Bengal,” she said. Accusing Modi of exporting vaccines to 80 countries, she said “we have no problem if you help others in the world, but first give it to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and other states of the country.

You failed to do so and was only concerned about your image-building exercise in the global community.”

KAKURO

No. 4514 Yesterday’s solution No. 4513

No. 3538 Yesterday’s solution No. 3537

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Fiscal package may be on cards to maintain economic recovery New Delhi, Apr 17 (IANS): A fiscal stimulus package may be on the cards again as the government looks at ways to prevent the present surge in Covid19 cases and the ensuing restrictions imposed by the states from derailing the economic recovery.

After last year’s lockdowns, which resulted in the country’s GDP contracting by (-) 23.9 per cent, it was hoped that the economy will grow handsomely in FY22 to register a double digit growth. For this to happen, the RBI has projected a Q1 FY22 GDP growth of 26.2 per cent. But the recent

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surge in the pandemic has again raised serious questions about the health of the economy. There are some discussions within the government about the need, shape and timing of a fresh fiscal stimulus package. The idea is to see that the poor and small businesses do not suffer and their livelihood support is not disturbed, said an official source, on condition of anonymity. The source said that any such package, if finalised, would come up later this month or next month.

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New Delhi, Apr 17 (IANS): Airline major SpiceJet on Saturday re-introduced ‘Zero Change fee’ offer for domestic network.

Accordingly, the new offer entitles passengers to make changes in their ticket at least five days prior to the date of departure instead of seven days.

“The new offering allows passengers to modify tickets with one-time waiver of the charges...,” “Additionally, the airline has also introduced special discounted price for an array of add-on services such as seats, ‘SpiceMax’ and ‘You1st’.”

According to the airline, the offer aims to extend significant flexibility and cost savings to all passengers. “Under the new offering, passengers booking direct domestic flight tickets from April 17, 2021 to May 10, 2021 can enjoy a onetime waiver on the change fee for the travel period between April 17, 2021 and May 15, 2021.”

“Fare difference will be applicable for flight changes and shall be payable by the customer.”

(From p-1) The DCM, however, assured that he would personally take up the issue of overall cleanliness and maintenance of Dimapur railway station and stress for additional funds for the purpose during the divisional meeting scheduled on Monday at Lumding. Being the gateway of Nagaland and connecting other parts of the country, Dimapur railway station witnesses huge passenger footfalls. So, improper maintenance results in inconvenience to the passengers. It may be mentioned that Nagaland Post has been regularly highlighting the ills plaguing Dimapur railway station and the poor plight of the passengers, but with little positive response from NFR authorities.

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supply to hospitals.

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said all possible support is being extended to states to double production of Remdesivir drug, ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen and COVID-19 vaccines, besides enhancing healthcare infrastructure.

The setting up of 162 PSA oxygen plants in public health facilities is being expedited and a 24X7 cell is coordinating with the states, he said.

“These will augment medical oxygen capacity by 154.19 MT,” the health ministry tweeted.

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ceived over Rs 3,000 crore in donations within four days after it was set up on March 27, 2020.

Trains to transport oxygen, industrial plants divert supply Now, with a deadly second wave of the Covid19 pandemic sweeping through the country, the Centre on Sunday said it has expedited installation of 162 PSA oxygen generation plants in health facilities across the country, while the Railways announced special trains to transport the life-saver and several industry majors pitched in by diverting

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to generate concentrated oxygen that can be supplied to hospital beds through a pipeline, negating the need for hospitals to buy pressurised liquid oxygen from other sources.

It seems unlikely that the delay in kickstarting the tender process was caused by a lack of funds: the outlay for 162 oxygen plants (12 plants seem to have been added later) is just Rs 201.58 crore. The money has been allocated from the PM-Cares corpus – the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations fund, which had re-

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would be one of the most precious commodity in the battle against the virus.

Yet, it took the Narendra Modi government eight months to invite bids for new oxygen generation plants.

On October 21, the Central Medical Services Society, an autonomous institution under the Union health ministry, floated a tender online calling for bidders to establish Pressure Swing Adsorption oxygen plants in 150 district hospitals across the country. The PSA technology separates gases from a mixture in the atmosphere

was enjoying its fruit.

Awomi said Gokhale’s departure left “us” all in shock and pained. He conveyed the association’s respect and deepest sorrow and sympathy to his family members during this hour of grief and prayed that may the love of Lord give them strength during this hard time.

“I, on behalf of Nagaland State VDB Secretaries’ Association, convey my heartfelt condolences and pray that Almighty comfort the family and loved ones of the departed soul,” the message read.

NRDSA: Nagaland Rural Development Service Association (NRDSA) has expressed grief at the demise of the former chief secretary.

Association’s general secretary Kupto Achumi in a message said Gokhale would always be remembered as the man who founded VDB in Nagaland, adding his sudden death left everyone in shock.

N R D S A ex t e n d e d its deepest condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed to God Almighty to comfort and give them strength to overcome the grief and loss. It also prayed for resting the departed soul in eternal peace.

No sanitizing, screening at Dimapur Railway station

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(From p-1) But, currently, when nearby hospitals contact him, Dube said, “I have had to tell them, ‘Don’t send them here.’”

Eight months to float tenders wor th Rs 200 crore: India declared the coronavirus pandemic to be a “disaster” on March 14, 2020. Ten days later, over a billion people were put under the world’s most severe lockdown, with the government arguing it needed time to expand the country’s healthcare capacity.

Early in the pandemic, it became clear that oxygen

SpiceJet reintroduces ‘Zero Change fee’ offer

host of other achievements, throughout a lifetime of public service. The fruits of his wisdom and labour would continue to be enjoyed for generations to come, the NPCC president stated.

Therie said Gokhale’s affable personality and love for the Nagas would also be fondly remembered and cherished, while his contributions to Naga society would remain etched in “our” history with gratitude.

He said all rank and file of NPCC joined him in offering their deepest condolences to the bereaved and prayed that the grace of Almighty God be upon them and console them.

They also prayed for resting the departed soul in eternal peace.

NSVDBSA: Nagaland State VDB Secretaries’ Association (NSVDBSA) has also expressed sorrow at the demise of Gokhale.

Terming him as the architect of VDBs in Nagaland, NSVDBSA president, Tohoshe Awomi in a message said it was due to Gokhale’s wisdom that VDB was first set up in the State at Ketsapomi village in Phek district in 1976 under his authority on a trial basis, which became a success and till today the State

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‘India is running out of oxygen, Covid-19 patients are dying’

remains a model of success not only in the North East but the entire country, Alam added.

The chief secretary said that the people have lost a fine gentleman with infectious energy and dedication, a team leader and a true friend and benefactor of the people of Nagaland. “His lasting legacy of VDBs and NEPED will continue to inspire and guide the young civil servants and the people &Nagaland...time to come,” Alam stated.

On behalf of the State government, Alam conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the God Almighty to grant them the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

NPCC : N a g a l a n d Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie expressed shock and sorrow at the passing away of the former chief secretary.

In his condolence message, Therie termed Gokhale as a socialist at heart, who dedicatedly served the people with purpose guided by his socialist mindset.

His continued zeal to empower the grassroots by bringing government mechanisms to them saw the formulation and birth of VDB and NEPED, among a

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former Secretary to Government of India.

During his illustrious career, Alam said that Gokhale distinguished himself with several path breaking innovations in public and development administration. His most lasting and shining contribution was the setting up and nurturing of Village Development Boards in Nagaland-- the main mechanism of village level development in the State.

Fo r t h i s s t e r l i n g achievement, he was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the Government of India- a rare honour for government officials, Alam said.

He also implemented the first ever externally aided project of NEPED in Nagaland with assistance from the Canadian aid agency with encouraging results and opening the doors for other similar EAPs later. He served as the chief secretary at a crucial time when the ceasefire was signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M).

Throughout his life, he remained dedicated to the cause of development of the rural poor, for which the people of the state will never forget his contribution in conceiving and building the institution of VD that

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“Apart from their direct impact on some sectors like the services sector, the second wave will increase the uncertainty in the economic environment which can have wider indirect effects on economic activities. So, we need to prepare for greater uncertainty, both in consumer and investor sentiments,” Kumar told PTI. To a query on whether the government is considering coming up with a fresh stimulus, the Niti Aayog vice chairman said this question has to be answered after the finance ministry analyses both the direct and indirect impact of the second COVID wave.

“And as you have seen from RBI’s response, the expansionary policy stance

(From p-1) this irreparable loss and for resting his soul in peace.

Dy.CM: State deputy chief minister and BLP leader Y. Patton has condoled the death of Padmashri AM Gokhale IAS (retd), former chief secretary of Nagaland.

Patton said Gokhale was the brain behind in introducing Alder tree plantations drive which helped in jhum cultivation cycles, and its benefits in eco- forestry.

His vision for an integrated rural development became a reality with the establishment of Village Development Boards, starting with Ketsapo in Phek district as a model village, Patton said.

Describing him as a reformer and a brilliant civil servant, Patton said Gokhale has left deep imprint in the hearts of the people of Nagaland. In his demise the nation has lost an efficient bureaucrat.

Patton, on behalf of the state BJP legislators, conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed to rest in peace.

CS: Nagaland chief secretary, J Alam expressed shocked and pain by the sudden demise of A.M Gokhale IAS (Retd), former chief secretary Nagaland and

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Rajiv Kumar

has been continued and I am sure the government will respond with necessary fiscal measures also as and when it is necessary,” Kumar said.

Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4 per cent but maintained an accommodative stance to boost the economy.

In 2020, the Union government had announced the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ package to perk up the economy and the overall stimulus was estimated to be worth around Rs 27.1 lakh crore, which was more than 13 per cent of the national GDP. Regarding growth in the current financial year, Kumar said that various estimates suggest that it will be around 11 per cent.

In its last policy review, the RBI projected a growth of 10.5 per cent for FY’22 while the Economic Survey, tabled in Parliament earlier this year, estimated 11 per cent growth during the year.

The country’s economy is projected to contract by 8 per cent in 2020-21, as per official estimates.

Former Chief Secy Gohkale passes away

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New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): The country needs to prepare for “greater uncertainty” in terms of consumer as well as investor sentiments due to the second wave of coronavirus infections, and the government will respond with fiscal measures as and when required, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday.

While acknowledging that the present situation has become far more difficult than it was in the past due to rising coronavirus infections, Kumar remained hopeful that the country’s economy will grow 11 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 31, 2022.

India is g rappling with spiralling number of COVID cases as well as related deaths, forcing many state governments to put in place restrictions on movement of people.

According to Kumar, India was on the verge of defeating COVID-19 completely but some new strains from the UK and other countries have made the situation far more difficult this time around.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

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More uncertainty from 2nd wave: Niti

business/state

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

3 killed in police crackdown on Czech Republic expels 18 Russian embassy staff Pak: banned radical Islamist party TLP

PRAGUE, APR 18 (IANS): The Czech Republic is expelling 18 employees of the Russian embassy in Prague, who were allegedly “identified as members of the Russian secret services”, Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek said at news conference.

“As the Czech Foreign Minister, I decided to expel all the employees of the Russian embassy in Prague who have been clearly identified by our special services as officers of the Russian intelligence agencies SVR and GRU. Within 48 hours, 18 staff members of the Russian embassy must leave the Czech Republic,” he said on Saturday.

According to local media reports, the move comes in response to evidence obtained by the country’s security services which suggests Russia’s involvement in two ammunition de-

5.8-magnitude quake jolts Japan’s Miyagi prefecture TOKYO, APR 18 (IANS): An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck off Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture on Sunday, according to the authorities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the temblor occurred at 9.29 a.m., with its epicentre at a latitude of 38.3 degrees north and a longitude of 141.9 degrees east, and at depth of 50 km, reports Xinhua news agency. The quake logged 4 in some parts of Miyagi prefecture on the Japanese seismic intensity scale which peaks at 7.

TASS News Agency re- prompted by the need to ported. He wrote on Twitter attend a Czech government that his decision had been meeting on April 19.

Russia says it will retaliate hard against Czechs over diplomat expulsions

Czech PM Andrej Babis (R) and Czech FM and Interior Minister Jan Hamacek at a press conference in Prague.

pot explosions in 2014 in the Czech Republic which killed two people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in the same news conference that “there is wellgrounded suspicion about the involvement of officers of the Russian intelligence service GRU, unit 29155, in the explosion of ammunitions depot in the Vrbetice

area”. In response to the Czech decision, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that “Prague is well aware what follows such ‘tricks’”.

Saturday’s development came a day after Hamacek, who is also the Interior Minister, cancelled his working visit to Moscow scheduled for April 19,

Russia said Czech accusations that Russian spy services were behind an explosion in an ammunition depot were unfounded and absurd and it would retaliate for Prague’s expulsion of 18 Russian embassy staff.

The Czech Republic said it had informed NATO and European Union allies about suspected Russian involvement in the blast, which killed two people, and the matter would be addressed at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday. The expulsions and allegations by the Czechs have triggered its biggest dispute with Russia since the 1989 end of Communist rule, when Prague was un-

3 dead, 2 wounded in shooting at Wisconsin tavern KENOSHA, APR 18 (AP): Authorities in Wisconsin pleaded Sunday for help in locating a suspect who opened fire at a tavern in a confrontation that left three people dead and two people seriously injured.

Kenosha Sheriff David Beth said while the suspected shooter is still at large, the public is not believed to be in danger. The suspect apparently knew the victims and targeted them, although it is not clear whether the victims knew him. The shooting happened at Somers House Tavern in Kenosha County after the suspect was asked to leave the bar and then returned and opened fire.

Somers House Tavern in Somers, Wisconsin.

“We believe our suspect knew who he was targeting,” Beth told a Sunday morning news conference.

Officials were still working to determine the identities of the people who

died. The two people who were wounded were taken to area hospitals. There may have been more people with less serious injuries, and the sheriff ’s department has contacted local hospitals to

Passenger train derails in Egypt; some 100 injured

Medics carry an injured man at the site where a passenger train derailed in Banha, Qalyubia province. (AP/PTI)

to derail. Prosecutors said they were investigating the causes of the crash.

Last week, at least 15 people were injured when train carriages derailed in the Nile Delta province of Sharqia.

Sunday’s train accident came three weeks after two passenger trains collided in the province of Sohag, killing at least 18 people and injuring 200 others, including children.

Prosecutors said they found that gross negligence by railway employees was behind the deadly March 25 crash, which caused public outcry across the country.

Train wrecks and mishaps are common in Egypt, where the railway system has a history of badly maintained equipment and mismanagement.

The government says it has launched a broad renovation and modernization

China, US to cooperate on climate

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua.

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, APR 18 (IANS): Following talks between US climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, the world’s two largest producers of greenhouse gases issued a joint statement saying they would cooperate on mitigating climate change.

The talks were took place from Thursday to Friday in Shanghai.

“China and the US are committed to cooperating with each other and with other countries to tackle the

climate crisis, which must be addressed with the seriousness and urgency that it demands.

“This includes both enhancing their respective actions and cooperating in multilateral processes, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

“Both countries recall their historic contribution to the development, adoption, signature, and entry into force of the Paris Agreement through their leader-

ship and collaboration,” Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying Under the Paris deal, the nearly 200 signatory states agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, if possible even to 1.5 degrees, in comparison with the pre-industrial times of 1850-1900, reports dpa news agency.

By that measure, the Earth has already warmed by about 1 degree.

The statement also added that the two superpowers looked forward to the UShosted Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22-23.

“They share the Summit’s goal of raising global climate ambition on mitigation, adaptation, and support on the road to COP 26 in Glasgow.”

Kerry, a former Secretary of State, visited China last week, the highest-ranking representative of the new US administration to do so as of yet.

initiative. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said in March 2018 that the government needs about 250 billion Egyptian pounds, or USD 14.1 billion, to overhaul the run-down rail system.

Hundreds of train accidents are reported every year. In February 2019 an unmanned locomotive slammed into a barrier inside Cairo’s main Ramses railway station, causing a huge explosion and a fire that killed at least 25 people.

That crash prompted the then-transportation minister to resign.

In August 2017, two passenger trains collided just outside the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, killing 43 people. In 2016, at least 51 people were killed when two commuter trains collided near Cairo. Egypt’s deadliest train crash was in 2002, when over 300 people were killed after a fire broke out in an overnight train travelling from Cairo to southern Egypt.

find them, Beth said. Beth left open the possibility that there was more than one suspect. He said he believed at least one handgun was used.

The road leading up to the tavern remained closed early Sunday as officials investigated the latest in a string of recent mass shootings across the country, including the killings of eight people at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis on Thursday. Last month, four people were killed at an office shooting in California, eight people were fatally shot at massage businesses in the Atlanta area, and 10 died in gunfire at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

8 family members killed in Afghan mosque shooting KABUL, APR 18 (IANS): At least eight members of a family were killed after unknown gunmen opened fire on them at a mosque in Afghanistans Nangarhar province, officials said on Sunday. Provincial governor Ziaulhaq Amarkhail said the incident happened in police district nine of the provincial capital, Jalalabad, reports dpa news agency.

“Initial findings show the incident happened as a result of a dispute over a private land,” Amarkhail added. A police spokesperson said they were investigating the incident, but no one has been arrested yet. Clashes about disputed land are common across Afghanistan.

The fighting lasted for several days. Nangarhar, a stronghold of the Taliban and Islamic State terror group, is rich in plains and is one of the most important areas for agriculture in Afghanistan.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Eros Colony Council convey sincere gratitude to the Business establishment/owners of Blue Hill Station Road for voluntarily contributing towards the construction of outdate & blocked culvert & drainage repair which remained unattended over years causing great inconvenience to commuters & travellers and damaging the main Dimapur city exit road at Blue Hill Station road due to over flooding of the drainage. The Council also express gratitude to the Administrator & Staff of Dimapur Municipal Council for providing JCB & labours to help out with the works.

VIKUTO G. YEPTHO AKUSU ZELIANG Govt G.B, Eros Colony Chairman, Eros Colony Council Dimapur Dimapur

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CAIRO, APR 18 (AP): A passenger train derailed Sunday north of Cairo, injuring around 100 people, Egyptian authorities said. It was the latest of several rail accidents to hit the country in recent years.

Four train wagons ran off the railway at the city of Banha in Qalyubia province, just north of Cairo, the railway authority said in a statement. Videos on social media purportedly showed wagons overturned and passengers escaping to safety along the railway.

The train was travelling to Nile Delta city of Mansoura from the Egyptian capital, the statement said.

The health ministry said in a statement that least 97 people were injured.

Around 60 ambulances were sent to the scene and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, the ministry added.

It was not immediately clear what caused the train

der Moscow’s domination for decades.

The incident also poured more fuel on the worst Russian-Western tensions since the Cold War, stirred in part by Russia’s military build-up on its Western borders and in Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, after a surge in fighting between government and rebel forces in Ukraine’s east. The Czech Republic kicked out the Russian embassy staff on Saturday after saying investigations had linked Russian intelligence to the blast in the ammunition depot some 300 km (210 miles) east of the capital Prague.

FELICITATION Totok Union Dimapur with immense pleasure express our heartfelt congratulations to Chahtai Konyak, son of Lt. Moiwa and Phoungnyei Konyak, son of Lt. Yinluk of Totok Chingnyu Village on being promoted to ABSI respectively. The Union take this privileged to express our deepest appreciation and wishes the best for their future endeavours.

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Media Cell Totok Union Dimapur

Supporters of Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan, block a road and shout slogans protesting the arrest of their party leader Saad Rizvi, in Lahore, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

LAHORE, APR 18 (PTI): Three workers of banned radical Islamist party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were killed and scores injured in a fresh operation launched

by Pakistani security forces here on Sunday against the outfit that carried out violent protests to force the government to expel the French ambassador over a blasphemous caricature published in France last year.

Rangers and police on Sunday morning launched the operation at the TLP headquarters (Chowk YateemKhana) Lahore to remove thousands of workers camped there, blocking the main Multan Road.

During the operation, three TLP activists were killed and dozens injured. A senior police officer is among several law enforcers suffered injuries, a senior police officer told PTI. “As the number of TLP supporters was in thousands the Rangers and police could not manage to disperse them in a three-

hour operation,” he said, adding that the law enforcers ended the operation fearing loss of more lives.

During the operation, the protesters also held a senior police officer, Omar Farooq Baloch, hostage and tortured him, he said.

In a video message released by the TLP, Baloch, who had head injury, urged the Imran Khan government not to kill fellow Muslims and abide by the agreement his government signed with the TLP over expulsion of the French ambassador.

Police have failed to recover Baloch from the TLP’s custody so far despite having negotiations with it.

Punjab police spokesperson Rana Arif also confirmed death of three persons during the law enforcement agencies’s operation. He said a dozen or so police officials were “brutally tortured” by the TLP workers.

“Today in the early morning, miscreants (TLP workers) attacked Nawankot Police Station

(which is close to TLP headquarters) where Rangers and police officers were trapped inside the police station and Deputy Superintendent Police (Omar Farooq Baloch) was kidnapped and taken to the TLP Markaz (headquarters),” the Punjab police said in a statement issued here on Sunday afternoon.

“One oil tanker with 50,000 litres of petrol has been taken by the miscreants to the Markaz. The miscreants were armed and attacked Rangers and police with petrol bombs.

Police and Rangers pushed them back and took back the possession of the police station. Police did not plan or conduct any operation against the mosque or seminary,” the statement said.

In a video message, a TLP spokesperson Shafiq Ameeni said: “Police attacked us at Lahore Markaz on Sunday morning in which a large number of our workers have been martyred while many are injured. We will bury our dead till the French ambassador is expelled and our agreement with the government is implemented.”

The government on Friday had announced completion of the operation against TLP in the country which had begun Monday last. After completion of the operation, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said four policemen were killed and over 600 injured in the four-day violent clashes between the law enforcers and TLP workers across the country.

PEREN PIG PRODUCER COMPANY LIMITED

ZEME REHANGKI MHAINAMTSI, PEREN NAGALAND:79711 CORPORATE IDENTITY NO.UO11OONL2O18PTCO1361, 31/OCT/218/COM ACT 2013(18 OF 2013) NO. PPPCL/PEREN……

ADVT No:03/2019-21

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RECRUITMENT IN CEO VACANT POSITIONS Peren Pig Producer company Limited (PPPCL) is a farmers producer company registered under companies act 2013 (18 of 2013) having its head office at Mhainamtsi Village, Jalukie Block, Peren Nagaland, 7. This company is a farmers Piggery farmers producer company promoted by North East Rural Livelihood project under ministry of DoNER Govt. of India.

Now the company is independently operational with handholding support from NSRLM, DMMU Peren Under Rural Development Department Government of Nagaland. with the objective of “to improve the livelihood of the Piggery and Agro farmers building a robust value chain in Agri /Livestock and Horti Sector linking to market”.

In The Chairperson of the Board of director of the company in pursuance for implementation of the above sustainable business development, PPPCL intends to recruit qualified personnel for vacant post of Chief Operating Officer (CEO to be housed in its Head Office. The positions for which to be purely on contractual basis and provision extension based on Performance.

Name of post vacancy: Chief Executive Officer (1) Educational experience: Post Graduate/MBA in Marketing, Agribusiness, Rural Management, BSc. Agriculture or relevant streams Experience: Years of experience needed: 3+ (relevant work experience) Salary: Rs. 25000/Per month( not restricted for qualified candidate.)

Requirements Women candidates are highly encouraged to apply for the role.

Willingness to travel within district and other different districts as the individual will have to do extensive travel to the field and market locations 2 year commitment Job Description • Be responsible and accountable to the Board of Directors & Office Bearers of the PPPCL • Assist the Board in formulation of goals, strategies, plans and policies • Ensure different legal compliances like Board meeting, GB meeting, bookkeeping, audit, annual returns etc as directed by the Board • Ensure all required reports as required by the Board and external support agencies • Managing day-to-day affairs of the FPO • Discharge such other functions as may be delegated by the Board • Services to members under the overall guidance of the BoD • Identifying opportunities for business of the FPO/ welfare of members, studies, business plan development and operationalisation of the business plan.

• Provide different services to the members as per direction of the Board. Such services include marketing of the produce of members, input supply to members, productivity enhancement services etc.

• Information, training & orientation to members • Resource (financial, technical) mobilization for the PPPCL. • Ensure setup of/ access to different required infrastructure for the PPPCL. • Organisational systems and compliances • Maintain proper books of account; prepare annual accounts and audit thereof; place the audited accounts before the Board and in the annual general meeting of the Members • Recruit other staff, on direction of the Board, monitor their performance • Establish and operationalise different required systems in the PPPCL – Accounting & Bookkeeping, Monitoring & MIS, Production, Marketing, Governance, HR etc • Dealing with support agencies, contracts/MoU, coordinate with them Skill sets needed Strategy and Buisness Planning.

Previous marketing experience (preferably in Livestock/Agriculture/Rural Development field) Prefer candidates with past experience of operating any business in agriculture space Liasioning and communications skills Application address to Chairperson, Peren Pig Producer Company Ltd, BPO Mhainamtsi Village, Jalukie Peren Nagaland, 797110. with detailed bio-data (in prescribed format), Scan copy of supporting certificates to be submitted Online or hard copy /photo copy self attested latest by 5:00 PM on or before 25th April 2021 to The email: adpmperen@gmail.com/ Applications if not self attested, or not received as per the dateline, will be rejected.

On the basis of qualification & experience, only shortlisted candidates will be called written test and Interview or as decided by the Board.

In addition to the criteria mentioned, Preference will be given to candidates from Nagaland, Northeast and other parts of India and in this order of experience preference.

PPPCL reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process any time without assigning any reason thereof. Only shortlisted candidates will be intimated for interview Sd/ Chairperson Board of Director Peren Pig Producer Company Limited.

Email: pppclperen@gmail.com

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Archaeologists unearth ‘Lost Golden City’ A team of Egyptian archaeologists has unearthed what some describe as an industrial royal metropolis just north of modern-day Luxor, which incorporates what was once the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes (aka Waset). The archaeologists dubbed the site “the lost golden city of Luxor,” and they believe it may have been devoted to manufacturing decorative artifacts, furniture, and pottery, among other items.

Hieroglyphic inscriptions found on clay caps of wine vessels at the site date the city to the reign of the 18th-dynasty pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386–1353 BCE), whose generally peaceful tenure was marked by an especially prosperous era, with Egypt at the peak of its international power.

(Mud bricks at the site were also marked with Amenhotep III’s cartouche.) There are more surviving statues of Amenhotep III than any other pharaoh. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings, and his mummy was discovered in 1889. Analysis revealed that Amenhotep III died between 40 and 50 years of age, and he likely suffered from various ailments in his later years (most notably arthritis, obesity, and painful

Sonu Sood tests Covid positive

S

onu Sood on Saturday, 17 April, announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 this morning and is under selfquarantine. The 47-year-old actor took to social media and posted a note, informing his fans that he is “taking utmost care”. Requesting his followers to stay safe in the caption, the actor added that his “mood and spirit” are “super positive”.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote, “Covid - positive. Mood & spirit - super positive. Hi everyone, this is to inform you that I have tested positive this morning for Covid -19 as a part of precautions I have already quarantined myself & taking utmost care”.

“But don’t worry this gives me ample time to solve your problems remember I’m always there for you all,” he added.

The Dabangg actor was in the limelight for helping people during the coronavirus lockdown last year.

Recently, he was appointed as the brand ambassador for Punjab’s coronavirus vaccination programme.

Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, made the announcement on social media.

(Firstpost)

The city believed to have been founded by Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers has been called “the second most important archaeological discovery” since King Tut’s tomb (Credit: Mohamed El Shahed/GETTY IMAGES)

abscesses in his teeth).

The pharaoh’s eldest son and heir, Thutmose, died young, so the throne passed to his second son, Amenhotep IV, who soon changed his name to Akhenaten. (His queen was Nefertiti, and his son, who would eventually assume the throne, was the famous boy-king, Tutankhamun.) Akhenaten rejected the traditional polytheistic religion, dominated by the worship of Amun, and decided to start his own religion. He worshipped Aten instead (hence the name change) and would eventually try to suppress the worship of Amun entirely.

Akhenaten also moved the capital away from the city of Thebes, setting up a new capital on the site of what is now the city of Am-

arna, halfway between Thebes and Memphis. Was he a visionary revolutionary or a heretical, mad fanatic? Possibly neither—some historians have argued that moving the capital may have been more of a political strategy on the part of the new pharaoh to break the stranglehold of Amun’s priests on Egyptian culture and society. At any rate, Tutankhamun brought the capital to Memphis and ordered the construction of even more temples and shrines at Thebes once he assumed the throne, ending Akhenaten’s rebellion.

The discovery of this new site may or may not shed more light on Akhenaten’s decision to abandon Thebes—and this nearby newly discovered manufacturing center—but it is

nonetheless being hailed as an extraordinary discovery.

“There’s no doubt about it; it really is a phenomenal find,” Salima Ikram, an archaeologist who leads the American University in Cairo’s Egyptology unit, told National Geographic.

“It’s very much a snapshot in time—an Egyptian version of Pompeii. I don’t think you can oversell it. It is mind-blowing.”

Betsy Bryan, an Egyptologist at Johns Hopkins University, called it “the second most important archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun.”

Archaeologist Zahi Hawass, who led the Egyptian team, shared the official announcement in a Facebook post. The team started out searching for Tutankha-

mun’s mortuary temple, since temples of the last two pharaohs of the 18th dynasty, Horemheb and Ay, had been found in the same general area. The archaeologists chose an excavation area sandwiched between a temple of Rameses III at Medinet Habu and Amenhotep III’s temple at Memnon.

Within weeks of beginning the excavation last September, Hawass and his team were excited to unearth mud brick formations: zigzagging walls as much as nine feet high, apparently a rare element in ancient Egyptian architecture.

The team found numerous artifacts: rings, scarabs, pottery vessels, debris from thousands of statues, and a large number of tools, possibly used for spinning or weaving and casting molds.

There was a bakery and a food preparation area (with ovens and pottery for storage) in the southern part of the site that was large enough to serve a good-sized workforce. There was also a production area for mud bricks and what appears to be an administration area.

One excavated area contained the skeleton of a cow or bull, while a human skeleton was found in an odd position: arms stretching

down against its side, with the remains of a rope around its knees.

Finally, the team found a vessel holding roughly two gallons of what was once dried or boiled meat, inscribed with “Year 37.” It also revealed the names of two of the city’s inhabitants.

The translated inscription, per Hawass, reads, “Dressed meat for the third Heb Sed festival from the slaughterhouse of the stockyard of Kha made by the butcher luwy.”

“As history goes, one year after this pot was made, the city was abandoned and the capital relocated to Amarna,” Hawass wrote.

“But was it? And why? And was the city repopulated again when Tutankhamun returned to Thebes? Only further excavations of the area will reveal what truly happened 3,500 years ago.”

And he added this tantalizing note: “Work is underway and the mission expects to uncover untouched tombs filled with treasures.”

The archaeologists have already discovered a group of promising rock-cut tombs in a large cemetery to the north of the settlement.

(Wired)

Roblox to use content ratings to help limit access to explicit content

V

irtual gaming platform Roblox is reportedly developing content ratings for games and easier-to-use parental controls.

Half of Roblox’s audiences of more than 30 million daily users are kids under 13, but the platform has struggled at times to contain sexually explicit content, The Verge, citing The Wall Street Journal, reported on Saturday.

Age-inappropriate games sometimes surface up on kids’ “recommended for you” lists, according to the report.

The platform’s current system restricts kids to specific games, but under the new system, parents would have more information about what kids might find in a given game; until you play a game, it’s not always clear that it might have explicit or inappropriate

content in it.

The company’s chief privacy officer Remy Malan did not indicate when the new ratings system would be available but said Roblox has a team of more than 2,300 people monitoring games for safety, and uses a mix of human modera-

tors and AI. Roblox, which launched in 2006, has been a runaway hit during the pandemic, giving socially distanced kids a social space to gather online.

The company reported revenue of $588.7 million during the first nine months of 2020, a 68 per cent increase over the same period in 2019. Roblox went public via a direct listing in March and said in its prospectus that its users spent an average of 2.6 hours daily on the platform over the past year.

(IANS)

First human-monkey embryo sparks ethical debate

FILE PHOTO (L) Young chimpanzee © Flickr / The American Museum journal; (R) Human Embryo © Wikipedia / Ed Uthman.

A

joint team of US and Chinese scientists have, in a breakthrough research, grew human cells in monkey embryos in a laboratory for up to 20 days. The development, which has sparked ethical debates, has implications for developing new models of human biology and disease.

Interspecies chimeras in mammals have been made since the 1970s, when they were generated in rodents and used to study early developmental processes.

In the current study, detailed in the journal Cell, six days after the monkey embryos had been created, each one was injected with 25 human cells. The cells were from an induced pluripotent cell line known as extended pluripotent stem cells, which have the potential to contribute to both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues.

After one day, human cells were detected in 132 embryos. After 10 days, 103 of the chimeric embryos were still developing.

Survival soon began declining, and by day 19, only three chimeras were still alive. Importantly, though, the percentage of human cells in the embryos remained high throughout the time they continued to grow.

“As we are unable to conduct certain types of experiments in humans, it is essential that we have better models to more accurately study and understand human biology and disease,” said Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, Professor in the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences.

“An important goal of experimental biology is the development of model systems that allow for the study of human diseases under in vivo conditions,” Belmonte added.

But there was opposition too.

“My first question is: Why?” Kirstin Matthews, a fellow for science and technology at Rice University’s Baker Institute, was quoted as saying to NPR.org.

“I think the public is going to be concerned, and I am as well, that we’re just kind of pushing forward with science without having a proper conversation about what we should or should not do,” Matthews said.

However, Belmonte notes that before beginning this work, “ethical consultations and reviews were performed both at the institutional level and via outreach to non-affiliated bioethicists”.

(IANS)

‘GOT’ star Pilou Asbaek in talks for ‘Aquaman 2’

G

ame of Thrones star Alum Pilou Asbaek is in talks to join Jason Momoa in DC‘s Aquaman 2.

Pilou Asbaek, best known for his role as the villainous Euron Greyjoy in the fantasy series, is tipped to co-star with Momoa in the forthcoming sequel, according to Deadline. It is unknown who Asbaek will be playing in the film.

James Wan is returning to direct and produce alongside Peter Safran and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick will pen the script.

It comes after Amber Heard recently criticised the “paid rumours and paid campaigns” to remove her from Aquaman 2.

The actress, who played warrior Mera in James Wan’s 2018 DC film, was subject to speculation regarding her return to the sequel.

“Paid rumours and paid campaigns on social media don’t dictate [casting decisions] because they have

no basis in reality,” Heard told Entertainment Weekly, in reference to a Change. org petition asking for her removal from the film, in light of her recent lawsuit against her ex-husband Johnny Depp.

She added: “Only the fans actually made Aquaman and Aquaman 2 happen. I’m excited to get started next year.”

Meanwhile, a cryptic tweet from the official Game of Thrones Twitter account got fans hoping for a series finale remake,

yesterday (April 14). The account tweeted “Winter is coming,” prompting fans to discuss the final episode and speculate about a remake.

“Never before have I seen a series nose dive so hard and be abandoned by its fans and viewers,” one person tweeted.

“I’m cur rently rewatching the show and it physically hurts to know how unrewarding the finale is. If y’all can revive this franchise, it would be a miracle.”

(NME)

A

virtual human can be as good as a fleshand-blood one when it comes to helping people practice new leadership skills, according to a new research.

Researchers at the Human Interface Technology Lab New Zealand at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch wanted to find out if computer-generated role-players in virtual and mixed reality settings could provide similar levels of effectiveness to address some of the drawbacks to traditional training techniques.

In virtual reality (VR), participants are completely immersed in a digital world.

In mixed reality (MR), elements of the digital world are overlaid onto the physical world.

They designed eight K Y M C

virtual humans, as well as realistic VR and MR environments using commercially available software and hardware and recruited 30 people, split into three groups, who would undergo training using a well-known leadership model.

One group involved interactions between leadership trainees and two human role-players who acted as subordinates. The second group interacted with virtual human subordinates in a VR

world, while the last group met in a MR setting where participants could see virtual humans in a real office space.

All three groups improved their performance between the pre- and posttraining session, while the MR cohort had a statistically significant mean increase.

“The most remarkable finding is that virtual human role-players have been shown to be as effective as real hum a n

role-players to support the practice of leadership skills,” said lead author Gonzalo Suarez. The findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Virtual Reality.

“Participants were able to perceive their real bodies and characteristics of the physical room where the experiment was conducted while interacting with virtual humans,” he noted.

The current pandemic is an example of how extended reality technologies -- a term that refers to all environments using computer-generated graphics and wearables -- could be applied. “Institutions such as schools and universities can greatly benefit by using these technologies,” Suarez noted.

(IANS)

DC-366

Virtual reality can teach leadership skills just like humans

K Y M C

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Youtube star Paul crushes MMA Barca beat Athletic Bilbao to win Copa del Rey legend Askren in first-round knockout

BARCELONA, APR 18 (IANS): Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong inspired Barcelona to a 4-0 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey for a record 31st time.

The Catalans picked up their first silverware of the season and gained revenge for their Spanish Super Cup defeat by Athletic in January with a convincing victory, DPA reported.

The Basques, who lost the postponed 2020 final a fortnight ago also at La Cartuja in Seville, have not won the cup since 1984, when they beat Barcelona.

Ro na l d Ko e m a n’s side, in search of their first trophy for almost two years, started well and almost went ahead when De Jong fired against the post from Messi’s cut-back.

It was the best opportunity of a first half which they dominated, without creating too many clear-cut chances.

Messi had a shot blocked and a free kick which hit the wall, while Inigo Martinez flicked an

Barcelona players and officials celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey on Saturday night.

imity.

Eventually, Barcelona broke the deadlock on the hour mark, with Griezmann making amends for his earlier miss by sweeping home from De Jong’s cross.

The Dutchman headed home the second to end Athletic’s resistance, before Messi struck a superb brace to give new president Joan

Laporta the first trophy of his second reign.

“It’s very special to be captain of this club, where I’ve spent half my life,” said Messi, whose contract expires in the summer.

“It’s a very special cup for me to be able to lift. It’s a pity we can’t celebrate with our fans. It was a hard year for us and to be able to celebrate this and try and

Miami to hold first F1 Grand Prix in 2022 as start of 10-year deal

Federer confirms French Open participation

MIAM, APR 18 (AGENCIES): Miami will hold its first Grand Prix in 2022 after Formula 1 secured a 10-year deal for a race in the Florida city.

The move is the culmination of years of work by F1’s owners Liberty Media, who wanted a race in a US “destination city” as they seek to grow the sport.

The event will be held on a 3.36-mile track around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team.

Miami becomes the second race in the US, joining the popular United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

A date for the Miami event has not yet been announced, but F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said it would be “in the second quarter of next year”.

Domenicali said Miami would be “kept separate” from the Austin event “to keep the right space for both”. This suggests Miami could be twinned with the Canadian Grand Prix in

effort inches wide at the other end.

Antoine Griezmann should have broken the deadlock in the second half but was denied from pointblank range by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon.

The Spain international pulled off an even better stop moments later, denying Sergio Busquets from a similarly close prox-

June.

He added: “The US is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race.”

Miami Dolphins chairman Tom Garfinkel, the managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix, said: “The Hard Rock stadium entertainment campus in Miami Gardens exists to host the biggest global events to benefit the entire greater Miami region, and Formula 1 racing is as big as it gets”.

His remarks are a reference to the long-winded process that has led to the event finally being secured.

F1’s original plan for a Miami race included a track that crossed a bridge over the city’s bay, but it did not get the go ahead amid objections from local politicians and residents.

The latest plan was finally approved by Miami’s city council last week and involves a series of mea-

sures to lessen the impact on the local population and environment.

Domenicali said: “It is not a compromise, when you look for different solutions, you need to consider all the elements that make everyone happy.

“I am sure the track you are going to see will be fantastic.”

Garfinkel added: “In some ways it is going to be a lot better. When we originally looked at the city design, you have a lot of constraints around the race track.

“The first priory was to create a great race track, and with the Hard Rock site we have a blank sheet of paper to put together a race track that is demanding in a lot of ways and to put on great experiences that are uniquely reflective of the diversity of Miami.

Having an existing infrastructure in place, we feel we are in a better place to do that.” Domenicali added that there were no plans to add a third race in the US in the immediate future.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton said: “America is such a big place that it always felt like we needed at least two races there to integrate with the audience.

“The race can bring 4,000 jobs to communities in Miami. Montreal has always been my favourite to go to but Miami I think that’s going to be the favourite spot to go to.”

Z u rich , A P R 1 8 ( AG E N C I E S ) : Ro ge r Federer will kickstart his claycourt campaign at next month’s Geneva Open as he steps up his preparations for the French Open, the 39-year-old Swiss wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

After missing more than a year following two knee operations, Federer returned on Tour at last month’s Qatar Open, where he suffered a quarter-final defeat by Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The 20-times Grand Slam champion then withdrew from the Dubai tournament in order to train and prepare going forward.

win La Liga is very important. It’s a transition year, with a lot of young players, the team has become stronger.” Messi’s future is unknown but in the present, he is still proving decisive for his club.

The Argentine’s first goal was a work of art, playing a one-two with De Jong and finishing coolly, while the second was a well-taken effort from the edge of the area.

“I hope it’s not (Messi’s) last trophy for Barca,” added coach Koeman. “I hope that he stays with us.”

The Dutchman doesn’t know if he will be at the club next season either, with Laporta not confirming if he is planning to keep Koeman on Barcelona’s bench, although this emphatic cup victory will do his chances no harm.

It was the perfect way for Barcelona to recover from last weekend’s Clasico defeat in La Liga, where they still have a good chance of deposing leaders and reigning champions Real Madrid.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, APR 18 (AGENCIES): Social media celebrity Jake Paul took the next step in his boxing career Saturday night with a brutal firstround knockout of former MMA world champion Ben Askren in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight fight on a Triller Fight Club pay-per-view.

Paul started his boxing career with knockouts of a fellow YouTuber and a former NBA slam dunk champion. The critics said he had yet to face a real fighter; on Saturday, he was paired with Askren. Paul proved his worth as he wasted little time putting hands on Askren and then stopped him with a scintillating right hand in under two minutes.

It has been a stunning run for Paul, who decided to pursue a side career in boxing a few years ago. He clearly is taking the sport seriously, and he showed that he is much more than a social media star with his knockout of an opponent who was once considered

Jake Paul takes down Ben Askren in first round KO.

among the best MMA fighters in the world.

Paul promised a firstround knockout, as did his opponent, although he was never known for his striking during his 12-year MMA career. It didn’t take long for the difference in skill to be on full display. Right from the opening bell, Paul fired a sharp jab as Askren was unable to find a way around.

The two-time NCAA wrestling champion did his best to close the distance and even found a way to land a right hand that got Paul’s attention.

But then Paul stepped back, pumped a jab and fired a right hand that caught Askren flush. Askren collapsed in a heap to the canvas as the referee began the count. The 36-year-old Askren made it to his feet but was clearly in bad shape.

Although he attempted to continue, the referee had seen enough and halted the fight at the 1:59 mark. With three knockout victories now under his belt, Paul will certainly need a step up in competition. Perhaps an actual boxer will be next for the YouTube celebrity.

Andre Drummond helps Lakers beat Utah Jazz Los Angeles, APR 18 (Agencies): Andre Drummond scored a team-high 27 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 127-115 in overtime.

The Jazz, who lead the Western Conference, were without injured starters Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley Jr and Rudy Gobert. The Lakers, defending NBA champions, were missing their two biggest stars in Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

“We didn’t allow adversity to get us out of our game,” said Drummond, who was returning after a toe injury. The Lakers’ Dennis Schroder added 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds with Kentavious

Lakers center Andre Drummond attempts to block a layup by Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.

Caldwell-Pope also finishing on 25 points.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz who have the league’s best record (42

wins, 15 defeats) with 27 points. Ersan Ilyasova finished with 20 points, shooting six of eight from the three-point line. “We’re

missing four pretty important guys,” said Jazz guard Joe Ingles.

“For most of the game, we did a pretty good job. We were one stop away from winning the game.”

The game was played in front of of a crowd of 1,700 spectators, the second at the Staples Centre since California relaxed its rules on spectators attending sporting events.

Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum scored 44 points for the Boston Celtics to beat the Golden State Warriors 119-114 despite Stephen Curry’s impressive 47-point haul for the Warriors.

The win ends Golden State’s four-game winning streak, while the Celtics made it six wins in a row.

Youth World Boxing: 5 Indians enter quarters, one in semis

NEW DELHI, APR 18 (PTI): India’s Poonam entered the semifinals of featherweight (57kg) category while five of her compatriots advanced to the quarterfinals of the Youth Boxing World Championships after securing comfortable wins in their last16 stage bouts in Kielce, Poland.

Poonam, who has never lost a bout during her entire career so far, eliminated Kazakhstan’s NazerkeSerik by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

She will next face a tough opponent in SitoraTurdibekova of Uzbekistan. Poonam attributed her success to her coaches

Gitika after winning her bout during the AIBA Youth World Championships in Kielce. (PTI)

and exuded confidence of returning with the gold medal from the ongoing tournament.

“They pushed me, they told me to work hard.

And I won because my coaches are very good. My

tactic was to attack and then defend. I will win the gold,” she said.

Among other women, Gitika (48kg) made the last eight on Saturday.

From the men’s contingent, Asian silver-med-

allist Ankit Narwal (64kg), BishwamitraChongtham (49kg), Sachin (56kg) and Vishal Gupta (91kg) stood just one win away from ensuring a medal for the countr y. However, the campaign ended for Nisha

Gurjar (64kg) after a 1-4 loss to Latvia’s BeatriseRozentale.

Earlier, Gitika defeated Kazakhstan’s Arailym Marat 5-0. Chongtham got the better of Mahdi Kohsroshahi by a similar margin before Sachin got the better of David Jimenez Valdez. His was also an unanimous victory.

Narwal went past Poland’s OliwierZamojski 4-1, while Vishal outpunched Croatia’s Borna Loncaric in his pre-quarterfinal bout.

India have fielded a 20-member team -- 10 men and as many women -- in the competition featuring 414 boxers from 52 countries.

AFC Champions League: FC Goa’s impressive run continues Future not clear, says Flick after

GOA, APR 18 (IANS): Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Goa came up with another impressive performance, keeping their slate clean in a goalless draw against UAE’s Al Wahda in an AFC Champions League (ACL) Group Stage match late on Saturday night.

After a gritty performance against the top-flight Qatari club Al-Rayyan on April 14, which also ended in a stalemate, Juan Ferrando’s men played a more open game and had a few moments of brilliance on both sides of the field.

One would be forgiven to think that FC Goa -- who are the first Indian club to be featuring the group stage of the competition -- deserved more, with Brandon Fernandes hitting the upright and Devendra Murgaokar forcing the Al Wahda keeper into a fantastic save.

FC Goa went in with an unchanged eleven that K Y M C

Match in action between FC Goa and UAE’s Al Wahda during the AFC Championship match.

started against Al Rayyan and got into attacking mode immediately with Ishan Pandita making contact from a header following a cross from the left flank.

Although his effort wasn’t very precise, the early signs were positive.

Al Wahda grew into the half, mounting their first big threat in the 23rd minute. Fares Juma headed a corner towards the goal, but Dheeraj Singh comfortably held on as FC Goa absorbed the pressure.

Jorge Ortiz fired one

from distance five minutes later, but his shot was well over the bar and no trouble for Al Wahda.

Al Wahda did force a couple of more saves from Dheeraj before the end of the first half, first by Khalil Ibrahim and then Tim Matavz taking aim from inside the box only to see the young custodian come out on top on both occasions.

In the second period, FC Goa came out with more gusto and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 54th minute.

The introduction of Devendra Murgaonkar from the bench made all the difference as his good work finally set up a shot for Brandon Fernandes.

But the Goan’s fierce effort struck the post instead of nestling into the bottom corner.

It was a huge let-off for Al Wahda, who took the game to the FC Goa

half soon after, with Omar Khirbin seeing his header from point blank range saved by Dheeraj in the 66th minute.

FC Goa were in no mood to relent, however, as the impressive Devendra once again wreaked havoc inside the Emirati side’s penalty box, nearly making it 1-0 in the 73rd minute.

A lovely ball from Brandon down the right found the former Salgaocar man, but the effort from his outstretched leg was saved well

by Al Wahda goalkeeper Mohamed Al Shamsi.

At the other end, Dheeraj’s heroics continued as he first saved a free kick from opposition captain Ismail Matar in the 78th minute, and then kept out two late efforts in stoppage time.

FC Goa return to action again on Tuesday when they take on Iranian side Persepolis.

deciding to leave Bayern Munich

BERLIN, APR 18 (IANS): Hansi Flick has said he wants to leave as Bayern Munich coach after the season, making the announcement after the team went seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-2 victory in Wolfsburg.

Flick said he had informed club bosses in midweek about his decision and told the players after Saturday’s game which moved them closer to a record-extending ninth straight title, DPA reported.

There was no immediate reaction from the club where he is contracted until 2023.

Flick did not give details but he has had a strained relationship with Munich board member sports Hasan Salihamidzic over the past months. In addition, the national team coaching job has become vacant as Joachim

Hansi Flick

Loew will step down after 15 years in summer. Flick was Loew’s assistant between 2006 and the World Cup title 2014.

Flick became Munich coach in November 2019 and won six titles with the team in the past season. This term they can only win the Bundesliga.

“I would like to be released out of my contract at the end of the season,” Flick said. “We have had two fantastic years. I am delighted with my team. Thanks to the club for being allowed to

train such a team.

“My future is absolutely not clear,” he added. “Of course, the national team is an option every coach has to consider. I have to digest everything, the last weeks weren’t easy.”

Munich captain Manuel Neuer said: “It was emotional for all of us. We have had a nice and successful time. It is good he told us himself, that shows our relationship is good.”

The Bundesliga is Munich’s last title option after a Tuesday exit in the Champions League as title holders against Paris Saint-Germain, and they made no mistakes in a seventh straight win against Wolfsburg.

Teenage sensation Jamal Musiala scored a brace with a low shot and a looping header for now six season goals, and Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting got the other.

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sports

Dhawan helps DC to emphatic win over Punjab

MUMBAI, APR 18 (PTI): Shikhar Dhawan struck a swashbuckling 92 as Delhi Capitals made short work of a 196-run target for a six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the IPL here on Sunday.

Dhawan looked in sublime form during his 49-ball knock that was studded with 13 fours and two sixes.

Dhawan was ably supported by Prithvi Shaw (32 off 15) first up and then skipper Rishabh Pant (15) and Marcus Stoinis (27 not out) as DC chased down 196 in 18.2 overs.

Put in to bat, Mayank Agarwal and captain K L Rahul stitched a centuryrun opening stand to guide Punjab to a challenging 195 for four.

Agarwal made 69 off 36 balls, while Rahul scored 61 off 51 deliveries as Punjab made a flying start to their innings.

Chasing 196, Dhawan and Shaw made a quick start, sharing 59 runs in just 33 balls for the opening wicket.

Shaw continued his fine form and smashed

Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals plays a shot during match 11 of the ipl against Punjab Kings in Mumbai. (PTI)

a 17-ball 32 before being holed out to Chris Gayle off Arshdeep Singh.

Steve Smith, playing his first match for DC, looked a pale shadow of himself before becoming Riley Meredith’s first victim of the day.

But the wickets hardly had any impact on Dhawan, who continued his attacking strokeplay to bring up his fifty off 31 balls.

Needing 71 off 42 balls, DC struck gold by

picking up 18 runs off the 14th over.

Dhawan hit Meredith for a hat-trick of fours, besides the bowler gave away another boundary off a wide ball as DC brought down the margin to 53 off 36 balls.

Dhawan, however, fell eight short of a brilliant century when he was cleaned up by Jhye Richardson (2/41) in the 16th over.

Earlier, Pant’s deci-

sion to bowl after winning the toss backfired as the opening duo of Agarwal and Rahul took the attack to the opposition bowlers from the onset, hitting boundaries and sixes at will.

While Agarwal was the aggressor of the two initially, Rahul upped the ante after a relatively sedate start.

Agarwal and Rahul adopted an aggressive approach against debutant Lukeman Meriwala and Kagiso Rabada, taking their team to 94 for no loss in 10 overs.

Agarwal was looking dangerous during his 36-ball knock and ended up hitting seven boundaries and four hits over the fence.

But DC dismissed both the batsmen in quick succession to make a comeback into the match.

While Agarwal was the first to depart, slicing a Meriwala delivery straight to Shikhar Dhawan at sweeper cover in the 13th over, Rahul handed a simple catch to Marcus Stonis at midwicket off

Rabada.

Rahul’s knock was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes.

Big-hitting Chris Gayle (11) failed to make a mark, perishing soon in search of a maximum.

Nicholas Pooran (9) failed yet again but Deepak Hooda (22 not out off 13)

and Shahrukh Khan (15 not out off five) provided the much needed big hits towards the end.

For DC, Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28) was economical, while Avesh Khan (1/33), Meriwala (1/32), Chris Woakes (1/42) and Rabada (1/43) picked up a wicket each.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas clinches Monte Carlo Masters title

RCB beat KKR by 38 runs, secure 3rd consecutive win

Chennai, Apr 18 (IANS): Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured their third consecutive win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season by beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 38 runs at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers’s whirlwind half centuries propelled RCB to 204/4 and KKR scored 166/8 in reply.

Andre Russell’s 31 off 20 balls late in the KKR innings gave them hope of pulling off an epic chase but Mohammed Siraj ended up giving away just one run in the penultimate over, at the start of which KKR needed 44 to win.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 204/4 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxell 78, AB de Villiers 76 not out; Varun Chakravarthy 2/39) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 166/8 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 31, Eoin Morgan 29; Kyle Jamieson 3/41) by 38 runs.

Monday’s Match Chennai Super Kings Vs Rajasthan Royals Time: 7:30 pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas kisses the trophy after defeating Andrey Rublev in the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters finals.

MONACO, APR 18 (AGENCIES): Stefanos Tsitsipas won the Monte Carlo Masters without dropping a set, beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday for his first title this year and sixth overall.

Fourth-seeded Tsitsipas was in dominant form as he edged 4-3 ahead of the sixthseeded Russian in their career meetings, having also beaten him on clay last year in the French Open quarterfinals.

The 22-year-old Greek won his last title in February

last year at the Open 13 indoor tournament in Marseille — just weeks before France went into lockdown for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 23-year-old Rublev was aiming for his second title of the year, his first at Masters level and ninth overall. He had produced an audacious display to defeat record 11time champion Rafael Nadal on Friday, and further confirm why he is one of the rising stars of tennis.

Kipchoge wins race ahead of Olympic Jhilli fetches gold at Asian Rutuja-Zeel win doubles, India pull

Eliud Kipchoge

ENSCHEDE (NETHERLANDS), APR 18 (IANS): Reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge gave an indication that he is in peak form to retain the Tokyo Games

marathon gold, winning the Enschede Marathon in 2:04:30 sec on Sunday.

Though the Kenyan was well outside his official world record of 2:01:39 set in Berlin in 2018 but he comfortably outpaced his

competition.

The Rio Olympics champion had little to prove as his place on Kenya’s team for Tokyo had already been confirmed.

But following a rare defeat at the London Marathon last year, the world record holder was keen to produce a confidence-boosting performance ahead of the Olympics.

Unlike many of Kipchoge’s previous marathons, Sunday’s event was never intended as an opportunity to chase record times. Nevertheless, the pace was swift as a lead group of four reached the 15km mark in 43:46 sec.

Weightlifting Championship

TASHKENT, APR 18 (PTI): India’s Jhilli Dalabehera clinched the gold medal in the 45kg category in a severely depleted twolifter field at the Asian Weightlifting Championship here on Sunday.

Jhilli, a junior world championship bronze medallist, lifted 69kg in the snatch and followed that up by 88kg in clean jerk for a total of 157kg to finish on top of the podium in all three categories of the gold level Olympic qualifier event which was postponed last year due to the pandemic.

However, 45kg is not a

Olympic weight category.

The silver medal went to Philippines’ Mary Flor Diaz for her effort of 135kg (60kg+75kg).

With the win, Jhilli bettered her silver-winning performance in the last edition. However, it was an underwhelming performance as she had lifted 162kg (71kg+91kg) at the same event in 2019.

The other Indian in the fray, Sneha Soren finished third in group B of the women’s 55kg event.

The 20-year-old from Odisha lifted a total of 164kg (71kg+93kg) in the four-woman field.

Stephens vs Klose fight cancelled after Klose injured in push

LAS VEGAS, APR 18 (AGENCIES): Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose’s UFC Fight Night co-main event was called off on Saturday after Klose said he suffered a neck injury when he was pushed by Stephens during the weigh-in.

The American said he felt his “hand go numb and neck tighten up” after the push on Friday, and woke up the next day with a headache and nausea. He is reported to have been di-

agnosed with a neck sprain and a concussion.

“I’m sorry to everyone who was excited for this fight,” Klose said on Twitter. “I tried to do everything I could to stay in this fight, but these issues are out of my control.”

Fellow American lightweight Stephens said Klose had got “just got a little too close with aggressive behavJeremy Stephens pushes Drakkar Klose. iour” during the weigh-in.

“I just have zero toler- respect,” he added. In the Las Vegas, Robert Whittaker ance for that type of dis- middleweight main event in dominated Kelvin Gastelum

to win via unanimous decision.

Whittaker overwhelmed Gastelum in all five rounds, landing more than double the American’s total strikes as he took 50-45 wins across the cards.

The New Zealandborn Australian fighter now wants a rematch with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who beat him with a second-round technical knockout in October 2019.

off consolation win against Latvia

JURMALA (LATVIA), APR 18 (IANS): The pair of Rutuja Bhosale and Zeel Desai pulled one back as India won the double match against Latvia to end their Billie Jean King Cup World Group play-off campaign on a positive note after having lost all three singles matches.

Zeel and Rutuja defeated Daniela Vismane and Patricija Spaka in a tough three-setter 6-4, 5-7, 10-2 in the last match on Saturday.

After losing the rubber 1-3, India have slipped back to the Asia/Oceania zone.

India’s tennis ace and winner of six Grand Slam titles in doubles, Sania Mirza, was rested for the match and the team management decided to field Zeel and Rutuja.

Rutuja said during the post-match press conference that, “(Captain) Vishal (Uppal) said just go out there and have fun and see what happens. That’s what we did and the result went our way.”

India captain Uppal said that he was happy with the way the team played on both days, especially

Rutuja Bhosale and Zeel Desai

Ankita Raina, who gave it her best shot against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and Anastasija Sevastova in the two singles matches.

While Raina lost the opening match to world No. 52 Ostapenko 2-6, 7-5, 5-7, she was overpowered

by Sevastova in the second singles 6-0, 7-6(4).

“On Day 1, if we could have pulled off that first match, it could have been a different story,” said Uppal of Raina’s match against Ostapenko.

“If she can become a little smarter tactically and also understand that you cannot let your level come down against the

top players, Ankita will be a much-improved player.

When you get those opportunities against big players, like 4-3 or 4-2, you’ve got to convert them,” opined Uppal.

“It’s just the quality of the Latvian players that they were able to raise the level at that point, which made the difference toward the business end of the matches. Ankita can learn that when you are playing better players like Ostapenko and leading, those points have to be converted. This was a big learning curve for Ankita and I’m sure she will be much wiser from this experience,” Uppal said.

Greenwood double as Man Utd beat Burnley offside. It means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now eight points behind leaders City in second place with

six games to play, while Burnley remain 17th and six points above the relegation zone.

Last-gasp Nketiah goal denies Fulham vital win at Arsenal

Manchester United teammates celebrate Mason Greenwood’s goal against Burnley during the EPL match on Sunday.

L o nd o n, A P R 1 8 (Agencies): Mason Greenwood scored twice as Manchester United saw off Burnley 3-1 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to eight points. The 19-yearold watched his thumping opener after the break cancelled out moments later when James Tarkowski

rose above Harry Maguire to level.

But Greenwood scored his second with six minutes remaining with a fierce left-footed strike that deflected beyond goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the front post.

EdinsonCavani then tapped in from close range in stoppage time to wrap

up the victory at Old Trafford. The visitors’ direct attacking play had caused United problems of their own and they had the ball in the net after 14 seconds.

Chris Wood beat goalkeeper Dean Henderson to a floated delivery on the edge of the penalty area and headed into an empty net, only to be correctly flagged

Eddie Nketiah’s goal late in stoppage time for Arsenal delivered a major blow to Fulham’s already slim Premier League survival hopes as the match ended in 1-1 draw. Until Nketiah’s 97th-minute effort, Josh Maja’s second-half penalty had looked likely to give the Cottagers a valuable three points in their battle against relegation. The on-loan Bordeaux forward converted from the spot after Mario Lemina was fouled by Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel.

It was Fulham’s only shot on target and put them on course for their first away league win against the Gunners in 29 attempts.

However, Scott Parker’s side buckled under some late Arsenal pressure, with Nketiah tapping in after Dani Ceballos’ shot was initially saved by Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The result leaves Fulham six points from safety, but with the added disadvantage of having played two games more than both Brighton and Burnley - the sides directly above them.

In a game of few clear-cut chances Arsenal, who remain ninth, merited their point.

Mikel Arteta’s side had Ceballos’ first-half goal disallowed after Bukayo Saka had strayed fractionally offside, while Gabriel Martinelli also found the back of the visitors’ net after the whistle had gone for offside against Emile Smith Rowe.

Substitute Nicolas Pepe and Saka also both went close to levelling the score before Nketiah’s late intervention.

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