April 25, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 138

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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Naga political issue belongs Record high of 3.46L cases, 2624 deaths in India to the people as a whole: Rio

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The pandemic situation turned grim in India with a new daily high of 3.46 lakh cases and 2,624 fatalities on Saturday.

A record single-day rise of 3,46,786 coronavirus cases pushed India’s tally of infection to 1,66,10,481, while active cases crossed the 25-lakh mark, according to the health ministry’s data updated at 8 AM on Saturday. The death toll rose to 1,89,544 with a record 2,624 more fatalities in a day.

Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, reported 74.15 percent of the new COVID19 cases.

Funeral pyres of victims of Covid-19 burn at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium in Delhi on April 24. (AP photos)

With a glaring gap in demand and supply of medical amenities, the Centre announced exemption of basic customs duty on import of COVID vaccine, medical-grade oxygen and related equipment to boost

domestic availability and directed the customs department to clear all import consignments, including life-saving drugs and equipment.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost oxygen availability in the country.

20 patients die as Delhi’s oxygen crisis deepens: Twenty people died at Delhi’s Jaipur Golden Hospital, their lives ebbing as the hospital waited for oxygen to be replenished on Saturday, day five of a crisis stemming from an acute shortage of oxygen imperilling critically-ill Covid patients in India’s national capital.

Every few hours, as it has been for much of the week, hospitals across the city and its suburbs, including Ganga Ram and Max Healthcare as well as

smaller facilities, sounded the alarm about dwindling stocks on social media and other platforms. Desperate for help, some hospitals approached the Delhi High Court, which termed the mounting cases a tsunami.

A day after 25 patients died at the Ganga Ram Hospital, one of the city’s biggest and most high-profile health facilities, the court told the Delhi government to give it one instance of oxygen supply being obstructed and declared, “We will hang that man.”

“We will not spare anyone,” the bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli added.

Nagaland Covid tally breaches Justice Ramana takes oath as CJI 13,000 mark; 3 more deaths DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): Nagaland’s Covid19 caseload went past 13,000 after 114 fresh cases were reported on Saturday, while three more deaths were recorded, taking the death toll to 98. As per the Health department’s daily bulletin, Dimapur recorded the highest daily spike of 101 cases this year while Phek reported 7 cases, 4 in Kohima and 2 in Mokokchung taking the total caseload to 13003. With this the active cases also rose to 555.

The three deaths reported on Saturday were under investigation, a Health official said. As on April 24, the death toll stood at 98-- 85 due to Covid, 10 not Covid related and 3 under investigation. Dimapur recorded the highest number of fatalities at 54, Kohima-21, Mokokchung- 4, Tuensang and Mon 2 each and Wokha and Kiphire 1 each deaths.

In its weekly report, Health department has also highlighted four “areas of concern”. The department said that the positivity rate in the State has increased from

2 abducted ONGC staff rescued in Nagaland

GUWAHATI, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Two of the three employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), abducted

by ULFA (I) from Assam, were rescued by the security forces after a gunfight in Nagaland’s Mon district, TNIE report stated.

“In an operation last (Friday) night, Indian Army along with Assam Rifles troops rescued two abductees in the general area of Mon. Operations are still in progress...,” Army sources said. (Read more on p-4)

This is it!

State

Confirmed Discharged

K Y M C

Active

Arunachal

17430

16921

56

453

Assam

233453

218339

1172

12595

Manipur

30281

29193

383

705

Meghalaya

15786

14384

158

1244

Mizoram

5283

4637

12

634

Nagaland

13003

12117

98

555

Sikkim

7159

6069

137

798

Tripura

34429

33333

391

518

2.3% in March 2021 to 8.9% in April 2021. Pointing out that the high weekly sample positivity rate in Dimapur (24) and Kohima (11) was alarming, the department said that this clearly indicated undetected cases in the population.

Social gatherings and events remain high risk for super spreader events in the state when positivity rate is high, it added. High positivity rate among returnees and travellers and non-adherence to quarantine measures was another major concern, it said. Admitting that the numerous points of entry to the state and the porous border make it extremely

difficult to monitor everyone at points of entry, the department urged the community and ward/ village councils to ensure quarantine of 10 days as SOP of those entering the State, if there is no negative RT PCR report. It further urged travellers to also be equally responsible in following the Covid SOPs. It said the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) among 45 years and above was high at 2.6%, which is worrisome, adding that the median age of Covid deaths is 55 years (range: 24-90 years). This necessitates the need for urgent vaccination before the second wave peaks, the department asserted.

Centre issues guidelines to States for phase III vax drive NEW DELHI, APR 24 (IANS): Ahead of the third phase vaccination, the Centre on Saturday shared guidelines with the States and Union Territories (UTs) for effective implementation of the new vaccination strategy from May 1.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Chairman, Empowered Group on Technology and Data Management to combat COVID-19, Dr R S Sharma, chaired a meeting to guide the States and UTs

on the implementation of the new vaccination strategy.

They also reviewed the States and UTs’ plans to strengthen the existing hospital and clinical treatment infrastructure for Covid patients. Sharma pointed out that the CoWIN platform has now stabilized and is working at scale flawlessly.

It is equipped to handle the complexities of the new phase of vaccination starting from May 1.

(Read more on p-5)

Justice N V Ramana

ambit of transparency law.

Hailing from an agriculturist family of Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh, Ramana will demit office on August 26 next year

KOHIMA, APR 24 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio Saturday maintained that the Naga issue was not limited to the Naga political groups or the state government, but that it involved all Naga people as a whole.

Rio said this while addressing the 29th Angami Students’ Union (ASU) biennial general conference as guest at the inaugural programme held at The Heritage Village, Kisama here Saturday. The chief minister urged upon all sections of people to work together for securing an acceptable solution to the Naga issue.

He said it was an opportune time for solution since NSCN (I-M) had signed the Framework Agreement and likewise NNPGs also signed the Agreed Position with the government of India.

Rio also mentioned that the government of India has recognised the unique cultural, traditional and customary practices of Nagas and that special provisions in the constitution were accorded to protect them.

He recalled that the Naga political movement had gone through different

Neiphiu Rio (NP)

phases since the past 92 years beginning with the submission of memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929.

Rio opined that if the present generation cannot secure any form of solution under the Indian constitution then subsequently the upcoming generations would be left to seek solution. He said most of the time Nagas failed to realise their own uniqueness even when others acknowledged it. Rio, therefore, urged the people to leave aside differences and work collectively for a final push towards attaining acceptable solution.

On the contentious demand for separate Naga flag and constitution, Rio mentioned that during his meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi, the minister mentioned that Naga flag could be used for other events except

government/official events/ buildings. In this regard, he mentioned that the Centre has been holding discussions with legal and constitutional experts on a separate flag.

On the issue of a separate ‘Yehzabo’ (constitution), Rio said it was likely that a panel would be set up post settlement to work out the details democratically.

On the issue of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said the state government was serious about it and working to come out with a legislation that would have no loopholes. He said the government was holding a series of consultative meetings with various civil society organisations on modalities to avoid legal issue in the future. Rio said after implementation of RIIN, village councils and tribal bodies would be empowered in order to safeguard the people from outside the state.

He reiterated that while there was no dispute on the cut-off year of 1963 for the rest of the State, Dimapur sub-division which was declared as a tribal belt in 1979, would have to remain unchanged in order to avoid legal challenges in the court (Cont’d on p-8) of law.

DTF imposes night curfew at Tsg town DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): District Task Force (DTF) for COVID-19 Tuensang has imposed night curfew at Tuensang town on all days starting from April 23 between 7pm and 5am.

In an order, DC & DTF Tuensang chairman Kumar Ramnikant said the decision was taken during DTF meeting held on April 22, 2021.

As per the order, all shops, business establishments, restaurants etc. would be closed by 7pm besides assembly of four or more persons is restricted.

However, during curfew hours, medical emergency, pharmacies and essential services would be exempted. Movement of essential goods vehicles including empty vehicles and movement of persons to facilitate the same are also exempted.

Colonies/wards have been asked to identify persons arriving from outside the state and report to DTF. Returnees have been asked to submit personal information to district nodal officer for COVID-19 (8415840348) and also contact control room number (9612724367) in case of any queries. DTF also issued guidelines for functions outside of containment zone and festivals of any kind. DC cautioned that violators of the order would be penalized.

Covid vax only for 2nd dose available Correspondent

“As all parties decided not to hold election rallies, they’ll reappear on TVs.”

Deaths

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): Justice NV Ramana took oath as the 48th Chief Justice Of India this morning. President Ram Nath Kovind administered him the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi in a small ceremony due to Covid restrictions.

Justice N V Ramana, has authored path-breaking verdicts as a Supreme Court judge and one of them led to the end of internet ban in J&K, and another brought the apex court under the

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 24 (NPN): Health authorities have reportedly stopped administering the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines due to shortage of vials. However, health officials said that the inoculation for second dose was going on.

As reported by this newspaper on April 21, there has been growing fear about possible shortage of the vaccine due to the sudden surge of demand in the light of the recent spike in COVID-19

positive cases in the State.

State immunisation officer (UIP) Dr Ritu Thurr informed Nagaland Post that the Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department had already submitted its requirement of about 3 lakh doses of vaccine to the Union Health ministry, which was monitoring the vaccine distribution through Electronic Vaccine Intelligent Network (EVIN) across the country.

It may be noted that on May 1, India would be entering the third phase of its coronavirus vaccination

programme, under which all people aged above 18 years would be eligible to get themselves vaccinated.

The registrations for all people above the age of 18 years are set to begin on April 28 to set the ball rolling. The government categorically mentions, “Only self registration and advance appointments for people between 18 and 45 years of age. No walks in allowed.”

Registration process can be done either through CoWIN website or the Aarogya Setu app.

K Y M C

2

state

Make best use of available land: Kronu

DIMAPUR: Minister of planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu on Saturday stressed on makoing the best use of the available land for cultivation to boost the rural economy.

He was speaking at the inaugural programme of blacktopped road at Pfutseromi village under Phek district. The inauguration was held along with the celebration of Tsükhenyie & three-day 72nd youth day of Pfutseromi Youth Organisation (PYO).

A press release by PS to the minister stated that while speaking on the occasion, Kronu maintained that Pfutsero area with its fertile soil and climatic condition was viable for various agricultural activities.

He said that all efforts were made to convert “wasteland into wealth land”.

He cautioned the people on their approach and chase after subsidy, saying that subsidy culture had destroyed one generation

Neiba Kronu and others during the inauguration.

in the past.

E a r l i e r, a d d r e s s ing another programme of Tsükhenye festivalcum-wrestling meet 2021 at Zuketsa ground under Phek district, Kronu called upon the people to widen their horizon and work to improve human resource development beside infrastructural development.

He also appreciated the people for forest conservation efforts and encouraged the people to continue its effort in conservation of biodiversities in the area.

He also encouraged the people to practice double cropping wherever possible and shared that Pfutsero area would be developed into a main tourist destina-

Temporary bridge of railway collapses

The bridge that collapsed near New Chümoukedima.

DIMAPUR, APR 24 (NPN): A temporary bridge constructed by Railway authorities to ferry materials, collapsed on Saturday evening around 5.20 p.m. when two fully loaded trucks were crossing the bridge near New Chümoukedima.

Speaking to Nagaland

Post, deputy chief engineer, NF Railway construction, V Hauzel said the temporary bridge was setup to transport materials for the ongoing construction of tunnels and bridges of the railways.

Though the bridge had the load capacity of around 35 ton, he said not

tion.

Principal director, directorate of health and family welfare Nagaland Dr. Kevichusa Medikhrii who graced the occasion as the guest of honour informed that the second wave of COVID-19 was severe and asked the people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour and stay safe.

ENWO holds thanksgiving prog DIMAPUR: Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) held a thanksgiving & felicitation programme on April 24.

A press release by ENWO president, Dimapur unit, N. Langmei Phom stated that special guest of the programme, DC of police zone II Dimapur spoke on the good role that an organisation could play in the present situation as well as the society. She also addressed about the issues that women and children faced and encouraged the women to excel in all fields. Imtisangla Nganlang said that a mother should be strong in prayers and contribute positively to the society.

more than 30 ton was permissible to ply, for safety measures. He said the incident took place when two fully loaded trucks carrying stone dust tried to cross the bridge at the same time. Hauzel said that the truck owners have agreed to rebuild the bridge within DIMAPUR: As per the one week. “directive from the higher authority” and in the light of the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) withdrawing non-cooperation order, the was Dimapur District Youth Congress kilo kilonser of Khango-led president during the late 80s and was also NSCN (K) Shampai Khiam advisor to Dimapur Citizens Forum.

According to family sources, the funeral service will be held on Monday, April 26 at Dimapur Town Ao Baptist Church Khermahal at 10 a.m.

CBI Nagaland holds graduation ceremony DIMAPUR: Calvary Bible Institute (CBI) Nagaland conducted a graduation ceremony for 26 diploma students at AGBCN Mission Center, Singrijan, Dimapur on April 20.

A press release by chief coordinator, CBI Rana Chetri stated that speaker, CBI director, Rev. Sukumar Chettri told the graduating candidates Jesus came to serve and not to be served.

In this regard, he encouraged the students to serve the church like Jesus did and spread the good news to the world so the great commission would be fulfilled.

Rev. Chettri congratulated the candidates who had completed their diploma course and handed over the diplomas to the candidates.

Earlier, he offered invocation.

Meanwhile, testimonies on behalf of the candidates were shared by Prem Biswa and Lucy Murry.

JWO building inaugurated in Kohima

Keneizhakho Nakhro inaugurating the JWO building. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: MLA, 8 Western Angami assembly constituency, Keneizhakho Nakhro inaugurated the Jotsoma Women Organisation (JWO) building at agri-farm colony, Kohima on April 24.

According to DIPR report, while speaking at the programme, Keneizhakho stated that time and again it was witnessed that empowering of women led to the strengthening of men in society.

He acknowledged the predecessors for their fore-

sight in conceiving and paving the way for the construction of the building in the state capital for the welfare of society.

He lauded JWO for the successful completion of the building and exhorted them to continue to take active part in the development of society.

The DIPR report informed that the five storeyed building was designed by architect Keneilhousa and built at a cost of Rs. 1.9 crore.

Building committee

members, Dolhulie Peseyie and Pelevito Nakhro gave brief reports on the planning, finance and construction of the building.

E a r l i e r, t h e p r o gramme was chaired by secretary Kohima Building, Ketouneikhono Nakhro, dedicatory prayer was pronounced by Baptist Church Jotsoma Pastor, Rev. Zakiebinyii Peseyie and a short speech was delivered by JWO chairperson, Leno Nagi while vote of thanks was delivered by Khriekerheno Nagi.

NSEAOA, ANSTA remind DoSE to fill up vacancies Correspondent KO H I M A , A P R 2 4 (NPN): Nagaland School Education Administrative Officers Association (NSEAOA) and All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) have reminded the department of school education to immediately fill up all the vacancies by promoting the deserving officers since they have already over stayed and had fulfilled the department of personnel & administrative reforms (P&AR) office memorandum (OM).

In a letter addressed to the special secretary school e d u c a t i o n , N S E AOA president Timothy Thong,

NSEAOA general secretary K. Ruby Humtsoe, ANSTA president Visato Kosa and general secretary Neituo Dzuvichu also reminded that the secondary and elementary cadres were promotees promoted on the availability of vacancies and not from direct commission, which did not require probation period to fill up the existing vacancies.

The association cautioned the department that no other cadre should be allowed to fill up the vacancies at all cost.

NSEAOA and ANSTA stated that despite repeated representations, the department failed to address the genuine problem

Khango-led NSCN (K) informs

Cong leader Nungja passes away DIMAPUR: Nungja Aier, eldest son of late Lima Aier IAS (retd) of Mopungchuket village passed away on April 24 in Delhi.

He was born on June 23, 1958 and survived by his wife Akokla, five daughters and four sons-in-law. Late Nunja

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

has notified all Khiamniungan national workers to reorganise Khiamniungan region of the group for the “smooth functioning of the government, particularly for the Khiamniungan people and the NSCN/GPRN in

general”.

The group has, therefore, informed all the responsible apex body/NGOs/ village council/GBs to extend cooperation “in order to strengthen the Naga national cause.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

of the cadre, which they claimed was affecting the service of the employees for their promotion with stagnation.

The associations stated that it was very clear that the present vacancies in the department under elementary and secondary cadres at the higher level from deputy directors and above had got nothing to do with the ongoing court case of the graduate teachers (G/T) but it was due to the failure of the government to give promotion to headmaster and above despite of fulfilling the P&AR memo.

The associations said that officers in the elementary and secondary cadres,

who were in the promotion zone, have served the department faithfully with utmost dedication for more than 30 years and have fulfilled the P& AR OM. They also said officers from headmasters and above level were made to remain stagnant without further promotion despite of the available vacancies even after fulfilling the criteria of P&AR OM. They asserted that the issue was a serious concern showing gross injustice to the teaching community of the secondary and elementary cadres denying their rights as a government servant for promotion, victimizing them for no fault of theirs.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved TSOPOTHUNG

"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand"

Philippians 4.5

Though you left us, and its so sudden your memories were cherished and you are never forgotten and you are always remembered in our hearts.

DP-2114

Loving Wife, Son, Daughter and Family

07/05/1970 – 25/04/2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Late Dr. Zaselhulie Peseyie 17.02.1948 – 19.04.2021 Kind, patient, humorous, sincere and loving he was, silently teaching us positivity throughout his journey of life, Dr. Zaselhulie Peseyie left for his heavenly abode on 19th of April 2021 at his home.

With immense gratitude, we, the bereaved family and relatives would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all individuals, friends, organisations, churches and well-wishers who stood by us morally, physically, financially and in prayers in our time of mourning. May the Almighty God Bless you all abundantly.

DP-2122

K Y M C

DP-2125

With prayers and gratitude Wife, children and relatives

We, the bereaved family members of Late L. ONGJEI PHOM, would like to express our profound and heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood with us and supported us in various capacities at his sudden demise on 15th April 2021.

Through this column, we extend our deepest gratitude to the followings :1. Shri. S. Pangnyu and family, Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland.

2. Phom Baptist Attoi Chumukedima.

3. Phom Baptist Attoi Dimapur.

4. Longleng Town Baptist Church.

5. Phom Baptist Fellowship Nagarjan.

6. Kangching Baptist Attoi.

7. E.N.P.U Chumukedima.

8. Phom Union Chumukedima.

9. Ward 10, Chumukedima Committee.

10. Ngenching Ward Longleng.

11. Orangkong Union Dimapur.

12. Phom Monyu Group (ONGC).

13. Laboratory Staff District Hospital Longleng.

14. Netnyu Village Council.

15. Kangching Buhu Union Dimapur.

16. Kangching Union Longleng.

17. Kangching Village Council.

18. Tragopan Club Aeiha Kangching.

19. All relatives, friends, neighbours and well wishers.

Words are not enough to express how grateful we are, we convey our sincere thank you to all. Secondly, we also deeply regret for our inability to mention and thank each and every individual personally, but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God blesses you all abundantly.

DP-2119

Loving Wife, Son and Family Members K Y M C

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: In view of closures should govt subside schools fees to help schools and students?

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

A B C

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

A

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

100% 0% 0%

Next poll

Q: Is the COVID second

wave like to worsen ?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST April 25

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun and very hot

40 22

Aizawl

Partly sunny and hot

Guwahati Very hot and hazy sun

34 16 39 20

Hot with sun and clouds

35 13

Itanagar Hot with hazy sunshine

34 21

Imphal Shillong

Hazy sun and very warm

28 15

Kohima

Sun and clouds

29 15

Dimapur Very hot and hazy sun

38 21

Partly sunny

31 16

Mkg

Tuensang Partly sunny and comfortable Wokha

Nagaland observes ‘world veterinary day 2021’

Hazy sun

Zunheboto Partly sunny

23 11 30 20 28 14

NSCN (R) mourns demise of member DIMAPUR: NSCN (R) has expressed grief over the sudden demise of Kideon Yeptho on April 23. He was presently serving as Raja Peyu, under UT-1.

In a condolence note through its MIP, NSCN (R) said that in his demise, they had lost a “young and sincere comrade”.

Further, NSCN (R) conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members and for the Almighty to grant them comfort as his soul rests in eternal peace.

Mokokchung

DIMAPUR: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) department and Nagaland veterinary Association (NVA) celebrated “world veterinary day 2021” (WVD) under the theme “veterinarian response to the COVID-19 Crisis” on April 24 through animal health welfare programmes and camps.

Mokokchung: NVA in collaboration with AH&VS deptt organised “world veterinary day” at Clark Theological College (CTC) hall Aolijen, Mokokchung.

According to DIPR report, while delivering the keynote address, chief

AH and veterinary officer Mokokchung, Dr. BM. Sunep spoke on the importance and significance of the day and highlighted on the response and role played by the department in the district during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Short speeches were delivered by IFS DFO Mokokchung, Dr. Sentitula and CTC Aolijen Principal, Rev. Dr. A. Temjen Jamir.

Dr. Sentitula spoke on the importance of preservation and conservation of forest for the survival and existence of all the living beings.

Rev. Dr. A. Temjen

Condolences on the demise of Mukibur Rahman

DIMAPUR: Political parties have mourned the demise of NPF secretary, central office bearer Mukibur Rahman, former president of BJP minority Morcha, who passed away at Referral hospital on April 23.

ABP: Akhand Bharat Parishad (ABP) has expressed grief over the demise of late Mukibur Rahman.

A condolence note through its president Dr. SR Naresh Ram described late Rahman as “one of the young, enthusiastic leaders and a well known personality”.

ABP said that he had earned love and admiration of the people not only from minority community but also from people across the state and that he was an epitome of inspiration and a source of encouragement.

ABP conveyed its condolences to the bereaved

DIMAPUR: BJP 31 Akuluto assembly constituency held its consultative meeting with advisor CAWD/NSDMA, Kazheto Kinimi at Akuluto town on April 22.

A press release through the advisor’s media cell stated that Kazheto while exhorting the party workers called upon the members to be steadfast with regards to strengthening the party set-up from the grass-root level.

Kinimi appreciated the party workers for their tireless efforts in reaching

out to the grassroots level making the people aware of the programmes and policies of the government of Nagaland.

He also urged party officials to give more effort with regard to the membership drive and enroll more active members from the constituency.

Kinimi also highlighted various development activities undertaken by him at Akuluto and VK area to bring about continued development and progress.

31AC Akuluto BJP

Wild elephants destroy plantations in Wokha

Rubber and areca nut plants damaged by wild elephants in one of the farms at Okotso village, Wokha. (NP)

Correspondent Wokha, APR 24 (NPN): A herd of wild elephants raided farmland in Okotso village under Wokha district on Wednesday night.

According to villagers, the wild elephants numbering around 20-30 destroyed four temporary farm houses, rubber and areca nut plantations.

One of the villagers, K Y M C

whose farm had also been destroyed, said that they had incurred a huge loss as most of the plantations were destroyed.

He said that this was not the first time the wild elephants had raided the agricultural land and that it occurred every year.

Despite the matter being reported, no preventive action has been initiated by the state government, he alleged.

Jamir spoke on the activities of the college related to veterinary projects for skill training of students.

Special dedicator y prayer was pronounced by Rev. Dr. A. Temjen Jamir, vote of thanks by FM.SCBF Aliba, Dr. Nemjemyanger Kubzari who also read out the presidential message for “world veterinary day”.

Mon: Veterinarians in Mon district celebrated WVD with students of Don Bosco School, Tizit.

A press release by CVO Mon, Dr. V. Rutsa stated that Dr. Manjan Konyak and Dr. Gloria Ngullie delivered speeches at the pro-

gramme. Principal of the school, Joseph also thanked the veterinary officers in choosing the school to create awareness on the day.

Hands-out note and FAO infographics on general awareness and precautionary measures for COVID-19 in context of animal-human interface, livestock diversity, food loss and waste facts, milk facts, biodiversity for food and agriculture and beehive products were made available to the students.

Students of classes IX and X along with teaching faculty were present at the simple yet purposeful celebration.

Anti-rabies vaccination camp at Kiphire In commemoration of WVD, free anti-rabies vaccination camp was conducted on the theme of 2021.

According to DIPR report, the camp was organised by NVA in collaboration with AH&VS department at veterinary hospital, Kiphire. Deputy director, veterinary hospital, Kiphire read out the message conveyed by NVA president, Dr. KN Zubemo Humtsoe on the occasion.

In the message, the president said that world veterinary day was founded

by World Veterinary Asso-

DIMAPUR: To get ground report and address grievances of the student community, the Satoi Range GB Association (SRGBA) initiated a combined education tour to 11 government primary school (GPS) in 11 villages under Satoi area under Satakha sub-division, Zunheboto district on April 19 and April 20.

In a press release, SRGBA president Kaito Zhimo and general secretary Kakheto Aye stated that the combined education tour team, which included SRGBA, Satoi Range Students’ Union (SRSU) and Satoi administration, inspected primary health centre (PHC), Satoi

and four sub-centres at Itovi, Ghokhevi, Hokiye and Thakiye villages.

On April 20, the combined team visited government high school (GHS) Satoi. SRGBA said GHS Satoi was facing a shortage of graduate teachers, adding that currently there were only four graduate teachers, five primary teachers and three Hindi teachers.

It stated that the teaching staff were posted at GHS Satoi without headmaster since September 2019 and assistant head master in-charge since 2016 after they were transferred.

It said no new replacements were posted till date.

It also said there was

Malaria cases in state ‘sharply declined over the years’

Neisakho Kere hoped that the state would achieve complete malaria elimination in the coming years.

NVBDCP has recently distributed 8,45,529 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) free of cost to the villages across the state.

LLIN is one of the most important intervention in preventing malaria and other vector borne diseases and its correct and daily usage is encouraged within the community to achieve the zero malaria target in the state. The programme also appealed to the public to remember to continue with the other preventive measures against malaria as we all stand in the throes of COVID-19 pandemic.

no science teacher since 2017.

SRGBA claimed that more than eight graduate teachers were transferred with post. Also during 2017-18, it said that four graduate teachers were transferred with post and no replacement was appointed at GHS Satoi.

On inquiry, SRBGA said it was learnt that minimum two general graduate teachers, one math teacher and one science teacher along with headmaster should be posted as urgent requirement since the present strength of graduate teachers was difficult to handle all major subjects.

SRGBA also informed

defaulters. It urged the public to report unfair trade practices to the chamber.

NBCD: Notun Bosti Council Dimapur (NBCD) has warned traders not to indulge in any unfair or illegal practice of hoarding or unauthorised increase in price of commodities.

NBCD cautioned that the council would take action against individuals involved in such practices as per the DMC order.

A press release by NBCD through chairman Imkongnukshi Imchen and secretar y Kavito Ayemi directed all the traders, business establishments and shop keepers under the Notun Bosti to practice mandatory wearing of face masks and maintain social distance.

It informed that by 7 p.m., all shops, business establishments, restaurants etc, should be closed except medical, pharmacies and emergency services.

NBCD also informed

that due to the shortage of graduate teachers at GHS Satoi, people in the region were not willing to seek admission in the school.

Further, SRGBA cautioned that it would not entertain any transfer with post under Satoi area unless it was genuine case.

Meanwhile, the team also inspected PHC Satoi and four sub-centres under Satoi.

At PHC Satoi, they interacted with doctors and staff. SRGBA officials led by its president and general secretary received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. It also urged the people to follow strict SOPs for public safety.

COVID-19 directives from various agencies DIMAPUR: In view of the second wave of COVID-19 and with the surge of positive cases in the state, the state government and its agencies have been issuing directives and taking preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus.

No visitors in PHQ As per directive of the state government, inspector general of police (IGP) headquarters, PHQ Kohima has ordered that no visitors would be entertained in PHQ April 26 onwards till further notice.

House sealed DC Dimapur & DDMA chairman, Rajesh Soundararajan has informed that House No-64, F-Khel, Diphupar village, 4th mile Dimapur has been sealed from the date of issuing of this order during which time, sanitisation of the premises would be done by the management.

DC has informed that any person found violating these containment measures would be penalised as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the disaster management Act, 2005 besides legal action under IPC Section 188.

DC Kohima notifies DC Kohima Gregory Thejawelie has notified all concerned that unauthorised entry and exit within the demarcated containment zone is a punishable offence.

The notification also added that anyone found violating the demarcated perimeter of the containment zone would be liable to punishment under Section 51 and 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and IPC Section 188.

35 medical personnel trained under Dakshata in Kiphire

DIMAPUR: Dakshata training for medical personnel under Kiphire district was conducted in a phase-wise manner from April 19 to 24 at district hospital, Kiphire. The workshop was funded by NEC and REC through district administration and CMO office, Kiphire.

A press release by CMO Kiphire district media officer, Haichikambe Pame 35 medical personnel, comprising of medical officers and nurses were trained under Dakshata in a period of six days.

The training focused upon improving care for mothers and newborns

WDCCI, NBCD caution against illegal price hike DIMAPUR: Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (WDCCI) and Notun Bosti Council Dimapur (NBCD) have cautioned business establishments and traders against illegal price hike of commodities.

WDCCI: Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industries (WDCCI) has warned all business establishments in Wokha district against charging exorbitant rates from customers and those indulging in the hoarding of commodities.

Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Renpithung Kikon reassured everyone that there was enough stock in the market.

In this regard, WDCCI has appealed to the public not to panic over the artificial shortage caused by unscrupulous means.

Further, WDDCI stated that it would remain vigilant on the market and strong action would be taken against

ciation (WVA) to highlight the lifesaving work carried out by veterinarians around the world.

It stated that WVD was also observed to recognise the contribution of veterinarians in the field of health care and medical science and to make the world a better and safer place for both animals and humans.

Further, he said that during the pandemic crisis, the veterinarians responded and played a crucial role in the service of public and taking care of animal welfare.

Several pets availed free vaccine at the free vaccination camp.

SRGBA inspects schools, health centres

family and prayed for the departed to rest in eternal peace.

NPCC minority department: NPCC minority department Dimapur while expressing grief over the demise of late Rahman said that unlike most in the political parties today, “he had larger goals and commitment in his mind and heart in providing leadership to the citizens of Nagaland particularly the minorities in the state”.

A condolence note through its state chairman Rajesh Kumar Sethi said that he was one of the forward-looking young leaders who was at ease with the latest trends as well as Indian politics.

NPCC minority department conveyed its condolences to his family and prayed for his soul to rest DIMAPUR: Joint Director in peace. & SPO (in-charge), National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) H&FW, Dr. Neisakho Kere has informed that over the president, Hovito Chishi last decade, Nagaland made acknowledged the Advisor major progress in the fight for sparing his time to inter- against malaria. act with the party workers.

“Malaria positive cases Party workers also shared in the state have declined their thoughts and also from 4959 in 2010 to 12 suggested ways to make the positive cases in 2020 and it party grow stronger in the is with the concerted efforts days to come. of all that malaria positive Others who spoke in cases have sharply declined the meeting were ex- min- over the years”, Dr. Neisisters shri. kakheto Kinimi akho Kere stated in a press and ex-minister shri. Kheto release.

Kinimi.

On account of “world The consultative meet- malaria day 2021” which ing was attended by rank would be celebrated on April and files of BJP 31AC Aku- 25 on the theme “reaching luto and party workers. the zero malaria target”, Dr.

BJP 31 Akuluto A/C consultative meet

Kiphire

Mon

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residents and public within Notun Bosti colony that assembly of four or more persons was restricted from 8 p.m.- 5 a.m. and to follow Covid appropriate behaviours while availing essential commodities or going out.

Fur ther, NBCD inf o r m e d h o u s e ow n e r s, parents and residents of Notun Bosti to give personal information of returnees to the district control room at WhatsApp number 7630877983/7630877991 and report it to action committee for COVID-19, Notun Bosti convenor and member secretary at 9612916007/ 7005125739 before their arrival to the colony.

It has also urged returnees/person arriving from outside the state to remain in self isolation for 10 days or if test results were awaited.

NBCD stated any person found violating the order would be dealt with as per DC Dimapur order with effect from April 23.

with an aim to reduce maternal and child mortality during childbirth and to provide quality service during delivery.

During the training, mannequins and dummies were used to demonstrate normal delivery, essential newborn care, and newborn resuscitation.

Resource persons senior specialist (OBG) from IMDH Mokokchung, Dr. Supongmeren and senior consultant UNICEF, Dr. Longri Kichu provided the training to the healthcare workers.

The training was imparted to medical officers, community health officers,

and nurses in two batches with the first batch from April 19 to 21 and the second batch from April 22 to 24.

It may be mentioned that Dakshata training is a technical update-cum-skills standardisation training to improve care and survival of mothers and new-borns through hands on training with the latest clinical updates.

T h e t r a i n i n g wa s carried out under strict COVID-19 SOPs and after prior testing. The training also deliberated on COVID-19 control and improving indicators for the aspirational district.

Advisor to CM holds meeting with heads of offices at Wokha DIMAPUR: Advisor to state chief minister, Abu Metha held a meeting with heads of offices of Wokha district at DC’s conference hall, Wokha on April 23.

While interacting with officers of the district, Abu Metha ensured the officers in the district that the government and its agencies would support them in implementing any government policies in a meritorious and just manner.

He said that the state government took a decision in 2020 to ban all appointment of government posts in view of the various factors primarily because of the Covid scenario and economic condition of the state.

However, he informed that the cabinet had recently taken a decision to lift the ban of appointment but on the condition that each department highlighted why the particular appointment had to be done.

He informed that this would be approved through proper channel of head of departments, approved by P&R and receive recommendation from the cabinet for appointment.

Highlighting various government policies, he said that the state government recently took a decision

to institute Public Park in all district headquarters and urged district administration to identify space and send report for the same.

He informed that the government was undertaking exercise on comingup with a blue print for sports development in the state and appealed to the administration to identify space for district level sports centre.

In this regard, he appealed to the district sports council to ensure that its policy and fund was in line with the state sports council.

Another area which the state government announced was budgetary provision for innovation fund to be implemented in each district, on which he urged the district to come up with ideas for effective implementation.

Abu Metha shared that if the pandemic reached to a better scenario, the government would be hosting the 2nd edition of Nagaland Olympics and urged the district to prepare their team for participation.

Addressing on RIIN, the advisor stated that the intention of the state government for implementation of RIIN in Nagaland was not for anything else but to incorporate the interest of Naga citizens.

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2 abducted ONGC staff rescued in Nagaland

ONGC officials Alakesh Saikia and Mohini Mohan Gogoi rescued by Indian Army along with Assam Rifles in an operation on Friday at Mon in Nagaland. (PTI) Kolkata, April 24 (IANS): Two of the three employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), abducted by the militants of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) from Assam, were rescued by the security forces after a gunfight in Nagaland’s Mon district, TNIE report stated.

“In an operation last (Friday) night, Indian Army along with Assam Rifles

troops rescued two abductees in the general area of Mon. Operations are still in progress. The names of rescued abductees are Alakesh Saikia and Mohini Mohan Gogoi. One AK 47 has also been recovered,” Army sources said.

Junior engineering assistant Saikia and junior technician Gogoi were abducted along with Ritul Saikia, also a junior technician, from an ONGC work

Minor domestic help burnt alive in Assam, father and son held

Guwahati, April 24 (IANS): The Assam police have arrested a man and his son for allegedly burning alive a minor domestic help in Nagaon district, police said on Saturday. The victim, a 12-year-old tribal girl and an inhabitant of adjoining Karbi Anglong district, was allegedly burnt alive by her employers on Thursday.

She was pregnant.

According to police in Guwahati, police from the Raha station in Nagaon district on Friday arrested 70-year-old Prakash Borthakur and his 25-year-old son Nayanmoni Borthakur in connection with the crime following complaints from the local residents. A police official said that the accused claimed that the girl committed suicide but initial investigation found that the girl was murdered. The body of the girl has been sent for autopsy. The girl had been working as domestic help with Borthakur’s family in Khaighar village for five years and was not allowed to go home in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district. The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) in a statement said that according to the neighbours, the victim was physically and mentally abused regularly by Barthakur’s family and she was pregnant.

The ASCPCR directed the police and the district administration of Nagaon district to probe the case swiftly and prepare the charge-sheet by incorporating relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, besides the provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

over rig site in the Lakwa field of Assam’s Sivasagar district in the wee hours of Wednesday by five ULFA militants.

In a statement, the ULFA said the three ONGC employees were handed over to the villagers of Totokchingnyu as the outfit was concerned about their safety amidst the gunfight.

“Since the security forces have not said anything about the fate of the

third person, we suspect that he was either killed or kept hidden by the security forces deliberately,” the statement said. The ULFA said it had exchanged fire intermittently with over 500 personnel of Army, Assam Rifles, and police from 10 p.m. of Friday till 2.30 a.m. of Saturday. The Assam police earlier arrested 14 people, including ULFA sympathizers, in connection with the incident.

Official sources in Nagaland said the gunfight broke out at around 2 a.m. at a forested area near Totokchingnyu village in Mon. The sources could not specify the number of the militants but confirmed that it was a mixed group of militants from the ULFA and the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K) faction or NSCN (YA).

“The personnel had managed to rescue the two persons during the gunfight.

The third person is still in the custody of the militants.

An operation to rescue him is on,” the sources added.

DC Mon refutes ULFA claim: Refuting the claims made by ULFA that it had left the three abducted ONGC employees at Totokchingnyu village, DC Mon Thavaseelan K said two of the three abducted ONGC employees were found on the “other side of the road” of the village after a combing operation and not in the village. He said that if they were left in the village among the people, no firing would have taken place.

“If there was exchange of gun fire in the village, many people would have been injured or died,” he said while terming ULFA(I) claim as “not true”.

Thavaseelan said that combing operation was still on to find out the third abducted person.

98 more air passengers flee Assam hospital to escape COVID testing S i l c h a r ( A ssam ) , Apr 24 (PTI): A total of 98 air passengers fled a hospital to avoid mandatory COVID-19 testing after landing at Silchar airport in Assam’s Cachar district, a health department official said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday, two days after 385 air passengers created disorder at the airport and a hospital and fled without undergoing the test.

The Assam government has made it mandatory for all airpassengers arriving in the state to undergo free Rapid Antigen Test followed by an RT-PCR test for Rs 500 even if the report of the RAT comes negative.

The passengers are tested at the Kumbhirgram Airport in Silchar and the nearby Tikol Model

Hospital.

On Friday, altogether 511 passengers landed at the airport by various flights, and 76 among them were exempted from testing as they were transit passengers going to other northeastern states, the District Media Expert, Health Department, Suman Choudhur y, told PTI. While 337 passengers were tested at the Tikal Model Hospital where six tested positive for COVID19 virus, the remaining 98 fled, the official said.

The matter is under investigation, Choudhury said.

Some passengers alleged that the testing system was not up to the mark at the hospital while several others complained over payment Rs 500 for the RTPCR test, Choud-

hury said.

There were also complaints that the passengers were taken from the airport to the hospital in overcrowded buses, violating the social distancing norm.

Earlier on Wednesday, 385 passengers fled to escape the mandatory COVID-19 testing.

The Silchar Airport director said in a statement later said that the incident did not take place inside the airport and no passenger has “escaped from security checks or the designated area at passenger’s terminal building”.

Cachar district Additional Deputy Commissioner, Health, Sumit Sattawan, had said that passengers had violated the rules and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them.

Manipur records this year’s biggest Vax drive for those above 18 yrs single-day jump of 130 COVID cases may be delayed: Tripura official Correspondent IMPHAL, APR 24: Manipur on Saturday recorded 130 new coronavirus infections, the highest single-day rise so far this year, which took the total COVID-19 cases to 30,281. The death toll also climbed to 383 with two new fatalities in the past 24 hours, the state health department data updated on Saturday at 5pm revealed.

The number of active cases surged to 705 as the state registered a steady increase for the 7th straight day and the recovery rate further dropped to 96.40 per

cent, the data stated. With the discharge of 13 patients, the number of people who have recuperated from the disease increased to 29,193, while the fatality tally rose to 383 with two more lives claimed by the viral infections in the last 24 hours.

The two fatalities were reported in the twin capital districts with one 46-year-old woman from Imphal West and 63-year-old man from Imphal East district.

As per the update data, of the 130 new infections, three were CAPF personnel and of the 127 persons from the general population, two

were out of 18 air passengers who tested on their arrival at Imphal Airport. The twin capital district continued to share a maximum number of 73 new infections with 50 in Imphal West and 23 in Imphal East districts.

A sudden jump in the new infections was also reported in Kakching district where 30 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours. Among other districts, seven cases were reported in Bishnupur, five each in Ukhrul and Chandel districts, three in Kangpokpi and two each in Thoubal and Churachandpur districts.

Agartala, Apr 24 (PTI): The COVID-19 vaccination drive for people in the age group of 18 to 44 years in Tripura is likely to be delayed as the vaccine manufacturer has not yet assured supply of doses on time, a senior health department official said on Saturday.

National Health Mission (NHM) Director Dr Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal said that the state government is fully prepared to start the vaccination programme scheduled on May 1 but the vaccine manufacturer is yet to confirm the dates for supply of the doses.

“We are in constant touch with the vaccine manufacturer, but they are yet to confirm the exact date of supply of doses.

They informed us that the vaccine will be delivered to Maharashtra first as the situation is grave there and then they would consider supplying vaccines to Tripura”, he told reporters.

Jaiswal said the state government had made all preparations for vaccination of those who are above 18 years of age and below 45 years and funds were also sanctioned for the project.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Aizawl to be in railway map in next two years: Official Aizawl, Apr 24 (PTI): Mizoram capital Aizawl will be on the railway map in the next two years as construction of the 51.38 km long stretch of the broad gauge railway line between Sairang and Bairabi on the Mizoram-Assam border is expected to be completed by December 2023, a railway official said.

Sairang is about 20 km from Aizawl.

The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) official said on Friday that work is in progress at different stages and almost all tenders for various works have been finalised.

He said that 89.55 per cent of earthwork, 37 per cent of major bridges and about 73.26 per cent of minor bridges have been completed.

Twenty one per cent of the construction of cut and cover tunnels has also been completed, he said.

There are 32 tunnels (12.67 km total length), 16 cut and cover tunnels (2.58 km total length) along the 51.38 km long stretch of the broad gauge railway line, which traverses through Thingdawl and Tlangnuam Blocks of Kolasib district and Aizawl district.

There are 55 major bridges of which six are tall bridges having a height of more than 70 m (the tallest being 101.4 m), 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges and eight road

IMPHAL, APR 24: There is no dearth of medical oxygen in the state, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said on Saturday, adding that the state was set to face the second wave of the pandemic.

The chief minister was talking to reporters after handing over 15 basic life support ambulances to chief medical officers (CMOs) of some districts at a function held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The ambulances were donated by National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) to the state government.

“There is enough stock of medical oxygen in the state,” Singh said, adding that the state currently has 1098 D-type cylinders, 242 oxygen concentrator machines and 90 ventilators.

In addition to the existing three oxygen generating

N Biren Singh handing over basic life support ambulances donated by NHIDCL to district CMOs. units, the government had given permission for oxygen production to Shija Hospitals as well, he added.

Stating that there is enough stock of Remdesivir medicine as well, the chief minister further said that another 1000 vials would arrive on April 25.

Regarding recent measures taken up to fight the second wave of COVID-19 that hit the state, Singh informed that 100 beds at JNIMS hospital and 52 beds at RIMS hospital were kept

reserved for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

In addition to this, he said, all the district hospitals and different private hospitals also have dedicated COVID beds with 10 beds each in all the district hospitals. Reminding that self-discipline was the only means to get rid of the pandemic, Singh also made an earnest appeal to people of the state to have the sense of responsibility and strictly follow COVID appropriate behaviours considering the

severity of the pandemic in its second wave.

Meanwhile, the chief minister appreciated Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari and NHIDCL for providing 15 ambulances to the state government at this difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that one ambulance each would be handed over to Kakching CHC, Ukhrul District hospital, Thanlon PHC and Haochong PHC while the remaining would be kept at the directorate of health services headquarters for the time being for further handing over to different districts in case of exigency.

The chief minister also acknowledged services rendered by NHIDCL in improving the road connectivity in the state. He said that NHIDCL has been doing tremendous road infrastructure development works in the state in the past few years.

gauge line was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014.

The project was started in 2015 and was initially scheduled to be completed by 2018.

The project could not be completed on time due to several hurdles, including hilly terrain, deep valleys and gorges, frequent landslides, short duration of working season due to monsoon and lack of labour and construction materials in the state.

The project when completed will open good economic opportunity as commodities will be transported in much cheaper, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way and state farmers will be able to send their produce to the wider market of the various states at a cheaper rate and in a time-bound manner.

Aizawl, Apr 24 (PTI): Sixty-three fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the state’s tally to 5,283, an official said on Saturday.

The new cases were reported from Aizawl district (52), Lawngtlai (7) and two cases each from Lunglei and Champhai districts, the official said.

Fifty-four cases were detected during contact tracing while nine patients have A technician refills medical oxygen cylinders in an industrial facility to supply to hospitals for the treatment travel history, he said.

Mizoram now has of COVID-19 patients in Agartala, Saturday. (PTI) 644 active COVID-19 cases while 4,627 patients have recovered from the disease, the official said.

The state’s COVID-19 Dear Ama Nana, death toll so far is 12.

Mizoram has test- As you celebrate your this great day ed 2,87,694 samples for (25th April), we wish you a very Happy COVID-19 till date, includ- Birthday and many happy returns of ing 1,992 on Friday. the days.

According to state ImWith lots of love, munisation officer Dr LaEnin, Amen, Maong, Katijung & Moanen lzawmi, a total of 1,62,463 people, including 39,906 senior citizens have been IN THE COURT OF administered the first dose PRINCIPAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE of COVID-19 vaccine and MOKOKCHUNG : NAGALAND 40,512 have received both NOTICE S/C NO. 72/2021 doses of the vaccine so far.

134 new COVID-19 cases

Itanagar, Apr 24 (PTI): At least 134 more people, including 10 security personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 17,430, a senior health official said here on Saturday.

This is the highest single-day spike recorded in the state so far during the second wave of the pandemic, he said.

The death toll remained at 56 with no fresh fatality reported, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

Of the fresh cases, 123 were detected through rapid antigen test while eight through RT-PCR and three through TrueNAT method.

Barring 38, all the fresh cases were asymptomatic, the official said.

Thirty eight new cases

underbridges.

Apart from Bairabi, the railway line will pass through four stations - Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang and Sairang.

Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo on Friday visited various construction sites of the BG line and interacted with railway officials.

He shared positive feedbacks with the NFR officials and urged them to expedite the construction.

Chuaungo assured the commitment from the state government to tackle any issue that might hamper the construction works.

He exuded hope that the project when completed will unlock the untapped economic potential of the state.

The foundation stone of the Sairang-Bairabi broad

63 new cases push Mizoram’s COVID19 tally to 5,283

No dearth of medical oxygen in Manipur: CM Biren Arunachal Pradesh reports Correspondent

The 51.38 km long stretch of the broad gauge railway line between Sairang and Bairabi.

were reported from Lower Dibang Valley district, Capital Complex Region (37), West Kameng (18), Papumpare (11) and six from East Siang district.

Four cases each were also detected in West Siang and Changlang, three each in Lower Subansiri and Lohit, two each in Namsai and Tirap and one in Leparada district, the SSO said.

The state now has 453 active COVID-19 cases.

Five army personnel, two CRPF jawans and three officials of the NDRF are among the fresh cases.

As many as 34 labourer of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and two health care workers have also contracted the disease, Dr Jampa said.

Sixty-one more persons recuperated from the disease on Friday taking the total recoveries in the state to 16,921, the SSO said.

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-I OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Nungsangmeren has been applied by Shri/Smti Shijungmongla, W/o Lt. Nungsangmeren R/o H.No 148, Dilong Ward, Mokokchung, Nagaland for possession of : (1) GPF (2) GIS (3) Gratuity (4) Leave Encashment (5) Pension etc (6) Closing of A/c Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/he so desire appear in this Court on or before the said date of 20/05/21.

Given under the hand and seal of the Court on this the 20/04/2021.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Mokokchung : Nagaland MKC-121

OFFICE OF THE

KOHIMA AOR TELONGJEM Kohima-797001, Post Box…Nagaland

INFORMATION The Kohima Aor Telongjem (KAT) during the General Meeting held on 10th April, 2021 at Molu Ki nominated the following new team of office Bearers for the tenure 2021- 2023.

1. Wb. Chubalepzuk Ao - President 2. Wb. Chubayanger Aier - Vice President 3. Wb. I.Lanusanen Jamir - General Secretary 4. Wb. Temjen Pongen - Asstt. General Secretary K-835

Sd/President, KAT

Delhi hospitals plead for oxygen

People queued up for refilling empty cylinders outside the oxygen shop, in New Delhi, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): Narin Sehgal, the director of a hospital in Delhi, really don’t know how to help his patients in a situation like this. Amid an unprecedented crisis over oxygen supply as the second coronavirus wave ravages the country, some “helpless” hospitals in Delhi are advising relatives to shift their patients to another facility, while several others have been left with no option but to use their backup stock.

Making an urgent plea for oxygen supply, Narin Sehgal, director Sehgal Neo Hospital, Meera Bagh, said the facility had 120 COVID19 patients out of the total 150 and oxygen was left for another two hours only.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

“Sixty COVID patients in my hospital are in dire need of oxygen,” Sehgal said through a video message. “I really don’t know how to help my patients in a situation like this,” Sehgal said. “I’ve been asking for help from everyone, but nothing is coming through.

Please help me!”

The Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, presently running on its backup oxygen supply, urged the prime minister, Delhi chief minister and other ministers for “immediate assistance”.

The Saroj Super Speciality Hospital, having not received oxygen refill for the past 44 hours, is now advising its patients to shift to other hospitals. “We’re

running low on oxygen and using our backup now. We have alerted our patients about the situation and are advising them to shift to another hospital. Things are really uncertain,” Saroj Super Speciality Hospital medical director P K Bhardwaj told PTI. Bhardwaj said the hospital, which needs three metric tonnes of oxygen per day on an average, was only getting around an MT of oxygen for the past few days.

Seventy patients at the hospital are currently on oxygen support. Sailing in the same boat is the Batra Hospital in Tughlakabad Institutional area. “We’ve run out of oxygen completely, even the backup,” Batra Hospital ex-

ecutive director Sudhanshu Bankata told PTI. “We feel helpless; have started asking families to take patients to other healthcare facilities where oxygen is available.”

Bankata had warned the authorities of such a situation earlier in the day when the hospital received an emergency oxygen supply moments around 9 am.

He had said the stock would “last another one-and-ahalf hours” only. There are around 350 patients admitted at the hospital, out of which 265 are coronavirus positive and 30 are in the ICU. Twenty critical patients died overnight at Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi amid a serious oxygen crisis. The hospital, which has over 200 patients, had only half an hour of oxygen left at 10.45 am.

The situation is equally worrisome at the Fortis Hospital, which is running on its backup oxygen supply, desperately waiting for the refill since morning.

“Fortis Shalimar Bagh is running out of oxygen.

Patients’ lives are at risk,” it tweeted, issuing an SOS. “We are running on backup, waiting for supplies since morning. We are currently suspending admissions. Request immediate assistance @PMOIndia @ArvindKejriwal @AmitShah @PiyushGoyal @rajnathsingh,” the hospital added.

Ensure free vaccination for all: Yechury NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding uninterrupted oxygen supply and a free and universal COVID-19 vaccination programme, days after he lost his son to the disease.

He also recommended the cancellation of Central Vista project and release of money collected under PMCARES fund for the supply of oxygen and COVID-19 vaccine.

“I am writing to you in great pain, distress and anguish. This unprecedented health and humanitarian crisis created by the second wave of COVID-19, is turning into a ‘tsunami’. The situation has been aggravated by the approach and attitude of the Union government,” Yechury said.

“I am writing to you on an URGENT basis to ensure two things on utmost priority: ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals and patients across the country by procuring it at any cost; and provide vaccines to all the state governments for a free and universal vaccination programme, bringing production of Indian vaccines under emergency provisions and importing from all available sources to prevent more deaths,” he said.

‘Lockdown areas with over 10% positivity’: AIIMS chief

Migrants arrive at the bus station to board buses to their native places during a weekend lockdown imposed by the government in Prayagraj, Saturday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (AGENCIES): Areas with Covid positivity rates over 10 per cent must be locked down, AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria told NDTV on Saturday, as the government scrambles to contain a deadly second wave that has triggered an oxygen crisis in Delhi and left India’s medical infrastructure near collapse.

Dr Guleria said the country’s healthcare system was paying the price for the government’s failure to anticipate the spread of infections via more aggressive variants of the virus and

flagged the urgent need to break the chain of transmission and reduce the skyrocketing active caseload.

“To my mind we need a two-pronged attack. One urgently work on improving healthcare infrastructure - whether hospital beds, medication or oxygen. Second - decrease the number of cases. We simply cannot continue to have such a large number of active cases...,” Dr Guleria said.

“To do this we need to look at areas with high infectivity (positivity) rates... if it is high then we need to have containment zones, even

lockdown, so the chain of transmission is broken and the number of cases falls,” he explained.

“The healthcare system is paying the price for the rise in infections... saving lives is important, but we have to break the chain of transmission and bring the cases down,” he stressed.

“We did not anticipate the rapid surge. The first wave was slower... we had time to increase everything - hospital beds, medication.

This time we were caught unawares but we should have been more cautious,” Dr Guleria said.

Arvind Kejriwal spending crores No-vaccine-shortage claim hollow: Chidambaram on publicity Delhi, says Ajay Maken NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The Congress on Saturday accused the Arvind Kejriwal government of spending crores on publicity but doing nothing in the past one year to augment oxygen storage capacity and set up new plants in the national capital.

Congress leader Ajay Maken said the Centre and the Delhi government can squabble later but they should at least work for public welfare and development during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a virtual press conference, he said the Centre has informed the High Court that it has sanctioned eight pressure swing absorption (PSA) plants but only one plant has been set up.

The Delhi government has not added even a single PSA plant in the past year and neither has it augmented the oxygen storage capacity in the national capital, he alleged.

“The central and Delhi governments are fighting with each other. The Delhi government and the Centre can fight later over who will rule, but at least work for public welfare and develop-

Manmohan Singh recuperating well from COVID-19

Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): Former prime minister Manmohan Singh is recuperating well from COVID-19 infection at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, a Congress leader said on Saturday. “Singh is stable and is progressing well. He has had no episodes of fever,” Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

The former prime minister was admitted to the premier hospital with mild fever on April 19, after he tested positive for COVID-19.

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NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday pointed to the shortage of vaccines and warned the government of more protests if people were turned away at hospitals.

Chidambaram welcomed the decision to vaccinate all above the age of 18 years from May 1. “However, we have to caution the government that this decision brings with it huge responsibilities,” he tweeted.

The former minister said the first and

Ajay Maken

ment,” he told reporters.

“Why oxygen plants have not come up in Delhi, whereas states like Rajasthan have set up 24 out of 37 PSA units sanctioned in the past one year and seven big oxygen storage plants,” he asked.

“Instead of doing their bit, they are trying to put the blame on each other to divert the attention. What the Delhi government and the central government has done is criminal. They have not spent a single penny on enhancing oxygen supply and adding storage capacity in Delhi in the past year,” he said, urging them to provide at least oxygen to people struggling to get it.

Maken alleged that the Delhi government spent Rs 355 crore on advertisement

and publicity in the last year and another Rs 467 crore has been earmarked as publicity budget for this year.

With a total of Rs 822 crore being spent on advertisements and publicity on Delhi in the last two years, one can set up as many as 800 oxygen plants, adding 750 metric tonnes capacity of oxygen, but the government will not take such a step in public welfare, he alleged.

“The media should put the governments in the dock and question them.

Then only pressure will be built on the governments to act. The accountability of governments and leaders is a must,” the former Union minister said, urging the media to highlight the truth.

foremost requirement was the availability of vaccines, adding that there were widespread complaints about the lack of supply of the jabs.

“The government’s claim that there is no shortage of vaccines is hollow and untrue,” he said. “When the surge in demand happens on May 1 and more people flock to hospitals for vaccination, will there be adequate stocks of vaccines all over the country?” he asked.

Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel tests positive for COVID-19 Ahmedabad, Apr 24 (PTI): Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on Saturday informed that he has tested positive for coronavirus infection.

Patel, 64, who also holds the health portfolio, was admitted to the U N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre here after testing positive.

“I had my RT-PCR test done after showing mild symptoms of coronavirus, the result of which is positive. On the advice of doctors, I am getting admitted to UN Mehta Hospital,” he tweeted.

“I urge all of you who recently came in contact with me to take care of their health,” Patel added. Earlier in the day, he participated in a programme in Gandhinagar which was attended by UnionHome Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

States, UTs asked to provide adequate security to oxygen carrying vehicles: MHA NEW DELHI, APR 24 (AGENCIES): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday said it has written to all the states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure adequate security to oxygen transporting vehicles and to make provisions for exclusive corridors for the transportation of life saving gas.

The communication to the states and the UTs from the MHA went after a highlevel review meeting chaired

by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who directed the officials to take various measures to augment the supply of oxygen for medical purposes.

“Accordingly, an expert group is optimising and rationalising the allocation of oxygen to various states and UTs, keeping in view the active cases and to reduce time

for movement of medical oxygen,” the MHA said in an official statement.

It said the MHA had issued an order on April 22, 2021, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, directing the state/UTS to take various measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country.

“The MHA has today again written to all states and UTs to ensure compliance with the order and to provide adequate security to oxygen transporting vehicles and to make provisions for exclusive corridors for such transportation, treating these vehicles like ambulances,” the official statement read.

It said the Central government has already prohibited supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those for few essential sectors

through an order on April 18, 2021, which resulted in significant augmentation of supply of medical oxygen.

“Steps are being taken to further reduce consumption of industrial oxygen by industries, which will augment the supply of oxygen for medical purpose,” it added.

“MHA has further written to states/UTs, to direct District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners to list all the plants situated in their districts, in which different types of oxygen is generated, along with the installed capacity. They should also take action to revive those plants, which are lying closed. These efforts will ensure ready availability of oxygen at the district level, besides supply of medical oxygen from usual channels,” the statement read.

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6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXxI NO. 138 Dimapur, SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

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Polls over covid

hough the Election Commission of India(ECI) may have been legally correct in rejecting the petition of the Trinamool Congress for clubbing all remaining phases of polls (sixth, seventh and eighth) in view of the massive COVID spike in West Bengal ; the ECI’s response attracted flak from various quarters. The COVID spike in West Bengal after election campaigns began is without debate. West Bengal recorded 216 COVID-19 cases on February 26, when the poll schedule was announced and later after campaigns began, the number shot up to 5,892

by April 14. The eight-phase poll schedule - one of the longest assembly elections in India was decided by the ECI so that “the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols could be maintained”. Instead, the long-phased polls that came amidst gradual rise in COVID cases in India, has done just pposite, say public health experts. The poll schedule has led to an exponential rise in the number of cases. The voting kicked off March 27 and will wind up April 29. The result will be announced May 2. Even before the opposition parties sought clubbing of all phases together, the health experts had written to the ECI to point to the fact that political meetings and campaigns had expedited the spread of the virus since no political party adhered to COVID-19 norms. The health experts pointed out that movement of people, including paramilitary forces, star campaigners and their associates, has aided the spread of the virus. However, the ECI did not respond. The ECI’s stand on election law, was exposed when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who tested positive for COVID-19 April 14 held a public rally in Hoogly district on April 8.While some former Election Commissioners said the stand of the ECI against clubbing all phases together was as per the Representation of People’s Act 1951, another former EC S.Y. Quraishi said though the Law doesn’t allow shortening the campaign period from the prescribed 14 days; however, postponing /extending by a few days was possible. That’s why, he said, clubbing with the last phase was possible. The daily spike in Covid cases continued to break the record on April 15, when West Bengal recorded another all-time high of 12,876 new cases with 56 deaths during the past 24 hours. Belatedly, the ECI has banned rallies and meeting besides extending the ‘silence period’ from 48 to 72 hours to ‘stop the spread. Three issues are involved here: one, an election itself becoming a potential virus spreader; two, the difficulty of organising voting amid restrictions; and 3, Covid restrictions coming in the way of free and fair election campaigning. Election without meetings and campaign rallies is meaningless and is like bolting the stable after the horses have fled. The ECI has not so accommodative to various requests of the opposition parties not only in this case but also in the past. It may be recalled that on April 23, the ECI had again rescheduled the date for the by-election to Pipili Assembly constituency, Odisha in view of Eid celebrations. The ECI’s role as an independent constitutional body came under flak from various sections besides political parties especially over its 8-phased polls to the 294- member West Bengal assembly amid growing concerns of COVID. In contrast the ECI held a one-phase poll in Tamil Nadu for the 234-member legislative assembly.

DailyDevotion The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success

Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you… —Luke 10:20 Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20, Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.

Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.

Quotes

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ~ Socrates

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

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The doublespeak on the pandemic

ne swallow doesn’t make a summer but one Ambani, Anmol, speaking out against the lockdown makes for an interesting situation. Recently, the son of Anil Ambani lashed out against the Government for imposing a new lockdown while the politicians were busy addressing poll rallies in Bengal and other States. This exposes their doublespeak and begs the question: Does COVID-19 spare the polling States where Narendra Modi and Amit Shah address massive rallies? Thousands of security and election personnel have been moving from district to district, potentially becoming super-spreaders themselves.

Keep in mind that most of these rallies are attended by people who don’t follow any social distancing or wear masks.

Anmol is quite right when he questions the definition of “essential services”. A waiter/server or night shift cab/auto driver is also doing essential

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work for his family; why is their work not essential?

They have already been hit hard due to the previous curfews and lockdowns.

Why are there restrictions when the mortality rate for India is reportedly about 1.12 per cent? The chances of a family or a person dying from hunger and depression are much higher than the probability of dying from COVID. Besides, these figures don’t distinguish people with comorbidities. My own uncle passed away after battling cancer for over a year. His health was at its worst when he got infected with COVID-19 in the hospital. His case was not classified as a cancer death but as COVID-19 death.

There are thousands of other cases too that have been reclassified, and the Government is not really being transparent on the real dangers of COVID, or maybe it plans to use the viral disease as a shield for announcing more sinister schemes.

Away from the Am-

bani High tower, Rakesh Tikait thinks similarly.

He has openly stated that the Government will use lockdowns and curfew to remove the farmer encampments at Delhi’s borders. It was also no surprise that days before his rallies in Rajasthan and Gujarat, the States mandated the RT-PCR test as an essential requirement for entry and imposed curfews and lockdowns.

The chronology further proves Anmol’s point, that lockdowns are being used for political advantage, for “control” and not for “safety” or “health”. Tikait has warned the Government that it should not mistake the farmers’ agitation for Shaheen Bagh protests.

Anmol endorses Tikait’s views that “the farmer and his soil are being corporatised and colonised” (using COVID19).

Branching off a bit, why has Delhi imposed a night curfew? Arvind Kejriwal is one of the most respected Chief Ministers and also a technocrat. He

Defend Democracy by election procedure

he word election is mysterious in its own right, esoteric. If we consider the word literally, then it makes sense to choose. Election, that is choosing your choice of mind. There is no pressure in the election process.

But nowadays, the meaning of elections is more than politics. Elections are held on the day of arrival in the country. Whether it is Panchayat or Zilla Parishad, Legislatures of states and members of Parliament - the election movement continues. Decades ago, elections were seen as a national celebration. But nowadays the election has started to appear as an arena of politics or a market of rivalry.

Elections are held under the purview of the Constitution of Bharat.

The constitution is a written document, which defines fundamental political principles establishing the structure, processes, powers and duties of government. It limits the power of government to prevent exploitation and guarantee some rights of the people. The term constitution can be applied to any overall law that defines the functioning of government. Dr. B.R. Ambedakar drafting committee was set up by the Constituent Assembly on 29 August 1947 to prepare the Bharatiya Constitution under the chairmanship of Ambedkar . There were 165 days periods took nearly three years to eleven session constitution drafting. The Constitution of Bharat draws heavily from Western legal traditions in the framework of the principles of liberal democracy, with a lower and upper house of the British parliamentary pattern as follows. It is a symbol of some fundamental rights, which are similar to the bill announced by the United States Constitution. This confirms the acceptance of references from the United States to the Supreme Court concept. British Government of Bharat Act , 1935, the same as the basic governing document of the country independent Government Contracts facility has not accepted back restored the empire and then the Constitution became the Republic of the Dominion of Bharat. To ensure constitutional autonomy, its framers repealed the earlier laws of the British Parliament by implementing Article 395 of the Indian Constitution. But the nature of the constitution remained the same.

All elections or to hold up the electoral roll for the elections and all those superintending the conduct of elections,direction and control of the Election Commission would, it was ensured . Election Commission the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to set the time, shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners appointed, subject to the provisions made went method in this behalf by Parliament while, to be made by the President. Babasaheb Ambedkar stated in the Constituent Assembly on June 15, 1949 that “the entire electoral machinery should be in the hands of a Central Election Commission , which would be entitled to issue instructions to returning officers, polling officers

ought to know that 10 pm-5 am is the time of least activity and may not have any impact on the COVID numbers, but it will definitely have a deep impact on the livelihoods of lakhs of Delhiites who work night shifts, and the food industry, apart from others. One hopes that Kejriwal sees sense and does not play into the BJP’s hands. The Delhi curfew needs to be lifted; it is directed towards the farmers’ revolution and a further “transfer of wealth” and not for the health of Delhiites.

Anmol “dares to be naive”, as his Twitter bio states, by speaking out against the great “transfer of wealth” done by looting ordinary people. Keep in mind that his own family is the beneficiary of this “loot”, and still he has the courage to speak out.

Bravo! Both Adani and Reliance have grown to be economic behemoths during the lockdown and now control everything — from your cooking oil

to the airports. Any more lockdowns will only kill small businesses and traders, along with farmers, and taking advantage of the economic meltdown will be the new emperors of India.

His most dire warning, especially coming from an Ambani, should jolt even the most conservative among us: “To control every aspect of your life — a technocracy exactly like China — a totalitarian bio-surveillance fascist State controlled from the outside.” But could this really happen?

Think for a second about the Aroyga Setu app, which even Rahul Gandhi said was a “sophisticated surveillance tool ”; now add thousands of CCTV cameras deployed all over our cities, with AIbased Aadhaar-equipped facial recognition systems and newer digital control tools like vaccine app, and so on. Today, India has moved way past China when it comes to citizen surveillance and domestic

espionage.

As you read this, thousands of IB operatives are reporting on the farmers’ revolutions across the country, sending in live feeds for a cloud-based AI to compute and track citizens.

The Modi Government has already built a strong Big Brother State, which is watching you each time you take off your mask or speed past 50kmph. The digital dictatorship is already upon us; Anmol has done a courageous act by exposing it. This step may put his own life at risk, yet he has acted for us all. We must understand this new threat and prepare ourselves to battle COVID19 and the Government’s tyranny together.

Indra Shekhar singh (The author writes on agriculture and environment, and is a former Director — Policy & Outreach, National Seed Association of India. The views expressed are personal.)

Medical Oxygen 101: Five fatal points

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t is a horrifying nightmare to behold. Across India, even in the most developed of States, a shortage of medical oxygen in hospitals continues to claim the lives of people who would have otherwise survived. Contrary to what people think, oxygen and medical oxygen are not the same. So what is medical oxygen, and why are hospitals running short on it?

What does this mean for Nagaland?

The air that we normally breathe comprises of a mixture of various gases namely, 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and small amounts of other gases.

This air is processed inOxygen Manufacturing Plants to produce oxygen of different grades for industrial and medical use. Medical grade oxygen used in Indian hospitals, comprises of minimum 90% oxygen with 5% nitrogen and 5% argon.On April 12, 2021 the Central Health Ministry stated that the medical oxygen consumed was3842 MT per day. In India, 7127 metric tonnes (MT) of liquid oxygen is produced per day, of which 2500MT is used for industrial purposes. This means that there is only 4600MT remaining for medical use.

So why is there a national shortage?

Firstly, the number of active cases in India has almost doubled from 12,64,000 on April 12, to 21,57,000 on April 21.

This means that the daily requirement of oxygencan be conservatively estimated to have increased to more than 6000MT/ day, while supply remains fixed at 4600MT.There are currently 384 active cases in Nagaland, as of April 23.

Secondly, in the second wave there are more hospitalized Covid patients reporting shortness of breath, and requiring supplemental oxygen during treatment, as compared to the first wave from 2020.

Thirdly, transport of medical oxygen to different parts of India poses a huge problem. Liquid oxygen is transported in cryogenic tankers, and there simply aren’t enough in India as almost all hospitals face a shortage.

Additionally bad roads, make many areas inaccessible or extremely expensive (as prices increase to cover vehicle repair costs).

In Nagaland itself, it is reported that one trip to remote towns in Eastern Nagaland with a tanker carrying around 60,000 liters of medical oxygen cylinders costs an astonishing Rs. 80,000 due to the condition of the bad roads. This means that there are hospitals which cannot restock on medical oxygen due to financial constraints. Repairing the roads and improving connectivity among cities would resolve this issue.

Fourthly, there is a lack of awareness amongst local hospitals on the amount of oxygen consumed per patient. According to Dr Kamna Kakkar, senior resident, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at PGIMS Rohtak, a single patient on high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) uses over 86,000 litres of oxygen per day. To give an example, District hospitals in Nagaland are said to roughlyhave a storage of100,000 litres of medical oxygen on average. Moderate cases require 6000-7000 litres a day, however, a single emergency could wipe out hospital reserves within 3-4 days.

Fifthly, there is improper storage of medical oxygen. Currently, there are three types of types of storage of medical oxygen in hospitals -Oxygen Cylinders, Liquid Oxygen, and Oxygen Concentrators. Oxygen Cylinders are often used in small towns as they are readily available. Many cylinders (often Type J Cylinders with

a capacity of 6800litres) are often stored together and rigged to a pipeline to supply oxygen. Liquid Oxygen is stored in Vacuum Insulated Evaporators which can hold large amounts of liquid oxygen. It is often used in big hospitals. Oxygen Concentrators are electrically operated medical devices which purify raw air to produce medical oxygen. It is highly useful for hospitals which face issues transporting cylinders, and suitable for many hospitals in Nagaland. Eg., It is used in African countries where road access is difficult. A setback of oxygen concentrators is that its maximum flow output may be insufficient in high oxygen consumption instances.

The main source of medical oxygen is called the primary supply of the hospital. However, most hospitals do not have a secondary supply, located at a separate location, in case there is a failure of the primary supply or an accident.

Additionally, most hospitals do not have an alarm system in place to detect leaks and mishaps. A single leak can cost lives, as seen in the Nashik tragedy where 22 people died due to oxygen shortage caused by a leak. Lastly, hospital staff must be trained to handle instances of failure of primary supply, and a switch over to the secondary supply. These are requisites, which hospitals in Nagaland desperately need to implement.

In conclusion, I’d like to add that it was recently reported that the Nagaland State Government plans to complete constructing Oxygen Plants in 11 District hospitals by May 2021. This is an emergency measure that must be completed efficiently and adequately at the earliest to save the lives of our people before we are faced with more fatalities.

Nikili V. Rochill n.rochill42@gmail.com

and others. “Part 15 of the Constitution of Bharat explains the election from Article 324 to Article 329. Article 324 states the superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in the Election Commission.

The Constitution has given the Election Commission the responsibility of conducting elections in Article 324 itself. Mohinder Singh Gill vs. Chief Electoral The Supreme Court ruled in the Commission case is that the Commission reimburse the laws made by Parliament as the Constitution creator can there, where the law in a situation arising during the conduct of election in a large democracy like Bharat. No adequate provision has been made in relation to this. Using these powers, the Commission implements the Model Code of Conduct. Article 324 provides protection to the Election Commission, but does not allow it to become law itself. The Election Commission is responsible for conducting the election work in Bharat in an impartial manner. It implements the Model Code of Conduct for political parties in every election so that the dignity of democracy is maintained.

The electoral process and inhumanity of the present West Bengal is repeatedly indicating whether the dignity of democracy will be maintained. Bharat is independent. The citizen of Bharat is independent.

There are fundamental rights of the citizen - the right to speak, a right to do. Presently, it is seen that under the guise of fundamental rights, the rules and laws mentioned in the Articles of the Constitution are not just ordinary citizens, if they are government officials holding constitutional posts or politicians are leaving no stone unturned. Opponents are taking the place of enmity. Abuses are becoming common in public meetings. The scene of modern Mahabharata looks frightening. Do not those who cry for the protection of democracy from this flow of politics see the demise of democracy? Brother, human humanity ah’s friend.

Today, the time seems to be deeply contemplated and contemplated by this ugly and frightening form of the electoral process. The Constitution of Bharat and its nature should be discussed. Eligibility for nomination in politics should also be considered.

It has become very important to consider the process of campaigning in the election process as well. The citizen of Bharat is also a human. If the humanness of the human being gets fragmented, then is there any justification for the fundamental right conferred on the constitution to a citizen? Protection and Promotion of democracy there is a need to consider the nature of the current democracy within the scope the nature of people.

We have to defend our democracy by stepping out of the purview of political rancour. We have to get out of the realm of mutual political enmity. Sir, I would like to appeal to our State Government to close the educational institutions Being free from each other is the protection of democracy. Then democracy in the state as our neighbouring states have done to contain the covid situation. Children will be stronger in the atmosphere of are vulnerable and I pray that prompt action will be initiated by the authority. Let us not wait for the last moment till the situation runs out of control. love, harmony and peace.

Limasangla, Dimapur.

Pankaj Sinha, 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.

Reader’s Post

Time to close the schools

Police personnels stand guard at the residence of Anil Deshmukh, Nagpur, Saturday. (PTI)

search operation at a number of locations including the premises of Deshmukh in Mumbai, Nagpur and other places, they said.

On March 25, Param Bir Singh had filed criminal public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe against Deshmukh who, he claimed, had asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to extort Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.

Waze is facing an NIA probe in the case of explo-

With liquor shops shut, 6 die in Maha after gulping sanitiser tims reportedly ran out of their liquor stocks as all wine shops are shut in the state. “As per preliminary probe, they could not get liquor from anywhere, so they opted to drink a bottle of hand sanitiser which also contains a substantial amount of alcohol. They were rushed for treatment to the local hospital where they succumbed,” Bhadikar told IANS. They have been identified as Datta Langewar, 42, Sunil Dengde, 35, Bharat Ruikar, 38, while the identities of the remaining three victims are yet to be ascertained, he said.

The distraught family members of the deceased were seen crying outside the hospital as the police attempted to prevent crowds from gathering there. Senior farmer leader Kishore Tiwari demanded that the state government must implement the policy of ‘microcontainment zones’ as the current stringent lockdown can backfire as people are now tired of restrictions.

Mehbooba Mufti

S R I NAG A R , A P R 2 4 (PTI): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the Centre’s “paranoia” about Kashmiris has touched “a new low” with social media accounts of government employees now allegedly being monitored.

The former J&K CMwas reacting to a news report she shared on Twitter. The report claimed that a new directive by the J&K administration requires the social media history of government employees to be scanned for objectionable activity. “Even as India gasps for breath, it’s paranoia about Kashmiris has touched a new low with social media of government employees now being monitored.,” Mehbooba said in her tweet.

COVID-19: TN to shut public places from April 26

CHENNAI, APR 24 (PTI): Cinemas, places of worship, malls, bars and salons must be shut effective April 26, the Tamil Nadu government announced on Saturday reintroducing more curbs following surging COVID-19 cases. People from abroad and other states shall be allowed entry to Tamil Nadu only if they have registered in the portal http://eregister.tnega.org and information on registration should be produced to authorities on arrival.

Those from neighbouring union territory of Puducherry are exempted from the e-registration norm, the

government said in an official release.

Recreation clubs, all types of bars, auditoriums, big format shops, shopping complexes and malls shall not be allowed to operate, the government said. In all corporation and municipal areas, beauty parlours spas and salons are not allowed and only takeaway services should be offered in restaurants, hotels and tea shops.

“In all places of worship, there will be no permission for the general public to offer worship,” the government said. However, there was no bar on employees continuing with usual wor-

ship and prayer sessions, it added. The general public must not be allowed in temple consecration functions too. Sporting activities, except those related to international and national level events, would also not be permitted.

Not more than 50 people may assemble for marriages and for funeral the upper limit is 25, the government said. The current restrictions like night curfew (10 pm-4 am), and Sunday lockdown would continue to be on.

Groceries and all other kinds of retail outlets may continue to operate as usual

and department stores could function without using airconditioning facility and by sticking to the ‘50 per cent’ customer capacity norm.

The state government had announced reintroduction of curbs like permission only for 50 per cent seating capacity in cinemas from April 10 and days ago it postponed class 12 public examination and came up with complete lockdown on Sundays and night curfew from 10 pm to 4 am, effective April 20 as virus cases continued to surge.

As on Friday, Tamil Nadu had close to one lakh active COVID-19 cases.

IAF brings 4 oxygen containers from Singapore New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI): The Indian Air Force on Saturday picked up from Singapore four cryogenic containers for storage of liquid oxygen, officials said. The containers were airlifted from Singapore by C17 heavy-lift aircraft of the IAF. The aircraft with four cryogenic oxygen containers landed at Panagarh airbase in West Bengal at around 4:30 pm, the officials said.

India is struggling with the second wave of the coronavirus infection and

CPI(M) leader blames TMC supremo for rise of RSS in WB

hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds in view of a rising number of COVID-19 cases. Since Friday, the IAF has been airlifting empty oxygen tankers and containers to various filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of the much-needed medical oxygen in treating COVID-19 patients.

The IAF was also transporting essential medicines as well as equip-

ment required by the designated COVID-19 hospitals in various parts of the country.

“The Indian Air Force is taking sorties to reduce the transportation time of Oxygen and other critical supplies. One C-17 has reached Changi airport in Singapore today. These containers of cryogenic oxygen tanks will help boosting the oxygen supply in the country,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office tweeted earlier.

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for ensuring that the COVID-19 pandemic is stopped from spreading to villages “by all means” and every person in rural areas is vaccinated, as he noted that the challenge before the country at present is bigger than last year.

Appreciating the role of panchayats in the management of coronavirus, especially in creating awareness, Modi asked the local leadership to work towards “complete implementation of guidelines” that are being issued from time to time.

“I have this confidence that if someone is going to emerge victorious first in this fight against the coronavirus, it is going to be India’s villages, the leadership of these villages..... The people of the villages will show the way to the country and the world,” the prime minister said.

Modi was speaking at a virtual event to launch the distribution of e-property cards under the ‘SWAMITVA’ scheme on the National Panchayati Raj Day. Chief ministers of eight states and a large number of local body representatives were also connected to the event virtually.

Underlining that the pandemic was prevented from affecting rural areas last year, he exuded confidence that the success can be replicated as the local leadership now has experience as well as knowledge.

Emphasising the need to get vaccinated, Modi said, “This time we have the shield of vaccine. We have to ensure that every person in the village is vaccinated and every precaution is taken.” He also stressed the need for precaution along with vaccination and said, “Right now, the mantra of the panchayats should be

dawai bhi, kadai bhi” (medicine as well as strictness).

To help the poor during this period, the Centre has decided to provide them free ration for May and June, the prime minister noted, adding this will benefit over 80 crore people and cost the government Rs 26,000 crore.

“It is our responsibility that in these difficult times, no family should go hungry,” Modi said.

He said the Centre is keeping villages at the centre of all its policies and initiatives.

“Our effort is that villages of modern India should be capable and selfreliant,” he said.

Talking about the SWAMITVA scheme, Modi said as many as 4.09 lakh property owners were being given their e-property cards, which also marked the rolling out of the SWAMITVA scheme for implementation across the country.

Describing the importance of panchayats, Modi said that the Centre has allocated an unprecedented Rs 2.25 lakh crore to the panchayats The panchayats are getting new rights, they are being connected by fibrenet. Their role in Jal Jeevan Mission to provide drinking water by tap to every household is very critical, the prime minister said.

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar attended the event along with chief ministers and ministers of various states.

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Mamata Banerjee

time running in 1991, and was dubbed `slayer of the giant slayer by the media for her efforts.

“There are some radical friends who tell us that in West Bengal Mamata is the face of the anti-BJP resistance and we have to go with her. But we must not forget that the ‘face’ and the reality may be two things Bhattacharya told PTI in an interview.

Ever since she set up her party, she (Banerjee) has been very close to RSS and all its manifestations here. I am not going into the matter of her participation in NDA govt as minister, but even today for all her slanging matches with Modi-Shah, her close relations with RSS continue,” she pointed out.

Banerjee’s attempt to wipe out the Left opposition from Bengal has helped the RSS exponen-

tially, she added. “One must not forget that her (Banerjee’s) rabid attempts to eliminate the Left opposition in the state both physically and politically and her demolition of democratic institutions has helped exponential growth of RSS in the state during her regime,” she said.

Bhattacharya also believes that communal conflict which was firmly dealt by the Left Front in Bengal, witnessed a “resurgence” during the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

Besides, a “rich syncretic tradition, this state also had a history of communal conflict till the 1960s.

The Left was able to deal firmly with the latter, but communalism not vanished,” she said, adding that during TMC’s rule, “stoking of these fires has seen resurgence of communal incidents.”

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KOLKATA, APR 24 (PTI): Former CPI(M) MP Prof.

Malini Bhattacharya, who had handed chief minister Mamata Banerjee, her sole electoral defeat in 1989, does not feel the TMC supremo is the face of the resistance to BJP, and believes her rule facilitated the rise of RSS in the state.

Bhattacharya, a leading academic, maintains Banerjee retains “close relations with the RSS even today while indulging in slanging matches with the BJP leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Disagreeing that there is any pro-BJP wave in West Bengal, the former academic, blames the rise of the saffron party primarily due to anti-incumbency against the TMC. B h a t t a c h a r ya wa s fielded by CPI(M) in 1989 against Banerjee who had in the previous general election burst on the political scene by emerging as a giant slayer by defeating prominent CPI(M) leader Somenath Chatterjee from Jadavpur, considered a Communist bastion for long.

To the sur prise of many, the Professor from Jadavpur University, managed to topple Banerjee and win the seat back for the CPI(M), just four years after the major upset. She won the Lok Sabha seat a second

with the CBI team which came for searches at my house,” Deshmukh told reporters.

He had resigned as a minister after the high court asked the CBI to probe the allegations.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, NCP spokesperson and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik said, “Nobody is above the law.

Anil Deshmukh is cooperating with the agencies.

“This is nothing but misuse of power to malign the state government and Anil Deshmukh. We have full faith in the judiciary and know that the truth behind the political conspiracy will be exposed through the probe,” he said.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said it would not be appropriate to comment on the CBI’s action.

“If there is a political agenda in the case against Anil Deshmukh, then the MVA government will take a stand. Hope the action against Deshmukh is restricted to directives of the high court,” he said.

Ensure COVID does not hit villages: Modi tells panchayats

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YAVATMAL, (MAHARASHTRA), APRIL 24 (IANS): In a bizarre incident, at least six persons died after consuming hand sanitiser as liquor was unavailable owing to the statewide lockdown in Maharashtra to check the raging Covid-19 pandemic, a top official said here on Saturday.

The incident happened in different areas of Vani town in Yavatmal district late on Friday when three persons were rushed to a local hospital with complaints of burns in the mouth and stomach, vomiting and giddiness. All the three persons died later. “Three others were also drinking alcoholbased hand sanitisers since the past couple of days, who died too. We have lodged three accidental death cases.

The other three victims did not go to the hospital. Further probe is on,” Yavatmal Superintendent of Police, Dilip Bhujbal, told IANS. According to the investigating officer (IO) at the Vani police station, D.B. Bhadikar, three of the vic-

sive- laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in Mumbai.

Singh had initially approached the Supreme Court, alleging he was transferred from the post of Mumbai police commissioner after he complained to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other senior leaders about the “corrupt malpractices” of Deshmukh, an NCP leader.

The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress share power

in Maharashtra.

The apex court had termed the matter as quite serious but asked Singh to approach the high court.

Singh then filed a PIL in the high court, seeking an “immediate, unbiased, impartial” probe by the CBI. In Mumbai, CBI teams conducted simultaneous searches at two properties linked to Deshmukh -- the state government’s `Dnyaneshwari’ bungalow in south Mumbai which was allotted to him when he was a minister, and his flat in Sukhada Apartment in Worli, an official said.

CBI officers wearing PPE kits and masks in view of the coronavirus situation conducted the searches that began early morning. They left around 4 pm.

In Nagpur, a CBI team which had arrived from Delhi on Friday night carried out searches at Deshmukh’s properties early Saturday morning.

They also wore PPE kits and masks.

The team left around 6.30 pm. “I cooperated

Mufti slams govt for monitoring social media

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CBI registers FIR against Anil Deshmukh

NEW DELHI, APR 24 (PTI): The CBI has registered an FIR against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with allegations of bribery against him and carried out searches at various locations in Mumbai and his hometown Nagpur on Saturday, officials said.

The NCP leader told reporters in Nagpur that he cooperated with the searches at his residence.

The probe agency had carried out a preliminary enquiry on the orders of the Bombay High Court to look into bribery allegations against him levelled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, officials said.

According to the officials, during the enquiry, the CBI got enough prima facie material to start a formal probe by registering a regular case against Deshmukh and other unidentified persons under the Prevention of Corruption Act. After registering the case, the CBI started a

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Institute defends Covishield pricing, COVID vax, oxygen exempted from custom duty Serum says initial rates based on advance funding

New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI): The government on Saturday exempted basic customs duty on import of COVID vaccine, medicalgrade oxygen and related equipment to boost domestic availability and make them cheaper amid rising infections across the country.

The decision to exempt customs duty was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost oxygen availability in the country.

“In order to augment their production and availability and to meet the rising demand, it was decided to grant full exemption from Basic Customs Duty and health cess on import of the following items related to oxygen and oxygen related equipment for a period of three months with immediate effect,” an official statement said.

It was also decided that basic customs duty on import of COVID vaccines

be also exempted with immediate effect for a period of three months, it added.

The 16 oxygen and related equipment on which duty has been waived include oxygen concentrator along with flow meter, regulator, connectors and tubing, oxygen canister, filling systems, storage tanks, cylinders, including cryogenic cylinders and tank.

Ventilators (capable of functioning as high-flow devices) with nasal canula; helmets for use with noninvasive ventilation, noninvasive ventilation oronasal

and nasal masks for ICU ventilators too have been exempted from the import duty and health cess.

“This will boost the availability of these items as well as make them cheaper.

The PM directed the Revenue Department to ensure seamless and quick customs clearance of such equipment,” the statement said.

The government presently levies 10 per cent customs or import duty on vaccines coming from overseas.

The exemption from import duty would help

keep low the cost of overseas vaccines that are being eyed to supplement domestically made shots ahead of opening COVID-19 vaccination to all citizens over 18 years of age. Import duty would have made the imported vaccines costlier than the ones made by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech.

While Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines are due to arrive this month or by next month, manufacturers like Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have been urged to seek emergency use approval in India.

Earlier, the government waived import duty on Remdesivir injection, and also banned its export.

The government earlier this month allowed the emergency use of imported vaccines to curb the spread of coronavirus infections.

With over 3.46 lakh daily new infections, the caseload has crossed 1.66

crore. India’s deaths from COVID-19 rose by a record 2,624 to over 1.89 lakh.

The government has taken a lot of measures in the last few days to improve oxygen and medical supplies.

IAF planes are bringing in cryogenic oxygen tanks from Singapore. It is also transporting oxygen tanks in the country to reduce travel time.

Similarly, in a major decision yesterday, free food grains will be given to 80 crore Indians in May and June 2021.

“The PM emphasised that there was an immediate need to augment the supply of medical grade oxygen as well as equipment required for patient care both at home and in hospitals. PM stressed that all ministries and departments need to work in synergy to increase the availability of oxygen and medical supplies,” the statement said.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI): Serum Institute of India (SII), which makes the most used COVID-19 vaccine in the country, on Saturday defended pricing Covishield vaccine at 1.5 times the initial rate, saying the earlier price was based on advance funding and now it has to invest in scaling up and expanding capacity to produce more shots.

The world’s largest vaccine maker, which manufactures Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at Pune, earlier this week announced a price of Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals and Rs 400 per dose for state governments and for any new contract by the central government.

It currently charges the central government Rs 150 per dose for the existing supplies.

The opposition parties had criticised the differential pricing for COVID-19 vac-

cines, saying it was discriminatory and will benefit only a “few big industrialists” while common people will suffer.

They had demanded the Centre and state governments pay the same price for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Serum Institute of India (SII) in a statement clarified that there was an “inaccurate comparison” done between the global prices of the vaccine with India.

“Covishield is the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine available in the market today,” SII said.

The initial prices were kept very low globally as

these were based on advance funding given by those countries for at-risk vaccine manufacturing, it added.

“The initial supply price of Covishield for all government immunization programme, including India, has been the lowest”, SII said.

Government procurement for countrywide immunization programmes in all countries, including India, has been at a far lower price as the volumes are very large, it added.

Emphasising that the company has to ensure sustainability, SII said, “The current situation is extremely dire; the virus is constantly mutating while the public remains at risk.

Identifying the uncertainty, we have to ensure sustainability as we must be able to invest in scaling up and expanding our capacity to fight the pandemic and save lives”.

Delhi traders to observe HDFC Bank deploys mobile ATMs across India Maha govt to float global tender for COVID-19 vaccine: Ajit Pawar lockdown for one more week

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Sa n F r a n c i s c o, April 24 (IANS): Snap, the parent company of snapchat, has paid $124.4 million to acquire Berlinbased Fit Analytics, a startup in the field of apparel and footwear technology.

Snap acquired Fit Analytics in March and now, a filing has put a price tag on that deal, reports TechCrunch.

The filing also revealed that Snap spent a total of $204.5 million on acquisitions in 2020.

Leading apparel brands and retailers across six continents, including North Face, Asos, Calvin Klein, Patagonia, Puma and more are using Fit Analytics’ platform to solve sizing at scale and deliver “meaningful bottom-line

impact”.

“We are excited to announce that Fit Analytics will become part of Snap. This acquisition will strengthen Fit Analytics’ position as an industry leader in apparel and footwear technology. If you are a Fit Analytics partner, this is only the beginning,” the company had said in a statement.

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Naga political issue belongs to the people...

(From p-1) Rio urged the ASU to be disciplined, obedient and hard working as they were the future leaders.

He also expressed appreciation to former leaders and said it was because of them that “we have a stand today”.

He said student life was limited and so they have to make right choices for their future so as to not regret them later.

Rio also stressed on the need for parents, students and the government to work hand in hand in order to improve the standards of education.

“We need reformation in government schools and it would not be possible without equal participation from the parents,” Rio said.

He said reformation would ensure that students from low-income families get quality education.

He also encouraged students to preserve their traditions and culture passed on by their forefathers.

On the present scenario, Rio expressed concern over vaccine hesitancy and felt there was need for the people to take the vaccine as only 15 percent of the population had so far been vaccinated.

He emphasized that it was important that all those qualified should get vaccinated for the safety of the general mass. He said the government was providing free vaccines and therefore people should set aside their fears and get vaccinated so as to return to normal life.

Earlier, in his presidential address, Angami Students’ Union president Vizokho Zashümo urged the gathering to reflect upon ethos of Angami community and encouraged the students to contribute their best towards the society.

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tion (NSF) president Ninoto Awomi acknowledged that the Angami community has been at the forefront of Naga history.

With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting all walks of life, Ninoto called upon the students join hands in the fight against the dreaded virus. Organising committee convenor Kesosul Christopher Ltu stressed on the need to bring about unity among Naga tribes.

Brief speeches were also delivered by Angami Public Organisation (APO) president Kepelhousie Terhuja, who called upon the Angami tribe to continue maintain cordial relationship with other Naga tribes.

The first vice president of the Kohima Sub-Division Students’ Conference, 93year-old Rev Beilie-ü Shüya also encouraged the Angami students to preserve the tradition of wearing traditional attire and to respect the traditions and way of life of the Angami tribe.

Minister for Higher Education & Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, who graced the academic session as special guest and debate critic said that the education system needed a constructive change and despite deprivations, it was not impossible to implement the National Education Policy in Nagaland.

As the highlight of the session was the debate competition on the topic “The National Education Policy 2020 will ensure quality

education in Nagaland”, Along urged the participants to study the NEP in a more in-depth manner in the future to ensure that there was enough materials to learn about the topic.

Stressing on the absence of universities in Nagaland, he said NEP will open a way for a vast network of studies. He said that the ultimate ethos and ideals to make the NEP a success in the state depends on the people.

The minister also raised concern about the complacent nature of the public in the battle against COVID-19 and appealed for collective responsibility in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

On the Naga Political issue, he encouraged the people to be bold in spirit and in heart, saying that Nagas should not be afraid to speak out the fact. He said that any political solution that arrives will not be beyond the Nagas.

Two participants each from the regional units participated in the debate competition. Diezevisie Nakhro (CSU) secured the first position followed by Vizosienuo Shüya (NASU) and Onokü Tsükrü (SASU) in the second and third position respectively.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by ASU tribunal general, Aja Zinyü while Phesama Baptist Church pastor Rokovilie Zashümo offered the invocation. A special number was presented by Mhasheseno Neikha.

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Pune, Apr 24 (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday announced that the state government will float a global tender for the COVID-19 vaccine and remdesivir injections.

Pawar was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior officials to review the COVID-19 situation in Pune. The Union government has allowed vaccination for people in the age group of 18 to 45 and the state will commence immunisation for them from May 1, he said.

“We have decided to float a global tender for COVID19 vaccines and remdesivir under a committee, which will be headed by chief secretary Sitaram Kunte,” the deputy chief minister said. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackrey has discussed the details of the vaccine with CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII) Adar Poonawala, he said.

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Covid cases in Delhi, it will be appropriate to continue the closure of shops for one more week from April 26,” CAIT said.

“During this time, it is hoped that the government will be able to check the extensive spread of coronavirus, besides augmenting the medical facilities in Delhi.

If the government does not take such a decision for any reason, the trade associations of Delhi will observe a week’s voluntary self lockdown from April 26 to May 2,” it added.

According to CAIT, the call for the self lockdown is purely voluntary and if any association wants to open the market, it will be free to do so.

“However, during the self lockdown, the supplies of essential commodities will be maintained as usual as per the Covid guidelines of the government,” the traders’ body said.

bile ATM’, which will be operational at each location for a specific period.

The ‘Mobile ATM’ will cover 3-4 stops in a day.

“We hope our mobile ATM will provide a great support for people who want to avail basic financial services without having to venture far from their neighbourhood,” said S. Sampathkumar, Group Head - Liability Products, Third Party Products and Non-Resident Business at HDFC Bank.

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New Delhi, April 24 (IANS): Traders in Delhi will observe voluntary lockdown for one more week to assist the government in bringing down the Covid numbers, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said on Saturday.

Accordingly, more than 100 leading associations from all parts of Delhi have decided to observe ‘Voluntary Self Lockdown’ from April 26 April to May 2.

In a virtual meeting held on Friday, CAIT urged Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to extend the current six-day lockdown, scheduled to end at 5 am on Monday, for one more week.

“The lockdown is going to get over at 5 am on April 26. The trade leaders at the conference said that considering the present deplorable situation of medical facilities and the rising number of

M u m bai, Ap r il 24 (IANS): HDFC Bank on Saturday said it has deployed mobile ATMs across India to assist customers during the lockdown.

“At restricted, sealed areas, the ‘Mobile ATMs’ will eliminate the need for general public to move out of their locality to withdraw cash,” the bank said in a statement.

“During the lockdown last year, HDFC Bank suc- facilitated lakhs of customAccordingly, customers cessfully deployed mobile ers in availing cash to meet can conduct over 15 types of ATMs in over 50 cities and their exigencies.” transactions using the ‘Mo-

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Myanmar coup leader urged to stop violence Ja k a rta , A p r 2 4 (Agencies): South East Asian leaders have urged the head of the Myanmar army, which took power in a coup in February, to end the violent crackdown in the country.

In his first known foreign trip since the takeover, General Min Aung Hlaing heard calls for the military to stop killing protesters and to release political prisoners.

More than 700 people have been killed since the coup in February, BBC reported.The talks in Indonesia were the first big effort to address the crisis.

Leaders and foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) took part in the summit in the capital Jakarta.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called for an immediate end to the violence against civilians and the unconditional release of political prisoners.

“The deplorable situation in Myanmar must stop immediately,” he said.

The Indonesian Presi-

More potent strain of coronavirus detected in SL C o lo m b o, A p r 2 4 (PTI): A new coronavirus strain that is airborne and more potent than all those found previously in Sri Lanka has been discovered in the island nation, according to a top immunologist here.

The variant, which is highly transmissible, can remain airborne for nearly an hour and is spreading fast, Neelika Malavige, the head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayawardenapura University said.

“This variant of coronavirus is more highly transmissible than all found so far in the island. The new strain is airborne, the droplets can remain airborne for nearly an hour,” Malavige said.

Health authorities feared that the new variant is spreading rapidly after last week’s New Year celebrations with more younger people getting infected.

“In the next two incubation periods, the disease can progress to a third wave,” Upul Rohana, of the Public Health Inspectors said, adding that the real situation would emerge only in the coming 2-3 weeks.

Meanwhile, the ministry of COVID prevention issued new guidelines which would remain in force until May 31.

The guidelines dictate a 50 per cent capacity operation for most institutions with all forms of revelry being banned.

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Myanmar’s junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (L) gestures as he is welcomed upon his arrival ahead of the ASEAN leaders’ summit. (Reuters)

dent, Joko Widodo, said the situation was “unacceptable” and that the violence must end.

Despite the risk of massive refugee flows or even civil war, Asean members have been divided over whether to even hold a meeting. There are clear signs of splits between governments that want to take action and those that don’t.

Asean appears divided along geographical lines,

with the “mainland” countries - those physically closest to China - more opposed to intervention in Myanmar, while the “maritime” countries - those furthest from China - are more in favour of taking action.

Among the latter group, it is host Indonesia that has been pushing hardest for a collective response to the crisis.

But persuading the other nine countries to take

a unified stance will be just as much a challenge as persuading the Myanmar junta to de-escalate the crisis.

While the bloc prides itself on its ability to persuade rather than coerce, that ability is much weaker if the organisation is not united.

United Nation’s Secretary-General António Guterres had called for the Asean summit to resolve the crisis and prevent “possible

grave humanitarian implications beyond Myanmar’s borders,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

There have been calls for Myanmar, also known as Burma, to be expelled from Asean but the members historically do not get involved in each other’s internal affairs.

The UN special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, is in Jakarta for meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

Mass protests have been taking place across Myanmar since the military seized control and declared a year-long state of emergency.

The armed forces claim there had been widespread fraud during a general election late last year which had returned elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party (NLD) to power.

The military promised instead that it would hold “free and fair” elections once the state of emergency is over.

Amid royal crisis, QE-II hopes things will be ‘right in the end’ TV personality, Gayle King, who is friends with Oprah and the Duchess of Sussex, revealed that Harry spoke with William and Charles last month. She said, “The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive. But they are glad that they have at least started a conversation.” The Queen responded to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview in a statement, saying, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.” Talking about the racism claims, she had added, “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”

Washington, Apr 24 (Agencies): Queen Elizabeth II, who is no stranger to facing challenges as a reigning monarch, is holding onto the hope that all the tension within the royal family will go away eventually.

A royal insider recently told People magazine that, “She has been through so many difficult times. She knows things will come right in the end,” ANI reported.

The Queen’s former palace press secretar y Charles Anson further added that the Queen, who turned 95 on Wednesday, “absorbs things quietly.”

The royal brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry, had recently reunited at Prince Philip’s funeral in a show of support for their beloved grandparents.

Harry had returned to the UK from California for the first time in over a year to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Meghan Markle,

Former SL minister arrested for role in Easter Sunday attacks Colombo, Apr 24 (PTI): Sri Lankan Police on Saturday arrested a former minister and his brother for allegedly aiding and abetting the suicide bombers responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in which 258 people, including 11 Indians, were killed. Rishad Bathiudeen, the leader of a minority Muslim party that is part of the main Opposition party, the SJB, and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen were arrested from their respective residences.

“They have been arrested under the provisions of the prevention of terrorism Act based on direct, circumstantial and scientific evidence,” Ajith Rohana, the senior deputy inspector general who is also the police spokesman, said.

Nine suicide bombers, belonging to local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS, carried out a series of blasts that tore

Indonesian submarine sank off Bali, navy says

Lo n d o n, A p r 2 4 (Agencies): A submarine missing since Wednesday off the coast of Bali with 53 people on board has been lost, the Indonesian navy said on Saturday.

Parts of the submarine, along with debris including prayer mats, were found Queen Elizabeth II near to where it went misswho is expecting their sec- 2018 wedding, saying “the ing, the navy chief of staff ond child, a baby girl, did reverse happened.” They said. not accompany her husband also accused the royal family A scan detected the sub as she “has been advised by of racism, including “conat a depth of 850m (2,800ft), her physician not to travel,” cerns” over their children’s well beyond its survivable a royal spokesman said. skin colour, and not getting limit.

Meghan had spoken with the Meghan any help when she It was only carrying Queen ahead of the funeral. felt suicidal. enough oxygen for three In the wake of Meghan William had hit back at days, BBC reported. and Prince Harry’s con- the racism claims during an The KRI Nanggala troversial interview with outing following the interdisappeared after requesting Oprah Winfrey last month, view, saying, “We are very permission to dive during a there are ongoing tensions much not a racist family.” torpedo drill. The Germanwithin the family. Dur- When asked if he had spobuilt vessel was more than ing the interview on CBS, ken to Harry after the Oprah 40 years old but underwent Meghan refuted reports that interview, William added, a refit in 2012. she made Kate Middleton “No, I haven’t spoken to him The Indonesian navy cry in the lead-up to her yet, but I will do.” has insisted the sub was in good condition but an oil slick where it is thought the vessel submerged has raised concern that the fuel tank Jerusalem, Apr 24 (IANS): at southern Israel, the Xinhua news rating Gaza and Israel or in open fields may have been damaged.

Israel’s military said Saturday that it agency reported. in Israel, without causing damage or struck military sites in the Gaza Strip “Fighter jets and attack helicop- injury. The violence was the worst after at least 36 rockets were fired from ters struck a number of Hamas mili- flare-up in the region in months. the Palestinian enclave into southern tary targets in the Gaza Strip, includThe rockets were not fired by Israel over the past two days. ing an underground infrastructure and Hamas but by two smaller groups in On Friday night, amid recent rocket launchers belonging to Hamas,” Gaza, one affiliated with the Fatah tensions between Palestinians and an Israeli military spokesperson said in and the other with the Popular Front, the Israeli police in east Jerusalem, a statement. which are both Palestinian parties. militants in Gaza fired three rockets Between Friday night and early The groups assumed responsibiltowards southern Israel. Overnight, Saturday, at least 36 rockets were fired ity for the rocket strikes and said it was Israel retaliated with airstrikes on sites from Gaza into Israel. Israel’s Iron a retaliation to tensions in east Jerusabelonging to Hamas, an Islamist Pal- Dome Aerial Defense System inter- lem, where violent clashes erupted on estinian group that runs Gaza, which cepted six of the rockets, while the Thursday night, with scores of injuries was followed by more rockets fired other rockets fell near the fence sepa- and arrests.

Israel strikes Gaza sites in retaliation

Rishad Bathiudeen

through three churches and as many luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday on April 21, 2019.

In May last year, Riyaj was arrested for making contacts with suicide bombers and given bail in October. Rishad, a former Minister of Industry and Commerce, was arrested in October and given bail in November over the misappropriation of state resources. Their arrests came just after the second anniversary of the deadly attacks.

Ahead of the anniversary, Cardinal Mal-

colm Ranjith, the head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, has expressed doubts over the bail being granted to Riyaj.

He wondered if the action was due to a political deal.

In late October, some of the legislators who are members of Rishad’s party had voted in support of the government for the twentieth amendment to the Constitution.

Ranjith also expressed disappointment over the findings of the government probe panel and demanded action against those named in the report for their negligence to stop the attacks despite having prior intelligence.

The government, under pressure from the Cardinal, has maintained that recommendations of a presidential panel on the attack had been referred to the Attorney General for further action and the government would not protect anyone.

Climate partnership to be ‘core pillar’ of US-India relations: Biden New York, Apr 24 (IANS): US President Joe Biden has said that the climate partnership with India will be “a core pillar” of relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day, 40nation Leaders Summit on Climate, Biden said on Friday that he was “looking forward to working with India’s Prime Minister Modi’s new partnership to achieve our climate and energy goals, making this a core pillar of our bilateral cooperation”.

Modi announced the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership when he addressed the opening session of the summit on Thursday.

He said that “together we will help mobilise investments, demonstrate clean technology and enable green collaboration”.

The key element of the partnership is enabling India to reach its goal of generating 450 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy by 2030.

Listing the various ac-

Joe Biden

tion pledges made at the summit, Biden said, “The commitments we’ve made must become real commitment without us doing a lot of hot air. No pun intended”.

Biden said that “we need to limit warming to 1.5 degrees” centigrade or “all of us could be in a point of no return”. US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John explained on Thursday that if the partnership can enable India to reach its target of 450 gigawatts of clean energy, India would be on track to meet its commitment to helping hold down the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.

London, Apr 24 (PTI): A single dose of either the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, currently being administered in the UK, cut the rate of coronavirus infections by around 65 per cent, according to a new UK study on Friday.

A combination of two studies by the University of Oxford and the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which are yet to be published, also found that a single jab of the two-dose vaccines protected older and more vulnerable people almost as well as younger and healthier individuals.

The findings indicate a promising effect on hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infections after vaccinations. But researchers caution that vaccinated people could still be re-infected and trigger an asymptomatic spread of the deadly virus, making the need for social distancing and face masks still crucial.

The researchers analysed COVID-19 test results

The findings indicate a promising effect on hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infections.

from more than 350,000 people in the UK between December 2020 and April 2021 and found that 21 days after a first jab the time it takes the immune system to mount a decent response new COVID-19 infections dropped. Odds of new SARS-CoV-2 infection were reduced 65 per cent in those =21 days since first vaccination with no second dose versus unvaccinated individuals without evidence of prior infection, the study noted.

In those vaccinated,

the largest reduction in odds was seen post second dose (70-77 per cent). There was no evidence that these benefits varied between Oxford/ AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, it added.

The researchers, in the large community surveillance study, conclude that vaccination with a single dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, or two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech, significantly reduced new SARS-CoV-2 [Covid-19] infections.

Greater reductions in

symptomatic infections and/ or infections with a higher viral burden are reflected in reduced rates of hospitalisations/deaths, but highlight the potential for limited ongoing transmission from asymptomatic infections in vaccinated individuals, read the conclusions.

The second study, in nearly 46,000 adults who had been vaccinated with one dose, found strong antibody responses a sign that the vaccines are stimulating the body’s defence system to protect against the virus in all age groups. These antibody responses were “broadly sustained out to 10 weeks afterwards”, the researchers said.

“We don’t yet know exactly how much of an antibody response, and for how long, is needed to protect people against getting Covid-19 in the long term but over the next year, information from the survey should help us to answer these questions,” said Professor Sarah Walker, chief investigator on the studies,

from Oxford University.

Both studies are based on data from the Covid-19 Infection Survey, a partnership between the University of Oxford, the ONS and the government’s Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The results will come as a boost for the UK’s vaccination programme, which has been progressing at speed with a target to cover all adults by July-end on track.

The National Health Service (NHS) said this week that its vaccination programme has now protected around 28 million people in England with at least one jab and delivered more than 9 million second doses.

“We’re seeing patients coming forward in record numbers for their Oxford/ AstraZeneca second doses.

People are voting with their feet, showing continuing strong public support for the NHS covid vaccination campaign which has already saved over 10,000 lives,” said Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive.

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Even single vaccine dose cuts COVID infection rate: Study GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

STATE HEALTH AGENCY (AB-PMJAY)

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND : KOHIMA

DHFW-8/RSBY/HR/2015-16/777

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Dated, Kohima, 23rd April 2021

The State Health Agency (PMJAY) Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland invites application from interested candidates to fill 6 (six) posts of Data Entry Operator purely on contractual basis for a period of 10 (ten) months only.

1. Minimum Qualification: BCA/BE(CSE/IT) from a recognized university.

NB: The candidates shall submit self attested copies of qualification certificates from Class X onwards to the highest qualification.

2. Selection shall be on the basis of merit obtained as per the aggregate marks for the degree certificate. Proficiency in use of computer applications i.e. MS Office is a must.

3. Salary: ₹12,000.00 pm 4. Information: a. Interested candidate may download the Application Form from nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in. b. Filled Application form may be submitted at Room 215, State Health Agency, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Ruziezou, Kohima, Nagaland, 797001. c. Last Date for submission of application 30/04/2021 12:00 pm.

Sd/Chief Executive Officer State Health Agency (AB-PMJAY) Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Kohima : Nagaland.

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Infotainment

Scientists spot largest stellar flares Artist’s conception of a violent flare erupting from the star Proxima Centauri. (Image credit: NRAO/S. Dagnello)

planet Survey Satellite — to closely monitor Proxima Centauri for a total of 40 hours over several months in 2019. On May 1, 2019, the team captured the mega flare, which shone for just 7 seconds and was mainly visible in the ultraviolet spectrum.

“The star went from normal to 14,000 times brighter when seen in ultraviolet wavelengths over the span of a few seconds,” lead author Meredith MacGregor, an astrophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder, said in a statement. The power of this flare and type of radiation it emitted could change what we know about red dwarfs and the chances of life developing on the

planets that orbit them.

A humongous flare Stellar flares are the result of a star’s strong magnetic fields. These fields — which are created by large amounts of electrically charged gas — can get twisted together and suddenly snap back into place to release an enormous amount of energy in the form of radiation, kind of like firing an elastic band at someone with your fingers.

The flare on Proxima Centauri was extremely powerful compared with those emitted by the sun. Unlike flares from the sun, this one also emitted different kinds of radiation. In particular, it produced a huge surge of ultraviolet light and radio

Novel malaria vaccine shows 77% efficacy

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novel malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford has demonstrated high-level efficacy of 77 per cent in its Phase 2 trials.

The Phase 2 randomised, controlled, double-blind trial was conducted on 450 participants, aged 5-17 months at the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro (CRUN)/Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante (IRSS) in Burkina Faso.

The participants were split into three groups, with the first two groups receiving the R21/Matrix-M (with either a low dose or high dose of the Matrix-M adjuvant) and the third, a rabies vaccine as the control group. Doses were administered from early

May 2019 to early August 2019, largely prior to the peak malaria season.

The researchers report a vaccine efficacy of 77 per cent in the higher-dose adjuvant group, and 71 per cent in the lower dose adjuvant group, over 12 months of follow-up, with no serious adverse events related to the vaccine noted.

Following these results, the Phase 2b trial was extended with a booster vaccination administered prior to the next malaria season one year later.

“These new results support our high expectations for the potential of this vaccine, which we believe is the first to reach the WHO’s goal of a vaccine for malaria with at least 75 per cent efficacy,”

said the team including Adrian Hill, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford.

“With the commitment by our commercial partner, the Serum Institute of India, to manufacture at least 200 million doses annually in the coming years, the vaccine has the potential to have a major public health impact if licensure is achieved,” Hill said.

The researchers, in collaboration with Serum Institute of India Private Ltd, and Novavax Inc, have now started recruitment for a Phase 3 trial to assess large-scale safety and efficacy in 4,800 children, aged 5-36 months, across four African countries.

(IANS)

‘Captain America 4’ in the works with ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Showrunner Malcolm Spellman

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here’s a fourth Captain America film on the way, and Malcolm Spellman, the showrunner behind The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is set to develop the next installment. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spellman will be writing the script for the fourth Captain America film, alongside Dalan Musson, another staff writer for the Marvel and Disney Plus show.

Given that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier just wrapped up today, this should be welcome news for its fans. Starring

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, the show explored the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, after Steve Rogers left Captain America’s shield to Sam and prompted him to take

up the mantle. The aftercredits scene in the show’s final episode hinted at something new to come, but we didn’t know what it was quite yet. Now it’s looking like we’ll get a movie.

(Polygon)

Twitter censored tweets critical of India’s handling of the pandemic at govt’s request

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witter has removed more than 50 tweets critical of the Indian government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and did so at the request of the Indian government.

First reported by Indian news site MediaNama, the Indian government sent Twitter an emergency order on Friday to censor 52 tweets, according to a disclosure notice on the Lumen database. The censored accounts include a sitting member of India’s Parliament, two filmmakers, an actor, and a West Bengal state minister.

A Twitter spokesperson said in an email to The Verge that the company may make certain tweets unable to be viewed by people within India if the K Y M C

tweets violate local law.

Twitter says it notified account holders before it withheld content to make them aware that the action was taken in response to a legal request from the government of India.

“When we receive a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter Rules and local law. If the content violates Twitter’s Rules, the content will be removed from the service,” according to the Twitter spokesperson. “If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only.

In all cases, we notify the account holder directly so they’re aware that we’ve

received a legal order pertaining to the account.”

It isn’t the first time that Twitter has bowed to pressure from the Indian government. During protests by farmers in February, the company permanently blocked more than 500 accounts and removed others from being visible within India. The Indian government issued a notice of noncompliance to the company, the New York Times reported at the time, which could have meant jail time for Twitter’s employees in India if the company had refused.

Among the accounts suspended in February was Indian news magazine The Caravan (which was later reinstated).

(The Verge)

NK Naga’s song to be telecastat B4U television network

waves — known as “millimeter radiation.”

“In the past, we didn’t know that stars could flare in the millimeter range, so this is the first time we have gone looking for millimeter flares,” MacGregor said in the statement. This finding was possible only because the team monitored the star using such a wide variety of telescopes, each focused on a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever had this kind of multiwavelength coverage of a stellar flare,” MacGregor said in the statement. “Usually, you’re lucky if you can get two instruments.”

The new findings suggest that stellar flares given off by red dwarfs are much more violent than previously expected and could reduce the likelihood of alien life developing around them.

The type and amount of radiation given off by Proxima Centauri could make it very hard for life to survive on its orbiting exoplanets, which likely have no real atmosphere due to the powerful flares, according to the researchers. But it’s

not impossible for alien life to exist there. “If there was life on the planet nearest to Proxima Centauri, it would have to look very different than anything on Earth,” MacGregor said in the statement. “A human being on this planet would have a bad time.” Other red dwarfs likely give off equally powerful flares, thus decreasing the chances that red dwarfhosted planets could support life. They also flare “much more frequently” than the sun, further reducing the chances of finding life in that star system, according to the researchers.

“Proxima Centauri’s planets are getting hit by something like this not once in a century, but at least once a day, if not several times a day,” MacGregor said in the statement. The researchers now hope to use the wide variety of telescopes to focus on other stellar flares across our galaxy. “There will probably be even more weird types of flares that demonstrate different types of physics that we haven’t thought about before,” MacGregor said in the statement.

(Live Science)

Twitter to pay tips for great tweets

Russell Crowe to play Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder

witter could soon offer a tipping button on user profiles, where people can pay users who have a substantial followers for their great tweets.

App researcher Jane Manchun Wong has discovered that Twitter is exploring features like tipping to give people a way to pay other Twitter users.

“Twitter is working on Tip Jar right on the user profile,” she said in a tweet on Friday.

One clicked, the button shows options to let you tip via Bandcamp, Cash App (by Square, a Jack Dorsey company), Patreon, PayPal, and Venmo.

Wong in March tweeted that Twitter is working on a “Tip Jar” feature for Spaces, its Clubhouse-like social audio room.

Twitter has not formally announced the tipping feature.

In February, the social media went berserk over a controversial new Twitter feature called “Super Follower” that will let famous personalities and celebrities on the platform monetise their tweets by charging their followers and, in turn, will help the micro-blogging platform grow its revenue.

The phrase “RIP Twitter” was trending all over and people said that the micro-blogging platform must push for an ‘edit’ button, not a feature that will hurt common users the most.

The “Super Follower” tool will only be beneficial for those who have a sizable chunk of followers.

(IANS)

way. All of these things, the whole process of all of this stuff, it’s all about what you learn and what you pick up as you go,” he added.

It is not clear how Zeus and Thor, who are both thunder gods of their own respective pantheons, will encounter each other, but it is certainly going to be intriguing and exciting.

Apart from Hemsworth, Natalie Portman will also don the role of Thor, and her character Jane Foster will wield Mjolnir. Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi (who also returns as the director and co-writer) will reprise the roles of Valkyrie and Korg. The Guardians of the Galaxy members will also appear in the movie as Thor was last seen travelling with them in Avengers: Endgame. Jaimie Alexander will return Lady Sif from the first two Thor movies.

Christian Bale will come back to comic-book cinema by playing Gorr the God-Butcher, the film’s Big Bad. Matt Damon, Sam Neill, Luke Hemsworth, Melissa McCarthy will appear in cameo roles.

Jeff Goldblum is likely to return as Grandmaster from Thor: Ragnarok too.

Thor: Love and Thunder is scheduled to release on February 11, 2022.

(Hindustan Times)

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A

ctor Russell Crowe recently revealed the character he will play in the upcoming Marvel movie Thor: Love and Thunder. As per People magazine, Crowe was speculated to be a part of the movie when he was seen in a photo with actor Chris Hemsworth and his wife. After swirling speculation, Crowe seemed to confirm he’s starring in the upcoming fourth Thor movie, which has been filming in his native Australia.

The Oscar-winning actor appeared on an Australian radio show this week where he apparently revealed his role in the anticipated Marvel movie.

While speaking during an episode of the Australian radio programme Joy Breakfast with The Murphys, Crowe not only revealed that he is playing Zeus, he also said he is almost done playing his part in the movie.

“Now, I’m gonna get on my bicycle, I’m gonna ride up to Disney-Fox studios and around about

N

ationally recognised and renowned Naga Hindi artiste, NK Naga’s newly launched song would be telecasted at national television music channel, B4U. In an interview with the singer, it was learned that his new song, “Kaise Jiyun”, was launched by chief engineer, PWD, (Police Engineering) Kohima, Er. Kahuli Sema, and will be telecasted at B4U music channel next week.

In regards to meaning of the song, the artiste maintained that the song talked about how the younger generation wants instant relationship, whereby they depart away from each other even before knowing each other well.

He further added that the newly launched song was one of his first original composition, and that also his first ever music video.

He added that the song was presented by B4U Music, produced by Rebecca Changkija Sema,

9:15, I shall be Zeus in Thor 4,” Crowe said at the end of the interview. He added, “It’s my last day of Zeus-ing about and I’m going to enjoy it.”

Zeus, the Marvel character, is based on the sky and thunder god of the ancient Greek pantheon of the same name. Fans have been wondering if Crowe stars in the upcoming sequel as he’s been seen hanging out with stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in recent weeks.

Most recently, Crowe posted a selfie of him and Hemsworth along with Hemsworth’s wife Elsa Pataky cruising on a boat in Sydney. Hemsworth also posted about the outing, revealing they all went to a rugby game together last month to watch Crowe’s

Chief engineer, PWD, (Police Engineering) Kohima, Er. Kahuli Sema, with NK Naga after launching the song ‘Kaise Jiyun’.

directed by Shiraz Henry and Karan Henry, with music director as Abuzar Rizvii. The song was recorded at Alka Yagnik studio, Lokhandwala, Mumbai.

It can be noted that

team the South Sydney Rabbitoh. The actor has kept busy in the pandemic, with his last movie Unhinged released last summer. Crowe spoke to People magazine ahead of the release, where he admitted his outlook on fame changed after his iconic turn in Gladiator. “Being famous was fun,” Crowe told People magazine, recalling the period between making L.A. Confidential and Gladiator. Crowe said his perspective changed after Gladiator. “That sort of took fame to the other place, where you are no longer you anymore,” he said.

“I thought through that period that I was making the right decision in not being so available and being humble in the face of that fame. But that’s just not the way it was taken.

It was taken in a different

NK Naga has won many award both in state as well as national level, and that the only Naga Hindi artiste, whose songs will be telecasted at National TV channel.

(Staff Reporter)

OFFICE OF THE

CHUCHUYIMLANG STUDENTS’ UNION DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

With great respect & honour, the Education Trust Fund Committee of Chuchuyimlang Students’ Union, Dimapur is very pleased to felicitate Dr. Alongba Jamir, S/o Mr. L. Obangtemsü Jamir & Mrs. Alemmenla Lkr for successfully completing Doctor of Philosophy in the discipline of Soil & Water Conservation from Nagaland University on the topic “Effect of mulching on the soil water conservation and performance of Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) in mid-hill regions of Mokokchung District of Nagaland" under the supervision of Prof. Manoj Dutta.

The Committee extends it appreciation and gratitude towards Dr. Alongba Jamir for bringing laurels to the village and its community and encourages each and every students and scholars to follow the footsteps of such exemplary achiever. We wish him all the best in all his future endeavours.

MOAMEREN I. SOSANG JAMIR President, CKTD Convenor, Edn. Trust Fund Committee Dimapur, Nagaland CKTD, Dimapur, Nagaland

DP-2126

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cientists have spotted one of the largest stellar flares ever recorded in our galaxy. The jets of plasma shot outward from the sun’s nearest neighbor, the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri. The flare, which was around 100 times more powerful than any experienced in our solar system, could change the way scientists think about solar radiation and alien life.

Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf — the smallest, dimmest and most common type of main sequence stars in the galaxy — located approximately 4.25 lightyears from Earth. Its mass is only one-eighth of the sun’s, and it is orbited by two exoplanets. One of these planets, Proxima Centauri b, is considered to be Earth-like and lies within the star’s habitable zone — the distance from a star that could support the development of life, according to the researchers.

In a new study, researchers used nine ground and orbital telescopes — including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimeter Array and NASA’s Transiting Exo-

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

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AFC: Persepolis thrash FC Goa 4-0 Goa, Apr 24 (IANS): After putting up a brave fight in the previous match against the Iranian top-flight club on April 20, Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa suffered a crushing 0-4 defeat at the hands of Persepolis FC in their AFC Champions League Group Stage tie, which ended late on Friday.

On a disappointing night at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, a new-look FC Goa took to the pitch with head coach Juan Ferrando making eight changes to help his players recover from the fatigue of playing six games in the space on 20 days.

Ishan Pandita and Devendra Murgaokar led the line for FC Goa, while Naveen Kumar replaced the in-form Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem under the bar. There were also starts for Redeem Tlang, Amarjit Singh, Princeton Rebello, Leander D’Cunha and Alexander Romario Jesuraj.

After 24 minutes of sparring, Persepolis FC took

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Persepolis FC, runners-up in the last edition of the elite club competition, celebrate their win over FC Goa in AFC Champions League on Friday.

the lead after a slide-rule pass played into the path of Shahriyar Moghanlu, whose powerful left-footer gave little time to FC Goa goalkeeper Naveen Kumar to intercept the shot.

The Goans were again at the receiving end in the 43rd minute after Naveen fouled Issa Alekasir in the penalty area and, in the

process, conceded a spot kick. The penalty was converted by Mehdi Torabi -- his second from the spot in as many games against FC Goa. There was hope that the second half would bring some joy for the home side, but that optimism disappeared quickly as Alekasir cut inside from the left and

fired a shot past Naveen from inside the penalty area to make it 3-0 within two minutes of the break.

Naveen did make a couple of decent stops as the half went on, but the Iranian giants continued to put pressure as they hit the post via a header from Mehdi Mehdikhani in the 73rd minute.

WFI turns down Narsingh’s request for fresh trial

New Delhi, Apr 24 (IANS): The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has turned down Narsingh Yadav’s request to hold a fresh trial for next month’s World Olympic qualifier in Sofia.

With this, the 31-yearold Maharashtra wrestler’s dream of qualifying for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics has also ended.

The 2015 World Championships bronze-medallist had missed the 2016 Rio Olympics after failing a dope test. He was suspended for four years, but rescheduling of Tokyo Olympics due to Covid-19 pandemic gave him a chance to fulfill his dream of participating in the Games. On his comeback, he couldn’t dominate the 74 kg event in the national championships and domestic selection trials.

Despite having a poor run in the 74kg event in the national championships and domestic trials, Yadav demanded another opportunity to showcase his talent.

But it was rejected.

ESL clubs have ‘binding’ contracts and ‘cannot leave’: Florentino Perez

L o n d o n, A p r 2 4 (Agencies): Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the 12 clubs that agreed to join a new European Super League have “binding contracts” and “cannot leave”.

Nine of the 12 teams, including all six Premier League clubs, withdrew from the proposed tournament on Tuesday after the plan sparked a furious backlash.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have not yet abandoned the project.

“I don’t need to explain what a binding contract is, but effectively the clubs cannot leave,” Perez told newspaper AS. “Some of them, due to pressure, have said they’re leaving. But this project, or one very similar, will move forward and I hope very soon.”

The Real president added it was “not true” American investment bank JP Morgan - who had pro-

Florentino Perez

vided a 3.5bn euro (£2.8bn) grant to the founding members - had abandoned the ESL. “They have taken some time for reflection, just like the 12 clubs. If we need to make changes we will but the Super League is the best project we’ve thought of,” Perez said.

“What we have done is taken a few weeks to reflect in light of the fury of certain people who don’t want to lose their privileges

and have manipulated the project.”

Perez said on Thursday - in the aftermath of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham’s withdrawing - that the ESL was still on “standby”.

Perez, who had been appointed as chairman of the competition, has continued to stress the need for the Super League and he flagged the idea of moving away from an exclusive group of clubs.

La Liga club Atletico Madrid and Italian sides AC Milan and Inter Milan have also formally pulled out, while Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli admitted the project could no longer proceed.

The 12-team Super League was announced on Sunday to widespread condemnation and has since prompted large protests outside grounds in England.

Wrestler Jadhav’s financial Tsitsipas continues winning run; enters Barcelona final woes end with Railways job New Delhi, Apr 24 (IANS): Greco-Roman wrestler Sunny Jadhav, who had been doing odd jobs including washing cars to make ends meet, is elated at finally having landed a job with the Indian Railways through sports quota.

“A regular government job will provide big financial support to me and my family. It will help me focus only on training and improve my performance,” the national silver-medallist in 60kg told IANS from Indore. The 25year-old Jadhav has joined Western Railways as a clerk.

Sunny Jadhav

Jadhav’s financial position worsened after his father died in 2017. In February, the sports ministry had sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh for Jadhav. The funds, says Jadhav, came after he had borrowed

Barty enters Stuttgart final

Ashleigh Barty (PTI)

Stuttgart, Apr 24 (Agencies): World No 1 Ashleigh Barty celebrated her 25th birthday by fighting back to beat Elina Svitolina in the semifinals of the WTA clay-court tournament in Stuttgart on Saturday.

Despite losing the first set in just over half an hour, Barty hit back to seal

a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 win over the Ukrainian fourth seed.

The Australian will meet either second-seed Simona Halep or Aryna Sabalenka in Sunday’s final.

“It’s important to believe. Regardless of the score, I always try and find the right way,” said Barty, who also lost the opening set of Friday’s quarterfinal against Karolina Pliskova.

“She is one of the best competitors on the tour, so I knew it would be a very hard-fought match and the margins would decide it,” Barty added before being presented with a bouquet of flowers with “Happy Birthday” played over the arena’s sound system.

money from friends and family to prepare for national championships.

“I repaid the loan I took from my coach and other people,” added Jadhav.

In the national championships held in February in Jalandhar, Jadhav finished second in 60 kg. Kripa Shankar Patel, Arjuna Awardee and coach of the Railways team, told IANS, “Jadhav has been selected under the talent quota scheme that aims to support youngsters having potential to excel at national and international level in future.”

Barcelona, Apr 24 (IANS): World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas made it to the final of the Barcelona Open, defeating Italy’s Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in the ATP 500 event on Saturday.

The Greek will take on the winner of the semifinal between Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Pablo CarrenoBusta.

It was at the same venue three years ago that Tsitsipas had made a major breakthrough, reaching his maiden ATP Tour final.

The reigning Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion saved all four

break points he faced to improve his unbeaten record on clay this year to 9-0.

“It was very close. It was a close match,” Tsitsipas told the ATP Tour site.

“He (Sinner) had a lot of break point opportunities on my serve.

It could have been different, but I stayed tough and I converted those break points (I had). That was crucial and very important.”

After taking a 2-1 lead in his ATP head-to-head series against Sinner, Tsitsipas has now matched Russian Andrey Rublev’s

tour-leading total of 26 victories this season.

Tsitsipas and Rublev are eight wins clear of their nearest ATP Tour rivals, with Sinner in third position on the 2021 wins list.

Ts i t s i p a s now awaits the winner of the all-Spanish semifinal between 11time champion Rafael Nadal and Pablo CarrenoBusta.

Tsitsipas has a 2-6 ATP head-tohead record against

Nadal, which includes his final loss to the Mallorcan in the 2018 Barcelona final. The Greek holds a 2-0 advantage

“It feels great to be back (in the final). I will try to redeem myself from last time…I am looking forward to whoever I have to play,” said Tsitsipas.

“A final is always a very important phase in a tournament.”

In a tight opening set, both players were unable to convert early break points.

Tsitsipas made the only breakthrough of the set at 4-3, when he attacked Sinner’s forehand to extract multiple errors and break serve. Sinner struck eight against of his 11 unforced errors in Carreno- the first set on his forehand Busta. side.

Nets beat Celtics; claims top spot in Eastern Conference New York, Apr 24 (Reuters): Joe Harris scored 20 points as Brooklyn Nets survived a rough shooting night by Kyrie Irving and withstood a late charge by Boston Celtics to record a 109-104 victory on Friday in New York.

The Nets moved a half-game ahead of the idle Philadelphia 76ers into the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Green added 19 for the Nets, who shot 43 percent and withstood Irving missing 15 of 19 shots.

Irving still nearly posted a triple-double, winding up with 15 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

Kevin Durant (left thigh contusion) sat out his third

straight game.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 38 points after shooting 3 of 17 from the field in each of his previous two games.

Rookie Payton Pritchard hit six 3-pointers en route to 22 points.

Hawks 118, Heat 103

Bogdan Bogdanovic had 21 points and a gamehigh eight assists as host Atlanta, which was without two of its biggest stars, defeated Miami.

The Hawks also got 20 points and eight rebounds from John Collins and 17 points each from Danilo Gallinari and Brandon Goodwin. Atlanta was without six players, including Trae Young (ankle)

high 32 points as the Warriors beat Denver in San Francisco. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 23 points, Andrew Wiggins 19, Jordan Poole 15 and Mychal Mulder 14 as Golden State won despite relying mostly on just eight players, the result of having lost two in the past two days for COVIDrelated reasons. Draymond Green dished out a careerhigh-tying 19 assists.

Harassed much of the Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris (centre) goes to the night by Green, Nuggets basket. (AP) star Nikola Jokic was held and Clint Capela (bruised Butler added 19 points and to 19 points, six rebounds tailbone). a team-high seven assists. and six assists. Denver also Miami, which had Warriors 118, Nug- lost Will Barton early in the its three-game winning gets 97 game to an apparently seristreak snapped, was led Stephen Curry led an

by Kendrick Nunn, who unusually balanced Golden scored 21 points. Jimmy State attack with a game-

ous hamstring injury.

Grizzlies 130, Trail Blazers 128 Ja Morant scored 33 points and added a seasonbest 13 assists to help visiting Memphis move within 1 1/2 games of Portland for seventh place in the Western Conference.

Dillon Brooks added 25 points as Memphis prevailed in the first of backto-back games between the teams. Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting in 25 minutes off the bench in his second game of the season after recovering from August knee surgery.

Not bothered by circumstances, eyes on Tokyo: Nikki Pradhan

Nikki Pradhan

Bengaluru, Apr 24 (IANS): Indian women’s hockey team midfielder Nikki Pradhan said on Saturday that the girls were not looking at whether they would get to play the next tour or not due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation but only concentrating on training for the Tokyo Olympics.

“We don’t want to think about whether we will get to play the next tour or not. With the changing dynamics around the globe K Y M C

due to Covid-19, our chief coach tells us not to think of the issues that are not in our control. We are just happy to be training hard at the SAI (Sports Authority of India) Centre in Bengaluru,” said Pradhan.

With less than 100 days to go for the Olympics, Pradhan feels the tours of Argentina and Germany earlier this year have provided the team with the impetus to prepare for the quadrennial games.

“The experience of playing against world No. 2 Argentina and world No. 3 Germany has been very crucial in our preparations for the Olympics. Many youngsters in the team had never faced teams of such calibre and the team’s stats against these top nations projects the areas we need to work on. That is the focus of our ongoing camp,” said the experienced midfielder.

Pradhan, who became the first hockey player from Jharkhand to compete at the Olympics when she played in 2016 Rio, said that there is a lot of scope to improve particularly in converting goal-scoring opportunities.

“The good part about these matches was that we were showing improvement match-by-match. Both Argentina and Germany play with very unique styles and facing them in their home ground is always challenging but we held strong,” she said.

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Morris, Samson guide RR to 6-wkt win over KKR

Mumbai, Apr 24 (IANS): Chris Morris’s four-wicket haul and a composed innings from skipper Sanju Samson (42 not out off 41 balls) helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) seal a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League match here on Saturday.

The win, secured with seven balls to spare, put RR in sixth place in the points table while KKR were pushed to the bottom.

Morris’s haul, in which he picked power-hitters Andre Russell, Pat Cummins and Dinesh Karthik, helped RR restrict KKR to 133/9 in 20 overs.

RR then chased it with the help of an unbeaten 34-run partnership for fifth wicket between Samson and David Miller (24 off 23 balls). Though RR opener Jos Buttler failed again, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who came in for Manan Vohra, and Shivam Dube chipped in with identical scores of 22. Russell, Cummins and Karthik had played

the death hurt KKR the most. At 117/5 and 15 balls to go, KKR had a chance to get to 150 with hard-hitters Russell, Karthik and Cummins still there.

But Morris got rid of Russell and Karthik in one over, his third, and then returned to remove Cummins in the last over.

Earlier in their innings, KKR kept losing wickets at regular intervals and found scoring tough. They were reduced to 61/4 just after 10 overs.

BRIE F SC O RES : Kolkata Knight Riders 133/9 in 20 overs (R Tripathi 36, D Karthik 25, C Morris 4/23, M Rahman 1/22, J Unadkat 1/25, C Sakariya 1/31) vs Rajasthan Royals 134/4 in 18.5 Sanju Samson captain of Rajasthan Royals batting during the Vivo Indian Premier League 2021 between the overs (S Samson 42 not Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium Mumbai on Saturday. (PTI) out, D Miller 24 not out, explosive innings in the last M o r r i s, w h o wa s tafizur Rahman, who took could never find their bear- Y Jaiswal 22, S Dube 22, V Chakravarthy 2/32) match against Chennai Su- bought for Rs 16.25 crore one for 22. ings. per Kings to take their side ahead of this season by RR Saurashtra pace bowlOnly Rahul Tripathi to 202 from 31/5. But on to become the most expen- ing duo Jaydev Unadkat (36 off 26 balls) and Dinesh SUNDAY’S MATCHES Saturday, they just couldn’t sive player in IPL history, and Chetan Sakariya who Karthik (25 off 24 balls) put Chennai Super Kings Vs get going. All three of them returned with figures of opened the bowling were up some decent batting per- Royal Challenger Bangalore: 3:30 pm were caught while trying to four for 23 in four overs. also impressive with the formances to help their side Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs hit the South African over He was ably supported by senior pro taking 1/25 and get to their eventual total. the boundary. left-arm pace bowler Mus- the junior 1/31 as KKR Morris’s bowling at Delhi Capitals: 7:30 pm

Tendulkar recovers from COVID, to donate plasma Mumbai, Apr 24 (PTI): Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said he has recovered from C OV I D - 1 9 and will donate plasma when he is eligible.

T e n Sachin Tendulkar dulkar, celebrating his 48th birthday on Saturday, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on March 27 and had to be briefly hospitalised here as a precautionary measure.

“I would like to give a message, which the doctors have told me to give. Last year, I had inaugurated a plasma donation centre and their message, if plasma is given at the right time, patients can recover faster,” Tendulkar said in a video posted on Twitter.

“I personally, when permissible, will donate it and I have spoken to the doctors,” he added. Tendulkar had been in home isolation after he was discharged from hospital on April 8. A donor should not have any symptoms of the infection

for at least 14 days prior to plasma donation.

The legendary right-handed batsman appealed to people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma, to help the others. “And you all, who have recovered from COVID-19, consult your doctor and when permissible, please donate blood, it can reduce a lot of problems. We know what problems our family members, friends have, till we are unwell,” he added.

Usually, the donated plasma from COVID recovered patients is used for treatment of the patients who are positive for the virus. Tendulkar also thanked the doctors for keeping him in a positive frame of mind during his treatment.

“Thank you so very much for your birthday wishes. It’s truly made my day.

Last month has been a tough month for me. I was tested positive and had to be isolated for 21 days. Your prayers and good wishes, my family’s prayers and good wishes, friends, last but not the least, all the doctors and the staff with them, they kept me in a positive frame of mind and helped me recover. A big thank you to all of you,” he said.

Four held in Gurugram for betting on IPL matches

Gurugram, Apr 24 (IANS): The chief minister’s flying squad has arrested four persons for allegedly betting on an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match, an official said here on Saturday.

The arrested persons were identified as Rocky Makkad, Sunil, Kashish and Abhishek -- all residents of Gurugram.

They were arrested on Friday from a guest house located in Sector-38 in Gurugram.

“Based on specific inputs, the police raided the spot and nabbed the accused when they were placing bets on an IPL matche being played between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians” Inderjeet Yadav, DSP CM flying squad told IANS.

done so well,” he wrote on his blog on betway.com.

The 40-year-old Pietersen, who works as a commentator now wrote that Maxwell must be feeling very comfortable in the RCB set-up.

“He must feel very comfortable in the set-up there. I know that if you make Maxwell feel comfortable and pump his tyres a bit then you will see huge benefits,” wrote Pietersen.

“He is a fabulous player. He can be inconsistent,

New Delhi, Apr 24 (Agencies): Mithali Raj says the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand will be her last edition but that she will be looking to play in a home series before taking a final call on whether to continue playing International cricket or not.

Fo r s o m e o n e w h o made her international debut in 1999 scoring an unbeaten 114 against Ireland at Milton Keynes, the 38-yearold Mithali says not winning the World Cup has been her biggest regret, Sportstar reported.

“Yes, I am desperate to be part of a World Cup winning team.

Otherwise, it has been an immensely satisfying career for me and I take pride in my consistency, longevity at the highest level,” Mithali says in a chat with Sportstar on Saturday.

Mithali insisted that it

but we haven’t seen that inconsistency yet this season.”

The former middle-order batsman feels Maxwell can turn a corner through this season. Maxwell has scored 176 runs in four matches at an average of 58.66 this season.

“Players can turn a corner as they become more experienced and I hope that Maxwell is turning a corner now because he can be a world-beater if he remains at his highest level.”

doesn’t mean she will stop playing ODI crick- e t after next year’s World Cup. “Hopefully, I will be playing in my sixth World Cup if the situation improves because of the pandemic but I will be looking to take a final decision on playing any international’s ticket after a home series next year,” says the champion cricketer who is training daily under the watchful eyes of her mentor-cumcoach R.S.R. Murthy at St John’s Sports Foundation here.

For someone who is also chasing another record of sorts of having the longest tenure in international cricket after the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar (she will be into the 23rd year of

Deepika Kumari

New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI): The Indian recurve women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari stormed into the final and ensured its first medal in the Archery World Cup Stage one on Friday.

The top-seeded Indian trio defeated its Spanish rivals in straight sets 6-0 with some consistent shooting to set up a gold medal clash with second seed Mexico on Sunday.

Deepika, Ankita and Komalika shot 55, 56 and 55 to prevail over Elia Canales, Ines De Velasco and Leyre Fernandez Infante in straight sets.

In the quarterfinals, they eliminated hosts Guatemala City by an identical 6-0 margin earlier in the day at the Sports Complex Los Arcos.

T h e m e n’s t e a m , which qualified as third seed, on the other hand lost out in the quarterfinals to their Spanish rivals 26-27 in a shoot-off after both teams were tied 4-4.

India are also in the medal hunt in three more events with newly-wed Atanu and Deepika advancing into the mixed pair bronze playoff. The two archers also made the individual recurve semifinals in their respective sections.

internanext ery

tional cricket year if evthing goes according to her plans), Mithali says the pandemic has definitely hit women’s cricket for sure. “ We w e r e supposed to h av e s o m e c a m p s around this time but this second wave has undone all the planning we have had.

Everyone is so scared now, understandably. It is so uncertain all over,” she said.

“Hopefully, we will be going to England and play the Test match there which will be the second after the 2014 game,” she said.

“Ideally, we should start planning for the next World Cup having Plan A and B. We have to have more options in bowling and not just spin bowling.

We need to work on our fast bowlers and there are quite a few talented who need to be groomed in a camp where gelling with seniors takes place for the good,” Mithali said.

“Over the years I gained a lot of confidence as a player and as a captain.

There were disappointments for sure. But again falling and getting up again made me far more stronger mentally, helped me develop resilience,” she says.

“These are things which the world cannot see. It only looks at peaks and lows of a cricketer. Certainly, each time I climbed up, it revealed a lot of my traits as a player and a human being,” she added.

Chelsea express ‘regret’ for joining Super League London , A p r 2 4 (Agencies): Chelsea have expressed their “deep regret” over joining the Super League, while insisting that the decision was made in the club’s best interests.

The Blues joined Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs, City and United, in lending their support to the initiative, which was announced on Sunday.

But just two days later Chelsea backed out alongside the rest of the Premier League contingent, leaving

Werner scores as Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 LONDON, Apr 24 (AP): Timo Werner ended his twomonth scoring drought with the winning goal as Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 in the English Premier League and pulled three points clear of its London rival in the race for Champions League qualification on Saturday.

The Germany striker stroked in a close-range finish from Ben Chilwell’s low cross in the 43rd minute for his first goal in 12 appearances in all competitions in an underwhelming first season at Chelsea. It was only his second league goal since November 7.

Wer ner missed an equally good chance early in the second half, in front of a virtually empty net to the amazement of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on the touchline, but it didn’t prove costly at the Olympic Stadium.

Indian women’s team in Archery World Cup final

2022 World Cup will be my swansong: Mithali

Surprised at Glenn Maxwell’s success: Pietersen New Delhi, Apr 24 (IANS): Glenn Maxwell’s success at this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has been surprising considering that he isn’t the main man in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) which he likes to be in every team he plays with, said former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

“I was sceptical of Glenn Maxwell RCB’s purchase of Glenn Maxwell at the beginning of - he likes to be the main man with Virat Kohli and AB de the tournament, partly be- in the teams he plays in. Villiers at the top of the tree, cause he is ‘The Big Show’ He certainly isn’t that here, so it’s surprised me that he’s

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

the proposal in limbo amid mass fan outcry.

“The Owner and Board of Chelsea Football Club would like to address Chelsea supporters about the events which have taken place over the past few days.

We have taken time since withdrawing from the ESL to speak directly to various supporter groups and listen to their views and concerns,” Chelsea signalled in a statement published on the club’s official website on Friday. “Our ambition with Chelsea Football Club has

always been to make it the best club in the world, both on the pitch and in how we work with, and give back to the community off it.

“The joint decision to join the ESL was driven by this same ambition. When it became clear that a new league might be formed, we did not want Chelsea FC to miss out on the opportunity to play in such a potentially prominent league, nor did we want to risk the Club falling behind our closest English and European rivals in competitive terms.

Siraj more skilful than Bumrah: Nehra

New Delhi, Apr 24 (Agencies): Ashish Liverpool, a rival for the top time to draw at home with Nehra said pacer Mohamfour, conceding in stoppage Newcastle 1-1. med Siraj has even more skills than his senior India colleague Jasprit Bumrah.

Newcastle United scored an injury-time equaliser as Siraj already has more varithey took a crucial step toward Premier League safety by ations than Bumrah and drawing 1-1 with Liverpool. In a game characterised by if he can maintain his fitwasteful finishing from Jurgen Klopp’s men, Mohamed ness and increase his game Salah’s third-minute strike looked enough to move them awareness, Nehra said ‘sky back into the fourth and final Champions League quali- is the limit’ for him. fication spot.

“There was talk about But, after seeing a Callum Wilson equaliser harshly a couple of years ago that ruled out for handball by VAR at the death, the Magpies he used to pick up 5-6 finally got their goal as Joe Willock thrashed home late wickets in every match for on. Newcastle now sit nine points clear of the relegation India A with the red ball… zone as a result of a recent recovery that looks certain to (now he) is a very good preserve their top-flight status. all-format bowler. There is The hosts wasted little time in stamping their author- no shortage skill, he has all ity on proceedings, with just three minutes having elapsed type of variations. I would before Salah powered a shot beyond Martin Dubravka in fact say that skill wise, he after brilliantly controlling Ciaran Clark’s attempted clear- is even ahead of Bumrah, Timo Werner broke the deadlock just before half time after slotting home to complete ance inside the box. In scoring, the Egyptian became the if you talk of variations,” a fine passing move by the visitors. first Liverpool player to reach 20 Premier League goals Nehra said in a video on West Ham’s chances his studs down the calf of before kickoff, strengthened in three consecutive seasons, and joined Dick Forshaw in Cricbuzz. of a comeback all but disap- Chilwell, in an incident that its place in fourth — the 12th on the club’s all-time top scorers list with 123.

“He has a different But the forward-thinking formation named by Klopp slower one, there is no lack peared when Fabián Bal- saw the referee use the pitch- final Champions League buena was red-carded in the side monitor to make his qualification position in the hinted that he did not expect his players to grind out a 1-0 of speed, he can move the 81st for following through call. Chelsea, which was tied league. Both sides had been win from there, and that is certainly how things played new ball. He needs to keep on a clearance by raking for points with West Ham boosted earlier Saturday by out. his fitness and sharpen his

Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle

Mohammed Siraj

mind. If he can do these two things well, sky is the limit,” Nehra added.

The 27-year-old Siraj made his India debut during the Australia Test series earlier this year, doing a fine job as strike bowler in the absence of India’s regular pace bowlers Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.

Siraj has not looked back since then, continuing his fine run of form.

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