December 30, 2018

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXIX No. 25

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018 Pages 12 ` 5.0

Rawep 2018: feeling the pulse of rural nagaland

India on the brink of MCG victory

Trump vows to end all aid to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Michel names ‘Mrs. Gandhi’: ED

Chopper scam: Congress hints at ‘scriptwriters’

NEW DELHI, DEC 29 (AGENCIES): Enforcement Directorate on Saturday told a Delhi court that Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had named Mrs Gandhi, but did not specify in which context the reference was made. “He has also spoken about ‘the son of the Italian lady’ and how he is going to become the ‘next prime minister of the country’,” ED’s counsel told the court.

Though the investigating agency did not specify the context used by Michel, his reference was seen aimed at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi.

“We need to decipher who is this ‘big man’ referred to as ‘R’ is in the communication between Christian Michel and other people. We need to confront Michel with other people to decipher this,” the Enforcement Directorate told

Assam man lynched in Meghalaya TURA (MEGHALAYA), DEC 29 (PTI): A 45-yearold man from Assam was allegedly lynched by four members of a non-governmental organisation in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district on the pretext of checking his trade licence, police said Saturday.

The incident occurred at Rongsai in Williamnagar police station area -- about 230 km west of Shillong -- on Thursday. The man was assaulted on the pretext of examining his trade licence and succumbed to injuries in a hospital, district Superintendent of Police (SP) Ringrang T G Momin said.

Three members of the NGO were arrested immediately after the incident.

One managed to escape but surrendered on Friday, Momin said.

According to preliminary investigation, the man, hailing from Assam’s Goalpara district, had come to supply bakery items along with his brother-in-law, the SP said.

The body of the 45year-old man has been sent to Williamnagar Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination, the officer added.

This is it!

“The tyres of our rath yatra for Bengal have been punctured by the court.”

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Michel Christian being taken back to ED office after he was produced at Patiala House courts, Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

the court. In response, the Congress accused the BJPled government of using its agencies to put pressure on Michel.

The reaction of Congress came after a Delhi court, hearing the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, on Saturday imposed restrictions on Michel meeting his lawyers in ED custody after the agency said he was misusing legal access by passing chits to lawyers, asking them how to tackle questions on “Mrs Gandhi”. Asked about the development, Congress spokesperson RPN Singh said: “We have seen what the BJP has been doing in this matter. In fact, one of the television channels

showed how there is pressure on Christian to name a particular family.”

On the ED’s claim that Michel had spoken about the “son of an Italian lady” and how he was going to become the next prime minister of the country, Singh said, “The BJP scriptwriters are working overtime.”

Addressing a press conference, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said, “Earlier, we knew only two words — ‘AP’ and ‘Family’ (allegedly mentioned in notes seized in connection with this case.) Now, there are mentions of ‘big man’, ‘son of Italian lady,’ ‘R’ and ‘party leader.’ All of these point to one family.

The Congress government only engaged in scams and compromised with national security. The ‘accidental prime minister’ led a government of loot.”

Javadekar further alleged, “The NDA has extradited Christian Michel successfully, and on the other hand, the Congress is helping him by providing him their advocate...

The Congress never carried out any defence deal without the presence of middlemen.”

Union minister Smriti Irani also questioned why a Congress leader sought to defend Michel.

She tweeted, “No wonder CONgress rushed a posse of lawyers to defend the indefensible. Any guesses who this ‘son’ is?”

Aljo Joseph, who was in charge of the legal department of the Indian Youth Congress, represented Michel in a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier this month, after which BJP leader Suresh Nakhua took to Twitter to target him. The All India Congress Committee subsequently announced the removal of Joseph.

Fuel prices down 30 paise NEW DELHI, DEC 29 (IANS/NPN): Domestic fuel prices fell around 30 paise on Saturday as the cost of petrol touched fresh low levels for 2018 across the four metros.

In the national capital, petrol price was at Rs 69.26 per litre, 29 paise down from the Friday’s levels of Rs 69.55 per litre, data on the Indian Oil Corp’s website showed.

Cost of the fuel in Delhi fell below the Rs 70 per litre mark on December 24 for the first time in the year since January.

In Dimapur, petrol was retailing at Rs.67.06 per litre on Saturday compared to Rs. 67.34 per litre on Friday and diesel was selling at Rs. 60.94 per litre compared to Rs. 61.22 per litre on Friday.

In state capital, Kohima a litre of petrol and diesel were Rs.67.87 and Rs. 61.56 respectively on Saturday.

The decline in domestic fuel prices comes amid the recent fall in global crude oil prices.

As per the country’s dynamic pricing mechanism, the domestic fuel prices depend upon international fuel prices on a 15-day average and the value of the rupee.

Unity, discipline vital in life: Rio Correspondent

KOHIMA, DEC 29 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Saturday asserted that unity and discipline were very important in everyday life, saying those aspects were also required to make the village grow and become more successful.

Addressing the 13th Tuophemia Day celebration at Tuophezou Dahou as key speaker, the chief minister advised every individual to put an effort into making Tuophema a prosperous village. He urged the villages to all work hard together to make Tuophema a better place. Advising people to eat healthily and not to abuse food habit, Rio said one needs to be healthy to be happy.

Stressing the importance of education and knowledge in today’s generation, the chief minister encouraged every individual one to strive for the best and prepare oneself to compete with the competitive world.

He also encouraged the youngsters to appear for competitive exams and aim for the top.

Rio suggested parents to discipline their children for a better future and not

Neiphiu Rio speaking at the Tuophemia Day celebration. (NP)

to hesitate sending their children to hostel.

Further, maintaining that the village should aim to protect and promote the rules, regulations and law made by the elders and forefathers, Rio assured to finance the villagers to keep those traditions alive.

Urging the villagers to make Tuophema the best village, Rio suggested protecting the community forest, banning hunting and reducing the use of plastic. The chief minister assured that he would reward the cleanest ward in the village.

Rio suggested that Tuophema being a tourist village should raise the standard of living, presentation and cleanliness.

Shared a brief history of Tuophemia Day, the Tuophemia village council (TVC) chairman Pfuduolhou Kense said it was began 13 years ago with the goal to bring everyone together as Tuophemia people were scattered in different places around Nagaland. Kense said that natives of Tuophemia were residing in Botsa, Nagarjan, Razaphe, Razaphe Basa, Tuophe Basa. He reminded everyone not to forget their original language and culture even if they no more live in their native village.

Earlier, Botsa Baptist Church pastor Rüdilhou Rio said the prayer followed by the village elder, Solhicha Kense blessing the village.

IT dept reaching tribals over tax evasion Navy divers, fire-fighters reach M’laya mining site NEW DELHI, DEC 29 (AGENCIES): A senior Income Tax official told ANI, on the condition of anonymity, that in their investigation they found that during the demonetisation period the huge amount of cash which was deposited in accounts of tribals, was siphoned-off. During the election monitoring, many tribals informed the officials of huge cash dealing or cash loans given and taken.

The Income Tax department is reaching out to the tribals of the NorthEast region for Benami and Blackmoney Act and for tax evasion. The officials have found that Scheduled Tribes of North East states are misusing the Section 10(26) of Income Tax Act, which gives them an exemption of tax from any income source in the areas of North East Region or by way of dividend or interest on se-

curities. North East Region comprises of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

According to the official, people belonging to the tribal community were found owning property in Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, Delhi etc and receiving rent but did not file their tax returns.

The official stated that several people from the community had fixed deposits in banks in Guwahati and Delhi, on which they had been earning interest but were not filing returns.

It was also learnt that no tax was deducted on a salary of even non-tribal person posted in tribal areas. Hotel chains, owned by partnership firms, neither were filing returns nor paying taxes.

According to the IT official, there is the wrong

perception among the tribals that they are exempted from income tax. He further cleared the air that even tribals are not exempted from penal consequences of repayment of cash loans taken of over Rs 20,000.

The official clarified that the penal consequences on cash payment of more than Rs 2 Lakhs for any purpose or investment, including land or vehicle, are also not exempted.

He further added that cash payments of more than Rs 10,000 are not exempted.

As per another official, looking after the issues of the North-East region, the IT department is going slow on tribals as they need to be aware of the Income Tax laws and their liabilities. The IT department motive is to change the perception of tribals, the official added.

Correspondent/PTI

KSAN/SHILLONG, DEC 29: Rescue workers are racing against time to reach the 15 men trapped inside a flooded 320-feet coal mine in Meghalaya for the last 16 days.

Indian Navy divers and fire-fighters from Odisha fire services have reached Meghalaya’s Ksan village Saturday to assist the NDRF team.

District administration has temporarily suspended pumping of water from coal pit since December 24, 2018 with two 25 horsepower pumps became ineffective due to continuous operations. A NDRF rescue team dived inside the main shaft of the coal pit, but could not locate any of the miners. The rescuers found three helmets so far. These helmets purportedly belong to the coal miners trapped inside. No miner has been

NDRF personnel at the site of a coal mine collapse at Ksan, in Jaintia Hills on Saturday. (PTI)

found yet. Surveyors and mining technical experts of Coal India Limited (CIL) began surveying the site before pumping out lakhs of gallons of water from the 370-feet coal pit.

A project manager of Kirloskar Brothers Limited said that the company has already dispatched 10 highcapacity pumping machines to the site. CIL is also planning to airlift its high capacity submersible pumps of 100 horsepower each that can pump out 500 gallons of water per minute from

various locations.

Requisitioned by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Odisha fire-fighters equipped with several hightech equipment including 10 high-power pumps reached the tragedy site.

PTI adds: A survivor of the December 13 accident said Saturday there is no way the trapped miners will come out alive. Sahib Ali, hailing from Assam’s Chirang district, said four others who made it alive had fled to their homes in West

Garo Hills district.

“There were 22 of us who went in that day. I had worked for two weeks.

Many are diggers who went to the farthest part of the mine. Some are cart pullers like me and we all work in synchronised manner in small holes that barely fit a big man,” Ali told PTI over phone Saturday.

Recounting the December 13 nightmare, Ali said, “all men started work early at about 5 am. By about 7 am, the entire mine was full of water.” “I was about 5 to 6 feet inside the mine pulling a cart full of coal. For some unknown reasons, I could feel a breeze inside the mine which was unusual. What followed was big sound of water gushing in. I barely made it to the opening of the pit,” Ali said.

“There is no way the trapped men will be alive. How long can a person hold his breath underwater?,” he added.

Sumis celebrate centenary of WW-I Labor Corps Modi’s travel cost Rs 2,021 cr DIMAPUR, DEC 29 (NPN): World War I Sumi Naga Labor Corps Association, under the aegis of Sumi Hoho, organized a centenary celebration at Town Hall, Zunheboto on December 29 where over 2000 people including descendants of the Sumi Naga Labor Corps members attended the programme.

Sumi Hoho media affairs secretary, Vinoka K. Rotokha, in a press release said the program marked the momentous occasion in Sumi history, where 100 years before, Kuhoi Zhimomi Sema Naga (Sukhai), assisted

by Hekikhe Awomi (Surumi), led 2000 Nagas, who were recruited and designated as 21st Naga Labor Corps, forming an expeditionary force, to assist the allied war effort in the European theatre of WW1.

Of the 2000 recruited, 1000 were of the Sema Naga tribe, 400 Lothas, 200 Aos, 200 Rengmas; and 200 Chang and other trans frontier tribes, Rotokha stated. In his welcome note, Dr. Kuhoi Zhimomi said that Sumis

The 21st Naga Labor Corps centenary celebration in progress at Town Hall, Zunheboto on December 29.

were celebrating 100 years to honour the 21st Naga Labor Corps and pay them homage and to the memories of those who never returned.

He asserted that this chapter in Naga history should always be remembered to awaken a sense of Naga identity.

Sumi Hoho president, Hekhushe Shikhu, gave a synopsis of how this centenary celebra-

tion was planned and organized.

Short speeches were also delivered by SKK, STH and Sumi Kukami Hoho.

Dr. Hotokhu Chishi gave a slide-show presentation on how the Corps came about and its courage and struggles in the three months they were away.

He also exhibited pictures of materials the returnees brought back and highlighted the need

NEW DELHI, DEC 29 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign trips have cost the exchequer more than Rs 2,021 crore on chartered flights, aircraft maintenance and hotline facilities. However, the hotline bill is not up to date.

As Prime Minister when UPAII was in power from 2009 to 2014, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s bill under the same three heads had been over Rs 1,346 crore.

Now the fine print: replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for external affairs, V.K. Singh pointed out on Thursday that some of the countries Modi had visited since June 2014 figure among the 10 from where India had received the highest foreign direct investment. No direct link can be explicitly established between state visits and decisions by foreign investors. But the data were provided because the questioner, Congress MP Sanjay Sinh, had sought “details of investment received from the countries visited by the current Prime Minister”.

The minister said the yearly (Cont’d on p-7) FDI had grown from $30,930.5 mil-

for a museum for these.

Former Sumi Hoho president Dr. HS Rotokha, who was the guest speaker, unveiled the souvenir, and also highlighted how, among the diverse labor corps from different races and nations, the Sumi tribe displayed their courage and bravery in the face of inclement weather and enemy bombardment when others were cowering and huddled up in fear.

Coming together as part of one group, and facing months of hardened labour, Nagas built a brotherly and unified relationship during their stay in France -- a precursor for Naga nationalism, and the consequent formation of Naga Club. On the occasion, a 10 point resolution was adopted (See on p-7).

Highlights of the programme included Lejole (Folk song) by Shena Old, a song sung by the Labor corps which highlighted the perils of their arduous journey. Another Lejole was presented by Yehemi Village.

lion in 2014 to $43,478.27 million in 2017. The cumulative FDI inflows between 2014 and June 2018 stood at $136,077.75 million, compared with $81,843.71 million recorded between 2011 and 2014.

However, another question

by Sinh did not elicit a complete answer. The MP had sought “the purpose and total expenditure on each journey together with the names and designation of the persons, official and non-official, who accompanied both the Prime Ministers (Modi and Manmohan) during their foreign tours”.

V.K. Singh said that since the information sought on the officials who accompanied the Prime Ministers was “sensitive in nature, the same cannot be enclosed”.

According to the data, Rs 1,583.18 crore was spent on maintaining Prime Minister’s aircraft and Rs 429.25 crore on chartered flights between June 15, 2014, and December 3, 2018.The total expenditure on the hotline was Rs 9.11 crore.

However, this does not include expenditure on hotline facilities during PM’s foreign visits in 2017-18 .

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Organizations hold general sessions, conference 1

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1: Er. Zale Neikha addressing the KSU annual session at Kidima village on December 29. (NP) 2: Vekhole Rhakho speaking during the general session in Chetheba on December 29. 3: Student leaders presenting a song during the general conference at Village Council Hall, Kigwema on December 29. 4: Keneidino speaking at the 56th Annual General Session at St Paul’s Auditorium, Phesama on December 28.

DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, DEC 29 (NPN): With the year ending, various organizations have been holding general sessions and conferences in Nagaland.

Following are some reports of these events.

KSU observes 56th Annual General Session: The 56th annual session of Kidima Students’ Union (KSU) was held at Kidima village under Kohima district on Saturday.

Youth resources & sports advisor, Er. Zale Neikha graced the occasion as special guest.

In his speech, Neikha called upon the students to adopt the good moral values of their forefathers and remain honest. He also encouraged them to learn the history and traditions of their forefathers. At the same time, Er. Neikha advised them learn folk songs, dances and indigenous

games to keep these cultures and traditions alive.

He also encouraged educated youth to appear for competitive examinations and pointed out that many successful candidates get through only after multiple attempts.

“Failure should not discourage you,” he asserted.

Er. Seyiekhrituo Solo, EAC Kezocha was the guest speaker for the session.

T h e f u n c t i o n wa s chaired by Vimeyiekho Vitso and Vingosal Sachü delivered a welcome address.

The session was also marked by a talent show, solo, cultural competition, extempore speech, fancy dress show and a debate on “Is the government responsible for the poor performance of the government institution in Nagaland?”

(Correspondent) CTSU General Session held: Chetheba Town

Students' Union (CTSU) held its 29th General Session at Town hall, Chetheba under Phek district on Saturday.

A press release from CTSU stated that the session was held under the theme "Sustainable development; vision of transition".

Vekhole Rhakho, graduate teacher, Government High School Chetheba was the session speaker of the event.

In his speech, Rhakho emphasized on cleanliness as being one of the most important things in the life of a student for good physical and mental health. He added that cleanliness was a responsibility and a habit through which people can enhance their standard of life.

While pointing out that educational degrees alone do not mean education, he stated that an education

‘Yearnings’ book released

Vishü Rita Krocha (Centre) at the release of her book ‘Yearnings’ on December 29. (NP) Correspondent poems and as the title sug-

KOHIMA, DEC 29 (NPN): Journalist, writer and publisher, Vishü Rita Krocha, released her book "Yearnings" at Ete Coffee, in Kohima on December 29.

At the release program, Rita said the book is a collection of 60 short

gests, it contains recollections of moments, people, places and things that she loves. She added that as one grows older, one realizes that a lot of things in life are temporary- there are people you lose along the way and then you are left with questions that have no

answers. There are happy moments you lose to time and all you are left in the end are memories of times you once lived in.

ICFAI University assistant professor, Kevizonuo Kuolie remarked that as the book title indicated, Rita talks of nostalgia and the loss of familiarity. The loss is not just for one person but she laments for everyone and every good thing she lost in life - a beloved, a lover, a friend, childhood, the gone years and past days, and fleeting seasons.

Kevizonuo also added that the poem reverberates with the words of someone that is hurting, but does not rave and rant. It quietly and gracefully accepts the losses without bitterness and says “just let the world be.” This, according to Kevizonuo, is the philosophy conveyed in the book.

Ahthibung park revamped

also includes good character and behaviour that fit the society.

Stating that more than 10,000 students pass out of school every year, he reminded the students that not all of them will get government jobs, and he urged them to focus on other sectors as well.

The teacher questioned the students if they had set their own goals and objectives to pursue their career.

“It is the survival of the fittest” Rhakho asserted and challenged the students to give their best effort and determination to begin their careers.

Further, he spoke about learning English and Hindi on priority as, he said, it will help them grow in their careers, instead of learning Nagamese which he felt could be learnt at any point of time.

He also called on the

student body to check for proxy teachers in the locality and also check on government departments left unattended for years.

Motahu Rhakho, head GB also exhorted the students to work hard stating that they were society’s future.

T h e p r o g r a m wa s chaired by Veyeta Nyekha, a welcome address was delivered by Zuvekhoyi Phesao, president CTSU. White Country Dust gave a special performance, and a short speech was delivered by student representative, Chosekho Rhakho.

KSU holds general conference: The 70th Annual General Conference of the Kigwema Students’ Union (KSU) was observed on Saturday under the theme “Innovate, integrate, motivate” at Village Council Hall, Kigwema.

Whezo Yhokha, prin-

Sangpang Mepu, Chungtia village reaffirm friendship

Major Toshikaba receiving gifts from a member of Sangpang Mepu of Longkhum village on December 29. (NP) Correspondent A brief interaction

Mokokchung, DEC 29 (NPN): Sangpang Mepu (Khel) of Longkhum Village of the Kochachanger Putu held a program at a farm near Longkhum village on December 29.

The program was organized to mark the friendship between them and Chungtia village.

The guest of the program was Major Toshikaba (Indian Army) from Chungtia village.

session was held where members of Sangpang Mepu of Longkhum village called for strengthening their ties of brotherhood.

Major Toshikaba also reciprocated by accepting the responsibilities of friendship and the ties of brotherhood that was bestowed upon him, and he expressed his desire to extend all possible help.

The meeting concluded with a friendship feast.

cipal, Springfield School, Dimapur, as the speaker, exhorted the students to insert societal values into their education so that they may impact themselves and the society.

He urged them to lead a life of integrity, with qualities of honesty and strong moral principles.

Pointing to the strong competition for career and employment opportunities, he challenged the students to choose wisely, be smart and sincere in their work.

“Education is like a commodity in the market. You will not be picked unless you stand out,” he said.

Adding that people today had become conscious of how others judge and see them, Yhokha told them to be authentic.

T h e p r o g r a m wa s chaired by Medono Zhasa and Kuzolie Neihu delivered the presidential address. The

annual debate was also held on the topic, “Influx of illegal immigrants in Nagaland.”

PSU holds General Session: Phesama Students Union (PSU) held its 56th annual general session at St Paul’s Auditorium, Phesama on December 28.

A release from PSU stated that Keneidino, principal private secretary, Nagaland Civil Secretary, Government of Nagaland was the speaker on the ocassion. Speaking on the topic, “Sacrifice today for better tomorrow”, she spoke about how treating the self with utmost care and love was indispensible so that we may then give our services to society.

Stating that a strong foundation was indispensible to becoming a successful person, Keneidino urged the students to strive and treat education with the greatest

importance right from the nursery stages to the 10th standard.

Ketounizo Kar, president, PSU, in his presidential address, spoke about the responsibilities of students, and the need to bring progress to society and uphold values of the village.

Phesama Village being in close proximity to Kisama Heritage Village, students held a debate on the boon and bane of the Hornbill Festival. The ‘against’ bench noted that the festival is “morally degrading” society while the ‘for’ bench said that the village was gaining economic benefit, getting exposure and employment opportunities, a release stated.

T h e p r o g r a m wa s chaired by Rokotono Chütso. Fr Arul Susai SJ, rector, St Paul’s Institute of Education, Phesama pronounced the invocation.

Priest ordained in Bhandari

DIMAPUR: Reverend Deacon Zubemo Thomas Odyuo, the 6th Priest from Sacred Heart Parish, Bhandari was ordained on December 28 by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima. “I am with you always” Matthew 28:20, is the motto of the new priest.

Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima, Fr. Victor Renthungo, in a press release stated that the Bishop in his introduction said that it was a red letter day for the Catholic Community.

In his homily, the Bishop dwelt on the duties and responsibilities of a priest, which he said were to lift up Jesus and learn from Him through poverty, ignorance etc.

The Bishop also explained the prophetic, pastoral and priestly roles of a priest. Once ordained,

a priest is a marked man.

He is impressed with the indelible character of the priesthood.

A tr ue priest lives no longer for himself, but solely to the end that he may hold up the Crucified before men. The Bishop concluded his homily by thanking, particularly, the family and relatives of Fr. Thomas Zubemo for offering him to God and to the Church.

Earlier, deacon Zubemo Thomas, dressed in the traditional Lotha attire, was welcomed at the gate along with the Bishop by the Catholic community.

They were escorted by the community, humming and singing traditional tunes, to the Sacred Heart Church. Rev. Fr. Philip Yanpvuthung, dean Studies of Good Shepherd Seminary anchored the

program; and Rev. Fr. Pappusamy, parish priest, accorded words of welcome to the Bishop, invited guests, other government and village officials, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes and other participants.

During the felicitation program, special items like congratulation song by the Parish Choir, special song

by Yantsuthung Yanthan, speeches from the Bishop, from Bhandari Church members, and a family representative were also presented.

Rev. Fr. T h o m a s, the newly ordained priest thanked all in turn. Regina Kithan anchored the felicitation program. Time was allotted for well-wishers to felicitate the newly ordained personally after which meals were served for all.

Nagaland team attends BJP all India mahila morcha conference

NPF Minority Wing donates relief materials to fire victims

Assam Rifles officers and members of various participating organizations at the park’s revamping thanksgiving program on December 29.

DIMAPUR: Ahthibung Running Club (ARC), Songlhuh Youth and Students' Union (SYSU) and Ahthibung Youth and Students' Union (AYSU), mother associations of Kuki villages and village authorities organized a thanksgiving program on December 29.

A press release from ARC media secretary, Lhingneilhai Singson stated that, ARC, SYSU and AYSU with support from Assam Rifles had painted the walls of Singsung Ngaicheng Memorial Park (SNMP), Ahthibung. The thanksgiving program marked the success of this endeavour.

The Assam Rifles financed the gate lamps besides the materials for painting K

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the walls of the memorial. They have been painted in Kuki tribal colour patterns.

During the thanksgiving program, an official representative of Ahthibung Post of Assam Rifles Jalukie Battalion emphasized on preservation of tribal culture for the future generations. Ngamseh Chongloi, head GB in-charge Ahthibung; Hellam Singson GB Ahthibung; Thangtinmang Singson GB Ahthibung; Haokam Sitlhou GB Ahthibung; Ngulminlen Singson general secretary KIN; John Singson secretary Town Committee Ahthibung; Jangkhopao Thomsong, chairman AYSU; Aphal Singson; and Lhaineng Hangsing, chairperson KMA Ahthibung attended the thanksgiving program.

DIMAPUR: Naga Peoples Front (NPF) Minority Wing Central and Divisional Team gave relief materials -- blankets and food items -- to the fire victims of Ura village, Dimapur in the presence of GB Chemri Sangtam and convener of fire affected area, Katila.

A press release by NPF Minority Wing general secretary, Arun Mishra stated that NPF general secretary Central, T. Lotha, who joined the relief camp expressed his sorrow and also appreciated the gesture of NPF Minority Wing Central led by Bishnu Bhattacharjee with the division team for the help rendered towards needy people. John Lotha also encouraged the whole team to continue their works.

The relief program ended with some inspirational words by president NPF Minority Wing Central, Bishnu Bhattacharjee, followed by distribution of blankets, clothes and food items.

The release also added that the GB, chairman and convener of Ura village extended their gratitude to NPF and the team. President, minority wing central, Bishnu Bhattachrjee, also extended gratitude to the villagers, NGOs and civil societies for helping the fire victims.

Others who attended the relief work were: GS minority wing central, Prem Meetei Singh, and working president, Sanjay Dey with other office bearers.

The BJP Mahila Morcha Nagaland team at the two day All India Mahila Morcha Conference held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

DIMAPUR: A BJP Mahila Morcha Nagaland team attended a two day All India Mahila Morcha Conference in Ahmedabad, Gujarat held from December 21 to 22.

A press release from BJP Mahila Morcha Nagaland stated that the MahaAdhevishan was attended by more than 5000 women from all states of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the second day of the conference. He spoke on gender equality and women empowerment and assured the prople gathered that his Government was giving priority to parity between the genders. He said that women have an important role to play in the decision making process in India.

The Prime Minister also cited many examples of how his government had been bringing changes mentioning schemes and programs that had been implemented since the BJP came to power.

The release also mentioned that the team also visited Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity in Narmada, Gujarat.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

IVRD, CASU, KTSU, LSU celebrate Jubilees 1

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1: Razouvotuo Chatsu releasing the IVRD Jubilee Souvenir. (NP) 2: Sumi fellowship IVRD, presenting their Jubilee song. (NP) 3: Amento Asumi speaking at the Coco Area Students’ Union Jubilee program. 4: Jacob Zhimomi speaking at the Kuhuboto Town Students Union jubilee celebrations on December 28.

DIMAPUR: Various organizations across Nagaland have been commemorating their Jubilee years. Reports of some of these celebrations follow.

IVRD celebrates Golden Jubilee: Industrial Village Razhuphe Dimapur (IVRD) celebrated its Golden Jubilee at T.L. Angami Compound IVR, near DC Office on December 29.

Addressing the gathering, guest speaker, chairman Chumoukedima Village Council (CVD), Razouvotuo Chatsu, mentioned that jubilee was a time of celebration where everyone should forgive and forget wrong doings of the past and renew the mind and life for a new beginning.

He encouraged the gathering to show complete unity and not differentiate among each other in terms of “isms”. He also urged the gathering to not forget the struggle Naga ancestors had to go through to try and feed youngsters and to preserve Naga history.

Head GB and founder of the village, T.L. Angami in a brief message encouraged the people gathered to live in unity and corporation. Former president and advisor, NSVDB, Tali Pongen, retired secretary, VDB, C.K. Nihekhu Sema and former BDO, IVRD, I. Ollem Longkumer also spoke at the event.

The prog ram was chaired by I. Lima Ao and a welcome speech proposed by secretary, IVR, Keneingulie Sor unuo.

Sumi fellowship IVRD, DC Court area presented a song and chairman, CVD, Razouvotuo Chatsu unveiled the Jubilee Monolith.

S e c r e t a r y, I V R D, Masatoshi delivered a vote of thanks and assistant pastor, Angami Baptist Church, IVR, Lhousielie Pienyu offered the invocation.

(Staff Reporter) CASU Golden Jubilee concludes: The Coco Area Students’ Union (CASU) golden jubilee celebrations concluded at Akuhaito town on De-

cember 29.

A press release from CASU president, Vihuka H. Shohe stated that in the morning session, programmer of Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, Amento Asumi, as the resource person, spoke on the topic “self reliant.”

Stating that mere education was not enough, he emphasized on quality education as being the master of everything. He encouraged the students to make their own destiny by putting God first and challenged them to be producers to become self reliant.

Amento encouraged the students to not depend only on family and society but assume responsibility of their own life without fear of failure and to start small.

Pointing out that the area produced abundant food products, he challenged the students to consider taking up food processing to generate employment.

Asking them to come out of their comfort zones, Amento encouraged them

to take up vocational courses along with their formal education.

Hekato Assumi, an entrepreneur, also shared from his experience about how he became self reliant. He also shared how he used food products available throughout the seasons of the year to remain self reliant and said he made “wealth from wastage”.

KTSU celebrates S i l ve r J u b i l e e : T h e Kuhuboto Town Students Union (KTSU) celebrated its 25 years of existence on December 28 under the theme “Quest for Excellence” at Kuhuboto Town Baptist Church.

A press release from the union stated that Jacob Zhimomi, minister, PHED, who was the special guest of the program said that “today educated youths are the decision makers for the future, be it in spiritual or social life and they must be ready to work and remain humble.” He warned that most of today’s students depend on an overnight preparation which ulti-

nagalandpost.com Poll Q . : Is the state govt implementing the plastic-free objective?

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

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DIMAPUR: 78 Bn CRPF Zubza, Kohima organized a civic action program on December 27, with Sarbjit Singh, DIG (OPS) CRPF, Kohima as chief guest.

A press release from 78 Bn CRPF Zubza, Kohima, stated that the chief guest inaugurated the medical camp and distributed medical amenities/medicines for disabled/ill residents of the villages. Ram Chandra, second-in-command (commandant-AOL) also Three trucks stuck in ruts in the under construction National Highway 39, at Green expressed immense pleasure and joy on being able Park junction, Dimapur on Christmas Eve. (NP)

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Q: A re c u r re n t In d i a n

opening batsmen not up to the mark overseas?  Yes  No  Can’t say

WEATHER FORECAST December 30

(Temperature in ºC) Agartala Hazy sunshine Aizawl Plenty of sun Guwahati Hazy sunshine Imphal Plenty of sun; beautiful Itanagar Plenty of sun Shillong Hazy sunshine Kohima Plenty of sun Dimapur Plenty of sunshine; pleasant Mkg Plenty of sun Tuensang Plenty of sun; cool Wokha Hazy sunshine; cool Zunheboto Plenty of sun K Y M C

Max 26 21 23 22 20 16 17 22 19 12 16 16

Min 10 5 8 5 8 2 4 8 1 2 8 -1

generation of trendsetters”. Stating that they were living in a community with enough educated unemployed youth, he encouraged them to make good use of education, and at the same time focus more on self employment and self sustenance, instead of remaining idle

and seeking backdoor appointments or relying on lucrative government jobs.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the student community for having him as special guest, Temjen Imna encouraged the students saying, “it is very important to main-

tain consistency in our pursuance for excellence and keeping focus on the set target and the goals in our lives”.

Earlier, the minister unveiled the Jubilee Stone, and a dedicatory prayer was pronounced by pastor, Longpayimsen Baptist Church.

Sarbjit Singh handing a walking stick to an elderly villager.

to organize the civic action program.

78 Bn CRPF organizes such programs every year

and commandant (AOL) in his speech asserted his gratitude to the villagers of Sechu Zubza block and

neighboring villages for their extended co-operation and for the cordial relationship.

CRPF provided seven wheel chairs and 23 walking sticks to needy people and around 300 villagers were given treatment. Doctors were Suderson Baniya Chhetri (GDMO) 78 Bn and Ngasepam Kheroda Debi (GDMO) 173 Bn. Vote of thanks was extended by Anil Kumar Jha, 2-I/C for the CRPF and by Aatu, president, youth organization Sechu Zubza.

Stand Up India clinic conducted in Dimapur Skills to Succeed training concludes

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Yes No Can’t say

Temjen Imna Along arriving at the LSU Golden Jubilee program on December 28.

CRPF Zubza organizes civic action program

AR organise lecture

DIMAPUR: Kiphire battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organised a lecture on “Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Future” at company operating base Anatongre on December 27.

According to PRO, HQ IGAR (N), the aim of the event was to educate youth on their role in future development of the nation and the young generation’s role towards creating a better world. A total 43 youth attended the lecture.

mately fails them in the long run.

The minister also lamented that the Nagas, in spite of progressing in the academic field face a stumbling block in the lack of opportunities for educated youth. Further, he encouraged the students saying that that achieving any high goal was the joint venture of parents, teachers and students – an effort which unifies them. Zhimomi also inaugurated the jubilee building prior to the program.

LSU celebrates Golden Jubilee: Longpayimsen Students’ Union (LSU) celebrated its Golden Jubilee with Temjen Imna Along, minister of Higher & Technical Education as special guest on December 28.

A press release from the minister’s team stated that in his speech, the minister lauded the pioneers of LSU for bearing the torch through its formative years since 1968.

Along said, “A time has come for this present generation to become a

Participants at the Stand Up India Clinic & Awareness Program at Tourist Lodge Conference Hall, Dimapur on December 29.

DIMAPUR: A “Stand Up India Clinic & Awareness Program” was organized

by CAN YOUTH for start up and aspiring entrepreneurs on December 29 at the Tourist Lodge Dimapur, Conference Hall.

CAN YOUTH, 3E Space, project officer, Faihamti Longmailai, in

a press release stated that the program was sponsored

by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Albert Gangte, manager, SIDBI Dimapur, Bhairab Kalita, LDM SBI and representative from HDFC Bank, Yerimo, also attended the program and

motivated the participants present in the program to avail online loans under Stand Up India so that it can help track entrepreneurs whose loans are pending.

Albert Gangte also clarified that Stand Up India was not a grant, but a loan which is unlike nor-

mal loans with higher rates of interest. The Stand Up India program helps genuine entrepreneurs who cannot not avail loans despite their effort with banks. He also demonstrated how to apply online for the loan.

A group discussion between the participants and banks officials was also done and the participants raised some questions.

Among them were: whether loans could be availed for consultancy services; the time it takes to process a loan etc. Participants were also given time to interact one to one with bank officials.

Some of the entrepreneurs lodged loan applications under Stand Up India on the spot. All together 57 Participants were enrolled at the Stand Up India Clinic & Awareness Program.

Earlier, the program started with a welcome note by Faihamti Longmailai followed by a brief introduction by CAN YOUTH chief functionary, Jenpu Rongmei, about the purpose of the Stand Up India Clinic.

Organizers, resource persons and trainees of the three month Skills to Succeed training conducted from October to December.

DIMAPUR: Pro Rural in collaboration with Quest Alliance, Accenture and Assisi Vocational Training Centre successfully completed its first baking training. The Skills to Succeed training was a three months course starting from October till December.

A press release from project coordinator Pro Rural, Kevineituo Tepa stated that 27 students from Dimapur enrolled

and successfully completed the skills to pass the baking course including theory and practical.

The students who enrolled went through soft skills and technical skills for self-employment. The purpose of the Skills to Succeed course was targeted especially at unemployed youth to give them training on self-employment along with Quest Alliance inputs relevant for self-

employment avenues.

Besides the Pro Rural training staff, some experts were hired for technical skills namely Renphamo Ezung, winner of Naga Chef Season-4, 2016, who is also the owner of Ren Creamy Creation, accompanied by Rhonthungo Ezung, Renjamo Ezung, Nyamo Ngullie with a session conducted by Kenzevinuo Yano (Alumni) of Skills to Succeed.

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Imphal street vendors protest against eviction

Women street vendors in Imphal city protesting against eviction in front of IMC office in Imphal on Saturday.

Correspondent

IMPHAL, Dec 29: Women street vendors in Imphal city Saturday stormed the office of Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) to address their plights.

The street vendors rose up after they were allegedly evicted by the police in the last two days.

Around 300 women street vendors, who stormed at the IMC office in the heart of the capital city, remained their shouting various slogans highlighting their plights until a strong police team dispersed them.

No injury was reported among the agitating vendors in the police action.

However, after they were dispersed from there, they proceeded to chief minister’s secretariat to submit a memorandum.

‘Sikkim performed better than others despite low funds’ G a n g to k , D e c 2 9 (IANS): Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said his government has performed “far better” than most other states despite “low” funds flow from the Centre.

“Being a small state with a small population, we do not have a presence at the national level. The funds flow from the Central government is low as compared to the funds flow to bigger states, though the needs of our state are of equal magnitude.

“But inspite of such drawbacks, our Government has performed far better than most other states,” he said during the 24th anniversary celebrations of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government on Friday.

Appealing for a decentralised and democratised administrative system, he directed all the secretaries of various departments of the state government to submit proposals by the middle of next month regarding filling up of vacancies, giving promotions to employees and regularising ad-hoc staff.

Chamling, the country’s longest serving Chief Minister, also announced a reduction in the qualifying period for promotion for group C and D employees to five years.

In the memorandum submitted by some of their leaders, they complained that license holder street vendors were not allowed to do business inspite of an order of the IMC permitting them in Khwairamband Ima Keithel.

They further demanded that 350 vendors of Nagamapal Women Vendor Union must be allowed to erect temporary shed to protect themselves and their merchandise from sunlight and rain. Concerned authority of the IMC must issue an order regarding the matter on or before January 11, 2019, it added.

If their demands were not addressed by the set deadline, they will be compelled to resort to agitation in democratic way to achieve their genuine demands.

The street vendors rose

up barely two days after vendors of Imphal’s Khwairamband Ima Keithel (mother market) rose up demanding market policy to save probably world’s only all-women run market place.

On December 27, they have lodged a protest against street vendors while alleging that their business have been greatly suffered due to street vendors who occupied the spaces surrounding the all-women run market-sheds whole day.

They claimed that the unchecked activities of the street vendors have also challenged the image of the iconic world famous historic all-women run market place. The women vendors threatened to surrender their vendor cards issued by competent authority if their demands are not addressed before January 10, 2019.

northeast CPI-M Tripura state secretary attacked Agartala, Dec 28 (IANS): The CPI-M Tripura state secretary Gautam Das was assaulted allegedly

by BJP-backed elements on Friday while he was returning to Agartala after attending a party programme in southern Tripura, police said.

“We have been verbally informed that some miscreants misbehaved with the CPI-M leader and scuffled with him. Though we have not received any formal complaint, we are looking into it,” Sepahijala District Police Chief Kulwant Singh told IANS over phone.

He said anyone found guilty would be booked immediately.

CPI-M West Tripura District Secretary Pabitra Kar said some “Bharatiya Janata Party-backed goons” attacked Das at Bishalgarh on Friday afternoon when he along with party legislator and former minister Ratan Bhowmik was returning to Agartala after attending a party programme. “Driver of the vehicle quickly drove away and rescued Das and Bhowmik from the attackers,” Kar told the media.

To protest the incident, the CPI-M held a hurriedly called protest march in the capital city on Friday night.

The CPI-M informed the incident to the top police officers and requested them to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Seven nabbed in Assam for possessing tiger skin, bones

A display of tiger body parts recovered on the arrest of seven poachers, in Kohora area of Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat, Friday. (PTI)

Guwahati, Dec 29 (IANS): Sleuths of the Kaziranga national park in Assam have arrested seven poachers for their alleged involvement in killing a Royal Bengal tiger, forest officials said on Saturday.

Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rohini Saikia said the guards arrested seven persons after they were found in possession of tiger skin and bones from Kahara range of the park.

“The tiger was killed in Korjutpahar area in Karbi

Anglong. We believe that they killed the tiger about 25 days back and were trying to smuggle it out,” Saikia said, adding they were produced in the court and taken in remand of the department for questioning.

Animal body parts are in huge demand in some of the South East Asian countries for their use in traditional medicines and some prevailing superstitions.

Poachers here often target the one-horned rhino to smuggle the horn for a huge price in some countries.

The Assam government has taken several steps to stop the wildlife crimes, including poaching of rhinos and tigers leading to a substantial reduction in the crime. Assam Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya appreciated the effort of the frontline staff and officers of the department which led to the arrest of seven poacers, saying the government has removed political intervention in the department so that officers and staff can work freely.

Congress demands legalising coal mining in Meghalaya

Man rapes step daughter in Meghalaya

ing and strong regulations to surround the activity is the only way out,” senior Congress leader Ampareen Lyngdoh said.

Lyngdoh had on Friday led a six-member opposition team to the accident site and made recommendations to the state government for rescue efforts.

“Fresh coal dumps are seen on both sides of the road from Khliehriat till Lumthari. This is evident of the rampant illegal mining that is still going on in the state,” she alleged.

“It seems lawlessness is becoming supreme here.

There were not enough

Tura, Dec 29 (PTI): A man who raped his 11-yearold step daughter a number of times in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills district has been arrested, police said Saturday.

The complaint with Mendipathar police station was lodged by the girl’s mother, who had married the 27-year-old man after the death of her first husband.

The accused was arrested on Friday and booked under POSCO, North Garo Hills deputy superintendent of police Nikcheng Momin said. A medical examination of the victim was conducted Friday, he added.

S h i l lo n g, D e c 2 9 (PTI): The Opposition Congress in Meghalaya has urged the state government to take steps for legalising coal mining, alleging “rampant” unlawful mining activities in the region.

The demand comes following the coal mine disaster in Meghalaya in which 15 people are still trapped in a flooded illegal rat-hole mine at Lumthari village in East Jaintia Hills district since December 13.

“Why the state government is not taking up the matter of regularising coal mining in the state with the Centre? Legalising min-

forces to implement the ban either,” the Congress leader said.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 imposed a blanket ban on mining and transportation of coal in the state for its adverse environmental effect and the absence of safety measures for the miners.

The Shillong East MLA said Meghalaya government has failed to call an all-party meeting to discuss on the need to resolve the ongoing ban. “The government should call us, as we need to fight for legalising (coal mining) since we cannot stop it,” she added.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Army rescues over 2,500 stranded tourists in Sikkim

Gangtok, Dec 29 (Agencies): The Indian Army rescued more than 2,500 people who were stuck in hundreds of vehicles due to heavy snowfall around Nathula near Gangtok in Sikkim. The people were stuck in more than 400 vehicles in the area.

They were provided with food, shelter and medical care on Friday night.

Taking to the microblogging site, Twitter, the Army tweeted, “Indian Army rescued more than 2,500 civilians stuck in more than 400 vehicles around Nathula, Sikkim due to heavy snowfall.

All were provided food, shelter & medical care last night.”

Nathu La is a mountain pass in East Sikkim district and is situated at a height of 4,310 m (14,140 ft) above mean sea level.

Only Indians can visit the pass and after obtaining a permit in Gangtok.

Sikkim received its first snowfall of the season on Friday giving the tourists to

Indian Army rescuing tourists stranded in Sikkim.

the Himalayan state reason to cheer. Snowfall in the state usually takes place in January while it does not snow in the capital city Gangtok.

According to a meteorological centre, there was snowfall in the upper

reaches of the state like Lachen and Lachung in North, at Ravangla in South and in Hanuman Tonk region in East Sikkim.

Tourists were seen coming out on the roads from their hotels and vehicles to enjoy the snowfall.

The weather changed in the afternoon with lighting, rain and hailstrom in various parts of the state.

After the rains, the minimum temperature in Gangtok dropped to 6 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.

Permanent NDRF batallion for Arunachal

Itanagar, Dec 29 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh was given a permanent battalion of the National Disaster Response Force on Saturday and Chief Minister Pema Khandu laid the foundation stone for the 12th battalion headquarters at Hollongi, near here.

Speaking on the occasion, Khandu said the permanent stationing of the NDRF battalion in Arunachal Pradesh will not only help the state, but will also be available for service

to neighbouring Assam.

He said the fight against natural calamities and man-made disaster in the state would be strengthened by the presence of NDRF and lives and property would be saved.

To fight calamities, the state police forces and the central police forces are also being equipped. Awareness and disaster drill are being conducted among the civilian population, Khandu said.

The chief minister thanked the MHA for the project and said it was due to the efforts of the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju that the battalion headquarters was being set up in Arunachal Pradesh.

The headquarters were first proposed in 2014 but was delayed due to land availability issues, which were solved by voluntary contribution by land donors, he added.

Lava-like eruption creates panic in Tripura

Robin Hibu promoted as ADGP D I MAPUR , D EC 2 9 (NPN): First IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh, Robin Hibu has been promoted as ADGP/special commissioner of police Delhi.

Hibu, a 1993 AGMUT cadre, was serving as IGP at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is also the founder cum president of ‘Helping Hands’, a charitable organization catering to the needs of the North Eastern people living outside their state.

“My travel to this highest rank promotion had been arduous/perilous but very satisfying journey in serving my country…,” Hibu said. With 10 years left in service, Hibu said that he was enthusiastically looking forward to give his best for the country.

Agartala, Dec 29 (Agencies): A volcanic lava type inflammable liquid has been reportedly profiting out of the ground in Tripura’s Jalifa village and has triggered panic among the local residents of the area.

It has gradually become a matter of concern for the Tripura state government, in North East India, which is highly vulnerable to earthquakes as it lies in seismic zone V. This is the third such incident reported this year the state which is very close to Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Earlier in mid-April, at two spots, namely Baishnavpur and Ghagrabasti of Sunroom, lava-like liquid erupted along with fire and gas.

In the recent incident that happened only a few days back, the local villagers of Jalifa were scared to find lava erupting from the lower portion of the electric pole on the roadside and reported the matter to the fire extinguishing team and local police. A team of firefighters rushed to the spot and tried to spray water and foam, but failed to stop the ongoing eruption that had already burned the spot.

Meanwhile, scientists from the Department of Science, Technology and Environment of the Government of Tripura also visited the spot.

After examining the spot and analysing the samples collected from the spot they concluded that the fire, smoke and

other materials running out of the ground is due to a fault line that passes through that area beside the displacement of the underground tectonic plates in that region and which is creating huge subsurface heat causing the incident.

H o w e ve r, Av i s e k Chaudhuri, from the Tripura Space Application Centre, who is the leading scientist team viewed that there is very little chance of eruption of lava or an active volcano. But the Science, Technology and Environment Minister of Tripura Sudip Roy Barman has expressed concern as the state has a history of recorded massive earthquakes earlier.

Barman said that the government is taking the matter.

JNIMS doctors donate blood to demand promotions

Imphal, Dec 29 (Agencies): Resident doctors at Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal have come up with a unique way to lodge their protest against zero promotions: donating three units of blood every day till their demands are met.

T h e d o c t o r s wa n t promotions for nearly 40 medicos in the hospital.

Speaking to the News18, Dr Loitongbam Nelson, general secretary of Teacher’s Asso-

ciation (JNIMS), said, “We have sent our demand letter to the chief minister and the health ministry but have not received any positive response. We will donate three units of blood every day at JNIMS blood bank until our demands are fulfilled.” Over 50 doctors have agreed to lend support to this unique protest. “Nearly 50 doctors have come forward to join the protest. It will be helpful for those who require blood in emergency cases.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT NAP TRAINING CENTRE CHUMUKEDIMA : NAGALAND

No. NAPTC/QB-03/2018-19/1571

Dated : Chumukedima, the 02nd Jan 2019

TENDER NOTICE Sealed tenders are invited by the undersigned for supply of the following categories of Ration Items to NAP Training Centre Chumukedima for the year 2019-20.

1) Group A - All kinds of Dal & Iodized salt 2) Group B - Potato/ Onion & Fresh vegetable 3) Group C - Meat on Hoof (02 Categories) Category A - Khasi (Goat/Sheep) MOH Category B - Pork MOH Substitute items A & B - Chicken (Live)/Egg Tinned Fish 4) Group D - Firewood / Cylinder & Charcoal Interested tenderers may collect the tender forms and details from the office of the Commandant, NAP Training Centre on payment of Rs. 500.00 (five hundred) on any working day.

Last date of receipt of the tender is 16th January 2019 upto 1200 Hrs; and, shall be opened on the same day (16th January 2019) at 1230 Hrs in the presence of the tenderer/s.

DC-2073

(BEN LONGKUMER), NPS Commandant, NAP Training Centre Chumukedima : Nagaland

If our own future is not secure, how can we devote ourselves to duty? The blood donation will continue till we get justice.”

To avoid inconvenience to patients, 77 doctors have been put on duty while the rest remain on strike. They want nearly 40 of them to be promoted to the posts of assistant professor. They also want pension schemes which they are eligible for (those who joined before January 1, 2005) before

JNIMS became functional.

The other demands include implementation of career advancement scheme for MBBS and diploma senior residents, absorption of tenure senior residents, tutors and demonstrators etc. Meanwhile, the director of the JNIMS issued a notification saying no leaves of any kind will be allowed to the employees of JNIMS and Dental College (except in case of a medical emergency).

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT 11 NAP (IR) BATTALION RUZAPHEMA : NAGALAND

NO.11 NAP (IR)BN/QB/-16/18-19/4518

DTD. Rzpma, The 26th Dec. 2018

SHORT TENDER NOTICE Sealed Tenders are invited by the undersigned for supply of following ration items to 11 NAP (IR) Battalion Ruzaphema, Dimapur for the year 2019-2020.

1. All kinds of Dal. 2. Iodized salt.

3. Potato.

4. Onion.

5. Fresh Vegetables.

6. Khasi/Goat/Sheep (MOH).

7. Pork (MOH).

8. Chicken/Egg/Tinned Fish (Substitute Items).

9. Fire Wood.

10. Charcoal.

Details of the tender notice may be obtained from the office of the undersigned on any working days. The last date of submission of the tender will be on 16th January' 2019 by 1200 hrs. and opening of the tender will be at 1230 hrs. on the same day at Battalion Headquarter Ruzaphema, Dimapur.

Commandant, 11 NAP (IR) Battalion Ruzaphema, Nagaland DC-2074

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Show files on Sahara-Birla, Rafale: Kejriwal dares Modi

New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): Accusing the Central government of scanning over 400 files related to the Delhi government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show four files of the Centre, including those of SaharaBirla and Rafale.

Addressing the National Council Meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal also said through repeated examinations and scanning, Modi gave the AAP government in Delhi a certificate of honesty.

“The Centre took and examined our 400 files to find irregularities, but could not find any. Modi himself gave us a certificate of honesty. I always say if PM Modi shows us four of his files, he will end up landing in jail,” Kejriwal said.

“You took our 400 files, show us Sahara-Birla and Rafale files and we can send you to jail with just these two files,” he challenged Modi.

He said that the BJP in the past four years has not left any stone unturned to ensure that the AAP government could not perform.

Arvind Kejriwal (File)

“I don’t see anywhere in the country or in the world that a Chief Minister elected by the people could not even transfer a peon working under him. The Centre holds the power to transfer the officers but we have been asked to make them work. The public has voted for us, but powers are with the Centre.”

He said that the Central government posted the worst officers in the education and health departments, soon after the two departments started doing good work.

“But Manish (Sisodia) and Satyendar (Jain) ensured that these officers worked. Only we know how we handled the dictatorship of the Centre. They also

used all possible agencies against us including the police and CBI to humiliate us,” Kejriwal said, adding that the Centre also used the Income Tax department and the ED against them.

Kejriwal, in his speech, mentioned Anna Hazare and said he is following Anna’s lessons.

The party head also said that the Congress too is against the AAP. “It is not the BJP which is against us, but also the Congress. Whenever there were raids on us, the Congress workers were the first ones to celebrate,” he said.

Kejriwal added that the work done by the party and the government in Delhi was no less than a miracle.

“The Delhi government, which is going to complete four years soon, has done some work which the other political parties were not able to do even after being in power for 15-20 years. The BJP is in power for past 22 years in Gujarat, compare the government schools in the state with that of Delhi. The work the Congress and the BJP could not do in 70 years, we have done in just three years.”

Focus on farmers’ issues than blaming us: Congress New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): Retaliating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest attacks, the Congress on Saturday asked him to resolve the agrarian crisis and waive farmers’ loans instead of blaming the grand old party.

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, Modi billed the Congress a “lollipop company” that had no real concern for farmers and asked people to be wary of the sops and promises assured by the party.

Modi has been vicious in his attacks against the Congress which after coming to power in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, waived farm loans. Iterating Congress’ assertions that it will not let Modi sleep until nationwide farm loans were waived, party leader R.P.N. Singh reminded the Prime Minister of his 2014 Lok Sabha election promises of doubling farmers’ income and waiving their loans.

“Modi perhaps should read more so that he knows that the Congress government in 2008 had waived farmers’ loans across India to the tune of Rs 77,000 crore. Since the BJP came to power (in 2014), it is the

CBI takes up probe into rape, murder of Andhra student

India condemns terror attack in Egypt

Mahila Court.

The victim, a B. Pharmacy student, was raped and murdered on the intervening night of December 26 and December 27, 2007. Her body was found in a pool of blood in the bathroom at Sri Durga Ladies Hostel.

In 2008, police claimed that one Satyam Babu, arrested in a cell phone robbery case, confessed to the murder. The victim’s parents, both teachers, had alleged that the police pinned the crime on Satyam Babu to misdirect the investigation as a relative of a powerful politician was involved in the crime.

The Mahila Court in Vijayawada, on September 10, 2010, convicted and sentenced Satyam Babu to life imprisonment.

In 2017, the Hyderabad High Court acquitted Satyam Babu. Subsequently the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fresh probe. The High Court, which was supervis-

New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): India on Saturday condemned Friday’s terror attack in Egypt targeting a tourist bus that claimed four lives and injured 10 people.

“We condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the tourist bus near the Giza Pyramids in Egypt on December 28 in which innocent lives were lost,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery for those injured,” it stated.

“We stand with the government and people of Egypt in their fight against terrorism.”

At least four persons were killed and 10 wounded in an explosion on Friday targeting a bus carrying Vietnamese tourists on an excursion to the Giza pyramids. Three of the tourists were killed along with the tour guide, an Egyptian citizen, while the bus driver and nine other Vietnamese were injured.

Vijayawada, Dec 29 (IANS): Eleven years after a girl student was raped and murdered in a private hostel here, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took up a fresh investigation into the case on the direction of the Hyderabad High Court.

The central agency registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) -- one against unknown persons for the rape and murder of the 19-year-old girl and another against three employees of a Vijayawada court for destroying the evidence.

While the Hyderabad branch of the CBI has registered the FIR relating to the main case, the second FIR about destruction of evidence was registered in Visakhapatnam. Both the cases were booked on Thursday.

Hyderabad High Court in November had ordered the CBI probe into the case and had also asked the agency to probe destruction of evidence in the Vijayawada

ing the probe by the SIT, found that the evidence in the case was destroyed in the Mahila Court in 2014 even though the appeal against the conviction of Satyam Babu was pending in the High Court. Taking serious note of this, the High Court reached the conclusion that only a probe by an independent agency could bring out the truth.

The CBI booked T. Kumari, Y. Subba Reddy and P. Venkata Kumar, all employees of Mahila Court, Vijayawada. According to the investigation agency, the accused disposed off and destroyed Material Objects (MOs) under a criminal conspiracy. The High Court in its November 29 order observed that destruction of MOs was shocking to the judicial conscience. While noting that certain DNA test results were also used as part of evidence by the trial court, it voiced the suspicion of attempts having been made in the trial court to destroy evidence.

R.P.N. Singh (File)

Congress which is raising farmers’ issues and Modi has preferred to remain insensitive to their plight,” former Union Minister Singh told the media here.

“Instead of blaming the Congress for ills, Modi should focus on the promises he made and how he miserably failed to fulfill them,” he said, adding “neither the Congress will sleep nor allow Modi to sleep unless farm loans are waived and farmers’ issues resolved”.

“Modi came to power promising the moon to the farmers and after doing nothing all these years, he has suddenly woken up because the elections are not very far,” he said.

Singh also accused the BJP-led Centre of creating urea crisis in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh by diverting trains carrying the fertiliser.

Raj Babbar (File)

New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI): The Congress on Saturday said it was open to an alliance in Uttar Pradesh with any party that wants to “free” the people from BJP rule and urged all such forces to not weaken each other. Speaking at a press conference here, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar said the Congress party moves forward keeping people’s sentiments in mind and the people want to get rid of the BJP government as the same feeling had manifested in the recently held state elections.

Asked if a grand alliance in UP was possible despite the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party making statements against the Congress, he said, “Whatever adverse comments that

are being made, are their sentiments. It is not appropriate for me to comment on the remarks of the chiefs of SP and BSP. “The forces that are there to defeat the BJP, should not weaken each other, be it us or them.” He reiterated that all outfits which want to “free the state and people from BJP rule” are welcome to join hands with the grand old party.

Babbar’s remarks come days after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had “thanked” the Congress for not making his party’s lone MLA in Madhya Pradesh a minister, saying it has made the road ahead clear for his party.

“In UP also, our leadership has made it clear and said that to defeat the BJP, people want that all of us should be together and we also want to be together,” he said. On BJP’s allies such as Apna Dal(S) and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party airing their grievances with the saffron party, Babbar said it is now coming to the fore that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cheated the people and allies with false promises in the run up to 2014 general elections.

Kamal Nath (File)

sources Development.

Another former senior minister Dr Govind Singh was given Cooperatives and Parliamentary Affairs.

Sajjan Singh Verma, who was Urban Administration Minister in Digvijay Singh government, has got the Public Works Department in Kamal Nath’s cabinet, the official said.

Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim minister, got Minorities and Other Backward Class Welfare, besides Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation. Jaivardhan Singh, Digvijay Singh’s son, was given Urban Administration Department. Jaivardhan, 32, is the youngest minister in the cabinet.

Sachin Yadav, 36, younger brother of former state Congress chief and ex-Union minister Arun

Maha braces for KoregaonBhima 201st anniversary Pune, Dec 29 (IANS): The Maharashtra government on Saturday geared up for the upcoming 201st anniversary of the KoregaonBhima war with a series of precautionary and security measures, officials said.

A massive police deployment has been made in Koregaon-Bhima village and surroundings as an estimated 800,000-100,000 people from all over the state are expected to arrive here on Tuesday (January 1).

They will commemorate the anniversary of the historic Third Anglo-Maratha battle between the 834strong British force comprising mostly of soldiers from the Dalit Mahar community and the 28,000-strong army of Peshwa Bajirao II, which was vanquished.

The British later erected a victory obelisk (memorial) and the Dalit castes regard it as their symbolic victory over the higher castes, which is celebrated annually on New Year Day, January 1 since the past 200 years. Last year, however, the celebrations, attended by around 300,000 people had turned violent, killing one and effecting a Maharashtra shutdown

on January 3, leading to a major churning in caste and ideological politics.

Later, police swooped on human rights, civil rights and civil society activists all over India in a bid to arrest ‘Urban Maoist’ activities in the wake of a conference held in Pune on December 31, 2017, on the eve of the Koregaon-Bhima 200th anniversary (January 1, 2018).

In a series of pre-emptive measures, the Mumbai Police on Friday detained Bhim army president Chandrashekhar Azad, seven other leaders and around 350 activists from Malad, Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Dadar, Worli and other areas.

Azad has been kept under detention in the suburban Hotel Manali since Friday, and has been barred from addressing any public meetings in the state, including scheduled rallies at Worli and Pune on Saturday. His colleagues like Sunil Gaikwar (Mumbai chief), Balraj Dabhade (Marathwada), Sachin Pattebahadur (Western Maharashtra), Akhil Shakya, Pravin Bansode and other office-bearers have also been detained in the same hotel.

The state government

Time for Modi to ‘vacate the throne’ is near: Ahmed Patel Ahmedabad, Dec 29 (PTI): Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said Saturday that results of the Assembly elections indicate that the BJP was on its way out even at the Centre.

Addressing a rally at Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, Patel said the verdict in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh showed that people were disenchanted with the BJP. “When you came to power in 2014 by making false promises and spreading lies, you may not have thought that you will become unpopular within just four years. People are disenchanted with BJP now.

That is why Congress won the assembly polls in three states,” Patel said.

When you came to power in 2014, you thought you will rule forever. That was your ego. You did not realise that if people can put you in power, they can also oust you,” Patel said.

“Time has come for you

Anti-BJP forces should stay MP CM Nath distributes portfolios strong together: Raj Babbar Bhopal, Dec 28 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath distributed portfolios to his cabinet Friday evening, keeping Public Relations, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department and Employment Department among others with himself, an official said. Tribal MLA Bala Bachchan, who was minister in the previous Digvijay Singh-led Congress government, was given Home and Jail, while another senior MLA, Tulsi Silawat, got Health, the Public Relations department official said.

Govind Rajput was allocated Revenue and Transport department, while Tarun Bhanot was given the Finance department.

Nath also kept Public Service Management department and the Technical Education with him, he said. MLA Prabhuram Choudhary, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, was given School Education, he said.

A n o t h e r D i g v i j ay Singh cabinet member, Vijaylaxmi Sadho, got Culture and Medical Education Department. Hukum Singh Karada, also a minister in the previous Congress government, got Water Re-

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Yadav, was given Agriculture and Food Processing Department.

Woman minister Imarati Devi was given Women and Child Department.

Pradeep Jaiswal, lone independent MLA in the cabinet, was given Mining, he said.

Umang Singhar was given Forest Department, while Jitu Patwari was allocated Sports and Youth Affairs besides Higher Education Department.

Brijendra Singh Rathore got Commercial Tax, Lakhan Singh Yadav Animal Husbandry, Omkar Markam Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Sukhdeo Panse Public Health Engineering, Harsh Yadav New and Renewable Energy and Cottage and Village Industries, Kamleshwar Patel Panchayat and Rural Development, Lakhan Ghanghoriya Social Justice and SC Welfare.

P C Sharma was given Law and Legislative Affairs, Surendra Singh Baghel Narmada Valley Development and Tourism Department, Pradyumn Singh Tomar Food and Civil Supplies, Mahendra Singh Sisodiya Labour Department and Priyavrat Singh Energy Department, the official said.

Ahmed Patel (File)

(Modi) to vacate the throne in near future. If you do not step down, people will make you do so,” the Congress veteran said.

Referring to Modi’s sartorial choices, Patel said one cannot become a leader like former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru just by wearing a “Nehru jacket”.

“You can also not become Indira Gandhi by going on foreign trips. You can not become Rajiv Gandhi by donning designer jackets and kurtas. To be in the league of such leaders, you have to make sacrifices like them. Do you have the

Diamond found in MP sells for Rs 2.55 crore Panna, Dec 29 (PTI): A 42.59 carat diamond found by a man in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district in October was Saturday sold at an auction for Rs 2.55 crore, a senior official said.

Panna’s Mining and Diamond Officer Santosh Singh said the money from the sale would be given to Motilal Prajapati after deducting taxes and royalty.

Prajapati, along with four others, had taken a mine on lease in Krishna Kalyanpur village and had unearthed the diamond, the biggest found in these parts, he said. Singh identified the buyer as Rahul Agrawal, a resident of Jhansi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

The auction started on Friday with 160 diamonds with a total weight of 203 carats going under the hammer, he said.

Meanwhile, another person, identified as Radheshyam Soni, Saturday found an 18.13 carat diamond in the Krishna Kalyanpur area of the district, Singh said.

He said Soni deposited the diamond with the Mining and Diamond Office and it would be put up for sale in the next auction.

courage to do that?” Patel asked. To Modi’s recent jibe that Kartarpur in Punjab went to Pakistan at the time of Independence because of “lack of vision” in Congress leaders, Patel asked if Modi was also blaming Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a Congress stalwart of that period.

“On one hand you are building Sardar Patel’s statue and on the other you are insulting him,” the Congress leader from Gujarat said.

Modi and the BJP are trying to erase history and present a “distorted version” to claim that Congress leaders did nothing for the country, Patel alleged.

Modi failed to fulfil any of his pre-poll promises such as depositing Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s bank account by bringing back black money, he said. “They claim they have done all those things which the Congress could not do in the last 70 years....

Congress never looted the country in 60-70 years of its rule.

also barred Hindutva or right wing leaders like Sambhaji Bhide alias Guruji and Milind Ekbote, besides activists of the Leftist NGO, Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) which had organised the December 31, 2017 Elgaar Parishad in Pune, from Koregaon-Bhima from Sunday till Wednesday.

Following a recent plea by the government, the Bombay High Court has given control of the Koregaon-Bhima area to the state government for ensuring security during the 201st anniversary celebrations.

Accordingly, the police have deployed a massive force in and around the village, severe restrictions on movement of pedestrians or vehicular traffic, parking at 11 designated locations, multiple security checkposts, road barricades and a CCTV network in an eight km radius from the memorial complex.

“We are fully prepared to ensure peaceful and orderly celebrations at Koregaon-Bhima and ensure that no untoward incidents take place,” Inspector-General of Police (Kolhapur Range) Vishwas Nangare-Patil told media persons on Saturday.

EC reviews poll preparedness in Goa Panaji, Dec 29 (IANS): Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa on Saturday reviewed the preparations in Goa for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to reporters after meeting senior election officials, Lavasa said that most of the preparatory work related to the Lok Sabha polls in Goa was complete.

The coastal state has two Lok Sabha constituencies. “The meeting was to generally see the state of preparedness for the lok Sabha election, especially since the work of voters’ registration is going on. We have taken stock of the situation. Most of the work has been completed,” Lavasa said.

He added that the poll officials are trying to create an awareness among voters related to poll procedure as well as familiarise them with any fresh changes in the existing voting mechanism.

“The objective is to involve the community and people at large, to make them understand the various procedures.

Bulandshahr violence: Cong demands judicial probe New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI): The Congress on Saturday attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the probe into killing of a policeman during mob violence in Bulandshahr, saying over 25 days have passed, but no concrete action has been taken, and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.

Mob violence broke out near Chingrawathi police post on December 3 after cattle carcasses were found strewn in a field near Mahaw village. Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and 20-year-old Sumit Kumar were shot dead as the mob attacked police.

Hitting out at the state government, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar, at a press conference here, said: “Over 25 days have passed and the government is still dillydallying. Some times Ajay Kumar Bisht’s government seeks praise for itself, at other times it says it was a conspiracy.” A “mobocracy” has prevailed in the country since the formation of the BJP government at the Centre, he alleged.

“Earlier someone else was accused, now someone else

is the culprit. The people whose names are coming out (in the investigation) are those who are close to the BJP leaders there,” he claimed.

His remarks come a day after a court sent to 14-day judicial custody the man who allegedly shot dead Singh.

Prashant Nat was not named in the FIR but was held based on local intelligence, eyewitness accounts and assessment of the video footage that was gathered, Bulandshahr Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhakar Chaudhary had said. Slamming the Yogi Adityanath government over inaction, Babbar said: “Ajay Singh Bisht had assured the family of the police inspector that they will get justice. He had called them. In all religions when someone dies, people go to their home, but here he called them.” “Will there be justice done... in today’s circumstances, it doesn’t look like,” he said. The Congress party wants that considering the circumstances prevailing in UP, there should be a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge, he said.

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OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem Middlemen syndrome The science of prayer: A thought Aiming for a picture perfect life

Vol. XXIX NO. 25 Dimapur, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

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rime Minister Narendra Modi has this penchant for slogans and his call for Middleman Mukt Bharat”is a modi-fication of “Congress Mukt Bharat”. Earlier seen as totally incorrupt, Modi today has a lot to answer regarding various allegations made against the BJP by the Congress such as – patronising crony capitalists such as Adani, Anil Ambani and other alleged scams - Balco, Hudco, Vyapam scam etc. Of course, even though the Rafale scam has shaken the Modi government yet he manages to hold on to the image of being less corrupt. His rhetoric and slogans do resonate for a simple reason, that the object of his attacksCongress and especially the Gandhis- have been involved in many past controversies. The Modi government has pulled out all stops and re-opened the Augusta-Westland helicopter scam involving Rs.3600 crore deal for purchase of 12 helicopters under the UPA in February 2010 for the Communication Squadron of Indian Air Force to carry the president, PM and other VVIPs. The alleged middleman in the scam- Christian Michel- currently under ED custody, has a lot to answer for the diary entries of another of his business colleague which the CBI and ED are probing. The tribe of middlemen have thrived under various governments and despite all the talks of doing away with them because whoever comes to power continue to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. Allegations of wrongdoings in military procurements are as old as independent India. The infamy of defence procurement began as early as 1948 when then Indian High Commissioner to Britain bypassed protocol and signed purchase order worth Rs.80 lakh for 200 jeeps for the Indian army. The army found that 150 of them were used and reconditioned and so rejected the supply. However Nehru intervened and ordered that the jeeps be accepted. Menon later went on to become India’s defence minister in 1958 and largely contributed to India’s humiliating defeat in 1962. There was the middleman Otavio Quattrochi involved in the Bofors gun scandal during the rule of Rajiv Gandhi. Around the same time another scandal also surfaced – the HDW scandal involving purchase of submarines for the Indian Navy. It was alleged by German submarine maker HDW, that 7% was paid to seal the deal.

All political parties see themselves as ‘pro-poor’ and plough enormous funds into social welfare schemes.

However, the bulk of those funds are siphoned off by middlemen. Even in the much-hyped social welfare schemes, the involvement of middlemen have always been a boon for exploiting various loopholes to profiteer. Even in the farming sector millions of small farmers are in the grip of middlemen linked to agricultural mandis or markets. Banks have also been hit very hard by middlemen-politicians who facilitate huge loans that ultimately turned bad. Middlemen even included godmen and conmen who were able to influence powerful politicians and officials as they nestled among the elites. Like the hydra, middlemen crop up soon after one flees while politicians indulge in witch hunting. The law should not release those middlemen so that names of the powerful people are exposed and awarded punishment like ordinary thieves. The Supreme Court should step in and ensure that the long arm of the law catch those who loot and plunder.

DailyDevotion Deserter or Disciple?

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. —John 6:66 When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must “walk in the light” of that vision (1 John 1:7). Even though your mind and soul may be thrilled by it, if you don’t “walk in the light” of it you will sink to a level of bondage never envisioned by our Lord. Mentally disobeying the “heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) will make you a slave to ideas and views that are completely foreign to Jesus Christ. Don’t look at someone else and say, “Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?” You have to “walk in the light” of the vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge them— that is between God and them. When you find that one of your favorite and strongly held views clashes with the “heavenly vision,” do not begin to debate it. If you do, a sense of property and personal right will emerge in you— things on which Jesus placed no value. He was against these things as being the root of everything foreign to Himself— “…for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching.

Our tendency is to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we had when God revealed His will to us. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.

Quotes

Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. ~ John F. Kennedy

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rayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship, typically a deity, through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity, or a deified ancestor. More generally, prayer can also have the purpose of thanksgivingor praise, and in comparative religion is closely associated with more abstract forms of meditation and with charms or spells. Today, most major religions involve prayer in one way or another; some ritualize the act, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may be practised spontaneously by anyone at any time. How many people today truly know what prayer is, how to pray, and to whom, and for what? Some people regard prayer as a bargaining process in which they seek to obtain certain favours in exchange for their good behaviour at some future time. The “Catholic” Church employed a similar strategy during the Middle Ages: selling forgiveness of sins. For a fee, bereaved relatives could get their deceased loved ones out of Purgatory. The living could also offset their own future sins in return for a fee--a sort of a spiritual insurance policy. Similar tactics has also been employed by Hindu Temples when the priest would be required to perform Pujas and rituals at the instance of devotees and in exchange of those devotees are required to offer ‘good’ offering to the deities.More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher, Socrates said: “Our prayers should be for blessings on all, in general, for the Gods know best what is good for us.” He also said: “I pray Thee, O God, that I may be beautiful within.” Now that is a truly wise prayer we may all utter at all times with the greatest benefit to ourselves and others.

However, the question arises as to whether ‘prayer’ has a real, scientifically measurable effect on our world? Or is this all an imagination, a wishful thinking and shouting out into the dark abyss of a cold, indifferent, mysterious universe or is someone or something actually listening and responding? These are questions nearly as old as human species, which have consumed theologists, philosophers, thinkers, scientists, doctors, and psychologists alike since time immemorial, and yet we still are searching in the dark for answers.

There have been documented cases in the history of medical science where prayers actually worked. There have been studies pointing at a benefit of prayer, such as a study

H

ornbill 2018 has got over and witnessed a footprint of ever increasing tourists both domestic and international.

Glossing over the statistics of the previous Hornbills it seems that there is an incremental increase in the reach and glory which Hornbill Festival has attained over the years. At this juncture we need to ask ourselves, whether we are satisfied by this nearly status quoist growth and status of Hornbill Festival or is there some substance in ‘Hornbill’ to make it into a grand event. Can we make it large?

Firstly, the impediments which seem to be limiting the flight of Hornbill festival into stardom is that the festival is a fully Government funded and orchestrated event. It is a universally known fact that entrepreneurship and initiative is normally stifled in ventures of the Government.

To invoke energy, new initiative and give flight to Hornbill Festival, it is important that private entrepreneurs are brought

in The American Journal of Public Health which followed 5,000 people in California for 5 years and seemed to show that those who prayed regularly were 36% less likely to die than those who didn’t, another one published in the U.S. Journal of Gerontology that suggested atheists had an increased death rate, and research by The American Society of Hypertension, which apparently showed overall lower blood pressure for those who prayed regularly. A study conducted by San Francisco General Hospital examined the effects of prayers sent by strangers to 393 cardiac patients, and concluded that those who were prayed for showed fewer complications and better overall health, as well as quicker recovery times and earlier release from hospitals.

Another study comes from 1998, and involved a rigorous, double blind study of 40 patients with severe, advanced cases of AIDS. Each patient randomly either received prayers from strangers or did not, and nobody knew who might be praying for them.

After 6 months it was found that the group that had received the prayers displayed better overall health, fewer doctor visits, and decreased cases of further health complications than the group who had not been prayed for.

However, there have been studies which has shown no ‘significant’ results of prayers for e.g. double blind study conducted

by Mayo Clinic in 2001, study conducted by the scientists of Duke University in 2005 known as “Monitoring and Actualisation of Noetic Teachings II “and also a study conducted in 2006 which is now well known as “The Study of Therapeutic Effects of Intercessorary Prayers”. However, the success stories cannot be ignored.

Now the question is, whether to expand our understanding about the prayer is it necessary to amend the definition given beforehand in the beginning of this write up? Will this be helpful in understanding the functioning of the prayer? Let us try and see.

As we know that Prayer is often connected with the God and the God isconnected with the Religion which is further connected with the FAITH. Moreover, we know the religion, we know the Godhead, Prophets too, but none of us have any idea about the nature of ‘GOD’ and therefore, GOD may be considered as a ‘Hypothesis’ for the proof (or conclusion) of which ‘Faith’ is an essential element, therefore FAITH is an act of holding the Hypothesis to be true and therefore this truth becomes our very own, absolutely personal truth. In this context, it may be said that the prayer connects our mind with the help of the ‘prayer-words’as a ‘bridge’, to

connect to the truth of Hypothesis which; whether we accept or reject connected with the core of the ‘infinity’ of ‘Creation’.

Hence, basically we connect our whole living existence with the existence of Creation by way of prayer and that core of the infinite-living creation or source of everything may be understood as God. Words used in Prayers are not ordinary words. They are special words that create special ‘vibrations’which are charged and accelerated by the ‘energy’ of emotions resulted out of thoughts produced by the mind.

Let us take an example of The Book of Psalms. Most individual psalms involve the praise of Godfor his power and beneficence, for his creation of the world.

The psalms envision a world in which everyone and everything will praise God, and God in turn will hear their prayers and respond. Worst of all is when God “hides his face” and refuses to respond, because this puts in question the efficacy of prayer which is the underlying assumption of the Book of Psalms. If we study The Book of Psalms in depth, it reveals us the need to pray ‘properly’ which may be interpreted as a need to connect our consciousness with that of the God. When prayers are released ‘properly’ from us they transformed into the waves and set themselves into the right ‘frequencies’ and reaches to the almighty provided the mind is fully cultivated/programmed for this type of extrasensory ‘communication’. Therefore, cultivation of mind with the help of the light of the ‘true’wisdom of Jesus is a necessary condition that needs to be fulfilled in order to pray more effectively.

Real prayer is the gateway to abundance glory and kindness of almighty. However, Prayer is not just an utterance of some given words. More than words it is the ‘tides’ of emotions upon which ship of prayer floats in the vast ocean of thoughts is important.

Jesus said, the ‘Kingdom of God is within us’ that simply mean that an each one of us has inherited the godly nature from our Creation-God. Therefore, it is necessary to ‘activate’ that godly essence if we truly desire to reach to the ‘Creation-God’ by prayer and therefore, as the flower opens its eye to the light of dawn, so should man open his heart to God, that His rays may strengthen the flowering, and the fruit of attainment be his. Blind mind contaminated with the fog of ignorance cannot reach to the almighty, but a man who lit a lamp of wisdom ‘within’ can access the infinite plain of ultimate reality of God-where prayers are truly answered.

Aniruddha Babar, Ph.D, Tetso College, Dimapur

Hornbill 2022

and promoted to organise Hornbill Festival. The Department of tourism should work in the background by only performing the role of an ombudsman to ensure that there is no malpractice and guidelines are adhered to.

Secondly, the whole event is concentrated in Kohima, it does not cover the complete state of Nagaland and thus the benefits do not percolate down to the complete populace of the state. Although a somewhat fresh beginning has been made by the present government to organize Mini Hornbill fests in all the districts prior to the main festival of Kohima.

But the main festival needs to be reaching out to more locations.

The experiment of bifurcating the music fest in Dimapur rather than at Kohima has not gone down well with the tourists or the locals. It is diluting the complete package.

Thirdly, the infrastructure particularly the roads, transport and lodging facilities need to be upgraded. The present

arrangements are not at all satisfactory, leave alone being conducive to attract more tourists. These are the prerequisites for tourism, no amount of hospitality, uniqueness of culture, vibrancy in events can overcome these basic essentials.

The three prongs if tackled and woven into a well articulated strategy and effectively implemented shall add wings to Hornbill Festival and make it soar to greater Heights in 2022 The Roadmap being proposed has three to four basic percepts, which are that the culture and heritage of Nagas is unique and should be preserved alongwith optimum blend of technology, the footprints of the festival have to expand within Nagaland, Government monopoly has to be reduced and done away with and cross pollination of culture within Nagaland should also be the aim of Hornbill Festival, To Forge Unity!

T h e Fe s t i va l c a n continue for ten days or more as hither to fore, but is conducted at Kohima, Mokokchung and

B

efore autofocus, there was focus. This along with the skill of Andreas Gursky got him 4.3 million dollars for his one piece in 2011, the highest anyone has ever been paid for a photograph! (thehhub.com) ‘Focus’ is a basic tenet of photography. It’s typically described as ‘definition’ in photo books. No matter what style of photography you enjoy, focus can work for you or against you.

WHAT IS FOCUS? Oxford Dictionary defines focus as, “The centre of interest or activity.”

Macmillan’s dictionary gives the following definition for the verb: to focus is to ‘concentrate on something and pay particular attention to it’.

FOCUS REDEFINED: Technology keeps changing and cameras have come a long way, from the manual focus to an auto focus and then to a hybrid auto-manual focus system. Interestingly the human ability to focus and refocus on particular objects in our field of vision is a remarkable skill given by God. Sadly this doesn’t happen in life!

For instance, in the blink of an eye we can get distracted with ads and we lose focus and think instead of the product advertised.

It is ok to get distracted in life but it is not ok to allow it to take over our course. When we lose focus in life we need to work hard on refocussing.

IN FOCUS AND OUT OF FOCUS: Getting distracted happens almost on a daily basis.

We go to buy something we need and come back with so many more non-essentials. The ugly truth about distractions is that we barely recognize them when they come. They are everywhere and they are destructive. The way to avoid this demonic trap is to know what we want in everything we do and in life as a whole (ie set goals) and be determined to get them. Every other clutter needs to be cut out if we are to stay in focus.

The first step to come into focus is to check what led us to lose focus. Goals have a way of focusing our mind, so if we mindfully choose our goals in life, they actually make our life smoother and more satisfying. Goals help us to fulfill our overall purpose in life, while focus helps us to align our goals with our purpose.

PURPOSE: Finding our purpose in life or the reason for our existence gives meaning to all that we do. Our purpose does not serve our goals but it’s the other way, our goals serve our purpose. Goals give satisfaction, purpose gives fulfilment and focus connects both. Be sure you know why you’re doing what you’re doing with your life. Paul the apostle, while writing to the Corinthians, made a profound statement about athletes - everyone runs in a race and all are disciplined, but “I run with purpose

Tuensang. The opening ceremony and first three days are at Kohima, next three days at Mokokchung and three days at Tuensang and culmination at either Dimapur or Kohima. The artistes travel to each of the venues to showcase their culture and heritage. The infrastructure is created at each of the venues and the performers function on the Plug and Play model.

Why 2022? Because hopefully by then the roads will have shaped up, peace would have prevailed in the state and idea of Naga Unity for prosperity will have seeped in. We have come a long way since the first edition of Hornbill almost two decades ago. It is time that an exponential leap is taken to project this event into higher orbits so that it gains its rightful place. In the year of 2018, Nagaland has earned awards and accolades for Horticulture and Tourism, therefore it is the right time to capitalise on the gains made and venture into higher reaches.

Khumlamo Patton, Akuk Village, Wokha

in every step”! He talks about determination, self-control, selfdiscipline and control over the body! (1 Cor. 9: 24-27) PRIORITIZE: Determine what is precious or imp-ortant for you in life and pursue it with all your heart. In the parable of the Hidden Treasure that Jesus narrated (Mt. 13:44-46), the man who found a priceless treasure in a field sold everything he had to get enough money to buy that field. In the following parable, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a “merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Action expresses priorities.

If you prioritize, you will act! I need to remind myself frequently that ultimately, I’m the one responsible for my rise and fall, not friends nor even circumstances.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandhi once said.

There’s more to be done in us than through us! The buck stops with us!

DETERMINED: The definition of determination is not allowing anyone or anything stopping you from doing what you have set out to do. It is not quitting when we encounter obstacles.Colin Powell, American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army, once said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”

Our ascent or descent depends on our determination. The good news is that will-power can be strengthened. Jesse Owens, four-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1936 Games said, “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, selfdiscipline, and effort.”

Jesus knew the purpose of His coming: “No, it was for this very reason [purpose] I came to this hour” (Jn. 12:27) and unflinchingly He went to the cross.

In John 6:38 He says: “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” The Apostle Paul found his purpose in life so that even while he was chained in prison, he could write letters of joy, hope and love!

The Bible is God’s manual that will enable us to live a purpose-driven, determined and successful Christian life. We may be under-achievers but there is hope in God for all. Turn to the One who gives purpose and meaning in life - Jesus. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

(Mt. 6:33) Have a wonderful, purposefilled New Year!

Rev. Dr. JoseTN, (josetnithi@gmail.com)

Reader’s Post

Sir,

Rationalism and emotionalism

There is much emphasis on the utility and importance of a rational approach to life. On the reverse we have a condemnation of sentimentalism. It is noticed however, that sentimentalism is more often than not equated with emotionalism. Indeed, there is much merit in a rational approach. However, the beauty of life I believe is captured through our emotions. A cold, unfeeling approach to life would indeed be akin to a journey through a dry desert. That being said, it may also be pertinent to point out, that there is also the undervaluation of qualities of instinct intuition, and as we say, the sixth sense. It is now commonly accepted that the aforesaid faculties are as a result of past experience.

Perhaps a well funded research should be undertaken by some brilliant minds on the value or otherwise that should be placed on these faculties that are thus far not accorded status given to the rational faculties. This observation brings us to the perception that perhaps there is another overarching faculty that decides the gradation that should be given to a particular faculty, otherwise how can a faculty name or grade itself ? The realm of the human mind, indeed of human existence is fraught and shrouded in mystery; it would seem, eternal mystery. But, perhaps that is what gives beauty to our temporal existence. This perennial search for meaning and and purpose is perhaps what is giving us direction.

Perhaps, this is what eggs us forward. Descartes said- I think, therefore I am. I would venture to improvise- I question therefore I am!

Edward Lotha 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.

national/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

PM attacks Cong on loan waiver promises

Ghazipur, Dec 29 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waivers, saying its governments had handed over “lollipops” instead of what was promised.

“Be wary of the Congress and its lies,” he said at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on legendary king Suheldev.

On a day’s visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi said the Congress promised loan waivers to lakhs of farmers, but the JD(S)-Congress coalition that came into power did not deliver.

“Lollypops were handed over. The loan waiver was given to only 800 farmers,” he claimed.

He said the “lollypop company” had similarly “forgotten” the promises it made before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

The Cong ress has in the past denied similar charges made by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi’s recent remarks on farm loans follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after this month’s assembly polls.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently said his party would not let Modi rest till he writes off farm loans across the country.

Modi claimed that under the Congress rule, loans were given to people who were not eligible, while farmers were forced to go to private lenders and fall into debt traps.

The prime minister described himself again as a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

“This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with

Narendra Modi

honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children,” he said.

“Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights.

It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day,” he said.

He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior.

“Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of `Maa Bharti’,” he said.

“All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of soci-

ety seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development),” he said.

The PM’s rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev.

However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time.

Modi said his government will not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away.

“There are bravehearts of the country who have not been given the due respect by the previous governments. Our government is paying tribute to them,” he said.

“Several important steps have being taken to

transform Purvanchal into a big medical hub and to strengthen small industries in UP,” Modi said.

He said when a government works with transparency and public interest is put above self-interest, big tasks are accomplished effectively.

“Today even the poorest of the poor are heard.

The government has been able to lay the foundation of a strong monument,” he said.

Modi mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and said for the first time healthcare had been given so much emphasis.

The prime minister listed several agriculturerelated projects for the region.

These include the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi, cargo centres in Varanasi and Ghazipur, a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur and the Bansagar irrigation project.

7

Triple Talaq bill to be taken up in Rajya Sabha on Monday New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): Keen on enacting the legislation, the government has got the bill on criminalising triple talaq listed in the Rajya Sabha for consideration on Monday, giving it the top priority notwithstanding the fact that it may find it difficult to get the bill through.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 has been listed as the number one item under the head legislative business in the Upper House where the opposition has greater numbers, given the fact that BJP’s friendly party, AIADMK, has also opposed the legislation.

The bill and the statutory legislation opposing the ordinance, which it seeks to replace, have been listed together to be taken up on Monday after the weekend recess.

The Opposition wants the bill to be referred to a select committee of both Houses of Parliament for

The Parliament in New Delhi. (File)

detailed consideration which the government is not ready to concede. With numbers on its side, the Opposition can succeed in getting the Bill referred to a select committee.

Exactly, a year ago the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha but its passage was scuttled in the Upper House by the Opposition.

In the Lok Sabha, when the bill was passed on Thursday, Congress and other opposition parties and AIADMK walked out of the House when it was about to vote the Bill after government rejected the demand for referring to a

joint select committee.

The AIADMK, which is a potential election ally of the BJP, has also signed the demand for reference of the Bill for the committee’s consideration in the Rajya Sabha. The AIADMK apparently believes that supporting the Bill would not go well with its supporters in the Muslim community, which the late Jayalalithaa had assiduously built.

AIADMK sources said that the party’s opposition to the Bill in the Lok Sabha was its considered decision and not the decision of its member Anwar Rajhaa, who spoke on the Bill.

Sumis celebrate centenrary Stray cattle posing threat NSCN (R) Pochury Region supports expulsion to public safety in Agra of WW-I Labor Corps (From p-1) The prog ram was chaired by Dr. Hotokhu Chishi.

Vote of thanks was delivered by Mughato Jimomi and Rev. Dr. Vitoho Jimomi pronounced the benediction followed by a centenary feast.

Resolutions Adopted 1. That Sümi Hoho recognizes the heroic, historic and legendary Sumi (Sema) Naga Labour Corps with pride who fearlessly and sacrificially took part in the First World War in foreign land and honor their noble services in the war that changed the global history of mankind.

We honor and acknowledge the role they played in awakening the consciousness of Naga identity.

2. That Sümi Hoho stands on the fact that out of 2000 who went to Europe to assist the allied forces as Naga Labour Corps in the WW-I, 1000 were from Sümi (Sema) Naga tribe alone.

3. That the concept of Naga political consciousness certainly evolved from

the experience of the Labour Corps exposure to overseas during the war; which in turn inspired the Naga elders of that era to an agreed concept of the Naga Nationalism that was ultimately inscribed in the Naga Club Memorandum subsequently submitted to the Simon Commission of the British India on the 10th of January 1929.

4. That the historical contribution of the Naga Labour Corps in the WW-I deserve a rightful place in the field of educational and academic institutions at all levels of School, College, and University.

5. That the Government of India and the State Government of Nagaland should provide ample opportunities and logistics support to the Naga Scholars for further research works of the 21st Naga Labour Corps’ contributions to the First World War for the Allied powers in the European theatre of war.

6. That the Commonwealth War Graves Commission should recognize the ultimate sacrifice of

Naga Labour Corps and initiate a sponsored tour to visit of the various graveyards located in France to enable the descendants to physically pay homage to their forefathers.

7. That the Commonwealth Graves Commission erect a monument in memory of the 21st Naga Labour Corps sacrificial contributions in the World War I in Nagaland.

8. That the ingenious concept of the Naga identity shown by the Naga Labour Corps who served in World War I was a precursor for Naga Nationalism and the existing sustenance of its spirit is certainly a reality which must be honored, remembered, and respected by all the Nagas.

9. That under the aegis of Sumi Hoho, an appropriate forum shall be constituted to represent the cause of 21st Naga Labour Corps in National and International platforms.

10. That WW-I Sümi Naga Labour Corps Association hereby resolve to form and register a society for the descendants of Sümi Labour Corps WW-I.

Mathura, Dec 29 (IANS): Bulls and cows are a growing nuisance and pose a threat to public safety in several districts of Agra.

From bulls going on the rampage and attacking humans, to stray cattle entering fields and destroying crops to the fear of cow vigilantes after the ban on cow slaughter, the stray cattle menace is leading to resentment among all.

On Friday, a 22-yearold motorcycle rider was killed after being hit by a bull on Fatehabad road.

In Etmadpur and other areas, farmers locked cows and bulls in schools and government health centres as the animals routinely enter farmlands and destroy standing crops.

Above all, tension prevails in the neighbouring Iglas town of Aligarh after a dozen cows were found buried alive in a dry canal.

Cow vigilantes have demanded firm action but so far no arrests have been made.

“Our labour and resources are all going waste because of hundreds of cows entering our fields and destroying our crops,”

complained Ram Bharosey, a villager in Farah block in Mathura.

In the past one week, there have been half a dozen incidents of desperate and frustrated farmers locking stray cattle in government schools.

“Children have had to miss classes as there is no space and there are only cows in the school complex,” said Anek Singh, a farmer.

Police sent to villages to drive away the cattle have had to face the ire of the locals who want the Yogi government to urgently open gaushalas (cow shelters).

“The bovine population has suddenly multiplied. Groups of villagers with lathis in hand have to patrol villages to drive cows away. If you do not keep vigil, the crops would be gone in a few hours,” Subhash, a village level worker, said.

District authorities in Agra, Mathura and Aligarh have had a series of meetings to resolve this problem. Gram panchayats have been asked to earmark pasture land and provide support to gaushalas.

DIMAPUR: The Pochury Region NSCN (R), through its MIP has expressed solidarity with the government on the subject of Jackson’s expulsion. NSCN (R) MIP Pochury Region, in a press release stated that Jackson’s expulsion has valid grounds on which, “the authority acted to deliver justice to all as no one is above the nation.”

However, it regretted that, Jackson Pochury “have betrayed the nation who failed to maintain his position as Army chief which have brought humiliation and shame not only to the nation but also to Pochury tribe.”

It further stated that the NSCN/ GPRN, under the leadership of Y Wangtin Naga, gifted the position of Army

chief to the Pochury community but Jackson “betrayed the community.”

Pochury region expressed regret that attaining the position of Army chief may not be possible for the Pochury community even in future, which caused “unhealable pain.”

The release stated that it stood by the decision of the government on Jackson’s expulsion and even in the future, on this issue, it will stand by the decision of the government “as he failed to comply with the demand of the government on return of arms.” The Pochury region appealed to its community not to misconstrue the stance of the GPRN on this issue as it has published its position on December 18 and December 28 respectively.

WW-II vintage bomb found at Kolkata port Ko l k ata , D e c 2 9 (IANS): A World War-II vintage 1,000-pound bomb has been retrieved during the dredging operations at the Netaji Subhas Dock of the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), an official said on Saturday.

“A World War-II vintage 1,000-pound bomb was retrieved while deepening the Netaji Subhas Dock berth of Kolkata Port by grab dredger on Friday. It is an aerial bomb probably from 2nd World War,” a KoPT official told IANS. An FIR has been made

with the police by the port official.

“Kolkata Police is coordinating. Indian Navy and Indian Army have been informed. The bomb has been cordoned off on berth II of the dock by CISF,” the port official said.

“It remained under

water for many years. It is difficult to say how it landed there. Maybe, it was being carried in a ship and fell in the river while being taken to shore from ship. We do not know the exact reasons,” said Commodore Suprobho K. De, Naval Officer-in-Charge, West Bengal.

Denied forest rights, people Cong-JDS coalition government take to streets in Himachal functioning smoothly: Gowda participated in the protest, said: “The Forest Rights Act is getting violated at each procedural step, and the voice of the non-official members are ignored.”

In the Lippa village case too, all three nonofficial members had refused to accept the decision of the official members.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 aims to redress the historical injustice that forestdwellers have experienced, particularly the denial of their rights to forest land and resources.

“The law lays down all procedures for claimfiling and verification, but the administration is unwilling to understand the provisions of the Act and is using the law as per its own convenience,” said Akshay Jasrotia, who has been advocating implementation of the Act. Prakash Bhandari of Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective said: “When they have implemented section 3(2) of the Act for diversion of forest land for development activities, why not for section 3(1) which recognises individual and community rights?”

Bengaluru, Dec 29 (PTI): Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda Saturday said the coalition government in Karnataka was functioning “smoothly”, as he indicated that the party was looking for 12 out of 28 seats in the state to contest during next year’s Lok Sabha polls.

The statement comes days after local JDS leaders and party workers asked the leadership to contest all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state, unhappy over the Congress party’s “big brother attitude” in the ruling coalition.

Gowda expressed confidence about arriving at a consensus on seat sharing with the Congress without any “hurdle” and said it was likely to be finalized by January 15.

“Let there be no unnecessary confusion regarding sharing for Lok Sabha seats...Kumaraswamy has expressed his opinion about JD(S) contesting from 12 seats, we (Congress and JD(S)) will sit and decide, we will do the seat sharing smoothly,” Gowda said.

He said Congress president Rahul Gandhi was busy after his party’s victory in three states and ministry formation exercise there.

Leaders of both parties would discuss seat shar-

H D Deve Gowda (File)

ing and try to finalise it by January 15 as Parliament session is on till January 8, Gowda said. Suggesting that seat sharing would be done without any “hitch” between Congress and JD(S), Gowda said “We may get some seats in Mumbai Karnataka, some in Hyderabad Karnataka and some in old Mysuru region.. though old Mysuru is our base, all the seats cannot be expected from there.”

He said the poll notification was expected by February end or early March.

Gowda also gave clear indication about his grandson Prajwal Revanna contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Hassan, the JD(S) bastion that he has been representing.

Pointing out that he has been associated with the constituency for the last 58 years in some way or the other, including as MP, Gowda said “People there have got some respect and love for me, but I cannot

go on. Prajwal Revanna has been working for about last eight years in the constituency, naturally there is opinion towards him there (Hassan),” he added.

Prajwal is the son of Gowda’s elder son and senior JD(S) leader, PWD minister HD Revanna, who was last year appointed party’s state general secretary, which was then seen as a push to his political aspirations. Asked about him contesting the Lok Sabha polls, Gowda, citing health reasons and that age was catching up, said he has “not decided yet.” The former prime minister had in March said he would not be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. However, recent reports suggest that pressure is mounting on him to contest from Bengaluru North and Mandya constituencies.

Complimenting the coalition government on farm loan waiver and other development works, Gowda said seven months had passed and the government was running smoothly despite some “small irritations.”

He said the JD(S) national executive would meet on January 29 and 30, which would discuss Lok Sabha poll preparations in the states where the party has presence.

K-3746

TEACHERS REQUIRED Vacancies Kindergarten Science Maths

Qualification Candidates with minimum two-year Montessori Trained Certificates Candidates with M.Sc. /B.Sc. in Physics/ Chemistry with B.Ed. Candidates with B.Com / M.Com / M.Sc. / B.Sc. / in Mathematics with B.Ed.

Contact Details : St. Mary's Cathedral Hr. Sec. School Kohima Mobile : 9436606213 / 9366835065 N.B : The application with CV can be submitted through the Email: stmarycathedralschoolkohima@gmail.com The application form can be downloaded from the school Website : www.stmarykohima.org The interview for the applied candidates will be held on 5th January 2018 in the school office.

DP-9632

Shimla, Dec 29 (IANS): Denied forest rights, over 1,000 people of remote Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday held a protest in Rekong Peo against the government for not implementing the Forest Rights Act. The protest was held under the banner of the Zila Van Adhikar Samiti and the Him Lok Jagriti Manch, which have been struggling for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act for five years.

The district administration on December 17 rejected 47 individual forest rights claims of Lippa village in the district. “The decision of the district-level committee is not just about one village. This is about bureaucratic ignorance on the provisions of the Forest Rights Act as well as officers’ attitude towards common people,” said Jiyalal Negi of the Zila Van Adhikar Samiti.

For quite some time, Kinnaur district, dominated mainly by tribals, is echoed with slogans ‘van adhikar kanoon Lagoo Karo (implement the Forest Rights Act)’ and ‘hamare gaon mein hamara raj (self-rule in our village)’.

Daulat Ram, a nonofficial member of the district-level committee who

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE DIMAPUR : NAGALAND GYNAECOLOGIST FOR CONSULTATION

DR. SMITA DAS MBBS DGO Consultant Gynaecologist (Infertility & IVF Specialist, Laparoscopic Surgeon) from Institute of Human Reproduction (IHR), Guwahati will be available for consultation on 3rd January 2019 (Thursday, 12:00 pm onwards).

Couples facing with infertility & related problems may visit for consultation.

(Contact No. 09435502020) For more information, please contact Reception:  : 9366451969 DP-9748

8

Number of ATMs declines by 1,000 to 2.07 lakh: Report

People queue up at an ATM machine to withdraw money. (File) Mumbai, Dec 29 (PTI): The number of ATMs has declined marginally to 2.07 lakh in FY18 from 2.08 lakh in FY17, primarily due to branch rationalisation by a few public sector banks, the Reserve Bank said in its annual report Friday. Similarly, the number of operational on-site ATMs too came down to 1.06 lakh during the year from 1.09 lakh in FY17, while that of off-site ATMs increased to 1 lakh from 98,545.

“In FY18, the number of ATMs of state-run banks declined to 1.45 lakh from 1.48 lakh in FY17,” the RBI said in the ‘Trends & Progress of Banking in 2017-18’ report. However, private sector banks installed more

ATMs taking their total number to 60,145 in FY18, up from 58,833 in the previous fiscal year, the central bank report said.

The report said during the period between April 2018 and August 2018, the number of ATMs (excluding that of small finance banks and payment banks declined further to 2.04 lakh, which it attributed to the increasing use of electronic means of payments.

During the same period, robust growth was observed in deployment of points-of-sale (PoS) terminals across the country, the report added. The growth of white-label ATMs has also tapered off in recent years, although the number of

such ATMs crossed 15,000 -mark in FY18.

Pre-paid payment instruments maintained robust growth in terms of volume and value, despite deceleration from the demonetisation-induced spurt. “Transactions through Pre-paid payment instruments, which stood at a low Rs 8,100 crore in 2013-14, jumped manifold in subsequent years to reach Rs 1.42 trillion in FY18,” the report said.

During FY18, 91.5 crore transactions worth Rs 1.09 trillion were routed through the unified payments interface (UPI) which rose to 157.9 crore in volume worth Rs 2.67 trillion in the first half of FY19, it said.

business

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Bad loans of PSU banks declining Enhanced single

New Delhi, Dec 29 (Agencies): Bad loans of state-run banks are in decline and the lenders have recognised most of their stressed assets, a government official said. The gross nonperforming assets (NPAs) of state-run banks have begun dropping after peaking in March, registering a fall of Rs 23,860 crore in the first half of the current financial year. “The recognition exercise is nearly over with restructured standard assets declining from the peak of 7.0% in March 2015 to 0.59% as of September 2018,” said financial services secretary Rajiv Kumar.

According to the latest finance ministry data, accounts overdue by 31 to 90 days (special mention accounts 1 & 2), which are still not nonperforming assets (NPAs), have declined by 61% over five successive quarters from Rs. 2.25 lakh crore in June 2017 to Rs 0.87 lakh crore in September 2018. “This has substantially pared down credit at risk,”

said Kumar. This indicates additions to nonperforming assets will slow down. Public sector banks (PSBs) also made record recoveries of Rs 60,726 crore in the first half of the current financial year, more than twice that in year-earlier period.

“The Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) of public sector banks has risen steeply from 46.04% as of March 2015 to 66.85% as of September 2018, giving banks cushion to absorb losses,” Kumar said. With additional capital being infused, the government expects at least two or three banks to get out of the RBI’s prompt corrective action (PCA) framework before the end of this fiscal.

Earlier this month, Jaitley said the government would invest an Rs 41,000 crore in state-run lenders over and above what had been announced earlier to strengthen their capital base.

This would enhance the total recapitalisation in the current fiscal from Rs 65,000 crore to Rs 1.06 lakh crore.

‘Lowering capital buffer borrower limit detrimental to banks, economy’

facility extended

New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI): The Reserve Bank of India on Friday extended the enhanced single borrower limit facility for NBFC sector by another three months to provide much-needed liquidity support.

Earlier in October, the regulator had increased the single borrower limit for NBFCs (not financing infrastructure) from 10 per cent to 15 per cent of capital funds. This facility was valid till December 31, 2018. “In order to further facilitate banks to lend to NBFCs and HFCs as indicated above, it has been decided to extend the aforesaid facilities up to March 31, 2019,” the RBI said in a notification.

As a result, a bank can give loans to the extent of 15 per cent of its capital fund to a particular non-banking finance company (NBFC) or Housing Finance Company (HFC).

Mumbai, Dec 29 (PTI): The Reserve Bank Friday warned that with high bad loans and inadequate provisioning to cover the same, any relaxation in the regulatory capital requirement or risk-weights could be detrimental to banks in particular and the economy in general.

The Basel III norms recommend risk-weights for various credit exposures, based on cumulative default rates (CDR) and recovery rates observed internationally. However, CDRs and the loss given default (LGD) rates observed here are much higher than international average, RBI said in its annual report on ‘Trends & Progress of Banking.’

“Therefore, applying the Basel-specified risk-weights would understate the true riskiness of loan assets carried on the books of our banks,” the report warned.

The current levels of

provisions maintained by banks may not be enough to cover expected losses, it said and added that adequacy of buffers becomes an important issue to absorb expected losses but not adequately provided for, if and when they materialise. The report also underlined the need for recognizing that the domestic banking system has a high proportion of un- provided for NPAs vis--vis the capital levels although after IBC and RBI’s revised framework for the resolution of stressed assets, there have been some improvements in the default and recovery rates.

Further, the report also noted the calls for reducing the regulatory capital requirement from bankers and a section in the finance ministry, which was one of the contentious issues between government and the past governor Urjit Patel and sudden exit from the central bank early this month.

Not dissatisfied with RBI functioning, says Jaitley

NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (PTI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday replied in negative to a question whether the government was not satisfied with the functioning of the Reserve Bank of India.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the minister quoted a report of International Monetary Fund (IMF) which said the supervision and regulation by the RBI were strong and

improved in recent years.

“No, madam,” Jaitley said to a question whether the government is not satisfied about the functioning of the RBI. The government and the RBI under the previous Governor Urjit Patel were at loggerheads on several issues, including over apArun Jaitley (File) propriate size of reserves which the central bank ferences over the lending should hold. to the small and medium There were also dif- enterprises, and norms con-

cerning supervisory action over public sector banks under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) of the RBI. The differences reached a flashpoint with Patel suddenly quitting the RBI on December 10.

Patel’s resignation was being speculated right from the time the government cited a never-before-used provision of the RBI Act to get him to consider its views on relaxing lending

norms for segments such as small and medium enterprises, appropriate size of reserves the central bank must maintain and easing norms for weak banks.

Earlier, RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had raised concerns over the autonomy of the central bank, triggering speculations that the government and the central bank were not same page on many issues.

Tata Motors launches new Tiago XZ+ at Rs 5.90 lakh Uttarakhand HC directs Ramdev’s

KAKURO

No. 3713 Yesterday’s solution No. 3712

No. 2739 Yesterday’s solution No. 2738

Across 1 New growth a nuisance in capital (8) 5 Adverse criticism in part of Lakeland (4) 8 Intense anger about northern mountains (5) 9 Duck starts to pull out vegetable (7) 11 Homer, a simple chap, goes round the outskirts of Paris (7) 12 Opening joke (5) 13 Consecrated area guarded by son and daughter (6) 15 Young girl or dame in distress? (6) 18 Captured soldier and queen might (5) 20 Cold American surrounded by many insects (7) 23 It may make grandee enraged, for example (7) 24 Father brought back expert quickly (5) 25 Trees brought back from Alaska originally (4) 26 Something that rises possibly ends care (8) Down 1 Farm buildings excluding poles (5) 2 Forceful policemen holding loads up (7) 3 Verse from Epsom? (5) 4 Laid-back style of girl accepting cash card number?

(6) 6 In the morning everyone turns up to see this animal (5) 7 Hide child’s family (7) 10 Officer twice has a drink (5) 13 Rap soon confused singer (7) 14 Mistake made by some terrorists (5) 16 Mark has performed outside shed (7) 17 Choice items, including egret’s head feathers (6) 19 Contribution in strike (5) 21 Constant speed in old car (5) 22 Promise solemnly to use bad language (5)

Nainital, Dec 29 (PTI): In a first-of-its-kind order, the Uttarakhand High Court has directed a company run

by Yoga guru Ramdev to share a percentage of its profits with local farmers and communities.

The high court gave the order while rejecting a petition of Divya Pharmacy against the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board (UBB) and upholding the provisions of fair and equitable benefit-sharing as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

The bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia held that it was a fact that biological resources constitute the main ingredient and raw materials in the manufacture of ayurvedic and nutraceutical products. It ordered the pharmacy to share Rs 2 crore out of its Rs 421-crore profit with the farmers of the raw product.

Previously the UBB had directed the pharmacy to share the amount with the farmers and local communities out of its profit as per the Biological Diversity Act.

Required Cook

LAND FOR SALE

A Christian Centre in Dimapur requires a Cook immediately.

Any interested candidate may Contact in this No. 7005746592 / 9862692533 Note the following: 1) Should stay within the premises 2) Should be a God fearing person 3) Should be able to Cook for 100150 persons 4) Salary negotiable DP-9776

FOR URGENT SALE REGIONAL TAXI MARUTI EECO

Model – 2017 (Oct) Rs. 3.5 Lakhs (Negotiable) Contact : 9856713625 7085065059 K-3757

at Padum Pukhuri 1. 1½ Bighas with Assam type building 2. 80x55 at Naharbari near Post Office Contact : 8787702327

LAND FOR SALE Location : Bamunpukhuri B - near Govt. Middle School (less than 5 kms from Zion Hospital) Area : 11,860 sq. ft.

Price : 14,23,000/* With approach road and drainage Contact : 8787777148

MISSING FIDO AND FLUFFY

The pharmacy had claimed that the UBB neither had the powers nor jurisdiction to pass such an order and it was not liable to pay or make any kind of contribution.

The court held that India was a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the country was under an obligation to give effect to the provisions of the treaty.

LAND FOR SALE AT BURMA CAMP UNB-B AREA : 90X90 CONT. NO. : 8837403156

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No. 9094 Yesterday’s solution No. 9093

company to share profits with locals

LAND FOR SALE

Location :

Borlengri

Area : 3000 sq. ft.

Price : 5,40,000 Contact : 8787777148

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AGO - our first product to be launched under the IMPACT design language; stood out as an attractive, innovative and feature loaded car.”

“It has been the most awarded car of the year with over 18 awards in 2017. With its continued demand amongst our customer base, we are today proud to announce the introduction of the new top of line variant in its range – the Tiago XZ+.

Offering features and styling from a segment above, we are confident that the XZ+ will be much loved by our customers and will further help us expand our market share and support in our journey to ‘win sustainably’ in the PV business,” added Barman.

DP-9751(A)

Su doku

Commenting on the introduction of a yet another class-defining product, SN Barman, vice president, sales, marketing & customer support, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “Since its launch in 2016, the TI-

DP-9771

Crossword

from December 21 across all authorised Tata Motors dealerships, the Tiago XZ+ price starts at Rs.5.90 lakh, all ex-showroom Guwahati.

FOR SALE

Alto Zonal Taxi Ph : 9366028643

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MISSING Last seen at Oriental Colony on 28th Dec 2018 Finder's fee will be rewarded Please contact # 8787632509/ #8119824160

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Dimapur, Dec 29 (NPN): Tata Motors announced the introduction of its new top of the line variant in the Tiago range – The Tiago XZ+. Carrying forward the young and fun element of the Tiago, the Tiago XZ+ comes with a host of additional features, which add to its premium quotient.

Available in both petrol (1.2L Revotron engine) and diesel (1.05L Revotorq engine), the Tiago XZ+ will be introduced in 2 new colours – Canyon Orange and Ocean Blue and will be equipped with a 5 speed manual transmission.

It will be available in both single and dual tone exterior options. Available on sale

Name : Bibek (Pokshe) F/Name : Mahindra Age : 14 years Complexion : Brown Missing since 26th Dec, 2018 at P.R. Hill, Kohima Finder please contact : 8258964496 K-3763

RESULT OF RAFFLE DRAW IN AID OF TEPUN VILLAGE CHRISTMAS 2018 1st Prize : 6182 2nd Prize : 8327 3rd Prize : 6306 Consolation Prize Winner as Follows: 7090, 7581, 5033, 5275, 7028, 4462, 4821, 7959, 4087, 7077.

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international

7.2 quake hits Philippines

Manila, Dec 29 (IANS): A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines island of Mindanao on Saturday that prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning that was lifted later. No damage or casualties were reported.

The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially said that the quake, which occurred off the island of Mindanao, was 7.1 magnitude. Later, in a revised bulletin, it said the 7.2-magnitude tremor struck at 11.39 a.m. at a depth of 54 km, 170 km southeast of Governor Generoso, a town in Davao Oriental province.

In a statement, the Phivolcs said that effects due to minor sea level disturbances had largely passed and therefore the agency was cancelling

the tsunami advisory issued after the quake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also cancelled its alert and said minor sea level fluctuations could occur in coastal areas near the quake in the coming hours. The tremor, which was of tectonic in origin, was also felt in many parts of Mindanao including Sarangani, Koronadal City, General Santos City, Davao City and Zamboanga City.

According to the Phivolcs, nearly 10 aftershocks occurred with the highest magnitude of 3.9.

Moderate to large quakes are not rare in the Philippines, an archipelago that sits on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," a seismically active region due to colliding continental plates.

This was Egypt’s first attack against tourists using explosives since late 2015, when a bomb blew a Russian airliner out of the skies above the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people aboard.

The country has been under a state of emergency since April 2017, following a series of terror attacks against Coptic Christian churches in the Nile delta.

Bangladesh beefs up security for Sunday’s poll providing security to some 40,000 election booths.

“We have ensured the highest level of security in Bangladesh as per the capacity of the country,” Rafiqul Islam of the election commission told AFP. “We hope there will be a peaceful atmosphere,” he said.

Clashes have gripped the Muslim majority country of 165 million in the run-up to the polls.

Thirteen people have been killed and thousands injured in skirmishes between supporters of Hasina’s ruling Awami League and activists of the opposi-

OFFICE OF THE HUMTSOTHUNG EKHUNG (HE) OKYING : WOKHA : NAGALAND FELICITATION We salute and congratulate Dr. N. Janbemo Humtsoe, S/o Nzunimo Humtsoe of Longsa Village for successfully completing Dr. of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Economics.

We also congratulate the under mentioned individuals for their success in the recently declared NPSC result and wish them a brighter tomorrow.

1. Dr. Benchumi Humtsoe, Medical Officer D/o. Yihamo Humtsoe of Akuk Old Village.

2. L. Subenthung Humtsoe, Agri Inspector S/o Lumchio Humtsoe of Humtso Village.

General Secretary President Humtsothung Ekhung (HE) Humtsothung Ekhung (HE) Okying : Wokha : Nagaland Okying : Wokha : Nagaland

OFFICE OF THE

V.K. RANGE STUDENTS' UNION H.Q. V.K. Town, Dist. Zunheboto : Nagaland

FELICITATION

The V.K. Range Students' Union with great pride and honour congratulates Mr. Vinoto H. Ayemi, S/o Hekiye Ayemi SDO, for securing the post of Veterinary Asst. Surgeon (Class-I Gazetted) through NPSC CTSE. The Union further wishes him the best in his future endeavours.

(Toino K. Wokhami) (Hotoka G. Labo) President Gen. Secretary VKRSU VKRSU

FELICITATION

We, the Chisho Clan of Lokobomi Village would like to express our profound appreciation and extend our heartiest congratulation to ER. KEVIKA Z. CHISHO, S/o Zhewoto Chisho & Vitoni Chisho for your achievement to the post of SDO NPWD in the recently conducted NPSC (Tech.)

Exam.

May the Almighty God bless you in all your Future endeavours.

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Imnasanen Jamir President CKTD OFFICE OF THE

PANGTI VILLAGE STUDENTS UNION

CHUBA THIKIR RELIEF CONVENER

TSUKMENSANGBA SANGTAM COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

SAPOTIMI KUGHUKO UNION DIMAPUR

CHEMDOK CLAN

Atsala 05/01/2019 Ayi-7:00 Inaqhe Unity Village Sumi Baptist Akukuhou lono Aghami Dimapur lo akemi kumtsu sukusho eno kukumgha kighini do lunike vezutsu mono ighi penike pithi ani.

The Chemdok Clan extends its heartiest Congratulations to Er. Longkai N. Chemdok, son of Mr. Nyeiba Chemdok for securing the post of Sub-Divisional Officer (NPWD) in the recently declared NPSC, Combined Technical Service Examination.

The Clan wishes you success in all your future endeavors.

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VITOHO CHOPHY President SKUD

FELICITATION

FELICITATION We, the Lokobomi Students' Union with immense joy & pride would like to congratulate ER. KEVIKA Z. CHISHO, S/o Zhewoto Chisho & Vitoni Chisho for your achievement to the post of SDO NPWD in the recently Conducted NPSC (Tech.) Exam.

The Union further wishes him more success in all his future endeavours.

(Aloto Zhimo) President, LSU

WOKHA, NAGALAND

(Ghunaka Aye) Gen. Secy, LSU

OFFICE OF THE

FELICITATION With immense pride and honor, the Pangti Village Students Union would like to extend our heartiest congratulation to the following esteemed members for bringing laurels to the Pangti Village in general.

1) Y. Etsimongo Ngullie, S/o Lt. Yanbanthung Ngullie, Sr. SP (Security) for being inducted as Indian Police Service (IPS) Cadre, Nagaland.

2) Konathung N. Kyong, S/o Nrithung Jami for securing the post of Junior Engineer (Civil Engineer) under Works and Housing Department in the recently declared NPSC (CTS) examination.

3) Lankonthung C. Jami, S/o Chungkhu Jami for securing the post of Junior Engineer (Civil Engineer) under Works and Housing Department in the recently declared NPSC (CTS) examination.

4) Abeni Jami, D/o Paulus Jami for securing the post of S.A. in the recently declared NPSC examination.

The Union further wishes them success in their future endeavours.

Yambemo O Patton Nyamo Odyuo President, PVSU Gen. Secy, PVSU

States has raised concerns about the elections while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

“We’re trying our best to have a free and fair election,” he said.

Islam added that authorities may slow down internet speeds on election day in an effort to “prevent the spread of rumours”, that could trigger unrest.

The country’s telecoms regulator shut down higher speed internet services on Thursday before restoring them on Friday morning.

The Council and the Relief Committee of URA VILLAGE COLONY would like to express our appreciation to all the organizations and well wishers who contributed towards the fire victims of URA VILLAGE COLONY Dimapur.

The accident occurred on the evening of 22nd Dec 2018.

To those who helped in any way, your contribution made our loss more bearable, as it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest-gratitude.

The holy sacrifice of the mass will be offered for your intentions.

MUGHATO CHOPHY Gen. Secy SKUD

FELICITATION The Chuchuyimlang Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur heartily congratulate Miss Kumzukinla Pongen, D/o Mr. & Mrs. Merenchiba Pongen for achieving successfully as Junior Engineer (Civil) Cl-II Gazetted under Works & Housing Dept. Govt. of Nagaland in the recent NPSC result.

of bias during the electoral campaign -- a charge rejected by its chief commissioner, KM Nurul Huda.

The opposition says that some 14,000 of its activists have been detained since the election schedule was announced on November 8. It also alleges that around 12,000 activists were injured in attacks by ruling party followers. The ruling party denies the allegation.

Rafiqul Islam said election authorities were still hopeful the vote would be credible. The United

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

SUKUSHO KIGHINI

OFFICE OF THE Chuchuyimlang Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur Nagaland

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tion Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The BNP, which boycotted the 2014 election, says its supporters have been deliberately targeted in a a bid to deter them from voting and rig the election in Hasina’s favour.

The Awami League and BNP are leading their own alliances in the country’s 11th parliamentary polls since independence in 1971.

The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in prison on graft charges, has accused the election commission

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DHAKA, Dec 29 (Agencies): Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a general election expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term.

Authorities have deployed around 600,000 police, army and other security forces ahead of Sunday’s vote, a senior official said, following a deadly campaign marred by clashes.

The forces, which also include the elite Rapid Action Battalion, navy, border and coast guards and auxiliary police units, are

TSÜSWÜVEH – ALL CITIZEN UNION CHESEZU Dist. Phek, Nagaland

FELICITATION

The Citizens of Tsüswüzu (Chesezu) takes immense pride in congratulating the following persons for their successful achievements.

1. Er. Vezhoyi Ringa, S/o Mr. Pushüyi Ringa on being selected as SDO (PHED) through NPSC. 2. Er. Vethito Nyekha, S/o Mr. Puyo Nyekha for qualifying to the Post of Inspector under LMCPD through NPSC. 3. Dr. Vekhotso Nyekha, S/o Mr. Kühusayi Nyekha for clearing the MBBS final examination.

Zachüyi Nienü Finance Secretary, Tsüswüveh

Yota Swüro Vice Chairman, Tsüswüveh

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Washington, Dec 29 (IANS): President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US will eliminate all economic assistance to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in retaliation for the caravans of Central American migrants arriving at the southern border.

“Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are doing nothing for the US but taking our money. Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it.

We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries -taking advantage of US for years!,” the US President wrote on Twitter.

Trump made a similar threat in October, when he said he would “substan-

the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a think-tank.

Immigration to the US from the countries of the Northern Triangle has increased in recent years.

Since October, at least 9,000 Central Americans, mainly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, entered Mexico in several caravans hoping to reach the US border and apply for asylum.

Roughly half of them are gathered in Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego.

tian government to grant emergency visas to the relatives of the victims.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez called the attack an act of terrorism. “The bombing of the tourist bus in El-Maryoutiya, a despicable, cowardly terrorist act which targets what cannot be targeted: The determination of Egypt and the Egyptians,” he tweeted.

FELICITATION With immense pride and honour we, the Lotha Ekhung Diphupar 'B' Village conveys our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Lichonthung Patton, S/o Late Lidemo Patton and Mrs. Abeni Patton for securing the post of Sub-Divisional Officer (Class-1 Gazetted under PHE Department in the recently conducted NPSC Combined Technical Services Examination.

The Ekhung extend its sincere appreciation for bringing laurels and wishes him the best in all his future endeavours.

(Mr. Kiasao Jami, G.B) Acting Chairman

(Nnio Odyuo) Secretary

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Donald Trump (File)

tially” cut aid to countries making up the Northern Triangle of Central America, but his words were not followed by any action, Efe reported.

During the 2018 fiscal year, which ended September 30, the US allocated $84 million in assistance to Guatemala, $58 million to Honduras and $51 million to El Salvador, according to figures from the State Department.

Some those funds was channelled through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), while the Pentagon provided a total of $42 million across Central America in 2017 to support the war on drugs.

The White House’s proposed 2019 budget includes $69 million in aid to Guatemala, $66 million to Honduras and $46 million to El Salvador, a reduction of 29 percent from the levels of fiscal 2018.

The president cannot unilaterally block the disbursement of aid authorized by Congress for the region, according to

plosion took place when a makeshift explosive device placed next to a wall on Al-Marioteya Road was detonated as the bus went past.

Vietnam’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said he was “deeply saddened” by the attack.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry said on Twitter that it proposed the Egyp-

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Trump vows to end all aid to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

Tourist bus which was attacked being towed away from the scene.

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a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014.

“All I am saying is, I have certain credentials from the past. I need to come (to power) again and I need to be supported. Not overtly, but in a covert manner. So that we win again,” Musharraf is seen as telling US lawmakers in one of the leaked video of the meeting.

When posed with tough questions, he rued that US lawmakers “are too involved in minor tactics”.

He also claimed that Pakistan used the money, given by the US for fight against terrorist, to bring down the poverty from 34 per cent to 17 per cent.

To which, those present in the meeting, were quick to point out that none of the US Congress members voted for USD 20 billion aid to Pakistan in the last 10 years because of poverty.

Money was given to Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban, the lawmakers said, to which the former Pakistan president sought the US to help him

Cairo, Dec 29 (IANS): Egyptian security forces killed 40 suspected extremists during operations in several parts of the country in response to an attack on a tourist bus a day before that claimed four lives, officials said on Saturday.

The operations were carried out in the governorate of Giza and the Sinai Peninsula after an explosion on Friday targeted a bus carrying Vietnamese tourists on an excursion to the Giza pyramids, leaving four people dead and 11 others wounded, Efe news reported.

Three of the tourists were killed along with the tour guide, an Egyptian citizen, according to Egypt’s Attorney General Nabil Ahmed Sadeq. The Egyptian bus driver and 10 Vietnamese tourists were injured. No terror group has claimed responsibility.

The country’s Interior Ministry said that the ex-

K-3764

Washington, Dec 29 (PTI): In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was “ashamed” of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden’s whereabouts.

The undated video clips, which have been posted by dissident Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari, also shows the self-exiled former president as saying that he thinks that the negligence of the ISI was “pardonable” as the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.

General (retd) Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan’s president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment.

The former army chief has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007,

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Pervez Musharraf (File)

get back to power.

In the first video clip, he is seen walking in the corridors of the US House of Representatives. The video clips seems to be from 2012, after he was ousted from power.

In the third segment of the clip, Musharraf is seen in conversation with a lobbyist and Chairman of the powerful American Jewish Congress Jack Rosen during an informal get-together.

One of those present in that meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman.

He argues that there was no complicity in Pakistan not being able to find out Osama bin-Laden.

“There are aspersions against Pakistan of hiding Osama bin Laden,” Musharraf says in his meeting with US Congressmen.

“First of all, is the US against Pakistan, or annoyed with the Army and ISI, because they believe there was complicity? My view is that there was no complicity and I would like to say a few words on that,” he told the lawmakers.

“There was negligence.

Certainly. And we are all ashamed. Even, I, though I am not in the government now, I am ashamed that there was this level of negligence by the ISI that we did not know. I think negligence is pardonable,” he said, adding that the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.

Referring to the 18 people being trained in the US, Musharraf alleged that CIA being such a big organisation was sleeping.

Mexico City, Dec 29 (IANS): Seven children died in a pre-dawn fire on Friday in Iztapalapa, a populous town within Mexico City’s greater metropolitan area.

The fire broke out just before 5 a.m. local time at a cardboard-and-sheet metal shack tucked between cement homes in the neighbourhood of Buenavista, Xinhua reported.

The victims were children aged 2 to 13, including five siblings and a cousin as well as their minor caregiver, and all of their bodies have been found by firefighters, according to Iztapalapa prosecutor Jose Antonio Escobar.

The parents were reportedly out working at the time.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.

Egyptian forces kill 40 ‘extremists’ after terror attack

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‘Musharraf seeking covert US support to regain power’

Seven children killed in Mexico City house fire

9

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

Greta Van Fleet holding Prashant Tamang performs at Longleng Thai cave rescuers in canned food drive I Queen’s New Year Honours List

T

he British divers which helped rescue a young Thai soccer team from a flooded cave this year have been awarded medals by Queen Elizabeth II in her 2019 New Year’s honours list.

Richard Stanton and Johnathan Volanthen, the first divers to reach the 12 boys and their coach after they became trapped in June, were awarded the George Medal, the second highest civilian gallantry award.

Three divers were made MBEs or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and two others receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.

Divers Joshua Bratchley, Lance Corporal Con-

nor Roe and Vernon Unsworth, were appointed MBEs for their role in the dramatic rescue operation that gripped the world’s attention, while Christopher Jewell and Jason Mallinson were given the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for exemplary acts of bravery.

These divers were among 1,148 people who appeared on the honours list, released at the end of each December to recognize outstanding achievement and service. The honours lists are issued twice -- at the new year and for the Queen’s birthday.

Authors Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman, former England cricket captain Alistair Cook, 1960s model Twiggy, ac-

M

ichigan rockers Greta Van Fleet have asked fans who are attending their three sold-out concerts in Detroit to bring with them canned goods to drop off at the venue. The food collected from the December 27, December 29 and December 30 shows at the Fox Theatre will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank.

Fo u n d e d i n 1 9 7 7 , Gleaners Community Food Bank is a non-profit organization that provides millions of pounds of donated and purchased food to feed people in need throughout southeastern Michigan.

Greta Van Fleet released its debut full-length album, “Anthem Of The Peaceful Army”, on October

19, landing at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart with 87,000 copies sold. The disc followed two previous EPs and the breakout song “Highway Tune”, which first put the quartet on the map in 2017.

Earlier this month, Greta Van Fleet landed four Grammy nominations.

Brothers Sam, Jake and Josh Kiszka, along with drummer Danny Wagner, will attend the February 10 ceremony at Los Angeles’s Staples Center, where the group will vie for “Best New Artist”, “Best Rock Performance” (“Highway Tune”), “Best Rock Album” (“From The Fires”) and “Best Rock Song” (“Black Smoke Rising”).

(Blabbermouth)

KUD Organises Music Fest

K

udawhi Union Dimapur (KUD) organised a concert in aid of fund raiser for the purpose of hall construction on December 29 at Agri Expo, Diphupar, Dimapur.

Minister, PHED Government of Nagaland, Jacob Zhimomi, was the special guest of the event, and Ad-

visor, Rural Development, Government of Nagaland, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire was the chief host of the event.

Head deacon CRC, Diphupar, Neibu Phewhuo pronounced the invocation and the program was chaired by Neivinuo and

Esabel Solo.

Lenuo Dzuvichu also sang the song “A Ra Kezivi” meaning my beautiful home land. Some of the bands that performed were, Tetseo Sisters, Echoes Hill, Methaneilie Jütakhrie and others.

(Staff Reporter)

OFFICE OF THE LOKOBOMI TUGHALOMI UNION

‘Bird Box,’ sets new Netflix viewing record

FELICITATION

With immense pride and joy, the Lokobomi Tughalomi Union would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Er. KEVIKA Z. CHISHO, S/o Zhewoto Chisho and Vitoni for securing the post of Sub-Divisional Officer (PWD) Cl-I Gazetted.

The Union wishes him the best and pray for all his future endeavours.

Nihovi Chishi Er. Ahoto Chishi President Gen. Secretary OFFICE OF THE

AJIQAMI VILLAGE COUNCIL

terrain, struggling to find safety or shelter while facing danger at every turn.

The film has been a topic of conversation on social media, with many users poking fun at the film and creating hilarious memes.

ET spoke with Bullock ahead of the film’s release, where she said that, as a mother of two, there were elements of her own experiences with parenting that she was able to tap into for the role -- especially when it came to scenes in which her on-screen children were in danger, and she had to command their attention with an authoritative tone.

“You know that you can go there. I try really hard not to go there with my kids but you do that when you’re scared, [like] when your child about runs into traffic,” Bullock said. “It is the fear, and the beast that comes out… you become a human being you don’t like, but it’s the only thing you know how to do [to protect your kids].”

(FoxNews)

AJIQAMI : ZUNHEBOTO : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

The Village Council of Ajiqami would like to congratulate Dr. Vinoto H. Ayemi, son of Er. Hekiye Ayemi for making us all proud and topping the NPSC Examination and securing the post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (Class I Gazetted).

The Council further conveys best wishes for his future endeavours.

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Chairman Ajiqami Village Council

FELICITATION

DIMAPUR AREA KUTHUR KIURU ARIHAKO would like to extend our heartiest congratulation to Miss Dojinla Yimchunger for succeeding in securing the post of Medical O ff i c e r u n d e r H e a l t h & Family Welfare Department in the recently declared NPSC (Technical) examination.

The Union acknowledges her for bringing laurels to the community and further prays and wishes abundant success and joy in all her future endeavours.

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R. Lokhum Gen/Secy

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T

he Sandra Bullock-starring thriller has become quite popular on Netflix, becoming the streaming service’s most-watch film over the course of seven days. Since its premiere on Dec. 21, the original drama has been viewed by over 45 million accounts, the company reports.

While Netflix doesn’t release viewing metrics, “Bird Box”’s numbers were surprising enough to have the company share the news.

“Took off my blindfold this morning to discover that 45,037,125 Netflix accounts have already watched ‘Bird Box’ — best first 7 days ever for a Netflix film!” the streaming service’s official Twitter posted on Friday, alongside a GIF of the flick’s leading lady taking off her blindfold and saying, “Oh my god.”

In “Bird Box,” Bullock plays a mother of two children desperately trying to survive in a world overrun with monsters who can kill you just by being seen. The trio wanders blindfolded through deadly

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Richard Stanton and John Volanthen.

tress Thandie Newton and Hollywood director Christopher Nolan were among the hundreds to be recognized on the annual honours list.

Comedy group Monty Python member Michael Palin -- who starred in such films as “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “The Life of Brian” -- was awarded a knighthood for his services to travel, culture and geography because of his work as a travel writer and TV presenter.

Pullman, who wrote “His Dark Materials”, was awarded a knighthood for his services to literature.

A CBE or Commander of the Order of the British Empire was awarded to Lesley Lawson, more commonly known as the model Twiggy, who became famous for her short hair, miniskirts and wide-eyed look and will now have the title of dame.

Nolan, who directed “Dunkirk” and the “Dark Knight” trilogy, was also honoured with a CBE. (IANS)

ndian Idol season 3 winner Prashant Tamang performed at Longleng during a charity concert organized

by Ray Beacons Club Longleng on Friday.

The concert was organized aid of footpath construction at Leinak School Longleng.

Prashant mesmerized the audience with his rendition of popular Bollywood melodies. Along with him there were performances by guest artistes including. Akup Noklang and Hentick besides some local artistes.

People came forward and willingly contributed towards the charity works.

(Correspondent)

R. Loyanba Chairman

(Mr. Atsomo Ezung & Mrs. Thunglano Ezung)

We weren’t around when the young and beautiful got married. But this time we are gathering to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Your 50th Marriage Anniversary is giving us thousands of sweet memories that you both provided in our lives. You are treasure and our ultimate love in this world.

May Almighty God continue to bless you both with more years of togetherness.

WC-347

davp 15102/13/0043/1819

50th Marriage Anniversary

K Y M C

With loving Sons, daughters, grand sons and grand daughters.

K Y M C

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

New Zealand made to wait for series win Brits surprise Greeks at Hopman Cup

Sri Lanka’s Roshen Silva bats during play on day four of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday. (AP/PTI)

Christchurch, Dec 29 (Agencies): New Zealand were eyeing an historic victory as injury and a barrage of Neil Wagner bouncers left Sri Lanka in tatters at the close of day four of the second Test in Christchurch.

Sri Lanka were 231-6 at stumps, 429 runs short of their improbable 660-run

Bancroft to return to BBL action

Perth, Dec 29 (IANS): Banned for nine months for his involvement in the infamous sandpaper gate incident in South Africa, Australia opener Cameron Bancroft will finally return to action after being named in the Perth Scorchers squad for their Big Bash League (BBL) clash with Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston on Sunday. Bancroft officially completes his ban on Saturday. Following the expiry of his ban, the 26-year-old Bancroft was immediately included in the 13-man squad for the match with undefeated Hobart.

“Everyone is really excited for him to come back,” Scorchers teammate Jhye Richardson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

target, with doubt whether the injured Angelo Mathews would return. At the crease were Dilruwan Perera on 22 and Suranga Lakmal on 16.

Wagner, who had enjoyed little success in the series, broke through stubborn Sri Lankan resistance to have figures of 3-47. After rain ensured a drawn first Test in Wellington, a win

in the Christchurch decider would give New Zealand a fourth consecutive series win for the first time after beating the Windies, England and Pakistan earlier this year.

Despite losing both openers in the first two overs of their second innings, Sri Lanka fought to stay in the game until short-ball specialist Wagner came into the

frame.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis produced stubborn resistance for 53 overs for the third wicket before Mendis went for 67.

They had seen off the swing and seam of New Zealand strike bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult at the start of the day, were untroubled by spinner Ajaz Patel, and initially they dodged the barrage aimed at the ribs by Wagner.

Wagner’s first success came when he changed tack and lured Mendis into a false sense of security.

Mendis, who in the course of his innings became only the second player behind India’s Virat Kohli to score 1,000 runs this year, was frustrated as Wagner forced him on to the back foot with successive deliveries.

When the next ball was full length, the 23-year-old could not resist going for the drive and was smartly caught by substitute fielder Matt Henry diving to his left at extra cover.

Angelo Mathews, who in the first three innings of the series scored 236 runs and was dismissed only once, reached 22 when he was forced to retire at tea with a hamstring injury.

He pulled up lame running between the wickets about 10 minutes before the interval and could only hobble after that.

Chandimal faced 228 deliveries before he fell victim to a Wagner bouncer that zipped from the gloves to the helmet and into the hands of the close-in fielder Henry Nicholls.

Niroshan Dickwella batted freely for 19 until the new ball was taken and he chopped a wide Southee delivery on to his stumps.

Silva and Dilruwan Perera took Sri Lanka past the 200 mark before Wagner struck again with Silva caught behind for 18.

Wagner also clouted Perera on the helmet with a rising delivery just before stumps but the batsman was able to play on after being checked by medical staff.

Cricket great Alastair Cook knighted L o nd o n , D e c 2 9 (Agencies): Former England captain Alastair Cook has been given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.

Cook retired from international cricket earlier this year - and he went out in memorable fashion, scoring 147 in his final Test innings as England completed a 4-1 series win over India.

That was Cook’s 33rd Test century and he finished his England career with 12,472 runs from 161 Test matches, which are both national records.

Cook made a century on his Test debut - also against India - in 2006, and scored particularly heavily during memorable overseas wins in Australia (2010-11)

Seven I-League clubs to meet over telecast row

Alastair Cook

and India (2012).

He also captained England on a record 59 occasions, before stepping down in February 2017.

Awarded an MBE in 2011 and a CBE five years later for services to the sport, he is now part of a very exclusive club of former England cricketers to receive a knighthood.

England and Wales Cricket Board chairman

Colin Graves said, “Alastair Cook has given so much to English cricket and I’m delighted that he has received this honour. It’s a fitting tribute to a man who has led with distinction on and off the pitch, ever since he made his England debut.”

“The statistics across that time tell the story of his special ability - as do the winners’ medals and Ashes trophies - but he is also someone who’s been a great role model for our sport.

We’re very fortunate to have had Alastair in English cricket and we’re very grateful for his contributions to the game.” Sir Ian Botham was the last former England man to be knighted 11 years ago - although the great all-rounder was bestowed

the honour not only for his impact in cricket, but also in recognition of his tireless charity work Cook has also taken part in several charitable ventures and is a patron of the David Randall Foundation, named in honour of a childhood friend who died of cancer at the age of 27.

Cook, who turned 34 on Christmas Day, will continue to play county cricket, having signed a three-year deal to carry on playing for Essex.

Cameron Norrie returns a shot to Stefanos Tsitsipas during the the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday.

Perth, Dec 29 (Agencies): A shock singles win for the unheralded Cameron Norrie over star Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas inspired Britain to victory in the opening tie of the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday.

Norrie secured the biggest scalp of his career to upset the exciting Tsitsipas in the opening men’s singles, but Maria Sikkari then squared the tie with a three-set win over Katie Boulter.

In the deciding mixed doubles, played under the match tiebreak format, the Greeks had multiple match points, but it was the Brits who prevailed in three sets.

In the men’s singles, world number 200 Norrie upset the 20-year-old Tsitsipas in straight sets, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4.

Tsitsipas is one of the hottest young talents in world tennis, having shot from 91st in the world at

the start of the year to his current lofty heights of 15th.

He beat superstar Novak Djokovic earlier this year and reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, but looked rusty in his first outing of the new season although he showed flashes of his best form, particularly the ability to scramble under pressure.

However, the booming forehand of the 23year-old Norrie was a big factor in the match.

The first set was decided in a tie-breaker, with both players holding set points before Norrie closed it out.

In the second set, Tsitsipas went up an early break only for the Brit, who was born in South Africa and has lived in New Zealand and the United States, to break back in the sixth game.

Another break in the 10th game secured the set and match for Norrie, who attended a family wedding

1st Death Anniversary

south of Perth prior to the Hopman Cup. The left-hander said it was one of his best wins.

“He came up with some big shots, but so did I and managed to hold my nerve,” he said.

“The second set I stayed solid and played well at the end.”

In the women’s singles, Sakkari came out blazing and won the first set without dropping a game, but Boulter then steadied to level the match.

Two early breaks in the third set laid the foundation for Sakkari to prevail 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.

The Brits clinched the first set in the mixed doubles, but the Greeks fought back as Tsitsipas adjusted to his first-ever mixed doubles.

The Greeks had the tie at their mercy when they led 3-0 and held their first match point, but the Brits hung in there to win 4-3 (5/0), 3-4 (2/5), 4-3 (5/4).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

of Smti. Yankhumbeni Ennio (30 Dec 2018) th

3rd Death Anniversary of our Beloved Father

LATE I. PIHOTO AWOMI, 20/04/1954 – 30/12/2015

Ko l k at a , D e c 2 9 (IANS): Aggrieved by the lack of coverage after the revised I-League telecast schedule, seven I-League clubs will meet under the banner of I-League (Private) Clubs Association here to ‘mobilise the entire football community to fight the injustice’.

According to a statement, I-League clubs are up in arms after the tournament’s official broadcaster Star Sports recently announced that it will cut the television coverage to just 30 of the 61 matches remaining in the season.

While former champions Mohun Bagan are the only side who could see all their matches shown on television, defending champions Minerva Punjab FC were the worst-hit, and newcomers Real Kashmir FC will be partially affected.

At the forefront of the movement is defending champions Minerva owner Ranjit Bajaj who has time and again criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial and marketing partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for step-motherly treatment to the “country’s premier league.”

The other member clubs include Chennai City FC, Neroca FC, Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Real Kashmir FC and Shillong Lajong FC. “In light of the recent decision by Star Sports/AIFF/FSDL/IMGK Y M C

A year since we parted in bodily world, we always missed the motherly care and warmth you gave us. Your presence is always felt each day and you will live deep within us forever.

May your soul smile upon us from your heavenly abode until we meet again.

Reliance not to broadcast 30 of the remaining matches of the I-League, the I-League clubs had approached Praful Patel for an urgent meeting, however we did not get any response,” the media statement said.

“In order to make our voices heard and in an attempt to mobilise the entire football community to fight the injustice being meted out to the top division football league of the country, ILeague clubs have decided to conduct a joint press conference for our cause,” it read.

Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers are still not part of the movement. “We have reached out to Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers to join in, we await their confirmations,” the statement added.

WC-348

Loving Husband, Children, Grandchildren and Relatives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-9765

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT KEZIEVINUO SORHIE W/o Lt. Neivotso Sorhie 1922-2018 (24th Dec)

We, the children of Lt. Kezievinuo Sorhie acknowledge and express our heartiest gratitude to the Khedi Baptist Church, neighbours, friends, relatives and all those who stood by us through prayers, services, contributions and valued physical presence during the sad demise of our dearest mother. Though we could not acknowledge everyone personally, may the Almighty bless you all in abundance.

Loving children, in-laws, grandchildren & great grandchildren

K-3761

27th Feb. 1975 – 26th Dec. 2018 We the Family Members of Late Dziesetuonuo Nagi would like to extend our grateful thanks to all our Relatives, Friends, Well Wishers and Loved Ones who surrounded us with their love and care and stood by us throughout her illness and sad demise.

We convey our Special Thanks to: 1. Vidima Baptist Church 2. Mr. Neibu Nagi & Family 3. CIHSR Doctors & Nurses 4. Mrs. Neinuo Sanchu & Family 5. Dr. Akavi Zhimomi 6. Mr. Thekelie Rüpreo & Family We regret our inability to mention each one individually in this column. We earnestly pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Husband & Children DP-9779

Born on : 09/11/1948 Died on : 18/12/2018 Words are inadequate to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who stood by us during the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved Lt. Nchamongi Mariam Humtsoe who breathed her last on 18th Dec. 2018.

Our thanks and appreciations to: 1. St Paul Parish Priest, Wokha 2. Wokha Town Catholic Church 3. Etsutchukha Colony Youth, Wokha 4. Team Metamorphisis (Blood Donors) Thungdemo Kyong & Tsenbemo Ngullie 5. CO 28th Assam Rifles, Wokha 6. Jack Jimomi, Supervisor CFSB/GPRN 7. Dr. Zubon Humtsoe (Panacia Nursing Home, Wokha) 8. Dr. Motsuo, Memorial Hospital, Wokha 9. Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur 10. Faith Hospital, Dimapur 11. Nagaland Multispeciality and Research Centre, Dimapur 12. Ayushsundra Hospital, Guwahati 13. Wokha Town Lakhuti Ekhung Loving Children, Grand Children & Relatives DP-9762

Born on 20-01-1966 – Died on 25-12-2018 We express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who shared our grief and helped us through prayer, support, financial help and services during the last journey of our beloved Lt. Lhouvisilie Albert Chiero (Avi). Though we could not personally thank each and every individual. Through this column we acknowledge your love and wishes. May Almighty God shower His blessings on each and every one of you abundantly.

A special word of thanks to : 1. Shri. Neiba Kronu (Minister, Planning & Co-ordination) 2. Dr. Nicky Kire (Advisor, Rural Development) 3. Mr. & Mrs. Rewelhi Krome (Lerie Colony) 4. Sole Victor (Catechist St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish) 5. Rev. Dr. Neingupe (Mesulumi Village) 6. Chakhesang Baptist Church (Old Ministers’ Hill Kohima) 7. P.R. Hill Catholic Krotho 8. Meselumi Baptist Church 9. St. Martin De Porses Mission Group 10. Cross Wonder Church 11. The Panchayat, Lower P.R. Hill 12. Lower & Upper P.R. Hill Youth Organisation 13. Lower P.R. Hill Unit (NDPP) 14. Lower Jail Colony 15. Mesulumi Welfare, Kohima 16. Forest Colony 17. Officers Hill Colony K-3760

Loving Wife, Children & Relatives K Y M C

12

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018

India on the brink of MCG victory Juventus extends lead at top

Melbourne, Dec 29 (Agencies): Australia are teetering on the brink of defeat in the third Test despite a battling unbeaten half century from tailender Pat Cummins after being set a massive 399 to win

by India.

After early morning drizzle, India started an overcast fourth day in Melbourne with a 346-run lead and with five wickets in hand on a wearing pitch becoming increasingly difficult to bat on.

Skipper Virat Kohli declared at 106-8, leaving Australia to chase what would be a record fourthinnings total at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Despite more batting failures Australia were still alive at stumps on 258-8, needing another 141 runs with the gutsy Cummins 61 not out - only his second Test fifty and his highestever score. It followed his career-best 6-27 with the ball.

He was accompanied

by Nathan Lyon, who was not out on six, in the rearguard action.

India still have a day in hand to wrap up the last two wickets as they zero in on a first series win in

Despite failing to wrap up victory on day four, India remained on course for a 2-1 series lead.

Australia. There is just the Sydney Test next week to go, with the series level at 1-1.

Australia’s task was made harder when Aaron Finch again flopped, throwing his role as a Test opener under ever more scrutiny with speculation that he either has to drop down the order in Sydney or make way for someone else.

He played a poor shot to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah - who snared six wickets in the first innings - and was caught by Kohli

for three.

Fellow opener Marcus Harris followed him back to the pavilion for 13, getting an inside edge from spinner Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal close in.

Usman Khawaja was the next to go after a lively 33, trapped lbw by Mohammed Shami. He chose to review the decision with the ball-tracking technology showing it clearly hitting the off stump.

When Shaun Marsh was also trapped leg before

by Bumrah for a brisk 44 and his brother Mitch -

another candidate for the Sydney axe - fell for 10, Australia’s faint survival hopes were fading fast.

Travis Head put up some resistance with a battling 34 before his stumps were knocked over by Ishant Sharma and when skipper Tim Paine went for 26 it appeared all but over until Cummins dug in.

Cummins had brought the game back to life late on day three by grabbing four wickets in a devastating spell after his team were skittled for just 151 in reply to India’s first-innings

443-7 declared.

Debutant opener Agarwal, who had witnessed the carnage from the other end, showed early aggression on Saturday when they resumed, rushing down the pitch to smack spinner Lyon for two big sixes.

But he was no match for Cummins who was again Australia’s saviour when a low delivery ricocheted off the bat onto the stumps and he was out for 42.

It was Cummins’ third five-wicket haul in his 17 Tests - and he achieved the feat in just nine overs for 14 runs.

Not satisfied, he then had Jadeja caught at short point by Khawaja for five to give him career-best figures of 6-27 off 11 overs.

When Rishabh Pant fell to Josh Hazlewood for 33, Kohli made the declaration.

Brief Scores: Au s t r a l i a : 1 5 1 & 258/8 (Pat Cummins 61 batting, Shaun Marsh 44, Usman Khawaja 33; Ravindra Jadeja 3/82, Jasprit Bumrah 2/53) vs India: 443/7(d) & 106/8(d) (Mayank Agarwal 42, Rishabh Pant 33; Pat Cummins 6/27) at stumps on Day 4

Ronaldo greets a young fan as Massimiliano Allegri’s side celebrate sealing victory

Milan, Dec 29 (Agencies): Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and a dramatic late VAR call gave Juventus a 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Saturday that extends their lead at the top of Serie A. Having rescued their unbeaten start to the league season with the equaliser against Atalanta last time out, Ronaldo struck in each half to secure a 17th win in 19 games heading into the mid-season break.

Sampdoria, who had levelled through Fabio Quagliarella’s penalty and had an injury-time Riccardo Saponara strike disallowed

by VAR, have now lost their last four away league games against Juve for the first time since 1968.

The only negative for Juve was the loss of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to an apparent injury in the warm-up.

Samp’s resistance lasted less than two minutes, Ronaldo gathering Paulo Dybala’s pass, cutting inside and firing right-footed through the grasp of Emil Audero.

Juve seemed to relax after going ahead, though, and Samp levelled after 32 minutes through Quagliarella’s spot-kick after a

VAR review led to Emre Can being penalised for the ball striking his elbow.

Audero denied Ronaldo with a flying save as Juve stepped up the pressure after the break, but he could do nothing to stop the Portugal star from burying a penalty past him 65 minutes in, after Alex Ferrari was deemed to have handled in the box.

Saponara thought he had struck a sublime equaliser in injury time after a mistake by Mattia Perin, but a VAR check showed he was offside in the buildup, sparing the Juve keeper’s blushes.

Aus Open to introduce extreme heat scale AIFF rubbishes reports on Constantine axing after Asian Cup

MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (Agencies): Players in the men’s draw at the Australian Open will be allowed 10-minute breaks during matches as part of an updated extreme heat policy at the year’s first Grand Slam.

Melbourne Park regularly sees days of scorching weather and organisers have come under fire from players who have complained of health and safety risks under the previous heat regime.

Tennis Australia said it would introduce a new “Heat Stress Scale” at the Jan. 14-27 tournament after conducting research with thermal experts at the University of Sydney.

The scale ranges from one to five, with one denoting “temperate playing con-

Sarri urges Fabregas to stay at Chelsea

Lo n d o n, D e c 2 9 (Agencies): Maurizio Sarri has talked up Cesc Fabregas’ importance to his Chelsea set-up and said he wants the midfielder to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Former Arsenal star Fabregas has been linked with moves away from west London, but Sarri insists he wants to hold on to the 31year-old. “In this position we have only two players, Jorginho and Fabregas, so for me it would be really a problem without Cesc,” said Sarri.

“I want him to stay, I don’t know the final decision of Cesc and the club of course. But for me it’s very important and if Cesc will go I think that we need to buy another player, and it’s not easy because, technically, Cesc is a very important player. And I think that in the market it’s very difficult to find a player with his characteristics.”

Sarri pledged to respect the stance of Chelsea’s board when it comes to limiting the length of contracts offered to their players over the age of 30. When asked if he agrees with that blanket policy, he said, “Oh, it depends. It depends on the single situation I think. It’s a rule and so we have to respect that.”

“Because, as you know, over 30 years the club offers only one year to renew. And for a player of 31, it’s a big problem to sign a new contract for only one year. So the problem is only this.”

ditions” and five triggering the suspension of play, the governing body said in a statement on Saturday.

Men will now join women in being permitted 10-minute breaks during extreme heat conditions, tournament director Craig Tiley said.

“In the men’s singles a 10-minute break will be allowed after the third set when a four (4.0) is recorded on the AO HSS (heat stress

scale) prior to or during the first three sets of the match,” TA said. When the scale reaches five, the tournament referee can suspend matches on outside courts and decide to close the roof on the three show-courts, Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena, which was formerly known as Hisense Arena.

The updated policy also introduces 15-minute breaks for wheelchair players.

New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): Reacting to reports that Indian football team coach Stephen Constantine will be shown the door once his contract expires in March, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Saturday that those discussions will only take place after the Asian Cup. “We’re completely focused on AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and the team has been performing excellently under Stephen Constantine having risen to 97 from 173 in the FIFA ranking within less than 4 years,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said in a statement.

Since Constantine took charge of the Indian

team in 2015, Sunil Chhetri and Co. have experienced a sharp rise in the FIFA rankings to surge up to 97 in the latest figures.

But reports of rifts between star players and the coach have come up time and again.

Constantine, it has been reported, has fallen out with many of India’s top players, including captain Sunil Chhetri, who is not a fan of his manager’s insistence on defensive solidity.

A number of senior players had also reportedly asked for the manager to be sacked earlier this year.

“It is sad that media is indulging in baseless and silly speculation before such an important tourna-

India coach Stephen Constantine gives instructions to his players during a training session. (File).

ment of the national team,” tipped to take over.

Das said in the statement.

India are currently Former Bengaluru FC preparing for the forthmanager Albert Roca is coming Asian Cup in Abu

Dhabi where they will face Thailand in their first match at the Al Nahyan Stadium on January 6.

Tottenham stumble in EPL title race

Wolverhampton Wanderers won at Wembley on Saturday to halt Tottenham’s five-match winning streak in the Premier League.

L o n d o n, D e c 2 9 (Agencies): Wolves came from behind to beat Tottenham 3-1 at Wembley in the Premier League on Saturday.

The defeat deals Tottenham, recently installed as potential title challengers, a substantial blow in their attempts to overhaul Liverpool at the summit of the table, sitting six points behind the Reds having played a game more.

The hosts dominated possession from the outset and came close to opening the scoring through impressive efforts from Kieran Trippier and Christian Eriksen—both of which were kept out by athletic saves from Rui Patricio.

The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Kane marauded down the right channel and

cut onto his left foot. When many may have expected a cross, the England striker curled in a delightful strike, which the Portuguese goalkeeper could only brush with his fingertips.

Kane has scored four goals in his last three appearances, bringing his tally to 13 for the season.

Wolves, however, frequently threatened on the right flank, with Adama Traore routinely beating his man to deliver dangerous crosses.

A prolonged period of second-half pressure from the visitors paid off when substitute Header Costa’s corner was powerfully headed past Hugo Lloris by Willy Boly.

The Frenchman’s other Premier League goal this season also came against a title contender: Manchester

City.

Wolves’ superb second half continued when Cavaleiro picked out Raul Jimenez with a simple square ball on the edge of the area. The Mexican’s carefully placed shot crept in past Lloris’ flailing arm.

The visitors then put the game out of reach when Helder Costa beat the offside trap with a welltimed run, before opening up his body to casually slot past Lloris.

To t t e n h a m r a r e l t threatened Rui Patricio in the second half and lacked the intensity they showed in the opening period. They squandered the opportunity to move within three points of league leaders Liverpool, while Wolves continued their unbeaten recored in London this season.

Tottenham travel to Cardiff on New Years Day, while Wolves will host Crystal Palace the following day.

Meanwhile, a 92ndminute goal from midfielder Victor Camarasa and a penalty save from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge ensured Cardiff City beat Leicester City 1-0 for their first away victory of the Premier League season on Saturday.

Claude Puel’s Leicester, carrying momentum from consecutive wins against Chelsea and Manchester City, dominated the early exchanges at the King Power Stadium and came close with long-range efforts from James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira.

Leicester had their best chance of the first half in the closing stages when Jamie Vardy was slipped through by Maddison, only for the striker to shoot straight at Etheridge.

The hosts looked certain to claim consecutive home wins for the first time this season when Maddison was clipped inside the box by defender Sean Morrison but they were denied thanks to Etheridge’s heroics.

With Leicester supporters heading towards the exit, Camarasa curled the ball past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from the edge of the box to secure a dramatic win for the Welsh side.

Match results Watford 1 – 1 Newcastle Brighton 1 – 0 Everton Fulham 1 – 0 Huddersfield

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