15 Feb 2022 by Nagaland Post

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 70

DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Ukraine hints at concessions to Russia as Scholz heads to region

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INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

BJP will end militancy in NE: Rajnath

Correspondent/Agencies

IMPHAL, FEB 14 : Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived here on Monday to take part in BJP’s election campaign in the State, assured to bring an end to militancy problems in North Eastern region of the country. Addressing an election meeting in Imphal West district, he assured that the Central government was always prepared to talk with militant outfits for a lasting solution to the insurgency problem and stop violence in Manipur and other North-eastern States permanently. The Union Minister steered clear of any commitment on the future of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA in the region - at a time when opposition, as well as regional allies from Northeast, have made the repeal of AFSPA as a key poll plank. “Militant groups must come forward to talk with the government to resolve their problems. Violence has to be stopped permanently for undertaking developmental projects and welfare schemes for the benefit of

Violence has to be stopped permanently to usher in development Rajnath Singh addressing the election rally. (Via Twitter)

the people. Violence has been largely controlled in Manipur under the dynamic leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh,” he mentioned. Singh claimed that BJP had its kept its promise of putting a check on insurgency and violence in the country. “We have brought down insurgency-related violence incidents and we put an end to it in coming years,” he said. The Union minister alleged that Congress during its 70 years rule had completely neglected Manipur and other North-eastern States.

Due to this prolonged neglect, he said the region was lagging behind in all sectors. There was no development at all in the region and it remained isolated from the mainland, he added. But ever since BJP formed government at the Centre in 2014, he claimed that the country was marching ahead on all fronts, while the pace of developmental also picked up in the region. He said it was shameful that even after 75 years of Independence, there was no railway connectivity in Manipur. Mentioning that Mani-

NDPP-NPF merger for vested interest: NPCC

DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K. Therie alleged that NDPP will be wedded to NPF in view of the latter’s units in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and therefore, keeping in view such an outcome, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak has been accommodated at Adviser to the chief minister. Therie said even though the fight between NPF and NDPP was yet to heal, both are now with UDA solely for the common objective to “delay political

solution” and to loot the state treasury. Therie also accused both NPF and NDPP of being “hand in glove with insurgents of same faction and fear of NIA and CBI for their crimes and corruption.” The NPCC president also alleged that chief minister Neiphiu Rio wants to “grab whatever comes before him” and has “accumulated unaccountable money and unaccountable land & properties” etc. Therie said this had led to legislators being at the mercy of the chief minister as they need funds for election.

He also claimed that before assembly election, Rio will discard some MLAs and retain some at his disposal. Therie also claimed that Rio will dump the BJP as soon as a non-BJP government is formed at the Centre. He further slammed BJP as having no soul in Nagaland and a party which people do not love. He said BJP is loved only for power and money which are temporary and without legacy. Therie claimed that Rio enjoys absolute power and there is nobody in the assembly to question him or defend the people.

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pur had now been brought in the railway map of the country, Singh said this was possible because people of the State had given BJP a chance to form the government five years ago in 2017. Recalling that Manipur was earlier known for month-long blockades, he took pride in stating that there were no more bandhs and blockades in the State now. He said BJP brought an end to this culture of bandhs and blockade. Manipur will go to polls to elect 60 members to the Legislative Assembly in two phases – February 28 and March 5. Meanwhile, Election Commission of India (ECI) announced certain relaxations in poll campaigning in the backdrop of improvement in Covid-19 situation in the State. The ban on campaign will now be between 10 pm to 6 am instead of the earlier 8 pm to 8 am. ECI has also allowed political parties and candidates to hold meetings and rallies up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the capacity of the designated open spaces or the limit prescribed by State Disaster Management Authority, whichever is lesser.

State logs 39 fresh Covid-19 cases

ASA sports meet; NASA tops medal on day 1 SPORTS, PAGE 12

NSSB chairman, BAN applauds Dimapur Police for member appointed nabbing ‘transport syndicate kingpin’ DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has lauded Dimapur Police for arresting one Joshi, the alleged kingpin of transport syndicate in Dimapur. BAN through its president L. Mongkum Jamir and general secretary Dr. Yan Murry, has said the association believed in co-existence of all individuals and welcomed efforts from every in building the State’s economy through ethical economic activities. Ban however asserted that it will never tolerate any individual, company or organisation that used coercive means to kill competition. In this regard, BAN has appealed to the district administration and police investigate the transport syndicate case thoroughly and charge sheet all accused under non-bailable offences. BAN also lauded the two Naga women entrepreneurs for their courage in filing FIR against the transport mafia. BAN added

that the women’s efforts was a struggle for all business community against the syndicate menace prevailing in the State that needed to be eradicated from its roots irrespective of any affiliation. Further BAN claimed that “terrorising of price gouging, illegal taxation, quality compromises, inflation and restricting choice of consumers” were the causes that had led to skyrocketing of prices, which had adversely affected the- consumers and economy of the State. BAN also mentioned that lakhs of unemployed Naga youth desperately were looking for a job or contemplating to start their own businesses but when such “handful divisive poisonous people” either from within or outside the State suppressed the strength of Naga youth and Naga business community, there would be chaos and uprising. BAN has appealed for reformation to would sweep across Nagaland.

BAN said Nagas were now slowly opening their eyes for economy and would never allow vested interests to use coercion and impose monopoly in order to finish the budding Naga businesses and to systematically cripple Naga entrepreneurs. It also demanded that any organisation or individual involved in forcible collections and coercion, should be booked and their licence cancelled. BAN also termed those involved in harbouring and patronising such kinds of elements in the society as nothing short of collaborators in destroying the future Naga generation. BAN said such people will eventually find their names engraved in Naga business history as conspirators to destroy the State economy. It condemned such diabolic act and vowed to work and sacrifice without fear or favour for the cause of Naga entrepreneurs so that the younger generation would work, earn and live with dignity.

DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Nagaland Governor has appointed Sedevikho Khro as chairman of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board and Er. Ghukhui Zhimomi as member, with effect from the date of assuming charge. As per the notification issued by the P&AR department, the term of office will be for three years or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Power shutdown in parts of Dimapur

DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Department of power has informed that there would be power shutdown in Kuda-B, Phaipijan village, parts of Darogapathar and Naharbari village from 5:30am to 8:30am starting February 16 till February 19, 2022. In a press release, SDO electrical sub-division-II Dimapur Er. Jonathan Khing informed that the shutdown was being necessitated due of the construction of 33kv line under NERPSIP.

State govt seeks to construct ‘Naga Patient House’ in Tamil Nadu DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): PWD (Housing & Mech) minister Tongpang Ozukum called on Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin at his office chamber at St George Fort, Chennai Monday over allotment of a plot of land at Vellore for construction of Naga Patient House. Understanding the problems and hardships faced by the patients travelling to Vellore for medical treatment due to lack of proper accommodation at both Vellore and Chennai, chief minister Neiphiu Rio

PWD (Housing) secretary, member secretary of Chennai Municipal Development Authority and officials of Tamil Nadu Housing Board. According to Tongpang’s press secretary, Imliyanger Aier, the team also visited a plot at Velachery, which is near the airport, for Nagaland House in Chennai. Staling assured the delegation to look into the matter Tongpang Ozukum with MK Stalin and state government and also directed his officials officials in Chennai on Monday. to take the delegation memhad written a letter to his of land. As a follow-up up bers to Vellore and other counterpart on February to the letter, Ozukum met places if they wished to visit. (Cont’d on p-8) 1, 2022 seeking allotment Stalin and Tamil Nadu’s

DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Nagaland on Monday recorded 39 fresh Covid-19 positive cases, and nil deaths, in the last 24 hours. Of the fresh cases, 25 were from Dimapur, 11 in Kohima, two in Tuensang and one in Wokha, taking the total caseload to 35235. Further, a total of 1429333 persons have been inoculated till February 14 (808291 first dose and 621042 second dose) while 18938 received their booster shot. Altogether, 58314 teenagers also received their DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): first dose of Covaxin. Konyak Union (KU) has questioned the state government for keeping in abeyance the developmental works of medical college at Mon when the Centre had already sanctioned Following the inci- the requisite budget. KU through its media cell dent, ADC Mangkolemba, Dharam Raj issued travel has appealed to both Centre advisory for citizens against and the state government to travelling through the said expedite the process and imroute. ADC advised all Na- mediately begin the works as galand-bound/originating sanctioned in the detail project travellers via Assam to avoid report without delay. KU pointed that the fountaking the said route until dation laying ceremony for esthe prevailing situation was tablishment of medical college calmed. Further, all the Mo- was formally launched by the kokchung-bound travellers then Union Health Minister, have been advised to take Dr. Harsh Vardhan in the presGolaghat-Merapani-Cham- ence of chief minister, health pang-Sonowal route to avoid minister, council of ministers unnecessary harassment in and legislators on February 26, (Cont’d on p-8) 2021. Mariani, Assam.

KU questions delay in medical college project

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Guwahati

Situation tense after 3 killed in collision with Nagaland taxi in Assam

Video grab of a mob overturning the taxi involved in the accident.

DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Situation turned tense in Dhodar Ali area (between Mariani and Golaghat) as locals of the area blocked the highway in protest against the road mishap on Monday

This is it!

“You should know, we sell everything from insects to dogs. It's demand driven economy.” K Y M C

that took the life of three members of a family. According to reports, the three—mother, daughter and son in-law, died on the spot after the scooty in which they were travelling collided

head-on with a Nagalandbased taxi (Tata Sumo) that was heading towards Mokokchung from Dimapur. As per preliminary reports, Mokokchung police sources said that the taxi, with six passengers and the driver, lost control after a tyre burst and hit the scooty coming from the opposite direction. Police, however, said that after Assam police intervened, the passengers reached their destination safely while the driver was taken into Assam police custody.

Travel advisory

Conduct NPSC exam for 158 MO posts: NMSA DIMAPUR, FEB 14 (NPN): Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has reiterated its demand that NPSC exams be conducted for 158 medical officer (MO) posts created over a period of 5 years so that every Naga medical graduate was able to get fair and equal opportunity to qualify by merit. This was stated by NMSA through its president Kuveluzo Chizo and secretary Inolu K Yeputhomi. NMSA has appealed to all the right-thinking citizens,

public organisations and the state government in particular to “at least prevent dilution of the health care system” by recruitment of MOs only through NPSC and not to allow regularization of any contractual MO posts. NMSA admitted that there was shortage of health care personnel in Nagaland, but however, stated the current figures revealed 350 odd-MBBS qualified Naga doctors vying for a handful of MO posts through NPSC exams.

It also said that at any point in time there are 300 odd Naga medical students undergoing MBBS course in various medical colleges across the country and abroad. NMSA revealed that as per the incumbency list 2018 under Health and Family Welfare department Nagaland, an estimated 40 government service doctors retired in the period 2018-2021 while 65 in-service doctors were due for retirement in 2022-2027 as per the existing retirement rules.

With a yearly distributed intake capacity of less than eight posts of MO in regular government service on retirement vacancy, NMSA predicted the plight of an estimated 600 odd MBBS due for graduation and state inbound in the next 10 years hung by a thread as only 7 percent of them would make entry into service on vacancy basis, while more than 90 percent would opt to serve in government service if given the opportunity.

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(Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C

STATE

Local craftsmen receive tool kits in Noklak district

NHHCL functionaries along with beneficiaries at the distribution programme. (DIPR) DIMAPUR: At least 50 local craftsmen from Noklak district received tool kits at a distribution programme held on February 9 in the complex of the deputy commissioner’s (DC’s) office. The programme was organised by the Nagaland Handloom & Handicraft Co-operation Limited (NHHCL). According to a DIPR

report, during the programme, on behalf of district administration SDO (civil) Noklak, C. Phuniang acknowledged NHHCL Dimapur for the help extended towards the local craftsmen. He encouraged the craftsmen to put more work into the refinement of products in order to compete with the markets outside the state.

Meanwhile, managing director, Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd, Zakabo Rotokha informed that a tool kit worth Rs. 10,000 per beneficiary had been arranged as per requirement. He encouraged the beneficiaries to take up their work with more professionalism and dedication.

Longleng distt admin to hold science exhibition DIMAPUR: District administration and Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Longleng would be conducting a “science exhibition competition” under the aegis of National Science Day for Girl students on February 28, under the flagship programme Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Longleng. According to a DIPR report, schools under Longleng district have been requested to participate in the competition. The participant details may be submitted at the district level centre for women, DC complex Longleng on or before February 25. Further, the following criteria are to be followed: only two female students each from concerned schools are eligible for the competition; participants should be either from class VIII, IX or X standards. Meanwhile, the judging criteria would be based on: creativity, presentation, students’ explanation, written communication and duration (5-10 minutes). Venue and timing would be notified shortly. For more details, applicants may contact at 6009984157.

NEWS IN BRIEF Kohima DPDB postpones meeting: Kohima district planning officer & member secretary DPDB, Pudusul Luho has informed all the members of the District Planning and Development Board that due to some unavoidable circumstances, DPDB meeting has been postponed to February 17. All the members have been requested to note the alteration of the meeting. AHoD, HoD meeting on Feb 17: A meeting of Administrative Head of Departments and Head of Departments would be held on February 17, 1 p.m., in the secretariat conference hall where agenda including: review of last meeting agendas; IDAN-CSR conclave; attendance of officers/staff and resumption of biometric attendance and any other agenda with permission of the chairman. All AHoDs and HoDs have been informed to attend the meeting. NSWON general assembly: National Socialist Women’s Organisation of Nagalim has informed that its 13th general assembly would be held on February 23, 10 a.m., at tatar hoho hall, Council Headquarters, Hebron. All “fullfledged members” of NSWON have been asked to attend the assembly. Registration would begin at 9 a.m. CCCPO informs village leaders: Chümoukedima Circle Chakhroma Public Organisation (CCCPO) has convened an emergency meeting to discuss matters pertaining to the newly created Chümoukedima district on February 16, 10 a.m. at CPO hall Chümoukedima. All the village leaders

under CCCPO have been asked to attend the meeting. YDA to conduct poster campaigns: Youth Development Association and “fans of drug addicts and HIV & AIDS Dimapur”, has informed that a poster and hand bills awareness campaigns on HIV & AIDS and drug addicts would be carried out in and around Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland. General public and wellwishers have been requested to cooperate for the success of the campaign. AGEGAN 3rd biennial conference: Agricultural Engineering Graduates Association of Nagaland has informed that its 3rd biennial general conference would be held on February 22, 10:30 a.m., at LCS building, Midland colony, Kohima. Registration would be done by each member at the conference and no online or proxy registration would be accepted. Failing to attend the conference “would attract disciplinary action as per the rules and regulations of AGEGAN” and may lead to cancellation of membership from the union, it informed. Agricultural engineering graduate who is not a registered member may also be welcomed. For information, one could contact 8787564190. Clarification: Apropos the news item “GMS Diphupar orientation programme”, the designation of Arong Aier should be read as accountant, office of the senior SDEO Dimapur and not as published.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. Vangba Phom 11/10/1994 – 11/02/2022 We convey our sincere gratitude and thanks to every individuals, churches, neighbors and organizations who stood by us and supported us at the sudden demise of our beloved Lt. Vangba Phom. It is our humble prayer that our Almighty God will bless you all abundantly. Loving family, cousins and relatives k-304/22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Born in 29-03-1930 – Died on 10-02-2022 “ For me to live is Christ and to die is gain ” We, the bereaved family would like to extend our gratefulness to every individuals and groups for your prayers and help in kind and in cash at the sudden demise of CHUNGIRAO PATTON, Ex. Pastor Yimpang & Alikhum, on February 10, 2022. It is our inability to thank each and every one in person, but it is our prayers that our Almighty God would bestow His immense blessings upon each and everyone. Our special gratefulness to :1. Dimapur Yimpang Ekhung. 2. Bhandari Yimpang Ekhung. 3. Yimpang Village. 4. Alikhum Village. Loving wife, Children, Grandchildren Great Grandchildren and In laws DP-730/22 K Y M C

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Awareness programme on digital literacy held DIMAPUR: The EAC, Sakshi, Longleng in collaboration with SBI Longleng, Veterinary department Longleng and National Helpline for Senior Citizens, Nagaland conducted a sensitisation/awareness programme at Sakshi on February 11. The programme covered topics including Kisan Credit Card (KCC), piggery, poultry, dairy farming & Mithun rearing and helpline for senior citizens. According to a DIPR report, branch manager SBI Longleng, Dowari stressed on the importance of income generation through piggery and poultry rearing at village level. Dowari highlighted the availability of KCC through which financial help in the form of loan could be availed by various farmers which in turn would boost rural economy.

Participants of the programme along with resource persons and others. (DIPR) Veterinar y surgeon (VS), Dr. Aoyimsen Jamir spoke on the economic value of rearing livestock at village level. He said that while a separate veterinary outpost for EAC Sakshi circle was awaiting administrative clearance, the concerned department was actively coordinating with DFO, Longleng in surveillance of wild animals within the

region. Stressing on the importance of “technology transfer” concerning poultry rearing, Dr. Jamir pointed out that vaccination in proper time suiting to the local condition was imperative in achieving a positive outcome. He further stated that Innovation Poultry Production (IPP) scheme was in the offing which would be soon implemented during

the current financial year 2022-2023. Meanwhile, field response officer (FRO) National Helpline for Senior Citizens, Nagaland, Zhoposato Thari highlighted the role of their service for senior citizens in the district. Altogether, around 70 participants from seven villages under Sakshi circle attended the awareness programme.

SAMETI conducts skill training under STRY

Participants with resource persons and SAMETI functionaries at the training programme. DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema in association with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, organised a programme under Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) from February 7-12. During the inaugural programme, SAMETI director and IETC principal Dr. Watimongla Jamir encouraged the participants to attend the training diligently and become master trainers

for rural youths in their communities. Resource persons for the training programme were Deputy project director, SAMETI and state coordinator, STRY Nagaland, Tiajungla Longchar, director Pristine Foods, Nagaland, Er. Pute Phesao, proprietor, Warehouse 103, Nagaland, Nukuzo Phesao and marketing manager, Pristine Foods, Nagaland Bikash L. Singh. The training covered topics on introduction to post-harvest processing and its importance, packaging

and marketing of processed products, types of packaging materials, sterilization and hands-on practical sessions on preparation of chilli oil, preparation of star fruit candy, preparation of kiwi candy, preparation of vegetable pickle, etc. The participants visited Pristine Foods, Dimapur where they were introduced to and shown the working of different kinds of food processing machinery, equipment and packaging materials such as dehydrator, slicer, sealer, grinder, liquid filler, glass jars, glass bottles and biodegradable opaque bags. Later, SAMETI deputy project director, H. Mhonthung Merry proposed the vote of thanks during the valedictory programme. The training programme concluded with distribution of certificates and training handouts to the participants. It may be mentioned that the programme was held on “post-harvest processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables” to impart employable skills to unemployed rural youths of the age group 18 - 40 years. Altogether, 15 rural youths were trained.

Born on 22nd Jan. 1942 – Died on 4th Feb. 2022

“We know that you are in a better place with God, however it’s always going to hurt and miss you Mom”……… Words are inadequate to give thanks to each and every individual for being alongside our family in bereavement of our beloved Mother, Mrs. Lt. SHIVILI ASSUMI N.SHOHE, during her prolonged ailment, relative’s and believers from various Churches, came forward to pray for her speedy recovery, not only showing their support through prayer however, also helping physically, mentally and financial too. Also want to thank Miss, Leiya Walen, Miss, Poyam Konyak, Miss, Chumai Walen and Nurse.Thungdeno Kikon for Nursing tirelessly throughout till Mom last breath. We plea apologize not to mention each and every individuals names here however, your good gesture towards our family are pleased in our mind forever, yours generosity be bless by our Good Lord in return. AMEN Our gratitude thanks to : 1) NCRC Thilixu Village 2) Police Colony Fellowship 3) Rotomi Welfare Dimapur District 4) Rotomi Welfare Kohima 5) Philimi Baptist Church 6) Rotomi Baptist Church 7) Sumi Totimi HOHO Atoizu Range 8) Sumi Totimi HOHO Asukhuto (KPA) 9) Joint Council COCO Area 10) GBs Rotomi Village 11) FOCUS IFAD Team 12) Directorate Officer and Staff, Agriculture Kohima. 13) Department of Agriculture, Nagaland Civil Secretariat DP-743/22

NKS Siblings, In-laws and Grandchildren

DP-748/22

K Y M C

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NSUI protests Sarma’s remark against Rahul

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Q: Will a war break out

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WEATHER FORECAST FEBRUARY 15

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun

28 10

Nice with plenty of sunshine

24 6

Guwahati Nice with plenty of sunshine

27 9

Nice with plenty of sunshine

26 3

Aizawl Imphal

Itanagar Sunny and pleasant

24 11

Shillong

Plenty of sunshine

19 4

Kohima

Plenty of sunshine

21 6

Dimapur Sunny and beautiful

26 10

Sunny and pleasant

24 8

Mkg

Tuensang Sunny and cooler Wokha

Sunny and not as warm

Zunheboto Plenty of sunshine

15 3 20 10 20 6

IYC’s protest in Bangalore (Photo: Twitter/@IYC) NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (PTI): The National Students’ Union of India on Monday took out a protest march to Assam Bhawan here condemning Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s “father-son” remark targeting party leader Rahul Gandhi. The Congress-affiliated NSUI demanded Sarma’s immediate resignation. The march began from the NSUI headquarters here towards Assam Bhawan. The students were seen rubbing black ink on the effigy of the Assam chief minister. “We are holding pro-

tests for the last few days against the Assam CM’s remarks. We carried out a march from NSUI headquarters to Assam Bhawan today. The remarks made by the Assam CM are an insult to a woman and a chief minister with such thinking must resign immediately,” NSUI National Secretary Nitish Gaur said. Condemning Sarma’s remarks, Gaur said, “The chief minister has made very deplorable remarks. It is an insult to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.” Sarma had

RPP urges CM to declare TED results ‘null and void’ DIMAPUR: Terming as “illegal” the list of lecturers and demonstrators published by the technical education department (TED) on February 10, 2022, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) has appealed to the state chief minister to “see to the unfairness of the whole recruitment process” and cancel the “so-called departmental exam” of the TED and declare the results null and void. In an open letter to the chief minister, RPP president Joel Naga, general secretary Amai Chingkhu and treasurer Vitho Zao stated that the posts of lecturers fell under the purview of NPSC. Therefore, they said that the recruitment process carried out by TED was “illegal and unconstitutional.” RPP expressed surprise that TED “simply advertised” the candidates’ qualification criteria and made an inter view call

NORTHEAST/STATE

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

based on the candidates’ graduation/post-graduation marks without conducting written exams. “This is another pristine example of khushi-khushi culture as practised in the state,” RPP stated. The party said “most unfortunately” this factual position was being “unfairly defended” by advisor for TED and the department. Apart from it being illegal, RPP said departmental exams were “most farcical” in nature. It, therefore, said that the contention of TED and TED advisor that the recruitment process had been transparent and was based on ‘merit’ was “bereft of reasoning and simply unacceptable.” RPP claimed that WhatsApp conversation between two Advsiors was “ample proof that backroom machinations for illegal appointments” in the government was “real and irrefutable.”

NE woman: From diffident person to buoyant entrepreneur affordable toilet facilities. The initiative was well received by the villagers and accordingly they learned about cleanliness and hygiene. Another initiative supported by the project was the Revolving Fund to the SHGs. Initially, the SHG received a total fund support of Rs 1 lakh. Yobina took a loan of Rs 14,000 from the SHG revolving fund and established a grocery shop within the village. Through the capacity building support received under the project, she sharpened her entrepreneurial skills and further expanded the business. Gradually, she opened another grocery shop in the village itself. After successfully opening two grocery

shops in the village, she also ventured in selling her products to the urban centres like Mairang and Shillong. This resulted in transforming her into a successful entrepreneur. Yobina, along with other members of the SHG, sells her goods in Mairang and Shillong. Since the group is directly selling their products at the urban centres, they now earn Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per day! She also encouraged others and formed new SHGs. There are now nearly 70 members. Yobina has expressed her sincere gratitude to NERCRMS, NEC, GoI for helping the villagers of a small village in realizing a new meaning of Atma Nirbharta (self reliance).

2nd edition of Common Scholarship Test

Arunachal: Four killed as pickup van falls into gorge

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) has been extremely successful in empowering women of northeast India and several success stories of uplifting the living standard of women bear witness to it. One such story is of Yobina Lyngdoh Marshyllong, a resident of Jakhong Village, West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Coming from a very remote area, she lacked confidence in marketing her agricultural products due to which, her dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur seemed distant. However, in 2001 the Government of Inrecently attacked Gandhi dia intervened through for demanding proof of the September 2016 surgical strike and questioning the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. He had asked Gandhi D I M A P U R , F e b 1 4 whether the BJP had ever (NPN): Assam Down demanded proof of him be- Town University has ining the son of former prime vited deserving 10th and minister Rajiv Gandhi. 12th pass candidates from The remarks drew flak all over the country for the from the Congress. second edition of ComDespite the ongoing mon Scholarship Test protest and criticism, the (CST 2.0). Assam chief minister stood The test will be held by his comment. On Sunday, on February 27. Accordhe posted several screen- ing to the university, Rs. 5 shots of news reports of the crore has been earmarked Congress’’ statements on the to benefit deserving candi2016 surgical strike. dates and selection will be

NERCORMP, a livelihood initiative of North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) and came to her village. Under NERCORMP, Yobina became the member of Self Help Group (SHG) i.e. ‘KA BUIT KA LONG KA BOR’ (Knowledge is Strength). The SHG was formed in April, 2002 and soon she became the Chairman of the group due to her leadership qualities and managerial skills. The Ministry of Development of North-East Region says that NERCORMP has been beneficial to the entire village. In order to address the issues of open defecation, the entry point initiative launched under the project was to establish

based on marks obtained in the test. Students who have appeared or appearing for their 10th or 12th board exams and are waiting for their results can also register for the test. In this regard, interested candidates have been asked to register on or before February 26, 2022 at the Registration Link https://adtu.in/ scholarship/.

It may be noted that Assam Down Town University has been consistently recognized as North East India’s No. #1 placement driven university with a wide array of undergraduate programmes (60 +) under various Faculty such as Engineering & Technology, Paramedical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Biological Sciences.

Assam cops bust inter-state drugs supply line, nab 5 GUWAHATI, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): In sync with the intensive drive against drugs, a special squad of Assam Police intercepted an inter-state drugs supply line, seizing contraband substances here on Monday. According to Shillong Times report, a special squad of the Guwahati police and Kamrup police, led by joint commissioner of police (Guwahati), Partha Sarathi Mahanta, launched an operation

after tracking a vehicle (Bolero) from Imphal and seized about 0.5 kg of heroin, worth about Rs 4 crore, from the Khanapara area here. Five accused, all residents of Manipur, have been apprehended, and the vehicle has been seized. “We were tracking the Bengal-bound Bolero, which came from Imphal, and eventually intercepted the vehicle here. The heroin, weighing little over half kilogram, was concealed in

a packet containing rice. Five drugs suppliers from Manipur have been apprehended and the vehicle has been seized,” Mahanta told mediapersons here. It may be mentioned that the crime branch of Guwahati Police had on Saturday busted an international drugs supply chain, apprehending two Nigerian nationals with 20 grams of cocaine upon arrival at Guwahati Railway Station here by the Rajdhani Express from

New Delhi. The two, who were arrested during an operation led by joint commissioner of police Partha Sarathi Mahanta, had planned to take the contraband drugs to other places in the Northeast, the preliminary investigation revealed. “We have taken into our custody two Nigerian nationals, identified as Charles Okuakaj and Emmanuel Enuma Dike, after their arrest with the

Arunachal logs 22 new COVID-19 cases

ITANAGAR, FEB 14 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh on Monday registered 22 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 64,004, a senior health official said here. The toll in the frontier state remained unchanged at 294 as no casualty was reported in the past 24

hours, the official said. Of the 22 fresh cases, nine were repor ted from the Capital Complex Region, four from Upper Siang, two each from Namsai and Lohit and one each from West Kameng, Tirap, Tawang, Lower Siang and Lower Subansiri district, the official said. As many as 63,081

people have recuperated from the disease so far, including, 88 on Sunday, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. Arunachal Pradesh currently has 629 active cases. The recovery rate marginally improved to 98.56 per cent from 98.45 per cent the previous day, the SSO stated.

contraband drugs from the Upper Assam-bound Rajdhani Express. They are being interrogated,” a police official informed mediapersons. “Upon preliminary investigation, we found that had planned to take the consignment to Shillong and other places of the region. He said that they had been operating the drugs racket for a long time after coming to Delhi using invalid documents.

Mock drill in Dimapur today DIMAPUR: In view of the joint mock drill exercise on earthquake to be conducted FAMEX on February 15, 2022, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Dimapur has requested the general public not to panic and to cooperate as the mock drill would be conducted at Pantaloons, Dimapur Government College and State Stadium. In a press release, deputy commissioner (DC) and chairman District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan informed that normal traffic would be affected in certain routes during the exercise from 11am to 1pm.

I TA NAG A R , F E B 1 4 (PTI): Four women were killed and 15 others injured, nine of them critically, after a pickup van ferrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kra Daadi district, police said on Monday. The accident took place on Sunday evening when the passengers were going towards Palin from Tali after attending a fellowship programme, Superintendent of Police Dusu Kaling said. The vehicle skidded off the road near Kumey bridge point at Kuwa and fell into a 20-metres-deep gorge above Kumey River, he said. Fo u r wo m e n p a s sengers died on the spot, while nine others received grievous injuries and six sustained minor injuries, Kaling said. The critically injured have been sent to Itanagar, while the rest are being treated at Palin, the officer said. Only four occupants, including the driver, were men while the rest were women, he said. The deceased have been identified as Bohu Poyum, Nich Nenia, Toku Yachi and Goda Yayak, the SP said. Tali Circle Officer (CO) Jina Bagang said that the accident took place when the driver lost control over the vehicle while ascending a hill and the pickup van came downhill in reverse before falling into the gorge.

NH 61 special repair works: OKM Handloom Expos to be held dismayed over poor workmanship in Kohima and Zunheboto

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Apex Meanwhile, the Nagaland Weavers & Artisans Coop- Handloom & Handicrafts Deerative Federation (WEAFED) velopment Corporation Ltd. Ltd. Dimapur has informed Dimapur has informed that the that a state handloom expo state Handloom Expo would be sponsored by development com- held at town hall, Zunheboto missioner (handloom), Ministry from February 22 to March 7. of Textiles would be held at In a press release, managNepali Mandir ground, Kohima ing director, Zakabo V. Rotokha Chandmari from February 25 to has informed that interested coMarch, 2022. operative societies, NGOs, apex In this regard WEAFED societies, SHGs, etc., may apply Ltd. managing director has to the project cell, NHHDC informed interested coopera- Ltd, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur tive societies, NGOs, apex along with their respective ID society, SHG and has invited cards issued by the corporation 20 cooperative societies from on or before February 18 during neighboring state to submit their office hours. application to the said office, It informed that particiopposite fire Bridge Dimapur pants “must be COVID vaccialong with detailed address, nated and follow strict SOPs” mobile number, SBI bank A/C as issued by the state governRepresentatives of OKM at the ongoing road repair site on Monday. number with IFSC code on or ment. Stalls would be provided free of cost and lumpsum daily DIMAPUR: Members May 24, 2021, the confer- completed on time as speci- before February 22. For further details, one allowances would be provided of the Ongpangkong Stu- ence had requested the fied in the Detailed Project could contact at 7005649815 to all the stalls, it further indents’ Conference (OKM) responsible authority to Report (DPR). during office hours. formed. on Monday visited the intervene and ensure qualFurther, OKM deongoing special repair on ity works on the ongoing manded that no final payNH 61 (147 km to 156 km) special repair. ments be made to the conunder National Highway, OKM, however said tractor till “a joint verificaMokokchung division and that the current ongo- tion” was carried out and KOHIMA: Naga Students Federation (NSF) has informed that submitted a letter on “infe- ing work was of a “sub- was up to the satisfaction its 2nd federal assembly (2021-2023) would be held on March 12, rior workmanship” to the standard quality” adding of all concerned parties. 11:30 a.m., onwards at Mulu Ki, Paramedical Colony, Kohima. PWD (NH). that some of the sites had It expressed hope that In a notification, NSF speaker, James Brilliantson Kashung In a letter addressed “potholes and cracks” even the responsible authority requested its federating units, subordinate bodies and seniors to to the executive engineer, before the work was com- would address the matter attend the said meeting. It informed that owing to COVID-19 national highway, Mo- pleted. at the earliest pandemic and other health measures put into place, the number kokchung division, OKM It also stated that such OKM has cautioned of delegates would be limited to members from each unit. president Limatongzuk kind of “inferior workman- that it would take its “own Further, any unit seeking to place agenda for discussion Jamir and general secretary ship” was unacceptable course of action” if their during the assembly have been asked to put it forward in writing Waluniba Kichu stated in and demanded that the grievances were not paid in their respective unit’s letterhead at least one hour prior to the their representation dated ongoing repair works be any heed. commencement of the assembly, NSF speaker informed.

A local florist arranging flower bouquets on the occasion of Valentine’s Day along NL Road, Dimapur on Monday. (NP)

NSF federal assembly on Mar 12

K Y M C

A meeting of officials from various department with regard to “earthquake mock exercise” to be conducted on February 15 was held in deputy commissioner’s (DC’s) conference hall Dimapur, on Monday. (DPRO Dimapur) K Y M C

NORTHEAST

Sonia, Rahul among Cong’s star campaigners for Manipur polls

PTI/Correspondent NEW DELHI/IMPHAL, FEB 14 (PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former chief Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh are among the 30 star campaigners for the Manipur assembly elections, according to the list released by the party on Monday. The two-phased assembly election in Manipur will be held on February 28 and March 5. Though Sonia Gandhi is also the party’s star campaigner for other states, where polls are being held, neither she nor former prime minister Manmohan Singh have actively campaigned anywhere so far. The list of star campaigners also include names of former Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar, party’s minority department chief Imran Pratapgarhi and Mahila Congress chief Metta D’Souza. Apart from Ramesh, who is overseeing assembly polls in the state, Congress in charge for Manipur Bhakta Charan Das and a host of local leaders are also part

of the list. The Congress along with five other ‘likeminded’ parties launched the Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance last week to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming assembly polls. Besides the Congress, the other parties in the alliance are CPI, CPM, RSP, JD (S) and Forward Bloc. An 18-point common agenda was also finalised.

96 file nominations for 2nd phase poll

Scrutiny for an Assembly segment was adjourned and nomination paper of a candidate was rejected as nominations filed by candidates contesting in the second phase poll of the Manipur Assembly were taken up for scrutiny on Monday. In the second phase, voting in 22 Assembly segments spread across 10 districts of the state will

be held on March 5. A total of 96 candidates filed their nomination papers for the 22 seats. The nomination papers were taken up for scrutiny at the offices of the respective ROs on Monday. For the Chandel AC, the scrutiny was adjourned after the RO could not settle objections raised over the alleged wrong information provided in the nomination paper of a candidate, reports said. Four candidates interested in contesting the poll from Chandel AC filed their nomination. The scrutiny of nomination papers for the other 21 Assembly segments was completed and only the nomination paper filed by Haji Asraf Ali as a nominee of Samata Party failed to clear the scrutiny. The last date of withdrawal of nomination for the second phase poll is February 16.

KAAC extends aid to APSC aspirants Correspondent DIPHU, FEB 14: Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang distributed financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 each to 65 aspirants from Scheduled-Tribe (Hills) aspirants of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong who will be appearing main examination of Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). The financial assistance has been extended to the aspirants by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu in association with Karbi Students Union, a frontal student’s organization of this district. Meanwhile, the Tuliram also handed a cheque of Rs. 5 lakh each to the 39 martyrs’ families of Borjan, Singhason and Lumbajong locality of Karbi Anglong autonomous district who lost their life in ethnic clash in 2003, 2005 and 2013. “In fulfillment of my commitment made earlier, I’m happy to distribute Cheques of Rs.5 Lacs each to 39 martyrs’ family of Borjan, Singhason and Lumbajong Constituencies, from ethnic conflicts during 2003, 2005 and 2013” Tuliram Ronghang wrote in his face book page.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

AICC suspends 5 Cong MLAs for joining MDA Correspondent SHILLONG, FEB 14: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has suspended the five Congress legislators who had joined the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government with immediate effect, State Congress party president, Vincent H.Pala said on Monday. Terming the move of the five legislators as violation of party direction and for indulging in “antiparty” activities, Pala said the AICC has also served showcause notices to the five Congress legislators and asked them to explain as to why action should not be taken against them. The five Congress legislators - Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Process T. Sawkmie, Mayralborn Syiem, Kimfa S Marbaniang and Mohendro Rapsang – have extended support to the MDA government without approval from the top party leadership. “If the replies(to the showcause notices) satisfies the AICC, no action will be taken against the five party legislators. However, if the replies are unsatisfactory they may be even face expulsion,” he said. Meanwhile, the five

The five Congress MLAs with Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma. Congress legislators, who call themselves as the “famous five,” have further toughened their stand and said that they would support the BJP-backed Conrad Sangma ministry till the end of its term. “We (five Congress legislators) have committed to support the MDA government till the end of the term,” Sawkmie said. Election to the 60-member state assembly is scheduled to take place in February-March 2023. Moreover, he said that none of the legislators (till filing of this report) have received any communication from the central leadership

asking them what prompted them to supported the BJPbacked MDA government. “I would not like to comment anything on the matter (suspension) as of now since we have not received any communication from the AICC. However, we would surely reply to the AICC once we received it,” Sawkmie said. Sawkmie questioned the Congress high command of inaction when 12 Congress legislators merged with the All India Trinamool Congress. “Why didn’t AICC say anything then? They kept quiet,” he asked, referring to the merger of the

12 Congress legislators led by former Chief Minister Mukul Manda Sangma with the West Bengal-based Trinamool Congress. The Congress was the single largest party winning 21 seats to the 60-member house after the 2018 assembly elections. Four Congress legislators died, while former Assembly Speaker Martin Danggo resigned and joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), but bite the dust in the by-election. If the five MLAs are expelled from the party, the Congress would have no legislators representing it in the Assembly.

BJP names candidate for Majuli bypoll

reports 25 Complaints filed against Rahul: Assam BJYM Assam Sahitya Sabha goes online M’laya COVID-19 cases, with launch of digital archive 1 fresh fatality

GUWAHATI, FEB 14 (PTI): The ruling BJP on Monday fielded Bhuban Gam, a leader of Mising community, as its candidate for bypoll to Assam’s Majuli assembly constituency, which was vacated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last year. BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, in a statement, announced that Gam, a greenhorn in electoral politics, would be the ruling party’s nominee for the ST-reserved seat. The opposition Congress, seeking to join hands with anti-BJP forces, had earlier stated that it would not nominate anyone, and gave the seat to Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), which is yet to name a candidate. Byelections to Majuli is scheduled to be held on March 7. Votes will be counted three days later. Sonowal had quit Assembly membership on September 28 last year, a day after getting elected to Rajya Sabha. The former chief minister had won the Majuli seat for two consecutive terms -- in 2016 and 2021. Currently, the BJP’s strength in the 126-member Assembly stood at 62, while its allies AGP and UPPL have nine and seven MLAs respectively.

S H I L LO N G, F E B 1 4 (PTI): Meghalaya’s COVID-19 tally rose to 93,016 on Monday as 25 people tested positive for the infection, 33 less than the previous day, a senior health official said. The northeastern state’s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,563 as one more patient succumbed to the infection, Health Services Director Dr Aman War said. East Khasi Hills district, under which Shillong falls, recorded the highest number of new cases at 13, followed by three each in RiBhoi and West Garo Hills. The state now has 716 active cases, while 90,737 people have recovered from the disease so far, including 59 in the last 24 hours.

Assam Sahitya Sabha president Kuladhar Saikia listens to a speaker at the the launch of the literary organisation’s digital archive in Guwahati on Sunday. ister on the website, www. granthakosh.sahityasabhaamtron.in for access to the digitised books and journals, which are part of a community assisted project, where educational institutions and a section of citizens extended support and took part. Cotton University vice-chancellor Bhabesh Chandra Goswami, vicechancellor of Cotton University, launched the digital platform Sabha president Kuladhar Saikia said that the literary body has stepped into the internet world for the first time with the launch of the digital archive, which would help take Assamese literature worldwide. “A d o p t i o n o f a d vanced technology will also

help the Sabha spread and promote Assamese literature among the tech-savvy generation. Apart from the books preserved in the literary body’s central and city offices, digitised books of students of various educational institutions of Assam can also be accessed in the digital archive,” he said. The literar y body, Saikia said, has also taken an initiative to take Assamese folk tales and those of different tribes, including Karbi, Mising and Deori, through podcasts among youths.

I, Shri T. Wopanthung Lotha, S/o Tsentso Ezung permanent resident of House No. 161, Zuvotong Colony, Wokha, Nagaland through the Affidavit No. 11/2022 dated 14.02.2022 hereby declare that the names Wopanthung Lotha and T. Wopanthung Lotha refers to the same person i.e. myself. Hence the name T. Wopanthung Lotha shall be used in all official and other purpose.DP-740/22

mentality” which showed the ideology of the grand old party, Khound alleged. “The Congress party is unfortunate for India and Rahul Gandhi is India’s problem,” the statement said. A BJP spokesperson said that the state unit of the party’s Mahila Morcha also filed several complaints against Gandhi at different police stations. Gandhi had on February 10 tweeted about the diversity and strength of India. “There is strength in our Union. Our Union of Cultures. Our Union of Diversity. Our Union of Languages. Our Union of People. Our Union of States. “From Kashmir to Kerala. From Gujarat to West Bengal. India is beautiful in all its colours. Don’t insult the spirit of India,” he had said on the microblogging platform.

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE

ZUNHEBOTO : NAGALAND No. JUD/SUCC-34/19-20/132 Dt. Zbto the 14-02-2022

Notice Calling Objection for the issue of Succession Certificate Whereas application has received from Mrs. Hutoni U/S 372 of Indian Succession Act, resident of Asukhuto Village for Succession of SBI A/C No. 30487857569, Leave encashment, GIS, GPF, Gratuity, Service & pension benefits, debts & securities of Late Ayepu Sema. Notice is hereby issued for filling objections to all who has interest in the said claim/s within 45 (forty five) days from the date of publication to this notice. Sd/District & Sessions Judge Zunheboto : Nagaland

APPRECIATION

‘Dear KCR Garu, Here’s Evidence’: Assam’s CM Sarma on surgical strikes

K Chandrashekar Rao and Himanta Biswa Sarma. manding that the Centre present proof of India’s surgical strike in Pakistan in 2016 and airstrike in 2019, NDTV reported. “There is nothing wrong with Rahul Gandhi asking for proof of surgical strike. What was wrong?” Mr Rao said at a press conference yesterday. “Even now I’m asking... Let the government of India show (proof). It is their responsibility. There are apprehensions among people... BJP makes false propaganda that’s why people are ask-

ing for proof... and in a democracy... you are not a monarch, not a king,” he had added. The Telangana Chief Minister had also added that Mr Sarma should apologise for his remarks that appeared to question Mr Gandhi’s parentage. At a rally in Uttarakhand, Mr Sarma -- who joined the BJP after years in the Congress -- had hit back at Mr Gandhi for demanding proof of surgical strikes. The Wayanad MP had no right to demand proof from the Army, he had said.

Massive drainage clearance at Blue Hill Station Road, Eros Colony Dimapur on13-02-2022 by Dimapur Municipal Council with the joint cooperation of Eros Colony Council Dimapur. Appreciation goes to Dimapur Municipal Council for the timely intervention. sd/sd/(AKUSU ZELIANG) (VIKUTO G YEPTHO) Chairman, Eros Colony Dimapur. G.B Eros Colony Dimapur

DP-728/22

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): The political sparring between Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma continued Monday, with the BJP Chief Minister presenting “videographic evidence” of the surgical strike. Congress’s Rahul Gandhi’s comments, demanding evidence of the surgical strike from the Centre, had snowballed as Mr Rao came out in his support. To d ay, M r S a r m a posted a video on Koo, captioned: “Dear KCR garu, here is the videographic evidence of the surgical strike by our brave army. In spite of this you question the valor of our Armed forces and insult them. Why are you so desperate to attack and malign our Army? New India will not tolerate insults against our Army.” Mr Gandhi had de-

DECLARATION

cha’s activists, did not share the names of police stations or districts where it was done or any other detail. The BJYM in a statement claimed that the senior Congress leader in his tweet had allegedly excluded the north east region while describing India. “Gandhi mentioned India as stretching from Kashmir to Kerala and Gujarat to West Bengal, thereby eliminating Northeast from India. It carried a threat to India’s geographical integrity and security,” Khound said in the statement. In one of the purported complaints filed with the police and shared with media, the BJYM alleged that Gandhi’s tweet indirectly supported China’s claim that north east, especially Arunachal Pradesh, is part of it. His tweet expressed the “separatist

K-307/22

GUWAHATI, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Researchers and literature enthusiasts around the globe can now have access to rare and invaluable Assamese literary works, published since the 19th century, with the formal launch of Assam Sahitya Sabha’s digital archive of 500 rare, ancient books and journals here on Sunday. The oldest literary cultural organisation of the state, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-run public sector undertaking, Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), in December 2020 to provide a dedicated online platform for Assam’s literary treasures, The Shillong Times reported. Readers have to reg-

GUWAHATI, FEB 14 (PTI): Assam BJP Yuva Morcha on Monday claimed that its activists have filed more than 1,000 complaints against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at various police stations in the state over one of his tweets. It was, however, not immediately known if any case has been registered by any police station against these complaints. A special DGP of Assam Police when asked told PTI that the state has a total of 329 police stations, 293 outposts and 151 patrol posts. Though a complaint can be filed in outposts and patrol posts, the case will be registered only at a police station. Assam BJYM media convenor Biswajit Khound while claiming that more than 1000 complaints have been filed by the Mor-

davp 06140/12/0003/2122

Law against triple talaq saved thousands of Muslim women: PM

AKBARPUR (KANPUR DEHAT), FEB 14 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the law against triple talaq has saved families of thousands of Muslim women from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing an election rally here at Kanpur Dehat, the prime minister said the tightening of law and order in the state has also benefitted Muslim girls who used to face problems from miscreants while going to school earlier. PM Modi’s remarks at the rally here come amid a row in Karnataka where schools have stopped Muslim girls from attending classes while wearing hijab. The polling for second phase of UP assembly polls got underway on Monday. However, voting for Kanpur Dehat will take place in a later phase. The prime minister also hit out at the Samajwadi Party, saying they had distributed areas among family members for “loot” during their rule in the state. Justifying the legislation against triple talaq, the prime minister recalled how

Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting, ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, in Kanpur Dehat. (PTI)

Muslim women suffered due to the practice. “If a Muslim girl came back from her ‘maika’ (native home) empty-handed, she was instantly given triple talaq. If a motorcycle, gold chain, watch or mobile phone was not brought (by her), then triple talaq was given. The life of Muslim women had gotten virtually destroyed by triple talaq. “You can understand the pain of not only that woman, but also of her parents. When the daughter came back to her home (from her in-laws place), she was under constant fear of getting triple talaq. Today, we have given to every Muslim sister a law to protect

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

themselves against triple talaq,” Modi said. The prime minister said according to a report, after the anti-triple talaq law was enacted, the homes of thousands of daughters were saved from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh. The Centre had enacted a law against triple talaq in 2019. Modi also took a swipe at the Trinamool Congress over a leader’s remark that the party was contesting elections in Goa to “divide” Hindu votes. That leader’s remark should be noted by the Election Commission, by the voters and also by the voters of UP. PM Modi was apparently referring to TMC MP

Mahua Moitra’s remarks that her party has prevented the consolidation of Hindu votes by tying up with the MGP in Goa. “She (in an interview) said her party has forged an alliance so that the Hindu votes in Goa could be divided. You see this audacity (‘himmat’). Is this democracy? “Is this secularism? You are openly saying you want to divide the Hindu votes. Then whose votes are you trying to gather? This discrimination, is this the language of democracy. I would like to say to the voters of Goa, that this is the opportunity to bury this type of politics,” Modi said. He lauded the UP government for instilling fear in the minds of miscreants, goons and rioters, saying this has boosted the confidence of girls in the state. “And that is why, every daughter and sister of the state are saying - ‘UP ke liye Yogi ha Upyogi’ (Yogi is useful for UP),” he said. The prime minister said a large number of beneficiaries of the work, which has been done by our government, are Muslim daughters.

BJP-led alliance will form next govt in Punjab: PM JALANDHAR, FEB 14 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the BJP-led alliance will form the next government in Punjab and a new chapter of development will start in the state. He also hit out at the Congress government in Punjab, saying he wanted to pay obeisance at the Devi Talab Mandir here, but the police and the administration were unable to make arrangements. “In Punjab, the NDA alliance will form government. In Punjab, a new chapter of development will start. I want to assure the people, especially the youth, that for their brighter future, we will not leave any stone unturned,” Modi said while addressing his first physical rally in the state for the February 20 assembly polls. On Januar y 5, the prime minister had to return from Punjab without attending any event, including a rally, after his convoy got stuck on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur. For the state polls, Modi had on February 8 addressed a virtual rally. Congress policies have destroyed industries and affected employment in Punjab, Modi said.

Digital learning should not lead to digital divide: VP Naidu NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that digital learning should not lead to digital divide. He said that it is important to ensure that there is no digital divide. H e c a l l e d f o r i ncreased access to the internet especially in rural areas and remote places to “keep inclusivity at the heart of the educational experience”. “The mantra should be - embrace, engage, enlighten and empower”, he said. He said that school closures affected girls, children from disadvantaged backgrounds, those living in rural areas, children with disabilities and children from ethnic minorities more than their peers. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Sports Centre at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR) in Chennai on Monday, Naidu expressed concern about the impact of the pandemic on education. The Vice President also inaugurated the NITTTR Open Educational Resource (OER).

Venkaiah Naidu

Calling it an important step in improving inclusivity through distance education, he observed that it would help teachers improve their knowledge base and teaching methodology. Calling for corrective action from the governments, Naidu suggested that one of the important measures is to upgrade the skills of teachers in elearning. Naidu further stressed the need to create teachers who are “learners and creators of knowledge teachers who touch lives and seek to uplift the human condition”. “We need inspirational, transformational leaders in our classrooms, especially in rural India”, he added. Talking about India’s demographic dividend,

he said that teachers have greater responsibility in moulding India’s huge youth population into responsible citizens. “Education does not mean just degrees,” he said and opined that the true purpose of education is enlightenment, empowerment and wisdom. The Vice President lauded the role of teachers as ‘Covid warriors’ for doing their best to ensure the academic continuity of their students during the pandemic. Referring to the National Education Policy 2020 as a visionary document, the Vice President said that it seeks to transform the education ecosystem in our country. Emphasizing the need to promote and preserve Indian languages, Naidu appreciated AICTE for starting technical courses in Indian languages. Calling upon NITTTR to take the lead in producing outstanding teachers through well-structured and scientifically designed training programmes, he appreciated its efforts in training more than 60,000 learners in the past two years.

Govt blocks 54 more Chinese apps Panel recommends Corbevax for Lahimpur Kheri case: HC corrects bail over security threat, privacy risks ER use among 12 to 18-year-olds order of Ashish, paves way for release

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (PTI): India on Monday blocked 54 more apps with Chinese links, including Tencent Xriver, Nice Video baidu and Viva Video Editor, over security and privacy concerns. According to sources, these 54 apps allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. The collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in a hostile country, they added. The banned apps were allegedly engaged in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country, also posing serious threat to security of the state and defence of India, the sources said. IT ministry has issued interim directions for the blocking of 54 apps, the sources said. The list of banned mobile apps include Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera - Selfie Camera, Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade, Viva Video Editor, Tencent Xriver amongst others. Other apps that have been banned, as per fresh orders, include Garena Free Fire – Illuminate, Astracraft, FancyU pro, MoonChat, Barcode Scanner - QR Code Scan, and Lica Cam.

The crackdown marks the first such step taken this year after a massive sweep against the Chinese apps in 2020. In June 2020, the government had banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. The 2020 ban -- that had come in the backdrop of stand-off along the Line of Actual control in Ladakh with Chinese troops -- was also applicable for WeChat and Bigo Live, besides Helo, Likee, CamScanner, Vigo Video, Mi Video Call – Xiaomi, Clash of Kings as well as e-commerce platforms Club Factory and Shein. Thereafter, the government banned 47 more Chinese apps that were clones and variants of the apps blocked earlier. In September the same year, the government blocked 118 more mobile applications, including popular gaming app PUBG, terming them prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and defence of the nation. The banned apps in that lot included Baidu, Baidu Express Edition, Tencent Watchlist, FaceU, WeChat

Reading and Tencent Weiyun, besides PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite. O n M o n d a y, t h e sources said the IT ministry received a request for the blocking of 54 apps from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the emergency provision envisaged in Section 69(A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act. As per the report shared by MHA, these apps are either the cloned version or having similar functionality, privacy issue and security threats as alleged in previously blocked 267 apps by the government in 2020. The government had initially blocked 59 apps on June 29, 2020 followed by 47 related/cloning apps on August 10, 2020 and 118 apps were blocked on September 1, 2020. Another 43 apps were blocked on November 19, 2020. The sources said the real-time data collected by these apps are being misused and transmitted to servers located in a hostile country. This will enable them to compile huge personal data to mine, collate, analyse and profile by the elements who are hostile to the sovereignty and integrity of India and for activities detrimental to national security. In addition, there are other serious concerns as some of these apps can carry out espionage and surveillance activities via camera/microphone, accessing fine location (GPS) and do malicious network activity similar to previously blocked apps, the sources said.

Chumukedima, Nagaland - 797 103

For the Attention of the candidates applying for the post of Students Activity & Sports (SAS) Officer Ref: Advt. No. NIT-N/ RECT-NT/2021/12 dated 23-12-2021

REGISTRAR

dc-122/22

In order to facilitate the desirous candidates, National Institute of Technology Nagaland is arranging for conducting “Physical Fitness Test” through LAKSHMIBAI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, North East Regional Centre, Tepesia Sports Complex, Sonapur, Guwahati (Assam) on 15/02/2022 and 16/02/2022 between 10:00 Hrs and 16:00 Hrs. at National Institute of Technology Nagaland, Chumoukedima. Interested candidates who have not undergone such mandatory test may avail the the above opportunity to take-up the “Physical Fitness Test” in accordance with the stipulated conditions as per the advertisement. Candidates may walk-in for taking-up the Physical Fitness Test on 15/02/2022 and 16/02/2022 between 10:00 Hrs and 13:00 Hrs. at National Institute of Technology Nagaland, Chumoukedima at their own cost.

LUCKNOW, FEB 14 (PTI): The Allahabad High Court on Monday corrected its order granting bail to Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister of state for Home minister Ajay Mishra, in connection with the death of four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Ashish Mishra had moved the Lucknow bench of the High Court on Friday seeking insertion of sections 302 (murder) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC that were “inadvertently” not mentioned in the high court order as the jail authorities would not release him due to the omission. “It is a mere typographical error, while the court already considered the bail under these sections too and, as such, the same may be allowed making the addition of these sections in the order,” said the application. A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh on Monday passed the order on the correction

Ashish Mishra

application. In the bail order passed on Thursday, sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 326, 427 read with section 34 of IPC, section 30 of the Arms Act and section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act were mentioned, but section 302 and section 120 (B) were left out. Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 in violence that erupted during a farmers’ protest.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF SCHOOL EDUCATION NAGALAND: KOHIMA

dated, Kohima, the 11th Feb’2022

(An Institute of National Importance under Ministry of Education, GOI)

Date: 29-01-2022

The recommendation has been sent to the DCGI for final approval. In an application sent to the DCGI on February 9, Srinivas Kosaraju, the head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs of Biological E Limited said the firm had received approval for conduct-ing phase 2/3 clinical study of Corbevax among children and adolescents aged 5-18 years in September. “The proposed application is for obtaining permission for restricted use in an emergency situation in adolescents aged 12 to less than 18 years based on interim results (of the ongoing phase 2/3 clinical study) considering the current pandemic and widespread of COVID-19 vaccine in India,” Kosaraju had said in the application. The Corbevax vaccine is administered through intramuscular route with two doses scheduled 28 days apart and is stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and presented as 0.5 ml (single dose) and 5 ml (10 doses) vial pack. According to the Union Health Ministry, the company has conducted phase 1/2, 2/3 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in the country. Further, it has conducted a phase 3 active comparator clinical trial to evaluate superiority against Covishield vaccine, it said.

CIRCULAR

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NAGALAND

For details, please refer the detailed notification in institute website: www.nitnagaland.ac.in.

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (PTI): An expert panel of the country’s central drug authority on Monday recommended granting restricted emergency use authorisation to Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine, Corbevax, for age group 12 to 18 years subject to certain conditions, of-ficial sources said. The Central government has still not taken a decision on vaccinating those aged below 15 years. NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul at a press conference recently said that the additional need for vaccination and inclusion of population for vaccination is examined constantly. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has already approved Corbevax, which is In-dia’s first indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19, for re-stricted use in emergency situation in adults on December 28. It has not been included in the country’s vaccination drive. “The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the CDSCO which deliberated on the application recommended granting restricted emergency use authorisation to Biological E’s Corbevax for the 12 to less than 18 years age group subject to certain conditions,” a source said.

NO.ED/EST-1/MISC/2019-20/:: It is to inform all regular Primary Teachers serving under the department of School Education that the last date for submission of necessary documents for the ongoing preparation of Primary Teachers’ Seniority List is extended till 19th February 2022. All necessary documents may be submitted through the office of the ANGPTA of the respective district units or may personally do so at the directorate of School Education, Room No. 412. Teachers failing to do so within the stipulated time shall forfeit the right to claims and objections in future as no further extension of last date will be allowed. The documents should include all Educational certificates including professional courses, first appointment order, regularization order, birth certificate and transfer order. Further, all primary teachers appointed or regularized before 2005 must also submit their first joining report or pages 1 & 4 of the service book of Primary teachers compulsorily. In this regard, all the dEOs, Sr. SdEOs and SdEOs are to extend all necessary help and cooperation to the teachers/ANGPTA units. (SHANAVAS C) IAS PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR dc-123/22

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND STATE HEALTH AGENCY (AB PM-JAY)

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NL/SHA/HR-1/2020/12096-97

Dt.Kohima, the 14th Feb. 2022

ORDER In pursuance of the advertisement no. NL/SHA/HR-1/2020/ dated 6th October 2021, regarding recruitment of 1 (one) post of Finance Manager under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, the Merit list, Rejected list and Shortlisted candidates as per evaluation criteria/advertisement are uploaded in the State Health Agency’s website: uhc.nagaland.gov.in. The top 3 candidates viz: (1) Vizonu Kintso (2) Viphrezol Zao (3) Lothungbeni C Humtsoe are shortlisted list on merit basis for interview. The interview will be held on 18/02/2022, 11:00 AM at room no. 303, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare. No separate calling letter will be issued to the candidates. SD/(DR. I. TALITEMSULA JAMIR) Mission Director (NHM) Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, Kohima. dc-124/22

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 70 DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Friend to foe

aga People’s Front(NPF) leaders bowled a googly at chief minister Neiphiu Rio over heeding to “the desire of the Naga people” to come together- or meaning to join together. There cannot be any other explanation to define what was meant by to ‘come together’ because both NPF and Rio’s NDPP (including BJP) are already together under the United Democratic Alliance(UDA). Though the chief minister and his party-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDDP) have yet to reveal what they think of the ‘offer’ to come-together/unite, it is clear that the manoeuvring within the NPF is the outcome of a realisation among the two regional parties of the state, that it’s now or never. Both NDPP and NPF are from the same gene and are inhibited by the fact that they need a national party in power at the Centre. In the process, both NPF and NDPP have allowed the BJP to use them as crutches to gain a toehold in Nagaland since 2003, in exchange for the funds/goodies from the Centre. For the NPF, its principle to restrict the overreach of the BJP to expand itself in the state by not acceding to the demand for more seats in the 2018 assembly election has paid dividends.The NDPP, an offshoot of the NPF and a party where members of other political parties in limbo rushed to join in, offered the BJP what it wanted -20 seats. Though the NPF won more seats in the 2018 election-26 and vote share of 38.8 % as against NDPP’s 18 seats and vote share of 25.2%; the BJP with 12 seats and NDPPfunded parties tipped the scale against NPF. Both NPF and NDPP are sworn to the goal of ensuring that they work for solution to the Naga issue within the bounds of what is ‘honourable and acceptable’ as both understood best. The Naga political issue, as it stands today, is a misnomer. The CSOs and apex tribe organisations have made political issue, Naga rights and entitlements as their exclusive domain. Both regional parties that ruled the state at various times, have managed to steer themselves centre stage. This began when NPF vowed to bring solution within three months of coming to power in February 2003. This promise was hyped mainly with the encouragement of the BJP at the Centre which wanted to defeat the Congress at any cost and at the expense of the Congress under S.C.Jamir. Even after 19 years, that promised solution within three months after coming to power in February 2003 has been unsaid, ignored and now forgotten. Both regional parties have been at loggerheads since formation of the NDPP and after the 2018 assembly election,on the issue of solution to the Naga political issue. Both have been rivals in trying to prove their bona fides, even if in reality, their promises have made no difference on the real outcome. Today, with no more space to run and with the BJP appearing to become the only potential national party that could upset the state’s political applecart; probably both NPF and NDPP have realised they can no longer afford to sap each other’s strength to their detriment. This perhaps tell the story about how the two regional parties have decided to close ranks and the road to their common friend who is likely to be the common foe.

DailyDevotion The Discipline of Hearing

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. —Matthew 10:27 Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and God puts us into “the shadow of His hand” until we learn to hear Him (Isaiah 49:2). “Whatever I tell you in the dark…” — pay attention when God puts you into darkness, and keep your mouth closed while you are there. Are you in the dark right now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? If so, then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will speak while in the wrong mood— darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else once you are back in the light. After every time of darkness, we should experience a mixture of delight and humiliation. If there is only delight, I question whether we have really heard God at all. We should experience delight for having heard God speak, but mostly humiliation for having taken so long to hear Him! Then we will exclaim, “How slow I have been to listen and understand what God has been telling me!” And yet God has been saying it for days and even weeks. But once you hear Him, He gives you the gift of humiliation, which brings a softness of heart— a gift that will always cause you to listen to God now.

Quotes

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you. ~ A. A. Milne

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Post-mortem

‘India @ 100’ doesn’t address ‘India @ 75’ woes of salaried class

inance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in Parliament that the Union Budget 2022-23 seeks to lay the foundation and provide a blueprint of the economy for the next 25 years, from ‘India at 75’ to ‘India at 100’. She called the 25 years as the ‘amrit kaal (go lden period)’. She may have promised an ‘amrit kaal’, but isn’t the future built on the present? India at 75, the ‘achhe din’ (good days), may have become a cliche, and for the common salaried person, the ‘amrit kaal’ seems akin to a fantastically written film script. T h e C ov i d - 1 9 o n slaught accompanied by the economic downturn has drained common folk of their savings, derailed their daily expenses and affected their long-term plans for the future. Amid all this, Sitharaman’s Budget fails to lift the spirits. For the leaders, whether in the ruling party or

the opposition, the words ‘amrit’ and ‘andha kaal’ (dark days), may be up for play in Parliament, but for salaried persons, the ‘andha kaal’ seems to be neverending and the ‘amrit kaal’ far away. The expectations from this Budget this year were high. The salaried class thought there might be some relief in these Covid-impacted times, but their wishes didn’t turn out to be horses. Their expectations were hinged on the Assembly elections in the five states, as people assumed that relief and relaxation will be the usual course. Far from being populist, the Modi-led government produced a Budget that analysts hail as futuristic. Experts may have their observations and analyses, but for the common person, today is not easy as the battles seem to be getting tougher. Sitharaman had some good words for the ‘aam aadmi’ taxpayer: “The relief

life in the next one year definitely will deteriorate. Such findings mirror the general distress within the people of all ages and classes. The people, especially the middle class, have been struggling with lower incomes and high expenditures. The soaring prices of even basic foods and other necessities have weighed heavy on pockets. The year gone by witnessed the prices of vegetables reaching sky high. Tomatoes in November 2021 were selling at Rs 100/kg. Onions took a long time to stabilise and are now selling at around Rs 40/kg. As vegetable prices seemed to be going awry, those of fr uits, pulses, grains, and so on were also fluctuating mostly towards the upper end of the graph. The Economic Survey 202021 suggested that the Centre must formulate strategies to improve the availability of onions and tomatoes, especially during the lean

season. Similarly, the prices of every item, whether of daily consumption or other commodities, kept on climbing higher the whole of last year. To add to the woes are the ever-increasing prices of fuel, cooking gas cylinders and even PNG. Petrol prices crossed the Rs 100/litre mark in several cities in the country and diesel prices too have reached unprecedented heights, thereby adding to the overall cost of living. With Covid striking hard, the medical expenses have gone up for almost every family in the country. Many families exhausted their savings and some even had to resort to crowdfunding to meet high hospital bills. Last year’s heavy economic squeeze had raised expectations of common folk that Sitharaman would come up with a Budget that would pass some kind of relief on to them. But this has not happened.

The Finance Minister has focused on the economic imperatives and there is no hint of populism or giveaways for even the largest state of Uttar Pradesh, which is headed for elections. The government has plans to build the future and create jobs in the infrastructure sectors, organic farming along the river Ganga, strengthening the MSMEs, and many other projects, which are long-term and laudable. Sitaraman said the government went in for a Budget that would stand for continuity, which will be bringing in stability to the economy and predictability in taxation, and also a vision for India at 100. But, today at 75, the people reeling under the pandemic needed a lenient hand and the Budget seems to be too far-sighted for their comfort. Deepika Bhan, (deepika.b@ians.in)

How can Ukraine-Russia conflict unfold?

he development of the Ukrainian crisis depends on one main demand from Russia, that Ukraine cannot join NATO. Among the reasons, there is an undocumented promise to Gorbachev that NATO will not extend eastwards, or the fear of American troops on the border with Russia. There is however another, practical and strategic, reason, why Russia insists on its demand. NATO is a military alliance, established in 1949. It constitutes a system of collective security, whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. It means that all member states are under the obligation to protect the territorial integrity of all alliance members. This is where the problem lies. What is the territorial integrity of Ukraine if it joins the alliance? Two areas are the bone of contention: Crimea and Donbas.

is that the tax slabs have not been changed.” These words have certainly come as an assurance to the millions of tax-payers who have been struggling to save money in the wake of fluctuating inflation. But the Budget has done nothing to relieve the stress of rising expenditure, decreasing savings, shrinking jobs and the feeling of economic uncertainty. Sitharaman may believe that no disturbance in the tax structure can lower the ever-increasing squeeze on the ‘aam aadmi’, but the ground reality is very different. In a post-Budget survey by IANS-CVoter, which was based on interviews with approx. 1,200+ randomly selected respondents across all demographics, 60 per cent respondents said this Budget will push up their monthly expenses, 44.1 per cent said prices (inflation) will “not at all” come down after this Budget, and 44.1 per cent said the quality of

Crimea has been annexed by Russia in 2014. Today, only a handful of countries recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation. All other countries consider Crimea as part of Ukraine. Donbas has not been annexed. Its status is in limbo, like a renegade province, and no country recognized its independence. If Ukraine joins NATO, the country will naturally come with the map where Crimea and Donbas are part of Ukraine. After all, these are the boundaries under which Ukraine is recognized as a member of the United Nations. Upon acceptance of membership, all other NATO members will recognize this map as the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine they owe to protect. Ukraine will say that it has been attacked by an external party (Russia), that this external party has illegally annexed Crimea and that it is backing an illegal insurrection in Donbas. Russia will thus be identified as

the attacker on one of the NATO members, and this will initiate a reaction from all other NATO members. If there is an attack by NATO on Crimea, Russia will consider that it is an attack on its territory like an attack on Moscow or St Petersburg. In that case no city will be safe. Berlin, Paris, or Washington will not be off limits. If there is one thing Putin should be credited for, it is his readiness to fully retaliate if Russia is attacked. Is the United States willing to take the risk? If Russia on the other hand decides to attack Ukraine for whatever the reason, the battlefield will be Ukraine, not Russia, and Western countries can decide to defend Ukraine even if the country is not part of NATO, without attacking Russian territory. The only time when Soviet Union attacked another country which was out of its sphere of influence was Afghanistan and

In-demand employability skills

we know how it ended. Is Russia willing to take a risk of another Afghanistan, in Europe this time? A solution for NATO is to recognize the right for Ukraine to apply for membership, to accept its application but to delay a positive answer. In that case NATO applies the Bosnia-Herzegovina precedent. Since the end of war in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1995, there was a constant demand to join NATO. It was impossible to accept it at that time since there were separate armies operating in the country. The Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina have been formally unified in 2005 but on the operational level, the different battalions are still split according to ethnic/religious lines. There is formally a unified command, but in practice the different battalions do not cooperate very much. In the case of Ukraine, there is no unified command with Crimea and Donbas, so NATO can say, let’s wait that you have

effective unified command on the whole territory before you can join the alliance. This can take some time. Both options are on the table. Russia is for the moment in the centre of the game because it can decide to attack or not. But the United States holds the key decision on Ukraine’s membership in NATO upon which all other decisions depend. The Western countries can decide for moral reasons to accept that Ukraine is part of NATO and to wage a war against Russia if necessary. The same countries can decide for realpolitik reasons to delay the extension of NATO to Ukraine and find a solution to avoid the war. Simply, the price is not the same and all parties should compute that price before engaging some irreparable action. Cedomir Nestorovic is ESSEC Professor of Geopolitics and Islamic Business

A pragmatic medical model

ealth is a major bulwark 3000 rupees per month. The new NFHS survey ilfor a prosperous society. Proper health and education lustrates accentuated increase of are pivotal for better capitalization contraceptives, almost 76% coverage of demographic dividend thereby of universal immunization of infants from 12 to 23 months, elevated usjumpstarting the economy. Ayushmaan Bharat is revolu- age of LPG and CNG and almost tionalizing the entire medical health 19 states have met the TFR rate of ecosystem through the visionary below 2.1%. Schemes like Ujjawala yojana schemes of Jan Arogya Yojana and has facilitated in almost 8 million Health and wellness care. Health must be inclusive, ac- rural household using LPG cylinders cessible to all, with proper public diversifying the scheme from BPL private investment, affordable cover- to include SC/ST, widows, landless ing primary, secondary and tertiary labourers, etc. The Jan Arogya Yojana is sector in an individual and community level. Proper health standards instrumental in catering to the secaligning with the international ondary and tertiary care of almost standards and preparedness is case 40% of poor household encompassof emergency essential specially in ing rural and urban stretch with the contemporary times keeping the coverage of preexisting conditions providing an insurance cover of 5 pandemic in perspective. National Health Infrastructure lakh per family regardless of family Mission entails setting up of critical numbers in empanelled public and healthcare centres in urban and rural private hospitals. Sashthya Sathi areas, a one stop portal for medical Prakalpa of West Bengal providing data dissemination and e-surveil- 5 lakh per family medical insurance lance for better diagnosis and pre- is an offshoot, an improvisation of diction of infectious diseases. Many this scheme specifically tailored to startups based on IoT, AI,Robotics ensure inclusive healthcare of West are groundbreaking with incubators Bengal. More awareness campaigns providing them requisite support. Rises, Omnicuris, Redspectra, explaining the criteria of availing Tiktalkto are some of the startups these advantages must be dissemidedicated to make health diagnosis, nated to the beneficiaries in local monitoring as well as mental health languages to hedge the tradeoffs therapy more affordable, available, between affordability, availability and accessibility. accessible. Community participation, When it is supplemented with yoga, it becomes a panacea to a telemedicine, digital monitoring, gamut of problems as it not only upholding of international health accentuates memory, concentration. ethical standards, medically securRural healthcare is advancing at ing the aged population, one point a promising rate. The ASHA work- portal for dissemination of medical ers are working to bridge the gap information, robust rural medical between the healthcare services and infrastructure are the crucial areas the rural community by propagat- required for proper modelling, reing importance of nutritional diet, evaluating, modernizing, planning breastfeeding, institutional delivery and implementing. Aggrandizing private investapart from providing first hand treatment of diseases. Rural posting has ment, broadening the base of Jan been incentivized and several insur- Aushadhi kendras selling generic ance schemes have been roped in to medicines are crucial for a dynamic ensure the security of the ASHA and erudite medical ecosystem. Neelakshi Banerjee and Anganwadi workers apart from elevating their salary from 2000 to (As published in Times of India) 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.

he COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a catastrophic blow to the global economy and resulted in a massive loss of lives and livelihoods. This economic and social disruption has destroyed millions of jobs and also put millions of enterprises at risk. A “Future of Jobs Report 2020” by World Economic Forum says that 85 million jobs may become redundant and 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025. This reskilling requirement will go up to 1 billion+ people by 2030. However, the report has a silver lining by estimating that even more jobs, i.e. 97 million will emerge that are more amenable to the interplay between humans, machines and algorithms. Notably, the report highlights that in the next two years, 42% of the skills required to perform existing jobs will change with interpersonal skills gaining importance. The report cites critical thinking and problem-solving as the employers’ most favoured skills over the next five years. Greater adoption of technology means new in-demand skills across jobs replacing the existing ones over the next five years, despite the skills gaps remaining high. Since employability skills are at the heart of any successful business and career, the question on everybody’s mind is - Which of these skills are likely to be in demand in 2022? Some of the employability skills which are likely to gain prominence in 2022 are: Analytical thinking & Complex problem solving It’s about having the mental elasticity to solve problems not seen before and being able to solve them quickly and efficiently. More than 60% of recruiters identify problem-solving as a key determinant towards a favourable hiring decision. The very importance of problem-solving lies in the fact that it is intertwined with

decision making and hence has the potential to impact almost all the functions within an organization. Critical thinking and Analysis Being a critical thinker is using logic and reasoning, after analyzing facts and possible solutions, to arrive at the aptest one. Employers value this skill as it leads to new, fresh and innovative ways to remove impediments to growth and productivity like mismanagement of finances, process inefficiencies, HR conflicts and streamlining of the distribution channel etc. Innovation It’s like being a mental gymnast with an ability to think in different ways and having cognitive flexibility - swing, leap and twirl back and forth between different systems of thought - seeing new patterns and making unique associations between ideas. Employers value innovation as a critical skill because innovators ensure that the organization is one step ahead of evolving workplace trends and technological advances. As a result, innovators are key to maximizing global connectivity and meeting consumer expectations. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence [EI] or Emotional Quotient [EQ] is a recent phenomenon and a new skill given high weightage by employers as it is seen to significantly impact self-motivation by processing and managing emotions, especially in terms of professional relationships and inter-personal communications. EI measures our adeptness to adjust behavior depending on the mood of a colleague, partner, or family member. Negotiation Knowingly or unknowingly, negotiation is an integral part of daily operations in any organization. Whether it is about finalizing a business deal to the

best cost and timelines, allotting responsibilities for a project, or just deciding on the output of the day, you’re simply negotiating! So, better the negotiator you are, the better is the productivity and outcomes for the organization. Leadership It is the ability to motivate teams, maximize their productivity and respond to their needs. Leadership is more to do with the ability to delegate and develop a strong management style. A leader is valued as he has the ability to make quick and sharp decisions when push comes to shove while managing situations and people, especially in times of a crisis. Creativity Sometimes, looking at a problem differently can throw up a solution that can positively impact the organization. Employers have a keen eye for innovative, fresh and unorthodox talent to handle business challenges and internal issues. If you’re able to connect the dots across seemingly disparate information and come up with ‘new ideas and perspectives’, then you are a creative person. Learning Agility Learning Agility is basically finding a way to do things when you don’t know what to do! People who are learning agile are valued by organizations as they take complex challenges head-on and turn experiences into learnings and practices. While the above-listed employability skills will be critical, the importance of few others like communication, customer centricity, digital and financial literacy would continue to be in demand even in the new normal as employers revisit their people strategy and enable a learning culture for higher outcomes, productivity and bottom lines. Kaustov Kashyap, HR & Career Consultant, Jail Road, Jorhat, Assam

Day after reaching out to KCR, Stalin, Mamata says Cong can go its own

KOLKATA, FEB 14 (PTI): Having reached out to regional satraps M K Stalin and K Chandrasekhar Rao to push for an anti-BJP alliance a day before, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday sought to edge the Congress out of any such prospective formation, saying no regional outfit shares cordial relations with it and that the “Congress can go its own way”. Amid signs of increasing bonhomie between her and her Telangana and Tamil Nadu counterparts Rao and Stalin, Banerjee had approached the two on Sunday to set up meetings of opposition chief ministers. “The country’s federal structure has been bulldozed...the country’s Constitution is being demolished. We all need to come together to protect it,” she said on Monday after her party TMC swept the elections to four municipal corporations in West Bengal, dealing yet another body blow to the BJP after the saffron party’s humiliation in the assembly elections in 2021. “Together we are trying to protect the federal structure. All regional parties must come to an understanding,” she said, referring to her telephone

NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Mamata Banerjee speaks after paying tribute to tribal leader Panchanan Barma on his birth anniversary, in Siliguri. (PTI)

calls to Rao and Stalin. Banerjee, who has intensified her efforts to form a coalition of opposition parties after she fell out with the Congress over cobbling together an alliance in Goa, claimed no regional outfit is on friendly terms with the main opposition party. “The Congress can go its way, we will go ours,” she asserted. Interestingly, Congress is an alliance partner of the DMK in Tamil Nadu. After a call from Banerjee, Rao said on Sunday he will soon meet Maharashtra Chief

Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the TMC supremo as part of the efforts to unite various political parties against the BJP. “Mamata Behen (Mamata Banerjee) called me. We had a discussion over phone. She invited me to Bengal or she’ll come to Hyderabad. She said mujhe dosa khilao. I said most welcome. She may come any time. We are discussing. There are so many political leaders across the nation,” Rao said when asked if he is still mooting the idea of a non-BJP, non-Congress

Front. Banerjee and Stalin, who share a common grouse over the actions of the governors of their respective states--Jagdeep Dhankhar and R N Ravi--also spoke on Sunday. “Beloved Didi Mamata Banerjee telephoned me to share her concern and anguish on the Constitutional overstepping and brazen misuse of power by the Governors of non-BJP ruled states,” Stalin tweeted after the call. “She suggested for a meeting of Opposition CMs. I assured her of DMK’s commitment to uphold State autonomy. Convention of Opposition CMs will soon happen out of Delhi!,” he said. Banerjee, who had visited Uttar Pradesh last week to campaign for the Samajwadi Party (SP), contended her TMC decided against contesting elections in that state in “the larger interest”. “The TMC did not field any candidate in UP as I did not want Akhilesh Yadav (SP chief) to get weak in any seat. In the first phase, I am hoping Akhilesh’s party will win 37 of 57 seats,” she told a news channel. Polling was held for 58 assembly seats in the first phase on Thursday.

TMC sweep 4 municipal corporations in WB KOLKATA, FEB 14 (PTI): The Trinamool Congress Monday made a clean sweep in the civic polls to four municipal corporations in West Bengal -- Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Chandernagore and Asansol -- as per data available on the State Election Commission’s website. The TMC retained Bidhannagar by winning 39 out of 41 seats, but opposition BJP and the CPI(M) failed to open their account. The Congress managed to bag one seat, and an Independent candidate secured victory in one ward. In Chandernagore, the TMC bagged 31 of the 32 seats, while the CPI(M) won in one ward. However, the icing on the cake for the ruling party was snatching the Siliguri Municipal Cor poration (SMC) from the CPI(M)-led Left Front, where the TMC pocketed 37 out of 47 seats. The BJP got the opposition status by clinching five seats, whereas the Left was relegated to the third position as it managed to win only four seats, and the Congress one, according to the SEC data. The TMC’s vote share in Siliguri was 78.72 per cent, while the BJP and CPI(M) managed 10.64 per cent and 8.5 per cent of the votes polled, respectively.

U’khand records 59.5% turnout, Goa 77.9%, over 61% in UP’s second phase

Citizens wait to cast their vote at a polling booth, during the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, in Moradabad, Monday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): The final voting percentage for the second phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh on Monday was 61.06 per cent, while Uttarakhand and Goa, which had single-phase polling, recorded 59.51 per cent and 77.94 per cent, respectively. As per the Election Commission data, North Goa registered 79.45 per cent while South Goa registered 76.92 per cent. In Uttar Pradesh, where 55 seats across nine districts saw polling, the highest voting was in Saharanpur, at 67.52 per cent, and the lowest in Shahjahanpur at 55.20 per cent.

Amroha district registered 66.15 per cent, Bareilly 58.82 per cent, Bijnor 62.11 per cent, Badaun 56.83 per cent, Moradabad 64.56 per cent, Rampur 62.31 per cent, and Sambhal 56.88 per cent. In Uttarakhand, the highest was in Haridwar 68.37 per cent and the lowest in Almora district at 50.65 per cent. Bageshwar saw 57.83 per cent, Chamoli 59.28 per cent, Champawat 56.97 per cent, Dehradun 52.93 per cent, Nainital 63.12 per cent, Pauri Garhwal 51.93 per cent, Pithoragarh 57.49 per cent, Rudraprayag 60.36 per cent, Tehri Garhwal 52.66 per cent, Ud-

ham Singh Nagar 65.13 per cent and Uttarkashi district 65.55 per cent. Uttarakhand is holding single phase polling for all its 70 Assembly seats, with a total of 82,66,644 voters deciding the fate of 632 candidates. In Goa, as many as 11,56,464 voters decided the fate of 301 candidates for its 40 seats. In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 2.02 crore voters will decide the fate of 586 contestants in 55 Assembly constituencies across the nine districts are: Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Amroha, Badaun, Bareilly, and Shahjahanpur.

Tata Sons appoints Ayci CEO & MD of AI Will form govt in Uttarakhand Cong, TRS must answer whether they with huge majority, says BJP are with Indian Army or Pak: Anurag NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): Hitting out at Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for seeking proof of surgical strikes, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said that the Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samithi ( T R S ) s h o u l d a n swe r whether they are with the Indian army or Pakistan. Telangana Chief Minister Rao has asked the Centre to show proof of surgical strikes. Defending Congress former president Rahul Gandhi in asking for proof of surgical strikes, he said he is also asking for the proof. “There is nothing wrong in Mr Rahul Gandhi asking for proof of surgical strikes. What was wrong. I am asking now. Come on, let the government of India show (the proof),” Rao said.

Attention!

Anurag Thakur

Thakur said that the Telangana chief minister is furious and nervous after losing Huzurabad Assembly bypolls. “After surgical strike in Huzurabad, his (Rao) tone has changed. Currently, he lost one election and this is the condition

after losing one election, it clearly shows that KCR and TRS are losing ground in Telangana. At the time of Uttar Pradesh polls they are remembering surgical strikes. Congress and TRS sound similar to Pakistan. Whenever there is an election they do new experiments, be it hijab or surgical strike as they are unable to compete on development,” Thakur said. Thakur claimed that the people are disillusioned with them and have faith in the developmental and welfare agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

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voluntarily coming out to make PM Modi and BJP victorious in the assembly polls. People are blessing to the PM’s call to make it a decade of Uttarakhand. People do not want any experiment and are supporting the BJP to take the state to new height of development. We will form the next government in Uttarakhand with huge majority,” Gautam said. When asked why at end of campaign CM Pushkar Singh Dhami promised about implementing Uniform Civil Code, Gautam said, “When other party is trying to polarize to appease a particular community, society reacts and thinks about its security. Whats wrong in talking about UCC as it is equal for everyone. There is no communal incident in the last five years during BJP rule, but Congress is trying to divide the society for its small political benefits.”

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CHANDIGARH, FEB 14 (IANS): In the run-up to the February 20 Assembly elections in Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s chopper was not allowed to take off from Chandigarh on Monday owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s movement in the state. Channi was to join his party leader Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Hoshiarpur. Modi was scheduled to campaign in Jalandhar, his first visit to the state after a major breach in his security in Punjab last month. Officials said Channi’s chopper was not permitted to take off from Chandigarh owing to imposition of a ‘no-fly zone’. Reacting to the development, Channi said, “I am a Chief Minister, not a terrorist.” At the public rally in Jalandhar, Modi questioned the security arrangements of the Channi-led state government. “I wanted to pay obeisance at Devi Talab Mandir (in Jalandhar) but the police administration asked me to go back by helicopter. This is the state of affairs of the Punjab government,” Modi said. A day earlier, Amit Shah took a swipe at Channi at an election rally in Ludhiana, saying how could he protect Punjab when he couldn’t provide security to the PM of the country.

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): As voting for Uttarakhand assembly polls has come to an end, the BJP has expressed confidence that it will win with a huge majority. The BJP also blamed main opposition party, the Congress for polarizing the election in the name of religion and said that people of the devbhoomi are going to give befitting reply to the politics of appeasement. The ruling BJP in Uttarakhand sought votes on development plank under the double engine government and warned voters against the appeasement policy of the Congress. BJP national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge, Dushyant Gautam told IANS that the way people voluntarily came out to vote clearly shows that their blessing is with the BJP. “The trend and feedback received till late afternoon clearly shows voters

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Channi’s chopper not allowed to take off due to PM’s visit

Ilker Ayci

government. “Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there. We are delighted to welcome Ilker to the Tata Group where he would lead Air India into the new era,” said Chandrasekaran. A 1994 alumni of Bilkent University, after a research stay on political science at the Leeds University in the UK in 1995, he completed a Master’s Programme in International Relations from Istanbul’s Marmara University in 1997, according to the statement.

“I am delighted and honored to accept the privilege of leading an iconic airline and to join the Tata Group. Working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the leadership of the Tata Group, we will utilize the strong heritage of Air India to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects Indian warmth and hospitality,” said Ayci. After a competitive bidding process, the government had on October 8 last year sold Air India to Talace Private Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata Group’s holding company, for Rs 18,000 crore. Ta ta s bea t the R s 15,100-crore offer by a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of Rs 12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in the loss-making carrier.

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MUMBAI, FEB 14 (PTI): Tata Sons on Monday announced the appointment of former chairman of Turkish Airlines Ilker Ayci as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India. The Air India board met this afternoon to consider the candidature of Ilker Ayci and after due deliberations approved the appointment of Ayci as the CEO & MD of Air India, Tata Sons said in a statement. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran was a special invitee to this board meeting, it added. Ayci will assume his new responsibilities on or before April 1 this year, it said. The statement also added that Ayci’s appointment to the new position is subject to requisite regulatory approvals. Tatas regained ownership of Air India late last month, nearly seven decades after it lost control to the

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the state government for speedy completion. However, it said that the “snail pace attitude” of the responsible authority in power was questionable. KU has, therefore, urged the state government and the responsible department to “exert its kin enthusiasm in delivering the aspired trust towards the people as promised for humanitarian cause and justice.”

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(From p-1) However, even after almost a year, KU lamented there was no sign of any progress made from the state government though all land settlement issues and necessary process had been resolved as per the directives of the state government. Further, the union pointed out that it had on October 18, 2021 appealed to

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KAKURO

The minister was accompanied by special secretary (home) Saravanan, deputy commissioner Mon Thavaseelan K, PWD (Estate Division) executive engineer Ketousielie Kenguruse and personal assistant to minister Repa Ozukum.

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Nagas who were brought to the train station from different place spread across the southern State for returning to Nagaland. The delegation also presented gift packets of homegrown Naga Coffee, Naga Honey and a souvenir of State logo (mithun).

in domestic equities and stronger dollar index,” Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities said. The local currency was the worst performing currency among Asian currencies, ahead of retail infla-tion data, Parmar said, adding that stocks fell as geopolitical risks over Ukraine rippled through global markets. “Near-term outlook for USD-INR remains following strength in dollar and weaker macro environment. The pair is having resistance around 75.70 and support at 75.25,” Parmar said.

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Crossword

per cent in the current fiscal year ending on March 31, 2022. Sunil Kumar Sinha, Principal Economist, India Ratings and Research (IndRa), said the heightened geopolitical risks will keep the energy prices and thus inflation at elevated levels. “Against this backdrop, Ind-Ra expects the wholesale inflation to be in doubledigits and retail inflation close to the upper tolerance band of RBI during the rest of the current fiscal,” he said. Nikhil Gupta, Chief Economist at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said, “We believe that CPI- inflation has peaked and is likely to soften to 5.6-5.7 per cent in February-March 2022. “ “The tone of the February 2022 policy review (of RBI) virtually rules out a stance change in April 2022, notwithstanding the elevated CPI inflation print for January 2022...Our new base case is a change in stance in June 2022, followed by two repo rate hikes of 25 bps each in August 2022 and October 2022, guided by our view that inflation will not moderate appreciably in H1 FY2023,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA.

December 20 and a fifth consecutive session of loss. In the five sessions, the rupee has declined 68 paise. On Friday, the rupee had plunged by 21 paise to a nearly seven-week low of 75.36 against the US currency on forex outflows and a strong dollar after a spike in inflation in the US boosted expecta-tions of an aggressive rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six curren-cies, was trading 0.13 per cent higher at 96.21. “The rupee depreciated for the fifth day in a row following a plunge

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NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Jeep India has announced the name of their most anticipated offering for the Indian market, a seven-seater SUV - the Jeep Meridian. The name has been carefully chosen for the customer’s sensibilities, keeping in mind the relevance and im-portance of this model for the Indian market. For Jeep, the name of the vehicle was the first step.

(From p-1) During the interaction with Stalin, Ozukum thanked Tamil Nadu government for helping the Naga community during Covid-19 pandemic by arranging transportation for more than 2,000 stranded

MUMBAI, FEB 14 (PTI): The rupee slumped further by 24 paise to close at over nine-week low of 75.60 against the US currency on Monday in line with deep losses in the stock markets and a stronger dollar as investors rushed for safe-haven assets amid geopolitical tensions. Forex traders said a lacklustre trend in domestic equities and elevated crude oil prices weighed on the local unit. Moreover, official data released after market hours showed that retail inflation rose to 6.01 per cent in January on an annual basis and breached the RBI’s upper tolerance level, mainly due to higher prices of certain food items. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 75.53 against the American dollar, and later witnessed an intra-day high of 75.37 and a low of 75.64 against the greenback. The local unit finally ended the day at 75.60, the lowest closing level since

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Jeep Meridian SUV launching in India soon

flation eased for the second consecutive month during January at 12.96 per cent, even though the food prices hardened. Notably, WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the 10th consecutive month beginning April 2021. Inflation in December 2021 was 13.56 per cent, while in January 2021, it was 2.51 per cent. Also, earlier in the day, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said it is primarily the statistical reasons which has resulted in higher inflation, especially in the third quarter of 2021-22, and the same base effect will play in different ways in the coming months. Das said the RBI has already factored in high inflation numbers in its recent bi-monthly monetary policy, and retail inflation in January above 6 per cent “should not surprise or create any alarm”. Last week, the RBI had said headline inflation is expected to peak in the fourth quarter of 2021-22, within the tolerance band, and then moderate closer to target in the second half of 2022-23, providing room for monetary policy to remain accommodative. RBI

State govt seeks to construct Rupee slides by 24 paise to 9-week low ‘Naga Patient House’ in Tamil Nadu

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(From p-1) NMSA has also welcomed the “far-sighted decision” of the state government to allow any merit wise NEET PG qualified Naga doctors to undergo post-graduation studies under state quota at RIMS, Imphal earlier only allowed for regular in-service doctors. NMSA said the move would help bring in more skilled doctors in diverse specialty and that every year seven postgraduate medical seats meant for Nagaland would go partially vacant due to lack of qualified in-service candidates. On the ongoing issue of superannuation of in-service doctors, NMSA has appealed to both NIDA and the state government not to allow any steps that may hamper the health care service of the Naga people. It said that any decision taken should be for the “welfare and good of the general public and not of self-interest.”

cent. In the year-ago month of January 2021, the retail inflation stood at 4.06 per cent. The inflation in the food basket was 5.43 per cent in January 2022 as against 4.05 per cent in the preceding month, as per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). The rate of price rise in ‘cereals and products’ quickened to 3.39 per cent during the month as against 2.62 per cent in December. Likewise, the retail inflation in the ‘meat and fish’ category accelerated to 5.47 per cent from 4.58 per cent. In vegetables, the inflation moved up to 5.19 per cent against a deceleration of (-)2.99 per cent in December. The ‘fuel and light’ segment witnessed a softening of inflation at 9.32 per cent against 10.95 per cent. The Reser ve Bank, which mainly factors in the CPI-based inflation, has been tasked by the government to keep the inflation at 4 per cent, with a margin of 2 per cent on either side. Earlier in the day, data released by the Commerce

DP-738/22(B)

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is carefully examining all aspects before introduction of the CBDC.The Trend and Progress of Banking in India report, released by the RBI in December last year, had said that given the CBDC’s dynamic impact on macroeconomic policy making, it is necessary to adopt basic models initially, and test comprehensively so that it has minimal impact on monetary policy and the banking system. India’s progress in payment systems will provide a useful backbone to make a stateof-the-art CBDC available to its citizens and financial institutions, it had said.

upper tolerance limit of the RBI for the first time in seven months in January, while the wholesale price index stayed in double-digits for the 10th month in a row, showed two sets of data released by the government on Monday. Retail inflation, the key input for the RBI while reviewing the repo rate every two months, soared during the month mainly because of a spike in certain food items. The previous high for retail inflation was 6.26 per cent in June 2021. However, the wholesale price-based inflation in January showed a softening trend for the second straight month, as prices grew at a slower pace at 12.96 per cent. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, daily consumable ‘oils and fats’ continued to pinch consumers’ pockets with an inflation print at 18.7 per cent. However, it softened from December’s retail inflation of 24.32 per cent. Several other segments, including fuel and light, clothing and footwear and transport and communication witnessed over 9 per cent price rise on an annual basis. The government also

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like several other issues, this particular issue is in-ternally under discussion between the RBI and the government. “Whatever points we have we discuss with the government,” he added. CBDC is a digital or virtual currency but it is not comparable to the private virtual currencies or cryptocurrency that have mushroomed over the last decade. Private virtual currencies do not represent any person’s debt or liabilities as there is no issuer. They are not money and cer-tainly not currency. Last week, Das had said the central bank does not want to rush and

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (PTI): Gold prices in the national capital on Monday rallied Rs 478 to Rs 49,519 per 10 grams, reflecting overnight gains in international precious metal prices and sharp rupee depreciation, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the yellow metal settled at Rs 49,041 per 10 grams. The Indian rupee declined 23 paise to settle at 75.59 against the US dollar on Monday. Silver zoomed by Rs 932 to Rs 63,827 per kg, from Rs 62,895 per kg in the previous trade. “Spot gold prices for 24 carat gold at Delhi rallied by Rs 478 reflecting overnight gains in COMEX gold prices and sharp rupee depreciation,” Tapan Patel, senior analyst (commodities) at HDFC Securities, said. In the international market, gold was trading marginally lower at USD 1,857 per ounce and silver was flat at USD 23.02 per ounce. “Gold prices traded marginal down with spot gold prices at COMEX were trading near USD 1,857 per ounce on Monday,” he added.

DP-721/22(A)

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said discussions with regard to central bank-backed digital currency have been going on with the Reserve Bank and a decision will be taken after due deliberations. Sitharaman in her Budget speech on February 1 had announced that Digital Rupee or Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) would be issued by the RBI in the coming fiscal year. She had also announced the government will levy 30 per cent tax on gains made from any other private digital assets from April 1. Replying to questions after addressing the RBI’s Central Board of Directors here on Monday, Sitharaman said the central bank and the government are on board regarding digital curren-cies. She said the discussions with the RBI regarding the CBDC were going on prior to the Budg-et announcement, and they are continuing. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das added that

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022 BUSINESS/STATE Gold climbs Retail inflation spurts to 7-month high in Jan Rs 478; silver NEW DELHI, FEB 14 revised upwards the CPI in- and Industr y Ministr y expects the retail inflation to The retail inflation flation for December 2021 to showed that the wholesale soften to 4.5 per cent next fisjumps Rs 932 (PTI): rate breached the 6 per cent 5.66 per cent from 5.59 per price index (WPI) based in- cal, while projecting it at 5.3

Jaishankar holds ‘productive discussions’ with Philippines counterpart Teodoro Jr.

Israel’s economy ‘strong’ and ‘on track’: PM Bennett

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines earlier said that the two leaders are expected to discuss the current robust ties between the Philippines and India as well as future directions of bilateral relations. The two ministers will discuss health and security, as well as other regional and global matters of mutual interest, especially as countries continue to engage post-COVID, it said. Earlier, Jaishankar was welcomed by Secretary Locsin upon his arrival at the Foreign Ministry for talks. The minister later visited the Intramuros heri-

tage site, also known as “The Walled City.” It is one of the oldest districts in Manila and features Spanish-era landmarks and a shrine to national hero Jose Rizal. “Interesting historical connection with Raja Matanda. Paid my respects to national hero Jose Rizal,” he said. Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the two ministers will review developments in bilateral relations since the meeting of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation that they co-chaired in the virtual format in November 2020.

NZ sees highest OFFICE OF THE monthly food PADUM PUKHURI VILLAGE COUNCIL DIMAPUR, NAGALND price hike in 5 yrs FELICITATION

It is indeed a matter of pride and honor for the Village Council to extend heartiest congratulations on half of the whole populace to the following dignitaries who are bonafide members of Padum Pukhuri village for their achievements and accolade they received in public service. 1. Shri. CHINGWANG KONYAK Former MP and President NDPP on being appointed also as Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Nagaland (Cabinet status). 2. Shri. Y M YOLLOW Hon’ble MLA of 42 Wakching constituency and a bonafide citizen of Padum Pukhuri Village on being inducted as Cabinet Minister. 3. Shri. PETER LICHAMO Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto & Smti. HOKHULI K. CHISHI Secretary R.D.Deptt. (wife of Er. Indianoba Tally Rtd. Chief Engineer) on being conferred Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for their dedication and outstanding achievements. 4. Er. NRIBEMO MUZHUI on being promoted to Engineer in Chief, Power Department May Almighty grant them good health, wisdom and guide them as they shoulder higher responsibilities days ahead. Sd/Sd/YANPOTHUNG YANTHAN AHETO YEPUTHOMI Council Secretary Chairman

Jaishankar said when a large country disregards written commitments, it’s an issue of legitimate concern for the entire international community. He was responding to a question on the eastern Ladakh border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries. When asked whether the India-China border standoff issue came up for discussion during the Quad Foreign ministers’ meeting here on Friday, Jaishankar replied, “Yes”. “Yes, we (Quad) had a discussion on IndiaChina relations because it was part of how we briefed each other about what was happening in our neighbourhood”. “And it’s an issue in which a lot of countries

Imran Khan dismisses China inclination impression

financial requirements and economic parameters of bailouts, which have been progress and development facilitated by China. and has been visibly inIt is believed that Paki- clined towards Beijing for stan’s all-weather friend its financial and economic China has helped it get needs. out and away from the Pakistan’s economic financial dependency on crisis have been a major the West and the United challenge for the Imran States, with whom Paki- Khan-led government and stan was an ally in the war China has been among Imran Khan against terrorism and the the main facilitators of two-decade-long war in maintaining the country’s powerful military establish- Afghanistan. economy through various ment position. However, with China, financial projects and straIt should be noted that Pakistan looks into geo- tegic partnerships. Pakistan has shifted closer to China, as it becomes a partner to the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Taking this Opportunity, we would like to express our coupled with many other sincere gratitude and Appreciation for the selfless and relentless service rendered to us by Dimapur traffic police team lead by O.C traffic zone II Peter Shuya, I.O ASI Lipok, duty officer ASI Itokhu Sumi and THC. Vizakiy, With immense pride and joy, the Sote TC Kotso, NK. Kughavi, L/NK. Chubatongit, NK. Union Kohima Village congratulates Montan, TC Kuhovi for their timely and immediate rescue Mr. Thejawelie Gregory Sote, S/o and Recovery on the fateful night of 12th Feb 2022 when we met with an accident at Patkai Bridge. Lt.Mezhüvilie Sote on being inducted as We really appreciate the timely response of the team Indian Administrative Service (IAS). going beyond their bonded duty and taking all the injured It is a matter of pride and gladness for for immediate medical help without which we would be in the Union. The Union further wishes him grave danger. good health and success for his future May the Almighty God bless each and every one of you endeavour. and your family. Sazo Sote Kuovi Sote Jangminlem Kelvin, thangjam Dilip Kumar Singh, prem Kumar and Late. Baspatimayum roshan President General Secretary Sharma’s family members Sote Union Kohima Sote Union Kohima DP-735/22

ISLAMABAD, FEB 14 (IANS): Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has dismissed the impression that the country is inclined towards China more than any other country, insisting that Pakistan desires for maintained relations with everyone. “We do not want to be in a position that implies as if we are part of a certain camp. Pakistan’s strategic direction is to maintain relations with everyone,” he said. Khan added that Pakistan’s strategic policy of having relations with all is also part of the country’s

AppreciAtion

FELICITATION

OFFICE OF THE

LONGCHARI KIDONG CHANGKI

KHUzAMA STUDENTS' CARE UNION

FELICITATION

The Khuzama Students' Care Union would like to congratulate Mr. Nunese Sale S/o Kevimedo Sale on being awarded in the field of Social Service under “le Divine”, “inspirational Men & Women national award 2021”. The Union further wishes him success for his future endeavors. Sd/Sd/Thejangulie Sale Neibiseto Thapru President k.S.C.U Edu. Statistical Secy. k.S.C.U

Felicitation

CHANGKI : NAGALAND

We, the Longchari Kidong Changki with immense pride and joy would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. T. Senti Longchari, S/o Lt. Tinumayang Longchari, currently serving as Pastor in Dhansiripar Ao Baptist Church, Dimapur for his remarkable achievement on being conferred the degree of Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) from the University of Jerusalem, Chennai, India under the able guidance of Rev. Dr. P. Michael Paul on the Thesis: “Understanding Theology in the Context of Tribal Ao Naga Culture and Religion”. The Longchari Kidong thanks him for bringing laurels to the village in general and to the Longchari Kidong in particular. We wish him the best and pray that may the Almighty God guide and use him for His Glory. Sd/Sademtsüngba President

Sd/Asemwati General Secretary

OFFICE OF THE

NEMCHAbA KIDONG H.Q: KHAR

Date 13/02/22

FELICITATION The Nemchaba kidong of khar Village congratulates our esteemed member Shri. T.Noksang Jamir on being promoted to the post of Joint Secretary, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Secretariat. We wish the best and pray that the Almighty bless you in all your future endeavour to serve the people with all your sincerity and diligently. Db-112/22

WELLINGTON, FEB 14 (IANS): New Zealand’s monthly food prices rose 2.7 per cent in January this year, this highest monthly rise since 2017, the country’s statistics department Stats NZ said on Monday. This is the biggest monthly rise since January 2017 when monthly food prices rose 2.8 per cent, Stats NZ said, adding fruit prices were up 2.7 per cent and vegetable prices were up 5.9 per cent last month, reports Xinhua news agency. “Food prices often increase in January. However, prices increased by more than usual this January,” consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery said in a statement. I n Ja nu a r y 2 0 2 1 , monthly food prices rose 1.3 per cent, and in January 2020 they rose 2.1 per cent, Dewbery said. In January 2022, higher fruit and vegetable prices were the main contributor to the monthly rise, up 9.9 %.

Wang Wenbin

legitimately take interest, particularly if they are from the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. The situation at the LAC has arisen due to the disregard by China in 2020 of written agreements with India not to mass forces at the border, he said. “So, when a large country disregards written commitments, I think it’s an issue of legitimate concern for the entire international community,” he added. To another question on the clash between India and China on the border had been discussed during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Quad comprising the US, India, Australia and Japan in Melbourne and Jaishankar blaming China for the ongoing border conflict, Wang reiterated Beijing’s oft repeated stand on the eastern Ladakh standoff and said that the responsibility does not rest with China. “As to the China-India relations the merits of the matters are very clear and responsibility does not rest with China,” he said.

Sd/Moayongdang President

Sd/I.Sashimeren Secretary

FeLicitAtion

The Akuluto Area Union Dimapur (AAUD) conveys our heartiest congratulations to our members1. Mr. Katovi chishi on being promoted to Deputy Manager N.H.H.D.C Dimapur, Nagaland. 2. er. Hekavi G. chophi on being promoted to the post of S.D.O (Electrical) Chumuokedima, Nagaland. 3. Dr. Loina Shohe for completing her Ph.D in Sociology with dissertation on ‘A study on Socio-Cultural impact of Christianity in Naga Society’ in Nagaland. 4. Dr. Hibuka chophi for completing the M.B.B.S (S.I.M.S) Hapur. 5. Dr. inolu K. Yepthomi for completing M.B.B.S (RIIMS) Imphal. 6. Miss. Atolimi Shikhu for clearing J.E.E. (M.B.B.S). We thank God for your achievement and wishes you the best in all future endeavours.

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S. Jaishankar with Foreign Minister of Philippines Teodoro Locsin Jr., during his visit to Philippines. (PTI)

JERUSALEM, FEB 14 (IANS): Israel’s economy is “strong” and “on a good track”, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has told visiting Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann. While the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Israeli economy, the country still recorded “an extraordinary growth of almost 7 per cent”, Bennett said at the beginning of a special cabinet meeting, which was attended by Cormann. The country is still recovering from the fifth wave of the pandemic, which was led by the ultrainfectious Omicron variant, but “the economy is on a good track”, Xinhua news agency quoted Bennett as saying. He attributed the country’s high growth rates to the government’s choice to keep the economy open during the fourth and fifth Covid-19 waves while combating the virus with mass vaccination campaigns and the social distancing protocol. “Our high-growth ‘open Israel’ policy has allowed us to raise soldiers’ salaries, look after the elderly and ease pressures for working families by lowering taxes,” he said.

BEIJING, FEB 14 (PTI): China and India should “follow through” on the border agreements to uphold peace and tranquillity at the Line of Actual Control, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said on Monday, after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar blamed Beijing for the current situation at the LAC due to the disregard of written agreements by China. “On the border issue, China always maintains that we should follow through on treaties and agreements we signed and we jointly uphold peace and tranquillity at the border region,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said while responding to Jaishankar’s remarks. “We hope the two sides will continue to maintain communication through military and diplomatic channels to resolve the outstanding issues,” Wang said. Speaking at a joint press conference along with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne at Melbourne on Saturday,

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to fire on foreign vessels that entered its waters illegally, though such a decision would have to be approved at the “highest level”. read more. Despite having positioned more than 100,000 troops near to Ukraine’s borders, Moscow denies planning to invade and has accused the West of hysteria. But it has made clear it sees the former Soviet republic’s quest for closer ties with the West, notably through NATO, as a threat. The Kremlin said that if Ukraine renounced its as-

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (IANS): James Heappey, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, said that he believes Europe is closer to war than it has been for 70 years, the BBC reported. “There’s 130,000 Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, thousands more on amphibious shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea,” he told the BBC. “All of the combat enablers are in place and my fear is that if all of this was just about a show to win leverage in diplomacy that doesn’t require the logistics, the fuel, the medical supplies, the bridging assets, the unglamorous stuff that actually makes an invasion force credible, but doesn’t attract headlines. Yet all of that is now in place too. “That’s why there’s real urgency to the diplomatic negotiations that continue,” he says. But he adds there are still “lots of opportunities” for “compromise” and “diplomacy”. Ukraine is calling for a meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group as tensions grow.

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MANILA, FEB 14 (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held “productive discussions” with his Philippines counterpart Teodoro L Locsin during which they covered a range of issues dealing with mutual national security and development aspirations. Jaishankar’s three-day maiden visit to the Philippines comes over two weeks after the Southeast Asian country signed a USD 375 million deal with India to buy three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile. “Held productive discussions with FM @teddyboylocsin of Philippines. We are entering a new phase of our partnership. Its basis is the mutuality of national security and development aspirations. Our conversation covered a range of issues dealing with both,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Expect to take forward a shared agenda through sustained engagement. Thank you @teddyboylocsin for a warm welcome and generous hospitality,” he said in another tweet after the wideranging talks.

Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drive a tank during military exercises in Kharkiv region, Ukraine.

China, India should follow through on border agreements, says Beijing

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piration to join the western military alliance, it would significantly help address Russia’s concerns, and that President Vladimir Putin would meet his foreign and defence ministers on Monday. Ukrainian Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko was initially quoted by the BBC as saying Ukraine might be “flexible” over this aim, “especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that.” Later, he said he had been misunderstood on NATO - although Ukraine was prepared to make other concessions.

‘READY FOR CONCESSIONS’ “We are not a member of NATO right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in conversations with the Russians,” Prystaiko told the BBC. “It has nothing to do with NATO, which (membership application) is enshrined in the constitution.” Eight years ago, mass protests on Kyiv’s Maidan square in favour of closer integration with the West forced out the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych. Faced with the ascendancy of pro-Western politicians promising to advance democracy and fight corruption just across its border, Russia captured and then annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, home to the Russian Black Sea fleet. It also supported proRussian rebels who have seized part of Ukraine’s industrial, largely Russianspeaking east in a war that is still adding to its toll of more than 14,000 lives lost.

Europe closer to war than it’s been for 70 years

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Ukraine hints at concessions to Russia as Scholz heads to region MOSCOW/KYIV, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain on Monday backtracked on remarks suggesting that Kyiv would reconsider its attempt to join NATO as Russia masses a huge force within striking distance of its neighbour, but said other concessions could be on offer. A day after Washington said Russia could now invade Ukraine at any time on a surprise pretext, the Group of Seven large Western economies (G7) warned Russia of “massive” economic consequences if it did so, and promised Ukraine swift support. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz flew to Kyiv for talks, to be followed on Tuesday by a meeting with Putin in Moscow, but a German official said Berlin did not expect concrete results. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the situation “very, very dangerous”. A senior Russian military officer was quoted by the news agency Interfax as saying Russia was ready

INTERNATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Y. Khenito chishi President

nihoyi Kinimi Secretary

INFOTAINMENT

How Covid causes stillbirths? Scientists find out

ovid-19 infection is known to cause stillbirths in unvaccinated pregnant women, but the mechanism was not yet understood. A 44-member international research team studied 64 stillbirth cases and four early neonatal deaths from 12 countries to determine how Covid-19 caused perinatal deaths in unvaccinated expecting mothers, USA Today reported. The findings, published in Archives of Pathology & Laborator y Medicine, showed that the Covid-19 infection destroys the placenta, depriving the foetus of oxygen. Researchers determined the virus reaches the placenta and causes it to fail by passing through the mother’s bloodstream, a process known as viremia. “Our study identified placental insufficiency as the root cause for stillbirths in women with Covid-19 during pregnancy,” said Dr David Schwartz, an Atlanta-based pathologist who led the study, was

quoted as saying. “Among the 68 cases, an average of 77 per cent of the placenta had been destroyed and rendered useless for supporting critical foetal needs, resulting in stillbirth or early neonatal death,” he added. In all the studied cases, researchers found the placentas from infected mothers had a severe ab-normality called

SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, Schwartz said. The team also found viral-induced lesions in the placenta blocked maternal and foetal blood flow and oxygen, killing placental tissues and causing “irreparable damage”, the report said. Further, in almost all the cases, an increase was observed in fibrin -- a key protein involved with blood

clotting -- was so “massive” it blocked blood and oxygen flow to the placenta. All the placentas also showed dead cells made up the major cell barrier between the mother and foetus, known as trophoblast necrosis. Another placental complication that may have been caused by the virus was a rare accumulation of inflammatory cells

called chronic histiocytic intervillositis, which was seen in 97 per cent of cases studied by the international research team. Moreover, the researchers assumed that many of the infections were from the Delta variant, and not Omicron. Although other viral, bacterial and parasitic infections that occur in pregnancy and cause stillbirth travel through the placenta and damage the foetal organs, but Schwartz said SARS-CoV-2 appears to stop at the placenta and do the most damage there. “The placental destruction is so severe that whether or not the foetus becomes infected might be irrelevant,” he said. Studies have shown that the Covid vaccine is safe and effective for both the expectant parent and baby. The studies have also shown that antibodies from the vaccine can pass through to the foetus and protect the baby from Covid-19 after birth. (IANS)

‘Ghostbusters’ filmmaker Ivan Reitman dies at 75

he ‘Ghostbusters’ filmmaker passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in California on Sat-urday (12.02.22) at the age of 75, his family have confirmed. His three children, Jason, Catherine and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement: “Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father and grandfather who

taught us to always seek the magic in life. “We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.” Ivan - who is also survived by wife Genevieve - was born in Komarmo,

Czechslovakia and moved with his parents, who were Hungarian Jews, to Canada as refugees when he was four years old. He landed his big break in Hollywood when he produced ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’ in 1978 and went on to direct comedies ‘Meatballs’ and ‘Stripes’. Ivan was nominated for two Oscars for producing and directing

‘Ghostbusters’ in 1984, a movie which grossed almost $300 million worldwide and generated various spin-offs, including last year’s ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’, which was directed by his son, Jason. The director-and-producer’s other notable credits included ‘Old School’, ‘Beethoven’, ‘Kindergarten Cop’, ‘Twins’ and ‘Junior’. (Contactmusic)

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson to host Eurovision-style ‘American Song Contest’

noop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson have been announced as the hosts of the upcoming American Song Contest, a Eurovision-styled singing competition set to premiere on NBC this March. Initially announced in 2020, the new contest was due to appear on TV in February but was delayed by NBC. It will feature “original musical performances representing all 50 states, five US territories and the nation’s capital, with artists competing to win the title of Best Original Song in a grand spec-tacle”. “I am honored to host American Song Contest alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. Clarkson added: “I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs.” American Song

us is our culture…it can unite it by celebrating its di-versity, its distinctions and in pulling everyone around its love of music and its love of song.” The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will take place at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy, with the Grand Final set for May 14. Last year’s Eurovision was won by the Italian band Måneskin. Mika was recently announced as one of a trio of hosts for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. He’ll be joining renowned Italian singer Laura Pausini and TV personality Alessandro Cattelan on pre-senting duties. (NME)

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Coldplay to perform free show for Dubai Expo

Contest will kick off on March 21 then air for eight weeks with the Grand Final scheduled for May 9, the day before the first semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest takes place. The list of 56 solo singers, duos or bands will be announced at a later date. Executive producer of the new show, Ben Silverman, said: “I’ve spent 20 years trying to pursue this,” in trying to bring the show to US audiences. “I just love the format.” He added: “When America is more fractionalised than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one [thing] that truly unites

Opposite S.P. Office, Dimapur, Nagaland – 797112 Mob. : 8798031985, e-mail: cedarhoteldimapur@gmail.com

VACANCY

oldplay are set to perform a free show in Dubai this week in support of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Pro-gramme for People and Planet. The concert will take place live at Al Wasl Dome on February 15 and will also be livestreamed on VirtualExpoDubai.com, Expo TV on YouTube and Expo 2020’s Facebook page. The band will be performing tracks from their 2021 ‘Music Of The Spheres’ album, while highlight-ing the importance of protecting the planet in line with Expo’s sub-theme of sustainability. Fans attending the show in person must have both an Expo 2020 ticket and a Coldplay ticket, which are now fully booked.

The group, who last visited the UAE in 2016, previously announced details of their 2022 world sta-dium tour, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. The measures include cutting direct emissions by 50 per cent compared to the band’s last tour in 2016 and 2017, using 100 per cent re-newable energy and having solar installations at every venue. Back in 2019 the band announced that they were taking time to consider how they would tour in the future in order to make it as environmentally friendly as possible. “As a band, we always try to put togetherness and sustainability at the heart of everything we do,” Coldplay said in a statement at the time. “It’s an honour

to be invited to perform at Expo 2020 Du-bai Infinite Nights for a special celebration of these two themes.” Expo 20 was originally scheduled for October 2020 to April 2021 before being postponed due to COVID-19. The world’s fair’s monthly Infinite Nights series has previously featured acts such as Ali-cia Keys and Black Eyed Peas. In October 2021, Coldplay scored their ninth consecutive UK Number One album with ‘Music Of The Spheres’. In a four-star review of the album, NME‘s Rhian Daly said: “Like a sparkling night sky sewn with stars, ‘Music Of The Spheres’ is a celestial beauty that’s capable of inspiring great awe and emotion.” (NME)

1. House Keeping Supervisor : With relevant experience (1 to 2 Years) 2. House Keeping Assistant : With relevant experience, fluent in English and Trained Fresher’s may also apply. 3. Kitchen Helper : With minimum 1 year experience. Applicants can send or submit their resume along with the attested copies of all documents and a recent passport size photograph on or before 18th Feb, 2022 at Front Office of Cedar Hotel or e-mail on (hr@hotelacacia.co.in) Selected Applicants will be notified

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Valentine’s Day: FFI holds campaign in Kma

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to address issues with regard to body illiteracy and lack of comprehensive sexuality education which affect the way young people understood and experienced consent and bodily autonomy. (Correspondent)

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eminist Futures India (FFI), a project by CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality in collaboration with Serendip Guardians carried out a campaign titled “body festival” on Valentine’s Day in Kohima. The campaign focuses on body literacy, consent and mental health. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Sekulu Nyekha, youth champion of Feminist Futures India (FFI) said that consent was about communication and was required in every activity. Nyekha said that the reason these topics were highlighted on February 14 was because young people in general made uninformed decisions and ended up normalising abuse. On this day, the organisers carried out a campaign on body literacy, consent and mental health after having witnessed how consent was overlooked and neglected. #Selflove is a part of the FFI’s campaign “Body festival” which works

K Y M C

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

skater cleared to compete, Winter Olympics: Gold for Humphries, Xu Russian but medal ceremony won’t be held

Kaillie Humphries

BEIJING, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Kaillie Humphries claimed the firstawarded women’s monobob gold medal on Monday, topping the podium for her adopted nation United States, at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Humphries was a clear winner with a combined time of 4min 19.27sec after four runs, finishing 1.54sec in front of team-mate Elana Meyers Taylor. She previously competed for Canada and won Olympic golds at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 - as well as bronze at Pyeongchang 2018 in two-woman bobsleigh for her home

country before switching allegiances to the US over abuse allegations made against Canadian head coach Todd Hays. Humphries started competing for the US in September 2019 after being released by Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, who the same month had concluded there was not sufficient evidence to convict Hays, high performance director Chris Le Bihan or the organisation’s President, Sarah Storey over abuse. The investigation was reopened last year and the outcome of this is still unknown. The 36-year-old continued on from winning the 2021 monobob world title by taking the gold medal in dominant fashion, beating Meyers Taylor who celebrated a tumultuous start to the Games with a silver medal. Meyers Taylor became the US’ oldest female Winter Olympic medallist at the age of 37 and posted a photo with her son playing with the silver medal after the race. Bronze went to Christine de Bruin of Canada, who was 1.76 seconds adrift of Humphries, falling behind Meyers Taylor on the final run. Laura Nolte of Germany and Breeana Walker of Australia were narrowly behind in fourth and fifth.

Norwegian biathlete Marte Olsbu Roeiseland won her third gold of the 2022 Winter Olympics with a stunning victory in the women’s 10km pursuit. Roeiseland won Sunday’s race by a large margin of one minute 36.5 seconds, ahead of Sweden’s Elvira Oberg as Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff took bronze. The 31-year-old beat Oberg to gold in Friday’s sprint and, alongside three team-mates, won the mixed relay. Roeiseland also won bronze in the 15km individual event. The biathlon pursuit sees the winner of the sprint set off first, with the other competitors following at staggered intervals based on how many seconds they were behind in that event. Biathletes stop at the shooting range four times. The first two shooting bouts are from prone, the final two while standing. Roeiseland won the sprint by finishing 30.9 seconds ahead of 22-year-old Oberg. “I had really good prepara-

Marte Olsbu Roeiseland

tion and I was looking forward to these Olympics for a really long time,” said Roeiseland, who arrived at the Beijing Games as this season’s outstanding female biathlete. “I had a good starting position today which helps a lot. The shooting was good and it was so much fun to race. “Every medal is special. I’m just trying to be right here and right now and be present. Right now I’m just enjoying this moment.”

Xu takes aerials gold for China in freestyle skiing ZHANGJIAKOU (CHINA), FEB 13 (AGENCIES): China’s Xu Mengtao finally claimed Olympic gold when she triumphed in a dramatic final of the freestyle skiing women’s aerials on home snow on Monday, producing a spectacular jump as most of her main rivals faltered. Xu, the Sochi silver medallist and current World Cup leader, nailed a 108.61 effort to edge ahead of defending champion Hanna Huskova of Belarus, with Megan Nick taking a surprise bronze for the United States. Xu had to wait as American Ashley Caldwell, the most impressive performer in qualifying, attempted to beat her score, only to crash-land and spark wild celebrations among the Chinese supporters. It was China’s first victory in the event after five silver medals since it was added to the Games programme in 1994. Caldwell finished fourth, one place ahead of world champion and favourite Laura Peel of Australia, who had a final to forget. Xu Mengtao On a bitterly cold night, a gusting, northerly wind brought the temperature down to -23 fying competition earlier in the day - held over from Sunday because of bad weather - with a Celsius and made jumping difficult. Peel had laid down a marker in the quali- monster 104.54 score. But she had a scare in the

BEIJING, FEB 14 (AP): Russian teenager Kamila Valieva has been cleared to compete in the women’s figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics despite failing a pre-Games drug test, setting her up for an attempt at a second gold medal. Whatever happens on the ice, Valieva will not get a medal ceremony moment in Beijing. Nor will any skater who finishes in the top three with her. The Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared Valieva to skate less than 12 hours after a hastily arranged hearing that lasted into early Monday morning. A panel of judges ruled that the 15-year-old Valieva, the favorite for the women’s individual gold, does not need to be provisionally suspended ahead of a full investigation. The court gave her a favorable decision in part because she is a minor, known in Olympic jargon as a “protected person,” and is subject to different rules from an adult athlete. “The panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete at the Olympic Games would cause her irreparable harm in the circumstances,” CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said.

Kamila Valieva

Now, Valieva and her fellow Russian skaters can aim for the first podium sweep of women’s figure skating in Olympic history. The event starts with the short program Tuesday and concludes Thursday with the free skate. The International Olympic Committee said Monday afternoon that if Valieva finishes in the top three, there will be no medal ceremony during the Games. There will also be no ceremony for the team event won by Valieva and the Russian team a week ago. “It would not be appropriate to hold the medal ceremony,” the IOC said. Valieva landed the first quadruple jumps by a woman at the Olympics as the Russian team won gold in a dominant performance.

The decision not to award medals also affects Nathan Chen and the rest of the second-place American team, who will leave Beijing unsure if they won silver or gold. It would be Chen’s second gold of the Games. If Valieva and Russia are disqualified, Japan moves up to silver and Canada wins bronze. “We are devastated that they will leave Beijing without their medals in hand, but we appreciate the intention of the IOC to ensure the right medals are awarded to the right individuals,” the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement. The IOC decision also means the fourth-place finisher in the women’s event will have a good chance to move into the bronze position.

final as she disappeared into a cloud of fresh snow in a mess of a landing to sit ninth of the 12 finalists after the first round. She flirted with disaster again with her second jump, both hands touching down after her triple, but the difficulty level earned her 100.02 and a place in the final. Caldwell did not need to take her second effort but, full of confidence after her mixed team gold on Thursday, did so – and improved her score to 105.60. The format meant that the top six advanced to the final with all previous scores wiped out – with just one more jump each to decide the medals. Huskova was the lowest-scorer of the six but roared out of the blocks with 107.95 points – then sat back to watch and wait. Peel went all out for a triple but had another terrible landing and China’s Kong Fanyu tried the same jump, with an even more spectacular head-first wipeout. Xu, however, bucked the trend and made no mistake, scoring 108.61, and Caldwell could not respond - reversing the pair’s fortunes from the team event when the U.S. pipped China First ever football friendly match was played between Peletkie Students’ Union and for gold. Jalukie Students’ Union on February 14 at Jalukie Town turf ground.

Novak Djokovic stays top of ATP Fines, bans from FIFA: Brazil, rankings with Medvedev lurking Argentina told to play again

Novak Djokovic

PARIS, FEB 14 (AFP): Novak Djokovic holds on to the world number one spot ahead of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday. But the Russian could end the Serb’s record-breaking two-year domination of the rankings from February 28 next, with Djokovic set to compete in Dubai and Medvedev in Acapulco the same week.

There were no changes in the top 10 this week, with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime edging closer to eighth place after capturing his first ATP title in Rotterdam on Sunday with victory over world number four and top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 21-year-old triumphed 6-4, 6-2 in 78 minutes, backing up his semi-final win over second seed and defending champion Andrey Rublev. American Taylor Fritz moves up two places to 17th after his quarter-final run in the Dallas Open, with tournament winner Reilly Opelka jumping three spots to enter the top 20. ATP rankings: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10875 pts 2. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 9635 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 7865 4. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 7355 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6875 6. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 5018 7. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 4700 8. Casper Ruud (NOR) 4065 9. Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 4018 10. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3429

LONDON, FEB 14 (AP): FIFA handed out fines and suspensions while ordering Brazil and Argentina to replay the World Cup qualifier that was abandoned after health officials stormed the field to question the quarantine status of players. Four of Argentina’s English Premier League players were accused of flouting quarantine requirements in Sao Paulo in September and of falsifying

Brazilian coronavirus declarations by not stating they had been red-listed in Britain in the previous 14 days. Emiliano Buendía, Emiliano Martínez, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero will now serve twomatch bans in FIFA fixtures after “not complying with the FIFA Return to Football International Match Protocol,” the world governing body said. FIFA ordered the Brazilian Football As-

sociation to pay a fine of 550,000 Swiss francs (about USD 600,000) for “infringements related to order and security”, and over the abandonment. The Argentinian Football Association was fined 250,000 Swiss francs (USD 270,000) for failing to “comply with its obligations in relation to order and security, the preparation of and its participation in the match”, and the abandonment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “Shall be always in our Hearts”

dp-699/22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

KSON sports meet concludes

Winners and runners-up of men’s volleyball with the officials.

DIMAPUR, Feb 14 (NPN): Four-day, 6th Sports Meet organised by the Kuki Students’ Organisation Nagaland (KSON) concluded on February 11 at Ahthibung town local ground. According to DIPR report, a total of 21 constituent units of KSON participated in various events such as football (men), volleyball (men K Y M C

and women) and Athletic events (men and women), high jump, long jump, relay race, 100m and 200m race. In men’s football, Bongkolong Youth and Students’ Union won the first position while Phanjang Youth and Students’ Union finished as runners up. Bungsang Youth and Students’ Union bagged

the men’s volleyball title. The runners up went to Kuki Youth and Students’ Union Medziphema. In women’s volleyball, Vongkithem Youth and Students’ Union emerged as the champion and Khaibung Youth and Students’ Union as runners up. The closing ceremony was graced by social activist, C. Singson as special guest.

12-05-1937 to 06-02-2022

We, the bereaved family of Late Nungshiwala Jamir would like to convey our sincere gratitude to all the Individuals, neighbours, churches and different organizations who stood by us during her prolonged illness till her demise. We pray to our Almighty to bless each and everyone of you. db-111/22

Loving Husband, Children, Grand Children and In-laws

Born : 1932 – Died : 09.02.2022 We express our profound gratitude and appreciation to our relatives, friends and neighbours who stood by us though prayers, financial, moral and material support at the demise of our beloved mother & grandmother H. Hovili Zhimomi. Our sincere thanks to the following individual and organizations: • Shri H. Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA & Advisor, Power Govt. of Nagaland • Shri Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt. of Nagaland • Police Baptist Church Dimapur • Pastor and Deacons of Police Baptist Church Dimapur • Police Baptist Church Dimapur Youth Department • Police Baptist Chruch Dimapur Women Department • Prayer Group East Police Colony Dimapur • DSBC Burma Camp/Police Colony Fellowship • Lizumi Kuqhakulu Dimapur • Dimapur Mekokla Nchumchepen Okho • East Police Colony Council • East Police Colony Youth Organization • East Police Colony Women Organization We regret our inability to thank each one of you individually, but it is our humble prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly. dp-732/22 K Y M C

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Calicut Heroes beat Bengaluru ASA sports meet; NASA tops medal on day 1 PVL: Torpedoes to snap winless streak

Correspondent

KO H I M A , F E B 1 4 (NPN): The 50th sports meet of Angami Sports Association (ASA) kicked off on Monday at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.’ On the opening day, NASA led the medal tally with 11 medals (6 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze) followed by SASA with 8 medals (4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze), CYO with 1 silver in third position while WAYO is yet to open an account. Gracing the opening ceremony as inaugural guest, advisor, Youth Resources and Sports, Zale Neikha said Nagas were capable of performing like the rest of the world athletes as they possessed the ability but lacked dedication, sacrifice and sincerity. In this regard, he urged the players to strive hard and earn a good name and bring laurel not only for oneself but for the state. However, he also reminded the youngsters that there was no short cut in sports and the only way was through hard work and

Participants take part in bamboo stilt walking.(NP)

determination. The advisor also encouraged the players to work out and make full use of the available facilities. Neikha also said that Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE), Kohima was of great advantage for the Naga community as through this platform, the academy would be upgrading games like wrestling, boxing, and archery by roping world -class coaches to train the athletes.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by ASA, advisor, Viliehu Nguzhü while ASA athletics secretary, Neilekho Zütso administered the oath to the participating team. RESULTS ON DAY 1 400 METRES RACE (MEN) First- NASA (44.63 Sec); Second- SASA (46.72 Sec) WO M E N : F i r s t – SASA (57.78 Sec); second– CYO (1:05:00 Sec)

VFI to have a new official volleyball league in India BHUBANESWAR, FEB 14 (IANS): The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) has announced its plans to launch a new franchisebased annual domestic league that is tentatively scheduled to start in JuneJuly 2022. The Indian Volleyball League, which the sport’s governing body for India is launching in association with Eurosport India -- Discovery Network’s premier sports channel, is recognised both by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The IVL seems a direct response to the ongoing Prime Volleyball League (PVL), which was launched this year after its earlier avatar, Pro Volleyball League, was discontinued after one season in 2019. The sixteam Pro Volleyball League was organised by Baseline Ventures under the supervision of the Volleyball

Federation of India (VFI) and was approved by FIVB. The IVL, now the official league in India, will have six to eight franchises representing various cities across the country, the VFI said in a release on Monday. In the IVL, the teams will have a mix of top players from the Indian national team along with talented players from various states as well as a host of top international players in its roster for the inaugural season, the release said. Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, Member of Parliament & President, Volleyball Federation of India said, “It is a

momentous occasion for Indian Volleyball, and we are thrilled to have a globally respected brand like Discovery on board with us. We are sure they will help us take the league to places and together we aim to uplift the sport’s standard in the near future as one of the top international volleyball leagues globally.” R a m av t a r S i n g h Jakhar, Zonal Executive Vice-President, Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), and Chairman, Indian Volleyball League said, “I am happy that Eurosport India - Discovery Network’s premium sports channel has come forward to partner with Indian Volleyball League which will go a long way in developing the game of Volleyball in India.” He also said that the young Volleyball players in India will benefit a lot and surely this league will become a rousing hit in India and abroad.

1500 METRES RACE (MEN) First – Tsolie Yhokha (SASA 4:22.09 mins); second-Kevise Belho (NASA); Third– Thejakhrielie Mechülho (NASA). WOMEN:– Khriezelhounuo Keyho (NASA 5:35:97 mins), second - Ruokuosanuo Kire (NASA); third - Kerihonu Valeo (SASA) LONG JUMP (MEN) First– Neiketoulie Belho (NASA); second -Mhasiletuo Yhomne

(NASA); third– Medovito Sale (SASA) WO M E N : F i r s t – Abeino Neihu (SASA 4.31 metres); second–Pelevonuo Zhale (NASA 1.80 metres); third– Neikethonuo Mephfuo (NASA) SHOTPUT (MEN) First– Seyiekhrietuo Yiese (NASA 12.04 metres); second–Kezhaseluoo Pienyü (NASA); third– Keviser Dzüvichü (NASA) WO M E N : f i r s t – Khriesiesanuo Whuorie (NASA 8.41 m); second– Kelhousenuo Khr umo (NASA); third– Luolakhonuo Ciesotsu (NASA) TRIPLE JUMP (MEN) First– Vikehiezo Mejura (SASA 12.62 m); second - Mhasiletuo Yhome (NASA); third– Kevirüduo Dzüvichü (NASA) HIGH JUMP (WOMEN) First– Kelhousino Sorünuo (NASA 1.35 m); second - Kevineinuo Khro (NASA); third– Seyiekhrienuo Tepa (SASA) BAMBOO STILT WALK (MEN) First - Shedesü Thami (SASA); second - Menuovolie Chüpuo (NASA)

HYDERABAD, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Calicut Heroes recorded its first win in three matches, defeating Bengaluru Torpedoes 1512, 15-12, 15-9, 14-15, 1513 in the Rupay Prime Volleyball League championship at the GMC Balayogi Stadium (Gachibowli) here on Monday. The presence of Olympian David Lee clearly gave a reassuring touch to Heroes in the forecourt as he played a significant role in the company of the consistent duo of M.V. Sujan Lal and M.C. Mujeeb in defence. Lee, along with Aaron Koubi, showed his class repeatedly, not just with the power but the ease with which he rolled the ball over into the vacant spots with his finger-touch. Heroes were clearly the more dominant side, with captain Jerome Vinith, who was player of the match, once again revelling with his awesome spiking, mostly from the right corner of the forecourt. Torpedoes could put

David Lee of Calicut Heroes in action against Bengaluru Torpedoes on Monday.

up some fight in the first three sets thanks primarily due to the brilliance of Pankaj Sharma, captain Ranjith Singh as setter but it was Sarang Shantilal who was the surprise package for the team as an attacker. What clearly decided the issue in Heroes’ favour was the consistency in picking up points with the everreliable and powerful Ajith Lal coming up with his trademark spikes clearly

unsettling the Torpedoes’ defence, where even someone like P. Rohit struggled. The consolation for Torpedoes was that it won the fourth set in a closelyfought battle. With the scores tied 14-all, Heroes’ Jerome served into the net to provide some cheer in what was otherwise a disappointing evening for Torpedoes, who suffered their second defeat in four games.

Liverpool close gap on Man City; Spurs rocked by Wolves LONDON, FEB 14 (AFP): Liverpool kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as Fabinho sealed a 1-0 win over Burnley, while Tottenham’s top four bid suffered a fresh blow in a 2-0 loss to Wolves on Sunday. Fabinho struck late in the first half at windswept Turf Moor to give Liverpool their fourth successive league victory. Liver pool are nine points behind City with one game in hand as the Reds refuse to let the title race become a prolonged coronation for Pep Guardiola’s men. City made it 14 wins from their last 15 league games on Saturday as Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick inspired a 4-0 win at lowly Norwich. But Guardiola is convinced Liverpool will push the champions all the way to the finish line and the way they ground out a hardfought success against bottom of the table Burnley suggests he is right not to count them out. Klopp was able to welcome back Sadio Mane for

Lloris weakly spilled Leander Dendoncker’s effort. If that was an ugly goal to concede, there was worse to come for Tottenham as they imploded in the 18th minute. Lloris was involved again with a woeful pass to Ben Davies, prompting the startled defender to gift possession to Wolves. Daniel Podence’s shot was deflected onto the post by Davinson Sanchez and Dendoncker bundled in from close-range. Wolves, who climbed one point above Tottenham into seventh, have won four Fabinho (right) tapped home for the Reds five minutes before half-time following a successive top-flight away games for the first time since mini scramble inside the penalty box. 1980. his first appearance since The Brazilian poked points adrift of the ChampiTeam P GD Pts helping Senegal win the Af- home a fifth goal in his last ons League places. rican Cup of Nations. seven games after Mane “We created chances Man City 25 47 63 Burnley were in typi- headed on Trent Alexander- but in the end we are talking Liverpool 24 42 54 cally aggressive mood, with Arnold’s corner. about another defeat. We Chelsea 24 30 47 Alisson Becker forced to - Spurs implode have to work and to know it West Ham 25 11 41 save Josh Brownhill’s swirlIn north London, Tot- won’t be easy for us. It’s dif24 6 40 ing strike before Wout We- tenham lost a second succes- ficult to explain the way we Man Utd ghorst wasted a golden op- sive home game as Wolves started,” Conte said. Arsenal 22 9 39 portunity for the hosts. followed Southampton’s Raul Jimenez gave Wolves 23 4 37 After a shaky start, victory on Wednesday. Wolves the perfect start in Tottenham 22 -1 36 Fabinho restored order for Antonio Conte’s side, the sixth minute, the MexiBrighton 23 2 33 Liverpool five minutes be- loudly booed off at full-time, can volleying home after fore half-time. dropped to eighth place, four Tottenham keeper Hugo Southampton 24 -7 29

IPL 2022 Auction: Raina goes unsold; Is it end of road for ‘Mr. IPL’? Auger-Aliassime beats top-seeded Tsitsipas to win maiden ATP title

NEW DELHI, FEB 14 (AGENCIES): Even as the ten franchises splurged cash, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina went unsold at the IPL 2022 mega auction in Bengaluru on Sunday. After going unsold on the first day, the veteran batter, who had a base price of Rs 2 crore, was ignored by franchises on the final day of the auction as well, which meant that tion, Zeenews reported. would miss since the comRaina went unsold for the This will only be the petition began in 2008. He first time in an IPL auc- second IPL season Raina had also missed the IPL

2020 season after returning home from UAE due to personal reasons. Known as ‘Mr. IPL’, Raina returned to the CSK outfit in 2021 but had a poor season during which he scored only 160 runs at an average of 17.77. And now with age not on his side, it could mean the end of the road for Raina in the cash-rich league. The dashing southpaw is the fourth-highest run-getter (5,528 runs) in the history of the IPL,

scoring 5,528 runs at an average of 32.51, and only has Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Rohit Sharma ahead of him. Raina, who had last played in Indian colours in a series in England in July 2018, retired from international cricket in 2020. The all-rounder, who scored 5,615 runs from 226 ODIs and 1605 from 78 T20Is for India, was also a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team under MS Dhoni

End of road for 4 legendary players The IPL 2022 auction changed the fates of many cricketers be it the experienced ones or the budding players, a total of 204 individuals found buyers at the extravagant event. At the same time, the 2-day affair turned out to be a heartbreaker for many, especially for those who are established and renowned but failed to convince any of the franchises, News18 reported. Ishant Sharma Sharma was bought for Rs 1.9 crore in 2019 but three years later, none of the franchises showed interest in purchasing him. He has been part of six franchises in the last fourteen years and has picked up 72 years in 93 games, averaging 37.51. De-

Ishant Sharma

Amit Mishra

Piyush Chawla

Sourabh Tiwary

spite a vivid experience, he went unsold and that could be an indication to the end of his journey in the IPL. Amit Mishra The veteran leg-spinner, who last represented India five years ago, also found himself in the list of unsold players. Mishra has the most number of wickets among Indian bowlers – 166 – and also has 3 hat-tricks to his credit. He was one of the se-

nior players at the DC camp before getting released after IPL 2021. But ahead of the next season, the franchise decided to have Kuldeep Yadav and Praveen Dubey onboard and didn’t bid for the 39-year-old. Piyush Chawla It’s a fact that a couple of years ago, Chennai Super Kings bought Chawla after spending Rs 6.75 crore. But the wheel of time moved so

fast that it left the veteran spinner stranded at the IPL 2022 auctions. Interestingly, after Mishra, he is the second Indian bowler with most IPL wickets, with 157 scalps in his pocket. Sourabh Tiwary Back in 2010, Tiwary was recognized as a hardhitting batter and was often compared with former India skipper MS Dhoni. But he failed to remain consistent

and with time, fitness issues began taking a toll on his IPL appearances. In last two seasons, he played some impressive knocks for the Mumbai Indians but at 2022 auctions, he didn’t find a buyer. Even his previous franchise looked uninterested in having him back. Tiwary, who has played 100 first-class games and scored nearly seven thousand runs, went unsold at the auctions.

ROTTERDAM (NETHERLANDS), FEB 14 (IANS): Canadian 21-yearold tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime, competing in his ninth tour-level final, finally broke the jinx, winning his maiden ATP Tour title at the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament by defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2 in 78 minutes to win in Rotterdam. World No.9 AugerAliassime, who defeated Russian Andrey Rublev in three sets to reach the final at the ATP 500 event, was relentless from the start against the Greek world No. 4. The Canadian slammed aggressive groundstrokes and targeted the Tsitsipas’s backhand from the baseline to great effect to earn the biggest win of his career. “It has not been the smoothest road since my first final three years ago,” Auger-Aliassime was quoted as saying by atptour. com after the in. “It is an amazing day for me to get my first title and especially here. I played my first ATP main draw here a couple of years ago, so it is right I won my first title here.” Prior to his title clash with Tsitsipas, Auger-Aliassime held a 0-8 record

Felix Auger-Aliassime celebrates winning against Stefanos Tsitsipas. (AP/PTI)

in tour-level finals and had not won a set in any of those matches. H oweve r, f o l l ow ing title match defeats in Melbourne and Stuttgart last season, Auger-Aliassime had showed signs he was close to crossing the threshold. The world No. 9 helped guide Canada to the multi-nation ATP Cup title in January in Australia, before he reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, where he pushed Russian world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev to five sets. With the win, Auger-Aliassime has reduced his head-to-head deficit against Tsitsipas to 3-5. It is the first time the third seed has defeated the world No. 4 since 2019, when he

downed the 23-year-old on grass at The Queen’s Club. With his victory, AugerAliassime has also gained revenge for his defeat to Tsitsipas in the final in Marseille in 2020. “I have a lot of good memories playing here in front of you, so thank you for making it a special week for me that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It is the happiest day of my career and hopefully it is the first of many to come.” Tsitsipas was aiming to clinch his eighth tourlevel title on Sunday, but first since May, when he lifted the trophy in Lyon. The World No. 4 has still yet to win an ATP 500 crown though.

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