February 21, 2021

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 76

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 Pages 12 ` 5.00

2 killed in Myanmar coup protests international, Page 9

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

Osaka clinches Australian Open title

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

sports, Page 12

Cong slams NLA resolution on Naga issue Centre, States must work closely for progress: PM DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, K. Therie has reacted to the resolution adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Naga political issue, wherein the house on February 18, urged upon the government of the Union of India and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) “to sit across the table for the conclusion of the political negotiation”.

The resolution was among four that was moved

by Leader of the House and chief minister Neiphiu Rio and seconded by Leader of Opposition T.R. Zeliang.

The NPCC president termed the resolution as “an expression of lack of political will to implement political solution” and opined that “its intent to delay is crystal clear”.

He said the state assembly “has failed to understand the contents” of Framework Agreement (FA) signed on August 3,2015 and the Agreed Position (AP) signed on November 17,2017 because it did not

acceptable.

Therie said in negotiations, bargaining and disagreements were normal and to agree to disagree on some issues to allow time to heal.

Therie maintained that the state assembly “is responsible for Nagaland’s citizens” and may also have goodwill and wishes that all Nagas live in peace.

In this regard, he cited the speech of then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao at Dimapur on February 22,1996. In the speech, late Narasimha Rao said: “if you want peace, it has to grow in your heart. I can give you development but I cannot grow peace in your heart.”.

Therie also disclosed that the party’s Political Affairs Committee had read the 213th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on union home affairs and also examined the Framework Agreement including the Agreed Positions, in depth.

NPCC president said interpretations were not difficult as political agreements were done, by keeping in mind the constitution.

However he said “since we are not players and cannot amend the agreements”, PAC had examined the

agreement from “political angle and economic impact”.

Therie said according to PAC’s understanding of the agreements, they propose: The existing political structures will be improved by way of increasing seats in Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, state assembly and creation of Upper House and to strengthen and improve structures for all-round growth; Resettlement schemes and economic packages.

In lieu of the present format of Framework Agreement and Agreed Position, he said Congress expects that the impact would be beneficial to the stakeholders and has also taken up the matter with AICC for support in parliament.

Therie said the resolution “has shamed Naga way of life” and was against the wish and aspirations of the people. He also described the resolution as “anti-people” while Tribal Hohos, Churches and NGOs “have stood upright like our ancestors”. He said they have expressed what was acceptable and rejected what was not acceptable without fear or prejudice adding the Congress “stands with the stakeholders.”

After EDGBA intervention, Dhansiri bridge work resumes DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): East Dimapur GBs Association (EDGBA) has informed that works at RCC T-Beam Bridge over Dhansiri river at Purana Bazar, East Dimapur has resumed after the members of the association visited the site of the construction and took stock of the situation.

In a press release, EDGBA general secretary Pitu Mech expressed deep anguish over the “unwarranted disturbances” in the construction of bridge by the “alleged land owners”, which abruptly disturbed and delayed completion of the much-awaited bridge.

EDGBA cautioned that, henceforth, action would be taken against who-

EDGBA members and others at the Dhansiri bridge construction site. (EDGBA)

soever attempted to obstruct the work progress. The association asserted that it would supervise the work on a daily basis to ensure its completion.

Acknowledging the prompt action taken by the DC Dimapur on the issue, the association affirmed that it would ensure that no indi-

viduals defied the order of DC Dimapur. It further cautioned that anyone doing so would attract legal recourse or any action deemed fit in the interest of the people of East Dimapur.

Earlier this month, sources told Nagaland Post that the bridge, which connects Super Market and

Purana Bazaar, was almost ready for use, but owing to some issues the opening of the bridge has been delayed.

Sources had said that some land owners reportedly stopped the construction of retaining walls for the approach road at Purana Bazaar side, which stalled the progress of work.

25,390 doses administered No new COVID case reported District Dimapur Kohima Mokokchung Mon Phek Zunheboto Wokha Peren Tuensang Longleng Kiphire State

Frontline workers (1st dose) 3513 2862 1118 1256 561 965 521 645 232 479 325 12777

Total beneficiaries vaccinated with 1st dose 21,481

Healthcare workers (1st dose) 1910 1617 1188 724 603 523 609 419 568 270 273 8704

Total beneficiaries vaccinated with 2nd dose 3,909

This is it!

“Look, you’ll never see fares come down as petrol prices climb up every day.”

K Y M C

Healthcare workers (2nd dose) 934 689 620 206 360 283 323 156 169 109 60 3909

Total doses administered 6357 5168 2926 2186 1824 1771 1453 1220 969 858 658 25390

Total doses administered 25,390

DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): For the second consecutive day, no new COVID-19 cases were reported in Nagaland on Saturday, while two more patients have recovered from the infection in Kohima.

With this, the State’s active case dropped down to 18 while the total caseload remained at 12191.

Altogether, a total of 11930 persons have recuperated

till date. According to the weekly health bulletin released on Saturday, the Health department had said that three deaths were been reported after no reported deaths for a month.

The death toll now stands at 81.

PTI: Daily COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to about 14,000 after nearly 22 days taking India’s tally to 1,09,77,387.

NEW DELHI, FEB 20 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong case for repealing archaic laws and making it easier to do business in India, stating that the centre and states need to work closely to boost economic growth.

Addressing the sixth Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog via video conferencing, Modi said that the private sector should be given full opportunity to become a part of government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme.

As many as 26 chief ministers, three Lt. Governors and two administrators participated in the conference. The chief ministers of West Bengal, Punjab, Telangana and Gujarat did not attend the meeting. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani could not attend due to health reasons, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar told reporters after the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi in his opening remarks, said

Steepest hike in fuel prices DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): Petrol and diesel prices witnessed the steepest single-day hike in several months on Saturday after the state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) hiked the price of petrol by record 39 paise per litre and diesel by 37 paise a litre.

With this increase, petrol is now priced at Rs 90.58 and diesel Rs 80.97 per litre(s) in Delhi.

After Saturday’s rate revision, petrol price in Dimapur increased to Rs.93.01 per litre and price of diesel rose to Rs.83.92 per litre.

Likewise, in the state capital Kohima, petrol and diesel prices soared to Rs.93.93 per litre and Rs.84.65 per litre respectively. This the 12th straight day of price hike and the largest daily increase since oil companies started to revise rates on a daily basis in 2017. According to PTI report, the increase follows a spurt in oil prices in the international market, on which India is dependent to meet its 85 % of the needs.

Brent oil crossed $ 65 a barrel this week as a worsening U.S. energy crisis took out almost 40 % of the nation’s crude production.

In 12 days, retail petrol prices have risen by Rs.3.63 a litre, a record since the pricing was deregulated in 2010, and diesel rates have gone up by Rs.3.84. Petrol price has already surged past the Rs.100-mark in some places in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which levy the highest VAT on the fuel.

Upsurge in daily new COVID cases in 5 states NEW DELHI, FEB 20 (PTI): Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have recorded an “upsurge” in daily new cases of COVID19, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry said in the last seven days, Chhattisgarh has also seen a rise in daily active new cases. In the last 24 hours, 259 daily new cases have been reported, it said. Kerala continues to report a high number of daily new cases and in the

past week, Maharashtra has exhibited a spike in the number of daily new cases, accounting for the highest number of daily new cases in the country on Saturday, the ministry said in the statement.

“In the last 24 hours, 6,112 daily new cases have been reported in the state,” it said.

Similar to Maharashtra, the ministry said Punjab has also shown a sudden spike in the number of daily new cases reported in the last seven days with 383

fresh cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

“Since February 13, Madhya Pradesh is also witnessing a rise in the number of daily new cases. In the last 24 hours, 297 daily new cases have been registered in the state,” the ministry said. The ministry stressed the importance of adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour for breaking the chain of transmission and containment of spread of the disease.

Only two states, Maharashtra and Kerala, account

for 75.87% of total number of active COVID-19 cases, the ministry added.

The ministry said 18 states/UTs have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours. These are Telangana, Haryana, J&K (UT), Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Ladakh (UT), Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Rio highlights Agri, health, HR issues

Narendra Modi addressing the 6th GCM of NITI-A, Saturday. (PTI)

the whole country succeeded and managed to build a good image when states and the Centre worked together during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The basis of the country’s progress is cooperative federalism and today’s meeting is to brainstorm to make it more meaningful and move towards competitive cooperative federalism,” Modi said.

There is a need to bring competitive cooperative federalism not only among states but districts too, he added. Modi also underlined the need for reducing compliance burden and

repealing obsolete laws.

He asked the states to form committees to reduce regulations which are no longer relevant in the wake of technology growth.

Obser ving that the positive response received on the Union Budget for 2021-22 expressed the mood of the nation, he said, “the country has made up its mind, wants to move fast and does not want to waste time.”

Modi further said that the private sector is coming forward with more enthusiasm in the country’s development journey.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, who also attended the sixth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, said that he had shared points relevant to the state such as Agriculture, physical infrastructure, human resource development, improving service delivery at grassroots level, health and nutrition. “ I ’m c o nfid e nt o f continued support to small states like Nagaland & help NE to be an equal partner in transformation to a brighter India,” he said in a tweet after the meeting. Rio also thanked PM Modi for convening the meeting and for the opportunity to share views on the agenda items, critical for transforming the nation to New India.

Most of the chief ministers emphasised on developmental agenda and timely completion of infrastructure projects.

CAG detects `215.89 crore loss, misappropriation in 18 govt deptts Profile of Misappropriation, Loss, Defalcation, etc.

Range in years

Number of cases

0-5

34

5-10 Total

2 36

Nature of the Pending Cases Nature/characteristics Number of the cases of cases Theft 4 Misappropriation/Losses 30 Defalcations 2 36

DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in a report for the year ended March 2019 revealed that 36 cases of misappropriation, losses etc. involving Rs. 215.89 crore was pending for final action by 18 government departments.

The report, which was tabled in the recently concluded Assembly session, pointed out that the amount involved Rs. 218.56 crore out of which Rs. 2.67 crore was recovered. As a result, final action was pending for the amount of Rs. 215.89 crore up to the period ending March 31, 2019.

CAG report also dis-

closed that the highest amount of misappropriation, loss and theft amounting to Rs. 82.96 crore was under School Education department, which include two cases of misappropriation, one theft case and one case of loss of government material, out of which an amount of Rs.0.57 crore had been recovered as on December 2019.

In its recommendations, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India urged the State government to lodge First Information Report (FIR) in all the cases of defalcation, misappropriation, loss to the government and to ensure that timely action was taken in all such cases,

Amount involved (` in crore) 0.18 210.37 8.01 218.56

Source: Nagaland Lokayukta & department records

Says, intent to delay solution is crystal clear

read the agreements “word by word and line by line to understand the impact upon the stakeholders”.

In view of the above, Therie added that elected members “have no suggestion for solution”. He said the resolution did not support the Governor, who is head of the state but was also “an expression of mistrust of the Governor’s statement that talks have concluded.”

Therie opined that “solution is just one step away from us”, if the house pressed for “implementation of solution” and supported the Governor and Interlocutor in this regard.

Further, he said the “resolution is illogical” as it was like “urging the Interlocutor to talk again” after having declared that “talks have concluded”.

Therie asked “what will they talk?” since the government of India had “made it loud and clear on what is negotiable and what is not negotiable.” He said the government of India had at least made it clear after 23 years of negotiation on “what is giveable and what is not giveable”.

He said even the stakeholders made it clear to the Interlocutor on what was acceptable and what was not

so as to act as a deterrent in recurrence of such cases.

Civil Deposits: Further, the CAG report stated that an amount of Rs.44.75 crore, sanctioned to 12 government departments/ agencies during 2018-19, was lying in Civil Deposits (CD) and retained outside the government account indicating that the funds were not immediately required for utilization.

The Comptroller and Auditor General noted that paying interest at higher rates on borrowings while keeping amounts in Civil Deposits, which did not bear any interest, showed poor cash and financial management by the State government.

NAGALAND BUDGET 2021-22 AT A GLANCE Sl. No A. 1

2 3 4 B. 1

4 5

BE

RE

BE

2020-21

2020-21

2021-22 Rs. in crore

1011.13 272.23 4493.37

942.06 255.11 3151.38

1269.22 283.41 3787.04

8871.15

6891.89

9317.15

14647.88

11240.44

14656.82

1.50

1.09

1.51

6176.64

11588.13

7792.95

20826.02

22829.66

22451.28

5891.97 2188.00 970.50

5647.82 1980.24 918.49

6255.56 2333.93 1061.12

3762.56

4573.07

3518.38

4044.27

Total : 1 11637.02 9.27 1206.32

13623.54 3.50 2376.90

12064.93 5.83 2175.22

13694.88 2.68 2360.59

5045.93

10026.86

6758.46

21049.87

24272.84

22816.61

RECEIPT : Revenue Receipt (i) Own Tax Revenue 958.23 (ii) Non-Tax Revenue 339.29 (iii) Share of Central Taxes 3267.08 Grants In Aid From Central Gov(iv) 6858.69 ernment Total : 1 11423.29 Capital Receipts 1.09 (Loan Recoveries) Public Debt 7869.82 (including WMA receipt Total Receipt (1)+(2)+(3) 19294.20 EXPENDITURE: Revenue Expenditure (i) Salary 5249.81 (ii) Pension 1810.91 (iii) Interest payments 813.74 (iv)

2 3

Actual 2019-20

Item

Others (OE/MV/Power Purchase/ Maintenance etc)

Loan Disbursement Capital Outlay Loan Repayment 6867.25 (including WMA) Total : B (1)+(2)+(3)+(4) 19719.86

K Y M C

2

NHP reorientation training for health committees in Wka

Dr. Zuben Kikon addressing the participants in Wokha

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Health Project (NHP), a world bank funded project implemented by Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland conducted reorientation training for health committees blocks under Wokha district on February 16 and 17.

A press release by district facilitator Wokha, O Mhathung Jami stated that a team of officers led by monitoring and evaluation officer NHP, Dr. Thomas Keppen and consultant IEC NHP, Achumthung Patton along with DPMU

NHP Wokha imparted the training.

Health committees from 17 NHP intervention sites attended the training held at Wozhuro and Wokha on February 16 and 17 respectively.

During the training, Dr. Keppen while highlighting the statistics of the sites encouraged the committees to improvise and innovate in order to uplift the health status of their communities.

He also advised the participants to strive for achieving all target indicators.

Meanwhile, consul-

tant, Achumthung reminded the committees to focus on the aims and objectives of the project during implementation of project activities.

Addressing the gathering on Wednesday, deputy CMO Wokha, Dr. Zuben Kikon thanked NHP for ushering in development and redefining the concept of health throughout Nagaland.

He also called upon the participants to develop a sense of ownership towards their facilities and health in general.

One arrested with drugs in Dimapur

news in Brief NFHRCC meeting on Feb 22: In connection with its earlier resolution to construct jeepable/motorable road before the onset of the monsoon season, Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has convened an emergency meeting on February 22, 1 p.m. at its office. All members have been requested to attend the meeting.

Farewell programme at Nagaland Lokayukta: Farewell programme for outgoing IGP & director and senior SP, Nagaland Lokayukta Police will be held on February 26, 1 p.m. at Nagaland Lokayukta, Kohima.

KLSU convenes meeting: Kohima Lotha Students Union has convened a meeting on February 27, 1 p.m., at Kohima Lotha Hoho Ki, Kezieke Colony to discuss and deliberate on the upcoming KLSU golden jubilee.

All past and present executives of the union have been directed to attend the meeting.

NRYO urges taxi bodies to review fare DIMAPUR: New Reserve Youth Organisation (NRYO) has appealed to the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) and New Reserve Taxi Association (NRTA) to revoke the existing fare which was earlier fixed by Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in the month of September, 2020 in view of the pandemic.

A press release by NRYO through its president, Vikuosalie Zashumo and general secretary, Rokono Chutso has appealed to the associations that with normal life resumed in all fronts, the concerned taxis plying between New Reserve to BOC taxi stand (vice versa) which currently carry three occupants at Rs. 50 per head to be revoked back to Rs. 30, increasing the occupancy to four per taxi.

The appeal was put forward by the office with positive faith in order to look into the grievances of the passengers since majority were school going children and common people.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

VAC under Kohima DPDB conducts activities at Kigwema

Anti-rabies vaccination camp at Kigwema. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Village Adoption Committee (VAC) for Southern Angami-1 A/C under the aegis of Kohima DPDB organised training on baking and conducted an anti-rabies vaccination camp at village council hall, Kigwema on February 19.

According to DIPR report, training on baking

of cakes and cookies was organised for the promotion and benefit of the youngsters and SHGs in the village.

The training was organised under the initiative of district youth resources officer, Chubarenla Longchar with Pelong Konyak of Peecee bakers as the resource person.

M e a n w h i l e, C VO, Rokozo Dolie took the initiative in organising the mass anti-rabies vaccination camp programme, while VAC Convener, Ruopfukuotou Noudi and SDO (C), Jakhama briefed the gathering on the purpose and importance of the programme.

CVYS bans jungle burning, hunting DIMAPUR: Chümoukedima Village Youth Society (CVYS) has notified habitants and citizens around Chümoukedima village that activities such as hunting, jungle burning had been banned in the village area and possession of any type of guns would be seized with immediate effect from February 19.

A press release by the Chümoukedima Village Youth Society stated that defaulters caught in the act of igniting wildfires during hunting and cultivation would be dealt with stern actions and a penalty of Rs. 1 Lakh would be imposed as per the customary laws and standing resolutions.

Further, the union also informed that other illegal activities such as fishing, picnicking, unau-

thorised door to door business without legal papers, collecting wood, grazing herds without tenancy card, partying, littering, breaking of bottles along the river banks and loitering after 8 p.m. without genuine reasons would be strictly banned with penalty levied on permanent basis.

This was decided in order to conserve and keep the environment within Two-day training for staff of Nagaland State Consumer Disputes Redressal the jurisdiction clean and Commission (NSCDRC) organised by Directorate of Legal Metrology & Consumer safe.

Protection was held on February 18 and 19. (Registrar I/C)

K-420

DIMAPUR: Acting on a tip off, the excise narcotic personnel apprehended one individual on charges of possessing heroin at Nagarjan, Dimapur.

Following information about illegal transaction of drugs in Nagarjan area, excise narcotic personnel swung into action after several attempts during the week and seized 300 grams of heroin from the illegal possession of one Bisu Rai (27), resident of Half Nagarjan, Dimapur.

According to deputy commissioner of excise (NC), S. Chanlei Angh, the seized contraband drug was recovered from 25 soap cases weighing around 12 grams.

The accused was immediately arrested and booked under relevant sections of NDPS Act 1985, Angh said, adding that the case was now under active investigation.

The deputy commissioner of excise (NC) has commended the relentless effort of the duty party in combating the dreaded drug Accused person along with seized drugs. menace and illegal trafficking.

state

K-411

K Y M C

K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the state budget for 2021-22 good for economic growth?

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

A B C

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

B

Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

15% 58% 27%

Next poll

Q: Ca n t h e s t a t e g ov t

cut down further on unnecessary expenditure?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST February 21

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Plenty of sun

33 12

Sunshine

Aizawl

Guwahati Plenty of sun

Sunny and nice

Imphal

Itanagar Sunshine

27 11 31 13 28 9 28 14

Shillong

Mostly sunny and comfortable 22 7

Kohima

Mostly sunny and beautiful

Dimapur Sunshine Mkg

Sunny and nice

Tuensang Sunny Wokha

Sensitisation on substance abuse

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A

Pleasant with sunshine

Zunheboto Sunlit and pleasant

23 10 30 14 25 10 17 6 23 14 22 8

Organisers and resource persons along with the stakeholders.

DIMAPUR: As part of an ongoing campaign towards a drug-free India, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) in collaboration with ARK foundation and Bethesda YWC organised a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on substance use—prevention and treatment at Bhandari town hall, Bhandari under Wokha on February 19, 2021.

A press release by ARK Foundation stated that resource persons of the programme were SDO Civil, Maong Jamir, asst director and nodal office Drugs, Wango Langsym, executive director BYWC, WC Humtsoe and president, ARK foundation, Ketho Angami.

Exhorting the audience, SDO shared that Bhandari was a hub centre for many socio-economic

activities and as a result, substance use had also become a major concern due to its porous border with Assam.

In his PowerPoint presentation, Ketho Angami shared an overview of drug addiction in the state of Nagaland since the last four decades.

He lauded the department for conducting such programmes across the state and called for a concerted effort from all sections of the society.

He remarked that treatment should be the approach towards helping the drug user, rather than looking at it as a criminal issue which was liable for prosecution.

WC Humtsoe shared his experience of massive awareness and sensitisation programmes conducted

during the early years when addiction was at its peak in Wokha district.

He lamented that denial of addiction by the individual and family deterred people in seeking treatment.

Seeking the support of all stakeholders of Bhandari area, Humtsoe urged the department to continue working together in addressing the issue.

In his presentation, Maong Jamir addressed the stigma surrounding addiction and how society ostracized drug users.

He also shared that there were many approaches applied to stop drug addiction and alcoholism such as spiritual counseling, traditional lock ups, disowning, imprisonment, fines, expelling, capital punishment, rehabilitation,

Seized expired items destroyed in Pfutsero

Pfutsero Town Administration, PTWC & police personnel along with seized expired items.

DIMAPUR: Pfutsero Town Administration, security, Pfutsero Town Welfare Committee (PTWC) and Pfutsero town Voluntary Consumer Organization (PTVCO) conducted checking of expired goods on February 17 at Pfutsero Town.

A press release by president, PTVCO, Vetsurayi Tetseo, stated that expired goods worth more than Rs. 1 lakh were seized during the checking, and were burnt at Pfutsero town council dumping place in the presence of Pfutsero town traders union and administration.

Meanwhile, PTVCO has warned shopkeepers selling expired goods that the public and administration would take serious action against defaulters. PTVCO further urged upon consumers to check manufacture date and expiry date before buying any goods from the shop.

2-day handicrafts marketing workshop held in Kohima DIMAPUR: Two-day “handicrafts marketing workshop” was held at Hotel Grandeur Kohima on February 17 and 18. The workshop was organised by office of the development commissioner (handicrafts), Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima, Nagaland.

A press release by office of the development commissioner (handicrafts) stated that the workshop was inaugurated by director, Industries and Commerce, Nagaland, K. Hokishe Assumi in the presence of managing director, Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd., Dimapur, Zakabo Rotokha.

Resource persons at the workshop were state awardee, T. Yanger

Sor, empanelled designer Vilekhoto Pusa with officials of development commissioner (handicrafts) HSC, Kohima, on February 17 and deputy director, Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland Lipongse, senior manager, LICKohima, Ienla Jamir, regional director in-charge, IGNOU Kohima, Dr. Mayonmi Shimray with official of development commissioner on February 18.

Earlier, introductions and welcome speech was delivered by senior assistant director (H), Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima, T. Rollee Vareishim and vote of thanks by handicrafts promotion officer, HSC-Kohima, Rajib Chandra Roy. Altogether, 93 handicrafts artisans participated in the workshop.

NLTP Act and community Detox camps.

However, he stated that most of these approaches were impractical and proved futile. He stressed on the various roles of the churches, village councils, government departments and NGOs in order to prevent further and new entry into drug use and treatment of the already affected persons.

Assistant director and nodal officer, Drugs, Wango Langsym highlighted about the national action plan for dr ug demand reduction under MoSJE which was implemented by NISD and would be carried out from 2018-2023.

He informed that the action plan worked towards primary prevention with student community through educational and allied department/bodies.

Fur ther, he urged schools and educational institutions in Bhandari to conduct such awareness programmes in their respective set-ups as a shared responsibility.

Earlier, the workshop was chaired by CDPO, Bhandari, Peter Yanthan and was attended by representatives and delegates from civil society organisations, NGOs, drug users and host of dignitaries.

SAH installs new office bearers

Newly appointed office bearers of Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR: Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho (SAH) general meeting and installation of office bearers (2021-2025) was held on February 20, 2021 at Town Hall, Pughoboto.

According to DIPR report, the installation of new office bearers 20212025 was announced by Member Search Committee, Qhutovi Wotsa.

During the programme, short speeches were delivered by additional deputy commissioner Pughoboto, Thungchanbemo Tungoe and former president, Sumi Aphuyemi Kukami Hoho,

DIMAPUR: Bible Society of India (BSI) inaugurated BSI Wancho branch at Wancho Baptist Churches Mission Centre (WBCMC) at Niaunu, Longding, Arunachal Pradesh on February 20, 2021.

In a press release, BSI Dimapur stated that auxiliary secretary, Rev. Dr. Yiepetso Wezah shared the ministry of BSI and informed that it translated, produced and distributed the word of God to Churches with subsidised rate. He appealed to the Churches to participate in God’s mission to translate His word into their languages to cater to people at large.

Former Bible translator of WBCA, Mankan Wangsu also shared that

also urged the Aphuyemi to maintain decorum and respect neighbouring villages and Aphuyemi in general.

The newly elected office bearers for the tenure 2021-2025 are: Inavi Swu as president, Ghulho, Ahovi and Kashiho as vice presidents, Atoho Kiho as general secretary, Kisheto and Tokheho as secretaries, Shikaho Swu as info & public relation and Vikuto Sheqi as treasurer.

Earlier, Rev G Kiyeto Sema, Pastor SABCK said a prayer for the elected office bearers.

BSI officials, pastors and others at the programme.

God’s word was living and Earlier, WBCA ex- BSI staff and Pastors of was attended by WBCA urged Churches to partici- ecutive secretary, Hon- 67 Churches to the inau- staff and Pastors from 67 pate in the ministry. man Wangjen welcomed gural programme which Churches.

School teachers trained on post lockdown strategies

DIMAPUR: Department of School Education (DoSE), Nagaland in association with Pratham Education Foundation conducted fourday online training programme “Gurushala” for nearly 10,000 government school teachers. Gurushala is an initiative of Indus Towers Limited and Vodafone India Foundation.

According to DIPR report, almost 8,700 government school teachers of classes 1 to 8 were trained on the theme “remote techniques for parent & student engagement, assessment methods and post lockdown

Suhoje Kiho.

ADC in his speech said that Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho was an apex body under Pughoboto sub-division representing the entire Aphuyemi in general and exhorted them to be men of integrity and not to be influenced by politics.

ADC congratulated Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho office bearers who worked for Aphuyemi especially during the time of pandemic through their contributions and congratulated the new office bearers.

NDPP Pughoboto division, president, Lukiqhe

BSI Dimapur inaugurates Wancho branch

strategies” on January 15 and 16, 2021 and over 1000 teachers of class 9 to 12 participated in the training conducted on the theme “remote techniques for parent & student engagement, content creation and post lockdown strategies” on January 18 and 19, 2021.

The training discussed teaching strategies in order to help teachers transition smoothly from remote/ online teaching to classroom teaching.

During the inauguration session, Principal director, DoSE, Nagaland, Shanavas C hoped that the

NSRLM conducts first phase training

hang, Changlang, Jakphang and Angjangyang villages under the block, from February 2 to 13.

According to a press release, the training programme was conducted with three area coordinator (AC) of institution building and capacity building (IBCB), social inclusion and social development (SIST) and financial inclusion (FI).

Various topics were deliberated under themes such as leadership skills, relationship between SHGs members and concept seeding of VLOs under IBCB, girl child education and gender NSRLM officials with participants of the training. equality under SISD and DIMAPUR: Nagaland sion (NSRLM), Angjang- first phase training on the social security schemes state rural livelihood mis- yang block conducted its thematic, covering Angp- under FI. K Y M C

3

State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

training programme would be a beginning as it was high time for the state to venture into alternative methods of education and teaching.

It may be noted that the online teacher portal www. gurushala.co launched by Gurushala curates free and high-quality content for teachers. It is now available both as website and as application and can be downloaded from Google Play Store. The website works for capacity development of teachers to improve student learning and achieve holistic development of students even with remote teaching.

Upper Khomi gets new community Hall

DIMAPUR: Newly constructed Community Hall, Upper Khomi under Phek district was inaugurated on February 13 with Commissioner & Secretary, RD, Neposo Theluo, as special guest.

According to DIPR report, Commissioner & secretary, Rural Development, Neposo Theluo called upon the villagers to be self-sufficient through agricultural activities and requested upcoming leaders to be ready with a master plan for village development.

He also stressed on the importance of bio-diversity and urged the villagers advocate for massive tree plantation every year.

VCC, Upper Khomi, Husucho Nienu in his welcome address stated that the construction started in 2016 and completed in December 2020.

During a brief building re-

port, VDB Secretary, Kuveyi Huzhuin informed that the twostorey building was constructed out of 176 job cards under the flag program of MGNREGA. He also informed that an approximate amount of Rs.65 lakhs was spent for the construction of the Community hall.

BDO, Phek Kuhucuyi D Vadeo called upon the villagers to unite, as development came through cooperation and encouraged them to appreciate the village leaders for their hard work and strong determination for the success of the programme.

Encouraging village community to preserve flora & fauna, DC Phek, Razouvolie Dozo informed that total ban of hunting and burning of jungles would be issued by the Administration at the earliest.

3rd Dr. Toshevi Sümi Totimi MBBS award

DIMAPUR: 3rd annual Dr. Toshevi Sümi Totimi MBBS award was held on February 19, at hotel Lavisto, Kohima.

Five women, namely Vinikali G Kinimi, Likivi I Awomi, Atunali H Shohe, Liya Zhimomi and Atolimi S Sumi were felicitated at the award ceremony for securing MBBS seat through the NEET 2020.

During the programme, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries (DCCI), vice president, V Shikuto Sema and NRE director, Inaho P Awomi spoke on behalf of the families of the awardees while Sümi Totimi Hoho (STH) president, Piholi spoke on behalf

of STH. It may be noted that Dr. Toshevi Sümi Totimi MBBS award is an initiative of Dr. Toshevi Keditsu Sema, the first lady doctor from the Sümi tribe of Nagaland who completed her MBBS in the year 1977 from Guwahati Medical College.

The award is officiated by Dr. K&T Keditsu Foundation in collaboration with STH, Nagaland and presented annually to Sümi women who qualify to study graduate medical course (MBBS) though the National Eligibility-cumEntrance Test (NEET) in India. The award comprises of a certificate and cash prize of Rs. 1, 00,000.

K Y M C

4

northeast

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Country can give befitting reply to any Arunachal observes 35th Statehood Day misadventure in Arunachal : Guv Mishra

Itanagar, Feb 20 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh government is working to encourage youths to be entrepreneurs rather than striving for government jobs, which is a Briitish-era mindset, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Saturday, marking the 35th Statehood day.

Addressing a gathering at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, Khandu said the mantras of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’, ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi depends solely on the skill development of the youths.

The state government keeping in mind the three directives has embarked on various schemes and policies to develop the skills of the youth so that the state becomes self-reliant, he said.

“The government has given thrust on various skill development programmes to

Addl. DC Lobsang Tsering unfurls the 'Tricolour' during celebration of 35th statehood day in Tawang. (PTI)

enable the youths to venture in entrepreneurship programmes without going for a government job, a mindset of the British-era,” Khandu said.

In the last six years, the state witnessed a steep development trajectory after the BJP-led NDA government came to power at the Centre, Khandu said.

The prime minister gave top priority to the development of Arunachal Pradesh as well as the entire Northeast region, which was earlier neglected, he said. “ Va r i o u s c e n t r a l schemes are going on in the state, especially the ambitious Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH), railway and air connectivity, including

M’laya BJP chief lambasts Conrad Correspondent Shillong, Feb 20: Lambasting Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, State BJP president, Ernest Mawrie on Saturday said, the Chief Minister shouldn’t assume the role of a BJP spokesperson and instead concentrate his energy to fight corruption in his government.

“I thought Sangma is the national president of the National People’s Party, but the way he gave his statement showed that he is like the spokesperson of the BJP. His statement shows his nervousness,” Mawrie said.

The BJP president was reacting to reports of Sangma saying that BJP leaders are in favour of Mawrie’s removal as president of the saffron party in the State.

“The Chief Minister is upset because we continue

to raise corruption issues which are plaguing the State and that is the reason he (Sangma) is making such a nervous statement.

He is nervous as we are continuously raising issues of corruption in the present government,” Mawrie said.

“As a political party and a responsible person, we are concerned about the welfare of the State. We will point out corruption issues be it in illegal coal mining and transportation of coal and others,” he said.

Reiterating that the BJP is for “zero corruption,” Mawrie asked if there is no corruption in the government, then why isn’t the Chief Minister convening the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance meeting.

“Why the Chief Minister failed to convene an MDA meeting to discuss the issue that we have been

raising from time to time.

Is it because he is afraid to discuss these issues brought by us openly,” the BJP leader said.

The BJP is part of the ruling MDA government led by the National People’s Party of which Sangma is the party president. The BJP has two legislators AL Hek (Cabinet Minister) and Sanbor Shullai supporting the government.

Asked if the two BJP legislators and his party members are in favour of his removal as president of the State BJP, Mawrie said: “None of the party members or the two legislators is seeking for my removal. We are all united to fight against corruption and want a clean government.”

Moreover, he said the senior party leaders at the centre are fully aware of what is happening in the State.

the much-hyped greenfield airport at Hollongi, which the government has targeted to complete by August next year,” the chief minister added.

Khandu said the Centre has sanctioned a project to connect 4,600 villages in the state with 4G service.

“For the remaining villages, the state government will soon submit a memorandum to the Centre,” he said.

Referring to the huge hydro power potential of the state, Khandu mentioned that in the past few years progress in the sector was significant.

“The 600 mw Kameng Hydro Project in West Kameng district has been completed and will be inaugurated soon by the prime minister,” he said, adding that the government has decided to harness the hydropower potential to the maximum by taking into confidence the local communities and taking extra care of the environment.

He said the devel-

opment pace in the state slowed down in the last one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commending the healthcare workers and other stakeholders for efficiently tackling the pandemic, Khandu stated that because of the team efforts, the state earned the distinction of having the highest recovery and lowest mortality rate in the country.

“We have decided to dovetail all central schemes in the health sector for creating infrastructure,” he said.

Pointing at the dismal performance of the state’s education sector, Khandu said that the focus of the government at present is to overhaul it.

“The state has more than 3,000 schools but the quality of education is very poor,” he lamented, adding that the government has decided to introduce chapters on the state’s history, culture and traditions in school textbooks.

Assam govt to increase pension of state’s freedom fighters Guwahati, Feb 20 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday announced that steps would be taken to increase the monthly pension of freedom fighters in the state to Rs 25,000 and provide them with free healthcare.

At present, freedom fighters of the northeastern state get Rs 21,000 as pension every month.

Sonowal made the announcement during a meeting with representatives of Asom State Freedom Fighters Association, a government release said.

The chief minister also assured them that an initiative would be made for providing Rs five lakh each to the families of 19 freedom fighters of the state, the release said.

He also directed officials to urge deputy commissioners to ensure that last rites of the freedom fighters are conducted in a dignified manner.

A decision was also taken for initiating necessary amendment to the Assam Freedom Fighters Relief Fund policy.

Fr e e d o m f i g h t e r s Krishna Lahkar, Bholanath Nagariya, Puneswar Duwara, Gokul Gogoi, Phul Chandra Gogoi, Makhan Satname, Golapi Chetia, Kunja Konwar, Bhola Barua, Golok Hazarika, Phanindra Nath Kalita, Tolan Chandra Tamuly represented the Asom State Freedom Fighters Association along with its general secretary Dwijendra Mohan Sarma and secretary Dhiren Chetia.

Will take ‘ultimate step’ on 2 abducted men next week: ULFA(I) Guwahati, Feb 20 (PTI): The banned ULFA (Independent) on Friday threatened to take the "ultimate step" on the two employees of Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Limited next week, prompting senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to appeal to it to release them unharmed.

The two men were kidnapped by the insurgent outfit on December 21 last year from Kumchaikha hydrocarbon drilling site near Innao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The ULFA(I) in an email to PTI said that talks with the Quippo authorities held from February 16 to 19 have "failed to reach any favourable conclusion and an ultimate step on the two will be taken next week".

The insurgent outfit reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 20 crore from Quippo

Pranab Kumar Gogoi and Ram Kumar.

for their release and had set February 16 as the deadline for paying it. The New Delhibased company was hired by Oil India Limited (OIL) for drilling operations.

The ULFA(I) asked other employees of Quippo to stay away from work and pressure OIL to rehabilitate them.

"If our instructions are ignored, then in the case of any unfortunate situation, the

employees, Quippo authorities, OIL, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments will be responsible for the consequences," the outfit said in the email written in Assamese.

Sarma urged ULFA(I)'s Commander in Chief Paresh Barua "with folded hands" to release the two men unharmed.

The two abducted men are Drilling Superintendent Pranab Kumar Gogoi and Radio Opera-

tor Ram Kumar. While Gogoi is from Assam's Sivasagar district, Ram Kumar hails from Bihar.

Sarma said that in the case of any unfortunate incident, the world will again "look upon the Assamese as (members of) Taliban. We do not want any further bloodshed on the soil of India or Assam".

The Taliban is a fundamentalist religious and political organisation that emerged in Afghanistan in the mid-1990s.

The family members of Gogoi and Kumar recently called on Barua's brother who also appealed to the ULFA leader to release the two.

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was formed in 1979 to establish a sovereign Assam through an armed movement. Barua was once the chief of its military wing.

I ta nag a r , F e b 2 0 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra on Saturday said the country is strong enough to give a “befitting reply” to any “misadventure” in the border state.

The governor was addressing a function here on the occasion of the 35th Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day. “No external power can snatch an inch of Arunachal’s territory. The country is strong enough to give a befitting reply to any misadventure,” he said.

China does not recognise Arunachal Pradesh as part of India and refers to it as South Tibet. It said in January that the state was “illegally established” on Chinese territory, while Indias consistent stand has been that the northeastern state is an integral and inalienable part of the country.

China had also said that the village it has constructed across the Line of

IMPHAL, FEB 20: Students of government colleges in Manipur on Saturday threatened to launch intense forms of agitations if normal classes does not resume in their colleges.

Normal academic atmosphere in the government colleges in the state remained disturbed for the last three days after agitating teachers resorted to cease work strike since February 18 last.

Angered over the nonconduct of the classes for days, students of some colleges in Imphal today staged a sit-in-protest at DM College of Arts campus.

Schools and colleges in the state were reopened on January 27 last after around

10 months of closure by an order of the state government to contain the spread of COVID in the state.

However, the normal conduct of the classes was once again disturbed owing to cease work strike by teachers demanding implementation of 7th UGC Pay and Regulations 2018.

Protesting students demanded the state government to take up steps to end the agitations of the teachers so that normal classes can resume with immediate effect.

A student leader, taking part in the protest, threatened that if the state government failed to make arrangements to resume normal class within the next few days, they will be compelled to resort to intense forms of

Correspondent

Diphu Feb 20: The People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) and six other banned militant outfits are all set to lay down arms in Karbi Anglong on February 25, the day Union Home Minister Amit Shah's will visit the hills autonomous district.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Union Home Minister will visit Karbi Anglong autonomous district at Dengaon in eastern part of the district and address a public rally. Meanwhile The People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri has acknowledged a one-sided truce with the Centre on Thursday and has opted for surrender.

Through a press statement, the outfit’s chairman JK Lijang has stated that his organization has decided to declare “unilateral cessation of hostilities to give forward

pandemic was not the ultimate solution to the demand of the teachers, the striking teachers taking part in today’s protest said.

The government college teachers were waiting for over three years for implementation of the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018 which was notified the Union ministry of human resource development

Representational photo. (Assam Sentinel)

motion to resolve the vexed political conflicts among all stake holders”. Lijang expressed hope that the Centre would respond with “seriousness and sincerity” to arrive at an amicable political situation.

Meanwhile People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri which has close proximity with authorities has put forward a communication addressed to Shah urging for the creation of an autonomous state for the Karbi tribal community maintaining that it is the only ‘viable’ solution towards harmonious coexis-

tence between the hill tribes and the plain people.

In another development, government authority has also called on the United People’s Revolutionary Front (UPRF) and Dimasa National Liberation Front (DNLF) to lay down arms.

Both the outfits have been active in the hills of Assam since 2018.

Earlier in November 2020, police arrested the self-styled general secretary of the outfit, Nongme Tungjang alias Sanjib Phangcho, with arms from Thekerajan area under Bakalia police station.

Renowned sociologist Prof.

Nongkynrih passes away Correspondent Shillong, Feb 20: Prof. (Dr): Aurelius Kyrham Nongkynrih, a renowned sociologist in the North Eastern States, passed away on Saturday morning at Bethany Hospital here after a prolonged illness. He was 57.

Prof. Nongkynrih, who taught sociology in North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, one of the premier central university in the country, has written a number of books in English and Khasi.

He had contributed his knowledge in various government projects and contributed his sociological skills to many educational institutions in the State.

The Catholic Association of Shillong has expressed its great sense of grief and loss on the demise of Prof. Nongkynrih.

“Indeed, Prof. Nongkynrih emerged as a towering thinker of his time and youth of Meghalaya and the region looked for his guidance and directions,” Meghalaya Confederation for Academic Welfare stated in a condolence message.

The agitating teachers at DM College of Arts. (NP)

agitation.

Meanwhile, the cease work strike of the government college teachers entered its third day on Saturday.

While ceasing their work, the teachers continued to stage sit-in-protest in their respective college campuses.

Blaming the college teachers and COVID-19

Actual Control in the state was normal and in its “own territory”.

The governor’s remark came two days after the Chinese and Indian militaries completed the withdrawal of troops, weapons and other military hardware from the North and South banks of Pangong lake areas in Ladakh as part of an agreement.

That region has witnessed a tense standoff between the two militaries for over nine months.

Referring to the Centre’s push for developing infrastructure in the border areas of the state, Mishra said that work is on to create 2000 km of road along with

7 militant groups to surrender in Assam

Mnp college students demand immediate resumption of classes Correspondent

B D Mishra

other facilities.

He exhorted the people to contribute and cooperate in the developmental progress of the state and advised them to stand by the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.

The governor expressed concern over rising incidences of drug addiction and “gun culture” in Arunachal Pradesh and urged the people to fight the two menaces which are hindering the progress of the state, particulary its youth.

He emphasised on more focus on women, children and youth and said welfare measures for them must be implemented in letter and spirit.

He advised the youth in the state to become entrepreneurs and said Youths must avail the scope available in the agriculture and its allied sectors for their own progress as well for the progress of Arunachal.

The governor said that the stae would this year focus on education.

(MHRD) on November 2, 2017, FAGOCTA president Dr P Birachandra said.

The college teachers launched the agitations under FEGOCTA (Federation of Government College Teachers’ Association).

FEGOCTA has been demanding implementation of the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018 since December, 2018. The state

cabinet had already agreed to the implementation of the same on August 6, 2020.

However, failure on the part of the state government to issue the necessary orders to implement the national UGC policy till date has compelled teachers to resume their suspended agitations, he said.

He said that the teachers disagreed with the government’s blame on COVID-19 pandemic that hit the economy of the state severely.

COVID-19 pandemic came only in March, 2020.

The state government had enough time to implement the national policy before the pandemic, he said, adding that the teachers have been demanding implementation of the same since 2018.

Dearest Zungden, Happiest birthday! May you continue to grow wiser and be the joy that you are. Happy 4th birthday Zungden. God bless. We love you.

B e s t w i s h e s f r o m , Pa r e n t s, Grandparents, Onu Tebeti & Onu Tila.

OFFICE OF THE

LAKE VIEW COLONY COUNCIL DIMAPUR - 797112 : NAGALAND Motto : "Unity for Progress."

GRATITUDE

Through this column, The Lake View Colony Council would like to take this opportunity to thank the Naga Council Dimapur for prohibiting burials at Naga Cemetery located at Lake View Colony which have already reached saturation point. The Council also convey its deepest appreciation to the Naga Council Dimapur for doing a yeomen job by establishing a New Cemetery located at Zani Village.

(TONGZUK PONGEN) Chairman Lake View Colony Council

DP-997

Khandu stresses on entrepreneurship

(LIATHUNG LOTHA) General Secretary Lake View Colony Council

Central Hindi Directorate Ministry of Education Civil Services Hindi Course Through Correspondence Admission Notice 2020-21 Applications are invited for Registration on Civil Services Hindi Course This Free of cost course is for the Candidates of North & Eastern States whose mother tongue is not included in the 8th scheduled of Indian Constitution and who intend to opt for Hindi as a compulsory paper in the Civil Service Examination.

• Application Process : For detailed information please log on to www.chd.mhrd.gov.in • For more information please email to ccchdadmission@gmail.com or Call us on the office telephone no. 011-26105211 Ext.227

davp 21252/11/0009/2021

Disha bail plea: Court verdict on Tuesday If highlighting farmers’ protest is sedition, it is better to be in jail: Disha

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): If highlighting farmers’ protest globally is sedition, then she is “better in jail”, activist Disha Ravi told a Delhi court which on Saturday reserved for February 23 its order on her bail plea in the toolkit case after police alleged that she was part of a plan to instigate violence in India and had deleted “evidence” like emails.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana posed some scathing questions to the probe agency during the hearing on Ravi’s plea, asking it if it was only acting on “surmises, inferences, and conjectures” and questioned how the toolkit was connected to the violence during the farmers’ march. “...Unless I satisfy my conscience, I don’t move ahead,” the judge said.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, told the court that the hyperlinks in the toolkit connected people to Khalistani

Disha Ravi (middle)

websites that propagate hatred towards India.

“This was not just a toolkit. The real plan was to defame India and create unrest here,” he said.

Ravi’s counsel, however, claimed there is no evidence linking the toolkit to the violence during the farmers’ march on January 26. He also questioned the contents of the FIR. “We all have different opinions. You may have a problem with farmers’ protest, I may not. If highlighting protest globally is sedition, I (Ravi) am better

Gehlot attacks Modi ‘govt over fuel prices Jaipur, Feb 20 (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said fuel prices have been increasing for 11 days and the common man is suffering as a result of “wrong” economic policies of the Centre.

In a series of tweets, Gehlot targeted the Centre and cleared his stand on the rumours that Rajasthan levies highest tax on fuel prices. “The Modi government imposes excise duty of Rs 32.90 on petrol and Rs 31.80 per litre on diesel.

Whereas during the UPA government in 2014 there was an excise duty of only Rs 9.20 on petrol and just Rs 3.46 on diesel. The Modi government should reduce excise duty in the interest of the public without delay,” he tweeted in Hindi.

“People are affected

5

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

by petrol and diesel prices.

Prices have been increasing continuously for the last 11 days. This is the result of wrong economic policies of the Modi government. Crude oil prices in the international market are currently half of what it used to be during the UPA rule, but petrol-diesel prices have reached an alltime high,” Gehlot said in another tweet.

The chief minister claimed that the Centre has continuously reduced the part of basic excise duty of the states and increased the additional excise duty and special excise duty on the central portion “only to fill its treasury”. Consequently, the state governments have to increase VAT (valueadded tax) to raise their economic resources, the chief minister said.

in jail. I (defence counsel) also support farmers. But if that’s an offence, let’s all go to jail,” defence counsel Sidharth Agarwal said.

“There is an allegation in FIR that Yoga and Chai are being targeted. Is it an offence? We are now reducing the bar that somebody can’t have a point of view different,” the counsel said.

Ravi was arrested in Bengaluru on Saturday by a Cyber Cell team of the Delhi Police for allegedly creating the toolkit and was brought to Delhi. She was

booked on sedition and other charges.

Opposing Ravi’s bail plea, the police alleged that she was preparing the toolkit with those advocating Khalistan. It alleged that Ravi deleted WhatsApp chats, emails and other evidence and was aware of legal action that she could face.

Why did Disha Ravi cover her track and delete evidence if she did not commit wrong, the police said, alleging that his shows her guilty mind and sinister design.

“My part is that I sought support from Greta Thunberg, that too for farmers’ protest and not for Khalistan,” the defence counsel countered, and claimed that Ravi acted due to fear of being wrongly prosecuted.

“A person may run for two reasons - either he is guilty or to save himself from wrong persecution. A person may have fears of wrong prosecution, unfortunately, for this girl, her

fears have come true...”

During the hearing, the judge asked the prosecution how the toolkit was linked to violence.

“Is there any evidence or we are only acting on surmises, inferences, and conjectures... How is the toolkit connected to the violence? What is the evidence? What is the evidence to show the connection between conspiracy and the violence?” the judge asked.

Raju said the very act of putting things on social media and disseminating the document with an intention to instigate is sufficient, “but yes no physical presence was there”.

He said that the first evidence was the hyperlinks in the toolkit connecting people to Khalistani websites.

“Second, you (accused) are showing people content which shows hatred for India. It’s not a simple toolkit prepared by NGO, it’s a toolkit created in light of the Khalistani movement,” Raju said.

Modi like ‘arrogant king’: Priyanka LU C K N OW, F E B 2 0 (PTI): Likening Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the character of an arrogant king, “ahankari raja”, from stories of yore, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said he is unable to understand that the ‘jawan’ who has kept the country safe is also the son of a farmer.

Addressing a kisan mahapanchayat attended by thousands of people in Muzaffarnagar, the Congress leader attacked the prime minister on a range of issues, including the price of diesel, and alleged that he did not listen to farmers demanding a rollback of the agri laws because his politics were aimed only at himself and “his billionaire friends”.

She said the arrogant king from old stories would confine himself to his palace as his rule expanded.

“People started feeling afraid of telling the truth in front of him… they would be grovelling. It seems our prime minister has also become an arrogant king of that type.”

“He is unable to un-

Unnao case: Surviving minor girl’s condition improves, taken off ventilator

Kanpur, Feb 20 (PTI): The minor girl, who was found along with her two cousins in an agriculture field in a village in Unnao district, was taken off ventilator support on Saturday after showing improvement, a senior police official said.

The girl has shown improvement and doctors decided to take her off the ventilator, Kanpur Deputy IG Preetinder Singh said.

The girl is still not in a condition to speak to the police and narrate the incident, the DIG said. The doctors are constantly monitoring the girl’s condition and taking care of her, he said.

Heavy deployment of police force has been made at the hospital to ensure the safety and security of the girl.

On primary assessment, the girl was found in shock. As a

suspected case of poisoning, she was shifted to the ICU at the paediatric ward, the medical bulletin issued by the private hospital, where she is undergoing treatment, said.

The victim was admitted to the hospital in intubated condition and was on bag and tube ventilation.

Later, she was shifted to the ICU and treatment was given to her, the medical bulletin further stated.

On Saturday, the third day of treatment, the girl was put off the ventilator and has been going through spontaneous respiration, it added.

Three girls - aged 16, 15 and 14 - were found in an agriculture field in Babuhara village of Asoha police station area by the villagers on Wednesday night when they did not return after leaving their house to take fodder for

cattle. The local residents had rushed the teenagers, who are all related to each other, to a hospital where two of them were declared brought dead. The 16-year-old girl was rushed to a district hospital and later referred to the hospital in Kanpur.

The UP police on Friday arrested two people in connection with the deaths of the two teenage girls, accusing them of murder over a one-sided love affair.

One of the accused held in the case is a teenager, according to police. “Vinay Kumar, alias Lambu, and a teenager have been held in connection with the case.

The matter is a fallout of a one-side love affair. The accused gave some pesticide with water to the three girls,” Lucknow Range IG Laxmi Singh had said on Friday.

BJP leader Pamela, arrested in drugs case Padma Shri awardee for arranging accuses party colleague of conspiracy

Kolkata, Feb 20 (PTI): BJP’s youth-wing leader Pamela Goswami, arrested in a drugs case, on Saturday demanded the arrest of party colleague Rakesh Singh, accusing him of conspiracy, and sought a CID probe into the matter.

Goswami, the state secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), was arrested along with a friend, Pradip Kumar Dey, and her personal security guard from south Kolkata’s New Alipore area on Friday after around 90 gm of cocaine worth lakhs of rupees was allegedly found from her handbag and car, according to police.

“I want a CID investigation. BJP’s Rakesh Singh,

Pamela Goswami

the aide of Kailash Vijayvargiya, should be arrested.

This is his conspiracy,” Goswami told reporters while being taken to lock-up from a city court.

Singh, a BJP state committee member, alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Kolkata Police

were conspiring against him and have “brainwashed” Goswami.

He said that he has not been in touch with Goswami for more than a year and was ready to face any investigation.

“If I am involved, they can call me or Kailash Vijayvargiya or Amit Shah. I think the police have brainwashed her. I am not in touch with Pamela for more than one-and-a half-years now,” Singh told PTI. “This can be that the Kolkata Police is following the Trinamool Congress’s instructions. They are conspiring against me. These are baseless accusations and I am ready to face any challenge,” he added.

last rites of bodies lies bed-ridden

Mohammad Shareef

Ayodhya, PTI 20 (PTI): An 83-year-old Faizabad resident, who is said to have arranged last rites over 25,000 unclaimed bodies in last 25 years and was chosen for a Padma Shri last year, is suffering from serious ailments but is unable to afford treatment due

to poverty.

Mohammad Shareef, also known as “messiah of lawarais lashen”, was found bed-ridden when this PTI correspondent visited his home in Mohalla Khirki Ali Beg on Thursday.

With Shareef Chacha, as he is fondly called in his neighbourhood, lying virtually unconscious on his bed, his family members said they were still hoping for some pension to him against his award so that they could afford his treatment.

Mohammad Shareef ’s son Shageer said they had got a letter from the Union Home Ministry last year informing his father that he was chosen for the Padma Shri award.

Flash mobs, Namo tea party part of BJP campaign in Bengal New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): The BJP has planned to reach out to a larger audience for the West Bengal assembly polls. The party has already started reaching out to the electorate through Rasgulla and Namo tea party in Kolkata.

The election for 294 seats in the West Bengal assembly will be held in AprilMay this year. The BJP, riding high on its success in the last general election in the state, is leaving no stone unturned to uproot the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government. In 2019, the BJP had won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.

BJP’s co-incharge for the West Bengal unit, Amit Malviya, told IANS that

Amit Shah in West Bengal.

the party will use new age technology and traditional campaign methods to reach out to the electorate. “BJP workers have already started meeting people in small groups to explain the party’s vision for the development of the state over the Namo

tea party,” he said.

Malviya added that in the coming days the party will start organising flash mobs and street plays. To make the party presence more visible in the state, BJP workers have started moving around wearing “saffron T-

shirts” with “Namo again” printed on them.

“Everyday BJP workers have started meeting people wearing saffron Tshirts at parks or places frequented by the people in Kolkata,” Malviya said.

The BJP has also started us-

ing “digital wall paintings” to counter rivals efforts to remove its posters. “TMC workers remove our posters and we have started using digital wall paintings, which are not easy to remove and also look better than traditional wall paintings or posters,” Malviya added, who is also national head of BJP IT and Social media.

Malviya stated that emphasis will be put on social media during the polls and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had addressed a social media volunteers meet. The party has also developed a mobile app to keep users updated about its poll related activities in the state. “Our app has been developed to keep workers, volunteers and people updated about poll activities in the state,” said a BJP leader.

Priyanka Gandhi

derstand that the jawan who has kept this country safe is a son of a farmer,” she told the gathering.

Launching a scathing attack against the prime minister, Priyanka Gandhi said government ‘mandis’ and the minimum support price (MSP) system would come to an end with the new farm laws.

“Your rights will also end. The way in which he has sold the entire country to his two-three friends, in the same way he wants to sell you, your land, and earnings to his billionaire friends,” she alleged.

In 2018, Priyanka Gandhi said, the cost of diesel was Rs 60 and today it is Rs 80 somewhere and Rs 90 elsewhere. “The electricity bill has increased,

the price of the gas cylinder keeps on increasing, but you are not getting the price for your sugarcane. It is at the same place,” she said.

“The BJP government earned Rs 3.5 lakh crore by imposing tax on diesel last year. I want to ask where the money has gone. Why has the person who works day and night for the country, and irrigates it with his blood and sweat not got this money?” she asked.

The Congress leader said there was nobody to listen to the farmer who is being harassed.

Referring to the ongoing farmer protests against the agri laws at various Delhi border points, she said “The Delhi border is five-six kilometres away from the residence of Narendra Modi-ji. And the prime minister, who can go to the United States, China and Pakistan, and tour the entire world… he could not go to the lakhs of farmers, nor wipe their tears, nor listen to their views. Why? Because his politics are only for himself and his billionaire and capitalist friends.”

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post

Post-mortem

Vol. XXxI NO. 76 Dimapur, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

I

Combat in Bengal

t is a war of sorts in West Bengal where both the ruling Trinamool and challenger BJP are leaving no stone unturned to win the election due in April-May. From religion, to communalism, goondaism and violence- it is war with no boundaries where anything and everything goes.

Scores of political activists from both parties have been killed or injured in violent clashes. Since 2011 when Trinamool wrested West Bengal from the ruling Left Front, it has not stopped winning as both Left and Congress have been pushed to the political periphery. The Left has been decimated by the Trinamool and has not recovered since 2011. The Congress, which last ruled the state in 1977, is a pale shadow of its former self. The party is a minor player and compelled to forge alliances either with the TMC or the Left. This left the Trinamool with no challenger till the BJP arrived on the scene. Until the 1980s, the BJP in West Bengal used to get around 2 per cent of popular votes in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

From 2 per cent in 1989 to 40 per cent in 2019 is a quantum jump. With 18 seats which BJP won in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it has emerged as a serious threat to the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, so much so that it is now eyeing to unseat the ruling party in the forthcoming electoral battle. The BJP which owes some of its origins to Bengal has never been in power in Bengal and is therefore it is one of the biggest prizes for the BJP. A totally dominant BJP at the Centre and a fast growing worker base on the ground are all helping BJP mount a massive challenge against Mamata Banerjee. TMC is losing its big faces every day. After Suvendu Adhikari, considered a very close aide of Mamata, West Bengal’s Minister of Forest Affairs Rajib Banerjee also resigned from Mamata cabinet. Recently sitting MLA from Haldia too resigned. Added to this was the surprise resignation of former union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Trivedi. TMC chief minister Mamata Banerjee is still the most popular among all other politicians but her personal popularity isn’t going to benefit the party. The Trinamool not only faces anti-incumbency but also a hostile governor who is at loggerheads with the chief minister. The BJP has pressed all its top leaders to the state and it looks like a fight between the government of India and the BJP. There are several reasons for Mamata to feel threatened.

One is the perceived poor governance in Bengal where Mamata’s outbursts and on the spot directives have become like the order of the day.

No one dares to question her. The other is the perceived appeasement of TMC to Muslim minorities which the BJP has exploited to the hilt to rouse the anger of Bengali Bhadraloks. The poor want jobs and the Nandigram episode has made them angry at Mamata. Both TMC and BJP are determined to win and that could mean resorting to every means and this is a serious concern. The only hope is democracy survives the onslaught from two determined and desperate foes but it is certainly going to be at a high price.

DailyDevotion Taking the Initiative Against Daydreaming

Arise, let us go from here. —John 14:31 Daydreaming about something in order to do it properly is right, but daydreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong. In this passage, after having said these wonderful things to His disciples, we might have expected our Lord to tell them to go away and meditate over them all. But Jesus never allowed idle daydreaming. When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God’s blessing is never on it. God will take the initiative against this kind of daydreaming by prodding us to action. His instructions to us will be along the lines of this: “Don’t sit or stand there, just go!”

If we are quietly waiting before God after He has said to us, “Come aside by yourselves…” then that is meditation before Him to seek His will (Mark 6:31).

Beware, however, of giving in to mere daydreaming once God has spoken. Allow Him to be the source of all your dreams, joys, and delights, and be careful to go and obey what He has said. If you are in love with someone, you don’t sit and daydream about that person all the time— you go and do something for him. That is what Jesus Christ expects us to do.

Daydreaming after God has spoken is an indication that we do not trust Him.

Quotes

I didn’t think; I experimented. ~ Anthony Burgess

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Y

2020: A year of conspiracy theories

ear-2020 has been unique, challenging and memorable in many ways. From political upheavals to catastrophes to anxieties about jobs, education, security, life and livelihood and above all when it comes to humanity’s common futures everything seems to in utter jeopardy.

Year-2020, by and large, was enmeshed with conspiracy theories that we confronted raising lots of questions such as what’s going on in the world and in our society leaving open to search for solutions to many unresolved questions and how to fix them. Conspiracy theories did exist in the past and will continue to be in future as well.

In the modern world, it is no accident that popular conspiracy theories covers themes such as religious majoritarianism, clash of civilizations, asserting identities, wealth and powers amassed and centralized and the ways they are exhibited in appalling ways by the rich and super-rich, rivalry between nations, mysterious technologies and the destruction of environment.

Across the world people in general believe in theories that concerns religiocultural, socio-economic, politico-environmental and

historical. People also believe in events that have multiple facets that happened in particular places and at point of time.

Each society has its own anxieties, pulls and pushes, priorities and observances and in that successful conspiracy theories flourish by infiltrating and asserting in the societal domains. For example, by emphasising the distinctions, absoluteness and uniqueness between one religious’ community from the others and in the process conspiracy theories exerts stronger bonds and thus provide a sense of protection against those people belonging to other religion considered as lesser people with less rights based on majoritarianism. This obviously end in widespread religious conflicts. India is a classic case that proves the point.

Efforts by politicians to erase faces and evidence and remake the world into something with all sorts of hypes and grandeurs and superlatives to push their political goals and agenda. Knowledge gaps grows between the haves and have-not, but at the same time it talks about level playing field igniting more mistrust as the facts do not concur. One thing that dominated year-2020 is coronavirus. Almost most of

the conspiracy theories that revolve around COVID-19.

Political leaders across the world particularly the totalitarians took advantage of coronavirus floating all sorts of conspiracy theories.

It all started with the origin of coronavirus and one dominant theory vehemently pushed by President Trump of the United States that it originated from Wuhan, China, followed by wet market and laboratory in China and then on numerous theories emerged from different directions pointing to countries. Leaders from some countries branded China as the culprit. One year on, even now no one knows from where it originated. Then on leaders tried to conceal the death and infected toning down the numbers by comparing with others.

Wi t h o u t a d e q u a t e preparations and careful scrutiny measures taken to contain coronavirus in sporadically ways to suit their interests. Those leaders who dared and want to spread conspiracy theories defied facial mask and social distancing passed on message questioning science and professional expertise.

As the top pharmaceutical corporations, research institutions and institutes were

busy in developing a vaccine to counter coronavirus saying that at least by early 2021 and should go through regulatory processes.

Breaking what the science and scientists were saying one miraculous invention came from a so-called “scientific mind” in the form of Baba Ramdev’s company Patanjali that hit the headlines. It claimed 100 per cent recovery from coronavirus infection within seven days. It rebranded the drug as an immunity booster and pushed it into the market which sold 85 lakh unit worth over Rs. 240 crores. The ruling dispensation did not question since he happened to one of the “venerated god man”. A candid show case of conspiracy theory.

President Trump went one step ahead that said that it was a “hoax” and added that the disease did not exist at all. What then is a conspiracy theory? A conspiracy theory is “an emotionally and intellectually satisfying explanation things for many.

In times of stress such as pandemic it is natural that these theories gain momentum and popularity. They offer simple, understandable explanation of events and help us regain a belief in human control over situa-

tions.” Human tendency is that during catastrophes its mind becomes irrational.

We have been living amidst coronavirus for about a year. In the last 12 months conspiracy theories concerning COVID-19 emerged and some became dominant.

Religio-cultural facets dominated the current scenario because for many faithful adherents the god or goddess factor is their last resort to rescue them from the current impasse because in whom they have total faith and belief. In addition, the custodians of religion keep saying that it’s the act of God to punish those who went against by committing things that were antithetical to the belief system.

Tele-evangelists, healers and those who claim having divine power of casting away demons and deadly pestilence have failed to offer any solace to the lethal power of coronavirus.

Rather they went into hiding fearing coronavirus. Conspiracy theories and those who floated have dared to counter COVID-19, but somehow with their narratives and interpretation made the followers to believe them. President of Brazil Jair Blosonaro openly said he would not take the vaccine as he may be turned

into a crocodile – such a weird theory which is nothing, but certainly endorses conspiracy.

Another glaring example is vaccine. Countries literally came out with number of conspiracy theories with regard to development of vaccine. It tacitly promoted vaccine nationalism and protectionism on geographically localised manner. Citizens are made to wait based on the promises of the leaders but it is going to be a long wait especially for countries like India. No one knows whether it is going to be in the first quarters or second quarts and lots of things they themselves not aware but float conspiracy theories.

At the level of events, year 2020 was the year belonged to the pandemic.

The ideas flowed through phones and social media could perhaps be termed or be suggested with another name that 2020 was the year of conspiracy theories. The theories that were floated around could not be verified, scrutinized or even challenged because of lethal pandemic as everyone knew that the governments were lying and misleading, and yet had to believe and lived with it.

Dr. John Mohan Razu

Consolidate massive poll-reforms Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society necessary before next assembly-polls 21st February is International Mother Language Day

M

other languages are important for each and every one of us. This is the language which is our first language.

We never dream in any other language apart from mother language or our indigenous languages. Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and planet. When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity.

Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost.

Every two weeks a language disappears taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world. Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.

There are challenges for mother languages due to globalization. Powerful languages are being spoken and used in many parts

I

which have become threat for many local languages. One of the global events which promoted mother language is celebration of International Mother Language Day which is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism on 21st February.

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002. On 16 May 2007 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called upon Member States “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world”. By the same resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism and named the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to serve as the lead agency for the Year.

The day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO

I

t refers to Puducherry Governor directing present Chief Minister V Narainsami to prove majority through floor-test in the state-assembly on 22.02.2021 where apparently 14 MLAs each are in favor and against the present Chief Minister in a 33member House with four MLAs of ruling party having resigned and one MLA disqualified.

Similar situation occurred in UP in February 1998 when the then stateGovernor Romesh Bhandari acted biasedly to crown Jagambika Pal as Chief Minister by dismissing Kalyan Singh government, and floor-test ordered by Supreme Court re-crowned Kalyan Singh as Chief Minister through floortest making Jagdambika Pal forming a record of being Chief Minister for shortest duration of just one single day. It was also the only floor-test when Chief Minister was elected by secret ballot papers in the House. This was the only case in India since independence when a Chief Minister was decided.

Since our politicians are clever enough to devise checks imposed through anti-defection norms, consolidated massive poll-reforms awaited since long despite recommendations by so many committees and commissions set up at high public-cost, should be implemented whereby politicians may not able make mockery of system causing frequent by-elections. Such

measures if implemented with a sincere mindset will pave way for much-needed simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and all state assemblies apart from snatching powers of political appointee state-Governors to act biasedly. System if designed properly will also prevent corrupt and costly practice of making MLAs hostages in costly resorts.

MPs and MLAs resigning midway must not be allowed to contest any election for next six years. Chief Minister should be elected simultaneously with Speaker and Deputy Speaker by secret and compulsory votes of all MLAs through EVMs equipped with VVPAT on nominations filed by at least 34-percent MLAs. Members not participating in such election may lose voting-right in state-assembly though retaining membership. Any such elected incumbant may only be removed by same process but with compulsion of naming alternate leader in the same motion. It will be simply a modified version of re-crowning Kalyan Singh as UP Chief Minister in the year 1998.

Such an elected Chief Minister will be compelled to have cordial relations with opposition in running the House-proceedings, and also tackling factionalism in ruling parties apart from ensuring full terms and stable governments.

Madhu Agrawal (Guinness Record Holder for letters in newspapers)

believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.

New Education Policy is emphasizing on leaning in mother language in elementary schooling.

This year’s observance is a call on policymakers, educators and teachers, parents and families to scale up their commitment to multilingual education, and inclusion in education to advance education recovery in the context of COVID-19.

This effort also contributes to the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), for which UNESCO is the lead agency, and which places multilingualism at the heart of indigenous peoples’ development.

There is no shadow of doubt that mother languages are fragile resource and loss of any language is a threat in many ways. Together we can make a difference and let us promote the indigenous languages. The linguistic diversity is always important to safeguarding heritage and others and let us not forget our own languages in the time of globalisation.

Ranjan K Baruah (With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may Sir, To start with, people will keep complaining and criticizing because that’s be sent to bkranjan@gmail. essential part of life like a basic need. If none criticises you, then you maybe com ) be a dumb head who doesn’t care of existence.

Here, talking on Smart city -Kohima, the city has been growing gradually with narrow roads, where in history; flower pots had been vanished. At present, the flowers are well maintained in its concrete pot, but the uncivilized publics are spitting into it and throwing thrash here and there. These flower pots are not Dustbin. observe the second Sunday i.e, 13th March The fact can be seen that, People of Harappan civilization were much as Teenagers day and do some good and more civilized than of today’s generation so called people living in Computer/ new for teenagers such as:digital age. Don’t use the civic sense only at public places in cities or towns, it 1. Organize special programme for must be cultivated within your from your own home and village. Be a drop of them (Teenagers) ujala to whiten the world.

2. Let them take parts as much as Ari L Kvz, New market, Kohima possible 3. Arrange feast for everybody in their name i.e, Teenagers 4. Arrange gifts for them (teens only) Sir, 5. Special prayer for them The escalating fuel prices across India have brought about a lot of prob6. Special message for them 7. Arrange flowers badge / Ribbon lems even in the State. Within a couple of days, auto fares have shoot up and price hikes in certain grocery items have started to surface too. If this problem badge for them.

May God bless you all as you observe persists for a longer period of time, many would suffer. Therefore, it is my 13th March 2021 i.e, 2nd Sunday of March earnest request to the state government to at least reduce VAT on petrol and diesels just like how Assam and Meghalaya had reduced. This would not only as Teenagers day this year of 2021. ease the minds of every common men but would also ease the suffering.

Dr. Kip Rio Sashila Ao, Duncan Basti, Dimapur Founder & President, TEN Ministry published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Reader’s Post

Let’s rebuild civic sense

Teenager’s Day

t was in the year of 1972 on second Sunday of March, God has given the importance of Teenagers. For which Teenagers Evangelism of the Nation (Ten) was started. We all know the importance and precious period of this teenage (13th to 19th) i.e, 7 years time. This is the time period where one can be easily attracted towards to the right (Good) or to the left (bad) things. Because they are in growing stage of physically, physiologically, mentally and besides spiritually also. For which they need help, guidance and encouragement in many respects. That is why the Ten Ministry is trying to do something good for teens by quoting Galatians 5:13 verse as it Motto “Through love serve one another”.

Therefore it is suggested and requested, the believers/ Church/ Ministry/ organization of Christian or Non- Christian to Reader’s note: Articles or letters

Appeal to reduce VAT on fuels

File photo of meeting between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

gion that has witnessed a tense standoff between the two militaries for over nine months. “The focus of the talks is on carrying forward the disengagement process,” said a source.

On February 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced in Parliament that India and China reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake that mandates

both sides to “cease” forward deployment of troops in a “phased, coordinated and verifiable” manner.

Under the agreement, he said China will pull back its troops to east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong lake while the Indian personnel will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region. Similar action would take place on the south bank

of the lake as well, he said.

The sources said troops of both sides have retreated to positions that were agreed upon by both the sides.

The disengagement process began on February 10.

The Indian delegation at Saturday’s talks is being led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps.

The Chinese side was to be headed by Maj Gen Liu Lin,

the commander of the South Xinjiang military district of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

In his statement in Parliament, the defence minister also said that it was agreed to convene the next meeting of senior commanders of both sides within 48 hours of completion of the disengagement in the Pangong lake areas so as to resolve all other remaining issues.

Days later, the Defence Ministry said other outstanding “problems” including in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra will be taken up at the upcoming talks between military commanders of the two countries.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry even as the two sides continued military and diplomatic talks.

India’s relationship with Maldives Akhilesh accuses UP CM of poised to take quantum jump: MEA speaking lies in state assembly

S Jaishankar with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid.

Male, Feb 20 (PTI): India’s time-tested relationship with the Maldives is poised to take a quantum jump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday as he held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and handed over 100,000 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the country.

The two ministers dis-

cussed COVID-19 recovery, various projects being undertaken under Indian assistance, and cooperation in multilateral platforms.

Jaishankar, who arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation tour that will also take him to Mauritius, handed over 100,000 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Foreign Minister and Health Minister Kerafa Naseem.

“Our time-tested relationship is posed today for a

Nadda chairs meet ahead of Modi’s address to leaders

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): The BJP on Saturday held some key organisational meetings on the eve of the first physical meeting of its new set of national office-bearers, which is likely to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP president J P Nadda chaired meetings of the party’s national general secretaries and also general secretaries (organisation) of states.

Party leaders delib-

erated upon the agenda of the Sunday’s meeting, and organisational work undertaken by state units, including poll campaign in election-bound states, were also reviewed, sources said.

Sunday’s meeting, which will also be attended by state unit presidents, assumes significance as it comes amid fierce protests by a section of farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh against the three new farm laws.

quantum jump, scaling new heights,” Jaishankar said.

He said Maldives enjoy a central position in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.

“India’s first and largest COVID-19 vaccine support was given to the Maldives. It is the first country where India-made vaccines landed,” he said.

He said India has looked beyond post-COVID economic recovery and India’s air travel bubble with the Maldives contributed significantly in reviving the tourism sector.

“An extraordinarily deep partnership reaffirmed.

Comprehensive talks with FM @abdulla_shahid.

Deeply appreciate our close cooperation during Covid.

Agreed to look beyond at post-pandemic economic recovery, Jaishankar tweeted after the talks.

Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, Feb 20 (PTI): Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday accused Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of telling lies to the state assembly and objected to his using the word “dalal”, meaning middle man, on the floor of the House.

Yadav made the allegation referring to the chief minister’s statement in the assembly on Friday in which he had said only “brokers” betraying farmers were unhappy with the farm

laws. The CM remarks had prompted the Opposition to walk out of the House.

Accusing the chief minister of speaking lies in the assembly, Yadav also doubted if any farmer’s paddy crop was procured on the minimum support price in Uttar Pradesh and sought details of the crops procured on the MSP. “He (the CM) said middlemen are not able to digest farmers’ well- being.

Such deception! Such a lie!

Can anyone speak such lies in the House?” asked Yadav.

Refuting to official claims over the procurement of crops on MSP, Yadav said, “I want to know from him if farmers from any of the districts, including, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Sant Kabir Nagar, Basti, Gonda and Faizabad, are getting the MSP. Which district has got it?”

6,281 new COVID cases in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Feb 20 (PTI): Maharashtra reported more than 6,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row on Saturday, a health department official said.

Out of 6,281 new cases, over 1,700 or about 27 percent were recorded in Mumbai and Amravati municipal corporation areas, he said.

The state had recorded over 6,000 cases after a gap of three months on Friday.

While the caseload increased to 20,93,913 on Saturday, the death toll in-

creased to 51,753 with 40 new fatalities.

State capital Mumbai recorded the highest 897 new infections, followed

by Amravati city in eastern Maharashtra with 806 new cases.

As many as 2,567 patients were discharged, increasing the tally of recoveries to 19,92,530. Active cases stood at 48,439.

Mumbai city reported 897 COVID-19 cases and three deaths. It took the tally of infected people in the metropolis to 3,18,207

while death toll increased to 11,440.

M u m b a i d iv i s i o n , which includes Mumbai as well as neighbouring satellite towns, reported 1,582 new cases, taking the caseload of the region to 7,12,007. The death toll in the Mumbai division reached 19,747.

Akola division, which includes Amravati district and Amravati municipal corporation, reported 1,726 cases, taking the division’s case tally to 84,630, while 12 deaths took the fatality figure to 1,691.

India’s first Digital Varsity launched in Kerala

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurates the Digital University via video conferencing.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20 (PTI): Kerala took a major step forward in its progress towards a knowledge society with the inauguration of the country’s first Digital University, based in Technocity at Mangalapuram near here on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presided over the function, where Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who is also the Chancellor of theKerala University of

Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology(KUDSIT), unveiled the varsity plaque.

Both the Gover nor and the Chief Minister addressed the function through video conferencing.

In his inaugural address,Khan said the launch of the Digital University is part of the state’sresolve to embrace new technologies and desire to use them for bringing positive changes in the life of people and become a global hub for higher

learning and technology.

Praising the state government for recent initiatives in higher education including the launch of Sree Narayana Guru Open University, the Governor said “In any aspect of life, knowledge brings courage, understanding, acceptance, unity and also liberates us from the clutches of ignorance.”

“The society expects the Digital University to provide intellectual support to

lap up the new world of opportunities arising through artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Data Analytics and other digital transformation courses,” he said.

In his address, the CM said the launch of the first Digital University in the country would open tremendous opportunities for youngsters.

“There should not be a digital divide in the society.

The government is involved in the efforts of attaining digital excellence in various fields. We need to foster technically-talented people in accordance with the changes in the new world,” the CM said. Noting that the Digital University aims at utilising the developments in digital technology for social progress, he said the benefits of digital technology should be made available for people in various walks of life.

According to official sources, the Digital University is set up by upgrading two-decade old Indian In-

stitute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K), a center of excellence in information technologies established by Government of Kerala. It is formed with a vision of creating a futuristic institution of higher learning, aspiring to set a global benchmark in Digital technologies and its management.

Its focus is on post graduate programmes and research besides building strong industry-academic and academic- academic linkages with leading institutions in India and abroad, they said. The university is starting with five schools of knowledge--School of Computer Science and Engineering; School of Digital Sciences; School of Electronic Systems and Automation; School of Informatics; and School of Digital Humanities and Liberal Arts, covering science, technology and humanities aspects of the Digital world.

1.08 crore COVID vaccine doses administered: Govt

Kejriwal to meet protesting farmers to discuss agri laws

Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will host protesting farmer leaders at a lunch at the Vidhan Sabha here Sunday afternoon where he will discuss with them the three contentious Central agricultural laws and other related issues, government sources said Saturday. However, the government as well as AAP leaders were tightlipped about the names of the union leaders invited for the meeting.

Farmer leader Darshan Pal said they had not received any invitation from the Delhi government till Saturday evening.

A senior AAP leader said, “Discussions will be held at the meeting on various concerns of farmers over the agri laws and also the various aspects of the laws and its impact.”

Thousands of farmers have been protesting at Delhi border under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) for nearly three months now against the three agricultural laws enacted by the Centre in September last year.

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): A total of 1.08 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered till now with 1.86 lakh jabs given on Saturday, the Union Health Ministry said.

Of the 1,08,38,323 doses administered, Joint Secretary in the Union Health ministry Mandeep Bhandari said 72,26,653 vaccination doses were administered to healthcare workers and 36,11,670 to frontline workers whose inoculation started on February 2. Of the 70,52,845 vaccination doses, 63,52,713 healthcare workers were administered the first dose while 8,73,940 healthcare workers were administered the second dose.

On Saturday till 6 pm, 1,86,081 vaccinations were carried out. He said 43 hospitalisations have been reported till now out of which 26 people have been discharged after treatment while one is under treatment and 16 deaths have been reported.

B ha nd a r i sa id the hospitalisation percentage against vaccination was recorded at 0.0004 per cent and two cases of hospitalisation have been reported in the past 24 hours. He said a total of 37 deaths have been reported which accounts for 0.0003 per cent of the vaccinations. Sixteen deaths have been reported in hospitals while 21 deaths have been reported outside hospitals.

He further said three new deaths post immunization have been reported. One is of a 51-year-old female from

Mandeep Bhandari

Kerala who died of intracranial bleeding four days after vaccination. Another death of a 56-year-old man was recorded from Karnataka of myocardial infarction. He died nine days after vaccination. Another 44-year-old female from Manipur died seven days after vaccination and her post-mortem details are awaited. “No case of serious or severe adverse event following immunisation or death attributable to vaccination till date,” he said.

Bhandari said 12 states and UTs, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and Uttarakhand, have vaccination coverage of first dose of healthcare workers at more than 75 per cent while seven states and UTs, including Delhi and Punjab, have less than 50 per cent coverage of first dose among healthcare workers. He said 10 states and UTs have recorded more than 50 per cent coverage of first dose among frontline workers. These states and UTs include Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE PURANA BAZAR : DIMAPUR VISITING CONSULTANT

 CANCER SURGEON : Dr. GANESH DAS MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh), DNB, FMAS, FAIS, Trained Cancer Surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai will be available for consultation on 6th March 2021 (Saturday).

For more information, please contact :  9366451969

DC-166

India & China hold 10th round of military talks

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): India and China on Saturday held another round of military talks with a focus on taking forward the disengagement process in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh and bring down the tensions in the region, official sources said.

The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks are taking place two days after the Chinese and Indian militaries completed the withdrawal of troops, weapons and other military hardware from the North and South banks of Pangong lake areas as part of an agreement.

The meeting started at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control and it was continuing, the sources said.

They said India will insist on a faster disengagement process in remaining areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the re-

7

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

VACANCY

Applicants are invited for the following post. Send your resume with recent photo to the given email id: htc.caseconstruction@gmail.com Contact Number: +91 8974668899.

SRL. NO.

POST

QUALIFICATION Diploma/Computer knowledge BE/B Tech Degree/ Diploma in Mechanical Engg.

1.

Foreman

2.

Service Manger

3.

Sales Manager

Any Graduate

4.

Sales Executive

Any Graduate

5.

6.

Sr. Mechanic Accountant

ITI B.Com with PGDCA

EXPERIENCED Min. 5 yrs exp. on heavy machineries.

Min. 5 yrs exp. & knowledge on heavy machineries with good commanding, communication skills.

Min. 5-8 yrs exp. in Sales on heavy Engg. equipments, cooperate sales/client servicing.

Job requires travelling.

Min. 3-5 yrs exp. in heavy machinery sales, client servicing & travelling, networking sales strategy.

5 yrs experienced.

3 yrs experienced.

DC-167

NORTH TOWN HR. SEC. SCHOOL CHUMUKEDIMA

SITUATION VACANT 1. One Post of B.Sc Teacher to teach up to Secondary level.

2. One Post of Computer Teacher (Graduate) preferably male 3. One Post of Office Assistant (B.Com) (Male only) Interested candidates may kindly contact office between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. email - northtownhrsecschool@gmail.com Principal DP-1005

SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL, DIMAPUR (A CBSE AFFILIATED SCHOOL)

Chekiye Village Block II, 3rd Mile, Dimapur, Nagaland

TEACHERS REQUIRED

1. Maths Teacher: Qualification : B.Sc/M.Sc with B.Ed or D.El.Ed 2. English Teacher: Qualification : B.A/M.A with B.Ed or D.El.Ed 3. Hindi Teacher: Qualification : B.A/M.A with B.Ed or D.EI.Ed 4. Computer Teacher: Qualification : B.A/M.A with PGDCA 5. Montessori Teacher: Qualification : B.A with Montessori trained Interested candidates are requested to submit their resume by 27th Feb 2021 in the school, during office hour 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, with recent passport size photo and contact number.

Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.

DP-962

Crossword

Su doku

KAKURO

Zonal rlys must adopt sustainable ideas: Goyal New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday directed all zonal railways to come up with “sustainable” ideas for reducing railway expenses and rationalising costs, to cope up with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a review meeting, Goyal said Indian Railways must continue to optimise and reduce the costs and further improve productivity “without compromising on the quality”.

The Minister asked the Railway board to study the best practices of zones at earliest great practices or ideas that are being implemented at one place can be then replicated at other places and national optimisation can be achieved. Goyal encouraged the

officials from across the Railway zones to share with the Board their best practices and policy suggestions for national optimisation.

“These suggestions could be about anything that can contribute to better passenger services, safety, revenue generation , freight & business development, increasing the speed or anything,” said the Minister.

The Minister asked the Railway board to study the best practices of zones at earliest great practices or ideas that are being implemented at one place can be then replicated at other places and national optimisation can be achieved.

Goyal further stated that energy expenses on running of trains

should further be rationalised.

“Record capex allocation in the historic budget is an opportunity for capacity expansion and creating the foundation of futureready Railways,” he said.

Goyal said freight operations of Railways have helped in contributing to the economic and industrial activities of the country in a big way and therefore loading and freight momentum must continue be maintained.

“Infrastructure projects under various stages of completion must be monitored on a daily basis and all time lines should be adhered to,” he said.

Goyal said that Covid precautions must continue to be adhered to by Railways .

No. 9839 Yesterday’s solution No. 9838

No. 4458 Yesterday’s solution No. 4457

No. 3482 Yesterday’s solution No. 3481

Across 4. Reach (6) 7. The outside (8) 8. Register as unemployed (4,2) 10. Roughly built hut (5) 13. Never a one (4) 14. Nonsense, slang (4) 15. Swindles (4) 16. Slope downwards (3) 17. Minute particle (4) 19. Press (4) 21. Taboo (9) 23. Romantic flower (4) 24. Christmas (4) 26. Dowel (3) 27. Roasted animal flesh (4) 29. Plant (4) 32. Girl’s toy (4) 33. Get a goal (5) 34. Guerdon (6) 35. Gemstones (8) 36. More suitable (6) Down 1. Minimum (5) 2. Book of maps (5) 3. Long journey (4) 4. Illegal burning (5) 5. Fury (4) 6. Musical instrument (6) 9. Within (6) 11. Of high temperature (3) 12. Utter confusion (5) 13. In name only (7) 15. Round loaf (3) 16. Put on (3) 18. Minor earthquake (6) 20. Ancient artefact (5) 21. Thick mist (3) 22. Decimal point (3) 23. Go back on one’s word (6) 25. Ventilate (3) 28. Senior (5) 30. Norwegian boy’s name (5) 31. Perceive (5) 32. Foolish (4) 33. Indian dress (4)

was wedged between the Western Ghats as the Arabian sea on the West, which left very little landmass for development purposes and urged the Prime Minister to provide relief vis a vis green laws and coastal regulations which govern smaller states.

“Our efforts are on to revive mining which has been banned by the Supreme Court. We would request the

central government to bring reform and treat Goa’s case separately. We got independence in 1961 and we did not get second renewal (of mining leases),” Sawant said during the virtual meeting.

Mining activity in Goa was banned by the apex court first in 2012, following the unearthing of a Rs. 35,000 crore scam by a judicial commission appointed by the central government.

But was resumed in 2015 with restrictions, before it stopped again after the apex court in 2018, found irregularities in renewal of 88 mining leases.

Before Goa was liberated by the Indian armed forces in 1961, mining leases in Goa were permanent concessions granted by the Portuguese colonists for exploration and commercial exploitation.

SBI Payments to Centre, States must work... form committees to celexpand digitisation (From“Asp-1)a government, we toebrate India’s 75th Indepen-

NEW DELHI, FEB 20 (AGENCIES): Lending major State Bank of India’s subsidiary SBI Payments on Saturday said it plans to deploy low-cost acceptance infrastructure ‘to expand the digitisation of merchant payments’ in the country.

Accordingly, the company is launching ‘YONO Merchant App’.

“Aiming to enable millions of merchants through mobile led technology to accept digital payments, SBI plans to deploy low-cost acceptance infrastructure across India over the next two years targeting 20 million potential merchants across India in retail and enterprise segment,” it said in a statement. The launch, company said, is in line with RBI’s recent announcement of creating a Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) to encourage acquirers to deploy Point of Sale (PoS) infrastructure (both physical and digital) in lesser penetrated areas of the country.

WANTED

B.Sc (Computer/ I T), BCA, PGDCA for a Higher Secondary School in Kohima Town.

CONTACT : +91 9612808404

OFFICE OF THE DIMAPUR LOTHA STUDENTS' UNION Raffle Draw Results:

1st Prize - Serial number - 516 2nd Prize - Serial number- 75 3rd Prize - Serial number- 059 Consolation Prizes: 1. Serial number- 283 2. Serial number-1170 3. Serial number-559 For any queries:+919856313655 DP-1006 8974589662

also have to honour this enthusiasm, the energy of the private sector, and give it as much opportunity in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign,” he added.

Referring to the farm sector, the prime minister said that efforts should be made to produce agriculture items like edible oil and reduce their imports.

The prime minister said government policies will help farmers raise productivity and cut imports, adding that reforms needed to provide funds and technology for the farm sector.

He also said the government is spending on infrastructure to boost demand and create jobs.

Further, the prime minister noted that bank accounts, free electricity and gas connection and proper vaccinations have brought changes in the lives of the poor. He also urged states

dence Day. Briefing reporters, the Niti Aayog vice-chairman said the meeting focused on six agenda items which included making India a manufacturing powerhouse, reimagining agriculture, infrastructure, human resources development, improving service delivery and health and nutrition.

Kumar said the prime minister wanted the states to set up district exports promotion council to accelerate development at grassroots level.

He said that Niti Aayog will chalk out a strategy for promoting education standard and reducing school dropout number which was about 3 crore. In his remarks, the prime minister announced that there would be a major increase in the economic resources of local bodies in the 15th Finance Commission.

Urgently Required

HOUSE FOR RENT

1 Pharmacist (Dimapur) Minimum 3 years work experience Salary Negotiable Contact : 9840750626/9444990626

Super Splendor

(Drum-Self-Cast)

Owner's Name : Myingthungo Lotha Regd. No. : NL07EA0293 Chassis No. : MBLJAR039J9F2443 Engine No. : JA05EGJ9F43043 Stolen on : 28th Dec. 2020 from Duncan Bosti, Dimapur Finder may please Contact : 7005605502 DP-1012

LOST NOTICE

I, Alen A Phom am applying for a duplicate copy of Class 10 Admit Card as I have lost it.

Name: Alen A Phom F/Name: Atachampa Roll. No. : 1364037 Phn : No. : 9612304495

LOST NOTICE

I, Lily Konyak A am applying for duplicate copy of Class 12 Marksheet as I have lost it.

Name: Lily Konyak A F/Name: L Alang Konyak Roll. No. : 1681242

SEMATILLA

PH : 7005189033 8131915535

DP-995

URGENT SALE LAND FOR SALE

Hyundai Creta SX 1.6 CRDI (Diesel) NL. Reg., Mfg. : 2016 Colour : Polar White Automatic Transmission Price : 6.90 Lakhs Contact No. : 8132825831

LAND FOR SALE Prime Land at Mon Bosti Area : any size available Contact No. : 9862564114 7005424879 DP-985

LAND FOR SALE

STOLEN NOTICE

at

Paddy Field Location : Kiyezu Village Area : 5 Puras Price : Rs. 3,60,000/ Pura Contact : 7628952524

SEITHEKEMA 'A'

With proper approach road Area : 100 x 100 Rs. 150 per sq. ft.

Contact No. : 9711174576

DP-932

DIMAPUR, FEB 20 (NPN): Paul and associates office providing services like tax consultancy, advisory & educational services, GST Registration, filling & compliances and income tax return etc was inaugurated on Saturday.

The associate’s office which is located opposite Durga mandir, near Hollohon petrol pump, Purana bazaar, Dimapur was inaugurated

by Senti Ao (IAS) retired as special guest. The office was dedicated by joint director (Rtd) School Education Khutovi Sema. The owner of the firm, Sibananda Paul will be dealing with tax consultancy, advisory and educational service etc.

Panaji, Feb 20 (IANS): Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to treat Goa as a special case and provide relief by way of legal reform to the coastal state in order to revive the non-functioning mining sector while virtually addressing the governing council of the NITI Ayog.

Sawant also said that Goa, India’s smallest state,

LAND FOR SALE at Diphupar 'B' Any size available Rs. 280 per sq. ft.

DP-963

Staff Reporter

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): Mumbai Por t Trust (MPT), one of the major port trusts in India, will sign 8 MoUs of Rs 1,860 crores at 2nd Maritime India Summit 2021 scheduled between March 2-4, 2021.

These MoUs will be majorly signed between MPT and HPCL, BPCL, India Coast Guard and Cordella Cruises Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd. MoU with HPCL and BPCL will be signed for Setting up Crude Oil tankages at Jawahar Dweep.

Cordella Cruises Waterways is getting into the MoU for the Home Port operations of Cruise Ship.

Need reform to revive mining: Goa CM to NITI Ayog

DP-949

Paul & associates office inaugurated

UTs. Seventeen rounds of borrowings have been completed so far starting from 23rd October, 2020.

Under the special window, the Government of India has been borrowing in Government Stock with tenor of 3 years and 5 years.

The borrowing made under each tenor is equally divided among all the States as per their GST compensation shortfall. With the current release, the proportionate pending GST shortfall with respect to borrowing under 5 years tenure has been concluded for 16 States and 2 UTs. These States/ UTs were onboard for GST compensation release from the 1st Installment.

DP-1001

into picture, will only sound like I am obfuscating.”

“I am avoiding my answer. I am shifting the blame,” she said addressing a gathering at an event organised by the Chennai Citizens’ Forum here.

She went on to explain the tax structure and how production cuts by oil cartel OPEC and its allies had led to a rally in the international oil prices, leading to a hike in retail rates in India.

She, however, said the answer may lie in bringing petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, which will end the cascading impact of taxes and bring uniformity.

Currently, the central government levies a fixed rate of excise duty while states levy different

mentation. Till now, 91 per cent of the total estimated GST compensation shortfall has been released to the States & UTs with Legislative Assembly. Out of this, an amount of Rs 91,460.34 crore has been released to the States and an amount of Rs 8,539.66 crore has been released to the 3 UTs with Legislative Assembly.

The Government had set up a special borrowing window in October, 2020 to meet the estimated shortfall of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in revenue arising on account of implementation of GST. The borrowings are being done through this window by the Government of India on behalf of the States and

DP-1010

Nirmala Sitharaman

rates of VAT. Under GST, the two would merge and bring uniformity, solving the problem of fuel rates being higher in states with higher VAT. “What I am saying is that this is a vexatious issue and no Minister can ever convince anybody because Indians being Indians and I am one of them, (will not be convinced),” she said.

“It is a matter of fact that both Centre and States will have to talk.”

Stating that the states levy ad valorem rates of sales tax or VAT which help them get more revenue whenever prices go up, she said it won’t serve any purpose if the Centre were to take the moral high ground and bring down excise duty to zero.

“I can do that (cut taxes) if I have a certain guarantee that my revenue foregone will not be an opportunity for somebody else to get into this space and gain that,” she said.

“If all of us are talking about consumer prices (on fuel to) come down (and the) tax raised by the Centre, tax raised by the states are not holier than one another.”

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): The Finance Ministry had released the 17th weekly instalment of Rs 5,000 crore to the states to meet the GST compensation shortfall.

Out of this, an amount of Rs 4,730.41 crore has been released to 23 States and an amount of Rs 269.59 crore has been released to the three Union Territories (UT) with Legislative Assembly (Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir & Puducherry) who are members of the GST Council. The remaining five states, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim do not have a gap in revenue on account of GST imple-

K-425

CHENNAI, FEB 20 (PTI): Amid an outcry over record high petrol and diesel prices, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the Centre and state governments will have to together work out a mechanism to bring retail rates to reasonable levels.

As much as 60 per cent of the retail price of petrol, which shot above Rs 100-mark in some places in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and is at an alltime high elsewhere in the country, is made up of central and state taxes.

Taxes make up for about 56 per cent of the record high diesel rates.

Sitharaman, who had increased central excise duty on petrol and diesel by a record margin last year to mop up gains arising from international oil prices plunging to two- decade low, remained non-committal on cutting taxes to give relief to consumers.

“This is a very vexatious issue. An issue in which no answer except reducing the price (of fuel) will convince anyone. I know I am treading on an area and whatever I may say, to bring in the reality

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said that the country’s air passenger traffic is “within touching distance of pre-Covid numbers”.

In a tweet, the minister said: “2,90,518 passengers on 2,360 flights on 19 Feb is within touching distance of Pre-COVID numbers & marks revival of the domestic sector.”

“From transporting essential & medical supplies, to movement of vaccines, civil aviation sector plays a key role in efforts against COVID19.”

Since the resumption of operations on May 25, domestic air traffic continued to sequentially improve in January 2021.

The domestic passenger traffic rose 5.55 per cent sequentially in January to 77.34 lakh passengers from 73.27 lakh reported for December 2020.

However, on a yearon-year basis the January numbers stood 39.50 per cent lower than 127.83 lakh reported for the corresponding period of the previous year.

At present, airlines can operate up to 80 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity.

K-418

‘Centre, States need to work together to lower fuel prices’

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 business Air passenger Mumbai Port Trust GST compensation shortfall close to pre-Covid to sign MoUs of levels: Minister released to states touches Rs 1L Cr worth Rs 1,860 cr

K-416

8

Contact : 8787579068 LAND FOR SALE Location : Kushiabill, near Highway (4.5 km from Zion Hospital) Area : Any size plot available Price : Rs. 170 per sq. ft. * Plots with drainage approach road Contact : 8787777148 DP-181(A) 7005227608

URGENT SALE

2555 Sq/Mtr. Opposite Mahindra Show Room Near Bethesda Hr. Sec. School Northern Angami Contact : 8317631936 7005415498 DP-910

2 killed in Myanmar coup protests

Protesters have been taking to the streets even since the coup at the start of the month.

Mandalay. At least five people were injured by rubber bullets and had to be carried away in ambulances, according to an Associated Press journalist who witnessed the violence.

Some 500 police and soldiers descended on the area near Yadanabon dock after dock workers joined the national civil disobedience movement, refusing to work until the military junta that seized power in

a Feb. 1 coup reinstates the democratically elected government. Protesters and residents were forced to flee the neighborhood amid the violence, as security forces chased after them.

There were reports of sounds that resembled gunfire. A group of journalists was forced to flee after being hit with tear gas and slingshot projectiles.

Earlier in the week in Mandalay, security forces

Complicated future for Trump, GOP after impeachment Washington, Feb 20 (IANS): Former US President Donald Trump and the Grand Old Party (GOP) are at a crossroads after he was acquitted in his second impeachment.

The impeachment came as a result of the January 6 riot in which dozens of Trump supporters entered the US Capitol Building, threatened lawmakers and broke windows, the Xinhua news agency reported.

One police officer was killed by a mob and one US military veteran was shot dead by police during the riot. Democrats accused Trump of causing the riot, when he gave a speech and told protesters to march to the Capitol Building.

The Senate acquitted

Donald Trump

Trump on charges of inciting an insurrection, with some lawmakers in Trump’s own party voting against him. The Senate voted 5743 to convict, but the vote fell short of the required two-thirds.

This was the first time in US history that a President was impeached twice, once while in office and

2 killed, 2 wounded in Afghan capital explosions Kabul, Feb 20 (IANS): Two people were killed and two others wounded in two separate bomb explosions, targeting two cars in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Saturday, the capital police confirmed.

The blasts came in the morning rush hour. The first explosion occurred roughly at 8:00 a.m. local time while the second blast came 15 minutes later,

Kabul police spokesman Ferdaus Faramarz told the Xinhua news agnecy.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.

The blasts which hit two sedans at Police District (PD) 6 and PD 4, were part of a string of bomb attacks and targeted killings in recent months.

The identity of the affected people were not immediately known.

again after Trump left the White House. It remains unknown what impact the impeachment will have on the Republic Party and Trump’s ability to run for President in 2024.

Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College, said that the second impeachment deepened the fissures in the GOP. GOP committees in the states of North Carolina and Louisiana censured two of their own senators for voting against Trump during the impeachment.

Trump put out a statement on Tuesday attacking Senate minority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, arguing that if “Republican senators are going to stay with him, they will not win again.”

Alexei Navalny

Navalny’s arrest and imprisonment have fueled a huge wave of protests across Russia. Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown, detaining about 11,000 people, many of whom were fined or given jail terms ranging from seven to 15 days.

Russia has rejected Western criticism of Navalny’s arrest and the crackdown on demonstrations as meddling in its internal affairs. In a ruling Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Russian government to release Navalny, citing “the nature and extent of

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20 (REUTERS): Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from a top Vatican post of Cardinal Robert Sarah, a hero to many conservatives who often clashed with the pontiff on theological matters.

The African cardinal, who is from Guinea, held various Vatican positions in the last 20 years, the latest as head of the department that oversees matters of worship and sacraments.

Sarah had submitted his resignation in June last year when he turned 75, as Church law requires of all bishops, but the pope often allows Vatican officials to remain in their posts longer.

T h e Va t i c a n a n nounced on Saturday that he was stepping down.

In his latest position, which he held since 2014, Sarah dragged his feet in implementing changes wanted by Francis, such

Cardinal Robert Sarah

as allowing women to be among those taking part in Holy Thursday services.

Conservatives in the Church often put Sarah on their wish list to one day succeed Francis as pontiff.

But most observers saw that possibility as extremely remote because Sarah was seen as highly divisive and would not have wide support among fellow cardinals.

Apart from openly disagreeing with Francis on a number of theological issues, Sarah was involved

in an embarrassing episode last year over a book in defence of priestly celibacy that he said was jointly written with former Pope Benedict.

Just days before its publication, Benedict said he wanted his name removed from the cover because he had made only a minor contribution.

Sarah publicly contested Benedict’s version but agreed that in future editions, Benedict would be named as a contributor and not co-author.

America is back, Biden tells Europe Washington/New York, Feb 20 (IANS): US President Joe Biden has said the US is returning to the transatlantic partnership and will address global challenges like climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m sending a clear message to the world: America is back. The transatlantic alliance is back. And we are not looking backward,” Biden said on Friday in a video message to attendees at the Munich Security Conference, which was held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Xinhua reported.

As the first sitting US President attending this event, Biden said that his administration will work closely with its European Union (EU) partners and the capitals across the con-

Joe Biden

tinent, stressing that the US is fully committed to its alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“I know the past few years have strained and tested the transatlantic relationship... The US is determined to re-engage with Europe,” Biden said, referring to the worsened US-Europe relations during the previous administration of President

Donald Trump. Washington will work closely with its EU partners to meet the shared challenges and will continue to support the goals of Europe, he said.

Biden also urged the US’ European allies to double down on commitments to fight climate change, warning of a “global existential crisis”.

“We can no longer delay or do the bare minimum to address climate change,” Biden said, only hours after Washington formally returned to the Paris Accord.

Biden said that the Covid-19 pandemic was an example of an issue that required global cooperation, calling for the reform of the World Health Organization and the building of a United Nations system that focuses on biological threats and can initiate swift action.

Joe Biden pledges $2B for COVAX US President Joe Biden has announced a pledge of $2 billion for COVAX, the WHO-backed initiative aimed at ensuring equitable access to vaccines around the world, urging others to step up as well. Biden, according to a press release issued by the US Department of State, said: “I’m announcing that the United States is making a $2 billion pledge to COVAX (COVID19 Vaccines Global Access), with the promise of an additional $2 billion to urge others to step up as well.”

Biden on Friday interacted with G7 leaders the 2021 Virtual Munich Security Conference. During the meeting, he said: “My first presidential national security memorandum focused on surging health and

humanitarian responses to defeat Covid-19 and to better prevent and prepare for the next pandemic.”

“The Transatlantic Alliance is the strong foundation on which our collective security and our shared prosperity are built. The partnership between Europe and the United States...must remain the cornerstone of all that we hope to accomplish in the 21st century,” he further said. Speaking on the NATO Alliance, Biden said, “The United States will work closely with our European Union partners and the capitals across the continent -- from Rome to Riga -- to meet the range of shared challenges we face.

We continue to support the goal of a Europe whole and free and at peace.”

World’s biggest emitters like China, India need to lower emissions: US United Nations, Feb 20 (PTI): The world’s big emitting countries, including China, India, Russia and Japan need to “really step up” and begin to lower greenhouse gas emissions, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry has said as he called on all nations to raise their ambition to fight against climate change.

Kerry on Friday joined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a special virtual event to mark the

Moscow court rejects opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s appeal Moscow, Feb 20 (AP): A Moscow court on Saturday rejected Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s appeal against his prison sentence, even as the country faced a top European rights court’s order to free the Kremlin’s most prominent foe.

Navalny was sentenced earlier this month by a lower court to two years and eight months in prison for violating terms of his probation while recuperating in Germany from a nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian authorities have rejected the accusation.

Navalny, 44, an anticorruption crusader and President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critic, appealed the prison sentence and asked to be released. The Moscow City Court’s judge on Saturday only slightly reduced his sentence to just over 2 1/2 years in prison, ruling that a month-and-half Navalny spent under house arrest in early 2015 will be deducted from his sentence.

cracked down on state railway workers in a similar fashion after they joined the civil disobedience movement. Less than an hour after the 8 p.m. curfew started on Wednesday, gunshots were heard as more than two dozen police officers with shields and helmets marched past railway workers’ housing. Numerous videos posted on social media showed muzzle flashes as shots were heard, and some

police shot slingshots and threw rocks at the buildings.

Marching chants of “left, right, left, right” could be heard along with shouts of “shoot, shoot.”

Also Saturday, anticoup protesters in Myanmar’s two largest cities paid tribute to a young woman who died a day earlier after being shot by police during a rally against the military takeover.

An impromptu memorial created under an elevated roadway in Yangon attracted around 1,000 protesters. A wreath of bright yellow flowers was hung beneath a photograph of Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, who was shot in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Feb. 9, two days before her 20th birthday.

Protesters at the memorial chanted and held up signs that read “End the dictatorship in Myanmar” and “You will be remembered Mya Thwet Thwet Khine.” The supporters also laid roses and rose petals on images of the woman.

Conservative African cardinal who clashed with pope leaves post

risk to the applicant’s life.”

The Strasbourg-based court noted that Navalny has contested Russian authorities’ argument that they had taken sufficient measures to safeguard his life and wellbeing in custody following the nerve agent attack.

T h e Ru s s i a n g ov ernment has rebuffed the Strasbourg-based court’s demand, describing the ruling as unlawful and “inadmissible” meddling in Russia’s affairs. In the past, Moscow has abided by the ECHR’s rulings awarding compensations to Russian citizens who have contested verdicts in Russian courts, but it never faced a demand by the European court to set a convict free.

In a sign of its longheld annoyance with the Strasbourg court’s verdicts, Russia last year adopted a constitutional amendment declaring the priority of national legislation over international law. Russian authorities might now use that provision to reject the ECHR’s ruling.

United States rejoining the Paris Agreement.

“We need the United States and every country to determine they will get on a path toward net-zero emissions by 2050. That is not something we will do by countries just stepping up and saying, ‘Hey! We commit, here we are. Yeah, we’ll do it by 2050’’. That doesn’t work. That doesn’t cut it.

That is not the way that we get to go to Glasgow,” Kerry said. The United Kingdom will host the 26th UN Cli-

mate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November this year.

Kerry said as nations go to Glasgow, they have to be real about exactly “what we need to do starting now.

What steps will we take in the next 10 years? And the truth is that everybody has to do that. China, which is the largest emitter in the world, needs to be part of the 2020 to 2030 effort”.

“India needs to be part of it. Russia needs to be part

of it. Japan, all the big emitting countries of the world, the major emitters, 17 nations need to really step up and begin to lower those emissions,” Kerry said.

This challenge means that all countries, setting bold and achievable targets, have to do so here at home, and in the course of their Declaration of their National Determined Contributions, he said.

Under the Paris climate change agreement signed in 2015, India has

committed to cut GHG (Green House Gas) emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent, increase non-fossil fuel power capacity to 40 per cent from 28 per cent in 2015, add carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonne of CO2 per annum by increasing the forest cover, all by 2030.

The US formally reentered the Paris Climate Agreement under the Biden administration after former president Donald Trump had withdrawn the country

from the global deal which aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels by curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The United States is, once again, a party to the Paris Agreement. And I’m proud and pleased with that fact but it also places on us a special responsibility,” Kerry said adding that Washington rejoins the international climate effort with humility and with ambition.

Russia reports first cases of bird flu in humans Moscow, Feb 20 (AFP): Russia said Saturday its scientists had detected the first case of transmission of the H5N8 strain of avian flu to humans and had alerted the World Health Organization.

“Information about the world’s first case of transmission of the avian flu (H5N8) to humans has already been sent to the World Health Organization,” the head of Russia’s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said in televised remarks.

The highly contagious strain is lethal for birds but has never before been reported to have spread to humans.

Popova said that scientists at Russia’s Vektor laboratory had isolated genetic material of the strain from seven workers of a poultry farm in southern Russia, where an outbreak was recorded among the birds in December.

The workers did not suffer any serious health consequences, she added.

DP-1004

WANTED

DP-1007

VACANCY 1. Eligible male candidates interested in Church Ministry are invited to apply for the post of Youth Director at Hindi Baptist Church, Haralu Colony, Burma Camp, Dimapur.

2. Eligibility Criteria: (a) Educational Qualification : Bachelor of Theology & above. (b) Married (c) Ministry experience : 5 years and above (d) Denomination : Baptist Christian (e) Must have the knowledge of Staff Notation to lead the choir 3. Documents to be submitted along with application: (a) Personal life testimony (b) Full bio-data (c) Edu. Qualification certificate (d) Recommendation from local Pastor 4. Last date of submission of application on 7th March 2021 Note : Eligibility candidates will be notified individually through the contact number provided regarding the date of interview.

Contact : +917005209442 / 8794020245

DP-1002

Mandalay, Feb 20 (AP): Two anti-coup protesters were shot dead by riot police who fired live rounds Saturday in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, local media reported.

One of the victims was shot in the head and died at the scene, according to Frontier Myanmar, a news and business magazine based in Yangon, the country’s largest city. Another was shot in the chest and died en route to the hospital.

Several other serious injuries were also reported.

The shootings occurred near Mandalay’s Yadanabon dock, where tear gas and rubber bullets were used on protesters earlier in the day.

The Irrawaddy news website also confirmed the deaths on social media.

Security forces had been increasing their pressure against anti-coup protesters earlier Saturday, using water cannons, tear gas, slingshots and rubber bullets against demonstrators and striking dock workers in

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Computer (IT) Teacher Qualification : PGDCA, BCA or B.SC IT Location: Padumpukhuri Contact No: 9366447646 9862251491

DP-1011

VACANCY Trainer – Asst. Electrician

Candidates with Diploma in ITI (Electrical) is preferred

Interested Candidates can send their resume at hr@seed.net.in, debojyoti@pinnacleskills Or contact PINNACLE SKILLS,West City Building, DC Court Junction, Dimapur – 797112 Ph. No: 09366482559 DP-1009

Infotainment

10

Hackers can infiltrate your devices via Clubhouse

A

s invite-only audio conversation app Clubhouse gains popularity, cyber security experts warned on Friday that hackers can distribute malicious code under the guise of fake applications to join the platform.

There are privacy concerns because Clubhouse works with a Shanghaibased company called Agora to provide real-time audio technology support.

The firm is headquartered in Shanghai and Silicon Valley.

Denis Legezo, security expert at cyber-security firm Kaspersky, said that there are two main concerns here -- the sale of invites and fake applications.

“Both scenarios are united by one thing -- the desire to exploit users’ interest in the social platform,” he said in a statement.

The first scenario is simply monetisation on a small scale. “However, the second scenario is more serious. Attackers can distribute malicious code under the guise of popular

software - for instance, a fake version of Clubhouse for Android,” Legezo emphasised.

“A fake malicious application can do exactly what you allow it to do in the security settings of your Android -- to get a rough or accurate location of the device, record audio and video, attain access to messengers, etc.,” he warned.

Melissa Chan, a Hong Kong-American broadcast journalist, gave a talk on Clubhouse on February 4 about Beijing’s overseas influence campaigns.

According to The Star,

she found out that “the conversation was surreptitiously recorded by individuals who sympathized with Chinese Communist Party actions”.

“The security repercussions could be as benign as nothing happening to users, to police in their country detaining a Clubhouse user because of something they said.

Even if absolutely nothing happens to a user living in an authoritarian country, keep in mind that that person lives with the uncertainty of not knowing if something might happen in the future,” Chan was

DOTA: latest game to get Netflix adaptation

A

new animated series set in the DOTA universe is on the way from Netflix and Valve. On Tuesday night, the streaming service announced DOTA: Dragon’s Blood and gave fans of the MOBA their first look at the series with a short teaser trailer.

The teaser introduces us to Davion, the Dragon Knight, a skilled dragon hunter and a hero that players will recognize from DOTA 2. After his introduction, Davion

races forward into battle with a large dragon, and the trailer cuts to black. Devoted DOTA 2 players will know that in the game’s lore, Dragon Knight actually fights a legendary dragon named Slyrak and, after defeating him and absorbing his blood, gains the ability to turn into a dragon and breathe fire himself. It’s not clear if Dragon’s Blood takes place after that fateful fight, but based on the name, that battle could be part of the show.

According to the series’ description on Netflix, it seems that along with fighting dragons, Davion will also meet a princess named Mirana — another DOTA 2 hero players might recognize — and be led into events “much larger than he could have ever imaged.”

The show is being produced by both Netflix and Valve, the developers of DOTA 2. The series’ showrunner will be Ashley Edward Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor). Dragon’s Blood will be animated by Studio MIR, the studio behind Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defenders and The Legend of Korra.

DOTA 2: Dragon’s Blood will premiere on Netflix on March 25.

(Polygon)

quoted as saying in the report.

Some more unusual tricks are also possible on Clubhouse.

“For instance, if attackers implement the capacity to record audio, and this function is allowed on the device, they would be able to use high quality recordings to train their machine algorithms, to create more sophisticated deep fakes,” Legezo commented.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Agora has said it does not “store any end-user data”.

In its last blog post late last month, Clubhouse which has seen over 8 million users on Apple devices, said user safety has always been a top priority for them.

“This means scaling up our Trust & Safety and Support teams as we grow, continuing to invest in advanced tools to detect and prevent abuse, and increasing the features and training resources available to moderators,” it said.

(IANS)

T

NME grand finale of Mr. & Ms Nagaland Mega model hunt S-1

N

agaland Mega Entertainment (NME) held a brief meeting at June island restaurant Kohima on February 19 and deliberated on the grand finale to be held on April 24, 2021 at RCEMPA Jotsoma Kohima.

Prior to the meeting, NME had postponed the 2020 grand finale which was to be held on June 13, 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

P r e s i d e n t S a mu e l Achy Phom and general secretary Neisa Rupreo said “We had to postpone the first ever edition of Mr & Miss Nagaland mega model hunt season-1”.

NME winners will get direct entry into Mr and Miss India globe and Northeast India. The organizers stated that the Nagaland mega model hunt aims to promote the talented naga models and give them special platform to venture outside the state and beyond in a quest to help boast the noble ambition of all talented models.

(DIPR)

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Lana Del Rey working on country album

‘V

ideo Games’ hitmaker Lana Del received her first review – because she also Rey is working on a country felt like she “didn’t even want to sing any cover album, and she inmore” after her idol, Amy Winehouse, sists the genre has always played died on the same day. into her own music.

She recalled: “I had 10 seconds The ‘Video Games’ hitof the most elated feeling, and then maker - who expects a lot of the news everywhere, on all of the “scepticism” from her change televisions, was that Amy had died of direction - has a “cover on her front steps and I was like album of country songs” no. NO. Everyone was watching, and another collection of mesmerised, but I personally “other folk songs” waitfelt like I didn’t even want to ing to be released, and sing anymore.” she insisted there has The ‘Greatest’ star loved always been a country the anonymity and lack of tone running through pressure in the early days of her music. her career and revealed she She told MOJO even recorded a track for a magazine: “I went toilet roll commercial. back and listened S h e s a i d : “ I m ay b e to ‘Ride’ and ‘Video thought about Broadway.

Games’ and thought, You’d get like a hundred dolyou know they’re kind lars for singing background on of country. I mean, records that would lead to they’re definitely not nowhere.” pop. Maybe the way “There was this com‘Video Games’ got pany that emerged called remastered, they’re The Orchard that was takpop – but there’s ing submissions for, like, something Ameritoilet paper commercials cana about it for sure. and I definitely did one, So let’s see how these like, under a pseudonym. things come out – “Definitely the happiI’m not going to have est I’ve ever been. Stay in the pedal steel guitar on middle, no dog in the race, every single thing, people would even hire me but it is easy for me for background stuff. to write.”

“I tried to act so cool The 35-year-old singer said she on every sofa I sat at.” will always remember the day she (Contactmusic)

RIL to set up world’s largest zoo in Gujarat

he Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will be setting up the world’s largest zoo in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the ‘Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom’ has been recently approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), that will be set up on RIL’s 280-acre land near its refinery at Moto Khavdi region in Jamnagar.

The zoo is said to be the pet project of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani. It will also be a part of the company’s CSR activities to help the Gujarat Forest department in sheltering those big cats which have been injured and rescued. The developers hope it will materialize in two years.

The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom will have around 100 different species of

birds, reptiles and animals from all over the world.

There will be sloth bears, kommodo dragons, Indian wolves, rosy pelicans, fishing cats, barking deer, slender lori’s among others.

The zoo will also have a collection of cheetahs, giraffes, elephants

itation Kingdom.

The zoo’s plan layout shared on the CZA website also depicts wildlife sections like ‘Forest of India’, ‘Frog House’, ‘Insect Life’, ‘Exotic Island’, ‘Wild Trail of Gujarat’ and ‘Aquatic Kingdom’.

“As we have the world’s tallest statue in Gujarat (the Statue of Unity at Kevadia), soon we will be having one of the world’s biggest zoos, in terms of number and species of animals at one place. Such zoo is coming up very shortly in Jamnagar,” M.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the Chief Minister Vijay and lions from Africa, and February 12, 2019, ap- Rupani said at a virtual conference, marking the ostriches and meerkats proved the DPR along with foundation week of among others. the master layout plans ASSOCHAM, last The CZA, in its 33rd submitted by the Greens month. meeting on Zoological Rescue and (IANS) Rehabil-

PETA calls for Disney to promote Pet Adoption Message after Cruella

C

ruella de Vil and cruelty to animals go hand in hand.

It’s basically the character’s whole schtick. So it’s perhaps not too surprising that, following the release of the first trailer for Cruella, the new live-action origin story of the 101 Dalmatians villain, the animal rights organization PETA has something to say. But PETA isn’t asking Disney to turn Cruella into a dog lover or anything. The group simply wants to see Disney promote animal adoption, in order to prevent a repeat of events the last time Cruella and Dalmatians were in the live-action movie spotlight.

In a press release from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals the organization actually points out that, as a character, Cruella de Vil is an excellent character to serve as an example of why wearing fur is a bad thing. However, PETA would like to see Disney do more to promote pet adoption surrounding Cruella. This comes from a fear that the new movie might result in renewed interest

in Dalmatians, which could end up resulting in a lot of homeless dogs once they grow up.

Back in the late 1990s a liveaction 101 Dalmatians was produced starring Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil, and the movie was such a success that a sequel 102 Dalmatians soon followed. The films are widely credited with popularizing the Dalmatian puppies as a pet. However, it seems

that as the large, high energy dogs got older, many owners found they were less able to care for them-leading to many reportedly being dumped or given to animal shelters. PETA wants to avoid a repeat performance, and thus wants to encourage pet adoption.

Considering in the past that PETA has called for the removal of Bo Peep’s crook in Toy Story 4 and been mad at Nintendo for a video

game that simulated cow milking, the organization’s Cruella concerns are honestly fairly reasonable.

It’s not the worst thing in the world to ask for. Adopting animals is a good thing to do for those that are able. Although it’s unclear how much Cruella might actually influence that as a movie.

The trailer only has a single shot of three Dalmatians, and they don’t exactly look that friendly. So I’m not sure kids are going to be asking mom and dad for their own one of those. And they are also full sized dogs, not puppies.

While Cruella will give us an origin story for the woman who eventually wanted to make Dalmatian fur coats, it doesn’t appear the new film will really include that many Dalmatians. It looks to be a very separate story from 101 Dalmatians. Still, one can’t disconnect Cruella de Vil from that story too far, so it will likely have a lot of people thinking about the spotted dogs once again. (cinemablend)

Study reveals how to prevent future Covid surges

A

combination of robust vaccination programmes and strict physical distancing rules could avoid recurring peaks of Covid-19 outbreak without the need to rely on stay-at-home restrictions, according to a new study.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, predicts that in most cities, vaccination programmes and physical distancing combined will be enough to contain virus resurK Y M C

gence without the need to greatly restrict population mobility.

For the study, the team used anonymised mobile phone geolocation data with epidemiological and coronavirus case data from China to model the potential impact of vaccination and physical distancing on virus transmission.

They predicted the effect of different combinations of interventions on low, medium and high-density cities in the country.

The impact of physical distancing in containing future resurgences of Covid-19 depends greatly on the intensity of measures, population density, and the availability of vaccines across geographical areas and time.

The researchers report cities with medium and high-density populations will need both vaccination and distancing to prevent future intense waves of Covid-19 until herd im- cities with low populations mission without the need munity is reached. and effective vaccination for physical distancing.

However, they suggest could fully interrupt trans(IANS)

DP-786

K Y M C

11

sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

NBA: Murray, Embiid both score 50 pts in wins NASA holds meet at IG Stadium liamson added 23. They’ve lost five of six.

Magic 124, Warriors 120

Murray and Embiid were in prolific scoring form as they guided their teams to victories.

Suns 132, Pelicans 114

Meanwhile, according to AP report, Chris Paul had 15 points and a seasonhigh 19 assists, leading an

Bhaker demands action against Air India employees for ‘harassment’

Manu Bhaker at Delhi Airport (Source: Bhaker Twitter)

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): Tokyo Olympics medal prospect Manu Bhaker has demanded action against two Air India employees for allegedly “harassing” and “insulting” the pistol shooter while she tried to board a flight to Bhopal from Delhi. The 19-year-old Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics gold medallist pistol shooter eventually managed to board the aircraft on Friday evening after the intervention of Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Manu, one of the country’s brightest medal hopes at the upcoming Games, thanked Rijiju for his prompt intervention but is also hoping for action against the Air India officials at Delhi airport. Later, Air India, too, apologised for the conduct of its staff. “They can be held accountable for the harassment and insult I endured as trying to save their officials (Manoj Gupta and another security person of the airline) will only further damage Air India’s reputation,” Manu told PTI from Bhopal. The champion pistol shooter added, “Air India is now claiming that they were just asking for documents and doing their job but I am sure everything was captured by the CCTV

cameras. You can check…

“They snatched my mobile and deleted the picture which my mother clicked as the harassment went on.” Having addressed the issue, Rijiju called Manu “India’s pride.” Manu said she had to go through the “ordeal” despite carrying all valid documents and clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for travelling with her weapons and ammunition. “But then they refused to recognise even DGCA and when I told them that I travel frequently with my ammunition and that I am a shooter who is going to represent India in Olympics, they said ‘whether you play in nationals or Olympics it doesn’t matter to us’.

“Their conduct was unacceptable, I mean at least give some respect to athletes and don’t insult them every now and then.

The main problem was not money but his behaviour.

The ministry takes care of all our expenses,” she said.

In another post, the air carrier wrote, “Dear Ms Bhaker Our Delhi Airport team has confirmed that the official at our counter had only sought for valid documents as per rules for carriage of your weapon on board.”

T-20 trophy : BSCT, Diphupar in semis

DI M A P UR , F e b 2 0 (NPN): BSCT and Diphupar CC have entered the semi-finals by winning their respective quarter final matches of the 1st Champions Trophy T-20 Cricket Tournament at local ground, Chumukedima town on Saturday.

BSCT defeated Dhansari CC by 6 wickets. Dhansari CC took the bat first and set a target of 89 runs in 16.5 overs. BSCT achieved the target in 6.1 overs losing 4 wickets. In the last quarter-final, Diphupar CC beat Whiskers CC by 8 wickets.

Whiskers CC decided to bat first after winning the toss and set a target of 106 runs in 14.1 overs. It took only 12 overs for Diphupar CC to reach the target losing two wickets.

K Y M C

11-point, fourth-quarter comeback in Phoenix’s victory over New Orleans.

Paul, who rose to stardom with New Orleans after being drafted fourth overall in 2005, appeared to be gesturing that he owned the arena after hitting a step-back three that gave Phoenix a 118-107 lead with less than five minutes to go. The Suns outscored the Pelicans 41-12 in the final quarter.

Paul’s decisive three,

his third of the game, was one of 22 the Suns hit in 39 attempts (56.4%). Jae Crowder hit six threes on his way to 20 points, and Frank Kaminsky hit five threes for the bulk of his 17 points. Devin Booker scored 23 points to help the Suns rebound from a tough home loss to Brooklyn to win for the 10th time in 12 games.

Brandon Ingram scored 25 points for the Pelicans, and Zion Wil-

Nikola Vucevic had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double, and Orlando overcame a 13point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Golden State.

Vucevic made two free throws with 16 seconds left to put the Magic ahead 123-120 after Warriors star Stephen Curry hit back-toback three-pointers in the final minute.

Curry missed an offbalance three-pointer from 27 feet with five seconds left that could have tied it.

He finished with 29 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.

Golden State was trying to win three straight games for the first time this season, but it failed to get past two in a row for the seventh time.

Evan Fournier scored a season-high 28 points for Orlando, and Terrence Ross had 24 points and four three-pointers. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 26 points for Golden State.

Guests and NASA officials with players during the meet. (NP) Correspondent

Kohima, FEB 20 (NPN): Northern Angami Sports Association held its 62nd NASA meet 2021, at IG Stadium, here Saturday with DC, Kohima, Thejawhelie Gregory, Sote as guest of honor. He later kicked off the meet open.

During the Inaugural programme, Rev. Neivilie-o Zuyie, invoked God’s blessings, while NASA president, Vinolie Medom delivered the presidential address. A special presentation was made by Mhalezonuo Khruomo while NASA games secretary, Keduorü Lhoungu administered the oath.

In men’s football final, group-A defeated group-B by 3-1 and were crowned the new NASA champion.

Earlier, in the first semi final of the men’s football match, defending champions, group-C took on group-A and lost by 2 goals to 1.

In the second semi-final group-B took on group-D and won by 3 goals to 1.

In women’s volleyball final, group-C emerged as the champions while group-D secured the runner-up position. On the way final, which was held at Hockey ground, Group D defeated Group B and in the second Semi final group C won against group A. The valedictory pro-

gramme was held with NFCA and NAYO president Roko Angami as the special guest. He gave away the prizes. The programme was chaired by NASA vice president, Viketoulie Solo, while Keduorü Lhoungu, announced the name of the players selected for NASA team for upcoming ASA meet 2021 while Ruokuohelie Mere proposed the vote of thanks.

Neingusalie Khruomo and Kikr uneinuo Liezietsu were the comperers during the meet. Kohima Town Club (KTC) and Kohima District Volleyball Association officiated the football and volleyball matches respectively.

AUS OPEN: Djokovic hopes to defend dynasty against Medvedev Melbourne, Feb 20 (Reuters): A very different Australian Open comes to a familiar end on Sunday as Novak Djokovic looks to thwart another challenge to his Melbourne Park dynasty from the latest Grand Slam aspirant in Daniil Medvedev.

The tournament has charted a rocky path through the COVID-19 pandemic and a snap five-day lockdown due to a local outbreak robbed it of much of its vitality. But a comforting sense of normality will pervade Rod Laver Arena when a healthy crowd files in for a final that could mark a shift

in the tennis landscape.

Much like the tournament, world number one and defending champion Djokovic has been forced into crisis management at times during his campaign.

Pilloried in the leadup for petitioning organisers to ease strict quarantine protocols for players, the Serb struggled with an abdominal strain sustained in the third round.

His ability to manage the injury was key in bringing him within one match of a record-extending ninth Australian Open crown but he said he was fighting fit after beating Russian qualifier

Novak Djokovic

Daniil Medvedev

Aslan Karatsev in the semifinals. Victory over fourth seed Medvedev would mean an 18th Grand Slam title

for Djokovic, pulling him within two of the record 20 shared by “Big Three” rivals Roger Federer and Rafa Na-

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Serb strolls onto his favourite centre court on Sunday, the form-book is unlikely to figure.

Contesting his second Grand Slam final but first in Australia, Medvedev is hungry for success after being edged by Nadal in a classic five-set decider at the 2019 U.S. Open. Djokovic might see something of himself in the confident 25-year-old, who boasts similarly elite court coverage, defence, and shot-making.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

4th DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our Kenei (Anand)

Born : 22-11-1965 – Died : 16-02-2021

We thought of you today We thought about you yesterday And days before that too We often speaks your name All we have are memories and your Picture in a frame which we will never part.

God has you in His arms We have you in our hearts You are loved beyond words and Miss beyond measure KENEI.

dal. While the 33-year-old Djokovic has never lost a final at Melbourne Park, his reign has rarely looked so vulnerable.

He suffered a huge scare against Dominic Thiem in the five-set decider last year, and Medvedev is possibly the player he would least like to face. Daniil Medvedev was the runnerup to Nadal at the 2019 US Open. Djokovic was among Medvedev’s victims at the ATP Finals but when the

We , t h e b e r e a v e d f a m i l y m e m b e r s o f Lt. KENEIKIELIE PESEYIE convey our deepest gratitude and appreciation to each and every individual, relatives, neighbors, friends, churches, doctors, nurses, organizations and well-wishers for sharing our grief and comforting us through prayer, physically, emotionally, materially and financially during the prolonged illness and demise of our beloved father on 16th February, 2021.

We deeply regret our inability to acknowledge each and every individual, yet it is our humble prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

We, the bereaved family of Late Lozani Humtsoe, wife of Late Lisow Humtsoe, New Ralan village would like to express our profound gratitude to each and every individual, o rg a n i s a t i o n s , c h u r c h e s , neighbours, friends and well wishers who sympathetically and empathetically stood with in : 1939 us and supported us spiritually, DiedBorn on : 30th Jan 2021 morally, physically, materially and financially at the sad and sudden demise of our beloved mother on 30th Jan 2021.

We sincerely pray that our Almighty God shower His abundant blessings upon you all.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

DP-1003

throws as he surpassed the 49 points he scored against the Atlanta Hawks last February.

“My team-mates found me. I am pretty happy about what we did,” said the Cameroonian.

“I have got to get the job done. That’s my job, that’s why they pay me.”

K-423

Lo n d o n, F e b 2 0 (Agencies/AP): Jamal Murray became the first NBA player to score 50 points in a game without attempting a free throw as the Denver Nuggets got the better of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Murray sank 21 of his 25 shots - including eight out of 10 from three-point range - in the 120-103 win, BBC reported.

There was also a 50point career-high haul for Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid against the Chicago Bulls.

He also had 17 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the 112-105 win.

Murray, who scored 50 points in two playoff games last season, surpassed his previous regularseason high of 48 points from November 2018.

“Once I saw a few go down it just took off from there,” said Murray.

“It’s kind of cool to make history. It’s a cool stat.”

All Star Embiid made 17 from 26 from the field and 15 out of 17 free

Philippians 1:21

With much love Loving children, in-laws, grandchildren and family members

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Loving wife, mother, children, brothers and sisters K-417

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY IN TREASURED MEMORY OF

08/02/1959 – 14/02/2021

KAKHEHO SUKHALU 17/07/1957 – 21/02/2020

We'd give up everything just to have another day with you. The life you lived and the beautiful memories you've made with us will always be cherished and remembered.

We have missed you every day and we will miss you until we meet again.

DP-999

Loving wife, children & family members

The family of Late T. YONGKONGLEMBA PONGEN wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and kindness shown to us during his illness and sad demise.

We also offer our special word of thanks to the following : 1. Doctors and nurses of Hayat Hospital, Guwahati and Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur.

2. Dimapur Ao Baptist Church.

3. Dibuia Baptist Church.

4. Dibuia Village Council.

5. Dimapur Dibuia Union.

6. Dimapur Yajang Union.

7. Dimapur Midland Council.

8. Dimapur Impur Chanu Telongjem.

9. The Rotary Club, Dimapur.

10. Tenapang Sungkum Society, Dimapur.

11. Dr. Longrineken, Advisor, National Highways and Treasuries & Accounts.

As we are unable to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude and may the Good Lord bless you all.

DP-998

Loving wife, daughters, relatives & in-laws

01/02/1920 to 07/02/2021 The family members of Late Rev. Deuhing Nsarangbe, deeply appreciates your kind expression of sympathy in our recent bereavement.

With profound gratitude, we regard the ministration of the solemn funeral and burial tribute service by the ZBCC Ordained Ministers’ Fellowship and Peren Town Baptist Church.

We regret our inability to thank each and everyone of you, but pray that God bless you aboundingly.

Family members DP-996 K Y M C

12

sports

Osaka clinches Australian Open title

Melbourne, Feb 20 (Agencies/Reuters): Japan’s Naomi Osaka cemented her place as the outstanding star of the women’s game by beating American Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open final to win her fourth Grand Slam title.

Osaka, 23, is unbeaten in major finals after a 6-4 6-3 win in Melbourne.

Osaka edged the first set when Brady, in her first Grand Slam final, paid for some glaring errors in the final game.

The third seed seized control from that point, racing 4-0 ahead in the second set before sealing a deserved victory.

Osaka has now won two Australian Open titles after also triumphing at Melbourne Park in 2019, with her other Grand Slam successes coming at the US Open in 2018 and 2020.

She has not suffered a defeat since February 2020 after victory over Brady was her 21st successive match win.

Naomi Osaka holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on Saturday. (AP/PTI)

Osaka’s face lit up with a wide grin, raising her racquet above her head, when she clinched the title on her first match point after Brady pumped a return long.

“It feels incredible to have fans, I played the last Grand Slam without fans, to have this energy means a lot,” said Osaka as she clutched the Daphne Akhurst Trophy.

“I feel like playing a Grand Slam is a privilege.”

Osaka is the first wom-

en’s player to win her first four Grand Slam finals since Monica Seles in 1991.

Osaka has emerged as the sport’s biggest star in recent times and illustrated that yet again with another Grand Slam victory.

On the court, her clean hitting and clear thinking has proved too much for her opponents to handle.

Off the cour t, she has grown into one of the world’s most marketable athletes and found her voice

to become a prominent social activist.

“She is such a great champion,” said former British number one Laura Robson, an analyst on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“In the last six months she has found a purpose off the court but anything she does there never affects her on the court. That is the key.”

Osaka was the clear favourite in the final at Melbourne Park, although a relatively serene path to the final also featured moments where she showed her fight and spirit.

In her quarter-final against 2020 runner-up Garbine Muguruza, Osaka had to see off two match points before going on to win, as well as coming through some tricky moments against 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams in the semi-finals. While her level against Brady was not always at its highest, she still had enough quality in the key moments.

Ram, Krejcikova win mixed doubles title

Rajeev Ram and Barbora Krejcikova kiss their trophy Saturday. (AP/PTI)

A m e r i c a n R a j e ev Ram and Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova captured their second major title as a pair after defeating local wildcards Matthew Ebden and Samantha Stosur in the Australian Open mixed doubles final on Saturday.

The sixth seeds dominated from start to finish and did not drop serve in the match as they cruised to a 6-1 6-4 victory in 59 minutes at the Rod Laver

Arena, bringing the surprise run of the hometown pair to an end.

It marks Krejcikova’s third straight mixed doubles title at Melbourne Park after she triumphed with Ram in 2019 and Nikola Mektic last year, capping a successful fortnight for the Czech, who also reached the women’s doubles final with compatriot Katerina Siniakova, losing to Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Smith might pull out of IPL due to less money: Clarke

Sydney, Feb 20 (IANS): Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has hinted that batsman Steve Smith might pull out of the Indian Premier League 2021 citing injury after being picked for a relatively small amount at the auction.

Smith, the Australian batting mainstay was picked for Rs 2.2 crore by Delhi Capitals at Thursday’s auction after he was released by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for below-par performance in IPL 2020.

RR, who retained Smith in 2018 for Rs 12.5 crore, finished at the bottom in the points table in IPL 2020 under Smith’s captaincy.

“I know his T20 performances haven’t been as good as he would have liked. Last year’s IPL wasn’t great. I’m very surprised he has gone for the amount of money he has, just under $400,000 - which is still good money,” said Clarke on the Big Sports Breakfast Podcast after calling Smith

Steve Smith

among the top three batsmen in the world.

“But when you look at what he was getting (last season) and his role as captain of Rajasthan, don’t be surprised if there’s a little hamstring strain the day the plane is meant to fly to India,” Clarke added.

Smith made 311 runs at 25.91 in last year’s IPL in 14 matches, scoring just three half-centuries.

“You talk about Steve Smith - if he’s not the best batsman in the world, he’s not far away. Virat Kohli is number one, but Smithy is in the top three,” Clarke added.

Alfiya wins India’s first gold at Montenegro boxing meet ISL: Jamshedpur FC stun Mumbai City to keep playoffs hopes alive

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): Indian women boxers continued their fine run as Alfiya Pathan (81 kg) claimed the country’s first gold medal even as five others stormed into the finals of the 30th Adriatic Pearl Tournament in Budva, Montenegro.

Babyrojisana Chanu (51kg), Vinka (60kg), Arundhati (69kg) and Sanamacha Chanu (75kg) have made the finals in their respective categories.

An Asian junior girls champion in 2019, Alfiya showed superb form and fitness to notch up an easy 5-0 win against Daria Kozorev of Moldova. Nagpur’s Alifya looked in complete control throughout the bout and made the opponent work hard with her swift movement and precise punches.

In the 51kg flyweight category, the proceedings began with a fiery encounter between India’s Babyrojisana and Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova. Both the boxers threw caution to the wind and exchanged mighty blows.

However, Chanu managed to pull off the winning punch in the dying seconds to outclass her opponent in a 3-2 split verdict and sail into

Alfiya Pathan (c) after winning the medal.

the final.

Rohtak’s Vinka (60kg) made easy work of her Finnish opponent Suvi Tujula. Suvi was no match for the Indian pugilist as she conceded a series of punches, forcing the referee to stop the contest in the second round. She will face Kristian Kiper of Moldova in the final later on Saturday.

Arundhati (69kg) also continued from where she left in her last bout as she registered another clean sweep with a 5-0 win.

In the 75 kg semi-final, Sanamcha Chanu

(75kg) defeated Uzbekistan’s Sokhiba Ruzmetova in an unanimous 5-0 win, setting up a final with compatriot Raj Sahiba.

Unlike other categories, India fielded two boxers in 75 kg and both of them will face each other for the gold medal.

In other matches, Neha (54kg) lost her semi-final bout against Claudie Totova of Czech Republic 0-5.

It turned out to be another tough day for the men as both Akash Gorkha (60kg) and Ankit Narwal (64kg) lost their respective bouts by a narrow 3-2 margin.

Other women boxer playing in the final on Saturday night is Gitika (48kg) who will be competing for the gold medal against Uzbekistan’s Farzona Fozilova while Preeti (57kg) and Lucky Rana (64kg) will play their semi-final bouts.

Two male boxers -- Priyanshu Dabas (49kg) and Jugnoo (91 kg) -- will also be competing in the semi-final laster in the day.

The Indian contingent has so far assured itself of 12 medals with five women eyeing David Grande put the ball past Amrinder Singh to secure all three points for JFC. (ISL) gold.

Indian swimmers expected to India men’s hockey team to benefit from top physiologist’s visit travel to Europe on Sunday Bengaluru, Feb 20 (IANS): Renowned physiologist and sports science expert Dr Genadijus Sokolovas arrived here on Friday to conduct the national swimming camp at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Execellence.

His visit is expected to give a boost to senior national campers and developmental swimmers who are part of the TOP Scheme of the sports ministry such as Srihari Nataraj, Kushagra Rawat, and Mihir Ambre.

The coaches, too, will be a part of the programme and will undergo a workshop during Sokolovas’s first-ever visit to India.

“We don’t have anyone who is an expert in biome-

Dr Genadijus Sokolovas

chanics specific to swimming in India. You have it for various other sports, though.

The swimmers usually go abroad for such analysis.

But this is the first time it’s taking place in India, and that too, by one of the best in the world in Dr Genadijus,” said Nihar Ameen, Dronacharya awardee and programme director at the Dravid-Padukone Centre

for Sports Execellence.

“This is a very unique opportunity for the Indian swimmers otherwise we’d have to go to the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado. Around 50 Indian swimmers will have access to this technology and will benefit from the initiative.”

“We are very excited to have Dr Genadijus Sokolovas in India. He will be spending six days at the Centre for Excellence in Bengaluru where the top Indian swimmers are currently undergoing a national coaching camp,” said Monal Choksi, secretary general of the Swimming Federation of India.

Sokolovas’s visit is scheduled for six days, between February 19 and 25.

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): A year after it last played an international match, the Indian men’s hockey team will travel to Europe for a 17-day tour to play two matches each against Germany and Britain.

The 22-member squad is scheduled to leave for Krefeld, Germany, from Bengaluru on February 21. India will play host Germany in Krefeld on February 28 and March 2. They will then travel to Antwerp, Belgium where they are scheduled to play Britain on March 6 and March 8.

The Indian men’s team last participated in an international competition in February, 2020 when they took on Australia

during the FIH Hockey Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar. As a result of good performances, the team had climbed to fourth in the FIH world rankings, India’s highest ranking till date.

Over the past few months, Hockey India has been studying the Covid19 situation to work out a suitable training and competition schedule for the team as part of Olympic preparations.

The Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed from July 2020 to July 2021.

The team had, over the past year, mostly trained in a bio-secure environment in SAI, Bengaluru with pandemic disrupting travel and competition abroad.

New Delhi, Feb 20 (Agencies): Mumbai City FC’s chances of finishing at the top of the Indian Super League received a huge blow as they suffered a 0-2 defeat against Jamshedpur FC at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Saturday. Goals from substitutes Boris Singh (72’) and David Grande (90’) helped JFC inflict a second-straight defeat upon the Islanders, News18 reported.

It was a rather ordinary first 45 minutes with very little action throughout. Jamshedpur were the dominant side nullifying Mumbai’s usual free-flowing football. JFC seemed to have done their homework right, as the Islanders found it difficult to play from the back as they usually do. They had just one shot in the first session, that too off target.

Though both sides didn’t have clear-cut chances, Mumbai’s Amrinder

Chelsea settle for draw against Southampton

Lo n d o n, F e b 2 0 (Agencies): A secondhalf penalty from Mason Mount secured a 1-1 draw for Chelsea away to Southampton on Saturday.

Saints took the lead with their first shot of the game at St Mary’s Stadium, Takumi Minamino becoming the first opposition player to score against Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel 33 minutes in.

Mount won and converted a spot-kick in the second half to reach four Premier League goals for the season – all of which have come on Chelsea’s travels – as the Blues edged into the top four.

Jannik Vestergaard hit the woodwork with a header but Southampton did at least end their sixmatch losing run, with a

healthy gap of 11 points to the bottom three.

Many of Chelsea’s early attacks came through M a r c o s A l o n s o, w h o scuffed a volley wide from a good position after being picked out by Reece James.

The visitors enjoyed 73 per cent of the ball in the first half-hour but their only attempt on target was a speculative strike from Antonio Rudiger that was easily saved by Alex McCarthy.

Southampton then snatched the lead with their first chance of the match, Minamino sitting down keeper Edouard Mendy and the covering Cesar Azpilicueta before prodding the ball in after Nathan Redmond’s pass split the defence.

Mason Mount equalised for Chelsea with a 54th-minute penalty after being fouled in the penalty area by Danny Ings.

Saints were keeping Chelsea at bay well until 54 minutes in, when Mount converted from the spot after Danny Ings’ careless lunge brought him down in the penalty area.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men reacted well to the

goal and nearly went back in front when Vestergaard’s stooping header came back off the crossbar, with Mendy beaten.

Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi threatened late on, but Chelsea ended the half with just one shot

on target at the end of a somewhat blunt attacking display.

Chelsea were on a five-game winning run under Tuchel in all competitions but not all have been plain sailing and they are yet to score more than twice in a game under the German.

They were mostly frustrated by a resolute Southampton here, who brought their six-game losing run in the top flight to an end.

They are 13th, while Chelsea move a point above West Ham and into fourth, having played a game more.

Southampton’s losing run, and that 9-0 obliteration by Manchester United, had prompted plenty of worry about the state of

their defence. They were far stronger and more organised here, with Vestergaard immaculate, making seven clearances, four interceptions and regaining possession eight times.

Ings has the best minutes-per-goal ratio of any Southampton striker with at least 15 goals in the Premier League, averaging one every 161 minutes before this game.

However, with chances scarce, he offered little as an outlet to the Saints defence, touching the ball just 29 times and conceding the penalty with a reckless tackle.

Chelsea’s attention now turns to Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid. Saints are in league action the same day at Leeds United.

Singh was comparatively busier than JFC’s TP Rehenesh. Amrinder was called into action as early as the 5th minute when Isaac Vanmalsawma lashed in a cross from the left flank into the box for Nerijus Valskis. But his header was met by Amrinder’s palm.

JFC kept knocking at the Mumbai goal throughout but weren’t getting the final touch.

Seiminlen Doungel and Farukh Choudhary had their moments but again they couldn’t keep their attempt on target.

Va l s k i s m i s s e d a chance to put his side ahead when he was played in by Isaac. However, the Lithuanian headed way over.

Nothing changed in the second session as JFC continued their attack on the Mumbai goal. Isaac sent a cross to Choudhary, who showed great technique in controlling the ball before getting past his

marker, only to see his attempt saved by Amrinder.

It was no sur prise when JFC got the ball in the back of the net in the 72nd minute. Aitor Monroy hit a low delivery at the near post and Choudhary got ahead of Ahmed Jahouh and flicked it to the middle. Boris was there at the right place at the right time to slam the ball into the back of the net.

Mumbai had a chance to restore parity from a corner. Cy Goddard was able to find Mourtada Fall with his delivery by the last-named but fired his header wide.

Isaac and Monroy combined in the middle of the park with little pressure before the Spaniard slipped the ball into the path of Grande, who stabbed it past Amrinder.

Sunday’s matches Bengaluru Vs Goa 5 pm Kerala Blasters Vs Chennainyin 7:30 pm

India pick 19-member squad for five T20s vs England New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): Young wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Rahul Tewatia were on Saturday named in India’s 19-man squad for the fivematch T20 series against England.

Yadav finally breaks into the team after consistent performances for Mumbai in domestic cricket as well as Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Kishan, who also plays Mumbai Indians, has been in red hot form in white-ball cricket and has been rewarded and will be second stumper in the side along with Risabh Pant.

Haryana’s Tewatia too made the cut after a memorable IPL.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Manosh Pandey have been dropped while pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested.

The T20 series will be played in Ahmedabad from March 12.

India’s T20I squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur.

Printed, Published and Edited by Geoffrey Yaden at G.M. Printers, Circular Rd. Dimapur-797112. Ph: Desk 248489, Fax: 225366, e-mail-npdesk@gmail.com. Adm.& Advertisement  :248267 Fax: 248500 e-mail-npostadvt@gmail.com Kohima: 2290567, R.N. 40978/90 RN/NE 707 K Y M C

K Y M C