March 22, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 105

DIMAPUR, SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00

Milestones of Poshan Abhiyaan in Nagaland

‘No need to rush Tokyo Olympic decision’

Italy Covid-19 toll crosses 4,000; Spain-1,000

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

COVID-19 ‘Janata Curfew’ today

DIMAPUR/NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (NPN/AGENCIES): A 14-hour nationwide ‘Janata Curfew’ comes into effect Sunday, March 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as a measure to prevent the spreading Coronavirus from progressing to the potentially dangerous Stage 3( community transmission mostly in crowded places).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 19 and has urged all citizens to cooperate with the government in all states and union territories to halt the virus from entering Stage 3 from Stage 2. Currently, the virus is in Stage 2( infection from person to person).

The Janata Curfew has been made almost mandatory although the government has only made strong appeals to public to not venture out of their homes on Sunday, except in cases of extreme emergency.

Even as the country undergoes an emergencylike preparedness to tackle Coronavirus, the screening of domestic passengers at airports especially Delhi and Mumbai, were found absent.

Surprisingly, thousands of passengers travelling from

Four-lane: WAPO affirms to stand by work order DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO) Saturday affirmed to stand by the road work order, published in the local dailies in 2016, for construction of the four lane NH- 29 under it area

by M/s Gayatri Projects Limited.

WAPO vice president Rokovito Kitshu in a press note said that the organisation had been silently observing the performance and progress under its jurisdiction, while also admitting that it understood the hardships and difficulties faced by the firm in executing the work due to natural hindrances. After deliberating about various issues, WAPO said it approached the concern authority and urged to carry out quality workmanship and timely completion of the project.

WAPO said, the officer in-charge of M/s Gayatri Projects Limited assured quality workmanship and to complete the work by the end of May 2020. In compliance to their commitment, WAPO said the work was progressing. Appreciating the firm, WAPO also urged M/s Gayatri to complete (Cont’d on p-8)

This is it!

“At least today, we as a family are together on Sunday, by default courtesy Janata Curfew.”

K Y M C

Cases in India

Delhi to Kolkata-Dimapur etc. were not screened at the IGI (domestic) Airport New Delhi. It was reported to be the same in Mumbai where no screening was done on passengers. Interestingly, incoming passengers at Dimapur were screened on arrival from Delhi and Kolkata. Even passengers at Bhubaneshwar airport were

screened on arrival from Mumbai and Delhi.

Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and chief secretary Temjen Toy have also issued appeals to public in Nagaland to sincerely respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for observing “janata curfew” in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Centre directs: Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Saturday asked chief secretaries of all states to ensure that the ‘Janta Curfew’ called

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday is observed properly in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Bhalla also told the chief secretaries to see that local bodies, fire services, police and civil defence blow sirens or ring bells on Sunday evening to express gratitude towards those involved in tackling the disease.

The number of novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 283 on Saturday with 60 persons testing positive as several states went into battle mode to contain the pandemic, announcing partial shutdowns and imposing restrictions on people’s movement and gatherings among a slew of precautionary measures.

Health ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said guidelines for coronavirus tests have been revised, directing that asymptomatic direct, high-risk contacts of confirmed cases should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in contact with an infected person.

COVID-19: 26492 persons screened in Nagaland

State govt orders closure of shops in crowded areas; entry to banks

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department on Saturday, while sharing daily updates on status, actions and preparedness of coronavirus COVID-19 in Nagaland, stated that so far 4544 (airport) screening have been done and 21948 persons as of March 20, 2020 arriving on rail and road have been screened.

In a press release, principal director Health & Family Welfare Dr. Vizolie Z Soukhrie said that there were 148 persons under surveillance from affected countries in the state at present.

Dr. Soukhrie stated no samples sent for testing till date. He also informed that there were 14 foreigners in the state at present.

As informed earlier, there are 171 isolation beds in the state and district task force have been put in place in all districts.

As per the update, border screening was being carried out in 14 entry points (rail and road) and 8961 phone calls have been received through helpline.

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): The state government has ordered closure of shops located in crowded areas, particularly Dimapur and Kohima, as precautionary measure to prevent and contain the spread of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19).

In a directive issued by the chief secretary (CS), all deputy commissioners (DCs) have been asked to issued orders with immediate effect for closure of all shops located in crowded areas which offer no scope for enforcing satisfactory social distancing, like the Hongkong market, New Market in Dimapur and BOC market in Kohima etc. except those shops/outlets dealing with food grains, vegetables, food items, medicines and other essential items and goods, till further orders.

DCs have also been directed to order immediate closure of all dine-in restaurants, dhabas, eateries till further orders. However, any such outlets may keep its kitchen open if it plans on home delivery or takeaways, provided all health safety measures are followed, it added.

Gr. III, IV staff on combating COVID-19 Persons entering Nagaland Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 1 (NPN): With COVID19 (Coronavirus) declared as pandemic and spreading in geometric proportions across the world, in Nagaland, there are apprehensions among the lower Grade III and IV staff in various offices.

Government servants especially those under the above grades feel apprehensive about their daily exposure to people from all walks of life, despite government’s direction to maintain social distancing. The lower grade staff are worried and feel vulnerable as they continue to attend offices and are caught amid the hectic time especially when the financial year 2019-20 is drawing to a close.

On Saturday, this Correspondent visited some of the offices in Kohima and observed that though overall attendance was thin; it was

not so in sections dealing with finance and accounts.

Work was hectic in these sections where employees were working to beat the deadline to clear bills otherwise, as funds could lapse after March 31,2020.

Though most of the directorate offices in Kohima have barred public from entering the offices unless on urgent matters; visitors continue to pour into these offices.

It therefore remains to be seen whether or not, the government’s decision to bar visitors other than officers and staff, from entering these Directorates would be effective. If so, then it would reassure the lower grade staff that they are protected from the virus though social distancing.

Interacting with this Correspondent, some of the staff in one of the directorate opined that offices, like schools should be shut down for a certain period

so that the virus does not reach Stage 3. The Grade 3 staff felt unhappy that the preventive measure appear unjust. They felt that there should not be such classifications as the disease does not discriminate between school going children and office going adults.

One of them opined that though all advisories issued by the government were done with the best of intention; yet in the face of the virus going on a rampage in Italy, the only option was to have a total lockdown like China in order to contain the progress of the virus.

While there are opinions that the rampaging virus in India could spike up the number of cases from the present figure of 280plus cases and five deaths; states like Nagaland, which depends almost entirely on movement of workforce and commodities from outside are most vulnerable.

after Mar 6 asked to report

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): Health and family Welfare department has asked all those who have entered Nagaland after March 6, irrespective of been screened at various check points to self declare and report to the designated helpline numbers 011-23978046; 7005415243; 9856071745 and 7005539653.

In an order, principal director H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Soukhrie, directed those who were put on home quarantine and family members or persons in contact with such persons to strictly follow the guidelines for home quarantine issued by the government from time to time and to extend full cooperation. The order stated that any act of non-compliance would be deemed to have committed an offence punishable as per the provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act (EDA), 1897.

Further, the order stated that those on compulsory home quarantine would be followed up and monitored regularly for 14 days by respective district surveillance unit. All responsible have been asked to contact district surveillance unit helpline.

I n a nother notic e, H&FW has directed that samples for COVID-19 test from suspected persons would be collected only at the designated collection site(s). Samples would be transported to designated sample collection site(s) only by designated ambulances and would be kept in Mandatory Designated Quarantine places(s) till such time the test results are available. Only authorized vehicles shall be permitted to cross the Quarantine Security Gate. Any act of non-compliance shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable as per EDA, 1897.

COVID-19: Global death toll crosses 11,000 LH appeals to cooperate Nearly 1 billion people confined to homes across the globe NEW YORK, MAR 21 (AFP): Close to one billion people worldwide were confined to their homes on Saturday as the global coronavirus death toll shot past 11,000. The pandemic has completely upended lives across the planet, restricting movement, shutting schools and forcing millions to work from home.

An estimated 900 million people are now confined to their homes in 35 countries around the world-- including 600 million hemmed in by obligatory government lockdown orders -- according to an AFP tally.

While the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions are the hardest hit by the virus, the World Health Organization warned that young people

were also vulnerable. “Today I have a message for young people: you are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks -- or even kill you,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Italy reported its worst single day death toll Friday, adding another 627 fatalities and taking its reported total to 4,032 despite efforts to stem the spread.

The nation of 60 million now accounts for 36 percent of the world’s coronavirus deaths.

France, Italy, Spain and other European countries have ordered people to stay at home, threatening fines in some cases, while Bavaria became the first region in Germany to order a lockdown. Britain, falling in line with its EU neighbours, also announced tougher restrictions.

With virus fears gripping the United States, its largest state California -- with over 1,000 cases and 19 deaths -- told its 40 million residents to stay at home. New York state, which has

reported over 7,000 cases and 39 deaths, followed suit on Friday.

Europe now accounts for more than half of the world’s fatalities linked to COVID-19.

The shadow of the virus is lengthening across Africa and the Middle East too.

Cases stand at over 1,000 across Africa, where health care systems are fragile and social distancing is not possible in many crowded cities.

In Iran, which reported 123 new deaths Saturday, both supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani promised the country would overcome the outbreak -- but still refused to join the rest of the world in imposing heavy restrictions. The country has more than 1,500 deaths and some 20,000 infections.

In Latin America, Cuba and Bolivia both announced they were closing their borders, and Colombia said it would begin mandatory isolation from Tuesday.

in preventing COVID-19

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): Lotha Hoho has appealed to all individuals and organisations in general and Lotha organisations in particular, to cooperate and support the initiatives taken by the state govt and concerned departments to prevent and contain coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

In a statement, LH chairman Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary S. Abenthung Ngullie. urged the citizens of Wokha district to take active participation in all preventive measures against COVID-19. LH along with its frontal organizations also assured full cooperation to the healthcare departments, district administration and other concerned departments involved in preventing and containing COVID-19.

Meanwhile, LH said it was dismayed to learn that only one thermal scanner was given to Wokha district so far, despite the district having numerous border-entry points where health workers need to check those crossing into the district from outside. LH also expressed concern that border-districts like Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon fall under sensitive areas and most susceptible, where affected people from outside could enter into the state. (Cont’d on p-8)

TO REMAIN CLOSED

Crowded areas like Hongkong market, New market in Dimapur; BOC market, Mao market in Kohima etc.

All malls, departmental store, gyms, salons etc.

All dine-in restaurants, dhabas, eateries.

Restriction of entry into banks

All malls, departmental stores, gyms, beauty parlours, salons/barber shops, and all such establishments have been directed to close till further orders.

CS has also directed restriction of entry of the public into any bank, financial institution for only very essential and emergency activities, like passing of government bills and payment of user charges and fees, withdrawal of cash for urgent purposes and other such needs.

In this regard, CS said it expected all banks to adhere to the health advisories on prevention and spread of COVID-19. CS has sought

action taken report latest by 0630 hrs on March 22.

Meanwhile, DC Kohima, in reference to the order, has directed closure of BOC market and Mao market (b) Super market (Vegetable market) (c) Bazaar along the footpath behind local ground (d) Razhu point market and evening bazaar (e)High school junction market (f) Miachieolhithochu Peraciezie (g) All foothpath vendors (h) All second hand shops in Kohima (i) All night bazaar and weekly market (j) Market at Mohonkhola, T.C.P. Gate Area and Tinpati with immediate effect.

Weekly, evening markets ordered to shut in Dmu: As precautionary measures, in view of the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic and regulations issued by the state government under Section 2,3 & 4 of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, DC Dimapur Anoop Kinchi has banned all weekly bazaars and evening markets at various locations within Dimapur district with immediate effect till further order.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Assam reports first COVID-19 case

GUWAHATI, MAR 21 (AGENCIES): Assam on Saturday reported first case of the deadly novel coronavirus, after a 4-year-old girl was tested positive for the virus at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) on Saturday, a UNI report stated. Jorhat DC informed that the test run at JMCH laboratory has tested positive, and the sample has been sent to Regional Medical Research Center at Lahowal in Dibrugarh for re-check. The girl and her family had come from Bihar on March 19. On Friday, the girl was admitted to JMCH after she exhibited the symptoms of coronavirus.

State govt clarifies on ‘Janta Curfew’

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): State government has clarified that the proposed “Janta Curfew” on March 22, 2020 called by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was voluntary and self-imposed and was not being enforced by the state government. According to an official bulletin, the state government has appealed to all the citizens to show solidarity towards the call made by the prime minister and to voluntarily stay indoors during the period from 7am to 9 pm on March 22, 2020.

Health officials to stay in their posting place

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): State government has directed all medical officers, nurses and staff under the Health & Family Welfare department to remain in their respective place of posting. In a notification, secretary H&FW Wezope Kenye directed all chief medical officers and medical superintendents to submit weekly attendance report of all the officers and staff of their district to the principal director, directorate of health & family for necessary action. Further, the government has stated that no leave of any kind would be entertained by the department except on medical ground.

Khonoma village closed for tourists

DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): Khonoma Village Council (KVC) has decided not to allow any international tourists, domestic tourists, new workers and local picnickers under its jurisdiction in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). In a press release, KVC chairman Neisamero Pier and secretary Kobi Ziekhrii said that decision was taken in support of the notice issued by Ecotourism Management Committee (ETMC) Khonoma on March 11, 2020.

Country singer Kenny Rogers dies at 81 NASHVILLE (TENNESSEE), MAR 21 (AGENCIES): Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on records and on TV, died Friday night. He was 81.

He died at home in Sandy Springs, Kenny Rogers Georgia, representative Keith Hagan told The Associated Press. He was under hospice care and died of natural causes, Hagan said. The Houston-born performer with the husky voice and silver beard sold tens of millions of records, won three Grammys and was the star of TV movies based on “The Gambler” and other songs, making him a superstar in the ‘70s and ’80s. Rogers thrived for some 60 years before retired from touring in 2017 at age 79. Despite his crossover success, he always preferred to be thought of as a country singer. (More on p-10) K Y M C

state

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KSU organises mass destruction of illegal drugs

KSU members along with district administration and other organisations.

DIMAPUR: Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) organised a mass destruction programme of illegal drugs and other psychotropic substances on March 21 at its office in the presence of district administration, district executive force, Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) and committee on drugs addiction mitigation and prevention (CoDAMP).

A press release from KSU action chairman, Shaboh Winkangshu and action secretary, Nyemwang stated that, items

were seized during the operation conducted by the joint action committee against drug abuse and supply spearheaded by KSU, formed under the aegis of the Konyak frontal organization’s declaration of “War against drug”.

Highlighting the problem of drug abuse and its adverse effect on the users and to the Konyak society, the KSU said that Mon district being located at international and state borders, smuggling of such illegal drug was rampant and many youngsters have been exposed to the social

evil. Union vowed to fight against it tooth and nail till it was completely eliminated.

KSU also appealed to all the concern authorities, individuals and well wishers to support and co-operate with the union and join hands in its fight against drug. Union further appealed to all its subordinate units to be alert and carry on the operation in their respective jurisdiction and strictly adhere to the directive order from the union. Union has also warned the suppliers/peddlers of stern action.

news in Brief Review meeting to be held at Kohima on COVID-19: A meeting to review the various steps and measures being taken to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, and also the overall preparedness of the entire state is being convened under the chairmanship of chief secretary Nagaland on March 23, 1 p.m in the secretariat conference hall.

DoSE informs: In order to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 and as a precautionary measure, directorate of School Education (DoSE) has informed that entry of visitors to the directorate except for officials and staff is barred with immediate effect till further orders.

NSCN (R) discharges one

DIMAPUR: NSCN/ GPRN (Reformation) has forced discharged, one ‘sgt. maj.’ Vipoto (Naga Army no.10882) S/o Yeveto of Lumami village, with immediate effect through an order signed by GSO -1.

According to NSCN (R) through its MIP, indisciplined acts tantamount to wilful defiance that were detrimental to national principle and azah, had constrained Naga army authority to initiate punitive action

upon the defaulter.

It further informed all concerned to take note that Vipoto was no longer connected with NSCN (R) and hence, shall bear no liabilities or responsibilities to any of his conducts whatsoever.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

NAPAD commemorates 10th anniversary in Kohima DIMAPUR: Nagaland Parents’ Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) in commemoration of 10th anniversary, kick-started the observation of year long events by visiting the Old Age Home, Kohima on March 14.

A press release from coordinator-cum-legal advisor NAPAD Tongpang L. Jamir stated that, a programme was held where advisor NAPAD, Dr. Joyce Angami shared the word of God based on Luke 6:38. She exhorted the gathering about the importance of giving and that a person who gives will receive blessings in full measure. Dr. Tali Imsong,

NAPAD members with the inmates of Old Age Home.

president, NAPAD in his speech acknowledged the benevolent service rendered by the director of the Old Age Home, Kohima

to the society especially the old aged people. He also said that the old people who are in the home should not feel distressed

and isolated, but feel more privileged and happy that they were in the Old Age Home with proper care.

He also extolled the

director for her courage, dedication and care she has given to the elderly people. Acknowledging the visit of the NAPAD to the Old Age Home, director, Neithonuo Liegise expressed her gratitude and happiness on the significant visit. She stated that elderly people were also disabled and that the society needed to give special focus and care. She also expressed for more such collaborated programmes for the old aged people even in the near future.

Sanen Amer, coordinator, NAPAD chaired the programme and Kapochu Naleo pronounced the benediction.

ASU condemns March 12 incident

DIMAPUR: Angami Students Union (ASU) has condemned the alleged assault and “murder attempt” on EAC Sakraba by one staff at Pfütsero on March 12, 2020. ASU president, Vizokho Zashümo and general secretary, Petekhrietuo Kiewhuo has condemned, the beastly and inhuman act of Vibi Mero in the strongest term against his own officer who was doing her best to bring about transparency and fairness in the government system. ASU further stated that these acts of physical assault will not be tolerated when the general public and intellectuals alike were trying to bring peace and changes in the society. Union urged the concerned authority to revoke the bail order and book the criminal at the earliest and give befitting punishment as per the gravity of the crime.

Members of the Chatteswary Durgabari made a door to door campaign in the colony and urged the public to be neat and clean and to abide by the advice of PM Narendra Modi on March 22 by staying at home and clapping in the evening at 5 p.m. Hand sanitizer with dettol soap and water was also installed in the colony for public use. (Chatteswary Durgabari)a

NSCN (I-M) observes 41st Republic Day DIMAPUR, MAR 21 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) on Saturday obser ved the ‘41st Republic Day’ with mass prayer and hoisting of Naga national flag by the NSCN/GPRN kedallo, Tongmeth Wangnao, at the Council Headquarters, Hebron.

In a press note, MIP said that this year round, the formal celebration with all the fan fair items were set aside upholding with the solidarity across the world in its fight against the highly infectious Covid-19 where social distance was one effective preventive measure.

“Covid-19 respect no NSCN/GPRN members observe ‘41st Republic Day’ with mass prayer at CHQ, Hebron on Saturday.

national or state boundary.

It respect no social bounds, no political system and no cultural values. Nothing matters more than how we respond,” MIP stated.

Further, MIP said that the GPRN Health ministry was not taking any chance but fully geared up to face the alarming situation. Besides other preventive measures like personal hygiene, MIP said every member in Hebron was made to go through thermal screening.

Further, MIP said no visitors coming to the camp are allowed to pass without thermal screening at the gate.

ATMA activities conducted under various blocks DIMAPUR: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has been conducting activities for welfare of farming community in various blocks.

Noksen block: ATMA Tuensang, Noksen block conducted training, demonstration and field day programme from March 10 to 11 at Yimrup village.

A press release from ATMA Tuensang stated that resource persons of the programme were Suponglemla Chang (BTM), Wetosangla (ATM) and Tangekeiba (ATM) Noksen block who trained the participants on various topics covering coffee plantation, fish pond management, nursery bed preparation, air-layering techniques and post-harvest management of ginger.

Meanwhile, field day on cardamom cultivation was also conducted by resource person Tangekeiba (ATM). In a separate programme revolving fund and seed money were deposited to Khangen FSG, Sangjen FSG, Samya SHG and Khanoung SHG through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

24 farmers participated along with ATMA functionaries.

Akuhaito block: ATMA Akuhaito block organized training and demonstration at Aizuto village on February 26. A press release from Akuhaito block stated that, training on “Importance of small holder farmers on saving, accessing credit and effectively managing money for improved livelihood” was K Y M C

conducted by Kaiho Achumi ATM. Demonstration on “cultivation practices of pole beans” was discussed

by Atoshe agri inspector Akulto block who stated that pole beans can help farmers achieve additional income. A total of 25 SHG farmers attended the training, followed by feedback, discussion and distribution of seeds. ATMA Akuhaito Zunheboto also organised a within district farmers’ exposure visit-cum-training programme under the topic “vegetable production under changing climate scenario in respect to Zunheboto district” on March 3 at KVK Lumami. Dr Rakesh senior scientist and head KVK Lumami suggested some low-cost technologies that farmers can adopt.

Dr Visakho discussed on global warming, while Dr Toshi deliberated on the protection of crops during insect and pest attacks and also suggested measures that can control them.

Dr Kundan discussed some formulations that can help the farmers in production of organic resources for their field crops. Earlier, Kaiho Achumi, ATM Akuhaito block chaired the programme and Chubatsur BTM Zunheboto delivered vote of thanks. A total of 14 farmers attended the training programme.

Philimi village: Akuhaito block also organized training and demonstration on February 27, at Philimi village. Training on “vegetable production under changing climate scenario” was discussed by ATM

Kaiho Achumi who stated that due to climate change there was an impact in cultivation and productivity of locally available vegetables in the district. Demonstration on “cultivation practices of pencil beans” was discussed by DPA IFAD Akangtula Jamir. A total of 20 farmers attended the training which was followed by feedback, discussion and distribution of seeds.

Akuluto block: ATMA Zunheboto, Akuluto block, conducted training at Zaphu on February 29. ATM, Joseph Awomi, spoke on topic packages and practice of tomato cultivation and highlighted brief account on its cultivation. He also stressed on climatic requirement, soil, seed rate, time of planting etc. Seeds of tomato were also distributed to farmers. Altogether 10 farmers were benefitted from the programme.

Dhansiripar block: ATMA-Dimapur under Dhansiripar block conducted field day, demonstration and joint visit programme on February 28, with resource person Lireni Kikon, ACTO (plant protection) KVK, Dimapur demonstrating the farmers on use of yellow sticky trap for monitoring pests like aphids, thrips.

One-day demonstration on transplanting of king chilli was conducted for the farmers of Singrijan village

by ATMA Dimapur under Dhansiripar block on February 29, at Singrijan village. Resource person ATM Viketouzo, enlightened the

farmers by saying that king chilli had huge scope for its cultivation and value addition in rural areas. Field demonstration on king chilli was conducted. The demonstration concluded with discussions which were attended by 10 farmers. King chilli seedlings were also distributed to the participants.

Tsaru block: Tsaru block Tuensang, conducted field day, mobilization of food security groups (FSGs), trainings and demonstrations at Longkhetpeh village on February 28. Resource persons were BTM, Dr. T. Arenmongla, ATM, Khatemenla and ATM, Imlinukshi. Khatemenla.

T Arenmongla, also gave a demonstration on pit digging and spacing of banana and cultivation techniques of garlic. Mobilization of FSGs was also conducted, where 2 new FSGs under the nomenclature “Zikeh FSG” from Longkhetpeh village and “Mujangcheh FSG” from Tonglongsor village were mobilized and revolving fund were deposited through direct benefit transfer (DBT). Seed money was also given to Threzeh SHG, Tonglongsor village and Ajengcho SHG, Trongar village through DBT. Field day on cardamom cultivation was also conducted. Inputs such as trichocards and neem oil were distributed to the farmers after the programme. A total of 20 farmers along with ATMA officials attended the programme.

Chetheba block: ATMA Chetheba block,

conducted various programmes at Khulazu Bawe and Chesezu Nasa village on February 26 and 27.

Resource persons, ATM, Raveyi, trained on animal husbandry, while ATM, Dzuthozo, demonstrated on paddy seed treatment with biofertilizer, yellow sticky trap and organic pesticides. Field day was also conducted on Kiwi fruit plantation at Khulazu Bawe, where 18 farmers attended.

Medziphema block: ATMA Dimapur, Medziphema block organized a training programme on “package of practices of pigeon pea” on February 29 at KVK training hall, Jharnapani. Resource person Dr. Lowrence Kithan, scientist (agronomy), AICRPSASRD, NU, Medziphema highlighted on the different schemes, policies and activities for the farmers. Block farmers advisory committee (BFAC) meeting for ATMA Medziphema block was conducted, where Chubanaro Jamir briefly highlighted on the roles and objectives of the BFAC members and also briefed them on the ongoing block activities. A short clip on integrated farming system composed by ATMA Dimapur was shown to the farmers. Hands on demonstration on line sowing of okra (bhindi) were also conducted by Dr. Lowrence at Kukidolong village. Altogether 19 participants attended the training programme.

Sechü Zubza block: ATMA Sechü Zubza block

conducted a field day-cumdemonstration on kholar and green pea cultivation at Kiruphema on February 27. Resource person, Keviravono Visa, ATM, discussed about the method of cultivation practices of kholar and green pea.

Frontline demonstration of preparing the land and sowing of the seeds was done followed by the participants which numbered to 12 farmers together sowed the seeds which was distributed to them. Kajini Isabella Zinyu, BTM, briefed the participants about ATMA. Sechü block also conducted two demonstrations on February 26 at Khonoma.

Seeds were distributed to the participants.

Medziphema and Dhansiripar blocks: Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Medziphema and Dhansiripar block, under Dimapur district, organized farmers exposure visit on March 5, at Pristine Foods, an enterprise managed by Food Technologist, Er. Puteu Phesao, located at Chumukedima, Dimapur.

During the visit, farmers were trained on utilization and processing of locally produced fruits and vegetables such as ginger, gooseberry, star fruit, wild apple, jamun, pomelo etc and process them into candy, dried products and squash.

Team also visited piggery breeding unit. Altogether 24 farmers attended the training programme.

Suruhuto block: ATMA Suruhuto block, Zunheboto, organised

training and demonstration on March 5 at Sapoti village. Resource person, BTT convenor, Qhenito Yeptho, highlighted concept of nursery seedbed in coffee plantation which required good canopy for healthy germination and aids good watershed management. On March 6 at Zhekuto village, BTM, Livika, demonstrated on “Organic production of French bean” on nursery seedbed. Training on “Zero Budget Natural FarmingJeevamrit” was delivered

by ATM, Moanenla. A total of 35 farmers benefitted during the two days of training programme. Suruhuto block also organised training and demonstration at Phuye Old on February 24 and 25. ATM, Kanato Sumi, explained benefits of using bio-fertilizers as an organic approach to improve soil fertility, structure and leading to enhance productivity. ATM, Ika Kinnimy demonstrated on drip irrigation, using automatic plant watering spike drip irrigation device.

A total of 12 farmers from Phuye Old attended the training and demonstration.

Aghunaqa block: ATMA Dimapur, Aghunaqa block, conducted training and demonstration programme at Goshito village on March 6. Resource person, BTM, Vinatoli, spoke on value addition of ginger and highlighted importance of value added products, manufacturing and marketing. ATM, Mikato, discussed about In-

tegrated Pest Managemant (IPM), its principles and its applications. Altogether 25 farmers from Goshito and Hozheto village attended the programme.

Niuland block: ATMA Dimapur, Niuland block, conducted block farmers advisory committee (BFAC)-cum-farmers friend meeting on March 4 at Niuland town. Committee members were apprised on activities to be undertaken for the 3rd instalment of 2019-20 and suggestions and problems faced were duly recorded. BTM, Demalu Hasnusa, presented progress report on block activities conducted in previous instalments.

ATMA Long leng: ATMA Longleng, conducted farmers interstate training at horticultural and plantation crops research station, Kahikuchi, Assam from February 26 to 29.

Participants were trained on production technology of various horticultural and plantation crops.

Chief scientist and resource person for the programme Dr. Sakia, highlighted importance and benefits of marketing aspects of various commercial and high value crops for cost effective production. Participants further toured important historical places of Guwahati city and visited Brahmaputra River, zoo, and parks in and around the city. Altogether, 11 farmer friends from Longleng, Tamlu, and Sakshi blocks, participated in the training along with officials of ATMA Longleng.

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State

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Information, awareness, trainings on prevention of COVID-19

ologist, food safety officer, DPRO, DPA (DDMA), PD, DRDA, DEO (education, SDO (C) Sadar/ EAC sadar, SDPO(DEF), DTO, OC fire & emergency services, commandant NDRF, ADS (supply) EE PHED, EE (electrical), DWO (welfare), general secretary red cross society and assistant manager NST. DC also informed that an emergency meeting will be convened on March 23, 1 p.m at DC conference hall, Wokha and has requested all the rapid response team members to attend the meeting positively. DC has also constituted rapid response team on Coronavirus for Wokha district with immediate effect with the following members: ADC (HQ) & administrator WTC as chairperson, EAC (Dev), CMO, medical superintendent, chief veterinary officer, epidemiologist, food safety officer, DPRO, DPA (DDMA), PD, DRDA, DEO (Education, SDO (C) Sadar/EAC Sadar, SDPO (DEF), DTO, OC Fire & Emergency Services, commandant NDRF, ADS (Supply) EE PHED, EE (Electrical), DWO (Welfare), general secretary Red Cross Society and assistant manager NST as members. DC also informed that an emergency meeting will be convened on March 23, 1 p.m at conference hall of DC, Wokha. All the rapid response team members have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

DoSE informs: Principal director, School Education, Shanavas C has informed all DEOs/ Sr. SDEOs/SDEOs to instruct the principals/ headmasters/head teachers to adhere to the following instructions to ensure that MDM food grains are delivered to the students as per their entitlement during the school closure period within their respective jurisdictions, as per their entitlement during the school closure period: Students who are eligible for mid-day meal shall not be deprived under any circumstances, for which excess quantity of unutilized food grains available shall be distributed is equal quantity to all the eligible children till class VIII; School authority may invite the parents of the students to come to the school nagalandpost.com Poll and collect food grains, by Q.: Can Indian economy taking precautions to avoid bounce back despite gathering or crowding as coronavirus? per government directives; Acknowledgement of the 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– receipt of food grains shall –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 90%

DIMAPUR: Along with the rest of the nation and the world, the state government and its agencies besides civil society organisations have been organising awareness programmes and issuing information to prevent further spread of COVID19.

SVC: Sangtamtila Village Council (SVC) has urged upon the administration to deploy screening team at the border area, Diphu to Dimapur road at Sangtamtila village.

SVC joint secretary Temsu said that since screening has been going on at every Nagaland and Assam checkgates, necessary arrangement should also be made at the border areaDiphu to Dimapur road at Sangtamtila village, where numbers of commuters have been plying the road every day.

Meanwhile, the village council also distributed hand sanitizers and masks visiting door to door, to the senior citizens, the under privileged and shopkeepers within their jurisdiction.

Earlier, a short awareness programme was also organized Saturday, at its council hall, Sangtamtila village wherein SVC chairman Asemba Mongzar requested the senior citizens as well as public to stay indoor for few weeks. He also requested if any family member or relative arrives from other states and want to enter the village, they should be informed to check themselves through screening before entering the village. Council also appealed the public not to gather more than five people and to maintain one metre distance. (Staff Reporter) DC Wokha: Deputy commissioner (DC), Wokha, Orenthung Lotha has informed that in pursuance of the order received from the office of the Health & Family Welfare department, Nagaland Kohima the DC constituted a rapid response team (RRT) on COVID-19 for Wokha district with immediate effect.

According to DIPR report, members of the team would consist of ADC (Hq) & administrator WTC as chairperson, EAC (Dev), CMO, medical superintendent, chief veterinary officer, epidemi-

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SVC members along with villagers at the meeting. (NP)

be obtained from the parents of the students and shall be recorded by the school authority for accountability/audit. This information is also to be conveyed to the NGOs partnering with department for implementing the MDM scheme like ECS, PCDS and the NCLP for ensuring that the food grain reaches the children.

DC Tuensang: Deputy commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant has notified the following measures: Issue of new/ fresh inner line permits for tourist (domestic/foreigner) and all other categories in the Tuensang district shall remain suspended with immediate effect until further orders. The entry of any foreign or domestic tourist shall remain barred in Tuensang district; All citizens of Tuensang to refrain from spreading unsolicited rumours relating to Coronavirus on social media. Any person found creating/spreading such fake messages and rumours on social media will be penalized as per relevant section of the law.

For any queries, one may contact helpline number 9862089699/8787851115 and 9612128948 for Tuensang district task force on novel corona, EAC Tuensang HQ and OC Tuensang Police Station dial 112 for national response number.

DC Mon: De puty commissioner, Mon Thavaseelan K, issued the following directives as precautionary measures against COVID-19: All the passengers travelling from outside the state into the district will be issued a self-declaration form at the check gates at Tizit and Naginimora. Therefore, all the passengers are requested to extend full co-operation towards the exercise for the safety of all; District Task Force for

COVID-19 Mon declares the health centres (community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) in the district as district COVID-19 monitoring centres; All persons, students as well as public returning from affected areas and entering the district have to mandatory fill the self-declaration form and report to the nearest district COVID-19 monitoring centre; The public are also advised not to panic during the exercise.

The list of district health centres under Mon district declared as district COVID-19 monitoring centres and the medical officer incharge are: CHC Aboi - Dr. Manon P/No 8731955881; CHC Tobu - Dr. Lolekhol P/ No 8787574343; PHC Phomching - Dr. Chenjei P/No 8731003456; PHC (CHC) Tizit - Dr. Methna P/No 8131861694; PHC outing - Dr. Ponwang P/No 7628855793; PHC Chen-Dr. Shokwang-P/ No 9612759483; PHC Changlangshu-Dr. Kaibah P/No 9633738997; PHC Wanching - Dr. Rukuto P/No 8974623863; PHC Naganimora - Dr. Te s ov i o B e n t o P / N o 9612037745.

DC also informed that the citizens of Mon district may contact the district control room - 9 862014033/9862078993 /7005687775 headed by Dr. Limatula Aier, DSO/ DVBO, Mon for any information or clarification in regard to COVID-19.

DC stated that, anybody with sign and symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty in breathing) are directed to contact the control room immediately.

DC Mokokchung: Deputy commissioner, Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir has informed that public entry to the office of DC Mokokchung will be restricted except

for officials and staff with immediate effect from March 21. Issue of fresh ILP, Aadhar enrolment, ST/IC/PRC and character certificates shall remain suspended with immediate effect till further orders.

Only exceptional cases which require immediate attention will be entertained on request. Public are therefore requested to extend co-operation and practice social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.

DC Kiphire: Deputy commissioner Kiphire, SaritaYadav has requested the SBI branch manager and manager of Nagaland State Co-Operative to direct customers to maintain social distancing and advise them to avoid coming to branch for non-essential bank transactions like passbook update, balance enquiry and urged them to do banking transactions digitally from home as much as possible.

CHC Peren: Training for medical officers and health workers is being held from March 20 at conference hall, CHC Jalukie, Peren. A press release from CMO office, district media officer stated that the training was attended by the medical officers and nurses of all the health units under Peren district including IDSP staff, NHM staff, IEC personnel, private nursing homes Jalukie, 9th IR Battalion and Assam Rifles under Peren district.

Resource persons for the training were Dr. Imnuk, epidemilogist IDSP, Dr. Kevi Meyase, DVBPO/DSO and Dr. Kekhrie MD, MO DH while Dr. Denis Hangsing CMO delivered the welcome and keynote address. Training included topics on global/India update and epidemiology, risk assessment, cluster containment strategy and community sur veillance, infection

prevention and control standard precautions and additional precautions, lab surveillance etc.

Training also included clinical case management, demonstration, donning and doffing of PPE, hospital preparedness and non-pharmaceutical intervention, information management, methodology and next steps/conclusion with practical sessions.

KGC: Kir uphema General Council (KGC) has appealed all travellers within its jurisdiction to be aware and maintain all necessary measures until the critical situation was over. KGC convenor Savilie Kruneilie and secretary Neicasato Visienyü stated that, since National Highway-29 and state highways pass through the village jurisdiction, thousands of travellers take a break daily to get relaxation from view points, petrol pumps, hotels and shops through the village stretch. In this regard and as precautionar y measures, the council appealed all the travellers to avoid non-essential visits to the said places for safety.

It also informed that all hotels under Kiruphema village jurisdiction will be shut down from March 23 to April 12 till additional instruction and requested the concerned law enforcing authority and district administration to ensure public safety by keeping surveillance to both foreign and domestic tourists entering the village jurisdiction even from Peducha police check gate NH.29.

KGC also appealed villagers, non-villagers, non locals and 4 lane construction company under its jurisdiction to avoid travelling to and fro till situation gets normal and even students and villagers returning to village from abroad to take required process during this critical

situation.

CNCCI: Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), visited New Field check gates, Dillai gates and Train station where screening for Covid-19 is being undertaken, led by Dr. Khekugha Muru chairman and Dr. Seyeville Mor general secretary.

Team interacted with the surveillance team and thanked them for their sacrifice and risk by leading the fight from the front making Nagaland state safer. CNCCI has appealed that fight against the covid-19 was a fight of humanity and appealed all to come to help each other and win the fight.

CNCCI as a token of appreciation donated water, juice and pocket friendly hand sanitizers.

TASU & KUTU: Tizit Area Students’ Union ( TA S U ) a n d Ko n ya k Union Tizit Unit (KUTU), organised awareness programme on COVID-19at KU/TASU office, Tizit Hq on March 20. A press release from TASU stated that, EAC Tizit, appreciated the TASU and KUTU for taking up such preventive initiatives with regard to the outbreak of the COVID-19. He also urged village leaders to be more careful and proactive in handling any situation in case any issues arise in making prevention successful. Recourse person, medical officer, PHC Tizit, highlighted about the infectious virus and elaborated about the current statistics of the affected states in the country. He reminded that instead of getting panicky, one must be careful in daily life activities. He mentioned that, role of village elders, especially the church (pastors), was very important as they could make common public understand better. He also requested village heads to form a task force committee for COVID-19, comprising of pastors, councils and student leaders, to be vigilant

upon those persons coming from different parts of the country. TASU president acknowledged leaders from various organisations for attending such an immediate programme and also mentioned that there was less manpower and would therefore seek from concerned and higher authorities. Programme was attended by pastors, council chairman and student presidents from all units under Tizit jurisdiction, while translated “Do’s” and “Don’t” about the COVID-19, were distributed to all those who attended the programme.

NPAD: Nagaland Pensioners’ Association Dimapur (NPAD) has informed that its office will remain closed with effect from March 23 till further order. NPAD said this directive is in line with the appeal made by the state government for the elderly people especially above 60 years of age to remain at home.

C T B O WA : C i t y Tower Business Owners’ Welfare Association (CTBOWA) has directed all business establishments under the City Tower jurisdiction to mandatorily use face masks and keep hand sanitizers till further order.

DBSU: Dimapur Bengali Students’ Union (DBSU) in a letter addressed to deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur has urged latter to take immediate measures against sale of hand sanitizers and masks at exorbitant prices.

The union has also asked the district administration to set uniform prices for essential products. DBSU has also urged public not to indulge in panic buying as it creates artificial shortage.

SVC: In view of the need to take preventative measures for spread of COVID-19, officials of Samaguri Village Council (SVC) conducted door to door distribution of free face masks within its jurisdiction on Saturday morning.

Oral health awareness drive in various districts

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Q: S h o u l d t h e To k y o

Olympics be postponed till 2021 in view of coronovirus?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST March 22

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun

29 18

A p.m. t-storm in spots

25 12

Guwahati A p.m. t-storm in spots

28 16

Partly sunny

28 8

Aizawl Imphal

Itanagar Occasional afternoon rain

27 15

Shillong

A stray afternoon t-shower

17 10

Kohima

Couple of thunderstorms

21 10

Dimapur A stray afternoon t-storm

30 15

A thunderstorm in the area

22 11

Mkg

Tuensang A p.m. t-storm in spots

15 7

A p.m. t-storm in spots

22 14

Wokha

Zunheboto A morning t-storm in the area

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Kohima dental fraternity at the programme in Kohima on March 20.

DIMAPUR: World Oral Health Day was observed across the state along with the rest of the world with various activities by Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) on March 20.

Kohima: In Kohima the dental fraternity held the programme under the theme, “SAY Ahh #Unite for mouth health,” at Kohima. The day was observed by distributing free masks, educational pamphlets on oral health and hand

sanitisation protocol to the public in three locationsPR Hill, Old MLA Hostel Junction and High School Junction. Association conveyed a message to the public that oral health was a window to overall health, adding that oral health is an integral part of general health and healthy mouth means healthy body.

Wokha: Indian Dental Association, Nagaland Branch (IDANB), Wokha unit led by Dr. Meribeni Odyuo, district nodal of-

Doctors distributing leaflets and face masks to public on March 20. (DIPR)

ficer NTCP Wokha organized an oral health awareness drive at Police Point Wokha on March 20.

According to DIPR report, the day was observed under the theme “Unite for mouth health”.

To mark the day, leaflets on oral health & Coronavirus were given to passersby.

The materials which were distributed to the public were voluntarily contributed from the Indian Dental Association Nagaland Branch (IDANB). Around

90 face masks were distributed specially targeting the elderly persons. Hand washing technique was also demonstrated to sensitize the public.

Longleng: In Longleng the day was celebrated at the conference hall of superintendent of Police at Longleng with DEF officers and available staff with Dr. Bongnau and Dr. Lemshikala of Longleng District Hospital as the resource persons on March 20.

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northeast

4

Meghalaya to observe Coronavirus Awarenes Day

Municipality workers spraying disinfectants. (NP)

Correspondent Shillong, Mar 21: Meghalaya was under complete shutdown with shops, markets places, offices, financial institutions closed and public transport off the roads in response to the State government called to observe ‘Corona Virus Awareness Day’ on Saturday.

The shutdown began since midnight last night to midnight tonight, to be followed by the nationwide ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the day was observed as a ‘Corona virus Awareness Day’ “to understand and prevent the spread of this global pandemic disease in the state by playing our part as individuals, families, locality and society at large.”

District authorities have also imposed restrictions on assembly of more than five persons in one place. Apart from the state

police patrolling various parts of the city, Cadets of the National Cadet Corps., Shillong Group also assisted the district administration.

Municipality workers sprayed disinfectants in various parts of the city during the shutdown. “We took the opportunity to spray disinfectants today since there are less people on the street as the citizens responded to the call of the Chief Minister to observe ‘Corona virus awareness day’ by staying at home, Chief Executive Officer of Shillong Municipal Board, Badlang Sohliya said.

He also informed that the Municipal Board will continue with sanitising public places in their areas in the coming days.

Till date, there has not been a single case detected in the State, Sangma urged the people not to be complacent.

However, he said that the “next four weeks are

crucial for our state to break the transmission chain of the virus.” Seeking the cooperation of every citizen to fight COVID-19, the Chief Minister appealed to every citizen of the state to adhere to all the guidelines and advisories issued by the state government. He also urged the citizens to avoid social gatherings (social distancing), practice social distancing, maintain hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. The government has appealed to all those who have returned from outside to dial the toll free number 108 to inform about their arrival. Medical officials and paramedics will be monitoring them closely.

Moreover, the government has promulgated the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 in view of the global spread of the virus.

“As per the regulations, it has been provided that all hospitals during screening of cases will have to record to ascertain history of the person if he/she has travelled to any country or area where the virus has been detected. The history of coming in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 will have to be recorded,” Chief Secretary M.S.Rao said.

It has also issued an order directing 50 percent of its employees to work from home, and the rest 50 percent to attend office everyday by drafting a weekly roster duty.

3 airlines suspend flights to Assam Guwahati, March 21 (PTI): Private airlines SpiceJet and IndiGo and Bhutan’s flag carrier Druk Airways have suspended their flights to airports in Assam in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a top AAI official said on Saturday.

However, all 12 airports in the Northeast will remain open during the ‘Janata Curfew’ scheduled on Sunday, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Regional Executive Director for the region, Sanjeev Jindal said.

Druk Airways suspended its flight from Bhutan’s Paro to Singapore via Guwahati from Saturday till March 29, he said.

SpiceJet suspended its four flights from Kolkata to Assam’s Guwahati and Dibrugarh from March 24 till March 30, while IndiGo cancelled its AgartalaChennai flight via Guwahati from Sunday till March 28, the official said.

Jindal told reporters that airports being an essential service will remain operational during the ‘Janata Curfew’.

“All 12 airports in the Northeast will remain functional with most flights operating. We have spoken to taxi operators, unions and associations and they have assured us to run their services,” he said.

So far, not a single case of coronavirus infection has been reported in the Northeast, the official said.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Quarantine compulsory for people entering state: Mnp CM Correspondent IMPHAL, MAR 21: People coming from COVID-hit countries and other states of India will be quarantined upon entering the state, said chief minister N Biren Singh today, adding that necessary steps for opening quarantine facilities have been taken up, He said quarantine centres will be set up at appropriate selected places at Mao bordering with Nagaland, Jiribam bordering with Assam and at Imphal Airport.

All people including locals entering coming from countries and states of the country affected by COVID19 will be quarantined before entering the state, he said. In the prevailing, the state government was considering release of rice at low rates to the beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA), the chief minister asserted.

He appealed to citizens not to indulge in hoarding of essential commodities and assured that there was no disturbance in the normal flow of essential items imported from outside in the state.

The chief minister was speaking to reporters during a surprise visit to JNIMS and RIMS hospitals to take stock of the preparedness in the two government in case infected persons were

found in the state. The chief minister also took stock the preventive measures taken up in the city areas after the state government ordered closure of all important market places in the state.

He expressed his satisfaction on the preparedness of the two hospitals in fighting the disease incase it spreads in the state.

During the inspection, Singh inquired about requirements to tacke the disease which declared as pandemic by WHO. JNIMS had already kept ready a 30-bedded isolation wards while RIMS is all set to open 40 bedded isolation wards in addition to the existing one.

“I am happy with the way RIMS and JNIMS authorities are preparing for tackle the spread of the disease with extreme seriousness”, he said.

He added that “even though no positive case is found in the state, it is the need of the hour to prepare whatever we can,” he added.

Meanwhile, an order of the state government has restricted visitors in the secretariats complexes of the state with immediate effect from today. The state government further announced closure of all sections of malls, shopping complex except one selling groceries and vegetables till March 25.

No: DHFW/COVID-19/2019-20/

NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

ORDER

Dated Kohima the ....... March 2020

In exercise of the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, all persons who have entered Nagaland after 6th March 2020 irrespective of been screened at various check points shall Self Declare and Report to the designated Helpline numbers given in the Annexure: 1 and shall be subjected to compulsory Home Quarantine.

Further, those who are put on Home Quarantine and the family members or persons in contact with such persons conforming to the case definition of “Contact” defined below are hereby directed:1. to strictly follow the Guidelines for Home Quarantine issued by the Government from time to time, and 2. to extend full cooperation to Health Personnel and Authorities.

Any act of non-compliance shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable as per the provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897.

NB: The Guidelines for Home Quarantine issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (EMR Division) is enclosed as Annexure: 1.

Those on compulsory home quarantine shall be followed up and monitored regularly for 14 days by the respective District Surveillance Unit. All are therefore, directed to contact District Surveillance Unit Helpline given in the Annexure.

“Together We Can- Nagaland Against COVID-19”.

(DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland::Kohima

Dear Pelhoubeinuo (Agi), Happy birthday Agi. May God bless you abundantly and may He guide you in everything you do. You’re special.

From your brothers Chris, Asenyii, and sis Abu

COVID-19: Assam asks schools to continue teaching via WhatsApp

Guwahati, Mar 21 (PTI): The Assam government on Saturday directed the schools to provide students with course materials and give them homework through WhatsApp to prevent learning gaps and subsequent dropouts during the closure of educational institutes due to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.

The Education Department asked the schools to create WhatsApp groups with guardians of the students for this purpose, an official said.

The department also asked teachers to make short videos on topics in the syllabi and upload them in the WhatsApp groups, he said.

It asked the teachers to assist students with studies over the phone or WhatsApp from 7 am to 9 am and 7 pm to 9 pm, besides making home visits, the official said.

The department also asked the schools to use technologies like Google Classroom in future, the official said.

It asked the schools to create classwise WhatsApp groups in the educational institutes where students and teachers are more in number, he said.

The department directed the schools to identify local youths with smartphones to assist the guardians who do not own such phones, the official said.

All educational institutes in the state have been shut till March 31.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

No: DHFW/COVID-19/2019-20/

Dated Kohima the ....... March 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE In exercise of the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, the under mentioned Authorized Authority hereby issue the following directives in the interest of public service: 1. Samples for COVID-19 Test from suspected persons shall be collected only at the designated Sample Collection site(s).

2. All suspected persons conforming to case definition issued by the Government from time to time shall be transported to designated Sample Collection site(s) only by designated ambulances and shall be kept in Mandatory Designated Quarantine places(s) till such time the test results are available.

3. Only authorised vehicles shall be permitted to cross the Quarantine Security Gate.

4. Unauthorised persons shall not be permitted to cross the Quarantine Security Gate.

Any act of non-compliance shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable as per the provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897.

GUIDELINES FOR HOME QUARANTINE Definition of Contact: A contact is defined as a healthy person that has been in such association with an infected person or a contaminated environment as to have exposed and is therefore at a higher risk of developing disease.

A contact in the context of COVID-19 is: • A person living in the same household as a COVID-19 case; • A person having had direct physical contact with a COVID-19 case or his/her infectious secretions without recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) or with a possible breach of PPE; • A person who was in a closed environment or had face to face contact with a COVID-19 case at a distance of within1metre including air travel; The epidemiological link may have occurred within a 14 day period before the onset of illness in the case under consideration.

B. Instructions for contacts being home quarantined: The home quarantined person should: 1. Stay in a well-ventilated single-room preferably with an attached/separate toilet. If another family member needs to stay in the same room, it’s advisable to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter between the two.

2. Needs to stay away from elderly people, pregnant women, children and persons with co-morbidities within the household.

3. Restrict his/her movement within the house.

4. Under no circumstances attend any social/religious gathering e.g. wedding, condolences, etc.

5. He should also follow the under mentioned public health measures at all times: a) Wash hand as often thoroughly with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizer b) Avoid sharing household items e.g. dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people at home. c) Wear a surgical mask at all the time. The mask should be changed every 6-8 hours and disposed off. Disposable masks are never to be reused. d) Masks used by patients / care givers/ close contacts during home care should be disinfected using ordinary bleach solution (5%) or sodium hypochlorite solution (1%) and then disposed of either by burning or deep burial. e) Used mask should be considered as potentially infected. f) If symptoms appear (cough/fever/difficulty in breathing), he/she should immediately:  Inform the nearest health centre or  Call Helpline: • 011-23978046.

• 7005415243 • 9856071745 • 7005539653  Call Toll Free: • 1075 • 102  Email: nlssu.idsp@nic.in C. Instructions for the family members of persons being home quarantined: 1. Only an assigned family member should be tasked with taking care of the such person.

2. Avoid shaking the soiled linen or direct contact with skin.

3. Use disposable gloves when cleaning the surfaces or handling soiled linen.

4. Wash hands after removing gloves.

5. Visitors should not be allowed.

6. In case the person being quarantined becomes symptomatic, all his close contacts will be home quarantined (for 14 days) and followed up for an additional 14days or till the report of such case turns out negative on lab testing.

D. Environmental sanitation: 1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the quarantined person’s room (e.g. bed frames, tables etc) daily with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution.

2. Clean and disinfect toilet surfaces daily with regular household bleach solution/ phenolic disinfectants.

3. Clean the clothes and other linen used by the person separately using common household detergent and dry.

E. Duration of home quarantine: 1. The home quarantine period is for 14 days from contact with a confirmed case or earlier if a suspect case (of whom the index person is a contact) turns out negative on laboratory testing.

K Y M C (DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director

Regards, Jp

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

Dear Rongsen, A very good morning to you. As you grow older, may you be an inspiration to people around you. Let all your wishes come true and enjoy your day to the fullest with beef meat.

Happiest Birthday.

A.

DC-

“Together We Can- Nagaland Against COVID-19”.

(DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE) Principal Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland::Kohima Issued by DIPR GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

No: DHFW/COVID-19/2019-20/

Dated Kohima the ....... March 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE In exercise of the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897, the under mentioned Authorized Authority hereby issue the following advisories in the interest of public service: 1. Every citizen of the State are advised to watch for development of acute onset of following signs and symptoms:Fever, Cough and Shortness of breath or Difficulty in breathing with (a). Travel history to affected areas or (b). History of Contact with positive COVID-19 cases.

If any of the said signs/ symptoms are observed, visit the nearest health facility for further advice and treatment or call Helpline (011-23978046 / 9856071745 / 7005539653) or Toll Free (1075 / 102) and respective District Helpline Numbers or Email: nlssu.idsp@nic.in.

Any persons with such symptoms/ signs shall follow the under mentioned Safe Practices: a. Stay at Home and maintain Social Distancing. b. Use Mask at all times. c. Practice Hand Hygiene by frequently washing with soap and water. d. Practice Respiratory Hygiene by using handkerchief while coughing & sneezing and avoid random spitting. e. All contaminated items such as used masks, tissue papers etc should be disposed off safely. f. Adopt healthy lifestyle- proper diet, adequate sleep, exercise and avoid social physical contact instead use electronic means to contact other family and friends as well as avoid smoking, consumption of alcohol and other addictive substances. g. Maintain cleanliness at Home including disinfection of frequently Touched Surfaces and Toilets with standard disinfectants/ detergents. h. Extend full cooperation to Health Personnel and Authorities.

2. Senior citizens (60+ years), children and persons with underlying conditions like Hypertension, Diabetes, Respiratory Diseases, Pregnant Women, Heart & Kidney Diseases, Immunocompromised Patients or those Patients under steroids and immunosuppressants medications are advised to remain at home and avoid crowded areas or places.

3. Avoid spreading rumors, stay calm and do not panic.

4. Avoid non-essential travels, crowded places, social gatherings etc.

5. Avoid social visits to hospitals and patients. Furthermore, the public are advised not to go to hospitals except for emergencies.

6. Avoid congestion in public places, offices, hospitals and maintain social distancing etc.

7. Avoid random spitting at home and public places.

8. Do not stigmatize and discriminate suspected COVID-19 case. Support each other, support your neighbours.

9. If you are healthy, No need to wear mask.

10. No Test for COVID-19 will be done on Demand except for those fulfilling the Case Definition issued by Government from time to time. Suspected persons will be kept in Mandatory Designated Quarantine place(s) till the test results are available.

Let every citizen pledge to abide by the above advisories.

“Together We Can- Nagaland Against COVID-19”.

K Y M C (DR. VIZOLIE Z SUOKHRIE)

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

SC lawyers appeal for summer break

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a ‘Janta’ curfew on Sunday as the need of the hour, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked everyone in the country to support it and encourage others to join the movement to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In a series of tweets, Shah also asked all citizens to express gratitude to those who are working round the clock to keep the country safe and healthy amid the pandemic.

“Prime Minister @narendramodi ji’s appeal for a Janta Curfew is need of the hour. As #IndiaFightsCorona, let us do our bit to defeat COVID-19. Stay indoors on 22 March from 7am to 9pm.

Encourage your friends and relatives too. This is our movement, we will win, together!,” he said.

Shah also said no one should forget to show support and gratitude on Sunday at 5 pm for the people

Amit Shah (File)

who have been constantly working to keep the country safe and healthy. “Come out in your balconies with your family and cheer for them!

Your applause can make a big difference!,” he said.

The Prime Minister on Thursday called for ‘Jant’a curfew on March 22 from 7 am-9 pm, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of house.

He also said that at 5 pm on March 22, we should thank people like doctors, medical personnel, cleaning staff, for their service during the coronavirus outbreak.

ICMR revises testing strategy to fight spread of new COVID-19 NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): The Indian Council of Medical Research revised its strategy to fight the spread of the new coronavirus on Saturday, saying all hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory illness, shortness of breath and having fever and cough will now be tested for COVID-19 infection.

The new ICMR guidelines also said asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact.

The apex body for biomedical research revised its strategy in view of a spurt in coronavirus cases in the country this week. The new strategy aims to contain the spread of infection more effectively and to provide reliable diagnosis to all individuals meeting the inclusion criteria of COVID-19 testing.

Till now, all asymptomatic individuals who undertook international travel in the last 14 days and developed symptoms, all symptomatic contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases and all symptomatic health care workers were being tested for the infection as per the guidelines.

The coronavirus cases rose to 258 on Saturday in India with fresh cases being reported from various parts of the country.

India has so far witnessed cases of COVID-19 mostly related to travel and local transmission from imported cases. Community transmission of the disease has not been documented till now. Advisory for testing are being reviewed and updated periodically.

Big financial package need of hour: Rahul NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for immediate steps to revive the country’s economy on Saturday and said there was a need for a big financial package. He pointed out that the coronavirus outbreak was a serious attack on our fragile economy and took potshots at PM Narendra Modi’s call for beating of “thalis” in the honour of those working to contain the spread of the virus. Gandhi said clapping would not help the daily wage workers and small and medium entrepreneurs.

“The coronavirus is a big attack on our fragile economy. Small and medium entrepreneurs and our daily wage workers are the most affected”. “Clapping will not help them. Today there is a need for cash relief and tax sops, besides relief in repayment of loans as part of a big economic package. Take immediate steps,” the former Congress chief said in a tweet in Hindi.

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday urged people not to panic in view of the coronavirus outbreak and called upon the government to take steps including stepping up testing facilities and a comprehensive relief package for the affected due to the economic fallout of the virus.

She said the country will not bow down to this painful crisis and suggested a comprehensive, sectorwise relief package was required to be announced by the government to support those hit by its economic fallout.

In a statement, the Congress chief urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government to increase the number of testing facilities across the country and make public the details of hospitals and medical facilities through a dedicated portal.

She also pitched for a special budgetary allocation for enhancing the facilities to combat the virus.

“Extraordinary times

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Department of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India Extension of Last Date for receipt of applications for Member Secretary, DAF & BJRNF In continuation to the Ministry's advertisement no. davp 38101/11/0044/1920 published in newspapers on 22.02.2020 for inviting applications to the post of Member Secretary, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation & BabuJagjivan Ram National Foundation on contract basis, it is hereby notified that the last date for receipt of the applications for the said post is hereby extended till 31.03.2020. The other terms and conditions of the said circular will remain unchanged and may be seen in the advertisement displayed on the website of the Ministry on 4th February, 2020. davp 38101/11/0049/1920

ADVERTISEMENT FOR ADHOC PRINCIPAL AND TEACHERS (PVT) 1. Applications are invited to fill up the vacancy of Adhoc Principal and Teachers (Pvt) for Assam Rifles Public School High, C/o 36 Assam Rifles, Jalukie (Nagaland).

2. Details of vacancies are as under :Particulars

Vacancy

Required Qualification

Experience

(a)

Principal

01

Postgraduate in any subject with B.Ed and minimum 03 years experience as head of institution.

03

(b)

Pre -Primary Teacher

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B.A with Montessori, D.El.Ed or B.Ed

02

(c)

English

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B.A/M.A. in English with B.Ed

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(d)

Science

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B.Sc/M.Sc (in any discipline)

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Mathematics

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B.Sc/M.Sc with B.Ed

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IT

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B.Tech/M.Tech/B.Sc (IT)

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Librarian

01

Bachelor Degree in Library/ Diploma in Library (with Diploma in Computer)

02

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Counsellor

01

Bachelor Degree in Psychology

02

(j)

LDC

01

Graduate in any discipline (with Diploma in Computer & Basic Knowledge of Accounting

02

call for extraordinary measures. A comprehensive, sector-wise relief package needs to be announced forthwith by the government, including necessary tax breaks, interest subvention and deferment of liabilities. For the salaried class, the government and the RBI must consider a deferment of EMIs,” the Congress chief said.

She called for special financial incentives for those manufacturing protective gear to combat the virus.

Gandhi said COVID19 was a huge setback for millions of daily wage earners, MGNREGA workers, ad-hoc and temporary employees, labourers, farmers and those in the unorganised sector. “Even for regular employees, reports suggest massive layoffs and retrenchments. The government has to put in place broad-based social protection measures, including direct cash financial help to these sections,” she said.

Sonia Gandhi (File)

The Congress chief noted that all businesses, especially the micro, small and medium ones, were under a huge stress on account of the coronavirus outbreak.

Gandhi said COVID19 has also impacted the biggest employment generator - the agriculture sector and farmers, cultivators and farm labourers are bearing the brunt.

“Gover nment must consider a special relief package for the agriculture sector also,” she said.

She said precaution

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA, ZAKHAMA [NAGALAND] NOTICE

This is to inform you all that the walk-in-interview scheduled to be held on 25 March 2020 for the appointment of contractual teachers has been postponed till further order as precautionary measure in view of the outbreak of the Novel Covid-19. The fresh date will be notified on school’s official website.

Sd/Principal DC-345

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA (An Autonomous Institution of Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)

Invitation of applications for the post of Centre Director, NSD, Sikkim Centre (on contractual basis) Applications are invited from the eligible candidates for one post of Centre Director, NSD, Sikkim (on contract) on a consolidated salary of Rs.75,000/- per month. For full Details, i.e. eligibility criteria, other terms & conditions etc., please visit NSD Website : www.nsd.gov.in.

Last date for submission of online application is 25-04-2020 Director davp 09130/11/0064/1920

and prevention are amongst the most effective remedies as she appealed to all fellow citizens to stay at home, unless urgency and exigencies demand otherwise.

“As the entire nation stands united in our joint fight against COVID-19, I would urge the Prime Minister and the Government to address some key issues,” she said, adding testing is the key to prevention.

The Congress leader said in a nation of 130 crore, only 15,701 samples are reported to have been tested so far, adding despite ample time, early warnings and lessons from other nations, we appear to have under-utilized our public and private sector capacities.

“This must change.

We must begin by testing all cases under surveillance and expand to all other symptomatic cases and those coming into contact with the ones testing positive,” she said.

Gandhi noted that there is uncertainty and lack of information about number of beds, isolation chambers, ventilators, dedicated medical teams, medical supplies, including their location.

She said reports suggest scarcity of Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs) including N95 masks, gloves, face shields, goggles, head covers, rubber boots and disposable gowns for medical teams engaged in dealing with infected or those suspected to be infected with coronavirus.

OFFICE OF THE

UNGMA SENSO TELONGJEM DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

FELICITATES

The Ungma Senso Telongjem Dimapur, (USTD) would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to our esteemed member Shri. ALEMPOKBA IMSONG on being awarded DIAMOND of ASIA by Surin University in collaboration with Thailand International Folklore Festival (IIF) for contribution and efforts to lift Folklore in the region.

The USTD further wishes him greater success and achievements in his future endeavours.

(TAKANUNGBA LKR) (LIPOKMEREN LKR) President, USTD Gen. Secretary, USTD

SEMA TILLA COUNCIL

A WORD OF GRATITUDE

The Sema Tilla Council would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Shri. NIHOLU AYE OSD Transport Deptt Govt of Nagaland for his selfless contribution towards the construction of RCC Road from PWD Staff rental complex junction to Kevijau Colony boundary bearing all expenses from his own. The council further expresses its profound gratitude to Shri. HOCTO AYE, Sema Tilla through whose initiation the said work could be physically completed. The commendable services rendered by both the individuals for the welfare of the colony residents shall be remembered and recorded in the development history of the council and may the good Lord bless and grant them long life for their services. The council wishes them both good health and luck in the days to come.

VIKATO ZHIMOMI CHAIRMAN SEMA TILLA COUNCIL

SHIKHETO SUMI SECRETARY SEMA TILLA COUNCIL

OFFICE OF THE

TIKHIR GAZETTED OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION NAGALAND

FELICITATION

Note : Experienced hands with B.Ed will be preferred.

3. Candidate fulfilling the above criterion are required to submit their application along with qualification certificates to the under mentioned address by Speed Post or through Email ID: principalarms18@ gmail.com by 31 Mar 2020. Candidates may also directly appear on the day of interview which will commence in Apr 2020.

Address: Assam Rifles Public School (High), Jalukie, 36 Assam Rifles PIN – 932036 C/o 99 APO Contact Number : 03839-220046, 9622265111 & 9612253312

Narendra Modi (File)

of manufacture of such APIs within the country.

He said in order to ensure production of critical drugs and medical equipment within the country, the government has approved schemes worth Rs 10,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore respectively.

Modi said that pharma producers and distributors have a crucial role to play in combating the challenge of COVID-19.

He asked the medicine retailers and pharmacists to be on constant vigil to ensure that black marketing and hoarding of medicines

is avoided and supply of essentials maintained. He suggested that wherever feasible, supply of medicines in bulk may be avoided.

The prime minister said that in this hour of need, it is imperative for the industry to work continuously and also ensure that there is no shortage of workforce in the pharma sector.

He suggested exploration of home-delivery model to allow for maintenance of social distancing at pharmacies, and also promotion of usage of digital payment mechanisms to prevent the spread of the virus.

The pharmaceutical associations thanked Modi for his leadership in this time of crisis, the statement said, adding that it underscored its commitment to maintaining supply of essential medicines and equipment, and are also working on developing vaccines.

They said that government’s policy announcements for the pharma sector will give the sector a huge boost.

Sonia urges people not to panic; pitches for relief package

Appendix

Ser No

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): In order to ensure production of critical drugs and medical equipment within the country amid the coronavirus threat, the Union government has approved schemes worth Rs 14,000 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told leaders of pharma industry on Saturday.

He requested the industry leaders to work on manufacture of RNA diagnostic kits for COVID-19 on war footing, an official statement said.

In an interaction with them via video conference, Modi said that not only does the industry need to ensure maintenance of supply lines of essential medicines, medical kits and equipment but it should try to come up with new and innovative solutions, according to the statement.

He said the government is committed to helping the industry in maintaining the supply of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), underlining the importance

DP-2167

PM Modi’s call for ‘Janta curfew’ need of hour: Shah

of the present situation and to curtail the outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus (Covid-19) and with a view to safeguard and protect the members of the Bar, the Court, office staff and also the registry staff, it is resolved to unequivocally recommend to the honourable CJI to close the Supreme Court for a period of at least two weeks”.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to go on summer vacation from May 18 till July 5 during which vacation benches usually take up urgent matters.

The resolution of the SCAORA also made some

that order be issued for continuation of all interim orders until further orders and the period for depositing cost in terms of orders of the courts and other statutory deposits be extended, so as to avoid the unnecessary risk of filing the special leave petitions (SLPs) under urgent matters.

It said that any order for compliance or penalties being imposed by the concerned High Court, if within the period limitation, be treated as ‘stayed automatically’ so as to avoid the unnecessary risk of filing the SLP under urgent matters.

The body also made general appeal to its members and all advocates to not crowd in any particular place in the Supreme Court premises.

It asked lawyers to cooperate as entry to the entire SC premises will be restricted only to Advocates and one clerk each associated with the listed urgent matters and to abstain from unnecessary filing of matters or entering the court premises until and unless there is extreme urgency.

DP-2158

council has resolved that further action in this regard should be taken after three weeks by analysing the situation.

“The EC also requests the court to adjust the lost days in the forthcoming summer vacation accordingly. The EC also resolves to inform the court of its readiness to help the institution at any point of time,” the resolution said.

Similarly, another lawyers’ body -- Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) -- also held a meeting and passed a resolution saying “considering the seriousness/severity

suggestions in case the proposal for declaring holidays for at least two weeks is not accepted.

The lawyers’ body suggested that filing of matters be completely stopped except for urgent matters pertaining to death warrants, bail or custody and habeas corpus petitions.

It said the bench of apex court judges be constituted only when imminently required and as and when the said urgent matters are entertained. It said that in lieu of the loss of court hours, the summer vacation may be curtailed in the month of May and if necessary the top court may function on a few Saturdays accordingly.

The statement said entry to entire apex court premises be restricted only to advocates and clerks associated with urgent matters and all High Courts be requested to issue directives to the authorities within their territorial jurisdictions not to carry out demolitions or auction properties until further orders.

The lawyers’ body said

PM asks pharma industry to ensure supply of essential items

DC-343

The Tikhir Gazetted Officers’ Association (TGOA), is immensely pleased to extend our warmest appreciation to the following officers for achievement in the different positions.

1. Er. Rulin T for securing the post of SDO (Class-I Gazetted) under Water Resources Department in the recently declared NPSC Combined Technical Examination Result, 2019 2. Shri. Y. Vithong NSS Budget Analyst (Ex-Cadre) for Performa promotion to the post of Sectional Officer (Class-I Gazetted), Nagaland Civil Secretariat.

3. Shri. Khiungakiu S Tikhir NSS for promotion to the post of Junior Section Officer (Class-II Gazetted), Nagaland Civil Secretariat.

Having being elated by your success and achievement, we the TGOA further wishes you all good health and more success in your future endeavours”.

Sd/President, TGOA Finance Secretary, TGOA.

K-836

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): The Supreme Court lawyers bodies — SCBA and SCAORA — have decided to recommend to the Chief Justice of India S A Bobde to prepone the summer vacation in the top court by declaring holidays for two to four weeks in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

In an executive committee meeting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) held on Saturday, it was resolved that the summer vacation of the top court should be preponed and holidays declared from March 23 onwards for four weeks.

“Considering the various suggestions made by distinguished members of the EC (executive council), it has been resolved that Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court may consider the feelings and well being of all stake holders, declare vacation in the Supreme Court for four weeks beginning from Monday, March 23,” a copy of the resolution sent to the media by SCBA said.

It said the executive

5

6

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 105 Dimapur, SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Janata versus corona

A

s China grows more optimistic about containing the spread of coronavirus within the country, it has been blamed for the threat to the rest of the world where the virus is currently rampaging. Today the world is also pursuing the Chinese strategy of lockdown and quarantines but in a cooperative and democratic manner, unlike in China where people were forcibly taken to camps and the ailing separated from families to be thrown into community make-shift hospitals. As part of the efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in India, the Modi government has announced a Janata Curfew on March 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as a measure to halt the progress of the virus. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) currently, India is on stage two of the coronavirus transmission, where the number of cases is rising every day. The number of coronavirus cases in India presently stands at 283 and rising while death toll is five and likely to rise. In stage 1: When cases are only imported from affected countries and therefore only those who have travelled abroad test positive. At this stage there is no spread of the disease locally. The virus in India is currently at Stage 2: When there is local transmission from infected persons. This will usually be relatives or acquaintances of those who travelled abroad who test positive after close contact with the infected person. At this stage, fewer people are affected, the source of the virus is known and is therefore easier to perform contact tracing and contain the spread via self-quarantining. Countries like India are currently in Stage 2. India is determined to halt the virus from going to Stage 3. This is the stage of community transmission.

In this stage those who have not been exposed to an infected person or anyone who has a travel history to affected countries, still test positive.

In other words, people are unable to identify where they might have picked up the virus from.

Countries like Singapore, Italy and Spain are currently in Stage 3. Finally, in Stage 4: This is the worst stage of the infection where it takes on the form of an epidemic. Massive numbers are infected and it is very difficult to control and contain the spread. This is what China dealt with.

On March 22, the whole of India will be in total lockdown with people being asked to remain indoors for the entire period of the Janata Curfew.

Even in Nagaland, the state government has made a fervent appeal to people to cooperate with this objective. As the day being a Sunday, the church has left it to the wisdom of the local congregation, although it fully supported the call for remaining indoors. In a way, the lockdown or bandh or curfew as it is,; does reveal that ultimately, the people themselves are important in such situations. Doctors and medicines can help to an extent . Ultimately, the cure lies with the people as the famous quote ‘ prevention is better than cure.’ Also, the Janata Curfew implies that the humans are the last line of defence. Humans are created beings whose creator is God. This is also an indirect acknowledgement that God has the ultimate power to prevent or cure.

DailyDevotion Identified or Simply Interested?

I have been crucified with Christ…

—Galatians 2:20 The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ….” He did not say, “I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ,” or, “I will really make an effort to follow Him” —but— “I have been identified with Him in His death.” Once I reach this moral decision and act on it, all that Christ accomplished for me on the Cross is accomplished in me. My unrestrained commitment of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to grant to me the holiness of Jesus Christ. “…it is no longer I who live….” My individuality remains, but my primary motivation for living and the nature that rules me are radically changed. I have the same human body, but the old satanic right to myself has been destroyed. “…and the life which I now live in the flesh,” not the life which I long to live or even pray that I live, but the life I now live in my mortal flesh— the life which others can see, “I live by faith in the Son of God….” This faith was not Paul’s own faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith the Son of God had given to him (see Ephesians 2:8). It is no longer a faith in faith, but a faith that transcends all imaginable limits— a faith that comes only from the Son of God.

Quotes

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Post-mortem

Speeches on 64th Naga Republic Day

Gen (Retd) Thinoselie M Keyho, president NNC

Dear Fellow Nagas, Today, March 22, 2020 is the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Republic Government of Nagaland (FGN).

I t h e r e f o r e, m o s t warmly greet all the Nagas on this auspicious day and offer my profoundest gratitude to Almighty God. This historic occasion calls most befittingly for at least a brief review of our glorious antecedents.

The Naga saga, on close perusal; is replete with the love of God in superabundance. He, being the same Being who permitted the Israelites to undergo persecutions of the severest kind in order to train and temper them under Egyptian tyranny; must also be allowing the Nagas to suffer what come their way from India’s extremely heavy hand.

The Sovereign will of God Jehovah that hardened the heart of the Egyptian Pharaoh of old, is being most conspicuously evident to be operating in the absolutely absurd unreasonable stances of the leadership of the Government of India; which however had been affording the Nagas with profound advantages all this while. To mention just a few of them in a nutshell are: Before we declare our independent status; there had been the musing of the idea of the 9 Points or 10-Years’ Agreement with

the Indian leaders. This had been projected by her just in order to gain some time only. But, had the Indian leadership choose to readily implement the proposal (God forbid!) then the profound plan of declaring our Independence would have been most miserably foiled and failed. But since the Indian leaders didn’t agree to implement the same; it became the proverbial “blessing in disguise” and we were able to declare our Independent status on August 14, 1947 as planned; one day before India, creating a historic divine.

However, the Nagas’ Government wasn’t established on the self same day!

Why was that so? Many question the underlying logic, and most rightly so.

The grand reason had been that – the Naga leadership would not provide any chance and excuse for the Indian Government to crush and finish the nascent Nation of Nagaland.

Utmost gratitude is being ascribed to God then, now and forever more for granting such foresight to our leaders of yore who then most dutifully submitted themselves to His absolute sway. How marvellously awesome is His Omniscience, indeed.

Thus the Nagas most patiently carried on the crucial 10 years’ period from 1946 to 1956 in her dealings with the Government of India with a policy of “Non-violence, non-cooperation and such other peaceful means”. On the pertinent question of

rights and justice;Nagas have undisputed rights in the absolute on any and every conceivable angle of considerations, whereas India doesn’t even have the palest shadow of a single one. So, she in her “hardness of heart” (!) resorted to naked aggressive violence in order to bully the Nagas into submission.

Thus, starting from the later part of 1955 India sent her Armed Forces into Nagaland much against all forms of decency; right into our hearth and home.

How do we then respond? Though we are absolutely in the right; India was wilfully defying them and chose to come warring against us. Do we choose to listen to logical as well as logistical reasons and surrender docilely since we are no match, militarily? Or do we, most manly resist the rapacious force against all odds – the one and only dignified option left at our disposal. The Naga leadership chose the honourable option of defending our unalienable rights to the last man. This had been the right choice then, now and forever. We have come to where we are today just because of this virtuous decision.

In this way the Nagas came about forming her Government only on March 22, 1956; ten years after declaration of her Independent status and the Federal Republic Government of Nagaland came into being; only then full scale war with the Government of India happened

doing indeed. India’s evil intent had been turned into becoming instrumental in forging the Nagas into a Nation most formidable.

Not being blind altogether, the Indians on observing the bravery and resoluteness of the Nagas, made some attempts at setting things right. But here again, God altered the reasoning sense of the Indians. Natural justice demands that Government of India must surely deal with her actual adversary/ opponent, warring against her both physically and ideologically; here Naga National Council and her Government, the Federal Government of Nagaland - people’s mandated power.

But she once again whimsically chose to ignore and by-pass the same and instead did business with her own scion: (created and bred from pliableNagas) calling themselves as the Naga People’s Convention (NPC), entered into the 16 Points agreement and ushered in the State of Nagaland most by default.

The Government of India’s doing of creating the State of Nagaland tantamount to the“Greatest Blunder” in most sobering reality. Why so? So far, the Naga Affairs had been absolutely detached from the Constitution of India; but with this misdemeanour she got herself entangled most unwisely by taking Nagas in. She now finds herself unable to break free! How on earth can a dispute be settled between the parent and her off-

spring without involving the actual owner/opposing party? Any such attempts would invariably fail since it would be just a one-sided action, one-sided decision or one-sided solution at best. Any such resolution so arrived at could never be imposed on nor made legally binding onto the Naga National Council (NNC)/ Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN).

NNC/FGN had most categorically condemned and rejected all such moves much in advance; in strong terms too!

Government of India had inaugurated Nagaland State on December 1, 1963.

Then on September 6, 1964 she entered into the Ceasefire with the FGN and started Peace Talks.

Had the Government of India been honestly sincere in her quest; results would have been obtained then.

Because, the Nagas at that point of time were still united, most solidly. But perhaps she could sense some technical/tactical flaws in her (recorded!) policy; so she unceremoniously, most abruptly abrogated the ceasefire in 1972 and resumed to unleash the reign of terror yet again.

The sorry tale then led to, in 1975,the Government of India entering into the so called “Shillong Accord” with one non-existent entity,“Representatives of the Underground Organisation”; but as to be expected – nothing materialised thereunto.

(To be concluded)

mistrust and everything that is preventing them from coming Warm greetings to the together as one entity. The time My dearest Naga men and women, Naga brethrens on the joyous has come for both the negotiatmost respected Naga national workers, occasion of Republic day I give all Glory and ing teams to bring whatever has we are luckiest to be the children of living Honor to our Lord and As we celebrate the re- been agreed upon and mutually God who sustained us under His care and public day in a curtailed yet Savior Jesus Christ for His protection since the time of British empire symbolic manner, due to the accepted in one table, carry gracious love, mercy and thus far, though suffered a lot in the hands covid 19 pandemic, The Naga out deep dive study, compare sustenance of our people. of another successor empire of India and Student Federation salutes the and contrast to deliberate the He alone is our refuge and Myanmar. We must thank our Lord Jesus visionary wisdom, contribution ones which will best serve the strength. for His unfailing guidance in the face of and sacrifices of our founding interest of the Naga people.

I acknowledge the sacmultiple challenges and threats. The Na- fathers and all who have played They should be ably assisted by rifices of thousands of Naga gas are not inimical forces towards any a part to bring Nagalim to what panel of Naga experts who have patriots in our long struggle, nationality however, our neighbours India it is today. The NSF pays our proven track record in the field who laid down their lives in and Myanmar branding the honest Nagas deepest homage to all who of Politics, Administration, defense of our homeland. We to be hostile and wild without studying the had laid down their lives in Finance, Education, Constituare proud of their deeds. We root cause of why and how? These two the service of the nation. The tional, Developmental etc. In remember and honor them order to ensure and cater to the countries should recall back their difficulties today.

Naga society owes each one of socio-economic imbalances in and sufferings under the British imperialism Friends and comrades, all Naga inhabited areas, as non in the past and try to feel the pulse of the you much. today we are at the doorThe Naga Student Fed- inclusive policy adopted would Nagas under their imperialistic regime for step of an eventful historic eration, however, is deeply only make the entire process more than seventy years. hour. The dream that our Through this Republic day message, I saddened to see the ever widen- shallow. forefathers dreamt is slowly It is our genuine belief that want to appeal the Nagas to reason together ing divide in our Naga society taking shape. The principle today. We can ill afford this unless this process is initiated instead of blaming one another and provokof co-existence between naing the situation and mostly come closer during this critical juncture of and carried out in the true spirit tions is on the horizon. The to our God. No force can defeat us, only our long political journey which of Naga unity and Naga public GPRN/NSCN, in equal and our disunity has destroyed our everything. has been sustained with blood, aspiration for permanent peace close partnership with visionTherefore, we must move forward for real sweat and tears beyond borders in all Naga inhabited areas, the ary leadership from FGN/ and Biblical reconciliation by forgetting by all Nagas. solution to the Naga issue will NNC, NSCN (Reformation), At this critical phase, the aloof us .The guiding principle past bitterness.

Our sins have delayed our G D R N / N N C, N P G N / journey as Israelites exodus of forty days NSF appreciates the NSCN -IM should uncompromisingly reNNC, NSCN/GPRN turned into forty years by their own sins. and the NNPG and all political main ' one issue , one solution', (Khango), NNC (Parent We provoked the same God once provoked groups’ dynamic leadership and it is possible only if there Body), have pledged before by hostile Israelites in their exodus. Let us for all the contributions they is clear political clarity on post God Almighty, witnessed by reconcile not only among us but also with have made towards furthering accord arrangements and deep God's faithful servants, GBs our Lord Almighty God. the Naga cause. That said, the political understanding of the and Naga tribal body repreIt is visible that NSCN (IM)-GOI palpable differences in ideol- subject and not flimsy assumpsentatives, to uphold, reassert talk delayed for more than 20 years ogy and approach between the tions. and strengthen Naga politiwithout any breakthrough. This delay is groups have been doing the The NSF, further, appeals cal and historical right, and world record breaking dialogue but let Naga society much harm than the Government of India under fulfill the aspiration of our us not blame either side. To me, it is a good despite all that they’ve the able and dynamic leadership people through a negotiated serious issue to be reasoned seriously. So achieved on different negotiat- of Shri. Narendra Modi for the honorable and acceptable also, the NNPGs/WC-GOI talk covered ing tables. It is the collective political Will to conclude the political solution. almost three years. However, number of aspiration of the Naga youth vexed Naga political issue. The The WC, NNPGs are talks we may have arranged but it is for and student community, for both GoI should now refrain from any mere messengers of the Naga one. We must be inclusive and spread our the negotiating groups to shed divide and rule policy, instead people. What the Naga peoarms to embrace one another in Christ. their differences and come on a change its approach based on ple aspire for, then and now, We must not be religious Christians but common platform, to find the considering the contempofaithful and spiritual Christians to show best possible path and solution its true merit and create a bonrary political realities, we to the world that we are Christ followers. for the Nagas in the present homie environment to facilitate have negotiated in the best Unless we reconcile with one another in political circumstances, with the process for early solution based on what ever has been possible manner. Week in Christ, nothing can or will be achieved and out losing the unique politi- agreed, as any reversion would and week out, the vigorous our dreams and our dream will only be a comprehensive consultations nightmare. The NNPGs/WC-GOI talk cal history of the Nagas for a only delay the process. The Naga amongst WC, NNPGs and is in a positive direction and for which, lasting peace in the region. We people bank on the sincerity of also with the Naga tribes we must thank Hon’ble Prime Minister sincerely appeal the political GOI to bring forth a solution and civil societies, seeking Narendra Modi and His Excellency, gov- groups to forge a unified front that is inclusive, honourable and opinions and advices, is unernor of Nagaland-cum-interlocutor, R.N in the interest of those who acceptable as per the legitimate precedented in Naga poRavi for their positivity and understanding will inherit the out come of right of the Nagas. litical discourse over many In conclusion the NSF of the Naga cause. The preamble signed the political negotiation. The future of the Naga society candecades. reiterates its earlier message between NNPGs-GOI on 17th Nov, 2017 Since the issue is a Naga and status paper was distributed to all not be subjected to the nefarious to the Naga masses to remain political issue, by the Nagas leading Naga NGOs for serious study. The whims of those seeking to divide united, show unconditional love and for the Nagas, it defies NNPGs have committed for transparency and fragment us, but focus on towards each other, respect each logic and reasoning why after all we are for the Nagas and nothing confidence building measures others differences and limitaany leader would hide the will be hidden. Only our honesty to our to enhance brotherhood and tions with humility and together agreed documents from the with Christ, forge towards our cause and transparency in our approach camaraderie. people. Without any fear The NSF appeals the lead- ultimate goal till its logical will shape our future. We must not miss and complacency, the status another golden opportunity. It will not ers of all the Naga political conclusion. paper between WC, NNPGs come back once it is missed. Kuknalim! groups to shed aside their ego, Kuknalim.

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Gen (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak, president GPRN/ NSCN

and GOI has been made available to all tribal Hoho, concerned senior leaders and Naga legislators. What is acceptable today, Nagas must have it, leaving the door open for future democratic discourse on unresolved issues. There is a great difference between an idealist and practical man. If we are true patriots, we must first learn to adapt to reality and build our Nation. We cannot stay rooted in the stagnant past.

Our young men and women, our children, must be allowed to pursue their dreams and visions.

The Mass Rally of 9th March 2020 in all the district Headquarters and subdivisions of Nagaland under the aegis of Nagaland GB Federation is a great message to GOI. The many slogans says it all. Nagas are physically and mentally prepared to welcome a political solution. The Naga tribes are aware that WC, NNPGs has been transparent on all issues. The people have acknowledged that honorable and acceptable solution is possible. Nagas must change our perception at a right time. The world is constantly evolving and so must we. Nagas are looking at a peaceful co-existence and enduring relationship with GOI. While the present state boundaries shall remain as they are, the political agreement will be for all Nagas. The WC, NNPGs has entrenched the 16th may 1951 plebiscite.

It was reaffirmed in spirit and essence again on 17th November 2017, by WC, NNPGs through the agreed position.

At this very moment all rich and poor nations of the world, irrespective of caste, creed and religion are battling a pandemic called COVID 19. The world is fighting collectively against a disease that is destroying Human lives and the world economy yet bringing humanity closer in many ways. I urge all our people living in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and in foreign lands to stay safe and trust in the Lord. GOD BLESS NAGA LAND! KUKNALIM!

to be waged. Since then God had been sustaining us in this protracted confrontation of “No war, no peace; no victor, no defeat” quagmire. Praises be to God and all the partakers of this tenacious war.

As the colonial British Government was leaving (as all invaders must do: sooner than later!) India, she made a vain attempt at righting her wrongs by ‘authorising’ the Princely States to secede, it was said. Accordingly some of them tried to break free; but the Government of India set her Armed Forces on them and most effectively crushed them most soundly.

“When well armed, well organised Princely States could be most decisively dealt with: how on earth the raw, crude and primitive Nagas would even dare to dream of standing against mighty India?”must surely be on the mind of the schemers of Hindustan.

The barbaric invasion of Nagaland by India had been taken as a catastrophic, wretched “greatest misfortune” at first glance.

But on closer perusal this in fact turned out to be “the greatest fortune in disguise”- ultimately.

All this while the Nagas had been slumbering away in her innocence and naivety; and the invasion of India most effectively prodded and galvanised her to wake up and stand firmly together as a mighty Nation most resolute. This is nothing short of God’s

Y. Wangtin Naga, president NSCN/ GPRN-Reformation

NSF, Media Cell

national

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

UP announces financial aid to labourers free ration to 1.65 crore workers

LUCKNOW, MAR 21 (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday announced that around 35 lakh labourers in the state will get Rs 1,000 each as financial aid while free ration for one month will be provided to 1.65 crore construction workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials for immediate release of payment to MNREGS workers in the state and to make foodgrains available to the poor in cities and villages, a statement issued by the UP government said.

“In view of the precautions being taken throughout the country to prevent the coronavirus outbreak, the state government is alert and cautious. With immediate effect, the state government will provide Rs 1,000 per person for maintenance to 35 lakh labourers. This payment will be sent directly to their accounts through direct bank transfers,” said the statement issued on Saturday.

It said Adityanath has instructed officials to provide one month free ration in April to over 1.65 crore construction workers and

Yogi Adityanath (File)

daily labourers registered under the Antyodaya Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MNREGS) with the Labour Department.

Daily wage labourers in urban areas who do not have ration cards will get the document on priority basis, the statement said.

It said the chief minister has also directed officials that payment be immediately released to the MNREGS workers in the state.

“Orders have been issued to provide food grains to those working in rural and urban areas in the state, especially to labourers, cart pullers and others,” the statement said.

Adityanath appealed to the people of the state to stay

indoors during Sunday’s ‘Janata’ curfew called for by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“A call for Janta curfew was given. Please stay in your homes. Metro trains, roadways buses and city buses will not operate on Sunday,” the statement said on behalf of the chief minister. It said all metro services in UP will be closed Sunday and that bus services of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and city bus services will be closed from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.

“Coronavirus is in the second stage all over the country. It will convey a big message to the entire world if we are successful in stopping this at this stage. To curb this infection, we are working on a war footing.

Isolation wards have been set up in every district hospital and medical college.

So far, 23 patients have been identified in the state, out of which nine have completely recovered. There is no need to panic, but prepare yourself to fight against this challenge,” the UP chief minister said in the statement.

He asked traders to not hoard essential items

and people to purchase only necessary things, assuring people that the state has enough food grain. He urged people to not crowd or stand in queues at shops to prevent the infection from spreading.

Adityanath said coronavirus spreads through infection and that the disease has to stopped at any cost.

Reminding people of the Prime Minister’s appeal to citizens to avoid going to crowded places and not to hold any public gathering, Adityanath said as a precautionary measure the government has directed shutting down of all educational institutions, multiplexes, theatres and malls in the state and that unnecessary traffic has been stopped.

The Chief Minister appealed that the public should not go to the markets unnecessarily during the Janta curfew on Sunday.

“We should all stay at our homes. The government has enough medicines and food grains. There will be no shortage of necessary items in the market. Everyone will get goods, and they should not queue at shops, and hoard unnecessarily,” he said.

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‘Nirbhaya: Vinay Coronavirus: No thermal screening received maximum at most domestic airports yet punishment’ NEW DELHI, MAR 21 Karnataka.

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): Out of the four convicts who were hanged to death in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, 26-year-old Vinay Sharma received the maximum punishment for violating jail rules, officials said.

Vinay, Akshay Singh, Mukesh Singh and Pawan Gupta were hanged to death on Friday. Vinay received 11 ‘punishments’ for not following rules, Pawan eight, Mukesh three and Akshay one punishment during their 7 years in jail, they said.

The punishment ranges from curtailing visiting rights of family for a small fight to changing the barracks for creating serious trouble, a jail official explained.

In 2015, Vinay took admission in a one-year bachelor’s deg ree programme which he could not complete. The year after, Mukesh, Pawan and Akshay took admission in Class 10 in 2016, and appeared for the exam but could not pass it, according to a jail official. Vinay has earned Rs 39,000, Akshay Rs 69,000 and Pawan Rs 29,000 while Mukesh did not involve himself in any work in the jail, he said.

(AGENCIES): Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor evaded self quarantine and flew to Lucknow after her flight from London. Her actions can potentiallly to infect a hunmdred people at least at airports. In another case, a woman infected with coronavirus escaped quarantine in Bengaluru, took a flight to New Delhi and travelled to her parent’s place in Agra on March 8.

The woman is a Google employee’s wife who was tested positive for Covid-19. However, most domestic airports still do not have any provision for thermal screening of passengers flying within the country.

India Today spoke to a few passengers arriving at New Delhi’s domestic airport T1. Passengers said that the government should carry out thermal screening to ensure such cases of those tested positive for Covid-19 don’t venture into flights and endanger other people. “We flew from Bengaluru to Delhi.

The airports were sanitised and they gave us sanitisers to use, but there was no thermal screening,” said a passenger who flew from

Ankit, who flew from Hyderabad said, “I have come back home. I was working in Hyderabad.

There isn’t any thermal screening in Telangana either. But I feel it is important that we must check and screen people.”

A passenger from Patna also denied of any thermal screening being done there.

Sources in the civil aviation ministry revealed that the health ministry being the authority to direct such decisions has not deliberated on screening domestic passengers.

Only two states are currently conducting domestic screenings, Kerala and West Bengal. Stamping in Maharashtra is only for international passengers.

Meanwhile, the gover nment has imposed heavy restrictions on international travel till March 22.

L u v A g r awa l , J S Health ministr y, said, “Some states like Kerala and West Bengal are doing domestic screenings.

We have asked states to take required actions to contain the spread of the Covid-19.”

Railways relaxes refund rules for travel NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): Railways on Saturday relaxed refund rules from March 21 to June 21 for PRS counter-generated tickets in view of the coronavirus threat. For trains cancelled

by Railways for the journey period March 21 -June 21, refund across counter can be taken on submission of ticket up to three months from the date of journey instead of the present three days or 72 hours rule, an order said.

In cases where the train is not cancelled but passenger wants to cancel his or her journey, then the TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) can be filed within three months from the date of journey at the station. (instead of the extant rule of 3 days), the order stated.

“TDR can be submitted to CCO (chief claims officer)/ CCM (chief commercial manager), refund/ claims office for getting the refund with 60 days of filing of TDR subject to verification from train chart. (instead of extant rule of 10 days). “For passengers who want to cancel tickets through 139 can get refund across the counter within 3 months from date of journey” the order stated.

Pilgrims entry banned in Migrant workers sent back without proper screening: Mamata Ayodhya for Ram Navami Mela

NEW DELHI, MAR 21 (PTI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched a toll-free helpline on coronavirus safeguards for students, officials said on Saturday.

The facility is available on helpline number 1800 11 8004 from 8 am to 8 pm, initially up to March 31, they said.

“The dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) safeguard tele-counselling service will be provided by trained counsellors who will deal with students and parents for preventive interventions, reducing transmission and counsel on first-aid to stop corona spread. They will also assist students to engage in useful and productive activities while at home,” Central Board of Secondary Education Secretary Anurag Tripathi said.

The board has postponed all exams till March 31 and evaluation work has also been suspended.

Earlier, the Central Board of Secondary Education had allowed students to carry sanitisers and masks to examination centres for Classes 10 and 12, and instructed the centres to change seating arrangements to ensure

adequate distance between examinees.

According to the Health Ministry, number of coronavirus (COVID19) cases reached 258 in India on Saturday after 35 fresh cases were reported in various parts of the country.

NAGALAND UNIVERSITY

(A Central University Estd. By the Act of Parliament No. 35 of 1989) Headquarters : Lumami-798627

NO.NU/ADMN/C-31/14/(pf-1) 8360

Dated : 19th March, 2020

SHORT TENDER NOTICE

Sealed tenders are invited from the authorised dealers for supply of Fire Extinguisher to Nagaland University, Lumami.

Interested parties may download the tender documents from the University website: nagalanduniversity.ac.in and submit their quotation along with tender fee of Rs. 500/(non-refundable) through Nagaland University challan.

The tender documents are to be sealed in an envelope superscript on the cover “Quotation for supply of Fire Extinguisher”, addressed to the undersigned and submit on or before 26th March,2020 during office hours. No tender shall be accepted beyond this date and time.

DC-344

Dr. Abemo Registrar

The Ward No II Council Zakiesato Colony observed its 7th Raising Day on the 8th of March 2020 at ZMHSS ground. Mr. Khekhaho Awomi (Cl – 1 Contractor) was the guest of honour. The new council members for the term 2020-25 was also inducted the same day. 1) Chairman Mr. Zasivikho Zakiesato 2) Three Vice Chairman a) Khehoto Sema b) B.P Sharma c) Keviholie Zakiesato 3) General Secretary Zarenthung Yanthan 4) Asst. General Secy Dipen Rai 5) Finance Secy Nizam Uddin 6) Treasurer Joyson Shimary 7) Jalal Laskar Info & Publicity Secy.

DP-2162

ZARENTHUNG YANTHAN

Regd. No. 1592/20 Date : 18-03-2020 I, Shri. N SEPIBA SANGTAM, S/o NYINGPONGSE SANGTAM, resident of Upper A.G Colony, Kohima, Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare on oath as follows:1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India.

2. That in some of the official documents my name has been recorded as N SEPIBA SANGTAM and in some other important documents including in Appointment Order, Govt. Vide No.- WRD/ESTT-1/17/2008 (Vol-1)644, dated 20th Oct. 2014 my name has been recorded as N SEPIBA hence, the stated name represents the same person i.e. myself.

3. That henceforth I herewith rectified the same and declare that my name will be N SEPIBA SANGTAM for all official and future references.

4. That the above statements made are true to the best of my knowledge and no material facts has been concealed herein and I signed this affidavit before the competent authority on 18th March 2020 at Kohima, Nagaland.

Solemnly sworn before me by the deponent above mentioned named on this day 18th March 2020 Kohima, Nagaland.

Notary Public Deponent

OFFICE OF THE 37 TIYI EZOMONTSURIE WOPAN EKHUNG HQ WOKHA DISTRICT

With immense pride and honour the Union would like to extend our immense pride and honour sincerely congratulates the following individuals for their achievement.

1. MRS. SANUO NGULLIE, W/o, SHRI T. A. NGULLIE, Former Finance Minister, on her magnificent and sterling achievement for being elected to the post of NATIONAL CO-CONVENOR, CHRISTIAN RASHTRIYA MANCH, New Delhi. It is a prestigeous and nationally influential CSO Headquartered in New Delhi. Mrs. SANUO NGULLIE is a deep rooted social activist, Philanthropist, Women of substance and one of Women's Empowerment Role Model in India.

2. SHRI. SHANJAMO NGULLIE, Colonel, Indian Army S/o, NCHUMBEMO NGULLIE Rank : Full Colonel, Indian Army; Place of Posting : Dispur, Assam (Mungya Village) 3. VANDAMO TUNGOE, S/o, LT. NKHUMO TUNGOE on being promoted as a (DSO) Deputy Director Rank, Dept. of Economics & Statistics, Govt. of Nagaland.

4. AREMO NGULLIE, S/o. NPYINGO NGULLIE promoted to Vice Principal, Dept. of School Education, Govt. of Nagaland.

(N. Longidang Village) 5. W. SENTSU TUNGOE, S/o LT. WOSEMO TUNGOE on being promoted to Assistant Director, Dept. of Information & Public Relations, Govt. of Nagaland. (Riphyim Old Village) 6. T. RHANBEMO KITHAN, S/o THUNGDEMO KITHAN on being selected and serving as Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Govt. of Nagaland. (Yikhum Village) 7. LONGSHITHUNG SHITIRI, S/o O. YIHAMO SHITIRI on being promoted as Immigration Officer, Dimapur Airport Authority of India Ministry of Civil Aviations, Govt. of India.

(Changsu Old Village) 8. T. CHUMRENTHUNG TUNGOE, S/o DR. S. THUNGDEMO TUNGOE selected and serving as Commissioner Assistant in Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) Govt. of Nagaland. (Riphyim Old Village) 9. ADVOCATE KHYOTHUNGO TUNGOE, S/o YIBEMO TUNGOE on being accredited as Govt. Official Votary Advocate, Dimapur. (Changsu New Village) 10. DR. W. CHUMBEN TUNGOE on being selected to pursue MD-Super Specialized, PG Single ST seat at King George Medical University All India Rank-82. On purely meritorious basis. (Riphyim Old Village) 11. DR. RENBEN TUNGOE, S/o LT. NLUMO TUNGOE on his successful completion & establishment. (Chungsu New Village) 12. ADVOCATE RAINBOW NGULLIE S/o WOCHAMO NGULLIE, on being re-elected for 2nd Term Tenure as General Secretary, Dimapur Lotha HOHO (Chungsu Old Village) (CHUMBENTHUNG TUNGOE) JT. GENERAL SECRETARY

(C. MHONYAMO NGULLIE) (MHADEMO KITHAN) WORKING CHAIRMAN

(ROBIN N. NGULLIE) CHAIRMAN DP-2161

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND

SC.NO 23/20 NOTICE NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANTS (S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas applicant under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefits of Late Tsipyomo Ovung has been applied by Shri/Smti Renchilo Ovung, w/o Lt. Tsipyomo Ovung, R/O H.No.. Wokha, Nagaland for possession of: Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may if she/he so desire appear in this Court on or before 17.04.2020.

Given under the hand and seal of the Court on this day the 17.03.2020.

District & Session Judge Wokha : Nagaland K-839

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DP-2033

AFFIDAVIT (Correction/rectification of name)

hand sanitisers available to the state.

She also urged people to avoid large gatherings.

“Some organisations are organising large gatherings even now, which should be completely avoided. I urge them not to play with fire at this point in time,” Banerjee said.

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DP-2113

CBSE launches toll-free helpline for students, parents

will be a danger of spread of the disease if such a large gathering is allowed to happen, the officials said.

“The temples will not be closed down, but devotees will not be allowed to gather there,” he said.

Jha said that he has written to district magistrates in eastern Uttar Pradesh, from where a large number of devotees are expected to arrive, informing them about the decision and has asked them to restrict the movement of people from these districts.

tor of the state is manufacturing around 6,000 litres of alcohol-based hand sanitiser everyday. We will first supply it to those who are in the priority list and then it will be made available to the public,” she said.

The chief minister accused the Centre of not making enough masks and

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ARPS, Kohima known for quality education is now open for students from civil stream.

Admission (Class Nursery to lX) which will commence from 28 March 2020.

Contact No:Mob: 7005918934 / 7085435283 E-mail: arhskohima16@yahoo.in

K-837

Ayodhya and devotees will be stopped on borders and sent back, the DM said.

The administration has also instructed owners and managers of hotels and dharamshalas to not entertain any guests and cancel any advance bookings for the period. The administration has also banned people from taking a holy dip in river Saryu in groups till Ram Navami “as the infection spreads very swiftly”, said Jha. The district magistrate, using his special powers, passed the orders as there

she had been urging the Centre to stop all international flights coming to the country for a long time.

She said essential commodities should be allowed to enter the state and the entry of all non-essential items should be discouraged at this point in time.

On the availability of masks and hand sanitisers, Banerjee said the priority of the government was to supply these items to the health workers, cleaning staff and police personnel first.

“The small-scale sec-

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DP-2166

Anuj Kumar Jha (File)

coming back from other states to stay at home and not to venture out. She also appealed to those staying in the neighbourhoods of these workers to help them in running daily errands.

Banerjee further urged the workers not to leave West Bengal in the future, saying there were plenty of opportunities in the state.

“Our workers have a lot of talent. Other states use them for their benefit and drive them away when there is a crisis,” she said.

The chief minister said

K-840

AYO D H YA , M A R 2 1 (PTI): In the wake of coronavirus concerns, the district administration has banned the gathering of people for Ram Navami Mela in Ayodhya on April 2 for which more than 10 lakhs devotees were expected to converge, officials said.

According to Ayodhya district magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha, the administration took the decision on Saturday to not allow devotees to enter Ayodhya till April 2 and has also banned people from taking a holy dip in river Saryu. According to seers, this will be the first time that devotees will not be allowed to take part in the traditional Ram Navami Mela. The devotees start converging in Ayodhya from the first day of Navratri festival (March 25 this year).

However, as part of precautionary measures due to Coronavirus pandemic, the administration will barricade all entry points of

KOLKATA, MAR 21 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged on Saturday that the railways was not ensuring proper screening of the passengers entering the state through long-distance trains.

She claimed that migrant workers from the state, particularly those in Maharashtra, were being packed off in trains and sent back without conducting medical checkups on them.

“I have been saying this for the last one month.

Now India is entering the third stage (of the coronavirus outbreak), which is very dangerous. The next two weeks are extremely important. I have asked the chief secretary to tell the railway authorities to immediately stop all longdistance trains,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo told Bengali television news channel “ABP Ananda”.

She urged the workers

DoT asks states to State govt orders closure of... p-1) permit movement of (FromFurther, Kinchi informed all concern that issue of Aadhaar, ST/IIC/PRC and NOC, Search Certificate, telecom infra staff ILP, Non-Encumbrance and Valuation will remain suspended

Crossword 5

Su doku

KAKURO

mistakes. Further, she added that the development of positive and negative aspects to negative situations for contentment leads to mental well being.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Hanluchi, BA 4th semester, invocation was pronounced

by Toshika, president EU, welcome address by Kinivi K Awomi and vote of thanks was delivered by Chimkiumong B, BA 4th semester. Drama on drug abuse and HIV was performed

by Senchumlo Shitio and friends, and special number by Kavitoli Swu, BA 6th semester. S Kossam Konyak, nodal officer, RRC distributed prizes to the winners of poetry and song writing competition. Orenvungo Bendang, BA 6th semester and T. Bechung Khamba, BA 2nd semester were first and second runners up of poetry competition, Chubasashi Aier, BA 4th semester was the winner of song writing competition.

hand sanitizer at Rs 100

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): The government has capped maximum retail price (MRP) of hand sanitizer at Rs 100 per 200ml bottle till June 30 this year amid sharp rise in the prices of this product amid the coronavirus oubreak.

Similarly, price of a 2 ply (surgical) mask has been capped at Rs 8 and that of 3 ply (surgical) mask at Rs 10 till June 30, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in a statement. “The price cap has been imposed taking into account the sharp increase in prices of raw materials used in making of face masks and hand santizer,” Paswan said.

Earlier this month, the government had declared sanitizers and masks “essential commodities” to prevent hoarding and price manipulation of such goods. On March 19, the government had placed price limits on alcohols used in making hand sanitizer.

No. 9530 Yesterday’s solution No. 9529

No. 4149 Yesterday’s solution No. 4148

No. 3175 Yesterday’s solution No. 3174

Four-lane: WAPO affirms...

(From p-1) the project as committed and as per specification and also extended all possible support and cooperation for execution of the work to be completed within the time frame. In the event of any disturbance or disruption of the ongoing project, WAPO said it will deal with such elements with all seriousness.

Further, failing to complete the work within “certain reasonable period of time”, WAPO said it will not remain a silent spectator or tolerate any lame excuses but shall be compelled to take its own course of action.

Sebi introduces new norms to cub volatility

Mumbai, Mar 21 (IANS): Markets regulator SEBI announced measures to control the high volatility which has plagued the country’s stock markets.

The Sebi said that these new norms will be effective from the beginning of trade on March 23 for a period of one month.

These measures include limits on positions that can be taken up by investors in the F&0 segment.

Furthermore, the regulator set certain conditions under which mutual funds or foreign investors can place bets on the index futures.

The regulator’s norm

Across 4. Pressing (6) 7. Paint type (8) 8. He flew too near the sun (6) 10. Stage whisper (5) 13. Sheep’s hair (4) 14. Girl’s name (4) 15. Is victorious (4) 16. Rowing blade (3) 17. Tumult (4) 19. Market (4) 21. Fish (5,4) 23. Travel permit (4) 24. Direction (4) 26. Floor covering (3) 27. Pant (4) 29. Discharge (4) 32. Untidy state (4) 33. One who perseveres (5) 34. Assimilate mentally (6) 35. Notorious (8) 36. Drinking vessel (6) Down 1. Reach (3,2) 2. Herb (5) 3. Skye, say (4) 4. Alliance (5) 5. Objective (4) 6. Nutty sweet (6) 9. Universe (6) 11. So or thus (3) 12. Challenges (5) 13. Evidence-giver (7) 15. Court (3) 16. Mineral (3) 18. Mental pictures (6) 20. Change (5) 21. Illuminated (3) 22. Weaken (3) 23. Travelling case (6) 25. Contend (3) 28. In motion (5) 30. Lesser (5) 31. Nonsense (5) 32. Humble (4) 33. Snare (4)

to introduced limits on open positions for going short or long in index derivatives is expected to have a major affect on volatility.

The norm mandates that short positions in index derivatives shall not exceed the “Mutual Funds’/FPIs’/Trading Members’/Clients’” holding of stocks.

Similarly, long positions in index derivatives shall not exceed the “Mutual Funds’/ FPIs’ holding of cash, government securities, T-Bills and similar instruments”.

Sebi said that these measures will be imple-

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mented to ensure orderly trading and settlement, effective risk management, price discovery and maintenance of market integrity.

Additionally, the new measures are expected to reduce liquidity in the market.

Lately, stock markets globally have been quite volatile due to the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant fear of an

economic slowdown.

“The movement in the Indian stock market has been broadly in tandem with the other global markets,” Sebi said in a statement.

“Sebi and stock exchanges will continuously monitor the market developments and review the position and take any further suitable actions as may be required.”

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DP-1781

DIMAPUR: Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of Yemhi Memorial College (YMC) organised an awareness programme under the theme “be happy, be brave, be drug free” on March 16 at the college conference hall with B. Rai, assistant professor, department of English as the resource person.

A press release from Red Ribbon Club stated that, while delivering a message under the theme, the resource person laid emphasis on mental health, associating positive and negative aspects for contentment. She stressed on the value of relationships and encouraged the students to be grateful and thankful in all the circumstances and to cultivate habits as well as learning to be generous and quick to forgive. On the concept of “brave”, B. Rai stressed on the importance of positively looking at oneself as victor while dealing with fear and to have the knack of accepting and admitting

LH appeals to cooperate ...

(From p-1) “Once any of these district is infected the whole state is at stake,” LH stated.

In this regard, LH urged government of India and the state government to ensure that healthcare equipments were procured timely and distributed to health workers, and wherever necessary to the public.

LH has appealed to all health workers of Wokha district to do their best to prevent the dreaded COVID-19 and extended full support wherever needed.

Lotha organisations, on behalf of the Lotha public also appealed to the citizens of Nagaland to comply with govt advisory and guidelines for prevention and containment of COVID-19.

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DP-2116(A)

RRC of YMC organises awareness programme Govt caps price of 200ml

standard accounts which have not been classified as SMA 1 or 2 as on March 16, 2020 are eligible to avail this credit line.

Special Mention Accounts (SMA) was introduced to identify those accounts that has the potential to become an NPA/stressed asset.

SMA-1 accounts are those where the overdue period is between 31 to 60 days. while, in SMA -2 accounts overdue is between 61 to 90 days.

Borrowers can maximum avail 10 percent of the existing fund based working capital limits, subject to a cap of Rs 200 crore, the bank said.

According to a recent survey conducted by industry body, Ficci, over 50 percent of companies in the country see impact of coronavirus on their operations.

Nearly 80 percent businesses have witnessed decline in cash flows due to the global pandemic, it showed.

with immediate effect until further orders.

He however informed that exceptional cases which required immediate attention and urgency can send their application/complaints to DC’s office using ‘online service desk’ (M/no. 6009924366/WhatsApp)/office-03862248530 & email: dcdimapur@gmail.com.

Therefore, public have been requested to extend cooperation and practice social distancing from each other to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, DC has appealed to all citizens of Dimapur to show solidarity and heed Prime Minister’s call to observe ‘janata curfew’ on March 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to combat the spread of coronavirus , and to strengthen the fight of the people against it by not moving out the houses, except those associated with emergency and essential services.

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New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): Amid businesses getting affected due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the country’s largest lender State Bank of India has opened an emergency credit line to meet any liquidity mismatch for its borrowers. The additional liquidity facility – Covid19 Emergency Credit Line (CECL), will provide funds up to Rs 200 crore and will be available till June 30, 2020, SBI said in a circular issued on Friday.

The loan will be offered at an interest rate of 7.25 percent with a tenure of 12 months.

“With a view to provide some degree of relief to the borrowers whose operations are impacted by Covid-19, it is decided to make available additional liquidity credit facilities to the eligible borrowers by way of ad-hoc facilities -- CECL to tide over the current crisis situation,” the bank said in a circular to all branches.

The bank said the credit line is open for all

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): The telecom department on Saturday wrote to chief secretaries of all states, urging them to allow movement of field staff of telecom companies and infrastructure providers, and give other permissions to ensure uninterrupted operation of critical communications networks amid coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories on ensuring “operational continuity of telecom services in view of threat of Covid-19 outbreak”, the Telecom Department said that in case of restrictions being contemplated for containment of coronavirus, all critical telecom infrastructure should be permitted to remain operational. Moreover, all critical telecom infrastructure should be permitted to be manned by the staff of telecom service providers/telecom infrastructure providers, it said. “For accessing critical telecom infrastructure locations, the movement of the staff of telecom service providers/telecom infrastructure providers be permitted,” the letter said.

The Department of Telecom has also said that movement of vehicles carrying diesel for the DG sets at critical telecom infrastructure should be allowed, and that sufficient diesel availability should be ensured.

DP-2116(B)

all its employees are rising to the occasion to serve the nation.

Singh said to keep fuel supply lines running, oil refineries have to function, depots have to operate, pipelines need to flow and retail outlets need to dispense.

“To keep our operations running, we have to ensure that crude oil is imported on regular basis, it is stored and then refined at refineries, fuel so produced is transported to depots from where it has to be moved to consumer dispensing points.

These are 24x7 operations and so we have taken measures to ensure they run while at the same time employees are protected,” he said.

At petrol pumps and LPG distributorships, the company is trying to run operations with minimum number of employees while ensuring they dont take public transport, he said.

In all this, the company has to also ensure that the switch over to ultra-clean BS-VI petrol and diesel, equivalent to Euro-VI emission compliant fuel, happens before April 1 deadline, he said.

“The challenge before us is to protect employees and stakeholders (consumers). Challenge is that we cannot stop operations at any plant, location or retail outlet. The challenge is to maintain supplies at all times,” he said.

The protocol IOC has implemented involves restricting outsider entries to company plants and townships as well as avoiding non-essential gathering of people, he said adding board meetings are being conducted through video conferencing.

“Indian Oil Tanking Ltd and Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd (IOC subsidiaries) will hold forthcoming board meetings through video conferencing,” he said.

IOC also tweeted pictures of its employees and retail outlet operators in precautionary gears while doing refils.

IOC said all its distributors and delivery personnel have been advised on the best practices of personal hygiene and usage of hand sanitisers frequently.

SBI opens emergency credit line for borrowers

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New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): As cities shutdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has initiated a rare protocol to safeguard its workforce while at the same time ensuring that plants operate uninterruptedly so as to keep the nation’s fuel supplies running.

“We are in a business where we need to ensure not just consumers get uninterrupted supplies of petrol, diesel and cooking gas (LPG), but also airlines get jet fuel on demand and supply lines for nation’s defence forces are unhindered,” IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh said.

The company has implemented work from home at non-critical locations and implemented staggered work hours and working on alternate days at others with all precautions.

Its consumer facing points such as petrol pumps and LPG delivery services have initiated safeguard protocol with face masks and sanitisers.

“We have an obligation towards the nation to keep its supply lines running and we are doing everything while ensuring employee and consumer safety,” he said adding rare times require extraordinary measures and Indian Oil and

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

K-826

IOC initiates rare protocol to keep fuel supplies running

business/state

K-826

8

Italy Covid-19 toll crosses 4,000; Spain-1,000

Doctor Matteo Flippini holds a tablet for patient Alessandro Mattinzoli to talk to his relatives via video conference, at Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia, northern Italy.

1,588 have recovered.

However, its neighbour, Portugal has had just six deaths, with 1,020 people testing positive so far.

Switzerland has begun emerging as another area of concern.

Health Minister Alain Berset Friday warned that the country “had its back to the wall” and sought co-operation from every

single citizen follow the announced restrictions.

Groups of five or more are banned, everyone must stay at home except to shop or work in essential services.

In a population of 8.57 million, Switzerland has seen 4,840 cases and 43 deaths.

With all shops, schools, and restaurants closed, the

government has announced a $40 bn package to support businesses and workers, including apprentices and part-timers.

Over 86,000 infected people recover globally

Amid the panic over the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has put cities after cities under full or partial

Vatican publishes Easter Indian expat student celebration guidelines creates sanitiser robot in Dubai

Vatican City, Mar 21 (IANS): The Vatican has issued guidelines for Catholics celebrating Easter and advised processions be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, said in the statement on Friday that processions and other devotions of popular piety should be postponed until later in the year, suggesting September 14 and 15, reports Efe news.

Any processions already suspended in the coming Holy Week could be celebrated on those dates, if the bishop approves.

It said the Chrism Mass (a religious service held in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism) can be postponed but not the rest of the acts of Holy Week.

“Easter is the heart

Dubai, Mar 21 (IANS): An Indian expat student in Dubai has created a robot that dispenses sanitisers detecting a hand from a range of 30 cm, it was reported on Saturday. “Washing hands from a robotic hand sanitiser can be super fun. Not only does this discovery take your mind off from the COVID-19 pandemic panic, but it intrigues you to dig deeper,” the Khaleej Times report quoted Siddh Sanghvi, the Grade 7 student of Spring Dales Schools, as saying.

“My mother showed me a video where people were touching the hand sanitiser’s bottle to wash hands and getting infected. But this defeats the purpose because coronavirus can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces. “So, I thought why not create something using the STEM technology, where the machine can dispense the sanitiser automatically, without bringing your hand in contact,” added the young inventor of this robot.

“It will soon be normal for machine learning systems to drive our cars, and help doctors to diagnose and treat our illnesses. It’s important that kids are aware of how Artificial Intelligence can be used in real life applications,” he added.

This development comes as the United Arab Emmirates have reported a total of 140 confirmed coronavirus cases with two deaths.

K Y M C

T. A. Ghebreyesus (File)

groups,” he added.

“Every loss of life is a tragedy. It is also a motivation to double down and do everything we can to stop transmission and save lives.”

The head of the WHO acknowledged that the drop in coronavirus cases in China was good news for all countries.

“Yesterday, Wuhan reported no new cases for the first time since the outbreak started. Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world,” he added.

“Of course we must exercise caution. The situation can reverse but the experience of cities and countries that have pushed back this virus gives hope

and courage.”

During his speech, Ghebreyesus said health authorities were learning more about the virus day by day.

“One of the things we are learning is that although older people are the hardesthit and younger people are not spared,” he added.

He continued that the experience of many countries had proved that many patients under 50 who are infected “required hospitalization”.

Ghebreyesus recommended anyone under lockdown to maintain healthy habits, such as not smoking, doing exercise and, if they are still allowed to go out, taking walks while keeping a distance with others.

He added that citizens must only trust reliable information regarding coronavirus figures and possible treatments.

“COVID-19 is taking so much from us, but it’s also giving us something special: the opportunity to come together as one humanity, to work together, to learn together and to grow together,” he said.

N Korea fires 2 projectiles amid COVID-19 pandemic Pyongyang, Mar 21 (IANS): North Korea on Saturday fired two shortrange ballistic missiles into the East Sea from North Pyongyang province, Yonhap news agency reported, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

North Korea launched multiple missiles as part of firing drills earlier this month.

The US and China have called on Pyongyang to return to talks on ending its nuclear and missile programmes, BBC reported.

On Saturday, South Korea’s military said it was monitoring the situation in case there are additional

Kim Jong Un supervises an artillery firing competition between army units in the country’s west in North Korea. (AP/PTI)

launches. of its exclusive economic Japan’s coast guard zone. confirmed a missile had It comes as North Kolanded outside the waters rea announced it would be

holding a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s parliament, on 10 April. Analysts say the meeting will involve almost 700 of the country’s leaders in one spot.

Rachel Minyoung Lee, from North Korea monitoring website NK News said on Twitter that the meeting would “be the ultimate show of (North Korea’s) confidence in managing the coronavirus situation”.

Analysts, however, said that it was a show of confidence during the coronavirus pandemic by announcing an April legislature session.

We the bereaved family members of Late Sentinungba Imchen, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual, churches, friends, neighbours, relatives and well-wishers who stood by us physically, financially, materially and spiritually during his prolonged illness and sudden demise on 15th March 2020.

We deeply regret our inability to mention and thank each and every individual by name, but it is our earnest prayer that our Almighty God blesses you all abundantly. ~Loving parents, daughter, brother, sisters, and relatives~

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LATE APAO MATHEW RHEZHU 14 March 2020 We, the bereaved family members of our beloved Father LATE APAO MATHEW RHEZHU who left us for his heavenly abode on 14 March 2020 would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all churches, organizations, neighbors and individuals who stood by us in prayers, physically and materially during his prolonged illness till his demise.

The following in particular is worth mentioning: 1) SFS church Kohima town 2) UCRC, Flames of Fire church New Market Kohima 3) NIC Secretariat Kohima Nagaland 4) NIC Districts Division 5) NHK Dialysis unit 6) Khumai Union Kohima 7) NMYO 8) NMAP It is your love and support through which, we found help and comfort. May the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Wife, Children & Relatives K-838

G E N E VA , MA R 2 1 (IANS): Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), warned young people that they were “not invincible” against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Today I have a message for young people: You are not invincible,” the WHO chief said at a live-streamed press conference on Friday in Geneva, hours before the organization reported that the number of infections worldwide climbed in the last 24 hours by roughly 25,000 to 234,073.

Fatalities increased by around 800 on Thursday to 9,840.

“This virus could put you in the hospital for weeks or even kill you,” Ghebreyesus said.

“Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.” Ghebreyesus said that self-restraint could save lives. “Solidarity is the key to defeating COVID-19.

Solidarity between countries but also between age

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DP-2159

Pope Francis (File)

of the entire liturgical year and is not simply one feast among others,” the guidelines stated, adding that the Easter Triduum “cannot be transferred to another time”.

“The faithful should be informed of the times of the celebration so that they can prayerfully unite themselves in their homes,” it said and suggested events be broadcast on live television or over the internet.

Priests can celebrate a mass on Holy Thursday without the public but feet washing should not be carried out, according to the advice. They were also urged to hold services on Good Friday and to hold universal prayers including a devotion for the sick, the dead and anyone feeling lost or bereaved. The Vigil mass, which is celebrated on Saturday, and procession which normally takes place after lighting candles should be omitted.

It has been reported that Holy Week celebrations will be carried out without any faithful in attendance in the Vatican, although it has not yet been announced how Pope Francis will mark them. Italy has so far recorded 4,032 coronavirus deaths, surpassing the fatalities in China, where the virus first emerged last December, according to data provided by John Hopkins University.

lockdowns, John Hopkins University’s coronavirus resource centre says that over 86,000 infected patients have been recovered to date.

In Hubei, China which is the original epicenter, 58,382 people have recovered so far; in Iran, 5,979 infected people have been recovered and in Italy, 4,440 people are now coronavirus-free.

Over 1,540 have been recovered in South Korea; 1,323 have been recovered in Guangdong China and 1,107 have been recovered in Spain.

In the US, 121 people have been recovered while in Germany, the number is 115 as of now. In the UK, 65 infected people have been recovered and sent home.

Currently, there are total 246,275 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally while the death toll has crossed 10,000. Over 1,00,000 people across Europe have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, prompting European governments to unleash fresh measures.

You are not invincible against COVID-19: WHO tells youth

Born : 01/01/1983 Died : 15/03/2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. Lhouza Rio

Hd. D.B. D.C. Office Dimapur Born on : 12-07-1952 – Died on : 18-03-2020 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, we the family of Lt. Lhouza Rio wishes to acknowledge the immeasurable expression of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us during his illness and demise.

We offer our sincere thanks to all our friends, churches, neighbour and well wishers, who stood by us throughout with your invaluable time, material, support, love and prayer.

Please accept this acknowledgement as our deepest gratitude as we regret our inability to thank everyone individually.

Indebted we shall remain of your kind deeds and it is our prayer that our good Lord would bless you all abundantly.

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K-846

Rome, Mar 21 (IANS): Italy, which saw its Covid-19 death toll on Thursday overtake that of China where the disease was first reported, on Friday reported another huge spike in fatalities which have now crossed 4,000.

In the last 24 hours, the country recorded 627 deaths - the largest number so far - taking its total to 4,032, as per officials, the BBC reported.

It has been the worst week so far for Italy, which recorded 300 plus deaths for three days running since Sunday, 400 plus for the next two days and now, crossed 600.

The number of confirmed cases in the virusravaged country have risen to 47,021, despite severe restrictions on people’s movement. The country’s health service is under huge strain.

Meanwhile, Spain became the fourth country after Italy, China and Iran to record over 1,000 coronavirus deaths far. Another 235 fatalities in the last 24 hours have taken its total to 1,002, the BBC said.

Almost 20,000 people have contracted the virus but

9

international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Loving Wife, Children and Relatives K Y M C

Infotainment

10

Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

Country music icon Kenny Rogers dies at 81 Coronavirus: Complaint filed against singer Kanika Kapoor in Bihar court C ountry music legend Kenny Rogers has died. He was 81.

Rogers, who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s and 1980s and won three Grammys, passed away "peacefully" from natural causes, reports variety. com.

"Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family," a representative for the singer said in a statement.

Due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, the family is planning a small private service with a public memorial planned later.

Back in 2015, Rogers had announced a farewell tour and kept it going through December 2017.

In April of 2018, he announced that he is calling off the remaining dates, including a planned appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in California, due to unspecified "health challenges".

"I didn't want to take forever to retire," Rogers had said in a statement he released in 2018, adding: "I've thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over

the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler's Last Deal' tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they've given me throughout my career and the happiness I've experienced as a result of that."

After establishing himself commercially via rock- and pop-oriented singles with his group the First Edition, the bearded, prematurely gray Rogers was launched into the top rank of crossover country artists with a string of singles.

His appealing and gritty voice propelled him

to become a country icon, from 1977-1987. Two of them, his 1980 reading of Lionel Richie's "Lady" and his 1983 collaboration with Dolly Parton "Islands in the stream". He also worked with a number of other female vocalists, including Dottie West, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes and Anne Murray.

Rogers' signature song "The Gambler" was added to the National Registry in 1978.

A special, "Biography: Kenny Rogers," had been announced by A&E earlier this month, set to air on April 13. The special is said

to be largely built around footage from the all-star salute Rogers received in Nashville on October 25, 2017, just a couple of months before his final concert appearances.

Along with his music career, he started as an actor. His 1978 country chart-topper "The gambler" turned into five popular TV movies, while some of his other hits also inspired small-screen features. Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association the same year.

Born and raised in Houston, he was the fourth of eight children in a poor family. He took to the guitar as an adolescent, and would sometimes perform with another aspiring local musician and future star, Mickey Gilley.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1966 when he joined the folk-pop unit the New Christy Minstrels, a group that also numbered such performers as Carnes, the Byrds' Gene Clark, "Eve of Destruction" vocalist Barry McGuire and the Lovin' Spoonful's Jerry Yester.

With Mike Settle, Ter-

ry Williams and Thelma Camacho, Rogers founded First Edition in 1967.

Fronted by Rogers, the group notched two top 10 pop hits: "Just dropped in (to see what condition my condition was in)", and a version of Mickey Newbury's slice of pop psychedelia, and "Ruby, don't take love to town".

The First Edition's journey to fame began in the early 1970s, and Rogers signed a solo deal in 1976. He struck almost immediate pay dirt with "Lucille" -- the number became Rogers' first No. 1 country hit and reached No. 5 on the national pop chart. It also scored Rogers his first Grammy, for best male country vocal performance.

Rogers also partnered with longtime female star West, and the duo racked up three No. 1 country singles -- "Every time two fools collide", "All I ever need is you" and "What are we doin' in love". Other hit singles include -- Grammywinning "The gambler" and "Coward of the county".

He got married five times. Rogers is survived by his last wife Wanda and five children.

(IANS)

A

criminal complaint was filed against singer Kanika Kapoor before a Bihar court on Saturday accusing her of neglecting and disobeying an order issued by a public servant to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

The complaint was lodged by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Satish Chandra. It alleged that Kapoor hid the fact that she was infected with the coronavirus.

The matter will come up for hearing on March 31. The complaint also accused Kapoor of spreading the disease among people by performing at three parties in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow.

The “Baby Doll” singer, who became the first Bollywood celebrity to test positive for coronavirus, landed in Lucknow from the United Kingdom and was admitted to a city hospital after she showed signs of flu, reports said.

In a statement posted

on Instagram on Friday, Kapoor said she had tested positive for COVID-19, setting off a chain reaction with at least four political leaders going into self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Fo r m e r R a j a s t h a n chief minister Vasundhara Raje and her MP son Dushyant Singh and parliamentarians Derek O’Brien and Anupriya Patel were among those who went into self-quarantine. While Raje and her son had recently attended a dinner party in Lucknow where Kapoor was also a guest, O’Brien said he sat beside Singh at a Parliament meeting on Wednesday for two hours.

Patel, a leader of Apna Dal, said she was present at an event on Thursday which was also attended by Singh. Singh is a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, which held its last meeting on Wednesday. Senior aviation ministry officials were also present at the meeting.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has also booked Kapoor for negligence and committing acts that are likely to spread a disease.

(PTI)

‘Bachelor’ star Colton tests positive for COVID-19 Andy Cohen says he’s been diagnosed with COVID-19 C

Colton underwood

healthy, and I became symptomatic a few days ago, got my test results back today, and they are positive,” he said in the clip.

Underwood went on to say that the novel virus has him “exhausted.”

“It’s been kicking my

a--, just to put it very bluntly,” he said. “The main thing is I can’t even walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath or go to the bathroom without having to sit down because I’m exhausted, so I guess the reason I’m sharing this

Eurovision Song Contest to broadcast ‘alternative; 2020 show

Dalip Tahil sings for spiritual album with Sonu, Kailash Kher

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programming, but not a competition, to help unite and entertain audiences around Europe during these challenging times.” The statement continues: “It is our intention with this programming, and on our online platforms in the coming months, to honour the songs and artists which have been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.”

The news means that this year’s songs will not be eligible to compete when Eurovision returns in 2021.

In a similar move earlier this week (March 18), the BBC announced plans to broadcast “a celebration of Glastonbury” this summer following the confirmation that the 2020 festival will no longer take place.

“We, along with the Eavis family, are saddened that understandably, the Glastonbury Festival can’t take place,” a statement from the BBC press office reads. “We are already looking forward to next year’s festival at Worthy Farm and will now look at providing our audiences with a celebration of Glastonbury in June.”

(NME)

walking up the stairs getting out of bed,” he added.

Underwood’s Bachelor Nation family, including host Chris Harrison, immediately flooded the reality star’s comments with wellwishes.

“Sorry to hear this brother. Praying for you. Get better!” wrote Harrison.

Jason Tartick commented, “Thinking about you man, get well brotha.”

Ashley Iaconetti said: “Awww Colton I’m so sorry!

Thinking of you! Thank you for sharing and keep us updated if you feel up to it. Hope you get well quickly!”

“Get well brother!”

Jared Haibon wrote.

Underwood is one of several celebrities to contract COVID-19, including Daniel Dae Kim, Idris Elba, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Kristofer Hivju.

(FoxNews)

T

elevision host Andy Cohen has announced in an Instagram post that he's tested positive for COVID-19.

"After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus," Cohen wrote on Friday.

"As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we're putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better."

The host of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live," 51, is father to 1-year-old son, Benjamin.

Cohen has also co-hosted CNN's New Year's Eve coverage with Anderson Cooper in recent years.

"I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves," Cohen concluded his post.

(IANS)

Singer Rihanna offers to buy $700k worth of ventilators for Barbados

With immense pride and profound gratitude to God Almighty, the Education Committee of Dibuia Planning and Development Board, Dibuia Village, Mokokchung expresses its heartiest Congratulations to Mr. Temjensangba Longkumer, S/o Mr Imtisopang Longkumer and Mrs Jongshikala Kichu for getting selected to the post of Asst. Professor Dept. of Mathematics, Nagaland University, Hqs Lumami.

His achievement is indeed an inspiration for many. We wish him good health, long life and much success in life.

Sd/Sd/(IMSUMEREN WALLING) (BENDANGLILA) Convenor Secretary

V

eteran actor Dalip Tahil has lent his voice in an spiritual album titled “Guru Naam”. The album also features voices of singers like Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher and Suresh Wadkar among others.

“It was a surreal experience to record for this very special album on the revered Sikh Guru. India is known for its vibrant diversity and rich heritage. The album provides a unique opportunity for singers from diverse backgrounds to come together to sing paeans in honour of the revered saint.

It sends a message of peace, brotherhood and unity. I am overwhelmed to have got this opportunity to sing for the album alongside such established names from the music industry,” Tahil said.

“Guru Naam” is based on traditional verses of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, and composed by Kuldeep Singh. The album commemorates the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

The album is produced by Times Music.

(IANS)

FELICITATION

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O

rganisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are looking at “alternative programming” options to showcase this year’s entries in a capacity beyond the live competition.

Eurovision 2020 was cancelled earlier this week (March 18) due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The singing contest, which attracts a TV audience of nearly 200 million people each year, was due to take place in Rotterdam after the Netherlands won it in 2019.

However, it appears the 2020 song entries could now live on in a slightly different format. Posted on the official Eurovision website as well as its social media channels today (March 20), a new statement reads: “The EBU is very aware of how much the Eurovision Song Contest will be missed this year. The Contest’s values of universality and inclusivity, and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music, are needed now more than ever.

“As such, the EBU and its Members are currently exploring alternative

is not to cause fear or panic, but to hopefully encourage you guys to stay at home, do your part take care of yourselves, take care of one another.”

Underwood noted that he’s “doing okay” and that he’s currently at girlfriend Cassie Randolph’s family’s house in Huntington Beach, Calif. “... So I’m fortunate to have them,” he said.

“Unfortunately that means we’re all in this together, at this point. So we’ll keep you posted, but we’re in good spirits.”

On Twitter, Underwood expanded on his symptoms, telling his social media followers: “For those wondering what my symptoms are: headache, body aches, night sweats, fever, shortness of breath and a cough.

“Currently I get winded doing simple tasks like

OFFICE OF THE

CHAKHRO KIGWEMA KROTHO DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

FELICITATION

R

ihanna has reportedly offfered to buy $700,000 worth of ventilators for her home country of Barbados as the coronavirus crisis continues to escalate.

Barbados reported two new cases of Covid19 this week, taking the island’s total to six.

According to Kevz Politics, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has announced that the pop star has offered $1.4 million Barbados dollars for the purchase.

Rihanna has a long history of ambassadorial work in her home coun-

tr y. Back in 2018, she was made ‘Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’, a role which involves promoting education, tourism and investment. It follows a host of earlier ambassadorial roles for Barbados that Rihanna had held, including one for culture in 2008.

Barbados also a street on the island after Rihanna in 2017. Westbury New Road, the street Rihanna grew up on and lived on until she was 16, is now called Rihanna Drive.

The singer also recently gave an update on her long-awaited ninth al-

bum, affectionately known as ‘R9’ by fans.

“I like to antagonise my fans a little bit,” she said. “Well, they antagonise me, too! So they get it right back.”

The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect countries worldwide. Yesterday (March 20), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told pubs, restaurants and bars to close as the coronavirus crisis continues.

Keep up to date with every cancelled gig, festival and tour due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak here.

(NME)

The Chakhro Kigwema Krotho takes immense pleasure to extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Kezhaleto Zütso, S/o. Eno. M. Lhouzolie Angami and Enoli Khrieü of Kigwema, for his successful completion of MBBS, MD (Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy) from PGIMER and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi and presently serving as a full time Skin Specialist in Oking Hospital and Research Centre Kohima.

We further wish and pray that Almighty God grant him success in all his future endeavours.

(KHRIEVIZO YHOKHA) (SHÜRHOVIZO ANGAMI) President Secretary Chakhro Kigwema Krotho Chakhro Kigwema Krotho

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olton Underwood has tested positive for coronavirus, the reality star said on social media on Friday.

“I tested positive and I have been following all of the social distancing rules since last week,” he wrote on Instagram. “My symptoms started a few days ago, I was tested and just received my results today.

“For anyone out there that is hesitant to self quarantine ... please do yourself and your loved ones a favor and stay home. We will all beat this and come out stronger on the other side.

I’ll keep you posted, Love y’all,” Underwood added.

The 28-year-old, who appeared on Season 23 of “The Bachelor,” also shared a one-minute video of himself. “... I want to let you guys know: I’m 28, I consider myself pretty healthy, I work out regularly, I eat

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European leagues plan on mid-May restart: Tebas

M a d r i d, M a r 2 1 (Agencies): Europe’s top football leagues are planning to restart in May and should be able to finish their seasons by June 30, claims La Liga president Javier Tebas.

European football has been put on hold as the continent deals with the coronavirus pandemic, with the FA announcing this week that the season will not resume until April 30 “at the earliest”.

UEFA has established a core committee including Tebas, the Premier League and the European Club Association tasked with drafting a calendar structure for continental leagues to follow when the football season will be able to resume. “ I n m i d - M ay w e should be able to be back on with all European competitions,” Tebas told Marca.

“All of them. Of course, it

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

depends on how the pandemic evolves. It could be before, but that is the date we’ve got in mind about being able to resume.”

In a separate interview with Spanish daily El Pais, asked whether it is viable to finish all leagues by June 30, Tebas said, “Yes. UEFA’s decision to postpone the Euros has been quite useful to try and bring the leagues to an end, but we were making plans on the football calendar even before the postponement of the Euros.”

“It was a scenario that we knew could have materialised and we are working on different starting dates.

Here we have to work the other way around, thinking about what could be the latest finish date to see the other dates that can come up.”

“The fundamental scenario is that half or late May is the maximum date

Javier Tebas

for restarting the league so they are able to complete the season on June 30. The other scenarios can go further down [the calendar].

The scenario can also depend on whether there will be some play-off rounds that could be set up or some Champions League games to be played on the weekend.”

“When we will start to play again there will be all the medical guarantees, but that will not depend on us, it will depend on each country’s government. If

they can guarantee that it is safe to play, we will play.

If not, we won’t. You have to keep in mind we are working with 30 different leagues and it will depend on the health authorities if we will be able to play with open doors, closed doors or other conditions.”

“We’re not planning on any format change on any competition, including the European ones. The mandate we have in the committee is to finish the competitions as they are right now. The calendar we are working on is with the competitions in full and in their regular format.”

With the progress of the coronavirus pandemic remaining unclear, the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters has been made the top priority.

However, should the situation not improve Tebas says it will leave European

chiefs with a headache as to how decisions will be made on various issues such as what teams will be awarded league titles, European places, relegations, promotions and also the potential impact of player contracts expiring on June 30.

“I don’t know, or better, I don’t want to know,” he said. “I don’t want to enter this debate because it doesn’t mean anything now. The only mission that keeps me busy day and night is to make sure competitions can be finished.”

“For now, we are planning on competitions to end on June 30th, most importantly the domestic ones. When we’ll be done with it we will make a plan if we will need to extend the season [past June 30th], but it must not be forgotten that the contract binding players to clubs is individual.”

Jovic accepts fault for breaching self isolation M a d r i d, M a r 2 1 (Agencies): Luka Jovic has admitted fault for breaching self-isolation regulations given to him due to the coronavirus pandemic and insists he is ready to accept the consequences.

The Real Madrid striker was spotted outside his apartment in his native Serbia despite being required by law to undergo 28 days of self-isolation first.

He initially explained his actions by blaming the situation on not being given the ‘correct instructions’ regarding the self isolation differences between Spain and Serbia.

However, Jovic now recognises the onus was on him to be more informed about the restrictions and said he was willing to accept his any punishment.

“I broke the isolation

Luka Jovic

because I was not aware of the rules,” the 22-year-old said in an interview with AS. “I know it is hard to believe, but it is true.

“In the country where

I come from, and even in Italy, as far as we can see on the Internet, anyone in quarantine can get out throwing trash once a day, going to a pharmacy or a store.

I thought the same rules applied here. It’s my fault for not doing better research, but I think it’s important that they explain the conditions correctly, especially for people who come from abroad.”

“My intention was not to blame the authorities for my ignorance, I was aware that I was isolating myself, for which there is a document that proves it. My ignorance was that I did not know how I should behave in isolation. Once again I insist that it was because of the conditions I came from.

Of course, I am ready to bear the consequences of my actions,” said Jovic.

‘Social distancing has me on edge’ Anderson’s comeback bid delayed by lockdown

Unique CC win T-10 Gully Cricket tournament

Dimapur, Mar 21 (NPN): Unique CC lifted the T-10 Gully Cricket Tournament after defeating Sigma CC by 8 wickets in the final match played at Chümoukedima local ground. The tournament was organised

by Classic Brothers Cricket Club under the theme, ‘Towards Perfection.’

The winning team received a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 while the runner-up pocketed Rs. 5,000.

In the individual category, Kishan of Trophy Fighters CC was named the best bowler while Tutu of Sigma CC was adjudged the best batsman of the tournament. Altogether, 14 teams took part in the tournament.

Serena Williams

to enjoy that time off.’”

“And then one cancellation led to another and then led to another and led to all this anxiety that I’m feeling. Now I’ve been social distancing for actually a really long time, for probably two weeks now,

and every little thing makes me crazy.”

“And by anxiety I mean I’m just on edge. Any time anyone sneezes around me or coughs I get crazy. I don’t hang out with anyone, and when I say anyone I mean my daughter. She coughed, I got angry and gave her a side-eye. I gave her that ‘angry Serena’ and then I got sad,” said Serena.

“I was like, ‘is she ok?

Is there something wrong with my daughter? Is there anything I can do?’ I just don’t know what to do, so instead of being relaxed I’m really under a ton of stress,” she added.

The ATP and WTA announced earlier this week that there will be no tournaments until June, with the whole of the clay-court season called off.

K Y M C

“Obviously that’s not going to happen anymore, so we just had to re-adjust and now I’ll be at home and I feel like the toughest part of getting over the surgery and recovery has been done.”

“I feel quite confident where I am right now and I can maintain as much as I can while not being able to train properly and hopefully things settle down and it’s more safe to go outside, I’ll be able to resume and get back with things.”

Since starting in China late last year, the disease has infected over 270,000 people and killed more than 11,000 across the world, bringing global sport to a standstill.

The men’s ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs

Kevin Anderson

the women’s tournaments, have suspended their tours until June 7, wiping out the entire clay court season and leaving players to count the financial cost of the tennis shutdown.

Anderson, 33, reached the final at the 2017 U.S. Open and also at Wimbledon a year later but his

We, the bereaved family members and relatives of Late Isabo X Awomi (Hisato) would like to express our deepest gratitude to every individual, groups, churches and organisations who stood by us spiritually, physically, financially and materially at the sudden demise of our beloved son on 14.03.2020.

We would like to convey our special thanks to: 1. Usutomi Baptist Church 2. Police Baptist Church Dimapur 3. Usutomi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (UKK) 4. Usutomi Union Dimapur 5. Usutomi Union Kohima 6. Usutomi Union Zunheboto 7. NCRC Usutomi 20. Mr & Mrs. Teisovise Metha (Aboli) Commandant, 8. Saptiqa Town 4th NAP Bn. Thizama 9. High Rise Club Usutomi 21. Joseph Hesso IPS DIGP (HQ) 10. Thilixu Block (2) 22. Isak, PS to Minister PHED. 11. Akighini Muqo (U.B.C) 23. Assa Angami, PSO, to Minister PHED 12. Achumi kuposhukulu 24. Kakheho Chishi, OSD to Minister PHED 13. Usutomi Dimapur Lajupu Kusami 25. Kavito Chishi, PA to Minister PHED 14. R.H.Q Dimapur 26. Hotokhu Awomi, Class 1 Contractor 15. DEF Zunheboto, Guard of honour Team 27. Dr. Aman Konyak 16. Akito Village Baptist Church 17. 1st NAP D.Coy (Jacob Minister PHED) House Guard 28. Kiniho Zhimomi, Press Secretary to Minister PHED 29. Er. Kakiye Jakha Khujumi, Chekiye Village Block (6) 18. Jacob Zhimomi, Minister PHED 30. Kakiye Zhim 19. Er. Picto Shohe, MLA, 32 A/C Atoizu We regret our inability to mention each and every one of you individually. It is our humble prayer to our Almighty God to bless you all abundantly.

Loving father, mother, family members and relatives K-841

career has suffered setbacks due to a spate of injuries.

The lanky South Africa played only five tournaments last year and another three in 2020 and his ranking has plummeted to 123 in the world.

“Each setback or obstacle is unique and you need to approach it differently.

But having that experience in the past will help,” Anderson said, adding he was confident he can return to the upper echelons of the sport if he stays healthy.

“Obviously now it’s two things: ‘A’ was getting over my surgery, which I feel I was doing a really good job with. (Then) we are faced with a sort of unprecedented time and obviously just like a lot of other players have expressed, the concern is more for globally getting this under control. I think it’s bigger than our sport right now.”

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE Late Kevinguto Khate (17/11/1989 - 16/3/2020)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am extremely saddened and shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Late Mr. Kevinguto Khate on the 16th of March 2020. With a very heavy heart, the NIT fraternity – the teaching & non-teaching staff along with all students would like to convey our heartfelt condolence for the loss of such a promising and highly potential young man.

Late Kevin has greatly contributed to the growth of NIT Nagaland, in particular undertaken lots of consultancy work, which enabled the institute to obtain greater visibility and revenue. We do acknowledge his service as a warden for a good number of years until date.

We know that NIT Nagaland will never be able to replace Late Kevin in terms of his caliber, professionalism and the expertise he brings to his subject and Civil dept in particular.

I along with Registrar administrative staff would like to assure his mother - Mrs. Hokhuli, Sisters Kevisino & Rovino Khate that we will extend all support administratively viable.

Once again, we deeply acknowledge Mr. Kevinguto Khate's matchless service to NIT Nagaland and we do pray for his soul to rest in peace.

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S. Venugopal Director NIT Nagaland

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Benediction

BWF postpones Thomas and Uber Cup finals New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has postponed the Thomas and Uber Cup to be held in Denmark for three months from earlier scheduled date in May in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BWF took the decision after “consultation and consensus” with tournament hosts Badminton Denmark. The tournament is now scheduled for August 15-23 in Aarhus, Denmark. “... it has come to the conclusion that due to extraordinary circumstances related to the severe escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak globally, the tournament could not take place on its originally scheduled dates,” a BWF statement said.

The finals was earlier scheduled to be held in Aarhus, Denmark from May 16 to 24.

M U M B AI , M a r 2 1 (Agencies): South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who underwent knee surgery last month, was eyeing a return to the court at April’s Monte Carlo Masters but his comeback plans have been disrupted as the tennis season remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The former world number five missed the second half of the 2019 season to recover from a knee injury which required surgery in September and then had to undergo another procedure in Miami in February to repair a torn meniscus.

“My recovery’s gone great. I think it’s been really successful so far ... I probably would have been ready for Monte Carlo and the clay court season,” Anderson told the ATPTour.com.

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved so much; Who has gained the respect of Intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has left the world better than he found it; BELOVED FATHER, GRANDFATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE & FRIEND

N. Sashitemsu Pongen Longmisa 16th March 1928 – 17th March 2020

Who has looked for the best in others and given the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration Whose memory is a benediction.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The family wishes to sincerely thank everyone for their support and love during these times of loss.

– Late N. Sashitemsu Pongen's family MKC-116

Born : 10.09.1975 – Died : 11.03.2020 We, the bereaved family members of Late P. Henito Sumi convey our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who stood and supported us through prayers, financially, physically and materially.

We are unable to thank every one in person but pray to God to bless each one richly for the noble deeds done to us.

We convey our special thanks to: 1. Doctors and Nurses of K.P Bethesda Hospital, Kohima 2. NHAK 3. Sr. Superintendent of Police, Officers and all ranks of DEF Kohima 4. Police Union Baptist Church, New Reserve Phesama 5. HOP Fellowship, Kohima (SABCK) 6. Kichilimi Union Kohima 7. SABCK 8. Ghokimi Fellowship Kohima 9. Kitami Union Kohima 10. Tsaphimi Village Council.

11. Tsaphimi Baptist Church, Youth and Women Department 12. Tsaphimi Students’ Union 13. Tsaphimi Union Kohima & Dimapur 14. Electrical Colony Youth and Council, Kohima 15. Mr. Kashiho Kiho and Family.

Loving wife, children and relatives K-843

Born: 1944 – Died: 14.03.20 We, the Family of Lt. Yingchoshe wishes to acknowledge many expressions of sympathy and gesture of kindness to each and every one. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for your concern and support shown through your prayer, physical, moral, and financial assistance during our dear mother’s prolonged illness and sad demise.

We may not be able to repay your act of kindness but it is our earnest prayer that our Almighty God shower His blessings abundantly upon your lives.

We convey our special thanks to:1. Doctors and Nurses of NEIGRIHMS Shillong 2. Yimchunger Baptist Borü, Chumukedima 3. Yimchunger Baptist Borü Women Dept. Chumukedima 4. Yimchunger Baptist Borü Youth Dept. Chumukedima 5. Phuvkiu Welfare Society, Dimapur 6. Jankhiungrü Betsü, Chumukedima 7. Chütsolie Colony, Chumukedima 8. Phuvkiu Family, Kohima 9. Phuvkiu Baptist Church 10. Phuvkiu Baptist Church Women Dept.

11. Phuvkiu Baptist Church Youth Dept.

12. Phuvkiu Village Council 13. Village Level Organisation, Phuvkiu Village 14. A’ khel, Phuvkiu Village 15. Khüvazulü Union, Phuvkiu Village 16. Every Individual Loving Children, Grandchildren, In-Laws & Relatives

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New York, Mar 21 (Agencies): Serena Williams has opened up about how difficult she is finding social distancing.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion revealed on Instagram more than a week ago that she planned to spend six weeks at home because of the coronavirus crisis.

And, in a post on TikTok, Williams explained she is struggling to deal with the anxiety that she is feeling.

The 38-year-old said, “I wanted to take a minute and talk about my experience with corona.

It started out with me feeling like, ‘oh it can’t really affect me’. And then suddenly Indian Wells was cancelled and I was like, ‘oh, OK, that’s weird but I have a little time off and I’m going

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020

‘No need to rush Tokyo Olympic decision’ Tennis is irrelevant right now: Sania request a postponement.

In an open letter to the USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland, swimming federation boss Tim Hinchey said US Olympic leaders should “advocate for the postponement” of the Tokyo Games.

“We urge the USOPC, as a leader within the Olympic Movement, to use its voice and speak up for the athletes,” Hinchey wrote.

USA Swimming is the biggest US sports federa-

tion to call for a postponement.

Friday’s statement came against a backdrop of mounting unease amongst athletes over the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on their preparations for Tokyo.

Several have called on the IOC to postpone the July 24-August 9 Games, noting that restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 have wreaked havoc with training and competition schedules.

Olympics must wait until virus ‘under control’

Visitors pose for photos with the Olympic rings in Tokyo.

Los Angeles, Mar 21 (AFP): US Olympic chiefs said more time was needed to determine the fate of the Tokyo Olympics as a major US sports federation called for the Games to be postponed over the coronavirus pandemic.

In a conference call with reporters, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) chairwoman Susanne Lyons said there was no

need for the International Olympic Committee to make an immediate decision on Tokyo.

“I think we would concur with the IOC to say that we need more expert advice and information than we have today to make a decision,” Lyons said on Friday.

“And we don’t have to make a decision. Our games are not next week, or two weeks from now.

They’re four months from now. So we are affording the IOC the opportunity to gather that information and expert advice.”

“At this point in time, we do not feel that it’s necessary for us to insist that they make a decision.”

But just hours after Lyons’ comments, USA Swimming underscored the growing divisions within US sport on the issue by calling for USOPC to

No name agreed for postponed Euros

NYON, Mar 21 (Agencies): Soccer’s European Championship is now being played in 2021 though it’s not yet clear what it will be officially called “The tournament will still be known as UEFA Euro 2020,” the governing body said, three days after deciding to postpone the month-long event by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

UEFA later clarified that statement as an error and added “no decision has yet been made on the name of the rearranged Euro.”

The tournament is scheduled to be played in 12 cities in different countries across Europe, with the final in London on July 11. Some cities, including St. Petersburg in Russia, already have Euro 2020 promotional mate-

rial on display. “We trust that all of our venues will remain the same, ensuring the tournament remains true to its original vision,” UEFA said.

Ro m a n i a n s o c c e r and public authorities announced on Thursday they renewed all obligations for Bucharest to host three group-stage games and a Round of 16 knockout game.

UEFA picked 13 host cities in 2014 but Brussels later dropped out when a stadium construction project failed to get support from public authorities.

Brussels’ four games were allocated to Wembley Stadium in London.

The cost of postponing the 24-team, 51-game tournament is likely to cost UEFA “hundreds of millions” of euros (dollars), its president Aleksander Ceferin said this week.

UEFA has promised refunds on any request and “will proactively contact all ticket holders in due course.”

Oslo, Mar 21 (AP): The Norwegian Olympic Committee wants the Tokyo Games only to take place once the coronavirus outbreak “is under firm control” worldwide.

The NIF laid out its position in a letter sent to IOC President Thomas Bach on Friday, entitled “Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and COVID-19” and signed by its president and secretary general.

The body said it urged the IOC to provide an “insight on the central milestones” in the process leading to the final decision on whether the games will be held.

“Our clear recommendation,” the letter read, “is that the Olympic Games in Tokyo shall not take place before the COVID-19 situation is under firm control on a global scale.”

The NIF said it was concerned about the public health situation both in its own country and internationally, saying it was a “very challenging time” for its athletes because of the country’s ban on organized sports activities. “We understand and respect that the situation is indeed very complicated for the Japanese health authorities, the OCOG and the IOC,” it said.

“We trust that the advices from the Tokyo 2020 Task Force are of the highest medical standard and has the safety of the athletes as the overall priority.”

Barcelona mulls slashing players’ salaries Barcelona, Mar 21 (IANS): Amid the coronavirus outbreak which has stalled the sporting world, Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona will decide next week whether to temporarily reduce the salaries of some first-team players to tackle the economic impact.

According to ESPN, Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau is in talks with La Liga and other clubs around Europe so that they take concerted measures to address the impact of the coronavirus.

“It is vital for Barcelona’s financial stability,” sources from the club said.

“Other clubs have already done their job but Barca must keep fighting for the La Liga title and for continuing to advance in the Champions League.”

There might not be any temporary layoffs but according to the report, due to the absence of income, players might need to cut their wages while games remain suspended.

Neymar reportedly set for Barcelona return Paris, Mar 21 (Agencies): Brazilian superstar Neymar has given the green light on a potential move back to his former club Barcelona, less than a year after his failed attempts to secure a move away from Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Sport, Neymar has also rejected PSG’s offer of a new record-breaking contract to keep him at the Parc Des Princes, with the disgruntled 28-year-old stating on numerous occasions that his time in the French capital is coming to an end.

Having failed to secure his signature last summer following a long-drawn-out transfer saga, Barcelona are expected to reignite their interest and are prepared to do whatever it takes to bring the Brazilian back to Camp Nou. The primary reason behind Barca’s renewed interest is the fact that Lionel Messi has shown a keen interest to play alongside his former colleague once again, and his contractual situation with the Catalonian giants means he has

Neymar

leverage over the club. Barca tried and failed to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou last summer, failing with a series of player-plus-cash offers, before he eventually found himself resigned to staying in League 1.

After a controversial spell on the sidelines due to a rib injury, the Brazilian returned to the starting lineup and scored in a losing effort against Borussia Dortmund on March 11.

The game was played be-

hind closed doors due to the outbreak of COVID19.

It’s been another injury-interrupted season for the megastar, who has netted an impresive 13 goals in just 14 League 1 appearances, however, the PSG Ultras have started to turn against the 28-year-old given his inability to remain healthy for a full season. According to reports, Quique Setien’s side will offer up Phillipe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in an attempt to turn the tide in their favour and secure a deal.

If PSG don’t go for that, it is expected that Barca will shop around the pair in an attempt to recoup the cash to go after Neymar.

Chelsea are a potential destination for Coutinho, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich. Dembele is sure to attract numerous suitors given his natural talent, but reports of a lack of discipline with his diet and routine off the pitch may scare clubs away given his hefty price tag.

M u mba i , M a r 2 1 (Agencies): After the French Open 2020 was rescheduled to September amid the COVID-19 outbreak world over, Sania Mirza has called the talks over playing tennis as irrelevant.

There’s an uproar among tennis players ever since the organisers decided to postpone the French Open to September amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

What infuriated tennis stars the most was that they came to know of the rescheduling when the news broke on Twitter rather than their respective federations.

Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza, however, has asked all such talks to be put on hold as considering the current situation, playing tennis remains irrelevant.

“A lot of them literally found out from social media and not through our federations or associations.

That’s what I think people were a little bit more irritated about,” Sania told Times of India.

With the coronavirus pandemic wiping out sporting calendars all across the globe, fans, sportspersons and authorities are worried as to how the remainder of the events will be adjusted when the COVID-19 impact goes on a downward

Sania Mirza

slide. Several major tournaments, including Indian Premier League, European football leagues, UEFA Euro, NBA, NFL, have all been suspended until further notice. Sania admitted that the current situation has given birth to many questions, the answers to which won’t be known until that very time comes.

“There are so many question marks until we get up there. So we are just going to have to really wait and watch. I don’t think we need to overreact to everything that’s being said because right now, playing tennis or winning a tennis match, honestly to me, seems pretty irrelevant in the scheme of things that are going on.”

Sania recently played participated in the Fed Cup in UAE, but just two days after Sania’s match was scheduled, a couple who returned Pune from

Dubai after watching the match, was tested positive for COVID-19. When asked if she had any apprehensions over being a part of the Fed Cup, the doubles player said that the epidemic hadn’t spread as much in Dubai back then.

“When we were actually there, it had not hit (Dubai) as bad,” said Mirza. “When we were playing, there were not a lot of people who were coming to watch. It was pretty secluded. We played a few matches without ball kids because of the hygiene and because the kids needed to avoid touching the ball.”

“If it had hit that hard, I probably wouldn’t have got on that flight to America (for the Indian Wells event which was later cancelled) which I did. So at that point we were pretty confident that we were safe.”

Mary Kom breaks quarantine protocol New Delhi, Mar 21 (IANS): Amid panic over a possibility of community transmission of novel coronavirus, it has now come to fore that ace boxer and Rajya Sabha MP Mary Kom broke the 14-day quarantine protocol which has been put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the governments across the world.

Mary Kom, who had competed in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan, had returned home March 13 and was supposed to be in selfisolation for a minimum of 14 days amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

However, on March 18, she attended the breakfast hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In one of the four pictures tweeted by the official Twitter handle of President of India, Mary Kom can be seen with other Member of Parliaments. “President Kovind hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar

Napoli to begin training from March 25

Naples, Mar 21 (IANS): Despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak which has claimed over 4,000 lives in Italy and a subsequent lockdown announced by the government, football club Napoli has said that they will resume training from March 25.

“SSC Napoli announces that the team will resume training at the Technical Center on March 25 with a morning session,” the club said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Serie A side Cagliari has also said that it will train with players split into groups on Monday. Damiano Tommasi, president of the Italian Players’ Union (AIC), stated it would be dangerous for players to return to work with a lockdown still imposed across the nation, reports goal.com.

There has been no sport in Italy since March 9 as a result of the spread of coronavirus, with the Serie A initially going behind closed doors before the shut down occurred.

Mary Kom

Pradesh and Rajasthan for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning,” read the caption of the photos.

On the same day, BJP lawmaker Dushyant Singh, who came in contact with infected Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, was also there at the President’s House. Singh is now in selfquarantine.

Boxing coach Santiago Nieva had on Friday told IANS that the

members of the Indian boxing contingent, who participated in Jordan, are all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. “ 1 0 d ay s we h a d planned but now it becomes 14 days. So after 10 days I am working on a training programme which I will send them. After this period they can start on that. If this is not solved within two weeks then we will have to continue like

this as best as we can,” Nieva had said.

Mary Kom has, also admitted that she attended the President’s event. In a statement, she said: “I am home since I came back from Jordan. I only attended the President’s event and did not meet Dushyant or shake hands with. My quarantine after Jordan ends but I’m going to be at home only for the next 3-4 days.”

WADA issues dope testing guidelines Montreal, Mar 21 (AFP): The World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) issued new guidelines to facilitate continued testing amid the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic.

Noting that the spread of COVID-19 had evolved into “an even greater health and societal emergency” since its March 6 communique, WADA urged Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) to act in accordance with restrictions placed by local health authorities “to ensure proper protection of athletes and doping control personnel, while protecting the integrity of doping control programs, particularly in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

WADA’s latest guidelines advise anti-doping organizations to make sure that sample collectors are free from any symptoms of illness. Collectors should also ask athletes if they have any symptoms or if they or anyone at the collection site are in the groups thought to be at heightened risk from COVID-19. If test collection personnel are found to

have contracted the virus, athletes they tested should be informed and vice versa, WADA said on Friday.

Protective wear such as masks should be used and work surfaces disinfected, and if local conditions limit what testing can occur then ADOs should “consider focusing their testing program on targeted athletes from high risk sports and disciplines,” WADA said.

In locations where testing programs can’t continue, WADA said, it and other anti-doping organizations and sports federations will work together “once the situation begins to return to normal” to identify gaps in testing “particularly as it relates to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

WADA said anti-doping organizations should continue to obtain information on whereabouts of athletes normally gathered to

facilitate out-of-competition testing. Athletes are still responsible for obtaining therapeutic use exemptions and “should be reminded that they can still be tested at any place, any time,” WADA said.

With some WADA accredited laboratories already closed and others likely to follow suit, WADA said testing organizations should contact the Montreal-based organization for information on what labs might be able to receive samples.

“While there are no plans to change existing requirements under the World Anti-Doping Prog ram, WADA fully acknowledges the complexities of this unprecedented situation and will ensure its compliance monitoring program provides a level of flexibility and understanding based on the circumstances,” WADA said.

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