November 23, 2020

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXX No. 349

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00

Bru resettlement protests: Death toll rises to 2

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northeast, Page 3

Load shedding days are here again

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 2 (NPN): Due to low power generation from the hydro power generating stations and the resultant power shortfall, the State power department said it was being compelled to impose load shedding throughout the State on a rotational basis. (See table) During this critical time of power crisis, the department has appealed to customers for judicious and optimum use of electricity by switching off avoidable appliances that would go a long way to reduce the duration and quantum of load shedding. While regretting the inconvenience caused, chief engineer (T&G) Er Nribemo Mohzui in a press note said that the department was making all efforts to provide stable power supply during the festive season of Christmas and New Year celebrations. It may be recalled that the State government, in order to give impetus to the activities of the power department, has projected an amount of Rs. 1,115 crore to the 15th Finance Commission for various power projects in the state.

Minister for planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu said this during the inspection of the ongoing revival work of Duilum-Roi Mini Hydel Project at Poilwa village under Peren district, accompanied by advisor power Tovihoto Ayemi and officials of power department. The project stopped operating in August 2019 as the main channel was damaged by a massive landslide. The minister disclosed that proposals were being made for bigger power projects in Upper and Lower Tizu as well as Tizu valley. On the department’s proposal for upgradation of the Mini Hydel Project at Duilum-Roi upto 2MW, he suggested conducting a proper feasibility survey so

Petrol, diesel prices rise for 3rd straight day

Set up nodal agencies to restore water bodies: NGT asks states

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 2 (NPN): Petrol price on Sunday was hiked by 8 paise per litre and diesel by 19 paise, the third straight day of increase in rates as the firming international oil rates broke a nearly two-month-long hiatus in price revision. Petrol price in Dimapur was hiked to Rs 84.28 per litre while diesel was increased to Rs 74.70 a litre, according to a price notification from oil marketing companies. In the state capital Kohima, a litre of petrol and diesel was retailing at Rs.85.12 per litre and Rs.75.39 a litre respectively. State-owned fuel retailers started raising fuel prices from Friday. In three days, petrol price has gone up by 40 paise and diesel rates have risen by 61 paise per litre. Petrol prices had been static since September 22, and diesel rates hadn’t changed since October 2. Rates vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT. OMC sources said that the auto fuel hike may not end just yet and the price of the two petroleum products may increase gradually over the next week as well.

NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (PTI): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Sunday directed all the states and union territories to designate a nodal agency for the protection of water bodies. The Green Tribunal Principal bench headed by its Chairperson Justice A K Goel noted that the concerned authorities had failed to take adequate steps to protect the water bodies so far. “We find that steps taken so far can hardly be held to be adequate...It helps not only aesthetics but also water availability, aquatic life, microclimate, recharge of groundwater and maintaining e-flow of the rivers,” the bench observed. Under the oversight of chief secretaries of states/ UTs, the designated nodal

This is it!

“See how serious they are about online class though I hear only songs and gun fire from their mobile phones.” K Y M C

Requirement of power

Availability of power as per allocation for Nagaland including state’s own generation

Shortfall

5 AM to10 AM

110 MW

85 MW

25 MW

10 AM to 2 PM

90 MW

75 MW

15 MW

2 PM to 5 PM

125 MW

76 MW

49 MW

5PM to 10 PM

148 MW

112 MW

36 MW

Time of the day

as to take up the matter at the government level. Additional chief engineer (T&G) Penrithung Yanthan said that the Duilum-Roi Mini Hydel Project, which started in 1991, has two stages-- with the first being 540 KW and second 200 KW and have lived its useful life. He said that it was designed to operate in isolation (off grid) and provide electricity to surrounding villages. However, Yanthan said that the department has proposed for revival of the two stages of the project. He said the department has also come up with a new plan with the capacity of 2.4 MW which would be connected to the grid. Informing that DPR has been prepared and a proposal submitted to the

agency has been asked to hold its meeting by January 31, 2021 to take stock of the situation and plan further steps, including directions to district authorities for further steps, including directions to district authorities for further course of action up to the Panchayat level. The bench also said that the nodal agency would evolve further monitoring mechanism as well as Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) and submit periodical reports to the Central Pollution Control Board or Secretary of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Hearing a plea filed by

state government, the additional chief engineer said that the project was designed to generate 11.95 MU of electricity annually. Power department engineer-in-chief, Er. Shikato Sema said that through the project the department was trying to capitalise the available resources. Power outage: Meanwhile, in view of jungle cutting along 66KV Tuli-Nagnimora, 66KV NagnimoraTizit & 66KV Tizit-Mon transmission, the power department has informed about daily disruption of power from November 24 till 30, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. SDO (Trans) Mokokchung transmission sub-division appealed to all consumers to bear with the inconvenience.

a petitioner, Haryana resident Lt Col (retd) Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi, seeking to restore the Ghata Lake in Gurgaon and 214 other water bodies in Faridabad district, the Tribunal expanded the scope of petition to the entire country. “Any individual grievances may be first raised before the appropriate GRM or by moving the concerned District Magistrate which may be looked into on merits,” the Tribunal said. The tribunal also asked the Central Monitoring Committee, formed for monitoring remediation of 351 polluted river stretches, to monitor the steps for restoration of water bodies by all the states periodically, at least thrice in a year. First such monitoring may take place by March 31, 2021, the tribunal said.

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

4.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Nagaland NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): An earthquake of 4.4 magnitude hit Nagaland on Sunday morning. According to National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake struck the Mokokchung region at 08:59 a.m. According to NCS, there is no immediate report of any casualty or damage to property because of the quake. The effects of the quake were also felt in Assam. The jolts were felt at a depth of 23.2 KM and the epicentre of the quake was 11 KM east of Mokokchung. Earlier on Saturday, two earthquakes jolted Manipur back to back. A quake measuring 2.8 magnitude jolted Senapati area of Manipur at 6.54 a.m., while the other one hit the state at 10.19 a.m. In October, a study revealed that the recent earthquakes in parts of India, though of small magnitudes occurred due to foreshocks and swarms. A top official of the Geological Survey of India warned that frequent tremors were a matter of concern in the subcontinent.

England set for stricter lockdown after Dec 2 international, Page 7

Marginal improvement in Gogoi’s condition Guwahati, Nov 22 (PTI): The health condition of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi improved marginally on Sunday and he is currently semi-conscious, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Superintendent Abhijit Sarma said. During the day, doctors completed the first round of dialysis to improve his kidney function and normalise his urine output, the GMCH superintendent told reporters. “Our nephrologists suggested dialysis to bring down his potassium level. Dialysis has started and we will see if his urine output becomes normal,” he added. Earlier in the day, Sarma said that as he is on inotropic support, the doctors had kept dialysis as the last resort to normalise urine output. The 84-year-old Congress leader was admitted to GMCH on November 2 due to post-COVID complications and was on non invasive ventilation (NIV). He was put under invasive ventilation on Saturday night when his condition deteriorated. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sun-

Trade unions nationwide strike on November 26

NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): Ten central trade unions have declared to go ahead with their planned nationwide general strike on November 26 and also announced their support to a two-day farmers’’ agitation next week. The union leaders said workers from all sectors, except those involved in essential services, would take part in the national strike. In addition to the 10 major trade unions, employees’ organisations in banking, insurance, Railway as well as State and Central government institutions would take part in the strike. Taxi drivers and workers from the unorganised sector too would be participating. An estimated 1.6 crore workers will be part of the 24-hour strike, which will be from November 25 midnight to November 26 midnight. The major demands raised by the unions include withdrawal of anti-farmer and anti-labour bills, depositing of Rs.7,500 in the accounts of all non-tax paying families, provision of 10 kilogram of food grains every month to families in need, expansion of MGNREGS to provide 200 work days per year with increased wages and implementation of the scheme in urban areas also, end to privatisation in defence, railways, ports, aviation, power, mining and finance sectors etc.

mosques and other places of worship across the state. On Sunday morning, the GMCH superintendent said that doctors repeated all clinical tests and his vital health parameters showed marginal improvement compared to that of Saturday. “He is semi-conscious now. We had said last night that 48 hours were very critical for him. Twenty four hours have passed and there is no deterioration in his health condition. That is the most important thing,” he stated. Gogoi’s pulse rate and blood pressure are under check, and his oxygen saturation level is 95-97 per cent, Sarma said. “The only worry is the urine output, which is around 100 -120 ml in 24 hours,” he said in the morning. The three-time chief minister spontaneously opened his eyes and looked around in the morning, the GMCH superintendent said. “ T h e r e wa s s l i g h t movement, which we call moto movement. This is a good sign. Technically speaking, although he is critical, he is stable haemodynamically.

Tarun Gogoi

day wished him speedy recovery and took an update of his health condition from the hospital authorities. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state cabinet ministers and AGP leaders Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta, BJP leader Ramen Deka and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal are among those from other parties who visited the facility to enquire about his health. His son and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi rushed to the hospital along with Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua on Saturday night. Gogoi’s daughter and daughter-in-law visited the hospital on Sunday. A host of MPs, MLAs and other senior leaders of the Congress are camping at the hospital since Saturday night. His supporters are praying for him in temples,

Reconciliation working principle of WC/NNPGs, says GPRN/NSCN

DIMAPUR, NOV 22 (NPN): Even though complete reconciliation and unity was yet to be achieved among various Naga groups, GPRN/ NSCN has asserted that,neverthelss the spirit and commitment of Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) was much a the working principle of WC, NNPGs . In his speech on the occasion of 13th Naga Unification Day, GPRN/ NSCN president MB Neokpao Konyak declared, “We have never wavered from the idea of Naga reconciliation even though the Naga people have now shifted the focus from reconciliation and unity to practical and realistic Indo-Naga political solution and rightly so.” He said in unity and comradeship, the seven Naga political groups (WC, NNPGs) were on the threshold of a political solution that is honourable and acceptable to the Naga people. Saluting all Naga comrades who sacrificed their lives to propagate peace and unity among Naga brothers, GPRN/NSCN also appreciated and conveyed its gratitude to Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR),

he church, GBs, DBs, tribal hohos, mothers, students, intellectuals, Naga citizens concerned and well-wishers who assisted, prayed and expressed solidarity during the tumultuous days of Naga unification. With an added responsibility and intent to entrench Naga historical and political right and to fulfil the aspiration of “our people” for a common future through early Indo-Naga political solution, GPRN/NSCN said it was committed to continue partnering WC, NNPGs and work in close collaboration with 14 tribes of Nagaland, Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation, Nagaland Tribes’ Council, Eastern Naga People’s Organisation, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, churches, peace mediators, senior citizens concerned, intellectuals and all sections of Naga society. The group further announced to continue to reach out and consult “our very own Naga brethren” in Myanmar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, besides maintaining cordial relationship with “our neighbours” for peaceful harmonious (Full text on p-4) co-existence.

COVID-19: Parliamentary panel red flags rapid antigen tests Nagaland COVID tally 10777 NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its recent report on COVID-19 has said that it is “worried at the use of less reliable diagnostic tests which increase the chances of false negatives”. The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on health, Ram Gopal Yadav, submitted the report titled, ‘Outbreak of Pandemic COVID-19 and its Management’ to Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. This is the first report by any parliamentary panel on the government’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic. The report said that the government “must assess the veracity of Rapid Antigen Test vis-à-vis RT-PCR and other diagnostic tests…to bring forth the true picture of the testing capacity in the

country”. It has “strongly recommended” that testing facilities are ramped up “for more accurate tests”. The report also noted, “testing facility is only limited to bigger districts and cities”, and “lack of testing facilities in rural areas has also resulted in underreporting of cases”. Rapid antigen is a test on swabbed nasal samples that detects antigens (foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body) that are found on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As per The Indian Express, the test is a point-ofcare test, performed outside the conventional laboratory setting, and is used to quickly obtain a diagnostic result. As per IndiaSpend, antigen testing is faster and cheaper than the “gold standard” of testing, the RTPCR technology. It also very

accurately detects positive cases of COVID-19. But its downside is that it gives a substantial number of ‘false negatives’ where a person’s test can come as negative when they could actually be positive for the viral disease. Difference between RT-PCR and rapid antigen test: As mentioned by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the RTPCR test takes a minimum of 2-5 hours including the time taken for sample transportation. “These specifications limit the widespread use of the RT-PCR test and also impedes quick augmentation of testing capacity in various containment zones and hospital settings,” the ICMR advisory stated. In a reliable rapid antigen detection test, the maximum duration for interpreting a positive or negative test is 30 minutes.

As per guidelines issued by ICMR, those who test negative for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test should be definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR to rule out infection, whereas a positive test should be considered as a true positive and does not need reconfirmation by RT-PCR test. In a circular on 23 June, 2020, about “newer additional strategies for COVID19 testing”, the government stated that antigen testing can help at “field level for early detection of infection and quick containment” and can give a “quick diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in field settings”. The government then said that this technology should be used both in field settings (outside of the laboratory) as well as in hospitals and along with the RT-PCR test technology. The ICMR has conducted an independent two-

site evaluation of the SD Biosensor kit, at ICMR and AIIMS. The results revealed that the kit had very high specificity, or the ability to detect true negatives, ranging between 99.3% and 100% at the two sites. The sensitivity of the test, or its ability to detect true positives, ranged between 50.6% and 84%, depending upon the viral load of the patient. The higher the ability to detect true negatives, the more reliable is any positive result. This means that when it returns a positive result, it is 99.3% to 100% accurate, but when it returns a negative result, it could be only 50.6% to 84% accurate. This implies that the use of rapid tests could be letting some infected people return freely to the community, spreading the virus to even more people.

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON november 22, 2020

District

Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang

ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic AsympCritical-ICU tomMod- Se- With- With On Mild atic erate vere out Oxy- VentiOxygen gen lator 769 13 10 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 366 1 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 0 0 0 0

Death MiRecovunder Total Death gratered InvestiCases ed gation 5096 23 2758 9 113 538 311 37 155

35* 0 19 0 1 2 0 0 1

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wokha

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

28

1

0

Zunheboto Total

2 1365

0 16

0 15

0 3

0 5

0 0

0 2

135 9203

0 59

0 4

66 0 15 9 3 9 0 0 0

5994 25 3172 18 120 577 461 44 197

0

29

3 140 105 10777

*6 deaths not due to Covid-19 *4 deaths under investigation

D I M A P U R , N OV 2 2 (NPN): Nagaland COVID19 tally rose to 10,777 after 103 new positive cases were detected Sunday-- 78 in Kohima, 24 in Dimapur and 1 in Zunheboto. Out of 10,777 positive cases, the distribution across various categories include 4473 from the armed forces/police, 1753 returnees, 4044 traced contacts and 507 frontline workers.

2 more deaths: Meanwhile, two more deaths were recorded, taking the tally to 63. Out of 63 deaths, 53 are COVID-19 related, 4 under investigation and 6 deaths not due to COVID. I nd ia ’s C OV I D - 19 tally rose to 90.95 lakh (90,95,806) on Sunday with 45,209 new cases, while the death toll reached 1,33,227 with 501 more fatalities. K Y M C

2

state

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

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A

B

A Yes. B No. C Can’t Say.

C

4% 96% 0%

Next poll

Q: Is the rise of online

marketing the biggest impact of COVID-19 pandemic?

 Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST november 23

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sun

27 14

Hazy sun

25 10

Guwahati Hazy sun

27 13

Aizawl Imphal

Sunny and pleasant

Itanagar Mostly sunny and nice

25 10 24 12

Shillong

Mostly sunny

19 6

Kohima

Sunny

21 9

Dimapur Mostly sunny and pleasant

25 13

Mostly sunny and pleasant

23 10

Mkg

Tuensang Mostly sunny Wokha

Blood analyzer dedicated GPRN/NSCN celebrates 13th unification day at CHC Pughoboto

Sunny to partly cloudy

Zunheboto Mostly sunny

17 7 21 12 20 8

CMO Zunheboto, Dr. K. Akaho Sema delivering his speech.

DIMAPUR: Bio-chemistry blood analyzer (BCBA) was dedicated at CHC Pughoboto by CMO Zunheboto, Dr. K. Akaho Sema on November 20. A press release by district media officer, Shekho Sophie stated that guest of honour, Dr. K. Akaho Sema said that with installation of the machine, the people of Pughoboto would now be able to avail services like kidney function test, liver function test, lipid profile, serum calcium, serum uric acid at reasonably low rate. Further, he highlighted about the COVID-19 status of Zunheboto district and Nagaland and said that the next coming three months would be crucial in determining COVID-19 status.

He emphasised that they should sacrifice and compromise the way of living, minimise public gatherings/ meetings while adapting to the new normal. He also extended gratitude to Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho (SAH) for bringing good name to the department and also to the entire Sumi community. He appreciated the community participation by SAH during the pandemic and said the investment would bear fruits in the days to come. DPO (RCH & UIP) Dr. Nukshisangla said that community participation was important for any programme to be successful and further called upon all to maintain the blood analyzer machine. General secretary, Sumi

Aphuyemi Hoho (SAH), Ghuzhui Shohe highlighted that the machine was bought with generous contributions and prayers from general public and under effective leadership and guidance from SMO, Pughoboto CHC, Dr. Hokugha. Earlier, the programme was chaired by president, Aphuyemi Sumi Küqhakulu, Kohima, Ngukato. K. Tsuipu, secretary SAH Vixepu Swu delivered introductory note, Bible reading and blessing of the machine by parish priest, St. Francis of Assisi, Pughoboto, Rev. Fr. Luke Nagahoto. Distribution of medicines to various health units under Pughoboto block was also handed over by Dr. Hokugha.

DIMAPUR: GPRN/ NSCN celebrated the 13th unification day at council headquarter, Khehoi designated camp on November 22, with convenor NPAC, GPRN/NSCN, Zutovi Swu as chief guest. A press release by GPRN/NSCN through its MIP, stated that chief guest hoisted the Naga national flag. Advisor to collective leadership (ACL), Hothrong Yimchunger, while extending his greeting, also briefed the gathering about various accounts leading to unification of warring Naga national factions and prevailing issue of Naga national movement. Obituar y moment was also observed with silent prayers for departed souls of national workers,

GPRN/NSCN ACL Hothrong Yimchunger speaking at the unification day held on November 22.

while a military drill was army. The programme diction from chaplain of displayed by the Naga concluded with a bene- GHQ, Hukavi.

news in Brief DC Dimapur informs of sealing: Deputy commissioner, Dimapur, Rajesh Sondararajan has informed that H/ No. 21 of Thahekhu village block-I Dimapur, has been sealed for 48 hours, with immediate effect till further notice. Any person violating the containment measures would be liable to be proceeded as per provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the district management act, 2005, besides legal action under Section-188 of the IPC. KDPU 18th general session: Kohima District Pharmacists’ Union (KDPU) has convened its 18th general session on November 25, 10 a.m at conference hall (top floor) of the District Industries Centre (DIC), Upper Chandmari, Kohima. Executives and members of the union have been requested to attend the session positively. For further information members may contact at 7005636471 president and 9862689308 general secretary. ZCC new team: Zuvutong Colony Council (ZCC) Wokha has selected a new team for the tenure 2020-22, led by Thungchanbemo Lotha as chairman and Subenthung Ezung as general secretary along with 5 other members.

First of its kind touch screen kiosk dedicated at ICFAI APC members training

The kiosk designed and developed by students of BCA 6th semester with faculty members on November 21.

DIMAPUR: ICFAI Uni- during the commemoration C. P. Alexander, dedicated versity Nagaland, depart- programme of former vice a touch screen digital interment of computer science chancellor, late professor active kiosk in his memory

on November 21. A press release by ICFAI Univ assistant professor and head of computer science, O. Bhopen Singh stated that, the BCA 6 semester students designed and developed the touch screen digital interactive kiosk, which will give information at a mere touch of the finger. The system is able to give information related to ICFAI University Nagaland, like faculty information, admission, courses offered, events and other activities, weather and traffic information of Dimapur. The machine is first of its kind in Nagaland and can play YouTube videos and music, open and browse social media, and a lot more. The project was completely funded by the students.

CPS celebrates ‘Child Right’s Week’ DIMAPUR: Child Protection Services (CPS), department of Social Welfare Nagaland, celebrated “child rights week” from November 14 to 20, under the theme “It takes a community to protect a child”. A press release by Social Wel-

fare department stated that, the week-long celebration included mass poster campaign by 11 district child protection units across the state under the theme. It also added that communities and neighbourhoods played important role in ensuring safety and

well being of children. The campaign aimed at building community commitment towards creating safe and secure environment for children and raising awareness at village and ward level on child rights and protection issues.

on resolving issues

DIMAPUR: Assisi Peace Club (APC) members were trained on how to resolve issues in the school, homes and locality on November 20 and 21 under the theme, “A call for peace” at Assisi School, Dimapur. A press release by Peace Channel Kohima stated that during the two-day training, purpose of joining peace club was discussed. Trainer for the programme, coordinator of Kohima district, Alino S. Chishi explored children’s understanding of peace in their own lives and trained them to nurture inner-peace

through meditation. She highlighted the importance of confidence building, leadership skills, principles and peer mediation processes. She demonstrated on how to intervene the conflicting situation with examples and also introduced peer mediation and the role of a peer mediator. The members were also trained on how to conduct peace celebrations in the school. Earlier, programme was facilitated by coordinator of Dimapur district, Ng. Alan Paul. Altogether, 31 members were trained.

ZAPO, ZAGBA appeal public support for road construction DIMAPUR: In regard to the construction of road to Zunheboto, the Zunheboto Area Public Organization (ZAPO) and Zunheboto Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu (ZAGBA) has jointly appealed all the concerned organisations and individuals to cooperate with the construction companies of the road to Zunheboto, which is lifeline to the district headquarter. A press release by ZAPO media cell maintained that the logistic supports should be rendered to the construction companies while the work was in progress. It further stated that, the expectation shall be of quality work as per the specification in their respective DPRs.

Y. Patton condoles

DIMAPUR: Deputy chief minister of Nagaland, Y. Patton has expressed sorrow at the demise of late Khyothunglo Salie Vizo, mother of senior BJP party leader K. James Vizo at Kohima on November 22. In a condolence note, Y. Patton stated that her demise was not only a loss for the family but “we” have lost a great and wonderful mother, where the void created would be difficult to fill. Patton on his own and on behalf of Nagaland BJP legislatures’ and BJP state functionaries conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones and also pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY LATE HOTOLI JIMO

DP-5120

nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Is the state government sincere in checking rising prices?

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Dearest loving Mom, you left us beautiful memories a year ago on this day. Your Love is still our guide, although we cannot see u, you are always at our side. Loving family members

1

ST

IN REMEMBRANCE

DEATH ANNIVERSARY

KHRIESAMHALIE (BOBBY) PIENYÜ “The saddest moment is when the person who gave you the best memories, becomes a memory”.

NCC celebrates 72nd NCC raising day Sadly missed in all our lives, quietly remembered every day, no longer in our life to share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Loving Children, In-laws, Grand-children and family.

K-1880

"Death ends a life, not a relationship"

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of

Lt. Atsungsanger Ozukum NCC cadets of KSC undertook tree plantation drive during the 72nd raising day of NCC on November 22.

DIMAPUR: NCC cadets of 24 Nagaland (I) Coy NCC, Kohima under the aegis of Kohima group, NCC celebrated its 72nd raising day on November 22, with hoisting of national flag and activities across the state like plantation, run for health, painting competition, cleanliness drive etc. A press release by NCC 24 Nagaland (I) Coy NCC, Kohima stated that, all NCC officers and cadets took part and were provided with opK Y M C

portunities to spread awareness and precautions to be taken against the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The programme under “run for health” was also jointly organized by Japfu Christian College (JCC) and Kigwema GHS. Cadets of Kohima Science College (KSC) also participated by planting large number of medicinal and ornamental plants. The cadets were educated on the importance of maintaining

a delicate environmental balance. Furthermore, commanding officer of 24 Nagaland (I) Coy NCC, Kohima, Col Daniel Lotzem on behalf of group commander Brigadier Vengugopal, SM and all officers of Kohima group NCC extended appreciation to all participating NCC officers, cadets and especially department of Forest, Kohima for providing free tree saplings on the occasion.

Died on : 23rd Nov. 2019 An entire year has passed since you left us and moved on to the next life and having to live without you in it has been very difficult, but we hope that you're in a better place. In our loving memories, you shall continue to stay with us forever. DP-5141

Loving Brothers, Sister, Relatives and Loved Ones

DP-5127

K Y M C

northeast/state

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Bru resettlement protests: Death toll rises to 2

Agartala, Nov 22 (IANS): With firefighter Biswajit Debbarma succumbing to his injuries on Sunday, the death toll in the Tripura violence rose to two, and the number of injured reached 35. The agitation and indefinite shutdown continued for the seventh day in northern Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision where people are opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Tripura government’s decision to rehabilitate thousands of Reang or “Bru” tribal refugees. The Reang tribal refugees sheltered in seven relief camps in two northern Tripura sub-divisions had fled to adjoining Mizoram 23 years ago, following ethnic strife in the state. Northern Tripura Deputy Inspector General of police, Lalhminga Darlong, told IANS on Sunday that one firefighter had died on late Saturday night at the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical college and hospital (GBPMCH) in Agartala. Earlier, the police said 45-year-old Srikanta Das from Tripura was shot dead and 35 others injured, including security and fire service personnel, besides, agitators were also critically injured on Saturday when police opened fired at the violent mob which had attacked the security forces at Panisagar in North Tripura district. North Tripura District Magistrate and Col-

A vehicle in flames during a protest by the Joint Movement Committee (JMC) against the resettlement of displaced Bru migrants in Kanchanpur sub-division, Saturday. (PTI)

lector Nagesh Kumar said the violent mob damaged three government and police vehicles, including a motorbike. He told the media that a huge contingent of security forces, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Tripura state Rifle troopers, led by senior police officials were mobilised at Panisagar and Kanchanpur sub-divisions in the North Tripura district to deal with the situation. The injured persons were admitted to various government hospitals, including GBPMCH. Tripura government spokesman and Law and Education Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, said the state government would provide Rs five lakh compensation to the family of the deceased Srikanta Das. “A magisterial inquiry

has been ordered into the police firing. If the agitators want talks with Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb they are free to do so. The Tripura government’s doors for dialogue are always open,” Nath told IANS on Sunday. The minister said the state government with the help of the Central government had earlier announced that 35,000 Reang tribal or “Bru” refugees, who fled from Mizoram would be rehabilitated in the state’s eight districts and not only in North Tripura district. Tripura police tweeted, saying, “The unfortunate incident at North Tripura was a law and order issue, but several videos are being circulated on social media giving it a communal violence spin, which is a punishable legal offence.”

Mnp Dy. Speaker tests COVID positive Correspondent IMPHAL, Nov 22: De puty speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Kongkham Robindro tested positive for novel coronavirus on Sunday, to become the latest among the legislators of the state to contract the contagion. Confirming his positive test results, the Deputy Speaker wrote in his facebook page that following the result, he was on home isolation for medical treatment. He appealed to the people to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines to avoid contact with the virus. With the Deputy Speaker as the latest legislator to test COVID postive, as many as five legislators, including state chief minister, had tested positive for the contagion. The chief minister is currently on home isolation since he tested positive for the virus on November 15 last.

Kongkham Robindro As informed by in his facebook page, Singh’s health was improving and working official files with e-files process by following SOP. Meanwhile, Manipur’s COVID-19 infection single-day once again picked up as 382 persons tested positive during the past 24 hours, officials said on Sunday. The state reported decline in the single-day count of the infection in the last few days below 250-mark around one week. However, the count picked up with the start of the targeted testing in the Assembly constituencies where bypolls were held recently amid the COVID-19

pandemic. According to the latest COVID-19 daily update data of the state health department, of the 382 fresh cases detected in the past 24 hours, 23 were confirmed during testing of one member of each household in Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha ACs as a part of targeted testing. The fresh also included 76 personnel of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). The state also recorded deaths of three persons to take the COVID-19 related fatality tally to 236. In the last 24 hours, three males, aged 61 years from Imphal West, 45 years from Thoubal and 74 years from Bishnupur expired at RIMS and Shija hospitals, the daily update stated. During the same period, 205 patients including 127 on home isolation were discharged after they recovered from the viral infection.

“Even after facing violent attacks, the police personnel maintained restraint and sensitivity in controlling law and order and used proportionate forces for self- defence in the Panisagar incident on Saturday.” Another police official tweeted, “A mob on Saturday blocked the National Highway-8 at Panisagar and subsequently turned violent and broke the police barricades forcing the police to resort to lathicharge and firing teargas shells before open firing at the furious mob.” Normal life has been crippled in northern Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub-division, adjoining Panisagar sub-division and Mizoram, for the seventh day on Sunday with simmering tensions. The situation remained tense in Tripura as

Diphu Medical College begins academic session

the Joint Movement Committee (JMC) called for an indefinite shutdown since November 16 in the Kanchanpur sub-division protesting against the Tripura and Central governments’ decision to rehabilitate nearly 35,000 Reang tribal refugees who had fled from Mizoram in 1997 due to ethnic violence. The agitations since November 19 spread to the nearby sub-divisions and districts, including Panisagar, as the state administration did not take swift measures to quell the situation and hold talks with the protesters. According to police, the situation in the mixed populated sub-division in Kanchanpur further deteriorated after a few tribal refugees attacked a non-tribal pump operator, including 36 houses of non-tribals, on Tuesday evening forcing more than 110 people to flee to safer places. Kanchanpur SubDivisional Police official, Bikramjit Sukladas, said the government offices, markets, shops and business establishments remained closed while all types of vehicles except the security forces, health services and the media, remained off the roads since November 16. Defying prohibitory orders under Sec 144 CrPc, nearly 12,000 to 15,000 bandh supporters, including students, women and children, have organised protest rallies outside gov-

ernment offices and markets in Kanchanpur since November 16. Earlier, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said in Agartala that the process of rehabilitation of the tribal refugees was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the Centre and the state government are committed to settle these migrants in Tripura. JMC Convener Sushanta Bikash Barua said they had earlier welcomed the state government’s decision rehabilitating a small number of the tribal refugees in Kanchanpur. He said, “Considering the area and demography of the Kanchanpur subdivision, we had urged the government several times to rehabilitate not more than 500 refugee families here, but the government unilaterally initiated the process settling 5,000 tribal families in the area.” The two organisations -- Nagarik Suraksha Mancha (Citizen Protection Forum) and Mizo Convention, both representing the non-tribals and Lusai (Lushai) tribals -- are part of the JMC. An agreement was signed in January this year by the Chief Secretaries of Mizoram, Tripura and the representatives of the refugees in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end the 23-year-old crisis by rehabilitating more than 35,000 refugees from 5,400 families of the Reang community in Tripura.

3 Viral video of COVID patient being attacked draws ire

In the video, three healthcare workers can be seen struggling to bind a patient with rope.

Correspondent IMPHAL, Nov 22: A body running de-addiction and rehabilitation of drug users in Manipur on Sunday blamed the state government for a recent incident in which a drug user escaping from Covid care facility was physically abused by hospital staff. In a video that went viral in the social media, a COVID-19 infected drug user was seen manhandled by some medical staff on November 19 last. The patient was kicked and slapped before he was carried away in an ambulance with his hands tied in the back. The 3.5 Collective, running a de-addiction and rehabilitation of drug users alleged that the drug user was caught by the medical staff of COVID care centre of RIMS hospital somewhere in Imphal and manhandled in public. While strongly condemning the incident, the body alleged that it was the direct result of the Manipur government’s apathy and wrong policy toward drug

Ahead of elections, top BPF leaders join BJP in Assam

Correspondent Diphu Nov 22: The educational session of Diphu Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) has officially begun the first batch of 84 MBBS students; despite having a capacity of 100 students. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s Executive Member for health and family welfare, Khonsing Rongpi in a chat with the first batch of students told them that they will be provided with a good academic atmosphere in the college. Rongpi extended his thanks to chief minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang for establishing the medical college. The Diphu Medical College is the 7th medical unit of the state. The college has been recognized by the Medical Council of India and affiliated with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Guwahati. The construction started on January 19, 2011 but in 2017, actual thrust was given by Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the budget was enhanced from Rs 156.55 crore to Rs 209 crore. The Brahmaputra Infrastructures is involved in the construction of Assam Hills Medical College and Research Institute and modification of the DMCH is currently underway.

users. Addressing a press conference at Human Rights Alert (HRA) in Imphal’s Kwakeithel, its convenor Babloo Loitongbam claimed that the torture of drug users which went viral in social media was just the tip of an ice berg and it clearly shows the overall attitude of the society and the government towards the drug user’s community. “It is very unfortunate and is condemned in the strongest terms,” he said, adding that the incident was the fallback of the government’s failure in its policies and the lackadaisical attitude in addressing the special needs of the drug user’s community. “All in all, it can be rightly termed as a systematic failure of the state government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the state,” he said. He urged the government to address the special needs of the specific population, including the drug user’s community, while responding to the COVID pandemic so that such incidents do not recur in future.

Senior Bodoland People Front (BPF) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary and party leader and Tamulpur MLA Emmanuel Mosahary formally join the BJP Baksa district, Sunday. (PTI)

GUWAHATI, NOV 22 (IANS): Ahead of the next year’s assembly polls, with a shot in the arm for BJP, two top leaders of Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), an ally of the ruling saffron party in Assam, including founding leader and Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, on Sunday joined the leading partner. Along with Daimary, who has resigned from the Rajya Sabha on Saturday, BPF’s AGeneral Secretary and MLA Emmanuel Mosahary joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Chief Min-

ister Sarbananda Sonowal, state BJP President Ranjit Kumar Dass and national General Secretary Dilip Saikia in Guwahati. Sonowal welcomed both the tribal leaders to BJP and hoped that their joining would benefit the party. The tribal dominated party BPF since 2016 is the ruling partner of the BJP in the state and also a member of the saffron party led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). However, both the BJP and BPF are fighting against each other in the Bodoland

Territorial Council’s crucial polls to be held on December 7 and 10. “I have quit the BPF earlier on November 11 and from Sunday I would work for the people from the BJP platform,” Daimary told IANS over phone. The 49-year-old tribal leader, whose Rajya Sabha tenure was scheduled to end in mid 2026, in his resignation letter, available with IANS, to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, said: “I request that my resignation be accepted by you with immediate ef-

fect.” Daimary and Mosahary’s resignations are big setbacks for the BPF just two weeks before the politically significant elections to the 40-member BTC. The BJP had wrested power from the Congress in Assam in 2016 by becoming the single largest party with 60 MLAs in the 126-member Assembly and formed an alliance with the BPF and the Asom Gana Parishad, which won 14 and 12 seats, respectively. The ruling alliance also has the support of an Independent MLA. The Hagrama Mohilary-led BPF has been ruling the BTC since its first elections in 2005 after the autonomous tribal constitutional body was constituted in 2003. The all-important elections to the Assam Assembly are expected to be held in March-April next year.

State

Kuda-B khel observes 75th year of establishment Reorientation meeting on

PM-JAY held in Mokokchung

B khel souvenir released by Rev Kenilevi Khate during the programme held at Kuda-B khel on November 21.

felicitated the pioneers and leaders of the village. I t mu s t b e n o t e d that, B-Khel was founded by Nimedo Sakhrie and Rokokerhe Liegise in 1945, both of whom hailed from Khonoma village. The celebration paid tributes to the pioneers, namely Ketholelhou Khate, Pfükrunyü Sakhrie, Ashuhe Khekho,

Pfükrehe Khekho, Nisekho Liegise, Adani Khekho, Dokho Liegise, Zapukho Sakhrie, Lhuviniu Lungalang, Kurahing Tho-ü, Dr. Setu Liegise and host of others. Earlier, function was chaired by chairman of Kuda B-khel, Atuo Khate, attended by chairman of Kuda Village Council,

Achübo Meruno and his colleagues, head GB of Kuda village, Thepfüko Nagi and his colleagues, all Khel chairmen and Kuda Youth Club president and women leaders. The anniversary was celebrated with adherence to SOPs and with limited attendance of only 100 members.

DIMAPUR: Reorientation meeting on Ayushman Bharat: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) health scheme was conducted at chief medical officer (CMO) conference hall, Mokokchung on November 20. A press release by DPMU, NRHM Mokokchung stated that, Dr. R. Chubala Aier encouraged participants to actively participate in the Ayushman Bharat health care service. District coordinator Limatenzuk (AB-PMJAY) presented powerpoint on Ayushman Bharat and its key features. He stated that AB-PMJAY was the world largest insurance/assurance scheme fully financed by the government and was a cashless access to health care services for the beneficiary at the point of service in the

hospital. He also explained about district wise number of individual card issues and ECHP performance. Programme was attended by the nodal officer in-charge of AB-PMJAY and Ayushman Mitra of the empanelled hospitals of Mokokchung. Another training was conducted on November 21 at CMO conference hall, Mokokchung. S M O s, M O s a n d ASHA coordinators were trained on NCD population based screening. The programme was chaired by deputy chief medical officer, Dr. Kibangkumba, where he briefed about the NCD screening at block level. Dr. Kilangwabang trained the trainees on community based assessment checklist (CBAC) for early detection of NCDs & tuberculosis (TB).

DC-758

DIMAPUR: Kuda village, B-Khel observed its 75th year of establishment at Kuda-B khel on November 21, wherein a Thehu Ki constructed in commemoration of the occasion was also inaugurated and dedicated by Kuda Village Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Miazielie Sakhrie, on land donated by Nimedo Sakhrie and Rokokerhe Liegise. A press release by Kuda B-khel chairman, Atuo Khate stated that, Rev. Miazielie Sakhrie also unveiled the construction plague and delivered the message, while Savi Liegise exhorted the gathering. Rev. Kenilevi Khate invoked blessings of God and released the 75th anniversary souvenir (Seweda) published in commemoration of the jubilee. Women organisation (Thenuko Krotho)

4

OPINiON/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXx NO. 349 Dimapur, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

A party in despair

W

hen things go wrong and doesn’t seem to go right no matter how attempts are made, the condition can only get worse. That’s what is happening within the Congress, which is finding itself with fewer options as its existence itself is being under cloud. A year after its defeat in the 2019 General elections and its steady decline, 23 senior Congress leaders, including five former Chief Ministers, many Congress Working Committee members, incumbent MPs, and several former Union Ministers, wrote a letter to interim Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, calling for a complete overhaul of the party, from top to bottom. On the expected lines, the rebellious letter sparked a furore within the Congress party, with the former Congress president Rahul Gandhi allegedly accusing the signatories of the letter of colluding with the BJP, an allegation that was later denied. In the Congress, there is an unwritten law that the Gandhis cannot be questioned as it is all about the transactional relationship they have with them. Those who back the family are people vying to be close to them as their coterie and advisors or office-bearers. However, while Congress is facing an internal crisis and given the fact that is has been hit by desertions and hounded by the ruling BJP, the party looks shakier than ever before. The Congress has been without a full time president since that past one and half years after Rahul walked out of the party presidentship. Sonia who had relinquished the post owing to various issues, mainly health, was forced to come out of retirement when the party (close coterie handpicked by the family) resolved that no other than a Gandhi should be the party head. However, since her return and as ad-hoc interim-president of AICC, Sonia has remained largely unreachable. Though he is no longer president, yet Rahul holds tremendous clout in party affairs and enjoys the patronage of Sonia. This makes Rahul have power without responsibility and not blamed if things go wrong. Take the case of the recent disastrous show in the Bihar assembly election. Instead of the local man, Rahul chose ‘loyalist’ Randeep Surjewala to select party candidates. Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) which was let down by the Congress which could win only 19 out of 70 allotted to it is deeply unhappy. RJD leader and vice president Shivanand Tiwari minced no words when he squarely blamed the Congress ‘star campaigner’ Rahul for the fiasco that robbed the RJD and Mahagathbandhan of the majority mark of 122 by winning only 110. Tiwari said Rahul went on picnic after his ‘tiring campaign’ in Bihar after addressing just six meetings in three days whereas prime minister Modi addressed 12 meetings. However, it will be unfair to blame Rahul alone for the crisis. For very long, the Gandhis have been the superstars of the Congress who have given the party political dividends in the past. However, today the situation has changed in many ways- around ten crore new and young voters which Congress has failed to connect; the rise of Modi-Shah duo who have changed the political narrative; a fading Gandhi charisma amidst an ever expanding BJP while Congress is dwindling. Instead of looking at the road ahead, the Congress suffers from aberration on Modi and some of its top leaders blaming everybody but themselves for the crisis.

DailyDevotion Shallow and Profound Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31 Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby. To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, “A disciple is not above his teacher…” (Matthew 10:24). We are safeguarded by the shallow things of life. We have to live the surface, commonsense life in a commonsense way. Then when God gives us the deeper things, they are obviously separated from the shallow concerns. Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation, we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life. Make a determination to take no one seriously except God. You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.

Quotes

Where there is love there is life. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

RCEP or not India has to revive Plan process

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eep China out is the new trade policy of India. Its prime approach is that anything that opens door to Chinese products is strict no for it. So there is no surprise in turning its back to keeping out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement (FTA), an initiative India was engaged since its inception. It theoretically comes with a minimum cost as India has FTA with all but three RCEP members. The RCEP was introduced during the 19th ASEAN meet in November 2011. The negotiations started in November 2012 at the 21st ASEAN summit, held in Cambodia. Home Minister Amit Shah had last month told the RCEP member countries that they will have to come around to accepting India’s terms. “Considering India’s growing stature, RCEP members can’t afford to ignore it for long, and will come around to agree to GoI’s terms. Meanwhile, India has maintained successful economic relations with ASEAN by the means of FTA,” he said. The RCEP also has kept the doors open for India officially. India if at all

wants to join it without having to wait for 18 months as stipulated for new members. India still can as per RCEP decisiom participate as an observer. India had taken the decision in November 2019 to keep off RCEP, being seen as China centric and with perception that it would boost merchadise sales of Chinese products. India’s approach on the deal comes as a result of unfavourable trade balances that it has with several RCEP members, with some of which it has FTAs. The commerce ministry finds the growth in trade (CAGR) with such countries was mere 7.1 percent. India has trade deficits with 11 of the 15 RCEP countries. It means while the partners are having access to Indian market, India does not have it. It cannot open up its market for the advantage of others. Still India is having agreements with the ASEAN, South Korea and Japan, negotiating deals with Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Treaties are there with Nepal and Bhutan. There are apprehensions that RCEP could impact the Australia-India-Japan network in the Indo-Pacific. India and like-minded coun-

tries, particularly the Quad domestic economy. countries – Australia, US, It certainly has not Japan, are keen for resilient been an easy decision. India supply chains and are along would have to weigh the with New Zealand, South gains of a bulk agreement Korea and Vietnam negoti- and individual treaties. ating with each other. Similar concern was being External Affairs Minis- expressed when India chose ter S Jayshankar delivering to opt out of the Belt and the Ramnath Goenka in Road Initiative in 2017. It 2019 had said that India’s was said that New Delhi stance was on a ‘clear-eyed might be isolating itself. calculation’ of the gains and Now after three years likecost enterminded deing a new Shivaji Sarkar m o c r a c i e s arrangeappreciate ment. He also said that India for its prudent deciIndia would continue with sion, which many now see its Act East policy. as an exploitative Chinese It also should be re- method and many members membered that the RCEP are not enjoying their stay decision is linked to China’s in the BRI. There is the aggressive postures in South contrary view as well. It China Sea and on the LAC, says that India’s economic including the June 15, 2020 decline occurred even as Galwan incident in which 20 China’s economically and Indian and many Chinese strategically important BRI soldiers lost their lives. It went on to cover two-thirds may be recalled that Jay- of the world’s population. shankar even in January had China dominates the said that its doors to RCEP psyche of the policy makers. were not closed. But in Sep- India is highly dependent tember, he said, “you cannot on China for imports of be a rising power without lithium ion batteries, antibeing a rising economy and biotics, PCs, colour TVs, to do that you have to build solar cells and toy. Despite your domestic capacities”. recent initiatives by Prime His views are not very dif- Minister Narendra Modi for ferent from that of Swadeshi improving domestic producJagaran Manch, which had tion on many of these, the been opposing most FTAs concern remains. What and stressing on improving China has done is to con-

solidate its economy since 1979. The production cost is lowest and it has a pricing mechanism that happens to be the lowest in any country – India or the US – in their currencies. India has to learn the technique for creating a vibrant domestic system with a market across the world. Chinese merchandise today decides the international prices. While India successfully blocked imports of images of Ganesh, Lakshmi and other deities, where it could not succeed is the consequent rise in prices of the India-produced items. It cannot be considered good economy. Possibly for this reason China looms large in reports submitted by eight groups of ministers (GoMs) formed during the covid19 pandemic. These have called for a balance between supporting the economic performance and geopolitics and most have focused on ways to counter China. These call for contextualising issues like China aggression on communication tools, need for specialized spokesperson on issues like China and environment and many other dependencies on China. The GoMs also call for multi-national corporations (MNCs) to make in In-

dia, high industrial support required on lines of China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. It may be noted China is supporting many hi-tech projects, including a critical bridge on the Padma river in Bangladesh. The obsession with China whether one joins its initiative or keeps off is too apparent. Of late, despite all efforts India’s policy approaches are China centric. India may have to rethink of reviving the planning process it gave up in 2014. The NITI Ayog though is supposed to fill up that gap has not been a proper replacement. With many flaws India’s planning process achieved for it a sustained pattern. The country needs to evolve a long-term policy prescription. India also has to consider moving out of growth centric approach and replace it by progress. So RCEP or not India has to have a holistic approach to economy. It needs a wider vision and approach for progress and imbibes policies that could give it an edge, growth or not. In short, it needs to reorient the policies for a long-term approach without ignoring the short-term needs.

Post-mortem

Speech on 13th ‘Naga Unification Day’ When citizens act against their interest (President GPRN/NSCN, Gen. (Retd.) M. B Neokpao Konyak)

Beloved Naga brothers and sisters, I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Thirteen years ago, after a very selfless and committed effort from the Church leaders, Tribal Hoho leaders and GB/ DBs, the cabinet status leaders of NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K), with due approval of their top leaders, Chairman Late Isak Chishi Swu and Chairman Late S.S Khaplang, took a bold unprecedented decision to meet arch rivals and vouch for Naga unity. Preparing for any eventuality, the leaders met and deliberated threadbare on 21st and 22nd November at Hovishe Village under Niuland Area UT I, all grounds were cleared and Naga unification was agreed upon. On 23rd Nov. 2007, Mr. Azheto Chophy, the then Kilo Kilonser of NSCN(IM) and Mr. C Singson the then Cabinet Kilonser in the NSCN (K), in presence of hundreds of national workers of both sides, signed the unification pact, taking a significant step towards a much needed Naga unity. In our long history of conflict with the British Raj and later Indian occupation of our land, the adversaries managed to sow seeds of discord and employed policy of divide and rule in Naga homeland. Earlier in the 1950s and 60s, there were few bold attempts by the Church leaders and tribal leaders but problems persisted. After the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 and the formation of NSCN in 1980 and split in 1988, factionalism and fratricidal killings among the Nagas spiralled out of control. Hundreds were killed in faraway jungles, some buried hurriedly while others were left to the mercy of natures. The Naga tribes, villagers, the churches, the state government etc., were mute spectators to daylight merciless killings and merely kept busy collecting, transporting and burying dead bodies of factional battles. Peace and peaceful existence seemed a distant dream. There was no visible hope on the horizon. The Naga family feud began to overshadow the greater purpose of Nagas. The prolonged struggle of our people was seemingly being diminished by factionalism. By the turn of the 21st century, peace and reconciliation among the warring Naga groups became extremely necessary. The barrel of gun was increasingly becoming a weapon to not only kill but also silence truth, encourage

hegemonic tendencies, replacing inherited social structure in the name of Naga political struggle and Naga principle. The Unification effort on 22nd November 2007 remains a key milestone in Naga history wherein it opened a genuine door to Naga nationalist leaders and followers to retrospect and reconcile with one another. It is true that 2007 Naga unification effort had the endorsement and approval of both Presidents i,e Isak Chishi Swu and S.S Khaplang. However, the former was later forced to deviate from his long nurtured vision. Once more, politics killed an answered prayer. As a result, many Naga patriots had to pay with their lives. A grim reminder that Naga leaders failed miserably at a crucial hour! God seldom opposes reconciliation between enemies. Those who truly trusts Him, there is no open door or closed door reconciliation. Naga history bears witness as to who stifled Naga unity and reconciliation process. The same formula is visible even today in the impending IndoNaga political solution. The FNR, through the divine revelation of Shisha Hoho, came into being on 7th May 2008 and took the reins of future peace and reconciliation meetings between various Naga political groups. Some historic meetings occurred such as; Aug. 21, 2008 Chiang Mai Summit and the Covenant of Common Hope. June 13, 2009 Covenant of Reconciliation. July 15, 2010 Monyakshu Conclave between GPRN/ NSCN and FGN/NNC. September 18, 2010 meeting of Naga leaders at late Hukato Naga’s residence at Ikishe village. Aug. 16, 2011 Naga Concordant after four day meeting at Niathu Resort and more at Oriental Theological College, Bade. Feb. 29, 2012 Naga public meeting at Agri Expo grounds, Dimapur. It is now eleven years since the Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) was jointly signed by late Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman, NSCN(IM); late SS Khaplang, Chairman, GPRN/ NSCN and Brig. (Retd.) S Singnya, Kedahge (President), FGN. For benefit of readers, the text of the Covenant is reproduced below: “Having been deeply convicted by God’s call in Christ, and the voice of the Naga people, for Reconciliation,

we hereby solemnly commit before God to offer ourselves to Naga Reconciliation and Forgiveness based on the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas. We resolve to continue to work together in this spirit of love, non-violence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues amongst us. Furthermore, we exhort and call upon other Naga groups to join us in Reconciling with each other”. Today, although complete reconciliation and unity is yet to be achieved, nevertheless the spirit and commitment of Covenant of Reconciliation is pretty much a working principle of WC, NNPGs. In unity and comradeship, the seven Naga political groups (WC, NNPGs) are on a threshold of a political solution that is honorable and acceptable to the Naga people. We have never wavered from the idea of Naga reconciliation even though the Naga people have now shifted the focus from reconciliation and unity to practical and realistic IndoNaga political solution and rightly so. GPRN/NSCN salutes all Naga comrades who have sacrificed their lives to propagate peace and unity amongst Naga brothers. Appreciation and gratitude goes to the FNR, Churches, GBs, DBs, Tribal Hohos, mothers, students, intellectuals, concerned Naga citizens and well wishers who assisted, prayed and expressed solidarity during the tumultous days of Naga unification. Today, with an added responsibility and intent to entrench Naga historical and political right, and to fulfil the aspiration of our people for a common future through early Indo-Naga political solution, GPRN/NSCN is committed to continue partnering WC, NNPGs and work in close collaboration with 14 tribes of Nagaland, Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF), Nagaland Tribes Council(NTC), Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation (ENPO), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Churches, peace mediators, concerned senior citizens, intellectuals and all sections of Naga society. We will continue to reach out and consult our very own Naga brethren in Myanmar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and also maintain cordial relationship with our neighbours for peaceful harmonious co-existence. To this we seek God’s guidance and our people’s co-operation. God bless Nagaland!

T

he pandemic necessitated decreased social interaction, and an adoption of recommended preventive behaviour. However, research suggests, when people find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation and others around them seem unfazed, they are likely to remain unfazed Unless Covid-19 is experienced up close and personal, the threat of the disease is negated, which is detrimental for the mass adoption of preventive health behaviour As the world continues to grapple with the most extraordinary health crisis of recent times, more than 200,000 people have been fined for not wearing masks and more than 8,000 fined for not maintaining the required physical distance in public spaces in Delhi between September 7 and November 16. And this represents only those who were caught. It appears that only a direct and personal confrontation with Covid-19 may have a powerful enough impact on people to take precautions. Until then, they will neither protect themselves nor others. It is only when their parents test positive that they will run from one hospital to another trying to find a bed for them. Private hospitals will ask them to download an app and receive an online doctor’s consult when asked about the availability of beds. Finally, they will find a bed in a government hospital where the staff is so overworked that they have no compassion or empathy left to display. Till then, the lackadaisical attitude towards preventive health behaviour recommended for Covid-19 will continue. Why is there such disregard for preventive health behaviour, up until it catches up with them or someone close to them? Psychology professors, Timothy Osberg and Sidney Shrauger, found that people use their own experiences to predict future outcomes more than they use other factors such as circumstances, personal disposition, and population-based trends. Experts also feel that personal experience may elevate the perceived likelihood of personal victimisation more effectively than experiences of unknown others. In other words, unless Covid-19 is experienced up close and personal, the threat of the disease is negated, which is detrimental for the mass adoption of preventive health behaviour. Further, according to the health behaviour

theory, people protect themselves based on their perception of the severity of a threatening event and perceived vulnerability of the occurrence of the event. Understanding the severity in general, and not just until it affects them somewhat directly, is critical. Several Indian cities have seen a significant spike in cases since the run-up to Diwali. Festivals are celebration time and social interaction is unavoidable. However, this pandemic necessitated, first, decreased social interaction, and, second, an adoption of recommended preventive behaviour. However, research suggests, when people find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation and others around them seem unfazed, they are likely to remain unfazed. This behaviour in social psychology, called pluralistic ignorance, refers to a situation when people, who otherwise privately reject an act, are found doing just that by observing others who are doing it and going along with it because they assume, incorrectly, that most others are fine with it. This leads to a wider display and acceptance of that behaviour and this “inaction breeds inaction”, says Catherine Sanderson, author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels. Accordingly, in a social setting when more people do not adopt recommended preventive behaviours, the more it confirms that when others are seen not wearing a mask, for instance, it becomes acceptable. And soon, no one cares. The lone person who probably still cares will refrain from going against the group for the fear of causing disruption. This could explain why, despite being the second highest nation with most infected cases, India is seeing a fresh spike of newlyinfected cases post-Diwali. There is a need for a frequent and consistent display of the adoption of preventive health behaviour by social influencers. When young people see their favourite Hindi cinema star or their most admired business tycoon wear a mask or sanitise his hands in public, this will, in effect, become the new social norm. Adopting these new norms is easy, far easier than finding a hospital bed to ensure that our family and loved ones are still here to hug us when this pandemic is over. Payal S Kapoor (associate professor (Marketing), FORE School of Management, New Delhi)

Reader’s Post

Mutated genes or sheer ignorance?

Sir,

With COVID-19 causing havoc in all of our lives and the constant complaints regarding bumpy roads and irregularities in data connectivity painting every paper in red, we have yet another disease dancing its way to the heart of Nagaland. Just like how young women detest wearing socks with heels, there is this ‘Mask Allergic’ syndrome on the rise today. Also, not forgetting the fact that dust pollution is something we combat with daily, corona happens to be prowling too. However, the boldness of our Naga people and their reluctance to wear mask in public places has let me to question if the genes of our people had mutated into those of Superman or is it sheer ignorance? Albert Wezah, Kohima 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.

No leadership crisis in Cong: Khurshid Says support for Sonia, Rahul apparent to ‘anyone not blind’

NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (PTI): Amid criticism of the Congress top brass by some leaders following a poor show in the Bihar polls, senior leader Salman Khurshid on Sunday said there is no leadership crisis in the party and an all-round support for Sonia and Rahul Gandhi is “apparent to anyone who is not blind”. Khurshid, who is among the leaders considered close to the Gandhi family, also said there are enough forums in the Congress for airing views and doing so outside the party “hurts” it, remarks that come days after senior leader Kapil Sibal and some others went public with their criticism of the party leadership. “The leadership listens to me, I am given an opportunity, they (those criticising in the media) are given an opportunity, where does this thing come from that the leadership is not listening,” Khurshid told PTI in an interview. Asked about comments by Sibal and another senior leader P Chidambaram on Congress’ poor showing in the Bihar election and recent bypolls, he said he cannot disagree with what they have said, but asked why does anybody have to go out and tell the media and the world that “we need to do this”. “Analysis is done all the time, there is no quar-

Sonia Gandhi and Salman Khurshid. (File)

rel about analysis. It will be done. The leadership, of which all these people are a part, will appropriately look at what may have gone wrong, how we could have improved, and that will happen in the normal course, we needn’t talk about it in the public,” said Khurshid, a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). His remarks come days after Sibal’s public criticism of the Congress leadership and his statement that the time of introspection was over and people no longer saw the party as an effective alternative. Asked about some leaders calling for having a full-time president, he said they should come forward and talk about it inside the party. “See our leader and say you don’t look good without a label, the leader will take a call,” Khurshid said.

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Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Hitting out at those voicing concerns that Sonia Gandhi has been interim chief for over a year, he asked who decides one year is too long for having an interim chief and asserted that if the process of electing a new president is taking time, there must be a good reason for it. “Nobody has gone away, they are all here. The only insistence is on a label, why do you insist on a label. There is no president in the Bahujan Samaj Party, there is no chairman in the Left wing parties, only general secretaries... Every party cannot follow the same model,” he said. The party has a president in Sonia Gandhi, though interim, which is not outside the Constitution, not unreasonable and not something the party “can’t survive with”, Khurshid said. “We are happy, we are working with it. There is no leadership crisis, I say that with great emphasis,”

he asserted. The election committee is working on the election of the president which is taking time due to COVID, he said, adding that all the work and preparations are underway. Asked if everyone in the Congress is strongly behind Rahul Gandhi as their leader, Khurshid said, “I think that is apparent to anyone who is not blind, that people are fully supportive of Congress president Sonia ji and of Mr Rahul Gandhi, who is our former president. Everybody supports them.” “Those who question (the leadership), if they claim to be democrats, they should have some courtesy to include us who don’t question (the leadership) and inside the party we can decide whether they are more or we are more. All our objection is about this happening outside the party,” he said. On whether there are forums available in the party where leaders can articulate their concerns, Khurshid said, “Of course. How did they (those saying there is no forum to express views) become MPs. Everyone who is talking, are they not MPs. That must have been done somewhere in the party, not done on the streets.” There is a reasonable amount of exchange of views in the party, said Khurshid, who was last week named as convenor

of the committee on foreign affairs formed by the party. Interestingly, among those nominated in the party’s committees on economic affairs, foreign affairs and national security, were senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Veerappa Moily and Shashi Tharoor, who were part of the 23 letter-writers seeking an organisational overhaul of the Congress. On his recent assertion that if the mood of the electorate is resistant to the liberal values the party has espoused, it should be prepared for a long struggle rather than look for shortcuts, Khurshid said what he meant by shortcut was that one gives up their ideology. “Why should you give up your ideology. If your ideology is not persuading the voter to go with you, you should either shut shop, or you wait. We persuade the voter, it will take time,” he said. “Why are we so worried that we have lost power and therefore we must get back into power in weeks or months or years etc. If it doesn’t happen for a while, we will continue to work. Politics is about the passion for a cause, politics is not about a prequalification for power. We must pursue our cause and we will pursue our cause,” Khurshid said.

Parl panel underscores need for govt to formulate laws to counter bio-terrorism NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (PTI): A parliamentary panel has highlighted the need for the government to formulate effective laws to counter bio-terrorism, stating the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic have taught a lesson on the importance of controlling biological agents and the need of strategic partnerships among different nations. The Parliamentar y Standing Committee on Health, in its report “The Outbreak of Pandemic COVID-19 And its Management”, underlined the need of bio-safety to prevent the world community from any activity signalling bioterrorism. The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee, Ram Gopal Yadav, submitted the report to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday. The committee’s attention has been drawn to the fact that novel coronavirus, like viruses infecting large populations across the globe and emerging as pandemics, can be used as biological weapons against enemy nations. Bio-security, therefore, is a critical area of concern, the report said. The Depart-

Ram Gopal Yadav ment of Health and Family has submitted that a holistic approach is needed for ensuring bio-security against biological weapons, that inter-alia include approach for deterrence, prevention, protection and response against biological weapons, engagement with agencies and active participation in ongoing international treaties and strengthening bio-safety and bio-security platforms in India. It also has pitched for instituting robust bio-repositories for high-risk emerging/ reemerging infectious pathogens, strengthening disease surveillance including at animal-human interface, training and capacity building for management of public health emergencies arising from use of bioweapons and strengthening

research and surveillance activities related to development of diagnostics vaccines and drugs. “The adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic have taught the lesson on the importance of controlling biological agents and the need of strategic partnerships among different nations”. “The committee, therefore, feels that the present time is the most appropriate for the government to formulate effective laws to counter bio-terrorism,” the committee said in its report. The panel stated it also believes that with the expanding network of VRDLs, ICMR would serve as an important platform for diagnosis and surveillance of existing as well as emerging viral infections and thus make the country bio-secured against lifethreatening viruses and the menace of bio-terrorism. The committee agreed with the Department of Health Research that a holistic approach is needed for ensuring bio-security against biological weapons. The ministry should also engage with agencies and actively participate in ongoing international treaties.

TEACHER VACANCIES FOR 2021

Perennial School, Wokha invites application from interested candidates for the following posts: 1. Maths / Science Teacher (B.Sc., B.Com) : 2 2. Hindi Teacher (B.A.) : 1 3. Lotha Teacher (B.A.) : 1 4. Primary Teacher (B.A.) : 2 5. Teacher Assistant (P.U., B.A.) : 1 6. Driver : 1 Preference will be given to experienced teachers with B.Ed., D.El..Ed. and untrained teachers who are willing to undergo Montessori Training. Email or WhatsApp application along with 1 coloured passport size photograph and Xerox copy of educational qualification documents for serial 1 to 5. Email: perennialschool.797111@gmail.com WhatsApp No. 9612316312 Office hours: Mon. – Fri. between 10 am to 2 pm For more information contact: 8787448345

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NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda will embark on a 120day nationwide tour to tone up the party’s formidable organisational machinary with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, as the saffron dispensation looks to focus on regions where it did not fare well in the last general election. BJP general secretary Arun Singh told reporters that Nadda will begin his travel from the first week of December and Uttarakhand will be the first state on his itinerary. December 5 is the likely date for the beginning of his tour. Singh said the BJP president will visit every state, hold virtual meetings with heads of all booth units, the smallest organisational entity in the party, and meet every MP and MLA of the organisation besides its senior leaders, including district chiefs, in each state.

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J P Nadda

Nadda will visit some booths to interact with ground workers, he added. During the travel, he will also strategise with party leaders for strengthening the organisation in Lok Sabha seats and regions where the BJP did not win in the 2019 polls, he said. With assembly polls in four states, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam, set to be held in the first half of the next year, he will also review the party’s preparedness for the elections, Singh said. Nadda will spend three days in big states and two in others. The BJP-ruled states will give presentation to Nadda on various aspects of their work, including implementation of the central government schemes and on to how to further raise awareness about them. He will also meet BJP’s allies and hold public programmes and press conferences as well, Singh said. Nadda’s predecessor Amit Shah, now Union Home Minister, had also undertaken extensive nationwide tours during his term and is credited with playing an instrumental role in propelling the BJP to a strong position in a number of states where it used to be weak.

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JP Nadda to go on 120-day nationwide tour from December

NEW DELHI, NOV 21 (AGENCIES): Military-level talks between India and China for de-escalating the present position in Ladakh have been deadlocked, for now. The two sides have been discussing dates for a fresh round of talks over the hotline. However, no formal date for talks has being announced. There will be talks, but there the date has not been decided so far, said a senior functionary. The last round of talks, the eighth since June 6, was two weeks ago on November 7. With winter having set in, it was expected that the next round would be held quickly and some kind of protocol would be established. It was after the sixth round of talks on September 21 that the two sides agreed to not add any more troops along the frontline and refrain from unilaterally changing the ground situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Lt General-level officers of the two sides have been meeting to resolve the crisis, which flared up on May 6. A series of discussions took place in Moscow on September 4 and 10. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met their respective counterparts at the two meetings. A five-point de-escalation programme was also released, but it has not been followed, other than the September 21 agreement of not adding more troops.

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LAC standoff: India, China military talks deadlocked

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PM lays foundation of rural drinking water in UP

LU C K NOW, NOV 2 2 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday bemoaned the lack of development in UP’s Vindhyachal for decades after Independence and said despite resources, the region faced scarcity. The scarcity forced many people to migrate from the region, he said after laying the foundation stone of rural drinking water supply projects in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of the Vindhyachal region via video conferencing. Modi also interacted with village water and sanitation committee members during the event. “For decades after Independence, if any area had fallen prey to neglect, then it was this area. Be it Vindhyachal or Bundelkhand, this entire area despite having resources became an area of scarcity. Despite having so many rivers, this area was identified as the most thirsty and drought-affected area. This was the reason, which forced many people to migrate from here,” he said. Referring to the temple of Vindhyavasini in the region, Modi said the Vindhya hills are a big centre of belief (vishvaas) and faith (aasthaa). “With the blessings of Maa Vindhyavasini, this project is beginning. The

Narendra Modi Vindhyachal hills have been a centre of belief (vishvaas), piousness (pavitrata) and faith (aasthaa) from ancient times. Poet Rahimdas had said ‘jaa par vipadaa parat hai, so aavat yehi desh’ (a person facing difficulty comes to this place). The reason for this belief was the abundant resources and possibilities present here,” he said. Modi said the foundation laying of the projects is a moment of happiness for mothers, sisters and daughters. “This project is an example of Uttar Pradesh taking forward steps despite COVID-19,” the PM said. The prime minister said in the past a year and a half from the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 2.60 crore families have been provided with piped drinking water in the country. He added under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the life of mothers and sisters is

getting easier due to easy water access. A major benefit of this has been the reduction of many diseases like cholera, typhoid and encephalitis caused by dirty water, he said. The prime minister said once piped water reached thousands of villages in Vindhyachal, the health of children would improve and their physical and mental development will be better. “When you get freedom to take decisions and work on those decisions for the development of your village, it increases the confidence of everyone in the village. Aatma Nirbhar Gaanv (self-reliant villages) will boost the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat campaign in a big way. Our government has given priority to villagers, the poor, the tribal, who were not given priority earlier,” he said. Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Modi said, “What type of house should be constructed in a particular area and what construction material should be used, are no longer decided in Delhi.” “The house should be constructed as per the living style of the tribal people,” he said. The prime minister said his government had worked to help women get rid of smoke emanating from ovens (using wood) by

providing LPG cylinders. “Our mothers and sisters used to daily consume smoke equivalent to smoke generated by 400 cigarettes. This has also reduced cutting of jungles,” he said. Modi said the area is becoming a leader (agrani) in the world in the solar energy sector. “The solar energy plant in Mirzapur is writing a new chapter of development. Help is also being provided so that farmers can produce solar energy on barren land and earn additional income. Our ‘anndata’ (grain providers) should become ‘urjadata’ (energy providers),” he said and reminded people of the earlier energy situation. Referring to the Swamitva Scheme, Modi said verified ownership deeds for residential and land properties are being delivered to the owners leading to stability and certainty of titles. This is leading to an assurance against unlawful encroachment upon the property of the poor and improving the possibility of using property as collateral for credit. Speaking about efforts for the uplift of the people of the region, Modi said schemes are reaching the tribal regions under special projects. Hundreds of Eklavya Model schools are operating in such regions.

The aim is to provide this facility to every tribal majority block. Projects on forest-based products are also being implemented. A district mineral fund has been established so that there is no dearth of funds for tribal regions and thinking behind such a scheme is that a part of resources generated from such areas are invested locally. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs 800 crore has been collected under the fund and more than 6,000 projects have been sanctioned, he said. Modi urged people to remain alert against coronavirus as the danger still exists. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present on the occasion. The projects will provide tap water connections in 2,995 villages and benefit about 42 lakh people. Village water and sanitation committees will have the responsibility of operation and maintenance. The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 5,555.38 crore. The projects are planned to be completed in 24 months under the Jal Jeevan Mission announced by the prime minister on August 15 last year. The projects aim at providing functional household tap connections to every rural house of the country by 2024.

Nagaland Post, Dimapur monDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

COVID-19: Centre rushes high-level teams to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, UP NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (PTI): High-level central teams have been deputed to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to support them in COVID-19 response and management. These states have been either reporting a rise in the number of active cases -- those who are hospitalised or are in home isolation under medical supervision, or demonstrating a rise in the daily new cases of coronavirus infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. Earlier, high-level teams were sent to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Manipur and Chhattisgarh. “These three-member teams will visit districts reporting a high number of COVID-19 cases and support the state efforts towards strengthening containment, surveillance, testing, infection prevention and control measures, and efficient clinical management of the positive cases. “The central teams shall also guide in effectively managing the challenges related to timely diagnosis and follow up,” the ministry said. India’s present active caseload has further declined to 4,40,962 and comprises 4.85 per cent of the to-

Representational Image tal cases while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 93.69 per cent with the country registering 43,493 new recoveries in a span of 24 hours taking the total recovered cases to 85,21,617. “The gap between recovered and active cases is steadily increasing and presently stands at 80,80,655,” the ministry highlighted. The ministry said that 26 states and UTs have less than 20,000 active cases, as on date while 7 states and UTs have active cases between 20,000 and 50,000 whereas Maharashtra and Kerala are reporting more than 50,000 caseload. Ten states and UTs contribute to 77.68 per cent of the new recovered cases. Delhi saw 6,963 persons recovering from COVID-19. Kerala and Maharashtra reported 6,719 and 4,088 new

recoveries respectively. Ten states and UTs have contributed 76.81 per cent of the new cases. In a span of 24 hours, 45,209 persons were found to be infected with coronavirus. Delhi reported 5,879 cases in a span of 24 hours. Kerala recorded 5,772 new cases while Maharashtra reported 5,760 cases on Saturday. Fifteen states and UTs are reporting less than the national average of cases per million population. Besides, 76.45 per cent of the 501 case fatalities that have been reported in a day are from ten states and UTs. Of the new fatalities, 22.16 per cent are from Delhi which reported 111 deaths. Maharashtra saw a fatality count of 62 while West Bengal reported another 53.

‘Almost like Tsunami’: Uddhav sounds ‘Land grab’ case: Orissa HC clears way for arrest of Jay, Jagi Panda virus 2nd wave warning for Maharashtra

KAKURO

No. 4373 Yesterday’s solution No. 4372

No. 3397 Yesterday’s solution No. 3396

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On October 31, the Economic Offence Wing of Odisha Police had registered an FIR alleging that one Rabindra Kumar Sethi, a person from Dalit community who was once a driver with Panda’s company ORTEL Communication Ltd, was allegedly pressured by the Pandas to purchase 7.294 acres of land from 22 Dalit people in Odisha’s Khurda district between 2010 and 2013. This was to allegedly circumvent state laws that prevent purchase of land owned by Dalits by non-Dalits. The land was allegedly purchased at 50 per cent of the market value,

according to the FIR. This land was later taken over by OIPL for real estate development from Sethi for declared consideration of Rs 65 lakh, even though no amount was allegedly paid to Sethi, according to the FIR . Sources said Sethi was shown to have purchased this patch of land — falling in between a 100-acre plot that Pandas were developing – with his monthly salary of Rs 8,000. “There is no financial transaction between Sethi and the people he purportedly bought land from,” a senior Odisha Police officer said. “No money was paid to Sethi by Pandas for further purchase either. Everything is just on paper, indicating (alleged) cash transactions and culpability under Benami Transactions Act. Sethi and others (from whom land was purchased) have already recorded their statements before a magistrate.”

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nounced on Friday, Justice B P Routray said: “I am not inclined to interfere with the criminal proceedings, more particularly at the stage of pending investigation. Accordingly, the prayer of the petitioners is rejected and the Criminal Misc. Case is dismissed. All interim orders passed stand vacated.” The Pandas had alleged in their petition that the FIR was a result of “malice” and “ulterior motive” at the behest of “the ruling political party”. The court rejected the allegation on the ground that “the same is not found with supported materials”.

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Across 9. Like an uncle (9) 10. Parlour game (8) 12. Weak (4) 13. Writing desk (6) 14. Venetian boat (7) 15. Expressionless (9) 17. Unprincipled moneylender, informally (4,5) 18. Level of command (7) 20. Street entertainer (6) 21. Travel permit (4) 24. Sample (8) 26. Radical change (8) 28. Simple (4) 29. Paper handkerchief (6) 31. Non-professional (7) 34. In difficulty, informally (2,3,4) 36. Flooded (9) 38. Descent (7) 39. Live (6) 40. Continent (4) 41. Large parrot (8) 42. Singing voice (9) Down 1. Gemstone (8) 2. Root vegetable (6) 3. Reference (8) 4. Light wind (6) 5. Qualms (8) 6. Asian country (10) 7. Stain (7) 8. Spanish woman (6) 11. Thieving bird (7) 16. Comfort (6) 19. Expectations (5) 20. Proscribe (3) 22. Angry (5) 23. Risk (6) 25. Type of property (10) 26. Employ (3) 27. Readable (7) 30. Better (8) 31. Plentiful (8) 32. Heating device (8) 33. Comments (7) 35. Sinew (6) 36. Small creature (6) 37. Scuffle (6)

Jagi Panda

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Su doku

No. 9754 Yesterday’s solution No. 9753

Baijayant Panda

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Crossword

i.e. masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. “During Diwali, huge crowds were witnessed as if people on streets could kill the virus. The situation was same even at the time of Ganesha Chaturthi. Now there are predications that a second wave may hit the state. We are speaking to relevant departments. We’ll review the situation for next 8-10 days and then the further decision will be taken about the lockdown,” Pawar was quoted as saying by ANI. Thackeray, however, said that he doesn’t believe in bringing about laws and want people to take responsibility. “I am being advised to impose night curfew. But I don’t believe in bringing about laws. People should themselves take precautions,” he said.

(OIPL), by vacating all earlier interim orders. The HC had earlier passed an interim order granting them protection against arrest. The Pandas had moved HC for quashing the FIR against them and OIPL. On Saturday, the Pandas denied all allegations against them and blamed the development on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vendetta politics. “… There has been no wrongdoing by us and we are confident that this will ultimately be proved in the courts,” Jagi Panda said in a statement. In the order pro-

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MUMBAI, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): The crowd out on roads during Diwali perhaps thought that presence of large number of people could kill the coronavirus, said Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar while hitting out at those who flouting Covid-19 rules during the festive season that has led to surge in infections. He further said that the government will review the situation for the next eight to 10 days and will then take a decision on lockdown. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray too expressed displeasure over residents not taking precautions, warning that a second wave of virus would “almost be like tsunami”. “We will need 25 crore doses of vaccine whenever it comes,” he said, adding that till then only three solutions are available

NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): In a setback to BJP national vicepresident Baijayant Panda, the Orissa High Court has refused to intervene in a case of alleged grabbing of land belonging to people belonging to the Dalit community by a company owned by Panda. The case is being investigated by Odisha Police under various sections of IPC and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The court also cleared the way for the arrest of Panda and his wife Jagi, copromoter of the company, Odisha Infratech Pvt Ltd

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international

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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England set for stricter lockdown after Dec 2

More areas are set to be placed into the higher tiers of tougher movement and household mixing restrictions and some tiers will be strengthened.

an experience that includes acting as the Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in the Obama-Biden administration, the report said. Carlos Elizondo, who was social secretary for Jill Biden during the Obama administration, will be White House Social Secretary. Ambassador Cathy Russell will assume the role of Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, it said. Adiga served as Director for Human Rights in the National Security Staff ’s (NSS) Multilateral and Human Rights Directorate. Prior to joining NSS, she was an attorney at the Department of Justice, where she served as Counsel to the Associate Attorney General. Before entering government service, Adiga volunteered and then worked for the Obama presidential campaign for nearly two years, according to her biography on the US State Department website. She earned her J D from the University of Chicago Law School and her M P H from the University of Minnesota. She graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa with a B A in Spanish.

Putin says he’s not ready to recognize Biden as US Prez

Vladimir Putin

MO S C OW, NOV 2 2 (AGENCIES): Russian President Vladimir Putin said he’s ready to work with any US leader, but still isn’t ready to recognize the election victory of Joe Biden. “We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people,” Putin said on Russian state TV Sunday. “But that K Y M C

confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognized by the opposing party, or after the results are confirmed in a legitimate, legal way.” The comments are some of the most detailed since the election from Putin, one of a dwindling number of leaders who haven’t recognized Biden as the next US head of state. Russia, accused by US intelligence agencies of intervening in 2016 to help get Trump elected, has been wary of Biden, fearing an increase in sanctions pressure and clashes over human rights. Putin described the Kremlin’s decision not to congratulate Biden as “a formality” with no ulterior motives.

Guatemala City, Nov 22 (IANS): Protesters who were rallying against the approval of the 2021 budget in Guatemala set fire to a part of the Congress building here. On Saturday night, some protesters approached the headquarters of the Legislative Palace, where they hurled objects with fire into the offices of the Congress building, reports Xinhua news agency. Guatemala’s volunteer and municipal firefighters

had to intervene to control the flames. Images released by fire fighters show that the furniture in some congressional offices was almost completely consumed by the fire. President Alejandro Giammattei condemned the acts of violence. “I reiterate that we have the right to demonstrate according to the law. But we cannot allow it to vandalize public or private property. “Whoever is proven to

have participated in these criminal acts will be punished with the full force of the law,” the President said. The approval of the 2021 budget, which cuts spendings on education and healthcare, has caused high political tension in Guatemala as many sectors also oppose the increase of public debt proposed by the government. Vice President Guillermo Castillo has called on Giammattei to resign with him.

Trump’s legal team cried vote fraud, but courts found none PHILADELPHIA, NOV 22 (AP): As they frantically searched for ways to salvage President Donald Trump’s failed reelection bid, his campaign pursued a dizzying game of legal hopscotch across six states that centered on the biggest prize of all: Pennsylvania. The strategy may have played well in front of television cameras and on talk radio. But it has proved a disaster in court, where judges uniformly rejected their claims of vote fraud and found the campaign’s legal work amateurish. In a ruling late Saturday, US District Judge Matthew Brann — a Republican and Federalist Society member in central Pennsylvania — compared the campaign’s legal arguments to “Frankenstein’s Monster,” concluding that Trump’s team offered only “speculative accusations,” not proof of rampant corruption. Now, as the legal doors close on Trump’s attempts to have courts do what voters would not do on Election Day and deliver him a second term, his efforts in Pennsylvania show how far he is willing to push baseless theories of widespread voter fraud. It was led by Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, who descended on the state the Saturday after the November 3 election as the count dragged on and the president played golf. Summoning reporters to a scruffy, far-flung corner of Philadelphia on Novem-

Rusty Albietz, of Blairsville, Ga., chants along with supporters of President Donald Trump in Atlanta. (AP/PTI)

ber 7, he held forth at a site that would soon become legendary: Four Seasons Total Landscaping. The 11:30 am. news conference was doomed from the start. At 11:26 am, news outlets had started calling the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden. The race was over. Just heating up was Trump’s plan to subvert the election through litigation and howls of fraud — the same tactic he had used to stave off losses in the business world. And it would soon spread far beyond Pennsylvania. “Some of the ballots looked suspicious,” Giuliani, 76, said of the vote count in Philadelphia as he stood behind a chain link fence, next to a sex shop. He maligned the city as being run by a “decrepit Democratic machine.” “Those mail-in ballots could have been written the day before, by the Democratic Party hacks that

were all over the convention center,” Giuliani said. He promised to file a new round of lawsuits. He rambled. “This is a very, very strong case,” he asserted. Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor who specializes in election law, called the Trump lawsuits dangerous. “It is a sideshow, but it’s a harmful sideshow,” Levitt said. “It’s a toxic sideshow. The continuing baseless, evidence-free claims of alternative facts are actually having

an effect on a substantial number of Americans. They are creating the conditions for elections not to work in the future.” Not a single court has agreed with the strength of the case, but that did not stop Trump’s team from firing off nearly two dozen legal challenges to Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, including an early morning suit on Election Day filed by a once-imprisoned lawyer. The president’s lawyers fought the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots to arrive. They complained they weren’t being let in to observe the vote count. They said Democratic

counties unfairly let voters fix mistakes on their ballot envelopes. Everywhere they turned, they said, they sniffed fraud. “I felt insidious fraud going on,” Philadelphia poll watcher Lisette Tarragano said when Giuliani called her to the microphone at the landscaping company. In fact, a Republican runs the city’s election board, and has said his office got death threats as Trump’s rants about the election intensified. No judges ever found any evidence of election fraud in Pennsylvania or any other state where the campaign sued — not in Michi-

gan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada or Georgia. Instead, Trump lawyers found themselves backpedaling when pressed in court for admissible evidence, or dropping out when they were accused of helping derail the democratic process. “I am asking you as a member of the bar of this court, are people representing the Donald J Trump for president (campaign) … in that room?” US District Judge Paul Diamond asked at an after-hours hearing on November 5, when Republicans asked him to stop the vote count in Philadelphia over their alleged banishment.

CORRIGENDUM With reference to our advertisement No: CAU/CoVScJlk/Estt/Appt-T/2020/630, dated: 12th Nov. 2020, some changes has been made to our advertisement. For Detail information kindly refer to our university website: www.cau. ac.in. Advertisement uploaded in the university website will be considered for appointment of the post. (Dr. A. K Sangwan) Dean DC-760

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FELICITATION The Mopungchuket Ait Laishir Telongjem, Dimapur (MALT) with immense pride and joy would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Angumsuba, S/o Rev. Z. Yapang Aier and Mrs. Alemtsungla, on being conferred Ph.D on the topic, "Economic Empowerment of Women in Matrilineal Society: A case Study of Khasis in Meghalaya, Shillong", at University of Hyderabad, Department of Anthropology. We wish and pray that our Almighty God continue to guide you in all your future endeavours. DP-5140

Hangi Jamir President MALT, Dimapur

Sashilong Lemtor General Secretary MALT, Dimapur

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Mala Adiga

On Saturday night, some protesters approached the headquarters of the Legislative Palace, where they hurled objects with fire into the offices of the Congress building.

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Washington, Nov 22 (PTI): US President-elect Joe Biden has appointed Indian-American Mala Adiga as the policy director of his wife Jill, choosing an experienced education policy hand as the incoming First Lady focuses on education and plans to continue teaching community college classes. Adiga was a senior adviser to Jill and senior policy adviser for Biden’s 2020 campaign. She previously worked for the Biden Foundation as director for higher education and military families. Before that, during Obama’s administration, she was deputy assistant secretary of state for academic programmes at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and worked in the State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues as chief of staff and senior adviser to the ambassadorat-large. “Future First Lady Jill Biden’s Policy Director will be Mala Adiga, who served as her senior advisor and a senior policy advisor on the Biden-Harris campaign. Adiga will work for a First Lady who has said she intends to prioritise education and military families,” CNN report on Friday. Biden on Friday announced another round of White House staff positions to be filled by longtime aides to the Bidens. Louisa Terrell, who served as Executive Director for the Biden Foundation, will become Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. She comes to the position with

intolerable pressure on the NHS,” the spokesperson said. Downing Street also said that the Winter Plan will set out how people will be able to see their loved ones at Christmas, adding that ministers will be warning that this will not be a normal festive period. There are reports that the 10 PM curfew for bars and restaurants could be extended by an hour. Last orders would still be called at 10 PM, but people would have until 11pm to finish their food and drink. Johnson faces a rebel-

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Biden appoints Indian-American Mala Adiga as policy director

“Everyone’s efforts during the current national restrictions have helped bring the virus back under control, slowed its spread and eased pressures on the NHS,” a Downing Street spokesperson said. “But the Prime Minister and his scientific advisers are clear the virus is still present – and without regional restrictions it could quickly run out of control again before vaccines and mass testing have had an effect. That would put in jeopardy the progress the country has made, and once again risk

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virtually as he continues to self-isolate following contact with an MP who later tested positive for COVID-19. Some UK media reports also suggest that Johnson is expected to announce up to a week of freedom from COVID-19 restrictions at Christmas, subject to an agreement with the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will involve a UK-wide relaxation of rules, reportedly from December 22 to 28, so that several families can join in one “bubble” to celebrate Christmas on December 25.

lion from some MPs from within his own Conservative Party, who have served notice that they are preparing to oppose the Winter Plan for restrictions to replace the national lockdown without extensive evidence of their absolute necessity. The COVID Recovery Group (CRG), led by former chief whip Mark Harper and ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker, is threatening to withhold support for Johnson’s new measures when the fourweek lockdown in England expires on December 2. They have written to Johnson demanding a full “cost-benefit analysis” of the proposed further restrictions, as they warn “the lockdown cure prescribed runs the very real risk of being worse than the disease”. The latest developments come as the UK recorded a further 341 coronavirus deaths, bringing the country’s total death toll to 54,626. The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said the number of coronavirus infections in England appears to have “levelled off ” in recent weeks, indicating the lockdown has had the desired effect of trying to curb the rapid spread of infection.

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London, Nov 22 (PTI): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out a “COVID Winter Plan” to control the spread of coronavirus in a speech on Monday, when he is expected to set out some tougher tiered measures to come in as England’s lockdown officially ends on December 2. More areas are set to be placed into the higher tiers of tougher movement and household mixing restrictions and some tiers will be strengthened to safeguard lockdown progress to keep the deadly virus under control, Downing Street said. Ahead of the nearly month-long stay-at-home lockdown, England had been placed in a three-tier system of graded social distancing rules based on the infection rates in particular regions. The government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is expected to publish research on Monday saying that measures in the previous tiers were not strong enough. More details of the socalled COVID Winter Plan are expected on Monday in a speech to the House of Commons, after Cabinet discussions on Sunday which Johnson will be conducting

Protesters set fire to part of Guatemalan Congress building

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sports

Nagaland Post, Dimapur MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

ATP Finals: Medvedev sets up title FC Goa, B’luru FC share points after 2-2 draw clash with Thiem as Nadal, Djokovic exit

Match in action between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC during the ISL match at Fatorda Stadium, Goa on Sunday.

MARGAO, GOA, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): FC Goa and Bengaluru FC shared the spoils in their opening match of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday at the Fatorda Stadium. Cleiton Silva (28’) and Juanan Gonzalez gave Bengaluru a two-goal lead but Igor Angulo’s brace (66’, 69’) ensured a point for the Gaurs.

FC Goa’s style of football did not change much under Juan Ferrando from what it used to be under Sergio Lobera as the Gaurs dominated ball possession in the first half. But they did not make much impact in the attacking third and failed to break Bengaluru’s compact defensive organisation. It was the Blues who broke the deadlock in the

28th minute as Brazilian attacker Cleiton Silva scored on debut. Khabra sent a long throw-in inside the box which James Donachie tried to clear but instead, he nudged the ball towards Silva who found the back of the net with a clinical header. Bengaluru could have doubled their lead just minutes before half time as Cleiton Silva found Sunil

Chhetri with clever backheel pass inside the box but the Blues skipper failed to connect a shot. The away side scored their second goal in the 57th minute thanks to some excellent coordination inside the Goa. An in-swinging cross inside the box was met by Deshorn Brown who headed the ball towards Erik Paartalu who in turn sent

it towards Juanan with another header and the Spanish defender found the back of the net. Juan Ferrando made a double substitution as he brought in Brandon Fernandes and Alexander Romario on the pitch. The changes proved to be a tactical masterclass. Goa pulled one back in the 66th minute when Brandon initiated a move with a through ball for Alberto Noguera who in turn found Igor Angulo inside the box. The Spanish forward did not make a mistake in pushing the ball in. The hosts scored a second goal in the next three minutes with Brandon being the architect once again. The Goan midfielder found Romario on the right side with a through ball who sent a cross inside the box. Once again Angulo was in the right place and sent the ball in with his body. FC Goa next face Mumbai City on November 25 while Bengaluru take on Hyderabad on November 28. Today’s match Odisha FC VS Hyderabad FC Time: 7: 30 PM

BENGALURU, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): The disbelief that sparked Daniil Medvedev’s countenance on Saturday night was a contrast to the dazed look of 12 months ago, when the Russian led Rafael Nadal down the home straight, having kicked-up a 5-1 lead, even holding match point. Somehow, he fell short. This time, Nadal was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. Medvedev broke and didn’t look back. It wasn’t about the 24year-old returning a compliment, it was about making a statement. Finally, a case for consistency. This one for his generation. The muscular Mallorcan has won 71 matches in a row after winning the opening set. In the lastfour stage of the Nitto ATP Finals, he was broken at love when serving for the match. In the last 70-minutes of play, Medvedev turned the match on its head, running away with the final four games to score a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win. Nadal, who appeared a tad slow, making defensive choices with shot selection, relying heavily

Daniil Medvedev

Dominic Thiem

on his slices, applauded the victor. The Spaniard, who clinched a record 13th Roland Garros title in October, said the reverse was a combination of some good tennis by his opponent and poor play by him. “I played a bad (tenth) game. You are nervous to win the match. Is normal to have tension. I think he played some good points and I made a couple of mistakes,” Nadal said. “Then he played a good tie-break. I should’ve held my serve in the third set. I had an easy volley to close the game.” The world No.2, owner of a record-equaling 20 major titles, who has never won the ATP’s season finale, added, “Small details make a big difference. I had my chances. I was

close to playing another final here. I was not good enough at the moment to close the match. Well done for him and not enough good for me.” It was that very incisive combination that took Dominic Thiem to victory against Novak Djokovic in the first of the semifinal clashes — 7-5, 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-5). The world No.1 led 4-0 in the deciding tiebreak but Thiem won seven of the next eight points to make the title round. Like Medvedev, who had beaten Djokovic in the league stage of the competition and followed it up with the win over Nadal in the knock-out round, Thiem had beaten the Spaniard in the league phase before topping the Serbian on Saturday evening.

Schedule for Moukoko becomes youngest player in Bundesliga history Australia’s McDonald says Smith WBBL 6 Finals can handle India’s bouncer barrage series confirmed SYDNEY, NOV 22 (AGENCIES): India are welcome to subject Steve Smith to a bouncer barrage but the batsman is well-equipped to succeed against such strategy, Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald said on Sunday. Smith was concussed by a short-pitched delivery from Jofra Archer at Lord’s last year and was also bounced out several times by New Zealand speedster Neil Wagner last summer. The top-ranked test batsman can expect similar treatment from India but McDonald is unfazed by the prospect, pointing out that Smith bounced back from the Lord’s concussion with a double century at Old Trafford. “Even in one-day cricket and T20 cricket, he’s been able to score runs with that plan be-

Andrew McDonald

ing adopted by opponents,” said McDonald. “So, I don’t necessarily see it as a weakness ... they (India) can keep approaching it that way if they want.” Virat Kohli and his men did try it when Australia played three one-day internationals in India earlier this year, and a repeat of the ploy wouldn’t surprise.

“It’s going to be a tactic a lot of bowling units will use against our top-line batters, especially with four men out in one-day cricket,” McDonald said. “They’ve used that tactic before and he’s (Smith) done well on it before. I’m suggesting that plan hasn’t necessarily worked to its full effect.”

SYDNEY, NOV 22 (IANS): The Melbourne Stars, Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers will feature in prime time when the Women’s Big Bash League Finals series gets underway at North Sydney Oval this week. The two semi-finals will be held on November 25 and 26, with the winners to face off in the final on November 28. After finishing at the top of the points table, the Meg Lanning-led Melbourne Stars will take on Sophie Devine’s Perth Scorchers in the first semi-final on Wednesday night. A red-hot Brisbane Heat will then face the Sydney Thunder in the second semi-final on Thursday. All three knockout matches will be played under lights for the first time and be broadcast live nationwide on Seven, Foxtel, Kayo and ABC Radio.

B E R L I N, N OV 2 2 (IANS): Sixteen-year old Youssoufa Moukoko has become youngest-ever player in German football league Bundesliga history after he made his debut for Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion Berlin on Saturday. Moukoko, a day after turning 16, came on for Erling Haaland for the final five minutes of die Schwarzgelben’s 5-2 victory at the Olympiastadion, replacing BVB legend Nuri Sahin as the Bundesliga’s youngest ever player. Sahin had been a month off his 17th birthday when his made his league debut for BVB against Wolfsburg in August 2005. “I would love to play alongside him,” said Haaland at the final whistle in Berlin on Saturday as per the official Bundesliga website. “I think he’s the biggest talent in the world

Youssoufa Moukoko

right now. He’s 16 years and one day old, that’s amazing. He has a big career ahead of him. We’re lucky to have him,” he

added. With 141 goals in 88 youth games, including 13 in just four appearances for the club’s U19 side this season, the Cameroon-

born striker was deemed ready for the pros, having been training with the senior squad full time since August this year.

Spurs beat Man City 2-0; move to top of EPL table AFI searching for senior, junior put the game away with a professional performance,” Lampard said. “The result is key because the Premier League is tough and relentless.” A twice-taken penalty from Bruno Fernandes gave United a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, their first Premier League win at Old Trafford this season. Fernandes’s first effort was saved by West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone but the referee ordered the kick be re-taken after ruling the keeper had come off his line and the Portuguese Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate their goal against Manchester City.

L O N D O N, N OV 2 2 (AGENCIES): Tottenham Hotspur moved top of the Premier League after an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City while Chelsea beat Newcastle United and Manchester United secured their first home win of the campaign on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, unbeaten in their last eight games, have 20 points from nine matches while Frank Lampard’s Chelsea are on 18 points after their 2-0 win at Newcastle. Third-placed Leicester City (18 points) are at fourth-placed Liverpool (17 points) on Sunday and would go back to the top with a win at Anfield.

Pep Guardiola’s City slipped to 11th with United’s victory moving them above their local rivals to ninth. Spurs now fully look like a Mourinho team, solid at the back, hard-working in midfield and deadly on the break and that was enough to beat a City team who have managed just 10 goals in nine games. Son Heung-min’s prolific form continued, the South Korean opening the scoring in the fifth minute with his ninth goal of the season. A beautifully weighted pass from Tanguy Ndombele picked out Son’s perfectly timed run and the striker kept his cool to slip the ball through the legs of the advancing Ederson.

Harry Kane for Spurs and Aymeric Laporte for City both had goals disallowed before substitute Giovani lo Celso settled the match just 35 seconds after coming off the bench. At St James’ Park an own goal by Federico Fernandez and Tammy Abraham’s second-half effort secured a third straight win for Chelsea. The Blues took the lead in the 10th minute when Fernandez, under pressure from Ben Chilwell, turned in Mason Mount’s cross. Isaac Hayden wasted a great chance to equalise on the hour but Timo Werner burst through on goal before passing to Abraham to double Chelsea’s lead. “We

midfielder made no mistake with the second attempt. Winless West Brom’s frustration was doubled by the fact that the penalty came eight minutes after they had a spot-kick award overturned after review. Brighton & Hove Albion won at Aston Villa for the first time with an enthralling 2-1 victory. Solly March grabbed the winner with a lovely finish after Ezri Konsa’s equaliser had cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s first goal for Brighton, a clever chip.

Calvert-Lewin scores twice as Everton beat Fulham Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his excellent scoring form with two goals as Everton returned to winning ways in an absorbing encounter with Fulham. Richarlison made an immediate impact on his return from a threematch suspension by providing the cross for CalvertLewin to bundle in after just 42 seconds. In a dramatic game, Bobby Decordova-Reid equalised for the hosts with a clean right-foot finish before England forward CalvertLewin went top of the Premier League scoring charts with his 10th of the season from Lucas Digne’s cross. France left-back Digne provided another assist before half-time, this time for Abdoulaye Doucoure to head home unchallenged for Everton’s third - and his first since joining from Watford. Fulham missed their third penalty of the season when Ivan Cavaleiro blazed over in the second half after Ben Godfrey’s foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Substitute Loftus-Cheek’s deflected finish from Ademola Lookman’s pass set up a grandstand finish but it was not enough to prevent Fulham from sinking to a seventh defeat in nine games. After coasting into a 3-1 lead, they were left hanging on as they allowed Fulham a lifeline before finally securing a first win for seven weeks to reignite their campaign.

HPDs after Hermann resigns

NEW DELHI, NOV 22 (IANS): Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is on the lookout for two new highperformance directors for senior and junior athletes after Volker Hermann on Sunday announced that he has resigned from the position. Hermann said on his Facebook page that he had resigned from the post “three weeks ago” after he was convinced that he could no longer “meet the self-imposed expectations” of his role. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla said that it “tried to convince him to stay and work with AFI” but respects Hermann’s decision to return to his native country Germany. He also said that Hermann has offered to work with the AFI as a consultant in the future. Sumariwalla added that the AFI is now looking for a junior high performance director as well in addition to a replacement for Hermann. “After one and a half fruitful and inspiring years in India, the day has come when I could not any longer meet the self-imposed expectations coming along

Volker Hermann

with the role of AFI’s high performance director, which is why I resigned from my position three weeks ago,” said Hermann in his statement. “I believe that athletics in India has a great future ahead of it. It requires a conducive and likewise sustainable infrastructure to support its countless talented athletes and coaches. It also needs players with a strong, confident, and independent mindset to succeed at world stage.” Hermann was appointed in June 2019 and his term was initially set to end after the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In September, he was among nine foreign coaches whose contracts were extended to the end of

the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sumariwalla, in the AFI’s statement, acknowledged Hermann’s contribution in its coaches’ education program. “We tried to convince him to stay and work with AFI, however, it is his personal decision to go back to his country (Germany) and we respect his decision,” he said. “He has expressed his wish to continue with us a consultant in future and we will definitely work with him as and when required. We wish him the very best in all his endeavours ahead. We are now looking forward to appoint two new high performance directors, one for senior athletes and one for juniors and youth.”

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