Nagaland to Confer Honorary Naga Citizenship to Hamid Ansari

Kohima, Sep 17 : Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari will be conferred honorary Naga citizenship when he arrives here at Kisama on Sunday to inaugurate the World Bamboo Day.

The choice to confer the honorary citizenship upon Dr Ansari was adopted by the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, about 12 Kms east of capital Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minster Neiphiu Rio announced this to local media recently. He also informed that Dr Ansari will accompanied by wife Salma Ansari.

Dr Ansari, accompanied by Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar and Mr Rio, will also visit Tuensang on September 19th where he will be honoured by a civic reception.

The Vice President will also visit Tuensang village as he wanted to visit some interior villages to acquaint himself about the Naga village life.

Naga Mahila Policemen Leave For CWG in Delhi

Kohima, Sep 13 : The personnel of the 15th Nagaland Armed Police (Mahila Battalion of Indian Reserve Battalion) have left for New Delhi to provide security during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3.

According to official sources here today, altogether six Companies of the 15th Mahila IRB, led by their Deputy Commandant Asenla, left Dimapur by train for New Delhi yesterday.

This will be the first exposure tour for the girls after raising this Mahila Indian Reserve Battalion a few months back.

All the girls are well trained to perform their duties. They will be back only after conclusion of the CWG, sources said.
An Indian security personnel's from the Naga Mahila. 15 Indian Reserve battalion (IRB) patrol during their first field duty after their training in the street of Dimapur, India's north eastern state of Nagaland.

Groundwater Development in Nagaland Emerging

Kohima, Sept 12 : The Department of Geology & Mining organised an awareness programme on Artificial Recharge to Groundwater through Rainwater Harvesting in Dimapur recently. GC Saha, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) MOWR, Government of India, NER, Guwahati was the chief guest at the inaugural function.  

E Kikon, Additional Director, department of Geology and Mining, in his keynote address said that the development of groundwater in Nagaland is fast emerging owing to the pressing demand for water in all sectors. He, however, added that the availability of groundwater is restricted to geo-structures in hilly terrains due to low retention and storage capacity. Kikon said while there is a substantial amount of surface water during monsoon, it is never utilised nor infiltrated into the ground as most of the water is drained away as run-off.

He underscored the need to supplement equal amount of groundwater withdrawn from underground reservoirs through artificial means or man made techniques from the surplus rain water and avoid excessive development. He said that the stage of groundwater development in the State is 3 per cent which is negligible as groundwater development in the State is not uniform so as to be contented with the current percentage.

Kikon added that in and around Dimapur, major requirement of water resources is met from groundwater but due to urbanization, the avenue for natural infiltration to groundwater has been reduced which is evident by drying up of ring wells and shallow bore wells in some areas resulting in scarcity of water.

GC Saha in his address said that, though there is scope for further development in Nagaland, urged the department to take into account cases of over-exploitation that have occurred in many areas in the country. He urged the department to avoid over exploitation in a particular area.  He said that in some districts in the country the stage of development is so high that it has resulted in harmful effects. He said that in such areas water level is declining and quality of water is deteriorating.

Saha also underscored the role of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) which was declared a permanent body of the Government of India in 2000. He said that with the Nagaland government’s recent declaration of the Geology & Mining as the nodal department, the department is headed in the right direction. He said the department must work in close coordination with other related departments for proper implementation of projects and tackle water shortage problems in the state.

He said that in States like Nagaland, the Deputy Commissioner has been declared the Nodal Officer and that state would also need to regulate the ground water extraction with the help of judiciary to safeguard the random extraction by individual. He informed that CGWB Secretariat has now chalked out a strategy to issue notifications- to check over-exploitation of existing wells and for regulation under which declared or notified areas would be demarcated where no organization/ individual can extract water unless permitted by the board. He suggested that the government open an office as a branch of the CGWB in the state to oversee projects and related matters. He also urged the schemes should be community based.

Director Geology and Mining, HK Chishi in his welcome address said that the department is organizing the seminar to impart technical input to the officers from various departments for effective and result oriented implementation of artificial recharge to ground water based on scientific methods.  

Later a technical session was held in which P Kalita, Scientists- D, CGWA, R Kelio, Executive Engineer, Dr S Singh, CGWA Scientist attended as resource persons.

Nagaland Inks MoU For Metro Cable in Kohima

Kohima, Sep 10 : Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, is all set to have a Metro Cable transport system for the people.

The Metro Cable is considered to be the best alternative transport system for the commuters and visitors of the city and accordingly the Nagaland government has signed an MoU to set up Metro Cable system.

Official sources today said the deal to set up the Metro Cable system was signed through a tripartite MoU among the Transport Department of the state government, Leading Edge Adventures and Airparks Private Limited (LEA&A) and Rangarsons Resources in presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport P Dako Phom and Chief Secretary Lalthara yesterday.

Mr Lalthar said Metro Cable was successfully set up in some South American and Middle East countries.

Funds for the project would be provided by the Centre or foreign funding agencies through the efforts of Rangarsons Resources, which would be working as an advisor for the project.

The Cable system would be set up jointly by the North East Infraprojects Private Limited, New Delhi, the sources said.

1,000 New HIV Cases in Nagaland

Dimapur, Sep 8 : The HIV/AIDS prevalence scenario in Nagaland continues to remain alarming with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) detecting over 1,000 HIV positive cases in the first quarter of this year.

With this, the cumulative figure of HIV positive cases in Nagaland have touched over 10,000 since 1999. There have been 505 recorded AIDS related deaths and 1,898 are currently on ART treatment.

Interacting with this reporter, NSACS Project Director Dr Neiphi Kire termed the figures as alarming. While the State’s overall percentage has come down drastically, the situation in the commercial district of Dimapur refuses to stabilise, he further stated.

Dimapur alone accounts for least 150 new cases every month, a trend since 2009, a clearly worried Dr Kire said.

Emphasising on the need to bring about a paradigm shift in tackling the problem in the commercial hub, the reason that the State continues to record high statistics, Dr Kire informed that the department was organising a two-day integrated HIV programme for the district on September 19 and 20. NACO Director General is expected to participate in the programme along with other stakeholders including student organisations, NGOs and civil society leaders, he said.

The doctor also did not rule out the possibilities of the HIV positive figures further shooting up, stating that the department suspects at least 19,000 possible positive cases of which some 9,000 are yet to be reached.

The NSACS head also expressed concern over the growing figures in Kiphire district which, he said, has seen a sharp increase posting 23 positive cases in the first quarter of 2010 out of the 685 tested.

The Department has already earmarked and agreed on establishing one ART centre in Pungro sector. However, as per guidelines, the department has to await final clearance from NACO which will follow after the feasibility report.

The completion of the feasibility report by officials from the centre of excellence as per NACO guidelines is being awaited, the PD informed.

On stepping up measures to reach advocacy programmes to all sections of the society, especially the rural areas, Dr Kire said that the department has adopted a strategic change by engaging Inter-Personal-Communication (IPC) system.

“We engage women organisations of the respective tribes who reach out to the community members and villages. The department has already covered Kohima, Phek while others are underway,” he informed.

He was also of the opinion that the IPC format has been showing results with many women organisations now coming forward to work hand in hand with the department.

On high risk groups, the migrant population has been found to be the most sensitive, it was learnt. Realising the imperative need to map them, the NACO had reportedly carried out an exercise by engaging Sharon Agency.

The mapping, however, limited migrant population to an insignificant 2,000 to 3,000 in Dimapur when the actual number could be anywhere near 15,000 to a lot more, the NSACS Director regretted.

Rodents Destroy Over 40% Paddy Cultivation in Mokokchung

Kohima, Sep 7 : Over 40 per cent of the paddy crop has been totally damaged in various parts of Mokokchung district and many other areas of the state due to the rodent menace following bamboo flowering.

According to official sources over 40 per cent of Jhum paddy cultivation in the terrace fields on the hill slopes were fully eaten up by swarms of rats and mice.

The pests seem to have developed resistance to the rat killer poison provided by the Nagaland Government Agriculture Department.

Five major ranges in the Mokokchung district namely Tzurangkong, Japukong, Changikong, Ongpangkong and Asetkong are the ones severely affected by the rodents. Maximum losses have been reported from almost all the villages under Mangkolemba sub-division.

In Mopungchuket village in the district, with the bamboo flowering clumps in its area, the increasing number of rats have started targeting all types of cultivated crops and the State Agriculture Department is battling to kill the rodents by various means.

The Department is deputing officials and teams throughout the district to study the rodent menace and the areas highly infested by the rodents.

The bamboo flowering and rodent menace was last seen in the district in the year 1961-1962, sources said.

Indigenous Delicacies of Nagaland Out Of Reach

A customer tries to negotiate the price of bee larva at the super market in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, Aug 30 : Indigenous delicacies of Nagaland are no more a gourmet treat for most people. Of late, the prices of exotic meat, bee larva, aquatic creatures, domesticated birds etc, have risen beyond the common man’s budget. Most people don’t even want to contemplate buying the tantalizing food anymore.

In Dimapur’s super market, a plate sized hive of bee larva is priced anywhere between ` 600 to ` 1000. The price varies within the market. A wicker holding about ten chunks of banned exotic smoked meat is priced between ` 400 to ` 700.

A pair of local chickens, is sold for not less than ` 500, irrespective of weight; while dry river fishes is priced anywhere between ` 400 to ` 500 depending on the quantity. Silkworms come for a high price of ` 150 to ` 300 per plate.  

The vendors attribute the high cost of indigenous delicacies to ‘scarcity.’ “Moi khan bhi bishi dukh para ani ase (we are bringing it with a lot of difficulty),” most say. The vendors also try to make up for the different kinds of taxes they pay for renting stalls. Most people are now complaining about the high cost of indigenous delicacies.

“We understand it involves hard work…but ` 900 for a handful of bee larva is unreasonable,” a customer said. The vendors are having their way by fixing exorbitant prices on indigenous delicacies.

While it is amply clear such high rates exist in the market, yet there is no mechanism in place to prevent hoarding of any kind. There is no price monitoring system on such items and the prices are soaring every week. Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), which is in-charge of fixing rates for all perishable items in the market, has not formulated the prices of indigenous delicacies owing to several factors. As a result, local vendors continue to fix rates according to their whims and fancies.

DMC Advisory member in-charge of market rate and quality control, Atovi Zhimomi said “It is difficult to fix rates for such items because they are not regular in the market.” Another problem he cited was prices for such food items are hard to determine. “Such products cannot be fixed in terms of kilograms or pieces,” the member said. Furthermore he said price for exotic meat is not fixed by DMC because there is ban on sale of such meat.

Zhimomi added he does not want to discourage local vendors because it takes a lot of hard work to bring the produce in the market. However, DMC would be compelled if it feels the prices are unreasonable, he said. Also taking cue of the complaints received, he assured the DMC would inspect the market and make sure the vendors don’t overprice their products. “Yes…if prices are unreasonable we may be compelled to take action,” Zhimomi said.

Unless a proper mechanism is put in place to check the random pricing of indigenous food in the market, vendors will continue to fix prices on indigenous delicacies unreasonably. . “It is a complete rip-off,” a lady opined.

A lover of silkworms, she stopped buying them due to high price. Prices of all food items- both local and imported- must be regulated by concerned authority to prevent vendors from hoarding.

via The Morung Express

Nagaland Sends 'ill-Equipped' Men to Fight Naxals

Nagaland IRB Jawans boarding train

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Nagaland government is facing flak from the Opposition Congress, which held the Neiphiu Rio-led Nagaland People's Front government responsible for the virtual revolt by IRB jawans demanding better arms and logistic support before their departure for West Bengal to fight the "well-equipped" Maoists.

The 10th IRB of Nagaland has been requisitioned by the Centre to fight Maoists in Bengal's Midnapore and Purulia districts, but a section of jawans staged protest at the police training centre at Chumukedima, near Dimapur, on Saturday alleging they had inadequate logistic support and 'vintage' firearms were provided to them.

In a statement, CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi asked the state's home minister, Imkong Imchen, to disclose how the huge amount of funds received from the centre for police modernization was utilized by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

He pointed out that the state had received Rs 123 crore in last four years for modernization of the police force, which means that the Centre allotted on an average Rs 30 crore annually to the state government.

He wondered how the state government was sending the 10th IRB jawans without modern weapons, required number of platoon commanders and without a single driver for a vehicle by road to fight the Naxals, which he claimed was "the most organized terror outfit of modern India."

"The situation demanded a thorough probe into how the funds released by the Centre were being utilized in the state," he said.

Senior police officials said the advance party of 'A' and 'F' Companies of the battalion, comprising around 230 personnel led by deputy commander of the force, finally left Dimapur by buses and trucks last Sunday.

The rest of the battalion would leave for Bengal within a day or two, DGP K Kire said.

Nagaland's 1st 'Centre of Social Work' at Mokokchung

Kohima, Aug 25 : The Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Social Work (MGCSW), first of its kind in Nagaland, was set up at Chuchuyimlang under Mokokchung district as part of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education and Development (MGIED).

Official sources said here today that the Centre of Social Work has been established under the auspices of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)-as part of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram Educational Project, which would initially offer Bachelor of Social Works course and Master of Social Works Would be added from the session 2011-2012 onwards.

Gradually, short term courses with special reference to the Northeast for various stake holders in development field such as Village Development functionaries, Government Officials, NGOs workers and workers in the Health Department shall be offered, sources said.

The MGCSW will have 24 seats for the current session, for which 22 applications have already been received and out of the 22, a total of 17 candidates were selected which has representations from Assam and Meghalaya, as well as through an elaborate selection process conducted at Guwahati.

Sources, quoting Dr Aotoshi, said trustee of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang, will take over the classes in ashram's premises presently, but would be gradually shifted to the new complex being developed in a compact area of 230 Acres of land donated by Chuchuyimlang Village Council without any cost or conditions.

The complex will be developed as a flagship programme to commemorate the 25 years of existence of the IGNOU, sources added.

Nagaland Tops in Contraband Drug Seizure

Kohima, Aug 24 : Nagaland has topped the northeastern states in seizure of contraband drugs, which are flowing into the state through porous borders with Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

This was revealed at the two-day Consultative Meeting of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) at Dimapur, which concluded on Saturday last.

Speaking at the meeting, the members of NSACS said, the Excise Department and the Narcotic Department of Nagaland Police topped the North Eastern States in seizure of contraband drugs, which are flowing into the state through the porous borders with Myanmar in Noklak, Kiphire, Mon, Phek and Tuensang districts.

The most common contraband drugs smuggled into Nagaland are Opium, Brown Sugar, Heroin, Ganja and life saving drugs used as narcotics like Phensydyl, Spasmoproxivon and others are coming from Assam and Manipur.

Since the pharmaceutical life saving drugs is cheaper and affordable than the contraband drugs, the uses of these are more.

With no mechanism to keep check at the porous border, the flow of drug trafficking is unabated despite all efforts of limited manpower of the Excise Department and Narcotic personnel of the State Government and only a few cases are only detected out of huge smuggling consignments, they opined.

Rosou Rhi Awarded as ‘Best Designer’

Rousou Rhi (middle) with models wearing his designs.

With Fashion becoming a booming industry, the painstaking effort of zenith designers has lifted the Nagaland's fashion trend to a higher level. Another milestone, young Fashion Designer Rosou Rhi representing Nagaland returns home with hard earned pride.

At the fashion event with theme “Magical Thread of North East” held Shillong and Kolkata, from July 28 till August 7, fashion designer Rosou Rhi was credited the title ''Best Designer’.

Secondly, bonus the title 'Favorite Designer’ was also awarded to Rosou Rhi, by Miss Jessy Nanvat, the Stall Manager from Sikkim State.

Rhi''s design showcases comprised Naga Ethnic Design and Traditional Attires of various tribes of Nagaland under the theme “Super Ethos”. While at the event the same time, Nagaland Stall was also recognized as the ‘Best Stall’ led by its manager Ayangla Aier. Altogether, eight (8) states took part in the event.

Rosou Rhi, a Chakhesang Naga who hails from Zhavame Village is today recognized and lately labeled the most sensational Fashion designer in Nagaland. The new Fashion

Icon has pulled off tremendous achievements during the precedent years and has since been always moving ahead. Meanwhile Rhi has thanked the organizing committee Fashion Society Shillong (FSS) for smooth professional conduct of the programme and also acknowledged Robertson Lamare, Class -1 Contractor, Meghalaya, for upholding him in his expedition.

The event was sponsored by Ministry of Textiles Government of India in collaboration with the Directorate of Sericulture and Weaving, Government of Meghalaya. Next extravaganza continuing event will showcase Rhi’s exclusive collections at Mumbai to be held September 2010. Private co-sponsor include Vire, Managing Director-Nukhu Innovisions.

via Nagaland Post

Tsukti Longkumer, an Inspirational Entrepreneur of Nagaland

By Peter Chachei

Kohima, Aug 20 : Tsukti Longkumer, an upcoming hotelier from Nagaland, is an inspiration for the youth in the region, as he has shown them the way to be self-reliant.

At the young age of 18, Longkumer started a catering business in Mokokchung town. And, today at 32 he is a successful entrepreneur.

He owns an eight-room lodge called 'Whispering Winds' situated at the highest point of the town.

"Before I started the catering business, people used to collect chairs, and utensils from their neighbourers to organize the functions. Then I decided to start catering business to provide service to the people and earn some money for myself," said Tsukti Longkumer.

He was recently awarded the "2010 Outstanding Entrepreneur" by the Nagaland government.

His achievements are a source inspiration for other youngsters in Mokukchung, the third most important urban hub in Nagaland.

He says that the youngsters here should not always look towards getting the government jobs. "They can do business, whatever small business it may be, and live a respectable and self-sustaining life," said Longkumer.

The youth are aware of the damage caused by militancy and are keen to bring economic prosperity to the state through their efforts.

The local people here feel that the region holds huge potential for tourism and peace and normalcy in the region can draw tourists, generate jobs and give a boost to local business.

Efforts on to Hold Talks With Naga Groups: Chidambaram

Solution should assure Nagas dignity, equal rights

Centre cannot overreach State government

New Delhi, Aug 20 : Underlining the Centre's initiative for resolving the imbroglio affecting Manipur, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday while assuring the Lok Sabha that the territorial integrity of the State would not be affected, offered to hold talks with the agitated Naga groups and amend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Replying to a calling attention motion, Mr. Chidambaram said that his Ministry had proposed amendments to the AFSPA, but added that it was a difficult issue. He categorically said that “we have to consult everybody and carry everybody with us before the amendments are made.”

Some members who had sponsored the motion had demanded that the AFSPA be annulled altogether. The motion had been sponsored by Gurudas Dasgupta, Bijoya Chakraborty, Basudeb Acharia, Shailendra Kumar and Thokchom Meinya.

As for finding a political solution to the problem in Manipur, which was subjected to an economic blockade for almost 70 days, Mr. Chidambaram said there was no question of affecting the territorial integrity of Manipur, but added that the demands of the Nagas, whether articulated by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) or any other group, would be addressed.

Pointing out that the economic blockade had its genesis in Manipur's Autonomous Hill Districts Council elections, which the NSCN-IM and other Naga groups had boycotted, Mr. Chidambaram said the Centre was now making efforts, formal and informal, to bring these groups to the table for talks after they refused to attend the meetings convened by the Manipur government.

“The Government of India cannot overreach the government of Manipur and invite them for talks. But efforts are being made to bring the Naga groups to the table so that we can talk out our differences.”

He said the solution had to be found within the Constitution, given the pluralistic character of the country and it was inconceivable to break up States, Nagas being present in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The solution had to be such as to “assure the Nagas dignity, honour, equal rights and equal place even while preserving the integrity of States.” He expressed confidence that the problem affecting the Autonomous District Council, the law, and the manner in which the elections were held could be resolved if all the parties concerned sat down face to face.

Portion of NH 39 Washed Away by Landslide

Kohima, Aug 19 : The landslide-stricken portion of National Highway 39 near the KMC dumping area was washed away last evening after heavy showers in Kohima district.

According to the Commissioner and Secretary of Roads and Bridges (PWD), a portion of 174.5 km has been completely washed away by landslide.

All efforts were being made by the Border Road Task Force(BRTF) of the Border Roads Organisation(BRO) to restore the Highway at the earliest possible.

However, it was likely to take some time as restoration work would depend on the weather conditions. Kohima and its outskirts were experiencing heavy to medium downpour.

The authorities requested the commuters to adhere to the traffic regulation.

Meanwhile, over 400 trucks laden with essential commodities, bound for other parts of Nagaland and Manipur were still stranded on the NH 39.

The District Administration had allowed light vehicles through Jotsoma village to come to Kohima. Owing to irregular supply of essentials, prices of the commodities registered a hike. However, the administration was keeping a strict vigil.

The Demand For 'Sovereign Nagaland'

By Salome Phelamei
For over six decades, Naga nationalist leaders have been skirmishing for a separate 'Naga state' although not much headway has been made in the struggle till date.

The Nagas, who reside in states neighbouring to Nagaland, have a wide gap in economic and social status as compared with the Nagas living in Nagaland.

This disparity has also dented prospects of real integration in their cause due to lack of harmony among them. While effort has been made by the leaders to bring the Nagas under one umbrella, disunity still creeps in owing mainly to their variant outlooks.

After the outfits began to turn to arms, the Indian security forces carried out counter-insurgency operations in all Naga-inhabited areas.

And, in 1972, the Armed Forces Special Power Act was amended in the entire Northeast region declaring it as a 'disturbed area'.

As antagonism began to rise, and violence would only annihilate the country’s peace and security, in 1992, the then Governor MM Thomas, a clergyman from Kerala, made a successful attempt to connect with the NSCN through dialogue.

In 1995, the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, for the first time met NSCN (IM) leaders Muivah and Swu in Paris. Afterwards in 1997, it was at the historic Indo-Naga peace talks held at Circuit House in Dimapur on 31 July, that a ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) was affirmed for an indefinite period of time.

Subsequently, the Indo-Naga peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) and the Government of India emerged with the appointment of former Union Home Secretary Padmanabhaiah as interlocutor in July 1999, initially for a year. But, his tenure was extended every year till 2009. He was replaced by R S Pandey, IAS (Retd.) as the new interlocutor in February this year to prolong the peace talks with the NSCN (IM).

The peace talks were held in many places like Bangkok, Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam, Hague, New Delhi and Kohima. At least 60 rounds of talks had been carried out even if there is not much spectacle of political solution with both the sides sticking to their own stands.

With the Naga leaders staying firm to their demands on the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, the Government of India, on the other hand, while trying to solve the core issue with the Naga leaders, has been time and again giving assurances to these states that their territorial integrity will be respected at all cost.

But, hostility and resentments among three Naga underground factions - the NSCN/GPRN (NSCN-IM), the GPRN/NSCN (NSCN-K) and the FGN/NNC - seems to have earned them moral liability for failure in their battle for a 'Sovereign state'.

Meanwhile, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, formed of apex tribal bodies and organizations, has been pushing hard for a reunion among the various underground factions by organising several meetings, so that a peaceful political settlement with the Centre can be achieved.

The NSCN (IM), which is considered as the main faction, and has been holding the peace talks with the Centre has also appealed to the other two outfits to forgive and forget the bitter past for a common national goal. The United Naga Council, in one of its latest moves, has resolved to sever all ties with the government of Manipur.

Meanwhile, in a setback to the Naga nationalism, the Manipur Assembly has decided to urge the Government of India to amend Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, that allows altering any state’s boundary by making it smaller or larger and even creating a new state.

Perhaps, with careful introspections, and taking solemn note of the core issue of the Naga political deadlock, a pragmatic solution should be obtained as soon as possible to establish peace in the region.

Nagaland Has 19,000 Suspected HIV+ Persons

Kohima Aug 10 : The Project Director of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NACS) Dr Neiphi Kire has said there are 19,000 suspected HIV/AIDS positive persons in the state, out of which a total of 10,000 persons have been detected so far.

Dr Kire was addressing the inaugural function of a five-day Refresher Training for ART and CCC (treatment systems of HIV) Counsellors of Nagaland and Mizoram, under the aegis of the Department of Education and Nagaland University, in Kohima yesterday.

He said the counsellors have a crucial role to play to ensure that the HIV positive persons get proper treatment through ART centres and called upon the Councillors that the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) module is followed.

Dr Kire also congratulated the Nagaland University for taking up such programme with a neighbouring state.

Right To Education Act Needs Close Scrutiny in Nagaland: Minister

Kohima, Aug 10 : Terming the right to education (RTE) act as the most revolutionary legislation in independent India, the state higher and technical education minister Shurhozelie today urged all stakeholders to examine closely how various provisions of the act fit into Nagaland's conditions where over 50% of the task of imparting education lies with the private sector.

Speaking as the chief guest at a state-level seminar on RTE act here, he said since the historic legislation brought the private sectors under the purview of the statute with a provision to compensate them, both the government officials as well as the private education providers should examine closely how best such provisions could be implemented in the local context.

Pointing out that since the education is in the concurrent list of the constitution and the RTE act itself has given freedom to the states to implement it as per local conditions, the minister specifically made references to the punitive sections of the act, and called for detailed discussions on the matter by all the stake holders so that the legislation could be implemented meaningfully in Nagaland.

The minister also recognised the worry of the private sectors whether they have to compromise the 'standards of education' while accommodating 25% of seats for students from weaker sections who can not afford, otherwise, education in such private schools. "But now the challenge is as how to deal with such questions?" Shurhozelie said.

The minister, who himself is a teacher and writer, emphasised on appointments of quality teachers and scaling up teachers training infrastructure in the state, adding the officials must dare to defy political pressures on this count.

School education minister Nyeiwang Konyak said RTE act posed a new challenge to the state where education sector was already grappled with the problem of bogus teachers, high rate of drop outs and poor results in government schools despite all efforts put by the government to impart quality education.

Maintaining that the public-private partnership would better suit Nagaland situation since over 50% schools lie in with private organisations, the minister called for a concerted effort by all stake holders for effective implementation of RTE act in the state.

'Doctors Without Borders' Begins Work in Nagaland

Kohima, Aug 6 : The Medecine Sans Frontier (MSF), popularly known as 'Doctors Without Border' has taken over the management of the Mon District Hospital at Mon town.

Official sources today said a formal ceremony to mark the partnership between the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department and MSF was organised on the occasion of taking over at the hospital premises yesterday.

Nagaland Forest Minister M C Konyak was the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour was School Education Minister Nyeiwang Konyak.

In their speech, both the Ministers thanked Neiphiu Rio led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government for giving such a novel way for good health for the people of Mon district.

Head of Mission of MSF, India, Pierangelo Gandini gave a brief overview of the organisation saying that the MSF specialised in conflict, emergencies and outbreaks and will work among vulnerable people.

It may be mentioned here the Government of Nagaland and the MSF had signed a Memorendum of Understanding (MoU) at the Residential Office of the chief minister in presence of Mr Rio on July 21 last.

Paramedical Institute in Nagaland Soon

New Delhi, Aug 6 : The North Eastern Council (NEC) has cleared a proposal to establish a paramedical institution in the PPP mode in Nagaland.

A review meeting of NEC, chaired by Union Mines and DoNER Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique, cleared the project here recently.

The proposed institution that would impart paramedical education is likely to be established in the Regional Referral Hospital Campus in Nagaland.

The MoU between NEC and the Government of Nagaland regarding the institute is scheduled to be signed on September 15.

Sources in the Ministry of DoNER said the NEC has approached Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to do a gap analysis of three aspects – including manpower, referral services and health infrastructure in the north-eastern region.

The meeting also decided to sponsor students of Down Town Hospital in Guwahati, which has started its health education facilities recently.

Sources said Handique also reviewed the status of the action plans in various sectors of ‘Vision 2020’ for the region. The action plans for the inland waterways and telecommunications sectors are ready for implementation. The action plans for other sectors like railways, tourism, civil aviation, border trade and power transmission are also in the pipeline, sources added.

The NEC has also commissioned a master plan on circuit-based tourism by Tata Consultancy Services. This study is supported by Union Ministry of Tourism. NEC is also funding a study commissioned by the Director General of Civil Aviation for a comprehensive study and road map for civil aviation in region.

A study on the ‘Border Trade by Research and Information System for Developing Countries’ has also been commissioned. In the power sector, NEC and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited have jointly funded the preparation of DPRs for strengthening of transmission, sub-transmission and distribution systems in NER.

The Korean Cultural Wave In Nagaland

Nagaland is a state in Northeast India, bordering Burma. The population of Nagaland, almost two million people, is tribal and the majority is Christian. Some Nagas feel disconnected - “racially, historically, culturally, politically” - from India, and have been fighting to protect the “unique identity” of the Naga people from mainstream Indian influence. Nevertheless, a different culture has been making an impact in Nagaland in recent years - that of Korea.

The term “Korean Wave” refers to the popularity of Korean culture around the world, but particularly throughout Asia. It has become a noticeable phenomenon in other parts of Northeast India such as Manipur. At community media initiative IndiaUnheard, Renchano Humtsoe has produced a video report highlighting concerns about the growing influence of Korean culture in Nagaland. She writes:

Korean culture is flooding into Nagaland. New trade treaties between India and Korea facilitated the exchange of Korean goods and enabled them to enter Nagaland with greater ease. Additionally, Nagas have long felt neglected by the central Indian government. This is especially the case with Naga youth. Many believe this lack of identity with central India informs Nagas’ embrace of Korean culture. […] Naga youth have now started to adapt Korean culture. Korean television channels, programs, movies, and clothes are popular among Naga youth. Korean companies are looking into investing in Nagaland. The Nagaland State Government has even taken steps to embrace Korean culture: it hosts an annual Indian-Korean cultural festival. However, this wave of Korean culture threatens traditional Naga customs. […] Traditional Naga culture is unique. Nagaland is comprised of sixteen tribes. Each tribe uses a unique language and has its own rich cultural traditions of dance, song, festivals and other key features. Korean culture’s strong pull on young Nagas will make it more difficult to preserve Nagaland’s important tradition and identity.

Writing at GroundReport, Stella Paul, the Communications Director for Video Volunteers (the organisation which established IndiaUnheard) talks about Renchano's video:

The most watched TV channel in the state is the Korean channel Arirang TV, the DVD and CD shops are bursting with Korean films, the hottest hair-dos offered by salons are the ones flaunted by popular Korean actors and actresses, shops are selling street fashion that are currently in vogue in Korea, cultural events in the state has special ‘Korean songs’ contests, sport events now have categories like ‘Korean wrestling’.

Otojit Kshetrimayum, Assistant Professor in Sociology at Sikkim University, in collaboration with Ningombam Victoria Chanu, writes an in-depth analysis of the nature of the diffusion of Korean popular culture through Korean satellite channels, music and movies in neighbouring Manipur state:

The introduction of cable television network has played a significant role in the dissemination of culture to other societies. [..] The Korean satellite channel Arirang is the harbinger of Korean wave in Manipur. Its popularity began largely due to the ban on Hindi satellite channels, which used to be the favourite channels of the Manipuris. They started to look for an alternative channel, which could give them wholesome entertainment.

Otojit writes about the Hindi channel ban:

Hindi films and Hindi television channels, except national channel DDTV, which is under the state control, were banned by one of the underground revolutionary organizations of Manipur in the year 2000.

Another key factor is the cultural proximity theory, which suggests that media productions from culturally affiliated countries have greater reception than those from more culturally distanced countries. According to Otojit, North Indian tribes have many elements of culture in common with the Koreans.
At The Marmot's Hole, a blog about topics related to Korea, Robert Koehler has watched Renchano's report and writes:

Somehow, I don’t think [TV presenter] Lisa Kelley ever expected to show up on Youtube as the face of Korean cultural imperialism.

He adds:

Of course, when [the Naga] are ready to be truly Korean, they’ll ditch Arirang TV in favor of NCIS and CSI: Miami.

via globalvoicesonline