Corruption: CM told to act, not preach sermons

‘Walk against Corruption’ reflective of growing restless 

The chief minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang, who recently had tongues wagging with a clichéd anti-corruption speech during the current vigilance commemoration month, has been told by a consumers’ group to stop ‘preaching’ and start acting.  

The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ organization (NVCO) issued a statement on Saturday, October 31, coming during a time the question corruption, corrupt officials, and perceived corrupt practices in development works have begun to influence public restlessness over years now. The NCVO implied in its Saturday statement that anti-corruption stances were not in preaching but in actual ground work.

President of the NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi, a local advocate, referred to Saturday’s ‘Walk Against Corruption’ organized by citizens under the people’s movement, the Against Corruption & Unabated Taxation (ACAUT). He was speaking in Kohima on Saturday during a local event.

“Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang in his message asserted that his government was committed to fight corruption in the state with an appeal to all concerned citizens to contribute their best in the fight against corruption and re-dedicate themselves to work with honesty, integrity and sincerity to eradicate corruption from our society,” the NVCO leader said.

“He has also said that once the Lokayukta Bill 2015 is passed, the vigilance commission would be strengthened and the fight against corruption would be intensified in order to provide good governance.”

All the good things said, Savi reminded nonetheless that they should “not just preach but put into practice and implement it so that the primary objective of the Central Vigilance Commission…”

Also, he referred to the speech of the President of India, who said that corruption ‘needs to be treated like a disease and focus should be on prevention as corruption affects the growth of a nation.’ Likewise, the governor of Nagaland PB Acharya had called citizens to ‘combat corruption.’

Referring to the Vigilance Awareness Week, the NVCO leader also said that the students’ participation in this anti-corruption themed vigilance event was of immense importance as “they are to be educated on the urgency to fight against unethical practices by way of conducting speech competition amongst them and also to provide appropriate mindset amongst the students to fight corruption.”

They are to be taught about effective preventive measures by way of using information technology and to promote transparency by using facilities such as the Right to Information Act, 2005, he said.

“Always keep in mind that corruption starts in a small way. Good governance is about the processes for making good decisions and their effective implementation. The main characteristics of good governance are transparency, accountability, following rule of law, being inclusive, effective and efficient. Good governance and preventive vigilance share several characteristics and therefore, preventive vigilance needs to be implemented as a tool of good governance,” the NVCO president said.

“Application of preventive vigilance as tool of good governance would not only result in removing the negative connotations attached with vigilance work but would also contribute positively towards the overall functioning of the organization.”

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Smelly Kohima among Center’s list for sanitation rating

The capital of Nagaland, Kohima town, is infamous for bringing the gift of rain always invariably accompanied by thick waves of nose-shriveling stench from septic tanks and latrines.

Now, the capital town has been named among 75 major cities and state capitals in the country to be rated for sanitation and solid waste management by the Ministry of Urban Development as a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The selected 75 cities, including those from the northeast region states, will be rated by the Swachh Bharat Sanitation Survey, information made available by the ministry on Friday, October 30, said.

The Ministry of Urban Development has commissioned a survey of “sanitation scenario” in 75 major cities including 53 areas that have populations of more than 10 lakh each. This is the first such survey since the launch of the nationwide sanitation campaign, Swachh Bharat Mission, in October 2014.

The parameters of the survey have been aligned with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission with more focus on solid waste management–waste being an adverse factor to cleanliness in the urban areas,

The proposed survey and subsequent ratings to be completed in January next year is aimed at fostering a spirit of competition among the major cities and state capitals in 29 states and Chandigarh to ensure sanitation in urban areas.

In the proposed survey for rating of 75 major cities accounting for over 50% of country’s total urban population, solid waste management is being given 60% “weightage” followed by 15% each for availability and use of household individual toilets and public and community toilets besides 5% each for city level sanitation plans and Information, Education and Behavior Change Communication (IEBC) activities. Under Swachh Bharat Mission, about Rs.37, 000 crore of the project cost of Rs.62, 009 crore is to be incurred for solid waste management.

In the last survey ranking 476 cities, each with a population of above one lakh, which was commissioned before the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission across the country, solid waste management showed only 13% ‘weightage.’

Swachh Bharat Mission aims at ensuring door-to-door collection, transportation and “scientific disposal” of municipal solid waste in all the 83,000 wards in urban areas by 2019. Besides, it envisages construction of one crore household individual toilets and over five lakh public and community toilet seats.

Municipal commissioners and other officials of the 75 selected cities were briefed in detail yesterday, Thursday, by Pravin Prakash, Joint Secretary and Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission, in Delhi.

Survey agencies will collect necessary data from urban local bodies besides through direct observation and citizen feedback through questionnaires. A minimum of 15 respondents have to be reached out in each ward for feedback. Under contractual obligation, survey agencies will have to furnish detailed documentation including photographs and video-clips of various places surveyed.

An illustrative account of evaluation-parameters include formulation and making public the city-level sanitation plans and technology-based systems.

In respect of solid waste management, the parameters include: percentage of solid waste collected every day, its transportation, processing, recycling and re-use including conversion to compost and energy, scientific land filling, segregation of solid waste, availability of dustbins for general waste,  collection and disposal of  Construction and Destruction Waste, availability of Debris on Call service for C&D waste, levy of user charges, visibility of solid waste in open and public spaces etc.

In respect of individual and public and community toilets, the parameters include gaps in demand and supply, gaps in mission targets and actual physical progress, extent of release of funds under Swachh Bharat Mission and utilization, waiting time for use of public toilets, availability of drainage system, notification of spot fines for open defecation / urination / littering etc.

Among the 75 cities, the northeast region states to be rated by the Swachh Bharat Sanitation Survey are:

Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar
Assam: Guwahati
Manipur: Imphal
Meghalaya: Shillong
Mizoram: Aizawl
Nagaland: Kohima
Sikkim: Gangtok

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Picnickers get AR hand after joyride takes a plunge

More than a dozen picnickers are said to have been rescued by Assam Rifles personnel after the vehicle the victims were travelling in plunged veered of the road and into a ravine near Heningkunglwa in Dimapur on October 19.

The army authorities said in a press release on Friday, October 30, that the persons numbered twenty. They were said to have been trapped in a Mahindra Max after it went down about 50 feet, according to the press release.

Troopers of the 18^th Assam Rifles said to have mounted rescue efforts.

“In continuation to the commitment of caring for the common populace and living up to their motto of ‘Friends of the Hill People,’ troops of 18 Assam Rifles under the aegis of headquarters 6-sector Assam Rifles, rescued 20 civilians (both male and female) near Heningkunglwa, Dimapur District, Nagaland,” the army said.

“The civilians were trapped inside a Mahindra Max vehicle bearing registration no NL-7A-2160 which fell down around 50 feet from the road, while it was traveling from Bungsang village (near Ghaspani) to Athibung, who were on a picnic trip to Athibung.”

According to the press release a team of 18th Assam Rifles personnel which was in the vicinity sprung into action immediately on receiving information about the mishap and reached the accident spot.

“They pulled out and rescued all the 20 passengers and assisted them to recover damaged the vehicle to police outpost Heningkunglwa. The timely life saving action by Assam Rifles team was highly appreciated and applauded by the locals as well as the civil administration,” the Assam Rifles stated.               

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Rio urges youths to work for unity

The 52nd “nite cum fresher's meet” of the Naga Students’ Union of Delhi was held on October 27 in the Weightlifting Auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

Themed "One people, One spirit & One Grand Nite," the event saw in attendance Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha Member as the chief guest. Hukato Naga of HN Company was the guest of honor while Robin Hibu, the Joint Commissioner of Delhi police was special guest of the event.

In his speech, Neiphiu Rio called for unity among the Nagas. He also challenged the youths to ‘embrace new changes that will benefit the Nagas,’ a note from the organizers on Wednesday stated.

Also, Hukato Naga acknowledged the contribution of the NSUD but cautioned the Naga people in Delhi ‘not to slumber but to persevere and actively work in pursuit of one’s goal.’

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Hallelujah into the World Records, anyone?

There is something brewing in Wokha town: an attempt to make the world records for the largest single assembly performance of George Frideric Handel’s choir masterpiece ‘Messiah.’

The organizers said, competition also aims to prepare for a World Record attempt for the largest assembled group performing the Hallelujah chorus ‘at one time with full traditional attires for which the organizers are in communication with the World Record Office.’

Team Metamorphosis, Music Task Force of the Government of Nagaland and the NBCC are “also working to inviting well wishers/ choirs/groups from different local churches, districts and from even other states to join in the attempt.”

On a successful attempt, it will be the largest assembled group to have performed the “hallelujah chorus” which till date no official record of this attempt is recorded.

“So don’t ever miss the hallelujah chorus world record breaking attempt with conductor, Shri Chonben Odyuo. For details information, you can contact 9863342080, 9206108727, and 9436810210,” the press release added.

But before that, music enthusiasts in Wokha town will be facing-off each other in a competition on Handel’s choir masterpiece ‘Messiah.’

The competition will be conducted during the second edition of the Wokha Festival of Music and indigenous games / arts to be conducted from November 4. The event will culminate on November 6, ushering in the Lotha Naga’s premier festival, Tokhu Emong.

The musical event is being organized by local youth group Team Metamorphosis. The team issued a press release on Wednesday.

Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer.

“Handel’s Messiah is regarded as Handel’s Masterpiece, and the most famous Choral Work ever composed. Today Naga youths are fond of music and closely associated with Handel’s music and therefore the Team Metamorphosis is creating a platform by organizing a competition for the glorious Hallelujah chorus…” the press release from the organizers stated.

The organizers have informed participants that the competition has been rescheduled to be conducted on November 5, instead of the 6^th, due to ‘adjustments’ in the Tokhu Emong program. The first, second and third prizes for the competition are Rs.15000, Rs. 7000, and Rs. 5000 respectively.

Dr. Chumben Murry, member of the Political Affairs Committee of the government of Nagaland will be the chief quest of the event. Mhathung Odyuo and the Patkai Christian College male group will be performing a special set during the competition as well, the organizers said. 

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UG group exempts Tuensang biz chamber from “taxes”

An underground group, a faction of the NSCN, has said that it would exempt a local business organization in Tuensang from what the group called “taxes” and “donations.”

The functionaries of the Chang region of the NSCN (reformation) issued a press release recently stating the ‘exemption.’ The group said that the decision to exempt the Chamber of Commerce of Tuensang was taken during a meeting on October 24. 
The faction stated in the press release: “The Chang Region NSCN (reformation) workers including Dy, Kilonsers, CCM's and Naga army officers held meeting on  24th October 2015 deliberated at length and decided not to impose any kind of ‘taxes’ or seek ‘donations’ from Chamber of Commerce(CoC) Tuensang w.e.f. 25th October 2015 in good faith.”

“Therefore, CoC is requested to inform all business establishment/firms under them within the jurisdiction of Chang Region NSCN (reformation) not to entertain any kind of Taxes/Donations if approached by any members, but at the same time request all business establishments/firms to execute business properly abstaining from illegal business which may indirectly hamper the economy of poor general publics (sic).”

The note was appended by Imlongnukshi Chang, “Dy,Kilonser (Tuensang in charge) Cum Chairman, Chang Region” of NSCN (reformation). 

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Community-run conservation areas showing promise in Nagaland

Peren, Mon, and Phek districts lead the list of areas in Nagaland that enjoy the care of community conservation efforts in the form of community conserved areas to help push forward the agenda of ecological balance, and preservation and protection of natural forest resources. 

A recent study by a non-governmental organization and the Forest department of the state show some interesting findings about the state of conservation in Nagaland.

The Forest department of Nagaland and the Energy and Resources Institute (ERI) of New Delhi organized a workshop about community conservation areas in Nagaland on October 29 in Kohima town, during which the findings were the focus of discussion.

Officials from ERI and the Forest department, and members of village councils and officials from the NEPED, participated in the work shop, the organizers informed in a note issued to the media on Wednesday. The press was issued by the office of the PCCF.

In partnership with the department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the Energy and Resources Institute carried out a study titled “Inventory and Documentation of Community Conserved Areas in Nagaland.”

The objectives of study were:

·     

•      To assist the Nagaland Forest department in preparing an inventory of community conserved areas in the state covering the entire 11 districts. The study was undertaken with the help of the department’s staff.
• ·     To identify new undocumented community conserved areas through questionnaires and surveys
• ·     To prepare a ‘peoples biodiversity register for sample community conserved areas to document indigenous ecological knowledge.

“After completing the study, TERI is submitting report containing an inventory of community conserved areas in Nagaland. The study will help to get the international funding to the communities forests are conserving and for their carbon stock,” the organizers said in the press release. 

The chief guest of the event, Minister of Forests, Environment and Wildlife, Dr Nicky Kire released the ‘People Biodiversity Register of Sukhai,’ a documentary and another called titled  ‘Roam Free,’ focusing on man-animal conflict.

Speaking during the occasion, Minister Dr Nicky Kire said that the documentation of community conservation reserves of Nagaland will ‘help to get the baseline data and also help in management of said areas.’

‘This documentation perhaps forms the basis for increasing awareness of Nagaland’s conservation initiatives, both in India and abroad. The documentation can also form the basis of future ecotourism initiatives and awareness program and campaigns, many of which are already happening (e.g. efforts against the mass slaughter of Amur Falcons),’ the politician said. ‘There is a need to conserve these areas by involving local communities.’

During the event, M. Lokeswara Rao, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests called Nagaland a state with ‘rich community conservation reserves’ and where people protect the conservation areas “since time immemorial to mitigate climate change they became carbon sink and rich with carbon stock.”

The organizers said that the study, titled “Inventory and Documentation of Community Conserved Areas in Nagaland” of the institute, has “3 deliverables; an exhaustive list of community conservation initiatives in all the 11 districts of Nagaland, a People’s Biodiversity Register for village Sukhai, Zunheboto district and a documentary depicting the efforts of Nagas in declaring and managing community conserved areas.”

Also, Siddarth Edake, an associate fellow of the ERI, presented findings about community conservation areas in Nagaland. Also, Dr Pia Sethi, fellow of ERI, presented case study on the Peoples Biodiversity Register of Sukhai.

Also addressing the program was JV Sharma, a senior fellow of ERI. He said that although many villages had community conservation reserves there were 407 community conserved areas that account for almost a third of the total number of villages (1428 as per 2011 census data) in the state of Nagaland. They have been identified based on international criteria for declaring areas as community conserved areas, he said.

Peren district has the maximum number of community conserved areas viz., 74 community conserved areas accounting for 18% of the total, followed by Mon district with 69 community conserved areas accounting for 17%, and Phek district with 66 community conserved areas accounting for 16% of the total.

‘There is large scope of these community conserved areas getting help from the international organizations since they are conserving forests since time immemorial,’ Sharma said.

According to the organizers, the ‘international criteria for declaring areas as community conserved areas are:

• ·     Community conserved area is managed by the local community
• ·     Community conserved areas have been declared by resolutions passed by village councils
• ·     Regulations / ban on hunting, log-felling, fishing, ‘jhum’ cultivation by the village in the community conserved area that are being followed earnestly
  
• ·     Existence of traditional knowledge and practices for conservation of biological resources and ecosystem services
• ·     Community conserved area has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Forest department for conservation

Some of the findings

Out of the documented 407 community conserved areas, a total of 311 areas (77%) were declared by resolutions passed by the village councils and tribal organizations, while 91 community conserved areas (22%) had an ‘informal understanding,’ according to the report makers.

‘Land ownership patterns of community conserved areas in Nagaland are variable with ownership largely belonging to various clans (72% of the areas) followed by individuals (56% of the areas).  Only 31% of the community conserved areas have land holdings that belong to village councils and can be termed as community land.’

Also, as many as 84% of the community conserved areas include those with primary forest that have never been ‘jhummed.’ Also, of the community conserved areas some have secondary forests that have not been ‘jhummed’ for more than 25 years, the report stated.

“This suggests that a significant number of community conserved areas include either primary forest or old-growth forests within their community conserved areas, although the area under each is not known, or whether they cover significant areas of each community conserved areas.

A significant percentage of CCAs (33%) also include abandoned jhums and/or plantations (20%) within their territories.”

Further, much of the land under community conserved areas is private lands and private owners ‘want to cut trees for generating financial resources,’ the report makers said.

“We cannot have ecology at the cost of poor people. The efforts made by community should be compensated. The Government of Nagaland must identify such areas and send a proposal to the Government of India for the compensation on the basis of carbon stock maintained by community, and also their efforts for biodiversity conservation.”

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At least donations: youth org bans charity calls

Extortion, particularly by underground groups, are a sensitive and tricky affair but not for charity calls–donations, fund-raising drives, or “lottery/raffle-buffet-concert tickets, calendars etc by hundreds of organizations/unions/clubs/societies.”

The Dimapur district administration has also banned such initiatives. A youth organization in Kohima has also banned ‘donations’ and charity pitches. The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) issued a press release on Wednesday, October 28, stating that said activities are banned “in response to the pleas of the general public is hereby imposing a ban on sale and marketing of all such items.”

The youth group explained that said activities are “nuisance and harassments,” and “unsolicited forceful marketing.”

The press release stated: “In view of the nuisance and harassments the citizens of Kohima are subjected to experience through the unsolicited forceful marketing and sale of (the never ending ever increasing) Lottery/ Raffle-Buffet- Concert Tickets, Calendars etc by hundreds of organizations/unions/clubs/societies etc, the Angami Youth Organization in response to the pleas of the general public is hereby imposing a ban on sale and marketing of all such items under its jurisdiction.”

The statement explained further: “Kohima been the capital and being inhabited by people from all walks of life and profession, its dwellers are being obliged to unscrupulously subscribe to the gratuitous financial schemes and programmes of the countless societies/unions in the state and even of elsewhere throughout the year.”

The Angami youth said that the restriction and ban has been “deemed warranted to salvage the society from sinking into a social and financial disorder; to uphold social decency and dignity; and to bring to check and identify the numerous bogus and nonexistent/non-functional societies/organizations from imposing their schemes openly and forcefully into public domains.”

“All such schemes already in the market without the legal endorsement /approval of the district administration or the organization are directed to do so at the earliest failing which befitting penalties will be sanctioned against all defying parties.”

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UG group exempts Tuensang biz chamber from “taxes”

An underground group, a faction of the NSCN, has said that it would exempt a local business organization in Tuensang from what the group called “taxes” and “donations.”

The functionaries of the Chang region of the NSCN (reformation) issued a press release recently stating the ‘exemption.’

The group said that the decision to exempt the Chamber of Commerce of Tuensang was taken during a meeting on October 24.

The faction stated in the press release: “The Chang Region NSCN (reformation) workers including Dy, Kilonsers, CCM's and Naga army officers held meeting on  24th October 2015 deliberated at length and decided not to impose any kind of ‘taxes’ or seek ‘donations’ from Chamber of Commerce(CoC) Tuensang w.e.f. 25th October 2015 in good faith.”

“Therefore, CoC is requested to inform all business establishment/firms under them within the jurisdiction of Chang Region NSCN (reformation) not to entertain any kind of Taxes/Donations if approached by any members, but at the same time request all business establishments/firms to execute business properly abstaining from illegal business which may indirectly hamper the economy of poor general publics.” 
The note was appended by Imlongnukshi Chang, “Dy,Kilonser (Tuensang in charge) Cum Chairman, Chang Region” of NSCN (reformation). 

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Features: What is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act?

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, has been passed by the Lok Sabha today, 22nd May, 2012. The Bill was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha on 10th May, 2012.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 has been drafted to strengthen the legal provisions for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For the first time, a special law has been passed to address the issue of sexual offences against children. Sexual offences are currently covered under different sections of IPC. The IPC does not provide for all types of sexual offences against children and, more importantly, does not distinguish between adult and child victims.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides protection to all children under the age of 18 years from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. These offences have been clearly defined for the first time in law.

The Act provides for stringent punishments, which have been graded as per the gravity of the offence. The punishments range from simple to rigorous imprisonment of varying periods. There is also provision for fine, which is to be decided by the Court.

An offence is treated as "aggravated" when committed by a person in a position of trust or authority of child such as a member of security forces, police officer, public servant, etc.

Punishments for Offences covered in the Act are:

·       * Penetrative Sexual Assault (Section 3) - Not less than seven years which may extend to imprisonment for life, and fine (Section 4)

·       * Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault (Section 5) - Not less than ten years which may extend to imprisonment for life, and fine (Section 6)

·       * Sexual Assault (Section 7) - Not less than three years which may extend to five years, and fine (Section 8)

·       * Aggravated Sexual Assault (Section 9) - Not less than five years which may extend to seven years, and fine (Section 10)

·       * Sexual Harassment of the Child (Section 11) - Three years and fine (Section 12)

·       * Use of Child for Pornographic Purposes (Section 13) - Five years and fine and in the event of subsequent conviction, seven years and fine (Section 14 (1))

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After Smart City, housing plan nod, ministry to discuss states’ project policy

Amid the current push to create ‘smart cities,’ the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation will discuss with the states the policy measures being taken by them to promote affordable housing projects for the benefit of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG).

The ministry has organized a National Workshop on ‘Model State Urban Housing and Habitat Policy: Decisive Roadmap for Achieving Housing for All’, which would be conducted on October 27 in New Delhi.

A few days ago, the Ministry of Urban Development had approved the first batch of state level Action Plans under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aimed at enabling water supply as per the norm and providing water supply and sewerage connections to all urban households.

Two towns in Nagaland are included among the 89.

An inter-ministerial Apex Committee of AMRUT chaired by Madhusudhan Prasad, Secretary(Urban Development) had on October 23 cleared plans worth Rs.2,786.28 crore in this regard for 89 cities in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan yesterday.

This is for the first time that the Urban Development Ministry approved state level plans unlike the past practice of appraising and approving individual projects.

The ministry has asked the states to created affordable housing policies to comprehensively address issues affecting creation of affordable housing stock by laying out an enabling environment for various stakeholders to participate in housing projects for EWS and LIG. Action taken in this regard and experiences of ten states in promoting affordable housing stock will be discussed at the proposed workshop.

The Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who will give an account of the initiatives being taken them by them at the workshop have proposed total waiver of Stamp Duty for affordable housing projects in respective states.

In the Draft Affordable Housing Policy of Andhra Pradesh, presented to the Ministry of HUPA, the state government has also proposed waiver of land conversion fee, infrastructure development charges, building plan approval fee, registration fee and betterment charges to promote affordable housing for EWS and LIG besides relaxation in Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

Telangana Government has also proposed similar measures. To encourage private investments in affordable housing, it has proposed twice the normal FAR besides 0.50% additional FAR for timely completion of such projects.

Both the states have proposed earmarking of 25% of government land available with urban local bodies for housing for EWS and LIG. The two states also envisaged single window clearance for approving housing projects in 60 days.

Telangana Government has also proposed in its policy, construction by state agencies of houses/flats on rental-cum-ownership basis on the lines of Singapore Model by adopting new initiatives like ‘Equity Building’ and ‘Rent Cum Ownership’ basis, especially for low income segments. Under this model, house/flat allotted to EWS/LIG household will be transferred in the name of the individual after ensuring 100% equity over a period of 10-15 years.

Such individuals will have the option to sell house/flat but only to the state government agency who will then offer the same to EWS/LIG households in waiting list. Private sector also will be encouraged to build rental housing stock with appropriate government support for the benefit of migrants.

Such initiatives and experiences of other states will be discussed for the benefit of all other states and stakeholders besides the expectations of industry from affordable housing policies of States.

Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in June this year, about 2 crore houses are to be built in urban areas by the year 2022 to ensure housing for all. Out of this, 96% is meant for EWS and LIG households. Central government has proposed to extend assistance in the range of Rs.1.00 lakh to Rs.2.30 lakhs per each dwelling unit to be built under PMAY.
(Al Ngullie, Eastern Mirror) 

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Nagaland University to discuss Rani Gaidinliu

The Women Studies Center of Nagaland University in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Network is organizing a regional seminar on the life and times of Gaidinliu: Historical and Gender Perspectives, on Wednesday, October 28. The vent is to be conducted at the National Institute of Electronics and IT Auditorium, in Meriema from 10 a.m.0

“The seminar will deliberate over the life of legendary Gaidinliu, through various perspectives of history, culture, religion, politics, identify, gender and feminism through rational, academic presentations,” a note from the organizers said on Monday.

“The seminar will also bring personal reminiscence and perspectives from those who have personally known her or have connections to her life. The participants being invited will consist of university professors, students, research scholars, gender studies scholars, women leaders, media, social workers, theologians and peace activists.”

Taking cognizance of the debate surrounding the life of Rani Gaidinliu in the centennial celebration, the organizers stated, the seminar will “bring together a serious deliberation on her life and her times in the context of various perspectives in a peaceful academic environment."

Gaidinliu (1915–1993) was a Naga “spiritual and political” leader who led a revolt against British rule in India. At the age of 13, she joined the Heraka religious movement of her cousin Haipou Jadonang. The movement later turned into a political movement seeking to drive out the British from Manipur and the surrounding Naga areas.

Within the Heraka cult, she came to be considered an incarnation of the goddess Cherachamdinliu. Gaidinliu was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16, and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the British rulers. Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937, and promised to pursue her release. Nehru gave her the title of "Rani" ("Queen").

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