Park said that during the 30 crusades held in different foreign countries in 2010, Nagaland is the only place where he has faced such opposition and persecution. Park said he is saddened by the ‘false’ news published in the local newspapers about GNM. He added that people should not believe in malicious news without even knowing the truth about a person. He called it unfortunate and said that the religious leaders should meet him in person to clear their apprehensions. Park said if the religious leaders of Nagaland have a problem with him, they should fix it and added: “they want to believe that what they see and hear about us is accurate, and they are rejecting us.”

Park further narrated the events which brought him to Nagaland, saying he was invited by a Naga pastor. The pastor, Park said, had attended one of his crusades in Malaysia and expressed interest in having him in Nagaland. Park gladly accepted the invitation to hold Bible crusade in Dimapur in 2009, which unfortunately, ran into controversy before even he landed in Nagaland. Despite the criticisms and accusations from various Christian and secular organisations, Park successfully conducted the crusade.

Park expressed his love for the people of Nagaland and said he wants to see the youths unite their hearts with the youths all over the world to become leaders. He said: “I hope the people of Nagaland will be blessed.” Woo Yong Kim, a missionary serving in India, also briefed the media on the controversy surrounding GNM. Kim said that the booklet published by NBCC is a false report based on information received from a Korean pastor. He said the booklet is intended to disturb and bother the crusade. He regretted that due to the false propagation many Nagas have closed their hearts to the word of God.

Kim said that GNM’s repeated request for audience with NBCC officials was turned down; instead the latter chose to express their thoughts and views through newspapers. “NBCC must protect their fellow Christians from heretics…but they must also hear what we have to say,” the missionary said. Meanwhile, the crusade entered its second night which is attracting scores of Christians from all over India and abroad. GNM is in Nagaland with a team of 170 people from Korea.

Source: Morung Express

Coinciding with the traditional festival of each Naga tribe, the government has been organising Road Show programme for past two years in different places to have direct inter-face between the rural people and the government departments.

United Sangtam Likhum Bumji (USLB), tribal council of Sangtam tribe, has opposed to organising of traditional festival of Yimchungru tribe-cum-road show at Pungro, asserting that the town exists “on a disputed land”.

Source: PTI

The Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency will also host a three-day Northeast international bamboo festival from September 16 to 18 at Naga heritage village Kisama, nearly 15km from Kohima.

Over 200 participants from around the world, including the World Bamboo Organisation, representatives from the Centre, northeastern states, officials, ambassadors and high commissioners from Asean countries will attend the celebration and festival.

According to the agency, the festival will showcase the achievements of the National Bamboo Mission in India, especially the Northeast.

It will include a cultural programme, bamboo planting, green marathon, bamboo sport, field visit, crafts and painting contest, symposium and workshops, competitions among students, exhibition and bamboo craft and products and bamboo music and food festival.

The Northeast is a treasure-trove of bamboo with almost 28 per cent of bamboo cultivation located in the region. Nearly 5 per cent of India’s growing stock of bamboo is in Nagaland, according to the agency.

World Bamboo Day was declared in 2009 by the World Bamboo Organisation along with the Thai Royal Forest department to create awareness on the uses of bamboo, considered green gold in the region.

The raw stock of bamboo in the region is conservatively valued at Rs 5,000 crore.

The agency said an annual turnover of approximately Rs 10,000 crore could easily be generated in the region.

In Nagaland, the government has termed the policy Bamboo as Resource and Bamboo as Enterprise.

The agency says it has made progress but has miles to go to reach the levels attained by other countries.

The Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre at Dimapur was established as a centre of excellence to facilitate technology and to create awareness on the potential of bamboo and train entrepreneurs.

A bamboo nursery, a vegetative propagation unit, a bamboo septum, charcoal production kilns, a charcoal briquette unit, a bamboo treatment plant, a bamboo stick, strips and sliver production unit, a bamboo fibre sanitary napkin unit and a Venetian blinds weaving unit have been set up. A bamboo-based 100KVA gasifier unit, a bamboo park, a museum, a library and a technology park will also be set up.

Altogether 4.5 lakh bamboo seedlings were distributed to farmers from the nursery. Around 1.58 lakh bamboo seedlings were also supplied to Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

The agency has, with the assistance of the National Mission on Bamboo Application, set up 45 bamboo charcoal kilns each with a capacity to produce 300kg per cycle.

The kilns have been set up in Peren and Dimapur districts in view of the ongoing flowering of bamboo while three units have been set up at Wokha, Tuensang and Kiphire districts.

The agency said bamboo mats produced by the Anaki bamboo cluster consisting of five villages under Mokokchung district are being supplied Arunachal Ply Industries Ltd.

The cluster is currently supplying 6,000 mats per month selling at a price of Rs 50 per mat and generating monthly revenue of Rs 3 lakh.

A marketing tie up has been established with a Bangalore firm to supply bamboo from the state.

Bamboo charcoal from the state is being supplied to Arunachal Pradesh in addition to sales in the local market. During 2006, 44 tonnes of bamboo shoots were arranged from Jalukie bamboo cluster through the Village Bamboo Resource Centres and supplied to Nagaland Foods Pvt Ltd.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100716/jsp/northeast/story_12624383.jsp

A release issued here today by the Joint Director of the Rural Development Department, Kelei Zeliang, said the Committee has been directed to investigate the matter and submit their report within ten days from the date of notification on June 16.

He informed that a show cause notice has been served on the Project Director of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Mon, in connection with the incident, directing him to reply within ten days from June 16, explaining why appropriate disciplinary action should not be taken against him in accordance with Nagaland Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1967.

The Bokajan police, under the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, had recovered cash amounting to Rs 1,11,15,530 on June 15 from the Accounts Officer of the DRDA, Mon, and the wife of the Project Director, DRDA, Mon, but the persons and money were released following a Fax message from the Project Director that the amount was taken for payment of a contractor at Dimapur.

The Congress Legislature Party of Nagaland had demanded the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) to clarify the position of DRDA on why they had to carry the cash to the doorstep of the contractor.

Source: UNI

It also wanted to know the urgency of delivering in cash, around Rs 1.11 crore, to a contractor at Dimapur by Mon District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) for Indira Awas Yojna payment by carrying such a huge amount without any security cover and official documents, according to a statement received in Kohima on Sunday.

Police in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district reportedly detained the accounts officer of DRDA, Mon, with Rs 1,11,15,530 on June 16.

However, he was later let off after police received a fax message from project-director, DRDA, Mon, mentioning that the said amount was withdrawn from a SBI bank for payment to a contractor against departmental work.

Besides others confronting issues, an emergency meeting of CLP at Dimapur yesterday also deliberated on this “home delivery” episode and took serious view of the cash haul by Assam police from the government official.

Source: PTI

On being asked on his next destination, Muivah said it was not yet decided but expressed hope that he would continue his journey. On the opposition from rivals, Muivah said “It shows that they don’t understand the necessity the Naga people are facing. It is time for every Nagas to seek understanding of our time today”, Muivah said and added that “we can even go and have talks with them to understand the issue before the Nagas that is expected from any sensible Nagas.”

On being asked of the possibility to have highest level talks on reconciliation, Muivah said “We don’t rule out the possibility because we are committed to reconciliation among the Nagas and I think that is the necessity of our time today.” He said that they were prepared to meet Khaplang and Khole. He said “Mr. Khaplang has officially committed to finding reconciliation so we have to meet them first not the others.” On being asked whether there was road block in the process of reconciliation, Muivah said “No, there is no road block” and that sometimes there is “negative attitude towards reconciliation, but it is not at all from our side” adding that in the name of Lord and savior Jesus Christ they have proclaimed that there should be reconciliation among Naga, in spite of the past. “We believe that it is high time that Nagas should understand each other,” he said.

Asked about his visit to Somdal, Muivah said that was the original plan, “and of course the plan is never cancelled. Why because I have the liberty, the right to go and see my people,” adding “we have the intention to talk, about the necessity of bringing about peaceful solution and we have to make our people clear about it. But unfortunately from the other side, unexpectedly or unwisely, they created situation which is adverse to us and in the final analysis to them also.”

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/50472.html

Th. Muivah, born in what is now called Manipur, Manipur state, is the prime minister of the Republic of Nagalim and unlike you the government of India had no objection to visit his native soil. Also, as far as we know Manipur was carved out of Assam after Nagaland state was founded. Before asking you more on the point of the right to ban a citizen, born in Uhkrul Manipur, we would like you to read the text in full of the ceasefire agreement. We ask you this because there is no mention on territory, or any stipulation on the areas where this ceasefire would be valid or invalid. It is in fact an agreement between two parties, between two nations, and consequently valid anywhere in the world.

Since officially Manipur is part of India and the agreement is between the Government of India and the Naga Nation perhaps you should have lodged a protest with the Government of India against this agreement. This ceasefire agreement was reached in 1997, so why do you use that as an argument now when you could have done this many years ago. Do you think the Government of India should abide by your reading of this ceasefire agreement?

On the second point: If Muivah has been rightfully charged with a multitude of crimes, political or otherwise, we are sure what the state government of Manipur can do legally. So, tell us please, enlighten us why you took the decision to go violent. The Naga International Support Center is sure that the Manipur State Government does not like to be branded as a government which indulges in state terrorism?

We would like clarification on why you deemed it necessary to came out in full force. Were you really so much afraid Muivah could create a stir? Instead of manhandling, threatening, frightening and even killing innocent Nagas would it not have been better to talk to Muivah first and make a program with him and his entourage, so all could have arranged in peace?

By peacefully demonstrating against your decision of banning Muivah from Manipur you unleashed your brutal forces on the Naga people. We ask you: Is that an act of fear, an act of desperation and/or a show of disgust and contempt for the people who live in Manipur? Do you agree that though you would like Manipur as it is a state of India, and in India that the people, your people may not only think but will act differently? Considering these points we ask you sincerely and we appreciate a truthful answer to this central question: Does Manipur want the land of the Nagas but not the Nagas themselves?

Considering too that Manipur is a state with its own government which is part of India and hence held of the constitution and so the government of India: Do you think that the government of India should allow you to go as far as killing people who are peacefully demonstrating against your decision of disallowing a man whose birthright it is to be at the place where he was born, to be with his people?

Does the state government of Manipur realize that by refusing Muivah or any other Naga entry to Manipur you are denying the man’s human right? It is the man’s birthright and denying him that at gunpoint means you could be held accountable for that. Both the Government of India, which signed the Human Rights Convention and the United Nations are the bodies who can hold you accountable.

The Naga International Support Center welcomes you reaction to the questions asked.

Naga International Support Center.

Article Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/

As peace takes root in the state, musicians and music lovers are optimistic about a better tomorrow.

There is no doubting the fact that Nagas are good musicians and can get a crowd giving.

Concerts, rock shows, music competitions and festivals are a regular feature in Nagaland.

Youth here are passionate about music and many opt for it as a profession. No surprise then that the music industry here is a vibrant one.

Moa Subong and Aren Subong of Dimapur have created an indigenous musical instrument called the Bamhum.

The duo want to popularize this instrument across the country, and even abroad.

Nagas need a chance to showcase it at international level, opines musician Aren Subong.

“Nagas are talented. All you need is to be talented for success, we need to move out and go global and showcase our talent at the international level. The creation of a Naga Music Task Force is a positive sign for the music industry and the government has recognized it. So, we can now get loans and other facilities, and, I am sure one day, we will be popular,” Subong said.

Rock bands like Divine Connection the Eximonous Group and Azi Tetseo have already made a name in Nagaland.

Nesie Merano, another professional musician, foresees a great future for Naga musicians.

“I think Nagas are blessed with the gift of musicians who had privilege to go abroad and study. Because even when I was staying in Delhi, the number of music graduates in Nagaland are more than that in Delhi or Bombay and I am glad that they are back to serve as an inspiration for others,” Merano said.

With music studios being set up and the easy availability of high-end musical instruments, the music industry in Nagaland is the growth path.

A drop in militancy and the ongoing peace dialogue between the rebel Naga leadership and the Central Government has also given hope to the musicians.

“We have so much of talent in Nagaland hidden, music industry unless we have peace we cannot let it out. So I think it is a positive step and should come to a point where people realize that enough is enough,” said Nevi, a local, about militancy and the talks.

People in the state believe things are getting clearer and look forward to a successful outcome of the talks.

“I strongly believe that things are getting transparent and people have opportunity to see and hear what is going on at the talks at any level. I have a strong faith that this time talks will be fruitful,” said Tali Angh, a singer from Nagaland.

Musicians in India have found a nationwide platform with the advent of talent hunts on television.

Many artists from northeast like Debojit Saha from Silchar, Assam, who won Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 have already proved their ability.

And musicians from Nagaland are now looking for their moment in the sun.

Source: ANI

Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie, who will chair the important meet, has requested all the members to attend the meeting and offer their valuable ideas on the matter to be discussed, sources said.

Source: UNI