Editorial

Education is considered as the backbone of the modern economy. The quality of education imparted and gained through various platforms and institutions has been a deciding factor in the way economies have grown. In the current scenario, the quality of education is strongly linked to the technological might of the country, which in turn decides the standing of the country on the world platform. Consider the example of the United States of America: she is considered, if not the only, among the top leader countries of the world. One of...

So the stand-off between Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and Sunrise Colony in Burma Camp has finally reached the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Yesterday, we were informed that the Eastern Zone Bench of NGT has directed Nagaland Government and other respondents, including DMC, to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks following an application filed before the Tribunal by Sunrise Colony. The residents are alleging that DMC is dumping solid waste and other wastes at the dumping site near their colony in complete violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016....

A casual conversation about sports in Nagaland led to the topic of stadium experience as a fan. It then found a more precise way to the question of what keeps the fan away from the ground. One of the many reasons cited was the terrible treatment of spectators ~ no attention is paid to the comfort of the spectator, poor seating facilities, absence of protection/shelter from the sun and the horrible toilet facilities. Most grounds across the State don't even have loos. The few grounds that provide toilets don't maintain...

Mayhem of the mindless development is crippling Nagaland by way of reducing green cover, thereby taking a heavy toll on the sponge character of the state and its fragile ecology. Today there are reports of landslides due to heavy rains across the state cutting off most roads and throwing life out of gear. Two reasons behind the worsening conditions are encroachments and violations. People encroach or illegally occupy any kind of available government land, forest land, nullahs and other water bodies, public roads, open spaces and social/community spaces, etc. Such...

In March this year, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was reported as saying that Nagaland needs a system to regulate the "mad rush for urbanisation". He then cited that the decadal growth rate of urban population in the State is 67.38%. In comparison, the national average is 31.80% ~ less than half of Nagaland's mean. On Tuesday also, the Chief Minister used the same words ~ mad rush for urbanisation (according to a DIPR bulletin) ~ while speaking at an event in Kohima. It stated that the Chief Minister lamented that...

In Nagaland government job is the first priority for a majority of educated youth but unfortunately, these jobs are scarce. The private sector lacks big investments. It leaves youngsters often in a quandary about what to do, how to earn their livelihood, plan their future, etc. This is a huge crisis facing us today. Over the years, politicians have been telling us that a reassuring political consensus is emerging for the state's viable economic-roadmap. But little has changed and our state has not gone beyond its excessive reliance for its...

Today marks a significant occasion in the global calendar: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or World Drug Day. Every year, the United Nations assign a distinct theme and for 2022, it is: Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises. The message is as literal as it sounds ~ the problems of drug abuse are indeed part of our health as well as humanitarian challenges. Drug and substance abuse should not be seen or considered in isolation. As is the case every year, the occasion was observed...

Our state has had its good and bad times. Its deep entrenched and intrinsic wisdom gave her pride of being an enriched people. But lately scientific knowledge and technological strides have re-fashioned citizens' lifestyle that has undergone sea change. New political thought process and birth of capitalism-soaked economy have together thrown up new challenges. Economic polarization and wanton precipitation of wealth and assets has followed. Ill-addressed transition from agro-based society to a high end capitalistic social order has left indelible marks, by way of concentration of wealth into the hands...

Almost two years of staggered lockdown period compelled us to go for the less-explored opportunity of remote working and virtual classes. As the virus forced us indoors for months together, being confined to the four walls of our houses and sharing space with other household members to work and learn wasn’t pleasant to begin with. But like all things, with time, we gradually brought into the idea of remote working and learning. At the same time, the upending of our habitual pre-pandemic behaviour has had far-reaching effects on areas that...

Healthcare doesn't begin with the facilities we are offered at different hospitals. This is actually disease-care. Unfortunately ours is a society that is disease conscious but not health conscious. Health consciousness begins with what we eat and how we live. The source of most of the diseases is our life style, and what contributes most to our health problems is the quality, and kind of food we consume. In our part of the world the way we find the quality of food available in our markets deteriorating, it is bound...