Day: February 9, 2013

MNS:- The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that in India it is estimated that over 50,000 children are born with clubfoot every year making it an important factor of disability amongst our children. Delivering inaugural address at the “National Clubfoot Conference” organized to raise awareness on the prevalence of Clubfoot deformity here today, he has said that while clubfoot is easily identifiable and curable based on timely intervention; as a large number of children suffering from the disease are from the rural areas, they remain permanently disabled for want of access to timely cure and treatment.
He expressed his concern that it is estimated that in India there are more than 10 million persons with locomotor disabilities. Until two years ago, Polio was a major cause of disability. However, thanks to an effective anti-polio program, based on Government, NGO and international partnership, we have not had a single case of paralytic poliomyelitis for the last two years. With the eradication of Polio, it becomes logical to address the other causes of childhood disabilities; congenital clubfoot is one of them.
The Vice President said that until recently many children with clubfoot were treated surgically, which is not only an expensive but a less than fully satisfactory option due to relatively poor long-term results. Apparently, now a new method –The Ponseti Method- can correct the foot deformity in children in a more cost effective and efficient manner. Its relevance in low resource setting cannot be over estimated. The Ponseti method is now the standard of all National Clubfoot programs across the globe. It`s phenomenal success is attributable to a combination of sound scientific knowledge, applied in an integrated socio-medical environment using the already existing health care delivery system in many countries.
The Conference is expected to provide the doctors and experts from India and abroad an interactive platform to share experiences and update themselves on newer knowledge and techniques in the treatment of clubfoot disease.
It is estimated that in India there are more than 10 million persons with locomotor disabilities. Until two years ago, Polio was a major cause of disability. However, thanks to an effective anti-polio program, based on Government, NGO and international partnership, we have not had a single case of paralytic poliomyelitis for the last two years. With the eradication of Polio, it becomes logical to address the other causes of childhood disabilities; congenital clubfoot is one of them.
In India it is estimated that over 50,000 children are born with clubfoot every year making it an important factor of disability amongst our children. While clubfoot is easily identifiable and curable based on timely intervention; as a large number of children suffering from the disease are from the rural areas, they remain permanently disabled for want of access to timely cure and treatment.
Until recently many children with clubfoot were treated surgically, which is not only an expensive but a less than fully satisfactory option due to relatively poor long-term results. Apparently, now a new method –The Ponseti Method- can correct the foot deformity in children in a more cost effective and efficient manner. Its relevance in low resource setting cannot be over estimated.
This programme has been launched under the public- private partnership mode with several State Governments partnering CURE International India to make this option a reality for the needy patients. It is particularly heartening to know that a large number of poor and deprived patients are able to access this method of treatment. In a short span of 3 years the program has become the largest in the world with over 7000 children enrolled for free treatment in 18 states in India and more are being added.
One of the key components of clubfoot care is follow up, as this condition can recur as the child grows older. It is good that the clubfoot program in partnership with Government medical colleges and CURE International India is documenting all cases and closely following up all the children treated with clubfoot.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/vice-president-inaugurates-national-clubfoot-conference/

DIMAPUR, Feb 9 NNN : The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today condemns the stand of the Manipur cabinet and the views of the advocate in Imphal who have termed the statements of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as a hate speech.
NPF said, “This action of the Advocate (Khaidem Mani) and the Manipur cabinet is nothing but another example of how Nagas’ rights and the Nagas’ voice are being suppressed by the majority and the Manipur government.
The NPF then said that these are just a few examples of how the Nagas have been denied their rights by the Manipur establishment under Ibobi Singh and the majority. “Therefore when Nagaland Congress leaders led by SC Jamir including K. Therie, KV Pusa and H Chuba rushed to Imphal travelling all the way by road to seek the blessings and support of Ibobi Singh and strategize with him for the Nagaland elections, the NPF and the Nagaland Chief Minister clearly stated that it is nothing but a betrayal and an insult to the Naga people. We stated that it is a great insult and betrayal to all Nagas, when Naga leaders are going the chief minister of Manipur who is opposed to the Naga rights. That is why we said that, the Congress leaders in Nagaland have become the agents of outsiders. In fact, the SC Jamir led team had quietly rushed to Imphal in the early morning hours and returned during dark in order to keep their visit to Imphal a secret but the deputy chief minister of Manipur, who is also a Naga revealed their visit and purpose of visit to the media and the clandestine activity was exposed to the Naga public,” the NPF press communique added.
“The NPF and the Nagaland Chief Minister have every right to speak up for the Naga people wherever our people live. The party and its leaders carry the voice of the Naga people and we will continue to voice the Naga rights and desire of the people so long as it is required. The NPF will not be a silent spectator to any injustice to the Naga people and will make every sacrifice required to work for the Naga people. Our aim is to being the Naga family together under a spirit of oneness politically, culturally and emotionally. We desire peace and brotherhood with all sections, especially our neighbors, because we will continue to live together as neighbors forever, but we will not let others take advantage of our goodness and suppress us and deny us our rights,” the NPF statement asserted.
The press communique then claimed that the NPF is a recognised political party and it is a party that is democratic in nature, peace loving and strives for universal brotherhood but “we will always stand up for the rights of the Nagas and we condemn the statements that the Nagaland Chief Minister’s statements are “hate speeches” and reiterate that expression of the feelings of the people is a democratic and fundamental right”.
On Saturday, the United Naga Council (UNC) has come out with strong statement while driving home its point by citing numerous cases to prove that Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio had said the right thing.
“It has been reported that the Manipur State Cabinet has taken serious note of the speech of Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland wherein the latter was described as one of the greatest enemies of the Nagas. In this connection, we would like to place the facts of Ibobi and his government to set the record straight,” said the UNC.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/naga-bodies-react-to-cabinet-decision/

New Delhi/Patna/Bhopal, Feb. 9 (ANI): Cutting across party lines, leaders of various political outfits on Saturday welcomed the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the law has taken its course. “I don’t want to comment anything further on the issue,” she added, while talking to media in the national capital.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said justice has been delivered at last.
Kumar, however, questioned the delay in Afzal Guru’s execution.
“This matter was pending for many days after the Supreme Court awarded punishment to him for the heinous crime. Justice has been delivered at last. People of the entire country have this feeling that it should have taken place earlier,” he told reporters in Patna.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also echoed similar sentiments as his Bihar counterpart, and said that decision to hang Guru is a very good step.
“The entire country is delighted and relieved following Afzal’s execution. But one question always strikes in the mind as to why there has been so much delay in hanging Afzal Guru,” he added, while talking to media in Bhopal.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati lauded the Centre for taking a firm decision to hang Guru.
“My party welcomes this decision of the government. My party would like to tell the Central Government that it should aside all political interests and take firm and suitable legal action against the terrorists irrespective of his caste and religion in the national interest so that there is an end to terrorism. I fully expect that the Central Government will lay importance on these issues in the days to come,” she added.
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today confirmed that Guru was hanged at 8 a.m. at the Tihar Jail. Guru was buried inside the prison complex soon after his execution.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/political-fraternity-welcomes-afzal-gurus-execution/

DIMAPUR, Feb 9 NNN: Election funs have begun in Nagaland with cases of charges and counter charges on the rise.
Zhaleo Rio, the younger brother of Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio had lodged a complaint in a police station here in connection an attempt to ‘assassinate’ him by unidentified persons while candidates in the Jangpetkong assembly constituency in Mokokchung district that NSCN-IM leaders are threatening them while projecting Congress party candidate I.Imkong as their sole candidate.’
On Friday, Neiphiu Rio’s younger brother Zhaleo Rio had lodged a complaint in a police station in Dimapur saying some gunmen boarding in a Maruti Gypsy came to his house at Sovima village in Dimapur few days ago and opened fire at the house. Terming it as an ‘assassination bid on my life’ Zhaleo Rio said investigation is underway in this connection.
The chief minister’s brother is contesting from Ghaspani-2 assembly constituency in the outskirt of Dimapur from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) ticket.
At Jangpetkong assembly constituency, three intending candidates namely Dr Longriniken of NPF, Independent candidates ET Sunep and Dr K Chuba Ao have alleged that NSCN-IM cadres have been openly asking people to vote for I Imlong of the Congress party.
Meanwhile, in spite of the ‘clean election campaign’ spear headed by the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC), gala feastings are in full swing.
A Dimapur based newspaper in its editorial has carried it today that at the minimum Rs 100 crores could have been spent by the candidates and the political parties.
Feasting, distribution of money and throwing wild parties are not new to Nagaland during any election time.
The said daily in its editorial went on to say that some hefty Rs 300 crores was spent in the 2008 Nagaland assembly elections.
Meanwhile, the NBCC is spreading its message of free and fair poll in every nook and corner of Nagaland in a very swift manner. Volunteers of NBCC have been spending sleepless nights while giving awareness on their mission i.e. to have free and fair poll.
Non-violence, no feasting, no wild parties, no distribution of money etc., etc., are some of the preaching under ‘free and fair election’ by the Church in the state.
Nagaland goes to the poll on February 23.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/election-campaign-in-full-swing-in-nagaland/