Kut Festival - Time to Romance Tradition And Flirt With Modernity

Imphal, Oct 31 : Kut fever has gripped among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group.

The day falls on Novermber 1.It is one of the most anticipated calendar days for the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group of Manipur and elsewhere.

One of the few occasions, KUT (as it is called) symbolises happiness and health, hard work and toil, peace and brotherhood, abundance and hope.

On this day, all roads in Manipur zeros in at the epicentre(s) for a day-long jamboree of cultural extravaganza.

Diaspora and locals, wherever they may be, come together in bonhomie on this day to celebrate and rejoice in God's bountiful providence.

Given the increasing tendency of modern society to fragmentation and disintegration, Kut may be seen to be a local reincarnate of the hippie-days bohemian musical fete " Woodstock ".

Young and old, kings and paupers, strong and weak are united in the spirit of ancestral unity.

Traditionally, locally brewed beers were exchanged within a village marking an end to agricultural drudgery consequent to plentiful harvest.

The day officially announces the beginning of leisure and game.

Cut to modern days, the festival has been laced with festoons and fanfare with the showcasing of tradition within the modern context.

The festival is in this sense, a link between the gapping hole of tradition and modernity.

For the people of Chin-Kuki-Mizo, it is a time to retrospect about the past and look forward to the future with optimistic zeal.

Diaspora of Kuki-Chin-Mizo takes time out to reunite with their roots despite the mad search for global identity.

For those unable to make a connection to their forefathers' blood-drench soil of Manipur, they still make an effort by organising Kut wherever they may be roaming.

The principal highlight of the spectacular event, understandably, is the ostentatious display of traditional attire and dance forms of Kuki-Chin-Mizo fraternal tribes.

It is a day-long carnival divided into two action-packed halves.

If one were to take a historical and civilizational comparison of the separation of the day into two halves, it would appear to show the inevitable transition of the society from traditional to modern.

The first half of the day witnesses a display of customary and folk extravaganza interspersed with crooning sensation taking the audience to a dizzying heights of awe inspiration.

Many VVIPs are a major fixture of the first half of the day.

The later half of the day attracts a huge fan following with Miss Kut pageantry and Rock bands lined up to enthral young crowds of discernible taste.

Interestingly, the festival is celebrated in different parts of Manipur, from the State level down to village levels.

Towns like Moreh, which is located on the Indian side of the Indo-Myanmar international border, and villages like Saikul's Gangpijang, steeped in its engagement with tradition and culture, have been attracting enormous admirers from every nook and crannies of the state.

Over the years, the state level event has unofficially become synonymous with multicultural and multi-community affairs.

Participation from other communities of the state in convincing numbers has lent itself a global facet.

As far as the state is concerned, it has long recognised the importance of the event and has declared November 1 a state holiday.

This post-harvest festival gives the participants reasons to dress up in their best from the wardrobe.

An abiding feature in their clothes is, for boys either a scarf or a tie with traditional motif on it, and for a girl it normally is traditional wraparounds.

Between the fête on November 1, if cry of "li li li li…li, Ho!" fills the air, rest assured that it is not a war cry.

Join in the chorus and invoke God for the manifold providence and bountiful harvest of the year.

Shillong Chamber Choir to Perform For Obama

Shillong, Oct 31 : After holding the nation spellbound with Western chorals and Hindi classics on a TV reality show, the Shillong Chamber Choir will now have a very special audience – US President Barack Obama.

The young group of singers from Shillong, dubbed as the ‘Rock capital of India’, is scheduled to perform for the US President and his wife Michelle at President Pratibha Patil’s presidential banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 8.

“We have been invited by the Government of India through the Ministry of External Affairs. The invitation came much before we won the reality show,” said Damon Lyndem, bass singer and media coordinator for the Choir, which had won ‘India’s Got Talent - Khoj 2 on Colors TV earlier this month.

‘To God be the Glory’ and ‘Deep River’ are among the probable numbers to be performed by the Choir before President Obama and First Lady Michelle.

“We have been asked to perform jazz and spiritual numbers. But of course, we would like to showcase our own culture, and so there will be Khasi opera. It’s a big thing. We hope to do justice,” Lyndem said.

Rashtrapati Bhavan sources in New Delhi have confirmed the group’s participation.

Twenty members of the Choir, including fifteen singers and conductor Neil Nongkynrieh, will leave for Delhi on November 6.

The Choir’s repertoire includes works of Western classical greats like Handel, Bach, Gershwin and Mozart, besides Queen hits and Khasi folk songs.

The Shillong Chamber Choir had made their debut performance at a city hotel in January 2001, with Neil Nongkynrih as their maestro and mentor.

The group of 25 soloists first came to limelight after bagging three gold medals at the World Choir Games 2010 in China.

NEHU Students Press For V-C's Ouster

Shillong, Oct 31 : Students of Meghalaya's North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) will resume their indefinite agitation from Monday to pressurise the Central government to remove of AN Rai as Vice Chancellor and appoint a local academician instead, a student leader said today.

"As a mark of protest against the adamant attitude of the Central government to our demand to remove Rai from the post of Vice Chancellor, we have decided to resume our indefinite shutdown at NEHU from Monday," Meghalaya Tribal Students' Coordination Committee (MTSCC) chairman Kynpham Kharlyngdoh told IANS.

The students coordination committee, under the banner of NEHU Students' Union (NEHUSU) and MTSCC, wants a tribesman Vice Chancellor to head the varsity, one of the country's premier Central universities.

Late Barrister Pakem was the only local Vice Chancellor since the university's inception in 1973.

On October 20, students, who were protesting for over a month, set Octover 29 as the deadline for removal of Rai from the post when a three-member team of the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry led by HRD Ministry Secretary Vibha Puri Das visited Shillong to assess the resentment over Rai's appointment.

The team studied the student protests. Rai, a former Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University, was appointed for the NEHU by President Pratibha Patil after Pramod Tandon completed his tenure September 12.

Union HRD Additional Secretary (higher education) Sunil Kumar, who was also a member of the team that visited the State, said a report was submitted to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal October 28.

"All our findings and views expressed by the Governor, the State government and stakeholders of the NEHU have been compiled in our report which is in the hands of the minister now," Kumar said over phone from New Delhi. He said the minister will take a final decision to resolve the issue.

Rai said: "Stepping down is not an option. I am here as the Vice Chancellor on the appointment of the President of India and I am honouring it. If the students are against me, they should approach the authorities concerned.

"I am ready to sort any grievances relating to the university," he added.

Earlier, the Meghalaya government asked the HRD Ministry team to appoint a local academician as the NEHU Vice Chancellor.

"David Syiemlieh (a tribal Khasi and an eminent historian) is the best person to lead the university. He is an impeccable academician with requisite qualifications and has enough experience in administration of the university," Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong said.

Syiemlieh, a member of Indian Council of Historical Research, is currently the controller of examinations in the university.

Thousands Run to Mark Victims of Assam Bombings

Guwahati, Oct 31 : More than 30,000 people, including Bollywood actors, yesterday joined an anti-terror run to commemorate 100 people who died in bombings two years ago in the northeast Indian state of Assam.

The two-mile run in Gauhati was a mark of protest against violence in a region plagued by insurgency, and Bollywood actor Zarine Khan said it was “a movement against terrorism”.

The five blasts on October 30, 2008 killed 100 civilians and injured 300. They were blamed on a group demanding Bodo tribal independence.

Nagas Share Their Struggle, Concerns

Bangalore, Oct 31 : Voices from the distant hills of Nagaland are echoing in Bangalore. The Naga community and leaders held a vibrant festival of Naga arts and crafts and cultural performances at the `at the Bishop Cotton Boys School on Saturday.

The performance was followed by a panel discussion on `Indo-Naga peace process __ difficulties and prospects' by Naga leaders who came from Kohima.

President Naga Ho Ho, Kevilotuo, shared the six decades of Naga struggle with the audience. He recollected the initial 16 point-agreement that created the state of Nagaland and said the Nagas were then divided into the four North Eastern states. In 1964, there was a ceasefire with the Indian government, but problems continued.

"In 1997, there was a ceasefire again. It's been 13 years since then and we still haven't reached a negotiation. The Indian government has to be sincere about the peace talks that we are having. The Naga journey is one of self determination and fight for independence. Our movement is for an independent nation but that doesn't mean that we cannot have peace," he said.

Speaking about the unique cultural identity and different topography of Nagaland, he added that their uniqueness has to be recognized. "Nagaland is a nation in the making and we want our message to reach all parts of India. India is a friend and we have now come to tell our story to the south of India. I am hopeful that we will achieve a resolution," he added.

President, Naga Students Federation, Metsekaoya Yhobo, said they had given several representations to the government of India and had met the Prime Minister too. "India has been insincere in dealing with our problems. The desire of the young Nagas is to work together for a resolution," he said.

Beware of Those Shameless Indians

By RSN Singh

The Maoists, who have unequivocally declared their resolve to capture power through violence, and the Kashmiri separatists came together on one platform in India's capital 'New Delhi'.

Some of the faces that represented them were Geelani and Arundhati Roy respectively. Such open acts of sedition can only happen in India.

The forging of alliance between pro-Pak elements in Kashmir, the Maoists, insurgent groups in the Northeast, Chinese agencies, and some Church organisations is well established by the intelligence agencies. But what is most intriguing is the support they receive from a segment of the mainstream media.

This is evident from the posturing of some of the media personalities and so-called intellectuals during debates on television. Such is the backing, infiltration and leverage of some international organisation that the government can do nothing against these elements and is in fact beholden to them.

Therefore, I can only appeal to the people of this country to save themselves from the evil designs of these shameless Indians.

How do these these shameless Indians operate?

A patient suffering from painful disease goes to a doctor. The doctor correctly diagnoses the ailment and chalks out an effective treatment plan. But even as the patient embarks on his way to recovery, another person, who has stakes in property after the death of the patient, comes in the garb of a well-wisher and convinces the patient that the doctor cannot be trusted. The patient discontinues the treatment and ultimately fades away into the trap of death.

One hopes that 'Operation Green Hunt' does not meet the same fate.

A constituency without responsibility

There is a constituency in India which does not allow any line of treatment to 'security ailments' that afflict the country after they are correctly diagnosed. As a result, some of these ailments have acquired cancerous proportions.

This is the constituency of some shameless activists and protagonists of criminals and terrorists, who thrive on the psychological reality that in India, the lifespan of shock and outrage that follows a terrorist incident is short.

This is the constituency without any responsibility. Their contribution to the nation is zilch. They have never found solutions to problems, but are adept at creating them. Their business is to derail and dissuade the state and its apparatus from taking any decision that may contribute the progress and well-being of India.

Let's look at another analogy to illustrate the attitude of this constituency of professional activists towards their 'accidental' country, India.

A couple, whose child was not performing well in school began to harbor doubt about the teacher. After much analysis, they realised that the teacher was not to be blamed. Even after working on the child, the results were the same. They again found a scapegoat in the teacher.

The other successful students, however, sang paeans to the teacher. This rattled the parents and they vowed to demolish the teacher's sincerity and reputation.

This exactly is the make, motive and modus operandi of these shameless activists. For those who have made activism the means of their bread and butter, particularly the latter, it is the larger good that disconcerts them.

When a terrorist strike takes place, these activists and commentators talk about the 'resilience of the people', and very grudgingly appreciate the sacrifices of the security forces.

Remember Kargil? The overwhelming sense of concern for wounded and dead soldiers was mainly motivated by TRP rather than any genuine feeling. Otherwise, how can the same set of commentators and activists accuse the Indian Army of rape and unbridled violence in insurgency areas, and support the cause of removing the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).

Whenever a terrorist attack takes place, this shameless variety of activists and protagonists go into hibernation. Some of whom, who still get intercepted, avoid discussion on television by saying "I condemn violence" by any side — as if they are doing a favour by condemning it, and as if the force applied by legitimate forces is the same as violence by illegitimate outfits.

Some members of this ilk are compelled to speak words of sympathy about the victims of terror. They bide their time and resurface when the dust has settled. They then begin to question the veracity of the very act of terror. Some suggested that Karkare was not killed by terrorists! Other suggested that SIMI was a charitable organisation! Some of them also suggest that the Maoists are 'Gandhians with Guns', whatever that means.

Remember the protagonists of militancy in Punjab and Sri Lanka - some of them have gone into oblivion and some have reinvented themselves.

26/11 and the rich

There are some apologists, who defend the position that the attack on Hotel Taj, attracted so much attention because the rich were targeted - as if the attack was pointedly and carefully made on rich India by a thoughtful and benevolent bunch of terrorists from Pakistan. As if there are only rich guests in a five star hotel and no employees. Had they expressed similar views during or in immediate aftermath of the attack, they would have met devastating response from then angry Indians.

If Azmal Kasab had not been caught alive, these shameless activists would have surely raised doubts about the fact that the attacks originated from Pakistan. Pakistan has read and understood this constituency of the shameless activists and commentators, and their disproportionate influence in India. Some of them have surreptitiously worked their way into the highest policy making circles. Accordingly, a fidgety Pakistan has now been emboldened to adopt an aggressive posture with regard to 26/11 attack.

Take the case of the attack on Indian parliament in December 2001. An individual who was absolved by the courts on technical ground was portrayed, as victim of state conspiracy by the same shameless bunch of activists. Most of them knew pretty well about his key role in the attack. They are more than aware that the constraints of judiciary in absolving a person of any criminal charge due to lack of legally appropriate evidence does not actually mean that the person is innocent.

There are any number of judgements, wherein the judges have categorically stated that much against their personal conviction about the involvement or complicity of the accused in a crime, they have to absolve the individual due to imperatives and constraints of law.

After the passage of a suitably-considered gap between two terrorist attacks, some platforms, in their desperate bid to dilute the resolve of the nation, stage-manage debates on terrorist incidents - Making such issues "debatable" requires some genius.

It is here that the shameless variety of activists come handy, and they emerge out of hibernation. The subjects of debate can be as preposterous as: Is China a threat to India?, Did China attack India in 1962?, Is terrorism exported from Pakistan? Is the Kashmir insurgency a proxy-war by Pakistan?, Do Maoists indulge in terrorism?, Should security forces continue to be deployed in Kashmir?

The shameless activists will come up with theories that Pakistan and China have no hand in fomenting trouble in India! There is no proof that China has supplied missile and nuclear arsenal to Pakistan! The strategic encirclement of India by Pakistan is a myth! Karkare was not killed by terrorists! There was no element of local facilitation in the 26/11 attacks!

So what if Musharraf scripted Kargil, his intention with regard to India was benign! So what if the Maoists behead 'informers' and security personnel, they are basically peace loving people!

These shameless Indians have vested interest in poverty. That they are funded by inimical powers to India is well-known. They laud the progressive policies of their benefactors like China, but find all the time to agitate and block the same policies and programmes in India.

Is it a ploy by the adversaries of India, particularly China, to derail India's economic development?

With the proliferation of the media, and increased role and influence of these shameless activists and commentators, the level of development in China started weighing overwhelmingly in favour of the latter, and is contributing much to its aggressive posture. Therefore, patriotic Indians need to be beware of these shameless Indians.

RSN Singh is a former military intelligence officer who later served in the Research and Analysis Wing, or R&AW. The author of two books: Asian Strategic and Military Perspective and Military Factor in Pakistan, he is also Associate Editor, Indian Defence Review.

Centre Committed to Development of Northeast : Roy

Guwahati, Oct 31 : The cities of the Northeast India hold tremendous potential as engines of social and economic growth and the Centre is committed to development of the region, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy said.

Roy, who was addressing North Eastern Urban Infracon-10 here, said the overall central assistance allocated for the region during 2009-10 was close to Rs 15,000 crore.

"But the rapid growth of urban population puts a huge strain on the physical infrastructure.

Overcrowding, paucity of affordable housing, bottlenecks in urban transport and concerns on public safety are the primary challenges to the government," he said.

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission was launched to tackle these problems and develop the cities.

Besides, the N E region Urban Develpment programme is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from Asian Development Bank.

Lamenting that the region is the least developed, Roy said the predominance of agriculture and low level income has compounded the situation.

Everest Gets 3G Mobile Internet

Nepali mobile network operator Ncell has installed the first 3G base station at the base camp of Mount Everest, giving visitors, climbers and people living in the Khumbu Valley the ability to make calls and wirelessly connect to the Internet .

To test out the new facility, Ncell also made the world’s highest video call at 17,388 feet.

So far, visitors of Mount Everest had to depend on satellite phones to make calls, but now they can do so through a standard GSM, 3G-enabled network. “The coverage of the network will reach up to the peak of the Everest,” Ncell Nepal chief Pasi Koistinen said to reporters in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Ncell is a joint venture between private investors and Sweden-based telecom TeliaSonera. Ncell’s network currently covers less than one-third of Nepal’s population, but TeliaSonera said it planned to invest $100 million in the next year to extend coverage to more than 90% of the country’s population.

“This achievement is as mighty as the altitude as 3G high speed internet will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services to the people living in the Khumbu Valley, trekkers, and climbers alike,” said TeliaSonera CEO Lars Nyberg.

Normal Life Affected in Former NC Hills Following Bandh

Haflong, Oct 29 : In Assam, normal life has been partly affected in the Dima Hasao Hills district following a 24-hour district bandh today.

Shops, markets, business establishments, educational and financial institutions remained closed in the district headquarters Haflong and its neighbouring areas.

Attendance in government offices is also thin while vehicles remained off the roads. However, the bandh fails to evoke any response in Maibong, Mahur, Umrangsho and other Dimasa community dominated areas of the district.

AIR Silchar correspondent reports that so far the bandh is peaceful with no untoward incidents have been reported from any parts of the district. Security across the district has been beefed up to prevent any trouble.

The call for the bandh is given jointly by the North Cachar Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum and North Cachar Hills Indigenous Women Forum from five this morning in protest against the bomb blast on Silchar bound Barak Valley Express Passenger train near Haflong rail station on Wednesday by the suspected extremists in which at least ten passengers were injured.

Meanwhile, the direct train services between Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and Barak Valley of Assam with the rest of the country have been resumed from today.

Running of trains on Silchar- Lumding section of Northeast frontier rail were suspended from Wednesday evening after the bomb blast damaged about 88 metres of rail tracks.

Forced to Down Shutters, Manipur Goes Without Dailies

Imphal, Oct 29 : Manipur journalists staged a rally in Imphal on Thursday to denounce militant threats that forced media houses to suspend publication a day earlier despite CM Okram Ibobi Singh's security assurances.

Armed militants visited offices of some local dailies and threatened editors against publishing statements of a rival, breakaway group on Tuesday evening.

The local newspapers had published a statement of the breakaway group claiming responsibility for killing a man sometime back.

Under All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU)'s banner, the scribes staged the rally and marched to the CM's office carrying placards reading "respect freedom of press" and "might is right in animal planet". They submitted a memorandum to Ibobi and demonstrated at Imphal's Keishampat junction.

The journalists asked Okram, who also holds the home portfolio, to ensure security for media offices and "create an environment where mediapersons could function without any disturbance and interference".

AMWJU spokesperson, A Mobi, said the CM assured security for the journalists. "We'll soon convene a meeting to decide whether to continue our agitation," he said.

Manipur minister Y Erabot; assembly deputy speaker, Th Lokeshwar, and a number of civil society groups joined the scribes in solidarity.

Around 10 journalists, including editors, have been killed in the state in the last few years. Though none of the perpetrators have been booked so far, the CBI is investigating a young Imphal-based journalist's 2008 killing.

Arunachal’s Sangty Valley Awaits Arrival of Rare Cranes

Itanagar, Oct 29 : The enchanting Sangty valley in Arunachal Pradesh is ready to host once again the endangered black-neck cranes as the winter approaches, but bird watchers are crossing their fingers over whether the winged guests from China and Tibet will arrive in depleted numbers.

The rare bird, locally known as Dhung Dhung Karma, sets up its winter home in the valley, situated at Dirang in West Kameng district, from November till February every year to escape the bitter cold in the Upper Himalayas.

Located at a distance of eight kilometres from Dirang, Sangty valley is known as a bird’s paradise, especially for the migratory variety which likes its friendly climatic condition.

The valley is credited with being the only wintering site for the black-neck crane in the Lower Himalayas, but the hapless birds are increasingly becoming the targets of hunting by tourists as well as a section of local people.

Records say that the exotic species used to visit two other places till 1970 – Apatani Plateau in Lower Subansiri district and Papu Valley in West Kameng district.

They abandoned the sites because of persistent harassment by local people who are unaware of the rare status of the birds and also rapid change in the land use pattern.

“In the absence of protection and conservation, these migratory birds are facing problems from tourists who chase them for taking photographs,’’ lamented Lham Thupten, a bird enthusiast from Sangty Village.

He said there were even instances of some black-necked cranes leaving the Sangty valley the same day as they arrived harried by constant badgering by tourists. Other inhabitants of the valley said last year only three black neck cranes had been spotted.

In 2005, official records say, nine migratory birds died in the valley after coming into contact with a live electric wire as several more such deaths were reported in the valley in the last few years.

Though the district administration had proposed to realign the electric wires passing through the valley, no initiative had been taken.

Local people, known as Monpa, see the arrival of the bird as harbinger of good harvest and happy times for them. Inhabiting the the West Kameng district, the Monpas are known for their disciplined and frugal lifestyle.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife and Bio-diversity) J L Singh said, ‘’Undertaking the proper conservation method like habitat enrichment and minimum human activitiy, the valley could attract more birds and thus become an important tourist destination.’’

The valley could also find a place in the wildlife tourist map of the world if proper care was taken, he observed.

Indian Festival Revives Theater in Manipur

A ten-day-long festival of theater is underway in Imphal, India. It includes a short-play competition with sixteen theatre groups entered.

[Mangang, Festival Director]:

"Theater in the state is reviving. There are also well-known theater artists in the state. If we put in more effort, we will be able to improve further and take part in international theater performances."

Organizers say the festival provides an opportunity for playwrights, directors, actors, and designers to come together and share their ideas.

The state of Manipur is known for its rich tradition of theater, which has been used as an important tool to highlight major social issues and create awareness in society.

The festival runs through Sunday.

PMGSY Roads Changing Lifestyle in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 29 : Construction of new roads and upgradation of certain inter-village routes in Manipur under the Centrally sponsored schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has started to change the lifestyles of several villagers.

“The recent construction of a road in between Sugunu and Sekmaijin villages has helped the villagers to change their lifestyles upto a certain level”, a senior official of Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency (MSRRDA) said while interacting with The Assam Tribune here.

The 40.5 km road between Sugunu in Thoubal district and Sekmaijin village in Imphal West district which was upgraded under PMGSY since the last four years now connects at least a dozen villages of the two districts.

Thus the villagers of Laphupat, Tera, Warukok, Phoubakchao, Sekmaijin and those remote villages under Sugunu Assembly constituency now could have a joyride with those mini-bus and jeep plying along the newly developed route, the official of MSRRDA added.

MSRRDA is the implementing agency of the Centrally sponsored PMGSY schemes in Manipur. PMGSY is a 100 per cent Centrally-sponsored scheme to provide road connectivity in rural areas.

So far the agency has managed to connect 190 villages in Manipur by constructing new roads besides upgrading the existing roads under the scheme. But it targets to connect not less than 500 villages of the State by constructing new roads covering a total distance of 3,160.86 km till the end of its seventh phase.

Till end of September this year, the construction firms under the State’s implementing agency has completed 664 work packages out of allotted 1,023 with an expenditure of around Rs 42,732 lakh, according to an achievement report of MSRRDA.

In Manipur, as per the national guideline – a work package under PMGSY means construction works worth Rs 5 crore only..“As a result we took up the Sugunu-Sekmaijin road under four sections (four work packages)”, the official further informed.

The works were taken up as per the recommendation from the government including the State MLAs and MPs. But the officials here in Manipur are facing various forms of difficulties while implementing the schemes mostly in the valley districts compared to hill districts as the community participation in the valley is low so far, local sources said.

Though villages with population of 500 and above were covered in the initial phases, but it was later extended to villages with a population of 250 in the following phases, the sources added.

The Government India targets to construct 3.68 lakh km new roads besides 370,000 km of upgradation and renewal to provide connectivity to unconnected rural habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy at a cost of about 26 billion US dollars.

SMS Misuse to be Penalised by Mizoram Election Commission

Aizawl, Oct 28 : Five days before the first election to the Aizawl Municipal Council, Mizoram State Election Commission today warned that misuse of short message service (SMS) would invite penalties.

In an official statement, the State Election Commission said the misuse would be penalised under provisions of the IPC, Representation of the People Act, 1951, Mizoram Municipalities (Election of Councillors) Rules, 2007 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

"It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that certain objectionable SMS’s are being transmitted by some persons, violating the provisions of election laws and the model code of conduct."

Any violation of the election laws and the model code of conduct should be reported to the police and the police would take action in accordance with the law", the statement said.

Expenses on bulk SMS’s sent by service providers would be included in the election expenditure of the candidates, the Commission said, adding that transmission of bulk text messages of political nature for a period of 48 hours before the end of the election process of the civic polls was strictly prohibited.

Due to plethora of diktats imposed on the political parties and the candidates by the Mizoram People's Forum (MPF), the Presbyterian Church-sponsored election watchdog, including prohibition of door-to-door canvassing, political parties and the candidates for the civil polls turned to sending of SMS’s to woo the voters.

Mizoram to Take Back Refugees From Tripura

Agartala, Oct 28 : Following continuous agitation and memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Centre has directed the Mizoram government to take back Reang refugees, lodged at makeshift camps in North Tripura for over 13 years.

Officials here today said Mizoram Home minister R Lalzirliana announced to begin the repatriation process from November 18 and IN the beginning 50 families would be taken back to Kolalian village in Mamit district.

There was ambiguity over the number of refugees amping in Tripura though the refugee leaders claimed that as many as 35000 Reangs were residing in the camps at present.

However, the Lalthanhawala government gave no assurance over how many such families would be repatriated, refugee leaders alleged.

According to report, repatriated families would be provided temporary housing besides cash dole of Rs 38,000 for construction of new houses and initially they would be rehabilitated in 46 villages of Mamit, Lunglei and Kolashib districts.

Air India's Special Schemes For Northeast India

Mumbai, Oct 28 : The national carrier, Air India has come up with three super saver schemes for North East, Port Blair and Agatti to fulfill its mission of promoting travel and tourism to far flung and lesser visited destinations.

''The schemes launched on October 23, 2010 shall be valid for sale till March 31, 2011 and the validity of the tickets for travel shall be 3 months from the date of issue, a release issued here today said.

''First scheme is of Northeast super savers with four coupon tickets for sale and travel within the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland at a total cost of Rs 10716/- all-inclusive,''the release added.

Another scheme is of Islanders' super savers for Port Blair. A special four coupon ticket is for sale in Andaman and Nicobar islands with travel originating from Port Blair on the first coupon.
Subsequent coupons can be used for travel between Port Blair and Chennai/Kolkata. The total cost of the ticket will be Rs 26000/-all inclusive, the release further added.

Accordibng to release, the last scheme is for Islanders' super savers for Agatti. A special four coupon ticket at a total all inclusive cost of Rs 23,200 is for sale in Lakshwadeep and travel against first coupon from Agatti to Chennai/Bangalore/Kochi.

Subsequent coupons can be used for travel between Agatti and Chennai/Bangalore/Kochi.

Lajong Invites Sikkim Players For Manchester Qualifiers

Lajong FC coach Pradhyum Reddy gives soccer tips to players of Gangtok Boys Club at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Wednesday. Picture by Prabin Khaling

Gangtok, Oct 28 : Shillong Lajong FC will invite selected boys from Sikkim for trials to set up an Under-15 side from the Northeast keeping an eye on the India leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup.

MUPC is organised annually by English Premier League giant Manchester United where selected countries, including India, participate. The Lajong Under-15 side had represented India in the last edition of the qualifying tournament. The players were mostly from Meghalaya at that time.

According to Lajong FC coach Pradhyum Reddy, only I-League teams are eligible to field their Under-15 teams for the MUPC qualifiers and therefore, young players from the northeastern states including Sikkim do not get an opportunity to play in the India leg and eventually in the MUPC.

Although the Shillong outfit has been relegated from the I-League, the coach believes that his side will be allowed to play the qualifiers for the MUPC by virtue of being the defending champions of the India leg tournament. “We want to give a chance to players from Sikkim and other northeastern states. We will go all over the region to scout for talents. These kids are the future of Indian football. Even if we are not allowed to participate in the MUPC qualifiers, we will take our players to various youth tournaments of other countries,” Reddy said.

The Lajong coach said they had written to the Gangtok Boys Club to send few of their talented players for trials to Shillong in December.

“We want to set up an Under-15 side comprising players from all the eight northeastern states for playing in the MUPC India qualifying round,” Reddy said here today.

He attended an almost two-hour-long coaching camp for the Under-14 and Under-16 players of the Gangtok club at Paljor Stadium here this morning.

The Shillong club is in Gangtok to participate in the All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament. It drubbed Sikkim Police 4-0 in yesterday’s match and entered the quarter-final round.

The Lajong coach and a few of his key players, including striker Anil Gurung, goalkeeper Gumpe Rime, Nigerian imports Kelechi Okoye and Michael Ochei Emeka, passed on technical tips and demonstrated their skills over ball control to the 45 young players of the Gangtok club at the stadium.

“They were good with sound technical skills. We concentrate on giving the technical tips. Everything we did today was with the ball. They have potentials,” Reddy later said commenting on the Sikkim players’ ability.

The Lajong club has also persuaded the Sikkim Football Association to give free passes to the Gangtok club players to watch the matches.

“It was wonderful to learn from the Lajong coach and players. We learnt new techniques like how to control, trap and dribble the ball. It was very helpful,” said Lakpa Sherpa, 16.

The Gangtok club had started a football academy two years ago and the players practised daily at the Tathangchen grounds under the watchful eyes of former players of Sikkim.

“We give our boys free training daily. We run the academy on our own and also on contributions from individual donors. The team has shown great progress and in a couple of years, these boys will be ready to play in tournaments,” said club general secretary Nima Thendup Bhutia, who had been part of the Calcutta giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Air India’s Failure is Bhutan's Flying Hope

By Rahul Karmakar

Guwahati, Oct 28 : Bhutan’s government-owned airline has adopted a loss-making international circuit that Air India abandoned eight years ago. Suicidal soar? No, insists Drukair or Royal Bhutan Airlines, not with the global dream riding on a local need – to provide the Himalayan country’s eastern half a faster way to reach capital Thimphu.

AI had in April 2002 launched the once-a-week Guwahati-Bangkok flight with a “viable” target of 60 per cent seat occupancy. Poor demand put paid to the service within 15 months.

“We studied the pros and cons for two years before deciding to launch our Paro-Guwahati-Bangkok flight from October 31,” said Drukair’s CEO Tandin Jamso here Wednesday.

Paro, at an elevation of 7300 ft, is Bhutan’s only airport 58 km from Thimphu.

Jamso hopes the Rs 1.6 billion Drukair, with plans to fly to Hong Kong and Singapore, can sustain its “global via Guwahati” operation unlike AI.

One reason is Drukair’s inter-regional focus with Kathmandu, Dhaka and major Indian metropolises on the radar. Another – more important to Bhutan’s internal affairs – is eastern Bhutan’s communication bottlenecks.

Eastern Bhutan has six ‘dzongkhags’ or districts. Some 500,000 people across these districts have to travel 550-700 km via Assam and West Bengal to reach Thimphu. Drukair is banking on a quarter of the population to fly between Guwahati and Paro.

“It would be faster and more cost-effective for people of eastern Bhutan to travel 90 km from Samdrup Jongkhar (major town bordering Assam) to Guwahati and take the 50-minute flight to Paro than driving on the long and tiresome roads,” said Dasho Tsering Wangda, Bhutan’s Kolkata-stationed consul general.

The 19-year-old Drukair also hopes to cash in on the increasing trend of Indian, European and American tourists packaging Bhutan with the Northeast. “Our flight to and from Bagdogra (West Bengal) is doing well for two years now. This (Guwahati) should too,” said Jamso.

Rio to BRO: Restore NH-39 Soon

Kohima, Oct 28 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today instructed the 15th Border Road Task Force (BRTF) under the BRO to restore the National Highway-39 at the earliest, which remained blocked over three months due to landslides at the KMC Dumping Site.

Mr Rio, along with by Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanelie Peseyie, Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir, Commissioner and Secretary of Roads and Bridges Temjen Toy, Additional Chief Engineer of Roads and Bridges V Kiehie, visited the landslide-hit highway.

He expressed his displeasure at the delay in restoring the lifeline between Nagaland and Manipur.

''It is a serious matter. The BRTF, under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has failed to restore it even after over three months,'' Mr Rio said and asked the Commanding Officer of the BRTF to send all the relevant documents for restoration to his office for an immediate examination.

Mr Rio also assured all possible aids to the BRTF from the state government and said that, if possible, he want the road to be restored by tomorrow itself.

The Chief Minister and the officials took a stock of the damage triggered by landslides and provided some suggestions like construction of resistance walls.

The Commanding Officer of the 15 BRTF Col Maladi told newspersons at the site that entire three-and-half-km of the area was under the grip of landslide due to water seepage owing to paddy cultivation above the area.

''It is not immediately possible to restore the road as landslides were triggered by heavy to medium rainfall. The earth is still not yet stable. I hope that a portion of the NH-39 will be opened for light vehicles in the next ten days,'' Mr Maladi added.

Assam Launches Campaign in Cholera Infested Tea Gardens

Guwahati, Oct 28 : The Assam Government has launched massive awareness campaign in the Cholera infested tea garden localities in Sonitpur district.

The disease has spread to several tea gardens in Biswanath Sub-Division, claiming at least 20 lives till this morning. Over 140 affected tea gardens workers were admitted to different hospitals in the district.

The worst-affected tea gardens located along the Assam-Arunachal border included Pratapgarh, Sakomoto, Nilpur, Majuligarh and Sadharu. According to a top Health official of the district, the tea garden workers are worst affected as they are not aware of proper health, hygiene and sanitation.

It is said that the sweets sold during Durga Puja festivals in the tea gardens were one of the root causes for the epidemic.

The illicit country liquor consumed by the tea garden workers also exaggerated the problem. Top Health department officials besides the district authorities are camping in the affected areas and supervising treatment of affected patients.

10,000 Sign Up For Game of Zombie Tag in Facebook

Facebook turns zombie game into monster happening

By Alan Gomez

Whitney Metzger coordinated Survive Norfolk, a community-wide zombie-themed game of tag, which will be held Friday, October 22.

Whitney Metzger thought it would be fun to hold a zombie-themed game of tag in her Norfolk, Va., neighborhood of Ghent. She hung fliers, invited friends and hoped for maybe 100 people.

Now the mayor of Norfolk says the number could be more like 10,000.

Metzger's game exploded through Facebook. By Thursday afternoon, 7,200 people had signed up for tonight's event, and 6,000 more said they might attend.

Metzger was blindsided by the rush, forcing the 26-year-old office administrator to raise money for a permit, off-duty police and insurance.

"I'm not sure we could stop it now if we tried," Mayor Paul Fraim said. "So we're just trying to go with the flow and make the best of it."

The game is fashioned after a form of tag called Humans vs. Zombies that has become popular on college campuses. Those designated undead flesh-eaters chase the humans as they try to reach checkpoints and a finish line.

Metzger wanted to organize something fun for her friends and opted for zombie tag for a simple reason: "Zombies are awesome."

She posted the game on Facebook on Oct. 6 and was soon forced to navigate city planning and security. She agreed to limit the event to 1,500 people, although Fraim wonders whether it's possible to stop more people from showing up.

The permit cost $110, the one-day insurance policy cost $332, and the nine off-duty police officers required to monitor the event cost $1,660. Metzger was still waiting Thursday for a final price tag for closing off three city blocks that will serve as the starting point.

She started asking for $5 donations online. Community members and local businesses chipped in, hosting fundraisers and providing signs. She has collected more than $3,800 and said any extra money will be donated to three local charities.

Some people are nervous about the idea of thousands of teens and young adults sprinting through their neighborhood of century-old homes.

Alisa Landrum, a high school French teacher who lives a couple of blocks from the starting point, is concerned about the area's elderly being terrified by marauding hordes of zombies.

"I just don't think you can bring that many people into a small neighborhood without someone getting hurt and something getting damaged," said Landrum, 57.

Others are looking forward to the spectacle.

David Schinderle, 42, a physician, said Ghent has always been an "eccentric, funky, fun neighborhood" that is home to many artists and musicians. He said his house might provide a front-row seat for the event and he might make a night of watching the game.

Even Fraim, whose children went to school with Metzger, is making sure he gets a good view: "I've got a reservation at a restaurant right on the main drag, just to watch it all go by."

source : The Virginian-Pilot

Roll Out The Green Carpet For Northeast India

Greencamp.in is an eco-friendly travel website that introduces you to stunning landscapes that remain forgotten and tucked away in India's East and Northeast
Kerala is God's own country, Rajasthan is the land of forts, palaces and kings, Goa has its beaches and Madhya Pradesh, its forests.

So, when it comes to planning a holiday most head to these travel magazine-feted destinations. But how many of us look towards the East or Northeast to plan a vacation?


For the intrepid traveller, India's East and the North East offer treasures waiting to be explored. To make things easier and accessible is the information packed portal, greencamp.in.

Specialising in eco-tourism, the portal offers surfers and potential travellers a bird's eye view of some of the most exciting terrains in the country.

Set up by four ecologically aware people, GreenCamp.in was launched as Green Camp in 2007 as an organisation focused on creating eco-tour packages in East and North East India.

The website was initiated in 2009.It has three  sections: Explore, Discover and Resource.
The Explore section is split into East India, North East India and Outside India.

This section offers a range of fascinating stories about the landscape and culture. For instance, there is a story about the forgotten Ledo Road, which is a historic highway that starts from India, runs though Burma (Myanmar) and ends in China; there's another piece about the Bauls of Bengal and Eight of the Wildest lakes in North East India.

All the stories are enhanced with exquisite photographs. The Discover section offers information on eco-friendly tour packages and these are as diverse as cultural tours that highlight Melas like the Pous Mela in Santiniketan or adventure tours that focus on treks or offer information on helicopter rides over the Himalayas.

The stories are offbeat and there are relevant yet quirky facts. The website is lacks of clutter. However, it would help if the portal categorised the information in a more organised manner, making it easier for surfers to find what they were looking for. 

Log on to : www.greencamp.in

Saina's Ad Value is Rs 1 Crore Per Deal

Saina's brand value soars after CWG success

There is great news for lovers of 'other sports' in India. It is not just cricket or Sania Mirza ruling the endorsement market in India. Badminton sensation Saina Nehwal has joined the bandwagon too. The ace shuttler is in super demand and has crossed the Rs 1 crore mark

New Delhi: Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is turning out to be a hot property in the celebrity endorsement market after a string of successes this year, most notably the gold medal she secured in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.

Telecom giant Airtel is the latest in a series of corporates that have signed on the World No. 3 as a brand ambassador and Saina's endorsement value is understood to have reached the Rs. 1 crore per deal mark.

"She is really in demand. A lot of companies want to associate with her. She has already signed up with Airtel and at least four firms operating in areas such as food and infrastructure will come on board very soon. Corporates are willing to pay that kind of money." Deccan Chargers Sporting Ventures Media Coordinator H Manjula said.

Deccan Chargers Sporting Ventures handles Saina's account. Saina already endorses the Deccan Chronicle newspaper, Adani Wilmar's Fortune edible oil and Herbal life's nutritional product range.

According to industry analysts, Saina, who was charging around Rs. 50 lakh per endorsement, is now able to command Rs. 1 crore per deal after her CWG win. The higher rate is also supported by Saina's hat-trick of wins at the Indian Open, Singapore Open and the Indonesia Open Super Series in June this year.

Saina herself agrees that her popularity has enhanced her brand equity. "Yes, after winning the titles, my fee has gone up and I am getting a lot of endorsements now. I am happy that there is demand being created for sports persons other than cricketers," Saina said.

According to her, the Airtel commercials will be shot after she returns from the Asian Games to be held in China from November 12.

The deal with Airtel catapults Saina into the club of leading sports and Bollywood celebrities, including Shahrukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and A R Rahman, who are either associated with the brand or have been in the past.

Gujarat-based Adani Wilmar, which signed on Saina as its brand ambassador for a one-year period for about Rs. 50 lakh in August, also said it is open to extending the association with her.

"Though it is premature to say whether we will look at carrying on with her as the brand ambassador in the second year, we might look at that," Adani Wilmar COO Anshu Malik said.

He said the company chose to hire Saina as she is a fresh face in the market of brand endorsements and fits the brand's profile.

In 2006, Saina arrived on the global scene when she became the first Indian woman to win a 4-star tournament --the Philippines Open. In 2008, she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and was also the first Indian woman to reach the quarter-finals in the Olympics.

Source: PTI

Upcoming Bike Launches of 2011 in India

Motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, superbikes — here's a detailed guide to all the new two-wheeler launches in the coming months.

First up, the Yamaha FZ...

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 9 lakh

The next entry in the superbike segment, the Yamaha FZ comes with a 998cc, 4-stroke, forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder, DOHC heart. With a maximum power of 148bhp @ 11000 rpm and maximum torque of 106 Nm @ 8000rpm this is one Yamaha that many have been waiting for.

BMW K1300S

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 10.2 lakh

German bike maker, BMW Motorrad is set to introduce its flagship bike, the BMW K1300S, very soon. The K1300S is the most advanced bike from BMW stable. In the international market, the bike comes loaded with a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder, four valves per cylinder and two-overhead camshafts. The displacement of the bike is 1293cc. The power train of the BMW K1300S produces awesome 175 hp of top power at 9,250 rpm and churns out 140 Nm of torque at 8,250 rpm. The bike can deliver a top speed of over 200 km/h with the help of a 6-speed manual transmission. Not to mention the sophisticated front 320mm and rear 265mm disc brakes complete with anti-lock braking system.

Honda Interceptor VFR800

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 8 lakh

Honda intends to launch a couple of sports and sports tourer new bikes in India. The planned bikes are Honda VFR1200R, Honda Interceptor VFR800 and Honda CBX Twister 250cc.

The Interceptor comes loaded with a liquid-cooled 90-degree V4, 4-stroke, DOHC, VTEC power plant with a higher displacement of 781cc. This advanced power train belts out a maximum power of 107bhp at 10,500 rpm and pumps out a top torque of 80 Nm at 8750 rpm. The Honda Interceptor VFR 800 incorporates 6-speed manual transmission for better use of engine power that also ensures amazing acceleration.

Hyosung ST7

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 10 lakh

The new Hyosung ST7 is expected to be equipped with a 678cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 90 V Twin, 4 valves per cylinder and DOHC valve configuration. Expected to develop a peak power of 60bhp and 63 Nm of top torque at 7500 rpm, the bike comes loaded with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Hyosung ST7 is expected to be packed with array of advanced features that will boost performance. The dynamic and sound braking system of the new Hyosung ST7 is also very classy with a 300mm disc brake at the front and 270 mm disc brake at the rear.

Honda CBR 1000RR

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 12.5 lakh

The all new Honda CBR is loaded with very powerful and dynamic 999cc engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. The new and stylish Honda CBR is incorporated with dynamic disc brakes and advanced suspension system which absorbs maximum shock. The fuel tank capacity of the new Honda CBR is 17.7 litres with 3 litres of reserve.

Yamaha BWS

Expected: Nov 2010
Estimated price: Rs 60,000

Yamaha BWS 125 features a 4-stroke, single cylinder, 4-valve, fuel injection SOHC power train - the same configuration which is used in Yamaha bikes the world over. The engine of the Yamaha BWS 125 pumps out a top power figure of 6.7kw at 7,500 rpm and churns out a peak torque of 9.6 Nm at 6,000 rpm. The scooter uses V-belt automatic transmission. The Yamaha BWs 125 comes loaded with front disc brake and rear drum type brake; it has front telescopic shocker and rear unit link fork. The most fascinating feature is its massive 12-inch wheels. In addition, Yamaha BWs 125 sports a 6-litre fuel tank.

Kawasaki Ninja

Expected: Dec 2010
Estimated price: Rs 6 lakh

The power mill of the baby Ninja 250 R belts out 33Ps of power at 11,000 rpm and 22Nm of power at 8,200 rpm. Acceleration and pick-up is unmatched with excellent control. It inherits and proudly sports the cutting-edge power, technology and styling of the Ninja Super Sports models. With rider focused ergonomics, styling and a host of features such as fuel injection, liquid cooling and petal disc brakes, it is a bike that never cease to amaze.

Yamaha YZF R6

Expected: Dec 2010
Estimated price: Rs 6 lakh

Yamaha has a number of pure sports bikes in its portfolio and some bigger displacement bikes have been launched in India including Yamaha R1, Yamaha R15 and Yamaha VMAX. The company intends to launch its most popular sports bike in India: the YZF R6. This sports bike has crossed a good number of milestones on the racing track. In fact, this is the dream sports bike for many professional bikers.

Yamaha Fazer 250cc

Expected: Jan 2011
Estimated price: Rs 1.25 lakh

After the huge success in 150cc segment with Yamaha FZ16, FZS, Fazer and Yamaha YZF R15, reports now emerge that Yamaha Motor India will launch the Fazer in the 250cc segment. The all new Yamaha Fazer 250cc is expected to come with a 249cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) petrol engine with five speed manual transmission producing 20PS of maximum power and 20Nm of maximum torque.

Demak DMX R

Expected: Feb 2011
Estimated price: Rs 60,000

Demak is soon going to start its operation in India and the company is also planning to launch two bikes - Demak DMX R and Demak Cougar. The powerful Demak DMX R is a racer bike with the appearance to match. The DMX R is expected to be loaded with a 150cc engine expected to generate a power of 14bhp.

Demak Cougar

Expected: Feb 2011
Estimated price: Rs 1 lakh

The Demak Cougar is expected to be equipped with an engine capacity of 250cc. The 4-stroke engine is expected to generate a maximum power of 19bhp.

Hyosung GT 650R

Expected: Mar 2011
Estimated price: Rs 4 lakh

The upcoming Hyosung GT 650R is expected to be a powerful bike which will be equipped with an engine capacity of 650cc. The powerful and dynamic engine of the Hyosung GT 650R is expected to produce a power of 80PS at 10,000rpm and churn out a maximum torque of 67Nm at 7250rpm. The engine of the GT 650R is expected to be loaded with V-twin 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC valve configuration.

KTM Duke

Expected: Mar 2011
Estimated price: Rs 1 lakh

Bajaj Auto and Austrian bike maker KTM are coming together in India with the plan to launch a premium segment bike. Bajaj KTM is expected to produce power bikes with 125cc to 250 cc engines, starting with the KTM Duke 125. The stylish and aggressive bike is specially designed to cater to the racer crowd. The KTM Duke 125 is expected to be powered by a 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC valve configuration with a displacement of 124 cc which will deliver 11KW of power.

Suzuki GSXR 1000

Expected: Mar 2011
Estimated price: Rs 5 lakh

Suzuki GSXR 1000 is a very powerful bike which is packed with a 999cc engine. The powerful and dynamic engine produces an awesome top power of 160bhp at 9,500 rpm and churns out a maximum torque of 110Nm at 8,000 rpm. The iconic super sport bike is loaded with MotoGP type brakes and suspension system.

Yamaha YZF R125

Expected: Mar 2011
Estimated price: Rs 90,000

The Yamaha R125 which is available in the overseas market has been loaded with a 124.66cc displacement, liquid cooled, SOHC, single cylinder power plant. This compact but sporty engine is capable of delivering 15 PS (14.5bhp) of maximum power at 9,000 rpm and 12.2 Nm of peak torque at 8,000 rpm. The fuel injected machine incorporates six-speed gearbox. In view to achieve greater performance and rigidity, it is equipped with a Deltabox chassis, aluminium swing arm and five-spoke lightweight alloy wheels. The Yamaha YZF R125 possesses somewhat the same body style and stance as higher R-series bikes like Yamaha YZF R6 and iconic Yamaha YZF R1. The front face and rear view of the bike are also borrowed from the R-series bikes. One can see the copied items such as dual headlights, compact tail side view and the low front face.

Suzuki Gladius

Expected: Mar 2011
Estimated price: Rs 7-8 lakh

With the increase in the number of super bikes on Indian roads in the "High Class" segment, buyers have the option of many varieties to choose from. And Suzuki plans to cash in on just that. The Gladius is powered by a 645cc, 2-cylinder, solid V-twin engine. The bike has a great sporty look and its powerful engine expected to generate great power and torque figures.

Honda CBR600RR

Expected: Jun 2011
Estimated price: Rs 6 lakh

Honda CBR600RR is one of the most successful racing machines in middleweight section across world. Comfort and performance are well taken care of in the Honda CBR600RR. The bike has won numerous race titles in world racing tracks including World Super Sport and AMA Super Sport. The CBR600RR comes with a liquid-cooled, inline, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC engine with a displacement of 599cc. The power-packed mill of the Honda CBR600RR pumps out a wonderful 118bhp at 13,500rpm and belts out a stunning torque of 66Nm at 11,250 rpm. The ignition system is computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping.

Piaggio Vespa LX

Expected: Jan 2012
Estimated price: Rs 55,000

By the end of 2012, the Piaggio will launch Piaggio Vespa LX125 in India. The Vespa LX125 is expected to be manufactured in a brand new Piaggio production plant which will produce 150,000 two-wheelers every year. The Vespa LX125 will surely be one of the most gorgeous looking scooters on the road. The all new Piaggio Vespa LX will be very stylish, compact and affordable.

Piaggio Vespa LX is expected to be launched with only one model for the Indian market i.e. Piaggio Vespa LX. The single cylinder LEADER 4-stroke engine of the Vespa is expected deliver a power of 7.65 KW at 8250 rpm and torque of 9.6 Nm at 7250 rpm. The scooter is expected to offer a mileage of around 45 km/l.

Source: India Syndicate
Photos: Company websites

Chinese Army Conducts Live Military Exercises in Tibet

Beijing, Oct 28 : Chinese military has conducted its first-ever live military exercises involving air force, artillery and electronic warfare divisions near the foot of the snow-capped mountains on the Tibetan plateau, close to the Indian border.

The exercises aimed at testing the endurance of the soldiers at the altitude of over 4,700 meters was completed successfully with troops overcoming the effects of physical and mental health problems caused by coldness and oxygen deficits, said a report posted on China Tibet Online, website attached to the state-run People's Daily.

This is the first time that Tibet Military Command of the People's Liberation Army conducted its first air-ground live ammunition drill, it said, without mentioning the date. Troops of air force, armour, artillery and electronic warfare divisions participated in the exercise. The exercises will have a very significant role in exploring training patterns in mountainous and cold areas as well as improving combat capabilities, it said.

The exercises came amid reports of China rapidly expanding its infrastructure with extensive railway network connecting all most all parts of remote Tibet with mainland China, which could provide logistic ability to PLA to move its troops easily to the Indian border overcoming the adverse hilly terrain of Tibet.

China is also poised to open its fifth civil airport in Tibet next month at Xigaze, located close to the Indian border. Xigaze Peace Airport, located in Xigaze Prefecture, 48 km from Xigaze City, is 3,782 meters above sea level. The sprawling prefecture shares land links with Nepal, Indian and Bhutan borders.

China has also recently begun work to extend the world's highest rail link connecting Lhasa to Xigaze, the home of successive Panchen Lamas, the second most Tibetan spiritual Buddhist leader.

In the past five years, China has invested heavily in building transport infrastructure in Tibet, pouring money into construction of highways, railways and airports to stimulate Tibet's weak economy and tourism.

The heavy infrastructure development in the Himalayan region, made India to open an airbase besides improving the transport infrastructure in and around Arunachal Pardesh, which China claims as its part.

Source: Agencies

Northeast Ke Superstar Courtesy NEC

DoNER ministry launches multi-state reality show, to feature solo singers & dancers

By E M Jose

Shillong, Oct 28 : The reality show North East Ke Superstar, initiated by the North Eastern Council (NEC) under the DoNER ministry, will be launched on November 11 to be culminated in Guwahati on January 22.

Considering the talent pool in the Northeast, the NEC has forayed into the field of reality show under the theme — North East Wave — with a multi-state composite competitive programme on television to be telecast across the country. The channel in which the show will be broadcast has not been decided yet, sources said.

According to the NEC, the show, uniquely designed to accommodate both singers and dancers from the Northeast, including Sikkim, is aimed at attracting youths to focus on creative energy.

The show will definitely get a boost after the recent success of Shillong Chamber Choir in the reality show genre. The Northeast in the past had also made a name after Debojit Saha and Sourabhee Debbarma from the region emerged winners in music-based reality shows.

The NEC director, (human resource development), Sherry Lalthangzo, said the preliminary completion would be held in all the district headquarters of the Northeast.

The reality show will have two categories — solo vocal and solo creative dance.

“The purpose is to showcase the talent of the youths of the region and to explore how the unique art and culture of the states of the region can be highlighted in a bigger platform,” she said.

An idea of DoNER minister B.K. Handique, the selection process for the show will be carried out with the help of art and culture departments of all the states.

The show, with a total budget estimated by the NEC at Rs 2 crore, will see candidates in the age group between 18 and 25 from the Northeast participating in the event.

The contest will be produced and executed by Suyojan Films (India) Pvt. Ltd, which has offices in New Delhi and Guwahati.

After the completion of the respective state preliminaries, semi-finals and finals in November and December, the best dancer and singer of the region will be selected in a live mega finale on January 22 in Guwahati.

The winners of the state final and the mega final events will be crowned with titles and provided with attractive prizes.

Jatinga International Festival Opens in Assam

Jatinga (Haflong), Oct 28 : The first Jatinga International Festival opened here Wednesday with Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik inaugurating the three-day event organised to familiarise people from outside the region with Jatinga village.

Jatinga, in North Cacher Hills district, is known for the mysterious phenomenon of birds committing mass suicide during winters. This peculiar phenomenon has created a lot of curiosity among ornithologists but few have found any plausible explanation so far.

For the next two days, the festival will showcase the rich heritage of the multi-ethnic district. Singer Lucky Ali is slated to entertain visitors Friday night.

Arjun Y. Dhanwatay, a tour operator from Nagpur, who has been invited for the festival, said the area needs better infrastructure to become a tourist spot. “There is hardly any accommodation facility here for tourists,” he said.

Northeast India Succumbs to Tobacco Lure

Northeast Indian states rank high in smoking survey, sales & consumption

By Wasim Rahman

Jorhat, Oct 28 : Tobacco is burning a big hole in the heart of the Northeast.

Arunachal Pradesh spends the most on cigarettes a month and knows the least about its ill-effects; Mizoram is the most knowledgeable and yet is the biggest tobacco consumer, while Meghalaya has the highest number of passive smokers, a nationwide survey has revealed.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey India, carried out in 2009-2010 by the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai as the nodal agency with technical assistance from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Research Triangle Institute International, came up with some startling figures.

The survey was conducted in all 29 states and the two Union Territories of Chandigarh and Puducherry, covering about 99.9 per centre of the total population of India.

The reports under the head, Economics, reveals that in case of monthly expenditure by a cigarette smoker in the country, Arunachal Pradesh tops the list, at Rs 1,264.90 per month, while Jharkhand is the lowest, at Rs 181.70.

Not surprisingly, Arunachal Pradesh stands last in the awareness graph, with only 34 per cent of the adults showing awareness that strokes can be caused by smoking.

Only 37 per cent know that it could lead to heart attacks, while 78 per cent believe lung cancer was caused by smoking.

Interestingly, Mizoram, which has the highest number of tobacco consumers, tops the knowledge graph as well.

About 79 per cent of the adults of Mizoram know that smoking leads to stroke, 92 per cent feel the major cause of heart attacks is smoking, while 98 per cent believe that tobacco leads to lung cancer.

The report also revealed that Meghalaya has the highest level of second-hand smoke exposure at public places, with 54 per cent, the lowest level being Chandigarh at 11 per cent.

The passive smoking exposure at home was also found to be highest in Mizoram, at 97 per cent, the lowest level being 10 per cent in Tamil Nadu.

Another finding was that in Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, along with Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, the intake of smokeless tobacco is higher among women, unlike in other states.

The fact-filled 300-page report was formally released by Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi on October 19.

Arunachal Blamed For Dam Tiff

By Pankaj Sarma

AGP members protest in Guwahati on Wednesday against the construction of mega dams.

Guwahati, Oct 28 : The Arunachal Pradesh government’s failure to implement some key recommendations made in a World Bank report has apparently led to the controversy over dams and inter-state clashes over the upcoming hydropower projects in that state.

An official source privy to the comprehensive report said it had recommended maintaining high level of transparency (public access to draft plans and data) and consultation with stakeholders (such as communities affected by floods and erosion on tributaries), which was never followed in true spirit when the Arunachal Pradesh government signed memoranda of understanding and memoranda of association with several power generation companies, including some large private players.

“As a result of that, there has been widespread apprehension and protests against the possible disastrous impact in the downstream areas in Assam because of construction of these dams in Arunachal Pradesh, which has put the two states on a collision course,” the source said.

The report of the World Bank study, titled Study on Natural Resources, Water and the Environment Nexus for Development and Growth in North East India, was submitted to the Centre in 2008. The study was conducted at the initiative of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“The study has strongly advocated cooperation among the northeastern states for river management to control flood and erosion and to harness hydropower potential but that does not seem to be happening with Assam and Arunachal expressing contradictory views on this issue. Moreover, the upcoming projects in Arunachal are solely for power generation and not for flood moderation,” the source said.

To ensure better coordination among the states, the study also recommended setting up of a “new river basin management institution” with regulatory powers that would work across the entire Northeast and “for many decisions, other stakeholders, for example communities affected by floods or erosion on tributaries, should be included”.

“The proposed North East Water Resources Authority (Newra) which could have functioned as the river basin management institution as suggested in the report, could not be constituted as yet since Arunachal refused to give its consent,” the source said.

Barring Arunachal Pradesh, all the states of the region have agreed to the Centre’s proposal to set up the authority which was modelled on the lines of the Tennessee Valley Authority in the US.

The Arunachal government has already signed MoUs and MoAs for construction of 100-odd hydro-projects with a total capacity of around 32,000 MW with different power generation companies.

The World Bank study says that international experience in past decades has shown that it is generally advisable to separate construction from other functions (like impact on downstream areas and upper reaches, environment, ecology, effect on livelihood, etc), since the power generation companies easily get drawn into construction and neglect other vital issues.