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.