Mizoram Lovers Say it With Cards And Roses

Aizawl, Feb 14 : As the cupid’s arrow is set to strike, cards, roses and chocolates have sold like hot cake in Aizawl.

Since all shops remain close on Sundays in the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram, people swamped cards and gift shops here on Saturday, two days ahead of Valentine’s Day.

All the card-and-gift shops in the city said their sales skyrocketed by more than one hundred per cent on Saturday.

''My shop is flooded with people, most of them youngsters, buying cards and gifts for their lovers. My sales have increased by many folds, may be more than one hundred per cent,'' said a shopkeeper at Hustler, one of the oldest gift shops in the city.

''We are expecting more on Monday, which is Valentine’s Day, as it has been a tradition to buy cards and gifts on the day itself,'' she added.

A gift shop next to Hustler said besides cards, they sold huge quantity of heart-shaped chocolates, which prices ranged from Rs 80 to Rs 250.

Other big cards-gift shops like Archies, Hallmark, and Glitz also said that their sales have gone up considerably, compared to the last three years.

The tradition of sending cards on the occasion of Christmas and New Year had virtually faded with the advent of mobile phones as SMS greetings killed the good old cards. However, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, people seem to find SMS or e-mail too untrue to express their loves.

''Our sales of cards were almost nil for the last two or three Christmases, as well as Valentine’s Days. But, this year our sale has considerably gone up as people have seem to realise the true romance that lies in the cards,'' said a shopkeeper at Archies Gallery.

He said among the gifts, teddy bears and crystal balls topped their sale.

The gifts items sold at the Archies Gallery are anything between Rs 50-Rs 1000, and most of the shoppers are between 13 to 18 years.

While the cheapest cards are sold at Rs 20, the costliest cards cost Rs 299.

Flower shops owners are another people who benefit from the 'Day of Love'.

''Giving flowers, particularly roses, to loved ones has become popular on Valentine’s Day. We have ordered additional packages of roses for this special day,'' said a shopkeeper at Zopar, which sells home-grown roses, anthurium and other flowers.

He said 3,500 packages of roses were sold on Saturday alone and another 4,000 packages would arrive for Monday.

While the markets are flooded with gifting options, some couples are opting for a quiet lunch or dinner to make the occasion special.

''I and my boyfriend will be going out for a candle-light dinner at a out-of-the-way restaurant instead of giving each other cards or gifts,'' said Irene, a teacher.

Even as the youngsters are making a great fuss about Valentine’s Day, it was only a few years back when it made its presence felt in the Christian-dominated Mizoram despite that it has its origins in the Christian tradition.

For Muanpuii, a 50-year-old housewife at Chanmari in Aizawl, Valentine’s Day had nothing to do with her romance with her lover, who is now her husband.

''We never realised that such special day ever existed. We sent each other love letters when we were distances apart,'' she said.

But, her 18-year-old daughter just can’t do without sending her dear one 'something' on this Day. ''I will send a special gift and a card to him,'' she confessed.

Her parents have also no objection to it neither does the Mizo society, known for its intolerance to liquor and partying.

Couples Hope To Break Kissing Record

World record kissing marathon

Plenty of men and women will be out to prove their love and devotion to their Valentine today.

Manipur Drive Against Power Theft Continues

Imphal, Feb 14 : Intensifying its drive against unauthorized power consumers, the Manipur electricity department has extended the crackdown on defaulters in the remote Moreh town bordering Myanmar as well as on some government departments in the capital.

Invoking provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, the department officials, along with armed police personnel, had launched its drive on January 24. The move came barely five days after the Gauhati High Court's Imphal bench issued notices to government authorities, seeking replies from them on the erratic power supply in the state within a month.

The court's order followed a Public Interest Litigation filed by three citizens contending that the bonafide power consumers in the state were getting power only for about 3 to 4 hours a day, while the neighbouring states enjoyed round-the-clock electric supply.

Besides disconnecting hundreds of connections of defaulters and unauthorized consumers, the department has collected a huge amount of power tariff. In accordance with provisions of the statute, many offenders have been arrested and sent to jail.

On Saturday, the department's team, led by an executive engineer, collected over Rs one lakh from the defaulting consumers staying in Moreh. During the crackdown, police even arrested some defaulters and unauthorized users.

Rahul to Visit Mizoram on Valentine's Day

Aizawl, Feb 14 : AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi would visit Mizoram on Valentine's Day to spend time with youngsters.

Sources said the scion of Gandhi family will address students of Mizoram University at Tanhril near Aizawl and would also inaugurate a girls' hostel.

"After landing at Lengpui Airport, a helicopter would take Rahul to the university campus which has a helipad," a source said.

He did not have any other engagement in Aizawl and would leave the state after the programme. He had visited the state a number of times, especially during election campaigns, and had managed to draw large crowds.

On the other hand, preparations for Valentine's Day celebrations are in full swing with youngsters on a buying spree in Aizawl.

On Saturday, parties have been organized in tourist resorts and picnic spots near Aizawl where well-known singers and pop groups would perform.

Water Scarcity Problem in Mizoram

Aizawl, Feb 14 : Shortage of water has become a reason for a nightmare to hundreds of villagers across Mizoram.

The winter indeed is a nightmare for majority of the Mizos as the state experiences water scarcity problem every year. 

In Aizawl, many localities cannot get water supply every week. The state capital is one of the worst affected places since only one single source of supply caters to about five lakh people. PHE department in the capital informed NNN that it is due to less pumping of water for non-receipt of diesel oil from the supplier.

In the meantime, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department asserted that there is no short supply of diesel oil during these days and most of the petrol pumps in the state are having sufficient stock.

Because of the acute shortage of drinking water, people across Mizoram are complaining about the amount of water being reserved for the VIPs---the ministers and high government officials.

Some women have to wait till midnight to fetch a pot of water from small water tank made by the villagers.

“Due to a long dry season this water tank is also on the verge of drying up. If the concerned authority is not taking measure at the earliest then the households in the state will be without water,” said a young woman who usually goes to fetch water in the night.

Normally during the rainy season the Mizos harvest rain-water by collecting and preserving it  in containers locally known as ‘tuizem’.

As most of the Mizo villages are situated in hill-tops the collecting of rain-water and preserving it is necessary.

This practice of harvesting rain-water has been going on for the past many generations. It is a must-practice for every Mizo household.

via Newmai News Network

The M-Word That Unites And Satiates

By Utpal Parashar

Kathmandu, Feb 14 : As a native of north-east India, I am gastronomically programmed to love momos like most brethren from the region, but even a diehard fan like me didn't expect what I witnessed this Friday in Kathmandu. The venue was Bhrikutimandap, Nepal's mini-version of Pragati Maidan, and the occasion the 10th
annual Momo-Mania festival, celebrating the Himalayan nation's most popular snack.

It seemed most roads in Kathmandu Valley led to the venue where thousands went wild over these dumplings said to have originated in Tibet. For those who love momos---it was like being in paradise.

Forgetting the numerous problems plaguing the country like 14 hour daily power cuts and an ongoing political crisis, Kathmanduites dug their teeth into 22 varieties of momos on offer.

Besides those made with usual fillings like chicken, pork, mutton and buffalo there were others like tandoori chicken, fish, Thai momos, Dapao from Bhutan and traditional Newari Momocha.

Taste buds of vegetarians were also satiated to the fullest with momos made with fillings of mushroom, cheese, spinach, kidney beans and South Indian momos dipped in sambar.

For those with sweet tooth there were momos made with gajar ka halwa and gundpak, a local sweet. Nine kinds of dipping sauces, free drinks, tattoos and music added to the festive spirit. Organised by Bakery Café Momo-Mania has become part of Kathmandu's food calendar and  eflects the immense love residents have for momos.

Having momos in the evenings is part of many Kathmanduites daily routine and hundreds of outlets, from the fancy ones to those in street corners cater to this demand.

Mumbai Goes 'Wah Wah' Over Bryan Adams

Mumbai: With a crowd of over 15,000 swaying to the music, Mumbai was at its energetic and spirited best as Canadian rocker Bryan Adams belted out hits after hits at his rocking concert here Saturday night, inviting "wah wahs" from the audience.

"Wah! Kya Concert tha (what a concert)! Once in a lifetime chance," said Dev Kapoor, a chartered account, who was going ga-ga over the performances.

The audience broke into catcalls from the word go, when Adams kickstarted the concert. Just two songs later, Adams said: "Good evening everybody. My name is Bryan. Here I am". He took off his song "Here I Am" from that point, and the excitement level of the crowd soared with every strum of his guitar thereafter.

The stage was huge, with two massive screens adorning each of its side and one behind him, for the comfort of those who couldn't catch a meaty glimpse of the 51-year-old, who rocked as if he truly believes in "18 till I die!"

He sang around 20 songs including "Let's make a night to remember", "Please forgive me", "How do ya feel tonight" - but the audience didn't seem to have had enough of him. They went berserk as Adans sang "Summer of 69" and asked the audience to sing in between. But even a breather between two songs by Adams sent the crowd chanting 'Bryan, Bryan, Bryan'!

Dressed in black, Adams too was exhilarated about the response, saying: "I came first in 1994 and this is the fifth time I am performing in Mumbai. It's one of my best shows!"

He made sure to interact with the audience very well, and even invited a girl on stage to sing with him. Later, as he asked the 15,000 plus crowd to switch on their digital cameras and phone cameras, and go flash as he sang "Please forgive me", the MMRDA Ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex here glittered like never before.

The concert also saw a performance by Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar, who danced to his popular songs with his famous troupe.

For once, Bollywood stars remained off the spotlight even as many of them enjoyed themselves being mere spectators to the wonder of Bryan Adams! Actors who were spotted at the gig included Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Akshaye Khanna, Suneil Shetty, R.Madhavan, Arshad Warsi with his wife Maria Goretti and Deepika Padukone with her rumoured beau Siddharth Mallya.

The audience left the venue satisfied.

"It's my second time at a Bryan Adams' concert. Last time I watched him in Bangalore and there's no doubt he is as good as he was last time," said Kamya, a media student.

"Dhamaal mach gaya hai," said Abhishek, a commerce student, who was drenched in sweat as he danced and hooted throughout the over two-hour concert.

Gaurav, a marketing manager, said: "It's the best Saturday night of my life!"

Adams himself signed off saying: "It's fantastic tonight - good night Mumbai! Take care!"

Adams is here to perform at the Micromax Bryan Adams Live in Concert India Tour. It started Friday at Pune, and is now scheduled for Bangalore (Sunday), New Delhi (Tuesday) and Hyderabad (Wednesday).

Source: IANS

Max plans med education institute, may invest up to Rs 1000 cr

New Delhi: Max Healthcare is likely to invest up to Rs 1,000 crore over the next three years to set up a medical education institute at Greater Noida.

"We expect the investment on total infrastructure to be in the range of Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. The institute will include a medical college, a nursing college and a college for allied health services," Max Healthcare CEO and Managing Director Pervez Ahmed told PTI.

While the nursing and allied healthcare colleges will become functional this year, it will take nearly three years to start the medical college, he added.

As per the company's plans, the medical college will have 50 seats to start off with, which will eventually go up to 150.

The nursing college will have 100 seats and the allied healthcare institution will have 300 seats for various certificate and diploma courses.

The company will fund the project through a combination of debt and equity, Ahmed said.

Apart from the institute at Greater Noida, the company also plans to set up another three nursing colleges over the next three years.

"We have plans to start three nursing colleges at Dehradun, Noida and one in Punjab. For the Dehradun one, we have already identified the location," Ahmed said.

The company will commission four new hospitals this year taking its in-patient bed capacity to 2,000 beds from 800 at present. It expects the total bed strength to go up to 5,000 in the next five years.

"The majority of the addition would be through mergers and acquisitions. There are a few players with whom we are having discussions," Ahmed said, without disclosing details.

Max Healthcare expects its four hospitals at Mohali, Bhatinda, Delhi and Dehradun to become operational this year.

Source: PTI