India Test’s Interceptor Missile Successfully

By Y. Mallikarjun

This July 26, 2010 photo shows the launch of an interceptor missile at the ITR in Chandipur, Orissa. On Sunday, the DRDO successfully test-fired a similar missile as part of the Ballistic Missile Defence shield programme.

Hyderabad, Mar 6 : In a successful interception test, an indigenously-developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile destroyed an incoming target missile, a modified Prithvi, at an altitude of 16 km over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday.

According to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources, the modified Prithvi, which mimicked an incoming enemy missile took off from Chandipur, while the interceptor was launched from Wheeler Island within a few moments.

As the “attacker” missile reached a height of 120 km and began its downward trajectory, the AAD equipped with state-of-the-art guidance system zeroed in on to the target and destroyed it at 9.37 a.m. The falling debris was tracked by various radars and sensors.

The sources said the entire mission went off in a copybook fashion and the trajectories of the both the missiles followed the pre-designated paths.

The Long Range radars and Multi Function Fire Control Radar tracked the target missile and passed on the information to the Mission Control Centre to launch the interceptor.

The test was carried out as part of India’s plan to deploy in the next few years a two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence shield to intercept and destroy incoming enemy missiles in endo- and exo-atmospheres.

Sunday’s test was witnessed by Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V.K. Saraswat and other top DRDO officials.

Nagaland Has Higher Agri Growth Than Rest Of India

Dimapur, Mar 6 : Observing the progressive changes taking place in the agriculture sector in Nagaland, Agriculture Minister Dr Chumben Murry said the State’s agriculture growth rate is at present higher than the national average and the State’s agri contribution of 24 per cent stands above the nation’s contribution of 17 per cent.

Stating that agriculture has been a sustenance form of business in the State, Dr Murry urged the need to start looking at agriculture as an industry.

The Minister was addressing Agriculture department officials and entrepreneurs at the workshop on ‘Linking Small Time Entrepreneurs with Government Schemes and Markets’ at the National Research Centre on Mithun at Jharnapani, Medziphema yesterday.

Dr Murry also emphasised on looking at the post-harvest issues. He informed that three storages have come up in the potential districts adding that more will be coming up to provide better safety for farmers’ produce.

Maintaining that the State Government has adopted friendly policies for entrepreneurs, farmers and youth, he said more opportunities will be introduced very soon. Dr Murry also encouraged the gathering to start small agri entrepreneur projects and advised them not to always think on big/huge profits while maintaining that profit comes with sustenance of the business.

Highlighting about the numerous Central schemes introduced annually, Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Commerce KC Nihoshe called on the public to be more aware and avail the opportunities provided by the concerned Ministries at the Central and State levels. He also stressed on the importance of food processing sector mentioning that huge amounts of agricultural produce go waste.

Agricultural Production Commissioner HK Khulu, in his address, questioned the lack of commitment, patience and perseverance among entrepreneurs. “Is there a lack of synergy among the entrepreneurs?” he asked, adding that so many schemes have been introduced which have not been availed to its maximum.

The workshop was organised by the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry India to promote entrepreneurs in food processing.

USA Shifting Focus to Northeast India

Guwahati, Mar 6 : The USA is shifting focus to Northeast India in its bid to explore possibilities of partnership in diverse sectors.

US Consul General posted at the US Consulate General in Kolkata, Beth A Payne, told NEWS LIVE on Wednesday (July 14) that the Northeast is the largest emerging potential market for USA and hence Washington is now concentrating more on Northeast India.

Payne was in Guwahati on a day-long visit to the Assam capital to attend a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in India or AMCHAM.

AMCHAM is reaching out to the northeastern states to bridge the gap between the United States and Eastern India, and for collaborative business development and social prosperity.

The AMCHAM delegation also met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi besides state chief secretary Naba Kumar Das.

The visit is also aimed at introducing AMCHAM to the government and local business community besides getting an orientation to Assam's prospects, potential and development opportunities.

Militancy Related Problems Not Yet Over in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 5 : A recent incident where cadres of banned Kuki National Front (KNF-P) forced people of three villages to leave their homes, leaves us with the impression that militancy isn't over in Manipur yet.

Over 100 residents of Motbung, Saparmeina and Kangpokpi villages had to take refuge in a community hall in Sekmai Koujaengleima, a nearby village in the region. The mass exodus came after Kuki insurgents threatened them with dire consequences. Kuki cadres abducted village leaders for a day and held them at the Ebenezer Camp to get their message across.

"The abducted businessman's son hasn't been released till now and the Kuki group has demanded that we should vacate the village. The cadres have also warned us of facing trouble if they find anybody here during their search operation. So, we have left our homes and taken shelter here," said Premjit Singh, a resident of Sapormeina village.

"When I came here, I saw many villagers taking shelter. I tried to persuade them to go back to their homes, but they refused out of fear. So, now I am looking after them along with some people of this Sekmai area," added M. Goura Singh, Sub Divisional Officer, Saitu-Gamphazol.

The threat issued to the villagers is a violation of the ground rules of suspension of operations agreement. Recently, Centre and state authorities had issued a strong warning to the Kuki National Front to stop recruiting young children.

Many NGO's and civil society groups like Kuki Inpi and United Committee Manipur reached Sekmai Koujaengleima to help the people of Motbung, Saparmeina and Kangpokpi villages. The refugees were provided with food, clothes and other basic necessities. Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed in these villages to prevent further untoward incident.

"We were asked to pack our belongings and leave immediately. We are helpless and cannot do anything. We request the government to resolve this situation and bring peace as soon as possible," said K. Ranjana Devi, Secretary, Meira Paibi.

"We request both the government and insurgents to talk and resolve the problem, so that we can go back home. We want peace in our village," added Iboyaima, Secretary, Motbung Village.

Insurgents claim they have the interests of the people on top of their agenda. This, however, is not reflected in their actions. The flight of people from Motbung, Saparmeina and Kangpokpi villages, is yet another example of this fact.

Pena Exponent Mangi Singh, Manipur's Rising Star

Imphal, Mar 5 : Manipur, which has over the years produced many award winning artists, has added another feather to its cap through Khangembam Mangi Singh, the first Pena player to receive the Padma Shri.

Singh, who received this prestigious honour for Art: Traditional Music of Manipur (Pena) this year has been practicing it since he was 11.

He has performed all over the world, including in Mexico, USA, UK, Germany and France.

"I got the news about this award, while I was at a public meeting. I was surprised. I never expected that my hard work would be appreciated so much and recognized by the people. So, I was so shocked and at the same time I was overjoyed," said Singh.

Singh was born to on November 8. 1927, and is currently working at the Sana Leikham Pena Shanglakpa, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Centre for Research on Traditional and Indigenous Performing Arts.

He joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy in 1975 and retired as Guru of Lai Haraoba. He was one of the founder members of Laihui, which was established in 1985. It is his life's mission now to keep alive the Pena music legacy, as he imparts lessons to around 27 students at present.

"I am not only teaching Pena, but also Lai Haraoba. Earlier there weren't many students, but today many students are showing an interest in learning this age-old art," said Singh.

The students said they were fortunate to learn the art from a genius like Singh.

"The way he teaches us is very different from others. Whenever we have any doubts he is willing to help us. So I am so happy to learn from him," said Geetanjari, a student.

"Since 2004, I have been learning Penna. I am happy to learn from him. Because of my teacher I have learnt how to play Pena. I am extremely happy that our guru has got an award," added another student Apung.

Cos Pay Experts For Favorable Green Impact Report: SC

By Krishnadas Rajagopal

New Delhi, Mar 5 : The system of granting environmental clearances to industrial and other projects came under sharp criticism on Friday from the Supreme Court which observed that the Environment Ministry had been letting private companies pay “a packet” to their favourite experts to assess the environmental impacts of their projects and obtain approvals on their basis. The court said the system was akin to “paying the piper to call the tune”.

A Special Bench led by Chief Justice S H Kapadia — while hearing a petition challenging the approval granted to French company Lafarge to mine limestone in Meghalaya — asked the Environment Ministry whether it had ever wondered as to how a consultant hired by a company would give an adverse impact assessment report after getting “its packet of money”.

In most of the cases as of now, Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) are prepared by consultants hired by the companies themselves. The EIAs so prepared are presented before expert committees of Environment Ministry which decides on granting approvals to a project.

The assessment envisages a comprehensive inspection of how a particular project would affect the bio-diversity, flora and fauna, ambient air and water quality, catchment area treatment, sub-soil water of the area in which a project is proposed and other relevant issues.

Justice Aftab Alam, who accompanies Kapadia and Justice K S Radhakrishnan on the Bench, noticed that every report placed before it was done by agencies which were employed by Lafarge.

Noting that he was not just on the point of Lafarge but talking in general terms, Justice Alam asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati whether any “project proponent (company) would pay a packet of money to get an adverse report”.

“But this is how the EIA has gone on since 1994 (when the first EIA Notification was issued),” Vahanvati replied.

“This procedure must cost project proponents a packet. In this case, all the reports are by the agencies assigned by the project proponent... who is paying the piper and calling the tune,” Justice Alam said.

To this, the AG said he had already advised “(Environment Minister) Mr Jairam Ramesh to have an independent mechanism”, and as of now the ministry had drawn a list of accredited agencies who could conduct EIAs. He said the government had “various layers of control”.

Clarifying that the Court was not saying that any of the reports were “perverse”, Chief Justice Kapadia joined Justice Alam to point out that the court was only interested in ensuring that “better procedures can be placed”.

At this point senior advocate Fali Nariman, appearing for Lafarge, said a separate department or infrastructure by the government for just conducting EIAs would involve “enormous costs”.

“Huge sums are spent by you to employ these agencies... now you can use the money to employ the government infrastructure,” Justice Alam said.

To a suggestion from the court that the government can ideally appoint a sub-divisional environmental officer for EIAs, Nariman said he was skeptic about the plan.

Mandira: Caught & Bowled!

The ebullient Punjabi kudi with twinkling eyes has almost completely abandoned the big screen now (or is it the other way round?).

A self-confessed cricket addict, Mandira started off her "cricketing career" as anchor to 'Extraa Innings', a TV show during the cricket World Cups of 2003 and 2007. She is also on a commentary panel, for the ongoing edition of the World Cup.

From a historical perspective, Mandira is the only star from Bollywood to have made a mark in Indian Cricket!!!

Click on, for some stunning snaps of the Bedi babe!

Mandira Bedi was born on April 15, 1972.

Though she is a native of Mumbai, her ancestors can be traced down to the Khatri Clan of Fazilka, Punjab.

Mandira Bedi shot to fame, when she debuted in the popular TV serial, 'Shanti' (1994), on Doordarshan.

From then on, she did several films, serials, ad campaigns and modelling assignments.

Her Bollywood debut was in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995).

Other film projects include: 'Badal', 'Manmadhan', 'Shaadi Ka Ladoo', 'Naam Gum Jaayega', 'Dus Kahaniyaan' and 'Meerabai Not Out'

Mandira returned to television with her vamp role in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'.

She then went on to do several shows. She was one of the presenters on the reality show, 'Fame Gurukul', and has anchored 'Deal Ya No Deal' (replacing actor Madhavan).

She was also the host of Star One's reality show, 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star'.

Mandira struck gold when she began to host the 'Extra Innings' show of 2003 Cricket World Cup, where her "choice of attire" and self-proclaimed cricket frenzy became immensely popular. She then hosted the show during the 2007 World Cup too.

She is sometimes known as the First Lady of Cricket.

During the 2007 Cricket World Cup, she wore a sari sporting flags of various nations; the Indian flag was at the bottom of the sari, which caused much resentment.

Mandira Bedi married film director Raj Kaushal on Valentine's Day, 1999.

Though she has hosted two world cups and starred in many TV serials, she has not been able to cash in on her cricket popularity; she is yet to make a mark in Bollywood.

Images: Bollywood, Santabanta

Source: India Syndicate

Chapchar Kut festival celebrated in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 5 : Chapchar Kut, the most important traditional festival of the ethnic Mizos, was celebrated today as all the government offices and educational institutions remained close for the day.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla attended the main Kut celebration at Assam Rifles ground here as “Kut Pa” or father of the festival and Beth Payne, US Consul General in Kolkata, was the guest of honour.

Different Mizo traditional dances were performed while songs were sung by well-known singers in the function.

Chapchar Kut was celebrated from the 1700s when the Mizos were in present-day Myanmar after migrating from China.

Every family has dinner with meat and eggs and it is forbidden to have quarrel during the celebration.