Baichung's Side Takes On Shillong Outfit

By Abhishek Ganguly

Guwahati, Mar 31 : The second division I-League kicks off on Thursday with five games at two centres (Guwahati and Madurai), but the football fraternity will have its eyes trained on one particular match - the Group A clash between United Sikkim FC (USFC) and Langsning Sports Club of Shillong at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That game will set the ball 'rolling' for the Sikkim-based club that is the brainchild of Baichung Bhutia.

Bhutia is very serious about his latest endeavour and that was visible during Wednesday's practice session. He didn't have a full-fledged workout as he is yet to fully recover from a calf-muscle sprain, but he was very much in the thick of things - keeping a close eye on the players, pointing out mistakes some of the youngsters were committing and offering valuable tips. He is clearly the general of a team of talented men who are out to make a mark.

"The players look up to Baichung as an idol and his presence does make a lot of difference," said coach Stanley Rozario. The coach added that he would speak to the India captain about having him in the reserves' bench, despite Bhutia not being fully fit. "That lifts the morale of the side, and I can also use him if required for clinching a victory," Rozario explained.

It's true that a half-fit Baichung could make a difference in any match, but with the squad the Snow Lions - as USFC are popularly called - have built, a winning start against the L Darlong-coached side shouldn't be a tall ask. Players like NS Manju, Budhiram Tudu, B Beikhokhei, Lalrinfela, Prem Kumar, M Suresh, K Kulothungan and Bijen Singh - all of whom have played at the highest level - gives USFC the edge. Rennedy Singh is also on the roster, but he won't be available in the first phase as he is recuperating after a knee operation.

Three foreigners - Johnny Menyongar, Mituski Ichihara and Joseph Lapira - have been roped in to bolster the side.

Langsning Sports Club, who have been training here for 10 days, also have three foreigners in their ranks and Rozario has seen them in action during his stint with Shillong Lajong FC. But Rozario is stressing on is an attacking game to make it a memorable 'debut' for Bhutia's side.

Thursday's Matches (Guwahati)

NISA, Manipur vs Golden Threads
Simla Youngs vs Gauhati Town Club
Langsning Sports Club vs United Sikkim FC.

India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Trade Proposed

By Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, Mar 31 : A 12- member Thailand delegation visited Manipur and Myanmar’s border township Tamu recently to establish a trilateral trade between India, Myanmar and Thailand.

Tharodol Thongruang Thai-Myanmar Border Trade in-charge led Thai delegation also attended a day-long Union of Myanmar Border Trade sponsored trilateral trade conference at Tamu town, near Moreh on Sunday wherein he appealed to the Myanmarese officials to help in boosting cross-border between the three countries.

“Myanmar would be the confluence of India’s Look East Policy and Thailand’s Look West Policy”, the Thai team leader said. “Myanmar would be greatly benefited from these two similar policies of India and Thailand if Myanmar takes up some pro-active initiatives”.

Vice President of the Trade Chamber of Commerce (Myanmar) U Myin Swe led the Myanmar delegation while the Indian team was headed by Officer on Special Duty L Dwijamani of Manipur Commerce and Industries (Foreign Trade).

The Myanmarese delegates responding to the appeal of the Thais assured that their country would make maximum efforts to facilitate cross-border trade between India and Thailand through Myanmar.

Proposals to identify the trade items that would be sanctioned for cross-border trade among the three countries were also raised during the meeting.

Dwijamani on behalf of the Indian delegates highlighted the importance of fostering closer ties among the three countries besides emphasising on the need to build closer relations among the three countries in the fields of culture and sports. The meet also agreed to identify the trade items for the cross-border trade jointly.

The Thai delegation also had meetings with the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and the Chief Secretary DS Poonia prior to their departure on Monday, in connection with Thailand’s role in the ongoing 16 year-old Indo-Myanmar border trade which was opened on 12 April, 1995.

Lucy Pinder – In Awesome Glory (NSFW)

Lucy Pinder in underwear – pics by Anna Fowler

Veronika Fasterova topless in Hombre Magazine (NSFW)

Veronika Fasterova – Hombre Mexico (April 2011)

Agartala-Akhaura Rail Project Gaining Ground

Agartala, Mar 31 : The ball has started rolling in favour of the historic Indo-Bangla rail connectivity with the Railway Ministry contemplating to undertake topological survey for the extension work. The alignment for the proposed Agartala to Akhaura (Bangladesh) has already been accepted by the Bangladesh Government, the Assembly was informed here on Tuesday.

An amount of Rs 251 crore will be spent for commissioning the Indo-Bangla rail link and the project will be financed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and DoNER, said Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chowdhury in reply to a notice moved by MLAs Basudev Majumder and Rita Kar Chowdhury.

He said that the project is expected to get implemented within the next three to four years. The General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Construction had visited Akhaura to oversee the alignment of the dream railway project.

Chowdhury informed the House that the Bangladesh Government is also seriously thinking of finalising a modality to allow India, Nepal and Bhutan to use Chittagong Sea Port. It may be noted that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had urged the Bangaldesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to allow Tripura to use Chittagong Port during his visit to Dhaka in March last year. The issue also came up for discussion during the visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni during his visit to Agartala in November last year.

On setting up of a bridge on river Feni, he said that a joint team had already visited the proposed site and an organisation has been asked to prepare a detailed project report at the earliest.

The bridge would connect Sabroom in South district with Bangladesh’s Ramgarh directly ushering a wide opportunity for bilateral trade. As part of goodwill gesture, the State Government would bear expenditure for setting up the bridge.

He further said the re-opening of waterway between Tripura and Bangladesh is also under active consideration of the Ministry of Shipping. The Centre has already incorporated it in the Northeast Vision 2020.

Rihanna’s On The Cover Of Rolling Stone

Rihanna looks hot-as-balls on the new cover of Rolling Stones, unfortunately for now all I have is the cover,on newsstands Friday (April 1).

Photo: Mark Seliger / Rolling Stone

Nagaland Govt Bans Pig Products From Myanmar

Kohima, Mar 30 : The Nagaland government has banned all pig products into the state from Myanmar following outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in that country.

An order issued by the Nagaland Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department said the state government has decided to impose a ban on import of pigs and pig products from Myanmar into the state with immediate effect following the recent outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease of pigs in that country.

All concern departments are requested to strictly comply with the government directions, the order said.

The World's Deadliest Intersection?

This Chinese public service announcement has garnered the attention it hoped for.

In an effort to promote safe driving, traffic authorities released a video depicting a string of accidents caught by surveillance cameras at what some think may be the most dangerous intersection in the world. And the 12-minute segment, filmed in the city of Heze in the Shandog province of China, has raced across the Internet--within just 22 hours of its posting on local video sharing site Youku , it amassed more than 2 million views and 279 pages of comments.

Youku's description of the piece reads as follows (translated from its original Chinese text):

Installing surveillance cameras is just one method, but improving motorists and the people's traffic safety knowledge is the key. We cannot stop traffic accidents from happening, but we will do our best to prevent and reduce the occurrence of accidents. Rise up together all people and all police, and work towards building a safe and peaceful Heze, work towards being able to go home to eat with our loved ones...

Warning: graphic content.