Cheaper Varieties Sucking Meghalaya Orange Dry

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap 

Shillong, Dec 30 : Meghalaya is not only the abode of the clouds but also home to one of the tastiest and best oranges in the country. But all is not well with Khasi Mandarin (Citrus Reticulate), which is currently facing two major problems — one of pests and the other of invasion by cheaper varieties of orange saplings from outside the state.

While fruit-sucking moths (Othresis fullonica) have been destroying oranges and making cultivation economically non-viable in some parts of the state, stem-borers have also started damaging the orange plantations across Meghalaya.

“The Department of Horticulture is taking every step possible to help orange-growers tackle the pest menace through timely intervention, and various pest-control measures are already on,” said C O Rangad, Director, Horticulture.

However, what is more alarming is that several cheaper varieties of oranges — cheaper at the sapling stage — have been making rapid inroads into the state. “The Khasi Mandarin variety of orange is definitely under threat due to the arrival of a large number of saplings from outside the state which are generally cheaper than the original Khasi Mandarin saplings,” said Rangad. Orange saplings grown in Assam are available even at Rs 5 per piece, and ignorant farmers are being generally attracted to these, not knowing that they would not be as productive as Khasi Mandarin is,” he said.

While the northeastern region as a whole is home to a wide variety of citrus species, orange and pineapple cultivation together occupy about 80,000 hectares of land in the seven states. Of them, Meghalaya accounts for about 17,000 hectares, and this, in turn, produces about 40,000 tonnes of oranges per annum.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) centre at Barapani near Shillong have described the eastern Himalaya region as one of the primary gene centres of citrus worldwide and a large variability in the germplasm has been noted in the region. They have also suggested that the northeastern Himalayan region is distinguished by its rich source of diversity of Mandarin orange and may be treated as a centre of the origin for this crop.

With farmers in the state opting for saplings available at cheaper rates, Meghalaya’s premium variety is definitely under threat. “Meghalaya’s homegrown saplings are priced at around Rs 7.50 per piece, and the price difference is causing a major threat to the identity of our own Khasi Mandarin oranges,” said Rangad. It is, however, not suddenly this year that Meghalaya has faced this problem. “A team of scientists from the Nagpur-based National Research Centre for Citrus that visited Meghalaya two years ago was the first to alert us on preserving the exclusiveness of our orange species. It recommended setting up special nurseries for Khasi Mandarin, apart from suggesting other measures to boost production,” Rangad said.

Funds, meanwhile, do not appear to be a problem. The 13th Finance Commission has earmarked Rs 30 crore for horticulture development in the state, and orange being a major produce is likely to get a sizeable portion of this fund for research and development and other measures. The Horticulture Department has decided to establish two planting material hubs — one each in East Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills district — for various types of horticultural products, orange being the most important among them.

The authorities, meanwhile, have started promoting orange festivals across the state to encourage farmers and at the same time popularise Khasi Mandarin orange among the consumers. “I strongly feel there is a need to preserve the Khasi Mandarin since this variety of orange is available only in our state, and orange festivals like the one in Sohra (Cherrapunji) last week can play a major role in boosting the image of this variety,” Rangad said.

Orange festivals, incidentally, are increasingly being held in various states of the Northeast in the recent years.

Blurring Boundaries in Smoke & Dirt Of Cars

By Yana Bay

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Car Rally will be flagged off on January 29 from Guwahati and will cover a distance of around 5,000 km

For motorsport buffs, next mo­nth brings a car rally with several interesting features — the fo­remost one being the itinerary. The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Car Rally will be flagged off from Guwahati in Assam and travel to Yangon in Mya­nmar before returning to Guwahati.

En route, the rallyists will see Kaz­iranga, the famed home of the Indian rhino, Kohima and Imphal before crossing the border at Moreh on the Indian side and Tamu on the My­anmar side. In Myanmar, the rally will pass through Kalemiyo, Monywa and Mandalay. This city, made famous by writers such as Rudyard Kipling and John Masters, is not only a night halt for the rallyists like the other places but has also been given its due status by having an entire half-day until lunch set aside for sightseeing.

Then it’s on to Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar and Yangon. Form­erly known as Rangoon, this is another historic place and a city tour has been scheduled. After that the caravan will pass through Piyay and Ba­gan before heading back to Monywa and retracing the route back to Guwahati.

The total distance covered will be around 5,000 km. The cavalcade will set off on January 29 and return on February 9. This is the inaugural edition of the rally and it will hopefully become an annual feature.

The rally is being organised by the North East Federation on Inter­national Trade (NEFIT) and the Assam Speed and Adventure Club (ASAC). It is supported by the ministry of development of north eastern region, the ministry of home affairs, the ministry of external affairs, the ministry of commerce, the ministry of tourism, the government of India and the governments of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. It also has the support of the government of Myanmar, the Myanmar embassy in New Delhi and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

While the event is an attempt to retrace and revive the ancient trade route between the people of India’s northeastern states and erstwhile Burma, it also provides a rare opportunity to see some of the most remote and pristine parts of our country as well as Myanmar. The route will take participants through almost the length and breadth of Myanmar. Apart from discovering historical links, the trip will also be a cultural feast. While the advantages pertaining to trade and tourism are obvious, there is also much to reap by way of culture, the arts and cuisine.

There will be special business sessions and cultural programmes at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Naypyitaw and in Yangon. The rally is being held with a theme: “Mapping connectivity in the perspective of North East India and Myanmar, focusing on building bilateral relations, culture, tourism and trade.”

Participants must form four-member teams and each team must travel in an SUV. The total number of participants is going to be 225, with 75 per cent being Indians and the rest foreigners. There will be a total of 55 vehicles. The cost is Rs 1 lakh per person. The organisers will provide food, accommodation and fuel and also pay the visa fee and any other charges. Another crucial requirement is passport validity — until July 31, 2012. Entries close on December 31.

Contact the rally organising committee at +919435016512, 9859984254, 9435045561, 9854079997 or indomyanmar.carrally@gmail.com

60 Seats, 300 Candidates For Manipur Polls

Imphal, Dec 29 : Over 300 candidates are likely to contest in the January 28 election to the 60-seat Manipur Legislative Assembly as political activities in Manipur is heating up, with political parties busy in holding meetings for pre-poll alliance and preparing list of candidates to be fielded in the election.

A preliminary analysis prepared by the political section of the CID (Special Bureau) from security point of view shows that 306 political personalities including seating MLAs and nominees of different political parties are preparing for contesting the election with their election rally already started months back.

The analysis indicates Naga People Front (NPF) fielding to at least 11 seats of the Assembly from the Naga dominated hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel district. The analysis further indicated maximum number of contestants in no. 1 Khundrakpam Assembly constituencies in Imphal East district while a minimum of only two candidates in 17-Lamshang Assembly Constituency in Imphal West district.

The Congress who secured 29 seats in the 2007 election is projecting to contest in all the 60 seats. A source from the party office Wednesday said that over 130 intending candidates have applied for party tickets till date.

Some opposition seating MLAs were also seeking party tickets, source said. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who addressed at Congress foundation day celebration held Wednesday at Imphal Congress Bhavan asserted that the party was ready for pre-poll alliance with other like-minded parties. “Congress is ready for ally with like-minded parties if approach,” he said.

CPI, the ruling partner of the Congress in the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government with only three MLAs in the present Assembly, is considering to field over 20 candidates.  The party has announced a list of 19 candidates today.

Announcing the list of 19 candidates, CPI state secretary, Dr M Nara Singh said that it was the first phase of party candidates. He hinted that list of other candidates would be announced before the issue of election notification, January 4 next.

BJP is working hard to declare the list of party nominees. So far, the party has confirmed a list of 12 candidates to be fielded, according to a party source.

The party is expecting to field its candidates in over 20 constituencies.

The party is also considering for joining the MPP-NCP alliance, which was formed recently with an objective of defeating the Congress in the upcoming election.

The matter of joining the opposition alliance will be finalized after BJP national spokesperson, Prakash Javedkar, who is also the election in-charge of election in Manipur hold consultation with state unit leaders, the party source hinted.

He is likely to arrive in Imphal on December 30, for discussion about the party election strategy with state unit leaders, sources added. 

After the Janata Dal (United) had joined the alliance, Rashtrya Janata Dal (RJD), having three seating MLAs in the present assembly, has also announced joining the pre-poll alliance.

The party is currently extending support to the SPF government from outside. Party president while announcing the joining of the opposition alliance said that it would severe all ties with the ruling government.

For the MPP, having five MLAs in the current Assembly, none could say about the candidates to be fielded as some of the seating MLAs are seemed to remain far from the party and seeking Congress tickets.

NCP who secured four seats in the last 2007 election is projecting to field at least in 30 Assembly constituencies. So, far 11 intending candidates have applied for party tickets, a party source said. Other parties like the Trinamool Congress, National People’s Party (NPP) and others were also working out to field their candidates.

January Transfers: The good and the bad

By Pulasta Dhar

Nemanja Vidic is one of the successful January signings of the English Premier League. Getty Images

When the season starts, everyone is on an even footing.

After a couple of gameweeks, some clubs surprisingly find themselves at the top of the table, with fans hoping for the fairytale to continue.

Probably 10 matches into the league, you may find Newcastle United fighting for a Champions League place, breaking defensive records on the way.

But by the 1st of January, every club knows where their season is heading….and more importantly, whether they need re-enforcements.

And in order to pump up their squads, sometimes because the team really needs a player and sometimes because the club’s owner has an unrealistic ambition, they dip their beaks into what we know as the Transfer Window.

The summer break is well known for protracted sagas ala Cesc Fabregas which either work or do not, but the winter market was introduced only in 2002-03, as an ideal opportunity for teams to make some wild decisions- which either end up as a business deal of genius proportions or end up in the club’s history as one of the greatest flops.

Here are some of the best and worst signings of the January Transfer Window-

THE TEN BEST WINTER DEALS-

Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra (₤12.5 combined): Sir Alex Ferguson does not really buy a lot of players in the January market unless he really needs them. Availability is also an issue with Manchester United not known to chase unless they are absolutely sure of a player. But with Chelsea winning titles under Mourinho, Fergie decided to shore up his defence with the double purchase of the relatively unknown Vidic (₤7 million from Spartak Moscow) and attacking midfielder Evra (₤5.5 million from Monaco), who was transformed into a wing-back.

Today, both players wear the armband on a regular basis.

Luis Suarez from Ajax to Liverpool (₤22.8 million): He was already a scoring sensation for Ajax, where he racked up 111 goals in 159 appearances and following Fernando Torres’ sale, Liverpool couldn’t have signed a better player. In his first season currently, he has scored 12 times in 33 appearances and has 11 assists to his name.

Javier Mascherano from West Ham to Liverpool (₤18.6 million): In one of the most complicated transfers which involved West Ham, Corinthians and Mascherano’s third party owners, Liverpool finally got their hands on one of the most highly rated defensive midfielders of South America. He rightfully became a fans’ favourite, winning Man-of-the-match awards in the big games and also when Liverpool lost to AC Milan in the Champions League final. He now plays for Barcelona.

Brede Hangeland from FC Copenhagen to Fulham (undisclosed): Roy Hodgson made the move for him in spite of the tall Norwegian being linked to bigger clubs. The Fulham manager had been in charge of him even at FC Copenhagen. He is now captain of the team and links to bigger clubs have not stopped.

Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea (₤15 million): Much has been said about him in the recent past and he surely features in any transfer feature a football writer may think of. His move to Chelsea was hugely successful as he partnered Didier Drogba up front, often cutting in from either flank and helping Chelsea’s many managers with his versatility. He just completed a transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

Theo Walcott from Southampton to Arsenal (₤9 million): Bought as a youngster touted as the brightest prospects in English football at that time. The winger/forward has gone on to make 131 appearances for the Gunners, and all at the age of just 22. Still a lot more from him to come.

Daniel Agger from Brondby to Liverpool (₤6 million): When he was bought, he was the most expensive defender that Liverpool brought in. After a tipsy-turvy start to his career, which was also marred by injuries, he is now regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in the EPL. He has a lethal left-foot and can score from distance too.

Emanuel Adebayor from Monaco to Arsenal (₤7 million): Say what you may about him, but Adebayor is surely a world-class striker and has delivered at all stages. He did come under fire from Arsenal fans at the end of his stint, but he scored tons of goals for them. It is sad his time at Manchester City has been uneventful, but loan moves to Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspurs have seen him continue hitting the back of the net.

Clint Dempsey from New England Revolution to Fulham (₤2 million): Probably one of the most consistent attacking midfielders in the EPL, Clint Dempsey’s current form overshadows even that of Frank Lampard. He has been deployed as striker and winger and has not failed with his eye for a pass, presence in the box and a fine shot. Quality player and very committed to his club.

Gary Cahill from Aston Villa to Bolton Wanderers (₤5 million): He might well feature in next year’s list with a Chelsea move on the cards in the New Year. His time at Bolton has seen him transform into a world-class defender who is now first choice even in the English set-up.

THE TEN WORST WINTER DEALS-

Fernando Torres from Liverpool to Chelsea (₤50 million): Was there any doubt about this? An unbelievable striker who was on fire at Liverpool before an injury made him a sulking, mood strutting Red, the player had a goal-less World Cup and Chelsea bought him in a desperate bid to win the Champions League. Turned out to be a sad move as they were knocked out by Manchester United from Europe and he has thus far scored only five goals in 37 appearances.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey is in fine form this season. Reuters

Eric Djemba-Djemba from Nantes to Manchester United (₤3.5 million): Probably Sir Alex’s worst signing in 26 years at United, it is also reported that he once joked, “He was so good he was named twice.” Shipped off after two years to Aston Villa, and they shipped him off in a short while too. And to think of him being the man bought to replace Roy Keane.

Franco Di-Santo from Audax Italiano to Chelsea (undisclosed): His appearances for Chelsea were highly anticipated, but it turned out that he was highly ordinary. With his 6 foot 4 inch frame, he was physically ready for the Premier League but never got a chance to impress. He cannot use that as a defence though, as he had a lot of opportunity at Blackburn, where he was equally…let’s say, bad.

Jean-Alain Boumsong from Rangers to Newcastle United (₤8 million): If you have Titus Bramble and Boumsong as your first-choice defenders, then you are doomed. Newcastle came upon exactly that idea and they did eventually get relegated in the future. He now plays at Panathinaikos after a stint at Juventus. Surprising.

Wayne Bridge from Chelsea to Manchester City (₤10 million): Ashley Cole’s arrival at Chelsea meant Bridge had to take a backseat and he was not ready to do that. A move to City followed and it turned out to be a nightmare, especially after he snubbed a handshake from England captain John Terry when they two clubs met (Terry apparently had an affair with Bridge’s girlfriend). Since then, he has been farmed out to West Ham on loan.

Andy Carroll from Newcastle United to Liverpool (₤35 million): Too much money for a player who had scored a handful of goals for the Magpies, this was Liverpool’s version of a desperate buy. Still a bit unfair to have him in this list, but five goals in 28 appearances is not a good return for 35 mill.

Afonso Alves from Herenveen to Middlesbrough (₤12.7 million): Averaged more than a goal a game for Herenveen (47 goals in 39 games), and scored 10 goals in 42 appearances in England, getting his team relegated in the process. Enough said.

Scott Parker from Charlton to Chelsea (₤10 million): Do not get this wrong, he is currently the best holding midfielder in England, but his move to Chelsea simply didn’t work out. He managed just 15 appearances and that was all.

Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid to Liverpool (undisclosed): He was top quality in Spain with the Los Meringues, but England was another cup of tea. Managed a lot of starts in his only season for Liverpool, but scored only eight goals. Result? Sold immediately.

Luis Saha from Fulham to Manchester United (₤12.8 million): Had a good first season with United, but spent a lot of time with Owen Hargreaves on the injury table. After that, he was never the same. Has shown glimpses of quality with Everton at times.

Albert Riera from Espanyol to Liverpool (₤8 million): Another Liverpool misfit and it did not go down well with the fans after they decided to give him the no.11 shirt. Very skillful in his 40 appearances, but that is as good as it got.

With the transfer window opening in a few days, this list is sure to grow.

Donna Feldman

Anna Stops Fast, Mumbai Blamed

NGO India Against Corruption's estimates of hosting 50,000 people on Day One of Anna's fast at MMRDA ground seemed over the top, after not more than 5,000 showed up

He came. He saw. And by what he saw, it was apparent he hadn't conquered. Not on Day One at least.

In the days prior to the Anna Hazare's fast, extensive media coverage set the tone to give the impression that the activist would take the city "by storm". But if there is any truth in numbers, a rumbling was all that the inaugural day of Hazare's 3-day protest fast saw.


Wait and watch: Team Anna's supporters are expecting the crowds to
swell on the last day of the protest at the MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla
Complex. PIC/Sayed Sameer Abedi

While Team Anna expected a crowd of about 50,000 to be present at MMRDA ground, BKC on day one, there was not more than one tenth of that number on the grounds. At any given point, there were no more than 4,000-5,000 people throughout the day.

Did Mumbai disappoint Team Anna? The India Against Corruption (IAC) members claim they had nearly 16,000 people yesterday. One of the NGO's spokespersons said, "It's the heat that has kept the people away. We are sure people would come back."

At 4 pm, the NGO said they had nearly 16,000 people registered who promised their support and presence, but not even half that number was present at the ground.

Why they left
What kept the anti-corruption champion's supporters away? "I had come to mark my attendance and after it was done, I decided to leave," said Babli Mohite, who had bunked office to attend the rally and left by 4.30 pm.

A group of youngsters who had come to participate in the agitation left around the same time, citing work. Another attendee, Bhavesh, said, "I was here for some time, then I got some urgent work and had to leave."

Unforeseen circumstances, emergency, urgent work, prior engagement -- the response from followers beating a retreat from the ground had the same undertone when they were posed the question.
Some got impatient when asked if they would come back the next day. A woman who didn't give her name said with knitted brows, "I came to have a look and the moment I did that I decided to leave," she said.

Rekha Udar spent a few hours on the ground with her husband but decided to leave by evening. Asked whether she was coming again the next day, she said, "I was here for the first day, we haven't yet decided about coming tomorrow."

A TV journalist said that in the morning she had zeroed in on some potential interviewees for her show in the evening. But by then, none of the chosen candidates were seen at the venue.

Expect more on Day 3
But IAC members are hopeful that people would show up in huge numbers on the last day. Anjali Damani, one of the IAC coordinators, said, "In the evening, the crowd has grown in size. There are nearly 15,000-16,000 people at the ground now. We are sure there will be a heavy turnout on the last day of the protest as the movement will gain momentum."

One of the protestors, on her way out, summed it for her fellow citizens. "We Mumbaikars cannot afford to spend the entire day at the ground. It is far away for most of us, and it takes a long while to return home. We will have to leave early if we are to get a spot on the crowded trains back."

Told you so
Munna Tripathi, who has dragged Anna Hazare to court claiming that his agitation is unconstitutional, said, "This shows the lack of the common man's trust in Anna's agitation. Many have realised that he isn't fighting for a cause. That is why Mumbaikars aren't turning up."

Every 60 Seconds: Apple Sells 925 iPhones, 2 Million People Watch Online Porn, More

By Zach Epstein

Apple sold 925 iPhone 4S handsets each minute during the device’s debut weekend, and it sells 81 iPads every 60 seconds on average. Research In Motion sells 103 BlackBerry phones, Amazon sells 18 Kindle Fire tablets and Microsoft sells 11 Xbox 360 consoles every minute. More than 700 computers are purchased around the world every 60 seconds, and 232 of them are infected by malware. That malware stat seems surprisingly low, however, when you consider that 2 million people watch online porn every minute. Read on for more.

Website design firm GO-Globe recently spread a variety of technology-related stats out across an infographic and the result helps us put a lot of things in perspective. Beyond the scary amount of Internet porn watched around the world, we can see just how entrenched various consumer electronics and digital goods and services have become in modern life.

Eleven million conversations take place using various instant messaging platforms every 60 seconds, 2,100 people check in using foursquare and 1,100 acres of virtual land are farmed in FarmVille. Thirty-eight tons of e-waste is generated around the world every minute, though we’re not sure if that stat includes all of the virtual land in FarmVille.

Every minute, $219,000 worth of payments are made using PayPal, $10,000 of which is sent from mobile devices. EBay is used to purchase over 950 items each minute and more than 180 of those purchases are made using mobile phones or tablets.

Surprisingly, perhaps, physical media maintains a huge presence in our lives despite the advent of the digital age. Four hundred and fifty Windows 7 discs are sold, 1,400 Redbox DVDs are rented and a staggering 2.6 million CDs containing 1,820 terabytes of data are created each minute. Four thousand USB devices are sold every 60 seconds as well, along with 2,500 ink cartridges.

It’s amazing how much happened every 60 seconds in 2011 and as the year draws to a close, we can’t wait to see what each minute will hold in 2012.

India's Love For The 'Missed Call' Phenomenon

By Rati Chaudhary

Mumbai, Dec 26 : The new phenomenon of missed calls has been gaining popularity. It was used in popular forms of protest during the Anna Hazare movement as well. Stingy or not, we Indians love giving missed calls.

A missed call can be a pre-arranged signal or pre-arranged message to mean something specific like, "I have left the office and headed home," or "could you please bring the car to where you dropped me off?"

There are 900 million mobile phone users in India,but the average revenue per user is only Rs 150 because when it comes to getting the message across, missed call is our first choice. In fact, so profound is our love for missed calls that a Bangalore based company called ZipDial has actually used missed calls to generate business.

ZipDial Chairman Sanjay Swamy said, "Instead of using texts we now make people convey the message by a missed call. Say our client will send you a message asking if you liked their service or not. You can give missed calls on specific numbers to convey a yes or a no."

According to a study from the Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies a couple of years ago, over half of Indian cellular subscribers made missed calls to convey a message.