Seven Sisters

A hot recordANINDITA Dutta, a 21-year old girl from Titabor in Assam is heading for international fame. No, she is not a contestant for any ...

A hot record

ANINDITA Dutta, a 21-year old girl from Titabor in Assam is heading for international fame. No, she is not a contestant for any beauty pageant, but has been practicing eating hot chilies, 100 a minute. A private company manufacturing gutkha is sponsoring her trip to London next month where she will vie for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

New routes to China

THE Indian Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to open more trade routes through the northeast and Myanmar so that the country could find access to the bustling business hubs of southeast China. Opening up land routes through Myanmar and Bangladesh would also later help linking up the country to the proposed Asian Highway to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, that would also provide a major fillip to the economic situation in the northeastern states, said ICC president Vikram Thapar last week.

Meghalaya asks for funds

THE Meghalaya government last week urged the Planning Commission to provide more funds for expansion of infrastructure for industrial development in the state. Meghalaya, with quality and uninterrupted power has succeeded in attracting industrial units in the past few years, while the state is also looking up towards development of tourism as a major economic activity in the coming years.

Naga girl aims for Olympic place

CHEKREVOLU Swuro, a member of the eight-member Indian contingent participating in the 42nd World Outdoor Archery Championship in New York, could well be the second Naga to find a spot in an Indian Olympic team after 46 years.

Swuro, a police officer in her home state, had earlier represented India in several international meets in Asia and Europe. The only Naga to have so far made it to an Olympic Games was Dr Talimeren Ao, who was captain of the Indian football team to the 1948 London Olympic Games.

Manipur8217;s dry days over

Good news for some, the Manipur government is contemplating lifting prohibition that has been in force in the state for more than a 12 years. Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said his government was keen on lifting prohibition despite stiff opposition from various NGOs including the women8217;s groups. Ibobi Singh said while liquor was still available despite a ban since 1991, lifting the prohibition orders would fetch the state about Rs 50 crore annually to the cash-starved state.