Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Nagaland to allow oil drilling
Nearly 10 years after the ONGC was forced to wrap up operations in Nagaland following differences with the state government, as well as hurdles created by rebel groups, the state is considering opening its doors to the oil giant once more. But not before the corporation promises to give jobs to Naga graduates and engineers, pays royalty at 22 per cent, shares profits on new blocks with the state government and considers setting up a mini refinery in the state.
Mystery birds show up at Jatinga
With the monsoon making its exit, birds which are known to ‘‘commit suicide’’ have returned to the orange-producing Jatinga village in North Cachar Hills of Assam last week. Reports say that while villagers here are used to attracting the birds to light, a local NGO has begun a campaign to make people aware that the birds should not be prompted to kill themselves. It has suggested that Jatinga be promoted as a tourist destination.
Tripura eyes global herbal market
Boasting a long list of 266 plants having high medicinal value, Tripura is now eyeing the global herbal medicine market. In the meantime, a survey conducted by the Tripura Medicinal Plant Board has identified 15 species of medicinal plants that grow in the state, which also find place in the list of top 20 species that are in great demand. A pilot project for commercial cultivation of these 15 species will be launched soon that will also generate income for tribal communities.
New ray of hope for silk village
Sualkuchi, which has earned the sobriquet of ‘‘Manchester of the East’’ for its production of paat, muga and endi silk, received a major boost this week with the North Eastern Council (NEC) announcing an Rs 6.95- crore scheme to undertake a promotional campaign. The scheme envisages a countrywide series of fashion shows and garment melas with technical support from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. The NIFT has already promised to train about 1,000 of Sualkuchi’s 5,000-odd weavers.
Women in control, Tripura style
Now, women will be behind the wheels in Tripura. The state’s police department has decided to recruit young women as drivers for its fleet of light vehicles. While the first batch of women drivers are expected to join duty in the next couple of months, the state government has also okayed a proposal to vacate the driver’s seat to women in some other departments too.
