Arunachal Smiles as Orchids Bloom

ARUNACHAL PRADESH is finally getting some recognition for its variety of orchids. Out of the 1100 species of orchids available in the countr...

ARUNACHAL PRADESH is finally getting some recognition for its variety of orchids. Out of the 1100 species of orchids available in the country, the state alone accounts for 550, of which 300 are to be found only here. But Arunachal has never been able to cash in on its rich stock. With no airport, the state has to first send its orchids to Guwahati, before targetting other destinations. But the biennial orchid festival in Itanagar is beginning to attract orchid lovers from all over the world.

Calling Northeast, with More Jobs

NOW, there is new hope for the unemployed in the Northeast. At least two well-known companies are starting international call centres in the region. In fact, the first, set up by DSS Mobile, has already taken off, creating jobs for over 400 youths. According to J.P. Saikia, CMD of the Northeastern Development Finance Corporation, the main fund provider for the call centres, at least 10,000 youths are expected to get jobs now.

More Power for Nagaland Women

WOMEN have one more reason to rejoice. An all-women police station has been set up in Dimapur, Nagaland. The next step: an exclusive all-women battalion of the Nagaland Armed Police. Women power has always been evident in the state. It was the Naga Mothers’ Association that compelled the government to impose a blanket ban on liquor in the state. Nagaland is also one of the states that has been leading the movement for empowering women, with an ongoing Indo-Canadian project in every village of the hill state.

Tourist Spots to get Luxury Hotels

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THE three top tourist destinations in the Northeast — Shillong, Kaziranga and Tawang — will soon have three-star and heritage hotels. The union tourism ministry plans to undertake ‘‘intensive development’’ in the three towns. The Tourism Finance Corporation has announced a five per cent subsidy on loans for setting up such hotels in the areas. At present, most of the surrounding areas only have economy-level hotels.

Now, Step Across Border to Shop

IN a bid to promote trans-border trade, the Myanmarese officials have set up a shopping mall on their side of Tamu, a border town in Manipur. In response, the state government has announced its decision to set up a similar complex and a massive godown at Moreh, another border town. Earlier, India had helped Myanmar construct roads and bridges to make the two towns more accessible from both sides.