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March 2004
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Dehradun on forest fire alert as mercury rises

         Dehradun: An abnornmally early heat wave has sent officials in the densely-forested Dehradun on high alert as they brace up to forest fires. The valley in the past has seen numerous fires as dry grassland fuelled by crisp summer winds, sent thousands of acres of forests up in flames. Alarmed by the rising temperatures, which have already crossed 41 degress, the forest guards are taking no chances this time and are conducting mock drills to keep themselves on their toes. In March, the normal temperatures in India are around 32-35 degree Centigrade but most parts, particularly northern and western regions, are experiencing temperatures well above normal this year.
March 29, 2004

Gangtok flower show concludes in Sikkim (Go to Top)

         Gangtok: A 12-day orchid show organised as part of an annual flower festival concluded in Gangtok, Capital of Sikkim, on Friday. The remote state bordering China is known for wide varieties of orchids, the most popular being cymbidium eburneum and cymbidium hybrid. Tourists from across the north-eastern region, comprising seven states, and other regions visit the state for the annual flower festival. A wide variety of flowers, including densiflorum, gibsunii, ruckeri and fimbriatum also attracted visitors.

           The main objective of the festival is to conserve rare and endangered native species of flora; propagate and commercialise the flower of Sikkim; and promote tourism. "Flowers from many places are exhibited here, growers from any place can participate in the competitions in different categories. Flowers also fetch good prices for the growers. The competition started from 15th March but the flower show runs throughout the year. Orchids will be on display for one month, then seasonal flowers, Bonsai plants in June-July, in September- October another variety of seasonal flowers and early varieties of orchids," said Nirmala, an exhibitor.

          The Sikkim Flower Festival Committee, which organises the show, says it wants to create awareness amongst all nature lovers, regarding conservation and commercialisation of flowers in the Himalayan region. Sikkim is home to more than 500 species of orchids and it has a little less than one-tenth of the world's Orchid species. Most of the species kept in the show like Cristala have a huge market abroad. The state is also famous for its large variety of butterfly species.
March 27, 2004

First-ever Chinese goods exhibition now on in Mumbai (Go to Top)

         Mumbai: The first exclusive Chinese goods exhibition is currently underway in Mumbai. The exhibition which started on Thursday, showcases a wide range of Chinese goods looking for vast markets in India. Ranging from different types of crockery, decorative pieces and, of course, electronic items, the Chinese options also are priced at throwaway rates making it easier on the pocket of buyers. A delegation of 180 Chinese businessmen have set up stalls at the exhibition where they are interacting with Indian consumers and businessmen for expanding trade between the two giant Asian nations. Vijay G Kalantri, president of the All-India Association of Industries, said the exhibition provided a great business opportunity for the two countries.

          Indian markets across big and small towns are fast being transformed into China bazaars with low price China-made fans, bicycles, toys and batteries replacing indigenous goods. Chung M.Y, a Chinese businessman, however, said open markets and competition among industry would benefit both countries. "Competition is good, more competition means more business, more improvement," said Chung. Two-way bilateral trade between India and China has grown from 250 million dollars in 1991 to 7.595 billion dollars last year.
March 27, 2004

Sikkim handloom fair begins (Go to Top)

         Gangtok: A 15-day handicrafts and handloom fair began this week in Sikkim's Capital Gangtok. Organized jointly by the office of the development commissioner and the Union Ministry of Textiles, the fair is aimed at encouraging and opening new avenues for business in the region. Apart from the eight northeastern states, several northern and southern states are participating in the fair.
March 25, 2004

Tourists throng Gangaur celebrations (Go to Top)

          Jaipur: The two-day Gangaur festival, in which married women pray for long life of their husbands and prosperity, concluded in Rajasthan with traditional enthusiasm. The festivities began with a procession comprising folk dancers performing on traditional Rajasthani folk tunes. An elaborate palanquin of the Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, formed an integral part of the procession which passed through the main thoroughfares of Jaipur. The procession was led by colourful elephants, camels, horses, bullock carts and musicians. Women dressed in their colourful traditional attire with their palms decorated with henna presented colourful dances. Hundreds of foreign and local tourists who witnessed the procession said they would like to come again to be a part of the procession.

           "This Gangaur has been going on for a long time and is celebrated for the long life of husbands," said Geeta Devi, a local resident. Nadine, a tourist from Switzerland, was happy with the colourful procession. "It's nice that you keep up the traditions and that you are always in the colourful costumes and have elephants in the traditional parade also. It is a good thing," said Nadine. The Gangaur procession culminated with the immersion of images of the deity in the city on Tuesday. The celebrations of the festival also herald the onset of the spring season in the desert state.

          The heritage behind the festival comes from the mythical legend of "Gan" or Lord Shiva and "Gaur" or Gauri, his consort Goddess Parvati. Legend has it that Parvati, in one of her forms as Gauri, underwent intense meditation and penance in order to win Shiva as her consort. Gangaur symbolises marital happiness achieved by Gauri. While married women evoke the blessings of Gauri and pray for the long life of their husbands, unmarried girls pray for a good husband.
March 24, 2004

Airtel to start mobile services in Kashmir (Go to Top)

          Bangalore: India's leading private mobile services operator Airtel would start its services in Jammu and Kashmir from August, according to a company spokesman. State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had started mobile servies in the state in August last year. At present cellular services are available in 14 major townships of Jammu and Kashmir including Katra, Vaishnodevi, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Jammu-Pathankote national highways. The service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in August this year. Manoj Kohli, President of mobility, a Bharti tele-venture, said as many as 3,000 mobile connections would be made available in two main cities of Kashmir. "Jammu and Kashmir will be an important state for Airtel and we are investing first in Jammu and Srinagar area, about 80-100 sites and in phase two we will invest in Ladakh and Leh area also," Kohli said in Bangalore. A total of 20 towers have been setup in the state, including 10 each in Srinagar and Jammu. Earlier, mobile telephony was not allowed in the state due to security concerns. Security measures were proving to be a major hindrance in the region, which lags behind the rest of the country taking leaps in telecommunications. But with a recent thaw in relations between India and Pakistan, the government has taken various steps to bring the state into the national mainstream.
March 23, 2004

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