IMPHAL, Dec 23 ? Manipur Assembly unanimously passed the Kangla Fort Bill 2004 to replace the Kangla Fort Ordinance, which was passed last month for the maintenance and control of the historic Kangla fort, the sheath of the Manipur culture which was handed over by the Prime Minister to the people of the state on November 20.

The Kangla Fort Bill 2004 has the same provisions as the Kangla Fort Ordinance 2004, which provided for establishment of a Kangla Fort Board to administer and control the Kangla fort. The provision prohibiting the alienation of any land or structure within the area of the...

GUWAHATI, Dec 23? Lynette Niangty (19) from Shillong and a graduate student was crowned ?Aastha Miss Luit 2004? yesterday evening at the beauty pageant held in the ITA Centre for Performing Arts ? Pragjyoti ? Machkhowa here, stated a press release.

The first runner-up was Payel Tarafdar (21) from Guwahati, an LLB student while Angelica Pearl Nampui from Shillong, also a graduate student, was adjudged second runner-up

The sub-title winners were : Oriflame Miss Lustrous Hair- Dolly Roy from Tezpur; Oriflame Miss Healthy Skin- Angelica Pearl Nampai from Shillong; Oriflame Miss Captivating Eyes-...

GUWAHATI, Dec 23?Altogether 149 Bishnupriya Manipuri language teachers of the Barak valley districts will be regularised with immediate effect. This was assured by the executive director of Sarba Siksha Abhijan (SSA), Assam, P K Tiwari to a delegation of the Bishnupriya Manipuris who met him recently, stated a release. The delegation was constituted of various organisations like the BMLESDC, BMSS, NBMSU, BMGSP and the BMLTA.

As regards the development of textbooks in Bishnupriya Manipuri language, training of teachers and release of TLM grant to these teachers, the Executive Director, SSA...

MANAS, Dec 23 ? The picturesque Manas National Park that had been a favourite destination for both domestic and foreign tourists before it was hit by a prolonged social disturbance in the late 80s and the 90s, is witnessing a reasonable flow of tourists this season. In fact, the response from tourists has been such that almost all the accommodations in the Park are booked till February. The Park normally remains open for visitors from November to March/April.

?The response from tourists, including those from abroad, has been extremely encouraging. Everyday we are getting inquiries regarding...

SHILLONG, Dec 23? Despite increasing financial assistance from the Centre, financial condition of most States in the north eastern region has deteriorated over the years. The observation is based on impact-cum-evaluation studies made by professional bodies on as many as 18 major NEC projects implemented in the region involving the investment of several thousand crores of rupees.

A major area of concern, as pointed out by the studies, is that the major chunk of the resources of the States are being used for non-plan expenditures which are mostly unproductive.

Making the findings public at a...