Enjoy writing with special luxury pens worth just Rs.900,000!

A designer pen store in Mumbai has introduced a special range of premium variety pens with gold and silver finish, some of them carrying images of deities on them.

Willian Penn have introduced a range of well-designed luxurious pens. Available in a price range of Rs.20,000 to 900,000, these are special pens, as they are crafted by various foreign designers with gold and silver finish.

Since the varieties of pen at offer involve designs from across the world, different ancient images are engrossed on the pens. The ancient Arabic design, Lord Ganesha and Buddha are some of the major attractions available in these pens.

Apart from regular pens, they also have feather made pens with a nip and feather of a bird.

"A fine writing instrument could be upwards of 1,000 rupees. That is what we define as a fine writing instrument. Lot of pens that we carry are handcrafted and that’s what makes them expensive," said Nikhil Ranjan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), William Penn, Pen Store, Mumbai.

Many of these pens are handmade and hence so expensive and exclusive. The pens show blend of modern technology and art.

In 2004, William Penn set up its first pen store at the Forum Mall in Bangalore. At the time William Penn was retailing ten premium brands of pens. It currently retails over 15 brands of writing instruments along with some very unique desktop accessories.

According to estimates, there is a 500 billion rupees market for pens against Rs 1.5 billion pen market of India. By Parihas Hate

An interview with Madan Tamang, President, Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League

Madan Tamang - President All India Gorkha League

Where do you find ABGL in the present political scenario?

Six months ago we were the only ones to protest against the implementation of Sixth Schedule. Haven’t our stand been vindicated today. Today the entire Hills are against it. Today, Gorkha League is the major force since every political party is joining hands in support of our protest against Sixth Schedule status for the Hills.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha within three months of its formation sent a delegation to New Delhi? Why hasn’t Gorkha League been able to do something like that?

Even if they have been to New Delhi what have they been able to achieve?

Will the Sixth Schedule Bill be passed in this Winter Session?

Yes, as things seems to us. What you must understand is that the Sixth Schedule is an Official Bill, there is no question of whether it will be passed or not. It is only the question of when. If it were not to be passed the Central Government itself will collapse as it would amount to No-Confidence Motion. It will thence be passed. That is why we are opposing it since it is being enforced in the Darjeeling Hills against the will of the people.

You had yourself said in a speech that if the Sixth Schedule Bill was passed you would go and plunge to death in River Teesta?

Have I said that? I think what I had said was that I was ready to go and sacrifice my life in River Teesta if the Bill was passed by I had also asked them (GNLF) if the Bill was not passed were they ready to do the same.

Weren’t you able to stop Sixth Schedule Bill in the Parliament in all these months?

We had been able to stop the Sixth Schedule Bill for almost 24 months and we were the only one.

It is believed that a Public Interest Litigation be brought against the Bill. What is your opinion on the issue?

We are trying to educate the people. Besides that we cannot call for 96 hours closure or dance around the streets with khukuris. Gorkha League is not that sort of a party. We are a responsible political party. We were working slowly and steadily. The game of politics is a game of patience.

If Sixth Schedule was hypothetically passed in this session and an Interim Council formed under the supervision of Subash Ghisingh to look after the Sixth Schedule election six months later, would ABGL contest in the Sixth Schedule Election?

I doubt whether election will be called or not. Why talk about hypothetical situations? If GJM and CPRM are ready to contest Sixth Schedule election then all they can think of is get Chairmanship. I am talking about a greater movement. ABGL vies for Gorkhaland.

What about Unification of ideologies and a unified opposition to Sixth Schedule?

We were the one to call for Collective Leadership and Joint Programme even before a long time. Collective Leadership will protect from an individual leader from being compromised.

Then would that lead to Lord Brahma syndrome where each head faces a different direction and thinks in that manner (separately)?

There is no such example in the history. All movements and revolutions are fought under Collective Leadership. For example, Meghalaya became a state under the flag of All Party Hill Leaders Conference. Similarly, Nagaland became a state under the collective leadership of People’s Conference. We are working towards Collective Leadership and joint programme. We were the one’s to bring Anti-Subash wave. This has been cashed on by the other parties. What today is being seen is only euphoria. We have there before there since decades and we will be here in the future.

‘No to Dzukou Valley parks’

Dimapur : A statement reportedly made by a leader of the Tenyimi Central Union that Dzukou Valley would be converted into a national park, has drawn fire from the Southern Angami Public Organization. The SAPO, in a sharp response, claimed ownership over the valley and said no property should be ‘taken away’ for any development, without the consent of the “owner”. 

According to a note from SAPO’s executives, the president of Tenyimi Central Union said to convert Dzukou Valley into a national park and later to an international park. He is reported to have stated so “without any approval from SAPO” during the TCU’s general conference held at Maram Khullen on November 5, last year. Stating not to tolerate TCU’s statement, the SAPO said the declaration ignores the “consent of the owner and a clear case of distorting SAPO’s resolution”.

The SAPO also said it has made several public statements through the media that no individual, groups or communities and even State agencies would be allowed to take up any developmental activities without prior “approval” from the organization. On several occasions, the response said, the SAPO had “reaffirmed their age-old traditional right of ownership of the entire Dzukou Valley and Kezol areas as ancestral property”.  The southern Angami communities have exercised ownership over the land “by protecting the land and its resources prior to the Britishers arrival” it added.

Melodrama: Going beyond the local stage

Melodrama

Dimapur : Young, enthusiastic and strongly into music, that’s the ‘Melodrama’ band from Dimapur, formed in 2008, and which has acquired some recognition in the field of music in the state and lately in the national level.

Having dreamed of going beyond the local stage of Nagaland, they finally will be competing against other rock bands in the Grand Finale of Campus Rock Idols contest on February 7 in Hyderabad. Campus Rock Idols is the biggest inter-college rock competition in India.

The band, which is the winner of the Eastern Zone Campus Rock Idol, already has won some accolades in the state with their ‘death metal’ version of music. The band was winner of the ‘All Nagaland Best of the Best Open Beat Contest’, bagged the first runners up title in Summer Jam 2008, 1st runners-up of Nagaland and Music Safari in Dimapur, and was also one among the nine finalists in the ‘National Hornbill Rock Contest 2008’.

In an informal interaction with The Morung Express, the Melodrama band members asserted that their enthusiasm for music came at an early age when they played off and on as guest artists in various bands. Finally, five of them came together and decided to form the band – Melodrama – in April 2008 and started competing in various music contests with much success.

The band members maintained that contesting in the National Campus Rock Idol contest was a means to show that the Nagas have the talent and that the Naga people are not lagging behind.

Interestingly, the band members disclosed that they try to work on their originals and so far they have compiled about four original tracks. In the near future, they plan to bring out an album of their own. The lyrics, they disclosed, were based on the present political scenario of the state like corruption, love and tragedy and also about environment.

The Melodrama Band members also asked well-wishers to pray for them saying that they need a lot of support while they compete with other rock bands at the Rock Idol Contest in Hyderabad.

“We need a lot of support…and prayer also,” says one of the band members. So far the band has been sponsored by DNA. The Melodrama band members comprise of vocalist Imlinungsang Jamir, Imnok on guitar and back-up vocals, lead guitarist Among Jinger, bassist Sashimeren Pongen, and drummer Wapang Walling.

Report: Myanmar's Chin people persecuted

By DENIS D. GRAY – 5 hours ago

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — The Chin people, Christians living in the remote mountains of northwestern Myanmar, are subject to forced labor, torture, extrajudicial killings and religious persecution by the country's military regime, a human rights group said Wednesday.
The New York-based Human Right Watch said as many as 100,000 people have fled the Chin homeland into neighboring India, where they face abuse and the risk of being forced back into Myanmar.
"The Chin are unsafe in Burma and unprotected in India," a report from the group said. The report said the regime in Myanmar, also known as Burma, continues to commit atrocities against its other ethnic minorities.
Myanmar's ruling junta has been widely accused of widespread human rights violations in ethnic minority areas where anti-government insurgent groups are fighting for autonomy. The government has repeatedly denied such charges. An e-mailed request for comment on the new report was not immediately answered.
Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachau, a top official for India's Mizoram state, said he had not seen the report and could not comment.
"(The police) hit me in my mouth and broke my front teeth. They split my head open and I was bleeding badly. They also shocked me with electricity," the group quoted a Chin man accused of supporting the insurgents, who are small in number and largely ineffective.
He was one of some 140 Chin people interviewed by the human rights group from 2005 to 2008. The group said the names of those interviewed were withheld to prevent reprisals.
A number of people spoke of being forced out of their villages to serve as unpaid porters for the army or to build roads, sentry posts and army barracks.
Amy Alexander, a consultant for Human Rights Watch, told a news conference that insurgents of the Chin National Front also committed abuses such as extorting money from villagers to fund their operations.
Alexander said Myanmar's government, attempting to suppress minority cultures, was destroying churches, desecrating crosses, interfering with worship services by forcing Christians to work on Sundays and promoting Buddhism through threats and inducements. Some 90 percent of the Chin are Christians, most of them adherents to the American Baptist Church.
Ethnic insurgencies erupted in Myanmar in the late 1940s when the country gained independence from Great Britain.
Former junta member Gen. Khin Nyunt negotiated cease-fires with 17 of the insurgent groups before he was ousted by rival generals in 2004.
Among rebels still fighting are groups from the Karen, Karenni, Shan and Chin minorities.
At least half a million minority people have been internally displaced in eastern Myanmar as a result of the regime's brutal military campaigns while refugees continue to flee to the Thai-Myanmar border. More than 145,000 refugees receive international humanitarian assistance in Thai border camps.
Alexander said that some 30,000 Chin have also sought refuge in Malaysia while about 500 were living in Thai border camps.
Associated Press writer Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi contributed to this report.

Gun shadow on Republic Day celebrations

Youths cross swords in a tribal dance at Latasil ground in Guwahati, NCC cadets parade in Shillong and two children enthral an audience with a pum cholum show in Imphal as part of Republic Day celebrations on Monday. Pictures by Eastern Projections and Sanjib Bhattacharjee

Guwahati, Jan 28 : Republic Day was celebrated across the region under an overwhelming shadow of guns and security surveillance, with a vow to defeat the growing cult of violence. Braving boycott calls by several militant outfits of the region, the day passed off peacefully. But from Agartala to Aizawl, terror remained the dominating theme in the speeches of governors.

In Assam, at the central function on Latasil playground in Guwahati, Governor Shiv Charan Mathur said the gravest threat to the state and its people emanates from anti-national elements within the country that are operating with the support of organisations based outside the country.

“The state government is committed to fight the anti-national forces and secure peace and stability,” the governor said.

Manipur celebrated the day with unprecedented security measures. The main function was held at the historical Kangla Fort where Governor Gurbachan Jagat hoisted the national flag.

All shops remained closed in Imphal and vehicles stayed off the roads in view of the general strike

Six principals and a teacher were suspended on charges of allegedly trying to prevent school students from taking part in the Republic Day march past. However, students of all the six schools participated.

The day was observed in Mizoram in a joyous manner with the Tricolour adorning shops, offices and residences. Mizoram Governor Lt Gen. (retd) M.M. Lakhera said the state had attained peace after 20 years of insurgency, and Mizoram would not allow the fruits of peace to be dissipated by a handful of militants.

In spite of the looming threat of militant violence and subversion, Tripura celebrated the day in a festive mood with no untoward incident marring it. Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahay urged the people to keep up the fight against terror and militancy and protect the secular democratic tradition of the country.

In Nagaland, Governor K. Sankaranarayanan called upon the people to strengthen the peace process in finding an amicable solution to the six-decade-old Naga political problem through peaceful means.

The Meghalaya government will set up separate women police stations across the state, Governor R. S. Mooshahary said at the Republic Day function, reports PTI.

Youths take part in a Republic Day run in Agartala on Monday. (Reuters)

Highlighting the state’s vast potential in the horticulture sector, the governor said Meghalaya has taken up with the Centre proposals for setting up an institute of horticulture at Williamnagar and a post-graduate institute at Umium near Shillong.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Governor Gen. (retd) J.J. Singh harped on development.

Describing the Prime Minister’s package for Arunachal as the most “priceless aid” from the Centre, the governor expressed confidence that its implementation would help the state to catch up with other developed states in the country. The Governor called upon all sections of society to refrain from the “bandh culture” which was causing a strain on the economy of the neighbouring Assam.

“There are other forms of protests, like wearing black badges, which can yield results without affecting the daily wage earners and the poor,” the Governor pointed out.

MSU in last eight

Chennai: Madras Sporting Union and ASC Centre, Bangalore, sealed quarterfinal berths in the Don Bosco-Fr. McFerran Trophy football tournament with first round wins on Tuesday.

Two goals from corners gave MSU a 2-0 win over Manipur Brothers Sporting Union.

MSU went ahead in the 18th minute, thanks to an error from Manipur Brothers keeper K. Kangjamba. Striker Amoafo flicked on a corner from left winger David straight at Kangjamba, who let it bounce off his chest and into the net.
In the 81st minute, MSU wrapped it up. A short corner from the right flag was played to P.C. Riju. The forward measured a floated ball into the far post, where centre half Ronald leapt and headed cleanly in.
Earlier, ASC Centre beat Taltala Dipti Sangh of Kolkata 4-2 on penalties, after the game had ended 2-all.
Natarajan stuns Nani K.A. Natarajan upset second seed Nani Rao 7-5, 7-5 in the pre-quarterfinals of the 65 & over event of the T.S. Santhanam memorial National veterans’ tennis championship here.
The results (pre-quarterfinals):
65 & over: D. Balal bt A.V. Dayanandhan 6-2, 6-3; C. Natarajan bt Ramakrishna Rao 6-2, 6-0; T. Parthasarathy bt T.S. Balakrishnan 7-6(2), 6-3; Dr. Cherian bt C.H. Naidu 1-6, 6-2, 6-1; Philip Tharakan bt Somayajulu 6-2, 6-0; K.C. Sharma bt V. Mohd. Ali 6-0, 6-3; K.A. Natarajan bt Nani Rao 7-5, 7-5.
55 & over: C.R. Gangadharan bt Mohd. Oomer 6-0, 6-0; M.S Venkatachalam bt T.V. Subramaniam 6-0, 6-1; N.D. Deshpande bt T.N. Prasad 3-6, 6-2, 3-0, concd.; P. Patnayak bt Premkumar Karra 6-4, 4-5, concd.; Kamal Arvind bt K.R. Nirmal Kumar 6-4, 6-3; P.R. Raju bt M.D. Franklin 6-1, 6-4; A.G. Krishnan bt Rajendran 6-0, 6-2; A.S. Chatwal bt Deenadayalan 6-1, 6-1.
Inter-schools cricket The P.C. Sekhar memorial (under-14) inter-schools cricket tournament, organised by the P.S. Senior Secondary School and sponsored by the Chemplast-Sanmar Group, gets underway at the School premises on Wednesday.