This thread is for North East tourism.

Let's post here the toursim development updates, Pics/snaps of various tourist spots across cities and towns of North East.

To start with few pictures from web

Elephant Falls, Shillong

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5285/theelephantfallsshillon.jpg

CC : Lovell D'souza

Shungester Tso (Arunachal)

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3042/arunachal.jpg

cc: Mandeep baruah

Umiam Reservoir - On the road-Guwahati to Shillong

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3222/shillongumiamreservoir.jpg

Sun rise at 5 a.m over the Hills at Shillong


http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7233/shillongsunrise.jpg
cc : A HIQ

29oct 2010

Pictures from the first International Jatinga Festival organised recently at Jatinga in Dima Haso district of Assam. Aimed at promoting communal harmony in the region, which has witnessed harrowing times due to two-decade-long insurgent movement and ethnic turmoil, the three-day-long festival is also expected to attract tourists to witnesses mass “bird suicides.” Photos: Ritu Raj Konwar, AP


http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_4_277637g.jpg
Jayantia girls perform the indigenous plate dance. Troupes of the Dimasa, Jaintia, Biate, Hrangkhawl, Nepali, Meitei and the Karbi tribes, in their traditional attire, danced as schoolchildren holding the national flag, village elders and youth cheered them. Photo: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_3_277638g.jpg
Dimasa tribal men play traditional instruments. Jatinga is famous for a rare phenomenon of birds “committing suicide.” Photo: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_1_277639g.jpg
Dimasa girls in their traditional dress taking part in the first International Jatinga Festival in Jatinga. On a moonless night, when the mist and fog bearing south-westerly winds blow over the Jatinga valley, different species of local migratory birds get attracted to strong light sources or “bird trap lights.” Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_277640g.jpg
A Dimasa tribal man prepares to perform a traditional dance. Dubbed as the “ritual of bird suicide,” the event witnesses flying birds crashing to the ground with no prior warning whatsoever on moonless and foggy dark nights in Jatinga. Photo: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_12_277641g.jpg
Girls from Hrangkhol tribe in their traditional dress participate in the festival. The phenomenon remains an unsolved mystery, with many theories doing the rounds. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_5_277642g.jpg
An elderly tribal woman holds the national flag and walks with others to witness the festival at Jatinga. In the 1980s, Jatinga was a hot destination due to the bird phenomenon. However, the number declined as insurgency gripped the hill district. Photo: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_1_277643g.jpg
A Jaintia tribal couple reacts before performing a traditional dance during the festival. Now that two major militant groups of the district — the Dima Halam Daogah and the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction) — have entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Government, Jatinga is poised to become a favourite tourist destination again. Photo: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_2_277644g.jpg
Dimasa tribal boys prepare to perform a traditional dance. According to the Organisers, the Jatinga Festival 2010 is an attempt to regain the paradise lost due to the various socio-political dynamics and insurgency in the district. Photo: AP
http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_277645g.jpg
Jayantia girls performthe traditional plate dance during the festival. Dima Hasao district of Assam can become a favourite tourist destination because of its enchanting natural beauty and fascinating mosaic of ethnic diversity. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_10_277646g.jpg
A Biate tribal girl plays a bamboo musical instrument called “Mebur.” Bird watchers, nature lovers, tour operators, travel writers and tourists arrived at the festival. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_8_277647g.jpg
Dimasa musician plays a “Muri” (flute) as a traditional drummer accompanies him. Keeping in tune with the Times, in addition to folk performances the festival also witnessed a live performance by Bollywood singer Lucky Ali. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/OS_11_277648g.jpg
A Dimasa girl shows her traditional dress and ornaments at the festival. Eco-tourism activities like trekking to the Hempeopet Peak, visits to different community villages and tourist spots, exhibition-cum-sale of handicrafts and showcasing of ethnic cuisine have been arranged as part of the festival. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar.

NE tourism website

http://www.northeasttourism.co.in/

Tawang monestry

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9831/tawangmonestrypankajsin.jpg

cc- Pankaj kumar

Somewhere in Tawang

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5816/tawangjeetendrasingh.jpg

cc-Jeetendra singh

Jung falls Tawang

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3767/jungfallstawang.jpg

Changu lake Sikkim

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/16/changulakesaran.jpg

cc-Saran

Changu lake

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4585/changusaran.jpg

Gangtok town

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/130/gangtoktownsaran.jpg

cc-Saran

Cont..

Salap tank, main source of water for Gangtok

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1400/salaptankeywatertank95s.jpg

West Sikkim

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3702/inwestsikkim98saran.jpg


http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2162/karguddance91saran.jpg

Mount Kanchenjunga

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3385/kanchenjungasaran.jpg

Darjeeling toy train

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7028/toytrainofdarjeelingsar.jpg

cc- Saran

I have been going to North East on business as well for leisure. Great Tourism potential.

The perception in rest of India about North Eastern states is not good esp reg militancy etc. In reality, only certain pockets have problem. We can avoid them and visit the rest.

The transportation problem is huge. Tourism can grow only if the problem is addressed adequately. All the other infra will automatically grow once the connecitvity is established.

I have been going to North East on business as well for leisure. Great Tourism potential.

The perception in rest of India about North Eastern states is not good esp reg militancy etc. In reality, only certain pockets have problem. We can avoid them and visit the rest.

The transportation problem is huge. Tourism can grow only if the problem is addressed adequately. All the other infra will automatically grow once the connecitvity is established.

+1

Now, only Pak & Chinese nationals need special permits to visit NE


NEW DELHI: Foreigners, excluding Pakistani and Chinese, visiting India on valid visa will not have to take special permit to travel to Manipur , Mizoram and Nagaland from January 1 as government has scrapped the provision to boost tourism in these northeastern states, beginning New Year. The relief, however, won't be applicable to foreigners who would like to go to Arunachal Pradesh. Even in the three exempted states, the relief will initially be for one year.

"The government has decided to exclude Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland from the Protected Area regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, initially for a period of one year," a MHA statement said. However, all foreigners visiting these states will have to register themselves with Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival.

The restriction was in force since pre-independence days. Now, Arunachal Pradesh is the only state left in the north-east where foreigners are required to take prior permission before any visit. Citizens of some specified countries, including Pakistan and China , would, however, continue to require prior approval of the MHA before their visit to these three states.

http://www.google.co.in/#hl=en&biw=1366&bih=667&tbs=nws%3A1&q=arunachal+tourism&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&fp=6e03777d9c135bcd

NE States trying to woo investors

NEW DELHI, Jan 8 – With insurgency on the wane, the North-eastern States tried to woo investors into the region, stating that the States were looking for investments in education, health and tourism sectors.
A plenary session on ‘Investment Opportunities in the Nort-eastern Region’, attended by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his Meghalaya counterpart Dr Mukul Sangma, besides Tripura State Industry Minister S Chowdhury, witnessed the States trying to hard sell the region, citing the blowing winds of peace, the special industrial packages and the strong human resources. However, most of the Chief Ministers of the region gave the event a miss, with only two Chief Ministers, a couple of State ministers and officials attending the function.

The Prime Minister had attended the inaugural function in the mornting. The event, organised as part of the Pravasi Bharati Divas (PBD) with the North East region as its focus area, is being partnered by Ministry Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

Delivering his keynote address, Minister for DoNER and Mines, Bijoy Krishna Handique said that meeting the aspirations of the people of the region has been amongst the foremost tasks of the Central government.

Given the complexity of the task, augmenting investment to accelerate growth in the region is only a part of the story. The successful transformation of investments into development outcomes requires a variety of initiatives. The sectors that have huge scope in the region include infrastructure, food processing, IT and tourism.

“I am happy to say that we have already taken quite a few steps in the form of infrastructure development, policy framework and proactive efforts on diplomatic front. The region is now poised to reap economic benefits of these initiatives. This process can be further taken ahead with the cooperation of Indian diaspora which is already involved in India’s developmental efforts in a significant manner,” he said.

Addressing the function, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said with the renewed focus of the Government of India on the region, the area is attracting big investments across various sectors. A huge amount of public spending in national projects in railways, roads, airport, power and defence are in the pipeline.

“Roughly Rs 2 lakh crore is likely to be spent on all sectors, which will spin the economies of the North-east. Investment in industries alone in Assam across the sectors is to the tune of over Rs 25,000 crore,” he said, seeking to lure investors.

“The incentive package offered by Assam is one of the best in the country,” he claimed.

Asserting that Assam and Meghalaya have become very vibrant, Sangma said that the entire North-east has a lot of potential and the area is waiting to be explored. He singled out education, health and tourism sectors for investments.

The North-east has been associated with many wrong things. Perception that– North-east is in trouble – can be misconstrued, because there are peaceful States like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya. Insurgency in North-east is limited to certain pockets, Sangma asserted.

The North-east can be considered as the best investment destination, he claimed, trying to market the region.

An interaction session that followed the meeting saw curious expatriate community seeking details from the Chief Ministers.

Gogoi, however, was stumped by a question by Assamese NRI Wahid Saleh, who asked him why the education institutions in the State, particularly in Jorhat district, were in such dilapidated condition. “It is okay to build new colleges and hostels but at the same time due importance have to be give to the existing ones,” he remarked.

In reply, Gogoi admitted that educational institutions were in bad shape till about a year back, because of resource crunch. But in the last one year, enough funds have been sanctioned for repair and maintenance of the institutions. “You will see the result in a year’s time,” he said.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jan0911/at09

Plan to hold Joypur rainforest fest

DIBRUGARH, Jan 12 – In a bid to boost eco-tourism, a three-day Joypur rainforest festival has been envisaged near the forest area from February 11 to 13. The dates for the festival were chosen today during a meeting held at the Joypore forest inspection bungalow.
The meeting, presided over by local MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Pranati Phukan, was attended by divisional forest officers of Dibrugarh division and Deomali division of Arunachal Pradesh, forest range officers, government servants and various leaders of different organisations of the surrounding areas.

This was the fourth round of meeting held under the aegis of the forest division to host the rainforest festival.

The main attraction of the festival would be elephant ride, canoeing, cultural exhibitions and cultural stage performances, among others. Today’s meeting proposed to invite popular singer and youth icon Zubeen Garg to perform at the festival. Through the event, the forest department and the district administration is also seeking to create consciousness and generate awareness among all, including the government, local people, media and NGOs to convert the richly endowed region into a tourists’ paradise.

The other highlights of the festival would be display of customary dresses, display of cultural heritage of the local people living in and around these areas, tools, ornaments used by different tribal groups, display of the history of forest, wildlife and their association with local people in their lives, a market where local people can come and sell homemade products such as honey, pickles, artifacts made of bamboo, paintings, etc, tribal food festival, music festival, etc.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jan1311/state07

Permit-free visits for foreigners to India’s Unexplored Paradise?

DEC 28, 2010 19:18 IST

For the first time in half a century, India plans to let foreigners visit all of its troubled north east without special permits, opening up the picturesque region that New Delhi hopes will be its gateway to Southeast Asia, local media have reported.

If the proposal goes through, it will open up the eight north eastern states that remains a mystery even to many Indian, a region so unexplored that India’s tourism board sells it as “Paradise Unexplored.”

It could also give a fillip to the local economy, which now largely is sustained on federal handouts, creating jobs and boosting incomes in the states where separatist movements have tapped into resentment over lack of development.

Seven of these states are linked to the mainland through a narrow strip of land, called the Chicken’s Neck, that runs between China and Bangladesh. Foreigners need permits to go to every state except Assam, the most developed in the region, and even Indians need passes to go to some places.

For decades, the government has restricted access, worried about the influence of Christian missionaries and other outsiders on the native cultures of the tribespeople of the region and as it tried to keep a lid on rebellions. Foreigners can travel only in groups of at least four and must be accompanied by an approved guide.

New Delhi and Beijing dispute the boundary between them in this region and both claim the Indian-controlled state of Arunachal Pradesh. But there have not been any recent military clashes between the two nations, which fought a short war in 1962.

Many rebel groups are in peace talks with the government and except for Assam and Manipur, the states are largely peaceful. Observers say that popular support for violent groups is fast declining. India has also mooted a “Look East” policy, using the region as a gateway to economically and strategically important countries like Myanmar and Thailand.

The risk of insurgency remains and how the government deals with insurgents will determine how the liberalisation will be welcomed. But it is clear that the opening up of this sensitive region signals India’s increasing confidence in dealing with internal faultlines.

http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2010/12/28/permit-free-visits-for-foreigners-to-india%E2%80%99s-unexplored-paradise/

Permit-free visits for foreigners to India’s Unexplored Paradise?

DEC 28, 2010 19:18 IST

For the first time in half a century, India plans to let foreigners visit all of its troubled north east without special permits, opening up the picturesque region that New Delhi hopes will be its gateway to Southeast Asia, local media have reported.

If the proposal goes through, it will open up the eight north eastern states that remains a mystery even to many Indian, a region so unexplored that India’s tourism board sells it as “Paradise Unexplored.”

It could also give a fillip to the local economy, which now largely is sustained on federal handouts, creating jobs and boosting incomes in the states where separatist movements have tapped into resentment over lack of development.

Seven of these states are linked to the mainland through a narrow strip of land, called the Chicken’s Neck, that runs between China and Bangladesh. Foreigners need permits to go to every state except Assam, the most developed in the region, and even Indians need passes to go to some places.

For decades, the government has restricted access, worried about the influence of Christian missionaries and other outsiders on the native cultures of the tribespeople of the region and as it tried to keep a lid on rebellions. Foreigners can travel only in groups of at least four and must be accompanied by an approved guide.

http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2010/12/28/permit-free-visits-for-foreigners-to-india%E2%80%99s-unexplored-paradise/

Uhh, this is implying that Indians will still need the permit to travel there? So its easier for a foreign tourist to travel to the North-east than an Indian? Unacceptable!

Well I suppose the permit's only needed for certain places. I've traveled to Assam and Shillong without any problems at all. Had my permit to go to Tawang in Arunachal, but sigh, didn't have enough days. One day!

No it isn't implying that.

Uhh, this is implying that Indians will still need the permit to travel there? So its easier for a foreign tourist to travel to the North-east than an Indian? Unacceptable!

Well I suppose the permit's only needed for certain places. I've traveled to Assam and Shillong without any problems at all. Had my permit to go to Tawang in Arunachal, but sigh, didn't have enough days. One day!

Specifically - Anyone can now visit NE except Chinese and Pakistani Citizens!!
Good move IMO

Well India really is the country that is full of natural resources so there is no saying no to visit India.

I'm Moroccan and I've always been fascinated by the 7 Sister states, especially Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur ! I wonder how safe those states are nowadays. Where are those unsafe "pockets" located ? In Nagaland ?

However, the huge touristic potential of those places is definitely hindered by the lack of infastructure. Good to see thing are getting better. Agartala was reached last year by train and so will be all northeastern capitals in 2015 !

Keep taking care of your northeastern jewels ;)

I'm Moroccan and I've always been fascinated by the 7 Sister states, especially Arunachal, Nagaland and Manipur ! I wonder how safe those states are nowadays. Where are those unsafe "pockets" located ? In Nagaland ?

However, the huge touristic potential of those places is definitely hindered by the lack of infastructure. Good to see thing are getting better. Agartala was reached last year by train and so will be all northeastern capitals in 2015 !

Keep taking care of your northeastern jewels ;)

^^ :banana:

Arunachal Pradesh tea garden turns into a tourist destination (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Arunachal-Pradesh-tea-garden-turns-into-a-tourist-destination/articleshow/7576413.cms)
TNN, Feb 26, 2011, 12.15pm IST

ITANAGAR: When Yajum and Tugo Gangkak started their dream project of turning Siru-Riju Tea Garden into a tourist hotspot way back in 1995, it seemed a distant dream. It was not at all easy for the garden, located 5 km away from Gankak village in the Yomcha sub-division of Arunachal's West Siang district, to find a place in the state's tourism map.

Come March 7, and power and tourism minister Jarbom Gamlin will inaugurate the new state of the art guest house at the garden, and announce the spot open for tourists. On the same day, a fully equipped tea-factory will be inaugurated at the garden by Gojen Gadi, Parliamentary secretary, tourism.

It is unbelievable that the industrialist couple almost singlehandedly took the initiative to develop the tea garden as a big private tea estate and promote it as a potential tourist spot. Though set amidst scenic beauty and undisturbed serenity, the place lacked proper communication system, water and electricity supply and other amenities.

Today, the garden has a private helipad, a mini hydel-plant, a sugarcane factory, a poultry, a saw mill, fishery-lakes, shops, cottages and barracks to accommodate about 600 people.

"We saw immense tourism potential in the spot. Now, we are hopeful that the place will attract travellers as we have two stalwarts of the state tourism department beside us. Hectic preparations are on to make the inauguration programme a success," said Tugo Gangkak.

Anyone who visits Yomcha takes out time to drive along the garden and people have already started treating it as a good holiday resort. They climb up the highest hill top to have a bird's eye view of the villages in Yomcha and Aalo.

"Introduction of other essential services like schools, medical centres and other business units can turn the place into a special economic zone in future," added Tugo.

Copyright to Praveen

Sangti Valley- Arunachal Pradesh
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6518/sangtivalley.jpg


http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/2346/messageofarmy.jpg

Sela Pass..
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/1980/roadtosalala.jpg

Valley in Arunachal..
http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/4306/dirangvalley.jpg

Truly a shining gem of India. The people of North East are some of the nicest people and are hard working

Copyright to Praveen



Sela Pass..
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/1980/roadtosalala.jpg



Look at the road pathetic at best, while china is building 8 lane road network with multiple road link we are still in British era. :bash:

These all results in lack of development, security threat and disintegration.

Meghalaya

Shillong

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/shillong.jpg

Umiam lake near Shillong

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Umaim-Khwan-Lake-Umaim-Khwan-Lake.jpg

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/meghalaya1.jpg

Khasi hills

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/khasi-hills-1.jpg

Khasi hills

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/khasi-hills.jpg

Jaintia hills

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Jaintia-Hills.jpg

Garo hills

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Garo-Hills.jpg

Cherrapunji

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Cherrapunji.jpg

Cherrapunji

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/chirapunji.jpg

Nongpoh

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Nongpoh.jpg

near Tura in Garo hills

http://yaatrika.com/traveler/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Brahmaputra-Valley.jpg


courtesy Rajkumar 1220

paradise unexplored.

beautiful NE

@psychedelic
thanks for nice updates

If Kashmir is paradise on the earth, the NE is not less by any stretch of imagination.
If planned well the govt can turn the entire north-east into a money spinning machine... :cheers:
But I doubt if these good for nothing bunch of fools running the show have any such intention...:bash:

paradise unexplored.

beautiful NE

@psychedelic
thanks for nice updates

you're welcome bro :cheers:

a short but nice documentary about the northeast.

lqMcyWov5mk

North East for sure a paradise unexplored.
Since it is a land locked place, the logistic problem will be always a big constraint for industries to invest here.
I think it is the only tourism industry which can change the fate of these states. Government and all Indians should promote it vigorously as most sought tourist destination. Before that a big job to be done....really big....wipe out extremists...other wise no tourists will come, not even from other parts of India, forget about foreigners.

Hi Guys,

Please tell the best season to visit NE for tourism.
I have heard about places like Tawang(AP), Shilong(Meghalaya). There are so many beautiful places in these seven sisters, but I don't know much about those.
Please share the information.

Beautiful part of the world, culturally as well as geographically. The isolation of the region has hitherto been a blessing as well as a curse. While it has deprived the region of economic development, isolation also preserved its beauty. Now things are changing. There are more economic opportunities and better infrastructure. But as the rest of India rushes in, so do many of its problems. Shillong, once a clean and well maintained little town, is now filthy. Local people dread going to Police Bazaar, the main shopping area, due to the fact that it looks like, well, any other town in India, with garbage strewn everywhere and people spitting and urinating in public. Alas, Shillong's transition from quiet paradise to third world slum is well underway, as immigrants and tourists from other parts of India bring their unsanitary ways with them in the new age of "better" connectivity and "development." There was a time when the only thing contaminating the North East was the colonial occupation of the Indian Army. Now it seems that the Indian public are about to invade paradise as well. Widespread deforestation is underway and temperatures are rising. It is, indeed getting hotter in the hills. And dirtier too. Oh well, nothing good lasts forever.

Beautiful part of the world, culturally as well as geographically. The isolation of the region has hitherto been a blessing as well as a curse. While it has deprived the region of economic development, isolation also preserved its beauty. Now things are changing. There are more economic opportunities and better infrastructure. But as the rest of India rushes in, so do many of its problems. Shillong, once a clean and well maintained little town, is now filthy. Local people dread going to Police Bazaar, the main shopping area, due to the fact that it looks like, well, any other town in India, with garbage strewn everywhere and people spitting and urinating in public. Alas, Shillong's transition from quiet paradise to third world slum is well underway, as immigrants and tourists from other parts of India bring their unsanitary ways with them in the new age of "better" connectivity and "development." There was a time when the only thing contaminating the North East was the colonial occupation of the Indian Army. Now it seems that the Indian public are about to invade paradise as well. Widespread deforestation is underway and temperatures are rising. It is, indeed getting hotter in the hills. And dirtier too. Oh well, nothing good lasts forever.

The fact is that Shillong has always been a city of Bengalis and Assamese as much as it's been a city of the Khasis :). It's only after the forced exodus of a lot of the old inhabitants of Shillong that the city has deteriorated. As far as the rest of your rant is concerned, it's laughable at best. COLONIAL OCCUPATION OF THE INDIAN ARMY? lol.. Who would you rather be with Bangladesh? China? Take my word for it, you'd never have so much freedom in any of those countries. A rant like this could land you under the guillotine in communist land. As far as deforestation is concerned, it's time the locals got together and stood up to the unholy nexus of the politicians and the timber & mining mafia instead of wasting time fabricating stupid conspiracy theories. :)

I think what is happening in Shillong now is a result of the accumulated negative energy created by the rampant xenophobia and communal disharmony that's been festering in the city for the last 4 decades or so. Karma's a bitch. ;)

And yes PS thanks for ruining a perfectly good thread that's supposed to celebrate the beauty of the natural heritage of the northeast with your putrid thoughts. :)

Hi Guys,

Please tell the best season to visit NE for tourism.
I have heard about places like Tawang(AP), Shilong(Meghalaya). There are so many beautiful places in these seven sisters, but I don't know much about those.
Please share the information.

come at november end to december starting. that time is ideal because-

-kaziranga is closed from 1 may - 1 nov
-U will get HORNBILL festival, CHERRAPUNJEE indigneous festival and ASSAM tea festival which are nearby this period only
-U will feel the cold in Tawang and NathuLa but u wont die and roads will be much safer.
- the flowers and orchids bloom in this period only.
-Cold wud have just started in places like darjeeling and upper sikkim
overall monsoon will end and winter-monsoon will start a bit later (around dec end) so you will have a hassle free journey.

And yes PS thanks for ruining a perfectly good thread that's supposed to celebrate the beauty of the natural heritage of the northeast with your putrid thoughts. :)

Easy there, bro...don't think there's any need to use such strong language as "putrid". He has his opinion and you may/ may not agree with him. And like you said y'self, let this be a thread celebrating the beauty of NE...with pics only!

lets not get into a fight here. all are welcome in the NE. everyone should respect everyone's culture. that should be the true spirit.

Easy there, bro...don't think there's any need to use such strong language as "putrid". He has his opinion and you may/ may not agree with him. And like you said y'self, let this be a thread celebrating the beauty of NE...with pics only!

Okay let's talk semantics, putrid= stale or lacking in freshness :). Sorry if my use of that word offended you, but I like to call a spade a spade. Your second point I agree with completely. :cheers:

Okay let's talk semantics, putrid= stale or lacking in freshness :). Sorry if my use of that word offended you, but I like to call a spade a spade. Your second point I agree with completely. :cheers:

It wouldn't offend me normally but I was just recovering from a week of incense, rage and bewilderment over the GHy issue, having fought with many sickos who were leaning towards the perpetrators(the kindest word I can think for them) and was kinda looking for a more relaxed, fresh thread. Guess I was fearing the other guy would retaliate and the whole thing would oddball into another slanging match. So there u go...no offence taken :)

^^^^
@sudden and @sunny, sorry in advance for the post below

i dont usually get into flame wars, but i completely agree with @psychedelic here..
you guys observe the pattern in every developed/developing community where everyone who isnt from yr home or doesnt have yr ancestry is an 'outsider' and never a guest, and yet when lakhs of people from the northeast (assamese, khasi, naga, anyone) go to banglore, mumbai, delhi, always the locals are mean, and also, they have the right to claim the city as their own too?
and when everyone else starts building roads and trade routes, and money starts flowing in, then all the 'locals' need a piece of the pie too..
hypocrisy and xenophobia disgusts me like nothing else, thats why i hate politicians from the core of my heart, even though some of my closest relatives are just that :(

anyways thank you @ps81, you have managed to do the unthinkable task of polluting a perfectly well meaning and voluntary community based board promoting tourism and harmony, that too just with one post.. congrats man :applause:

@sudden and @sunny

as i've posted in the guwahati developments post, i'll try to get the pics as soon as i can.. sorry for not being able to now, i was caught up with a lot of stuff and also stuff related to the recent case.. its driving me crazy.. i'll get on it soon, bro, for sure. that is if you guys still want me on the boards.. i know the post above was a little strong..

@sudden and @sunny

as i've posted in the guwahati developments post, i'll try to get the pics as soon as i can.. sorry for not being able to now, i was caught up with a lot of stuff and also stuff related to the recent case.. its driving me crazy.. i'll get on it soon, bro, for sure. that is if you guys still want me on the boards.. i know the post above was a little strong..

Chill, bro..like i said, I wasn't really worked up or anything...it was just that I was looking for some peace and quiet..like you, i'd been fighting over that issue a lot the whole of last week...guess the frustration spills over into mis-communication sometimes :)

Arunachal Pradesh is promoting the picturesque Mechuka Valley, about29 km from MacMahon Line which separates India from China, in West Siang district as the new tourist spot in the state. And commercial chartered flight service from Guwahati to Mechuka is set to start soon.

http://www.whitesky.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1280px-Mechuka_overview_2.jpg
Mechuka Valley - Arunachal Pradesh (Pic: Quentin Talon & Mario Geiger)

Why go there? Located almost 6000 feet above sea level, it offers stunning views and is home to the Buddhist Memba tribe. The 400-year old Samten Yongcha monastery is a contemporary of the much-revered Tawang monastery. Mechuka is also dotted with many Buddhist remains. The Siom River, which flows through Mechuka also provides a breathtaking view in the valley.

Factoid: 68 per cent of the state’s geographical area is covered by forests, lofty hills and falls.

Source (http://www.whitesky.in/blog/tag/north-east-india-destinations)

Tawang, one of the least populous places in the country, is situated at an elevation of 3,048 meters in the North-Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

http://www.whitesky.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/800px-Jung_Falls_Tawang_Arunachal_Pradesh.jpg
Jung Falls Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang monastery built as per the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama is the largest monastery after the Lhasa, Tibet. Other attractions are the Tipi Orchid sanctuary and the Jung falls. Sela top pass that is the major route to get to Tawang is covered with snow most of the year. The arduous route offers some fabulous views. Visitors need inner line permits to visit this hill station. The permits are available in major cities like Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata.

It became a major holy site for the Buddhist after the birth of the 6th Dalai Lama.

Tawang is accessible from Tezpur, Assam. It is well connected to major cities and towns.

Driving time: 16hrs

10.Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
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09.Neermahal, Tripura
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/9-neer-mahal-300x199.jpg

08.Living Bridges, Meghalaya
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07.Champai, Mizoram
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06.Majuli, Assam
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05.Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/5.-zirovalley-300x192.jpg

04. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/4.-Tawang-300x201.jpg

03.Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/3.-Mechuka_AP-300x224.jpg

02. Dzuko-valley, Nagaland
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.-Dzuko-valley-300x198.jpg

01.Loktak Lake, Manipur
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1.loktak-lake-300x191.jpg

Some pics Arunachal Pradesh by appaji on flickr.com
Hat off to this man what a capture.:cheers: :bow:

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/118/285904665_d330a4cba9_o.jpg

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/113/285907774_539df733e7_o.jpg

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Infrastructure priority for tourism: Ibobi
Correspondent
IMPHAL, Sept 27 – Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today said improvement of law-and-order situation, power and transport and communication facilities are prerequisites for development of tourism in the State.

“Investment companies and corporate officials are willing to invest in Manipur but do not do so considering the law-and-order situation here. So improvement of law and order, power and transport and communication becomes the priority task,” he said while speaking at a function on the occasion of the World Tourism Day in Imphal this afternoon.

Stating that time has come to usher in peace in to the State, he said, “Violence can never bring solution to any problem.” He appealed to all concerned to sit together and find an amicable solution to any problem that they may have, so that Manipur does not lag behind others not only in the tourism sector but also in any other front.

Elaborating on present power crisis, he said the State gets less than 100 MW against the requirement of about 150 MW. The power scenario is likely to improve once the Palatana power plant in Agartala is commission before March 2013, he added.

He said the Imphal airport will be expanded to international standard and the government has recently acquired 600 acres of land for the purpose. “We’ve been persuading Airport Authority of Indian through the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to speed up the expansion process,” he said.

Manipur’s Rural Development Minister Francis Ngajokpa also shared a similar sentiment while delivering his speech at the function which was attended by economists, management and adventure tourism experts, besides officials.

Stating that tourism day has been observed in the State since 1980, Dr Rajesh Kumar, Commissioner of Tourism Department speaking on the occasion, said that his department is planning to take up three mega tourism projects in the current year. All the projects are eco-friendly by design with rain water harvesting, solar lighting and bio-resource facilities

Source (http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=sep2812/oth05)

The Living Bridge of Meghalaya........

T1ffu9hlOEo

Gautam Debroy & Agencies, New Delhi: The Centre is mulling over an investment package of Rs649.45 crore to boost tourism potential of the Northeastern states with in a period of 10-years under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

Disclosing this in New Delhi on Tuesday, Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) secretary AS Lamba said that the Tata consultancy services have prepared the tourism master plan for Northeastern region with a fund proposal of Rs649.45 crore to be spent in three phases.

“Under the proposal Rs395.93 crore is projected to be invested by the government whereas the remaining Rs253.51 crores will be shared by the private sector,” Lamba said in a tourism workshop.

The ministry of DoNER had earlier assigned the Tata consultancy services to prepare a master plan for tourism development in the landlocked northeastern states. The master plan prepared by the Tata, highlighted the importance to develop Dibrugarh as the major entry point to develop several circuits in the region.

“Along with regional circuits, there is a need to have internal circuits connecting Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand,” said Tata consultancy services Priya M Varghese.

Pointing out the poor air and railway connectivity in the northeastern region, Varghese emphasized on the need of harnessing the tourism potential of the region through planned, growth-oriented and sustainable development of the regional circuits.

According to Varghese the northeast region attracts only 0.83 per cent of the domestic tourists of the country. “Despite its vast tourism resources, even within the northeastern region around 86.5 per cent of the domestic tourists arrivals are in the state of Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim only,” she added.

Participating in the workshop, Assam transport and tourism minister Chandan Brahma said that his government is organizing the first ever Assam International Tourism Festival next year.

“Besides introduction of more and more river cruises, we are planning to have a golf course near Guwahati city,” Brahma said assuring that safety and security to the visitors will be given top priority.

Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma said India needs new tourist destinations and the northeast region has the potential to fulfill the role if its tourism infrastructure improves. He added that Assam alone has 20 wildlife sanctuaries and seven national parks.

Dwelling on the lack of infrastructure bottlenecks which is hindering the tourism sector, the minister expressed hope that initiatives to be taken up such as river taxis and luxury cruises would boost the sagging tourism sector in the region.

Source (http://sevensisterspost.com/package-to-boost-ne-tourism-on-anvil/)

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh recorded a substantial increase in the flow of both domestic and foreign tourists in the past three years, state tourism minister Pema Khandu said.

"An amount of Rs 1.65 crore was earned as revenue by the department from tourists in the period," Khandu said here recently.

The minister informed that his department was giving more stress on advertisements, capacity-building of stakeholders and promotional activities to increase tourists' flow in the state towards further promoting the tourism sector.

"Apart from focusing on rural tourism, the department is resolute to encouraging local entrepreneurs to take up tourism as an industry for their income generation as well as for uplifting state economy," Khandu said.

He said during 2009, a total of 1,99,092 tourists (including 3,945 foreign ones), visited the state while the figure rose to 2,32,252 (3,395 foreign) in 2010 and last year a total of 2,37,980 (foreign 4,753) tourists visited the state.

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-04/guwahati/34259655_1_tourist-flow-foreign-tourists-rural-tourism)

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for undertaking joint programmes on tourism sector. Arunachal tourism minister Pema Khandu signed the memorandum with his Sikkim counterpart Bhim Dhungel in Gangtok on Thursday, officials said. Khandu, leading a high-level delegation including parliamentary secretary for tourism P D Sona, had a meeting with Dhungel and called for mutual cooperation in the tourism sector.

During the hour-long meeting, Khandu, underlining the priority accorded to the tourism sector by the Nabam Tuki government, pitched for holistic development of the tourism sector in all northeastern states to facilitate seamless flow of tourists. He also said that rationalizing the permit system would enable tourists to geta wholesome experience of the region. Highlighting the ancient pilgrimage sites of Arunachal such as Tzari and Pema-kho, he also advocated for a Buddhist circuit comprising of Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-27/guwahati/31868203_1_tourism-sector-sikkim-gangtok)

As the plane landed at the Bagdogra Airport on a windy saturday morning, I peeped through the windows at the lush green forest, excited at the prospect of spending a few days in Sikkim.

The state, tucked away in the Northeast, is small but beautiful and full of surprises. Sikkim promises all kinds of tourism from 'eco' to adventure to spiritual, but what can be a bigger draw than the chance to relax in the lap of the great Himalayas? For city-dwellers like myself and my cousin Vasumathi, a wellknown geographer, it was fantastic to just breathe in the fresh mountain air!

Many friends warned us about the tricky weather and the biting cold and so we were fully prepared with warm clothing. However, the weather was fine throughout our stay and we needed the sweaters and woolen coats only while going up the mountains to the Nathu-La.

Climbing up the winding roads to Gangtok took more than five hours. The scenic route was grand, but alas, pretty bumpy! We had our lunch at a guesthouse on the banks of the beautiful Teesta River but by the time we reached Gangtok our bones were aching. Since there was nothing planned for the rest of the evening, we decided to relax and recuperate — and book our return flights by helicopter as neither of us were willing to go through that bone-rattling experience again. Of course, in the light of recent incidents, I would probably prefer rattled bones than a helicopter next time round...

Although Gangtok is not very big, there is so much to see —monasteries, the zoo, temples, flower shows and exhibitions—as we were informed by Tarachand, our excellent guide. After a hearty breakfast washed down with Temi tea, we stopped at the Hanumantok, located at about 9km from Gangtok. The beautiful temple, located at an altitude of 7200 feet, was completely free from pollution.

The steps to the quiet hilltop temple were steep but there were many tourists like us — including from the far off Tamil Nadu, who were looking through their binoculars at the spectacular view of the mountains. From the top, I could see the Khanghendzonga (Kanchenjunga) and had a bird's eye view of Gangtok— a kaleidoscope of tiny houses painted in different colours! The pundit informed us that AB Pant, the then Political Officer, established the temple in 1952 and since then the Indian Army and donations from devotees maintain it. Sharma, our driver and a devout Hindu, added that the temple was known for its mystical powers to fulfill wishes. The close by Lukshyama, the cremation ground of the royal family was an added draw. Coming down on the way back, we stopped at another temple called the Ganeshtok, at 6500 ft, also built by AB Pant, a year after Hanumantok in 1953! From there too, I could see snow-clad peaks including the Kanchenjunga. Clearly it was a popular spot as lots of buses and taxis were parked outside. After a sumptuous lunch, we decided to walk around in the afternoon to get a feel of the city. Soon we found ourselves gasping for breath as the roads were so steeply inclined! We city-slickers were not equipped for such exertions! We came back exhausted and after a light dinner of Chinese dumpling, fried rice and noodles we called it a day.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/Breathe-in-the-fresh-mountain-air-of-Sikkim/articleshow/14181466.cms)

Rakesh,psychedelic,deb-s and all, thanks a ton for the pics, really incredible place. a great tourist place, will visit there in near future, brilliant place. :cheers: cheers:

The Living Bridge of Meghalaya........

T1ffu9hlOEo

awe inspiring!!!

Rakesh,psychedelic,deb-s and all, thanks a ton for the pics, really incredible place. a great tourist place, will visit there in near future, brilliant place. :cheers: cheers:

Thanks for the kudos,this indeed is a great place with lots of tourism potential. It is still very much unexplored and hence needs to be handled very carefully to keep its beauty and virginity intact...:cheers1:

awe inspiring!!!

Oh, definitely it is..I was surprised to learn about the raw talent these tribes possess.. Just amazing, god gifted I must say.
This is something what this will turn out to be
http://www.sauravarya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/8.-living-bridges-300x199.jpg

Agartala,The only lake palace in the eastern region, 81-year-old ‘Neermahal', is to get a facelift soon on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, its Chairman, Mr Sitaram Yechury, said today.

The committee had asked the Tripura Government to prepare a detailed project report for renovation of ‘Neermahal', built as a summer resort by the erstwhile king of Tripura, Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, in 1930.

“The water level of the Rudrasagar, the lake on which ‘Neermahal' is located, has come down due to improper maintenance. I have spoken to the State government officials about the plight of the lake palace and requested them to draw up a plan for revival of its past glory,” Mr Yechury told reporters here.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/government-and-policy/neermahal-in-tripura-to-be-renovated/article1458759.ece)

Shillong opens glass mosque to ‘all’

Post Bureau, Shillong (Oct 18): Madina Masjid, an imposing and resplendent structure of glass dome and glass minarets and claimed to be one of the most unique mosques in India and the largest in the Northeast, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for minority affairs, Vincent H Pala at Laban here on Thursday.

http://sevensisterspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/madina-300x169.jpg
The glittering glasswork of the Madina Masjid
in Shillong makes it one of the most uniquely
designed mosques in the country. Post Photo

Pala inaugurated the four-storey mosque in absence of Union minister for minority affairs Salman Khurshid, who cancelled his visit to Shillong at the eleventh hour. Speaking on the occasion, Pala admitted that Muslims were facing problems in various parts of the country and that the Centre has taken note of the issue.

“It has become a habit for security forces to look for Muslims whenever problems or bomb blasts occur,” Pala pointed out.

Lauding the Muslim community in Shillong and the Shillong Muslim Union for their initiative to build the 120-foot high and 61-foot wide mosque with a unique design, Pala also said the uniqueness of the mosque must be maintained. Emphasising that the place of worship should act as a medium of unity among all religions, the union minister expected that the Madina Masjid would be a tourist destination.

Madina Masjid has a capacity of 2,000 people and has separate space for women to offer prayers. In 2008, the Idgah was the first in the region to open doors to women devotees. The mosque built on the Idgah complex at Laban is close to the Garrison Ground along the Umshyrpi river.

The glittering glasswork of the Rs 2-crore mosque makes it a splendid sight, a reason for which it is called one of the most unique mosques in the country. It houses an orphanage ‘Meherba’, a library and a Markaz – an Islamic theological institute.

Congress MLA and SMU general secretary Sayeedullah Nongrum informed the gathering that the mosque is open for all and that it is going to become a tourist attraction.

Source (http://sevensisterspost.com/shillong-opens-glass-mosque-to-all/)

Shillong opens glass mosque to ‘all’

Post Bureau, Shillong (Oct 18): Madina Masjid, an imposing and resplendent structure of glass dome and glass minarets and claimed to be one of the most unique mosques in India and the largest in the Northeast, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for minority affairs, Vincent H Pala at Laban here on Thursday.

http://sevensisterspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/madina-300x169.jpg
The glittering glasswork of the Madina Masjid
in Shillong makes it one of the most uniquely
designed mosques in the country. Post Photo

Pala inaugurated the four-storey mosque in absence of Union minister for minority affairs Salman Khurshid, who cancelled his visit to Shillong at the eleventh hour. Speaking on the occasion, Pala admitted that Muslims were facing problems in various parts of the country and that the Centre has taken note of the issue.

“It has become a habit for security forces to look for Muslims whenever problems or bomb blasts occur,” Pala pointed out.

Lauding the Muslim community in Shillong and the Shillong Muslim Union for their initiative to build the 120-foot high and 61-foot wide mosque with a unique design, Pala also said the uniqueness of the mosque must be maintained. Emphasising that the place of worship should act as a medium of unity among all religions, the union minister expected that the Madina Masjid would be a tourist destination.

Madina Masjid has a capacity of 2,000 people and has separate space for women to offer prayers. In 2008, the Idgah was the first in the region to open doors to women devotees. The mosque built on the Idgah complex at Laban is close to the Garrison Ground along the Umshyrpi river.

The glittering glasswork of the Rs 2-crore mosque makes it a splendid sight, a reason for which it is called one of the most unique mosques in the country. It houses an orphanage ‘Meherba’, a library and a Markaz – an Islamic theological institute.

Congress MLA and SMU general secretary Sayeedullah Nongrum informed the gathering that the mosque is open for all and that it is going to become a tourist attraction.

Source (http://sevensisterspost.com/shillong-opens-glass-mosque-to-all/)

TAWANG, Oct 26: The first edition of Tawang Festival began here today as Governor Gen (Rtd) J J Singh declared it open with a cheerful Chief Minister Nabam Tuki applauding along with hundreds, including Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, WRD Minister Newlai Tingkhatra, UD & Town Planning Minister Rajesh Tacho and Parliamentary Secretaries T N Thongdok, P D Sona, Jambey Tashi, Tsewang Dhondup, Phurpa Tsering and R T Khunjuju.

Congratulating the people of Tawang, the Governor wished that the five-day tourism festival will take Tawang a notch higher in the tourism map of the world. He expressed happiness that Tawang has become the face of Arunachal Pradesh in the last couple of years and appreciated the natives for it.

The Governor was, however, skeptical about the condition of roads that lead to Tawang. He urged the BRO authorities to take the matter seriously.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, who is also the Chief Patron of the tourism festival, in his address paid rich tributes to former Chief Minister, Late Dorjee Khandu. He said because of Late Khandu’s personal intervention Tawang today was in the world tourism map. Expressing his gratitude to the former CM, Tuki assured the people that Late Khandu’s dream of a developed Arunachal will not be left aloof.

“My government will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the dreams of the great visionary,” he said.

Highlighting several initiatives of the Government for welfare of the people, Tuki informed that top priority is being given to promote, preserve and document the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh through a new scheme called ‘Living Heritage’ and encourage local artists, artisans and exponents of traditional art forms.

Tuki, who had in the morning visited the land-slide site of the Tawang Monastery, said that the Government will do everything possible to save the age-old monastery, which is the center of Buddhist teachings for the region.

“I have constituted a High Level Committee under Principal Secretary Yeshi Tsering that will submit a technical report for consideration by the Government. We will have to save the Monastery from the danger of landslides,” he said.

As pointed by the Governor, the Chief Minister also expressed concern over the condition of roads. In fact, he had traveled by road from Dirang to Tawang on Thursday to get a first-hand experience of the problem that has angered not only the natives but also the transporters.

Tuki said it was a genuine concern and assured the people that he will take up the matter on an urgent note with the Border Road Organization (BRO). He has in fact called a meeting here on Saturday of the authorities to discuss on it in presence of the Governor.

The Chief Minister earlier in the day also visited the orphanage Manjushree Vidyapeeth run by monks.

He assured to keep provisions for payment of stipends to the students of the Vidyapeeth from the next financial year as availed by local students in government schools.

Tourism Minister Pema Khandu, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism P D Sona and Planning Commission Member Saumitra Choudhury also spoke on the occasion. Besides Planning Commission Advisor for North East Brahma Choudhury, several high ranking government officials, officers of the Indian Army and Paramilitary Forces, media-persons and village folk were present on the occasion. This was stated in a press release.

Source (http://www.sentinelassam.com/arunachal/story.php?sec=2&subsec=7&id=136805&dtP=2012-10-27&ppr=1#136805)

The story of Shillong
PRANAB BORA

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121102/images/2regbukshillong.jpg
Book title: Heritage Shillong
Author: Dipankar Banerjee
Publisher: Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Public Charitable Trust
Pages: 168
Price: Rs 1,500

There is always that list of “I wish I’d met him” people that one carries along in life. Dipankar Banerjee ranks high in mine. Of the historian, researcher and teacher, he perhaps wore the historian hat the best, at least for me, on my list.

So when Heritage Shillong came along, it just had to be reviewed, this one.

Nuggets of gold simply roll off these pages: “Sometime between 1903 and 1904, Shillong Club members succeeded in commissioning one of the finest golf courses on earth — the Shillong golf course, now among the four Indian golf courses on the world golf map.”

Here’s a glittering piece: “In the wake of the Jaintia rebellion in 1860-61, the British who had for long been mulling the shift of their Khasi and Jaintia headquarters from Cherrapunjee, finally took a decisive step. Colonel Henry Hopkinson, the then commissioner of Assam, selected the picturesque hamlet of Yeodo nearby as the new headquarters, and soon, civil departments began to relocate. On 28 June, 1866, Yeodo was renamed Shillong by a renotification…”

Banerjee’s style is enticingly simple. “On a cold pre-Christmas afternoon of 22 December, 1896, a handful of Assamese residents of Shillong gathered informally by the fireside of a small room in Laban with the purpose of forming a forum for discussion on socio-cultural matters. There was a lot of brainstorming and finally shape was given to what later would be known as the Assam Club. The fundamental objective of the club was very simple and straight: ‘To bring together all residents of Shillong, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others, on one platform and thereby fostering the growth of friendly feeling among them…”

The book has it all: great stories, nice text, pictures shot now in the modern times, grayscales and sepia toned collectors’ items, sketches, all of which so gently take the reader through Shillong’s mist-laden alleys.

And this is what makes the book even more special: it’s lovingly put together by a set of people who belong to Shillong, and who Shillong belongs to.

Initially, we had hoped to get Patricia Mukhim (from Shillong) to review the book. Trouble is she’d done the foreword.

Shankar Lall Goenka has published the book, on behalf of the Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Public Charitable Trust. The names tell a story: These are people whose ancestors came from afar and stayed, and never went back. They became Shillongites, as Shillongite as could be, as Shillongite as its carols and petunias, peaks and clouds. “Being born and brought up in Shillong, the place is very dear to my heart,” says Goenka in his note from the publisher. “Born and brought up in…”— that is a definition of home.

For the visitor and lover of hills and dales, the book is a happy takeaway. For Shillongites, this is a story of home.

Just one thing remains to be said: this isn’t just a coffee table offering. This is a textbook. Let’s get smaller excerpts, make a soft cover for Shillong’s schoolchildren. Tell them the tale of Rao Bhavan in Kench’s Trace: that C.V. Raman, India’s Nobel laureate had acquired it sometime in the 1920s… Tell them the tale that makes the luscious jalebi curl at Delhi Mistan Bhandar in Police Bazar. They’ll be proud. As will Dipankar Banerjee.

Source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121102/jsp/northeast/story_16150206.jsp#.UJNwjYbaKjU)

Guwahati, Oct. 10: There is a dearth of basic facilities for tourists in the Northeast despite adequate funding, a parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture has observed.

An action taken report prepared by the committee and placed in Parliament recently expresses concern that even projects sanctioned by the Union ministry of tourism are not getting good response.

The report says the tourism ministry has released assistance ranging from 15-19 per cent of its total budget, which is well above the mandatory provision of 10 per cent, to the northeastern state-s in the past three years. While this has helped in the creation of infrastructure and other facilities, “there remai-ns a lot to be done in terms of hotels and connectivity”, it adds.

“The facilities are not adequate to meet the requirements of increased number of tourists. With no five-star hotels in the region, it is resulting in a loss of revenue as high-end tourists are not turning up,” it says.

Sources said five-star hotels would come up in Guwahati in the next few years.

The committee states that it is time to augment tourist facilities in the region and for this the ministry of tourism should review its schemes and seek active participation from states to get more projects implemented. It emphasises that since tourism is the main source of livelihood in the Northeast, the ministry should provide all support to develop this sector.

The committee notes that the response to the scheme for capital subsidy of 30 per cent for hotels (not below two-star category) launched by the Centre with effect from April 1, 2008 has not achieved the desired results although the region has the potential (of setting up two-star category hotels).

It observes that most of the states are not geared up for conventional tourism in respect of accommodation. “They do not have good and affordable accommodation, both in terms of numbers as well as quality. This was evident from field trips to these states. There is no five-star hotel in the region till date,” it says.

The committee has asked the Centre to be proactive and come out with schemes that encourage the construction of budget accommodation.

The ministry said in its reply that construction of hotels is primarily a private sector activity and under the scheme, Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits, it provides for construction of wayside public amenities. It also provides for construction of budget accommodation and eco-tourism projects where private investment is not forthcoming. Tourism projects to be funded by the ministry are decided with the states at annual meetings.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121211/jsp/northeast/story_16298518.jsp#.UMa5HK9YWSo

GUWAHATI: The abundant tourism potential in the northeast received a big boost on Saturday as foreign delegates assured to take this part of the country to the global stage during the second day of the three-day international tourism mart.

"I have come to Guwahati for the first time and it has really been a fantastic experience. I am really enthusiastic about the hilly terrain in the northeast. The beauty of Brahmaputra river that flows through Guwahati is unparalleled. I would also like to see the exquisiteness of Sikkim," said Naoki Hattori, vice-president, at the Delhi centre of Japan Airlines.

Hattori said he will draw the attention of his countrymen to the northeastern states and West Bengal, after concluding his trip across the region.

Eight northeast states and West Bengal are participating in the international tourism mart that has been organized for the first time in the northeast by the Union ministry of tourism, with Assam as the host state. Popular singers from the region, including Lou Majaw, Manas Robin, performed on the second day of tourism mart in front of an august gathering comprising top bureaucrats, school children and the general public. The youngsters in particular were very impressed with Majaw's performance. The Bhortal dance of Barpeta blended with traditional dancers from the nine states was a treat for the audience. A cultural procession was also taken out around the judge's field in the city, with the artistes in traditional outfits.

Sonam Chombay, the secretary of Arunachal Pradesh tourism, said, "We are focusing on our tourist hotspots - Tawang, Mechuka, Namdapha among others. But at the same time, our government is giving ample focus to promote white water rafting and eco-friendly catch and release angling, which the foreign tourists enjoy a lot. On Sunday, we will have a business-to-business session with the foreign delegates."

'Mini Assam', a home that has been constructed at the venue of the mart to exhibit traditional Assamese lifestyle, the houses of the Bodos and other tribal communities, also drew a number of visitors.

"Sikkim has always been a favourite tourist destination. But the gathering of such a large number of tour operators will immensely help in popularize the tourist spots in this region," said Bhim Dhungel, the tourism minister of Sikkim.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-20/guwahati/36445861_1_tourism-mart-ne-tourism-arunachal-pradesh-tourism

With hills and mountains dotting the landscape of North Eastern region, the Centre plans to promote the region as an ‘adventure tourism’ destination to increase the flow of tourists, particularly foreign tourists, said Union minister of state for tourism K Chiranjeevi.

“We know not all the roads are in good condition in the region. But not all tourists complain this as many like adventure tourism. The region can be a great destination for adventure tourism. If we can promote the region as an adventure tourism destination before the world, we can surely attract foreign tourists in the region,” said Chiranjeevi at the three day ‘International Tourism Mart’ which concluded here on Sunday.

The actor-turned politician minister is hopeful that flow of foreign tourist into the region will increase by 20 per cent in next 2 years and by 100 per cent by next 7-8 years, although that sounded very unrealistic. The region registered 59,000 foreign tourists in 2011, out of 6.6 lakh tourists that visited the country in the same year.

Having reined the world of cinema for many years, Chiranjeevi said he would surely use his contacts in the film industry to also promote the North Eastern region as a film shooting destination. “I will try to sit and convince the film fraternity to come and shoot here. I will try to learn what are the constraints on their part for shooting here and try to ease them,” he said.

He said he was happy with recent decision of the Union home ministry to lift restriction of two-months gap on re-entry of foreign national into the region. He said for past few years, the Union tourism ministry had been spending more than 10 per cent of its budget in North Eastern region. Chiranjeevi said in the 11th Plan Rs. 560 crore were spent on building tourism infrastructure in the region.

The ‘International Tourism Mart’ was first of its kind event to be held in North East and also first of its kind to focus on a specific region of India. Buyers and media delegates from around the world and from different regions of the country participated in the event and engaged in one-to-one meetings with sellers from the region and West Bengal.

Around 85 buyer delegates from 23 countries including Asean countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the UK and the USA participated in the ‘Tourism Mart’. The overseas delegates included 55 tour operators, 9 hoteliers and 14 media representatives. Besides foreign delegates, there were approximately 70 domestic buyers from other parts of the country and 108 sellers from the nine participating states, which included West Bengal and Sikkim.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-to-promote-north-east-as-adventure-tourism-destination-113012100015_1.html

An excerpt from a documentary about the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis are famed for their body modification practices and their shamanic rituals, which are sadly dying out today .

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:cheers: