Shillong’s Seven Sisters Waterfall Is A Treat For Tourists

As per the latest Shillong live news reports, the Seven Sisters Waterfall Shillong, has become a major favourite for tourists frequenting the area. There are several Shillong people who testify to the growing popularity of this waterfall amongst those visiting the State for leisure and tourism. This waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in all of Meghalaya. The State already has a plethora of waterfalls such as the Elephant Falls, Crinoline Falls, Spread Eagle Falls and Sweet Falls among several others. However, there is a special charm inherent in the Seven Sisters Waterfall which gives visitors the chance to clearly discern 7 distinct falls located adjacent to each other, cascading over the pristine cliff, thereby offering an amazing insight into the wonders of nature.

This 7-segmented waterfall also overlooks Bangladesh on one side. According to the Shillong news bulletins, the Seven Sisters Waterfall flows majorly in the monsoon. The best time to visit would be anywhere between July and September for tourists. This waterfall is situated at Cherrapunji, which is the world’s wettest zone. The waterfall draws tourists both from other parts of India and even from across the globe. The entire area is peaceful, green laced and calming. Shillong offers easy access to Cherrapunji which is only 2 hours away by car.

It is easy to reach if one ventures out in the morning and can be a nice day trip of sorts. Cherrapunji also has several other attractions like the Mawsmai Caves and the Nohkalikai Falls among others. These are must-visit attractions in Cherrapunji along with the root bridges which are amazingly created bridges from tree roots. The Seven Sisters Waterfall is also called by two other names, namely the Mawsmai Falls or the Nohsngithiang Falls. This located approximately 1 kilometres southwards from the East Khasi Hills’ Mawsmai Village. The water drops from 315 metres or 1033 ft approximately with 70 metres or 230 ft being the approximate width. This makes it one of the country’s tallest waterfalls. The falls go over the Khasi Hills’ lovely limestone cliffs during the monsoons. They are sun-laced and the lovely colors will be a treat for your senses indeed!

There are many waterfalls present in Sohra as well and these include the Dain Thlen Falls and Nohkalikai Falls. The Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills regions also have several waterfalls including the Pelga Falls which are located near Tura and the Tyrchi Falls which can be viewed while going to Jowai. 

Meghalaya Witnesses Skyrocketing Economic Development

In terms of economic development in Meghalaya, the statistics are quite promising indeed. Meghalaya was reported as the fastest growing State in India as of 2013-14 which is more than 9.5% of growth witnessed by Madhya Pradesh for this period. Meghalaya notched up 9.7% as a growth rate which indicates growing economic development in North East Indiaand Meghalaya in particular. In fact, as per reports, there has been heartening economic development in Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh as well. To take the entire North East into perspective, the unemployment rates are quite low in the region. 12.8 million live below the poverty line in the region which is lower than Kerala at 12.9 million people alone. 

The 8 North Eastern States are witnessing rapid growth, particularly in terms of education. They are majorly dependent on agriculture although economic activities are taking time to accelerate. Meghalaya also had the second lowest rate of unemployment in the country with only 2.8% in the urban zones and 0.4% in the rural areas as of 2011-12. Needless to say, the figures have only improved since then. The Government is doing its best to accelerate economic development with better connectivity, infrastructure and the emphasis on tourism and agro-horticulture. Meghalaya gets India’s highest rainfall and there are several crops which do well here including jute, cotton, pulses, rice, oilseeds and so on. Bamboo is a major industry here with several prospects in the future. The State has been successful in cultivating oilseeds, cashew nuts, tea, mushroom, tomatoes and wheat. 

Other major sectors include fruits and spices along with medicinal plants. Meghalaya produces 8 out of the top 20 medicinal plants being traded in India as per reports. Meghalaya also has huge potential in terms of thermal and hydroelectric power in tandem with renewable power. There are ample deposits of quartz, limestone, coal, uranium and bauxite in Meghalaya. There are two National Parks along with opportunities in adventure tourism. There are three wildlife sanctuaries as well. There is IT and electronics which is growing steadily in Meghalaya along with horticulture and agro-processing. Education is also proving to be a sunrise sector. 

Meghalaya is one of the leading suppliers of flowers for consumer markets across the mainland along with being a large producer of bamboo. Hydroelectric power, tourism and education are other investment hotspots in Meghalaya. Weaving and handloom sectors also offer much promise for industries. There are several large production centres for handloom products. There are several weaving centres as well. Government initiatives for self-help groups and entrepreneurs and its unique partnerships with communities for eco-tourism projects have led to the creation of a more favorable environment for business and other economically sustainable activities. Going forward, even the health care sector will be a major employer since the Government is working on new Medical Colleges and other initiatives.

North East Elections- All The Facts

The North East India elections are on the anvil and the various political parties of North East India are steadily starting their campaigns for the same. The biggest factor here is the equation between BJP and Northeast India which will influence the results of the elections in a major way as per political analysts. The 18th of February, 2018, has been finalized as the election date for Tripura while the elections for Nagaland and Meghalaya will be held on the 27th of February, 2018 as per reports. The three Northeastern states are all set for elections which will have a major impact on the country’s overall political scenario going forward. The elections will take place in two phases and all three states will have the results released on the 3rd of March, 2018.

Several parties are now tapping the Northeast with an aim towards expanding their national reach including the BJP. This election will be closely monitored for its implications in terms of the 2019 General Elections that will follow. The tenor of the assembly in Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland will be concluding on the 6th, 14th and 13th of March respectively. All of these States have a legislative assembly of 60 members. All the states will see the implementation of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) and the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) this time and the first level checks have already finished for the same. The MCC (Model Code of Conduct) has already been implemented in these states. The VVPAT machines will be implemented for the very first time in Meghalaya and voters were previously using the ballot paper method.
The Assam Rifles will be consolidating its presence along the Indo-Myanmar border to contain any disturbances or violence prior to the elections. Meghalaya will get 60 pink booths for women voters who find it tough to vote otherwise and these will be managed by women personnel themselves. These booths will be there in every constituency by the Election Commission of India. 86, 890 voters in Meghalaya between 18 and 19 years of age will be voting for the very first time this year. The State has 133 youngsters who were born on the 1st of January, 2000 and they will also be voting for the very first time. The elections will be monitored by the ECI through CCTV cameras and webcast. 193 polling booths in Meghalaya throughout 11 districts have been identified for direct webcasting.

Nature Is Closely Tied to Identity of Nagaland

The 68^th Biennial Literary and Cultural Day was held by the SASU (Southern Angami Students Union) on the 27^th of January, 2018, at the Khuzama Local Ground. This event had the Cognizing Culture Identity theme and the Guest Speaker was Er Khose Sale, the Chief Engineer at the Department of Power in Kohima, Nagaland. He declared that the theme centers on the concept of identity which is a manifestation of several cultures and values of human beings and also makes up the progressive elements in all ancient beliefs, customs that are practice, social organizations and ways of life of diverse ethnic communities and groups. Cognizing entails on total knowledge and preservation of these practices and the very essence here is the power to choose or make a decision.

Widely expounding into the theme, the Guest Speaker talked of how there is a need for more recording and documentation of Nagaland’s history as per the latest Nagaland live news reports. Nagaland news reports also highlighted the emphasis placed on academic research by Er Khose Sale. The rich cultural past of Nagaland has to be documented urgently in order to preserve the same according to him. He also added that there is oral scattering of several elements of local culture which had to be recorded swiftly in order to pass them onto the next generations.

Sale also stated that traditions and culture have to evolve in order to sync with local customs, mindsets, attitudes and identity. He talked of how identity of Nagaland people in this case was linked to nature in several ways, including forests, mountains, flora and fauna, land, rivers, trees and so on. Losing these natural resources entails losing identity. As a result, protection of nature is the key towards preserving natural identities of several tribal cultures according to Sale. From the practices followed by men and Nagaland women to the Nagaland food images that have gained a huge following worldwide, there is a need to preserve and document every aspect of the State’s culture and identity.

Naga tradition and history contains nuggets of learning, wisdom and culture that speak of sustainability and ecology. The identity of Nagaland is thus closely tied to Nature itself, starting with cultural practices, habitats, clan systems and other institutional practices, story-telling, folklore and even gennas and taboos according to participants at the event. Sale also talked of how food gathering activities like hunting and fishing were also sustainable traditions for Nagaland, while noting that several contemporary practices have led to a disruption of the entire existential chain. Focusing on furthering traditions and cultures will keep values intact and also boost the economy according to him.

The President of SASU, Ketholeto Anthony Zashiimo, also addressed the gathering and talked of how the theme which was meant to explore and further the rich tradition and cultures of the State. There are several modernizing forces which are disrupting the community and making the next generations unmindful of their cultural pasts and traditions. This event strived to revive the same through discussions and several activities. More than 700 students participated in the event from Southern Angami’s 13 villages along with elders and other guests from Angami regions.

10 villages took part in the cultural competition cum exhibition. The President of the Naga Student Federation or NSF, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, addressed the gathering at the event, highlighting the rising levels of unemployment amongst today’s youth. There was a quiz contest on the Angami Naga history and traditions along with folk dance, original story writing, Tati, painting and Mepfii Kero (war cry) competitions. The current Mr. and Miss SASU 2018 crowns went to Kezoma Village’s Siivito Mekro and Kigwema Village’s Vikhotsono Khora respectively