New Delhi: In Nagaland’s Mokokchung town, a mysterious ‘Miss Santa’ has been spreading some Christmas cheer by leaving gift boxes at various locations for children to pick up.
Residents in various parts of the hilly town have been waking up to find neatly packed gifts outside their doors, accompanied by a note.
“My dear child and friend, it’s me Miss Santa. I hope you are doing well and keeping safe. 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. However, you have been a good child…Due to the pandemic I cannot visit you but I am sending you a small gift,” the note reads. It also asks children to wear masks and wash their hands, which are key Covid-prevention measures.
A parent who received one such box has been quoted as saying by Eastern Mirror Nagaland, “I was surprised at first but then after reading the note I felt so overwhelmed with emotion at this kind gesture.”
Meghalaya man revives ponds using traditional knowledge and science
Tambor Lyngdoh of Mawphlang village in Meghalaya has helped revive ponds in at least 70 hamlets of the state by encouraging tree-planting around them and other awareness programmes.
While ponds were traditionally used for drinking water, cooking and washing purposes, the water bodies began gathering moss, and silt during rains, as people started using piped water more frequently, Mongabay reports. To revive them, Lyngdoh has, for the past couple of years, been aiding a community movement to plant local species of trees near the water bodies and clean them at regular intervals. He has also advised people to refrain from fishing during the breeding season.
The effects are now visible. “For example, the roots of the trees helped prevent erosion of soil, particularly during the heavy rains in the monsoons, thereby reducing clogging of the ponds,” Lyngdoh told Mongabay.
Aquatic life has also been thriving and people have started collecting water from the ponds once again for their household uses.
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‘Mini Punjab’ in Tripura bringing north India closer with parathas and charpais
Tripura may be over 2,000 km away from Punjab but a number of new dhabas have come up in the northeastern state to give customers an authentic feel and taste of Punjabi delicacies.
Not only good food, they also give people the right ambience, complete with charpais and hookahs, East Mojo reports. Some of these eateries are Roni Punjabi Dhaba, NH44 Dhaba, The Punjabi Dhaba and Yaaron Kaa Dhaba. From buttered parathas and dal makhani, to matar-paneer, they serve it all.
While The Punjabi Dhaba is famous for its lachha paratha and chana masala, Yaaron Kaa Dhaba attracts the young crowd with its swanky look, hookahs and a big space to throw parties.
National Award winner Jahnu Barua to make movie on Ahom general who defeated Mughals
Film-maker Jahnu Barua, a 12-time National Award winner, will direct a Hindi movie on Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, known for his leadership during the 1671 Battle of Saraighat where the Ahoms dealt a decisive defeat to the Mughals.
The Telegraph quoted Barua as saying that his aim is to give the war hero his “overdue share of limelight on the national and the international stage”. The film will be produced by Guwahati-based Dream House Productionz and other “top production houses of the country”. It is expected to be released by late 2022. The role of Borphukan, said Barua, will be played by a leading actor of the country.
Barua is known for films such as Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (Hindi), Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (Assamese), Firingoti (Assamese) and Xagoroloi Bohu Door (Assamese), among others.
Also Read: ‘Pick any & whisper a prayer’ — How Nagaland residents are helping needy by giving clothes