Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Basic infrastructure lacking: Imphal, Feb 4: Marred by inordinate delay in installing the necessary infrastructure for the much hyped National Sports Academy, the highly coveted Academy, like many other projects taken up in the State, has stumbled on its first step. In fact, the sports loving people of Manipur are expecting nothing less than an impetus forceful enough to propel the sports movement of the State to a higher level compatible with international standard from the Academy. But the Academy as it stands today has belied all hopes and expectations. Yet, efforts are on to install the necessary infrastructure within this year. Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Boby Waikhom noted that the National Sports Academy is one of the most coveted institutions in Manipur. Just as much as the people value this Academy, they are expecting a lot from the Academy, he observed. The National Sports Academy Imphal opened last year. Of the 60 students of the Academy's first batch, nine were...

Indian Americans disappoint Tamang: Undated: While the reigning Indian Idol Prashant Tamang had a good time on his four-city US tour that ended Monday, the organisers were disappointed by the low turnout of Indian Americans at his concerts. "At Tamang's New York performance, the audience of about 1,700 was predominantly Nepalis and Tibetans. Only about 30 Indian Americans attended," said Kashish, who managed the concert at the Jacob Javits Centre December 8. "The proportion of Indian Americans at the Atlanta concert December 9 too was abysmal," he added. "The tour that opened with concerts at Washington DC and Boston was not a financial success," Kashish said. "But then profit was not our motive. It was to introduce him to the Nepali community here," he said. Tamang himself said he had a good time on the tour as it was a dream come true for him. "Ever since I was a child, I had wanted to visit China and America," he said at a press...