Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Mizo Designers Win Hearts at Lakme Designer Week



Aizawl, Dec 23 : People from the northeast are known for their fashion consciousness and fascination for fashionable dresses and latest trends. This was witnessed here recently during the first ever Lakme Designer Week in the State.

Organised by Entertainment Mizoram and Heritage Handloom and Handicraft industry, the event was jointly supported by State government of Mizoram and private companies.

It provided an opportunity to the young talent to gain an entry into the fashion world. Fashion enthusiasts turned up in large numbers to witness the first ever `Lakme Designer Week‘ that was held in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl.

Ruth L. Hrangchal, member of the Entertainment Mizoram, said: “We feel that we have to expose our talents so that our talent becomes a great industry. Mizo people are very talented. When it comes to fashion industry, we are number one. We are as good as theest of the world. So we want to show the world the talents of the Mizo people so that this creativity becomes an industry for the people of Mizoram.”

It was a major draw for the young at heart. The enthusiastic models set the ramp on fire and displayed an array of ethnic and stylish clothes designed by up-and-coming Mizo designers.

Rebbeca Lallenpui Ralte, one resident designer, said: “My inspiration was like I want to promote the Mizo costumes and Indian costumes. So I’m mixing all that thing.”

The designs were mostly a fusion of western and traditional Mizo designs.

The fashion show has helped to familiarize the world with abundant creativity and talent that is available in the region.

And today models and designers from North East are scaling new heights and making it to the catwalks of Mumbai and Delhi, if not Paris and Milan.

ANI

Musical Concert Sponsored by Assam Rifles at Churachandpur

Imphal, Dec 23 : Manipur’s Famine hit Churachandpur district has overshadowed the Christmas mood of the Christians here in this Kuki-Chin-Zomi communities dominated district.

Most parts of the district had been hit by the famine like situation after the rodent attacked the standing crops as well as the granaries in the wake of large scale bamboo flowering.

A total of 16,050.13 hectares of cultivated land was damaged and 1,03,558 persons from 14,307 families in 264 villages in the district bordering Myanmar and Mizoram affected as per district administration report quoted by Co-ordinating Mautam Famine Aid.

When bamboo flowers, famine, death and destruction follow.

Rats multiply at a very rapid pace after eating the protein-rich seeds that appear soon after bamboo flowering.

When the seeds are exhausted, armies of rats chomp their way through other food grains, causing a famine.

“As the Christian dominated district of Churachandpur is already on its festive mood, it is pertinent to mention that majority of the people remains haunted by the dreaded Mautam famine they have suffered” Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) said in a release, adding their worries have overshadowed the normal cheerful mood prevailing at this time of the year.The Public suffering is compounded by the non-distribution of Mautam relief well on time by the government which they are endlessly waiting for.

Bamboo grows wild in 3691.77 sq.km of Manipur’s total geographical area of 22,327 sq km.

Locally known as Mautam, the bamboo flowering is concurrently affecting the contiguous areas of Mizoram as well.

ZEPADA also urged the FCI department on the 11th of this month for direct lifting of all famine related items from Dimapur to Churachandpur at least till the 3rd of December, it said.

Meanwhile, the DC Churachandpur said that all requisite amount of food had been accredited for procuring the rice, claimed the release.

However ZEPEDA questions Why relief material got delayed for so long? - Six months to release the fund and more than one month (and still waiting) to procure and distribute the food-grains, it questions.