Scovilles Naga Chilli Vodka

Master of Malt is claiming to have created the world’s hottest chilli vodka, which comes with a warning not to drink it. 

The 250,000 Scovilles Naga Chilli Vodka has been created by The ‘Hot Enough’ Vodka Co, part of the Master of Malt company, using English vodka and Naga Jolokia chillies – the hottest in the world.

Available from 1 October, the vodka is a ‘step up’ from Master of Malt’s existing 100,000 Scovilles, which launched last year.

The 250,000 Scovilles release comes in a new bottle design featuring industrial-grade sealing wire and a lead security seal embossed with a skull and crossbones. The company claims purchasers will need a pair of wire cutters to open it.

The vodka is so intense that it not only comes with several warnings about handling it responsibly, but Master of Malt has gone one step further and suggested consumers do not buy or drink it.

“This is the world’s hottest chilli vodka as far as we know,” said Angus Martin, online editor for Master of Malt. “On the nose is a musty chilli smell, but the taste is just pure fire.”

When asked whether the company intended to continue releasing hotter vodkas in the future, he said: “I’m not sure how far we intend to go. The first one is undrinkable as it is.

                      WATCH THE VIDEO AS PEOPLE DRINKS IT

The AO Naga shawl

Tabled to grant the Geographical Indication status, the beautiful Naga shawl is handwoven with bright-coloured geometric patterns on a base black weave.
                                                    Air India Express

The seventeenth Boeing 737- 800 aircraft owned by Air India Express, VT-AYC, arrived in Delhi on October 3, 2009. With the induction of this aircraft, Air India Express now has a fleet of 24 aircraft, including seven leased aircraft.

The new aircraft tail showcases an image of a traditional Patola saree from Gujarat which is finely woven in the double Ikat weave, in rich silk and decorative patterns. The other side has the image of a typical Naga hand woven woollen shawl with red and black coloured stripes and hand painted motifs on the centre band, woven by the women of Ao Naga tribe from Nagaland.  The tail designs are an innovative and novel feature of the Air India Express aircraft. These aircraft showcase the picturesque landscapes, monuments, birds, animals, handicraft and dances of India on both sides of the tail.

50 Beautiful Places in India

                       23^rd is  Dzukou Valley Nagaland

Located at an altitude of a little more than 2000 meters above sea level is the gorgeous Dzukou Valley of Nagaland. The valley lies on the border of Manipur and Nagaland, behind the majestic Japfu Peak. During the summer season, the valley is blessed with different species of flowers, the highlight of which is the Dzukou Lilly.

The name of the valley literally translates to “Cold Water”, and refers to the stream of river that flows through the valley. It is a short and slightly challenging trek to the valley, but nevertheless rewarding for the senses. When in this part of the country, the valley is a must-visit.

 

Pork is a primary food item in the State of Nagaland

Pork is a primary food item in the State of Nagaland. A majority of Nagaland’s over 20 lakh people take pork as part of a traditional diet; the demand is unlikely to decrease yet. Nagaland State’s pork market is dependent on supply from outside as the local production level is insufficient to meet the demand. Several factors are deterring local farmers from producing enough for domestic consumption; one factor is the pricing of supply pork against which local farmers are unable to compete.

A Naga piggery owner, Savino, who has been raising pigs for over 20 years, says, “The cost of feed outside the State must be very less. Otherwise, how would they be able to rear so many pigs?”

At present, the retail price of local pork is not less than Rs.200 a Kg whereas, strangely, ‘Supply Pork’ costs anywhere between Rs.160 to Rs.180 per Kg. Moreover, the more remote an area is from distribution hubs, like Dimapur and Mokokchung, higher the price. This is due to logistical costs involved, which applies to prices of all imported fresh food items.

This shows that people with lower incomes, living in remote areas of Nagaland, with poor transport connectivity and with lesser income opportunities, are doubly disadvantaged. Consumers are relatively aware that Supply Pork is of lower quality and therefore prefer local pork; however, price and availability become dominating influences on their buying decision, especially for those with lower disposable incomes – who comprise the highest percentage of the Naga public.

According to findings of a study conducted on the ‘Supply Chain of Pigs from Outside the State’ by Dr. Simon Ao, bulk of Nagaland’s pork supply comes from Uttar Pradesh: Barielly, Badayu, Bewar (Mainpuri), Bidhuna (Auraya), Farukabad (Fathenagar), Kanpur, Rae Barielly, Amethi, Faizabad, Jaunpur, Allahabad – Mehowa, Naini & Begum Bazaar, Gonda and Balia etc. The supply route starts from NH 24 connecting to NH 39, and pigs transported to Dimapur (Nagaland), Jorahbad (for Megahlaya and Assam) and Mizoram.

According to the 2010-11 Administrative Annual Report of the Department of veterinary and animal husbandry, Government of Nagaland, Nagaland’s total livestock import stood at Rs. 221.67 crores. Of this, a majority might be of pork, given that 207 pigs are slaughtered daily throughout Nagaland (supply pork), as per Dr. Simon Ao’s report of 2010-11. Today, the cost of the same (per kg) has doubled.

How is Supply Pork from outside dominating the local market?
According to Rev. Supong Aier, President of NPFA (Nagaland Pig Farmers Association), “Local farmers are unable to produce enough for the market… the State Government is trying to uplift local piggery industry but the funds should be channelized properly; genuine farmers and entrepreneurs should be identified. High feed cost is a huge challenge… subsidized rate on feed should be worked out for local farmers.”

All local pig farmers trying to organize piggery units in Nagaland highlight one common issue, “Feed cost is too high, and profit margin is less.”

One critical point to consider is that the method of pig rearing at source points such as Uttar Pradesh, as the findings reveal, is not technologically superior. This raises important questions if farmers and consumers in Nagaland are aware of the quality of meat imported and why it is cheaper and what are the public health implications, besides losing out on revenue generation sources to importers.

The practice of pig rearing or backyard piggery is not new to the Nagas. Even if local production were to increase, importer’s pricing would pose a stiff competition and local farmers will continue to be disadvantaged. This scenario is not helping the State’s economy: the influx of “cheap” imported pigs is killing local production and affecting livelihood opportunities for local people.

Without pork import substitution policies with stronger tariff barriers by the State Government, there would be lesser incentive for local production to move up to the next level. Public health hazard posed by unregulated pork imports from unknown sources is another major issue that needs to be tackled.morungexpress

doyang hydro project nagaland

Doyang river is one of the most important river in the district. It is the biggest and longest rivers which run near the state’s

southern boundary. The Angami people in whose area it rises calls it Dzu or Dzulu. It first flows almost due north, slightly turn towards east when it received an addition of Saju, an eastward parallel tributary. The river then enters Zunheboto district still flowing north westwardly. It later on forms a boundary line between Sema and Lotha areas. In the west of Litami it makes westward bend and emerged in the western Lotha area in Wokha district, and proceeds to the southern border of the district, it suddenly turns westward and then debouches the hills for the plains west of Koro village and then finally falls in the Dhansiri river of Assam valleys. 

Many small hill streams from other districts have fallen into Doyang and it’s central and western parts. It has got three main tributaries such as Tsui, Tullo and Tishi.Tullo is the combined water of Keleki and Tangki streams, Tishi joins it in the Sema area. Doyang is not only important Doyangriver for Wokha district alone but it is also equally an important river of Nagaland. In the valley along the Doyang river the modern system of cultivation like terrace is being carried out successfully, especially in two particular areas near Pangti village called “Pofu hayi” and “Tentsu hay”. Besides vegetables, and fruits such as banana, pineapple papaya etc.are abundantly and luxuriantly grown in those two areas.