TAILORS CUT PROFIT FROM WORLD CUP FEVER
The World Cup may be generating tens of millions of yen for hosts South Korea and Japan, but the mega-event has made a hitherto unknown tailor in this hill station richer by a few lakhs of Rupees too. Thanks to Kiran Bhusal, this "Queen of Hill Stations" has taken on the look of a World Cup venue - the streets are awash with flags of nearly all the participating teams. Every shop, business establishment and house sports these flags, as do the ubiquitous jeeps that ferry tourists and all private vehicles and two wheelers. Nearly all these flags have been stitched by 47 year old Bhusal, who retired from the CRPF a few years ago to start his own tailoring establishment at Daroga Bazar. Brazil seems to be the clear favourite. And the yellow and green flag as a bandana is the latest fashion statement among youngsters here. Argentina and England vie for the second place, Bhusal himself vouching for the former.

He says he has worked upto 18 hours a day for the last 45 days to make flags of all sizes and banners and buntings of the World Cup teams. The first few appeared more than a month ago in a few restuarants and that caught the fancy of the whole town. He had to employ two additional people to meet the rush, but is reluctant to divulge the number of flags he has made.

This town has, in fact, scored over even soccer crazy Kolkata in its display of passion for football. Hundreds of youngters sport shaven heads a la Ronaldo. T-shirts featuring football icons are a must wear among both the boys and girls. In fact restuarants are where most people head to for a lively session of match watching everyday. And the place to be in, is the Buzz, the World Cup area of Darjeeling's perhaps most well known confectionery and eatery - Glenarys - that dates back to the days of the Raj. Buzz, an extention of Glenarys has a special a la carte World Cup with a whole new range of cocktails served by waiters sporting Argentina or Brazilian jerseys. Match time is the "happy hour" at Buzz. A 15 kg chocolate replica of the FIFA Cup occupies centrestage at the Buzz.

Offices have been recording very thin attendance during the matches. And in order to keep their staff from taking leave, some have even installed TV sets. Schools have re-structured their timings. Classes start and end early, in time for students and teachers to get back home for the matches.

19 GNLF REBELS RETURN TO PARTY
Nineteen councillors, who had resigned with rebel leader Mr DK Pradhan from primary membership of the GNLF, returned to party folds yesterday. However, speculation is on that these councillors might have returned fearing kidnap by the GNLF. Mr Pradhan resigned from the posts of the chairman of municipality and Darjeeling MLA yesterday, alleging the party had kidnapped three civic councillors. The GNLF was, however, silent over the allegation. The latest development has scuttled all hopes of Mr Pradhan forming a new party. Mr Pradhan had planned to rope other DGHC councillors to form a new front, to start "a democratic movement for Gorkhaland". Now with even the municipal councillors deserting him, he has been politically isolated, analysts said.

With Mr Pradhan pushed to the wall, it will be interesting to see whether he manages to stage a comeback in Hill politics. His meteoric rise to fame had been largely attributed to his proximity to the DGHC chairman, Mr Subash Ghissing. This is because Mr Pradhan lacks mass support. The GNLF camp is upbeat over the latest developments and has reportedly called off a rally that had been scheduled to show its mass support. Meanwhile, the week long political instability had affected tourism in the Hills.

Most tourists were cutting short their holiday trip, apprehending an outbreak of violence. Now, with the return of normalcy, hotel owners and travel agents are hoping to cash in on the tremendous rush of tourists before the onset of the monsoon.

DARJEELING GOES BONKERS OVER LASSI
It is healthy, delicious and comes at half the price of the cola. Little wonder that it has taken Siliguri and parts of North Bengal by storm. No, it is no wonder drink, which a milk cooperative of Darjeeling district is marketing in 200 ml pouches. And sales have shot way beyond the target and the cooperative, once staring at closure, now plans to diversify business.

Himul launched the packed lassi on the eve of Paila Baishak. It had set a modest sales target of 400 litres a day for the Rs 5 priced pouch. But as soon as it hit the market, the people of Siliguri, both young and old, chucked aerated drinks and grabbed these pouches, shooting sales to 1,100 litres a day. Himul general manager enthusiastically says that by July they will be selling 2,500 litres a day, and at the turn of the year, 5,000 litres. The only difficulty is procuring the required quantity of milk.

Taxi driver, Dilip Khati said he would hardly dare to by soft drinks but the Himul lassi is well within his budget. "And it is refreshing as well," he says. Sumit Paul, a class IX student, said he has given up cold unnatural drinks. The general manager, Himul said that Himul would launch curd in September this year. He attributes the success to Himul's 240 workers who he says, are working overtime to consolidate the company.