Northeast Platform

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): She is young, confident and raring to "bridge the gap" between her home region, the northeast, and the rest of the country. Agatha Sangma, the youngest minister of the Manmohan Singh government, may not be "choosy" about her portfolio, but is sure geared up to work for grassroot development. Looking confident as she handled scores of media queries in near-impeccable Hindi right after the news broke, 27-year-old Sangma said that in all probability she will get the rural development ministry.   "I am privileged and since this is my first opportunity, I will not be choosy. Whatever position I am given, I will be happy," the first time minister, who hails from Meghalaya and is the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A.Sangma, told IANS.   "Like last time, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Parful Patel got the civil aviation ministry and Sharad Pawar got the agriculture portfolio. Therefore if the status quo is maintai

Imphal, May 27: Alleging constant disturbance and harassment by the security personnel in the aftermath of the killing of Prof Islamuddin of the Manipur University, students started vacating their respective hostels since Thursday. About 600 students from the boys hostel number 1, 2 and 3 left their hostels after the Vice Chancellor failed to give assurance on the action by the security personnel. Speaking to media persons in this connection a hosteller, who is also spokesperson of the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUTSU), Tingjinlung Panmei, informed that a joint meeting was held between the MU authority including the Vice Chancellor and the hostellers, during which the students demanded an end to the follow up action by the security personnel which had caused constant disturbance and harassment day and night to the hostellers. He also informed that this was despite the fact that the semester examination was going on. Panmei further stated that the Vice Chancellor informed that

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): After three days of intense negotiations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new coalition government took final shape Wednesday with 78 ministers including 33 in the cabinet and with the Congress party accounting for three quarters of the three-tier ministry. The selection of ministers -- a blend of youth and experience, first-time winners and veterans -- showed the touch of an assertive Manmohan Singh who was clear who he wanted in the government and who should be kept out. Congress president Sonia Gandhi gave him her full backing.  Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi finally did not make it -- on his own choice, disappointing many in the Congress who wanted to see his stamp in the government too. With the average age of the ministers put at 57, Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, is the youngest at age 27. The oldest is External affairs minister S.M. Krishna (77), one of 19 cabinet ministers who took oath May 22 and one of