Mawlynnong (Shillong), Jan. 30 : Mawlynnong, a small settlement located 75 kilometres from Shillong in Meghalaya, has earned the unique distinction of being declared the `cleanest village' in entire Asia.

The exclusive recognition has been conferred on the hamlet by a team of experts from the famous travel and tourism journal, ''Discovery India''.

Shillong(Meghalaya), Jan 29 : Authorities in Meghalaya are trying to combat the outbreak of meningitis fever.

An increase in the patients has made the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) recommend to the State government to strengthen surveillance for early detection and treatment of those affected.

After visiting the affected areas the team of experts said that most of the meningitis fever cases have been reported from slum areas where the people are forced to live in unhygienic conditions.

Umroi, Jan 25 : By-elections to Mehgalaya''s Umroi assembly constituency will be held o

Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan. 10 : Meghalaya capital Shillong recently played host to an orange festival to popularise the fruit in the region.

Organised by a self help group, the festival was aimed at encouraging farmers in the state to undertake orange cultivation.

Meghalaya currently produces 40,000 tons of oranges annually, which is about five percent of the country''s total output of oranges.

Most of the oranges are grown in the Khasi Hills in areas bordering Bangladesh, and are known as "Khasi Mandarin".

Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan. 3 : Following Pakistan's rejection to extradite any Pakistani national to India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Pakistan to hand over "criminals" responsible for the Mumbai attacks so that they can face trial in India.

Singh hoped that "some sense" would prevail in the Pakistani leadership and that it would recognise that those behind the "horrible acts" in Mumbai should to be brought to justice.

Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan. 3 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged the scientific industry of the nation to invest more in research and development to encourage more young and talented scientists.

"The best science is done by young people. Our institutions must be receptive to the needs of the young people. They must promote younger talent and allow youth to lead," Dr. Singh said inaugurating the 96th Indian Science Congress at the North Eastern Hill University campus in Shillong on Saturday.

"Seniority and age may be relevant in the bureaucratic system, but intellectual leaders, irrespective of age, must lead scientific institutions" he said.