And every state in the North East boasts multiple musical bands. But in Nagaland, there is a slightly different approach to music. The state government has set up a Music Task Force that organises India's biggest rock festival, the Hornbill National Rock Contest, every December. "Short Prom Dresses see music as an industry and we are focusing on every aspect, including sound, visual media and recording," says Gugs Sema, director of the Music Task Force. In Patkai Christian College, a premier college in Dimapur, music is part of the curriculum. And every year, 20 to 30 music graduates pursue higher degrees in music in the state. With over 66 home-grown bands in 11 districts in 2008, the number has only increased over the years. In Shillong, Homecoming Dresses estimates that Meghalaya has about 15 to 20 local bands who sing in English. Mizoram is not far behind with its own rock band, Magdalene, releasing well-made music videos for local audiences. And Albatross, Frisky Pints and others have performed in metro cities as well. No wonder then, international stars would rather play in the North East than in India's big cities. On his maiden trip to India in 2007, Eric Martin, the voice of Mr Big, headed straight to Shillong where other bands like Firehouse and White Lion have played. Pradyot Manikya Deb Burman, the current king of the royal house of Tripura and the man who brings international acts to Shillong, says: "It's purely for the love of music. There is also a need to show that our region is capable of hosting world class shows. Also, the perception that the region is unsafe had to be removed, and what better way to do it than with packed stadiums?" Strictly business If there is a will, there is a way. And when Raja Sithlou and his wife Ahoi returned from a holiday in Thailand in 2006, they were decided. They would start 'the McDonald's of spas'. In 2008, the dream came true. The couple now run Oriental Senses at Select Citywalk mall in Delhi, a spa that offers luxurious services at affordable prices. "We saw a great business opportunity in introducing Baby Doll Prom Dresses services at affordable rates," says Raja. Ahoi trained in Asian massage therapies in Thailand and Indonesia, and now personally trains her staff who are mostly from the interiors of Manipur. "We wanted to do something which will directly help build skills and create employment opportunities for our people," says Raja. And it helps that most of his staff are from the North East. "A lot of customers do come in thinking that the spa is run by Thais. It does make a difference if the therapist 'looks' like a Thai!" As the head designer for an export house, Dodou Tunglut always wanted to start something of his own. In 2006 he chucked up his job and set up a studio manufacturing home furnishings. Today he caters to high-end boutiques in America and Europe. "People who are familiar with my work keep ordering more," says Tunglut. As of now, he is researching the textiles of the North East. Mary Claire dived into designing out of sheer passion. The Mizo, married to an Italian restaurateur, the owner of Delhi's Flavors, is already making many trips to Europe to meet clients. But for someone who made her owndresses at the age of 12, this is only expected. Claire fuses North East handlooms with frills and adds stones and beads on table runners, mats, and head boards. "They are all sold out in Europe," she says. Lost and found A few years ago, heading to the North East for a holiday would have been unthinkable. Forget the insurgency problems. There weren't enough hotels! It was also difficult to get there. Now, there are more direct flights to the region than ever before. Backless Prom Dresses accommodation? You are spoilt for choice. So tourist traffic to the North East has really taken off. Assam, for instance, had 36.7 lakh domestic arrivals in Assam in 2008. In 2010, it was 40.51 lakh. "The region is clearly poised for a growth in economic activity, linked both to the huge tourism potential and the availability of resources, natural and human. Hence, we anticipate that the region will see a greater presence of branded hotels, going forward," says Prabhat Pani, CEO & director, Roots Corporation Limited. Locals are also doing their bit. Take for instance Pradyot Manikya Deb Burman, the current king of the royal house of Tripura, who opened a heritage resort by converting his family's summer home into a hotel, Tripura Castle, in Shillong. He is now adding a few more rooms, another restaurant and a spa. "The market is growing. There is a definite demand for high-end hotels in places like Kaziranga," says Subrto Sharma who invested in a luxury resort in a tea garden in Kaziranga. Says Rakesh Mathur, president of Welcomheritage which has a slew of properties in Jorhat, Sikkim, Arunachal and elsewhere, "It was only a question of time for us to promote the North East as a destination. The doors have opened and the time is ripe." Mayfair Hotels & Resorts has opened the Ball Gowns first luxury resort in Gangtok, complete with spa, helipad and casino. And ITDC, which owns two hotels in the region, is open to proposals for new hotels.