NEIR reaches Dimapur, pitches ‘One Northeast’ vision

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 16

The North East Integration Rally (NEIR), organised by the Knowledge Research Centre (KRC), reached Dimapur on January 16 as part of its month-long journey across the north-eastern states. The rally was flagged off from Kolkata on January 4 and is being described as one of India’s most distinctive cultural journeys aimed at fostering regional bonding through people-to-people interaction.

Participants converged at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), where the NEIR Fest was organised to mark the occasion.

Delivering the keynote address, Biswadeep Gupta, managing trustee of KRC Foundation, said that while indigenous identities are a source of pride, continued conflict in their name would only harm future generations. He said that the rally was a step towards collective thinking and promoting the idea of “One Northeast”.

Gupta asserted that the initiative was not intended to be a one-time event but part of a long-term engagement. “This is not a class movement but a mass movement. We want to reach the last mile and engage with people from all communities, including villages,” he said, adding that the rally would involve year-long activities.

Highlighting the core themes, Gupta said the KRC Foundation is promoting the concept of “5E for Success” — Education, Employment, Employability, Entrepreneurship and Emotional Intelligence. Other focus areas include climate change, adventure sports and disaster management, with special emphasis on disaster preparedness.

He also underlined the importance of amateur (“Ham”) radio communication during emergencies, noting that the region is vulnerable to natural disasters. As part of the rally, members of the Tripura Ham Radio Club are demonstrating the utility of amateur radio, and KRC aims to establish 10 Ham Radio clubs within the next 30 days.

Obtaining a Ham radio licence requires passing an examination conducted by the Ministry of Communications, which entails a fee of Rs 100. Upon qualifying, a licence can be obtained for Rs 1,000 for a 10-year duration or Rs 2,000 for a lifetime.

Before entering Nagaland, the rally covered several locations including Malda, Gangtok, Cooch Behar, Bongaigaon, Manas and Pobitora National Parks, Guwahati, Tezpur, Pasighat and Jorhat. From Dimapur, the rally will travel to Kohima, Jakhama, Senapati, Imphal, Moirang, Silchar, Aizawl, Agartala, Unakoti, Haflong and Shillong, before concluding at NEZCC Shilpagram in Guwahati.

The event witnessed the participation of various organisations, including the Dimapur Lotha Union, Naga Students’ Union (Kolkata chapter), representatives of ICFAI University, participants from Manipur, the Tripura Ham Radio Club and other collaborators.