Author name: OnlineAge

KOHIMA : Union minister Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday said the Narendra Modi-led government considers the Northeast as the country’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and has prioritised the region’s development through sustained investments in infrastructure, connectivity and welfare programmes over the past 12 years. Addressing a press conference at the BJP Nagaland state headquarters here to mark 12 years of the NDA government, Margherita said the region has witnessed unprecedented attention under Modi, who has repeatedly described the region as a key driver of India’s growth story. Margherita, the minister of state for external affairs and textiles, said the Centre’s commitment to the Northeast is reflected in improved connectivity, expanded welfare coverage and increased financial support to the region. According to him, the region has recorded significant progress in road, rail, air and digital connectivity, alongside investments in healthcare, education, tourism and entrepreneurship. Turning to Nagaland, Margherita said the state has been a major beneficiary of the Centre’s development initiatives and welfare schemes. He highlighted investments in infrastructure, tourism, handloom and handicrafts, as well as enhanced fiscal support to the state. Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), he said 17 road projects worth about Rs 900 crore and 146 infrastructure projects valued at nearly Rs 1,489 crore have been approved for the state since the scheme’s inception. The minister also pointed to the role of the ministry of textiles in supporting the Handloom and Handicrafts Complex at Kisama Heritage Village, which serves as a platform for local artisans and weavers to showcase and market their products. Margherita said the Centre is working to connect artisans from Nagaland to national and international markets through digital platforms and major textile exhibitions such as Bharat Tex. He noted that traditional Naga handloom products have gained visibility at national events, creating new opportunities for local weavers and entrepreneurs. Highlighting the state’s tourism potential, he said the state’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, cuisine and natural landscapes place it in a strong position to attract investment and visitors. He added that the Centre and state government are working together to promote tourism and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Referring to the Hornbill Festival, he said the event has evolved into a major attraction that draws visitors from across the country and abroad. He added that digital marketing platforms introduced by the Centre are helping artisans and weavers from remote areas access wider markets. On financial assistance, Margherita said tax devolution to Nagaland increased from Rs 5,405 crore during 2004-2014 to more than Rs 59,327 crore since 2014. He said grants and other forms of central support have also risen substantially, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to the state’s development. He further noted that Kohima’s inclusion under the Smart City Mission and investments in connectivity projects are contributing to urban development and economic growth in the state. The minister further outlined the impact of flagship welfare schemes in the state. He said more than 4.13 lakh Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the state, over 7.7 lakh Ayushman Bharat cards issued, and more than 1.22 lakh LPG connections provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. He added that over 3.42 lakh rural households have received tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.   According to Margherita, around 14 lakh beneficiaries in the state are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, while more than 1.8 lakh farmers have benefited from assistance under PM-KISAN. He maintained that the development witnessed in Nagaland over the past decade reflects the Centre’s broader vision for the Northeast as India’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and growth engine. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the state’s progress through continued investments in infrastructure, welfare and economic development. “The government of India will continue to work closely with the people of Nagaland to unlock the state’s full potential and ensure inclusive growth,” Margherita said. (Source: PTI)  

BARPETA : Assam Police has detained three boys for allegedly raping and murdering a 10-year-old girl in Barpeta district, an official said on Tuesday. The incident took place in the district’s Baghbar area on Monday, when the victim was returning from school, he said. Barpeta additional superintendent of police (ASP) Sameeran Baishya said the girl was returning home from school early as she was feeling unwell. “On the way, the accused dragged her into a jute field and gangraped her. Then they strangled her to death at the spot and left the body in the field,” he said. When the girl did not return home till evening, the family informed police and the body was recovered from the field by a police team later in the night. “The three boys have been detained after initial investigation,” the ASP said. “Further investigation is on, and more details will be shared later,” Baishya added. (Source: PTI)    

NAGAON : For most teenagers, school textbooks are unlikely places to find personal memories. But for Assam’s Giban Saikia, a chapter in his Class 10 textbook opened a window to a forgotten chapter of his life, which depicts the rescue story of an orphaned civet cub and how it was raised as a family member. A civet is a small and mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The memories came rushing back to young Giban of central Assam’s Nagaon district as he read through ‘Baby Bhakat’, a chapter in his English textbook. Recalling the incident, Giban’s father Dharani Saikia said, “It was in 2009. I received information that a 10-day-old cub of a civet (locally called ‘Jahamal’) had fallen down from its nest on the premises of a neighbour’s house. As there was no one to look after it, I decided to bring the animal home.” Saikia is known for his love for nature and wildlife in Kampur area of the district, and he is approached by people in such matters. Initially unsure on what to feed the cub, Saikia’s wife Anjali decided to raise it on her own milk along with Giban, who was a six-month-old infant back then. The cub, whom they named ‘Bhakat’, grew up with Giban and his elder brother Pulin – eating, playing and even sleeping with them. After spending about eight months with the Saikia family, ‘Bhakat’ suddenly disappeared from the household. The civet cub’s stay with the Saikia family was documented by photojournalist Rommel Shunmugam, which found its way into the CBSE English textbook for Class 10. The chapter, ‘Baby Bhakat’, has been included since the 2024-25 session. “We hope that this will inspire young students to love nature and wildlife, and help in whatever way they can,” Saikia said. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : A study by Nagaland University has highlighted how indigenous knowledge sustains terrace farming among Angami Nagas, with the institute saying the findings would help support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture. The central university, in a release, said the use of ecological indicators for agricultural planning and the deep integration of farming with cultural traditions of the community have also been found in the new research. “A Nagaland University study has generated new insights into how traditional knowledge continues to guide and facilitate terrace farming among the Angami Naga population. It presents significant lessons in sustainable agriculture and food security,” it said. The findings of the study will also support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture, the university said. Furthermore, the results of this study may also help implement development policies and projects that would otherwise hinder indigenous people from using their culturally sensitive agricultural methods. The findings of the study, published in the Sage journal, are based on doctoral research work conducted by Ketekhoto Neihu under the supervision of Srikanth Yamsani, Assistant Professor at the Tribal Research Centre, Department of Sociology. Commenting on the research finding, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, said, “The study highlights how traditional wisdom continues to sustain agricultural productivity, ecological balance and community resilience in the hill landscapes of Nagaland.” The findings showed that the sustainability of Angami terrace cultivation rests on the harmonious integration of ecological practices, social cooperation and cultural traditions, he added. “At a time when the world is seeking sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural solutions, such research underscores the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems and the importance of documenting, preserving and learning from them,” Patnaik said. Unlike previous studies, which focused on the technicalities of terrace farming, the present study goes deeper into the underlying social, cultural and ecological knowledge system that supports the practice. “The study provides valuable insights into the sophisticated methods of soil and water management developed by the Angami community over generations, the use of ecological indicators in agricultural planning, and the deep cultural values embedded within farming practices,” Patnaik said. It demonstrated that indigenous knowledge is not merely a legacy of the past but a living system that contributes significantly to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, he added. Talking about the significance of the research, lead researcher Srikanth Yamsani said, “Our study found that the Angami Naga population continues to practice farming in close association with cycles and signs of nature. Farmers plant, transplant, and harvest using clues like plant bloom times, bird habits and insects.” While these forms of agricultural practice are still strong, it is important to point out the new challenges being faced by farmers, such as changing patterns of rainfall and climate variability, he added. Northeast India has diverse farming practices due to its varied agro-climatic zones and indigenous traditions that are deeply rooted in society. (Source: PTI)