REGIONAL

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and discussed the progress of key national highway projects in the state, including the Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur roads, according to an official statement. During the meeting at Gadkari’s official residence, the chief minister also sought early sanction of the proposed elevated highway project in Manipur. The Union minister responded positively to the state’s requests, the statement said. Regarding National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road), Singh informed Gadkari that land compensation issues in Noney district had been resolved following a revised survey and approval by the state cabinet, and that work on the project had commenced. On the Imphal-Dimapur highway, the chief minister said issues related to Kangpokpi district had been resolved, and a special package had been approved by the state cabinet. Singh also informed the Union minister that land issues continued to affect the Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami highway project and that the state government was engaging with stakeholders to ensure an early resolution, the statement added. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : A structured pipeline of marquee live events could generate over Rs 700 crore in cumulative economic impact within Assam over the next five years, a report released here on Wednesday claimed. It was based on a survey conducted by BookMyShow, an online entertainment ticketing platform, in collaboration with Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ATDC) and EY-Parthenon, a global strategy consulting arm of Ernst and Young (EY). The report, ‘The Assam Blueprint: Turning Live Music Economy into a Tourism Multiplier’, examined the economic, tourism, workforce and cultural impact of live entertainment in Assam following a concert by American singer-rapper Post Malone in December last year. It comes days after the announcement of another concert by the legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses in the city in November, as part of the state government’s ‘concert tourism’ policy. Unveiling the report at a press conference here, ATDC managing director Kumar Padmapani Bora said the report was compiled after extensive talks with various stakeholders. As per the report, a structured pipeline of marquee live entertainment events could generate over Rs 700 crore in cumulative economic impact within the state over the next five years. The Post Malone concert generated an estimated Rs 43 crore in total economic impact, including Rs 32 crore injected directly into Assam’s economy through attended spending and another Rs 5 crore in GST revenue. The concert attracted approximately 20,000 attendees, with 53 per cent coming from outside Guwahati, with people from over 200 cities and towns across the country attending it. The report further revealed that for every Rs 100 spent on a concert ticket, attendees spent an additional Rs 899 on accommodation, travel, dining, shopping and local services. Hotels in the city reported a nearly 30 per cent increase in occupancy during the concert weekend, local transport operators experienced more than 50 per cent growth in ride demand, restaurants and cafés recorded over 33 per cent growth in walk-ins, while retail businesses witnessed more than 30 per cent higher footfalls during the event. Bora said the live events are part of the state’s concert tourism policy, adopted last year. “For Assam, the concert economy is not just about entertainment; it is about tourism, culture, youth engagement and economic growth working together. Our objective is to build a facilitative ecosystem where large events become repeatable opportunities that bring visitors into the state, create local employment and showcase Assam to national and global audiences,” he said. As per the policy, at least three marquee live events, featuring national or international performers, will be organised, Bora said. “A concert arena will also be developed in Guwahati in the next two to three years,” he added. Naman Pugalia, chief business officer, Live Events, BookMyShow, also present at the press meet, said the deep-rooted connection of North East region with music serves as a catalyst for hosting concerts here. “The Post Malone concert demonstrated how globally benchmarked live experiences can generate value far beyond the venue, creating impact across tourism, hospitality, local enterprise and employment,” he said. The successful hosting of the event was also a demonstration of the synchronisation of government, industry and local stakeholders, Pugalia added. Raghav Anand, partner and leader, Media and Entertainment, EY-Parthenon, speaking virtually at the press conference, said, “What makes Assam particularly exemplifying is not just the headline economic impact, but the ecosystem behind it — clear policy direction, institutional coordination, infrastructure investment and a commitment to measuring outcomes.” “When live entertainment is treated as economic infrastructure rather than a one-off spectacle, it becomes a repeatable engine for tourism, employment and regional growth,” he added. The Assam government had approved a policy in May last year for promoting ‘concert tourism’, and also joined hands with Bigtree Entertainment, which operates BookMyShow, to organise various national and international musical concerts in the state. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Ambassador of the European Union to India Herve Delphin on Tuesday asserted that Assam is not at the periphery of India’s geography, but the northeastern state is moving to the centre of its economy. Addressing a press conference here on the second day of the European Union delegation’s high-level visit to the state, Delphin said that the EU has been engaging with and supporting the development of the northeast region, particularly Assam. “Assam is not at the periphery of India’s geography, but is moving to the centre of its economy,” he said. Delphin said what is distinct in Assam is the “resources that nature offers. The quality of the people… their talent, hospitality and the incredible leadership to develop the state, and it is this that makes Assam the go-to destination for European business”. ”At the core, we want to bring the EU-India ecosystem and economies closer, and the launch of ‘Blue Valley Cluster-Flavours, Fragrance and Ayush’ is a step towards this materialising at the state level,” he said. The Blue Valley Cluster pilot project in Assam is expected to demonstrate a new model of sustainable industrial cooperation by connecting local biodiversity, innovation and enterprise with international value chains and market opportunities, officials said. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI : India has exported one tonne of GI-tagged Tezpur Litchi from Assam to Dubai, marking a step forward in promoting the premium fruit, known for its exceptional sweetness, bright-red colour and distinctive aroma, in overseas markets, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry is promoting exports of agri products from the North Eastern Region. It said that the Tezpur region cultivates several notable varieties of Litchi, including Bombaya, Bilati, Elaichi, Piyaji and Sahi. “The Geographical Indication (GI) status has strengthened the identity and market recognition of Tezpur Litchi, enhancing its appeal among international buyers and creating new opportunities for premium agricultural exports from Assam,” it said. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state’s partnership with the European Union (EU) reflects a shared vision of building resilient, sustainable, and innovation-driven economies that create opportunities for people, while strengthening the India-Europe cooperation. Addressing a press conference here on the final day of the EU delegation’s two-day visit to the state, Sarma said that India and the European Union have established an ambitious roadmap in areas including trade, investment, technology, innovation, connectivity and security. He said this was possible due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that ”Assam stands to tremendously benefit from it”. There is immense potential for collaboration across strategic sectors like semiconductors and electronics, defence and aviation, tea, agarwood, organic foods, natural fragrances and flavours, and AYUSH-based wellness products, where Assam and the wider northeast region possess unique strengths and global market opportunities, the CM said. ”Assam also looks forward to leverage European cooperation in sunrise and other emerging sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, manufacturing, AI, biotechnology, etc, to create high-quality opportunities for our youth and to cater to the growing domestic demand for these avenues,” he said. The chief minister said that the launch of the ‘Blue Valley Cluster’ project is a landmark India-EU cooperation, which will directly benefit local farmers. ”Through initiatives such as the Blue Valleys platform, we aim to connect thousands of farmers, women-led self-help groups, startups, researchers, and industries with international value chains, enabling inclusive growth, technology transfer, quality employment, and sustainable prosperity across Assam and the northeast,” he said. The initiative opens immense avenues for European companies to process state-grown products, successfully positioning Assam on the global trade map, Sarma asserted. The Blue Valley initiative is a key outcome of Advantage Assam Investment Summit 2.0 and is a new chapter in the Assam-Europe partnership, he said. “The Blue Valley initiative translates this global strategic cooperation into local opportunities, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth,” he said. India and the EU have established an ambitious roadmap for cooperation across diverse sectors with the adoption of the ‘Towards 2030 agenda’, Sarma said. “Assam is rapidly emerging as the gateway connecting India with Southeast Asia and the initiative seeks to link Assam’s natural strengths with global value chains, creating new avenues for growth, innovation and investment,” he said. Sarma also said that the achievement of the state government during the last five years was only the beginning. “With a strong economic momentum and growing investor confidence, Assam is steadily emerging as one of India’s most sought after destinations for investment,” he added. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : The Nagaland Department of Youth Resources and Sports on Tuesday launched two initiatives aimed at equipping young athletes with life skills, career guidance and economic opportunities beyond their sporting careers. The Mentorship Programme for Holistic Development of Student Athletes and the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme for Athletes were launched at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here by Youth Resources and Sports Secretary Anthony Ngullie. The programmes, designed for athletes of the Indira Gandhi Academy, seek to address a long-standing challenge faced by young sportspersons — preparing for life after sports while balancing education, personal growth and future employment prospects. Speaking at the launch, department officials said the initiatives reflect a broader vision of athlete welfare, recognising that sporting excellence alone cannot guarantee long-term security and success. Under the mentorship programme, 11 officers of the department, including the Secretary himself, will serve as mentors to approximately 140 athletes. Each mentor will guide 12 to 13 athletes through regular interactions focused on academics, physical and mental well-being, discipline, life skills and career planning. The programme, which will run until March next year, is expected to create a structured support system where athletes can receive individual guidance beyond the training ground. In his address, Ngullie said that while coaches will continue to oversee sporting performance, mentors will help athletes navigate personal and educational challenges, encouraging a more balanced and holistic development model. The launch marks one of the first structured attempts by the state government to integrate sports development with career mentorship and livelihood creation, he said. He expressed confidence that the twin initiatives would create a lasting impact on the lives of young athletes by expanding their opportunities both on and off the field, reinforcing the message that sporting success and economic empowerment can go hand in hand. Alongside mentorship, the department also launched a skill development initiative aimed at strengthening the economic resilience of athletes. Targeting athletes aged 15 years and above, the Skill-Based Economic Sustenance Programme will commence on Thursday and continue until October, YRS Officer Naroenla said. Participants will receive training in practical vocational trades including mobile phone repairing, crochet, pickle making and food processing, baking and confectionery, and floristry, she said. The programme has been designed around the idea that athletes should possess alternative skills that can generate income, support entrepreneurship and provide economic security after their competitive careers, she said. Each training module will span one month, comprising two weeks of expert-led instruction followed by two weeks of guided practical work. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Legendary American hard rock band ‘Guns N’ Roses’ will perform here on November 17, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday. This will be the second international concert in the city after Post Malone’s performance here in December last. ”Delighted to welcome the legendary Guns N’ Roses to Guwahati on November 17, 2026, bringing one of the world’s most iconic rock bands to Assam”, the CM posted on ‘X’. ”Following the historic success of Post Malone’s concert, Assam’s rise as a global live entertainment destination continues to gather momentum”, he said. Sarma said as fans travel from across India and beyond, they will experience Assam’s hospitality, culture and vibrancy, while creating new opportunities for tourism and the local economy. The concert will be held at the Veterinary Ground at Khanapara. This will be ‘Guns N’ Roses’ third visit to the country after their performance in Mumbai last year, and also in 2012 at the same venue along with Bengaluru. Besides Guwahati, the band will also perform in Bengaluru on November 14 as part of the Asia leg of their ongoing world tour. The Assam government had approved a new policy in May last year for promoting ‘concert tourism’ with Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Jorhat as hubs and also joined hands with Bigtree Entertainment, which operates online ticketing platform BookMyShow, to organise various national and international musical concerts in the state. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL : Thousands of people took out a rally demanding NRC updation in Manipur before the conduct of the Census in the state. The rally, organised by 14 civil society organisations, started from Tiddim Ground and covered a distance of 5 km before concluding at Thau Ground, both in Imphal. Tight security was ensured to prevent any untoward incident. The rallyists held placards that read ‘Do not neglect Manipur’ and ‘No NRC update, no Census’ and raised slogans demanding that illegal immigrants be identified and deported. The agitators’ spokesperson, Shanta Nahakpam, said, “The BJP raised the issue of illegal immigrants during election campaigns in Assam and West Bengal. Manipur, too, has several issues, including illegal immigration and border fencing.” “We feel there is no desire on the part of the Centre to conduct NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Manipur. We want NRC updation and subsequent delimitation of assembly seats,” Nahakpam added. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had in March said the state government is making all efforts to ensure a fair Census. The Manipur government had earlier announced that house listing operations for Census 2027 will be conducted in the state between September 1 and 30, with an option for self-enumeration from August 17-31. Elections to the 60-member assembly are likely to be held early next year. (Source: PTI)    

DIMAPUR : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday inaugurated four incubation and food processing centres across the state under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2024–25, aimed at strengthening market linkages for farmers and entrepreneurs while creating employment opportunities for the youth. After inaugurating the Food Processing Centre at the State Industrial Area, Toluvi, Dimapur, Rio virtually launched three other projects — the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs and Infrastructure Development at the Industrial Growth Centre, Ganeshnagar under Chümoukedima, the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at Tuensang, and the Modern Aggregation Centre at Longnak in Mokokchung. Addressing the gathering, Rio said small-scale industries, particularly food processing, offer the most viable path for Nagaland’s economic growth. He said the incubation units are aligned with the Government of India’s vision of building a “Viksit Bharat” and can serve as catalysts for rural entrepreneurship and value addition. Rio noted that there is strong demand for such initiatives from both farmers and the state government. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, he stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure Nagaland is not left behind in the country’s growth trajectory. He said the benefits of the centres would directly reach farmers once the units become fully operational, and added that the government plans to replicate the model across all districts. Such expansion, he said, would enable each region to identify and process crops best suited to its local conditions, thereby enhancing productivity and income generation. Expressing confidence in the state’s youth, Rio said Nagaland possesses abundant talent and rich natural resources. He urged young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities created through the new facilities and contribute to sustainable economic growth by combining traditional knowledge with innovation. MLA and Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu described the four centres as pilot projects developed after extensive study and planning based on local potential. She said the department aims to replicate the model across the state and ensure that every district has an independent processing centre by 2028. Emphasising the importance of value addition, Jakhalu said food processing is not merely about installing machinery but about creating an integrated value chain linking farms, factories and markets. She described the sector as a critical bridge between agriculture and manufacturing. Advisor for SCERT and Food Processing Achumbemo Kikon said the department would be guided by six key pillars — Production, Processing, Preservation, Packaging, Pricing and Patenting — to advance the sector in mission mode. He stressed that processing infrastructure would be effective only if supported by adequate production and called for cooperation from farmers, villages and stakeholders to strengthen the state’s economy. Among those present were Minister for Rural Development Metsübo Jamir, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Science and Technology Kuzholuzo Nienu, Advisor for Sericulture and Minority Affairs Imkong L. Imchen, and MLA Dr Sukhato A. Sema. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday allocated portfolios to 12 newly inducted ministers. The chief minister retained Home and Political, PWD, Power, Information and Public Relations, and departments not allotted to any other minister. Among the senior ministers Ranoj Pegu retained the Education Department, Ashok Singhal has been allocated his previous Health & Family Welfare, and Medical Education & Research, while Bimal Borah has been given Cultural Affairs and Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises, and Act East Policy Affairs. The Finance Ministry has been given to Sarma’s close associate Jayanta Malla Baruah. “With the approval of the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, I am pleased to announce the allocation of portfolios amongst the members of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Assam,” Sarma posted on X. The 12 ministers were sworn in on June 5, while four other ministers were administered the oath of office on May 12 along with the chief minister. The portfolios of the four ministers were announced earlier. (Source: PTI)