New Delhi, March 5, 2026: The North East Conference–2026, organized by North East Sanstha, Delhi, concluded successfully at the historic Constitution Club of India, bringing together eminent thinkers, policy experts, academicians, social leaders, and cultural practitioners to deliberate on diverse dimensions of Northeast India.
The day-long conference featured engaging thematic sessions focusing on the region’s rich cultural heritage, customary traditions, developmental trajectory, policy perspectives, social harmony, and future opportunities. Participants held meaningful discussions highlighting both the historical significance of the Northeastern region and the transformative developments taking place in recent years.
In the inaugural session, Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, retired IAS, former Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and a distinguished administrator from Assam, emphasized the unique sensitivity of the Northeast and its gradual integration and exposure to the rest of the country. Advocate Bikram Banerjee , Additional Solicitor General of India, underlined the distinctiveness of the region’s customary laws and their importance in preserving indigenous identity and maintaining social balance. Narendra Thakur, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), reflected on the glorious civilizational history of the Northeast, tracing its cultural continuity from the era of the Mahabharata to the present day. Samudragupta Kashyap, Chancellor of Nagaland University and a renowned journalist-scholar from Assam, highlighted the immense contributions of freedom fighters from the region whose sacrifices strengthened India’s national movement.
In another session, Delina Khongdup, Member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) from Meghalaya, spoke about distinguished personalities from Meghalaya who enriched the region’s cultural landscape. Premananda Sharma, noted social worker from Manipur, emphasized the Northeast’s remarkable contribution to India’s sporting excellence and the global recognition earned by its sportspersons. Dr Oinam Bhagat, Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, examined the colonial legacy that distorted historical narratives of the Northeast and stressed the need for corrective scholarship. Arun Sharma, Director General of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), presented the region’s recent growth story and developmental progress, highlighting opportunities emerging from infrastructure expansion, improved connectivity, and policy initiatives.
The valedictory session was graced by veteran journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Bahadur Rai, President of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), who shared valuable historical insights shaping present-day Northeast India and highlighted the growing developmental focus being accorded to the region. Dr Poonam Gunindra, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture, spoke about expanding connectivity through road, rail, and air networks that are linking the Northeast more closely with the rest of India and the world. Dr Sunil Mohanty, Northeast Prachar Pramukh, RSS, emphasized the importance of strengthening social harmony in enabling economic growth and underscored the strategic and civilizational importance of “Ishanya Bharat” in India’s overall development journey.
A special felicitation ceremony honoured individuals from different Northeastern states for their exemplary contributions across diverse fields including arts, agriculture, education, cultural preservation, and social service. The North East India Achievers 2026 awards were conferred upon: Tana Yami from Arunachal Pradesh for her outstanding contribution to sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods, Ananya Talukdar from Assam for promoting and teaching Sattriya dance among underprivileged communities in Guwahati, Leimapokpam Lakpati Singh from Manipur for his remarkable contributions to the performing arts, Laltlanzauva from Mizoram for his work in preserving and promoting indigenous Mizo (Zo Hnam Sakhua) cultural traditions, Yose Chaya Angami from Nagaland for his efforts in safeguarding and promoting indigenous Angami Naga cultural heritage and Dhammapiya from Tripura for his outstanding contribution to education and community development.
The conference concluded with a collective resolve to further strengthen national integration, cultural pride, policy advocacy, and sustainable development initiatives aimed at ensuring the holistic progress of the Northeastern region. The deliberations reaffirmed that the Northeast is emerging as a vital pillar of Bharat’s cultural richness, strategic importance, and developmental future.
