ETV BHARATH MONITORING (EB MONITORING)

The 12th edition of the North East Festival, taking place in Delhi from November 15-17, will bring together over 200 communities from eight northeastern states to showcase their cultural heritage, artistic talents, and culinary delights. The festival, which has evolved from a cultural showcase to a major tourism event, aims to foster understanding and appreciation for the region’s diverse traditions and entrepreneurial spirit. This year’s focus will be on showcasing the region’s entrepreneurial energy through numerous MSME stalls featuring unique products ranging from farm produce to handloom and handicrafts. The festival, organized by Socio-Cultural Trust Trend MMS with government support, is expected to attract visitors from across India and promote tourism, business, and creativity in the northeastern region.

Anil Pradhan, a 28-year-old social worker from Odisha, has been awarded the third Rohini Nayyar Prize for his exceptional contributions to rural development. The prize, established by the Rohini Nayyar Foundation in honor of the renowned economist, includes a ₹10 lakh cash award, a citation, and a trophy. Pradhan, an innovative engineer and educationist, is recognized for his work in promoting education in rural areas. He is the chief designer of Asia’s first university rocket team, VSLV, and has dedicated his efforts to empowering rural communities through education. The award highlights the importance of education in rural development and acknowledges the crucial role of civil society in achieving this goal.

The 6th Session of the Zambia-India Joint Permanent Commission, co-chaired by Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, saw both leaders reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting highlighted a range of areas for enhanced cooperation, including agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, and defense. India pledged significant assistance to Zambia, including 2500 MT of maize to address the ongoing drought, 100 solar power irrigation pumps, and support for the establishment of a 400 MW solar power plant. Both sides also discussed the early commencement of the India-Zambia Technology Transfer Programme and the need to expand cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in critical minerals. The meeting concluded with an invitation for Zambia to join the International Big Cat Alliance, Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuels Alliance, and an invitation for the Zambian delegation to lead the 7th Session of the Joint Permanent Commission in New Delhi in 2026.

Nepal and India have agreed to accelerate the development of hydropower projects, including the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and the Arun Third hydropower project, during a recent visit by Nepal’s Energy and Water Resources Minister Deepak Khadka to India. The two countries also discussed enhancing cooperation in energy trade, water resources management, and irrigation. India pledged to assist Nepal in providing drinking water and irrigation facilities in hilly areas through solar panel installations. Additionally, India has positively responded to Nepal’s request to use an Indian transmission line to export electricity to Bangladesh, signifying a strengthening of bilateral ties and a commitment to regional cooperation.

The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border was inaugurated at Darranga in Assam on November 7, 2024. The ICP, spanning 14.5 acres and located near the border, boasts modern facilities including office spaces, parking areas, loading and unloading zones, a weighbridge, a warehouse, and residential quarters for officials. Developed by the Land Ports Authority of India, the ICP also features inspection spaces, plant quarantine systems, and parking facilities to ensure efficient operations. The strategic location of Darranga is further enhanced by its connectivity to National Highway 27 in India and the robust customs infrastructure at Samdrup-Jongkhar in Bhutan. Ongoing improvements to the highway from Samdrup-Jongkhar to Tashigang are expected to further boost connectivity and trade prospects between the two countries.

Sagar Defence Engineering’s autonomous surface vessel, “Sagarmala Parikrama,” has successfully completed a 1,500-km journey from Mumbai to Thoothukudi without human intervention, marking a significant milestone in India’s autonomous maritime technology development. Supported by the Indian Navy, the voyage showcases India’s growing expertise in unmanned systems for national security. The project, backed by the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC), and the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, highlights the country’s commitment to self-reliance in defence technology. The success of the “Sagarmala Parikrama” paves the way for future deployment of autonomous vessels in critical sea lanes, coastal surveillance, and anti-piracy operations, enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach and capabilities.

The Indian government’s alleged notice to the Wikimedia Foundation regarding “bias and inaccuracies” on Wikipedia has sparked controversy. While the government claims to have sent a notice, the foundation denies receiving it. The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by Asian News International (ANI), which alleges a biased description of the agency on Wikipedia. The government’s complaint focuses on Wikipedia’s decentralized editorial process, where unpaid volunteers contribute and control content. This raises concerns about the government’s attempt to regulate a platform that operates on a community-driven model, potentially jeopardizing its independence and neutrality. Digital rights groups argue that the government should recognize Wikipedia’s unique structure and avoid imposing arbitrary rules on a platform that relies on user contributions and editorial autonomy.