North East Integration Rally begins from Kolkata
Meghalaya MLA Hek among dignitaries present at the inaugural session
Imphal, Jan 4 (NNN): The North East Integration Rally (NEIR) began its journey from Kolkata on Sunday, setting the tone for a month-long initiative aimed at strengthening regional integration and people-to-people ties across the North Eastern states, said Biswadeep Gupta, who is the managing trustee of the NEIR.
Informing this from Kolkata on Sunday evening, Gupta said the inaugural session was attended by a wide range of public representatives, professionals, cultural figures and civil society members. Among those present were AL Hek, MLA and former minister; Lopamudra Dutta Choudhury, vice chairperson of Dumdum Municipal Corporation; Dr Prof. Sukumal Deb; Col. Shanti Kumar Singh (retd); author R.K. Maheshsena; engineer Tapash Roy; celebrated artiste K. Bobin; Kh. Gajendra Singh; Dr Sharmistha Raha of Prasar Bharati; Biplab Das of Kolkata Police; and an adventure enthusiast. The programme was compered by Biswadeep Gupta, head of KRC Foundations.
The next leg of the rally will be held in Malda, Gupta added.
A cultural highlight of the event was a performance by K. Bobin, who rendered the official title song of the rally.
During the session, speakers reiterated the rally’s objectives, which include promoting infrastructure development, expanding economic opportunities, encouraging cultural exchange, and deepening people-to-people engagement across states, Gupta also said.
The rally also received a warm welcome at Panihati in Kolkata, where members of Udayer Pathe greeted the participants and expressed support for the North East Integration Rally and its objectives.
The rally’s pre-launch ceremony was held on December 24, 2025, at The Countryside Retreat in Lamshang, Imphal, formally marking the start of preparations for the 2026 edition, he stated.
Built around the central theme of peace, progress and prosperity, the NEIR aims to draw attention to development, connectivity, and social cohesion across the region. The rally is scheduled to conclude on February 4, Gupta added.
