UNESCO has expressed interest in developing a food atlas of Meghalaya to showcase the state’s unique tribal cuisine and Shillong’s cosmopolitan food culture. The project, part of UNESCO’s International Food Atlas and Digital Platform, will document culinary traditions alongside cultural, social, and economic practices of food production and consumption, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Nepal has lifted its ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, after violent protests over the restriction left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured. Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the reversal following an emergency cabinet meeting, while urging protesters—mainly from Gen Z—to end demonstrations. The government had imposed the ban last week citing concerns over fake news, hate speech, and online fraud, but unrest escalated as thousands stormed parliament in Kathmandu. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also criticized platform X for refusing to register in Nepal, calling its stance disrespectful to national sovereignty.
A 38-member contingent of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) has completed a two-week urban counter-terrorism training program under National Security Guard (NSG) experts at the Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terrorist School (CIAT) in Dhalai district. The training focused on precision shooting, hostage rescue tactics, IED handling, and unarmed threat neutralisation, equipping TSR jawans with specialist skills to tackle emerging urban security challenges, especially along Tripura’s sensitive border with Bangladesh.
The governments of Tripura and Assam have each announced ₹5 crore in financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh for flood relief and rehabilitation. Tripura CM Manik Saha and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed solidarity with the flood-hit state, where extreme weather since June 20 has triggered landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, causing extensive loss of lives and infrastructure damage.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast a fresh spell of rainfall and thunderstorms across Arunachal Pradesh from September 8, with districts such as East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Changlang, Lohit, and Namsai likely to see significant showers. A yellow alert has been issued for several western and central districts, including East Kameng, Lower Subansiri, West Kameng, Papum Pare, Kurung Kumey, and Kamle, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms through the week. While rainfall activity may ease briefly Tuesday, it is expected to intensify again from Wednesday, raising concerns of localised flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced ₹5 crore in financial assistance to Himachal Pradesh to aid ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts. The monsoon disaster in Himachal has so far claimed 350 lives, caused extensive damage worth ₹3,523 crore, and left schools, power, and water supply services severely disrupted.
The Brahmaputra Board is preparing advanced master plans for 15 sub-basins across the Northeast to address recurring floods and erosion, following the severe June monsoon that caused massive floods and landslides in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and other states. Current planning covers rivers such as Dikhow, Jhanji, and Dikrong, along with key rivers in Mizoram and Meghalaya, while future projects will extend to Teesta, Sankosh-Raidak, Kopili, Dhansiri (North), and several others. A committee of central agencies and academic institutions is overseeing these plans, with the High Powered Review Board urging faster DPR development, advanced monitoring, and pilot projects focusing on nature-based solutions and watershed management. The Board aims to evolve into a knowledge-based River Basin Organisation, providing integrated, long-term solutions while states continue implementing anti-erosion and flood protection measures under the Jal Shakti Ministry’s FMBAP scheme.
Barak Bolchhe!
