Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Silchar: Barak Festival 2025 is a signature event of the KRC Foundation and promises many opportunities with multiple launches that were part of the inaugural session spread across three days from Jan 10. The inaugural day was graced by dignitaries like the Member of Parliament of Silchar, Parimal Suklabaidya, Maj. General Suresh Bhambhu, Sena Medal, Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, Vice Chancellor, Assam University, Prof Dilip Kumar Baidya, Director National Institute of Technology, Silchar and Mousumi Banerjee, Principal Kutapo Kolkata.
The festival was packed with various activities, such as Live Painting, NE Cultural Fest, think tank Conclaves, multiple competitions, and film showcasing.
During the festival, Silchar HAM Radio Club was launched, supported by Tripura HAM Radio Club and Haflong HAM Radio Club. Another attraction of the festival was the launch of Adventure Sports and Disaster Management Force where research and resource development activities shall be undertaken. The District Disaster Management Authority, Cachar, has collaborated with the KRC Foundation for these initiatives.
Another think tank activity undertaken during the festival is the River and Climate conclave where the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal has collaborated with KRC Foundation to further the initiative to do research and investigation on river Barak. Dr. S. Indira Devi and Dr. Pradeep Bharadwaj gave a technical presentation from IBSD and Prof Parthankar Choudhury, Assam University also spoke in the session.
Ratibijoy Das, Field officer of DDMA, Cachar gave a technical presentation on the overall activities of the District Disaster Management Authority, Cachar highlighting various initiatives undertaken by the department.
Dr. Rajib Gupta, Consultant, DDMA, Cachar spoke on opportunities for collaboration and appreciated the introduction of the HAM radio movement in the region highlighting its importance.
Tripura HAM radio club was represented by Biswajit Saha and Sukamal Deb who captivated the audience with live demonstration of HAM radio as well as gave an overall overview of HAM radio movement. Anup Biswas represented Haflong HAM Radio Club and both clubs are going to support Silchar HAM Radio Club.
Artists from the region performed in the NE Cultural Fest and captivated the audience. An orchestra group from the 147 battalion captivated the audience with their performances on the concluding day.
Commandant Ruwndar Anal from Group Centre CRPF, Doyapur officially launched the Adventure Sports activities of the Barak Festival.
The festival also saw a high turnout and enthusiasm of youths in the E-Sports Tournament.
Team members from Manipur, Nagaland, Guwahati, and New Delhi along with Student interns of the region coordinated the events in a professional manner.
Biswadeep Gupta, Managing Trustee of KRC Foundation whose brainchild the festival was conceived informed that next three months the organisation is going to undertake various activities and the festival will conclude with a Mega event in the month of April.
The first edition of the Barak Festival is definitely a first step and every year on the same dates it will be celebrated Gupta stated.
He also echoed that the festival is aimed towards advocating Peace, progress and Prosperity.
