Imphal: The upcoming three-day “Barak Festival,” centered on promoting Northeast India’s adventure sports, art, and culture, is set to take place in Silchar, Cachar, Assam, from January 10-12, 2025.
Organized by the Knowledge Resource Centre Foundation (KRC Foundation) in partnership with the Barak-Manipur Friendship Association (BMFA), this festival aims to celebrate and integrate the region’s diverse cultural and adventure offerings, according to a statement by Biswadeep Gupta, Managing Trustee of KRC Foundation and President of BMFA.
One of the festival’s major highlights will be an adventure sports segment led by experts from Manipur, with Ng. Pobitro Singh serving as Project Director for the Adventure Sports and Disaster Response Force. Singh emphasized the importance of adventure sports in teaching youth essential survival skills and preparing them to face global challenges, including climate-related disasters. He stated, “Our goal is to establish a Disaster Response Force across Northeast India to address future challenges, promote skilled voluntarism, and raise climate awareness.”
In addition to adventure sports, the festival will feature an E-Sports segment, directed by Dr. David Keneingutuo Sorunuo from Nagaland. Dr. Sorunuo highlighted the increasing prominence of E-Sports, noting their role in fostering competition, entertainment, and community engagement. “The future of E-Sports is vibrant and full of opportunities for both players and fans,” he said.
The festival will include exhibitions, interactive events, and competitions in art, culture, adventure sports, and E-Sports, drawing participants from across Northeast India. Prizes, certificates, and cash awards will be presented in various categories.
Named after the Barak River, which originates in Manipur’s Senapati district, this festival edition will also spotlight the cultural diversity along the Barak’s route, particularly the state of Manipur. Additionally, KRC Foundation’s ongoing campaigns—such as the River Dialogue Conclave, Water Conservation, and Disaster Response Force—will be featured prominently.
The festival will welcome students from schools and universities, as well as youth, VIPs, and trade delegations from Northeast Indian states and West Bengal. The event will also include an online global competition on the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Sukanta Bhattacharya, set to launch during Diwali/Kali Puja.
Other festival highlights include a film festival, a Policy Conclave focused on the Barak Valley and Act East Policy, and the 5E for Success program, bridging students from school to corporate careers. An anticipated Buyer-Seller-Investor Meet and Barak River Conclave on the river’s significance will bring together delegates from across India and abroad, including foreign envoys and NRIs connected to the region.
