Imphal : Imphal saw more than just a rally on Sunday. The flag-off ceremony of the North East Integration Rally 2026 (NEIR) turned into a serious discussion on safety, responsibility, and the future of the Northeast.

At the River Barak flag-off event, Biswadeep Gupta, Managing Trustee and CEO of KRC Foundations, addressed participants with clear and direct words. He praised the dedication of the rally members and personally handed over registration kits. He said the real strength of any movement lies in its people.

Speaking like a guide rather than a formal speaker, Gupta said success is never easy. Life is full of hurdles. Obstacles are normal. What matters is sincerity and hard work. Without dedication, he said, no goal can last.

He stressed the need for proper documentation and technical planning for growth and development. A casual approach, he warned, leads nowhere. Action is stronger than words. Keeping work pending only slows progress.

Raising concern about the region’s future, Gupta said KRC Foundations is not a small organisation. It employs around 5,000 people and works in many sectors, including adventure sports and disaster management. Its teams often operate in remote and difficult areas.

His tone grew serious while speaking about disasters. The Northeast falls under Seismic Zone 6, a high-risk earthquake zone. During disasters, communication systems fail first. Mobile towers collapse. Networks go silent. Panic spreads.

“We depend too much on smartphones,” Gupta said. “When towers fall, phones become useless.”

He said people then have no way to tell others they are safe or ask for help. This is where HAM Radio becomes vital.

Gupta explained that HAM Radio, or Amateur Radio, works even when all other systems fail. It needs no mobile network or recharge. It is legal, reliable, and works for a lifetime once licensed.

He said pilots, astronauts, and disaster response teams rely on it. A live HAM Radio demonstration was held, which drew strong interest from participants.

He added that the Government of India conducts an examination to legally operate HAM Radio. To support this, KRC Foundations offers a 10-day training programme, both online and offline, in collaboration with Tripura HAM Radio.

Gupta issued a clear warning not to use HAM Radio illegally. Discipline and responsibility, he said, are as important as technology.

Other speakers also highlighted that real connectivity is not only about devices. Human relationships, trust, and coordination matter most. They spoke about the role of National Highways in connecting the Northeast for trade, emergency response, and unity.

The NEIR 2026 flag-off thus became more than a formal event. It served as a reminder about preparedness, planning, and acting before disaster strikes. The message was simple. Progress needs planning. Safety needs knowledge. And when silence follows a disaster, HAM Radio may be the only voice left.

It was also announced that NEIR will collaborate with the Cosmos Festival in Manipur. Held annually at Naamai Zho in Senapati district, the festival celebrates blooming cosmos flowers, local culture, music, food, and eco-tourism.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally