Defense minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates ‘The Conclave 2022’ organized by Pratidin Media Network

The conclave has been organized with the aim to focus on the issues of Assam and Northeast India and having meaningful discussions on them in the power corridors of the national capital.

Pratidin Media Group Chairman Jayanta Baruah felicitated the Union defence minister. He addressed the gathering and welcomed everyone to the conclave. Jayanta Baruah welcomed Rajnath Singh and thanked him for coming.

Rajnath Singh said, “The Northeast was left isolated from the entire nation in terms of development, and this is not in the best interest of the country. During our reign in power, the insurgency has been brought under control, and the law-and-order situation in the region has improved a lot.”

Thereafter, the first session had AASU Chief Advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya, BJP National GS Dilip Saikia and APCC President Bhupen Borah debating on ‘Regionalism vis-à-vis Nationalism’ with Pratidin Time Editor-In-Chief Nitumoni Saikia as the host. Senior journalist Mrinal Talkudar hosted the second session on ‘Tea Industry of Assam beyond 2030’ with AERC Chairperson Kumar Sanjay Krishna, AATSA Leader Dhiraj Gowala, and Tea Board of India ex-Chairman Prabhat Bezbarua on the panel. The next session was on ‘Sustainable tourism and Northeast India’ with Pratidin Media Group Director Smitakshi B Goswami alongside panelists Jahnabi Phookan, Travel Entrepreneur and JTI Group Director and Diplomatic Travel Point Pvt Ltd Director, ADTOI President PP Khanna. Nandini Editor Maini Mahanta held the fourth session on ‘Energy Security vs Deforestation and Industrialization’. The panel had IIT Guwahati Professor Arup Sharma, Geoscientist Bhagwat Pran Duarah, Star Cement CSO and North Bengal CII Chairman Pradip Purohit and Down To Earth Managing Editor Richard Mahapatra.

The fifth and final session of day one was on ‘Brahmaputra, alternative transport – a reality, in the backdrop of Act East Policy’ with Union minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a one-on-one discussion with Pratidin Time journalist Nayan Pratim Kumar. During the discussions, Sonowal made several important announcements. He announced the construction of a new shipway for ship repairing works at Pandu in Guwahati while batting several other issues.

On the second day, Delhi Police Spl Commissioner Robin Hibu had a one-on-one with Pratidin Time Joint-Editor Sunit Kumar Bhuyan on ‘How to tackle racism and problems faced by people of northeast’. Hibu said that initiatives have to be taken from both sides to embrace each other’s culture. Sunit Bhuyan continued with the next session on ‘drugs, terrorism, geopolitics, and Northeast India’ with panelists including GOC in C of Eastern Command Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, Assam Police Spl DGP GP Singh, Cyber Security Expert Subimal Bhattacharjee and author Sanjay Hazarika. Thereafter, Maini Mahanta returned for the third session on ‘women’s health, malnutrition and heart care of Assam’ with social activist Monisha Behal, UNICEF state head Madhulika Jonathan and Pratiksha Hospital Chairman Pramod Sharma. The fourth session on ‘sports infrastructure and the potential of Northeast and are they marching together?’ had CWG Gold winner Nayanmoni Saikia, SAI Guwahati Director Satish K Sarhadi, Asomiya Pratidin Sports Editor Bidyut Kalita and Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports Asst Director Laishangbam Anita Chanu.

The final discourse of the day was moderated by the director of Pratidin Media network, Rishi Baruah, with the panel of Principal Secretary to Assam CM Samir Sinha, Sapient Wealth Advisors Director Pallav Bagaria, Centre Point Group Enterprise MD Larsing Sawyan and Dalmia Cements MD, CEO Mahendra Singhi. During the session, Mr Singhi announced the plans to invest in two more cement manufacturing units in Assam’s Umrangso and Lanka. For the closing ceremony of the event, Nitumoni Saikia was joined by internationally acclaimed actor Adil Hussain. He talked about his life and shared several interesting stories. Hussain said, “I generally don’t glorify the word struggle because I did not see my journey as one. I felt strongly in my heart that I am in love with acting.” At the end of it, Smitakshi B Goswami delivered the vote of thanks and concluded the two-day ‘The Conclave 2022’.

About Pratidin Media Network:

Pratidin Media Network, owned by Jayanata Baruah, is the biggest media conglomerate from Assam, publishing the highest circulated newspaper of the state, Asomiya Pratidin and satellite news channel, Pratidin Time, amongst other periodicals and digital media properties. The sister publications from the house include ‘Nandini Magazine’, one of the most highly circulated women’s magazines in the state, apart from ‘Satsori’, which caters to the youth and the weekly publication ‘Sadin’. In addition, the digital editions of Asomiya Pratidin and Pratidin Time also catering to both English and Assamese audiences.

To know more, please visit –

https://www.pratidintime.com/, https://www.asomiyapratidin.in/.