The North-Eastern region of India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Sikkim) remains somewhat an obscure destination for many Indians. Even if the region manages to get a space in media, it is mostly for the wrong reasons. There are many of us who do not even know the existence of certain states in the Northeast. Why should we not be known to the rest of the country?
Let’s Know the North East, Presenting below some interesting facts about Northeast India, which are lesser-known to the rest of the Indians:
Which state in India is considered the Land of the Rising Sun?
Arunachal Pradesh. It is the easternmost state of the country, which witnesses the first sunrise. This state also has three international borders: Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
Do you know where in the world you find the world’s largest river island?
It is Majuli in Assam. It is also known for its Vaishnavite religious centres, solar power generation and the most attractive sunset over the River Brahmaputra.
Where do you find the world’s smallest inhabited river island in the world?
This is in Guwahati, Assam. The Umananda Island in the River Brahmaputra has a famous temple by the same name.
Which is the cleanest village in Asia?
Mawlynnong in Shillong, Meghalaya. This small village can be the source of inspiration for urban destinations, in matters of cleanliness.
Which is the wettest place on earth?
Mawsynram in Meghalaya is reportedly the wettest place on Earth because it receives the highest average rainfall (around 12,000 millimetres) on the planet.
Where do you find the first oil well and oil refinery of the country?
Digboi, in Assam, has the oldest oil well in operation. The Digboi Refinery is the country’s first modern refinery. It was established way back in 1901. It is said that Digboi, even today, has the reputation of being the world’s oldest continuously producing oilfield, though the production is low.
Which is the largest tea-growing region in the world?
Assam. Strange, isn’t it? A small state in India is the largest tea-growing region in the entire world.
Which state produces three different types of silks?
While we are all aware of Kanjeevaram silk, Benarasi silk, there are many among us who are not aware that Assam is the only state in India that produces three important types of indigenous silks – white Pat, golden Muga and warm Eri silk, with each having its distinct beauty not to be found in other silks.
Which are the most literate states in India?
Tripura and Mizoram, two states in northeast India, have the distinction of being among the most literate states of the country. It is a pleasant surprise, considering that people in this region are dubbed as “backward”. In fact, in 2013, Tripura has declared the most literate state of the country with a 94.65% literacy rate, though for official records as taken in the 2011 census, Kerala is still considered the most literate state of the country.
Which place in India is known as the Scotland of the East?
While we are aware that Kashmir is known as the “Paradise on Earth” and Kerala is “God’s Own Country”, not many of us know that we have Shillong (Meghalaya) as the “Scotland of the East”. Its beautiful natural surroundings and divine landscape are Sylvan, to say the least.
There are many such facts related to this region, which may be unknown to the rest of the Indians.
Northeast India houses umpteen number of tourist attractions with its picture-perfect landscapes, cultural diversity, festivals, traditions, further augmenting the charm of the region. We have names like Mary Kom, Bhaichung Bhutia, Somdev, Sarita Devi – some of the greatest icons of Indian sports. We have Adil Hussain, Papon Mahanta and Dipannita Sharma making their mark in the entertainment industry. Yes, how can we forget our very own Arnab Goswami? Well, the list goes on…!!!
And even then, people confuse Shillong with Ceylon (earlier name of Sri Lanka) and think of Sikkim as a different country.
I am proud to be from the North East. I am not saying that we are the best, but we are certainly one among the best.
