By BNE News Desk / September 27, 2023

The Northeast Build and Wood Expo is back again with its second edition

Guwahati: Over 200 companies relating to construction will take part at the builder’s extravaganza in Guwahati. The second edition of Northeast Build and Wood Expo will start at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre from September 29 to October 2. 

The event aims to showcase innovation featuring over 300 leading brands unveiling their latest products, cutting edge machinery and groundbreaking technological advancement.

The organizing company Eventage Trade Fair and Events Private Limited at a press meet discussed the minutes of the event on Wednesday at Daaysco Oley Allo hotel here. Sameer Kumar Niraj, Director of Eventage Trade Fair and Events Private Limited, Chirag Tyagi, Project Manager, Northeast Build and Wood Expo, Kushal Jain from R. K Materials Channel Partners for Prominence, the title sponsor, Ankur Sarda from NIID ( Institute of Interior Designing and Insitutional Partner, Vijay Kumar Saraf, President of Builder Association of India attended.

Niraj informed to media that around 200 companies will take part in the second edition. “The show is all about bringing in new technologies in the field of construction,” said Niraj. He further stated that industries from Northeast India will get an opportunity to witness all the display live at the show. They can also discuss their requirements.

This year they are expecting around 10,000 visitors. Last year, the footfall was as high as 7000 to 8000.

Some of the leading participating companies included Tata Steel, H. K Sagar, Nezone, Gandhi Aotomations, Sany,Automatio, CAT, Duraroof, Shyam Steel, Mahindra, Austin Plywood, Black Cobra, Perfect Machines, Kalyan Industries, Kerovit by  Kazaria, Dyna Roof, Bosch, Sagar Roofing, Stanley and many more.

The event plans to bring under one roof 10000 Industry Experts from across the region, 8000 innovative products on display.

The attendees will have opportunities to explore and engage with the industry’s latest advancements in the field of architechture, building, construction, interior design, engineering, woodworking machinery, furniture production techniques and wood panel industry.

The 2nd edition will bring in industry professional, top decision makers, architects, interior designers, builders, contractors, furniture and wood related product manufacturers, traders, retailers, dealers, distributors, potential buyers, investors and various other vital stakeholders from the building construction and wood panel industry. 

The show is officially supported by Builders Association of India, National Small Industries Corporation, Assam Trade Promotion Organisation, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Hardware Association of Guwahati.

Before this event they conducted a roadshows in all the northeastern states. They reached out to all dealers ,distributors and traders who are associated with this market.

Ankur Sarda from NIID, the institutional partner of the event said that there is lot of scope in northeast India, But there is still lack of good materials and companies participating, There are so many things that is not happening in Guwahati but happening in other parts of India,. So, this exhibition will give many opportunities to explore.

The President of Builders Association of India that in this expo every kind of person can go and take ideas and all. He further said that as Assam is now developing very fast so many kinds of innovation and technologically advanced things and ideas can be visible here.

Business Northeast asked Sameer as what steps are being taken to bring products that is northeast friendly products. He replied that everyone is displaying their own technology and the advancement in the construction sector. They have brought in new sustainable products which will be introduced in the show. Those are very ecofriendly. Their motive is to bring in latest technology. It, however, does not latest machines. That is of course there.  But they promote innovation and ecofriendly products.

Business Northeast asked that what construction bye-laws they think are necessary for the state and reason. “There are some basic requirements like a good home for all.”

It was discussed that are there bringing in affordable housing solution, they informed that there are lot of companies from the PEB ( Pre Engineered building). One can relocate the entire prefabricated house to a new location.” PEB is something required by Northeast India” he said.

A query was made to the Ankur Sarda from NIID ( Institute of Interior Designing) the institutional partner of Northeast Build and Wood Expo, who informed that on October 1, they are organizing a Conference called EConvergence 2023: Uniting Sustainable Design, Architecture and Construction. The conference will be on interior architecture at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre.  He informed that designing depends on people and their capacity. Some people accept model designer, some take temporary design while some others accept traditional design too. Design is all about creativity. He informed that RCC may not be the only choice. Many new concepts are coming in the region. 

It was discussed that there will be importance to eco-friendly homes in this expo, so exactly it means? He informed that the materials used in these home does not harm the environment. These are sustainable products. There are many kinds of materials linked to it. Earlier such materials for construction were not available. These concepts and awareness were already popular across the globe. But awareness is now increasing in the northeastern region. These homes will be able to sustain natural disasters like earthquake, flood, and natural disasters.

ALSO READ: Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon to put Assam on the Marathon map of India

By BNE News Desk / September 27, 2023

Guwahati: Sports and culture have a transformative potential in enabling stronger and deeper people-to-people ties. In Assam too, sports has played a major role by strengthening unity and harmony in society. Numerous advances have been made over the years, bringing the state honors. Sarbananda Sonowal, the former chief minister of Assam, additionally laid a lot of emphasis on the state's sports industry and worked to make it a sports center during his time .

Guwahati city, the Gateway to India's North-East, recently played host to numerous successful sporting events have now geared up to host the first-ever Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon on Sunday, 3rd December 2023. The event will unite the entire community together and add to the city's cosmopolitan identity.

"The event would further strengthen the relationship between the Assamese people and the Indian Army and will catalyze the conduct of similar social and youth development projects in the State of Assam," said Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM - General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command.

He exhorted everyone to take part in the Coal India Guwahati Marathon.

No age restriction exists for participation, and prizes will be given to the  winners in each category.

The Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon is supported by Coal India, the top coal producer in the world and a "Maharatna" category company. It will honor enduring civil-military partnership in creating an Assam that is safe, secure, and wealthy. This will also show the various shades of Guwahati, including its resilience, pride, unity, passion, and joy. These qualities will inspire us to alter our lives at every opportunity and in every situation while also honoring the Northeast's unification, known as the Ashta Lakshmi.

It's a fantastic chance for North Eastern people who enjoy sports to make it to Guwahati and participate.  According to Renu Chaturvedi, GM, CSR, Coal India, a marathon is one event where you abide by the nature and a coehseive system where people get together for the event.

The Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon is supported by Coal India, the top coal producer in the world and a "Maharatna" category company. It will honor enduring civil-military partnership in creating an Assam that is safe, secure, and wealthy. This will also show the various shades of Guwahati, including its resilience, pride, unity, passion, and joy. These qualities will inspire us to alter our lives at every opportunity and in every situation while also honoring the Northeast's unification, known as the Ashta Lakshmi.

It's a fantastic chance for North Eastern people who enjoy sports to make it to Guwahati and participate.  According to Renu Chaturvedi, GM, CSR, Coal India, a marathon is one event where you abide by the nature and a coehseive system where people get together for the event.

"The Indian Army and the Government of Assam have taken a fantastic step. They have acknowledged the value that sports offer. We are happy that Procam gets the chance to coach and direct. This is only the start. But with everyone's help, it will be a landmark event, he said.

The marathon is not just about running, but also a celebration of Peace and Prosperity in the State and is supported by the Indian Army and endorsed by the Government of Assam. 
The event will witness three Race categories – Half Marathon (21.097 km), Open 10K and Guwahati Fun Run (Approx. 5Km). Registrations for all three categories starts tomorrow, Sunday, September 24, 2023, IST 7:00 am onwards.

Nandita Gorlosa, the Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare for the Government of Assam, spoke stated that "the event has been conceptualized to put Assam on the Marathon map of India and showcase our commitment in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle while fostering a sense of unity and national pride amongst all of us. She also said that several activities exhibiting "Assam Shining" will be held annually to symbolize the government's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.

ALSO READ: LGBIA optimistic on organic products from Assam to go overseas

By BNE News Desk / September 27, 2023

Guwahati: As Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport plans a massive expansion, authorities are optimistic that Assam’s bhut jalokia (king chilli) or pineapples from Nagaland or Meghalaya would reach consumers even in Singapore and Dubai.

Right now the airport is in efforts to expand infrastructure including a cargo terminal, to transport perishable cargo to the outside world. The Airport is proposing to establish air connectivity, getting traders of both sides aligned, creating infrastructure for packaging and branding.

Besides rice, tea and orchid, the region has several unique products that has appeal in the global market. Bhut Jalakia, pineapple, ginger, kazinemu, or other daily used vegetables are some of the agriculture products waiting to reach out to a global community whether in Dubai in the west or Singapore in the east. 

An Airport source informed that the LGBIA  is creating the infrastructure and joining hands with the Assam government to take the idea forward. “We are creating the cargo market that may bring economic prosperity to the grassroots level of citizens residing in this region.

The spokesperson from LGBIA  Airports  said that for this local youth need to be inspired for taking up farming of organic vegetables. “For this the state government will be required to tie up with foreign government for the agricultural products of the state,” said the spokesperson.

The future is bright looking at the current performance of the domestic cargo terminal that handled inbound and outbound cargo of 1000 tonnes in the last three months alone. The cargo included 146 tons in June, 411 tons in July and 426 tons in August this year. 

The terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like - handling of general and valuable cargo facility, DGR handling, temperature-sensitive cargo handling infrastructure for perishables, life-saving drugs, human remains, postal mails, courier, and other commodities from Assam and the northeast to various parts of the country.

The cargo terminal is currently just 550 sq metres in area and a new plan is being discussed to build an international cargo terminal building in the near future, although there are no timelines decided yet.

Northeast’s agro sector is waiting for market linkages, cargo transport facilities and at the grassroots, for capacity building to take forward the plan. Sikkim is a case in point as it has gone totally organic.

In rest of the Northeast, there are a range of natural products especially that are priceless for the pharma industry and for organic-obsessed consumers in the developed east and west.

ALSO READ: IIT Guwahati develops eco-friendly solution to combat dual environmental hazards

By BNE News Desk / September 27, 2023

Silica Nanoparticles Coated Cotton Fabric to Tackle Oil Pollution and Agricultural Waste

Guwahati: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have achieved a breakthrough in environmental technology with the development of a novel method to mitigate two pressing environmental issues - marine oil pollution and agricultural waste. Their innovation involves a sustainable solution that repurposes rice husk, a common agricultural waste, to create a Silica Nanoparticles coated cotton fabric capable of efficiently separating oil from oil-water mixtures.

The implications of this research are profound, as it promises to transform agricultural waste into a valuable and eco-friendly resource while simultaneously addressing the global problem of marine oil pollution.

Turning Agricultural Waste into a Solution  
The heart of this innovative approach lies in the utilization of rice husk, an abundant agricultural waste material. The process begins with the gradual heating of rice husk, converting it efficiently into bio-char, a form of charcoal. This bio-char is then subjected to further heating, leading to the transformation of the material into silica nanoparticles.

What sets this method apart is its flexibility in customizing the size of these nanoparticles by adjusting the pH levels during the conversion process. To render the nanoparticles water-repellent, they undergo treatment with specialized chemicals known as silanes. The final step involves coating these treated nanoparticles onto cotton fabric, creating a natural, three-dimensional sorbent capable of separating oil-water mixtures with remarkable efficiency.

Tackling Marine Oil Pollution  
The Silica Nanoparticles coated cotton fabric acts as a potent tool against marine oil pollution, one of the most significant environmental threats facing the world's oceans. This fabric can selectively absorb and separate oil from oil-water mixtures, making it an invaluable asset for cleaning up oil spills and preventing further damage to marine ecosystems.

Economic and Sustainable Solution  
One of the standout features of this research is its economic and sustainable nature. By repurposing rice husk, which is often discarded as waste, into a valuable resource, the researchers at IIT Guwahati have not only found a solution to oil pollution but also demonstrated a path towards a circular and eco-friendly economy.

Future Prospects
The findings of this study have far-reaching implications and could potentially revolutionize how we address environmental challenges. By developing an economical and sustainable platform for separating oil and water mixtures, this innovative method offers hope in mitigating dual environmental hazards while simultaneously promoting the responsible use of agricultural resources.

The researchers at IIT Guwahati are optimistic about the scalability and broader applications of their Silica Nanoparticles coated cotton fabric and are actively exploring partnerships and collaborations to bring this eco-friendly solution to the forefront of environmental remediation efforts.

In a world where environmental sustainability is paramount, this groundbreaking research is a testament to the power of innovation and science in solving some of our most pressing ecological challenges.

ALSO READ: IIT Guwahati develops eco-friendly solution to combat dual environmental hazards