Recently, a non-governmental organization (NGO) reported that excess fluoride in drinking water in several villages of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, has resulted in widespread fluorosis among the local population. This incident highlights a serious public health concern arising from groundwater contamination.

About Fluoride

Fluoride is an inorganic, monatomic anion of fluorine with the chemical formula F⁻. Due to its high reactivity, fluorine does not occur in the elemental state in nature. Fluoride is considered a beneficial nutrient in trace amounts and plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of bones and teeth. Nearly 99% of fluoride in the human body is stored in hard tissues, mainly bones and teeth.

Sources of Fluoride

Fluoride constitutes about 0.3 g/kg of the Earth’s crust and occurs naturally in the form of fluorides in several minerals such as fluorspar, cryolite, and fluorapatite. It is a naturally occurring mineral present in many foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. Trace amounts of fluoride are found in soil, water, plants, and food items.

Apart from natural sources, fluoride is released into the environment through industrial activities. It is widely used in aluminium production and as a flux in the steel and glass fibre industries. Fluoride emissions also occur during the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, bricks, tiles, and ceramics.

Health Impacts of Excess Fluoride

Excessive intake of fluoride, particularly through drinking water, can cause serious health disorders.

Dental Fluorosis

High fluoride concentration in drinking water, especially affecting children, leads to dental fluorosis, which is characterized by discolouration, staining, and pitting of teeth.

Skeletal Fluorosis

Long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride results in skeletal fluorosis, affecting bones and joints. It causes joint pain, stiffness, bone deformities, and restricted mobility in severe cases.

Conclusion

Although fluoride is essential in small quantities for maintaining bone and dental health, its excess intake becomes a major public health hazard, particularly in groundwater-dependent rural areas. The situation in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, emphasizes the urgent need for safe drinking water, monitoring of fluoride levels, and effective mitigation measures

Recently, the 26th edition of Nagaland’s iconic Hornbill Festival commenced with great enthusiasm. The festival continues to serve as a major platform for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland and strengthening cultural ties within and beyond the state.

About the Hornbill Festival

The Hornbill Festival was first organized in the year 2000 and is celebrated annually. It aims to promote inter-tribal interaction and preserve Nagaland’s cultural heritage by blending traditional practices with contemporary elements in a harmonious display of unity. Owing to its inclusive nature, it is popularly referred to as the “Festival of Festivals.”

Organisation and Venue

The festival is organized by the State Tourism Department and the Art & Culture Department of the Government of Nagaland. It is held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, located about 12 km from Kohima, the state capital of Nagaland.

Cultural Significance

Over the years, the Hornbill Festival has evolved into a grand celebration showcasing the diverse and vibrant cultural and traditional heritage of the various Naga tribes. The festival derives its name from the Hornbill bird, which holds a special place in the socio-cultural life of the Naga people, symbolizing valor, beauty, and cultural identity.

Hornbill Festival 2025

The theme of the Hornbill Festival 2025 is “Cultural Connect.” In a significant step towards enhancing international cultural exchange, Nagaland has officially named Switzerland and Ireland as country partners for the 2025 edition of the festival.

Conclusion

The Hornbill Festival plays a vital role in promoting cultural unity, heritage conservation, and tourism development in Nagaland, while also strengthening national and international cultural linkages.

Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways led the celebrations of Assam Day and paid rich tributes to Chaolung Sukapha, acknowledging his lasting contribution to the history and cultural identity of Assam.

About Chaolung Sukapha

Chaolung Sukapha was a visionary 13th-century ruler who founded the Ahom Kingdom in Assam. The Ahom dynasty ruled the region for nearly six centuries, shaping its political and cultural landscape. Sukapha is widely regarded as the architect of “Bor Asom” (Greater Assam) due to his role in unifying diverse regions and communities.

It was at Charaideo that Sukapha established his first small principality, which later became the nucleus for the territorial expansion of the Ahom Kingdom.

Administration of Chaolung Sukapha

Chaolung Sukapha organized the kingdom into territorial units called khels or phoids, each administered by an officer responsible for supplying a fixed number of paiks.
Paiks were able-bodied adult males who owed labour and military service to the state.

Every adult male between sixteen and fifty years of age was registered as a paik and served the king for a part of the year in agriculture, construction, or warfare. In return for this service, each paik was allotted land for personal cultivation.

Sukapha also emphasized the use of guerrilla warfare tactics, which were well suited to the rivers, dense jungles, and hilly terrain of Assam.

Why is Chaolung Sukapha Important?

The historical significance of Chaolung Sukapha, especially in contemporary Assam, lies in his successful policy of assimilation of diverse communities and tribes. Instead of following a policy of annihilation, he adopted a strategy of conciliation and peaceful integration.

Sukapha developed amicable relations with tribal communities, particularly the Sutias, Morans, and Kacharis, which helped in building a stable and inclusive kingdom.

Conclusion

Chaolung Sukapha’s legacy endures as that of a state-builder and unifier, whose inclusive governance, efficient administrative system, and adaptive military strategies laid the foundation for a strong and enduring Ahom state in Assam.