North East Connect Association Launched to Unite Northeastern Community in Telangana

Hyderabad 28, Nov: The Northeastern community in Telangana now has a unified platform with the launch of the North East Connect Association, an organisation created to bring together students, professionals, families, and cultural groups from the eight Northeastern states living across the state. The body aims to coordinate welfare efforts, preserve cultural identity, and represent the collective voice of Northeastern residents, who until now were served by several independent associations working in silos.

According to the founding members, the association has been formed to address long-standing demands for a single, dependable body that can support the community’s educational, cultural, social, and legal needs. It also seeks to strengthen the community’s access to government programs, mentorship, youth development services, women and child welfare initiatives, and health guidance. Another core objective is to deepen institutional and cultural linkages between Telangana and the Northeastern states through collaboration in education, sports, cultural exchange, and skill development.

The organisation has brought together eminent personalities from administration, public service, healthcare, academia, law, sports, and technology. Retired IAS officer and National Film Award–winning filmmaker Paparao Biyyala will serve as President, while former Andhra Pradesh DGP and United Nations Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang and Padma Shri awardee and transplant surgeon Dr. S. Sahariah have been appointed Vice Presidents. University of Hyderabad sociologist Prof. Ajailiu Niumai will serve as Secretary, with senior lawyer Stephen Sen as Treasurer. The founding body also includes former NITI Aayog Special Secretary Dr. K. Rajeswara Rao, Telangana Health Secretary Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu, Sports Authority of Telangana Vice Chairperson Ms. A. Sonibala Devi, and technology entrepreneur Sridhar Muppidi.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, all founding members share deep personal or professional ties with the Northeast, bringing decades of experience in governance, public health, community outreach, legal advocacy, sports development, and youth empowerment. They say their collective expertise will help build a reliable and future-ready support system for Northeastern residents in Telangana.

The Association has also opened its doors to partnerships with government departments, colleges, universities, hospitals, private companies, NGOs, and sports organisations. Support may come through collaborative programs, CSR-backed activities, student initiatives, awareness campaigns, or sponsorship of cultural and sports events. The body has also expressed its intent to work closely with existing Northeastern associations to ensure unified efforts, greater visibility, and a stronger representative voice for the community.

With its formation, the North East Connect Association aims to emerge as a central hub for welfare, cultural exchange, and institutional collaboration—strengthening the Northeastern community’s presence and support system in Telangana.

Foundering Members:

Paparao Biyyala, retired IAS officer and National Award–winning filmmaker (President)

D. Gautam Sawang, former DGP and UN Police Commissioner (Vice President)

Dr. S. Sahariah, Padma Shri awardee and transplant pioneer (Vice President)

Prof. Ajailiu Niumai, University of Hyderabad sociologist (Secretary)

Stephen Sen, senior lawyer (Treasurer)

Founding members include Dr. K. Rajeswara Rao, Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu, Ms. A. Sonibala Devi, and Sridhar Muppidi