In a first-of-its-kind initiative, media delegations from two North-Eastern States – Meghalaya and Sikkim – have been brought together for a joint Press Tour to Keralam, providing participating journalists with firsthand exposure to Central Government establishments, flagship projects, developmental initiatives and success stories in the State.
The Press Tour, being held from September 6 to 11, 2026, commenced today with the arrival of the delegation at Kochi. The delegation was received by officials from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kochi, who welcomed the media representatives and facilitated their arrival and onward programme.
The initiative aims to facilitate wider dissemination of information on the initiatives, achievements and developmental interventions of the Government of India among readers and audiences in Meghalaya and Sikkim.
The joint delegation comprises 14 members, including six accredited journalists from Meghalaya, six accredited journalists from Sikkim and two conducting officers.
The Press Tour is significant as it brings together media representatives from two different North-Eastern States on a common media outreach programme, enabling journalists to gain shared exposure to developmental initiatives and Central Government institutions, while also providing an opportunity for interaction and exchange among media professionals from the region.
As part of the tour, the delegation will visit a range of important institutions and projects associated with ports, shipping, waterways, defence, marine fisheries, shipbuilding, industrial development and the rubber sector.
The programme will include a visit to Cochin Port Trust, followed by a ride on the Kochi Water Metro, including the High Court – Mattancherry stretch. The delegation will also visit Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, providing the journalists an opportunity to experience the region’s heritage, urban development and public infrastructure.
The journalists will subsequently visit the Naval Base Kochi and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, to gain an understanding of India’s maritime capabilities and marine fisheries research and development.
The delegation is also scheduled to visit Cochin Shipyard, subject to arrangements, and the Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ). The visit to Cochin Shipyard is being coordinated in consultation with the Office of the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The Press Tour will also include a visit to the Rubber Board of India, Kottayam, providing an opportunity for the media representatives to understand the functioning of the Board and initiatives related to the development of the rubber sector.
The joint Press Tour is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen media engagement with Central Government institutions and provide journalists from the North-East with direct, ground-level exposure to developmental initiatives and projects across the country.
Such media outreach programmes enable participating journalists to bring firsthand accounts, developmental stories and local perspectives to audiences in their respective States, thereby contributing to greater public awareness and informed discourse on the development initiatives of the Government of India.
The delegation will conclude the Press Tour on September 11, 2026.