Q.In which state of India are the 'Khasi Hills' located ? (A) Meghalaya (B) Manipur (C) Mizoram (D) Tripura

The Khasi Hills occupy the central part of Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of Northeast India. Meghalaya itself was carved out of Assam in 1972, and its very name—meaning "abode of clouds" in Sanskrit—reflects the region's dramatic topography and exceptionally high rainfall. The state is essentially a plateau rising from the plains of Bangladesh to the south and the Brahmaputra valley to the north, and the Khasi Hills form the heart of this elevated landscape.

The hills are named after the Khasi people, one of the three major tribal communities of Meghalaya (the others being the Garo and Jaintia). The Khasis have a matrilineal social structure and speak an Austroasiatic language, distinct from the Tibeto-Burman languages common elsewhere in the Northeast. Shillong, the state capital, sits in the Khasi Hills at an elevation of about 1,500 metres and was once the capital of undivided Assam during the colonial period, earning it the nickname "Scotland of the East" for its rolling pine-covered hills and temperate climate.

India's strength lies in its remarkable diversity, a mosaic of cultures, languages, and landscapes that contribute to the nation's rich tapestry. Understanding and appreciating these distinct regional identities is fundamental to the concept of national integration, where every part, no matter how unique, is an integral thread in the larger fabric of the country. One such distinct and fascinating region is often affectionately referred to as the 'Seven Sisters'.

The term 'Seven Sisters' is a popular collective name for a group of seven contiguous states in the northeastern part of India. This nomenclature highlights their geographical proximity, shared historical experiences, and often similar socio-cultural characteristics, fostering a sense of kinship and interdependence among them. These states are:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Tripura …

The story of Goa’s statehood is not just a date on a calendar — it is the culmination of a long political and cultural struggle. For over 450 years, Goa was a Portuguese colony, distinct from the rest of India. It was only in 1961, through a military operation, that Goa was liberated and integrated into the Indian Union. But integration did not mean immediate statehood.

After liberation in December 1961, Goa was administered as a Union Territory, along with the smaller former Portuguese enclaves of Daman and Diu. This status lasted for more than 25 years. During this period, there was a sustained demand from within Goa for full statehood. The people of Goa felt that as a Union Territory, they lacked the political autonomy and representation that a state government could provide. There was also a strong cultural identity — Konkani language and Goan traditions — that many felt deserved recognition and self-governance. …