OK North East

17/05/2026

What happens when a beloved Monpa folk song meets a journey through the landscapes of Shergaon? Join Nima Dorjee, Tse Ring La & Jim Ankan Deka as they bring "Tashi Delek" to life in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas!

In this short travel documentary, we take you behind the scenes - from setting out on the journey, exploring the peaceful surroundings of Taksar Lu Farms, its campsite, cottages, apple orchards and trout farm, all the way to recording "Tashi Delek" live outdoors in Shergaon, Arunachal Pradesh. Discover the fusion of music, culture & nature as Shergaon Diaries continues to document the stories and sounds of the mountains.

Song: Tashi Delek (Monpa folk song)
Vocals: Nima Dorjee
Guitar & music: Jim Ankan Deka
Video: Tse Ring La
Live recording: Music Malt Studios

Powered by: Music Malt Live Sessions
Supported by: Taksar Lu Farms
Special thanks to: Nawang Tsering Thungon & the entire staff of Taksar Lu Farms

Hosted by: Tse Ring & Jim
For: Shergaon Diaries Series

17/05/2026

2026 set to be the worst El Niño since 1870, which killed millions due to food shortages.

Experts warn that it will threaten global food security and weather stability.

New data from NOAA indicates a 65% probability that the planet will experience a "strong" or "very strong" El Niño between October 2026 and February 2027.

This looming event is drawing comparisons to the catastrophic 1877 cycle, which triggered historic famines and droughts responsible for over 50 million deaths worldwide. Unlike the 19th century, however, this phenomenon will occur within an already overheated climate system.

Experts note that because our oceans and atmosphere are significantly warmer today, the resulting weather extremes—from intensified heat waves to devastating floods—could surpass anything recorded in modern history.

The ripple effects of a "super" El Niño extend far beyond the tropical Pacific, often destabilizing global markets and critical infrastructure. Past major events, such as the 1997-1998 cycle, caused tens of billions of dollars in economic damage while driving up food prices and straining water supplies. With modern societies already vulnerable to political instability and humanitarian crises, the arrival of such a powerful climate force poses a massive risk to global resilience. Researchers are closely monitoring warning signs as the system develops, preparing for shifts in hurricane activity, wildfire risks, and agricultural yields that could impact multiple continents simultaneously.

source: National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. (2026). El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

16/05/2026

Did you know?

This is not normal.

On one April day, all of the planet’s 50 hottest cities were in a single country.

On April 27, the planet witnessed a climate event with no modern precedent: every single one of the world's 50 hottest cities was located in India. In the northern city of Banda, temperatures peaked at a blistering 115.2 degrees Fahrenheit, the highest recorded temperature on Earth that day.

Perhaps most alarming was the lack of overnight relief, with minimum temperatures remaining as high as 94.5 degrees. This extreme heat arrived unusually early in the season, shattering hundreds of local records and catching climatologists off guard with its intensity and duration.

The consequences of this unprecedented heat wave extend into a multi-sector crisis, threatening public health, food security, and infrastructure. Extreme heat remains one of the deadliest forms of weather, placing immense physical stress on outdoor laborers and the elderly while simultaneously crippling power grids and drying up vital water supplies. With a developing El Niño potentially weakening the monsoon rains and forecasts predicting a hotter-than-average summer, researchers warn that these conditions may push parts of the country toward the edge of human survivability. What was once a seasonal anomaly is increasingly looking like a precursor to a volatile climatic future.

source: CNN. (2026). ‘Not normal’: On one April day, all of the planet’s top 50 hottest cities were in a single country. CNN.

13/05/2026

What happens when an ancient Sherdukpen folk war song meets a journey through the landscapes of Shergaon? Join Leki Phunchu Khrime, Tse Ring La & Jim Ankan Deka as they bring this tradition to life!

In this short travel documentary, we take you behind the scenes - from setting out on our journey, meeting local folk artist Leki, all the way to recording "Mirgoo" live outdoors at Zengbu Gompa in Shergaon, Arunachal Pradesh. Discover the fusion of music, culture & nature, as we document the Sherdukpen heritage like never before!

Song: Mrigoo (folk war song of Shergaon)
Vocals & Drums: Leki Phunchu Khrimey
Guitar & music: Jim Ankan Deka
Cymbals & video: Tse Ring La
Powered by: Music Malt Live Sessions
Presented by: OK North East
Supported by: Taksar Lu Farms, Shergaon Folk Quest, Dordemo Farms Shergaon
Hosted by: Tse Ring & Jim
For: Shergaon Diaries Series

11/05/2026

10/05/2026

Shergaon Diaries with Tse Ring La & Jim Ankan Deka

Come along as Tse Ring and Jim spend a beautiful day at the serene Chillipam Monastery near Rupa, nestled about 35 km away from Shergaon, Arunachal Pradesh.

From shared meals and laughter to stories rooted in tradition, this episode offers a glimpse into the simple yet meaningful gatherings deeply woven into the lives of the local people. The video also explores the history and significance of the beautiful Chillipam Monastery or Sang Ngag Choekhor Dargyeling, along with the scenic Chillipam Waterfall hidden in the hills near Rupa.

Hosted by: Tse Ring La & Jim Ankan Deka
Presented by: OK North East

Stories from North-East India

01/05/2026

Big moment for North-East India.
Girish Pradhan Page from Sikkim has been chosen by German heavy metal legends ACCEPT for their 50th anniversary album Teutonic Titans 1976–2026. Girish performs the classic track "Breaker", sharing space with global icons like Rob Halford, Kirk Hammett, Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Matthias Jabs, Tobias Forge, Billy Corgan, Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick and many more across the 19-track release. From Sikkim to the world stage, this is a proud milestone for Indian rock and metal.

30/04/2026

Shergaon Diaries with Tse Ring La.

In this episode, Tse Ring La takes us to the peaceful riverside of Shergaon to experience the beautiful tradition of community fishing, riverside cooking, and bonding together as a community. Often unknown to visitors, these traditional activities hold deep meaning for the local people and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Join us as we walk through the scenic landscapes of Shergaon, Arunachal Pradesh and learn about the history, significance and beauty of these hidden cultural treasures.

Hosted by: Tse Ring La
Concept: Jim Ankan Deka
Presented by: OK North East

Stories from North-East India

29/04/2026

Virtuoso singer from Assam, Kalpana Patowary, performing the Bodo folk song 'Aigung Baigung' at the Naad Music & Dance Festival in Kolkata, fused with Raga Bhopali, alongside maestros Bickram Ghosh on tabla, Rajesh Vaidhya on veena, Soumyajyoti Ghosh on flute, Sankhadweep Chatterjee on dhol, Pulak Sarkar on piano, and Pranav Dath on drums.