Academic discourse studies ‘idea of NE’

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 5: While noting that every citizen has to be a game changer in their own capacities in bringing significant changes in the country, Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya has advocated empowerment of citizens through right education.
He also urged the people of the North East to change their mindset instead of considering themselves as backward.
Speaking as the chief guest at an academic discourse on Idea of North East India held on the theme of peace and development at Hotel Imphal here today, the Nagaland Governor said that India will be able to stand up only when everyone take their own responsibilities and play the role of a game changer in their own capacities.
Further stating that education for empowerment, electricity and employment are the basic impetus for development, he opined that universities should be able to give right and extensive knowledge to students/youth, so that they can make use of their wisdom in bringing development in the society.
He also observed that the main aim of universities should be to strengthen the society by empowering students/people through education.
Pointing out that right education should be able to contribute to the whole society rather than being instrumental for pursuing only self benefits, he lamented that the present system has made people concentrate only on making money and self aggrandisement.
Many Indians are in the top lists of the world’s richest people and six percent of India’s population holds 80 percent of India’s wealth, he added.
Saying that North East region is blessed with rich natural resources, he stated that a large number of graduates and educated people give too much importance in seeking Government jobs.
He further expressed his keen desire for the educated people in the North East region to take advantage of the region’s rich natural resources and bring development in the region.
Many highly educated people from the region are scattered and are working in different parts of the country. North East people no longer deserve tribal status. People of the region will remain backward as long as they consider themselves backward. Time has come to change their mindset and transform themselves as agents of development, he added.
Manipur University’s retired Professor N Joykumar who also delivered a speech on the topic “Historical Prospect of North East India” at the function opined that time has come to review the political setting in India.
Noting that States like Manipur have very less number of MPs in Indian Parliament, he said that there is the need for giving equal representation of all States in India’s democratic set up, irrespective of the size and population of the State.
He further contended that the outcomes of merging Manipur into the Indian Union should be discussed and added that factors for undesirable results in North East cannot be sidelined and must be resolved in the Nation building process.
The Professor also claimed that North East region had played vital role in the process of anti-imperialist movement in India, while citing Bir Tikendrajit, Rani Gaidinliu and Hijam Irabot among others as examples.
He then observed that the regional history is more important than National history adding that India’s National history is created by the regional histories of India.
INTACH, Manipur Chapter Convener Dr RK Ranjan also attended the function and delivered the key-note address.
The academic discourse was organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Manipur Chapter.