'Mainland needs to change mindset about NE'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 27 2012:
"People of mainland India should change their mindset about the people of the insurgency hit North Easter Region", said Thomas P Chako of Cochin, who arrives here on his 80-day All India Tour in a Nano car under the sponsorship of Tata Company.
On the contrary to the thinking of people of mainland India, people in the North East are simple hearted and kind, he added.
Speaking about his tour in a press meet at Hotel Classic, North AOC here today, Chako said that his exclusive tour in a Nano Car began with an aim to write a travelogue titled "Manoetnano- India to its furthest reaches".
The idea of the tour was conceived after editing travelogue written by one of his friends.
The travelogue titled "Ek Swift Bharat Yatra" was about an all India tour on a Maruti Swift Car.
Chako informed when he approached; the Tata Company not only accepted his request for providing him a Nano Car but also agreed to sponsor the entire journey.
It is said that Chako began his tour from Mumbai on May 3.From there, he travelled through Bhopal, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, Gangtok, Itanagar, Shillong, Guwahati, Kohima and finally reached Imphal today.
So far he has covered more than 7000 km.
When he was all set out on his tour, many of his friends and well wishers warned him to take extra precaution while entering North Eastern States.
However, he found that the people of North East are simple hearted and kind.
Instead of facing any problems and inconveniences, people of the region have encouraged him and even helped him a lot, Chako recalled.
Tomorrow morning, he will leave Imphal for Aizwal to reach other remaining cities of the country.
After that he will be heading South Indian states through Kolkata.
Chako will also be visiting Kardungla in Ladakh which is the highest highway of the country.
Chako will complete 63 years as he finished his tour.
After his tour, Chako said he will begin writing his travelogue which will depict his interactions with several communities of the country.
Mention may be made here that Thomas P Chako had earlier authored two books entitled 'Without a City Wall' and 'Forest Gold - The Story of South Indian Tea' .