Guv Najma Heptulla inaugurates IBSD Miranda House Centre for North East Studies in DU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 28 2017: Governor of Manipur Dr Najma Heptulla has inaugurated the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Miranda House Centre for North East Studies yesterday. IBSD, Manipur is a premier institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and Miranda House is a distinguished women's college of University of Delhi. This Centre plans to focus on scientific research and education outreach on all aspects of biodiversity and sustainable development in the North-Eastern States of India. The Centre aims to conduct research projects with special emphasis on knowledge production in the form of multimedia documentation and publications, thus impacting policy and development of the North East.

Guv Najma Heptulla inaugurates IBSD Miranda House Centre for North East Studies in DU

During the inauguration the Governor said, "The Centre will create a better research-based understanding of the ethos, challenges and opportunities in the North East States in a culturally sensitive manner." She also announced that the collaboration between Miranda House and IBSD is the right step towards a two-way process of education and engagement with the North East.

Dr Heptulla invited all to visit the North East and realise the need to appreciate and utilize its resources in a judicious manner aiming for inclusive growth for the people in the region.

She concluded saying, "Look East, Go East, Study East" .

Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director, IBSD, who was the guest of honour spoke about the establishment of the Centre as a historic moment for the institution.

He reiterated, "The main mandate of this Institute is conservation and sustainable utilisation of bioresources for the socio-economic development of the region" .

He said that North East is amongst the top 10 biodiversity hotspots in the world and in this age of globalisation and knowledge economy, the Centre will offer the opportunity not only to explore the region but also train the students of North East who can bring economic prosperity to the region.

Dr Pratibha Jolly, Principal of Miranda House, felicitated both the guests and emphasised that as a college with more than 300 women students from the North East, the Centre will be a research centre that will look at the North East through the prism of various academic disciplines.

She added, "The Centre will provide experiential learning through field visits and exchange programs.

It is not limited to students of North East or just Miranda House.

We hope that students from other Colleges, both women and men will join the activities' .

The inauguration ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by the chief guest which was followed by various performances by the students.

The programme was followed by Leirang, the North East Society festival of Miranda House held annually to celebrate the unique culture and diversity of the North East.

The festival saw beautiful renditions of folk, fusion traditional music and dance such as Manipuri Leima and the traditional Ras Leela and Mizo bamboo dance.