NE's role in freedom movement : Panel moots inclusion in text books
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, September 18 2013: Histories telling the role of the Northeast in India's freedom movement should be included in school curricula across the country, panellists and participants at a discussion resolved here yesterday.

The panel discussion "Role of India's Northeast in the freedom movement" organised by the North East Media Forum Delhi today not only threw up little known stories about heroes from the region in the movement against the British rule, but also exposed a need for a comprehensive inclusion in the Indian education system at the school level of the struggles by diverse peoples of the region.

Speakers included Samudragupta Kashyap of The Indian Express, Dr Thokchom Meinya, MP of Inner Manipur constituency and Nitin Gokhale, Defence Editor with NDTV 24X7.During the discussions, moderator Anand Sahay, president of Press Club of India pointed out that while there was knowledge stored in States' archives it needed to be brought into the education system.

"We have communication on this within the North East MPs Forum also," Dr Meinya said.

Meinya pointed out the contributions of Manipur heroes Jadunong and Rani Gaindinliu not only to the freedom movement but also to their Zeliangrong tribal group.

Kashyap spoke of the contribution of the men and women in Assam who contributed to the freedom struggle whether it was 14-year-old Kanaklata or Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi.

The senior Guwahati-based journalist told stories about freedom fighters within the Congress and of tribal leaders whether they hailed from the Mishmi hills in Arunachal Pradesh or Arunachal Pradesh or a village chief of Changki who dressed in a dhoti to attend the Congress session in Guwahati that was attended by Gandhiji.

Stressing on the need for greater consciousness about the Northeast and its histories in rest of India, Gokhale said bodies like the NEMF and journalists at large could contribute to the cause.

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