TODAY -

E-Pao! Essay - Peace and Unity : A common vision for NEI

Peace and Unity : A common vision for NEI

Lalrindiki Ralte & Z. K. Pahrii Pou



We are a group of students coming from Northeast India belonging to different tribes and states. We came to Madurai (Tamilnadu) to get higher education in different disciplines. Coming far away from our respective communities and region has given us the space to look back at where we come from in a collective manner. By sharing together our diverse experiences, we came to realize that Peace and Unity are some of the most important concerns among different ethnic groups as well as within the same group in Northeast India. Since the different ethnic groups are spread out all over the region crossing inter-state and international boundaries, we feel that no particular ethnic group can survive by themselves without having peace and unity with their neighboring group/s or among themselves since we have to share and safeguard together the resources such as land, forest, water etc. for our survival and peaceful existence.

At the same time we also realize that unless and until we identify and try to understand the persistent problems in our region in their totality, we will not achieve the peace and unity that we longed for. Out of the many problems, we identify the following on which we, the people of Northeast India, can share a common platform:

1. Violence: We realize that violence is deeply entrenched in most of our traditional leadership practices, among different movements for autonomy and in the state structure in the form of militarization. We feel that it is this kind of violence, which is the greatest obstacle in ensuring peace and unity among us. Nowadays more and more victims of different forms of violence are innocent civilians like women, children, elderly people as well as marginal and weaker groups such as immigrants and landless laborers.

Since violence has become an everyday reality among the different groups, we feel that large-scale awareness programme need to be held on the destructive role of violence. The increasingly popular "Gun culture" and the misguided attempts to solve problems through the barrel of guns should be rejected. Above all, we feel that the people of Northeast India together should adamantly say "NO" to all forms of violence.

2. Ethnic Identity Politics/Tribalism: The politicization of different ethnic identities by certain groups having vested interest is creating more hostilities and suspicions among the different ethnic groups in our region. This has further exacerbated violence and xenophobia among the people.

While affirming and acknowledging the importance of safeguarding and upholding the different distinctive ethnic identities of our region, we also feel that there are many crucial issues, which transcend ethnic barriers on which we can take a stand together. Many ethnic groups and the weaker sections in each group are in the process of losing their control and access to resources, which threatens their very survival. This is one crucial issue, on which concerned people of Northeast can stand together irrespective of ethnic identities, in order to safeguard the livelihood and survival of the marginalized groups.

We feel that a conducive political atmosphere needs to be evolved to start the process of linking up with one another on crucial livelihood issues. The people of the region have to resist divisive ethnic identity politics to ensure the development of such political atmosphere.

3. Problems in Educational System: As students, we strongly feel that it is the irrelevant education and corruption in the educational system in our region that gives rise to alienation from our own cultural heritage, unemployment, and unwholesome behaviour. Educated unemployed youths are the most susceptible ones in joining groups who uphold the culture of violence. We also feel that increasing alcoholism as well as drugs and substance abuse among the youths all over the region is largely due to the problems in our educational system.

Hence, we feel that we need a curriculum, which is relevant and suitable in the Northeast context particularly in inculcating the ethos of peace and unity among the younger generations. We need education, which will help us to value and sustain the constructive practices of our different ethnic traditions as well as the values of modern democratic society. We also need education, which will help us to innovate our traditional skills in order to provide sustainable livelihood and employment. Students' organizations all across the region together can challenge the increasing privatization and commercialization of the educational system and corruption in the system and structures of education.

4. Materialism and Consumerism: Increasing materialism and consumerism are destroying the fabric of the communitarian and a more egalitarian structure of the different ethnic communities in our region. We think that this has led to rampant corruption and the widening of gap between the powerful affluent class and the mass toiling class in almost all the ethnic groups all over the states of Northeast India. By corruption, we mean not only the mishandling and misappropriation of public money, but also abuse of power and responsibilities by our leaders as well as moral and spiritual corruption of the general public.

Once again, a concerted effort on the part of all concerned people in Northeast region is needed to fight against the vices of materialism and consumerism. We need to have a strong sense of responsibility and accountability in handling financial resources which mostly come from outside. Since materialism and consumerism are directly related to imported goods from outside, we feel that buying and using the local products available in different parts of our region could be one important way of checking these vices. This in turn can give secure livelihood for the local producers. Our value system based on uncritical worshiping of material possessions due to the influence of consumeristic societies elsewhere need to be challenged and condemned.

There are many more common issues, which we need to continue to discuss together in order to promote lasting Peace and Unity in Northeast India and beyond. We would also like to appeal to all other Northeast people, who are studying and working in different parts of the country, to make the time to come together and share common concerns of our region. We do not have any other place to call as our homeland except Northeast India. We are all responsible for the welfare of the whole region. Sharing and discussion lead to conscientization, which ultimately leads to concrete involvement and actions.

We would appreciate if you could kindly send your comments and suggestions to the following persons:

Lalrindiki Ralte
President
Northeast India Students' Fellowship
Madurai- 16, Tamilnadu
E-mail: [email protected]

Z. K. Pahrii Pou
Secretary
Northeast India Students' Fellowship
Madurai- 16, Tamilnadu
E-Mail: [email protected]


This article was webcasted on 20th November 2005.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025