NE Summit Tehelka 20061121

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Northeast – On the Map, off the Mind?

Northeast – On the Map, off the Mind?
- Orgnised by Tehelka at Jamia Millia Ground-
- 21st Nov, 2006 -

Dear Panelists,

This is to touch base and layout the Northeast session for the Summit (21 Nov, 4pm - 6.30pm ). Dr. Fernandes, Coordinator of the Session has already sent out a background note (which is again attached to this mail) and I am adding some thoughts below; it would be great if we could take it on from there.

The list of panelists so far:

Oscar Fernandes, Minister Labour and Employment
PR Kyndiah, Minister for Tribal Affairs (still to confirm)
Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister for Industries and Power, Assam
Himanta Bishwa Sharma, Minister for Heatlh, Assam
Dr. Walter Fernandes , Director, North East Social Research Centre, Coordinator of session
Jarjum Ete, Chairperson, Arunachal Pradesh, State Commission for Women
Akum Longchari, Editor and MD, Morung Express, Nagaland
Ranjit Barthakur / Krishna Kumar Singh Globally Managed Services
Wasbir Hussain, Journalist, Political Commentator
Patricia Mukhim, Journalist, Meghalaya
Bhagat Oinam, Associate Professor, JNU

Venue: Jamia Millia Ground, MA Ansari Auditorium

* Introductory statement by Dr. Walter Fernandes, Coordinator is attached

NOTE ON SESSION

Northeast – On the Map, off the Mind?

21 November, 4pm - 6.30pm

'The Northeast' is a convenient way of clubbing the disparate political, social, cultural, and territorial histories and aspirations of eight different states and hundreds of distinctive ethnic groups. Further, the entire region is treated as a high security zone where guns are ever present: historically with state security agencies and increasingly with armed resistance groups. Are these two key realities of the Northeast the root cause of the larger problems of identity, recognition, self-determination and ensuing unrest that almost every state in the region is struggling with?

Given the concept of the Summit , to discuss key issues and collectively search for equitable solutions, we need to lay out some of the chief concerns and situations that the region and its people are dealing with today:

SECURITIZATION

Militarization in daily life - both security troops and separatist militia, the AFSPA; what is the hope of security for the middle ground?
With the diktat of violence rife, whose security is ensured in the end? Arms, bombs, rapes, killings, kidnaps, accusations, suspicion, spies, disappearances, attacks and counter attacks – is this the continuing cast we forsee for the children of the region?
Government – separatist talks; can dialogues broker a new security, that of peace, in the region?

ASPIRATIONS OF PEACE

What are the aspirations of the people? What forms the core of civil society initiatives for peace?
Issues of representation, recognition, self determination and peace processes; women's role in both rural and urban society
Internal territorial tensions; is there room for reconciliation and understanding?
What confronts the organs of governance and administration? Is it time to rethink attitudes and policies?

DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY - what kind?

The region now pitched ('Look East') as a sunrise land of opportunity and resources: how will development be envisioned, negotiated and implemented in this complex and delicate region?
Who will be the stakeholders of the future – will growth and development policies ensure the safety of resources and local peoples' livelihoods, stakes and involvement?
Planning Boards for NE States – what has been done? What can be achieved?
If development and employment generation are key; how best to chart viable but relevant, inclusive economic development?
What are the ways to strengthen the region without further exploitation, injustice and alienation?
Reinvention of ideas: who are the investors? In what ways can business/ industry incorporate sensitive social and ecological management and sound economic growth in the region?
Is this the answer to at least a part of the 'Northeast conundrum'?

The idea is to keep the session agenda informal and flexible, wherein we structure some of these key issues that panelists will take up. Largely the discussion will be spontaneous and organic. To keep the session focused however, we would need to roughly follow the framework of issues raised by Dr.Fernandes in his note and those listed in this mail.

The above information is provided by kshetrimayum onil. You can reach him at [email protected] . This announcement was webcasted on November 19th , 2006

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