Ending The North East Phobia

Seram Neken *

Rally at Shillong against Killing of Nido Tania on 02 Feb 2014 :: Pix - Shillong Manipuri Students' Union (SMSU)

North East must find a dominant position in school syllabi and media attention all over India. It is time to teach the Indians that North East is very much a part of India.

"We are Indians. We are from Manipur. We are from Nagaland. We are from Arunachal Pradesh or so and so. Don't address us as people of north east, but as Indians."

The nomenclature "North East" has probably become a horrible label assigned to the people of the seven states who stay and work in other Indian cities particularly in Delhi. Even after six decades of republic, the people of north east India can hardly feel the pride of being Indian citizens. There is still the phobia to mingle themselves with other Indians due to the continued racial discriminations meted out by people of mainland Indian states.

The unique sublime "Unity in diversity" is at stake today, as the Delhi government has failed to protect the students of north eastern states time and again. It is more than a law and order issue. The need of the hour is to magnify the image of the north east, its people, its culture, its geography, its sportive talents, academic excellence and its unique contribution to Indian nation. Only a long term policy (may be termed as North East Policy) can change the mindset of majority of Indians.

Focus of national media on issues pertaining to north eastern states has been quite poor. Generally, Indians have poor knowledge of the north east states. There were instances when even a known personality like Amitabh Bachan was mistaken while locating the home state of world famous woman boxer Mary Kom.

In another instance, one of the leading national newspapers wrongly reported that the girl who held the placard of Indian contingent at the opening of the XIX Commonwealth Games was wearing Naga attire, while it was actually a Mizo dress the girl was wearing.

Even a national newspaper could not understand the gulf between a Naga dress and a Mizo dress. These have been due to sheer ignorance of the people and culture of north east India. The Ignorant attitude of the Mainland Indians towards the region can be gauged from the fact that majority of Indians can not identify and differentiate among people of Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim or Manipur.

Being a true frontier region, the North East has over 2000 km long border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. One of the most ethically and linguistically diverse regions in Asia, each state has its distinct cultures and traditions. From times immemorial, India's North East has been the meeting point of many communities, faiths and cultures.

A place renowned for its magical beauty and bewildering diversity, North East India is home to around 200 separate groups speaking a wide range of languages. The colourful festivals and celebrations in the North- eastern states of India have been a valuable contribution towards the enchantment of Indian culture. The 'Seven Rainbow States' that make up the North Eastern part of India can best be described as 'Asia in miniature'. It is a place where the Brown and the Yellow peoples meet and mingle.

States at the border have not remained mere a Buffer State just to connect to the South East Asian neighbors. People of north east have now come up to glorify India in the fields of sports, culture and academics. Still the nation as a whole seems to be ignorant of the potentialities of north east. Step motherly treatment meted out to the North East can be ascertained from the fact that even if dozens of people are killed in the North East Region, New Delhi is silent and least bothered.

While on the other hand, a single loss of life in a mainland state makes it to the headlines of the major Newspapers across the Country, and often led to a hue and cry in Parliament. The Central government has not shown its due concern over Irom Chanu Sharmila's over-a-decade old fast-unto-death. Had Sharmila been from the mainland Indian states, the fate of Armed Forces Special Powers Act would have been different.

Increasing crimes of assaults, harassments, rapes and murders of north easterners in the capital city of Delhi are a manifestation of the poor knowledge and narrow mindset of majority of Delhi residents. The school syllabi all over India must include ample lessons on north east India – its geography, its people, history, culture, sports and its role in making and defending the Indian union. National media (TV Channels) across India may be asked to include programmes specific to North eastern beauties.

Any eventualities or happenings in the seven north eastern states must be highlighted through national newspapers and electronic media on a wide scale to attract attention of the nation. Various media organizations need to officiate sufficient number of correspondents and reporters at the major cities of north east states.

The chief ministers and all the MPs of the seven sister states barring party differences need to put pressure on the Union Government to expedite cases of racial discrimination on people of north east. It is high time the police officers from north east states may be deputed to Delhi Police to effectively handle cases related to north east citizens.