MU VC stresses revision of books on NE India
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 23 2024:
Manipur University vice-chancellor professor N Lokendra has stressed the need for assessing and reviewing books on North East India.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a two-day national seminar on 'Culture, identity and society in North East India' held at the court hall of the university on Friday, professor N Lokendra opined that accepting books on NE India without any critical analysis would create confusion regarding history, culture and social structure of the region.
Many such books have been published in the last two decades by research scholars of different universities and institutions, as well as authors adding to the confusion.
As such, there is a strong need to assess and review books on NE India published by scholars and intellectuals to see if they are factually correct, he reiterated.
Further noting that during the colonial rule in the region in the 19th century, Christian missionaries relied heavily on the colonial regime to esta&lish firm ground among the smaller ethnic communities, the vice chancellor said impacts of such activities are profound in history, identity and society as well as indigenous philosophy, customaiy laws and lifestyles of the indigenous.
Prof Lokendra also expressed hope that the seminar will shed new light on showing a new way to the society.
Organising committee convenor and MU Department of Sociology assistant professor Dr Takhellambam Deepamanjuri said that the seminar aims to provide a platform for exchanging ideas by sharing findings among the research scholars of different communities in the northeast region, and formulate recommendations for addressing issues faced by the public at the grassroots level so that policy makers andthose in the administration could take up necessary measures.
First day of the seminar being jointly organised by MU Department of Sociology and Special Centre for the Study of North East India, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi also had the participation of Department of Philosophy & Special Centre for the Study of North East India, JNU chairperson professor Bhagat Oinam, and several faculties and research scholars.