Hostels for NE students
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

New Delhi, June 16 2014: Robin Hibu, Zonal Officer for North East in the Delhi Police held a brain storming discussion with high officials of Department for North East Region (DoNER) yesterday and after a threadbare analysis for reaching out to the youth for empowerment and skill development, the high officials have agreed to lay the foundation stone for NE hostel at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) within a month and at Hindu College and Dayal Singh Colleges within a few months.

The DoNER officials also agreed to pursue the defunct DONER-proposed North East Cultural Centre at Dwarka.

Robin Hibu further informed that a North East students admissions helpline will be set-up within a week in Delhi and regular meeting with NGOs, students leaders, activists, women activists will be held monthly to get feedback from ground-zero.

The officials also agreed to overhaul DONER officials, keeping in view transparency and prompt accountability and to actively involve public and activists for people friendly approach for North East Region.

It can be recalled here that few months ago, Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India had assured to set up North East Cultural Centre in Delhi to cater the needs of the North East people.

UK Sangma, Secretary, Ministry of DoNER had stated during the meeting held at his office in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi had said that he fully agreed with the North East students' desire to set up a cultural centre for the North East states.

It needs to be really a meeting point for the North East people, the DoNER secretary had said.

That meeting was attended by Robin Hibu IPS, Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police, Ms K.Damayanthi, Joint Secretary, DoNER, Ms Mercy Epao, Deputy Secy, DoNER, Mr K.Guite, Director, DoNER, and Bruce K.Thangkhal, media incharge, North East Helpline, Delhi.

Under the initiative of Robin Hibu, the proposals being put forth to the DoNER Ministry includes setting up of a two-room Helpline at NEC House having dedicated phones with recording provision and emergency counselling room; Manpower for helpline preferably from NE on honorarium basis + Personnel from Delhi Police; Immediate starting of helpline at NEC Bhawan; Liaison Officer for youth at DoNER Ministry who will be incharge for reaching out to the youths, Nodal Officer for dissemination of information in educational institutes, recruitments, awareness campaign; Roping in NGOs for counselling of distress youths etc; Request to Delhi Police for working together to reach out NE youths at Delhi.

The NE Cultural Centre was proposed to have a Meeting Hall, a Library on NE States, an Information Centre for NE Culture, Promotion of NE Art and Culture at Delhi, Regular interaction with students and employees of NE, and Centre for coordination with the State Bhawans, different Forums, and NGOs for promotion of Art and Culture of NE.

Apart from this, a proposal for setting up of Think Tank Centre of excellence for the welfare and progress of the NE citizens who are working or studying outside the NE states.

The DONER ministry had also assured to tap the talents of NE youths in the field of sports and music.

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