The following is a piece I had written almost two years ago...which stayed in my computer for thislong without anyone reading it. But i believe the opinion this still holds true and hence decided to post it here...The Northeasterners’ Plight
The recent gang rape of a girl from the northeast state of Meghalaya in the Delhi, the ‘mainland’ and the capital of the country have once again showcased the national attitude towards the northeast. The general attitude of the Indians towards the northeasterners is not something the people in general should not be proud of.
Being a Assamese student studying in IT capital Bangalore, I have often come across strange notions that the people has acquired of the ill-connected region – as to the geographical location of Assam; it’s a foreign country; the people, if the are living in forests etc. We do agree that Assam and for that matter the whole of the northeast is economically backward but the question of being culturally backward is highly debatable-the region has its own unique culture and lots can be learnt from it (just for an example, the status of woman, and the non existence of the dowry system). And no we are not cannibals although there are tribes, quite a few for that matter, who do eat animals generally not eaten in the ‘mainland’. So do people of many other countries. But they are not considered uncivilized, then why the northeasterners? One more query the people often come to us with is that if we, are from foreign countries, most of us being what is termed as ‘Chinky’ or in general terms with mongoloid features. A serious lack of information we can say!
Not that the northeasterners are faultless, in fact they are to be blamed for the situation too.
The most important aspect that has contributed to the downfall of the once prosperous region is the misunderstanding and the intolerance of a tribe towards another. Countless tribes, and countless militant outfits fighting each other and the governments have added only to the fall of the region from its previous grace rather than the contrary. We would have done better by fighting together against common disadvantages. The Bangladeshi menace, natural calamities, industrial backwardness, poor connectivity are problems that need to be taken care of without any more wastage of time for the betterment of this astonishingly beautiful region, and probably the least explored and understood region in the country.
The people need to carry their agenda to the capital. And who can do this better than the students? There are student associations of different tribes in outer states, which performs tasks of providing the students with information regarding colleges and protection of students of their community. But what we need is association which can take be called as one for the whole of northeast, which promotes tolerance among different tribes, and also awareness of our cultures among the Indians. We also need honest politicians who can represent the region and bring about a development by bringing to the notice of the central government, the problems of the region and force them to improve those.
One more thing that needs to be brought into notice is that when we studied history, we studied about kingdoms and dynasties that ruled India, and the freedom struggle where in we study about freedom fighters of the whole country. But when students of outer states study history, they hardly study anything about Assam or the northeast. This, despite the fact, that the northeast has its own history. Few people knows that when all the kingdoms of India had given in to the Mughals, the Ahom dynasty of Assam was the only one who humiliated them, not once but seventeen times. Few knows the name of the hero of those battles, Lachit Borphukan, who in spite of being severely ill led the Assamese to victory. Few knows that this great personality had slain his own uncle when he had found sleeping on guard uttering dexotkoi mumai dangor nohoi meaning my uncle is not bigger than my country. But everyone knows about Sher Shah Suri. Few knows about konoklota the fourteen year old minor who gave up her life fighting against the British, or Kushal Kuwar, the brave Gandhian and the only martyr of the Quit India Movement who was hanged by the British but everyone knows about Bhagat Singh. What could be the reason behind this? If we are an integral part of the country, why are Indians not educated about us?
The tourism needs to be spruced up. The region has almost all the natures beauty, dazzling rivers, snow clad mountain peaks, enchanting forests wherein lives a splendid variety of flora and fauna, amongst which are quite a few endangered species. Not to speak of the cultural heritage. A paradise.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the region recently was highly appreciated. there ought to be more such visits from the top brass of the administration which will help them to understand the region and its problems better, rather then just commenting on the law and order from a distant place. More understanding will help everyone to avert any further situation like the manipur incident last year.
The people of the northeast are very simply and do believe in peaceful existence.
There has been examples of high achievements by the people of the region in every sphere of life may it be music, sports, bravery or literature and there are several in the offing who can bring repute to the region and the nation given the proper opportunity.
The region needs to be portrayed in proper light.
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