An 'Open Mind' is Necessary to Understand the Northeast and its Culture

By: Debasis Bezbaruah

India's northeast region is known for its diversity of culture, food habits, languages, and ethnicities. The eight states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur , Nagaland,Tripura and Sikkim are located in the strategically important locations.

The plains and hills of the region produces colourful mosaic of cultural identity. Long time since after independence, the region lived in communication bottleneck. Socio political expectations of the region is often misunderstood and misinterpreted, resulting in the long strife and insurgency, resulting in challenges to development in the region.

Sincere initiative to understand the region and it's people is often lacking. The region for long is looked as a problematic region with static approach of solution through law and order, and often with military measures. The soul of the region is often missed.

However, the look east policy and the subsequent act east policy started to look at the region with wider socio economic perspective, creating an environment of progress of the region.

The fear of the indigenous is not without reason, when seen from the long existing communication hindrances and developmental lack, and people in the region were looked down upon as mere 'troublemakers'.

But the times have changed. The changing concept of nation building is opening up possibilities for participating in the mainstream.

Understanding and cooperation are not unidirectional, but rather, a two-way process. The rest of the country must have an open mind to understand the people and culture of the northeast.

It has to be understood that the region is resourceful, ecologically more environment friendly, and culture loving.

Northeastern people love their culture and want to continue it's cultural richness. The ethnic dissimilarity to majority mainstream is rather a strong point for national bonding to prove the spirit of Indian unity.

There is immense possibility of enhancing international trade and commerce through northeast India.

The surrounding international border can enhance the Indian trade. Trade with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan should be enhanced on establishing good international treaty. The growth of international trade and commerce across the international borders will definitely contribute to the national economy. Youths from northeast region can avail the chances of economic development by involving in the trade as well as human resources in the trade.

Involvement of youths in trade and commerce can enhance involvement with other parts of the country, thereby nullifying the alienation. Tourism across northeast India can become another interesting vista for progress and youth involvement in the mainstream.

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