SHILLONG, Dec 10: It was a mixed bag of thoughts, suggestions and opinions as panellists participating in a panel discussion on the theme ‘Bridging the Mind-Gap: North-East and Mainland’ delved into the socio-political history of a region classed by its geography and its remoteness from Delhi; the attendant lack of understanding of people in the rest of India even today about a region of seven very different states inhabited by people of Tibeto-Burman and Mon-Khmer origin, practising distinct cultures and traditions.
Author and Translator Bijoya Sawian said that everything is based on mutual respect and connection with each other. She said not just the North East, but the mainland also needs to come forward and make an effort to bridge the mind gap.
Editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim said the idea of India is not its geography but its people. “India is a country with diverse races and cultures and does not lend itself to any attempts at homogenising these cultures in the name of nationalism,” she said.
Mukhim said from the very beginning when the Constitution of India was framed the tribes of the region had no role in it with the exception of JJM Nichols Roy. “The North East was ‘represented’ largely by the Assamese gentry who were part of the Constitution-making body. Thankfully, JJM Nichols Roy was able to wrest the Sixth Schedule, however, its effectiveness today leaves much to be desired,” Mukhim said.
She also pointed out that internally within the region the process of othering and exclusivity are equally problematic in a world that is turning global.
“Perhaps, the lack of confidence of people of this region is also because they know so little of their own history even while being taught British and World History in school and colleges. The educational syllabus needs to include the history of the region and states. Also, the idea of schools with just one linguistic group tends to create a mind gap since they prevent interface with students of other cultures,” Mukhim said.
Author and Educator Tapati Baruah Kashyap, on the other hand, stressed on history-writing to be representative and inclusive of the region. Pointing out to the national anthem she, said that it is unbelievable that Rabindranath Tagore would exclude this entire region from the lyrics. She also pointed out to Nehru’s book The Discovery of India, which leaves out the region completely, thereby revealing that even Nehru had very limited idea of India.
Faculty of Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, Dr Rajesh Dey dwelled upon the need to deconstruct and dismantle constructs like ‘North East’ region to bridge the mind gap. He, however, pointed out that even among the states of the North East, Assam cannot be compared to other tribal states since Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was called to campaign for the Gujarat elections while no other chief minister from the North East was invited, thereby highlighting the fact that Assam was well integrated with the ‘mainland’.
The need to flatten the identities of North East region and still consider them as “exotic others” was a dichotomy.
Associate Prof of Zakir Husain Delhi College dwelt upon the post-colonial era and said the term ‘North East’ is a colonial inheritance and its usage has been continuous. If it is so problematic the question arises why there is a need to continue its usage, he asked.
Prof Ashok Archarya, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, moderated the session and also gave his valuable thoughts based on his lived experiences as a former faculty of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The panellists, during the programme, agreed on the importance of connection and communication to form links between the Northeast and the rest of India.
Earlier, the Women’s College, Shillong, signed an MoU on joint academic and research collaboration, cultural exchange programmes aimed at promoting quality education and scholarly activities of mutual interests with Miranda House, Delhi — the two women’s educational institutions.
Termed a “historic occasion”, the MoU was signed by the principal of Miranda House Bijayalakshmi Nanda and her counterpart from Women’s College Ratnadeep Roy.
Secretary of North Eastern Council (NEC) Moses Challai, who was the chief guest for the programme, spoke about the elements of nation-building and mutual benefit being the most important among them.
He stressed on the need for educational institutions to be futuristic and spoke of the importance of digital learning and 3D printing technology, which is taking the world by storm and will add value to medical science.
Earlier, a portrait of educationist Babu Jeebon Roy was also unveiled in the BB Dutta Memorial Library of Women’s College, Shillong.