By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 3: Veteran journalist and Editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim, released her latest book titled ‘From Isolation to Integration: Navigating the Geopolitics of India’s Northeast 1990-2023’ here on Saturday.
The two-volume work, published by Martin Luther Christian University Press, was launched at an informal gathering held at Tripura Castle on Friday.
The book brings together Mukhim’s writings from the past three decades, examining key political, social and developmental issues that have shaped the Northeast. Through editorials, reports and analysis, the book presents a comprehensive account of how the region has often remained on the periphery of national discourse.
The event was attended by former Union Home Secretary GK Pillai, who also penned the foreword to the book.
In his address, Pillai described Mukhim as a “conscience keeper” of the Northeast and commended her consistent efforts to highlight the challenges faced by its people. “Her journalism reflects the lived realities of the Northeast, and her voice is one that cannot be ignored,” he said.
The book also explores themes such as the region’s historical neglect, colonial legacies and post-Independence political struggles. It reflects on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the influence of regional political parties and the limitations of the Act East Policy.
Speaking at the launch event, Mukhim said the book is not merely a collection of essays but a chronicle of the region’s political and social evolution.
The event was also attended by former editor of The Shillong Times, Manas Chaudhuri, who recalled Mukhim’s early days in journalism.
He described her as courageous and unwavering in expressing her views.
In his introduction to the book, MLCU Chancellor Glenn C. Kharkongor hailed it as a significant contribution to the understanding of India’s Northeast, noting its relevance for journalists, policymakers and scholars alike.
The book also includes personal accounts from Mukhim’s life, such as the petrol bomb attack on her home in 2020 and her legal battle in a defamation case, which culminated in a favourable Supreme Court ruling.
From Isolation to Integration aims to answer the long-standing question of the Northeast’s place in India’s national narrative—a question Mukhim believes remains unresolved even 75 years after Independence.