Ever since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, representation has been among the gravest and most persistent issues confronting India’s Northeast. It is a tragedy that this part of the country – a land of mesmerizing beauty, a rich cultural legacy, and the diversity that India so loves – has not been able to win sympathy among the ruling elites in New Delhi in the six decades since Independence. Instead, the people of Northeast India have largely been seen as separatists. Even today, the perception remains that the region is somehow antithetical to Indian democracy, a perception that has often been exploited for political purposes.
True, secession was a serious issue in the early days following Independence, giving rising to scores of outfits such as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). But while insurgency activity remains, times have changed, and the changes need to be recognized by both the Indian government and the public. There has been a noticeable shift in the way the people of Northeast India view their relations with the rest of the country. Rather than secessionism, the demand now is largely for regional autonomy and affirmative action.
Indeed, talk to the new generation in Northeast India today and you may hear of dissatisfaction with poor infrastructure and mounting unemployment, but you will struggle to find talk of separatism, at least among the general public. Visit Maniput and you may find protest against the “draconian” Armed Forces Special Power Act or demands for a Greater Nagaland; in Meghalaya, you might hear criticism of the proposed railway line, which locals fear will lead to an influx of non-tribals; go to Tripura and Bodoland and the talk may be of illegal immigrants. Yet it is very unlikely that you will hear the anti-India slogans that once were so common.
Today, the people of Northeast India realize that their aspirations can be accommodated within the Indian constitution, as has exemplified by the example of Mizoram. From a state once known for its famine, compounded by rampant poverty, illiteracy, and insurgency, Mizoram is now a model for development. This occurred only when the insurgents (led by the legendary Laldenga) realized that the Indian constitution was flexible enough to accommodate them.
The insurgents who remain in Northeast India are those who are deprived of education and employment. They join these groups not because they associate themselves with the “separatist ideology” but because of their helplessness in the wake of rampant poverty and underdevelopment. Yes, they do have ideological conflicts with the government (largely on inter-community relations and territorial claims). But these differences don’t mean they are necessarily anti-India.
Writing in South Asia Politics last year, Subhash Kashyap rightly observed: “If we really want to develop better social communication between the people inhabiting the North East and those in the rest of India and create a climate of real pan-Indian fraternity, the New Delhi colonial mindset of regarding the North-East territory as being theirs-the approach that it belongs to them-must change and be transformed into generating among those in the North East – tribals and others – a feeling and belief that the whole of India belongs to them.”
Sadly, India’s touted two-decade old “Look East Policy” has failed to consider the country’s own east. Far from relishing the fruits of government policy, the region and its inhabitants have long been deprived of even basic services such as primary health, sanitation and education. While governments have issued grand calls to boost the tribal economy, promote regional handicrafts on the international market, develop cross-border trade, and open new trade routes like the one at Moreh in Manipur, a light bulb and a running tap remain luxury items. For New Delhi, it seems that “east” begins where India’s Northeast ends.
New Delhi needs to stop making policy on the basis of preconceived notions, and instead make Northeast India an active participant in the policymaking process. Only then can it meet the region’s aspirations and protect the national interest.
Alas, for years the natives have been kept out of policy, and this is the root cause of their alienation. Even when talks did take place, they failed to consider the region’s diversity. Meghalaya is very different from Nagaland, just as Mizoram is very different from the Cachar Hills.
Meanwhile, the Indian government needs to involve civil society in the peace talks it holds with the insurgent groups. Its failure to do that only encourages a polarization and the emergence of more insurgent groups. After all, it is civil society who best represents the victims of the insurgency.
Kashyup adds: “The basic problem in the North East today – as in the rest of India – is that of tremendous governance deficit. The youth in the North-East have the same problems, ambitions and are success oriented as the youth elsewhere.”
But those same youth, like the generations before them, are forced because of ill-conceived and myopic state policies to prove their “Indianess,” even when they march in New Delhi to make clear that they do not wish their state of Arunachal Pradesh to be part of China.
“Indian nationalism,” writes Dr. Shashi Tharoor, “has always been nationalism of an idea, the idea of an ever-ever land-emerging from an ancient civilisation, united by a shared history (and) sustained by a pluralist democracy…the only singularity about India is that there is none.” Indian nationalism cannot be defined (and thus identified) by geography, religion, language or ethnicity. The pluralistic nature of Indian society, one proudly inherited over thousands of years, cannot afford to curtail these vibrant and diverse tentacles of language, culture, or tradition into one single definition.
Further evidence of the changing attitudes among the people of Northeast India lies in the high voter turnout(the highest in the country, averaging more than 80 percent) in elections at all levels in the last ten years. A people seeking to disassociate themselves from a country surely would not want to participate in the elections of that country.
New Delhi must now reciprocate. It should do so by ensuring the safety of Northeast Indians in the nation’s cities as a confidence building measure; drafting policies aimed at inclusive growth along the lines of the rest of India; harvesting the tourism and handicraft potential by encouraging regional players; establishing centers of higher education and health to ensure participative development; and giving the region more effective political representation in the capital.
Infrastructure development alone will not suffice; people-to-people connections are also needed for capacity building. Buildings are of no use if the capacity to use them is not there. One reason why government schemes are not very successful in the region is because there is hardly any interaction with the general public. Consequently, the central government is often viewed as tyrannical. It is because of this that buildings and roads constructed under the banner of “infrastructure development” tend to symbolize “tyranny and authoritarianism” in the eyes of the Northeast Indian public, a view that is exploited by the insurgents. Much could be achieved if New Delhi strengthens communication with all stakeholders in the region.
The government role does not end with the allocation of funds. It must ensure also that they are effectively allocated. Northeast India suffers from rampant corruption. This isolates and enrages the general public. This unrest and feeling of helplessness has fueled the terrorism in the region.
Of course, the people of Northeast India must also shed the mentality that they are treated differently by default. Often, this is not the case. By remaining inside their own cocoons of “identity,” they indirectly contribute to their own sidelining. The new generation has the responsibility of convincing the remaining separatists that there is a better alternative.
It does take two hands to clap, but the first move is New Delhi’s to make.
Mukesh Rawat is a New Delhi-based freelance writer and spent seven years in various parts of Northeast India. Email him at mukeshrawat705@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @mukeshrawat705.
Source: The Diplomat
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
India, Nepal ink 9 deals; Modi inaugurates bus service, gifts helicopter
KATHMANDU: Nepal's happiness "gives us joy", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Tuesday on his second visit to the Himalayan country in 100 days as both sides inked nine agreements, further cementing their close ties.
Modi, who in his departure statement said the fact that he was visiting Nepal twice in the six months since he took over "reflects the importance we attach to our unique and special relations with Nepal", also held delegation-level talks with his Nepali counterpart Sushil Koirala.
Modi, who is here to attend the 18th Saarc summit, urged Nepal to frame its much-awaited constitution early and on the basis of consensus.
Addressing a gathering during handing over of a 200-bed trauma centre built by India, Modi said writing the constitution was "taking too much time" and urged Nepal to finish the work on the basis of consensus and not majority.
He said the constitution should be like a bouquet, with each flower representing each strata of the Nepali society — the Madhesis, the Maoists and Pahadis — providing them rights.
Modi said India will not interfere and has never interfered in Nepal's affairs, but added that "Nepal's happiness is reason for us to smile, so write it fast".
Political parties have set January 22 as the deadline to draft the constitution.
The trauma centre has been built by India at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion in the city's Bir Hospital, the oldest medical facility in the country.
Among the dozen agreements inked was one for project development agreement (PDA) for the Arun-III hydropower project.
~TOI
Modi, who in his departure statement said the fact that he was visiting Nepal twice in the six months since he took over "reflects the importance we attach to our unique and special relations with Nepal", also held delegation-level talks with his Nepali counterpart Sushil Koirala.
Modi, who is here to attend the 18th Saarc summit, urged Nepal to frame its much-awaited constitution early and on the basis of consensus.
Addressing a gathering during handing over of a 200-bed trauma centre built by India, Modi said writing the constitution was "taking too much time" and urged Nepal to finish the work on the basis of consensus and not majority.
He said the constitution should be like a bouquet, with each flower representing each strata of the Nepali society — the Madhesis, the Maoists and Pahadis — providing them rights.
Modi said India will not interfere and has never interfered in Nepal's affairs, but added that "Nepal's happiness is reason for us to smile, so write it fast".
Political parties have set January 22 as the deadline to draft the constitution.
The trauma centre has been built by India at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion in the city's Bir Hospital, the oldest medical facility in the country.
Among the dozen agreements inked was one for project development agreement (PDA) for the Arun-III hydropower project.
~TOI
Schedule for Hornbill Music Festival 2014
Dimapur, November 24 (MExN): The Nagaland Outdoors Club & Sky Entertainment has informed that the Hornbill Music Festival of 2014 will be packed with fun and great music. The Hornbill International Rock Contest will not be the only highlight during the music festival, stated a press release issued by Al Ngullie, Publicity & Media Manager, NOC & Sky Inc., Hornbill Music Festival.
December 1: Night of the Home Warriors
Accomplished bands from Nagaland will perform on December 1. Some of the better known groups in the State like Divine Connection, Alobo Naga & the Band, Hello Radio and Purple Fusion will perform for approximately three and half hours.
December 2: Grand Finale of Naga Orpheus Hunt 2014
Finalists of the erstwhile Naga Idol will be fighting it out on the stage on the night of December 2. Competitive rounds of the 2014 edition of the Naga Orpheus talent hunt are currently underway. Dimapur-based Soyachunks is organizing the talent hunt for this year’s edition. Come, cheer for your favorite contestant!
December 3: Back in time
Legendary British country rock group Smokie from England will be headlining the evening. Besides, classics from the million-selling group of the yesteryears, the concert will also feature two brilliant and upcoming rock groups, K3M and Highland Oracle from Nagaland.
December 4-7
The four-day Hornbill International Rock Contest will be one of the showcase events of the Hornbill Music festival. 28 rock bands from across the state, northeast and India will be facing the music on the four days. To top it off, American guitar god Vinnie Moore will be there too! Vinnie Moore, Sanjay Divecha from Mumbai, Thejove Medeo and Wati Imchen from Nagaland will be judging the contest. Vinnie Moore will also perform a special set on the 7th.
December 1: Night of the Home Warriors
Accomplished bands from Nagaland will perform on December 1. Some of the better known groups in the State like Divine Connection, Alobo Naga & the Band, Hello Radio and Purple Fusion will perform for approximately three and half hours.
December 2: Grand Finale of Naga Orpheus Hunt 2014
Finalists of the erstwhile Naga Idol will be fighting it out on the stage on the night of December 2. Competitive rounds of the 2014 edition of the Naga Orpheus talent hunt are currently underway. Dimapur-based Soyachunks is organizing the talent hunt for this year’s edition. Come, cheer for your favorite contestant!
December 3: Back in time
Legendary British country rock group Smokie from England will be headlining the evening. Besides, classics from the million-selling group of the yesteryears, the concert will also feature two brilliant and upcoming rock groups, K3M and Highland Oracle from Nagaland.
December 4-7
The four-day Hornbill International Rock Contest will be one of the showcase events of the Hornbill Music festival. 28 rock bands from across the state, northeast and India will be facing the music on the four days. To top it off, American guitar god Vinnie Moore will be there too! Vinnie Moore, Sanjay Divecha from Mumbai, Thejove Medeo and Wati Imchen from Nagaland will be judging the contest. Vinnie Moore will also perform a special set on the 7th.
December 8: Love East
Dance, music, fun and more music! That is Love East EDM/ Rap Night: LC (Naga rapper) will be dishing out an aural buffet to delight you through the night. There is none other than DJ Barkha, the Indian star DJ. The second performer DJ Ina has been performing since 2009 and has already performed in top clubs across India. He has also performed with the prestigious Kitty Su club, where superstars such as Avicii and Steve Aoki, and Dada Life have performed.
December 9: One Wild Night
Another highlight to add to the whole fun week is, Bon Giovi, from England, the official tribute band of Bon Jovi. The group will be performing some of the greatest rock ballads and hits from one of the biggest rock bands in history, Bon Jovi. The opening band for Bon Giovi will be Mumbai-based band Koniac Net.
December 10: Tear Drops of the Hills
The concept of ‘Tear Drops of the Hills’ is that the people of North East India continue to face harsh realities in India as it has been for many years. Although citizens of the country, people of the NE region have always been looked down and treated as an alien in our own land. Crimes and injustices continue to be perpetrated against the people of the seven sisters because they just happen to look different, dress differently, and have a culture that’s different. “We are as much as Indian as our brothers and sisters in mainland India; that is the idea of this event,” stated the press release.
On the evening of December 10, various rock groups from North East India will be performing and perhaps spread the message of not only unity, but unity in diversity as well.
Who are the bands that will be playing for you? Vivace (Nagaland), Street Stories (Shillong), The Scavenger Project (Mizoram), Lucid Recess (Assam), Pulse Pundit (Manipur) and Yesterdrive (Arunachal).
~MExN
Protest against proposed sports university turns ugly in Manipur : Cops over powered, arms confiscated by mobs
IMPHAL, Nov 24 : A protest rally taken out today at Sora against the Government’s plan to set up a National sports university at Yaithibi Loukon turned violent and four police personnel including an officer were captured by an irate mob.
Four weapons were also confiscated apart from a police outpost torched to the ground. Sources informed that people of Sora and 10 other surrounding villages took out a protest rally at around 10.30 am today.
The protesters were blocked by police in accordance with restrictions imposed under Section 144, CrPC. The police team also asked the protesters if they obtained due permission from the concerned authority.
This was followed by a tense stand-off between the two sides. Soon after, police started firing several rounds of tear gas shells in a bid to drive back the protesters.
The protesters retaliated by burning down a police outpost opened anew at Sora Chingjin. They also set ablaze three two-wheelers (Bajaj Pulsar, Hero Pleasure and a Hero Honda motorcycle).
In the meantime, Kakching PS OC Inspector Rishikesh Sharma arrived at the scene. But the mob somehow overpowered Inspector Rishikesh and three other police personnel at around 11.30 am and took them inside a nearby village. Their weapons were also confiscated by the mob.
After the arrival of police reinforcement, the protesters were finally driven away by firing tear gas shells and mock bombs.
Whereas Inspector Rishikesh Sharma somehow escaped from the clutches of his captors, two police personnel who were beaten up by the mob were sent for treatment in a Maruti van at around 2.30 pm. Then they were taken to Shija Hospital.
The two police personnel undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital are M Punilkanta (30) s/o Ingobi of Tentha and M Shanta (30) s/o Maimu of Thoubal Khekman.
It is reported that two girls were also injured in the confrontation. The fourth captured police personnel was freed at around 5 pm and the confiscated weapons were also handed over to police.
Four weapons were also confiscated apart from a police outpost torched to the ground. Sources informed that people of Sora and 10 other surrounding villages took out a protest rally at around 10.30 am today.
The protesters were blocked by police in accordance with restrictions imposed under Section 144, CrPC. The police team also asked the protesters if they obtained due permission from the concerned authority.
This was followed by a tense stand-off between the two sides. Soon after, police started firing several rounds of tear gas shells in a bid to drive back the protesters.
The protesters retaliated by burning down a police outpost opened anew at Sora Chingjin. They also set ablaze three two-wheelers (Bajaj Pulsar, Hero Pleasure and a Hero Honda motorcycle).
In the meantime, Kakching PS OC Inspector Rishikesh Sharma arrived at the scene. But the mob somehow overpowered Inspector Rishikesh and three other police personnel at around 11.30 am and took them inside a nearby village. Their weapons were also confiscated by the mob.
After the arrival of police reinforcement, the protesters were finally driven away by firing tear gas shells and mock bombs.
Whereas Inspector Rishikesh Sharma somehow escaped from the clutches of his captors, two police personnel who were beaten up by the mob were sent for treatment in a Maruti van at around 2.30 pm. Then they were taken to Shija Hospital.
The two police personnel undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital are M Punilkanta (30) s/o Ingobi of Tentha and M Shanta (30) s/o Maimu of Thoubal Khekman.
It is reported that two girls were also injured in the confrontation. The fourth captured police personnel was freed at around 5 pm and the confiscated weapons were also handed over to police.
North East States gear up for Prime Minister Modi's 3 day visit
GUWAHATI, Nov 24 : At least four North Eastern States are gearing up for a three-day maiden trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region, with the most crucial engagement being the two-day annual conference of DGPs and IGPs of the States, union territories and CPOs to be held here from November 29.
Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate the annual Hornbill Festival in Kohima, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of Nagaland as a separate State out of the erstwhile Naga Hills district of Assam and the Tuensang Hill Tracts. Modi is scheduled to fly from Guwahati to Dimapur on November 30 afternoon, and inaugurate the Hornbill Festival the next morning.
The annual conference of DGPs and IGPs however stands out to be the most important meeting for the Prime Minister in the backdrop of jihadi groups spreading their net across the North Eastern region. Moreover, the conference is being held for the first time outside the National capital since its inception in 1920. Chief Ministers of all the North Eastern States and Sikkim have been also invited to attend the conference.
In Guwahati, Prime Minister Modi will also formally flag off a train to Mendipathar in Garo Hills, which will also put Meghalaya on the railway map for the first time since the hill State was carved out of two Assam districts in 1972. He is also laying the foundation stone of a new railway line from Digaru (Assam) to Byrnihat in Meghalaya in the same function. The Prime Minister will also address a meeting of BJP party leaders and workers of Assam in Guwahati on Sunday before taking off for Nagaland.
Sources said that while Modi’s Guwahati trip is final, his visit to Nagaland and Manipur is “most likely” to happen.
In Manipur, the Prime Minister is likely to reach Imphal after Kohima to grace the closing ceremony of the Sangai Festival – the most important annual tourism festival of the State – the same day before flying back to New Delhi. There are also reports of inclusion of Tripura in the Prime Minister’s North East itinerary, with sources in Agartala saying Modi would commission the second unit of the 756-MW Palatana thermal power plant there.
~The SangaiExpress
Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate the annual Hornbill Festival in Kohima, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of Nagaland as a separate State out of the erstwhile Naga Hills district of Assam and the Tuensang Hill Tracts. Modi is scheduled to fly from Guwahati to Dimapur on November 30 afternoon, and inaugurate the Hornbill Festival the next morning.
The annual conference of DGPs and IGPs however stands out to be the most important meeting for the Prime Minister in the backdrop of jihadi groups spreading their net across the North Eastern region. Moreover, the conference is being held for the first time outside the National capital since its inception in 1920. Chief Ministers of all the North Eastern States and Sikkim have been also invited to attend the conference.
In Guwahati, Prime Minister Modi will also formally flag off a train to Mendipathar in Garo Hills, which will also put Meghalaya on the railway map for the first time since the hill State was carved out of two Assam districts in 1972. He is also laying the foundation stone of a new railway line from Digaru (Assam) to Byrnihat in Meghalaya in the same function. The Prime Minister will also address a meeting of BJP party leaders and workers of Assam in Guwahati on Sunday before taking off for Nagaland.
Sources said that while Modi’s Guwahati trip is final, his visit to Nagaland and Manipur is “most likely” to happen.
In Manipur, the Prime Minister is likely to reach Imphal after Kohima to grace the closing ceremony of the Sangai Festival – the most important annual tourism festival of the State – the same day before flying back to New Delhi. There are also reports of inclusion of Tripura in the Prime Minister’s North East itinerary, with sources in Agartala saying Modi would commission the second unit of the 756-MW Palatana thermal power plant there.
~The SangaiExpress
Eastern Nagas ‘forcefully converted’ to Buddhism
Those Nagas who get converted to Buddhism are allegedly offered “favorable chance to become government servants”
Kohima, November 24 (MExN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has alleged that the Burmese Government is deliberately trying to ‘discriminate and divide’ the Nagas by forcefully converting the Eastern Nagas to Buddhism.
Those Nagas who get converted to Buddhism are allegedly offered “favorable chance to become government servants than Christians and they are promoted to their next higher rank and give more power to exercise in the regions.”
“This policy is presently and currently applying by the Burmese Government and will be continued to eliminate Christianity in Eastern Nagaland or to Burmanize Naga people,” stated NNC member, Thomas, in a lengthy note today.
On the other hand, informed Thomas, the methods applied by the Burmese Army for proselytizing Nagas from animism or Christianity to Buddhism are “threatening, intimidation, exemption from tax, forced labor, portering and luring with money, clothes, providing rations.”
The Government of Myanmar’s Ministry for Border Area Ethnic People’s Development, according to the NNC member, has instituted boarding schools for Naga boys and girls in every Township Headquarters (Layshi, Homalin, Khamti, Lahe Townships, and under construction in Namyung and Pangsao Townships) which provide facilities free of charge, including food and lodging. Such boarding schools are also established at Tanai and Myitkyina in Kachin State where Naga and Kachin students get admission.
“The poor Naga Christian parents are compelled to send their children to the said Boarding schools in the interest of their children’s education. However, their children have no option but to be converted to Buddhism at peremptory order, since these Boarding schools are maintaining by the Government, Buddhists,” stated Thomas.
The Eastern Nagas in Burma, under the Sagaing Division now called Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ), are predominantly Christians, he noted. Christianity was brought to them after the 1950s. After 1980 almost all Eastern Nagas became Christians, informed Thomas. “Only few such as shamans remained to practice ritual of the tradition. Christianity reached to Eastern Nagaland much later, 137 years after the Christianity brought to Burma by American Baptist Missionary Rev. Adoniram Judson in 1813,” he wrote.
Enumerating on his allegation, the NNC member gave examples of how the Burmese Army, after 1990, began to force people in the Naga Hills to “accept Buddhism at gun point.”
For instance, in 1997, in Somra areas, all Christian Churches were locked by Buddhist Monks for months. When the leaders of Tangkhul Baptist Church Association attempted to open the doors, the Burmese Army started firing at them and sought to arrest them all. The 12 Church leaders are said to have been compelled to hide in the jungle for their safety for weeks.
On 29 December 1998, 19 Burmese Army personnel under the Command of Captain Demongso came to Kingphu village and abducted a pastor and tortured him for a week without giving him food. The Kingphu Christian villagers were threatened by burning alive or shoot death if they attempted to enter into the Church.
On April 7, 1999, four Monks and soldiers called Ponyu Nyukyan village Christians, blindfolded them and tortured them for four hours. The youths were tortured hanging them upside down and even ordered to dig their own graves. On 24th April 1999, Ponyu village Baptist Church was destroyed and the Christians were forced to worship Buddha.
On January 20, 1999, the Burmese Army under the Command of Captain Zoolen, entered Houthait village along with Buddhist Monks and arbitrarily stopped the construction of Church building; and tortured the Pastor and Church leaders.
In 2004, the Burmese Army from Infantry Battalion (IB) 52 and 229 forced the Naga Christians to convert to Buddhism at gun point and forced them to build a Buddhist Pagoda.
On December 15, 2005, Rokvay, Pastor of Chawang Nukwuk village was tortured for three days by Burmese Army under the Command of Maj. Khaing Tun Naing and Christians from the said village were forced to convert to Buddhism. Also the same Burmese Army group tortured Winrom, Pastor of Lumnu village in December 2005 and sent him to his native village without allowing him to preach Gospel. And yet another Pastor Rego of Chamkok village Baptist Church was also abducted by the same Burmese Army and kept him in the dungeon for a week. When he was brought out for sun bath, he availed the chance and run for his life. While he was running the Burmese Army fired several rounds upon him, but he escaped without any bullet injury.
In Pangsao areas, Burmese Army from IB 52, under the Command of a Major entered into several villages in January 2005 and seized material kept for construction of Church buildings. Through 2005, such material was consistently picked up by the Burmese Army, with demands of high amounts of Indian Rupees from the villagers.
Source: MorungExpress
Monday, 24 November 2014
MODI GOVERNMENT HAS GUTS TO SOLVE NAGA PROBLEM: NAGLAND GOVERNOR
Nagaland Governor P.B Acharya asserted that with a strong government at the centre which has the will and guts to solve the Naga problem, it was high time that Nagaland came out of the Naga political problem and appealed to all groups, intellectuals, NGOs including the elected government to speak out on what kind of solution they wanted.
Stating this at a press meet in the Raj Bhavan here Saturday, the Governor further pointed out that the constitutionally elected government represented the voice of the people and all elected members, the two MPs regardless of political affiliations including the thinking within those involved in the movement to spell out what they want within the constitution that was a “respectable solution” and not just a solution.
Highlighting his visit to the USA in mid-October, the Governor said he found overseas Nagas doing well in all fields and that they were praying for peace and development in Nagaland.
On the huge budget deficit of the state, Acharya expressed the hope that the prime minister would announce a big package during his visit in December 1.
He lamented that the state assembly had not passed the Lokayukta which was vibrant for democracy in Nagaland and where along with the RTI, would help strengthen constitutional democracy to counter wrong doings. The Governor urged upon the state government to act immediately to form the Lokayukta and also appoint information officers since bodies that were constitutional should not be excluded from the government role. He also insisted on rectification of the constitution 121 Amendment bill.
Appealing to the state government on women reservation, he said though the issue was still under litigation in the Supreme Court, Naga women should also be given the opportunity as women in other states , to be represented in zila parishads and local bodies.
Acharya suggested that there should be a dialogue between industries, trade and education since the current curriculum was limited to the subjects that were not in tune with industries and trade requirement.
He said universities, need to open up their minds and do their research to make them more applicable to society and that continuous dialogue took place for industries and trade. Lamenting that much of research was not applicable to day to day life, Acharya said knowledge-wise university research was wonderful but application-wise the net result was not what society needed.
The Governor also disclosed, that to encourage visitors to see the rich cultural of Nagaland and to rid off misgivings about insurgency,150 of his personal guests and tourists from Karnataka, Mumbai and Maharashtra, will be attending the Hornbill festival. He appealed to people to shower their hospitality and magnanimity to visitors to the state.
He also disclosed that members of the Maharastra Chamber of Commerce (MCC) will be arriving to Kohima for the first time for an executive meeting, where Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Dimapur Chamber of Commerce host the event on December 3 or 4.
He requested the state ministers to attend the event as it would be a great event which, he said would promote “a national integration” . The Governor said that in future, more organizations and universities will come to Nagaland to interact with our people.
The Governor also appealed to the two MPs from Nagaland, who are getting annually Rs.5 cr each under PM’s Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, to spend the money for construction of toilets across the state.
He also urged the state’s MPs to adopt one village in ENPO areas under PM’s Gram Yojana, and give full attention so that it would send a message that “we care for them”.
Acharya said not much changes have taken place in ENPO areas in the field of education, health or road sectors in comparison with other districts and so such demands needed attention.
On the prime minister’s scheduled visit to Nagaland, the Governor said schedules kept changing but that as per the latest update, Modi will fly from Imphal to Dimapur on November 30 evening and halt for the night. He said the PM will then travel to Kohima the next day where he is to inaugurate the Hornbill festival on December 1 and depart on the same day.
Acharya condemned incidents of assault on people from north east in Delhi and Bangalore saying “something has to be done”.
In this regard, the Governor informed that he would be writing to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to take strong action and suggested the idea of floating “fellowship link families” for a single person who required guardians.
Acharya said there were 20,000 to 25,000 north east people in Delhi, out of which 60% were students and rest employed in various sectors. He said those people from north east with families in Delhi will be attached with local people (having national outlook) to act as guardians to those living alone, especially women so as to instil confidence against the sense of insecurity.
He said north easterners are an asset who add to the wealth of the country and therefore, they should not be disturbed and likewise the non-locals residing and serving the Nagas in Nagaland should also not be disturbed.
~NagalandPost
Stating this at a press meet in the Raj Bhavan here Saturday, the Governor further pointed out that the constitutionally elected government represented the voice of the people and all elected members, the two MPs regardless of political affiliations including the thinking within those involved in the movement to spell out what they want within the constitution that was a “respectable solution” and not just a solution.
Highlighting his visit to the USA in mid-October, the Governor said he found overseas Nagas doing well in all fields and that they were praying for peace and development in Nagaland.
On the huge budget deficit of the state, Acharya expressed the hope that the prime minister would announce a big package during his visit in December 1.
He lamented that the state assembly had not passed the Lokayukta which was vibrant for democracy in Nagaland and where along with the RTI, would help strengthen constitutional democracy to counter wrong doings. The Governor urged upon the state government to act immediately to form the Lokayukta and also appoint information officers since bodies that were constitutional should not be excluded from the government role. He also insisted on rectification of the constitution 121 Amendment bill.
Appealing to the state government on women reservation, he said though the issue was still under litigation in the Supreme Court, Naga women should also be given the opportunity as women in other states , to be represented in zila parishads and local bodies.
Acharya suggested that there should be a dialogue between industries, trade and education since the current curriculum was limited to the subjects that were not in tune with industries and trade requirement.
He said universities, need to open up their minds and do their research to make them more applicable to society and that continuous dialogue took place for industries and trade. Lamenting that much of research was not applicable to day to day life, Acharya said knowledge-wise university research was wonderful but application-wise the net result was not what society needed.
The Governor also disclosed, that to encourage visitors to see the rich cultural of Nagaland and to rid off misgivings about insurgency,150 of his personal guests and tourists from Karnataka, Mumbai and Maharashtra, will be attending the Hornbill festival. He appealed to people to shower their hospitality and magnanimity to visitors to the state.
He also disclosed that members of the Maharastra Chamber of Commerce (MCC) will be arriving to Kohima for the first time for an executive meeting, where Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Dimapur Chamber of Commerce host the event on December 3 or 4.
He requested the state ministers to attend the event as it would be a great event which, he said would promote “a national integration” . The Governor said that in future, more organizations and universities will come to Nagaland to interact with our people.
The Governor also appealed to the two MPs from Nagaland, who are getting annually Rs.5 cr each under PM’s Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, to spend the money for construction of toilets across the state.
He also urged the state’s MPs to adopt one village in ENPO areas under PM’s Gram Yojana, and give full attention so that it would send a message that “we care for them”.
Acharya said not much changes have taken place in ENPO areas in the field of education, health or road sectors in comparison with other districts and so such demands needed attention.
On the prime minister’s scheduled visit to Nagaland, the Governor said schedules kept changing but that as per the latest update, Modi will fly from Imphal to Dimapur on November 30 evening and halt for the night. He said the PM will then travel to Kohima the next day where he is to inaugurate the Hornbill festival on December 1 and depart on the same day.
Acharya condemned incidents of assault on people from north east in Delhi and Bangalore saying “something has to be done”.
In this regard, the Governor informed that he would be writing to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to take strong action and suggested the idea of floating “fellowship link families” for a single person who required guardians.
Acharya said there were 20,000 to 25,000 north east people in Delhi, out of which 60% were students and rest employed in various sectors. He said those people from north east with families in Delhi will be attached with local people (having national outlook) to act as guardians to those living alone, especially women so as to instil confidence against the sense of insecurity.
He said north easterners are an asset who add to the wealth of the country and therefore, they should not be disturbed and likewise the non-locals residing and serving the Nagas in Nagaland should also not be disturbed.
~NagalandPost
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