N.E. India- The Forgotten Kingdom !

            India, a very large country having many regions and states. North-East India consists of 7 sisters (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura) and Sikkim. The northern part of West Bengal (proposed Gorkhaland) can also be considered in this region. Even, we can call it the ‘Enterance of the North-East’!

            Before the independence, these states of NE belonged to different dynasties or countries. After Independence, gradually they came under the Union of India.  The other states or regions who came under the Union of India developed in all directions but for NE, that thing didn’t happen. The NE has its own culture, tradition, languages etc. The majority of the population belongs to various tribal groups.  They have their own special festivals and wearings. It has a very rich flora and fauna. The Brahmaputra and other big rivers pass from here. It has plains, tea gardens, mountains, hills. The environment and weather of here is next to the heaven. So, in the terms of having nature’s beauty, NE is very much rich!

            This region has population of near about 4 crores and area of 2.6 lac sq.km. North East India is known for its unique culture, handicrafts, martial arts, and scenic beauty. The main problems of the region are insurgency, unemployment and lack of infrastructure. Since the beginning of the economic liberalization in the 1990s, studies have shown that this region is lagging behind the others in terms of development. The NE states have 25 out of a total of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha (4.6% of the total number of seats). In 1947, Indian independence and partition made this a landlocked region which isolated it from the mainstream India and the industries also. The main road block for economic development of the NE region is the disadvantageous geographical location. The heavy and privileged status of the security forces in Northeast India, as well as seeming discriminatory treatment against Northeast Indians remain factors that contribute to tensions in the region. There are many cases of discrimination with NE people who have migrated for studies, jobs etc. in bigger cities. Even the media is doing the same. For example, the hunger strike by Irom Chanu Sharmila following the "Malom Massacre" has not received a proper coverage by the media, while the Anna agitation was covered as a festival!

            NE lacks proper infrastructure, educational set-up, industries and jobs for people. That can be counted as one of the main reasons for this region not having much development. Because of that the people of NE have to migrate to the other parts of the country. There are many tribal groups in NE and the clashes between them are also one the main reason for the blockade in its development. Recent incident of the quarrel between two tribes in Nagaland and Manipur is the best example of it. Because of that Manipur was cut down from rest of the country for near about 200 days. The prices of all necessary things for living were gone at the sky! Many states of NE don’t have Airports and even the Railways. That’s why the progress is slow there.

            The main religion is Christianity here. As it is claimed that the missionaries come here and convert the tribal people into Christianity and in reward they are given good food, clothes and education. At some extent these missionaries have helped the NE in coming up and to develop.

It isn’t like that the government isn’t interested in the development of NE region. It has made many policies for the development of the NE region. There are many programs for the social, educational and economical upliftment of the region. Even the government have formed many tribal and territorial councils for the special identity and development of that territory and its tribes. At the same time, the people of NE also have to be more and more hungry for the development and have to ask the administration and bureaucracy for the progress. The NE is an integral part of India and all the Indians are proud to have it as a part of their country!