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!

PM – 2014...

            2014 is the year when India will have its general elections. We have so many political parties in India and same as the candidates for the post of PM !

            The front runners for the PM post in 2014 are these :-

Rahul Gandhi – The most eligible bachelor of the country is the most awaited person to be the PM also. If INC led UPA wins the 2014 elections, he can be the PM. He is seen as the youth icon of country. He is the people’s man. He walks on the road with common man, he eats at common man’s house, he travels in Mumbai’s local... His image is of a common man’s man. The current UPA government is at back foot on many reasons and the PM Mr. Manmohan Singh is at the question at now, for his not being strong or lack of decision making or being extra cool. So, if INC wants to make UPA-3 then it is necessary for the party to promote RG as the PM candidate. Currently he is working to bring back his party in UP in office which is at opposition since last 2 decades. His fate is very much depended on the UP elections that whether the people like him or not.

Manmohan Singh – One of the most humble and honest PM of the country ! His these good qualities are the path bumpers for him also. In UPA-1, he was many times lashed out by the opposition for being not strong or firm at many times still the people of India gave him a second chance ! But this time, it is unlikely for Manmohan Singh to be the PM 3^rd consecutive time. His strength/good qualities have now become his minus points. So, it seems that we may not be seeing him as the PM even if UPA-3 occurs!

Mamata Banerjee -  She is the ‘Dark Horse’ of the race of PM. After conquering the ‘Red Castle’, she is now eyeing to increase the area of her party-AITMC. She currently has 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha but as per current scenario, she can have 30+ in 2014 from West Bengal alone. In addition, her party is spreading also in U.P., Goa, Maharashtra and the North-East states. So in 2014, AITMC may have near about 40-45 MPs in the LS and as Didi is known as a rebel leader, she may ask for the post of PM if she holds the crucial numbers to form a government !

Sharad Pawar – One of the most awaiting person for the post of PM, we can say. He broke out from the Congress twice. Currently he is the president of NCP (Nationalist Congress Party). He has 9 MPs in Lok Sabha. If he gets near about 10-15 MPs in 2014, he can also ask for the post of PM. As UPA is facing severe problems like anti-incumbency, price-rise, corruption, scams etc., it will be a very critical time for them to keep the allies with them and Pawar may take the advantage of it.

Narendra Modi – Gujarat’s longest serving CM. Has many achievements under his belts but at the same time, he owns the equal controversies also. In BJP, currently only he is the strong person by whom the party persons can be impressed. Advani’s growing age and not so effective leadership have made Modi a front runner in the race of PM from BJP.

L.K. Advani- The man who is there with BJP since its birth. As Atal Bihari Vajpayee is enjoying his retirement, LKA is the seniorest in the party. He was also the PM candidate of NDA in the last elections. Even in political circles, on a lighter note he is known as the ‘PM in waiting’. So, he can be the PM if NDA comes in the office and as JD (U), an important ally of the NDA doesn’t support Modi, Advani has a good chance to grab the top most political post of our country!

Arun Jaitely- He is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a lawyer and a very good orator. If LKA is rejected because of being very old and Narendra Modi for his controversies, Jaitely can be the choice for the post of PM. He has a good experience of lawmaking, politics and public life which increases his merit for being the PM.

Sushma Swaraj- The female face of BJP. BJP can give her the post of PM against the female friendly image of Congress. She is currently the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

In addition of these candidates, there are many other regional leaders who can be the PM if they hold the crucial numbers like Gujaral and Dev Gowda in past. The toppers in this list are Mulayam Singh Yadav, Biju Patnaik, J.Jayalalitha and Mayawati.