The need for a University to cater to the needs of the hill people of the North-Eastern region had been felt by leading educationists and public leaders of the region. In particular, the need for rapid educational advancement of tribal communities; the need to preserve, maintain and develop their various cultural identities and to fulfil their desire to play their full part in the all-India sphere; furthermore, the switching over of the medium of instructions to the regional languages created fears and apprehensions among the tribal people and their realisation of their common need to preserve English as the medium of instruction in educational institutions necessitated by absence of a common tribal language as regional language; these felt-needs were main motivating factors that led to hill peoples' demand for a University of their own.
Recognising all these needs, Jawarharlal Nehru with his special feelings for the tribals supported the idea, and he advised the University Grants Commission to send an investigatory Commission headed by Prof. A.R.Wadia to the hill areas. The Commission then recommended the establishment of a Central University for the hill people of the North-Eastern region.
The next necessary step was for two full-fledged States to pass resolutions by the Legislatures to empower Parliament legislate on the establishment of a University as provided in Clause 1 of article 252 of the Constitution of India. In 1965 the Assam Legislature passed a similar resolution but however Nagaland, the only other State in the area at that time, was not interested in the hill University for the reason that, as a full-fledged State, she should have her University. After attaining Statehood, Meghalaya was keen to have the hill University. However, the constitution requires at least two States legislatures to pass resolutions supporting such a University. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram could not act as sponsors since their status was that of Union Territory only. Assam, for various reasons refused to be a co-sponsor. Under such circumstances, Meghalaya become rather desperate to get a co-sponsor and approached the Government of Manipur. However Manipur declined the suggestion on the ground that the State was going to have its own University. As a last resort, Meghalaya officials approached the Government of Nagaland with an earnest request to co-sponsor the proposed University.
It was in pursuit of the objective that Capt. Williamson Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Prof RS Lyngdoh, Speaker of the Assembly accompanied by Dr. C.D.S. Devanesen, the then OSD in the Ministry of Education, came in person to Kohima and requested the Government of Nagaland to come to their rescue. A joint meeting of the top officials of both States met in the Office Chamber of Mr. Hokishe Sema, the Chief Minister of Nagaland on 16th January,1973. The following were present: 1) Capt. Williamson Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, 2) Prof. R.S.Lyngdoh, Speaker, Meghalaya, 3) Shri Hokishe Sema, Chief Minister, Nagaland, 4) Shri R.C.Chiten Jamir, Finance Minister, 5) Shri J.B.Jasokie, Minister of Education, 6) Shri Chingwang Konyak, Minister of Tuensang Affairs, 7) Shri T.Kikon, Minister of Agriculture, 8) Shri N.Theyo, Minister of Transport, 9) Shri N.L.Odyou, Minister of State, Supply, 10) Shri Koramoa Jamir, Minister of State, PWD, 11) Shri Riga Thong, Deputy Minister, PWD, 12) Shri Nihovi Sema, Deputy Minister, Education, 13) Shri L.Lungalang, Chief Secretary, Nagaland, 14) Shri O.Kathipri, Secretary, Education, 15) Dr. Devanesen, Officer on Special Duty, 16) Shri Yajen Aier, Director of Education, and 17) Shri Kiremwati, Principal, Science College, Kohima.
Shri Hokishe Sema, Chief Minister, Nagaland, requested the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to introduce the subject matter of the discussion. Capt. Williamson Sangma then explained the background in detail leading to the present proposal for establishment of a Central University to be named after the Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi, for the Eastern Region, on the recommendation of a Committee headed by Professor, A.R.Wadia, at the instance of the Late Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, with Shillong as its headquarters. For the establishment of the proposed University, the Constitution requires that two State Legislatures should pass a resolution. Dr. Chandran Devanesen, the Officer on Special Duty, and Prof.R.S. Lyngdoh, the Speaker of Meghalaya Assembly briefly spoke on the subject. After that there was a free and frank discussion touching the various points. While the proposal for establishment the University was generally welcomed by both Meghalaya and Nagaland Governments it was felt that the following points need further clarification.
1. The medium of instruction. It was very strongly pressed by both Nagaland and Meghalaya Ministers that the medium of instruction of the proposed University should be English, especially English being declared as the Official language of both the States. Strong desire was expressed by the representatives of both the States that the bill itself should contain a clause clearly stating that English should be the medium of instruction instead of defining the medium of instruction by an ordinance. It was agreed that the two Chief Ministers with some of their Cabinet Colleagues should discuss further the whole question whether the medium issue should form a part of the bill or it should be done by issue of an ordinance with the Union Minister the very strong feelings expressed by both Nagaland and Meghalaya States regarding their desire to safeguard English as the medium of instruction in future of the proposed University.
2. Since two States will be involved in the jurisdiction of the University, it is felt that there should be a clear understanding beforehand regarding how the University will function. Questions were raised relating to the representation of both States as equal partners on the bodies of the University such as the Executive, the Academic Council and the Court of the University, and other important bodies. The question of how to organise and run the Campuses and faculties in the two States was also raised. The problem of finance and sharing of resources was also touched upon. It was strongly felt that when the President, who is the visitor, nominates the first bodies for their first term in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor there should be a principle of equal representation on the virous University bodies such as the Executive, the Academic Council and the Court and including the Planning and Finance Committees. While the details will have to be worked out after the Act comes into force, it was felt there should be some understanding on these matters between the two States before the bill goes to the Parliament.
3. It is understood that the two States will have their representative on the committee for redrafting the Bill which will include the Officer on Special Duty and a representative from the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission.
4. It is suggested that once agreement has been reached on the bill to be presented to the Parliament, a Planning Committee should be set up immediately to work out the detailed plans for the development of the Campuses and the various faculties in both the States.
5. In defining the jurisdiction of the University which will begin with the two states of Nagaland and Meghalaya and the Union Territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the Bill should make it clear that any other State in the North-Eastern Region should accept the Indira Gandhi University Act and Statutes. Ordinances and Regulations of the University if they desire their Colleges and other institutions of the higher education to be affiliated.
6. It was agreed that it will be fitting and appropriate to name the University after Prime Minister, Shrimati Indira Gandhi, which will be accepted to the people of Nagaland and Meghalaya.
7. The Education Minister of India has conveyed the Prime Minister's approval to permit English as the medium of instruction in the University vide his D.O. dated 20th January, 1973 to the Chief Minister, Government of Nagaland.
8. After mutually agreeing to the various points, Nagaland decided to participate in the new University and passed the necessary resolution in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 06-02-1973. It was in pursuance of the joint agreement that the NEHU Bill had been introduced in the Parliament.
On the 16th November, 1973, the Cabinet meeting was held and discussed the setting up of Faculties of Medicine and Agriculture in Nagaland of the North Eastern Hill University. After careful consideration of the genuine needs of the State in the field of Agriculture and Medicine, the Cabinet decided that the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Agriculture of the North Eastern University should be located in Nagaland. The Education Department is directed to take immediate follow up action.
Chingwang Konyak Former Minister & Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
