Sazolie College organises national seminar

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A two-day National Seminar on ‘State, Governance and Development in Northeast India’ was organised by Department of Sociology and Research Committee, Sazolie College, sponsored by UGC-NERO &ICSSR-NERC on November 28 and 29 at the college premises.

 

Professor Gautum Kumar Bera, Tagore National Fellow, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in his keynote address deliberated that the Northeast has historical links, ethnologically and linguistically, and the area is marked with varied degree of cultural and religious practices.

 

While the Government of India brought new challenges in the arena of tribal world with the intention of bringing them to the main stream of society, there were legitimate fears of loss of identity, and the demands of various ethnic groups for increasingly more autonomy needs to be addressed at the pan India level in a pragmatic way,” he said.

 

“The changing contour of the state in the context of nation-state boundary was challenged with the abrogation of Article 370,” he added.

 

Bera opined that Christianity and education are paramount factors of change in the region.

 

The process of proselytization created the landmark in the ethnic mosaic of the ancient, the first major state towards the development of indigenous community, he added.

 

He further opined that Christianity brought tremendous changes in all the spheres of life including the new social, cultural, political and economic life of the people and succeeded in changing the convictions of the people and their belief system to a great extent, a press release from the college stated.

 

“Education is another agent of change in helping the people to preserve the traditions and the values, and rebuild the society by inculcating values in the minds of the people,” he added.

 

Bera further commented that “the entire canvas of NE India still stands as a unique example of unity amidst adversity where the rhythm of unity echoes with the tunes of flute reverberate with the melodies of nature.”

 

The seminar concluded with discussions on environment, urbanization and development, stating that urbanization is a global process which stimulates economic development and growth.

 

While Aphrenuo Pienyü chaired seminar, Principal, Dr Kangzangding Thou welcomed the gathering and Convenor, Thepfusalie Theunuo delivered the vote of thanks.