Call to create North East region as a ‘reliable space’

Resource persons, organizers and participants during the national seminar on “Emerging Debates and Issues in North East India” organized by Kohima College, Research Cell & IQAC on November 14 and 15. (Photo Courtesy: Kohima College) 
 

National seminar on ‘Emerging Debates and Issues in North East India’ in Kohima concludes 

Kohima, November 15 (MExN): “To imagine the North East, a pattern of narrative has long controlled the academic thinking of how we look at the North East,” stated Dr. Kekhrie Yhome, former Asst. Professor, Delhi University. 

Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day national seminar on “Emerging Debates and Issues in North East India” organized by Kohima College, Research Cell & IQAC on November 15, Dr. Kekhrie said, “The region is labelled as ‘troubled’, ‘identity crisis’, ‘social unrest’, ‘underdevelopment’, ‘ security issues’, ‘insurgency’, etc., and on the other hand, the region has been labelled with beautiful features like ‘untapped market’, ‘naturally rich resources’ -these narratives and imagination of a place called North East has been strictly modulated in the form of how we look at and interpret ourselves.”

 “We should create the region as a reliable space and not as described through the imaginary projection of others, and question if it is possible for us to make any leverage to take another step and change it to a narrative of ‘hope’,” Dr. Kekhrie. 

The session was chaired my Megovono Üsou, Assoc. Prof, Department of English, Kohima College, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Sungjeminla, Coordinator, IQAC, Kohima College, Kohima. Dr. Kekhrieseno Christina, HoD, Department of Sociology, KCK gave the Seminar Summary and a song was presented by the students of Kohima College.

Day 2 of the seminar consisted of technical sessions with papers on “Environmental Concern and Question of Survival of Indigenous People of North East People of India” by Dr. Toli Achumi, “Socio-Ecological Impact of Coal Mining: A Study in Molungkimong Village, Nagaland” by Repakaba Tzudir and Dr. Yamsani Srikanth, Developmental Politics and the State of Arunachal Pradesh by Kasturi Ratan Verma, “Competitive Politics and Democracy in a Tribal Society under Transition” by Amongla N Jamir, “The Story of Our Life: The Common Naga Peoples’ Perspective” by Bokali Kibami, Dynamics of Hairdo in Naga Society by Dr. Kekhrieseno Christina and Dr. Konei Nakhro, “Need for Outcome Based Higher Education in Nagaland: A Study” by Meyisangla Longkumer & Dr. V.T. Vasagan.

As per a press release from Kohima College Mass Media Cell, Cheryl Kevichusa stated the seminar was organised with an objective to bring out a platform to bring together ideas to understand contemporary issues confronting the North East region and to bring forth concrete solutions and strategies.

At the inaugural function, Dr Luke Rymbai, Principal, Model Christian College, Kohima stated that Research is not profitable if it is done for compelling circumstances, that the “drive force” ought to be thirst and love for research, and that it should not be done for academics alone but to impact societies and policy makers.

Dr Konei Nakhro, Convenor, Research Cell, KCK, said it was imperative for academicians and researchers to continually engage with issues and challenges relevant to our society, to question and more importantly, to provide answers.

And as extraordinary and mystifying the North East region is there are also significant emerging issues that have taken central place in regional and national discourses that have been gradual in affecting the polity and development of the North East.

The programme was chaired by Moanungla Kevichusa,  Assoc Prof & HOD, Dept of English, KCK and Dr Watijungshi, Former Principal, KCK & Retd Addl Director, Dept of Higher Education released the College Research Journal “Impressions.”

Welcome address was delivered by Dr Ralimongla, Principal, KCK and a special song was presented by Vikuyole. Day 1 of the National Seminar consisted of three technical sessions with papers on various issues.