Kohima, October 27 (MExN): Department of Political Science, Tetso College, Dimapur organised three-day national seminar on ‘Politics in the Margins: Exploring Ethno-Political Issues in Northeast India,’ at Tetso College from October 23-25.
The seminar was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), stated a press release.
In the keynote address, Professor M. Amarjeet Singh from Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Jamia Millia Islamia University (New Delhi) highlighted the importance and relevance of migration today in what is known to be the “Age of Migration.”
He emphasized how migration has touched all parts of the globe and the rising tension or conflicts that invariably accompany any mass migration processes. As he states migration is good for development but also at the same time serves as the source of conflicts between communities, not just in Northeast India, but also across the country. Highlighting how migration can unite as well as divide people, Professor Singh emphasized the need to examine how the policies to manage and regulate migration by the centre and the state have not been effectively implemented to date.
Over the course of three days, the seminar saw 10 sessions, including 6 on-campus and 4 On-line sessions, probing into a range of critical themes. From discussions on indigenous identity, governance, migration, construction of identities, human rights, women’s participation, nationalism, fight over resources, and border issues.
Furthermore, the seminar has showcased an impressive diversity of perspectives, with 45 papers presented by scholars, researchers, faculty, and independent voices from across the country—representing 12 states and 2 union territories. The participation reflects a truly national character, with presenters joining us from New Delhi, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Pondicherry, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. In total the paper presenters included 22 research scholars, 22 faculty members, 2 independent scholars and 11 Postgraduate students.
On day two, Professor Jangkhomang Guite, Department of History and Archaeology, Nagaland University, addressed as a keynote speaker on identity construction from a pre-colonial period to post-colonial times by paying special attention to the categorial concepts of “tribes” that predominate identity in the region. The valedictory session on Day Three was addressed by Professor Dasarathi Bhuiyan, Department of Political Science, Nagaland University, with his insightful contributions on challenges faced by the region and suggestion on overcoming economic and developmental difficulties.
