Mangaluru: A team comprising representatives of Nitte University, Mangalore University, Manipal University and Alva’s Institutions, has been formed to chalk out a roadmap for the emotional integration of North Eastern states with the rest of India. Nagaland Governor P B Acharya said that a five-member committee has been put in place.
He said, "The North Eastern states are rich in culture and tradition, the people of the region feel a sense of discomfort, apprehension and lack of connection from the rest of the country. The need of the hour is to develop a sense of belonging and oneness. The universities should take up a study on the herbal medicines that are found in North Eastern states."
"The educational institutions in Mangaluru can host sports meets and also observe the festivals of the North Eastern states. The central executive meeting of the Sahitya Sabha of North Eastern states too can be hosted in Mangaluru," suggested Acharya.
Stating that insurgency in the North Eastern states was because the tribals were treated as second-class citizens, the governor said, "The tribals want to keep their indigenous identity alive. Although the North Eastern states are rich in natural resources, corruption is equally high while accountability is nil. It was only the Christian missionaries who have been doing humanitarian works in the states," he explained.
The Nagaland Governor said that there are over 200 dialects in North Eastern states. "If the universities in the rest of the country start a certificate course in these dialects, then it will be of great help in connecting the people of the North Eastern states. None of the universities has a department or chair for the dialects of the states. Recently, the Nitte University started a certificate programme in Assamiya (Assam), Meiteilon (Manipur), Mao (Nagaland) and Khasi (Meghalaya)," he pointed out.
Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof K Byrappa said that the University will start certificate course in North Eastern dialects soon. "The Mangalore University will also enter into an MoU with the universities of the North Eastern states. The researchers of the Mangalore University will also conduct a research on the herbs available in North Eastern states for its medicinal values. In addition, NSS volunteers of the University will be sent to the universities of the North Eastern states on an exchange programme," said Byrappa, adding that, through the Prasaranga of the Mangalore University, the works on the achievers of the North Eastern states can be published.
A festival of the North Eastern state is to be observed in the month of October. The Governor said that he is the chairman of the NEZCC, North East Zone Cultural Centre, "There are 3500 teams registered with NEZCC. We will send cultural teams for the festival."
Alva’s Educational Institutions chairman Dr Mohan Alva said that Manipuri language is taught at Alva’s College. "There are over 400 students from the North Eastern states in the campus at Moodbidri. A North Eastern Day is observed in the college every year. Apart from this, a team of 100 students has been trained to showcase the culture of North Eastern states," the chairperson pointed out.
Nitte University chancellor N Vinay Hegde said that achievers from North Eastern states will be invited as chief guests for programmes in the educational institutions, thereby trying to bridge the gap between the rest of India and the North Eastern states. Dr Venkatraya Prabhu of KMC, Nitte University Pro Chancellor Dr Shantharam Shetty and others were present.
