THE NORTH EASTERN region of our country is as diverse as it is breathtakingly beautiful. Yet, most Indians never ever try to explore the region for various reasons. Safety and security is one of them, but the most striking fact is low awareness about the region. Obsessed with Pakistan and the Kashmir valley, our national media only wakes up to the concerns of this region only when there is some major terrorist strike or a natural catastrophe.

 

Recently the North East region was in news for musical reasons, which started with the two finalists of Indian Idol, one belonging to Shillong and the other hailing from Darjeeling. The interest of the entire nation in the two outstanding singers literally galvanised the entire region. This is not the first time though. Last year too, a contestant from Silchar, Assam had reached the finals of the prestigious musical show on Zee TV, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.The Silchar boy achieved the impossible by uniting the Bengali’s and Assamese, the way they have never ever been heard and seen before. It seemed that every one went sms - crazy to retain the contestant’s position in the show. The result was predictable and he emerged victorious.

 

This time too, both the contestants were from the same region and both had generated an unprecedented frenzy in their respective states. Thousands of supporters canvassed from house to house to urge people to sms the given numbers. Prashant from Darjeeling became the Indian Idol this time and the whole region was soaked with melodies of Bollywood films for many weeks.

 

Recently the world famous musician Eric Martin, reluctantly staged a show in Shillong but the response to say the least was incredible! More than 20,000 people thronged the venue and cheered the artist, who was amazed by their knowledge and fondness for western music.

 

Almost every youth in the region loves to play some instrument or the other but guitar takes pride in being the number one among them. In order to create a world record, hundreds of Guitarists of the region assembled at a place and the spectacle they created could only be seen to be believed.

 

Our media is so much obsessed with Kashmir that Pakistanis must be grateful for all the attention they keep getting. If anybody even sneezes there, numerous Outside Broadcasting (OB) Vans encircle the region for live coverage of the incident. However there is none for the North East.

 

The government too is so Delhi Centric that it wakes up to other regions at the election time only. The Chinese have built a world class road along the border and as per our tradition, we are forced into catching up with the game. The East-West Corridor has been aligned with our borders now, but when this road will be completed is not known. The Chinese have declared that the Olympic torch would touch the Everest base camp in Nepal, so a road up there, a breach of all environmental and ecological concerns would be built. As per the ramblings of the Nepal Maoists, if they secure some more power then they would try to undo the Indian influence in Nepal by bringing and facilitating all works of Chinese in their country. Government of India seems to be aware of this design, so it has not approved yet of the kingship being scrapped altogether.

 

North Eastern region is the most westernised region too. Most of the people can speak English and western movies and music are a rage here. A lifestyle magazine called ‘Sun’, though published from Delhi, sells most copies in this region. The publisher ultimately named the magazine ‘North East Sun’ and focused its distribution inside the region.

 

There are some grave problem that needs to be addressed promptly but the government has kept them lingering for years. A retired home secretary is negotiating with one group for years. The Prime Minister himself is elected from the region and it is expected that he would find some solution by unshackling the bureaucratic style. We have been enjoying people to people contacts with Pakistan. When will the government encourage our own people to interact, integrate and assimilate?

 

North Eastern Region must not face any more discrimination because it sends very few parliamentarians. A second capital for our country is not a bad idea in that region. Perhaps that will force our policymakers to sit up and do something. 

( http://www.merinews .com/catFull. jsp?articleID= 127490 )