The recently launched North East Studies Centre at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations of Manipal Academy of Higher Education organised a special lecture by Shri. P.B. Acharya, the honourable governor of Assam and Nagaland on the theme National Emotional Integration, Learning of Tribal Dialects and Respecting Diversity on 24 November 2015. The lecture centred on the importance and significance the north east of India has in terms of its rich cultural heritage and especially its dialects and language. How the understanding of the cultural dimension can help bridge the differences in terms of its approaches formed the major part of the lecture. The language binds the people and has often helped in the national integration process. The lecture highlighted the resilience and uniqueness of India’s unity in diversity which is a classic case study of understanding India’s behavioral patterns. The understandings of the tribal dialects of the north east will only bring it in the mainstream of the larger political context of the country. Shri Acharya underlined that learning the tribal dialects of the North East would help bridge the emotional gap between people of the region and the rest of India. There seems to be a lack of understanding and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the North East in our country. The existence of alienation among the people of the north east can only be changed when they are completely integrated with the rest of the country.
Undoubtedly, the people of the north east of India have contributed significantly in the overall growth of the nation. But, there is a lack of knowledge in the rest of the country about these many personalities, who have contributed immensely. The time has come for India to highlight and acknowledge these contributions. The Honourable Governor lauded the effort of Manipal Academy of Higher Education in initiating such activities which in turn would play a lead role in the national integration process.
The north eastern region of India is full of resources and there is an emerging need to harness the potential of these resources. According to Shri Acharya, the future of the North East, its people and their emotional integration to the rest of the country were intimately tied to the destiny of India as a great nation. The lecture and the cultural programme were well attended by faculty and students of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Chancellor Dr. Ramdas M. Pai, Pro-Chancellor Dr. H.S. Ballal and Vice Chancellor Dr. H. Vinod Bhat. Dr Monish Tourangbam, Coordinator of the North East Studies Centre was also present.
