Morung Express News
Kohima | August 10
The Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has taken the path of acronym to launch an initiative to promote emotional and national integration of North East States with the ‘mainland’ India.
According to Acharya, the initiative is a step in promoting “tribal dialects” by introducing -NAMASTE States (Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura)–NE Department/Chair in different universities of the country to teach “local dialects of the north-eastern states.”
Various universities have already started such certificate courses in their curriculum and I have so far motivated Mumbai University, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, Dr Babasahib Ambedkar Technical University, Maharashtra, NITTE Medical & Science University, Mangaluru, Alva’s Education Foundation, Mangaluru, Manipal University, Mangaluru and JNU, New Delhi to start a Department/Chair for tribal dialects, Acharya told the ‘Editor’s Meet’ held here at Raj Bhavan on August 10.
“All the above universities have requested the Governor to identify and nominate one guest teacher who can teach at least two dialects of North East for their NE Department,” he said.
The honorary teacher will be teaching once or twice in a week for an hour in their respected Universities. Acharya has contributed Rs 5 lakh as seed money for starting the initiative.
The people of Nagaland, especially retired teachers and All India local language news readers who can teach two or more local dialects, can come forward to be a part of the NE department/chair of different universities in the country, he said.
It will be a positive and noble mission for strengthening emotional and national integration.
In 2016, NAMASTE NE Department, in the name of Dr T Ao a great Olympian was inaugurated by the Governor at NITTE University, Mangaluru.
Act East Policy
Meanwhile, the Governor stated that the objective of ''Act East Policy” is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
It will enhance connectivity to the States of North Eastern Region with our neighbouring countries, he noted.
Act East Policy (AEP) provides an interface between North East India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region (Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Myanmar).
Connectivity with ASEAN countries is the key to the development of North East. Youths of the States are in an advantageous position due to their English medium education, he added.
Efforts should be made for setting up Special Economic Zones and Nagaland needs to be developed as an export-hub that could link up with India’s neighbourhood in South and South East Asia, Acharya further maintained.
