Guwahati, March 24 (MExN): Goa Governor, Dr SC Jamir, on March 23 said that the present socio-political- economic scenario in the North East region is quite grim and added that it might be because of some mental block or some psychological hurdle, which prevents Indian nationalism or “Indian-ness” from taking roots in the region.
Speaking as the chief guest at the North East region at the Northeast Poetry Festival 2007 organised by the Poetry Society of India at Guwahati on March 23 last, Dr Jamir said that despite more than five decades of Indian independence, the specter of insurgency with its attendant violence, bloodshed and insecurity continues to trouble the North Eastregion, stated a copy of his speech received here from Dr Jamir. He said that in spite of many sincere efforts, there appears to be no lasting solution in sight even today. The release stated put blame on the insurgency and bloodshed in the region as the main reasons for the slow pace of socio-economic development and lack of investments in the North East region. Dr Jamir also reminded that social frustration and discontent are increasing, particularly among the youth.
Dr Jamir pointed out that any kind of solution to the problems in the region has to be political in nature with the active involvement of the concerned state government, the central government and the people of the region. ‘This is a problem which has to be resolved through the collective wisdom of the people of the region’ stated the release.
While putting forth some of the reason for the problem of insurgency in the region, the release stated that isolation from the rest of the country due to geographical location, compounded by the policy of the alien rulers to keep most of the areas of this region as excluded areas, and because of this reasons, a feeling of alienation from the rest of India exists, compounded with a prevalence of ethno-nationalism and sub-nationalism social and economic underdevelopment, unemployment and frustration, mismatch with the rest of the country in terms of infrastructure, industry and job opportunities and little private investment and also involvement of foreign elements in fomenting insurgency and providing access to arms as well as sanctuaries, the release stated.
In the light of this, the Goa Governor said that the Northeast region has to grow along with the rest of the country now or in future. Therefore, all efforts should be made to strengthen the spirit of Indian nationalism in this corner of India.
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