Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
“IT is certainly a matter of worry that even after 64 years of Independence, the North-Eastern states are still apparently backward and lag behind in many sectors. I believe one of the primary reasons for it is the unawareness and apathy by fellow countrymen towards the region. It is definitely perilous and we need to change the mindset,” said director of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and political adviser to BJP national president Shri Nitin Gadkari. He was delivering a lecture in New Delhi on July 12 on north-eastern states. The lecture was organised by BJP’s North-East India Sampark Cell.
With the help of a power-point presentation, he sought to underline the reasons why North-Eastern states faced the problems of under-development and what can help these states step forward. “It is a matter of common knowledge that not only citizens of North-Eastern states but also those belonging to other parts of the country faced humiliation when they migrated to other states. However, we hope and believe that the day is not far when this discrimination with North-Eastern people shall be eradicated by way of awareness and moral development and everyone will be treated with respect. It will also require sensitising people and we are committed to the cause,” he added.
The lecture was inaugurated by Shri Mahendra Pandey, national coordinator of the Morchas and Cells of the BJP. Shri Tapir Gao, former MP and national general secretary of BJP and Shri Sunil Deodhar, national convener of the North-East India Sampark Cell were also present on the occasion.
Shri Deodhar welcomed the guests by presenting them Manipuri mats. During the function, a short film, showcasing the work carried out by the North-East Sampark Cell, was also screened. Setting out the function, Shri Deodhar highlighted the problems being faced by the citizens of North-Eastern states and pointed out that their migration to other states of the country was attributable to acute lack of employment, education and other reasons. “Moreover, one of the states, Arunachal Pradesh, is also under threat by China, also jeopardising the safety of security of the people. An intelligence report corroborates this threat,” he said.
Commencing the lecture series Shri Mahendra Pandey emphasised on the lack of efforts in ameliorating the state of affairs in the North-East regions. “We tried to do some positive work during the NDA regime, led by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But we also realise a lot is still required to be done to change the situation in the North-East regions and make sure they develop like other parts of the country,” said Shri Pandey.
Shri Tapir Gao put spotlight on history books that refrained from telling the students in India and across the globe that North-East states were the only parts of the country, which were never colonised and brought to control by outsiders. “Tales of bravery and independence of North-East states must be brought to the knowledge of the world. It is discriminatory that their contribution in India's war of independence fails to find mention in any history book. The new generation must be apprised of the history of North-Eastern states,” added Shri Gao.
(Report by Lalit Bhardwaj and Pooja Jain)
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