As on 12 Oct 23

Word Count - 2039

NORTH EAST, YESTERDAY, TODAY OR TOMORROW: FROM A GLORIOUS PAST TO

A VIBRANT FUTURE
NCC DIRECTORATE NER: NIAP SCRIPT

1. (MC-I) O traveler, I have not been to, To North East, which you were to, as I have
come to know about, recently. That you, You were to, Those areas!

(MC-II) My friend, sit you here, On the guard wall of the mud house of mine, and
tell, tell you the things of North East, the people, their art and culture, This dark
wintry evening!
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, From the land of the great kings to the land of
the great scholars, from a glorious past to a perilous present, the north eastern
region of India has always been a hub of rich cultural heritage and ecological
significance.

2. (MC-I) The NER is the microcosm of the larger Indian family with all its religious,
ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity. Known popularly as ‘Xaat Bhoni’ or ‘seven sisters’ this
region comprises of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and
Nagaland and shares borders with four countries to the North with Tibet, to the East with
Myanmar and to the South with Bangladesh and is connected to the mainland India in the
west by a pan handle called Siliguri corridor just 28 kms long. The region is also important
strategically to the country as it connects the nation with the rest of the South East Asia. We
will now look at the geography and ethnicity of NER.

3. Geography and People.

(a) (MC-II) North East Region is a cauldron of mighty mountain ranges, massive
rivers, vast plains and enchanting valleys. The region is dominated by the mighty
Brahmaputra or the Son of Lord Brahma, the only male river in India with its massive
flood plains and is inhabited by numerous tribes. The mighty Brahmaputra, also known
as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, enters NER at Gelling Village in Arunachal Pradesh
and follows a South-Westerly course through the Himalayan foothills. It emerges in the
plains of Assam near Pasighat. In Upper Assam, many tributaries like Lohit, Dibang,
Siyom, Subansiri and Kameng merge with it to make the mighty Brahmaputra.

(b) (MC-I) The region is interspersed with large mountain ranges like the Patkai
Range which forms the natural boundary between NER and Myanmar. The hill states
of Nagaland and Manipur are situated between the Assam plains to the West and the
Patkai Range to the East. Dozens of tribal groups known collectively as the Nagas,
inhabit the Northern Hills. The Meitei people inhabit the Imphal Valley, while the Kuki-
Zo-Hmar tribes inhabit the Hills South and West of Imphal. Further South, is the state
of Mizoram, carved out of the Lushai Hills of undivided Assam. The Lushais, who have
ethnic and linguistic ties with the Kuki & Chin people, inhabit Mizoram along with two
major tribes.

(MC-II) To the South-West of Assam are the states of Tripura and Meghalaya. The
state of Tripura has five parallel mountain ridges aligned North-South, with intervening
fertile valleys inhabited by the Bengali and Tripuri people, while Meghalaya consists of
an extended Ridgeline aligned East to West. The abrupt rise of these hills from the
low-lying plains of Bangladesh forms a natural barrier to moisture laden clouds,
resulting in the highest precipitation in these hills. The name Meghalaya, therefore, is
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an apt description of these hills. The Garos, Khasis and Jaintias are the main tribes of
Meghalaya.

(MC-I) The total population of NER as per 2011 census is 4.56 Crores, about 3.7% of
our country’s population. Population density is one of the least, with concentration in
the Brahmaputra and Barak River Valleys of Assam. Nearly 68% of population of NER
resides in present day Assam, which constitutes 30% of area of the NER. Each tribe of
NER has its distinct language, dialect, cuisine, dresses and culture, making NER a
cauldron of ‘Unity in Diversity’.

4. Natural Resources & Economy

(MC-III) Besides abundance of water, NER is gifted with numerous natural resources
like Bamboo, Oil, Coal, Uranium, Natural Gas, Petroleum and various other minerals. Tea
industry of Assam is about 175 years old, and contributes significantly to the National
economy. Hydro-electricity potential, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, is immense. Several
Hydel projects are now under development to tap this potential. The region also has oil
reserves at various locations contributing significantly towards the energy independence of
the nation. The ecological diversity and the immense natural beauty of NER do not have a
parallel in India, and the tourism potential of NER, though attracting 97 Lakh tourists per year,
remains underdeveloped.

5. History

(MC-IV) “The future is an unknown, but a somewhat predictable unknown. To look to

the future, we must first look back upon the past. That is where the seeds of the future were
planted.” And therefore let us give you a glimpse of the history of North East India.
The north east region has a glorious historical background and saw large dynasties
flourish in the past, like the kingdoms of Ahoms, Jaintias, Manipuris and Kacharis in the
region. The legacy of Lachit Barphukan, U Tirot Sing, Khet Ram Moni, Raj Kumari Gupta,
Kanaklata Baruah, Tulika Rani, Rani Gaidenliu is well known in the country.
(MC-III) It took 16 years for the first state to be carved out of undivided Assam.
Nagaland in 1963 followed by the statehood of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura in 1972 and
finally Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in 1987. Thereby from being a single large
unmanageable political entity in 1947, NER was divided into seven sister states by 1987.

6. Independent Character of Tribal Communities

(MC-IV) About the independency of the tribes, The tribal communities of NER have
been self-sufficient for their needs. Their self-sufficiency stems from the fact that their lands
and forests provide almost all their needs, except for salt. Due to linguistic and cultural
barriers, there was very limited commercial interaction between these communities and the
dwellers of the plains. Political control of a very loose nature was confined to the village, and
hence, most villages were “Republics” in themselves.
(MC-III) Even within the village, each family was economically self- sufficient, and
therefore free from any sort of control, except for the practices, norms and customs adopted
by the village community for their own safety, security and social harmony. Over several
hundred years of such independent existence, a fiercely independent outlook was developed
by these tribal communities. They were ready to defend their identity and freedom at any
cost, when threatened by “outsiders”.
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9. Challenges Faced by NER. (MC-V) Let us now talk about major challenges which
impede the development of NER.

a) To get a clear idea of the physical isolation of NER from the rest of India, we must
look at the map of the Indian Sub-continent before independence, and compare it with
the territorial boundaries after partition. The creation of East Pakistan, which later
became Bangladesh, cut-off the NER from rest of India, leaving a very narrow strip of
land as the umbilical cord. This umbilical cord, known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a
narrow strip of land through which passes the rail-road connectivity of NER with the
rest of India. To understand the impact of partition on the NER, we must compare the
direct land connectivity between Kolkata and Agartala via Bangladesh, with the
existing land connectivity via Assam and Meghalaya. China has been constantly
striving to seize control of the Siliguri corridor, which will lead to the direct annexation
of North East India.

(b) (MC-VI) NER is blessed with natural resources. It was colonized much after the rest of
India in 1826. The main colonial interest centered around tea, oil and forest produce. As
economic interests were restricted to the plains of NER, road and rail connectivity was
developed within the plains of NER. Administration was extended into surrounding hills only
for the purpose of pacifying war-like tribal communities. Hence, a policy of pacification and
deliberate isolation was adopted by the Britishers with respect to all the hill tribes of NER.
Furthermore, the NER is characterized by frequent rains & narrow valleys which offer
significant challenges to the region’s infrastructure development.

10. Developmental Efforts

(MC-V) Deliberate efforts of the central and state governments has made the
NER an epitome of tremendous growth and prosperity. Today, state capitals are
connected with national highways. Most of the remote villages are now connected with
roads. Over the last 2 years, 1900 kilometers of roads have been improved in the
region. Nearly 100% electrification has been achieved. All state capitals are now
connected by Air, and there are 17 operational airports in the region. Very soon, rail
connectivity will be extended to all state capitals. Education, including higher
education, is now available in each district. Leading institutions like IITs, NITs, IIMs,
and AIIMs have come up within the region. The government is constantly trying to
make infrastructural and social development in the region through projects like the
prime minister’s development initiative for north east region and the north east special
infrastructure development scheme.
(MC-VI) The government is attempting to assist MSME, i.e. small and medium
sized enterprises in the North East Region under the Northeast Industrial
Development Scheme. This assistance strives to increase career opportunities and
ensure that people live fulfilling lives. The entrepreneurial landscape in the NER has
undergone a transformative surge, with over 4500 registered startups and 25 active
incubators.
In coming times, connectivity within NER, and with its neighborhood, will
receive a boost with the completion of projects like the Kaladan Multi-modal Trans-
shipment project, the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Rail link, the North East Capital Rail link
and the Frontier highway in Arunachal. The Sela Tunnel and the Siyom Bridge in
Arunachal Pradesh, the Noney Bridge in Manipur and the Brahmaputra expressway
and the Bhupen Hazarika Setu in Assam will operate as apostles of connectivity in the
north eastern region. The establishment of the Tata Semi-conductor facility in Assam,
will put the north eastern region on the global map. All these projects will enable
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economic integration with the rest of India, and also the East Asian Region. Hence,
the NER is poised to become the fulcrum of India's Act East Policy.

11. (MC-V) Conclusion:

North East India, with its rich tapestry of history, cultural diversity, and distinctive physical
features, is an area of enormous significance and potential. Yesterday, it was distinguished
by its rich traditions, diverse ethnicities, and a history of tenacity in the face of a variety of
hardships. Today, North East India is undergoing rapid transformation, fueled by economic
initiatives, greater connectivity, and a rising acknowledgement of its strategic importance.
Tomorrow, the region has bright potential for increased economic growth, long- term
development, and enhanced integration with the rest of the country and neighboring regions.
As North East India continues to forge ahead, blending tradition and modernity, it remains a
vital and vibrant component of India’s road to a successful and inclusive future.