THE NORTHEAST DARES INDIA TO REINVENT ITSELF
The New Indian Express|December 05, 2024
The attitude of treating the Northeast as an alien territory started with British colonialism. Today, it challenges the independent nation's capacity to fuse its fringes with the mainstream
PRADIP PHANJOUBAM
THE NORTHEAST DARES INDIA TO REINVENT ITSELF

The idea of the Northeast is intriguing. It indicates a direction; therefore, it should have remained as an adjectival clause—‘northeast.’ It indeed does, to some extent, but increasingly the hyphen is dropped for it to become a single-word proper noun with many layers of nuanced meanings. Among the many images evoked are of wilderness, exotic customs, pristine landscapes, insurgency, incomprehensible tribal feuds, underdevelopment, etc.

The name also conjures up the picture of a composite geography of eight states, including Sikkim, after this former Himalayan kingdom became a part of India in 1975. In spirit, probably North Bengal/Darjeeling should also be included, as this peripheral extension of West Bengal geographically, culturally, and psychologically shares many affinities with this region.

How did a term signifying a coordinate come to be so intimately associated with the character and personality of a region? The question will necessarily invoke a legacy from British colonial rule. If the anchor of this coordinate were India’s national capital, the region should have been just east and not northeast, for the place lies directly to the east of New Delhi. Obviously, the anchor was different when the region first came to be taken cognizance of on the Indian map, which is after Assam’s formal annexation into British India by the Treaty of Yandaboo, 1826, signed with Burma (Ava kingdom), ending a devastating invasion and occupation of Assam by the latter.

After annexation, this new territory was merged into Bengal and remained so till 1874, when Assam was separated and made a separate chief commissioner’s province. It then constituted almost the entire Northeast, with the exception of Tripura and Manipur, separate principalities. From the then British India capital of Calcutta, Northeast was indeed to the north-east.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESSAlle anzeigen
The New Indian Express

DMK made VCK chief skip event: Vijay

CHENNAI: Releasing the book 'Ellorukkumana Thalaivar Ambedkar' on Friday, TVK chief actor Vijay faulted Thol Thirumavalavan for skipping the event, and said the pressure from coalition partner DMK may have made the VCK president to stay away.

time-read
1 min  |
December 07, 2024
The New Indian Express

Centre gives ₹945 cr for Cyclone Fengal relief; TN seeks ₹6,675 cr

Due to unprecedented quantum of rainfall, TN incurred huge losses: CM

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
Sasikumar-Simran's next titled Tourist Family
The New Indian Express

Sasikumar-Simran's next titled Tourist Family

DEBUT director Abishan Jeevinth's film, starring Sasikumar and Simran in the lead, has been titled Tourist Family, the makers announced on Friday with a title teaser.

time-read
1 min  |
December 07, 2024
This heartwarming film is fun while it lasts
The New Indian Express

This heartwarming film is fun while it lasts

DEBUT director Selvah Kumar Thirumaaran's Family Padam is not the first film about films or an aspiring filmmaker, nor will it be the last. Such films usually show the aspiring filmmaker struggling on their own, or with their family either trying to stop them from pursuing their dreams or backing them with a little pep talk. Family Padam tells to what extent a family goes to make the filmmaking dreams of one of the three brothers come true.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
Thrilling, thoughtful, but troubled
The New Indian Express

Thrilling, thoughtful, but troubled

WHY do we like Pushparaj? He doesn't care to look conventionally attractive. His shoulders are lopsided, his hair unkempt, his speech brimming with contempt. His work? Smuggling red sanders. His retribution? A fierce defiance of systematic oppression, making him a figure of political utility. And his manner of retribution? Ruthless. As he says, he kills \"without mercy.\" In this sequel, Pushpa seems almost possessed, his machete slicing through limbs as though they were branches from a tree.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
Smart writing ensures a rousing experience
The New Indian Express

Smart writing ensures a rousing experience

HERE is a delightful old-school essence spread across Rahul Dholakia's Agni. Its portrayal of Mumbai and Mumbaikars seems to exist in a bygone era in how its protagonist, Vitthal Surve (Pratik Gandhi), displays a quaint middle-class charm.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
Painting plight and PRIDE
The New Indian Express

Painting plight and PRIDE

An art exhibition named Haunting Cargoes’ revolving around the theme of truck, takes the spectators through the overpowering issues of social disparities, labour, and exploitation

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
From facts to fiction
The New Indian Express

From facts to fiction

ANDHYA Rajasekhar is a mentor who taught us that the cornerstone of journalism is truth. I walk through the memory lanes of 2018 and recall myself listening to this HOD's lectures and seminars. With her commitment to excellence in teaching and writing, she trained us to be the fact-reporting journalists.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 07, 2024
The New Indian Express

CELEBRATION OF A CULTURAL FIESTA

OP Vaishnav College for Women presents this year's edition of Shringar, A Celebration of Art and Culture, that will be held on December 9, 10 and 11.

time-read
1 min  |
December 07, 2024
A legacy of learning
The New Indian Express

A legacy of learning

HAT started as a humble endeavor to provide quality education has now become a legacy of learning – Shankar IAS Academy celebrates 20 years of excellence. Celebrating their Institute Day on Friday, the auditorium of Anna Centenary Library was filled with stories of success and commitment.

time-read
1 min  |
December 07, 2024