~ SAMIKSHA
Source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Northeast_india.png
Let’s take a walk down memory lane, well, not “memory” lane exactly, since many of our readers are millennials and were not even born during the times we want to reminisce. But let’s take a history lesson, shall we?
It was the mid-80s; Indira Gandhi had just been assassinated a year before. There was political unrest throughout the country. Various prominent issues were threatening the ideals of our country. While every country has its uniqueness, ours have always been ‘Unity in Diversity, or as we say, “Vividhata mein Ekta”. But this was a time when the social fabric of our country was getting ripped apart.
Then came our saviour, Baba Amte, who came up with the “Bharat Jodo” movement teaming up with Yadunath Thatte and S.N.Subba Rao. The campaign involved travelling across the length and breadth of the country on a cycle, talking to people regarding their problems and resolving them. This movement of youngsters of those times had indeed brought India together. Why is knowing about this important? Especially when we are talking about Northeastern states?
Because they had a vision of Akhand Bharat with Northeastern states at its heart and this right here is relevant even in 2021. We are yet to create an inclusive environment for these states and the people residing there. We are yet to make them feel the brotherhood that exists in the rest of the country. We are yet to explore and understand these states fully and wholeheartedly.
Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Image Source: Click here.
WHY THIS SERIES?
Northeast India has long been a neglected part of our country. Be it politics or day-to-day discourse, this region is often missing from the centre of discussion. The states lying in this region need a long-due recognition for their rich culture, glorious heritage and their contribution to the Indian state. And this recognition must reflect not just in Indian politics but also in the attitude of every person who identifies themselves as Indian. However, the only time we see it happening is when players like Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain bring accolades to our nation.
With this in mind, SKCF is coming up with a new series titled ‘Beyond the Tea Gardens’. This series will be based on the appreciation of Northeastern India, its cultural beauty and the grandeur of its beautiful landscapes.
Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
Image Source: Click here.
The exquisite Kaziranga Park of Assam, famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros, the Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim, the humongous Tawang Monastery of Arunachal Pradesh, the Nohkalikai Falls of Meghalaya, all of which are highly under-appreciated places of India will get highlighted in this series of articles that we will bring to you. After all, these spots deserve to be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
We will bring to you two articles based on two different Northeastern states every week. Moreover, we will try to capture the unique attributes of each of these states, learn about some interesting new aspects, and discover their unique artforms together, etc.
In this way, we intend to feel closer to these beautiful states of India and pay tribute to all the Northeastern brothers and sisters who have stood through thick and thin yet believed in Akhand Bharat.
Also read: How Chak de India turned real in Tokyo
