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North East India: A Brief Profile

The North Eastern Region of India is recognised as one of the poor infrastructural development in comparison with other region of the country. As a result the region is lagging behind in the industrial and economic development scenario in comparison with other developed states of the country. But the region has a strong potential to be India’s future powerhouse. It has 42.54 per cent of hydropower potential of the country estimated at 63,257 MW, natural gas reserves of 190 billion cubic meters, coal reserves of over 900 million tones and oil reserves of over 500 million tonnes. Large mineral resources including limestone’s reserves of around 5000 million tones and a forest cover which is 25 per cent of the country’s forest area. Phenomenal biodiversity forest wealth particularly bamboo economy of north east India, agro base, fruits and vegetables and other horticultural products, enchanting hills, majestic rivers, fresh water lake, cave and beautiful islands which are potential for ecotourism and rural tourism, herbs, aromatic plants, exotic flowers and floriculture, other flora and fauna to be a future international trading hot spot towards more on South and South East Asian countries. Further, the present strategies of government of India’s Act East Policy will also led to expansion of more on trade, tourism and human relations between neighbouring countries of south East Asian countries.

If such inexhaustible sources of hydro power resources and other mineral and natural resources are exploited minimum at par with national level and maximum at par with global average of 30 per cent and above, it will make sure to accelerate the socio-economic development of this backward region of the country. There is thus, an immediate attention is required to develop and harness this huge power potential of the region, which not only reap the benefit for socio-economic development of the region but also for filling the gap of changing power scenario of the country in near future.

Hydro Power Potentials of North East India

The North Eastern Region of India is blessed with the highest hydro power potential far exceeding the region’s internal requirement for power. As per the report of the ranking studies conducted by Central Electricity Authority, government of India, there are 1,48,701MW hydro power potential spreading in 845 different schemes in the country. Of which 66,065 MW from 140 schemes have been identified as potential sites from North Eastern states contributing 44.43 per cent of total hydro power potential of the country.

Above given table shows the hydro power potential of North Eastern Region in state - wise. Arunachal Pradesh is having the highest potential of hydro power not only in the region but also among the states and union territories of the country. Next to Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim state accounts the second highest ranking in potential of hydro power with a total potential of 4,286 MW. Next to Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland stood in third, fourth, fifth and six respectively. Assam though lowest in total hydro power potential but it has harnessed the maximum hydropower potentials in the region. Assam is having the highest thermal power resources also in the region. Likewise Tripura has also no potential of hydro power but it has an ample scope for thermal power resources in the region.

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Changes in India do not come easily. In other words, India, as a society has an inherent tendency to fear change-which is both good and bad. That is simply because some changes are essentially good and others are harmful. Not to mention, some changes are neutral.

I remember sometime in 2002, the late Jyoti Basu, former Chief Minister of West Bengal had divulged his personal displeasure about dhotis. During an interview with a private news channel he said, “What will happen to this country? It will surely be ruined if we do not stop wearing dhotis. How can you travel in a dhoti in a bus or in a tram? How can you work?” Whether a dhoti is a travelfriendly/work-friendly attire or not,is a debate the nation can engage upon whenever it wants to but what is of greater significance is that our Hills have been slowly but surely leading the nation in changing its mindset towards a dress code in general. Darjeeling popularized jeans in West Bengal. The Hills in this part of the country, a large part of North East included, have always dressed differently from the rest of India. Not that we dislike our traditional attire. In fact we love them just as much.

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KSU demand the removal of MBOSE CL-III text book

The Khasi Students Union (KSU) of the Eastern Central Unit which includes Mawkynrew, Mawryngkneng and Nongkrem Circle today met with the Director of School Education and Literacy of the State to demand the removal of MBOSE prescribed class III text book which describe the traditional Khasi Syiem Home ‘Ka Ing Sat’ as ‘Hut in Meghalaya’.

‘Ka Ing Sat’ is a Traditional home of Khasi Syiem of the Hima Mylliem in Smit. On meeting with the Union leaders the Director has assured them that he will look into the matter himself and also assured them that those books will not be distributed in the coming years.

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Eastern Panorama conducted an opinion poll in the state of Meghalaya to understand the mood of the people as the state is going to elections in the month of February 2018. The election is quite interesting this time as BJP is a strong contender with high probability of getting maximum seats. The methodology adopted was quite simple. We have taken a sample of 727 persons and the same was conducted in Shillong/Jowai/Tura/Nongpoh only. The survey was conducted in the last week of October and the first week of November. The major findings of this survey are as under.

* Congress is down and out even though over 52% people are satisfied with the work of Dr.Mukul Sangma. Only 17.88% people felt that Congress will be back in power and part wise analysis shows that only 22% people felt that congress will make it in 2018.

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C.M laid down the Foundation Stone for Shillong Medical College

Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma laid the Foundation Stone for Shillong Medical College on PPP mode at Reid Chest Hospital, Mawbah, Shillong in the presence of Minister, PWD (B) etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh and Minister, Urban Affairs etc., R V Lyngdoh.

While addressing the inaugural function Dr Mukul M Sangma said he is happy laid down the foundation stone for the medical institution in the region. He added that establishing infrastructures and taking up projects on PPP mode is a very challenging task for a government as the concept of PPP model is still new. He expressed hope and with the coming up the medical colleges in Shillong and Tura the challenge of providing space for competent young men and women who want to become medical professionals will be addressed while providing access to better health care facilities for the people

Other dignitaries present during the Foundation Stone laying ceremony were Minister, Urban Affairs etc R V Lyngdoh, Minister, PWD (B) etc., Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Secretary of KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Krishna Das, Finance Secretary, KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Uttam Das and Dr D Lyngdoh, Director, Health Services (MI) who delivered the Welcome address. Also present was Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare etc P W Ingty.

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BJP focus on Northeast India

An elated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after capturing Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, has now set its focus in the North East, including Meghalaya that has set aside the prediction of Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Spokesperson of Meghalaya Congress, who is still persist that it would be a different story in Meghalaya citing anti Christian stance of the BJP in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The regional United Democratic Party (UDP) which is a strong contender in the upcoming polls especially in Khasi-Jaintia however does not see eye to eye with the fear that has been instilled by the congress. Instead the UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh stated that main land politics and politics of periphery are as different as chalk and chess.

Already in Jaintia Hills there is air of resentment against the congress led alliance government, what the rosy promise of the congress had never blossom in the seven constituencies in the district. The decision of Roytre Christpher Laloo not to contest from prestigious Jowai seat has created a negative impact against the Congress, while candidates of opposing parties have already started intensive ground work as the polls are nearing.

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The left front government in Tripura faced a tough challenge from the opposition ahead of assembly poll when Congress and BJP separately sought action from CBI in the involvement of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in chit fund company scams. While BJP demanded immediate arrest of Sarkar for abetting Rose Valley to CBI, Congress asked to initiate an investigation into his closeness with some non banking financial companies. Congress wants an enquiry of the involvement of Sarkar’s family in Ponzi firms. BJP has sent the letter to CBI headquarters seeking immediate action against Sarkar.

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Inter-State Youth Exchange Programme launched in Shillong

As part of the nationwide youth programme, “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shillong just like any other State today inaugurate the ‘inter-state youth exchange programme’ in the presence of W.R. Lyngdoh, IAS, secretary, Education department. This nationwide youth programme is being organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and Sports in collaboration with the department of Education, government of Meghalaya.

Speaking at the function which organised in Youth Hostel the main objective of the exchange programme is to encourage and celebrate unity in diversity, to promote national integration and to showcase heritage, custom, and tradition of the country. Under the Programme, Meghalaya is being co-partner Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

In a nutshell ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ (one India, great India), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 140th Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhhai Patel.