It has happened yet again. Yet another person from the North East region has succumbed to the violence meted out to him (allegedly) because of his cultural roots. Nido Tania was assaulted because of his looks and the way he dressed as reported in the media and this has once again brought to the fore the bigotry that prevails in the nation’s capital. It was not too long thereafter that there were reports that a married couple had been assaulted in the outskirts of New Delhi by none other than their own landlord’s son. Delhi has emerged as the most unsafe city for people from the North East and the fact that authorities turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to any attempts to report such cases only makes matters words. Instead of taking firm action against perpetrators of cases driven by racial discrimination and thereby dissuading people from indulging in such hate - crimes, they ignore these attempts to report such crimes which only embolden the perpetrators.

Stringent laws have to be made regarding these kinds of crimes specifically keeping in mind the North East population residing in the metros of the country. Once put in practice, these laws have to be followed to the letter .... but then again, keeping in mind how laws are usually bypassed in India, I guess I am asking for too much.

H. Ingti

Tura

Thye visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Shillong to attend the 6th convocation of Martin Luther Christian Univerity was a milestone for the State of Meghalaya. In my opinion, never has a speaker held an audience in suh awe by his words. You could hear a pin drop if not for the voice of His Holiness at the venue. It was indeed a great plasure to be a part of this great event in the history of Meghalaya and MLCU, an institution, whic I feel is doing wonders. Keep up the good work.

T. Lepcha

Shillong

The story of the efforts of the autthorities in Karbi Anglong to protect the one horned rhino of Kaziranga National Part are commendable especially after reading about how they are doing so with minimal resources. Their counterparts in Assam have a lot to learn from the authorities in Karbi Anglong and this is evident from the number of one horned rhinos which have fallen to poachers’ guns in Assam as opposed to those which have done so in Karbi Anglong.

 

Vishal Baruah

Guwahati

The Modi wave is like a juggarnaut that is sweeping over all opposition in the country. There is a lot of hype around Narendra Modi and his vision of India First. However, that being said, it remains to be seen whether Modi can deliver on his promises. Should he come to power, and by all indications he is doing so, the first 60 months will be critical for the strong man as he has time and again said, “give me 60 months to change the country”. The Congress party on the other hand seems to be at a loss as to what to do to stem the Modi Wave. All in all, it is without doubtthat the time for chane has come and it remains to be seen as to whether Narendra Modi will emerge victorious and be the one who brings in this change.

Vincent Majaw

Shillong

 

Even though it may be a little premature, let me be the first to congratulate Eastern Panorama for having completed 22 years of publication and as I understand, this remarkable feat has been done without missing even one issue of the publication through these 22 years. The North East region of India and its composite States have seen the rise and fall of many newspapers and magazines and it is no secret that the number of such publications which have closed down greatly outnumber the ones that have survived and it is in this light that this completion of 22 years of publication becomes more significant. I was a part of your 21st anniversary celebration and I am full of anticipation to see what you all are planning for the 22nd anniversary celebration. The inclusion of performances by the Tetseo Sisters of Nagaland and John Lanong from Meghalaya will add a lot to an already commenable initiative which comes by way of the Eastern Panorama Achievers Awards. Looking forward to it and with warm wishes for the continuation of wonderful services in the years to come,

Nathaniel Kharbithai

Shillong