The North-East Festival

 #ThinkingLoud

#NortheastFestival

Recently, the repeated mention of the "Northeast Festival" in the news reminded me of events from a decade ago. The years when Northeast youths in Delhi were frequently out in the streets, calling out against racism, discrimination, assault, abuse, and even murder and rape by mainland Indians.

Northeast people were attacked on the streets, in the workplace, and even inside their rented accommodations.

It was during the 2000s. There were frequent reports of attacks on Northeast people in Delhi and a few other cities. Delhi is the worst. Most of the victims and survivors were young women and men. They were working in private sectors and were living to support themselves and their siblings.

Several discussions, meetings, and interactions were held with Northeast representatives and key officials in the government, media, and NGOs. On what to do about this frequent crime against the northeast population in the city of Delhi (to be specific).

There were several suggestions and recommendations by intellectuals, government officials, and thinkers, even the police. Some of the main key issues observed were that mainland India does not know much about the northeast and its people. This was considered as one of the key reasons for the racial attacks or discriminations.

Considering this, observers and thinkers in both the government, the media, and NE representatives (like student leaders and CSOs) came to agree to hold festivals where Northeast cultural traditions, food, etc., could be showcased in mainland India. There were many other suggestions too, like a separate police cell, etc., among many.

Thus the “Northeast Festival” was born. The festival was held in Delhi with VIPs and celebrities. Who’s who from the Northeast states were invited to Delhi. Entrepreneurs were invited to showcase their products, etc. The festival became an annual affair. And it was quite popular, then. I am not sure whether it is still popular in Delhi now.

It did bring mainland Indians to the festival. It also showcased culture, food, etc. The festival did “showcase” fashion and food. VIPs came and went; celebrities from the Northeast were on stage.

Eventually the festival went international, with the Northeast Festival being held in various foreign countries. The latest being Singapore.

I am not sure if the NE festival in Delhi or other Indian metro cities brought some solution or put a stop to the racial attacks or violence against NE people. The violence against the NE people was not so frequent as it was in the early 2000s now, no doubt about it. But there is information on cases and issues every now and then. These are not necessarily reported.

More or less this NE festival has become more of a “show” and business—with entrepreneurs selling products. The market now is “foreign” and not only mainland India. Once I wrote on my FB wall, and I got a response that the NE festival in a foreign country is a good platform for NE. And one must promote such events.

Indeed, such festivals help us “showcase” ourselves to the “outside” world. It does promote culture and create a platform for some or many.

But there is also a need to reflect on how these festivals really impact the Northeast states and their people. Do we really need to “showcase” ourselves in foreign countries? They may buy our products or eat our food or invest in some venture.

But why do we need to fly out of the country to create a platform or showcase our culture? Whatever that culture may be!

The recent weeks have made me think, do we really need Northeast festivals?. If so, why not have the event in our own states? When NE is so divided along various lines and in continual conflict, why not a festival to bring the NE people together?.

The suggestions for a northeast festival in Delhi or other Indian cities may have a reason, and it is a well-thought-out initiative. But by a decade now, the festivals do not seem to have any significance or relevance anymore. It appears to be just a “show” and platform for elites and socialites.

( NOTE : some may say this is a pessimistic opinion or thought. I am not invited to these NE festivals, but I did attend in the earlier years, without an invite. This is a personal thought and does not reflect or point fingers at any person.)

September 30, 2025

#ThinkingLoud

#NortheastFestival

Recently, the repeated mention of the "Northeast Festival" in the news reminded me of events from a decade ago. The years when Northeast youths in Delhi were frequently out in the streets, calling out against racism, discrimination, assault, abuse, and even murder and rape by mainland Indians.

Northeast people were attacked on the streets, in the workplace, and even inside their rented accommodations.

It was during the 2000s. There were frequent reports of attacks on Northeast people in Delhi and a few other cities. Delhi is the worst. Most of the victims and survivors were young women and men. They were working in private sectors and were living to support themselves and their siblings.

Several discussions, meetings, and interactions were held with Northeast representatives and key officials in the government, media, and NGOs. On what to do about this frequent crime against the northeast population in the city of Delhi (to be specific).

There were several suggestions and recommendations by intellectuals, government officials, and thinkers, even the police. Some of the main key issues observed were that mainland India does not know much about the northeast and its people. This was considered as one of the key reasons for the racial attacks or discriminations.

Considering this, observers and thinkers in both the government, the media, and NE representatives (like student leaders and CSOs) came to agree to hold festivals where Northeast cultural traditions, food, etc., could be showcased in mainland India. There were many other suggestions too, like a separate police cell, etc., among many.

Thus the “Northeast Festival” was born. The festival was held in Delhi with VIPs and celebrities. Who’s who from the Northeast states were invited to Delhi. Entrepreneurs were invited to showcase their products, etc. The festival became an annual affair. And it was quite popular, then. I am not sure whether it is still popular in Delhi now.

It did bring mainland Indians to the festival. It also showcased culture, food, etc. The festival did “showcase” fashion and food. VIPs came and went; celebrities from the Northeast were on stage.

Eventually the festival went international, with the Northeast Festival being held in various foreign countries. The latest being Singapore.

I am not sure if the NE festival in Delhi or other Indian metro cities brought some solution or put a stop to the racial attacks or violence against NE people. The violence against the NE people was not so frequent as it was in the early 2000s now, no doubt about it. But there is information on cases and issues every now and then. These are not necessarily reported.

More or less this NE festival has become more of a “show” and business—with entrepreneurs selling products. The market now is “foreign” and not only mainland India. Once I wrote on my FB wall, and I got a response that the NE festival in a foreign country is a good platform for NE. And one must promote such events.

Indeed, such festivals help us “showcase” ourselves to the “outside” world. It does promote culture and create a platform for some or many.

But there is also a need to reflect on how these festivals really impact the Northeast states and their people. Do we really need to “showcase” ourselves in foreign countries? They may buy our products or eat our food or invest in some venture.

But why do we need to fly out of the country to create a platform or showcase our culture? Whatever that culture may be!

The recent weeks have made me think, do we really need Northeast festivals?. If so, why not have the event in our own states? When NE is so divided along various lines and in continual conflict, why not a festival to bring the NE people together?.

The suggestions for a northeast festival in Delhi or other Indian cities may have a reason, and it is a well-thought-out initiative. But by a decade now, the festivals do not seem to have any significance or relevance anymore. It appears to be just a “show” and platform for elites and socialites.

( NOTE : some may say this is a pessimistic opinion or thought. I am not invited to these NE festivals, but I did attend in the earlier years, without an invite. This is a personal thought and does not reflect or point fingers at any person.)

September 30, 2025

Teacher (s)

As a someone who grew up in a small town Lamka ( South Manipur) during the 80s and 90s , life is not so complicated or complex. School life , particularly till 10th class is the most memorable in one's life , as far as I am concern. Besides memory of classmates , events and incidents, anecdotes, one interesting memory would be the variety of teachers for each subjects we have. I would admit, some teachers are real fun, some are real 'scary', some really do impact your life. Punishment was common, like beating with use of stick and writing a sentence a thousand times etc. I have had it all !!

I don't like Maths, so I don't like the Maths teacher. And I think most mathematics teachers don't like me ! In the sense they would focus mostly on those who are good in Maths in the class. Yes, english class is nice. But history is boring ( perhaps i would have had some inclination or interest had those history books have some history about Manipur or my own land and its people). Economic was interesting- but alas it was just an 'ádditional'- optional subject. Teachers in higher education were altogether a different lot.


One most common question one asked a child is "what will you be when you grew up". The answer in most case would be "A TEACHER". Indeed Teacher(s) are one human who inspire you, you want to be like them! Yes, I had always wanted to be a teacher. For me thats one of the very few profession I can think of in those days.  The others are engineer, doctor, or office clerk !

Indeed I had the privilege to be one. sometime between 1997-2000. It was a very peaceful job. The most enjoyable part of being a teacher is seeing a child grow under your own eyes. It is very fulfilling when students "learn"something from you, through you. Their curious eyes, unending questions ( and students think you know everything!) always remain in my mind. Every morning when you are greeted with such an innocence, makes you forget your woes and worries.

There is the difficult part too. A teacher needed to be tip-top - on time, formal, and well dressed! You cannot be sitting idle in front of the students. The students must be made to be active all day ( thus the teacher) S/he cannot be at fault. S/he must know - all, Phew !

Teaching is something that is considered one of the easiest job or the simplest . It is so wrong. It is one hell of a tough job.


PostScript: One big learning from my teaching days is that one can understand the character , behaviour, attitude, overall performance of a child  from his/her upbringing , family background and social environment.

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MoM

It’s been five months

I still have no words, no lines, no sentences to write about you, of you or to you.

I tried , but failed

Oh, writing is such a hard thing, a difficult one

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Is Gandhi Still Relevant ?

On October 2nd 2016, I happened to visit Sabarmati Ashram (Gandhi Ashram) in Ahmedabad. I was feeling a sort of anxious, not sure of what it would be like to see the place where Gandhiji, the father of the Nation had actually lived, ‘practice what he preach’, and carry out one of the greatest revolution in history.

The three wheeler that took me stopped at an entrance. I had expected a symbolic ‘gate’ or at least some ‘guard’ or a huge entrance sort of. I even thought there would be some kind of a frisking / checking ?  

If one did not know the place there is no indication that it an important historical place. It was on roadside like any other recreational spaces. Anyone, people, visitors just went in. There was no formality.

I went around, like any other ‘tourist’ or a visitor, though there are very few actual ‘foreign tourist’. There were a few children gathering in one of the space for prayer and bhajan.

It was in the afternoon,  people started gathering at one place where a meeting/ observance of the day was being organized. Most of them Gandhians, elderly and definitely not young. There  was music and speeches.

The small cottages that adorned the ashram  were well maintained, neat and clean. These are basically  the remains of Gandhiji and his followers. The hall(s )that has a collection and chronicles of Gandhi and his activities of  were a lot of learnings and insights into Gandhiji led movement - His ideology, his teachings.

The Sabarmati Ashram has quite a lot of visitors. Families, students, youths, foreigners. It is a still a happening place.

The stark reality though is   that this Ashram is more like a “photo studio” a setting for taking pictures. It indeed appears like a place where people come for taking Photographs. All the more as everyone has a mobile phone, people posed not only in front of the cottages, but inside , such as where Gandhi was supposed to be spinning the Chakra etc. Of course, it is indeed mementoes and memorable in take pictures in such historical, important place.

It felt a bit odd to see people just came, posed, take picture, and move on. Everyone let alone a few. No one seems interested to observe or see or understand those symbolic remains.

It was bit confusing. I was perplexed and bit puzzled.

The famous meeting between the Nagas ( NNC) and Mahatma Gandhi came into my mind. What did Gandhi actually say to the Nagas? What does Gandhi really mean when he said Nagas are ‘Independent’?

Later, I remember reading the book “ The Night of The Guerrillas “ where the Author had  reproduced the actual conversation between the Naga delegates and Gandhi. Gandhi had said “As I can see, you are all slaves. From where do you get your clothes? ” What of your food?’

It slowly dawn on me what Gandhi was trying to explain, in the simplest form of what independence, freedom is as an individual and people. It was said that had Gandhi been alive a little longer it could have changed the course of Naga history. Indeed not only the Nagas but the whole of north-east India.

Gandhi is a living example. Sabarmati Ashram stands as witness to it and the collection of his works , his famous quotes are all enough to give us a guiding principles of what freedom means and what freedom is. Unfortunately though all this serves as mere backdrop for photo album today. Or so it seems.

 Is Gandhi still relevant today ? many argued the times and situation is different now. 

Given the situation, particularly in north-east India, perhaps it need to contextualize and re-interpret Gandhi’s philosophy and ideology

Are You Alone ?

This is a repeated question that has been asked again and again. The question doesn’t come once or from people who meet you for the first time.

The question is more often repeated by people whom I met every now and then. You start a conversation, after a few pleasantries ..the same line follows..  you live alone?

My own neighbor(s) would ask ..are you alone ? or you go and visit neighbor(s) for a chat or some work –the same line pop ups in between.

At times the question may come in a different form. Like you start a conversation , gossip or small day to day conversations , about food, about a new lipstick or a new tops or even about current affairs… ..oh, you are alone, that's why !!

If I get up late, the reason is ..you are alone ..so..

You don’t feel like having a big meal ..the remark would be ..oh..you are alone so…

 You do something , or you share some-thing ..the remark is ..you are alone..that's why 

Everything seems to happen because one is alone. 

You are alone so you feel like that or  felt that way, You are alone so you behave like that or you think like that.  

People also mean ( indirectly) .aren’t you lonely ? oh yes, people do feel lonely. I could sense some could be a ‘sympathy’ ..yes no human being want to be alone . We are social beings. 

And another is .oh, your room (house) is so big ! Big ? it’s two room ( 10 x 2 ft sq room ).

I can understand the finance part. The other meaning is obvious.

In metro city, people coming from north-eat India , if I am not mistaken , do not afford to live ‘alone’. Either a cousin , a cousin’s cousin or a friend is there to share the room. That everybody knows. It does ( seemingly) helps in economy , safety and security and of course – community connections. People should stick to their community or the clan or the relatives ! period!

I do not have the liberty to live alone, let alone , loneliness. Quite few times, I do have the liberty to spread myself alone in the 2 room set (mind you this is not even a DDA flat) Some people are certainly ‘curious’ as to how come a woman lives alone ? that too in a city ?.  Yes there is an underlying 'curiosity ' and un-pronounced the message in those statement(s).  

Perhaps, people don’t have anything else interesting to discuss than about “living alone”. Maybe I am boring or they are extremely boring. 

Worst , if one avoids "interacting” the next comment is “how come you are not socialising?”. Does avoiding certain people to avoid "irritating, boring and repeated lines" means not socialising? NO. 

 


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