NEA seminar highlights prospects, constraints of Act East Policy

DIMAPUR — The second Nagaland Economic Association (NEA) conference-cum-national seminar was held at Dimapur Government College (DGC) on October 25, on the theme ‘Prospects and constraints of India’s Act East Policy with special reference to North East Region (NER).’

The conference, organised by the Department of Economics, Dimapur Government College in collaboration with Nagaland Economic Association (NEA), was sponsored by ICSSR-NERC and supported by IQAC, DGC, the media and publicity cell, DGC, stated in a press release.

The chief guest for the inaugural session of the national seminar was Prof. B. Panda, Director of ICSSR-NERC, Shillong, and also the president of North East Economic Association. The valedictory guest was Neidilhou Keditsu, Director of Economics and Statistics department, Govt. of Nagaland,

Setting the tone of the seminar, Prof. Panda spoke on the macro strategies which are integral to develop relationship between ASEAN countries, even as the policy shifts from ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East Policy Plus.’

He also touched on a very integral component of Act East Policy –entrepreneurship – the success of which largely depends on overcoming what is known as ‘rent seeking.’

Rent seeking is a term in economics that refers to the act of gaining wealth through the manipulation of economic and legal systems, rather than through productive trade and wealth creation, and which involves an entity or individual seeking to increase their wealth without creating any benefits to society, it stated.

This was followed by the thematic keynote address delivered by Prof. T Zarenthung Ezung, Dept. of Economics, NU, Lumami. He emphasised on India’s Act East Policy “as a diplomatic approach to boost economic, strategic and cultural ties with the huge Asia-Pacific ties at different levels, and moving on to the larger prospects.”

A key component in his address was the challenges presented by artificial intelligence (IA), so also the importance of data correctness and reliability of data, the release stated.

The technical session was conducted in blended mode with three parallel technical sessions in three halls, and three online technical sessions in which 33 research papers were presented, which included presenters from a wide array of fields including teachers, research scholars and students.

In all, 260 participants attended the blended mode seminar.

The one-day national seminar was held under the convenorship of Dr. I Moakala Jamir, Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Economics, DGC, and under the advisory of Prof. B Kilangla Jamir, head of Dept. of Economics, NU and Prof. T Zarenthung Ezung, Dept. of Economics, NU.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Sanjay Sharma, principal of DGC, delivered the welcome address.

The valedictory session was followed by the business hour of the NEA where a new team of office bearers was announced to lead NEA for the tenure 2024-2026.

The new team includes Dr. Vitsosie Vupru, Principal, Kohima College, Kohima as president, Dr. N Renthungo Patton, Asst. Prof., Mt. Tiyi College, Wokha (vice president), Dr. Yelhi Vero, Asst. Prof., Dimapur Govt. College (general secretary), Dr. Aosenla Pongen, Asst. Prof., Patkai Christian College (asst. general secretary) and Dr. T Umbenthung Humtsoe, Economics and Statistical Officer, Directorate of Economics and Statistics (treasurer).

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