[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Young Leaders Connect (YLC) an initiative of the Youth Net, an NGO based in Nagaland is starting to make an impact at the national level and the north eastern region is beginning to knock on the right doors and get noticed in the corridors of power through the initiatives of young leaders and achievers who have emerged from the region. The fourth edition of the YLC was held in national capital, New Delhi this year at the India Habitat Centre and comprised of young achievers from all walks of life including young political leaders like Gaurav Gogoi, Sushmita Dev, Conrad Sangma, social activists Binalakshmi Nepram, Hasina Kharbhih, Hekani Jakhalu, sports legend Bhaichung Bhutia, entrepreneur Bhairavi Jani and Bjorn DeNiese and media personalities including Karma Paljor, Tanushree Hazarika, Pradyot Deb Barma, Jarpum Gamlin and Abu Metha.Taking the conclave to New Delhi was definitely a move in the right direction as the country sat up and took notice. The speakers and panelists, all being achievers in their own right could not be neglected and the presence of union home minister Kiren Rijiju added weight to the conclave. The fact that the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval and Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, R.N. Ravi were in attendance clearly suggest that the top leadership of the country is taking notice. It goes without saying that the NSA is the Prime Minister’s pointsman and acts as the eyes and ears of 9 Race Course Road and his presence and participation indicates that the YLC has succeeded in making the voice of the northeast heard in the city that matters. Though it was coincidence, the conclave was held just a couple of days after a series of racist attacks that had sent shock waves throughout the country, particularly the people of the region. Therefore, it was no surprise that racial discrimination became the core issue of the conclave and at times even distracted some of the sessions that were meant to focus on other areas like entrepreneurship and rebranding of the region.
The presence of the NSA along with the Delhi Police Chief and their willingness to interact with the audience, most of who comprised of intellectuals, decision takers and opinion makers was indeed welcome. It indicated the seriousness of the Centre to reassure the people of the north east. While it was an ideal opportunity for the Centre to use the platform to reach out to a disenchanted people, it was also a situation that allowed the NSA and his machinery to understand and feel the pulse of the people.
It was at times shocking to sit and listen to the situation faced by the people of the region in the national capital region. The fact that they faced racial discrimination everyday of their lives is not just worrying but sad and unfortunate for this idea called India. The conclave also allowed young students and scholars to boldly speak out on their experiences, views and disappointments. Without going into the details, anyone who sat through the sessions will conclude that people from the region are not being made to feel like equal citizens of this country. While it is an accepted fact that India is a racist country in all its regions, it is also a fact that the northeastern people are at the forefront of facing and battling racism on a daily basis. With such pressure and such a hostile environment, how can we expect the youth to focus on their aspirations leave alone contribute towards nation building?
The YLC must be complimented for its efforts, its sense of timing and the vocal manner in which it reached out beyond the unseen boundaries of the region. Football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has done a commendable job in chairing the conclave and his star power has served the double purpose of attracting attention and getting heard. Away from the serious subjects, upcoming actor and national award winner Geetanjali Gupta’s presence provided inspiration and motivation to the youth. Thapa exemplifies a person who banks on hard work and perseverance to overcome the barriers that come in the way our youth. She provides hope with the underlying message that hard work and talent cannot be stopped by anybody or any force.
In today’s environment, nothing significant can happen without the presence and role of the media. The YLC had understood this aspect and it is perhaps the only conclave that brings together a significant number of media personalities who ensure that opinions reach out to every possible corner. If only governments and policy makers understood the importance of successful media strategies and involving media personalities in achieving goals.
Though the Nagaland Chief Minister gave the conclave a miss, the dynamic and well spoken Mhonlumo Kikon made his presence felt along with Guarav Gogoi and Conrad Sangma. It is crucial that netas and the babus attend such conclaves to understand the pulse of the cross sections of the people and also to improve their own capacities. One of the biggest problems of this country is that the politicians and the bureaucrats have this feeling that it is only they themselves who know everything and every solution. In this context, Kiren Rijiju needs to be appreciated as he categorically stated in his keynote address that “we (the governments and the politicians) have faltered on the way.” It takes courage for a politician to stand up and say that his class and governments have failed to deliver the goods and change the destiny of the people towards the desired direction.
Racial discrimination is not the only issue that concerns the north east. Equally important issues are of development deficits, poor infrastructure, political instability, violent insurgency, absence of opportunities, lack of private sector, suppression of art and creativity, neglect of Delhi and the cancer of corruption. There is so much to do for the region. The north east needs to be rebranded and we have to make efforts on all fronts to create a better understanding and appreciation of our people and our culture to the rest of the country and the world. To begin with, we have to be known for the right reasons. The YLC has definitely done commendable work in reaching out and getting heard. The conclave must seriously consider making recommendations and suggestions to governments at the states and at the centre, as so much positive discussions by intellectuals cutting across all areas of expertise should not be wasted in mere media coverage nor confined within the walls of the conclave. This year’s edition has penetrated the walls that matter and this momentum must be carried forward. While it is necessary to take the conclave to all the states of the region, it is a must to have an annual Delhi edition. We have to connect within us and also contribute towards connecting Delhi to the far corners of the country.
Delhi must realise that a nation does not start from the centre, but a nation begins from its boundaries and far corners. The sun rises in the east and the nation’s day begins from our borders.
Eastern Mirror feature
