Amity Science Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) organized a Lecture on “Education and Research Opportunities and Challenges in North-Eastern region of India” by Dr. Arun Verma, Senior Consultant, North-East Cell, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida

Dr. Sunil Saran, Sr. Vice Chairman, ASTIF welcomed and introduced the distinguished speaker.

Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group, who is a great visionary and is looking forward to initiate developmental projects in North East region, shared that the scientists and researchers of Amity University would explore the opportunities and possibilities of collaborative research in North East.

Also present during the occasion was Mr. C P Thakur -Member of Rajya Sabha who narrated how during his brief tenure in North East as Minister of the Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) in 2003, he won over the trust of the people of local communities and addressed their small but numerous problems which unaddressed for long time had given birth to animosity and hatred amongst the local people for outsiders. He stressed that North East is also a part of India but due to the continuous neglect of the region, a feeling of alienation has developed in the minds of the people there. “It’s high time that India make its presence felt in North East and harness the enormous developmental opportunities available in North East” implored Mr. Thakur

Giving a holistic view of North East, Dr. Arun Verma, Senior Consultant, North-East Cell, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India outlined the various assets with which North East region has been blessed with including rich biodiversity, flora and fauna and touched upon the various issues which are holding the region back from occupying an important position on the map of India. He remarked that the process of development has been slow in North East because of the lack of understanding and integration of “Forests”, “Hills” and “Community/People”, which are the three important components of the region. The speaker stressed that North East has the potential to take the lead, provided native people understand the developmental and progressive intent of outsiders and outsiders, on their part, try to put themselves in the shoes of the native people and suggest area specific solutions. Lack of understanding among planners on the geographical situation, agro climate, characteristics of the people and the local communities is aggravating the problem of trust. The outsiders, Dr. Verma opined, have to win over the trust of local people so that locals can do away with their hostility towards outsiders and can participate in collaborative and mutual development of other states, rather than staying aloof. The speaker also pointed out that despite of sharing 4, 500 kms long porous international border with countries such as China and Myanmar, the region is not able to export its surplus due to the closure of the 5 trade routes after the Partition of India, which is adding to the alienation of the region. Suggesting the remedial measures, Dr. Verma stressed that the focus of the developmental schemes and policies has to be on relevance, human resources have to be made knowledgeable and development of youth in North East region needs to be ensured in terms of employment and income generation.

The lecture was followed by an interactive session wherein the faculty members posed a volley of questions to the speaker on the opportunities present in North East for collaborative research and mutual development and how they can be worked upon for mutual benefit.