Musings...: What is it about the Northeast that irritates people?

What is Northeast India? When I was growing up in Guwahati, going to school, I did not know of any such word. I knew of something known as 'seven sisters' which again comprised the same seven states that we know today as Northeast (I am not considering Sikkim here). The 'Northeast' is a word that has in its fold seven beautiful states that are each different and unique. Assam as I knew and know it is a very different state from Nagaland, just as Meghalaya is different from Arunachal Pradesh. Yes, just as different as Maharastra is from Uttar Pradesh. Let us not forget the trees by looking at the woods. Let us not club them all together under one umbrella as 'that place in the hills'.

Why is there so much racism against Northeastern people in particular? Is there something weird with these people? No, there is not just racism against northeast people in particular. There is also bigotry and racism against many other communities. In fact, India despite its outward 'unity in diversity' is full of bigotry. 'Bihari' is the mother of all insults, 'Sardars' are Santa and Banta, people from Rajasthan till recently were known to the common man as 'marwaris' because this was the community they most interacted with, 'Oriyas'...hmm what's that??, 'Chinki' is anyone beyond the chicken neck separating the northeast region from 'Rest of India', 'Musaalmans' are still a no-no in many places, anyone from south of Madhya Pradesh was known as 'Madrassi' till Bangalore became a place where you had to go and work, and Nepalis of course are the 'shalaam shaahabs' of the nation.

So why is this racism against Northeast people becoming so prominent? People from the northeast are suddenly coming out from this part of the world and the rest of India is suddenly seeing so many people, who perhaps look different, speak different and dress different. It is not that people from here hadn't been outside the region, they have. People from my family and many others from three-four generations ago have travelled, been studying abroad, have been or are friends with 'prominent' people from not India but all over the world. But, and this is a big But, the region has been tremendously poor in communication and transport. The bridges that were built by the British are still standing tall and helping people cross the rivers. Areas that did not have bridges then still lack bridges. Airport/air travel facility is poor and expensive and railways need a heavy boost. So, what about the people who were not so well off in terms of economy or education till one generation ago or this generation? Just as in any other part of the world, they too hadn't the thought or money to travel much beyond their lands, and more so because they needed much more money and enterprise to go out and they had plenty in their own land, which is and was rich and fertile.

Slowly, over the past few years, there were roads built that makes communication a bit better, yes, just a bit better. (and this i will write about later). Television came in, internet came in and people now know of the world outside and are slowly going out to study in universities and colleges that have better teachers outside the region. Parents are sending children in the hope that they will learn more than they have and do better than they have. to see more of the world. Suddenly these kids come out into a world that knows nothing about them. Is this our country? they wonder. Are they from our country? the others wonder. Some get talking, make friends and discover, 'Hey, she's just like me. Just looks a bit different'. Others make no attempt to talk but start bullying. Go away to where you have come from. And where do you come from? China.

Which brings me back to my question. This racism against northeast people is suddenly becoming more prominent because with more trains going out of the region, and roads becoming a bit better, more people are entering the mainstream. Maybe certain people feel threatened when they see new faces coming in, maybe certain people cannot think of a world beyond their own, maybe certain people think this is just a country that belongs to me.

What exactly is racism? A 'racist' is anyone that discriminates and bullies someone because s/he looks different, has a different accent or color, or from another place. The discrimination may be physical violence or threats via email or phone, etc. A racist will feel antagonistic towards most people who do not 'belong'. If you hate someone for no other reason except that s/he is a Muslim, or from Pakistan, or from the northeast, you too are having thoughts of racism.

Why do people from the northeast feel alienated? When a very well-educated friend asked me some years back, does your house have stilts, I answered no but I was bewildered. What do some people really think about our region? How come they have no idea at all? When I say I am a vegetarian, some people looked at me amazed. When young kids who move out of the region for the first time, they are visiting a new place for the first time. They tend to stick together because they are familiar with each other and get support. Same with any young person going to a new place. Why do they get the feeling of alienation? Because when they go to buy tickets at a museum, they are shown the 'foreigners' counter, when they go looking for a house to rent, they are looked upon as promiscuous and denied. We have to understand here, this is one country we are talking of. People from one state visiting another or studying and working in another. Not an Indian going to America.

Is it the fault of the victim when he is attacked? No. The victim of a hate crime or a racist act is not to blame. It is the racist or the bully who is wrong to have inflicted violence towards someone because he is not the same. It is the racist or bully how has to read more, learn more and develop more. Let us all be very very clear on this. Someone might be very different, talk very differently but as long as the person is living his own life and has not hurt you, you do not have the right to beat or be violent towards him just because of his difference.

Things that we all can do.

However. There are some things that people from the northeast can start practicing.

1. Write more. Write about yourself, your land, your people.

2. Learn new languages. If India is truly your country, you can start learning Hindi too.

3. Be understanding if someone does not know about your state. there are many things you too do not know about other states.

4. Do not be ashamed of where you have come from. If you are from Manipur, talk to people from your university or office about the beautiful state. Help them learn. Cook for them.

And. Here are things people who do not know about the northeast can do.

1. Read more. Learn the names of the states, the people that stay there. Take out a map.

2. Travel. Don't get scared. Visit the northeast.

3. Make new friends. They are new, they are scared. Why not give a helping hand?
4. Love more.