Pune’s special bond with the North-east

A lot can be done to strengthen the special bond that Pune has with the North-east, says Barnalee Handique While touring in Kohima and the remote district of Wokha in Nagaland a few years ago, a Pune journalist was wonderstruck when so many Nagas spoke warmly about Pune. For many a local Naga, not just in Kohima but in the villages of Wokha and Mokokchung districts, memories of Pune came flooding back with references to the colleges of Pune, the prominent roads, localities and eateries such as Vaishali and Roopali. Pune holds a special place for them and pune city in return, has lots of scope to strengthen its bonds with the far-off North-east. Education is the single biggest reason why people from the north-eastern states come to Pune. Having taken a liking for the city, many stay back after securing a job. This was what brought Vaswati Hazarika, an undergrad student from the Symbiosis School of Economics to Pune. “Although there are reputed institutes in Assam, the atmosphere there has not been too congenial. Plus, exposure is better here.” Richard Barooah, VP, business operations, RIMC- the international hospitality chain, says, “The confluence of education, culture, history and sports was one of the main reasons that made me move from Mumbai to Pune. Moreover, the air about the city is very infectious that allows me to work and chill at the same time.” NGOs like the Asomi Organisation, Northeast Community Organisation, Pune and Sarhad are working for the Northeast communities in the city. Rajib Borkataki, who heads the Asomi Organisation with the help of his colleagues, organises many cultural activities like ‘Bihu’ (Spring festival), Northeast festival (in collaboration with Heinrich Boell Foundation, Khublei and Zuban books) Republic Day function and other such programmes. On the other hand, Rock Lungleng, the moving force behind the NOEP, regularly organises presentations, cultural events and football matches for the Northeast students in the city. The NGO Sarhad, which is focusing on students from Kashmir and the Northeast, has 15 students from the northeast at its school at Katraj. Sanjay Nahar, the founder of Sarhad, says, “This school and college were established with the purpose of providing education to these students. The girl students of the institute can avail of the ‘Sharmila Irom scholarship’. The NGO also organises numerous cultural and social activities. Every month, under the special programme ‘Call of Brahmaputra’, talks, presentations and seminars are held. One factor influencing migration is the disturbance in the region. Says educationist Dr Triveni G Mathur, “This region is still developing. The erupting ethnic struggle hasn’t been brought under control. The education sector is suffering. Due to the ethnic strife, the people have suffered the consequences. The Northeastern states have been lagging behind economically and in all other spheres.” She feels that there should be a vision, a blueprint for development and economic growth in states. barnalee.handique@goldensparrow.com “The girl students of our institute can avail of the Sharmila Irom Scholarship.” —Sanjay Nahar, founder of SARHAD NGO