The Research and Development Cell (RDC), Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung organised its first ever international conference on ‘India’s extended neighbourhood: converging interests’ at Conference Hall, FAC on March 23. The conference was granted by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.
At the inaugural session of the conference, Prof Temjensosang, Director, Research and Development Cell, Nagaland University, presented the inaugural address where he encouraged the RDC, FAC to organise more of such events and to look out for funding agencies that will help in financial intervention while carrying out academic and research activities.
He mentioned about India’s Neighbourhood first policy under which India as a nation is committed towards developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours also stating that India is an active development partner, involved in many projects with its neigbouring countries particularly South east Asia.
He went on to say that India can become a big brother to her neigbours in bringing sustainability of peace and progressive development in her neighbourhood where culture and economy and particularly religion has a great impact.
The keynote theme address was given by Prof Sk Tawfique M Haque, Chair, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Director, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance, North-South University, Dhaka Bangladesh.
A special paper presentation in commemoration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was also presented by Dr Mahendra Prakash, HOD, Dept. of Pol. Science, Government Post Graduate College, Obra, Sonbhadra, UP.
At the valedictory session Dr Aküm Longchari, Publisher, The Morung Express gave the concluding observation remarks where he said that there is a need to begin a process of formal re-thinking and re-imagining of the North east region with a discourse on de-colonization.
He said that the North east did not matter at one point of time and was alienated from the rest of the country, but in reality, the influence of North east is much bigger than what it actually is with all its borders with the neigbouring countries. He added that the North east can become the region for birthing new ideas if we stop the politics of playing the victim and stop being inflicted too much by the past. He concluded by saying that instead of monologues we need to engage in more dialogues that will help in engaging ideas about the future and that will help in overcoming fear, self-interest and crime.
The conference report was given by Dr Phyobenthung on behalf of the Documentation Committee while Dr E Benrithung Patton, Co-convenor said the words of appreciation on behalf of the organising team.
The conference witnessed six sessions where all together there were ten invited speakers, thirteen paper presenters and ninety-five participants. The invited speakers included Professors and Scientist from Bangaladesh, Kolkota, Delhi, UP, Shillong and from Nagaland University and an Associate Lecturer from Royal University of Bhutan.