MOSAIC- 2010 celebrated at TISS, Mumbai
- Date :: 31st January, 2010 -

We the students from north- east at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai celebrated an event called MOSAIC- 2010 on 31st January, 2010. We have a coordinator for MOSAIC. The coordinator for 2009- 2010 was Kamei Samson from Manipur.

MOSAIC is a fest of N-E Students here at TISS where we celebrate our diverse culture of north- east region. Though MOSAIC is not still institutionalised at TISS it is supported by the present Director of TISS, Dr. Parasuraman.

It started way back in 2000 under the leadership of a student called K. Ela, a Ph.D. Scholar. Although it is the celebration of the culture of north- east several students from other parts of the country and from other pas of the world who are here at TISS actively participate in all the programmes of MOSAIC. We also invite northeasterners who are in Mumbai for studies and work.

Brief history about MOSAIC

In the year 2000, K. Ela, a Ph.D. Scholar contemplated celebrating the Naga festival by collaborating with the students of Manipur and Nagaland. However, on the insistence of students from the entire Northeast Region, it was decided that instead of performing separately, a collective show could be organized.

In order to curb any difference an inclusive strategy was adopted and the programme was christened as “MOSAIC”. Ms. Ela took the leadership role strongly supported by some of the faculties of that region; a three hour long programme was presented in December 2000, in the courtyard of the gents' hostel. Many faculties and students witnessed the show in the presence of the Director of the Institute.

The programme ended with a collective feast with various Northeast cuisines. Since then, MOSAIC has not looked backward and every year it has been organizing a collective programme of Northeast students including the students from the Himalayan region and scholars of the Institute.

In the year 2007, the MOSAIC lecture series was introduced with the support from the Institute, especially Prof. Parasuraman, Director, TISS. The first lecture series was presented by the Formerly Dean, Department of Law, Guwahati University, Late Prof Sanajaoba Naorem on “Human Rights Situations in Northeast India”.

The second lecture series was by Dr. Bimol Akoijam, Associate Professor, Centre for Study of Social System, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Formerly Associates of Centre for Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi on “Celebrating Ethnic Diversity”.

from MOSAIC- 2010 a Panel Discussion has been incorporated for the first time. The topic of the panel discussion was 'MILITARISATION AND POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH- EAST INDIA'. The esteem panelists were Syed Abdul Khader (DIG, BSF) and Sanjay Barbora, Regional Manager of Panos South Asia’s “Media and Conflict” based in Guwahati, Assam. It was moderated by Mr. Makhan Saikia, Assistant Registrar (TISS).

Browse a photo gallery on this event here.