For prior statement, this article is mainly written to give an insight on how the students/peoples from North-Eastern region are viewed in the capital of India, what are the main problems faced by them, how they are adjusting to the new environment, to those who are making plans to come to study or work.
I believe it is equally relevant for other cities too. I do not claim that the views expressed here represent the exact scenario but it is sufficient enough to convey the message.
The security tips for north-eastern students in Delhi issued by Delhi police have elicited a roar of disapproval from the various Students' Unions from the north-east, leaders and individuals. The main points of criticism are on the dress code for the north-eastern girls and what should be eaten or not.
There is nothing new about the allegation that the north-eastern girls are not dressing in proper way. It is claimed that they are exposing a little bit too much beyond the limits. Also the foods of the north-eastern people are smelly and the people of Delhi feel that it is unbearable having to live along with the lousy aroma from the north-eastern people's kitchen.
These issues have always been there in a sense it has been a general perception of the people of Delhi or from other parts of India. The only different is that this time; the directive is issued by the Delhi Police.
Leaving these issues aside, I want to narrate an incident which I think is relevant in our discussion here. I was one of those people interviewed by one of the leading Indian New channel almost four weeks back. The interview was mainly on the question: Why the north-eastern people in Delhi are not interacting much with the people of Delhi or rather 'mainland Indians?
In other words, what is the problem that north-eastern people have that they could not interact or integrate with the mainland Indians? After all you are also Indians! This question is not just the view of the media persons but it is also harbor by most of the people.
Well, I strongly feel that this particular question was asked with the believe that north-eastern people had already make up their mind that they would not interact with the 'mainland Indians' even before setting foot on Delhi's soil. If that's true then, the blame is wholly on the north-eastern people. Right?
But as I see, the north-eastern people including myself do not come to Delhi or any other cities with the pre-conceived thought we are not going to interact with them. We all have arrived in Indian cities with high hopes and dreams without any negative vibes. Now, the problems mainly started when the 'mainland Indians' already had a pre-conceived idea about what the north-eastern region is and who are people residing in that place?
We are viewed as wild human being coming from wild forest and who eats anything and everything. Some of them even think that we are cannibals!! The irony is that most of these people have not even visited north-east. They formed their opinions primarily from unreliable sources, rumor and of course, the Indian media.
The Indian media has always projected the north-eastern as a land of 'eternal conflicts' and the people as 'very dangerous'. The Indian media takes 'great satisfaction' in visiting the remotest part of north-east and portraying it to the Indian mass, as the general life-style of the north-eastern people. It will be like the BBC or CNN coming to India and then projecting the slum life as the general life-style of the Indians! How about that?
The foot habit of the north-eastern people has always been a matter of mockery by the 'mainland Indians' without realizing that no matter how much we are uncomfortable with their foot habits, we never complain. The foot habit of the north-eastern people is a bit similar to the people of south-east Asian countries and to some extent even to the east-Asian countries. Bamboo shoots and other 'food items' are also eaten by them.
The north-eastern people eating dog- meat is also an object of mockery. Yet even the Koreans are eating dogs. So what's the harm? I am not trying to justify our food habit because they are also eaten by the South-east Asians or the Koreans. I am just trying to show these are the foods which are considered as delicacies for certain group of Human being and it does not necessarily mean that other people have to make fun of it just because it is not their food.
As it turns out, the mainland Indians when they come across the food of south-east Asian countries which are also the food of north-eastern people, they find it exotic because it is from foreign countries. But if they are told that the food is from north-east, then they simply detest it even without getting to see what it is.
They have the perception that since we are known as Indians, we should not be different from them. We have to eat what they eat, we have to behave like they do, and we have to dress like they dress and so on. This implies that 'the unmanufactured difference' existing between them and us has to be erased. All this development can be understood as an attempt of homogenization and assimilation process.
They need to realize that respecting differences can hold together the social fabric especially in multi-cultural society. Their constant attempt to marginalize and isolate the north-eastern people can have a far-reaching consequence. Having said all these things, it does not mean that all of them are lousy people but as it is inevitable that opinion of a group is formed through majority behaviour.
Yet I also want to emphasize that in the light of the security tips issued by the Delhi police, the north-eastern students/people in Delhi and other cities need to re-introspect on how they are leading their life in these cities. I remember one of my Korean friends who look very much a girl from north-east asking me if she really look like a north-eastern girl. I frankly told her that she is very much difference from a north-eastern girl because of her attitude.
As I see most of the north-eastern people lack 'attitude' which can invite respect from others. Attitude is not about how we dress always. The way how we present ourselves in front of others is very important. There are time when to talk freely to others and when not to talk. These are all trivial things but it influences the way how people will view you.
I think it is high time that the north-eastern people/students in places like Delhi need to examine what has gone wrong. I am not saying that criticism levels against the north-eastern students are right. But I think it is also important to develop those 'right attitudes' to lead a respectable life.
Related Article on NE Dress & Behaviour
* Donald Tsang contributes regularly to e-pao.net .
The writer can be contacted at the_enlightened(at)hotmail(dot)com .
This article was webcasted on July 20th, 2007
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