30th June 2012, India International Centre,Lodi Estate, New Delhi
New Delhi, 30 June 2012: The Northeast region of India is comprised of eight states, reeling from six decades of conflict under the shadow of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Persistent waves of insurgency and militarisation have caused immeasurable suffering, with some estimates putting the number of lives lost at 50,000. The Northeast does not permeate the consciousness of media, policy makers and the wider Indian population. Up until now there has been little collaborative engagement of the Northeast Diaspora in addressing these pervasive problems.
The first event of its kind, “Seeking Our Collective Peace: The Northeast India Diaspora Looks into Solutions for Peace and Development in the Region” will see human rights experts, academics, journalists, Govt Ministers and activists participating in a series of panel discussions, this Saturday June 30th, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The event has been organised by Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, Mindfields: Journal of Ideas and Learning, The Northeast Today (TNT) Magazine and Control Arms Foundation of India – all initiatives started by Northeast India Diaspora. The aim of the event is to mobilise and work with Northeast India diaspora to generate peace, development and reduce conflict in Northeast India.
Distinguished panelists at the event include, Mr B G Verghese, renowned writer, Magsaysay Awardee & Visiting Professor, Centre for Policy Research, Ms Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times and Member, National Security Advisory Board, Dr Anuradha Chenoy, Professor, Jawaharlal University, New Delhi, Mr Karma Paljor, Business Editor, CNBC TV 18, Mr Utpal Borpujari, Film Maker, Mr Pradyot Deb Burman, Chairman and Editor, The Northeast Today, Mr Sudeep Chakravarti, Author of Highway 39: Journeys through a Fractured Land; Assistant Professor Dr Ajailiu Niumai of Hyderabad University, Assistant Professor Ms Elizabeth Imti of Fazal Ali College, Mokokchung, Nagaland; Ms Rita Manchanda, Pogramme Director, South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Dr Jyotsna Chatterjee, Director and Secretary, Joint Women’s Programme, Ms Lianboi, Asst Professor at IP College, Delhi University, Ms Barnali Das, Senior Project Advisor, National Mission for Empowerment of Women and many others.
Youth diaspora from Northeast India region will also be a part of the proceedings. Speakers include Mr Fleming Marak from Achik Youth Federation, Oinam Goldflag from Manipur and John Hinkung from Stop Discrimination Against People from Northeast India Online Forum and many others.
The event is timely organised after the recent events of protests against the wrongful deaths of two students from Northeast India, Mr Richard Loitam in Bangalore and Ms Dana Sangma in Gurgoan.The program includes three panels and a valedictory session where perspectives will be shared on how the Diaspora relates to those remaining in the Northeast. Participants will speak on a range of issues, including persistent economic stagnation, gender, socio-political unrest, the media, law and migration. The event will provide a space for the debate and discussion of conflict, peace building, the attainment of human security and the crucial role played by the Diaspora in achieving these collective goals. The event will also celebrate some of the success stories of citizens of the Northeast and diaspora members alike.
Statements and video messages of Northeast India Diaspora such as European Manipuri Association (EMA), North America Manipur Association (NAMA) along with diaspora settled as far as Western Pacific and Thailand will be read out at the conference.
Please see details For further event details: http://www.cafi-online.org/
For the past three years, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network has been organising a number of Conferences, Panel Discussions and Consultative Conclave meetings across Northeast India and New Delhi. Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network also formed North East India Women Initiative for peace to pursue our work in bringing peace in the area. Please log on to www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org, www.neiwip.blogspot.com for further information.
For more information kindly contact:
Ms Binalakshmi Nepram
Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India
Address for correspondence: B 5/146, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029, India.
Phone: +9-11-46018541 Fax: +91-11-26166234.
Website / Blog: www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org www.cafi-online.org & http://neiwip.blogspot.com/