First PG course on Northeast to be introduced from next year

To dispel misconceptions about the north eastern states and bring Indians closer to the region, the first ever post-graduate course in 'northeastern studies' will be introduced from next year.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh said in New Delhi today, till then, starting from the forthcoming semester beginning in August 2015, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, will start an option paper in Northeastern Studies at the masters degree level.

Dr Singh said this after a detailed briefing by the vice chancellor of Jamia Millia University, prof Talat Ahmad and director, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, prof Sanjoy Hazarika.

While complimenting the Jamia Millia authorities for this initiative, Dr Singh said an institutionalised study and research on Northeast India will provide inputs for professionals and policy makers on key issues relating to the region and thus help create a bridge between the policy making desk with the realities on the ground.

Dr Singh said that till now everyone talked about bringing the far-flung region closer to mainstream India but hardly anyone spoke of bringing mainstream India closer to the Northeast.

Vice chancellor, prof Talat Ahmad said that while the optional papers for the Northeastern Studies for post-graduate students would start from the current session, the university plans to start a full-fledged master's degree in Northeastern Studies from the next academic  session. He said, the curriculum of the course would be comprehensive and cover diverse aspects of Northeast India including history, geography, heritage and current affairs.