‘Nurture the potential of the youth of the North East’

GOUSONLIAN, MA in Social Work and unemployed, Manipur Issues in the North East are not viewed correctly. In this election, everyone has tried to play the development card, but development doesn’t only mean building skyscrapers, flyovers or highways. It’s the development of an individual that the future government should focus on. Core issues such as identity, distribution of power and equal representation should be addressed, while ensuring that every voice is heard. The Look East policy was supposed to benefit the North East but no tangible impact has been felt so far. Job opportunities remain low even as students from here continue to get educated from reputed institutions. The incoming government should look at nurturing the potential of the youth and utilise the untapped resources available here. Direct investment to the rural credit market should be encouraged so that local entrepreneurs and businesses can reach a point where they can compete with mainland entrepreneurs. Issues of discrimination and racism should be dealt with strongly. The government should at least acknowledge that such a problem exists. It is still said that there is unrest in the North East; but the truth is that it is not relevant anymore. Nobody is trying to break away from India. The government should take this opportunity to change their attitude towards us while repealing AFSPA. AFSPA only fuels the continuation of this cycle. Civilian laws are now sufficient for us. I don’t expect a sudden change but if these issues are not addressed by the next government it’d be a step back for us.