FAC holds international conference on “India’s extended neighborhood: converging interests”

Mokokchung, 23 March (MTNews): A one-day International Conference on “India’s Extended Neighborhood: Converging Interest” was held on 23 March at Fazl Ali College (FAC) Conference Hall. The conference was organized by the Research and Development Cell (RDC), Fazl Ali College supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

Prof. Temjensosang, Director, Research and Development Cell, Nagaland University, while delivering the inaugural address, encouraged the RDC, FAC to organize more such events and to seek funding agencies to assist in financial intervention while carrying out academic and research activities.

He mentioned India’s Neighborhood First policy, under which the nation is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all of its neighbors. He also stated that India is an active development partner, participating in numerous projects with its neighbors, particularly those in South East Asia.

He went on to suggest that India may become a big brother to her neighbors by delivering long-term peace and progressive development to her neighborhood where culture, economy, and, especially, religion play a significant role.

Prof. Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Chair, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Director, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance, North-South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, delivered the keynote theme address.

Dr. Mahendra Prakash, HOD, Dept. of Political Science, Government Post Graduate College, Obra, Sonbhadra, UP, also gave a special paper presentation in commemoration of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.”

During the valedictory ceremony, Dr Akum Longchari, Publisher of The Morung Express in Nagaland, delivered the closing comments, stating that there is a need to begin a process of formal re-thinking and re-imagining of the North East area with a discourse on decolonization.

He said that the North East felt alienated from the rest of the country at one point, but in reality, the North East’s influence is far more than what it appears to be with all of its borders with surrounding countries.

He went on to say that the North East may become a breeding ground for new ideas if they “stop the politics of playing the victim” and stop being overly influenced by the past. He continued by noting that instead of monologues, they need more dialogues to engage thoughts about the future and to overcome fear, self-interest, and criminality.

Dr Phyobenthung delivered the conference report on behalf of the Documentation Committee, while Dr E Benrithung Patton, Co-Convenor, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organizing team.

The conference had six sessions with ten invited speakers, thirteen paper presenters, and ninety-five attendees. Professors and scientists from Bangladesh, Kolkata, Delhi, UP, Shillong, and Nagaland University, as well as an Associate Lecturer from the Royal University of Bhutan, were among the invited speakers.