Silver Jubilee of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), established by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to address the neglect of Northeast India. Unfortunately, the ministry experienced a period of government neglect in the following decade. Recently, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a noteworthy 152% increase in the ministry's budget, rising from Rs 2,332 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 5,892 crore in 2023-24.
Challenges Beyond Budget Allocation
- Development is intricately linked to recognizing the identity of people, not just in the Northeast but in all border areas.
- Government efforts alone are insufficient; societal efforts are essential to combat ignorance and insensitivity faced by people from border areas.
- Recent incidents of racial abuse highlight the need for a deeper societal understanding and integration efforts.
Policy and Action for National Integration
- A comprehensive policy backed by a well-thought-out plan of action is necessary for emotional integration.
- The concept of "one people" requires shared identity and ethos, particularly for regions like the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman-Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.
Proposed Agenda for Integration
- Revise school textbooks to include lessons on border areas, covering History, Geography, Social Studies, and regional languages.
- Encourage the establishment of university departments for border area studies, similar to Latin American and African Studies.
- Make border area studies a mandatory subject for UPSC competitive examinations.
- Mandate IAS/IPS officers to serve at least two years in border regions for experiential learning.
- Implement sister-school/college linkages to foster collaboration and understanding between non-border and border area institutions.
- Celebrate national heroes and freedom fighters from border areas to promote a common national ethos.
These measures aim to foster a deeper understanding and integration of border areas, encouraging a cohesive national identity.
