Mangaluru: Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya explained the importance of North Eastern States to the growth and development of the country, while addressing a gathering at the North East Studies Centre (NESC), Department of Geopolitics and International Relations of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), here on Thursday last.

According to a press release issued by the MAHE here, speaking about the rich cultural heritage of the people of the North East region and the talent of its people, Mr. Acharya said that a strong and powerful India should see the empowerment of every State and in this context, the prosperity of the eight States of the region was inevitable.

He urged the students from the North East studying in different parts of country and the world, to go back to their home States and contribute to the development of their States, where their services were most needed.

He spoke on how the understanding of the cultural dimension could help bridge the difference and how language bonded the people and helped in the national integration process.

He highlighted the resilience and uniqueness of India’s unity in diversity.

“The existence of alienation among the people of the North East can only be changed when they are completely integrated with the rest of the country,” he added.

The Governor stressed on how the future of North East, its people and their emotional integration with the rest of the country was intimately tied to the destiny of India as a great nation.

He, along with H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, released, “The North East Diary – A Newsletter on North East Affairs and A Panoramic View of the North East Region”, a booklet on the eight Sister States of the North East region.

H. Vinod Bhat, Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, spoke on the occasion. Arvind Kumar, Head of the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, MAHE, welcomed the gathering.

Monish Tourangbam, Coordinator of NESC, MAHE, gave an overview of the NESC. Pragna Rao, Dean of Kasturba Medical College, proposed a vote of thanks.