India: Community Dialogue for Better Understanding Issues Facing Citizens from North East India (New Delhi, 12 May 2014)

Community Dialogue for Better Understanding Issues Facing Citizens from North East India

Time & Venue: 5.00pm – 7.00pm 12th May 2014, MCD Park, Humayunpur, Near NCC Gate1 Safdarjang Enclave-110029

Warm Greetings from Northeast India Forum Against Racism (NEIFAR) and Aman Biradari

On Monday, 12 May 2014, the North East India Forum Against Racism (NEIFAR) in collaboration with Aman Biradari ( a people's campaign for a secular, peaceful, just and humane world) will be organizing a COMMUNITY DIALOGUE FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING the challenges and issues faced by people of Northeast India residing in and around nearby villages of Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi. In the build up to the 16th Lok Sabha elections, this event will bring both local residents and individuals from Northeast India together to have a healthy discussion about diverse issues confronting the people of Northeast India living in Delhi.

Today, 4-5 lakhs people from Northeast India live in Delhi and face several issues of discrimination and violence as a result of lack of awareness among the citizens of other parts of India, especially, about the region of Northeast India and its culture. They left their home for better livelihood and education but they have to face serious cases of discrimination. The continued sexual assaults and heinous crimes against the women of Northeast India increases at an alarming rate. Metropolitan Indian cities have a tendency to be notorious regarding women’s safety in general but the recent spike in such untoward incidents indicate that sexual predators find the “different” looking (Mongoloid facial features) women as an ‘easier prey’.

The fruits of modern infrastructure & economic development have largely bypassed the Northeast region. Leaders in New Delhi should handle the issues pertaining to the region with more sensitivity and maturity. Rather than compounding the problem by their myopic view of the region via a security lens only. It's a shame that for many decades India's government, politicians, and rest of the country still continue to ignore the Northeast states. It has mostly been a case of out-of-sight and out-of-mind as far as the government is concern.

North East India Forum Against Racism (NEIFAR) was brought into inception on the 28 February 2014. The forum was brought into existence after the condemnable racist attack on Nido Tania that led to his death due to the injuries he succumbed to; the attack shook the nation and galvanized different people from all walks of life to protest this barbaric crime. This also prompted the NEIFAR coalition consisting of students, lawyers, teachers and social activists who came together to address, on a sustained basis, the problem of racism against the people of North-east India. We believe that raising awareness is the key to identifying and pursuing the solutions to the above issues.

We look forward to your positive cooperation.

For more information, kindly contact:

Krishna Dubey- 9654012549

Anubhav- 9891121333

NEIFAR & Aman Biradari,
105/6-A, Adhchini,Aurobindo Marg,
Opposite Cafe Coffee Day,
New Delhi - 110017

011- 26535961/62