KOHIMA, Jan 20 - Nagaland Governor and the Centre�s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi on Monday said that colonialism has politically fragmented the North East and divided the region.
Ravi, while inaugurating the North East Dr T Ao Football Tournament here, stressed the need for unity among people of the region. �For centuries, the North East has been the home of people of various cultures, languages and ethnicities who lived together as one family in peaceful co-existence and harmony until the seeds of the colonial British regime fragmented the region politically,� said Ravi, who also holds additional charge of Meghalaya.
He paid tributes to the people who conceptualised the tournament for bringing the region together through a sports competition.
Governor Ravi described Dr T Ao as a legendary sportsperson and a brilliant doctor. Dr Ao was the first captain of the Indian Olympic team in 1948 and had won the hearts of the people, Ravi said. He said the North East has produced a lot of sportspersons who have brought laurels to the country.
Nagaland defeated Arunachal Pradesh 4-1 in the inaugural match of the tournament that will conclude on January 28. � PTI
