NEW DELHI, Sept 18 � Lamenting lack of study material regarding the role of the North-East in the freedom struggle, the Centre has been requested to include contributions of the region�s freedom fighters in school curricula across the country.
A panel discussion, �Role of India�s North-East in the Freedom Movement,� organised by the North East Media Forum Delhi on Tuesday, threw up little known stories about heroes from the region in the movement against the British. It also exposed a need for the comprehensive inclusion in the Indian education system at school level, of struggles by the freedom fighters of the region.
The speakers included Special Correspondent of The Indian Express Samudragupta Kashyap, Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya and Defence Editor with NDTV 24X7 Nitin Gokhale. During the discussions, the moderator and president of the Press Club of India Anand Sahay, pointed out that while there was knowledge stored in the states� archives, it needed to be brought about into the education system.
�We have communication on this within the North East MPs Forum also,� Dr Meinya said. He pointed out the contributions of Manipur heroes Jadunong and Rani Gaindinliu not only to the freedom movement, but also to their Zeliangrong tribal group.
Kashyap spoke on the contributions of the men and women in Assam to the freedom struggle. He mentioned 14-year-old Kanaklata and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi in this context. He told stories about freedom fighters within the Congress movement and of tribal leaders, whether they hailed from the Mishmi hills in Arunachal Pradesh or a village chief from Changki who came dressed in a dhoti to attend the Congress session in Guwahati, that was attended by Gandhiji.