NEW DELHI, Oct 26 � The fourth edition of Young Leaders Connect with the theme �A strong North East is India�s Asset� was held in India Habitat Centre in the national Capital here recently in the presence of many eminent achievers from the eight Northeastern States, a Press release said.
The Young Leaders Connect is coming together of youth leaders to exchange ideas for better development and growth of the region. In a bid to draw the country�s attention to the NE region that is potentially of strategic importance in its developmental plans the conclave which is NE- based is moved to New Delhi. The forum was as much an interactive session. With public from different walks of life asking range of questions like the continued racial crimes in the metro cities of India and how mainland Indians can relate to the lesser known region.
The fourth edition of YLC saw attendance of young leaders and achievers from different fields including business, social work, politics, media, culture and academics, sports, etc., from across the country.
The day-long programme which was attended by academics, professionals, students, corporates and spread over five sessions on different topics, ranging from discussions on Misunderstood North East (Information vs knowledge), Diversity of the North East and re-branding the image of the NE region, to deliberating on a new economic and developmental road map.
Minister of State for Home KirenRijiju was present in the second session which was chaired by Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia.
Rijiju apprised that the event is important because achievers from different fields come together to share ideas and this will connect Northeastern States even more. He also stressed on the importance of connecting Northeastern region to fight for the cause, understand the issue and solve the problem together. He also mentioned �We all talk about the potential about the North East but only potential will not take us anywhere, we have to look beyond organisations, communities and identities and work together as one North East to succeed. �Let us come to India as strong and add value not as a weak minority�, he asserted.
The event also saw Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi visiting the forum to show solidarity and assure the NE people of his support to curb the continued racial crime in the Capital.
Speakers for the conclave included Baichung Bhutia, Robin Hibu, Joint Commissioner of Police in charge of special police unit for North East, Delhi Police; Gaurav Gogoi, MP, Dr Alana Golmei, Founder, North East Support Centre and Helpline, Conrad Sangma, former Meghalaya Finance, Power and IT Minister, Sudeep Chakravarti, writer, Abhishek Singh, IAS, Hekani Jakhalu, director, YouthNet, Geetanjali Thapa, National Film Awardee 2013.
Other participants from the North East included Jarpum Gamlin, CEO, Eastern Sentinel, Bhairavi Jani, director, SCA group, Binalakshmi Nepram, founder, Women Gun Survivors Network, Mnhonlumo Kikon, Nagaland MLA, Mercy Epao, director DoNER, Sushmita Dev, MP, Abu Metha, founder Editor, Eastern Mirror, Bjorn Deneise, Director, Mayfair hotels,Tanushree Hararika, Managing Editor, Eclectic Group, Karma Paljor, Business Editor CNN-IBN, Hasina Karbhih, MD, Impulse NGO and Pradyot Deb Barman, editor-in-chief, North-East Today.
One of the participants, Toko Mina said participating in such forum builds the strength of the NE community. She believes that such a forum can inspire NE youths to strengthen their leadership skills.
An initiative of YouthNet, a non-profit organisation based in Nagaland, the conclave is an inititive to work and build the North East.
