First-ever PG course on Northeast proposed: Dr Jitendra

Excelsior Correspondent

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh being briefed by Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia University, Prof Talat Ahmad about the first- ever Post Graduate Course with full fledged Master's Degree in Northeastern Studies, at New Delhi on Tuesday.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh being briefed by Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia University, Prof Talat Ahmad about the first- ever Post Graduate Course with full fledged Master’s Degree in Northeastern Studies, at New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI, June 2: As yet another new initiative to bring mainstream India closer to Northeast, a proposal has been put up for the first ever Post-Graduate Course in Northeastern Studies from next year and meanwhile, starting from the forthcoming semester in August 2015, Jamia Millia Islamia University New Delhi will start “Option Paper” in Northeastern Studies for students undertaking exam for Masters Degree in the University.
This was disclosed here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh after a detailed briefing by Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia University, Prof Talat Ahmad and Director, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Prof Sanjoy Hazarika.
While complimenting the Jamia Millia authorities for this initiative, Dr Jitendra Singh said, an institutionalized study and research on Northeast India will provide inputs for professionals and police makers on key issues relating to the region and thus help create a bridge between the policy making desk and the realities on the ground.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, ever since he was given the charge of Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region, he had noticed that everyone talked about bringing Northeast closer to mainstream India but hardly anyone spoke of bringing mainstream India closer to Northeast.The new initiative will, therefore, make up for this missing link in a big way, he added.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad informed that while the Optional Papers for the Northeastern Studies for Post-Graduate students will start from the current session, the University has put up a proposal for starting a full fledged Master’s Degree in Northeastern Studies from the next session. He said, the curriculum of the course will be comprehensive and cover diverse aspects of Northeast India including history, geography, heritage and current affairs.