By : UA Shimray/IFP
I landed national capital New Delhi for my graduation in the early 1990s. It was a big leap not only in terms of geographical relocation but also cultural as well. First year in the capital was a tough one and experienced inevitable cultural “shock.” It was also drastic change and adjustment because of diverse culture, climate, language, and fooding system of the Northern India. I eventually picked up the essential tools to survive in metropolitan-environment. Three years in Delhi University were thus spent in constant learning and the lessons learned have proved to be most useful. In fact, person like me who hails from the far-flung North Eastern region [NER] would surely have a stoic battle to regulate to such contrasting environment and socio-culture settings. Indeed, studying in metro had its benefits for a young person and also most important is staying away from parental care and learning to be more responsible one-self.
My next sojourn was Jawaharlal Nehru University [JNU]. I must admit that in JNU the academic environment was totally different from college. It was here, I really began to taste the academic flavour and socialisation. The flow of theoretical discourses, debates and academic presentations became an everyday ingredient in the campus life. Academic battle in JNU not only grasp the campus Left [and extreme Left] and Right tug-of-war politics, but also acquaint its “logical” ethics. Further, learn MNC’s intervention; contextualising the McDonald’s burger along with traditional thali.
After twelve years stint in Northern India my profession compels me to move Southern India. It is rather another significant exploration. In other words, from chapatti region to the land of Idli, rasum, Sambar and Rice.
Moving away from Home…
Within the context of globalisation, as many countries come under its influence, migration within the host country has also become an important subject. People move across the political borders because of various reasons like economic gain, education, employment and marriage. The phenomenon of migration has its impact on various social and economic aspects. Since independence of India, the NER experienced in-migration as well as immigration from the neighbouring countries. However in recent times, the trend of out-migration from the NER is becoming more visible although the magnitude of migration is rather low recording only 2.86 per cent as migrant in the region in the last population census [All Duration inter-state migration]. Today, NER scores over most other states of India in the area of human resources for its relatively high literacy rate. With the increase of literacy rates at the same time, lack of suitable avenues for pursuing either higher education or vocation/skill training in NER, there is growing tendency to migrate other region of India.
The population census of India widened the scope of enquiry on migration by collecting information on “reasons for migration from place of last residence.” Among a various reasons for migration- Education as reason for migration is comparatively low. Education as reason for migration from the NER is considerable low. However, in the decades 1991 and 2001 shows positive trend in education as reason for migration from the NER to other states of India. Among the states, Karnataka recorded highest with a proportion of 10.75 per cent in 1991 and 28.50 per cent in 2001. The percentage increased in the decade 1991-2001 was 17.75 per cent. The trend explains the state Karnataka is hosting many NER’s out-migrants for education. Here, one can establish that Karnataka state has many theological colleges and other educational institutions. On the other hand, Bangalore the capital of Karnataka, India’s fifth largest city and fastest growing city in Asia. Today, Bangalore city is flourishing particularly in Information Technology [IT] and is given nickname “India’s Silicon Valley.” Also, a hub for education and attracts students from all over India.
Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi also appear best choice destinations for education from NER states. The 2001 population census reveals that education as reason for migration from the NER states was recorded 15.17 percent in Chandigarh followed by Maharashtra [14.12 per cent], Tamil Nadu [10.66 per cent] and Delhi [6 per cent].
Empirical evidence indicates that the decades of 1990s and 2000s have been witnessing an increasing flow of students/youth from the NER in many Metropolitan cities particularly Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai. It is understood that the migration is fuelled by various factors such as rising literacy and career aspirations among the youth vis-à-vis job uncertainty and other socio-political uneasy in the region.
According to the Chandra’s report [“It’s Bangalore for N-E Students,” The Times of India, 6 June, 2007], Delhi is the destination for North-Easterner students who aiming to study basic sciences, humanities and commerce, those opting for professional courses head to Bangalore. Chandra further states that lack of job opportunities and poor educational institutions, hordes the North-Eastern students head to Delhi. Also, students heading for Bangalore favour engineering, computer applications and MBA courses. There is also a growing attraction for mass communication and fashion technology. Karnad, Raghu [2007] writes: “The ever-morphing face of the Indian metropolis has, in the five years, begun to be transformed by thousands of confident young faces from the North East. They are making a conquest of coveted jobs in retail, in call centres and back processing offices, nursing, beauty parlours and spas, fashion, high-end restaurants and the hospitality industry” [“The Successionist Movement,” The Outlook, 14 May 2007].
Remarks
Traveling North Eastern railways is interesting journey starting from the great Northern Indian plains, passing cow-belt [or BIMARU] states to the wet-evergreen hilly region. When the trains hit Baruani Station [Bihar], a train runs in reverse with slow locomotive diesel engine. The train slows down- welcome to the North Eastern region. In such a way, a pace of regional development gets slow like slow running NE trains.
Policy makers have diverse view in regards to the NER issues particularly on regional developmental, social and political issue. The “economic literature” on North East generally argues; economy and social development within the premise of “neglect” speculation. Such premise implies that to end neglect, massive developmental assistance from the central government is required. However, some contradict that failure of economic strategy for the region is not because of so-called economic neglect but because of inappropriate political framework. Others contends that the deprived of institutional and overall development infrastructure for many years, the NER states continue to remain behind many other states of India in terms of some critical economic indicators.
Despite the high development potential of the region, its human resource development has been tardy. In NER, the plight of the higher education particularly technical institutions and also vocational courses is dismay situation. The poor level of institutional development rather adversely affected social and economic development, low level of development of skills, production of large number of degree holders without any social and economic relevance, and narrow orientation of the jobs. Another serious issue is unemployment among educated youth. Indeed, the issue of unemployed educated youth is causing serious human resources crises and such situation is observed as one of the most disturbing features.
[The article is part of author’s ongoing project on “Trends and Patterns of Migration: Interface with Education: A Case of the North Eastern region,” ISEC, Bangalore]
http://ifp.co.in/ArticleFull.asp?ArticleID=191
I landed national capital New Delhi for my graduation in the early 1990s. It was a big leap not only in terms of geographical relocation but also cultural as well. First year in the capital was a tough one and experienced inevitable cultural “shock.” It was also drastic change and adjustment because of diverse culture, climate, language, and fooding system of the Northern India. I eventually picked up the essential tools to survive in metropolitan-environment. Three years in Delhi University were thus spent in constant learning and the lessons learned have proved to be most useful. In fact, person like me who hails from the far-flung North Eastern region [NER] would surely have a stoic battle to regulate to such contrasting environment and socio-culture settings. Indeed, studying in metro had its benefits for a young person and also most important is staying away from parental care and learning to be more responsible one-self.
My next sojourn was Jawaharlal Nehru University [JNU]. I must admit that in JNU the academic environment was totally different from college. It was here, I really began to taste the academic flavour and socialisation. The flow of theoretical discourses, debates and academic presentations became an everyday ingredient in the campus life. Academic battle in JNU not only grasp the campus Left [and extreme Left] and Right tug-of-war politics, but also acquaint its “logical” ethics. Further, learn MNC’s intervention; contextualising the McDonald’s burger along with traditional thali.
After twelve years stint in Northern India my profession compels me to move Southern India. It is rather another significant exploration. In other words, from chapatti region to the land of Idli, rasum, Sambar and Rice.
Moving away from Home…
Within the context of globalisation, as many countries come under its influence, migration within the host country has also become an important subject. People move across the political borders because of various reasons like economic gain, education, employment and marriage. The phenomenon of migration has its impact on various social and economic aspects. Since independence of India, the NER experienced in-migration as well as immigration from the neighbouring countries. However in recent times, the trend of out-migration from the NER is becoming more visible although the magnitude of migration is rather low recording only 2.86 per cent as migrant in the region in the last population census [All Duration inter-state migration]. Today, NER scores over most other states of India in the area of human resources for its relatively high literacy rate. With the increase of literacy rates at the same time, lack of suitable avenues for pursuing either higher education or vocation/skill training in NER, there is growing tendency to migrate other region of India.
The population census of India widened the scope of enquiry on migration by collecting information on “reasons for migration from place of last residence.” Among a various reasons for migration- Education as reason for migration is comparatively low. Education as reason for migration from the NER is considerable low. However, in the decades 1991 and 2001 shows positive trend in education as reason for migration from the NER to other states of India. Among the states, Karnataka recorded highest with a proportion of 10.75 per cent in 1991 and 28.50 per cent in 2001. The percentage increased in the decade 1991-2001 was 17.75 per cent. The trend explains the state Karnataka is hosting many NER’s out-migrants for education. Here, one can establish that Karnataka state has many theological colleges and other educational institutions. On the other hand, Bangalore the capital of Karnataka, India’s fifth largest city and fastest growing city in Asia. Today, Bangalore city is flourishing particularly in Information Technology [IT] and is given nickname “India’s Silicon Valley.” Also, a hub for education and attracts students from all over India.
Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi also appear best choice destinations for education from NER states. The 2001 population census reveals that education as reason for migration from the NER states was recorded 15.17 percent in Chandigarh followed by Maharashtra [14.12 per cent], Tamil Nadu [10.66 per cent] and Delhi [6 per cent].
Empirical evidence indicates that the decades of 1990s and 2000s have been witnessing an increasing flow of students/youth from the NER in many Metropolitan cities particularly Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai. It is understood that the migration is fuelled by various factors such as rising literacy and career aspirations among the youth vis-à-vis job uncertainty and other socio-political uneasy in the region.
According to the Chandra’s report [“It’s Bangalore for N-E Students,” The Times of India, 6 June, 2007], Delhi is the destination for North-Easterner students who aiming to study basic sciences, humanities and commerce, those opting for professional courses head to Bangalore. Chandra further states that lack of job opportunities and poor educational institutions, hordes the North-Eastern students head to Delhi. Also, students heading for Bangalore favour engineering, computer applications and MBA courses. There is also a growing attraction for mass communication and fashion technology. Karnad, Raghu [2007] writes: “The ever-morphing face of the Indian metropolis has, in the five years, begun to be transformed by thousands of confident young faces from the North East. They are making a conquest of coveted jobs in retail, in call centres and back processing offices, nursing, beauty parlours and spas, fashion, high-end restaurants and the hospitality industry” [“The Successionist Movement,” The Outlook, 14 May 2007].
Remarks
Traveling North Eastern railways is interesting journey starting from the great Northern Indian plains, passing cow-belt [or BIMARU] states to the wet-evergreen hilly region. When the trains hit Baruani Station [Bihar], a train runs in reverse with slow locomotive diesel engine. The train slows down- welcome to the North Eastern region. In such a way, a pace of regional development gets slow like slow running NE trains.
Policy makers have diverse view in regards to the NER issues particularly on regional developmental, social and political issue. The “economic literature” on North East generally argues; economy and social development within the premise of “neglect” speculation. Such premise implies that to end neglect, massive developmental assistance from the central government is required. However, some contradict that failure of economic strategy for the region is not because of so-called economic neglect but because of inappropriate political framework. Others contends that the deprived of institutional and overall development infrastructure for many years, the NER states continue to remain behind many other states of India in terms of some critical economic indicators.
Despite the high development potential of the region, its human resource development has been tardy. In NER, the plight of the higher education particularly technical institutions and also vocational courses is dismay situation. The poor level of institutional development rather adversely affected social and economic development, low level of development of skills, production of large number of degree holders without any social and economic relevance, and narrow orientation of the jobs. Another serious issue is unemployment among educated youth. Indeed, the issue of unemployed educated youth is causing serious human resources crises and such situation is observed as one of the most disturbing features.
[The article is part of author’s ongoing project on “Trends and Patterns of Migration: Interface with Education: A Case of the North Eastern region,” ISEC, Bangalore]
http://ifp.co.in/ArticleFull.asp?ArticleID=191
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