I’d like to start by saying that North-east India is the most beautiful part of India, accounting for nearly half of the country’s beauty. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, and Meghalaya are among its eight states. We have seven sisters and one brother among the eight states. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram are among the seven sisters. And Sikkim is regarded as the seven sisters’ brother. Guwahati, Assam’s capital, is known as the “Gateway to Northeast India.”
The beauty of northeast India can enchant anyone. From Nagaland’s Dzukou Valley to Arunachal Pradesh’s Sela Pass, from Manipur’s Loktak Lake to Assam’s largest river island Majuli, the North-East captivates many. But, regardless, why is our northeast treated so differently? Why do so many people have misconceptions about the northeast? Why am I constantly asked if I eat Momos all day?
Northeasterners face the most discrimination on Indian soil. People from the Northeast have endured a great deal, from being called ‘Chinki’ and ‘Momo’ to being labelled as anti-national. Let us examine some of the misconceptions that exist in mainland India about the people of Northeast India.
The people of the northeastern all speak the same language:
REALITY- Surprisingly, the northeastern region is teeming with people speaking a variety of languages, none of which are related to Chinese. In the state of Assam alone, people speak more than 100 languages, in addition to the three most common languages, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali. Each tribal community has its own language that is distinct from the others. So, don’t believe the myth that people in the northeast speak the same language.
The people of the northeast are not Hindus:
REALITY- Surprisingly, around 55 percent of the population is Hindu, and they celebrate all Hindu festivals with great pomp and energy, just like any other mainland state. Only 17% of people in the northeast are Christians.
People in the northeast eat snakes, bats, and dogs:
REALITY: Following the pandemic, northeastern people faced discrimination based on the misconception that northeastern people eat the same foods as Chinese people. They were given names like “coronavirus” and “bat-eaters” because the Northeast is the primary source of coronavirus in India. However, to your surprise, more than 90% of people in the northeast have no connection with snakes, bats, dogs, and so on, and the northeast was not affected by coronavirus until May-June. Snakes and bats are never sold alive in the Northeast. I eat the same food as the other mainstream Indians because I am from the northeast.
Momo is a dish from north-eastern India:
REALITY: Momos are only found in the Northeast and other hilly areas of India. Momo originated in Tibet and Nepal. The Northeasterners had nothing to do with the creation of momos.
North-Eastern People Are Nepalese/Chinese:
REALITY: The term ‘Chinki’ refers to the small twinkling Mongoloid eyes of North-East Indians. No, they have no ties to the neighbouring countries. Their small eyes are simply a result of their geographical location. The people who live in the other half of North-East India, on the UP/Bihar border, have completely normal appearances.