Introduction to Northeast India and the myths!

As originally appeared on my blog http://diaryofatravelcoholic.blogspot.in/

The seven Northeastern states has always been seen as a mysterious region to most of the so called"Mainland Indians".There seems to be a certain notion and mindset about Northeast that these are jungle states, insurgency is rampant and the locals eat about anything and everything. I hereby refrain from using the term Mainland India because there is no such thing, ; its an absolute absurd term which I had never heard off untill recently.India is one country with 28 diverse and vibrant states 

Though my genes are from Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi to be precise, I was born and brought up in Arunachal Pradesh also known as Land of Rising Sun!

 I have often heard these questions,

1.You are from Northeast India, You don't look like them, why?

2. How do you live there amongst all chinkis?

3. Do you also eat their bizarre food, how does a vegetarian live there?

4.Do you need passport to visit Northeast? one of the most bizarre questions I have come across till date).

5. Do they know how to read and write? How do they conduct themselves?

6. Is it a safe place to visit for a vacation or actually live there?

7. Is it all jungle in Northeast? Do you see lions and tigers everyday?

8. How do you interact with the locals? Do they speak Hindi or English? Do they also speak Chinese?

9. Don't these people hate you as you are outsiders or from "Mainland India"?

Its high time for us to demystify these myths and let the world know what northeast India is all about and more.

1.You are from Northeast India, You don't look like them, why?

Northeast India has a huge settlement of people from all over the country let it be a kashmiri or a punjabi or a Tamilian. everyone believes in peace and harmony and respect the individuality of each and every Individual. It is home of 100's of diverse tribe and cultures and has huge settlement of Marwaris, Gujratis and other communities.

                                                              Apatani woman.

2.  How do you live there amongst all chinkis?

Well, Chinki is a derogatory and racist remark against locals from these regions. Its banned by Indian law and next time you call someone chinki, it might land you behind bars for 5 years! The way you and me have a certain distinctive feature, they have there's. If one can accept a punjabi or a gujrati for the way they are, why is it so difficult to accept a naga or mizo for their mongolian feature? it's their genes and nothing else.

Next time, watch your tongue.

3. Do you also eat their bizarre food, how does a vegetarian live there?

How do you feel when you go to thailand for a vacation?! You see all the exotic food in the market, click pictures, put on facebook and come back. You don't eat them right? You eat whatever you are comfortable eating. same thing for Northeast. This is one of the biggest myths about NE that you only get all reptiles, insects and mammals to eat here. It is true that Dog meat is a traditional delicacy in Nagaland and is served during festivals and family functions. But nobody will dump dog meat in your plate just like that. The tourism industry and the hotels out there are well versed with the needs and demands of travelers from outside the state and will not serve you food cooked in dog fat oil. This is absolute rubbish.

Instead of worrying about the availability of vegetarian food and stocking your suitcase with heaps and piles of fruits and juices, try out these traditional  and wholesome vegetarian Assamese meal.

Or any of these. only if you want to!Vegetarian food is available everywhere in abundance.Period.

http://www.storypick.com/17-mouthwatering-dishes-will-tempt-visit-northeast-india/

                                                       Traditional Assamese delicacies.

4.Do you need passport to visit Northeast? (one of the most bizarre questions I have come across till date).

No, you don't need passport to visit NE though few of the states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland would ask you to have innerline passes to visit them. One can get these passes issued at a very affordable cost in New Delhi, Guwahati and many other places.

For more info, please visit this link:

http://arunachalipr.gov.in/ILPEntry.htm

http://mdoner.gov.in/content/inner-line-permit.

      

                                                              Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

5.  Do they know how to read and write? How do they conduct themselves?

Contrary to the popular belief, these states have much higher literacy rate with Tripura being the state with the highest literacy rate of 94.65%,  beating Kerala at  second position( 93.91%) and Mizoram at 3rd position with 91.58 % according to the latest census report released by Government of India. You will not have problem interacting with people out there.

   

6.Is it Northeast safe for tourist specially women?

As per National crime records bureau report of 2012, Nagaland and Sikkim are the safest hub for women as they have the lowest crime rate against women. Also contributing to the fact that states like Meghalaya follow a matrilineal form of society where women is the head of the family and is treated with immense respect. It is absolutely safe for solo women travelers like me.

7.Is it all jungle in Northeast? Do you see lions and tigers everyday?

The region has natural flora and fauna in abundance with special emphasis given on protecting wildlife and  endangered species by the government. That doesn't mean that the  tribal people will abduct any visiting outsider and chop them as shown in our movies. Also you don't get a chance to enjoy morning walk with lions and tigers as you might have heard off! They are busy sleeping deep inside the jungles and won't bother to say Hi-Hello to you!

8.  How do you interact with the locals? Do they speak Hindi or English? Do they also speak Chinese?

One can easily interact with the locals in either Hindi or English and language is definitely not a problem.

Like everyone else they also have their own dialects as mother tongue. Assamese is the state language of Assam with its own manuscript, Arunachal Pradesh have close to 17 dialects (approx) and likewise.

 And one more thing, Chinese is not spoken anywhere in NE!

 9. Don't these people hate outsiders or people from "Mainland India"?

Being someone born and brought up in NE, I often wonder who coined this stupid term "Mainland India". NE is very much part India and will always be. It is disheartening to see the recent racial attacks on people from the region. Whatever said and done, they don't hate you! for sure.

Put all your doubts to rest and visit Northeast to experience the heartwarming hospitality and explore a paradise never seen before!

Be ready to be blown away!

Ciao.