18 February 2017, Imphal : The inaugural of One-Day Regional Seminar on ‘North-East India and South-East Asia: Historical and Cultural Relations’ organised jointly by Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP), Manipur University (MU) and Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) Studies Centre, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Shillong was held today at the venue of Court Hall, Manipur University starting from 10 onwards. Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, Prof. Adya Prasad Pande graced the function as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries in the dais are – Prof. N. Lokendra, Dean of School of Social Science, Manipur University; Prof. E. Bijoykumar, Director of CSSEIP, MU, Prof. V. Suryanarayan, Former Director of Centre for South East Asian Studies, Madras University; and Dr. CJ Thomas, Director of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) North-Eastern Region (NER). Dr. Th. Bharat, Senior Faculty of CSSEIP gave the Welcome Address and the theme of the seminar was introduced by Dr. CJ Thomas. It was held with the objective to explore and draw upon the cultural, sociological, anthropological, historical, economical linkages and connections between North-East India and South East Asia. With India’s Northeast being positioned as the gate-way to South-East Asia, it could not be more pertinent to research, engage and explore the different facets of shared linkages that the North-East of India shares with the South East Asian countries, Dr. CJ Thomas stated. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. V. Suryanarayan. Prof. Suryanarayan stated, the academic exercises so far have not been able to explore enough the cultural linkages of India with the South East Asian countries. Prof. Arya Pande while expressing his views that Northeast being in the doorstep of Southeast Asia, this seminar can be an eye opener for establishing fruitful and cordial relations in varied multiple fields with the South East Asian countries. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Thathang Vaiphei (Asst. Prof., CSSEIP, MU). The seminar will altogether have two academic sessions. The Chairperson and the panellists are respectively Amar Yumnam of Economics Dept., Manipur University and Dr. Arambam Lokendra (Former Director of Educational Multi-Media Research Centre (EMMRC), MU); Prof. N. Lokendra; Prof. Ch. Priyoranjan (Economics Dept., MU); and Dr. L. Rajen Singh (Pol. Sc Dept., MU).
The Second Technical Session will be chaired by Prof. V. Suryanarayan and the panellists are Prof TT Haokip (Pol. Sc Dept., NorthEastern Hill University); Prof. W. Nabakumar (Director, Centre for South East Asian Studies, MU), Prof. MC Arun (Director, Centre for Manipur Studies, MU), and Ms. Konthoujam Sarda Devi (ASC, Shillong). Both the Technical Session will be followed by Discussion and the Seminar will wind up with a Concluding Remarks by Dr. CJ Thomas.
