“Momo” and “Chinese” are fine when we’re talking about food. But when we use them for people, they stop being cuisines and start becoming insults. What we casually pass off as a joke usually carries years of quiet racism, shrinking someone’s identity into a stereotype. This is something the Northeast has lived with for decades.
They’ve been made to feel different for how they look, speak, or eat, labelled as outsiders in their own country. They’ve felt separated from India for years, yet somehow, they show us, in many ways, they are better.
The Beauty Of Northeastern States
Every day, India witnesses hundreds of accidents on roads owing to poor traffic and roadside congestion. There are sights of garbage in every nook and corner of the country, and walls are often painted with spit stains and urination.
This is the story of every state in India, except its Northeast. The part of India that people have been marginalising for years. This difference doesn’t come from magic. It comes from small, everyday habits that most of us don’t think twice about.
Aizawl, for instance, is referred to as India’s “Silent City,” and rightly so; it is known for its commendable traffic discipline. This city, unlike cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, doesn’t witness honking or long hours of traffic.
It is believed that honking and creating commotion are unnecessary and are regarded as uncivilised. The city takes traffic regulations very seriously, which makes the country’s Silent City stand out.
This culture of taking responsibility is a habit that extends beyond just traffic. Clean streets in the Northeast are a common sight. Across towns of Meghalaya and Mizoram, this mindset comes to the forefront.
Mawlynnong in Meghalaya is considered the cleanest village in Asia, and there is absolutely no doubt about it. Also known as “God’s Own Garden,” the village has no litter on the roads, and the residents responsibly come forward to maintain the lush green environment of the village.
The village maintains a ‘no-smoking zone,’ and children, as well as adults, abide by the regulation to maintain the beauty of this village. Littering, spitting on the walls, damaging public property, or creating unnecessary disorder are not tolerated, and those who commit them are called out and shamed.
Read More: Does Gen Z Not Know What Civic Sense Means?
Another example that pulls the Northeast apart from the rest of India is the Hornbill Festival, celebrated in Nagaland. This festival is one of the most important cultural celebrations prevalent in the Northeast. However, this festival also sets a landmark of responsibility and sustainability across the nation.
The Hornbill Festival follows a no-waste rule in its celebration. People are mindful of the waste they create and how they dispose of it. The festival bans plastic products, and dry and wet waste are segregated and sent for recycling and proper disposal.
This step isn’t just a viral trend or a result of strict monitoring; it is a part of the daily habit of the people who believe in taking accountability for the land they reside on.
Similar is the case of Silluk in Arunachal Pradesh. This place in Arunachal Pradesh is known for its zero-waste locality and cleanliness. The village has also been featured in the NCERT textbooks as a way to appreciate the initiatives of the residents and set an example for students across the entire country.
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, also congratulated the people in a tweet. She said, “Silluk in East Siang district is now a national model for zero-waste living and grassroots cleanliness. From scattered waste to spotless streets and green lanes, the people of Silluk have shown what true community spirit looks like. Now, students across India will learn from Silluk’s journey. A powerful message: change begins at home.”
The Takeaway
The Northeast sets an example not just for its own people, but for the entire India. The region that is often stereotyped and excluded actually represents the country in reality. While the rest of the nation argues about what India should be like, the Northeast has already shown the world what India can be.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Times of India, The Better India, The Assam Tribune
Find the blogger: @shubhangichoudhary_29
This post is tagged under: Northeast India, civic sense in India, racism in India, cleanliness in India, sustainable living India, Mawlynnong, Aizawl, Hornbill Festival, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, zero waste villages, Indian society, social issues in India, Northeast culture
Disclaimer: We do not own any rights or copyrights to the images used; these images have been sourced from Google. If you require credits or wish to request removal, please contact us via email.
Other Recommendation:
Indians’ Paan Stains And Poor Civic Sense Doesn’t Spare Britain Roads Too
