It’s a pity that even after seven decades of Independence, mainland India is largely unaware about the huge potential of the Northeastern region in various fields. So, it continues to neglect the region, not taking into account its ability to contribute heavily towards nation building. The region is rich in natural assets and there is no dearth of human resource with literacy rates well above the national average. Moreover, the region lies in close proximity to South-East Asian nations, which for ages have had a close trade link with India. With all the aforementioned advantages, the region needs proper planning and adequate aid from the mainland to maximise its potential, which could not only be a game changer for the people living in the region, but also for the entire country. So far, we have not been able to grasp the opportunity. But now the post-Covid-19 situation has provided us with an opportunity to amend the mistakes made earlier.
In this connection, the clarion call given by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for making Northeast India a tourism hub should be taken with all sincerity and work should start at the right earnest without delay. India occupies an important place in the world tourism map. Thus it earns valuable foreign exchange from tourism. In the year 2018, the country earned US $ 28 million from international tourists. But despite having exotic array of wildlife and fauna, robust seasonal festivals, indigenous tribal culture and customs, places for adventure tourism like mountains, caves, lakes, trekking routes, etc. Northeast is strangely missing from India’s tourism map. The region attracts limited tourists both domestic and international due to lack of publicity and infrastructure. Rio while addressing ‘Destination Northeast 2020’ programme, has suggested a unique way to tackle these two menaces that are proving to be a hindrance for the growth of tourism in the region. The idea of treating the Northeastern states as a single entity will be of immense help to develop proper infrastructure for tourism in the region as proper coordination among the states will erase any chances of lop-sided growth in infrastructure. Moreover, Rio has advocated for creating various tourist circuits in the region. Both suggestions, if implemented properly can bring a sea of change in the tourism sector of Northeast India. While the first one will help states to get rid of resource crunch, the second one will be able to satisfy the preferences of tourists by offering them multiple choices. In this regard, the North East Council (NEC) and DoNER ministry will have to play a crucial role as these are the bodies empowered to ensure speedy economic development of the region as a whole. According to many renowned economists, the best way to fight Covid-19 infected economic recession is to increase government’s spending on development. So far, the Northeast is yet to get its due share of development grants. Now is the opportune moment to amend the mistakes made during the last seven decades.