Nepalese in North East India and their existence in present scenario

The state of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh are commonly known as North-East. Here is a very out line about the present scenario of Nepali community residing in different states on this region on the basis of different periodical sources.

There are thirty lakhs of Nepali community spreading over the area of 78,123 sq. km. including of all the district of Assam. Assamese language being the main language, they are well versed in it. Due to influence of this language, some of the Nepali writers even write in this language. They are very much close to Assamese culture. They became the part of mainstream. Nepali writers such as Hari Prasad Gorkha, Padam Dhakal, Laxmi Prasad Parajuli, Vishnulal Upadhyaya, Gita Upadhyaya, Agni Bahadur Chhetri, Sherman Thapa and Rudraman Thapa have remarkable contribution in Assamese Language and literature. Assamese language is the main medium in educational institutions but Nepali language is also taught as a major Indian language. In Gawahati and Digboi, many Jr. basic School and Jr. high School are Nepali medium where all the teachers are Nepali. Agriculture and cattle rearing are the main occupation bur there are more Nepalese in educational field, industries and administration in Assam than other states.

As a major Indian language, Nepali language is included by Assam State Secondary Board, Assam Higher Secondary Council and Gawahati University in their HSCL, higher secondary and graduation level respectively, in some jr. basic and higher secondary schools and colleges, Nepali teachers and lecturers are also appointed. In these institutions, Nepali language and literature are taught, No Nepali teachers are appointed in Madhyamik level school so far.

Besides building temples, Nepalese established many social and cultural organisations such as Assam Gorkha Sammelna, Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha, Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Assam Nepali Chhaatra Sangh and so on.

Numerous Nepali books, magazines and journals are published from landing, Nikari, shingri, Tezpur, Digboi, Gawahati, Udalguri, Hawaipur and Dbrugor. Nepali weekly Desh warta from Tezpur and monthly Hamro Dhwani from Gawahati are regularly published. Bhanu Jayanti, Devkota Jayanti, Teez Sammelan and Dashain Sammelan are being celebrate as a national festival in Assam.

Due to easy geographical accessibility and modern transportation point of view, renowned figures, scholars, writers and teachers face no any difficulties to keep in touch with the people of other states; hence Assam is situated as a centre point for Nepali community of North- East India. With an area of 22,489 sq. km. Meghalaya has five districts. In this state there are approximately 2 lakhs Nepali population spreading in all districts though east Khasi Hills and Hayantia Hills are Nepali belts. Agriculture and cattle rearing are the main occupation though there is large number of Nepali Employees in government office of Shillong and Tura. A large number of retired persons are living in Shillong. To join the Indian army still remains one of the dreams among the youth. Nepalese of Shillong and Tura generally inclined towards business.

Majority of Nepalese are Hindus though some Christians are also there. In Meghalaya, there are around 70 jr. basic schools and 15 jr. high schools in Nepali medium. Meghalaya Board of School Education and North- East Hill University included Nepali Language in their curriculum. It is taught in many high schools and colleges as well. It has a special place as a major Indian Language in graduation. For the welfare of Nepali students, all Shillong Gorkha Students Union is there. Being a large number of educated Nepalese in Shillong, many literary organisations are established, one of such organisation Nepali Sahitya Parished, is active since 1971. It has been publishing Madal a tri-monthly magazine since then. Besides this, it has been busy organizing periodical literary functions also. Nepali Sahitya Srijan Samiti started to publish Suman a tri-monthly magazine. Different Nepali journals, books and magazines are printed at Suman Press in Shillong and this is the same place from where late Mani singh Gurung published first Nepali Weekly Gorkha Sewak which is a milestone of Nepali journals in India.

If we analyse about the Nepali organisations and their activities in Meghalaya, their involvement in social and cultural activities, their role in educational, political, army and administrative field, we will see their outstanding contribution in North –East.

Compiled by : -

Suraj Pradhan.

Hs. 2nd year

K.C. Das Commerce College.