Nation not defined by its capital, but by its boundaries: Rijiju

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla graced the event `India for North East People Unity in Diversity` at the Constitution Club here.

Hosted by Helping Hands, a pan-northeast India NGO working for the people in distress, the event aimed to raise awareness towards the northeast people of India in a larger spectrum.

Rijiju said, "We live in a huge and diversified country. India is a multi-lingual, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic nation. It is a very colorful nation and the people from the northeast add to the beauty of this nation. We must send this message back home that doesn`t feel far away from Delhi. The distance of the nation is not measured by its capital. The nation is not defined by its capital, but by its boundaries."

He added, "There is nothing called mainstream in a nation. Every society, every part of this nation has equal responsibility and equal rights within the nation. Wherever I live, wherever I stand, whatever I practice or speak, my customs, my identity is the mainstream of India.

“Every state, every culture is the mainstream culture and is the mainstream state of this nation. Nobody needs to think that I am more Indian than you."

Members of Parliament from the northeastern states such as Mary Kom, Conrad Sangma, Ronald L and Dr. T. Meinya, chief executives of corporates like Indigo Airlines, Vistara Airlines, Aakash Institute, Alternative Learning Systems (ALS), Elite IAS, SARC and Associates, BKT Academy and Films Pvt. Ltd., Chief Medical Officer, Blood Bank, AIIMS, New Delhi, and bureaucrats were also present at the event.

"When you do something good for your people, those who are helpless and in distress, I think it comes automatically, something called emotional integration.

“Because, when you go out from your home, from the northeast, you feel somewhere or the other that you need company or need to adjust to a new environment.

“So that problem, sometimes results in unfortunate incidents. Secondly, we have to organise ourselves as to how to help ourselves when we are in need. And this Helping hands is now paying purely on youth empowerment like coaching, emergencies, burying ae dead body and giving blood etc", said Joint Commissioner of Police Robin Hibu (IPS), Founding Member, Helping Hands.

The event also saw the launching of three books `North East-The Land of Rising Opportunities`, `Make in India`, and `Window to success-An insight into MSME sector`, authored by Sunil Kumar Gupta.

Apart from showcasing the rich culture and traditions of the North East region through cultural dance troupes from the region, the glittering event also brought the launch of one of Bollywood movie `Kasak` based on the Northeast and its people, directed by Sidhant Saheb, Chairman, BKT Academy & Films Pvt. Ltd.

Helping Hands took an initiative of appreciations and thanksgiving to the corporates and to those inspiring souls who have had reached out to the northeast people during their distress and in times of needs.

Moreover, the event also witnessed several announcements of scholarships by eminent Author Sunil Kumar Gupta, BKT, Greater College of Commerce for Women and SARC Associates in various streams for North East students selected by Helping Hands.