Northeast Students Find Helping Hands in Campus

By Tenzin Nyima

New Delhi, Jun 11 : Ngamgoulem Kipgen, a DU applicant from Manipur, feels lost in Delhi. The 19-year-old has applied for a the Geography (Honours) course but is finding it difficult to adjust in a new place.

"I come from a small town in Manipur and this sudden exposure in an unfamiliar city is tough to handle," she said.

But students like Kipgen have help at hand as many of them from Northeastern states such as Manipur and Nagaland have formed organizations to help students during the admission process.

The Nagaland Student Union, Delhi  (NSUD), which is among the largest organizations in Delhi for Northeastern  students, comprises more than 14,000  members. It helps students fill application forms and also helps them fight discrimination and is functional throughout the year.

Students from the Northeastern states often complain of discrimination and abuse. "I have many friends who were refused accommodations in PGs as they hail from the Northeast.

Landlords often pass snide remarks on the character of girls," said Chupalemba Chang (22), a DU graduate.

"Last year, 39 cases of abuse, molestation and rape of people belonging to Northeastern states were recorded. The number keeps increasing each year," said Madhu Chandra, spokesperson, Northeastern Support Centre and Helpline.

Besides these, there are other groups such as the Kuki Student Organisation with 700 members in Delhi that also supports students financially.