Dear Editor,
Change is the only constant in life. This change can also be seen in the light of evolution and maturity. No state in India has seen more constitutional status changes than Arunachal Pradesh; we have come a long way from a frontier agency to a union territory to finally a full-fledged state. But it seems along the way we have lost our identity in one way or the other. The topic of Renaming of Rajiv Gandhi University is gaining low-key currency. It is indeed justified, no other central university in India is without the name of the place or state of establishment.
But is it just enough to rename the university? When are we going to recognise the contributions of our local leaders and visionaries. I am not against any party or person, but i think it’s high time that Gandhisation (not Mahatma Gandhi) of state’s landmarks need to be reassessed.
The late great Nabam Runghi’s name was not known to majority of people until his demise last year. The architect of Itanagar does not have a single monument in his name in the city he christened. We talk a lot about women empowerment, but how many of our own women have been given the same recognition. The late great Nyari welly, first women MLA of Arunchal Pradesh deserves all the accolades coming her way. She is the pioneer of women politics in the state. Mamang Dai is another such example, a Padma Shri awardee from the state and a 2017 recipient of the Sahitya academy award is an inspiration and a role model to all the aspiring writers in the state. Freedom fighters from the state such as Mamtur Jamoh and Moje Riba (Tamra Patra recipient) have gone without recognition.
I can cite many more similar examples; these are the people about whom our present and future generations ought to know. Instead of populist naming criteria, the names of all the greats from the state should be exhausted first, so that it creates buzz and curiosity among the young generation about the history and heritage of their own state and get inspired by the great people of the past and the present.
If I may dare, I contradict Shakespeare, “there is a lot in a name”.
Sincerely,
Polo