North East India Studies Program (NEISP) is new research program of Delhi University. This fully funded research program will be introduced in the 2015-16 academic year.

Though NEISP, has the approval of Department of Sociology’s council, yet it has been not placed before the varsity’s Academic Council. Once the program gets approval of Academic council, it will ready to be introduced in the coming session.

Convenor of NEISP, Kamei Aphun told to PTI “Though concerns have been raised in the past about various issues of North Eastern states, there is not enough understanding about the areas and the people, not just among laymen but also intellectuals. Also, there is lack of research. Hence, we decided to develop this program.”

As per Aphun, a five-member committee has been setup in the department to prepare a vision document to seek UGC Support.

Going a step ahead ‘Department of Sociology’ is thinking of introducing North East studies in its MA and MPhil programs.

Further Aphun elaborated “In 1970, a module called Area Study Programme was introduced by Delhi University under which North East was offered as one of the areas. However, due to some reasons it was discontinued after 7-8 years. In 2011, I placed a proposal to revive the programme. This programme will accelerate Social Science research and learning and promote studying “other culture”.

Department of Sociology is concerned with the studies of different Indian Societies.  Thus, proves helpful in holistic understanding of Indian society.

The sole purpose of the NEISP program is to connect the north eastern region with the rest of the country.

The varsity has succeeded in gathering a group of intellectuals from JMI, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Guwahati), North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), JNU, media professionals, NEC (North Eastern Council), representatives from the DONER (Development of North Eastern Region) ministry and Delhi Police who tries to solve issues of North Eastern states of India.