Read the passage and answer the questions below :
One of Hazarika’s songs ....... dwells on the unity theme; the seven states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same mother .... ‘Meghalaya went own way ...... Arunachal too separated and Mizoram appeared in Assam’s gateway as a groom to marry another daughter,’ ......... The song ends with a determination to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities that are left in the present-day Assam– ‘the Karbis and the Missing brothers and sisters are our dear ones.’ —Sanjib Baruah

(a) Which unity is the poet talking about ?

(b) Why were the States of North-East created separately out of the erstwhile State of Assam ?

(c) Do you think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India ? Why ?

Solution

(a)The government of India carved Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh out of Assam. But this was not the end of autonomy demands. The communities like the Bodos, Karbis and Dimasas wanted separate states. The poet is talking about unity of these communities with the Assamese. In other words, the poet does not favour further division of Assam or creation of more States out of Assam.

(b) The States of North-East were created out of the erstwhile state of Assam due to demands for political autonomy which arose because the Assam government tried to impose Assamese language on them.

Some More Questions From Regional Aspirations Chapter

What are the various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir ? Which of these do you think are justifiable ? Give reasons for your answer.

The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. Explain.

All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. Explain by giving examples from this chapter.

Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity with diversity. Do you agree ? Give reasons.