Why the Northeast Deserves More Attention in National Media

India is a country known for its diversity — in language, culture, landscape, and people. Yet, this diversity often doesn’t find equal space in the national conversation. One such example is the Northeast region of India, which includes states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Despite being a vibrant and integral part of the nation, the Northeast is frequently underrepresented in national media, especially during times of crisis.

As someone from Assam or someone who has explored this beautiful state, one cannot help but notice the silence around Northeast issues in mainstream coverage. Whether it’s floods in Assam, socio-political developments, or cultural celebrations — national attention is often missing. This neglect raises serious questions about inclusivity, representation, and national unity.

The Invisible Crises: Floods in Assam

Every year, Assam faces devastating floods, affecting millions of people. Homes are destroyed, lives are lost, and entire villages are submerged. Despite the scale of the disaster, these events rarely make it to the front pages of major newspapers or the primetime slots of national news channels.

Compare this to similar disasters in other parts of India — when it rains heavily in Mumbai or Chennai, it dominates national headlines. But when Assam is underwater for weeks, it often ends up as a small footnote — if mentioned at all.

This lack of visibility has real consequences. Disaster relief, donations, and even public empathy depend greatly on media coverage. When a region’s suffering is ignored, so is the urgency to act.

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We Are Also India: Our Contributions Matter

The narrative of the Northeast being “distant” or “separate” is not just unfair — it’s untrue. The Northeast contributes significantly to India’s economy, culture, biodiversity, and strategic strength.

• Tea from Assam, for example, is globally famous and a major export product.
• The region is rich in oil and natural gas, especially in Assam and Tripura.
• Border security in the Northeast is critical, with several states sharing international boundaries.
• In sports, culture, and education, the Northeast consistently produces talented individuals who shine nationally and globally.

Despite all this, the representation of the Northeast in Indian media is minimal. This gap creates a disconnect between the people of the Northeast and the rest of India, reinforcing a harmful “mainland vs. periphery” mindset.

The Ongoing Neglect: More Than Just Distance

Despite being an integral part of India, the Northeast often finds itself excluded from mainstream narratives. Many argue that geographical distance causes this neglect, but in today’s digital world, physical distance should no longer be a barrier. The real reasons run deeper — socio-political marginalization, lack of understanding, and economic disregard.Even when Northeast India makes headlines, it is often during crises — natural disasters, insurgencies, or protests — reinforcing negative stereotypes instead of portraying the region’s vibrancy and resilience.

Rich Culture & Diversity Sidelined

Northeast India is home to over 200 tribes and sub-tribes, each with distinct languages, attire, art forms, and festivals. From the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland to the Sangai Festival of Manipur, these events deserve as much national coverage as those held in metropolitan cities. Instead, national media heavily covers Bollywood or cricket, leaving Northeast cultural milestones underreported. If India’s strength lies in unity in diversity, why ignore such a significant cultural contributor?

Rising Voices of the Youth

The region’s youth are increasingly vocal about the lack of representation. Social media influencers, YouTubers, and journalists from the Northeast are actively creating content to bridge this gap. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and independent blogs are telling stories mainstream media won’t. Initiatives such as ‘EastMojo’ and ‘The Northeast Today’ have emerged as vital regional media outlets. National media houses should collaborate with such local platforms to bring authentic voices to the national stage.

Economic Contributions & Untapped Potential

The Northeast is strategically important for India’s Act East Policy and trade with ASEAN nations. It is a gateway to Southeast Asia, rich in natural resources like oil, tea, bamboo, and minerals. Assam alone contributes significantly to India’s tea production and petroleum industry.States like Meghalaya and Manipur have immense eco-tourism potential, while Arunachal Pradesh is pivotal for hydropower. Yet, these economic strengths rarely make headlines unless there’s a conflict over resource extraction. Balanced reporting on economic growth could attract investors, creating jobs and boosting local livelihoods.

Political Underrepresentation in Narratives

Though Northeast India actively participates in the democratic process, its political concerns are often sidelined. National political debates rarely mention border issues with China in Arunachal Pradesh or the citizenship concerns of Assam.The recent unrest regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) sparked protests across the Northeast, but media coverage often lacked nuance, misrepresenting local fears as mere opposition to national policies.

Environmental Importance Ignored

The region is an ecological hotspot with some of the world’s most pristine rainforests and biodiversity. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Loktak Lake, home to the endangered Sangai deer, are ecological marvels. Yet, discussions on climate change, deforestation, and ecological conservation rarely feature the Northeast in national dialogues. Environmental threats to this region impact the entire Indian subcontinent’s climate balance, and therefore deserve focused national attention.

Tourism Promotion Requires Media Push

States like Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh are breathtaking travel destinations. Places like Ziro Valley, Dawki River, and the living root bridges of Cherrapunji attract global tourists, but not enough domestic travelers. National media could play a crucial role in promoting Northeast tourism the way it glorifies Goa or Rajasthan. This would not only boost local economies but also break the stereotypes associated with the region.

Why Now?

With India aiming to be a global superpower, it cannot afford to ignore the aspirations of its eastern frontier. 2025 presents an opportunity for national media to redefine its priorities. Covering the Northeast’s success stories — from entrepreneurs and athletes to environmentalists and social workers — will inspire not just the region, but the entire nation.

A Region Rich in Culture and Diversity

Media attention isn’t just about reporting disasters or conflicts. It’s also about celebrating culture, achievements, and everyday life.

The Northeast is home to more than 200 tribes, each with its own customs, languages, and festivals. Events like Bihu (Assam), Hornbill Festival (Nagaland), and Chapchar Kut (Mizoram) are vibrant cultural showcases that deserve national recognition.

However, these celebrations often pass unnoticed in national media, while festivals in metro cities receive wide coverage. This reinforces the feeling of being culturally sidelined, despite the Northeast being one of India’s most culturally diverse and unique regions.

Changing the Narrative: What Can Be Done?

1. Mainstream media must step up. News outlets need to ensure fair and consistent coverage of the Northeast, not just during emergencies but as part of regular programming.
2. Social media can amplify local voices. When national media is silent, local journalists, bloggers, and influencers from the region can bring stories to light. Every post counts.
3. Educational reforms should include more about the Northeast’s history and culture in school curriculums to foster awareness from a young age.
4. Policy makers and leaders must advocate for balanced representation and invest in infrastructure that improves communication between the Northeast and the rest of the country.

Conclusion: One Nation, Every Voice

India’s strength lies in its unity amid diversity. But unity cannot exist without visibility. The Northeast is not a fringe region — it is the beating heart of India, rich in natural beauty, culture, and potential.

It’s time for national media to reflect this reality, and for the rest of India to listen, support, and celebrate the Northeast just like any other part of the country. Because every voice matters, and every region belongs.

Let’s build an India where Assam’s floods matter as much as Mumbai’s rains, and where a Bihu dance is celebrated just as widely as Diwali.

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