When the Mountains Move and the Waters Rise
New Delhi –The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research at Jamia Millia Islamia begins a two day international conference on February 22-23 “When the Mountains move and the waters rise” with a focus on disaster management especially health, trauma and housing.
It will address the need to include community concerns and priorities as well as robust research in informing and redesigning policies. This assumes priority given the devastation caused by recent earthquakes in Nepal and Manipur and the vulnerability of the entire NER as well as the Himalayan region to seismic activity.
In addition, the need for vernacular architecture (traditional housing) will also be emphasised including the Mishing style houses along the Brahmaputra, the Assam-type house as well as the importance of allying traditional styles to modern technology to make buildings, villages and cities safe during disasters. Innovations from the Sunderbans, the North-east and other places will be presented along with official framework for improved safety and outreach.
The conference is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute for Disaster Management in New Delhi, the North Eastern Council and the National Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Policy (Ahmedabad).
Speakers and participants include Kiren Rijiju, MoS for Home, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of Mizoram, Prof Shiv Vishwanathan, Dr. Shekhar Pathak of PAHAR, PD Rai, Sikkim MP as well as members of the state disaster management teams from different states, officials, specialists, researchers and activists from NE states, Uttarkhand, other parts of India as well as Nepal.
One of the highlights will be the Centre’s Annual Cultral Evening showcasing Northeastern musical talent: this time it is the turn of rap singer BK Hrangkhawl, performing to the theme of ‘Roads to Peace: take me home’.. Other groups will also be performing at the Safdar Hashmi Ampitheatre on February 23rd evening.