THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Expressing confidence in bringing Meghalaya and Manipur to the national mainstream, Governor V Shanmuganathan said here on Tuesday that understanding the fears, concerns and sensibility of the people in the region was important in solving their problems.
At a get-together organised under the aegis of the Bharateeya Vichara Kendram (BVK), the Governor who is in the state to attend the Sivagiri pilgrimage said the people were peace loving and for burying their differences for a common national interest.
He said normalcy could be attained in a limited period as the Central government was showing sympathy to the the genuine concerns of the people in the region.
“Certain fringe elements are causing trouble. There may be some negative, divisive activities on the part of such elements, but they have to be seen in their historic perspective. Unemployment among the youth has its impact on the youth joining the anti-national forces,” he said.
“We are talking to every one. Normalcy will be reached gradually. We are spreading the message of unity,” he said.
The youth of Manipur and Meghalaya realise that they belong to a great, vast country which is mighty in every respect. They realise they can go to Bengaluru, Chennai or any part of the country to find employment.
He said a large number of Manipuri girls were being employed in various capacities in major hotels chains in Chennai, Bengaluru and elsewhere as they were educated. Emphasising the role of cultural heritage in national integration, he said the religious festivals in Manipur and Meghalaya that have much in common with those in other parts of the country were attracting thousands of people.
BJP leader and former Union Minister O Rajagopal, Richard Hey MP, BVK joint director R Sanjayan, Madhusoodhanan Pillai and K V Rajasekharan spoke.