Neev Learning Journey

This book is a vibrant tapestry of student reflections and photos, capturing the unique perspectives and experiences they gained during their journey to the Northeast of India.

As our students explored the diverse landscapes, culture and history of the place, they also embarked on an inner

journey of self-discovery. Their reflections are thoughtful, sometimes poignant, and always sincere, revealing the depth of their understanding and the richness of their experience.This collection is more than a travelogue; it is a testament to the transformative power of cultural immersion and the profound ways it shapes identity.

What is a Learning Journey at Neev?

Learning Journeys are a unique platform that offers our Senior School students as a part of their curriculum to broaden their world-view and enrich their academic learning with hands-on exploration. It is also a road to self-discovery which takes the students beyond the travel experience itself, ultimately uncovering the pathway to life-long learning. They offer opportunities for students to embed themselves in new cultures and gain personal insight on the rich and diverse history and heritage of the country.

The evolution of learning journeys occurs across grades starting from Grade 4 onwards. Our Grade 4 students’ journey to Hampi offers them a glimpse of our history and culture as they explore various archaeological marvels. Our 5th Graders’ immersive learning journey to Delhi is a journey of self-awareness, understanding different aspects of identity while appreciating the richness and diversity of our nation.Grade 6 learners from Neev embark on an expedition to Gujarat, delving into systems in urban planning (an Interdisciplinary Unit between Humanities and Science). Grade 7 students journey through Indian history in Dharamshala and Amritsar, engaging in an interdisciplinary unit across Language (Lang & Lit) and Humanities (I&S), exploring key events in the region’s history. In Grade 8, students

undertake an expedition to Rajasthan, where they challenge assumptions and stereotypes, fostering introspection on identity formation (an IDU between Humanities and Science). Grade 9’s transformative expedition to Ladakh showcases the interconnectivity between nature, culture, and humanity, fostering a deeper understanding of these relationships. Grade 11’s journey to the North East of India is focussed on immersing themselves into Indigenous knowledge and understanding ToK.

Students learn to overcome geographical boundaries and form long lasting relationships. Learning journeys give exposure to the students to apply their knowledge in real life context, hence elevating critical thinking. The experiences during the ‘learning journeys’ enable the students to understand their responsibility as a ‘Successor Generation’. It is a journey to explore our past, present and future and eventually to understand our identity as an Indian citizen. In a nutshell, these series of experiences are an expedition from the outer world to the inner self.

“Change is the end result of all true learning”- Leo Buscaglia

Introduction to the North East

The learning journeys at Neev Academy are premised on the idea the learning is more than school buildings and a written curriculum. And while the idea of experiential learning is old enough to have almost morphed into a buzzword, the experiences that students go through on these journeys are indeed life-changing, which many are more than happy to testify to. The efficacy of these experiences goes some distance to show that schools can achieve impact beyond grades.

The north-east of India has grown incrementally with each passing academic year into an idea bound up inextricably with the students of the diploma programme at Neev. The reasons for this are various, but it is possible to make a selection of the most powerful.

The one that presses most fervently on one’s attention is its sheer difference in culture, climate and geography. And foremost among these must be the cultures of the various tribes and their value systems. Leading students to ask questions

aroud their own identity, perhaps it is the idea that India can stretch one’s real experience of diversiry beyond one’s imagination.

But these experiences around identity and learning, which include the simultaneous reception of the linguistic, religious, cultural and historical, to name a few elements, comes from a carefully planned set of learning strategies that has to move a journey from beyond a tourist’s experience.

An invaluable character in this great novel of development, if it can be imagined this way, is the village of Khonoma. All the trips to this region have indicated, beyond doubt, that it acts as a nucleus around with other experiences can be unified and given coherence. This village also acts, in a sense, as a distillation of the region because of its history, the expression of its culture and the richness with which nature has been preserved by a communal act of stewardship. The village is, therefore, naturally preserved in every visit the school has made to the region, while other experiences have varied. It features strongly in almost every reflective and contemplative act of each cohort of students.

The most rewarding aspect must be the uncanny way by which the colourful articulations of culture serve to arrest the imagination, and then, long after when ‘in vacant or in pensive mood’ they move one to contemplate the deep and abiding value systems that lie behind the articulations.

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Learning Journeys at Neev

Nagaland

2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Manipur

2024

Meghalaya

2020, 2021

Assam

2020, 2021

Past learning journeys over the years

Grade 4- Hampi

Grade 5- Delhi

Grade 6 - Gujarat

Grade 7 -Dharamshala and Amritsar

Grade 8 - Rajasthan

Grade 9 - Ladakh

Grade 10 - Gudalur

Grade 11 - North East India

Chapter 1

The Journey

This chapter captures our students’ diverse experiences, observations, and the connections they forged with nature as they journeyed through the mesmerizing landscapes of Northeast India.Through moments of nostalgia, unexpected encounters, and reflections on the region’s beauty, these travels deepened their appreciation for the world and enriched their understanding of themselves and the connections that unite us all.

Music

On the first day of the trip, as we were travelling from Dimapur to Khonoma, I had hit a new level of nostalgia that I had never felt before. As songs from my childhood played through the speakers, memories of the countless hours I spent on the road, flooded back. As only one of my friends had heard of the songs, I realised that although two of the same age, grew up in different eras.

Arya Varma, 2020

Connections

A narrow dirt road. Our van bumbles along, laughter and conversation fluttering out of open windows. A bus passes us, moving in the opposite direction. The passengers in the front are dancing to music which is blasting from a speaker hanging around someone’s neck while the passengers in the back sit quietly, faces set in stoic expressions. A look to the side, a moment of eye contact, and the laughter in the van dissolves as we bust into dance ourselves, swaying to the rhythm of the bus. Stoic expressions melt and the passengers on the bus are dancing along with us. An impromptu dance party in the middle of the street. It only lasted a minute at most, but in that time we formed the smallest of connections. A tiny moment of joy in the lives of everyone involved, shared between strangers who trusted each other enough to let their guard down and simply live.

Anoushka Manik 2021

Nostalgia

Music blared from the stereo as the car made its way through the bumpy road. As my friends engaged in blissful chatter, my mind drifted off to different places and different times. The songs brought back old memories and lost emotions, of people long gone, of hopes and dreams and regrets and pain and joys and sorrows. The rhythmic movement of the car matched the beat of my heart, and my soul felt elevated. A particular song seemed to play on repeat, perhaps only in my head, and it intertwined with the moment. The essence of the drive was preserved by it.

Rohini Chakraborty 2020

Uninhabited Lands

On our way back home, I was awake for most of the drive. I saw how beautiful nature is and compared this untouched land to inhabited lands, doesnt matter if it is Nongriat or Bangalore. We have, to a large extent destroyed nature. Instead of being a good steward and looking after nature, we have paid no attention to preserving nature. We have destroyed it to satisfy our greed. We have failed to do our part for nature. We’ve let the demons inside us ruin the beauty and it isn’t too late to realise this and start making up for what we have lost. We can still save nature.

Muhammad Hashim 2021

We were driving to Khonoma and the sun set at 5pm. As the crescent moon rose, many stars accompanied it. Looking out of the bus window, I first saw 2 stars and in a matter of time there were enough to leave me in awe. As we drove in pitch darkness at 6pm, the people around me taking naps, I couldn’t get myself to blink. I looked out at the sky and realised that is exactly what I want every night to look like.

Bandana Bajaj 2021

A pensive airplane journey

Tens of thousands of kilometers above the land, in the sky, I sat back comfortably in my seat to think about the events of the past few days. I thought about the people working the paddy fields- working hard for their livelihoods, the peer groups working for the benefit of the society, the society’s stress upon “earning” and honor. It made me realize how starkly different their world was from mine - an almost utopia. This plane journey was transporting me from my utopia to my reality.

Anika Hiremath 2022

As The Dust Settles

As our air-conditioned cars rumble past the local children patiently waiting by the side, whose noses are covered with their sleeves, I can’t help but wonder. I wonder if their perceptions of us are limited to differently looking and behaving people, traveling in cars, to and fro, on a hectic mission to get a sample of Naga identity and culture? Or is it something else? Is it curiosity to who these strangers are, or is it irritation, an aversion to this noisy group of students? Is it something completely different? We may never know, but as the dust settles, maybe we’ll see what they see of us, and maybe we’ll see them again- not as dusty pedestrians, but as friends, and as companions.

Maithreya Karthik 2022

Plans

We made plans, plans to play cards, to play bluff and to read. But once we boarded the plane, sleep welcomed us like a blanket on a cold night - we woke up in bursts, only to fall back asleep.

We arrived in Nagaland at noon, yet it seemed like it was 3pm. The sun beamed down on us and we hastily removed our jackets with confused expressions -- it was Nagaland, why wasn’t it cold. Nevertheless we hopped on to our tempo traveler and filmed our own music videos to the songs playing in the background.

The tempo traveler drove along and the sun went lower and lower, yet when I checked my watch it was now 3pm. Life here already seemed different, predicate but unpredictable at the same time.

Airport

I left the airport feeling confused about what to expect. A sense of joy as I was leaving with my friends, a sense of fright as I was leaving my parents, heading off to a far off land or a sense of impatience wondering about the plethora of adventures and journeys yet to come.

Enduring blisters beneath layers of anticipation, our prayers echoed through the challenging terrain. Navigating the landscape, our journey mirrored the ups and downs of life itself. Embraced by a paradoxical blend of cold surroundings and warmth on the inside, the journey unfolded. Fatigue set in, yet motivation proved resilient, fueling every step towards the day’s revelations. Each turn brought forth unexpected delights, turning the mundane into a series of surprises. With every corner turned, a mix of excitement and uncertainty stirred within, mirroring the twists of the path.

Srinidhi Sriram 2025

Roads clogged by a grid of vehicles block the way home. Green trees, loud engines, chirping insects and car emissions flood my senses. The urban and rural merge together in a place supposed to be a village. I guess even the simplest of communities are not protected from the harmful nature of our helpful technologies.

Saania Kaushik 2023

As we tumbled into the tempo, the sound of the buzzling chatter and soft music slowly seeped into the otherwise quiet surroundings. I cracked open the tiny frame of the window, letting the cool air flow into the warm vehicle. My eyes peered across the large houses with their small graves to the picturesque landscapes and views that nature offered. My eyes fluttered to a little girl standing on the side with a few of her friends. She too was looking around and seemed to notice the strange vehicle filled with strange children. Her gaze focused on me as we passed by. Something pushed me to quickly wave at her to show that we were friendly. Her expressionless face turned to one with a smile as she quickly waved back. All of a sudden we werent just strangers from different backgrounds but 2 individuals living in unison.

Tanaya Mehta 2023

Pranvi Khare 2023

Arjun Varma 2024

“So it begins”

Waking up before sunrise to flying for literally ages, we had arrived to Dimapur. The place being warmer than expected, we began our journey up the mountain. The tempo traveler with us 8 people had a different feeling. As we climbed up the mountain, the temperature dropped. Stopping for lunch and literally driving forever, we had reached.

Siddhant Bajaj 2024

(This impression came on my way from Khonoma village to Kohima in the Van.)

The sky rolled behind me. The clouds were flowing as lightly as a feather falling. The swaying roads were swinging me away and away. In that moment that lasted forever and that forever that lasted a moment, I hoped time would cease to turn. Yet, I knew there was no pause, no return. While the same punctures of brightness would light the sky each night, different roads would continue to take me different places. I looked at the sky again, resigned.

Raghav Choudhuri 2024

“Faithful”

For a long time I did not believe in the supreme power of this universe. I still don’t. But I have understood that I am insignificant enough to be controlled and created by a larger force. Through this photo essay I have tried exploring the narrative of a journey which serves as an analogy for a small insignificant life. We start by looking outside a window in the beginning of a journey where we meet nature and have to look further to explore. For most people, this is followed by the phase of hard work, rewards in the form of food, a house to represent one’s wealth and children and social connection. This is followed by witnessing the vastness of the mountains, the war memorials, and even a small lake, I have understood that I am nothing but a worm in the broadness of this universe which I haven’t even started to explore. Finally, people die and they simply leave a legacy behind. Whether or not there is a larger power such as “God” or the deity presented in the Sanamahi religion, the ideology presented by them, which suggested that whatever has started this universe meets itself as the end serves as a perfect conclusion for what I have understood.

Sunav Bajaj 2024

Chapter 2 The Stay

These notes are about our students’ experiences staying in local homes and modest accommodations, exploring the true essence of what makes a house a home. Whether it was adapting to a cramped tent, enduring early morning wake-up calls, or navigating new and challenging environments, these experiences taught them to appreciate the warmth of human connections and the beauty in life’s simplicity.

We entered what was a shanty living space, sheltered by what was a careless collage of metal roofs. What was a rather depressing living space was illuminated with the smiles we were greeted with.the tired and uninterested looks on the faces of the students that had gathered were soon lifted because of the interest and passion behind the words spoken

Azhar Yenepoya 2020

Adapting

The tiny, moth infested room gave me nightmares. The planked bed creaked with the slightest movement while the blankets let out a foul odour. The glass of the windows were cracked, allowing pesky insects to creep in. Who would have imagined that spending a night in such a dreary room would make unforgettable memories! Nevertheless, these negative aspects of the homestay were outweighed by the genuinity and warmth of the people belonging to such humble backgrounds. It made me question my criticisms and complaints. Adapting to their lives for a day couldn’t be that hard after all.

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Same yet different

The house was made of concrete. And so was ours. The house had doors. And so did ours. The house had windows, just like ours. The beds were made from wood, so were ours. Yet the house wasn’t home for me. All our houses may consist of the same basic structure, the experience you’ve had is what makes it different and unique. Home isn’t just any place, it’s the house you have years of memories with and will always return to. And a house can differ from just some concrete walls to a mansion or villa, but the feeling of home remains the same for everyone.

Rachel Varghese 2020

The three ungodly sounds of the North East

Over the ten days I visited the North East, I was woken up everyday by three sounds. The first, was from the homestay in Nagaland. As I rolled over under the warmth of my blanket, a shrill sound woke me up. I had heard of this sound in books and movies, but in real life, it was not pleasant. The rooster’s crow had served its purpose, but five hours earlier than needed. The second, was from the hotel in Kaziranga and Assam. Geese. Quite magnificent animals but not such a magnificent sound. I woke up to the screech like sounds of geese let loose on the gardens in front of our room. The third, is not an animal, but a human. When we went to Meghalaya, one of my classmates decided that he needed to workout, despite his injured knee. As I slept peacefully, the speeding sound of the thwack of wire on cement rang in my dreams. He skipped on the terrace, which was right across my room. I thought I had finally gotten away from the noisy animal sounds, but I came around to waking up early anyway.

The Spot

As seventeen tired students flooded into the small plot that was our homestay, I noticed a spot. I immediately escaped from the chaos below by darting up to the terrace with my friend. A second floor that was left unconstructed was now our escape to some peace and quiet. As I sat there, I calmly listened to the rush of the stream, flames crackling from the bonfire and the slow murmur of my classmates. My mind in another world, I feel the flow of my thoughts on paper, as the pen effortlessly moves down the page.

Arya Varma 2020

Sunday?

It was 7 in the morning and I had just stepped out of our homestay, life around me was moving at its own comfortable pace -- people on their doorsteps chatting with one another, drinking tea and going about their normal Sunday routines.

It was anything but a normal Sunday morning for me, I was drinking in the calm of the morning, For if I was at home, in Banglore, I would have woken up to chaos - from my neighbors screaming, to flights overhead to the everpresent Bangalore traffic. Here in Kohonoma, I felt at peace, the melodic chatter like music to my ears, and the beautiful view like a balm to soothe the chaos of mind. Yet as I sat there I couldn’t help but think, “could I live here, adapt to such as different place”

Pranvi Khare 2023

Time

The shrill sound of the rooster woke me up from my deep slumber. I sat up on the hard wooden bed and pulled the curtains aside to peek out of the window. It was pitch black. I turned around to look at the only piece of modern technology in the small rustic room- a wristwatch.

“3:30” the screen flashed. I got out of bed, and careful not to wake up my roommate, tiptoed across the cold floor. The door opened with a creak and the biting wind hit me. I stood there, alone, with the mountains below me and the sky full of stars. The ancient part of me felt free at last to be back where it belongs.

Rohini Chakraborty 2020

The Tent

As I crawled into the tent darkness started to surround me. I had my torch thankfully. I switched it on and looked around the tent. I was wondering how on earth would three people fit into this tiny space. I went to my corner of the tent and made myself comfortable. At least tried to. Lying still on the ground I started to think about the children who live like this or even in worse circumstances. I was so grateful for even the little things in life.

Aaliya Samad 2020

Spice

I had always thought that I was good or at least decent about handling spice. When we ate the meat (mainly pork and beef) presented to us, as I put the pieces into my mouth one by one, I couldn’t help but notice that my eyes were watering so badly that it looked like I was crying. It wasn’t just the eyes, my mouth was on fire along with my nose which was running for its life. Soon after going through this volcanic experience, I noticed that my head felt a bit light and I had lost my breath.

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Chapter 3.1

Nagaland Khonoma & Kohima

Imagine a village. What do you see? A little hut, people with broken English and no technology? The village I imagined was a small, run-down place with water dripping out of leaky faucets and a small, one-bedroom house where an entire family struggled to live. This trip made me realise how wrong I was.

The first village we visited was Khonoma, where the place was more clean and sustainable than any city. The people sang along to ABBA under the deep blue sky, sitting around a campfire. Our guide, Viko, had completed college and was a teacher. Not the village I’d imagined.

Next, we visited the Women’s Cooperative run by Rup Jyothi. She knew a lot about the world, casually mentioning Jurassic Park and leaving me shocked that she’d seen it. She spoke in nearly perfect English but stood wearing a sari. Her son taught us to dance, playing a dhol and wearing a dhoti but ran away to go through his phone as soon as his job was done. Just like me. Rup Jyothi wove used plastic bags into table mats to save the environment. Not the village I’d imagined.

The people weren’t trapped in an unbreakable bubble. They discovered a new world while holding on to their own. Not the village I’d imagined.

Aarushi Murteja 2021

This jarringly loud silence reminds me of the Khonoma life. A simple life. A differentialism equialised by choice. A not-so-isolated rural life.

Noor Sabharwal 2023

If I was living in Khonoma, I would have a close family, a sub-clan, a clan, a Khel, a village. Part of a community so big. All of them would know me and I would know them. We’d walk past each other on the streets and have a short jovial conversation — it didn’t matter who it was. If I wanted money from the bank, I could ask a friend to get some from me, he would have my credit card and get back the money I wanted. I could do a wrong deed but I’d have a chance to redeem myself. If I was dead, I wouldn’t have to be buried far away from my family. I could be right there with them, on the street, along the stone stairs, next to the water tank. If I was living in Khonoma.

Tavisha Jain 2022

The Village I Imagined Khonoma Village If

‘Toy town’ I thought. That is what this place reminded me of. With every step I took, with legs screaming in pain, I wanted to take one more. I couldnt help but notice how well aligned everything was. All functions of the village were systematic and aspects controlled. Almost like a machine. All services, like the jhum cultivation process for instance, were self-sufficient. Cyclic in nature. Isolated from the real world but deeply rooted with nature. I noticed how despite the fewer opportunities and options, the people seemed to be more content. Happier than the people I am surrounded with. It was perfect.

Suhaani Haque 2024

6 women dance daintily around a spitting fire. A fire which continues to burn regardless of changes in its environment, just like the persistent desire of upholding Angami traditions. These traditions stay unperturbed in a world that seems to forget so quickly, perhaps why here in Khonoma time stands still.

Tarun Padmanabhan 2024

Self-sustaining village;

I thought resources were scarce, and that there would be a lot of conflict because of that. But looks like Khonoma has found a solution to this. On first look itself, I understood what it meant. After touring the place for sometime, I learned how this place become the “land of eternal survival”, according to me. They have very organised communal systems that determine the roles and responsibilities of EVERYONE. Yes quite literally everyone. And there are serve consequences for violating them. If you stole anything, you would have to pay it back with 700% interest. In Bengaluru, if I stole someone’s pen or bubble gum, no one would really care. I can’t imagine how this system in Khonoma has sustained so long.

Anvit Anand 2024

Khonoma Village

“Differences”

As a city dweller, I am used to the bustling and chaotic noise outside my window. I witnessed the same here in the city of Kohima. On the other hand, Khonoma village was the perfect picture of Utopia. Self sustaining, clean, eco-friendly, but most importantly, silent. It was peaceful and the flip opposite of the city. The city was alive at night. The village switched off at around 9:30. The biggest difference between the two places was its people. Their lifestyles and ideologies were so contrasting. The villagers have core values such as trust, honesty and loyalty. The city functioned on the will to earn money and materialist habits. I felt more at home in the latter.

Amulya Kumar 2024

The number 7 was a recurring one in the history and culture of Khonoma. Its significance is not fully known but it has been passed down for generations/.

7 days in a week

Lucky #7

7 wonders of the world

7 months with 31 days

7 moons at the Khonoma gate Repaying 7 times was was stolen 7 feasts for the village

7 sisters, and a brother

Some are connected, some are not. Some make sense, some don’t. Some need to, and some never will. As long as it works.

Sanjeet Panigrahi 2023

It was also very fascinating to see how different tribes in Nagaland shape the identity of individuals through institutes called “Morungs” where they learn more about their own culture, religion, language and traditions through stories and folktales. The Morungs were something very unique to me, I never knew that there were educational institutes that help the youngsters build their character by learning new skills, etiquettes, and learn even more about their culture, ancestors, language, etc. through folktales and stories; this however raised a question in my mind that why our communities do not have such institutions and does their absence signifies that we are getting further away from our own cultures?

Kakuly Mittal 2021

I chose to show 2 ideas in this photo essayThe first idea I wished to portray was the progression of time. This is why the first picture I chose said “Welcome to Khonoma” and the last one is one of the last photos we took during the trip.

The second idea I wanted to portray was a sense of community by showing the various members of the community (the shawl-maker, the dancer and the old man) and the things they worked together to produce in society, starting small with things such as the spears to the great wonders they created such as the stepped rice fields

Aadit Kolar 2022

Khonoma - A dreamscape of land

A flight of stairs ascending to the sky

And a range of hills, seemingly painted by the hands of an artist

Paddy fields bathing under the mellow glow of the sun

Thus weaving together a dreamscape of land

People bound together by a powerful social fabric

Such was the village of Khonoma.

Arjun Shah 2024

The sound of birds chirping, The sound of people working, The sound of children laughing and playing fills the air.

The sound of wind whistling, The sound of water flowing, The sound of bees buzzing and women walking up the stairs.

This is the sound of tranquility, This is the sound of culture, This is the song of Khonoma.

Arjun Bose 2025

The Khonoma identity is bigger than it’s people. The Khonoma mountains speak in metaphors. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by it’s lucid splendor, but if you close your eyes you hear the mountain’s ferocity; writhing beneath the raspy wheeze of your breath. Khonoma’s spirit rages even through it’s nature.

Preksha Wade 2022

Circle of Life

Khonoma gives every photographer’s dream; Where the dead, old and young are sharing the same frame.

A village built on a brighter vision. Every idea and plan passed down from generation to generation. Every brick laid with a certain intention. All based upon the principle of sustainability. Has it stemmed from time or relationship?

Aryan Shah 2024

Earned, not taken.

Although all scarfs are scarfs, a yellow-black konoma scarf simply isn’t the same as a red-black konoma scarf. Konoma scarf’s are earned, although this earning is measured by how much they give back. I think to myself ‘what a stark contrast to society’, while hypocritically wearing imported clothes that I definitely did not earn.

Ved Kaura 2022

Sanctuary

A world not like our own. Things we may have seen but not truly experienced. Hidden away from the greedy eyes of the hungry. A world that was theirs to share, but not for anyone to take.

Green Village Poor

It was poor to have no car. They did not. It was poor to not have the internet. They did not.

It was poor to not have the comforts of modernity. They did not. However, it was also poor to be sad. They were not.

Dhruv Gupta 2024

Ten minutes

Khonoma and Nongriat. Nagaland and Meghalaya. Both in the North East of India, both in the hills. But 10 Minutes in each village gave me completely different impressions. As soon as we entered Khonoma, we were welcomed by a group of villagers celebrating nothing but each other well into the night. 10 minutes in Nongriat and we saw nothing but tourists exploiting the beautiful clear water ponds and root bridges. I saw nothing but a village desperately trying to stay afloat and better their economic state by commercializing their enchanting nature and even their own homes. Despite being a smaller village, we were only vaguely greeted by the owner of the homestay we were going to spend the night at. How did two places so similar end up so different? Why did the villagers of Nongriat forget to appreciate each other? All I could think was the battle of Khonoma. Did the battle bring people closer because of the many casualties? Did the battle show them the importance of education and appreciating each other?

Was the battle the reason 10 minutes in Khonoma made us feel more homely than an entire day in Nongriat?

Dhwani Nair 2021

Khonoma Village day 1

Sprawling blue skies with the whip of the morning breeze provided an interesting medium to the jagged twists and turns of the village scape. Noises of people laughing and chattering hit my ears in every step of the path. While I was wondering about the incredibly lively atmosphere of the happy people until, at the end of the road, I saw the graveyard on which they sat.

Tejas Ramineni 2024

Vibie ZomoWelcome to Nagaland.

Vibie zomo? It was a pleasure meeting the nagas and interacting with them. They were extremely friendly and very patient with me considering how much I annoyed them. I felt I was reunited with a brother - who this time, liked me, I guess. Hiekha was an openminded, friendly and was completely okay with answering any question that I posed. His attitude helped me realise that there is another level to being down to earth. Hiekha is a native of Khonoma, the village we lived in. The place was extremely beautiful, but what I found more beautiful are the hearts of the people who belong to this place. I realised that while they’re hearts are as beautiful as the place they live in, our hearts are as much as the place we live in - they’re not beautiful. If I could ever be born again, I wish I’d be born to a place like this, where they respect each other and still have fun, where they preserve nature and yet have a better standard of living, where their hearts know what is to love and what is to be loved.

Khonoma

Village day 2

What a four hour flight couldn’t do, what a 10 minute phone call couldn’t do. The warm blaze of a simple fire could. Make me feel at home in an instant. What the wonders of modern technology couldn’t, man’s first invention could.

Muhammad Hashim 2021

The serene and calm environment in the village of Khonoma created a sense of relief in me. The first 8 pictures of my photo essay, I wanted to show the beauty of the Dzukou valley and the village of Khonoma.Throughout my photo essay I wanted to show different phases of the trip, from the beauty of Nagaland to the different cultural beliefs and values to the noisy and thrilling night market.

Shaaunak

Bajaj 2024

The photographs have been placed in an order of zooming in our perspective - from the great view of the Dzüko Valley, to the paddy fields, to the decorations outside and inside the hut and finally to the people themselves in their traditional attire.

Each photograph represents an element that makes up the identity of the naga people. From the decorated huts, to their carefully cultivated paddy fields, there is a story behind everything in Khonoma which shows the bind of the community. These photographs further tell a story of how this community is trying so hard and working towards preserving their identity and culture in every way imaginable. And we see their success by being able to connect every object, every scenery and every thought back to their learnings.

Guhar Goyal 2022

I decided to select ten pictures from the folder. The first five pictures were chosen to depict normalcy, from our point of view. Or in another sense a small reminder of Bangalore. The first two pictures have commonly known objects like the colours of the paint used for the pavement in the first picture and the clutter of the water tank and AC in the second picture. The third and fourth become increasingly more industrial. The third shows a crane, reminiscent of never ending construction work in Bangalore and the petrol pump from the fourth picture doing the same but for the traffic, something which was drastically different in Kohima. The road in the fifth represents the sheer amount of roads in Bangalore, a city of cement almost. The sixth leading up to the tenth, I wanted to represent the shift to the life we were exposed to in Khonoma. The paddy fields from the sixth and the trek from the ninth are all features of the land itself that would never be viewed in Bangalore. It represented the cultural shift we were incremented into. The rest of the pictures are all part of memories with the people of Khonoma itself. The order of the pictures was done in a way to represent a day. I tried to take pictures from every part of the daylight cycle. The first two being morning then mid morning to afternoon in the fourth and fifth and evening from the sixth to eighth followed by night in the ninth and tenth. I thought our understanding of their culture was like a daylight cycle, where our initial experience was just a jist of how they lived their generations like the initial morning tiredness, for example from the village walk. Then the afternoon where we learnt more and were introduced to more intense topics such as visiting the cemetery, representing the struggle of the middle of the day where you usually are most productive. The evening represented the last day where we had learnt a fruitful amount about the cultural adaptations and it was leading up to the reflections of the night. The night holds the same feeling of an end of an era, signifying the end of the trip and the last picture.

Samah Syed 2022

The cohesive paradox

Capitalism vs. socialism. The two sides that can never gel. But Knonoma feels different. The system where you “earn” your place in placed right in the middle of a community that focuses on each other. Who knew that would ever be possible.

Choice

Naivety. Access to information. Integration. A process I’ve always thought to be consecutive and inevitable. But Knonoma fails to fall into this cycle. Choosing to eat dog, cat and frog, food that’s considered abnormal to the outside world. Choosing to leave Zuko valley untouched by human influence. Choosing to follow ancestral land rights and choosing to grow only certain kinds of crops in a year. The system of being aware but choosing not to make the principles of the outside world yours is one I cannot understand yet. But that’s ok.

I sweat, I shiver, I want ice cream, I want hot tea. All of this happens in one day and sometimes within an hour. How do people of Khonama maintain a balance in the mood swings of the weather?

I walked and walked and walked. Feet sore, T-shirt wet and eyes drowsy. I continued to walk without sulking. The tribal guide narrated a story so captivating that all pains were forgotten. So was their village, it traps you in their simplicity and gives you a new perspective.

Ananya Singla 2023

A small village housing people with big hearts.

A small village with a deep and rich culture. A small village with an enriching history. Khonoma, a small village decorated with pride.

Ranai Rai 2025

As we walked across the village, I witnessed a well-functioning society, one where cohesiveness, sustainability and service manifested through the structures erected: whether it be the common well, the home of the peer group or even in the sitting circle. This society is one that we all hope to be a part of as we preach the SDGs and the urgency with which we need to implement them. And yet while standing on the side of the serene hill, surrounded by the calming greenery of the valley below, I realized I would never be content in living in this society so different than the one I have lived comfortably in till now.

Saania Kaushik 2023

Falling in the wrong hands.

As we were listening about the different crops grown, I wondered about the main process of the people who performed those tedious actions. Later that day, I experienced it myself. Picking up a spade felt like I was a professional farmer who has been doing this stuff for years. My ego rose like the price of Bitcoin. After the first shove and all of it went back to nil. Although I did end up failing, I got better each time and bent my back more and more. Next time I go to Khonoma, this is definitely what I’m going to do.

Circles

Smoke stains the clear blue sky from a distant forest. Through the flame embers and ashy soil amazingly thick stocky young branches grow, supported by a wizened old stump, allowing it to grow further, replenishing the soil to eventually create plump vegetables. The process goes on, again and again and again. The farming circular and stone like the kwehou I was watching it from, recognising its ironic similarity to the village around me.

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

Sanjana Ganesh 2022

Tejas Naik 2024

Proudly Heika said, “It is only the blessed who visit Khonoma where there is an abundance of water, food and peace.” Smiling back at him, I felt a pang of jealousy in my heart, a few seconds later another voice said back, “but Heika, its also only the blessed who get to visit Khonoma”.

My fingers iteched for a sketch pad as I stood looking down at Khonoma village gently edged by paddy fields. A myriad of textures, tones and forms came slowly back to me as I desperately longed to preserve it all on paper. The smooth thatched bamboo that made both homes and vessels, the stones that were laid carefully to form much of the architecture and the smiling eyes of the kind people who had let us into their homes. Helplessly, I rain my hand over all that I wanted to put down and slowly I felt an inexplicable return to the artistic sense I lost touch with.

A staircase of fields. Each step is different. One was a field of paddy, another was filled with garlic, some had carrots, others; sweet potatoes, cabbages and mustard. Others had crops I had never heard of, native species, Gobstear and Nitso. Some steps were being tilled and some were burned to shades of gray and black. This staircase was guided and supported by a railing made of gurgling water, clear as day, sparkling in the sunlight. As we walked up the cascading staircase, I learnt that each step belonged to a particular clan, a particular khale, a particular family, all living in coexistence. A staircase of fields, a staircase built solely on integrity, loyalty, trust and respect. What would they say when they saw our staircase? Where trust and respect were replaced with legal documents, contracts and broken agreements.

Ananya Arun 2023

The walk

I skipped along the neatly stacked steps that lined the dips and rises of the village’s terrain, watching giggling children and working adults smiling as we passed by. I met a little girl holding kittens in her hands and her mother who was tending to her shop. I passed women weaving neat scarves with perfectly straight lines of colour. The village worked systematically and punctually, so it seemed, despite their ages, smiles and energy were undying. Their perfect mechanism was a wonder to watch, but I couldn’t help but wonder what hid behind those smiles. Was all I saw a neatly packaged lie? What lay in the cracks and crevices between the buildings, behind closed doors and what was compromised during times of hardship? A piece of this village seemed missing, unless such an ideality could truly exist.

Samitha Sri Bhaskara 2024

Standing there, looking at all the half cut trees, I wonder how they found out about this method of polarding. Their ancestors must have always thought about their future to realize the importance of preservation. Not only have they managed to find such a remarkable method, they have also planned what should be grown in the next 5 years, in which they wait for the alder trees to grow, yet again. Khonoma has found ways to maintain a self-sustaining village. From alder trees to paddy fields. But what if this knowledge dies with the people of this village? What if they had found a solution to the sustainability issue all over the world? What good is knowledge if not shared?

Nidhi Nair 2025

“Pick one and pay what you think it’s worth”. A small but deep display of trust in the village. A representation of the closeness of the community and their unselfish ways of always willing to help eachother out makes us ponder about the individualistic nature of the city life and how we all may need to take a step back and learn from our roots.

Nishita Chatlani 2025

Raunak Kumar 2023

Chapter 3.2

Nagaland Kohima War Memorial & Cemetery

As I entered the cemetery bestowing each individual whether they are of different religions or from a different country with the same respect, somehow it felt more chilly and breezy than the outside, I asked myself why? With my heart pounding so fast that I could hear my heartbeat… heard always that good people never die… so are these brave hearts dead or alive?

Unity among the Dead

It was fascinating to see no discrimination among the dead. We visited the cemetery of the Battle of Tennis Court. This cemetery was surprisingly indiscriminate with regards to the fact that they did not consider religion as a criteria for acknowledging their sacrifice. The fact that they sacrificed their life is what mattered to them. What struck me is that their identity had been shaped by their deeds and not their beliefs. The battle and the sacrifice made by the people is perhaps a reason to why they looked beyond beliefs and religion and grew to respect others irrespective of that. But we don’t need a war to think straight and look beyond stereotypes, we don’t need a war to be open-minded and accept the existence of knowledge beyond what we know of the world and what we believe in, we don’t need a war to realise that we’re all human beings.

The graves were atop a hill in the middle of a busy city. The perfect rows juxtaposed the messy streets. A cove of serenity within a world of chaos. I can imagine the spirits of the soldiers, whatever they may be, looking down upon us and I wonder would they be happy with what we have done?

#3: Tears

War is dirty, politics is dirty, the impact is dirty. It is only fitting that the graves are clean.

Graveyards are a place of death, trauma, and mourning. Widows and orphans visit them to reminisce of the time they were still with their loved ones. As we all approached the cemetery, the sorrow hovering in the air because of the millions of tears wept over the martyrs that rested there had no effect on us, myself included. We all bumbled into this hallowed ground without a care in the world, many of us more interested in taking a nice picture than to honor and respect the dead that lay before us, having sacrificed themselves for their people. Through our utter lack of respect, we reduced them to nothing more than a collection of rotting corpses. We passed in front of a wall inscribed with the names of those who partook in this horrific experience, treating them as a trophy of our comfort filled journey to this foriegn land. The deceased do not deserve this in general, least of all these heroes. We claim ourselves to be so caring and charitable at a simple task like simply letting someone borrow a pen, yet we treat these men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice with no respect, as though they are just another attraction, ignoring the countless tears that their families shed because of their deaths, and acting as though these deaths did not leave their loved ones with a part of their soul being lost. Therefore, how can we consider ourselves so great when we don’t even have the ability to respect those much greater than us, and the pain that losing them left their families? Forget great, can we, such a heartless species, even call ourselves human?

Kakuly Mittal 2021

Muhammad Hashim 2021

Shashank Prabhu 2021

Aalam Sultanji 2022

Sudhanva Bharadwaj 2021

The forgotten war, Kohima, 1939-45, numerous casualtiesreads like a headline. But somewhere between the rows of personalized plaques, regiment logos and the words “your loving mum”, the numbers and statistics began to feel weighted. The realisation of each number representing a human life hit me like the crisp breeze. The cold stones and freshly moved grass failing to capture the complexity of this human life, now no more.

Aaradhita Varadarajan 2022

Why do we fight?

Why do we fight? For land? Resources? Are thousands of lives worth a few kilometres of land? Is it for heroism? Is the spilled blood worth the chance to say ‘we conquered the world’? So many questions, and no answers. So again I ask, why do we fight?

Adweit Gharat 2022

We extract marble, never conscious about what it means: some to embellish, some to build a ghostly scene. Engraved in it are tributes to the heroes that fought to save our place, some with devoted wishes from their loved ones, others without a name. Isn’t it romantic how we eulogize them in our eulogies, but don’t know their individual identities?

Kriti Sarawgi 2022

Tombstone Pebble

It’s human nature to want to be immortalised but the more cemeteries I see, the more graves I pass. I wonder if I want to be reduced to an inscription on a stone being glanced at like a pebble in an aquarium.

Preksha Wade 2022

She walked with me through each section of the memorial. The surroundings were very quiet, reflecting the solemn atmosphere. “Age 16” the gravestone read - even younger than we are today. It made her feel sad. It made me feel respect and gratitude.

Guhar Goyal 2022

We stood like the gawky tourists we were, admiring the paddy fields and the picturesque hills. Commenting on the quaint village and using clever terms like self-sustainable to reduce a complex culture into a single phrase in our vocabulary. As if we understood. Perhaps we did. But only a little. Like Nagamese, a fusion of different languages-- we had only comprehended one part. Then for the graves. The forgotten battle. How romantic it sounded in our discussions! But the graves were just bleak. Lovely inscriptions on their stones didn’t hide their harsh reality. Truth be told, all battles are forgotten. We study them and are momentarily sobered. We philosophize and move on. But these stories, oral or written, remain.

Navya Sahay 2022

The cemetery really made me question the value of human life. I live a life where I have both extreme ends of the spectrum shown to me. On one end, in the actual people that I talk to, even speaking of death is frowned upon. We have the healthcare facilities and the financial resources to turn the whole world upside down to save/honor a human life. On the other hand, I am exposed to internet reports and news articles reducing every single human life to just a number of people shot. And then this cemetery, where all the human being had been reduced to was an unnamed soldier in a war.

Suhani Jain 2022

Two Worlds at the Kohima War Cemetery

The world outside is loud. Ambulances blare, cars zoom past. People rapt in their own bubbles as they travel the city. Yet, the hill beckons. Silent. Unnerving. Serene. Time stands still here, fossilized in 1944. The asymmetry between the world’s is glaring, but it moves me. This is the tomorrow the soldiers sacrificed their today’s for.

Disha Ajit 2023

Life’s good, you should get one! I looked down to read what was engraved in the stone at the cemetery and realized that this was what was printed on my t-shirt. I instantly realized I was inappropriately dressed and understood what they mean by ‘sacrificing their future for our present’.

The Kohima War Cemetary and Memorial was my favourite visit of the entire Nagaland trip. As a History student, and further as an individual intrigued by the effects of conflict, this Memorial really impacted me and my identity. The Kohima War Cemetary and Memorial was built in honor of the martyred soldiers of the KohimaImphal battle, fought against the Japanese Imperial Army. The entire battle had more strategic significance than other named battles, yet it had no international recognition. Why didn’t it have the recognition it deserved? When thousands of men and women gave their lives for this battle, they deserved to be honoured. Yet, it was ‘forgotten’ about. This visit upset me- because of how these martyrs were treated for years. As a learner, I’m upset that I didn’t learn about this in my History HL course, despite studying World War 2 for nearly a year. Upon engaging more closely with the memorials and headstones of the Cemetary, I saw that most of the soldiers passed away in their 20s, and came from a diverse set of religions. In the current day, where religious conflict and turmoil is everpresent, is total war the only means of unification? What does that say about our collective identity as a country? Well, for my identity at least, and similar to my experiences in the Dzukou Valley trek, I believe that as a society, we’ve erected too many walls and constructed too many defenses. As a result, we’ve worsened the relations within our own communities, and between other communities. I also believe that holistic and rapid growth will only occur when we all grow together. Before visiting the War Cemetary, I did believe in this idea but not to the extent I do now. This visit shaped how I view communal growth and how to achieve it, and has incentivized me to work towards developing a more inclusive, simplistic and tightly-knit community.

Maithreya Karthik 2022

Ananya Singla 2023

Duty vs Desire

Be brave, be strong

But I should wear a smile, take my time

You’re doing it for freedom, you’re doing it for tomorrow No, I’m doing it for today, doing it for myself Are you afraid? Don’t run away

But when I’m stressed why can’t I just take a break?

Give up your life, keep your pride

No, these next few years are all mine, shouldn’t I do with them whatever I like?

The gun sounds the bodies start to fall

A Greener Tomorrow

Warm sunlight hit the cemetery, gravestones dully glinting in the sunlight as I read a quote on the gravestone of a soldier. ‘ We have lost what god has gained, one of the best the world contained.’ I felt a great sense of admiration and heaviness, imagingin the courageous sacrifices made by thousands of soldiers, though not of my own countrymen but rather the british who seeked to oppose us, I still felt a sense of kinship and empathy for the soldiers, who seeked to protect our tomorrow with their today. Though we have lost what God has gained, greener pastures still remain.

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

Day 3 - Impression 1

Indira Ramasubramaniam 2023

United

While I was just sitting here thinking I had it all Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, British, Indian and Naga. Coolie, Nurse, Engineer, Sepoy, Captain. So different, yet so united in death.

Pranvi Khare 2023

In front and around me were uncountable metal plaques, each commemorating a fallen soldier who had served their nation or their people. Most of these graves were of foreigners, with names and organizations that were alien to me and as a matter of fact, almost all were attempting to colonize and exploit my own ancestors. Yet it felt important for me to bow my head in respect. These people and their families do not care if I read their names and yet I felt the need to visit each grave. No one was matching me, and still, I was conscious to tread lightly and not step too close to a headstone, or trample a flower, even by mistake. Some plaques were nameless and yet evoked an image of som

Pranav Gupta 2023

I’d never stepped foot in a cemetery before, and before today, a grave was a site of remembrance, often accompanied in movies by gloom, doom, and rain. This time was different. It was unimaginable at this stage in my brief time on this earth to understand that 6 feet beneath every metal plaque, beneath the words of grieving family, beneath every gravestone was a person who was as ambitious, eager, and at times almost as young as I am. The succinct yet fatefully, inadequately, brief final message left by their families made that a reality. What frightened me, however, were the soldiers who were terrified before their demise. The ones who didn’t want to die, who hadn’t accepted their end, and weren’t willing to give up everything, but had to. How was I to feel now? From specific decencies like stepping over graves, to uncertainties like whether or not to absorb the contents of every graveston. Should I be happy their sacrifice led to a better world, or sad that they had to at all. In the most peaceful site ever created by death and destruction, the only thing that’s certain was that I was grateful.

Sanjeet Panigrahi 2023

“Into the mosaic of victory, we lay our piece, my beloved son”. History tends to forget stories, people are lost, replaced by numbers, individual sacrifices miniscule and the collective goal enormous. Yet these words lay etched in my mind with the same permanence as their presence on the headstone, a reminder that history is more personal than we give it credit for.

Tarun Padmanabhan 2023

“Chulaam Muhammad, 14th October 1944, age 16” it said, amidst a row of names engraved on gravestones. “Age 16” I read again, this time actually processing this number. I thought about my accomplishments at 18, all of which required less than a quarter of the courage, will and determination that Chulaam had gathered at 2 years younger than me. I considered how insignificant my complaints tend to be in comparison and I wondered if garnering as much courage or a similar spirit of sacrifice was even possible for me. I could only imagine.

Yuvika Goel 2023

“A soldier of the 1939 -1945 War”

Smiles, faces, twinkling eyes, gone, unknown, foreign. The life of a soldier is a short one, death comes easy and sad. However what brings more sorrow is being buried unknown to the world. Unnamed and ordinary, just one of the several 1000 lives lost without meaning or love. “known unto g

Non-combatant

A coolie. An individual simply trying to do their job for a small earning in the army. A person who wasnt supposed to be there, who wasnt supposed to lose their life. Sometimes life is unpredictable. A man who’s job was to transport bags turned out to be a victim in an unfair war. It made me feel upset that someone who hardly had much, had to lose everything. A victim, a life lost to suffering, blood and pain.

Tanaya Mehta 2023

The war cemetery

As soon as I entered the sematary, the lush greenery paired with the pleasant weather made me feel ecstatic. The sheer idea of seeing so many brave souls give their lives for our better tomorrow was incomprehensible. This had me feeling inspired, specifically one quote that said “To the world you were a soldier but to us you were the world”

Arjun Varma 2024

Bullets and khakis, Some big some small, Men of stature, How could they fall?

At the start of my trip I had lost my identity at the airport. I thought for sure my life was over but it came back just as easily as I lost it. Those “known unto god” probably around my age had lost theirs with no second chance. Their loved ones sent messages saying “until we meet”. Mine had said the same along with the soft copy of my Identity. The crazy thing is, those men were lost only less than a 100 years ago. We really must be advanced. An identity that was once permanent is now easily replaceable.

Aryan Varma 2024

Gone with the wind

The dim roar of Kohima was like the bourdon note of a distant organ. The graveyard was filled with the rich odor of citrus trees. When the light winter wind stirred through the firns surrounding, I could hear the whispers of 16 year old Asif who would remain that age forever.

Sia Godika 2024

I stepped out of the bus face to face with a string of flowers around a grey stone with names and numbers carved into it. I vaguely recalled the concept about burying the dead close to home as well as a sense of curioisity and maybe uneasiness at the thought. A night full of eye-opening discussions and a day of exploring the distinct cultur of the Khonoma village followed. And yet again I was face to face with the gravestone yet again. However with the sight came not feelings of wariness or uncertainty but quite the opposite - a sense of comfort. To take care of those who meant so much to you. To keep your loved ones close. An act of respect and kindness. Less than a single day of being immersed in their culture and my perception had already changed.

Vishali Ramasubramaniam 2023

Fair (Kohima War Cemetery) Of Toys and Games (War Museum Diorama)

The cemetery was quiet. Not an eerie silence, but more of a peaceful one. The silence seemed to have an effect on me and my thoughts as well. Until I read 2 words engraved on the metal gravestone. “Age 18”. Here in front of me lay a man, or what was left of him at least, merely 2 years older than me. Yet he had the conviction and the will to lay down his life for the cause and country he believed in. Is it not unfair that the two of us at almost the same age lead different lives. At the age he should have been preparing for further education he had lost everything, just so I could study the war he fought in today.

Dhruv Gupta 2024

For peace and development

Green hills pass by the windows and the golden arrows of the sun, glance against the leaves. Vines crawl across its waist, and trees flourish in plenty.

Then there lay the bare ones. The blank stone has not merely been stripped. Their corpses were flailed, flesh and leaves slashed by bulldozers and steamrollers who roar in victory. The golden arrows cremate the corpse and metal atomizes them.

A sign stabbed and slashed reads “For Peace and Development”.

Ishaan Varior 2024

The cemetery was quiet. Not an eerie silence, but more of a peaceful one. The silence seemed to have an effect on me and my thoughts as well. Until I read 2 words engraved on the metal gravestone. “Age 18”. Here in front of me lay a man, or what was left of him at least, merely 2 years older than me. Yet he had the conviction and the will to lay down his life for the cause and country he believed in. Is it not unfair that the two of us at almost the same age lead different lives. At the age he should have been preparing for further education he had lost everything, just so I could study the war he fought in today.

(This impression is about the war memorial in Kohima.)

Verses of God etched in Stone, Of lives lost, bodies found, of souls unknown.

Lines of love written in grey, Of stars bright, fingers crossed, of letters frayed.

Bodies of blood, lead, and flesh, Of life foreved in memory meshed.

I wonder whether they drowned in a sea Of memories flashing, under canon ball’s flight. I wonder how it was to be A future shackled by war, a soul set free.

Raghav Choudhuri 2024

Little black squares with names dates and memories

Long carved stones with pictures and stories

Narrating the history and heritage of the naga people

The impact of their bravery and selflessness into our ear is seeping

The value of this cause is not lost

How long will they fight and at what cost

Warriors tortured killed and captured

Naga peace and culture is now ruptured

Survival is necessary and so is preservation

Will it be tactful to merge into this nation or will it lead to separation

Fighting with every breath presenting lusk

This is our journey in life from dawn to dusk

The memories are sweet and will never fade

Of those who were loved but could not be saved.

But I wonder why? For what did they give up their lives?

So that we could see the day after they fought through the night. And i wonder, What would they think of me if they were alive?

Has our generation been worth what theirs gave up when they died?

And look at their ages, eighteen in a grave

Was victory ever worth all the sacrifices made?

Graveyard Museum

The display caught my eye. I’d seen many miniature war recreations before, but this one was different. After looking at the scale of the actual site of the battle, this recreation looked small, almost pathetic. It made me feel like I was above the battle, above everything. A stark contrast from how I felt at the war cemetery a couple of hours earlier.

Death

In the village, death is treated as if it is a part of life. In the city, death is treated as if it is beyond life.

I wonder, Could one of them be right?

Soham Singh Maruwada 2024

Young men, scared for their lives,

Covered in blood, sweat and tears

Limbs shaking from fear and death

Sights set on the man on the other trigger. They were thinking the same thing.

A stunning cherry pink rose, Radiating life, beauty and love

Bloomed utop the headstone of someone long gone to experience that. How tragic.

Tejas Boge Reddy 2024

War cemetery

A grey stone, with two lines. That’s all they got?

1400 grey stones in a lush green step garden. Variety of beautiful and colourful flowers and small black writing. Name, age and rank. That’s all they got. That’s all he got. For leaving the comfort of his home. His family. Giving up school. Missing out on friendships, good meals. For waking up to the face of a red field. For looking at the point of a gun. A name. Age 16. Is that fair? Perhaps not. But did he have a choice? Perhaps not.

Suhaani Haque 2024

The long remembered

A day of gratitude. A day of respect. A day of honour. All the time in the cemetery; that’s how I felt. It was impossible to get distracted elsewhere. Only two colours stood out. The green of the grass and the grey of the coffin stones. They had only two options to be carved on them: ‘The soldier’s name’ or the phrase ‘A soldier known unto God.’ My eyes would not go elsewhere apart from the sad and wholesome quotes said by their loved ones. It was so sober that some of the sacrificed soldiers whose names were known had no quotes. Their families didn’t even know if they were submitted to God. One last quote broke everyone up from the inside, ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.’

Tejas Naik 2024

(war memorial day 1)

Long lists of names started at the top of the stone wall as my eyes scanned down until it hit a gray platform which lay on the hard soil. What lay cradling the stone edifice was an innocent red rose. A massive toll of human death with a lively red rose. The universe’s irony.

Tejas Siva Ramineni 2024

At the Cemetery

“To the world, he was dear, to us he was the word. Mom & Dad,” read one of the plates. I wonder what mine would read. I wonder why I want to still be loved when I’ll have no feelings, when I’ll be dead.

Buried east, buried west

What kind of war must it have been? Even after we fight, I won’t let my blood flow more than you.

Even after we bleed, I won’t let my dignity be lower than you.

Even after we die, and I stay buried by you? I won’t let my grave face the same direction as you.

Aryan Sharma 2021

Tavisha Jain 2022

Chapter 3.3

Meghalaya

Buses of Meghalaya

I see a bus pass by, filled with passengers dancing to music in foreign languages, strangers enjoying each other’s company and everyone, women, men and kids, content. When I think of back home, all I see is a bus packed with people, like gifts under the Christmas tree, their assorted experiences and knowledge waiting to be unwrapped. No one having a conversation, no one enjoying. All of them in their own world, some listening to their music and the others are trapped in their own mind. Everyone clinging tightly to their bags to keep their things safe and women: women just hoping to cling on to their dignity a little longer.

Dhwani Nair 2021

Ten minutes

Khonoma and Nongriat. Nagaland and Meghalaya. Both in the North East of India, both in the hills. But 10 Minutes in each village gave me completely different impressions. As soon as we entered Khonoma, we were welcomed by a group of villagers celebrating nothing but each other well into the night. 10 minutes in Nongriat and we saw nothing but tourists exploiting the beautiful clear water ponds and root bridges. I saw nothing but a village desperately trying to stay afloat and better their economic state by commercializing their enchanting nature and even their own homes. Despite being a smaller village, we were only vaguely greeted by the owner of the homestay we were going to spend the night at. How did two places so similar end up so different? Why did the villagers of Nongriat forget to appreciate each other? All I could think was the battle of Khonoma. Did the battle bring people closer because of the many casualties? Did the battle show them the importance of education and appreciating each other?

Was the battle the reason 10 minutes in Khonoma made us feel more homely than an entire day in Nongriat?

The last state we visited was Meghalaya. The people here also have their own cultural beliefs and traditions which gives them an identity of their own. There are three different tribes that are found here, Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia. The Garo are a matriarchal society. To me this was very different. I was used to the patriarchal society and it was interesting to see and observe how all the practices changed from the formation of different societies. Even though it was matriarchal society, there were some special privileges which were given only to men and the village council had only men. They strictly don’t include women whenever there is a village meeting. This was very surprising as the women took care of the house and kept track of their family’s financial requirements.

Light- minded

As an artist, I always wanted to experiment with light in my artworks. The scenes of Meghalaya were breathtakingly beautiful due to the effect of sunlight on the hills and the clouds. With these thoughts lingering in my mind, I walked into the cave, with the torch being the only light source. The cave was dark but beautiful, and something stirred inside me as I looked at the crystals reflecting the light of our torches. My next artwork materialised in front of me….

In Meghalaya, the identity of men seemed more prominent than

the women’s.

As I walked along the roads I made the small observation that the only people I saw were men. This made me question the women’s status in their society.

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Dhwani Nair 2021

Ananya Kurada 2020

Chapter 3.4

Meghalaya Limestone caves

Caving

In this time, we had to pair up, I did with Devansh, who proved to be a good partner when in time of need. I’m sure some of them heard, for Devansh and I were not the quietest even if we tried to be. We were playing a small game and ended up discussing our opinions on certain matters. Something that mattered to us to the extent that we were talking so much about probably didn’t even catch the slightest attention of our guides, walking in front of us, undisturbed.

The light found in darkness

My legs felt as though they were about to freeze and fall right off. The water, which was as cold as ice, came up to my waist while it only came up to my partners thigh. I looked up and all I saw was an extreme sense of depth in the darkness that loomed upon us. But, amongst the darkness was light; light which originated from the crystals of the various rocks and minerals that lined the walls of this magnificent cave. I was lost in its endless maze until I heard Devansh say, “Keep moving Gaia”, and my trail of thoughts was broken.

The work of nature loomed in front of us. The limestone walls had their own story to tell. The calcium carbonate coating shone in the light of our torches. With our hearts beating rapidly, we entered the cave and descended into it, one by one, anticipating the experiences awaiting us. Was the battle the reason 10 minutes in Khonoma made us feel more homely than an entire day in Nongriat?

A large fracture in the otherwise solid rock served as entrance to the cave. The opening was just about half a foot longer than my own height of five feet and six inches, and approximately half as wide. While I stood in front of the small threshold, the cool, musty air from inside the chamber leaked out through the crack and pricked my skin. The jagged gap was just big enough for me to squeeze through sideways if I kept my head ducked down. This hardly felt like a challenge.

The inside of the cave was very interesting. I was fascinated by the various structures in the cave such as the stalactites or stalagmites which were formed through water flooding the cave.

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Devansh Gulati 2020

Prashanth Rajendra 2020

Ritvik Kona 2020

Chapter 3.5

Meghalaya Root Bridge

Concentrate. To concentrate one must pay attention; that is exactly what I was doing while sketching the long root bridges in Nongriat. The sun was shining brightly onto the paper I was dropping ink on, as a small, grey, beautiful butterfly came and placed itself on my finger. After observing its fantastic patterns and small pools of colour, I continued to sketch. A few times, the butterfly left but would always come back to the same place, on my finger. It felt as though I was in tune with the nature around me, and realised that even the smallest creatures are magnificent. One would not think that something so small would break my concentration which would now be focused on it itself, but the butterfly, my friend, did.

Butterfly Strength

The bridge was immaculate, created by nature, nurtured by humans. The roots wrapped around each other sticking together until the end of their time. The intertwining of these roots enriched their bond and this cause was taken further with each step I took. It made me realize that facing hardships together bring us closer to each other as they make us stronger. Was the battle the reason 10 minutes in Khonoma made us feel more homely than an entire day in Nongriat?

The Root Bridges. Indian Rubber Trees roots extending through the rocks, into the pristine water and across the stream to form a solid bridge. Centuries-old bridges grown from tangled roots. Even more stable than a cable bridge. However, it takes time, hundreds of years even, to reach their full potential of stability and strength. We, as a class, do not have that much time, but hopefully one day we can reach that level of solidity in our friendships.

The root bridges were made using indigenous knowledge and the collaboration of many people. I found this interesting and was surprised at how they barely moved when I walked through them.

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Anoushka Manik 2021

Imad Uddin 2020

Ritvik Kona 2020

There stood the majestic root bridge

The sun rays shone through I needed to stop and admire

The beauty that nature brew

The morning in Nongblai when going and exploring the root bridges

The trees build the infrastructure

The mountains just keep giving water

If we attempted to bind with nature

Could resources be managed better?

A notice on how Nongblai was created, developed, and sustained.

Abdul Majid Samad 2025

Bridges

The bridges were really something interesting. Going over the root bridge, I was shocked to see how some wood grown into a bridge was able to hold our entire group, fourteen students, three teachers, two tour guides, and some natives. Not a single creak, not a single sound of stress on the bridge.. The only sound being the blue waterfall and our footsteps. Can I say the same for our man-made structures?

3 years and a lot has changed. With every step I took down, I saw a lot more people, shops, noise, garbage and a lot less nature. It’s sad that unlike Khonoma, tourism has worsened an already poor village and I could see it all around me. Lesser trees, lesser insects and lesser beauty. It was the clear turquoise blue water and bridges that were alive that brought us, our music, our garbage and our lifestyles. But it’s ironic that the ‘living’ part of the root bridge is what brings people here but also leads to a ‘dead’ part of an ecosystem.

Anushree Arora 2021

The board said only 2 people were allowed on the root bridge at a time for fear of weakening it while it was still in its juvenile stages of growth, yet they piled on with no regard for the rules. It is ironic that Indians hold their guests in the highest regard and the guests (the foreigners who visited the bridge, in this case) act in accordance to the rules, but we, the hosts, do not. It makes me wonder, especially at a place like this, what kind of example we’re setting for future generations.

What struck me most about it was the live root bridge built over generations, which stood out among its astounding history and the breathtaking beauty of its forests. It takes years to create this bridge because it is entirely natural and built of tree roots. This bridge represents a connection between people and environment, but more significantly, it represents a connection between generations since what one generation begins, the succeeding generations continue to build upon until the bridge is complete. As the bridge is fundamental to the tribe’s tradition, this work of art serves as a symbol of intergenerational connection, and everyone in the Angami community from children to elders takes pride in it.

Dhruv Karai 2024

Among its awe-inspiring history and the staggering beauty of its forests, what stood out to me was the living root bridge made across generations. This bridge is a completely natural bridge made out of tree roots, which, as a result, takes generations to complete. This bridge signifies a human-nature bond and, more importantly, signifies a communal bond across generations, as what one generation starts, the next ones build on until the bridge is finally completed. This artistic marvel is an symbol of intergenerational connectedness, and as the bridge is essential to the tribe’s culture, this is an intrinsic part of the Angami community; from the youth to the elderly.

Aryan Sarin 2021

Ram Tewari 2024

Vishnu Arun 2021

Chapter 3.6 Assam

The geography of an area has a huge impact on identity as well, influencing their way of life, and inturn, who they are. For example, in Assam, due to the huge supply of bamboo, they learned to use it in nearly all aspects of their lives, such as crafting furniture from it instead of using wood.

Sudhanva Bharadwaj 2021

In Assam, I noticed that the occupation of the people was also often defined by the tribe they were a part of. For example, Rup Jyothi mentioned that the Karbi tribe was the tribe that was responsible for growing tea. These labels made me realize that even though their identity was supposed to be prevalent in their name, their name often dominated their identity.

In Assam, I noticed that the identity of women in the society seemed very important when put alongside the mens. This reminded me of our general society; where women are apparently seen as having to struggle to maintain identity and status. Here in Assam however, the women seemed to have almost equal status as the men in the same community. This shows that, unlike some places, Assam is a place where the division of labour and household matters is not that strong.

As we drove into Assam, women walked past us with their colourful Mekhela Chadors, sarees that we hadn’t seen anywhere else. It was no secret that these fabrics against their skin was just another layer of their skin, one held so naturally, but so pridefully. If clothing is so central to identity, what does my clothing say about mine? The western influence stealing all the possible sarees and paavadas I could have worn, replacing them with jeans and shirts. Have I unknowingly lost a part of my identity to westernisation?

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Dhwani Nair 2021

Soumya Menon 2021

Chapter 3.7

Assam Kaziranga

Belonging to the top of the animal kingdom in terms of intellect, I sometimes wonder why do we tend to be stupid at times. I believe that nature is always silently showing us signs and hoping that we realise its message. I was lucky enough to come across a sign and realise it. Our visit to the Kaziranga National Park opened my eyes. I learnt mainly two things during our visit - first, that despite belonging to the top of the animal kingdom in terms of intellect we are dumber than the lower beings. The animals knew how to live in harmony, while I realised yet again that we don’t. The second main thing I learnt is about love. Surprisingly I learnt it from a species of duck. The Ruddy Shell Duck also known as the love birds in Kaziranga National Park because of their nature, are one of the most beautiful things that nature has shown me. The birds mate on attaining maturity and stay along with their partner for life. They quite literally live and die for each other. They always go around with their pairs. When one half of the pair dies, the other one commits suicide. What we have to learn from this animal is commitment. They take it seriously enough to give up their life for it while all we need to do is be a little more committed in everything we do, not only love people. We need to learn to be there for each other as part of humanity. It’s beautiful how nature guides us through life.

Bridges

Looking at the Kaziranga elephants, I noticed something that caught me off-guard. One of the elephants was chained up as he was considered the property of someone. The first question I asked our safari guide was, “Who are we to decide what animal we have the right to own and who are we to have the power to do so?” Elephants are much bigger and stronger than us, so are tigers. I learned that there are 3,000 wild tigers in India, whereas over 10,000 tigers are owned as pets by the richer families of the world. What right do we have to owning animals who have done nothing to us? Who are we to decide which animals get to live and die?

I

liked the safari in Assam. I

was surprised to see so many animals such as Rhinos and many varied species of birds living in that area.

Over the ten days I visited the North East, I was woken up everyday by three sounds. The first, was from the homestay in Nagaland. As I rolled over under the warmth of my blanket, a shrill sound woke me up. I had heard of this sound in books and movies, but in real life, it was not pleasant. The rooster’s crow had served its purpose, but five hours earlier than needed. The second, was from the hotel in Kaziranga and Assam. Geese. Quite magnificent animals but not such a magnificent sound. I woke up to the screech like sounds of geese let loose on the gardens in front of our room. The third, is not an animal, but a human. When we went to Meghalaya, one of my classmates decided that he needed to workout, despite his injured knee. As I slept peacefully, the speeding sound of the thwack of wire on cement rang in my dreams. He skipped on the terrace, which was right across my room. I thought I had finally gotten away from the noisy animal sounds, but I came around to waking up early anyway.

Chains

Looking at the Kaziranga elephants, I noticed something that caught me offguard. One of the elephants was chained up as he was considered the property of someone. The first question I asked our safari guide was, “Who are we to decide what animal we have the right to own and who are we to have the power to do so?” Elephants are much bigger and stronger than us, so are tigers. I learned that there are 3,000 wild tigers in India, whereas over 10,000 tigers are owned as pets by the richer families of the world. What right do we have to owning animals who have done nothing to us? Who are we to decide which animals get to live and die?

Muhammad Hashim 2021

Kakuly Mittal 2021

Ritvik Kona 2020

Arya Varma 2020

Aryan Sarin 2021

Chapter 3.8

Assam Rup Jyoti

When we went to Assam I saw identity through a different perspective. It was hard as the people had adapted to the modern style of living. But we could figure out a little of their identity through their surroundings and the food. When we went to Rup Jyoti’s workshop that she organized for us, they performed a pihu dance which they do at a particular time of the year for a particular reason. We got to hear the music and the language a little bit at the performance. We also got to see the musical instruments they use to create the sounds and how they use it. During the workshop we also got to nibble upon the traditional food and also learn how they make it.

When we went to Assam I saw identity through a different perspective. It was hard as the people had adapted to the modern style of living. But we could figure out a little of their identity through their surroundings and the food. When we went to Rup Jyoti’s workshop that she organized for us, they performed a pihu dance which they do at a particular time of the year for a particular reason. We got to hear the music and the language a little bit at the performance. We also got to see the musical instruments they use to create the sounds and how they use it. During the workshop we also got to nibble upon the traditional food and also learn how they make it.

One of the skills we partially acquired a few days later at Ms. Roop Jyoti’s house in Kaziranga was how to weave. The machine used for weaving was an old one and the knowledge of how to build and use it correctly was passed on from generation to generation. Experiences such as these made me understand how important sharing of knowledge really is in the process of preservation of identity.

We were welcomed to the Rup Jyothi cooperative with an afternoon Ragha, beautifully sung by Rup Jyothi, a couple of ladies, her daughter and Son. She introduced the performers, I was mesmerized by the pride she took in their achievements in the arts. She had completed a seven-year singing course, her daughter was starting hers and her son was about to complete the same in playing the Dhol. When I saw him start playing, I was instantly reminded of my early years of playing the drums when my mother would joke that I was just playing a bigger Dhol. His confidence while playing for a group of strangers was something I could never achieve. He was the same age as us, 16. We played very similar instruments. Why wasn’t I able to play with the same pride he did? I thought about the environment he grew up in and how everyone was encouraged to participate in the arts and celebrate his peer’s achievements. I thought about his parents, one an accomplished singer who owns a cooperative, determined to better the lives of women in her community and the other, an engineer who is well involved in the cooperative and a master at handicrafts. Then I thought about my life, my parents were very supportive of me but I grew up in a much more competitive atmosphere where everyone wanted to be better than the rest. People learned instruments only to measure the level of their skills by taking tests. I understood why I didn’t have the same confidence he had. I’m still scared someone out there is better than me.

It was an amazing experience to be at Rup Jyoti’s Cooperative Society. I experienced many things for the first time which I probably wouldn’t have had an opportunity for back in Bangalore. My first handlooming experience, my first bamboo handicraft and my first dance - I experienced all of them at Rup Jyoti’s. I learnt of Rup Jyotie’s journey of educating women in order to sustain themselves. She observed that the women around had no opportunity for studies but had skills which can be further developed in order to help them. Rupdidi set out to help them help themselves. She helped the women of her society develop skills in handloom and handicraft. She also helped most of them become masters in musical instruments and vocalisation. I think if we could use this system in bangalore and encourage handicraft and handloom that only requires a small amount of money and some creativity, the youth who waste their time online could make productive use of their time and earn some money.

Aaliya Samad 2020

Ananya Kurada 2020

Devansh Gulati 2020

Dhwani Nair 2021

Muhammad Hashim 2021

Chapter 3.9 Manipur

A Soldier’s Bedside (Manipur

War Memorial)

Fear not dear son, For tonight we light your pyre with the blood of those that fell beside you.

Fear not dear son, For tonight the skies shall hear no wails of despair, But the sounds of the angels that play Their lyres to your name.

Fear not dear son, For tonight you shall dine at the altar of the gods.

Dhruv Gupta 2024

The villagers of Loktak lake live a difficult life on the lake sustaining the fishing they did. They could simply move away from the lake and get another job to sustain themselves especially now that the lake is slowly dying and getting overfished. But they choose to stay on the lake and that is a crucial part of their identity. They chose to stick with what they and their past generations did in the past over getting influenced by the new.

Aryaman Manik 2024

#1:The invisible fishing Rod

A fleet of boats set out into the great silver lake. The sun encumbered by the morning mist was reflected by the great glossy lake. My soul seemed to have been strangled by a dainty goddesses’ fishing rod, who resides by the great Loktak lake.

Loktak lake museum

The Loktak Lake Museum showed me how identities transmogrify in the mysterious passage of time. The Red Cedar, important to the Sanamahi Religion, was planted directly alongside the Tulsi plant, important to the religion of Hinduism. As both the Tulsi and the Red Cedar were the front yard plants of two oppositely faced accommodations, I learned that culture and identity can be preserved in different and aberrant ways even within a community and two neighboring houses! What made the site particularly interesting was the fact that the Tulsi plant seemed weak and inappreciable, growing from a small gardening pot, while the Red Cedar grew majestically over it. This almost seemed like a symbol, pointing at the strength and faith in the old religion compared to the forced and imposed state religion of Hinduism. The view showed the societal conflation of cultures and the diversity that pronounces itself despite the two house-holds being a part of the same neighborhood.

Arjun Shah 2024

In a more positive light, I saw another example of legacy being the direct forge to someone’s identity in Manipur this time, the RKCS family’s two current living members. The RKCS family is a family of painters who work for the Meitei kings and they own an art gallery run by the two members of the family. Besides trying to still paint and associate themselves with the identity of an artist, they also integrate themselves as Manipuri through the family’s art. Their family’s star artworks are historical paintings of the kings, the local legends built during the peak of the Meiteis and all that the meitei kings saw for themselves. Any dates of historical events or knowing history comes from the time the family painted the event. I’ll never forget the time where there was a five minute argument between our guide and one the heirs over when the cholera outbreak was because he remembered his father painting it in a certain year.

“A lake like all lakes”

The lake was pristine. The water seemed to disappear into its own reflection. Comfortable clouds huddled together like old women trying to bargain for apples. Mountains towered tall above any viewer’s eyeguardians of secrets lost to time. The water stood still, waiting for a whisper to break its surface. I wonder how many shopping complexes would fit here. How many superstores, designer brands, instant noodles, hair clips or water bottles. How many fish could you catch at once if you had a trawler big enough? How many car showrooms with well paved roads and yellowwhite spotlights? How many weddings all at once, with velvet curtains, disco music, fake flower centerpieces and a pasta counter? How much profit did this lake have to offer? How much money could I make if I strangled the lake till it’s last breath? I suppose I don’t know. I hope I never will.

Later on in the trip we visited Manipur. Although I was sick towards the end of the trip I was able to grasp quite a bit especially in terms of how the people of Manipur identify themselves. From my observations I noticed that most people identify themselves as “Indian” unlike Nagaland. This one quote by our tour guide summarizes it. “We might not look the same, however at the end of the day we are all Indian”. This quote by him made me realize the contrast between Manipur and Nagaland especially in terms of how the people identify themselves. I realized that identity could be related to religion. As India is a rather “Hindu” prominent country and while the people from Nagaland are predominantly christian which could be one of the reasons why they do not really identify themselves as “Indian” and wanted to separate with India. in comparison to the people of Manipur whose majority Identified as “Indian”. I noticed that manipur however did have some similarities to Nagaland especially in the way they identified themselves. For instance they both had a unique history which lead to them to the way they currently identify themselves. They both also had splendid artistic works and unique dances which really stands out not just from the rest of India, the rest of the world.

Rishik Reddy 2024

Ishaan Varior 2024

Rithwik Shivnani 2024

Manipur helped me realise the importance of firsthand experience, especially when it comes to deeply personal matters such as identity. After talking to Jinbah sir, I had realised that a lot of what we learned in the dossiers and classrooms were not reflective of the actual situation in Manipur. Even simple things such as the language people spoke weren’t accurate. I realised this when I asked him about how fluent people were in Manipuri and Bengali, since our dossiers told us Bengali was the major language up until 2006, when schools started teaching Manipuri. He let me know that in actuality, practically no one knows either of these languages, only the script. Most people converse in Hindi or English everywhere in Manipur apart from Imphal, where some speak Manipuri. This almost insignificant piece of information was the first domino that fell, leading me to want to investigate and find out what else we had read in textbooks that wasn’t true in real life. What pieces of their identity and culture were we misunderstanding? This interaction was intriguing, as it helped me question the documentation of cultures. I had never thought about the authenticity of the information outsiders have about different identities up until then. But then again, the way people got this information was through observing people whose lives did in fact align with what we read in our textbooks. People who really did reflect that identity. And I was able to understand how someone’s identity differs with perspective; how different people could think of me as different things, and regardless of whether those ideas were different or not, they would both be parts of my identity.

I always believed identity revolves around the beliefs and values one follows. But, there is more to it. Identity revolves around the choices you make; Nagaland and Manipur are places where people made choices. Choices that defined their culture, choices that defined their lifestyle, choices that defined their identity. From the floating houses to the women’s war, their choices helped them identify who they are.

When we visited the Loktak lake we noticed the floating houses. The living conditions of those houses and why they made the choice of staying there. The fishing community at Loktak has been settled there from time immemorial and there are 33 different communities, since their main occupation is fishing and their only source of income, they need to stay in conditions that allow them to help support their family. This is again the choices that the Manipuri Meitei have decided to make which speaks about their identity and who they are as people.

As I encountered the loktak lake I really felt peace and silence, as the saying goes there is a first time for everything.

Manipur war museum

On numbing winter nights, and glinting summer days, they march on. Impressionable young men, fed the age-old lie, that dying in war is heroic. I look down at the bullet that killed him, ripped his intestines open, left him gasping for air, hopelessly.

Unity in diversity.

Diversity in unity. Insurgency, war,

liberation, and terrorism.

Jai Hind, he says.

Pratyush Balaji 2024

Vishal Arun 2024

Shaaunak Bajaj 2024

Rishik Reddy 2024

Manipur, however, was a bit different. The people of Manipur identity themselves as Indians whereas the people of Nagaland identified themselves as Nagas. The quote said by our guide in Manipur was, ‘We might not look the same but we are all Indians at the end of the day.’ This I found interesting due to the fact that two close neighbours, Nagaland and Manipur, have two different cultures because what I had heard as a child from my parents was that culture is brought about when humans understand the geography of where they live. One example could be Punjab. Punjab is the home of many farmers and one of their festivals is ‘Vaisakhi’ which is celebrating the new crops grown during the Vasant season or as the West would like to say, Spring season. But if that is the case, why did Nagaland and Manipur have two different ideologies of one identifying themselves as Indians and the other being Nagas. This could only be deduced by the History of the two places. Manipur on one hand had their own religion until the ruler of Manipur, Mahraj Pambheiba, introduced Hinduism. Their food consists of a traditional Indian thali with very little meat. The only two meats allowed are fish and chicken. Other meat consumption such as dog meat is completely banned and people can be punished for consuming it. On the other hand, however, the Nagas eat almost all sorts of meat ranging from dog to lizard and even pork. The religion followed over there is Christianity but they did have their own religion until 2012. Another thing to note is that there was a source which said that Nagas aren’t actually native Indians. They are actually Burmese and Chinese who found their way to India and invaded the local people and settled there. This could be one possible reason as to why they identify themselves as Nagas and want their own country out of it.

Tejas Naik 2024

Travel snippet #7

We visited the Loktak heritage museum. At first glance, the place was an unconventional museum. People playing around, weaving heirlooms, bathing, talking to each other whilst giggling, and looking at us curiously.

He was holding me at gunpoint. The boy gestured with his toy gun. I could imagine what was going through his mind. I think. A boy sees a large group of strangers of all ages, colors, heights and sizes; after playing with his toys by himself and letting his imagination run wild.

As I listened to the guide talking about phumdis, the floating biomasses on the lake, I got distracted. My sight of vision shifted to the boy who made direct eye contact with me.

He raised his toy gun and pointed it at me. I couldn’t help but let out a genuine smile. He reciprocated a playful yet shy giggle. I related to him.

He lives in Manipur, in a museum under construction, with limited resources and privileges. I live in Bangalore in the comfort of a wonderful house and family with everything one could ask for. And yet, I could see the similarity between him and myself- the same imagination, yearning for fun, and the same giggle.

Sunav Bajaj 2024

(This impression is about my experience on the boat, seeing the reflections of the sky on the quickly evaporating Loktak Lake.)

Ripples broke away from the hull, While the sky shuddered under the Sun. About the lake that made me wonder, When the skies would halve from two to one.

Raghav Choudhuri 2024

Loktak lake

A naked house, almost camouflaged into the colours behind. Inside, the bare minimum. Nothing more or nothing less. No fan to turn off, no fridge for leftovers. Perhaps no left overs at all. No closet for old clothes and makeup, instead, a small plastic box with a comb and an old acrylic paint bottle. I remembered a place that I called home. What I call ‘comfort’. Would the excess that I had be their comfort? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I guess I’ll never know.

Suhaani Haque 2024

A single dark gray stone held a lifetime. 1400 lifetimes were buried under 1400 engraved stones. Some held words of grieving families. Words of love, statements of truth and prayers to God. 900 lives were only known unto God. But some were blank. Smooth, empty stone replaced the uneven feeling of etched words. Why? Could a few words not convey all they wanted to say? Or did they simply not care at all?

Giggles and bursts of laughter echoed and bounced off the walls of a narrow hallway. A line of smiling, grinning little faces on little feet ran past me in a hallway filled with pictures of struggle, crying children, dead soldiers and a timeline of Manipur’s bloodiest war. I stared at their backs, wondering. Children half my age, what did they see? How much did they know? How could they come on laughing as they did in the face of people who laid down their lives for their peace. I wondered what their eyes saw that mine didn’t.

Ananya Arun 2024

Chapter 4

Dzukou Valley Trek

The Dzukou valley trek was an experience that taught me a lot. It taught me how to hold on and to move forward, or in other words, about tenacity. It taught me that one might have to work really hard to reach his or her goals, but the effort put in to achieve these goals is worth it. It taught me that with steadfast pursuit and by never giving up, a person can achieve anything, or that nothing is impossible. I could relate to the maxim which says that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. I am overjoyed that I completed this trek with my fellow classmates as it was not only a great experience, but it also taught me a few characteristics that I should possess in life.

Is the Beauty Worth the Pain?

The peak was certainly serene, calm, peaceful, silent and so many more pleasant adjectives, though if I may be honest not one word could describe the beauty of Dzuko Valley. While the trek up the hill may have been difficult at first but became easier and more enjoyable= as we got higher. On the other hand, the descent was absolute mayhem, for me at least. I easily fell over ten times, maybe injured myself a bitch much, but ultimately the pain I felt was worth the view from the peak. Linking this to my experience, when people want to visit a location deemed ‘pretty’ or ‘beautiful’, there are almost always comfortable ways to get there. Even with this trek, there was a route for tourists, that we opted not to take. I would say that the way I perceived this valley was far more appreciative than any other, where there was an easier method of travel. This raises the question, does the difficulty of the journey, ascent or descent, ultimately impact the viewers’ comprehension and appreciation of the destination?

Anoushka Manik 2021

The Dzukou Valley trek though arduous, was a great opportunity to step back from the highstress lifestyle that all of us were going through in school. With respect to the concept of identity, the trek taught me about the role nature plays in Naga culture, and further, how they actually view nature as a core component of their collective identity. They believe natural beings possess good and bad spirits, of their ancestors, and of animistic origin. Their beliefs have increased their respect for nature and have incentivized them to take care of their natural surroundings. Trekking to Dzukou Valley, I realised the value of nature to a culture and more specifically, the balance between human growth and development, and protecting the environment. After seeing such untouched beauty in the Valley, I want to work towards further protecting nature, and proactively working towards reducing the levels of individual pollution. With respect to the concept of identity, I believe this trek really taught me to ‘simplify’. ‘Simplify’ how I live my life, simplify my dependence on others, and simplify how I use and consume different resources. The Nagas live a very simple lifestyle, yet it’s very enriching, supportive, and good for the environment. Perhaps a shift in my identity and my perception towards my own lifestyle would reflect a similar change.

I did not find the point in going up the mountain just to come back down again. But then I realized that life is very similar to this, where we go up and down a bunch of timeslogically pointless. But we are here now, and the only real choice that we have is to enjoy it or not.

Suhani Jain 2022

Devansh Gulati 2020

Maithreya Karthik 2022

A chaotic trek. Conversations on literature, film, rashes and pain.

“Are we there yet?” The end is near, a cottage visible on the summit in the far distance.

“Look to your left!” Serenity

Sarah Samad 2022

I want to be the first to the top. The thought constantly flooding my mind as I first walk up. Reaching the top first as I run, getting into my dream college – it’s validating – but how for long? The satisfaction seems to end before you can even taste it, before you even feel you earned it. So is it

even worth it?

Sanjana Ganesh 2022

SOS - Save our Soles

(Written after the hike, about my feelings during the climb)

The huge mountains of Khonoma, with trees as far as the eye could see. A path to be created by us all, as we would trek to the mountaintop. A sense of discovery, the excitement for adventure, awaiting the challenge and bonding. It seemed fairly easy, “Just another hike, like the ones I always complete”

That was until just a few minutes in, I saw the decomposed carcass of shoes. And all those feelings vanished, just like their soles

Pratyush Balaji 2024

#2

As we arrived at the base ahead of me lay the daunting mountain. The muddy slippery terrain made me think about every step I took. My experience of the hike was nothing less than an adventure story. Every step I took there was a sense of pain, but something in me did not want me to stop. As I was moving forward I was visualizing the view from the top and once we arrived the effort taken to reach up was all worth it. Sitting on top and immersing the moment, the calmness and tranquility cleared my mind. The Shadows of clouds reflecting onto the hills created such a beautiful environment for everyone and the pictures that I saw were not enough to describe the beauty when I was physically present there. Moving our way down was easy but tough at the same time. The time taken down would have been lesser but the challenging terrain made it difficult for everyone, finding the right rock to step on was a challenge. But in the end when I look back at the experience there were challenges but the outcome was worth the effort.

Shaaunak Bajaj 2024

The air was crisp and cool, and the ground beneath me was uneven and rocky. It seemed easy upon first glance, but as I attempted to avoid the wrong stones and challenge my dexterity, every step felt like a struggle. The more it hurt, the more I would think about the daunting way back down. My breathing grew heavier as the path grew steeper. The trees grew shorter, the air thinner, until I was standing on a peak with nothing but sky and clouds above me. I stood there, catching my breath, sharing with everyone a huge sense of accomplishment and triumph.

Comfortable

On the down, I was determined to keep up with the group, struggling to keep up. Soon my legs were quivering and shaking, ankles twisting, slowly being left behind, soon I was forced to stop, legs dead and heavy. Smiling, my guide told me and my classmate there was no need to hurry, our destination was the same, simply do what you can.

We sat for 10 minutes recuperating, relaxing and listening to music. Slowing down, using my hiking stick for support, and slowly side stepping down the stone stairs I made my way down, scoring the dense greenery and the spots of openings giving way to the mountains and now warm sunny sky. We chatted about rock music, the hornbill festival and new shows, going down at our own comfortable pace, and soon a bus of smile greeted us.

A long/short way home

The Dzokou valley trek was probably one of the highlights of the trip. It was one of the most tiring treks of my life. It took 3.5 hours up and down. It was a LOOONNGGG way home for me. But apparently not for our local tour gides. Some of them were literally my age, like 17,18. For them, climbing the mountain was like walking from my bedroom to the kitchen for me. I felt really embarrassed, after being equipped with the best hiking equipment, and probably all the water in Nagaland. And those guys were literally wearing chappals, equipped with all our supplies, and barely had any water. I guess it is just a normal day in life for them. The view were BREATHTAKING though, but I was too tired to enjoy them.

Mudit Kohli 2023

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

Anvit Anand 2024

“I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known”. I never completely understood the meaning of this iconic lyric from my favorite Green Day song. Until today.

As I struggled to traverse this lengthy, narrow and raw pathway extending into a seemingly never ending abyss of fibrous grass and overcrowded thickets of trees, I only wondered in awe of how the Angami tribes people navigated such a challenging terrain before the existence of a well-established trail. Thinking of their potentially greeted tide of difficulties motivated my every stride.

Devansh Majithia 2023

We went on a long, tiring trek today; one I thought I couldn’t do. A few minutes in realized that looking down and taking one step at a time was the best way to keep going. Looking ahead was daunting, just like looking at what lies ahead of me in my life. Perhaps, looking down and taking a step ahead daily will take me where I want to be in the end. For the end is unseen and I’ll never know how long it will take for me to get there.

The Climb

Anxiety Cone “Expectations”

The trek downhill was a whole different experience than the emotionally and physically draining hike uphill. It felt like a new day, a more refreshed body and a positive attitude. I picked up a pinecone at the top of the hill, an almost perfect pine cone. By the time we reached the bottom, the pine cone was half naked. My anxiety attack channeled into plucking apart the pine cone but left me with what I could only call art.

Guhar Goyal 2022

Why do we climb mountains? Why do we climb mountains when we dread the ascend up and lament the journey down? Why do we climb mountains when every path marks us with bruises and aches? Why do we climb mountains only to end up where we began? Is it for the fleeting satisfaction as we reach a new milestone? Is it for the bursts of adrenaline as we sing along the trail? Is it for the momentous dazzlement of picturesque scenery? Why do we climb mountains when everything memorable about it is so short lived? While all’s well that ends well, why is all we want to end up where we began?

Dzukou valley. Stories of brilliant experiences. The view, the picture opportunities, the feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment. Beautiful light falling over the mountain, an everlasting golden hour. It was all true. Steep paths and unstable rocks led me to the top. The extreme cold numbed my hands and face. I didn’t give up. The fear of heights and thorn filled plants didn’t stop me. I endured it all. Now I ask myself, “was it worth it?” my expectations told me that the sense of achievement would overwhelm everything else. It was all a lie. I learnt the difference between reality and expectations. The view was spectacular, the pain is endless. The fresh air was refreshing, but relentlessly brutal too. It was an experience of a lifetime. It was a regret.

Untitled

I climb yet the Dzüko valley is still a distant dream. I am haunted by its cruel mirage that eases my aching limbs with a fleeting and false sense of comfort. Still, I march on, unwilling to reveal my weaknesses and unwilling to ask for assistance. I look around and wonder, is this the hill I will die on?

Breathlessness, nettle stings, injured knees and aching toes. Suffice to say, the trek was anything but entertaining for me. But at least my mother will be happy, for this was the most number of times I remembered god in a day.

Goel 2023

An Ephemeral Enchantment

The jagged terrain demands my attention and so, I am transported out of my mind and into the forest that bursts with life. I grow enchanted by the trees of infinite age and the subtle beauty of the fading flowers. Then, my foot hits an unstable rock. The enchantment is gone.

Tavisha Jain 2022

Yuvika

Kriti Sarawgi 2022

Amulya Kumar 2024

Gauri Padmanabhan 2023

Travel snippet #2 (6/12/22)

After the recall of a successful trek in Ladakh during my summer vacation, I was confident in my ability to smoothly endure this “so” difficult trek. Oh was I wrong. The way up felt like I conquered the day while hearing the echoes of our calls or as the guides called it- “a war cry” and feeling the rough rocks coated by the soft porous and moist moss. The stay on top of the mountain included broccoli looking mountains with the dominating color of green in the scenery. It felt like we conquered all there was to. Throughout the journey, I came across a small discrepancy. My unused hiking shoes were destroyed sole-by-sole, layer-by-layer, step-by-step. It felt like continuously inflicting the pain of stepping on rocks barefoot while simultaneously freezing them to the point of absolute paralysis. Despite the pain, the goal was to finish the challenge as independently as possible. While trying to complete the trek, although it may have seemed to others and myself at the time that I accomplished a big feat, the truth is that there was no other feasible option. The pain might last a few hours and the shoes (which I quickly developed sentimental value for) may be gone forever, but the experience worth sharing will stay with me forever.

The silence wasn’t deafening, as many people say. It was calming. For whatever short duration of time we spent on top of the mountain after the Dzoku valley trek, I felt at peace. It was particularly rewarding after the gruelling 4-hour trek to the top, during which there were many close calls and difficult obstacles to overcome. I realised just how much unnecessary noise we have in our daily lives. Such untouched pockets of nature should be protected at all costs. I envy the people who live so close to the unfiltered nature.

We all are always told to plant trees but today while trekking the Dzukou valley, I killed more than a thousand of them and it still felt like I was Daydreaming perhaps it felt like that because of the beauty of nature; the tenacious mud, sky-scraping trees, thorny bushes, mesmerizing flowers and the unforgiving stones without which the trek would be of no fun. The elegance of nature came to live at the highest point of the trek, where hills camouflaged in the clouds and those 3-minutes made us realise the importance of every second. Walking on dried leaves and dead plants while struggling to even stand upright at some points, scared to fall off the cliff, due to the fear of height, made me question myself several times why was I scared of heights and are heights the only thing that I am afraid of?

A trek

My calves ache and the thousands of steps ahead loom over me. My lungs burn, my knees rattle, and so, I stop, and think. I think about a lot, about this trek being just an item on the itinerary for me, but how it is part of someone’s daily life. I think about the significance these steps have to the people of Nongriat. A ladder to facilities, food, income. To me, it is just a trek. A 7-month pregnant woman would climb these steps for her child, carrying double the weight, having double the strength that I have. To me, it is just a trek. A son carries kilograms of bay leaves to the market uphill, his only income against his back. To me, it is just a trek. I think about the things I’ve seen, the leaves crunching beneath my feet. I’ve seen culture so rich, smiles so big. I’ve learned more, seen more, in days than I have in a year. To me, no, I don’t think it’s just a trek. I take another step.

Vishnu Arun 2021

Kakuly Mittal 2021

Soumya Menon 2021

Bajaj

These pictures have been with in this order to show our trekking journey. At the start of the journey, everyone is getting ready for the long trek (as seen in the first picture). The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th pictures show the unique things that we got to see during the trek and also shows the difficulty we had when trekking. While the 7th picture shows that we were resilient and still continued on our trek. Finally the last image shows the scenic view of the place which made the entire trek worth it.

Adweit Gharat 2022

In many ways, our trip to Northeast was no short of magical. Of everything I had the chance to see and experience, Nagaland and Manipur’s natural beauty is what stood out to me the most. Being from what is called the ‘garden city’ one would have expected for me to have seen nature at its best already, though what I saw in northeast was extraordinary, like nothing I’d ever seen before. The theme for this photo essay is idyll. The photos that were selected for this essay are all representative of Northeast’s idyllic natural beauty (even though it would be nearly impossible to capture it all by means of a

photograph). The first eight photos were taken during the Dzukou valley trek, in a manner which captured the way sunlight bounced off certain parts of the scenery, which is what stood out to me the most. This led to a scenery studded with sunlight, capturing the most fantastical parts of nature in the north east. The other photos were chosen similarly, with the same theme. A majority of the photos selected had very specific lighting which is what appealed to me the most, since the scenery which was shot almost seemed to sparkle.

Samitha Sri Bhaskara 2024

Chapter 5.1 Culture

Students delved into the rich cultural identity of Northeast India, sharing their experiences of tasting unique foods, engaging with different tribes to understand their traditions and rituals, and witnessing vibrant festive celebrations.Their journey showed how cultural practices, both simple and ceremonial, are deeply woven into everyday life, revealing the strong connections between people, their surroundings, and their traditions.

The religion adopted by most of the people living in the North Eastern states is Christianity, but this is syncretic. The Nagas have turned into Christians only recently, as a result of the British influence. They still perform their indigenous and traditional rituals in addition to following the beliefs incorporated from Christianity. In face, some of the Nagas were reluctant to convert to Christianity. This is another factor which shows how they try to maintain their old traditions even if they adopt something different.

Older traditions of burial including the 40 days of worship, the manner and skill with which the pooja and rituals are performed, and the actual burial of the deceased along with seeds and a live chicken are but one example of culturally-bound indigenous knowledge lost to shifts in religion and power. Some cultural knowledge that died along with the past generation, leaving their successors to submit to christian methods of burial instead. I wonder how much cultural knowledge I’ve lost because of constant change and whether it is entirely useless to ponder such a question.

We watched a woman crouched on the group, soaking thread in a mixture of water, dye and leaves. We were told that she was a teacher, one who passed down the knowledge of dyeing and weaving thread to the younger generations in that village. It made me think of the tradition of passing on knowledge orally; how big is the margin for error with this form of dissemination of knowledge? It intrigued me that the indigenous people did not feel the need to create a script, a written documentation of their work. Rather, they trusted the elders to accurately convey what they needed to know. This was a stark contrast to the society I come from, in which we are encouraged to investigate the origin and reliability of knowledge I come across.

Anousha Sinha 2025

This morning in Khonoma, my classmates and I watched a live performance by a bunch of young Angami people. This included a romantic song and a brilliantly synchronised dance. I was exposed to the culture of the Angami people by this piece of art. As I got to experience the culture of a certain tribe of Nagaland, this made me realise how diverse the culture in India really is, which made me feel proud to be an Indian, as this diversity doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

Another observation that I made was the diversity of culture within a small radius of space. Where we live you can typically go about 40 to 50km away from your location and you will still be unable to find a new cultural tradition which is exclusive to that part of the world. This was not the case in the North East and if you wanted to see new traditions, new dialects of a language and new people they would be just a 30 minute drive from wherever you were situated in the North East, this was made quite explicitly clear when I visited the Hornbill festival and was able to see the large variety of tribes that exist in the North East which we had not been exposed to yet.

Dance

Watching the various tribes sing and dance was truly a mesmerising experience: the Angami victory dance, the Konyak’s muzzle dance, the Lothal tribes love dance and many more. Having learnt a completely contrasting style, there were particular elements that stood out. Rather than an orchestra on the side, or even recorded vocals, the tribe members were actively involved in singing. Dancing itself requires a lot of stamina, but vocalising and singing simultaneously is quite strenuous. Rather than unique costumes for each performer, the men and women adorned common, traditional attire. However, they had the unity, the collaboration, the synchronisation that my style of dance had too. Their facial emotions and actions matched the theme and tonality of their performance. They were as engaged and dedicated as any dancer from any style. It truly showed that no matter the style, no matter the music and no matter the costume, each dancer has similar motivations and intent behind their performance.

I thought of the shawl patterns. They intertwine, the threads do, with history, pain, and beauty. Handwoven, treasured, beloved. The woman’s voice is heavy, weighed ( but not sinking), with the strength of her craft. Before, I yearned to be reborn in a different place just like this. But I realize now, the love behind my own culture that I considered too common. That too, I have come to cherish.

Aparna Iyer 2020

Aida Sree 2025

Devansh Gulati 2020

Dhruv Sabharwal 2020

Anoushka Manik 2021

Neeti Nayak 2025

They’d sit with their peer groups along the edges of the room. The most handsome man and the prettiest girl given special places.

An Indian culture that encourages young love was the first one I had heard off. Coming from a conservative family, I was fascinated with their practices through which boys and girls mingled.

Ask her to make you tribal clothes and you may get married, who knows?

Gift her a basket and say “I love you”

A woman controls everything. Everything except for having a chance to decide who controls her, her family and her village. It’s surprising that women here aren’t allowed to vote or have someone amongst them represent their concerns. I was hoping this mindset would have been different here. Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe men aren’t just ready to let go of their superiority complex like that of the roots to the boulders.

Anushree Arora 2021

Heikha

“We eat the pork after two years, we use the pig fat oil in all dishes, it smells bad.”, said Heika. “Oh, why would you do that to yourself?”, I asked. They just eat it — It’s tradition. I don’t know what’s more rewarding: comfort or tradition?

Tavisha Jain 2022

A step forward and a step back, one arm in front the other behind, a high voice and a low voice, loud but quiet, melodic and sweet. Their smiles filled the cold night air with warmth as they embraced their culture, their identity and I made sure to fully immerse myself in the moment for I was sure to rarely see such a display of passion again.

Vishali Ramasubramaniam 2023

In Nagaland, there are no cows and so people don’t need milk. Mithuns, semiwild animals are sacred and so are worshipped and eaten only during festivals.

Bandana Bajaj 2021

Our cultures are so different yet somehow I felt a sense of familitary when learning more about the angami tribe. Hearing Miss Kavita and Colin Sir constantly make comparisons to their Gudalur trip (a culture i think i can relate to a little as I’m from the south) had me pondering about how these two tribes are quite literally on opposite ends of the country yet share so many traditions and commonalities. Do we have more in common with the nagas than we thought? Is this enough to consider Nagas as Indian? What makes one’s identity unique if we have so many things in common?

Harshini Abburi 2022

Starlight

It’s common in Naga culture that we end up in the sky as stars. Well in that case, I hope all the stars of fallen soldiers, fighters, believers, followers, and Nagas twinkle every time we hear their stories. I hope they shine bright for the future, and continue illuminating their pasts. Thank you for shining the path ahead.

Maithreya Karthik 2022

At what point does the integration of culture become intrusion? This is a question I’ve never even thought to ask myself my entire life. However, today’s walk, where we experienced and learnt about the customs, beliefs, history, village systems and overall life of the Khonoma people has got me thinking about this question. As an individual who is an american citizen who speaks English as her first language whose culture growing up in Bangalore with parents from two different states, I’ve never had a pure cultural system to call my own. My identity has always been something that’s changed based on external influences. But today, experiencing the way the Khonoma people make every effort to preserve the core of their culture has got me wondering whether intrusive integrated culture I currently have can ever be reversed to this state of purity the Naga people possess.

Sanjana Ganesh 2022

I lifted the elephant hide, made a shield, and yelled ‘Mummaaa’. It was so heavy that I almost dropped it. This was just one of the elements in the armor worn by men to protect their family and themselves from headhunters. The weight was proportional to the value of lives.

He said, ‘We give the best of what we have to our guests. Even if we have a small piece of meat, guests get it first.’ He added ‘This was a way of life and not doing so was disrespectful.’ This made me question how I treated guests when they came to my house. Was I always this humble? Did I not want them to go away as I didn’t want to entertain them?

Human head hunting is a sport! In a world where killing is a crime, there are some who consider it an honor to slash the head of a person and hang it in their house like a trophy. World is a strange place. No wonder these tribes don’t fit with the concept of nonviolent India and want an independent state.

Seven times the fine, seven rounds of a ritual or seven pheras in Hindu marriages or seven wonders of the world, what really is the significance of this number.

Ananya Singla 2023

Pork has been smoked and hangs above me. The forests also know the smell of smoke, preserved for future generations. Rice is harvested and fermented to eventually become the intoxicating breakfast of a man. Yet, I wonder if in the cooking of all this food, in practicing culture that has been smoked and dried for hundreds of years, does it ever come out a little too salty?

Gauri Padmanabhan 2023

A mix of corrugated iron shacks, cement builds, tar roads and dusty sand paths mingled to create Kohima. Though the paths were narrow and congested, people patiently waited in orderly queues, the biggest indicator yet of Nagalands cultural difference to India I had seen yet.

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

Cultural Shock Food

Eels, quails, mice, things I’d expect to see at a zoo, But here I was waiting to eat them with rice and stew,

Unaware that I might be spreading the next flu, All alike seeming like a deja vu, Could it possibly be Wuhan 1.2?

Kohli 2023

A thousand threads intricately interwoven to create a shawl.

A shawl with something intangible that is buried within.

A symbol of a community, a clan, a tradition, a duty, a responsibility, their past, present, and future. This is a Nagamese shawl.

Nachiket Kulkarni 2025

Community, the most important principle. I noticed in the performances; they love their community, their people, their life, and their identity. I was entranced by this principle and my mind filled with the events of what I have done for my community and what I have not.

A thin membrane barely afloat, people living on them. I wondered how it must feel to live on a drifting platform but to be ever so stable. So settled.

Manik 2024

Aryaman

Mudit

The art gallery

I entered the cold room hit with an aura of peace and serenity. The paintings had come to life as if their inanimate nature was obsolete. It felt as if the paintings were gazing down at me rather than me gazing at them. Each line, each stroke, each color evoked a new spiritual emotion into my heart and soul.

Me being an art fanatic I also loved the RKCS art gallery where there were numerous paintings that had historic and aesthetic value. I was truly in a state of shock as the art that was presented to me was of such great detail and immense hard work. While looking at the series of paintings I had also come to realize that the paintings also portrayed the artists emotions, culture and identity. I got to experience and enter the artist’s mind and look through what he was thinking of while creating such masterpieces.

Arjun Varma 2024

A step forward and a step back, one arm in front the other behind, a high voice and a low voice, loud but quiet, melodic and sweet. Their smiles filled the cold night air with warmth as they embraced their culture, their identity and I made sure to fully immerse myself in the moment for I was sure to rarely see such a display of passion again.

Vishali Ramasubramaniam 2023

‘Snails’ I thought. How bad could it be? ‘Please don’t actually taste like snails’ I thought after. Real snails? Will it be slimey? Crunchy with the shell maybe? I felt it crawl up my throat the more I thought about it. Will it be salty? I hope it tastes like chicken. Probably not. As I sat there with 5 others eagerly waiting, I was nauseous. A little bit anxious. Somehow looking forward. Perhaps they’ll fry it, I thought. Or take it out of the shell? How do I eat it with the shell? How is it going to look? Then it came. 80 small shells, dark brown in colour. My stomach was twisting into knots, or so it felt as I took a shell into my bare hands. I closed my eyes and slowly, hesitantly put the slimey gooey piece of meat in my mouth. Please don’t taste like snails, I thought. As if I knew. Well, now I know.

In Nagaland, I learned that each tribe has a distinct identity than the other 16, with its unique language, culture, traditions, and indeginous knowledge of land, terrain, flora and fauna, etc. The tribal languages are not even mutually intelligible, and so they must use either Nagamese or English to communicate with each other. Nagamese is a language derived from Assamese, Hindi, and a few other tribal languages solely to ensure communication between the tribes of Nagaland.

Indigenous societies consider their land as sacred, recognising that it not only sustains their existence but, when treated with the respect they believe it deserves, enhances their communal well-being. Known as “Rymbai Kyntang’’ in the Jaintia hills, sacred groves serve as sanctuaries for biodiversity conservation. The Jaintia tribes preserve these areas as havens for a diverse array of plant and animal species, untouched by human activity. The conformance to traditions passed down for generations in indigenous societies undeniably has ethical implications, and the beliefs associated with these groves offer valuable insights into how cultural perspectives influence attitudes toward environmental conservation.

Suhaani Haque 2024

Anvit Anand 2024

Dipannita Bhattacharya 2025

Consistency is key Loss

Abstract but consistent, the brilliant artist who was able to express the identity of a painting that even a simpleton like me could configure. Narrating a story through his pictures to luminously express a variety of cultures. Each painting had a deeper meaning that made me look back at it twice not knowing it was glaring back at me.

Dhruv Karai 2024

Spinny tops

There they go, the dancers being spinny tops, spin spin spin.

Graceful amongst the massive rhythmic din they bang on the drum. They look ripped for, oh my, ten years. They must have trained as children then.

Ishaan Varior 2024

The language of Nagaland, Nagamese, was tonal, meaning its language was very oral oriented. Even its stories and knowledge was shared and passed down orally. There was never the need to write everything down. In Khonoma, the young adolescents live in a Morang, and stories are told to them. Here I understood its not always written language that makes up ones identity.

Aryan Shah 2024

Crunch. The insects were spicy, tangy airy, but with it came a sense of confusion, replacing the curiosity and excitement that came before it. For me identity is undeniable proof that you are who you present yourself as. Being a devout brahmin I had been a strict vegetarian all my life, it being a central part of my identity. Was I the same person I was yesterday? Will I still be who I say I am if I continue being vegetarian after this ‘lapse’, did I lose a part of myself or gain something?

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

This photo essay attempts to bring out the Nagamese culture, tradition and lifestyle through a series of 8 pictures. It begins with a black and white structure, an arrangement of baskets & garlic, a woman dancing to a cultural song, and a collection of baskets in a different settingreflecting the role of a particular demographic in the community. It then displays 2 images (the Mithun heads and the spears) with warm hues, capturing the ‘survival’ aspect of the society. Following this, it portrays an image of a paddy field, underscoring their collective method of business and nourishment. And lastly, it ends with another black and white structure overlooking the hill.

Naviya Jain 2022

My experience visiting Nagaland was certainly a culture shock. From the unique way of life of the Konoma people involving self-sustenance and service to the community, to its rich history and distinct delicacies, Nagaland is a very socially and politically different region than any other that I have been to in India. Hence, I have chosen the above 10 pictures to bring out my highlights of the trip that, in my opinion, glaringly manifested Naga culture and history.

I have ordered them in this sequence in order to showcase these snippets in a roughly sequential manner, and bring out our journey from the beginning to the end.

Devansh Majithia 2023

What makes us who we are?

Noor Sabharwal 2023

We are where we come from, and where we are choosing to go.

We are who leads us, And who we lead.

We are what we are told

We are what makes us uncomfortable,

We are what we are told And what we aren’t.

And the boundaries of comfort we choose to push.

We are, so I am.

Chapter 5.2 Culture Tribes

When we were staying with the Angami tribe, one of them said they refused to learn Hindi. It is like a foreign language, and their local language is such a crucial part of their identity. When I read the history of the different tribes of the North East, I noticed how hard they fought to prevent outsiders from stripping them of their identity. The biggest difference between the relationship between me and my identity and the tribes and their identities are that I would not have fought as hard as they did, to keep in touch with my cultural heritage. This may be because we live in a colonised city, hence we are already letting go of much of our traditions.

Arya Varma 2020

Nagaland has a variety of cultures in its tribal groups. There are around 16 tribes, each tribe with its own practices and language. To make communication easier between people from different tribal groups, a creole called Nagamese, a combination of Assamese and tribal languages, was formed. So, apart from their mother tongue, they either speak Nagamese or English. However, they avoid using Nagamese because they feel it violates their identity due to the inclusion of Assamese and other tribal languages in it.

Aparna Iyer 2020

Poo reference from K3G –‘Good Looks, Good Looks, Good Looks!’ said no one ever in this community of tribal. What really is beauty? The social constructions of beauty perceived by us are very different from those in this tribe. The elements found attractive in men are their calves, heels and the degree of chubbiness and not their muscularity or how built-up they are.

Ananya Singla 2023

In Khasi Culture, the youngest daughter, the Kakhaddoh inherits the wealth and property of the family from her mother. Her husband moves in with her and her parents while the other children moved away when they got married. What if that was my life?

Aarushi Mutreja 2021

Upon entering the dimly lit dwelling, I noticed old machinery lying on the floor while furry bearskin blanketed the walls. A middle aged woman holding a bag filled with orange discs approached us. I was curious to find out what it was. I bit into the hard fruit only to find myself making a sour expression. We were told that this specialty was made from wild apples that were abundantly grown in the village. It led me to think about how such minor cultural differences hugely affected the identity of the Angamese tribe.

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Khakhaddoh

Eka (our guide) also told us that languages which are common between tribes in Nagaland exist and that tribes speak in these common languages when they interact. Through this, the various tribes get to know about the practices and beliefs of each other and thus about one another’s identity. He also mentioned that the local tribes in Nagaland wouldn’t even attempt to learn Hindi, the most spoken language in India. This portrays that the people in this region are determined to preserve their own identity and would not want to alter it.

The tonal language of the Angamese tribe in Nagaland is another interesting feature of their identity. Majority of the words have several tonal variations, with different pronunciations. Even the slightest difference in pronunciation may alter the meaning of the word completely. The knowledge of this language has been transferred from one generation to the next, sustaining a vital aspect of their identity.

When we visited Meghalaya, the residence of three major tribal communities- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, I came in contact with a very different approach to social dynamics. The Garo tribe followed a matriarchal society. Women were the dominant figures in the family, an idea that is generally regarded as unorthodox. I was surprised to see this progressing outlook in a developing state. Ironically, women weren’t given a voice in the village council of Nongriat. They were barred from voting and making crucial decisions on the general upkeep of the village. Nonetheless, these factors have contributed to their identity that passed on from their ancestors.

The One Common Thing

Each tribe was different: their Morungs, their costumes, their language and their culture. The Ao tribe with bearskin head crests, with three feathers sticking up, but the Chang tribe with just one feather. Yet, all the tribes had one clear, discernable element in common: the Mithun. I noticed that at the top of each and every Morung, sat the skull of this daunting and majestic creature. From what I observed growing up, Hindus, such as my family, worshipped and admired Cows, and this trip showed me that this animal counterpart for the Nagas was the Mithun. However, there are quite different approaches taken by the two. Hindus refuse to eat cows, but Mithun is a delicacy for the Nagas. Hindus don’t necessarily raise the cows humanely, but Nagas ensure that Mithuns are raised as free and humanely as possible. The two worship a particular animal, but the treatment greatly differs, which raises the question of how different locations and made me ponder on exactly how cultures ultimately decide upon which animal to worship, and how to treat it?

Devansh Gulati 2020

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Anoushka Manik 2021

Chapter 5.3 Culture Festivals

The third day I went to the Hornbill Festival. This was a festiva which was celebrated once a year. All sixteen tribes of Nagaland would come to this one place and display their different tribal traditional practices. Such as a song, dance or a sport. The hornbill festival made me think about how these people do so much to preserve their culture and identity and we don’t even care if our traditions or practices get lost in the process of adapting to a new identity. I realised that your identity is not only made up of your past but also the present of who you are and the person you plan to become in the future. Every decision you make builds up to the identity of the person you are today.

Nagaland: The Hornbill Festival

I sat down in the bleachers of the stadium, tightly clutching my camera. There was not a peep from the crowd of almost 2000 people as we intently watched the two larger than life men crouched on the ground, ready to clash at the sound of the whistle. The whistles were not off, and the two men collided with bone shattering force. For a minute the only noise that could be heard was the grunting of the effort of the two men. Then it happened, with a roar and loud applause from the crowd one of the men was lifted off the ground and up into the air and dropped on his face without a loud bang and yelp of pain.

The famous hornbill festival, a celebration of the diverse tribes and their cultures. A common misconception is that it is to show the “outside world” of their varying cultures, rather it is to show each other(tribes). At the festival, each tribe, like the Ao and Angami tribes, had its own dance and clothing. Each tribe had its own hut with different designs.

The Hornbill Festival also called as the “festival of festivals” is very unique in its own way where 17 tribes (including the Garo tribe of Nagaland) come together to celebrate their differences and similarities like the different “Morungs”, traditional food, dance forms, traditional dresses, etc.

A festival of the arts with a variety of tribes, Their performances exuding passion and energy The loud cheerful chants and dance contrasted by the Utter silence of the seven missing tribes.

Aaliya Samad 2020

Aryan Shah 2024

Kakuly Mittal 2021

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Boge Tejas Reddy 2024

Collective Identity “History and Culture mingle”

The Hornbill festival is a festival where all the “naga” tribes come together at the village called Kisama. The main intention of this festival is to embrace the different tribes and learn about each others culture, traditions and food. Though they were grouped under one single identity - “the nagas”, each tribe seemed to have their own identity. I was perplexed at first but later thought of it as being an identity that was called upon them and not what they decided to be a part of.

Gradually, I realised that though they are different, they do form a part of one identity, which I would like to term as collective identity. This is very similar to us, the 14 of us who had been to Nagaland - we came from different backgrounds, carrying different experiences, having different levels of exposure but at the end of the day, we called ourselves the grade 11. We didn’t directly choose to be a part of this identity (grade 11) but it was imposed on us by the school, to be a part of the same identity and grow together because what we had in common is our age, our vision, our academic goals and we chose to be a part of the school. This helped me realise that sometimes we ourselves don’t realise that we belong together unless we’re told so.

The tribes of Nagaland being called nagas is perhaps one of the reasons they are as united as they are today. I learnt from this, the need of the Hornbill Festival - to learn and embrace the difference amongst them.

Muhammad Hashim 2021

Walking through the war memorial took me back in history and time. A glimpse of each grave reminded me of what the soldiers fought for. A sacrifice that would never be forgotten. Going ahead with the Hornbill festival made me realize and experience the rich culture of nagaland. Cruising through the market from looking for gifts for my family to helping a friend find one for his mother made me admire the variety that this place has to offer, a culture so different and unique to us, an experience that would never be forgotten.

Siddhant Bajaj 2024

The hornbill festival, a festival hosted by the numerous tribes under the collective identity of the naga to preserve their identity and culture to showcase it to the world and to preserve it for the future generations to continue and remember for ever and ever. Each tribe with a different ideology, a different identity, a different belief coming together and expressing their identity in different ways from dances to games to even their clothes from a headgear to the footwear they were using.

Aryaman Manik 2024

As we entered the much awaited Hornbill festival I did not know what to expect. I was nervous, Intrigued, excited but at most curious. Curious about the traditional clothes, curious about the stalls set up but mostly curious about the environment. Every tribe had its own unique identity. An identity that was shown through various traditional acts and performances, and identity that spoke about Nagalands culture.

Shaaunak Bajaj 2024

Chapter 5.4

Values & Relationships

Honesty

We were talking to a member of the village council in Nongriat, a tribal village. He took us through their strategies and laws and spoke about the way the village functioned. Their basic strategies were similar to those in other villages. However, the punishment for theft or any dishonest behaviour was severe. This was the case in Khonoma as well, a small tribal village we visited in Nagaland. For example, in both villages, a heavy fine would be imposed on the thief, around seven times the amount stolen. After making this connection, I realized that small communities like these try very hard to maintain discipline and honesty within themselves. They are proud of the fact that cases of dishonesty are rarely reported and strongly believe that their people would never commit such actions. I also noticed that there were no policemen on the streets; there was no need for one. This type of behaviour and trust among each other is something that our country and its cities should adopt.

Aparna Iyer 2020

Women do all the work like a lioness but when it comes to power only lions have ownership. Such was the mentality of the tribal people of Khonoma. Lands and fields are given to sons, uncles and brothers but never to a daughter. This was ingrained into the minds from a young age. This is just one of many practices they share with animals. Is this what makes them one with nature?

Ananya Singla 2023

Purpose

As I walked through the streets of Khonoma, I noticed something peculiar about the people. Even though I was a stranger, they wished me, no matter how busy they were. They were not particularly rich, but they all had smiles on their faces. They lived in a beautiful place, with no pollution, and low crime rates. They had to work hard, but still had time to sing and dance. It made me question- what really is development if you are already happy and satisfied? Don’t we all in a way aspire to live the life they do?

Rohini Chakraborty 2020

Hills transformed to plains. Eroded rocks became tea and rice plantations. Churches became temples. Plaid wide-leg trousers and a tshirt became sarees. Boards were now written in Hindi and Assamese. NL became AS on the number plates.

‘Come again’. I promised myself I would. But until then, I will miss you Nagaland. I will miss you Khonoma. Most of all, I will miss you, the people I met. Your hospitality was an absolute pleasure. You made a place which I had been in for just a few days feel like a home.

Thank you for everything, Nagaland.

Bandana Bajaj 2021

Life around

We live in apartments and villas with people so close to us and yet hardly know any of the people around us. We call it a community but give it a thought, do we live in a community? The khonoma village has three khels and all three of them live together like a family; they know each other very well. They do not personally know every “naga” but they do know the people around them and are also connected to each other. This was evident in Heikha’s interaction with all the villagers. The entire village knew of our existence. The village counsel reserves the right to permit us into the village and once we’re permitted, the entire village knows where we are. I realised that, back home, we don’t live together but we only live in the same place; that we have no connexion or anything common among ourselves besides that of having a surrounding in common; we live next to each other and yet only know of our existence. I think it’s time to connect and live with people around us, We need to learn to look beyond ourselves and love the people around. That is the only way we can live “together”.

Muhammad Hashim 2021

One of the key takeaways from this trip was gaining a sense of togetherness, family and community. Being a person who is generally independent and doesn’t open up to people easily, this trip saw a transformation of my relationships with my class and was triggered especially because of the constant emphasis on togetherness and community that I saw at multiple points in the trip. This essay starts with a single snooker ball, symbolizing me at the beginning of the trip, followed by a picture of me lost in deep thought, alone. It moves to me being around my classmates but still not close to them and then only close to a few. This was symbolized by the images of the rhinos. In the middle of the essay is a picture of rocks being constantly washed over by water. The way the undergo change due to the water. This is what happened to me, except quicker. I suddenly started engaging in more conversation with my friends and then further made more friends. The trip ended with one close-knit class, just like a family. Hence, the essay ended with a pool of snooker balls stuck together, but different in our own ways.

Anushree Arora 2021

The combination of pictures above represent an impression that I encountered throughout the trip, one that stayed with me long after. Something that stood out to me was the importance of community in the Northeast, the relationships between the people, the environment, etc. From the first talk to the hikes, we constantly saw examples of how community was at the heart of living and way of life. Whether it was with the root bridges, built over generations, or the 176 stones surrounding the peer house representing and recognizing each member, or simply the pride in our guide’s voice when he spoke of villages’ achievements, the trip truly embodied the significance of communities in our lives. I’ve arranged the pictures in a way that it represents this learning, starting with some of the tangible examples we saw - root bridges, innovative new dyes to add to the existing bank of knowledge, sacred groves - and then recognizing the members of some communities we visitedEres village, the three tribes, weavers - and finally how that sense of community and companionship was instilled in us throughout the journey, leaving us with a sense of warmth and gratitude.

Aida Sree 2025

I selected these images to capture the essence of the warmth that permeates the North-East. Each photograph, whether explicitly or implicitly, portrays a sense of warmth. Some images depict a soft, warm haze, while others convey warmth through the emotions of love, comfort, and joy—be it in the company of friends, family, or immersed in activities that bring happiness, such as pursuing one’s passion or preserving cultural traditions. During my stay in the NorthEast, this warmth wasn’t just seen but deeply felt through the genuine hospitality, kindness, and warm smiles of the people I encountered.

The intentional sequencing of the photos moves from hazy and blurry compositions to clear and sharp ones. This progression mirrors the gradual clarity that unfolded in my understanding and perception of these indigenous societies throughout the duration of my journey. Just as the images transitioned from soft to sharp focus, so too did my knowledge and perspective evolve, revealing a clearer and deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of life in the North-East.

Tanya Pande 2025

Chapter 6 Uncovering Emotions

These travel snippets showcase a journey of personal growth and cultural immersion. Students faced fears, reflected on the contrast between city and rural life, and engaged deeply with local cultures. The trek through Northeast India tested their resilience and overconfidence, while interactions with locals offered insights into different ways of life. Moments of peace and cultural encounters, from the tranquil paddy fields to the bustling markets, prompted reflections on contentment, personal biases, and the importance of embracing the present.

3. Fear took me over as I stepped on the bridge, but when I looked down, the blue water calmed me down. It was my favourite colour. Then I thought of the worst thing that could happen, I would fall into that beautiful blue river. This instantly made my fear flow away. Feet trudging, heavy breathing, fleeting lighting. I knew I was moving but failed to find my feet beneath me. As it transitioned to blinding darkness, I kept moving. The only thought in my mind being- if I can navigate this, there is little out there that I cannot.

Live in the present

It creaked and protested as I stepped on it. The bridge looked old and fragile. The roaring of the water was amplified and flowing water was interrupted by evil looking creatures - rocks. I was already dizzy from my fear of heights, the swinging of the root bridge just added to it. I stopped halfway, with a paranoiac thought- whether I would make it alive to the other side, what would happen if the bridge collapsed, etc. Unfortunately, I was in the front of the line and my classmates impatiently urged me to move faster. So, I walked as fast as I could and ignored my fear. I did reach the other end safely, but I deeply regretted thinking so much about the future. Due to my constant fear, I missed watching the beautiful scenery and the view from the bridge. Most importantly, I did not enjoy the present which would have otherwise been a very memorable experience.

Determination

I noticed the students starting to separate into two distinct groups: the active and energetic ones who walked about half a kilometer in front of the second group, which were the tired students who fell behind. Among the second group, were my friends and I, one of whom had hurt her ankle. I saw her a few meters in front of me, hobbling with two bamboo sticks and a tight bandage around her ankle. I did not realise until much into the trek how taxing it was on my legs. I couldn’t even imagine what pain she is in. I made sure not to complain, because as compared to my friend, I was in no place to claim how badly in pain I was. She dismissed every “Are you ok?” and “Do you want help?” with an “I am fine.” I could see the pain in her face, but what sharply cut through this feeling was the perseverance and willpower to finish.

Bridge to nowhere

The bus was stopped. Nothing surrounded us but the white of the fog. As I looked down, I saw nothing. I wonder if that was the first time the uncertainty didn’t scare me.

Ananya Kurada 2020

Aaradhita Varadarajan 2022

Kavya Arjun 2025

Aparna Iyer 2020

Overconfidence

When I heard that we had to descend 3600 steps to reach the village of Nongriat, I thought it would be a cakewalk. I felt that going down stairs would be much easier when compared to climbing them, and was thus overconfident. However, midway through the journey, my ankles began to ache and my feet began to tremble. I felt an excruciating pain. I criticised the mentality that I had prior to the trek. I realised that the pain I felt was amplified due to the feeling of overconfidence I had. By this experience, I learnt that overconfidence is a harmful drug that should not be consumed by anyone.

Devansh Gulati 2020

Reflections in water

In a small part of Nongriat, a waterfall made its way to a beautiful cobalt blue pool, which allowed the reflections of the rocks, trees, sky and even us to dance so perfectly on its smooth yet rustic surface. The level to which how clear the water was, was beyond any that I had seen in India. It was surely magical.

Sitting on the rock, overlooking the crystal waters and root bridges, I decided to pull out my sketch book. The jovial atmosphere brought a sense of togetherness in the small, quaint village. The local children ran across the bridge, tourists dipped their feet in the shallow waters while we flocked around the rocks taking in the picturesque sight. The village of Nongriat has been very enriching. The vast expanse of nature and warmth of the people gave the place a special feel, making me want to come back again. It also made me wonder how a gem like Nongriat is preserved from foreign influence.

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Treasured Strength

For as long as I can remember, I was always pretty good with climbing stairs and physically exerting myself. The steps to and from Nongriat made me think twice about my miserable confidence. As I sit here in my now clean clothes and washed hair, I look back and remember that most of the inhabitants of Nongriat were elderly people who managed, or in this case, were used to climbing those thousands of stairs every single day of their lives. In my eyes, calling that respectable or even inspirational would be a severe understatement.

The Paddy Fields

The sun slowly set behind the mountain whilst the clouds placidly floated in the sky. The paddy field extended until it met the community forest littered with guava trees and yellowing vegetation. As we trekked on the rocky, narrow path I felt calm and at peace. Contrasting the busy and hectic city environment, there was a serene and tranquil aura accompanied by a vivid view. The difference between the two was certainly prominent and distinguishable. Do we take our metropolitan lives for granted, being content with less, when there is so much more to explore?

The light found in darkness

My legs felt as though they were about to freeze and fall right off. The water, which was as cold as ice, came up to my waist while it only came up to my partners thigh. I looked up and all I saw was an extreme sense of depth in the darkness that loomed upon us. But, amongst the darkness was light; light which originated from the crystals of the various rocks and minerals that lined the walls of this magnificent cave. I was lost in its endless maze until I heard Devansh say, “Keep moving Gaia”, and my trail of thoughts was broken.

Anoushka Manik 2021 Gaia Shapiro 2020

As I lay, my head down, I felt my mind ignite. Wondering like a small child, pondering, as of I’ve grown. The Earth spinning at her own pace, I can feel her moving so silent yet so loud. The night is a concert, a choir of peeping birds, forever chirping. Bright stars illuminate to speckle my eyes. Out in the open, yet I’ve got nothing to fear, because loneliness will never appear.

Fear

Spiders are creatures that have become synonymous with evil and fear, being one of the main symbols of Halloween, a holiday revolving around fear. Yet, I find hundreds of spiders the size of my face inhabiting Nongriat, and all the villagers treating them as though they are just another inhabitant of the village. Considering where I come from and my fear of spiders, this came as quite a shock. It made me wonder where my fear actually comes from, and how the role of media affects our fears. Despite the fact that I have not had any significant bad experiences with spiders, I still fear them to a large extent. I wonder whether the media’s portrayal of such icons, not just spiders, have affected how we look at them. After all, humans are simply a combination of chemical reactions with one defining attribute; our conscience, a little voice in our heads that helps us make decisions throughout our lives. Therefore, why is it that this little voice which gives us the power to distinguish between right and wrong, an ability only we as humans have, is so easily fooled by the portrayal of certain things by other people. It makes me question the idea of fear at all, and where this irrational sense of dread really originates, and why other people and experiences can add to your pool of fears, but no matter how much you try, why it is nearly impossible to remove something completely.

Underestimation and Overconfidence

As soon as I told my told my teacher, “the rest of the way looks peaceful,” I slipped, in that moment I couldn’t feeling anything and my mind was completely blank. I slammed into my friend gripping onto his radiant orange jacket, not realizing that his hand got stung by a plant due to the collision, I thanked him instead of apologizing. When I found out out that he had got hurt, I apologized and felt like a complete imbecile because I learnt that my foolishness and carelessness, not only hurt me but it also hurt my friend and we must never underestimate anything.

Time Travel

While we were returning from the cave, on the road, my body was shivering, my teeth constantly chattering, and my feet stepping into the puddle in my shoes, listening to the ‘PLOP!’ each time my foot stepped into the puddle of my shoe. It reminded me of the time it was monsoon in Bangalore 8 years ago, the emotion of disgust and joy each time I got wet, this feeling had escaped me and the puddle in the show seemed to have teleported me back in time.

Eating the silkworm, a perfect metaphor for this entire trip. It was something I never thought I would experience and whether or not I enjoyed it, it is something I am glad I went through with. From the enjoyable taste of freedom, to the bitter tasting homesickness, I experienced a whole range of emotions and it is an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Prashanth Rajendra 2020

Imad Uddin 2020

Shashank Pai 2025

Sudhanva Bharadwaj 2021

Discontent

I stand in the shower of my room and think about all the other places I would rather be in. I take a bucket bath in a washroom in Nagaland where the walls are thin and the paint is wearing off, and I think of how I would much rather be in my bathroom. I sit alone in my room with my phone and I want company. I spend 5 days with 20 other people and I want to be alone. Do I want a “sweet spot” or do I always want something I don’t have right now?

Baskets with overflowing worms in every shop. Tiny frogs hopping in plastic bags and mice trapped in metal cages. A woman immersed her hand in one of the baskets and filled a plastic bag with the worms, tied and handed it over to the man in front of her. A few minutes ago, I squealed when one fell next to me. Fear, Disgust, Curiousness, Excitement and Fear again. I felt so many emotions in the fraction of time I had spent in the local market at Nagaland, but the woman was simply performing an everyday task. I realized that everyone is different and should not be judged for what they do.

Kohima Market

I walk through the Kohima market and almost immediately, my senses are assaulted by smells and sights that are completely foreign to me. I watch curiously as eels and catfish squirm in buckets and worms wriggle on plates and frogs jump up and down in little plastic bags. Just then, I notice a group of women looking at me intensely, perhaps for them, I am the fish out of water.

Gauri Padmanabhan 2023

Scales (Eating Dog Meat)

I found myself doing something I thought I never would. As I was urged to try the meat, which was admittedly delicious, it didn’t fill me with the pleasant feeling that normally comes with eating good food. Would this have changed had they called it something else? If so, are all lives really equal to me?

The pursuit of happiness

Doggy delight

As cherishful as it was to taste it; the thought behind wasn’t, it seemed cannibalistic but it didn’t. The saying dogs really are man’s best friend really hit home, literally. As the bones piled up so did the emotional discomfort; the face of my little puppy would soon appear as a mere hallucination on my plate, and so u thought to myself, was he that palatable too?

Women Laden with heavy woolen clothing singing merrily as we thumped through the ever-present paddy fields of Khonoma. The wind gently brushed my hair. The sky was a vicarious mix of yellow and blue. As I crouched across the narrow, dynamic stone path emblazoned with moss, I felt a sense of peace and content, a sentiment I had in common with the villagers. A huge grin covered their gentle faces. I wondered, “do we really need the luxury of a city in order to be happy?”

As I encountered the loktak lake I really felt peace and silence, as the saying goes there is a first time for everything.

Tavisha Jain 2022

Dhruv Gupta 2024

Ram Tewari 2024

Dhruv Karai 2024

Rishik Harish Reddy 2024

Ananya Singla 2023

The descent

The image of the view at the top of the mountain lingered at the back of my mind as I stumbled down the broken rocks. The motionless stones tricked my mind as they slid down the slope, carrying my entire body with them, bringing me embarrassment and injury. Thorn-studded leaves licked at and burned my skin. But most of all, I could feel something heavy and harsh, probably the surroundings pounding against me. Every grain of soil, stone and leaf laughed in the great chorus as I struggled, slowly crushing my spirit.

Dhruv Gupta 2024

The street lights guide us as torchlights while we walk through the tedious streets of Kohima. Every step we took we moved further, anxiously and eagerly waiting to see what’s next, what’s new, what’s different on the streets of Kohima. The booming music and different stalls spoke about Kohimas culture. Coming from the village this was a whole new world and experience that I was disclosed to.

Shaaunak Bajaj 2024

In the warm fire

Under the dark sky

Hearing stories about a culture

Feeling an all time high

People coming together expressing their culture

Spreading knowledge, happiness and joy

Such a great feeling

Warmth, comfort and enjoyment

Listening to the music

Watching the dance

Eating marshmallows

Seeing a wonderful culture taking place

The silent hills

The see through water

The powerful bridge

The beautiful plants

But the meaning deeper than what we see, hear or feel

A home, a culture and a source for happiness

Jeet Punjabi 2025

“The Descent”

The hour break at the peak had me field up for the descent. Step by step I went while admiring the breathtaking valley. The stones and rocks were slippery due to the dew and had added time which felt like forever. Slipping and sliding I realized that we reached halfway. The more I walked the more my legs ached. A couple hours passed and we had reached the final leg. Cold and tired I was desperate to get down. Soon after I realized that I was lost. Anxious and cold, I was trying to find my way. Couple of minutes later I encountered my group. Following them I had reached the bottom of the mountain. Looking back at the humongous mountain, I was proud of myself and tired but the memories I made would stay forever.

Siddhant Bajaj 2024

One step closer

My stomach rumbled as I slowly lifted the rusty pivot that my knee had become. Placing it on the loose moss covered rock, I wondered how much “closer” we were to the top.

After all, that was when lunch would be served.

As my beanie fell away and my face welcomed the fleeting sun-rays, I looked up. Eyes glued to the uneven “pathway” (If it can even be called that), I hadn’t noticed the vast Foliage that the cracks of the morning sun had illuminated.

The mountains, like the gravy of palak paneer, spread out miles below us. The trees like big, healthy broccolis touched the bottoms of the cotton candy clouds. The giant towering trees looked like tiny peas from afar.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, my stomach rumbled. Oh yeah, I’m still hungry.

Sia Godika 2024

We made our way down

We made our way down

Some sure-footed

Others tumbled Ahead, ahead we go.

Suddenly feeling hands gripping my bag

For balance

Hoping I don’t fall myself Ahead, ahead we go.

Finding a stable spot to step Pointing out loose rocks Ahead, ahead we go.

Unexpected challenges, Tumultuous terrain, Ahead, ahead we go.

But such is life, is it not?

Face fears, reach out for support, try not to slip.

We make our way down. And ahead, ahead we go.

Ananya Malde 2025

The Beautiful Devil

Waking up from bed felt like leaving God from the cloud of Heavens.

Climbing up the green valleys broke my legs. It felt like distorting the bones of a chicken before the meal of a herd of maniacs. In the mountains, the war cry sounded like the howls of a wolf. The ever so warming Sun was a whole new feeling on its own. Coming down was such a real pain. The stinging nettle poked through my hand. Thinking it was poison, I neglected it. Later I learned that it were small hair. Coming down was a whole new experience on its own. Trekking that I have known my whole life involved a rope or any sort of support. This didn’t have any of that. The guides were running through the way whilst we were struggling down the path. The way was heaven to hell. This day, being very adventurous, developed new feelings. Those new feelings gave me an opportunity to explore the world we live in and opened another eye.

Tejas Naik 2024

(Written the day we ate dog meat at the hornbill festival)

When I saw that man hold a puppy on his back, walking to the kitchen, I was suddenly guilt-ridden. My mouth still retained the subtle aftertaste of tender dog meat. But as he held that puppy in the same way a pig is hoisted to the slaughterhouse, I couldn’t help but think “Surely he wouldn’t chop that up”.

Only then did a devilish thought arise in me, a side I never hoped to see.

“I wonder how it tastes”

Who am I?

(The final piece I wrote about uncovering a part of my identity in the Manipuri women’s market)

As we walked through the market, I found that all my eyes were directed towards, were the balls of puffed rice. Despite everything the place had to offer, it was all my gaze gravitated towards, the one thing I could buy at AryaHub, a mere 2 minute walk from my house.

Not the beautifully crafted bags or stupendously woven shawls. The most mundane item on sale.

Was it homesickness? Perhaps.

The craving of a familiar taste? Probably

The unsuppressable desire to display who I was to those who already knew it at every possible moment again and again and again and again and again?

Positively.

Pratyush Balaji 2024

A conversation with a man in a random north indian restaurant in the north east.

I threw the chicken bones away, looks like a piece. He stares at me and accuses me of hating it. I loved that chicken. He switches the convo to english from hindi.

“You people are from a rich place right?” “Yeah you could say that”. He didn’t even let me justify it. Unfair.

We stare into each other’s pupils, we want to rip each other’s throats, beat each other up, a wave of violence in our heads.

But much like all waves, it passes.

“We’re from Bangalore, SIR.” I say. “Wait a minute… I lived there once, near Koramangla!” His eyes light up, or were they mine? We looked into our irises, his were brown. “Yo I live nearby!”

“Used to work as BTO there.” BTO could have stood for butter tikka office for all I cared.

We smile.

Then we stare.

Into the whites of our eyes.

Upper dog indian and killer of pretension nagamese man, and then … just a small bit of empathy.

Do I love?

I love those moments we poured ice buckets on each other for bets. I love those moments where we sat in the stars and nearly cried from their beauty. I loved those moments where we came down from the rocks with twisted ankles, aching kneecaps and something that was definitely not a pair of shoes once. I loved the giggles, the insults during impressionistic writing, our anecdotes of mithun and other crazy crack tales.

I will miss those moments, but at least I know that love will forever be within me.

Ishaan Varior 2024

Dzukou valley trek

The descent was agonizing. Thighs cramped. The numbing feeling in my toe with every step I took - paralising. One more step, I thought. Just one more step. As much as I wanted to keep walking, I was struck with pain. Pain that felt like I was carrying the whole world with every step that I took. 2 hours later, as I finally sat in the bus, I could not feel my legs, yet somehow feelings of pride and joy dawned over me. Perhaps the muscles I tore were replaced by the bonds I made with the people on the trek.

Suhaani Haque 2024

Khonoma

I look up on this peaceful, and serene evening, to see infinitely dense pockets of light . The swirling cosmos, endless and vaste.

I feel as though nothing is more purposeful, than understanding the purposelessness of our existence.

Vishal Arun 2024

Chapter 7 Education

As a part of the learning journey, our students investigated both traditional (Morungs) and modern education systems in the Northeast, gaining insights into how education and occupation play a crucial role in shaping our identities.

Their education system was similar to ours. They follow the syllabus of Nagaland Board of school education. All the people there speak English which made it easier for us to communicate and interact with them. The naga people also had one common language called Nagamese which is used for easier communication between the people. This also showed the importance of a common language which is a necessity to share knowledge and identity among the people.

Education

After that when we trekked down to the village of Nongriat to learn more about the Khasi tribe where we interviewed three households is where I noticed the role of education and occupation in the concept of identity, though this was evident in Nagaland it wasn’t very striking as most of the individuals were educated and have well paid occupations such as doctors, engineers, farmers, etc. with some of them having several degrees and PHDs. The role of education and occupation was striking in Nongriat because there were rarely any basic public facilities in the village such as schools, hospitals, etc.; neither did any individual own any luxury item such as a television or a refrigerator,most of the villagers were laborers working under the government’s “MGNREGA” scheme and some are farmers or more specifically bay leaf collectors by which they would have a very small income which was thus, very evident in their standard of living for example in Nagaland you could see that most of the individuals wearing branded and modern clothes, having access to schools, doctors, hospitals, etc. whereas most of the individuals in Nongriat were wearing decent clothes, did not have any schools or hospitals in the village and all the students studying have to climb 3000 steps everyday to reach to their school.From this I learnt how education plays one of the most important roles in defining the identity of a person as it determines the occupation that is best for an individual which is also a very important aspect of an individual’s identity, which further determines the income of the person which instead determines the purchasing power of an individual which finally decides the standard of living of a person.

In the Khonoma village, they prided themselves on their level of education; “that’s an engineer’s house” or “a doctor is constructing his new house there” Aeka would point out as we strolled through their village. However, in Nongriat the villagers had only completed till grade three or five, and in one household a daughter made it till her Bachelor of Arts, but ultimately dropped out to get married. The education gap was certainly distinguishing between the two, and it made me wonder how exactly the views and decisions regarding education came to be? I have been raised under the impression that education is ultimate: it makes or breaks your future. That it is necessary to be literate as a lack of education would trap you in poverty, leaving you like an insect tangled in a spider’s web. It would also bring you fulfilment and happiness. In Khonoma, I saw a similar belief, a similar understanding, that education is something to invest in, but in Nongriat, villagers like Helarious only considered giving his children education to generate more income for his household. What we have established as education, learning certain subjects at certain levels, is it truly needed to be satisfied and accomplished? Khonoma seemed more united, cleaner and happy as a village, but was it their appreciation for and a higher level of education that lead to this?

As we moved forward with our trip and got the opportunity to observe different villages and people, I realized how much education could also affect our identity. The people of Khonoma recognized the need to preserve the history of their village, which was an important part of their identity. I remember watching Heika guide us through the tangled paths and stone steps, stopping to talk to every villager, talking about the peer group Morungs as he mentioned how he was selected to be the most handsome guy with pride and explaining the significance of the forts that were built by the soldiers during the war. But as we visited the next village, Nongriat, I noticed how most of the villagers, many of who were barely educated above grade 5, had rotten teeth. These people did not know the long-term consequences of letting an unlimited amount of tourists enter and enjoy their natural wonders and how they might lose them if they were not more careful. I realized that my exposure to education was the reason I was able to appreciate my country’s history, all of my different friend’s cultures and maintain good health. This helped me realize that all my behaviour and wellbeing were also primary components of my identity.

The development of identity was also related to the Morungs that we saw in the village of Khonoma. These were a traditional schooling system, and involved children being taught important values and lessons by their elders. This made me question how different the behaviors of someone who has studied here, versus someone who has studied in a modern education system would be. What role does education play in the formation of our values and behaviors, and thereby in our identity?

Ananya Kurada 2020

Soumya Menon 2021

Rithwik Kabir Shivnani 2024

Anoushka Manik 2021

Dhwani Nair 2021

Chapter 8 Perspective

As our students immersed themselves in the culture and history of the Northeast, they compared and contrasted their own lives with those they encountered. In the process they gained fresh insights into the diverse ways in which cultural traditions and social practices shape personal and collective experiences; here are their viewpoints, opinions, and reflections, offering a unique perspective on their experiences.

The Story of Our Lives

Sitting on a rock, smelling the fresh air, feeling the breeze as it softly races against my skin, I was looking at the waterfall. It starts coming through a small hole in the rocks and joins the lake. As the lake goes on it expands and goes deeper. It meets steady rocks along the way some big some small. I instantly connected it to my life. I realised it was the story of our lives. We start our journey very small and as we go on we meet people and go to places. This expands and becomes a big world for us to face. We go through hurdles and somehow overcome them, either alive or broken. This makes our journey for the past present and the unknown future that is yet to come.

Aaliya Samad 2020

Light- minded

As an artist, I always wanted to experiment with light in my artworks. The scenes of Meghalaya were breathtakingly beautiful due to the effect of sunlight on the hills and the clouds. With these thoughts lingering in my mind, I walked into the cave, with the torch being the only light source. The cave was dark but beautiful, and something stirred inside me as I looked at the crystals reflecting the light of our torches. My next artwork materialised in front of me….

Devanshi Saraogi 2020

Bad habits of the people

Throughout the whole trip I realized that every grown man that I saw had teeth which were a dark shade of red. I later learned that this was caused by the endless chewing of beetel nuts. I also learned about the many other side effects of chewing these and it made me wonder why people would do something like this when the negatives far outweigh the small amount of benefits.

Dhruv Sabharwal 2020

A refuge. A breath of fresh air. Thrust suddenly into an alien culture that now feels like home. But however unwilling I am, I have to go back. To a world of irrelevant things. Examinations and careers. Even though I’ve left a part of my soul here. In Nagaland, where they hold pure things dear.

Navya Sahay 2022

I live in a world of hypocrites. Ultraprogressive uncles and aunties pushing the narrative of equality while grossly underpaying their employees. Nagaland was different. Instead I saw young men and women, expressing their opinion on Naga society, not lip-servicing the ideal of equality, but actually inculcating it through their actions. That is, instead of judging people on how they expressed their emotions of giving back, they judged them on how much they actually gave back. Something about doing over saying has changed in me, but clearly, based on the late submission of this reflection, this change is taking time.

The ambience of Bangalore city is boisterous. Rich people in their little gangs aggressively speak over each other, expressing why their party is better than the others’. The Nagas were so united. Fighting not against, but with each other in a war bigger than ‘D-Day’ and ‘Waterloo’. They are so united, yet maintain their own personality, something so foreign to modern society. I suppose I would like to be like that. Yes, believing in what I want to, but not fitting into the stereotype of ‘people of that opinion’.

Ved Kaura 2022

“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”

I heard Heika say that the most attractive people would sit at each end of the morung. To my surprise, I saw him look amongst us, pointing out the people with rounder features and deeming them as attractive. Growing up in an urban setting, I had always looked up to size zero models with sharp cheekbones and defined jawlines and the standard of beauty. Here, beauty meant something else entirely. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but what forms and influences the eye and the view?

Aarushi Mutreja 2021

Persian Blue

Walking up stairs, losing breath, a friend and I were talking about the various shades of blue that emerged from the water below our trembling feet. We named quite a few until she said “Persian blue” instead of “Prussian blue”, although persian blue was in fact a colour, it was not appropriate for the shade of the pool at that time of day. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. After correcting her silly but cute mistake, it got me thinking on how the colours were named. Or for that matter, how was anything named? How was I named?

Gaia Shapiro 2020

“Something new” (water chestnuts)

A black charcoal coating. A burnt hard shell. An effort to crack it open.

A sweet, soft treat inside. Something new.

Amulya Kumar 2024

An important factor to preserve identity and carry it forward to the future generations is sharing of knowledge. I noticed this in Khonoma as well as in Kaziranga. In Khonoma, a few Angami children sung a traditional song for us. This song was an old one and I understood that it has to be passed from one generation to another for it to be preserved. This made me realise that sharing of knowledge is a prerequisite to preserve any traditions and practices and thus the identity. One of the skills we partially acquired a few days later at Ms. Roop Jyoti’s house in Kaziranga was how to weave. The machine used for weaving was an old one and the knowledge of how to build and use it correctly was passed on from generation to generation. Experiences such as these made me understand how important sharing of knowledge really is in the process of preservation of identity.

Devansh Gulati 2020

The plowing of the field in the Paddy fields with the remaining rice crops seemed like a tedious task for the village residents. There were various elements of this experience which changed my mindset, for now at least. Firstly, they appeared satisfied to me. This can either be interpreted as gratefulness or complacency. Either way, my opinion has no effect on them. The trust in their community was astonishing. In cities we have papers of legislation and consequences, yet there are crimes and sins. Simply through the means of trust and faith in eachother as well as in a common belief system, there are almost no conflicts. Again, to me this can be interpreted as either blind trust or honor. And yet again my opinion has no effect on them.

I truly respect their loyalty to their own beliefs which should seem obvious, although is rare. And yet again, my respect for them has no effect on them.

We visited the Loktak heritage museum. At first glance, the place was an unconventional museum. People playing around, weaving heirlooms, bathing, talking to each other whilst giggling, and looking at us curiously. He was holding me at gunpoint. The boy gestured with his toy gun. I could imagine what was going through his mind. I think. A boy sees a large group of strangers of all ages, colors, heights and sizes; after playing with his toys by himself and letting his imagination run wild. As I listened to the guide talking about phumdis, the floating biomasses on the lake, I got distracted. My sight of vision shifted to the boy who made direct eye contact with me. He raised his toy gun and pointed it at me. I couldn’t help but let out a genuine smile. He reciprocated a playful yet shy giggle. I related to him.

He lives in Manipur, in a museum under construction, with limited resources and privileges. I live in Bangalore in the comfort of a wonderful house and family with everything one could ask for. And yet, I could see the similarity between him and myself- the same imagination, yearning for fun, and the same giggle.

Sunav Bajaj 2024

Disappointment

After everyone had shared their truly heartwarming snippets, my teacher rejoiced, “we got smores!” I rushed out, with just smores on my mind. At that point I had realized that the marshmallows may not even be halal. With a little bit of hope I wanted to check the packet, nevertheless, it was insignificant as I saw ‘HARIBO’ written in pink and I was let down as expected. Even though I had almost given up on the marshmallows, I hoped for a miracle, “the ingredients may be different, or it’s the one that’s made in Turkey” I thought to myself, in this case there was no miracle. I sat next to the fire feeling miserable as it may have seemed, seeing everyone having the mellow and tender smores, craving for just one bite. Because of this there was a thought in my head that had risen, maybe, just like how I am restricted to eat some things in my religion, there are many people that may have been forbidden from tasting foods that they so crave. I also wondered about how these rules or preventions in many cultures have come to be.

Imad Uddin Syed 2020

Ultimate Indomitability

It was a chilly morning. The mountain loomed over us like a giant. It stared down on us as if we were insignificant beings not worth its time. we began our ascent, our hearts filled with passion. We walked and walked, the peak was just within our grasp. We walked some more, it didn’t move an inch and we walked some more, twas still in the same place. This annoyed me personally. Up so high on this mountain, i could hear and feel the roaring wind against my skin. It was like the mountain was sure of its victory, sure that it would never be conquered. Though, the mountain felt these emotions in vain. Its overwhelmingly difficult terrain to conquer neither stopped us from moving nor our hearts from feeling that burning determination. This was a clash between two of the utmost indomitable forces, man and nature. we kept on walking, curious to see who would win.

Siddharth Gopinath 2020

Tears of Nature

Nature has its own style of narrating its story. The legend of the Nohkalikai waterfall was told through the waterfall itself. The waterfall represented the tears of nature. The tears shed for the lady who lost everything and drowned in her own sorrows. Mother nature has different ways of connecting to human emotions, but what I am grateful for is that we can always rely on nature. This revelation left me with a question: Can nature rely on us humans?

True Purity

All I could see was black. Pure black. The purest of black. Although, I was starting to wonder whether black actually didn’t exist as a colour but simply was the absence of light. I was amazed that the absence of light could remove stereotypes, bias and other sorts of judgement. You couldn’t see anything therefore you could not judge anything. We would connect to one another by their personality. Without bias. Without stereotypes. Without judgement. The way it’s supposed to be. Darkness is usually connoted to evil which I feel is a misconception. If darkness can remove barriers that exist in the light, if it can create a world without judgement, then it should symbolise the opposite. Darkness should be related to purity and happiness.

Rachel Varghese 2020

On truth

On the way back from the trek I saw a middle-aged woman and a teenage girl, walking, with a young girl hiding behind them. Each of them had on their backs the traditional woven basket filled with fresh vegetables. I was surprised that a young girl, probably no more than 5 years of age, was forced to carry a heavy basket. Feeling pity for her for a fleeting second, I pointed it out to my friends. But as I think about it now, I urge to take back the word “forced”. How do I know that she isn’t happy, satisfied, proud to be walking with her mother and sister, bringing back food for her family?

I realize how instinctive it is to impose our beliefs and ideas, shaped in a world that is so different, in an unfamiliar situation without taking the time to discover the true narrative.

Mehr Sohal 2022

If the mountain were human, we’d be like ants crawling up its skin, biting it here and there. If the mountain were human, we’d be the slow-moving traffic that has continuously honking vehicles.

Since the mountain wasn’t human we were constantly in awe of every curve and wrinkle in its body. But if the mountain were human, would we have judged it by the colour of its skin and size of its body?

Anushree

Arora 2021

Beauty and the Beast

The beauty of the natural landscapes was beyond my words. The Dzukou valley, the hills and mountains, the tropical forests. Nature is a wonderful artist. The plastic on the paddy fields and the path of Nongriat, the city lights of shillong, shining bright on the hillside, the ashes of a cigarette falling onto saplings. Humans are the beast to nature’s beauty. In the fairy tale, Belle and the Beast get married and live happily ever after. Is that possible for humans and nature?

Mithun

On our way down, we saw a magnificent large creature, a mithun. It was around 300 kgs they said, an animal of sheer strength and power. Then I noticed something strange, it seemed to move away from us in quick strides as if it was afraid of us, some small tiny 18 year olds. Why is this savage, untamed organism escaping us? Aren’t we the ones intruding?

Rhea Rangarajan 2022

Chains

Looking at the Kaziranga elephants, I noticed something that caught me off-guard. One of the elephants was chained up as he was considered the property of someone. The first question I asked our safari guide was, “Who are we to decide what animal we have the right to own and who are we to have the power to do so?” Elephants are much bigger and stronger than us, so are tigers. I learned that there are 3,000 wild tigers in India, whereas over 10,000 tigers are owned as pets by the richer families of the world. What right do we have to owning animals who have done nothing to us? Who are we to decide which animals get to live and die?

Aryan Sarin 2021

What do we know about love?

Belonging to the top of the animal kingdom in terms of intellect, I sometimes wonder why do we tend to be stupid at times. I believe that nature is always silently showing us signs and hoping that we realise its message. I was lucky enough to come across a sign and realise it. Our visit to the Kaziranga National Park opened my eyes. I learnt mainly two things during our visit - first, that despite belonging to the top of the animal kingdom in terms of intellect we are dumber than the lower beings. The animals knew how to live in harmony, while I realised yet again that we don’t. The second main thing I learnt is about love. Surprisingly I learnt it from a species of duck. The Ruddy Shell Duck also known as the love birds in Kaziranga National Park because of their nature, are one of the most beautiful things that nature has shown me. The birds mate on attaining maturity and stay along with their partner for life. They quite literally live and die for each other. They always go around with their pairs. When one half of the pair dies, the other one commits suicide. What we have to learn from this animal is commitment. They take it seriously enough to give up their life for it while all we need to do is be a little more committed in everything we do, not only love people. We need to learn to be there for each other as part of humanity. It’s beautiful how nature guides us through life.

Muhammad Hashim Ahmed 2021

Bandana Bajaj 2021

Equality. What a simple term for something so difficult to achieve in most contexts. From the height-based seating in community gatherings to class disparities evident in chicken versus pig marriages, I soon came to the realization that no community, no matter how big or small, is devoid of certain class dynamics, and the village of our residence seemed at first to quite mirror societal politics at home but at a more insignificant scale.

Yet, moving into the next day, this notion seemed to quite diminish. There was inequality of wealth, but everyone came together as equals during annual festivities. There was a gaobada, but no one was governed. There was tribal law, but no one needed to enforce them. There was inequality, but nobody treated unequal. The community came first.

Devansh Majithia 2023

“That’s a shooting star!” “Come on, it’s just an airplane”

“At least let us dream a little!”

While the whole class laid on the terrace floor stargazing and deliberating whether a shooting star passed or it was an airplane, the heavenly bodies above were telling us we were missing the point. The night sky with its infinite set of eyes was telling us, shooting star or not, it doesn’t hurt to dream a little.

Sanjeet Panigrahi 2023

Cross Roads

Accepting dependance, but still craving independence. Draping a phanek while braving through his wishes. When does it end? Where does it start? Why must I add the “Pangal” to my “Maitei”?

Sia

Godika 2024

The Same Hill

The same hill was before me. The one that we had climbed up hours ago, and yet it was so different. What was upwards was now downwards, what was easy was now hard, what was hard, now easy. The same hill lay before me, each step feeling completely foreign, each tree unfamiliar. It felt like a new hill was beneath my feet, except it wasn’t, and nothing had changed. Nothing, except my perspective.

Privilege

This trip made me think a lot about privilege. This entire trip was for the purpose of ‘identity’, understanding it, learning about it. But I think that’s where the privilege lies. I have the privilege to travel around, to spend time and money on learning about identity. My identity is a huge part of me of course, but I can still spend my time trying to figure it out. But here we are, on a flight back home a day earlier, a protest raging on in the streets we just left, people fighting for their identity. For their identity to be recognised and respected. And here I am, thousands of feet above, luxurious plane seat beneath me, as I write to myself. Flowery language around my ‘quest’ for identity, while torches burn below in the fight for theirs. I wonder if the stench of my privilege is stronger than the smoke from their torches.

2021

“They are making what they think we would like to eat”, said one of our teachers about the food two Naga women were making for us. Undoubtedly, the food was delicious, but it was heavy,oily and fried. Later, we were fed a single Naga style dish called ‘Naga Chicken’ which was refreshingly oil free, light and yet just as delicious. Are we, like the first meal we ate, viewed by our hosts as heavy, greasy, lardy entities that while consumed in moderation are acceptable, but if consumed further can clog the arteries of tradition?

Gupta 2023

Soumya Menon

Pranav

(Dzukou valley trek day 3)

On the hilltop I noticed a small flower getting blown by the howling winds. I wondered how such an object could ever survive such harsh and unforgiving conditions. Maybe I had been fooled by its delicate exterior.

Tejas Siva Ramineni 2024

A Dogmatists Perspective

Strength through individualism, the basis of modern society and development. Each of us worked to our own ambitions and thus made contributions to society. But lately I had begun to see a change, people werent attatched to the idea of individual succes benefiting a community, but are fueled rewards from capitalistic society that serve to only benefit themselves.

‘There are no strangers here, only friends you have not met’, a dusty sign lies on top of a community house, a place where younger generations come to discuss how to improve the community. Men laugh heartily while playing caroms in the morungs a place where village elders come to guide these future generations. Women carry heavy piles of wood at dawn fending off chilly gales with thin shawls, hurrying back to their house thinking solely of their family’s future warmth.The community prospers, wells overflowing ornate pretty flowers decorating houses.

Though the idea of living solely for a community seemd uniquely refreshing to me, it also made me feel unsure and scared, People toil away in fields of ashy soil, sacrificing their lives to turn them into lush fields, all for the community, simply the honor of being allowed to serve the community. A part of me felt content to live in the khonoma society, while a part of me felt inclined to pursue my own ambitions, Is it worth it to sacrifice individual needs for the sake of the community?

Maitreiya Vohra 2023

Home, a place where everyone works together to create a community of trust and respect. Respected, the elders commanded for their valuable indigenous knowledge, the type of knowledge that the rest could grow and learn from. Respect that individuals had for their, family, elders, strangers, the dead and the community as a whole intrigued me. Even though we hadn’t experienced their culture first hand, all discussions brought up by our guides showed us a culture that believed in unity as their strength. This made me wonder if respect could be implemented in our chaotic lifestyles in the city. Where our individual existences seem to be valued higher than our relationships with each other

Tanaya Mehta 2023

ID Card (On Naga people

reading/reflection)

Name and identity. Are the two as closely linked as we think? A name is always given to us. Other animals on earth spend their time on it without ever knowing the name we have for them. So did the Naga people, without ever knowing they were even called that. Does it really change the way we behave? If it doesn’t, why is it whenever someone asks who we are we give a name that is not even truly ours?

Dhruv Gupta 2024

Difference

We are not so different, the Nagas and I. The nagas love dances, so do I; The nagas love food, so do I; The nagas fought courageously for peace, what have I done? We are so different, the nagas and I.

Ram Tewari 2024

“A

journey”

(Written about the trip as a whole on 12/12/22)

Indigenous exonyms, exogenous indonyms, labels for labels, chorus sung hymns, monoliths in mud, similarly eccentric fables. Cries rung around, textbooks of blood, people forged in invasion secrets lost, stories found, jeweled studs, once a nation.

Fermented crop, pickle shops, liability warnings, bedside Bibles, tribal to the foreigners, foreign to the locals, local to the tribals.

But, a gash in the people, the land heals, I suppose this is how happiness feels.

Rithwik Shivnani 2024

I always believed identity revolves around the beliefs and values one follows. But, there is more to it. Identity revolves around the choices you make; Nagaland and Manipur are places where people made choices. Choices that defined their culture, choices that defined their lifestyle, choices that defined their identity. From the floating houses to the women’s war, their choices helped them identify who they are.

Shaaunak Bajaj 2024

Dreaming

The mountains seemed to stretch as far as the sky as our boat floated through an endless chasm of blue green and white.

It’s all so much. Too much.

It’s as if I am seeing colour for the first time. The view feels like an illusion, almost … volatile. When would the colours dissolve into nothing? I don’t know. I wanted to keep it, keep it forever and tried to hold on tight to what my eyes couldn’t grasp, but it was as useless as trying to bottle up rainbows. Maybe beautiful things are meant to only last moments, before fading off into a forgotten dream.

Mosaic

What is it like to be moulded

Carved by religion, baked with culture

Before being morphed, somehow unfolded

Disassembled and reconstructed

From serpents to a blue-skinned god

What changed, stayed, disappeared

Whatever it may be, I only wonder how it is that

These rebuilt men have stayed intact.

Happiness

Cities are meant to be areas where peace and happiness prosper, so why do people seem to have more of it here? The people in the village appear to have understood something us city-dwellers haven’t. That the community is above the individual and the earth is above the community, not the other way around.

Soham Singh Maruwada 2024

Samitha Sri Bhaskara 2024

There used to be kings in the jungle. Predators of great strength and skill with bodies built for the sole purpose of hunting and survival. We were mere ants in front of them. Two legged and agile, that’s all we had going for us. What changed? Did we get smarter, stronger, faster? No. We invented community. A simple sum that overwhelms even the kings was what brought humans to the throne of the entire world. A throne many have forgotten how we got. We call them primitive and tribal, unintelligent and backward, isolated and below us, yet are they not the ones who still remember what made us who we are the best. Community, tight knit community.

Adhavan S. Kumar 2025

Warm

Huddled around the bonfire I craved warmth

Around me, Khasi people, Khasi attire

Yet I shivered in the cold.

But, looking around Laughter, hugs, dance, applause

In that moment I knew I had found Warm.

Ananya Malde 2025

Through the vibrating symphony of the bus, their image flickered - a silhouette etched against the fading sun. She, rooted in earth, strong as the weathered pillars; he, a sapling reaching for the light, mirroring the ancient wisdom passed down, silent yet profound. It was a glimpse into the tapestry of knowledge - woven not in words, but in the shared essence of being.

Aniket Dewangan 2025

The Jhum

The Jhum tree whispers in silent sway,

Regenerates in the back, ready to be of service,

A process having lasted thousands of years, Cultivating and regenerating, For their people, not others, Not for gold, but for good, The gifts of nature

Nature’s Pallet

A cauldron deep with colour, Will it be red, will it be blue? No chemicals, just nature, Every strand different than the other, Nature’s pallet, a vivid view.

Daksh Sarawgi 2025

We enter the dimly lit room

5 handlooms in sight

4 lay empty

3 finished shawls folded on one

2 unfinished shawls still on the handlooms

1 lady sits on the first

Making shawls, soon to be sold

She allows us to give it a try

Some struggle, some fail

We might be a nuisance

But hopefully we are not

Either way stealing precious time our of her day

She was welcoming

Yet I could not feel anything but guilty

She was sharing her knowledge

Which we probably would not use

Instead of worrying about her work

And the money she could make

She was letting us try to learn something new

How would society be if everyone was this selfless?

How much knowledge could be shared? How would we be?

Nidhi Nair 2025

Make-shift bamboo sinks versus ceramic sinks.

Eri silk scarves versus hard shelled jackets.

Glowing embers of a bonfire versus modern heaters.

Verdant landscapes versus polluted lakes and streets.

Are we intellectuals, or are they?

Nachiket Kulkarni 2025

Choosing preservation over convenience, the choice of adapting with nature over the destruction of life and balance, even though it takes years of patience. A skill learned by the khasi community that represents the beauty of their existence.

Nishita Chatlani 2025

Rivers flow into the field

The trees too will regrow

Speak, tusk, elephant shield

Your name carved into stone

When a thousand people you shall feed

Despite the harsh habitat

All a village person needs

Is his head and his hat

Noyonika Arun 2025

The red, black, green, yellow and white of the shawls, reminds me of what the village looked like.

The red fire.

The white clouds.

The green paddy. The yellow bee. The black of the night.

What we wear and treasure is who we are. I find myself in a fix when I ask myself; Am I a green Nike jacket or something more?

Saahas Ajmera 2025

Sweet and spicy, the pineapple was the best I ever had. The woman cutting the pineapples had no expression when seeing us all happy with the pineapple almost like she knew she was selling the best. I wondered what it would take to reach that level of confidence.

Samarth Parakh 2025

Root bridges to cross raging torrents. An entire bamboo drip irrigation system. The method of pollarding to obtain timber without felling the tree. The extent of indigenous knowledge is vast and often more sustainable than modern methods. Is modernisation really the gift we think it is?

Shashank Pai 2025

The first 5 images chosen intend to represent the savagery of the Nagamese culture in the past. Images of spearheads, animal heads, etc represent the animalistic tribalism the place is usually associated with, even if such a perception is not in tandem with its modern reality. These first few images showcase my initial thoughts on Nagaland as an ancient land with brutal practices. The fifth image of fire- an elemental, uncontrolled force best represents what I thought Nagaland to be. However, the last 5 images show my changed perception as they encapsulate the Nagaland of today- a modern, industrious, thriving community (especially Konoma village). Images of paddy fields, nitrogen fixing, weaving and the peer group houses all suggest a complex community that is self-sustainable and extremely knowledgeable about its surroundings. The blurry, darkened image of the village’s local song and dance also suggests how limited our knowledge of this culture is as the blurriness of the image represents the small peek we have taken into the lives of the people there.

Navya Sahay 2022

The North-East is geographically part of India, but in terms of culture, practices, beliefs, heritage and history, is it really? Throughout our trip, there were instances where it felt like I was in a foreign nation and completely forgot that we were in India itself.These images stood out the most as they did not adhere to stereotypical Indian features and expectations, they showed something new, something different. I have arranged them from more general differences, like the gathering places and the landscape, to more distinguishing factors like the tribes and agricultural practices.

Anoushka Manik 2021

The pictures I selected are not chronological. I have organized it according to time. They slowly change from night to day. This has much significance and meaning behind it. I wanted to show how we knew nothing about the Nagas and Manipuris at the start of the trip and as time went on we started learning more about them and understanding their identities and cultures, what we knew started growing clearer and brighter. How ideas that we could not entirely comprehend like living on small islands on a lake became clearer and realistic to us and not like an unbelievable story made up for children to fall for. The pictures are like opening your eyes, and changing from utter darkness to the beautiful clear view and this trip truly opened my eyes to the North East of India. It is a place that I have never been to or heard about before. It also brought clarity to my identity and brought me closer to the light. This outbound trip reminds me of the lake, beautiful, clear, and eternal for me.

Aryaman Manik 2024

The northeast trip was 7 whole days of collecting “new” experiences. Before the trip I had one perspective on Nagaland and Manipur being uniquely primitive and far behind modern innovations whereas after experiencing them for myself I understood that Nagaland and Manipur were an amalgamation of empirical indigenous knowledge and modern scientific knowledge such as the unique pollarding technique of alder trees discovered through indigenous knowledge of their surroundings and the application of Nitrogen fixation which was an inquiry made by scientists intrigued by indigenous techniques leading to new discoveries. The whole trip soon followed a theme of “before and after”. One of the bizarre ideas of Nagaland is that they eat dogs. It was interesting to see barely any dogs roaming around the streets and I had only assumed the worst. Image 1 shows the before of dogs roaming around happily and image 2 is the after of the dog being caged and ready for consumption, clearly being in a worse, more gloomy mood. Image 3 shows My friends and I being experimental and ready to try dog for the first time and image 4 shows us after, being completely comfortable with eating the food of the place, almost being accustomed to it. The next two images (image 5 and 6) portray the before and after of a serious issue seen through phumdi proliferation. We see the body of water without weeds and hyacinth but then image 6 shows the rapid proliferation of the phumdis and the issues that brings such as exhaustion of the biodiversity of the region as explained by the guide. Image 7 shows soldiers as combatants in conflict and image 8 shows the result of that conflict (the death of soldiers who fought in the war). Image 9 shows a virgin forest, untouched by human hands and image 10 shows urban growth and expansion in such areas. And finally image 11 shows us students ready and exited before experiencing the Northeast to its capacity and image 12 shows the aftermath of our exploration; everyone dead tired and homesick, ready to reunite with the warmth and comfort of our steady homes.

Aryan Varma 2024

Navigating Modernity’s March in the Northeast

The carefully curated collection of images before you transcends mere documentation; it weaves a narrative not of origins or societal norms, but of the inexorable embrace of modernity’s Western influence upon the lives of the Northeast. Through our journey across these two states, a stark revelation emerged: the region pulsates with rapid modernization, forcing a delicate cohabitation of ancient traditions and contemporary influences.

As we delved into their homes, the insidious creep of modernity became ever more apparent, first manifested in the realm of faith. What began as a seemingly futile attempt to convert “tribals” to Christianity has transformed into a pervasive presence, affecting nearly every facet of Northeastern life. The very means of communication, once an insurmountable barrier with neighbouring villages living in isolated silence, now hums with the vibrancy of satellite television and the boundless connectivity of the World Wide Web.

Modernity’s insatiable appetite then turned to agriculture. Fields that once yielded bountiful harvests of rice, the lifeblood of the land, now sprout flowers and other aesthetically pleasing produce, catering to a different kind of sustenance. Even the venerable root bridges, arteries of daily life for villagers, stand defaced by garish plastic signs, their significance drowned out by the cacophony of progress.

The metamorphosis extends to their leisure activities. Where once the earth reverberated with the primal thud of stone lifting and the agile leaps of traditional games, the balletic grace of football, adorned in imported cleats, now dominates the fields.

The final image serves as a stark, cautionary note. As we ascended from Nongblai, our gaze fell upon a sight that chilled the soul: an excavator, a mechanical behemoth, gnawed at the very forest that cradled the village. It is a poignant question, will they surrender to the unyielding advance of modernity, or can we forge a path of harmonious coexistence?

Meher Bhunia 2025

Chapter 9 Epiphanies En Route

This section presents a collection of our students’ profound realizations and reflections from their exploration of the Northeast, a region where life unfolds in ways distinctly different from their urban experiences. These reflections deepened their understanding of identity and interconnectedness, giving them a richer perspective on their own lives and the world.

The Story of Our Lives

Sitting on a rock, smelling the fresh air, feeling the breeze as it softly races against my skin, I was looking at the waterfall. It starts coming through a small hole in the rocks and joins the lake. As the lake goes on it expands and goes deeper. It meets steady rocks along the way some big some small. I instantly connected it to my life. I realised it was the story of our lives. We start our journey very small and as we go on we meet people and go to places. This expands and becomes a big world for us to face. We go through hurdles and somehow overcome them, either alive or broken. This makes our journey for the past present and the unknown future that is yet to come.

Bonfire

A fire, that unites the people surrounding it. The conversations that symbolise communication and connection. And the marshmallows dipped in Nutella, keep them filled and content. This is the conventional and ideal bonfire. However, I was left in shock. I didn’t understand how simple things like marshmallows could be complicated to this end. Marshmallows contain pork gelatine which is forbidden for those who believe in Islam. I recognised that most of our simple conventions will always be flawed and exclusive.

Defence and Consequence

As I sat down to sketch, I was startled by a spider web dangling right above my head. “The male spiders have a yellow stripe and the females have a red one”the guide said. “And that is how we differentiate between the poisonous male spiders and the edible female spiders.” He then went on to explain how each spider web is different from the others, with the signature embedded in them to keep off other spiders and predators. Hearing this, I realized that each element of nature, from a microbe to the ingenious humans has its own methods for defence. I began pondering what nature as a single force would do, against atrocious human activities which deteriorate her. This also got me wondering what the ultimate creator had in store for the sins we commit against nature.

The man talked to us about his profession. He spoke with passion of the work that he did. The work being- the rehabilitation of displaced animals. When asked to justify the money people spend on this “trivial” task, he replied by saying that it is humanity’s moral responsibility to help, not out of pity but out of obligations, these animals. I realized that it is this, not our social systems and tools, that make us superior to others on this planet.

Siddharth Kaulgud

Learning

We sat, cocooned by what were once the lives that enriched their own.

As the voice read, our minds opened but our eyes closed.

The learning enriched me; their suppression helped me realise my freedom.

Azhar Yenepoya 2020

Aaliya Samad 2020

Rachel Varghese 2020

Aparna Iyer 2020

2020

I knew little of what collective identity meant before my trip to Nagaland. I did not place importance on what it signified to me as an individual, but that changed. I was able to notice identity in a lot more aspects of my life than I had: in my school, in the football team I supported or even in something as simple as the music I listened to. I found myself identifying with numerous groups. Instead of seeing belonging to various ‘identities’ as the reason I’m not like anyone else, my perspective was changed to I am similar to a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. I could begin to ponder over what my collective identity was, when previously, I was completely unaware of the importance it had in the construction of my own personal identity.

Green eggs and ham

I grew up with the heavy influence of books. One of my childhood favourites was ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ by Dr. Seuss. This story is about a creature that refuses to try this odd food, yet ends up liking it. This book instilled a deep moral in me, which helped me get the pickiness of food out of me. As I saw some of my classmates eye the food and question the unfamiliar blobs put on their plate, I recalled this moral, and without hesitation, I put the food in my food. Guess what? It was delicious.

Who hides the stars?

“How do you hide a star? By putting it with many other stars,” she quoted. I looked up a few moments later and found that the sky here in the Northeast was at peace with the nature that surrounds it. I find it impossible to look up at the sky when I’m not at home (in Hampi), because the only thing that I find is smoke and a sky that looks like an artists messy palette. But here, the sky which holds so many stars, had a million things to say.

4. The trek to Dzukou valley and Nongriat was very hard for me. I was terrified as I looked at the never-ending painful way to the top. After reaching the top, I was scared of going back down. Because of this, even after the hard trek, I was not able to enjoy the view from the top. I realised that thinking about the future and the past in the present is not going to make the present any better and also that if I didn’t enjoy the process, I could never find pleasure in the end result.

Arya Varma 2020

Gaia Shapiro 2020

Azhar Yenepoya 2020

Ananya Kurada 2020

Dzukou valley trek day 3

The icy cold air hit my ears causing me to wince in pain as I walked up the jagged, narrow path. It was when I noticed a path leading downwards instead of upwards. I instantly wondered how we are supposed to go up the mountain by going down. I then realized that sometimes you have to experience going down to reach the top.

Tejas Siva Ramineni 2024

Strength

The bridge was immaculate, created by nature, nurtured by humans. The roots wrapped around each other sticking together until the end of their time. The intertwining of these roots enriched their bond and this cause was taken further with each step I took. It made me realize that facing hardships together bring us closer to each other as they make us stronger.

Serenity

The breeze of the gushing water passed through my skin making me shiver as I removed my shoes. When I stepped into the icy-cold water, I felt more relaxed. The gravel in the water provided support, however, it gave me a sense of uneasiness and discomfort, due to the suspicion that my foot could get cut because of the gravel. Although i was worried about the gravel hurting me, nothing happened, and it made me realize that some things or people actually have no intention of hurting you but your mind makes you suspicious and insecure.

Imad Syed 2020

Identity

What is Identity? For the Nagas it could be their dance, music, food, and lifestyle. For the extremists, it could be a unifying goal. For the family of Ghulam Mohammad, it could be their son’s contributions to the “Forgotten Battle.” It could be valleys, creeks, and trails. Trees, flowers, and clouds. It could be fires, smoke, and the air we breathe.

It can be anything.

But, if this trip taught me something, it’s that Identity isn’t just what makes me ‘me’ and you ‘you,’ but also how I help you become ‘you’ and you help me become ‘me.’

And with that, my identity is not just ‘me’, but all of ‘you’, and for our learning journey, it’s the culmination of the experiences and the memories that the people of Khonoma, Kohima, and Nagaland have given me.

Tejas Siva Ramineni 2024

“The new hobby” (photography)

I assumed a new role. I liked recording moments. I liked creating memories. Storing them was a constantly consuming job. One had to be aware of their surroundings, and had to observe the actions of those around them. One had to use their imagination to record a moment perfectly. So I assumed a role. I had a new hobby. It became a temporary identity for the course of this experience.

Amulya Amar Kumar 2024

To Avi (my guide through the trek)

I was in a state of agony as my companions left me behind, however I didn’t come to realize that this was a blessing in disguise. You helped me up, you helped me down, you shared your life story as I did mine, you told me about your strongest moments, your weakest and towards the end I realized not all my companions left me behind because you were here by my side.

Arjun Prakash Varma 2024

Rup Jyothi

We were welcomed to the Rup Jyothi cooperative with an afternoon Ragha, beautifully sung by Rup Jyothi, a couple of ladies, her daughter and Son. She introduced the performers, I was mesmerized by the pride she took in their achievements in the arts. She had completed a seven-year singing course, her daughter was starting hers and her son was about to complete the same in playing the Dhol. When I saw him start playing, I was instantly reminded of my early years of playing the drums when my mother would joke that I was just playing a bigger Dhol. His confidence while playing for a group of strangers was something I could never achieve. He was the same age as us, 16. We played very similar instruments. Why wasn’t I able to play with the same pride he did? I thought about the environment he grew up in and how everyone was encouraged to participate in the arts and celebrate his peer’s achievements. I thought about his parents, one an accomplished singer who owns a cooperative, determined to better the lives of women in her community and the other, an engineer who is well involved in the cooperative and a master at handicrafts. Then I thought about my life, my parents were very supportive of me but I grew up in a much more competitive atmosphere where everyone wanted to be better than the rest. People learned instruments only to measure the level of their skills by taking tests. I understood why I didn’t have the same confidence he had. I’m still scared someone out there is better than me.

Dhwani Nair 2021

Awareness

“I need your reflection book to write my reflections. I forgot mine at the homestay in Nongriat,” whispered the person sitting beside me in the car, frantically. “My book is in my backpack, but I am too lazy to take it out,” I said, confidently. A few minutes later, I wondered what would have happened if I had forgotten my book in Nongriat as well, and was glad that I didn’t. I opened my backpack to search for my book, and to my surprise, my book was missing. I had forgotten it at the homestay in Nongriat as well. “I saw your book on the dinner table last night, but completely forgot to tell you about it,” said my friend, insidiously. I felt really sad as I had written a lot in the book and then realised that it had gone missing. Despite being a silly one, this experience taught me about an important life skill, which is the art of being aware at all times. I am glad that this experience took place as I now will relentlessly strive to acquire the ability of being aware at all times, anywhere and everywhere.

Devansh Gulati 2020

Warmth

Our families sat together, together as one.

Smiling, laughing and enjoying, we spent time learning. The fire continued to warm our hands

But our hearts, they were warmed with our togetherness.

Azhar Yenepoya

2020

I thought home was somewhere you sleep

I slept in many different places

I thought home was somewhere you are taken care of

I was taken care of everywhere

Some say home is where a crafting table is placed next to a furnace

I don’t have any of those.

So what is home?

I realized through

The cuddling with Daksh

The playing games with Saahas

The hidden accents of Nachiket

The island boys with Adhavan

The photography and never ending Kaah’s from Ananya

The motivation received and giving Srinidhi

The laughs and hugs from Noyonika

The mafia mischief with Anousha

The cookie dipping in tea with Kavya

The changing personality of Ranai

The anti gulamchor with Jeet

The neverending chatter with Nishita

The story telling with Neeti

I realized that home is not a place, But home is how I feel with all of you

Abdul Majid Samad 2025

Before setting foot on the moss-covered stones, all minds were fixated on finishing the trek as soon as possible. After it began, it didn’t take long for morale to collapse. Moods turned sour and eager requests to speed up turned into demands for breaks. We failed to beat the previous record. But on the summit, it wasn’t the resigned look of failure, but the jubilance at completing the trek and awe at the scenery.

I began to wonder, how do you know success or pride until you’ve experienced the toil that goes into working for it? We were quick to make judgements on the ones that came before us, but never truly knew how they would have done it until we did it ourselves.

Rishikesh Srivatsan 2025

Going from staying in a hotel room to staying in a tent, was something I wasn’t ready for. As I trekked down to our campsite, I was not ready for this experience. I was not used to going out of my comfort zone much. In the end of it, it turned out to be a fun experience, and it taught me that going out of our comfort zone is what helps us overcome our fears.

Shaurya Arya 2025

“Values, choices, customs, traditions, lifestyle”

Fragile huts on a thin layer of soil keeping the houses afloat. Stepping down and exploring the unique place reminded me of different lifestyles. Lifestyles far different from ours. Stepping on a shaky wooden plank to entering a small cozy house made me realize a contrast between the way people live. Did they choose this life? How will they adapt to the city life? Do they even want to?

Siddhant Bajaj 2024

Chapter 10 Experiences Shape Identities

These travel snippets showcase a journey of personal growth and cultural immersion. Students faced fears, reflected on the contrast between city and rural life, and engaged deeply with local cultures. The trek through Northeast India tested their resilience and overconfidence, while interactions with locals offered insights into different ways of life. Moments of peace and cultural encounters, from the tranquil paddy fields to the bustling markets, prompted reflections on contentment, personal biases, and the importance of embracing the present.

AZHAR YENEPOYA 2020

Before my trip to the northeast, I would say I had a strong sense of personal identity, at least I thought I did. A person’s identity can be shaped by many different aspects. Family, culture, interests and environments they are exposed to are all factors that tend to help shape or construct a person’s identity. Some factors may have more of an influence than others and some may not have any influence at all. Something I learnt on my recent trip was the role collective identity played in the construction of one’s identity.

My understanding of collective identity was simple: Collective identity refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a group. The identity of the group, or the ‘collective,’ can become a part of the person’s individual identity. How? Or why? I was not fully sure. The strong sense of collective identity was easily noticed in my interactions with various regional tribes and even the women’s co-operative that we visited near Kaziranga. The reason I had never paid attention to what my collective identity may be was that I had the idea that I belonged to so many different categories with regard to my race, religion or occupation that I believed that it would be too segmented or rather, disjointed for it to have any meaning which is why I never felt a sense of belonging to any particular group, to begin with. What, quite frankly, amazed me was being able to observe how collective identity was able to transcend what divided people...most notably, religion. Christian members of the Khasi tribe, worked hand in hand with their counterparts in preserving the ways of life

established by their forefathers. When I read about this, my very idea of collective identity and its importance in the construction of one’s personal identity began to change. It made me ask myself important questions, what do I share with people? Who do I identify with, and why? Why do I feel like I belong to that group? Did their strong belonging to one group strengthen their collective identity ?

Thinking about these questions only led to more, and even my ideas about what my personal identity, who I was, was challenged. I believed it was my differences that isolated me from everyone, but in a lot of ways, those differences are what brought me closer to others.

I knew little of what collective identity meant before my trip to Nagaland. I did not place importance on what it signified to me as an individual, but that changed. I was able to notice identity in a lot more aspects of my life than I had: in my school, in the football team I supported or even in something as simple as the music I listened to. I found myself identifying with numerous groups. Instead of seeing belonging to various ‘identities’ as the reason I’m not like anyone else, my perspective was changed to I am similar to a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. I could begin to ponder over what my collective identity was, when previously, I was completely unaware of the importance it had in the construction of my own personal identity.

RACHEL VARGHESE 2020

Before this trip, I was only vaguely familiar with the concepts of Identity. At that time it was merely a legal document required for traveling, or owning something. I thought that identity was one concept and you inherit your identity from your family. Mistakenly, I assumed that what is actually the identity I described as part of my personality. I think these misconceptions arise from the little general knowledge that we are aware of and because concepts like these are not focused on as a part of our education. Now I think that learning about your own identity and being self-aware should be the first thing we learn. I am glad that through this trip I have been exposed to aspects of these concepts that have clarified the meaning of identity to me. According to the Oxford dictionary, identity exactly means the fact of being who a person is. It is difficult to evaluate someone’s identity because there are multiple factors that abide by one’s identity. The main contributing factors are the biological evidence, religion, cultural background, one’s heritage, their geographical habitation, and their government systems. The best example to explain the importance of biological factors are the Naga people that I met during the trip in Nagaland. Many across the world argue about their originality and identity. The Indian government claims that Nagaland is part of India using geographical division and cultural history. Although this isn’t enough proof to validate that claim. So there was a genome project held by Nagaland University through which they would be able to check if there was any link or

trace to the Indian heritage. This investigation was never completed and the reason as to why it wasn’t is still unknown. However, after visiting Nagaland and meeting the people there, I realised that they want to keep their individuality, but this project might provide proof that they were a part of Indian heritage and they would lose their individuality. I think that they might have stopped the project because they were scared to lose their identity. The culture that they know is what they believe to be their identity. To me identity is who you believe you are. This concept however is flawed as it creates more complications. There would be various people that would forge their identity to gain benefits that they would otherwise not receive.

Identity is a socially constructed concept that has conventions that change according to politics. Politics and power are other influential factors of identity.

This is why I believe that there are two types of identities; the personal identity and the social identity. The latter which could help the government divide the citizens into groups to make the geographical divisions easier. The personal identity is what the oxford definition states- a sense of who you are. These concepts can only satisfy all people if everyone displays acceptance of their identity. The people need to accept the social identity they have been appointed to, and the government needs to accept the personal identity. Acceptance and identity are two concepts that go hand in hand with each other. Social identity also uplifts the confidence in one and helps them connect as a community. I personally can’t seem to understand why segregation exists and why people would want to discriminate between humans.

Sometimes we learn the definite meaning of an abstract idea by experiencing it and by meeting people who’ve experienced the importance of the idea. Mugging up the definition will never give you the understanding and connection to our world as experience does. In the case of the idea of Identity, I think that exploring your cultural significance as well as believing your biological background will provide you with the amount of self-awareness you require.

ADITI KANCHIBHATTA 2021

‘What does it mean to be Indian?’. The question was printed in bold on the front cover of the dossier, a guiding question meant to tell us the purpose of traveling to the north-east and give us context for what we would be exploring during our time there. It glared at me, as if demanding an answer.

Having been born in America and then moving to India at a young age, I’ve contemplated this question quite a few times before, trying to figure out a label for myself. I celebrate as many Indian festivals as possible, I eat Indian food every day, and I know how to speak multiple Indian languages. But is that enough to define me? There’s also an American side to me which impacts the way I think and definitely the way I talk, not to mention influence from the different places I’ve lived in and the multitudes of people I’ve met and bonded with over the years. So, how do I begin to describe my identity? How do I determine that part of me? I’ve been trying for so long to come up with a way to define myself but maybe the reason I haven’t found it yet is because of how complex the whole concept of identity is.

How do you begin to define identity? When you search it up online, the first result that pops up defines it as ‘the fact of being who or what a person or thing is’. As I travelled across the NorthEast, I realized there are a lot of factors that go into determining who or what you are. It doesn’t matter how miniscule they seem to be, they all have a considerable effect on the person you end up becoming. I saw this effect clearly when it came to the towns of Khonoma and Nongriat. Both are small, hill-top towns which run primarily on agriculture. Not

to mention the residents of both villages were Christian. Yet, their differences were so stark it was astonishing. Where the residents of Khonoma prided themselves on literacy and education, many of the villagers in Nongriat hadn’t gone to school past third grade. Where plastic was a rare sight to see in Khonoma, the naturefilled pathways curving around the hill on which Nongriat stood were lined with plastic bottles and wrappers. The people of Khonoma were connected with a strong sense of communitya quality I saw since our first day in the village when they sat together around a bonfire, singing christmas carols. The people of Nongriat clearly didn’t share that same bond. Two villages that are so similar ended up being complete opposites. I wonder what caused them to become so different. As I took in these differences, I realized the same phenomena was reflected in my own class. We all have the same daily routine. Get up, get ready, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, sleep, and repeat. Yet we’re all so different, with our own experiences and our own influences, left with our own stories to tell as a result. We have our similarities to unite us, but it’s equally as important to embrace our differences.

Another focus of our trip was the Naga struggle for independence,

and their desire to become a sovereign country. As we talked to a Civil Engineer from Khonoma, he explained that the Nagas were not ‘separatists’. The Nagas argued that they had never been governed in the past, and therefore being a part of India simply went against their history. Being called Indian, they had been forced to assume an identity that they could not relate to. In a way, I knew what it felt like to have an identity imposed on me. I lived in America for only the first nine years of my life yet I’ve carried around the ‘American’ label with me until now, and nothing I do or did would help me escape it. It didn’t matter to my close friends that I had much more knowledge of Indian festivals than they did. It didn’t matter to my relatives that I spoke better Hindi and Telugu than my cousins who had spent their whole life in India. It didn’t matter to my classmates that I used just as much Indian slang as they did. I would never truly be Indian in the eyes of the people around me, regardless of how much I tried to fight it. From my own experience, it was easy for me to understand why the Nagas were unhappy with being called ‘Indian’.

Their time in this country was just a paragraph in their book of history and yet, it was the main aspect currently defining them. Three days in Nagaland

taught me that identity is about perception and perspective. What you perceive yourself to be will always be different from how others perceive you. You’re the only one with access to your memories, experiences, and perspective after all. Humans are stubborn, and it’s difficult to convince others to change their thinking and perspective. I have realised that I need to give more importance to my own perception of myself, and stop worrying about what others may label me as in their minds. My own beliefs about myself are more powerful than anyone else’s.

Coming back to the question of what it means to be Indian, I believe I have always had an answer to it. This trip gave me the experience and confidence I needed to be able to say it out loud. There’s no one way to be Indian. Our country is much too diverse for that. I remember looking out the window as we crossed the Nagaland-Assam border and just marvelling at all the change I saw almost instantly. Hindu temples lining the streets, women wearing saris walking past me; all things I hadn’t seen even once in Nagaland. As you move from state to state, you’ll see even more differences. We all have our own food, our own language, our own festivals, and our own

history. But in the end we are all united under this label of Indian. We all sing, we all dance, and we all have immense pride in our culture. There’s no way to describe how it feels to be Indian. It’s the connection you feel when you make eye contact with another Indian person as you walk down the street in a foreign country. It’s the excitement that wells up in your chest as you introduce your favorite regional food to your friends. It’s the childish amusement and joy you feel when you see an old man walking down a snowy street in a lungi and a heavy jacket, determined not to give up tradition. It’s an emotional connection that transcends the limits of language, and I’m glad to have the honor of experiencing it.

This trip has opened my eyes to different aspects of identity and yet, I’m still not sure how to define my own identity. Maybe that’s okay. I may not understand how to identify myself until much later in life, but through this experience I’ve come to understand much more about what identity means to me and how it takes shape. One thing’s for sure, I will no longer let my desire to put a label on myself affect me. I am Aditi Kanchibhatta and for now, that’s all that really matters.

DHWANI NAIR 2021

Identity, a word we have been discussing over the past few months, is a very versatile concept. It takes a different meaning in different classes, places, time periods, and people. It is talked about so often, the word’s true meaning is deteriorating. It is meant to embody the person you were, the person you are and the person you want to become. I have always struggled with the concept of identity as being the daughter of a South Indian and North Indian, living in two countries, moving to about 10 different houses and changing ten schools caused me to meet a variety of people and constantly question my true identity. All this while, I always defined identity as something you construct on your own. However, after the visit to the North East, and observing how these people bound their identity to their country or tribe and how different their attitudes were, I learned how much the external factors contribute to it.

All throughout the northeast, we were told how identities had been imposed on the people. The entire northeast had been forced to become a part of India by the British and the Naga identity has been imposed on 16 distinct tribes. I remember the feeling I felt every time I walked into a new classroom when I knew that unconsciously, every person in that room was labelling me based on how I look or what I was wearing and that this label in their mind would affect their attitude towards me. I knew it was not their fault, but just the human ingenuity that compels every person to place labels on any foreign concept, person, animal or thing. This is similar to what happened to

the Nagas, 16 tribes were put under an umbrella-term: Naga and forced to be a part of India by the British. Just like what Kevisekho Kruse said to us on the first day, “We are not trying to separate from India, we are only reaffirming our history. We were never a part of India.” Being a part of India only affected the Naga people so much because a major part of their identity was defined by their tribe including their culture, family, social and marital norms and education. In Assam, I noticed that the occupation of the people was also often defined by the tribe they were a part of. For example, Rup Jyothi mentioned that the Karbi tribe was the tribe that was responsible for growing tea. These labels made me realize that even though their identity was supposed to be prevalent in their name, their name often dominated their identity.

As we moved forward with our trip and got the opportunity to observe different villages and people, I realized how much education could also affect our identity. The people of Khonoma recognized the need to preserve the history of their village, which was an important part of their identity. I remember watching Heika guide us through the tangled paths and stone steps, stopping to talk to every villager, talking about the peer group Morungs as he mentioned how he was selected to be the most handsome guy with pride and explaining the significance of the forts that were built by the soldiers during the war. But as we visited the next village, Nongriat, I noticed how most of the villagers, many of who were barely educated above grade 5, had rotten teeth. These people did not know the longterm consequences of letting an unlimited amount of tourists

enter and enjoy their natural wonders and how they might lose them if they were not more careful. I realized that my exposure to education was the reason I was able to appreciate my country’s history, all of my different friend’s cultures and maintain good health. This helped me realize that all my behaviour and well-being were also primary components of my identity.

Lastly, another thing I noticed was that the thought process of a person is deeply influenced by the environment that a person grows up in and this thought process molds the person’s identity. Changing so many schools affected my thought process. The way I approach a common situation like participating in a conversation, visiting a new place or interacting with a new group of people is very different from any other person who has lived in one place for all of their lives. I could see this in the Rup Jyothi cooperative where Rup Jyothi’s son confidently played the Dhol when his mother was performing and continued to teach a group of 14 awkward teenagers how to dance. I almost envied his confidence, but as I considered the environment he grew up in, I was able to make more sense of it. He grew up in a household that sincerely appreciated the arts. He would have performed in front of many other groups of people. Going back to Khonoma, I saw how the war of Khonoma affected the identities of all the people in the village. They wore the sense of pride like a medal they had been awarded and it was evident in every conversation you had with our local guides, Heika, Martin and Viko or Mr Kruse.

Seeing how much of a different the environment we are brought

up in impacts our identity was one of the most important realizations for me.

This trip through the alien lands of the Northeast, a place I flew into expecting to visit just another part of India but flew out of considering home, was one of the most enlightening experiences I have ever had. I was able to develop and broaden my idea of identity to be more than just something you use to label yourself but is something that encompasses all sides of you, your likes and dislikes, your past, present and future. There is so much I learnt from the Nagas, the Khasis, the Assamese and all the other tribes but they still have so much more knowledge to share.

AARADHITA VARDARAJAN 2022

Prior to the trip, identity to me meant a collection of qualities, values and ideologies that resonated with an individual. It could be anything as simple as a name or as complex as my political standing but the one aspect that ties it all together is that these are conscious choices or decisions made on a personal level. To me, identity was always a deeply personal topic, which is why watching the Naga people draw their identity from their families, khels and broader community perplexed me at first. Right from their names which they inherited from their ancestors, to the houses they lived in, to their views on religion and marriage- they

were all heavily dependent on group membership and what their peers and elders found fit for them. This was reflected in the life choices they made, which were not an extension of their personal morals and values and were instead, in line with their communities norms. This sense of social identity was so strong that their entire lives were devoted to making their khels and village happy, be it through the feasts of merit or the headhunting in the early ages. The building of this identity too was heavily dependent on the community wherein the children of the village are divided into “peer groups” based on their age. These peer groups too worked towards betterment of society in a variety of different ways but

most importantly, they acted as a means for older kids to pass on cultural values to younger ones. This method of enculturation reinforces the community’s norms and ideas which is why their social and personal identities are so intertwined. Social identity, alongside personal identity, making up an individual’s identity was not a foreign topic to me. I have covered this previously in my IBDP Psychology lessons but have always understood a person’s social identity to be an extension of their personal identity which is unlike what I saw during my trip to Nagaland as their social identity is at the core of their personal identity and decision making. This is picturized below.

Identity is a concept I have struggled to understand, primarily because I do not understand my own. I never thought I had anything truly unique about me, something which college essays made me realise in full effect. The Nagaland trip helped me understand that identity can be found in the groups you belong to, in culture, and in society.

Throughout the Nagaland trip, we were able to see the importance of their culture to their identity. Each tribe and village had different traditions and practices which built their identity and their behaviour. While learning about their culture, I realised how important my culture and traditions are to me, and I realised that my culture does build up my identity, and I do have unique characteristics in my social identity.

I was able to understand the difference between personal and social identity, which was a concept I learnt in psychology. I then realised that although

I still haven’t fully understood my personal identity, I do have a very rich and unique social identity. In psychology, we learnt about cultural dimensions, which are groups of traits that help describe and categorise cultures. One of the dimensions was collectivism, on the opposite side of the spectrum from individualism. We learnt that individualistic cultures had a large focus on personal identity, and a lot of their characteristics fell within the general traits of being self-sufficient, independent, competitive, and such. However, collectivistic cultures focused on their social identity, they identified themselves as a part of a group and group belonging is very important to them.

Common characteristics of these cultures include collaboration, dependency (on each other), and other altruistic traits.

The people of the Khonoma village and the culture itself was extremely collectivist. They largely relied on each other, and were very self-sufficient. The largest characteristic that I think

they shared with this cultural dimension was the importance of a group identity. The people of Nagaland in general prized their culture and their identity, and this was visible in a lot of their traditions and behaviours. For example, in the Khonoma village, outsiders are only allowed to stay for 5 days, and would have to check out and check in again if they wished to stay longer. This way, the village is not taken over by tourists and still maintains the culture and the people of the village. Additionally, the primary manner in which they identified themselves was through their tribe and village, which is not something that I can relate to. For me, I do not consider the city I reside in - Bangalore - to be a large factor of my identity, but rather the group and family that I come from.

The Northeast trip helped me change my view on identity and allowed me to understand it further, and I do hope that I figure out my identity soon.

SARAH SAMAD 2022

PRANAV GUPTA 2023

The way I see it, our trip to the north-east had implications for two aspects of identity: my personal identity and the extent to which it is connected to my society, and the identity of my country. Having lived in urban environments such as Bangalore for my entire life, I have grown used to a largely individualistic style of living where my goals and activities are largely independent from those of the people who live around me. Furthermore, I have lived in a gated community for most of my life, creating a further bubble for my personal identity in that I am shielded from external people and cultures and in my daily life, am exposed only to a select few people who belong to my socio-economic background. This is why experiencing the societal culture in Khonoma was a striking experience for me because it revealed the extent to which I have become isolated from my neighbors and environment. One of our guides in the north-east asked

us whether we even know the names, jobs and backgrounds of our immediate neighbors and when I thought about this, I was disappointed to realize that I didn’t. Through learning that in Nagaland, community service for the betterment of the entire society, passing on traditions and knowledge from generation to generation, and treating your elders with respect are communal practices that the Nagas have nurtured for hundreds of years, I learnt that my personal identity could benefit from a further understanding of my environment, my ancestors and the learnings of my entire family.

Secondly, our trip to the northeast revealed certain facts about the Indian government’s treatment of the Naga people and persecution of their freedom fighters, which made me question the democratic nature I had always associated with India. We learnt that since 1947, Nagaland has been forced to remain a part of the Indian nation, even after being ensured

independence by the British Raj and as a result, has been engaged in a growing separatist movement since. We also learnt that in order to control this separatist movement, the Indian army enforced the AFSPA, which allowed soldiers to question, search, and shoot Nagas based purely on suspicion, and at a time that the Indian government had created concentration camps in Nagaland for ‘insurgents’. Prior to visiting Nagaland, I and most of my classmates were unaware of these practices which struck me as inherently discriminatory, inhumane, and undemocratic. This made me question the freedom of press and independence of the citizens I had considered given in our ‘Indian identity’.

TARUN PADMANABHAN 2023

The Nagaland trip and the subsequent interaction with the local people and culture has directly contributed to the reshaping of my understanding of the concept of identity. Throughout the trip I observed the significance of many facets of identity including national and tribal identity, and its implications on how people perceive themselves. Above all the Nagaland trip provided me with the opportunity to explore two specific questions, “Who shares my identity?”, and “Do I have to share a common identity to establish relationships?”. This first question lends itself to the concept of national identity. Due to the lack of coverage given to the Nagaland separatist movement I came into the trip with little to no knowledge of the freedom efforts started by A.Z. Phizo in the 1940s. However through my experience in the state it was clear that the Naga people feel no sense of belonging to greater India. This conflict in ‘national’ identity was brought about by stark cultural, linguistic, and social differences, which helped me understand that a collective identity is dependent on various microscopic factors to ensure sustainability.

Furthermore our in-depth exploration into the tribal identity of the Angamis revealed further information about the concept of identity, particularly how geographical situations shape our identities. This was made clear through the various agricultural practices developed around endemic plants and the limited access to free-flowing water. This knowledge is not consistent across all 17 tribes in Nagaland with different tribes adopting techniques that bestsuited their geographical and

climatic circumstances.

The question “Do I have to share a common identity to establish relationships?”was partially addressed through the trip as I was able to understand that differences in our perceptions of identity do not limit the establishment of relationships. This was evidenced by the functioning of modern, unified Nagaland, wherein tribes which lack commonality are able to create long-standing political and social ties.

What is identity? Is it defined by appearance or name? Maybe it is characterized by place and environment? Could it be something construed by life experiences? or are they shaped by history and times past? The question of what an identity is and what makes one has been pondered over for decades, where an understanding of it is unique and diverse for each individual. When asked the same question, I would flounder helplessly to voice my vague, scattered attempts at an answer and make sense of the million other questions that remain in place of concrete resolutions. What exactly does ‘identity’ mean to me? What is my identity? What, over the years, has shaped my identity and my understanding of it?

For many years, my response to any question about identity would be a vague phrase along the lines of “a person’s subjective sense or understanding of self”, an answer that resulted from searching the internet for too many hours, reading too many philosophical books

ANANYA ARUN 2024

and never really coming to a concrete conclusion myself. I have always known that identity is complex, almost like a system with distinct, individual pieces working together and influencing one another to make a unique organism. A person. However, it was through this trip that I truly understood this word, ‘identity’, in all its complexity and depth, as I viewed each of its many pieces through a variety of lenses in the Northeast of India.

The first lens, through which I saw identity, was history. “How does a nation’s history affect its people’s identity in the present time?” and “How significant or influential is that impact?”. Learning of Manipur’s past made up a significant part of the 4 days we stayed there. Having been invaded not once but thrice, by the Burmese, Chinese and Indians, being the grounds for one of the second world war’s fiercest and bloodiest battles, and eventually losing the state’s independence and freedom after signing the merger agreement with India, the results of these events that took place many decades ago present themselves in the religion followed by many Manipuri citizens today. The impacts of the battle of Imphal in Manipur led to major cultural integration, religious change and multiple other such changes across the state. Sanamahi, the ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, was originally the only religion followed. However, after the wars, the majority of the Manipuri population began to follow another religion, an integration of Sanamahi and Hinduism. I could not help but feel as though this was akin to the westernization of my own cultural and religious identity. Where the core of my south Indian and Tamilian roots were

changed and reconditioned with western ideas and values. And while I believe that integration can lead to new levels of awareness and open-mindedness as well as lead to the enriching of culture and increase societies acceptance of new values, as we saw through the placement of the Tulsi plant, along with the traditional Sanamahi plant, outside homes, I still wonder; Manipuri’s call themselves Indians, our guide, Jeembash sir, also mentioned that during the time of war, Manipuri even joined different sides and many joined the Indians, yet, how were they able to accept an Indian identity, when it was because of the agreement signed with India that they were stripped of their identity? How were they able to accept the integration of Hinduism into their original religion? How can they be so sure of their own identity, when their traditions, beliefs and values were constantly modified and changed?

I also saw identity through a completely different lens. Through the lens of people who did not consider themselves Indian. The first thing I remember our teachers telling us about Nagaland was that they did not consider themselves Indians, they considered themselves to be Nagas, a nation separate from their Indian brothers, and as I met its people and their ways of life, I could understand why. Despite having converted to Christianity from their own animistic religions, due to the influence of British colonialism, the people of Nagaland still seemed to be so integrated with their natural environment. As we walked around Khonoma village, their complete self-sufficiency, from the growing of various crops, to the distribution of water,

to the selling of produce in the markets, was run solely by the villagers and the Naga community. Women and men worked throughout the day, tilling the fields, carrying baskets of wood and planting new crops. This harmony that existed, not just in the village, but throughout Nagaland, as we saw in the Morungs, the eco-tourism organization and the community spaces, was built solely on trust, respect and understanding, despite being of different families, different khales or different clans. It was quite a sharp contrast to see, when I compare it to the digital documents, contracts, agreements and papers that accompany any sort of transaction between people in India. However, despite all this, I was still surprised to learn that the majority of the Nagas had also converted their religion to christianity. One of the reasons for doing so, according to our guide, was because during British rule, many people were also forced to convert to Christianity in order to lead a safer, wealthier life. How can one be comfortable with their identity and their religion when it was forced upon them? I wondered if there were ever any conflicts or disagreements amongst the Naga community that lay underneath the harmony and unity I could see.

In grade 5, I remember one of our Units of inquiry being “who we are in space and time”. This trip reminded me of that. Seeing Nagaland and Manipur, from the lens of present time as well as time’s past and understanding identity through a uniquely different perspective than my own or my peers, was a new experience of its own. Learning about identity, not just through oral interaction but also through

the different languages spoken (Angamese, Nagamese, etc), the traditional dances, their traditional clothes (the phunek) and their art helped me better understand the intricacies of what makes an identity so distinct in nature. So, while all the million questions I had may not be answered, this trip gave me the chance to reflect on my identity and what I believe it to be. Eating fried rice at the top of a mountain with 14 other panting classmates, looking up at the stars, covered in layers of clothes, late into the night, listening to a painter talking about his work with pride, watching different tribes dance with honor, that is part of my identity. My identity, defined by my life experiences, my religion, my culture, my stories, my past. Defined by me.

By definition an identity is the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. Relatively, I am human; The son of my wonderful parents; an older sibling of two trouble makers; A grade 11 student living the socio-academic life and much much more. But I wasn’t convinced that these points are objectively “my identity”. I had kept the anticipation phase of my dopamine high. All the discussions and all the events I had witnessed through words were about to come to reality. This trip was a great way for me to discover the extent of my identity through experiences and the lenses of indigenous knowledge. I had packed everything and hoped that nothing would go wrong. After encountering my peers and teachers at the airport, the pre-travel stress had dissolved and I was excited for the journey ahead. It was going to be a long week away from the warm comfort of our homes. Somewhere in that excitement I

find it ironic that I lost the only physical original copy of my identity at the airport before a trip all about identity. The Aadhaar is a 12 digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India. The number serves as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India. Funny how the government considers someone’s identity as a number. Each one’s number being idiosyncratic and terminating. Is that what holds or defines my identity? I wasn’t sure but I had a feeling this journey would answer that question and more about who I really am. One of the factors that make up someone’s identity are their religion, beliefs, appearance, ethnicities and values specific to their background and environment. This one aspect was explored repeatedly through the introduction of the 17 different tribes in Nagaland and 33 different ones in Manipur. In fact in Nagaland it was apparent that these are what make each

ARYAN VARMA 2024

tribe distinct. I wondered if this is true for people around me. The tribes tend to be identified on the basis of their practices, myths, culture, language and so on. The Angami tribe for example are known for their practise of ricecultivation with sectors serving different purposes such as the actual harvesting or music. Their practices are not only inherited, passed down for generations but are also a mark of wealth in the community. Could part of my identity be passed down from generations before? The identity of these tribes are rooted in the environment and their surroundings, just like how I was raised; absorbing the social norms regular to my surroundings and becoming a member of the conformists of this environment.

These tribes’ lifestyles and cultures require the preservation of their natural environment, which explains their resistance to modernization. for it to be unattended. The Angami tribe, as well as the Ao, Konyak, and Chakhesang tribes, have a symbiotic relationship with the soil, rivers, and woods such as the indigenous understanding of alder trees and the pollarding process.

During the course of the journey, I’ve started to wonder: Does our identity dictate the choices we make, or do those decisions model our identities? When Jhimbaas sir was explaining how Hindu meitei women in Manipur were compelled to marry Muslims, I asked myself this question. This simple decision altered the identities of not only that couple, who later became meitei pangals, but also those in the generations that followed. In a sense, the identification of the ladies guided the choice, but eventually, the choice determined the identities of both husband

and wife. The monarch opted to marry off the women because the women identified as Maitheis. I find it intriguing that my identity living in my modernity is also determined by actions I take such as deciding to go to the gym everyday which makes me fit, an aspect of my identity.

The final identity-related observation I made was how identity develops in people and reflects itself. While identity may be represented through language, food, or attire, in my opinion, what truly distinguishes people with different identities are their values and behaviors.

The peer houses and morungs that we observed in the village of Khonoma were likewise connected to the development of identity. Children were taught significant values and lessons by their elders as part of this ancient educational system. This caused me to wonder how different a person who had studied here would act from someone who had studied in a more advanced educational institution. What part does my education play in my beliefs, habits, and identity.

In conclusion, the trip to the northeast challenged my perspective and definition of identity as an umbrella term. I feel safe describing identity as a person’s sense of self, shaped by their distinctive traits, associations, environment and social positions. Ultimately, I feel privileged to have experienced this journey with all its unique twists and turns and I can recommend this to my juniors with the utmost certainty that new things will be learned.

VISHAL ARUN 2024

Before the trip began, I had a somewhat nebulous, and indistinct understanding of what an identity is, and more importantly, what it could mean to a person. I had heard of phrases like “wear your identity on your sleeve”, but could never claim to appreciate its essence, as I have never felt like my identity was threatened, conflicted, generalized, or denied. This trip has not only allowed me to observe the pride, and passion with which various North-Eastern tribes and communities view their own identity, but ushered me, subtlety, to embrace, and celebrate my own identity.

Since its inception, Nagaland specifically, has been a state plagued with insurgency groups, and political instability due to the conflicted identity of its people. When reading about it, I found the continued outrage from the locals quite odd, as all over the world, people from varying cultures have been grouped together and forced to form some common identity, be it Indians, Asians, or even Bangaloreans for that matter. Why are the Nagas so resistant to this title? Isn’t unity and togetherness desirable? Why isn’t this happening all over the world, I thought to myself. Visiting the Khonoma village, and interacting with locals such as Rovi, our guide, gave me a gist of just how isolated they are from the outside world. I was particularly intrigued by the law conveying that land can only be passed down from generation to generation, and not sold to outsiders. This may be seen as forceful isolation, but in reality, is just how the people have been living for centuries. They just don’t have photographs, signed

documents, and fancy books to show for it. The extravagant display of color, tradition ,and other cultural practices in the Hornbill festival reaffirmed this notion.

When discussing history, perspective matters, and the case of the Nagas is possibly the best testament to this claim. During the 1800s, the Nagas weren’t ruled by anybody. Before India gained independence, the Nagas realized that they would forcibly be made part of India, so they declared their independence on 14th August, 1947. What followed was violent conflict that culminated in a bloody war in 1954-1957. In 1963, Nagaland was granted statehood. According to the Heika, the Indian politicians

at the time considered the Nagas to be dangerous separatists, but in his view, they were never part of any nation. For them, asking for independence is merely re-affirming history. So, they aren’t separatists because they were never ‘together’ in the first place. This revelation completely changed my outlook on conflicts in this region.

Within the village, I noticed an urge amongst the people, to stay at their home, together, with their families and friends, and not migrate off to big cities. Thus, I learnt of the importance of a collective identity. In the past, when asked about my identity, I would’ve spoken of myself, my language, my practises, and so on, but in the village, I observed as Rovi almost always used ‘we’ to describe his identity. It is his tribe, his village, his religion, and his community that make him ‘Naga’. It is the collection of individuals that make one’s identity.

English is the official language in the North-East, but I rarely found the Nagas or the Manipuris conversing in English amongst themselves. For their people, as well as mine, it is an alien language, enforced by an alien group of colonizers. Language is, undeniably, a big part of one’s identity (both Heika and Rovi were glad to teach us some greetings in the local language) and this made me wonder, why I speak in English at home. Why must I embrace a foreign language, and lose touch of my own? When Heika realized I was from Tamil Nadu, he told me of his experience in Salem, and how it was the only place he found fish curry. Even though I am a vegetarian, I felt happy for him, that he was able to enjoy an otherwise unsavory dish, in my

land. This trip has thus nudged me in many ways to become more immersed and ingrained in my own culture, starting from speaking my language, at my home, because, at the end of the day, if I don’t wear my identity on my sleeve, who will?

AKHILESH BALAJI 2025

The peoples of this world are often classified binarily: there are those that live in communities “indigenous” to a particular place, and there are those that are the members of supposedly more sophisticated society, as part of what is now the “globalised world.” It is necessary to ask the question of what makes a society “indigenous,” as this will lead us forward in the discussion on indigenous knowledge, and its distinction from the knowledge in other disciplines. The notion of “indigenous” appears to have emerged from the notion of “colonisation.”—a globalised civilization may look upon another society as “indigenous,” if they are native to that particular region, in the former’s migration to the indigenous society’s homelands. For example, the Aryans may have looked upon the native Dravidians as indigenous—the latter’s Indian settlements predated that of the Aryans.

Yet, we, the present Indian residents, approach the term “indigenous” differently. The questions that are asked to determine the indigenous nature of a society have changed from “how long have they inhabited the region?” and “how have these lands and their environment shaped their antique culture?” to “how globalised and modern are they?” Typically, indigenous knowledge, which has been developed and cultivated by indigenous societies is viewed as inferior because it does not share the same rigour as scientific knowledge, despite dealing with the same subject—for instance, both indigenous and scientific knowledge (IK and SK respectively) may deal with the natural world surrounding the indigenous environment, but take radically different approaches. The

indigenous approach seems to be based on intuition and wisdom that have been accumulated for multiple generations, developing into an inflexible and slow-evolving framework to understand the world, often involving the immaterial—many Naga tribes were animistic before their conversion to Christianity. In the beginning, I perceived this: generally, what makes indigenous knowledge unique is that traditional knowledge is immaterialistic and qualitative, whereas science is objective and deterministic—it can predict complex systemic behaviour.

I will explore the distinction between IK and SK, with the motivation for “sustainability” inthe respective contexts. I read that over the years, Khonoma (an Angami tribe village) has become famous for their sustainable practices. Prior to the widespread conversion to Christianity, the Angami tribe followed an animist religion—these ideologies carried forward in the Angami culture, if not in their religion. The village is meticulously planned, with low deforestation rates—only branches are cut down, retaining the foliage. Thus, the trees act as nitrogen fixating agents, rendering the soil more fertile. These ideas are present in SK: it is known that certain trees act as nitrogen fixating agents, for instance. However, science is only now trying to incorporate these ideas of sustainability into its framework, and apply these ideas to modern society—this is after there has been experimental evidence regarding the environmental impact of human activity. The Angami people’s culture is what motivates them to be sustainable— the animistic ideologies teach them to respect and conserve nature; it is not something that had to be forcibly inculcated in them. This draws attention to

the distinction in the manner in which IK and SK propagate. IK propagates through oral tradition, across multiple generations—in the case of the Angami tribe, through folklore. I read about a folktale explaining man’s harmony with nature in terms of the union of the material and spiritual plane of existence.

Folklore like this eventually becomes an integral part of culture, making sustainability a part of Angami society, and ensuring that the future generations achieve the same outcome of sustainability, deliberately designing their settlements to take this into account.

We must note that the Angami did not use a rigorous method to design sustainable settlements—it is through intuition, instinct, and subjective perceptions of harmony with nature that, over many generations, has become ingrained into their culture. Most Angami may not currently understand the logic behind specific sustainable practices (such as the nitrogen fixating trees—Alder trees), as it has been ingrained into slowmoving culture—culture is thus an effective medium to convey useful information, but the rationale for these practices are lost in the process. In the scientific method, there is an understanding in the scientific community for the objective, material reasons for certain processes that are not lost with time—if the Alder tree is discovered to be ideal for nitrogen fixation, the reasons for this and the possibilities to make the fixation more efficient are exhaustively studied.

This raises the important question: “are indigenous people knowledgeable?” We have seen earlier that while the motivation for sustainability is spiritual, they have achieved a similar

sustainable society to how science would design one. However, their rationales for specific design choices have been lost in earlier generations, and they continue to follow the same slow-moving set of traditions. Likewise, the Meghalayan Khasi tribe is known for bird hunting—this is a tradition, but the techniques that they follow are instinct- and intuition-based—over multiple generations, they have familiarised themselves with the spatial distribution of birds. They are able to apply knowledge, but do they possess knowledge? Is there a distinction between intuition and knowing, if the outcome is the same? This is a consequence of the slow-moving body of knowledge accumulated across many generations. Scientific knowledge has the ability to dynamically model large systems—if there is a sudden change in the distribution of the birds that the Khasis hunt, they will not be able to adapt to this quickly, because their knowledge is embedded in their tradition, that is slow moving— they lack the understanding for the bird distribution, unlike in SK.

In conclusion, we see that IK is slow-moving, as the traditions and societal structures are embedded in the framework called “culture,” thereby implying that IK cannot quickly adapt to a changing environment, leading to its perception as rigid or conservative.

“Culture” provides an effective means to carry forward ancient knowledge (such as the design of sustainable villages), while losing the underlying reasons for specific choices made. While both systems may present, in this case, similar outputs, this is because the indigenous knowledge predates scientific knowledge, and restricts itself to knowledge about the local surroundings. Contrastingly, SK can be applied to more general settings and can effectively model

multiple changing variables. IK concerns itself with a spiritual motivation that manifests itself as something morally correct (e.g., the motivation for sustainable systems are the animistic ideologies)—SK investigates the changing variables; this understanding can thus be applied to the real world as technology. By definition, SK can investigate things only as they are changing, and technology applies solutions to real-world problems—there is little foresight in this approach, compared to IK. We perceive science to be a general framework that can quickly adapt to model large-scale, complex systems—it is, by design, open to new knowledge.

DHRUV RAMU 2025

Prior to this theory of knowledge course, “indigenous” is a word that I would use unsparingly to describe anything that appears to be native. Despite recognising the importance of preserving indigenous people, I made very few connections to knowledge itself. Now, I have come to realise that indigenous knowledge encompasses an interconnectedness between the land, its people, and their collective wisdom. It transcends information, embodying a holistic understanding of the environment, culture, and spirituality. Unlike compartmentalized scientific disciplines, it refuses to exist in isolation. Instead, it is inextricably

linked to the communities that hold it, drawing breath from their intimate relationship with the land and each other. Indigenous peoples have not just observed their surrounding environment; they have lived within it, thus being able to observe subtle microchanges, patterns, and processes of change—concepts of ecology that a reductionist approach may not be able to explore. It involves experiential learning that is passed down through oral traditions, stories, and songs. This essay covers a mere subset of my understanding of indigenous knowledge and its interplay with other disciplines and the world.

An indigenous paradigm which I observed is the fact that knowledge carries ethical and cultural obligations—every indigenous person is a custodian of the knowledge that has been gained, adapted, added on to, and passed down across generations. These ethical obligations are not merely to act as a student and teacher in a lifetime, but also to guide sustainable practices and maintain respect for the environment. This can be observed in the Konyak tribe; they are known for their headhunters and their warrior culture. Despite the unfamiliarity of such a practice for those growing up in an urban environment, they adhere to a strict ethical code known as Tsungli. This ensures ecological balance and honours the spirit of the animals hunted. Hunters target specific animals based on age, species, and overall population health—if an animal is pregnant or their self-maintained quota has been exceeded, they forbid themselves from hunting. In addition, rituals are conducted before and after the hunt, involving offerings and appeasement of the spirits of the forest. Thus, a portion of the meat is offered back to the forest.

The tribes in Meghalaya and Nagaland also exemplify the concept of axiology: focusing on values and working together for a collective benefit. This can be seen through shared labour and decision-making in the Ao Naga village council. Similarly, I learned through readings that the matrilineal societies of Garo and Khasi in Meghalaya emphasize collective labour in agriculture and other activities, fostering intergenerational cooperation. Strong kinship systems in both Meghalaya and Nagaland create a sense of shared identity and responsibility. Despite having a leader, land and resources are often held communally, reinforcing interdependence.

Folklore—through music and dance—is very popular throughout these tribes. Music plays a vital role in maintaining the ontological tissue in the Garo tribe, for example. It accompanies various rituals from birth ceremonies to funerals; songs specific to each ritual act as collective narratives, reinforcing shared beliefs and cultural values. Energetic dances such as Wangala are performed during social gatherings and festivals—especially in occasions pertaining to agriculture, such as when a new crop is harvested. Traditional songs and epics such as their creation myth are passed down through generations, despite the majority of the Garo people being Christians today. I was able to experience music and dance that are representative of the aforementioned ideas through the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, where I bore witness to performances such as those by The Ao (bonding festival after the harvest) and The Tikhirs (the Tsonglaknyi purification festival).

These ideas of a shared identity, a deep respect for the natural world,

and such a strong ethical code do appear foreign to us. This can also be seen in how we perceive how tribes in Nagaland and Meghalaya have profound understandings of their natural world, passed down through generations through oral traditions and spiritual practices. However, these understandings often clash with the reductionist approach of natural science, which seeks to break down complex systems into smaller, more manageable parts for analysis. This reductionist approach to science, and especially biology, involves breaking down larger components such as complex organisms into complicated, but predictable biological processes at a cellular level. Agricultural technologies in India have allowed for an increase in crop yields (almost a 3 tonne increase) through the use of chemical fertilizers which are deemed necessary for food security and production, possibly to the credit of Western scientific philosophy, but effective agrarian practices have also developed over generations in the Northeast. This can be seen through Jhum cultivation, for example, which I found unique compared to the typical practices of monocropping. This age-old practice involves clearing a patch of forest, burning the biomass for nutrient release, and cultivating crops for a few years before letting the land fallow for regeneration. The use of mixed cropping with legumes such as beans also helps fix nitrogen in the soil—something a chemical fertilizer containing ammonia can do, whilst having negative effects on the environment such as the entry of fertilizer into wastewater runoff, causing eutrophication. Rather than producing a single crop or “cash crop”, Jhum provides a diverse range of crops like rice, vegetables, and fruits, catering to the food needs of the community rather than agricultural product export authorities.

This indicates that our perception of natural science—its method and approach to supposedly maximise efficiency—is not the same in indigenous areas. It shows us alternative possibilities to our own way of life, from agroforestry to terrace cultivation.

I also believe that our understanding of these cultures has been impaired by the writing of history, or the historiographical approach that was once followed. In Nagaland, British colonial records focused heavily on administrative concerns and pacification efforts, focusing on the tribes’ warlike nature rather than their rich cultural heritage. By excluding indigenous knowledge from historical narratives, we have perpetuated negative stereotypes and undermined the legitimacy of these communities’ claim to land, resources, and self-determination. Rather than finding these societies primitive, and subverting their long-standing social order and traditional governance practices, I firmly believe that by amplifying indigenous voices, we can recognize the inherent value of these communities’ ways of knowing. My exploration of the Northeast, whilst primarily academic, has led me to consider new perspectives and entertain the idea that such a society can not only function, but thrive.

ERIN JOHN 2025

Knowledge is mostly defined as the facts, information or skills on a subject acquired through theoretical and practical understanding of a subject. Knowledge produced by different communities can differ despite being on the same subject. An area of knowledge we explore in the theory of knowledge course is indigenous knowledge. The term “indigenous” is used to refer to people whose social, cultural and economic conditions distinguish them from other sections of the national community and whose status is regulated wholly or partially by their own customs and traditions. They are also considered to live in close relation with nature. In the realm of knowledge, the understanding of indigenous knowledge has undergone profound development over the past few decades as people have sought to understand it rather than find it inferior as many colonists have done so in the past. Indigenous knowledge is said to embody a deep connection to nature, tradition and community.

Through my readings I understood that Indigenous knowledge

comes from communities whose customs and traditions are intrinsically intertwined with their surrounding environment and can be specific to those surroundings. Their surroundings have a direct relationship with the knowledge produced.With constant interaction between indigenous people and their ecology,they acquire knowledge and pass it onto future generations.We can see these practices and knowledge taking play in the northeast of India. For example, in Meghalaya there is an abundance of natural resources, one of these resources being bamboo. Bamboo is used as a tool for many activities like hunting, fishing and cutting and other purposes like the rainwater drainage systems,containers, etc. This highlights the close association between indigenous cultures and their ecological surroundings.

Another aspect that I read about is that Indigenous communities have a tradition of passing down knowledge and creating practices that benefit future generations, drawing from their collective experiences and ancestral wisdom.This system has ancestral knowledge attached: the stories of people produce a sense of

collective memory. A system that the indigenous communities of the north east practice to pass down knowledge is the oral knowledge system. The rationale behind this lies in the belief that practices are handed down by word of mouth with certain families or has come down to people who are supposed to have an aptitude for those practices.This oral tradition emphasizes the transmission of knowledge through word of mouth, with individuals entrusted to preserve and pass down ancestral practices with dedication and exactingness. The oral medium serves as a fundamental aspect of life for those in indigenous communities, connecting them through dialogue with others and with nature, shaping their existence.

Indigenous communities have a rich history of creating practices that benefit them and the future generations.I read about such practices that still take place in modern day Meghalaya and Nagaland. In Nagaland, there is a practice which has been passed down through generations to systematically harvest rainwater for agriculture in a water scarce region. The forefathers of their

tribes started this tradition to aid the community living in this mountainous region as some farmers were not able to get access to water. The ingenious water sharing technique they practice keeps the smallest and farthest plots watered. As Nagaland is a land with heavy agricultural dependence they conduct 12 different agricultural operations annually to tend to the crops and keep the fields neat so much so that British colonialists observed that their fields were cleaner than their homes. This shows how these collectively practiced traditions have helped create sustainable agricultural practices.

We also see these passed down practices in Meghalaya with the living root bridges.On the slopes of the southern Khasi and Jaintia hills grows a species of Indian rubber tree with an incredibly strong root system. From higher up its trunk, the Ficus elastica produces a series of pliable secondary roots. The roots of the rubber tree are made to grow through betel tree trunks that are laid across a river or stream, this makes up the living root bridges.As the state receives a high amount of rainfall every year, they have trouble crossing rivers, to tackle this problem, they built

the living root bridges. They built them in order to aid the future generations as building these root bridges can take up to 15 years to complete. This again shows how communities seeking to help future generations are playing a big part in generating knowledge and practices in Meghalaya.

The nature of indigenous knowledge contrasts with other areas of knowledge like scientific knowledge. Scientific knowledge operates on the basis of empirical investigation and seeks to uncover the mechanisms and functionings of the world. Unlike indigenous knowledge, which is rooted in specific cultural and environmental contexts, scientific knowledge is not held down by geographical boundaries and strives for universality. Scientific knowledge seeks to reveal new knowledge and refine aspects of what is already known and this knowledge is not bound by the customs of specific communities. Though scientific knowledge offers a common framework for understanding the world, it often overlooks the cultural diversity and ecological wisdom embedded within indigenous knowledge systems.

In conclusion my journey of exploration into indigenous knowledge has reshaped my understanding of this knowledge system,highlighting the interconnectedness of culture, nature and community. I can now see that both systems offer valuable insights into the complexities of human existence and the environment around us. The integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge presents opportunities for cross cultural dialogue and mutual learning. By recognising the complementary nature of these knowledge systems we can create a more holistic approach to the complex challenges faced by humanity.

Chapter 11

Educators’ perspective

The North east learning journey is one of the most sought-after experiences for the students of Neev Academy. The journey is designed in such a way that students get to experience the scenic beauty of the northeast along with the day to day life and culture of the place.

The Trek to the Nongriat (Meghalaya) to see the “living root bridges” helps them understand how people use their indigenous knowledge in constructing the bridges with the natural resources available to them. This also gives them the opportunity to learn about the thought process of community living and how one generation builds bridges for their next generation.

The trip to Nagaland helps them understand the pride the different tribes of Nagaland have in maintaining their identity. The village tour of the Khonoma village helps them understand the idea of sustainable practices adopted by the village people to live as a community.

Finally, the trek to Dzukou valley challenges each student to the extreme of their capability. Though few of them struggle to keep up to the challenge and difficulty of the trek, one can see the support and comradery each one of them provide to each other in completing the trek. This is one of the best experiences in their learning journey which truly tests their perseverance, grit and determination.

Mr Hare Ram

The NE learning journey is a true testament of grit, grace and honour. It has over the years become the iconic ending of Neev’s learning journeys achieving a legendary status not only for the high quality hands-on learning that it provides but also for the real “out of the bubble” experience.

It all begins with taking responsibility for self at the airport to setting foot as a group to one of the least known regions of the country to the treacherous Dzouku valley to the trek down the thousands of steps to see the root bridges and live with the locals.

Through all this students are constantly displaying the attributes of a self directed learner through proactive engagement that the trip lends itself to and through the daily reflections in the form of snippets, impressionistic writing and photos. The physically arduous treks be it Dzouku valley, Nagaland or the thousands of steps in Nongriat/ Nongbalai in Meghalaya test your grit and determination and it is heartening to see how students display an easy camaraderie and grace during those times. The trip provides a huge scope in developing critical thinking in which students are questioning the notion of Identity, what it means, how one carries it and why one cares about it so much. Students that have never written before reach almost poetry standard writing by the end of the trip, honing their creative skills along the way and communicating their thoughts much more eloquently than what they started off with ! The NE learning journey is an excellent first hand opportunity for developing cultural awareness that stays with the students much after the trip. Students form bonds beyond classrooms, beyond borders, beyond barriers.

Ms Rohini