Art and culture play important role in overall societal development: Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba

Sukant Deepak

Yuksam (Sikkim), May 8 (IANS) He still loves physics. Unearthing the logic behind things is what fascinates him about the subject. Sikkim’s sole MP, Indra Hang Subba, who has submitted his doctorate thesis in Physics is also convinced that science and the arts are not two ends of a pendulum. “It would be a mistake to ignore the richness of ‘logic’ behind culture. Does it not make who we are? The effort is to ensure the complete development of youngsters in the state. And that would remain incomplete unless cultural awareness and a sense of pride in it are absent. Precisely why we thought of a festival like this, where they will get acquainted with diverse perspectives and introduced to different worldviews,” he tells IANS during the ongoing first edition of Sikkim Art and Literature Festival (May 6-8) organised by the state government in collaboration with Teamwork Arts.

Stressing that across the world, culture has been instrumental in driving tourism and thus contributing to the economy, the 34-year-old MP says it is high on his priority list. “Of course, it is not just economic development but overall societal development that we are aiming at, and arts and culture have an important role to play in that.”

The MP, who does not come from a political family and got involved in politics during his student years was given a ticket by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha. “It was a huge opportunity for me to put into action different ideas I had for development.”

He however does not dismiss dynastic politics, believing that it is important to look at the individual and not his background. “If the person is dynamic and has the potential to bring about changes for the better, why should it matter if he is from a dynasty or not?”

Currently working on new skill development infinitives for youngsters, Subba feels it is important that those who complete formal education should also be skilled enough to be absorbed by different industries. “This will increase their chance of employment. Also, we are encouraging youngsters to be entrepreneurs and introducing newer techniques in agriculture.”

Talk to him about student unions’ strong hold over politics in the North-Eastern part of the country, and the MP feels that while they are not as strong as they used to be, but continue to be focused on welfare measures for the students. “Not to say that they do not raise for other segments, but unions in this part of the country have their ears to the ground when it comes to students’ issues, and raise them on different platforms.”

Organised at the historical site of Norbugang, the festival will witness deliberations on topics including history, culture and ethnicity, poetry, architecture, climate change, folklore, mental health wildlife conservation, and writings from the northeast. Participating authors include Anand Neelakantan, Anuja Chauhan, Hoihnu Hauzel, Chuden Kabimo, and Ankush Saikia, among others.

--IANS
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