New Delhi: As yet another new initiative to bring mainstream India closer to the North-East Region (NER), the first ever post-graduate course in Northeastern Studies will be introduced from next year.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that meanwhile, starting from the forthcoming semester beginning August 2015, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi will start an "Option Paper" in Northeastern Studies for students undertaking exam for masters degree in the university.

While complimenting the Jamia Millia authorities for this initiative, Dr Jitendra Singh said an institutionalized study and research on Northeast India will provide inputs for professionals and policy makers on key issues relating to the region and thus help create a bridge between the policy making desk and the realities on the ground.

Dr Jitendra Singh said ever since he was given the charge of Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region, he noticed that everyone talked about bringing the NER closer to mainstream India but hardly anyone spoke of bringing mainstream India closer to the Northeast. The new initiative will, therefore, make up for this missing link in a big way, he added.

Vice Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad informed that while the Optional Papers for the Northeastern Studies for Post-Graduate students will start from the current session, the University plans to start a full-fledged Master's Degree in Northeastern Studies from the next session. He said, the curriculum of the course will be comprehensive and cover diverse aspects of Northeast India including history, geography, heritage and current affairs.