Q.Read the passage and answer the questions below:
One of Hazarika's songs.. … dwells on the unity theme; the seven states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same mother. …. 'Meghalaya went own way…., Arunachal too separated and Mizoram appeared in Assam's gateway as a groom to marry another daughter.' ….. …. .. The song ends with a determination to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities that are left in the present-day Assam – 'the Karbis and the Missing brothers and sisters are our dear ones.' — Sanjib Baruah
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The poet sings of national integration — the emotional and cultural unity that must be preserved even when political boundaries change. The answer explores how the creation of separate states in the North-East was a response to ethnic diversity and administrative needs, and why this theme of unity applies to all of India.
1. Understanding the poet's message
The song by Bhupen Hazarika uses the metaphor of seven sisters — the seven states of North-East India — born of the same mother (the undivided Assam). The poet laments that some sisters "went their own way" (Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram), but ends with a resolve to keep the remaining communities — the Karbis, the Misings, and others — together in present-day Assam.
The unity the poet is talking about is national integration — the emotional and cultural bond that holds diverse ethnic groups together as one nation, despite political reorganisation. It is not about keeping political boundaries unchanged, but about preserving a sense of belonging and brotherhood across differences.
National integration is different from political unification. It means people of different languages, cultures, and regions feel they are part of one nation.
2. Why were separate states created in the North-East?
The creation of separate states out of the erstwhile State of Assam happened for several interconnected reasons:
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Ethnic and linguistic diversity: The North-East is home to dozens of distinct tribal communities, each with its own language, culture, and historical identity. The Assamese language and culture did not represent all these groups. For example, the Khasis and Garos of Meghalaya, the Nagas of Nagaland, and the Mizos of Mizoram each had strong separate identities.
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Demand for self-determination: Many tribal groups felt that being part of a larger Assam meant their unique cultures and interests were neglected. They demanded separate states to have greater control over their own affairs — land rights, language policy, cultural preservation.
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Administrative efficiency: A single large state with such diverse geography and population was difficult to govern effectively. Smaller states could focus on region-specific development.
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Constitutional provisions: The Indian Constitution allows for the reorganisation of states. The States Reorganisation Commission (1956) and subsequent acts created linguistic states. For the North-East, the process was driven more by tribal identity than language alone.
The timeline of separation:
- Nagaland became a state in 1963
- Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura became states in 1972
- Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh became states in 1987
A common mistake is to think these states were created arbitrarily. They were the result of sustained political movements and constitutional processes, not a sudden decision.
3. Can this theme of unity apply to all regions of India?
Yes, the same theme of unity in diversity applies to the entire country. Here's why: …
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