Now, North-East icons get pride of place in IIMC

Students from North-East now have their icons on the campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). The IIMC administration has named several structures on campus after eminent personalities. A girls’ hostel, which was known as Hostel-1 till now, has been named after Rani Gaidinliu, a freedom fighter from Nagaland.  

“If students are taught about freedom fighters and social reformers from the North-East, they will inculcate values, which will help them understand the diversity of the country and respect people from other regions too,” said KG Suresh, Director General of IIMC. 

Rani Gaidinliu led a revolt against the British in Nagaland and Manipur as an early age of 13. She was arrested in 1932 at the age 16 and released after India gained independence.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave her the title ‘Rani’ and ordered her release immediately after freedom. 

“It is an excellent step towards promoting social harmony in the country,” said Marcia Sekhose, an alumni of the institute, who belongs to Nagaland. 

A delegation of students from the Central Agricultural University, Meghalaya, recently visited the campus. The IIMC administration has named the boys hostel on Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. “The Constitution provides the right to expression to all citizens, which is the basis of media freedom,” said Suresh. 

The institute alumni have lauded the initiative. “The DG is taking several steps to promote social harmony. But I think the institute needs to take some more initiatives to promote Babasaheb’s ideology of among students,” said Prashant Kanojia, who had alleged defamatory post against Dalits on social media last year. The complaint was made in the aftermath of Hyderabad University scholar Rohit Vemula’s alleged suicide. 

Similarly, the Officers’ Hostel has been named after APJ Abdul Kalam. The New Teaching Block, where courses for foreign students and Indian Information Service, are run has been named Chanakya Block. Besides, Mahatama Gandhi Manch, Tilak Manch, Meghdoot Amphitheatre are also on campus. 

A rock has been named after Vivekananda. Often, students can be found meditating here. “The students will be able to connect with history and great personalities,” said Vijay Kumar Pandey, Organisation Secretary, IIMC Alumni.