The Prime Minister, along with other leaders, commemorated the Statehood Day of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh on 21st February. The two states are known for their rich culture and traditions, embodying the diverse and vibrant spirit of India’s northeast region. Becoming the 23rd and 24th states of the Indian Union on 21st February 1987, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have come a long way since their inception. This article delves into the journey of these two states, highlighting their geographical, demographic, and cultural facets.
Mizoram: A Journey to Statehood
The area known today as Mizoram was formerly the Mizo Hills district within Assam at the time of India’s independence. Renamed as the Mizo Hills District of Assam in 1954, the region experienced growing unrest due to the Mautam famine from 1959-1961. This led to an independence movement spearheaded by Laldenga, a Mizo leader, and sparked the formation of the Mizo National Front (MNF).
The demand for secession from Assam intensified when Nagaland received separate status as a Central Government Administrative Agency in 1957 and later statehood in 1963. An accord signed with the moderates of the MNF resulted in the establishment of Mizoram as a Union Territory in 1972. It was only after the signing of a memorandum of settlement, the Mizoram Peace Accord, between the Central government and the MNF in 1986, that Mizoram was granted full statehood.
Key Statistics: Mizoram
With Aizawl as its capital, Mizoram boasts a high literacy rate of 91.58%, significantly higher than the national average of 74.04%. It has a favorable sex ratio with 975 females per 1000 males, as compared to the national ratio of 943. Mizoram shares its international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and holds the highest concentration of tribal population among all states of India.
An interesting facet about Mizoram is its forest cover. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019, Mizoram has the maximum forest cover, amounting to 85.4% of its own geographical area.
Arunachal Pradesh: The Road to Recognition
Like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh was also part of Assam at independence. However, the region’s proximity to China made it strategically important, leading to its establishment as the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh in 1972. The unsettled border instigated several military considerations, ultimately securing statehood for Arunachal Pradesh in 1987 via the State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986.
Key Statistics: Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, which also shares international borders with Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. Even though the state’s literacy rate is comparatively lower at 65.38%, it still possesses a close sex ratio of 938 females per 1000 males.
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in terms of area in the northeastern region, exceeding even Assam which is the most populous. Intriguingly, it hosts the world’s largest variety of ethnic tribal groups and subgroups, adding to the vibrant diversity of the region.
The journey of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh serves as a testament to their resilience, cultural richness, and demographic diversity. Their statehood days are an occasion to celebrate not just their past, but also their promising futures.