TOURISM AS AN APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING THE BALLOONING OF HOPE IN THE GEOPOLITICAL STRATAGEM OF INDIA: A MINUSCULE ANALYSIS OF THE CULTURAL AMBIT OF NORTH-EAST

The stadium of international geopolitics from a long time been encumbered by the requisition of interventionist power that might have knocked – down the plausibility of a power, which nourishes a gripping and subtle modus operandi. The soft power conjecture, does not inculcate a direct indulgence in the environment of diplomacy. However, the approach adheres to the dissemination of cultural etiquettes, foreign affairs subscribing to cognitive impressions across the world. The intellectuals advocated geopolitics as a conviction that encapsulates the mannerism in which territorial powers now carved and consummated. Tourism has a widespread impact in the geopolitical discourse of the twentieth century flattering as a censorious plot for day-to-day rendezvous between the guests and the host.
Both culture and heritage are chained concepts. The process of Othering includes the self to be herculean and noteworthy than others. This is done by spelling out the specific core and peripheries, norms and deviants along with concepts and margins. Let us consider the region of Wulai as a specimen to understand the essence of identity as a recital in the literature of geo-politics. The aboriginals of Wulai extracted their income from international tourism post the mid 1960’s but soon met with depreciation from the mid 1990’s. The indigenous residents of Wulai, began the quest for other alternatives with the diminution in the number of international visitors. A proportion of the community migrated to Taipei or Sindian with the women revitalizing and undertaking Atayal weaving practices. This unzipped junctures with western looms shipped from Sweden and New Zealand.
Taking exemplars from India, one can speak of the country’s magnitude as an economical destination for medical tourists for several surgery and the proxy treatments like Yoga and Ayurveda yield the inquisitiveness of medical tourists. The region of Assam is the most celebrated tourist destination amongst the other North East Region because of its geographical propinquity along with the ethnic accord, antique historical correspondence.
Tourism as an apparatus of employment has catapulted the partaking of local communities in this enterprise paving way for the blossoming of sustainable tourism at a given terminal for instance the district of Nagoan in Assam can transmute in to an alluring tourist hub because of its geographical location and prodigal picturesque vision.
The district is located in the central Assam and adorned with the herculean Brahmaputra in the north and the Mikir and Karbi Hills to the south, bracketing cities like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The bedrock of art, culture, literature and heritage contributes towards a pronounced fulcrum of religious and cultural tourism. It is the place of origin of Srimanta Shankara Deva, known as the architect of medieval vaishnavite faith in Assam. Apart from the various spectacular terminus for tourists such as the Kaziranga National Park, Wildlife sanctuaries like Laokhowa- Burhachapori and Pobitora, a famous bird watching spot which are indisputably hospitable from the Nagoan town, it also bestows sites for archeological and ecological substance, garnished with teagardens, waterfall and handicrafts. Assam has a history of worshipping the Goddess of Shakti, propounded by the Tantric Cults along with the Ahom Kings. The Akashiganga Waterfall in Nagoan is an ancient site for worshipping the Goddess of Shakti. One can also explore the diverse tribes of Nagoan for instance the Amsoi, Tiwa tribe in Roha, villages of Nagas and Bodos. Nagoan has can become a cradle of tourism because of such magnanimity in terms of cultural heritage and spirituality.
Policies shall be protruded as impetus for enchanting big chains of hospitals in Assam accompanied by the fraternizing of campaigns like Incredible India by the central government for the blooming of such market enterprise. The nexus between South East Asia and Assam, necessitates for a well – sustained air connectivity. The 25th anniversary celebration conference of ASEAN India Dialogue
Partnership at Vientiane, Laos 2017, recorded statement of the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh expressing North East India as a commonwealth of tourism broadcasting the scenic beauty , cuisine, handicrafts, performing arts, flora $ fauna. Connectivity between north east India and South East Asia can contribute towards the emancipation of India, as an integral player. Several ventures such as- The Kaladan Multi- Modal Transport, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Rih-Tedim Project in Myanmar has been prophesied to garnish India’s relation with South East Asia.
The Asia-Pacific Canvas- The region can harness its durability of tourism entrusting it’s natural and cultural resources, forming the focal point of world’s muscular economy, maintaining an international openness. The rapid growth in the Travel & Tourism competition (T&T) index 2019, denote thatcountries like Mongolia have elevated up to the 93rd position globally. The country preserves an exorbitant growth ratein the sectors of health & hygiene, natural and cultural resources along with prioritization. However, the need of the hour is to invest in the Information and Computer technology readiness to fabricate a business environment triggering international fluidity. Japan aces the sophistication because of the proficiency in its natural and cultural resources, environmental sustainability edifice, ICT readiness pouring into international flexibility. China holds a colossal T&T economy as a sub-region, with a cosmic range of natural and cultural resources but lacks in environmental sustainability. The screenplay is at odd in South Asia. The anguish is felt with a lagging tourist infrastructure. The other set of ordeals includeair-pollution, lacunas in waste-water management, wildlife jeopardy, water-trauma and forest loss.
Opening Gambit For India-ASEAN- There must be an ameliorated tryst knitted through a partaking in the ASEAN Tourism Forum, professional international travel emporium held in ASEAN Member states and India in order to accelerate integrated tourism. There must be capacity building brochures fashioned in the manner of workshops, seminars, webinars, Indian Scholarship programs, the exchange of lecturers, joint research and university partnerships with ASEAN University Network, language courses for tourism professionals.
Tourism can also be facilitated by opening avenues and surging fellowships for ASEAN students to chase education in India in fields of mutual interest such as performing and visual arts.
The South-east Asian terrain have been succumbed to an appalling escalation of COVID cases that has been emanated from a profusion of religious event concentrated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that witnessed the presence of several tourists from the adjoining countries. The pronouncement of the global health exigency by the World Health Organization did not appear to pulsate thoroughly in the parts of South East Asia considered; to be a ballooning space for Chinese tourists and workers. This paved way for illustrious jeopardy to countries where the health care structure is underfinanced. China extracts footing of its South East Asian neighbors based on the groundwork of Chinese investments in these countries regarded as an opening gambit in the Belt and Road Initiative. One can always garnish regionalization through the protocols of connectivity e.g. The Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity adopted in 2010.
The vision should be unwavering because connectivity has been a catalyst in tailoring new narratives of geopolitics. The spatial aspects of infrastructure and standards are essential for deciphering the interim of world politics. There has been a metamorphosis with regards to connectivity amplified by China because it thrusts upon socio-economic path for securing equal prosperity and global inclusiveness.
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Alokanada Nag

Intern, Asia in Global Affairs