People from North-eastern states are equally Indian

This is my response to a question on quora  "Why do mainland Indians hate/ discriminate against people from Northeast India?"

 I do not feel any such sentiment. People from NE are equally Indian as I am. However, I do agree that there are common misconception about NE Indians like:

• They would eat any kind of meat.
• They are not of such high moral/ ethics as the rest of India. This results in the fact that many a times people of NE find it difficult to get a place on rent in the rest of India.
• They do get employed mainly as security guard or other low paying jobs.
• NE is very unsafe and often violent incidents happens there.
• Sometimes, their looks is mistaken as that of Nepalese or Singaporeans.  It is ignorance of some people which offend the NE People.
• They are treated as Guest in their own Country

But, mind you that this is just a perception or stereotype and cannot be true. Only a handful of people have these opinions and its because they are ignorant about:

• The vibrant culture of NE India
• The beauty of North East
• The people of NE are hard working and passionate like the rest of India.
• They are also a die-hard Indian and love their country.
• In NE states, people are married only if they love each other, dowry is non existent in NE India.
• People in NE are warm and friendly.
• They play a prominent role in Indian Army, hope you know about Assam Rifles.
• NE Indian also make us feel proud for being an Indian... they have given us amazing sports persons like Mary Kom (Boxing), Somdev Devvarman (Tennis), Baichung Bhutia (Football),Jeje Lalpekula (Football), etc

• People must know about Mr. Jadav Payeng, the man from India who single-handedly planted a 1360 acres forest. Is it a joke? Oh..hello.. I forgot to mention that he is also from North East India.
• Respect fellow Indians irrespective of the place from which they belong.

And don't worry, everyone is stereotyped, I am from BIHAR, hope I needn't elaborate how people from bihar are seen by a handful of people.

• We are considered as mostly illiterate and utterly poor.
• Biharis are indentured laborer, farm worker and have very little access to education.
• We  don't have civic sense, we don't know English and we all are what Bhojpuri Movies show us to be.
• I have never seen any Bhojpuri movie but have heard it paints a picture which is far from reality.

Anyways, everyone don't feels the same way.

• We all are first an Indian and then only from Bihar, Bengal, kashmir, Tamil Nadu, North East, North, South, etc.
• Our diversity should be our strength not our weakness.
• This is something for which I have very strong opinion.
• Make friends with people from other states, learn their culture, heritage and  language. You will be delighted to know that they all are equally amazing like you.
• Respect your countrymen. While watching a Cricket Match, what do you see  a Marathi or a Bihari or a Punjabi playing or an Indian.
• We all have to respect our lineage and accept the others with open heart.

I love my India...and all Indian are dear to me !!!
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