Notes from a 'mainland North-easterner'

Replete with anecdotes, The Eastern Gate provides an all-encompassing view of the troubles of the north-east

The Eastern Gate

Author: Sudeep Chakravarti

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 399

Price: Rs 899

A review of a book such as Sudeep Chakravarti’s The Eastern Gate warrants the use of such disconcerting terms as “mainlander” and “North-easterner”, primarily to tell the difference between writers who, having been once ignored by cliquish north-eastern communities in the mainland, would prefer to, in turn, to ignore forever, and those who, having been ignored, would like to know why, proceed to familiarise, travel and learn and relate their stories. To be able to dedicate his book then to his Naga sisters and nieces, to have found family here