We at the North-Eastern Hill University,(A Central University established by An Act of Indian Parliament with Potential for Excellence)Shillong are organizing a Two Days National Seminar on "Border Haats and Economic Development Of Meghalaya : Emerging Scenarios & Assessment of Risks & Benefits", 29th-30th March 2012,here in the University Campus at Shillong.The Concept Note is attached herewith for your reference.

Justification :

With India and Bangladesh having agreed to set up Border Haats(Bazars) along their border in Meghalaya,Assam and Tripura to boost local trade and business,the hopes of removal of pverty and rise of economic prosperity in the border regions have started to arise in the minds of not only common people but also in that of our policy planners and political leaders who have been constatntly trying to revive the economic lifeline of the people residing in the regions close to the border areas.

India and Bangladesh governments though have recently signed an agreement to establish two border haats along the border in Meghalaya,similar such initiatives are also expected to be taken subsequently along the borders in Tripura and assam.hence it is of importance to understandthe various issues connected with the opening of Border Haats in Meghalaya and neighbouring NE region so as to ensure that meaningful initiatives are proven to be both successful and empowering to our people.

Objectives Of the National Seminar:

The aim of this seminar is intended as an analytical exercise and contribution towards the ongoing debates and search for new ways of sustaining the process of opening and continuation of Border Haats in the interest of the common man who has been long denied his say in the local and regional economy and various policies being followed by various actors ,both State and Non State actors.Its often believed that these actors' vested interests act as major factors in the continuance of these conflicts.This conference will not only undertake to analyse the existing nature of local and regional economy bit also will identify the required trade policy and trade facilitation measures which will result in the sustaining of the localand regional economy in the north eastern region of India.

Sub Themes of the National Seminar:
a)CrossBorder Trade & Border Haat: Emerging Scenarios & Future Prospects
b)Economic Development of Meghalaya and Neighbouring States in NE Region
c)Trade Policy & Trade facilitation at Borders: Shared Issues & Prioririties
d) Trading Across Borders: Preferences,Participation & Policy Reforms
e) Strengthening Regional Trade

In this Seminar, it is expected that there will be a gathering of scholars of National & International repute,university professors, policy analysts,strategic thinkers, retired & serving Diplomats,Journalists and business leaders from both India & Bangladesh it is intended to analyse the various challenges that exist in the context of strengthening of border haats and also critically examine the opportunities those can be exploited not only to develop the economy of the Meghalaya but also that of the whole NE region.

If you are interested to present a paper in this conference,you can send your abstract of 500 words ,related to any of the Sub themes ,latest by March 7th, 2012.Authors of accepted papers will be intimated by 10th March,2012.Authors of accepted papers need to send full paper two days before the seminar by email for faciltation of analytical discussion in the seminar.

Papers presented at the National Seminar will be published as book chapters in an edited book.

Should you have any question regarding this seminar,please contact me by e mail: < biswajitm_1@hotmail.com> & and Mob;<+919436334734>

Looking forward to your participation

Dr Biswajit Mohapatra,Ph.D(JNU)
Faculty Member,Dept Of Political Science
NORTH-EASTERN HILL UNIVERSITY(A Central University w/Potential for Excellence)
SHILLONG 793022, INDIA
Tel.No: Office:+91 (0) 364 2723033; Fax:+91 (0) 364 2550076 / 2551634;
Mob: +91 94363 34734 / +91 98630 22333
E mail:: biswajitm_1@hotmail.com, biswajitm1@gmail.com
Webpage: http://nehu.academia.edu/BiswajitMohapatra
http://in.linkedin.com/pub/biswajit-mohapatra/2/82/783