Celebrating Northeast Women: Triumphs Amidst Prejudice

This article highlights the contrasting experiences of Northeast women, celebrating their achievements on global platforms while addressing the prejudice they face at home. Lakshmipriya Devi's BAFTA win and Rima Das's recognition at the Berlin Film Festival showcase their talent, yet incidents of discrimination in Delhi remind us of the ongoing challenges. The piece calls for greater acceptance and respect for these women, who continue to break barriers and represent India with pride.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 3, 2026, 13:33 IST

A Week of Contrasts for Northeast Women

In a week that saw global recognition for two remarkable women from the Northeast, a troubling incident in the national capital highlighted ongoing discrimination. The juxtaposition is both striking and disheartening.

On February 22, Lakshmipriya Devi from Manipur took the stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London to receive a BAFTA for Best Children’s and Family Film. Her debut film, Boong, which portrays life in conflict-ridden Manipur, made history as the first Indian film to win this award. This achievement was a moment of pride not only for her region but for the entire nation.

During her acceptance speech, she described Manipur as a place often overlooked and marginalized. She dedicated her award to her homeland and to the children affected by violence, emphasizing that stories from the periphery are now being told without waiting for approval.

Just days prior, in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, three young women from Arunachal Pradesh found themselves at a police station recounting the harassment they endured from a neighbor. What began as a dispute over dust from an air-conditioner installation escalated into racial and sexual insults, including derogatory remarks suggesting they should 'go sell momos' and calling them 'dhandhewali', a term implying sex work.

An FIR has been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, but for many from the Northeast, the legal process is just one aspect of a recurring issue.

This incident is not unique; women from the Northeast have long expressed frustration over being stereotyped based on their appearance, cuisine, and perceived morality. They are exoticized and belittled simultaneously. In cities far from their homes, they often face questions about their nationality, are told they look 'foreign', and endure comments that strip them of their dignity.

Despite this ongoing prejudice, women from the Northeast continue to elevate India's profile on international platforms.

Rima Das with the cats of 'Not A Hero'. (Photo:X)

At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, Rima Das received a Crystal Bear Special Mention for her film Not a Hero. Over the years, she has quietly established a body of work that places Assamese landscapes and narratives at the forefront of global cinema discussions. Like Devi, her journey has been characterized by perseverance rather than spectacle.

These achievements are not mere tokens; they signify a broader, consistent assertion of presence.

Women from the Northeast have shattered barriers across various fields, from sports to civil services, and from entrepreneurship to the arts. They train in modest environments, study under challenging conditions, and build careers far from the privileges of metropolitan life. Their victories are not symbolic; they are the results of hard work and dedication.

This week’s events highlight a dual narrative of pride and prejudice. On international stages, stories rooted in Manipur and Assam are met with seriousness and empathy. Audiences unfamiliar with the region engage with its complexities openly. Abroad, the Northeast is recognized as a source of compelling narratives.

However, ignorance persists in everyday interactions within India. The abuse faced in a Delhi housing complex did not occur in isolation; it reflects long-standing stereotypes that have circulated for years and a failure to acknowledge fellow citizens as equals.

There lies an uncomfortable truth: recognition from abroad often precedes acceptance at home.

Almost every family in Assam and the surrounding areas knows someone who has relocated to cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai for education or work. Many share stories of success, while others recount experiences of humiliation. Frequently, they carry both.

The pressing question is not whether the Northeast can produce excellence—this has been demonstrated repeatedly—but whether the rest of the country is prepared to confront the prejudices that accompany that excellence.

While cinema alone cannot eradicate racism, and awards do not automatically shift attitudes in residential corridors, representation is crucial. Each global accolade challenges the notion that the Northeast is marginal or inferior. Every success complicates existing stereotypes.

Simultaneously, the nation must address the daily indignities its citizens face due to their appearance or origins. Legal measures are essential, but so is public discourse.

Education must treat the Northeast as an integral part of the national narrative rather than a mere footnote in textbooks.

The accolades received in London and Berlin do not diminish the sting of slurs in Malviya Nagar. However, they emphasize a reality: prejudice cannot stifle talent.

Women from the Northeast are not waiting for validation; they are creating films, passing exams, winning medals, and establishing institutions. They represent India on stages where excellence is the only currency that matters. The country would do well to match that excellence with respect at home.