Tezpur, April 20: In a region blessed with distinctive archaeology, anthropology, folklore and history, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu today emphasised that in the pursuit of understanding society it is important to re-examine the context in which these paradigms survive and recognise the shifts in perception.

Addressing the inaugural function of a three-day national seminar on Archaeology, History, Art, Museums and Folklore of Northeast India at Rajiv Gandhi University in Itanagar, Khandu said: "With the advancements not only in information and communication technologies, but even in the very idea of what constitutes knowledge - whether it is formal or traditional, we realise that how we consume knowledge and information is very different from the way we used to - even just 10 years back."

Highlighting that in the historical and cultural contexts, the region is a complex megalith with each state having diverse historical growth, Khandu said it has given rise to the existence of the "Northeast". This, he said, had somehow remained a separate geographical and political entity vis-à-vis the larger Indian psyche.

Hailing scholars, researchers and writers striving to bridge the distance, he said as the Northeast is a "complicated area of study", having been able to document and understand these intricate inter-relationships deserve a whole lot of appreciation.

Khandu, who met representatives of the university's students' and employees' associations, assured them that the issues of approach roads and pension would be taken up as a priority by the state government.

Chairman of Indian Archaeological Society K.N. Dikshit and director-general-cum-vice-chancellor of the National Museum Institute B.R. Mani also spoke on the occasion.

The seminar is being organised by the Indian Archaeological Society, in collaboration with RGU and National Museum Institute. Research students and scholars from various parts of the country are attending the event.