The North-east is a paradoxical situation. On one hand you relate the region to beautiful natural vegetation surrounded by three mountain ridges, with the Brahamputra cutting across on one side. On the other you hear about insurgent uprisings, violence, bandhs, drug abuse and AIDS. Is this the real picture of these seven states? What makes this region so vulnerable? Says Prof Bhupinder Singh, Member of Second Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission, "The people of this region are living under fear psychosis and defensive nationalism. Their skills and talents are neglected which leads to insurgency."