Dr. Alana Golmei is a distinguished Indian lawyer, humanitarian, and social activist who has dedicated her career to fighting racial discrimination, gender-based violence, and human rights violations. Born in the Tamenglong district of Manipur, India, she belongs to the Naga ethnic community.¹ Her early life in the diverse and culturally rich Northeast region shaped her profound understanding of the unique socio-cultural identities of its people, as well as the systemic challenges they face when migrating to mainland India for education and employment.
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| Dr. Alana Golmei. Source: Hindustan Times / Hindustan Times via Getty Images |
Moving to the National Capital Region (NCR), Golmei observed the pervasive racism, marginalization, and physical violence frequently directed at individuals from Northeast India. Recognizing the lack of institutional support for these vulnerable groups, she became a driving force for systemic change. In 2007, Golmei co-founded the North East Support Centre & Helpline (NESCH) in New Delhi.² The helpline was established to prevent harassment and abuse meted out to women, people from the Northeast, and tribal communities in Delhi and the NCR.³ Under her leadership as General Secretary, NESCH has evolved into a vital lifeline, offering emergency response, legal awareness training, and counseling for victims of racial slurs, workplace exploitation, and sexual harassment.
Golmei’s legal expertise has been crucial in bridging the gap between marginalized victims and the Indian justice system. She regularly organizes legal awareness programs to educate Northeastern workers and students about their rights regarding wages, cybercrime, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act.⁴ Her activism extends beyond grassroots support to high-level policy advocacy. In 2014, she was appointed as a member of the Bezbaruah Committee, a panel established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to recommend actionable measures to address and prevent racial discrimination targeted at Northeastern Indians.⁵ Her insights helped shape recommendations for stricter law enforcement, curriculum changes, and social integration strategies.
Beyond NESCH, Dr. Golmei's humanitarian spirit is reflected in her founding of the Pann Nu Foundation and her role as a founding member of the Burma Center Delhi.⁶ The Pann Nu Foundation is committed to safeguarding the dignity of women and striving against all forms of discrimination and crimes against them, transcending barriers of caste, class, race, religion, and geography.⁷
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Golmei's advocacy became more critical than ever. People from the Northeast experienced a severe surge in xenophobia, racial profiling, and targeted harassment. Golmei and NESCH actively documented and fought against numerous disturbing incidents where Northeastern individuals were spat on, illegally evicted by landlords, and subjected to derogatory racial slurs such as "corona."⁸ By bringing these human rights violations to the attention of the media and law enforcement, she ensured that the victims were not silenced and that perpetrators faced legal consequences. Furthermore, she consistently challenges the normalization of everyday racism, publicly condemning the use of offensive labels like "chinky," "momo," or "chowmein" that are frequently used to demean Northeasterners.
In recognition of her relentless pursuit of justice and her unwavering support for women and marginalized communities, Dr. Alana Golmei was honored with the Delhi Commission for Women's (DCW) Achievement Award in 2016.⁹ Today, she continues to be a prominent voice in Indian civil society, using her legal acumen and compassionate leadership to transform the landscape of human rights in the country. Her journey from Tamenglong to the forefront of national activism stands as a testament to her resilience and her profound commitment to equality.
Footnotes
Wikipedia, "Alana Golmei," last modified May 3, 2026,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alana_Golmei Round Table India, "Alana Golmei," March 31, 2013,
https://www.roundtableindia.co.in/alana-golmei/ Ibid.
Northeast Support Centre & Helpline, "Northeast Support Centre & Helpline," accessed October 4, 2026,
https://nesch.in/ Wikipedia, "Alana Golmei."
Ibid.
MY JOURNEY, "About," accessed October 4, 2026,
https://alanagolmei.wordpress.com/about/ Wikipedia, "Alana Golmei."
Ibid.
Bibliography
MY JOURNEY. "About." Accessed October 4, 2026.
Northeast Support Centre & Helpline. "Northeast Support Centre & Helpline." Accessed October 4, 2026.
Round Table India. "Alana Golmei." March 31, 2013.
Wikipedia. "Alana Golmei." Last modified May 3, 2026.