NEW DELHI: Speaking on discrimination faced by people from the northeast in other regions, Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday said the problem lies with both sides and it's a result of "cross-alienation".

"We get to hear about the discrimination faced by people from the northeast in popular media. I feel it is an issue of cross-alienation. The problem is from both the sides. A smile or a casual greeting can break the ice. It is also the responsibility of our friends from that part of the country to prevent themselves from being alienated," Union minister of State for information and broadcasting Rathore said.At an inter-state student exchange programme organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in New Delhi, Rathore also spoke about certain measures being taken to stop "brain drain" from the region."The best minds of the region are moving out. The Centre has zeroed in on two factors to curb this trend. We are working to build strong transportation and communication facilities in the region. Steps are being taken to convince industries to set up their business in the region." He said the government is underlining the importance of an `Act East policy' going the beyond the 'Look East' policy.