Arunachal Indigenous People's Forum hosted the celebration of International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples held at Naharlugun, Arunachal Pradesh on August 9.
Naharlugun, August 9 (MExN): The celebration of the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples was held at Naharlugun, Arunachal Pradesh on August 9. It was hosted by the Arunachal Indigenous People's Forum under the aegis of the North East Indigenous People's Forum (NEIPF)
The opening was marked by the hoisting of the UN, NEIPF and AIPF flags. Addressing the gathering, NEIPF Chairman Anup Chetia announced that the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples will be held in Manipur next year. He also said that the essay writing competition will be an annual feature of the NEIPF, stated a press release issued by the forum.
“The North East Indigenous People's Forum was formed thinking of the future generations of the indigenous peoples of the region who are now marginalized in their land because of the gradual influx of people from different parts of the country and foreign nations. There should be a mechanism to protect the indigenous peoples of the north eastern,” Anup Chetia said.
He said that the change in the demographic profiles in the north eastern states is a threat to the indigenous peoples. “The political and economic rights of the indigenous peoples are threatened,” he stated.
The chief guest of the occasion, Toko Tatung, MLA Arunachal stressed the need to empower the youths of the region to save our indigenous cultural values and safeguard the age-old traditional way of living. “Our younger generation can compete in any field and it is the responsibility and duty of the society to guide them in the appropriate way,” the MLA said.
NEIPF, Secretary General, N Ibungochoubi in his keynote address recalled the urgency and need for the formation of the North East Indigenous People's Forum. He stated that the youths of the region should come forward to preserve and promote the indigenous culture. “The consciousness of the present youth as reflected in the writings during the essay competition is overwhelming. Offering a platform and creating a conducive atmosphere for the youths to interact is one of the priorities of the NEIPF,” he added.
The highlight of celebration was the distribution of the prizes of the essay writing competition organised by the forum on the topic, “The Role of Youth in Preserving and promoting the Indigenous Native Socio-cultural Traditions Amidst the Modern World.” Juli R Aye of Nagaland won the first prize while Marjing Mayanglambam from Manipur won the Second prize.
Phenya Wangsu of Arunachal Pradesh and Pankita Hazarika of Assam were the joint winners of the third prize. Cash prize of Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively for the first, second and third along with a Citation Certificate and a trophy were awarded to the winners.
Representatives from the North East States presented their views on the occasion. The Nagaland delegation comprised Dr Lima Jamir, President NIPF and Vice- Chairman NEIPF, Khehoto Swu, Executive Member NEIPF and Advisor NIPF, Honikali Lohe Press Secretary, Dr Temsuwati, Advisor, LT Jamir, Treasurer, Keneiletuo Zumvu Vice President, Kikheto Sumi Assistant General Secretary and the Winner of the essay competition Juli R Aye.