NEIPF Celebrated International Day of the Indigenous Peoples 2024

NEIPF Celebrated International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 in Arunachal Pradesh : A Call to Empower Indigenous Rights and Cultures

DILIP DAIMARY

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 was celebrated with great enthusiasm and a renewed sense of purpose in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.

The event, organized by the Arunachal Indigenous Peoples Forum (AIPF) under the aegis of the North East Indigenous Peoples’ Forum (NEIPF), served as a platform for advocating the rights, cultures, and traditions of indigenous communities in the region.

The celebration, attended by various indigenous communities from across the state, highlighted the urgent need to preserve and protect the cultural heritage and rights of indigenous peoples.

The event was marked by speeches from prominent leaders, traditional performances, and the distribution of prizes for an essay competition focused on the role of youth in preserving indigenous cultures.

In his keynote address, NEIPF Chairman Golap Barua @Anup Chetia delivered an insightful and impassioned speech, emphasizing the importance of preserving the identity, traditions, and rights of indigenous peoples. He spoke at length about the challenges faced by indigenous communities in the Northeast, particularly the threats posed by demographic changes and the influx of non-indigenous populations.

“The North East Indigenous Peoples’ Forum was established with the future generations of indigenous peoples in mind. We are witnessing a gradual marginalization of our people in their own land, due to the influx of people from different parts of the country and even from foreign nations. This change in demographic profiles is a direct threat to our political and economic rights,” said Chetia.

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He called for a robust mechanism to protect the indigenous peoples of the Northeast, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights safeguarded.

Chetia also announced that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will be hosted in Manipur next year and revealed that the Essay Writing Competition will become an annual feature of the NEIPF. This, he noted, would serve as a continuous platform for youth engagement and empowerment, encouraging the next generation to take an active role in preserving their cultural heritage.

The chief guest of the event, Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung, delivered an inspiring and motivational speech that resonated deeply with the audience. Tatung emphasized the importance of empowering the youth of the region to preserve indigenous cultural values and safeguard traditional ways of life in an ever-changing world.

“Our younger generation has the potential to excel in any field. It is our collective responsibility as a society to guide them in the right direction,” said Tatung. He stressed that the preservation of indigenous culture is not merely the duty of the older generation but a shared responsibility that the youth must actively partake in. “The strength of our communities lies in the resilience and commitment of our youth to uphold our traditions, languages, and cultural practices,” he added.

Tatung’s speech was a clarion call to action, urging the younger generation to embrace their cultural roots while navigating the complexities of the modern world. Delivered with a fervor that resonated deeply with his audience, his address underscored the importance of maintaining a connection to one’s heritage amidst the rapid pace of globalization and technological advancement.

Tatung spoke passionately about the richness and diversity of indigenous traditions, emphasizing that these cultural treasures are not merely relics of the past but vital components of a living, evolving heritage.

His words served as a powerful reminder that the survival of indigenous cultures depends on the active participation of the youth in their preservation and promotion. He highlighted the role of young people as both stewards and innovators, capable of adapting ancient practices to contemporary contexts without losing their essence.

Tatung called upon the youth to take pride in their identity, to learn the languages, customs, and histories of their ancestors, and to find creative ways to share these with the wider world. He warned that without this engagement, invaluable knowledge and traditions face the risk of fading into obscurity.

Tatung’s message was not just about preservation but also about the empowerment of indigenous communities. By embracing their cultural roots, young people can foster a sense of pride and self-respect that strengthens communal bonds and supports collective resilience. He urged educational institutions, community leaders, and policymakers to support initiatives that facilitate cultural education and exchange, ensuring that the wisdom of the elders is passed down and that indigenous cultures continue to thrive in the modern era.

In essence, Tatung’s speech was a heartfelt appeal for cultural continuity and innovation, stressing that the future of indigenous cultures lies in the hands of the youth, who must balance reverence for the past with a forward-looking vision.

The event also featured traditional performances that showcased the rich cultural diversity of the indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh. These performances were a vibrant expression of the communities’ deep-rooted traditions and a testament to their unwavering commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.

A highlight of the celebration was the distribution of prizes for the essay writing competition organized by the NEIPF on the topic, “The Role of Youth in Preserving and Promoting Indigenous Native Socio-Cultural Traditions Amidst the Modern World.”

The competition saw enthusiastic participation from across the Northeast, with Juli R. Aye from Nagaland winning the First Prize, Marjing Mayanglambam from Manipur securing the Second Prize, and Phenya Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh and Pankita Hazarika from Assam sharing the Third Prize.

The winners received cash prizes of Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000, and Rs 20,000, respectively, along with a Citation Certificate and a Trophy. Additionally, ten consolation prizes of Rs 5,000 each were awarded, highlighting the NEIPF’s commitment to encouraging youth engagement in the preservation of indigenous cultures.The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 celebration in Naharlagun was not just a commemoration of indigenous heritage but a powerful statement of the resilience and unity of indigenous communities in the face of modern challenges. The event underscored the importance of collective action in advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

As the day concluded, the messages delivered by the leaders echoed in the hearts of those present, particularly the words of MLA Toko Tatung, who reminded everyone of the crucial role that the youth play in this ongoing struggle. “The future of our culture, our identity, and our rights lies in the hands of our youth. Let us empower them, guide them, and stand with them as they take on this noble responsibility,” he concluded.

With plans already underway for next year’s celebration in Manipur, the NEIPF and its associated organizations continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the indigenous peoples are heard, their rights protected, and their cultures preserved for generations to come.

09-08-2024

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