Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said the state Government has asked all the three autonomous District councils to start the documentation of the various aspects and cultures of the indigenous people so that they will be preserved and passed on to the young generations to come.
Addressing the international day of the World’s Indigenous People organised by North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF), Meghalaya Chapter at Multi Conventional Hall at NEHU here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister assured that the state Government will sponsor the programme.
“…..In every tribe, in every community indigenous knowledge is disappearing today. Therefore, we have decided to work together to start documenting this at the District council level, so I asked all the three District Councils that you start the work and the Government of Meghalaya will fund, we will document the different aspects of the culture and tradition of the indigenous people of the State,” Sangma said.
Urging the NEIPF to push for documentation on the identity of the different indigenous people of the North East, the Chief Minister said, “I tell you that the one thing that we lack as indigenous people specially from Northeast is that we have no clue and idea and no documentation.”
The CM said that it is imperative that while having an identity and being proud of it things are not taken for granted.
“KHADC has already approached me verbally; we had a verbal discussion so they will be writing of me officially with a small proposal in this line so the district councils will start working on it very soon I expect may be around months or two months time we should be receiving things and hope the work will start this year itself,” Sangma said while clarifying about it to the reporters.
Elaborating further, he added, “Apart from that there are many other agencies also that are doing it but what I said was more of a generic line and a stand where I feel it should be done at a larger scale, and I think the indigenous People’s Forum can be a platform through which these kinds of exercises can take place. “
He also different states of the North East because of the diverse indigenous communities face issues and challenges and it is through programs and forums like these that North East can rise above those issues and problems and can come together as a strong region.
“It pains me to see the situation of Manipur and I hope forums like NEIPF will take up the matter for a peaceful resolution in Manipur so that we can move forward and reach out to different communities,” he said.
He also suggested that forums like the NEIPF apart from taking up critical issues of the indigenous people should also study, research and document the indigenous knowledge and practices that have so much to offer to the world.
“This wealth of knowledge should be passed on to the younger generation and shared with the rest of the world,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also released a book, “Indigenous 2023” during the occasion. Delegates from other North Eastern states were also present.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous people advocating for and safeguarding the rights of indigenous populations. It’s a day to recognize their valuable contributions and accomplishments that have enhanced global living conditions.
The program was also attended by the Vice Chancellor NEHU, beside the members of civil society organisations including FKJGP, RBYF, HNYF, KSU, KSU amongst others were also present.