Itanagar: National Symposium on know Arunachal Pradesh
The Dy CM OF Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein addressed National Symposium namely ‘Gyan Sangam’ titled Arunachal: Know to Unknown
Itanagar
The Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein graced the two-day National Symposium namely ‘Gyan Sangam’ titled Arunachal: Know to Unknown here at Art of Living Centre, today.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister said that Arunachal is like an enormous ocean with so much of potentials, there are still unexplored and unknown areas where need to step into and make efforts to explore and make those areas known to the outside world through research or survey.
Mein said that the objective of this National Symposium in the state is to know Arunachal Pradesh from indigenous perspective and to develop intellectual knowledge which will be adequate enough to create indigenous narratives through discussions.
We must take advantage of such opportunity and explore and exploit our potentials, be it in the form of natural resources, hydropower, bio-diversity or forest products and through tourism to propel the state to new heights of development, he added.
He assured his commitment to support the outcome of two-day symposium and said that state government is a facilitator and the outcome of the meaningful deliberations of this will be facilitated.
Terming the need to document the history of state, Mein called upon the academicians of RGU to initiate steps to carry out research work on the history of state from NEFA days to present day. It is the need of the hour that RGU initiate the research work to document the rich history of Arunachal Pradesh, advocated Mein and sought for introduction of Buddhist Studies in RGU.
While citing the example of German Research Scholar, Dr Gerhard Heller work on Audio – Visual Documentation of Cultural Heritage of Mishmi Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh’ especially on the indigenous healing practice of Idu Mishmi Tribe, Mein said that Arunachal is a hotbed for research scholars for it is here that many research scholars come to document and research their works. Today there is lots of scope for our youths to carry out research work as our state is the melting pot of various languages, tribes, cultures and traditional belief, said Mein.
He also called upon all to take the responsibility of encouraging the youths for the preservation and protection of the rich traditional cultural heritage and language of the state.
DCM sought feedback from the literary society, scientist and research scholars for incorporating in the next state budget.
“Arunachal has been an integral part of Bharat Varsha since time memorial and find mention in ancient texts,” said Nandakumar while adding that despite which the Britishers planted the binary of “tribal versus non-tribal” as part of its larger design of “divide and rule”.
Also, he exhorted the need to unshackle the past designs of the Britishers to “civilize the tribals”.
How could the Britishers even think of civilising the people of the oldest civilisation , posed Nandkumar and said,” Arunachal has been part of Indian civilisation”.
National Convenor Pragya Pravah, J. Nandakumar, Coordinator Prof. Jumyir Basar and Co-coordinator Dr Kaushalendra Pratap Singh also spoke on the occasion.
The two-day National Symposium organised by Intellectual Forum of Northeast was also attended by Minister Environment & Forest etc Nabam Rebia, MLA Pakke Kessang Biyuram Wahge, Padma Shree Mamang Dai, Advisor to HCM Tai Tagak, Group Captain (Retd) Mahonto Panging, In-charge Vice Chancellor RGU Doimukh P.K.Panigrahy besides number of academicians, research scholars and intellectuals also participated in the event.
Later, the DCM also took part in the plenary session on Cultural Ethos of Arunachal, key speakers were Padmashree Mamang Dai, Group Captain (VM) Mohonto Panging and chaired by Prof Tomo Riba, Registrar at Rajiv Gandhi University.
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