Contributions of tribal heroes must be acknowledged: Basanta
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 07 2022:
A one-day national dialogue on 'Tribal Heroes in India's Freedom Movement' was organised by Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU-RCM), Makhan, Kangpokpi district at its Library Hall on Monday, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Programme of the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe (NGST) .
The programme was attended by education minister Th Basantakumar Singh as chief guest and IGNTU, Amarkantak vice chancellor Prof Prakash Mani Tripathi as president, while Deepak Kumar Adhikari of Nepal and IGNTU, Amarkantak dean of Tribal Studies Prof Prasanna K Samal were present as guests of honour along with first lady of IGNTU Sheela Tripathy and IGNTU, Amarkantak finance officer A Jena as special guests.
Speaking at the event, minister Basanta called upon all concerned to acknowledge the contributions of tribal heroes who have long been neglected.
He continued that it is important to document what has happened in the past and how the tribal heroes contributed to India's freedom movement.
Th Basanta pointed out that there are more than 700 Scheduled Tribe communities in India with Manipur home to 34 recognised ST communities resembling a miniature India.
"However, one has to identify not what separates one from another but emphasise on the binding force that unifies us.
As much as what the leaders did in the past is important, one has to learn where we stand today and what will make us move forward in the future", he pointed out.
"In this fast changing world one has to either adapt or die like the dinosaur," the minister said, while adding that since no one wants the fate of the dinosaur, one has to adapt, adjust and get acquainted with right knowledge and skill.
He also mentioned that in this age of artificial intelligence, getting proper education is the correct way to adapt while conveying that the government of Manipur under the initiative of chief minister N Biren has started a scheme wherein interested persons below the age of 50 years can learn seven languages along with receiving financial incentive under the same scheme.
The minister further noted that every ministry in India has a provision for spending funds for tribals and there is the NCST for safeguarding and protecting ST rights and delivery of justice to them socially, culturally, politically and economically.
On the other hand, IGNTU VC Prof Prakash Mani Tripathi stressed that freedom fighters of Northeast India like Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu (from Manipur), Tirot Sing (Meghalaya) and Ropuiliani (Mizoram) contributed to India's cause not only by fighting against the colonial British but also in making of India as a "parivaar" or the family.
These tribal leaders believed in dispelling away injustice and strived for realising India's core philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World Is One Family), he maintained, while adding that IGNTU has already identified 20 tribal heroes whose repositories can be accessed by anyone interested.
The programme was also attended by North East India programme coordinator Kedar Arvind Kulkarni and NCST, New Delhi advisor to the chairman Mukesh Kumar Sharma as resource persons along with NCST, New Delhi programme convener Dr Lamalu Thaimei and IGNTU-RCM programme coordinator and director Prof Ng Ngalengnam.
Apart from the Dialogue, artistes from the Tribal Cultural Research Centre, Imphal Zone performed a welcome dance.
There was also a photo exhibition in which 100 photographs of several tribal heroes were displayed, which was inaugurated by the chief guest.
Later, there was screening of a documentary film on the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe.