Seminar on tribal issues kick starts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 07 2012: A two-day mega Manipur tribal seminar under the theme 'Civilization Along with Our Tribal Traditional and Cultural Ethos' and jointly organised by All Manipur Tribal Union, Tribal Land Rights Committee (Chandel), Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur, All Tribal Chiefs' Forum and All Tribal Women's Organisation got underway at Tribal Research institute, chingmeirong today.

As resource persons of the panel discussion Prof Gangmumei Kamei spoke on 'Hill Areas Committee', MCS (Retd) Somi Keishing on 'Land Revenue/Demarcation/Boundary', Coptam consultant K Vungzamawi on 'Autonomy in Hill districts of Manipur', former Minister DP Panmei on 'Manipur Service Reservation Act 1976' and former MP BD Behring on 'Functioning of Hill District Offices' .

Earlier, presenting the keynote address, the seminar's steering committee convenor Romeo Bungdon defined culture as a day to day behavioural nature whether socially negative or positive or educational civilization which are normally adapted socially by a community or a group of people.

Highlighting that behavioural mode may change according to time or influenced by social environment including food habits and dress codes, he nevertheless emphasised that every community need to uphold their respective traditional cultures and customs.

Further stating that tradition specifies social phenomenal stage wherein well refined cultural and customary norms are sanctified and upheld for passing on from generation to generation, Romeo affirmed that tradition can never be altered or modified as the process is an inheritance from the advent of civilization of the respective community.

Conveying to the gathering that the seminar is very much relation with the prevailing socio-economic status of the tribal people, he said issues pertaining to pitiable condition of the tribal people as a fallout of alleged insincerity of the Government of Manipur in providing/implementing tribal provisions would be discussed thoroughly during the two day programme.

The convenor also exuded confidence that opinions and suggestions by resource persons would bring positive changes for the tribal society.

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