Hats doffed to tribal heroes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2022: A one-day National dialogue on "Tribal Heroes in India's Freedom Movement" under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme of the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe (NCST), New Delhi was held on Monday at the library hall of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU-RCM), Makhan, Kangpokpi district.Education Minister Th Basantakumar Singh graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Deepak Kumar Adhikari Nepal and Prof Prasanna K Samal, Dean of Tribal Studies, IGNTU, Amarkantak attended as guests of honour.

Speaking on the theme of the dialogue, the Education Minister stressed that people should learn and acknowledge the contributions of tribal heroes who had long been neglected.

It is important to document history and how the tribal heroes contributed to India's freedom.

He pointed out that there are more than 700 Scheduled Tribes in India and Manipur has as many as 34 recognised ST communities.

Manipur, he said, is like a mini India and diverse.

Hats doffed to tribal heroes

"We have to identify not what separates us but forces that bind us and unify us.

As much as what the leaders did in the past is important, we have to know where we stand today and what will make us move forward in the future.

In this fast changing world, we have to either adapt or perish like the dinosaurs.

We have to adapt ourselves with the right knowledge and skills" .

He also said that the Government under the initiative of Chief Minister N Biren Singh has started a scheme wherein any interested person below the age of 50 can learn seven languages.

There is financial assistance for this scheme.

He concluded that every Ministry in India has a provision for spending on tribals and there is the NCST for safeguarding and protecting the ST rights and delivery of justice to them socially, culturally, politically and economically.

Interacting with students, Deepak Kumar Adhikari remarked that in his travels across India he has never come across a tribal who is a beggar.

The sense of dignity a tribal possesses is something one has to appreciate.

This sense of integrity and self respect made the tribal leaders revolt against the British colonial rulers who tried to take away their land and resources.

"To make India a great Nation, it is the responsibility of all of us to know ourselves and make others know about us.

When a person knows himself, he will surely realise his potential, develop a sense of purpose which others will respect.

In this process, one shall be able to contribute to make India a great Nation.

Therefore, it is important that the tribal people should know about themselves, their culture and history.

This discovery is the very purpose of organizing such programmes," he said.

Prof Prasanna K Samal, Dean of Tribal Studies, IGNTU Amarkantak, stressed on the role of tribal freedom fighters and said that those heroes were not rebels but defenders of their culture and identity.

Vice Chancellor of IGNTU Prof Prakash Mani Tripathi spoke about the contributions of freedom fighters of North-East India like Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu (from Manipur), Tirot Sing (from Meghalaya) and Ropuiliani (from Mizoram) .

He stressed that these heroes not only contributed to India's cause by fighting against the colonial British, they also contributed in the making of the India "parivaar" or family.

These tribal leaders believed in dispelling injustice and strived for realising India's core philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family) .

Tripathi revisiting Haipou Jadonang quoted the great hero and reminded the listeners to heed the hero's call for protection of land, resources and identity of the tribal communities.

He concluded by stating that IGNTU has already identified 20 tribal heroes whose repositories can be accessed by anyone interested.

Apart from the dialogue, artistes from the Tribal Cultural Research Centre, Imphal Zone performed the welcome dance.

Education Minister Th Basantakumar also opened an exhibition displaying 100 photographs of several tribal heroes.

A documentary film on the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe was also screened at the event.

Kedar Arvind Kulkarni, Programme Coordinator, North-East India said the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe (NCST) has taken up 12 programmes so far with Central Universities throughout North-East India on 'tribal heroes in India's freedom struggle' under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Advisor to the Chairperson, NCST, New Delhi, Mukesh Kumar Sharma spoke about the powers and functions of the National Commission of Scheduled Tribe in safeguarding and promoting tribal rights.

The Commission is an autonomous Constitutional body, he said.

Sheela Tripathy, First Lady of IGNTU; A Jena, Finance Officer, IGNTU Amarkantak; Dr Lamalu Thaimei, Programme Convenor from NCST, New Delhi; Prof Ng Ngalengnam, Programme Coordinator and Director, IGNTU-RCM were present.

The event was organised by IGNTU-RCM, Kangpokpi district.