THRI launched to promote alternative discourse
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, December 09 2013: In an initiative to bring about an alternative discourse or a new narrative of the Hao peoples or indigenous peoples as compared to the prevailing hegemonic and dominant discourses of scholars and intellectuals of the western and post-colonial states on the general social system, the Hao Research Initiative (THRI) was launched along with organising a seminar on Article 371 C of the Indian Constitution at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong Imphal.

THRI, as the name implies is born out of the original inhabitants or the Hao (s) of the geographical locations in South and South East Asia, said Dr.Yaronso Ngalung, president of THRI, who delivered the keynote address at the launching function.

He said that the research initiative intends to bring out a new theoretical insight on who can be called or known as Hao (s) and the motive of THRI will be to preserve, protect and defend the indigenous customs, traditions, practices, cultures, polities, traditional economy and the way of life.

The initiative aims to transform varied human made crisis so as to usher in empowerment, fairness, justice, dignified existence, human rights, freedom of expression, life and liberty, proper protection of social identity and its underpinnings.

It is an attempt to theorize the issues of the Hao peoples from its perspective without confirming all what the others say what they are, he added.

The aims and objects of THRI include studying history, polity, culture, economy of the Hao (s), to guide in transforming society for empowerment, equality, justice and liberty, to work for preservation of flora and fauna, land, forest, natural resources, culture, customs, traditions and practices etc, make comprehensive documentaries on various issue under studies, to hold seminars, workshops and meetings at regular intervals, to tap the intellectual resources for common benefits, to make networking across people for better human relations, dissemination of ideas, information to the people on issues and institution of Hao (s) journal of magazine as a mouth piece, launching of THRI's website to disseminate information, to undertake research tours and travels across borders for knowledge collection and to link up various local and international research institutes for exchange of ideas and mutual understanding.

On the theme of the seminar, he explained that even though the Article was made mandatory in the Indian Constitution for the interests, rights and welfare of the tribals of the hills areas of Manipur, these rights have not been looked after since its enactment in 1971.THRI believes that with full exercise of the rights through the Act, tribals can be protected in a better way.

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