HILLS, Nov 15: A two-day national seminar on ‘Poorvottar Bharat ki janajatiyon ka darshan evam sanskriti’, organized by the Hindi department of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), got underway at the university here on Thursday.
Addressing the inaugural session, RGU Vice Chancellor Pof Saket Kushwaha commended the region’s tribal society for its healthy relation with nature.
“In spite of the vast number of tribes in the region, communal harmony and a feeling of brotherhood can be seen among them. Universities and other institutes should do serious research work on the culture and philosophy of tribes of Northeast India. The communities in this region have their distinct way of life with very rich culture, and the need of the hour is to do a parallel study of the culture of tribes of Northeast India with the culture of the so-called mainland India,” Prof Kushwaha said.
Former RGU VC Prof Tamo Mibang said the cultures and philosophies of the region’s tribes are very old, “but what is important is to understand this in the present context.
“Knowing the exact status of the languages are some vital issues related to its culture and philosophy. Culture gives equal chances to all human beings to flourish, but sadly, the ethnic cultures of the tribes are at stake,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Balmukund Pandey opined that the feeling of togetherness, congregation, service to society, and different cultural values should be preserved.
“We have lots to learn from the culture, tradition and philosophy of the region, where coordination and homogeneity are the two key elements. We need to acknowledge and spread these values across the nation and even abroad for their suitable propagation and the promotion of these ideals,” he said.
RGU Registrar Prof Tomo Riba said the diversified cultures of the people of the region are beautiful and colourful.
However, he said, “the beauty of cultural understanding of the people of Arunachal Pradesh is degrading day by day and modernization has brought adverse effect on the ethnic culture.
“The younger generations are detached from their tradition,” he cautioned.
Language faculty Dean Prof Harish Kumar Sharma in his address said “change is the law of nature and with time everything has to change; but one should not get detached from his or her ancestral culture, custom and tradition.”
Hindi HoD Prof Oken Lego said the NE region is home to various tribes, “and their cultures define their identities.
“Whenever a society is caught in any kind of conflict, it always falls back on its tradition and culture to find solutions,” he said.
Prof Lego said the Hindi department “is doing its best to bridge the entire Northeast with mainland India through cultural understanding and exchange of thoughts and even literature.”
Drs Satya Prakash Paul and Rajeev Ranjan Prasad also spoke.
The dignitaries also released a souvenir commemorating the occasion.
