Under the theme, "Together in Unity", the 2nd Annual General Conference of the North East Indigenous People's Forum was held on 29th April, 2022 at NEZCC, Stone Park, 4th Mile, Dimapur. The two-day annual conference is hosted by Nagaland Indigenous people's Forum (NIPF) will be held from 29th - 30th April 2022.
Minister for Higher Education & Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, speaking as the special guest thanked Anup Chetia for making the forum into pragmatic and practical way which will carry forward the interest of the indigenous people of the States of the North East in the pursuit of preserving the culture, tradition, heritage and identity.
Along expressed that indigenous people should have a stand so that they may be preserve and urged them never to take a step towards violence. He also said encouraged them they should never choose to take a step that make them exclusive but to be inclusive in their approach- a goal to preserve their heritage at all cost.
The Minister encouraged the gathering that should be assimilative in all approaches. He hoped that the indigenous forum will give an opportunity to know and connect with each other and build a protected and prosperous future for the indigenous people of the North East. He urged the delegates to motive, encourage, preserve, practice, be consistent and pursue it in their very own level.
He further urged the indigenous people to connect with other communities and not only within their own. If we close our doors only to us than we will not be able to know their minds and what to put towards them instead we should make aware to those leaders and let them know about our fears, our doubts, our strength and goals and visions that we have together with our nation's, he added.
Chief Convener, NEIPF, Anup Chetia in his key note address highlighted that the forum was form on 7th September 2017 with the objective to work for the greater interest of the indigenous people of the region and to promote and protect indigenous culture, language and identity of our people.
He stated that the North East people are attached by a common cord culture and living style which are different from the rest of the country. Despite of the common umbilical thread, at times the border disputes are created to divide the age old relationship among the northeast people. For which the NEIPF have vowed to address such issues by creating the common platform among the indigenous people and the need of the hour to uphold the spirit of democracy. The solutions on the internal issues are to be resolved amicably by having extensive discussions on people to people level and with the sole objective to maintain harmony among the indigenous people, he added.
He hoped that this platform would deliberate on establishing the common pride of indigenous North East people and mend new ways towards achieving common goal in the ever competitive and ever changing global scenario.
The forum is a platform for meaningful dialogues where indigenous People's representatives convey their concerns, requests and recommendations. The main output of the 2nd Annual Conference on the second day will be discussion on border issues between the North East States and Report & Resolution. The Special Guest on the second day will be Minister, Agriculture, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Sericulture, Border Affairs and Assam Accord Implementation, Govt. of Assam, Atul Bora.
The conference was attended by representatives from all the North East States. Welcome address was delivered by President, NIPF, Dr. Temsuwati Lkr while Radheshyam, MLA Manipur delivered a brief greeting. Welcome song was presented by Nagaland Chamber of Choirs, special number by Sumi, Cultural presentation by Lotha cultural troupe & N.E States. Invocation was pronounced by Principal, Holy Cross HSS, Dimapur, Fr. Philip Yanpvuthung. Vote of thanks was delivered by VP, NIPF, Bangtick Phom.
(Tovikali, IA Chumoukedima)
