The Governor of Nagaland and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, Nand Kishore Yadav, attended the inaugural ceremony of the National Seminar on the theme “Revisiting Tribal Heritage of Northeast India: Challenges and Opportunities” organized by the School of Humanities and Education, Meriema Campus, Kohima, Nagaland University, on 22nd May 2026.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor expressed his appreciation to Nagaland University for organizing the seminar on a theme of great relevance and significance to the cultural identity and social fabric of Northeast India. He highlighted the extraordinary diversity of tribes, languages, traditions, customs and indigenous knowledge systems of the region, stating that the rich tribal heritage forms an invaluable part of India’s collective civilizational and cultural legacy.
The Governor observed that rapid globalization, modernization, urbanization and technological advancement have posed serious challenges to traditional institutions and cultural practices. He noted with concern the gradual decline of indigenous languages, fading oral traditions and the growing disconnect of younger generations from their cultural roots. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of academic discussions and seminars aimed at preserving and promoting tribal heritage.
The Governor further stated that preservation of heritage should not be viewed as resistance to progress, but as an effort to ensure that development remains culturally sensitive, inclusive and sustainable. He called upon academic institutions, researchers, policy makers and civil society organizations to work collectively towards documenting, preserving, promoting and reinterpreting tribal heritage in ways relevant to contemporary society.
Highlighting the role of universities, the Governor said that Nagaland University can play a transformative role by encouraging interdisciplinary studies, strengthening indigenous knowledge systems, promoting local languages and bridging traditional wisdom with modern scholarship. He also appreciated the participation of scholars and experts from different parts of the country, noting that such exchanges foster deeper understanding and meaningful policy discussions concerning tribal heritage and development in Northeast India.
The Governor further remarked that tribal communities possess immense traditional wisdom, particularly in the areas of environmental conservation, sustainable living, community harmony and coexistence with nature. He stated that these knowledge systems offer valuable lessons for addressing many contemporary global challenges.
The programme included a welcome note by Prof. N. Venuh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University Kohima Campus, keynote address by Prof. Jano S. Liegise, Dean, Humanities & Education, folk song presentation by Thukuvelu Sakhamo, Research Scholar and address by Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University. Concluding remarks were delivered by Prof. Pangersenla Walling, Head, Department of Linguistics.
(PRO Lok Bhavan)
