Shillong, Aug 11: The International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People was observed by Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, North East Regional Center, on 9 August 2014, at Tyniar Village, Raid Diengsaw, Hima Sohra Syiemship, East Khasi Hills District, about 49 Kms from Shillong.
The welcome address was given by Dr. RR Gowloog, Head Office, Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, North East Regional Center Shillong, who welcomed the Rangbah Shnong, Village Elders, and especially the Chief Guest Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States who consented to attend the program, and stated that stated that it was important for the people to analyse, study the present status of their cultures as indigenous people and to be able to understand what changes they have faced and what traditions they have been able to retain or which traditions or cultures they have diluted which is part of their identity. The Indigenous people need to understand the influences that are surrounding them including the changes that have occurred in this global world.
There is need to see what can be done by various authorities to ensure that various cultures of India and the world need to promoted and protected. She stated that the UN General Assembly had decided that the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People, would be observed every year. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Groupd on Indigenous Populations of the the sub-commission on the Promotion of Human Rights.
The Chief Guest, Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, & Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, thanked the An.S.I. for conducting such programs to create better awareness among the people of Meghalaya regarding the importance of culture and identiy which also includes promotion of Human Rights. He called on the villagers to participate so as to benefit from the program. He stated that the Indigenous Institutions of Self Government of administered by the Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Dolloi, Wahadar, and Nokma, in Meghalaya face tremendous challenge to their culture and their indigenous government and partyless political status within the Sixth Schedule has been undermined where the customary laws and customs are being challenged by party based political interest.
He also stated that the Indigenous Institutions of Self Government administered by the Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Dolloi, Wahadar, and Nokma, in Meghalaya are Party Less and are their officials and representatives are nominated based on the foundation of consensus and referendum while the present Indian Parliamentary system is based on ‘majority’ or first past the post system which is in total contradiction to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo indigenous political institutions, and was the cause of much conflict between the Indigenous Institutions of Self Government and the District Councils within the Sixth Schedule. Hence there is urgent need for the State Government and the Government of India to provide them the necessary space through a ‘party less council’ within the Constitution of India if such cultures are to survive. Bah John F Kharshiing, handed over a copy of the extracts of the White Paper on Indian States, which was submitted by Sardar Valabbhai Patel, Dy Prime Minister, in Parliament during 1949- 1950, and which refers to the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of the Federation of Khasi States, signed and accepted by the Government of India on 17 August 1948
To celebrate the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People, the Anthropological Survey of India, organized a Health Awareness Camp, for the benefit of the residents of Tyniar village. The program included an Art competition for the children, cultural program for the villagers, and concluded with the Prize Distribution. The function was addressed and attended by Dr(Smt) RR Gowloog, Head Office, Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, North East Regional Center Shillong, Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board & Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, Dr(Smt) Sudipta Ghosh, Anthropological Department NEHU, Dr(Smt) D. Sun, Dr Gautam Kumar Bera, Bah Lom Khongngain, Rangbah Shnong, Tyniar Village, Bah Kan Dohling, Secretary Tyniar Village, Bah Phier Diengdoh, Secretary, Raid Diengsaw, including Scientist and Officials of Anthropological Survey of India, elders, women and children of Tyniar village.(SP News)
