New Delhi: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram has said that there has always been a need to understand the tribes of Asia. Inaugurating an International seminar on Understanding the tribes of Asia at Shillong yesterday the Minister hailed the efforts of the organizers in holding an international seminar on tribal issues of this stature. He said this seminar will help in bringing together best practices and strategies to strengthen tribal studies and research. The Minister said, “It is difficult for tribals in Asia to advocate for recognition of their rights as distinct people. Many tribes have to struggle for their survival and in the process many tribal dialects have also reached the point of extinction”. The Minister was hopeful that the seminar will be able to bring more information to the people in the communities and will aid in solving the issues pertaining to the tribes of Asia.
The Minister also released a book on the occasion which contains the content of the National seminar held in 2015 at Synod College, Shillong. Replying to a query during the interaction with the media persons, regarding ST Status to six tribes of Assam, the Minister said that the issue is being assessed by a high level committee headed by a Special Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs. The government can proceed only after the report of the committee is out, the Minister said, adding that the report is expected to be out very soon.
The two day seminar is being organized by Synod College, Shillong in collaboration with PA Sangma Foundation. Scholars from different parts of the world are participating in the seminar.
The objective of the seminar is to provide a platform where a select group of local and foreign scholars, indigenous scholars, researchers and educators, advocators, activists, environmentalists, policy makers and practitioners can engage in healthy discussions on emerging perspectives and fruitful exchanges on the questions emanating from the agenda for tribes in post-colonial era. The discussion will revolve around contentious issues in the field of tribal studies and research.
The keynote address of the inaugural session was delivered by Prof Smriti Kumar Sarkar, Vice Chancellor, University of Burdwan, West Bengal. His address was on the ‘Early Tribal Society of North-East India’. The inaugural session was also attended by Member Lok Sabha, Shri Conrad K Sangma.
