A CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH: An awareness and exhibition programme on 'Tribal Heroes in India's Freedom Struggle' was organized by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in collaboration with the NSS Cell, Dibrugarh University, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Assam) on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav on Wednesday. The programme was inaugurated with the unveiling of the statue of Jananeta Bhimbor Deori by Prof. Jiten Hazarika, Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University.
This was followed by the inauguration of the Photo Gallery of the Tribal Heroes by the Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University which was followed by the main programme at the Rangghar Auditorium, Dibrugarh University.
Following the introduction of the esteemed guests by the programme spokesperson, Dr. Dipak Kumar Doley, Associate Professor, Department of English, Dibrugarh University, the felicitation of the guests and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp were conducted. The University Anthem and a welcome speech was delivered by Prof. Devid Kardong, Programme Co-ordinator, NSS Cell, Dibrugarh University, who took the proceedings forward.
Prof. Jiten Hazarika, Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University delivered the inaugural speech, exhorting the esteemed guests and participants to add to the memorialisation of the often overlooked Assamese tribal heroes such as from the Boro, Mising and Rabha communities in order to present a broader picture of the contributions of the tribal people of the state of Assam and the region at large.
Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University also spoke succinctly on the current issues concerning the debate around tribal status, going back to the need to closely examine the colonial constructs of hills and plains.
Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University concluded his speech by stressing on the need for greater awareness among the students' fraternity of the functions and mandate of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
Following the inaugural speech, Manturam Korram, Assam State Convenor of Janajati Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Mancha and Assam State Coordinator of Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav, presented the objectives of the programme and spoke on the need for an integrated approach to the development of the tribal communities of the country and the need to raise awareness on the rights of tribes as well as the work being undertaken by the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
This was followed by an invited talk delivered by Rupnath Pegu, Retd. Joint Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, Government of India, on the "Contribution of Tribal Heroes in Freedom Struggle". Binod Kumbang, Assam State Co-Convenor of Janajati Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Mancha delivered a talk touching upon the pressing concerns of tribal peoples and cultures at the present time including displacement and resettlement and financial inclusion, among others.
This was followed by an introductory video on the NCST, after which the guest of honour, Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Advisor to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes delivered a speech expanding on the NCST's history, formation, function and Constitutional mandate. The 89th Constitutional Amendment and the insertion of Article 338A were outlined as significant milestones for safeguarding the rights of the Scheduled Tribes. Sharma spoke of the openness of the NCST to genuine grievances and prayers of the ST communities, with its main office in New Delhi and its regional office in Shillong.
Also watch: