A CORRESPONDENT
GOLAGHAT: A two-day international webinar on "Politics of tribal exploitation in North-East India: An unexplored slice of paradise" was organized by the Departments of Political Science and Sociology, along with IQAC, Don Bosco College, Golaghat in collaboration with North-Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC), Guwahati on July17.
Over 2,700 participants both national and international registered for the webinar and almost 2,000 participants, including principals, directors, academicians, research scholars and students, participated through zoom and YouTube live streaming from across the globe (India, Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia). Participation from 27 states and 4 Union Territories of India made the day successful one. The objective of the webinar is to explore the unexplained claims and concerns of the tribal people of North East India and to understand how their hopes and resources have become part of the political agenda.
The first day of the webinar was started with the welcome speech, delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. Jose Palely, Principal, Don Bosco College, and Golaghat. Dr. (Fr) Melvil Pereira, Senior Research Fellow and President of North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati chaired the first day of the webinar. Dr. Lukose P Jacob, HOD, Department of Social Work, Assam Don Bosco University delivered the key note of the webinar.
Dr. Walter Fernandez, Director, North-Eastern Social Research Centre expressed his pleasure to be in the webinar and started the first session on "Land alienation among tribals: Issues and Challenges." He put special focus on land alienation, land as basic and integral to identity.
The second day of the webinar started with the introductory speech of Fr. Bimal Lakra SDB, Vice-Principal and PRO of Don Bosco College, Golaghat, who chaired the day 2 of the webinar. Dr Phyobenthung, HOD, Department of Political Science, Fazl Ali College, Mokochung, Nagaland started the third session on "Shared Sovereignty and Naga Political Process" and spoke on the concept of shared sovereignty: its various interpretations and how it can be helpful in the settlement of long standing Naga political problem. He also provided a brief history of the Naga struggle for self-determination.