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DIMAPUR — Juli R Aye from Nagaland won the first prize in North East Essay Writing Competition held on the occasion of International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples at Naharlugun, Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday.
Hosted by the Arunachal Indigenous People's Forum under the aegis of the North East Indigenous People's Forum (NEIPF), the essay writing competition was organised on the topic, "The Role of Youth in Preserving and promoting the Indigenous Native Socio-cultural Traditions Amidst the Modern World".
Aye walked away with a cash prize of INR 40,000, while the second placed Marjing Mayanglambam from Manipur was awarded INR 30,000 and joint third prize winners -- Phenya Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh and Pankita Hazarika from Assam -- INR 20,000, informed an update received here on Friday.
The winners also received citation certificates and trophies, while INR 5,000 each along with citations and trophies were given away to 10 consolation prize winners. The prizes were distributed by the NEIPF State Chapters, it was informed.
As a tradition of the celebration of the World Indigenous Day, the opening was marked by the hoisting of the UN, NEIPF and AIPF flags.
Addressing the gathering, NEIPF Chairman Anup Chetia announced that the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples will be held in Manipur next year and the Essay Writing Competition will be an annual feature.
It was also informed that Youth Festival of Indigenous Dance and Music will be held in Dimapur in October this year.
"The North East Indigenous People's Forum was formed thinking of the future generations of the indigenous peoples of the region who are now marginalized in their land because of the gradual influx of people from different parts of the country and foreign nations. There should be a mechanism to protect the indigenous peoples of the north eastern," said Anup Chetia.
He also said that the change in the demographic profiles in the north-eastern states is a threat to the indigenous peoples and that the political and economic rights of the indigenous peoples are threatened.
The Chief Guest of the occasion, Toko Tatung, MLA from Arunachal Pradesh, stressed the need for empowering the youths of the region in order to save the indigenous cultural values and safeguard the age-old traditional way of living.
"Our younger generation can compete in any field and it is the responsibility and duty of the society to guide them in the appropriate way," he said.
In his keynote address, NEIPF Secretary General N. Ibungochoubi called upon the youths of the region to preserve and promote the indigenous culture.
Representatives from the north-eastern states presented their views on the occasion. The Nagaland delegation comprised of Dr. Lima Jamir, President NIPF and Vice- Chairman NEIPF; Khehoto Swu, Executive Member NEIPF and Advisor NIPF; Honikali Lohe press secretary; Dr Temsuwati, Advisor; LT Jamir, Treasurer; Keneiletuo Zumvu Vice President; and Kikheto Sumi Assistant General Secretary.