World’s Indigenous People’s Day observed in state

[caption id="attachment_200625" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Participants at the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples at the NEISSR, on August 9.[/caption] Dimapur, Aug. 11 (EMN): NEISSR observed the International Day of Indigenous World’s People on August 9 2018 at NEISSR Conference Hall. The First Semester of MSW NEISSR performed a short play highlighting the rights of the indigenous people when they are exposed to the outside world. Dr Amit Das, Asst. Prof. and Longngan Buchem, MSW III Semester student spoke on the relevance of the day in asserting the indigenous peoples’ rights and necessities of taking responsibilities towards a sustainable future in the face of growing threats to the land and natural resources and of the climate change related looming disasters. Quoting from UN sources, Longngan Buchen highlighted approximately 370 million Indigenous peoples worldwide making up more than 5,000 distinct tribes, spanning over 72 countries while the indigenous peoples total only about 6% of the world’s population representing 90% of the cultural diversity. Indigenous peoples hold 20% of the earth’s land mass. Giving his concluding remarks, Dr. Fr. C.P., Anto Principal of the Institute, highlighted the privileges of the Art. 371/A namely the religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources. It provides adequate protection and safeguards to indigenous/tribal populations, their lands, identities and cultures. Ending his short speech, he invited the students to understand the Constitutional provisions of Art 371 A to make the best of it in advancing rights of indigenous peoples in India in the contemporary context. And it is the duty of the social workers to empower and enlighten our people about it, stated a press release received from the NEISSR [caption id="attachment_200626" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Kezhokhoto Savi with other resource persons at Japfu Christian College, at Kigwema in Kohima district.[/caption] Kohima Law College conducts prog. Kohima Law College conducted a programme on “Know Your Rights and Entitlement” –cum-observance of International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples 2018’ on August 9 2018 at the Chapel Hall of Japfu Christian College on the theme “Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement”. The resource person were Sepikyu J Sangtam, Sezulo-u Losou, Temsunungsang Aier, Limkhushi Thongliu and Yangrothung Lotha who had covered several topics like ‘Consumer Rights, Environment, Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, Street Vendors Act 2014, Public Services delivery system, Lokayukta, State Consumer helpline Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701,Human Rights and National Food Security Act 2013’. The Professor-in-charge of Kohima Law College , Kezhokhoto Savi highlighted on the the significance of the day and the importance of recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in the world and also the provision of Article 371A of Indian Constitution which protects the Naga indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland as indigenous people. A new legislation namely ‘Street Vendors(Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014 is to create a conducive atmosphere for street vendors to do their business in dignity and provide livelihood protection to street vendors across the country. “Earlier the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation(NVCO) appealed the state government to implement this Act in the state so as the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland P.B Acharya had also asked the state government to implement the Street Vendors Act in the state at the earliest. Support to Urban Street Vendors is one of the components of National Urban Livelihoods Mission(NULM) which aims at addressing the vulnerabilities of the urban street vendors through a multi-pronged approach,” stated a press release received here on aug. 11. The programme was led Asst. Professor of Japfu Christian College Athili Hopson Kaina, the welcome address was delivered by the Principal of Japfu Christian College Dr. Visakhonu Hibo and the invocation by Dr. A. Husca, stated the release.