OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Citizens' Right (ACR), in collaboration with Don Bosco College, Jullang here, is all set to celebrate the International Day of World's Indigenous People on August 9 at the Don Bosco College, Jullang with the theme 'The Role of Indigenous Women in the preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge'.
The day-long celebration will be showcasing various indigenous dances and musical instrumentals, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal for preservation and promotion in years to come.
Phoolman Chaudhary, Vice Chair to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Dr Joram Begi, former Chief Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission and Dr Moghani Hanieh, incoming new member to the UNPFII, will join the celebration as the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and Special Guest respectively, informed Bamang Tago, coordinator of the committee for the celebration of International Day of World's Indigenous People 2022.
Tago stated that after decades of struggle by indigenous people globally for recognition of their identities, way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources which they have retained and the social, cultural, economic and political characteristics which are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live, were finally adopted by the United Nation Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on September 13, 2007.
He also informed that the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights met for the first time on 9, August, 1982. Twelve years later, the United Nations General Assembly by resolution No 49/214 of December 23, 1994, decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on August 9 every year.
Arunachal Pradesh is home to the indigenous people having 17.49 lakh population (as per 2021 census) consisting of 26 major indigenous tribes and more than 100 indigenous sub-tribes with their unique cultural heritage and diversity. Hence, the celebration of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is very much relevant to the state of Arunachal Pradesh to mark the historic day, stated Tago .
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