Indigenous Faith Day celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh

A CORRESPONDENT

NIRJULI: The Indigenous Faith Day (IFD) was celebrated on Wednesday all across the State with pomp and gaiety under the aegis of Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP). The same was celebrated at Nyikum Niya hall near here.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Culture and Indigenous Affairs, Taba Tedir, while remembering the father of indigenous faith, Talom Rukbo, said it was good to see the huge participation of children and youths in the celebration. He said IFCSAP had a huge responsibility to take forward the efforts to preserve culture and faith among the youths. He said the task was hard but not impossible. However, he also appealed to the youths to take individual responsibility in doing so.

"We as an individual should also take the responsibility of preserving as well as passing on the age-old culture and faith of respective tribes to the younger generations. Do not wait for someone to do it," he added.

Tedir said the State government under DIA was also providing all support in an endeavor to preserve the culture and faith. He informed the DIA has funded Rs 1 crore for the celebration of IFD across the State with Rs 10 lakh each for the construction of 40 prayer halls. An amount of Rs 2.5 crore has been funded for the construction of Donyi- Polo Namlo (Prayer hall) at Pasighat and also Rs 3 crore for the honorarium of the local priest. "Likewise, an amount of Rs 5 crore is provided each year by the State government to celebrate indigenous festivals across the State in the respective districts. Therefore, the celebration should be with true faith and sanctity, and not just for the sake of celebration and showoff," he said.

Tedir also said that it was important to document the rituals and prayers chanted by the priest. Though documentation of the Adi tribe is in the second stage, few are in the first stage, he said.

"Therefore, to document the entire intangible heritage, the State government has also allotted funds to the indigenous people. Funds for the construction of Indigenous Gurukul for respective tribes have also been provided," he said.

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