Integrate tradition with modern in education system: Pema Khandu

CM inaugurates maiden indigenous knowledge-system school at remote Rang Village in Seppa

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: There is a need to integrate the traditional with the modern in the Education sector, said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu while emphasizing that modern education cannot be ignored and should go hand in hand. He said this while inaugurating the first indigenous language and knowledge-system school of the State in East Kameng on Saturday.

The school is located at Rang Village, situated atop the hill overlooking Seppa, the district headquarters on Saturday.

The first of its kind school – Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko – is a formal institution for indigenous language and knowledge system which literally means 'Nyubu' (priest), 'Nyvgam' (person having wisdom and knowledge) and 'Yerko' (learning institution).

Describing it as a historic day, Khandu said that the first-of-its-kind school in the State would go a long way in promoting and preserving indigenous traditions, culture and language.

He lauded the initiative by the Donyi Polo Cultural & Charitable Trust and said it was the need of the day in view of rapid modernization. He also appreciated Pai Dawe, who donated the land for establishment of the 'Gurukul' type school.

Khandu suggested that the lure to build concrete buildings for the institution be avoided and traditional houses preferred.

"Need not have RCC buildings except for teacher's quarters. Let the kids learn in an environment that is their culture," he advised.

Khandu expressed gratitude to all elders of the society who have preserved and passed on the indigenous culture through generations.

"Now it is our responsibility. We cannot let go our identity which is our indigenous culture. If we do, Arunachal Pradesh will lose its identity," he cautioned.

Reiterating that his government is committed to preserve indigenous culture of the State, Khandu said with that in aim the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) was established.

He informed that friends and people from other north-eastern States called him to congratulate on the decision. "People from our neighboring States called and congratulated me. Many of them have lost their indigenous identity and went off so far that it is impossible to come back. We Arunachalees have woke up at the right time," said Khandu.

He appealed to the indigenous leaders and elders of the society to come out and suggest ways for the department to function for preservation of culture and languages.

Claiming that Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko is a right initiative, Khandu expressed belief that institutionalization of cultural education is need of the hour.

"Being a Monpa, I follow Buddhism. My culture is safe as it is institutionalized. We learn and earn degrees in Buddhism. Therefore, we need to establish institutes that teach our kids their respective indigenous culture, heritage, language, way of living and take pride on it," he said.

He thanked the VKV (Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya) group for taking up the responsibility to impart formal education to the inmates of the Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko.

Assuring all assistance to the school, he informed budgetary provision of about Rs 3 crore has been kept for its development and upkeep.

Earlier on the day, Khandu inaugurated the newly established Operation Theater while Union Minister of State (Independent) for Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the ICU of the District Hospital at Seppa, the communiqué added.

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