Conferecne on oral traditions kicks off in city
SHILLONG: Governor V Shanmuganathan stressed on the need for ending conflicts and contradictions in the society and the world which according to him should become one family.
“Conflicts and contradictions must be eliminated. Love your neighbours. Love others,” the Governor said while inaugurating the four-day conference on “Oral Traditions: Continuity and Transformations- North East India and South East Asia”, here on Monday.
He said that there is a need to eradicate conflicts across the world. He added that India as a nation has always believed that the world should become one family.
Making a reference to the people residing in the villages of Meghalaya, he said that the people in the remote villages of the State love their land and their culture.
“In fact, the people across North East share a close bonding with nature. It is because of this reason that we still find crystal clear lake, beautiful forest and lots of animals in the region. We are all aware that the region is blessed with rich bio-diversity,” he said.
The Governor also pointed out that the people of the State respect nature and this can be observed in their love for the rivers, forests and animals.
He said that the attachment the villagers of the Northeast have towards their land and environment, on which they depend majorly for food and shelter, needs to be acknowledged.
The Governor further said that women are held in high esteem in this part of the country and the girl child’s right over property bears testimony to this fact.
Stating that the oral traditions have existed since time immemorial, Shanmuganathan added that during the days when there was no tape recorder, parents used to share their ideas about life to their children by way of communicating and speaking to them.
He cited interpersonal relationships that exist in the society and reminded the fact of culture and tradition that has evolved through generations with knowledge of the same being handed over from one generation to the next via oral traditions.
Earlier, the Governor released a book named “Shadow & Light- a Kaleidoscope of Manipur”.
INTACH chairman, retired Major General, LK Gupta while addressing the gathering stressed on the need to preserve and protect the various important heritage sites in the North East.
Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) Director, Ambassador C Rajeshekhar called upon the need to increase bilateral trade relations between India and its neighbouring nations.
The inter disciplinary conference brings together scholars, artists and organizations involved in the material and visual representation of North Eastern region and seeks to highlight the inter-cultural and historical linkages between communities of North East India with South Asia and South East Asia.
The conference which will conclude on Thursday will give an opportunity to the scholars who have come from various parts of the country to deliberate on the various issues relating to preservation of oral tradition.
A photography exhibition is also being held as part of the conference.
Among others who spoke on the occasion include Chief Secretary PBO Wajri and The Shillong Times Editor, Patricia Mukhim.
