SHILLONG, Aug 9: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday asked the indigenous youth of the North East to look beyond the reservation system and be competent enough to compete with the best in the world.
Attending an event marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People organised by the Meghalaya chapter of the North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) on the North Eastern Hill University campus, he said it is important to change the mindset of the people, especially the indigenous community and stop expecting that there will be a reservation in all aspects of life.
“We need to look beyond reservation and the youth of the North East should think they have the competence to compete with anyone in the world,” he said.
Sangma told the gathering that he has been concerned about various issues of the region’s indigenous people like other political parties and organisations. “(That is) to preserve our identity, our roots and about who we are that makes us different from the other communities and being proud of our identity,” he said.
The chief minister, however, cautioned that while having an identity and being proud of it is a good thing, things should not be taken for granted.
He urged the NEIPF to push for documenting the identity of the indigenous peoples of the North East. “The Meghalaya government is working together with the three autonomous councils to document the different aspects of the culture and tradition of the indigenous people of the state,” he said.
Sangma also noted that the northeastern states, because of their diversity, face issues and challenges and it is through programmes and forums like these that the region can rise above such issues and come out stronger.
“It pains me to see the situation in Manipur and I hope forums like NEIPF will take up the matter for a peaceful resolution so that we can reach out to the affected communities,” he said.
He suggested that forums like the NEIPF, apart from taking up critical issues of the indigenous people, should also study and document the indigenous knowledge and practices that have so much to offer to the world.
“This wealth of knowledge should be passed on to the younger generations and shared with the rest of the world,” he said.
Earlier, Sangma released a book titled ‘Indigenous 2023’ during the occasion. Delegates from the other Northeastern states attended the programme.
