The Governor of Mizoram Lt.Gen (Rtd) M.M.Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM,VSM inaugurated "Zo Inpui" (a Socio-Cultural centre and Traditional Institution) at Vanapa Hall today. The event was organised by Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) as part of the observation of International Day of World Indigenous People. The State Assembly Speaker Pu R.Romawia also graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
In the beginning of the programme the Governor unfurled the United Nations Organisation Flag on the stage, and in his inaugural speech of "Zo Inpui", he expressed his happiness to take part in such a historic occasion and urged the audience to commit themselves to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Zo people.
Emphasizing the need to understand the intention of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the Governor highlighted several relevant Articles of the Declaration which deals with the need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous people that are derived from their political, economic and social structures, and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources. The Governor also mentioned that the indigenous people all over trhe world are now asserting their rights by organising themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement in order to end all forms of discrimination and oppression where they occur which is a positive indication of their desire for equal opportunities to progress and develop with the rest of the world.
Lauding the effort of the ZORO to unite the Zo people who are spreading across the international borders, the Governor highlighted Article 36 of the Declaration which states that indigenous people, particularly those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperations, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes across the borders and that the State should always consult and seek cooperation of the indigenous people in implementing this right.
The Governor also highlighted the emerging concerns regarding the indigenous people which is how to take them on the path of development while at the same time keeping their cultural heritage intact, he emphasised the importance to respect the heritage of indigenous people as it is the living memento of their glorious struggle agaist the mighty powers of raw nature, and the need to value and preserve the pragmatic wisdom acquired by them.
The Governor also expressed his concern over the status of the dying languages of the indigenous people and higlighted the need to preserve and promote them. He stated that the need of the hour is to appreciate the knowledges of the indigenous people and frame policies and programmes in partnership with the indigenous people themselves.
The Governor also expressed his concern over the poor implementation af the provisions of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India by saying that the way it is being implemented did not seem the way the founding fathers have imagined.
The Governor earnestly conveyed his appreciation to ZORO for actively working towards the establishment of Zo Inpui which would be a Socio-Cultural Centre and Traditional Institution, and said it would be a hub where all Zo descendants would be able to record their history of posterity, preserve and promote their custom, culture, traditional system of medicine and traditional languages. By saying that Nations have been held together more by cultural unity than political unity, the Governor asked the people of Mizoram to concentrate on cultural unity.
The Assembly Speaker, Pu R. Romawia, after releasing a book on guidelines for the operation of Zo Inpui, expressed his wish to unite and bring together all the Zo indigenous groups through Zo Inpui.
The programme today was divided into two sessions, and in the Morning session the Governor inaugurates Zo Inpui and the Assembly Speaker released a book on guidelines for the operation of Zo Inpui, the President of ZORO, Pu R.Thangmawia delivered introductory and welcome speech, and Pu K.Hawla Sailo, General Secretary, ZORO gave a brief report on ZORO. In the afternoon session each representative of Zo indigenous people from different parts of the State and outside the State delivered shortt speech and there was also speech from representatives of Political Parties, NGOs and from promonent citizens. Cultural dances and Mizo Traditional Musics are performed by selected artistes. Pu L.Malsawma Colney, Chairman, Organising Committee delivered a Vote of thanks and the programme concluded with a benediction from Rev. Ramliana.
Emphasizing the need to understand the intention of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the Governor highlighted several relevant Articles of the Declaration which deals with the need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous people that are derived from their political, economic and social structures, and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources. The Governor also mentioned that the indigenous people all over trhe world are now asserting their rights by organising themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement in order to end all forms of discrimination and oppression where they occur which is a positive indication of their desire for equal opportunities to progress and develop with the rest of the world.
Lauding the effort of the ZORO to unite the Zo people who are spreading across the international borders, the Governor highlighted Article 36 of the Declaration which states that indigenous people, particularly those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperations, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes across the borders and that the State should always consult and seek cooperation of the indigenous people in implementing this right.
The Governor also highlighted the emerging concerns regarding the indigenous people which is how to take them on the path of development while at the same time keeping their cultural heritage intact, he emphasised the importance to respect the heritage of indigenous people as it is the living memento of their glorious struggle agaist the mighty powers of raw nature, and the need to value and preserve the pragmatic wisdom acquired by them.
The Governor also expressed his concern over the status of the dying languages of the indigenous people and higlighted the need to preserve and promote them. He stated that the need of the hour is to appreciate the knowledges of the indigenous people and frame policies and programmes in partnership with the indigenous people themselves.
The Governor also expressed his concern over the poor implementation af the provisions of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India by saying that the way it is being implemented did not seem the way the founding fathers have imagined.
The Governor earnestly conveyed his appreciation to ZORO for actively working towards the establishment of Zo Inpui which would be a Socio-Cultural Centre and Traditional Institution, and said it would be a hub where all Zo descendants would be able to record their history of posterity, preserve and promote their custom, culture, traditional system of medicine and traditional languages. By saying that Nations have been held together more by cultural unity than political unity, the Governor asked the people of Mizoram to concentrate on cultural unity.
The Assembly Speaker, Pu R. Romawia, after releasing a book on guidelines for the operation of Zo Inpui, expressed his wish to unite and bring together all the Zo indigenous groups through Zo Inpui.
The programme today was divided into two sessions, and in the Morning session the Governor inaugurates Zo Inpui and the Assembly Speaker released a book on guidelines for the operation of Zo Inpui, the President of ZORO, Pu R.Thangmawia delivered introductory and welcome speech, and Pu K.Hawla Sailo, General Secretary, ZORO gave a brief report on ZORO. In the afternoon session each representative of Zo indigenous people from different parts of the State and outside the State delivered shortt speech and there was also speech from representatives of Political Parties, NGOs and from promonent citizens. Cultural dances and Mizo Traditional Musics are performed by selected artistes. Pu L.Malsawma Colney, Chairman, Organising Committee delivered a Vote of thanks and the programme concluded with a benediction from Rev. Ramliana.
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