Diphu, August 7: Several frontal Karbi, student, social and youth organizations will observe “International day of the world’s indigenous people” on 9th August with the rest of the world.
One of the nation’s heartlands, where a mosaic of indigenous people of Mongoloid origin inhabit, and are recognized within the 6th schedule of the constitution, has become the ideal place to observe the special day. Several delegates of other “indigenous peoples” spread across India and the northeast region will take part.
Karbi Cultural Society, All India Karbi National Assembly, Karbi Students and Youth Council, Karbi Students Association, Karbi Lammet Amei, Karbi Unemployed Youth Association, Karbi Human Rights Watch will jointly host a mega seminar at the facility of Jirsong Asong. Jirsong Asong is a nongovernmental organization located at an elevated place near Diphu town, headquarters of Karbi Anglong autonomous district.
Right of Indigenous People
The theme of the agenda is Bridging the gap: implementing the right of the indigenous people.
In 1982, the first UN working group on indigenous population met in Geneva and on 23rd December 1994, the UN General Assembly decided to observe the day globally on 9th August during the international decade of the world’s indigenous people.
In India, the Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission constituted by the Government of India in their report of 1960 referred to the tribes as indigenous. The Scheduled Tribes have since then come to be treated as indigenous people in the Indian context; hence the tribes listed in 6th schedule are indigenous populations of Karbi Anglong.
The organizers said that the indigenous people of the north east will come together to observe the day at Diphu to build alliances, strengthen bonds and to express solidarity among the indigenous populations of the region, and the Karbi people will be a part of the celebration.
“The people will share their struggle, culture and food, it is going to be confluence of the indigenous peoples of north east India” a youth organizer said. Thousands are expected to join in, and Karbi organizations have made a passionate appeal to all indigenous people to join the celebration.
