Dimapur, August 25 (MExN): With the theme ‘Embrace cultural diversity’, North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) celebrated its 5th Cultural Day on August 25 at NEISSR Hall.
Dr. Hesheto Y Chishi, Director of Indigenous Cultural Society was the special guest for the day. He informed that the word culture derived from the Latin word “colere” meaning to cultivate.
He further discussed about the six prominent domains of culture, namely oral traditions, arts, social practices and events, festivity and traditional knowledge, craftsmanship and cultural economy. He remarked that India is a unique country because of its cultural diversity and that culture can be infused with tourism, according to a press release from the institute.
Chishi also encouraged the gathering to do away with the ethnocentric mindset and learn to embrace the other culture and identify it contextually to avoid misunderstandings within the culture. Ignorance of diversity, he stated, gives way to different negative impacts, namely nepotism, communalism, etc.
He recollected the realm of accessibility, balance in gender that existed in the olden days although people then were illiterate unlike the present scenario of today. He concluded his speech quoting Mahatma Gandhi, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Likoklemba A Jamir and Shandimoinyei, both 3rd Semester students chaired the event, while Dr. Toli H Kiba (Assistant Professor) offered the invocation prayer followed by a special song by the Community Development Forum with a message of restoring unity among the Naga tribes. Rosa Angami (Cultural Secretary) welcomed the special guest and the gathering. Meanwhile, Kelekono and Susan Lotha from the Peace & Conflict Transformation Forum performed a cultural duet and other cover songs.
To venerate the theme of the event, ‘Embrace cultural diversity’, the 1st semester students performed an ethnic show, showcasing 14 different cultures of India, namely Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Arunachal, Zeliang, Sangtam, Pochury, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Rongmei, Malayali, and Mao.
The Youth Development Forum and Peace and Conflict Transformation Forum delivered folktales of Manipuri and Angami respectively. Meanwhile, the Community Forum performed a short play based on lack of importance on cultural values in the present generation.
The event concluded with words of appreciation from KK Among (Students’ Council).
