Standing at the threshold of a crucial time when a feeling of fear of losing the very essence of tribal existence i.e  indigeneity is exerting an increasingly influential grip on the minds of people of the entire NE and Arunachal due to ‘superimposition’ of  CAB, two very recent news deserve attention.  The first one is about the outreach programme with the theme ‘Mother Tongue Awareness Programme’ and the second one  is  the two-day review meeting of Language Officers who are currently working  on a vital research project titled ‘Linguistic Survey of Arunachal Pradesh’. The two news can be linked by a commonality they possess, which is putting efforts to spread awareness about the indigenous mother tongues of Arunachal and with the more larger goals of not only for their nurturing but also for their flourish.  These are the tasks that are and may be relevant at any point of time, but not as importantly like the present time when political permutations and combinations may, and in all probability will create an atmosphere where cultural confrontation will be rather unavoidable.  Keeping in mind this reality, a duty of enormous proportion  thus now awaits, which is to preserve, rebuild that have been ruined  and  most importantly work for furtherance for all that constitutes the founding structures of the tribal entity. Needless to say, language is a prominent component in the process.
It is a common observation all throughout the world that as humans become more modern in  the more immediate parameters comprising lifestyle, food habit, languages, attire,  place of dwelling and all relates others,  a strange  dilemma has come as an inevitable consequence. This is what to adhere to- original ways and means of life or the much luring modernity. And since the latter has emerged triumphant in most cases, the overarching feeling is that it has come at the cost of gradual degradation of age-old legacies and demands rescue. If it’s a phenomenon  confronting the tribal people worldwide, the case is same for  Arunachal or to say for entire NE. Both the above initiatives, which essentially deals with the efforts of preservation of the state’s indigenous languages are thus extremely important if UNESCO’s caveat which has listed as many as 26 languages of Arunachal Pradesh as endangered is taken seriously.
As times are changing fast with cultural onslaughts  being the unavoidable by-products, the idea of reinforcing all aspects of  the true tribal ethos will gain relevance, particularly the languages.  Saving them is thus crucial and must be taken with great earnestness since it’s going to play a stellar role in reinforcing Arunachal’s indigeneity. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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