ITANAGAR, Nov 30: Governor Brig. (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu have greeted the people and indigenous faith followers of the State on the occasion of Indigenous Faith Day celebrated on December 1, every year.
In his message, the Governor said that Arunachal Pradesh is a society of composite culture and faith and people of all religions live here in harmony, oneness and amity. The native people of Arunachal Pradesh follow their respective indigenous belief, faith, culture, custom and traditions. Nature has blessed these people with grace and sobriety. Despite the geographical isolation, the Arunachalis of indigenous faith are ethnically integrated and well knit. To promote the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, i.e. the whole world is one family, we need to preserve our cultural heritage and lace it with the richer and finer elements with the march of time, he said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu  in a message this evening, said that while indigenous people own, occupy and use only a quarter of the world’s surface area, they safeguard 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
“We must be proud that we as indigenous tribes hold vital ancestral knowledge and expertise on how to adapt, mitigate, and reduce climate and disaster risks, one major concern that faces the world,” he said.
Paying rich tributes to Late Talom Rukbo, who pioneered the indigenous faith movement by laying the foundation of Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang on 31st December,1986 at Pasighat as a common forum of the indigenous faith believers, Khandu said, “We owe it to Late Talom Rukbo for evolving our own system of prayers and worship revering Donyi Polo as the supreme almighty. This system has become one of the strongest pillars that today safeguards our distinct indigenous culture and traditions.”
Appreciating the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) under whose umbrella the day is celebrated across the state by the indigenous faith believers, Khandu reiterated his emphasis on encouraging use of indigenous languages. He urged IFCSAP to work for propagation of indigenous languages so that these do not go extinct like hundreds of indigenous languages across the world.
“Ours is a secular country, where every individual is free to follow any faith. Tribal communities of our state adhering to their distinct indigenous faith is encouraging and something to be proud of,” Khandu added.

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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.
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