‘Nagas have lot to contribute in terms of indigenous knowledge’

DIMAPUR — Chairman of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and advisor to the chief minister, Abu Metha, on Tuesday asserted that Nagas have a lot to contribute in terms of indigenous knowledge and traditional life they have inherited.

There is much that Nagas can share with the world their agricultural practices, response to natural calamities, food and traditional medicines, if proper research is undertaken, he said.

However, due to limited research opportunities, the culture and traditions of the Nagas are today studied by experts from around the world, instead of the Naga people themselves, he lamented.

The advisor was speaking during the inaugural programme of ‘Leading Together Dialogues 2023,’ an international conference on indigenous knowledge and sustainability, at Tetso College, Chümoukedima.

The two-day conference is led by the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati; Savitribai Phule Pune University; and Stella Maris College (Autonomous), with Tetso College as the host.

While Naga people zealously cling to their culture and heritage, Metha was of the view that there are also “lots of shortfalls” which need to correct in order to adapt to the changing world.

“We do have a lot of shortfalls in our culture and heritage and we need to adapt, but I feel we need to cling on to the positives, correct the negatives, adapt to a changing world and keep moving forward as change is inevitable,” he said.

But despite the shortcomings, Metha said, “one of our strength is our close knit society, the social bonding that we have and the sharing of everything among community in time of happiness and in times of pain”.

He went on to say that Naga youths have the ambition and capability to be as good as anyone, but they need to work collectively through unity and bring peace to excel in all walks of life.

Further, he encouraged the students to work hard, reminding that there is no shortcut to success.  

The programme was followed by inauguration of Leading Together Dialogues 2023 expo, panel discussions and workshops.

Earlier in the programme, Prof. Kate McNeil, Associate Dean of Education and Students, University of Melbourne, shared the history of Leading Together.