Guwahati: The 3rd Annual Conference of the All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) concluded successfully in Guwahati on 7 March 2026. The two-day event, held at the Shilpagram NEZCC Auditorium from 6–7 March, focused on the theme “Identity, Student Leadership, Inclusive Development and Democratic Dialogue.”
Established in 2015, AICSU serves as the central body representing Chakma students across India, comprising ten affiliated student organisations from states including Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The first day featured Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, Head of the Royal House of Tripura and founder of TIPRA Motha Party, as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Nirupam Chakma, Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), and Molin Kumar Chakma, former Chief Executive Member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Mizoram.
Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma urged Chakma students to remain united, focus on excellence, and adopt a positive outlook. He announced annual scholarships for around 50 students, funded from his personal resources, to support higher education.
He also raised concerns over human rights violations against Chakmas and other indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, calling for continued advocacy on the issue in India.
Molin Kumar Chakma encouraged students to develop practical knowledge and avoid negative discussions on social media, while Nirupam Chakma stressed the importance of modern education, cultural preservation, and awareness of constitutional rights for Scheduled Tribes.
The second day’s Chief Guest, Tripura Cabinet Minister Santana Chakma, motivated students by sharing her personal journey and stressing community service and cultural preservation. Guest of Honour Somlung Mossang pointed out the Chakma community’s hospitality and hard work. Pawan Tiwari, Organising Secretary of Vidya Bharati Purvottor Kshetra, called for holistic education and praised AICSU’s guidance for the youth.
The conference featured cultural performances of Chakma dance and music. In addition, several panel discussions were held on important themes:
Empowering Youths through Jobs, Entrepreneurship & Skills: Opportunities for Inclusive Growth
Panelists: Deepankar Bhattacharjya (Co-founder & Director, Bhonphul Health Pvt Ltd, Northeast Institute for Skill Development), Swapanil Talukdar (Founder & Principal Consultant, Aryabhatta Consultancy Global), Sona K. Chakma (Entrepreneur & Founder, Provrep Services). Speakers stressed the need for cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit and discipline for success.
Inclusive Higher Education: Addressing Gaps, Dropouts & Emerging Opportunities for Marginalized Youth
Panelists: Sandeep Nair (Professor & Dean, School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Chanakya University, Bengaluru), Konkumoni Boro (Assistant Professor, Barama College, Assam), Jinti Sharma (Assistant Professor, Pragjyotishpur University, Guwahati), Prahlad Chakma (CEO, India Foundation for Education Transformation). Speakers identified gaps in higher education and called for inclusivity for students of the Northeast, particularly Chakma students.
Preserving Indigenous Culture, Customs & Traditions: Role of Youth in a Changing Society
Panelists: Renu Chakma (Art and Culture Officer, CADC, Mizoram), Champa Chakma (Chakma Mahila Samity), Molin Kumar Chakma (MDC, CADC, Mizoram). Speakers stressed the importance of preserving traditional Chakma attire and securing protection through Geographical Indication (GI).
Human Rights Violation in the CHT: Non-implementation of the 1997 Accord and Its Implications for Regional and National Security
Panelists: Nava Thakuria (Senior Journalist), Ankita Dutta (Author & Columnist), Anurag Chakma (Research Fellow, Griffith University, Australia). Speakers expressed serious concerns over non-implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, resulting human rights violations against the Jummas, and urged the Government of India to intervene.
Commenting on the event, Drishyamuni Chakma, President of AICSU, said the conference was highly successful and exceeded expectations. He thanked all guests and speakers for motivating students and noted the scholarship announcement by Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma as a source of encouragement for students pursuing higher education and leadership roles.