Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Friday said rapid globalisation, modernisation, urbanisation, and technological advancement have posed serious challenges to traditional institutions and cultural practices.
He noted with concern the gradual decline of indigenous languages, fading oral traditions, and the growing disconnect of younger generations from their cultural roots.
Yadav was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the national seminar titled “Revisiting Tribal Heritage of Northeast India: Challenges and Opportunities”, organised by the School of Humanities and Education, Meriema Campus, Kohima, Nagaland University.
He stressed the importance of academic discussions and seminars aimed at preserving and promoting tribal heritage.
Yadav further stated that the preservation of heritage should not be viewed as resistance to progress but as an effort to ensure that development remains culturally sensitive, inclusive, and sustainable.
He called upon academic institutions, researchers, policymakers, and civil society organisations to work collectively towards documenting, preserving, promoting, and reinterpreting tribal heritage in ways relevant to contemporary society.
Yadav lauded Nagaland University for organising the seminar on a theme of great relevance and significance to the cultural identity and social fabric of Northeast India.
He noted the extraordinary diversity of tribes, languages, traditions, customs, and indigenous knowledge systems of the region, stating that its rich tribal heritage forms an invaluable part of India’s collective civilisational and cultural legacy.
Speaking on the role of universities, Yadav said Nagaland University can play a transformative role by encouraging interdisciplinary studies, strengthening indigenous knowledge systems, promoting local languages, and bridging traditional wisdom with modern scholarship.
He also appreciated the participation of scholars and experts from different parts of the country, noting that such exchanges foster deeper understanding and meaningful policy discussions on tribal heritage and development in Northeast India.