ONGC organizes tribal cultural heritage meet to preserve, spread message of peace in Tripura

Agartala (Tripura) [India], Nov. 8 (ANI): A two-day tribal cultural heritage meet was recently organized at the town hall in Agartala to promote and preserve the tribal culture of the state. All the 19 tribes of Tripura including some which are on the verge of extinction participated in the meet organized for the third time here by the ONGC. The OGNC, engaged in exploration in the state since early 1970, has taken the initiative to spread the rich culture prevailing in the villages of Tripura and spread it among the new generation of the urban class so that it can be preserved and inculcated among them, said ONGC's Tripura asset manager and organizer S.C. Soni. Various traditional dances of indigenous tribes like Reang, Chakma, Jamatia, Kaloi, Lusai and Kuki were performed during the two-day meet. The participants also expressed that such programmes not only help the new generation to know about the rich tradition of their community but also brings closer various tribes and unites them through cultural activities. "Our traditional dance and music are gradually getting extinct and we are trying to preserve it with an initiative to encourage the youth to take part in such programmes throughout the state of Tripura. Moreover, both tribals and non-tribals are taking part in this festival and which is bringing us closer and helping in maintain peace. So, this festival is also important for that and I believe that such meets should be organised very frequently to preserve this culture of ours," said Bishudev Koloi, one of the participants. Along with the tribal population, many non-tribals also came to enjoy the show and appreciated it as such programmes besides disseminating information about the tribals also help them unite with other. Sunita Koushal, a non-tribal visitor, expressed her delight over the rich cultural heritage in northeast India. "And at such a programme, we also get to know what is happening. The people bond over such programmes which serve as platform for uniting them," she added. Another visitor Rohit Kumar said all traditional dances of the tribals of Tripura were demonstrated during this programme, adding it also send a message of peace and love among the tribal and non-tribal section of the people. A fashion show on traditional attires of various tribal communities of the state was also part of the programme. (ANI)