INVITATION for Zomi Conclave (Feb 19) and Zomi Nam Ni (Feb 20)
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are glad to inform you that the Zomi Youth Association (ZYA), Delhi Region is organizing Zomi Conclave on the "Challenges and Opportunities", to be held on the 19 February 2013, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, at Committee Room, SSS—I Building, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi—110067 (copy of program attached). This conclave is organized as a part of the Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) celebration on the 20th February 2013 in Delhi.
The conclave is organized to deliberate upon the unsolved inherent problems facing the Zomi historically as well as politically, even though they have been living in their ancestral homeland even before and after they came into contact with pre-colonial, colonial, and its legatees —post colonial states. They never had a chance to decide for themselves.
Although, the Zomi were variously named Kuki or Chin in different contexts of use, many external observers easily recognized the cultural commonality of the Zomi stock: this is an internal claim consistently made by the people themselves. The name Zomi has been widely regarded by various groups as their [ethno-] national name, as it has a primordial tinge. Imposed names of the colonial era such as Kuki and Chin are regarded by various groups as not coterminous with the entire Zomi, as both of them have parochial connotation—Chin for Burma section and Kuki for India and Bangladesh section—resulting from the direction of their encounter with the British colonizers. As a community the liberal concept of "self-determination" resonates with them ever since the declaration of UN charter, to deal with the colonial legacy that undermines their national survival.
For the Zomi, the concept of tribe has been problematic, as it is crisscrossing or overlapping with the traditional group system, which is clan. In other words, tribe, the legal social identity and clan, the traditional identity based on common decent are not coterminous. "Tribe" was a core concept of colonial modernity; it equally served the bureaucratic needs of the post-colonial state to better target its affirmative action. The "colonial tribe" got a new lease of life in the state laws of new nation-states, and it even achieved constitutional sanctity in India as "scheduled tribe." Thus, this legal category served as the main source of identity for indigenous peoples since the 1950s, which unnecessarily segmented the Zomi into various tribes based on dialects.
In spite of the names, such as Kuki and Chin, which were imposed upon them externally from various directions—Kuki from India side and Chin from Burma (Myanmar), the Zomi were always clubbed together by colonial ethnographers, administrators, military officers, etc., in their writing as one entity. This realization led British colonizers to organize the Chin-Lushai Conference at Fort William in 1892.
This conclave it to reflect as to why the Zomi were always clubbed together, inspite of various names imposed upon them, by various writers? Or, why they regarded themselves as a people? The answer, perhaps, is the same: it is because of the shared cultural, linguistic affinity, etc. If these are which binds them together, then what do the existing various organizations (including the tribe based philanthropic organization) within the Zomi have been propagating? Have their activities contribute for better unity and solidarity among the Zomi? Or, are they serving as a vehicle for the perpetuation of segmentation and division emanated as a result of their confrontation with the British colonizers, which was adopted by the colonial legatees—the post colonial states?
This conclave is organized to deliberate upon the various challenges facing the Zomi locally and internationally and identify the opportunities appropriates solutions.
We are looking forward for your participation in the seminar and symposiums in this one day conclave.
With warm regards,
Coordinating team
L. Lam Khan Piang, T. Kaithang, G. Swan Za Lian, Salvador T. Baite, S. Thangkhanlal Ngaihte
ZOMI CONCLAVE
on
"Challenges and Opportunities"
Venue: Committee Room, SSS-I Building,
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Date: 19 February 2013
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
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ZOMI NAM NI
CELEBRATION PROGRAMME
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2013 (WEDNESDAY)
TIME: 1330 – 1800 HRS
VENUE: THYAGARAJ STADIUM, INA COLONY, NEW DELHI
EMCEES: MR. SAWILIANMANG VAIPHEI & DR. GRACE DONNEM CHING
Opening Ceremony & Condolence:
Intercessory prayer for Zomi Nam: Rev. P.K. Lianmang (along with all Zomi Pastors)
Welcome Address: President, ZYA Delhi Region
Keynote Address: Pu L.B. Sona, Chief Host, Chairman, Zomi Council
Cultural Dance:
Speech from Functional President: Pu Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister (Health & FW/GAD/CADA), Govt. of Manipur
Speech from Chief Guest: Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Home Minister, Govt. of India
Traditional Dress Display
Zogam Martial Arts Show: Master Tunkhankhup
Short Speech: Shri Oscar Fernandes, M.P & Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD
Shri H.S. Brahma, Election Commissioner of India
Lt. Gen. A.J.Parnaik, SM VSM, Director General, BRO
Shri Shambu Singh, IAS, Jt. Secretary (NE), MHA
Cultural Event:
Musical Fiesta: Selected Artistes
Farewell Speech: Pu Thangzalun Khuptong, Secretary, ZNN Celebration Committee
Closing prayer: Rev Jangkholun Mangte, Pastor, ZCF Delhi
-O-
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