The Faculty of Arts and Culture, along with the Department of Tourism and Travel Management and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples at the Nongrah Campus of Martin Luther Christian University today. The International Day of Indigenous Peoples is observed worldwide to celebrate and promote the rights and cultures of Indigenous communities. The program was graced by Mr. Rudy Wahlang, the founder of the internationally renowned Blues Band – Soulmate. The chief guest highlighted the importance of observing such a day and the role it plays in sending a message of peace. The program kicked off with an interschool quiz focusing on themes such as current affairs, history, entertainment, sports, and, most importantly, indigenous culture, in honor of today’s occasion. A total of eight schools participated in the Quiz competition, with B.K Bajoria emerging as the winner, while Loretto Convent School took the second spot and St. Anthony’s Secondary School claimed third place.

Winners of the Quiz Competition:
1st Place – B.K. Bajoria School

1. Sushmita Jha
2. Manav Deb

2nd Place – Loreto Convent

1. Siddhangana Nag
2. Sneha Prasad

3rd Place – St. Anthony’s Hr. Sec. School

1. Roderic Passah
2. Menangmankhraw Kharkongor

The second part of the program included performances by a melodious Indigenous group, chants by the university students, a musical play, a Khasi drum ensemble, and a musical medley that fused different cultures of North East India. Other off-stage attractions included face paintings, temporary tattoos exhibiting indigenous motifs and designs, led by local artists Ms. Careen J Langstieh, Ms. Balaiamon Kharngapkynta, and Mr. Casper Syiem. Meanwhile, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics organized a food sale cum exhibition of traditional cuisines with the participation of students from various departments. Indigenous slow food and traditional snacks were prepared by students from different North-Eastern States as part of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The theme for this year is “INDIGENOUS YOUTH AS AGENTS OF CHANGE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION”, motivating Indigenous youth to be catalysts for self-determination, revitalizing cultural heritage, championing rights, and pioneering change in areas like the environment and education, fostering a more empowered future for Indigenous communities worldwide.

The Department of Music, the School of Language and Literary Studies, and the Department of Environment and Traditional Ecosystem are all part of MLCU’s Faculty of Arts and Culture. The event was also supported by the Departments of Tourism and Travel Management. Dr Glenn C Kharkongor, Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, also gave a brief talk on the beginnings of the Meghalayan Age and why this new geologic age was named after Meghalaya. Dr. Kharkongor described how Mawmluh cave, one of Meghalaya’s longest and deepest caverns, has conditions conducive to maintaining chemical indications of the eras’ transition.

Prizes were also given out to the champions of the various competitions organised in the week preceding Meghalayan Age Day. The competitions, which were open to schools and colleges, comprised smartphone photography competitions, digital photography competitions, and handmade poster competitions. Liza Rani Basumatary of Lady Keane College took first place in the Handmade Poster competition, Noor Bano of Lady Keane College took second place, and Rodinal Lyngdoh of Shonroy Basan Secondary School took third place.

Albert Banlam took first place in the Smartphone Photography competition, followed by Raymond Wellis War, MLCU, and Amandame Lywait, MLCU. Fennyzia Marbaniang took first place in the Digital Poster Competition, and Chanchal Loro took second place. Both are MLCU students.