Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC), Guwahati, in collaboration with the Tripura University, Agartala organised a Civil Society 20 Policy Dialogue at Tripura University under the theme Diversity, Inclusion, Mutual Respect (DIMR) on May 12 last.
The programme was supported by Jamatia Hoda and Maharaja Bir Bikram University and sponsors were Rotary Clubs of Tripura, Zone XVI, RID 3240 and Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission, Government of Tripura. North East Training Research and Advocacy Foundation (NETRA) as the knowledge partner.
The programme started with the Mangalacharan and Deep Prajwalan by Jishnu Dev Varma, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura; Prof. Ganga Prasad Prasain, Vice-Chancellor, Tripura University; Prof. Satyadeo Poddar, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Bir Bikram University, Tripura and Dr. JoramBegi, National Co-ordinator, Working Group, DIMR also the Chairman of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture.
While introducing the theme, the Chairman of VKIC explained about the prospects under which the Consultations have been taking place and about how the C20 group explores and enunciate on the need to acknowledge, respect, adopt and recommend diverse approaches for solving various issues and also how by bringing together stakeholders the Civil Society 20 and move with diverse approaches for solving diverse social issues.
Jishnu Dev Varma mentioned about the traditional culture of Tripura. How the ancient culture of the state and the Royal families of Tripura were inherently following their own culture unless certain influences tended to wipe out the cultural aspects of the state. But it is the people who can revive that by practicing their own culture.
The deliberation of VC of MBBU mentioned the changes that a society goes through over the ages with respect to various ideologies, but the aspects regarding the basic needs of the society should not be compromised.
The VC of Tripura University, who presided over the programme, concluded the first session thanking the dignitaries for their presence and hoped the programme to be successful.
The consultation session was introduced by the Local co-ordinator of the programme, Dr. Rajesh Chatterjee, Asst. Professor, CSSEIP, Tripura University and moderated by Jishnu Dev Varma.
Mohit Lal Jamatia, president, Baba Garia Mission (BGM), represented Jamatia Hoda and discussed different activities taken by the organization for the betterment of the tribal society. Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, General Secretary of NETRA Foundation, presented their involvement in Localisation of SDGs and in G20 University Connect programmes in North East. Dr. Choudhury also advocated for collaboration, cooperation and convergence of efforts among the civil society organizations of North East India. Dr. Sunil Kalai while representing MONDRA (A Social Welfare Society) emphasized on financial self-reliance of civil society organizations – the only way of empowerment.
Overall, representatives from 30 organisations participated in the discussion and shared their success stories and also policy recommendations which would help them in smoothing their work. Those recommendations were noted down by three rapporteurs from Tripura University, which will then be compiled and taken up in the final conclave of C20 to be held at Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh on June 11 and 12, 2023
The prayers of gratitude was expressed by Prof. Parimal Ch. Bhattacharjee, Director of VKIC and the programme was organised by the co-ordinators of VKIC, namely Research Associates Barnali Chakraborty, P. Newme and VKIC Karyakarta Barun Rajbongshi. There was a display of VKIC publications outside the auditorium as well.