Imphal, August 09 2010: True civilization lies with living to recognize the value of life, said MLA O Joy speaking at the observance function of the "International Day of World Indigenous People" held at the community hall, Kakwa today.

The Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS) observed the United Nations' (UN) International Day of the World's Indigenous People, which is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population, in association with the MPP, Langthabal Kendra Development Committee.

Emergence of tall buildings and good road communication are not the all in all signs of civilization.

To live knowing the value of life and to lead a life of peace and harmony among different communities with the notion of co-existence of communities residing together is the true sign of civilization, O Joy who spoke as chief guest of the function said.

He said that people living in this world try their best to develop their own language and culture and tradition.

In Manipur also where various different communities reside together, joint hands to uplift their languages, cultures and traditions is a must for advancing the state forward.

Speaking as guest of honour of the function, MLA RK Anand stressed to relook into the historical aspects by the different communities residing in the state so as to understand how they had been living in harmony for such a long time.

Deep research into the true history of the people of the state is a must, he said adding that it will be wrong to speak without knowing the historical facts.

He also blamed that the law that restricts the valley people to reside in the hills has built up a detrimental wall to peaceful co-existence of the people in the state.

This law should be scrapped observing that all indigenous people of this land should be allowed to settle anywhere according to their conveniences.

In his key note address of the observance of the day, TIPS general secretary, Asemcha Tondon recalled that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People is celebrated on August 9 each year to recognize the first UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in Geneva in 1982 .

On December 23, 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People should be observed on August 9 annually during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

It aims to promote and protect the rights of the world's indigenous peoples, he said.

In 2004 the assembly proclaimed the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (2005-2014).The assembly also decided to continue observing the International Day of Indigenous People annually during the second decade.

The decade's goal was to further strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development, Tondon said.

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