Kyndiah to grace "Nyishi Day" on April 19

Itanagar, Apr 16 (UNI) Union Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah would participate in the "Nyishi Day" celebration slated for April 19 next at Indira Gandhi Park here.

The Nyshi community of the state would celebrate the day as "Nyishi Day" to mark the historic Constitutional Amendment for the change of derogatory nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi, which was passed by both the houses of Parliament on March 19 last.

Talking to media persons here this afternoon, PWD Minister Nabam Tuki, who is also the chairman of the Nyishi Day Celebration Committee(NDCC), while terming the passing of the bill as 'historic', said that the long struggle bore fruits and it was a 'great achievement' for the entire community.

This is not an individual effort but a collective efforts of the entire community besides other like-minded people to get the nomenclature changed, he added.

The Nyishi community with over three lakh population is the major tribe of the state. Out of the 16 districts in the state, Nyishis reside in five districts namely East Kameng, Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri and Kurung Kumey districts. Moreover, over 5000 Nyishi population have also been residing in around 20 villages of Assam.

''The struggle for change of nomenclature started way back in 1978 during the second convention of Nyishi Youth Association (NYA) being organised at Yazali under Lower Subansiri district,'' commented Bengia Tolum, president of Nyishi Elite Society (NES) during the press conference.

A host of national leaders, including former Arunachal chief ministers, MPs and other dignitaries would participate in the mega celebration. Display of cultural items by various troupes would be the major attraction of the day-long extravaganza.

UNI UPB LL KLC1523