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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Hidden Delhi museum swelling with over 1,000 artefacts awaits expansion
Blocks away from Delhi University's arts faculty, a relatively lesser-known museum, housed within the department of anthropology in North Campus, is preparing for a transformation. The museum, adjacent to the department of environmental studies and overlooking the vice chancellor's office, is home to 1,222 artefacts that span diverse cultural and material heritage from across the world; the 78-year-old museum currently displays less than half its collection due to a space crunch. According to officials, a proposal for expansion has already been approved by the university administration and is now under review by the Union Ministry of Culture for funding. 'A high-level committee, comprising experts from all over India, had been formed to deliberate on the expansion of the museum. The plan has been approved by the competent committee constituted by the university administration, and a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Culture, requesting funds for the same,' said Soumendra Mohan Patnaik, head of the department of anthropology and director of the Centre for Tribal Studies. Patnaik added, 'The committee constituted included senior members from DU as well as former directors and sitting directors of premier national bodies such as the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, National Museum and the Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav Sangrahalaya.' The museum, established in 1947 by Prafulla Chandra Biswas (who also founded the department), is housed in a heritage building dating back to the British era, marked by sprawling lawns and an arched, semi-open entrance leading to a glass-doored display area. At present, it is spread across just two rooms, flanked by two departmental libraries and a workspace used by PhD scholars. 'Once the application for the building grant gets cleared, other units will be shifted to the new building, and the central building will be used only to house the museum,' Patnaik added. The department has also been actively adding new artefacts to its collection — sourced through fieldwork and diplomatic collaborations. While the museum doesn't have a dedicated curatorial staff — it is currently maintained by faculty members on an ad hoc basis — Patnaik clarified that accessibility is not an issue, thanks to its central location on campus. On November 29, 2024, the museum received one of its most significant recent additions: a set of 28 textile-based artefacts from the Hmar Students' Association (HSA), joint headquarters, Delhi. These include traditional Hmar attire and ceremonial garments such as the Thangsuo Puon — a cloth of honour representing bravery and selfless community service — as well as the Zakuolaisen blouse and Puonlaisen wrap, worn by Hmar women during weddings and festivals, officials said. 'Each of these garments holds a cultural and ceremonial purpose. For instance, the Thlanlam Puon is used during funerary rituals,' said Abigail Lalnuneng, assistant professor at the department, while curating the brightly coloured fabrics. Other garments include the Hmar Puon (originally intended as a representation of the Hmar identity for women during dances and festivals), Tawnlo Puon (shawl of distinction, used by Hmar families to indicate their status and wealth), Tawllo Puon (the shawl of dauntlessness, used to drape the corpse of the Hmar hunters killed by animals), and Hmar-am (short skirt), among others, each linked to specific social or ceremonial roles in the Hmar community, which is an ethnic group based in northeastern states of India, including Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Assam. The collection also includes bead necklaces, earrings, headgear, and other cultural accessories, Lalnuneng added. Another recent donation came from the Centre for Indigenous and Colonial Studies (CEIC) at the National University of Jujuy, Argentina. The CEIC gifted seven artefacts, including Tulma (vibrant woollen balls), a Bombo (drum), a Guena (flute), a handcrafted bag, wooden figurines of a llama and bird, and a bundle of llama and sheep wool, Lalnuneng said. Open on all days except Sunday, the museum showcases artefacts representing livelihood, housing, jewellery, and weaving traditions from diverse tribal and indigenous communities. There is no entry fee, and while outsiders need permission from the department, access is generally granted without hassle. The collection spans from fishing tools used along Indian coastlines and a shawl presented by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Neanderthal skeletons from France and the US. Among the more eclectic items are wooden masks of Rama from Odisha and early 20th-century agricultural implements. Despite this richness, the museum has struggled to capture the attention of the university's student body. 'Once the main work is done, we will also paint the walls, reorganise the artefacts, and display the new items. We want to make the museum more cohesive,' Patnaik said, adding that the New Education Policy 2020's focus on the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) will guide the department's revamp. Patnaik highlighted the need for museums to move beyond colonial curatorial frameworks. 'We want to streamline our efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of India, and museums concretise that heritage in a sense. Museums need to be decolonised and revisited outside the colonial framework. Apart from the few pieces from outside, we will continue our efforts in procuring and studying the different tribal heritage in our country,' he added. 'Another aspect that is in the cards is digitisation. Due to the space crunch, we have been talking about it for a while and will be taking it up as well in the near future,' Patnaik said. With the expansion in the works, faculty and staff hope the museum will finally receive the visibility its collection deserves.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tap into Mizoram's tourism potential: Hmar to investors
1 2 3 4 Aizawl: At the 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit' organised in New Delhi by DoNER on Saturday, Mizoram tourism minister Lalnghinglova Hmar urged businesspeople and organisations to consider investing in Mizoram. Speaking at the summit themed 'Northeast: The New Hub of Tourism and Hospitality', Hmar said while the northeast has a smaller population than Odisha, the region possesses stunning flora and fauna, rich biodiversity, and pristine culture, making it ideal for tourism development. "The region is the nearest corridor to the ASEAN countries and occupies one of the most important places in implementation of the Act East Policy," he said, extending an invitation to potential investors. Hmar emphasised Mizoram's strong potential for adventure tourism, noting that the govt is actively working to maximise these opportunities. "The state hosted the first Asia Urban Downhill mountain bike racing in Aizawl city last year and we are going to organise the same this year," he said. He highlighted the state's distinctive Christmas celebrations, featuring community feasts across rural villages and urban localities, as a unique attraction unseen elsewhere. The minister noted the region's improved accessibility, with flights to Delhi taking just two and a half hours and to Kolkata 45 minutes. He also mentioned the upcoming railway connection to Aizawl as beneficial for investors. Hmar said the Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary houses Asia's highest concentration of clouded leopards. He concluded by stating that Mizoram leads as the country's most peaceful state and was the first to achieve complete literacy.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IRCTC to sign MoU with Mizoram tourism to boost regional, international travel
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mizoram tourism department to jointly promote tourism and sustainable travel in the state, IRCTC tourism officer Lalsawmliana Hmar said. The agreement, expected to be finalised next week, aims to strengthen regional connectivity, encourage ecotourism, and offer tailored travel experiences in Mizoram — a state renowned for its scenic beauty and vibrant cultural heritage. As part of the initiative, IRCTC will not only spotlight Mizoram's unique attractions to both domestic and international travellers, but also extend outbound travel opportunities to Mizoram residents. These will include affordable leisure tour packages to countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and several destinations across Europe. A 'Navratna' public sector enterprise under the railway ministry, IRCTC was established in 1999 to provide services in ticketing, catering, and tourism for Indian Railways. In addition to promoting tourism in Mizoram, IRCTC is planning to expand its offerings with organised Christian pilgrimage tours to spiritually significant destinations including Corinth, Thessaloniki, Athens, and Patmos in Greece, as well as Rome in Italy. 'We recently conducted a successful pilot tour for a group of pastors from Mizoram to these pilgrimage sites. Our aim is to collaborate closely with the state tourism department to organize more such spiritual journeys in a structured and accessible way,' Hmar said.
NDTV
01-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Day We Get Settlement...": Kuki Militants' Umbrella Body Spokesperson On Manipur's Territorial Integrity
New Delhi: The spokesperson of an umbrella body of 17 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur has expressed hope in achieving separation from the state while it is under the President's rule. Seilen Haokip, the spokesperson of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), also explained the nuances of the words "territorial integrity of Manipur" as mentioned in the ground rules of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. "... There is no apprehension about the role of SoO and political demand being diminished in any way," Mr Haokip said in response to a question on political unity during a 'Space' session on X on April 27. "In fact, President's rule is a time when the state government has been put on an animated suspension. And this is the time we can move forward if we are united and allow the government to take its course of action. So, this is a good time for us," Mr Haokip said. "Because earlier, whenever in the last two years, for instance, the government tried to initiate their commitment with the SoO groups, somehow or the other the chief minister would cause problems in some places to divert the process of SoO talks. Now, we have that out of the way," Mr Haokip said, referring to former chief minister N Biren Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community and who the Kuki tribes hold responsible for the outbreak of ethnic hostilities. The former chief minister has refuted the allegations. He maintains his government's actions such as crackdown on illegal immigrants, illegal opium poppy cultivation, and forest encroachers were not aimed at any particular community. "But, as I mentioned earlier, the problem I have encountered is more of our internal issues, namely over nomenclature or in terms of discounting SoO in ways that they think are true. On that count I have stated in numerous places, name one thing that the SoO have done that is counter to our political demands? Have we ever compromised, have we ever reneged on any of the points of commitments? No. So, I hope that response will completely dispel any notion of disunity in that respect or any kind of waning in terms of engagement," Mr Haokip said. Twenty-five insurgent groups of the Kuki, Zomi and Hmar tribes come under two umbrella organisations for the purpose of negotiations with India - the KNO, of which Mr Haokip is the spokesperson, and the United People's Front (UPF) led by the Zomi Revolutionary Army. The KNO is led by the Kuki National Army. The KNO representing 17 armed groups and the UPF representing eight armed groups signed the tripartite SoO agreement with the Centre and the state government as part of wider political talks. They had been negotiating for a territorial council, until the demand changed to complete separation from Manipur after the breakout of ethnic clashes two years ago. The valley-dominant Meiteis are against the division of Manipur, while the Kuki tribes in southern Manipur's hill districts and some areas in the northern parts want a separate administration or 'Kukiland' carved out from Manipur. To a question for clarity on the mention of "territorial integrity of Manipur" in the SoO agreement, Mr Haokip said the issue of Manipur's territorial integrity will no longer be applicable after the Kuki tribes get the political solution they have been seeking. "Territorial integrity was a clause inserted by the government of Manipur at a time - if you want to categorise it - pre-3rd May, the preceding years. And at that point our demand was for a territorial council. So there is no contradiction in terms where you have territorial council and territorial integrity because TC [territorial council] was to be within Manipur," Mr Haokip said in the 'Space' session on X, where he also took questions. "It was a clause that was disliked immensely, but technically there was no contradiction because the territorial council was to be within Manipur. However, post 3rd May, things have changed, there has been a paradigm shift. The clause territorial integrity does not make any meaning to us anymore. It is irrelevant to us anymore. But technically, it is still there in the preamble of the SoO ground rules, not in the political dialogue platform," Mr Haokip said. There are two distinct platforms - SoO, which refers to the ground rules; there, the Constitution of India is in the first paragraph of the preamble, and secondly, the state government had inserted the territorial integrity clause, Mr Haokip said. "Post 3rd May, until we have settlement for the SoO preamble section, that [territorial integrity clause] will remain. It will remain in the sense... Let me try to explain - post 3rd May, the assertion of the terms Lamka and Kangui has gained momentum. However, until we have a settlement, the official terms will still be Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. And that will be the same with respect to the territorial integrity clause. The day we have our settlement, automatically the territorial integrity element will be irrelevant, of no consequence, and we will have the right to officially call Lamka town Lamka, and Kangpokpi district Kangui," Mr Haokip said. While Meitei civil society groups have alleged SoO group insurgents of taking part in the Manipur violence under the guise of 'village volunteers', the Kuki tribes have pointed back at Meitei insurgents who they claimed returned from conflict-hit Myanmar to attack Kuki villages. The first time the Manipur Police said they found evidence of SoO group and Meitei insurgents involved in the fighting was in September 2024, when they recovered five bodies in Jiribam district following a gunfight. Three were confirmed as insurgents of the SoO signatory Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) from Churachandpur district; the fourth was a Kuki volunteer from Jiribam, and the fifth was identified as a member of the Meitei insurgent group United National Liberation Front (Pambei), or UNLF(P), which signed a ceasefire with the Centre and the state in November 2023 - the first and oldest Meitei insurgent group to sign a ceasefire. There are many villages of the Kuki tribes in the hills surrounding the Meitei-dominated valley. The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes under the Kuki community, including 'Any Kuki Tribes', have killed over 260 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000. The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Naga Insurgent Group NSCN-IM Alleges Conspiracy After Houses Set On Fire In Manipur's Kamjong
Imphal: The civil arm of the NSCN (IM) has asked people not to fall for "malicious disinformation" after posts on social media and WhatsApp groups alleged the Naga insurgent group set fire to houses in two villages in Manipur's Kamjong district, bordering Myanmar, on Wednesday. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN (IM), signed the Naga Peace Accord with the central government in 2015 to explore a solution for the Nagas' political demand. "It is a matter of grave concern that the spate of violence in Manipur has been gradually expanding towards the eastern side of the state, bordering Myanmar. The recent act of arson committed upon the denizens of Gampal and Haijang villages under Kamjong district by some unknown miscreants is lamentable," GPRN, the Naga insurgent group's civil arm, said in a statement on Thursday. "In this connection, the wild speculations circulating in the social media, suspecting the hands of NSCN stands condemned out rightly. It is hereby clarified that Naga Army has no involvement in the unfortunate incident," it said. "All concerned are advised not to be carried away by such malicious disinformation. The conspiracy surrounding the incident shall be exposed sooner or later. We believe in the high ideals of truth, justice and peace and we shall continue to work for the welfare and security of all communities living in Nagalim without any prejudices," the Naga group said. Initially, visuals shared on social media and WhatsApp groups showed houses burning in an unidentified village, which turned out to be an old incident from Chandel district, sources said. However, another video showing a group of women and children sitting under a tent with some of them crying was confirmed as taken at Gampal village, sources said. Following the incident, Kamjong District Magistrate Rangnamei Rang Peter imposed curfew in the two villages. The houses were set on fire by unknown people while most of the villagers were out in their fields, the police said. Kuki organisations in a joint statement said "these heinous attacks have terrorised innocent Kuki civilians and once again imperilled the already fragile peace and stability in the region". The GPRN's statement asking people not to pay heed to "malicious disinformation" came a day later. While the NSCN (IM) has the Naga Peace Accord, at least two dozen Kuki, Zomi and Hmar militant groups are part of the tripartite suspension of operations (SoO) agreement signed with the Centre and the state government. The only Meitei insurgent group that signed a ceasefire is the United National Liberation Front (Pambei), or UNLF (P).
