Arunachal: 16th Nyishi Day celebrated in Richi Jullang with great pomp

The 16th Nyishi Day was celebrated at the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) secretariat in Richi Jullang near the capital Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh on April 19.

It was on this day that the parliament recognized Nyishi as a tribe.

Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein attended the celebration as Chief Guest and on this occasion, former NES president, Dr Bengia Tolum, got the Life Time Achievement award from incumbent NES president NES Prof Tana Showren. 

Speaking on the occasion, Showren recalled the contributions of all, and spoke on the way forward for the community, adding, ''The formation of various social organizations has played a leading role in the socio-cultural and educational development in the Nyishi inhabited areas''.

As per sources, the demand for renaming the tribe as Nyishi started during the second ANYA conference held in Yazali in 1978, following which a representation was submitted to the then chief minister Gegong Apang after the third ANYA conference held in Naharlagun in 1980.

“The constitutional amendment for change of nomenclature to Nyishi was finally done in 2008,”&  it was “a glorious and historic moment,'' he added.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is an MP from Arunachal West, worked hard which led to celebrating the 16th Nyishi Day on April 19th, 2023.

Rijiju, the then Lok Sabha MP (BJP) when Congress was in power did his best to move a Bill seeking a change of the nomenclature from the derogatory name, Dafla to Nyishi on March 19, 2008. 

It was a historic moment for the Nyishi Community as the said bill was passed unanimously in both Houses of Parliament fulfilling the dreams of the Nyishis of Arunachal Pradesh.
     
Further while speaking to the media, Showren talking said that the change of nomenclature and amendment on April 19, 2008, led to a celebration of Nyishi Day since then. 

''Earlier derogatory word was used for Nyishi tribe in Constitution and in 2008 it's been rectified as Nyishi,'' he added.

The Arunachal Deputy CM also interacted with the media and congratulated all the Nyishi brothers and sisters on the occasion. 

"To make Nyishi progress and bring them forward in terms of development we are making efforts as they represent the largest tribe of the state and being elder brother tribe they should play a role model to show a path to all other tribes," Chowna Mein added.

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