A national consultation to prepare a tribal policy for the Indian Church heard experts stressing research and development to help indigenous people regain their lost glory. Tribals were considered ‘backward’ and ‘savage’ from time immemorial, but the Church has helped change the perspective, especially in northeastern India, says Aveivey D, a research scholar.
As reported by mattersindia.com, Aveivey was speaking on “Critical analysis on the Church’s contribution among tribals” at the February Feb 19-20 consultation in Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state, organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Tribal Affairs. Aveivey, who spoke on the historical perspective of tribals in India, explained how she had experienced the stigma of being a ‘tribal’ and a painful discrimination that followed. She stressed research and development to help tribal leaders understand the ground realities. She also included the international perspectives of tribals and then critically presented the status and role of the Catholic Church in northeastern India.
Jesuit Father Joseph Marianus Kujur of Ranchi wants every tribal to realize the profoundness of their tribal values. Gender, ethnicity, clan identity, inter, intra and extra elements, social evils, jealousy, pride and language have divided tribal people, he said. “There is always tension between modernism and traditionalism. So, there should be integration between modern and traditional culture.”
Source: www.mattersindia.com
