HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Feb 1: RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale stated on Wednesday that the movement of global indigenous ancient traditions is flourishing and spreading extensively in terms of its dimensions and coverage.
Participating in the concluding ceremony of the 8th International Center for Cultural Studies for World Elders of Ancient Traditions in Dibrugarh, Dattatreya highlighted the theme of the conference.
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“It has the prominent term ‘prosperity’,” he said.
“The question is how prosperity should be sustained for a long time. Prosperity should not happen at the cost of the exploitation of Mother Earth.”
Hosabale gave an example from the story of “Samudra Manthan”, where Lakshmi, representing prosperity, emerged after a lot of churning. He emphasised the need for churning, indicating that prosperity requires effort and thoughtful processes.
“We engaged in a profound exploration during the conference for four days, and from this process, ‘Amrit’ or nectar will emerge. The conch (shankh) is considered the brother of prosperity. The blowing of the conch is a significant ritual, especially during poojas. Our ancient elders have communicated this message to us through gentle stories, emphasising that prosperity should be sustainable and equitable.”
“Spirituality is a common thread in ancient traditions, recognising the presence of divinity in every being. The planet provides sufficiently for everyone, and it is now our responsibility to preserve this divinity. Spirituality forms the soul of our culture and tradition, and across all cultures, there are commonalities. Ancient traditions are unique in acknowledging feminine divinity and promoting family values and sustainable living.”
“Reviving traditions, ecological knowledge, and collaborative governance are crucial for achieving shared sustainable prosperity. Sustainable development can only be ensured through responsible consumption.”
“The Sarkaryavah emphasised three follow-up action points for the conference. Firstly, indigenous tradition and culture should not be relegated to decorative museums but should remain integral to mainstream culture. Secondly, as indigenous cultures have evolved over thousands of years, they hold the key to saving Mother Earth and fostering a better, sustainable humanity. Passing down these time-tested wisdom to the next generation is imperative. Thirdly, capacity building is essential for each community to fine-tune progress and materialistic development.”
Hosabale further articulated, “Spirituality means all is one, and everything, whether living or non-living, possesses divinity. All our ancient traditions perceive divinity in everything, promoting a life of unity. In India, we say ‘Satahasta Samahara, Sahastra Hasta Bikira’, meaning earn by a hundred hands and distribute by a thousand hands. It emphasises the concept of producing for distribution and living through sharing. That is the core message of this conference.”
The conference adopted a resolution named ‘Dibrugarh Declaration’ with a three-point agenda: Reviving Traditions, Ecological Knowledge, and Collaborative Governance.
The Dibrugarh Declaration was presented by a representative from the Yoruba tribe residing in the United States.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu congratulated ICCS for selecting the theme of ‘Shared sustainable prosperity’ for this year’s conference, expressing that the declaration would contribute to creating a harmonious society. India has been a shining spot in the world economy and is poised to guide the world. Arunachal Pradesh, with its 26 tribes coexisting harmoniously for centuries, values age-old traditions that shape lives and provide identity. The preservation and promotion of indigenous culture align with the government policy of Arunachal Pradesh.
The newly inaugurated Greenfield Airport in Itanagar has been named ‘Donyi Polo Airport’, respecting the local indigenous belief where ‘Donyi’ means Mother Sun and ‘Polo’ means Moon God. The valedictory ceremony commenced with an auspicious prayer by a Yezidi Elder, expressing gratitude to Mother Earth, birds, ocean, sun, moon, and star beings. Thanks were also extended to participants, organisers, and ancestors for the positive thoughts and feelings shared during the event.
Dr Shashi Bala, president ICCS, Bharat chapter, extended felicitations to guests and dignitaries on the dais. Diganta Das, international coordinator of ICCS, provided a summary note of the conference. The event saw the participation of 125 foreign delegates from over 33 countries, representing their ancient traditional wisdom. A picturesque public rally in Dibrugarh on January 28 showcased the diverse traditions, and the total number of conference delegates, including both Indian and foreign participants, reached 400.
