To bring together Janjatis of the North-East to discuss common cultural values, challenges, and culturally rooted development while celebrating VKIC’s 30th Foundation Day.

The Janjati Sammelan & 30th Foundation Day of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) was held on 30–31 January 2026 at The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati. The event brought together representatives of 44 indigenous communities to discuss common cultural values, challenges, and culturally rooted development while fostering dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding among diverse communities.

Day 1 – Inaugural Session: The programme opened with the traditional lamp-lighting, a prayer by the Apatani community, a welcome speech by the Director of VKIC, Prof. Shiela Bora, and a keynote address by the Chairman of VKIC Dr Joram Begi, on preserving indigenous culture. The Chief Guest of the event, Sri Narayan Chandra Borkotoky, Vice Chairman of the State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA), delivered a speech emphasising the importance of safeguarding and preserving diverse traditions.

Technical Sessions: Participants were organised into five thematic groups: Cultural Leaders, Intellectuals, Social Leaders, Women, and Youth to deliberate on three overarching themes: shared cultural heritage, contemporary challenges, and pathways for sustainable development rooted in cultural values. Shared commonalities included nature worship, oral traditions, clan systems, customary laws, agriculture-based festivals, traditional governance, and respect for ancestors. Major challenges included language erosion, religious conversion, weakening traditional institutions, loss of rituals and priests, youth disengagement, economic hardship, substance abuse, gender issues, school dropouts, child marriage in some communities, inadequate documentation, and lack of institutional support. Suggested resolutions included documentation of traditions, Gurukul-style education, strengthening indigenous languages, youth and women’s participation, skill development, sustainable agriculture, eco-cultural tourism, traditional crafts, community-led schools, digital tools for indigenous scripts, preservation of medicinal knowledge, responsible use of resources, and community-driven cultural institutions.

Day 2 – Cultural Procession & Plenary Session: A cultural procession showcased traditional attire, music, dance, rituals and crafts of North-East communities. During the plenary session, representatives reflected on the technical sessions. Mananeeya Nivedita Bhide, All India Vice- President of Vivekananda Kendra, emphasised India’s spiritual unity, preservation of culture through values and practice, and development rooted in culture. Chairman of VKIC Dr Joram Begi highlighted education, Gurukuls, community participation, thoughtful reform of traditions, and the active role of youth and women in preserving indigenous identity.

30th Foundation Day: The celebration marked VKIC’s three decades of work in culture, research and national integration. Two publications named Traditional Systems of Deori Community: Change and Continuity, and Footprint on the Eternal Path –The Life of Shri Latsam Khimhun were released. VKIC Sanmanee 2026 was conferred on Shri Jaleswar Brahmaji and Shri Monoram Molshoyji for contributions to cultural preservation. Addresses by dignitaries, including the Honourable Governor of Assam and the Honourable Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, reinforced the importance of preserving community history, language, and faith, and of ensuring that development remains rooted in cultural values. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Director of VKIC, Prof. Shiela Bora.