IMPHAL, July 4: The Manipur State Commission for the Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) marked its 2nd Foundation Day with a vibrant celebration held at Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal by The Classic. The event, themed “Promoting Unity in Diversity”, served as a platform to reaffirm the state’s commitment to tribal welfare and inclusive growth.
Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, the Chief Guest for the occasion, proposed that next year’s Foundation Day be held in one of the hill districts to ensure broader tribal community participation. Expressing optimism about the improving ground situation in Manipur, Singh said he hoped future celebrations would see representation from all tribal groups in the state.
Lauding the state’s cultural richness, Singh noted, “Each district of Manipur is a vibrant expression of India’s diversity, with its own language, tradition, and art.”
Additional Chief Secretary of Tribal Affairs and Hills, Anurag Bajpai, called the Foundation Day an important milestone that reflects the government’s continued commitment to the empowerment of tribal communities. “The establishment of MSCST in 2014 was a major step forward. However, sustained collaboration among the Commission, government agencies, and civil society is essential to address key challenges such as education, livelihood, and cultural preservation,” he said.
In his keynote address, MSCST Chairperson T. Mathieu Rongmei detailed the Commission’s initiatives despite financial constraints. He highlighted outreach activities such as district-level tours, legal awareness campaigns, and programmes focused on health and skill development, all carried out through limited grant-in-aid funding.
The Chief Secretary also released the Commission’s Annual Report, chronicling MSCST’s progress and ongoing work. A special art exhibition showcasing the cultural richness of Manipur’s tribal communities was inaugurated alongside the event.
The celebration featured captivating cultural performances by Silentliu Kamei and Jeena Pamei, along with a vibrant display of traditional tribal attire.
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Shri Vivek Dewangan, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), and Thumlip Tiningpham Monsang, Chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), among others.
