Aizawl, May 7 (IANS) Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh on Thursday emphasised the importance of preserving tribal culture, heritage, and traditions while inspecting key cultural infrastructure projects in Aizawl district.

The Governor visited the ongoing development works of the Tribal Research Institute and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Kelsih in Aizawl district. The projects are being implemented under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

During the visit, General (Dr) Singh (Retd) urged officials to raise the standards of the institutions and develop them into premier destinations for tourists, students, and researchers.

He directed the concerned departments to prepare a comprehensive action plan to achieve this objective and stressed the need for strict adherence to timelines so that all preparations are completed before the inauguration.

The Governor also pointed out several areas requiring further attention and said that he would revisit the sites in the near future to review the progress of the works.

Senior officials accompanying the Governor and briefing him on the ongoing projects included David Lalthantluanga, Secretary, Planning and Programme Implementation Department; Dr Lalrinchhana, Principal Adviser-cum-Additional Secretary, Planning and Programme Implementation Department; Robin Lalrinawma, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department; Lucy Zaithangpuii, Additional Director, Horticulture Department; and T.C. Lalkhuma, Joint Secretary, Art and Culture Department, among others.

More than 94.4 per cent of Mizoram’s 1.1 million population belongs to tribal communities.

The Mizos, who form the majority community in the state, are classified as Scheduled Tribes by the Government of India and receive preferential provisions in areas such as education and employment to support their socio-economic advancement and integration into the national mainstream.

Mizoram is home to several tribal ethnic groups that are collectively referred to as Mizos because of their close cultural and linguistic ties.

The Mizo people are spread across the Northeastern states of India as well as neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh, where they are known by different names depending on their region of residence.

The major tribes among the Mizos include Ralte, Pachuau, Chawngthu, Tlau, Mara, Lai, Paihte, Thadou, Hmar, Darlong, and Chakma communities.

Mizo, English, and Hindi are the official languages of the mountainous Northeastern state.

–IANS

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