6th Annual MISING Summit at Jorhat organised by I-CARD By Sony (for K.A. Thomas)Dimapur, Apr. 22. Life Plus - Jorhat, came alive on April 21, 2012, as 146 young people from eight districts of Assam and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh gathered for the 6th Annual Young Mising Association Summit. Dr. L. K. Hazarika-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat was the Chief Guest for the inauguration.
The Mising youngsters came from Sumoni Medok and Kekuri in Lakhimpur District, Ophola in Sivasagar District, Ratanpur in Majuli of Jorhat District, Kakotichuk of Dergaon in Golaghat district, and Paglam in Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from these, 40 of them came from other districts of Assam.
Dr. Hazarika congratulated Fr. Thomas, Director of the Institute for Culture And Rural Development (I-CARD), for the unique method in leading Misings, a marginalized tribal community of Assam, through youth groups, and empowering of school dropouts. Proclaiming himself as a friend of I-CARD, Dr. Hazarika said: ''Fr. Thomas has gained international and national acclaim by his innovative ventures. In the world, India stands as a mighty force because of the more than 40% population who are below the age of 35. The Mising tribal youth gathered in this annual summit are a part of that mighty force. You can lead your tribe to fame and progress... if only you take home values and learnings from this three day event.''
Fr. Thomas focused on the theme around which he expects Young Misings Association to work: Culture, Health, Education, Economy, Radiance and Sincerity. Over 250 groups belonging to the Young Misings Association, spread out in 11 districts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are part of the I-CARD umbrella, which is the inspiration and coordinating agency.
An informal gathering and ice-breaker sessions led by Fr. Surjit Kujur, and Fr. Theotimus Lakra, as also a cultural programme comprising of Satriya Dance, Adi dance, Assamese shows, and a song specially composed by Puspalata Mili for the occasion, added colour to the inaugural ceremony.