Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan visits Nyedar Namlo in Itanagar; highlights need to preserve indigenous faith, culture and knowledge systems
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Posted On:
09 SEP 2026 4:10PM by PIB Delhi
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today visited Nyedar Namlo in Itanagar, a sacred place of worship and community hub associated with the indigenous Donyi-Polo faith of the Nyishi community and other indigenous groups of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Vice-President offered prayers at the prayer hall and was briefed on the Nyishi indigenous faith, beliefs and prayer systems, the Yerko indigenous Gurukul system, preservation of traditional knowledge and medicinal practices, and efforts to promote the mother tongue.
Addressing a community gathering, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said he felt blessed to visit Nyedar Namlo during his first visit to Arunachal Pradesh. He said he was honoured to be at a place “where traditions become modern thinking, and modern thinking is not destroying traditions.”
He described Arunachal Pradesh as a proud embodiment of India’s unity in diversity, where ancient traditions and modern aspirations walk together. He also said that the people of Arunachal Pradesh stand as proud sentinels of India’s territorial integrity.
Highlighting the values of the Donyi-Polo tradition, the Vice-President said its emphasis on nature, truth, harmony and community remains deeply relevant to the modern world. He stressed that development must go hand in hand with cultural preservation.
Appreciating the efforts of the Nyishi Nyidung Mung-jwng Rallung, he said its work in documentation, research, traditional festivals, cultural activities and preservation of customary laws and social values is making an important contribution to the community’s cultural future.
He also highlighted the Yerko Gurukul system, saying it offers an important model of combining contemporary education with indigenous knowledge, enabling children to embrace modern opportunities while remaining connected to their roots.
Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said tribal communities are not merely custodians of India’s past but important partners in building its future. He noted that the recognition of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas has brought renewed national attention to the invaluable contributions of India’s tribal communities. He also linked preservation of indigenous traditions with the spirit of Vocal for Local and Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
“Preservation of indigenous culture is not about resisting change. It is about ensuring that change does not come at the cost of identity,” he said.
Calling upon the youth to embrace modern science, technology and global skills while remaining connected to their mother tongue and traditions, the Vice-President said India must be modern in its aspirations but deeply rooted in its civilisational and cultural values.
He extended his best wishes to the Nyedar Namlo movement and expressed hope that the sacred place would continue to inspire peace, harmony, respect for nature, social unity and a strong sense of community.
Among those present on the occasion were Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Chowna Mein, Member of Parliament Shri Tai Tagak, Minister for Home and Indigenous Affairs Shri Mama Natung and Chief Secretary Shri Manish Kumar Gupta.
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(Release ID: 2308288)
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