Kamalanagar April 3: The 3-Day long, 36th Young Chakma Association Annual Conference started today at Kamalanagar, headquarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council on the theme “Aforestation and Health & Sanitation”.
Pu P C Zoramsangliana, Hon’ble Minister, Art & Culture, Mizoram graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He arrived Kamalanagar a day earlier along with his family amidst warm welcome. He and his wife were honoured with Chakma traditional attire and made them wear through out the occasion. He appreciated the YCA about all the welfare activities taken up by them as reflected in their annual report, especially about the agenda of the conference on “Aforestation and Health & sanitation”, which finds so much relevence in the context of the crisis of Global warming. He also made the point that the Chakmas as a community seem to be much more culturally ahead than any other community in Mizoram with the advantage of being proficient in multiple languages. However, he also urged the Chakmas to take interest in learning the Mizo language as well. He assured the people that the area would not suffer from power supply shortage if the many Hydro projects taken up by the Governement get ready for operation. He said, “The CADC Cultural Hall cum Museum, bigger in capacity than the Vanappa Hall of Aizawl, coming up in the heart of Kamalanagar town, once completed a multi-cultural programme with the Lai, Mara, Chakma and Mizos shall be hosted.”
Hundreds of YCA delegates and volunteers representing more than 100 branches under 8 Zones within different administrative districts of Mizoram and one Regional YCA Committee from the state of Tripura assembled here in the conference. The Association has a membership strength of of about 42,000. It was founded in the year 1976 with the primary of objectives of rendering voluntary social service to its people and society.
The Annual Report of the Association as placed in the conference proclaimed its achievement in its fight against age old social evils ingrained in the society, in its effort to introduce the learning of the Chakma Language up to Elementary level in the the schools of Chakma inhabited areas of Mizoram outside CADC, in succesfully organising blood donation camps, in taking initiative with the State Government to set up State Minority Commission, in monitoring schemes under SSA, in creating awareness to conserve the environment and in expanding the organisational roots of the YCA.
The Mizo Idol Pu Lalthuta, accompanying the Minister performed a few Mizo hits, sending the audience rocking and lightinng up the occassion.
