ROING, 27 Aug: Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) Director Likha Suraj welcomed the idea of upgrading the Research Institute of World's Ancient Traditions, Culture and Heritage (RIWATCH) here in Lower Dibang Valley district into a university (UWATCH), and advised that the university be planned on a sustainable model, so that it can effectively serve the community for ages.

He said this during a visit to the RIWATCH on Wednesday.

During his five-hour visit to the RIWATCH campus, he toured the various centres of the institute - the RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages (RCML), the RIWATCH Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (RCICH), the Arogya Panchkarma and Wellness Centre, and the People's Museum.

Speaking during an interaction session, the director commended the institute for its efforts towards preserving the indigenous cultures of Arunachal Pradesh. "I am amazed by the activities happening at RIWATCH and really appreciate its initiatives for the promotion and preservation of indigenous cultural heritage, knowledge systems, and traditions of the Northeast and the state of Arunachal Pradesh in particular," he said.

Stating that his visit was aimed at "confidence-building between the DIA and the RIWATCH," the director also expressed particular appreciation for the tangible benefits local communities have drawn from the works of the RIWATCH.

RCML Centre Head Dr MS Awan briefed the director on the RCML's journey and achievements over the past years, noting that the RCML has published 36 books, with five more currently in press. He also highlighted that 14 communities of Arunachal have been studied and documented by the centre so far.

RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami presented a brief account of the institute's history, tracing its journey from its inception in 2009 to the present. He highlighted its work in research and documentation of indigenous cultures, its role in the discovery of a new ginger species (Amomum riwatchii/Amomum nimkesii) in 2018, and its contribution to TB research in Arunachal, among other things.

He also shared his vision of making RIWATCH the "Nalanda of the Northeast."

The DIA director was accompanied by Toko Yapung and Akom Don Emma from the Planet Read Billion Readers project.