Unique school comes up in Arunachal Pradesh to preserve indigenous Nyishi tradition, culture and language

A unique local Gurukul locally known as Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko, an initiative with the support of Arunachal Cm established in Seppa town of Arunachal to save local traditions in this modern era. 

Arunachal Pradesh has more than 26 tribes and hundreds of sub tribes and many languages and local dialects. As in these modern times due to the voracious use of English and Hindi languages, youths are forgetting their own local dialects and tradition. In order to preserve age old traditions and local dialects a new initiative began at Rang village of Seppa town of East kameng district Arunachal Pradesh. 

A team of Nyishi Elite Society (NES) executive members visited the local Gurukul type school known as Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko, based at Rang village near Seppa, Arunachal Pradesh where education is imparted in line with the traditional knowledge while laying emphasis on one’s roots. The team also interacted with its students studying local dialects.

Nyubu Nyvgam Yerko is a formal indigenous language and knowledge system institution. On March 19, 2021, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will dedicate it. During the school's inauguration, Khandu stated that it would be the first of its kind in Arunachal Pradesh, and that it would help to promote and preserve indigenous traditions, culture, and language.

Robin Nyishing, chairman of the school management committee at Nyunu Nyvgam Yerko, stated that there are approximately 90 students in this school who are in grades 1 through 3. Aside from local languages, the students study NCERT subjects.

Robin informed that the salaries of the teachers and other maintenance costs of this local Gurukul school are covered by donations made to this one-of-a-kind school, and that the infrastructure was built with the assistance of the State government through the initiative of CM Pema Khandu.

Robin informed that local traditional bamboo houses for classroom and meditation also known locally as Nampu NamloNamlo, nyikhi namlo were made to impart traditional teachings in same old age atmosphere. Students of this Gurukul wear same Traditional hair style which was kept by their ancestors. 

In an exclusive interview with Indiatoday GNT, Nyishi Elite Society vice president Tarh Tubin urged parents to instill local language in their children by communicating with them at home, as well as share knowledge of vast traditional values of the rich Nyishi culture, in order to preserve the identity.

Tubin assured that NES will assist such initiatives in any way possible and urged the state government to fund such noble efforts to preserve rich traditions and cultures.