02.08.2010
The age old practice among Monpa tribes in Arunachal Pradesh to dispose off bodies by chopping them off and throwing the pieces into rivers, should be replaced by cremation to preserve the environment, chief minister Dorjee Khandu said.
Addressing a seminar on “Traditional system—change and continuity” at the Buddhist dominated border town of Tawang yesterday, Khandu said while culture and tradition, which are essence of an individual or community, need to be preserved, some of the customary rites of Monpas had adversely affected the environment.
Khandu said the state government has plans to introduce electric crematorium to dispose off bodies economically and save forest and rivers from degradation.
He appealed to Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture and the Monyul Socio-culture Development Society, the joint organisers of the seminar to organise more such seminars to bring about changes and reforms in traditional societies without affecting their originality, culture and customs.
Khandu regretted that youths were bending towards western culture thereby overlooking their indigenous culture and tradition which is not a healthy sign.
A Buddhist monk turned politician T G Rimpuche, who was present, said that no community can live in isolation in the present day world and we have to think over the changes needed in our customs to save the environment. But all changes should come gradually, not suddenly, he said.
Rimpoche, a former tourism minister and chairman of the Mon Autonomous Council Demand Committee, spearheading a movement for creation of an autonomous council for 1.5 lakh Mon community in three districts in western Arunachal, said cremation and burying were also practiced by some Monpas.
Source: DNA India
