Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein met an international delegation of scholars and Tai Khamti elders in Chongkham, Namsai district, on Monday to discuss initiatives for preserving the community’s language, cultural heritage, and ancient manuscripts.

The meeting emphasized the need for documentation, research, and digitization to safeguard indigenous knowledge systems. Key participants included Dr. Yashwant Pathak from the University of South Florida, Devesh Pandit of ICCS USA, RIWATCH executive director Vijay Swami, Tai Khamti elders, and members of Pali Vidyapeeth, Chongkham. Scholars from the USA, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka attended the discussion.

Deputy Chief Minister Mein highlighted the rich literary and oral traditions of the Tai Khamti community, stressing the importance of language in maintaining cultural identity. He noted that collaborative efforts would help preserve cultural assets and foster civilizational ties with neighboring regions.

The delegation was also welcomed to the Centre for Tai Khamti Language and Folk Culture, which Mein described as a key step in promoting global academic collaboration on Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous heritage. The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and promoting the diverse tribal traditions of the region.