NCST Chairman Antar Singh Arya addressed the Chakma Yuva Samvad in New Delhi, urging stronger focus on education, skill development, and employment for tribal youth, alongside celebrations of the traditional Bizu Festival.
The "Chakma Yuva Samvad: Empowering Tribal Youth & Celebration of Bizu Festival", held in New Delhi, brought tribal empowerment and the traditional Bizu Festival into the national spotlight, drawing policymakers, community leaders, and young representatives to deliberate on education, skill development, and cultural preservation. Antar Singh Arya, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), who delivered the keynote address, called for intensified efforts towards education, skill development, and employment generation for tribal youth, emphasising their critical role in shaping the future of tribal communities.
The one-day event was jointly organised by Policy Samvad and the Delhi Chakma Student Union (DCSU). In his keynote address, Arya elaborated on the mandate and ongoing initiatives of the NCST aimed at safeguarding the rights and promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes across the country. He urged tribal youth to actively engage in nation-building and make the most of emerging opportunities for growth and development.
Nirupama Chakma, Member of the NCST, attended the event as Guest of Honour. She highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Chakma community and stressed the importance of preserving indigenous identity while simultaneously embracing modern development pathways.
Adding an international dimension to the programme, Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, also graced the occasion as Guest of Honour, underlining the broader cultural and regional significance of the Chakma community.
The event featured vibrant cultural performances reflecting the spirit of the traditional Bizu Festival, which symbolises unity, renewal, and cultural pride among the Chakma people.
A series of technical sessions and panel discussions were held, focusing on education, skill development, and employment opportunities for tribal youth and minority communities. The panel featured Gaurav Kumar, Editor of Policy Samvad; Renu Chakma, Officer for Arts and Culture at the Council for Autonomous District Councils (CADC); and Venish Chakma, Advisor to the DCSU and Co-Convenor of the Bizu Reh Bizu Organising Committee. The speakers shared insights on bridging policy gaps, strengthening skill ecosystems, and fostering inclusive growth.
The programme concluded with a collective commitment to sustain dialogue, enhance policy engagement, and promote community-driven initiatives for the holistic development of tribal communities.
