State Level Seminar on Mizo History

On July 16, 2009 Govt. T.Romana College organized a One-Day State Level Seminar on 'Society, Economy and Political History of the Mizo' at I&PR Auditorium, Aizawl, Mizoram in collaboration with Mizo History Association. The Seminar was fully funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi. The Department of History of the College took the initiative in organizing this seminar. The Seminar, inaugurated by Shri Lalsawta, Hon'ble Minister i/c Higher & Technical Education, Mizoram, was attended by historians, academicians, teachers, journalist and students coming from different parts of the State.

The Coordinator of the Seminar was Dr Benjamin Ralte, Lecturer, Department of History and Asst. Coordinator was Mr Malsawmliana, Lecturer, Department of History, Govt. T. Romana College.

The titles of the paper read in the seminar were as follows:

1. 'Origin of Chieftainship in early Mizo society based on tradition and myth' - Dr Sangkima, Principal, Govt. Aizawl West College, Aizawl.

2. 'An attempt to reconstruct the background of Lal sawi in the Mizo History '
- Lalrinnunga Hmar, Research Scholar, Department of History, NEHU
- Dr Vanlalruata Rengsi, Associate Professor, Dept. of History, NEHU, Shillong

3. 'Chiefs in the Lushai Hills district'
- Dr C. Lalthlengliana, Reader, Department of History,
Govt. Aizawl West College, Aizawl

4. 'The early Mizo Trade: With special reference to Tlabung (Demagiri) frontier Bazar'
- Dr J. Zorema, Reader, Department of History,
Govt. J. Buana College, Lunglei

5. Orality to Literacy: Its impact on colonial Mizoram
- Rohmingmawii, Assistant Professor, Department of History,
Pachhunga University College, Aizawl

6. 'Mizoram : Socio-political consequences of the economic changes (1870-1947)'
- Dr Lalngurliana Sailo, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Mizoram University

7. 'Church : The primary agent of change in Mizo society'
- Dr Samuel VL Thlanga, Lecturer
Department of History, Govt. Aizawl West College, Aizawl.

8. 'Historical sketch of Mizo Re-Unification attempts'
- Dr Paul B. Chonzik, Lecturer
Department of History, Govt. Aizawl North College

9. 'Media and Politics : A study of the role of press in Mizoram'
- Lallianchhunga, Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science, Mizoram University

PROGRAMME

11:00 - 11:30 A.M. : TEA BREAK

30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. : FIRST TECHNICAL SESSION

Chairman : Prof. Darchhawna, President, Mizo History Association

Paper Presentation :

1. Dr Samuel Vanlalthlanga, Lecturer, Deptt. of History, Govt. Aizawl West College
2. Dr C.Lalthlengliana, Reader, Deptt. of History, Govt. Aizawl West College
3. Dr Lalngurliana Sailo, Lecturer, Deptt. of History & Ethnography, Mizoram University

DISCUSSIONS

1:00 - 1:30 P.M. : LUNCH BREAK

1:30 - 4:00 P.M. : SECOND TECHNICAL SESSION

Chairman : Dr JV Hluna, Vice-President, Mizo History Association

Paper Presentation:

1. Mr Paul B.Chonzik, Lecturer, Deptt. of History, Govt. Aizawl North College
2. Rev Dr Vanlalchhuanawma, Vice-Principal, Aizawl Theological College, Durtlang
3. Dr J.Zorema, Reader, Deptt. of History, Govt. J.Buana College, Lunglei
4. Mr Lalrinnunga Hmar, Research Scholar, Deptt. of History, NEHU, Shillong
5. Mr Lalthlamuana Ralte, Lecturer, Deptt. of Economics, Pachhunga University College
6. Mr C.Lallianchhunga, Lecturer, Deptt. of Political Science, Mizoram University

DISCUSSIONS

Vote of Thanks : Mr Malsawmliana, Asst. Coordinator

Rapporteurs:

1. Ms Catherine Lalhruaitluangi Chhangte, Department of English, Govt. T.Romana College
2. Ms Vanlalchami, Department of English, Govt. T.Romana College

The Students' Union of T.Romana College organised Freshers' Social 2009 at Archives Hall , Babutlang on July 14. The function was graced by the Chief Guest Mr Lalrinmawia, IFS, Environment and Forest Department, the Principal Dr F.Lalhmingsanga and several members of the teaching staff. In his speech the Chief Guest addressed the students encouraging them to have positive outlook in their students' life and to emulate him. The Chief Guest further spoke about Global Warming and Climate Change, calling the students to be aware of these environmental concerns. The Chief Guest also presented the Lilipuii Award, Tlangchuhthanga Award, R.Kapenga Award and L.Biakchhungi Award to outstanding students for their achievement in the last University Examination.

The Principal Dr F.Lalhmingsanga, in his speech, addressed the fresh students to remember and stick to their responsibilities of learning. He welcomed the new students and told them to feel at home in the College. The Second Session started from 1:00 P.M. with much entertainment.

 An international Seminar on 'Exploring the History, Culture, and Identity of the Chins' was held at Tourist Lodge, Aizawl from 13th - 15th October, 2008. This was the first ever international seminar held in the state. The event was divided into seven (7) Academic Sessions and thirty three (33) papers ranging from topics relating to ethnicity, identity, ecology, globalization, food, music, etc. were presented. On the Second Day Mr Malsawmliana, Lecturer, Department of History, Govt. T.Romana College also presented a paper on 'The Sacrificial Post of the Chins in Burma and the Lusei: A Comparative Study'.

The Seminar was hosted by the Department of History and Ethnography, Mizoram University and several scholars and academicians from various Universities in India and abroad participated. Some of the notable participants include:

• Prof. F.K. Lehman, Professor of Anthropology and Linquistics and in the Program of Cognitive Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA.
• Prof. George Bedell, Professor of Linguistics, Payap University, Thailand.
• Dr. A.K. Thakur and Dr. V. Ruata Rengsi, Readers, Department of History, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
• Dr. Salai Tun Than, California, USA
• Lianboi Vaiphei, Lecturer, Indrapratha College, New Delhi.
• Prof. R.C.Gupta, SASRD, Nagaland University,
• Dr. Lian H.Sakhong, Chin Forum.
• Dr. Nongthombam Jiten, Research Associate, Centre for Myanmar Studies, Manipur University.
• Dr. M.N. Rajesh, Lecturer, Department of History, Hyderabad University.

The NSS Unit of T.Romana College organised a Voluntary Blood Donation Camp in the College on 26th September, 2008. On this occasion forty one(41) units of blood were donated by students and staff of the College. The donated blood will support the Blood Bank, Civil Hospital, Aizawl which will be used by needy patients in the hospital. The Blood Donation Camp is one of the regular annual activities of the NSS Unit. NSS P.O. Mr C.V.L. Tlanhlua, who is a senior lecturer from the department of Public Administration expressed his heartfelt appreciation and thanked all the volunteers who donated their precious blood during the Camp.