As part of its 4th Foundation Day celebrations, NEILAC hosted a lecture titled ‘Language and Social Justice’ on September 30, 2023. The distinguished speaker, Dr. Walter Fernandes SJ, delved into the intricate dynamics of language oppression prevalent in North East India. Emphasizing its role within the broader context of sociocultural and economic oppression, Dr Fernandes shed light on the profound impact of language policies on the lives of indigenous communities in the region and the challenges faced by them. The lecture provided a comprehensive examination of how language barriers perpetuate inequality and marginalization, exacerbating existing social disparities. Dr. Fernandes articulated the significance of linguistic rights in fostering inclusive development and advocating for social justice.

NEILAC, a prominent organization dedicated to community empowerment, recently concluded a transformative 3-day retreat for its dedicated staff members. Held at the serene Arrupe Retreat House in Mawshoroh, Meghalaya, the retreat served as a platform for both professional development and rejuvenation. During the retreat, NEILAC facilitated an array of capacity-building sessions tailored to enhance the skills and knowledge of its staff. These sessions were complemented by moments of collective reflection on the organization’s vision and mission, fostering a deeper understanding and alignment among team members towards their common goals. From team-building exercises to recreational outings, the retreat provided ample opportunities for relaxation and connection outside the usual work setting.

NEILAC recently hosted a certificate course focused on Articulatory Phonetics and Introduction to Language Learning Methodology. Running from July 15th to August 31st, 2023, the course offered a comprehensive exploration of these key linguistic topics. Dr. Vijay D’Souza SJ and Dr. Prarthana Acharyya expertly led the sessions as course instructors. The program aimed to equip participants with a solid foundation in articulatory phonetics, enhancing their understanding of speech sounds and pronunciation. Additionally, it provided insights into language learning methodologies, offering valuable strategies for effective language acquisition and teaching. Participants benefited from the expertise of the instructors and engaged in interactive sessions designed to deepen their knowledge and skills in learning new languages.

“Huda-Puda Shipyow/ Gõ-si Sespung: Workshop on Ecological Storytelling and Poetry in Indigenous Languages” for Aka (Hrusso) and Aka (Koro) community members were conducted concurrently at the NEILAC from July 24th to July 29th, 2023. The intensive six-day workshops resulted in the creation of five draft booklets, including two collections of poems, two collections of traditional mythologies, and one textbook.

On the invitation of the Koro Aka community of East Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, Team NEILAC visited Bana and surrounding villages from 13 to 23 January 2023. The team met the community leaders and members to assess the language endangerment scenario. The Koro Aka people are very concerned about the endangerment of their language and are determined to revitalise it.

NEILAC has started an exciting initiative in bilingual education in collaboration with the people of Chiringgro village, Meghalaya. This initiative aims to teach children in a bilingual setting of Garo and English, right from the nursery stage. In the picture, Miss Niharika Datta of Team NEILAC is seen with Miss Nikchira Sangma and Miss Balmirik Sangma, writing the teaching content.

NEILAC held its first staff induction programme on 15 October 2022, with the new team all set to start. The induction included several activities, most notably a session by Rev Valerian Castelino, (Chairman, NEILAC), on the history and values of the organization followed by a sharing on the vision, mission and culture of NEILAC by Dr Vijay D’Souza, (Director, NEILAC).

On the occasion of the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9, 2022), Dr Vijay D’Souza, Director of NEILAC spoke to Dr Dolly Kikon, a renowned Anthropologist from North East India and a faculty member at the University of Melbourne, on the topic ‘Loss of Indigenous Languages’. The transcript was published by Morung Express of Nagaland.”

The new NEILAC office was Inaugurated by Rev Dionysius Vaz SJ, President, Bangalore Jesuit Educational Society, on 9th June 2022 and blessed by Rev Melvil Pereira SJ, Regional Head of the North East Jesuits. Our office is a beautiful place with a photo gallery, a well-furnished research space, a library, a reference room, a classroom, and a kitchen.