proMising Action

Misings are the second largest among the plains tribes of Assam, numbering over 10 lakh  people and living in over 2000 villages, according to reasonable estimates. Misings live mainly in the three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and eight districts of Assam. Yet, it has always been a world of the unknown. Across the Indian sub-continent the name ‘Mising’ hardly rings a bell.

It is more than evident from the dismal violent scenario of North-east India that  “When language fails, violence itself becomes the language.” The language of violence spoken by most other tribes in North-east India has given them a hearing, albeit unwillingly. They have forced out a listening ear. Misings are a peace loving, patient and enduring  people and have proved themselves till date. A recent  revelation by reliable sources found 65 graduates in Ofala of Disangmukh in Sivasagar. However, under the exploitative circumstances and lack of proper exposure, employment seems to be the last thing for them even in the distant future. The question that stares us in the face is, ‘How long will resilience govern the tribe?’

History has it that exploitation has always had its limits. Alarmed at the growing exploitation of the Misings by the majority community and prodded solely by the inner sense of duty to check the tribe from taking up the gun,  the Institution for Culture And Rural Development (I-CARD) began to feel the growing need to nip the problem in the bud. Hence, proMising action (pMa),  a bimonthly English Magazine, took off in January 2004 from the office of the Institution for Culture And Rural Development, Jorhat, Assam. Says Roushnee Sur of Bangalore, Karnataka, in the issue March-April 2004, “In the violence-torn North-East India people need to think positive. It is the first time that a tribe is having its own colour magazine, and that too in English. Let the world know the great things happening in Mising society.” The magazine seeks to place the Misings in the global map and make ‘Mising’ a word on  every lip.

ProMisingaction focuses on everything that is Mising. Every issue of it guarantees its readers a quick journey through the entire socio-cultural and economic life of the Mising tribe. Says Jessica Mayberry from New York in the issue May-June 2004, “proMisingaction is going to make a huge contribution to cultural knowledge and awareness.” The first and the only one of its kind, the magazine is the handiwork of a mere nine volunteers who are fueled solely by the selfless desire to give the Mising tribe its due place. The magazine has won the hearts of countless readers, both Mising and non-Mising the world over, within a short period of two years, shooting from a mere two hundred subscribers in 2004 to more than five hundred in 2005.  1000 copies have been printed since the beginning, but the subscriber list was very low. Publicity  among the rural dominated Mising tribe is a slow process. The inexorable increase in the demand for the magazine and the  earnest and avid interest displayed by its readers is a vivid sign of the latent richness of the Misings.   

Feature articles, folk tales, biographies, Mising language lessons, Mising recipe, Mising news stories, developmental news and other success stories, besides general articles form the content of pMa. It is a forum for all sections of Misings, and all well wishers to come together with one goal – give glory where it is due, and put Misings on the world map. Only articles that promote the cause of Misings find a place in the magazine. Nothing that depraves the community, nothing that tarnishes their name will ever be published. Even articles that ask for the social correction of Mising practices are omitted. PMA is an image building venture. 

However, pMa is not a  scientific journal. It addresses  scholars as well as school students. Pma nurses the babies, cradles the children, empowers and plays with the youngster, accompanies the grown-ups, grooms the women-folk, and listens to the elders. The city elite and the country rustic walk under the same umbrella – holding each other –proudly confessing “We  are Misings”.

Role of proMising action in the society

ProMisingaction  is pro Mising. Its ultimate aim is in sync with the greater vision of I-CARD, i.e. the development of the Mising tribe. It is one of the strongest strategies deployed by I-CARD for the achievement of its goal. I-CARD’s 5 years of  working for and personal touch with the Misings has made it profoundly clear that one of the greatest impediments in the development of the Mising tribe is its lack of exposure in the outside world. Even to this day Misings are a little known tribe and the very name invariably elicits a misconstrued opinion from the other neighbouring communities. For reasons unknown, Misings have been deliberately branded by the neighouring communities as crafty and shrewd. The majority community continues to call them ‘Miris’, a name held to be derogatory by Misings. Such misconception which is not palatable to Misings and much against their wishes,  is of little surprise, for no concrete work has ever been directed by any person to dispel such prejudices. No organization has till date made earnest efforts to bring the tribe into the limelight and to expose its richness. proMising action pledges to find remedies to such problems. 

The few literary works of the handful of Mising scholars and writers have failed miserably in highlighting the tribe even in the North-eastern region of India, not to speak of  introducing it to the country at least, if not to the whole world.  Poverty and its consequent offshoot, i.e. illiteracy, leaves the tribe with little hope of its ever making itself known outside the precincts of the Mising regions. As such the word ‘Mising’ continues to remain a stranger to every outsider. Consequently, no doors of development ever open up to the Misings and the tribe continues to languish in its deplorable and pathetic economic scenario. Benefactors from within the country and abroad visit the North-east every year. However, under the soothing veil of  the natural beauty of the region they fail to see and  hear the poignant wails of the needy Misings. 

Barricaded by the river as well as by other communities, that show little sympathy for Misings, the progress of this marginalized tribe is undoubtedly far fetched. Falling a prey to organizations, politicians and other  people who take them for a ride, the innocent, naïve and ignorant Misings stand hapless and sink deeper by the day  into the quagmire of poverty and deprivation.  ProMisingaction  has proved itself greatly instrumental in introducing the Misings to the outside world. English being the language used, the magazine has received a universal appeal. Most  photographs displayed in the magazine are a vivid revelation of the acute poverty under which the tribe languishes. Objections have often been raised by many a Mising as to why proMisingaction exposes the poorer side of the community. The only answer that proMising action has in store is the fact that 95% of the Misings belong to the rural community where poverty is rife and  change is imperative. Towns have little to do with the Misings. As such a positive change for the Misings is synonymous with a change and development of the rural masses.   Apart from exposing  the rich socio-cultural heritage of the tribe, the magazine has also introduced the reader to the problems that plague its people and thus evoked many a well-wisher to rise to the occasion and give a helping hand. 

ProMisingaction is an innovative venture, the first of its kind, concentrating on a particular tribe. It is a novel venture in as much as it is the only N.G.O. run magazine which focuses on its target group rather than on the activities of the organization. Almost every non-governmental organization publishes a magazine or journal which highlights the  activities of the organization  rather than its target community. As such the  people worked for get little exposure. PMA, on the other hand, ensures the highlighting of the tribe, the activities of the organization being focused to a bare minimum. ProMising action is a platform for the Mising soul that desperately yearns to break free of the shell and breathe a fresh whiff of air – a platform unseen by other communities. 

The youth is the future of the community and if the Mising community is to progress, social responsibility ought  to be shouldered by the youth. The word ‘Mising’ brings poverty, misery, and hopelessness as the first things to the mind of any average Mising youth. They see no reason to harbour a sense of pride in being a part of the Mising community. This can safely be concluded as being the result of lack of knowledge of the richness of their own culture, owing to  unavailability of proper literature. No literary work has ever shed light upon the entire socio-cultural and economic life of the Misings in a way that would fill the youth with a sense of pride in being called a Mising. The result is the lack of enthusiasm to work for the community. ProMising action  makes its way into the realities of the Mising community. It delves into every nook and corner of the Misings and brings to focus not only the abundant richness of the tribe but also highlights and draws the attention of the reader to the problems that plague it. 

The life of Mising personalities and other success stories of the Misings, published  in every issue of  the magazine, wakens the dormant spirit of even an average youth, fills the youth with hope, strengthens his resolve to do something in life, and exhorts him to march ahead.  It gives glory to those selfless souls who have strained every nerve to do something for their tribe. Unlike many magazines, that  give credit to personages posthumously, the uniqueness of proMising action lies in its offering such credit to the deserving, during their lifetime itself. This indirectly is a great boost for many a talented, yet dormant person to rise to the occasion and contribute his or her share towards the development of the tribe.   The rich cultural scenario of the  tribe revealed in the magazine fills every Mising with a sense of pride. One  is instantly  aware of the necessity of guarding it jealously. The knowledge that the magazine is read and yearned for even outside his community makes every Mising  feel at par with other fellow communities. The result is the growing of awareness of one’s rights and duties as a citizen of the country. Every Mising learns to demand what is due and not accept what is thrown at them.  

ProMising action is a platform for many a writer to articulate his ideas and opinions and express it to the outside world. There is an acute dearth of English writers in the Mising community. Most of the literature available is mainly in Mising and a very little in  Assamese. As such the works fail to attract any outside reader. They being  circulated merely within the region, fail to elicit any response from the reader outside. ProMising action mitigates the problem by translating these works into English and thus gives it a universal appeal. Thus, the magazine is a great impetus for many a writer to add  his or share of work to the literature of the Misings. It has opened new vistas for the Mising writer.

After pma began to hit the stalls, intellectuals and general public from the Mising community has been egging the I-CARD to bring out a similar magazine in Assamese or Mising, because they said they do not understand English so well, and would like to learn about Misings in a systematic manner. This speaks volumes about the role pma plays in the community. 

PMA brings to light the best in the people. It focuses on the positive aspects of the community and unfolds them before the tribe. It promotes living Mising individuals who have been crowned with great achievements and yet waiting  to be brought into the limelight. As such every issue of PMA gives the  Mising tribe a personality to emulate and a reason to be proud of. It makes known to the tribe, as well as to the outside world, the precious works performed by these great Mising personages. This instills in the people a profound  sense of pride. Little known stalwarts of the tribe who have sacrificed their everything for the cause of the tribe beam with pride when their life-sketch finds a place in pMa.  Where else would they find a glorious spot? 

The novelty and uniqueness of PMA also lie in its being  the product of writers from within the tribe itself. It is the Mising writers themselves who contribute articles about their tribe. It is not a product of  people from outside the tribe. As such PMA makes an original contribution about the Misings. PMA thus forms a strong foundation and an authentic source for research and study on the Misings. 

PMA is replicable, and its success assures its applicability to other tribes of the region as well. So pMa becomes a model and inspiration.. It ensures the unfolding of every aspect of the tribe thereby throwing light on the areas of development to be focused on. The reader is at once aware of the needs of the community and the benevolent  are convinced of the true requirements of the tribe. Says Prashanta Borkakoty of Oil India Duliajan, “PMA is a great work mooted by I-CARD. It has not only enlightened me about the Misings but also taught me a novel method to develop a tribe.  PMA has given me a great inspiration to start a similar work for the Morang and Muttuck tribes of Tinsukia District. I am sure the strategy is replicable.”

Pma lures benefactors and well-wishers. It bolsters the conviction of benefactors and thus invites investment into the tribe. Agencies, government and NGOs are instantly made aware of the promising aspects of the tribe and guided to the areas that need their attention. 

PMA  unearths  the hidden and revives the forgotten. It explores the lost traditions, cultures, food habits, musical instruments, utensils and an infinite number of priceless treasures  of the tribe and saves it from extinction. It salvages the lost Mising by enlightening him of the previously unknown aspects of his tribe. 

ProMising action has allured and  thrown open the doors for many a research worker to delve into the tribe and make a study of its people. Ever since  the publication of its first issue, PMA has drawn many a research worker to make an  in-depth study about the Mising  tribe. PMA has recently been the reason for two students of Dibrugarh University of Assam to choose to study the Misings for the doctoral research. After reading the PMA, six students from Universitätsstr University of Austria, under the leadership of Dr. Barbera Preitler (Abt. für Sozialpsychologie, Ethnopsychoanalyse und Psychotraumatologie) are due to arrive in the month of September 2006, to make a study of the Mising tribe. 

The basic aim of I-CARD is the preservation and propagation of culture and the development of the rural masses. Every activity of I-CARD centers around culture and the village. Further, the rapid assimilation of the Mising people with the majority community is posing a great threat to the Mising culture. As such the need of the hour is to deploy means to salvage this dwindling culture by reviving the lost and preserving the existing. There is also a pressing need to unfold  the problems that plague the Mising villages so as to draw the attention of benefactors and well-wishers. PMA is greatly instrumental in both these regards.   It keeps the flame of culture alive in the hearts of the people and revives its lost elements. It also travels into the remotest Mising villages and brings their social and economic issues in the forefront. As such PMA is indispensable for the total development of the Mising tribe. 

A substantial chunk of the Mising rural masses come from villages that are remote. Hence, it is a matter of little surprise that no newspaper or magazine ever makes its way into most of these villages. As such  no light of knowledge is ever shed in these areas.  The people of these villages are completely ignorant of their culture, traditions and ancestry. There is no external stimuli to galvanize  them into seeking  for development. PMA seeks to make its way into these far-flung villages and enlighten the masses in this regard. The people will get a new leash of life and an impetus that would spur them on to the path of development and progress. 

Every development activity calls for  funds. The magazine has, since its initiation, been  rather fortunate in as much as every issue of it  has been backed by the benevolence of well-wishers and friends.  However,  it is only obvious that it will not be feasible on the part of our benefactors to continue funding the cause for ever. The drop in the flow of funds is already beginning to be felt.  The essence of the magazine is enlightenment and exposure of the Mising people. As such generation of profit is far from being the motive. Moreover, pecuniary constraints being a conspicuous feature of the Mising community, it is only obvious that lack of money will make even the most avid reader shrink from getting hold of the magazine. Keeping our purpose in view, we are bound at least in the initial stages to overlook the money factor and hence distribute a substantial share of the publication to the new readers free of cost. The consequence is that the returns generated by the magazine does not at any rate help to break even, leave alone providing any profit. Added to it is the cost of postage, the burden of which is presently borne by the organization. 

Most Mising magazines start and end for lack of funds. They are like butterflies that live for a day. Before I-CARD came into the picture, there were no magazines or papers that continued for more than three years. I-CARD published its Anu Agom monthly newspaper in Mising for over seven years. 

The readers are spread over places which are remote and in most of these places there is no facility of post offices or courier services. Such factors, however,  cannot under any circumstances be permitted to dissuade us from achieving our goal, which is to reach the light of pMa to even the most remote Mising.. Yet another problem confronted is the impossibility of  the village people to send the cost of the magazine to our office. Most of the rural masses being poor it is not possible for them to pay the money instantly.  Rural areas offer little scope for publicity and mobilizing funds save by means of personal visits. The area to be covered by us , is a sprawling 40,000 Kms, having in its gamut a total of eleven districts spread over two states, that is, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Such factors call for the employment of a person who would personally reach the magazine to these far flung areas as also collect the cost  from them.  It is needless to say that the expenses of traveling involved for this purpose is rather taxing, yet inevitable, and is presently eked out of the paltry amount that we receive from well wishers and benefactors and whatever little can be raked in from the sales.  Further, there is also the salary of the person to be taken into consideration. 

There is an acute dearth of money in the hands of the village people. Most of the rural folks survive hand to mouth. They are not in a position to extend their thoughts outside the precincts of survival. Under the circumstances, a magazine for the total development of the tribe, has little meaning for an individual battling for existence. It is only natural for such people to be lured by immediate gains rather than striving for a long term achievement. The vision of I-CARD is diametrically contrary to such a narrow outlook. I-CARD aims  at attaining  a long term, holistic, and sustainable development for the Misings. It thinks of a more remote reality of total development. 

It will obviously take  considerable time for this nascent venture of I-CARD to take wings and make the people of the tribe understand the true value and importance of the magazine in their life. Past experiences with the tribe leaves little room for doubt that success is at the door step. However, the  magazine ought to sustain till it catches the momentum. The need of the hour is to provide it  the much needed pecuniary support lest such a priceless treasure should fade away before making its mark. The avid interest displayed by the people and the rising demand for the magazine both from within the community as well as without is a clear indication that  support will pour in at a later stage when there is widespread publicity.

I-CARD has an indubitable conviction that its vision will be translated into concrete reality in the near future. As such we seek to evoke your magnanimity and humbly solicit pecuniary aid from you to support this novel venture of ours. 

The  magazine’s  EDITORIAL BOARD

• The editorial board for the magazine comprises very highly qualified persons and intellectuals besides I-CARD staff who have carved a niche for themselves and are people of achievement.
• These individuals are models to the society and are held in high respect and dignity among the community members. And because of their qualifications, nobody generally questions the statements they make or publish. 

ACTIVITIES

• The board meets twice a year
• Constructive criticism is expected of them
• They determine the quality of articles to be published and give their opinions and suggestions regarding the same
• Decide on how to promote the community beyond the members of the tribe
• Focus on the positive aspects of the tribe
• Help researchers with material/ interviews/ field studies etc
• They are the watchdogs of articles appearing in the media
• Very evidently, they are servants of the society

What impacts do we see of this

• The EB members themselves get involved in research
• Misings have now got a name and credit
• The magazine has got a name because of the board
• They stand up before any comittee – Govt/ others supported by the magazine they help produce. 

“Anyway I got wet. It is better I take a bath. Titilu jetia, ga dhuyie uttu diyok.” Fr. K.A. Thomas, sdb