To the north east of India in the Khinjili village of Roing's Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, far away from the maddening crowds, traffic woes, and low AQI nightmares of our urban jungles, lies a therapeutic green house (materially and metaphorically) in the middle of nowhere: the Research Institute of World's Ancient Traditions, Cultures, and Heritage (RIWATCH) which is home to
- RIWATCH Museum: a learning hub showcasing the commonalities that bind indigenous communities across the globe, and includes extensive ethnographic collections from Arunachal Pradesh, the wider Northeast India, and an upcoming international block where exhibits from Kenya, Spain, Indonesia, Mexico among other nations would be showcased before the end of this year.
- Centre for Mother Languages which documents, promotes, and preserves the numerous endangered indigenous languages and oral traditions of Arunachal Pradesh through field studies, workshops, and publications of glossaries and books.
- Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage which safeguards living expressions of culture, such as performing arts, rituals, and traditional knowledge.
- Research and Academic Collaboration with national and international universities, including the University of South Florida and Rajiv Gandhi University, offering opportunities for scholars and interns.
- Arogya Centre for Nature Cure and Well-being through natural healing and Panchakarma therapy
- Community Outreach for community empowerment initiatives, including farmers' programs on precision farming and educational workshops, linking cultural preservation with sustainable development.
An affiliate Unit of International Center for Cultural Studies USA Inc., RIWATCH is a non-profit, community-based research organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the region's rich indigenous cultures, languages, and heritage.
Executive director Vijay Swami has played a pivotal role in establishing RIWATCH as a leading center for cultural heritage and research, organizing documentation initiatives, research projects, and cultural events that cherish the region’s oral traditions, languages, and cultural practices.
Originally from Maharashtra's Solapur District, Vijay sir did his graduation in English literature before acquiring a MSW degree. He joined the Vivekananda Kendra in 1985 following a 21-day camp at Kanyakumari and was sent to a tiny hamlet near Walong in Arunachal Pradesh. For the next 15 years, he served the Vivekananda Kendra through various roles as were entrusted to him from time to time.
In 2004, he won the US government's Fulbright Scholarship where he met many likeminded people and the ensuing interactions gave birth to the idea of RIWATCH. 2009 marked the fruition of this idea in a humble bamboo hut deprived of electricity and road connectivity. Gradually, given the sterling conviction of his mission, he won the wholehearted support of local community leaders as also organizations like ICCS and Sewa International which helped the institute grow to its current avatar spread across 8 hectares of land.
The access road to the museum is a nightmarish stretch of about 6 kms which is a litmus test for your automobile given the mountains of gravel it has to endure to reach the desired destination. At various junctures, our poor driver threw an inquisitive glance at us whether to proceed or turn back. Needless to say, we looked the other way.
Although this nerve-wrecking roller coaster ride is worth the effort to study the awesome artefacts housed in the museum - including tribal attire, weapons, stone utensils, Buddhist scriptures, traditional ornaments, sculptures, and vintage photographs of communities like the Idu Mishmis and the Wangcho tribe - the institute patrons and well wishers would do well to ensure that a proper road is paved. We did see a bull dozer on our way back but the pace of work was indeed depressing, and the fresh cracks were in fact making the ride go from bad to worse.
Rather than make light of the whole ordeal, the institute authorities can acknowledge the problem in the first place and avoid making casual mentions like "It's only a question of 6 kms." For someone visiting out of genuine curiosity and seeking no special privileges or attention, this courtesy is MUST.
The institute publishes many books on niche themes which is a commendable initiative. Having said that, one sensed the need for more comprehensive literature on RIWATCH itself - its evolution, success milestones, and plans going forward. The website falls short of purposeful communication and is replete with typographical errors.
While all museum staffers are cheerful and helpful, there's no competent personnel to assist Vijay sir in spelling out the essence and significance of this great institute which is undoubtedly one of its kind. A standard narrative is relayed in a monotonous and somewhat mechanical tone - whether on Youtube, Website or in person. The dutiful communication does not make way for insightful conversation which is a pity.
RIWATCH has come into being by virtue of an organic people's movement, for which Vijay sir has left no stone unturned in building an enduring relationship with the local community, and motivating them to contribute artifacts and photographs to cherish their traditions, culture, and heritage in the truest sense.
His effort deserves a better chronicle across all forms of media - print, electronic, web and even the ubiquitous social media.
Instead of publishing books and periodicals on high-quality paper which is inevitably etched to an imposing price tag, the institute will do well to make available cost-effective literature on functional paper of decent quality. Common people from all over the world will then be able to purchase these books and cherish them as part of their private collection to create a higher recall value for RIWATCH and later UWATCH as and when the research institute is converted to a university.
We wish Vijay sir and team every success on the way forward and may his UWATCH mission be accomplished very soon!