The much awaited Indigenous Terra Madre (ITM) a conclave centered on the philosophy of Slow Food, Agro biodiversity, Food Sovereignty, Agro-ecology, amongst others, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday at the Convocation Hall of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. Adapted in Meghalaya as International Mei Ramew, the inaugural ceremony saw some spectacular performances from a combined cultural troupe of Khasi, Jaintia, Garo and Rabha artistes. Welcoming the delegates, mainly indigenous people from 58 countries of the world ranging from Mongolia to Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, USA, Tajikistan, Nepal, the African countries etc., and researchers, academics. media persons and Phrang Roy the President of North East Slow Food and Agro biodiversity Society (NESFAS), thanked the different organisations that have supported the event. Speaking about the strength of matriarchal societies across the globe, Roy said matriarchal societies like those of Meghalaya could be the societies of hope, of balance and of decisions taken on consensus and democratic methods so that there is collective peace and harmony, of caring and sharing. He said local food systems are important drivers of our world and they are key to calming our fears.
