RIWATCH successfully hosted a three-day International Seminar on “Interpreting Cultures and Traditions: Shifting the Lens” from December 19–21, 2025, at its campus in Khinjili, Roing. The seminar brought together scholars, academicians, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad to engage in critical discussions on indigenous cultures, traditional knowledge systems, and decolonizing approaches to cultural studies.

Organised in association with MAKAIAS, Kolkata; Rajiv Gandhi University; ICCS, USA; Arunachal Pradesh University; and IFCSAP, the seminar featured plenary sessions, keynote lectures, and 46 research paper presentations across three days.

The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Chowna Mein, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Keynote Speaker Prof. Yashwant Pathak, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs University of South Florida, Tampa USA and concluded with a valedictory address by Shri Mukut Mithi, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Patron of RIWATCH.

A key highlight of the seminar was the release of three RIWATCH publications. The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister released “Traditional Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh: An Ethnographic Perspective” authored by S. Siman John and Tarun Mene. Two other books—“Gamosa” by Dr. Karabi Baruah and “Geo Heritage of Arunachal Pradesh” by Dr. Somnath Sharma and Dr. Sambhu Chakraborty—were also released during the seminar. Focusing on the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, each day of the seminar concluded with a cultural programme featuring traditional dance performances by different tribes.

The seminar reaffirmed RIWATCH’s commitment to promoting indigenous perspectives, ethical research practices, and interdisciplinary dialogue in the study and preservation of cultural heritage.

The event Covered by
Arunachal24 : https://arunachal24.in/arunachal-chowna-mein-inaugurates-international-seminar-at-riwatch/

Arunachal Times: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/12/22/international-seminar-concludes-at-riwatch/

                                 https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/12/20/mein-calls-for-preservation-of-ancient-manuscripts-through-digitalisation/#google_vignette

Arunachal Observer: https://arunachalobserver.org/2025/12/20/3-day-international-seminar-dcm-riwatch-role-vital-to-preserve-ancient-manuscripts/

India Today:https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachals-indigenous-cultural-history-still-largely-undocumented-dycm-1319734-2025-12-19

The Sentinel: https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/arunachal-deputy-cm-calls-for-systematic-documentation-to-preserve-states-cultural-heritage

Echo of Arunachal:https://echoofarunachal.in/news_details.php?nid=35258