Licypriya attends East Timor function

IMPHAL, May 22
Child climate activist from Manipur Licypriya Kangujam attended the inauguration ceremony of East Timor’s new President José Ramos-Horta.
Licypriya Kangujam was invited as a special guest of honour for the inauguration of José Ramos-Horta  who also is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Thursday, a day before Asia’s youngest country marks the 20th anniversary of its independence, said a press release issued by Team Licypriya.
There, she delivered an inaugural speech at the ceremony attended by thousands of people and all the MPs of the National Parliament and over 400 foreign dignitaries.
She was the only foreign guest who delivered a speech to the MPs of the National Parliament of East Timor during the ceremony.
Licypriya also met the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo and revolutionary leader and founder President of East Timor  Xanana Gusmao on the sideline of the ceremony.
She also made a courtesy call to East Timor Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.
In her speech,  Kaagujam highlighted the Manipuri unique art form “Shumang Leela” to the world stage.
She said that Manipur has a unique art form called shumang leela and it connects people of Manipur and East Timor through a play called “Gusmao ge Khudol” or “The gift of Xanana Gusmao” in English.
Gusmao ge Khudol is based on the freedom struggle of East Timor and every Timorese people must watch this play, she said.
Licypriya, who is the founder of The Child Movement, an environmental organisation, said she was surprised when she  got the invitation to attend the high-profile event.
“Usually at such big events, only foreign Presidents and Prime Ministers are invited as special guests. I feel this invitation is very special and has a great message on how small island countries like East Timor are threatened by climate change,” she said.
Opining that inclusion of climate activists in every field and decision-making process is quite important, Licypriya expressed hope that her visit would strengthen the relations between India and East Timor.
Several foreign dignitaries attended Ramos-Horta’s inauguration ceremony including President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo, Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau Gomes Nabiam, Governor General of Australia David Hurley, etc. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi also attended the ceremony with over 400 foreign dignitaries.
Ramos-Horta, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in East Timor, scored a landslide victory in the Presidential election last month.
During her visit to East Timor, Kangujam was invited by various civil society organizations in the country for an interaction program with children and young people there.
She also led a climate strike on the streets of East Timor with hundreds of young people to send a strong message about the threat of climate change to the whole world.
President of East Timor and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr Jose Ramos Horta had also launched a foundation called "Licypriya Foundation” on Saturday.