RAIPUR: It is a lesser known fact that Maori, the indigenous people from New Zealand and Indians have a strong relationship. Maori tribes have married Indians, says Dr Satendra Singh on Thursday.

He said those Maori women marrying Indians wear saris, Indian ornaments and apply sindoor.

Singh is fifth generation Indian living in New Zealand and is part of the indigenous cultural team taking part in ‘National Tribal Dance Festival 2022’ and Rajyotsava at Government Science College Ground, here. In 2013, he received ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’.

Sharing his experience, he said Indian people have close relations with Maori people. They even marry each other.

“You can talk about promoting tribal and indigenous people but spoken words are not enough, you have to act. On the international level UNESCO is doing a lot of things to safeguard Tribal rights. But simply putting things on paper will not help it have to be translated into practical action. Chhattisgarh has done a fantastic job by organizing the event,” he said, appreciating the efforts of the state government.

Singh underlined the need of involving tribal leaders in meaningful dialogue for better development then only right balance between resources and growth could be found out.

He said, “Unlike other tribal people Maori people were lucky as they had a very watertight treaty with Queen Victoria. One of the salient features was that Maori people will always be in charge of their way of life, culture and land.”

Now Maoris have a high standard of living and education in New Zealand. They are in all professions doctors, engineers and on multiple occasions they have been elected as the head of state, he added.