Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: A two-day Indian Anthropology Congress organised at Utkal University by the department of anthropology in collaboration with the SC/ST Research & Training Institute under the auspices of the Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists (INCCA) and Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi concluded Monday.
Around 350 anthropologists from across the country participated in the event. The Congress was organised in the state for the first time, and was based on the theme of Tribal Transformations in Contemporary India: Issues and Challenges.
Governor SC Jamir attended the inaugural event Sunday. “Since Independence, several schemes and programmes have been implemented for the development of tribals. There has been development but the desired objectives have been as elusive as ever,” Jamir said. Elaborating that the tribals continue to remain backward and are subjected to various forms of exploitation despite several legislations to safeguard their rights, Jamir said anthropology will help find solutions to the problems faced by tribals. “They are rich in art and culture with each tribe having its own distinct customs, language and food. Anthropologists will be of great help in finding a way out for the protection of tribals,” Jamir added.
“Tribals only want to be treated equally like every other Indian, and in a broader sense, like every other human being. It is very essential they should be allowed to live in harmony with nature and not left struggling to live and earn their livelihood,” the Governor said.
“We have to lay stress on the change and transformation of tribals in conversation-cum-development mode rather than romanticising them in a prism. We have to emphasise on policies so that they become partners of sustainable development rather than being a peripheralised entity,” said SCSTRTI director Dr AB Ota.
During the inaugural day, renowned anthropologist and senior professor LK Mahapatra was felicitated for his outstanding work in the field of anthropology and for the uplift of tribals in the state.
Prof Ajit K Danda, chairman INCAA, Dr KK Chakravarty, chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, and vice-chancellor of Utkal University, Ashok Das, also gave speeches.
A photo exhibition on tribal art and culture was organised in the anthropology department in which tribal paintings made by young tribal artists were showcased.
On the concluding day, Prof RK Mutatkar delivered the SC Dube Memorial Lecture, followed by talks by several anthropologists on the issues facing the development of the tribals.
Traditional healthcare systems adopted by the tribals, tribal folk and molecular anthropology were also discussed.
