Delhi University launches Centre for Tribal Studies; Soumendra Patnaik appointed Director

An interdisciplinary Research Committee will provide impetus to its functioning.

On 9th August 2023, the International Day of World’s Indigenous People, the University of Delhi announces the establishment of the Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS), committed to understanding the diversity of tribal practices, culture, language, religion, economy, commonalities and relationship with nature through an India-centric perspective.

The inception of the Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS) will be a transformative step in advancing and addressing the contemporary issues relevant to the tribal communities in terms of their overall development and well-being in present as well as in future progression.

The university has appointed Prof. Soumendra Mohan Patnaik, Head of the Department of Anthropology, as the Director of the Centre for Tribal Studies, and Dr. Avitoli G. Zhimo, Associate Professor of the Department of Anthropology as the Joint Director.

An interdisciplinary Research Committee will provide impetus to its functioning. Dr. Seema Singh, Faculty of Law and Dr. Santosh Hasnu, Department of History, Hans Raj College are also its members. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise in tribal affairs will be instrumental in driving the Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS).

The Centre will have an all-India perspective with due consideration of regional diversities of Northeast India, Central India, South India and Island regions and others, said Prof. Shri Prakash Singh, the Chairman of Governing Body. At present, the Centre for Tribal Studies will function from the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi.

The establishment of the Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS) will endeavour in highlighting the role and contribution of many tribal leaders throughout Indian history and also bring to light the efforts of many unsung tribal leaders in India’s struggle for freedom. Through its research endeavours, the Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS) will study and document various Lok traditions of Indian tribes and their indigenous knowledge, as well as work towards dissemination of such information to the public in general and to academia and students in particular.

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