NEW DELHI: The Centre for Tribal Studies, University of Delhi, recently concluded a three-day programme from November 13-15, 2025, at the Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall to mark the completion of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh 2025. The event celebrated the rich legacy, cultural heritage, and invaluable contributions of India’s tribal communities, commemorating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges highlighted the courage and sacrifice of tribal freedom fighters, particularly Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose leadership and resilience continue to inspire present and future generations. He urged students, scholars, and faculty to draw lessons from these historic figures who shaped the nation’s tribal movements.
The Guest of Honour, Padma (Dr.) Damayanti Beshra, emphasised the transformative role of education in tribal empowerment. She stressed on the importance of strengthening mother-tongue-based learning to improve academic outcomes and cultural belonging. Dr. Beshra stressed the need to develop higher educational institutions in tribal regions and drew attention to the sustainable norms and practices that define tribal lifeworld, urging their preservation and wider recognition.
The programme featured a series of distinguished plenary lectures on topics like Indian Constitution and the tribes, sustainability, inclusion and empowerment of tribes in India, tribal language and culture, intangible cultural heritage and tribal entrepreneurship, and cultural lifeworld. Prof. Anil Kumar, CEO of the University of Delhi Foundation, Prof Nita Mathur, Director of the School of Social Sciences at IGNOU, Dr. Jyotirmoyi Tudu from Jawaharlal Nehru University attended the ceremony.
Alongside the academic sessions, the event hosted competitions in painting, photography, reels, and folk dance for University of Delhi students on themes related to tribal life and heritage. These competitions received enthusiastic participation, with students showcasing remarkable creativity and insight.
The Director of the Centre for Tribal Studies, Prof Soumendra M Patnaik, highlighted the activities of Centre engaging all stakeholders, with a commitment to an India-centric approach to tribal studies. He further stated that the Centre will focus on documentation and study of endangered tribal languages from a comparative perspective.
The Joint Director, Dr. Avitoli G. Zhimo, who hails from a tribal community, noted that such events not only strengthen the sense of togetherness within the university fraternity but also stimulate the thoughtful and respectful dialogue necessary for advancing meaningful discussions in tribal studies.
The celebration drew a large number of teachers and students, many of whom attended in traditional attire, reflecting unity, respect, and pride in India’s tribal cultures. The three-day programme brought together diverse perspectives and provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on tribal histories, contemporary challenges, and pathways to inclusive development.
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