Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: "Indigenous people describe any group of people in a particular region. Indigenous is a legal term. Indigenous people are a distinct social and cultural group dependent on the land and natural resources they inhabit. Their culture and traditions are a unique identity for future generations.
"Therefore, according to social justice, it is necessary to provide protection by focusing and supporting the rights of all."
This observation was made by Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sabita Acharya at the World Anthropology Congress 2023 on Thursday in the varsity campus.
Prof Acharya opined that emphasis should be given on improving the livelihood of indigenous people and increasing their source of income.
She further stated that every person has the right to get equal opportunities in the society. Social justice includes sanitation, health care system, environment, education, housing, etc. Therefore, it is important to bring equality in social justice and give importance to them in the field of justice, she advocated.
To mark the occasion, Utkal University in collaboration with United India Anthropology Forum, University of Delhi, Sambalpur University and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) held a conference with the theme, 'Anthropology in Public Sphere: Indigeneity, Social Justice, Sustainability and Global Peace' at the MKCG auditorium in Utkal University campus.
KISS University Vice Chancellor Prof Deepak Kumar Behera, UNICEF Senior Adviser Akhil Bihari Ota, UIF Senior Member Prof S Gregory described the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of the indigenous people in the major states as unique and spoke in details about their protection, land and forest rights, etc.
Prof Debendra Kumar Biswal, Head of Department of Anthropology, Utkal University and Convenor World Anthropology Congress 2023 welcomed the guests and Dr Prasanna Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.
