The Central University of Odisha (CUO), Koraput celebrated the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples by organising an online programme on August 9. A webinar was organised as per the UN declaration with the theme on “Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous People and the Call for a New Social Contract”.
VC Prof SK Palita presided over the programme. Speakers Honorary Chair Professor, Tribal Studies, CUO and Professor and Head, Institute of Applied Science and Humanities, GLA University, Mathura Prof Panchanan Mohanty and Director, FIDR, Gurugram and advisor to Central University of Odisha, (TED) Speaker, economist, prolific writer and a Futurist Charudutta Panigrahi delivered their talks. Distinguished Visiting Professors, Registrar Dr Asit Kumar Das, Controller of Examinations Dr Ram Shankar, faculty members, research scholars and students participated.
Prof Palita paid homage to late Prof I Ramabrahmam, the former Vice-Chancellor of CUO and delivered the inaugural address. The distinguished panellist Prof Panchanan Mohanty expressed deep sorrow over passing away of Prof Ramabrahmam and shared how he was working together in various committees when he was colleague of Prof Ramabrahmam at the Central University of Hyderabad. He highlighted the importance of indigenous languages which continue to exist since long. He advised that giving importance to indigenous peoples and a call for a new social contract, the CUO should start to observe “Quit Discrimination Day.” Panigrahi discussed about inclusion, participation and executions of the policy designed for indigenous population with a renewal agreement. He screened a documentary on indigenous people comprising real social practices of the people while showing their deep rooted culture and value with the nature.