Bhubaneswar: The Utkal University’s Sociology Department organized a two-day International Conference on “Rethinking Development and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): A Sociological Reflection” on Thursday to mark the golden jubilee celebration of the department.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony at MKCG Auditorium, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagneshwar Dandapat expounded on the indispensability of Indian Knowledge System in sciences, and arts alike. Dandapat emphasised combining tradition with technology in a path of innovation. This was followed by the keynote address by Professor Soumendra M. Pattnaik, Head of the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi. Professor Pattnaik stated the ability to accommodate multiple cosmologies, values of reciprocity, and models of sustainability are unique contributions of Indian Knowledge Systems to the development discourse.
Dr. Swati Mishra, Registrar of Utkal University, addressed the gathering on rethinking development in the context of global transformation through the lens of reflexive modernity. She concluded that development is not a fixed end-point, nor should tradition be seen as static. Dr. Luzilda C. Arciniega, independent researcher and co-founder of Willing Observers, USA, through her ethnographic experiences with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) made a point on slowness as an alternative to capitalist models of development.
Professor Mitali Chinara, Chairperson of the P.G. Council congratulated the Department on completing its 50th year. She traced the trajectory of evolution of the concept of development, through an economic perspective prioritising sustainable development. She concluded that a Developed India by 2047, should be a dream that we all work towards.
The Guests of Honour also shared their insights: Angelious Michael, Director, India Peace Centre, stressed the need to rethink development as an interconnected, cosmo-centric and inclusive project. Professor D.R. Sahu, President of the Indian Sociological Society, reflected on his experience in the department as a student. Professor Sahu highlighted the need to develop a culture of voice and a need for organic scholars who bring forth issues of their community to the public domain. Professor Nihilika Mehrotra, Centre for the Study of Social Systems (CSSS), JNU, reflected on the relation of women and indigenous knowledge systems.
The Department of Sociology honored its former Professors, Professor Rita Ray, Professor Balagovind Babu, Professor M.G. Bage in recognition of their distinguished service and enduring legacy. The formal vote of thanks for the session was presented by Mrs. Sasmita Soren.
The conference featured four plenary sessions. The first plenary session was organized on the theme “Rethinking Development and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): Theoretical Perspectives.” The session included eight panelists and was chaired by Professor Biswajit Ghosh, former Professor at University of Burdwan, West Bengal.
The second plenary session was on “Education, Pedagogy, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Sustainability.” This session featured nine panelists and was chaired by Professor S.N. Chaudhary, Rajiv Gandhi Chair Professor at Barkatullah University, Bhopal, and co-chaired by Professor Tapan Ranjan Mohanty, National Law University, Bhopal.
While Dr. Tanaya Mohanty introduced the guests, the welcome address was delivered by the Conference Convenor Prof. Rabindra Garada, Head of the Department of Sociology, Utkal University.
In his address, Professor Garada introduced the central theme of the conference, emphasizing the importance of re-evaluating dominant paradigms of development through the lens of indigenous knowledge systems.