IIT Gandhinagar to organize a seminar in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh to create a bridge between the researchers and the local Idu Mishmi community

By iednewsdesk Last updated Apr 28, 2020

Gandhinagar: The Humanities and Social Sciences discipline at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) is organising Dibang Research Seminar: ‘Initiating Dialogue Between Idu Mishmi and Research Scholars’ on December 10-11, 2019 at Anini, Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh. The seminar aims to create a platform for researchers (biologists, anthropologists and other social scientists) working in Dibang Valley district to share their research with the residents of the district, the Idu Mishmi community.

Around 12 resource persons from various organizations such as Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Gauhati University, Aranyak (Guwahati), IITGN, and scholars, leaders and shaman priests from the Idu Mishmi community will be conducting the sessions.

The seminar aims:

● To initiate a dialogue between the local community and the researchers to share their research findings

● To identify new areas of research with an emphasis on community needs and interests

● To discuss innovative ideas through which community becomes knowledge-partners and stewards of the research carried out on their society and landscape

Giving more information, Prof Ambika Aiyadurai, Assistant Professor in Social Sciences at IITGN and Coordinator of the Seminar said, “This is not just a seminar about “giving back” to the community, but several researchers feel the need to engage with the community in such a way that the research outcomes become a valuable resource for the Idu Mishmi. This seminar intends to initiate a dialogue and explore new ways for collaboration with the Idu Mishmi.”

The scholars who have carried out research on various socio-ecological aspects of Dibang Valley are invited to present and share their research for the Idu Mishmis. The members of Idu Mishmi community, Forest Officials, community leaders, representations from the local institutions, Gaon Burrahs (village headmen), Anchal Samiti Members, and Zilla Parishad Members are invited to participate.

This seminar is supported by Social Science Research Council Transregional Research Junior Scholar Fellowship with funds provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (US).