Port Blair, Aug 10: Anthropological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar regional centre, Port Blair celebrated International Day of World’s Indigenous People on August 9, 2021 in its office premises. The theme being ‘Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract’, the program was dedicated to the indigenous people of Nicobar Islands.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Jha, IAS, Secretary, Tribal Welfare was the chief guest of the event. Ms Asha Chaudhary Malhotra, Director(Tribal Welfare), Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar ( Ex Deputy Director, Tribal Health), Dr.Uttam Kumar Singh (Clinical Research Unit, Homeopathy), Dr. Dipan Sharma, JNRM, Ms. Jochibet Vincent, Assistant Professor, Andaman College graced the occasion with their presence. A deliberation on the people of Nicobar Islands was conducted, where the native people of Nicobar participated and shared their views on their culture and life. Dr.Vazeem Iqbal, who is the first Ph. D. Scholar from Nicobar Islands, talked about the prospects of Education among Nicobar islanders. Young Nicobarese students from Andaman College enthusiastically participated in the interactive session where everyone shared their views.
A thematic exhibition “Dweep Sanskriti” is inaugurated highlighting the Islanders and their Culture of India. Secretary, Tribal Welfare inaugurated the Exhibition on the same day which will be open for the museum visitors from 11 August, 2021. The welcome speech was given by Dr. Nilanjan Khatua (Head of Office, AnSI), the programme was moderated by Ms Rakhi Kumari (RA Linguistics) and the vote of thanks was given by Subhra Bhattacharyya.
It may also be noted that the SOP guidelines for COVID-19 issued by the Govt of India/Andaman Administration was strictly followed in the entire programme.
