Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 20: The Anthropological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, successfully organized a two-day celebration of World Anthropology Day on February 19 and 20, 2026, at its premises in Sri Vijaya Puram. The event was aimed at strengthening academic engagement, field-based understanding, and professional capacity-building among officers and researchers, while reaffirming the institution’s commitment to anthropological research and public service.
On February 19, 2026, marking World Anthropology Day, Dr. Pronob Sircar, Tribal Welfare Officer (TWO) from the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS), delivered an insightful session on day-to-day interaction with Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Dr. Sircar sensitised officers about the importance of cultural relativism, sensitivity, and ethical engagement while working with indigenous communities. His practical experiences and grassroots-level insights as DRM to TWO provided valuable learning opportunities, especially for newly joined officers. While the Anthropological Survey of India is known for its deep research-oriented knowledge and academic excellence, the session highlighted how field-based experiences complement scholarly work and enrich the overall understanding of anthropological practice.
On the second day, February 20, 2026, Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera, former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University (Odisha), Rajendra University (Odisha), and Berhampur University (Odisha), delivered a special lecture on research methodology in qualitative research. Prof. Behera emphasised the importance of systematic fieldwork, ethical research practices, and rigorous qualitative analysis. He also highlighted the growing relevance of digital ethnography and the integration of digital tools in contemporary field-level studies. His lecture provided valuable guidance on blending traditional ethnographic methods with modern technological approaches, enabling researchers to document social realities more effectively in a rapidly changing world.
It is also to be noted that both of these programmes commenced with a solemn floral tribute to the portrait of Dr. B. S. Guha, the founding Director of the Anthropological Survey of India and the visionary behind the establishment of the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre in 1951. This was done by both the resource persons, including Sh. Satyaki Paul, Anthropologist (C), Sh. Gitu Yaikhom, Assistant Keeper, Sh. Anupam Datta, Assistant Anthropologist (C), Dr. Yikham Gogoi, Assistant Anthropologist (P), Research Associates, who paid homage to his pioneering contributions, remembering his enduring legacy in shaping anthropological research and institutional development in the region. The two-day programme reaffirmed the Anthropological Survey of India’s long-standing association with anthropological research, documentation, and knowledge dissemination. The institution continues to promote anthropology as a scientific discipline that bridges culture, biology, society, and environment. As per the records stated by Sh. Gitu Yaikhom, Assistant Keeper, the Museum Wing of Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre houses a wide-ranging collection of more than 600 artefacts representing various tribes and communities of the islands. This rich collection, comprising traditional tools, ornaments, models, photographs, and ethnographic materials, stands as a testimony to the organisation’s sustained efforts in preserving and showcasing cultural heritage. Through research, museum activities, outreach programmes, and academic engagements, the centre celebrates anthropology not only on designated days but as a continuous and evolving scientific pursuit. To end, the Anthropological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, remains dedicated to advancing anthropological knowledge, promoting cultural awareness, and serving society through research, documentation, and public engagement.
The writer Sh. Satyaki Paul is working as Anthropologist (Cul) at Anthropological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, Sri Vijaya Puram – 744101.
