Koraput: The Central University of Odisha launched the first University Special Lectures Series by inviting eminent personalities of National and International repute who specialize in their areas to bring an authentic, vivid picture of the real world to students, enabling multi-disciplinary learning in the University campus on March 1.
Prof Bishnu Charan Barik, former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University and well-known sociologist attended the programme as the chief guest and delivered his insightful lecture on ‘Bonda Life: Outsider-Insider Perspectives’. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi inaugurated the programme. He appreciated the tradition and culture of the Bonda tribe and their paramount contribution towards nature.
He said, “Bonda caste is a worshiper of nature. They think nature to be supreme and also consider it their sacred and pious duty to protect nature.” He advised students to learn about the different tribes and their life that existed at the University surrounding. Prof P.C. Patnaik, Professor of Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Tribal Studies and Coordinator of this lecture series delivered the welcome address.
The Chief Speaker Prof Barik briefed about the demographic view of the tribal population in India and particularly in Odisha. He said, “There are more than 1000 types of tribes all over the world. There are many types of tribes in India itself, whose culture is different from each other. Odisha is a non-Hindi speaking region and many tribes live here; among them, the Bonda tribe has an important place.”
Narrating his recent visit to Bonda village near Bonda Hill he said “Female population is more than the male population amongst the Bonda tribes. After 75 years of independence, the culture, food habits, lifestyle, and clothing of the Bonda tribes are really amazing.”
He mentioned 14 characteristics of the Bonda tribe. Such as they consider Mudlipada, located on Bonda Hills, as their capital, the literacy rate among them is very low, agriculture is the sole basis of their livelihood, they are very frugal, their nature is very aggressive, they don’t leave the molester, they believe in collective life, their behavior is rough and tough, they like to consume salapa (wine), older girls prefer to marry boys who are 10 years younger than them, they have a strong and cordial relationship, they are the nurturers of the old tradition, they do not believe in modernity.
On this occasion, students, research scholars and faculty of all departments including Prof. Sudhendu Mandal, Dr. N.N. Rath, Dr. J.B. Pandey, Dr. S.N. Panda, Dr. Pradosh Kumar Rath, Dr. Sourav Gupta, Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Dash, Dr. Meenati Sahu, Dr. Alok Baral, Dr. Ramendra Padhi, Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Dr. Nupur Pattanayak, Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Dr. B.N. Pradhan, Dr. Phagunath Bhoi. Dr. Talat Jahan Begum, Dr. Soumya Ranjan Dash, Dr. Rani Singh, Dr. Dulumani Talukdar, Dr. Appa Saheb, Dr. Pradeep K Samantray, Shri Laxman Prasad, Er. G. K. Mishra etc. were present.
Dr. Maitreyi Misra compeered the programme and Dr. Barkha extended the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the national anthem.
