The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, today inaugurated a three-day National Seminar on “Indian Knowledge Traditions of the Northeast,” bringing together distinguished scholars, researchers, and academicians from across the country to explore the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of the region.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address, followed by an insightful theme introduction by the Seminar Convener, Dr. Pradeep Tripathi. Dr. Tripathi emphasized the historical and cultural significance of the folk and knowledge traditions of Northeast India, highlighting their pivotal role in the broader context of Indian intellectual heritage.
In his Keynote Address, Prof. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Vice-Chairman of the Haryana Academy of Literature and Culture, underscored the deep connection between the folk traditions of Northeast India and the foundational knowledge systems of India. He called the region’s languages, folk tales, and worldviews an invaluable treasure for the nation’s cultural legacy.
Chief Guest Prof. Shantanu Kumar Swain, Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim University, shared a thought-provoking perspective on the region’s knowledge traditions. He pointed out that the harmonious relationship between these traditions and nature offers vital lessons for ecological balance and sustainable living in today’s world.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director of IIAS Shimla, noted that the Institute has long been at the forefront of advancing research in Indian knowledge traditions. He affirmed that the seminar would facilitate an essential intellectual dialogue between Northeast India’s unique cultural traditions and India’s broader knowledge systems.
The first day of the seminar featured three engaging academic sessions. Renowned scholars such as Prof. Nidhi Chaturvedi from Gorakhpur, Prof. Veenu Pant from Sikkim, Dr. B.B. Lama, Milnarani Jamatiya from Tripura, Filmmeka Marbaniang from Meghalaya, Prof. E. Vijayalakshmi from Manipur, Dr. Kalpana Pathak from Assam, and Dr. Abhishek Kumar Yadav from Arunachal Pradesh shared their expertise, focusing on the traditional knowledge systems of their respective regions.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mehr Chand Negi, Secretary of the Institute, and the session was conducted by the Institute’s Public Relations Officer, Akhilesh Pathak.
The seminar, running from 24 to 26 September, will continue with multiple technical sessions exploring the folk traditions, oral literature, languages, traditional knowledge systems, and cultural heritage of Northeast India.
