World Anthropology Day was observed at KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, on 19th February 2026 with great enthusiasm and academic spirit. To mark the occasion, a distinguished lecture titled “A Glimpse of World Anthropology Day: What should we do to revive Anthropology?” was organized. The programme was jointly organized by the Department of Anthropology, School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights (STLTR) and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), KISS Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) with the participation of faculty members, students, and invited guests.
On the same occasion, an Art Gallery prepared by the students of the Department of Anthropology was formally inaugurated by our esteemed guest Professor Akhil Bihari Ota, IAS (Retd), Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University. The exhibition showcased a rich and diverse collection of anthropological themes, which was guided by Dr. Anindita Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology. The gallery reflected the students’ academic understanding and artistic interpretation of human societies. Faculty members, students, and invited guests appreciated the innovative efforts and meticulous presentation, which added significant academic and aesthetic value to the celebration. The inauguration of the Art Gallery became one of the major attractions of the programme, symbolizing the spirit of anthropological inquiry and cultural appreciation.
Followed by the distinguished lecture began with introductory remarks by Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, Dean and Associate Professor, School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights who welcomed the speaker, Professor Akhil Bihari Ota, IAS (Retd), and Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University, National Tagore Fellow, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, including Professor Kashi Nath Jena, Pro-Vice Chancellor, KISS-DU, Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU, Dr. Subhendu Kumar Mohanty, Additional Director, Student Affairs, KISS-DU, Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, Dean and Associate Professor, School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights; Dr. Manoranjan Mohapatra, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology; Dr. Manoj Kumar Behera, Associate Professor; Dr. Anindita Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Dr. Priyanka Kanrar, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, KISS-DU.
In her welcome address, Dr. Pragyan Mohanty she spoke about the importance of Anthropological study and its significance and the importance in contemporary Anthropological research. Dr. Mohanty formally introduced today’s distinguished speaker, outlining Professor Akhil Bihari. Ota’s academic background, research contributions, and expertise in Anthropology. In his address, Professor Kashi Nath Jena, highlighted the theoretical thread, socio-psychological existence, cultural identity in the society, history and the significance of Anthropological study. He also discussed about genesis and revisit of our knowledge.
Addressing the gathering, Professor A. B. Ota highlighted the history of World Anthropology Day. Citing an example of interdisciplinary approach, Professor Ota explained the relation of other disciplines with Anthropology. He discussed about the limitation of anthropological study and talked at length about American Anthropology Association (AAA) and need of community engagement in any Anthropological research. He highlighted about the public engagement, migration, health, environmental impacts on health, student inspiration, and introducing learner about the four disciplines of Anthropology.
Professor Ota elaborated the relevance of anthropological knowledge in policy making tracing back from Elwin’s work to recent day’s works of L. P. Vidyarthi and P. K. Bhowmick. He emphasized on the various steps which can be followed to revive Anthropology. He discussed about the limited scope of Anthropology in different institutions. He focused on the importance of empirical research methodology. He also brough to light the significance of Tribal Health Healer Policy in India. He also highlighted about the herbarium data base which will be helpful in case of any ethnomedicine study. He elaborated the importance of arts and crafts of tribal communities.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question and answer session, during which faculty members raised queries regarding today’s topic, methodological crisis or digital crisis of anthropological research, problems of anthropological research, impact of technological up gradation on Anthropological research, job opportunities in Anthropological field, Professor A. B. Ota responded to all the questions with clarity and promptly. The programme concluded with concluding remarks by Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, who emphasized on the outreach activities, multidisciplinary approach, community engagement and its relevance for students and researchers.
The event ended with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Manoranjan Mohapatra, expressing gratitude to the speaker, organizers and participants for making the programme a success.
