SHILLONG, Oct 23: Esteemed academics on Tuesday converged to explore the complex socio-economic transformations occurring in Northeast India’s tribal communities at the prestigious SC Dutta Memorial Lecture hosted by Shillong College, in collaboration with its Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).
Organised by the Department of Sociology, the lecture was themed on “Occupational Diversification and Emerging Class Structure in the Context of Tribal Societies of North-East India.”
A highlight of the event was the release and discussion of a publication by the Department of Sociology titled The Dynamics of Indigenous Society with Special Reference to the North-Eastern Region. The book encapsulates detailed research on the occupational and epistemological shifts shaping the Northeast’s indigenous communities.
Renowned sociologist Prof Anand Kumar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, delivered the first lecture on ‘Emerging Class Structure in the Context of Tribal Societies of North-East India.’ His insights into the interplay between globalisation and traditional social structures provided a fresh perspective on the changes affecting the region.
The second lecture, presented by Prof B Panda, Head of the Department of Sociology at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), focused on the theme of the lecture. Prof Panda highlighted the role of education, modernisation, and socio-political factors in diversifying occupations within tribal communities, leading to new forms of social stratification.
Earlier, the Principal of Shillong College, Dr E Kharkongor, delivered the inaugural address, followed by a welcome address from Dr S Khyriemmujat, Head of the Department of Sociology. The Principal underscored the importance of addressing evolving occupational structures and their impact on class formation in tribal societies.
During the second session, formal proceedings facilitated further discussions and networking among attendees, which included prominent members of the academic community and students from Shillong College and other institutions.
