- Flower Show 2026 :
The Centre for Tribal Studies participated in annual Flower Show 2026 of NLUO on 24–25 January 2026, bringing together floral artistry, cultural expression, and sustainable agricultural practices through a vibrant two-day exhibition. The event served as a platform to promote environmental awareness, indigenous knowledge systems, and community engagement while showcasing the aesthetic and economic significance of horticulture.
A major highlight of the event was the collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, which established an exhibition under the theme “Agro Millets and Food Processing Products.” The pavilion introduced visitors to value-added millet processing, packaging techniques, food preservation, and entrepreneurship opportunities, with a special focus on empowering tribal communities, farmers, and rural entrepreneurs.
The exhibition featured a wide range of floral displays, including indigenous species, seasonal flowers, ornamental plants, and landscape designs. Members of the Centre for Tribal Studies actively contributed to the event by organising face-painting activities inspired by floral motifs and tribal art forms, encouraging enthusiastic participation from children, students, faculty members, and visitors. The initiative received an overwhelming response, with the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Ved Kumari, participating in the activity on both days of the exhibition, alongside numerous faculty members, students, and members of the public. Complementing these activities, Centre members engaged visitors through brochures and informative placards highlighting the rich cultural heritage, contemporary challenges, and lived realities of tribal communities in India. These awareness initiatives fostered meaningful conversations on indigenous rights, cultural preservation, sustainable livelihoods, and social inclusion.
Another key attraction was the live millet food stall organised by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, where visitors experienced cookingdemonstrations and sampled a variety of nutritious millet-based dishes prepared using traditional grains. The initiative promoted awareness of the nutritional benefits of millets, their significance in tribal food systems, and their role in advancing sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods, while also showcasing the value-addition and entrepreneurial opportunities associated with millet-based food processing.
By integrating horticulture, tribal culture, entrepreneurship, public awareness, and nutritional education, Flower Show 2026 successfully demonstrated the potential of botanical exhibitions as platforms for sustainable development, community outreach, and the promotion of indigenous knowledge systems. The event also strengthened public engagement with the work of the Centre for Tribal Studies by creating opportunities for dialogue on tribal cultures, rights, and development while celebrating the ecological and cultural diversity of India.
- National Workshop commemorating 12 years of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 :
The National Workshop commemorating 12 years of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was organized in collaboration with the Centre for Tribal Studies, Jal Shakti Board NLUO and the Right to Food Campaign on 20th and 21st September, 2025. The event brought together legal experts, researchers, activists, and students to critically examine the functioning of India’s food security ecosystem, with a focus on statutory entitlements, systemic gaps, and accountability mechanisms.
The workshop covered core themes such as the implementation of PDS, ICDS, MDM, and maternity benefits; exclusion errors arising from Aadhaar-based authentication; and the legal obligations under Sections 3–6 of NFSA. Resource persons analysed transparency norms, grievance redressal systems under Sections 14–20, and social audits mandated by Section 27. Discussions also explored the constitutional dimensions of the right to food, referencing landmark cases including PUCL v. Union of India, KS Puttaswamy, and Francis Coralie Mullin.
Special emphasis was placed on Schedule III of the NFSA, which links nutrition with water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services. Participants debated the tension between food security and food sovereignty, the role of Gram Sabhas, and tribal autonomy over food systems. The workshop concluded with recommendations for improved accountability, rights-based monitoring, and stronger community-led oversight mechanisms.
- World Indigenous Day :
The Centre for Tribal Studies, National Law University Odisha, celebrated World Indigenous Day on 9 August 2025, with a vibrant programme highlighting the resilience, environmental stewardship, and cultural wisdom of Indigenous communities in India. In alignment with this year’s global theme—“Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-Determination”—the event showcased the historic Chipko Movement, emphasising how tribal and forest-dependent communities have long safeguarded ecological balance through collective action and deep-rooted traditional knowledge.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ved Kumari, who reflected on the critical role Indigenous communities play in shaping sustainable development pathways. She highlighted the wisdom embedded in tribal ecological practices, the need for youth participation, and the urgency of integrating Indigenous perspectives into climate and development policies.
Students of CTS enacted a short demonstration inspired by the Chipko Movement, illustrating themes of community-led conservation, intergenerational knowledge, and the interconnectedness of forest protection and tribal identity. The celebration aimed to honour Indigenous heritage while encouraging young scholars to engage with issues of land, livelihood, and environmental justice.
- Symposium on “Tribal Customary Practices: Tradition, Law, and Change” :
The Centre for Tribal Studies, National Law University Odisha, organised a one-day symposium titled “Tribal Customary Practices: Tradition, Law, and Change” on March 29, 2025. The event created a meaningful platform to examine tribal governance, justice, and cultural preservation through a grounded, community-centred lens.
Prof. Bipin Jojo, Dean, School of Social Work, TISS Mumbai, delivered the keynote address, critically unpacking the colonial construction of the term “tribe” while advocating for the constitutionally grounded vocabularies of “Adivasi” and “Scheduled Tribes.” He examined PESA (1996), LARR (2013), and the POCSO Act, highlighting how these modern laws interact with tribal practices and youth realities. His insights foregrounded the importance of respecting autonomy, contextual sensitivity, and consent in legal interventions.
The symposium opened with a welcome address by Student Coordinator Anmol Kumar Oraon, followed by an inaugural note from Dr. Suvrashree, Director, CTS. Prof. Rangin Pallav Tripathy, Registrar, NLUO, reflected on the inclusive promise of “We the People,” questioning whether its spirit truly reaches India’s tribal heartlands.
In subsequent discussions, Mr. Sandeep Kumar (CPPA) argued for gender-sensitive Panchayats and institutional support systems such as Women Help Desks. Contributions from panelists including Mr. Sankar Pani, Prof. Paramananda Panda, and Mr. Tuku Padhan emphasised the necessity of a “Madhyam Marg”, a compassionate middle path balancing development with Indigenous rights.
- Awareness camp on July 27 and Aug 10, 2024: The NLUO Centre for Tribal Studies (CTS) organized awareness camps and data collection visits at Valmiki Nagar and Babatilka Nagar, CDA Sector 13, Cuttack (Kutumb Village). The primary goals were to evaluate the effectiveness of pre- and post-matric scholarship schemes and to raise awareness about them. The visit focused on three key schemes:
- Union Government’s Pre-Matric Scholarship: Provides up to ₹5,000 for day scholars and hostellers in classes 9 and 10 to support their education.
- Odisha Government’s Post-Matric Scholarship under Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chatra Protsahan Yojna: Supports ST and SC students pursuing higher education, available to both day scholars and hostellers.
- Biju Yuba Sashaktikaran Yojana (LAPTOP DBT)/Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Students: A centrally sponsored scheme for students in classes IX and X.
- Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas, 15th November, 2023: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (TRI & Media Division), Government of India, designated November 15 as Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas to honor the birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Under this initiative, the Centre for Tribal Studies organized a ‘Writing and Infographic Presentation Competition’ featuring short articles (up to 1,000 words) and infographics (10 slides). The competition focused on the role of tribal freedom fighters and their contributions to Indian Independence while preserving tribal culture. The sub-themes for submissions included:
- The role of tribal freedom fighters during Indian Independence;
- Tribal movements in the Freedom Struggle;
- Contributions of tribal communities to national history and culture;
- The role of tribal communities in preserving cultural heritage and national pride.
- Kutumb adopted Village Visit on 2nd April 2023: The Centre for Tribal Studies, NLUO visited Munda Sahi village situated at Sector 13, CDA, Cuttack on 2nd April 2023. Munda Sahi is an adopted village under the University’s Kutumb initiative. The majority of the population of the village consists of various tribal groups (both Scheduled Tribes and Tribes). Around 50 residents (women and children) took part in the activities at the village community hall. The activities conducted during the visit were Cleanliness Drive, Awareness on Tribal Rights, Informal interviews with the residents by the Centre. Faculties Dr. Suvashree Panda and Mr. Kumarjeeb Pegu along with students Charmi Sudeepthi, Mitali Rawat, Stuti Horo, Sasretha, Tudu Jesy, Tanistha Mangaraj conducted the programme
- MoU signed with Centre for Adivasi Research and Development (CARD) on 30th January, 2022 : Collaboration with CARD will be enhancing the research values of the centre and will be helpful for arranging seminars/webinars with much more success, The centre for Tribal studies plans to establish a Chair Tribal studies, Conduct field visits for research orientation along with the help of district administration in tribal dominated areas.. To prepare research paper on the field trips including the suggestion for development, conducting Webinars, Credit Course/Diploma Course, Legal Awareness Camps in remote areas.
- WEBINAR on 23rd of May 2021: The Centre successfully conducted a webinar on ‘Impact on Tribal Tradition and Livelihood Post the Emergence of Naxalism’ with Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Assistant Professor & HOD (I/C), Department of Sociology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput and Dr. Debendra Kumar Biswal, Assistant Professor, Department of Contemporary & Tribal Customary Law, Central University of Jharkhand on 23rd of May, 2021.
- The Centre released an Edited Book on ‘Tribal Justice’ which was published by Eastern Book Company on 23rd of October 2020
- Webinar on 23rd of October 2020 : The Centre successfully conducted a webinar on ‘Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on tribal communities’ with Dr Jagannath Ambagudia, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, TISS Guwahati & Mr. Sandeep Kumar Pattnaik, from the Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 23rd of October 2020.
