Puducherry: Pondicherry University observed the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples with a programme organised by the Department of Anthropology at its Silver Jubilee Campus.

The event aimed to promote inclusive education, cultural preservation and community engagement, in line with the University's vision.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. P. Prakash Babu inaugurated the event and stressed the importance of understanding indigenous heritage, endangered languages, and traditional ecological knowledge. Sharing his experiences with tribal communities in Telangana and Odisha, he underlined their harmonious coexistence with nature.

Earlier, Dr. Valerie Dkhar, Head of the Department of Anthropology, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of the day, noting that 476 million indigenous people across 90 countries speak more than 7,000 languages. Dean of the School of Social Sciences & International Studies, Prof. G. Chandhrika, lauded the department's efforts in fostering academic excellence and emphasised the need to integrate traditional ecological wisdom into the Indian knowledge system.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. S. Sumathi, eminent anthropologist and Adjunct Professor at the University of Madras, on “Beyond the Stereotype: Reframing our Perception of Indigenous Tribes.” She discussed issues of caste, marginalisation, biodiversity, climate change and the role of anthropology in addressing contemporary challenges.

A special lecture by Prof. Sumathi in the afternoon on “Scope for Creating Alternatives: Anthropology for Peace” explored cultural influences on memory and objectivity in research. The programme concluded with an interactive discussion, reaffirming the University's commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals.