On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti and the Odia New Year, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) officially launched the Website for the World Anthropology Congress – 2023, which was jointly envisioned with the United India Anthropology Forum (UIAF), in collaboration with the Anthropology Departments of Utkal University, Sambalpur University and the University of Delhi, with support from the Government of Odisha.
The World Anthropology Congress, based on the theme “Anthropology in the Public Sphere: Global Peace and Development”, will be held from the 15th to 19th of January 2023 at KIIT & KISS in Bhubaneswar. Considering the vital role that the Anthropological Community can play in lending a powerful voice to non-hegemonic and marginalized cultural perspectives on a sustainable approach to Global Peace and Harmony, the World Anthropology Congress celebrates the power of Anthropology to foster a more compassionate and peaceful world.
The event was attended both virtually and in person by numerous distinguished guests and academicians from across the world.
Officially launching the dedicated World Anthropology Congress 2023 website, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS welcomed all present, thanking them for supporting KISS in this endeavour. He detailed KIIT & KISS’s contributions to the field of anthropology and the global respect and appreciation both universities have earned for this, over the years.
In his welcome address, Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University stated that the formation of the WCA is testament to the unity, collective power and competence of Indian Anthropologists at par with the global Anthropological Fraternity.
Professor P C Joshi, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University appreciated the Indian mode of educating tribal students, while remarking that this was a one-of-a-kind event. He extended Delhi University’s support to KISS, while encouraging academicians from across the world to participate in the Congress. Addressing the gathering, Professor Sabita Acharya, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University extended Utkal University’s full support to KISS and its partners in ensuring the grand success of the forthcoming Congress. Sharing his views, Professor Arun Acharya (Department of Anthropology at Sambalpur University) spoke at length about how WCA is set to be a momentous event in Indian history.
The attendees were then addressed by Professor K K Misra, former Vice Chancellor at Utkal University of Culture, who spoke about the ability of this Congress to combat social ills of marginalization, poverty, hunger, global peace while bridging cultural differences. Professor Shalina Mehta, former professor and Head of the Department of Anthropology of Panjab University called the event a momentous occasion that marks the liberation of Indian Anthropology as a discipline. Professor A B Ota, Director cum Special Secretary of SCSTRTI, Government of Odisha spoke of his familiarity with KISS since its inception, appreciating the work of Dr. Samanta, KIIT and KISS. He remarked that nearly 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the weeklong Congress in 2023, making it one of the world’s best anthropological events. Thereafter, Professor Arbind Sinha, Advisor MICA – CDMC greeted the anthropological fraternity as an extended family for making the dream of WCA a reality. He explained that it has been a long wait since 1978 when the world’s anthropological fraternity last came to India for an event of this stature.
Dr. Nikita Ahya, Deputy Director of Networking at KIIT & KISS delivered a brief context and introduction of the website, wherein she explained the detailed thought and effort that was put into ensuring the website truly captures the ethos of the selflessness, ambition, peace and development that the Congress embodies, in a dynamic manner.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Professor S Gregory (Secretary of UIAF). In addition to expressing gratitude to all guests and dignitaries present, he thanked KISS for opening the KISS School of Anthropology, which he believes will quickly become one of the world’s best Anthropology Institutes.