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- Convenors:
-
Soumendra Patnaik
(University of Delhi)
Junji Koizumi (NIHU and Osaka University)
- Location:
- Convention Hall B
- Start time:
- 18 May, 2014 at
Time zone: Asia/Tokyo
- Session slots:
- 2
Short Abstract:
The panel seeks to reflect upon the contributions made by various anthropological associations in shaping nations and national life by critically influencing public policy towards, but not limited to, marginal communities in Asia.
Long Abstract:
This Panel seeks to reflect upon the journeys made by various anthropological associations in their critical engagement with the task of building or shaping a nation in the post colonial era in Asia. The discussions will revolve around the strategic decisions made by these associations to influence the public policy making it better and more desirable in its approach. Though this is to celebrate the historic coincidence of commemorating 50 years of Indian Anthropological Association and Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology, the discussions will include the narratives of such journeys in other parts of South and South East Asia. The emphasis will be on a comparative understanding of such engagements and the manner in which it is informed by anthropological insights. Anthropological engagement with nations and national life has been mutually enriching and it is this interface that the panel particularly seeks to reflect upon in cross cultural perspectives. The panel would consider the vulnerabilities of various marginal communities including indigenous ones in their historical and contemporary perspectives.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Yumiko Tokita-Tanabe (Osaka University)
Paper short abstract:
This paper examines the historical transformation of anthropological studies on South Asia by Japanese researchers and considers how they reflect agendas relevant to Japanese society of the time.
Paper long abstract:
This paper aims to examine the historical transformation of anthropological and sociological studies on South Asia by Japanese researchers and consider how the various studies reflected agendas relevant to Japanese society at those particular times. Post World War II scholarship based on fieldwork in South Asia began in the 1950s. Investigations into societies and cultures of South Asia were part of a positive re-evaluation of Asia in Japan. As Japan struggled to rebuild the nation and introduce democracy in the post-war years, India's achievement of national independence from colonialism and formation of modern democratic institutions were seen as shining examples by many intellectuals. At the same time, anthropologists and archaeologists were attracted to countries in South Asia as places where ancient civilizations had thrived. Such scholars placed emphasis on the lives of people in local societies and regional histories longue durée that transcend the creation and workings of modern nation states. In today's context of globalization, Japanese researchers on South Asia are discovering an alternative model of globalization and modernization that allows space for diversity and heterogeneity. Japan which is considered to be a relatively homogenous nation is currently undergoing a rapid change into a more multicultural country in the course of globalization. Scholars from various disciplines in the social sciences and humanities are keen to construct models of cultural coexistence. Anthropological studies of South Asia in Japan is also globalizing and becoming more cross-disciplinary reflecting the needs of our time.
Chatali Tandon (University of Delhi)
Paper short abstract:
The paper discusses the future of anthropology with respect to UNESCO’s convention on “Intangible Cultural Heritage” in the Indian context and exploring role of anthropology to revive, preserve, promote cultural heritage to an extent where anthropology’s role extends to contribute to the nation building process.
Paper long abstract:
In the era of globalization and massive urbanization issues on the importance of utilizing and safeguarding indigenous cultural knowledge and heritage elicit great concerns among Anthropologists and also in studies of Anthropology. UNESCO realized and addressed this profound problem, and brings up the discourse of "intangible Cultural Heritage" on a worldwide platform. UNESCO's convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003 has completed a full decade and has also gained wide acceptance at the local, national and international levels. This paper tries to understand how far this understanding of "Intangible Cultural Heritage" as per the UNESCO's convention can be or is being applied to study, understand and analyze exotic cultural communities, and to see how this convention can be instrumental in helping the anthropologists to locate, comprehend and study intangible cultural heritage in a better way and also how can intangible cultural heritage be preserved and promoted on a global level The Paper further deals with UNESCO's convention on "Intangible Cultural Heritage" and the effect it has on revitalization of cultural configurations in different communities and how far this convention will contribute in Anthropology in solidifying unique cultures in special reference to Indian Scenario. Themes of 'culture' and 'nation building' are gradually becoming the core areas of Anthropological involvement therefore the paper tries to explore how the corpus of anthropological knowledge regarding, people, their cultural heritage and society can be useful in laying foundations of a post-colonial nation state with special reference to nation formation particularly in Southeast Asia.
Prarthana Saikia (University of Delhi)
Paper short abstract:
This paper attempts to identify a space for anthropological practice in Bhutan, taking into account the fact that the country does not have university departments or any associations of anthropology.
Paper long abstract:
The absence of University departments or any formal associations in Bhutan do not indicate the absence of the discipline in the soil. Taking clue of the popular cliché that 'absence of evidence is not evidence of absence' the paper argues that Bhutan has already offered deep sense of Anthropological insight in terms of the idea of Happiness Index as indicator of the Human Development (by the King) and also the way a small nation has offered best practices to world's largest nations in terms of democracy, peace and participation. It truly represents an actually existing microcosm, an experiment with styles of human existence with possibilities of an imagined macrocosm which the world aspires to be.
Being a goldsmith of Anthropological experimentation which the human kind has developed in its spontaneous living with traditions and future aspirations, the land has witnessed several anthropological engagement in terms of understanding its folk life, stories, tales and narratives from everyday life. However, they have all germinated in a soil outside the Himalayan country. It is argued here that the situation is ripe in nation to take a leap into future of anthropological imagination.
Gautam Kshatriya
Paper short abstract:
This paper examines the status of public health policy in India and the challenges posed by different health indicators. It also examines intervention strategies from anthropology for delivering effective and sustainable health care.
Paper long abstract:
The declaration of Alma Ata, 1978, brought in a revolutionary approach to health care. Following this, the Government of India evolved a National Health Policy in 1983 which aimed to achieve 'Health for All' by 2000 AD. Although significant progress has been made regarding key health indicators since Independence, there is wide variation in accomplishing the goals of critical demographic indicators in different States. There are also multiple reasons for differentials in health status in Indian populations. Confronting the tough challenges posed by the prevalence of various kinds of diseases and infrastructure, the Government of India is seriously engaged in evolving comprehensive health system through various policy programs.
Ironically, the lack of involvement of anthropologists in developing suitable health care strategies for varied cultural groups of India is far from satisfactory. In fact, they assume vital role in public health domains. They provide insights in to the health problems from the point of view of the community in which these problems arise. Thus, understanding cultural perception regarding health problems is of utmost important for any intervention programs for improving the acceptability in resolving health issues. It is therefore, imperative that anthropological approach can make critical differences in the intervention strategies for health care delivery system in any society. Keeping this in view, an attempt has been made to discuss various such situations where the recommendations of anthropologists have gone long way in acceptance of health services.
Soumendra Patnaik (University of Delhi)
Paper short abstract:
The paper seeks to explore the contradictory tensions anthropology has generated in public life of colonial and post colonial India.
Paper long abstract:
The paper traces the history of associational activities taking place around the discipline of anthropology much before its institutionalization in any university set up in India.Publications of journals and informal meetings by the concerned citizens have carved out spaces for anthropological insights to germinate ,grow and influence the public life.
The National imagination of its ethnic future is very much dependent on the way anthropological knowledge and expertise have been used by the republic of India.It took several decades to situate anthropological vision in one or other ministries of the Government puting it for the consumption of citizens on the margins.
The paper argues that ethnic and regional concerns have revolved around influential leaders who were not only pioneers in their fields but also shaped the development of the discipline having influence on various National Policies.
Nilika Mehrotra (Jawaharlal Nehru university)
Paper short abstract:
This paper explores the role of journals in building the discipline of anthropology in India.
Paper long abstract:
This paper explores the role of journals in building the anthropology associations and whether they reflect the state of art in the discipline of anthropology in India. Though journal publication in India is almost a century old, it has not kept with the changing times. The paper examines some of the prominent journals and their respective associations to chart patterns of coverage of its subdisciplines, themes, nature of writing and challenges of publication in India. What is the role of a journal in the life of academics and in public and national platform? On one hand, a journal reflects the mission and goals of the association, on the other it has to reflect the concerns of the times. How have historically different journals evolved and changed? What has been the role of individuals in building journals and maintaining their focus and interests? Whether publications reflect local concerns or try to connect local with the global in theoretical and methodological terms? What are the challenges languages and medium of instruction and writing pose here? How integrated has anthropology in India been? What is the relationship between anthropology and other disciplines and do the articles reflect interdisciplinary concerns? How neoliberal economy is changing the publication scene with regard to their international presence? And is there a possibility of reading for an indigenous anthropology here are some of the issues the paper seeks to examine.
Chitra Kadam (University of Delhi)
Paper short abstract:
The paper deliberates on the rise of the NGO movement in India, focussing on how NGOs tend to bridge the gap between Government and civil society. It also reflects on the role NGOs play in nation-building by strengthening civil society for increased political participation as well as by building the capacity of government at the local level.
Paper long abstract:
The study of relationship between state, civil society and NGOs has been of great theoretical concern to anthropologists and development practitioners. India has witnessed a marked surge in the development of NGO movement. While initially NGOs were engaged with welfare, charity, relief, health, education; in mid-1970s issue-based NGOs came up that were oriented towards human rights, women’s rights, child labor, ecology, etc. NGO movement was further augmented when civil society gradually entered the political space where issues like good governance, partnerships, accountability, etc. were reinforced. The focus of NGOs shifted more towards greater political participation in decision-making and policy analysis. Their struggle took further shape when demands for the basic rights for poor led to the expansion of employment guarantee schemes, mid-day meal in schools and Freedom of Information Act 2002. Therefore, NGOs have been able to intervene in policy-making by converting their demands into specific policies. Concisely, civil society in India has expanded political participation by intervening in the domain on policy making and implementation.
The present paper deliberates on the rise of NGO movement in India and the various phases it has been through. It discusses how NGOs focus on the importance of good governance, partnership, greater governmental efficiency and accountability. The paper reflects on the how NGOs tend to bridge the gap between Government and civil society. It also seeks to understand the role NGOs play in nation-building by strengthening the civil society for increased political participation as well as building the capacity of government at the local level. With more and more anthropologists joining the NGO profession, the policy and intervention strategies became more and more informed by ethnographic richness and insight. The paper traces few such interfaces and examines the implications using a critical perspective.