Prof. Amit Kumar Kisku

Prof. Amit Kumar Kisku

Professor
Educational Qualification
Degree Name Institute Year of passing/awarded
PhD School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London 2016
M.Sc. Vidyasagar University 2004
Title of the Ph. D. Thesis
Title of the Ph. D. Thesis
A Reflexive Ethnography of Santal Indigeneity and Environmentality in Jungle Mahals, India
Career Profile / Teaching Experience
Description of Experience
Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University since 06.03.2020
Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University from 16.06.2006 to 05.03.2020
Specialization/Research Area
Type (Specialization / Research Area / Areas of Interest) Detailed Description
Field of Specialization Common Property Resource Management, Indigenous Knowledge of Biodiversity Conservation, Indigenous Politics, and Anthropology at Home
Research Area/ Areas of Interest Indigenous Culture and Identity, Environment Management, and Traditional Knowledge and Practices
Course/ Subject Taught
Course Name
Socio-cultural Anthropology
Ecological Anthropology
Medical Anthropology
Anthropology of Women
Development Anthropology
New Trends in Socio-cultural Anthropology
Anthropology of Civilization
Indian Anthropology
Publications in Journal / Magazines / Newspaper
Author' Name Title Publication Type Published in Published on Publisher's Name Role Details
Development and Growing Adivasi Landlessness - In the Select Novels International Journal of Kolkata Society for Asian Studies Jun, 2024 Kolkata Society for Asian Studies Co-Author Impact Factor: 0.00000
Indexing: UGC CARE
Article's Web Link: http://www.jrksas.org/JIssue19.php#A14
The Legacy of P. O. Bodding to the Study of Ethnomedicine International Annals of Anthropological Research and Reviews, ISSN: 2583-0570, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 114-120. Apr, 2024 Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University Co-Author,Corresponding Author Impact Factor: 0.00000
Indexing: Others
Article's Web Link: https://journal.skbu.ac.in/arts/anthropology1/Current_Issue
Village Council on the Subsistence Practices of Santals: A Case of the Tiakati Village of Jhargram District, West Bengal International Annals of Anthropological Research and Reviews, ISSN; 2583-0570, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 101-113. Apr, 2024 Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University Co-Author,Corresponding Author Impact Factor: 0.00000
Indexing: Others
Article's Web Link: https://journal.skbu.ac.in/arts/anthropology1/Current_Issue
"Forests of Cooperation and Conflict: A Study on Joint Forest Management in Jungle Mahals, India" (second author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Shahbaz Hussain) International Journal of Human Ecology, 73 (1-3): 89-101. (ISSN 0970-9274) Jan, 2021 Kamla-Raj Enterprises (KRE), Haryana, India Impact Factor:
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Opportunities of Tribal Development:Some Rays of Hope National In V. Srinivasa Rao edited Disadvantaged Tribes of India: Regional Concerns Jan, 2020 Rawat Publications, Jaipur. Impact Factor:
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“Religious Beliefs and Ethnomedicinal Practices of the Santals of a Village of West Bengal, India” in the book entitled “Tribal Health Care System” (2019) edited by Ranjana Ray International Asiatic Society Kolkata-700016 (ISBN-978-93-81574-86-7) Jan, 2019 Asiatic Society Kolkata-700016 Impact Factor:
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"Why pregnant women die?": Identifying the Determinants of Maternal Health (Second author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Suparna Ghosh Bhowmick) International The Indian Journal of Anthropology, 6:1 Jan, 2018 Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists Impact Factor:
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"Educational Policies and their Implementations: A Case Study on the Lodhas of Muchibere Village, Paschim Medinipur" (first author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Sourav Das) International International Research Journal of Human Resources and Social Sciences, Vol. 4, Issue. 8, pp. 1-13 Jan, 2017 Associated Asia Research Foundation Impact Factor:
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"Participation of Lodhas in Joint Forest Management (JFM) at Muchibere Village in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal" (first author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Manoj Raul) International Research Journal of Social Science and Management (RJSSM), Vol. 07, No. 05: pp. 50-57. Jan, 2017 The International Journal Research Publications Impact Factor:
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"Ecotourism: Another Way of Sustainable Development" (first author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Arghya Santra) International Research Journal of Social Science & Management, Vol. 07, No. 05: pp. 24-30. Jan, 2017 The International Journal Research Publication Impact Factor:
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"Understanding Santal Identity through their Architecture" (first author and corresponding author in joint authorship with Arghya Santra) International IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Volume 2, Issue 9, Version 5: pp. 24-29. Jan, 2017 International Organisation of Scientific Research Impact Factor:
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History of Anthropology International The Indian Journal of Anthropology (TIJA), 5:1::117-120 (ISSN 2320-3757) Jan, 2017 Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists Impact Factor:
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"Anthropology of Houses: Reflections from Existing Literature on Architecture" (second author in joint authorship with Arghya Santra) International The Oriental Anthropologist, Volume 17, Issue 2, pp. 277-287 (ISSN: 0972- 558X) Jan, 2017 Prints Publications Pvt. Ltd. Impact Factor:
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“Why pregnant women die?”: Identifying the Determinants of Maternal Health" [second author in joint authorship with Suparna Bhowmick (Ghosh)] International The Indian Journal of Anthropology, Vol. 6, no. 1, (ISSN- 2320-3757) Jan, 2017 Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologist Impact Factor:
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"Health Maintaining and Disease Curative Ethno-medicinal and Religious Practices by the Santals of Keonjhar District, Orissa" (second author with F. Chakrabarty and M.C.Dolai) International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (JHSS), 2(5): 35-45 Jan, 2012 International Organisation of Scientific Research (IOSR) Impact Factor:
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"A Santal Jaher: Rituals and Biodiversity Conservation" (first author in joint authorship with Ram Kumar Bhakat and Abhijit Guha) International Journal of India Anthropological Society, 45: 143-151 Jan, 2010 Indian Anthropological Society Impact Factor:
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"Culture and Conservation: Case Study of a Sacred Grove" (with R.K.Bhakat and A.Guha) National Science and Culture, 75 (5-6): 213-217 Jan, 2009 Indian Science News Association, Kolkata Impact Factor:
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"Learning to Ask Questions through Encounters with Sabars in Orissa: Methodological Experiments in a Pedagogical Context" (Book Chapter jointly with Abhijit Guha) National In Abhijit Guha edited book Levels of Existence: Issues and Challanges Jan, 2008 Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists (INCAA), Jhargram Impact Factor:
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"Joint Forest Management in West Bengal: Micro-level Realities" National Indian Journal of Biological Sciences, 14: 62-68 Jan, 2008 Vidyasagar University Impact Factor:
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"Forest Policies and Tribals: A Case Study of a Santal Village in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal" International International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Puducherry, Vol. 2, No.1, pp. 1-12 Jan, 2008 Pondicherry University Impact Factor:
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Book Chapter Published
Title of Chapter Title of the Book Published by Published on Role Details
Historical Analysis of the National Education Policy 2020 NEP 2020: A Way Ahead for Higher Education System in India (Edited by H. K. Chourasia and Abha Anand Narendra Publishing House, New Delhi Jun, 2024 Sole Author Indexing: Others
Article's Web Link:
The Sacred Grove and the Livelihood and Identity of Santals Indigenous Architecture in India: Exploring Plural Lifewords (Edited by Gauri Bharat) Routledge Jun, 2024 Co-Author,Corresponding Author Indexing: Others
Article's Web Link:
"Healthcare Practices of PVTGs: A Case of the Lodhas of Jungle Mahals, India" Indigenous Knowledge System and Practices among PVTGs in India (edited by A. B. Ota and Sunita Reddy) Mayur Publications, Odisha Jul, 2023 Co-Author,Corresponding Author Indexing: Others
Article's Web Link:
Ph. D. Thesis Guidance
Scholar Name Thesis Title Name of the Co Supervisor Status Date
Gosai Hansda An Ethnographic Study on the Traditional Political System of Santals in Jhargram District, West Bengal Ongoing Apr, 2028
Chunaram Kisku Ethnomedicinal and Associated Socio-religious Practices among the Santals: An Ethnographic Study in Purulia District, West Bengal Ongoing Nov, 2027
Bisesswar Saren (Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi) "A Study on the Social Realities as Reflected in the Select Santali Novels" (written in both English and Santali languages) Prof. Amit Kumar Kisku Awarded Feb, 2026
Suparna Ghosh Bio-cultural Perspectives of Maternal Health and Childcare: A Study on the Domestic Workers of Kolkata Awarded Dec, 2025
Shahbaz Hussain An Ethnographic study on the Participation of Lodhas in Joint Forest Management in Jhargram District, West Bengal Awarded Feb, 2025
Arghya Santra Ethnography on the Mud House Architecture in a Santal Village, Jhargram District, West Bengal Awarded Feb, 2022
Research Project
Worked as Funding Agency Amount in Rs. Duration Period Status
Co-Project Investigator UGC-SAP 110000 5 years 2017-2021 Ongoing
Invited Lectures
Title Organized By Venue Date
Blessings for Anthropology in the Twenty First Century India INCAA Roundtable of the Indian Anthropology Congress 2020 on the theme Envisioning Anthropology in Twenty First Century India Indian Museum, Anthropological Survey of India, and Asiatic Society during 21-22 February, 2020 Jan, 2020
Food and Drinks of Hierarchy: Anthropological Insight from Jungle Mahals Department of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia in collaboration with Cultural Research Institute, Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal , Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia,held on 20th February, 2019. Jan, 2019
"Should we worry about tribal education?": Some thoughts Cultural Research Institute, Kolkata Shantiniketan, Bolpur Jan, 2019
Indigenous Debate and Ethical Issues: Reflections from Researching on One s Own Community Workshop on Ethical Issues for Doing Fieldwork with Indigenous Peoples - Indian Perspective organised by Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University under the sponsorship of ICSSR IMPRESS Programme West Bengal State University, Kolkata during 6-8 November 2019 Jan, 2019
Identity Politics and Tribals as Indigenous People Eastern Regional Centre, Anthropological Survey of India Eastern Regional Centre, Anthropological Survey of India held on 9th August 2018 Jan, 2018
Radio Talk on Changing Scenario in Santhal Society Prasar Bharati, All India Radio, Kolkata Broadcasted from Kolkata-A Chanel on 19 July 2018 Jan, 2018
Being tribal Vs. becoming tribal: The dilemmas of conferred and achieved identity Cultural Research Institute, sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India Cultural Research Institute, Kolkata, held during 28 – 29 June, 2018 Jan, 2018
World Environment and Indian Tribes Department of Santali, Vidyasagar University Vidyasagar University held during 22-28 March, 2018 Jan, 2018
“Changing Scenario in Santhal Society" Prasar Bharati, All India Radio Kolkata Jan, 2018
“Being tribal Vs. becoming tribal: The dilemmas of conferred and achieved identity” Cultural Research Institute, sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India Kolkata Jan, 2018
Radio Talk on "Globalisation and Santals" (in Santali) Prasar Bharati, All India Radio, Kolkata Broadcasted on AIR, Kol-A Channel on 07/09/2017 ten minutes from 6:20 pm Jan, 2017
Introduction of the Santal Community Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal,Rohini Chiyara Paruy Muluk (Sankrail Block) in collaboration with Majhi Pargana Trust Keshiapata G.M. High School, Sankrail, Jhargram, West Bengal during 16-18th October Jan, 2017
“Religious Beliefs and Ethnomedicinal Practices of the Santals of a Village of West Bengal, India” Asiatic Society, Kolkata-700016 Asiatic Society, Kolkata-700016,held during 23-24 February, 2017 Jan, 2017
Transformation of Tangible into Intangible Culture Heritage of the Santals of Jungle Mahals, India: A critique of Indigenous Politics Department of Sociology, Presidency University, Kolkata Presidency University, Kolkata, held during 20-21 February 2017 Jan, 2017
Rights of the Indigenous People Vidyasagar University Sponsored by UGC Vidyasagar University held during 28-29 March, 2017 Jan, 2017
Rights of the Indigenous People: Discourses UGC Innovative Research Project [Humanities and Social Sciences], Vidyasagar University (UGC-sponsored) Vidyasagar University held during 22- 24 March, 2017 Jan, 2017
"Many People Know Many Things": Supernatural Beliefs and Environmental Actions of the Santals of Jungle Mahals Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University (WBSU) during 21-22 March, 2016 PROGGALOY, Barasat, West Bengal Jan, 2016
"Materialisation of Mythology in the Village-Life of the Santals of Jungle Mahals" Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal on 25th August, 2016 Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Jan, 2016
Challenges and Strategies of Practicing Anthropology at Home in Jungle Mahals Organised by The European Association for South Asian Studies University of Edinburgh, Scotland Jan, 2014
Problems and Prospects of the Indigenous People Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India Anthropological Survey of India held during 8-9th August, 2013 Jan, 2013
Positive Discrimination of SC, ST, and Women for National Development Equal Opportunity Centre (Sponsored by UGC), Balaka Praktani Samsad, Raja N.L. Khan Womens College on 30th January at Raja N. L. Khan Womens College, Gope Palace, Midnapore Jan, 2011
Membership of Learned Society
Title/Name of the Society
Life member of Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists (INCAA)
Association with Professional Bodies
Type of Professional Activity Period
Secretary, Ph. D. committee in Anthropology, Vidyasagar University 2018 to 2019
2. Coordinator, M. Phil. Committee in Anthropology, Vidyasagar University 2018 to 2019
4. Chairman, PG Board of Studies in Anthropology, Vidyasagar University 2018 to 2019
5. Chairman, UG Board of Studies in Anthropology, Vidyasagar University 2018 to 2019
3. Member, Local Advisory Committee of UGC-SAP (DRS-I) in the Dept. of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University 2017 to 2019
Conference /Seminar/Workshop Attended
Title of the Seminar/Conference/Workshop Date Role Held at and Organiser
International Seminar on Tribe, State and Development: Exploring Anthropological knowledge held during 7-8 February, 2019 Jan, 2019 Presented a paper entitled “Economic Change and Santal Architecture”: An Anthropological study in a Santal village Organized by Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal. India [under the UGC SAP (DRS-I)] in collaboration with Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India held during 7-8 February, 2019
National Seminar on “Food and Nutrition among Tribal People” Jan, 2019 Delivered an invited lecture entitlted “Food and Drinks of Hierarchy: Anthropological Insight from Jungle Mahals” organized by Department of Anthropology and Tribal Studies, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia in collaboration with Cultural Research Institute, Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal held on 20th February, 2019.
National seminar on "Tribal Education and Development" Jan, 2019 Chaired a session Organised by the Cultural Research Institute (CRI), Kolkata and held at Visva Bharati Cooperative Credit Society, Shantiniketan, Bolpur on 28th June 2019
International Seminar on "Socio-Economic Development of the People in India: Prospects and Challenges" Jan, 2019 Chaired the Professor Prabodh Kumar Bhowmick Memorial Lecture Punyatma Dipak Narayan Dhar Bhabanisankar Singha Tarpanaashram in collaboration with the Indian Anthropological Society and held during 6-8th September 2019 at Bidisha, Paschim Medinipur
National Convention on "Anthropological Concept and Approaches to Sustainable Tribal Development: Challenges and Opportunities" as part of the celebration of One Hundred Years of Anthropology in India Jan, 2019 Delivered an invited lecture on "The Opportunities of Tribal Development" Organised by IBRAD, Kolkata and held during 19th to 20th October 2019
National Workshop on "Ethical Issues for Doing Fieldwork with Indigenous Peoples- Indian Perspectives" as part of the Celebration of 100 Years Institutional Teaching of Anthropology in India Jan, 2019 Delivered an invited lecture entitled "Indigenous Debate and Ethical Issues: Reflections from Researching on Ones Own Community" Organised by the Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University in collaboration with Indian Council of Social Science Research (IMPRESS Programme) and held during 6-8 November 2019
National Seminar on Tribal Education and Development in West Bengal Jan, 2019 Delivered an invited lecture entitled "Should we still worry about tribal education?": Some thoughts Organised by the Cultural Research Institute (CRI), Kolkata and held at Visva Bharati Cooperative Credit Society, Shantiniketan, Bolpur on 28th June 2019
International Indigenous People’s Day Jan, 2018 Invited Lecturer Eastern Regional Centre, Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India held on 9th August
International Conference on Indigenous People, Human Security and Sustainable Development: Emerging Challenges in the Present Global Context Jan, 2018 Presented a paper entitled "The Indigenous Debate and the Identity Crisis of the Tribal of India" Organised by the Commission on Human Rights, International Union of anthropological and Ethnological Sciences and the Dept. of Anthropology, WBSU in collaboration with ICMR, ICHR, AnSI held during 19-21 January 2018
National Seminar on Tribal Culture in West Bengal Jan, 2018 Delivered an invited lecture entitled "Being Tribal vs Becoming Tribal: The dilemmas of conferred and achieved identity" Organised by the Cultural Research Institute, Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal and held at Cultural Research Institute during 28th to 29th June 2018
National Seminar on "Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Social Engineering" Jan, 2018 Presented a paper entitled "Problems of Food Security and the Emergence of Child Labouring: A Case Study on the Brick Kiln Labourers" Organised by the SC, ST, OBC Employees Welfare Association of Visva-Bharati and held at Lipika, Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan during 13-14th April 2018
“Training Module for Capacity Building for Tribal Welfare Functionaries” working in Andhra Pradesh Jan, 2017 Participated as an Invitee Resource Person and was entrusted to write a unit on the “Opportunities for Promotion of Tribal Sports, Arts and Crafts” for the said training module Jointly organized by the Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) and the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad and held at the University of Hyderabad on 27th November 2017
UGC sponsored two day International Seminar on "Santal and Their Culture" Jan, 2017 Participated and presented entitled "Who Are We? Identity Politics from the Perspectives of Santals" Department of Santali, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal and held at B.N.Sasmal Hall, Vidyasagar University Campus
International Conference on "Heritage and History in South Asia" Jan, 2017 participated as an invitee and presented a paper entitled "Transformation of Tangibles into Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santals of Jungle Mahals, India: A Critique of Indigenous Politics" Jointly organised by the Presidency University and The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London during 20th to 21st February 2017
Two-day International Seminar on "Tribal/Indigenous Health Care System: Tribute to P. O. Bodding" Jan, 2017 Participated as an invitee and presented a paper entitled "Religious Beliefs and Ethno-medicinal Practices of the Santals of Keonjhar District, Odisha" Organised by Asiatic Society and held at the premises of Asiatic Society during 23 & 24 February 2017
Indian Anthropology Congress 2017 on "Shaping New India: Role of Anthropology and Anthropologists" Jan, 2017 presented a paper entitled "Houses are taken for granted by anthropologists: Reflections from Existing Literature on Architecture" Organised by the Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University under the aegis of Indian National Confederation and Academy of Anthropologists (INCAA) during 21-23 February 2017
One day workshop on Religion and Environment Jan, 2015 participated organised by SOAS South Asia Institute (SSAI) and held at SOAS, University of London
Anthropology in London Day Conference on Anthropology on the Move Jan, 2015 participated organised by the Anthropology in London Planning Committee, SOAS, University of London and held at University College London (UCL).
One day event on The Future of the Rural World? Africa and Asia Jan, 2015 Participated as an invitee organised by Professor Edward Simpson, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, SOAS and held at SOAS, University of London
PhD Workshop on European South Asian Studies Jan, 2014 Delivered an invited lecture entitled Challenges and Strategies of Practicing Anthropology at Home in Jungle Mahals Organised by The European Association for South Asian Studies and held at University of Edinburgh, Scotland on 2014
Graduate Workshop Programme entitled Crossing Borders in South Asia Jan, 2014 Invitee discussant Organised by the South Asia Institute, SOAS, London and held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on 2014
International Seminar on Directions and Connections across Anthropology Jan, 2014 Presented a paper entiled "Challenges and Practices of Anthropology at Home: An Auto-ethnographical Account" Organized by University College London and University of East London held on 7th May 2014
Graduate Workshop Programme entitled Crossing Borders in South Asia Jan, 2014 participated as an invitee discussant held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and organised by the South Asia Institute, SOAS, London
Anthropology in London Day Conference 2014 on Directions and Connections Across Anthropology Jan, 2014 participated and presented a paper entitled Challenges and Practices of Anthropology at Home An Autoethnographical Account held at the Department of Anthropology, University College London (UCL) arranged by the London School of Economics (LSE) in conjunction with the anthropology departments of UCL, SOAS, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Brunel, and UEL.
European South Asian Studies PhD Workshop Jan, 2014 participated as a nominated student and presented a paper entitled Challenges and Strategies of Practicing Anthropology at Home in Jungle Mahals held at the University of Edinburgh and organised by the European Association for South Asian Studies.
Anthropology in London Day Conference 2012 on Certainity Jan, 2012 participated and volunteered to organize the event held at University College London (UCL) and organised by UCL and University of East London (UEL) in collaboration with Brunel University, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Goldmiths, and London School of Economics (LSE)
Conference /Seminar/Workshop Organised
Title of the Seminar/Conference/Workshop Date Role in the Event Funding Agency
International Seminar on Tribe, State, and Development: Exploring Anthropological Knowledge organised by Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India Held on 7th-8th February 2019 Jan, 2019 Organisaed as a Head of Department of Anthropology,VU Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
"Food and Health: Bio-cultural Dimensions" held during 21-22 March Jan, 2018 Convener UGC
WBCS (Executive) Etc. Exams for Students and Aspirants held on 27.02.2018 Jan, 2018 Organised as Head of Department of Anthropology, VU None
Awards
Award Name Awarded by Date
National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates (2007-2008) Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India Jan, 2008
National Eligibility Test Lecturership University Grants Commission, Government of India Jan, 2005
Silver Medal for standing second in M.Sc. in Anthropology Vidyasagar University Jan, 2004
Silver Medal for standing second in B.Sc. in Anthropology Vidyasagar University Jan, 2002