International Conference on Globalization and Cultural Practices in Mountain Areas begins at Chintan Bhawan

GANGTOK, 13 Dec: The 10th International Conference on “Globalization and Cultural Practices in Mountain Areas: Dynamic, Dimensions and Implications”, organized by Sikkim University in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, began today at Chintan Bhawan.

The programme had Governor of Sikkim, BP Singh as the chief guest and began with the welcome address delivered by SU faculty, Dr. Binu Sundas. ‘Second Generation’ a website of the University was also launched at the programme by the Governor.
The Governor, in his inaugural address, expressed that the theme of the conference was both relevant and important to the hill society, economy, polity and culture. Highlighting on the significance of globalization, he said that a special focus on mountain regions is quite justified and also briefly detailed the birth of globalization.
In the context of Sikkim he expressed that it has come as a major boost to the aspirational society.
“However, the expectations raised by the global phenomenon have not been delivered fully,” he pointed out. He also expressed his concern over the hydel projects which he informed has received mixed response from the locals and advised all to make judicious choices keeping in mind the ecology and culture of the region. [turn to pg2 for complete text of the Governor’s inaugural address]
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mahendra P Lama, in his address said that the theme of the conference was very critical both for academic research and social purpose as people have already entered the globalization phase and it is important that they prepare to sail through it and extract the best from it.
The conference seeks to address such aspects and issues of uncertainties and vulnerabilities in the mountain region in order to deal with globalization, he explained.
People in mountain regions have already started feeling the adverse effects of globalization in almost all fields ranging from food to entertainment, societal values, culture wherein people have started neglecting the traditional wisdom keepers, he pointed out, underlining the need for greater academic enquiry into the phenomenon.
He said that SU seeks to harness opportunities generated by globalization by utilizing the same means it has created to transfer and disseminate knowledge to the younger generation.  
Speaking on traditional knowledge, Prof Lama informed that the University is planning to create a scientific forum for faith healers to come together to capitalize on their traditional knowledge base by propagating the same at the national and global level. This, he added, also implies harnessing their rich knowledge base through licensing, patenting and globalizing further adding that it will be done under the Centre for Folk Medicines in the School of Indigenous Studies and also in the School of Sustainable Development and Livelihood.
“SU is designing two full schools, School of Indigenous and Folk Studies and School of Sustainable Development and Livelihood Management with a range of Centres/ Departments focusing on this region’s core competence and strategic advantages”, he informed.
Prof Lama further informed that the University plans to start research programmes at the college level to introduce youth to critical thinking and in-depth learning at a relatively younger age for which, he added that the University looks forwards to cooperation from the government, stakeholders and the parents.
The theme for the first session was Globalization, Changing Institutions and Livelihood Securities, which was chaired by Prof. NS Jodha. Dr. JP Tamang gave a presentation on “Ancient Food Culture History and Ethnicity”, followed by Prof. PS Ramakrishnan on “Impact of Globalization on Eco-Cultural linked Sustainable Livelihood Issues in Mountian Systems”.
Dr. Chandra Negi gave his presentation on “Sustaining Life and Livelihood: A case study of Askote conservation landscape, Central Himalayas” while Dr. Lalit Premlal Tirkey presented his paper on “Contextualities: the Adivasi Vikash Parishad Politics in North Bengal Tea Region in the Eastern Himalayan Foothills”.
Smritima Diksha Lama gave her presentation on “Darjeeling Tea Industry: Implications of globalization-triggered fair trading”, Arija Vaidya on “Globalization and Cultural Change in Newar Community” and Ananta Gurung on “Lepcha Movement in Sikkim: A social perspective”.
The second session on the theme ‘Communication, Migration and Conflict’ was chaired by Prof. Mahendra P Lama. Here, Prof. Narpat S Jodha gave a presentation on “Economic Globalization seen through the Lens of Mountain Perspective”, Prof. Raghubir Chand on “Labour Migration as a Livelihood Strategy in Far East Bhutan”, Dr. Nimmi Kurian on “The Other Side of the Mountain: Framing a Borderlands Perspective on Regional Public Goods”, Dr. Sohel Firdos on “In search of Shelter: Exploring the interconnected phenomenon of environmentally induced migration and cultural change in Eastern Himlayas”, Vandana Kumari on “Gender, Changing Livelihood Patterns and Globalization in Eastern Himalayas”, Manoranjan Mishra on “Determinants of Decision Making Capacity of Rural Household in Response to Landscape Changes in Mountian System; a case study of drought prone block of Namthang, South Sikkim” and Bijay Thapa on “Globalization and Cultural Assertion in Bhutan: A study of Lhotshampas”.
Also present at the programme today was Ms R Iseda from the Japan Foundation.