Special features of the organization
Facets of Activities of the Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology(ISRAA) , , The Institute of Social Research & Applied Anthropology had, since its inception in 1955 had been engaged in activities related to social welfare, research studies, action research, cultural promotion of indigenous population etc. in different parts of West Bengal and neighbouring states. Many great personalities like Prof. Nirmal Kumar Bose, Prof. Probodh Kumar Bhowmick, Dr. J.K. Bose, Prof. L.P. Vidyarthi, etc., to name a few, had been the principal source of inspiration and actions research in this organization. Till date it had conducted many academic research as well as action research with actual implementation concerning poverty alleviation, social awareness, capacity building and other livelihood improvement programmes. It has with its experts and staff, significant experience of evaluation and assessment related project execution in and urban development fronts. , , A. Action & Applied Research: , , 1. Since inception 8 Nos. of Research Projects on various issues related to Tribal Development livelihood programme etc. in general and Lodha, a primitive tribe West Bengal. was carried out by the staff and scholars of the institute. The projects were duly sponsored by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India. , , 2. During 2006-08 we executed a project entitled Empowerment of Tribal Women through Batik Print: Training cum Production sponsored by Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. New Delhi. As a part of the project we trained 90 tribal women belongs to various tribal communities in and around Bidisha. In view of their show interest we formed 9 SHG,s. Out of 9 Nos. of SHGs except 2 others are functioning. , , 3. One Research Fellow namely Dr. Monali Goswami who attached with our institute and carrying out her research work entitled Nutritional Status among the mother & children of Bhumij of Orissa funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi. , , 4. In the field of education we are running 3 Ashrama Hostels - 2 for Boys and 1 for Girls exclusively for Lodha children. Ashrama Hostel which is residential where free food and lodging facilities being provided to the inmates duly financed by BCW Dept, Govt. of West Bengal. It is to be mentioned here the first Ashrama Hostel in the state of west Bengal . , , 5. Our existing land and pond are being utilized for commercial purpose in view of generating our own resources for sustainability on one hand and the other it is being used for demonstration purposes by inviting the experts time to time from IIT, KGP as well as concerned Agriculture Dept, Govt. of West Bengal to transfer the need based technology to the tribal and non tribal people living side by side in and around Bidisha. , , 6. We organized Aloe-Vera training for the youth farmer of the locality. The training was imparted by the faculty of Agriculture and Food Engineering Dept. IIT. KGP. , , 7. We have installed Bio- gas unit and vermi- compost plant to impart training facilities to the local tribal youth to provide the means of sustainable livelihood to the local people in view of entrepreneur development of Tribal Folk. , , 8. Very recently the District Sericulture Board established a Tasar-cum-Mulberi cultivation, training-cum- Production Unit at our Institute for employment and income generation in Paschim Medinipur. , , B. Organising National & International Level Seminar , , Since inception our institute very successfully organized 36 Nos. National seminars and 3 NOs. of International Seminars duly sponsored by the agency like Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Indian Council of Social Science Science Research, New Delhi, Anthropological Survey of India, Cultural Research Institute, West Bengal etc. The 4th International Seminar will be held during December, 4th to 5th 2016. , , C. Publication , , We are publishing very regularly a journal namely Man & Life 2 issues Jan- June & July Dec. We feel proud by expressing, since last 37 years this journal covering all the branches of social science being published regularly. , , Altogether total 20 Nos. of books are being published by our institute under the heading Sparks from Bidisha , , D. Revival of Tribal Art & Culture , , With the aim of revival of tribal art & culture our Institute organizes every year Navanna Utsav where different tribal communities are to perform their various cultural events which aregradually decaying due to impact of modern mass- media and telecommunication causing the identity crisis among the indigenous communities. Our Institute is putting its endeavor to provide a platform where the missing tribal cultural traits are being staged and this happens to be the eye opener before younger generation of various communities as a source of motivations and challenges. , , , E. Eco-museum is located at our institute. There is enough scope for the expansion and popularization of ecologically sensitive activities in village life in terms of promotions and rejections. , , , F. Throughout the year, the students of Rural Development, Anthropology, Bengali, History, Sociology, Folklore etc. of different colleges and universities of West Bengal and out side the state are organizing their field camps and workshops at our institute.
