NAACAFI-2021

National Applied Anthropology Congress - Anthropology for India (NAACAFI-2021)

Prof. P. D. Satya Pal Kumar

Professor and Chairman, Department of Anthropology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Andhra University

Director, ASR Centre for Tribal Studies, Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Prof. Satya Pal has been a faculty member at the Department of Anthropology, Andhra University since 1994, where he now serves as Chairman. With over 26 years of academic experience, he has specialized in critical fields such as inequality—focusing on caste and tribes—cultural capital, cultural politics, the anthropology of gender, livelihood studies, and democracy and human rights. His academic contributions include publishing 57 research articles in national and international journals on these themes. He has also successfully completed 5 major and 1 minor research project funded by UGC, ICSSR, TCR&TI, and the Tribal Welfare Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

In addition to his academic roles, Prof. Satya Pal has served as Commissioner of Inquiry for the Government of Andhra Pradesh on three occasions, investigating the social status of castes and tribes. His extensive expertise in social inequality and human rights has also led to invitations to lecture at prestigious institutions, including MIT and Columbia University in the USA, Osaka and Tokyo Universities in Japan, and various universities in the UAE.

A highly sought-after resource person, Prof. Satya Pal has delivered lectures at numerous academic gatherings in India and abroad, including the IIMs and IITs. He has also conducted HR training programs for major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as ONGC, HPCL, NTPC, and the Anthropological Survey of India.

Prof. Satya Pal’s contributions to the field of anthropology, his research on inequality and human rights, and his dedication to fostering academic excellence make him an influential figure in both national and international circles. His work continues to shape the discourse on social exclusion, inclusive policy, and tribal studies, inspiring generations of scholars and policymakers

Prof. P. D. Satyal, a distinguished academician from the Department of Anthropology, has been a pillar of strength and inspiration for the Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAfH). As the Convenor of the National Applied Anthropology Congress, he played a pivotal role in ensuring the event’s success through his exceptional leadership and commitment.
Prof. Satyal’s dedication to the Congress is unparalleled. Despite facing a personal tragedy—his only son suffering a severe head injury in a fatal road accident and remaining in a coma—he selflessly left his family in the ICU to oversee the event’s organization. He spent three days ensuring the Congress was conducted seamlessly, showcasing his unwavering sense of responsibility and passion for advancing anthropology.
In addition to his time and effort, Prof. Satyal generously contributed ₹1,00,000 towards the Congress expenses, further exemplifying his commitment to the cause. His remarkable resilience and selflessness have left an indelible mark on the AAfH and its members, serving as a profound inspiration to the entire anthropological community

“Bringing Anthropological Applications to Address Contemporary Issues” is a comprehensive exploration of the transformative power of anthropology in navigating the complexities of our modern age. Born out of the National Applied Anthropology Congress – Anthropology for India (NAACAFI), this edited volume captures the essence of a groundbreaking endeavor that took place at a crucial juncture in the narrative of our shared humanity.

The book begins by setting the stage with an introduction to NAACAFI, highlighting its collaborative efforts between the Anthropological Association for Humankind, the Department of Anthropology at Andhra University, and the American Corner in Vishakhapatnam. In a world facing crises such as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare challenges, inequality, corruption, and environmental perils, NAACAFI emerges as a beacon of hope and practical solutions.

The various keynote addresses and papers presented during NAACAFI form the core content of the book, each contributing to a rich tapestry of ideas, dialogues, and practical contributions. Notable speakers like Professor P. V. G. D. Prasad Reddy and Professor Arjun Appadurai share insights into the challenges posed by the digital era and the persistent issues of caste in Indian society, respectively. These speeches set the stage for the subsequent exploration of anthropological applications in addressing contemporary issues. The book delves into Professor Arjun Appadurai’s thought-provoking keynote address on the “Puzzling Persistence of Caste,” providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and implications inherent in the caste system in Indian society. It emphasizes the need for innovative strategies and platforms to tackle this deeply rooted issue, calling for a re-evaluation of approaches to bring about meaningful change. Prof. P.D. Satya Pal Kumar’s paper on “Post-Globalization and the Predicament of the Marginalized in India” sheds light on the multifaceted issue of marginalization, dissecting its impact on social, economic, political, and cultural aspects. The paper urges a focus on quality education, economic equity, and political representation to combat the persistent challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Pedarattaiah Gadde introduces the groundbreaking “Human Competencies Framework (HCF)” in his paper, offering a new anthropological theory of human development and competency acquisition. The HCF presents foundational principles that recognize innate human potential, the interplay of challenges and responses, diversity of human interactions, and the dynamic nature of competencies. The implications and applications of the HCF span education, personal development, professional growth, and policy development, offering a transformative perspective on human development.

Finally, Kiran Jayaram’s paper navigates the evolving landscape of applied anthropology, highlighting its rising relevance in addressing contemporary global challenges. . It positions applied anthropology as a critical tool for societal betterment.In summary, “Bringing Anthropological Applications to Address Contemporary Issues” is a compelling compilation that showcases the diverse and impactful contributions of anthropology in addressing the multifaceted challenges of our time. The book invites readers to explore innovative solutions, rethink traditional approaches, and embrace the transformative potential of anthropological knowledge for creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. From examining healthcare disparities to exploring sustainable development, from unravelling the dynamics of cultural heritage preservation to probing the intricacies of migration and displacement, the contributions within these pages reveal the far-reaching influence of anthropology in shaping our understanding of contemporary issues.

Professor Arjun Appadurai

Professor Arjun Appadurai is a globally renowned cultural anthropologist and a leading thinker in the fields of globalization, modernity, and transnational studies. Born on February 22, 1949, in Mumbai, India, he has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the cultural dimensions of globalization and the dynamics of global modernity. Prof. Appadurai received his undergraduate degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and pursued his graduate studies at the University of Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology. His academic career spans several prestigious institutions, including Yale University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently a Professor Emeritus at New York University and has held positions at the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and The New School in New York.

Major Contributions

Prof. Appadurai’s work explores the intersections of culture, economy, and technology in a globalized world. His seminal book, Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (1996), introduced innovative concepts such as the five “scapes”—ethnoscapes, mediascapes, technoscapes, financescapes, and ideoscapes—that define the flows and exchanges shaping global cultural landscapes. His influential essay “Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy” revolutionized the study of globalization by emphasizing its fragmented and non-linear nature, challenging earlier homogenizing theories. Appadurai has also deeply engaged with the anthropology of consumption and material culture, notably in his edited volume The Social Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural Perspective (1986), which examines the ways objects gain social and cultural significance.

Academic Interests:

Prof. Appadurai’s scholarly interests include: Globalization and transnationalism, Urban studies and the politics of space, Media and cultural theory, Memory, identity, and diasporic communities,

Development and modernity,

Honors and Awards

Prof. Appadurai’s distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates and fellowships from leading academic institutions. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been a Guggenheim Fellow. His work is widely cited in disciplines ranging from anthropology and sociology to political science and media studies.

Public Intellectual and Advocate

Beyond academia, Prof. Appadurai is a prominent public intellectual and an advocate for social justice and human rights. His work has addressed pressing global issues, including poverty, inequality, and urbanization. As the co-founder of the PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research) initiative in Mumbai, he has championed participatory research and urban knowledge production in collaboration with marginalized communities.

Recent Work and Legacy

In his more recent works, such as The Future as Cultural Fact (2013) and Failure (2020), Prof. Appadurai continues to explore the relationship between imagination, risk, and aspiration in shaping contemporary societies. His visionary thinking and commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry have inspired scholars worldwide, making him a towering figure in global anthropology and cultural studies

Prof. Arjun Appadurai remains a profound intellectual force, offering fresh perspectives on the complexities of the global era and challenging conventional paradigms of culture, economy, and politics.

Professor Arjun Appadurai’s Keynote Address at NAACAFI-2021

At the National Applied Anthropology Congress – Anthropology for India (NAACAFI-2021), Professor Arjun Appadurai delivered an enlightening keynote address titled “The Puzzling Persistence of Caste.” The Congress, hosted by Andhra University in collaboration with the Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAfH) and American Corner, took place from December 8–10, 2021, under the theme “Bringing Anthropological Applications to Address Contemporary Issues.”

In his address, Prof. Appadurai offered a comprehensive analysis of the enduring challenges posed by caste in Indian society. He explored the cultural, historical, and structural dimensions that contribute to the persistence of caste hierarchies, even amidst modernization and globalization. His discussion illuminated the nuanced ways in which caste influences socio-economic mobility, political representation, and cultural identity, emphasizing the need for a multi-dimensional approach to address these inequalities.

Drawing from his extensive research, Prof. Appadurai stressed the pivotal role of anthropology in tackling contemporary social issues like caste. He called for innovative, interdisciplinary strategies and collaborative platforms to dismantle caste-based barriers, advocating for a re-evaluation of existing frameworks and policies to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

The keynote resonated deeply with the Congress’s focus on applying anthropological insights to solve real-world problems. Prof. Appadurai’s thought-provoking address inspired participants to envision anthropology as a transformative tool for fostering equity and justice in society.