State-Level Tribal Healers’ Meet 2025 Celebrates Odisha’s Living Legacy of Indigenous Wisdom
The two-day event, organised at the state level, is a tribute to Odisha’s rich heritage of indigenous healing practices that have been nurtured, protected, and passed down through generations.
The State-Level Tribal Healers’ Meet 2025 inaugurated yesterday at the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) in Bhubaneswar, bringing together an extraordinary blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific perspectives. The two-day event, organised at the state level, is a tribute to Odisha’s rich heritage of indigenous healing practices that have been nurtured, protected, and passed down through generations.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several eminent dignitaries, including Shri B. Parameswaran, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the ST, SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department; Prof. (Dr.) A.B. Ota, former Director of SCSTRTI and noted tribal expert; Dr. Ved Priya Arya, Head of the Research Division at Patanjali Research Institute; Sudhakar Sabar, Director of SCSTRTI; and Shri Santosh Kumar Rath, Deputy Director of the institute. Their collective presence underscored the significance of the event and the growing recognition of traditional knowledge systems in contemporary health discourse.
In his keynote address, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Parameswaran highlighted the urgent need to preserve tribal knowledge systems and traditional healing practices. He noted that such wisdom, rooted in deep understanding of nature, must be harmonised with scientific and modern approaches to enhance its relevance and reach. He emphasised that bridging these knowledge systems could usher in a holistic approach to healthcare.
Prof. (Dr.) A.B. Ota echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding tribal healing traditions. He called for validation of traditional practices by tribal healers and encouraged increased institutional collaboration through SCSTRTI to ensure that indigenous knowledge continues to thrive.
Dr. Ved Priya Arya, drawing from her work in Ayurveda, spoke passionately about the ancient yet evolving heritage of Ayurvedic science. She underlined the need for systematic documentation of traditional Ayurvedic and indigenous knowledge before these timeless practices fade from memory.
SCSTRTI Director Sudhakar Sabar, in his welcome address, reiterated the institute’s commitment to preserving traditional medicinal practices. He emphasised the importance of creating platforms where tribal healers can demonstrate their skills, exchange knowledge, and receive the recognition they deserve.
This year’s meet brings together a vibrant gathering of experts from Utkal University, the State Medicinal Plant Board, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, the Patanjali Research Institute, the Institute of Life Sciences, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, AYUSH, and AIIMS. Their participation adds depth to the robust line-up of technical sessions and panel discussions covering anthropology, botany, Ayurveda, and public health.
One of the highlights of the meet is the special exhibition on native medicinal plants, where tribal healers are showcasing their personal experiences and traditional healing methods. Live demonstrations of indigenous therapies have drawn particular interest from researchers, students, and visitors eager to learn about plant-based remedies that have served tribal communities for centuries.
A total of 35 tribal healers from communities such as Soura, Gond, Lanjia Soura, Bathudi, Bhuyan, Paraja, Bhatra, Bonda, Santhal, Kandha, Kisan, Munda, Oraon, Bhumija, and Kandha Gouda are participating in the event. Alongside them are 120 attendees, including students and researchers from KIIT, Utkal University, and various other institutes who are keen to explore the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern science.
The meet aims not only to honour Odisha’s tribal healers but also to spark meaningful dialogue on the future of indigenous healing traditions. As modern society searches for sustainable, holistic health solutions, events like this reaffirm the irreplaceable value of the tribal knowledge systems that continue to enrich Odisha’s cultural and medicinal landscape.
