Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to organize an International Seminar on “Ethnicity and Development in South Asia: Issues and Challenges”,21-22 January
22 January, 2016
The School of Extension and Development Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to organize an International Seminar on “Ethnicity and Development in South Asia: Issues and Challenges”, on 21-22 January, 2016, at Maidan Garhi, IGNOU.
The main objectives of the seminar is to discuss the development dynamics and spatial issues and challenges of various ethnic groups in South Asia, analyze the impact of ethnicity and regional social pluralism on society, polity and economic changes and development policy, discuss the different aspects of the existing constrains and legal provisions and evaluate the affirmative action’s for the marginalized ethnic groups and the process of homogenization and development.
Today, the world is witness to various frictions and fusions of ethnic identity which has resulted in myriads of social processes, political upheavals, economic transformations and most important Cultural syncretism. It has been observed that interface of ethnic identities is very common in contemporary social system that leads to ethnic conflict, social mobility, changes in nation state Boundaries and new forms of economic development.
These ethnic identity acts as double sword in changing society and affecting development. It often creates barriers to development and social progress. On the other hand, collective and unified larger national identity curbs divisive tendencies of fragmented ethnic identities. In this globalised society the challenge is to preserve collective identities by maintaining co-existence of plural ethnic identities to ensure development and progress.
Development is viewed as the process of advancement of individuals or groups towards planned objectives. The major indicators of development are economic growth, equity in distribution and overall good quality of life, which is very difficult to achieve and sustain without solidarity and harmony among various ethnic groups.
South Asian region is an abode of diverse ethnic groups and deep rooted historicity. A rough estimate shows that the region has more than 8000 ethnic communities living together for more than 5000 years. After colonial rule this region has been divided into eight different countries namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives.
These eight countries having diversity in terms of ethnic groups and its origin, political structure, economic condition, however, it has many similarities in terms of ethnic co-existence, geographical proximity, trans-acculturation, common historicity and above all continuous exchanges at various levels. Each country of this region having a large number of ethnic groups based races/ castes, creed, languages and other socio-cultural criteria.
