Understanding the Past for a Sustainable Future

On January 16, 2024, Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai (Research Assistant, NUJS) delivered a special lecture on “Understanding the Past for a Sustainable Future: Oral Narratives and Environment” for the Semester I students of History Major and IDC. The lecture was organised by the Department of History in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Loreto College, Kolkata. Dr. Bajpai’s focus was on intangible heritage and how it is at risk of becoming extinct and forgotten. She seamlessly connected the heritage of a place to its environment and dwelt on how heritage shapes the collective consciousness and identity of a region or locality. She specifically mentioned the Yongyok fishing technique prevalent among the Ao Nagas, in which fish poison locally known as arr/arrur is used to catch fish. She related the mythology behind this fishing technique. She also talked about the indigenous folk songs and folk medicines of Sri Lanka, which are an important part of their cultural heritage. Overall, Dr. Bajpai’s session generated extensive interest among the students and paved the way for thought-provoking interactions on heritage and sustainability.