social history philosophy & buddhist studies

PRAXIS RESEARCH

Centre for Buddhist Studies at NISWASS is losing no chance to involve itself in some excavation works inside the State to prove one of the gigantic claims of the State as regards the real birth place of Buddha. Buddhist heritage sites in the State lay in a state of utter gloom, without any scientific preservation. From one end to the other end of the State once glorious monuments lie scattered, unnoticed and un-mapped and stand ingloriously. The Centre will soon be acting to bring out a complete map of these scattered monuments to give it a new name for the State.

Community Action

Dalit Literature And Art Academy
The reins of cultural and the literary ethos and movements of the hierarchical caste-ridden, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural pyramid were generally in the hands of the 'upper few' and the tradition was (and still is) to accept the values set by them as fait accompli by the 'lower many'. In order, therefore, to promote authentic accounts of the lives and experiences of the discriminated and deprived people of the Fourth World, and effect their change and transformation through enlightenment and empowerment, we conceived an idea of a School of Art and Literature and established the Oriya Dalit Literature and Art Academy as part of our overall efforts. The Academy has been encouraging Dalit and Tribal writers, artists, painters and singers and is fostering a new understanding and identity in the Indian social space through emancipatory articulation and awakening.

Advocacy and Publications

Translation And Publication Of Ambedkar's Writings And Speeches In Oriya
CEDEC has also been entrusted with the onerous but significant task of spreading the message and ideologies of Ambedkar to the Oriya speaking people. All the volumes have already been translated, printed and published. These publications in Oriya language will go a long way to make the under-privileged aware of their rights and empower them.
Two full-length works, one, an Anthology of Oriya Dalit Poetry titled 'Anirbana' (In Bondage) and another, a collection of Dalit prose, have been published.

Alliances and networking

The South East Asian Countries are strong in Buddhism. Efforts are being made to connect NISWASS and the Academy to the various institutions of learning situated in these countries. Inside the country NISWASS is the only institution that already has links with a number of Buddhist and Neo-Buddhist organisations.