Jyotiranjan Gudia Reading Newspaper in KISS Library

 Jyotiranjan Gudia Reading Newspaper in KISS Library

Jyotiranjan Gudia is reading newspaper in library of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in 2025.

        Jyotiranjan Gudia is a prominent academic scholar and visual artist from the Didayi tribal community in Odisha, India. He hails from Muduliguda village in the Malkangiri district of Odisha and was born on May 1, 1997. He is distinguished as the first person from the Didayi tribe, which is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), to pursue both an M.Phil. and a Ph.D.. He is currently a dedicated Ph.D. scholar at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

            His academic pursuits are deeply rooted in tribal studies, with a special focus on the socio-political and cultural life of the Didayi tribe. His doctoral research is titled, "Continuity and Changes of Traditional Political System of Didayi Tribe in Odisha: A Case Study of Malkangiri District". This work explores how the traditional political structures of the Didayi are evolving under modern influences and is a significant contribution to understanding indigenous governance systems. He has authored and co-authored multiple scholarly articles on various aspects of Didayi life, including their arts and crafts, socio-cultural changes, traditional marriage system, and economic management.

        Jyotiranjan Gudia's major contributions to his society are concentrated on the preservation, documentation, and promotion of the Didayi cultural heritage and identity.

·         Academic Documentation: His numerous publications serve to meticulously document the traditional life, arts, and governance of the Didayi, ensuring their unique knowledge systems are not lost to modernization.

·         Cultural Advocacy: His research aims to inform policy and promote awareness, acting as a bridge between the Didayi's traditional wisdom and contemporary development discourse.

·         Role Model and Inspiration: As the first Ph.D. scholar from his community, his journey represents resilience and the transformative power of education, inspiring younger generations from the Didayi and similar tribal groups to pursue higher education.

·         Artistic Expression: Beyond academia, he is a talented visual artist known for his paintings and calligraphy, which he uses to express his cultural identity and connect with broader platforms.

            The photograph shows Jyotiranjan Gudia seated at a table in what is identified as the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University library in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in 2025. In the image, he is deeply engaged in reading a newspaper spread across the table, reflecting his dedication as a scholar. He is wearing a green checkered shirt and glasses, with his university ID card visible around his neck, and a wristwatch on his left hand. The information provided states that the newspaper he is reading is published in the Santali language, demonstrating his interest in tribal languages and indigenous knowledge. Seated next to him is a person identified as Lochan Sabar. Lochan Sabar is also an individual listed as a Ph.D. scholar at KISS Deemed to be University, with an academic year of 2021-2022. This setting captures a moment of collaborative study and cultural connection within an academic environment.