A Profile of Tribal Research Centre (TRC)

St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi

Dr. Fr. Alexius Ekka, SJ
Director
Introduction
St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi being an autonomous and minority institution for higher
learning, decided to start the Tribal Research Centre (TRC) as a private enterprise in 2017. It
works on the promotion of 5 tribal languages: Mundari, Santhali, Kurukh, Kharia and Ho. These
are also called Adivasi / Indigenous Peoples languages. In this profile the word “Tribe” is used
meaning the Adivasi / Indigenous Peoples languages mostly spoken in central India. The profile
of TRC describes below the following: (1) Brief history of the centre, (2) Aims and Objectives,
(3) Organizational Structure, (4) Profile of the Personnel, (5) Roles and responsibilities, (6)
Association with other institutions and organizations and (7) Future prospects. Appendix -1 gives
a list of Publications of TRC.

I. Brief History
Ever since St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi obtained autonomy in 2005, it made a
remarkable progress in academics along with outstanding results of the students. Moreover, St.
Xavier’s College being a minority institution of higher learning and run by the Ranchi Jesuit
Society, it wanted to work in tune with the global mandate received from the Jesuit Higher
Education Secretariat in Rome to promote the indigenous languages and cultures all over the
world. Consequently, in 2017 the then Principal of the College Dr. Fr. Nicholas Tete, SJ in
consultation with the Ranchi Province Jesuit Higher Education Commission and the approval of
the Governing Body of Xaviers Ranchi started the Tribal Research Centre in the newly
constructed building accommodating a gym, the computer lab and the Bulcke Research Centre.
The publications of the tribal magazines in the five languages started under the overall
supervision of the Principal. In the last four years after its inception, the centre has regularly
published the tribal magazines in five languages besides the annual tribal wall calendar and has
been instrumental in the sale and distribution of other books on tribal affairs as described below.

II. Aims and Objectives

Following are the overall aims and objectives of the TRC for the promotion of tribal
languages and cultures as far as practicable and in collaboration with persons, institutions and
organizations on the similar objectives:
1. To engage in research on tribal languages and cultures as well as viz. Mundari, Santhali,
Kurukh, Kharia and Ho languages and publish the findings and outcome;
2. To publish 2 magazines annually in each of the five tribal / adivasi / indigenous people’s
languages including the wall calendar for the promotion of these languages;
3. To put the oral tribal literature in written form for record and learning;
4. To publish important old manuscripts on tribal matters that are on the verge of being lost;
5. To collect and publish the vanishing tribal folklores, proverbs, riddles and anecdotes
including songs and customary practices;
6. To engage in research on tribal matters and issues relating to their knowledge systems,
health and medicinal practices, governance and administration, livelihood patterns and
ecology and sustainability of life to mention a few;

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 7. To develop a good library on tribal matters and make it accessible to researchers, students
and aspirants of UPSC/JPSC examinations;
8. To facilitate in providing the learning materials of tribal languages to the students
wherever practicable in Primary, Secondary, Graduate and Post Graduate levels;
9. To facilitate in providing the course content for tribal languages in St. Xavier’s College,
Ranchi;
10. To engage in the promotion of rights and privileges of the Scheduled Tribes / Adivasis
endowed by the Constitution of India and by the Declarations of the United Nations for
the world’s indigenous peoples in the context of India particularly of Jharkhand;
11. To bring about awareness on the significance of tribal languages and cultures among the
tribal and non-tribal people as regards their richness and uniqueness through its
publications, conferences and workshops as feasible, especially in collaboration with
institutions and organizations promoting the tribal cause;
12. To coordinate with the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) and the Tribal and Regional
Languages (TRL) Department of Ranchi University.

III. Organizational Structure

The Tribal Research Centre is under the overall control of the Principal of St. Xavier’s
College. For its day-to-day management, the Chairman of Governing Body of Xaviers Ranchi
has appointed a Prof. In-Charge who functions as the Director of the centre. Under his
supervision there are five Researchers – one each for Mundari, Santhali, Kurukh, Kharia and Ho
languages. Coordinating with them is an Office Assistant and a graphics designer for the TRC.

The Organizational Chart

Principal
Prof. In-Charge cum Director
Five Languages Researchers
Office Assistant
Graphics Designer
IV. Profile of the Personnel
Following is the chart of the Profile of the Personnel in the Tribal Research Centre of St.
Xavier’s College, Ranchi at the time of joining.

Brief Profile of the Personnel In Tribal Research Centre

S Name Designation Qualifi Work Experience Publications
N cation

1 Dr. Fr. Alexius Ekka, SJ Director PG: 1. Asst Director, XISS Books – 25
XISS 1986-1990 Papers – 30
1982 2. Research Fellow, ISI Delhi Articles – 20
1994-2003 Project
M. Phil 3. Director Research, XISS Studies – 10
TISS 2003-2009
1993 4. Director, XISS
2009-2019
Ph. D 5. Director, XIDAS

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 JNU 2019-2021
1997 6. Secretary, JEMAI
2008-2017

2 Dr. Krishna Chandra Researcher PG 1. Lecturer, TRL, Ran. Univ. Books – 23

Tudu Santhali R Univ 1982-1992 Edited
Language 1980 2. Reader, TRL, Ran. Univ. Journals – 4
1993-2017, Ran. Univ. Translated
Ph. D 3. Involved with Government Books – 3
R Univ Institutes in 31 of them Articles –54
1999
3 Dr. Pradip Kr. Bodra Researcher MA 1.Teaching in the Dept. of Books – 3
Ho Language R Univ TRL in Ho from 2012-2016 Edited
1999 Journals – 3

NET
UGC
2000

Ph. D
Degree
2013
Course
Work
2017
4 Dr. Tarkeleng Kullu Researcher Ph. D 1. Assistant Program Officer Books – 4
Kharia in Jharkhand Siksha Articles – 2
Language Parijoyja from 2003 – 2017
in Doranda & Simdega
5 Dr. Lalima Kujur Researcher Ph. D 1. Academic experience of Articles – 3
Kurukh being an informant for 15
Language days to a visiting scholar
from Japan on Kurukh
Lexicography
in 2003, 2004, 2005
2. Resource Person on
Kurukh language structure
under the scheme of
Central Institute of Indian
Languages, Mysore on the
Online project “Language
Information Service (LIS) –
India” for one week each in
2003, 2004, 2005
6 Dr. Khatir Hemrom Researcher Ph. D 1. Teaching during Rajiv Articles – 7
Mundari Gandhi Fellowship from
Language 2008 – 2013
2. Town Mapping Survey in

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 Ranchi by the Central
Govt. for six months in
2010
3. Chief Executive Officer
in Munda Yuvak Sangh
from 2009 – 2013
7 Ms. Prema Tigga Office MA 1. Lecturer in B. Ed. at SXC
Assistant R Univ for 6 months in 2016
2009 2. Probationary Officer in
United Bank of India from
B. Ed 2013 – 2016
SXC
2011
8 Mr. Vishal Horo Graphics I.A. 1 year of experience in
Designer JAC Graphics Designing in
GCR Education Department, Govt.
2006 of Jharkhand, MDI Building
Project Bhwan Dhurwa
Marine From Nov. 2015-Jan. 2017
Engg.
DG
Shippi
ng
Govt.
India
2009

V. Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the Researchers and Staff of the TRC are mentioned
below tentatively, since it is in its infancy and its personnel are learning its work by doing; hence
the list is not exhaustive. Similarly, explicit works and responsibilities will be taken up as the
needs arise. The Roles and Responsibilities of the Director, Researchers and the Office Staff of
TRC are as follows:

A) The Director
(i) He is overall in-charge of the Tribal Research Centre.
(ii) He apprises the Principal of the works of the Centre and consults him regarding
various activities and programmes of the Centre.
(iii) He guides and gives suggestions to the Researchers in their works where necessary.
(iv) He monitors the various activities of the Centre.
(v) He coordinates with other local, national and international institutions and
organizations committed to the tribal cause in the promotion of tribal languages and
cultures as well as the rights and privileges of the tribal people.

B) The Researchers
(i) Research & publication of the bi-annual magazines in the respective tribal languages;
(ii) Research and publication of the combined magazine of the five languages;

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 (iii) Going to the field for data collection and awareness building among tribal people
regarding the importance of their mother tongue;
(iv) Publication of the Annual Wall Calendar in each of the five languages;
(v) Building up a library for each of the five languages;
(vi) Guiding the students of BA and MA mainly of St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi doing
studies in tribal languages and those doing research for M. Phil and Ph. D coming
from various universities on tribal languages, culture and literature;
(vii) Being available for the works of the parent body – St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi;
(viii) Engaging in the study and research on tribal matters as sponsored by the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs Govt. of India and of the Govt. of Jharkhand;
(ix) Coordinating with the Tribal and Regional Languages (TRL) Department of Ranchi
University in curriculum design, setting of question papers and evaluation of answer
books and
(x) Coordinating with All India Radio (Akashwani) in the promotion of tribal languages.

C) The Office Staff

(i) Office Assistant
 To provide secretarial services to the Director;
 To maintain accounts regarding publications;
 To draw the minutes of the meetings of the Centre;
 To maintain records of publications of the Centre
 To provide assistance to the Researchers in the typing of their works and
 To coordinate in the maintenance of equipments and facilities of the centre.

(ii) Graphics Designer

 To give proper layout to the articles and to design the magazines including
the annual wall calendar;
 To supplement in typing work of the researchers;
 To look after the printing and publication of the magazines and the annual
wall calendar and
 To provide assistance to the Director in computer related works.

VI. Association with Other Institutions and Organizations

Following is a short description of the association of TRC with other institutions and
organizations working on matters of tribal people’s affairs and concerns. The nature of the
association has been consultancy, board membership and participation in activities in the nascent
years of the TRC. These are as follows:
SN Name of the Institution / Organization Person Associated Nature of Work
1. TRL, Department of Ranchi University Dr. K.C. Tudu Senate Member, Ranchi
University,
Examiner in TRL
Setting question papers,
Ph. D Guide & selection
interview in TRL
Expert in Santhali
literature

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2. Ranchi Radio Station & Doordarshan Dr. Pradip Kr. Bodra News Reader in Ho &
TV debate in Ho
3. Ram Dayal Munda Adivasi Sangrahalya Dr. Pradip Kr. Bodra Publishing articles in Ho

VII. Future Prospects

The growth and progress of the TRC has been quite steady since its inception. It is
expected that in the coming days and months there will be a comprehensive workshop for setting
of the vision-mission, aims and objectives and strategies of the Centre for its greater
effectiveness. It is also expected that in the near future the TRC would become a hub of
indigenous knowledge creation and dissemination especially for St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi
and the tribal society at large. Many other dimensions of its resourcefulness would need to be
spelt out and harnessed in the overall promotion of tribal languages, cultures and the ethos in the
indigenous peoples’ philosophy of life.

In the last few days TRC has established good contacts with the Tribal Desk of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and the Tribal Studies Unit of the Indian Social
Institute, New Delhi through their respective Directors, Departmental Heads and Professionals
for mutual collaboration in research and the field based action. There was a briefing on 23rd
October by the Delhi team to the TRC Professionals on the forthcoming four-day workshop in
Jharkhand on New Tribal Policy supported by the Govt. of Jharkhand in December 2021. There
was also exchange of views and ideas on joint research on tribal languages and culture. Many
more contacts and collaborations are expected in the coming days to make the TRC vibrant and
resourceful.

Appendix – 1
Publications of the TRC

I.

 1 1 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
2 2 tuojh&twu 2018
3 3 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
4 4 tuojh&twu 2019
5 5 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2019
6&7 6&7 tuojh&fnlEcj 2020
8 8 tuojh&twu 2021

6
 1 1 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2017
2 2 tuojh&twu 2018
3 3 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
4 4 tuojh&twu 2019
5 5 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2019
6&7 6&7 tuojh&fnlEcj 2020
8 8 tuojh&twu 2021

 1 1 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2017
2 2 tuojh&twu 2018
3 3 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
4 4 tuojh&twu 2019
5 5 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2019
6&7 6&7 tuojh&fnlEcj 2020
8 8 tuojh&twu 2021

 1 1 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2017
2 2 tuojh&twu 2018
3 3 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
4 4 tuojh&twu 2019
5 5 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2019
6&7 6&7 tuojh&fnlEcj 2020
8 8 tuojh&twu 2021

 1 1 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2017
2 2 tuojh&twu 2018
3 3 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2018
4 4 tuojh&twu 2019
5 5 tqykbZ&fnlEcj 2019
6&7 6&7 tuojh&fnlEcj 2020
8 8 tuojh&twu 2021

7
II.
'
1- vkfnoklh “kks/k if=dk 1 1 2018
2- vkfnoklh “kks/k if=dk 2 2 2019
3- vkfnoklh “kks/k if=dk 3 3 2020
4- vkfnoklh “kks/k if=dk 4 4 2021

III.

Title volume number Year

1- Xavier Research Journal 1 1 Jan-Apr
2018
2- Xavier Research Journal 1 2 May-Aug
2018
3- Xavier Research Journal 2 1 Jan-June
2019
4- Journal of Xavier Research Centre 2 2 July-Dec
2019
5- Journal of Xavier Research Centre 3 1&2 Dec 2020

IV. Books for Sale & Distribution

1. S.C. Roy (1937), The Kharias, Vol. I, Man in India Office, Ranchi.
2. S.C. Roy (1937), The Kharias, Vol. II, Man in India Office, Ranchi.
3. Barla, Emmanuel, SJ, (2020), Scenic Biru, Xavier Publications, Ranchi.
4. VsVs fudksyl ;s-l- ,oa flUgk jfouUnu ¼2018½ vuqoknd] [kfM+;k lekt Hkkx 1] Ádk'kd tsfo;j ifCyds'ku
jk¡ph] [The Kharias by Sharat Chandra Roy (1937). Man in India Office, Ranchi]
5. VsVs fudksyl ;s-l- ,oa flUgk jfouUnu ¼2018½ vuqoknd] [kfM+;k lekt Hkkx 2] Ádk'kd tsfo;j ifCyds'ku
jk¡ph] [The Kharias by Sharat Chandra Roy (1937). Man in India Office, Ranchi]
6. ¼2020 förh; laLdj.k½
dqM+q[k&fgUnh&dks’k Ádk'kd tsfo;j ifCyds'ku jk¡ph