Nuapada (Odisha): Yamini Jhankar, a Chakotia Bhunjia tribal girl from Odisha's Nuapada district, has become the first girl from her tribal community to be awarded PhD.
She is pursuing her PhD at the Department of Botany in the subject Comparative Indic Studies and Tribal Science in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences University in Bhubaneswar.
The Chakotia Bhunjia tribals, inhabit the western part of Odisha and predominantly found in the forests at Sunabeda in Nuapada district.
Beating all traditional taboos, Yamini Jhankar becomes first Bhunjia girl to get PhD Their total number in the entire district is hardly six thousand. They remain far away from glittering modern city civilization and being deprived of the benefits of developmental programmes of the Government and they continuously struggle to make a livelihood for themselves. This aboriginal tribal community remains fully under the grip of the darkness of blind beliefs and lack of education.
Yamini, an alumna of the Rajendra Narayan University of Bolangir where she pursued her MSc in Botany, completed her BSc from Khadial college, Nuapada. Presently she is a research scholar in KISS University and her PhD topic is "Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the tribal people".
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Yamini said, "The social customs and rituals of the Chakotia Bhunjia Community are strange and very strict. The Girl children are not allowed to go to schools and there is also a restriction on their dress. As per our custom, girls are to wear only white colour saree, keep open their hairs and remain away from modern urban civilization. You have to face social punishment if you disobey these customs. But I made myself strong and for my parents, I paved my way for a new direction."
"Without caring for the rules and customs of our community, I started studying in college and went to the University. My parents cooperated me well and therefore I moved forward with a strong determination countering all the impediments that came on my way," she said.
"Braving the social obstructions and financial difficulties, Yamini has come out today as the first PhD scholar in this tribal community by her sheer perseverance. Her struggles are enough to describe her achievements. She is working on a topic, "Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the tribal people" and she has consulted me about her research work. I have seen a well determinant girl in her. I wish her for her successful career," said, Ajeet Panda, social activist and teacher.
"Yamini has proved that success only possible if strong determination and hard labour is there. Her cherished dreams without caring for the blind beliefs of her society will provide encouragement to other girls in future," Panda said.
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