Ukhrul, Jan 17: Dr. Yaruingam Awungshi, from Shingkap Village in Ukhrul District, is a distinguished scholar and professor at the University of Delhi. With a PhD in Sociology of Religion from Jawaharlal Nehru University, his research focuses on African Sociology. Joining the Department of African Studies at Delhi University in 1998, he served as its Head from 2012 to 2015 and is set to lead the department again. He has also taught at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, as a World Bank Project Fellow. His works include Hinduism and Christianity in India and Rethinking Education in the Hills of Northeast India. His journey has particularly encouraged scholars from Manipur to envision greater possibilities in academia, breaking barriers and redefining aspirations for the region.
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Reflecting on his upcoming tenure as head of the department, Dr. Awungshi said, “My first tenure as head was more of an experiment since I was just an Associate Professor and at the same time new to the position. This time I have much more confidence and hope to do better.” He plans to enhance the department’s academic activities, although he tempered expectations, “I have to wait and see how much I can achieve.”
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Dr. Awungshi emphasized the importance of African Studies in today’s global and academic landscape. “Africa is the focus of the global world today for two reasons,” he explained. “First, the unexplored rich natural resources. Second, 54 countries of Africa have great leverage in international diplomacy. No country that wants to play an influential role in the United Nations can ever ignore Africa.” He expressed a commitment to making the department’s work relevant to India’s policies. “With a limited time of three years of tenure, I will try my best to take up relevant issues on India’s relationship with Africa and help the Government of India by giving academic inputs. The university should not just produce degree holders but also contribute to policymaking.”
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Reflecting on the challenges he has faced in his academic journey, Dr. Awungshi highlighted the difficulty of adapting to technological changes. “As an academic who was born before the internet, computer, AI, etc., I have to struggle to adapt to these new technologies,” he noted. Additionally, he lamented the decline in genuine research. “Real research requires serious exploration of mind and thought. Today many people opt for the easy way—repackaging existing materials and calling it a research paper. This is why higher education in India is in crisis.”
Dr. Awungshi’s journey as a scholar has broken barriers for Northeast India and tribal communities. “There was a time when one couldn’t dream of being a professor at a university like DU. Somehow, this mental block was broken when I joined as an Assistant Professor in 1998. Today we have several professors and associate professors in many colleges,” he reflected. His humility shines through as he stated, “Honestly speaking, I am not the best scholar since I come from a humble educational background. Still, I hope our young scholars can be encouraged and realize that if a man from such a humble background could reach this far, they can climb higher and do better with the resources they have now.” He urged budding academics to engage in meaningful research.
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On the intersections between African studies and Northeast India, Dr. Awungshi noted striking similarities. “Africans and Northeast people are similar in many ways—our food habits, our love for music and merry-making, our thoughtless consumerist lifestyle. The nature of conflict and social changes taking place in Africa and Northeast India are, in many ways, identical,” he observed. Highlighting the potential for comparative research, he said, “Our social structures, based on tribes and clans, and practices like bride prices in marriage, are very similar. Many African tribes used to worship natural spirits and ancestors before adopting Christianity.” Dr. Awungshi expressed hope for collaborative research on these parallels, stating, “Africa is rich in knowledge and philosophy. My department is trying to engage in serious research on Africa.”
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Regarding the Manipur conflict, he warned that ethnic conflicts escalate if not addressed early, as seen in Rwanda. “One solution is sharing resources and political power, like Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism model.” He added that the situation in Manipur resembles Somalia, with the state failing to control militias. “Civilians roaming freely with guns must be disarmed immediately.” For lasting peace, he proposed, “The three major ethnic groups should be given political autonomy, and resources must be shared to avoid jeopardizing national security.”
Dr. Awungshi is among the scholars whose work and vision have not only inspired the underprivileged communities of Manipur but also highlight the potential of comparative research and learning, through exchange and incorporation of previously overlooked knowledge systems.
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