Poem by:
Professor Geetika Ranjan
Department of Anthropology
North-Eastern Hill University
Shillong
I too came,
I too saw,
I too conquered,
but with concern and care
for the multitudes out there.
It’s been a long journey
but one worth its toil
I am Anthropology
Called a colonial hand maiden in the bygone days
I steadfastly steered my way
from verandah Anthropology to a barefoot one
I arose from the clouds like a bright, determined sun
Attacks made me grow more
Labels made me stronger
For I know my assets and my essence
to name a few - holism, comparison and relativism
I have silently carved my own niche
which others also now believe
They take from me and call it their own
Unfettered, undeterred, my skills- I continue to hone
My love for the humans makes me see
Their myriad ways, their sorrows and glees
Their physical, social, archaeological realities
Their unique language using abilities
Humans,
How can I stop when they persevere?
To conquer new fields and areas?
I have grown tall, I have grown big
As I capture new areas, as I further dig
In every foray where the humans engage
Media, tourism, fashion, whatever they gauge
From the realm of the real, to the world of the virtual
My wings spread wider, as I go digital
I diligently strive, I religiously endeavour,
To study and serve the human better
I have travelled a long way
With zest and zeal
Infused with the lofty goal
to help and heal
I hear them say,
‘My people, my language, my culture, my region’
They are willing to die
To uphold the ‘my’
I also respect the ‘my’ and fight for it too
And yet strive for a higher self that embraces and upholds
The strength of we
Beyond the confines of ‘I’ and ‘me’.
Beyond the tongue and the colour of the skin
It is the heart that beats for shared humanity to win
And then we can live and live with a smile
Holding hands and walking mile after mile.
…………………………………………………………………….
The poem was part of the Inaugural Ceremony of the World Anthropology Congress - 2023, held at KISS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Comments