Tshering Lepcha, Assistant Professor, School of Social Sciences, The Assam Kaziranga University, was invited as one of the resource persons for the Tribal Samvaad â€“ a tribal conclave organised by TATA Steel at Jamshedpur from 15-19 November 2019. The main agenda of the workshop was to discuss various tribal healing practices and how these practices can be sustained, documented and certified.

The workshop was quite interesting and well-conducted. More than 130 healers from all over the country participated in the workshop along with international healers attending the workshop from different parts of the globe including South Africa, Mexico, Cameroon and Uganda. The resource persons were invited from various universities, organisations and presidents of healer's associations.

Various case studies have been presented in the workshop followed by interactive discussion sessions. There were also discussions on traditional and modern medicine, and how they can be used for bridging the gaps in universal access to healthcare. The discussions were made on state, national and international tribal healers associations. At the end of the conclave, the national tribal healers' association was formed. The workshop provided ample opportunity to learn and meet various other resource persons, healers and officials.