I come from Kalahandi, a tribal district in Odisha. Though I was born into a Brahmin family, I grew up in a tribal residential school, surrounded by children from Scheduled Castes and Tribes. My upbringing was steeped in tribal values, culture, and worldview. This shaped not just my identity, but my purpose.After earning a PhD in Folklore Studies, I joined the Odisha Education Service. The then Chief Minister, Biju Patnaik, was surprised to see someone from Kalahandi with a doctorate, especially...

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