New Delhi: Dr Chubbamenla Jamir of Nagaland, Director and Founder of the Native Foodscapes Foundation and a beneficiary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), shared her academic and professional journey before President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during an interaction with beneficiaries of the Ministry’s flagship scholarship schemes.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Jamir described the scholarship as a transformative opportunity that enabled her to pursue doctoral studies at the University of York in the United Kingdom in 2007.
Hailing from Nagaland, a state known for its rich indigenous knowledge systems, cultural heritage and natural resources, Dr Jamir said the National Overseas Scholarship opened doors for her to engage with leading academics and practitioners across the world.
During her doctoral studies, she participated in international conferences and research forums in several countries, experiences that broadened her perspectives and strengthened her ability to contribute to global knowledge and innovation.
After completing her PhD, she returned to India with a commitment to advancing knowledge and promoting public welfare.
Over the past 14 years, she has worked as an academic, researcher, trainer and advisor, collaborating with national and international organisations, including the United Nations.
Her work has focused on sustainability, climate resilience, food systems, policy development and capacity-building initiatives.
In 2024, Dr Jamir founded the Native Foodscapes Foundation, an organisation dedicated to research, training and policy advocacy on indigenous and tribal food systems, particularly in hill and mountain regions.
The initiative seeks to promote traditional knowledge and local food systems as key assets for sustainable development.
Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Government of India, Dr Jamir said such scholarship programmes play a crucial role in empowering tribal youth to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
She noted that investments in education and opportunities for global exposure can help young people from tribal communities become leaders, innovators and changemakers in their respective fields.