Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi held the inauguration of Dr Kumar Suresh Singh Tribal Resource Centre on 16 November 2022, Wednesday at the Fr Michael Albert Windey SJ Memorial Library at XISS. It was followed by a programme in the Fr Michael Van den Bogaert, SJ Memorial Auditorium. The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr Rameshwar Oraon, Finance Minister, GoJ, and Guest of Honour Dr Mahua Maji, MP, Rajya Sabha. The family of Dr Singh, Smt Bimleshwari Devi, his wife, and Shri Dhruv Singh, his son were also present at the event.

Fr Xavier Soreng SJ, Superior, XISS began the event with a prayer thanking God for the important moment and expressed his gratefulness to Dr Singh’s family for their support in making this resource centre a reality.

Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS, during the inaugural ceremony, said that XISS has always believed in highlighting the state’s rich tribal and cultural heritage for the world to see. He highlighted that this resource centre is another step in the direction, which will prove extremely resourceful for scholars, researchers, students, and anyone who wishes to learn more about Jharkhand. He further mentioned that the stature of Dr Singh is such that no research on the Adivasi subject is complete without reading his quality work. He also expressed his gratefulness to Late Dr K.S. Singh for his contributions to the academic world, especially to the tribal world of development, and to his family for donating these valuable books to XISS. Dr Kujur added that in the coming days, XISS with a sense of gratitude to his family and Dr Singh will organize annually a Dr K.S. Singh Memorial Annual Lecture by leading scholars and occasional seminars on Adivasi questions.”

Chief Guest, Dr Rameshwar Oraon, Finance Minister, GoJ commended the effort of XISS in honouring and promoting Dr Singh’s work for the tribal community. He said that the resource centre in the name of Dr Kumar Suresh Singh has showcased the books written with his own experience and not by quoting others. 

Guest of Honour, Dr Mahua Maji, MP, Rajya Sabha stated that to understand Jharkhand holistically it is essential to know the words of Dr Kumar Suresh Singh. He was a great contribution to our country. His books on the tribals are important for our country and everyone should read them.

During the inaugural ceremony of the resource centre, Smt Bimleshwari Singh, wife of Dr Kumar Suresh Singh, expressed her gratitude and said that she was very happy to be a part of the ceremony and was elated to see a resource centre showing the life works of her husband.

A collection of folk songs named, ‘Chotanagpur ke surile lokgeet’ was also launched at this event, which is an important part of Dr Singh and Smt Bimleshwari Sing’s life journey. Shri Dhruv Singh, son of Dr Singh thanked XISS for this resource centre and said that they have donated his books to XISS and are grateful to see a dedicated section of his works in the library and that his books will remain as sacred as he was. 

The resource centre hosts a plethora of knowledge for scholars all over the world. By obtaining the membership, the researchers will be able to have access to the resource centre. The event was also graced by Dr Joseph Bara, Professor Emeritus, JNU, Dr Pradeep Kerketta SJ, Assistant Director, XISS, Dr Amar E. Tigga, Dean Academics, XISS along with several dignitaries, guests, faculty, staff, and students of XISS. 

About the Dr K S Singh Tribal Resource Centre 

The Resource Centre features approx. 3500 books, more than 400 manuscripts, handwritten and typed notes of Dr Kumar Suresh Singh on a range of topics including Birsa Munda, Tribal Movements in India, Tribal Society of India, etc. The Resource Centre is in process of digitalizing the entire centre for people to access from across the world. For more details on the vast collection available, membership policy, and timings of the resource centre, one can connect with the XISS Library through the website. 

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