Gonasika Research Foundation (hereafter, GRF) is a recently created research outfit (registered as a Section 8 non-profit company under the Companies Act, 2013) in Keonjhar district of Odisha. It will undertake multi-disciplinary research initiatives on various issues affecting humanity at large. Such initiatives will produce knowledge products like commentaries, peer-reviewed and refereed articles, monographs / occasional papers, books on carefully selected subjects that. It will also produce a series of multi-lingual audio-visual documentaries, small movies and other related products on pressing issues for wider dissemination. It will organize in-house deliberations, public seminars and conferences on subjects chosen by GRF from time to time. It aims to evolve as a globally recognized knowledge centre from a remote corner of India.
The name Gonasika owes its origin to a sacred place in the Gonasika rocks in Keonjhar district of Odisha, from where a river named Baitarani flows, crosses several districts and eventually merges into the Bay of Bengal. The exact point, from which the water starts flowing, resembles the nose of a cow, considered a pious animal. Water flows from two nostrils of the cow shaped structure, hence the name Gonasika (‘Go’ means cow and ‘Nasika’ means nose). Gonasika symbolizes emergence of knowledge in the form of water. Water is essential for survival. So is knowledge for prosperity, peace and development. This flows and crosses into different places, that denotes evolving and enriching scholarships at different times and locations. This ultimately flows into the Bangop Sagar (Bay of Bengal), considered an important part of Hind Mahasagar (Indian Ocean), which connotes oceanic reservoir of knowledge. GRF aspires to start its perpetual quest for knowledge from Gonasika and eventually accumulate and disseminate knowledge on a range of subjects affecting humanity and planet at large. GRF’s prime focus will be to address both knowledge enrichment and in the process reduce knowledge gaps. It believes that knowledge and scholarships are dynamic, hence subject to constant scrutiny and newer findings.
GRF’s registered office is located in Vidya Bhawan campus that houses a small primary school for tribal children in Manpur village of Keonjhar district of Odisha. It is approximately 23 kilometers from the district headquarters and is surrounded by natural forest beauty, including its inhabitants like elephants, bears, wild animals and birds, in addition to simple and innocent villagers.
Deba Ranjan Mohanty and Malaya Mohapatra are the two directors of GRF. They are in the process of establishment of the outfit now. At the moment, GFR has identified six scholars and creative persons from different walks of life like pure and applied research, a team each for digital media and outreach activities. Four researchers have already started working on identified projects and made initial field visits to different parts of Keonjhar in search of primary and secondary research sources. The digital producer (of website, web management and digital outreach activities) is located in Bengaluru, while his team of digital creators is spread across Indian territory and beyond. Audio-visual documentation process is led by an eminent film maker based in Bhubaneswar. GRF is consistently in the look out of dedicated multi-disciplinary research professionals for undertaking different projects.
GRF is always confronted with different dynamics of ‘whither’ – its key objectives, modes of knowledge production and dissemination, accumulation and management of human and material resources. It is fully aware of its challenges like finding dedicated researchers and resource persons as well as funding sources. Before it approaches prospective funders like the state and its agencies, private entities and foreign resource pool (when eligible) in future, it wants to prove itself worthy of attracting funds by producing cutting-edge knowledge products in coming times. As a start, GRF is aspiring to meet its financial needs through extensive individual donor drive within its networks, family members, friends, acquaintances and colleagues. Such material generosity of people at large will be adequately utilized for production of world-class knowledge products.
- A revisionist narrative on revolutionary tribal leader Dharanidhara Nayak (Bhuyan):
Contemporary and revisionist narratives on Kendujhar’s famous tribal leader Dharanidhara Nayak have thus far failed to appropriate him adequately and his revolutionary life in India’s pre-independence era as well as independence movements. A new revisionist account of this revered figure has been attempted here to not only de-mystify certain narratives about him and bring forth hitherto unaccounted versions of his life and struggles, but also strives to locate his due place in Indian history.
Curated primary, secondary and tertiary sources like libraries, archival documents, field research and tertiary research sources. Ideational and popular folklores will also be employed where applicable. This multi-year project will be led by a noted scholar to produce a series of knowledge products in the form of a series of commentaries, documentaries, peer-reviewed / refereed research papers and a book are planned as major deliverables. A series of brainstorming, seminars and conferences on the subject will justifiably enrich the quality of these knowledge products.
- Mapping a Spiritual-Cultural River: The Untold Story of Gonasika and Punyatoya Baitarani.
Gonasika, a remote rock structure in Keonjhar district, is considered to be the origin of river Baitarani of Odisha. Such is the majestic spiritualized charm of Baitarani that Odias consider this river pious enough to perform all rituals related to human life. Mapping of a river is a conventional effort from geological, climatic, hydrological and related prisms, but this proposed study attempts to unravel the spiritual-cultural dynamics of this holy river. From its origin from Gonasika to its eventual merge into Bangop Sagar (Bay of Bengal), this study will critically examine evolving socio-cultural, spiritual and civilizational dynamics and their different interplays.
Primary, secondary and tertiary sources like geological, archeological, field surveys, multi-disciplinary research and related practical and ideational domains will be employed by a team of research scholars for this multi-year research project.
In addition to a series of brainstorming sessions, seminars and conferences on the subject, a series of commentaries, documentaries, peer-reviewed / refereed research papers and a book are planned as knowledge deliverables on the subject.
- The Story of Jungle Goddess Maa Tarini of Ghatgaon.
Located about 40 kilometers from Keonjhar town, the district headquarters of Keonjhar district, Goddess of the Jungle Maa Tarini is much revered not only by people of the district but most parts of Odisha. Such is Her aura that if a person shows a coconut, meant to be sent to Maa Tarini as an offering on any road, vehicles going toward Ghatgaon will invariably stop to collect and make sure coconuts reach the temple. It’s a pity that such a Goddess does not find much mention in religious traditions of India. An in-depth study has been initiated, led by a well known scholar of Odia culture and tradition, to unravel many facets of this Goddess of the Jungle and map Her ever growing devotions among the devotees.
Multi-disciplinary research methods will be employed by the team of researchers for this multi-year project. A series of brainstorming sessions, seminars, commentaries, documentaries and a proposed book are planned as knowledge deliverables on Goddess Tarini.
- A Revised History of Keonjhar.
The mineral rich forested piece of land called Keonjhar in the state of Odisha with its lovely weather and innocent tribal inhabitants necessitates a relook from a revisionist historical prism. A few books on Keonjhar and its history have been published by noted writers like Bipin Behari Das, Pandit Madan Mohan Mishra and others. Contemporary writers like Niranjan Barik and others have attempted to add new dimensions. However, an objectively scholastic narrative still eludes contemporary scholarship on this mineral rich district of Odisha.
GRF will attempt to get deeper into the history of Keonjhar and its myriad natural-socio-cultural dynamics and bring forth a new history, independent of biases and sentiments. Led by a distinguished team of researchers, this project will culminate into a book, preceded by a series of articles and documentaris.
In addition to the above, GRF will also take a major initiative to produce translated versions (in English) of major books on Keonjhar.
A donor-driven knowledge initiative from a remote corner of India
CIN: U72200OD2025NPL048426
Registered Office: Vidya Bhawan, Vill: Manpur, PO: Kendeipasi, Dist: KEONJHAR; PIN: 758017. ODISHA. INDIA
Email: info@gonasika.org
Contact No: + 91 98105 66982 / 99374 02240