Berlin Prof Emeritus graces NLUM's specialised lecture
NATIONAL: The National Law University of Meghalaya (NLUM) Tuesday hosted a specialised lecture titled “From Himalayan Exploration to Comparative Mountain Research,” featuring Prof Emeritus Dr Hermann Kreutzmann from Freie Universität Berlin. The session took place in the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium and was inaugurated by Dr Lavinia Mawlong, who connected Dr Kreutzmann's research to NLUM's courses on Comparative Development Perspectives and Migration.
The lecture featured a panel that included the Vice Chancellor (in-charge) KM Lyngdoh Nongbri, the Registrar Prof (Dr) Baharul Islam, Dr S Ellika Assumi and Sabine Felmy. Dr Kreutzmann traced the historical development of mountain studies, focusing on the geological evolution of the Himalayas and human adaptation across various ecological zones.
He referenced the 1850s expeditions of the Schlagintweit brothers, who made significant contributions to mapping the region with the help of local explorers such as Nain Singh. The presentation included rare imagery, including vistas from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Dr Kreutzmann proposed various frameworks for contemporary research, analyzing mountain regions through the lenses of marginality and fragility. The discussion culminated in addressing themes of isolation, particularly the necessity for modern legal structures to adapt and reconcile the rigidities of legal borders with the complex legal landscapes of tribal communities.
The event concluded by recognizing the involvement of students and faculty from five additional academic institutions in Shillong highlighting the collaborative spirit of the lecture.