As the world progresses towards globalization and draws towards a common platform where the issues of world politics, economy, trade and commerce are discussed, resolved and implemented, the old prediction of sociologists that the assimilation of humanity would be achieved and that assertions of strong identities would disappear, has however been belied.

It is at this juncture that IRDIS in partnership with the diverse ethnic peoples of the State of Assam, India, and through its research and documentation initiatives on indigenous studies, seeks to bring to light the rich ethnic cultures and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples across the State, the nation and worldwide.