Madhumala Chattopadhyay: Indian woman who established first friendly contact with Sentinelese tribe

Sentinelese--one of few un-contacted people in world, who have lived in rth Sentinel Islands of Andamans for an estimated 60,000 years, shunning any contact with outside world. Traced back to Palaeolithic , y are considered as first inhabitants of India. Many attempts have been me and innumerable risks were taken to build a connect with tribe but all were turned away with bows and arrows. Small parties were sent by Anthroplogical Survey of India in early 1970s but to avail.  

Ar team of Anthroplogical Survey of India set sail for island in a small craft at around 8 am in morning, A team of 13 with key team members--team leer S. Awari (director, tribal welfare, A&NI ministration), medical officer Dr Arun Mullick (for providing medical attention in case of sickness or injury) and anthropologist Mhumala Chattophyay. rest were support crew.

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purpose- same old- to attempt a friendly contact with Sentinelese. one expected anything but ar failed attempt that will be ded in a file and kept for s in an unkwn room or cupboard. But unlike in past, this mission h one difference, re was a women anthropologist in contact team.

On 4 January, 1991, travelling more than 1,200 kms from Indian mainland, MV Tarmugli, Andaman Nicobar ministration ship, put down its anchor off Allen point on southwest part of rth Sentinel Islands. A young Indian woman anthropologist wed waist-deep into coral reefs to hand over a coconut to a man from Sentinelese tribe. This was first-ever friendly contact with this hostile tribe of Andamans.

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This was first time a woman was a part of a contact expedition with Sentinelese, and y put ir guard down. presence of a woman indicated that contact party meant harm. This braveheart anthropologist is Dr Mhumala Chattophyay, n a researcher with Anthropological Survey of India spend six years researching various primitive tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Mhumala is also first woman to be accepted by ar Andaman tribe, Jarawas, with whom she established a friendly relationship, especially women folk. 

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