140202 VO Scheduled Tribes in India - Changing Perspectives (2012W)

The above titled lecture concentrates on the Scheduled Tribes of India and discusses and analyzes their changing perspectives within a broad framework of the cultural history of modern India.

Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India today have registered change and transformation in many aspects of their social and cultural life and living. The identity, status and autonomy which they used to enjoy in the historical past under the rule of the feudatory kings have become things of the past. Modern electoral politics has had a great impact on life in the village communities. Generally the quality of life has been severely affected. Nonetheless, due to development interventions of the government, modern road communication and transport facilities in tribal areas have appreciably improved. Educationally and economically people have become modernized and people of the younger generation search for new identities and demand for new rights over their land and territory. The growth of primary health centres, and the implementation of health delivery programmes have shown signs of progress, and rampant malaria and diarrhea have effectively remained under control. Yet, there are several staggering issues and problems relating to tribal development which have remained unresolved. Of late, Maoism/Naxalism has raised its ugly heads in many tribal dominated pockets which has shattered peace and tranquility in the tribal regions, at the same time posing a challenge to the state administration.

Topics:

Scheduled Tribes: Constitutional Provisions
Distribution of Tribal Communities in India
Middle Indian Tribes: Linguistic Divisions and Sub-divisions
Tribes in Odisha: History, Society and Culture
Change and Development