LIVELIHOOD OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN MANIPUR

National conference on “Livelihoods of Vulnerable Groups: Empirical and Theoretical Dimensions”, 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2019, Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad, with IGRMS, Bhopal and Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata.

Paper title: LIVELIHOOD OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN MANIPUR

Vijay Prakash Sharma , Former Director, Institute for Human Development, ERC, Ranchi.

Introduction

In India and especially in Manipur tribal, the vulnerable groups inhabit the hills and forest surrounding Manipur valley. The total area covered by the state is 22.327 sq. kilometers. This has two distinct physical region i.e. narrow valley and rugged hills. Valley is inhabited by Meitei (Hindu) community whereas hills are inhabited by vulnerable tribal groups. The tribal communities distinctively divided into two major steams 1) NAGAS and 2) KUKI-CHIN ZO. For this presentation, I will concentrate on the second one and its subdivision popularly known as HMAR with a population of 49081 as per 2011 census. They inhabit Churachandpur district of Manipur state covering 35 villages. They are one of the highly educated tribal communities of Christians now. There was only one mettle road when I conducted my first study in 1987 and the Hmars were fully traditional folks. This was published as a book in 1992 entitled “THE HMARS OF MANIPUR: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL EXPLORATION”.

The changing livelihoods of HMARS:

Forest is the cornucopia and they get grains, ripe corn, fruits and vegetables from this store house. The forest provide them not only food grains, but   building materials such as thatch and cane, bamboo etc. It provides them immense s cope for hunting and trapping wild animals. It also made them available large land area for Jhoom (slash and burn) cultivation which is now restricted by the government forest rules. They uses to grow cotton in their Jhoom fields to weave wonderful cloths (PUON) on the back strap loom at their homes but now changing to mill cloths. They also use to weave baskets for their daily use from canes obtained from forest. Even after modern changes in their livelihood, their basic livelihood still dependent on agriculture. If we look at the data from field from 1983 to 1990 we find that the livelihood dependency of Hmars on forest was 93% which reduced to 80% in 1991-2002 i.e. a sharp reduction of 13% in five years which further reduced to 75%  now. The rate of employment rose to 18% against 4% earlier.  Little  change in business percentage from 3% to 7 %. Hmar people still live below poverty line even after government interventions to raise their livelihoods. The traditional art and craft has drastically declined. On the whole, Agriculture remained the main occupation of the Hmars. Their main livelihoods were food production and almost all socio-cultural life was connected with it.

Due to the government intervention, Churachandpur district appear to be very developed in terms of income, health , employment, education and literacy. It is also an area where level of aspirations, peace, security and happiness are very low but many of them feels that valley people are best preferred and hill people are neglected that they consider discriminatory. These hill tribes often come into conflict with valley people and government.

Introduction of money as medium of exchange totally changed their old barter system of exchange. Indebtedness is increasing due to this in their society.

The traditional subsistence economy of Hmars gradually integrated with market economy. There is a great shift from traditional way of 1987 to modern system in 2010. Government programmes like IRDP, JRY,AND EAS introduced new agricultural and other occupational practices which is changing Hmar standard of life and livelihoods by bringing about economically better and higher standard of living. Development of communication enabled better education and exposure to the outside world. The Hmar youths are going to outside cities like Delhi, Banglore, Mumbai etc. for higher education in addition to their own towns like Churachandpur, Silchar, Aizwal. The Hmar community has lion’s share in government jobs now.

The Concern-

1.     Conflict between groups is a major concern to be looked into.

2.     Social honor like Thangshuo  and other old traditional values though still continue but changing gradually.

3.     More political and material consciousness entered into Hmar society and changing their value system.

4.     They feel that though they have money now but not happy as they uses to be. Now they only go to their jhoom fields to appreciate the crop or complain if they are not good. Now they calculate how much they will earn from it. Community collaboration in agriculture like olden days disappeared.

5.     One thing, growing dependency on other and corruption also entered into Hmar society which was totally absent in olden days.

6.      In comparing from my early study in 1987, there is a great shift from tradition to modernity and Hmar society is growing at par with other mainstream communities but loosing self confidence as they feel they are victims of growing dependency.

7.     Hmar villages with strong traditional institutions find it easier to internalize new approaches and technologies, as well as upgrade their knowledge.

8.     In order to obtain greater impact, the intensity of government projects needs to be provided based on the local institutional capacity available at village level, rather than being predetermined and delivered in an equal manner across all villages.

9.     The design of future development projects should be more realistic about the formal extent of community involvement.

10.  The sustainability of community institutions must be viewed in terms of a much longer time-scale than simply the five /seven years of project duration for empowerment and community participation.

References-

Sharma . V. P,  1992 The Hmars of Manipur : An Anthropological Exploration, Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.

Vatse. I.Z. 2010 Impact of Development on The Hmars of Tipaimukh in Churachandpur District, Manipur . Unpublished PH.D thesis, Department of Anthropology, NEHU, Shillong.

NGOS AND LIVELIHOOD SCHEMES: THE ROLE OF NGOs IN TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

NGOS AND LIVELIHOOD SCHEMES: THE ROLE OF NGOs IN TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

Key note address at UGC National Seminar , Deparment of Sociology , Govt.  College , Rourkela 

Vijay Prakash Sharma,  Director, VAIDYAS-INDIA

The broad definition holds that every organisation which is not part of a government and which operates in civil society is an NGO. Although a vast majority of NGOs is formally independent and have nonprofit ethos, however, there are many NGOs working in the voluntary sector. They are also sometimes influenced, controlled or sponsored by the government and private business houses. NGO initiatives aimed at development have a long history in India. The individual efforts of
social workers are expressed in micro-terms but it deals with conditions that are caused by  large macro-structures.

There are number of NGOs working for the tribal development in India. “JANJAATI EVEAM GRAMIN UNNAYAN SANSTHAAN” a unit of VAIDYAS-India in Jashpur district of Chhatishgarh is one such NGO working for tribal development in Chhatishgarh since 1993.

This paper deals with a case study of above NGO assessing their impact of their tribal livelihood schemes among the particularly vulnerable tribal group “Pahadi Korwa” of Bagicha block. The difficult terrain, hard life and almost insufficient development have given rise to the smaller sizes of the tribal villages. In Bagicha block, out of 76 villages, 26 villages have population of less than 50 persons. The smallest villages are Chirodih and Bagdoll with a population of 01 and 05 respectively. The larger village is Kamarima with the population of 893 persons. Due to undulating terrain and physical barriers like streams and subsequent inadequate availability of agriculture land at one place, larger villages have been divided into hamlets, 5 villages which have population above 400 persons. The NGO adopted an Applied and Action Anthropology Approach for tribal development under the supervision of the author with a successful implementation strategy.

Process of intervention: The AAA Approach -

Regular interaction resulted into confidence building. A Socio-Economic survey was carried out to know their problems and with the help of local government many developmental programmes were implemented by the Institute.

PRA exercises were conducted; training programmes were organized to bring these hill dwellers in the main stream of national life. A great Tribal congregation of PAHARI KORWA was organized at Hrapat in 2000 where the institute developed the idea of bringing them on plains as plain settlers.

After long persuasion 13 families agreed to settle down on plains. The Institute convinced government to sanction PTG Housing scheme for them. Finally, thirteen families themselves volunteered to construct their own houses. A cherished dream of TRDI, under Applied and Action Anthropology Programme became reality in 2004.

Now, it was important to introduce livelihood development programme for these most primitive tribal group PAHARI KORWA of Chattishgarh. For this, the institute implemented an UNDP supported Technology Management Programme (TMP). Under this programme, the institute has established block level Technology Resource Center (TRC) for Jashpur block in collaboration with Regional Research Laboratory, Bhopal. Technology, employment and tribal each one of these terms has baffled and divided both the academicians and the practitioners since long, especially during last few decades. (Sharma and Singh, 1988)

Gurnar Myrdal, commenting on employment policy, emphasized in his epic study about Asia that” If by a miracle, the cultivators in South Asia could be induced to work more diligently, Production would rise dramatically”.

Technology has been widely acknowledged as a critical parameter in the production system. Generally speaking in a broader sense of the term, it has been identified practically with each and every aspect involved in the process of development or change, in fact technology represents in a way the unending human struggle for a better existence in his/her environment.”

If employment is to be generated in a tribal region, it should be and can be best done by promoting and strengthening the existing modes of production of the people with the inputs of modern science and technology in a manner that the advantages of the existing system as well as those From hill to plain: An Experiment in Applied and Action Anthropology in India

128 Dreams and Realities of Rural Development in India created by men to exploit the resources are combined.” (quoted in Sharma and singh, 1988).

The basic idea behind the project was to promote the traditional occupation and to introduce people’s friendly new rural technology, upgrading of their skills, provision of raw materials and modern equipments, credit support and marketing facility for the development of livelihood of rural and tribal people.

In specific terms, the project aimed at setting up a Common facility centre for training, demonstration and popularization of small scale industrial packages for identified cluster of 6 villages in Manora block.

To strengthen the existing units under initial stage and to introduce new technologies that is tested in other tribal areas, two institutions UNDP and IFAD were approached through Government of Madya Pradesh and Government of Chhattisgarh.

Tribal and Rural Development Institute adopted some villages under UNDP programme and introduced Mushroom production, Beekeeping, Beehive box manufacturing, Production of Herbal pesticides, production of fishing trap, Cultivation and storage of medicinal plants, wooden handicraft, MANDAR (beating drum) production, Bamboo basket production, Broom making and marketing, Leaf mat, leaf bowl and leaf plate production etc. were introduced in the Cluster of 25 tribal dominated villages in Manora block of Jaspur district.

In the second step, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) sanctioned watershed projects covering 6 villages for three years duration, Micro watershed code 4G2B6G - 1. Total geographical area of the Watershed was 1109.214 hectares out of which750.826 hectares were treatable area. There were 299 households inhabited by 1714 people (Male-884, Female-830).

The institute completed three years Shaila watershed project (2003-6) covering Six villages sanctioned by CGTDP, Government of Chhattisgarh, funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development(IFAD) and undertook following important activities:

1. 15 days training to 20 farmers on Fish Farming and Nylon net weaving.

2. Seven days training to 80 farmers on Bee –Keeping.

3. Two months training to two persons on Bee-box making skill.

4. Fifty two farmers were trained on Vermi-compost and construction of permanent pit.

5. Four farmers were trained in PAIRRA Treatment.

6. Three Anganwadi centres, one each in Shaila, Chattauri and Chirotoli village were constructed.

7. One EGS building was constructed at village Kardana.

8. Two water ponds were constructed at village Chattauri and are used for fisheries.

9. Sixteen Indira Awas for Primitive Tribal Group (Pahari Korwa) were constructed in village Chattauri. This is first ever novel attempt to inhabit hill dwellers on plane. The 16 Pahari Korwa families themselves contributed their labour in construction of their own houses. This is one of the most successful programme of the Institute.

10. Construction of 207 meters RRC village approach road at village Shaila using local M L A fund.

11. Under Goat Farming activity 45 goats were distributed to 14 Shelf Help Groups for pursuing sustained livelihood.

12. Construction of 14 Goat sheds in PTG colony of Chattauri village.

13. Building for Vocational Training centre was constructed at Village Chattauri.

14. Construction of one Stop –check- dam with canal at village Shaila.

15. Vegetable mini kits were distributed to 60 farmers.

16. 600 kgs Potato seeds were distributed among 34 members of BPL –SHGs.

17. 25 Women were trained in Bamboo craft through three months training programme.

18. 40 Women were provided training in Tailoring and Knitting works and they are earning livelihood through these skills.

Discussion

Visible Impact of AAA Programmes may be summarized as follows

Self Help Groups

1. Regular saving habits inculcated among members.

2. Several members increased their income adopting income generating activities promoted by the institute.

3. Easy access to financial services ensured.

4. Collective decision- making promoted by institute now institutionalized.

5. SHG members taking up community development works.

6. Women are running Fare Price Shops successfully in the area.

Land and Water Management Programme

1. Waste land converted into farm land helped the villagers in increased crop production.

2. In last Monsoon season, earthen and check-dams constructed by the Institute provided protective irrigation in moisture stress.

3. In canal constructed area some farmers took up two crops this year against one earlier. Some farmers extended their area of Kharif Crops.

4. Tanks constructed by institute helped in fish farming and supplementary irrigation.

5. Boulder and earthen checks proved to be of great help in checking soil erosion in the area.

6. Construction of proper approach road in village Chattauri is of great help in transport and communication to villagers. 

Awareness campaignAnthropology in India -डॉ.विजय प्रकाश शर्मा

1. The demonstration effect of transparency and timely payment of wages in the programmes run by TRDI generated high faith and enthusiasm among the tribal community.

2. Migration appears to have lowered down in comparison to previous years due to Creation of wage employment.

Reference-

Sharma, Vijay Prakash. 2018 Dreams and Realities of Rural Development In India, Kalpaz Publications,New Delhi.

Gender and Livelihood: Needed Women Entrepreneurship in Jharkhand

Dr. Vijay Prakash Sharma, Adjunct Faculty,  NIRD&PR, Hyderabad.

e.mail-drvijayprakash@yahoo.co.uk , .

Introduction:

Jharkhand is the second largest state inhabited by Tribal in India. They constitute nearly 26.7% of the population. Majority of tribal women do not undertake entrepreneurial ventures. Entrepreneurship is a key to economic development of a country.

Rapid growth of women’s self-employment through SHGs and entrepreneurship confirms that this is an important avenue to improve women’s employability. Fostering women’s self-employment and entrepreneurship was also acknowledged as a policy priority by the regional Beijing +5 meeting 2000.

Majority of tribal women do not undertake entrepreneurial ventures. Entrepreneurship is a key to economic development of a country. The government programme for women development began as early as 1954 in India but the actual participation began only in 1974. At present, the Government of India has over 27 schemes for women operated by different departments and ministries. The schemes for training and skill development, and provision for credit, infrastructure, marketing which are critical to women’s economic independence and autonomy has very little share.

A general lack of consistent data and research on self-employment, and in particular gender disaggregated data, means that we know little about women’s entrepreneurship. Although women face common challenges related to starting and building up their businesses, their experiences vary.  Women want better access to education, training, and counseling.  Access to capital is a very important issue for many women business owners, who often lack formal education in financial matters and who may face gender-based barriers to accessing financing. Women want full access to business networks such as industry-specific and general business associations. Women want to be treated seriously as business owners.

Methods-

This paper examines the problems of Gender Livelihood in Jharkhand and Constraints of SHG promotion in most tribal dominated backward regions.  The primary data collected from Left wing extremist area of Chaibasa, palamu and Ranchi district and secondary data collected from Jharkhand government socio- economic survey report 2014, internet files and libraries.

SOCIAL EXCLUSION: A GLOBAL PHENOMENON

4^TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON “SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND DEVELOPMENT”, DECEMBER 5-6, 2016,ISRAA, BIDISA, INDIA

Vijay Prakash Sharma,  Director, VAIDYAS-India. E.mai. drvijayprakash@yahoo.co.uk

Introduction

Emile Durkheim, an eminent French Sociologist fought desperately against social alienation or (exclusion), for himself or for all men. He was convinced that the social interdependence of individuals was the reality and true glory of human life, and he applied his own extraordinary independence to the scientific foundation and application of that principle. The true “spirit” of human life for Durkheim was the “spirit of collectivity”. All metaphysical systems- religious and scientific- are symbolic projection’s  of man’s everyday life on earth and that life is inherently a social one. The great implication in Durkheim’s work is that man alone or, more precisely; men together direct their own fortunes. (Kardiner and Preble 1963, 95)¹². In the light of this back drop, I would like to examine  the problem of social exclusion in the world .

According to Canadian Council of Social Development (CCSD), “Ethnic disparities in the correctional system seem to be the result of both discrimination and biases in the system, as well as disproportionate offending within certain populations. However, research shows that those minority groups which are disproportionately involved in offending are those which are economically and socially disadvantaged, in many cases as a result of historical discrimination”¹¹.

The term ‘social exclusion’ first originated in Europe in 1997, where there has tended to be a greater emphasis on spatial exclusion. There is also a policy focus on those living in ‘deprived areas’, where poor housing, inadequate social services, weak political voice and lack of decent work all combine to create an experience of marginalisation. However, there are various understandings of social exclusion and integration. In the seminal article below, Hilary Silver highlights these, and illustrates how they stem from analysts’ own backgrounds and political traditions.

Social exclusion is a socially constructed concept, and can depend on an idea of what is considered ‘normal’. In many developing countries, where most people do not enjoy an acceptable standard of living, defining what is ‘normal’ is not a simple task, especially given the lack of the welfare state and a formalised labour market. Indeed, as social exclusion can be structured around hierarchy, the exclusion of people on the basis of their race, caste or gender, may be viewed by the society excluding them as ‘normal’. As such, the concept of social exclusion is contested, in that it is often difficult to ‘objectively’ identify who is socially excluded, as it is a matter of the criteria adopted and the judgments used.

This paper proposes to discuss, what is social exclusion? How has the concept been applied in developing countries? What new insight into poverty – if any – is provided by the approach of social exclusion?

Trends of Anthropological studies in Jharkhand

Vijay Prakash Sharma, Director, Institute for human development, Ranchi.

Earlier trends-

Anthropology in Jharkhand has a long history starting from 1912 with publication of S C ROY S book on Jharkhand tribal. Regular ethnographic monographs of some of the tribes were published followed by following areas of studies till 2016 through tribal development institutes and others.

1.      Industrialization-Ranchi, Jamshedpur

2.      Culture change-Santhal of Ghatshila

3.      Tourism- impact at Sundarban delta

4.      Modernization and industrialization- Oraon Culture

5.      Women studies- women, crime, domestic conflict

6.      Health studies

7.      Religion including replication of Sacred complex and Nature- Man- Spirit complex.

8.      Development -Tribal, role of NGO and Voluntary organization

9.      Education- tribal and others

10.  Biological anthropology-anthropometry, malaria, anemia, dermogliphics etc.

11.  Indigenous knowledge- santhal music study

12.  Political institutions- traditional and impact of modern panchayats

Present scenario-

Most of the studies in recent times are replication of earlier studies is descriptive in nature except women and health, tourism and music, indigenous knowledge.

Quality research is an area that demands our attention. There is no hard line drawn between Fundamental research and applied research, but if fundamental there will be no fundamental research then applied research will also seize to work. Difference of focus exists between them. Earlier studies had own context and focus but now research methodology is more sophisticated so context has changed.

Future studies/ required area of research-

1.      Explore study of social reorganization due to industrialization as there is a wron notion to call tribal disorganization.

2.      Changing culture as living culture will change whether willingly or unwillingly.

3.      Industrialization stages like primary, secondary and tertiary required to be studied. Industrial labour are purchasing land in villages breaking of village relations due to this needs to be studied as it breaks down after two to three generations of migration in industrial areas.

4.      Whether industries are promoting de-tribalisation? Need to be studied.

5.       Interrelations of industrial workers- tribal –non-tribal should be new study focus.

6.      Political movements and Tribal unrest is another area of study.

7.       Study on Role of ideology required- what is the difference between proclaimed ideology and operational ideology?

8.      Socio-economic studies of past will not answer the above questions so there is a need to give new direction to these studies.

9.      We should focus on new themes under industrialization studies such as – agrarian relations, De-peasantization due to landless situation of peasants. They are becoming casual labours.

10.  Studies on production relations are required.

11.  Sectoral development studies should be taken up- education, health, women, child rearing practices demands special attention. Why primary education is not getting monitored in tribal areas?

12.  Girls are assets in tribal societies so study of girl education required?

13.  Tribal Youth is another important area of study- reasons of their frustrations, distractions and poverty should be studied.

14.  Modern problems before tribal youth are another important area of anthropological study.

                                                  

Political and Economic movements in Jharkhand

What is a movement?

Movement means a group of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas." the labour movement”.

In the social sciences, a political movement is a social group that operates together to obtain a political goal,^[1] on a local, regional, national, or international scope. Political movements develop, coordinate,^[2] promulgate,^[3] revise,^[4] amend,^[5] interpret,^[6] and produce materials that are intended to address the goals of the base of the movement.

Some political movements have aimed to change government policy, such as the anti-war movement, the Ecology movement, and the Anti-globalization movement. Many have aimed to establish or broaden the rights of subordinate groups, such as abolitionism, the women's suffrage movement, the Civil rights movement, feminism, men's rights movement, etc.

In Jharkhand, a movement called “Naxalism” led by Left wing thinkers and activists seem to be the only major political movement after creation of Jharkhand.

In the recent years, Globalisation may be treated as economic movement – If we consider this, and then to the best of my knowledge- Microfinance movement through SHG can be placed in this category. Sustainable Development can be considered as another one in the list of economic movements in Jharkhand. I would like to share my thoughts in the above frame work.

Jharkhand case-

Jharkhand is the second largest state inhabited by Tribal in India. They constitute nearly 26.7% of the population. Majority of tribal women do not undertake entrepreneurial ventures. Entrepreneurship is a key to economic development of a country.

Rapid growth of women’s self-employment through SHGs and entrepreneurship confirms that this is an important avenue to improve women’s employability. Fostering women’s self-employment and entrepreneurship was also acknowledged as a policy priority by the regional Beijing +5 meeting 2000.

Jharkhand Identity and Culture

by 

Vijay Prakash Sharma

Cultural identity is the identity or feeling of belonging to a group. It is part of a person’s self conception and self perception and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social group that has its own distinct culture. In this way, a cultural trait is both characteristics of the individual but also of the culturally identical group of members sharing the same cultural traits (Ennaji 2005,19-25).

Cultural trait- A cultural trait is a learned behavior of values, traditions, symbols and meaning that are passed from one generation to another within specific community of people. These cultural traits are learned, transmitted, based on symbols, changeable, integrated, ethnocentric and adaptive. The cultural traits represent Cultural identity of a people.                                                                                                                                                         

Before we discuss the cultural Identity of Jharkhand, we need to know what culture is. Anthropologists consider culture as abstract values, beliefs, and perception of the world that lie behind people’s behavior, and which that behavior reflects. These are shared by the members of the society , and when acted upon they produce behavior considered acceptable within that society. Cultures are learned through the medium of language, rather than inherited biologically, and parts of culture function as an integrated whole (Havilland 1981, 26).

Culture is based on symbols. Leslie White considered that all human behavior originates in the use of symbols. Art, religion, and money involve the use of symbols. Most important symbolic aspect of culture is language. Now let us examine different possible aspects that may represent Cultural identity of Jharkhand.

Jharkhand-as a political entity

Jharkhand-as a political entity emerged at Adivasi Mahasabha created by Ignes Beck in 1938 and Jaipal Singh Munda joined the party in 1939 subsequently become its president. He was educated in England and become popular leader of the tribes. Jaipal Singh contested election to the state legislators in 1946 but lost it. There after he raised the first slogan for separate Jharkhand from Bihar. 

Tribal Livelihood and other Issues in Jharkhand

Vijay Prakash Sharma

Abstract

Jharkhand is the second largest state inhabited by Tribal. They constitute nearly 26.7% of the population. Marginalisation of tribal and commercial exploitation of their land and forest dates back to the British period. After independence, the nexus between development administration and businessmen on the one hand, and  laws governing their commons on the other, further deprived them of not only their livelihood, but also resulted in a loss of their identity. The acts of aggression both internal and external are dangerous for their future survival. The major government projects like link-high way project, Netarhat firing range and Damodar Valley Corporations have displaced a large member of tribal. The tribal leadership is passing through a phase of vacuum and the spread of Naxalite movement in the tribal areas is an expression of people’s anger. They need special attention of the Government to address the burning issues for their all-round development. The environmental standards cannot be the same for these two sets of economies. The immediate environmental concerns and issues in developing country like India are- land degradation, soil erosion, disaster management, over chemicalisation  of crop production, air and water pollution including ground water pollution, recycling of waste, increasing pressures on life supporting systems, and socio-economic impact of development projects including human displacement and loss of bio diversity.

A tailor made plan cannot be experimented everywhere, it should be area specific and demand based. If not, then, serious problems will arise. Each & every area has different characteristics like language, natural resources, socio-economic & cultural conditions, human resources etc.