Chhotelal Kumar The Adivasi is frequently mistaken as a “noble savage” who leads a primitive lifestyle. His social and cultural traditions are perceived as unsophisticated and based on superstitions. In central India, tribals have their own religions, the most notable of which is Sarna, followed by Adivasis of Chotanagpur, and Koyapun, followed by Gonds …
Arigay Ramaswamy and his Struggle for uniting Dalits
Dr. Chandraiah Gopani The concept of emancipation is occupied a central theme for Dalit movements and politics both in colonial and post-colonial period. There were organic leaders among Dalits during Nizam period from 1906 to 1953. The period between 1906-1953 was crucial for vibrant Dalit activities and autonomous assertions in Hyderabad state. Although Nizam …
Transcending Thiruvananthapuram
Umar Nizar Nearing Thiruvananthapuram, the road bends, entering the city, as a vein enters the heart. The bus moves along the curve with its load of human destinies. People nap inside, in the secure snugness of their seats. For those who are awake, it seems like an age. The tarmac is slipping away under …
Airports over basic rights: Maharashtra government’s myopic plans for Gadchiroli
Bodhi Ramteke A plan announced in the current year budget of the Government of Maharashtra is to connect Gadchiroli with Samruddhi National Highway. It also proposes a new airport in the district. This decision should be welcomed. Because the tribals and the other residents of the district who have never even seen a train till …
Adivasis of mainland and Tribes of North East: A brief discussion on differences in development
Chhotelal Kumar In general, Adivasis are also known as Tribals, as Aboriginal or Autochthonous people, or Vanvasi. The tribal population of the country, as per the 2011 census, is 104.3 million, constituting 8.6% of the total population. And only 10.03 % of the population live in urban areas. Several scholars have classified the tribal population—like …
Buddha’s Fountain
Dr. Bhushan Amol Darkase Kanshiram tilled the earth Sowed the seeds of Sant Kabir, Phule, Ambedkar and many more Sprinkled enlightened labour— Sprouts of change germinated
What of the Ukrainian working class?
Vinith Kumar This war that has now seemingly become normalized, thanks to all the noise on news channels, has had all of us wondering what it means for the world at large. Whether it would result in another world war, or if Russia will resort to using nuclear weapons, and so on. The inhuman …
Grabbing a screen for Jhund in the small city of Shirpur
Shiva Thorat This is a pre-watch review of Nagraj Manjule’s Jhund. It unravels the emotional outpouring for Jhund and the connection and belongingness felt with the lyrics of the song “Lafda Jhala Wakda Tikda”. It is also about a group of young people in the town of Shirpur who made enormous efforts to get a …
‘Mahad Satyagraha was not for water but to establish human rights’
Milind Thokal Mahad, situated in Raigad district of Maharashtra, is historically significant as an ancient port city. The place achieved further importance after Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s revolutionary act of defiance following the upper caste Hindus refusal to implement the resolution passed in Bombay Legislative Council. On 4th August 1923, Rao Bahadur S.K. Bole, a …