Question 1 · 20 marks · 661 words written
Write about the contribution of village studies toward the understanding of the Indian social system? And mention some theoretical concepts which have emerged from village studies in India. 1. What do you mean by the displacement? Describe its various impact on the health and nutritional status of tribal women in India at present?
Opening
According to Andre Beteille, a village is not just a place where people live but a concept where one can understand the civilizational growth.
Body · points and prose
→ contribution of village studies towards understanding of the Indian social system:
Indian village, at its core, has the values of caste system, joint family and peasantry.
- Understanding the structure and evolution of the traditional caste system.
- S.C. Dube's study of Shamirpet Village
- Influence of outside forces like westernization, modernisation, globalisation e.t.c on social relations
- M.N. Srinivas
- Understand the structure and nature of joint family system.
• Socio economic nature of village system. Eg: Jajmani system in villages. • Social institutions like marriage, family, kinship e.t.c. Eg: Iravati Karve and David Mandelbaum's Study. In North India, marriages are done to extend allies, whereas in South India it is to cement already existing ties (cross cousin marriages). • The relation and dependence of village on peasantry and nature. Eg: Self sufficient economies Subsistence agriculture. Nature-Man-Spirit complex e.t.c.
→ Theoretical Concepts that have emerged-
(1) Little Traditions and Great Traditions: Great traditions are traditions flowing through big and centres of learning and worship (Ex- Temples, church e.t.) whereas little traditions are self evolved local traditions. (Ex) - Tribal Traditions.
(2) Universalisation and Parochialisation Study - McKim Marriots Study of Kishangarhi village.
○ When little traditions gain a national character, it is called Universalisation.
[Eg] Snake worship of Tribes as Nagdevta or Nagpanchami in Hinduism.
○ When national traditions acquire a local character and are followed by locals, it is called Parochialisation.
[Eg] Gobardhan Puja in Kinshangarhi.
(3) Sanskritization - According to M.N. Srinivas, when a low caste or a tribal group imitates the lifestyle, beliefs, ideas, clothing e.t.c of a so called upper or Dwija caste, it is called Sanskritization.
[Eg] Kayasthas acquired Kshatriya status by working under the Kshatriyas.
④ De sanskritization - The downward mobility of caste groups is called De sanskritization.
Eg: Many higher castes are trying to acquire lower caste/tribal status to get reservation benefits.
⑤ Modernization, Westernization -
Modernization is the practice of adopting modern beliefs and ideas by staying connected to ones roots.
Eg: Third world countries.
Westernization is the blind aping or imitating of the western behaviour.
Thus, Village Studies lies at the core of Study of India. This is one of the primary reasons India has received the sobriquet of 'Grama vasini Bharati'.
A. Displacement means removal or forcing the original inhabitants of a place to leave their original place of livelihood. B.D. Sharma studied displacement among tribals & widely and called them Development Refugees.
→ Impact of Displacement
◦ Impact on health and nutritional status of women
leads to loss of livelihood and forests on which their lives are based.
Eg: Forests for food, nutrition etc.
Exploitation of women
Malnutrition due to poverty (59% women anaemic).
This impacts pregnancy and children.
Sexual exploitation of women and prostitution. (Ex) - Ranchi Highway - many tribal women work as prostitutes.
Sexually transmitted diseases. (Ex) AIDS reported among women in A&N Islands.
Psychological trauma on women
New place and adjustments to new place.
Find source of food, shelter etc for themselves and children.
Men addicted to liquor, drugs etc in new places thus leading to exploitation of women and children.
Studies reveal that there is a lack of calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C in tribal women.
Close
(Eg) - Many tribes consider consumption of milk as a taboo
o) Women as bonded labour and sexual slaves. o) low awareness regarding laws, rights (termination of pregnancy, rape laws) e.t.c. o) Exploitation by policemen. (Ex) - Mathura case Sexual exploitation of a tribal girl by police.
Women face the double jeopardy of exploitation due to their gender and their tribal status. Moreover, it is important to secure the health of the tribal women since they are future mothers and the future of tribal health is in their hands.