This article constitutes an empirical socio-economic analysis based on a fi eld study involving 1200 young unorganised workers found in the construction sector of the so-called tri-city of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The main aim of the study was to examine the reasons why and how these young people had come to work in this urban environment, how they live and spend their money and what they perceive as their major problems. Based on the fi ndings, the article argues that Indian policy makers, with specifi c regard to the urban unorganised labour sector, should take more-adequate measures for the protection of human rights of such migrant workers.
We investigated two sequential outbreaks of severe diarrhoea in two neighbouring villages of Orissa, in 2005. We conducted descriptive and matched case-control studies. The attack rates were 5.6% (n=62) and 5.2% (n=51), respectively, in the first and second villages. One death was reported in the second village (case fatality 2%). We identified that consumption of milk products prepared in the household of the index case [matched odds ratio (mOR) 5.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-30] in the first village, and drinking well water in the second village were associated with the illness (mOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6-19). We isolated Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Ogawa from stool samples from both the villages. Mishandling of milk products led to a cholera outbreak in the first village, which led to sewerage contamination of a well and another outbreak in the second village. Environmental contamination should be expected and prevented during cholera outbreaks.
The well-known phenomenon of tribal disadvantage in India requires constant monitoring to ensure diligent attention to equitable protection of tribal people’s right to life. This article, based on an analysis of primary data collected from 400 households in eight different tribal communities in Odisha, charts the differential progress of Odisha tribals by establishing a Tribal Development Index. Such data identify significant development disparities and confirm the existence of a ‘creamy layer’, constituted of more developed individuals and families also among India’s tribals. While many households in these eight communities still lack basic amenities, notable differences regarding food security, landholding, income and overall development were identified, supporting arguments for devising more sophisticated differential forms of intervention.
The pastoral Gaddi tribes of Himachal Pradesh were studied in four blocks of Kangara district. As many as 93% of the households in the sample had access to piped drinking water, 92% had electricity, and more than 90% were connected by roads. TV sets, newspapers and telephones were largely found in well to do families. The male literacy rate was found to be 80% and the female literacy rate, 63%. Women of this community are highly empowered; they express themselves freely, and 90% spend money or go to receive health services without the permission of their men folk. Only 9% of the households were landless. 63.5% were marginal holders. Though size of holdings is small, it was found to promote food security. It was also found that sub tribes like the Gaddi Rajputs, Gaddi Kapoors and Gaddi Bhatts had larger holdings than other sub tribes, notably Gaddi SCs. Likewise poverty was found to be higher among the SC Gaddis as compared to the non SC Gaddis.
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