vanavasi

A segment of our society has been called tribal, backward, aborigines, heathens and Pagans. These derogatory terms are dishonest and misused for these honest and simple people cultured in their own way. Keeping with their inseparable continuity of geo-political and cultural existence with rest of the country, it's more appropriate to call them Vanavasis (Forest Dwellers).

During British rule, the then colonial administration tried to wean away the Vanavasi section of Indian population from the national mainstream as a part of its "divide and rule" policy. In that nefarious scheme the foreign Christian missionaries became active and collaborated with the British rulers. From among the missionaries some individuals donned the grab of researchers and produced misleading theories about the separate ethno-cultural identity of Vanavasis. Other missionaries made use of spurious research and tried to convert the unsuspecting Vanavasis to Christianity.

They offered material inducements like schools, hospitals, etc., for conversion. But the net result of conversion was discontent among the Vanavasis due to the void created by alienation from the native community. The consequences of decades of conversion activity resulted in the steep rise in terrorist activity, separatist agitations, etc.

The picture of tribal life in India, from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west and from Laddakh in the north to Kerala or Nicobar in the south is one of utter isolation, centuries of stark neglect and hence of deprivation.

A Vanavasi may be less educated, unhealthy but he is noble with a generous heart, a core of honesty and love, with a sound knowledge of nature, animals, plants, herbs and with superb skills in singing, dancing and handicrafts. He is a combination of:

Economic Development

Among the various problems, lack of economic development as a result of poor agricultural equipment and techniques, irrigation facilities, transportation problems are the major ones faced by the tribals. Self-employment schemes do not reach them.