Other factors like female infanticide is also responsible
Comparing the data right from the pre-Independence period and period before the introduction of ultrasound technology, the scholars pointed out that various factors such as female infanticide, rule of the British that indirectly led to neglect of
Bengaluru: Presentations by various research scholars at the one-day Census Data Dissemination Workshop -2014 organised by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) of the city in association with UNDP on Monday, shed light on some interesting facts and figures. Research scholars from various parts of the country presented their papers.
Ms Varsha Chandrashekhar and Ms Medha Bhattacharjee, who presented a paper on the prenatal ultrasound technology and its effects on Indian child sex ratio (0-6 years), argued that it is not accurate to say that ultrasound technology is solely responsible for the disparity.
Comparing the data right from the pre-Independence period and period before the introduction of ultrasound technology, the scholars pointed out that various factors such as female infanticide, rule of the British that indirectly led to neglect of girls and growth of dowry system and status- seeking marriage strategies are the reasons for the disparity.
Mr S. Subramanian, a research scholar from ISEC, presented a paper on Youth and Agriculture; tracing the relationship. He concluded that census data has proved that the labourers, particularly the youth, are moving out of farming to non-farm sectors where the wages are competitive.
He said that there is an increase in the proportion of non-workers among the youth since 2001, especially in rural areas. “The workers are decreasing by almost 2%,” he said.
Karnataka gets a thumbs up.
Another paper on the female literacy rate, gave a thumbs up to Karnataka. The findings showed that the state initiated significant reforms – increased public investment, ensuring access, quality and equity, moving towards universal literacy at a steady pace.
“In 2001 the literacy rate was 66.64%. It jumped to 75.60% in 2011, which is well above the national average. In Karnataka, female literacy has increased more rapidly than male literacy. But the literacy rate is lower among rural females compared to their urban counterparts. Urban female literacy is witnessing a faster growth rate than rural female literacy,” they concluded.
Two coastal districts, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, that have the highest literacy rate among females, also have the highest sex ratio.
Missing Adivasis
A case study of Jharkhand also shed light on the ongoing political developments in the tribal state. Mr. Sujit Kumar, a PhD Scholar, CPIGD, ISEC, Bengaluru, presented the paper about the current situation where elections are going on for a new government. Mr. Kumar, in his research paper, concluded that co-opted mainstream political leadership has left the adivasis at the whims and fancies of the market forces and dikus, the failure of the community to craft an inclusive political agenda bringing moolvasis within its fold, has prevented identity politics from converging into politics of recognition. A blueprint of an alternative developmental regime where adivasi identity has to find new avenues to sustain not only the cultural challenge of assimilation in the Hindu fold, but also the powerful political and business lobby. The presence of adivasis in the political discourse of Jharkhand will depend upon their ability to redeem the Jharkhandi identity and actively pursue politics of recognition on the ideological ground of being historically marginalised.
He observed that dwindling adivasi population is an alarming situation with potential to curb the political salience of the community in the coming years. “Political discourse impregnated with the adivasi identity in the heyday of the Jharkhand movement was hijacked by the BJP. This acted as the reason behind the failed convergence of identity politics with politics of recognition and the divulging of distributive justice to the marginalised section of adivasis,” he opined.
Earlier in his inaugural speech, ISEC board of Governors, Prof G Thimmaiah called upon the people to utilize the demographic dividend India is enjoying. “Even though India has the highest number of youth, many of them are not exactly contributing anything by involving themselves in anti- social activities.
“The need of the hour is proper utilization of the demographic dividend India is enjoying,” he said.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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