Are the tribal youth a homogenous group? Do they have different social values? Are they optimistic about the country's future?
Well, the Indian tribal youth are not a homogenous category. The usual social factors — the urban/rural divide, class, gender, caste and community — play a role in shaping the attitudinal profile of the youth. Unlike advanced industrial societies, where age is a significant social factor and there are sharp differences of opinion across generations, there is a strong continuity of belief in India. While this guards against disruption of social and family life, it means that there are limits to perceiving the tribal youth as harbingers of change.
The image of the tribal youth is that of trendy, gadget-wielding, metropolitan boys and girls. But still I think only one out of six tribal youth has a personal mobile phone or a two-wheeler — possibly, the two most coveted consumer goods. Only two per cent have an internet connection at home.
Access to such goods and technologies is strongly determined by location and the economic condition of the tribal family. The urban upper class tribal youth are nearly 10 times more likely to possess these in comparison with those who fall within the lower half of the rural tribal population.
There is an information divide between rural and urban tribal youth. Only a little more than half of the tribal youngsters would say they read newspapers. The number of those who watch news on television is a little higher. However, youth are more exposed to the media than elders. They also access entertainment on television and in cinema halls in greater numbers. But even here there is a clear rural-urban divide, further accentuated by class divisions. I'm sure that only one-sixth of the tribal youth have read any book other than those prescribed in their syllabi. The tribal youth are still far from entering the `information age'. This is reflected in their level of awareness. Many of them would say that they have never heard about The Emergency. But try asking them about Valentine's Day, they will answer even before the question completes.
Class conditions the aspirations. If it is asked to cite the monthly income that would be sufficient to meet the needs of themselves and the family, most of the rural lower class tribal youth will be satisfied with Rs. 5000 per month. But the urban well-to-do ones would prefer an amount more than Rs. 10000.
But class distinctions have no bearing on mobility aspirations. A majority of those in villages would like to leave and settle in towns. The difference between upper and lower classes on this issue is insignificant. Most of the rural tribal youth are prepared to leave their villages in search of a job. Interestingly, the urban poor have a greater attachment to their locality than the rural poor. Better off urbanites see more opportunities for mobility and are more open to moving, even to a foreign country. The upper class is enthused by this prospect.A willingness to work abroad does not mean a willingness to give up Indian identity. Interestingly, the rural and urban poor reject giving up citizenship more strongly. The urban well-to-do is more prepared to do so.
There are very few signs of change when it comes to social and family values. I think three-fourths of the tribal youth believe in God, and most worship regularly. They also endorse the view that marriage should take place within one's own caste-community. The Indian tribal youth also favour staying with parents after marriage, and believe that it is their responsibility to look after parents.
In politics too, the tribal youth are not very adventurous. Their rate of participation in political activities, and their level of interest and support for democracy are not very different from the rest of the population.
But it's quite true that the younger tribal generation is very optimistic about its future and that of the country. The optimism is more pronounced on economic questions as they expect poverty to be reduced and their economic condition and that of the country to get better. They think India will remain united, secular, and emerge as a superpower. These expectations do not square with their anxieties, as most of the tribal youth are anxious about employment and career. Prospects of marriage are much lower on their anxiety list.
Well, the Indian tribal youth are not a homogenous category. The usual social factors — the urban/rural divide, class, gender, caste and community — play a role in shaping the attitudinal profile of the youth. Unlike advanced industrial societies, where age is a significant social factor and there are sharp differences of opinion across generations, there is a strong continuity of belief in India. While this guards against disruption of social and family life, it means that there are limits to perceiving the tribal youth as harbingers of change.
The image of the tribal youth is that of trendy, gadget-wielding, metropolitan boys and girls. But still I think only one out of six tribal youth has a personal mobile phone or a two-wheeler — possibly, the two most coveted consumer goods. Only two per cent have an internet connection at home.
Access to such goods and technologies is strongly determined by location and the economic condition of the tribal family. The urban upper class tribal youth are nearly 10 times more likely to possess these in comparison with those who fall within the lower half of the rural tribal population.
There is an information divide between rural and urban tribal youth. Only a little more than half of the tribal youngsters would say they read newspapers. The number of those who watch news on television is a little higher. However, youth are more exposed to the media than elders. They also access entertainment on television and in cinema halls in greater numbers. But even here there is a clear rural-urban divide, further accentuated by class divisions. I'm sure that only one-sixth of the tribal youth have read any book other than those prescribed in their syllabi. The tribal youth are still far from entering the `information age'. This is reflected in their level of awareness. Many of them would say that they have never heard about The Emergency. But try asking them about Valentine's Day, they will answer even before the question completes.
Class conditions the aspirations. If it is asked to cite the monthly income that would be sufficient to meet the needs of themselves and the family, most of the rural lower class tribal youth will be satisfied with Rs. 5000 per month. But the urban well-to-do ones would prefer an amount more than Rs. 10000.
But class distinctions have no bearing on mobility aspirations. A majority of those in villages would like to leave and settle in towns. The difference between upper and lower classes on this issue is insignificant. Most of the rural tribal youth are prepared to leave their villages in search of a job. Interestingly, the urban poor have a greater attachment to their locality than the rural poor. Better off urbanites see more opportunities for mobility and are more open to moving, even to a foreign country. The upper class is enthused by this prospect.A willingness to work abroad does not mean a willingness to give up Indian identity. Interestingly, the rural and urban poor reject giving up citizenship more strongly. The urban well-to-do is more prepared to do so.
There are very few signs of change when it comes to social and family values. I think three-fourths of the tribal youth believe in God, and most worship regularly. They also endorse the view that marriage should take place within one's own caste-community. The Indian tribal youth also favour staying with parents after marriage, and believe that it is their responsibility to look after parents.
In politics too, the tribal youth are not very adventurous. Their rate of participation in political activities, and their level of interest and support for democracy are not very different from the rest of the population.
But it's quite true that the younger tribal generation is very optimistic about its future and that of the country. The optimism is more pronounced on economic questions as they expect poverty to be reduced and their economic condition and that of the country to get better. They think India will remain united, secular, and emerge as a superpower. These expectations do not square with their anxieties, as most of the tribal youth are anxious about employment and career. Prospects of marriage are much lower on their anxiety list.
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