1. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF SOUTH ASIA – THE CONTEXT

2. Indigenous People
A contemporary working definition of "indigenous people" for certain purposes has criteria which would seek to include cultural groups (and their continuity or association with a given region, or parts of a region, and who formerly or currently inhabit the region ) either
before its subsequent colonization or annexation; or
alongside other cultural groups during the formation of a nation-state; or
independently or largely isolated from the influence of the claimed governance by a nation-state

3. Indigenous People
For the purpose of this presentation, the indigenous people mean: Tribal and Dalits who are in South Asia

12. Who are they?
Preserved the rich biodiversity of the land, both the land and the forest
Lived in the forest or close to nature and lived on the produce of the forest
Helped to regenerate the forest by protecting them

13. Who are they?
Made a sizable contribution to the agricultural economy through labor and allied trade
Took care of Domestic Works of the Dominant caste
Took up menial works like burying the dead, digging the graves and manual scavenging.

14. Who are they? Gender equality Women have more freedom
Greater participation of women in the day to day life of the community
Greater respect for girl child
Absence of female infanticide

15. Who are they Original inhabitants of the land and owned the land
Preserved the rich cultural heritage of the land.
Diversity of language, culture and ethnicity

16. Problems
Though contributed to the agricultural economy, had little of ownership of land
Though their wealth was taken away through mining and other means, they benefitted little
Shared responsibility of labor, had little of rights
Development at their cost, without any benefit to them

17. Problems

18. Problems Used as vote bank. Limited political bargaining power
Though have reservation, and get elected, have little respect among the dominant caste
Subject to political violence
Little opportunities in government jobs, though they have reservation

19. Problems

20. Problems Little educated Poor health
High infant and maternal mortality
Malnourished
Deprived of food

21. Problems

22. Problems

23. Problems In the name of development, more and more deprived
Victims of state and Corporate sponsored terrorism
In the global economy, new cultures negating subaltern cultures leading to trafficking, migration

24. Problems Victims of communalism
Not free to practice the religion of their choice by political forces and vested interests
A divided people because of poverty and marginalization