Tribes and their development : study of two tribal development blocks in Orissa

'No man is an island entire of itself' wrote John Donne, 'every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Indeed, no society is an island cither. Even in the variform multiplicity of today's social integration, when the bell tolls for one society, it tolls for many others as well. Communi tics of various types must, therefore, go hand in hand down the road of deve lopment.

This does not, however, mean that the design for development should be common to all forms of society. It is this fundamental tenet that is elabo rated in this book, especially in relation to the tribal societies. The author has selected two special multipurpose tribal development blocks in Orissa state-Narayanpatna and Ruruban. He endeavours to show that mental programmes may easily trigger off different and, sometimes, unexpected types of political and develop For example, though the improve economic reactions. ment of road communication in Ruruban block has accentuated politicisation of village life, the tribals have failed in many cases to assume leadership be cause of the socio-economic dominance of Caste Hindus. The frustration caused by this had resulted in the fostering ng of a separatistic attitude. tribals. In the case of Narayanpatna, the prospects of development have kindled a progressive spirit and a desire for self-improvement. But here the well-to-do elements of society, quite understandably, proved to be the obstacles. e among the are discontent and engendering of a rebellious outlook. The consequences are in a new

In this changing situation, a new and different strategy for tribal develop ment needs to be evolved keeping in mind not only the material and cultural parameters but also the especial genius, character and susceptibilitie so the people. Measures for tribal welfare should be instituted by trained per sonnel under the guidance of social scientists and the supervision of develop mental administrators. Otherwise, as the author has pointed out, the keg which is sufficiently charged with dynamite will explode anytime.