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- Convenor:
-
Sujit Surroch
(Government Post Graduate College Palampur, H.P., India)
Send message to Convenor
- Track:
- Life and Death
- Location:
- University Place 4.206
- Sessions:
- Thursday 8 August, -, Friday 9 August, -, -, -
Time zone: Europe/London
Short Abstract:
Converge scholars to share their perception on the quality of life of Himalayan Tribes. Amidst mischievous global demographic transition and globalizing world, understanding quality of life of Himalayan tribes, is of vital significance from the point of view of strtegic planning for their welfare.
Long Abstract:
Of late, Himalyan tribal communities in India and world over, have witnessed a dramatic increase in human longevity. Almost all tribal communities in India have been pulled on to the path of social development. India's emphasis on socio-economic development and distributive justice has not only brought macro level changes in social structure, but have also changed attitudes, values, and orientation of people. Over the years there has been tremendous transformation in social, economic, political and cultural life of Indian society in general and the tribal people in particular.
The tribes known for their socio-cultural isolation and stability, no longer, exhibit uniformity in their socio-cultural milieu. Younger generation, that is, boys and girls, is moving away from their parental units for reaping the benefits of educational and employment opportunities outside their homes. The new aspirations and career prospects have acted as a catalyst in hastening this process.Hence, quality of life of ageing tribals has become a critical issue. Some other issues, such as, care, family support, psychosocial security, health,nutrition, discrimination, problems etc., also deserve special attention.
India's aim to bring tribal communities in mainstream of national development seems to have made significant dent in overall quality of life. However,it cannot be taken as complacent, because there are enough indications of disturbances. The weakening of family support system amidst overall changes taking place, may have multiple implications for the quality of life of the aged tribals.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 8 August, 2013, -Surya Kumar Srivastava (Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar (UK-India))
Paper short abstract:
This study describes process of aging and quality of life in himalyan tribes based on review of studies and suggests various ways and means for its improvement.
Paper long abstract:
This paper reviews aging and quality of life in Himalayan tribes. Successful aging requires an understanding of the individual person in the context of the environment; in other words successful aging is composed of characteristics within the individual and an environment that can help or hinder. The term quality of life is often discussed in broad terms as satisfaction of needs, feelings of well-being, good or bad working conditions, and other indicators. This study is aimed to assess process of aging and the quality of life among Himalayan tribes. It is evaluated through analysing current studies, research articles and literatures. This paper provides a concept based findings. These reviews may offer an approximate view on aging and quality of life in Himalayan tribes. Findings of the current study suggest that the overall standard of livings and related developmental activities in Himalayan tribes may help in aging process and in their quality in life. It is recommended some of the various ways and means like promoting psycho-social life, developing basic needs for a standard livings, raising socio-economic standards, organizing socio-cultural activity, by making and implementing government policies, following fundamental principles based on human-nature contact and integrity, and introducing the various programmes of development in the Himalayan tribes.
Keyword: Aging, Quality of Life, Tribes, The Himalayan region
Sujit Surroch (Government Post Graduate College Palampur, H.P., India)
Paper short abstract:
Elderly tribal men suffer from various health problems. Family members facilitate their medicare, Still there is an urgent need to evolve mechanism to provide proper medical attendance to old men not being attended.
Paper long abstract:
Tribal men confront multiple health problems during old-age. Growing individualism, breaking of joint families and host of other reasons have made it a daunting task to give them care during twilight of their life. An empirical study was conducted with the objectives to know minor and major health problems of elderly men, care &response of family members during illness and reaction of sick old men for not getting sufficient medicare. Information was elicited from 450 elderly men inhabiting rural and urban areas in Western region in India with the help of an interview schedule. Majority of the informants had joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure and teeth problem. Significant proportion of respondents suffered from serious ailments- blindness, cancer and dementia but majority of them were still not full blown cases. Family members are the main care givers and attend the sick subjects immediately in majority cases. Medical attendance is delayed either unnecessarily or due to indifferent attitude of care providers or because of compelling reasons- occupation commitments and educational pursuits. Majority of such informants take self help, call ambulance and get medication or even hospitalization. It calls for need ensuring access to healthcare, immediate attention to health problems and healthy life style of the men in their sun set years at the place of their residence.
Sunil Deshta (Himachal Prdesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla-171005. India)
Paper short abstract:
This paper aims to dwell on the rights of older persons in Asia and national policies evolved by the government to provide them with safety measures.
Paper long abstract:
India is facing all problems endemic to a developing country with population ageing, in the absence of parallel development in socio-economic and health spheres. Longevity implies longer years out of paid workforce, greater dependence on families, increased expenditure on health and illness and a constant losing battle with steep rises in cost of living. Issues of social security and care of the older people are complex. In Asian culture, old age was revered with family support always around. Technological and social change have altered traditional social safety mechanisms. Many countries in Asia Pacific Region like China, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand have passed legislations for older people. Broadly, these protective measures, provide mandatory provision and require children to provide care to their parents, put mechanisms in place for receiving maintenance from children as well as authorizes governments to provide services to the aged. Author has critically reviewed the protective legislations of China, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and with special reference to India to find out issues and challenges to provide umbrella protection to the rights of older persons. The paper further highlights many national policies of the government to provide safety measures to the older persons. It critically discusses 'The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007' in the light of contemporary developments.
Pirzada Amin (University of Kashmir)
Paper short abstract:
Focus of this paper is on to analyze socio-economic dimensions of ageing in Kashmir valley from socio-anthropological perspective.
Paper long abstract:
The issues of ageing are multi-dimensional. This paper outlines the process of ageing as a global problem with special reference to the Indian perspective on ageing issues and prospects in Srinagar City of the Valley of Kashmir. The economic dimensions of ageing like income status, house status, dependency profile, benefits granted to the elderly and sociological dimensions like type of family, living of the elderly, treatment meted to elderly, health status, recreation etc., are highlighted in relation to the life expectancy. It is examined from diverse theoretical constructs like engagement versus disengagement theory, integration versus segregation theory, role theory orientation, and theory of inequality versus equality. The paper is further supported with various theoretical injections like structural-functional analysis, symbolic-interactionist perspective and Conflict approach. The socio-economic dimensions of ageing and condition of the elderly by assessing the magnitude of these dimensions in the city of Srinagar and draws out the sociological explanations of problems faced by this vulnerable section of the society. Various strategies for benefit of senior citizens are discussed .
Ravinder Chauhan (Government College, Sanjauli, Shimla (HP)-171006. India)
Paper short abstract:
This study throws light on perception of the aged towards government run programmes for improving quality of their life. It also points out on inadequacies and suggestions to improve implementation of schemes.
Paper long abstract:
As India grays at a rapid pace, the elderly bear the burnt of changing socio-cultural scenario. In Himachal Pradesh the condition of elderly in urban and semi-urban areas is deteriorating due to the fast eroding traditional family system in the wake of rapid industrialization, urbanization, modernization and globalization. All these are the offshoots of development. Serious questions are being raised about the responsibilities and obligations of the children towards the elderly members of the family. Since the present families, especially in urban areas, are smaller in size due to fewer progeny, the importance and viability of informal care giving has been threatened. This phenomenon is also making silent inroads into the tribal society which is known for its virtue of taking care of its elders. Notwithstanding this, the state has initiated number of programs to improve quality of life of the aged. The perception of the elderly is vital in this context. This paper seeks to highlight State Policy and Measures taken to ensure better quality of life to the elderly in the state. An attempt has been made to analyze perception of the elderly towards various welfare programs and measures in this direction. Data collected through interviews and informal discussions from 140 elderly living in Shimla town and 140 tribal elderly, revealed some important findings. Majority of elders view these programs as on papers only and little is being done in real sense. Respondents emphasized proper implementation of these programs at different levels by the government and other agencies.
P. K. Vaid (Institute of Tribal Studies, HP University, Summerhill, Shimla-5)
Paper short abstract:
This paper presents findings of intensive field work and plight of disabled aged in Pangi valley of Himachal Pradesh
Paper long abstract:
The present paper is an outcome of intensive fieldwork conducted in Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Here an attempt is made to know and understand each and every problem of the aged disabled by giving representation to every caste in the Valley. Social Gerontology is a newly emerging science dedicated for the study of Aged people. Social Gerontology has evolved as a major branch of study in India after independence and this field deals with the social aspects of the aged. To know the plight of the aged disabled in a Rural Scenario the Pangi Valley area of District Chamba is selected. Pangi lies almost in extreme west of tribal belt of Himachal Pradesh. The Pangi valley is surrounded by high mountain range. It lies between Pir Panjal and Zanskar ranges. Average temperature in the winter season almost below 0oc to -10oc and in the summer season it is approximately 20Oc to 25Oc. This area is studied in detail so as to throw sufficient light on the Aged Disabled. The data for this paper is collected by interviewing the aged disabled caste wise and sex wise. These aged disabled are given utmost care by the researcher while collecting the information needed for the study.
A, S. Rawat (Government College of Excellence, Sanjauli, Shimla (HP)-171006)
Paper short abstract:
The major focus of this paper is to highlight relationship between nature and quality of life of the elderly persons inhabiting in tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh
Paper long abstract:
The tribal people are globally distributed except in European continent, highly concentrated in African continent and the second being India. They follow distinct life style and culture marked with love for music and dance, spiritualism, religion and traditions . They comprise 4 per cent of the world's population. In India their proportion is 8.2 per cent as per 2001 census. The tribal area of Himachal Pradesh is entirely hilly and cold dry zone and comprise 42 percent of total Geographical area of the state. The geographical isolation and tough environment makes life hard but full of adventure. The tribal people throughout the world have witnessed a dramatic increase in human longevity. They generally live in forest and hills where fresh air, pollution free environment, use of medicinal herbs for treatment, fresh water, use of organic food, better climate coupled with overall socio-economic development have positive impact on their quality of life. Local medicine like Shilajit which has anti-aging and anti-toxidant properties is very popular among them to gain strength and reduce stress. Some species of flora and fauna found in this area are used for halting the anti-aging process. Basic concern of this to explore relationship between nature, environment and quality of life of the aged living in tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahul & Spiti and Chamba. Another aim is to understand role of the state in improving quality of life of the tribal aged. Findings and suggestions are discussed.
Niharika Tripathi (International Institute for Population Sciences)
Paper short abstract:
The present paper attempts to examine the extent of social network and social support among tribal elderly in India. Furthermore, we also intend to explore the association between the social network and quality of life of tribal elderly in Indian situation.
Paper long abstract:
Social relationships and affiliations have powerful effects on the quality of life of individuals, particularly on elderly. Social support and social networks are the concepts that describe the structure, processes and functions of social relationships. Research in many developed countries has established the positive effects of social network on the quality of life and well-being of elderly population. However, the extent of social network and support available to elderly in India vary considerably and rarely understood.
The data from 10,000 households of the WHO sponsored survey on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE-India) carried out in six states (Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal) in 2007 has been used. We use cross tabulations to present the socio-economic and demographic patterning of social networking and quality of life of elderly. We also use logistic regression analysis to examine the adjusted effect of social network on the quality of life and well-being of elderly, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic confounders.
The preliminary analysis indicates a positive association between social network index and quality of life of elderly. Elderly with strong social cohesion/networks are more likely to report good health status, improved activities of daily living and better well-being than their counterparts. It was also observed that considerable gender differentials exist with regard to Social network and support mechanism between aged men and women in India.
Anita Surroch (Government College Baijnath (HP))
Paper short abstract:
It was endeavoured to understand the economic self-sufficiency and problems among elderly tribal women inhabiting Western Himalayas and relationship of their background characteristics with such problems.
Paper long abstract:
Elderly tribal women, the repository of knowledge, wisdom and experience are considered as assets in some societies and burden in the others or even in the same societies. Some may be economically self-sufficient, self-dependent and not being dependent on others whereas others may be facing financial hardships. An empirical study was conducted in the Western Himalayas in India with the objectives to know whether elderly women are self-sufficient or they are facing financial hardships. Frequency & ways to overcome such hardship and its association with subjects' background characteristics were also investigated. Data was collected from 285 elderly women with the help of an interview schedule and Focused Group Discussions. One fourth of the respondents were economically self-sufficient and rests were dependent on family and non-family members. Those who had heavy financial needs devised ways like raising loan, borrowing money, mortgaging land/ jewellery or even selling of land to overcome adverse circumstances. It was observed that lower the age of informants lower is the proportion of those facing financial hardship. Almost two third of the widows, half the married and one fourth of the unmarried have problem on this account. Majority of the older women staying in the nuclear and adopted families have financial. Higher proportion of elderly women having higher income faces financial hardship. On the contrary lower proportion of them has lower income have economic problems. On application of chi-square test age, family type and marital have been found to have significant relationship with financial hardship of subjects.
Yogesh Gupta (National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur (HP)-177005. India)
Paper short abstract:
This paper describes findings of the impact of socio-economic, health and nutritional factors on the quality of life of the tribal people in general and elderly in particular in Himalayan region
Paper long abstract:
The tribal population in India which was 30.1 million in 1961, has increased to 84.3 million in the year 2001 , constituting 8.2% of the total population with 91.7% of them living in rural areas and 8.3% in urban areas. The population of tribes had grown at the growth rate of 24.45% during 1991-2001. More than half of the Scheduled Tribe population is concentrated in the States of Madhya Pradesh (14.51), Maharashtra (10.17), Orissa (9.66), Gujarat (8.87), Rajasthan (8.42) and Jharkhand (8.4). ď€ Tribal communities live in about 15% of the country's areas, in various ecological and geo-climatic conditions ranging from plains and forests to hills and inaccessible areas. Tribal groups are at different stages of social, economic and educational development. While some tribal communities have adopted a mainstream way of life, at the other end of the spectrum, there are certain Scheduled Tribes, 75 in number known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The tribal communities in the country face various problems such as land alienation, poverty and indebtedness, health & nutrition, education and cultural problems. So, the present paper focuses on the study of various factors including literacy rate, socio-economic status, healthcare, nutrition, employment etc. , their impact and the challenges on the quality of life of the tribal people in Himalayan region. Special focus has also been given to quality of life of aged persons in tribal communities.
Keywords: Quality of Life, Tribal People, Himalyan Region, Literacy Rate.
Manoj Sharma (Regional Centre, H P U, Dharamshala)
Paper short abstract:
Main aim of this study is to highlight the impact of Government of India schemes on yhe quality of life of the tribal people.
Paper long abstract:
In the Himalyan region basically there are three different tribal groups i.e. Negroids, Mongoloids and the Aryans. During the British rule no major step was taken to improve their life. After independence, the first prime minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru adopted the policy of integration to bring them in national mainstream. This policy consists of two types of measures for tribal development i.e. Protective and Promotional measures. The first consists of land polices, forest policies and the policies to protect tribal culture and traditions, while the latter is the same as development and welfare programmes undertaken by the government (through plans) and other voluntary agencies to make the tribal life better. Presently, the schemes have been divided into two categories, (i) central sector programmes which are fully financed by the central government. (ii) the centrally sponsored programmes which are partly financed by the central government, and rest of the expenditure meted out by the concerned State government. Since, first five year plan (1951) the govt. has launched various schemes like Tribal Development Blocks (TDB), Small Farmers Development Agencies (SFDA), Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labourers Development Agencies (MFAL) etc. to improve the life style of the people of the tribe. Due to all these efforts improvement in transport connectivity, electricity, telecommunication facilities, availability of food grains and good growth in tourism sector has been recorded in those areas. Further, study reveals that in social and economic sector, a lot of work needs to be done to improve the life of the tribes of Himalya region.
Raghuvinder Singh (H P University, Shimla (HP)171005. India)
Paper short abstract:
The present paper highlights the issues, challenges and future prospective vision to eliminate the disparities in the existing legal systems through global concern in the 21st century
Paper long abstract:
Old age brings host of challenges in the life of elderly, which are mostly engineered by the changes in their body, mind, thought process and the living patterns. But it never implies that every thing has finished. May be, they are physically fit and mentally alert. Hence, given an appropriate opportunity, they may make significant contribution to the socio-econimic development of their nation. In India,about 8 percent of the total population is above 60 years. The figure will cross 18 percent mark by 2025. The paper deliberates on various aspects of old age persons such as firstly, economic problems include such problems as loss of employment, income deficiency and economic insecurity. Secondly, physical and psychological problems, include health and medical problems, nutritional deficiency and the problem of adequate housing etc. Thirdly, pshycho-social problem are related to their psychological and social maladjustment. The legal protection incldes: The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents Bill and Senior Citizens Act 2007 etc. The main thrust of the paper is on legal provisions. There is urgent need to amend the constitution for the special provision to protection of aged persons and bring it in the periphery of the fundamental rights keeping in view the international development. With the degeneration of joint family system, dislocation of family bond and loss of respect of aged persons, the family in modern times should not be thought to be a secure place for them. The welfare state to make independent provision for the welfare and extra protection of the senior citizens including palliative care.