Department Of Anthropology

The present study was carried out in Indo-European speaking tribal population groups of southern Gujarat (India) to elucidate the allelic and haplotypic content of β-globin system in individuals with HbAA genotypes. 6 neutral restriction sites of the β-globin system were analysed and various statistical parameters were estimated to draw meaningful interpretations. All the 6 sites were found to be polymorphic and most were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in the studied group. Haplotypes were constructed using two different combinations of the 6 restriction sites analysed. Analysis of the 5 sites revealed a set of three predominant haplotypes, '+----', '-++-+' and '-+-++'; and haplotypes '+--', '++-' and '+++' were found to be the most frequent when the 3 sites were used to construct the haplotypes. Haplotypic heterozygosity levels (>83%) observed in the present study group were comparable to those observed in African and Afro-American populations and greater than other world populations. All the ancestral haplotypes, +-----, -++-+, -+-++ and ----+ were found in the study group. The distribution pattern of various haplotypes was consistent with the global pattern. The paucity of comparable data from other Indian populations restricted one from making interpretations about the study group's relationships with other Indian populations but the results were indicative of older population histories or experience of gene flow by the study group and their affinities with populations of southern India.

The allelic distribution at Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Q192R polymorphism determines differential sensitivity towards certain organophosphate pesticides. The alleles Q (Glutamine) and R (Arginine) at amino acid position 192 are responsible for the lower and higher activity of the enzyme towards paraoxon respectively, making knowledge of this distribution in different populations vital. This study reports the genotype and allele frequencies of the Gln192Arg polymorphism of PON1 in four populations of India, comprising two caste and two tribal groups hitherto unexamined for this polymorphism. The R allele frequencies in Jat, Meo, Santhal and Zeliangrong populations were found to be 0.47, 0.45, 0.54 and 0.51 respectively. The gene diversity analyses show a high genetic differentiation at this locus indicative of the role of populations' history and other evolutionary forces. A comparison with allele frequencies among 106 populations from different continents showed a concordance with their geographic distribution which will have repercussions in policies targeting pesticide usage.

The relation between region and nation are understood as emerging simultaneously. An understanding of the articulacy of the Bodoland movement which demands a separate homeland in terms of a separate state carved out of Assam in India, demonstrates that, although the Bodoland movement challenges the distribution of autonomy over territory, it reflects in it the Bodo question of identity. This is reflected in the imagined boundaries which endow the problem of land alienation and render it in terms of ethnic space. At the same time, these boundaries present the viable part of being a home to many other communities other than the Bodos. In doing so, the Bodos trace their belongings and affiliations to a tribe. This study is a reflection upon how the Bodoland movement of the twentieth century takes up the issue of tribal land alienation in the proposed Bodo homeland. The paper intends to brings out the relation between land alienation and the government policies of land allotment which a...

The World Health Organisation in its new global health estimates on depression for 2015 said over five crore Indians suffered from depression, a major contributor to global suicides. Now a new paradigm of depression is self-destructive online game so called Blue Whale challenge. Recently, Supreme Court (SC) of India ordered to maximise awareness programmes, as it is impossible to stop online deadly games, because it is not based on any application.To addressing this issue, it is vital for both children and their parents to aware of the lethal games. In the present study a modest attempt has been made to examine knowledge, attitude, awareness and impact of self-destructive online games like Blue Whale challengeamong the people of Odisha. A qualitative case study approach has been employed among six victims of Blue Whale challenge from different parts of Odisha for an intensive study. Subsequently, a survey was conducted among school students and households to ascertain the attitude, awareness and its impacts. Results reveal that because of curiosity, many students are trying to goggle out the game even after implementing awareness programmes.

The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness towards sickle cell disease (SCD) among the people in Koraput district of Odisha. A qualitative case study approach has been employed among 78 individuals, in which 43 individuals were with sickle cell haemoglobin, in 9 villages of Koraput district, which is one of the most backward districts of the state and predominantly tribal populated one. The villages were selected accordingly to the availability of individuals having sickle cell hemoglobinopathies. More priority was given to those villages which have more numbers individuals with sickle cell hemoglobin and more remote, where medical facilities are not easily assessable. Self-modified pretested schedules were used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of SCD among the studied population. The study found that 48.7% of the population have a good knowledge and awareness about SCD and this level of knowledge is significantly high among the SCD individuals as compared to the normal individuals or their family members. Improving awareness of the disease and its manifestation will help to alleviate the knowledge level of SCD and would be helpful to reduce the disease burden in the studied population.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is one of the most prevalent disorders worldwide. India ranked the fourth highest number of death cases. The majority of malaria cases are reported from eastern and central part of the country and from states which have forest, hilly and tribal areas. In Odisha more than two third of malaria cases are reported from ten southern district i.e. Koraput, Balangir, Kalahandi. The present study aims to access the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about malaria among the individuals in Koraput district of Odisha. This is a cross-sectional study and 1369 respondents were recruited randomly from Koraput district. Data regarding demographic and KAP were collected by using pretested schedules. The study found a significant number of respondents have a good knowledge about malaria. However, the attitude and practice to eradicate malaria was not satisfactory. So there found to be a gap between knowledge and practices among the respondents.

Belief in the existence of supernatural powers or other than the visible material world, i.e., the invisible spiritual world, has been long debated. The people believe in a supernatural power (God) and several evil spirits central to various mythology, irrespective of religion. On the other hand, many individuals, including some anthropologists, denied the existence of supernatural beings and evil spirits, which can perplex people's psychology to a more considerable extent in a different spectrum. The present article throws light on a scientific dimension about the existence of supernatural power and spirits along with human being's perceptions towards it. Simultaneously it is tried to focus on how anthropology meets with physics in this concern.

The present article highlights the potential risk of COVID-19 among people with sickle cell genes. The current world is now fighting a pandemic situation due to the COVID-19. In December 2020, a new COVID-19 strain was identified in Britain, and it is 70% more transmissible than the previous strain. According to the world health organization, the third wave may hit several nations by September 2012. If the sickle cell carriers are affected by the second wave or any other mutants of COVID-19 viruses in the upcoming wave, then a severe and lethal condition will arise as people with sickle cell genes are associated with several comorbidities.

The present study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of sickle cell traits in Koraput district of Odisha along with the financial burden on households. A total of 1092 individuals of either sex, aged above 30 years, were randomly screened. Blood samples from each individual were collected and tested using the sodium metabisulphite (Na2S2O5) technique to determine the presence of the sickled red blood cell. Demographic information and family (n=552) expenditure on health were recorded. The prevalence of sickle cell hemoglobin was found to be 9.43% in the studied population. The sickle cell hemoglobin is widespread in Koraput district of Odisha state and more prevalent in scheduled castes (9.98%) than in tribal groups (3.33 %). The present study observed a tendency for the sickling rate to be higher in people of lower age groups. The average annual healthcare expenditure was very high (3% to 64.4% of the family income) in families with sickle cell hemoglobinopathies. In contrast, the healthcare expenditure was 0.78% to 18.4% in families without sickle cell hemoglobin. Furthermore, the study explored that due to the consanguineal marriage practice, hesitance and social stigma toward sickle cell carrier screening, the genetic load is increasing for the sickle cell trait in the studied population.