Koya

In order to function as a multilingual democracy, India has designed various language policies. But in spite of enlightened policies, many languages, both big and small, are under threat. Languages of linguistic minorities and the indigenous peoples suffer most. This is largely because of an education system that is not only poor in quality, but is often also not in the mother tongue.

Solutions include: more reliable information on the languages in the country; more flexibility in dealing with language disputes; and most importantly, improving the education system.

First, this essay rapidly sketches the colourful linguistic landscape of India. After that, it lists some of the country's constitutional and legal guarantees for linguistic minorities. Third, it reports on some serious threats to this linguistic diversity. The fourth section describes the sorry state of the educational system in India. The fifth section tracks three inspiring interventions in the country. Finally, we will see some ways forward, building on the research evidence for a mother-tongue medium based multilingual education, towards a more just linguistic order that respects linguistic human rights, and contributes to sustainable development of the country.

Indigenous languages encode a considerable amount of traditional environmental knowledge -- knowledge about biodiversity management. Thus, from even a purely instrumental point of view (setting aside ethical and rights-based considerations), indigenous languages need to flourish. How serious is the situation of indigenous languages? What are some of the major reasons why languages become endangered? And what can be done about it? These are some of the questions this essay will address, largely from the Indian experience.

The process of globalisation has made an unprecedented change in indigenous people's lives worldwide. However, the degree of exploitation and marginalisation vary from State to state and Adivasi tribal group to group. It examines very young, and older people are representing the highest number in the study areas. More than 73 per cent of Adivasi tribes are illiterates. The majority of families practice nuclear and have below three family members. Fifty-seven per cent of families have tiles roofs to their houses. 70% of respondents are cultivators (farmers), and 81% possess landholdings. More than 64 per cent collect minor forest produce. 68% of respondents earn less than 20k annual income. 90% of women participated in deciding their economic and family affairs-Majority Adivasi tribal suffering from anaemia, TB, BP and Diabetes. Adivasi tribals staple food is rice, followed by jowar-91% of respondents practising non-tribal traditional marriage system. The Government should take steps towards developmental activities in all villages, including water supply, bus services and roads. The Government has to take an integrated approach to develop Adivasi tribes in all aspects they need and participate in.

Conflict between state backed Salwa Judum and Naxals in Chhattisgarh forced tens of thousands tribal population to leave their native places- Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma districts and move to the remotest parts of adjoining Warangal and Khammam districts in Telangana state since early 2000s without any assistance of the government to address their plight. Gotti Koyas, or Muria/ Gonds and other tribes affected by the armed conflict in south Bastar is a classic example of the tragedy of IDPs- denial of assistance by the government and their rights to entitlements of citizenship and violence robbing their lives, assets, collective life, hope and identity as citizens. Although IDPs avail some schemes or services of the government like PDS ration, school/ hostel, right to vote, NREGA job work, etc outside their settlement as a temporary benefit or ad-hoc because their identity is not recognized and their settlements are seen as “illegal” and threatened of eviction reducing them at best “transient citizens” different from the citizens with rights and entitlements promised and protected by law of the land.