Mahatma Gandhi on industrialism and his appeal to capitalists of India to become “trustees to the welfare of the masses” – Young India 1928

GOD FORBID that India should ever take to industrialism after the manner of the West. The economic imperialism of a single tiny island kingdom (England) is today keeping the world in chains. If an entire nation of 300 millions took to similar economic exploitation, it would strip the world bare like locusts. Unless the capitalists … Read more

eBook | Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Five Principles” for the policy to be pursued vis-a-vis the tribals

Jawaharlal Nehru [1889–1964, first Prime Minister of India] formulated the following “Five Principles” [Panchsheel] for the policy to be pursued vis-a-vis the tribals: (1) People should develop along the lines of their own genius, and the imposition of alien values should be avoided. (2) Tribal rights in land and forest should be respected (3) Teams … Read more

Selected writings by anthropologist Verrier Elwin (1902-64)

The Oxford India Elwinby G.N. Devy (ed.) 440 Pages | 80 line illus. & photographsISBN: 9780195697919, Rs. 795From presenting Elwin’s work among the tribal peoples of central India, to affording glimpses of his seminal work on the unique institution of the ghotul among the Murias of Bastar, or relating Elwin’s attempts at understanding the high incidence of murder … Read more

Video | Trailer to “Have you seen the arana?” – Kerala

“The stories of ancestors and their discoveries give the film a mystical quality and work like a poetic refrain” – Review by Bikas Mishra Three narratives from distinct landscapes – rice fields, forest and plantations – reveal different ways of engaging with land.  Award winning documentary by Sunanda Bhat (Bangalore) More about this film In 2013 the documentary was presented … Read more

Mapping indigenous memories with a holistic understanding of the living planet: “Summer Rain” – Kerala

Indigenous knowledge in Kerala, as in any part of the world, was impeccable in matters concerning the forests, the agricultural fields, the ponds and the rivers. It had a holistic understanding of the social and ecological fabric of the living planet. This book is a compilation of articles that echo the sheer joy of being … Read more