Landlessness, unemployment leave indigenous people backward
Staff Correspondent
Landlessness, lack of employment and absence of diversified livelihood options have put indigenous people in a backward position compared to other communities in the country, according to a study released yesterday.The study also revealed that inadequate health service and lack of awareness about formal education played a role in keeping the indigenous people in lower position in the society. The Research and Development Collective (RDC) and Oxfam Great Britain (GB) jointly conducted the study. The objective of the study was to disseminate information about the indigenous people, said Farid Hasan Ahmed, country programme manager of Oxfam GB. He called for concerted efforts involving people from all strata of society to improve the social and economic conditions of the indigenous people. Presenting the research work, Professor Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University recommended that the meritorious students from indigenous backgrounds should be provided with scholarships. Deputy Minister for CHT Affairs Moni Swapan Dewan said the politicians are to blame for the problems as they seem indifferent to the woes of the indigenous people. "I am sceptical whether the problems that have been identified and the recommendations would reach the government," he added. Presided over by Dr HKS Arefin, professor of anthropology, DU, the function was addressed by Eshani Chakrabarti of sociology department, DU, Abu Rakib and Salma Akther.
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