Indian Journal of Research in Anthropology

Livelihood studies emerge as the hallmark of social sciences, particularly in the domain of tribal who happen to be the most backward and marginalized (Sahoo, 2015). Livelihood is not only the way of earning a living but also the very means to live a life. However, in the process of earning a livelihood, a man comes across a number of livelihood challenges, both socio-cultural as well as environmental. In this context, the present study focuses upon the myriad livelihood challenges as faced by the Dongria Kondhs, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), residing in the Niyamgiri hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats in the state of Odisha. The study throws light on the traditional ways of living and livelihood; the changes brought there in by different cultural and natural stimuli, causing serious hardships and the potential livelihood challenges like vulnerability to climate change as well. The current research, applying the human ecological approach,was carried out covering all aspects of the Dongrias with far reaching implications for further research and actions to be initiated by the concerned authorities.

This research paper explores the bio-cultural approach to mental health, which recognizes the intricate interplay between biological, social, and cultural factors in shaping mental health outcomes. The understanding and treatment of mental health have traditionally focused on either biological or social factors in isolation. However, research increasingly recognizes the importance of exploring the dynamic interactions between these factors to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental well being and effective interventions. Biological factors, such as genetic predisposition and biochemical imbalances, contribute to mental health disorders, but their influence is mediated and shaped by social and cultural contexts. Social factors, including socio-economic status and social support networks, significantly impact mental health outcomes, and social determinants such as education and employment play a crucial role as well. Culture plays a central role in shaping individuals' perceptions and experiences of mental health, including cultural beliefs, values, norms, and practices. By examining the interactions between biological, social, and cultural factors, we gain valuable insights into the development of holistic and culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to better understand the complexities of mental health disorders and tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of existing literature, this paper highlights the significance of bio-cultural approaches in understanding and addressing mental health challenges in diverse populations.The paper concludes by emphasizing the significance of bio-cultural approaches in understanding and addressing mental health challenges in diverse populations and calling for continued research and implementation of such approaches to promote mental well-being for all individuals.

The Jogi community is a small, marginalized group of people in Darjeeling, who have faced historical discrimination due to their social status and religious beliefs. Through ethnographic research, the paper explores the Jogi community's religious practices, with a focus on their spiritual beliefs in deities, pilgrimage sites, and ritual offerings. The Jogis follow a unique spiritual path that blends elements of Hinduism, Sufism, and Tantra, and this paper provides an indepth analysis of their customs and rituals, including their celebrations and rites. Additionally, the study examines the Jogi community's history, which has been largely ignored in mainstream narratives, and their ongoing struggle to preserve their cultural heritage. The Jogis use rituals and festivals to create and reinforce social solidarity and to maintain a balance between the human and spirit worlds. Through ethnographic research and an analysis of historical and literary sources, the paper offers insights into the diverse practices of the Jogis, including their use of music, dance, and meditation in their religious observances. The paper underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting the religious practices of marginalized communities in promoting cultural diversity and social justice.

India's central and state governments have significantly increased basic health care infrastructure and introduced several important health schemes to reduce morbidity and increase quality of health and life expectancy. NHM is committed to provide accessible and essential health services to every citizen of India especially rural and tribal people. This fact indicates the concern and commitment of the government towards rural and tribal health. However, despite the committed efforts of the government, many issues such as excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicants, lack of health literacy, animal attacks, unrealistic healthcare beliefs, disease burden and high birth and death rates are still prevalent in tribal areas, which are different and more complex than other contemporary communities. This fact indicates that due to many reasons the benefits of various health schemes and services are not reaching effectively to the tribal areas effectively. Against this backdrop, the present paper aims to critically review and discuss the inadequate rural healthcare infrastructure and personnel in India with a detailed focus on tribal health issues and their causes.