A fundamental principle of livelihood is that work has a foundational value. It is opposed to the labour-commodity process where the foundational value of work is thoroughly undermined and where work is disembedded from society and taken out of it. In adivasi livelihoods, work is foundational and only through work does a person know what his or her potentialities are. The current adivasi struggles are at bottom attempts to reclaim this foundational value of work and all that it entails.

India has the largest tribal population in the world. But they are also the most marginalised section of society. What is it in India's political system that prevents the tribal voice from being heard?

Jungle andolan amidst state repression

Leaders renege, but tribal collectivism holds forth

TAC betrays tribals at some tribal leaders instance

Is there hope?

Veteran anthropologist B K ROY BURMAN in conversation with SOPAN JOSHI

Tribal activist C K Janu speaks on adivasi issues and the Muthanga controversy

ARJUN MUNDA, the newly sworn in chief minister of Jharkhand, spoke to Down To Earth the day he announced his cabinet

BABULAL MARANDI was the Union minister of state for environment when he took over as the chief minister of Jharkhand in 2000. In March 2003, he resigned after his cabinet ministers turn against him. Down To Earth spoke to him a few days after his ouster