The conversation is focused on understanding the ways social structures influence mental health from an Adivasi standpoint. For the Adivasi and tribal communities Independence and formation of India was a treaty with the settler communities as evident in the speech delivered by Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda in the Constituent Assembly where he said, ‘The whole history of my people is one of continuous exploitation and dispossession by the non-aboriginals of India punctuated by rebellions and disorder, and yet I take Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at his word. I take you all at your word that now we are going to start a new chapter, a new chapter of Independent India where there is equality of opportunity, where no one would be neglected.’
Now, for many colonialism may appear to have ended, for the indigenous communities of India colonialism took new shape – 75 years of independence has been 75 years of exploitation and dispossession of the Adivasi and Tribal communities in the name of ‘Development’. In the conversation with Christy Nag moderated by Divya Kandukuri, they talk about the ways this ‘development’ influences mental health and what we can do about it.
Christy Nag is an Adivasi of Munda Tribe whose work lies in the intersections of Adivasi, transgender and child rights. Since 2016 she has been working along with the Adivasi youth from tea gardens in Dooars and is a member of Prayatn – Striving for Equality. Christy is pursuing integrated MPhil-PhD at TISS, Mumbai and is a member of the Queer Collective – TISS, Adivasi Students’ Forum – TISS and the Blue Dawn. She has been writing on Adivasi concerns from Adivasi perspective and has bylines in Youth ki Awaz and First Post.
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