#NGO For Tribals

[sikshasandhan]

Our NGO For Tribal Development firmly believes in the transformative power of education. The NGO endeavours to provide access to quality education for tribal children and adults alike, aiming to eradicate illiteracy and empower them with knowledge and skills to lead better lives. For more in-depth insights, feel free to browse our website.

[parasparivaar]

Tribal Empowerment in India

Tribal Empowerment in India?

Tribal empowerment in India is a complex issue that combines cultural preservation, economic progress, and social justice for the country's enormous tribal population. Tribal communities, which make up over 104 million people (8.6% of the total population), are an essential element of India's cultural and historical environment. This blog digs at the various aspects of Tribal Empowerment, the challenges that these communities confront, and government initiatives to help them grow.

Who We Are?

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend a warm welcome to you into the Paras Parivaar Charitable Trust family. In our Sanatan Dharm, this Parivaar was founded and is now being maintained by our  Mahant Shri Paras Bhai Ji of Sanatan Dharm to contribute to the welfare of the underprivileged and needy people. Because he consistently states, "happiness of maa is behind their smile." This idea of Mahant Shri Paras Bhai Ji has become the focus of our family's daily activities.

The Paras Parivaar Charitable Trust works 365 days a year to lug our Paras Guru's vision forward. We have helped more than 10 lakh Needy, and thanks to Maa and our Mahant Shri Paras Bhai Ji of Sanatan Dharm, this number is steadily rising. And it is the grandeur of Sanatan Dharm that we strive to assist those who cannot afford to pay for their education or who are food insecure.

Because we usually hear the quote "Unity is Strength" in everyday life, the Paras Parivaar Charitable Trust would like for you to join our family. We are certain that if we all work together as a single family, we will be stronger and more committed to helping more people in need. Serving an increasing number of individuals in need will enable us to carve out a large place in the heart of our Maa. So, join the Paras Parivaar now for the chance of a lifetime to make the poor and needy smile widely.

Working hard to boost the lives of the poor and needy would also help us reduce the rate of poverty and increase the rate of education in our nation. In addition to providing aid to those in need, our  Mahant Shri Paras Bhai Ji wants to educate them so that they may become self-sufficient and contribute to the cause. join our Paras Parivaar Charitable Trust and aid those in need and destitute with what they need for food, shelter, and education.

Context of History

Tribal people in India have a long history and have contributed significantly to the country's freedom effort. Their various cultures, dialects, and traditions add to India's diversity. Historical movements such as the Khasi-Garo and Mizo movements highlight tribal groups' active participation in shaping the nation's history. The recognition of their achievements has resulted in initiatives such as the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, which is commemorated each year on November 15 to honour the legacy of tribal freedom fighters like Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Government Initiatives

Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Approximately 750 schools are being created to expand educational opportunities for tribal children with the aim of improving literacy rates and educational attainment.

Cultural Preservation: The establishment of Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) and the promotion of tribal languages and arts are crucial for preserving tribal heritage. The government provides grants to support these initiatives, including the development of bilingual primers and tribal literature.

Economic Development: The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) was established with a budget of around ₹24,000 crore to promote the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG). This program aims to improve lives, healthcare, and education in these areas.

Market Integration: Initiatives like the Aadi Mahotsav, a national tribal festival, aim to strengthen tribal craftsmen' marketing abilities and promote their products, resulting in increased income and economic participation in the mainstream market.

The Difficulties Tribal Communities Face 

Despite these initiatives, tribal communities continue to face significant challenges:

Land Rights: Development projects, mining, and urbanization have cost many indigenous tribes their traditional lands. Securing land rights is vital for their survival and cultural identity.

Healthcare Access: Tribal groups frequently live in rural places with limited access to healthcare services, resulting in greater infant mortality and Poor Health outcomes.

Disparities in Education: Although indigenous literacy rates have improved, they remain lower than the national average. Customized educational programs are required to meet the unique needs of tribal students.

Economic Marginalization: Tribals are frequently unable to reach marketplaces, which forces them to charge poor rates for their goods. Improving their marketing abilities and incorporating them into the larger economy is essential to raising their standard of living.

To summarize, tribal empowerment in India involves more than just economic development; it is about recognising and honoring tribal populations' unique cultural legacy while safeguarding their rights and involvement in the nation's advancement. The government's actions are a beginning in the right direction, but long-term efforts are required to solve the underlying issues that these communities face.

[townpostin]

XLRI Students Boost EKAL Campaign with Generous Donation

Jamshedpur institution partners with Friends of Tribals Society for social impact XLRI’s collaboration with FTS Jamshedpur sets stage for future initiatives, including marketing project for EKAL products and field visits to rural schools. JAMSHEDPUR – A substantial donation to the EKAL campaign marked a significant partnership between XLRI students and the Friends of Tribals Society at a recent…

[mitigatedchaos]

The right have developed a counter to "just sit there and let the crazy people on the subway scream at you and don't look them in the eye, like a tough guy": they call it "prey behavior."

Recently, it was reported that a homeless woman was set on fire on the New York subway by an illegal immigrant with prior arrests. She burned to death, right there in the subway car.

In theory, left-wing policy is supposed to be about protecting the weak and marginalized. In practice, insisting on the belief that crime is "random, " and refusing to imprison or isolate violent criminals, is not actually safe for the weak and marginalized. A healthy, strong, young, non-homeless, and awake cis white male could probably have fought off or at least threatened the attacker.

This is the empty space at work.

In the interest group layer, each interest group or NGO pursues its own favored policy. In the top layer, there is no agentic leadership to tell them "no" and harmonize left-wing policy. The system does things that a human would not do, because there is no human pilot.

Left-wing tribal moralists see that the system affiliated with their tribe is causing this outcome, and go, "Welp, guess we're defending this now."

Because they're responding to a perceived moral command which is actually from a nothing, from an absence of leadership, they will bend themselves out of shape.

"Uh, Daniel Penny would have just walked by. Uh, if she were awake he would have killed her."

Before understanding that this is tribal moralism, and reflects a lack of personal development, it is rage-inducing. After understanding that it is tribal moralism at work, it is still difficult not to radiate an overwhelming aura of contempt. It is only after seeing such tribal moralism as a lack of development, as a result of the empty space, that approaches other than pursuing leverage to punish social/tribal moralists into giving up such positions start to feel more obvious.

Tribal moralism has a functional purpose. Unlike a solely self-focused morality, it allows a larger scale of cooperation. However, when there is not a human being in charge, social/tribal moralism not only doesn't adequately adapt ideology to the underlying reality, it also lacks a means to negotiate a binding agreement, which reduces its ability to de-escalate and achieve lasting peace.

Some would say that focusing on agency is a right-wing approach. It makes sense for a right-winger to say that. The right-wing position is that left-wingism is entropic.

[rjzimmerman]

Remaking the Klamath River. (Sierra Club)

The story of the removal of the dams on the Klamath River and the emerging restoration of the river is good, but I know it's behind a paywall. So, I'll show you some photos from the story, which really tells the story anyway.

But this one extract sort of says it all:

The dismantling of the dams signals much more than the removal of physical fish barriers. To reconnect the river is to plug in life support, to couple past with future, to reenergize an ancient circuit. Once again, ocean energy stored in salmon flesh and bones can nourish the forests along the Klamath’s veins and capillaries. Once again, the river can transport silt and sand downstream, and trees can fall across creeks and trap those particles to create nursery pools where young fish flourish before they brave the broad river and embark on their ocean lives.

An excavator chips away at the Copco 1 Dam shortly after the drawdown of the reservoir last January.

In late August, the cofferdam at Iron Gate was breached, freeing the Klamath River for the first time in over 100 years. It took about four months for crews to remove approximately 1 million cubic yards of earth from the massive structure. The gate tower, on the left, was the last piece to be removed.

Over the past two years, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been collaborating with the Klamath Tribes and other tribal, state, federal, and NGO partners to release spring Chinook salmon into the upper Klamath Basin. Tracking where they go and how they fare will help inform future habitat restoration.

 Chinook salmon were discovered spawning above the former dam sites less than three weeks after the river was fully freed.

A fall Chinook salmon leaped up Puppy Falls in Indian Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River. 

Poppies and lupines bloomed in the reservoirs’ footprints in May 2024, just a few months after they were emptied. The vegetation will help prevent invasive species from colonizing the newly exposed soil. The planting will continue for several years.

The Klamath River winds freely through the reach above the former Iron Gate Dam, the shadow of the reservoir still visible.

[eretzyisrael]

by Phyllis Chesler

Dear President Trump:

Please, please, oh pretty please--pull America out of the United Nations. Tell them to take their hypocrisy, incompetence, corruption, and Jew-hatred, to the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland or to the golden deserts of Qatar. Maybe they can house their headquarters more appropriately in Afghanistan or Pakistan. Let the anti-Western, anti-Israel, and anti-democracy tyrannies pay their own way. Perhaps Europe can either increase their funding for the UN--or pull out as well.

I can think of many better uses for the 17-18 acres in the luxe Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, right on the East River, that the UN headquarters currently occupies. I bet you can too.

I know that the UN is a colorful place that draws many good woman of many colors, who are often wearing colorful, native dress. Women come there because they hope to meet others good women like themselves, or in the hope of finding employment. These are the members of NGOs which have absolutely no power whatsoever. But coming to Manhattan and speaking there looks good on their resumes, and it is also a way for them to mix it up with glamorized folk, get invited to yet another conference, impress their families.

Oh, what a good idea the UN once was! Read Australian-American, Shirley Hazzard, on how it had already failed its mission by the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Read her excellent short stories, based on her time as a clerical employee at the UN ("People in Glass Houses), and her superb non-fiction titles about the UN: "Defeat of an Ideal" (1973) and "Countenance of Truth" (1990).

I once also worked at the UN and saw, with my own naked eyeball, the sexual harassment and rape that was rampant among some high-ranking employers; how they also treated their home country servants as slaves; how much they spent on perks for themselves; and, with some exceptions, how dreadfully pompous, arrogant, and conformist many of the diplomats really were, and how cowed their employees had to be. 

The United Nations has never stopped a genocide; how rarely they ever tried to bring the evil perpetrators to justice. They have just done one thing well, namely, legalize antisemitism, legalize antiZionism. They lack the power to enforce a Western view of woman's humanity, on non-Western or even on Western countries with a large Muslim and/or tribal population. 

The Internationa Criminal Court is a proxy of the UN. In issuing arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister and former Minister of Defense only, but no such warrants for a single genocidal terrorist or for their paymaster, Iran, Douglas Murray explains what they've really done. He writes: "It is like a foreign judge at the end of World War II saying that since the Nazi leaders were all dead he really ought to issue arrests warrants for Harry Truman and Winston Churchill--the other guys being otherwise engaged. After all, didn't FDR, Truman, Churchill and others end up having to kill people in their pursuit of victory in a war started by their enemies?"

Mister President: Get rid of the UN on behalf of We, the People. 

[mariacallous]

Authoritarian states’ traditional approach to conflict outside their borders is to choose sides—supplying political-diplomatic support and military muscle to their allies—or to freeze the conflict while keeping a hand in to stir the pot and shape possible outcomes. Russia has done both: the first by backing Syria’s Bashar al Assad against various rebel movements, and the second by trying to dominate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Authoritarians are not known for expending resources on peacemaking ventures with uncertain outcomes. Nor do they focus on good governance norms after a settlement. They are often content to consolidate the power and standing of local authoritarians.

Yet that pattern seems to be shifting. Today, we are witnessing a number of authoritarian or semi-authoritarian states engage in mediation, and conflict management. China has mediated between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Qatar has led talks between Israel and Hamas, and Turkey has done the same between Russia and Ukraine leading to the Black Sea Grain deal that lapsed last year.

In an attempt at heavy-handed conflict management, Russia tried to freeze the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and sent in peacekeepers in 2020 but  stood  aside when the Azerbaijani forces took decisive action to seize the disputed territory three years later. Such activities are pursued by a wide range of nominal and quasi-democracies, military governments, presidential one-party states, and monarchies.

The impact of this surge in authoritarian peacemaking gets less attention than it deserves. Authoritarian states are buffeting the peacemaking diplomacy of Western states, blocking or undercutting Western initiatives and challenging Western leadership of the global peacemaking agenda. The most obvious impact has been the global polarization that creates gridlock in the U.N. Security Council, undercuts support for U.N. peace operations and saps coherence around critical norms such as human rights and individual freedoms.

This pattern constrains what the U.N. can do in conflict management, mediation and peacebuilding. It also directly challenges the ability of NGOs to work for dialogue and reconciliation in fragile and war-torn places such as Georgia where pro-Russian parties are imposing Russian-style controls on the activity of NGOs that receive external support. Such action undermines the unofficial playbook for peacemaking and good governance.

By pushing back against Western conceptions about managing conflict, authoritarian peacemaking is part-and-parcel of a more general global backlash against intrusive and interventionist western policies that may undercut the perceived authority and legitimacy of incumbent regimes.

This backlash privileges state sovereignty against notions about “global” norms relating to rights and governance. Sadly, the U.S. government has made the undermining of international norms easier by adopting double standards on civilian protection and human rights law in Ukraine and Gaza. Such conduct actually helps China attack American soft power in Africa and undercuts U.S. diplomatic efforts at the U.N.

But the authoritarian surge is not necessarily either effective or coherent. Consider, for example, the difficulty experienced by Egypt’s military regime and Qatar’s monarchy in bringing Hamas and Israel to a deal, even with strong backing from the U.S. and other Western and Arab states. Regional authoritarians have not been notably successful in bringing about peace and stability in Libya and have aggravated rather than alleviated its internal clan and tribal factionalism.

They have failed to cohere effectively for peace in Yemen. Regional authoritarians made Syria’s tragic civil war divisions worse before ceding the field to the Russians. In all these cases, the authoritarians ran into the hard realities of intractable conflicts where the local parties have plenty of weapons and have not yet exhausted their unilateral options. In some cases, they made the problem worse.

At first glance, it might appear that authoritarian states bring certain advantages to the table. One attribute is internal unity of command and policy coherence at the level of the individual state. Unlike liberal states, they can potentially bring not only a whole of government approach but also a whole of society focus in their strategy for dealing with conflicts. Messy internal policy debates do not bother them. Authoritarians generally place top priority on achieving stability and creating a favorable context for advancing regime interests, and their policies are best understood as transactional.

In practice the record of their approaches is quite mixed. In one model, for the transactions to succeed, it is necessary for the existing regime or the “winner” in a civil war to be capable of being a reliable partner to the external authoritarian conflict manager. In a second model, the authoritarian goal is to back a factional side—either to exploit natural resources or block an adversary or rival state, or perhaps both.

The idea of a negotiated settlement may not be a priority or be viewed as less desirable than some degree of continued instability. This scenario can slide into a third model in which rival authoritarians seek to impose a favorable outcome on the country and compete with rival external powers through the provision of military and political support. While authoritarian states may have internal coherence, they are often in conflict with other states.

It is not clear that any of these models is good for peace or for the lives of ordinary civilians. In the case of Syria, Russia prevailed by applying the first model, carpet-bombing cities to help the local authoritarian prevail, imposing a very cold peace. But it is not clear that authoritarian states will be successful in imposing outright victories in many other situations.

The case of Libya provides a vivid illustration of what can happen with the second model when outsiders pile in to pursue their varied agendas: In this case Egypt, Russia, the UAE, and the Saudis (to say nothing of the French) decided to support Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s designs against the U.N.-recognized unity government in Tripoli, backed by Turkey, Qatar, Italy, and the United States.

Commercial, strategic, and ideological agendas coursed across the strife-torn land, leading a succession of U.N. special envoys to resign in frustration, blaming the Libyan factions (rather than their backers) for a lack of political will to work for reconciliation and create conditions for holding elections. Libya’s disorder does not remain in Libya, as the neighboring Sudanese can attest.

In the case of the Ethiopia-Tigray civil war in 2020 to 2022, the Ethiopians enjoyed military support from the authoritarian regime of Eritrea as well as Turkey, Iran, and the UAE. But it was the African Union-based mediation of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo supported by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and senior envoys of the U.S. and South African governments negotiated an end to the fighting. This followed the Ethiopian government’s ability to impose itself militarily on Tigray at a key moment in 2022 thanks to Turkish drones—though the country is still facing insurgents in other regions.

But it is clear that Sudan is not endowed with such resources for conflict management, despite the high hopes generated by the internationally celebrated Juba Accord of October 2020 between its transitional government and a range of rebel movements. Two and a half years later, the current civil war erupted, causing the gravest humanitarian crisis in the world, affecting some 6.6 million internally displaced persons and 2 million refugees fleeing into neighboring countries.

Rival military factions are tearing the country apart while attracting external authoritarians like flies to flypaper. The Saudis and the United States continue to host peace efforts, but Sudan’s military leaders enjoy widespread backing from authoritarian states: The regime’s forces are aided by Egypt, the Saudis, and Iran while the rival Rapid Support Forces are allied with Libya’s Haftar, the Chad regime of Mahamat Deby, plus the Russians, the UAE, and an assortment of allies in neighboring states. This is the second model with a vengeance, and it looks increasingly like it is sliding into the third model of authoritarian rivals pushing their proxies to the finish.

Spectacles like these do not seem to augur well for the peacemaking business. They undercut the potential for international organizations to play their traditional role. The Security Council regularly takes up the Sudan file but is prevented by gridlock from naming names and using serious pressure to stop the fighting. The UAE strenuously denies its role in fueling the fighting in an unholy alliance including Haftar and Deby, and the western permanent members of the Security Council are well aware they cannot ignore likely vetoes from China and Russia.

At the regional level, African Union members are divided, and the Gulf Cooperation Council is hampered by the intense feuding between the Saudis and the UAE. Sudan is a laboratory case of how warring factions export their divisions to external sponsors who return the favor by exporting their own divisions back into the conflict.

At first glance, all of this may look bad for the United States and, more generally, the West because it points to the erosion of the West’s hard and soft power. High-minded efforts at conflict management and good governance contend face-to-face with the most cynical practitioners of transactional statecraft. However, U.S. diplomats need a closer look at peacemaking cases to understand how U.S. statecraft can sometimes be effective in corralling recalcitrant antagonists, operating behind the scenes or employing more of an invisible hand.

When necessary, the United States is capable of standing back and advancing its interests by empowering others, sharing credit, and borrowing leverage and even credibility from other players, including the transactional authoritarians, however unprincipled they are.

During the Balkan wars of the 1990s, it fell to the U.S. government to knock mostly authoritarian heads and impose a stop to the fighting. Representatives of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the European Union attended the Dayton peace conference. In the case of Colombia’s long civil conflicts, Washington first deployed diplomatic leadership via Plan Colombia and helped shape the balance of power between the government and the Marxist rebels of the FARC.

In the next phase, the U.S. government operated more indirectly via a special envoy who participated discreetly in a process led by Cuba and Norway with facilitator countries Venezuela and Chile, all loosely coordinating with major European and neighboring states, the U.N., and the E.U., leading to the 2016 Colombian peace accords. Washington played its hand decisively but less visibly in the Northern Ireland process leading to the 1998 Good Friday agreement.

This less direct public face of peacemaking has a history. In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt indirectly maneuvered Tsarist Russia and imperial Japan to terminate a hugely costly war, leaving the visible negotiation to the direct parties. He never personally visited the conference table in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, but actively communicated with relevant governments and, in effect, borrowed leverage from authoritarian and democratic states alike, while blocking alternative approaches. The process required Roosevelt to navigate the politics of two authoritarian regimes which could not admit their need for his help.

Fast forward to the 1980s and 1990s when U.S. negotiators borrowed leverage from allies and erstwhile adversaries in bringing authoritarian regimes to make peace in Southern Africa (working with the British, Portuguese, and other Western allies as well as the Soviets, Cubans, Zambians, Congolese, Cape Verdeans, Mozambicans and the U.N. Secretariat), and to avert civil war in Ethiopia (working with Sweden, Britain, the Soviets, Israel, Sudan, and the Marxist-oriented rebel Eritrean and Tigrayan movements).

This is not a brand-new way of operating but one that could become more common in an age of multiple overlapping alignments where other states are partners on some issues and troublesome obstacles on others. It could also be less of a drain on the political capital available to presidents and secretaries of state. To work, it requires top level officials to delegate and a willingness to work closely with friends, partners, and other parties they wouldn’t want to bring home for dinner.

[immansha]

Innovative CSR Strategies: Collaborating with Marpu Foundation for Sustainable Impact 

Introduction 

India has emerged as a global leader in driving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation, with numerous projects addressing critical issues like poverty, health, education, and climate action. At the heart of this movement are organizations like the Marpu Foundation, whose efforts in water conservation, nutrition programs, and community engagement exemplify the power of partnerships in creating meaningful change. This article explores the benefits of collaborating with Marpu Foundation through innovative CSR strategies and highlights some of their impactful initiatives. 

1. Water Conservation: A Step Towards Clean Water for All 

SDG Focus: Clean Water and Sanitation 

Access to clean and sustainable water sources remains a pressing challenge in rural India. The Marpu Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing this issue through initiatives such as: 

Borewell Construction: Bringing life-sustaining water to drought-prone areas. 

Water Plant Installation: Ensuring access to safe drinking water for underserved communities. 

For example, in a remote village in Telangana, Marpu partnered with a CSR sponsor to install a solar-powered water purification system, benefiting over 1,000 households and reducing waterborne diseases significantly. 

Why CSR Partnerships Matter 

Collaborations with NGOs like Marpu amplify the impact of such initiatives by providing resources, technology, and strategic support. Corporations can not only address SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) but also create a lasting impact on communities, ensuring the sustainability of these projects. 

2. Combating Malnutrition Through Targeted Nutrition Programs 

SDG Focus: Zero Hunger & Good Health and Well-being 

India’s fight against malnutrition requires a multifaceted approach, and Marpu Foundation plays a vital role by supplementing government programs like Poshan Abhiyaan with grassroots initiatives. Their efforts include: 

Conducting nutritional awareness sessions for mothers and children. 

Partnering with CSR sponsors to distribute fortified food and essential supplements. 

In one notable project, Marpu teamed up with a leading food corporation to establish a community kitchen in a tribal village, providing daily nutritious meals to over 500 children. This initiative not only improved health outcomes but also fostered community participation in tackling malnutrition. 

CSR Opportunities 

Corporates can scale these programs by funding community kitchens, organizing health camps, and ensuring access to essential resources. These efforts align with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) while contributing to a healthier and more equitable society. 

3. Strengthening Water Accessibility Through Jal Jeevan Mission 

SDG Focus: Clean Water and Sanitation 

The Jal Jeevan Mission, a government-led initiative, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to rural households. Marpu Foundation enhances this mission through community-focused activities, including: 

Educating villagers on water conservation and sustainable practices. 

Installing rainwater harvesting systems in schools and community centers. 

One such collaboration in Andhra Pradesh involved the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in partnership with a corporate CSR sponsor, ensuring year-round water availability for hundreds of families. 

The CSR Advantage 

By collaborating with NGOs like Marpu, companies can accelerate the progress of initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission. These partnerships ensure that projects are implemented effectively, reaching the grassroots level and addressing real community needs. 

Conclusion 

Collaborating with Marpu Foundation provides businesses with an opportunity to implement innovative CSR strategies that address critical social and environmental issues. By supporting impactful projects in water conservation, nutrition, and community engagement, corporations can make a tangible difference while achieving their CSR objectives. Together, we can build a more sustainable and equitable future for all. 

[sikshasandhan]

Siksha Sandhan is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to the upliftment and empowerment of tribal communities. Founded with a vision to create a positive impact on the lives of tribal people, the NGO For Tribal Welfare operates across various regions, advocating for the rights, education, healthcare, and socio-economic development of tribal individuals and communities. Visit our website for more details.

[zmkccommonplace]

For the past two generations, British conservatives have approached the state like an elderly non-driver suddenly given use of a powerful sports car: they don’t trust it, fundamentally they don’t believe in it, and would rather hand the keys to someone — anyone — else. And therein lies the root of their collapse. Having outsourced Britain’s governance to a coalition of hostile NGOs and a recalcitrant civil service, it is difficult for the Tories to inspire much fear about what Starmerism has in store for us: the worst we can expect is a slightly more competent version of what we already have.

Aris Roussinos

[tchaikovskymacy]

regarding the construction project in India of completely changing Andaman Nicobar Island to 'Hong Kong' by ruining the ecosystem, and threatening the lives of the Indigenous, shompen living there. and then the tribal minister manages to comment something like this

like? if it weren't threatening the ecosystem and the people why would 39 scholars and 13 countries worldwide warn you? They are clearly evil in justifying their future actions and trying to continue the project. And the media is up to no good, they are busy writing shit and soaked up in celebrities' lives instead of actually covering what should be covered.

Here is the NGO link to help stop this PROJECT.

[rjzimmerman]

Photo of my hand holding a baby desert tortoise at the Desert Tortoise Research Center at the Twenty-Nine Palms Marine Base in Twenty-Nine Palms, California:

Excerpt from this story from the LA Times:

A 3.5-million-acre swath of Mojave Desert between Ridgecrest and the Morongo Basin has received a new federal designation that advocates hope will help protect vulnerable wildlife like the Mojave desert tortoise.

The area has been named a sentinel landscape, a federally led effort to promote sustainable land-use practices near military installations.

“It’s built on partnerships,” said Phil Murray, encroachment manager for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, one of five installations that surrounds the newly designated land. “A lot of the conservation work that’s done around the Morongo Basin or Mojave Desert is coordinated through different federal agencies, NGOs and private partners.”

The goal is to encourage a more collaborative approach, and to streamline federal assistance to the various agencies, groups and people involved, he said.

The designation doesn’t change who owns or manages the land and does not come with dedicated funding, aside from money for an implementation plan and a coordinator, Murray said. But sentinel landscapes are prioritized for funding through certain grants, he said.

The coalition is expected to support conservation efforts such as erecting desert tortoise fencing to reduce vehicle strikes, creating wildlife crossings, propagating seeds and rehabilitating habitat, including areas that have burned in wildfires, Murray said.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust expects to do much work on the ground, including helping with seed collection and outreach, said Cody Hanford, deputy executive director and chief conservation officer of the nonprofit dedicated to protecting the California desert.

“It will elevate our projects, elevate our goals, which I think in the end will help them become more accomplishable,” he said.

Other partners include various federal and state agencies, conservation groups and San Bernardino County.

The expanse of desert that received the designation is ringed by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, National Training Center Fort Irwin, Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.

It’s also the heart of desert tortoise habitat in California, said Ken MacDonald, board member at-large and former president of the Desert Tortoise Council conservation group, a partner in the new effort.

“There’s recreational interests, tribal interests, local community interests,” he said. “So coming together as a partnership, we thought, would make the coalition and the cooperation more effective than everybody chipping away and working independently in their own backyard.”

“And so really, it’s to manage the whole 3 million acres cooperatively and collaboratively and be more effective in conserving and recovering the desert tortoises, and that’s pretty much it,” he said. “Just team up and take care of these critters.”

The stretch of desert includes at least 40 other protected species, including the Western Joshua tree, which California has protected with a conservation plan, and the Mohave ground squirrel, which the state lists as threatened.

But perhaps none is as imperiled as the desert tortoise, which California recently listed as endangered.

The species is facing pressure from a number of fronts, MacDonald said. The slow-moving reptiles are vulnerable to being hit by cars. Development has carved up previously wide-open stretches of desert into parcels that are in some cases too small to allow for the breeding and genetic diversity needed to sustain their population health. Drought conditions meant the wildflowers they like to eat never grew some years, and invasive species outcompeted them in other years.

[a-thonoffroad]

Eco-Adventure Redefined – How A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV is Enabling Sustainable Tourism Across India’s Wild and Heritage Terrains

Where nature meets heritage, access must be responsible. A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup delivers low-impact, high-adrenaline mobility, enabling eco-tourism, conservation travel, and heritage exploration without harming fragile environments.

Introduction: The Future of Tourism is Sustainable, Rugged, and Local

India is home to:

Hundreds of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks

Dozens of World Heritage Sites set in remote terrains

Sacred groves, tribal corridors, glacial lakes, and desert landscapes

Yet, many of these cultural and ecological treasures remain inaccessible or at risk—not due to a lack of interest, but because conventional vehicles are not designed for terrain conservation or ecological balance.

This is where A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup is making a difference—not just as off-road vehicles, but as eco-conscious, conservation-driven mobility solutions that let travelers experience nature without disturbing it.

1. The Tourism-Terrain Conflict and How A-THON Solves It

Traditional tourism vehicles often create:

Trail damage and soil erosion in sensitive zones

Excessive noise pollution, disturbing wildlife

Vibrations and emissions that stress natural habitats

Limited access due to large footprints and wide turn radii

A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup is designed differently:

Terrain-friendly, wide tires reduce soil disruption

Low-noise engine options with future-ready EV variants in R&D

Compact, high-maneuverability design for forest trails and hill passes

Optimized for small groups, reducing human footprint on ecosystems

From wetland sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu to archaeological ruins in Gujarat, A-THON ATVs offer a responsible way to explore without harming the terrain.

2. How Each A-THON ASHVA 4X4 ATV Model Supports Eco-Adventure

ASHVA 4X4

Ideal for narrow forest trails, tea estates, and tribal eco-routes

Designed for quiet, slow-paced nature rides with minimal impact

A-THON 6X6

Serves as logistics support for wildlife lodges and eco-resorts

Used for trail maintenance, conservation projects, and research expeditions

Every model in the A-THON ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup is engineered to balance sustainability with high-performance adventure.

3. Use Cases: A-THON ATVs in India’s Eco-Tourism and Heritage Travel

1. Wildlife & Birdwatching Zones

Slow trail rides with guided commentary from naturalists

ATV-mounted scopes and binocular kits for non-intrusive observation

Quiet drives near wetlands, forests, and canopy zones

2. Heritage Site Access & Cultural Tourism

Last-mile mobility to offbeat temples, forts, and ruins

Support for researchers and students studying historical sites

Safe, terrain-friendly transport for elders and differently-abled tourists

3. Tribal & Rural Tourism Circuits

Eco-tours connecting tribal art, cuisine, and folklore

Low-impact ATVs allow access to forested and rural landscapes

Empowers local communities to operate sustainable tourism ventures

4. Sacred Geography & Pilgrimage Trails

From remote Buddhist caves to sacred waterfalls, A-THON ATVs help maintain access trails

Medical support for yatra routes with off-road emergency transport

Each of these applications highlights how A-THON���s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup is redefining sustainable tourism.

4. Strategic Partnerships for Tourism & Conservation

A-THON ATVs align with:

State Eco-Tourism Boards (Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand)

National and State Wildlife Departments

UNESCO heritage councils and INTACH conservation projects

Private eco-resorts, jungle lodges, and nature retreats

Adventure tourism operators and emerging travel startups

NGOs focused on heritage preservation and tribal livelihood programs

A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup can be:

Deployed at tourism sites for guided adventure experiences

Leased for seasonal eco-tourism projects

Used for night patrols, park management, and conservation logistics

Co-branded for responsible tourism awareness campaigns

By integrating A-THON ATVs, tourism stakeholders can offer sustainable, scalable, and uniquely Indian eco-adventure experiences.

5. The A-THON Advantage: Sustainable, Scalable, and Locally Engineered

Tourism developers, conservationists, and hospitality brands choose A-THON ATVs for:

Made in India craftsmanship – ensuring fast servicing, spare availability, and CSR-aligned sourcing

Modular, adaptable designs – customized for terrain-specific applications

All-terrain durability ��� performs in rain, sand, slopes, and marshlands

Proven experience – tested in ASX MOTODROME and multiple adventure parks

Quiet, clean, guest-friendly aesthetics – suitable for luxury eco-tourism branding

A-THON ATVs don’t just move people—they promote a new era of responsible, immersive travel.

Conclusion: Terrain Should Be Touched, Not Trampled

India’s wildlife reserves, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders deserve admiration, not erosion. And travelers deserve access without causing harm.

A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV lineup offers a rare balance of power, sustainability, and responsible exploration—designed for an India that protects even as it explores.

This is the new language of eco-adventure. And it’s proudly engineered by A-THON.

[ghoomouttarakhand]

Uttarakhand, with its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is home to several indigenous tribal communities. While some tribes are well-known, others remain obscure due to their small population and remote locations. In this 2025 edition, we explore the smallest tribal group in Uttarakhand 2025 , its history, traditions, and the challenges it faces.

Understanding Smallest Tribal Group in Uttarakhand 2025 Diversity

Uttarakhand has a rich tribal heritage, with communities like the Bhotias, Tharus, Jaunsaris, and Rajis. These tribes have distinct languages, traditions, and lifestyles that set them apart. However, among these, the Raji tribe is considered the smallest tribal group in Uttarakhand in 2025.

Who Are the Raji Tribe?

The Raji tribe, also known as the Banrawats, is one of the most marginalized and smallest tribal communities in Uttarakhand. They are believed to be one of the last surviving hunter-gatherer tribes in the state, with a population of just a few hundred individuals.

Where Do the Raji Tribe Live?

The Raji tribe primarily inhabits the Pithoragarh and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand, near the India-Nepal border. They live in small forest settlements and rely heavily on hunting, gathering, and limited agriculture for their livelihood.

History and Origins of the Raji Tribe

The Raji people are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Himalayan forests. Historically, they lived a nomadic life, relying on forests for food, shelter, and livelihood. However, over time, their numbers have dwindled due to modernization and deforestation.

Language and Culture of the Raji Tribe

Language: The Raji people speak the Raji dialect, which is at risk of extinction due to declining speakers.

Lifestyle: Traditionally, they lived in mud huts or caves, practicing subsistence hunting and gathering.

Clothing: They wear simple, handmade clothes suited for mountainous terrain.

Music and Dance: Raji folk music and dance reflect their connection with nature and tribal identity.

Challenges Faced by the Raji Tribe

1. Declining Population

With only a few hundred members left, the Raji tribe is on the verge of extinction. Younger generations are moving away from traditional lifestyles, leading to cultural erosion.

2. Loss of Traditional Livelihoods

Modernization and deforestation have disrupted their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle, forcing them to seek alternative livelihoods.

3. Lack of Education and Awareness

Due to their remote locations, access to education and healthcare is extremely limited. Many Raji children drop out of school at an early age.

4. Social and Economic Marginalization

The Raji tribe is considered one of the most backward communities in Uttarakhand. They have little political representation and limited access to government welfare programs.

Government and NGO Efforts for the Raji Tribe

The Uttarakhand government and various NGOs have initiated several programs to protect and uplift the Raji community, such as:

Special reservations in education and employment for Raji tribe members.

Housing schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Livelihood support programs to promote agriculture and small-scale industries.

Preservation of tribal language and culture through documentation and research.

Future Prospects for the Raji Tribe

The survival of the Raji tribe depends on sustainable development while preserving their unique identity. Some key measures to ensure their future include:

Providing better educational facilities to the youth.

Supporting traditional crafts and skills to create employment opportunities.

Ensuring land rights and forest conservation for their survival.

Promoting eco-tourism to generate sustainable income while protecting their environment.

Conclusion

The Raji tribe, the smallest tribal group in Uttarakhand, is an integral part of the state’s cultural and historical identity. However, they face immense challenges that threaten their survival. With proper government policies, education, and awareness, we can help preserve their heritage and improve their quality of life.

FAQs

1. Which is the Smallest Tribal Group in Uttarakhand 2025? The Raji tribe, also known as the Banrawats, is the smallest tribal group in Uttarakhand, with a population of only a few hundred.

2. Where do the Raji tribe live? The Raji tribe resides in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts near the India-Nepal border.

3. What are the main challenges faced by the Raji tribe? They struggle with declining population, loss of livelihood, lack of education, and social marginalization.

4. How is the government helping the Raji tribe? The government provides educational scholarships, employment programs, and housing schemes for their upliftment.

5. How can we help preserve the Raji tribe’s culture? Supporting tribal education, eco-tourism, and cultural documentation can help preserve their heritage.

[atvashva]

From Monsoons to Mountains – Where A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATVs Thrive

India’s most unforgiving terrains demand more than brute force—they demand precision-built resilience. A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATVs are engineered to dominate everything from slippery slopes to flooded paddy trails.

Introduction: One Country, Infinite Terrains. One Machine, Infinite Applications

India is a land of breathtaking diversity—not just in culture, but in topography and terrain. In a single 24-hour journey, you can travel from sweltering plains to snow-covered peaks, from dense forests to salt flats, and from red mud to black cotton soil.

Conventional vehicles struggle across these extremes. Their limitations in handling unpredictable terrain, extreme weather, and remote accessibility make them unreliable.

A-THON’s ASHVA 4X4 ATV changes the equation.

These are not just off-road vehicles—they are terrain-optimized platforms, built for year-round, all-climate deployment. Whether crossing rain-flooded village roads in Assam, navigating tea estate trails in Munnar, or climbing scree-laden military outposts in Leh, ASHVA thrives where other machines stall.

1. Conquering the Monsoons – Waterlogged Fields, Washed-Out Roads, and Soft Ground

The Challenge: In states such as Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala, monsoons are more than seasonal—they are relentless. Roads disappear under floodwaters, riverbanks swell, and soil becomes marshy, cutting off entire villages.

ASHVA’s Advantage:

Water-Resistant Electricals: Operates efficiently in puddles, rivulets, and temporary streams without performance loss.

Low Ground Pressure Tires: Designed to prevent sinking or spinning on soft, muddy terrain.

Enclosed Cabins (Optional): Protects passengers and equipment from rain and slush.

Treated Underbody and Raised Intake: Allows shallow water fording in flooded areas.

Use Cases:

Transporting medicines and food supplies to isolated villages.

Reaching flood-hit areas for rescue and damage assessment.

Supporting agricultural operations without weather-related delays.

2. Scaling the Slopes – Himalayan and Highland Mobility

The Challenge: In regions such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, mobility is defined by steep gradients, sharp switchbacks, and landslide-prone zones. The unpredictable mountain weather—ranging from fog to ice and sudden rain—makes navigation even more difficult.

ASHVA’s Advantage:

Torque-Rich Drivetrain: Effortlessly handles inclines while maintaining stability.

Wide Wheelbase: Provides greater stability on narrow, off-camber tracks.

Hill Descent Control (Optional Module): Enhances safety during steep descents on loose or slippery gradients.

Emergency Stop System: Offers immediate traction lock on unstable surfaces.

Use Cases:

Military logistics and observation near high-altitude border zones.

Eco-tourism rides and guided exploration trails.

Emergency connectivity to remote hill villages.

3. Mastering the Desert – Sand, Heat, and Distance in the West

The Challenge: The Thar Desert, Rann of Kutch, and Bundelkhand plains present unique mobility obstacles, including loose sand, extreme heat, and unpredictable terrain shifts due to wind erosion.

ASHVA’s Advantage:

Enhanced Air Intake and Cooling System: Ensures smooth operation in temperatures exceeding 40°C.

Variable Tire Pressure Option: Prevents bogging down in deep sand (available as an accessory module).

GPS and Terrain Data Integration: Facilitates smarter navigation in shifting desert landscapes.

Use Cases:

Desert safaris and ride circuits for adventure tourism.

Rural outreach vehicles for NGOs and aid organizations.

Border observation and supply runs in remote desert regions.

4. Gliding Through the Forest – Biodiversity Zones, Tribal Areas, and Wildlife Corridors

The Challenge: India’s green belts in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Jharkhand require vehicles that can traverse without damaging the environment. Forest trails demand compact dimensions, minimal noise, and low emissions to avoid disturbing local wildlife.

ASHVA’s Advantage:

Silent Powertrain Mode (in development for electric variant): Enables low-noise operations for wildlife-friendly patrols.

Narrow Profile Option: Allows easier access through dense, overgrown forest trails.

Eco-Conscious Tires and Suspension Tuning: Minimizes damage to forest floors.

Infrared Sensor Integration: Supports night-time wildlife monitoring and security patrols.

Use Cases:

Forest ranger patrols and surveillance operations.

Eco-tourism circuits and off-road nature trails.

Tribal healthcare outreach in remote forest regions.

5. Urban Edges and Industrial Sites – The Forgotten Frontiers

The Challenge: Peri-urban areas, construction zones, and industrial sites often lack proper road infrastructure. These areas require resilient vehicles that can navigate rough, temporary roads while carrying heavy loads.

ASHVA’s Advantage:

Quick Acceleration with Control: Ideal for maneuvering around temporary roads, construction debris, and sharp turns.

Heavy Load Capacity: Designed to carry tools, machinery, and workers across rugged work sites.

Tight Turn Radius: Enhances maneuverability in confined industrial or urban settings.

Use Cases:

Mobility solutions in large-scale solar and wind farms.

Transporting workers and equipment across industrial estates.

Emergency response units in peri-urban and slum areas.

6. Engineered to Adapt: ASHVA 4X4 ATV is Built for Terrain Variance

India’s topography is not defined by a single terrain type, and neither is ASHVA. It is built to perform across varied conditions, offering reliability, stability, and adaptability.

Key Performance Specifications:

Climate-tested from -10°C to 50°C: Withstands extreme weather conditions without performance loss.

Altitude-proven up to 15,000 feet: Reliable in high-altitude operations.

Payload capacity from 150 to 1,200 kg: Varies by model and application.

Customizable modules: Supports add-ons such as drones, stretchers, agricultural sprayers, cold boxes, and solar inverters.

Conclusion: If It’s India, It’s ASHVA Territory

No terrain is too steep. No soil is too soft. No weather is too wild.

ASHVA 4X4 ATVs are not just off-road vehicles—they are multi-terrain solutions, purpose-built to withstand and conquer India’s extreme and unpredictable conditions. With superior engineering, modular design, and localized service support, A-THON is building India’s most resilient all-terrain vehicle ecosystem.

[ftsindia]

How Friends of Tribal Society has emerged as the best NGO for children education in Kolkata

Explore how Friends of Tribal Society are reshaping a new India emphasizing children’s education to the masses of rural and tribal areas. Education is the most powerful medium to empower a community with knowledge and literacy. It enlightens the masses to be better people with a sense of humanity and civility.