1,721,212 research outputs found
Pan-India stories of informal Workers During Covid-19 pandemic : Crisis narratives
No full textThis book aims to delve into the application of feminist ethnography by engaging with the lived experiences of vulnerable workers, occupied by India’s informal workforce, across its deeply stratified labour-market landscape.
Set up and organized in a diverse spatial trajectory through identified case studies from across India, the book, in a post pandemic context, aims to study, critically reflect on the vulnerable state of India’s workforce, capturing the daily emergencies, livelihood of marginalized communities. Case studies in the book feature the pandemic-crisis narratives of farmers, fisherfolk, factory workers, artisans, small scale entertainment providers, sanitation, and waste workers, to name a few.
By understanding the intersectional dimensions of social structures like caste, gender, and class our case studies in the book also attempt to unpack the ‘dualities’ present in the contemporary understanding of India’s labour market. Reflective discussions with field ethnographers through first-person narratives help documenting their own observations from different case studies, while focusing on interactions on how to work through power dynamics and varied positionalities across dynamic field sites marked with different spatial characteristics.
The text is primarily aimed at students and peer scholars of development studies, or for those who interested in learning about the application of ethnographic methods to studying/understanding the governing dynamics of informality across India and South Asia
Introduction
No full textIn 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, extended the nation’s “tryst with destiny.” Marking the culmination of the long, fraught history of British colonisation, Nehru’s speech delivered at the “stroke of midnight hour” emphasised his vision for the proliferation of the newly “free” nation. His conception of post-colonial India came with a promise for freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman. (Nehru, 1947) After the long-drawn struggle for decolonising and reclaiming the Indian identity, Nehru’s speech painted a utopian vision of what the future held for the diverse collective of Indians. The reality, however, was far from an equitable societ
Vulnerable communities in neoliberal India : Perspectives from a feminist ethnographic approach
No full textMohan, Chindaliya, and Thomas offer an ethnographic critique of modern, neoliberal India from the perspective of studying the daily lives-livelihoods of marginalised, unsecured, informal vulnerable communities residing in the urban, peri-urban spaces across the nation.
With case studies ranging from groups of pastoralists, fisher-folk, and handicraft workers of Kashmir to the weavers of Kutch, and the factory workers and artisans of the Delhi capital, this edited volume of feminist ethnographies cover previously undocumented geographical and socio-cultural contexts of vulnerable groups, put together by the Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University. The diverse range of ethnographic case studies further explore the invisibilisation of the growing informal sector in India’s labor market, studied through the applied concepts of Gayatri Spivak’s othering, Doreen Massey’s power geometries and Pierre Bourdieu’s (fractured) habitus. In addition to providing visual narratives of daily lifestyle, livelihoods of identified communities, our ethnographic analysis is rooted in discussing feminist paradigms from each study’s respondents.
A useful read for scholars and policymakers interested in understanding intersectional applications of development studies in context of the unsecured workforce in India, with application across disciplines of social-economic anthropology of South Asia, using the methodological lens of experimental ethnography
Reflections
No full textThis anthology brings to light the often concealed narratives of vulnerable communities from India, variably termed “informal settlements” or “slum dwellers.” Amidst economic advancement, these individuals grapple with unseen vulnerabilities, overshadowed by the rise of more visibly productive industries. Through a captivating exploration of visual narratives, authors strive to shed light on the essence of these marginalised communities scattered across North and West India—from the picturesque valleys of Kashmir to the arid landscapes of Kutch. Against the restructuring of India’s economic systems since the 1990s, these communities found themselves at a crossroads—whether to cling to time-honoured traditions or rebuild lives from scratch. Through the recorded voices of these diverse communities, the aim is to provide a nuanced understanding of their experiences within the broader framework of contemporary repercussions of neoliberalism in India. This chapter contextualises the ensuing case studies within the feminist critique of neoliberalism and the broader socio-economic transformation that followed sui
Flooding urbanity: Narratives from Safai Karamcharis of Guwahati, Assam
No full textPost the devastating floods of Assam in 2022, a team of ethnographers took to the streets of the capital city Guwahati to explore the turbulent hydro-social dynamics. This paper is a documentation of the hidden narrative of sanitation workers in the slums of Guwahati; a community doomed to cater to the needs of the urban collective over their own. It delves into the nuances of caste and gender dimensions that govern the fragile livelihoods of the community most vulnerable to floods in the region—safai karamcharis. The study explores the undertones of informality in a formal work set-up and the cyclical nature of the annual disaster. The observations and analysis from this project add to (Coulthard et al. in Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation: Trade-offs and Governance, Routledge, 2018) Multidimensionality of Poverty by expanding the definition of ecosystem services and its implications at the community level
Reflections
No full textThis chapter collates the findings observed when interacting with the multifaceted informal communities of India. Major trends were identified including gender disparities, youth participation in trades and income choices. From the fishing industry to sanitation work, the pandemic exposes and exacerbates existing hierarchies, with women bearing a “double burden” of domestic responsibilities and underpaid labor. The narrative extends to urban spaces, where women are relegated to informal sectors, facing mobility restrictions and wage disparities. Examining youth trends, the chapter observes a shift towards consumerism and technology-driven aspirations, especially in the post-80s neoliberal era. The narrative also delves into income choices, revealing how households, despite limited resources, invest in cultural capital through festivals. To bring the anthology to a full circle, the chapter reflects on feminist ethnographic methods, highlighting the intersection of activism and academic research. Based on interviews conducted with authors of case studies presented in the book it emphasizes the importance of navigating unpredictability, making research accessible, and fostering collaboration with communities. The insights underscore the ongoing dialogue between researchers and communities, challenging power structures, and advocating for social justice
Navigating through shocks: Mīṉavar of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry
No full textThis study is a culmination of an ethnographic research that was conducted on fisherfolk in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the two-month annual ban-period (April–June). It captures the nuances of lives and livelihoods of this community as they juggle a hectic work schedule with constant and recurring shocks. Exploring the intricacies of socio-economic and cultural portfolios on fishers in this region has helped in documenting the issues and challenges that confront them. This has also aided in dismantling some preconceived notions about the community and bringing forward fishers’ diverse personal narratives. Money management, gender polarities and youth participation and its effects on the continuity of trade is analyzed. Additionally, the paper delves into assessing the dynamics of the changing climate conditions and rampant marine pollution on fishers and the trade at large. Finally, the research juxtaposes the 2004 Tsunami with the 2020 Covid Pandemic to assess temporal vulnerabilities and discusses the requirement for ex-post and preventive policy measures to deal with shocks
Introduction
No full textIn the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global landscape underwent a profound transformation, revealing the fragility of existing systems and prompting a critical reevaluation of alliances, power structures, and information dissemination. This introductory chapter explores the implications of the pandemic on India, particularly its marginalised communities inhabiting informal spaces, as the crisis accentuated existing disparities. Spanning diverse geographies and demographics, the chapter introduces contexts and concepts used to unpack the intricate socio-economic, gender, and caste dimensions that shape the lives of marginalised groups in their geo-political context. It also emphasises the urgency for nuanced, conversation-based impact assessment in development studies, moving beyond quantitative metrics. The chapter concludes by offering a glimpse into the multifaceted realities captured in the ensuing ethnographies thus contributing to the interdisciplinary discourse of development
[Feminist] Ethnography in Crisis
No full textThis chapter explores the challenges and adaptations in ethnographic research conducted in informal spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The chapter explores methodological tools unique to ethnography practices and the changes it underwent due to the restricted conditions during lockdowns. The pandemic disrupted traditional long-term engagements, compelling researchers to rely on brief interactions, digital ethnography, and sparse interactions during fieldwork. The chapter details the complexities of fieldwork in informal spaces, addressing scepticism from respondents and ethical dilemmas amidst global crises. The methodology incorporates feminist ethnography, aiming to capture diverse voices and avoid oversimplification among vulnerabilities. In addition to this, the chapter explores specific tools under feminist ethnography including (self-)reflexivity, polyvocality, and collaboration which aided the authors in presenting a nuanced understanding of vulnerable communities’ experiences. The authors advocate for a pluralistic narrative approach to convey the multifaceted realities of informal spaces during the pandemic, providing insights for policymakers and civil servants aiming to impact grassroots levels
Living among waste: Bachaikaris of Bhalswa
No full textThis chapter is a feminist ethnographic inquiry into an often-overlooked community of waste pickers, dwelling on the fringes of urban existence within the Bhalswa region of Delhi, India. Also known as Bachaikaris, these resilient individuals migrated from West Bengal and are instrumental in managing the legacy waste amassed at the landfill. This study endeavours to amplify the voices of waste pickers and expose the gendered dimensions of their struggles for recognition and dignity. Discrimination and marginalisation endure as these labourers bear the burden of societal perceptions that assign them to the lowest rungs of the caste hierarchy. At the heart of this investigation lies the intricate interplay of caste dynamics, gender inequities, and the involvement of children in this sector. In the Bhalswa vicinity, waste pickers additionally confront an array of challenges relating to labour conditions, citizenship, and the profound consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the underlying theme is to foster a more equitable and inclusive approach to waste management
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