The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tobacco addiction high among tribals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 10, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tobacco addiction high among tribals

S. Harpal Singh

study tour: Students from Hyderabad’s University interacting with a Kolam family at Dubbaguda hamlet in Bela mandal.

DUBBAGUDA (ADILABAD DT.): There is a dire need for creating awareness about the ill effects of consumption of tobacco and tobacco products in Adilabad district, especially among the tribes in the agency areas. Use of tobacco products like the ‘gutka’ among the Kolams is a matter of great consternation considering their delicate health conditions.

While alcohol consumption has stayed as taboo in Kolam hamlets, the gutka is stored in every household with great care. A batch of 16 students of the department of Anthropology, Hyderabad University, who have come to Dubbaguda, a Kolam hamlet in Bela mandal have found that use of the ‘gutka’ has percolated deep into this tribal society.

Research work

Having come for a 30 day research work associated with the MA programme, the students just happened to stumble upon the tobacco product fact. “The village precincts are so neat and clean, people do not consume alcohol at all. Only the ‘gutka’ seems to mar the scene,” observed Dr. George Tarakan, the guide.

The students are involved in studying almost all aspects of the life of Kolams of Dubbaguda, a hamlet of 63 households. Such research is a rare occasion in Adilabad district.

“Through participant observation, we are looking into kinship pattern, economic and political organisation of the tribe, how they manage natural resources, their non farming activities, material culture, religion, development activities, folk culture and tradition, ethno medical practices, health, education and socialisation,” said Dr. Tarakan, giving an introduction on the work.

One of the many heartening facts that are related to the Kolams is their docile and cooperative nature. “Even the dogs do not create trouble for outsiders like us.

That shows the nature of people here,” explained Dr. Tarakan.

The rare research will be converted into a monograph that can be used as reference material in future.

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