A PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH CENTRE FOR EASTERN AND NORTH EASTERN REGIONAL STUDIES.

Digital belonging allows individuals to negotiate choices towards membership of groups. Our membership in social groups based on shared beliefs and values constructs our identity. Digital belonging allows continuous expression of views and exchange of ideas through written communication using a common medium, reducing the language barrier that may specifically be faced by minority communities in physical space. The objective is to analyse if increased digital belonging of minority cultures allows active participation in expressing voice and exercising citizens’ rights inclusively. Inclusive citizenship is understood from the perspective of active participation by minority cultures. A survey of people from different minority communities gives a generalised understanding of their current experiences. Interviewing people from northeastern India, currently living in Delhi and their digital belonging helped analyse their active participation as citizens at both individual and macro levels. The study is in three parts. First, understanding inclusive citizenship as experienced by the minority culture.

Abstract Objective: To analyse age-related decline in physical activity of adolescent girls in Kolkata city, India. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 451 adolescent girls from the city of Kolkata at four different ages (13 years, 14 years, 15 years, and 16 years). Items regarding the duration of daily moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), weekly aerobic activity, weekly muscle strength activities, and weekly bone strength activities were evaluated using a brief self-report questionnaire. Results: Between the ages of 12 and 16, MVPA decreased by approximately 11 minutes, aerobic activities decreased by 0.71 days, muscle strength activities decreased by 0.41 days, and bone strength activities decreased by 0.64 days. One way ANOVA found a significant difference in daily MVPA duration between the ages of 12 and 16. Conclusions: Physical activity decreased with age, and at age 12, girls are more active than at age 16. In every physical activity-related variable, adolescent girls in Kolkata performed below recommendations.

This article seeks to assess the role small powers play in international relations and understand their contribution in international politics through the lens of realist as well as constructivist theories. While realists systematically downplay small powers in international politics while justifying big power influence by virtue of material possession, constructivists uphold variables such as ideas and values as indispensable components of foreign policy making, that are performed by small states in the form of mediation or peacemaking roles. This research assesses Norway’s role in Sri Lanka as a small state peace facilitator, that attempted peacemaking within the limitations of a non-coercive mediation, using personal connection in communication as well as creating alliances with other powers for successful implementation of its peace facilitation journey, at the same time considering the regional implications Norwegian third-party intervention had, particularly in relation to India’s approach towards Norway’s role in the peace process and its growing influence in the region.

It is important to underline how the Constitution acknowledged designated tribes (ST) in India and the ST status standards to address the desire for ST status and opposition. The Indian Constitution recognizes tribal people as Scheduled Tribes (ST) and underlines the need to preserve and support them due to their social, educational, and economic disadvantages. However, the Indian President can issue ST-inclusive and exclusive orders. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs or the Indian Government sets the criteria. Primitive qualities, unique culture, geographical remoteness, “shyness of connect” with the community, and “backwardness” are the prerequisites. Based on these criteria, Tribals who are allocated 31 percent reservation opposed Meiteis ST Status claim since they are recognized as the general category but catching up in education, politics, socialization, and economic advancement. The remaining Meiteis are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) with 17 percent, 2 percent, and 10 percent reservations, respectively. The Meiteis are demanding ST status based on the following grounds and claims: qualified for ST status, required for Constitutional protection, not about reservation but land, culture and language preservation, community size and religion is not the case and allegation by few Meitei leaders’ views. However, the Tribals opposed the Meiteis’ demand for ST status for the following reasons and perspectives: cultural, State Assembly seats and power, category and reservation, in general, population, Meitei views, and diverse organization perspectives. Thus, the study will briefly analyze why Meitei people have sought ST recognition since 2011, despite being classed as “General category, SC, OBC and EWS,” and why tribals fiercely opposed it. Key Words: Scheduled Tribes, Meitei, Demand, Tribals, Opposed

REVIEW BY SRIMATHI S & M.ANJUM KHAN