Volume 7, Issue 3 (September 2023)

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