SOCIAL INCLUSION CHALLENGES OF TRIBAL YOUTH IN VILUPPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

ABSTRACT The systematic infrastructure of social excluding the communities in India especially through economic differences, cultural discrimination, lack of education, healthcare and political accessibility is and has been an imploding challenge especially on the Tribal community. Caste-based discrimination and failure to effectively work welfare policies has seen the tribal youth in a vulnerable position against exploitation and deprivation. This paper addresses social inclusion issues among the tribal youth in Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu, in a bid to establish the socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers towards the integration of the tribal youth into the mainstream society. The study follows a descriptive package, and it follows a multistage sampling process to take a representative sample of 100 tribal youth in the district. The structured interviews were used to gather the data and statistical means were used to study discrimination in financial, occupational, educational, health, cultural, and political aspects. The major findings indicate widespread discrimination in the areas of access to spaces, labor market and heath areas, as well as psychological distress prompted by social exclusion. The participants voiced a greater need of the policy to be more aggressive such as criminalization of untouchability, increase in infrastructure development, and inclusive governance. The study gives vital ideas in guiding policy makers and the non-governmental organization in developing special interventions on the tribal youth. The research can promote social inclusion, dignity, and empowerment of marginalized groups in India given that the research has been about securing equal access to resources and opportunities. Key Words: Tribal Youth, Social Inclusion, Discrimination