A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS BETWEEN ETHNIC (GARO) COMMUNITY AND MAINSTREAM PEOPLE OF BANGLADESH.

Abstract

The study aimed to know the socio-economic status of Garo community in comparison to mainstream people. Nalitabari upazila under Sherpur district of Bangladesh has been selected as a case study area situated in the east border area of Bangladesh where the indigenous Garo people are living. For eras, the Garo’s have been the “Adivasies” of Bangladesh who maintained Sanatani religion. Today almost all the Garo people practice Christianity. Forty-two ethnic households & forty three respondents from mainstream people were selected randomly for data collection. Primary data were collected from a set of structured questionnaires containing 23 questions to know their socio-cultural status. Specially, the discussion was made with old age witty people of the ethnic as well as secondary data were obtained through reading various tribal magazines and history. From the observation, this study observed that socio-economic condition of the tribal is getting better day by day. Though there are some problems having in the area like poor communication, unemployment, lac of electricity, social security and land conflict with mainstream people. But primary health and income status are found improved enough as well as socio-cultural bonding with in ethnic is very strong. From the study I found the following observations regarding Garo community & mainstream people. (a) Possession of land among Garo community is much lower than the mainstream people. Reasons might be these as Garo community is not well aware about the legal procedures. Moreover, mainstream people have been engulfing them gradually with the help of administrative and political influences. (b) The Garo community people are higher in migratory works so that monthly income of them is also higher in some cases. (c) Also the Garo community lags far behind than the mainstream people in case of level of education and socio-political involvement accompanied by a difficulties during receiving govt. aids because of ignorance as they are Garo. (d) Most of the time the Garo people are forced to work with a lower wage because of the unfair socio-economic environment. (e) Garo people have much positive feeling about mainstream people.