Radical Social Work in North-East Regions of India

Abstract

Abstract: Traditionally, Social Work practices may be seen in the context of the impacts of industrial revolution that transformed the lives of the people. From philanthropists to friendly visits, Casework, as a social work method, emerged to be crucial in addressing the problems of individuals. In industries scarce tribal regions in North-East regions of India traditional village institutions are still relevant and the relevance of certain traditional Social Work practices needs to be examined. Unlike in England and in the USA where due to industrialisation element of individualism affected their societies, major problems in the North-East regions of India may be viewed as results of post-colonial political debacles. Heavy militarisation in North-East regions for building India still marks the core of relation between the Centre and the regions. With growing needs for energy, constructions of dams and consequent displacement of peoples and loss of lands are other major contemporary problems in the regions. Military oppression, fake encounters, killings and extortions by non-state actors, and ethnic conflicts are other major problems witnessed. The nature of the problems of the regions requires contextualising Social Work practices. Social Work cannot be apolitical in North-East regions of India if human rights and social justice are truly the fundamental principles of social work.