A People on the Borders

Abstract

The concluding chapter draws all strings to finally consolidate the identity of the Jads in terms of how they are viewed by others, how they view themselves (inner selves), and how they respond to the viewing by others (outer selves), while giving a historical overview. This consciousness is not unitary or static, but a continuous process of adjustment that also attempts at consolidating a viable identity. This chapter specifically focuses on power relations, the construction and imagery of the nation and state powers, policy, and negotiations. It also makes some final remarks on definitional categories like tribe, nation, ethnic group, culture, and borders. It discusses the present-day negotiations of the Jads to build upon an identity that will give them a legitimate place in the Indian democracy that has eluded them so far being always identified as a ‘border people’.