Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) Revisited: An Outcome Perspective Analysis

Abstract

Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) play multiple roles in bringing changes in the life of tribal communities. Despite coming into existence at different periods, these institutes have no temporal or spatial distinctions among them. As some TRIs have outlived their existence, without accomplishment of goals, require a complete revival. While creating TRIs the population parameters, locational advantages and geographical proximity were not taken into consideration. TRIs as evolving institutes have not included much of utility value for approach and access, as there are discrepancies in research, training, content, publication, museum, title, websites, digitization, etc. In the absence of a dedicated ‘Lead Research Centre’, the concomitant efforts across TRIs seem to suffer. Although Planning Commission (2013) observes that the potentialities of the TRIs are not being harnessed fully, Ministry of Tribal Affair (MOTA) observes that TRIs have weakened over a period of time and lost their direction. At the same time, MOTA cannot contravene their own observation and confer the status of COEs to select TRIs. Conclusively, this paper suggests creating a lead research centre at NILERD with some refurbished plan for better research coordination and performance of TRIs.