State In Central India Research Articles

Prevalence and incrimination of Anopheles fluviatilis species S (Diptera: Culicidae) in a malaria endemic forest area of Chhattisgarh state, central India

BackgroundChhattisgarh state in central India is highly endemic for malaria and contributes about 13% of annually reported malaria cases in the country with predominance of P. falciparum. Entomological investigations were carried out in a tribal forested area of district Bastar located in the southern part of Chhattisgarh state to record the prevalence of sibling species of Anopheles fluviatilis and An. culicifacies complexes. The vector species complexes were investigated at sibling species level for their biology in terms of resting and feeding behavior and malaria transmission potential.MethodsIndoor resting vector mosquitoes collected during 2010–2011 were identified to sibling species by cytotaxonomy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The blood meal source analysis and incrimination studies were done at sibling species level by counter current immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively.ResultsAnalysis of sibling species composition revealed predominance of An. fluviatilis species S in the study area, which was found to be highly anthropophagic and rested in human dwellings whereas the sympatric species T was primarily zoophagic. Incrimination studies showed high sporozoite rate in species S, thereby confirming its vectorial efficiency. An. culicifacies was encountered in low numbers and comprised species B and C in almost equal proportion. Both these species were found to be exclusively zoophagic.ConclusionThe observations made strongly suggest that species S of Fluviatilis Complex is the principal vector of malaria in certain forest areas of district Bastar, Chhattisgarh state and should be the target species for vector control operation. Vector control strategies based on biological characteristics of Fluviatilis S will lead to substantial decline in malaria incidence in such areas.

Social and behavioral characteristics of gharwalis who operate brothels in the Ganga-Jamuna area of Nagpur, India

Nagpur is an industrial hub in Maharashtra, a state in Central India that has the second highest HIV prevalence in the country. Approximately 3000 brothel-based female sex workers (FSWs) are estimated to be working in Nagpur's Ganga-Jamuna red light district. The extent to which brothel madams, known as gharwalis, support HIV/STI prevention for FSWs has not been examined. The present study sought to identify personal, social, and behavioral characteristics of gharwalis in Nagpur as well as enhance our understanding of the gharwali's role in shaping the sexual practices of brothel-based FSWs. Thirty gharwalis participated in a survey that covered personal, social, behavioral, and environmental characteristics. Respondents ranged in age from 29 to 50 years (M = 38.9) and had worked as a gharwali for an average of 5.3 years; 80% had no formal education, 43% had never married, and 30% were divorced or separated, and 93% earned money from their own sex work. Gharwalis managed an average of 4.2 FSWs (range 2–10). Overall, gharwalis reported positive attitudes toward condoms, promoted use of condoms by their FSWs with clients, taught FSWs how to use condoms, knew where to obtain condoms for free, and required HIV testing for their FSWs; however, levels of HIV prevention knowledge were low. Gharwalis also reported providing a range of support services to FSWs who lived in their brothels, including shelter, protection from drunk and aggressive clients and police, emotional support, caring and love, and health care. These data suggest the feasibility of involving gharwalis in brothel-based HIV prevention programs.

Community Expansion and Gene Geography of Sickle Cell Trait and G6PD Deficiency, and Natural Selection against Malaria: Experience from Tribal Land of India

Malaria is globally endemic in tropical and subtropical regions and so is the hemoglobinopathies, thalassemias and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. This biological dogma of hyper-endemic all over the tribal land in India leads to high morbidity and mortality. The directed genetic abnormalities of human erythrocytes have found to decrease the susceptibility towards malaria parasites and the heterozygotes of abnormalities probably confer protection against the Plasmodium falciparum infection. A fascinating trend for an inverse relationship between sickle cell disorders and G6PD deficiency in scheduled caste and tribal communities of Central-Eastern India has been observed. When the frequency of sickle cell allele decreases in malaria endemic cross-section of the tribal population, the frequency of G6PD deficiency allele increases and vice versa. This medical aspect is important from an evolutionary biological background and could be an excellent point for molecular analyses to determine the signature of selection in the genomic regions of β- globin and G6PD genes. Since the selection favors the mutation with least cost to the population [as the clinical manifestations of G6PD deficiency are mild and do not result in a complete loss of enzyme activity against the sickle cell disease with high morbidity and mortality in the region] and the predominant frequency of G6PD deficiency over the sickle cell disorders in some tribal communities, it seems that the replacement of sickle cell allele for G6PD deficiency is occurring in the scheduled castes/tribes of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha states in Central India. These findings are consistent with our previous studies carried out in Central-Eastern India.

The Gotte Koya IDP Mystery: Tribal Identity and the IDP-Migrant Continuum in the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh Borderland (India)

In this article the IDP realities in the borderland between two states in central India, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, are investigated. The conflict in Chhattisgarh between a Maoist insurgent movement, better known as the Naxalites, and a state-sponsored vigilante group, the Salwa Judum, has created an IDP flow in the area. Starting from my own pre-fieldwork misconceptions about the issue, this article shows the complex nature of the IDP question in Andhra Pradesh. First, the territorialization of tribal identity since colonial times produces a problematic reproduction of a difference between outsider Gotte Koya and local Koya by state agents. Secondly, a long history of migration between the two states not only makes this differentiation redundant, it also makes a strict distinction between IDPs and migrants problematic. Rather, this article argues the usefulness of considering an IDP-migrant continuum when studying this type of displacement.

Push/pull strength of agricultural workers in central India

An agricultural worker has to exert push/pull force in the horizontal plane while operating many farm tools and equipment. However, very little data are available on push/pull strength of agricultural workers. A study was therefore carried out to collect these data on male as well as female agricultural workers. A strength measurement setup developed at CIAE, Bhopal was used for the purpose. Data were collected on 920 subjects from different parts of Madhya Pradesh State in central India of which 604 were male and 316 were female agricultural workers. The mean age, stature and weight of the male subjects were 29.6 ± 8.9 years, 1646 ± 59 mm and 51.4 ± 6.5 kg whereas for female subjects the values were 32.6 ± 8.1 years, 1512 ± 52 mm and 45.3 ± 7.2 kg, respectively. The isometric push/pull strength of male subjects was higher than that of female subjects. The mean values for isometric push and pull strength in a standing posture with both hands (in the horizontal plane) were 253.8 ± 52.8 N and 234.2 ± 43.0 N, respectively for male subjects and 183.1 ± 35.6 N and 185.1 ± 30.8 N, respectively for female subjects. Weight of the subjects indicated a positive correlation with isometric push/pull strength. The 5th percentile push and pull strength values were 167.0 N and 163.5 N, respectively for male subjects and 124.4 N and 134.4 N, respectively for female subjects. These values can be used to set limits in the design of manually operated farm tools and equipment as well as for manual materials handling activities involving pushing/pulling, depending on the frequency of movement. Relevance to industry The strength values and design criteria presented in this paper may be used for setting limits for design of manually operated tools and equipment involving push/pull activities in agriculture as well as in other industrial jobs.

Mixed Repertoire of an Indian Labor Movement, 1990–2006*

AbstractThis article analyzes the protest repertoire of an Indian labor movement between 1990 and 2006. Chhattisgarh Liberation Front led a seventeen year struggle against the industrialists and state in central India for the recognition of contract workers' entitlements. During this long contentious history, the movement deployed disruptive repertoire, ranging from relatively legitimate “wild‐cat strikes” (illegal stoppage of work) to extreme physical attacks, against the industrialists, and non‐disruptive repertoire, ranging from disciplined participation in court‐cases to mass martyr day celebrations, against the state. The mixed repertoire points at the two distinct capacities in which the movement was acting, as a radical trade union against the industrialists and a social movement in relation to the state. The finding suggests that the CMM participants perceived the state as holding genuine power, and their relation to it as citizens, and perceived the industrialists, despite their being indigenous capitalists, as adversaries.

Regularity of sound change through lexical diffusion: A study of s > h > in Gondi dialects

ABSTRACTGondi is a Dravidian language spoken by 2.2 million speakers (Census of India 1981) in the mountains and forests of four adjacent states in central India. Gondi is a chain of several dialects, some of which, at distant points, are perhaps not mutually intelligible. A major dialect division is provided by a two-step sound change: s- > h- in the west, north, and northwest and h- > - in the south and southeast. The present article studies this two-step sound change, which is still in progress, and establishes two facts. First, contrary to the normal expectation that this sound change would be phonetically gradual and lexically abrupt (Neogram-marian type), there is evidence that it has been lexically gradual and perhaps also phonetically gradual (lexical diffusion). Second, phonetic gradualness and regularity in implementation of sound change are properties not incompatible with the mechanism of lexical diffusion. Labov's observation that s > h > has not been reported as a lexically diffused change in many quantitative studies of Portuguese and Spanish (1981) finds a clear exception in Gondi. Under the lexical diffusion model, the regularity of a sound change is defined as the final outcome in a three-stage change of the relevant lexicon: unchanged (u), variant (u ˜ c), and changed (c). If the entire eligible lexicon passed from u to c through u ˜ c, the change would become regular. If all u ˜ c became c and for some reason no item under u became u ˜ c, the sound change would die prematurely, since the variant stage which provided the rule for the innovation would be absent. Since a regular sound change can result from either the Neogrammarian model or the lexical diffusion model, Labov's (1994:542–543) theoretical proposal of complementarity between the kinds of changes resulting from the two mechanisms calls for more studies of sound change in progress to decide the issue.

Plants Used as Veterinary Medicines by Aboriginals of Madhya Pradesh, India

AbstractAn ethnobotanical field study was carried out during 1990 and 1991 in districts of madhya pradesh, a central state of india. it found that 31 species under 28 genera and 26 families are used by aboriginals to treat common ailments of livestock.

Industrial Development in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, India

Industrialization has now been accepted as a necessary step towards economic progress in India, but more controversy surrounds locational policy for industry-the centralization-decentralization issue. This problem, and the economic, social and political factors which affect locational decisions, can be illustrated by an examination of industrial growth in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two states in Central India. In a survey of large-scale industrial units in these states, data were collected on locational decisions and dates of establishment. Four periods of industrial development can be defined. The role of British enterprise and the part played by Indian princes were important before Independence. Since 1948, government policies have affected industrial location and growth, and public sector projects have been established. Present problems of power shortages, the scarcity of certain raw materials, and deficiencies of infra-structure should be overcome in time. The paper also considers the governmental role in establishing and promoting industrial development, and the patterns that will emerge if the Indian government's policy of balanced regional development is put into effect. INDUSTRIALIZATION has now been largely accepted as a necessary step towards economic progress in India. There are several arguments supporting this conclusion. As with many of India's social and economic problems, the issue is immediately complicated by her enormous population. All attempts at progress are burdened by sheer weight of numbers and any small success is immediately swallowed up by the annual growth rate of 2.2 per cent, which adds 12 million to India's population every year. The 1961 Census of India gave a population of 439 million; the total is now estimated to have passed 5oo million. Of these, 70 per cent are dependent directly on agriculture for their livelihood. Few areas remain where land can economically be brought under cultivation by irrigation, clearance or reclamation and, in view of the high rate of underemployment and the uneconomic use of labour in agriculture, it is unlikely to absorb a larger work-force. Besides, improvements in agricultural techniques are likely to make this sector less labour-intensive, certainly not more so. Lack of employment and economic opportunity in rural areas have already occasioned massive migration to cities, even though unemployment in urban areas has been estimated at 10 per cent of the labour force, rising to I8 per cent in the metropolitan centres of Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras. Underemployment in urban areas added another I I per cent so that just over one-fifth of the workforce was not fulfilling its work potential.1 Employment must be found for this large and growing pool of labour. The development of industry would appear to provide not only a source of work but also of profit to the economy in general, which is beset by difficulties with foreign exchange that make tight import controls necessary. India lacks capital, entrepreneurship and technological skills, and labour, albeit largely unskilled, is a major and abundant resource of which she must take full advantage if economic progress is to be achieved.

A study of genetic variability in central India durum wheats

Sixteen samples of the localdurum wheat from States in Central India were grown in a randomised varietal trial with five blocks for studying the genetic variability in the localdurum wheats. One hundred plants distributed evenly over all the replicates were labelled after the germination was complete. These plants were, when mature, harvested individually and tillers and ears per plant, number of grains per ear, weight of 100 grains and weight of grain and straw per plant recorded. From these observations, gross variability present in different samples was estimated. It is found that there are significant differences among the samples for gross variability. The following ten out of sixteen samples were selected on the basis of their gross variability and high mean values for estimating that portion of the variability which is genetic:- Barwani white, Dhar local, Dewas Senior, Jaora local, Jhabua Kathia, Rajgarh Kotra white, Rajgarh Talain white, Ratlam white, Ratlam red and Indore white. Eighteen progenies from each of these ten samples were grown next year on three randomised blocks. All the attributes of yield were recorded on them and the regression of these progeny means on their parental values were calculated, and the results indicate that there is no genetic variability in most samples except in two, from Jhabua and Barwani States. Most of the gross variability is found to be environmental. Selection can thus be effective only in Jhabua and Barwani local wheats, while for general improvement, hybridisation of local wheats with outside types would appear necessary.

The Manufacture of Humus from the Wastes of the Town and the Village, by SIR ALBERT HOWARD, C.I.E., M.A., formerly Director of the Institute of Plant Industry, Indore, Central India, and Agricultural Adviser to States in Central India and Rajputana

The Manufacture of Humus from the Wastes of the Town and the Village, by SIR ALBERT HOWARD, C.I.E., M.A., formerly Director of the Institute of Plant Industry, Indore, Central India, and Agricultural Adviser to States in Central India and Rajputana

King's Birthday Honours

THE King's birthday honours list includes the names of the following men of science and others associated with scientific work and development. Baron: Sir Hugo Hirst, chairman and managing director of the General Electric Company, Ltd. G.B.E.: Sir John Reith, Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation. K.B.E.: Dr. F. G. Banting, Dominion of Canada, discoverer of insulin. Knights: Major R. G. Archibald, director of the Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories, Sudan; Mr. A. W. Flux, honorary vice-president (past president) of the Royal Statistical Society; Mr. Albert Howard, lately agricultural adviser to the States in Central India and Rajputana; Dr. W. H. Moberly, vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester; Dr. C. E. Saunders, lately Dominion cerealist, Dominion of Canada, discoverer of Marquis, Ruby, Reward and Garnet Wheat; Prof. G. Elliot Smith, professor of anatomy in the University of London (University College). C.B.: Dr. R. E. Stradling, director of Building and Road Research, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. C.M.G.: Mr. A. C. Bagshawe, secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Lands, Southern Rhodesia; Prof. R. S. Troup, director of the Imperial Forestry Institute and professor of forestry in the University of Oxford, for services to forestry in the Colonies. C.I.E.: Mr. F. Canning, chief conservator of forests, United Provinces; Mr. P. E. Aitchison, chief conservator of forests, Bombay Presidency; Mr. W. McRae, director and Imperial mycologist, Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research, Pusa. C.B.E.: Dr. W. L. Balls, chief botanist, Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. L. St. L. Pendred, editor-in-chief of the Engineer; Dr. L. J. Spencer, keeper of minerals, British Museum (Natural History).

The Indian Science Congress at Bombay

UNDER the presidency of Mr. A. Howard, Director of the Institute of Plant Industry, Indore, and Agricultural Adviser to States in Central India, the thirteenth annual meeting of the Indian Science Congress was held at Bombay on January 4–9. In addition to sectional meetings, joint discussions were held on recent scientific work directed to the improvement of cotton-growing (Sections of Agriculture, Mathematics and Physics, Zoology and Botany) and on the structure of the atom and quantum theory (Sections of Mathematics and Physics and Chemistry). Public lectures on droughts and famines, by Dr. H. H. Mann, on life at higher altitudes in Western Tibet, by Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap, and on modern applications of X-rays, by Prof. H. Parameshwaran, were arranged, as well as visits to places of scientific interest in the neighbourhood of Bombay.