Grey Literature on Caste-based Minority Community in India

Problem/Goal: In India, caste system is very strong even in the 21st century. From ages the backward communities were suppressed at many fronts. These backward communities include Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Nomadic Tribes (NT), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Each category is further divided into sub-categories. Amongst all OBCs are better in their socio-economic, socio-cultural position. Earlier the SCs and STs were the most oppressed class. Numbers of studies were undertaken on SC/ STs focusing on various issues such as health, education, employment, political participation, socioeconomic status, etc. Through 1980s and 90s many research, projects, and government publications have generated information regarding the above mentioned aspects. This paper will survey libraries of Mumbai to review the grey literature available in different formats pertaining to the various issues of these minority communities. Research Method: Literature review of projects, thesis and dissertations, government publication, working papers, etc. available in libraries of Mumbai will be conducted. Result: Even after 60 years of Independence, caste based minority communities have not yet achieved equality with the upper class. Government as well as NGOs is/are taking initiative in empowerment of such minorities. Numbers of government schemes and policies have been implemented. Several studies have been undertaken to evaluate the success of these schemes and policies and acts. This research is surveying seven libraries in the city of Mumbai to assess the types and amount of grey literature available pertaining to the caste-base minorities. There are reports, research studies, thesis and dissertations, working papers, government publication, etc. The way this literature is acquired, organized and made available to the potential users, the use of the Internet in dissemination is also discussed. While most of these documents are in English, there are few studies in Marathi and Hindi. The study will also highlight the measures taken by these libraries to promote circulation of these documents as many of these documents delineate policy decision of the Government and the impact of such decisions.Includes: Conference preprint, Powerpoint presentation, Abstract and Biographical notes, Pratt student commentaryXAInternationa