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Andaman and Nicobar Islands tribes are falling into the mainstream society and this has been criticised as well few feel that this is essential. The vacating tribes from the islands can be exploited because of their innocence, yet few feel that for their education and survival the adaptation to the new society is mandatory.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) such as Shompens, Jarawans (ang), Onges, and the Great Andamanese are the respective tribes of the Andamans. In 2024, April 19th, six individuals from the Shompens including Jethwani, Thuwaee and Chemai voted for the first time for the Lok Sabha elections. This was a significant move from the tribes towards their community.
The tribes are in news because of the 72000 Crore international transhipment project by the centre.
Shompens are the uncontacted nomadic hunters with a population of 244 on Nicobar islands according to Business standard. However, the local administration stated that there is no worry for the Shompens tribe as they have moved inside the jungles after the 2004 Tsunami. Jual Oram, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, has stated that the integration is only based on the willingness of the tribals to balance modernisation with cultural preservation.
Previously Andamanses rarely left their settlement areas, whereas now they are evident for their transformations. Techa, a person from the Great Andamanese also cleared NEET in the 2022 exam. She faced many challenges yet turned out to be the first to clear NEET from the Andamanese. Many individuals from the local Andamanese have been in many positions. Olake from the tribe is a PWD department and he said that it's time to think beyond the jungle career.
Out of nine from the great Andamanese including the Buro, Ellage and Morophoo are now working in the police departments. They expressed their pleasure working in the police department as living in a jungle wearing Khaki.
Anadamese also has sports persons Luke Moore in cricket, Dech in archery and Jurol in archery.
The tribals are showing their ways to merge into the local society.
Local administration also says that the natural habitat of living of the Great Anadamanese tribe like hunting has been declined and replaced by a diet high in carbohydrates, according to business standards. The tribal department in their official statement wrote that, “Positive interventions in healthcare and education have stabilised tribal populations and inspired their younger generations to pursue better job opportunities.” 26 Andamanese and seven Onge PVTGs have secured positions in government jobs according to the Tribal Welfare Department. The tribes are interacting with mainstream society and slowly adopting the preferences even for cosmetics and electronic items.
