CHAPTER III ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
During 1973-74, the Anthropological Survey of India was engaged in three major all-India projects, namely, 'Socioeconomic changes among the weaker sections of the Indian Population' based on intensive village studies; 'All-India Bio-anthropological Survey' in order to provide base-line data on secular trends and morbidity load in Indian population and 'Study of Ethnic Groups in the Himalayan Border Areas'. Four regional stations, namely, those at Shillong, Nagpur, Dehra Dun, and Mysore, were involved in the projects alongwith the staff posted at the headquarters of the survey in Calcutta.
Cultural Anthropology Division Besides the above, mentioned projects of national importance, work on the undermentioned projects/field studies was undertaken by the Cultural Anthropology Division and allied sections of the Survey:
(1) Study of Urban Anthropology;
(2) Study on Impact of Industrialisation;
(3) Field researches on tribal groups;
(4) Study of problems of rural communities;
(5) Ethno-linguistic and allied studies; and
(6) Work on the problems of human ecology.
Three monographs and nineteen research papers have been prepared for publication.
Physical Anthropology Division Besides the field work carried out at 125 locations in various parts of different States in connection with the 'All India Bio- anthropological Survey, the following projects were also undertaken :
(1) Osteological studies of the Burzahom and Rupkund remains were continued Work on dental anthropology and cranial shape was also in progress.
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(2) Analysis of blood group and P.T.C. studies on the Santhala from Bihar and Lepcha and Rai Nepalis of West Bengal were completed.
(3) Works on G 6 PD deficiency and haemophilia were undertaken through different hospitals of Calcutta.
(4) Analysis of dermatoglyphic material on the Central Dravidian speaking tribes, and castes and tribes of West Bengal.
(5) Growth studies among Muslim girls of Murshidabad district, West Bengal and studies on the order or eruption of deciduous teeth among the Bengali children of Calcutta.
(6) Anthropological demography of Kyasthas in metro- politan Calcutta.
(7) Field work among the Juang of Koraput to study adaptation of physique to seasonal variation in caloric consumption.
Zonal Museum, Jagdalpur, Madhya Pradesh During the year an anthropological museum has been set up at Jagdalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Collection of museum specimens is in progress. So far over one hundred exhibits have been procured. These include memorial posts, musical instruments, weapons, artifacts, basketry, dress, ornaments, bell-metal Objects and works of art.
Auxiliary Sections A bibliography on the past eminent anthropologists of India has been prepared. for publication. Data on the growth of manpower covering fifty years have been collected for analysis from the oldest university department of Anthropology namely that of Calcutta University.
Library (a) Books added to the stock--500; (b) Reprints added to the stock-145; (c) Loose Journals received-838. Documentation work on Indian Anthropology pertaining to 1970 and onwards is in progress.
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Fifth Five Year Plan Programmes in the Draft Fifth Five Year Plan include-study of the problems of the weaker sections of the population of India and of the People of the Himalayan border area, researches in genetical demography and opening of the Western India station of the survey (among the new schemes) and studies on the impact of industrialisation on the life of tribals, sero-anthropology, development of the survey's zonal anthropological museums, etc. (among the continuing Plan programmes). A provision of Rs. 85 lakhs has been suggested for the survey's activities in the draft fifth five year plan.