Community Media and Grass Roots Development

Abstract

Nilgiris is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu, India. Badagas are the dominant tribes living in and around the Nilgiris district. Badagas have migrated to other cities and a few countries for education, jobs and business. In India, Badagas were categorized as quotImportant Primitive Tribesquot until the 1931 census. Currently, Badagas are categorised as a backward community. Badagas reside in all the four landscapes of Nilgiris, namely Purangadu, Thodhanadu, Mekkunaadu, and Kundhe Seemai. The Badaga community serves as the prime example for other tribes and communities in the district. This thesis investigates the role of community media in grassroots development, focusing on the Badaga community in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. newline