Impact of Modernization on Socio-Economic Changes of Dalit Community (A Case Study of Kabre VDC, Dolakha)

Abstract

Modernization is a process of change where a less developed society acquires the characteristics of modern developed society. Nepal is geographically unique and socio-culturally diverse and distinct secular country with varied ethnic/ caste morphology. Dalits in Nepal are in general illiterate, unemployed, landless, poor, ignored, exploited and their socio- economic condition is sunken. After the restoration of democracy in 1990 and a decade long Maoist Movement has positively helped to bring change in social dignity.

The study Impact of Modernization on Socio-Economic Changes of Dalit Community (A Case Study of Kabre VDC, Dolakha) analyzes the socio-economic condition and examines the impact of modernization on the Dalit community of Kabre VDC, Dolakha district. The specific objectives of the study were; a. To examine the socio- economic status of Dalit community b. To analyze the effects of modernization in the socio-economic changes amongst the Dalits, and c. To recommend appropriate suggestions for the development and standardization of Dalit community.

The study was carried out being based on both descriptive and exploratory research design. The primary data were generated through Household Survey, Direct Field Observation, Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussion. Out of 175 HHs of Dalits of Kabre VDC, Dolakha, 60 HHs were selected as total sampling size. Simple random sampling method was applied to conduct household survey from purposively selected wards.

The average household size of Dalit community of Kabre VDC is 5.4. The majority of the couples get married in-between the age of 17-20 year. About 70 percent of them lead nuclear family. The literacy rate is 62.4 percent and 98 percent of the children (under age of 10) enroll at school. About 43.33 percent HHs have their own private tap, 38 percent of respondents have modern latrine. The landholding size is only 0.708 Ropani. About 33.33 percent of respondents have transformed their traditional occupation as business or small enterprises. The estimated per capital annual income of respondent households is NRs 37,365. About 85 percent of the households have access to electricity for lighting. The average food sufficiency of the community is for 4.68 months. Overall about 61.33 percent of the respondent reported that they have got better change in their socio- economic status in comparison to a decade back. The overall socio- economic condition of Dalit is not better but in comparison to a decade back, a positive change can be seen which can be called the positive impact of modernization.